the above work, in the possession
of the Editors.

_Translation_: This document it translated (and in part synopsized)
by James A. Robertson.

History of the Augustinian Order in the Filipinas Islands

_By Fray Juan de Medina, O.S.A._

History of the events of the order of our great father St. Augustine
in these Filipinas Islands, from the time of their discovery and
colonization by the Spaniards, with information regarding memorable
occurrences. Composed by the venerable father, Fray Juan de Medina,
[11] a native of Sevilla, formerly minister to the villages of Ibahay,
Aclan, Dumangas, Passi, and Panay, vicar-provincial of that island,
[12] and prior of the convent of Santo Nino de Cebu. Written by his
own hand in the year 1630. The annals of the religious of the order
of our father St. Augustine in the Filipinas Islands from the time
of their discovery and colonization by the Spaniards by order and
command of Don Felipe II, king and sovereign of the Espanas.

Chapter I

[Medina's narrative opens with the expedition of Legazpi, and the
part played therein by the Augustinian Andres de Urdaneta and his
companions. Felipe II, having determined upon an expedition to
the western islands, "entrusted the matter to the viceroy of Nueva
Espana, at that time Don Luis de Velasco, a man of so great worth
in all matters, that he has never received adequate praise. The
king gave him in everything ample and most complete authority to
appoint a commander and officials, and to make with them whatever
agreements and covenants seemed most advantageous to him and to the
royal service. They were always to listen to the advice of father Fray
Andres de Urdaneta.... His Majesty stipulated that Urdaneta should,
at all hazards, be persuaded to undertake the expedition in person,"
taking with him such other religious of the same order as he thought
best. The king wrote to Urdaneta as follows:]

I The King. To the devout father Fray Andres de Urdaneta, of the Order
of St. Augustine: I have been informed that, while you were a layman,
you accompanied the fleet of Loaysa, and passed through the Strait of
Magallanes and the spice region, where you spent eight years in our
service. And inasmuch as we have just charged Don Luis de Velasco,
our viceroy of that Nueva Espana, to send two ships to discover the
Western Islands in the direction of the Molucas, and to give them
instructions how to proceed, in accordance with the instruc