aken part in the most important things recounted
in this history; for he will see how he was one of the six who first
came to this country in the adelantado's following, November 23,
1564. He will find this father the associate of Father Urdaneta, when
the latter discovered the return passage to Nueva Espana. He will see
him at the court, together with the aforesaid [Urdaneta], informing
King Felipe II about events in Filipinas, and of the fortunes of that
fleet, which we have related. Although he returned to Mejico with the
same Father Urdaneta, and stayed there many years, yet, thinking that
he was ill employing the health which our Lord gave him, and that his
person would be more useful in the country which he had discovered for
the honor of God, and thus renewed in courage and spirit, he determined
to return to Filipinas. For that purpose he petitioned the father
provincial of Mejico to aid him on that journey with some religious,
who were the jewels of greatest value that he could take. His request
was conceded, and those religious were such that truly this province
of Filipinas owes what luster it possesses to them. For as they
were all excellent persons for the ministry, and came from a place,
namely, Mejico, where so great care and solicitude was the rule,
they tried to reduce this province to the fashion of that one, by
settling the Indians, gathering them together, and making them observe
civilized laws. And I am very certain that that is the difficulty
of christianizing these islands. If the desired gain in the harvests
is not seen today, it is because there has been no firmness in that
plan; but the natives are allowed to live in their small settlements,
whither the religious goes but seldom, and the Indians cannot see what
is preached to them put into practice. I have said somewhat on this
subject previously, and whenever opportunity occurs, I shall again
discuss it, as it is very dose to my heart. Besides, it was, and is,
better for the Castilians themselves to have the Indians living in
communities; for in matters requiring despatch, they have the latter
close at hand, and keep them more tamed, and richer in what concerns
their advantage. "But," I ask, "what difference is there between the
Zambales of these islands, and the Chinese? Are the former not, like
the latter, rational beings? If then they agree in the chief thing,
which is excellency, how do they differ so much in the manner of
living? Why do som