- Preface 9
- [Historia de la provincia del Sancto Rosario de la Orden de Predicadores] (continued) Diego Aduarte, O.P.; Manila, 1640 23
- [Bibliographical Data] 301
Illustrations
- Title-page of Historia de la provincia del Santo Rosario de Filipinas, tomo primero, by Diego Aduarte, O.P. (Zaragoca, 1693); photographic facsimile from copy in library of Harvard University 21
- Map showing portions of Cochinchina and the Philippine Islands; photographic facsimile of Dutch parchment MS. map (in colors; undated, but of eighteenth century), in Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris 177
- Map of Ituy and other provinces in northern Luzón, ca. 1641; photographic facsimile from original MS. map in Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla 289
Preface
The present volume is devoted to a further installment of Aduarte’s Historia, begun in Vol. XXX—which work will be completed in our next issue. The part here given covers the years 1596 to 1608 in the history of the Dominican order in the Philippines.
Resuming Aduarte’s account of the missions carried on by his order among the Indians of Cagayán, in northern Luzón, the pious and devout acts of their converts, and the joy and gratitude of the religious thereat, are recounted at length. In 1596, news comes to the islands of the death of Bishop Salazar in Spain. Aduarte describes in detail the life, achievements, and virtues of that prelate. He was distinguished—not only in the Philippines, but during a long residence in Nueva España—as the friend and protector of the Indian natives. His mode of life was most simple and austere; he was charitable and generous to the full extent of his limited means. By nature choleric and quick-tempered, he trained himself to patience and forbearance; and the slanders of the evil-minded against him only roused his compassion. He was public-spirited, and foremost in all enterprises for the good of the community. To him are attributed the royal grant to the Jesuits for maintaining a school, and the establishment and much of the endowment of the hospital for sick Indians.
Bishop Salazar’s journey to Spain enables him to secure for his cathedral important aid, and the division of his diocese, so that its manifold duties may be more satisfactorily performed; soon afterward, he dies at Madrid. During his absence, his see is directed by his vicar-general, Fray Christobal de Salvatierra, to an account of whose exemplary life, valuable labors, and apostolic virtues a chapter is devoted. He protects the Indians, and does much to reform the morals of the Spaniards. Among other things, he compels the Chinese to cease such of their theatrical performances as contain idolatrous and superstitious matter; and obliges the Spaniards to give up attendance at these comedies. It is he who begins the spiritual conquest of the Cagayán region, and he goes on other expeditions; and he assumes charge of the Bataán mission until missionaries come for that field. At his death, he appoints two Dominicans to assume his duties as vicar-general; but they are so opposed by the ecclesiastical cabildo that they resign the office to the latter. Next comes a biographical sketch of the younger Juan de Castro, who is assigned to the toilsome and difficult mission of Pangasinán. In December, 1593, he accompanies an embassy to China; on the return voyage, the ship is wrecked. Castro escapes to land, but soon afterward dies as a result of the shock and exposure thus suffered.