[96] Numerous currents are set up, through the passage among the islands, by the great equatorial current which crosses the Pacific from east to west, dividing east of the Philippines. Surface drifts are also set in motion by the southwest wind in summer and fall, which make the currents in various directions among the islands at certain times of the year. These small currents have much influence on the climate, those in the San Bernardino Strait affecting the peninsula of Sorsogón and the north coast of Samar. Tides in the Philippines are exceedingly irregular, varying greatly in different places, owing to the directions in which tidal waves move, and differing also greatly at different times of the month. See Census of Philippine Islands (Washington, 1905), pp. 56, 90, 91. [↑]
[97] Jerónimo Ramos had labored in the missions of Taguig (1650), Malolos (1653), and Bauan in Batangas (1654–62). In 1662 he retired to the Manila convent, where he died in 1668. See Pérez’s Catálogo, p. 109. [↑]
[98] The previously-cited document in Ventura del Arco MSS. ascribes (pp. 502–512) Salcedo’s unpopularity to his being unable to satisfy the extravagant expectations of persons who demanded from him offices and opportunities for gain; dislike of him by the priests and friars; the resentment of traders with whom his proceedings interfered; jealousy of his Flemish dependents; his severe enforcement of certain decrees; the plots and schemes of Bonifaz and others; and his own arrogance, and self-will. [↑]
[99] Salcedo’s enemies concocted the scheme of imprisoning him, “on the pretext of his arrest being made by the Inquisition, and on a complaint [of his acting] contrary to the Christian faith,” as this would silence all opposition or any attempt to rescue him. They gained over the master-of-camp, Zepeda, who on the appointed night stationed his nephew’s company on guard at the palace, to which he himself repaired—allowing the conspirators to reach the governor’s room unhindered. Through the friars who were concerned in the plot, they summoned many of the leading citizens—under penalty of excommunication for any one who should reveal the matter, or fail to be present that night at the Augustinian convent at a set (and unusual) hour—to assist the commissary of the Inquisition in the arrest of a prominent but unnamed personage on charges concerning the holy faith. In order to give further coloring of reason for this arrest, they consulted beforehand the auditors Bonifaz and Mansilla, and the Audiencia fiscal, Doctor Francisco Corbera y Mejia—“not as officials of the Audiencia, but as lawyers”—all of whom were enemies of the governor. (Ventura del Arco MSS., ii, pp. 528–531.) [↑]
[100] The lay-brother Juan Panés was born in Rota in the province of Cadiz, and took the habit in Manila, May 3, 1652, being appointed procurator in the Manila convent. He died August 6, 1695, from mental disorder. See Pérez’s Catálogo, p. 200. [↑]
[101] This man is thus characterized in Ventura del Arco MSS., ii, p. 512: “In the same ship sailed [to Manila, 1666] also father Fray Mateo Vallo [elsewhere Ballon], commissary of the band of religious of St. Francis that it bore. He belonged to a foreign nation, and had a turbulent disposition. After having roamed about the world while he was a layman, he came to these islands as a trader, where, during the government of Don Diego Fajardo, this man was sentenced to the gallows. Having accidentally escaped that punishment, he took refuge with the Order of St. Francis, where he assumed their habit; and in course of time his order sent him to España, to bring over the said religious.” [↑]
[102] Montero y Vidal says (Hist. de Filipinas, i, p. 335): “Father Patermina [sic] threatened with the terrors of the Holy Office an old woman who looked after the governor’s comfort, commanding her to open the door of his chamber at a signal agreed upon.” [↑]
[103] Cf. the account of Salcedo’s arrest given ante, pp. 23–29. [↑]
[104] Salcedo was taken to the Franciscan convent, and immediately the conspirators celebrated the event with suppers and the drinking of toasts through the night, according to previous arrangements made by them. “In this manner did the fathers of St. Francis return his pious act, and the alms of 5,000 pesos which he had just given them for the building of their church.” Ventura del Arco MSS., ii, p. 532.) [↑]
[105] Diego Luis de San Vítores, S. J., was born at Burgos, November 12, 1627, and entered the Society July 25, 1647. After having taught philosophy at Alcalá de Henares, he sailed for Mexico, May 14, 1660, and in 1662 went to the Philippines. He became the greatest missionary to the Mariana or Ladrone Islands. He was killed April 2, 1672, at Guam. He left a number of writings. His life was written by Francisco García and published at Madrid in 1683. See Sommervogel’s Bibliothèque; and Murillo Velarde’s Historia, fol. 314–331 verso. The evangelization of the Marianas will be treated separately in this series if space permit. [↑]