[106] Xavier de Riquelme was born in Murcia in 1619, and became a Jesuit novice at the age of fifteen. He came to the Philippines in 1643, and taught in the Jesuit college some ten years. He was rector at Zamboanga three years, and held various official positions in his order, among them that of provincial. He died at Manila, May 24, 1692. (Murillo Velarde’s Hist. de Philipinas, fol. 369.) [↑]
[107] Pedro de Espinar was born at Toledo, March 27, 1630; at the age of seventeen he entered the Jesuit order, and in 1653 he came to the Philippines, where he professed in 1664. He ministered in the Visayas during ten years, and was procurator of his province eight years. Going to Madrid and Rome as procurator-general of the province, he afterward exercised that office for the Indias—first in Sevilla, where he spent eight years; and afterward in Madrid, where he died in 1695. (Murillo Velarde’s Hist. de Philipinas, fol. 369 verso.) [↑]
[108] On February 26, 1669, the minor children of Mansilla presented a petition demanding their father’s release. The usurper, suspecting that Corbera, the royal fiscal, had drawn up this document, arrested him and confiscated his goods; then brought suit against him, employing false and bribed witnesses. On the night of March 2, Corbera, hearing that Bonifaz was preparing to banish him, escaped through a window, and fled for refuge to the Jesuit church at San Miguel, without the walls of Manila, where he remained in the sanctuary. On June 25 he died, his death being hastened by the anxiety and suffering caused by Bonifaz’s treatment of him. (Ventura del Arco MSS., ii, pp. 604, 605, 613, 614.) [↑]
[109] i.e., “As many opinions as there are persons.” [↑]
[110] Of interest in the controversies aroused by the usurpation of the governorship of the Philippines after the arrest of Diego Salcedo is the following document, issued by the Franciscans of Manila. Similar documents were issued also by the Recollects on June 10, and by the Dominicans on June 11. All three originals are owned by Mr. Edward E. Ayer of Chicago, and we translate directly therefrom.
“We, father Fray Pedro Bautista, calificador of the Holy Inquisition, and provincial minister of the province of San Gregorio of the Philipinas Islands of the discalced religious of the glorious father St. Francis, and father Fray Juan de Jerez, lecturer on sacred theology, and guardian in this convent of Manila of the same order, testify that we personally know Licentiate Don Francisco de Montemayor y Mansilla, member of his Majesty’s Council, and his auditor in the royal Audiencia and Chancilleria resident in the islands. He is very upright and disinterested, and shows great prudence and energy in the despatch of all causes and business. On all occasions he manifests the great facility that his long study and experience have acquired for him. He is modest and peaceable in behavior, and thus of easy access to all who go to him. He gives an ear to their affairs very willingly, and with all justice, for with his Grace nothing is more esteemed than justice. Consequently, his able and honest method of procedure in the duties in his charge, and especially his close attention to the duties of the Audiencia and the other things in his care, make him beloved by all the community. In the many commissions that have been charged to him, we have seen him despatch them with great expedition and maturity of judgment. We have heard all the above declared by several persons on certain occasions; and, inasmuch as we feel what all men feel we most solemnly asseverate it, and attest that thus we do believe. We give the present with our signatures attached, in Manila, June nine, one thousand six hundred and fifty-five.
”Fray Pedro Baptista, provincial minister.
”Fray Juan Xerez, guardian of Manila.
[Portion of signature illegible.]
“In testimony of truth,
”Nicolas de Herrera,
public and royal notary.”