overturn the boat, leaving him to drown while they swim safely to shore.  The chapter ends with an account of the life of Bishop Don Fray Gregorio de Santa Catalina Alarcon who after having been appointed bishop of Nueva Caceres, in the Philippines, by King Felipe IV, is appointed almost immediately afterward to the bishopric of Santiago de Cuba at Habana.  His death occurs at sea while on his way to assume the latter office.  This chapter completes the annals for the year 1624.]

GENERAL HISTORY OF THE PHILIPINAS BY FRAY JUAN DE LA CONCEPCION [60]

Volume IV

Chapter VII

Arrival at these islands of a new mission of the discalced Recollects, the reformed branch of the Hermits of the order of the great father St. Augustine.

[Through the solicitations of Felipe II, the supreme general of the Augustinian order, Gregorio Petrochini, furthers the founding in Spain of a reformed branch of the order.  Accordingly the beginning is made in the convent of Talavera, from which beginning the branch gradually grows, although with several set-backs, until the Recollects (their distinctive name) obtain separation from the regular branch of the Augustinians.  A province is formed, and elections held, at which Juan de San Geronimo is chosen provincial.  After his term of office, he is created bishop of Chiapa; but, burning with the mission fever, offers himself and twelve companions as volunteers for the missions of the Indias.]

34.  So noble a proposition edified the king, who recognized it as made by a whole and free spirit.  The king had information that the orders appointed for the conquest of Philipinas were not sufficient for the total conversion and reduction of the many pagans; and, even if they were sufficient, that they had not exerted all their strength, distracted by other and less important cares.  The proposition of the father provincial was very much in keeping with the royal intentions.  Accordingly, without any delay, it was decreed that the father and his associates should prepare to go to the Philipinas Islands, and executive orders to his ministers for a speedy despatch were formulated without delay.  The venerable father kept these to himself until the formal session of the chapter, in whose assembly he presented the decree.  It was punctually obeyed, all of them considering this laborious expedition as a great service for God.  They determined to grant him all the necessary documents, and appointed as vicar-provincial with full powers father Fray Juan de San Geronimo himself, with the limitation of recognizing as superior the father provincial of the province of Castilla.