persevering for the lack of ministers.  He suffered greatly from this, for so necessary was the remedy.  It was impossible for the newcomers to consent to so favorable arrangements, or to listen to so urgent and compelling entreaties.  Their journey to Manila was unavoidable, in order to present the royal decrees and despatches to the governor.  They thanked his Excellency fittingly, and all offered to put themselves at his disposal after the performance of so necessary business.  They set out from that place to execute it, as soon as opportunity offered.  They reached the capital city of Manila without any accident, then celebrating the victories obtained by their governor, Don Pedro de Acuna, in the expedition of Terrenate.  They were accommodated in a small house for the time being, where the most influential people of the city came to visit them.  Everyone offered them a more decent lodging, the orders distinguishing themselves by offering them their convents.  To all they humbly excused themselves, only accepting the infirmary of the Dominican fathers, for the treatment of some of their sick, where they were treated with a most benign charity.  The governor arrived, triumphant from his expedition; and as soon as he heard of the arrival of those new religious, leaving the magnificent trophies, deigned to be the first to visit them.  He consoled and regaled them as a noble knight.  But being eager to finish the despatch of the ships to Acapulco, and going quickly to Cavite, he could not examine the royal despatches; nor could he do so afterward, for, as we have already stated, death attacked him while engaged in this affair, and laid its spoils in the sepulcher.  Thus was suspended his recognition of the royal decrees; they were presented to the royal Audiencia, who, recognizing them as authentic, gave them the requisite attention.  In virtue of these, permission was given to the father vice-provincial, Fray Juan de San Geronimo, to preach the gospel wherever he thought best, and to establish his houses wherever he should consider it most advisable.

Chapter VIII

This Mission establishes itself at Bagumbayan, and they begin their evangelical labors

1.  The deceased governor, Acuna, had already finished a country-seat or summer-house for his retirement from the cares caused by so extensive a government, at a location called Bagumbayan, three hundred paces distant from the walls of the city.  At the death of that gallant governor they began to try to dispose of this house.  The new missionaries thought that retreat very suitable for their purpose, and tried to buy it because it was already offered for sale.  For that purpose they went through the city begging alms of its citizens, accompanied by certain persons of influence, and in two afternoons they collected more than three thousand pesos.  With them they immediately paid the price asked, the authorized guardian