That year died father Fray Alonso Navarro, and father Fray Antonio Munoz.  Mention was made of the first in the first volume, decade i, chapter 6.  Mention will be made of the second in this fourth decade of this volume, chapter 9, in the foundation of the convent of Panama, Sec. 9.

Chapter Second

The apostolic see confirms what was enacted in the first general chapter of the reform.  Other new privileges are conceded.  The preaching of our religious in Filipinas spreads.

Year 1622

[Papal favor, with the confirmation of the enactments made by the first general chapter of the Recollects held in Madrid, puts the reformed order on a tolerably firm footing, and they are able to proceed with their missionary and other efforts with more peace of mind.  The first section of the present chapter relates entirely to the affairs of the order at large.  The Philippine narration is again taken up in section ii.]

Sec.  II

Preaching of our discalced Recollect religious in the province of Caragha.  Description of the country, with detailed and interesting information.

¶The divine Mercy scattered his accustomed favors upon the province of San Nicolas of Filipinas that year.  For its zealous sons, desiring to propagate the holy gospel, but lacking sufficient workers, busied themselves in preserving what had been acquired, until the arrival of very good companions [of their order], when they undertook to go to the province of Caragha, a very principal portion of the island called Mindanao.  That island rivals that of Luzon in size.  It is one hundred and fifty leguas distant from Luzon, and is more than three hundred in circuit, counting promontories and indentations.  Its greatest length is one hundred and thirty-six leguas, namely, from the point of La Galera to the cape of San Augustin.  It has flourishing villages, especially along the shores of the rivers, which are large and not few.  One which flows out of the famous lake of Malanao is larger than the others.  That lake is formed from other rivers which dash down from the mountains.  The shape of the lake is oval, and its circumference fifty leguas or more, according to report.  Its greatest diameter is only sixteen leguas, with its points and bays, and without the latter it is only twelve.  In short, that lake is considered as one of the most famous in the world.  Its marge is extremely fertile in rice and other food products, which abound in the Bisayas.  Its mountains are clothed with cinnamon-trees, brasil-trees, ebony, orange, and other trees that bear delicious fruit.  On the lowlands are bred abundance of deer, buffaloes, turtle-doves, and fowls, besides other kinds of game-birds.  But in the rough country are sheltered wild boars, civet-cats, and other fierce and wild animals.