The month of August, 1572, was, beyond doubt, a sad one throughout the Filipinas Islands; for, in that month the Lord was pleased to take to Himself Adelantado Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, by whose valor and prudence these islands had been won, and increased with the advantages that were seen.  For in his eight years of governorship he did not begin anything that did not have a prosperous conclusion—­well known to arise from his zeal and Christianity and his firmness and forbearance.  Hence he was, with reason, loved by his own men, and feared and respected by foreigners.  Thus, by merely the renown of his name in the islands, no one, however brave he might be, dared to exert himself as a leader.  During his life, all promised themselves that that work commenced by him would attain the ends suitable to beginnings so distinguished.  But at his death everything remained, as it were, in a torpid condition; for indeed it seemed to the enemy impossible that that man who had conquered theme had died, or that so great valor had passed away so soon.  But, truly, those who grieved and wept most were our religious, for they knew what they were losing in his loss, and how matters of religious instruction would be put backward, which by his valor were extending and widening the territories of the church.  And their grief was greater because they were surrounded on all sides by enemies, and were in a city without walls, or other fort than that of the bodies and good courage of the soldiers But soldiers are wont to lose their courage when they have no level head to guide them and face the danger.  The adelantado was buried, in fine, in the convent of St. Augustine in Manila, his bones being deposited there, until his disposition of them was carried out.  Father Fray Martin de Rada, who lived there then as provincial, conducted his obsequies.  He preached a long sermon on his many virtues, in which it is certain that one cannot say that love of his benefactor moved him, but zeal that vices should be eradicated.

After the next year, 73, his obsequies were preached in our convent in Mejico.  There Master Fray Melchor de los Reyes preached with the vigor that might be expected from so erudite a man.  He satisfied the audience and not less our duty and thankfulness.  And certainly we in this convent ought to feel very thankful toward him [i.e., Legazpi] and for the blessings and advantages acquired through him by the order of our father St. Augustine.

The treasurer, Guido de Lavezares, entered into the government by virtue of a royal decree in the islands (although a secret one), in which his Majesty ordered that in case of the death of the adelantado they should be governed by Mateo de Saus—­who had gone to the islands with the title of master-of-camp; and in case of the death of this second, the treasurer should enter into the governorship, with the title of governor and captain-general.  He did so, thus fulfilling his Majesty’s decree; and he had so great Christianity and prudence, that one would believe that he had inherited the spirit and zeal of the dead governor.