Recurring to affairs at Manila, he recounts the beginning and growth of the Chinese trade there, and the unsuccessful attempts of the early Augustinians to open a mission in China.  Legazpi’s death (1572) is a grief and loss to that order.  The people of Mindoro, hearing of Limahon’s attack on Manila, rebel, and threaten to kill the missionaries there; but afterward they release the fathers.  The Moros at Manila also revolt, but are finally pacified.

Various new Augustinians arrive at Manila in 1574 and 1575; but a great loss befalls them in the following year, in the death of Fray Diego de Herrera and ten missionaries whom he was bringing to the islands, their ship being wrecked when near Manila.  The Augustinians, seeing their inability to cultivate so great a mission-field, invite other orders to come to their aid.  Accordingly, the discalced Franciscans arrive in the islands in 1577, the Jesuits in 1580, the Dominicans in 1581.  Medina enumerates the missions and colleges conducted by the latter orders, at the same time warmly commending their educational work and their pious zeal.  The Dominicans are in charge of the Sangleys, of whose sharp dealings with the Spaniards Medina complains.  Among the mission-fields ceded to the Dominicans by the Augustinians are the provinces of Pangasinan and Cagayan; in the latter, the natives frequently revolt against the Spaniards.

Medina extols the magnificence of the churches in Manila, and the liberality displayed by the faithful in adorning them.  This is noted by foreigners who come to the city, notably the Japanese.  The converts of that nation have witnessed nobly their zeal and holy devotion, for more than nine hundred have been martyred in Japan for the truth.  In 1575, two Augustinians go to China with letters from the governor of the Philippines, hoping to begin a mission in that country.  In this attempt they are not successful, but they return with much information regarding China, which until then had been mainly a terra incognita.

The city of Manila has made steady progress, and the religious orders are erecting stone buildings for their convents.  At first, they had built their houses of wood, in the native style, which is described by our writer.  Many houses, both within and without the city, are now built of stone; but the health of the city is not as good as when the people lived in wooden houses.

In 1578 Fray Agustin de Alburquerque is elected provincial, and at once begins to extend the missions of his order—­especially in Pampanga, of which province some description is given.  This province, once so populous, has lost many of its men by conscription for the Spanish forts, being sent away even to Maluco.  It is often raided by the head-hunting tribes of the interior—­something which cannot be checked, especially on account of the heedlessness and lack of foresight inherent in the character of the Indians.  They are lazy, deficient in public spirit, and have no initiative;