14.  I have written at this length not for fear of someone having written against me—­for to think that no one would do so would be great arrogance—­but only to give account to your Majesty of what passes here; to ask pardon for my omissions, and that you will not believe those who are affected by passion; and that you be pleased to withdraw me hence, as I petitioned you last year.  The toil endured here is vast, and I have now but little strength and health to be able to endure it, when I have so little success in attaining my loyal desires.  My agents will present memorials in that royal Council, in which I beg your Majesty for some gratuity and accommodations with which to leave this exile.  I promise myself a very liberal one from your royal kindness and generosity, in proportion to my services and those of my ancestors and forbears.  May our Lord preserve the Catholic and royal person of your Majesty, with increase of kingdoms and states, as is necessary to Christendom.  Cavite, August 4, 1630.  Sire, your Majesty’s humble vassal,

Don Juan Nino de Tavora

Historia de la Orden de S. Agustin de Estas Islas Filipinas

By Fray Juan de Medina, O.S.A., Manila, 1893 [but written in 1630].

Source:  Translated from a copy of the above work, in the possession of the Editors.

Translation:  This document it translated (and in part synopsized) by James A. Robertson.

History of the Augustinian Order in the Filipinas Islands

By Fray Juan de Medina, O.S.A.

History of the events of the order of our great father St. Augustine in these Filipinas Islands, from the time of their discovery and colonization by the Spaniards, with information regarding memorable occurrences.  Composed by the venerable father, Fray Juan de Medina, [11] a native of Sevilla, formerly minister to the villages of Ibahay, Aclan, Dumangas, Passi, and Panay, vicar-provincial of that island, [12] and prior of the convent of Santo Nino de Cebu.  Written by his own hand in the year 1630.  The annals of the religious of the order of our father St. Augustine in the Filipinas Islands from the time of their discovery and colonization by the Spaniards by order and command of Don Felipe II, king and sovereign of the Espanas.

Chapter I

[Medina’s narrative opens with the expedition of Legazpi, and the part played therein by the Augustinian Andres de Urdaneta and his companions.  Felipe II, having determined upon an expedition to the western islands, “entrusted the matter to the viceroy of Nueva Espana, at that time Don Luis de Velasco, a man of so great worth in all matters, that he has never received adequate praise.  The king gave him in everything ample and most complete authority to appoint a commander and officials, and to make