the first part of August.  The galleon “San Juan” was to sail; it had been built to fight the Dutch enemy.  Gaining the victory on St. Mark’s day, April 24 of the same year, it had been repaired again and was to make the voyage.  One of the Dutch vessels captured was to go as almiranta; but it did not make the voyage, as it was unseaworthy.  The trip was prosperous and the father reached Espana, attended by the same fortune.  There he gave so satisfactory an account of himself that not only did they not find him deserving of reprimand, but honored him, by making him bishop of Puerto Rico.  Later he was promoted to the archbishopric of Santo Domingo.  He gave the proofs that all the order promised itself from his great goodness and fervor.  His zeal in conducting the affairs of this province of Filipinas was very great.  He always recognized this province as his mother, and as that from which his higher station had originated.  Therefore, although now a bishop, he looked after the interests most important to him, namely, the sending of ministers and missionaries.  And indeed he did this by securing a fine company, whom he sent in charge of father Fray Juan de Montemayor, a most illustrious preacher, who was living in Andalucia, and wished to come to these regions.  He considered the offer made to him, to be prior of that company, as not bad; and conducted it to the Filipinas, as we shall see later.

The father master Solier appointed our father Fray Miguel Garcia (then prior of Manila) his vicar in the province of Filipinas; and left for him letters-patent, and all the authority that he could.  As we have said, he could not have left anyone more suitable, nor one who more completely filled the vacancy made by Father Solier’s departure.  Father Garcia governed during the one remaining year [of Father Solier’s provincialate], with great prudence, and proved what an excellent provincial he would have made.  Yet he was not, on that account, neglectful of his house of Manila, but governed it with strictness, which even became greater.  He enriched the choir with beautiful stalls of inlaid work and wood, which, after many years, are still in excellent condition.  He built the largest room in Manila, namely, the porter’s room.  Afterward, while provincial, he aided in the further progress of the work.  That house owes more to him than to any other.  Our father visitor chose as his associate father Fray Estacio Ortiz, [20] who had also been his associate when he went to begin the [work of the] order in Japon.  As he knew his talents and prudence through that long association, the father visitor thought that he could make no better choice of one to whom to entrust an office of so great secrecy than this man whom he considered so good.  Therefore as soon as he reached Manila, he appointed Father Ortiz as such, and therein he did exceeding well.  For, as has been proved, he is the most prudent man who has come to the Filipinas, very silent, very long-suffering, and above all, a