By the death of the said our father Sepulveda (which was very keenly felt by our province, and which grieved the hearts of all the members individually), although the father definitors ought to have taken up the government, yet they made a renunciation of the right which pertained to every one of them.  Accordingly, announcements were sent through the provinces to the effect that the provincial chapter should be held on the last day of October, the thirty-first, of the year 17.

About this time the very illustrious Don Diego Vazquez de Marcado, archbishop of Manila, a most worthy prelate, died.  He was the embodiment of learning, virtue, and prudence, and all grieved sorely at his death.  Our bishop of Cebu, Don Fray Pedro de Arce, entered upon the government of the archbishopric, by a special bull of Paul V, and he was assigned one talega [44] more salary than he received in his bishopric.

During this period occurred the persecution of Christians in Japon by the emperor Dayfusama, and the martyrdom of our blessed martyrs in that kingdom. [45]

Our enemy the Dutch also came with seventy [sic] vessels to Playa Honda in Zambales, seeing that they were unable to attain their designs—­namely, to capture the port of Cavite, and change the minds of the natives, turn them from the service and homage of our Catholic monarch, and render them allies to themselves.  But on Saturday, April 7, 1617, our fleet left Cavite under command of Master-of-camp Don Juan Ronquillo, who had the happiness and good luck to sink several of their vessels, burn another, and put the rest to flight amid the islands.  Our fleet remained intact, except for two vessels which were roughly handled.  May 8, 1618, the fleet returning to the port of Cavite, was received with great pomp and joy because of their happy victory, which they had obtained by the Divine favor.  Salutes were fired in honor of Nuestra Senora de Guia [i.e., “our Lady of Guidance"], and Don Juan Ronquillo was acclaimed as the father of this land and its savior from the Dutch enemy, who were trying to conquer this archipelago.

Our religious who were assigned to the Bisayan provinces went to their respective destinations, and arrived safely, thanks to the Lord, notwithstanding the dangerous seas among the islands in the season of baguios and hurricanes.  But they were courageous, and confided in the obedience that conquers all things.

In the beginning of the month of September, father Fray Juan de Rivera, prior of Octong, and father Fray Francisco Bonifacio, prior of Passi, set forth in an excellent caracoa, and a good crew of sailor folk.  As they were crossing from the island of Tablas to Dumalor, or the island of Mindoro, they encountered a large boat of Camucones and a little vessel.  The Vizcayan prior of Octong did not lose his head, but encouraged their men, and made them attack the enemy’s bark.  They did it with great resolution,