the Augustinian fathers--who, until then, had been occupied alone in
the islands in the conversion of the natives, and had been the first
preachers of the gospel therein, which they had preached with much zeal
and to the great good of the natives. The said fathers had baptized,
when the Franciscans arrived, more than one hundred thousand of the
natives, besides preparing and catechizing the others for baptism;
and, in addition, preparing themselves so that at the first opportunity
they might enter the kingdom of China to preach the holy gospel. After
the Franciscans had lived in the islands for the space of one year,
busying themselves in helping the Augustinians, and in the conversion
and instruction of the natives, learning during this time through
the reports of the Augustinian fathers themselves, and from many
Chinese merchants who were constantly coming to the islands with
merchandise, of the many wonderful things of that great kingdom and
the countless number of souls, whom the devil held in his service,
deceived with false idolatry--they were filled with great zeal and
longing for the salvation of these people, and with the desire to
go thither to preach the holy gospel, although it should be at the
risk and peril of their lives. They made known this desire several
times to the governor then in those islands for his Majesty, namely,
Doctor Francisco de Sande, entreating his favor and permission to go
to the said China, with certain Chinese merchants then at that port
with their vessels; and offered, of their own accord, to gain the
consent of the latter, even at the price of becoming their slaves,
or in any other manner possible. But as often as they discussed
the matter with the governor, it was evident that he looked upon
the idea coldly, and put them off with hopes. Mindful of the fact
that their chief purpose in coming from España had been, to attempt
to effect an entrance into that kingdom to preach the gospel, and
having their desires heightened by their intercourse with the Chinese