The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803; explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the Catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commericial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the beginning of the nineteenth century; [Vol. 1, no. 13]

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THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS

[Vol. 13

The death of Father Francisco Almerique, and other
events in Manila. Chapter LXXVII.
At the end of that year, one thousand six hundred
and one, Father Francisco Almerique ceased his
labors, death claiming him while he was busily occupied, and full of joy and consolation therein. He
had no illness save that occasioned by his very excessive labors, which for a period of almost twenty
years had been so wasting and reducing his energies
that the coming of hot weather carried him off, without strength to resist, in five days. At the time of his
death he was engaged in forming villages, some of
Indians and others of blacks. These latter are in
Manila called Itas; he had lured them from a rugged
mountain region, and persuaded them to settle in a
lovely, peaceful spot, fertile and pleasant, about two
or three leguas from Antipolo, giving to the
new settlement the name of Santiago. First in
Manila, and afterward in the mission of Taitai, he
busied himself with the study of languages and the
care of souls, to the very great satisfaction (as we
have already said) of all those who had relations
with him; for, on account of his great humility and
gentleness, he was loved and sought for, followed
and obeyed, honored and respected, and regarded as
a saint. He never spared toil when the aid of souls
was concerned, nor did he heed times and seasons;
by day and by night, in rain or the sun's heat, and
both far and near, forgetful of himself and his health,
he indefatigably rendered his services to whomsoever called him. His most important occupation
was to bring the people down from the mountains
and thinly settled districts, drawing them by cords of
love and gentleness. Such was his grace in this that,