Christoval Ferreyra”

From Japon we pass on to China, where the state of Christianity has been more quiet, and where it is very prosperous.  The Society is established in eight provinces and eleven cities, and, if it were not for the lack of workers, it would he extended much farther, and with great results.  At present there are in the whole of China seventeen priests and a few brothers-coadjutor, who are all laboring with praiseworthy zeal for the conversion of this great kingdom of China.  May the Lord prosper and protect your Reverence as I desire.  Manila, July 2, 1632.

[Another copy of this document, in the same collection (to. 114, no. 401), adds the following matter as a postscript, dated July 6, 1632:]

The emperor of Japan is dead; [97] so is the king of Arima, who had intended to come to attack Manila.  It is said that his death was most horrible, and that he caused his servants to put him to death with clubs, after having scalded him with the water with which he had tormented the martyrs.  All say that this was plainly a punishment for his tyrannous acts; and that he is paying for them in hell—­whence issued demons in the form of foxes, who went dancing before his carriage or litter when he returned from Nangasaqui [words illegible] ambassadors, spies sent to Manila, Father Miguel Matruda, of the Society.  These ambassadors—­who came as envoys in behalf of Uni Nudino, governor of Nangasaqui, and of the tono of Arima, called Asimadoro or Bungodon—­were received with the pomp and courtesy which such an embassy demanded.  On that occasion much caution was displayed by this colony through its chief, who is governor and captain-general of these islands.  For, on the one hand, he exhibited before those ambassadors the strength of this [word illegible] with its officers and infantry, which was drawn up in martial array along the streets—­almost all the way from the street nearest the beach where the Japanese disembarked, up to the palace; and, on the other, he paid them honor with a splendid and friendly reception.  He also offered them presents and entertainments as if they were envoys sent by Christian princes and our best friends.  This has been cordially remembered, to judge from what has since then been learned of their designs—­at least, that of one of those lords, the ruler of Arima.  This was, that the envoys should carefully ascertain what were the forces in Manila, in order to see whether the former plans were adequate. [Our transcriber in Madrid here adds:  “This letter (dated March 30, 1632) goes on to describe the martyrdoms, and ends thus:  ’After these torments, we were again conveyed to the prison from which they had taken us, where we now are.  There are five of us religious, besides other servants of God who are also prisoners for His sake.  I think that this autumn, when the governor comes, he will pronounce final sentence upon us.’” It is most probable that this is part of the letter by Father Antonio Yxida, mentioned in the text.]