Fray Andres de Aguirre, the new provincial might continue what his predecessor had so happily commenced.  Thus, then, the whole chapter having turned their attention to the good of the province, many things were settled in it; and the province began to spread, and new priorates were assigned from the visitas of the order (which were numerous and very widely scattered), so that by this means the Indians could be better instructed and greater care taken of them.  The experience has shown us that they are a race with whom one cannot be neglectful; and if it were possible to assign one religious to each Indian, so that the latter might not lose sight of him, even this, I believe would be insufficient.  For scarcely has one left them for any short space of time, when they return to their natural way of life—­just like the bow which, when strung, is bent; but, when unstrung, at once straightens and regains its former position.

In this chapter religious were established in the village of Bantay, of the province of Ilocos, near the town of Fernandina, which now exists only in name. [125] It is fifty leguas from Manila.  It has now an excellent wooden house and church.  It belongs to the bishopric of Cagayan, and the bishop of that province usually lives there.  It has two resident religious, and has more than one thousand Indians in charge.  The chapter placed a religious in the village of Purao, [126] the first village in the province of Ilocos after leaving the province of Pangasinan.  This village belongs to the bishopric of Cagayan, and is a district of about one thousand Indians, although it is unhealthful.  Two religious live there usually.  It is fifty-four leguas from Manila.  One can go to the province of Ilocos either by sea or by land, although the highway is very dangerous.  One always goes with an escort of armed Indians, for many Zambales wander through those mountains, whence they descend to hunt heads.  When there is no resistance offered by arquebuses, of which they are in deadly fear, they obtain heads very easily.

This chapter established religious in Vigan, or the village of Fernandina, near Bantay.  There lives the bishop, to whom this town has been given for his dwelling, and so that he may place there what seculars he wishes.  It is the best town in Ilocos, although it has suffered its setbacks from fires, which have caused much damage.  The residence of the alcalde-mayor of this province is here.  This province is better than all the others, because the Ilocans lead all the other Indians in being clean and heat, and in having large settlements.  However, that is due to the earlier religious, who settled them in villages, and the people have remained settled so thoroughly.  Had the like been done in the other provinces, the religious would not suffer so greatly.  This province has thirteen priorates in all, only four of which, or rather five, have a vote. [127] The Indians are all Christians, and are the humblest and most tractable