I cannot understand how the Indians can endure so much, for they have too much toil—­now with the little fleet that defends their coast, now with the ships sent to Ternate, whose boats are laded and provisioned in that port.  Two religious live in that convent, which is adorned with considerable silver and many ornaments.  The people are intelligent, as they are reared with Castilians.  The convent is situated in the Sugbu bishopric.

Religious were established in Potol, [149] the first point on Panay Island coming from Manila.  That convent enjoys an exceedingly large stipend, for its jurisdiction extends very far.  It has as visitas the five islands mentioned previously, and all those coasts.  Thus it had more than two thousand Indians.  Later fleeing from their enemies, more came to the island, four leguas up the river of Ibahay.  The river is so long that it has an ascent of as many more leguas.  This was my first priorate in 1611, when it was yet good.  That year came three severe hurricanes—­called baguios—­which ruined the country, and laid low the church and house, which was very large and fine.  I rebuilt it.  Afterward our Father Barona [150] exchanged it for that of Tigbauan.  The bishop of Sugbu made two benefices of that district, and two beneficiaries reside there at present.  But the natives always remember the first religious that they had, for what is known first is liked more—­but not because they have ceased to be tended with good devotion.

During this three years, priorates were established in many convents in llocos, as in that of Tagudin.  That convent suffers greatly from the Igorrotes, and on that account is almost depopulated. [151] A priorate was established in Candon, an important priorate of that province and the best, although without a vote.  It ministers to more than one thousand five hundred Indians. [152] Another was established in Nalbacan, a priorate with a vote, although it has been greatly exhausted by the burning of the church and convent.  Batac also is an excellent priorate, and now is one of those that have a vote and are more esteemed.  Resident religious were established in Dinglao, [153] which is an excellent vicariate.  Religious were placed in Bauang.  All these convents belong to the bishopric of Nueva Segovia or Cagayan, as above stated.

In the island of Manila, that is, in the archbishopric of Manila, religious were established, in Caruyan and Quingua.  Now these last two are vicariates, and do not have one thousand Indians.

The religious living in them can scarcely support himself. [154]

(To be concluded.)

Bibliographical Data

The following documents are obtained from MSS. in the Archivo general de Indias, Sevilla: 

1. Letter from Manila Dominicans.—­“Simancas—­Eclesiastico; Audiencia de Filipinas; cartas y expedientes de personas eclesiasticas de Filipinas; anos de 1609 a 1644; est. 68, caj. 1, leg. 43.”