tributarios. The Society
has had charge of this mission but few years during which time they
have baptized about six hundred adults. The tribute is paid in rice.

Island of Mindanao

It is the largest island of the Filipinas, next to that of Manila. A
great part of it is still unsubdued. In the portion that is
subdued, the Society has charge of the jurisdictions of Iligan and
Samboangan. The latter is the principal presidio of the Spaniards,
where we are beginning to establish a college.

College of Samboangan

This college has a rector, with five priests as workers. The villages
that it instructs are those of the natives and Lutaos of Samboangan
itself, who number eight hundred families. Instead of paying tribute,
they serve at the oar in our fleets, which are generally out on raids
in defense of our coasts and for the purpose of attacking those of the
enemy. The island of Basilan, opposite the presidio of Samboangan,
and two leguas away, has about one hundred families--most of whom,
attracted by the efforts, affection, and solicitude of the missionary
fathers, come to receive the sacraments. When the tribute is due,
fewer of them appear. The Christian kindness of the Spaniards,
which is most concerned with the welfare of souls, passes that by,
because those people are not yet completely subdued and domesticated,
and because of the risk of losing everything if they oppress them
too heavily. The same condition prevails not only in the mission on
the island of Basilan, but also in all the other missions of this
jurisdiction of Samboangan. In the region of Mindanao these are: La
Caldera, a port situated at a distance of two leguas eastward from
Samboangan, with about two hundred families; Bocot, two hundred and
fifty; Piacan, and Sirauey, one hundred; Siocon, three hundred; Maslo,
one hundred; Manican, thirty; Data, twenty-five; Coroan, twenty;
Bitale, forty; Tungauan, one hundred; Sanguito, one hundred; all
lying south of Samboangan, and all giving a total of three thousand
two hundred and fifty-one families.

In this jurisdiction are included also the islands of Pangotaran and
Ubian, a three days' journey from Samboangan, whose inhabitants are
nearly all Christians. When the fleets pass that way, the natives
give them some kind of tribute. _Item:_ the islands of Tapul and
Balonaguis, whose natives are still heathen. _Item:_ there are many
islets about Basilan, the shelter of fugitive Indians, many of wh