as. It is the way-station for the commerce of the rich
kingdoms of India _extra Gangem_ [_i.e._, beyond the Ganges], Pegu,
Sian, and Camboxa, upon which it borders. In respect to Christianity,
great increase can be promised; for the people are, as a rule, docile
and of good understanding. Although the faith of Mahomet has made some
headway in the maritime parts--but not with the obstinacy experienced
in other islands--all the people of the interior are heathen.

College of Terrenate and its missions

The Society maintains a college in the island of Terrenate, which is
the head of the missions of that archipelago, which were hitherto
subject to the [Jesuit] province of Cochin in Eastern India. Last
year they were assigned to this province of Filipinas by virtue of a
royal decree despatched by the advice of the royal Audiencia, by the
governor and captain-general of these islands, on the occasion of, the
revolt of Portugal and India. [45] At present three priests are busied
in this labor: one is the rector who lives in the house and college
of Terrenate, to look after the ministry of Spanish and Indians in
the presidios of that island and that of Tidore, and the village of
Mardicas. The other two visit in mission the many stations in their
charge, as long as there is no minister belonging to each of these.

The chief and oldest mission is that of the kingdom of Siao, where
there was estimated to be at the beginning, eleven thousand seven
hundred Christians, while today they do not number four thousand. The
king of that place has many subjects, and allies in the islands
of Tabuco or Sanguil Bagar, [46] the Talaos, [47] and in Matheo or
Macasar. The Talaos number about eleven thousand souls, and their
chief is a Christian. So likewise those of Maganita, Moade, Tomaco,
and Sabugan in Sanguil Bacar. There are eight hundred native Christians
in Calonga, the capital of the same island. A Franciscan priest lives
there at present, while the Society, to whom that mission belongs,
has no one to send there.

From Siao the mission of the province of Manados, in the island of
Matheo or Macasar, is also visited. Formerly it had four thousand
Christians, but now Christianity is almost wiped out (even the villages
of our faith, and allied to us) by the raids of the Dutch and the
Terrenatans, who favor another nation and one allied with the Dutch
and Terrenatans. Inasmuch as the land of Manados is unhealthful,
five members of the