nd immediately sent the
vice-patron his nominations for the curacies of Siaton, Cabancalan,
and Amblan--of which those chosen assumed possession in the following
year, one thousand eight hundred and forty-nine.

From that date the population has increased greatly. The barrios
have risen to be settled villages, and what were visitas have
become canonically-erected parishes. Agriculture has received a
rapid and enormous impetus; and the uncultivated lands, which
were full of brambles, have been transformed into productive
fields. That most fertile soil yields the rich products of sugar,
abaca, and coffee, and that with an abundance unknown in other
regions of this archipelago. Churches have been built, and convents
for the decent housing of the Spanish priest and the holy functions
of our order. Roads have been built, which have made communication
easy. Solid bridges of great beauty have been constructed; the waters
of the rivers have been taken to fertilize the fields; and in the
neighborhood of the rivers a number of hydraulic machines and steam
engines have been set up, the natural sciences being called in to
adapt their most powerful aid to the work. The natives of this island,
instructed and continually stimulated by their parish priests, have
proved by experience the value of agriculture, when it is favored by
nature and when they cooperate with their labor; and what labor can
do when aided with intelligence that does not become weakened before
troubles, but is directed with untiring constancy and endurance.

[The villages and missions of this province in charge of the Recollects
are as follows: Cagayan, with 1,251 1/2 tributes, and 4,521 souls;
Siaton, with 1,806 tributes, and 8,512 souls; Zamboanguita, with
1,060 tributes, and 4,0150 souls; Dauin, with 1,261 1/2 tributes,
and 5,855 souls; Bacong, with 1,816 1/2 tributes, and 8,020 souls;
Nueva-Valencia, with 1,400 1/2 tributes, and 5,387 souls; Dumaguete,
with 2,806 tributes, and 12,824 souls; Sibulan, with 1,222 1/2
tributes, and 4,817 souls; Amblang, with 1,436 tributes, and 5,744
souls; Tanjay, with 1,941 1/2 tributes, and 9,698 souls; Bais, with
752 1/2 tributes, and 3,204 souls; Manjuyod, with 841 tributes,
and 4,063 souls; Tayasan, with 987 1/2 tributes, and 4,009 souls;
Guijulngan, with 331 tributes and 1,441 souls; Tolong, with 353
tributes; Bayauan, with 51 tributes, and 291 souls; Inayauan, with
95 1/2 tributes, and 316 souls; San Sebastian, with 148 t