s among themselves, even better than
those from Espana--I mean those in Manila, who serve rather to take
money and to bury people than for any other purpose, and gain their
experience at the very dear cost of the Spaniards.

Furthermore, the Dominican fathers have the province of Pangasinan,
which belonged to us. But recently we gave them the town of Lingayen,
the best one of that province. Likewise they have the province of
Cagayan, the most distant part of the island, which contains the
city of Nueva Segovia (which consists of the name merely). There is
an alcalde-mayor and a commander, who is also captain of the troops
in the presidio established there. These inhabitants of Cagayan are
warlike. Daily they rise and burn convents and churches and kill
some of the religious. The Dominicans have many convents for here is
their stronghold. And indeed up the river (as they say), which is the
best and largest of the island--and where those who understand it
thoroughly say that the city of Manila ought to be--are remarkable
lands and nations as yet unconquered. The fathers have worked here,
and are working, with great zest, and suffer innumerable inconveniences
for the good of those souls. Hope of greater fruits is very bright. In
order to reach this province, those going by land cross our province
of llocos, which lies between Cagayan and Pangasinan, of which we
must make mention later. This illustrious order has had in Manila
men prominent in letters and religion. They are a mirror in life and
morals, and revered in life as heavenly men. And in Japon, although
they were the last in the Lord's vineyard, they have not been last
in gains and labors, for they have had very saintly martyrs. They
have a college in Manila also, where they teach Latin, the arts,
and theology, and that college is likewise a university. Thus
behold Manila, founded but yesterday, with two universities; and
I am not surprised that, notwithstanding that it is the colony of
the Spaniards, and the desire of so many nations, the more it has
of that the more it needs. For from here must emanate the light that
will lighten all this archipelago. When these peoples are converted,
they will lack ministers, so great is the latitude discovered in
this hemisphere. May our Lord be pleased to aid them and to aid us,
so that our labors may bear light, his Majesty be reverenced worthily,
and the devil be banished from the hearts of these people.

In the above colle