ls of Manila is a large river which empties at that place into
the sea. By it one ascends to the Lake of Bay, and on the opposite
shore of that lake one finds the village of Siniloan. Thence to the
port of Lampon, which is located on the Contracosta of Manila, and
comes to be as it were, inside of the arm, one need only pass the
mountains of Daraetan, and Caboan, which is a crossing of five or
six leguas. Consequently, in order to go by sea from Manila to the
port of Lampon, one must sail about one hundred and forty leguas;
but by ascending the river and crossing over the lake to Siniloan,
and crossing the mountains of Daraetan and Caboan there is scarce
twenty leguas of distance.

67. In the environs, then, of the port of Lampon, following the coast
opposite the bay of Manila, are the districts of Binangonan, Baler,
Casiguran, and Palanan composed of various villages and collections
of huts. The first three belonged at first to the alcaldeship
or province of Mindoro. Since in the year 1588, the discalced
Franciscan fathers Fray Estevan Ortiz and Fray Juan de Porras were
destined to that jurisdiction, they gathered most seasonable fruits
in the above-mentioned districts, having sown there the seed of the
Catholic name. However, having been called to other parts by their
obedience, they could not further the Church in those districts, much
as they desired it. The venerable martyr, Fray Francisco de Santa
Maria, completed the perfection of the work, by forming the three
above-mentioned missions with a sufficient number of the faithful
who were withdrawn from the darkness of paganism by the influences
of a zeal so seraphic. Afterwards other workers of the same family
extended their missions down the beach toward the province of Cagayan
or Nueva Segovia, and founded the village and district of Palanan. With
that there were four missions situated on that Contracosta, and the
Franciscan province kept the administration of them in their own hands
for many years. They hoped that, although there were but few people
and conveniences, as the mountains which were peopled by pagans were
near by, they could continue ever to increase the flock of Christ,
as they did do without ceasing, the sword of the evangelical preaching
fencing with the advantage gained by repeated triumphs. [14]

68. But since in this time with which the history is concerned,
the boat of the above-mentioned province found itself with a great
quantity of fish in