Although the people see that the crocodiles seize them daily, they proceed with the same abandon; notwithstanding that, with but little toil, they could remedy this, by catching them or by making some enclosed bathing places in the rivers.  But they neglect to do this, either through laziness, or in order not to toil for another’s gain.  For they say:  “What is given me by another, or by the village?” Under no circumstance do they unite in doing anything for the common good, unless the alcalde-mayor or the father orders it.  Finally, it is necessary that the father govern and rule [even] those most enlightened and civilized.  Hereabout it is said that the village is such as is the prior.  If the prior makes them assist, they do so.  If he leaves them they are overcome by their laziness.  They forget what has been taught them, with the ease to which they accommodate themselves.  They learn with ease everything evil, without a master; but for the good, one master is not sufficient for each Indian.  For they are greatly given to following their inclination, which causes great grief to the ministers. [97] But not all men can be saints; and, since the Lord gave them no greater talent, He desires them to be saved with what they have. Homines, et jumenta salvabis, Domine. [98] All of these convents are located within the archbishopric of Manila.

The father provincial went further, and established religious in the island of Panay.  The reader may remember the description that we gave of it, and which he will find in the next to the last place to the convent of Tigbauan; for there the provincial established resident religious.  This convent has been in many different hands; for at first, as appears, we had it in charge, and then the seculars had it.  The fathers of the Society followed the latter, after which a Portuguese secular had charge of it for a considerable time.  He, in order to relieve his burden, exchanged it for another district of the order called Ibahay, which was the first priorate given me in these islands by the order, and in my opinion better than Tigbauan.  The only thing which made it troublesome were five islands which had visitas that belonged to it, where it had all that was needed.  The order has held it for some time, and it is not so good as others.  It is a royal encomienda.  The village of Arevalo is situated near by.  Therefore, whenever the religious are sick, there is never lack there in the presidio of a surgeon, who, without being able to distinguish his right hand, bleeds and purges, so that in a brief time the sick man is laid in his grave; and a religious or a Spaniard is worth a great deal in this country.  Daily our number is lessening, for the country furnishes but little help.  It cannot be compared to Nueva Espana, which has enough inhabitants for itself, and to spare.  Nothing increases here, or succeeds.  The creoles do not reach their majority, and death comes upon them unseasonably. [99]