Within a few years seven priests have given their lives and shed their blood in this island for the administration of the holy gospel, at the hands of the Moros and apostates: two in the residence of Dapitan, [40] and five in the district of Samboangan. Of these, one was in Siao; [41] two in Buayen, [42] a kingdom of the Moros; and two others but recently in this current year of 1656, in the capital of the entire island--namely, the river of Mindanao, in the settlement where King Corralat lives and holds his court. [43] There are, besides, other lathers who have been captives, one of whom died in captivity; [44] and others who have died in the Spanish presidio, at their posts as chaplains. The products of Mindanao and its islands are in general the same as those of the other islands--namely, rice, palms [_sc._, cocoanuts], a quantity of wax, vegetables, civet, and wild cinnamon (which is used fresh). In the island of Jolo, a quantity of amber has been found at times, and some large pearls. It alone of all the Filipinas Islands has elephants. Mission to Borney With the opportunity of the oared fleets of the presidio of Samboanga, which--accompanied by a number of Indian volunteer vessels from the district of Dapitan, and others of our missions--have sailed during the last few years to this great island, and since our fathers have always accompanied them and acted as their chaplains, a mission has been formed there at the same time; and the ministries of the Society have been exercised in those so remote parts, with not a little gain, and great hopes of numerous Christians, since those baptized number seven hundred--among whom are some of the chiefs of the neighboring islands, who have already offered vassalage to the king our sovereign, and asked for ministers of the gospel. If God be pleased to let our arms in Mindanao be free, and if this undertaking that has been begun in Borney be continued, it will be without doubt to the great exaltation of our holy faith, and the advantage of the Spanish state in these Filipinas Islands. For, besides freeing the islands from the continual invasions, fires, thefts, and captivities by those pirates, they will enjoy the fertility, wealth, and abundance of this island, which is the largest one of these archipelagos, having a circumference of four hundred and fifty leguas. 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