The second part of the island of Luzon is the province of Ylocos, which
is located more northerly than Manila. That province contains a Spanish
settlement called Villa Fernandina, which was founded by Captain Juan
de Salzedo by order of Governor Guido de Labazares. It is seventy
leguas from Manila and lies in eighteen degrees of latitude. That
province is densely populated and contains larger settlements than the
other provinces. The people are however more barbarous, and they are
not so well clad or so light complexioned as the others. They are
husbandmen and possess very large fields. Consequently, it is a land
abounding in rice and cotton. [101] There is also considerable gold,
for the chief mines of these islands are situated in the mountains of
that province. Those people enjoy it for they have more communication
with the miners than anyone else. The Spaniards have endeavored often
to colonize the mines in order to work them; but it has as yet been
impossible, although Governor Gonçalo Ronquillo was very hot after it,
and it cost him many men as the land is very rude and food is scarce.
That province of Ylocos is a very unhealthful land and consequently
poorly populated by Spaniards. It contains many churches and
Christians, and all the people are not wholly Christian because of the
lack of ministers. They desire and beg to be made Christians. They are
a very simple, domestic, and peaceful people, large of body and very
strong. They are a most cleanly race, especially the women in their
houses, which they keep very neat and clean. They have a practice of
going three or four times a day to bathe in the river. [102]