Folgueras, also, created the province of Ilocos Norte on February 2, 1818 and reestablished the "Sociedad Económica de los Amigos del País" on December 17, 1819. In 1820, the "Escuela Nautica de Manila" was established. From October 9–10, 1820, several foreigners were massacred by the natives because of Spanish authorities' claim that the natives spread the cholera in the islands. In 1821, Mexico became an independent nation as a conclusion to Mexican War of Independence; the Viceroyalty was dissolved and the country was directly controlled by the Spanish Crown through the Ministry of the Colonies ("Ministerio de Ultramar").