rnor called
a meeting of auditors, judges, and officials of the royal treasury;
and on the nineteenth of December, 1647, they despatched a general
order to all the alcaldes-mayor commanding that the stone churches
and convents built along the sea shore be demolished. The reason given
was that if the Dutch succeeded in capturing them in their invasions,
they would find in them forts enabling them to continue their raids
with greater persistency. Already the said captain had been withdrawn
from Tandag and Don Juan Garcia appointed in his place when that
order from the royal Audiencia was received. He called a meeting of
Captains Juan de Sabata and Don Marcos de Resines, also summoning
Sargento-mayor Don Andres Curto and the same alcalde-mayor who had
been at Tandag--of whom he did not yet even know that he had given the
said report. They recognized that the church could be burned and pulled
down in less than six hours, in case the Dutch came; for its walls were
built of the weakest kind of stone and the roof of nipa, which is as
combustible as straw. On the other hand, they saw the Indian natives
somewhat sad and feared that they would take to the mountains in flight
in order not to be forced to work at a new building. Therefore they
resolved, by common consent, to suspend the execution [of the order]
until those reasons could be represented in the royal Audiencia, and
the most advisable measures taken for the service of both Majesties.

236. Don Diego Faxardo and the royal assembly saw that those reports
were contrary; for the first said that it was very important to
demolish the convent and church, as it was a very strong work; and
that, since it was within musket-shot and dominated the redoubt, the
Dutch could demolish it in twenty-four hours with only two ten-libra
cannon: while the second report set forth the fear of the revolt and
flight of the Indians, alleging that the convent and church, although
built of stone, would serve as no obstacle. But, notwithstanding that
contradiction, a new decree was despatched ordering the demolition of
the church and convent of Tandag. That was done immediately amid great
sorrow, although with great conformity of the religious and Indians
to so peremptory decrees. Since malice thus triumphed, vengeance
was satisfied, and a religious order so worthy was slighted; and
although its members had more than enough reasons for anger, they never
permitted it to pass their lips, and only emp