red as false the promises made to them
in the beginning, which drew them away from obedience to their natural
king; and that with such an example [as this of the Lutaos before them]
the peoples [of Mindanao] would not change sides in order to please
a nation so unreliable [as the Spaniards]. The Subanos also presented
their piteous remonstrances that as a people of the hill-country, and
of timid disposition, they were exposed to greater misfortunes. They
went to the fort and renewed their importunities, saying that the
Spaniards were deserting and abandoning them [notwithstanding] their
humble submission, and leaving them to be slaves of their enemies;
that although they had maintained the Spaniards with their tributes,
provided their houses with their products, and embraced their faith,
contented with the freedom which followed Spanish protection, yet
now their liberty remained at the mercy of greed, the Spaniards
profiting by their lives for the sake of keeping up intercourse with
the Macassars and Malayos; and that it was too much to be endured,
to leave in such infamous subjection vassals so obedient as they. The
governor, his heart pierced by their pathetic expostulations, could
give no other satisfaction than his own anxious hopes. In the midst
of these limited and sad consolations, with the arrival of the succors
for Terrenate came anew the severe orders [for abandoning the forts];
the governor was now unable to give them courage, for lack of means,
and all were disconsolate; but it was necessary to execute the rigorous
order--those who remained being as sorrowful at it as were those who
were going away, and each one endeavoring to make his decision and
to suit it to this emergency. Some went to Mindanao, others to Jolo,
and others to Basilan; many dispersed in the coasts of Zamboangan,
the people of Don Alonso Macombon remaining here with him; and a few
determined to follow the fortunes of those who retreated thence,
going to settle at Dapitan and Zebu.... In the vessels had to be
placed more than a thousand souls, and the military supplies. It was
a grievous abandonment, by which more than a thousand Christians were
left exposed to the cruelty of the Moros.... In great part it was
due to the obstinacy of the Jesuits, who, regarding the allowance
of fifty men as insufficient, compelled its total abandonment. Such
garrisons have been and are sufficient to oppose the Moros in the
remaining presidios; and the same w