Consequently, at the end of 1662 or at the beginning
of 63 the presidios were actually withdrawn, and the Christian
villages were left more exposed than ever to the invasions of the
Moros. That so fatal resolution was also necessarily accompanied by
the withdrawal of the evangelical ministers, for the fathers of the
Society abandoned Zamboangan and other sites, and our Recollect family
the Calamianes. Although no special regret was shown for that action
at that time by the superior government of Manila, to whom belongs
the duty of furnishing spiritual ministers to the subject villages,
yet years afterward the wrong was recognized, and the remedy was
procured in due manner.

825. The most fruitful preaching of Ours in the islands of Calamianes
has been already related in volume II; [51] as has also the conversion
of their inhabitants, until then heathens; the marvels which divine
Omnipotence worked there; the convents which were established for
the extension of the Catholic faith; and the hardships endured by the
missionaries in spreading it. Now, then, it must be noted that eight
religious were well employed in all the islands of that jurisdiction,
who looked after the spiritual administration of the Christian
Indians and the conversion of the idolaters who were not few. But
when they withdrew, only two remained in charge of the islands
of Cuyo and Agutaya while the six betook themselves to Manila or
wherever their obedience assigned them. The place occupied by the six
(where they labored to excess, as there were many Indians and they
were spread out into many islands and settlements) was given to one
single secular priest. He having his residence in Taytay, did as much
as he was able in the other villages. But it is more than certain
that he could do very little, if he did perchance succeed in doing
anything. In this regard one can visibly see the spiritual wrong which
followed those vassals of the king. Even an undeniable loss resulted
to the royal treasury, for in a few years the Indian tributes were
lessened almost by half. But notwithstanding that, neither Governor
Don Diego de Salcedo nor the bishop of Zebu, to whom it belonged in
its various aspects to supply the remedy of one and the other wrong,
would manifest that they understood it.

826. Thus did things go on for seventeen years until the year 1680,
when the Indian chiefs of Calamianes having united among themselves,
presented a memorial to Governor Don Ju