Consequently, the suppression of that town by taking away its trade involves no injury, but rather the said advantages.  And, if there were any difficulty, one should reflect which is the greater—­to abandon a church like that of the Philipinas, with so great a number of the faithful, from which so much more may be expected, since there is hope that from the Philipinas it could extend to all that world (which is, beyond comparison, much more densely populated than this world of our Europa); or, in order to preserve the church, to use the lands of his Majesty so greatly to their injury; or to order three hundred inhabitants to settle in another region, and to abandon that location.  May God give understanding to him who shall have to decide this matter.  I pass over any other better opinion.  I am of the above opinion, and affix thereto my signature.  At Santo Thomas, etc.

Fray Diego Auduarte

[Endorsed:  “Have this sent to Don Alonso Fajardo, so that after examining the contents of this paper—­which was furnished by a competent person, who has spent considerable time in those islands—­he may use what portion of it seems most advisable, in accordance with the present condition of affairs.  The Council; May 26, 619.”]

RELATION OF THE EVENTS IN THE FILIPINAS ISLANDS AND IN NEIGHBORING PROVINCES AND REALMS, FROM JULY, 1618, TO THE PRESENT DATE IN 1619

These Philipinas Islands are surrounded by so many and various neighboring countries that they are like the center of a very beautiful circumference composed of cities, kingdoms and provinces.  The condition of this district depends so much upon that of other places that it will not be inappropriate to relate briefly what has occurred this year in these other places, in order better to understand the present state of affairs here.  And if the description of any places should not fulfil this purpose, it will at least serve to give an interesting notice of countries so far away.  All that is written here is taken from relations and letters which our fathers have sent from various places, and from what I have seen this year in this country.

Of Eastern India

To begin with, the most notable of the events that have occurred in India is the destruction of the city of Bacani, a very beautiful city, and important as containing many Portuguese hidalgos.  It was situated on the north coast, opposite the Mogors, with whom the Portuguese carry on war. [60] It was very well built of stone, with seven good monasteries of various orders; but its great strength was not sufficient to defend it from the powerful hand of God, who chose to raze it to the ground.  To accomplish this, He employed all four of the elements:  the water, which fell in a great deluge from the heavens; the air, which broke loose in the most horrible and furious winds ever known; the earth, which trembled terribly; and fire, which, wishing to serve its Creator in no