There was a stormy meeting of the townspeople on February 17 upon hearing of the approach of the Americans. The young men advised the burning of the town and fighting to the bitter end, but the older men advised calmer councils. There was a second meeting at noon and the wiser heads prevailed. On February 21, the Petrel was seen, and prominent local persons Llorente, Majie, Garardo, Qui and Climaco, leaders of Cebu, went out to meet her. When told by Mr. Sidebottom, English Consul, who was acting for the American government about the intentions of the Americans, Majie said that “the people of Cebu, finding themselves abandoned by the Spaniards, have joined the Filipino republic.” The Commander of the Petrel gave them until eight o’clock on February 22 to surrender. A great many were in favor of burning the town, but at seven o’clock on the night of February 21, Cebu was surrendered to the Americans, under protest, by the influence of Majie and Llorente, the two ablest Filipinos in Cebu. The young men of Cebu advised to burn the town, but wiser counsels prevailed. Majie said to the commander of the Petrel that, finding themselves abandoned by Spain, they had joined the Filipino republic. They had no orders from Aguinaldo, but would yield only under protest, owing to the greater force of the Americans. At 9:40 the Americans landed forty sailors, who raised the Stars and Stripes amid a sullen and angry populace who wanted to attack the Americans.