The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Former Philippines thru Foreign Eyes

by Fedor Jagor; Tomas de Comyn; Chas !ilkes; "udolf #ircho$

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Title* The Former Philippines thru Foreign Eyes
+uthor* Fedor Jagor; Tomas de Comyn; Chas !ilkes; "udolf #ircho$
"elease ,ate* June -.' /001 2EBook 3-04405
)anguage* English
Character set encoding* 678(..9:(-
;;; 7T+"T 8F T<67 P"8JECT G=TE>BE"G EB88? T<E F8"@E" P<6)6PP6>E7 ;;;
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T<E F8"@E" P<6)6PP6>E7 T<"= F8"E6G> E&E7
Edited by +ustin Craig
Preface
+mong the many $rongs done the Filipinos by 7paniards' to be charged
against their undeniably large debt to 7pain' one of the greatest'
if not the most freAuently mentioned' $as taking from them their
good name
7panish $riters ha%e ne%er been noted for modesty or historical
accuracy Back in -9.: the printer of the English translation of Padre
Juan GonBaleB de @endoBaCs D<istory of the Great and @ighty ?ingdom of
ChinaD felt it necessary to prefiE this $arning* ; ; ; the 7paniards
Ffollo$ing their ambitious affectionsG do usually in all their $ritings
eEtoll their o$n actions' e%en to the setting forth of many untruthes
and incredible things' as in their descriptions of the conAuistes of
the east and $est 6ndies' etc' doth more at large appeare
8f early 7panish historians ,octor +ntonio de @orga seems the single
eEception' and perhaps e%en some of his credit comes by contrast'
but in later years the rule apparently has pro%ed in%ariable +s
the conditions in the successi%e periods of 7panish influence $ere
recogniBed to be indicati%e of little progress' if not actually
retrogressi%e' the practice gre$ up of correspondingly lo$ering the
current estimates of the capacity of the Filipinos of the conAuest' so
that al$ays an apparent ad%ance appeared This in the closing period'
in order to fabricate a sufficient sho$ing for o%er three centuries
of pretended progress' led to the practical denial of human attributes
to the Filipinos found here by )egaspi
+gainst this denial to his countrymen of %irtues as $ell as
rights' ,octor "iBal opposed t$o briefs $hose English titles
are DThe Philippines + Century <enceD and DThe 6ndolence of the
FilipinoD +lmost e%ery page therein sho$s the influence of the young
studentCs early reading of the hereinafter(printed studies by the
German scientist Jagor' friend and counsellor in his maturer years'
and the liberal 7paniard Comyn E%en his acAuaintance $ith @orga'
$hich e%entually led to "iBalCs republication of the -H0: history
long lost to 7paniards' probably $as o$ing to Jagor' although the
life(long resolution for that action can be traced to hearing of 7ir
John Bo$ringCs %isit to his uncleCs home and the proposed <akluyt
7ociety English translation then mentioned
The present %alue and interest of these no$ rare books has suggested
their republication' to make a%ailable to Filipino students a course
of study $hich their national hero found profitable as $ell as to
correct the myriad misconceptions of things Philippine in the minds
of those $ho ha%e taken the accepted 7panish accounts as gospel truths
,r ) # 7ch$eibs' of Berlin' made the hundreds of corrections'
many re%ersing the meanings of former readings' $hich almost
justify calling the re%ised Jagor translation a ne$ one >umerous
hitherto(untranslated passages like$ise appear There ha%e been
left out the illustrations' from crude dra$ings obsolete since
photographic pictures ha%e familiariBed the scenes and objects'
and also the conseAuently superfluous references to these >o other
omission has been allo$ed' for if one author leaned far to one side in
certain debatable Auestions the other has been eAually partisan for the
opposite side' eEcept a cerement on religion in general and discussion
of the $orld($ide social e%il $ere eliminated as ha%ing no particular
Philippine bearing to eEcuse their appearance in a popular $ork
The early +merican Auotations of course are for comparison $ith the
numerous +merican comments of today' and the t$o magaBine eEtracts
gi%e English accounts a century apart #ircho$Cs matured %ie$s ha%e
been substituted for the pioneer opinions he furnished Professor Jagor
thirty years earlier' and if "iBalCs patron in the scientific $orld
fails at times in his facts his method for research is a safe guide
Finally' three points should constantly be borne in mind* F-G allo$ance
must be made for the lessening 7panish influence' surely more foreign
to this seafaring people than the present modified +nglo(7aEon
education' and so more artificial' ie' less assimilable' as $ell
as for the remo%al of the unfa%orable en%ironment' before attempting
to from an opinion of the present(day Filipino from his prototype
pictured in those pages; F/G foreign obser%ers are apt to emphasiBe
$hat is strange to them in describing other lands than their o$n and to
lea%e unnoted points of resemblance $hich may be much more numerous;
FIG "iBalCs judgment that his countrymen $ere more like back$ard
Europeans than 8rientals $as based on scientific studies of EuropeCs
rural districts and Philippine pro%incial conditions as $ell as of
oriental country life' so that it is entitled to more $eight than
the commoner opinion to the contrary $hich though more popular has
been less carefully formed
=ni%ersity of the Philippines'
@anila' @arch --th' -:-H
Contents
JagorCs Tra%els in the Philippines -
FThe out(of(print -.49 English translation corrected from the original
German teEtG
7tate of the Philippines in -.-0 By Tomas de Comyn I94
F!illiam !altonCs -./- translation moderniBedG
@anila and 7ulu in -.1/ By Com Chas !ilkes' =7> 19:
F>arrati%e of = 7 EEploring EEpedition -.I.(1/' #ol 9G
@anila in -.-: By )ieut John !hite' =7> 9I0
FFrom the D<istory of a #oyage to the China 7eaDG
The Peopling of the Philippines By ,octor "udolf #ircho$ 9IH
F8 T @asonCs translation; 7mithsonian 6nstitution -.:: "eportG
People and Prospects of the Philippines By +n English @erchant'
-44.' and + Consul' -.4. 990
FFrom Black$oodCs and the Cornhill @agaBineG
Filipino @erchants of the Early -.:0s By F ?aruth' F"G7 99/
The Former Philippines thru Foreign Eyes
P+"T 6
JagorCs Tra%els in the Philippines
C<+PTE" 6
2,ifference from European time5 !hen the clock strikes t$el%e in
@adrid' 2-5 it is . hours' -. minutes' and 1- seconds past eight
in the e%ening at @anila; that is to say' the latter city lies -/1J
10C -9CC to the east of the former F4 hours' 91 minutes' I9 seconds
from ParisG 7ome time ago' ho$e%er' $hile the ne$ year $as being
celebrated in @adrid' it $as only >e$ &earCs e%e at @anila
2@agellanCs mistake in reckoning5 +s @agellan' $ho disco%ered the
Philippines in his memorable first circumna%igation of the globe'
$as follo$ing the sun in its apparent daily path around the $orld'
e%ery successi%e degree he compassed on his eastern course added
four minutes to the length of his day; and' $hen he reached the
Philippines' the difference amounted to siEteen hours This' ho$e%er'
apparently escaped his notice' for Elcano' the captain of the only
remaining %essel' $as Auite una$are' on his return to the longitude
of his departure' $hy according to his shipCs log(book' he $as a day
behind the time of the port $hich he had reached again by continuously
sailing $est$ard 2/5 2I5
2Change to the +sian day5 The error remained also unheeded in the
Philippines 6t $as still' o%er there the last day of the old year'
$hile the rest of the $orld $as commencing the ne$ one; and this state
of things continued till the close of -.11' $hen it $as resol%ed'
$ith the appro%al of the archbishop' to pass o%er >e$ &earCs e%e for
once altogether 215 7ince that time the Philippines are considered
to lie no longer in the distant $est' but in the far east' and are
about eight hours in ad%ance of their mother country The proper field
for their commerce' ho$e%er' is $hat is to Europeans the far $est;
they $ere coloniBed thence' and for centuries' till -.--' they had
almost no other communication $ith Europe but the indirect one by
the annual %oyage of the galleon bet$een @anila and +capulco >o$'
ho$e%er' $hen the eastern shores of the Pacific are at last beginning
to teem $ith life' and' $ith uneEampled speed' are pressing for$ard to
grasp their stupendous future' the Philippines $ill no longer be able
to remain in their past seclusion >o tropical +siatic colony is so
fa%orably situated for communication $ith the $est coast of +merica'
and it is only in a fe$ matters that the ,utch 6ndies can compete $ith
them for the fa%ors of the +ustralian market But' 2Future in +merican
and +ustralian trade5 on the other hand' they $ill ha%e to abandon
their traffic $ith China' $hose principal emporium @anila originally
$as' as $ell as that $ith those $est$ard(looking countries of +sia'
EuropeCs far east' $hich lie nearest to the +tlantic ports 295 2H5
2Commercially in the >e$ !orld5 !hen the circumstances mentioned
come to be realiBed' the Philippines' or' at any rate' the principal
market for their commerce' $ill finally fall $ithin the limits of
the $estern hemisphere' to $hich indeed they $ere relegated by the
illustrious 7panish geographers at BadajoB
2The PopeCs $orld(partiti%e5 The Bull issued by +leEander #6' 245
on @ay 1' -1:I' $hich di%ided the earth into t$o hemispheres' decreed
that all heathen lands disco%ered in the eastern half should belong
to the Portuguese; in the $estern half to the 7paniards +ccording to
this arrangement' the latter could only claim the Philippines under
the preteEt that they $ere situated in the $estern hemisphere The
demarcation line $as to run from the north to the south' a hundred
leagues to the south($est of all the so(called +Bores and Cape
de #erde 6slands 6n accordance $ith the treaty of Tordesillas'
negotiated bet$een 7pain and Portugal on June 4' -1:1' and appro%ed
by Julius 66' in -90H' this line $as dra$n three hundred and se%enty
leagues $est of the Cape de #erde 6slands
2Faulty 7panish and Portuguese geography5 +t that time 7panish and
Portuguese geographers reckoned se%enteen and one(half leagues to a
degree on the eAuator 6n the latitude of the Cape de #erde 6slands'
three hundred and se%enty leagues made /-J 99C 6f to this $e add
the longitudinal difference bet$een the $esternmost point of the
group and CadiB' a difference of -.J 1.C' $e get 10J 1IC $est' and
-I:J -4C east from CadiB Fin round numbers 14J $est and -IIJ eastG'
as the limits of the 7panish hemisphere +t that time' ho$e%er'
the eEisting means for such calculations $ere entirely insufficient
2EEtra%agant 7panish claims thru ignorance5 The latitude $as measured
$ith imperfect astrolabes' or $ooden Auadrants' and calculated from
%ery deficient tables; the %ariation of the compass' moreo%er' $as
almost unkno$n' as $ell as the use of the log 2.5 Both method and
instruments $ere $anting for useful longitudinal calculations 6t $as
under these circumstances that the 7paniards attempted' at BadajoB'
to pro%e to the protesting Portuguese that the eastern boundary line
intersected the mouths of the Ganges' and proceeded to lay claim to
the possession of the 7pice 6slands
27painCs error in calculation5 The eastern boundary should' in
reality' ha%e been dra$n 1H -K/J further to the east' that is to
say' as much further as it is from Berlin to the coast of )abrador'
or to the lesser +ltai; for' in the latitude of Calcutta 1H -K/J
are eAui%alent to t$o thousand fi%e hundred and se%enty(fi%e nautical
miles +lboCs log(book gi%es the difference in longitude bet$een the
most eastern islands of the +rchipelago and Cape Fermoso F@agellanCs
7traitsG' as -0HJ I0C' $hile in reality it amounts to -9:J .9C
2@oluccan rights sold to Portugal5 The disputes bet$een the 7paniards
and the Portuguese' occasioned by the uncertainty of the eastern
boundary((Portugal had already founded a settlement in the 7pice
6slands(($ere set at rest by an agreement made in -9/:' in $hich
Charles # abandoned his pretended rights to the @oluccas in fa%or
of Portugal' for the sum of I90'000 ducats The Philippines' at that
time' $ere of no %alue
; ; ; ; ;
2Foreign mail facilities5 The distance from @anila to <ongkong is
siE hundred fifty nautical miles' and the course is almost eEactly
south(east The mail steamer running bet$een the t$o ports makes the
trip in from three to four days This allo$s of a fortnightly postal
communication bet$een the colony and the rest of the $orld 2:5
27light share in $orld commerce5 This small steamer is the only thing
to remind an obser%er at <ongkong' a port thronged $ith the ships of
all nations' that an island so specially fa%ored in conditions and
fertility lies in such close proEimity
2)ittle commerce $ith 7pain5 +lthough the Philippines belong to 7pain'
there is but little commerce bet$een the t$o countries 8nce the
tie $hich bound them $as so close that @anila $as $ont to celebrate
the arri%al of the 7panish mail $ith Te ,eums and bell(ringing' in
honor of the successful achie%ement of so stupendous a journey =ntil
Portugal fell to 7pain' the road round +frica to the Philippines $as
not open to 7panish %essels The condition of the o%erland route
is sufficiently sho$n by the fact that t$o +ugustinian monks $ho'
in -H0I' $ere entrusted $ith an important message for the king'
and $ho chose the direct line through Goa' Turkey' and 6taly' needed
three years for reaching @adrid 2-05
2Former 7panish ships mainly carried foreign goods5 The trade by
7panish ships' $hich the merchants $ere compelled to patroniBe in
order to a%oid paying an additional customs taE' in spite of the
protecti%e duties for 7panish products' $as almost eEclusi%ely
in foreign goods to the colony and returning the products of the
latter for foreign ports The traffic $ith 7pain $as limited to the
con%eyance of officials' priests' and their usual necessaries' such as
pro%isions' $ine and other liAuors; and' eEcept a fe$ French no%els'
some atrociously dull books' histories of saints' and similar $orks
2@anilaCs fine bay5 The Bay of @anila is large enough to contain the
united fleets of Europe; it has the reputation of being one of the
finest in the $orld The aspect of the coast' ho$e%er' to a stranger
arri%ing' as did the author' at the close of the dry season' falls
short of the li%ely descriptions of some tra%ellers The circular bay'
one hundred t$enty nautical miles in circumference' the $aters of
$hich $ash the shores of fi%e different pro%inces' is fringed in the
neighborhood of @anila by a le%el coast' behind $hich rises an eAually
flat table land The scanty %egetation in the foreground' consisting
chiefly of bamboos and areca palms' $as dried up by the sun; $hile in
the far distance the dull uniformity of the landscape $as broken by
the blue hills of 7an @ateo 6n the rainy season the numerous un$alled
canals o%erflo$ their banks and form a series of connected lakes'
$hich soon' ho$e%er' change into luEuriant and %erdant rice(fields
2CityCs appearance mediae%al European5 @anila is situated on both
sides of the ri%er Pasig The to$n itself' surrounded $ith $alls and
ramparts' $ith its lo$ tiled roofs and a fe$ to$ers' had' in -.9:'
the appearance of some ancient European fortress Four years later
the greater part of it $as destroyed by an earthAuake
2The -.HI earthAuake5 8n June I' -.HI' at thirty(one minutes past
se%en in the e%ening' after a day of tremendous heat $hile all @anila
$as busy in its preparations for the festi%al of Corpus Christi'
the ground suddenly rocked to and fro $ith great %iolence The
firmest buildings reeled %isibly' $alls crumbled' and beams snapped
in t$o The dreadful shock lasted half a minute; but this little
inter%al $as enough to change the $hole to$n into a mass of ruins'
and to bury ali%e hundreds of its inhabitants 2--5 + letter of
the go%ernor(general' $hich 6 ha%e seen' states that the cathedral'
the go%erment(house' the barracks' and all the public buildings of
@anila $ere entirely destroyed' and that the fe$ pri%ate houses $hich
remained standing threatened to fall in )ater accounts speak of
four hundred killed and t$o thousand injured' and estimate the loss
at eight millions of dollars Forty(siE public and fi%e hundred and
se%enty pri%ate buildings $ere thro$n do$n; t$enty(eight public and
fi%e hundred t$enty(eight pri%ate buildings $ere nearly destroyed'
and all the houses left standing $ere more or less injured
2,amage in Ca%ite5 +t the same time' an earthAuake of forty secondsC
duration occurred at Ca%ite' the na%al port of the Philippines'
and destroyed many buildings
2,estruction in $alled city5 Three years after$ards' the ,uc
dC+lencon F)ucon et @indanao; Paris' -.40' 7 I.G found the traces
of the catastrophe e%ery$here Three sides of the principal sAuare
of the city' in $hich formerly stood the go%ernment' or go%ernorCs'
palace' the cathedral' and the to$nhouse' $ere lying like dust heaps
o%ergro$n $ith $eeds +ll the large public edifices $ere DtemporarilyD
constructed of $ood; but nobody then seemed to plan anything permanent
2Former hea%y shocks5 @anila is %ery often subject to earthAuakes;
the most fatal occurred in -H0-; in -H-0 F>o% I0G; in -H19 F>o% I0G;
in -H9. F+ug /0G; in -H49; in -H::; in -4:H; in -./1; in -.9/; and
in -.HI 6n -H19' siE hundred 2-/5' or' according to some accounts'
three thousand 2-I5 persons perished' buried under the ruins of their
houses Their monastery' the church of the +ugustinians' and that of
the Jesuits' $ere the only public buildings $hich remained standing
2FreAuent minor disturbances5 7maller shocks' $hich suddenly set
the hanging lamps s$inging' occur %ery often and generally remain
unnoticed The houses are on this account generally of but one story'
and the loose %olcanic soil on $hich they are built may lessen the
%iolence of the shock Their hea%y tiled roofs' ho$e%er' appear
%ery inappropriate under such circumstances EarthAuakes are also
of freAuent occurrence in the pro%inces' but they' as a rule' cause
so little damage' o$ing to the houses being constructed of timber or
bamboo' that they are ne%er mentioned
27canty data a%ailable5 @ +leEis Perrey F@Lm de lC+cadLmie de
,ijon' -.H0G has published a list' collected $ith much diligence from
e%ery accessible source' of the earthAuakes $hich ha%e %isited the
Philippines' and particularly @anila But the accounts' e%en of the
most important' are %ery scanty' and the dates of their occurrence %ery
unreliable 8f the minor shocks' only a fe$ are mentioned' those $hich
$ere noticed by scientific obser%ers accidentally present at the time
2The -H-0 catastrophe5 +duarte F6 -1-G mentions a tremendous
earthAuake $hich occurred in -H-0 6 briefly Auote his %ersion of
the details of the catastrophe' as 6 find them mentioned no$here else
DTo$ards the close of >o%ember' -H-0' on 7t +ndre$Cs ,ay' a more
%iolent earthAuake than had e%er before been $itnessed' %isited
these 6slands; its effects eEtended from @anila to the eEtreme end
of the pro%ince of >ue%a 7ego%ia Fthe $hole northern part of )uBonG'
a distance of /00 leagues 6t caused great destruction o%er the entire
area; in the pro%ince of 6locos it buried palm trees' so that only the
tops of their branches $ere left abo%e the earthCs surface; through
the po$er of the earthAuake mountains $ere pushed against each other;
it thre$ do$n many buildings' and killed a great number of people 6ts
fury $as greatest in >ue%a 7ego%ia' $here it opened the mountains' and
created ne$ lake basins The earth thre$ up immense fountains of sand'
and %ibrated so terribly that the people' unable to stand upon it'
laid do$n and fastened themsel%es to the ground' as if they had been
on a ship in a stormy sea 6n the range inhabited by the @endayas a
mountain fell in' crushing a %illage and killing its inhabitants +n
immense portion of the cliff sank into the ri%er; and no$' $here the
stream $as formerly bordered by a range of hills of considerable
altitude' its banks are nearly le%el $ith the $atercourse The
commotion $as so great in the bed of the ri%er that $a%es arose like
those of the ocean' or as if the $ater had been lashed by a furious
$ind Those edifices $hich $ere of stone suffered the most damage'
our church and the con%ent fell in' etc' etcD
C<+PTE" 66
2Customhouse red tape5 The customs inspection' and the many
formalities $hich the nati%e minor officials eEercised $ithout any
consideration appear all the more $earisome to the ne$ arri%al $hen
contrasted $ith the easy routine of the English free ports of the
east he has just Auitted The guarantee of a respectable merchant
obtained for me' as a particular fa%or' permission to disembark after
a detention of siEteen hours; but e%en then 6 $as not allo$ed to take
the smallest article of luggage on shore $ith me
27helter for shipping5 ,uring the south($est monsoon and the stormy
season that accompanies the change of monsoons' the roadstead is
unsafe )arger %essels are then obliged to seek protection in the
port of Ca%ite' se%en miles further do$n the coast; but during the
north(east monsoons they can safely anchor half a league from the
coast +ll ships under three hundred tons burden pass the break$ater
and enter the Pasig' $here' as far as the bridge' they lie in serried
ro$s' eEtending from the shore to the middle of the stream' and bear
$itness by their numbers' as $ell as by the bustle and stir going on
amongst them' to the acti%ity of the home trade
27ilting up of ri%er mouth5 6n e%ery rain(monsoon' the Pasig ri%er
s$eeps such a Auantity of sediment against the break$ater that just
its remo%al keeps' as it seems' the dredging machine stationed there
entirely occupied
2Fe$ foreign %essels5 The small number of the %essels in the
roadstead' particularly of those of foreign countries' $as the more
remarkable as @anila $as the only port in the +rchipelago that had any
commerce $ith foreign countries 6t is true that since -.99 three other
ports' to $hich a fourth may no$ be added' had gotten this pri%ilege;
but at the time of my arri%al' in @arch' -.9:' not one of them had
e%er been entered by a foreign %essel' and it $as a fe$ $eeks after
my %isit that the first English ship sailed into 6loilo to take in
a cargo of sugar for +ustralia 2-15
2+ntiAuated restrictions on trade5 The reason of this peculiarity
laid partly in the feeble de%elopment of agriculture' in spite of the
uneEampled fertility of the soil' but chiefly in the antiAuated and
artificially limited conditions of trade The customs duties $ere
in themsel%es not %ery high They $ere generally about se%en per
cent upon merchandise con%eyed under the 7panish flag' and about
t$ice as much for that carried in foreign bottoms !hen the cargo
$as of 7panish production' the duty $as three per cent if carried
in national %essels' eight per cent if in foreign ships The latter
$ere only allo$ed' as a rule' to enter the port in ballast 2-95
2,iscouragements for foreign ships5 +s' ho$e%er' the principal $ants
of the colony $ere imported from England and abroad' these $ere either
kept back till an opportunity occurred of sending them in 7panish
%essels' $hich charged nearly a treble freight Ffrom M1 to M9 instead
of from M- -K/' to M/ per tonG' and $hich only made their appearance
in British ports at rare inter%als' or they $ere sent to 7ingapore and
<ongkong' $here they $ere transferred to 7panish ships Tonnage dues
$ere le%ied' moreo%er' upon ships in ballast' and upon others $hich
merely touched at @anila $ithout unloading or taking in fresh cargo;
and' if a %essel under such circumstances landed e%en the smallest
parcel' it $as no longer rated as a ship in ballast' but charged on the
higher scale #essels $ere therefore forced to enter the port entirely
de%oid of cargo' or carrying sufficient to co%er the eEpense of the
increased harbor dues; almost an impossibility for foreign ships'
on account of the differential customs rates' $hich acted almost as a
complete prohibition The result $as that foreign %essels came there
only in ballast' or $hen summoned for some particular object
2EEport taEes5 The eEports of the colony $ere almost entirely
limited to its ra$ produce' $hich $as burdened $ith an eEport duty
of three per cent EEports lea%ing under the 7panish flag $ere only
taEed to the amount of one per cent; but' as scarcely any eEport
trade eEisted $ith 7pain' and as 7panish %essels' from their high
rates of freight' $ere eEcluded from the carrying trade of the $orld'
the boon to commerce $as a delusi%e one 2-H5
2)a$s dro%e a$ay trade5 These inept eEcise la$s' hampered $ith a
hundred suspicious forms' frightened a$ay the $hole carrying trade
from the port; and its commission merchants $ere freAuently unable
to dispose of the local produce 7o trifling $as the carrying trade
that the total yearly a%erage of the harbor dues' calculated from
the returns of ten years' barely reached N-0'000
2@anilaCs fa%orable location5 The position of @anila' a central
point bet$iEt Japan' China' +nnam' the English and ,utch ports of
the +rchipelago and +ustralia' is in itself eEtremely fa%orable
to the de%elopment of a $orld($ide trade 2-45 +t the time of the
north(eastern monsoons' during our $inter' $hen %essels for the sake of
shelter pass through the 7traits of Gilolo on their $ay from the 6ndian
+rchipelago to China' they are obliged to pass close to @anila They
$ould find it a most con%enient station' for the Philippines' as $e
ha%e already mentioned' are particularly fa%orably placed for the
$est coast of +merica
2The -.H: reform5 + proof that the 7panish =ltramar minister fully
recogniBes and appreciates these circumstances appears in his decree'
of +pril 9' -.H:' $hich is of the highest importance for the future
of the colony 6t probably $ould ha%e been issued earlier had not the
7panish and colonial shipo$ners' pampered by the protecti%e system'
obstinately struggled against an inno%ation $hich impaired their
former pri%ileges and forced them to greater acti%ity
2Bettered conditions5 The most note$orthy points of the decree are
the moderation of the differential duties' and their entire eEtinction
at the eEpiration of t$o years; the abrogation of all eEport duties;
and the consolidation of the more annoying port dues into one single
charge
2Pre(7panish foreign commerce5 !hen the 7paniards landed in the
Philippines they found the inhabitants clad in silks and cotton stuffs'
$hich $ere imported by Chinese ships to eEchange for gold(dust'
sapan $ood' 2-.5 holothurian' edible birdsC nests' and skins The
6slands $ere also in communication $ith Japan' Cambodia' 7iam' 2-:5
the @oluccas' and the @alay +rchipelago ,e Barros mentions that
%essels from )uBon %isited @alacca in -9-- 2/05
2Early eEtension under 7pain5 The greater order $hich reigned in
the Philippines after the ad%ent of the 7paniards' and still more the
commerce they opened $ith +merica and indirectly $ith Europe' had the
effect of greatly increasing the 6sland trade' and of eEtending it
beyond the 6ndies to the Persian Gulf @anila $as the great mart for
the products of Eastern +sia' $ith $hich it loaded the galleons that'
as early as -9H9' sailed to and from >e$ 7pain Fat first to >a%idad'
after -H0/ to +capulcoG' and brought back sil%er as their principal
return freight 2/-5
2Jealousy of 7e%ille monopolists5 The merchants in >e$ 7pain and Peru
found this commerce so ad%antageous' that the result $as %ery damaging
to the eEports from the mother country' $hose manufactured goods $ere
unable to compete $ith the 6ndian cottons and the Chinese silks The
spoilt monopolists of 7e%ille demanded therefore the abandonment of a
colony $hich reAuired considerable yearly contributions from the home
eEcheAuer' $hich stood in the $ay of the mother countryCs eEploiting
her +merican colonies' and $hich let the sil%er of <is @ajestyCs
dominions pass into the hands of the heathen 7ince the foundation of
the colony they had continually thro$n impediments in its path 2//5
Their demands' ho$e%er' $ere %ain in face of the ambition of the
throne and the influence of the clergy; rather' responding to the
%ie$s of that time the merchants of Peru and >e$ 7pain $ere forced'
in the interests of the mother country' to obtain merchandise from
China' either directly' or through @anila The inhabitants of the
Philippines $ere alone permitted to send Chinese goods to +merica'
but only to the yearly %alue of N/90'000 The return trade $as limited
to N900'000 2/I5
2Prohibition of China trading5 The first amount $as after$ards
increased to NI00'000' $ith a proportionate augmentation of the
return freight; but the 7panish $ere forbidden to %isit China' so
that they $ere obliged to a$ait the arri%al of the junks Finally'
in -4/0' Chinese goods $ere strictly prohibited throughout the
$hole of the 7panish possessions in both hemispheres + decree of
-4I1 Famplified in -4H:G once more permitted trade $ith China' and
increased the maEimum %alue of the annual freightage to +capulco to
N900'000 Fsil%erG and that of the return trade to t$ice the amount
2<igher limit on suspension of galleon %oyages5 +fter the galleons to
+capulco' $hich had been maintained at the eEpense of the go%ernment
treasury' had stopped their %oyages' commerce $ith +merica $as
handled by merchants $ho $ere permitted in -./0' to eEport goods
up to N490'000 annually from the Philippines and to %isit 7an Blas'
GuayaAuil and Callao' besides +capulco
2 British occupation inspired ne$ $ants5 This concession' ho$e%er'
$as not sufficient to compensate Philippine commerce for the injuries
it suffered through the separation of @eEico from 7pain The possession
of @anila by the English' in -4H/' made its inhabitants acAuainted $ith
many industrial products $hich the imports from China and 6ndia $ere
unable to offer them To satisfy these ne$ cra%ings 7panish men(of($ar
$ere sent' to$ards the close of -4H1' to the colony $ith products of
7panish industries' such as $ine' pro%isions' hats' cloth' hard$are'
and fancy articles
2@anila oppositions to trade inno%ations5 The @anila merchants'
accustomed to a lucrati%e trade $ith +capulco' strenuously resisted
this inno%ation' although it $as a considerable source of profit to
them' for the Cro$n purchased the 6ndian and Chinese merchandise for
its return freights from @anila at double their original %alue 6n
-4.1' ho$e%er' the last of these ships arri%ed
27ubterfuges of European traders5 +fter the English in%asion'
European %essels $ere strictly forbidden to %isit @anila; but as
that city did not $ant to do $ithout 6ndian merchandise' and could
not import it in its o$n ships' it $as brought there in English and
French bottoms' $hich assumed a Turkish name' and $ere pro%ided $ith
an 6ndian sham(captain
2The DPhilippine CompanyD monopoly5 6n -4.9' the CompaOPa de Filipinas
obtained a monopoly of the trade bet$een 7pain and the colony' but it
$as not allo$ed to interfere $ith the direct traffic bet$een +capulco
and @anila The desire $as to acAuire large Auantities of colonial
produce' silk' indigo' cinnamon' cotton' pepper' etc' in order to
eEport it some$hat as $as done later on by the system of culture in
Ja%a; but as it $as unable to obtain compulsory labor' it entirely
failed in its attempted artificial de%elopment of agriculture
2)osses by bad management5 The CompaOPa suffered great losses through
its erroneous system of operation' and the incapacity of its officials
Fit paid' for eEample' N-I90 for a picul of pepper $hich cost from
three to four dollars in 7umatraG
2Entrance of foriegn ships and firms5 6n -4.: foreign ships $ere
allo$ed to import Chinese and 6ndian produce' but none from Europe 6n
-.0: an English commercial house obtained permission to establish
itself in @anila 2/15 6n -.-1' after the conclusion of the peace
$ith France' the same permission' $ith greater or less restrictions'
$as granted to all foreigners
2Trade free but port charges discriminating5 6n -./0 the direct
trade bet$een the Philippines and 7pain $as thro$n open $ithout any
limitations to the eEports of colonial produce' on the condition
that the %alue of the 6ndian and Chinese goods in each eEpedition
should not eEceed N90'000 E%er since -.I1' $hen the pri%ileges
of the CompaOPa eEpired' free trade has been permitted in @anila;
foreign ships' ho$e%er' being charged double dues Four ne$ ports
ha%e been thro$n open to general trade since -.99; and in -.H: the
liberal tariff pre%iously alluded to $as issued
2PortCs importance lessened under 7pain5 Today' after three centuries
of almost undisturbed 7panish rule' @anila has by no means added to the
importance it possessed shortly after the ad%ent of the 7paniards The
isolation of Japan and the 6ndo(Chinese empires' a direct conseAuence
of the importunities and pretensions of the Catholic missionaries' 2/95
the secession of the colonies on the $est coast of +merica' abo%e all
the long continuance of a distrustful commercial and colonial policy((a
policy $hich eEists e%en at the present day(($hile important markets'
based on large capital and liberal principles' $ere being established
in the most fa%ored spots of the British and ,utch 6ndies; all these
circumstances ha%e contributed to this result and thro$n the Chinese
trade into other channels The cause is as clear as the effect'
yet it might be erroneous to ascribe the policy so long pursued to
short(sightedness The 7paniards' in their schemes of colonisation'
had partly a religious purpose in %ie$' but the go%ernment disco%ered
a great source of influence in the disposal of the eEtremely lucrati%e
colonial appointments The cro$n itself' as $ell as its fa%orites'
thought of nothing but eEtracting the most it could from the colony'
and had neither the intention or the po$er to de%elop the natural
$ealth of the country by agriculture and commerce 6nseparable from
this policy' $as the persistent eEclusion of foreigners 2/H5 6t seemed
e%en more necessary in the isolated Philippines than in +merica to cut
off the nati%es from all contact $ith foreigners' if the 7paniards had
any desire to remain in undisturbed possession of the colony 6n face'
ho$e%er' of the de%eloped trade of today and the claims of the $orld
to the producti%e po$ers of such an eEtraordinarily fruitful soil' the
old restrictions can no longer be maintained' and the lately(introduced
liberal tariff must be hailed as a thoroughly $ell(timed measure
; ; ; ; ;
2Galleon story sidelight on colonial history5 The oft(mentioned
%oyages of the galleons bet$iEt @anila and +capulco hold such a
prominent position in the history of the Philippines' and afford
such an interesting glimpse into the old colonial system' that their
principal characteristics deser%e some description
2Chinese part in galleon trade5 6n the days of @orga' to$ards the
close of the siEteenth century' from thirty to forty Chinese junks
$ere in the habit of annually %isiting @anila Fgenerally in @archG;
to$ards the end of June a galleon used to sail for +capulco The trade
$ith the latter place' the acti%e operations of $hich $ere limited to
the three central months of the year' $as so lucrati%e' easy' and safe'
that the 7paniards scarcely cared to engage in any other undertakings
2Fa%oritism in allotment of cargo space5 +s the carrying po$er of
the annual galleon $as by no means proportioned to the demand for
cargo room' the go%ernor di%ided it as he deemed best; the fa%orites'
ho$e%er' to $hom he assigned shares in the hold' seldom traded
themsel%es' but parted $ith their concessions to the merchants
2,i%ision of space and character of cargo5 +ccording to ,e Guignes'
2/45 the hold of the %essel $as di%ided into -'900 parts' of $hich
the majority $ere allotted to the priests' and the rest to fa%ored
persons +s a matter of fact' the %alue of the cargo' $hich $as
officially limited to NH00'000' $as considerably higher 6t chiefly
consisted of 6ndian and Chinese cottons and silk stuffs Famongst
others fifty thousand pairs of silk stockings from ChinaG' and gold
ornaments The %alue of the return freight amounted to bet$een t$o
and three millions of dollars
2Profit in trade5 E%erything in this trade $as settled beforehand;
the number' shape' siBe' and %alue of the bales' and e%en their selling
price +s this $as usually double the original cost' the permission
to ship goods to a certain amount $as eAui%alent' under ordinary
circumstances' to the besto$al of a present of a like %alue These
permissions or licenses FboletasG $ere' at a later period' usually
granted to pensioners and officersC $ido$s' and to officials' in lieu
of an increase of salary; these fa%orites $ere forbidden' ho$e%er'
to make a direct use of them' for to trade $ith +capulco $as the
sole right of those members of the Consulado Fa kind of chamber of
commerceG $ho could pro%e a long residence in the country and the
possession of a capital of at least N.'000
2E%asion of regulations5 )egentil' the astronomer' gi%es a full
description of the regulations $hich pre%ailed in his day and the
manner in $hich they $ere disobeyed The cargo consisted of a thousand
bales' each composed of four packets' 2/.5 the maEimum %alue of each
packet being fiEed at N/90 6t $as impossible to increase the amount of
bales' but they pretty generally consisted of more than four packets'
and their %alue so far eEceeded the prescribed limits' that a boleta
$as considered to be $orth from N/00 to N//9 The officials took good
care that no goods should be smuggled on board $ithout a boleta These
$ere in such demand' that' at a later period' Comyn 2/:5 sa$ people
pay N900 for the right to ship goods' the %alue of $hich scarcely
amounted to N-'000 The merchants usually borro$ed the money for these
undertakings from the obras pias' charitable foundations' $hich' up
to our o$n time' fulfil in the 6slands the purposes of banks 2I05
6n the early days of the trade' the galleon used to lea%e Ca%ite in
July and sail $ith a south($esterly $ind beyond the tropics' until
it met $ith a $est $ind at the thirty(eighth or 2"oute out$ard5
fortieth parallel 2I-5 )ater on the %essels $ere ordered to lea%e
Ca%ite $ith the first south($esterly $inds to sail along the south
coast of )uBon' through 7an Bernardino straits' and to continue along
the thirteenth parallel of north latitude 2I/5 as far to the east as
possible' until the north(easterly trade $ind compelled them to seek a
north($est breeBe in higher latitudes They $ere then obliged to try
the thirtieth parallel as long as possible' instead of' as formerly'
the thirty(se%enth The captain of the galleon $as not permitted
to sail immediately north$ard' although to ha%e done so $ould ha%e
procured him a much Auicker and safer passage' and $ould ha%e enabled
him to reach the rainy Bone more rapidly To effect the last' indeed'
$as a matter of the greatest importance to him' for his %essel'
o%erladen 2!ater(supply cro$ded out by cargo5 $ith merchandise'
had but little room cro$ded out for $ater; and although he had
a cre$ of from four hundred to siE hundred hands to pro%ide for'
he $as instructed to depend upon the rain he caught on the %oyage;
for $hich purpose' the galleon $as pro%ided $ith suitable mats and
bamboo pails 2II5
2)ength of %oyage5 #oyages in these lo$ latitudes $ere' o$ing to the
inconstancy of the $inds' eEtremely troublesome' and often lasted fi%e
months and up$ards The fear of eEposing the costly' cumbrous %essel
to the po$erful and sometimes stormy $inds of the higher latitudes'
appears to ha%e been the cause of these sailing orders
2California landfall5 +s soon as the galleon had passed the great
7argasso shoal' it took a southerly course' and touched at the
southern point of the Californian peninsula F7an )ucasG' $here ne$s
and pro%isions a$aited it 2I15 6n their earlier %oyages' ho$e%er'
they must ha%e sailed much further to the north' some$here in the
neighborhood of Cape @endocino' and ha%e been dri%en south$ard in sight
of the coast; for #iBcaino' in the %oyage of disco%ery he undertook
in -H0I' from @eEico to California' found the principal mountains and
capes' although no European had e%er set his foot upon them' already
christened by the galleons' to $hich they had ser%ed as landmarks
2I95
27peedy return %oyage5 The return %oyage to the Philippines $as an
easy one' and only occupied from forty to siEty days 2IH5 The galleon
left +capulco in February or @arch' sailed south$ards till it fell in
$ith the trade $ind Fgenerally in from -0J to --J of north latitudeG'
$hich carried it easily to the )adrone 6slands' and thence reached
@anila by $ay of 7amar 2I45
2GalleonCs siBe and armament5 + galleon $as usually of from t$el%e
hundred to fifteen hundred tons burden' and carried fifty or siEty
guns The latter' ho$e%er' $ere pretty generally banished to the
hold during the east$ard %oyage !hen the shipCs bo$s $ere turned
to$ards home' and there $as no longer any press of space' the guns
$ere remounted
2Capture of D7anta +nnaD5 7an +ugustin says of the 7anta +nna' $hich
Thomas Candish captured and burnt in -9.H off the Californian coast*
D8ur people sailed so carelessly that they used their guns for ballast;
the pirateCs %enture $as such a fortunate one that he returned
to )ondon $ith sails of Chinese damask and silken riggingD The cargo
$as sold in +capulco at a profit of -00 per cent' and $as paid for
in sil%er' cochineal' Auicksil%er' etc 2#alue of return freight5
The total %alue of the return freight amounted perhaps to bet$een
t$o and three million dollars' 2I.5 of $hich a Auarter of a million'
at least' fell to the king
2Gambling rather than commerce5 The return of a galleon to @anila'
laden $ith sil%er dollars and ne$ arri%als' $as a great holiday
for the colony + considerable portion of the riches they had $on
as easily as at the gaming table' $as soon spent by the cre$; $hen
matters again returned to their usual lethargic state 6t $as no
unfreAuent e%ent' ho$e%er' for %essels to be lost They $ere too
often laden $ith a total disregard to sea$orthiness' and $retchedly
handled 6t $as fa%or' not capacity' that determined the patronage
of these lucrati%e appointments 2I:5 @any galleons fell into the
hands of English and ,utch cruisers 2105 2DPhilippine CompanyD
and smugglers cause change5 But these tremendous profits gradually
decreased as the CompaOPa obtained the right to import 6ndian
cottons' one of the principal articles of trade' into >e$ 7pain by
$ay of #era CruB' subject to a customs duty of H per cent; and $hen
English and +merican ad%enturers began to smuggle these and other
goods into the country 21-5 27panish coins in circulation on China
coast5 Finally' it may be mentioned that 7panish dollars found their
$ay in the galleons to China and the further 6ndies' $here they are
in circulation to this day
C<+PTE" 666
2The $alled city of @anila5 The city proper of @anila' inhabited by
7paniards' Creoles' the Filipinos directly connected $ith them' and
Chinese' lies' surrounded by $alls and $ide ditches' on the left or
southern bank of the Pasig' looking to$ards the sea 21/5 6t is a hot'
dried(up place' full of monasteries' con%ents' barracks' and go%ernment
buildings 7afety' not appearance' $as the object of its builders 6t
reminds the beholder of a 7panish pro%incial to$n' and is' neEt to Goa'
the oldest city in the 6ndies Foreigners reside on the northern bank
of the ri%er; in Binondo' the headAuarters of $holesale and retail
commerce' or in the pleasant suburban %illages' $hich blend into
a considerable $hole 2Population5 The total population of city
and suburbs has been estimated' perhaps $ith some eEaggeration'
at /00'000 2Bridges5 + handsome old stone bridge of ten arches
ser%es as the communication bet$een the t$o banks of the Pasig'
$hich' more recently' has also been spanned by an iron suspension
bridge 21I5 #ery little intercourse eEists bet$een the inhabitants
of @anila and Binondo 2Friction bet$een classes5 )ife in the city
proper cannot be %ery pleasant; pride' en%y' place(hunting' and caste
hatred' are the order of the day; the 7paniards consider themsel%es
superior to the creoles' $ho' in their turn' reproach the former $ith
the taunt that they ha%e only come to the colony to sa%e themsel%es
from star%ation + similar hatred and en%y eEists bet$een the $hites
and the mestiBos This state of things is to be found in all 7panish
colonies' and is chiefly caused by the colonial policy of @adrid'
$hich al$ays does its best to so$ discord bet$een the different races
and classes of its foreign possessions' under the idea that their
union $ould imperil the s$ay of the mother country 2115
2Fe$ large lando$ners5 6n @anila' moreo%er' this state of things $as
rendered $orse by the fact that the planter class' $hose large landed
possessions al$ays gi%e it a strong interest in the country of its
inhabitance' $as entirely $anting +t the present day' ho$e%er' the
increasing demand for the produce of the colony seems to be bringing
about a pleasant change in this respect 27paniards transient5 The
manner in $hich the 7panish population of the 6slands $as affected
by the gambling %entures of the galleons' at one time the only
source of commercial $ealth' is thus described by @urillo #elarde
Fpage /4/G*((DThe 7paniards $ho settle here look upon these 6slands
as a ta%ern rather than a permanent home 6f they marry' it is by the
merest chance; $here can a family be found that has been settled here
for se%eral generationsQ The father amasses $ealth' the son spends it'
the grandson is a beggar The largest capitals are not more stable than
the $a%es of the ocean' across the crests of $hich they $ere gatheredD
2,iscomforts and the high cost of li%ing5 There is nothing like
the same amount of sociability amongst the foreigners in Binondo as
pre%ails in English and ,utch colonies; and scarcely any intercourse at
all $ith the 7paniards' $ho en%y the strangers and almost seem to look
upon the gains the latter make in the country as so many robberies
committed upon themsel%es' its o$ners Besides all this' li%ing is
%ery eEpensi%e' much more so than in 7ingapore and Bata%ia To many'
the mere cost of eEistence seems greatly out of proportion to their
official salaries The FEuropean styleG houses' $hich are generally
spacious' are gloomy and ugly' and not $ell %entilated for such a
climate 6nstead of light jalousies' they are fitted $ith hea%y sash
$indo$s' $hich admit the light through thin oyster shells' forming
small panes scarcely t$o sAuare inches in area' and held together by
laths an inch thick The ground floors of the houses are' on account
of the great damp' sensibly enough' generally uninhabited; and are
used as cellars' stables' and ser%antCs offices
2>ati%e houses comfortable and unchanged5 The unassuming' but for
their purposes %ery practical houses' of boards' bamboos' and FnipaG
palm lea%es' are supported on account of the damp on isolated beams
or props; and the space beneath' $hich is generally fenced in $ith
a railing' is used as a stable or a $arehouse; such $as the case
as early as the days of @agellan These d$ellings 2195 are %ery
lightly put together )a PLrouse estimates the $eight of some of them'
furniture and all' at something less than t$o hundred pounds >early
all these houses' as $ell as the huts of the nati%es' are furnished
$ith an aBotea' that is' an unco%ered space' on the same le%el as the
d$elling' $hich takes the place of yard and balcony The 7paniards
appear to ha%e copied this useful contri%ance from the @oors' but the
nati%es $ere acAuainted $ith them before the arri%al of the Europeans'
for @orga mentions similar batalanes
2>eglected ri%er and canals offensi%e5 6n the suburbs nearly e%ery
hut stands in its o$n garden The ri%er is often Auite co%ered $ith
green scum; and dead cats and dogs surrounded $ith $eeds' $hich look
like cabbage(lettuce' freAuently adorn its $aters 6n the dry season'
the numerous canals of the suburbs are so many stagnant drains'
and at each ebb of the tide the ditches around the to$n eEhibit a
similar spectacle
2,reary and unprogressi%e life5 @anila offers %ery fe$ opportunities
for amusement There $as no 7panish theatre open during my stay there'
but Tagalog plays FtranslationsG $ere sometimes represented The to$n
possessed no club' and contained no readable books >e%er once did
the least eEcitement enli%en its feeble ne$spapers' for the items
of intelligence' for$arded fortnightly from <ongkong' $ere sifted by
priestly censors' $ho left little but the chronicles of the 7panish
and French courts to feed the barren columns of the local sheets 21H5
The pompously celebrated religious festi%als $ere the only e%ents
that sometimes cheAuered the $earisome monotony
2Cock(fighting5 The chief amusement of the Filipinos is cock(fighting'
$hich is carried on $ith a passionate eagerness that must strike e%ery
stranger >early e%ery man keeps a fighting cock @any are ne%er seen
out of doors $ithout their fa%orite in their arms; they pay as much
as N90 and up$ards for these pets' and heap the tenderest caresses
on them The passion for cock(fighting can $ell be termed a national
%ice; but the practice may ha%e been introduced by the 7paniards' or
the @eEicans $ho accompanied them' as' in a like manner' the habit of
smoking opium among the Chinese' $hich has become a national curse'
$as first introduced by the English 2Probably @alay Custom5 6t is'
ho$e%er' more probable that the @alays brought the custom into the
country 6n the eastern portion of the Philippines' cock(fighting
$as unkno$n in the days of Pigafetta The first cock(fight he met
$ith $as at Pala$an DThey keep large cocks' $hich from a species of
superstition' they ne%er eat' but keep for fighting purposes <ea%y
bets are made on the upshot of the contest' $hich are paid to the
o$ner of the $inning birdD 2145 The sight is one eEtremely repulsi%e
to Europeans 2The cockpit5 The ring around the cockpit is cro$ded
$ith men' perspiring at e%ery pore' $hile their countenances bear
the imprint of the ugliest passions Each bird is armed $ith a sharp
cur%ed spur' three inches long capable of making deep $ounds' and $hich
al$ays causes the death of one or both birds by the serious injuries it
inflicts 6f a cock sho$s symptoms of fear and declines the encounter'
it is plucked ali%e 6ncredibly large sums' in proportion to the means
of the gamblers' are $agered on the result 26ts bad influence5 6t
is %ery e%ident that these cock(fights must ha%e a most demoralising
effect upon a people so addicted to idleness and dissipation' and so
accustomed to gi%e $ay to the impulse of the moment Their effect
is to make them little able to resist the temptation of procuring
money $ithout $orking for it The passion for the game leads many
to borro$ at usury' to embeBBlement' to theft' and e%en to high$ay
robbery The land and sea pirates' of $hom 6 shall speak presently'
are principally composed of ruined gamesters 21.5
2Feminine attracti%eness5 6n the comeliness of the $omen $ho
lend animation to its streets @anila surpasses all other to$ns in
the 6ndian +rchipelago @allat describes them in glo$ing colors +
charming picture of @anila street life' full of local color' is gi%en
in the %ery amusing +%entures dCun Gentilhomme Breton 21:5
2@estiBas5 <o$ many of the prettiest Filipinas are of perfectly
unmiEed blood' it is' 6 confess' difficult to decide @any of them
are %ery fair and of Auite an European type' and are thereby easily
distinguished from their sisters in the outlying pro%inces The
immediate en%irons of @anila can boast many beautiful spots' but
they are not the resort of the local rank and fashion' the object
of $hose daily promenade is the display of their toilettes' and not
the enjoyment of nature 6n the hot season' all $ho can afford it
are dri%en e%ery e%ening along the 2The )uneta5 dusty streets to
a promenade on the beach' $hich $as built a short time back' $here
se%eral times a $eek the band of a nati%e regiment plays fairly good
music' and there $alk formally up and do$n +ll the 7paniards 2The
+ngelas5 are in uniform or in black frock coats !hen the bells ring
out for e%ening prayer' carriages' horsemen' pedestrians' all suddenly
stand motionless; the men take off their hats' and e%erybody appears
momentarily absorbed in prayer
2Botanical gardens5 The same go%ernor $ho laid out the promenade
established a botanical garden 6t is true that e%erything he planted
in it' eEposed on a marshy soil to the full heat of a po$erful sun'
soon faded a$ay; but its ground $as enclosed and laid out' and though
it $as o%ergro$n $ith $eeds' it had at least recei%ed a name +t
present it is said to be in better condition 2905
2Pretty girls in gay garments5 The religious festi%als in the
neighborhood of @anila are $ell $orth a %isit' if only for the sake
of the numerous pretty Filipinas and mestiBas in their best clothes
$ho make their appearance in the e%ening and promenade up and do$n
the streets' $hich are illuminated and profusely decked $ith flo$ers
and bright colors They offer a charming spectacle' particularly
to a stranger lately arri%ed from @alaysia The Filipinas are %ery
beautifully formed They ha%e luEuriant black hair' and large dark
eyes; the upper part of their bodies is clad in a homespun but often
costly material of transparent fineness and sno$($hite purity; and'
from their $aist do$n$ards' they are $rapped in a brightly(striped
cloth FsayaG' $hich falls in broad folds' and $hich' as far as the
knee' is so tightly compressed $ith a dark sha$l FlapisG' closely dra$n
around the figure' that the rich %ariegated folds of the saya burst
out beneath it like the blossoms of a pomegranate This s$athing only
allo$s the young girls to take %ery short steps' and this timidity of
gait' in unison $ith their do$ncast eyes' gi%es them a %ery modest
appearance 8n their naked feet they $ear embroidered slippers of
such a small siBe that their little toes protrude for $ant of room'
and grasp the outside of the sandal 29-5
2,ress of the poorer $omen5 The poorer $omen clothe themsel%es in a
saya and in a so(called chemise' $hich is so eEtremely short that it
freAuently does not e%en reach the first fold of the former 6n the
more eastern islands gro$n(up girls and $omen $ear' $ith the eEception
of a Catholic amulet' nothing but these t$o garments' $hich are'
particularly after bathing' and before they get dried by the sun'
nearly transparent
2@enCs clothing5 + hat' trousers' and a shirt $orn outside them'
both made of coarse Guinara cloth' compose the dress of the men of
the poorer classes The shirts $orn by the $ealthy are often made
of an eEtremely eEpensi%e home(made material' $o%en from the fibers
of the pineapple or the banana 7ome of them are ornamented $ith
silk stripes' some are plain They are also freAuently manufactured
entirely of jusi FChinese floret silkG' in $hich case they $ill not
stand $ashing' and can only be $orn once The hat FsalacotG' a round
piece of home(made plaiting' is used as both umbrella and sunshade'
and is often adorned $ith sil%er ornaments of considerable %alue 2The
DPrincipalesD5 The principalia class enjoy the special pri%ilege
of $earing short jackets abo%e their shirts' and are usually easily
recogniBable by their amusing assumption of dignity' and by the faded
cylindrical hats' yello$ $ith age' family heirlooms' constantly
$orn 2The dandies5 The nati%e dandies $ear patent leather shoes
on their naked feet' tight(fitting trousers of some material striped
$ith black and $hite or $ith some other glaringly(contrasted colors'
a starched plaited shirt of European make' a chimney(pot silk hat'
and carry a cane in their hands 2The ser%ants5 The ser%ants $aiting
at dinner in their $hite starched shirts and trousers are by no means
an agreeable spectacle' and 6 ne%er realised the full ludicrousness
of European male costume till my eye fell upon its caricature'
eEemplified in the person of a D@anila dandyD
2@estiBa costume5 The mestiBas dress like the Filipinas' but do not
$ear the tapis' and those of them $ho are married to Europeans are
generally clad in both shoes and stockings @any of the mestiBas are
eEtremely pretty' but their gait drags a little' from their habit of
$earing slippers +s a rule they are prudent' thrifty' and 2Cle%er
business $omen5 cle%er business $omen' but their con%ersation is
often a$k$ard and tedious Their $ant of education is' ho$e%er' not
the cause of this latter failing' for +ndalusian $omen $ho ne%er learn
anything but the elementary doctrines of Christianity' are among the
most charming creatures in the $orld' in their youth 26ll at ease
in society5 6ts cause lies rather in this eAui%ocal position; they
are haughtily repelled by their $hite sisters' $hilst they themsel%es
diso$n their motherCs kin They are $anting in the ease' in the tact'
that the $omen of 7pain sho$ in e%ery relation of eEistence
2@estiBos5 The mestiBos' particularly those born of Chinese and Tagal
mothers' constitute the richest and the most enterprising portion of
the nati%e population They are $ell acAuainted $ith all the good and
bad Aualities of the Filipino inhabitants' and use them unscrupulously
for their o$n purposes
C<+PTE" 6#
2>ati%e distrust of Europeans5 + 7cotch merchant to $hom 6 brought
a letter of introduction in%ited me $ith such cordiality to come
and stay $ith him' that 6 found myself unable to refuse !hile thus
li%ing under the roof and protection of one of the $ealthiest and most
respected men in the city' the cabmen 6 employed insisted on being
paid beforehand e%ery time 6 rode in their %ehicles This distrust $as
occasioned by the scanty feeling of respect most of the Europeans in
@anila inspired in the minds of the nati%es @any later obser%ations
confirmed this impression !hat a different state of things eEists
in Ja%a and 7ingaporeR The reason' ho$e%er' is easily eEplained
2,utch and English stand $ell in their colonies5 The ,utch are as
little able as the English to acclimatiBe themsel%es in tropical
countries They get all they can out of countries in $hich they are
only temporary sojourners' the former by forced ser%ice and monopoly'
the latter by commerce 6n both cases' ho$e%er' the end is accomplished
by comparati%ely fe$ indi%iduals' $hose official position and the
largeness of $hose undertakings place them far abo%e the mass of the
population 6n Ja%a' moreo%er' the Europeans constitute the go%erning
classes' the nati%es the go%erned; and e%en in 7ingapore $here both
races are eAual before the la$ the fe$ $hite men understand ho$ to mark
the difference of race so distincti%ely that the nati%es $ithout demur
surrender to them' though not by means of the la$' the pri%ileges of a
higher caste The difference of religion does but $iden the gap; and'
finally' e%ery European there speaks the language of the country' $hile
the nati%es are totally ignorant of that spoken by the foreigners
2,utch colonials $ell educated5 The ,utch officials are educated at
home in schools specially de%oted to the East 6ndian ser%ice The art
of managing the nati%es' the upholding of prestige' $hich is considered
the secret of the ,utch po$er o%er the numerous nati%e populations'
forms an essential particular in their education The ,utch' therefore'
manage their intercourse $ith the nati%es' no matter ho$ much they
intend to get out of them' in strict accordance $ith customary usage
FadatG; they ne%er $ound the nati%esC amor propio and ne%er eEpose
themsel%es in their o$n mutual intercourse' $hich remains a sealed
book to the inhabitants
27panish officials undesirables5 Things are different in the
Philippines !ith the eEception of those officials $hose stay is
limited by the rules of the ser%ice' or by the place(hunting that
ensues at e%ery change in the 7panish ministry' fe$ 7paniards $ho
ha%e once settled in the colony e%er return home 6t is forbidden
to the priests' and most of the rest ha%e no means of doing so +
considerable portion of them consist of subaltern officers' soldiers'
sailors' political delinAuents and refugees $hom the mother(country
has got rid of; and not seldom of ad%enturers deficient both in means
and desire for the journey back' for their life in the colony is far
pleasanter than that they $ere forced to lead in 7pain These latter
arri%e $ithout the slightest kno$ledge of the country and $ithout
being in the least prepared for a sojourn there @any of them are so
laBy that they $onCt take the trouble to learn the language e%en if
they marry a daughter of the soil Their ser%ants understand 7panish'
and clandestinely $atch the con%ersation and the actions' and become
acAuainted $ith all the secrets' of their indiscreet masters' to
$hom the Filipinos remain an enigma $hich their conceit pre%ents them
attempting to decipher
27panish lack of prestige deser%ed5 6t is easy to understand ho$
Filipino respect for Europeans must be diminished by the numbers of
these uneducated' impro%ident' and eEtra%agant 7paniards' $ho' no
matter $hat may ha%e been their position at home' are all determined
to play the master in the colony 27ocial 7tanding of Filipinos thus
enhanced5 The relati%e standing of the Filipinos naturally profits
by all this and it $ould be difficult to find a colony in $hich
the nati%es' taken all in all' feel more comfortable than in the
Philippines They ha%e adopted the religion' the manners' and the
customs of their rulers; and though legally not on an eAual footing
$ith the latter' they are by no means separated from them by the
high barriers $ith $hich' not to mention Ja%a' the churlish reser%e
of the English has surrounded the nati%es of the other colonies
27panish(Filipino bonds of union5 The same religion' a similar form
of $orship' an eEistence intermiEed $ith that of the indigenous
population' all tend to bring the Europeans and the 6ndians
together That they ha%e done so is pro%ed by the eEistence of the
proportionately %ery numerous band of mestiBos $ho inhabit the 6slands
2)atin races better for colonists in the tropics5 The 7paniards
and the Portuguese appear' in fact' to be the only Europeans $ho
take root in tropical countries They are capable of permanent and
fruitful amalgamation 29/5 $ith the nati%es 29I5
26nitiati%e and indi%iduality missing5 The $ant of originality' $hich
among the mestiBos' appears to arise from their eAui%ocal position'
is also to be found among the nati%es ,istinctly marked national
customs' $hich one $ould naturally eEpect to find in such an isolated
part of the $orld' are sought for in %ain' and again and again the
stranger remarks that e%erything has been learned and is only a %eneer
2+ compromise ci%iliBation5 +s 7pain forcibly eEpelled the
ci%iliBation of the @oors' and in Peru that of the 6ncas' so in the
Philippines it has understood ho$ to set aside an eAually $ell(founded
one' by appropriating in an incredible manner' in order to take root
itself the more Auickly' all eEisting forms and abuses 2915
26mitation instilled and self(respect banished5 The unci%iliBed
inhabitants of the Philippines Auickly adopted the rites' forms'
and ceremonies of the strange religion' and' at the same time' copied
the personal eEternalities of their ne$ masters' learning to despise
their o$n manners and customs as heathenish and barbarian >o$adays'
forsooth' they sing +ndalusian songs' and dance 7panish dances; but
in $hat sort of $ayQ They imitate e%erything that passes before their
eyes $ithout using their intelligence to appreciate it 6t is this
$hich makes both themsel%es and their artistic productions $earisome'
de%oid of character' and' 6 may add' unnatural' in spite of the skill
and patience they de%ote to them These t$o peculiarities' moreo%er'
are in%ariably to be found amongst nations $hose ci%iliBation is but
little de%eloped; the patience so much admired is often nothing but
$aste of time and breath' Auite out of proportion to the end in %ie$'
and the skill is the mere conseAuence of the back$ard state of the
di%ision of labor
2Educated Filipino unnatural5 6f 6 entered the house of a $ell(to(do
Filipino' $ho spoke 7panish' 6 $as recei%ed $ith the same phrases his
model' a 7paniard' $ould employ; but 6 al$ays had the feeling that it
$as out of place 6n countries $here the nati%e population remains
true to its ancient customs this is not the case; and $hene%er 6
ha%e not been recei%ed $ith proper respect' 6 ha%e remarked that the
apparent fact proceeded from a difference in social forms' not more
to be $ondered at than a difference in $eights and measures 6n Ja%a'
and particularly in Borneo and the @oluccas' the utensils in daily use
are ornamented $ith so refined a feeling for form and color' that they
are praised by our artists as patterns of ornamentation and afford
a proof that the labor is one of lo%e' and that it is presided o%er
by an acute intelligence 2>ati%e art(sense spoiled5 7uch a sense
of beauty is seldom to be met $ith in the Philippines E%erything
there is imitation or careless makeshift E%en the piOa embroideries'
$hich are fabricated $ith such $onderful patience and skill' and
are so celebrated for the fineness of the $ork' are' as a rule'
spiritless imitations of 7panish patterns 8ne is in%oluntarily
led to these conclusions by a comparison of the art products of the
7panish(+merican communities $ith those of more barbarous races The
Berlin Ethnographical @useum contains many proofs of the facts 6 ha%e
just mentioned
26ndolence from absence of incenti%e5 The oars used in the
Philippines are usually made of bamboo poles' $ith a board tied to
their eEtremities $ith strips of rattan 6f they happen to break' so
much the better; for the fatiguing labor of ro$ing must necessarily
be suspended till they are mended again
2Carelessness from lack of responsibility5 6n Ja%a the carabao(carts'
$hich are completely co%ered in as a protection against the rain'
are ornamented $ith many tasteful patterns The roofless $agons used
in the Philippines are roughly put together at the last moment !hen
it is necessary to protect their contents from the $et' an old pair
of mats is thro$n o%er them' more for the purpose of appeasing the
prejudices of the DCastiliansD than really to keep off the rain
2!eakened character and $ant of dignity5 The English and the ,utch are
al$ays looked upon as strangers in the tropics; their influence ne%er
touches the ancient nati%e customs $hich culminate in the religion of
the country But the populations $hom the 7paniards ha%e con%erted to
their religion ha%e lost all originality' all sense of nationality;
yet the alien religion has ne%er really penetrated into their inmost
being' they ne%er feel it to be a source of moral support' and it is
no accidental coincidence that they are all more or less stamped $ith
a $ant of dignity
27panish rule not bene%olent' but beneficial5 !ith the eEception of
this $ant of national indi%iduality' and the loss of the distinguishing
manners and customs $hich constitute the chief charm of most eastern
peoples' the Filipino is an interesting study of a type of mankind
eEisting in the easiest natural conditions The arbitrary rule of
their chiefs' and the iron shackles of sla%ery' $ere abolished by the
7paniards shortly after their arri%al; and peace and security reigned
in the place of $ar and rapine The 7panish rule in these 6slands $as
al$ays a mild one' not because the la$s' $hich treated the nati%es
like children' $ere $onderfully gentle' but because the causes did
not eEist $hich caused such scandalous cruelties in 7panish +merica
and in the colonies of other nations
2Circumstances ha%e fa%ored the Filipinos5 6t $as fortunate for
the Filipinos that their islands possessed no $ealth in the shape of
precious metals or %aluable spices 6n the earlier days of maritime
traffic there $as little possibility of eEporting the numerous
agricultural productions of the colony; and it $as scarcely $orth
$hile' therefore' to make the most of the land The fe$ 7paniards
$ho resided in the colony found such an easy method of making money
in the commerce $ith China and @eEico' by means of the galleons'
that they held themsel%es aloof from all economical enterprises'
$hich had little attraction for their haughty inclinations' and
$ould ha%e imposed the se%erest labor on the Filipinos Taking into
consideration the $earisome and dangerous na%igation of the time'
it $as' moreo%er' impossible for the 7paniards' upon $hom their too
large possessions in +merica already imposed an eEhausting man(taE'
to maintain a strong armed force in the Philippines The subjection'
$hich had been inaugurated by a daBBling military eEploit' $as chiefly
accomplished by the assistance of the friar orders' $hose missionaries
$ere taught to employ eEtreme prudence and patience The Philippines
$ere thus principally $on by a peaceful conAuest
2<a%e fared better than the @eEicans5 The taEes laid upon the peoples
$ere so trifling that they did not suffice for the administration
of the colony The difference $as co%ered by yearly contributions
from @eEico The eEtortions of unconscientious officials $ere by no
means conspicuous by their absence Cruelties' ho$e%er' such as $ere
practised in the +merican mining districts' or in the manufactures
of Suito' ne%er occurred in the Philippines
2+ land of opportunity5 =nculti%ated land $as free' and $as at
the ser%ice of any one $illing to make it producti%e; if' ho$e%er'
it remained untilled for t$o years' it re%erted to the cro$n 2995
2)o$ taEes5 The only taE $hich the Filipinos pay is the poll(taE'
kno$n as the tributo' $hich originally' three hundred years ago'
amounted to one dollar for e%ery pair of adults' and in a country
$here all marry early' and the seEes are eAually di%ided' really
constituted a family(taE By degrees the tribute has been raised to
t$o and one(siEteenth dollars +n adult' therefore' male or female'
pays one and one(thirty(second dollar' and that from his siEteenth to
his siEtieth year Besides this' e%ery man has to gi%e forty daysC
labor e%ery year to the 7tate This %assalage Fpolos y ser%iciosG
is di%ided into ordinary and eEtraordinary ser%ices* the first
consists of the duties appertaining to a $atchman or messenger' in
cleaning the courts of justice' and in other light labors; the second
in road(making' and similar hea%ier kinds of $ork' for the benefit
of %illages and pro%inces The little use' ho$e%er' that is made of
these ser%ices' is sho$n by the fact that any one can obtain a release
from them for a sum $hich at most is not more than three dollars >o
personal ser%ice is reAuired of $omen + little further on' important
details about the taE from official sources' $hich $ere placed at my
disposal in the colonial office' appear in a short special chapter
2Fortunate factors5 6n other countries' $ith an eAually mild climate'
and an eAually fertile soil' the nati%es' unless they had reached a
higher degree of ci%iliBation than that of the Philippine 6slanders'
$ould ha%e been ground do$n by nati%e princes' or ruthlessly plundered
and destroyed by foreigners 6n these isolated 6slands' so richly
endo$ed by nature' $here pressure from abo%e' impulse from $ithin'
and e%ery stimulus from the outside are $anting' the satisfaction
of a fe$ trifling $ants is sufficient for an eEistence $ith ample
comfort 8f all countries in the $orld' the Philippines ha%e the
greatest claim to be considered a lotos(eating =topia The tra%eller'
$hose kno$ledge of the dolce far niente is deri%ed from >aples'
has no real appreciation of it; it only blossoms under the shade of
palm(trees These notes of tra%el $ill contain plenty of eEamples to
support this 8ne trip across the Pasig gi%es a foretaste of life
in the interior of the country )o$ $ooden cabins and bamboo huts'
surmounted $ith green foliage and blossoming flo$ers' are picturesAuely
grouped $ith areca palms' and tall' feather(headed bamboos' upon its
banks 7ometimes the enclosures run do$n into the stream itself' some
of them being duck(grounds' and others bathing(places The shore is
fringed $ith canoes' nets' rafts' and fishing apparatus <ea%ily(laden
boats float do$n the stream' and small canoes ply from bank to bank
bet$een the groups of bathers The most li%ely traffic is to be seen
in the tiendas' large sheds' corresponding to the Ja%anese harongs'
$hich open upon the ri%er' the great channel for traffic
2"i%er resorts5 They are a source of great attraction to the
passing sailors' $ho resort to them for eating' drinking' and other
con%i%ialities; and $hile a$ay the time there in gambling' betel
che$ing' and smoking' $ith idle companions of both seEes
27leeping pilots5 +t times somebody may be seen floating do$n
the stream asleep on a heap of coconuts 6f the nuts run ashore'
the sleeper rouses himself' pushes off $ith a long bamboo' and
contentedly relapses into slumber' as his eccentric raft regains
the current of the ri%er 8ne cut of his bolo(knife easily detaches
sufficient of the husk of the nuts to allo$ of their being fastened
together; in this $ay a kind of $reath is formed $hich encircles and
holds together the loose nuts piled up in the middle
2)abor(sa%ing conditions5 The arduous labors of many centuries
ha%e left as their legacy a perfect system of transport; but in
these 6slands man can obtain many of his reAuirements direct $ith
proportionately trifling labor' and a large amount of comfort for
himself
2Easy food5 8ff the 6sland of Talim' in the great )agoon of Bay' my
boatmen bought for a fe$ cuartos se%eral doBens of fish Auite t$el%e
inches long; and those $hich they couldnCt eat $ere split open' salted'
and dried by a fe$ hoursC eEposure to the heat of the sun on the roof
of the boat !hen the fishermen had parted $ith their contemplated
breakfast' they stooped do$n and filled their cooking(%essels $ith
sand(mussels Fpaludina costata' /a GG' first thro$ing a$ay the
dead ones from the handfuls they picked up from the bottom of the
shallo$ $ater
2"i%erCs importance5 >early all the d$ellings are built by the $aterCs
edge The ri%er is a natural self(maintaining high$ay' on $hich loads
can be carried to the foot of the mountains The huts of the people'
built upon piles' are to be seen thickly scattered about its banks'
and particularly about its broad mouths The appropriateness of
their position is e%ident' for the stream is at once the %ery
center of acti%ity and the most con%enient spot for the pursuit
of their callings +t each tide the takes of fish are more or less
plentiful' and at lo$($ater the $omen and children may be seen picking
up shell(fish $ith their toes' for practice has enabled them to use
their toes as deftly as their fingers' or gathering in the sand(crabs
and eatable sea$eed
2"i%erside gaiety5 The ri%erside is a pretty sight $hen men' $omen'
and children are bathing and frolicking in the shade of the palm(trees;
and others are filling their $ater(%essels' large bamboos' $hich they
carry on their shoulders' or jars' $hich they bear on their heads;
and $hen the boys are standing upright on the broad backs of the
carabaos and riding triumphantly into the $ater
2Coco(palms5 6t is here too that the coco(palm most flourishes' a tree
that supplies not only their food and drink' but also e%ery material
necessary for the construction of huts and the manufacture of the
%arious articles $hich they use !hile the greatest care is necessary
to make those gro$ing further inland bear e%en a little fruit' the
palm(trees close to the shore' e%en $hen planted on $retched soil'
gro$ plentiful crops $ithout the slightest trouble <as a palm(tree
e%er been made to blossom in a hothouseQ Thomson 29H5 mentions that
coco(trees gro$ing by the sea(side are $ont to incline their stems o%er
the ocean' the $aters of $hich bear their fruit to desert shores and
islands' and render them habitable for mankind Thus the coco(tree
$ould seem to play an essential part in the ocean %agabondage of
@alaysia and Polynesia
2>ipa(palms5 Close to the coco(trees gro$ clumps of the stunted
nipa(palms' $hich only flourish in brackish $aters; 2945 their
lea%es furnish the best roof(thatching 7ugar' brandy' and %inegar
are manufactured from their sap Three hundred and fifty years ago
Pigafetta found these manufactures in full s$ing' but no$adays
they seem to be limited to the Philippines Besides these' the
pandanus(tree' from the lea%es of $hich the softest mats are $o%en'
is al$ays found in near proEimity to the shore
2Fertile fields5 To$ards the interior the landscape is co%ered $ith
rice(fields' $hich yearly recei%e a fresh layer of fertile soil'
$ashed do$n from the mountains by the ri%er' and spread o%er their
surface by the o%erflo$ing of its $aters; and $hich in conseAuence
ne%er reAuire any fertiliBer 2The carabao5 The carabao' the fa%orite
domestic animal of the @alays' and $hich they keep especially for
agricultural purposes' prefers these regions to all others 6t lo%es
to $allo$ in the mud' and is not fit for $ork unless permitted to
freAuent the $ater
2Bamboo5 Bamboos $ith luEuriant leafy tops gro$ plentifully by the
huts in the rice(fields $hich fringe the banks of the ri%er 6n my
former sketches of tra%el 6 ha%e endea%ored to describe ho$ much
this gigantic plant contributes to the comfort and con%enience of
tropical life 7ince then 6 ha%e become acAuainted $ith many curious
purposes to $hich it is turned' but to describe them here $ould be
out of place 29.5 6 may be allo$ed' ho$e%er' to briefly cite a
fe$ eEamples sho$ing $hat numerous results are obtained from simple
means >ature has endo$ed these splendid plants' $hich perhaps surpass
all others in beauty' $ith so many useful Aualities' and deli%ered
them into the hands of mankind so ready for immediate use' that a
fe$ sharp cuts suffice to con%ert them into all kinds of %arious
utensils 27trength5 The bamboo possesses' in proportion to its
lightness' an eEtraordinary strength; the result of its round shape'
and the regularity of the joints in its stem The parallel position and
toughness of its fibers render it easy to split' and' $hen split' its
pieces are of eEtraordinary pliability and elasticity To the gra%elly
soil on $hich it gro$s it o$es its durability' and its firm' e%en'
and al$ays clean surface' the brilliancy and color of $hich impro%e by
use 2Con%enience5 +nd finally' it is a great thing for a population
$ith such limited means of con%eyance that the bamboo is to be found
in such abundance in all kinds of localities and of all dimensions'
from a fe$ millimeters to ten or fifteen centimeters in diameter'
e%en sometimes to t$ice this amount; and that' on account of its
unsurpassed floating po$er' it is pre(eminently fitted for locomotion
in a country poor in roads but rich in $atercourses + blo$ $ith a bolo
is generally enough to cut do$n a strong stem 2=sefulness5 6f the
thin joints are taken a$ay' hollo$ stems of different thicknesses can
be slid into one another like the parts of a telescope From bamboos
split in half' gutters' troughs' and roofing tiles can be made 7plit
into se%eral slats' $hich can be again di%ided into small strips and
fibers for the manufacture of baskets' ropes' mats' and fine plaiting
$ork' they can be made into frames and stands T$o cuts in the same
place make a round hole through $hich a stem of corresponding diameter
can be firmly introduced 6f a similar opening is made in a second
upright' the horiBontal stem can be run through both Gates' closing
perpendicularly or horiBontally in frames mo%ing $ithout friction on
a perpendicular or horiBontal aEis' can be made in this $ay
T$o deep cuts gi%e an angular shape to the stem; and $hen its t$o sides
are $ide enough apart to admit of a cross(stem being placed bet$een
them' they can be employed as roof(ridges or for the frame$ork of
tables and chairs; a Auantity of flat split pieces of bamboo being
fastened on top of them $ith chair(cane These split pieces then
form the seats of the chairs and the tops of the tables' instead of
the boards and large bamboo laths used at other times 6t is eAually
easy to make an oblong opening in a large bamboo in $hich to fit the
laths of a stand
+ couple of cuts are almost enough to make a fork' a pair of tongs
or a hook
6f one makes a hole as big as the end of oneCs finger in a large
bamboo close under a joint' one obtains by fastening a small piece of
cloth to the open end' a syphon or a filter 6f a piece of bamboo is
split do$n to the joint in strips' and the strips be bound together
$ith others horiBontally interlaced' it makes a conical basket 6f
the strips are cut shorter' it makes a peddlerCs pack basket 6f
a long handle is added' and it is filled $ith tar' it can be used
as a signal torch 6f shallo$er baskets of the same dimensions'
but $ith their bottoms cut off or punched out' are placed inside
these conical ones' the t$o together make capital snare baskets for
crabs and fish 6f a bamboo stem be cut off just belo$ the joint'
and its lo$er edge be split up into a cogged rim' it makes' $hen the
partition of the joint is punched out' an earth(auger' a fountain(pipe'
and many things of the kind
; ; ; ; ;
2Pleasures of tra%el5 7trangers tra%elling in the interior ha%e
daily fresh opportunities of enjoying the hospitality of nature The
atmosphere is so eAuitably $arm that one $ould gladly dispense $ith
all clothing eEcept a sun(hat and a pair of light shoes 7hould one
be tempted to pass the night in the open air' the construction of a
hut from the lea%es of the palm and the fern is the $ork of a fe$
minutes; 2#illage rest houses5 but in e%en the smallest %illage
the tra%eller finds a Dcommon houseD Fcasa realG' in $hich he can
take up his Auarters and be supplied $ith the necessaries of life
at the market price There too he $ill al$ays meet $ith semaneros
Fthose $ho perform menial dutiesG ready to ser%e him as messengers
or porters for the most trifling remuneration But long practice
has taught me that their ser%ices principally consist in doing
nothing 8n one occasion 6 $anted to send a man $ho $as playing
cards and drinking tuba Ffresh or $eakly(fermented palm(sapG $ith his
companions' on an errand 2Pleasant prison life5 !ithout stopping his
game the fello$ eEcused himself on the ground of being a prisoner'
and one of his guardians proceeded in the midst of the intense heat
to carry my troublesome message Prisoners ha%e certainly little
cause to grumble 2FreAuent floggings little regarded5 The only
incon%enience to $hich they are eEposed are the floggings $hich the
local authorities %ery liberally dispense by the doBens for the most
trifling offences EEcept the momentary bodily pain' ho$e%er' these
appear in most cases to make little impression on a people $ho ha%e
been accustomed to corporal punishment from their youth up$ards Their
acAuaintances stand round the sufferers' $hile the blo$s are being
inflicted' and mockingly ask them ho$ it tastes
2Change from @alayan character5 + long residence amongst the earnest'
Auiet' and dignified @alays' $ho are most anEious for their honor'
$hile most submissi%e to their superiors' makes the contrast in
character eEhibited by the nati%es of the Philippines' $ho yet belong
to the @alay race' all the more striking The change in their nature
appears to be a natural conseAuence of the 7panish rule' for the same
characteristics may be obser%ed in the nati%es of 7panish +merica The
class distinctions and the despotic oppression pre%alent under their
former chiefs doubtless rendered the Filipinos of the past more like
the @alays of today
C<+PTE" #
2The familiar field for tra%ellers5 The en%irons of @anila' the Pasig'
and the )agoon of Bay' $hich are %isited by e%ery fresh arri%al in the
colony' ha%e been so often described that 6 ha%e restricted myself
to a fe$ short notes upon these parts of the country' and intend to
relate in detail only my eEcursions into the south(eastern pro%inces
of )uBon' Camarines' and +lbay' and the islands $hich lie to the east
of them' 7amar and )eyte Before doing this' ho$e%er' it $ill not be
out of place to glance at the map and gi%e some slight description
of their geographical conditions
2+rchipelagoCs great eEtent5 The Philippine +rchipelago lies bet$een
Borneo and Formosa' and separates the northern Pacific 8cean from the
China 7ea 6t co%ers fourteen and one(half degrees of latitude' and
eEtends from the 7ulu 6slands in the south' in the fifth parallel of
north latitude' to the Babuyans in the north in latitude -:J I0C 6f'
ho$e%er' the Bashee or Batanes 6slands be included' its area may be
said to eEtend to the t$enty(first parallel of north latitude But
neither south$ards or north$ards does 7panish rule eEtend to these
eEtreme limits' nor' in fact' does it al$ays reach the far interior
of the larger islands From the eastern to the $estern eEtremity of
the Philippines the distance is about nine degrees of longitude T$o
islands' )uBon' $ith an area of t$o thousand' and @indanao' $ith one of
more than one thousand fi%e hundred sAuare miles' are together larger
than all the rest The se%en neEt largest islands are Pala$an' 7amar'
Panay' @indoro' )eyte' >egros' and Cebu; of $hich the first measures
about t$o hundred and fifty' and the last about one hundred sAuare
miles Then come Bohol and @asbate' each about half the siBe of Cebu;
t$enty smaller islands' still of some importance; and numerous tiny
islets' rocks' and reefs
2Fa%ored by position and conditions5 The Philippines are eEtremely
fa%ored by their position and conditions Their eEtension from
north to south' o%er -HJ of latitude' obtains for them a %ariety of
climate $hich the ,utch 6ndies' $hose largest diameter' their eEtent
in latitude north and south of the eAuator being but trifling' runs
from the east to the $est' by no means enjoy The ad%antages accruing
from their neighborhood to the eAuator are added to those acAuired
from the natural %ariety of their climate; and the produce of both the
torrid and temperate Bones' the palm(tree and the fir' the pine(apple'
the corn ear and the potato' flourish side by side upon their shores
2<arbors and $ater high$ays5 The larger islands contain %ast inland
seas' considerable na%igable ri%ers' and many creeks running far
into the interior; they are rich' too' in safe harbors and countless
natural ports of refuge for ships in distress +nother attribute
$hich' though not to be realiBed by a glance at the map' is yet one
of the most fortunate the 6slands possess' is the countless number
of small streams $hich pour do$n from the inland hills' and open out'
ere they reach the ocean' into broad estuaries; up these $atercourses
coasting %essels of shallo$ draught can sail to the %ery foot of the
mountains and take in their cargo 27oil and sea alike producti%e5 The
fertility of the soil is unsurpassed; both the sea around the coasts
and the inland lakes s$arm $ith fish and shell(fish' $hile in the $hole
archipelago there is scarcely a $ild beast to be found 6t seems that
only t$o ci%ets happen to appear* @iro FparadoEurus philippinensis
TemG and galong F%i%erra tangalunga GrayG )uBon surpasses all the
other islands' not only in siBe' but in importance; and its fertility
and other natural superiority $ell entitle it to be called' as it is
by Cra$furd' Dthe most beautiful spot in the tropicsD
2)uBon5 The mainland of the isle of )uBon stretches itself in a
compact long Auadrangle' t$enty(fi%e miles broad' from -.J 10C north
latitude to the Bay of @anila F-1J I0CG; and then projects' amid
large lakes and deep creeks' a rugged promontory to the east' joined
to the main continent by but t$o narro$ isthmuses $hich stretch east
and $est of the large inland )agoon of Bay @any traces of recent
uphea%als betoken that the t$o portions $ere once separated and
formed t$o distinct islands The large eastern promontory' $ell(nigh
as long as the northern portion' is nearly cut in half by t$o deep
bays' $hich' starting from opposite points on the south(eastern
and north($estern coasts' almost merge their $aters in the center
of the peninsula; the Bay of "agay' and the Bay of 7ogod 6n fact'
the southern portion of )uBon may be better described as t$o small
peninsulas lying neEt to one another in parallel positions' and joined
together by a narro$ neck of land scarcely three miles broad T$o small
streams $hich rise nearly in the same spot and pour themsel%es into
the t$o opposite gulfs' make the separation almost complete' and form
at the same time the boundary bet$een the pro%ince of Tayabas on the
$est' and that of Camarines on the east The $estern portion' indeed'
consists almost entirely of the first(named district' and the eastern
is di%ided into the pro%inces of >orth Camarines' 7outh Camarines'
and +lbay The first of these three is di%ided from Tayabas by the
boundary already mentioned' and from 7outh Camarines by a line dra$n
from the southern shore of the Bay of 7an @iguel on the north to the
opposite coast The eastern eEtremity of the peninsula forms the
pro%ince of +lbay; separated from 7outh Camarines by a line $hich
runs from ,onBol' on the south coast' north$ards across the %olcano
of @ayon' and $hich then' inclining to the $est' reaches the northern
shore + look at the map $ill make these eEplanations clearer
2The monsoons5 There are t$o seasons in the Philippines' the $et and
the dry The south($est monsoon brings the rainy season' at the time of
our summer' to the pro%inces $hich lie eEposed to the south and $est
$inds 8n the northern and eastern coasts the hea%iest do$npours take
place Fin our $inter monthsG during the north(eastern monsoons The
ruggedness of the country and its numerous mountains cause' in
certain districts' many %ariations in these normal meteorological
conditions The dry season lasts in @anila from >o%ember till June
Fduration of the north(east monsoonG; rain pre%ails during the
remaining months Fduration of the south($est monsoonG The hea%iest
rainfall occurs in 7eptember; @arch and +pril are freAuently free from
rain From 8ctober to February inclusi%ely the $eather is cool and dry
Fpre%alence of >!' >' and >E $indsG; @arch' +pril' and @ay are
$arm and dry Fpre%alence of E>E' E' and E7E $indsG; and from
June till the end of 7eptember it is humid and moderately $arm
There has been an obser%atory for many years past in @anila under
the management of the Jesuits The follo$ing is an epitome of the
yearly meteorological report for -.H4' for $hich 6 am indebted to
Professor ,o%e*
Barometrical readings((The a%erage height of the mercury $as' in -.H4'
4999; in -.H9' 49194; and in -.HH' 49II4 millimeters
6n -.H4 the difference bet$een the highest and lo$est barometrical
readings $as not more than -I:H millimetres' and $ould ha%e been
much less if the mercury had not been much depressed by storms in July
and 7eptember The hourly %ariations amounted to %ery fe$ millimeters
,aily reading of the barometer((The mercury rises in the early morning
till about : am' it then falls up to I or 1 pm' from then it rises
again till : pm' and then again falls till to$ards day(break Both
the principal atmospheric currents pre%alent in @anila eEercise
a great influence o%er the mercury in the barometer; the northern
current causes it to rise Fto an a%erage height of 49H millimetersG'
the southern causes it to fall Fto about 49I millimetersG
Temperature((The heat increases from January till the end of @ay'
and then decreases till ,ecember +%erage yearly temperature' /4:J
C The highest temperature e%er recorded Fon the -9th of +pril at I
pmG $as I44J C; the lo$est Fon the -1th of ,ecember and on the
I0th of January at H amG' -:1J C ,ifference' -.IJ C 29:5
Thermometrical %ariations((The differences bet$een the highest
and lo$est readings of the thermometer $ere' in January' -I:J;
in February' -1/J; in @arch' -9J; in +pril' -1HJ; in @ay' ---J;
in June' ::J; in July' :J; in +ugust' :J; in 7eptember' -0J; in
8ctober' --:J; in >o%ember' --.J; and in ,ecember' --4J
Coolest months((>o%ember' ,ecember and January' $ith northerly $inds
<ottest months((+pril and @ay Their high temperature is caused by
the change of monsoon from the north(east to the south($est The
state of the temperature is most normal from June to 7eptember;
the %ariations are least marked during this period o$ing to the
uninterrupted rainfall and the clouded atmosphere
,aily %ariations of the thermometer((The coolest portion of the day
is from H to 4 am; the heat gradually increases' reaches its maEimum
about / or I pm' and then again gradually decreases ,uring some
hours of the night the temperature remains unchanged' but to$ards
morning it falls rapidly
2!inds5 The direction of the $ind is %ery regular at all seasons
of the year' e%en $hen local causes make it %ary a little 6n the
course of a t$el%emonth the $ind goes around the $hole compass 6n
January and February north $inds pre%ail; in @arch and +pril they blo$
from the south(east; and in @ay' June' July' +ugust' and 7eptember'
from the south($est 6n the beginning of 8ctober they %ary bet$een
south(east and south($est' and settle do$n to$ards the close of the
month in the north(east' in $hich Auarter they remain tolerably fiEed
during the t$o follo$ing months The t$o changes of monsoon al$ays
take place in +pril and @ay' and in 8ctober +s a rule' the direction
of both monsoons preser%es its eAuilibrium; but in @anila' $hich is
protected to$ards the north by a high range of hills' the north(east
monsoon is often di%erted to the south(east and north($est The same
cause gi%es greater force to the south($est $ind
27unshine and rain5 The sky is generally partially clouded; entirely
sunny days are of rare occurrence' in fact' they only occur from
January to +pril during the north(east monsoons >umber of rainy days
in the year' -H. The most continuous and hea%iest rain falls from
June till the end of 8ctober ,uring this period the rain comes do$n
in torrents; in 7eptember alone the rainfall amounted to -9 meters'
nearly as much as falls in Berlin in the course of the $hole year'
I'04/. millimeters of rain fell in the t$el%e month; but this is
rather more than the a%erage
The e%aporation only amounted to /'I04I millimeters; in ordinary
years it is generally about eAual to the do$nfall' taking the early
a%erages' not those of single months
The a%erage daily e%aporation $as about HI millimeters
27torms5 The changes of monsoons are often accompanied $ith tremendous
storms; during one of these' $hich occurred in 7eptember' the %elocity
of the $ind $as as much as thirty(se%en or thirty(eight meters per
second +n official report of the English %ice(consul mentions a
typhoon $hich %isited the 6slands on 7eptember /4' -.H9' and $hich
did much damage at @anila' dri%ing se%enteen %essels ashore
; ; ; ; ;
2Pro%inces and districts5 The Philippines are di%ided into pro%inces
FPG' and districts F,G' each of $hich is administered by an alcalde of
the -st F+-G' /nd F+/G' or Ird class F+IG Fde termino' de ascenso' de
entradaG; by a political and military go%ernor FGG' or by a commandant
FCG 6n some pro%inces an alcalde of the Ird class is appointed as
coadjutor to the go%ernor These di%isions are freAuently changed
2Population5 The population is estimated approEimately at about
fi%e millions
2)anguage and dialects5 6n spite of the long possessions of the
6slands by the 7paniards their language has scarcely acAuired any
footing there + great di%ersity of languages and dialects pre%ails;
amongst them the Bisayan' Tagalog' 6locano' Bicol' Pangasinan' and
Pampangan are the most important
2)uBon Pro%inces and their languages and populations5
6sland of )uBon
"ank of "ank of >ame Pre%ailing Population Pueblos
8fficial ,istrict ,ialect
G P +bra 6locano I1'II4 9
+- P +lbay Bicol II0'-/- I1
+/ P Bataan Tagalog'
Pampangan 11'4:1 -0
+- P Batangas Tagalog /.0'-00
, Benguet 6gorot'
6locano'
Pangasinan .'1H9
, Bontoc 7uflin'
6locano'
6gorot 4'09/
+- P Bulacan Tagalog /10'I1- /I
+- P Cagayan 6banag'
6tanes'
6dayan'
Gaddan'
6locano'
,adaya'
+payao'
@alaneg H1'1I4 -H
+/ P Camarines >orte Tagalog'
Bicol /9'I4/ 4
+/FQG P Camarines 7ur Bicol .-'014 I-
+I P Ca%ite 7panish'
Tagalog -0:'90- -4
+- P 6locos >orte 6locano'
Tinguian -I1'4H4 -/
+- P 6locos 7ur 6locano -09'/9- -.
C , 6nfanta Tagalog 4'.-I /
G P 6sabela 6banag'
Gaddan'
Tagalog /:'/00 :
+- P )aguna Tagalog'
7panish -/-'/9- /9
, )epanto 6gorot'
6locano .'.9- 1.
I+- P @anila Tagalog'
7panish'
Chinese I/I'H.I /I
C , @orong Tagalog 11'/I: -/
+/ P >ue%a Ecija Tagalog'
Pangasinan'
Pampangan'
6locano .1'9/0 -/
+I P >ue%a #iBcaya Gaddan'
6fugao'
6bilao'
6longote I/':H- .
+- P Pampanga Pampangan'
6locano -:I'1/I /1
+- P Pangasinan Pangasinan'
6locano /9I'14/ /9
, Porac Pampangan H':90 -
C , Principe Tagalog'
6locano'
6longote I'H0: I
, 7altan Gaddan H'910
+/ P Tayabas Tagalog'
Bicol :I':-. -4
, Tiagan ,ifferent
6gorot
dialects 9'4/I
G P =nion 6locano ..'0/1 --
+/ P Tambales Tambal'
6locano'
+cta'
Pampangan'
Tagalog'
Pangasinan 4/':IH -H
2Bisayas5
6slands bet$een )uBon and @indanao
G aI P +ntiAue FPanayG Bisayan ..'.41 -I
G aI P Bohol Bisayan -.4'I/4 /H
C Burias Bicol -'4.H -
G aI P CapiB FPanayG Bisayan /0H'/.. /H
G a/ P Cebu Bisayan I-.'4-9 11
G aI P 6loilo FPanayG Bisayan 9H9'900 I9
G aI P )eyte Bisayan -40'9:- /.
, @asbate' Ticao Bisayan -/'194 :
+/ P @indoro Tagalog /I'090 -0
G aI P >egros Cebuan'
Panayan'
Bisayan -11':/I I-
, "omblon Bisayan /-'94: 1
G aI P 7amar Bisayan -1H'9I: /.
2@indanao5
@indanao
, Cotabato 7panish'
@anobo -'-0I -
G aI , @isamis FJG Bisayan HI'HI: -1
G aI , 7urigao FJG /1'-01 -/
, Tamboanga FJG @andaya'
7panish :'H0. /
G aI , ,a%ao Bisayan -'9I4
28utlying 6slands5
,istant 6slands
G aI P Batanes 6banag .'I.- H
G aI P Calamianes Coyu%o'
+gutaino Calamiano -4'40I 9
G P @arianas Chamorro' Carolino 9':10 H
2=nreliability of go%ernment reports5 The statistics of the abo%e
table are taken from a small $ork' by 7r 2#icente5 Barrantes'
the 7ecretary(General of the Philippines; but 6 ha%e arranged
them differently to render them more easily intelligible to the
eye +lthough 7r Barrantes had the best official materials at his
disposal' too much %alue must not be attributed to his figures'
for the sources from $hich he dre$ them are tainted $ith errors
to an eEtent that can hardly be realiBed in Europe For eEample'
he deri%es the follo$ing contradictory statements from his official
sources*((The population of Ca%ite is set do$n as --9'I00 and H9'//9;
that of @indoro as 19'HI0' and /I'091; that of @anila as /I0'11I'
and I/I'H.I; and that of CapiB as 4..':14' and -:-'.-.
C<+PTE" #6
2To Bulacan by steamer5 @y first eEcursion $as to the pro%ince of
Bulacan' on the northern shore of the Bay of @anila + couple of
hours brought the steamer to the bar of Binuanga Fnot Bincanga as
it is called in CoelloCs mapG' and a third to Bulacan' the capital
of the pro%ince' situated on the flat banks of an influent of the
Pampanga delta 6 $as the only European passenger' the others $ere
composed of Tagalogs' mestiBos' and a fe$ Chinese; the first more
particularly $ere represented by $omen' $ho are generally charged $ith
the management of all business affairs' for $hich they are much better
fitted than the men +s a conseAuence' there are usually more $omen
than men seen in the streets' and it appears to be an admitted fact
that the female births are more numerous than the male +ccording'
ho$e%er' to the church(record $hich 6 looked through' the re%erse $as'
at any rate in the eastern pro%inces' formerly the case
2Carromatas5 +t the landing(place a number of carromatas $ere $aiting
for us'((brightly painted' shallo$' t$o($heeled boEes' pro%ided $ith
an a$ning' and harnessed to a couple of horses' in $hich strangers
$ith money to spend are Auickly dri%en any$here they may desire
2To$n of Bulacan5 The to$n of Bulacan contains from --'000 to -/'000
inhabitants; but a month before my arri%al' the $hole of it' $ith the
eEception of the church and a fe$ stone houses' had been burnt to the
ground +ll $ere therefore occupied in building themsel%es ne$ houses'
$hich' oddly enough' but %ery practically' $ere commenced at the roof'
like houses in a dra$ing )ong ro$s of roofs composed of palm(lea%es
and bamboos $ere laid in readiness on the ground' and in the meantime
$ere used as tents
2FreAuence of fires5 7imilar destructi%e fires are %ery common The
houses' $hich $ith fe$ eEceptions are built of bamboo and $ood' become
perfectly parched in the hot season' dried into so much touch$ood by
the heat of the sun Their inhabitants are eEtremely careless about
fire' and there are no means $hate%er of eEtinguishing it 6f anything
catches fire on a $indy day' the entire %illage' as a rule' is utterly
done for ,uring my stay in Bulacan' the $hole suburb of 7an @iguel'
in the neighborhood of @anila' $as burnt do$n' $ith the eEception of
the house of a 7$iss friend of mine' $hich o$ed its safety to the
%igorous use of a pri%ate fire(engine' and the intermediation of a
small garden full of bananas' $hose stems full of sap stopped the
progress of the flames
2To Calumpit by carriage5 6 tra%elled to Calumpit' a distance of
three leagues' in the handsome carriage of an hospitable friend The
roads $ere good' and $ere continuously shaded by fruit(trees' coco and
areca palms The aspect of this fruitful pro%ince reminded me of the
richest districts of Ja%a; but the pueblos here eEhibited more comfort
than the desas there The houses $ere more substantial; numerous roomy
constructions of $ood' in many cases' e%en' of stone' denoted in e%ery
island the residence of official and local magnates But $hile e%en
the poorer Ja%anese al$ays gi%e their $icker huts a smart appearance'
border the roads of their %illages $ith blooming hedges' and display
e%ery$here a sense of neatness and cleanliness' there $ere here far
fe$er e%idences of taste to be met $ith 6 missed too the alun(alun'
that pretty and carefully tended open sAuare' $hich' shaded by $aringa
trees' is to be met $ith in e%ery %illage in Ja%a +nd the Auantity
and %ariety of the fruit trees' under $hose lea%es the desas of Ja%a
are almost hidden' $ere by no means as great in this pro%ince' although
it is the garden of the Philippines' as in its ,utch prototype
2Calumpit5 6 reached Calumpit to$ards e%ening' just as a procession'
resplendent $ith flags and torches' and melodious $ith song' $as
marching round the stately church' $hose $orthy priest' on the strength
of a letter of introduction from @adrid' ga%e me a most hospitable
reception Calumpit' a prosperous place of -/'/90 inhabitants' is
situated at the junction of the Suingua and Pampanga ri%ers' in an
eEtremely fruitful plain' fertiliBed by the freAuent o%erflo$ing of
the t$o streams
2@t +rayat5 +bout siE leagues to the north($est of Calumpit'
@ount +rayat' a lofty' isolated' conical hill' lifts its head 7een
from Calumpit' its $estern slope meets the horiBon at an angle of /0J'
its eastern at one of /9J; and the profile of its summit has a gentle
inclination of from 1J to 9J
2Picking fish5 +t Calumpit 6 sa$ some Chinese catching fish in a
peculiar fashion +cross the lo$er end of the bed of a brook $hich
$as nearly dried up' and in $hich there $ere only a fe$ ri%ulets
left running' they had fastened a hurdle of bamboo' and thro$n up a
shallo$ dam behind it The $ater $hich collected $as thro$n o%er the
dam $ith a long(handled $inno$ing sho%el The sho%el $as tied to a
bamboo frame $ork ten feet high' the elasticity of $hich made the
$ork much easier +s soon as the pool $as emptied' the fisherman
$as easily able to pick out of the mud a Auantity of small fish
F8phiocephalus %agusG These fishes' $hich are pro%ided $ith peculiar
organisms to facilitate respiration' at any rate' enabling them to
remain for some considerable time on dry land' are in the $et season
so numerous in the ditches' ponds' and rice(fields' that they can
be killed $ith a stick !hen the $ater sinks they also retire' or'
according to Professor 7emper' bore deeply into the ooBe at the bottom
of the $atercourses' $here' protected by a hard crust of earth from
the persecutions of mankind' they sleep a$ay the $inter This Chinese
method of fishing seems $ell adapted to the habits of the fish The
circumstances that the dam is only constructed at the lo$er end of
the $atercourse' and that it is there that the fish are to be met
$ith in the greatest numbers' seem to indicate that they can tra%el
in the ooBe' and that as the brooks and ditches get dried up' they
seek the larger $ater channels
2To Bali$ag5 Follo$ing the Suingua in its up$ard and east$ard
course as it meandered through a $ell(culti%ated and luEuriantly
fertile country' past stone(built churches and chapels $hich grouped
themsel%es $ith the surrounding palm(trees and bamboo(bushes into
syl%an %ignettes' Father )lanoCs four(horsed carriage brought me to
the important to$n of Bali$ag' the industry of $hich is celebrated
beyond the limits of the pro%ince
2Board houses and their furniture5 6 %isited se%eral families and
recei%ed a friendly reception from all of them The houses $ere built
of boards and $ere placed upon piles ele%ated fi%e feet abo%e the
ground Each consisted of a spacious d$elling apartment $hich opened on
one side into the kitchen' and on the other on to an open space' the
aBotea; a lofty roof of palm(trees spread itself abo%e the d$elling'
the entrance to $hich $as through the aBotea The latter $as half
co%ered by the roof 6 ha%e just mentioned The floor $as composed
of slats an inch in $idth' laid half that distance apart Chairs'
tables' benches' a cupboard' a fe$ small ornaments' a mirror' and some
lithographs in frames' composed the furniture of the interior The
cleanliness of the house and the arrangement of its contents testified
to the eEistence of order and prosperity
2Tapis $ea%ing5 6 found the $omen in almost all the houses occupied
in $ea%ing tapis' $hich ha%e a great reputation in the @anila
market They are narro$' thickly($o%en silk scar%es' siE %aras in
length' $ith obliAue $hite stripes on a dark(bro$n ground They are
$orn abo%e the sarong
2Petaca cigar cases5 Bali$ag is also especially famous for its
petaca 2H05cigar(cases' $hich surpass all others in delicacy of
$orkmanship They are not made of stra$' but of fine strips of 7panish
cane' and particularly from the lo$er ends of the leaf(stalks of the
calamusart' $hich is said to gro$ only in the pro%ince of >ue%a Ecija
2Preparation of material5 + bundle of a hundred selected stalks'
a couple of feet long' costs about siE reals !hen these stalks ha%e
been split length$ays into four or fi%e pieces' the inner $ood is
remo%ed' till nothing but the outer part remains The thin strips
thus obtained are dra$n by the hand bet$een a con%eE block and a
knife fiEed in a sloping position' and bet$een a couple of steel
blades $hich nearly meet
2Costly $ea%ing5 6t is a task reAuiring much patience and
practice 6n the first operation' as a rule' Auite one(half of the
stems are broken' and in the second more than half' so that scarcely
t$enty per cent of the stalks sur%i%e the final process 6n %ery fine
matting the proportionate loss is still greater The plaiting is done
on $ooden cylinders + case of a%erage $orkmanship' $hich costs t$o
dollars on the spot' can be manufactured in siE daysC uninterrupted
labor Cigar(cases of eEceptionally intricate $orkmanship' made to
order for a connoisseur' freAuently cost up$ards of fifty dollars
2#olcanic stone Auarries5 Follo$ing the Suingua from Bali$ag up its
stream' $e passed se%eral Auarries' $here $e sa$ the thickly(packed
strata of %olcanic stone $hich is used as a building material The
banks of the ri%er are thickly studded $ith prickly bamboos from
ten to t$el%e feet high The $ater o%erflo$s in the rainy season'
and floods the plain for a great distance <ence the many shells of
large fresh$ater mussels $hich are to be seen lying on the earth $hich
co%ers the %olcanic deposit The country begins to get hilly in the
neighborhood of Tobog' a small place $ith no church of its o$n' and
dependent for its ser%ices upon the priest of the neEt parish The
gentle slopes of the hills are' as in Ja%a' cut into terraces and
used for the culti%ation of rice EEcept at )ucban 6 ha%e ne%er
obser%ed similar sa$as any$here else in the Philippines 7e%eral small
sugar(fields' $hich' ho$e%er' the people do not as yet understand
ho$ to manage properly' sho$ that the rudiments of agricultural
prosperity are already in eEistence The roads are partly co%ered
$ith a$nings' beneath $hich benches are placed affording repose to
the $eary tra%eller 6 ne%er sa$ these out of this pro%ince 8ne
might fancy oneself in one of the most fertile and thickly(populated
districts of Ja%a
2+ con%ento and the parish priest5 6 passed the night in a con%ento'
as the d$elling of the parish priest is called in the Philippines 6t
$as eEtremely dirty' and the priest' an +ugustinian' $as full of
proselytish ardor 6 had to undergo a long geographical eEamination
about the difference bet$een Prussia and "ussia; $as asked $hether
the great city of >uremberg $as the capital of the grand(duchy or of
the empire of "ussia; learnt that the English $ere on the point of
returning to the bosom of the Catholic Church' and that the DothersD
$ould soon follo$' and $as' in short' in spite of the particular
recommendation of Father )lanos' %ery badly recei%ed 7ome little time
after$ards 6 fell into the hands of t$o young Capuchins' $ho tried to
con%ert me' but $ho' $ith the eEception of this little impertinence'
treated me capitally They ga%e me pUtLs de foie gras boiled in $ater'
$hich 6 Auickly recogniBed by the truffles s$imming about in the
grease To punish them for their importunity 6 refrained from telling
my hosts the right $ay to cook the pUtLs' $hich 6 had the pleasure of
after$ards eating in the forest' as 6 easily persuaded them to sell
me the tins they had left These are the only t$o occasions on $hich
6 $as subjected to this kind of annoyance during my eighteen monthsC
residence in the Philippines
2+rrangements for tra%ellers5 The tra%eller $ho is pro%ided
$ith a passport is' ho$e%er' by no means obliged to rely upon
priestly hospitality' as he needs must do in many isolated parts of
Europe E%ery %illage' e%ery hamlet' has its commonhouse' called casa
real or tribunal' in $hich he can take up his Auarters and be supplied
$ith pro%isions at the market price' a circumstance that 6 $as not
acAuainted $ith on the occasion of my first trip The tra%eller is
therefore in this respect perfectly independent' at least in theory'
though in practice he $ill often scarcely be able to a%oid putting
up at the con%entos in the more isolated parts of the country 6n
these the priest' perhaps the only $hite man for miles around' is
$ith difficulty persuaded to miss the opportunity of housing such
a rare guest' to $hom he is only too anEious to gi%e up the best
bedroom in his d$elling' and to offer e%erything that his kitchen
and cellar can afford E%erything is placed before the guest in such
a spirit of sincere and undisguised friendliness' that he feels no
obligation' but on the contrary easily persuades himself that he is
doing his host a fa%or by prolonging his stay =pon one occasion'
$hen 6 had determined' in spite of an in%itation from the padre'
to occupy the casa real' just as 6 $as beginning to instal myself'
the priest appeared upon the scene $ith the municipal officials and a
band of music $hich $as in the neighborhood pending the preparations
for a religious festi%al <e made them lift me up' chair and all'
and $ith music and general rejoicing carried me off to his o$n house
2?upang iron(foundry5 8n the follo$ing day 6 paid a %isit to ?upang'
an iron(foundry lying to the >>E of +ngat' escorted by t$o armed
men' $hose ser%ices 6 $as pressed to accept' as the district had a bad
reputation for robberies +fter tra%elling three or four miles in a
northerly direction' $e crossed the Banauon' at that time a mere brook
meandering through shingle' but in the rainy season an impetuous stream
more than a hundred feet broad; and in a couple of hours $e reached the
iron($orks' an immense shed lying in the middle of the forest' $ith
a couple of $ings at each end' in $hich the manager' an Englishman'
$ho had been $recked some years before in 7amar' li%ed $ith his $ife'
a pretty mestiBa 6f 6 laid do$n my handkerchief' my pencil' or any
other object' the $ife immediately locked them up to protect them from
the kleptomania of her ser%ants These poor people' $hose enterprise
$as not a %ery successful one' had to lead a $retched life T$o years
before my %isit a band of t$enty(se%en robbers burst into the place'
sacked the house' and thre$ its mistress' $ho $as alone $ith her
maid at the time' out of the $indo$ 7he fortunately alighted $ithout
recei%ing any serious hurt' but the maid' $hom terror caused to jump
out of the $indo$ also' died of the injuries she recei%ed The robbers'
$ho turned out to be miners and residents in +ngat' $ere easily caught'
and' $hen 6 $as there' had already spent a couple of years in prison
a$aiting their trial
2+ negrito family5 6 met a negrito family here $ho had friendly
relations $ith the people in the iron($orks' and $ere in the habit
of eEchanging the produce of the forest $ith them for pro%isions The
father of this family accompanied me on a hunting eEpedition <e $as
armed $ith a bo$ and a couple of arro$s The arro$s had spear(shaped
iron points a couple of inches long; one of them had been dipped
into arro$(poison' a miEture that looked like black tar The $omen
had guitars FtabauaG similar to those used by the @intras in the
@alay peninsula They $ere made of pieces of bamboo a foot long'
to $hich strings of split chair(cane $ere fastened 2H-5
2=n$elcome hospitality5 =pon my return' to a%oid spending the night
at the $retched con%ento $here 6 had left my ser%ant $ith my luggage'
6 took the ad%ice of my friends at the iron($orks and started late'
in order to arri%e at the priestCs after ten oCclock at night; for
6 kne$ that the padre shut up his house at ten' and that 6 could
therefore sleep' $ithout offending him' beneath the roof of a $ealthy
mestiBo' an acAuaintance of theirs +bout half(past ten 6 reached
the latterCs house' and sat do$n to table $ith the merry $omen of
the family' $ho $ere just ha%ing their supper 7uddenly my friend the
parson made his appearance from an inner room' $here $ith a couple of
+ugustinian friars' he had been playing cards $ith the master of the
house <e immediately began to compliment me upon my good fortune'
Dfor had you been but one minute later'D said he' Dyou certainly
$ouldnCt ha%e got into the con%entoD
C<+PTE" #66
2The )agoon of Bay5 @y second trip took me up the Pasig to the great
)agoon of Bay 6 left @anila at night in a banca' a boat hollo$ed out
of a tree(trunk' $ith a %aulted roof made of bamboo and so lo$ that it
$as almost impossible to sit upright under it' $hich posture' indeed'
the banca(builder appeared to ha%e neglected to consider + bamboo
hurdle placed at the bottom of the boat protects the tra%eller from
the $ater and ser%es him as a couch Jurien de la Gra%iVre 2H/5
compares the banca to a cigar(boE' in $hich the tra%eller is so
tightly packed that he $ould ha%e little chance of sa%ing his life
if it happened to upset The cre$ $as composed of four ro$ers and
a helmsman; their daily pay $as fi%e reals apiece' in all nearly
se%en pesos' high $ages for such laBy fello$s in comparison $ith
the price of pro%isions' for the rice that a hard($orking man ate in
a day seldom cost more than se%en centa%os Fin the pro%inces often
scarcely siEG' and the rest of his food Ffish and %egetablesG' only
one centa%o !e passed se%eral %illages and tiendas on the banks in
$hich food $as eEposed for sale @y cre$' after trying to interrupt
the journey under all sorts of pretences' left the boat as $e came to
a %illage' saying that they $ere going to fetch some sails; but they
forgot to return +t last' $ith the assistance of the night $atchman
6 succeeded in hauling them out of some of their friendsC houses'
$here they had concealed themsel%es +fter running aground se%eral
times upon the sandbanks' $e entered the land and hill(locked )agoon
of Bay' and reached Jalajala early in the morning
2The Pasig5 The Pasig forms a natural canal' about siE leagues long'
bet$een the Bay of @anila and the )agoon of Bay' a fresh $ater lake'
thirty(fi%e leagues in circumference' that $ashes the shores of three
fertile pro%inces' @anila' )aguna and Ca%ite Formerly large %essels
full of cargo used to be able to sail right up to the borders of the
lake; no$ they are pre%ented by sandbanks E%en flat(bottomed boats
freAuently run aground on the >apindan and Taguig banks 2HI5 !ere
the banks remo%ed' and the stone bridge joining @anila to Binondo
replaced by a s$ing bridge' or a canal made round it' the coasting
%essels $ould be able to ship the produce of the lagoon pro%inces
at the %ery foot of the fields in $hich they gro$ The traffic $ould
be %ery profitable' the $aters $ould shrink' and the shallo$s along
the shore might be turned into rice and sugar fields + scheme of
this kind $as appro%ed more than thirty years ago in @adrid' but it
$as ne%er carried into eEecution The sanding up of the ri%er has'
on the contrary' been increased by a Auantity of fish reels' the
erection of $hich has been fa%ored by the Colonial !ater$ays Board
because it reaped a small taE from them
2+ famous plantation5 Jalajala' an estate $hich occupies the eastern
of the t$o peninsulas $hich run south$ard into the lake' is one of
the first places %isited by strangers 6t o$es this preference to
its beautiful position and nearness to @anila' and to the fantastic
description of it by a former o$ner' ,e la GironniVre The soil
of the peninsula is %olcanic; its range of hills is %ery rugged'
and the $atercourses bring do$n annually a Auantity of soil from the
mountains' $hich increases the deposits at their base The shore(line'
o%ergro$n $ith grass and prickly sensiti%e(plants Auite eight feet
high' makes capital pasture for carabaos Behind it broad fields of
rice and sugar eEtend themsel%es up to the base of the hills To$ards
the north the estate is bounded by the thickly($ooded 7embrano'
the highest mountain in the peninsula; on the remaining sides it
is surrounded $ith $ater !ith the eEception of the flat shore' the
$hole place is hilly and o%ergro$n $ith grass and clumps of trees'
capital pasture for its numerous herds((a thousand carabaos' one
thousand fi%e hundred to t$o thousand bullocks' and from siE to se%en
hundred nearly $ild horses +s $e $ere descending one of the hills'
$e $ere suddenly surrounded by half(a(doBen armed men' $ho took us
for cattle(thie%es' but $ho' to their disappointment' $ere obliged
to forego their eEpected chance of a re$ard
2)os BaOos hot springs5 Beyond Jalajala' on the south coast of
the )agoon of Bay' lies the hamlet of )os BaOos' so called from a
hot spring at the foot of the @akiling %olcano E%en prior to the
arri%al of the 7paniards' the nati%es used its $aters as a remedy'
2H15 but they are no$ %ery little patroniBed The shore of the lake is
at this point' and indeed all round its circumference' so flat that it
is impossible to land $ith dry feet from the shallo$est canoe 6t is
Auite co%ered $ith sand mussels >orth($est of )os BaOos there lies
a small %olcanic lake fringed $ith thick $oods' called ,agatan Fthe
enchanted lagoon of tra%ellersG' to distinguish it from ,agUt' as the
Tagals call the great )agoon of Bay 6 sa$ nothing of the crocodiles
$hich are supposed to infest it' but $e flushed se%eral flocks of $ild
fo$l' disturbed by our in%asion of their solitude From )os BaOos 6 had
intended to go to )upang Puti F$hite earthG' $here' judging from the
samples sho$n me' there is a deposit of fine $hite silicious earth'
$hich is purified in @anila and used as paint 6 did not reach the
place' as the guide $hom 6 had $ith difficulty obtained' pretended'
after a couple of miles' to be dead beat From the inAuiries 6 made'
ho$e%er' 6 apprehend that it is a kind of solfatara 7e%eral deposits
of it appear to eEist at the foot of the @akiling 2H95
2Talim island5 8n my return 6 paid a %isit to the 6sland of
Talim' $hich' $ith the eEception of a clearing occupied by a fe$
miserable huts' is uninhabited and thickly o%ergro$n $ith forest and
undergro$th 6n the center of the 6sland is the 7usong(,alaga FmaidenCs
bosomG' a dolerite hill $ith a beautifully formed crest =pon the
shore' on a bare rock' 6 found four eggs containing fully de%eloped
young crocodiles !hen 6 broke the shells the little reptiles made off
2@ de la GironniVre5 +lthough the south($est monsoons generally occur
later in Jalajala than in @anila' it $as already raining so hard that
6 decided to go to Calauan' on the southern shore of the lake' $hich
is protected by @ount @akiling' and does not eEperience the effect of
the rainy monsoons till later in the season 6 met @ de la GironniVre
in Calauan' the Dgentilhomme BretonD $ho is so $ell kno$n for telling
the most terrible ad%entures <e had lately returned from Europe to
establish a large sugar manufactory <is enterprise' ho$e%er' $as a
failure The house of the li%ely old gentleman' $hose eccentricity
had led him to adopt the dress and the frugal habits of the nati%es'
$as neither clean or $ell kept' although he had a couple of friends
to assist him in the business' a 7cotchman' and a young Frenchman
$ho had li%ed in the most refined Parisian society
2)lanura de 6muc5 There $ere se%eral small lakes and a fe$ empty
%olcanic basins on the estate To the south($est' not %ery far
from the house' and to the left of the road leading to 7an Pablo'
lies the )lanura de 6muc' a %alley of dolerite more than a hundred
feet deep )arge blocks of basalt enable one to climb do$n into the
%alley' the bottom of $hich is co%ered $ith dense gro$ths The center
of the basin is occupied by a neglected coffee plantation laid out
by a former proprietor The density of the %egetation pre%ented my
taking more precise obser%ations There is another shallo$er %olcanic
crater to the north of it 6ts soil $as marshy and co%ered $ith cane
and grass' but e%en in the rainy season it does not collect sufficient
$ater to turn it into a lake 6t might' therefore' be easily drained
and culti%ated To the south($est of this basin' and to the right
of the road to 7an Pablo' lies the 2Tigui(mere5 Tigui(mere From a
plain of $hitish(grey soil' co%ered $ith concentric shells as large
as a nut' rises a circular embankment $ith gently(sloping sides'
intersected only by a small cleft $hich ser%es as an entrance' and
$hich sho$s' on its edges denuded of %egetation' the loose rapilli of
$hich the embankment is formed The sides of this natural amphitheatre
to$er more than a hundred feet abo%e its flat base + path runs east
and $est right through the center The northern half is studded $ith
cocopalm trees and culti%ated plants; the southern portion is full of
$ater nearly co%ered $ith green $eeds and slime The ground consists
of black rapilli
2)eaf imprints in la%a5 From the Tigui(mere 6 returned to the
hacienda a bank formed of %olcanic la%a t$o feet in thickness
and co%ered $ith indistinct impressions of lea%es Their state of
preser%ation did not allo$ me to distinguish their species' but they
certainly belonged to some tropical genus' and are' according to
Professor + Braun' of the same kind as those no$ gro$ing there
There are t$o more small lakes half a league to the south(east The
road leading to them is composed of %olcanic remains $hich co%er the
soil' and large blocks of la%a lie in the bed of the stream
2@aycap )ake5 The first of the t$o' the @aycap )ake' is entirely
embanked $ith the eEception of a small opening fitted $ith sluices
to supply $ater to a canal; and from its northern side' $hich alone
admits of an open %ie$' the southern peak of 7an Cristobal may
be seen' about 4IJ to the north(east 6ts banks' $hich are about
eighty feet high' rise $ith a gentle slope in a $esterly direction'
till they join @ount @aiba' a hill about 900 feet high The soil'
like that of the embankments of the other %olcanic lakes' consists
of rapilli and la%a' and is thickly $ooded
2)ake Palakpakan5 Close by is another lake' Palakpakan' of nearly
the same circumference' and formed in a similar manner Fof black
sand and rapilliG 6ts banks are from thirty to one hundred feet
high From its north($estern edge 7an Cristobal lifts its head 40J to
the northeast 6ts $aters are easily reached' and are much freAuented
by fishermen
2Palm brandy5 +bout nine oCclock' am' 6 rode from Calauan to Pila'
and thence in a northeasterly direction to 7anta CruB' o%er e%en'
broad' and $ell(kept roads' through a palm(gro%e a mile long and a
mile and a half broad' $hich eEtends do$n to the %ery edge of the
lagoons The products of these palm trees generally are not used
for the production of oil but for the manufacture of brandy Their
fruit is not allo$ed to come to maturity; but the buds are slit open'
and the s$eet sap is collected as it drips from them 6t is then
allo$ed to ferment' and subjected to distillation 2HH5 +s the sap
is collected t$ice a day' and as the blossoms' situated at the top
of the tree' are forty or fifty feet abo%e the ground' bamboos are
fastened horiBontally' one abo%e the other' from one tree to another'
to facilitate the necessary ascent and descent The sap collector
stands on the lo$er cross(piece $hile he holds on to the upper
2Bought by go%ernment5 The sale of palm(brandy $as at the time of my
%isit the monopoly of the go%ernment' $hich retailed it in the Estanco
Fgo%ernment sale roomsG $ith cigars' stamped paper' and religious
indulgences The manufacture $as carried on by pri%ate indi%iduals;
but the $hole of the brandy $as of necessity disposed of to the
administration' $hich' ho$e%er' paid such a high price for it that
the contractors made large profits
2Profit in manufacture5 6 after$ards met a 7paniard in Camarines $ho'
according to his o$n account' must ha%e made considerable and easy
gains from these contracts <e had bought palm(trees at an a%erage
price of fi%e reals apiece Fthey usually cost more' though they can
be sometimes purchased for t$o realsG Thirty(fi%e palms $ill furnish
daily at least thirty(siE Auarts of tuba Fsugar(containing sapG' from
$hich' after fermentation and distillation' siE Auarts of brandy of
the prescribed strength can be manufactured 8ne man is sufficient to
attend to them' and recei%es for his trouble half the proceeds The
administration pays siE cuartos for a Auart of brandy @y friend the
contractor $as in annual receipt' therefore' from e%ery thirty(fi%e
of his trees' of IH0 W -K/ W 9 cuartos X N1090 +s the thirty(fi%e
trees only cost him N/-.49' his in%ested capital brought him in
about /00 per cent
2!ine and liAuor monopoly a failure5 The proceeds of this monopoly
F$ines and liAuorsG $ere rated at N-'H//'.-0 in the colonial budget for
-.H-; but its collection $as so difficult' and so disproportionately
eEpensi%e' that it nearly s$allo$ed up the $hole profit 6t caused
espionage' robberies of all sorts' embeBBlement' and bribery on a
large scale The retail of the brandy by officials' $ho are paid by a
percentage on the consumption' did a good deal to injure the popular
respect for the go%ernment @oreo%er' the imposition of this improper
taE on the most important industry of the country not only crippled
the free trade in palms' but also the manufacture of ra$ sugar;
for the go%ernment' to fa%or their o$n monopoly' had forbidden the
sugar manufacturers to make rum from their molasses' $hich became
in conseAuence so %alueless that in @anila they ga%e it to their
horses The complaints of the manufacturers at last stirred up the
administration to allo$ the manufacture of rum; but the palm(brandy
monopoly remained intact The Filipinos no$ drank nothing but rum'
so that at last' in self(defence' the go%ernment entirely abandoned
the monopoly FJanuary' -.H1G 7ince that' the rum manufacturers pay
taEes according to the amount of their sale' but not upon the amount
of their ra$ produce 6n order to co%er the deficit occasioned by
the abandonment of the brandy monopoly' the go%ernment has made a
small increase in the poll(taE The practice of drinking brandy has
naturally much increased; it is' ho$e%er' a %ery old habit 2H45 !ith
this eEception' the measure has had the most fa%orable conseAuences
27anta CruB5 7anta CruB is a li%ely' prosperous place Fin -.H9 it
contained --'I.9 inhabitantsG' through the center of $hich runs a
ri%er +s the day on $hich $e passed through it $as 7unday' the stream
$as full of bathers' amongst them se%eral $omen' their luEuriant hair
co%ered $ith broad(brimmed hats to shade them from the sun From the
ford the road takes a sharp turn and inclines first to the east and
then to the south(east' till it reaches @agdalena' bet$een $hich and
@ajaijai the country becomes hilly Just outside the latter' a %iaduct
takes the road across a deep ra%ine full of magnificent ferns' $hich
remind the tra%eller of the height((more than H00 feet((abo%e the sea
le%el to $hich he has attained The spacious con%ento at @ajaijai'
built by the Jesuits' is celebrated for its splendid situation The
)agoon of Bay is seen to eEtend far to the north(east; in the distance
the Peninsula of Jalajala and the 6sland of Talim' from $hich rises
the 7usong(,alaga %olcano' terminate the %ista From the con%ento to
the lake stretches an endless gro%e of coco(trees' $hile to$ards the
south the slope of the distant high ground gro$s suddenly steeper'
and forms an abruptly precipitous conical hill' intersected by deep
ra%ines This is the Banajao or @ajaijai %olcano' and beside it @ount
7an Cristobal rears its bell(shaped summit
27cenery along )ucban(@aubon road5 +s e%erybody $as occupied $ith
the preparations for an ensuing religious festi%al' 6 betook myself'
through )ucban on the eastern shore' to @auban' situated amidst
deep ra%ines and masses of la%a at the foot of @ount @ajaijai The
%egetation $as of indescribable beauty' and the miserable road
$as enli%ened $ith cheerful knots of pedestrians hastening to the
festi%al 2H.5
2)ucban5 6 reached )ucban in three hours; it is a prosperous place
of -I'000 inhabitants' to the north(east of @ajaijai + year after my
%isit it burnt to the ground The agricultural produce of the district
is not %ery important' o$ing to the mountainous nature of the country;
but considerable industrial acti%ity pre%ails there The inhabitants
$ea%e fine stra$ hats from the fibre of the leaf of the buri palm(tree
Fcorypha spG' manufacture pandanus mats' and carry on a profitable
trade at @auban $ith the placer miners of >orth Camarines The entire
breadth of the road is co%ered $ith cement' and along its center flo$s'
in an open channel' a sparkling ri%ulet
2Ja%a(like rice fields5 The road from )ucban to @auban' $hich is
situated on the bay of )amon' opposite to the 6sland of +labat' $inds
along the narro$ $atercourse of the @apon ri%er' through deep ra%ines
$ith perpendicular cliffs of clay 6 obser%ed se%eral terrace(formed
rice(fields similar to those so pre%alent in Ja%a' an infreAuent
sight in the Philippines Presently the path led us into the %ery
thick of the forest >early all the trees $ere co%ered $ith aroides
and creeping ferns; amongst them 6 noticed the angiopteris' pandanus'
and se%eral large specimens of the fan palm
2@apon ri%er5 Three leagues from )ucban the ri%er flo$s under a rock
supported on prismatically shaped pillars' and then runs through a
bed of round pebbles' composed of %olcanic stone and $hite lime' as
hard as marble' in $hich impressions of shell(fish and coral can be
traced Further up the ri%er the %olcanic rubble disappears' and the
containing strata then consist of the marble(like pebbles cemented
together $ith calcareous spar These strata alternate $ith banks of
clay and coarse(grained soil' $hich contain scanty and badly preser%ed
imprints of lea%es and mussel(fish +mongst them' ho$e%er' 6 obser%ed
a flattened but still recogniBable specimen of the fossil melania The
ri%er(bed must be Auite fi%e hundred feet abo%e the le%el of the sea
2Bamboo raft ferry5 +bout a league beyond @auban' as it $as getting
dusk' $e crossed the ri%er' then tolerably broad' on a $retched leaking
bamboo raft' $hich sank at least siE inches beneath the $ater under
the $eight of our horses' and ran helplessly aground in the mud on
the opposite side
2#isitors to festi%al5 The tribunal or common(house $as cro$ded $ith
people $ho had come to attend the festi%al $hich $as to take place
on the follo$ing day The cabeBas $ore' in token of their dignity'
a short jacket abo%e their shirts + Auantity of brightly decorated
tables laden $ith fruit and pastry stood against the $alls' and in
the middle of the principal room a dining(table $as laid out for
forty persons
2<ospitality of tribunal5 + European $ho tra%els $ithout a
ser%ant((mine had run a$ay $ith some $ages 6 had rashly paid
him in ad%ance((is put do$n as a beggar' and 6 $as o%er$helmed
$ith impertinent Auestions on the subject' $hich' ho$e%er' 6 left
unans$ered +s 6 hadnCt had the supper 6 stood considerably in need of'
6 took the liberty of taking a fe$ sa%ory morsels from the meatpot'
$hich 6 ate in the midst of a little knot of $ondering spectators;
6 then laid myself do$n to sleep on the bench beside the table' to
$hich a second set of diners $ere already sitting do$n !hen 6 a$oke
on the follo$ing morning there $ere already so many people stirring
that 6 had no opportunity of performing my toilet 6 therefore betook
myself in my dirty tra%elling dress to the residence of a 7paniard $ho
had settled in the pueblo' and $ho recei%ed me in the most hospitable
manner as soon as the description in my passport satisfied him that
6 $as $orthy of a confidence not inspired by my appearance
2Trade in molaBe5 @y friendly host carried on no trifling
business T$o English ships $ere at that moment in the harbor' $hich
he $as about to send to China laden $ith mola%e' a species of $ood
akin to teak
2Butucan $aterfall5 8n my return 6 %isited the fine $aterfall of
Butucan' bet$een @auban and )ucban' a little apart from the high
road + po$erful stream flo$s bet$een t$o high banks of rocky
soil thickly co%ered $ith %egetation' and' leaping from a ledge
of %olcanic rock suddenly plunges into a ra%ine' said to be three
hundred and siEty feet in depth' along the bottom of $hich it is
hurried a$ay The channel' ho$e%er' is so narro$' and the %egetation
so dense' that an obser%er looking at it from abo%e can not follo$
its course This $aterfall has a great similarity to that $hich falls
from the 7emeru in Ja%a <ere' as there' a %olcanic stream flo$ing o%er
%ast rocky deposits forms a horiBontal $atercourse' $hich in its turn
is o%ershado$ed $ith immense masses of rock The $ater easily forces
its $ay bet$een these till it reaches the solid la%a' $hen it lea%es
its high' narro$' and thickly($ooded banks' and plunges into the deep
chasm it has itself $orn a$ay The pouring rain unfortunately pre%ented
me from sketching this fine fall 6t $as raining $hen 6 reached the
con%ento of @ajaijai' and it $as still raining $hen 6 left it three
days later' nor $as there any hope of impro%ement in the $eather for
another month to come DThe $et season lasts for eight or nine months
in @ajaijai' and during the $hole period scarcely a day passes $ithout
the rain falling in torrentsD((Estado geograph
2@ajaijai5 To ascend the %olcano $as under such circumstances
impracticable +ccording to some notes $ritten by the @ajaijai
priest' an ascent and sur%ey of @ount Banajao $as made on the //nd
of +pril' -.9.' by 7enors "oldan and @ontero' t$o able 7panish na%al
officers' specially charged $ith the re%ision of the marine chart
of the archipelago From its summit they took obser%ations of @anila
cathedral' of @ayon' another %olcano in +lbay' and of the 6sland of
Polillo They estimated the altitude of Banajao to be se%en thousand
and t$enty 7panish feet' and the depth of its crater to be se%en
hundred The crater formerly contained a lake' but the last eruption
made a chasm in its southern side through $hich the $ater flo$ed
a$ay 2H:5
2Calauan5 6 reached Calauan in the pouring rain' $ading through the
soft spongy clay upon $retched' half(star%ed ponies' and found 6 must
put off my $ater journey to @anila till the follo$ing day' as there
$as no boat on the lake at this point The neEt morning there $ere no
horses to be found; and it $as not till the afternoon that 6 procured
a cart and a couple of carabaos to take me to 7anta CruB' $hence in the
e%ening the market(%essel started for @anila 8ne carabao $as harnessed
in front; the other $as fastened behind the cart in order that 6 might
ha%e a change of animals $hen the first became tired Carabao number
one $ouldnCt dra$' and number t$o acted as a drag((rather useless
apparatus on a le%el road((so 6 changed them +s soon as number t$o
felt the load it laid do$n + fe$ blo$s persuaded it to pick itself up'
$hen it deliberately $alked to the nearest pool and dropped into it 6t
$as $ith the greatest trouble that $e unharnessed the cart and pushed
it back on to the road' $hile our t$o considerate beasts took a mud
bath +t last $e reloaded the baggage' the carabaos $ere reharnessed in
the original positions' and the dri%er' leaning his $hole $eight upon
the nose(rope of the leading beast' pulled $ith might and main To my
great delight the animal condescended to slo$ly ad%ance $ith the cart
and its contents 2Pila5 +t Pila 6 managed to get a better team' $ith
$hich late in the e%ening' in the midst of a pouring rain' 6 reached
a little hamlet opposite 7anta CruB The market(%essel had left; our
attempts to get a boat to take us across to the %illage only led to
barefaced attempts at eEtortion' so 6 entered one of the largest of the
hamletCs houses' $hich $as occupied by a $ido$ and her daughter +fter
some delay my reAuest for a nightCs lodging $as granted 6 sent for
some oil' to gi%e me a little light' and something to eat The $omen
brought in some of their relations' $ho helped to prepare the food
and stopped in the house to protect its o$ners The neEt morning
6 crossed the ri%er' teeming $ith joyous bathers' to 7anta CruB'
and hired a boat there to take me across the lake to Pasig' and from
thence to @anila + contrary $ind' ho$e%er' forced us to land on the
promontory of Jalajala' and there $ait for the calm that accompanies
the da$n 2EarthAuake e%idences5 Bet$iEt the eEtreme southern point
of the land and the houses 6 sa$' in se%eral places' banks of mussels
projecting at least fifteen feet abo%e the surface of the $ater'
similar to those $hich are so freAuently found on the sea(coast;((a
proof that earthAuakes ha%e taken place in this neighborhood
C<+PTE" #666
2To +lbay by schooner5 To$ards the end of +ugust 6 started from
@anila for +lbay in a schooner $hich had brought a cargo of hemp and
$as returning in ballast 6t $as fine $hen $e set sail; but on the
follo$ing day the signs of a coming storm increased so rapidly that
the captain resol%ed to return and seek protection in the small but
secure harbor of @ari%eles' a creek on the southern shore of Bataan'
the pro%ince forming the $estern boundary of @anila bay !e reached
it about t$o oCclock in the night after cruising about for fourteen
hours before the entrance; and $e $ere obliged to remain here at anchor
for a fortnight' as it rained and stormed continuously for that period
2@ari%eles5 The $eather obliged me to limit my eEcursions to the
immediate neighborhood of @ari%eles =nfortunately it $as not till the
close of our stay that 6 learnt that there $as a colony of negritos in
the mountains; and it $as not till just before my departure that 6 got
a chance of seeing and sketching a couple of them' male and female The
inhabitants of @ari%eles ha%e not a %ery good reputation The place
is only %isited by ships $hich run in there in bad $eather' $hen
their idle cre$s spend the time in drinking and gambling 7ome of
the young girls $ere of striking beauty and of Auite a light color;
often being in reality of miEed race' though they passed as of pure
Tagal blood This is a circumstance 6 ha%e obser%ed in many seaports'
and in the neighborhood of @anila; but' in the districts $hich are
almost entirely un%isited by the 7paniards' the nati%es are much
darker and of purer race
27torm(bound shipping5 The number of ships $hich $ere seeking
protection from the $eather in this port amounted to ten' of $hich
three $ere schooners E%ery morning regularly a small pontin 2405
used to attempt to set sail; but it scarcely got a look at the
open sea before it returned' $hen it $as saluted $ith the jeers and
laughter of the others 6t $as hunger that made them so bold The
cre$' $ho had taken some of their o$n produce to @anila' had spent
the proceeds of their %enture' and had started on their return %oyage
scantily pro%ided $ith pro%isions' $ith the hope and intention of soon
reaching their home' $hich they could ha%e done $ith any fa%orable
$ind 7uch cases freAuently occur + fe$ nati%es unite to charter
a small %essel' and load it $ith the produce of their o$n fields'
$hich they set off to sell in @anila
2The straits5 The straits bet$een the 6slands resemble beautiful
$ide ri%ers $ith charming spots upon the banks inhabited by small
colonies; and the sailors generally find the $eather gets sAually
to$ards e%ening' and anchor till the morning breaks
2Filipino hospitality5 The hospitable coast supplies them $ith fish'
crabs' plenty of mussels' and freAuently unprotected coconuts 6f it
is inhabited' so much the better Filipino hospitality is ample' and
much more comprehensi%e than that practised in Europe The cre$s are
accommodated in the different huts +fter a repast shared in common'
and $ashed do$n by copious draughts of palm($ine' mats are streched
on the floor; the lamps((large shells' fitted $ith rush $icks((are
eEtinguished' and the occupants of the hut fall asleep together 8nce'
as 6 $as sailing into the bay of @anila after a fi%e dayCs cruise' $e
o%ertook a craft $hich had sailed from the same port as $e had $ith a
cargo of coconut oil for @anila' and $hich had spent siE months upon
its trip 6t is by no means uncommon for a cre$ $hich makes a long
stay in the capital to sAuander the $hole proceeds of their cargo'
if they ha%e not done it before reaching to$n
2Coasting )uBon5 +t last one e%ening' $hen the storm had Auite passed
a$ay' $e sailed out of @ari%eles + small' %olcanic' pillar(shaped
rock' bearing a striking resemblance to the 6sland of the Cyclops'
off the coast of 7icily' lies in front of the harbor((like there' a
sharp pyramid and a small' flat island !e sailed along the coast of
Ca%ite till $e reached Point 7antiago' the south$estern eEtremity of
)uBon' and then turned to the east' through the fine straits that lie
bet$een )uBon to the north and the Bisayan islands to the south +s
the sun rose' a beautiful spectacle presented itself To the north
$as the peak of the Taal %olcano' to$ering abo%e the flat plains of
Batangas; and to the south the thickly($ooded' but rock(bound coast
of @indoro' the iron line of $hich $as broken by the harbor of Porto
Galera' protected from the fury of the $a%es by a small islet lying
immediately before it The $aters around us $ere thickly studded $ith
%essels $hich had taken refuge from the storm in the Bisayan ports'
and $ere no$ returning to @anila
26mportance of straits5 These straits' $hich eEtend from the
south(east to the north$est' are the great commercial high$ay of
the +rchipelago' and remain na%igable during the $hole year' being
protected from the fury of the north(easterly $inds by the sheltering
peninsula of )uBon' $hich projects to the south(east' and by 7amar'
$hich eEtends in a parallel direction; $hile the Bisayan islands
shield them from the blasts that blo$ from the south($est The
6slands of @indoro' Panay' >egros' Cebu and Bohol' $hich >ature has
placed in close succession to each other' form the southern borders
of the straits; and the narro$ cross channels bet$een them form as
many outlets to the 7ea of @indoro' $hich is bounded on the $est
by Pala$an' on the east by @indanao' and on the south by the 7ulu
group The eastern $aters of the straits $ash the coasts of 7amar
and )eyte' and penetrate through three small channels only to the
great ocean; the narro$ straits of 7an Bernardino' of 7an Juanico'
and of 7urigao 7e%eral considerable' and innumerable smaller islets'
lie $ithin the area of these cursorily eEplained outlines
2Batangas coast5 + couple of bays on the south coast of Batangas
offer a road(stead' though but little real protection' to passing
%essels' $hich in stormy $eather make for Porto Galera' in the 6sland
of @indoro' $hich lies directly opposite + ri%er' a league and a
half in length' joins Taal' the principal port of the pro%ince' to
the great inland sea of Taal' or Bombon This stream $as formerly
na%igable; but it has no$ become so sanded up that it is passable
only at flood tides' and then only by %ery small %essels
2Batangas eEports5 The pro%ince of Batangas supplies @anila $ith
its best cattle' and eEports sugar and coffee
+ hilly range bounds the horiBon on the )uBon side; the striking
outlines of $hich enable one to conjecture its %olcanic origin @ost
of the smaller islands to the south appear to consist of superimposed
mountainous ranges' terminating sea$ard in precipitous cliffs The
lofty and symmetrical peak of @ount @ayon is the highest point in the
panoramic landscape To$ards e%ening $e sighted @ount Bulusan' in the
south(eastern eEtremity of )uBon; and presently $e turned north$ards'
and sailed up the 7traits of 7an Bernardino' $hich separate )uBon
from 7amar
2Bulusan like #esu%ius5 The Bulusan %olcano' D$hich appears to ha%e
been for a long time eEtinct' but $hich again began to erupt in -.9/'D
24-5 is surprisingly like #esu%ius in outline 6t has' like its
prototype' a couple of peaks The $estern one' a bell(shaped summit'
is the eruption cone The eastern apeE is a tall' rugged mound'
probably the remains of a huge circular crater +s in #esu%ius' the
present crater is in the center of the eEtinct one The inter%als
bet$een them are considerably larger and more une%en than the +trio
del Ca%allo of the 6talian %olcano
27an Bernardino current5 The current is so po$erful in the 7traits
of 7an Bernardino that $e $ere obliged to anchor t$ice to a%oid
being carried back again To our left $e had continually in %ie$ the
magnificent Bulusan %olcano' $ith a hamlet of the same name nestling at
the foot of its eastern slope in a gro%e of coco(trees' close to the
sea 7truggling $ith difficulty against the force of the current' $e
succeeded' $ith the assistance of light and fickle $inds' in reaching
)egaspi' the port of +lbay' on the follo$ing e%ening 8ur skipper' a
7paniard' had determined to accomplish the trip as rapidly as possible
2+ nati%e captain5 8n my return %oyage' ho$e%er' 6 fell into the hands
of a nati%e captain; and' as my cruise under his auspices presented
many peculiarities' 6 may Auote a fe$ passages relating to it from
my diary The skipper intended to ha%e taken a stock of %egetables
for my use' but he had forgotten them <e therefore landed on a small
island' and presently made his reappearance $ith a huge palm cabbage'
$hich' in the absence of its o$ner' he had picked from a tree he
cut do$n for the purpose 8n another occasion the cre$ made a
descent upon a hamlet on the north($estern coast of )eyte to purchase
pro%isions 6nstead of laying in a stock for the %oyage at Tacloban'
the sailors preferred doing so at some smaller %illage on the shores
of the straits' $here food is cheaper' and $here their landing ga%e
them a preteEt to run about the country The straits of 7an Juanico'
ne%er more than a mile' and often only eight hundred feet broad'
are about t$enty miles in length* yet it often takes a %essel a $eek
to sail up them; for contrary $inds and an ad%erse current force it
to anchor freAuently and to lie to for $hole nights in the narro$er
places To$ards e%ening our captain thought that the sky appeared
%ery threatening' so he made for the bay of >a%o' of @asbate 2+n
intermittent %oyage5 There he anchored' and a part of the cre$ $ent
on shore The neEt day $as a 7unday; the captain thought Dthe sky
still appeared %ery threatening;D and besides he $anted to make some
purchases 7o $e anchored again off @agdalena' $here $e passed the
night 8n @onday a fa%orable $ind took us' at a Auicker rate' past
@arinduAue and the rocky islet of Elefante' $hich lies in front of
it Elefante appears to be an eEtinct %olcano; it looks some$hat like
the 6riga' but is not so lofty 6t is co%ered $ith capital pasture'
and its ra%ines are dotted $ith clumps of trees >early a thousand
head of half($ild cattle $ere graBing on it They cost four dollars
a(piece; and their freight to @anila is as much more' $here they sell
for siEteen dollars They are badly tended' and many are stolen by
the passing sailors @y friend the captain $as full of regret that the
fa%orable $ind ga%e him no opportunity of landing; perhaps 6 $as the
real obstacle DThey $ere splendid beastsR <o$ easy it $ould be to put
a couple on boardR They could scarcely be said to ha%e any real o$ners;
the nominal proprietors $ere Auite una$are ho$ many they possessed'
and the herd $as continually multiplying $ithout any addition from its
masters + man lands $ith a little money in his pocket 6f he meets a
herdsman' he gi%es him a dollar' and the poor creature thinks himself
a lucky fello$ 6f not' so much the better <e can do the business
himself; a barrel of shot or a sling suffices to settle the matterD
2Plunder5 +s $e sailed along $e sa$ coming to$ards us another %essel'
the )uisa' $hich suddenly eEecuted a %ery eEtraordinary tack; and in a
minute or t$o its cre$ sent up a loud shout of joy' ha%ing succeeded
in stealing a fishboE $hich the fishermen of @arinduAue had sunk in
the sea They had lo$ered a hook' and been cle%er enough to grapple
the rope of the floating buoy 8ur captain $as beside himself $ith
en%y of their priBe
2)egaspi5 )egaspi is the principal port of the pro%ince of +lbay 6ts
road(stead' ho$e%er' is %ery unsafe' and' being eEposed to the
north(easterly storms' is perfectly useless during the $inter The
north(east $ind is the pre%ailing one on this coast; the south($est
breeBe only blo$s in June and July The hea%iest storms occur bet$een
8ctober and January They generally set in $ith a gentle $esterly $ind'
accompanied $ith rain The gale presently %eers round to the north
or the south' and attains the height of its fury $hen it reaches
the north(east or the south(east +fter the storm a calm generally
reigns' succeeded by the usual $ind of the pre%ailing monsoon The
lightly(built elastic houses of the country are capitally suited
to $ithstand these storms; but roofs and defecti%e houses are
freAuently carried a$ay The traffic bet$een @anila and )egaspi is
at its height bet$een January and 8ctober; but during the autumn
months all communication by $ater ceases The letter(post' $hich
arri%es pretty regularly e%ery $eek' is then the only link bet$een
the t$o places +t this season hea%y packages can be sent only by
a circuitous and eEpensi%e route along the south coast' and thence
by $ater to @anila @uch more fa%orably situated for na%igation is
the port of 27orsogon5 7orsogon' the mouth of $hich opens to the
$est' and is protected by the 6sland of Bagalao' $hich lies in front
of it Besides its security as a harbor' it has the ad%antage of a
rapid and unbroken communication $ith the capital of the archipelago'
$hile %essels sailing from )egaspi' e%en at the most fa%orable time
of the year' are obliged to go round the eastern peninsula of )uBon'
and meet the principal current of the 7traits of 7an Bernardino'
freAuently a %ery difficult undertaking; and' moreo%er' small %essels
obliged to anchor there are in great danger of being captured by
pirates The country about 7orsogon' ho$e%er' is not so fertile as
the neighborhood of )egaspi
2+ $orthy official5 6 took letters of introduction $ith me to both
the 7panish authorities of the pro%ince; $ho recei%ed me in the most
amiable $ay' and $ere of the greatest use to me during the $hole of
my stay in the %icinity 6 had also the good fortune to fall in $ith
a model alcalde' a man of good family and of most charming manners;
in short' a genuine caballero To sho$ the popular appreciation of
the honesty of his character' it $as said of him in 7amar that he
had entered the pro%ince $ith nothing but a bundle of papers' and
had left it as lightly eAuipped
C<+PTE" 6Y
2,araga5 @y 7panish friends enabled me to rent a house in ,araga'
24/5 a $ell(to(do to$n of t$enty thousand inhabitants at the foot
of the @ayon' a league and a half from )egaspi The summit of this
%olcano $as considered inaccessible until t$o young 7cotchmen' Paton
and 7te$art by name' demonstrated the contrary 24I5 7ince then
se%eral nati%es ha%e ascended the mountain' but no Europeans
2+scent of @ayon5 6 set out on 7eptember /9th' and passed the night'
by the ad%ice of 7eOor @uOos' in a hut one thousand feet abo%e the
le%el of the sea' in order to begin the ascent the neEt morning $ith
unimpaired %igor But a number of idlers $ho insisted on follo$ing
me' and $ho kept up a tremendous noise all night' frustrated the
purpose of this friendly ad%ice; and 6 started about fi%e in the
morning but little refreshed The fiery glo$ 6 had noticed about the
crater disappeared $ith the da$n The first fe$ hundred feet of the
ascent $ere co%ered $ith a tall grass Auite siE feet high; and then
came a slope of a thousand feet or so of short grass succeeded by a
Auantity of moss; but e%en this soon disappeared' and the $hole of
the upper part of the mountain pro%ed entirely barren !e reached
the summit about one oCclock 6t $as co%ered $ith fissures $hich
ga%e out sulphurous gases and steam in such profusion that $e $ere
obliged to stop our mouths and nostrils $ith our handkerchiefs to
pre%ent oursel%es from being suffocated !e came to a halt at the
edge of a broad and deep chasm' from $hich issued a particularly
dense %apor +pparently $e $ere on the brink of a crater' but the
thick fumes of the disagreeable %apor made it impossible for us to
guess at the breadth of the fissure The absolute top of the %olcano
consisted of a ridge' nearly ten feet thick' of solid masses of stone
co%ered $ith a crust of la%a bleached by the action of the escaping
gas 7e%eral irregular blocks of stone lying about us sho$ed that the
peak had once been a little higher !hen' no$ and again' the gusts
of $ind made rifts in the %apor' $e percei%ed on the northern corner
of the plateau se%eral rocky columns at least a hundred feet high'
$hich had hitherto $ithstood both storm and eruption 6 after$ards
had an opportunity of obser%ing the summit from ,araga $ith a capital
telescope on a %ery clear day' $hen 6 noticed that the northern side
of the crater $as considerably higher than its southern edge
2The descent5 8ur descent took some time !e had still t$o(thirds
of it beneath us $hen night o%ertook us 6n the hope of reaching
the hut $here $e had left our pro%isions' $e $andered about till
ele%en oCclock' hungry and $eary' and at last $ere obliged to $ait
for daylight This misfortune $as o$ing not to our $ant of proper
precaution' but to the unreliability of the carriers T$o of them'
$hom $e had taken $ith us to carry $ater and refreshments' had
disappeared at the %ery first; and a third' Da %ery trust$orthy
man'D $hom $e had left to take care of our things at the hut' and
$ho had been ordered to meet us at dusk $ith torches' had bolted'
as 6 after$ards disco%ered' back to ,araga before noon @y ser%ant'
too' $ho $as carrying a $oolen blanket and an umbrella for me'
suddenly %anished in the darkness as soon as it began to rain' and
though 6 repeatedly called him' ne%er turned up again till the neEt
morning !e passed the $et night upon the bare rocks' $here' as our
%ery thin clothes $ere perfectly $et through' $e chilled till our
teeth chattered +s soon' ho$e%er' as the sun rose $e got so $arm
that $e soon reco%ered our tempers To$ards nine oCclock $e reached
the hut and got something to eat after t$enty(nine hoursC fast
2+ suspicious medal5 6n the Trabajos y <echos >olables de la
7oc Econom de los +migos del Pais' for 7eptember 1th' -./I' it is
said that D,on +ntonio 7iguenBa paid a %isit to the %olcano of +lbay
on @arch --th'D and that the 7ociety Dordered a medal to be struck in
commemoration of the e%ent' and in honor of the aforesaid 7iguenBa and
his companionsD E%erybody in +lbay' ho$e%er' assured me that the t$o
7cotchmen $ere the first to reach the top of the mountain 6t is true
that in the abo%e notice the ascent of the %olcano is not directly
mentioned; but the fact of the medal naturally leads us to suppose
that nothing less can be referred to +renas' in his memoir' says*
D@ayon $as sur%eyed by Captain 7iguenBa From the crater to the base'
$hich is nearly at the le%el of the sea' he found that it measured
siEteen hundred and eighty(t$o 7panish feet or four siEty(eight and
t$o(third metersD + little further on' he adds' that he had read
in the records of the 7ociety that they had had a gold medal struck
in honor of 7iguenBa' $ho had made some in%estigations about the
%olcanoCs crater in -./I <e' therefore' appears to ha%e had some
doubt about 7iguenBaCs actual ascent
2+n early friar attempt5 +ccording to the Franciscan records a couple
of monks attempted the ascent in -9:/' in order to cure the nati%es
of their superstitious belief about the mountain 8ne of them ne%er
returned; but the other' although he did not reach the summit' being
stopped by three deep abysses' made a hundred con%erts to Christianity
by the mere relation of his ad%entures <e died in the same year'
in conseAuence' it is recorded' of the many %ariations of temperature
to $hich he $as eEposed in his ascent of the %olcano
2Estimates of height5 7ome books say that the mountain is of
considerable height; but the Estado Geografico of the Franciscans for
-.99' $here one could scarcely eEpect to find such a thoughtless
repetition of so gross a typographical error' says that the
measurements of 7iguenBa gi%e the mountain a height of siEteen
hundred and eighty(t$o feet +ccording to my o$n barometrical reading'
the height of the summit abo%e the le%el of the sea $as t$enty(three
hundred and se%enty(four meters' or eighty(fi%e hundred and fifty(nine
7panish feet
C<+PTE" Y
2+n accident and a monthCs rest5 6 sprained my foot so badly in
ascending @ayon that 6 $as obliged to keep the house for a month =nder
the circumstances' 6 $as not sorry to find myself settled in a roomy
and comfortable d$elling @y house $as built upon the banks of a
small stream' and stood in the middle of a garden in $hich coffee'
cacao' oranges' papayas' and bananas gre$ luEuriantly' in spite of
the tall $eeds $hich surrounded them 7e%eral o%er(ripe berries had
fallen to the ground' and 6 had them collected' roasted' miEed $ith
an eAual Auantity of sugar' and made into chocolate; an art in $hich
the nati%es greatly eEcel !ith the 7paniards chocolate takes the
place of coffee and tea' and e%en the mestiBos and the $ell(to(do
nati%es drink a great deal of it
2Cacao5 The cacao(tree comes from Central +merica 6t flourishes
there bet$een the /Ird parallel north and the /0th south latitude;
but it is only at its best in the hottest and dampest climates 6n
temperate climates' $here the thermometer marks less than /IJ C'
it produces no fruit
2<igh Auality5 6t $as first imported into the Philippines from
+capulco; either' according to Camarines' by a pilot called Pedro
Brabo de )agunas' in -H40; or' according to 7amar' by some Jesuits'
during 7alcedoCs go%ernment' bet$een -HHI and -HH. 7ince then
it has spread o%er the greater part of the 6sland; and' although
it is not culti%ated $ith any eEcessi%e care' its fruit is of
eEcellent Auality The cacao of +lbay' if its cheapness be taken into
consideration' may be considered at least eAual to that of Caracas'
$hich is so highly(priBed in Europe' and $hich' on account of its
high price' generally is largely miEed $ith inferior kinds 2415
The bushes are usually found in small gardens' close to the houses;
but so great is the nati%e laBiness that freAuently the berries are
allo$ed to decay' although the local cacao sells for a higher price
than the imported +t Cebu and >egros a little more attention is paid
to its culti%ation; 27canty production5 but it does not suffice to
supply the $ants of the colony' $hich imports the deficiency from
Ternate and @indanao The best cacao of the Philippines is produced in
the small 6sland of @aripipi' $hich lies to the north($est of )eyte;
and it is difficult to obtain' the entire crop generally being long
bespoke 6t costs about one dollar per liter' $hereas the +lbay cacao
costs from t$o to t$o and a half dollars per DgantaD Fthree litersG
2Culture5 The nati%es generally co%er the kernels' just as they
are beginning to sprout' $ith a little earth' and' placing them
in a spirally(rolled leaf' hang them up beneath the roof of their
d$ellings They gro$ %ery rapidly' and' to pre%ent their being
choked by $eeds' are planted out at %ery short inter%als This
method of treatment is probably the reason that the cacao(trees in
the Philippines ne%er attain a greater height than eight or ten feet'
$hile in their nati%e soil they freAuently reach thirty' and sometimes
e%en forty feet The tree begins to bear fruit in its third or fourth
year' and in its fifth or siEth it reaches maturity' $hen it usually
yields a DgantaD of cacao' $hich' as 6 ha%e mentioned' is $orth from
t$o to t$o and a half dollars' and al$ays finds a purchaser 2495
2>eglect5 The profits arising from a large plantation $ould'
therefore' be considerable; yet it is %ery rare to meet $ith one 6
heard it said that the Economical 7ociety had offered a considerable
re$ard to any one $ho could eEhibit a plantation of ten thousand
berry(bearing trees; but in the 7ocietyCs report 6 found no mention
of this re$ard
2,amage by storms5 The great obstacles in the $ay of large plantations
are the hea%y storms $hich recur almost regularly e%ery year'
and often destroy an entire plantation in a single day 6n -.9H a
hurricane %isited the 6sland just before the har%est' and completely
tore up se%eral large plantations by the roots; a catastrophe that
naturally has caused much discouragement to the culti%ators 24H5
8ne conseAuence of this state of things $as that the free importation
of cacao $as permitted' and people $ere enabled to purchase GuayaAual
cacao at fifteen dollars per Auintal $hile that gro$n at home cost
double the money
2,iseases and pests5 The plant is sometimes attacked by a disease'
the origin of $hich is unkno$n' $hen it suffers se%erely from certain
noEious insects 2445 6t is also attacked by rats and other predatory
%ermin; the former sometimes falling upon it in such numbers that
they destroy the entire har%est in a single night Tra%ellers in
+merica say that a $ell(kept cacao plantation is a %ery picturesAue
sight 6n the Philippines' ho$e%er' or at any rate in East )uBon'
the closely(packed' lifeless(looking' moss(co%ered trees present a
dreary spectacle Their eEistence is a brief one Their o%al lea%es'
sometimes nearly a foot long' droop singly from the t$igs' and form
no luEuriant masses of foliage Their blossoms are %ery insignificant;
they are of a reddish(yello$' no larger than the flo$ers of the lime'
and gro$ separately on long $eedy stalks The fruit ripens in siE
months !hen it is matured' it is of either a red or a yello$ tint'
and is some$hat like a %ery rough gherkin 8nly t$o %arieties appear to
be culti%ated in the Philippines 24.5 The pulp of the fruit is $hite'
tender' and of an agreeable acid taste' and contains from eighteen
to t$enty(four kernels' arranged in fi%e ro$s These kernels are as
large as almonds' and' like them' consist of a couple of husks and a
small core This is the cacao bean; $hich' roasted and finely ground'
produces cacao' and $ith the addition of sugar' and generally of
spice' makes chocolate Till the last fe$ years' e%ery household
in the Philippines made its o$n chocolate' of nothing but cacao
and sugar The nati%es $ho eat chocolate often add roasted rice to
it >o$adays there is a manufactory in @anila' $hich makes chocolate
in the European $ay The inhabitants of the eastern pro%inces are
%ery fond of adding roasted pili nuts to their chocolate 24:5
2Chocolate5 Europeans first learnt to make a drink from cacao in
@eEico' $here the preparation $as called chocolatl 2.05 E%en so far
back as the days of Cortes' $ho $as a tremendous chocolate drinker'
the cacao(tree $as eEtensi%ely culti%ated The +Btecs used the beans
as money; and @onteBuma used to recei%e part of his tribute in this
peculiar coin 6t $as only the $ealthy among the ancient @eEicans
$ho ate pure cacao; the poor' on account of the %alue of the beans
as coins' used to miE maiBe and mandioca meal $ith them E%en in our
o$n day the inhabitants of Central +merica make use of the beans as
small coins' as they ha%e no copper money' nor smaller sil%er coins
than the half(real Both in Central +merica and in 8rinoco there yet
are many unpenetrated forests $hich are almost entirely composed of
$ild cacao(trees 6 belie%e the nati%es gather some of their fruit'
but it is almost $orthless By itself it has much less fla%or than the
culti%ated kinds Certainly it is not picked and dried at the proper
season' and it gets spoilt in its long transit through the damp $oods
2+n uncertain %enture5 7ince the abolition of sla%ery' the crops in
+merica ha%e been diminishing year by year' and until a short time ago'
$hen the French laid out se%eral large plantations in Central +merica'
$ere of but trifling %alue +ccording to F Engel' a flourishing
cacao plantation reAuired less outlay and trouble' and yields more
profit than any other tropical plant; yet its har%ests' $hich do not
yield anything for the first fi%e or siE years' are %ery uncertain'
o$ing to the numerous insects $hich attack the plants 6n short'
cacao plantations are only suited to large capitalists' or to %ery
small culti%ators $ho gro$ the trees in their o$n gardens @oreo%er'
as $e ha%e said' since the abolition of sla%ery most of the plantations
ha%e fallen into decay' for the freed sla%es are entirely $anting
in industry
2=se in Europe5 The original chocolate $as not generally relished
in Europe !hen' ho$e%er' at a later period' it $as miEed $ith sugar'
it met $ith more approbation The eEaggerated praise of its admirers
raised a bitter opposition amongst the opponents of the ne$ drink;
and the priests raised conscientious scruples against the use of so
nourishing an article of food on fast days The Auarrel lasted till
the se%enteenth century' by $hich time cacao had become an e%eryday
necessity in 7pain 6t $as first introduced into 7pain in -9/0; but
chocolate' on account of the monopoly of the ConAuistadores' $as for a
long time secretly prepared on the other side of the ocean 6n -9.0'
ho$e%er' it $as in common use in 7pain' though it $as so entirely
unkno$n in England that' in -94:' an English captain burnt a captured
cargo of it as useless 6t reached 6taly in -H0H' and $as introduced
into France by +nne of +ustria The first chocolate(house in )ondon
$as opened in -H94' and in -400 Germany at last follo$ed suit 2.-5
2Coffee5 The history of coffee in the Philippines is %ery similar
to that of cacao The plant thri%es $onderfully' and its berry has
so strongly marked a fla%or that the $orst @anila coffee commands as
high a price as the best Ja%a 6n spite of this' ho$e%er' the amount
of coffee produced in the Philippines is %ery insignificant' and'
until lately' scarcely deser%ed mention +ccording to the report of an
Englishman in -./.' the coffee(plant $as almost unkno$n forty years
before' and $as represented only by a fe$ specimens in the Botanical
Gardens at @anila 6t soon' ho$e%er' increased and multiplied' thanks
to the moderation of a small predatory animal FparadoEurus musangaG'
$hich only nibbled the ripe fruit' and left the hard kernels Fthe
coffee beansG untouched' as indigestible The Economical 7ociety
bestirred itself in its turn by offering re$ards to encourage the
laying out of large coffee plantations 6n -.I4 it granted to @ de
la GironniVre a premium of N-'000' for eEhibiting a coffee plantation
of siEty thousand plants' $hich $ere yielding their second har%est;
and four premiums to others in the follo$ing year But as soon as
the re$ards $ere obtained the plantations $ere once more allo$ed to
fall into neglect From this it is pretty e%ident that the enterprise'
in the face of the then market prices and the artificially high rates
of freight' did not afford a sufficient profit
2EEports5 6n -.9H the eEports of coffee $ere not more than se%en
thousand piculs; in -.H9 they had increased to thirty(se%en thousand'
fi%e hundred and eighty(eight; and in -.4-' to fifty(three thousand'
three hundred and se%enty This increase' ho$e%er' affords no criterion
by $hich to estimate the increase in the number of plantations'
for these make no returns for the first fe$ years after being laid
out 6n short' larger eEports may be confidently eEpected But e%en
greatly increased eEports could not be taken as correct measures
of the colonyCs resources >ot till European capital calls large
plantations into eEistence in the most suitable localities $ill the
Philippines obtain their proper rank in the coffee(producing districts
of the $orld
2<ighest grades5 The best coffee comes from the pro%inces of
)aguna' Batangas and Ca%ite; the $orst from @indanao The latter'
in conseAuence of careless treatment' is %ery impure' and generally
contains a Auantity of bad beans The coffee beans of @indanao are
of a yello$ish($hite color and flabby; those of )aguna are smaller'
but much firmer in teEture
2French preference5 @anila coffee is %ery highly esteemed by
connoisseurs' and is %ery eEpensi%e' though it is by no means so
nice looking as that of Ceylon and other more carefully prepared
kinds 6t is a remarkable fact that in -.H9 France' $hich imported
only N/-'000 $orth of hemp from the Philippines' imported more than
N/00'000 $orth of @anila coffee' a third of the entire coffee produce
of the 6slands 2./5 @anila coffee is not much priBed in )ondon'
and does not fetch much more than good Ceylon FN-9 per c$tG 2.I5
This' ho$e%er' is no reproach to the coffee' as e%ery one acAuainted
$ith an EnglishmanCs appreciation of coffee $ill allo$
2Prices5 California' an eEcellent customer' al$ays ready to gi%e
a fair price for a good article' $ill in time become one of its
principal consumers 2.15 6n -.H.' coffee in @anila itself cost
an a%erage of N-H per picul 2.95 6n Ja%a' the authorities pay the
nati%es' $ho are compelled to culti%ate it' about NIHH per picul
2Philippine eEports5 +lthough the amount of coffee eEported from the
Philippines is trifling in comparison $ith the producing po$ers of the
colony' it compares fa%orably $ith the eEports from other countries
2Ja%an and Ceylon crops5 6n my 7ketches of Tra%el' 6 compared the
decrease of the coffee produced in Ja%a under the forced system of
culti%ation $ith the increase of that %oluntarily gro$n in Ceylon'
and ga%e the Ja%anese produce for -.9. as siEty(se%en thousand tons'
and the Cingalese as thirty(fi%e thousand tons 7ince that time the
relati%e decrease and increase ha%e continued; and in -.HH the ,utch
6ndies produced only fifty(siE thousand tons' and Ceylon thirty(siE
thousand tons 2.H5
2+mateur scientists5 ,uring my enforced stay in ,araga the nati%es
brought me mussels and snails for sale; and se%eral of them $ished
to enter my ser%ice' as they felt Da particular %ocation for >atural
<istoryD +t last my kitchen $as al$ays full of them They sallied
forth e%ery day to collect insects' and as a rule $ere not particularly
fortunate in their search; but this $as of no conseAuence; in fact'
it ser%ed to gi%e them a fresh appetite for their meals 7ome of the
neighboring 7paniards paid me almost daily %isits; and se%eral of
the nati%e and mestiBo dignitaries from a distance $ere good enough
to call upon me' not so much for the purpose of seeing my humble self
as of inspecting my hat' the fame of $hich had spread o%er the $hole
pro%ince 6t $as constructed in the usual judicious mushroom shape'
co%ered $ith nito' 2.45 and its pinnacle $as adorned $ith a po$erful
oil lamp' furnished $ith a closely fitting lid' like that of a dark
lantern' so that it could be carried in the pocket This last $as
particularly useful $hen riding about on a dark night
2>ito cigar cases5 6n the neighboring pueblo cigar(cases $ere
made out of this nito They are not of much use as an article of
commerce' and usually are only made to order To obtain a doBen a
$ould(be purchaser must apply to as many indi%iduals' $ho' at the
shortest' $ill condescend to finish one in a fe$ months The stalk
of the fern' $hich is about as thick as a lucifer match' is split
into four strips The $orkman then takes a strip in his left hand'
and' $ith his thumb on the back and his forefinger on the edge' dra$s
the strips up and do$n against the knife blade until the soft pithy
parts are cut a$ay' and $hat remains has become fine enough for the
neEt process The cases are made on pointed cylindrical pieces of
$ood almost a couple of feet long + pin is stuck into the center
of the end of the cylinder' and the $orkman commences by fastening
the strips of fern stalk to it The siBe of the case corresponds to
the diameter of the roller' and a small $ooden disk is placed in the
bottom of the case to keep it steady $hile the sides are being plaited
2+ Filipino theater5 !hen my ankle began to get better' my
first eEcursion $as to )egaspi' $here some Filipinos $ere gi%ing
a theatrical performance + 7panish political refugee directed
the entertainment 8n each side of the stage' roofed in $ith palm
lea%es' ran co%ered galleries for the dignitaries of the place; the
unco%ered space bet$een these $as set apart for the common people The
performers had chosen a play taken from Persian history The language
$as 7panish' and the dresses $ere' to say the least' eccentric The
stage $as erected hard by a public street' $hich itself formed part
of the auditorium' and the noise $as so great that 6 could only catch
a $ord here and there The actors stalked on' chattering their parts'
$hich not one of them understood' and mo%ing their arms up and do$n;
and $hen they reached the edge of the stage' they tacked and $ent back
again like ships sailing against the $ind Their countenances $ere
entirely de%oid of eEpression' and they spoke like automatons 6f 6
had understood the $ords' the contrast bet$een their meaning and the
machine(like mo%ements of the actors $ould probably ha%e been droll
enough; but' as it $as' the noise' the heat' and the smoke $ere so
great that $e soon left the place
2+n indifferent performance5 Both the theatrical performance and
the $hole festi%al bore the impress of laBiness' indifference' and
mindless mimicry !hen 6 compared the frank cheerfulness 6 had seen
radiating from e%ery countenance at the religious holidays of Europe
$ith the eEpressionless and immobile faces of the nati%es' 6 found it
difficult to understand ho$ the latter $ere persuaded to $aste so much
time and money upon a matter they seemed so thoroughly indifferent to
26nterest in festi%al5 Tra%ellers ha%e remarked the same $ant of
gaiety amongst the 6ndians of +merica; and some of them ascribe it
to the small de%elopment of the ner%ous system pre%alent among these
peoples' to $hich cause also they attribute their $onderful courage
in bearing pain But Tylor obser%es that the 6ndianCs countenance is
so different from ours that it takes us se%eral years to rightly
interpret its eEpression There probably is something in both
these eEplanations +nd' although 6 obser%ed no li%ely eEpression of
amusement among my nati%e friends at )egaspi' 6 noticed that they took
the greatest possible pleasure in decorating their %illage' and that
the procession $hich formed part of the festi%al had eEtraordinary
charms for them E%ery indi%idual $as dressed in his %ery best; and
the honor of carrying a banner inspired those $ho attained it $ith the
greatest pride' and raised an amaBing amount of en%y in the breasts of
the remainder #isitors poured in from all the surrounding hamlets' and
erected triumphal arches $hich they had brought $ith them ready(made
and $hich bore some complimentary inscription 6 am obliged to confess
that some of the holiday(makers $ere %ery drunk The inhabitants of the
Philippines ha%e a great lo%e for strong drink; e%en the young girls
occasionally get intoEicated !hen night came on' the strangers $ere
hospitably lodged in the d$ellings of the %illage 8n such occasions
nati%e hospitality sho$s itself in a %ery fa%orable light The door
of e%ery house stands open' and e%en balls take place in some of the
larger hamlets The 7panish and mestiBo ca%aliers' ho$e%er' condescend
to dance only $ith mestiBa partners' and %ery seldom in%ite a pretty
nati%e girl to join them The nati%es %ery rarely dance together; but
in 7amar 6 $as present on one occasion at a by no means ungraceful
nati%e dance $here Dimpro%isedD %erses $ere sung The male dancer
compared his partner $ith a rose' and she ans$ered he should be
careful in touching it as a rose had thorns This $ould ha%e been
thought a charming compliment in the mouth of an +ndalusian
27er%ant subterfuges5 The idle eEistence $e spent in ,araga $as so
agreeable to my ser%ants and their numerous friends that they $ere
anEious 6 should stay there as long as possible; and they adopted some
%ery ingenious means to persuade me to do so T$ice' $hen e%erything
$as prepared for a start the neEt morning' my shoes $ere stolen in the
night; and on another occasion they kidnapped my horse !hen a nati%e
has a particularly hea%y load to carry' or a long journey to make'
he thinks nothing of coolly appropriating the $ell(fed beast of some
7paniard; $hich' $hen he has done $ith it' he turns loose $ithout
attempting to feed it' and it $anders about till somebody catches
it and stalls it in the nearest DTribunalD There it is kept tied up
and hungry until its master claims it and pays its eEpenses 6 had a
dollar to pay $hen 6 reco%ered mine' although it $as nearly star%ed
to death' on the pretence that it had s$allo$ed rice to that %alue
since it had been caught
2Petty robberies5 7mall robberies occur %ery freAuently' but they
are committed((as an acAuaintance' a man $ho had spent some time
in the country' informed me one e%ening $hen 6 $as telling him my
troubles((only upon the property of ne$ arri%als; old residents' he
said' enjoyed a prescripti%e freedom from such little incon%eniences 6
fancy some $aggish nati%e must ha%e o%erheard our con%ersation' for
early the neEt morning my friend' the old resident' sent to borro$
chocolate' biscuits' and eggs of me' as his larder and his hen(house
had been rifled during the night
2,araga market5 @onday and Friday e%enings $ere the ,araga market
nights' and in fine $eather al$ays afforded a pretty sight The
$omen' neatly and cleanly clad' sat in long ro$s and offered their
pro%isions for sale by the light of hundreds of torches; and' $hen
the business $as o%er' the slopes of the mountains $ere studded all
o%er $ith flickering little points of brightness proceeding from the
torches carried by the home$ard(bound market $omen Besides eatables'
many had silks and stuffs $o%en from the fibers of the pine(apple
and the banana for sale These goods they carried on their heads;
and 6 noticed that all the younger $omen $ere accompanied by their
s$eethearts' $ho relie%ed them of their burdens
C<+PTE" Y6
2Change of season5 ,uring the $hole time 6 $as confined to the
house at ,araga' the $eather $as remarkably fine; but unfortunately
the bright days had come to an end by the time 6 $as ready to make a
start' for the north(east monsoon' the sure forerunner of rain in this
part of the +rchipelago' sets in in 8ctober 6n spite' ho$e%er' of the
$eather' 6 determined to make another attempt to ascend the mountain
at Bulusan 6 found 6 could go by boat to Bacon in the Bay of +lbay'
a distance of se%en leagues' $hence 6 could ride to Gubat' on the east
coast' three leagues further' and then in a southerly direction along
the shore to Bulusan +n eEperienced old nati%e' $ho pro%ided a boat
and cre$' had appointed ten oCclock at night as the best time for
my departure Just as $e $ere about to start' ho$e%er' $e $ere told
that four piratical craft had been seen in the bay 6n a t$inkling'
the cre$ disappeared' and 6 $as left alone in the darkness; and it
took me four hours $ith the assistance of a 7paniard to find them
again' and make a fresh start +bout nine oCclock in the morning $e
reached Bacon' $hence 6 rode across a %ery flat country to 7an "oAue'
$here the road leading to Gubat took a sharp turn to the south(east'
and presently became an eEtremely bad one +fter 6 had passed Gubat'
my $ay lay along the shore; and 6 sa$ se%eral ruined sAuare to$ers'
made of blocks of coral' and built by the Jesuits as a protection
against the 2@oro pirates5 @oros' or D@oorsD((a term here applied to
the pirates' because' like the @oors $ho $ere formerly in 7pain' they
are @ahometans They come from @indanao and from the north($est coast
of Borneo +t the time of my %isit' this part of the +rchipelago $as
greatly infested $ith them; and a fe$ days before my arri%al they had
carried off some fishermen' $ho $ere busy pulling their fish(stakes'
close to Gubat + little distance from the shore' and parallel to it'
ran a coral reef' $hich during the south($est monsoon $as here and
there bare at lo$ tide; but' $hen the north(east $ind ble$' the $a%es
of the Pacific 8cean entirely concealed it =pon this reef the storms
had cast up many remains of marine animals' and a Auantity of fungi'
amongst $hich 6 noticed some eEactly resembling the common sponge of
the @editerranean They $ere just as soft to the touch' of a dark bro$n
tint' as large as the fist' and of a conical shape They absorbed $ater
$ith great readiness' and might doubtless be made a profitable article
of commerce 7amples of them are to be seen in the Toological @useum at
Berlin +s 6 $ent further on' 6 found the road eEcellent; and $ooden
bridges' all of $hich $ere in good repair' led me across the mouths
of the numerous small ri%ers But almost all the arches of the stone
bridges 6 came to had fallen in' and 6 had to cross the streams they
$ere supposed to span in a small boat' and make my horse s$im after
me Just before 6 reached Bulusan' 6 had to cross a ra%ine se%eral
hundred feet deep' composed almost entirely of $hite pumice stone
2Bulusan5 Bulusan is so seldom %isited by strangers that the
DtribunalD $here 6 put up $as soon full of curiosity(mongers' $ho came
to stare at me The $omen' taking the places of honor' sAuatted round
me in concentric ro$s' $hile the men peered o%er their shoulders 8ne
morning $hen 6 $as taking a sho$er(bath in a shed made of open bamboo
$ork' 6 suddenly noticed se%eral pairs of inAuisiti%e eyes staring
at me through the interstices The eyes belonged eEclusi%ely to the
gentler seE; and their o$ners eEamined me $ith the greatest curiosity'
making remarks upon my appearance to one another' and seeming by no
means inclined to be disturbed =pon another occasion' $hen bathing in
the open air in the pro%ince of )aguna' 6 $as surrounded by a number of
$omen' old' middle(aged' and young' $ho cro$ded round me $hile 6 $as
dressing' carefully inspected me' and pointed out $ith their fingers
e%ery little detail $hich seemed to them to call for special remark
27torm damage5 6 had tra%elled the last part of the road to Bulusan
in $ind and rain; and the storm lasted $ith little intermission during
the $hole night !hen 6 got up in the morning 6 found that part of the
roof of the tribunal had been carried a$ay' that the slighter houses
in the hamlet $ere all blo$n do$n' and that almost e%ery d$elling in
the place had lost its roof This pleasant $eather lasted during the
three days of my stay The air $as so thick that 6 found it impossible
to distinguish the %olcano' though 6 $as actually standing at its
foot; and' as the $eather($ise of the neighborhood could hold out no
promise of a fa%orable change at that time of the year' 6 put off my
intended ascent till a better opportunity' and resol%ed to return +
former alcalde' PeOeranda' $as reported to ha%e succeeded in reaching
the top fifteen years before' after siEty men had spent a couple of
months in building a road to the summit; and the ascent $as said to
ha%e taken him t$o $hole days But an eEperienced nati%e told me that
in the dry season he thought four men $ere Auite sufficient to open a
narro$ path to the plateau' just under the peak' in a couple of days;
but that ladders $ere reAuired to get on to the actual summit
2+rri%al of assistance5 The day after my arri%al the inspector of
high$ays and another man $alked into the tribunal' both of them $et to
the skin and nearly blo$n to pieces @y friend the alcalde had sent
them to my assistance; and' as none of us could attempt the ascent'
they returned $ith me +s $e $ere entering Bacon on our $ay back'
$e heard the report of cannon and the sound of music 8ur ser%ants
cried out D<ere comes the alcalde'D and in a fe$ moments he dro%e up
in an open carriage' accompanied by an irregular escort of horsemen'
7paniards and nati%es' the latter prancing about in silk hats and
shirts fluttering in the $ind The alcalde politely offered me a seat'
and an hourCs dri%e took us into 7orsogon
2+lbay roads and bridges5 The roads of the pro%ince of +lbay are good'
but they are by no means kept in good repair* a state of things that
$ill ne%er be remedied so long as the indolence of the authorities
continues @ost of the stone bridges in the district are in ruins'
and the tra%eller is obliged to content himself $ith $ading through a
ford' or get himself ferried across upon a raft or in a small canoe'
$hile his horse s$ims behind him The roads $ere first laid do$n in the
days of +lcalde PeOaranda' a retired officer of the engineer corps'
$hom $e ha%e already mentioned' and $ho deser%es considerable praise
for ha%ing largely contributed to the $elfare of his pro%ince' and
for ha%ing accomplished so much from such small resources <e took
care that all socage ser%ice should be duly rendered' or that money'
$hich $ent to$ards paying for tools and materials' should be paid
in lieu of it @any abuses eEisted before his rule; no real ser%ices
$ere performed by anybody $ho could trace the slightest relationship
to any of the authorities; and' $hen by chance any redemption money
$as paid' it $ent' often $ith the conni%ance of the alcalde of the
period' into the pockets of the gobernadorcillos' instead of into the
pro%incial treasury 7imilar abuses still pre%ail all o%er the country'
$here they are not pre%ented by the %igilance of the authorities The
numerous population' and the prosperity $hich the pro%ince no$ enjoys'
$ould make it an easy matter to maintain and complete the eEisting
high$ays The admirable officials of the district are certainly
not $anting in good($ill' but their hands are tied >o$adays the
alcaldes remain only three years in one pro%ince Fin PeOarandaCs
time' they remained siEG; their time is entirely taken up $ith
the current official and judicial business; and' just as they are
beginning to become acAuainted $ith the capabilities and reAuirements
of their district' they are obliged to lea%e it 2<andicapped
officials5 This sho$s the go%ernmentCs $ant of confidence in its
o$n ser%ants >o alcalde could no$ possibly undertake $hat PeOaranda
accomplished The money paid in lieu of socage ser%ice' $hich ought to
be applied to the $ants of the pro%ince in $hich the socage is due' is
for$arded to @anila 6f an alcalde proposes some urgent and necessary
impro%ement' he has to send in so many tedious estimates and reports'
$hich freAuently remain unnoticed' that he soon loses all desire to
attempt any inno%ation Estimates for large $orks' to carry out $hich
$ould reAuire a considerable outlay' are in%ariably returned from
headAuarters marked Dnot urgentD 2Funds di%erted to 7pain5 The fact
is not that the colonial go%ernment is $anting in good($ill' but that
the Caja de Comunidad FGeneral TreasuryG in @anila is almost al$ays
empty' as the 7panish go%ernment' in its chronic state of bankruptcy'
borro$s the money and is ne%er in a position to return it
27orsogon earthAuake5 6n -.10 7orsogon suffered se%erely from an
earthAuake' $hich lasted almost continuously for thirty(fi%e days 6t
raged $ith the greatest fury on the /-st of @arch The churches' both
of 7orsogon and of Casiguran' as $ell as the smallest stone houses'
$ere destroyed; se%enteen persons lost their li%es' and t$o hundred
$ere injured; and the $hole neighborhood sank fi%e feet belo$ its
former le%el
2Casiguran5 The neEt morning 6 accompanied the alcalde in a falua
FfeluccaG' manned by fourteen ro$ers' to Casiguran' $hich lies directly
south of 7orsogon' on the other side of a small bay' of t$o leagues
in breadth' $hich it took us an hour and a half to cross The bay $as
as calm as an inland lake 6t is almost entirely surrounded by hills'
and its $estern side' $hich is open to the sea' is protected by the
6sland of Bagalao' $hich lies in front of it +s soon as $e landed'
$e $ere recei%ed $ith salutes of cannon and music' and flags and
shirts streamed in the $ind 6 declined the friendly in%itation of the
alcalde to accompany him any further; as to me' $ho had no official
business to transact' the journey seemed nothing but a continually
recurring panorama of dinners' lunches' cups of chocolate' music'
and detonations of gunpo$der
2Suicksil%er5 6n -.90 Auicksil%er $as disco%ered on a part of the
coast no$ co%ered by the sea 6 eEamined the reported bed of the
deposit' and it appeared to me to consist of a stratum of clay siE feet
in depth' superimposed o%er a layer of %olcanic sand and fragments
of pumice stone +n Englishman $ho $as $recked in this part of the
+rchipelago' the same indi%idual 6 met at the iron $orks at +ngat' had
begun to collect it' and by $ashing the sand had obtained something
like a couple of ounces 7omebody' ho$e%er' told the priest of the
district that Auicksil%er $as a poison; and' as he himself told me'
so forcibly did he depict the dangerous nature of the ne$ disco%ery to
his parishioners that they abandoned the attempt to collect it 7ince
then none of them ha%e e%er seen a %estige of mercury' unless it might
be from some broken old barometer To$ards e%ening @ount Bulusan in
the south(east' and @ount @ayon in the north($est' $ere %isible for
a short time They are both in a straight line $ith Casiguran
27eaCs encroachments5 E%ery year the sea makes great inroads upon
the coast at Casiguran; as far as 6 could decide from its appearance
and from the accounts gi%en me' about a yard of the shore is annually
destroyed The bay of 7orsogon is protected to$ards the north by a
ridge of hills' $hich suddenly terminate' ho$e%er' at its north(eastern
angle; and through this opening the $ind sometimes blo$s $ith great
fury' and causes considerable ha%oc in the bay' the more particularly
as its coast is principally formed of clay and sand
2Pirate rumors and robberies5 !hen 6 reached )egaspi again in the
e%ening 6 learnt that the alarm about the pirates $hich had interrupted
my departure had not been an idle one @oros they certainly could
not ha%e been' for at that season none of the @ahometan corsairs
could reach that part of the coast; but they $ere a band of deserters
and %agabonds from the surrounding country' $ho in this part of the
$orld find it more agreeable to pursue their freebooting career on
sea than on land ,uring my absence they had committed many robberies
and carried off se%eral people 2..5
2"eal pirates5 The beginning of >o%ember is the season of storms;
$hen $ater communication bet$een +lbay and @anila entirely ceases'
no %essel daring to put out to sea' e%en from the south coast 8n
the :th of the month' ho$e%er' a %essel that had been gi%en up for
lost entered the port' after ha%ing incurred great perils and being
obliged to thro$ o%erboard the greater part of its cargo !ithin t$el%e
days of its lea%ing the straits of 7an Bernardino behind it' a sudden
storm compelled it to anchor amongst the 6slands of Balicuatro 8ne
of the passengers' a ne$ly(arri%ed 7paniard' put off in a boat $ith
se%en sailors' and made for four small %essels $hich $ere riding at
anchor off the coast; taking them for fishermen' $hereas they $ere
pirates They fired at him as soon as he $as some distance from his
ship' and his cre$ thre$ themsel%es into the $ater; but both he and
they $ere taken prisoners The captain of the trading brig' fearing
that his %essel $ould fall into their clutches' slipped anchor and put
out to sea again' escaping ship$reck $ith the greatest difficulty The
pirates' as a rule' do not kill their prisoners' but employ them as
ro$ers But Europeans seldom sur%i%e their capti%ity* the tremendous
labor and the scanty food are too much for them Their clothes al$ays
being stripped off their back' they are eEposed naked to all sorts
of $eather' and their sole daily support is a handful of rice
C<+PTE" Y66
2Camarines5 >o fa%orable change in the $eather $as eEpected in
+lbay before the month of January 6t stormed and rained all day 6
therefore determined to change my Auarters to 7outh Camarines' $hich'
protected from the monsoon by the high range of hills running along
its north(eastern boundary' enjoyed more decent $eather The t$o
pro%inces of Camarines form a long continent' $ith its principal
frontage of shore facing to the north(east and to the south($est;
$hich is about ten leagues broad in its middle' and has its shores
indented by many bays From about the center of its north(eastern
shore there boldly projects the Peninsula of Caramuan' connected $ith
the mainland of Camarines by the isthmus of 6sarog The north(eastern
portion of the t$o pro%inces contains a long range of %olcanic hills;
the south($estern principally consisted' as far as my in%estigations
permitted me to disco%er' of chalk' and coral reefs; in the midst
of the hills eEtends a $inding and fertile %alley' $hich collects
the $aters descending from the slopes of the mountain ranges' and
blends them into a na%igable ri%er' on the banks of $hich se%eral
flourishing hamlets ha%e established themsel%es This ri%er is called
the Bicol The streams $hich gi%e it birth are so abundant' and the
slope of the sides of the %alley' $hich is turned into one gigantic
rice(field' is so gentle that in many places the laBy $aters linger
and form small lakes
2+ chain of %olcanoes5 Beginning at the south(eastern eEtremity' the
%olcanoes of Bulusan' +lbay' @aBaraga' 6riga' 6sarog' and Colasi((the
last on the northern side of 7an @iguel bay((are situated in a straight
line' eEtending from the south(east to the north($est Besides these'
there is the %olcano of Buhi' or @alinao' a little to the north(east of
the line The hamlets in the %alley 6 ha%e mentioned are situated in
a second line parallel to that of the %olcanoes The southern portion
of the pro%ince is sparsely inhabited' and but fe$ streams find their
$ay from its plateau into the central %alley The range of %olcanoes
shuts out' as 6 ha%e said' the north(east $inds' and condenses their
moisture in the little lakes scattered on its slopes The south($est
portion of Camarines' therefore' is dry during the north(east monsoon'
and enjoys its rainy season during the pre%alence of the $inds that
blo$ from the south($est The so(called dry season $hich' so far as
7outh Camarines is concerned' begins in >o%ember' is interrupted'
ho$e%er' by freAuent sho$ers; but from January to @ay scarcely a drop
of rain falls The change of monsoon takes place in @ay and June;
and its arri%al is announced by %iolent thunderstorms and hurricanes'
$hich freAuently last $ithout cessation for a couple of $eeks' and
are accompanied by hea%y rains These last are the beginning of the
$et season proper' $hich lasts till 8ctober The road passes the
hamlets of Camalig' Guinobatan' )igao' 8as and Polangui' situated
in a straight line on the banks of the ri%er Suinali' $hich' after
recei%ing numerous tributary streams' becomes na%igable soon after
passing Polangui <ere 6 obser%ed a small settlement of huts' $hich
is called after the ri%er Each of the hamlets 6 ha%e mentioned' $ith
the eEception of the last' has a population of about fourteen thousand
souls' although they are situated not more than half a league apart
2Priestly assistance5 The con%ents in this part of the country are
large' imposing buildings' and their incumbents' $ho $ere mostly old
men' $ere most hospitable and kind to me E%ery one of them insisted
upon my staying $ith him' and' after doing all he could for me' passed
me on to his neEt colleague $ith the best recommendations 6 $ished
to hire a boat at Polangui to cross the lake of Batu' but the only
craft 6 could find $ere a couple of barotos about eight feet long'
hollo$ed out of the trunks of trees and laden $ith rice To pre%ent
my meeting $ith any delay' the padre purchased the cargo of one of
the boats' on the condition of its being immediately unladen; and
this kindness enabled me to continue my journey in the afternoon
2The priestsC importance5 6f a tra%eller gets on good terms $ith
the priests he seldom meets $ith any annoyances =pon one occasion
6 $ished to make a little eEcursion directly after lunch' and at a
Auarter past ele%en e%erything $as ready for a start; $hen 6 happened
to say that it $as a pity to ha%e to $ait three(Auarters of an hour
for the meal 6n a minute or t$o t$el%e oCclock struck; all $ork in
the %illage ceased' and $e sat do$n to table* it $as noon + message
had been sent to the %illage bell(ringer that the 7eOor Padre thought
he must be asleep' and that it must be long past t$el%e as the 7eOor
Padre $as hungry 6l est lCheure Aue %otre @ajestL dLsire
2Franciscan friars5 @ost of the priests in the eastern pro%inces of
)uBon and 7amar are Franciscan monks FThe barefooted friars of the
orthodoE and strictest rule of 8ur <oly Father 7t Francis' in the
Philippine 6slands' of the <oly and +postolic Pro%ince of 7t Gregory
the GreatG' brought up in seminaries in 7pain specially de%oted to the
colonial missions Formerly they $ere at liberty' after ten yearsC
residence in the Philippines' to return to their o$n country; but'
since the abolition of the monasteries in 7pain' they can do this
no longer' for they are compelled in the colonies to abandon all
obedience to the rule of their order' and to li%e as laymen They are
a$are that they must end their days in the colony' and regulate their
li%es accordingly 8n their first arri%al they are generally sent to
some priest in the pro%ince to make themsel%es acAuainted $ith the
language of the country; then they are installed into a small parish'
and after$ards into a more lucrati%e one' in $hich they generally
remain till their death @ost of them spring from the %ery lo$est
class of 7paniards + number of pious trusts and foundations in 7pain
enable a %ery poor man' $ho cannot afford to send his son to school'
to put him into a religious seminary' $here' beyond the duties of
his future a%ocation' the boy learns nothing 6f the monks $ere of
a higher social grade' as are some of the English missionaries' they
$ould ha%e less inclination to miE $ith the common people' and $ould
fail to eEercise o%er them the influence they $ield at present The
early habits of the 7panish monks' and their narro$ kno$ledge of the
$orld' peculiarly fit them for an eEistence among the nati%es This
mental eAuality' or rather' this $ant of mental disparity' has enabled
them to acAuire the influence they undoubtedly possess
2&oung men de%eloped by responsibility5 !hen these young men
first come from their seminaries they are narro$(brained' ignorant'
freAuently almost de%oid of education' and full of conceit' hatred of
heretics' and proselytish ardor These failings' ho$e%er' gradually
disappear; the consideration and the comfortable incomes they enjoy
de%eloping their bene%olence The insight into mankind and the
confidence in themsel%es $hich distinguish the lo$er classes of the
7paniards' and $hich are so amusingly eEemplified in 7ancho PanBa'
ha%e plenty of occasions to display themsel%es in the responsible
and influential positions $hich the priests occupy The padre is
freAuently the only $hite man in his %illage' probably the only
European for miles around <e becomes the representati%e not only
of religion' but of the go%ernment; he is the oracle of the nati%es'
and his decisions in e%erything that concerns Europe and ci%iliBation
are $ithout appeal <is ad%ice is asked in all important emergencies'
and he has no one $hom he in his turn can consult 7uch a state
of things naturally de%elops his brain The same indi%iduals $ho
in 7pain $ould ha%e follo$ed the plough' in the colonies carry out
great undertakings !ithout any technical education' and $ithout any
scientific kno$ledge' they build churches and bridges' and construct
roads 2Poor architects5 The circumstances therefore are greatly in
fa%or of the de%elopment of priestly ability; but it $ould probably
be better for the buildings if they $ere erected by more eEperienced
men' for the bridges are remarkably prone to fall in' the churches
look like sheep(pens' and the roads soon go to rack and ruin 6
had much intercourse in Camarines and +lbay $ith the priests' and
concei%ed a great liking for them all +s a rule' they are the most
unpretending of men; and a %isit gi%es them so much pleasure that
they do all in their po$er to make their guestCs stay as agreeable as
possible )ife in a large con%ent has much resemblance to that of a
lord of the manor in Eastern Europe >othing can be more unconstrained'
more uncon%entional + %isitor li%es as independently as in an hotel'
and many of the %isitors beha%e themsel%es as if it $ere one 6 ha%e
seen a subaltern official arri%e' summon the head ser%ant' mo%e into
a room' order his meal' and then inAuire casually $hether the padre'
$ho $as an utter stranger to him' $as at home
The priests of the Philippines ha%e often been reproached $ith gross
immorality They are said to keep their con%ents full of be%ies of
pretty girls' and to lead some$hat the same sort of life as the Grand
Turk This may be true of the nati%e padres; but 6 myself ne%er sa$'
in any of the households of the numerous 7panish priests 6 %isited'
anything that could possibly cause the least breath of scandal Their
ser%ants $ere eEclusi%ely men' though perhaps 6 may ha%e noticed
here and there an old $oman or t$o "ibadeneyra says*((DThe nati%es'
$ho obser%e ho$ careful the Franciscan monks are of their chastity'
ha%e arri%ed at the conclusion that they are not really men' and
that' though the de%il had often attempted to lead these holy men
astray' using the charms of some pretty 6ndian girl as a bait' yet'
to the confusion of both damsel and de%il' the monks had al$ays
come scathless out of the struggleD "ibadeneyra' ho$e%er' is a %ery
unreliable author; and' if his physiological mistakes are as gross as
his geographical ones Fhe says some$here that )uBon is another name
for the island of CebuRG' the monks are not perhaps as fireproof as
he supposes +t any rate' his description does not uni%ersally apply
no$adays The younger priests pass their eEistence like the lords of
the soil of old; the young girls consider it an honor to be allo$ed to
associate $ith them; and the padres in their turn find many con%enient
opportunities They ha%e no jealous $i%es to pry into their secrets'
and their position as confessors and spiritual ad%isers affords them
plenty of preteEts for being alone $ith the $omen The confessional'
in particular' must be a perilous rock(a(head for most of them 6n
an appendiE to the DTagal GrammarD F$hich' by(the(bye' is not added
to the editions sold for general useG a list of Auestions is gi%en
for the con%enience of young priests not yet con%ersant $ith the
Tagal language These Auestions are to be asked in the confessional'
and se%eral pages of them relate eEclusi%ely to the relations bet$een
the seEes
27uperiority o%er go%ernment officials5 +s the alcaldes remain only
three years in any one pro%ince' they ne%er understand much of its
language; and' being much occupied $ith their official business'
they ha%e neither the time nor the desire to become acAuainted
$ith the peculiarities of the districts o%er $hich they rule The
priest' on the other hand' resides continually in the midst of his
parishioners' is perfectly acAuainted $ith each of them' and e%en'
on occasion' protects them against the authorities; his' therefore'
is the real jurisdiction in the district The position of the priests'
in contradistinction to that of the go%ernment officials' is $ell
eEpressed by their respecti%e d$ellings The casas reales' generally
small' ugly' and freAuently half(ruined habitations' are not suited
to the dignity of the chief authority of the pro%ince The con%ento'
on the contrary' is almost al$ays a roomy' imposing' and $ell(arranged
building 6n former days' $hen go%ernorships $ere sold to ad%enturers
$hose only care $as to enrich themsel%es' the influence of the minister
of religion $as e%en greater than it is no$ 2.:5
2Former legal status5 The follo$ing eEtract from the General
8rders' gi%en by )e Gentil' $ill con%ey a clear idea of their former
position*((
D!hereas the tenth chapter of the ordinances' $herein the go%ernor of
+randia ordained that the alcaldes and the justices should communicate
$ith the missionary priests only by letter' and that they should ne%er
hold any inter%ie$ $ith them eEcept in the presence of a $itness' has
been freAuently disobeyed' it is no$ commanded that these disobediences
shall no longer be allo$ed; and that the alcaldes shall make it their
business to see that the priests and ministers of religion treat the
gobernadorcillos and the subaltern officers of justice $ith proper
respect' and that the aforesaid priests be not allo$ed either to beat'
chastise' or ill(treat the latter' or make them $ait at tableD
2+lcaldes formerly in trade5 The former alcaldes $ho' $ithout
eEperience in official business' $ithout either education or kno$ledge'
and $ithout either the brains or the moral Aualifications for such
responsible and influential posts' purchased their appointments from
the 7tate' or recei%ed them in conseAuence of successful intrigues'
recei%ed a nominal salary from the go%ernment' and paid it tribute for
the right to carry on trade +renas considered this tribute paid by the
alcaldes as a fine imposed upon them for an infringement of the la$;
Dfor se%eral ordinances $ere in eEistence' strenuously forbidding
them to dabble in any kind of commerce' until it pleased his Catholic
@ajesty to grant them a dispensationD The latter sources of mischief
$ere' ho$e%er' abolished by royal decree in 7eptember and 8ctober'
-.11
2Their borro$ed capital5 The alcaldes $ere at the same time go%ernors'
magistrates' commanders of the troops' and' in reality' the only
traders in their pro%ince 2:05 They purchased $ith the resources
of the obras pias the articles reAuired in the pro%ince; and they
$ere entirely dependent for their capital upon these endo$ments'
as they almost al$ays arri%ed in the Philippines $ithout any means
of their o$n The nati%es $ere forced to sell their produce to the
alcaldes and' besides' to purchase their goods at the prices fiEed
by the latter 2:-5 6n this corrupt state of things the priests $ere
the only protectors of the unfortunate Filipinos; though occasionally
they also thre$ in their lot $ith the alcaldes' and shared in the
spoil $rung from their unfortunate flocks
26mpro%ement in present appointees5 >o$adays men $ith some kno$ledge
of the la$ are sent out to the Philippines as alcaldes; the go%ernment
pays them a small salary' and they are not allo$ed to trade The
authorities also attempt to diminish the influence of the priests by
impro%ing the position of the ci%il tribunals; a state of things they
$ill not find easy of accomplishment unless they lengthen the period
of ser%ice of the alcaldes' and place them in a pecuniary position
that $ill put them beyond the temptation of pocketing perAuisites 2:/5
6n <ucCs $ork on China 6 find the follo$ing passage' relating to the
effects of the freAuent official changes in China' from $hich many
hints may be gathered*((
27imilarity $ith Chinese conditions5 DThe magisterial offices
are no longer besto$ed upon upright and just indi%iduals and' as a
conseAuence' this once flourishing and $ell(go%erned kingdom is day
by day falling into decay' and is rapidly gliding do$n the path that
leads to a terrible and' perhaps' speedy dissolution !hen $e seek
to disco%er the cause of the general ruin' the uni%ersal corruption
$hich too surely is undermining all classes of Chinese society' $e are
con%inced that it is to be found in the complete abandonment of the
old system of go%ernment effected by the @anchu dynasty 6t issued
a decree forbidding any mandarin to hold any post longer than three
years in the same pro%ince' and prohibiting any one from possessing
any official appointment in his nati%e pro%ince 8ne does not form
a particularly high idea of the brain $hich concei%ed this la$; but'
$hen the @anchu Tartars found that they $ere the lords of the empire'
they began to be alarmed at their small numbers' $hich $ere trifling
in comparison $ith the countless s$arms of the Chinese; and they
dreaded lest the influence $hich the higher officials $ould acAuire
in their districts might enable them to eEcite the populace against
their foreign rulers
2=nidentified $ith country5 DThe magistrates' being allo$ed to
remain only a year or t$o in the same pro%ince' li%ed there like
strangers' $ithout acAuainting themsel%es $ith the $ants of the people
they go%erned; there $as no tie bet$een them The only care of the
mandarins $as to amass as much $ealth as possible before they Auitted
their posts; and they then began the same game in a fresh locality'
until finally they returned home in possession of a handsome fortune
gradually collected in their different appointments They $ere only
birds of passage !hat did it matterQ The morro$ $ould find them
at the other end of the kingdom' $here the cries of their plundered
%ictims $ould be unable to reach them 6n this manner the go%ernmental
policy rendered the mandarins selfish and indifferent The basis
of the monarchy is destroyed' for the magistrate is no longer a
paternal ruler residing amongst and mildly s$aying his children' but a
marauder' $ho arri%es no man kno$s $hence' and $ho departs no one kno$s
$hither The conseAuence is uni%ersal stagnation; no great undertakings
are accomplished; and the $orks and labors of former dynasties are
allo$ed to fall into decay The mandarins say to themsel%es* C!hy
should $e undertake $hat $e can ne%er accomplishQ !hy should $e so$
that others may reapQC They take no interest in the affairs of the
district; as a rule' they are suddenly transplanted into the midst of
a population $hose dialect e%en they do not understand 2,ependence on
interpreters5 !hen they arri%e in their mandarinates they usually find
interpreters' $ho' being permanent officieals and interested in the
affairs of the place' kno$ ho$ to make their ser%ices indispensable;
and these in reality are the absolute rulers of the districtD
26mportance of interpreters in Philippines5 6nterpreters are
especially indispensable in the Philippines' $here the alcaldes ne%er
by any chance understand any of the local dialects 6n important
matters the nati%e $riters ha%e generally to deal $ith the priest'
$ho in many cases becomes the %irtual administrator of authority <e is
familiar $ith the characters of the inhabitants and all their affairs'
in the settlement of $hich his intimate acAuaintance $ith the female
seE stands him in good stead +n eminent official in @adrid told me
in -.H4 that the then minister $as considering a proposal to abolish
the restriction of office in the colonies to three years 2:I5
2Fear of officialsC popularity5 The dread $hich caused this
restriction' %iB' that an official might become too po$erful in some
distant pro%ince' and that his influence might pro%e a source of danger
to the mother country' is no longer entertained 6ncreased traffic
and easier means of communication ha%e destroyed the former isolation
of the more distant pro%inces The customs la$s' the increasing demand
for colonial produce' and the right conceded to foreigners of settling
in the country' $ill gi%e a great stimulus to agriculture and commerce'
and largely increase the number of Chinese and European residents Then
at last' perhaps' the authorities $ill see the necessity of impro%ing
the social position of their officials by decreasing their number'
by a careful selection of persons' by promoting them according to
their abilities and conduct' and by increasing their salaries' and
allo$ing them to make a longer stay in one post The commercial
relations of the Philippines $ith California and +ustralia are
likely to become %ery acti%e' and liberal ideas $ill be introduced
from those free countries Then' indeed' the mother country $ill
ha%e earnestly to consider $hether it is ad%isable to continue its
eEploitation of the colony by its monopolies' its $ithdra$al of gold'
and its constant satisfaction of the unfounded claims of a s$arm of
hungry place(hunters 2:15
2,ifferent English and ,utch policy5 English and ,utch colonial
officials are carefully and eEpressly educated for their difficult
and responsible positions They obtain their appointments after
passing a stringent eEamination at home' and are promoted to the
higher colonial offices only after gi%ing proofs of fitness and
ability !hat a different state of things pre%ails in 7painR !hen a
7paniard succeeds in getting an appointment' it is difficult to say
$hether it is due to his personal capacity and merit or to a series
of successful political intrigues 2:95
C<+PTE" Y666
2Batu5 6n an hour and a half after lea%ing Polangui $e reached Batu'
a %illage on the north($estern shore of the lake of the same name The
inhabitants' particularly the $omen' struck me by their ugliness
and $ant of cleanliness +lthough they li%ed close to the lake' and
dre$ their daily drinking $ater from it' they ne%er appeared to use
it for the purpose of $ashing The streets of the %illage also $ere
dirty and neglected; a circumstance eEplained' perhaps' by the fact
of the priest being a nati%e
2The lake5 To$ards the end of the rainy season' in >o%ember' the
lake eEtends far more $idely than it does in the dry' and o%erflo$s
its shallo$ banks' especially to the south($est + great number of
$ater(plants gro$ on its borders; amongst $hich 6 particularly noticed
a delicate sea$eed 2:H5' as fine as horse hair' but intert$ined in such
close and endless ramifications that it forms a flooring strong enough
to support the largest $aterfo$l 6 sa$ hundreds of them hopping about
and eating the shell fish and pra$ns' $hich s$armed amidst the meshes
of the net(like sea$eed and fell an easy prey to their feathered
enemies The nati%es' too' $ere in the habit of catching immense
Auantities of the pra$ns $ith nets made for the purpose 7ome they
ate fresh; and some they kept till they $ere putrid' like old cheese'
and then used them as a relish to s$allo$ $ith their rice These
small shell(fish are not limited to the )ake of Batu They are caught
in shoals in both the salt and the fresh $aters of the Philippine
and 6ndian archipelagos' and' $hen salted and dried by the nati%es'
form an important article of food' eaten either in soup or as a kind
of potted paste They are found in e%ery market' and are largely
eEported to China 6 $as unable to shoot any of the $aterfo$l' for
the tangles of the sea$eed pre%ented my boat from getting near them
2+ neglected product5 !hen 6 re%isited the same lake in February'
6 found its $aters so greatly fallen that they had left a circular
belt of shore eEtending all around the lake' in most places nearly a
hundred feet broad The $ithdra$al of the $aters had compressed the
tangled sea$eed into a kind of matting' $hich' bleached by the sun'
and nearly an inch thick' co%ered the $hole of the shore' and hung
suspended o%er the stunted bushes $hich' on my first %isit' had
been under $ater 6 ha%e ne%er either seen else$here' or heard any
one mention' a similar phenomenon This stuff' $hich could be had
for nothing' $as eEcellent for rifle(stoppers and for the stuffing
of birds' so 6 took a great Auantity of it $ith me This time the
bird(hunting $ent $ell' too
The nati%e priest of Batu $as full of complaints about his
parishioners' $ho ga%e him no opportunities of gaining an honest
penny D6 am ne%er asked for a mass' sir; in fact' this is such a
miserable hole that it is shunned by ,eath itself 6n ,' $here 6 $as
for a long time coadjutor' $e had our couple of burials regularly
e%ery day at three dollars a head' and as many masses at a dollar
apiece as $e had time to say' besides christenings and $eddings'
$hich al$ays brought a little more grist to the mill But here
nothing takes place' and 6 scarcely make anythingD This stagnant
state of things had induced him to turn his attention to commerce The
a%erage nati%e priest' of those 6 sa$' could hardly be called a credit
to his profession Generally ignorant' often dissipated' and only
superficially acAuainted $ith his duties' the greater part of his
time $as gi%en o%er to gambling' drinking' and other objectionable
amusements )ittle care $as taken to preser%e a properly decorous
beha%ior' eEcept $hen officiating in the church' $hen they read $ith
an absurd assumption of dignity' $ithout understanding a single
$ord The con%entos are often full of girls and children' all of
$hom help themsel%es $ith their fingers out of a common dish The
$orthy padre of Batu introduced a couple of pretty girls to me as
his t$o poor sisters' $hom' in spite of his po%erty' he supported;
but the ser%ants about the place openly spoke of these young ladiesC
babies as being the children of the priest
2The nati%e clergy5 The guiding principle of 7panish colonial
policy((to set one class against another' and to pre%ent either from
becoming too po$erful((seems to be the moti%e for placing so many
nati%e incumbents in the parsonages of the +rchipelago The prudence of
this proceeding' ho$e%er' seems doubtful + 7panish priest has a great
deal of influence in his o$n immediate circle' and forms' perhaps'
the only enduring link bet$een the colony and the mother(country The
nati%e priest is far from affording any compensation for the lack
of either of these ad%antages <e generally is but little respected
by his flock' and certainly does nothing to attach them to 7pain;
for he hates and en%ies his 7panish brethren' $ho lea%e him only the
%ery $orst appointments' and treat him $ith contempt
2>abua5 6 rode from Batu to >abua o%er a good road in half an
hour The country $as flat' $ith rice(fields on both sides of the
road; but' $hile in Batu the rice $as only just planted' in >abua it
already $as almost ripe 6 $as unable to obtain any eEplanation of
this incongruity' and kno$ not ho$ to account for such a difference
of climate bet$een t$o hamlets situated in such close proEimity to
one another' and separated by no range of hills The inhabitants of
both $ere ugly and dirty' and $ere different in these respects from
the Tagalogs >abua' a place of -0'.49 inhabitants' is intersected by
se%eral small streams' $hose $aters' pouring do$n from the eastern
hills' form a small lake' $hich empties itself into the ri%er
Bicol Just after passing the second bridge beyond >abua the road'
inclining east$ards' $ends in a straight line to 6riga' a place lying
to the south($est of the %olcano of the same name
2"emontados5 6 %isited a small settlement of pagans situated on the
slope of the %olcano The people of the plains call them indifferently
6gorots' Cimarrons' "emontados' 6nfieles' or @ontesinos >one
of these names' ho$e%er' $ith the eEception of the t$o last' are
appropriate ones The first is deri%ed from the term applied in the
north of the 6sland to the miEed descendants of Chinese and Filipino
parents The $ord Cimarron FFrench' marro$G is borro$ed from the
+merican sla%e colonies' $here it denoted negroes $ho escaped from
sla%ery and li%ed in a state of freedom; but here it is applied to
nati%es $ho prefer a $ild eEistence to the comforts of %illage life'
$hich they consider are o%erbalanced by the ser%itude and bondage
$hich accompany them The term "emontado eEplains itself' and has
the same signification as Cimarron +s the difference bet$een the
t$o states((on account of the mildness of the climate' and the
ease $ith $hich the $ants of the nati%es are supplied((is far less
than it $ould be in Europe' these self(constituted eEiles are more
freAuently to be met $ith than might be supposed; the cause of their
separation from their fello$men sometimes being some offence against
the la$s' sometimes annoying debts' and sometimes a mere a%ersion to
the duties and labors of %illage life E%ery Filipino has an innate
inclination to abandon the hamlets and retire into the solitude of
the $oods' or li%e isolated in the midst of his o$n fields; and it
is only the %illage prisons and the priests((the salaries of the
latter are proportionate to the number of their parishioners((that
pre%ent him from gradually turning the pueblos into %isitas' 2:45
and the latter into ranchos =ntil a %isit to other ranchos in the
neighborhood corrected my first impression' 6 took the inhabitants of
the slopes of the 6riga for cross(breeds bet$een the lo$(landers and
negritos The color of their skin $as not black' but a dark bro$n'
scarcely any darker than that of Filipinos $ho ha%e been much eEposed
to the sun; and only a fe$ of them had $oolly hair The negritos $hom
6 sa$ at +ngat and @ari%eles kne$ nothing $hate%er about agriculture'
li%ed in the open air' and supported themsel%es upon the spontaneous
products of nature; but the half(sa%ages of the 6riga d$ell in decent
huts' and culti%ate se%eral %egetables and a little sugar(cane >o
pure negritos' as far as 6 could ascertain' are to be met $ith in
Camarines + thickly(populated pro%ince' only sparsely dotted $ith
lofty hills' $ould be ill(suited for the residence of a nomadic
hunting race ignorant of agriculture
26riga settlements5 The ranchos on the 6riga are %ery accessible'
and their inhabitants carry on a friendly intercourse $ith the
lo$landers; indeed' if they didnCt' they $ould ha%e been long
ago eEterminated 6n spite of these neighborly communications'
ho$e%er' they ha%e preser%ed many of their o$n primiti%e manners and
customs The men go about naked $ith the eEception of a cloth about the
loins; and the $omen are eAually unclad' some of them perhaps $earing
an apron reaching from the hip to the knee 2:.5 6n the larger ranchos
the $omen $ere decently clad in the usual Filipino fashion Their
household belongings consisted of a fe$ articles made of bamboo' a
fe$ calabashes of coconut(shell' and an earthen cooking(pot' and bo$s
and arro$s 2Poison arro$s5 These latter are made %ery carefully'
the shaft from reeds' the point from a sharp(cut bamboo' or from a
palm(tree' $ith one to three sharp points 6n pig(hunting iron(pointed
poison arro$s are used 2CrucifiEes5 +lthough the 6gorots are not
Christians' they decorate their huts $ith crucifiEes' $hich they use
as talismans 6f they $ere of no %irtue' an old man remarked to me' the
7paniards $ould not employ them so numerously 2::5 The largest rancho
6 %isited $as nominally under the charge of a captain' $ho' ho$e%er'
had little real po$er +t my desire he called to some naked boys idly
sAuatting about on the trees' $ho reAuired considerable persuasion
before they obeyed his summons; but a fe$ small presents((braBen
earrings and combs for the $omen' and cigars for the men((soon put
me on capital terms $ith them
2@t 6riga5 +fter a %ain attempt to reach the top of the 6riga %olcano
6 started for Buhi' a place situated on the southern shore of the lake
of that name Ten minutes after lea%ing 6riga 6 reached a spot $here
the ground sounded hollo$ beneath my horseCs feet + succession of
small hillocks' about fifty feet high' bordered each side of the road;
and to$ards the north 6 could percei%e the huge crater of the 6riga'
$hich' in the distance' appeared like a truncated cone 6 had the
curiosity to ascend one of the hillocks' $hich' seen from its summit'
looked like the remains of some former crater' $hich had probably
been destroyed by an earthAuake and split up into these small mounds
2+d%ertising5 !hen 6 got to Buhi the friendly priest had it
proclaimed by sound of drum that the ne$ly(arri%ed strangers $ished
to obtain all kinds of animals' $hether of earth' of air' or of $ater;
and that each and all $ould be paid for in cash The nati%es' ho$e%er'
only brought us moths' centipedes' and other %ermin' $hich' besides
enabling them to ha%e a good stare at the strangers' they hoped to
turn into cash as eEtraordinary curiosities
2+ church procession5 The follo$ing day 6 $as the spectator of a
gorgeous procession First came the 7panish flag' then the %illage
kettle(drums' and a small troop of horsemen in short jackets and
shirts flying in the $ind' neEt a doBen musicians' and finally' as
the principal figure' a man carrying a crimson silk standard The
latter indi%idual e%idently $as deeply conscious of his dignified
position' and his countenance eloAuently eEpressed the Auantity of
palm $ine he had consumed in honor of the occasion <e sat on his
horse dressed out in the most absurd manner in a large cocked hat
trimmed $ith colored paper instead of gold lace' $ith a $omanCs cape
made of paper outside his coat' and $ith short' tight(fitting yello$
breeches and immense $hite stockings and shoes Both his coat and his
breeches $ere liberally ornamented $ith paper trimmings <is steed'
led by a couple of cabeBas' $as appointed $ith similar trappings +fter
marching through all the streets of the %illage the procession came
to a halt in front of the church
2Papal concessions to 7pain5 This festi%al is celebrated e%ery year
in commemoration of the concession made by the Pope to the ?ing of
7pain permitting the latter to appropriate to his o$n use certain
re%enues of the Church The 7panish Throne conseAuently enjoys the
right of conferring different indulgences' e%en for serious crimes' in
the name of the <oly 7ee This right' $hich' so to speak' it acAuired
$holesale' it sells by retail to its customers Fit formerly disposed
of it to the priestsG in the estanco' and together $ith its other
monopolies' such as tobacco' brandy' lottery tickets' stamped paper'
etc' all through the agency of the priests; $ithout the assistance
of $hom %ery little business $ould be done The receipts from the
sale of these indulgences ha%e al$ays been %ery fluctuating 6n -.-:
they amounted to N-9':I0; in -.I: to NIH'I:0; and in -.H0 they $ere
estimated at N9.':91 6n the year -.11(9 they rose to N/:/'--9 The
cause of this large increase $as that indulgences $ere then rendered
compulsory; so many being alloted to each family' $ith the assistance
and under the superintendence of the priests and taE(collectors $ho
recei%ed a commission of fi%e and eight per cent on the gross amount
collected 2-005
2)ake Buhi5 The )ake of Buhi FI00 feet abo%e the sea(le%elG presents
an eEtremely picturesAue appearance' surrounded as it is on all sides
by hills fully a thousand feet high; and its $estern shore is formed by
$hat still remains of the 6riga %olcano 6 $as informed by the priests
of the neighboring hamlets that the %olcano' until the commencement
of the se%enteenth century' had been a closed cone' and that the
lake did not come into eEistence till half of the mountain fell in'
at the time of its great eruption This statement 6 found confirmed
in the pages of the Estado Geografico*((D8n the fourth of January'
-H1-((a memorable day' for on that date all the kno$n %olcanoes of
the +rchipelago began to erupt at the same hour((a lofty hill in
Camarines' inhabited by heathens' fell in' and a fine lake sprang
into eEistence upon its site The then inhabitants of the %illage of
Buhi migrated to the shores of the ne$ lake' $hich' on this account'
$as hencefor$ard called the )ake of BuhiD
2-H/. Camarines earthAuake5 Perrey' in the @Lmoires de lC+cadLmie
de ,ijon' mentions another outbreak $hich took place in Camarines in
-H/.* D6n -H/.' according to trust$orthy reports' fourteen different
shocks of earthAuake occurred on the same day in the pro%ince of
Camarines @any buildings $ere thro$n do$n' and from one large
mountain $hich the earthAuake rent asunder there issued such an
immense Auantity of $ater that the $hole neighborhood $as flooded'
trees $ere torn up by the roots' and' in one hour' from the seashore
all plains $ere co%ered $ith $ater Fthe direct distance to the shore
is t$o and one(half leaguesG 2-0-5
2+ mistranslation5 6t is %ery strange that the teEt gi%en in the
footnote does not agree $ith + PerreyCs translation The former does
not mention that $ater came out of the mountains and says just the
contrary' that trees' $hich $ere torn up by the roots' took the place
of the sea for one hour on the shore' so that no $ater could be seen
2=nreliable authorities5 The data of the Estado Geografico are apt to
create distrust as the official report on the great earthAuake of -H1-
describes in detail the eruptions of three %olcanoes' $hich happened at
the same time Fof these t$o $ere in the 7outh of the +rchipelago and
one in >orthern )uBonG $hile Camarines is not mentioned at all This
suspicion is further strengthened by the fact that the same author
F>ierembergiusG $hose remarks on the eruptions of -H/. in Camarines
are Auoted' gi%es in another book of his a detailed report on the
e%ents of -H1- $ithout mentioning this pro%ince 6f one considers
the indifference of the friars to$ard such e%ents in >ature' it is
not improbable that the eruptions of -H1- $hen a mountain fell in in
>orthern )uBon and a lake took its place' has been transferred on the
6riga To illustrate the indifference it may be mentioned that e%en
the padres li%ing at the foot of the +lbay could not agree upon the
dates of its %ery last eruptions
2+nother attempt at mountain climbing5 !hen 6 $as at Tambong' a small
hamlet on the shore of the lake belonging to the parochial district
of Buhi' 6 made a second unsuccessful attempt to reach the highest
point of the 6riga !e arri%ed in the e%ening at the southern point
of the craterCs edge F-'01- meters abo%e the le%el of the sea by my
barometrical obser%ationG' $here a deep defile pre%ented our further
progress <ere the 6gorots abandoned me' and the lo$(landers refused
to bi%ouac in order to pursue the journey on the follo$ing day; so 6
$as obliged to return )ate in the e%ening' after passing through a
coco plantation' $e reached the foot of the mountain and found shelter
from a tempest $ith a kind old $oman; to $hom my ser%ants lied so
shamelessly that' $hen the rain had abated' $e $ere' in spite of
our failure' conducted $ith torches to Tambong' $here $e found the
palm(gro%e round the little hamlet magically illuminated $ith bright
bonfires of dry coconut(lea%es in honor of the ConAuistadores del
6riga; and $here 6 $as obliged to remain for the night' as the people
$ere too timorous or too laBy to cross the rough $ater of the lake
2Pineapple fiber preparations5 <ere 6 sa$ them preparing the fiber
of the pine(apple for $ea%ing The fruit of the plants selected
for this purpose is generally remo%ed early; a process $hich causes
the lea%es to increase considerably both in length and in breadth +
$oman places a board on the ground' and upon it a pine(apple(leaf $ith
the hollo$ side up$ards 7itting at one end of the board' she holds
the leaf firmly $ith her toes' and scrapes its outer surface $ith a
potsherd; not $ith the sharp fractured edge but $ith the blunt side
of the rim; and thus the leaf is reduced to rags 6n this manner a
stratum of coarse longitudinal fiber is disclosed' and the operator'
placing her thumb(nail beneath it' lifts it up' and dra$s it a$ay
in a compact strip; after $hich she scrapes again until a second
fine layer of fiber is laid bare Then' turning the leaf round' she
scrapes its back' $hich no$ lies up$ards' do$n to the layer of fiber'
$hich she seiBes $ith her hand and dra$s at once' to its full length'
a$ay from the back of the leaf !hen the fiber has been $ashed' it is
dried in the sun 6t is after$ards combed' $ith a suitable comb' like
$omenCs hair' sorted into four classes' tied together' and treated like
the fiber of the lupi 6n this crude manner are obtained the threads
for the celebrated $eb nipis de 2PiOa5 PiOa' $hich is considered by
eEperts the finest in the $orld T$o shirts of this kind are in the
Berlin Ethnographical @useum F>os /:- and /:/G Better $o%en samples
are in the Ge$erbe @useum of Trade and Commerce 6n the Philippines'
$here the fineness of the $ork is best understood and appreciated'
richly(embroidered costumes of this description ha%e fetched more
than N-'100 each 2-0/5
2"ain pre%ents another ascent5 +t Buhi' $hich is not sufficiently
sheltered to$ards the north(east' it rained almost as much as at
,araga 6 had found out from the 6gorots that a path could be forced
through the tall canes up to the summit; but the continual rain
pre%ented me; so 6 resol%ed to cross the @alinao' returning along the
coast to my Auarters' and then' freshly eAuipped' descend the ri%er
Bicol as far as >aga
2@ountaineersC arro$ poison5 Before $e parted the 6gorots prepared
for me some arro$ poison from the bark of t$o trees 6 happened
to see neither the lea%es nor the blossoms' but only the bark +
piece of bark $as beaten to pieces' pressed dry' $etted' and again
pressed This $as done $ith the bare hand' $hich' ho$e%er' sustained
no injury The juice thus eEtracted looked like pea(soup' and $as
$armed in an earthen %essel o%er a slo$ fire ,uring the process it
coagulated at the edges; and the coagulated mass $as again dissol%ed'
by stirring it into the boiling fluid mass !hen this had reached
the consistency of syrup' a small Auantity $as scraped off the inner
surface of a second piece of bark' and its juice sAueeBed into the
%essel This juice $as a dark bro$n color !hen the mass had attained
the consistency of a thin jelly' it $as scraped out of the pot $ith
a chip and preser%ed on a leaf sprinkled $ith ashes For poisoning
an arro$ they use a piece of the siBe of a haBel(nut' $hich' after
being $armed' is distributed uniformly o%er the broad iron point;
and the poisoned arro$ ser%es for repeated use
27apa ri%er5 +t the end of >o%ember 6 left the beautiful lake of
Buhi' and proceeded from its eastern angle for a short distance up
the little ri%er 7apa 2-0I5' the allu%ial deposits of $hich form
a considerable feature in the configuration of the lake +cross a
marshy meado$ $e reached the base of the @alinao or Buhi mountain'
the slippery clay of the lo$er slope merging higher up into %olcanic
sand 2)eeches5 The damp undergro$th s$armed $ith small leeches;
6 ne%er before met $ith them in such numbers These little animals'
no stouter $hen streched out than a linen thread' are eEtraordinarily
acti%e They attach themsel%es firmly to e%ery part of the body'
penetrating e%en into the nose' the ears' and the eyelids' $here'
if' they remain unobser%ed' they gorge themsel%es to such eEcess that
they become as round as balls and look like small cherries !hile they
are sucking no pain is felt; but after$ards the spots attacked often
itch the $hole day long 2-015 2Fig(trees5 6n one place the $ood
consisted for the most part of fig(trees' $ith bunches of fruit Auite
siE feet in length hanging from the stems and the thicker branches;
and bet$een the trees gre$ ferns' aroids' and orchids +fter nearly
siE hoursC toil $e reached the pass F.1- meters abo%e the sea le%elG'
and descended the eastern slope The forest on the eastern side of
the mountain is still more magnificent than that on the $est From a
clearing $e obtained a fine %ie$ of the sea' the 6sland of Catanduanes'
and the plain of Tabaco 2Prison as hotel5 +t sunset $e reached Tibi'
$here 6 Auartered myself in the prison This' a tolerably clean place'
enclosed $ith strong bamboos' $as the most habitable part of a long
shed $hich supplied the place of the tribunal destroyed in a storm t$o
years before +t Tibi 6 had an opportunity of sketching @ount @alinao
Fcalled also Buhi and TakitG' $hich from this side has the appearance
of a large %olcano $ith a distinct crater From the lake of Buhi it
is not so clearly distinguishable
26gabo hot spring5 >ot far from Tibi' eEactly north(east of @alinao'
$e found a small hot spring called 6gabo 6n the middle of a plot of
turf encircled by trees $as a bare spot of o%al form' nearly a hundred
paces long and se%enty $ide The $hole space $as co%ered $ith stones'
rounded by attrition' as large as a manCs head and larger <ere
and there hot $ater bubbled out of the ground and discharged into a
little brook; beside it some $omen $ere engaged in cooking their food'
$hich they suspended in nets in the hottest parts of the $ater 8n the
lo$er surfaces of some of the stones a little sulphur $as sublimated;
of alum hardly a trace $as perceptible 6n a ca%ity some caolin had
accumulated' and $as used as a stain
2>aglegbeng silicious springs5 From here 6 %isited the stalactite
springs' not far distant' of >aglegbeng 2-095 6 had eEpected to
see a calcareous fountain' but found the most magnificent masses of
silica of infinite %ariety of form; shallo$ cones $ith cylindrical
summits' pyramidal flights of steps' round basins $ith ribbed margins'
and ponds of boiling $ater 8ne spot' denuded of trees' from t$o
to three hundred paces in breadth and about fi%e hundred in length'
$as' $ith the eEception of a fe$ places o%ergro$n $ith turf' co%ered
$ith a crust of silicious dross' $hich here and there formed large
connected areas' but $as generally broken up into flaky plates by the
%ertical springs $hich pierced it 6n numerous localities boiling
hot mineral $ater containing silica $as forcing itself out of the
ground' spreading itself o%er the surface and depositing a crust'
the thickness of $hich depended on its distance from the center
point 6n this manner' in the course of time' a %ery flat cone is
formed' $ith a basin of boiling $ater in the middle The continuous
deposit of dross contracts the channel' and a less Auantity of $ater
o%erflo$s' $hile that close to the edge of the basin e%aporates and
deposits a Auantity of fine silicious earth; $hence the upper portion
of the cone not only is steeper than its base' but freAuently assumes
a more cylindrical form' the eEternal surface of $hich on account
of the $ant of uniformity in the o%erflo$' is ribbed in the form
of stalactites !hen the channel becomes so much obstructed that
the effluE is less than the e%aporation' the $ater ceases to flo$
o%er the edge' and the mineral dross' during the continual cooling
of the $ater' is then deposited' $ith the greatest uniformity' o%er
the inner area of the basin !hen' ho$e%er' the surface of the $ater
sinks' this formation ceases at the upper portion of the basin; the
interior $all thickens; and' if the channel be completely stopped up
and all the $ater e%aporated' there remains a bell(shaped basin as
e%en as if eEca%ated by the hand of man The $ater no$ seeks a fresh
outlet' and bursts forth $here it meets $ith the least obstruction'
$ithout destroying the beautiful cone it has already erected @any such
eEamples eEist 6n the largest cones' ho$e%er' the %apors generated
acAuire such po$er that' $hen the outlet is completely stopped up'
they break up the o%erlying crust in concentrically radiating flakes;
and the $ater' issuing ane$ copiously from the center' deposits a fresh
crust' $hich again' by the process $e ha%e just described is broken
up into a superimposed layer of flakes 6n this manner are formed
annular layers' $hich in turn are gradually co%ered by fresh deposits
from the o%erflo$ing $ater +fter the pyramid of layers is complete
and the outlet stopped up' the $ater sometimes breaks forth on the
slope of the same cone; a second cone is then formed near the first'
on the same base 6n the %icinity of the silicious springs are seen
deposits of $hite' yello$' red' and bluish(grey clays' o%erlaying
one another in narro$ strata(like %ariegated marl' manifestly the
disintegrated produce of %olcanic rocks transported hither by rain
and stained $ith oEide of iron These clays perhaps come from the
same rocks from the disintegration of $hich the silicious earth has
been formed 7imilar eEamples occur in 6celand and in >e$ Tealand;
but the products of the springs of Tibi are more %aried' finer'
and more beautiful than those of the 6celand Geysers
2+ $orld $onder5 The $onderful conformations of the red cone are
indeed astonishing' and hardly to be paralleled in any other Auarter
of the $orld 2-0H5
C<+PTE" Y6#
2Suinali ri%er5 8n my second journey in Camarines' $hich 6 undertook
in February' 6 $ent by $ater from Polangui' past Batu' as far as
>aga The Suinali' $hich runs into the south(eastern corner of the
lake of Batu' runs out again on the north side as the Bicol "i%er'
and flo$s in a north($esterly direction as far as the Bay of 7an
@iguel 6t forms the medium of a not inconsiderable trade bet$een +lbay
and Camarines' particularly in rice; of $hich the supply gro$n in the
former pro%ince does not suffice for the population' $ho consume the
superfluity of Camarines The rice is con%eyed in large boats up the
ri%er as far as Suinali' and thence transported further on in carabao
carts; and the boats return empty ,uring the dry season of the year'
the breadth of the %ery tortuous Bicol' at its mouth' is a little o%er
siEty feet' and increases but %ery gradually There is considerable
%ariety of %egetation upon its banks' and in animal life it is highly
attracti%e 6 $as particularly struck $ith its numerous monkeys and
$ater(fo$l 2Plotus $ater(fo$l5 8f the latter the Plotus %ariety
$as most abundant' but difficult to shoot They sit motionless on
the trees on the bank' only their thin heads and necks' like those
of tree(snakes' o%ertopping the lea%es 8n the approach of the boat
they precipitate themsel%es hastily into the $ater; and it is not
until after many minutes that the thin neck is seen rising up again
at some distance from the spot $here the bird disappeared The Plotus
appears to be as rapid on the $ing as it is in s$imming and di%ing
2>aga5 6n >aga' the chief city of 7outh Camarines' 6 alighted at
the tribunal' from $hich' ho$e%er' 6 $as immediately in%ited by the
principal official of the district(($ho is famed for his hospitality
far beyond the limits of his pro%ince((to his house' $here 6 $as loaded
$ith ci%ilities and fa%ors This uni%ersally belo%ed gentleman put
e%erybody under contribution in order to enrich my collections' and did
all in his po$er to render my stay agreeable and to further my designs
2>ue%a Caceres5 >aga is the seat of a bishopric and of the pro%incial
go%ernment 6n official documents it is called >ue%a Caceres' in
honor of the Captain(General' , Fr de 7ande' a nati%e of Caceres'
$ho about -94. founded >aga Fthe 7panish to$nG close to the Filipino
%illage +t the beginning of the se%enteenth century it numbered
nearly one hundred 7panish inhabitants; at the present time it hardly
boasts a doBen @urillo #elarde remarks FEiii' /4/G' in contrast
to the state of things in +merica' that of all the to$ns founded in
the Philippines' $ith the eEception of @anila' only the skeletons'
the names $ithout the substance' ha%e been preser%ed The reason is'
as has been freAuently sho$n' that up to the present time plantations'
and conseAuently proper settlers' ha%e been $anting Formerly >aga
$as the principal to$n of the $hole of that district of )uBon lying
to the east of Tayabas' $hich' on account of the increased population'
$as di%ided into the three pro%inces of >orth and 7outh Camarines and
+lbay The boundaries of these go%ernmental districts' those bet$een
+lbay and 7outh Camarines more especially' ha%e been dra$n %ery
arbitrarily; although' the $hole of the territory' as is sho$n by the
map' geographically is %ery $ell defined 2)and of the Bicols5 The
country is named Camarines; but it might more suitably be called the
country of the Bicols' for the $hole of it is inhabited by one race'
the Bicol(Filipinos' $ho are distinguished by their speech and many
other peculiarities from their neighbors' the Tagals on the $est'
and the Bisayans on the islands to the south and east
2The Bicols5 The Bicols are found only in this district and in a
fe$ islands lying immediately in front of it 8f their coming hither
no information is to be obtained from the comprehensi%e but confused
histories of the 7panish monks @orga considers them to be nati%es
of the island; on the other hand' it is asserted by tradition that
the inhabitants of @anila and its %icinity are descended from @alays
$ho ha%e migrated thither' and from the inhabitants of other islands
and more distant pro%inces 2-045 Their speech is mid$ay bet$een
that of the Tagalogs and the Bisayans' and they themsel%es appear'
in both their manners and customs' to be a half(breed bet$een these
t$o races Physically and mentally they are inferior to the Tagalogs'
and superior to the inhabitants of the eastern Bisayan 6slands 2Bicol
language5 Bicol is spoken only in the t$o Camarines' +lbay' )uBon'
the 6slands of @asbate' Burias' Ticao' and Catanduanes' and in the
smaller adjoining islands The inhabitants of the %olcanic mountain
6sarog and its immediate neighborhood speak it in the greatest
purity Thence to$ards the $est the Bicol dialect becomes more and
more like Tagalog' and to$ards the east like Bisayan' until by degrees'
e%en before reaching the boundaries of their ethnographical districts'
it merges into these t$o kindred languages
2"ice culti%ation5 6n 7outh Camarines the so$ing of the rice in
beds begins in June or July' al$ays at the commencement of the rainy
season; but in fields artificially $atered' earlier' because thus the
fruit ripens at a time $hen' the store in the country being small'
its price is high +lthough the rice fields could %ery $ell gi%e t$o
crops yearly' they are tilled only once 6t is planted out in +ugust'
$ith inter%als of a handCs(breadth bet$een each ro$ and each indi%idual
plant; and $ithin four months the rice is ripe The fields are ne%er
fertiliBed' and but seldom ploughed; the $eeds and the stubble being
generally trodden into the already soaked ground by a doBen carabaos'
and the soil after$ards simply rolled $ith a cylinder furnished
$ith sharp points' or loosened $ith the harro$ FsorodG Besides the
agricultural implements named abo%e' there are the 7panish hatchet
FaBadonG and a rake of bamboo Fkag(kagG in use The har%est is
effected in a peculiar manner The rice $hich is soonest ripe is
cut for ten per cent' that is' the laborer recei%es for his toil the
tenth bundle for himself +t this time of year rice is %ery scarce'
$ant is imminent' and labor reasonable The more fields' ho$e%er'
that ripen' the higher become the reapersC $ages' rising to t$enty'
thirty' forty' e%en fifty per cent; indeed' the eEecuti%e sometimes
consider it to be necessary to force the people to do har%est by
corporal punishment and imprisonment' in order to pre%ent a large
portion of the crop from rotting on the stalk >e%ertheless' in %ery
fruitful years a part of the har%est is lost The rice is cut halm by
halm Fas in Ja%aG $ith a peculiarly(formed knife' or' failing such'
$ith the sharp(edged flap of a mussel 2-0.5 found in the ditches of
the rice(fields' $hich one has only to stoop to pick up
2"ice land production5 + AuiOon of the best rice land is $orth from
siEty to one hundred dollars FN990 to N: per acreG "ice fields on
rising grounds are dearest' as they are not eEposed to de%astating
floods as are those in the plain' and may be treated so as to insure
the ripening of the fruit at the time $hen the highest price is to
be obtained
2The har%est5 + ganta of rice is sufficient to plant four topones
F- topon X - loanG; from $hich -00 manojos FbundlesG are gathered'
each of $hich yields half a ganta of rice The old ganta of >aga'
ho$e%er' being eAual to a modern ganta and a half' the produce
may be calculated at 49 ca%anes per AuiOon' about : IK1 bushels per
acre 2-0:5 6n books /90 ca%anes are usually stated to be the a%erage
produce of a AuiOon; but that is an eEaggeration The fertility of
the fields certainly %aries %ery much; but' $hen it is considered
that the land in the Philippines is ne%er fertiliBed' but depends'
for the maintenance of its %itality' eEclusi%ely upon the o%erflo$ing
of the mud $hich is $ashed do$n from the mountains' it may be belie%ed
that the first numbers better eEpress the true a%erage 6n Ja%a the
har%est' in many pro%inces' amounts to only 90 ca%anes per AuiOon;
in some' indeed' to three times this amount; and in China' $ith the
most careful culture and abundant manure' to -.0 cabanes 2--05
27$eet potatoes5 Besides rice' they culti%ate the camote Fs$eet
potato' Con%ol%ulus batatasG This flourishes like a $eed; indeed'
it is sometimes planted for the purpose of eradicating the $eeds from
soil intended for coffee or cacao 6t spreads out into a thick carpet'
and is an ineEhaustible storehouse to its o$ner' $ho' the $hole year
through' can supply his $ants from his field Gabi FCaladiumG' =bi
F,ioscoreaG' maiBe' and other kinds of grain' are like$ise culti%ated
2Cattle and horses5 +fter the rice har%est the carabaos' horses' and
bullocks' are allo$ed to graBe in the fields ,uring the rice culture
they remain in the gogonales' cane(fields $hich arise in places once
culti%ated for mountain(rice and after$ards abandoned FGogo is the
name of a cane 4 to . feet high' 7accharum spG Transport then is
almost impossible' because during the rainy season the roads are
impassable' and the cattle find nothing to eat The nati%e does
not feed his beast' but allo$s it to die $hen it cannot support
itself 6n the $et season of the year it freAuently happens that a
carabao falls do$n from star%ation $hilst dra$ing a cart + carabao
costs from N4 to N-0; a horse N-0 to N/0; and a co$ NH to N. #ery fine
horses are %alued at from NI0 to N90' and occasionally as much as N.0;
but the nati%e horses are not esteemed in @anila' because they ha%e no
stamina The bad $ater' the bad hay' and the great heat of the place at
once point out the reason; other$ise it $ould be profitable to eEport
horses in fa%orable seasons to @anila' $here they $ould fetch t$ice
their %alue +ccording to @orga' there $ere neither horses nor asses
on the 6sland until the 7paniards imported them from China and >e$
7pain 2---5 They $ere at first small and %icious <orses $ere imported
also from Japan' Dnot s$ift but po$erful' $ith large heads and thick
manes' looking like Friesland horses;D 2--/5 and the breed impro%ed
rapidly Those born in the country' mostly cross(breeds' dri%e $ell
2Black cattle5 Black cattle are generally in the hands of a fe$
indi%iduals; some of $hom in Camarines possess from -000 to I000 head;
but they are hardly saleable in the pro%ince' although they ha%e been
eEported profitably for some years past to @anila The black cattle
of the pro%ince are small but make good beef They are ne%er employed
for labor' and the co$s are not milked The Filipinos' $ho generally
feed on fish' crabs' mussels' and $ild herbs together $ith rice'
prefer the flesh of the carabao to that of the oE; but they eat it
only on feastdays
27heep5 The old race of sheep' imported by the 7paniards pre%ious
to this century' still flourishes and is easily propagated Those
occasionally brought from 7hanghai and +ustralia are considered to be
deficient in endurance' unfruitful' and generally short(li%ed @utton
is procurable e%ery day in @anila; in the interior' ho$e%er' at
least in the eastern pro%inces' %ery rarely; although the rearing
of sheep might there be carried on $ithout difficulty' and in many
places most profitably; the people being too idle to take care of the
young lambs' $hich they complain are torn to pieces by the dogs $hen
they $ander about free The sheep appear to ha%e been acclimatiBed
$ith difficulty @orga says that they $ere brought se%eral times
from >e$ 7pain' but did not multiply; so that in his time this kind
of domestic animal did not eEist 27$ine5 Pork is eaten by $ealthy
Europeans only $hen the hog has been brought up from the litter at
home 6n order to pre%ent its $andering a$ay' it is usually enclosed
in a $ide meshed cylindrical hamper of bamboo' upon filling $hich
it is slaughtered The nati%e hogs are too nauseous for food' the
animals maintaining themsel%es almost entirely on ordure
2Guesses at history from language5 Cra$furd obser%es that the names
of all the domestic animals in the Philippines belong to foreign
languages' Those of the dog' s$ine' goat' carabao' cat' e%en of
the fo$l and the duck' are @alay or Ja%anese; $hile those of the
horse' oE' and sheep' are 7panish =ntil these animals $ere first
imported from @alaysia' the aborigines $ere less fortunate in this
respect than the +mericans' $ho at least had the alpaca' llamanda'
%icuOa The names like$ise of most of the culti%ated plants' such as
rice' yams' sugar(cane' cacao and indigo' are said to be @alay' as
$ell as those for sil%er' copper' and tin 8f the $ords relating to
commerce' one(third are @alay; to $hich belong most of the terms used
in trades' as $ell as the denominations for $eights and measures' for
the calendar((so far as it eEists((and for numbers' besides the $ords
for $riting' reading' speaking' and narrati%e 8n the other hand' only
a small number of terms $hich refer to $ar are borro$ed from the @alay
2+ncient Filipino ci%iliBation5 "eferring to the degree of
ci%iliBation $hich the Philippines possessed pre%ious to their
intercourse $ith the @alays' Cra$furd concludes from the purely
domestic $ords that they culti%ated no corn' their %egetable food
consisting of batataFQG and banana They had not a single domestic
animal; they $ere acAuainted $ith iron and gold' but $ith no other
metal' and $ere clothed in stuffs of cotton and alpaca' $o%en by
themsel%es They had in%ented a peculiar phonetic alphabet; and their
religion consisted in the belief in good and e%il spirits and $itches'
in circumcision' and in some$hat of di%ination by the stars They
therefore $ere superior to the inhabitants of the 7outh 7ea' inasmuch
as they possessed gold' iron' and $o%en fabrics' and inferior to them
in that they had neither dog' pig' nor fo$l
2Progress under 7pain5 +ssuming the truth of the abo%e sketch of
pre(Christian culture' $hich has been put together only $ith the help
of defecti%e linguistic sources' and comparing it $ith the present' $e
find' as the result' a considerable progress' for $hich the Philippines
are indebted to the 7paniards The influence of social relations has
been already eEhibited in the teEt The 7paniards ha%e imported the
horse' the bullock' and the sheep; maiBe' coffee' sugar(cane' cacao'
sesame' tobacco' indigo' many fruits' and probably the batata' $hich
they met $ith in @eEico under the name of camotli 2--I5 From this
circumstance the term camote' uni%ersal in the Philippines' appears
to ha%e had its origin' Cra$furd' indeed' erroneously considering
it a nati%e term +ccording to a communication from ,r !itmack' the
opinion has lately been concei%ed that the batata is indigenous not
only to +merica' but also to the East 6ndies' as it has t$o names in
7anscrit' sharkarakanda and ruktaloo
27light industrial progress5 !ith the eEception of embroidery' the
nati%es ha%e made but little progress in industries' in the $ea%ing
and the plaiting of mats; and the handicrafts are entirely carried
on by the Chinese
2"ice and abaca eEported5 The eEports consist of rice and abaca The
pro%ince eEports about t$ice as much rice as it consumes; a large
Auantity to +lbay' $hich' less adapted for the culti%ation of rice'
produces only abaca; and a fair share to >orth Camarines' $hich is
%ery mountainous' and little fertile The rice can hardly be shipped
to @anila' as there is no high road to the south side of the pro%ince'
near to the principal to$n' and the transport by $ater from the north
side' and from the $hole of the eastern portion of )uBon' $ould
immediately enhance the price of the product 2Chinese monopoliBe
trade5 The imports are confined to the little that is imported by
Chinese traders The traders are almost all Chinese $ho alone possess
shops in $hich clothing materials and $oolen stuffs' partly of nati%e
and partly of European manufacture' $omenCs embroidered slippers'
and imitation je$elry' may be obtained The $hole amount of capital
in%ested in these shops certainly does not eEceed N/00'000 6n the
remaining pueblos of Camarines there are no Chinese merchants; and the
inhabitants are conseAuently obliged to get their supplies from >aga
2)and for e%erybody5 The land belongs to the 7tate' but is let to
any one $ho $ill build upon it The usufruct passes to the children'
and ceases only $hen the land remains unemployed for t$o $hole years;
after $hich it is competent for the eEecuti%e to dispose of it to
another person
2<omes5 E%ery family possesses its o$n house; and the young husband
generally builds $ith the assistance of his friends 6n many places
it does not cost more than four or fi%e dollars' as he can' if
necessary' build it himself free of eEpense' $ith the simple aid of
the forest(knife FboloG' and of the materials to his hand' bamboo'
7panish cane' and palm(lea%es These houses' $hich are al$ays built
on piles on account of the humidity of the soil' often consist of a
single shed' $hich ser%es for all the uses of a d$elling' and are the
cause of great laEity and of filthy habits' the $hole family sleeping
therein in common' and e%ery passer(by being a $elcome guest + fine
house of boards for the family of a cabeBa perhaps costs nearly N-00;
and the possessions of such a family in stock' furniture' ornaments'
etc Fof $hich they are obliged to furnish an annual in%entoryG'
$ould range in %alue bet$een N-00 and N-'000 7ome reach e%en as
much as N-0'000' $hile the richest family of the $hole pro%ince is
assessed at N10'000
2People not tra%ellers5 6n general it may be said that e%ery pueblo
supplies tra%ellers' its o$n necessaries' and produces little more To
the indolent nati%e' especially to him of the eastern pro%inces'
the %illage in $hich he $as born is the $orld; and he lea%es it only
under the most pressing circumstances !ere it other$ise e%en' the
strictness of the poll(taE $ould place great obstacles in the $ay of
gratifying the desire for tra%el' generated by that oppressi%e impost
2@eals5 The Filipino eats three times a day((about 4 am' -/' and at
4 or . in the e%ening Those engaged in se%ere labor consume at each
meal a chupa of rice; the common people' half a chupa at breakfast' one
at mid(day' and half again in the e%ening' altogether t$o chupas Each
family reaps its o$n supply of rice' and preser%es it in barns' or
buys it $inno$ed at the market; in the latter case purchasing only
the Auantity for one day or for the indi%idual meals The a%erage
retail price is I cuartos for / chupas F-1 chupas for - realG To
free it from the husk' the Auantity for each single meal is rubbed in
a mortar by the $omen This is in accordance $ith an ancient custom;
but it is also due to the fear lest' other$ise' the store should be
too Auickly consumed The rice' ho$e%er' is but half cooked; and
it $ould seem that this occurs in all places $here it constitutes
an essential part of the sustenance of the people' as may be seen'
indeed' in 7pain and 6taly 7alt and much 7panish pepper FcapsicumG
are eaten as condiments; the latter' originally imported from +merica'
gro$ing all round the houses To the common cooking(salt the nati%es
prefer a so(called rock(salt' $hich they obtain by e%aporation from
sea($ater pre%iously filtered through ashes; and of $hich one chinanta
F-/ lbs GermanG costs from one and one(half to t$o reals The
consumption of salt is eEtremely small
2Buyo and cigars5 The luEuries of the Filipinos are buyo 2--15 and
cigars((a cigar costing half a centa%o' and a buyo much less Cigars
are rarely smoked' but are cut up into pieces' and che$ed $ith the
buyo The $omen also che$ buyo and tobacco' but' as a rule' %ery
moderately; but they do not also stain their teeth black' like the
@alays; and the young and pretty adorn themsel%es assiduously $ith
%eils made of the areca(nut tree' $hose stiff and closely packed
parallel fibers' $hen cut cross$ise' form eEcellent tooth(brushes They
bathe se%eral times daily' and surpass the majority of Europeans in
cleanliness E%ery nati%e' abo%e all things' keeps a fighting(cock;
e%en $hen he has nothing to eat' he finds money for cock(fighting
2<ousehold affairs5 The details of domestic economy may be summariBed
as follo$s*
For cooking purposes an earthen pot is used' costing bet$een I and -0
cuartos; $hich' in cooking rice' is closed firmly $ith a banana(leaf'
so that the steam of a %ery small Auantity of $ater is sufficient >o
other cooking utensils are used by the poorer classes; but those better
off ha%e a fe$ cast(iron pans and dishes 6n the smaller houses' the
hearth consists of a portable earthen pan or a flat chest' freAuently
of an old cigar(; chest full of sand' $ith three stones $hich ser%e
as a tripod 6n the larger houses it is in the form of a bedstead'
filled $ith sand or ashes' instead of a mattress The $ater in small
households is carried and preser%ed in thick bamboos 6n his bolo
Fforest(knifeG' moreo%er' e%ery one has an uni%ersal instrument'
$hich he carries in a $ooden sheath made by himself' suspended by a
cord of loosely(t$isted bast fibers tied round his body This' and
the rice(mortar Fa block of $ood $ith a suitable ca%ityG' together
$ith pestles and a fe$ baskets' constitute the $hole of the household
2Furniture5 furniture of a poor family; sometimes a large snail'
$ith a rush $ick' is also to be found as a lamp They sleep on a
mat of pandanus Ffan(palm' CoryphaG' $hen they possess one; if not'
on the splittings of bamboo' $ith $hich the house is floored By the
poor oil for lighting is rarely used; but torches of resin' $hich
last a couple of days' are bought in the market for half a cuarto
2Clothing5 Their clothing reAuirements 6 ascertained to be these*
+ $oman $ears a camisa de guinZra Fa short shift of abacZ fiberG'
a patadPon Fa go$n reaching from the hip to the anclesG' a cloth'
and a comb + piece of guinZra' costing - real' gi%es t$o shifts;
the coarsest patadPon costs I reals; a cloth' at the highest' - real;
and a comb' / cuartos; making altogether 1 reals' -/ cuartos !omen of
the better class $ear a camisa' costing bet$een - and / r' a patadPon
H r' cloth bet$een / and I r' and a comb / cu The men $ear a shirt'
- r' hose' I r' hat FtararuraG of 7panish cane' -0 cu' or a salacot
Fa large rain(hat' freAuently decoratedG' at least / r((often'
$hen ornamented $ith sil%er' as much as N90 +t least three' but more
commonly four' suits are $orn out yearly; the $omen' ho$e%er' taking
care to $ea%e almost the $hole Auantity for the family themsel%es
2!ages5 The daily $ages of the common laborer are - real' $ithout
food; and his hours of $ork are from H to -/' and from / to H
oCclock The $omen' as a rule' perform no field labor' but plant out
the rice and assist in the reaping; their $ages on both occasions
being eAual to those of the men !ood and stone(cutters recei%e -9
r per day' and calkers -49 r
2)and leases5 The Tercio is a pretty general contract in the
culti%ation of the land The o$ner simply lets arable land for the
third part of the crop 7ome mestiBos possess se%eral pieces of ground;
but they are seldom connected together' as they generally acAuire
them as mortgages for sums bearing but a small proportion to their
real %alue
2Family income5 =nder the head of earnings 6 gi%e the income of a
small family The man earns daily one real' and the $oman' if she
$ea%es coarse stuff' one(fourth real' and her food Fthus a piece
of guinZra' occupying the labor of t$o days' costs half a real in
$ea%ersC $agesG The most skilful female $ea%er of the finer stuffs
obtains t$el%e reals per piece; but it takes a month to $ea%e; and
the month' on account of the numerous holy(days' must be calculated
at the most as eAual to t$enty(four $orking days; she conseAuently
earns one(fourth real per day and her food For the knitting of the
fibers of the ananas for the piOa $eb Fcalled sugotG she gets only
an eighth of a real and her food
27chools5 6n all the pueblos there are schools The schoolmaster
is paid by the Go%ernment' and generally obtains t$o dollars per
month' $ithout board or lodging 6n large pueblos the salary amounts
to three dollars and a half; out of $hich an assistant must be
paid The schools are under the super%ision of the ecclesiastics
of the place "eading and $riting are taught' the $riting copies
being 7panish The teacher' $ho has to teach his scholars 7panish
eEactly' does not understand it himself' $hile the 7panish officers'
on the other hand' do not understand the language of the country;
and the priests ha%e no inclination to alter this state of things'
$hich is %ery useful to them as a means of influence +lmost the only
Filipinos $ho speak 7panish are those $ho ha%e been in the ser%ice
of Europeans + kind of religious horn(book is the first that is
read in the language of the country FBicolG; and after that comes the
Christian ,octrine' the reading(book called Casayayan 8n an a%erage'
half of all the children go to school' generally from the se%enth
to the tenth year They learn to read a little; a fe$ e%en $rite a
little* but they soon forget it again 8nly those $ho are after$ards
employed as clerks $rite fluently; and of these most $rite $ell
7ome priests do not permit boys and girls to attend the same school;
and in this case they pay a second teacher' a female' a dollar a
month The Filipinos learn arithmetic %ery Auickly' generally aiding
themsel%es by the use of mussels or stones' $hich they pile in little
heaps before them and then count through
2@arriage age5 The $omen seldom marry before the fourteenth year'
t$el%e years being the legal limit 6n the church(register of PolZngui
6 found a marriage recorded FJanuary' -.I4G bet$een a Filipino and a
Filipina ha%ing the ominous name of <ilaria Concepci[n' $ho at the
time of the performance of the marriage ceremony $as' according to
a note in the margin' only nine years and ten months old FreAuently
people li%e together unmarried' because they cannot pay the eEpenses
of the ceremony 2--95
2!omanCs $ork5 European females' and e%en mestiBas' ne%er seek
husbands amongst the nati%es The $omen generally are $ell treated'
doing only light $ork' such as se$ing' $ea%ing' embroidery' and
managing the household; $hile all the hea%y labor' $ith the eEception
of the beating of the rice' falls to the men 2--H5
2+ patriarch5 6nstances of longe%ity are freAuent amongst the
Filipinos' particularly in Camarines The ,iario de @anila' of
@arch -Ith' -.HH' mentions an old man in ,arZga F+lbayG $hom 6 kne$
$ell((Juan Jacob' born in -411' married in -4H1' and a $ido$er
in -.19 <e held many public posts up to -.10' and had thirteen
children' of $hom fi%e are li%ing <e has one hundred and se%enty
direct descendants' and no$' at one hundred and t$enty(t$o years of
age' is still %igorous' $ith good eyes and teeth EEtreme unction
$as administered to him se%en timesR
27nake bite and rabies remedy5 The first eEcretion of a ne$(born
child is carefully preser%ed' and under the name of triaca FtheriacumG
is held to be a highly efficacious and uni%ersal remedy for the bites
of snakes and mad dogs 6t is applied to the $ound eEternally' and
at the same time is taken internally
26nfant mortality5 + large number of children die in the first t$o
$eeks after birth 7tatistical data are $anting; but' according to the
opinion of one of the first physicians in @anila' at least one(fourth
die This mortality must arise from great uncleanliness and impure air;
since in the chambers of the sick' and of $omen lying(in' the doors
and $indo$s are so closely shut that the healthy become sick from
the stench and heat' and the sick reco%er $ith difficulty E%ery
aperture of the house is closed up by the husband early during
tra%ail' in order that Patianac may not break in((an e%il spirit
$ho brings mischief to lying(in $omen' and endea%ors to hinder the
birth The custom has been further maintained e%en amongst many
$ho attach no belief to the superstition' but $ho' from fear of a
draught of air through a hole' ha%e disco%ered a ne$ eEplanation for
an old custom((namely' that instances of such practices occur amongst
all people 2The itch5 8ne %ery $idely(spread malady is the itch'
although' according to the assurance of the physician abo%e referred
to' it may be easily subdued; and' according to the judgment of those
$ho are not physicians and $ho employ that term for any eruptions
of the skin' the nati%es generally li%e on much too lo$ a diet; the
Bicols e%en more than the Tagalogs 2--45 =nder certain conditions'
$hich the physicians' on being Auestioned' could not define more
precisely' the nati%es can support neither hunger nor thirst; of $hich
fact 6 ha%e on many occasions been a $itness 6t is reported of them'
$hen forced into such a situation as to suffer from unappeased $ants'
that they become critically ill; and thus they often die
26mitation mania5 <ence arises the morbid mania for imitation'
$hich is called in Ja%a 7akit(latar' and here @ali(mali 6n Ja%a many
belie%e that the sickness is only assumed' because those $ho pretend
to be afflicted $ith it find it to their ad%antage to be seen by ne$ly
arri%ed Europeans <ere' ho$e%er' 6 sa$ one instance $here indeed no
simulation could be suspected @y companions a%ailed themsel%es of
the diseased condition of a poor old $oman $ho met us in the high$ay'
to practice some rough jokes upon her The old $oman imitated e%ery
motion as if impelled by an irresistible impulse' and eEpressed at
the same time the most eEtreme indignation against those $ho abused
her infirmity
2The sickness in 7iberia5 6n " @aakCs DJourney to the +mour'D it is
recorded*((D6t is not unusual for the @aniagri to suffer also from a
ner%ous malady of the most peculiar kind' $ith $hich $e had already
been made acAuainted by the descriptions of se%eral tra%ellers 2--.5
This malady is met $ith' for the most part' amongst the $ild people
of 7iberia' as $ell as amongst the "ussians settled there 6n the
district of the Jakutes' $here this affliction %ery freAuently occurs'
those affected by it' both "ussians and Jakutes' are kno$n by the
name of CEmiura;C but here Fthat is' in that part of 7iberia $here
the @aniagri li%eG the same malady is called by the @aniagri C8lon'C
and by the +rgurian Cossacks C8lgandshiC The attacks of the malady
$hich 6 am no$ mentioning consist in this' that a man suffering
from it $ill' if under the influence of terror or consternation'
unconsciously' and often $ithout the smallest sense of shame' imitate
e%erything that passes before him 7hould he be offended' he falls
into a rage' $hich manifests itself by $ild shrieks and ra%ing;
and he precipitates himself at the same time' $ith a knife or any
other object $hich may fall to his hand' upon those $ho ha%e placed
him in this predicament +mongst the @aniagri' $omen' especially the
%ery aged' are the chief sufferers from this malady; and instances'
moreo%er' of men $ho $ere affected by it are like$ise kno$n to me 6t
is $orthy of remark that those $omen $ho returned home on account of
this sickness $ere not$ithstanding strong' and in all other respects
enjoyed good healthD
2"unning amuck5 Probably it is only an accidental coincidence that
in the @alay countries 7akit(latar and +mok eEist together' if not in
the same indi%idual' yet amongst the same people 6nstances of +mok
seem to occur also in the Philippines 2--:5 6 find the follo$ing
account in the ,iario de @anila of February /-' -.HH* 6n Ca%ite'
on February -.' a soldier rushed into the house of a school(teacher'
and' struggling $ith him' stabbed him $ith a dagger' and then killed
the teacherCs son $ith a second stab Plunging into the street' he
stabbed t$o young girls of ten and t$el%e years of age and $ounded a
$oman in the side' a boy aged nine in the arm' a coachman FmortallyG in
the abdomen' and' besides another $oman' a sailor and three soldiers;
and arri%ing at his barracks' $here he $as stopped by the sentry'
he plunged the dagger into his o$n breast
2"egard for the sleeping5 6t is one of the greatest insults to stride
o%er a sleeping nati%e' or to a$aken him suddenly They rouse one
another' $hen necessity reAuires' $ith the greatest circumspection
and by the slo$est degrees 2-/05
27ense of smell5 The sense of smell is de%eloped amongst the
nati%es to so great a degree that they are able' by smelling at the
pocket(handkerchiefs' to tell to $hich persons they belong FD"eisesk'D
p I:G; and lo%ers at parting eEchange pieces of the linen they may
be $earing' and during their separation inhale the odor of the belo%ed
being' besides smothering the relics $ith kisses 2-/-5
C<+PTE" Y#
2+ scientific priest(poet5 From >aga 6 %isited the parish priest
of )ibmanan F)igmananG' $ho' possessing poetical talent' and ha%ing
the reputation of a natural philosopher' collected and named pretty
beetles and shells' and dedicated the most elegant little sonnets <e
fa%ored me $ith the follo$ing narrati%e*((
2Prehistoric remains5 6n -.9-' during the construction of a road a
little beyond )ibmanan' at a place called Poro' a bed of shells $as
dug up under four feet of mould' one hundred feet distant from the
ri%er 6t consisted of Cyrenae FC suborbicularis' BuschG' a species
of bi%al%e belonging to the family of Cyclades $hich occurs only in
$arm $aters' and is eEtraordinarily abundant in the brackish $aters of
the Philippines 8n the same occasion' at the depth of from one and
a half to three and a half feet' $ere found numerous remains of the
early inhabitants((skulls' ribs' bones of men and animals' a childCs
thighbone inserted in a spiral of brass $ire' se%eral stagsC horns'
beautifully(formed dishes and %essels' some of them painted' probably
of Chinese origin; striped bracelets' of a soft' gypseous' copper(red
rock' gleaming as if they $ere %arnished; 2-//5 small copper kni%es'
but no iron utensils; and se%eral broad flat stones bored through
the middle; 2-/I5 besides a $edge of petrified $ood' embedded in a
cleft branch of a tree The place' $hich to this day may be easily
recogniBed in a hollo$' might' by eEca%ation systematically carried on'
yield many more interesting results !hat $as not immediately useful
$as then and there destroyed' and the remainder dispersed 6n spite of
e%ery endea%or' 6 could obtain' through the kindness of 7eOor FociOos
in >aga' only one small %essel 7imilar remains of more primiti%e
inhabitants ha%e been found at the mouth of the Bigajo' not far from
)ibmZnan' in a shell(bed of the same kind; and an urn' $ith a human
skeleton' $as found at the mouth of the Perlos' $est of 7itio de Poro'
in -.10 +t the time $hen 6 $rote do$n these statements of the priest'
neither of us $as familiar $ith the disco%eries made $ithin the last
fe$ years relating to the lake d$ellings Fpile %illagesG; or these
notes might ha%e been more eEact' although probably they $ould not
ha%e been so easy and natural
2+ncient Chinese jar5 @r ! + Franks' $ho had the kindness to
eEamine the %essel' inclines to the opinion that it is Chinese' and
pronounces it to be of %ery great antiAuity' $ithout ho$e%er' being
able to determine its age more eEactly; and a learned Chinese of the
Burlingame Embassy eEpressed himself to the same effect <e kne$ only
of one article' no$ in the British @useum' $hich $as brought from Japan
by ?aempfer' the color' glaBing' and cracks in the glaBing' of $hich
FcraAuelesG corresponded precisely $ith mine +ccording to ?aempfer'
the Japanese found similar %essels in the sea; and they %alue them
%ery highly for the purpose of preser%ing their tea in them
@orga $rites*((
2=sed as tea canisters5 D8n this island' )uBon' particularly in
the pro%inces of @anila' PampZnga' PangasinZn' and 6l[cos' %ery
ancient clay %essels of a dark bro$n color are found by the nati%es'
of a sorry appearance; some of a middling siBe' and others smaller;
marked $ith characters and stamps They are unable to say either $hen
or $here they obtained them; but they are no longer to be acAuired' nor
are they manufactured in the islands The Japanese priBe them highly'
for they ha%e found that the root of a herb $hich they call Tscha
FteaG' and $hich $hen drunk hot is considered as a great delicacy
and of medicinal efficacy by the kings and lords in Japan' cannot be
effecti%ely preser%ed eEcept in these %essels; $hich are so highly
esteemed all o%er Japan that they form the most costly articles of
their sho$(rooms and cabinets 6ndeed' so highly do they %alue them
that they o%erlay them eEternally $ith fine gold embossed $ith great
skill' and enclose them in cases of brocade; and some of these %essels
are %alued at and fetch from t$o thousand tael to ele%en reals The
nati%es of these islands purchase them from the Japanese at %ery high
rates' and take much pains in the search for them on account of their
%alue' though but fe$ are no$ found on account of the eagerness $ith
$hich they ha%e been sought forD
27trict search in Japan5 !hen Carletti' in -9:4' $ent from the
Philippines to Japan' all the passengers on board $ere eEamined
carefully' by order of the go%ernor' and threatened $ith capital
punishment if they endea%ored to conceal Dcertain earthen %essels
$hich $ere $ont to be brought from the Philippines and other islands
of that sea'D as the king $ished to buy them all
2PriBed by Japanese5 DThese %essels $ere $orth as much as fi%e'
siE' and e%en ten thousand scudi each; but they $ere not permitted
to demand for them more then one Giulio Fabout a half PaoloGD 6n
-H-9 Carletti met $ith a Franciscan $ho $as sent as ambassador from
Japan to "ome' $ho assured him that he had seen one hundred and
thirty thousand scudi paid by the ?ing of Japan for such a %essel;
and his companions confirmed the statement Carletti also alleges'
as the reason for the high price' Dthat the leaf cia or tea' the
Auality of $hich impro%es $ith age' is preser%ed better in those
%essels than in all others The Japanese besides kno$ these %essels by
certain characters and stamps They are of great age and %ery rare'
and come only from Cambodia' 7iam' Cochin(China' the Philippines'
and other neighboring islands From their eEternal appearance they
$ould be estimated at three or four Auatrini Ft$o dreierG 6t is
perfectly true that the king and the princes of that kingdom possess
a %ery large number of these %essels' and priBe them as their most
%aluable treasure and abo%e all other rarities and that they boast
of their acAuisitions' and from moti%es of %anity stri%e to out%ie one
another in the multitude of pretty %essels $hich they possess 2-/15
2Found in Borneo5 @any tra%ellers mention %essels found like$ise
amongst the ,yaks and the @alays in Borneo' $hich' from superstitious
moti%es' $ere estimated at most eEaggerated figures' amounting
sometimes to many thousand dollars
2NI'900 for a jar5 7t John 2-/95 relates that the ,atu of Tamparuli
FBorneoG ga%e rice to the %alue of almost NI'900 for a jar' and that he
possessed a second jar of almost fabulous %alue' $hich $as about t$o
feet high' and of a dark oli%e green The ,atu fills both jars $ith
$ater' $hich' after adding plants and flo$ers to it' he dispenses
2+ speaking jar5 to all the sick persons in the country But the
most famous jar in Borneo is that of the 7ultan of Brunei' $hich
not only possesses all the %aluable properties of the other jars
but can also speak 7t John did not see it' as it is al$ays kept
in the $omenCs apartment; but the sultan' a credible man' related to
him that the jar ho$led dolefully the night before the death of his
first $ife' and that it emitted similar tones in the e%ent of impending
misfortunes 7t John is inclined to eEplain the mysterious phenomenon
by a probably peculiar form of the mouth of the %essel' in passing o%er
$hich the air(draught is thro$n into resonant %erberations' like the
+eolian harp The %essel is generally en%eloped in gold brocade' and
is unco%ered only $hen it is to be consulted; and hence' of course'
it happens that it speaks only on solemn occasions 7t John states
further that the Bisayans used formerly to bring presents to the
sultan; in recognition of $hich they recei%ed some $ater from the
sacred jar to sprinkle o%er their fields and thereby ensure plentiful
har%ests !hen the sultan $as asked $hether he $ould sell his jar for
N-00'000' he ans$ered that no offer in the $orld could tempt him to
part $ith it
2@orgaCs description5 @orgaCs description suits neither the %essel
of )ibmZnan nor the jar of the British @useum' but rather a %essel
brought from Japan a short time ago to our Ethnographical @useum This
is of bro$n clay' small but of graceful shape' and composed of many
pieces cemented together; the joints being gilt and forming a kind of
net$ork on the dark ground <o$ highly ancient pots of a similar kind'
e%en of nati%e origin' are esteemed in Japan do$n to the present day'
is sho$n by the follo$ing certificate translated by the interpreter
of the German Consulate*((
2+ consecrated jar5 DThis earthen %essel $as found in the porcelain
factory of Tschisuka in the pro%ince of 8dori' in 7outh 6dBumi'
and is an object belonging to the thousand gra%es 6t $as made
by Giogiboosat Fa celebrated Buddhist priestG' and after it had been
consecrated to hea%en $as buried by him +ccording to the traditions
of the people' this place held gra%e mounds $ith memorial stones That
is more than a thousand years ago 6n the pursuit of my studies'
6 remained many years in the temple 7ookuk' of that %illage' and
found the %essel 6 carried it to the high priest 7hakudjo' $ho
$as much delighted there$ith and al$ays bore it about $ith him as
a treasure !hen he died it fell to me' although 6 could not find
it "ecently' $hen <onkai $as chief priest' 6 sa$ it again' and
it $as as if 6 had again met the spirit of 7hakudjo Great $as my
commotion' and 6 clapped my hands $ith astonishment; and' as often
as 6 look upon the treasure' 6 think it is a sign that the spirit of
7hakudjo is returned to life Therefore 6 ha%e $ritten the history'
and taken care' of this treasure((Fudji ?uB ,odjinD
Baron +leEander %on 7iebold communicates the follo$ing*((
2Tea societies5 The %alue $hich the Japanese attach to %essels of this
kind rests upon the use $hich is made of them by the mysterious tea
societies called Cha(no(yu "especting the origin of these societies'
$hich still are almost entirely unkno$n to Europeans' different legends
eEist They flourished' ho$e%er' principally during the reign of the
emperor Taikosama' $ho' in the year -9..' furnished the society of
Cha(no(yu at ?itano near @yako $ith ne$ la$s 6n conseAuence of the
religious and ci%il $ars' the $hole of the people had deteriorated
and become ungo%ernable' ha%ing lost all taste for art and kno$ledge'
and holding only rude force in any esteem; brute strength ruling in the
place of the la$s The obser%ant Taikosama percei%ed that' in order to
tame these rough natures' he must accustom them to the arts of peace'
and thus secure prosperity to the country' and safety for himself and
his successors !ith this in %ie$ he recalled the Cha(no(yu society
ane$ into life' and assembled its masters and those acAuainted $ith
its customs around him
2Their object5 The object of the Cha(no(yu is to dra$ man a$ay
from the influences of the terrestrial forces $hich surround him'
to plant $ithin him the feeling of complete repose' and to dispose
him to self(contemplation +ll the eEercises of the Cha(no(yu are
directed to this object
2Ceremonies5 Clothed in light $hite garments' and $ithout $eapons'
the members of the Cha(no(yu assemble round the masterCs house' and'
after resting some time in the ante(room' are conducted into a pa%ilion
appropriated eEclusi%ely to these assemblies This consists of the
most costly kinds of $ood' but is $ithout any ornament $hich could
possibly be abstracted from it; $ithout color' and $ithout %arnish'
dimly lighted by small $indo$s thickly o%ergro$n $ith plants' and
so lo$ that it is impossible to stand upright The guests tread the
apartment $ith solemn measured steps' and' ha%ing been recei%ed by
him according to the prescribed formulas' arrange themsel%es in
a half(circle on both sides of him +ll distinctions of rank are
abolished The ancient %essels are no$ remo%ed $ith solemn ceremonies
from their $rappings' saluted and admired; and' $ith the same solemn
and rigidly prescribed formulas' the $ater is heated on the hearth
appropriated to the purpose' and the tea taken from the %essels and
prepared in cups The tea consists of the young green lea%es of the
tea(shrub rubbed to po$der' and is %ery stimulating in its effect The
be%erage is taken amidst deep silence' $hile incense is burning on
the ele%ated pedestal of honor' toko; and' after the thoughts ha%e
thus been collected' con%ersation begins 6t is confined to abstract
subjects; but politics are not al$ays eEcluded
2"e$ard of %alor5 The %alue of the %essels employed in these
assemblages is %ery considerable; indeed' they do not fall short of the
%alue of our most costly paintings; and Taikosama often re$arded his
generals $ith %essels of the kind' instead of land' as $as formerly the
practice +fter the last re%olution some of the more eminent ,aimios
FprincesG of the @ikado $ere re$arded $ith similar Cha(no(yu %essels'
in ackno$ledgment of the aid rendered to him in regaining the throne
of his ancestors The best of them $hich 6 ha%e seen $ere far from
beautiful' simply being old' $eather($orn' black or dark(bro$n jars'
$ith pretty broad necks' for storing the tea in; tall cups of cracked
CraAuelL' either porcelain or earthen$are' for drinking the infusion;
and deep' broad cisterns; besides rusty old iron kettles $ith rings'
for heating the $ater* but they $ere en$rapped in the most costly
silken stuffs' and preser%ed in chests lacAuered $ith gold 7imilar
old %essels are preser%ed amongst the treasures of the @ikado and the
Tycoon' as $ell as in some of the temples' $ith all the care due to the
most costly je$els' together $ith documents relating to their history
2&amtik and #isita Bicul5 From )ibmZnan 6 %isited the mountain'
&amtik F+mtik' <antuG' 2-/H5 $hich consists of lime' and contains
many ca%erns 7iE hours $est$ard by $ater' and one hour 77! on
foot' brought us to the #isita BPcul' surrounded by a thousand little
limestone hills; from $hich $e ascended by a staircase of sinter in the
bed of a brook' to a small ca%ern tenanted by multitudes of bats' and
great long(armed spiders of the species Phrynus' kno$n to be poisonous
2-/45
2+nt acti%ities5 + thick branch of a tree lying across the road $as
perforated from end to end by a small ant @any of the nati%es did
not %enture to enter the ca%e; and those $ho did enter it $ere in a
state of great agitation' and $ere careful first to enjoin upon each
other the respect to be obser%ed by them to$ards Calapnitan 2-/.5
27uperstitions5 8ne of the principal rules $as to name no object in
the ca%e $ithout adding D)ord CalapnitanCsD Thus they did not bluntly
refer to either gun or torch' but de%outly said D)ord CCs gun'D or
D)ord CCs torchD +t a thousand paces from this lies another ca%e'
D7an #icente'D $hich contains the same insects' but another kind
of bat Both ca%es are only of small eEtent; but in )ibmZnan a %ery
large stalactite ca%e $as mentioned to me' the description of $hich'
not$ithstanding the fables miEed up $ith it' could not but ha%e a true
foundation 8ur guides feigned ignorance of it; and it $as not till
after t$o daysC $andering about' and after many debates' that they came
to the decision' since 6 adhered to my purpose' to encounter the risk;
$hen' to my great astonishment' they conducted me back to CalapnitanCs
ca%e; from $hich a narro$ fissure' hidden by a projection of rock'
led into one of the most gorgeous stalactite ca%es in the $orld 6ts
floor $as e%ery$here firm and easy to the tread' and mostly dry; and
it ran out into se%eral branches' the entire length of $hich probably
eEceeds a mile; and the $hole series of royal chambers and cathedrals'
$ith the columns' pulpits' and altars $hich it contained' reflected
no discredit upon its description >o bones or other remains $ere to
be found in it @y intention to return subseAuently $ith laborers'
for the purpose of systematic eEca%ation' $as not carried out
2=nsuccessful climb5 6 $as not lucky enough to reach the summit of the
mountain' upon $hich $as to be found a lake' Dfrom $here else should
the $ater comeQD For t$o days $e labored strenuously at different
points to penetrate the thick forest; but the guide' $ho had assured
the priest in )ibmanan that he kne$ the road' no$ eEpressed himself
to the contrary effect 6 therefore made the fello$' $ho had hitherto
been unburdened' no$ carry a part of the baggage as a punishment;
but he thre$ it off at the neEt turning of the road and escaped'
so that $e $ere compelled to return 7tags and $ild boars are %ery
numerous in these forests; and they formed the principal portion of
our meals' at $hich' at the commencement of our eEpedition' $e had
as many as thirty indi%iduals; $ho' in the inter%als bet$een them'
affected to search for snails and insects for me' but $ith success
not proportionate to their Beal
2+ cle%er pilfering ser%ant5 =pon my departure from ,araga 6 took
$ith me a li%ely little boy' $ho had a taste for the calling of a
naturalist 6n )ibmanan he $as suddenly lost' and $ith him' at the
same time' a bundle of keys; and $e looked for him in %ain The
fact $as' as 6 after$ards came to learn' that he $ent straight to
>aga' and' identifying himself by sho$ing the stolen keys' got the
majordomo of my host to deli%er to him a $hite felt hat; $ith $hich he
disappeared 6 had once seen him' $ith the hat on his head' standing
before a looking(glass and admiring himself; and he could not resist
the temptation to steal it
2Trip $ith 6nternal "e%enue Collector5 6n the beginning of @arch
6 had the pleasure of accompanying the Collector F+dministradorG of
Camarines and a 7panish head(man' $ho $ere tra%elling across ,aet and
@auban to the chief to$n +t fi%e pm $e left Butungan on the Bicol
"i%er' t$o leagues belo$ >aga' in a fal\a of t$el%e oars' eAuipped
$ith one H(pounder and t$o 1(pounders' and reinforced by armed men;
and about siE $e reached Cabusao' at the mouth of the Bicol' $hence $e
put to sea about nine The falua belonged to the collector of taEes'
and had' in conjunction $ith another under the command of the alcalde'
to protect the north coast of the pro%ince against smugglers and
pirates' $ho at this time of the year are accustomed to freAuent
the hiding(places of the bay of 7an @iguel T$o similar gun(boats
performed the duty on the south coast of the pro%ince
2Four %olcanos5 Both the banks of the Bicol "i%er are flat' and
eEpand into broad fields of rice; and to the east are simultaneously
%isible the beautiful %olcanos of @ayon' 6riga' @alina' and 6sarog
+t daybreak $e reached the bar of ,aet' and' after t$o hoursC
tra%elling' the similarly named chief city of the pro%ince of >orth
Camarines' $here $e found an eEcellent reception at the house of
the alcalde' a polished >a%arrese; marred only by the tame monkey'
$ho should ha%e $elcomed the guests of his master' turning his
back to$ards them $ith studiously discourteous gestures' and going
to$ards the door <o$e%er' upon the majordomo placing a spirit flask
preser%ing a small harmless snake on the threshold' the monkey sprang
Auickly back and concealed himself' trembling' behind his master 2+
danceless ball5 6n the e%ening there $as a ball' but there $ere no
dancers present 7ome Filipinas' $ho had been in%ited' sat bashfully
at one end of the apartment and danced $ith one another $hen called
upon' $ithout being noticed by the 7paniards' $ho con%ersed together
at the other end
27panish prejudice against bathing5 8ur departure hence $as delayed
by festi%ities and sudden sho$ers for about t$o days' after $hich the
spirited horses of the alcalde carried us $ithin an hour on a le%el
road north($est' to TalisZy' and in another hour to 6ndang' $here
a bath and breakfast $ere ready =p to this time 6 had ne%er seen
a bath(room in the house of a 7paniard; $hereas $ith the >orthern
Europeans it is ne%er $anting The 7paniards appear to regard
the bath as a species of medicine' to be used only $ith caution;
many' e%en to the present day' look upon it as an institution not
Auite Christian +t the time of the 6nAuisition freAuent bathing'
it is kno$n' $as a characteristic of the @oors' and certainly $as not
$holly free from danger 6n @anila' only those $ho li%e near the Pasig
are the eEceptions to the rule; and there the good or bad practice
pre%ails of $hole families bathing' in the company of their friends'
in the open air
2+n unfortified fort5 The road ends at 6ndZng 6n t$o boats $e $ent
do$n the ri%er till stopped by a bar' and there at a $ell(supplied
table prepared for us by the kindness of the alcalde $e a$aited
the horses $hich $ere being brought thither along a bad road by our
ser%ants 6n the $aste of Barre a to$er' surrounded by t$o or three
fishermenCs huts and as many camarines' has been erected against the
@oros' $ho' untempted by the same' seldom go so far $est$ard' for
it consists only of an open hut co%ered $ith palm(lea%es((a kind of
parasol((supported on stakes as thick as oneCs arm and fifteen feet
high; and the t$o cannons belonging to it ought' for security' to be
buried !e follo$ed the sea(shore' $hich is composed of silicious sand'
and co%ered $ith a carpet of creeping shore plants in full bloom 8n
the edge of the $ood' to the left' $ere many flo$ering shrubs and
pandanus $ith large scarlet(red flo$ers +fter an hour $e crossed the
ri%er )ongos in a ferry' and soon came to the spur of a crystalline
chain of mountains' $hich barred our road and eEtended itself into
the sea as Point )ongos The horses climbed it $ith difficulty' and
$e found the stream on the other side already risen so high that $e
rode knee(deep in the $ater +fter sunset $e crossed singly' $ith
great loss of time' in a miserable ferry(boat' o%er the broad mouth
of the Pulundaga' $here a pleasant road through a forest led us'
in fifteen minutes' o%er the mountain(spur' @alanguit' $hich again
projected itself right across our path into the sea' to the mouth
of the Paracale The long bridge here $as so rotten that $e $ere
obliged to lead the horses o%er at $ide inter%als apart; and on the
further side lies the place called Paracale' from $hich my companions
continued their journey across @auban to @anila
2"ed lead5 Paracale and @ambulao are t$o localities $ell kno$n to
all mineralogists' from the red lead ore occurring there 8n the
follo$ing morning 6 returned to )ongos; $hich consists of only a fe$
miserable huts inhabited by gold($ashers' $ho go about almost naked'
probably because they are laboring during the greater part of the
day in the $ater; but they are also %ery poor
2Gold mining5 The soil is composed of rubbish' decomposed fragments of
crystalline rock' rich in broken pieces of AuartB The $orkmen make
holes in the ground t$o and one(half feet long' t$o and one(half
broad' and to thirty feet deep +t three feet belo$ the surface
the rock is generally found to contain gold' the %alue increasing
do$n to eighteen feet of depth' and then again diminishing' though
these proportions are %ery uncertain' and there is much fruitless
search The rock is carried out of the holes in baskets' on ladders
of bamboo' and the $ater in small pails; but in the rainy season the
holes cannot possibly be kept free from $ater' as they are situated
on the slope of the mountain' and are filled Auicker than they can
be emptied The $ant of apparatus for discharging $ater also accounts
for the fact that the pits are not dug deeper
2+ primiti%e rock breaker5 The breaking of the auriferous rock is
effected $ith t$o stones; of $hich one ser%es as an%il' and the other
as hammer The former' $hich is slightly hollo$ed in the center' is
laid flat upon the ground; and the latter' four by eight by eight
inches in dimensions' and therefore of about t$enty(fi%e pounds
$eight' is made fast $ith rattan to the top of a slender young tree'
$hich lies in a sloping position in a fork' and at its opposite end is
firmly fiEed in the ground The $orkman $ith a jerk forces the stone
that ser%es for hammer do$n upon the auriferous rock' and allo$s it
to be again carried up$ards by the elasticity of the young tree
2+n arrastre5 The crushing of the broken rock is effected $ith
an apparatus eAually crude + thick stake rises from the center
of a circular support of rough(he$n stones F$hich is enclosed in
a circle of eEactly similar stonesG ha%ing an iron pin at its top'
to $hich a tree' bent horiBontally in the middle' and do$n$ards at
the t$o ends' is fiEed Being set in motion by t$o carabaos attached
in front' it drags se%eral hea%y stones' $hich are bound firmly to
it $ith rattans' round the circle' and in this manner crushes the
broken rock' $hich has been pre%iously miEed $ith $ater' to a fine
mud The same apparatus is employed by the @eEican gold($ashers'
under the name of "astra 2Gold($ashing5 The $ashing(out of the mud
is done by $omen They kneel before a small $ooden gutter filled $ith
$ater up to the brim' and pro%ided $ith boards' sloping do$n$ards'
in front of the space assigned to each $oman; the gutter being cut
out at these places in a corresponding manner' so that a %ery slender
stream of $ater flo$s e%enly across its $hole breadth do$n$ards o%er
the board !ith her hand the $ork($oman distributes the auriferous
mud o%er the board' $hich' at the lo$er edge' is pro%ided $ith a
cross(piece; and' $hen the light sand is $ashed a$ay' there remains a
stratum consisting chiefly of iron' flint' and ore' $hich is taken up
from time to time $ith a flat piece of board' and laid on one side;
and at the end of the dayCs $ork' it is $ashed out in a flat $ooden
dish FbateaG' and' for the last time' in a coco(shell; $hen' if they
are lucky' a fine yello$ dust sho$s itself on the edge 2-/:5 ,uring
the last $ashing the slimy juice of the Gogo is added to the $ater'
the fine hea%y sand remaining suspended therein for a longer time
than in pure $ater' and thus being more easily separated from the
gold(dust 2-I05
2The clean(up5 6t is further to be mentioned that the refuse from
the pits is $ashed at the upper end of the $ater(gutter' so that
the sand adhering to the stones intended for pounding may deposit
its gold in the gutter or on the $ashing(board 6n order to melt
the gold thus obtained into a lump' in $hich form it is bought by
the dealers' it is poured into a small heart(shell FcardiumG' and'
after being co%ered $ith a handful of charcoal' placed in a potsherd;
$hen a $oman blo$s through a narro$ bamboo(cane on the kindled coals'
and in one minute the $ork is completed 2-I-5
The result of many inAuiries sho$s the profit per head to a%erage
not more than one and one(half reals daily Further to the south($est
from here' on the mountain @alaguit' are seen the ruins of a 7panish
mining company; a heap of rubbish' a pit fifty feet deep' a large
house fallen to ruin' and a stream($ork four feet broad and siE feet
high The mountain consists of gneiss much decomposed' $ith AuartB
%eins in the stream($ork' $ith the eEception of the bands of AuartB'
$hich are of almost pure clay earth $ith sand
2Edible birdCs nests5 8n the sides hung some edible nests of the
salangane' but not of the same kind as those found in the ca%erns
on the south coast of Ja%a These' $hich are of much less %alue than
the latter' are only occasionally collected by the Chinese dealers'
$ho reckon them nominally at fi%e cents each !e also found a fe$ of
the nest(building birds FCollocalia troglodytes' GrayG 2-I/5
2+bandoned $orkings5 +round lay so large a number of $orkings'
and there $ere so many little abandoned pits' $holly or half fallen
to ruin' and more or less gro$n o%er' that it $as necessary to step
bet$een $ith great caution 7ome of them $ere still being $orked after
the mode follo$ed at )[ngos' but $ith a fe$ slight impro%ements The
pits are t$ice as large as those eEca%ated there' and the rock is
lifted' up by a pulley to a cylindrical frame$ork of bamboo' $hich
is $orked by the feet of a lad $ho sits on a bank higher up
2)ead and mica5 Ten minutes north of the %illage of @alaguit is
a mountain in $hich lead(glance and red lead ha%e been obtained;
the rock consisting of micaceous gneiss much decomposed There is
a stream($ork o%er one hundred feet in length The rock appears to
ha%e been %ery poor
The highly priBed red(lead ores ha%e been found on the top of this same
hill' > I0J ! from the %illage The Auarry $as fallen to ruin and
flooded $ith rain' so that only a shallo$ hollo$ in the ground remained
%isible; and after a long search amongst the bushes gro$ing there a fe$
small fragments $ere found' on $hich 2Chrome(lead ore5 chrome(lead
ore $as still clearly to be recogniBed Captain 7abino' the former
go%ernor of Paracale' a $ell(informed Filipino' $ho' at the suggestion
of the alcalde' accompanied me' had for some years caused eEca%ations
to be carried on' in order to find specimens for a speculator $ho had
in %ie$ the establishment of a ne$ mining company in 7pain; but the
specimens $hich $ere found had not been remo%ed' as speculation in
mines in the Philippines had' in the inter%al' fallen into discredit
on the EEchange of @adrid; and as yet only a little boE full of sand'
out of a fe$ small drusy ca%ities' has been fiEed upon and pounded'
to be sold as %ariegated $riting(sand' after being carefully sifted
2+ pretty fan(palm5 + peculiarly beautiful fan(palm gro$s on this
hill 6ts stem is from thirty to forty feet high' cylindrical and
dark(bro$n' $ith $hite rings a Auarter of an inch broad at distances of
four inches' and' at similar inter%als' cro$n(shaped bands of thorns
t$o inches long >ear the cro$n(leaf the stem passes into the richest
bro$n of burnt sienna
2"ooming in a po$der(magaBine5 >ot$ithstanding a %ery bad road' a
pleasant ride carried us from Paracale to the sea(shore' and' through
a beautiful $ood' to @ambulao' $hich lies ! by > 6 alighted at the
tribunal' and took up my lodgings in the room $here the ammunition $as
kept' as being the only one that could be locked For greater security'
the po$der $as stored in a corner and co%ered $ith carabao(hide;
but such $ere my arrangements that my ser%ant carried about a burning
tallo$ light' and his assistant a torch in the hand !hen 6 %isited
the Filipino priest' 6 $as recei%ed in a friendly manner by a young
girl $ho' $hen 6 offered my hand' thanked me $ith a bo$' saying'
DTengo las sarnasD FD6 ha%e the itchDG The malady' $hich is %ery
common in the Philippines' appears to ha%e its focus in this locality
2Gneiss and crystalline rock5 + Auarter of a league >>E $e came
upon the ruins of another mining undertaking' the +ncla de 8ro 7haft
and $ater(cutting had fallen in' and $ere thickly gro$n o%er; and
only a fe$ of the considerable buildings $ere still standing; and
e%en those $ere ready to fall 6n a circle some nati%es $ere busily
employed' in their manner' collecting grains of gold The rock is
gneiss' $eathered so much that it cannot be recogniBed; and at a
thousand paces on the other side is a similar one' clearly crystalline
2<ornblende and hornblende slate5 <alf a league > by E from @ambulao
is the lead(mountain of ,inianan <ere also all the $orks $ere fallen
in' choked $ith mud and gro$n o%er 8nly after a long search $ere
a fe$ fragments found $ith traces of red(lead ore This mountain
consists of hornblende rock; in one place' of hornblende slate'
$ith %ery beautiful large crystals
2Copper5 + league and a half 7 from @ambulao a shallo$ hollo$ in
the ground marks the site of an old copper(mine' $hich must ha%e
been eighty(four feet deep Copper ores are found in se%eral places
in )uBon; and specimens of solid copper $ere obtained by me at the
Bay of )uyang' > of the EnseOada de Patag' in Caramuan
2=nsuccessful copper(mining5 #ery considerable beds of copper ore
occur in @ancayZn' in the district of )epanto' and in the central
mountain(range of )uBon bet$een CagayZn and 6locos' $hich ha%e been
$orked by a mining company in @anila since -.90; but the operations
seem to ha%e been most unsuccessful 6n -.H4 the society eEpended a
considerable capital in the erection of smelting furnaces and hydraulic
machinery; but until a %ery recent date' o$ing to local difficulties'
particularly the $ant of roads' it has not produced any copper 2-II5
2Paying minus di%idends5 6n -.H: 6 heard' in )ondon' that the
undertaking had been gi%en up +ccording to my latest information'
ho$e%er' it is certainly in progress; but the management ha%e ne%er'
6 belie%e' secured a di%idend The statement of -.4/' in fact' sho$s
a loss' or' as the 7paniards elegantly say' a di%idendo pasi%o
26gorot(mining successful5 !hat Europeans yet appear unable to
accomplish' the $ild 6gorots' $ho inhabit that trackless range of
mountains' ha%e carried on successfully for centuries' and to a
proportionally larger eEtent; and this is the more remarkable as
the metal in that district occurs only in the form of flints' $hich
e%en in Europe can be made profitable only by particular management'
and not $ithout eEpense
2)ong(established and considerable5 The copper introduced into
commerce by the 6gorots from -.10 to -.99' partly in a ra$ state'
partly manufactured' is estimated at three hundred piculs yearly The
eEtent of their eEca%ations' and the large eEisting masses of slag'
also indicate the acti%ity of their operations for a long period
of time
2Copper kettles attributed to >egritos5 6n the Ethnographical @useum
at Berlin is a copper kettle made by those $ild tribes @eyer'
$ho brought it' states that it $as made by the >egritos in the
interior of the island' and certainly $ith hammers of porphyry' as
they ha%e no iron; and that he further found' in the collection of
the Captain General of the Philippines' a large shallo$ kettle of
three and one(half feet in diameter' $hich had been bought for only
three dollars; $hence it may be inferred that' in the interior of
the island' the copper occurs in large masses' and probably solid;
for ho$ could those rude' unculti%ated negritos understand the art
of smelting copperQ
2Copper($orking a pre(7panish art5 The locality of these rich
Auarries $as still unkno$n to the Go%ernor' although the copper
implements brought thence had' according to an official statement
of his in -.II' been in use in @anila o%er t$o centuries 6t is
no$ kno$n that the copper(smiths are not >egritos but 6gorots; and
there can be no Auestion that they practiced this art' and the still
more difficult one of obtaining copper from flint' for a long period
perhaps pre%ious to the arri%al of the 7paniards They may possibly
ha%e learnt them from the Chinese or Japanese The chief engineer'
7antos 2-I15' and many others $ith him' are of opinion that this
race is descended from the Chinese or Japanese' from $hom he insists
that it acAuired not only its features Fse%eral tra%ellers mention
the obliAuely placed eyes of the 6gorotsG' its idols' and some of
its customs' but also the art of $orking in copper +t all e%ents'
the fact that a $ild people' li%ing isolated in the mountains'
should ha%e made such progress in the science of smelting' is of
so great interest that a description of their procedure by 7antos
Fessentially only a repetition of an earlier account by <ernandeB'
in the "e%ista @inera' i --/G $ill certainly be acceptable
2The 6gorotsC @ethod5 The present mining district acAuired by the
society mentioned' the 7ociedad @inero(metalurgica Cantabrofilipina
de @ancayan' $as di%ided amongst the 6gorots into larger or smaller
parcels strictly according to the number of the population of the
adjacent %illages' $hose boundaries $ere jealously $atched; and
the possessions of each separate %illage $ere again di%ided bet$een
certain families; $hence it is that those mountain districts eEhibit'
at the present day' the appearance of a honeycomb To obtain the ore'
they made ca%ities' in $hich they lighted fires in suitable spots'
for the purpose of breaking the rock into pieces by means of the
elasticity of the heated $ater contained in the cre%ices' $ith the
additional assistance of iron implements The first breaking(up of
the ore $as done in the stream($ork itself' and the dead heaps lay
piled up on the ground' so that' in subseAuent fires' the flame of
the pieces of $ood al$ays reached the summit; and by reason of the
Auality of the rock' and the imperfection of the mode of procedure'
%ery considerable do$n(falls freAuently occurred The ores $ere di%ided
into rich and AuartBiferous; the former not being again melted' but
the latter being subjected to a po$erful and persistent roasting'
during $hich' after a part of the sulphur' antimony' and arsenic
had been eEhaled' a kind of distillation of sulphate of copper and
sulphate of iron took place' $hich appeared as Dstone'D or in balls
on the surface of the AuartB' and could be easily detached 2-I95
2The 7melter5 The furnace or smelting apparatus consisted of a round
hollo$ in clayey gound' thirty centimeters in diameter and fifteen
deep; $ith $hich $as connected a conical funnel of fire(proof stone'
inclined at an angle of I0J' carrying up t$o bamboo(canes' $hich $ere
fitted into the lo$er ends of t$o notched pine(stems; in these t$o
slips' co%ered all o%er $ith dry grass or feathers' mo%ed alternately
up and do$n' and produced the current reAuired for the smelting
27melting5 !hen the 6gorots obtained black copper or nati%e copper by
blasting' they pre%ented loss Fby oEidationG by setting up a crucible
of good fire(proof clay in the form of a still; by $hich means it $as
easier for them to pour the metal into the forms $hich it $ould acAuire
from the same clay The furnace being arranged' they supplied it
$ith from eighteen to t$enty kilograms of rich or roasted ore' $hich'
according to the repeated eEperiments of <ernandeB' contained t$enty
per cent of copper; and they proceeded Auite scientifically' al$ays
eEposing the ore at the mouth of the funnel' and conseAuently to the
air(drafts' and placing the coals at the sides of the furnace' $hich
consisted of loose stones piled one o%er another to the height of fifty
centimeters The fire ha%ing been kindled and the blo$ing apparatus'
already described' in operation' thick clouds of $hite' yello$' and
orange(yello$ smoke $ere e%ol%ed from the partial %olatiliBation of the
sulphur' arsenic' and antimony' for the space of an hour; but as soon
as only sulphurous acid $as formed' and the heat by this procedure
had attained its highest degree' the blo$ing $as discontinued and
the product taken out This consisted of a dross' or' rather' of the
collected pieces of ore themsel%es' $hich' on account of the flinty
contents of the stones composing the funnel' $ere transformed by the
decomposition of the sulphurous metal into a porous mass' and $hich
could not be con%erted into dross nor form combinations $ith silicious
acid' being deficient in the base as $ell as in the reAuisite heat;
and also of a %ery impure Dstone'D of from four to fi%e kilograms
$eight' and containing from fifty to siEty per cent of copper
2The copper DstoneD5 7e%eral of these DstonesD $ere melted do$n
together for the space of about fifteen hours' in a po$erful fire;
and by this means a great portion of the three %olatile substances
abo%e named $as again e%ol%ed; after $hich they placed them' no$ heated
red(hot' in an upright position' but so as to be in contact $ith the
draught; the coals' ho$e%er' being at the sides of the furnace +fter
blo$ing for an hour or half(an(hour' they thus obtained' as residuum'
a silicate of iron $ith antimony and traces of arsenic' a DstoneD
containing from se%enty to se%enty(fi%e per cent of copper' $hich they
took off in %ery thin strips' at the same time using refrigerating
%essels; and at the bottom of the hollo$ there remained' according
as the mass $as more or less freed from sulphur' a larger or smaller
Auantity Fal$ays' ho$e%er' impureG of black copper
2Purifying the product5 The purified stones obtained by this second
process $ere again made red(hot by placing them bet$een ro$s of $ood'
in order that they might not melt into one another before the fire
had freed them from impurities
The black copper obtained from the second operation' and the stones
$hich $ere re(melted at the same time' $ere then subjected to a
third process in the same furnace Fnarro$ed by Auarry stones and
pro%ided $ith a crucibleG; $hich produced a residuum of silicious
iron and black copper' $hich $as poured out into clay moulds' and
in this shape came into commerce This black copper contained from
ninety(t$o to ninety(four per cent of copper' and $as tinged by a
carbonaceous compound of the same metal kno$n by its yello$ color'
and the oEide on the surface arising from the slo$ cooling' $hich $ill
occur not$ithstanding e%ery precaution; and the surface so eEposed
to oEidation they beat $ith green t$igs !hen the copper' $hich had
been thus eEtracted $ith so much skill and patience by the 6gorots'
$as to be employed in the manufacture of kettles' pipes' and other
domestic articles' or for ornament' it $as submitted to another
process of purification' $hich differed from the preceding only in
one particular' that the Auantity of coals $as diminished and the
air(draught increased according as the process of smelting dre$ near
to its termination' $hich in%ol%ed the remo%al of the carbonaceous
compound by oEidation 7antos found' by repeated eEperiment' that e%en
from ores of the mean standard of t$enty per cent' only from eight to
ten per cent of black copper $as eEtracted by the third operation; so
that bet$een eight to t$el%e per cent still remained in the residuum
or porous AuartB of the operation
2Tagalog $omen traders5 6t $as difficult to procure the necessary
means of transport for my baggage on the return journey to Paracale'
the roads being so soaked by the continuous rains that no one $ould
%enture his cattle for the purpose 6n @ambulao the influence of
the pro%ince on its $estern border is %ery perceptible' and Tagalog
is understood almost better than Bicol; the Tagalog element being
introduced amongst the population by $omen' $ho $ith their families
come here' from )ucban and @auban' in the pursuit of trade They buy up
gold' and import stuffs and other $ares in eEchange The gold acAuired
is commonly from fifteen to siEteen carats' and a mark determines
its Auality The dealers pay on the a%erage N-- per ounce; but $hen'
as is usually the case' it is 2@iners uncertain returns5 offered in
smaller Auantities than one ounce' only N-0 2-IH5 They $eigh $ith
small "oman scales' and ha%e no great reputation for honesty
>orth Camarines is thinly inhabited' the population of the mining
districts ha%ing remo%ed after the many undertakings $hich $ere
artificially called into eEistence by the mining mania had been
ruined The gold$ashers are mostly dissolute and in%ol%ed in debt'
and continually eEpecting rich findings $hich but %ery seldom occur'
and $hich' $hen they do occur' are forth$ith dissipated;((a fact
$hich $ill account for champagne and other articles of luEury being
found in the shops of the %ery poor %illagers
@alaguit and @atango' during the dry season' are said to be connected
by an eEtremely good road; but' $hen $e passed' the t$o places $ere
separated by a Auagmire into $hich the horses sank up to their middle
2)abo5 6n )abo' a little %illage on the right bank of the ri%er )abo
F$hich rises in the mountain of the same nameG' the conditions to
$hich $e ha%e ad%erted are repeated((%estiges of the $orks of former
mining companies fast disappearing' and' in the midst' little pits
being $orked by the nati%es "ed lead has not been found here' but
gold has been' and especially Dplatinum'D $hich some eEperiments
ha%e pro%ed to be lead(glance The mountain )abo appears from its
bell(shape and the strata eEposed in the ri%er bed to consist of
trachytic hornblende <alf a league !7!' after $ading through mud
a foot deep' $e reached the mountain ,allas $here lead(glance and
gold $ere formerly obtained by a mining company; and to the present
day gold is obtained by a fe$ nati%es in the usual mode
2!ild Cat @ining5 >either in the latter pro%ince' nor in @anila' could
6 acAuire more precise information respecting the histories of the
numerous unfortunate mining enterprises Thus much' ho$e%er' appears
certain' that they $ere originated only by speculators' and ne%er
properly $orked $ith sufficient means They therefore' of necessity'
collapsed so soon as the speculators ceased from their operations
27mall output5 >orth Camarines yields no metal $ith the eEception
of the little gold obtained by the nati%es in so unprofitable a
manner The king of 7pain at first recei%ed a fifth' and then a
tenth' of the produce; but the taE subseAuently ceased 6n @orgaCs
time the tenth amounted on an a%erage to N-0'000 FD$hich $as kept
Auite secretDG; the profit' conseAuently' to abo%e N-00'000 Gemelli
Carreri $as informed by the go%ernor of @anila that gold to the %alue
of N/00'000 $as collected annually $ithout the help of either fire or
Auicksil%er' and that Paracale' in particular' $as rich in gold >o
data eEist from $hich 6 could estimate the actual rate of produce; and
the ans$ers to se%eral inAuiries deser%e no mention The produce is'
at all e%ents' %ery small' as $ell on account of the incompleteness
of the mode of procedure as of the irregularity of labor' for the
nati%es $ork only $hen they are compelled by necessity
26ndang5 6 returned do$n the stream in a boat to 6ndang' a
comparati%ely flourishing place' of smaller population but more
considerable trade than ,aet; the eEport consisting principally of
abacZ' and the import of rice
27torms5 +n old mariner' $ho had na%igated this coast for many
years' informed me that the same $inds pre%ail from ,aet as far as
Cape EngaOo' the north(east point of )uBon From 8ctober to @arch
the north(east $ind pre%ails' the monsoon here beginning $ith north
$inds' $hich are of short duration and soon pass into the north(east;
and in January and February the east $inds begin and terminate
the monsoon The hea%iest rains fall from 8ctober to January' and
in 8ctober typhoons sometimes occur Beginning from the north or
north(east' they pass to the north($est' $here they are most %iolent;
and then to the north and east' sometimes as far as to the south(east'
and e%en to the south 6n @arch and +pril' and sometimes in the
beginning of @ay' shifting $inds blo$' $hich bring in the south($est
monsoon; but the dry season' of $hich +pril and @ay are the driest
months' is uninterrupted by rain Thunder storms occur from June to
>o%ember; most freAuently in +ugust ,uring the south($est monsoon
the sea is %ery calm; but in the middle of the north(east monsoon all
na%igation ceases on the east coast 6n the outskirts of Baler rice
is so$n in 8ctober' and reaped in @arch and +pril @ountain rice is
not culti%ated
C<+PTE" Y#6
28n foot to 7an @iguel bay5 7ending my baggage from ,aet to Cabusao
in a schooner' 6 proceeded on foot' by the road to that place' to
the coast on the $est side of the Bay of 7an @iguel !e crossed the
mouth of the ri%er in a boat' $hich the horses s$am after; but they
$ere soon abandoned from unfitness +t the mouth of the neEt ri%er'
7aca%in' the $ater $as so high that the bearers stripped themsel%es
naked and carried the baggage o%er on their heads 6n simple jacket
and cotton hose' 6 found this precaution needless; indeed' according
to my eEperience' it is both refreshing and salutary to $ear $et
clothes' during an uniformly high temperature; besides $hich' one
is thereby spared many a spring o%er ditches' and many a roundabout
course to a%oid puddles' $hich' being already $et through' $e no longer
fear +fter ha%ing $aded o%er eight other little ri%ers $e $ere obliged
to lea%e the shore and pursue the road to Colasi along steep' slippery'
forest paths' the place lying right in the middle of the $est side of
the bay The sea(shore $as %ery beautiful 6nstead of a continuous and'
at the ebb' ill(smelling border of mangro%es' $hich is ne%er $anting in
those places $here the land eEtends into the sea' the $a%es here reach
the foot of the old trees of the forest' many of $hich $ere $ashed
underneath +mongst the most remarkable $as a fringe of stately old
Barringtoni' co%ered $ith orchids and other epiphytes((gorgeous trees
$hen in flo$er; the red stamens' fi%e inches long' $ith golden yello$
anthers like tassels' depending from the boughs; and their fruit' of
the siBe of the fist' is doubly useful to the fisherman' $ho employs
them' on account of their specific gra%ity' in floating his nets' and
beats them to pieces to stupefy the fish The foremost trees stood bent
to$ards the sea' and ha%e been so deflected probably for a long time'
like many others $hose remains still projected out of the $ater The
destruction of this coast appears to be %ery considerable +mongst
the climbing palms one peculiar kind $as %ery abundant' the stem of
$hich' as thick as the arm' either dragged itself' leafless' along
the ground' or hung in arches abo%e the branches' carrying a cro$n
of lea%es only at its eEtremity; $hile another' from its habitat the
common calamus' had caryota lea%es !ild boars are %ery plentiful here;
a hunter offered us t$o at one real each
2Colasi5 The direction of the flat coast $hich eEtends >>! to
77E from the point of ,aet is here interrupted by the little peak
of Colasi' $hich projects to the east' and has gro$n so rapidly
that all old people remember it to ha%e been lo$er 6n the #isita
Colasi' on the northern slope of the mountain' the sea is so rough
that no boat can li%e in it The inhabitants carry on fishing; their
fishing(grounds lie' ho$e%er' on the southern slope of the mountain'
in the sheltered bay of )alauigan' $hich $e reached after thee hoursC
journey o%er the ridge
2By sea to Cabusao5 + four(oared baroto' hired at this place'
as the $eather $as fa%orable' $as to ha%e con%eyed us in t$o hours
to Cabusao' the port of >aga; but the $ind s$ung round' and a storm
ensued Thoroughly $et and not $ithout loss' $e ran to Barceloneta'
a %isita situated at a third of the distance The intelligent Teniente
of Colasi' $hom $e met here' also confirmed the fact of the rapid
gro$th of the little peak
2=nreliable eEcuses5 6n opposition to my $ish to ascend the mountain'
great obstacles $ere said to eEist $hen e%ery one $ould be occupied
in preparations for the Easter festi%al' $hich $ould hardly occur
during the succeeding $eeks +s these objections did not con%ince me'
a more substantial reason $as disco%ered the neEt morning 6nland
shoes are eEcellent for the mud' and particularly for horseback;
but for climbing mountains' or rough ground' they $ould not last a
day; and the one remaining pair of strong European shoes' $hich 6
reser%ed for particular purposes' had been gi%en a$ay by my ser%ant'
$ho did not like climbing mountains' on the preteEt they $ere %ery
much too hea%y for me
2+ ship$recked family5 The shore from Barceloneta to Cabusao is of
the same character as the ,aet(Colasi but running north and south;
the ground' sandy clay' is co%ered $ith a thick stratum of broken
bi%al%es The road $as %ery difficult' as the high tide forced us to
climb bet$een the trees and thick under$ood 8n the $ay $e met an
enterprising family $ho had left ,aet $ith a cargo of coconuts for
>aga' and had been $recked here; sa%ing only one out of fi%e tinajas
of oil' but reco%ering all the nuts 2-I45 They $ere li%ing in a
small hastily(run(up hut' upon coconuts' rice' fish' and mussels'
in eEpectation of a fa%orable $ind to return There $ere se%eral
%arieties of shore(birds; but my gun $ould not go off' although
my ser%ant' in eEpectation of a hunt' had cleaned it $ith especial
care +s he had lost the ramrod $hilst cleaning it' the charge $as
not $ithdra$n before $e reached Cabusao' $hen it $as disco%ered that
both barrels $ere full of sand to abo%e the touchhole
2@aking palm(sugar5 The coast $as still more beautiful than on the
preceding day' particularly in one place $here the surge beat against a
$ood of fan(palms FCorypha spG 8n the side facing the sea' in groups
or ro$s stood the trees' bereft of their cro$ns' or lying o%erthro$n
like columns amid the %ast ruins of temples Fone of them $as three feet
in diameterG; and the sight immediately reminded me of Pompeii 6 could
not account for the bareness of the trunks' until 6 disco%ered a hut in
the midst of the palms' in $hich t$o men $ere endea%oring to anticipate
the $a%es in their $ork of destruction by the preparation of sugar
FtungulehG For this purpose' after stripping off the lea%es Fthis
palm flo$ering at the topG' the upper end of the stem is cut across'
the surface of the incision being inclined about fi%e degrees to$ards
the horiBon' and' near its lo$er edge' hollo$ed out to a %ery shallo$
gutter The juice eEudes o%er the $hole surface of the cut' $ith the
eEception of the intersected eEterior petioles' and' being collected
in the shallo$ channel' is conducted by a piece of banana(leaf'
t$o inches broad' and four inches long' into a bamboo(cane attached
to the trunk 6n order to a%ert the rain from the saccharine issue'
$hich has a faint' pleasantly aromatic fla%or as of barley(sugar'
all the trees $hich ha%e been tapped are pro%ided $ith caps formed of
bent and folded palm(lea%es The a%erage daily produce of each tree is
four bamboos' the interior of $hich is about three inches and a half
in diameter !hen remo%ed' they are full to about eighteen inches;
$hich gi%es some$hat more than ten Auarts daily
2The money side5 The produce of each tree of course is %ery
uneAual +l$ays intermittent' it ceases completely after t$o months((at
the utmost' three months; but' the proportion of those ne$ly cut to
those cut at an earlier date being the same' the yield of the incisions
is about eAual The juice of thirty(three palms' after e%aporation in
an iron pan immediately upon each collection' produces one ganta' or
Fthere being four such collectionsG four gantas' daily; the $eekly
result being t$enty gantas' or t$o tinajas of sugar' each $orth t$o
dollars and a half on the spot This statement' deri%ed from the people
themsel%es' probably sho$s the proportion some$hat more unfa%orable
than it really is; still' according to the opinion of an eEperienced
mestiBo' the difference cannot be %ery considerable +ssuming the abo%e
figures as correct' ho$e%er' one of these magnificent trees $ould gi%e
about one dollar and t$o(thirds' or' after deducting the laborersC
$ages one real per diem' about a thaler and t$o(thirds; not a large
sum truly; but it is some consolation to kno$ that' e%en if man did
not interfere' these trees $ould in process of time fall %ictims to
the breakers' and that' e%en if protected against eEternal ra%ages'
they are doomed to natural eEtinction after once producing fruit
2>eglected roads5 Cabusao lies in the southern angle of 7an @iguel
Bay $hich is' almost on e%ery side' surrounded by high mountains' and
affords good anchorage for ships From here 6 repaired across >aga to
the south coast Four leagues from >aga' in the heart of "agay' on the
southern border of )uBon' is the small but deep harbor of Pasacao; and
t$o hours by $ater conducted us to the intermediate #isita Pamplona'
$hence the route is pursued by land The still(eEisting remnant of the
old road $as in a miserable condition' and e%en at that dry season
of the year scarcely passable; the bridges o%er the numerous little
ditches $ere broken do$n' and in many places' right across the road'
lay large stones and branches of trees $hich had been brought there
years before to repair the bridges' and' ha%ing been unused' ha%e
e%er since continued to obstruct the road
2+ French planter5 6n Suitang' bet$een Pamplona and Pasacao' $here t$o
brooks unite themsel%es into one little ri%er debouching at the latter
place' a young Frenchman had established a hacienda <e $as contented
and hopeful' and loudly praised the industry and friendliness of his
people Probably because they make fe$er eEactions' foreigners' as a
rule' seem to agree better $ith the nati%es than 7paniards 8f these
eEactions' the bitterest complaints are rife of the injustice of the
demands made upon the lo$er classes in the settlement of their $ages;
$hich' if they do not immediately find the necessary hands for e%ery
employment' do not correspond $ith the enhanced %alue of the products;
and' according to them' the nati%es must e%en be dri%en from public
employments' to labor in their ser%ice 2-I.5
2The Filipino as a laborer5 The Filipino certainly is more independent
than the European laborer' because he has fe$er $ants and' as a nati%e
lando$ner' is not compelled to earn his bread as the daily laborer of
another; yet' $ith reference to $ages' it may be Auestioned $hether
any colony $hate%er offers more fa%orable conditions to the planter
than the Philippines 6n ,utch 6ndia' $here the pre%alence of monopoly
almost eEcludes pri%ate industry' free laborers obtain one(third of a
guilder((some$hat more than one real' the usual $ages in the $ealthy
pro%inces of the Philippines Fin the poorer it amounts to only the
halfG; and the Ja%anese are not the eAuals of the Filipinos' either
in strength' or intelligence' or skill; and the rate of $ages in all
the older 7la%e 7tates is $ell kno$n For the culti%ation of sugar and
coffee' @auritius and Ceylon are obliged to import foreign laborers
at great eEpense' and to pay them highly; and yet they are successful
2Pasacao5 From Suitang to Pasacao the road $as far $orse than
it had heretofore been; and this is the most important road in
the pro%inceR Before reaching Pasacao' e%ident signs are %isible'
on the denuded sides of the limestone' of its ha%ing been formerly
$ashed by the sea Pasacao is picturesAuely situated at the end of the
%alley $hich is intersected by the 6tulan' and eEtends from Pamplona'
bet$een $ooded mountains of limestone' as far as the sea The ebb tides
here are eEtremely irregular From noon to e%ening no difference $as
obser%able' and' $hen the decrease just became %isible' the tide rose
again 6mmediately to the south' and facing the district' the side of a
mountain' t$o thousand feet high and abo%e one thousand feet broad' had
t$o years ago gi%en $ay to the subterranean action of the $a%es The
rock consists of a tough calcareous breccia' full of fragments of
mussels and corals; but' being shoeless' 6 could not remain on the
sharp rock sufficiently long to make a closer eEamination
2+ beautiful coast5 For the same reason' 6 $as obliged to lea%e
the ascent of the &amtik' $hich 6 had before %ainly attempted from
)ibmanan' unaccomplished from this point' although 6 had the ad%antage
of the company of an obliging French planter in a boat eEcursion in a
north($esterly direction along the coast <ere our boat floated along
o%er gardens of coral' s$arming $ith magnificently colored fishes;
and after t$o hours $e reached a ca%ern in the limestone' 7uminabang'
so lo$ that one could stir in it only by creeping; $hich contained a
fe$ s$allo$s and bats 8n the Calebayan ri%er' on the further side of
Point Tanaun' $e came upon a solitary shed' our night(Auarters <ere
the limestone range is interrupted by an isolated cliff on the left
bank of the little ri%er' consisting of a crystalline rock chiefly
composed of hornblende; $hich moreo%er' on the side eEposed to the
$ater' is surrounded completely by limestone
2Cattle5 The surrounding mountains must s$arm $ith $ild boars =nder
the thatched roof of our hut' $hich ser%es as a shelter to occasional
hunters' more than a hundred and fifty lo$er ja$(bones $ere set
up as hunting trophies The place appeared as if created for the
breeding of cattle 7oft $ith fodder grass' and co%ered $ith a fe$
groups of trees' $ith slopes intersected by rustling brooks' it rose
up out of the sea' and $as encompassed by a steep $all of rock in
the form of a semicircle; and here cattle $ould find grass' $ater'
shade' and the protection of an enclosing rampart !hile tra%elling
along the coast' $e had remarked a succession of similar localities'
$hich ho$e%er' from lack of enterprise and from the dread of pirates'
$ere not utiliBed +s soon as our supper $as prepared' $e carefully
eEtinguished our fire' that it might not ser%e as a signal to the
%agabonds of the sea' and kept night $atches
2+ delusi%e ca%e5 8n the follo$ing morning $e intended to %isit
a ca%e ne%er before entered; but' to our astonishment' $e found
no proper ca%ern' but only an entrance to a ca%ern a fe$ feet in
depth #isible from a distance' it must often ha%e been passed by
the hunters' although' as $e $ere assured by our companions(($ho
$ere astonished at the delusion(((no one had %entured to enter it
from stress of superstitious terror
26solation of fertile regions5 The north coast of Camarines'
as 6 ha%e freAuently mentioned' is' during the north(east monsoon'
almost unapproachable; $hile the south coast' screened by the outlying
islands' remains al$ays accessible The most fertile districts of the
eastern pro%inces' $hich during summer eEport their produce by the
northern ports' in the $inter often remain for months cut off from
all communication $ith the chief to$n' because there is no road o%er
the small strip of land to the south coast <o$ much has been done by
>ature' and ho$ little by man' to facilitate this intercourse' is %ery
e%ident $hen $e reflect upon the condition of the road to Pasacao'
lately described' in connection $ith the condition of matters in the
east' as sho$n by the map
2"i%er high$ays5 T$o ri%ers' one coming from the north($est'
and the other from the south(east' and both na%igable before they
reach the borders of the pro%ince' flo$ through the middle of it in
a line parallel $ith the coast Ftaking no account of its $indingsG'
and' after their junction' send their $aters together through the
estuary of Cabusao into the Bay of 7an @iguel The $hole pro%ince'
therefore' is tra%ersed through its center by t$o na%igable ri%ers'
$hich' as regards commerce' form only one
2Cabusao and Pasacao harbors5 But the harbor of Cabusao' at the bottom
of the Bay of 7an @iguel' is not accessible during the north(east
monsoon' and has this further disad%antage' that the intercourse of
the $hole of the eastern part of )uBon $ith @anila can be carried
on only by a %ery circuitous route 8n the south coast' on the other
hand' is the harbor of Pasacao' into $hich a na%igable little ri%er'
abo%e a mile in $idth' discharges itself; so that the distance bet$een
this ri%er high$ay and the nearest point of the Bicol "i%er amounts to
a little more than a mile The road connecting the t$o seas' laid out
by an acti%e alcalde in -.14' and maintained up to -.9/' $as ho$e%er'
at the date of my inAuiry' in so bad a condition that a picul of abacZ
paid t$o reals freight for this short distance' in the dry season; and
in the $et season it could not be for$arded for double the price 2-I:5
2Bad roads raise freights5 @any similar instances may be brought
for$ard 6n -.H- the English %ice(consul reported that in 6loilo a
picul of sugar had risen more than / r in price Fas much as the cost
of freight from 6loilo to @anilaG' in conseAuence of the bad state
of the road bet$een the t$o places' $hich are only one league asunder
27ocial and political reasons for bad roads5 6f' $ithout reference to
transport by sea' the islands $ere not fa%ored in so eEtraordinary a
manner by innumerable ri%ers $ith na%igable mouths' a still greater
proportion of their produce $ould not ha%e been con%ertible into
money The people' as $ell as the local authorities' ha%e no desire
for roads' $hich they themsel%es construct by forced labor' and'
$hen completed' must maintain by the same method; for' $hen no roads
are made' the laborers are so much more easily employed in pri%ate
operations E%en the parish priests' generally' are as little fa%orable
to the planning of commercial intercourse' by means of $hich trade'
prosperity' and enlightenment $ould be introduced into the country'
and their authority undermined 6ndeed the Go%ernment itself' up
to $ithin a short time since' fa%ored such a state of affairs; for
bad roads belong to the essence of the old 7panish colonial policy'
$hich $as al$ays directed to effect the isolation of the separate
pro%inces of their great transmarine possessions' and to pre%ent the
gro$th of a sense of national interest' in order to facilitate their
go%ernment by the distant mother country
27panish economic back$ardness5 Besides' in 7pain itself matters
are no better The means of communication there are so %ery deficient
that' as an instance' merchandise is sent from 7antander to Barcelona'
round the $hole 6berian peninsula' in preference to the direct route'
$hich is partly accomplished by rail$ay 2-105 6n Estremadura the hogs
$ere fed $ith $heat Fli%e animals can be transported $ithout roadsG'
$hile at the same time the seaports $ere importing foreign grain 2-1-5
The cause of this condition of affairs in that country is to be sought
less in a disordered state of finance' than in the enforcement of
the Go%ernment maEim $hich enjoins the isolation of separate pro%inces
C<+PTE" Y#66
2@t 6sar[g5 The 6sar[g Fpronounced 6ssar[G rises up in the middle
of Camarines' bet$een 7an @iguel and )agonoy bays !hile its eastern
slope almost reaches the sea' it is separated on its $estern side by
a broad strip of inundated land from 7an @iguel Bay 6n circumference
it is at least t$el%e leagues; and its height -':HH meters 2-1/5
#ery flat at its base' it s$ells gradually to -HJ' and higher up
to /-J of inclination' and eEtends itself' in its $estern aspect'
into a flat dome(shaped summit But' if %ie$ed from the eastern side'
it has the appearance of a circular chain of mountains rent asunder
by a great ra%ine 8n CoelloCs map this ra%ine is erroneously laid
do$n as eEtending from south to north; its bearing really is $est to
east "ight in front of its opening' and half a league south from Goa'
lies the pretty little %illage of "ungus' by $hich it is kno$n The
eEterior sides of the mountain and the fragments of its large crater
are co%ered $ith impenetrable $ood "especting its %olcanic eruptions
tradition says nothing
2Primiti%e mountaineers5 The higher slopes form the d$elling(place
of a small race of people' $hose independence and the customs
of a primiti%e age ha%e almost entirely separated them from the
inhabitants of the plain 8ne or t$o Cimarrons might occasionally
ha%e been attracted hither' but no such instance is remembered The
inhabitants of the 6sar[g are commonly' though mistakenly' called
6gorots; and 6 retain the name' since their tribal relationship has not
yet been accurately determined; they themsel%es maintaining that their
ancestors al$ays d$elt in that locality There are some $ho' in the
opinion of the parish priest of Camarines' speak the Bicol language
in the purest manner Their manners and customs are %ery similar'
in many respects' to $hat they $ere on the arri%al of the 7paniards;
and sometimes they also remind one of those pre%ailing among the ,yaks
of Borneo at the present day 2-1I5 These circumstances gi%e rise to
the conjecture that they may be the last of a race $hich maintained
its independence against the 7panish rule' and probably also against
the little tyrants $ho ruled o%er the plain before the arri%al of the
Europeans !hen Juan de 7alcedo undertook his triumphal march round
>orth )uBon he found e%ery$here' at the mouths of the ri%ers' seafaring
tribes li%ing under many chieftains $ho' after a short struggle' $ere
slain by the superior discipline and better arms of the 7paniards'
or submitted %oluntarily to the superior race; but he did not succeed
in subduing the independent tribes in the interior; and these are
still to be found in all the larger islands of the Philippine group
27imilarity to 6ndian +rchipelago conditions5 7imilar conditions are
found in many places in the 6ndian +rchipelago The @alays' carrying
on trade and piracy' possess the shore' and their language pre%ails
there; the nati%es being either subdued by them' or dri%en into the
forests' the inaccessibility of $hich ensures to them a miserable
but independent eEistence 2-115
2Policy of non(intercourse $ith heathens5 6n order to break do$n
the opposition of the $ild races' the 7panish Go%ernment forbade
its subjects' under the penalty of one hundred blo$s and t$o years
of forced labor' Dto trade or to ha%e any intercourse $ith the
heathens in the mountains $ho pay no tribute to his Catholic @ajesty'
for although they $ould eEchange their gold' $aE' etc' for other
necessaries' they $ill ne%er change for the betterD Probably this
la$ has for centuries directly contributed to sa%e the barbarians'
not$ithstanding their small numbers' from complete eEtermination;
for free intercourse bet$een a people eEisting by agriculture'
and another li%ing principally by the chase' speedily leads to the
destruction of the latter
2Christian @ountaineersC %illages5 The number of the 6gorots of the
6sar[g ho$e%er' been much diminished by deadly battles bet$een the
different ranchos' and by the marauding eEpeditions $hich' until
a short time since' $ere annually undertaken by the commissioners
of taEes' in the interest of the Go%ernment monopoly' against
the tobacco fields of the 6gorots 7ome fe$ ha%e been DpacifiedD
Fcon%erted to Christianity and tributeG; in $hich case they are obliged
to establish themsel%es in little %illages of scattered huts' $here
they can be occasionally %isited by the priest of the nearest place;
and' in order to render the change easier to them' a smaller taE than
usual is temporarily imposed upon such ne$ly(obtained subjects
2Tobacco monopoly $ars5 6 had deferred the ascent of the mountain
until the beginning of the dry season of the year; but 6 learned in
>aga that my $ish $as hardly practicable' because the eEpeditions
against the ranchos of the mountain' $hich 6 ha%e already mentioned'
usually occurred about this time +s the $ild people could not
understand $hy they should not culti%ate on their o$n fields a plant
$hich had become a necessity to them' they sa$ in the Cuadrilleros'
not functionaries of a ci%iliBed 7tate' but robbers' against $hom
they $ere obliged to defend themsel%es by force; and appearances
contributed no less to confirm them in their error; for these did
not content themsel%es $ith destroying the plantations of tobacco'
but the huts $ere burnt to the ground' the fruit(trees he$n do$n' and
the fields laid $aste 7uch forays ne%er occurred $ithout bloodshed'
and often de%eloped into a little $ar $hich $as carried on by the
mountaineers for a long time after$ards' e%en against people $ho $ere
entirely uninterested in it((Filipinos and Europeans The eEpedition
this year $as to take place in the beginning of +pril; the 6gorots
conseAuently $ere in a state of great agitation' and had' a fe$
days pre%iously' murdered a young unarmed 7paniard in the %icinity
of @abotoboto' at the foot of the mountain' by bringing him to the
ground $ith a poisoned arro$' and after$ards inflicting t$enty(one
$ounds $ith the $ood(knife FboloG
2+ policy of peace5 Fortunately there arri%ed soon after a countermand
from @anila' $here the authorities seemed to ha%e been gradually
con%inced of the harmful tendency of such %iolent measures 6t could
not be doubted that this intelligence $ould Auickly spread amongst the
ranchos; and' acting upon the ad%ice of the commandant Fupon $hom'
%ery much against his inclination' the conduct of the eEpedition
had de%ol%edG' 6 lost no time in a%ailing myself of the anticipated
season of Auiet The Go%ernment ha%e since adopted the prudent method
of purchasing the tobacco' $hich is %oluntarily culti%ated by the
6gorots' at the ordinary rate' and' $here practicable' encouraging
them to lay out ne$ fields' instead of destroying those in eEistence
2+ populous fertile district5 The neEt day at noon 6 left >aga on
horseback The pueblos of @ogarao' Canaman' Suipayo' and Calabanga' in
this fertile district follo$ so thickly upon one another that they form
an almost uninterrupted succession of houses and gardens Calabanga
lies half a league from the sea' bet$een the mouths of t$o ri%ers'
the more southerly of $hich is siEty feet broad and sufficiently deep
for large trading %essels 2-195
2+ bare plain and $retched %illage5 The road $inds round the foot
of the 6sar[g first to the north(east and then to the east 7oon the
blooming hedges cease' and are succeeded by a great bare plain' out of
$hich numerous flat hillocks raise themsel%es Both hills and plain'
$hen $e passed' ser%ed for pasturage; but from +ugust to January they
are so$n $ith rice; and fields of batata are occasionally seen +fter
four hours $e arri%ed at the little %illage of @aguiring F@anguirinG'
the church of $hich' a tumble(do$n shed' stood on an eAually naked
hillock; and from its neglected condition one might ha%e guessed that
the priest $as a nati%e
2@any mountain $ater courses5 This hillock' as $ell as the others
$hich 6 eEamined' consisted of the dLbris of the 6sar[g' the more
or less decomposed trachytic fragments of hornblende rock' the
spaces bet$een $hich $ere filled up $ith red sand The number of
streams sent do$n by the 6sar[g' into 7an @iguel and )agonoy bays'
is eEtraordinarily large 8n the tract behind @aguiring 6 counted' in
three(Auarters of an hour' fi%e considerable estuaries' that is to say'
abo%e t$enty feet broad; and then' as far as Goa' t$enty(siE more;
altogether' thirty(one* but there are more' as 6 did not include
the smallest; and yet the distance bet$een @aguiring and Goa' in
a straight line' does not eEceed three miles This accounts for
the enormous Auantity of steam $ith $hich this mighty condenser is
fed 6 ha%e not met $ith this phenomenon on any other mountain in so
striking a manner 8ne %ery remarkable circumstance is the rapidity
$ith $hich the brimming ri%ulets pass in the estuaries' enabling them
to carry the trading %essels' sometimes e%en ships' into a main stream
Fif the eEpression may be allo$edG' $hile the scanty contributions
of their kindred streams on the northern side ha%e scarcely acAuired
the importance of a mill(brook These $aters' from their breadth' look
like little ri%ers' although in reality they consist of only a brook'
up to the foot of the mountain' and of a ri%erCs mouth in the plain;
the intermediate part being absent
2Comparison $ith Ja%an @ountain district5 The country here is
strikingly similar to the remarkable mountain district of the
Gelung\ng' described by Junghuhn; 2-1H5 yet the origin of these
rising grounds differs in some degree from that of those in Ja%a The
latter $ere due to the eruption of -.//' and the great fissure in the
$all of the crater of the Gelung\ng' $hich is turned to$ards them'
sho$s unmistakably $hence the materials for their formation $ere
deri%ed; but the great chasm of the 6sar[g opens to$ards the east'
and therefore has no relation to the numberless hillocks on the
north($est of the mountain Behind @aguiring they run more closely
together' their summits are flatter' and their sides steeper; and they
pass gradually into a gently inclined slope' rent into innumerable
clefts' in the hollo$s of $hich as many brooks are acti%ely employed
in con%erting the angular outlines of the little islands into these
rounded hillocks The third ri%er behind @aguiring is larger than
those preceding it; on the siEth lies the large #isita of Borobod;
and on the tenth' that of "agay The rice fields cease $ith the hill
country' and on the slope' $hich is $ell drained by deep channels'
only $ild cane and a fe$ groups of trees gro$ Passing by many
%illages' $hose huts $ere so isolated and concealed that they might
remain unobser%ed' $e arri%ed at fi%e oCclock at Tagunton; from $hich
a road' practicable for carabao carts' and used for the transport of
the abacZ gro$n in the district' leads to Goa; and here' detained by
sickness' 6 hired a little house' in $hich 6 lay for nearly four $eeks'
no other remedies offering themsel%es to me but hunger and repose
2=seful friends5 ,uring this time 6 made the acAuaintance of some
ne$ly(con%erted 6gorots' and $on their confidence !ithout them 6 $ould
ha%e had great difficulty in ascending the mountains as $ell as to
%isit their tribe in its farms $ithout any danger 2-145 !hen' at last'
6 $as able to Auit Goa' my friends conducted me' as the first step'
to their settlement; $here' ha%ing been pre%iously recommended and
eEpected' 6 easily obtained the reAuisite number of attendants to take
into their charge the animals and plants $hich $ere collected for me
2+ heathen @ountaineersC settlement5 8n the follo$ing morning the
ascent $as commenced E%en before $e arri%ed at the first rancho'
6 $as con%inced of the good report that had preceded me The master
of the house came to$ards us and conducted us by a narro$ path to his
hut' after ha%ing remo%ed the foot(lances' $hich projected obliAuely
out of the ground' but $ere deEterously concealed by brush$ood and
lea%es 2-1.5 + $oman employed in $ea%ing' at my desire' continued
her occupation The loom $as of the simplest kind The upper end'
the chain(beam' $hich consists of a piece of bamboo' is fiEed to
t$o bars or posts; and the $ea%er sits on the ground' and to the t$o
notched ends of a small lath' $hich supplies the place of the $ea%ing
beam' hooks on a $ooden bo$' in the arch of $hich the back of the
lath is fitted Placing her feet against t$o pegs in the ground and
bending her back' she' by means of the bo$' stretches the material
out straight + netting(needle' longer than the breadth of the $eb'
ser%es instead of the $ea%erCs shuttle' but it can be pushed through
only by considerable friction' and not al$ays $ithout breaking the
chains of threads + lath of hard $ood FcaryotaG' sharpened like a
knife' represents the trestle' and after e%ery stroke it is placed
upon the edge; after $hich the comb is pushed for$ard' a thread put
through' and struck fast' and so forth The $eb consisted of threads
of the abacZ' $hich $ere not spun' but tied one to another
2+ giant fern hedge5 The huts 6 %isited deser%e no special
description Composed of bamboos and palm(lea%es' they are not
essentially different from the d$ellings of poor Filipinos; and in
their neighborhood $ere small fields planted $ith batata' maiBe'
caladium and sugar(cane' and enclosed by magnificent polypody
ferns 8ne of the highest of these' $hich 6 caused to be felled for
the purpose' measured in the stem nine meters' thirty centimeters;
in the cro$n' t$o meters' t$el%e centimeters; and its total length
$as ele%en meters' forty(t$o centimeters or o%er thirty(siE feet
27imple stringed instruments5 + young lad produced music on a kind of
lute' called baringbau; consisting of the dry shaft of the scitamina
stretched in the form of a bo$ by means of a thin tendril instead of
gut <alf a coco shell is fiEed in the middle of the bo$' $hich' $hen
playing' is placed against the abdomen' and ser%es as a sounding board;
and the string $hen struck $ith a short $and' ga%e out a pleasing
humming sound' realiBing the idea of the harp and plectrum in their
simplest forms 8thers accompanied the musician on Je$sC harps of
bamboos' as accurate as those of the @intras on the @alay Peninsula;
and there $as one $ho played on a guitar' $hich he had himself made'
but after a European pattern The hut contained no utensils besides
bo$s' arro$s' and a cooking pot The possessor of clothes bore them
on his person 6 found the $omen as decently clad as the Filipino
Christian $omen' and carrying' besides' a forest knife' or bolo +s
a mark of entire confidence' 6 $as taken into the tobacco fields'
$hich $ere $ell concealed and protected by foot(lances; and they
appeared to be carefully looked after
2The people and their crops5 The result of my familiarity $ith
this people' both before and after this opportunity' may be briefly
summed up* They li%e on the higher slopes of the mountain' ne%er'
indeed' belo$ -'900 feet; each family by itself 6t is difficult to
ascertain ho$ many of them there may no$ be' as but little intercourse
takes place amongst them 6n the part of the mountain belonging to
the district of Goa' their number is estimated at about fifty men
and t$enty $omen' including the children* but t$enty years before
the population $as more numerous Their food consists principally
of batata' besides some gabi FcaladiumG + little maiBe is like$ise
culti%ated' as $ell as some ubi FdioscoreaG' and a small Auantity of
sugar(cane for che$ing
2Batatas5 6n laying out a batata field' a $ood is partially cleared'
the earth loosened $ith the blunt forest knife FboloG' and the bulbs
or layers then planted; and $ithin four months the har%est begins'
and continues uninterruptedly from the time the creeping plant strikes
root and forms tubers 2"otation of crops5 +fter t$o years' ho$e%er'
the produce is so much diminished that the old plants are pulled up'
in order to make room for ne$ ones obtained from the runners The
field is then changed' or other fruits culti%ated thereon' but $ith
the addition of manure + piece of land' fifty braBas long' and thirty
$ide' is sufficient for the support of a family 8nly occasionally in
the $et season does this resource fail' and then they resort to gabi'
$hich appears to be as easily culti%ated on $et as on dry ground'
but is not so profitable as batata The young shoots of the gabi are
planted at distances of a %ara' and if consumed in a proper manner'
ought not to be cropped till after a year Each family kills $eekly
one or t$o $ild hogs 7tags are rare' although 6 obtained a fine
pair of horns; and they do not use the skin Bo$s and arro$s are
used in hunting; some poisoned' and some not E%ery rancho keeps
dogs' $hich li%e principally on batata' and also cats to protect the
fields against rats; and they also ha%e poultry' 2Game cocks a 7panish
inno%ation5 but no game cocks; $hich' ha%ing been first introduced
into the Philippines by the 7paniards are seldom if e%er' $anting in
the huts of the Filipinos; but the inhabitants of the 6sar[g are as
yet free from this passion
2Trade5 The fe$ products of a more ad%anced ci%iliBation $hich they
reAuire' they obtain by the sale of the spontaneous productions of
their forests' chiefly $aE and resin FpiliG' 2-1:5 apnik' dagiangan
Fa kind of copalG' and some abacZ !aE' $hich is much in reAuest
for church solemnities' fetches half a dollar per catty; and resin
a%erages half a real per chinanta Business is transacted %ery
simply Filipinos' ha%ing intercourse $ith the 6gorots' make a
contract $ith them; and they collect the products and bring them
to a place pre%iously agreed on' $here the Filipinos recei%e them'
after paying do$n the stipulated price
2"eligion5 Physicians and magicians' or persons supposed to be
possessed of secret po$ers' are unkno$n; e%ery one helps himself 6n
order to arri%e at a clear understanding of their religious %ie$s'
a longer intercourse $ould be necessary But they certainly belie%e
in one God' or' at least' say so' $hen they are closely Auestioned
by Christians; and ha%e also loosely acAuired se%eral of the eEternal
practices of Catholicism' $hich they employ as spells
2"espect for $omen and aged5 <unting and hard labor constitute the
employment of man in general' as $ell as in the Philippines The
practice of employing $omen as beasts of burden(($hich' although
it eEists among many of the peoples of Europe' for eEample' the
BasAues' !allachians' and Portuguese' is almost peculiar to barbarous
nations'((seems to ha%e been lost in the Philippines as far back
as the time of its disco%ery by the 7paniards; and e%en among the
$ild people of the 6sar[g' the $omen engage only in light labor'
and are $ell treated E%ery family supports its aged and those unfit
for labor 2@edicine5 <eadaches and fe%ers $ere stated to me as the
pre%alent maladies; for $hich burnt rice' pounded and miEed to a pap
$ith $ater' is taken as a remedy; and in case of se%ere headache they
make an incision in the forehead of the sufferer Their pre%alence is
eEplained by the habit of neutraliBing the ill effects of drinking
$ater in eEcess' $hen they are heated' by the consumption of $arm
$ater in large doses; and the rule holds $ith regard to coco($ater;
the remedy for immoderate use of $hich is $arm coco($ater Their
muscular po$er is small' and they are not able to carry more than
fifty pounds $eight to any considerable distance
2@anufactures5 Besides the chase and agriculture' their occupations
are restricted to the manufacture of eEtremely rude $eapons' for $hich
they purchase the iron' $hen reAuired' from the Filipinos' and of
the coarse $ebs made by the $omen' and of $icker $ork E%ery father
of a family is master in his o$n house' and ackno$ledges no po$er
higher than himself 6n the e%ent of $ar $ith neighboring tribes'
the bra%est places himself at the head' and the rest follo$ him as
long as they are able; there is no deliberate choosing of a leader
2,eath customs5 8n the $hole' they are peaceful and honorable to$ards
each other' although the idle occasionally steal the fruits of the
fields; and' should the thief be caught' the person robbed punishes
him $ith blo$s of the rattan' $ithout being under any apprehensions
of %engeance in conseAuence 6f a man dies' his nearest kinsmen
go out to reAuite his death by the death of some other indi%idual'
taken at random The rule is strictly enforced For a dead man a man
must be killed; for a $oman a $oman; and for a child a child =nless'
indeed' it be a friend they encounter' the first %ictim that offers
is killed )atterly' ho$e%er' o$ing to the unusual success attained by
some of them in representing the occurrence of death as an una%oidable
destiny' the custom is said to ha%e fallen into desuetude; and the
relati%es do not eEact the satisfaction This $as easy in the case
of the deceased being an ordinary person; but' to the present day'
%engeance is reAuired in the e%ent of the death of a belo%ed child or
$ife 6f a man kills a $oman of another house' her nearest kinsman
endea%ors to kill a $oman of the house of the murderer; but to the
murderer himself he does nothing; and the corpse of the %ictim thus
slain as a death(offering is not buried' nor is its head cut off; and
her family' in their turn' seek to a%enge the death by murder This
is reckoned the most honorable course 7hould the murderer' ho$e%er'
be too strong to be so o%ercome' any $eaker person' be it $ho it may'
is slain in retaliation; and hence' probably' the comparati%ely small
number of $omen
2@arriage5 Polygamy is permitted; but e%en the most courageous
and skilful seldom or ne%er ha%e more than one $ife + young man
$ishing to marry commissions his father to treat $ith the father
of the bride as to the price; $hich latterly has greatly increased;
but the a%erage is ten bolos' costing from four to siE reals each'
and about N-/ in cash; and the acAuisition of so large a sum by
the sale of $aE' resin' and abacZ' often takes the bridegroom t$o
years The bride(money goes partly to the father' and partly to the
nearest relations; e%ery one of $hom has an eAual interest 6f there
should be many of them' almost nothing remains for the father' $ho
has to gi%e a great feast' on $hich occasion much palm($ine is drunk
27eEual crimes5 +ny man using %iolence to$ards a girl is killed by
her parents 6f the girl $as $illing' and the father hears of it'
he agrees upon a day $ith the former' on $hich he is to bring the
brideCs do$ry; $hich should he refuse to do' he is caught by the
relations' bound to a tree' and $hipped $ith a cane +dultery is
of most rare occurrence; but' $hen it does take place' the do$ry is
returned either by the $oman' $ho then acAuires her freedom' or by
the seducer' $hom she then follo$s The husband has not the right to
detain her' if he takes the money' or e%en if he should refuse it;
but the latter contingency is not likely to arise' since that sum of
money $ill enable him to buy for himself a ne$ $ife
2Basira ra%ine5 6n the afternoon $e reached a %ast ra%ine' called
DBasira'D :4I meters abo%e =acloy' and about -'-I1 meters abo%e
the sea' eEtending from south(east to north($est bet$een lofty'
precipitous ranges' co%ered $ith $ood 6ts base' $hich has an
inclination of IIJ' consists of a naked bed of rock' and' after e%ery
%iolent rainfall' gi%es issue to a torrent of $ater' $hich discharges
itself %iolently <ere $e bi%ouacked; and the 6gorots' in a %ery short
time' built a hut' and remained on the $atch outside +t daybreak
the thermometer stood at -I:J " 2-905
2+t the summit5 The road to the summit $as %ery difficult on account
of the slippery clay earth and the tough net$ork of plants; but the
last fi%e hundred feet $ere uneEpectedly easy' the %ery steep summit
being co%ered $ith a %ery thick gro$th of thinly lea%ed' knotted' mossy
thibaudia' rhododendra' and other d$arf $oods' $hose innumerable tough
branches' running at a %ery small height along the ground and parallel
to it' form a compact and secure lattice($ork' by $hich one mounted
up$ards as on a slightly inclined ladder The point $hich $e reached ;
; ; $as e%idently the highest spur of the horseshoe(shaped mountain
side' $hich bounds the great ra%ine of "ungus on the north The top
$as hardly fifty paces in diameter' and so thickly co%ered $ith trees
that 6 ha%e ne%er seen its like; $e had not room to stand @y acti%e
hosts' ho$e%er' $ent at once to $ork' though the task of cutting a path
through the $ood in%ol%ed se%ere labor' and' chopping off the branches'
built there$ith' on the tops of the lopped trees' an obser%atory' from
$hich 6 should ha%e had a $ide panoramic %ie$' and an opportunity for
taking celestial altitudes' had not e%erything been en%eloped in a
thick mist The neighboring %olcanoes $ere %isible only in glimpses'
as $ell as 7an @iguel Bay and some lakes in the interior 6mmediately
after sunset the thermometer registered -/9J " 2-9-5
2The descent5 8n the follo$ing morning it $as still o%ercast; and
$hen' about ten oCclock' the clouds became thicker' $e set out on
our return 6t $as my intention to ha%e passed the night in a rancho'
in order neEt day to %isit a solfatara $hich $as said to be a dayCs
journey further; but my companions $ere so eEhausted by fatigue that
they asked for at least a fe$ hoursC rest
2Ferns and orchids5 8n the upper slope 6 obser%ed no palms $ith the
eEception of calamus; but polypodies FfernsG $ere %ery freAuent' and
orchids surprisingly abundant 6n one place all the trees $ere hung'
at a con%enient height' $ith flo$ering a]rids; of $hich one could ha%e
collected thousands $ithout any trouble The most beautiful plant
$as a @edinella' of so delicate a teEture that it $as impossible to
preser%e it
2Carbonic acid spring5 !ithin a Auarter of an hour north(east
of =acloy' a considerable spring of carbonic acid bursts from the
ground' depositing abundance of calcareous sinter 8ur torches $ere
Auickly eEtinguished' and a fo$l co%ered $ith a cigar(boE died in
a fe$ minutes' to the supreme astonishment of the 6gorots' to $hom
these phenomena $ere entirely ne$
2Fare$ell to mountaineers5 8n the second day of rest' my poor hosts'
$ho had accompanied me back to =acloy' still felt so $eary that they
$ere not fit for any undertaking !ith naked heads and bellies they
sAuatted in the burning sun in order to replenish their bodies $ith
the heat $hich they had lost during the bi%ouac on the summit; for
they are not allo$ed to drink $ine !hen 6 finally left them on the
follo$ing day' $e had become such good friends that 6 $as compelled
to accept a tamed $ild pig as a present + troop of men and $omen
accompanied me until they sa$ the glittering roofs of @aguiring'
$hen' after the eEchange of hearty fare$ells' they returned to their
forests The nati%es $hom 6 had taken $ith me from Goa had pro%ed
so laBy and morose that nearly the $hole task of making the path
through the forest had fallen upon the 6gorots From sheer laBiness
they thre$ a$ay the drinking $ater of $hich they $ere the porters;
and the 6gorots $ere obliged to fetch $ater from a considerable
distance for our bi%ouac on the summit 6n all my troublesome marches'
6 ha%e al$ays done better $ith Cimarrons than $ith the ci%iliBed
nati%es The former 6 ha%e found obliging' trust$orthy' acti%e and
acAuainted $ith localities' $hile the latter generally displayed the
opposite Aualities 6t $ould' ho$e%er' be unjust to form a conclusi%e
opinion as to their comparati%e merits from these facts; for the
$ild people are at home $hen in the forest; $hat they do is done
%oluntarily' and the stranger' $hen he possesses their confidence' is
treated as a guest 2Forced labor5 But the Filipinos are reluctant
companions' Polistas' $ho' e%en $hen they recei%e a high rate of
$ages' consider that they are acting most honorably $hen they do as
little as possible +t any rate' it is no pleasure to them to lea%e
their %illage in order to become luggage(porters or beaters of roads
on fatiguing marches in impracticable districts' and to camp out in
the open air under e%ery depri%ation For them' still more than for
the European peasant' repose is the most agreeable refreshment The
less comfort any one enjoys at home' the greater is the reluctance
$ith $hich he lea%es it; and the same thing may be obser%ed in Europe
2+ petition for liAuors5 +s the 6gorots $ere not permitted to
ha%e cocoa(palms for the preparation of $ine' %inegar and brandy'
so that they might not infringe the monopoly of the go%ernment'
they presented me $ith a petition entreating me to obtain this
fa%or for them The document $as put together by a Filipino $riter
in so ludicrously confused a manner that 6 gi%e it as a specimen of
Philippine clerkship 2-9/5 +t all e%ents' it had the best of results'
for the petitioners $ere accorded t$ice as much as they had prayed for
2!inds and planting season5 The south($est monsoon lasts in this
region Fdistrict of GoaG from +pril to 8ctober +pril is %ery calm
Fna%egaci[n de seOorasG From June to +ugust the south($est $inds
blo$ steadily; @arch' +pril' and @ay are the driest months; there are
shifting $inds in @arch and the beginning of +pril; $hile from 8ctober
to ,ecember is the time of storms; D7 Francisco F1th 8ctoberG brings
bad $eatherD "ice is planted in 7eptember and reaped in February
C<+PTE" Y#666
2@t 6riga5 From the 6sarog 6 returned through >aga and >abua to
6riga' the ascent of $hich 6 at length accomplished
2The ascent5 The chief of the @ontesinos had recei%ed daily rations
for t$enty(t$o men' $ith $hom he professed to make a road to the
summit; but $hen' on the e%ening of the third day' he came himself
to 6riga' in order to fetch more pro%isions' on the preteEt that
the $ork still reAuired some time for eEecution' 6 eEplained that
6 should endea%or to ascend the mountain on the follo$ing morning'
and reAuested him to act as guide <e consented' but disappeared'
together $ith his companions' during the night; the Filipinos in
the tribunal ha%ing been good enough to hold out the prospect of
se%ere punishment in case the $ork performed should not correspond
to the $orking days +fter fruitless search for another guide'
$e left Buhi in the afternoon' and passed the night in the rancho'
$here $e had pre%iously been so hospitably recei%ed The fires $ere
still burning' but the inhabitants' on our approach' had fled +bout
siE oCclock on the follo$ing morning the ascent began +fter $e had
gone through the forest' by a%ailing oursel%es of the path $hich $e
had pre%iously beaten' it led us through grass three or four feet
in height' $ith keen(edged lea%es; succeeded by cane' from se%en
to eight feet high' of the same habitat $ith our +rundo phragmites
Fbut it $as not in flo$erG' $hich occupied the $hole of the upper
part of the mountain as far as the edge 8nly in the ra%ine did the
trees attain any height The lo$er decli%ities $ere co%ered $ith
aroids and ferns; to$ards the summit $ere tendrils and mosses; and
here 6 found a beautiful' ne$' and peculiarly shaped orchid 2-9I5
The Cimarrons had cut do$n some cane; and' beating do$n our road for
oursel%es $ith bolos' $e arri%ed at the summit a little before ten
oCclock 6t $as %ery foggy 6n the hope of a clear e%ening or morning
6 caused a hut to be erected' for $hich purpose the cane $as $ell
fitted The nati%es $ere too laBy to erect a lodging for themsel%es'
or to procure $ood for a $atchfire They sAuatted on the ground'
sAueeBed close to one another to $arm themsel%es' ate cold rice'
and suffered thirst because none of them $ould fetch $ater 8f the
t$o $ater(carriers $hom 6 had taken $ith me' one had Dinad%ertentlyD
upset his $ater on the road' and the other had thro$n it a$ay Dbecause
he thought $e should not reAuire itD
2+ltitude5 6 found the highest points of the 6riga to be -'/-/
meters' -'-/0 meters abo%e the surface of the Buhi )ake From Buhi
6 $ent to Batu
2Changes in Batu )ake5 The Batu )ake Fone hundred ele%en meters
abo%e the seaG had sunk lo$er since my last %isit in February The
carpet of algae had increased considerably in breadth' its upper
edge being in many places decomposed; and the lo$er passed gradually
into a thick consistency of putrid $ater(plants Fcharae' algae'
pontederiae' %alisneriae' pistiae' etcG' $hich encompassed the
surface of the $ater so that only through a fe$ gaps could one reach
the bank "ight across the mouth of the Suinali lies' in the lake'
a bar of black mud' the softest parts of $hich $ere indicated by some
insignificant channels of $ater +s $e could not get o%er the bar in
a large boat' t$o small skiffs $ere bound together $ith a matting of
bamboo' and pro%ided $ith an a$ning By means of this contri%ance'
$hich $as dra$n by three strong carabaos Fthe $hole body of men $ith
e%ident delight and loud mirth $ading knee(deep in the black mud
and assisting by pushing behindG $e succeeded' as if on a sledge'
in getting o%er the obstacle into the ri%er; $hich on my first %isit
o%erflo$ed the fields in many places' till the huts of the nati%es
rose out of the $ater like so many ships* but no$ Fin JuneG not one
of its channels $as full !e $ere obliged in conseAuence to continue
our sledge journey until $e $ere near to Suinali
2+scent of @t @aBaraga5 +t )igao 6 alighted at a friendly 7paniardCs'
a great part of the place' together $ith the tribunal and con%ent'
ha%ing been burnt do$n since my last %isit +fter making the necessary
preparations' 6 $ent in the e%ening to Barayong' a little rancho
of Cimarrons at the foot of the @aBaraga' and' together $ith its
inhabitants' ascended the mountain on the follo$ing morning The
$omen also accompanied us for some distance' and kept the company in
good humor; and $hen' on the road' a Filipino $ho had been engaged
for the purpose $ished to gi%e up carrying a bamboo full of $ater'
and' thro$ing it a$ay' ran off' an old $oman stepped for$ard in his
stead' and dragged the $ater cheerfully along up to the summit This
mountain $as moister than any 6 had e%er ascended' the 7emeru in
Ja%a' in some respects' eEcepted; and half($ay up 6 found some rotten
rafflesia 2-915 T$o miserable(looking Cimarron dogs dro%e a young
stag to$ards us' $hich $as slain by one of the people $ith a blo$
of his bolo The path ceased a third of the $ay up' but it $as not
difficult to get through the $ood The upper portion of the mountain'
ho$e%er' being thickly o%ergro$n $ith cane' again presented great
obstacles +bout t$el%e $e reached the summit(le%el' $hich' pierced by
no crater' is almost horiBontal' smoothly arched' and thickly co%ered
$ith cane 2+ltitude5 6ts height is -'I91 meters 6n a short time the
indefatigable Cimarrons had built a fine large hut of cane* one room
for myself and the baggage' a large assembly(room for the people'
and a special apartment for cooking =nfortunately the cane $as so
$et that it $ould not burn 6n order to procure fire$ood to cook the
rice' thick branches $ere got out of the $ood' and their comparati%ely
dry pith eEtracted $ith great labor The lucifer(matches' too' $ere
so damp that the phosphorus $as rubbed a$ay in friction; but' being
collected on blotting(paper' and kneaded together $ith the sulphurous
end of the match($ood' it became dry and $as kindled by friction >ot
a trace of solid rock $as to be seen +ll $as obstructed by a thick
o%ergro$th from $here the path ceased' and the ground co%ered $ith
a dense bed of damp $ood(earth The follo$ing morning $as fine' and
sho$ed a $ide panorama; but' before 6 had completed my dra$ing' it
again became misty; and as' after se%eral hours of $aiting' the hea%ens
$ere o%erspread $ith thick rain(clouds' $e set out on our return
2Butterflies5 >umerous butterflies s$armed around the summit !e
could' ho$e%er' catch only a fe$' as the passage o%er the cane(stubble
$as too difficult for naked feet; and' the badly(stitched soles of
t$o pairs of ne$ shoes $hich 6 had brought from @anila ha%ing dropped
off some time before 6 reached the summit' 6 $as compelled to perform
the journey to )igao barefoot
2>ati%e contempt for pri%ate 7paniards5 8n the follo$ing day my
7panish host $ent t$ice to the tribunal to procure the carabao carts
$hich $ere necessary for the furtherance of my collections <is
courteous reAuest $as unsuccessful; but the command of the parish
priest' $ho personally informed the Gobernadorcillo in his house'
$as immediately obeyed The Filipino authorities ha%e' as a rule' but
little respect for pri%ate 7panish people' and treat them not seldom
$ith open contempt +n official recommendation from the alcalde is
usually effectual' but not in all the pro%inces; for many alcaldes do
hurt to their o$n authority by engaging the assistance or conni%ance of
the nati%e magistrates in the furtherance of their personal interests
2Giant bats5 6 here shot some panikes' great bats $ith $ings nearly
fi%e feet $ide $hen eEtended' $hich in the day time hang asleep from
the branches of trees' and' among them' t$o mothers $ith their young
sucking ones uninjured 6t $as affecting to see ho$ the little animals
clung more and more firmly to the bodies of their dying parents'
and ho$ tenderly they embraced them e%en after these $ere dead The
apparent feeling' ho$e%er' $as only self(interest at bottom' for'
$hen their store of milk $as eEhausted' the old ones $ere treated
$ithout respect' like empty bottles +s soon as the young ones $ere
separated' they fed on bananas' and li%ed se%eral days' until 6 at
length placed them in spirits
2+ muddy dry season5 Early in the morning 6 rode on the priestCs
horse to )egaspi' and in the e%ening through deep mud to the alcalde
at +lbay !e $ere no$ FJuneG in the middle of the so(called dry season'
but it rained almost e%ery day; and the road bet$een +lbay and )egaspi
$as $orse than e%er ,uring my %isit information arri%ed from the
commandant of the faluas on the south coast that' as he $as pursuing
t$o pirate %essels' 2Po$er of @oro pirates5 siE others suddenly made
their appearance' in order to cut off his return; for $hich reason he
bad Auickly made his $ay back The faluas are %ery strongly manned' and
pro%ided $ith cannon' but the cre$s furnished by the localities on the
coast are entirely unpractised in the use of fire(arms' and moreo%er
hold the @oros in such dread that' if the smallest chance offers of
flight' they a%ail themsel%es of it to ensure their safety by making
for the land The places on the coast' destitute of other arms than
$ooden pikes' $ere completely eEposed to the pirates' $ho had firmly
established themsel%es in Catanduanes' Biri' and se%eral small islands'
and seiBed ships $ith impunity' or robbed men on the land +lmost daily
fresh robberies and murders $ere announced from the %illages on the
shore ,uring a plundering eEpedition the men caught are employed at
the oars and at its close sold as sla%es; and' on the di%ision of the
spoil' one of the cre$ falls to the share of the dato F@oro chiefG $ho
fitted out the %essel 2-995 The coasting %essels in these $aters' it
is true' are mostly pro%ided $ith artillery' but it is generally placed
in the hold of the ship' as no one on board kno$s ho$ to use it 6f
the cannon be upon deck' either the po$der or the shot is $anting;
and the captain promises to be better prepared neEt time 2-9H5 The
alcalde reported the outrages of the pirates by e%ery post to @anila'
as $ell as the great injury done to trade' and spoke of the duty of the
2>o protection from Go%ernment5 Go%ernment to protect its subjects'
especially as the latter $ere not permitted to use fire(arms; 2-945 and
from the Bisayan 6slands came the same cry for help The Go%ernment'
ho$e%er' $as po$erless against the e%il 6f the complaints $ere indeed
%ery urgent' they $ould send a steamer into the $aters most infested;
but it hardly e%er came in sight of pirates' although the latter $ere
carrying on their depredations close in front and behind
2Go%ernment steamer easily eluded5 +t 7amars' the principal to$n'
6 subseAuently met $ith a Go%ernment steamer' $hich for fourteen days
past had been nominally engaged in cruising against the pirates; but
the latter' generally fore$arned by their spies' percei%e the smoke
of the steamers sufficiently soon to slip a$ay in their flat boats;
and the officers kne$ beforehand that their cruise $ould ha%e no
other result than to sho$ the distressed pro%inces that their outcry
$as not altogether unnoticed 2-9.5
27team gunboats more successful5 T$enty small steam gunboats of light
draught had shortly before been ordered from England' and $ere nearly
ready The first t$o indeed arri%ed soon after in @anila Fthey had to
be transported in pieces round the CapeG' and $ere to be follo$ed by
the rest; and they $ere at one time almost successful in deli%ering
the archipelago from these burdensome pests; 2-9:5 at least' from
the proscribed @oros $ho came e%ery year from the 7ulu 7ea' mostly
from the island of Ta$ita$i' arri%ing in @ay at the Bisayas' and
continuing their depredations in the archipelago until the change
of the monsoon in 8ctober or >o%ember compelled them to return
2-H05 2"enegades join pirates and bandits5 6n the Philippines they
gained ne$ recruits among %agabonds' deserters' runa$ay criminals'
and ruined spendthrifts; and from the same sources $ere made up the
bands of high$ay robbers FtulisanesG' $hich sometimes started up'
and perpetuated acts of eEtraordinary daring >ot long before my
arri%al they had made an inroad into a suburb of @anila' and engaged
$ith the military in the high$ays 7ome of the latter are regularly
employed in the ser%ice against the tulisanes The robbers are not'
as a rule' cruel to their %ictims $hen no opposition is offered 2-H-5
2Plants from Berlin5 6n )egaspi 6 found a$aiting me se%eral chests
$ith tin lining' $hich had been siEteen months on their passage by
o%erland route' instead of se%en $eeks' ha%ing been con%eyed from
Berlin by $ay of Trieste' on account of the 6talian $ar Their
contents' $hich had been intended for use in the Philippines
eEclusi%ely' $ere no$ for the most part useless 6n one chest there
$ere t$o small flasks $ith glass stoppers' one filled $ith moist
charcoal' and the other $ith moist clay' both containing seeds of the
#ictoria "egia and tubers of red and blue nymphae F$ater(lilyG Those
in the first flask $ere spoiled' as might ha%e been eEpected; but in
that filled $ith moist clay t$o tubers had thro$n out shoots of half an
inch in length' and appeared Auite sound 6 planted them at once' and
in a fe$ days %igorous lea%es $ere de%eloped 8ne of these beautiful
plants' $hich had been originally intended for the BuitenBorg Garden
in Ja%a' remained in )egaspi; the other 6 sent to @anila' $here'
on my return' 6 sa$ it in full bloom 6n the charcoal t$o #ictoria
seeds had thro$n out roots abo%e an inch in length' $hich had rotted
off @ost likely they had been torn up by the custom(house inspectors'
and had after$ards rotted' for the neck of the bottle $as broken'
and the charcoal appeared as if it had been stirred 6 communicated
the brilliant result of his mode of packing to the 6nspector of the
Botanical Gardens at Berlin' $ho made a second consignment direct
to Ja%a' $hich arri%ed in the best condition; so that not only the
#ictoria' but also the one $hich had been deri%ed in Berlin from an
+frican father and an +siatic mother' no$ adorn the $ater(basins of
Ja%a $ith red pond(roses Fthe latter plants probably those of the
Philippines alsoG
2Carpentering difficulties5 Being compelled by the continuous rain to
dry my collections in t$o o%ens before packing them' 6 found that my
ser%ant had burned the greater part' so that the remains found a place
in a roomy chest $hich 6 purchased for a dollar at an auction This
unfortunately lacked a lid; to procure $hich 6 $as obliged' in the
first place' to liberate a carpenter $ho had been imprisoned for a
small debt; secondly' to ad%ance money for the purchase of a board
and the redemption of his tools out of pa$n; and e%en then the $ork'
$hen it $as begun' $as se%eral times broken off because pre%ious claims
of %iolent creditors had to be discharged by labor 6n fi%e days the
lid $as completed' at the cost of three dollars 6t did not last long'
ho$e%er' for in @anila 6 had to get it replaced by a ne$ one
28ff to 7amar5 +t )egaspi 6 a%ailed myself of an opportunity to reach
the island of 7amar in a small schooner 6t is situated south(east
from )uBon' on the farther side of the 7trait of 7an Bernardino'
$hich is three leagues in breadth +t the moment of my departure'
to my great regret' my ser%ant left me' Dthat he might rest a little
from his fatigue'D for Pepe $as good(natured' %ery skilful' and
al$ays e%en(tempered 2)osing a cle%er assistant5 <e had learned
much from the numerous 7panish soldiers and sailors resident in
Ca%ite' his nati%e place' $here he used to be playfully called the
D7paniard of Ca%iteD "o%ing from one place to another $as his
delight; and he Auickly acAuired acAuaintances <e kne$ especially
ho$ to gain the fa%or of the ladies' for he possessed many social
accomplishments' being eAually able to play the guitar and to milk
the carabao(co$s !hen $e came to a pueblo' $here a mestiBa' or e%en a
Ddaughter of the countryD FcreoleG' d$elt' he $ould' $hen practicable'
ask permission to milk a co$; and after bringing the seOora some
of the milk' under preteEt of being the interpreter of my $ishes'
he $ould maintain such a flo$ of ingeniously courteous con%ersation'
praising the beauty and grace of the lady' and most modestly allo$ing
his prodigious tra%elling ad%entures to be eEtracted from him' that
both knight and esAuire beamed $ith brilliant radiance + present
$as al$ays $elcome' and brought us many a little basket of oranges;
and carabao milk is eEcellent $ith chocolate* but it seemed as if
one seldom has the opportunity of milking a co$ =nfortunately Pepe
did not like climbing mountains' and $hen he $as to ha%e gone $ith
me he either got the stomach(ache or ga%e a$ay my strong shoes' or
allo$ed them to be stolen; the nati%e ones' ho$e%er' being allo$ed
to remain untouched' for he kne$ $ell that they $ere fit only for
riding' and deri%ed comfort from the fact 6n company $ith me he
$orked Auickly and cheerfully; but' $hen alone' it became tedious to
him Particularly he found friends' $ho hindered him' and then he $ould
abandon his skinning of the birds' $hich therefore became putrid and
had to be thro$n a$ay Packing $as still more disagreeable to him' and
conseAuently he did it as Auickly as possible' though not al$ays $ith
sufficient care' as on one occasion he tied up' in one and the same
bundle' shoes' arsenic(soap' dra$ings' and chocolate >ot$ithstanding
trifling faults of this kind' he $as %ery useful and agreeable to me;
but he did not go $illingly to such an unci%iliBed island as 7amar;
and $hen he recei%ed his $ages in full for eight months all in a lump'
and so became a small capitalist' he could not resist the temptation
to rest a little from his labors
C<+PTE" Y6Y
27amar5 The island of 7amar' $hich is of nearly rhomboidal outline'
and $ith fe$ indentations on its coasts' stretches from the north($est
to the south(east from -/J I4C to -0J 91C >; its mean length being
t$enty(t$o miles' its breadth ele%en' and its area t$o hundred and
t$enty sAuare miles 6t is separated on the south by the small strait
of 7an Juanico from the island of )eyte' $ith $hich it $as formerly
united into one pro%ince +t the present time each island has its
separate go%ernor
2Former names5 By the older authors the island is called Tendaya'
6babao' and also +chan and Filipina 6n later times the eastern
side $as called 6babao' and the $estern 7amar' $hich is no$ the
official denomination for the $hole island' the eastern shore being
distinguished as the Contracosta 2-H/5
27easons and $eather5 +s on the eastern coasts of )uBon' the
north(east monsoon here eEceeds that from the south($est in duration
and force' the %iolence of the latter being arrested by the islands
lying to the south$est' $hile the north(east $inds break against
the coasts of these easterly islands $ith their $hole force' and the
additional $eight of the body of $ater $hich they bring $ith them from
the open ocean 6n 8ctober $inds fluctuating bet$een north($est and
north(east occur; but the pre%alent ones are northerly 6n the middle
of >o%ember the north(east is constant; and it blo$s' $ith but little
intermission' from the north until +pril This is like$ise the rainy
season' ,ecember and January being the $ettest' $hen it sometimes
rains for fourteen days $ithout interruption 6n )auang' on the north
coast' the rainy season lasts from 8ctober to the end of ,ecember From
January to +pril it is dry; @ay' June' and July are rainy; and +ugust
and 7eptember' again' are dry; so that here there are t$o $et and
t$o dry seasons in the year From 8ctober to January %iolent storms
Fbaguios or typhoonsG sometimes occur Beginning generally $ith a
north $ind' they pass to the north($est' accompanied by a little rain'
then back to the north' and $ith increasing %iolence to the north(east
and east' $here they acAuire their greatest po$er' and then moderate
to the south 7ometimes' ho$e%er' they change rapidly from the east
to the south' in $hich Auarter they first acAuire their greatest force
2!inds and storms5 From the end of @arch to the middle of June
inconstant easterly $inds F>EE and 7EG pre%ail' $ith a %ery
hea%y sea on the east coast @ay is usually calm; but in @ay and
June there are freAuent thunderstorms' introducing the south($est
monsoon' $hich though it eEtends through the months of July' +ugust'
and 7eptember' is not so constant as the north(east The last(named
three months constitute the dry season' $hich' ho$e%er' is often
interrupted by thunderstorms >ot a $eek' indeed' passes $ithout rain;
and in many years a storm arises e%ery afternoon +t this season of
the year ships can reach the east coast; but during the north(east
monsoon na%igation there is impossible These general circumstances
are subject to many local de%iations' particularly on the south and
$est coasts' $here the uniformity of the air currents is disturbed
by the mountainous islands lying in front of them +ccording to
the Estado geografico of -.99' an eEtraordinarily high tide' called
dolo' occurs e%ery year at the change of the monsoon in 7eptember or
8ctober 6t rises sometimes siEty or se%enty feet' and dashes itself
$ith fearful %iolence against the south and east coasts' doing great
damage' but not lasting for any length of time The climate of 7amar
and )eyte appears to be %ery healthy on the coasts; in fact' to be
the best of all the islands of the archipelago ,ysentery' diarrhoea'
and fe%er occur less freAuently than in )uBon' and Europeans also
are less subject to their attacks than in that place
28nly the coast settled5 The ci%iliBed nati%es li%e almost solely
on its coasts' and there are also Bisayans $ho differ in speech and
manners from the Bicols in about the same degree that the latter do
from the Tagalogs "oads and %illages are almost entirely $anting
in the interior' $hich is co%ered $ith a thick $ood' and affords
sustenance to independent tribes' $ho carry on a little tillage
F%egetable roots and mountain riceG' and collect the products of the
$oods' particularly resin' honey' and $aE' in $hich the island is
%ery rich
2+ tedious but e%entful %oyage5 8n the Ird of July $e lost sight
of )egaspi' and' detained by freAuent calms' cra$led as far as
Point @ontufar' on the northern edge of +lbay' then on$ards to the
small island of #iri' and did not reach )auang before e%ening of
the 9th The mountain range of Bacon Fthe Pocdol of CoelloG' $hich
on my pre%ious journeys had been concealed by night or mist' no$
re%ealed itself to us in passing as a conical mountain; and beside
it to$ered a %ery precipitous' deeply(cleft mountain(side' apparently
the remnant of a circular range +fter the pilot' an old Filipino and
nati%e of the country' $ho had made the journey freAuently before'
had conducted us' to begin $ith' to a $rong port' he ran the %essel
fast on to the bar' although there $as sufficient $ater to sail into
the harbor con%eniently
2)auang5 The district of )auang F)ahuanG' $hich is encumbered $ith
more than four thousand fi%e hundred inhabitants' is situated at an
altitude of forty feet' on the south($est shore of the small island
of the same name' $hich is separated from 7amar by an arm of the
Catubig +ccording to a $idely(spread tradition' the settlement $as
originally in 7amar itself' in the middle of the rice(fields' $hich
continue to the present day in that place' until the repeated inroads
of sea(pirates dro%e the inhabitants' in spite of the incon%enience
attending it' to protect themsel%es by settling on the south coast
of the little island' $hich rises steeply out of the sea 2-HI5 The
latter consists of almost horiBontal banks of tufa' from eight to
t$el%e inches in thickness The strata being continually eaten a$ay
by the $a%es at lo$ $atermark' the upper layers break off; and thus
the uppermost parts of the strata' $hich are of a tolerably uniform
thickness' are cleft by %ertical fissures' and look like the $alls of
a fortress Pressed for space' the church and the con%ent ha%e taken
up e%ery le%el bit of the rock at %arious heights; and the effect of
this accommodation of architecture to the reAuirements of the ground'
though not designed by the architect' is most picturesAue
2,eterioration in the to$n5 The place is beautifully situated; but the
houses are not so freAuently as formerly surrounded by little gardens
$hile there is a great $ant of $ater' and foul odors pre%ail T$o or
three scanty springs afford a muddy' brackish $ater' almost at the
le%el of the sea' $ith $hich the indolent people are content so that
they ha%e just enough !ealthy people ha%e their $ater brought from
7amar' and the poorer classes are sometimes compelled' by the drying(up
of the springs' to ha%e recourse to the same place The spring($ater
is not plentiful for bathing purposes; and' sea(bathing not being in
fa%or' the people conseAuently are %ery dirty Their clothing is the
same as in )uBon; but the $omen $ear no tapis' only a camisa Fa short
chemise' hardly co%ering the breastG' and a saya' mostly of coarse'
stiff guinara' $hich forms ugly folds' and $hen not colored black
is %ery transparent But dirt and a filthy eEistence form a better
screen than opaAue garments The inhabitants of )auang rightly'
indeed' enjoy the reputation of being %ery idle Their industry is
limited to a little tillage' e%en fishing being so neglected that
freAuently there is a scarcity of fish 6n the absence of roads by
land' there is hardly any communication by $ater; and trade is mostly
carried on by mariners from Catbalogan' $ho eEchange the surplus of
the har%ests for other produce
From the con%ent a %ie$ is had of part of the island of 7amar' the
mountain forms of $hich appear to be a continuation of the horiBontal
strata 6n the centre of the district' at the distance of some miles'
a table mountain' famous in the history of the country' to$ers
aloft 2The Palapat re%olt5 The nati%es of the neighboring %illage
of Palapat retreated to it after ha%ing killed their priest' a too
co%etous Jesuit father' and for years carried on a guerilla $arfare
$ith the 7paniards until they $ere finally o%erpo$ered by treachery
2Pirate outrages5 The interior of the country is difficult to
tra%erse from the absence of roads' and the coasts are much infested
by pirates Suite recently se%eral pontins and four schooners'
laden $ith abacZ' $ere captured' and the cre$s cruelly murdered'
their bodies ha%ing been cut to pieces This' ho$e%er' $as opposed
to their general practice' for the capti%es are usually employed at
the oars during the continuance of the foray' and after$ards sold as
sla%es in the islands of the 7ulu sea 6t $as $ell that $e did not
encounter the pirates' for' although $e carried four small cannons
on board' nobody understood ho$ to use them 2-H15
2Electing officers5 The go%ernor' $ho $as eEpected to conduct the
election of the district officials in person' but $as pre%ented
by illness' sent a deputy +s the annual elections are conducted
in the same manner o%er the $hole country' that at $hich 6 $as
present may be taken as typical of the rest 6t took place in the
common hall; the go%ernor For his deputyG sitting at the table'
$ith the pastor on his right hand' and the clerk on his left((the
latter also acting as interpreter; $hile CabeBas de Barangay' the
gobernadorcillo' and those $ho had pre%iously filled the office' took
their places all together on benches First of all' siE cabeBas and
as many gobernadorcillos are chosen by lot as electors; the actual
gobernadorcillo is the thirteenth' and the rest Auit the hall +fter
the reading of the statutes by the president' $ho eEhorts the electors
to the conscientious performance of their duty' the latter ad%ance
singly to the table' and $rite three names on a piece of paper =nless
a %alid protest be made either by the parish priest or by the electors'
the one $ho has the most %otes is forth$ith named gobernadorcillo for
the coming year' subject to the appro%al of the superior jurisdiction
at @anila; $hich' ho$e%er' al$ays consents' for the influence of the
priest $ould pro%ide against a disagreeable election The election of
the other functionaries takes place in the same manner' after the ne$
gobernadorcillo has been first summoned into the hall' in order that'
if he ha%e any important objections to the officers then about to be
elected' he may be able to make them The $hole affair $as conducted
%ery Auietly and $ith dignity 2-H95
2=nsatisfactory forced labor5 8n the follo$ing morning' accompanied
by the obliging priest' $ho $as follo$ed by nearly all the boys
of the %illage' 6 crossed o%er in a large boat to 7amar 8ut of
ele%en strong baggage porters $hom the go%ernorCs representati%e had
selected for me' four took possession of some trifling articles and
sped a$ay $ith them' three others hid themsel%es in the bush' and
four had pre%iously decamped at )auang The baggage $as di%ided and
distributed amongst the four porters $ho $ere detained' and the little
boys $ho had accompanied us for their o$n pleasure !e follo$ed the
sea(shore in a $esterly direction' and at a %ery late hour reached the
nearest %isita Fa suburban chapel and settlementG $here the priest
$as successful' after much difficulty' in supplying the places of
the missing porters 8n the $est side of the mouth of the Pambujan
a neck of land projects into the sea' $hich is a fa%orite resort
of the 2+ pirate base5 sea(pirates' $ho from their shelter in the
$ood command the shore $hich eEtends in a $ide cur%e on both sides'
and forms the only communication bet$een )auang and Catarman @any
tra%ellers had already been robbed in this place; and the father' $ho
$as no$ accompanying me thus far' had' $ith the greatest difficulty'
escaped the same danger only a fe$ $eeks before
The last part of our dayCs journey $as performed %ery cautiously +
messenger $ho had been sent on had placed boats at all the mouths of
ri%ers' and' as hardly any other Europeans besides ecclesiastics are
kno$n in this district' 6 $as taken in the darkness for a Capuchin in
tra%elling attire; the men lighting me $ith torches during the passage'
and the $omen pressing for$ard to kiss my hand 6 passed the night
on the road' and on the follo$ing day reached Catarman FCaladman on
CoelloCs mapG' a clean' spacious locality numbering H'I9. souls' at
the mouth of the ri%er of the same name 7iE pontins from Catbalogan
a$aited their cargoes of rice for +lbay The inhabitants of the north
coast are too indifferent sailors to eEport their products themsel%es'
and lea%e it to the people of 2Catbalogan monopoly of interisland
traffic5 Catbalogan' $ho' ha%ing no rice(fields' are obliged to find
employment for their acti%ity in other places
2+ changed ri%er and a ne$ to$n5 The ri%er Catarman formerly emptied
further to the east' and $as much choked $ith mud 6n the year -.9-'
after a continuous hea%y rain' it $orked for itself' in the loose
soil $hich consists of AuartB sand and fragments of mussels' a ne$
and shorter passage to the sea((the present harbor' in $hich ships
of t$o hundred tons can load close to the land; but in doing so it
destroyed the greater part of the %illage' as $ell as the stone church
and the priestCs residence 6n the ne$ con%ent there are t$o salons'
one -H/ by ..' the other : by 4H paces in dimensions' boarded $ith
planks from a single branch of a dipterocarpus FguisoG The pace is
eAui%alent to I0 inches; and' assuming the thickness of the boards'
inclusi%e of $aste' to be one inch' this $ould gi%e a solid block of
$ood as high as a table Ft$o and one(half feetG' the same in breadth'
eighteen feet in length' and of about one hundred and ten cubic
feet 2-HH5 The houses are enclosed in gardens; but some of them only
by fencing' $ithin $hich $eeds luEuriate +t the rebuilding of the
%illage' after the great flood of $ater' the laying out of gardens
$as commanded; but the industry $hich is reAuired to preser%e them is
often $anting Pasture grounds eEtend themsel%es' on the south side
of the %illage' co%ered $ith fine short grass; but' $ith the eEception
of some oEen and sheep belonging to the priest' there are no cattle
2=p the ri%er5 7till $ithout ser%ants' 6 proceeded $ith my baggage in
t$o small boats up the ri%er' on both sides of $hich rice(fields and
coco(gro%es eEtended; but the latter' being concealed by a thick border
of >ipa palms and lofty cane' are only %isible occasionally through
the gaps The sandy banks' at first flat' became gradually steeper'
and the rock soon sho$ed itself close at hand' $ith firm banks of sandy
clay containing occasional traces of indistinguishable petrifactions +
small mussel 2-H45 has pierced the clay banks at the $ater(line' in
such number that they look like honeycombs +bout t$el%e $e cooked
our rice in an isolated hut' amongst friendly people The $omen $hom
$e surprised in dark ragged clothing of guinara dre$ back ashamed'
and soon after appeared in clean cheAuered sayas' $ith earrings of
brass and tortoise(shell combs !hen 6 dre$ a little naked girl' the
mother forced her to put on a garment +bout t$o $e again stepped into
the boat' and after ro$ing the $hole night reached a small %isita'
Cobocobo' about nine in the forenoon The ro$ers had $orked $ithout
interruption for t$enty(four hours' eEclusi%e of the t$o hoursC
rest at noon' and though some$hat tired $ere in good spirits
27alta 7angley ridge5 +t half(past t$o $e set out on the road o%er
the 7alta 7angley FChinese leapG to Tragbucan' $hich' distant about a
mile in a straight line' is situated at the place $here the Calbayot'
$hich empties on the $est coast at Point <ibaton' becomes na%igable for
small boats By means of these t$o ri%ers and the short but troublesome
road' a communication eEists bet$een the important stations of Catarman
on the north coast' and Calbayot on the $est coast The road' $hich
at its best part is a small path in the thick $ood unin%aded by the
sun' and freAuently is only a track' passes o%er slippery ridges of
clay' disappearing in the mud puddles in the inter%ening hollo$s' and
sometimes running into the bed of the brooks The $atershed bet$een
the Catarman and Calbayot is formed by the 7alta 7angley already
mentioned' a flat ridge composed of banks of clay and sandstone'
$hich succeed one another ladder($ise do$n$ards on both its sides'
and from $hich the $ater collected at the top descends in little
cascades 6n the most difficult places rough ladders of bamboo are
fiEed 6 counted fifteen brooks on the north(east side $hich feed the
Catarman' and about the same number of feeders of the Calbayot on the
south($est side +bout forty minutes past four $e reached the highest
point of the 7alta 7angley' about ninety feet abo%e the sea; and at
half(past siE $e got to a stream' the highest part of the Calbayot'
in the bed of $hich $e $andered until its increasing depth forced us'
in the dark' laboriously to beat out our path through the under$ood
to its bank; and about eight oCclock $e found oursel%es opposite the
%isita Tragbucan The ri%er at this place $as already siE feet deep'
and there $as not a boat +fter shouting entreaties and threats for
a long time' the people' $ho $ere startled out of sleep by a re%ol%er
shot' agreed to construct a raft of bamboo' on $hich they put us and
our baggage The little place' $hich consists of only a fe$ poor huts'
is prettily situated' surrounded as it is by $ooded hillocks on a
plateau of sand fifty feet abo%e the reed(bordered ri%er
28n the Calbayot "i%er5 Thanks to the acti%ity of the teniente of
Catarman $ho accompanied me' a boat $as procured $ithout delay' so
that $e $ere able to continue our journey about se%en oCclock The
banks $ere from t$enty to forty feet high; and' $ith the eEception of
the cry of some rhinoceros birds $hich fluttered from bough to bough
on the tops of the trees' $e neither heard nor sa$ a trace of animal
life +bout half(past ele%en $e reached Taibago' a small %isita'
and about half(past one a similar one' @agubay; and after t$o hoursC
rest at noon' about fi%e oCclock' $e got into a current do$n $hich
$e skilfully floated' almost $ithout admitting any $ater The ri%er'
$hich up to this point is thirty feet broad' and on account of many
projecting branches of trees difficult to na%igate' here is t$ice as
broad +bout ele%en at night $e reached the sea' and in a complete
calm ro$ed for the distance of a league along the coast to Calbayot'
the con%ent at $hich place affords a commanding %ie$ of the islands
lying before it
+ thunderstorm obliged us to postpone the journey to the chief to$n'
Catbalogan For CatbalongaG' $hich $as se%en leagues distant' until
the afternoon 6n a long boat' formed out of the stem of one tree'
and furnished $ith outriggers' $e tra%elled along the shore' $hich
is margined by a ro$ of lo$($ooded hills $ith many small %isitas;
and as night $as setting in $e rounded the point of >apalisan'
a rock of trachytic conglomerate shaped by perpendicular fissures
$ith rounded edges into a series of projections like to$ers'
$hich rises up out of the sea to the height of siEty feet' like
a knightCs castle 2Catbalogan5 +t night $e reached Catbalogan'
the chief to$n of the island' $ith a population of siE thousand'
$hich is picturesAuely situated in the middle of the $estern border'
in a little bay surrounded by islands and necks of land' difficult
to approach and' therefore' little guarded >ot a single %essel $as
anchored in the harbor
The houses' many of $hich are of boards' are neater than those
in Camarines; and the people' though idle' are more modest' more
honorable' more obliging' and of cleaner habits' than the inhabitants
of 7outh )uBon Through the courtesy of the go%ernor 6 Auickly obtained
a roomy d$elling' and a ser%ant $ho understood 7panish 2+n ingenious
mechanic5 <ere 6 also met a %ery intelligent Filipino $ho had acAuired
great skill in a large %ariety of crafts !ith the simplest tools he
impro%ed in many points on my instruments and apparatus' the purpose
of $hich he Auickly comprehended to my entire satisfaction' and ga%e
many proofs of considerable intellectual ability
2The flying monkey5 6n 7amar the flying monkey or lemur Fthe kaguang
of the Bisayans((galeopithecusG is not rare These animals' $hich are
of the siBe of the domestic cat' belong to the Auadrumana; but' like
the flying sAuirrels' they are pro%ided $ith a bird(like membrane'
$hich' commencing at the neck' and passing o%er the fore and hinder
limbs' reaches to the tail; by means of $hich they are able to glide
from one tree to another at a %ery obtuse angle 2-H.5 Body and
membrane are clothed $ith a %ery short fur' $hich nearly eAuals the
chinchilla in firmness and softness' and is on that account in great
reAuest !hile 6 $as there' siE li%e kaguangs arri%ed as a present for
the priest Fthree light grey' one dark bro$n' and t$o greyish bro$n;
all $ith irregularly distributed spotsG; and from these 6 secured a
little female $ith her young
2+ hasty and unfounded judgment5 6t appeared to be a %ery harmless'
a$k$ard animal !hen liberated from its fetters' it remained lying
on the ground $ith all its four limbs stretched out' and its belly
in contact $ith the earth' and then hopped in short a$k$ard leaps'
$ithout thereby raising itself from the ground' to the nearest $all'
$hich $as of planed boards +rri%ed there' it felt about it for a long
time $ith the sharp cla$' $hich is bent in$ards' of its fore(hand'
until at length it realiBed the impossiblity of climbing it at any
part 6t succeeded by means of a corner or an accidental cre%ice in
climbing a foot up$ards' and fell do$n again immediately' because it
had abandoned the comparati%ely secure footing of its hinder limbs
before its fore(cla$s had obtained a firm hold 6t recei%ed no hurt'
as the %iolence of the fall $as broken by the flying membrane $hich
$as rapidly eEtended These attempts' $hich $ere continued $ith steady
perse%erance' sho$ed an astonishing deficiency of judgment' the animal
endea%oring to do much more than $as in its po$er to accomplish +ll
its endea%ors' therefore' $ere unsuccessful' though made $ithout
doing itself any hurt((thanks to the parachute $ith $hich >ature
had pro%ided it <ad the kaguang not been in the habit of relying
so entirely on this con%enient contri%ance' it probably $ould ha%e
eEercised its judgment to a greater eEtent' and formed a more correct
estimate of its ability The animal repeated its fruitless efforts so
often that 6 no longer took any notice of it' and after some time it
disappeared* but 6 found it again in a dark corner' under the roof'
$here it $ould probably ha%e $aited for the night in order to continue
its flight E%idently it had succeeded in reaching the upper edge of
the boarded $all by sAueeBing its body bet$een this and the elastic
co%ering of bamboo hurdle($ork $hich lay firmly imposed upon it;
so that the poor creature' $hich 6 had rashly concluded $as stupid
and a$k$ard' had' under the circumstances' manifested the greatest
possible skill' prudence' and perse%erance
2+ promise of rare animals and $ild people5 + priest $ho $as
present on a %isit from Calbigan promised me so many $onders in his
district((abundance of the rarest animals' and Cimarrones unci%iliBed
in the highest degree((that 6 accompanied him' on the follo$ing day'
in his journey home 6n an hour after our departure $e reached the
little island of @aja%a' $hich consists of perpendicular strata of
a hard' fine(grained' %olcanic tufa' $ith small' bright crystals of
hornblende The island of Buat Fon CoelloCs mapG is called by our
mariners Tubigan 6n three hours $e reached =mauas' a dependency
of Calbigan 6t is situated' fifty feet abo%e the sea' in a bay'
before $hich Fas is so often the case on this coastG a ro$ of small
picturesAue islands succeed one another' and is eEactly four leagues
from Catbalogan But Calbigan' $hich $e reached to$ards e%ening' is
situated t$o leagues >>E from =mauas' surrounded by rice(fields'
forty feet abo%e the ri%er of the same name' and almost a league and
a half from its mouth + tree $ith beautiful %iolet(blue panicles
of blossoms is especially abundant on the banks of the Calbigan'
and supplies a most %aluable $ood for building purposes in the
Philippines 6t is considered eAual to teak' like $hich it belongs
to the class %erbenaceae; and its inland name is 2@ola%e5 mola%e
F#iteE geniculata' BlancoG
27erpent(charmers5 +ccording to the statements of credible men'
there are serpent(tamers in this country They are said to pipe the
serpents out of their holes' directing their mo%ements' and stopping
and handling them at $ill' $ithout being injured by them The most
famous indi%idual amongst them' ho$e%er' had been carried off by
the sea(pirates a short time before; another had run a$ay to the
Cimarronese in the mountains; and the third' $hose reputation did not
appear to be rightly established' accompanied me on my eEcursion'
but did not justify the representations of his friends <e caught
t$o poisonous serpents' 2-H:5 $hich $e encountered on the road' by
deEterously seiBing them immediately behind the head' so that they $ere
incapable of doing harm; and' $hen he commanded them to lie still'
he took the precaution of placing his foot on their necks 6n the
chase 6 hurt my foot so se%erely against a sharp(pointed branch $hich
$as concealed by the mud that 6 $as obliged to return to Catbalogan
$ithout effecting my object The inhabitants of Calbigan are considered
more acti%e and circumspect than those on the $est coast' and they are
praised for their honesty 6 found them %ery skilful; and they seemed
to take an e%ident pleasure in making collections and preparing plants
and animals' so that 6 $ould gladly ha%e taken $ith me a ser%ant from
the place; but they are so reluctant to lea%e their %illage that all
the priestCs efforts to induce one to ride $ith us $ere fruitless
2+ coral garden5 +t a short distance north($est from Catbalogan a most
luEuriant garden of corals is to be obser%ed in less than t$o fathoms'
at the ebb 8n a yello$ carpet of calcareous polyps and sponges'
groups of leather(like stalks' finger(thick' lift themsel%es up like
stems of %egetable gro$th; their upper ends thickly co%ered $ith polyps
F7arcophyton pulmo EspG' $hich display their roses of tentacula $ide
open' and resplendent $ith the most beautiful %arying colors' looking'
in fact' like flo$ers in full bloom #ery large serpulites eEtend
from their calcareous tubes' elegant red' blue' and yello$ cro$ns of
feelers' and' $hile little fishes of mar%ellously gorgeous color dart
about in this fairy garden' in their midst luEuriantly gro$ delicate'
feathered plumulariae
28rnamental but useless forts5 Bad $eather and the flight of my
ser%ant' $ho had gambled a$ay some money $ith $hich he had been
entrusted' at a cock(fight' ha%ing detained me some days in the
chief to$n' 6 proceeded up the bay' $hich eEtends south$ards from
Catbalogan and from $est to east as far as Paranas 6ts northern
shore consists of ridges of earth' regular and of eAual height'
eEtending from north to south' $ith gentle slopes to$ards the $est'
but steep decli%ities on the east' and terminating abruptly to$ards
the sea >ine little %illages are situated on this coast bet$een
Catbalogan and Paranas From the hollo$s' amidst coco and betel
palms' they eEpand in isolated groups of houses up the gentle $estern
slopes' and' on reaching the summit' terminate in a little castle'
$hich hardly affords protection against the pirates' but generally
forms a pretty feature in the landscape 6n front of the southern
edge of the bay' and to the south($est' many small islands and $ooded
rocks are %isible' $ith the mountains of )eyte in the high(ground'
constituting an e%er(shifting series of %ie$s
2Paranas5 +s the men' o$ing to the sultry heat' the complete calm'
and almost cloudless sky' slept Auite as much as they ro$ed' $e
did not reach Paranas before the afternoon 6t is a clean %illage'
situated on a decli%ity bet$een t$enty and a hundred and fifty feet
abo%e the sea The sides' $hich stand perpendicularly in the sea'
consist of grey banks of clay receding land$ards' and o%erspread
$ith a layer of fragments of mussels' the inter%als bet$een $hich
are filled up $ith clay' and o%er the latter is a solid breccia'
cemented $ith lime' composed of similar fragments 6n the clay banks
are $ell(preser%ed petrifactions' so similar in color' habitat' and
aspect to many of those in the German tertiary formations that they
might be taken for them The breccia also is fossil' probably also
tertiary; at all e%ents' the identity of the fe$ species $hich $ere
recognisable in it((Cerithium' Pecten' and #enus(($ith li%ing species
could not be determined 2-405
2+ canal through the bog5 8n the follo$ing morning 6 proceeded
north$ards by a small canal' through a stinking bog of rhiBophora
Fmangro%esG' and then continued my journey on land to )oAuilocun'
a little %illage $hich is situated in the forest <alf($ay $e passed
through a ri%er' t$enty feet broad' flo$ing east to $est' $ith steep
banks rendered accessible by ladders
2<ammock(tra%elling5 +s 6 still continued lame F$ounds in the feet are
difficult to heal in $arm countriesG' 6 caused myself to be carried
part of the $ay in the manner $hich is customary hereabouts The
tra%eller lies on a loose mat' $hich is fastened to a bamboo frame'
borne on the shoulders of four robust polistas +bout e%ery ten
minutes the bearers are relie%ed by others +s a protection against
sun and rain' the frame is furnished $ith a light roof of pandanus
2Poor roads5 The roads $ere pretty nearly as bad as those at the
7alta 7angley; and' $ith the eEception of the sea(shore' $hich is
sometimes a%ailable' there appear to be none better in 7amar +fter
three hours $e reached the )oAuilocun' $hich' coming from the north'
here touches its most southerly point' and then flo$s south(east to
the great ocean Through the kind care of the go%ernor' 6 found t$o
small boats ready' $hich $ere propelled $ith $onderful deEterity by
t$o men sAuatted at the eEtreme ends' and 2"unning the rapids5 glided
bet$een the branches of the trees and rocks into the bed of the rapid
mountain torrent +midst loud cheers both the boats glided do$n a
cascade of a foot and a half in height $ithout shipping any $ater
2)oAuilocun5 The little %illage of )oAuilocun consists of three
groups of houses on three hillocks The inhabitants $ere %ery friendly'
modest' and obliging' and so successful in collecting that the spirits
of $ine $hich 6 had $ith me $as Auickly consumed 6n Catbalogan
my messengers $ere able $ith difficulty to procure a fe$ small
flasks Through the a$k$ard arrangements of a too obliging friend'
my o$n stores' ha%ing been sent to a $rong address' did not reach
me until some months after$ards; and the palm($ine' $hich $as to be
bought in 7amar' $as too $eak 8ne or t$o boats $ent out daily to fish
for me; but 6 obtained only a fe$ specimens' $hich belonged to almost
as many species and genera Probably the bad custom of poisoning the
$ater in order to kill the fish Fthe pounded fruit of a Barringtonia
here being employed for the purposeG is the cause of the ri%er being
so empty of fish
2>umerous small streams5 +fter a fe$ days $e left the little place
about half(past nine in the forenoon' packed closely in t$o small
boats; and' by se%en minutes past one $hen $e reached an inhabited
hut in the forest' $e had descended more than forty streams of a
foot and a foot and a half and more in depth The more important of
them ha%e names $hich are correctly gi%en on CoelloCs map; and the
follo$ing are their distances by the $atch*((+t ten oCclock $e came
to a narro$' rocky chasm' at the eEtremity of $hich the $ater falls
se%eral feet belo$ into a large basin; and here $e unloaded the boats'
$hich hitherto had' under skilful management' $ound their $ay' like
$ell(trained horses' bet$een all the impediments in the bed of the
ri%er and o%er all the cascades and $a%es' almost $ithout taking any
$ater; only t$o men remaining in each boat' $ho' loudly cheering'
shot do$n$ards; in doing $hich the boats $ere filled to the brim
2Jasper and Coal5 8pposite this $aterfall a bank of rubbish had been
formed by the allu%ium' in $hich' besides fragments of the subjacent
rock' $ere found $ell(rounded pieces of jasper and porphyry' as $ell
as some bits of coal containing se%eral pyrites' $hich had probably
been brought during the rain from higher up the ri%er 6ts origin $as
unkno$n to the sailors From fifty(siE minutes past ele%en to t$el%e
oCclock there $as an uninterrupted succession of rapids' $hich $ere
passed $ith the greatest deEterity' $ithout taking in $ater 7ome$hat
lo$er do$n' at about three minutes past t$el%e' $e took in so much
$ater that $e $ere compelled to land and bale it out +t about fifteen
minutes past t$el%e' $e proceeded on$ards' the ri%er no$ being on
the a%erage siEty feet broad 8n the edge of the $ood some slender
palms' hardly ten feet high' $ere remarkable by their freAuency'
and many phalaenopses by their display of blossoms' $hich is of
rare occurrence >either birds nor apes' nor serpents $ere obser%ed;
but large pythons' as thick as oneCs leg are said to be not unfreAuent
2Big pythons5 +bout thirty(siE minutes past t$el%e $e reached one
of the most difficult places((a succession of $a%es' $ith many rocks
projecting out of the $ater' bet$een $hich the boats' no$ in full
career' and $ith rapid e%olutions' glided successfully The ad%enture
$as accomplished $ith eAual skill by the t$o cre$s' $ho eEerted their
po$ers to the utmost +t se%enteen minutes past one $e arri%ed at
2,ini portage5 ,ini' the most considerable $aterfall in the $hole
distance; and here $e had to take the boats out of the $ater; and'
a%ailing oursel%es of the lianas $hich hung do$n from the lofty forest
trees like ropes' $e dragged them o%er the rocks +t t$enty(one minutes
past t$o $e resumed our journey; and from t$enty(t$o minutes past to
half past eight $e descended an irregular stair composed of se%eral
ledges' shipping much $ater =p to this point the )oAuilocun flo$ed in
a rocky bed' $ith Ffor the most partG steep banks' and sometimes for
a long distance under a thick canopy of boughs' from $hich po$erful
tendrils and ferns' more than a fathom in length' $ere suspended <ere
the country $as to some eEtent open; flat hillocks' $ith lo$ under$ood'
came to %ie$' and' on the north($est' loftier $ooded mountains The
last t$o hours $ere notable for a hea%y fall of rain' and' about half
past fi%e' $e reached a solitary house occupied by friendly people'
$here $e took up our Auarters for the night
2,o$n the ri%er5 8n the follo$ing morning the journey $as continued
do$n the ri%er !ithin ten minutes $e glided past the last $aterfall'
bet$een $hite calcareous rocks of a kind of marble' co%ered $ith
magnificent %egetation Branches' completely co%ered $ith phalaenopses
FP +phrodite' "eichb flsG' projected o%er the ri%er' their flo$ers
$a%ing like large gorgeous butterflies o%er its foaming current T$o
hours later the stream became t$o hundred feet broad' and' after
leaping do$n a ladder of fifty meters in height from )oAuilocun'
it steals a$ay in gentle $indings through a flat inundated country
to the east coast; forming a broad estuary' on the right bank of
$hich' half a league from the sea' the district of Jubasan or Paric
Fpopulation /'I00G is situated The latter gi%e their names to the
lo$er portion of the stream <ere the eEcellent fello$s of )oAuilocun
left me in order to begin their %ery arduous return journey
2+long the coast5 8$ing to bad $eather' 6 could not embark for Tubig
Fpopulation /'.9.G' south of Paric' before the follo$ing day; and'
being continually hindered by difficulties of land transit' 6 proceeded
in the ro$boat along the coast to Borongan Fpopulation 4'H.9G' $ith
the eAually intelligent and obliging priest $ith $hom 6 remained
some days' and then continued my journey to Guiuan Falso Guiuang'
GuiguanG' the most important district in 7amar Fpopulation -0'4.-G'
situated on a small neck of land $hich projects from the south(east
point of the island into the sea
2+ tideland spring5 Close to the shore at the latter place
a copious spring bursts out of fi%e or siE openings' smelling
slightly of sulphuretted hydrogen 6t is co%ered by the sea during
the flo$' but is open during the ebb' $hen its salt taste is hardly
perceptible 6n order to test the $ater' a $ell $as formed by sinking
a deep bottomless jar' and from this' after the $ater had flo$ed for
the space of half an hour' a sample $as taken' $hich' to my regret'
$as after$ards lost The temperature of the $ater of the spring' at
eight oCclock in the forenoon' $as /44J; of the atmosphere' /.4J;
of the sea($ater' I-/JC The spring is used by the $omen to dye
their sarongs The materials' after being steeped in the decoction
of a bark abounding in tannin Fmaterials made of the abacZ are first
soaked in a calcareous preparationG' and dried in the sun' are placed
in the spring during the ebb' taken out during the flo$' re(dried'
dipped in the decoction of bark' and again' $hile $et' placed in the
spring; and this is repeated for the space of three days; $hen the
result is a durable' but ugly inky black Fgallussaures' oEide of ironG
2East 6ndian monkeys5 +t )oAuilocun and Borongan 6 had an opportunity
of purchasing t$o li%e macaAues 2-4-5 These eEtremely delicate
and rare little animals' $hich belong to the class of semi(apes'
are' as 6 $as assured in )uBon and )eyte' to be found only in
7amar' and li%e eEclusi%ely on charcoal @y first DmagoD $as' in the
beginning' some$hat %oracious' but he disdained %egetable food' and $as
particular in his choice of insects' de%ouring li%e grasshoppers $ith
delight 2-4/5 6t $as eEtremely ludicrous' $hen he $as fed in the day
time' to see the animal standing' perched up perpendicularly on his t$o
thin legs $ith his bare tail' and turning his large head((round as a
ball' and $ith %ery large' yello$' o$l(like eyes((in e%ery direction'
looking like a dark lantern on a pedestal $ith a circular s$i%el 8nly
gradually did he succeed in fiEing his eyes on the object presented
to him; but' as soon as he did percei%e it' he immediately eEtended
his little arms side$ays' as though some$hat bashful' and then' like
a delighted child' suddenly seiBing it $ith hand and mouth at once'
he deliberately tore the prey to pieces ,uring the day the mago
$as sleepy' short(sighted' and' $hen disturbed' morose; but $ith
the decreasing daylight he eEpanded his pupils' and mo%ed about in
a li%ely and agile manner' $ith rapid noiseless leaps' generally
side$ays <e soon became tame' but to my regret died after a fe$
$eeks; and 6 succeeded only for a short time in keeping the second
little animal ali%e
C<+PTE" YY
2Pearl di%ers from the Carolines5 6n Guiuan 6 $as %isited by some
@icronesians' $ho for the last fourteen days had been engaged at
7ulangan on the small neck of land south(east from Guiuan' in di%ing
for pearl mussels Fmother(of(pearlG' ha%ing undertaken the dangerous
journey for the eEpress purpose 2-4I5
2<ardships and perils of their %oyage5 They had sailed from =leai
F=liai' 4J /0C >' -1IJ94C E GrG in fi%e boats' each of $hich had a
cre$ of nine men and carried forty gourds full of $ater' $ith coconuts
and batata E%ery man recei%ed one coconut daily' and t$o batatas'
$hich they baked in the ashes of the coco shells; and they caught
some fish on the $ay' and collected a little rain($ater ,uring
the day they directed their course by the sun' and at night by
the stars + storm destroyed the boats T$o of them sank' together
$ith their cre$s' before the eyes of their companions' and of these'
only one((probably the sole indi%idual rescued((t$o $eeks after$ards
reached the harbor of Tandag' on the east coast of @indanao The
party remained at Tandag t$o $eeks' $orking in the fields for hire'
and then proceeded north$ards along the coast to Cantilang' .J /9C >;
Banouan Fcalled erroneously Bancuan by CoelloG' :J -C >; Taganaan' :J
/9C >; thence to 7urigao' on the north point of @indanao; and then'
$ith an easterly $ind' in t$o days' direct to Guiuan 6n the German
translation of Captain 7almonCs D<istory of the 8riental 6slandsD
F+ltona' -4IIG' it is stated that*
2Casta$ays from the Pele$s5 D7ome other islands on the east of
the Philippines ha%e lately been disco%ered $hich ha%e recei%ed
the name of the >e$ Philippines because they are situated in the
neighborhood of the old' $hich ha%e been already described Father Clan
FClainG' in a letter from @anila' $hich has been incorporated in the
CPhilosophical Transactions'C makes the follo$ing statement respecting
them*((6t happened that $hen he $as in the to$n of Gui%am' on the
island of 7amar' he met t$enty(nine Palaos Fthere had been thirty'
but one died soon after in GuiuanG' or nati%es of certain recently
disco%ered islands' $ho had been dri%en thither by the east $inds'
$hich pre%ail from ,ecember to @ay +ccording to their o$n statement'
they $ere dri%en about by the $inds for se%enty days' $ithout getting
sight of land' until they arri%ed opposite to Gui%am !hen they
sailed from their o$n country' their t$o boats $ere Auite full'
carrying thirty(fi%e souls' including their $i%es and children;
but se%eral had died miserably on the $ay from the fatigue $hich
they had undergone !hen some one from Gui%am $ished to go on board
to them' they $ere thro$n into such a state of terror that all $ho
$ere in one of the boats sprang o%erboard' along $ith their $i%es
and children <o$e%er' they at last thought it best to come into
the harbor; so they came ashore on ,ecember /.' -H:H They fed on
coconuts and roots' $hich $ere charitably supplied to them' but
refused e%en to taste cooked rice' $hich is the general food of the
+siatic nations 2Pre%ious casta$ays5 T$o $omen $ho had pre%iously
been cast a$ay on the same islands acted as interpreters for them
2)i%ed by sea(fishing and rain $ater5 DThe people of the country
$ent half naked' and the men painted their bodies $ith spots and
all kinds of de%ices +s long as they $ere on the sea they li%ed
on fish' $hich they caught in a certain kind of fish(basket' $ith a
$ide mouth but tapering to a point at the bottom' $hich $as dragged
along underneath the boats; and rain($ater' $hen they could catch it
For' as is stated in the letter itself' preser%ed in the shells of the
coconutG' ser%ed them for drink !hen they $ere about to be taken into
the presence of the Father' $hom' from the great respect $hich $as
sho$n to him' they took for the go%ernor' they colored their bodies
entirely yello$' an operation $hich they considered highly important'
as enabling them to appear as persons of consideration They are %ery
skilful di%ers' and no$ and then find pearls in the mussels $hich
they bring up' $hich' ho$e%er' they thro$ a$ay as useless thingsD
2>ot the first time for one5 But one of the most important parts of
Father ClainCs letter has been omitted by Capt 7almon*((DThe oldest
of these strangers had once before been cast a$ay on the coast of
the pro%ince of Caragan' on one of our islands F@indanaoG; but as he
found only heathens FinfidelsG' $ho li%ed in the mountains or on the
desert shore' he returned to his o$n countryD
2&ap camotes from Philippines5 6n a letter from Father Canto%a to
Father dC+ubenton' dated from +gdana Fie +gaOa' of the @arianne
6slandsG' @arch /0' -4//' describing the Caroline and Pele$ 6slands'
it is said*((DThe fourth district lies to the $est &ap F:J /9C >'
-I.J -C E GrG' 2-415 $hich is the principal island' is more than
forty leagues in circumference Besides the different roots $hich
are used by the nati%es of the island instead of bread' there is the
batata' $hich they call camote' and $hich they ha%e acAuired from
the Philippines' as 6 $as informed by one of our Caroline 6ndians'
$ho is a nati%e of the island <e states that his father' named
Coorr' three of his brothers' and himself had been cast a$ay in
a storm on one of the pro%inces in the Philippines' $hich $as called
Bisayas; that a missionary of our society FJesusG recei%ed them in a
friendly manner that on returning to their o$n island they took
$ith them the seeds of different plants' amongst others the 28ther
arri%als of @icronesians5 batata' $hich multiplied so fast that they
had sufficient to supply the other islands of the +rchipelago $ith
themD @urillo #elarde states that in -40. some Palaos $ere $recked
in a storm on Palapag Fnorth coast of 7amarG; and 6 personally had
the opportunity' in @anila' of photographing a company of Palaos and
Caroline islanders' $ho had been the year before cast on the coast of
7amar by foul $eather +part from the Auestion of their transport'
$hether %oluntary or not' these simply $ere siE eEamples' such
as still occur occasionally' of @icronesians cast up on the shore
of the Philippines; and probably it $ould not be difficult to find
se%eral more; but ho$ often' both before and after the arri%al of the
7paniards' might not %essels from those islands ha%e come $ithin the
influence of the north(east storms' and been dri%en %iolently on the
east coast of the Philippines $ithout any record of such facts being
preser%edQ 2-495 E%en as' on the $est side of the +rchipelago' the
type of the race seems to ha%e been modified by its long intercourse
$ith China' Japan' )o$er 6ndia' and later $ith Europe' so like$ise may
Polynesian 2Possible influence on Filipinos5 influences ha%e operated
in a similar manner on the east side; and the further circumstance
that the inhabitants of the )adrones 2-4H5 and the Bisayans 2-445
possess the art of coloring their teeth black' seems to point to
early intercourse bet$een the Bisayans and the Polynesians 2-4.5
2+ futile sea %oyage in an open boat5 +t Guiuan 6 embarked on board
an incon%eniently cranky' open boat' $hich $as pro%ided $ith an a$ning
only three feet sAuare' for Tacloban' the chief to$n of )eyte +fter
first eEperiencing an uninterrupted calm' $e incurred great danger
in a sudden tempest' so that $e had to retrace the $hole distance
by means of the oars The passage $as %ery laborious for the cre$'
$ho $ere not protected by an a$ning Ftemperature in the sun I9J "'
of the $ater /9J " 2-4:5G' and lasted thirty(one hours' $ith fe$
intermissions; the party %oluntarily abridging their inter%als of rest
in order to get back Auickly to Tacloban' $hich keeps up an acti%e
intercourse $ith @anila' and has all the attractions of a luEurious
city for the men li%ing on the inhospitable eastern coast 2Beauty
of 7amar()eyte strait5 6t is Auestionable $hether the sea any$here
$ashes o%er a spot of such peculiar beauty as the narro$ strait $hich
di%ides 7amar from )eyte 8n the $est it is enclosed by steep banks
of tuff' $hich tolerate no s$amps of mangro%es on their borders There
the lofty prime%al forest approaches in all its sublimity close to the
shore' interrupted only here and there by gro%es of cocos' in $hose
sharply defined shado$s solitary huts are to be found; and the steep
hills facing the sea' and numerous small rocky islands' are cro$ned
$ith little castles of blocks of coral +t the eastern entrance of
the strait the south coast of 7amar consists of $hite limestone'
like marble' but of Auite modern date' $hich in many places forms
precipitous cliffs 2-.05 +t >ipa(>ipa' a small hamlet t$o leagues from
Basey' they project into the sea in a succession of picturesAue rocks'
abo%e one hundred feet in height' $hich' rounded abo%e like a dome'
thickly co%ered $ith %egetation' and corroded at the base by the $aters
of the sea' rise out of the $a%es like gigantic mushrooms + peculiar
atmosphere of enchantment per%ades this locality' $hose influence upon
the nati%e mariner must be all the more po$erful $hen' fortunately
escaping from the billo$s outside and the buffeting of the north(east
$ind' he suddenly enters this tranAuil place of refuge >o $onder
that superstitious imagination has peopled the place $ith spirits
2Burial ca%es5 6n the ca%erns of these rocks the ancient Pintados
interred the corpses of their heroes and ancestors in $ell(locked
coffins' surrounded by those objects $hich had been held in the highest
regard by them during life 7la%es $ere also sacrificed by them at
their obseAuies' in order that they might not be $ithout attendance
in the $orld of shado$s; 2-.-5 and the numerous coffins' implements'
arms' and trinkets' protected by superstitious terrors' continued to
be undisturbed for centuries >o boat %entured to cross o%er $ithout
the obser%ance of a religious ceremony' deri%ed from heathen times'
to propitiate the spirits of the ca%erns $ho $ere belie%ed to punish
the omission of it $ith storm and ship($reck
28bjects destroyed but superstition persists5 +bout thirty years ago
a Bealous young ecclesiastic' to $hom these heathen practices $ere an
abomination' determined to eEtirpate them by the roots !ith se%eral
boats $ell eAuipped $ith crosses' banners' pictures of saints' and
all the appro%ed machinery for dri%ing out the ,e%il' he undertook
the eEpedition against the haunted rocks' $hich $ere climbed amidst
the sounds of music' prayers' and the reports of fire$orks + $hole
pailful of holy $ater first ha%ing been thro$n into the ca%e for the
purpose of confounding the e%il spirits' the intrepid priest rushed
in $ith ele%ated cross' and $as follo$ed by his faithful companions'
$ho $ere fired $ith his eEample + brilliant %ictory $as the re$ard
of the $ell(contri%ed and carefully eEecuted plot The coffins $ere
broken to fragments' the %essels dashed to pieces' and the skeletons
thro$n into the sea; and the remaining ca%erns $ere stormed $ith like
results The objects of superstition ha%e indeed been annihilated'
but the superstition itself sur%i%es to the present day
27kulls from a rock near Basey5 6 subseAuently learned from the
priest at Basey that there $ere still some remains on a rock' and
a fe$ days after$ards the $orthy man surprised me $ith se%eral
skulls and a childCs coffin' $hich he had had brought from the
place >ot$ithstanding the great respect in $hich he $as held by his
flock' he had to eEert all his po$ers of persuasion to induce the
boldest of them to engage in so daring an enterprise + boat manned
by siEteen ro$ers $as fitted out for the purpose; $ith a smaller cre$
they $ould not ha%e %entured to undertake the journey 8n their return
home a thunderstorm broke o%er them' and the sailors' belie%ing it to
be a punishment for their outrage' $ere pre%ented only by the fear
of making the matter $orse from thro$ing coffin and skulls into the
sea Fortunately the land $as near' and they ro$ed $ith all their
might to$ards it; and' $hen they arri%ed' 6 $as obliged to take the
objects out of the boat myself' as no nati%e $ould touch them
2The ca%ernCs contents5 >ot$ithstanding' 6 $as the neEt morning
successful in finding some resolute indi%iduals $ho accompanied
me to the ca%erns 6n the first t$o $hich $e eEamined $e found
nothing; the third contained se%eral broken coffins' some skulls'
and potsherds of glaBed and crudely painted earthen$are' of $hich'
ho$e%er' it $as impossible to find t$o pieces that belonged to each
other + narro$ hole led from the large ca%ern into an obscure space'
$hich $as so small that one could remain in it only for a fe$ seconds
$ith the burning torch This circumstance may eEplain the disco%ery'
in a coffin $hich $as eaten to pieces by $orms' and Auite mouldered
a$ay' of a $ell(preser%ed skeleton' or rather a mummy' for in many
places there $ere carcasses clothed $ith dry fibers of muscle and
skin 6t lay upon a mat of pandanus' $hich $as yet recogniBable' $ith
a cushion under the head stuffed $ith plants' and co%ered $ith matting
of pandanus There $ere no other remains of $o%en material The coffins
$ere of three shapes and $ithout any ornament Those of the first form'
$hich $ere of eEcellent mola%e($ood' sho$ed no trace of $orm(holes or
decay' $hereas the others had entirely fallen to dust; and those of
the third kind' $hich $ere most numerous' $ere distinguishable from
the first only by a less cur%ed form and inferior material
26mpressi%e location of burial ca%e5 >o legend could ha%e supplied
an enchanted royal sepulchre $ith a more suitable approach than that
of the last of these ca%erns The rock rises out of the sea $ith
perpendicular sides of marble' and only in one spot is to be obser%ed
a natural opening made by the $ater' hardly t$o feet high' through
$hich the boat passed at once into a spacious court' almost circular'
and o%er(arched by the sky' the floor of $hich $as co%ered by the sea'
and adorned $ith a garden of corals The steep sides are thickly hung
$ith lianas' ferns' and orchids' by help of $hich one climbs up$ards
to the ca%ern' siEty feet abo%e the surface of the $ater To add to
the singularity of the situation' $e also found at the entrance to
the grotto' on a large block of rock projecting t$o feet abo%e the
ground' 2+ sea snake5 a sea(snake' $hich tranAuilly gaBed at us'
but $hich had to be killed' because' like all genuine sea(snakes'
it $as poisonous T$ice before 6 had found the same species in
cre%ices of rock on the dry land' $here the ebb might ha%e left it;
but it $as strange to meet $ith it in this place' at such a height
abo%e the sea 6t no$ reposes' as Platurus fasciatus ,aud' in the
Toological @useum of the Berlin =ni%ersity
2Chinese dishers from a ca%e5 6n Guiuan 6 had an opportunity of
purchasing four richly painted Chinese dishes $hich came from a
similar ca%ern' and a gold signet ring; the latter consisting of a
plate of gold' originally bent into a tube of the thickness of a Auill
$ith a gaping seam' and after$ards into a ring as large as a thaler'
$hich did not Auite meet The dishes $ere stolen from me at @anila
2Burial ca%es5 There are similar ca%erns $hich ha%e been used
as burial(places in many other localities in this country; on the
island of +ndog' in Borongan Fa short time ago it contained skullsG;
also at Batinguitan' three hours from Borongan' on the banks of a
little brook; and in Guiuan' on the little island of @onhon' $hich is
difficult of approach by reason of the boisterous sea 6n Catubig
trinkets of gold ha%e been found' but they ha%e been con%erted
into modern articles of adornment 8ne ca%ern at )auang' ho$e%er'
is famous o%er the $hole country on account of the gigantic' flat'
compressed skulls' $ithout sutures' $hich ha%e been found in it
2-./5 6t $ill not be uninteresting to compare the particulars here
described $ith the statements of older authors; and for this reason
6 submit the follo$ing eEtracts*((
2Embalming5 @as F6nforme' i /-G' $ho does not gi%e the sources of
his information' thus describes the customs of the ancient inhabitants
of the archipelago at their interments*((They sometimes embalmed
their dead $ith aromatic substances ; ; ; and placed those $ho $ere
of note in chests car%ed out of a branch of a tree' and furnished
$ith $ell(fitted lids ; ; ; The coffin $as placed' in accordance $ith
the $ish of the deceased' eEpressed before his death' either in the
uppermost room of the house' $here articles of %alue $ere secreted'
or under the d$elling(house' in a kind of gra%e' $hich $as not
co%ered' but enclosed $ith a railing; or in a distant field' or on
an ele%ated place or rock on the bank of a ri%er' $here he might be
%enerated by the pious + $atch $as set o%er it for a certain time'
lest boats should cross o%er' and the dead person should drag the
li%ing after him
2Burial customs5 +ccording to Gaspar 7an +gustPn Fp -H:G' the
dead $ere rolled up in cloths' and placed in clumsy chests' car%ed
out of a block of $ood' and buried under their houses' together $ith
their je$els' gold rings' and some plates of gold o%er the mouth and
eyes' and furnished $ith pro%isions' cups' and dishes They $ere also
accustomed to bury sla%es along $ith men of note' in order that they
might be attended in the other $orld
DTheir chief idolatry consisted in the $orship of those of their
ancestors $ho had most distinguished themsel%es by courage and genius'
$hom they regarded as deities ; ; ; ; They called them humalagar'
$hich is the same as manes in the )atin ; ; ; E%en the aged died under
this conceit' choosing particular places' such as one on the island of
)eyte' $hich allo$ed of their being interred at the edge of the sea'
in order that the mariners $ho crossed o%er might ackno$ledge them
as deities' and pay them respectD FThL%enot' "eligieuE' p /G
27la%es sacrificed5 DThey did not place them Fthe deadG in the earth'
but in coffins of %ery hard' indestructible $ood ; ; ; @ale and female
sla%es $ere sacrificed to them' that they should not be unattended
in the other $orld 6f a person of consideration died' silence $as
imposed upon the $hole of the people' and its duration $as regulated
by the rank of the deceased; and under certain circumstances it $as
not discontinued until his relations had killed many other persons
to appease the spirit of the deadD F6bid' p 4G
DFor this reason Fto be $orshipped as deitiesG the oldest of them
chose some remarkable spot in the mountains' and particularly on
headlands projecting into the sea' in order to be $orshipped by the
sailorsD FGemelli Careri' p 11:G
2Basey and its ri%er5 From Tacloban' $hich 6 chose for my headAuarters
on account of its con%enient tribunal' and because it is $ell supplied
$ith pro%isions' 6 returned on the follo$ing day to 7amar' and then
to Basey' $hich is opposite to Tacloban The people of Basey are
notorious o%er all 7amar for their laBiness and their stupidity' but
are ad%antageously distinguished from the inhabitants of Tacloban by
their purity of manners Basey is situated on the delta of the ri%er'
$hich is named after it !e proceeded up a small arm of the principal
stream' $hich $inds' $ith a %ery slight fall' through the plain;
the brackish $ater' and the fringe of nipa(palms $hich accompanies
it' conseAuently eEtending se%eral leagues into the country Coco
plantations stretch behind them; and there the floods of $ater
Fa%enidasG' $hich sometimes take place in conseAuence of the narro$
rocky bed of the upper part of the ri%er' cause great de%astation'
as $as e%ident from the mutilated palms $hich' torn a$ay from their
standing(place' rise up out of the middle of the ri%er +fter fi%e
hoursC ro$ing $e passed out of the flat country into a narro$ %alley'
$ith steep sides of marble' $hich progressi%ely closed in and became
higher 6n se%eral places they are under$ashed' cleft' and hurled o%er
each other' and $ith their naked side($alls form a beautiful contrast
to the blue sky' the clear' greenish ri%er' and the luEuriant lianas'
$hich' attaching themsel%es to e%ery ineAuality to $hich they could
cling' hung in long garlands o%er the rocks
2+ frontage5 The stream became so rapid and so shallo$ that the party
disembarked and dragged the boat o%er the stony bed 6n this manner
$e passed through a sharp cur%e' t$el%e feet in height' formed by t$o
rocks thro$n opposite to each other' into a tranAuil o%al(shaped basin
of $ater enclosed in a circle of limestone $alls' inclining in$ards'
of from siEty to se%enty feet in height; on the upper edge of $hich a
circle of trees permitted only a misty sunlight to glimmer through the
thick foliage + magnificent gate$ay of rock' fifty to siEty feet high'
and adorned $ith numerous stalactites' raised itself up opposite the
lo$ entrance; and through it $e could see' at some distance' the upper
portion of the ri%er bathed in the sun 2+ beautiful grotto5 + ca%ern
of a hundred feet in length' and easily climbed' opened itself in the
left side of the o%al court' some siEty feet abo%e the surface of the
$ater; and it ended in a small gate$ay' through $hich you stepped on
to a projection like a balcony' studded $ith stalactites From this
point both the landscape and the rocky cauldron are %isible' and
the latter is seen to be the remainder of a stalactitic ca%ern' the
roof of $hich has fallen in The beauty and peculiar character of the
place ha%e been felt e%en by the nati%es' $ho ha%e called it 7ogoton
Fproperly' a bay in the seaG 6n the %ery hard limestone' $hich is
like marble' 6 obser%ed traces of bi%al%es and multitudes of spines of
the sea(urchin' but no $ell(defined remains could be knocked off The
ri%er could still be follo$ed a short distance further up$ards; and in
its bed there $ere disjointed fragments of talcose and chloritic rocks
2Fishing5 + fe$ small fishes $ere obtained $ith much difficulty;
and amongst them $as a ne$ and interesting species' %i%iparous 2-.I5
+n allied species F< flu%iatilis' BleekerG $hich 6 had t$o years
pre%iously found in a limestone ca%ern on >usa ?ambangan' in Ja%a'
like$ise contained li%ing young ones The net employed in fishing
appears to be suited to the locality' $hich is a shallo$ ri%er' full of
transparent blocks 6t is a fine(meshed' longish' four(cornered net'
ha%ing its ample sides fastened to t$o poles of bamboo' $hich at the
bottom $ere pro%ided $ith a kind of $ooden shoes' $hich cur%e up$ards
to$ards the stems $hen pushed for$ards The fisherman' taking hold of
the upper ends of the poles' pushes the net' $hich is held obliAuely
before him' and the $ooden shoes cause it to slide o%er the stones'
$hile another person dri%es the fish to$ards him
2Fossil beds5 8n the right bank' belo$ the ca%ern' and t$enty
feet abo%e the surface of the $ater' there are beds of fossils'
pectunculus' tapes' and placuna' some of $hich' from the fact of
their barely adhering by the tip' must be of %ery recent date 6
passed the night in a small hut' $hich $as Auickly erected for me'
and on the follo$ing day attempted to pass up the ri%er as far as the
limits of the crystalline rock' but in %ain 6n the afternoon $e set
out on our return to Basey' $hich $e reached at night
2"ecent ele%ation of coast5 Basey is situated on a bank of clay'
about fifty feet abo%e the sea' $hich to$ards the $est ele%ates itself
into a hill se%eral hundred feet in height' and $ith steep sides +t
t$enty(fi%e to thirty feet abo%e the sea 6 found the same recent beds
of mussels as in the stalactitic ca%ern of 7ogoton From the statements
of the parish priest and of other persons' a rapid ele%ation of the
coasts seems to be taking place in this country Thirty years ago
ships could lie alongside the land in three fathoms of $ater at the
flood' $hereas the depth at the same place no$ is not much more than
one fathom 6mmediately opposite to Basey lie t$o small islands'
Genamok and Tapontonan' $hich' at the present time' appear to be
surrounded by a sandbank at the lo$est ebb(tide T$enty years ago
nothing of the kind $as to be seen 7upposing these particulars to
be correct' $e must neEt ascertain $hat proportion of these changes
of le%el is due to the floods' and ho$ much to %olcanic ele%ation;
$hich' if $e may judge by the neighboring acti%e solfatara at )eyte'
must al$ays be of considerable amount
2Crocodiles5 +s the priest assured us' there are crocodiles in the
ri%er Basey o%er thirty feet in length' those in eEcess of t$enty
feet being numerous The obliging father promised me one of at least
t$enty(four feet' $hose skeleton 6 $ould gladly ha%e secured; and he
sent out some men $ho are so practised in the capture of these animals
that they are dispatched to distant places for the purpose Their
contri%ance for capturing them' $hich 6' ho$e%er' ne%er personally
$itnessed' consists of a light raft of bamboo' $ith a stage' on $hich'
se%eral feet abo%e the $ater' a dog or a cat is bound +longside
the animal is placed a strong iron hook' $hich is fastened to the
s$imming bamboo by means of fibers of abacZ The crocodile' $hen
it has s$allo$ed the bait and the hook at the same time' endea%ors
in %ain to get a$ay' for the pliability of the raft pre%ents its
being torn to pieces' and the peculiar elasticity of the bundle of
fibers pre%ents its being bitten through The raft ser%es like$ise
as a buoy for the captured animal +ccording to the statements of
the hunters' the large crocodiles li%e far from human habitations'
generally selecting the close %egetation in an ooBy s$amp' in $hich
their bellies' dragging hea%ily along' lea%e trails behind them $hich
betray them to the initiated +fter a $eek the priest mentioned that
his party had sent in three crocodiles' the largest of $hich' ho$e%er'
measured only eighteen feet' but that he had not kept one for me'
as he hoped to obtain one of thirty feet <is eEpectation' ho$e%er'
$as not fulfilled
26gnatius bean5 6n the en%irons of Basey the 6gnatius bean gro$s
in remarkable abundance' as it also does in the south of 7amar and
in some other of the Bisayan islands 6t is not met $ith in )uBon'
but it is %ery likely that 6 ha%e introduced it there un$ittingly 6ts
sphere of propagation is %ery limited; and my attempts to transplant
it to the Botanical Garden of BuitenBorg $ere fruitless 7ome large
plants intended for that purpose' $hich during my absence arri%ed
for me at ,araga' $ere incorporated by one of my patrons into his
o$n garden; and some' $hich $ere collected by himself and brought
to @anila' $ere after$ards lost E%ery effort to get these seeds
FkernelsG' $hich are used o%er the $hole of Eastern +sia as medicine'
to germinate miscarried' they ha%ing been boiled before transmission'
ostensibly for their preser%ation' but most probably to secure the
monopoly of them
27trychnine5 +ccording to Flueckinger' 2-.15 the gourd(shaped
berry of the climbing shrub F6gnatia amara' ) 7trychnos 6gnatii'
Berg 6gnatiana Philippinica )ourG contains t$enty(four irregular
egg(shaped seeds of the siBe of an inch $hich' ho$e%er' are not so
poisonous as the 6gnatius beans' $hich taste like crack(nuts 6n
these seeds strychnine $as found by Pelletier and Ca%entou in -.-.'
as it subseAuently $as in crack(nuts The former contained t$ice as
much of it as the latter' %iB one and a half per cent; but' as they
are four times as dear' it is only produced from the latter
2Cholera and snake(bite cure5 6n many households in the Philippines
the dangerous drug is to be found as a highly priBed remedy' under the
name of Pepita de Catbalonga Gemelli Careri mentions it' and Auotes
thirteen different uses of it ,r "osenthal FD7ynopsis Plantarum
,iaphorD p IHIG says*((D6n 6ndia it has been employed as a remedy
against cholera under the name of PapectaD Papecta is probably a
clerical error 6n ? )all ,eyCs D6ndigenous ,rugs of 6ndia'D it is
called Papeeta' $hich is pronounced Pepita in English; and Pepita is
the 7panish $ord for the kernel of a fruit 6t is also held in high
estimation as an antidote for the bite of serpents Father Blanco
FDFlora of the Philippines'D H-G' states that he has more than once
pro%ed its efficacy in this respect in his o$n person; but he cautions
against its employment internally' as it had been fatal in %ery many
cases 6t should not be taken into the mouth' for should the spittle
be s$allo$ed' and %omiting not ensue' death $ould be ine%itable The
parish priest of Tabaco' ho$e%er' almost al$ays carried a pepita in
his mouth From -.1/ he began occasionally to take an 6gnatius bean
into his mouth as a protection against cholera' and so gradually
accustomed himself to it !hen 6 met him in -.H0 he $as Auite $ell'
and ascribed his health and %igor eEpressly to that habit +ccording to
his communication' in cases of cholera the decoction $as successfully
administered in small doses introduced into tea; but it $as most
efficacious $hen' miEed $ith brandy' it $as applied as a liniment
27uperstitions regarding the DBisayanD bean5 <uc also FDThibet'D
6 /9/G commends the eEpressed juice of the kouo(kouo FFaba
6gn amarG both for internal and eEternal use' and remarks that it
plays a great part in Chinese medicine' no apothecaryCs shop being
$ithout it Formerly the poisonous drug $as considered a charm' as
it is still by many Father Camel 2-.95 states that the Catbalogan
or Bisayan(bean' $hich the 6ndians call 6gasur or @ananaog Fthe
%ictoriousG' $as generally $orn as an amulet round the neck' being
a preser%ati%e against poison' contagion' magic' and philtres' so
potent' indeed' that the ,e%il in propia persona could not harm the
$earer Especially efficacious is it against a poison communicated by
breathing upon one' for not only does it protect the $earer' but it
kills the indi%idual $ho $ishes to poison him Camel further mentions
a series of miracles $hich superstition ascribed to the 6gnatius bean
2Coconuts5 8n the southern half of the eastern border' on the shore
from Borongan by )auang as far as Guiuan' there are considerable
plantations of cocos' $hich are most imperfectly applied to the
production of oil From Borongan and its %isitas t$el%e thousand
pitchers of coconut oil are yearly eEported to @anila' and the nuts
consumed by men and pigs $ould suffice for at least eight thousand
pitchers +s a thousand nuts yield eight pitchers and a half' the
%icinity of Borongan alone yields annually siE million nuts; for
$hich' assuming the a%erage produce at fifty nuts' one hundred(t$enty
thousand fullbearing palms are reAuired The statement that their
number in the abo%e(mentioned district amounts to se%eral millions
must be an eEaggeration
2Getting coco oil5 The oil is obtained in a %ery rude manner The
kernel is rasped out of the $oody shell of the nut on rough boards'
and left to rot; and a fe$ boats in a state of decay' ele%ated on posts
in the open air' ser%e as reser%oirs' the oil dropping through their
cre%ices into pitchers placed underneath; and finally the boards are
subjected to pressure This operation' $hich reAuires se%eral months
for its completion' yields such a bad' dark(bro$n' and %iscid product
that the pitcher fetches only t$o dollars and a Auarter in @anila'
$hile a superior oil costs siE dollars 2-.H5
28il factory5 "ecently a young 7paniard has erected a factory
in Borongan for the better preparation of oil + $inch' turned by
t$o carabaos' sets a number of rasps in motion by means of toothed
$heels and leather straps They are some$hat like a gimlet in form'
and consist of fi%e iron plates' $ith dentated edges' $hich are
placed radiating on the end of an iron rod' and close together'
forming a blunt point to$ards the front The other end of the rod
passes through the center of a disk' $hich communicates the rotary
motion to it' and projects beyond it The $orkman' taking a di%ided
coconut in his t$o hands' holds its interior arch' $hich contains the
oil(bearing nut' $ith a firm pressure against the re%ol%ing rasp' at
the same time urging $ith his breast' $hich is protected by a padded
board' against the projecting end of the rod The fine shreds of the
nut remain for t$el%e hours in flat pans' in order that they may be
partially decomposed They are then lightly pressed in hand(presses;
and the liAuor' $hich consists of one(third oil and t$o(thirds $ater'
is caught in tubs' from $hich' at the end of siE hours' the oil'
floating on the surface' is skimmed off 6t is then heated in iron
pans' containing -00 liters' until the $hole of the $ater in it has
e%aporated' $hich takes from t$o to three hours 6n order that the
oil may cool rapidly' and not become dark in color' t$o pailfuls of
cold oil' freed from $ater' are poured into it' and the fire Auickly
remo%ed to a distance The compressed shreds are once more eEposed
to the atmosphere' and then subjected to a po$erful pressure +fter
these t$o operations ha%e been t$ice repeated' the rasped substance
is suspended in sacks bet$een t$o strong %ertical boards and crushed
to the utmost by means of clamp scre$s' and repeatedly shaken up The
refuse ser%es as food for pigs The oil $hich runs from the sacks is
free from $ater' and is conseAuently %ery clear' and is employed in
the cooling of that $hich is obtained in the first instance 2-.45
2)imited output5 The factory produces fifteen hundred tinajas of
oil 6t is in operation only nine months in the year; from ,ecember to
February the transport of nuts being pre%ented by the tempestuous seas'
there being no land communication The manufacturer $as not successful
in procuring nuts from the immediate %icinity in sufficient Auantity
to enable him to carry on his operations $ithout interruption' nor'
during the fa%orable season of the year' could he lay up a store for
the $inter months' although he paid the comparati%ely high price of
three dollars per thousand
26llogical business5 !hile the nati%es manufactured oil in the manner
just described' they obtained from a thousand nuts three and a half
pots' $hich' at siE reals each' fetched t$enty(one reals; that is three
reals less than $as offered them for the ra$ nuts These data' $hich
are obtained from the manufacturers' are probably eEaggerated' but
they are in the main $ell founded; and the tra%eller in the Philippines
often has the opportunity of obser%ing similar anomalies For eEample'
in ,aet' >orth Camarines' 6 bought siE coconuts for one cuarto' at
the rate of nine hundred and siEty for one dollar' the common price
there 8n my asking $hy no oil(factory had been erected' 6 recei%ed
for ans$er that the nuts $ere cheaper singly than in Auantities 6n
the first place' the nati%e sells only $hen he $ants money; but he
kno$s that the manufacturer cannot $ell afford to ha%e his business
suspended; so' careless of the result' he makes a temporary profit'
and ne%er thinks of ensuring for himself a permanent source of income
27ugar %enders5 6n the pro%ince of )aguna' $here the nati%es prepare
coarse bro$n sugar from sugar(cane' the $omen carry it for leagues to
the market' or eEpose it for sale on the country roads' in small loa%es
FpanocheG' generally along $ith buyo E%ery passenger chats $ith the
seller' $eighs the loaf in the hand' eats a bit' and probably passes
on $ithout buying any 6n the e%ening the $oman returns to her home
$ith her $ares' and the neEt day repeats the same process
2,isproportionate prices5 6 ha%e lost my special notes' but 6
remember that in t$o cases at least the price of the sugar in these
loa%es $as cheaper than by the picul @oreo%er' the Go%ernment of the
day anticipated the people in setting the eEample' by selling cigars
cheaper singly than in Auantities
2=ncertain trading5 6n Europe a speculator generally can calculate
beforehand' $ith the greatest certainty' the cost of production of any
article; but in the Philippines it is not al$ays so easy 6ndependently
of the uncertainty of labor' the regularity of the supply of ra$
material is disturbed' not only by laBiness and caprice' but also
by jealousy and distrust The nati%es' as a rule' do not $illingly
see Europeans settle amongst them and engage successfully in local
operations $hich they themsel%es do not understand ho$ to eEecute; and
in like manner the creoles are reser%ed $ith foreigners' $ho generally
are superior to them in capital' skill' and acti%ity Besides jealousy'
suspicion also plays a great part' and this influences the nati%e
as $ell against the mestiBo as against the Castilian Enough takes
place to the present day to justify this feeling; but formerly' $hen
the most thrifty subjects could buy go%ernorships' and shamelessly
fleece their pro%inces' such outrageous abuses are said to ha%e been
permitted until' in process of time' suspicion has become a kind of
instinct amongst the Filipinos
C<+PTE" YY6
2)eyte5 The island of )eyte' bet$een :J 1:C and --J I1C >' and
-/1J 4C and -/9J :C E Gr' is abo%e t$enty(fi%e miles in length'
and almost t$el%e miles broad' and contains one hundred se%enty
sAuare miles +s 6 ha%e already remarked' it is di%ided from 7amar
only by the small strait of 7an Juanico The chief to$n' Tacloban or
Taclobang' lies at the eastern entrance of this strait' $ith a %ery
good harbor and uninterrupted communication $ith @anila' and has
conseAuently become the chief emporium of trade to )eyte' Biliran'
and 7outh and East 7amar 2-..5
28bliging 7panish officials5 The local go%ernor like$ise sho$ed me
much obliging attention; indeed' almost $ithout eEception 6 ha%e'
since my return' retained the most agreeable remembrances of the
7panish officials; and' therefore' if fitting opportunity occurred'
6 could treat of the improprieties of the +dministration $ith greater
impartiality
2)ocusts5 6n the afternoon of the day after my arri%al at Tacloban' on
a sudden there came a sound like the rush of a furious torrent; the air
became dark' and a large cloud of locusts s$ept o%er the place 2-.:5
6 $ill not again recount that phenomenon' $hich has been so often
described' and is essentially the same in all Auarters of the globe'
but $ill simply remark that the s$arm' $hich $as more than fi%e hundred
feet in $idth' and about fifty feet in depth' its eEtremity being
lost in the forest' $as not thought a %ery considerable one 6t caused
%igilance' but not consternation 8ld and young eagerly endea%ored to
catch as many of the delicate creatures as they could' $ith cloths'
nets' and flags' in order' as ,ampier relates' Dto roast them in
an earthen pan o%er fire until their legs and $ings drop off' and
their heads and backs assume the color of boiled crabs;D after $hich
process he says they had a pleasant taste 6n Burma at the present day'
they are considered as delicacies at the royal court 2-:05
2Plan for their eEtermination5 The locusts are one of the greatest
plagues of the Philippines' and sometimes destroy the har%est of entire
pro%inces The )egislaci[n =ltramarina Fi% 901G contains a special
edict respecting the eEtirpation of these de%astating pests +s soon
as they appear' the population of the in%aded localities are to be
dra$n out in the greatest possible numbers' under the conduct of the
authorities' in order to effect their destruction The most appro%ed
means for the attainment of this object are set forth in an official
document referring to the adoption of eEtraordinary measures in cases
of public emergency; and in this the locusts are placed mid$ay bet$een
sea(pirates and conflagrations 8f the %arious means that ha%e been
contri%ed against the destructi%e creatures' that' at times' appear
in incredible numbers' but ha%e been as freAuently ineffectual as
other$ise' only a fe$ $ill be no$ mentioned 8n +pril /4' -./1'
the 7ociedad Economica determined to import the bird' the martin
FGracula spG' D$hich feeds by instinct on locustsD 6n the autumn
of the follo$ing year the first consignment arri%ed from China; in
-./: a second; and in -.9/ again occurs the item of N-'I-- for martins
2Tacloban to Tanauan5 8n the follo$ing day 6 proceeded $ith the
priest of ,agami Fthere are roads in )eyteG from Tacloban south$ards
to Palos and Tanauan' t$o flourishing places on the east coast <ardly
half a league from the latter place' and close to the sea' a cliff
of crystal lime rock rises up out of the sandy plain' $hich $as le%el
up to this point 6t is of a greyish(green AuartBose chlorite schist'
from $hich the enterprising Father had endea%ored' $ith a perse%erance
$orthy of better success' to procure lime by burning +fter an ample
breakfast in the con%ent' $e proceeded in the afternoon to ,agami'
and' on the neEt day' to Burauen 2-:-5
2+ pleasing people5 The country $as still flat Coco(gro%es and
rice(fields here and there interrupted the thick forest; but the
country is thinly inhabited' and the people appear more cheerful'
handsomer' and cleaner than those of 7amar 7outh of Burauen rises
the mountain ridge of @anacagan' on the further slope of $hich is a
large solfatara' $hich yields sulphur for the po$der manufactory in
@anila' and for commerce + 7panish sailor accompanied me !here the
road passed through s$amp $e rode on carabaos The pace of the animals
is not unpleasant' but the stretching across the broad backs of the
gigantic carabaos of the Philippines is %ery fatiguing + Auarter of an
hour beyond Burauen $e crossed the ,aguitan' $hich flo$s south($est to
north(east' and is a hundred feet broad' its bed being full of large
%olcanic blocks; and' soon after' a small ri%er in a broad bed; and'
some hundred paces farther' one of a hundred and fifty feet in breadth;
the t$o latter being arms of the Burauen They flo$ from $est to east'
and enter the sea at ,ulag The second arm $as originated only the
preceding year' during a flood
2The height of hospitality5 !e passed the night in a hut on
the northern slope of the @anacagan' $hich the o$ner' on seeing
us approach' had %oluntarily Auitted' and $ith his $ife and child
sought other lodgings The customs of the country reAuire this $hen
the accommodation does not suffice for both parties; and payment for
the same is neither demanded nor' eEcept %ery rarely' tendered
2=p the @anacagan5 +bout siE oCclock on the follo$ing morning $e
started; and about half(past siE climbed' by a pleasant path through
the forest' to the ridge of the @anacagan' $hich consists of trachytic
hornblende; and about se%en oCclock $e crossed t$o small ri%ers flo$ing
north($est' and then' by a cur%e' reached the coast at ,ulag From the
ridge $e caught sight' to$ards the south' of the great $hite heaps
of dLbris of the mountain ,anan glimmering through the trees +bout
nine oCclock $e came through the thickly($ooded crater of the ?asiboi'
and' further south' to some sheds in $hich the sulphur is smelted
27ulphur5 The ra$ material obtained from the solfatara is bought in
three classes* firstly' sulphur already melted to crusts; secondly'
sublimated' $hich contains much condensed $ater in its interstices;
and thirdly' in the clay' $hich is di%ided into the more or less
rich' from $hich the greatest Auantity is obtained Coconut oil'
$hich is thro$n into flat iron pans holding siE arrobas' is added to
the sulphurous clay' in the proportion of siE Auarts to four arrobas'
and it is melted and continually stirred The clay $hich floats on
the surface' no$ freed from the sulphur' being skimmed off' fresh
sulphurous clay is thro$n into the cauldron' and so on 6n t$o or
three hours siE arrobas of sulphur' on an a%erage' may be obtained
in this manner from t$enty(four arrobas of sulphurous clay' and'
poured into $ooden chests' it is moulded into blocks of about four
arrobas <alf the oil employed is reco%ered by thro$ing the clay
$hich has been saturated $ith it into a frame formed by t$o narro$
bamboo hurdles' placed at a sharp angle The oil drops into a sloping
gutter of bamboo $hich is placed underneath' and from that flo$s into a
pot The price of the sulphur at @anila %aries bet$een 2Prices5 N-/9
and N190 per picul 6 sa$ the frames' full of clay' from $hich the
oil eEuded; but the operation itself 6 did not' unfortunately' then
$itness' and 6 cannot eEplain in $hat manner the oil is added From
some eEperiments made on a small scale' therefore under essentially
different conditions' and ne%er $ith the same material' it appeared
that the oil accelerates the separation of the sulphur' and retards
the access of the air to the sulphur 6n these eEperiments' the sulphur
contained in the bottom of the crucible $as al$ays colored black by the
separation of charcoal from the oil' and it $as necessary to purify it
by distillation beforehand 8f this' ho$e%er' the smelters at )eyte
made no mention' and they e%en had no apparatus for the purpose'
$hile their sulphur $as of a pure yello$ color
2<ot spring5 7ome hundreds of paces further south' a hot spring
F90J "G' 2-:/5 t$el%e feet broad' flo$s from the east' depositing
silicious sinter at its edges
2+ solfatara5 +s $e follo$ed a ra%ine stretching from north to south'
$ith sides one hundred to t$o hundred feet in height' the %egetation
gradually ceased' the rock being of a daBBling $hite' or colored by
sublimated sulphur 6n numerous places thick clouds of %apor burst from
the ground' $ith a strong smell of sulphurated $ater +t some thousand
paces further' the ra%ine bends round to the left FeastG' and eEpands
itself to the bay; and here numerous silicious springs break through
the loose clay(earth' $hich is permeated $ith sulphur This solfatara
must formerly ha%e been much more acti%e than it is no$ The ra%ine'
$hich has been formed by its destruction of the rock' and is full
of lofty heaps of dLbris' may be one thousand feet in breadth' and
Auite fi%e times as long +t the east end there are a number of small'
boiling Auagmires' $hich' on forcing a stick into the matted ground'
send forth $ater and steam 6n some deep spots further $est' grey'
$hite' red' and yello$ clays ha%e been deposited in small beds o%er
each other' gi%ing them the appearance of %ariegated marls
2Petrifying $ater5 To the south' right opposite to the ridge $hich
leads to Burauen' may be seen a basin t$enty(fi%e feet broad' in a
ca%ern in the $hite decomposed rock' from $hich a petrifying $ater
containing silicious acid flo$s abundantly The roof of the ca%ern is
hung $ith stalactites' $hich either are co%ered $ith solid sulphur'
or consist entirely of that substance
2,anan solfatara5 8n the upper slope of the ,anan mountain' near
to the summit' so much sulphur is deposited by the %apors from the
sulphurated $ater that it may be collected $ith coconut shells 6n
some cre%ices' $hich are protected against the cooling effects of
the atmospheric air' it melts together in thick' bro$n crusts The
solfatara of ,anan is situated eEactly south of that belo$' at
the end of the ra%ine of the ?asiboi The clay earth' from $hich
the silicic acid has been $ashed out by the rains' is carried into
the %alley' $here it forms a plain' the greater part of $hich is
occupied by a small lake' @alaksan FsourG' slightly impregnated $ith
sulphuric acid 6ts surface' $hich' by reason of the %ery flat banks'
is protected against the $eather' 6 found to be about fi%e hundred
paces long and one hundred broad From the ele%ation of the solfatara'
a rather large fresh($ater lake' surrounded by $ooded mountains' is
seen through a gap' eEactly south' $hich is named Jaruanan The night
$as passed in a ruined shed at the south(east of the lake @alaksan;
and on the follo$ing morning $e climbed the south side of the mountain
ridge and' skirting the solfatara of the ,anan' arri%ed in an hour
and a half at lake Jaruanan
2Jaruanan )ake5 This lake' as $ell as the @alaksan' inspires
the nati%es $ith superstitious fear on account of the suspicious
neighborhood of the solfatara' and therefore has not been profaned by
either mariner' fisher' or s$immer' and $as %ery full of fish For the
purpose of measuring its depth' 6 had a raft of bamboos constructed;
and $hen my companions sa$ me floating safely on the lake' they
all' $ithout eEception' sprang into it' and tumbled about in the
$ater $ith infinite delight and loud outcries' as if they $ished
to indemnify themsel%es for their long abstinence; so that the raft
$as not ready before three oCclock The soundings at the centre of
the basin' $hich $as' at the southern edge' steeper than on the
north' ga%e thirteen braBas' or o%er t$enty(one meters of depth;
the greatest length of the lake amounted to nearly eight hundred
%aras FsiE hundred and siEty(eight metersG' and the breadth to about
half as much +s $e returned in the e%ening' by torchlight' o%er the
crest of the mountain to our night(Auarters at the lake' $e passed
by the %ery modest d$elling(place of a married pair Three branches'
projecting out$ards from the principal trunk of a tree' and lopped at
eAual points' sustained a hut of bamboos and palm(lea%es of eight feet
sAuare + hole in the floor formed the entrance' and it $as di%ided
into a chamber and ante(chamber' and four bamboo poles supported'
abo%e and belo$' t$o layers of bamboos' one of $hich furnished a
balcony' and the other a shop in $hich betel $as sold
2To ,ulag5 The day after my return to Burauen an obliging 7panish
merchant dro%e me through the fertile plain of %olcanic sand' on
$hich rice' maiBe' and sugar(cane $ere culti%ated' to ,ulag' $hich
lies directly to the $est' on the shore of the tranAuil sea The
distance Faccording to Coello three leaguesG hardly amounts to t$o
leagues From this place' Point Guiuan' the south point of 7amar'
appears like an island separated from the mainland' and further south
F> -0/J 1C to -0IJ H9J 7G Jomonjol is seen' the first island of the
+rchipelago sighted by @agellan on +pril -H' -9/- +t ,ulag' my former
companion joined us in order to accompany us on the journey to the
Bito )ake The arrangement of transportation and of pro%isions' and'
still more' the due consideration of all the propositions of three
indi%iduals' each of $hose claims $ere entitled to eAual respect'
occupied much time and reAuired some address !e at length sailed
in a large casco FbargeG south$ards along the coast to the mouth
of the ri%er 2=p @ayo "i%er5 @ayo' $hich' according to the map and
the information there gi%en' is said to come from the Bito )ake !e
proceeded up$ards in a boat' but $ere informed at the first hut that
the lake could be reached only by making a long circuit through s$ampy
forest; $hen most of our party proposed to return #arious reasons
besides the $ant of unanimity in the conduct of our ad%enture' $hich
had proceeded thus far' delayed our arri%al at +buyog until ele%en
oCclock at night 6n the first place' on our $ay' $e had to cross a
small branch of the @ayo' and after that the Bito "i%er The distance
of the latter from +buyog FeEtra%agantly set do$n on CoelloCs mapG
amounts to fourteen hundred braBas' according to the measurement of
the gobernadorcillo' $hich is probably correct 2-:I5
2+n unpromising road5 The follo$ing day' as it rained hea%ily' $as
employed in making inAuiries respecting the road to the Bito )ake !e
recei%ed %ery %aried statements as to the distance' but all agreed
in painting the road thither in a discouraging light + troublesome
journey of at least ten hours appeared to us to be $hat most probably
a$aited us
2Bito )ake5 8n the morro$' through a pleasant forest road' $e reached
in an hour the Bito "i%er' and proceeded in boats' $hich $e met
there' up the ri%er bet$een flat sandy banks co%ered $ith tall cane
and reeds 6n about ten minutes' some trees fallen right across the
stream compelled us to make a circuit on land' $hich in half an hour
brought us again to the ri%er' abo%e the obstacles <ere $e constructed
rafts of bamboo' upon $hich' immersed to the depth of half a foot'
the material being %ery loosely adjusted' $e reached the lake in ten
minutes !e found it co%ered $ith green confer%ae; a double border
of pistia and broad(lea%ed reed grasses' siE to se%en feet high'
enclosing it all round 8n the south and $est some lo$ hillocks rose
up' $hile from the middle it appeared to be almost circular' $ith a
girdle of forest Coello makes the lake much too large Ffour instead
of one sAuare mileG' and its distance from +buyog can be only a little
o%er a league !ith the assistance of a cord of lianas tied together'
and rods placed in a line' $e found its breadth fi%e hundred and
eighty(fi%e braBas or nine hundred and se%enty(se%en meters' Fin the
broadest part it might be a little o%er one thousand metersG; and the
length' as computed from some imperfect obser%ations' one thousand
and se%en braBas FsiEteen hundred and eighty metersG' conseAuently
less than one sAuare mile 7oundings sho$ed a gently inclined basin'
eight braBas' or o%er thirteen meters' deep in the middle 6 $ould
gladly ha%e determined the proportions $ith more accuracy; but $ant of
time' the inaccessibility of the edge of the bank' and the miserable
condition of our raft' allo$ed of only a fe$ rough measurements
2+ forest home5 >ot a trace of human habitations $as obser%able
on the shore; but a Auarter of an hourCs distance from the northern
edge $e found a comfortable hut' surrounded by deep mud and prickly
calamus' the tenants of $hich' ho$e%er' $ere li%ing in plenty' and
$ith greater con%eniences than many d$ellers in the %illages !e $ere
%ery $ell recei%ed and had fish in abundance' as $ell as tomatoes'
and capsicum to season them $ith' and dishes of English earthen$are
out of $hich to eat them
27naring s$ine5 The abundance of $ild s$ine had led the settlers
to in%ent a peculiar contri%ance' by $hich they are apprised of
their approach e%en $hen asleep' and guided to their trail in the
darkness + rope made of strips of banana tied together' and up$ards
of a thousand feet in length' is eEtended along the ground' one end
of $hich is attached to a coconut shell' full of $ater' $hich is
suspended immediately o%er the sleeping(place of the hunter !hen a
pig comes in contact $ith the rope' the $ater is o%erturned by the
jerk upon the sleeper' $ho' seiBing the rope in his hand' is thereby
conducted to his prey The principal employment of our hosts appeared
to be fishing' $hich is so producti%e that the roughest apparatus
is sufficient There $as not a single boat' but only loosely(bound
rafts of bamboo' on $hich the fishers' sinking' as $e oursel%es did
on our raft' half a foot deep' mo%ed about amongst the crocodiles'
$hich 6 ne%er beheld in such numbers and of so large a siBe as in
this lake 7ome s$am about on the surface $ith their backs projecting
out of the $ater 6t $as striking to see the complete indifference
$ith $hich e%en t$o little girls $aded in the $ater in the face of
the great monsters Fortunately the latter appeared to be satisfied
$ith their ample rations of fish Four kinds of fish are said to be
found in the lake' amongst them an eel; but $e got only one 2-:15
2+ secret still5 Early on the follo$ing morning our nati%e attendants
$ere already intoEicated This led to the disco%ery of another
occupation of the settlers' $hich 6 do not hesitate to disclose
no$ that the Go%ernment monopoly has been abolished They secretly
distilled palm(brandy and carried on a considerable trade in it; and
this also eEplained to me $hy the horrors of the road to the @ayo "i%er
and to +buyog had been painted in such $arm colors 2-:95 !e returned
on our rafts to the place $here $e had found them' a distance of
about fifteen hundred feet; and on$ards' through $ild cane $ith large
clusters of flo$ers F7accharum spG' siEteen feet high' east by north'
$e got to our boats' and then to the bar' $hence' after a march of an
hour and a half' $e reached +buyog From +buyog $e returned by $ater to
,ulag' and by land to Burauen' $here $e arri%ed at night' sooner than
our hostlers had eEpected' for $e caught them sleeping in our beds
2Tobacco prohibition5 >ot long ago much tobacco $as culti%ated in this
country' and $as allo$ed to be sold to the peasantry under certain
conditions; but recently it $as forbidden to be sold' eEcept by the
Go%ernment' $ho themsel%es determined its %alue at so %ery lo$ a rate
that the culture of tobacco has almost entirely ceased +s the tobacco
company' ho$e%er' had already erected stores and appointed collectors'
the kno$ing ones rightly foresa$ that these steps $ould be follo$ed by
compulsory labor' e%en as it occurred in other places The east coast
of )eyte is said to be rising $hile the $est is being destroyed by the
sea' and at 8rmog the sea is said to ha%e ad%anced about fifty ells
2-:H5 in siE years
C<+PTE" YY66
2The Bisayans5 The Bisayans((at least the inhabitants of the
6slands of 7amar and )eyte F6 ha%e not become closely acAuainted
$ith any othersG((belong to one race 2-:45 They are' physically and
intellectually' in character' dress' manners and customs' so similar
that my notes' $hich $ere originally made at different points of
the t$o 6slands' ha%e' after remo%al of the numerous repetitions'
fused into one' $hich affords a more complete picture' and affords'
at the same time' opportunity for the small differences' $here they
do occur' to stand out more conspicuously
2@ountaineers5 There are no >egritos either in 7amar or )eyte' but
Cimarronese' $ho pay no tribute' and $ho do not li%e in %illages'
but independently in the forests =nfortunately 6 ha%e had no personal
intercourse $ith them' and $hat 6 ha%e learned respecting them from the
Christian inhabitants of 7amar is too uncertain to be repeated But it
does seem certain that all these Cimarronese or their ancestors ha%e
traded $ith the 7paniards' and that their religion has appropriated
many Catholic forms Thus' $hen planting rice' and' according to
ancient practices' setting apart some of the seed to be offered in
the four corners of the field as sacrifice' they are accustomed to
repeat some mutilated Catholic prayers' $hich they appear to consider
as efficacious as their old heathenish ones 7ome ha%e their children
baptiBed as $ell' as it costs nothing; but' sa%e in these respects'
they perform no other Christian or ci%il obligations They are %ery
peaceable' neither making $ar $ith one another' nor ha%ing poisoned
arro$s 6nstances of Cimarronese' $ho go o%er to Christianity and
%illage life' together $ith tribute and ser%itude' are %ery rare;
and the number of the ci%iliBed' $ho return to the forests in order
to become Cimarronese' is' on the other hand' %ery inconsiderable
indeed((still smaller than in )uBon' as the nati%es' from the dull'
almost %egetating life $hich they lead' are not easily brought into
such straitened circumstances as to be compelled to lea%e their
%illage' $hich' still more than in )uBon' is all the $orld to them
2"ice(farming5 The culture of rice follo$s the seasons of the year 6n
some places $here there are large fields the plough FaradoG and the
sod(sod Fhere called surodG are employed; but' almost uni%ersally' the
rice(field is only trodden o%er by carabaos in the rainy season 7o$ing
is done on the $est coast in @ay and June' planting in July and +ugust'
and reaping from >o%ember to January 8ne ganta of seed(corn gi%es t$o'
sometimes from three to four' cabanes Fie' fifty' se%enty(fi%e'
and a hundred foldG 6n the chief to$n' Catbalogan' there are but
%ery fe$ irrigated fields Ftubigan' from tubig' $aterG' the produce
of $hich does not suffice for the reAuirements' and the deficiency
is made up from other places on the coasts of the 6sland 8n the
other hand' Catbalogan produces abaca' coconut oil' $aE' balate
Fedible holothuria' sea cucumberG' dried fish' and $o%en stuffs 8n
the north and east coasts so$ing takes place from >o%ember to January'
and reaping siE months later ,uring the remaining siE months the field
ser%es as pasture for the cattle; but in many places rice culture goes
on e%en during these months' but on other fields + large portion of
this rice is freAuently lost on account of the bad $eather
2)and tenure5 Purchases of land are seldom made' it being generally
acAuired by culti%ation' by inheritance' or forfeiture 6n Catbalogan
the best rice land $as paid for at the rate of one dollar for a ganta
of seed(corn' and' on the north coast of )auang' a field producing
yearly one hundred cabanes $as purchased for thirty dollars "eckoning'
as in >aga' one ganta of seed(corn at four loanes' and se%enty(fi%e
cabanes of produce at one AuiOon' the eastern rice land costs' in
the first instance' three thalers and a third' in the second three
thalers The o$ner lets the bare property out on leases' and recei%es
one(half the har%est as rent 2-:.5 The culti%ation of rice in )eyte
is conducted as in 7amar' but it has gi%en $ay to the culti%ation of
abacZ; the go%ernors' $hile they $ere allo$ed to trade' compelled
the nati%es to de%ote a part of their fields and of their labor to
it 7hould a peasant be in arrears' it is the pre%alent custom in
the country for him to pay to the dealer double the balance remaining
due at the neEt har%est
2@ountain rice5 @ountain(rice culture' $hich in Catbalogan is almost
the only culti%ation' reAuires no other implement of agriculture
than the bolo to loosen the soil some$hat' and a sharp stick for
making holes at distances of siE inches for the reception of fi%e or
siE grains of rice 7o$ing is done from @ay to June' $eeding t$ice'
and fi%e months later it is cut stalk by stalk; the reaper recei%ing
half a real daily $ages and food The produce is bet$een t$o and three
cabanes per ganta' or fifty to se%enty fold The land costs nothing'
and $ages amount to nearly fi%e reals per ganta of seed(corn +fter a
good har%est the caban fetches four reales; but just before the har%est
the price rises to one dollar' and often much higher The ground is
used only once for dry rice; camote FbatataG' abacZ' and caladium being
planted on it after the har%est @ountain rice is more remunerati%e
than $atered rice about in the proportion of nine to eight
28ther products5 >eEt to rice the principal articles of sustenance
are camote Fcon%ol%ulus batatasG' ubi FdioscoreaG' gabi FcaladiumG'
palauan Fa large arum' $ith taper lea%es and spotted stalkG Camote
can be planted all the year around' and ripens in four months; but
it takes place generally $hen the rice culture is o%er' $hen little
labor is a%ailable !hen the culti%ation of camote is retained'
the old plants are allo$ed to multiply their runners' and only the
tubers are taken out of the ground But larger produce is obtained by
cleaning out the ground and planting ane$ From eighteen to fifteen
gantas may be had for half a real
2+bacZ5 +lthough there are large plantations of abacZ' during my
%isit it $as but little culti%ated' the price not being sufficiently
remunerati%e
2Tobacco5 Tobacco also is culti%ated Formerly it might be sold in
the country' but no$ it has to be deli%ered to the go%ernment
2Balao oil5 + resinous oil Fbalao or malapajoG is found in 7amar
and +lbay' probably also in other pro%inces 6t is obtained from a
dipterocarpus FapitonG' one of the loftiest trees of the forest' by
cutting in the trunk a $ide hole' half a foot deep' hollo$ed out into
the form of a basin' and from time to time lighting a fire in it' so as
to free the channels' through $hich it flo$s' of obstructions The oil
thus is collected daily and comes into commerce $ithout any further
preparation 6ts chief application is in the preser%ation of iron
in shipbuilding >ails dipped in the oil of the balao' before being
dri%en in' $ill' as 6 ha%e been assured by credible indi%iduals'
defy the action of rust for ten years; but it is principally used as a
%arnish for ships' $hich are painted $ith it both $ithin and $ithout'
and it also protects $ood against termites and other insects The
balao is sold in +lbay at four reals for the tinaja of ten gantas Fthe
liter at eight penceG + cement formed by the miEture of burnt lime'
gum elemi' and coconut oil' in such proportions as to form a thick
paste before application' is used for the protection of the bottoms
of ships; and the coating is said to last a year 2-::5 2!aE5 !aE
is bartered by the Cimarronese The $hole of 7amar annually yields
from t$o hundred to three hundred piculs' $hose %alue ranges bet$een
t$enty(fi%e and fifty dollars per picul' $hile in @anila the price
is generally fi%e to ten dollars higher; but it fluctuates %ery much'
as the same product is brought from many other localities and at %ery
irregular inter%als of time
27carcity of stock5 There is hardly any breeding of cattle'
not$ithstanding the luEuriant gro$th of grasses and the absence of
destructi%e animals <orses and carabao are %ery rare' and are said
to ha%e been introduced late' not before the present century +s in
7amar there are hardly any other country roads than the seashore and
the shallo$ beds of ri%ers Fit is better in the north of )eyteG'
the carabao is used only once e%ery year in treading o%er the
earth of the rice(field ,uring the year he roams at large on the
pastures' in the forest' or on a small island' $here such eEists'
in the neighborhood 7ome times in the year one may see se%eral
carabaos' attached to the large trunk of a tree' dragging it to the
%illage Their number' conseAuently' is eEtremely small Carabaos
$hich tread the rice land $ell are $orth as much as ten dollars The
mean price is three dollars for a carabao' and fi%e to siE dollars
for a caraballa <orned cattle are only occasionally used as %ictims
at festi%als The property of se%eral o$ners' they are %ery limited in
number' and li%e half($ild in the mountains There is hardly any trade
in them' but the a%erage price is three dollars for a heifer' and fi%e
or siE dollars for a co$ 27$ine5 +lmost e%ery family possesses a pig;
some' three or four of them + fat pig costs siE or se%en dollars'
e%en more than a co$ @any Filipino tribes abstain strictly from beef;
but pork is essential to their feasts Grease' too' is so dear that
from three to four dollars $ould' under fa%orable circumstances'
be got on that account for a fat animal 27heep and goats5 7heep
and goats thri%e $ell' and propagate easily' but also eEist only in
small numbers' and are hardly utiliBed either for their $ool or their
flesh Creoles and mestiBos are for the most part too idle e%en to
keep sheep' preferring daily to eat chicken The sheep of 7hanghai'
imported by the go%ernor of Tacloban' also thri%e and propagate
famously 2Poultry5 + laying hen costs half a real' a rooster the
same' and a game cock as much as three dollars' often considerably
more 7iE or eight hens' or thirty eggs' may be bought for one real
2Cost of food5 + family consisting of father' mother' and fi%e
children reAuires daily nearly t$enty(four chupas of palay Frice in
the huskG' $hich' after $inno$ing' comes to about t$el%e chupas This
at the a%erage price of four reals per ca%an costs about half a
real The price' ho$e%er' %aries 7ometimes' after the har%est' it
is three reals per ca%an; before it' ten; and in +lbay' e%en about
thirty reals Then about three cuartos are $anted for eEtras Fas fish'
crabs' %egetables' etcG' $hich' ho$e%er' are generally collected
by the children; and' lastly' for oil t$o cuartos' buyo one cuarto'
tobacco three cuartos Fthree lea%es for one cuartoG' the latter being
smoked' not che$ed + $oman consumes half as much buyo and tobacco
as a man Buyo and tobacco are less used in )eyte than in 7amar
2Clothing cost5 For clothing a man reAuires yearly((four rough
shirts of guinara' costing from one to t$o reals; three or four pairs
of trousers' at one to t$o and a half reals; t$o kerchiefs for the
head' at one and a half real Fhats are not $orn on the south and $est
coastsG' and for the church festi%als generally one pair of shoes'
se%en reals; one fine shirt' a dollar or more; and fine pantaloons'
at four reals + $oman reAuires((four to siE camisas of guinara'
at one real; t$o to three sayas of guinara' at three to four reals'
and one or t$o sayas of European printed cotton' at fi%e reals; t$o
head(kerchiefs at one and a half to t$o reals; and one or t$o pairs
of slippers FchinelasG to go to mass in' at t$o reals and up$ards
2!omenCs eEtras5 The $omen generally ha%e' besides' a fine camisa
costing at least siE reals; a mantilla for churchgoing' siE reals
Fit lasts four yearsG; and a comb' t$o cuartos @any also ha%e under
skirts FnabuasG' t$o pieces at four reals' and earrings of brass
and a rosary' $hich last articles are purchased once for all 6n the
poorer localities' )auang for instance' only the home($o%en guinaras
are $orn; and there a man reAuires((three shirts and three pairs of
trousers' $hich are cut out of three pieces of guinara' at t$o reals'
and a salacot FhatG' generally home made' $orth half a real; $hile a
$oman uses yearly((four sayas' %alue siE reals; and a camisa' $ith a
finer one for the festi%als' eight reals =nderskirts are not $orn;
and the clothing of the children may be estimated at about half of
the abo%e rates
2<ousehold furniture5 For household furniture a family has a cooking
pot 2/005 of unglaBed burnt clay' imported by ships from @anila' the
cost of $hich is fiEed by the %alue of its contents in rice; a supply
of bamboo(canes; se%en plates' costing bet$een t$o and fi%e cuartos;
a carahai Firon panG' three to four reals; coconut shells ser%ing
for glasses; a fe$ small pots' altogether half a real; a sundang'
four to siE reals' or a bolo Flarge forest knifeG' one dollar; and
a pair of scissors Ffor the $omenG' t$o reals The loom' $hich e%ery
household constructs for itself of bamboo of course costs nothing
2!ages5 The rate of daily $ages' in the case of Filipino employers'
is half a real' $ithout food; but Europeans al$ays ha%e to gi%e
one real and food' unless' by fa%or of the gobernadorcillo' they
get polistas at the former rate' $hich then regularly goes into the
public coffers +n ordinary carpenter earns from one to t$o reals;
a skilful man' three reals daily The hours of $ork are from siE to
noon' and from t$o to siE in the e%ening
26ndustries5 +lmost e%ery %illage has a rude smith' $ho understands
the making of sundangs and bolos; but the iron and the coal reAuired
for the purpose must be supplied $ith the order >o other $ork in
metal is eEecuted !ith the eEception of a little ship(building'
hardly any other pursuit than $ea%ing is carried on; the loom is
rarely $anting in a household Guinara' ie' stuff made of the abacZ'
is manufactured' as $ell as also some piOa' or figured silk stuffs'
the silk being brought from @anila' and of Chinese origin +ll these
fabrics are made in pri%ate homes; there are no factories
2Barter5 6n places $here rice is scarce the lo$er class of people
catch fish' salt and dry them' and barter them for rice 6n the
chief to$ns purchases are made $ith the current money; but' in the
interior' $here there is hardly any money' fabrics and dried fish are
the most usual means of eEchange 7alt is obtained by e%aporating
the sea$ater in small iron hand(pans FcarahaisG' $ithout pre%ious
e%aporation in the sun The na%igation bet$een Catbalogan and @anila
continues from ,ecember to July' and in the inter%al bet$een those
months the ships lie dismantled under sheds 2Communication5 There
also is communication by the coast east$ards to Guian' north$ards
to Catarman' and sometimes to )auang The cre$s consist partly of
nati%es' and partly of foreigners' as the nati%es take to the sea
$ith great reluctance; indeed' almost only $hen compelled to lea%e
their %illages 7amar has scarcely any other means of communication
besides the na%igation of the coast and ri%ers' the interior being
roadless; and burdens ha%e to be con%eyed on the shoulders +n
able(bodied porter' $ho recei%es a real and a half $ithout food'
$ill carry three arrobas Fse%enty(fi%e pounds at mostG siE leagues in
a day' but he cannot accomplish the same $ork on the follo$ing day'
reAuiring at least one dayCs rest + strong man $ill carry an arroba
and a half daily for a distance of siE leagues for a $hole $eek
2>o markets5 There are no markets in 7amar and )eyte; so that $hoe%er
$ishes to buy seeks $hat he reAuires in the houses' and in like manner
the seller offers his goods
2,ebts5 + Filipino seeking to borro$ money has to gi%e ample security
and pay interest at the rate of one real for e%ery dollar per month
Ft$el%e and one(half per cent monthlyG; and it is not easy for
him to borro$ more than fi%e dollars' for $hich sum only he is
legally liable Trade and credit are less de%eloped in eastern and
northern 7amar than in the $estern part of the island' $hich keeps
up a more acti%e communication $ith the other inhabitants of the
+rchipelago There current money is rarely lent' but only its %alue
in goods is ad%anced at the rate of a real per dollar per mensem 6f
the debtor fails to pay $ithin the time appointed' he freAuently
has to part $ith one of his children' $ho is obliged to ser%e the
lender for his bare food' $ithout $ages' until the debt has been
eEtinguished 6 sa$ a young man $ho had so ser%ed for the term of
fi%e years' in liAuidation of a debt of fi%e dollars $hich his father'
$ho had formerly been a gobernadorcillo in Paranas' o$ed to a mestiBo
in Catbalogan; and on the east coast a pretty young girl' $ho' for
a debt of three dollars due by her father' had then' for t$o years'
ser%ed a nati%e' $ho had the reputation of being a spendthrift 6 $as
sho$n in Borongan a coconut plantation of three hundred trees' $hich
$as pledged for a debt of ten dollars about t$enty years ago' since
$hich period it had been used by the creditor as his o$n property;
and it $as only a fe$ years since that' upon the death of the debtor'
his children succeeded' $ith great difficulty' in paying the original
debt and redeeming the property 6t is no uncommon thing for a nati%e
to borro$ t$o dollars and a half from another in order to purchase
his eEemption from the forty days of annual ser%ice' and then'
failing to repay the loan punctually' to ser%e his creditor for a
$hole year 2/0-5
2People of 7amar and )eyte5 The inhabitants of 7amar and )eyte'
$ho are at once idler and filthier than those of )uBon' seem to be
as much behind the Bicols as the latter are behind the Tagalogs 6n
Tacloban' $here a more acti%e intercourse $ith @anila eEists' these
Aualities are less pronounced' and the $omen' $ho are agreeable'
bathe freAuently For the rest' the inhabitants of the t$o islands
are friendly' obliging' tractable' and peaceable +busi%e language or
%iolence %ery rarely occurs' and' in case of injury' information is
laid against the offender at the tribunal Great purity of manners
seems to pre%ail on the north and $est coasts' but not on the east
coast' nor in )eyte EEternal piety is uni%ersally conspicuous' through
the training imparted by the priests; the families are %ery united'
and great influence is $ielded by the $omen' $ho are principally
engaged in household employments' and are tolerably skilful in $ea%ing'
and to $hom only the lighter labors of the field are assigned The
authority of the parents and of the eldest brother is supreme' the
younger sisters ne%er %enturing to oppose it; $omen and children are
kindly treated
2)eyte5 The nati%es of )eyte' clinging as strongly to their nati%e
soil as those of 7amar' like them' ha%e no partiality for the sea'
though their antipathy to it is not Auite so manifest as that of the
inhabitants of 7amar 2/0/5
2Public charity not accepted5 There are no bene%olent institutions
in either of the t$o islands Each family maintains its o$n poor
and crippled' and treats them tenderly 6n Catbalogan' the chief
to$n of the island' $ith fi%e to siE thousand inhabitants' there
$ere only eight recipients of charity; but in +lbay mendicants are
not $anting 6n )auang' $hen a 7paniard' on a solemn festi%al' had
caused it to be proclaimed that he $ould distribute rice to the poor'
not a single applicant came for$ard The honesty of the inhabitants of
7amar is much commended 8bligations are said to be contracted almost
al$ays $ithout $ritten documents' and ne%er fors$orn' e%en if they
make default in payment "obberies are of rare occurrence in 7amar'
and thefts almost unkno$n There are schools also here in the pueblos'
$hich accomplish Auite as much as they do in Camarines
2+musements5 8f the public amusements cock(fighting is the chief'
but it is not so eagerly pursued as in )uBon +t the church festi%als
they perform a drama translated from the 7panish' generally of
a religious character; and the eEpense of the entertainment is
defrayed by %oluntary contributions of the $ealthy The chief %ices
of the population are play and drunkenness; in $hich latter e%en
$omen and young girls occasionally indulge The marriage feasts'
combining song and dance' often continue for se%eral days and
nights together' $here they ha%e a sufficient supply of food and
drink 27uitorCs ser%ice5 The suitor has to ser%e in the house
of the brideCs parents t$o' three' and e%en fi%e years' before he
takes his bride home; and money cannot purchase eEemption from this
onerous restriction <e boards in the house of the brideCs parents
$ho furnish the rice' but he has to supply the %egetables himself
2/0I5 +t the eEpiration of his term of ser%ice he builds' $ith the
assistance of his relations and friends' the house for the family
$hich is about to be ne$ly established
2@orals5 Though adultery is not unkno$n' jealousy is rare' and
ne%er leads to %iolence The injured indi%idual generally goes $ith
the culprit to the minister' $ho' $ith a se%ere lecture to one'
and $ords of consolation to the other' sets e%erything straight
again @arried $omen are more easily accessible than girls' $hose
prospect of marriage' ho$e%er' it seems is not greatly diminished
by a false step during single life !hile under parental authority
girls' as a rule' are kept under rigid control' doubtless in order
to prolong the time of ser%itude of the suitor EEternal appearance
is more strictly regarded among the Bisayans than by the Bicols and
Tagalogs <ere also the erroneous opinion pre%ails' that the number of
the $omen eEceeds that of the men 6nstances occur of girls of t$el%e
being mothers; but they are rare; and though $omen bear t$el%e or
thirteen children' many of these' ho$e%er' do not li%e 2Great infant
mortality5 7o much so is this the case' that families of more than
siE or eight children are %ery rarely met $ith
27uperstitions5 7uperstition is rife Besides the little church images
of the #irgin' $hich e%ery Filipina $ears by a string round the neck'
many also ha%e heathen amulets' of $hich 6 had an opportunity of
eEamining one that had been taken from a %ery daring criminal 6t
consisted of a small ounce flask' stuffed full of %egetable root
fibres' $hich appeared to ha%e been fried in oil This flask' $hich is
prepared by the heathen tribes' is accredited $ith the %irtue of making
its o$ner strong and courageous The capture of this indi%idual $as
%ery difficult; but' as soon as the little flask $as taken from him'
he ga%e up all resistance' and allo$ed himself to be bound 6n almost
e%ery large %illage there are one or more 2Ghouls5 +suang families $ho
are generally dreaded and a%oided' and regarded as outla$s' and $ho
can marry only amongst themsel%es They ha%e the reputation of being
cannibals 2/015 Perhaps they are descended from such tribesQ +t any
rate' the belief is %ery general and firmly rooted; and intelligent
old nati%es $hen Auestioned by me on the subject' ans$ered that they
certainly did not belie%e that the +suangs ate men at the present time'
but that their forefathers had assuredly done so 2/095
2+ncient )iterature5 8f ancient legends' traditions' or ballads'
it is stated that there are none 6t is true they ha%e songs at their
dances' but these are spiritless impro%isations' and mostly in a high
key They ha%e not preser%ed any memorials of former ci%iliBation DThe
ancient Pintados possessed no temples' e%ery one performing his
anitos in his o$n house' $ithout any special solemnityD((F@orga'
f -19 %G Pigafetta Fp :/G certainly mentions that the ?ing of Cebu'
after his con%ersion to Christianity' caused many temples built on the
seashore to be destroyed; but these might only ha%e been structures of
a %ery perishable kind 2Festi%als and shrines5 8n certain occasions
the Bisayans celebrated a great festi%al' called Pandot' at $hich
they $orshipped their gods in huts' $hich $ere eEpressly built for the
purpose' co%ered $ith foliage' and adorned $ith flo$ers and lamps They
called these huts simba or simbahan Fthe churches are so called to the
present dayG' Dand this is the only thing $hich they ha%e similar to a
church or a templeD((F6nforme' 6' i' -4G +ccording to Gemelli Careri
they prayed to some particular gods' deri%ed from their forefathers'
$ho are called by the Bisayans ,a%ata F,i%ataG' and by the Tagalogs
+nito; one anito being for the sea and another for the house' to
$atch o%er the children 2/0H5 2+ncestor $orship5 6n the number of
these anitos they placed their grandfathers and great(grandfathers'
$hom they in%oked in all their necessities' and in $hose honor they
preser%ed little statues of stone' $ood' gold' and i%ory' $hich they
called liche or lara%an +mongst their gods they also reckoned all
$ho perished by the s$ord' or $ere killed by lightning' or de%oured
by crocodiles' belie%ing that their souls ascended to hea%en on a
bo$ $hich they called balangas Pigafetta thus describes the idols
$hich $ere seen by him*((DThey are of $ood' and conca%e' or hollo$'
$ithout any hind Auarters' $ith their arms eEtended' and their legs
and feet bent up$ards They ha%e %ery large faces' $ith four po$erful
teeth like boarsC tusks' and are painted all o%erD 2/045
6n conclusion' let me take a brief account of the religion of the
ancient Bisayans from Fr Gaspar 7an +gustin FConAuest' -H:G*
28ld religion5 The daemon' or genius' to $hom they sacrificed $as
called by them ,i%ata' $hich appears to denote an antithesis to the
,eity' and a rebel against him <ell $as called 7olad' and <ea%en
Fin the language of the educated peopleG 8logan ; ; ; The souls of
the departed go to a mountain in the pro%ince of 8ton' 2/0.5 called
@edias' $here they are $ell entertained and ser%ed The creation of
the uni%erse is thus eEplained 2Creation myth5 + %ulture ho%ering
bet$een hea%en and earth finds no place to settle himself upon'
and the $ater rises to$ards hea%en; $hereupon <ea%en' in its $rath'
creates islands The %ulture splits a bamboo' out of $hich spring man
and $oman' $ho beget many children' and' $hen their number becomes
too great' dri%e them out $ith blo$s 7ome conceal themsel%es in the
chamber' and these become the ,atos; others in the kitchen' and these
become the sla%es The rest go do$n the stairs and become the people
C<+PTE" YY666
2Ports of entry5 6n -.I0 se%en ne$ ports $ere opened as an eEperiment'
but' o$ing to great frauds in the charges' $ere soon after$ards
closed again 6n -.I- a custom(house $as established at Tamboanga'
on the south($est point of @indanao; and in -.99 7ual' in the Gulf
of )ingayen' one of the safest harbors on the $est coast of )uBon'
and 6loilo in Panay' $ere thro$n open; and in -.HI Cebu' on the island
of the same name' for the direct communication $ith foreign countries
28ld Tamboanga fort5 Before -HI9 the 7paniards had established
a fort at Tamboanga' $hich' although it certainly could not
$holly pre%ent the piratical eEcursions against the colonies' yet
considerably diminished them 2/0:5 =ntil -.1. from eight hundred
to fifteen hundred indi%iduals are stated to ha%e been carried off
yearly by the @oros 2/-05 The establishment of this custom(house
has' therefore' been based upon political rather than commercial
moti%es' it being found desirable to open an easily accessible
place to the piratical states of the 7ulu 7ea for the disposal of
their products 2EEports5 Trade' up to the present date' is but
of %ery inconsiderable amount' the eEports consisting chiefly of a
little coffee Fin -.4- nearly siE thousand piculsG' $hich' from bad
management' is $orth thirty per cent less than @anila coffee' and of
the collected products of the forest and of the $ater' such as $aE'
birdsC(nests' tortoise(shell' pearls' mother(of(pearl' and edible
holothuria This trade' as $ell as that $ith 7ulu' is entirely in the
hands of the Chinese' $ho alone possess the patience' adapti%eness'
and adroitness $hich are reAuired for the purpose
27ualCs foreign trade5 7ual is specially important for its eEports
of rice; and its foreign trade is therefore affected by the results of
the har%ests in 7aigon' Burma' and China 6n -.H.' $hen the har%ests in
those countries turned out good' 7ual carried on only a coasting trade
2Cebu5 Cebu F$ith a population of I1'000G is the chief to$n of the
island of the same name' the seat of Go%ernment and of the bishop of
the Bisayas' and $ithin forty(eight hours from @anila by steamer 6t
is as fa%orably situated $ith regard to the eatern portion of the
Bisayan group as 6loilo is for the $estern' and is acAuiring increased
importance as the emporium for its products 7ugar and tobacco are
obtained from Bohol; rice from Panay; abacZ from )eyte and @indanao;
and coffee' $aE' 7panish cane' and mother(of(pearl from @isamis
F@indanaoG 6ts distance from 7amar is t$enty(siE' from )eyte t$o
and a half' from Bohol four' and from >egros eighteen miles
2Cebu island5 The island of Cebu eEtends o%er se%enty(fi%e sAuare
miles + lofty mountain range tra%erses it from north to south'
di%iding the east from the $est side' and its population is
estimated at I10'000'((1'9II to the sAuare mile The inhabitants
are peaceable and docile; thefts occur %ery seldom' and robberies
ne%er Their occupations are agriculture' fishing' and $ea%ing for
home consumption Cebu produces sugar' tobacco' maiBe' rice' etc'
and in the mountains potatoes; but the rice produced does not suffice
for their reAuirements' there being only a little le%el land' and
the deficiency is imported from Panay
2)and tenure5 The island possesses considerable beds of coal' the
full yield of $hich may no$ be looked for' as the duty on eEport $as
abandoned by a decree of the 9th of @ay' -.H: 2/--5 !hile in )uBon
and Panay the land is for the most part the property of the peasantry'
in Cebu it mostly belongs to the mestiBos' and is let out by them'
in %ery small allotments' upon lease The o$ners of the soil kno$ ho$
to keep the peasants in a state of dependence by usurious loans; and
one of the results of this abuse is that agriculture in this island
stands lo$er than in almost any other part of the archipelago 2/-/5
2Customhouse data5 The entire %alue of the eEports in -.H. amounted
to N-'-.-'090; of $hich sugar to the %alue of N1.-'-/4' and abacZ to
the %alue of NI4.'/9H; $ent to England' abacZ amounting to N--/'000
to +merica' and tobacco to N--.'/H0 to 7pain The imports of foreign
goods' mostly by the Chinese' come through @anila' $here they
purchase from the foreign import houses The %alue of these imports
amounted in -.H. to N-./'9//; of $hich N-90'000 $ere for English
cotton stuffs The entire imports of the island $ere estimated at
N-'/1I'9./' and the eEports at N//H'.:. +mong the importations
$ere t$enty chests of images' a sign of the deeply(rooted $orship
of the #irgin Formerly the products for eEportation $ere bought up
by the foreign merchants' mostly Chinese mestiBos; but no$ they are
bought direct from the producers' $ho thus obtain better prices in
conseAuence of the abolition of the high brokerages To this and to
the energy of the foreign merchants' under fa%orable circumstances'
is the gradual impro%ement of agriculture principally to be ascribed
26loilo5 6loilo is the most important of the ne$ly opened ports'
being the central point of the Bisayan group' and situated in one
of the most thickly populated and industrious pro%inces >icholas
)oney 2/-I5 estimates the eEport of goods $o%en from the fiber of
the piOa' from 6loilo' and the neighboring pro%inces' at about one
million dollars annually The harbor is eEcellent' being completely
protected by an island $hich lies immediately before it; and at high
tide there is about t$el%e feet of $ater close in shore for %essels
to lie in 8n account of the bar' ho$e%er' ships of a deeper draught
than this are obliged to complete their loading outside Pre%ious
to the opening of the ne$ harbors' all the pro%inces $ere compelled
as $ell to bring their products intended for eEportation to @anila'
as to recei%e from the same place their foreign imports; the cost
of $hich therefore $as greatly increased through the eEtra eEpenses
incurred by the double %oyage' reloading' brokerage' and $harfage
charges +ccording to a $ritten account by > )oney' it is sho$n ho$
profitable' e%en after a fe$ years' the opening of 6loilo has been to
the pro%inces immediately adjoining((the islands of Panay and >egros
27ugar5 The higher prices $hich can be obtained for directly
eEported sugar' combined $ith the facility and security of the
trade as contrasted $ith the late monopoly enjoyed by @anila' ha%e
occasioned a great eEtension of the culti%ation of that article >ot
only in 6loilo' but also in +ntiAue and >egros' many ne$ plantations
ha%e arisen' and the old ones ha%e been enlarged as much as possible;
and not less important has been the progress in the manufacture 6n
-.94 there $as not one iron mill to be found on the island; so that'
in $orking $ith the $ooden mill' about thirty per cent of the sap
remained in the cane' e%en after it had thrice passed through The
old $ooden presses' $hich $ere $orked by steam or carabaos' ha%e no$
been supplanted by ne$ ones; and these the nati%e planters ha%e no
difficulty in obtaining' as they can get them on credit from the
$arehouses of the English importers 6nstead of the old Chinese
cast(iron pans $hich $ere in use' far superior articles ha%e been
imported from Europe; and many large factories $orked by steam(po$er
and $ith all modern impro%ements ha%e been established 6n agriculture'
like$ise' creditable progress is noticeable 6mpro%ed ploughs' carts'
and farming implements generally' are to be had in plenty These
changes naturally sho$ ho$ important it $as to establish at different
points' eEtending o%er t$o hundred miles of the +rchipelago' commercial
centers' $here it $as desirable that foreigners should settle !ithout
these latter' and the facilities afforded to credit $hich thereby
ensued' the sudden rise and prosperity of 6loilo $ould not ha%e been
possible' inasmuch as the mercantile houses in that capital $ould ha%e
been debarred from trading $ith unkno$n planters in distant pro%inces'
other$ise than for ready money + large number of half(castes' too'
$ho before traded in manufactured goods purchased in @anila' $ere
enabled after this to send their goods direct to the pro%inces' to the
foreign firms settled there; and as' ultimately' neither these latter
nor the Chinese retail dealers could successfully compete $ith them'
the result has been that' as much to their o$n profit as to that of the
country' they ha%e betaken themsel%es to the culti%ation of sugar 6n
this manner important plantations ha%e been established in >egros'
$hich are managed by nati%es of 6loilo* but there is a scarcity of
laborers on the island
2)and disputes5 Foreigners no$ can legally acAuire property' and
possess a marketable title; in $hich respect the la$' until a %ery
recent period' $as of an eEtremely uncertain nature )and is to be
obtained by purchase' or' $hen not already taken up' by DdenunciaD
Fie priority of claimG 6n such case' the $ould(be possessor of
the land must enter into an undertaking in the nearest of the nati%e
Courts to culti%ate and keep the said land in a fit and ser%iceable
condition 7hould no other claim be put in' notice is thereupon gi%en
of the grant' and the magistrate or alcalde concludes the compact
$ithout other cost than the usual stamp duty
2)ack of capital for large plantations5 @any mestiBos and nati%es'
not ha%ing the necessary capital to carry on a large plantation
successfully' sell the fields $hich they ha%e already partially
culti%ated to European capitalists' $ho are thus relie%ed of all the
preliminary tedious $ork E%idently the Colonial Go%ernment is no$
sincerely disposed to fa%or the laying out of large plantations
2)ack of roads5 The $ant of good roads is particularly felt* but' $ith
the increase of agriculture' this defect $ill naturally be remedied;
and' moreo%er' most of the sugar factories are situated on ri%ers $hich
are unna%igable e%en by flat freight boats The %alue of land in many
parts of the country has doubled $ithin the last ten years 2/-15
27ugar prices5 =p to -.91 the picul of sugar $as $orth in 6loilo from
N-09 to N-/9 and seldom o%er N/00 in @anila; in -.HH' NI/9; and
in -.H.' N149 to N900 in 6loilo The business in 6loilo therefore
sho$s an increase of N-49 per picul 2/-95
2>egros5 +t the end of -.9H there $ere as many as t$enty Europeans
established on the island of >egros as sugar planters' besides a
number of mestiBos 7ome of them $ere $orking $ith steam machinery
and %acuum pans The general rate of pay is from N/09 to NI00 per
month 8n some plantations the principle of acsa' ie part share'
is in operation The o$ner lets out a piece of ground' pro%iding
draught cattle and all necessary ploughing implements' to a nati%e'
$ho $orks it' and supplies the mill $ith the cut cane' recei%ing as
payment a share' generally a third' of the product 6n >egros the
%iolet cane is culti%ated' and in @anila the $hite F8taheitiG The
land does not reAuire manuring 8n ne$ ground' or $hat $e may term
%irgin soil' the cane often gro$s to a height of thirteen feet + %ast
impro%ement is to be obser%ed in the mode of dress of the people PiOa
and silk stuffs are beoming Auite common +d%ance in luEury is al$ays
a fa%orable sign; according to the increase of reAuirements' industry
flourishes in proportion
2The future sugar market5 +s 6 ha%e already mentioned'
California' Japan' China' and +ustralia appear designed by nature
to be the principal consumers of the products of the Philippine
6slands Certainly at present England is the best customer; but
nearly half the account is for sugar' in conseAuence of their o$n
custom duties 7ometimes it happens that not more than one(fourth of
the sugar crop is sufficiently refined to compete in the +ustralian
and Californian markets $ith the sorts from Bengal' Ja%a' and the
@auritius; the remaining three(fourths' if particularly $hite' must
perforce undertake the long %oyage to England' despite the high freight
and certain loss on the %oyage of from ten to t$el%e per cent through
the leakage of the molasses The inferior Auality of the Philippine
sugar is at once percei%ed by the English refiners' and is only taEed
at .s per c$t' $hile purer sorts pay -0s to -/s 2/-H5
2+ %aluable by(product5 6n this manner the English customs fa%or the
inferior Aualities of manufactured sugar The colonial Go%ernment
did not allo$ those engaged in the manufacture of sugar to distil
rum from the molasses until the year -.H/ They had' therefore'
little inducement to eEtract' at a certain eEpense' a substance the
%alue on $hich they $ere not permitted to realiBe; but under ordinary
circumstances the distillation of the rum not only co%ered the cost
of refining' but ga%e' in addition' a fair margin of profit
C<+PTE" YY6#
2@anila hemp5 8ne of the most interesting productions of the island
is @anila hemp The French' $ho' ho$e%er' hardly use it' call it
D7ilk(Plant'D because of its silky appearance
The nati%es call the fiber bandala' and in commerce Fgenerally
speakingG abacZ' just as the plant from $hich it is obtained
2+bacZ5 The latter is a $ild species of banana gro$ing in the
Philippine 6slands' kno$n also as +rbol de CaOamo Fhemp(treeG' @usa
teEtilis' )in 6t does not differ in appearance to any great eEtent
from the edible banana F@usa paradisiacaG' one of the most important
plants of the torrid Bone' and familiar to us as being one of our
most beautiful hot(house fa%orites
2=ndetermined plant relations5 !hether this and the DmusaeD
F@ troglodytarum' @ syl%estris' and othersG' freAuently kno$n'
too' as @ teEtilis' are of the same species' has not yet been
determined The species @usaceae are herbaceous plants only The
outer stem consists of crescent(shaped petioles crossing one another
alternately' and encircling the thin main stem These petioles contain
a Auantity of bast fiber' $hich is used as string' but other$ise is
of no commercial %alue The ser%iceable hemp fiber has' up to the
present time' been eEclusi%ely obtained from the southern portion of
the Philippines
2+bacZ districts5 The southern Camarines and +lbay are fa%orably
adapted for the culti%ation of this plant' as are also the islands
of 7amar and )eyte' and the adjacent islands; and Cebu like$ise'
although a portion of the so(called DCebu hempD comes from @indanao 6n
>egros the bast(banana thri%es only in the south' not in the north;
and 6loilo' $hich produces most of the hemp cloth FguinaraG' is
obliged to import the ra$ material from the eastern district' as it
does not flourish in the island of Panay 6n CapiB' it is true' some
abacZ may be noticed gro$ing' but it is of trifling %alue <itherto
all attempts' strenuous though the efforts $ere' to acclimatiBe the
gro$th of hemp in the $estern and northern pro%inces ha%e failed The
plants rarely gro$ as high as t$o feet' and the trouble and eEpense
are simply unremunerati%e This failure may be accounted for by the
eEtreme dryness pre%ailing during many months of the year' $hereas
in the eastern pro%inces plentiful sho$ers fall the $hole year round
2Peculiar to the Philippines5 The great profit $hich the @anila
hemp has yielded in the fe$ years since its production' ho$e%er' has
gi%en encouragement to still further eEperiments; so that' indeed'
it $ill shortly be sho$n $hether the culti%ation of abacZ is to be
confined to its present limited area' $hile the edible species of
banana has spread itself o%er the $hole surface of the earth $ithin
the tropics 8n the %olcanic mountains of !estern Ja%a a species
of the @usaceae gro$s in great luEuriance The Go%ernment has not'
ho$e%er' made any real effort to culti%ate it' and $hat has been done
in that respect has been effected' up to the present date' by pri%ate
enterprise #arious $riters ha%e stated that abacZ is to be obtained
in the north of the Celebes Bickmore' ho$e%er' says positi%ely that
the inhabitants ha%ing made great efforts in attempting its successful
culti%ation' ha%e abandoned it again in fa%or of the culti%ation of
coffee' $hich is found to be far more profitable 2/-45 +ccording to
pre%ious statements' Guadaloupe appears to be able to produce abacZ
Ffiber of the @ teEtilisQG; 2/-.5 and Pondicherry and Guadaloupe
ha%e produced fabrics $o%en from abacZ' and French Guiana stuffs
from the fiber of the edible banana; 2/-:5 all these' ho$e%er' are
only eEperiments
27uperiority of fiber5 "oyle affirms that the @anila hemp FabacZ
fiberG eEcels the "ussian in firmness' lightness' and strength in
tension' as $ell as in cheapness' and has only the one disad%antage
that ropes made from it become stiff in $et $eather The reason'
ho$e%er' is found in the manner in $hich it is spun' and may be
a%oided by proper preparation 2//05 Through the better preparation
of the ra$ material in @anila by means of adeAuate machinery' these
difficulties ha%e been o%ercome; but abacZ no longer has the ad%antage
of superior cheapness' as the demand has increased much faster than
the supply ,uring the year -.9: it $as $orth from M// to M/9 per ton;
in -.H.' M19 per ton; $hile "ussian hemp fetched MI- per ton Thus
in nine years it rose to double its %alue
2Banana %arieties5 6n +lbay there are about t$el%e %arieties
of the best banana culti%ated' $hich are particularly fa%ored by
the Aualities of the soil The culti%ation is eEtremely simple'
and entirely independent of the seasons The plants thri%e best on
the slopes of the %olcanic mountains Fin $hich +lbay and Camarines
aboundG' in open spaces of the $oods protected by the trees' $hich
cast their shado$s to an eEtent of about siEty feet 6n eEposed le%el
ground they do not thri%e so $ell' and in marshy land not at all
2Culti%ation5 6n the laying out of a ne$ plantation the young shoots
are generally made use of' $hich sprout so abundantly from the roots
that each indi%idual one soon becomes a perfect plant 6n fa%orable
ground the custom is to allo$ a distance of about ten feet bet$een
each plant; in poor ground siE feet The only care necessary is
the eEtermination of the $eeds' and clearing a$ay the undergro$th
during the first season; later on' the plants gro$ so luEuriantly
and strongly that they entirely pre%ent the gro$th of anything
else in their %icinity The protection afforded by the shade of the
trees at this period is no longer reAuired' the young buds finding
sufficient protection against the sunCs rays under co%er of the
fan(like lea%es 8nly in eEceptional cases' contrary to the usual
practice' are the plants raised from seed The fruit' $hen ready'
is cut off and dried' though care must be taken that it is not o%er
ripe; other$ise the kernels $ill not germinate These latter are about
the siBe of peppercorns; and the eEtraction of them in the edible
species almost al$ays brings about decay T$o days before so$ing'
the kernels are taken out of the fruit' and steeped o%ernight in
$ater; on the follo$ing day they are dried in a shady place; and on
the third day they are so$n in holes an inch deep in fresh' unbroken'
and $ell(shaded forest ground' allo$ing siE inches distance bet$een
each plant and ro$ +fter a year the seedlings' $hich are then about
t$o feet high' are planted out' and tended in the same $ay as the
suckers 2,ifferences $ith abacZ5 !hile many of the edible bananas
bear fruit after one year' and a fe$ %arieties e%en after siE months'
the abacZ plant reAuires on an a%erage three years to produce its
fiber in a proper condition; $hen raised from suckers four years;
and raised from year(old seedlings' e%en under the most fa%orable
conditions' t$o years
2Cutting5 8n the first crop' only one stalk is cut from each bush;
but later on the ne$ branches gro$ so Auickly that they can be cut
e%ery t$o months 2//-5 +fter a fe$ years the plants become so strong
and dense that it is scarcely possible to push through them Bast is
in its best condition at the time of blossoming; but' $hen the price
of the fiber happens to stand high in the market' this particular
time is not al$ays $aited for
2Prejudice against cutting after blossoming5 Plants $hich ha%e
blossomed cease to be profitable in any $ay' by reason of the fiber
becoming too $eak((a matter of too great nicety for the unpractical
consumers on the other side of the +tlantic to decide upon' and one
in $hich' despite inAuiries and careful inspections' they might be
decei%ed There really is no perceptible reason $hy the fiber should
become $eaker through fructification' $hich simply consists in the fact
of the contents of the %ascular cells changing into soluble matter'
and gradually ooBing a$ay' the conseAuence of $hich is that the cells
of the fiber are not replenished These' on the contrary' acAuire
additional strength $ith the age of the plant' because the emptied
cells cling so firmly together' by means of a certain resinous deposit'
that it is impossible to obtain them unbroken $ithout a great deal of
trouble The idea may ha%e erroneously arisen from the circumstance
that' pre%iously to drying' as $ith hemp' the old plants $ere picked
out' and allo$ed to be thro$n a$ay' though not $ithout considerably
increasing the rate of pay' $hich already consumed the greater part
of the general eEpenses 2///5
2EEtracting the fiber5 6n order to obtain the bast' the stalk abo%e
ground is closely pruned and freed from lea%es and other encumbrances;
each leaf is then singly di%ided into strips((a cross incision being
made through the membrane on the inner or conca%e side' and connected
by means of the pulpy parts Fthe parenchymG clinging together 6n
this manner as much as possible of the clear outer skin only remains
behind +nother method is to strip the bast from the undi%ided stem To
effect this the operator makes an obliAue incision in the skin of
the under part of the stalk' dra$ing the knife gradually to the tip'
and stripping off the $hole length as broad a piece as possible; and
the operation is repeated as many times as practicable This method
of handling is more producti%e than the one pre%iously described;
but' on the other hand' it takes considerably more time' and for
that reason is not often practised The strips of bast are then dra$n
under a knife' the blade of $hich is three inches broad by siE long'
fastened at one end to the eEtremity of a fleEible stick so that it
is suspended perpendicularly o%er a $ell(smoothed block' and at the
other end to a handle connected by means of a cord to a treadle' $hich
can be pressed firmly do$n' as occasion reAuires The $orkman dra$s
the bast' $ithout any regard to Auality' bet$een the knife and block'
commencing in the middle' and then from side to side The knife must
be free from notches' or all indentations' according to the direction
of Father Blanco 2//I5
2)aborersC $ork and $ages5 Three hired(men usually get t$enty(fi%e
pounds per day 8ne $orker cuts up the stalks' strips off the lea%es'
and attends to the supply; the second' freAuently a boy' spreads out
the strips; and the third dra$s them under the knife + single plant
has been kno$n to yield as much as t$o pounds of fiber; but the most
fa%orable a%erage rarely affords more than one pound' and plants gro$n
in indifferent soil scarcely a siEth of that Auantity The plantations
are $orked either by the o$ner or by day(laborers' $ho' $hen the market
prices are %ery lo$' take half share of the crop har%ested by them 6n
these cases an industrious $orkman may obtain as much as one picul in
a $eek ,uring my stay eEceptionally lo$ prices ruled((siEteen and
one(half reals per picul undeli%ered The $orkman could' therefore'
in siE days earn half the amount' %iB' eight and a Auarter reals at
a rate of one and three(eighths reals per day The dayCs pay at that
time $as half a real' and board a Auarter of a real' making together
three(Auarters of a real
2Profit5
By daily pay <alf share
The $orkman therefore earned daily 049 r or -I49 r
!ages amounted to per picul -/ H r or . /9 r
Profit of the planters after deduction of the $ages I : r or . /9 r
2)upis and bandala5 The edges of the petioles' $hich contain much
finer fiber than the middle parts' are separately di%ided into strips
an inch $ide' and $ith strong pressure are dra$n se%eral times under
the knife This substance' $hich is called lupis' is in high reAuest'
being employed in the nati%e $ea%ing; $hile is chiefly used for shipsC
rigging 2//15
2Grades of )upis5 )upis' according to the fineness of the fiber'
is sorted into four classes((first' Binani; second' Totogna; third'
7ogotan; and fourth' Cadaclan + bundle of these is then taken up in
the left hand' and' $hile $ith the right the first three sorts are
inserted bet$een the fingers' the fourth is held bet$een the thumb and
forefinger This last description is no longer used in fine $ea%ing'
and is therefore sold $ith bandala +fter the fine sorts ha%e been
pounded in a rice(mortar' in order to render the fiber soft and
pliable' they are se%erally knotted into one another' and con%erted
into $eb
2)upis fabrics5 Generally the first sort is $orked as $oof $ith the
second as $arp' and the third as $arp $ith the second as $oof The
fabrics so $o%en are nearly as fine as piOa fabrics F>ipis de PiOaG'
and almost eAual the best Auality of cambric; and' not$ithstanding
the many little nodules occasioned by the tangling of the fiber'
$hich may be discerned on close inspection' are clearer and stouter'
and possess a $armer yello$ish tint 2//95 +s to these last three
Aualities((purity' fleEibility' and color((they stand in relation to
cambric some$hat as cardboard to tissue(paper
2!ea%ing5 !ea%ing such fabrics on %ery simple looms is eEceedingly
troublesome as the fibers' $hich are not spun but t$isted' %ery
freAuently break The finest stuffs reAuire so great an amount of
deEterity' patience' and time in their preparation' and for that reason
are so eEpensi%e' that they $ould find no purchasers in Europe $here
there is the competition of cheap' machine(made goods Their fine'
$arm yello$ish color also is objected to by the European $omen' $ho are
accustomed to linen and calicoes strongly blued in the $ashing 6n the
country' ho$e%er' high prices are paid for them by the rich mestiBos'
$ho understand the real goodness of their Aualities
2Bandala fabrics5 The fibers of the inner petioles' $hich are softer
but not so strong as the outer' are called tupus' and sold $ith
bandala' or miEed $ith tapis and used in the nati%e $ea%ing Bandala
also ser%es for $ea%ing purposes; and' in that portion of the
+rchipelago $here the nati%e abacZ plantations are' the entire dress
of both seEes is made of coarse guinara 7till coarser and stronger
fabrics are prepared for the European market' such as crinoline and
stiff muslin used by dressmakers
2+ Pre(7panish product5 Before the arri%al of the 7paniards the
nati%es $ore stuffs from abacZ; $hich became an important article of
eEport only some fe$ decades since This is in great measure due to
the enterprising spirit of t$o +merican firms' and $ould not ha%e been
attained $ithout great perse%erance and liberal pecuniary assistance
2=nbusinesslike early methods5 The plants flourish $ithout any care
or attention' the only trouble being to collect the fiber; and' the
bounteousness of >ature ha%ing pro%ided them against $ant' the nati%es
shirk e%en this trouble $hen the market price is not %ery enticing 6n
general lo$ prices are scarcely to be reckoned on' because of the
utter indifference of the laborers' o%er $hom the traders do not
possess enough influence to keep them at $ork +d%ances to them are
made both in goods and money' $hich the creditor must repay either
by produce from his o$n plantation or by gi%ing an eAui%alent in
labor 2//H5 +s long as the produce stands high in price' e%erything
goes on pretty smoothly' although e%en then' through the dishonesty of
the $orkers and the laBiness' eEtra%agance' and mercantile incapacity
of the middlemen' considerable loss freAuently ensues 6f' ho$e%er'
prices eEperience any considerable fall' then the laborers seek in any
and e%ery $ay to get out of their uncomfortable position' $hilst the
percentage of profit secured to the middleman is barely sufficient
to co%er the interest on his outlay >e%ertheless' they must still
continue the supplies' inasmuch as they possess no other means of
securing payment of their debt in the future The laborers' in their
turn' bring bitter complaints against the agents' to the effect that
they are forced to se%ere labor' unprofitable to themsel%es' through
their acceptance of ad%ances made to them at most eEorbitant rates; and
the agents Fgenerally mestiBos or creolesG blame the crafty' greedy'
eEtortionate foreigners' $ho shamelessly tempt the lords of the soil
$ith false promises' and bring about their utter ruin 2Change to a
safer basis5 +s a general rule' the Dcrafty foreignerD eEperiences
a considerable diminution of his capital 6t $as just so that one of
the most important firms suffered the loss of a %ery large sum +t
length' ho$e%er' the +mericans' $ho had capital in%ested in this trade'
succeeded in putting an end to the custom of ad%ances' $hich hitherto
had pre%ailed' erected stores and presses on their o$n account'
and bought through their agents direct from the gro$ers +ll earlier
efforts tending in this direction had been effectually th$arted by
the 7paniards and creoles' $ho considered the profits deri%ed from
the country' and especially the inland retail trade' to be their o$n
by prescripti%e right They are particularly jealous of the foreign
intruders' $ho enrich themsel%es at their eEpense; conseAuently they
place e%ery obstacle in their $ay 6f it depended upon the $ill of
these people' all foreigners $ould be ejected from the country((the
Chinese alone' as $orkmen FcooliesG' being allo$ed to remain 2//45
2+nti(Chinese feeling5 The same feeling $as eEhibited by the nati%es
to$ards the Chinese' $hom they hated for being industrious and
trust$orthy $orkers +ll attempts to carry out great undertakings
by means of Chinese labor $ere frustrated by the nati%e $orkmen
intimidating them' and dri%ing them a$ay either by open %iolence or
by secret persecution; and the Colonial authorities $ere reproached
for not affording suitable protection against these and similar
outrages That' as a rule' great undertakings did not succeed in the
Philippines' or at least did not yield a profit commensurate $ith
the outlay and trouble' is a fact beyond dispute' and is solely to
be ascribed to many of the circumstances related abo%e 2Good $ork
for good pay5 There are those' ho$e%er' $ho eEplain these mishaps
in other $ays' and insist upon the fact that the nati%es $ork $ell
enough $hen they are punctually and sufficiently paid The Go%ernment'
at any rate' appears gradually to ha%e come to the conclusion that
the resources of the country cannot be properly opened up $ithout
the assistance of the capital and enterprise of the 2Tardy justice
to foreigners5 foreigners; and' therefore' of late years it has not
in any $ay interfered $ith their establishment 6n -.H: their right
of establishment $as tardily conceded to them by la$
2+bacZ production and prospects5 +t this period the prospects of the
abacZ culti%ation seemed %ery promising; and since the close of the
+merican $ar' $hich had the effect of causing a considerable fall in
the %alue of this article in +merica' the prices ha%e been steadily
increasing 6t is stated Fon authorityG that' in -.10' -IH'0I1 piculs
of abacZ' to the %alue of NI:4'::9 $ere eEported' the %alue per picul
being reckoned at about N/0: The rate gradually rose and stood
bet$een four and fi%e dollars((and' during the ci%il $ar' reached the
enormous sum of nine dollars per picul((the eEport of "ussian hemp
pre%enting' ho$e%er' a further rise This state of affairs occasioned
the laying out of many ne$ plantations' the produce of $hich' $hen
it came on the market' after three years' $as %alued at NI90 per
picul' in conseAuence of the prices ha%ing returned to their normal
condition; and e%en then it paid to take up an eEisting plantation'
but not to lay out a ne$ one This rate continued until -.H0' since
$hich time it has gradually risen Fonly during the +merican ci%il
$ar $as there any stoppageG' and it no$ stands once more as high as
during the ci%il $ar; and there is no apparent prospect of a fall so
long as the Philippines ha%e no competitors in the trade 6n -.H9 the
picul in @anila ne%er cost less than N4 $hich t$o years pre%iously
$as the maEimum %alue; and it rose gradually' until N:90 $as asked
for ordinary Aualities The production in many pro%inces had reached
the eEtreme limit; and a further increase' in the former at least'
is impossible' as the $ork of culti%ation occupies the $hole of the
male population((an e%idence surely that a suitable recompense $ill
o%ercome any natural laBiness of the nati%es 2//.5
+n eEamination of the follo$ing table $ill confirm the accuracy of
these %ie$s*((
2EEport of D@anila hempD5
EEport of +bacZ F6n PiculsG
To -.H- -.H1 -.HH -.H. -.40 -.4-
Great Britain -:.':91 //H'/9. :H'000 -/9'910 -I-'-.0 -1I'1:.
>orth +merica'
+tlantic Ports -9.'H-0 /1:'-0H /.0'000 /:1'4/. I/4'4/. /.9'--/
California H'H00 :'1/H (( -1'/00 -9':00 //'900
Europe :0- -'-I1 (( /00 /11 H10
+ustralia -H 9'-:1 (( /-'/11 --'1I1 H'4-H
7ingapore /'H1. -':I/ (( I'H1H -'/0/ /'::/
China 9'9I- I0/ (( (( ../ /'/:1
Total /4I'/H0 1:I'I9/ 10H'H./ 1H0'9.. 1..'940 1HI'49/
Commercial "eport
Prussian Consular "eport
Belgian Consular "eport
English Consular "eport
@arket "eport' T< ^ Co
2)arge local consumption5 The consumption in the country is not
contained in the abo%e schedule' and is difficult to ascertain; but
it must certainly be %ery considerable' as the nati%es throughout
entire pro%inces are clothed in guinara' the $ea%ing of $hich for
the family reAuirements generally is done at home
27isal(hemp5 7isal' also sisal(hemp' or' as it is sometimes kno$n'
@eEican grass' has for some years past been used in the trade in
increasing Auantities as a substitute for abacZ' $hich it some$hat
resembles in appearance' though $anting that fine gloss $hich the
latter possesses 6t is some$hat $eaker' and costs from M9 to M-0 less
per ton; it is only used for shipsC rigging The refuse from it has
been found an eEtremely useful adjunct to the materials ordinarily
used in the manufacture of paper The Technologist for July' -.H9'
calls attention to the origin of this substitute' in a detailed
essay differing essentially from the representations contained in the
D= 7 +gricultural "eportD published at !ashington in -.40; and the
gro$ing importance of the article' and the ignorance pre%ailing abroad
as to its eEtraction' may render a short account of it acceptable The
description sho$s the superior fineness of the abacZ fiber' but not
its greater strength 2//:5
2#arieties of sisal5 7isal(hemp' $hich is named after the eEport
harbor of 7isal Fin the north($estern part of the peninsulaG' is by
far the most important product of &ucatan; and this rocky' sun(burnt
country seems peculiarly adapted to the gro$th of the fiber 6n &ucatan
the fiber is kno$n as jeneAuem' as indeed the plant is obtained from
it 8f the latter there are se%en sorts or %arieties for purposes of
culti%ation; only t$o' the first and se%enth' are also to be found
in a $ild state First' Chelem' apparently identical $ith +ga%e
angustifolia; this ranks first 7econd' &aEci Fpronounced &achki;
from yaE' green' and tri' aga%eG' the second in order; this is used
only for fine $ea%ing Third' 7acci Fpronounced 7akki; sack' $hiteG'
the most important and producti%e' supplying almost eEclusi%ely the
fiber for eEportation; each plant yields annually t$enty(fi%e lea%es'
$eighing t$enty(fi%e pounds' from $hich is obtained one pound of clear
fiber Fourth' Chucumci' similar to >o I' but coarser Fifth' Babci;
the fiber %ery fair' but the lea%es rather small' therefore not %ery
producti%e 7iEth' Citamci Fpronounced ?itamki; kitam' hogG; neither
good nor producti%e 7e%enth' Cajun or Cajum' probably Fourcroya
cubensis; lea%es small' from four to fi%e inches long
2@achine(spinning5 The culti%ation of sisal has only in recent times
been prosecuted %igorously; and the eEtraction of the fiber from the
lea%es' and the subseAuent spinning for shipsC rigging' are already
done by steam(machinery This occupation is especially practiced by
the @aya 6ndians' a memorial of the Toltecs' $ho brought it $ith them
upon their emigration from @eEico' $here it $as in %ogue long before
the arri%al of the 7paniards
2Profit5 The sisal culti%ation yields an annual profit of :9 per
cent + mecate' eAual to fi%e hundred se%enty(siE sAuare yards F%arasG'
contains siEty(four plants' gi%ing siEty(four pounds of clear fiber'
of the %alue of NI.1; $hich' after deducting N-4-' the cost of
obtaining it' lea%es N/-I remaining The har%esting commences from
four to fi%e years after the first laying out of the plantation'
and continues annually for about fifty or siEty years
2Banana substitute unsatisfactory5 6n tropical countries there
is scarcely a hut to be seen $ithout banana trees surrounding it;
and the idea presented itself to many to utiliBe the fiber of these
plants' at that time entirely neglected' $hich might be done by the
mere labor of obtaining it; besides $hich' the little labor reAuired
for their proper culti%ation is Auickly and amply repaid by their
abundant fruitfulness 2/I05
This idea' ho$e%er' under the eEisting circumstances' $ould certainly
not be ad%antageous in the Philippines' as it does not pay to obtain
bast from the genuine abacZ plant as soon as it has borne fruit The
fiber of the edible banana might %ery $ell be used as material for
paper(making' though obtaining it $ould cost more than the genuine
bandala
2Fiber(eEtracting machinery5 6n the "eport of the Council of the
7ociety of +rts' )ondon' @ay --' -.H0' attention $as called to a
machine in%ented by F Burke' of @ontserrat' for obtaining fiber from
banana and other endogenous plants !hile all the earlier machines
$orked the fiber parallel$ise' this one operated obliAuely on it;
the conseAuence of $hich $as that it $as turned out particularly
clear !ith this machine' from se%en to nine per cent of fibrous
substance may be obtained from the banana The Tropical Fiber Company
ha%e sent these machines to ,emerara' also to Ja%a and other places'
$ith the design of spinning the fiber of the edible banana' and also
to utiliBe some portions of the plant as materials in the manufacture
of paper Proofs ha%e already been brought for$ard of fiber obtained
in this manner in Ja%a' the %alue of $hich to the spinner has been
reckoned at from M/0 to M/9 6t does not appear' ho$e%er' that these
promising eEperiments ha%e led to any important results; at least'
the consular reports $hich ha%e come to hand contain no information
on the subject 6n the obtaining of bandala in the Philippines this
machine has not yet been used; nor has it e%en been seen' though the
English consul' in his latest report' complains that all the hitherto
ingeniously constructed machines ha%e pro%ed %irtually useless
The bast of the edible banana continues still to be used in the
Philippines' not$ithstanding that the plants' instead of being gro$n'
as in many parts of +merica' in large $ell(tended gardens' are here
scattered around the huts; but the for$arding of the ra$ material'
the local transport' and the high freightage $ill al$ays render this
material too eEpensi%e for the European market Fconsidering al$ays its
%ery ordinary AualityG((M-0 per ton at the %ery least; $hile D7parto
grassD F)ygaeum spartum' )oefflG' 2Paper(making materials5 $hich
$as imported some fe$ years since in considerable Auantities for
the purpose of paper(making' costs in )ondon only M9 per ton 2/I-5
The jute FCorchurus casularisG coffee(sacks supply another cheap paper
material These ser%e in the fabrication of strong bro$n packing paper'
as the fiber $ill not stand bleaching +ccording to P 7ymmonds'
the =nited 7tates in recent years ha%e largely used bamboo The rind
of the +dansonia digitata also yields an eEtremely good material;
in particular' paper made entirely from >e$ Tealand flaE deser%es
consideration' being' by %irtue of its superior toughness' eminently
suited for Dbill paperD
2Preferability of discarded cloth5 6t must not be o%erlooked that' in
the manufacture of paper' $orn linen and cotton rags are the %ery best
materials that can be employed' and make the best paper @oreo%er'
they are generally to be had for the trouble of collecting them'
after they ha%e once co%ered the cost of their production in the
form of clothing materials; $hen' through being frayed by repeated
$ashings' they undergo a preparation $hich particularly adapts them
to the purpose of paper(making
26ncreasing use of $ood and stra$5 The more paper(making progresses'
the more are ligneous fibers brought for$ard' particularly $ood and
stra$' $hich produce really good pastes; all the ra$ materials being
imported from a distance That England takes so much sparto is easily
eEplained by the fact that she has %ery little stra$ of her o$n'
for most of the grain consumed by her is recei%ed from abroad in a
granulated condition
C<+PTE" YY#
2Tobacco re%enue5 8f all the productions of the country tobacco is
the most important' so far Fat leastG as concerns the Go%ernment'
$hich ha%e the culti%ation of this plant' its manipulation' and sale'
the subjects of an eEtensi%e and strictly guarded monopoly' and deri%es
a %ery considerable portion of the public re%enue therefrom 2/I/5
+s to the objections raised against this re%enue on the score of its
being opposed to justice and morality' many other sources of re%enue in
the colonial budget might be condemned Fsuch as the poll(taE' gaming
and opium licenses' the brandy trade' and the sale of indulgencesG;
yet none is so in%idious and pernicious as the tobacco monopoly
26njustice of the monopoly5 8ften in the course of this narrati%e
of my tra%els 6 ha%e had occasion to commend the clemency of the
7panish Go%ernment 6n glaring contrast there$ith' ho$e%er' stands the
management of the tobacco regulations They appropriated the fields of
the peasantry $ithout the slightest indemnification((fields $hich had
been brought under culti%ation for their necessary means of sustenance;
forced them' under penalty of bodily punishment' to raise' on the
confiscated property' an article $hich reAuired an immense amount
of trouble and attention' and $hich yielded a %ery uncertain crop;
and they then %alued the har%ested lea%es arbitrarily and $ithout any
appeal' and' in the most fa%orable case' paid for them at a nominal
price fiEed by themsel%es To be paid at all' indeed' appears to ha%e
been a fa%or' for it has not been done in full no$ for se%eral years in
succession 7pain regularly remains indebted to the unlucky peasants
in the amount of the miserable pittance allo$ed' from one yearCs end
to another The Go%ernment ordered the officials to eEact a higher
return from the impo%erished population of the tobacco districts; and
e%en re$arded informers $ho' after pointing out fields already o$ned'
but $hich $ere considered suitable to the culti%ation of tobacco'
$ere installed into possession of the proclaimed lands in the place
of the original o$ners
For proofs of these accusations' one need only peruse a fe$ paragraphs
contained in the follo$ing stringent regulations' entitled DGeneral
6nstructions'D 2/II5 and' further' a fe$ eEtracts from the official
dispatches of 6ntendant(General +gius to the Colonial @inister*(( 2/I15
2"LsumL of regulations5 Cap /9' _ I/: The compulsory system of
culti%ation in Cagayan' >e$ #iBcaya' Gapan' 6gorots' and +bra to
remain in force
_ II- The ,irector(General of the Go%ernment is authoriBed to
eEtend compulsory labor to the other pro%inces' or to abolish it
$here already introduced These instructions may be altered $holly
or in part as occasion reAuires
_ II/ Prices may be either increased or lo$ered
_ II4 Claims or actions concerning the possession of tobacco
lands pending before the usual tribunal shall not pre%ent such
lands from being used for the purposes of tobacco culti%ation' the
present proprietor being under strict obligation to continue the
culti%ation either in person or by substitute F6f he omits to do so'
the magistrate or judge takes upon himself to appoint such substituteG
_ I9- The collectors ha%e recei%ed denuncies' ie information'
that land adapted to tobacco gro$ing is lying fallo$' and that it is
pri%ate property 6n case such land is really suitable to the purposes
of tobacco culti%ation' the o$ners thereof are hereby summoned to
culti%ate the same $ith tobacco in preference to anything else +t
the eEpiration of a certain space of time the land in Auestion
is to be handed o%er to the informer Be it kno$n' ho$e%er' that'
not$ithstanding these enactments' the possessory title is not lost to
the o$ner' but he is compelled to relinAuish all rights and usufruct
for three years
Cap /4' _ I94 +n important duty of the collector is to insure the
greatest possible eEtension of the tobacco culti%ation upon all
suitable lands' but in particular upon those $hich are specially
con%enient and fertile )ands $hich' although suitable for tobacco
gro$ing' $ere pre%iously planted $ith rice or corn' shall' as far
as practicable' be replaced by forest clearings' in order' as far as
possible' to pre%ent famine and to bring the interests of the nati%es
into harmony $ith those of the authorities
_ I9- 6n order that the $ork $hich the tobacco culti%ation reAuires
may not be neglected by the nati%es' and that they may perform the
field $ork necessary for their sustenance' it is ordered that e%ery
t$o persons $orking together shall' bet$een them culti%ate eight
thousand sAuare %aras' that is' t$o and one(half acres of tobacco land
_ IH/ 7hould this arrangement fail to be carried out either through
age' sickness' or death' it shall be left to the priest of the district
to determine $hat Auantity of $ork can be accomplished by the little
children' ha%ing regard to their strength and number
_ IH: E%ery collector $ho consigns from his district -'000 fardos
more than in former years' shall recei%e for the o%erplus a double
gratuity' but this only $here the proportion of first(class lea%es
has not decreased
_ I40 The same gratuity $ill be besto$ed $hen there is no diminution
in bulk' and one(third of the lea%es is of first(class Auality
The follo$ing sections regulate the action of the local authorities*((
_ I4: E%ery go%ernor must present annually a list' re%ised by the
priest of the district' of all the inhabitants in his district of both
seEes' and of those of their children $ho are old enough to help in
the fields
_ 1I0 The officers shall for$ard the emigrants on to Cagayan and
>ue%a #iBcaya' and $ill be entrusted $ith N9 for that purpose' $hich
must be repaid by each indi%idual' as they cannot be allo$ed to remain
indebted in their pro%ince
_ 1IH Further it is ordered by the Buen Gobierno Fgood go%ernmentG
that no Filipino shall be liable for a sum eEceeding N9' incurred
either as a loan or a simple debt Thus the claim of a higher sum
can not impede emigration
_ 1I4 The <acienda FPublic TreasuryG shall pay the passage money
and the cost of maintenance from 6locos
_ 1I. They are to be pro%ided $ith the means of procuring cattle'
tools' etc' until the first har%est Falthough the 6ndian is only
liable for N9G
_ 1I: 7uch ad%ances are' it is true' personal and indi%idual; but'
in the case of death or flight of the debtor' the $hole %illage is
to be liable for the amount due
2Tobacco from @eEico5 Tobacco F>icotiana tabacum' )G $as introduced
into the Philippines soon after the arri%al of the 7paniards by the
missionaries' $ho brought the seed $ith them from @eEico 2/I95 The
soil and climate being fa%orable to its production' and the pleasure
deri%ed from it being speedily disco%ered by the nati%es' naturally
assisted in its rapid adoption >eEt to the Cuban tobacco and a
fe$ sorts of Turkish 2/IH5it is admitted to be the best; and in the
colony it is asserted by competent judges that it $ould soon surpass
all others' if the eEisting regulations $ere abolished and free trade
established There can be no doubt in the minds of impartial obser%ers
that the Auality and Auantity of the produce might be considerably
increased by such a change; on the other hand' many of the prejudiced
officials certainly maintain the direct contrary The real Auestion is'
to $hat eEtent these eEpectations may be realiBed in the fulfilment of
such a measure; of course' bearing in mind that the judgment is s$ayed
by a strong desire for the abolition of a system $hich interferes at
present $ith their prospects of gain But the fact is that' e%en no$'
the nati%e gro$n tobacco' not$ithstanding all the defects inseparable
from an illicit trade' is eAual to that produced by the 2<igh grade
of Philippine product5 Go%ernment officials in their o$n factories'
and is %alued at the same rate $ith many of the <a%ana brands; and
the Go%ernment cigars of the Philippines are preferred to all others
throughout Eastern +sia 6ndeed' rich merchants' to $hom a difference
of price is no object' as a rule take the @anila cigars before <a%anas
2@anila tobacco handicapped5 +ccording to +gius FD@emoria'D -.4-G' in
the European market the @anila tobacco $as admitted to be $ithout any
ri%al' $ith the sole eEception of the #uelta abajo of Cuba; and most
certainly in the +siatic and 8ceanic ports its superior Auality $as
undisputed' as the <a%ana tobacco loses its fla%or on the long %oyage
to these countries; but no$' from year to year' it is surely losing its
reputation 6f' then' the @anila cigars ha%e not hitherto succeeded in
making themsel%es acceptable in Europe on account of their inferiority'
the blame is attributable simply to the system of compulsory labor'
and the chronic insol%ency of the 6nsular Treasury' $hilst the produce
of other tobacco countries has steadily progressed in Auality in
conseAuence of free competition The fame of the @anila cigars may
also ha%e suffered in some slight measure from the $ide(spread'
though perfectly erroneous' idea that they contained opium
2<ampered by go%ernment restrictions5 <o$ greatly the produce might be
increased by means of free trade is sho$n under other circumstances by
the eEample of Cuba +t the time $hen the Go%ernment there monopoliBed
the tobacco trade' the crops $ere only partly sufficient to co%er
the home consumption; $hereas' at the present time' Cuba supplies
all the markets of the $orld 2/I45 The decision of Captain(General
,e la Gandara upon this Auestion is in the highest degree $orthy
of notice 6n a @7 "eport to the Colonial @inister' @arch' -.9.'
concerning a measure for rendering the regulations of the tobacco
monopoly still more stringent' he says* D6f the tobacco culti%ation
is placed $ithout restriction into the hands of pri%ate traders'
$e shall most probably' in a fe$ years' be in a position to command
nearly all the markets in the $orldD @ost of the islands produce
tobacco +ccording to the Auality of the produce' the tobacco
pro%inces rank in the follo$ing order* First' Cagayan and 6sabela;
7econd' 6gorots; Third' 6sland of @indanao; Fourth' Bisayas; Fifth'
>ue%a Ecija
28rigin of monopoly5 From the Go%ernment 8rder' dated >o%ember /0'
-H/9' it is e%ident that e%en at that early period the sale of betel
nut' palm spirit FtoddyG' tobacco' etc' $as a Go%ernment monopoly* but
it does not seem to ha%e been %ery strictly carried out The tobacco
monopoly' as it stands at present' the $hole trade of $hich from the
so$ing of the seedling plants to the sale of the manufactured article
is eEclusi%ely in the hands of the Go%ernment' $as first introduced by
Captain(General JosL Basco y #argas +nd a Go%ernment 8rder' under date
of January :' -4.0 Fconfirmed by ,epartmental "egulations' ,ecember
-I' -4.-G' further enacted that the tobacco regulations should be
eEtended to the Philippine 6slands' in like manner as in all 7panish
possessions in this and the other hemisphere Fde uno y otto mundoG
2Go%ernor BascoCs inno%ations5 Before the administration of this
%ery jealous Go%ernor' for a period of t$o hundred years the colony
recei%ed annual contributions from >e$ 7pain F7ituado de >ue%a
EspaOaG 6n order to relie%e the 7panish EEcheAuer' from this charge
Basco introduced Fat that time national economic ideas pre%ailed of
making the natural resources of a 7tate supply its immediate $antsG
a plan upon $hich' fifty years later' Ja%a modelled its DCulture
7ystemD 6n the Philippines' ho$e%er' the conditions for this system
$ere less fa%orable 6n addition to the %ery slight submissi%eness
of the population' there $ere t$o great obstacles in the opposition
of the priests and the $ant of trust$orthy officials 8f all the
pro%incial trades brought into eEistence by the energy of Basco' the
indigo culti%ation is the only one that remains in the hands of pri%ate
indi%iduals' the tobacco trade still being a Go%ernment monopoly 2/I.5
Basco first of all confined the monopoly to the pro%inces immediately
contiguous to the capital' in all of $hich the culti%ation of tobacco
$as forbidden under penalty of se%ere punishment' eEcept by persons
duly authoriBed and in the ser%ice of the Go%ernment 2/I:5 6n the
other pro%inces the culti%ation $as to a certain eEtent permitted;
but the supply remaining after deduction of $hat $as consumed in each
pro%ince $as to be sold to the Go%ernment only
27peculation $ith public funds5 6n the Bisayas the magistrates
purchased the tobacco for the Go%ernment and paid for it at the rate
pre%iously fiEed by the Go%ernment factories at @anila; and they
$ere allo$ed to employ the surplus money of the Go%ernment treasury
chest for this purpose + $orse system than this could scarcely be
de%ised 8fficials' thinking only of their o$n pri%ate ad%antage'
suffered no competition in their pro%inces' employed their official
po$er to oppress the producer to the utmost eEtent' and thereby
naturally checked the production; and the Go%ernment treasury chest
conseAuently suffered freAuent losses through bankruptcies' inasmuch
as the magistrates' $ho dre$ a salary of NH00 and paid a license
of from N-00 to NI00 for the right of trading' in order to make
money Auickly' engaged in the most haBardous speculations 6n -.-1
this stupid arrangement $as first put an end to; and forth$ith the
tobacco supplies from the Bisayas increased' through the competition
of the pri%ate dealers' $ho then' for the first time' had the po$er of
purchase; and from -.I: the planters $ere empo$ered to obtain higher
prices than those afforded by the greedy monopoliBing magistrates +t
present' the follo$ing general regulations are in force' subject'
ho$e%er' to continual %ariation in details
2Changes bring impro%ement5 By a ,epartmental 8rder' 7eptember 9'
-.H9' the culti%ation of tobacco $as permitted in all the pro%inces'
though the produce $as allo$ed to be sold only to the Go%ernment at
the price regulated by them The $holesale purchases are made in )uBon
and the adjacent islands in fardos' 2/105 by Dcolleccion'D that is'
direct through the finance officials' $ho ha%e the management of
the plants from the so$ing; but in the Bisayas by acopio; that is'
the Go%ernment officials buy up the tobacco tendered by the gro$ers
or speculators by the c$t
2,ifferent usages in Bisayas and @indanao5 6n the Bisayas and in
@indanao e%erybody is allo$ed to manufacture cigars for his o$n
particular use' though trade therein is strictly prohibited; and
ad%ances to the tobacco gro$ers are also made there; $hile in )uBon
and the neighboring islands the Go%ernment pro%ides seed and seedling
plants <ere' ho$e%er' no land $hich is adapted to the culti%ation
of tobacco is allo$ed to be used for any other purpose of agriculture
2Crude system of grading5 +s the Financial +dministration is
unable to classify the tobacco at its true %alue' as might be done
$ere free competition permitted' they ha%e adopted the eEpedient of
determining the price by the siBe of the lea%es; the care necessary
to be besto$ed upon the training of the plants in order to produce
lea%es of the reAuired siBe being at least a guarantee of a certain
amount of proper attention and handling' e%en if it be producti%e of
no other direct good 2/1-5
2Burden kno$ingly increased5 6t is $ell kno$n at @adrid ho$ the
tobacco monopoly' by oppressing the $retched population' interferes
$ith the prosperity of the colony; yet' to the present day' the
Go%ernment measures ha%e been so arranged as to eEact a still larger
gain from this %ery impolitic source of re%enue
2D?illing the goose that lays the golden eggD5 + Go%ernment 8rder of
January' -.HH' directed the tobacco culti%ation in the Philippines to
be eEtended as much as possible' in order to satisfy the reAuirements
of the colony' the mother country' and also the eEport trade;
and in the memorial already Auoted' DreformsD are proposed by the
Captain(General' in the spirit of the goose $ith golden eggs By
grafting ne$ monopolies upon those already eEisting' he belie%es that
the tobacco produce can be increased from -./'-0/ c$t Fa%erage of
the years -.H0 to -.94G to 900'000' and e%en .00'000 c$t @eantime'
$ith a %ie$ to obtaining increased prices' the Go%ernment resol%ed
to eEport the tobacco themsel%es to the usual markets for sale; and
in the year -.H. this resolution $as really carried out 6t $as sent
to )ondon' $here it secured so fa%orable a market that it $as at once
decreed that no tobacco in @anila should thenceforth be sold at less
than N/9 per c$t 2/1/5 This decree' ho$e%er' referred only to the
first three Aualities' the Auantity of $hich decreased in a relati%e
measure $ith the increased pressure upon the population E%en in
the table anneEed to the record of )a Gandara this is %ery clearly
sho$n !hilst the total produce for -.H4 stood at -4H'0-. c$t Fnot
much under the a%erage of the years -.H0 to -.94' %iB' -./'-0/ c$tG'
the tobacco of the first class had decreased in Auantity since -.H/
from o%er -I'000 to less than 9'000 c$t
2Gift to 7pain of unusable tobacco5 The fourth' fifth' and siEth
classes' the greater part of $hich $ould before ha%e been burnt' but
$hich no$ form no inconsiderable portion of the total crop' are in the
open markets positi%ely unsaleable' and can be utiliBed only in the
form of a bonus to 7pain' $hich annually recei%es' under the title of
atenciones Z la peninsula' up$ards of -00'000 c$t 6f the colony $ere
not compelled to pay half the freight of these gifts' 7pain $ould
certainly ask to be relie%ed of these Dmarks of attentionD 7eeing
that' according to the decision of the chief of the Go%ernment' the
greater portion of this tobacco is of such inferior Auality that it
can find no purchaser at any price' it is impossible that its %alue
should co%er either the cost of carriage or the customs duty @oreo%er'
this tobacco tribute is a great burden on the colonial budget; $hich'
in spite of all deficits' is charged $ith the eEpenses attending the
collection of the tobacco' its packing' its cost of local transport'
and half the eEpense of its carriage to Europe
2,e )a GandaraCs proposed reforms5 ,ated in @arch' -.4-'((the
beginning of a Golden +ge' if ,e )a GandaraCs plans had been carried
out and his eEpectations realiBed'((there eEists an eEcellent
statement from the 6ntendant(General addressed to the @inister of
Colonies pointing out plainly to the chief of the Go%ernment the
disad%antages arising from this mode of administration' and urging the
immediate repeal of the monopoly 6n the neEt place proof $as adduced'
supported by official %ouchers' that the profits deri%ed from the
tobacco monopoly $ere much smaller than usual The total a%erage
receipts of the tobacco administration for the fi%e years -.99 to
-.H:' according to official accounts' amounted to N9'IH4'/H/; for the
years -.HH to -.40' only N9'/10':I9 The eEpenses cannot be accurately
estimated' inasmuch as there are no strict accounts obtainable; if'
ho$e%er' the respecti%e eEpenses charged in the colonial budget are
added together' they amount to NI'4-4'I// of $hich N-'.-/'/90 is for
purchase of ra$ tobacco
27light real profit from monopoly5 Besides these eEpenses pertaining
eEclusi%ely to the tobacco administration there are still many other
different items to be taken into account; yet the cost incurred in
this branch of the ser%ice $ould be sa%ed' if not altogether' at
least largely' if the 7tate surrendered the tobacco monopoly The
total of the disbursements must certainly' at the %ery lo$est' be
estimated at N1'000'000; so' therefore' the 7tate recei%es only a net
profit of N-'I94'000; but e%en this is not to be reckoned on in the
future' for if the Go%ernment does not speedily cease carrying on this
trade' they $ill be forced into a %ery considerable and una%oidable
eEpense To begin $ith' they must erect ne$ factories and $arehouses;
better machinery must be bought; $ages $ill ha%e to be considerably
increased; and' abo%e all' means must be de%ised to pay off the
enormous sum of N-'H00'000 in $hich the Go%ernment is indebted to the
peasants for the crops of -.H: and -.40' and to assure cash payments
for future har%ests DThis is the only possible mode of pre%enting
the decay of the tobacco culti%ation in the different pro%inces'
as $ell as relie%ing the misery of the $retched inhabitantsD
27uffering and la$(breaking thru the monopoly5 )ater +gius pro%ed
ho$ trifling in reality the arrears $ere on account of $hich the
Go%ernment $as abandoning the future of the colony' and sho$ed the
misfortunes' of $hich 6 shall mention' these briefly' only a fe$'
resulting from the monopoly <e represented that the people of the
tobacco district' $ho $ere the richest and most contented of all in the
+rchipelago' found themsel%es plunged into the deepest distress after
the increase of the Go%ernment dues They $ere' in fact' far more
cruelly treated than the sla%es in Cuba' $ho' from self(interested
moti%es' are $ell(nourished and taken care of; $hereas in this case'
the produce of compulsory labor has to be deli%ered to the 7tate at an
arbitrarily determined price; and e%en this price is paid only $hen
the condition of the treasury' $hich is in%ariably in difficulties'
permits FreAuently their %ery means of subsistence failed them'
in conseAuence of their being forbidden to carry on the culti%ation;
and the unfortunate people' ha%ing no other resources for the relief
of their pressing necessities' $ere compelled to alienate the debtorCs
bond' $hich purchased the fruits of their enforced toil but had been
left unpaid Thus' for an inconsiderable deficit of about N-'II0'000'
the $hole population of one of the richest pro%inces is thro$n into
abject misery; a deep(rooted hatred naturally arises bet$een the people
and their rulers; and incessant $ar ensues bet$een the authorities
and their subjects Besides $hich' an eEtremely dangerous class of
smugglers ha%e recently arisen' $ho e%en no$ do not confine themsel%es
to mere smuggling' but $ho' on the %ery first opportunity presented by
the pre%ailing discontent' $ill band themsel%es together in one solid
body The official administrators' too' are charged $ith gross bribery
and corruption; $hich' $hether true or not' occasions great scandal'
and engenders increasing disrespect and distrust of the colonial
administration as $ell as of the 7panish people generally 2/1I5
2Gro$ing opposition to the monopoly5 The preceding memorial has
been not only $ritten' but also printed; and it seems to indicate
that gradually in 7pain' and also in $ider circles' people are
becoming con%inced of the untenableness of the tobacco monopoly;
yet' in spite of this po$erful re%ie$' it is considered doubtful by
competent judges $hether it $ill be gi%en up so long as there are any
apparent or appreciable returns deri%ed therefrom These ackno$ledged
e%ils ha%e long been kno$n to the Colonial Go%ernment; but' from
the freAuent changes of ministers' and the increasing $ant of money'
the Go%ernment is compelled' so long as they are in office' to use
all possible means of obtaining profits' and to abstain from carrying
out these urgent reforms lest their o$n immediate do$nfall should be
in%ol%ed therein )et us' ho$e%er' cherish the hope that increased
demand $ill cause a rise in the prices; a fe$ particularly good crops'
and other propitious circumstances' $ould relie%e at once the 6nsular
Treasury from its difficulties; and then the tobacco monopoly might be
cheerfully surrendered 8ne circumstance fa%orable to the economical
management of the 7tate that $ould be produced by the surrender of
the tobacco monopoly $ould be the abolition of the numerous army of
officials $hich its administration reAuires This might' ho$e%er'
operate re%ersely in 7pain The number of place(hunters created
must be %ery $elcome to the ministers in po$er' $ho thus ha%e the
opportunity of pro%iding their creatures $ith profitable places'
or of shipping off incon%enient persons to the +ntipodes from the
mother(country' free of cost The colony' be it kno$n' has not only
to pay the salaries' but also to bear the cost of their out$ard and
home$ard %oyages +ny $ay' the custom is so liberally patroniBed that
occasionally ne$ places ha%e to be created in order to make room for
the ne$ly(arri%ed nominees 2/115
2!holesale rate highter than retail go%ernment5 +t the time of
my %isit' the royal factories could not turn out a supply of cigars
commensurate $ith the reAuirements of commerce; and this brought about
a peculiar condition of things; the $holesale dealer' $ho purchased
cigars in %ery considerable Auantities at the go%ernment auctions'
paying higher than the retail rates at $hich he could buy them
singly in the estancia 6n order' therefore' to pre%ent the merchants
dra$ing their stocks from the estancias' it $as determined that only
a certain Auantity should be purchased' $hich limit no merchant dared
eEceed + %ery intricate system of control' assisted by espionage'
had to be employed in seeing that no one' through different agents and
different estancias' collected more than the authorised supply; and
%iolation of this rule' $hen disco%ered' $as punished by confiscation
of the offenderCs stock E%erybody $as free to purchase cigars in the
estancia' but nobody $as permitted to sell a chest of cigars to an
acAuaintance at cost price 7e%eral 7paniards $ith $hom 6 ha%e spoken
concerning these strange regulations maintained them to be perfectly
just' as other$ise all the cigars $ould be carried off by foreigners'
and they $ould not be able themsel%es in their o$n colony to smoke
a decent cigar
2@oney juggling5 There $as' as 6 after$ards learnt' a still more
urgent reason for the eEistence of these decrees The go%ernment
%alued their o$n gold at siEteen dollars per ounce' $hile in commerce
it fetched less' and the premium on sil%er had' at one time' risen
to thirty(three per cent @oreo%er' on account of the insufficient
Auantity of copper money for minor currency' the small change
freAuently gained a premium on the sil%er dollar' so much so that by
e%ery purchaser not less than half a dollar $as realiBed 6n eEchanging
the dollar from fi%e to fifteen per cent discount $as charged; it $as
profitable' therefore' to purchase cigars in the estancias $ith the
gold ounce' and then to retail them in smaller Auantities nominally
at the rate of the estancias Both premiums together might in an
eEtreme case amount to as much as forty(three per cent 2/195
2,irections for culti%ating tobacco5 >ot being able to gi%e a
description of the culti%ation of tobacco from personal kno$ledge
and eEperience' 6 refer the reader to the follo$ing short eEtract
from the Cartilla +gricola*((
,irections for preparing and laying out the seed beds((+ suitable
piece of land is to be enclosed Auadrilaterally by boundaries'
ploughed t$o or three times' cleared of all $eeds and roots' made
some$hat sloping' and surrounded by a shallo$ ditch' the bed of
$hich is to be di%ided by drains about t$o feet $ide The soil of
the same must be %ery fine' must be ground almost as fine as po$der'
other$ise it $ill not miE freely and thoroughly $ith the eEtremely
fine tobacco seed The seed is to be $ashed' and then suspended in
cloths during the day' in order to allo$ the $ater to run off; after
$hich it is to be miEed $ith a similar Auantity of ashes' and stre$n
carefully o%er the bed The subseAuent successful results depend
entirely upon the careful performance of this $ork From the time
the seed first begins to sprout' the beds must be kept %ery clean' in
dry $eather sprinkled daily' and protected from birds and animals by
brambles stre$n o%er' and by means of light mats from storms and hea%y
rains +fter t$o months the plants $ill be bet$een fi%e and siE inches
high' and generally ha%e from four to siE lea%es; they must then be
replanted This occurs' supposing the seed(beds to ha%e been prepared
in 7eptember' about the beginning or the middle of >o%ember + second
so$ing takes place on the -9th of 8ctober' as much as a precaution
against possible failure' as for obtaining plants for the lo$lands
Concerning the land most ad%antageous to the tobacco and its
culti%ation "eplanting of the seedlings(()and must be chosen of
middling grain; some$hat difficult' calciferous soil is particularly
recommended' $hen it is richly fertiliBed $ith the remains of
decayed plants' and not less than t$o feet deep; and the deeper the
roots are inserted the higher $ill the plant gro$ 8f all the land
adapted to the tobacco culti%ation' that in Cagayan is the best'
as from the o%erflo$ing of the large streams' $hich occurs e%ery
year' it is laid under $ater' and annually recei%es a ne$ stratum
of mud' $hich renders the soil particularly producti%e Plantations
prepared upon such soil differ %ery materially from those less
fa%ored and situated on a higher le%el 6n the former the plants
shoot up Auickly as soon as the roots strike; in the latter they
gro$ slo$ly and only reach a middling height +gain in the fertile
soil the plants produce Auantities of large' strong' juicy lea%es'
gi%ing promise of a splendid har%est 6n the other case the plants
remain considerably smaller and gro$ sparsely 7ometimes' ho$e%er'
e%en the lo$lands are flooded in January and February' and also in
@arch' $hen the tobacco has already been transplanted' and gro$n to
some little height 6n that e%ent e%erything is irreparably lost'
particularly if the flood should occur at a time $hen it is too late
to lay out ne$ plantations <igh(lying land also must' therefore' be
culti%ated' in the hope that by %ery careful attention it may yield
a similar return 6n 8ctober these fields must be ploughed three or
four times' and harro$ed t$ice or thrice 8n account of the floods'
the lo$lands cannot be ploughed until the end of ,ecember' or the
middle of January; $hen the $ork is light and simple The strongest
plants in the seed(beds are chosen' and set in the prepared grounds
at a distance of three feet from each other' care being taken that
the earth clinging to the roots is not shaken off
8f the care necessary to be besto$ed upon the plants((6n the east a
little screen' formed by t$o clods' is to be erected' $ith a %ie$ to
protecting the plant from the morning sun' and retaining the de$ for
a longer time The $eeds to be carefully eEterminated' and the $ild
shoots remo%ed + grub $hich occasionally appears in great numbers is
particularly dangerous "ain is %ery injurious immediately before the
ripening' $hen the plants are no longer in a condition to secrete the
gummy substance so essential to the tobacco' $hich' being soluble in
$ater' $ould be dra$n off by the action of the rain Tobacco $hich has
been eEposed to bad $eather is al$ays deficient in juice and fla%or'
and is full of $hite spots' a certain sign of its bad Auality The
injury is all the greater the nearer the tobacco is to its ripening
period; the lea%es hanging do$n to the ground then decay' and must
be remo%ed 6f the subsoil is not deep enough' a carefully tended
plant $ill turn yello$' and nearly $ither a$ay 6n $et seasons this
does not occur so generally' as the roots in insufficient depth are
enabled to find enough moisture
Cutting and manipulation of the lea%es in the drying shed((The
topmost lea%es ripen first; they are then of a dark yello$ color' and
infleEible They must be cut off as they ripen' collected into bundles'
and brought to the shed in co%ered carts 6n $et or cloudy $eather'
$hen the nightly de$s ha%e not been thoroughly e%aporated by the sun'
they must not be cut 6n the shed the lea%es are to hang upon cords or
split 7panish cane' $ith sufficient room bet$een them for %entilation
and drying The dried lea%es are then laid in piles' $hich must not
be too big' and freAuently turned o%er EEtreme care must be taken
that they do not become o%erheated and ferment too strongly This
operation' $hich is of the utmost importance to the Auality of the
tobacco' demands great attention and skill' and must be continued
until nothing but an aromatic smell of tobacco can be noticed coming
from the lea%es; but the necessary skill for this manipulation is only
to be acAuired by long practice' and not from any $ritten instructions
C<+PTE" YY#6
26mportance of Chinese5 +n important portion of the population
remains to be discussed' %iB the Chinese' $ho are destined to play a
remarkable part' inasmuch as the de%elopment of the land(culti%ation
demanded by the increasing trade and commercial intercourse can be
affected only by Chinese industry and perse%erance @anila has al$ays
been a fa%orite place for Chinese immigrants; and neither the hostility
of the people' nor oppressing and prohibitory decrees for a long time
by the Go%ernment' not e%en the repeated massacres' ha%e been able
to pre%ent their coming The position of the 6slands' south(east of
t$o of the most important of the Chinese pro%inces' must necessarily
ha%e brought about a trade bet$een the t$o countries %ery early' as
ships can make the %oyage in either direction $ith a moderate $ind'
as $ell in the south($est as the north(east monsoon 2Early Chinese
+ssociations5 6n a fe$ old $riters may e%en be found the assertion
that the Philippine 6slands $ere at one time subject to the dominion of
China; and Father Gaubil F)ettres EdifiantesG mentions that Jaung(lo
Fof the @ing dynastyG maintained a fleet consisting of I0'000 men'
$hich at different times proceeded to @anila The presence of their
ships as early as the arri%al of @agellan in the eEtreme east
of the archipelago' as $ell as the China plates and earthen$are
%essels disco%ered in the eEca%ations' plainly sho$ that the trade
$ith China had eEtended far earlier to the most distant islands of
the archipelago 6t formed the chief support of the young 7panish
colony' and' after the rise of the Encomiendas' $as nearly the only
source of its prosperity 6t $as feared that the junks $ould offer
their cargoes to the ,utch if any obstacle $as put in the $ay of
their coming to @anila The colony certainly could not maintain its
position $ithout the D7angleys'D 2/1H5 $ho came annually in great
numbers in the junks from China' and spread all o%er the country and
in the to$ns as 26ndustrial and commercial acti%ity5 shopkeepers'
artisans' gardeners' and fishermen; besides $hich' they $ere the
only skillful and industrious $orkers' as the Filipinos under the
priestly domination had forgotten altogether many trades in $hich
they had engaged in former times 6 take these facts from @orga
2=nsuccessful attempts at restriction5 6n spite of all this' the
7paniards ha%e' from the %ery commencement' endea%ored rigorously to
limit the number of the Chinese; $ho $ere then' as they are no$' en%ied
and hated by the nati%es for their industry' frugality' and cunning' by
$hich means they soon became rich They $ere an abomination' moreo%er'
in the eyes of the priests as being irreclaimable heathens' $hose
eEample pre%ented the nati%es from making progress in the direction
of Christianity; and the go%ernment feared them on account of the
strong bond of union eEisting bet$een them' and as being subjects of
so po$erful a nation' $hose close proEimity threatened the small body
of 7paniards $ith destruction 2/145 Fortunately for the latter' the
@ing dynasty' $hich at that time $as hastening to its do$nfall' did
not think of conAuest; but $ickedly disposed po$ers $hich sprang into
eEistence upon their do$nfall brought the colony into eEtreme danger
2)imahong and the @andarinsC %isit5 6n the attack of the noted pirate'
)imahong' in -941' they escaped destruction only by a miracle; and
soon ne$ dangers threatened them afresh 6n -H0I a fe$ mandarins came
to @anila' under the pretence of ascertaining $hether the ground
about Ca%ite $as really of gold They $ere supposed to be spies'
and it $as concluded' from their peculiar mission' that an attack
upon the colony $as intended by the Chinese
2Early massacre of Chinese5 The archbishop and the priests incited
the distrust $hich $as felt against the numerous Chinese $ho $ere
settled in @anila @utual hate and suspicion arose; both parties feared
one another and prepared for hostilities The Chinese commenced the
attack; but the united forces of the 7paniards' being supported by
the Japanese and the Filipinos' t$enty(three thousand' according
to other reports t$enty(fi%e thousand' of the Chinese $ere either
killed or dri%en into the desert !hen the ne$s of this massacre
reached China' a letter from the "oyal Commissioners $as sent to the
Go%ernor of @anila That note$orthy document sho$s in so striking a
manner ho$ hollo$ the great go%ernment $as at that time that 6 ha%e
gi%en a literal translation of it at the end of this chapter
2Chinese laborers limited5 +fter the eEtermination of the Chinese'
food and all Chinese other necessaries of life $ere difficult to
obtain on account of the utter unreliability of the nati%es for $ork;
but by -H09 the number of Chinese 2/1.5 had again so increased that
a decree $as issued limiting them to siE thousand' Dthese to be
employed in the culti%ation of the country;D $hile at the same time
their rapid increase $as taken ad%antage of by the captain(general
for his o$n interest' as he eEacted eight dollars from each Chinaman
for permission to remain 6n -9I: the Chinese population had risen to
thirty thousand' according to other information' to forty thousand'
$hen they re%olted and $ere reduced to se%en thousand DThe nati%es'
$ho generally $ere so listless and indifferent' sho$ed the utmost
eagerness in assisting in the 2+nother massacre5 massacre of the
Chinese' but more from hatred of this industrious people than from
any feeling of friendship to$ards the 7paniardsD 2/1:5
2The pirate ?og(seng5 The %oid occasioned by this massacre $as
soon filled up again by Chinese immigrants; and in -HH/ the colony
$as once more menaced $ith a ne$ and great danger' by the Chinese
pirate ?og(seng' $ho had under his command bet$een eighty and one
hundred thousand men' and $ho already had dispossessed the ,utch
of the 6sland of Formosa <e demanded the absolute submission of
the Philippines; his sudden death' ho$e%er' sa%ed the colony' and
occasioned a fresh outbreak of fury against the Chinese settlers in
@anila' a great number of $hom $ere butchered in their o$n DAuarterD
FghettoG 2/905 7ome dispersed and hid themsel%es; a fe$ in their
terror plunged into the $ater or hanged themsel%es; and a great number
fled in small boats to Formosa 2/9-5
2+nother eEpulsion5 6n -40: the jealousy against the Chinese once
more had reached such a height that they $ere accused of rebellion'
and particularly of monopoliBing the trades' and' $ith the eEception
of the most ser%iceable of the artisans and such of them as $ere
employed by the Go%ernment' they $ere once again eEpelled 7panish
$riters praise the salutariness of these measures; alleging that
Dunder the pretence of agriculture the Chinese carry on trade; they
are cunning and careful' making money and sending it to China' so that
they defraud the Philippines annually of an enormous amountD 7onnerat'
ho$e%er' complains that art' trade' and commerce had not reco%ered
from these se%ere blo$s; though' he adds' fortunately the Chinese'
in spite of prohibitory decrees' are returning through the corrupt
conni%ance of the go%ernor and officials
2Thrifty traders5 To the present day they are blamed as being
monopolists' particularly by the creoles; and certainly' by means
of their steady industry and natural commercial aptitude' they
ha%e appropriated nearly all the retail trade to themsel%es The
sale of European imported goods is entirely in their hands; and the
$holesale purchase of the produce of the country for eEport is di%ided
bet$een the nati%es' creoles' and the Chinese' the latter taking about
one(half Before this time only the nati%es and creoles $ere permitted
to o$n ships for the purpose of for$arding the produce to @anila
6n -494 the jealousy of the 7paniards broke out again in the form
of a ne$ order from @adrid' directing the eEpulsion of the Chinese;
and in -49: the decrees of banishment' $hich $ere repeatedly e%aded'
$ere carried into effect* but' as the pri%ate interests of the
officials did not happen to coincide $ith those of the creole traders'
the conseAuence $as that Dthe Chinese soon streamed back again in
incredible numbers'D and made common cause $ith the English upon
their in%asion in -4H/ 2/9/5 2+ndaCs and -.-: massacres5 Thereupon'
7r +nda commanded Dthat all the Chinese in the Philippine 6slands
should be hanged'D $hich order $as %ery generally carried out 2/9I5
The last great Chinese massacre took place in -.-:' $hen the aliens
$ere suspected of ha%ing brought about the cholera by poisoning
the $ells The greater part of the Europeans in @anila also fell
%ictims to the fury of the populace' but the 7paniards generally $ere
spared The prejudice of the 7paniards' especially of the creoles'
had al$ays been directed against the Chinese tradesmen' $ho interfered
unpleasantly $ith the fleecing of the nati%es; and against this class
in particular $ere the la$s of limitation aimed They $ould $illingly
ha%e let them de%elop the country by farming but the hostility of
the nati%es generally pre%ented this
2EEpulsion of merchants from @anila5 + decree' issued in -.01'
commanded all Chinese shopkeepers to lea%e @anila $ithin eight days'
only those $ho $ere married being allo$ed to keep shops; and their
residence in the pro%inces $as permitted only upon the condition
that they confined themsel%es entirely to agriculture @agistrates
$ho allo$ed these to tra%el in their districts $ere fined N/00; the
deputy(go%ernor N/9; and the $retched Chinese $ere punished $ith from
t$o to three yearsC confinement in irons
6n -.I: the penalties against the Chinese $ere some$hat mitigated'
but those against the magistrates $ere still maintained on account
of their %enality 6n -.1I Chinese ships $ere placed upon terms of
eAuality $ith those of other foreign countries F)eg =lt' 66'
14HG 6n -.90 Captain(General =rbiBtondo endea%ored to introduce
Chinese colonial farming' and $ith this object promised a reduction
of the taEes to all agricultural immigrants @any Chinese a%ailed
themsel%es of this opportunity in order to escape the hea%y poll(taE;
but in general they soon betook themsel%es to trading once more
28ppressi%e taEation5 8f late years the Chinese ha%e not suffered
from the terrible massacres $hich used formerly to o%ertake them;
neither ha%e they suffered banishment; the officials being content to
suppress their acti%ity by means of hea%y and oppressi%e taEes For
instance' at the end of -.H4 the Chinese shopkeepers $ere annually
taEed N90 for permission to send their goods to the $eekly market;
this $as in addition to a taE of from N-/ to N-00 on their occupations;
and at the same time they $ere commanded thenceforth to keep their
books in 7panish FEnglish Consular "eport' -.9:G
2EEcellent element in population5 The Chinese remain true to their
customs and mode of li%ing in the Philippines' as they do e%ery$here
else !hen they out$ardly embrace Christianity' it is done merely to
facilitate marriage' or from some moti%e conduci%e to their $orldly
ad%antage; and occasionally they renounce it' together $ith their
$i%es in @anila' $hen about to return home to China #ery many of
them' ho$e%er' beget families' are eEcellent householders' and their
children in time form the most enterprising' industrious' and $ealthy
portion of the resident population
2Formidable competitors5 6n%igorated by the se%ere struggle for
eEistence $hich they ha%e eEperienced in their o%er(populated
country' the Chinese appear to preser%e their capacity for labor
perfectly unimpaired by any climate >o nation can eAual them in
contentedness' industry' perse%erance' cunning' skill' and adroitness
in trades and mercantile matters !hen once they gain a footing' they
generally appropriate the best part of the trade to themsel%es 6n
all parts of eEternal 6ndia they ha%e dislodged from e%ery field
of employment not only their nati%e but' progressi%ely' e%en their
European competitors >ot less Aualified and successful are they in
the pursuance of agriculture than in trade The emigration from the
too thickly peopled empire of China has scarcely begun +s yet it is
but a small stream' but it $ill by(and(by pour o%er all the tropical
countries of the East in one mighty torrent' completely destroying all
such minor obstacles as jealous interference and impotent precaution
might interpose
27phere of futureinflunce5 8%er e%ery section of remote 6ndia'
in the 7outh 7ea' in the 6ndian +rchipelago' in the states of 7outh
+merica' the Chinese seem destined' in time' either to supplant e%ery
other element' or to found a miEed race upon $hich to stamp their
indi%iduality 6n the !estern 7tates of the =nion their number is
rapidly on the increase; and the factories in California are $orked
entirely by them' achie%ing results that cannot be accomplished by
European labor
2@ongolian %s Caucasion in +merica5 8ne of the most interesting of
the many Auestions of large comprehensi%eness $hich connect themsel%es
$ith the penetration of the @ongolian race into +merica' $hich up
till no$ it had been the fashion to regard as the inheritance of the
Caucasians' is the relati%e capacity of labor possessed by both these
t$o great races' $ho in the !estern 7tates of +merica ha%e for the
first time measured their mutual strength in friendly ri%alry Both
are there represented in their most energetic indi%iduality; 2/915
and e%ery ner%e $ill be strained in carrying on the struggle' inasmuch
as no other country pays for labor at so high a rate
2Efficiency and reliability of Chinese labor5 The conditions' ho$e%er'
are not Auite eAual' as the la$ places certain obstacles in the $ay of
the Chinese The courts do not protect them sufficiently from insult'
$hich at times is aggra%ated into malicious manslaughter through
the ill(usage of the mob' $ho hate them bitterly as being reser%ed'
uncompanionable $orkers >e%ertheless' the Chinese immigrants take
their stand firmly The $estern di%ision of the Pacific "ail$ay has
been chiefly built by the Chinese' $ho' according to the testimony of
the engineers' surpass $orkmen of all other nationalities in diligence'
sobriety' and good conduct !hat they lack in physical po$er they
make up for in perse%erance and $orking intelligently together The
uniAue and nearly incredible performance that took place on +pril /.'
-.9:' $hen ten miles of rail$ay track $ere laid in ele%en $orking
hours along a di%ision of land $hich had in no $ay been prepared
beforehand' $as accomplished by Chinese $orkmen; and indeed only by
them could it ha%e been practicable 2/995
2Chinese cle%erness and industry5 8f course' the superiority of the
European in respect Chinese of the highest intellectual faculties is
not for a moment to be doubted; but' in all branches of commercial
life in $hich cle%erness and perser%ering industry are necessary to
success' the Chinese certainly appear entitled to the a$ard To us
it appears that the influE of Chinese must certainly sooner or later
kindle a struggle bet$een capital and labor' in order to set a limit
upon demands perceptibly gro$ing beyond moderation
2Chinese problem in +merica5 The increasing Chinese immigration
already intrudes upon the attention of +merican statesmen Auestions of
the utmost social and political importance !hat influence $ill this
entirely ne$ and strange element eEercise o%er the conformation of
+merican relationsQ !ill the Chinese found a 7tate in the 7tates' or go
into the =nion on terms of political eAuality $ith the other citiBens'
and form a ne$ race by alliance $ith the Caucasian elementQ These
problems' $hich can only be touched upon here in a transitory form'
ha%e been dealt $ith in a masterly manner by Pumpelly' in his $ork
+cross +merica and +sia' published in )ondon in -.40
)etter of the Commissary(General of Chinche$ to ,on Pedro ,e +cuOa'
Go%ernor of the Philippines
To the po$erful Captain(General of )uBon*
D<a%ing been gi%en to understand that the Chinese $ho proceeded to
the kingdom of )uBon in order to buy and sell had been murdered by
the 7paniards' 6 ha%e in%estigated the moti%es for these massacres'
and begged the Emperor to eEercise justice upon those $ho had engaged
in these abominable offences' $ith a %ie$ to security in the future
D6n former years' before my arri%al here as royal commissioner' a
Chinese merchant named Tioneg' together $ith three mandarins' $ent
$ith the permission of the Emperor of China from )uBon to Ca%ite'
for the purpose of prospecting for gold and sil%er; $hich appears to
ha%e been an eEcuse' for he found neither gold nor sil%er; 6 thereupon
prayed the Emperor to punish this imposter Tioneg' thereby making
patent the strict justice $hich is eEercised in China
D6t $as during the administration of the eE(#iceroy and Eunuchs
that Tioneg and his companion' named &anglion' uttered the untruth
already stated; and subseAuently 6 begged the Emperor to transmit
all the papers bearing upon the matter' together $ith the minutes
of TionegCs accusation; $hen 6 myself eEamined the before(mentioned
papers' and kne$ that e%erything that the accused Tioneg had said
$as utterly untrue
D6 $rote to the Emperor and stated that' on account of the untruth
$hich Tioneg had been guilty of' the Castilians entertained the
suspicion that he $ished to make $ar upon them' and that they'
under this idea' had murdered more than thirty thousand Chinese in
)uBon The Emperor' complying $ith my reAuest' punished the accused
&anglion' though he omitted to put him to death; neither $as Tioneg
beheaded or confined in a cage The Chinese people $ho had settled in
)uBon $ere in no $ay to blame 6 and others discussed this $ith the
Emperor in order to ascertain $hat his pleasure $as in this matter'
as $ell as in another' namely' the arri%al of t$o English ships on
the coast of Chinche$ FFukien or +moy districtG((a %ery dangerous
circumstance for China; and to obtain <is 6mperial @ajestyCs decision
as to both these most serious matters
D!e also $rote to the Emperor that he should direct the punishment of
both these Chinese; and' in ackno$ledging our communication' he replied
to us' in respect to the English ships $hich had arri%ed in China'
that in case they had come for the purpose of plundering' they should
be immediately commanded to depart thence for )uBon; and' $ith regard
to the )uBon difficulty' that the Castilians should be ad%ised to gi%e
no credence to rogues and liars from China; and both the Chinese $ho
had disco%ered the harbor to the English should be eEecuted forth$ith;
and that in all other matters upon $hich $e had $ritten to him' our
$ill should be his =pon receipt of this message by us((the #iceroy'
the Eunuch' and myself(($e hereby send this our message to the Go%ernor
of )uBon' that his EEcellency may kno$ the greatness of the Emperor
of China and of his Empire' for he is so po$erful that he commands
all upon $hich the sun and moon shine' and also that the Go%ernor of
)uBon may learn $ith $hat great $isdom this mighty empire is go%erned'
and $hich po$er no one for many years has attempted to insult' although
the Japanese ha%e sought to disturb the tranAuillity of ?orea' $hich
belongs to the Go%ernment of China They did not succeed' but on the
contrary $ere dri%en out' and ?orea has remained in perfect security
and peace' $hich those in )uBon $ell kno$ by report
D&ears ago' after $e learnt that so many Chinese perished in )uBon
on account of TionegCs lies' many of us mandarins met together'
and resol%ed to lea%e it to the consideration of the Emperor to
take %engeance for so great a massacre; and $e said as follo$s*((The
country of )uBon is a $retched one' and of %ery little importance 6t
$as at one time only the abode of de%ils and serpents; and only
because F$ithin the last fe$ yearsG so large a number of Chinese
$ent thither for the purpose of trading $ith the Castilians has it
impro%ed to such an eEtent; in $hich impro%ement the accused 7angleyes
materially assisted by hard labor' the $alls being raised by them'
houses built' and gardens laid out' and other matters accomplished
of the greatest use to the Castilians; and no$ the Auestion is' $hy
has no consideration been paid for these ser%ices' and these good
offices ackno$ledged $ith thanks' $ithout cruelly murdering so many
peopleQ +nd although $e $rote to the ?ing t$ice or thrice concerning
the circumstances' he ans$ered us that he $as indignant about the
before(mentioned occurrences' and said for three reasons it is not
ad%isable to eEecute %engeance' nor to $ar against )uBon The first
is that for a long time till no$ the Castilians ha%e been friends
of the Chinese; the second' that no one can predict $hether the
Castilians or the Chinese $ould be %ictorious; and the third and last
reason is' because those $hom the Castilians ha%e killed $ere $icked
people' ungrateful to China' their nati%e country' their elders'
and their parents' as they ha%e not returned to China no$ for %ery
many years These people' said the Emperor' he %alued but little for
the foregoing reasons; and he commanded the #iceroy' the Eunuch' and
myself' to send this letter through those messengers' so that all in
)uBon may kno$ that the Emperor of China has a generous heart' great
forbearance' and much mercy' in not declaring $ar against )uBon; and
his justice is indeed manifest' as he has already punished the liar
Tioneg >o$' as the 7paniards are $ise and intelligent' ho$ does it
happen that they are not sorry for ha%ing massacred so many people'
feeling no repentance thereat' and also are not kinder to those of the
Chinese $ho are still leftQ Then $hen the Castilians sho$ a feeling of
good($ill' and the Chinese and 7angleyes $ho left after the dispute
return' and the indebted money is repaid' and the property $hich $as
taken from the 7angleyes restored' then friendship $ill again eEist
bet$een this empire and that' and e%ery year trading(ships shall come
and go; but if not' then the Emperor $ill allo$ no trading' but on the
contrary $ill at once command a thousand ships of $ar to be built'
manned $ith soldiers and relations of the slain' and $ill' $ith the
assistance of other peoples and kingdoms $ho pay tribute to China' $age
relentless $ar' $ithout Auarter to any one; and upon its conclusion
$ill present the kingdom of )uBon to those $ho do homage to China
DThis letter is $ritten by the #isitor(General on the -/th of the
second monthD
+ contemporary letter of the "uler of Japan forms a some$hat notable
contrast*((
)etter of ,aifusama' "uler of Japan
DTo the Go%ernor ,on Pedro de +cuOa' in the year -H09*
D6 ha%e recei%ed t$o letters from your EEcellency' as also all the
donations and presents described in the in%entory +mongst them $as
the $ine made from grapes' $hich 6 enjoyed %ery much 6n former years
your EEcellency reAuested that siE ships might come here' and recently
four' $hich reAuest 6 ha%e al$ays complied $ith
DBut my great displeasure has been eEcited by the fact that of the four
ships upon $hose behalf your EEcellency interposed' one from +ntonio
made the journey $ithout my permission This $as a circumstance of
great audacity' and a mark of disrespect to me ,oes your EEcellency
$ish to send that ship to Japan $ithout my permissionQ
D6ndependently of this' your EEcellency and others ha%e many times
discussed $ith me concerning the antecedents and interests of Japan'
and many other matters' your reAuests respecting $hich 6 cannot comply
$ith This territory is called Yincoco' $hich means Cconsecrated to
6dols'C $hich ha%e been honored $ith the highest re%erence from the
days of our ancestor until no$' and $hose actions 6 alone can neither
undo nor destroy !herefore' it is in no $ay fitting that your la$s
should be promulgated and spread o%er Japan; and if' in conseAuence
of these misunderstandings' your EEcellencyCs friendship $ith the
empire of Japan should cease' and $ith me like$ise' it must be so'
for 6 must do that $hich 6 think is right' and nothing $hich is
contrary to my o$n pleasure
DFinally' 6 ha%e heard it freAuently said' as a reproach' that many
Japanese(($icked' corrupt men((go to your kingdom' remaining there
many years' and then return to Japan This complaint eEcites my anger'
and therefore 6 must reAuest your EEcellency henceforth not to allo$
such persons to return in the ships $hich trade here Concerning the
remaining matters' 6 trust your EEcellency $ill hereafter employ your
judgment and circumspection in such a manner as to a%oid incurring
my displeasure for the futureD
C<+PTE" YY#66
27painCs disco%ery and occupation5 The Philippines $ere disco%ered
by @agellan on the -Hth of @arch' -9/-((7t )aBarusC day 2/9H5
But it $as not until -9H1' 2/945 after many pre%ious efforts had
miscarried' that )egaspi' $ho left >e$ 7pain $ith fi%e ships' took
possession of the +rchipelago in the name of Philip 66 The disco%erer
had christened the islands after the sanctified )aBarus This name'
ho$e%er' ne%er gre$ into general use; 2>umerous names5 the 7paniards
persistently calling them the !estern 6slands((6slas del Poniente;
and the Portuguese' 6slas del 8riente )egaspi ga%e them their present
name 2/9.5 in honor of Philip 66' $ho' in his turn' conferred upon
them the again eEtinct name of >e$ Castile 2/9:5 )egaspi first of
all anneEed Cebu' and then Panay; and siE years later' in -94-' he
first sub dued @anila' $hich $as at that time a %illage surrounded by
palisades' and commenced forth$ith the construction of a fortified
to$n The subjection of the remaining territory $as effected so
Auickly that' upon the death of )egaspi Fin +ugust' -94/G' all the
$estern parts $ere in possession of the 7paniards 2@indanao and
7ulu independent5 >umerous $ild tribes in the interior' ho$e%er'
the @ahomedan states of @indanao and the 7ulu group' for eEample'
ha%e to this day preser%ed their independence The character of
the people' as $ell as their political disposition' fa%ored the
occupancy There $as no mighty po$er' no old dynasty' no influential
priestly domination to o%ercome' no traditions of national pride to
suppress The nati%es $ere either heathens' or recently proselytiBed
superficially to 6slamism' and li%ed under numerous petty chiefs' $ho
ruled them despotically' made $ar upon one another' and $ere easily
subdued 7uch a community $as called Barangay; and it forms to this
day' though in a considerably modified form' the foundation of the
constitutional la$s 27panish impro%emnts5 The 7paniards limited the
po$er of the petty chiefs' upheld sla%ery' and abolished hereditary
nobility and dignity' substituting in its place an aristocracy
created by themsel%es for ser%ices rendered to the 7tate; but they
carried out all these changes %ery gradually and cautiously 2/H05
The old usages and la$s' so long as they did not interfere $ith the
natural course of go%ernment' remained untouched and $ere operati%e
by legal sanction; and e%en in criminal matters their %alidity $as
eAual to those emanating from the 7panish courts To this day the
chiefs of Barangay' $ith the eEception of those bearing the title
of D,on'D ha%e no pri%ileges sa%e eEemption from the poll(taE and
socage ser%ice 2=nthinking policy of greed5 They are %irtually
taE(collectors' eEcepting that they are not paid for such ser%ice'
and their pri%ate means are made responsible for any deficit The
prudence of such a measure might $ell be doubted' $ithout regard to
the fact that it tempts the chiefs to embeBBlement and eEtortion;
and it must alienate a class of nati%es $ho $ould other$ise be a
support to the Go%ernment
2<igh character of early administrators5 7ince the measures adopted in
alle%iation of the conAuest and occupancy succeeded in so remarkable
a manner' the go%ernors and their subordinates of those days' at a
time $hen 7pain $as po$erful and chi%alrous' naturally appear to ha%e
been distinguished for $isdom and high spirit )egaspi possessed both
Aualities in a marked degree <ardy ad%enturers $ere tempted there'
as in +merica' by pri%ileges and inducements $hich po$er afforded
them; as $ell as by the hope' $hich' fortunately for the country' $as
ne%er realiBed' of its being rich in auriferous deposits 6n )uBon'
for instance' <ernando "iAuel stated that there $ere many goldmines in
se%eral places $hich $ere seen by the 7paniards; Dthe ore is so rich
that 6 $ill not $rite any more about it' as 6 might possibly come under
a suspicion of eEaggerating; but 6 s$ear by Christ that there is more
gold on this island than there is iron in all BiscayD 2ConAuerors
on commission5 They recei%ed no pay from the kingdom; but a formal
right $as gi%en them to profit by any territory $hich $as brought into
subjection by them 7ome of these eEpeditions in search of conAuest
$ere enterprises undertaken for pri%ate gain' others for the benefit
of the go%ernor; and such ser%ice $as re$arded by him $ith grants of
lands' carrying an annuity' offices' and other benefits Fencomiendas'
oficios y apro%echamientosG The grants $ere at first made for three
generations Fin >e$ 7pain for fourG' but $ere %ery soon limited
to t$o; $hen ,e los "ios pointed this out as being a measure %ery
prejudicial to the Cro$n' Dsince they $ere little prepared to ser%e
his @ajesty' as their grand(children had fallen into the most eEtreme
po%ertyD +fter the death of the feoffee the grant re%erted to the
7tate; and the go%ernor thereupon disposed of it ane$
2The feudal DencomiendasD5 The $hole country at the outset $as
completely di%ided into these li%ings' the defraying of $hich formed by
far the largest portion of the eEpenses of the kingdom 6n%estitures of
a similar nature eEisted' more or less' in a territory of considerable
eEtent' the inhabitants of $hich had to pay tribute to the feoffee;
and this tribute had to be raised out of agricultural produce' the
%alue of $hich $as fiEed by the feudal lord at a %ery lo$ rate' but
sold by him to the Chinese at a considerable profit The feudal lords'
moreo%er' $ere not satisfied $ith these receipts' but held the nati%es
in a state of sla%ery' until forbidden by a Bull of Pope Gregory Y6#'
dated +pril -.' -9:- ?afir and negro sla%es' $hom the Portuguese
imported by $ay of 6ndia' $ere' ho$e%er' still permitted
2EEtortions of encomenderos5 The original holders of feudal tenures
amassed considerable booty therefrom TuOiga relates that as early
as the time of )a%eBares' $ho $as pro%isional go%ernor bet$een -94/
and -949' he %isited the Bisayas and checked the co%etousness of
the encomenderos' so that at least during his rule they relaEed
their system of eEtortion To$ards the end of 7andeCs go%ernment
F-949(.0G a furious Auarrel broke out bet$een the priests and the
encomenderos; the first preached against the oppression of the
latter' and memorialiBed Philip 66 thereon The king commanded that
the nati%es should be protected' as the eEtortionate greed of the
feudal chiefs had eEceeded all bounds; and the nati%es $ere then at
liberty to pay their tribute either in money or in kind The result of
this $ell(intentioned regulation appears to ha%e produced a greater
assiduity both in agriculture and trade' Das the nati%es preferred
to $ork $ithout coercion' not on account of eEtreme $antD 27alcedo
Dmost illustrious of the conAuerorsD5 +nd here 6 may briefly refer to
the achie%ements of Juan de 7alcedo' the most illustrious of all the
conAuerors 7upported by his grandfather' )egaspi' $ith forty(fi%e
7panish soldiers' he fitted out an eEpedition at his o$n eEpense'
embarked at @anila' in @ay' -94/' eEamined all parts of the $est coast
of the island' landed in all the bays $hich $ere accessible to his
light(draught ships' and $as $ell recei%ed by the nati%es at most of
the places <e generally found great opposition in penetrating into
the interior; yet he succeeded in subduing many of the inland tribes;
and $hen he reached Cape Bojeador' the north($est point of )uBon' the
eEtensi%e territory $hich at present forms the pro%inces of Tambales'
Pangasinan' and 6locos >otre and 7ur' ackno$ledged the 7panish
rule The eEhaustion of his soldiers obliged 7alcedo to return 6n
#igan' the present capital of 6locos 7ur' he constructed a fort' and
left therein for its protection his lieutenant and t$enty(fi%e men'
$hile he himself returned' accompanied only by se%enteen soldiers' in
three small %essels 6n this manner he reached the Cagayan "i%er' and
proceeded up it until forced by the great number of hostile nati%es to
retreat to the sea Pursuing the %oyage to the east coast' he came do$n
in course of time to Paracale' $here he embarked in a boat for @anila'
$as capsiBed' and rescued from dro$ning by some passing nati%es
2DThe Cortes of the PhilippinesD5 6n the meantime )egaspi had died'
and )a%eBares $as pro%isionally carrying on the go%ernment 7alcedo
heard of this $ith %eEation at being passed o%er; but' $hen he
reco%ered from his jealousy' he $as entrusted $ith the subjugation of
Camarines' $hich he accomplished in a short time 6n -941 he returned
to 6locos' in order to distribute annuities among his soldiers' and to
recei%e his o$n share !hile still employed upon the building of #igan'
he disco%ered the fleet of the notorious Chinese pirate' )imahong' $ho'
bent upon taking possession of the colony' $as then passing that part
of the coast $ith siEty(t$o ships and a large number of soldiers <e
hastened at once' $ith all the help $hich he could summon together in
the neighborhood' to @anila' $here he $as nominated to the command of
the troops' in the place of the already deposed master of the forces;
and he dro%e the Chinese from the to$n' $hich they had destroyed They
then $ithdre$ to Pangasinan' and 7alcedo burnt their fleet; $hich
eEploit $as achie%ed $ith %ery great difficulty 6n -94H this Cortes
of the Philippines died 2/H-5
2Commercial importance of early @anila5 +part from the priests' the
first(comers consisted only of officials' soldiers' and sailors; and to
them' naturally' fell all the high profits of the China trade @anila
$as their chief market' and it also attracted a great portion of the
eEternal 6ndian trade' $hich the Portuguese had frightened a$ay from
@alacca by their eEcessi%e cruelty The Portuguese' it is true' still
remained in @acao and the @oluccas* but they $anted those remittances
$hich $ere almost eEclusi%ely sought after by the Chinese' %iB'
the sil%er $hich @anila recei%ed from >e$ 7pain
27pain and Portugal united5 6n -9.0 Portugal' together $ith all
its colonies' $as handed o%er to the 7panish Cro$n; and the period
eEtending from this e%ent to the decay of Portugal F-9.0(-H10G
$itnessed the Philippines at the height of their po$er and prosperity
2@anila as capital of a %ast empire5 The Go%ernor of @anila ruled
o%er a part of @indanao' 7ulu' the @oluccas' Formosa' and the original
Portuguese possessions in @alacca and 6ndia D+ll that lies bet$een
Cape 7ingapore and Japan is subject to )uBon; their ships cross the
ocean to China and >e$ 7pain' and dri%e so magnificent a trade that'
if it $ere only free' it $ould be the most eEtraordinary that the
$orld could sho$ 6t is incredible $hat glory these islands confer
upon 7pain The Go%ernor of the Philippines treats $ith the ?ings of
Cambodia' Japan' China The first is his ally' the last his friend;
and the same $ith Japan <e declares $ar or peace' $ithout $aiting
for the command from distant 7painD 2/H/5 2,utch opposition5 But
the ,utch had no$ begun the struggle' $hich they managed to carry
on against Philip 66 in e%ery corner of the $orld; and e%en in -9-0
,e )os "ios complained that he found the country %ery much altered
through the progress and ad%ance made by the ,utch; also that the @oros
of @indanao and 7ulu' feeling that they $ere supported by <olland'
$ere continually in a state of discontent
2,ecline of colony5 The do$nfall of Portugal occasioned the loss of
her colonies once more 7panish policy' the go%ernment of the priests'
and the jealousy of the 7panish merchants and traders especially'
did e%erything that remained to be done to pre%ent the de%elopment
of agriculture and commerce((perhaps' on the $hole' fortunately'
for the nati%es
2Philippine history unimportant and unsatisfactory5 The
subseAuent history of the Philippines is' in all its particulars'
Auite as unsatisfactory and uninteresting as that of all the other
7panish(+merican possessions 6neffectual eEpeditions against pirates'
and continual disputes bet$een the clerical and secular authorities'
form the principal incidents 2/HI5
2=ndesirable emigrants from 7pain5 +fter the first eEcitement of
religious belief and military reno$n had subsided' the minds of those
$ho $ent later to these outlying possessions' consisting generally as
they did of the %ery dregs of the nation' $ere seiBed $ith an intense
feeling of selfishness; and frauds and speculations $ere the natural
seAuence The 7panish $riters are full of descriptions of the $retched
state of society then eEisting' $hich it is unnecessary to repeat here
2English occupation5 The colony had scarcely been molested by
eEternal enemies' $ith the eEception of pirates 6n the earliest time
the ,utch had engaged occasionally in attacks on the Bisayas But
in -4H/ Fduring the $ar of the Bourbon successionG an English fleet
suddenly appeared before @anila' and took the surprised to$n $ithout
any difficulty The Chinese allied themsel%es $ith the English +
great insurrection broke out among the Filipinos' and the colony'
under the pro%isional go%ernment of a feeble archbishop' $as for a
time in great danger 6t $as reser%ed for other dignitaries of the
Church and +nda' an energetic patriot' to inflame the nati%es against
the foreigners; and the opposition incited by the Bealousness of the
priests gre$ to such an eEtent that the English' $ho $ere confined in
the to$n' $ere actually glad to be able to retreat 6n the follo$ing
year the ne$s arri%ed from Europe of the conclusion of peace; but
in the inter%al this insurrection' brought about by the in%asion'
had rapidly and considerably eEtended; and it $as not suppressed
until -4H9' $hen the $ork $as accomplished by creating enmity among
the different tribes 2/H15 But this $as not done $ithout a loss to
the pro%ince of 6locos of t$o hundred siEty(nine thousand t$o hundred
and se%enty persons((half of the population' as represented by TuOiga
2@any minor uprisings from local grie%ances5 7e%erity and $ant of
tact on the part of the Go%ernment and their instruments' as $ell as
bigoted dissensions ha%e caused many re%olts of the nati%es; yet none'
it is true' of any great danger to the 7panish rule The discontent
has al$ays been confined to a single district' as the nati%es do
not form a united nation; neither the bond of a common speech nor
a general interest binding the different tribes together The state
communications and la$s among them scarcely reach beyond the borders
of the %illages and their dependencies
2,anger from mestiBos and creoles5 + consideration of far more
importance to the distant metropolis than the condition of the
constantly eEcited nati%es' $ho are politically di%ided among
themsel%es' and really ha%e no steady object in %ie$' is the attitude
of the mestiBos and creoles' $hose discontent increases in proportion
to their numbers and prosperity The military re%olt $hich broke
out in -./I' the leaders of $hich $ere t$o creoles' might easily
ha%e terminated fatally for 7pain The latest of all the risings of
the mestiBos seems to ha%e been the most dangerous' not only to the
7panish po$er' but to all the European population 2/H95
2Ca%ite -.4/ mutiny5 8n the /0th of January' -.4/' bet$een eight and
nine in the e%ening' the artillery' marines' and the garrison of the
arsenal re%olted in Ca%ite' the na%al base of the Philippines' and
murdered their officers; and a lieutenant $ho endea%ored to carry the
intelligence to @anila fell into the hands of a cro$d of nati%es The
ne$s therefore did not reach the capital until the neEt morning' $hen
all the a%ailable troops $ere at once dispatched' and' after a hea%y
preliminary struggle' they succeeded the follo$ing day in storming
the citadel + dreadful slaughter of the rebels ensued >ot a soul
escaped +mong them $as not a single European; but there $ere many
mestiBos' of $hom se%eral $ere priests and la$yers Though perhaps
the first accounts' $ritten under the influence of terror' may ha%e
eEaggerated many particulars' yet both official and pri%ate letters
agree in describing the conspiracy as being long contemplated' $idely
spread' and $ell planned The $hole fleet and a large number of troops
$ere absent at the time' engaged in the eEpedition against 7ulu +
portion of the garrison of @anila $ere to rise at the same time as
the re%olt in Ca%ite' and thousands of nati%es $ere to precipitate
themsel%es on the caras blancas Fpale facesG' and murder them The
failure of the conspiracy $as' it appears' only attributable to a
fortunate accident((to the circumstance' namely' that a body of the
rebels mistook some rocket fired upon the occasion of a Church festi%al
for the agreed signal' and commenced the attack too soon 2/HH5
27umming up5 )et me be permitted' in conclusion' to bring together a
fe$ obser%ations $hich ha%e been scattered through the teEt' touching
the relations of the Philippines $ith foreign countries' and briefly
speculate thereon
2Credit due 7pain5 Credit is certainly due to 7pain for ha%ing
bettered the condition of a people $ho' though comparati%ely speaking
highly ci%iliBed' yet being continually distracted by petty $ars'
had sunk into a disordered and unculti%ated state The inhabitants of
these beautiful islands' upon the $hole' may $ell be considered to
ha%e li%ed as comfortably during the last hundred years' protected
from all eEternal enemies and go%erned by mild la$s' as those of
any other tropical country under nati%e or European s$ay'((o$ing'
in some measure' to the freAuently discussed peculiar circumstances
$hich protect the interests of the nati%es
2Friars an important factor5 The friars' also' ha%e certainly had
an essential part in the production of the results
2Their defects ha%e $orked out for good5 7prung from the lo$est
orders' inured to hardship and $ant' and on terms of the closest
intimacy $ith the nati%es' they $ere peculiarly fitted to introduce
them to a practical conformity $ith the ne$ religion and code
of morality )ater on' also' $hen they possessed rich li%ings'
and their de%out and Bealous interest in the $elfare of the masses
relaEed in proportion as their incomes increased' they materially
assisted in bringing about the circumstances already described'
$ith their fa%orable and unfa%orable aspects Further' possessing
neither family nor good education' they $ere disposed to associate
themsel%es intimately $ith the nati%es and their reAuirements;
and their arrogant opposition to the temporal po$er generally arose
through their connection $ith the nati%es !ith the altered condition
of things' ho$e%er' all this has disappeared The colony can no
longer be kept secluded from the $orld E%ery facility afforded for
commercial intercourse is a blo$ to the old system' and a great step
made in the direction of broad and liberal reforms The more foreign
capital and foreign ideas and customs are introduced' increasing
the prosperity' enlightenment' and self(respect of the population'
the more impatiently $ill the eEisting e%ils be endured
2Contrast $ith English colonies5 England can and does open her
possessions unconcernedly to the $orld The British colonies are
united to the mother country by the bond of mutual ad%antage'
%iB the production of ra$ material by means of English capital'
and the eEchange of the same for English manufactures The $ealth
of England is so great' the organiBation of her commerce $ith the
$orld so complete' that nearly all the foreigners e%en in the British
possessions are for the most part agents for English business houses'
$hich $ould scarcely be affected' at least to any marked eEtent'
by a political dismemberment 6t is entirely different $ith 7pain'
$hich possesses the colony as an inherited property' and $ithout the
po$er of turning it to any useful account
2@enaces to 7panish rule5 Go%ernment monopolies rigorously maintained'
insolent disregard and neglect of the mestiBos and po$erful creoles'
and the eEample of the =nited 7tates' $ere the chief reasons of the
do$nfall of the +merican possessions The same causes threaten ruin
to the Philippines* but of the monopolies 6 ha%e said enough
2Gro$ing +merican influence5 @estiBos and creoles' it is true' are
not' as they formerly $ere in +merica' eEcluded from all official
appointments; but they feel deeply hurt and injured through the
cro$ds of place(hunters $hich the freAuent changes of ministries
send to @anila The influence' also' of the +merican element is at
least %isible on the horiBon' and $ill be more noticeable $hen the
relations increase bet$een the t$o countries +t present they are
%ery slender The trade in the meantime follo$s in its old channels to
England and to the +tlantic ports of the =nited 7tates >e%ertheless'
$hoe%er desires to form an opinion upon the future history of the
Philippines' must not consider simply their relations to 7pain'
but must ha%e regard to the prodigious changes $hich a fe$ decades
produce on either side of our planet
2Po$erful neighbors5 For the first time in the history of the $orld
the mighty po$ers on both sides of the ocean ha%e commenced to enter
upon a direct intercourse $ith one another(("ussia' $hich alone is
larger than any t$o other parts of the earth; China' $hich contains
$ithin its o$n boundaries a third of the population of the $orld;
and +merica' $ith ground under culti%ation nearly sufficient to feed
treble the total population of the earth "ussiaCs future role in
the Pacific 8cean is not to be estimated at present
2China and +merica5 The trade bet$een the t$o other great po$ers $ill
therefore be presumably all the hea%ier' as the rectification of the
pressing need of human labor on the one side' and of the corresponding
o%erplus on the other' $ill fall to them
2>earing predominance of the Pacific5 The $orld of the ancients $as
confined to the shores of the @editerranean; and the +tlantic and
6ndian 8ceans sufficed at one time for our traffic !hen first the
shores of the Pacific re(echoed $ith the sounds of acti%e commerce'
the trade of the $orld and the history of the $orld may be really
said to ha%e begun + start in that direction has been made; $hereas
not so %ery long ago the immense ocean $as one $ide $aste of $aters'
tra%ersed from both points only once a year From -H0I to -4H: scarcely
a ship had e%er %isited California' that $onderful country $hich'
t$enty(fi%e years ago' $ith the eEception of a fe$ places on the coast'
$as an unkno$n $ilderness' but $hich is no$ co%ered $ith flourishing
and prosperous to$ns and cities' ser%ed by a sea(to(sea rail$ay' and
its capital already ranking the third of the seaports of the =nion;
e%en at this early stage of its eEistence a central point of the
$orldCs commerce' and apparently destined' by the proposed junction
of the great oceans' to play a most important part in the future
2The mission of +merica5 6n proportion as the na%igation of the $est
coast of +merica eEtends the influence of the +merican element o%er
the 7outh 7ea' the capti%ating' magic po$er $hich the great republic
eEercises o%er the 7panish colonies 2/H45 $ill not fail to make itself
felt also in the Philippines' The +mericans are e%idently destined to
bring to a full de%elopment the germs originated by the 7paniards +s
conAuerors of modern times' representing the age of free citiBens in
contrast to the age of knighthood' they follo$ $ith the plo$ and the
aEe of the pioneer' $here the former ad%anced under the sign of the
cross $ith their s$ords
27uperiority o%er 7panish system5 + considerable portion of
7panish(+merica already belongs to the =nited 7tates' and has since
attained an importance $hich could not possibly ha%e been anticipated
either under the 7panish Go%ernment or during the anarchy $hich
follo$ed !ith regard to permanence' the 7panish system cannot for a
moment be compared $ith that of +merica !hile each of the colonies'
in order to fa%or a pri%ileged class by immediate gains' eEhausted
still more the already enfeebled population of the metropolis by the
$ithdra$al of the best of its ability' +merica' on the contrary' has
attracted to itself from all countries the most energetic element'
$hich' once on its soil and' freed from all fetters' restlessly
progressing' has eEtended its po$er and influence still further and
further The Philippines $ill escape the action of the t$o great
neighboring po$ers all the less for the fact that neither they nor
their metropolis find their condition of a stable and $ell(balanced
nature
2>eed of Philippine a$akening5 6t seems to be desirable for the
Filipinos that the abo%e(mentioned %ie$s should not speedily become
accomplished facts' because their education and training hitherto
ha%e not been of a nature to prepare them successfully to compete
$ith either of the other t$o energetic' creati%e' and progressi%e
nations They ha%e' in truth' dreamed a$ay their best days
P+"T 66
7tate of the Philippines in -.-0
By Tomas de Comyn
2Population5 The enumeration of the nati%es for the assessment
of tributes' in the manner ordained by the standing regulations
of the 6ntendants of >e$ 7pain' is not obser%ed in the Philippine
6slands; nor indeed $ould this be an easy task The $ide eEtent of
the t$enty(se%en pro%inces of $hich they are composed' scattered' as
they are' through the great space comprehended bet$een the southern
part of @indanao' and the almost desert islands kno$n by the name of
Batanes and Babuyanes' to the north of that of )uBon' presents almost
insurmountable obstacles' and in some measure affords an eEcuse for
the omission +mong these obstacles may be mentioned the necessity of
$aiting for the fa%orable monsoon to set in' in order to perform the
se%eral %oyages from one island to the other; the encumbered state
of the grounds in many parts' the irregular and scattered situations
of the settlements and d$ellings' the %ariety among the nati%es and
their dialects' the imperfect kno$ledge hitherto obtained of the
respecti%e limits and eEtent of many districts' the general $ant of
guides and auEiliaries' on $hom reliance can be placed' and' abo%e all'
the eEtreme repugnance the nati%es e%ince to the payment of tributes'
a circumstance $hich induces them to resort to all kinds of stratagems'
in order to elude the %igilance of the collectors' and conceal their
real numbers
2Estimates5 The AuinAuennial census' as regularly enjoined' being
thus found impracticable' no other means are left than to deduce from
the annual lists' transmitted by the district magistrates to the
superintendentCs office' and those formed by the parish curates' a
prudent estimate of the total number of inhabitants subject to our la$s
and religion; yet these data' although the only ones' and also the most
accurate it is possible to obtain' for this reason' inspire so little
confidence' that it is necessary to use them $ith great caution 6t is
e%ident that all the district magistrates and curates do not possess
the same degree of care and minuteness in a research so important'
and the omission or conni%ance of their respecti%e delegates' more
or less general' renders it probable that the number of tributes'
not included in the annual returns' is %ery considerable 6f to
this $e add the leged eEemptions from tribute' justly granted to
%arious indi%iduals for a certain number of years' or during the
performance of special ser%ice' $e shall easily be con%inced of the
imperfection of results' deri%ed from such insecure principles ; ; ;
6 ha%e carefully formed my estimates corresponding to the year -.-0'
and by confronting them $ith such data as 6 possess relating to the
population of -4:-' 6 ha%e deduced the consoling assurance that'
under a parity of circumstances' the population of these 6slands'
far from ha%ing diminished' has' in the inter%al' greatly increased
2"atio to tributes5 From the collecti%e returns recently made
out by the district magistrates' it $ould appear that the total
number of tributes amounts to I.H'H91' $hich multiplied by siE and
one(half produces the sum of /'9-9'10H' at $hich 6 estimate the
total population' including old men' $omen and children 6 ought
here to obser%e' that 6 ha%e chosen this medium of siE and one(half
bet$een the fi%e persons estimated in 7pain and eight in the 6ndies'
as constituting each family' or entire tribute; for although the
prodigious fecundity of the $omen in the latter hemisphere' and the
facility of maintaining their numerous offspring' both the effects
of the benignity of the climate and their sober $ay of li%ing'
sufficiently $arrant the conclusion' that a greater number of persons
enter into the composition of each family' 6 ha%e' in this case' been
induced to pay deference to the obser%ations of religious persons'
intrusted $ith the care of souls' $ho ha%e assured me that' $hether
it be o$ing to the great mortality pre%ailing among children' or
the influence of other local causes' in many districts each family'
or entire tribute' does not eEceed four and one(half persons
2Foreigners and $ild tribes5 To the abo%e amount it is necessary to
add 4'000 7angleys FChineseG' $ho ha%e been enumerated and subjected to
tribute' for' although in the returns preser%ed in the public offices'
they are not rated at more than 1'400' there are ample reasons for
concluding' that many $ho are $andering about' or hidden in the
pro%inces' ha%e eluded the general census The European 7paniards'
and 7panish creoles and mestiBos' do not eEceed 1'000 persons' of both
seEes and all ages' and the distinct castes or modifications kno$n in
+merica under the name of mulattos' Auadroons' etc' although found
in the Philippine 6slands' are generally confounded in the three
classes of pure nati%es' Chinese mestiBos' and Chinese Besides the
abo%e distinctions' %arious infidel and independent nations or tribes
eEist' more or less sa%age and ferocious' $ho ha%e their d$ellings in
the $oods and glens' and are distinguished by the respecti%e names of
+etas' 6ngolots' >egrillos' 6gorots' Tinguianes' etc' nor is there
scarcely a pro%ince in )uBon' that does not gi%e shelter to some of
those isolated tribes' $ho inhabit and possess many of the mountainous
ranges' $hich ramificate and di%ide the $ide and eEtended plains of
that beautiful island
28rigin of race5 The original race by $hich the Philippines are
peopled' is beyond doubt @alayan' and the same that is obser%ed
in 7umatra' Ja%a' Borneo' and the other islands of this immense
archipelago The Philippine 6slanders' %ery different from the
@alabars' $hose features possess great regularity' s$eetness' and e%en
beauty' only resemble the latter in color' although they eEcel them in
stature' and the good proportion of their limbs The local population
of the capital' in conseAuence of its continual communication $ith
the Chinese and other +siatics' $ith the mariners of %arious nations'
$ith the soldiery and @eEican con%icts' $ho are generally mulattos'
and in considerable numbers sent to the 6slands yearly in the $ay
of transportation' has become a miEture of all kinds of nations and
features' or rather a degeneration from the primiti%e races
2@anilaCs population5 @anila' the capital of the Philippine 6slands'
at present contains a population of from one hundred forty to one
hundred fifty thousand inhabitants' of all classes; but it ought'
ho$e%er' to be understood' that in this computation are included
the populous suburbs of 7anta CruB' 7an Fernando' Binondo' Tondo'
Suiapo' 7an 7ebastian' 7an +nton' and 7ampaloc; for although each is
considered as a distinct to$n' ha%ing a separate curate' and ci%il
magistrate of its o$n' the subseAuent union that has taken place rather
makes them appear as a prolongation of the city' di%ided into so many
$ards and parishes' in the center of $hich their respecti%e churches
are built +mong the chief pro%incial to$ns' se%eral are found to
contain a population of from t$enty to thirty thousand souls' and
many not less than ten to t$el%e thousand Finally' it is a generally
recei%ed opinion that' besides the @oros and independent tribes' the
total population of the Philippine 6slands' subject to the authority
of the king' is eAual to three millions
2Cotton5 +mong the %aried productions of the Philippines' for many
reasons' none is so deser%ing of attention as cotton 6ts $hiteness
and find staple gi%e to it such a superiority o%er that of the rest of
+sia' and possibly of the $orld' that the Chinese anEiously seek it'
in order pereferably to employ it in their most perfect teEtures'
and purchase it thirty per cent dearer than the best from British
6ndia >ot$ithstanding this eEtraordinary allurement' the %icinity
of a good market' and the positi%e certainty that' ho$e%er great the
eEportation' the gro$th can ne%er eAual the consumption and immense
demand for this article' it has' ne%ertheless' hitherto been found
impossible to eEtend and impro%e its culti%ation' in such a $ay as to
render it a staple commodity of the country 8$ing to this lamentable
neglect' is it' that the annual eEportation does not eEceed fi%e
thousand DarrobasD F-/9'000 lbsG $hereas the British import into
China at the annual rate of -00'000 bales' or -'/00'000 Darrobas'D
produced in their establishments at Bombay and Calcutta' and $hich'
sold at the medium price of fifteen Dtaels'D for one hundred thirty
pounds' yield the net amount of N1'.00'000
26ts ad%antages5 This $ant of attention to so important a branch
of agriculture is the more to be regretted' as the 6slands abound
in situations peculiarly adapted for the culti%ation of cotton' and
the accidental failure of the crops in some pro%inces' might easily
be made up by their success in others The culture of this plant is
besides eEtremely easy' as it reAuires no other labor than clearing
the grounds from brush($ood' and lightly turning up the earth $ith a
plough' before the seeds are scattered' $hich being done' the planter
lea%es the crop to its o$n chance' and in fi%e months gathers abundant
fruit' if' at the time the bud opens' it is not burnt by the north
$inds' or rotted $ith unseasonable sho$ers
2"estricted culti%ation5 The pro%inces of 6locos and Batangas
are the only ones in $hich the culti%ation of cotton is pursued
$ith any degree of Beal and care' and it greatly tends to enrich
the inhabitants This successful eEample has not' ho$e%er' hitherto
eEcited emulation in those of the other pro%inces; and thus the only
production of the Philippine 6slands' of $hich the eEcellence and
superior demand in trade are as $ell kno$n as its culture is easy'
o$ing to strange fatality and causes $hich $ill be hereafter noticed'
is left almost in a neglected state' or' at most' confined to the
narro$ limits of local consumption
26ndigo5 Pangasinan' Pampanga' Bataan' )a )aguna' Tayabas and
Camarines produce indigo of %arious classes' and' although its
preparation or the eEtraction of the dye' is in most of the abo%e
pro%inces still performed in an eAually imperfect manner' se%eral
small impro%ements ha%e recently been made' $hich ha%e bettered the
Auality' more particularly in )a )aguna' the only district in $hich
attempts ha%e been made to imitate the process used in Guatemala'
as $ell $ith regard to the construction and number of %ats necessary'
as the precipitation of the coloring particles((detached from the plant
by the agitation of the $ater 6n the other places' the $hole of the
operations are performed in a single %at' and the indigo obtained is
not unfreAuently impregnated $ith lime and other eEtraneous substances
26ncreasing culture5 !hate%er may ha%e been the causes of this e%ident
back$ardness' from the period of the establishment of the Philippine
Company in these 6slands' and in conseAuence of the eEertions of some
of the directors to promote the culti%ation of indigo' at that time
%ery little kno$n' the nati%es ha%e slo$ly' though gradually' been
reconciled to it; and disco%ering it to be one of the most ad%antageous
branches of industry' although accompanied $ith some labor and eEposed
to the influence of droughts and eEcessi%e heats' as $ell as to the
risks attendant on the eEtraordinary anticipation of the rainy seasons'
ha%e of late years paid more attention to it The Auintal of indigo
of the first class costs the planter from NI9 to N10 at most; and in
the market of @anila it has been sold from NH0 to N-I0' according to
the Auality and the greater or lesser demand for the article at the
season +s' ho$e%er' e%erything in this colony mo%es $ithin a small
circle' it is not possible to obtain large Auantities for eEportation;
not only because of the risk in ad%ancing the 6ndian sums of money
on account of his crop' but also o$ing to the annual surplus seldom
eEceeding from t$o to t$o thousand fi%e hundred distributed in many
hands' and collected by numerous agents' eAually interested in making
up their return(cargoes
27ugar5 The culti%ation of the sugar(cane is more or less eEtended
to all the pro%inces of these 6slands' o$ing to its consumption among
the nati%es being both great and general; but those of )a Pampanga and
Pangasinan are more particularly de%oted to it These t$o pro%inces
alone annually produce about 990'000 arrobas F-I'490'000 lbsG of
$hich one(third is usually eEported in Chinese and other foreign
%essels 6n eEtraordinary seasons' the amount eEported greatly
eEceeds the Auantity abo%e stated' as' for eEample' happened in the
monsoon of -4:H' $hen the planters came do$n to the port of @anila'
and by contract eEported up$ards of nine millions $eight' of the first
and second Aualities The price of this article has eEperienced many
%ariations of late years; but the medium may be estimated at NH for one
hundred t$enty(fi%e pounds of the first Auality' and N9 for the second
2@ethod of @anufacture5 The superior Auality of the sugar of
the Philippines is ackno$ledged' $hen compared to that produced
in the 6sland of Ja%a' China' or Bengal; not$ithstanding in the
latter countries it may naturally be concluded that greater pains
and care are besto$ed on its manufacture The pressure of the cane
in the Philippine 6slands is performed by means of t$o coarse stone
cylinders' placed on the ground' and mo%ed in opposite directions by
the slo$ and uneAual pace of a Dcarabao'D a species of oE or buffalo'
peculiar to this and other +siatic countries The juice is con%eyed to
an iron caldron' and in this the other operations of boiling' skimming
and cleansing take place' till the crystalliBation or adhering of
the sugar is completed +ll these distinct parts of the process' in
other colonies' are performed in four separate %essels' confided to
different hands' and conseAuently eEperience a much greater degree of
care and deEterity +fter being properly clayed' the sugars acAuire
such a state of consistency that' $hen shipped in can%as bags' they
become almost petrified in the course of the %oyage' $ithout moistening
or purging' as 6 understand is the case $ith those of Bengal
27ilk5 +mong the useful objects to $hich the Patriotic 7ociety of
@anila F+migos del PaisG directed their attention' from the %ery
moment of their formation' the planting of mulberry trees seems to
ha%e met $ith peculiar encouragement The society rightly judged that
the naturaliBation of so %aluable a commodity as silk in these 6slands
$ould materially increase the resources of the colony' and there $as
reason to hope that' besides local consumption' the gro$th might in
time be so much eEtended as to supply the $ants of >e$ 7pain' $hich
are not less than .0'000 lbs' amounting to from NI90'000 to N100'000'
con%eyed there in the galleon annually sent to the port of +capulco'
by the @anila merchants' $hich article they are no$ compelled to
contract for in China
2@ulberry trees5 The 7ociety ga%e the first impulse to this laudable
project' and then the go%ernor of the 6slands' ,on JosL Basco' anEious
to realiBe it' $ith this %ie$ sent Colonel Charles Conely on a special
commission to the pro%ince of Camarines This Bealous officer and
district magistrate' in the years -4.H(-4.. caused 1'1.9'4./ mulberry
trees to be planted in the thirty districts under his jurisdiction;
and incalculable are the happy results $hich $ould ha%e attended a
plan so eEtensi%e' and commenced $ith so much %igor' if it could ha%e
been continued $ith the same Beal by his successor' and not at once
destroyed' through a mistaken notion of humanity' $ith $hich' soon
after the departure of Go%ernor Basco' they proceeded to eEonerate
the Filipinos from all agricultural labor that $as not free and
spontaneous' in conformity' as $as then alleged' to the general spirit
of our 6ndian legislation +s it $as natural to eEpect' the total
abandonment of this %aluable branch follo$ed a measure so fatal' and
not$ithstanding the efforts subseAuently made by the "oyal Company' in
order to obtain its restoration' as $ell in Camarines as the Pro%ince
of Tondo' all their eEertions $ere in %ain' though it must be allo$ed
that at the time se%eral unto$ard circumstances contributed to th$art
their anEious $ishes >ot$ithstanding this failure' the project' far
from being deemed impracticable' $ould beyond all doubt succeed' and'
under po$erful patronage' completely ans$er the $ell(founded hopes of
its original concei%ers and promoters The nati%es themsel%es $ould
soon be con%inced of the ad%antages to be deri%ed from the possession
of an article' in so many $ays applicable to their o$n fine teEtures'
and besides the %ariety of districts in the 6slands' pro%ed to be
suitable to the culti%ation of this interesting tree' it is a kno$n
fact that many of the old mulberry gro%es are still in eEistence
2Bees$aE5 The Bisayas' Cagayan' and many other pro%inces' produce $aE
in considerable abundance' $hich the 6ndians collect from the natural
hi%es formed in the ca%ities of the trees' and it is also brought do$n
by the infidel nati%es from the mountains to the neighboring to$ns The
Auality certainly is not the best' and not$ithstanding attempts ha%e
been made to cleanse it from the eEtraneous particles $ith $hich it
is miEed' it al$ays lea%es a considerable sediment on the lo$er part
of the cakes' and ne%er acAuires an entire $hiteness 6ts consumption
is great' especially in the capital' and after supplying the $ants of
the country' an annual surplus of from siE hundred to eight hundred
Auintals is appropriated for eEportation
2>eglected market5 This certainly might be con%erted into an article
of eEtreme importance' especially for the kingdom of Peru' $hich
in peaceable times recei%es its supplies from 7pain' and e%en from
the 6sland of Cuba; but for this purpose it $ould be necessary to
adopt the plan recommended by the enlightened Beal of the Patriotic
7ociety and pre%iously encourage the establishment of artificial
hi%es and the plantation of aromatic and flo$ering shrubs' $hich so
easily attract and secure the permanency of the ro%ing s$arms' al$ays
ready to undertake fresh labors This' as $ell as many other points'
has hitherto been entirely o%erlooked
2Black pepper5 The production is culti%ated in the Pro%inces of
Tayabas' Batangas' and )a )aguna' but in such small Auantities' that'
not$ithstanding the po$erful allurements of all kinds constantly held
out by the "oyal Company during the long period of t$enty years'
their agents ha%e ne%er been able to collect in more than about
H1'000 lbs annually +fter e%ery encouragement' the most that
has been attained $ith the nati%es' is confined to their planting
in some districts fifty to one hundred pepper(%ines round their
huts' $hich they culti%ate in the same $ay as they $ould plots of
flo$ers' but $ithout any other labor than supporting the plant $ith
a proportioned stake' clearing the ground from $eeds' and attending
to daily irrigation
2+ possibility5 This article therefore scarcely deser%es a place
amongst the flourishing branches of agriculture' at least till it has
been raised from its present depressed state' and the grounds laid
out in regular and producti%e pepper(gro%es Till this is done' to
a corresponding eEtent' it must also be eEcluded from the number of
productions furnished by these 6slands to commerce and eEportation;
more particularly if $e consider that' not$ithstanding the great
fragrance of the grain' as $ell as its general superiority o%er the
rest of +sia' so great a difference eEists in the actual price' that
this can ne%er be compensated by its greater reAuest in the markets of
Europe' and much less enable it to compete $ith that of the British and
,utch' till its abundance has considerably lo$ered its primiti%e %alue
2>ot popular5 Finally' although an infinity of grounds are to be found
adapted to the rapid propagation of pepper(%ines' as may easily be
inferred from the analogy and proEimity of the Philippine 6slands to
the others of this same archipelago' so $ell kno$n for their gro$th
of spices' it must be confessed that it is a species of culture by
no means popular among the Philippine nati%es' and it $ould be almost
reAuiring too much from their inconstancy of character' to $ish them
to dedicate their lands and time to the raising of a production $hich'
besides demanding considerable care' is greatly eEposed to injury'
and e%en liable to be destroyed by the se%erity of the storms' $hich
freAuently mark the seasons !ith difficulty $ould they be induced to
$ait fi%e years before they $ere able to gather the uncertain fruits
of their labor and patience 6f' therefore' it should e%er be deemed
a measure of policy to encourage the gro$th of black pepper' it $ill
be necessary for the go%ernment to order the commons belonging to each
to$n' and adapted to this species of plantation' to be appropriated to
this use' by imposing on the inhabitants the obligation of taking care
of them' and dra$ing from the respecti%e coffers of each community the
necessary funds for the payment of the laborers' and the other eEpenses
of culti%ation 6f this cannot be done' it $ill be necessary to $ait
till the general condition of the country is impro%ed' $hen through
the spirit of emulation' and the enterprises of the planters being duly
patroniBed and supported' present difficulties may be o%ercome' and the
progressi%e results of future attempts $ill be then found to combine
the interests of indi%iduals $ith the general $elfare of the colony
2Coffee5 7o choice is the Auality of the coffee produced in the
6sland of )uBon' especially in the districts of 6ndang and 7ilang'
in the pro%ince of Ca%ite' that if it is not eAual to that of @ocha'
6 at least consider it on parallel $ith the coffee of Bourbon; but'
as the consumption and culti%ation are eEtremely limited' it cannot
$ith any propriety be yet numbered among the articles contributing
to the eEport(trade
2Cocoa5 Cocoa is something more attended to' in conseAuence of the
use of chocolate being greatly eEtended among the nati%es of easy
circumstances That of the 6sland of Cebu' is esteemed superior to
the cocoa of GuayaAuil' and possibly it is not eEcelled by that of
7oconusco +s' ho$e%er' the Auantity raised does not suffice for
the local consumption' GuayaAuil cocoa meets a ready sale' and is
generally brought in return(cargo by the ships coming from +capulco'
and those belonging to the Philippine company dispatched from Callao'
the shipping port of )ima
The culti%ation of these t$o articles in the Philippines is on the
same footing as that of pepper' $hich' as abo%e stated' is rather an
object of luEury and recreation than one of speculation among the
Filipinos The obser%ations and rules pointed out in the preceding
article' are' in a general sense' applicable to both these branches
of industry
2Cinnamon5 Cinnamon gro%es' or trees of $ild cinnamon' are to be
found in e%ery pro%ince 6n @indanao' a ,utchman' some years ago'
$as employed by orders of the go%ernment' in eEamining the forests
and making eEperiments' $ith a %ie$ to disco%er the same tree of
this species that has gi%en so much reno$n to Ceylon; but' $hether
it $as o$ing to a failure in the disco%ery' or' $hen the plant $as
found' as at the time $as said to be the case' the same results $ere
not produced' from the $ant of skill in preparing' or stripping off
the bark; certain it is' that the laudable attempt totally failed'
or rather the only ad%antage gained' has been the eEtracting from
the bark and more tender parts of the branches of the tree' an oil
or essence of cinnamon' %igorous and aromatic in the eEtreme
2EEperiment in )aguna5 +bout the same time' a land(o$ner of the name
7algado' undertook to form an eEtensi%e plantation of the same species
in the pro%ince of )a )aguna' and succeeded in seeing up$ards of a
million cinnamon trees thri%e and gro$ to a considerable siBe; but
at last' he $as reluctantly compelled to desist from his enterprise'
by the same reasons $hich led to the failure of @indanao
2>eed of eEperienced culti%ators5 These facts are of sufficient
authority for our placing the cinnamon tree among the indigenous
productions of the Philippine 6slands and considering their general
eEcellence abo%e those of the same nature in the rest of +sia' it may
reasonably be concluded that' $ithout the tree being identically the
same' the cinnamon $ith $hich it is clothed $ill be found finer than
that yielded by the nati%e plant of the 6sland of Ceylon' and this
circumstance' conseAuently' holds out a hope that' in the course of
time' it may become an article of traffic' as estimable as it $ould be
ne$ 6n order' ho$e%er' that this flattering prospect may be realiBed'
it $ill be reAuisite for the go%ernment to procure some families'
or persons from the abo%e island' acAuainted $ith the process of
stripping off the bark and preparing the cinnamon' by deEterously
offering allurements' corresponding to the importance of the ser%ice'
$hich' although in itself it may probably be an eEtremely simple
operation' as long as it is unkno$n' $ill be an insuperable obstacle
to the propagation of so important an agricultural pursuit
2>utmeg5 T$o species of nutmeg are kno$n here' the one in shape
resembling a pigeonCs egg' and the other of a perfectly spherical
form; but both are $ild and little aromatic' and conseAuently held
in no great esteem
2"ice5 "ice is the bread and principal aliment of these nati%es' for
$hich reason' although its culti%ation is among the most disagreeable
departments of husbandry' they de%ote themsel%es to it $ith astonishing
constancy and alacrity' so as to form a complete contrast $ith their
characteristic indifference in most other respects This must' ho$e%er'
be taken as a certain indication of the possibility of training them
up to useful labor; $hene%er they can be led on in a proper manner
2<igh yield5 The earth corresponds $ith surprising fertility to
the labors of the Filipino' re$arding him' in the good seasons' $ith
ninety' and e%en as high as one hundred per cent; a fact 6 ha%e fully
ascertained and of $hich 6 besides possess undoubted proofs' obtained
from the parish(curates of )a Pampanga +s' ho$e%er' the pro%inces are
freAuently %isited $ith dreadful hurricanes Fcalled in the country'
baguiosG' desolated by locusts' and eEposed to the effects of the
great irregularities of nature' $hich' in these climes' often acts
in eEtreme' the crops of this grain are precarious' or at least'
no reliance can be placed on a certain surplus allo$ing an annual
eEportation to China 8n this account' rice cannot be placed in the
list of those articles $hich gi%e support to the eEternal trade
2,ye and cabinet $oods5 The Dsibucao'D or log$ood' and ebony' in
both $hich these islands abound' are the only $oods in any tolerable
reAuest The first is sold $ith ad%antage in Bengal' and the other
meets a ready sale in the ports of China' in the absence of that
brought from the 6sland of Bourbon' $hich is a Auality infinitely
superior Both are ho$e%er' articles of no great consumption' for'
being bulky and possessing little intrinsic %alue' they $ill not
bear the high charges of freight and other eEpenses' attendant on
the na%igation of the +siatic seas' and can only suit the shipper'
as cargo' $ho is anEious not to return to the abo%e countries in
ballast <ence' as an object of eEport trade' these articles cannot
be estimated at more than NI0'000 per annum
2Timber5 6 deem it superfluous to d$ell on a multitude of other
good and e%en precious $oods in timber' $ith $hich the Philippine
6slands are gifted' because this is a subject already sufficiently $ell
understood' and a complete collection of specimens' as $ell as some
large blocks' $ere besides transmitted some years ago to the kingCs
dockyard 6t may' ho$e%er' be proper to remark' that the establishment
near the capital for shipbuilding and masts' are much more eEpensi%e
than is generally supposed' as $ell on account of the difficulties
eEperienced in dragging the trees from the interior of the mountains
to the $aterCs edge' as the $ant of regularity and foresight $ith
$hich these operations ha%e been usually conducted Besides these
reasons' as it is necessary that the other materials reAuisite for
the construction and complete armament of %essels of a certain
force' should come from Europe' it is neither easy' nor indeed'
$ould it be economical' as $as erroneously asserted' to carry into
effect the go%ernment project of annually building' in the colony'
a ship of the line and a frigate 6t ought further to be obser%ed'
that no stock of timber' cut at a proper season and $ell cured' has
been lain in' and although the $ages of the nati%e carpenters and
caulkers are moderate' no comparison $hate%er can be made bet$een the
daily $ork they perform' and that $hich is done in the same space of
time in our dock(yards of 7pain
27hip building ad%antages5 >ot$ithstanding' ho$e%er' the impediments
abo%e stated' as it is undeniable that abundance of suitable timber is
to be obtained' and as the con%eyance of the remainder of the necessary
na%al stores to the Philippine 6slands is shorter and more economical
than to the coast of California' it possibly might ans$er' at least'
many mariners are of this opinion' in case it is deemed eEpedient to
continue building at 7an Blas the brigs and cor%ettes necessary for the
protection of the military posts and missions' situated along the abo%e
coasts' to order them preferably to be built in Ca%ite gi%ing timely
ad%ice' and pre%iously taking care to make the necessary arrangements
2Gold5 Gold abounds in )uBon and in many of the other islands; but as
the mountains $hich conceal it are in possession of the pagan tribes'
the mines are not $orked; indeed it may be said they are scarcely
kno$n These mountaineers collect it in the brooks and streamlets'
and in the form of dust' offer it to the Christians $ho inhabit the
neighboring plains' in eEchange for coarse goods and fire(arms; and it
has sometimes happened that they ha%e brought it do$n in grains of one
and t$o ounces $eight The nati%es of the pro%ince of Camarines partly
de%ote themsel%es to the $orking of the mines of @ambulao and Paracale'
$hich ha%e the reputation of being %ery rich; but' far from a%ailing
themsel%es in the smallest degree of the ad%antages of art' they
content themsel%es $ith eEtracting the ore by means of an eEtremley
imperfect fusion' $hich is done by placing the mineral in shells and
then heating them on embers + considerable $aste conseAuently takes
place' and although the metal obtained is good and high colored'
it generally' passes into the hands of the district(magistrate' $ho
collects it at a price infinitely lo$er than it is $orth in trade 6t
is a generally recei%ed opinion that gold mines are eAually to be
met $ith in the Pro%ince of Caraga' situated on the coasts of the
great 6sland of @indanao' $here' as $ell as in other points' this
metal is met $ith eAual to t$enty(t$o karats The Auantity' ho$e%er'
hitherto brought do$n from the mountains by the pagan tribes' and
that obtained by the tributary Filipinos' has not been an object of
%ery great importance
2Copper5 !ell(founded reasons eEist for presuming that' in
the Pro%ince of 6locos' mines of %irgin copper eEist' a singular
production of nature' or at least' not %ery common' if the generality
of combinations under $hich this metal presents itself in the
rest of the globe' are duly considered This is partly inferred
from the circumstance of its ha%ing been noticed that the 6gorots'
$ho occasionally come do$n from the mountains to barter $ith the
Christians' use certain coarse jars or %essels of copper' e%idently
made by themsel%es $ith the use of a hammer' $ithout any art or
regularity; and as the ignorance of these demi(sa%ages is too great
for them to possess the notions necessary for the separation of the
component parts $hich enter into the combination of minerals' and much
less for the construction of furnaces suitable to the smelting and
formation of the moulds' it is concluded they must ha%e found some
%ein of copper entirely pure' $hich' $ithout the necessity of any
other preparation' they ha%e been able to flatten $ith the hammer and
rendered maleable' so as to con%ert it into the rough %essels abo%e
spoken of
2Cinnabar5 The district(magistrate of Caraga' ,on +ugustin de 6oldi'
recei%ed a special commission from the go%ernment to eEplore and
obtain information respecting a mine of cinnabar' $hich $as said
to be situated under his jurisdiction; and 6 ha%e been informed of
another of the same species in the 6sland of 7amar' the $orking of
$hich has ceased for a considerable time' not because the prospect $as
unfa%orable' but for the $ant of an intelligent person to superintend
and carry on the operations The utility of such a disco%ery is too
ob%ious not to deser%e' on the part of go%ernment' the most serious
attention and e%ery encouragement to render it a%ailable; and it is
to be hoped that' as the first steps ha%e already been taken in this
important disclosure' the enterprise $ill not be abandoned' but' on
the contrary' that eEertions $ill be made to obtain aid and ad%ice
from the @inersC College of @eEico' as the best means of remo%ing
doubt' and acting $ith judgment in the affair
26ron5 6ron in mineral form is to be found at %arious points on )uBon'
and those engaged in $orking it' $ithout the necessity of digging;
collect the iron(bearing stones that constitute the upper stratum'
these' $hen placed in fusion' generally yield about forty per cent
clear metal This is the case in the mountains of +ngat' situated
in the Pro%ince of Bulacan' and also in the %icinity of the Bali$ag
"i%er 6n @orong' ho$e%er' belonging to the Pro%ince of )a )aguna'
$here the cannon(ball factory is established' the ore yields under
t$enty(t$o per cent 6ts Auality is in general better than the Biscayan
iron' according to formal eEperiments and a report' made in -4:. to
Go%ernor ,on "afael @aria de +guilar' by t$o Biscayan master(smiths
from the sAuadron of +dmiral +la%a !itnesses to this test $ere the
Count de +%iles and ,on FeliE de la "osa' proprietors of the mines of
@orong and +ngat' and the factor of the Philippine Company' ,on Juan
Francisco =rroroB >ot$ithstanding its ad%antages' this interesting
branch of industry has not yet passed beyond the most rude principles
and imperfect practice' o$ing to the $ant of correct information
as to the best process' and scarcity of funds on the part of the
proprietors to carry on their $orks !ithout the aid of rolling or
slitting mills' indeed unpro%ided $ith the most essential instruments'
they ha%e hitherto confined themsel%es to con%erting their iron into
plo$ shares' bolos' hoes' and such other agricultural implements;
lea%ing the Chinese of +moy in Auiet possession of the ad%antages
of being allo$ed to market annual supplies of all kinds of nails'
the boilers used on the sugar plantations' pots and pans' as $ell as
other articles in this line' $hich might easily be manufactured in
the 6slands
27ulphur5 6n the 6sland of )eyte' abundance of sulphur is met $ith'
and from thence the gunpo$der $orks of @anila are supplied at %ery
reasonable prices Jaspers' cornelians and agates' are also found in
profusion in many of these pro%inces; e%erything' indeed' promises
%aried mineral $ealth $orthy of eEciting the curiosity and useful
researches of mineralogists' $ho' unfortunately' ha%e not hitherto
eEtended their labors to these remote parts of the globe
2Pearls5 Pearl fisheries are' from time to time' undertaken off the
coast of the 6sland of @indanao' and also near smaller islands not
far from Cebu' but $ith little success and less constancy' not because
there is a scarcity of fine pearls of a bright color and considerable
siBe' but on account of the di%ersC $ant of skill and their just dread
of the sharks' $hich' in great numbers infest these seas +mber is
freAuently gathered in considerable lumps in the %icinity of 7amar and
the other #isayan 6slands as $ell as mother(of(pearl' tortoise(shell'
and red and black coral' of the latter kind of $hich' 6 ha%e seen
shafts as thick as my finger and siE or eight feet long
2Estates5 The proprietors of estates in the Philippines are of
four classes The most considerable is that of the religious orders'
+ugustinians and ,ominicans' $ho culti%ate their respecti%e lands on
joint account' or let them out at a moderate ground(rent' $hich the
planters pay in kind; but far from li%ing in opulence' and accumulating
the immense re%enues some of the religious communities enjoy in
+merica' they stand in need of all they earn and possess for their
maintenance' and in order to be enabled to discharge the %arious duties
and obligations anneEed to the missions $ith $hich they are entrusted
27panish planters5 The second class comprehends the 7panish
proprietors' $hose number possibly does not eEceed a doBen of persons'
and e%en they labor under such disad%antages' and ha%e to contend $ith
so many obstacles' under the eEisting order of things' that' compelled
to di%ide their lands into rice plantations' in conseAuence of this
being the species of culture to $hich the nati%es are most inclined'
and to de%ote a considerable portion of them to the graBing of horned
cattle' no one of them is in a situation to gi%e to agriculture the
%ariety and eEtent desired' or to attain any progress in a pursuit
$hich in other colonies rapidly leads to riches
2Filipino farmers5 The third consists of the principal mestiBos
and nati%es' and is in fact that $hich constitutes the real body of
farming proprietors 6n the fourth and last may be included all the
other nati%es' $ho generally possess a small strip of land situated
round their d$ellings' or at the eEtremities of the %arious to$ns
and settlements formed by the conAuerors; besides $hat they may
ha%e obtained from their ancestors in the $ay of legal inheritance'
$hich rights ha%e been confirmed to them by the present so%ereign of
the colony
2+ids to agriculture5 6t $ill beyond doubt' in some measure dissipate
the distrust by $hich the Filipino is actuated' $hen the ne$ and
paternal eEertions of the superior go%ernment' to ameliorate his
present situation' are fully kno$n' and $hen that %aluable portion of
our distant population is assured that their rights $ill henceforth be
respected' and those eEactions and compulsory le%ies $hich formerly
so much disheartened them' are totally abolished 8n the other
hand' a ne$ stimulus $ill be gi%en by the li%ing eEample and fresh
impulse communicated to the pro%inces by other families emigrating
and settling there' nurtured in the spirit and principles of those
reforms in the ideas and maEims of go%ernment by $hich the present
era is distinguished + practical participation in these ad%antages
$ill' most assuredly' a$aken a spirit of enterprise and emulation
that may be eEtremely beneficial to agriculture' and as the $ants
of the nati%es increase in proportion as they are enabled to kno$
and compare the comforts arising out of the presence and eEtension
of con%eniences and luEuries in their o$n to$ns' they $ill naturally
be led to possess and adopt them
2Plans for progress5 7o salutary a change' ho$e%er' can only be
the $ork of time' and as long as the go%ernment confines itself
to a system merely protecting' the effects must conseAuently be
slo$ +s it is therefore necessary to put in action more po$erful
springs than the ordinary ones' it $ill be found eEpedient partly to
relaE from some of those general principles $hich apply to societies'
differently constituted' or rather formed of other perfectly distinct
elements +s relating to the subject under discussion' 6 fortunately
disco%er t$o means' pointed out in the la$s themsel%es' essentially
just' and at the same time capable of producing in this populous
colony' more than in any other' the desired results The legislator'
founding himself on the common obligation of the subject to contribute
something in return for the protection he recei%es' and to co(operate
in the increase of the po$er and opulence of the 7tate' proscribes
idleness as a crime' and points out labor as a duty; and although
the regulations touching the nati%es breathe the spirit of humanity'
and eEhibit the $isdom $ith $hich they $ere originally formed' they
ne%ertheless concur and are directed to this primary object 6n them
the distribution of %acant lands' as $ell as of the nati%es at fair
daily $ages to clear them' is uni%ersally allo$ed' and these it seems
to me' are the means from an eAuitable and intelligent application
of $hich the most beneficial conseAuences may be eEpected
2Confiscating unused lands5 The first cannot be attended $ith any
great difficulty' because all the pro%inces abound in $aste and %acant
lands' and scarcely is there a district in $hich some are not to be
found of pri%ate property completely unculti%ated and neglected'
and conseAuently susceptible' as abo%e stated' of being legally
transferred' for this reason alone' to the possession of an acti%e
o$ner )et their nature ho$e%er' be $hat it may' in their adjudication'
it is of the greatest importance to proceed $ith uniformity' by
consecrating' in a most irre%ocable manner' the solemnity of all
similar grants Public interest and reason' in the Philippine 6slands'
reAuire that in all such cases deference only should be paid to
demands justly interposed' and formally established $ithin a due and
fiEed period; but after full and public notice has been gi%en by the
respecti%e judicial authorities' of the titles about to be granted'
the counter claims the nati%es may seek to put in after the lapse of
the period prefiEed' should be peremptorily disregarded +lthough at
first sight this appears a direct infringement on the imprescriptible
rights of property' it must be considered that in some cases indi%idual
interests ought to be sacrificed to the general good' and that the
balance used' $hen treating of the affairs of 7tate' is ne%er of
that rigid kind as if applied to those of minor consideration The
fact is' that by this means many $ould be induced to form estates'
$ho ha%e hitherto been $ithheld by the dread of in%ol%ing themsel%es'
and spending their money in la$ suits; at the same time the nati%es'
gradually accustoming themsel%es to this ne$ order of things' $ould
lay aside that disposition to strife and contention' $hich forms so
peculiar a trait in their character' and that antipathy and odium $ould
also disappear $ith $hich they ha%e usually %ie$ed the agricultural
undertakings of 7paniards
2Compulsory labor5 Proceeding to the consideration of the second
means of accelerating the impro%ement of agriculture' %iB' the
distribution of the nati%es' it $ill suffice to say that it $ould be
eAually easy to sho$ that it is absolutely necessary rigorously to
carry into effect' in the Philippine 6slands' $hate%er the la$s on this
subject prescribed' other$ise $e must gi%e up all those substantial
hopes entertained of the felicity of the colony !e are no longer in
a situation to be restricted to the remo%al of ordinary obstacles'
and the season is gone by in $hich' as heretofore' it entered into
our policy to employ no other than indirect stimulants((in order to
incline the Filipino to labor 6t is e%ident that admonitions and
offers of re$ard no longer suffice; nor indeed ha%e the ad%antageous
terms proposed to them by some planters' $ith a %ie$ to $ithdra$
the lo$er orders of the nati%es' such as the timauas and caglianes
plebeians' from the idle indifference in $hich they are sunk' been of
any a%ail Their $ants and $ishes being easily supplied' the $hole
of their happiness seems to depend on Auiet and repose' and their
highest enjoyment on the pleasure of sleep Energy' ho$e%er' and a
certain degree of se%erity must be employed' if permanent resources
are to be called forth' and if the progressi%e settlement of European
families and the formation of estates proportioned to the fertility
of the soil and capabilities of the country are to enter into the
%ie$s of go%ernment 6n %ain $ould grants and transfers of %acant and
useless lands be made to ne$ and enterprising proprietors' unless at
the same time they can be pro%ided $ith laborers' and eEperience e%ery
other possible facility' in order to clear' enclose' and culti%ate
them <ence follo$s the indispensable necessity of appealing to the
system of distributions' as abo%e pointed out; for $hat class of
laborers can be obtained in a country $here the $hites are so fe$'
unless it be the nati%esQ 7hould they object to personal ser%ice'
should they refuse to labor for an eAuitable and daily allo$ance'
by $hich means they $ould also cease to be burdens to the 7tate
and to society' are they not to be compelled to contribute by this
means to the prosperity of $hich they are members; in a $ord' to
the public good' and thus make some pro%ision for old ageQ 6f the
soldier' con%eyed a$ay from his nati%e land' submits to dangers' and
is unceasingly eEposed to death in defence of the 7tate' $hy should
not the Filipino moderately use his strength and acti%ity in tilling
the fields $hich are to sustain him and enrich the common$ealthQ
2The unde%eloped Philippines5 Besides' things in the Philippine
6slands $ear a %ery different aspect to $hat they do on the +merican
continent' $here' as authoriBed by the said la$s' a certain number
of nati%es may be impressed for a season' and sent off inland to a
considerable distance from their d$ellings' either for the purpose of
agriculture' or $orking the mines' pro%ided only they are taken care of
during their journeys' maintained' and the price of their daily labor'
as fiEed by the ci%il authorities' regularly paid to them The immense
%alleys and mountains susceptible of culti%ation' especially in the
6sland of )uBon' being once settled' and the facilities of obtaining
hands increased' such legal acts of compulsion' far from being any
longer necessary' $ill ha%e introduced a spirit of industry that
$ill render the labors of the field supportable and e%en desirable;
and in this occupation all the tributary nati%es of the surrounding
settlements can be alternately employed' by the day or $eek' and thus
do their $ork almost at the door of their o$n huts' and as it $ere
in sight of their $i%es and children
2>o legal obstacle to forced labor5 6f' after $hat has been abo%e
stated' the apparent opposition obstacle to $hich at first sight
strikes the eye' in )a$ 10' Title -/' Book H' speaking on this subject'
and eEpressly referring to the Philippine 6slands' should be alleged'
no more $ill be necessary than to study its genuine sense' or read it
$ith attention' in order to be con%inced of its perfect concordance
$ith the essential parts of the other la$s of the 6ndies' already
Auoted in eEplanation and support of the system of distributing
the laborers The abo%e(mentioned la$ does indeed contain a strict
recommendation to employ the Chinese and Japanese' not domiciliated'
in preference to the nati%es' in the establishments for cutting timber
and other royal $orks' and further enjoins that use is only to be made
in emergencies' and $hen the preser%ation of the state should reAuire
it 6t has' ho$e%er' happened that' since the remote period at $hich
the abo%e $as promulgated' not only all contracts and commerce ha%e
ceased' but also e%ery communication $ith Japan has been interrupted'
and for a number of years not a single indi%idual of that ferocious
race has eEisted in the Philippine 6slands !ith regard to the Chinese'
$ho are supposed to be numerous in the capital' of late years they ha%e
diminished so much' that according to a census made by orders of the
go%ernment in the year -.04' no more than four thousand se%en hundred
are found on the registers; and' if in conseAuence of their secreting
themsel%es' or $ithdra$ing into the interior' a third more might be
added to the abo%e amount' their total numbers $ould still remain
%ery inconsiderable' and infinitely inferior to $hat is reAuired'
not only for the tillage of the estates' but e%en for the royal $orks
27ubstitute laborers $anting5 +s' therefore' the Japanese ha%e totally
disappeared' and the number of Chinese is e%idently inadeAuate to the
$ants of agriculture' it almost necessarily follo$s that the practice
of distributing the Filipino laborers' as allo$ed by the aforesaid
la$s of the 6ndies' under all circumstances' is the only alternate
left E%en if' against the adoption of this measure' it should be
attempted to urge the ambiguous sense of the concluding part of the
second clause' it $ould be easy to comprehend its true intent and
meaning' by referring to )a$ -' Title -I' Book 9' $hich says*
DThat' considering the incon%eniences $hich $ould arise from doing
a$ay $ith certain distributions of grounds' gardens' estates' and
other plantations' in $hich the 6ndians are interested' as a matter
on $hich the preser%ation of those distant dominions and pro%inces
depends' it is ordained that compulsory labor' and such distributions
as are ad%antageous to the public good' shall continueD
+fter so pointed an eEplanation' and a manifestation so clear of
the spirit of our legislation in this respect' all further comments
$ould be useless' and no doubt $hate%er can be any longer entertained
of the eEpediency' and e%en of the justice of putting the plan of
$ell(regulated distributions in practice' as a po$erful means to
promote the agriculture' and secure to 7pain the possession of these
%aluable dominions of the 6ndian 7eas
2@anufactures5 6t $ould be impossible to gainsay ,on Juan
Francisco =rroB' of the Philippine Company' in his detailed and
accurate report to the managing committee in -.0/' $hen he obser%es*
DThat the Philippine 6slands' from time immemorial' $ere acAuainted
$ith' and still retain' that species of industry peculiar to the
country' adapted to the customs and $ants of the nati%es' and $hich
constitutes the chief branch of their clothing This' although
confined to coarse articles' may in its class be called perfect' as
far as it ans$ers the end for $hich it is intended; and if an attempt
$ere made to enumerate the Auantity of mats' handkerchiefs' sheeting'
and a %ariety of other cloths manufactured for this purpose only in
the Pro%inces of Tondo' )aguna' Batangas' 6locos' Cagayan' Camarines'
+lbay' #isaya' etc' immense supplies of each kind $ould appear' $hich
gi%e occupation to an incalculable number of looms' indistinctly $orked
by 6ndians' Chinese' and 7angleyan mestiBos' indeed all the classes'
in their o$n humble d$ellings' built of canes and thatched $ith palm
lea%es' $ithout any apparatus of regular manufactureD
2>ati%e cloth $ea%ing5 !ith eAual truth am 6 enabled to add' that the
natural abilities of these nati%es in the manufacture of all kinds of
cloths' fine as $ell as coarse' are really admirable They succeed
in reducing the harsh filaments of the palm(tree' kno$n by the name
of abaca' to such a degree of fineness' that they after$ards con%ert
them into teEtures eAual to the best muslins of Bengal The beauty
and e%enness of their embroideries and open $ork eEcite surprise;
in short' the damask table(cloths' ornamental $ea%ing' teEtures of
cotton and palm(fibres' intermiEed $ith silk' and manufactured in the
abo%e(mentioned pro%inces' clearly pro%e ho$ much the inhabitants of
the Philippine 6slands' in natural abilities and deEterity' resemble
the other people of the +siatic regions 6t must ne%ertheless be
allo$ed' that a $ant is noticed of that finish and polish $hich the
perfection of art gi%es to each commodity; but this circumstance
ought not to appear strange' if $e consider that' entirely de%oid of
all methodical instruction' and ignorant also of the importance of
the subdi%ision of labor' $hich contributes so greatly to simplify'
shorten' and impro%e the respecti%e eEcellence of all kinds of $orks'
the same nati%es gin and clean the cotton' and then spin and $ea%e it'
$ithout any other instruments than their hands and feet' aided only by
the course and unsightly looms they themsel%es construct in a corner
of their huts' $ith scarcely anything else than a fe$ canes and sticks
2+ptitude for' but no de%elopment of' manufacturing5 From the
preceding obser%ations it may easily be deduced that' although
the nati%es succeed in preparing' $ith admirable deEterity' the
productions of their soil' and there$ith satisfy the greatest part of
their domestic $ants' facts $hich certainly manifest their talents
and aptitude to be employed in $orks of more taste and delicacy'
manufacturing industry is ne%ertheless far from being generaliBed'
nor can it be said to be placed $ith any degree of solidity on its
true and proper basis <ence arise those great supplies of goods
annually imported into the country' for the purpose of making up the
deficiencies of the local manufactures
26mpro%ed methods and machinery needed5 The regular distribution or
classification of the assemblage of operations $hich follo$ each other
in graduation' from the rough preparation of the first materials' till
the same ha%e arri%ed at their perfect state of manufacture' instead
of being practiced' is entirely unkno$n The $ant of good machinery
to free the cotton from the multitude of seeds $ith $hich it is
encumbered' so as to perform the operation $ith ease and Auickness' is
the first and greatest obstacle that occurs; and its tediousness to the
nati%es is so repugnant' that many sell their crops to others' $ithout
separating the seeds' or decline gro$ing the article altogether' not
to be plagued $ith the trouble of cleaning it +s the $ant of method
is also eAual to the superabundance or $aste of time employed' the
eEpenses of the goods manufactured increased in the same proportion'
under such e%ident and great disad%antages; for $hich reason' far from
being able to compete $ith those brought from China and British 6ndia'
they only acAuire estimation in the interior' $hen $anted to supply
the place of the latter' or in cases of accidental scarcity
27canty eEports5 6n a $ord' the only manufactured articles annually
eEported from the Philippine 6slands are eight to t$el%e thousand
pieces eEports of light sail cloth' t$o hundred thousand pounds of
abaca cordage assorted' and siE hundred carabao hides and deer skins'
$hich can scarcely be considered in a tanned stateK for' although the
"oyal Company' from the time of their establishment' long continued to
eEport considerable Auantities of dimities' calicos' stripes' checks'
and co%erlids' as $ell as other cotton and silk goods' it $as more
$ith a %ie$ to stimulate the districts of 6locos to continue in the
habit of manufacturing' and thus introduce among the inhabitants of
that pro%ince a taste for industry' than the eEpectation of gain by
the sale of this kind of merchandise either in 7pain or any of the
sections of +merica +t length' $earied $ith the losses eEperienced by
carrying on this species of mercantile operations' $ithout ans$ering
the principal object in %ie$' they resol%ed' for the time being'
to suspend %entures attended $ith such discouraging circumstances
2>eed of encouragement5 >ot$ithstanding so many impediments' it
$ould not' ho$e%er' be prudent in the go%ernment entirely to abandon
the enterprise' and lose sight of the ad%antages the country offers'
or indeed' to neglect turning the habitual facilities of the nati%es
to some account Far from there eEisting any positi%e grounds for
despairing of the progress of manufacturing industry' it may justly
be presumed that' $hene%er the so%ereign' by adopting a different line
of policy' shall allo$ the unlimited and indistinct settlement of all
kinds of foreign colonists' and grant them the same facilities and
protection enjoyed by national ones' they $ill be induced to flock to
the Philippine 6slands in considerable numbers' lured by the hope of
accumulating fortunes in a country that presents a thousand attractions
of e%ery kind @any' no doubt' $ill preferably de%ote themsel%es
to commerce' others to agricultural undertakings and also to the
pursuits of mining' but necessarily some $ill turn their attention
and employ their funds in the formation of eEtensi%e manufactures'
aided by intelligent instructors and suitable machinery The
ne$ly(introduced information and arts being thus diffused' it is
natural to eEpect they $ill be progressi%ely adopted by a people
already possessing a taste and genius for this species of labor'
by $hich means manufacturing industry $ill soon be raised from the
state of neglect and unprofitableness in $hich it is no$ left
26nternal commerce handicapped5 The circulation of the country
productions and effects of all kinds among the inhabitants of the
pro%inces' $hich' properly speaking' constitutes their internal
commerce' is tolerably acti%e and considerable 8$ing to the great
facilities of con%eyance afforded by the number of ri%ers and lakes' on
the margins of $hich the Filipinos are fond of fiEing their d$ellings'
this commerce might be infinitely greater' if it $as not obstructed
by the monopoly of the magistrates in their respecti%e districts
and the unjust prerogati%e' eEercised by the city' of imposing
rates and arbitrary prices on the %ery persons $ho come to bring the
supplies >e%ertheless' as the iniAuituous operations of the district
magistrates' ho$e%er' acti%e they may be' besides being restricted
by their financial ability' regularly consist of arrangements to buy
up only the chief articles' and those $hich promise most ad%antage'
$ith least trouble; as that restless inAuietude $hich impels man on'
under the hope of bettering his condition' acts e%en amidst rigor of
oppression' a certain degree of stimulus and scope is still left in
fa%or of internal trade
26nter(island traffic5 <ence it follo$s' that there is scarcely an
island or pro%ince' that does not carry on some traffic or other'
by keeping up relations $ith its neighbors' $hich sometimes eEtend
as far as the capital; $here' in proportion as the produce and ra$
materials find a ready market' returns suitable and adeAuate to the
consumption of each place' respecti%ely' are obtained 6f' ho$e%er' it
$ould be difficult to form an idea' e%en in the $ay of approEimation'
of the eEchanges $hich take place bet$een the %arious pro%inces'
a task that $ould render it necessary to enumerate them' one by one'
it is eAually so to make an estimate of the total amount of this class
of operation carried on in @anila' their common center 7ituated in
the bottom of an immense bay' bathed by a large ri%er' and the country
round di%ided by an infinite number of streams and lakes descending
from the pro%inces by $hich the capital is surrounded' the produce and
effects are daily brought in and go out of suburbs so eEtended in a
di%ersity of small %essels and canoes' $ithout its being possible to
obtain any eEact account of the multiplicity of transactions carried
on at one and the same time' in a city built on so large a scale
2)ocal markets5 Besides the traffic founded on ordinary consumption'
the necessity of obtaining assortments of home(manufactured as $ell
as imported goods' in order to supply the markets' kno$n by the name
of tianguis' and $hich are held $eekly in almost e%ery to$n' there
is another species of speculation' peculiar to the rich nati%es
and 7angley mestiBos' an industrious race' and also possessed of
the largest portion of the specie This consists in the anticipated
purchase of the crops of indigo' sugar' rice' etc' $ith a %ie$ to fiE
their o$n prices on the produce thus contracted for' $hen resold to the
second hand + propensity to barter and traffic' in all kinds of $ays'
is indeed uni%ersal among the nati%es' and as the principal springs
$hich urge on internal circulation are already in motion' nothing
more is $anting than at once to destroy the obstacles pre%iously
pointed out' and encourage the eEtension of luEury and comforts'
in order that' by the number of the peopleCs $ants being increased'
as $ell as the means of supplying them' the force and %elocity of
action may in the same proportion be augmented
2EEternal commerce5 =nder DEEternal CommerceD generally are comprised
the relations the Philippine 6slands keep up $ith other nations' $ith
the 7panish possessions in +merica' and $ith the mother country; or'
in other $ords' the sum total of their imports and eEports
28utside deterrents5 @any are the causes $hich' $ithin the last
ten or t$el%e years' ha%e influenced the mercantile relations of
these 6slands' and pre%ented their organiBation on permanent and
kno$n principles The chief one' no doubt' has been the freAuent and
unforeseen changes' from peace to $ar' $hich ha%e marked that unhappy
period' and as under similar circumstances merchants' more than
any other class of persons' are in the habit of acting on eEtremes'
there ha%e been occasions in $hich' misled by the eEaggerated idea
of the galleon of +capulco' and anEious to a%ail themsel%es of the
first prices' generally also the highest' foreign speculators ha%e
inundated @anila $ith goods' by a competition from all Auarters; and
others' o$ing to the channels being obstructed' $hen this market has
eEperienced an absolute scarcity of commodities' as $ell as of funds
necessary to continue the usual and almost only branch of commerce
left The freAuent failure of the sugar and indigo crops' has also
in many instances restrained the >orth +mericans and other neutrals
from coming to these 6slands $ith cargoes' and induced them to prefer
Ja%a' $here they are at all times sure of finding returns Besides
the influence of these eEtraordinary causes on the uncertainty
and irregularity of eEternal commerce' no small share must also be
attributed to the strangeness of the peculiar constitution of the
country' or the principles on $hich its trade is established
2,omestic discouragements5 7carcely $ill it be belie%ed' in the
greater part of ci%iliBed Europe' that a 7panish colony eEists bet$een
+sia and +merica' $hose merchants are forbidden to a%ail themsel%es
of their ad%antageous situation' and that' as a special fa%or only
are they allo$ed to send their effects to @eEico' once a year' but
under the follo$ing restrictions 6t is a necessary condition' that
e%ery shipper shall be a member of the Board of Trade FConsuladoG'
and therein entitled to a %ote' $hich supposes a residence of some
years in the country' besides the possession of property of his o$n to
the amount of N.'000 <e is compelled to join $ith the other members'
in order to be enabled to ship his goods in bales of a determined
form and dimensions' in one single %essel' arranged' fitted out'
and commanded by officers of the royal na%y' under the character of a
$ar ship <e has also to contribute his proportion of N/0'000' $hich'
in the shape of a present' are gi%en to the commander' at the end of
e%ery round %oyage <e cannot in any $ay interfere in the choice or
Aualities of the %essel' not$ithstanding his property is to be risked
in her; and $hat completes the eEtra%agance of the system' is' that
before anything is done he must pay do$n t$enty(fi%e or forty per cent
for freight' according to circumstances' $hich money is distributed
among certain canons of the church' aldermen' subalterns of the army'
and $ido$s of 7paniards' to $hom a gi%en number of tickets or certified
permits to ship are granted' either as a compensation for the smallness
of their pay' or in the $ay of a pri%ilege; but on eEpress conditions
that' although they themsel%es are not members of the Board of Trade'
they shall not be allo$ed to negotiate and transfer them to persons
not ha%ing that Auality 6n the custom house nothing being admitted
unless the number of bales shipped are accompanied by corresponding
permits' and as it besides freAuently happens that there is a degree
of competition bet$een the parties seeking to try their fortune in
this $ay' the original holders of the permits %ery often hang back'
in such a manner that 6 ha%e seen N900 offered for the transfer of
a right to ship three bales' $hich scarcely contained goods to the
amount of N-'000 7uch' ne%ertheless' is the truth' and such the
eEact description of the famous +capulco ship' $hich has eEcited so
much jealousy among the merchants of 7e%ille and CadiB' and gi%en
rise to such an infinite number of disputes and la$suits
2Business irregularities5 7o complete a de%iation from the rules
and maEims usually recei%ed in trade' could not fail to produce
in the Philippine 6slands' as in fact it has' effects eAually
eEtraordinary $ith regard to those $ho follo$ this pursuit The
merchant of @anila is' in fact' entirely different from the one in
CadiB or +msterdam !ithout any correspondents in the manufacturing
countries and conseAuently possessed of no suitable ad%ices of the
fa%orable %ariations in the respecti%e markets' $ithout brokers and
e%en $ithout regular books he seems to carry on his profession on
no one fiEed principle' and to ha%e acAuired his routine of business
from mere habit and %ague custom <is contracts are made out on stamped
paper' and his bills or promissory notes no other than long and diffuse
$ritings or bonds' of $hich the dates and amounts are kept more in
the shape of bundles than by any due entry on his books; and $hat at
once gi%es the most clear idea of this irregularity is the singular
fact that' for the space of t$enty(fi%e and possibly fifty years'
only one bankrupt has presented the state of his affairs to the Board
of Trade' in conformity to the regulations prescribed by the general
7tatutes of Bankruptcy' $hereas' numbers of cases ha%e occurred in
$hich these merchants ha%e $asted or secreted the property of others
$ith impunity <ence ha%e arisen those irregularities' subterfuges
and disputes' in a $ord' the absence of all mercantile business
carried on in a scrupulously punctual and correct manner <ence' also'
ha%e follo$ed that distrust and embarrassment $ith $hich commercial
operations are attended' as $ell as the difficulty of calculating
their fluctuations 8n the other hand' as in order to send off an
eEpedition by the annual ship to +capulco' the pre%ious consent
of the majority of the incorporated merchants is necessary' before
this point is decided' months are passed in intrigues and disputes'
the peremptory period arri%es' and if the articles $anted are in the
market' they are purchased up $ith precipitation and paid for $ith
the monies the shippers ha%e been able to obtain at an interest from
the administrators of pious and charitable funds 6n this manner'
compelled to act almost al$ays $ithout plan or concert' yet accustomed
to gain in the market of +capulco' not$ithstanding so many impediments
and the eEorbitant premiums paid for the money lent' these merchants
follo$ the strange maEim of risking little or no property of their
o$n; and una$are' or rather' disregarding the importance of economy
in the eEpenses and regularity of their general method of li%ing'
it is not possible they can e%er accumulate large fortunes' or form
solid and $ell(accredited houses
2@erchants discouraged5 Thus oppressed by a system' as unjust as it
is absurd' and conducting their affairs in the $ay abo%e described'
it is not strange that these gentlemen' at the same time yielding to
the indolence conseAuent on the climate' should neglect or behold $ith
indifference all the other secondary resources $hich the supplying
the $ants of the country and the eEtensi%e scope and %ariety of its
produce offer to the man of acti%e mind <ence it follo$s' as already
obser%ed' that the $hole of the interior trade is at present absorbed
by the principal nati%es' the 7angley mestiBos of both seEes' and a
fe$ Chinese peddlers
2The outlook brightening5 >ot$ithstanding' ho$e%er' the defecti%e
manner in $hich the generality of the merchants act' some already
are beginning to distinguish themsel%es by the prudence of their
conduct' by for$arding' in time' their orders to the manufacturers
of 6ndia and China' and' in other respects guiding themsel%es by the
principles $hich characteriBe the intelligent merchant Finally' it
is to be presumed that' as soon as the go%ernment shall ha%e thro$n
do$n this singular and preposterous system that has been the cause of
so many disorders' and proclaimed the unlimited freedom of Philippine
commerce' the greater part of these people $ill rise up from the state
of inaction in $hich they no$ li%e' and the relations of the colony
$ill then assume the course and eEtent corresponding to its ad%antages
of position +t least' if our national merchants should not act up
to the impulse gi%en to all kinds of mercantile enterprises by the
beneficial hand of the so%ereign' foreigners $ill not be $anting' $ho'
relying on due toleration' $ill be induced to con%ey their fortunes
and families to the Philippine 6slands' and' %igorously encouraging
the eEportation of their %aluable productions' amply secure the fruits
of their laudable acti%ity and $ell(combined speculations
2Capital employed in commerce5 !ere a person' judging from the
numbers constituting the body of registered merchants' and supposing
all of them to possess the essential reAuisites prescribed by our
commercial regulations' to form a prudent estimate of the amount of
capital employed by them' his calculations $ould turn out eEtremely
erroneous' for besides the case $ith $hich regulations of this kind
are eluded' many are merely nominal traders' and there are others $hose
mercantile eEistence is purely artificial for they are sustained in a
temporary manner' by means of a forced species of circulation peculiar
to this country This consists in obtaining the acAuiescence of the
administrators of pious and charitable funds' let out at interest'
to rene$ the bonds they hold during other successi%e risks' $aiting'
as it $ere' till some fatal tempest has s$allo$ed up the %essel in
$hich these merchants suppose their property to be embarked' and
at once cancel all their obligations 8n the other hand' neither
eEcessi%e eEpenses nor the shipment of large Auantities of goods to
+capulco can in any $ay be taken as a just criterion $hereby to judge
of the fortunes of indi%iduals; because' in the first' there is great
uniformity' e%ery one' more or less' enjoying' eEteriorly' the same
easy circumstances' not$ithstanding the disparity of real property;
and in the second' considerable fiction pre%ails' many persons
shipping under the same mark' and e%en $hen the shipper stands alone'
he might ha%e been pro%ided $ith the necessary funds from the pious
and charitable establishments' possibly $ithout risking a dollar
of his o$n in the $hole operation =nder circumstances so dubious'
far from presuming to gi%e a decided opinion on the subject' 6 am
compelled to judge from mere conjectures' and guided only by the
kno$ledge and eEperience 6 ha%e been able to acAuire during my long
residence there 6n conformity thereto' 6 am inclined to belie%e'
that the total amount of capital belonging to and employed in the
trade of the Philippine 6slands' does not at present eEceed t$o
and a half million dollars' $ith e%ident signs of rapid decline' if
the merchants do not in time abandon the ruinous systems of chiefly
carrying on their speculations $ith money obtained at interest
2)arge sums hoarded5 The t$o and a half million dollars thus
attributed to the merchants' form' ho$e%er' the smaller part of the
funds distributed among the other classes' and the total amount of
the circulating medium of the colony might be considered an object
sufficiently $orthy of being ascertained' o$ing to the great light
it $ould thro$ on the present state of the inhabitants; but it is in
%ain to attempt any calculation of the kind' at least $ithout the aid
of data possessing a certain degree of accuracy The only thing that
can be affirmed is' that during the period of more than t$o hundred
and fifty years $hich ha%e elapsed since the conAuest' the ingress of
specie into the Philippine 6slands has been constant Their annual
ships ha%e seldom come from >e$ 7pain $ithout bringing considerable
sums in return' and if some of them ha%e been lost' many others'
$ithout being confined to the one million of dollars constituting
the ordinary amount of the permit' ha%e not unfreAuently come back
$ith triple that sum; for $hich reason there are ample grounds of
judging the estimates correct' $hich fiE the total importation of
dollars' during the $hole of that long period of years' to be eAual
to four hundred millions 6t may further be obser%ed that' as in
the 7angley mestiBos economy and a%arice compete $ith intelligence
and acti%ity in accumulating $ealth and as they are scattered' among
the principal islands' and in possession of the best lands and the
most lucrati%e business of the interior' there are ample moti%es for
presuming that these industrious and sagacious people ha%e gradually'
although incessantly' amassed immense sums in specie; but it $ould
be impossible to point out their amount' distribution' or the secret
places in $hich they are hoarded
2Pious and charitable fundsC capital5 The assemblage of pious
legacies' temporalities' and other funds and property placed under
the care of se%eral administrati%e committees' for purposes as $ell
religious as charitable' constitute the chief capital employed in
eEternal trade; and not$ithstanding the failures' $hich from time
to time occur' the subseAuent accumulation of the enormous premiums
obtained for funds laid out in maritime speculations' both in time of
peace and $ar' not only suffices to make up all losses of the abo%e
kind' but also to secure the punctual payment of such charitable
pensions and other charges as are to be deducted from the respecti%e
profits of this species of stock' its total amount' according to an
official report made by order of the head committee of the sinking
fund' including temporalities' and Sueen @aria of +ustriaCs endo$ment
for the College of )as @arianas' together $ith other funds of the same
kind' not comprehended in the decree of abolition' at the commencement
of the year -.0:' amounted to N/'140'I:0' and as the sea(risks of that
and the follo$ing year $ere successful' and the outstanding amounts
punctually reco%ered' the aggregate sum' arising out of the abo%e
description of property' may no$ be estimated at more than three
millions 8f these funds three distributions are generally made'
%iB' one part is appropriated to the China risks' at from t$el%e
to eighteen per cent premium' according to circumstances' and also
those to @adras' Calcutta and Bata%ia' at from siEteen to t$enty(t$o
per cent The second' $hich generally is in the largest proportion'
is employed in risks to +capulco' at %arious premiums' from /4 to 19
per cent; and the third is left in hand' as a kind of guarantee of
the stability of the original endo$ments
2Co%eted by 7panish treasury5 6n the great eEigencies of the "oyal
Treasury' eEperienced during the last years of the administration
of 7r 7oler' the royal decree of Consolidaci[n $as eEtended to the
Philippine 6slands' under the preteEt of guarding the funds belonging
to public charities and religious endo$ments sea(risks' the
income of $hich' $hen secured on good mortgages' does not generally
eEceed fi%e per cent' many in 7pain not yielding abo%e four; but the
remarkable difference bet$een this plan and the one abo%e described'
together $ith %arious and other $eighty reasons alleged by the
administrators' caused the dreaded effect of this ne$ regulation to
be suspended' and $hilst the head committee of @anila $ere consulting
their doubts and reAuesting fresh instructions from the court at home'
orders came out not to make any alteration in measures relating to
this description of property
2Easy capital but lessened profits5 +ccustomed' in their limited
calculations' to identify the resources' offered by the funds belonging
to this class of establishments' $ith the %ery eEistence of the
colony' the needy merchants easily confound their personal $ith the
general interest; and fe$ stop to consider that the identical means
of carrying on trade' $ithout any capital of their o$n' although they
ha%e accidentally enriched a small number of persons' e%entually ha%e
absorbed the principal profits' and possibly been the chief cause
of the unflourishing state of the colony at large !ithout fearing
the charge of rashness' it may' in fact' be asserted' that if these
charities and pious endo$ments had ne%er eEisted' public prosperity
in the Philippine 6slands $ould' as in other parts' ha%e been the
immediate effect of the united efforts of the indi%idual members
of the community and of the eEperience acAuired in the constant
prosecution of the same object +s' ho$e%er' a progress of this kind'
although certain' must necessarily ha%e been at first eEtremely
slo$' and as' on the other hand' the preference gi%en to mercantile
operations undertaken $ith the funds belonging to public charities'
has its origin in the assemblage of %ices so remarkable in the %ery
organiBation of the body of Philippine merchants' any ne$ measure on
this subject might be deemed inconsistent' that at once depri%ed them
of the use of resources on $hich they had been accustomed to rely'
$ithout remo%ing those other defects $hich eEcuse' if not encourage'
the continuation of the present system !ithout' therefore' appealing
to %iolent remedies' it is to be hoped that' in order to render plans
of reform effectual' it $ill be sufficient' under more propitious
circumstances' to see property brought from other countries to these
6slands' as $ell as persons coming to settle in them' capable of
managing it $ith that intelligence and economy reAuired by trade The
competition of those $ho speculate at random $ould then cease' or
$hat is the same' as money obtained at a premium could not then be
laid out $ith the same ad%antages by the merchants as if it $as their
o$n' it $ill be necessary to renounce the fallacious profits held out
by the public charities' till at least they are placed on a le%el
$ith eEisting circumstances' and brought in to be of real ser%ice
to the honorable planter and laborious merchant' in their accidental
eEigencies' ceasing to be' as hitherto' the indirect cause of idleness'
dissipation' and the ruin of an infinite number of families
2@ercantile shipping5 The %essels $hich the district magistrates of
the pro%inces employ in carrying on their trade $ith the capital and
those belonging to some of the richer merchants' together $ith such as
are o$ned by the nati%es and mestiBos' on an approEimate calculation'
amount to t$el%e thousand tons' including ships' brigs' schooners'
galleys' barges' etc For the $ant of better data' this estimate
is founded only on reasonable conjecture' aided by the ad%ice of
eEperienced persons' for although the greatest part of these %essels
are built by the nati%es in the neighborhood of their o$n to$ns' no
register is kept of their number and dimensions' nor do they carry
$ith them the usual certificates Those belonging to the merchants'
that is' ships and brigs of a certain siBe' ha%e already begun to
freAuent the ports of China' Ja%a' the coast of Coromandel' Bengal'
and the 6sle of France' a%ailing themsel%es of the lucrati%e freights
$hich formerly enriched and encouraged foreign shipping The other
class of %essels' although perfectly adeAuate to the coasting trade'
cannot in general be applied to larger enterprises' on account of
their not being sufficiently strong and capacious The seamen are
not apprenticed' or as it is usually called' matriculated' but
their freAuent crossing from island to island' their familiarity
$ith regional tempests' %oyages to %arious parts of +merica' and
the occupation of fishing follo$ed by the inhabitants of the coast'
ser%e to train up a large body of deEterous and able mariners $ho at
all times can be had' $ithout any compulsion' to complete the cre$s
2>eed of nautical school5 The $ant of a public school for the
teaching of na%igation' is' ho$e%er' sensibly felt' as $ell as great
incon%enience from the scarcity of persons capable of being trusted
$ith the command of %essels' and the ignorance that pre%ails of the
$aters of this dangerous +rchipelago "epeated royal orders ha%e
been sent o%er for the board of trade to proceed to the institution
of so useful an establishment' and in the meantime' a medium has
been resorted to in order to supply the deficiency' by allo$ing
the free admission of foreign mates' pro%ided they eEhibit proofs
of their acAuaintance $ith na%igation' and profess the Catholic
$orship 7hipo$ners ne%ertheless eEperience great difficulties'
particularly at times $hen the +capulco ship is fitting out' for
although she is considered as a %essel of $ar' and commanded by
officers of the royal na%y' the plan of her eAuipment is so singular'
that in addition' she reAuires the eEtra aid of one chief mate'
and three under ones
2"oyal Phillipine company5 The %arious modifications this corporate
body has successi%ely eEperienced' ha%e' in great measure' changed
the essence of its original constitution' and the remonstrances of
its directors' founded on the eEperience of a long series of years' at
length induced the go%ernment at home to sanction alterations dictated
by eEisting circumstances The project of raising these 6slands
from the neglected state in $hich they $ere' and in some measure to
place them in contact $ith the mother country' accompanied by a $ish
to gi%e a ne$ and great impulse to the %arious branches of industry
$hich constitute the importance of a colony' could not ha%e been more
laudable; but' as $as after$ards seen' the instrument employed $as
not adeAuate to the object in %ie$ +t the same time that the company
$ere charged to promote' and' by means of their funds' to %i%ify the
agriculture and industry of these pro%inces' the necessary po$ers
and facilities to enable them to reap the fruits of their sacrifices
$ere $ithheld The protection granted to this establishment' did not
go beyond a general recommendation in fa%or of its enterprises' and'
in short' far from enjoying the eEclusi%e preponderance obtained at
their commencement by all the other +siatic companies' that of the
Philippine 6slands labored under particular disad%antages
2)ocal progress under ad%erse conditions5 >ot$ithstanding an
organiBation so imperfect' scarcely had the agents of the ne$
Company arri%ed at @anila' $hen they distributed through the country
their numerous dependents' commissioned to encourage the nati%es
by ad%ances of money They established subaltern factories in the
Pro%inces of 6locos' Bataan' Ca%ite' and Camarines; purchased lands;
deli%ered out agricultural implements; founded manufacturies of cotton
cloths; contracted for the crops of produce at %ery high prices;
offered re$ards and' in short' they put in motion e%ery partial
resources they $ere able to a%ail themsel%es of and their limited
means allo$ed 6t $ould be eEtremely easy for me' in this place'
to enter a particular enumeration of the important ser%ices of this
kind rendered by the company' and to eEhibit' in the most e%ident
point of %ie$' the ad%antages thence deri%ed to these 6slands'
if' besides being slightly touched upon in the preceding articles'
this task had not been already ably performed by the Factor ,on Juan
Francisco =rroB' in his accurate report on this subject' addressed
to the go%erning committee of the company' in -.0I 6n justice 6 $ill
ne%ertheless obser%e' that this establishment' anEiously resol%ed to
attain the end proposed' in spite of so many obstacles' constantly
follo$ed up its eEpensi%e system $ithout being disheartened; nor
did the contrarieties $ith $hich the "oyal +udiencia' or <igh Court
of Justice' freAuently paralyBed its plans' the indifference of the
go%ernors' or the general opposition and jealousy of the other classes'
in any $ay tend to relaE its efforts' till at length' con%inced of
the impossibility of successfully contending' alone and $ithout any
other arms than its o$n reduced capital; and' on the other hand'
$ell a$are that a political body of this kind in %ain seeks to unite
$ithin itself the triple and opposite characters of agriculturalist'
manufacturer' and merchant' a determination $as taken to alter the
plan' and $ithdra$ the factories established in the pro%inces' and
by adopting a rigid economy and confining the operations in future
to the purchase of such produce and manufactured articles as suited
their trade' and $ere %oluntarily brought by the nati%es to their
stores' the eEpenses of the Company $ere curtailed' and a plan of
reform introduced into all their speculations By this means also
they al$ays secured an ad%antageous %ent for the productions of the
country' after ha%ing been the chief spring by $hich agriculture $as
promoted and encouraged in a direct manner
2<andicapped in outside trade5 The most beneficial reform' ho$e%er'
introduced by this establishment into its system' has' in reality'
been deri%ed from the %ariation or rather correction of its plans and
enterprises' purely maritime The go%ernment being desirous to increase
the relations of this colony by e%ery possible means' and to con%ert it
into a common center of all the operations of the ne$ company' at first
reAuired of the agents that the purchases and collection of goods from
the coast of Coromandel' Bengal' and China' destined for 7pain' should
take place at @anila' either by purchasing the articles in that market'
or through the medium of pre%ious contracts to deli%er them there From
this it is easy to infer' that the company $as infallibly eEposed to
the harsh terms the respecti%e contractors sought to impose upon them'
as $ell $ith regard to prices as Aualities' unless' in many cases'
they preferred being left $ithout the necessary assortments <ence may
it' $ithout the smallest eEaggeration' be affirmed' that' summing up
all the surcharges under $hich the shipments left the port of @anila'
and comparing them $ith those $hich might ha%e been sent direct from
the abo%e(mentioned points' and $ithout so eEtraordinary a dLtour
as the one prescribed by la$' the difference that follo$ed in the
prime cost of the cargos $as not less than .0 per cent The urgent
manner' ho$e%er' in $hich the directors of the company did not
cease to deplore and complain of so e%ident a hardship' at length
had the desired effect' and after eEisting ten or t$el%e years' so
preposterous a system $as successfully o%erthro$n' and permission
obtained from the king for the establishment of 7panish factories in
the neighborhood of the China and 6ndia manufactures' as $ell as the
po$er of addressing shipments direct to those foreign dominions The
enlightened policy of their respecti%e go%ernments did not allo$ them
to hesitate in gi%ing a fa%orable reception to our factors and %essels'
and the purchases and shipments of +siatic goods being thus realiBed
$ithout the old obstructions' the Company $as reasonably led to hope
being able soon to increase its operations' and progressi%ely present
more satisfactory results to the shareholders' $hen those political
con%ulsions succeeding soon after' $hich ha%e unhinged or destroyed
all the ordinary relations of trade' compelled them to abandon their
hopes' till the $ished(for calm should be again restored
2Temporary eEpedient of -.0I5 6n conseAuence of the ne$ character
and route gi%en to the commercial enterprises of the Company' as
authoriBed by a royal decree of July -/' -.0I' the functions of
the @anila factors $ere reduced to the annual shipment of a cargo
of +siatic goods to Peru' %alued at N900'000' but only as long
as the $ar lasted' and till the eEpiration of the eEtraordinary
permits granted through the goodness of the king' and also to the
transmitting to China and Bengal of the specie brought from +merica'
and the collecting of certain Auantities of indigo' sugar' or other
produce of the 6slands' $ith a %ie$ to gain by reselling it in the
same market ConseAuently' the moment things return to their pacific
and ordinary course' $ill be the period $hen the necessity of the
future eEistence of this establishment $ill cease' or at least'
$hen the propriety $ill be e%ident of its reform or assimilation to
the other commission houses' carrying on trade in #era CruB' @eEico'
etc' $hich' not being hired establishments' do not create eEpenses
$hen they cease to transact business
2Competition of foreign merchants5 +gainst a measure of this kind
it $ould be useless to allege' that' Dby the eEclusi%e pri%ilege to
introduce spirits and European effects into the colony' the Company
has contracted the obligation of al$ays keeping it properly supplied;
that their %ery institution had for the basis the general impro%ement
of the 6slands' and in order duly to comply $ith these duties' it
becomes indispensably necessary to keep up the present eEpensi%e
establishment;D for' in the first place' in order' to render it
incumbent on the company to introduce an indefinite Auantity of
European articles' it pre%iously $ould be necessary to pro%ide a %ent
for them' and this can ne%er be the case' unless the eEclusion of all
competitors in the market is rigorously carried into effect +s things
no$ are' the >orth +mericans' English' French' and e%ery other nation
that $ishes' openly usurped this pri%ilege' by constantly inundating
the 6slands $ith spirits and all kinds of effects' and it is %ery
e%ident that this same abuse $hich authoriBes the infraction of the
abo%e pri%ilege' if in that light it could in any $ay be considered'
totally eEonerates the company from all obligations by them contracted
under a different understanding Besides' the circumstances $hich
ha%e taken place since the publication of the royal decree' creating
the abo%e establishment into a corporate body' in the year -4.9'
ha%e entirely changed the order established in this respect 6n the
first place' the port of @anila has been opened to foreign nations'
in conseAuence of the disinterested representations of the company
itself' and for the direct ad%antage of general trade; nor $as it
necessary to pre%ent our ne$ guests from abusing the facilities thus
granted to them' and much less to confine them to the mere introduction
of +siatic goods' the original plea made use of 6n the second' as
soon as the inhabitants of the Philippine 6slands became familiar $ith
the more useful and elegant objects of con%enience and luEury' $hich
they $ere enabled to purchase from foreigners' at reasonable prices'
it $as natural for them to pay little regard to the superfluous aid
of the company' more particularly $hen the latter $ere no longer
able to sustain the competition' either in the sale or supply of a
multitude of articles' $hich' thanks to our o$n national simplicity'
are scarcely kno$n in 7pain' $hence their out$ard(bound cargoes are
di%ided <ence it follo$s that' far from the importation and supplies
of the company being missed' it may $ith great reason be presumed'
that this formal renunciation of this ideal pri%ilege of theirs'
must rather ha%e contributed to secure' in a permanent manner'
adeAuate supplies for all the $ants and $hims of the inhabitants of
the colony; and that the publicity of such a determination $ould act
as a fresh allurement successi%ely to bring to the port of @anila a
host of foreign speculators' anEious to a%ail themsel%es of a fresh
opening for commercial pursuits
2Company not a philanthropy5 The other objection' founded on the
mistaken notion of its being inherent in' and belonging to' the %ery
essence of the company' to promote the general impro%ement of the
Philippine 6slands' if $ell considered' $ill appear eAually unjust 6t
is' in fact' a ridiculous' although too generally recei%ed' a prejudice
to suppose' that the founders of this establishment proposed to
themsel%es the plan of sinking the money of the shareholders in
clearing the lands' and perfecting the rude manufactures of these
distant 6slands To imagine this to ha%e been one of the principal
objects of the institution' or to suppose that' on this hard condition'
their %arious pri%ileges and eEemptions $ere granted to them' is so
far from the reality of the fact' that it $ould only be necessary
to read $ith attention the /Hth article of the Auoted royal decree
of creation' in order more correctly to comprehend the origin and
constituti%e system of this political body
DThe latter'D says the ,uke de +lmodo%ar' Dis reduced to t$o principal
points* the first of $hich is the carrying of the trade of +sia
$ith that of +merica and Europe; and the second' the encouragement
and impro%ement of the productions and manufacturing industry of
the 6slands The one is the essential attribute of the company'
constituting its real character of a mercantile society; and' in the
other respect' it becomes an auEiliary of the go%ernment' to $hom
the duties alluded to more immediately belongD 6f to the abo%e $e
add the preamble of the 1Ird article of the ne$ decree of -.0I' the
recommendation' made to the company' to contribute to the prosperity
of the agriculture and manufacturing industry of the 6slands' $ill
appear as a limited and secondary consideration; for e%en if the
Auestion $ere carried to eEtremes' it could ne%er eEtend to any more
than the application of four per cent of the annual profits of the
company indistinctly to both branches 6f' ho$e%er' any doubts still
remained' the eEplanation or solution recently gi%en to this Auestion
$ould certainly remo%e them; because' by the simple fact of its being
eEpressed in the latter part of the aforesaid 1Ird article' 2Profit
percent to go to 7pain5 DThat the abo%e(mentioned four per cent $as to
be laid out' $ith the kingCs approbation' in behalf of the agriculture
and manufacturing industry of 7pain and the Philippine 6slands'D it is
clear that the king reser%es and appropriates to himself the in%estment
of the amount to be deducted from the general di%idends' in order to
apply it $here and ho$ may be deemed most ad%isable ConseAuently'
far from considering the company in that respect under an obligation to
contribute to the impro%ement of the Philippines eEclusi%ely' the only
thing that can be reAuired of them' $hen their charter is $ithdra$n'
is' the repayment to the royal treasury of the four per cent on their
profits' for a purpose so %aguely defined 6n follo$ing up this same
train of argument' it $ould seem that' in order to render the amount
to be deducted from the e%entual profits of the company' in the course
of time' a producti%e capital in the hands of the so%ereign' the funds
of the society not only ought not to be di%erted to the continuation
of projects $hich consume them' but' on the contrary' it is necessary
to place at their disposal the direct means by $hich these funds can
be increased' in order to make up to the company in some measure the
enormous losses eEperienced of late years' and at once free their
commerce from the shackles $ith $hich it has hitherto been obstructed
2>eed of special pri%ileges5 Finally' after t$enty(four years of
impotent and gratuitous efforts in the Philippines' and of the most
obstinate opposition on the part of their ri%als' it is no$ time for
the company' by gi%ing up the ungrateful struggle' to reform in e%ery
respect their eEpensi%e establishment in @anila' and to direct their
principal endea%ors to carry into effect the project so imperfectly
traced out in the ne$ decree of -.0I The opinion of the most %ehement
enemies of the pri%ileged bodies tacitly appro%es this eEception in
their fa%or +dam 7mith' a%o$edly hostile to all monopolies' feels
himself compelled to confess that' D$ithout the incenti%es $hich
eEclusi%e companies offer to the indi%iduals of a nation carrying
on little trade' possibly their confined capitals $ould cease to be
destined to the remote and uncertain enterprises $hich constitute a
commerce $ith the East 6ndiesD
27panish commerce in its infancy5 8ur commerce' compared $ith that
of other nations' not$ithstanding $hat may be said on this subject'
is most assuredly yet in a state of infancy That $ith +sia' more
especially' $ith the eEception of the "oyal Company' is almost unkno$n
to all other classes 6f it is' therefore' $ished to eEclude our many
ri%als from so lucrati%e a branch of trade as that $hich constitutes
supplies for the consumption of the Peninsula and its dependencies' the
means are ob%ious The most material fact is in fact already done The
na%igation to the %arious ports of +sia is familiar to the companyCs
na%y; their factors and clerks ha%e acAuired a practical kno$ledge of
that species of trade' essential to the undertaking' as $ell as such
information as $as at first unkno$n; but' after the great misfortune
this body has eEperienced' it $ill be indispensably necessary to aid
and in%igorate them $ith large supplies of money' follo$ing the eEample
of other go%ernments in similar cases; in order that the successful
issue of their future operations may compensate their past losses'
and $orthily correspond $ith the magnitude of the object
2Philippines a burden to 7pain5 This +siatic colony' although
considered as conferring great lustre on the cro$n and name of our
monarch' by eEhibiting the %ast eEtent of the limits of his dominions'
has in reality been' during a long series of years' a true burden
to the go%ernment' or at least' a possession $hose chief ad%antages
ha%e redounded in fa%or of other po$ers' ri%als of our maritime
importance >ot$ithstanding all that has been said on the score of
real utility' certain it is' that the Philippine establishment has
cost the treasury large sums of money; although' $ithin the last
t$enty(fi%e or thirty years' it must be confessed that the public
re%enues has eEperienced a considerable increase' and' of itself'
has become an object of some conseAuence to the state
2Profit from tobacco monopoly and foreign trade5 +mong the %arious
causes $hich ha%e contributed to produce so fa%orable an alteration'
the chief one ha%e been the establishment of the tobacco monopoly'
on behalf of the cro$n' and the opening of the port of @anila to the
flag of other nations' at peace $ith 7pain The first has considerably
increased the entries into the public treasury' and the second
has tended to multiply the general mass of mercantile operations'
independent of the other beneficial effects this last measure must
ha%e produced in a country' $hose resources' trade and consumption
had' from the time of the conAuest' eEperienced the fatal shackles
imposed by jealousy and ignorance
26mpro%ement in public finances5 The impro%ed aspect the colony
soon assumed' by the introduction of this ne$ system' as $as natural'
a$akened the attention of ministers' and induced them more easily to
consent to the measures subseAuently proposed to them' principally
intended to place those distant dominions on a footing of permanent
security' so as to enable them to repel any fresh attempts on the part
of an enemy +s' ho$e%er' the productions of the country increased'
the public eEpenses also became greater' although al$ays in a much
smaller proportion' $ith the eEception of the inter%al bet$een the
years -4:4 and -.0/' $hen the go%ernment' fearful of a second in%asion'
$as compelled' at its o$n eEpense' to pro%ide against the danger $ith
$hich these 6slands $ere then threatened 6f' therefore' as appears
from the official reports of the treasurer(general' )arBabal' in my
possession' the receipts at the treasury' in -4.0' amounted only to
N400'000 including the situado' or annual allo$ance for the eEpenses
of go%ernment sent from >e$ 7pain' and after the ordinary charges of
administration had been paid' a surplus of N-40'000 remained in the
hands of the treasurer; at present $e ha%e the satisfaction to find
that the re%enue is eAual to N/'H/9'-4H90 and the eEpenses do not
eEceed N/'-4:'4I-.4 by $hich means an annual surplus of N119'111H/
is left' applicable to the payment of the debt contracted during the
eEtraordinary period abo%e mentioned' no$ reduced to about N:00'000 and
after$ards transferable to the general funds belonging to the cro$n
2Economy o%er 7panish(+merican colonial administration5 !ith regard
to the administrati%e system' it is in e%ery respect similar to the
one obser%ed in our go%ernments of +merica' $ith this difference only'
that' in the Philippine 6slands' greater economy pre%ails in salaries'
as $ell as in the number of persons employed 6n former times' the
establishment of intendencies' or boards of administration' $as deemed
eEpedient in @anila' 6locos' Camarines' 6loilo' and Cebu; but they
$ere soon after$ards reformed' or rather laid aside' on account of
their being deemed superfluous 6 $ould %enture to state the grounds
on $hich this opinion $as then formed; but' as the sphere in $hich
the kingCs re%enue acts in these 6slands increases and eEtends' $hich
naturally $ill be the case if the plans and impro%ements dictated
by the present fa%orable circumstances are carried into effect' 6 do
not hesitate to say that it $ill be necessary again to appeal to the
establishment of a greater number of boards for the management and
collection of the %arious branches of the re%enue' $hether they are
called intendencies' or by any other name; as it $ill be eEtremely
difficult for the administration to do its duty' on the confined and
inadeAuate plan under $hich it is at present organiBed
2Fiscal system5 =nder its eEisting form' it is constituted in the
follo$ing manner* The go%ernor of the 6slands' in his Auality of
superintendent or administrator general' and as uniting in himself
the po$ers of intendent of the army' presides at the board of
administration of the kingCs re%enue' $hich is placed in the immediate
charge of a treasurer and t$o clerks The principal branches ha%e their
respecti%e general directors' on $hom the pro%incial administrators
depend' and the ci%il magistrates' in the Auality of sub(delegates'
collect $ithin their respecti%e districts' the tributes paid by the
nati%es in money and produce' and manage e%erything else relating
to the kingCs re%enue 6n ordinary cases' the general la$s of the
6ndies go%ern' and especially are the ordinances or regulations of
the 6ntendents of >e$ 7pain F@eEicoG ordered to be obser%ed in the
Philippines 6t ought further to be obser%ed' that' in these 6slands'
the same as in all the %ice(royalties and go%ernments of +merica' there
is a distinct body of royal decrees in force' $hich' in themsel%es'
constitute a code of considerable siBe
28pposition to tobacco monopoly5 The process of con%erting the
consumption of tobacco into a monopoly met $ith a most obstinate
resistance on the part of the inhabitants' and the greatest
circumspection and constancy $ere necessary for the go%ernor' ,on
JosL Basco' to carry this arduous enterprise into effect +ccustomed
to the culti%ation of this plant $ithout any restriction $hate%er'
and habituated to its use from their infancy' it appeared to the people
the eEtreme of rashness to seek simultaneously to eEtirpate it from the
face of the greatest part of the 6sland of )uBon' in order to confine
its culture $ithin the narro$ limits of a particular district They
$ere eAually re%olted at the idea of gi%ing to a common article a
high and arbitrary %alue' $hen' besides' it had become one of the
first necessity E%ery circumstance' ho$e%er' being dispassionately
considered' and the principle once admitted that it $as eEpedient for
the colony to maintain itself by means the least burdensome to the
inhabitants' it certainly must be ackno$ledged that' although odious
on account of its no%elty and defecti%e in the mode of its eEecution'
a resource more producti%e and at the same time less injurious' could
not ha%e been de%ised <ence $as it that the partisans of the opposite
system $ere strangely misled' by founding their calculation on false
data' $hen they alleged that a substitute' eAui%alent to the increased
re%enue supposed to arise out of the monopoly of tobacco' might ha%e
been resorted to by ordering a proportionate rise in the branch of
tributes 6n fact' no one $ho had the least eEperience in matters of
this kind' can be ignorant of the open repugnance the nati%es ha%e
al$ays e%inced to the payment of the ordinary head(taE FcedulaG'
and the broils to $hich its collection has gi%en rise Besides'
if $ell eEamined' no theory is more defecti%e and more oppressi%e
on account of the disparity $ith $hich it operates' than this same
$rongly(boasted impost; for' ho$e%er desirous it may be to simplify
the method of collecting the general re%enue of a state' if the best
plan is to be adopted' that is' if public burdens are to be rendered
the least obnoEious' it is necessary preferably to embrace the system
of indirect contribution' in $hich class' to a certain degree' the
monopoly of all those articles may be considered as included $hich are
not rigorously of the first necessity' and only compel the indi%idual
to contribute $hen his o$n $ill induce him to become a consumer
2,oubling of insular re%enue thru tobacco5 )et this be as it may'
certain it is' that to Go%ernor Basco $e are indebted for ha%ing
doubled the annual amount of the re%enue of these 6slands' by merely
rendering the consumption of tobacco subser%ient to the $ants of the
cro$n 6t $as he $ho placed these 6slands in the comfortable situation
of being able to subsist $ithout being dependent on eEternal supplies
of money to meet the eEigencies of go%ernment 6t ought' ho$e%er' to
be remarked that' although they ha%e been in the habit of recei%ing
the annual allo$ance of N/90'000 for $hich a standing credit $as
opened by the go%ernment at home on the general treasury of >e$
7pain' considerable sums ha%e' ne%ertheless' on %arious occasions'
been remitted from the Philippines to 7pain' through the channel of
the Captain(General ; ; ; 6f these remittances ha%e been suspended
for some years past' it has e%idently been o$ing to the imperious
necessity of applying the ordinary proceeds of the re%enue' as $ell
as other eEtraordinary means' to unforeseen contingencies arising
out of peculiar circumstances
2Tobacco belt5 The planting and culti%ation of tobacco are no$
confined to the district of Gapan' in Pampanga Pro%ince' to that of
Cagayan' and to the small 6sland of @arinduAue The amount of the
crops raised in the abo%e three points and sold to the king' may'
on an a%erage' be estimated at fifty thousand bales' gro$n in the
follo$ing proportion* Gapan' forty(se%en thousand bales; Cagayan'
t$o thousand' and @arinduAue' one thousand This stock' resold at the
monopoly prices' yields a sum eAual to about one million of dollars'
and deducting therefrom the prime cost and all other eEpenses'
legally chargeable on this branch' the net proceeds in fa%or of the
re%enue amount to N990'000 or up$ards of one hundred t$enty(t$o per
cent This profit is so much more secure' as it rests on the positi%e
fact that' ho$e%er great the Auantity of the article sold furti%ely and
by e%ading the %igilance of the guards' as the demand and consumption
are eEcessi%e and al$ays eEceed the stock on hand' a ready sale cannot
fail to be had for all the stock placed in the hands of the agents
of the monopoly From this it may also be inferred ho$ much the net
proceeds of this branch $ould be increased' if $ithout %enturing too
far in eEtending the plantations and conseAuent purchases' care $as
taken to render the supplies more proportionate to the consumption;
for' by a clear profit of one hundred t$enty(t$o per cent' falling
on a larger capital' it follo$s that a corresponding result $ould
be obtained 6n a $ord' the sales' far from declining or being in
any $ay deemed precarious' are susceptible of a great increase'
conseAuently this branch of re%enue merits the serious attention of
go%ernment beyond all others
2,efecti%e sales system5 6t is' ho$e%er' to be lamented that'
instead of e%ery facility being gi%en to the sale of tobacco and the
consumption thus encouraged' the public meet $ith great difficulties
and eEperience such freAuent obstacles and deficiencies in the
supplies' that $ith truth it may also be said' the sales are affected
in spite of the administrators themsel%es 6n the capital alone it
is a generally recei%ed opinion that a third part more $ould there
be consumed' if' instead of compelling the purchaser to recei%e the
tobacco already manufactured or folded' he $as allo$ed to take it from
the stores in its primiti%e state; and if the minor establishments
in the pro%inces $ere constantly supplied $ith good Aualities' an
infinitely larger Auantity might be sold' and by this means a great
deal of smuggling also pre%ented 7uch' ho$e%er' is the neglect and
irregularity in this department' that it freAuently happens in to$ns
some$hat distant from @anila' no other tobacco is to be met $ith
than $hat the smugglers sell' and if' perchance' any is to be found
in the monopoly stores' it is usually of the $orst Auality that can
be imagined
2)oss from pre%entable causes5 6 pass o%er' in silence' the other
defects gradually introduced' as e%ils' in a greater or lesser degree'
inseparable from this part of public administration in e%ery country
in $hich it has been deemed necessary to establish monopolies; but 6
cannot refrain from again insisting on the urgency $ith $hich those
in po$er ought to de%ote themsel%es' firmly and diligently' to the
destruction of abuses $hich ha%e hitherto paralyBed the progress of
the branch in Auestion' because 6 am $ell persuaded' that' $hene%er
corresponding means are adopted' it $ill be possible in a short
time to double the proceeds !hat these means are' it is not easy'
nor indeed essential' to particulariBe in a rapid sketch' like this'
of the leading features and present state of the Philippine 6slands 6
shall' therefore' merely remark' that it $ill be in %ain to $ish the
persons engaged in the management of this department to eEert their
real Beal and sincerely co(operate in the %ie$s of go%ernment' as
long as they are not placed beyond the necessity of follo$ing other
pursuits and gaining a li%elihood in another $ay; in a $ord' unless
they ha%e a salary assigned them' corresponding to the confidence and
%alue of the important object entrusted to their charge' no plan of
reform can be rendered efficient
2+buses by re%enue officers5 +t the same time steps are taken to
augment the re%enue arising out of tobacco' it $ould be desirable'
as much as possible' to impro%e the methods used $ith regard to those
$ho gather in the crops' by endea%oring to relie%e them from the hea%y
conditions imposed upon them; conditions $hich' besides eEposing them
to the odious effects of re%enue(la$s' by their %ery nature bring upon
them many unpleasant conseAuences' and often total ruin 6n order that
a correct opinion may be formed of these defects' it $ill suffice to
obser%e that' under preteEt of pre%enting smuggling' the guards and
their agents $atch' %isit' and' if 6 may use the eEpression' li%e
among the plantations from the moment the tobacco(seedlings appear
abo%e ground' till the crops are gathered in +fter compelling the
Filipino planter to cut off the head of the stem' in order that the
plant may not become too luEurious' the sur%eyors then proceed to
set do$n' not only the number of plants culti%ated on each estate'
but e%en the %ery lea%es of each' distinguishing their siE Aualities'
in order to call the farmers to account' respecti%ely' $hen they
make a defecti%e deli%ery into the general stores 6n the latter
case' they are compelled to pro%e the death of the plants and e%en
to account for the lea%es missing $hen counted o%er again' under the
penalty of being eEposed to the rigor of the re%enue la$s
2Burdensome and unprofitable inspection5 6t cannot indeed be denied
that by this means t$o important objects are attained' at one and the
same time; the one' the gradual impro%ement of the tobacco' and the
other' the greater difficulty of secreting the article; but' on the
other hand' ho$ great are the incon%eniences incurredQ 6ndependent of
the singularity and conseAuent oppression of a regulation of this kind'
as $ell as its too great minuteness and complication' it is attended
$ith %ery considerable eEpenses' and renders it necessary to keep on
foot a $hole army of guards and clerks' $ho tyranniBe o%er and harass
the people $ithout any real moti%e for such great scrupulosity and
profusion 6 make this obser%ation because 6 cannot help thinking
that the same results might nearly be obtained' by adopting a more
simple and better regulated system 6 am not eEactly a$are of the one
follo$ed in the 6sland of Cuba' but as far as 6 understand the matter'
it is simply reduced to this* the gro$ers there merely present their
bales to the inspectors' and if pronounced to be sound and good' the
stipulated amount is paid o%er to them; but if the Auality is bad'
the $hole is in%ariably burnt Thus all sales detrimental to the
public re%enue are pre%ented' and 6 do not see $hy the same steps
could not be taken in the Philippine 6slands 6t must not' ho$e%er'
be understood' that 6 presume to speak in a decisi%e tone on a subject
so eEtremely delicate' and that reAuires great practical information'
$hich' 6 readily ackno$ledge' 6 do not possess 6 merely $ish by means
of these slight hints' to contribute to the commencement of a reform
in abuses' and to promote the adoption of a plan that may ha%e for
basis the relief of the gro$ers' and at the same time ad%ance the
prosperity of this part of the royal re%enue
2Coco and nipa $ine monopoly5 The monopoly of coco and nipa' or
palm($ine' is a branch of public re%enue of sufficient magnitude to
merit the second place among the resources rendered a%ailable to
the eEpenditure of these 6slands' con%erted into a monopoly some
years ago 6n like manner as the consumption of tobacco' it has
eEperienced se%eral changes in its plan of administration' this
being at one time carried on' for account of the king' at others'
by the pri%ilege being let out at auction; till at length the Board
of Control' con%inced of the great profit gained by the contractors'
resol%ed at once to take the direction of this departure under their
o$n charge' and make arrangement for its better administration <a%ing
$ith this %ie$ established general deposits and licensed houses for
the sale of nati%e $ine' $ith proper superintending clerks they soon
began to reap the fruits of so judicious a determination 6n -4.0'
the pri%ilege of selling the coco and nipa $ine $as farmed out' to the
highest bidder' for no more than N19'/00 and subseAuently the increase
has been so great' o$ing to the impro%ements adopted' that at present
net proceeds eAual to N/00'000 on an a%erage may be relied upon 6n
proof of this' the proceeds of this branch' in the year -.0:' may be
Auoted' $hen the total balances recei%ed at the Treasury' after all
eEpenses had been paid' amounted to N//-'1/H' in the follo$ing manner*
+dministration of @anila and district N/0-'/90
+dministration of )a Pampanga and district -/'/:1
+dministration of Pangasinan and district 4'../
((((
N//-'1/H
The prime cost and other eEpenses that year amounted to no more than
N-H.'994 by $hich means' on the $hole operation' a net profit of
thirteen and one(half per cent resulted in fa%or of the treasury
2!ine monopoly district5 The monopoly of nati%e $ine comprehends
the $hole of the 6sland of )uBon' eEcepting the Pro%inces of Cagayan'
Tambales' >ue%a Ecija' Camarines and +lbay' and is under the direction
of three administrators' $ho act independently of each other in their
respecti%e districts' and ha%e at their disposal a competent number
of guards These administrators recei%e in the licensed establishments
the coco and nipa $ines' at prices stipulated by the gro$ers That of
the coco is paid for at the rate of t$o dollars per jar' containing
t$enty gantas' eAual to t$el%e arrobas' se%en aBumbres and half a
cuartillo' Castilian measure' and at fourteen reals in the places
nearest the depots The nipa $ine is laid at siE and one(half reals
the jar' indistinctly; prices $hich' although eEtremely lo$' are still
considered ad%antageous by the Filipinos themsel%es' more particularly
$hen it is besides understood' that' from the circumstance of their
being gro$ers of this article' they are eEempted from military ser%ice'
as $ell as se%eral other taEes and public charges
2Coco($ine5 The coco($ine is a $eak spirit' obtained in the follo$ing
manner* The tree that produces this fruit is cro$ned by an assemblage
of large flo$ers or corollas' from the center or caliE of $hich issues
a fleshy stem' filled $ith juice The 6ndian cuts the eEtremity of
this stem' and inclining the remainder in a lateral manner' introduces
it into a large hollo$ tube $hich remains suspended' and is found
full of s$eet and sticky liAuor' $hich the tree in this manner yields
t$ice in e%ery t$enty(four hours 2DTubaD5 This liAuid' called tuba'
in the language of the country' is allo$ed to ferment for eight days
in a large %essel' and after$ards distilled by the 6ndians in their
uncouth stills' $hich are no other than large boilers' $ith a head
made of lead or tin' rendered tight by means of clay' and $ith a
pipe freAuently made out of a simple cane' $hich con%eys the spirit
to the recei%ing %essels' $ithout passing' like the serpentine tube
used in ordinary stills' through the cooling %ats' $hich so greatly
tends to correct the %ices of a too Auick e%aporation The tuba'
obtained in le%el and hot situations' is much more spirituous than
that produced in cold and shady places 6n the first' siE jars of
juice are sufficient to yield one of spirit' and in the latter'
as many as eight are reAuisite; a much greater number' ho$e%er'
$ould be $anted to rectify this spirit so as to render it eAual to
$hat is usually kno$n by <ollands proof 6 am not positi%ely certain
$hat degree of strength the coco(brandy' or as it is usually called
coco($ine' possesses' but it is e%idently inferior to the $eakest made
in 7pain from the juice of the grape The only circumstance reAuired
for it to be appro%ed of' and recei%ed into the monopoly(stores'
is its being easily ignited by the application of a lighted candle
2>ipa brandy5 The nipa is a small tree of the class of palms' $hich
gro$s in a %ery bushy form' and multiplies and prospers greatly on
the margins of ri%ers and $atery tracts of land The tuba' or juice'
is eEtracted from the tree $hilst in its flo$ering state' in the same
$ay as that of the coco' and after$ards distilled by a similar process;
but it is more spirituous' from siE to siE and a half jars being
sufficient to yield one of $ine The great difference remarked in the
prices of these t$o species of liAuor' arises out of the great number
of uses to $hich the fruit of the cocal or coco tree is applicable'
and the increase of eEpense and labor reAuisite to obtain the juice'
o$ing to the great height of the plant' and the freAuent dangers to
$hich the caritones' or gatherers' are eEposed in passing from one
tree to another' $hich they do by sliding along a simple cane FbambooG
2)ittle drunkenness5 The impost on' or rather monopoly of' nati%e
$ine' is in itself little burdensome to the community' as it only
falls on the lo$er and most dissipated orders in society' and for this
reason it is not susceptible of the same increase as that of tobacco'
of $hich the use is more general' and no$ become an object of the
first necessity The nati%e of the Philippine 6slands is' by nature'
so sober' that the spectacle of a drunken man is seldom noticed in
the streets; in the capital' $here the most corrupt classes of them
reside' it is admirable to see the general abstinence from a %ice
that degrades the human species The consumption of the coco and
nipa $ine is' ne%ertheless' considerable' for it is used in all their
festi%ities' cock(fights' games' marriages' etc +ccordingly if it is
desired to augment the annual sale of these liAuors' no $ay could be
more efficient than to increase the number of their festi%e meetings'
and seek preteEts to encourage public di%ersions' so long as these do
not go contrary to the $ell(regulated order of society' and conflict
$ith the duties of those $ho are intrusted $ith its superintendence
2EEtension of monopoly urged5 6 am still of opinion' ho$e%er' that'
$ithout resting the prosperity of this branch of the public re%enue on
principles possessed of so immoral a tendency' it might be rendered
more producti%e to the treasury' if the monopoly could be introduced
into the other districts adapted to its establishment By this 6
mean to say that' as hitherto the monopoly has been partial' and
enforced more in the $ay of a trial than in a general and permanent
manner' much remains to be done' and conseAuently great scope is
left for impro%ement in this department of the public re%enue This
most assuredly may be attained' if all the local circumstances and
impediments' more or less superable' $hich the matter itself presents'
are only taken into due account' and proper eEertions made to study
and disco%er the %arious indirect means of increasing the total mass
of contributions' by applying a system more producti%e and analogous
to the nature of the Philippine 6slands !ith regard to the re%enue of
the t$o particular articles abo%e treated on' 6 merely $ish to make
it understood that' far from introducing by means of the monopoly'
a ne$ %ice into the pro%inces in $hich 6 recommend its establishment'
it $ould rather act' in a certain degree at least' as a correcti%e
to pre(eEisting e%ils' and the go%ernment $ould deri%e ad%antages
from an article of luEury' by subjecting its consumption to the
same shackles under $hich it stands in the northern pro%inces' $here
its administration is established and carried on for account of the
royal treasury
2Former customs usage5 6n former times' $hen only %essels belonging to
the +siatic nations %isited the port of @anila' $ith effects from the
coast of Coromandel' or the China junks' and no$ and then a 7panish
%essel coming from or going to the 6sland of Ja%a' $ith spices for
account of Philippine merchants' the receipt of duties $as left in
charge of a single royal officer' and the %aluations of merchandise
made by him' in concert $ith t$o merchants named by the go%ernment; but
$ith the kno$ledge and assistance of the kingCs attorney(general The
modifications and changes $hich ha%e subseAuently taken place in this
department ha%e' ho$e%er' been freAuent' as is e%idently sho$n by the
historical eEtract from the proceedings instituted before the Council
of the 6ndies' by the merchants of 7e%ille and CadiB' in opposition to
those of the Philippine 6slands' printed in @adrid' -4IH' in folio'
by order of the said council; but as it does not enter into my %ie$s
to speak of times so remote' 6 shall confine my remarks to this branch
considered under its present form
2Custom house5 6n conformity to royal orders of @arch -9 and @ay 9'
-4.H' the "oyal Custom <ouse of @anila $as definiti%ely organiBed on
its ne$ plan; and from -4..' $as placed under the immediate charge
of an administrator(general' a controller' a treasurer' aided by a
competent number of guards' inspectors' etc' and in e%ery respect
regulated on the plan established in the other custom houses The
freedom of the port being granted to foreign nations' a pri%ilege
before enjoyed only by those purely +siatic' and a ne$ line of trade
commenced by the company' the competition in merchandise soon began
to increase' as $ell as the re%enue arising therefrom' in such manner
that' although the eEportation of goods $as limited to the cargo of
the +capulco ship' of $hich the duties are not payable till her arri%al
there; not$ithstanding also the property imported by the company from
China and 6ndia' and destined for their o$n shipments' $as eEempt
from duties' and abo%e all' the continual interruptions eEperienced
by the maritime commerce of the 6slands $ithin the last fifteen or
t$enty years' the net proceeds of the custom house' from the period
abo%e mentioned of its establishment' till the close of -.0:' ha%e not
been less than from N-I.'000 to N-10'000' on an a%erage' independent
of the amount of the kingCs fifth on the gold of the country' $hich
is collected by the same administrator' in conseAuence of its being
tri%ial; as $ell as the t$o per cent belonging to the Board of Trade'
and by them collected under that title' and after$ards separately
applied to the a%erage(fund and $hich usually may be estimated from
N/0'000 to N/9'000
The general duties no$ le%ied in the custom house' are the follo$ing*
2Port charges and duties5 7iE per cent almojarisfago is on all
kinds of merchandise imported in foreign bottoms' under a %aluation
made by the sur%eyors' in conformity to the respecti%e prices of
the market at the time on importation; it usually is regulated by
an increase of 90` on the prime cost of 6ndia goods' and of II -KI`
on those from China This duty may be considered as' in fact' eAual
to nine per cent on the former' and eight on the latter
7iE per cent' or the same duty' on all foreign goods' although imported
in national bottoms
Three per cent on 7panish goods' imported under the national flag'
eAual' according to the abo%e estimate to 1 and 1 -K/`
T$o per cent Board of Trade duty' indistinctly on all foreign property'
eAui%alent to / -K/ or I`
T$enty(fi%e per cent anchorage dues' le%ied on the total amount of
the almojarisfago duty
+n additional of t$o and one(half per cent' a ne$ and temporary duty'
called sub%encion' appropiated to the payment of the loan made to
the king by the CadiB Board of Trade' and le%iable on all kinds of
imported goods' and' of course' eAual' according to the usual mode
of %aluation' to about three per cent
Three per cent on the eEportation of coined sil%er and gold of the
country' in dust and' ingots
+n additional or duty of sub%encion' or temporary duty on the abo%e'
eAual to one(half per cent
8ne and a half per cent under the same rate' on all kinds of goods'
and eAual to t$o or t$o and one half per cent
8ne and one(half per cent on the amount of the cargo of the +capulco
ship' on lea%ing the port of @anila' eAual to IK1` on the real
prime cost
27light concession to the Company5 The company are considered in
the same light as the rest of the merchants' in the graduation and
payment of duties' on such goods as they sell out of their o$n stores
for local consumption' to the Company' $ith the eEemption only of
the Board of Trade rate of /` and I`' on the eEportation of sil%er'
according to a special pri%ilege' and in conformity to the H-st
+rticle of the ne$ royal decree of -.0I
Besides the duties abo%e enumerated' there is another trifling one
established for local purposes of peso merchante' being a rate for the
use of the kingCs scales' le%ied according to an eEtremely eAuitable
tariff' on certain articles only of solid $eight' such as iron' copper'
etc The ra$ materials as $ell as all kinds of manufactured articles'
belonging to the 6slands' are eEempt from duties on their entry in
the port and ri%er of @anila; but some of the first are subject to
the most unjust of all eEactions' that is' to an arbitrary taE and
to the obligation of being retailed out on board the %essels in $hich
they ha%e been brought do$n' and deli%erable only to persons bearing
a $ritten order' signed by the sitting members of the municipal
corporation +mong this class of articles may be mentioned the coco
of Cebu and the $aE and oil of the Bisayas' $hich are rated as objects
of the first necessity
2=nder%aluation of galleon goods5 !ith regard to the respecti%e
duties on the cargo annually dispatched by the merchants of @anila
to >e$ 7pain' the practice of galleon is tolerably $ell regulated +n
eEtreme latitude is gi%en to the moderate rates at $hich it is ordered
to %alue the goods contained in the manifest' by $hich means these are
freAuently put do$n at only one(half of their original prime cost;
the commission to frame the scale of %aluations $hich is to be in
force for fi%e years' after $hich time it is rene$ed' being left
to three merchants' and made subject to the re%ision of the kingCs
attorney(general FfiscalG and the approbation of the go%ernor;
conseAuently' such being the nature of the tariff on $hich these
operations are founded' the II -KI` to $hich the royal duties amount
on the N900'000 stipulated in the permit' does not' in fact' affect
the shipper beyond the rate of -9 per cent' in conseAuence of the
great difference bet$een the prime cost and %aluation of the articles
corresponding to the permit; or' $hat is the same thing' bet$een
the N900'000 nominal %alue' and N-'-00'000 or N-'/00'000' the real
amount of the cargo in Auestion The most remarkable circumstance'
ho$e%er' is' that the officers of the re%enue in +capulco collect
the abo%e(mentioned II -KI` in absolute conformity to the @anila
%aluation' and not according to the %alue of the goods in +merica'
and $ithout any other formality than a comparison of the cargo $ith
the shipCs papers 6n honor of truth' it ought to be further obser%ed
that' although the @anila merchant by this means seeks to eEempt
himself from the part of the enormous duties $ith $hich it has been
attempted to paralyBe the only commercial intercourse he carries on
$ith >e$ 7pain' in e%ery other respect connected $ith this operation'
he acts in a sufficiently legal manner' and if at their return those
%essels ha%e been in the habit of bringing back near a million of
dollars in a smuggled $ay' it must be ackno$ledged that it is the
harshness of the la$ $hich compels the merchant to become a smuggler;
for according to the strange regulation by $hich he is th$arted in the
returns representing the proceeds of his out$ard operation' he must
either bring the money to the Philippine 6slands $ithout ha%ing it
declared on the shipCs papers' or be obliged to lea%e the greatest
part of it in the hands of others' subject to such contingencies
as happen in trade +s long' therefore' as the present limitations
subsist' $hich only authoriBe returns eAual to double the %alue of
the out$ard(bound cargo' this species of contraband $ill ine%itably
continue The go%ernors also' actuated by the principles of reason
and natural justice' $ill' as they ha%e hitherto done' $ink at the
infraction of the fiscal la$s; a forbearance' in fact' indirectly
beneficial to them' inasmuch as it e%entually contributes to the
general impro%ement of the colony 6ndeed' $ithout this species of
judicious condescension' trade $ould soon stand still for the $ant
of the necessary funds to carry it on
2=nbusinesslike custom $ays5 6t $ill readily be ackno$ledged
that' in like manner as the good organiBation of custom houses is
fa%orable to the progress of general commerce' so nothing is more
injurious to its gro$th and the enterprise of merchants' than any
uncertainty or arbitrary conduct in the le%ying of duties to be
paid by them This arises out of the circumstance of e%ery merchant'
entering on a ne$ speculation' being anEious to ha%e' as the principal
ground $ork of his combinations' a perfect kno$ledge of the eEact
amount of his disbursements' in order to be enabled to calculate the
final result $ith some degree of certainty Considered in this point
of %ie$' the system adopted in the 6slands is certainly deplorable'
since it must be ackno$ledged that the principles and common rules of
all other commercial countries' are there unkno$n For eEample; this
year a cargo arri%es from China or Bengal' and the captain turns in
his manifest The custom(house sur%eyors then commence the %aluation
of the goods of $hich his cargo is composed* 6 say they commence'
because it is a common thing for them not to ha%e finished the estimate
of the scale and amount of corresponding duties' till the eEpiration
of t$o' four' and not unfreAuently siE months The rule they affect to
follo$' in this %aluation' is that of the prices current in the market'
and in order to ascertain $hat these are' they are seen going round
inAuiring in the shops of the 7angleys FChineseG' till at length'
finding it useless to go in search of correct and concurrent data'
in a place $here there are neither brokers nor public auctions' they
are forced to determine in an arbitrary manner' and as the adage goes'
al$ays take good care to see their employers on the right side of the
hedge The grand $ork being ended' $ith all this form and proliEity'
the sentence of the sur%eyors is irre%ocable The bondsman of the
captain' $ho' in the mean$hile' has usually sold his cargo and departed
$ith a fresh one for another destination' pays in the amount of the
duties' thus regulated by la$
2#ariations in %aluations5 The practical defects and injurious
conseAuences of such a system as this' it $ould be unnecessary
to particulariBe 6t $ould' ho$e%er' be less intolerable' if'
once put in force' it could ser%e the merchant as a guide in the
%aluations of his property for a determined number of successi%e
years !hat' ho$e%er' renders this assessment more prejudicial'
is its instability and uncertainty' and the repetition of the same
operation 6 ha%e just described e%ery year' and $ith e%ery cargo that
arri%es; but under distinct %aluations' according to the reports
or humor of the day Besides these great defects and irregularity'
the Philippine custom house obser%es the singular practice of not
allo$ing the temporary landing of goods entered in transitu and for
re(eEportation' as is done on the bonding system in all countries
$here eEertions are made by those in authority for the eEtension and
impro%ement of commerce in e%ery possible $ay 8f course' much less
$ill they consent to the dra$back or return of any part of the duties
on goods entered out$ards' e%en though they are still on board the
%ery %essels in $hich they originally came shipped Beyond all doubt'
the $rongly understood se%erity of such a system' has' and $ill'
continue to pre%ent many %essels from freAuenting the port of @anila'
and trying the market' unable to rely on the same liberal treatment
they can meet $ith in other places
2The areca(nut5 The bonga' or areca(nut' is the fruit of a %ery
high palm(tree' not unlike the one that bears the date' and the
nuts' similar to the latter' hang in great clusters from belo$ the
protuberance of the lea%es or branches 6ts figure and siBe resemble
a common nut' but solid' like the nutmeg ,i%ided into small pieces'
it is placed in the center of a small ball made of the tender lea%es
of the buyo or betel pepper' lightly co%ered $ith slacked lime'
and this composition constitutes the celebrated betel of +sia' or'
as it is here called' the buyo' the latter differing from that used
in 6ndia' inasmuch only as it contains cardamomom
2Buyo monopoly unsatisfactory5 The go%ernment' anEious to deri%e
ad%antage in aid and support of the colony' from the great use the
inhabitants make of the buyo' many years ago determined to establish
the sale of the bonga' its principal ingredient' into a monopoly'
either by hiring the pri%ilege out' or placing it under a plan of
administration' in the form in $hich it no$ stands Both schemes ha%e
been tried' but neither $ay has this branch been made to yield more
than NI0'000; indeed the annual proceeds usually ha%e not eEceeded
N/9'000 6n -.0:' the total amount of sales $as N1.'H-0' and deducting
from this sum the prime cost and eEpenses of administration' the net
profit in fa%or of the treasury $as eAual to no more than N/4'04. or
up$ards of -/9 -K/` 6n -4.0' the pri%ilege of selling the bonga $as
let out at public auction for the sum of N-9'4H9 and this' compared
$ith the present proceeds' clearly sho$s that' although the increase
has not ad%anced eAually $ith the other branches of the re%enue' it is
far from ha%ing declined 6t must ne%ertheless be confessed' that on
the present footing on $hich it stands' the smallness of the proceeds
is not $orth the trouble reAuired in the collection' and e%en if the
amount $ere still greater' it could ne%er ser%e as an eEcuse for the
oppression and %iolence to $hich this monopoly freAuently gi%es rise
2<ardships on areca(nut planters5 +s the trees producing the bonga
are not confined to any particular grounds' and indiscriminately gro$
in all' the plan has been adopted of compelling the Filipinos to gather
and bring in the fruit' raised on their lands' to the depot nearest the
district in $hich they reside There they are paid from t$o' t$o and
one(half' three and three and one(half reals per thousand' according
to the distance from $hich they come* and' in order to pre%ent frauds'
the sur%eyors belonging to the re%enue go out' at certain times of the
year' to eEamine the bonga plantations' and the trees being counted'
they estimate the fruit' that is' oblige the proprietor to undertake
to deli%er in t$o hundred nuts for each bearing tree' $hether or not'
hurricanes deteriorate or destroy the produce' or thie%es plunder
the plantations' as %ery freAuently happens 6n case deficiencies are
pro%ed against him' he is compelled to pay for them in money' at the
rate of t$enty(fi%e reals per thousand' the price at $hich the king
sells them in the monopoly(stores Besides' the precise condition of
deli%ering in t$o hundred bonga nuts' according to the stipulations
imposed upon him' presupposes the pre%ious eEclusion of all the injured
or green ones; and although the ordinary trees usually yield as many as
three hundred nuts each' great numbers are ne%ertheless spoiled 6f' to
the ad%erse accidents arising out of the storms and robberies' $e add
the effects of the $hims or ill(humor of the recei%ers' it is not easy
to imagine to $hat a length the injuries eEtend $hich befall the man
$ho has the folly or misfortune to become a planter of this article
2Folly of monopoly plan5 8n the other hand' as in the con%eyances
from the minor to the larger depots' frauds are freAuently committed'
and the heaping together of many millions of nuts ine%itably produces
the fermentation and rapid putrefaction of a great number of them'
it conseAuently follo$s that the $aste must be immense; or if it is
determined to sell all the stock laid in' $ithout any distinction in
Auality and price' the public must be %ery badly ser%ed and displeased'
as in fact too often happens 7ince' therefore' the habit of using
the buyo is still more pre%ailing than that of tobacco' $hen suitable
supplies cannot be had in the monopoly stores' the consumer naturally
resorts to the contraband channels' although he encounters some risk'
and eEpends more money 6t is also %ery natural that the desire of
gain should thus lead on and daily eEpose a number of needy persons'
anEious by this means to support and relie%e the $ants of their
families "eturning' ho$e%er' to $hat more immediately concerns the
gro$er' 6 do not kno$ that the oppressi%e genius of fiscal la$s has'
in any country of the globe' in%ented one more refinedly tyrannic'
than to condemn a man' to a certain degree at least' as has hitherto
been the case' to the punishment of Tantalus; for the la$ forbids the
Filipino to touch the fruit of the tree planted $ith his o$n hands'
and $hich hangs in tempting and luEuriant abundance round his humble
d$elling
26ts modification desirable5 6t $ould be easy for me to enumerate
many other incon%eniences attending this branch of public re%enue'
on the footing on $hich it no$ stands' if $hat has already been said
did not suffice to point out the necessity of changing the system'
as those in authority are anEious that the treasury should gain more'
and the kingCs subjects suffer less The strong prejudice entertained
against this source of re%enue' the inconsiderable sum it produces'
and the complicated form of its organiBation' ha%e in reality been
sufficient moti%es to induce many to become strenous ad%ocates for
the total abolition of the monopoly 6 do not' ho$e%er' on this
account see any reasons for altogether depri%ing the go%ernment of
a producti%e resource' as this might soon be rendered' if it $as
placed under regulations less odious and more simple in themsel%es 6
ne%ertheless agree' that the perfect monopoly of the areca fruit' or
bonga' is impracticable' till the trees' indiscriminately planted'
are cut do$n' and' in the same $ay as the tobacco plantations'
fresh and definite grounds are laid out for its culti%ation' on
account of the re%enue 6 am further a$are that this measure is
less practicable than the first; for' independent of all the other
obstacles' it $ould be necessary to $ait till the ne$ plantation
yielded fruit' and also that the public should consent to refrain
from masticating buyo in the mean$hile' a pretension as mad as it
$ould be to reAuire that the eating of salt should be dispensed $ith
for a gi%en number of years But $hat difficulty $ould there be'
for eEample' in the proprietors paying so much a year for each bonga
tree to the district magistrate' the go%ernor of the nearest to$n'
or the cabeBa de Barangay' or chiefs of the clans into $hich the
nati%es are di%ided' in the same manner as the Filipino pays his
tributeQ 2Tree(taE preferable5 The only one 6 anticipate is that of
fiEing the amount in such $ay that' at the same time this resource is
made to produce an increased income of some moment' it may act as a
moderate taE on an indefinite property' the amount of $hich' augmented
in the same price' may be reimbursed to the proprietor by the great
body of consumers 6t is not in fact easy to foresee or estimate'
by any means of approEimation' the alteration in the current price
of the bonga' that $ould result from the indefinite freedom of its
culti%ation and sale' especially during the first years +lthough'
for this reason' it $ould be impossible to ascertain $hat proportion
the impost on the tree $ould then bear $ith regard to the %alue of
the fruit' the error that might accrue $ould be of little moment' as
long as precautions $ere taken to adopt a %ery lo$ rate of comparison'
and a proportionably eAuitable one as the basis of taEation 7upposing
then that the price of the bonga should decline from t$enty(fi%e reals'
at $hich it is no$ sold in the monopoly stores' to fifteen reals per
thousand' in the general market' and a taE of one(fourth real should
be laid on each tree %alued at t$o hundred bonga nuts' it is clear
that this $ould be eAual to no more than . -K/`; or' $hat is the same'
the taE $ould be in the proportion one to t$el%e $ith the proceeds of
each tree' and the more the %alue of the fruit $as raised' the more
$ould the rate of contribution diminish 6t ought at the same time
to be obser%ed that' under the abo%e estimate' that is' supposing the
price of the article to remain at fifteen reals' the . -K/` at $hich
rate the taE is regulated' $ould not perhaps eEceed fi%e or siE per
cent on a more minute calculation; in the first place' because at the
time of making out the returns of the trees' 2EEception of immature
and aged trees5 those only ought to be set do$n $hich are in their
full %igor' eEcluding such as through the $ant or eEcess of age only
yield a small proportion of fruit; and in the second' because in
the numbers registered' the trees $ould only be rated at t$o hundred
although it is $ell kno$n they usually yield three hundred' in order
by this means the better to a%oid all moti%es of complaint 6n this
point of %ie$' and by adopting similar rules of probability' it seems
to me that the go%ernment $ould not risk much by an attempt to change
the present system into a taE le%ied on the tree itself' on a plane
similar to the one abo%e proposed; more particularly by doing it in
a temporary manner' and rendering it completely subser%ient to the
corrections subseAuent eEperience might suggest in this particular
2,ifficulty of estimating probable re%enue5 The difficulty being'
in this manner' o%ercome' $ith regard to the prudent determination
of the rate at $hich the proprietor of the bonga plantations ought
to contribute' let us no$ proceed to estimate' by approEimation' the
annual sum that $ould thus be obtained +s' ho$e%er' this operation
is unfortunately complicated' and in great measure depends on the
pre%ious kno$ledge of the total number of trees liable to the taE
proposed' details $ith $hich $e are at not present prepared' it is
impossible to come at any %ery accurate results +ll that can be done
is to endea%or to demonstrate' in general terms' the great increase
the re%enue $ould eEperience by the adoption of the ne$ plan' and
the real ad%antage resulting from it to the contributors themsel%es'
all $hich may be easily deduced from the follo$ing calculation
)et us' in the first instance' suppose that the consumers of buyo'
in the $hole of the 6slands' do not eEceed one million of persons'
and that each one makes use of three bongas per day' this consumption'
at the end of the year' $ould then amount to -'0:9'000'000 nuts !e
$ill neEt di%ide this sum by t$o hundred' at $hich the product of each
tree' one $ith another' is rated' and the result $ill be 9'149'000
trees 2Greater' ho$e%er' than at present5 This number being taEed
at the rate of one(fourth real' $ould lea%e the sum of N-4-'0:I49
and deducting therefrom the N/9'000 yielded by this branch under its
present establishment' together $ith N9'-I/ eAual to three per cent
paid to the district magistrates for the charges of collection' $e
should still ha%e an annual increase in fa%or of the' treasury eAual
to N-10':H-49
6t might perhaps be objected that' in this case' the proprietor'
instead of recei%ing' as before t$o and one(half reals for e%ery
thousand bongas' $ould ha%e to disburse one and one(fourth reals in
the mere act of paying one(fourth real for each tree; a circumstance
$hich' at first sight' seems to produce a difference not of one and
one(fourth' but of three and one(fourth reals per thousand against
him; though in reality far from this being the case' if $e take into
consideration the deficiencies the s$orn recei%er usually lays to
his charge' the fruit he rejects' o$ing to its being green or rotten'
and the many and eEpensi%e grie%ances he is eEposed to in his capacity
of gro$er; it $ill be seen that his disbursements under these heads
freAuently eEceed the amount he in fact has to recei%e 2TaE only a
surcharge ultimately paid by consumer5 6f' in addition to this' $e
bear in mind that' on condition of seeing himself free from guards
and a %ariety of insupportable restrictions' constituting the %ery
essence of a monopoly' he $ould in all probability gladly pay much
more than the taE in Auestion' all the doubts arising on this point
$ill entirely disappear Finally' considered in its true light' $e
shall not find in the measure abo%e described anything more than a
%ery trifling discount reAuired of the proprietor from the price at
$hich he sells his bonga' and $hich' as already noticed' ultimately
falls on the consumer alone
2Estimate conser%ati%e5 The moderate estimate 6 ha%e just formed ought
to inspire the more confidence from its being $ell kno$n that the use
of the buyo is general among the inhabitants of these 6slands The
calculation' as it no$ stands' rests only on one million consumers'
for each of $hom 6 ha%e only put do$n three bongas per day' $hereas
it is customary to use much more; nor ha%e 6 taken into account the
infinite number of nuts $asted after being con%erted into the buyo'
a fact eAually $ell kno$n 6ndeed' as the object proposed $as no
other than to pro%e the main part of my assertions' and 6 trust this
is satisfactorily done' 6 ha%e not deemed it necessary to include
in the abo%e calculation a greater number of minute circumstances'
nor attempt to deduce more fa%orable results' $hich' $ith the scope
before me' 6 $as most assuredly $arranted in doing
2+d%antages5 6n a $ord' from the concurrence of the facts and
reasons abo%e adduced' the follo$ing propositions may' $ithout any
difficulty' be laid do$n First' that the increase of re%enue produced
by the reform in Auestion' $ould in all probability eEceed N-90'000
per annum; secondly' that the Filipinos $ould soon comprehend' and
gladly consent to a change of this kind in the mode of contributing
of $hich the ad%antages $ould be apparent; thirdly' that the persons
employed in the old establishment' might' $ith greater public utility'
be applied to other purposes; and lastly' that the ci%il magistrates
$ould not be harassed $ith so many strifes and la$suits' and so many
melancholy %ictims of the monopoly' and its officers $ould cease to
drag a $retched eEistence in the prisons and places of hard labor in
these 6slands
2Cockpit licenses5 The cock(pit branch of the re%enue is hired out
by the go%ernment' and the license is separately set up at auction
for the respecti%e pro%inces 6ts nature and regulations are so
$ell kno$n that they do not reAuire a particular description' the
general obligations of the contractors being the same as those in >e$
7pain Perhaps the only difference obser%ed in this public eEhibition
in the Philippine 6slands consists in its greater simplicity' o$ing to
its being freAuented only by the nati%es' the $hites $ho are present
at this kind of di%ersion being %ery fe$' or indeed none
26nconsiderable income5 The cock(pits are open t$o days in the $eek'
and the lessees of them recei%e half a real from e%ery person $ho
enters' besides the eEtra price they charge those $ho occupy the best
seats' the o$ners of the fighting cocks' for the spurs' stalls for the
sale of buyo' refreshments' etc >ot$ithstanding all this' and although
cock(fighting is so general and fa%orite an amusement among these people
Fthe rooster may justly be considered as the distincti%e emblem of
the FilipinoG the annual proceeds of this branch are inconsiderable;
although it must be ackno$ledged that it has greatly increased since
the year -4.0' $hen it appears the license $as let at auction for
only about N-1'000 o$ing' no doubt' to the eEclusi%e pri%ilege of
the contractors not ha%ing been eEtended to the pro%inces' as $as
after$ards gradually done
2Pro%incial cockpit re%enue5 The total sum paid to the go%ernment by
the renters of this branch' according to the auction returns in -.-0'
amounted to N10'-1- in the follo$ing order for the pro%inces*
Tondo N-.'90-
Ca%ite /'//9
)a )aguna /'009
Pampanga I'000
Bulacan H':00
Batangas /'000
Pangasinan -'/00
Bataan -'090
6loilo -'H00
6locos H00
Tayabas 100
Cebu IH0
+lbay I00
Total N10'-1-
2Possibilities of increase5 The causes' to $hich the increase
that has taken place $ithin the last t$enty(fi%e or thirty years is
chiefly to be attributed' ha%e already been pointed out' and for this
reason it $ould appear that' by adopting the same plan $ith regard to
the fourteen remaining pro%inces' of $hich this captaincy(general
is composed' hitherto free from the imposition of this taE' an
augmentation might be eEpected' proportionate to the population'
their circumstances' and the greater or lesser taste for cock(fights
pre%ailing among their respecti%e inhabitants +t the commencement' no
doubt' the rentals $ould be lo$' and' of course' the prices at $hich
the licenses $ere let out' $ould be eAually so; but the eEperience
and profits deri%able from this kind of enterprises $ould not fail
soon to eEcite the competition of contractors' and in this $ay add
to the re%enue of the go%ernment This is so ob%ious that 6 cannot
help suspecting attempts ha%e' at some period or other' been made
to introduce the establishment of this pri%ilege' in some of the
pro%inces alluded to; at the same time 6 am persuaded that' o$ing
to the affair not ha%ing been %ie$ed in its proper light' seeking
on the contrary to obtain an immediate and disproportionate result'
the authorities ha%e been too soon disheartened and gi%en up the
project $ithout a fair trial +ll to$ns and districts murmur' and'
at first object' to taEes' ho$e%er light they may be; but' at length'
if they be not eEcessi%e' the people become reconciled to them The
one here proposed is neither of this character' nor can it be deemed
odious on account of its no%elty The nati%es are $ell a$are that
their brethren in the other pro%inces are subject to it' and that
in this nothing more is done than rendering the system uniform 6'
therefore' see no reason $hy the establishment of this branch of
re%enue should not be eEtended to all the points of the 6slands +t
the commencement' let it produce $hat it may' since constancy and
time $ill bring things to the same general le%el
26ndian tributes5 The too great condescension and mistaken humanity
of the go%ernment on the one hand' and the fraud and selfishness
of the pro%incial sub(delegates or collectors' on the other' ha%e
concurred to change a contribution' the most simple' into one of the
most complicated branches of public administration The first cause
has been o$ing to a too general acAuiescence to recei%e the amount
of tributes in the produce peculiar to each pro%ince' instead of
money; and the second' because as the abo%e officers are the persons
intrusted $ith the collection' $hene%er the sale has held out to
them any ad%antage' they ha%e been in the habit of appropriating the
se%eral articles to themsel%es' $ithout allo$ing any benefit to the
treasury 6f the prospecti%e sales of the produce appear unfa%orable'
it is then for$arded on to the kingCs store in @anila' surcharged $ith
freights' eEposed to many risks' and the %alue greatly diminished
by $aste and many other causes >o order or regularity being thus
obser%ed in this respect' and the sale of the produce transmitted to
the kingCs stores being regulated by the greater or lesser abundance in
the general market' and a considerable stock besides left remaining'
from one year to another' and e%entually spoiled' it is impossible
to form any eEact estimate of this branch 6f to these complicated
matters $e add the radical %ices arising out of the infidelity of the
heads of clans FcabeBas de barangayG' the difficulty of ascertaining
the defects of the returns made out by them' the %ariations annually
occurring in the number of those eEempted either through age or other
legal moti%es' and abo%e all' the freAuently ine%itable tardiness $ith
$hich the district magistrates send in their respecti%e accounts'
it $ill be readily ackno$ledged' that no department reAuires more
Beal in its administration' and no one is more susceptible of all
kinds of frauds' or attended $ith more difficulties
2+ conser%ati%e estimate5 6n this state of uncertainty' $ith regard
to this particular branch' 6 ha%e guided myself by the last general
return of tributes' made out in the accountant(generalCs office'
on the best and most recent data' and calculating indistinctly the
$hole %alue in money' 6 ha%e deemed it proper after$ards to make a
moderate deduction' on account of the differences abo%e stated' and
arising out of the collection of the tributes in kind' the eEpenses of
con%eyance' ship$recks' a%erages' and other causes already enumerated
2FiEed charges5 6n conformity to this calculation' the total
proceeds of this branch of re%enue amount to N909'/-9 from $hich
sum are deducted' in the primiti%e stages of the accounts' the
amount of ecclesiastical stipends' the pay of the troops under
the immediate orders of the chief district magistrates in their
Auality of $ar(captains' together $ith all other eEtraordinary
eEpenses incurred in the pro%inces by orders of the go%ernment' the
remainder being after$ards for$arded to the kingCs treasury 6t ought'
ho$e%er' to be obser%ed' that the abo%e aggregated sum is more or less
liable to deficiencies' according to the greater or lesser degree of
punctuality on the part of the sub(collectors in making up accounts'
and the solidity of their respecti%e sureties; the failure of this
kind eEperienced by the re%enue being so freAuent' that' according to
the returns of the accountant(general' those $hich occurred bet$een
the years -4H/ and -.0:' $ere no less than N/-9'4H9 not$ithstanding
the great precautions at all times taken to pre%ent such considerable
injuries' by e%ery means compatible $ith the precarious tenure of
property possessed by both principals and sureties in this country +ll
the abo%e circumstances being therefore taken into due consideration'
and the ordinary and eEtraordinary discounts made from the total amount
of tributes' the real sum remaining' or the net annual proceeds of
the abo%e branch' ha%e usually not been rated at more than N-:0'000
and N/00'000; a sum respecti%ely eEtremely small' and $hich possibly
might be doubled' $ithout the necessity of recurring to any other
measure than a standing order for the collecting of the tributes in
money' as by this means the %ariety of eEpenses and complications abo%e
enumerated' $ould be a%oided' and the kingCs re%enue no longer eEposed
to any other deficiencies than those arising out of the insol%ency
of the sub(collectors and their sureties' or casual risks' and the
trifling charges paid for the con%eyance of the money 6f in opposition
to this it should be alleged that it $ould be ad%isable to eEcept some
of the pro%inces from this general rule' o$ing to the ad%antages the
go%ernment might deri%e from certain tributes being paid in kind'
6 do not hesitate to ans$er that 6 see no reason $hate%er $hy this
should be done' because' if' for eEample' any Auality of rigging
or sail cloth is annually reAuired' it $ould be easy to obtain it
either by early contracts' or by laying in the articles at the current
market price 6ndeed' all supplies $hich do not rest on this footing'
$ould be to defraud the nati%es of the fruits of his industry' and in
the final result this $ould be the same as reAuiring of him double or
triple tribute' contrary to the spirit of the la$' $hich unfortunately
is too freAuently the case under the eEisting system
2Preferability of tribute in money5 Considering this affair in
another point of %ie$' it $ould be easy for me to demonstrate' if it
$ere necessary' the mistaken idea that the nati%e is benefited by
recei%ing in kind the amount of the tribute he has to pay' at the
lo$ prices marked in the tariff used as a standard' by sho$ing the
eEtortions and brokerage' if 6 may so term it' to $hich the practice
gi%es rise on the part of the district collectors 6t $ill' ho$e%er'
suffice to call the attention of my readers to the smallness of
the sum constituting the ordinary tribute' $hen reduced to money'
in order for them to be con%inced that it $ould be superfluous'
as $ell as haBardous' to attempt to point out ho$ this branch might
be rendered more producti%e to the state and at the same time less
burdensome to the contributors' more particularly $hen the rate
assessed does not eEceed ten reals per year' a sum so small' that
generally speaking' no family can be found unable to hoard it up' if
they ha%e any inclination so to do The pre%ailing error' ho$e%er' in
this respect' 6 am confident arises out of a principle %ery different
from the one to $hich it is usually attributed The tributary nati%e
is' in fact' disposed to pay the Auota assigned to him into the hands
of the chief of his clan' in money' in preference to kind; because'
independent of the small %alue at $hich the articles in kind are
rated in the tariff' he is then eEposed to no eEpenses' as he no$ is
for the con%eyance of his produce and effects; nor is he liable to so
many accidents But as the chief of each clan has to deli%er in his
forty or fifty tributes to the head magistrate' $ho is ans$erable for
those of the $hole pro%ince' it is natural for him to endea%or to make
his corresponding payments in some eAui%alent affording him a profit;
at the same time the pro%incial magistrate' speculating on a larger
scale' on the produce arising out of his jurisdiction' seeks to obtain
from the go%ernment a profitable commutation in kind for that $hich
the original contributor $ould ha%e preferred paying in money 6n
order the better to attain his purpose' he asserts' as a preteEt'
the impossibility of collecting in the tribute under another form'
alleging' moreo%er' the relief the nati%e deri%es from this mode'
$hereas' if only duly eEamined' such a pretence is founded on the
a%arice' rather than the humanity of the magistrate
)ea%ing to one side the defects attributable to the present mode
of collection' and considering the tribute as it is in itself' the
attenti%e obser%er must confess' that in no part of our 6ndies is
this more moderate; and' indeed' it is e%ident that the la$s generally
relating to the nati%es of these 6slands seem to distinguish them $ith
a decided predilection abo%e those of the %arious sections of +merica
26tems in tribute5 The tribute in its origin $as only eight reals
per family; but the necessity of pro%iding for the increased eEpenses
of the go%ernment ga%e rise to this rate being after$ards raised
to ten The 7angley mestiBos pay double tribute' and the 7angleys
contribute at the rate of NH per head Besides this' all pay a yearly
sum' applicable to the funds belonging to the community' and the abo%e
t$o casts pay three reals more' as a church rate' and under the name
of the 7anctuary' the $hole being in the follo$ing form*
Entire >ati%e Tribute Tribute of @estiBos 7angleys
. "eals' original tribute -H "eals NH each
- -K/ "eals for eEpenses
of troops I
-K/ "eals to tithes -
-0 "eals' amount of tribute /0 "eals NH49
- "eal' community funds -
I "eals' sanctuary rate I
-1 "eals' total annual
disbursement /1 "eals NH49
The males commence paying tribute at t$enty years of age and
the females at t$enty(fi%e' if before they ha%e not entered the
matrimonial state' and in both the obligation ceases at the age of
siEty The chiefs of clans' or cabeBas de barangay and their eldest
sons' or in default of children' the person adopted in their stead'
that is' an entire tribute and a half' are eEempt from this taE' as
a remuneration for the trouble and responsibility they may ha%e in
collecting in the forty or fifty tributes' of $hich their respecti%e
clans are composed Besides these there are %arious other classes of
eEempted persons' such as the soldiers $ho ha%e ser%ed a certain number
of years' those $ho ha%e distinguished themsel%es in any particular
manner in the impro%ement of industry or agriculture' and others $ho
ha%e recei%ed special certificates' on just and eAuitable grounds 6n
summing up the total number of eEempted persons' on an a%erage in
the $hole of the pro%inces' they $ill be found in the proportion of
fifty to e%ery thousand entire tributes
2Chinese taE5 The head(taE of the 7angleys has usually been
attended $ith so many difficulties in its collection' o$ing to the
facilities $ith $hich they absent or secrete themsel%es' and the
many stratagems this cunning and artful race employ to elude the
%igilance of the commissioners' that the go%ernment has at length
found itself compelled to let out this branch' as $as done in -.0:'
$hen it $as disposed of in the name of one of them for the moderate
sum of NI0'000; not$ithstanding it is a generally recei%ed opinion'
that the number of this description of Chinese' constantly residing
in the 6slands' is abo%e 4'000' $hich' at the rate of NH per head'
$ould raise this proportion of the taE as high as N1/'000
2Community funds5 The Community funds belonging to each to$n' ha%e'
in conformity to the regulations under $hich they are administered'
a special' or 6 might say' local application; but collected together
into one stock' as is no$ the case' and directly administered by the
go%ernment' they produce a more general utility The head to$n of
the pro%ince +' for eEample' reAuires to rebuild the public prison
or to$n(hall' and its o$n pri%ate funds are not sufficient to defray
the eEpenses of the $ork in Auestion 6n this case' therefore' the
go%ernment gi%es orders for the other dependent to$ns to make up the
deficiency by taking their proportions from their respecti%e coffers'
as all ha%e an eAual interest in the proposed object being carried
into effect The kingCs officers' in conseAuence thereof' dra$ the
corresponding sums from these funds' the $hole of $hich is under their
immediate superintendence +nd in order that the surplus of this stock
may not stand still' but obtain e%ery possible increase in a country
$here the premium for money is eEcessi%e' $hen let out at a maritime
risk' it is ordered that some part shall be appropriated in this $ay'
and on the same terms as those obser%ed by the administrators of the
charity funds belonging to the @isericordia FCharityG establishment'
and the third order of 7t Francis' $hich is another of the great
ad%antages of assembling this class of property
6n conseAuence of this judicious regulation' and the success $ith
$hich this measure has hitherto been attended' the Community fund
has gone on increasing in such a $ay that' not$ithstanding the sums
dra$n from it for the purpose of constructing cause$ays' bridges'
and other municipal objects' at the commencement of -.-0' the stock
in hand amounted to no less than N/00'000; and it is natural to
suppose $hen the outstanding premiums due shall ha%e been paid in'
a considerable augmentation $ill take place This branch' although
not eEactly comprehended in those $hich constitute the re%enue of the
go%ernment' has so ob%ious an analogy $ith that of tributes' that 6
ha%e not deemed it any essential de%iation from the order and method
6 ha%e hitherto obser%ed in this $ork' to introduce it in this place'
as in itself it did not deser%e to be classed under a distinct head
2Tribute burdensome5 >ot$ithstanding the truth of $hat has been
said $ith regard to the moderate rate of the tribute imposed on the
nati%e of the Philippine 6slands' it $ould be eEtremely desirable if
he could be altogether eEonerated from a charge $hich he bears $ith
great repugnance' by some other substitute being adopted' indirectly
producing an eAui%alent compensation 6n the first place' because the
just moti%es of complaint $ould cease' caused not only by the tribute'
but also the manner of its collection; and an end $ould then be put
to those intrigues and eEtortions the district magistrates commit'
under the title of Bealous collectors of the kingCs re%enue' and the
po$er of a multitude of subaltern tyrants' comprehended under the
denomination of chiefs of nati%e clans FcabeBas de barangayG $ould
then also fall to the ground; a po$er $hich' if no$ employed for the
purpose of oppressing and trampling on the liberties of inferiors'
might some day or other be con%erted into an instrument dangerous
and sub%ersi%e of our preponderance in the country 6n the second
place' if' among all the ci%iliBed nations a head(taE Fpoll(taEG
is in itself odious' it must incontestably be much more so among
those $hose unlettered state' far from allo$ing them to kno$ that
the social order reAuires a certain class of sacrifices for its
better preser%ation' makes them attribute eEactions of this kind
to an abuse of superiority <ence are they led to consider these
restraints as the symbols of their o$n sla%ery and degradation' as
in fact the nati%es in these 6slands ha%e ample reasons for doing'
$hen the legal eEemption of the $hites is considered' $ithout any
other apparent reason than the difference in color 6ndependent of
this' the substitute abo%e alluded to $ould be eEtremely eEpedient'
inasmuch as it $ould greatly simplify the plan of administration'
the accountantCs department $ould be freed from the most painful
part of its labors' and the district magistrates and sub(collectors
$ould not so freAuently be entangled in their accounts' and eEposed
to eEpensi%e and interminable la$suits' as no$ so often happens
2Possible "e%enue substitutes5 The difficulty' ho$e%er' of
finding out this compensation or substitute is a matter of some
consideration 8n the one hand' if it $as attempted to distribute
the proceeds arising out of the tributes on other branches' such as
tobacco' nati%e $ine' bonga' and custom house' it $ould' at first
sight' appear possible' through the medium of an almost in%isible
augmentation in the respecti%e sale prices and in the kingCs duties'
that this important object might easily be attained; but' on the
other' it might be apprehended that the additional %alue put on
the articles abo%e(mentioned' $ould produce in their consumption
a diminution eAual to the difference in prices' in $hich cases no
ad%antage $ould be gained The practicability of the operation' in my
opinion' depends on the proportion in $hich the means of obtaining the
articles in Auestion respecti%ely stand $ith the probability of their
being consumed 6 $ill eEplain myself 6f' for eEample' the annual
stock of tobacco laid in should be insufficient to meet the $ants of
the consumers' as constantly occurs' it is clear that this article'
$hen monopoliBed' $ill bear a small augmentation of price' not only
$ithout any incon%enience or risk' but $ith the moral certainty of
obtaining a positi%e increase of re%enue' the necessary effect of
the total consumption of the tobacco laid in and sold But as this
does not happen $ith the branch of nati%e $ines' of $hich the stock
usually eEceeds the demand' and as the bonga also is not susceptible
of this impro%ement' o$ing to the small place it occupies among the
other resources of the re%enue' no other means are left than to add to
the duties of eEport on sil%er' and of import on foreign merchandise'
a percentage eAui%alent to the deficiency not laid on tobacco' unless
it should be deemed more ad%isable to le%y a sumptuary contribution on
coaches' horses and ser%ants' and especially on all kinds of edifices
and houses built of stone and mortar' situated both $ithin and $ithout
the capital
28bjection to tribute(paying5 <o$e%er this may be' $hate%er the king
loses in re%enue by the abolition of the nati%e tributes' no doubt'
could be made up by an appeal to other $ays and means 6t is $ell(kno$n
that many of the 6ndian tribes refuse to become subjects of the cro$n
and object to enter into general society on account of the odious
idea they ha%e formed of paying tribute; or' as they understand it'
the obligation of gi%ing something for nothing' not$ithstanding those
$ho %oluntarily submit themsel%es to our la$s' are eEempt from tribute'
and this charge falls only on their descendants But of this they must
either be ignorant' or they regret depri%ing their posterity of that
independence in $hich they themsel%es ha%e been brought up' and thus
transmit to them sla%ery as an inheritance +s soon' therefore' as a
general eEemption of this kind' $ithout distinction of casts' should
be made public' the nati%es $ould Auit their fastnesses and secluded
places' and satisfied $ith the security offered to them' $ould be
seen coming do$n to the plains in search of con%eniences of ci%iliBed
life' and all gradually $ould be reduced to Christianity <ence
the increase of productions and their consumption' as $ell as
the eEtension of agriculture' industry and internal commerce The
diminution of smuggling tobacco $ould soon follo$' progress $ould be
made in the kno$ledge of the mines and natural riches of the country'
and financially' greater facilities $ould present themsel%es in
gradually carrying into effect its entire conAuest and ci%iliBation
+d%antages of such great and eEtraordinary importance deser%e to
be seriously $eighed' and to this %aluable department of public
administration the early attention of those in authority ought to
be called )et due inAuiries be made' and soon shall $e disco%er
the substantial benefits $hich $ould be deri%ed to the treasury
from the adoption of this measure' as popular as it is just' and
also conformable to the liberal spirit of the times 6n support of
the preceding arguments' it ought further to be obser%ed' that $hen
all the branches constituting the kingCs re%enue are $ell organiBed'
brought to their most producti%e state' and the public debt contracted
under unforeseen eEigencies paid off' as long as present circumstances
do not %ary' an annual surplus of re%enue' eAual to more than N900'000'
$ill be left; and as the proceeds of the particular branch of tributes
do not amount to this sum' it is e%ident their abolition may take
place' not only $ithout any derangement or onerous conseAuences to the
administration' but e%en $ithout any deficiency being eEperienced' or
any necessity to recur to the treasury of >e$ 7pain for eEtraordinary
aid These reasons acAuire still greater force $hen it is remembered
that' as things no$ are' all the branches of public re%enue are
in a progressi%ely impro%ing condition' and as the $hole are still
susceptible of a much more producti%e organiBation' the annual surplus
of receipts $ill rapidly become greater' and conseAuently also the
necessity $ill diminish of continuing to burden this portion of <is
@ajestyCs dominions $ith contributions in order to meet the eEpenses
of their defence and preser%ation
Finally' $ell con%inced of the ad%antageous results $hich' in
e%ery sense' $ould emanate from the re%ision and reforms proposed'
6 abstain from offering' in support of my arguments' a %ariety of
other reflections $hich occur to me' not to be too diffuse on this
subject; trusting that the hints 6 ha%e already thro$n out $ill be
more than sufficient to eEcite an interest and promote a thorough and
impartial in%estigation of concerns' highly important to the future
$elfare and security of this colony
27ubaltern branches5 Besides the siE preceding branches $hich
constitute the chief mass of the public re%enue in these islands' there
are se%eral smaller ones of less consideration and amount; some ha%ing
a direct application to the general eEpenses of the local go%ernment'
and the others' intended as remittances to 7pain; a distinction of
little import and scarcely deser%ing of notice' since the object of the
present sketch is to con%ey information on a large scale respecting
the ?ingCs re%enue in these 6slands +s some of them' ho$e%er' yield
proceeds more regular than the others' 6 ha%e classed together the
receipts of the PopeCs Bulls' or DBulas de CruBada'D playing(cards'
tithes' stamps and gunpo$der' under the head of 7ubaltern Branches'
$ith regard to the rest' to the general statement already Auoted
6n conformity to the returns $ith $hich 6 ha%e been fa%ored from
the public offices' these fi%e branches produced' in the year -.0:'
N19'0:049 in the follo$ing proportions*
7ales EEpenses >et Proceeds
PopeCs bulls N-9'IH049 N1'1///9 N-0':I.90
Playing cards --'9I:-/9 :I/H/9 -0'H0H90
Tithes -/'1:I00 (((( -/'1:I00
7tamps 1'1H490 I/-90 1'-1H00
Gunpo$der 4'I04H/9 10--/9 H':09I49
(((( (((( ((((
N9-'-H.-/9 NH'04449 N19'0:0I49
2Tithes5 The scanty proceeds of the tithes $ill naturally appear
remarkable; but it ought to be remembered that' besides the ordinary
tribute' the nati%es pay half a real under this denomination'
$ithout any distinction of person' or any reference $hate%er to their
respecti%e means' the total amount of $hich is already added to the
tributes' and for this reason not repeated in this place 6n addition
also no tithes are le%ied' eEcept on lands belonging to 7paniards'
churches' regular clergy' ecclesiastical corporations' etc' and e%en
then the articles of rice' $heat' pulse indigo and sugar' are alone
liable The abo%e branches are all in charge of administrators'
and from this plan it certainly $ould be ad%isable to separate
the tithes and farm them out at public auction' as $as proposed
by the kingCs officers of the treasury' in their report on this'
as $ell as other points' concerning the re%enue' and dated 8ctober
/1' -4:/ From the net proceeds of the gunpo$der the eEpenses of its
manufacture' confided to the commandant of artillery' ought seemingly
to be deducted; but' as they cannot be ascertained $ith any degree of
certainty' and as besides they are comprehended in the general eEpenses
of that department' a separate deduction may be dispensed $ith
2,isbursements and general eEpenses5 6n order to form a correct idea
of the annual amount of the eEpenditure incurred by the administration
and defence of the Philippine 6slands' it is not necessary in this
place to distinguish each item' separately; or to enumerate them
$ith their respecti%e sums or particular denominations 7ome general
obser%ations on this subject ought' ne%ertheless' to be made' $ith a
%ie$ to point out the reforms of $hich this important department of
the public re%enue is susceptible
6n the part relating to the interior administration or go%ernment'
ample room is certainly left for that kind of economy arising out of
the adoption of a general system' little complicated; but it is besides
indispensably necessary that' at the same time the $ork is simplifed
and useless hands dismissed' the salaries of those $ho remain should
be proportionally increased' in order to stimulate them in the due
performance of their duties 6t might also be found ad%isable to
create a small number of officers of a superior order' $ho $ould
be enabled to co(operate in the collection of the kingCs re%enue'
and the encouragement of agriculture' commerce and na%igation'
in their respecti%e departments The additional charges in this
respect cannot be of any great conseAuence; although' in reality'
by the receipts increasing through the impulse of an administrati%e
order more perfect' and the eEpenses being al$ays the same' the main
object' so anEiously sought for in another $ay' $ould be thus attained
2,efence eEpenses5 The re%erse' ho$e%er' happens $ith regard
to the eEpenses of defence' as 6 ha%e called them' the better to
distinguish them from those purely relating to the interior police
or administration E%ery sacrifice' most assuredly' ought to appear
small' $hen the object is to preser%e a country from falling into the
hands of an enemy' and it ought not to eEcite surprise' if' during the
course of the last fifteen years' se%eral millions of dollars ha%e been
eEpended in the Philippines' in order to shield them from so dreadful
a misfortune But the late memorable re%olution in the Peninsula has
gi%en rise to so great a change in our political relations' and it
is eEtremely improbable that these 6slands $ill be again eEposed to
the same danger and alarm' that the go%ernment may no$' $ithout any
apparent risk' dispense $ith a considerable part of the preparations
of defence' at one time deemed indispensably necessary + colony that
has no other strong place to garrison than its capital' and on the
loyalty of $hose inhabitants there are sufficient moti%es to rely'
ought' in my opinion' to be considered as adeAuately pro%ided against
all ordinary occurrences in time of peace' $ith the 1'000 regulars'
more or less' of all arms' the usual military establishment 6n case
any suspicions should arise of an early rupture $ith the only po$er
$hose forces can inspire the go%ernors of these 6slands $ith any kind
of apprehensions' means $ill not be $anting to an acti%e and pro%ident
minister' of gi%ing proper ad%ice' so as to allo$ sufficient time for
the assembling of the battalions of pro%incial militia and all the
other necessary preparations of defence' before the enemy is in an
attitude to effect an in%asion of a country so far distant from his
o$n possessions on the coasts of @alabar and Coromandel ConseAuently'
by disbanding the corps of pro%incial infantry' ca%alry and artillery'
$hich continue uselessly to be kept on foot' an annual sa%ing of
from N//0'000 to N/90'000 $ould take place' an amount too great to
be eEpended unless imperiously called for by the e%ident dread of a
premeditated attack from an hostile Auarter
27hipping reform5 The na%y is another of the departments in $hich
reforms may be introduced' of no small moment to the treasury 8f
course by the go%ernment merely dispensing $ith the policy of keeping
in readiness t$o large ships to con%ey to +capulco the cargos' for
$hich the @anila merchants enjoy an annual licence' and lea%ing to
the latter the full liberty of follo$ing up their speculations on
their o$n account and risk' in %essels of their o$n' indi%idually or
$ith joint stock' a sa%ing $ould result in fa%or of the cro$n eAual to
N-10'000 to N-90'000 per annum' and $ithout pre%enting the receipt in
+capulco of the customary duties of N-H0'000 or N-HH'000 corresponding
to the said licenses This $ill e%idently be the case' because as
long as the large disposal of funds of the charitable institutions
are employed in maritime risks' and the pri%ate property of others
is besides added to them' the amount of the operations undertaken by
the merchants of the Philippines to >e$ 7pain' $hen di%ested of all
restraint' $ill al$ays eEceed N900'000 per annum >or is there no$
any further occasion for the go%ernment to continue granting this
species of gratuitous tutelage to a body of men possessed of ample
means to manage their o$n affairs' and $ho demand the same degree of
freedom' and only seek a protection similar to that enjoyed by their
fello$(countrymen in other parts of the kingCs dominions
2Galleon graft5 6n case the abo%e reform should be adopted' it might
be deemed reAuisite for the go%ernment to undertake the payment of some
of the charges under the eEisting order of things' defrayed out of the
freights to $hich the merchandise shipped in the +capulco traders is
liable; because' calculating the freight at the usual rate of N/00 for
each three bales' or the amount of one ticket' out of the one thousand
constituting the entire cargo' and of $hich one(half' or N-00'000 more
or less' is appropriated to the ecclesiastical chapter' municipality'
officers of the regular army FeEcluding captains and the other higher
ranksG and the $ido$s of 7paniards' $ho in this case $ould be losers'
independent of the remaining N-00'000 or 900 tickets distributed
among the /00 persons ha%ing a right to ship to +capulco' it $ould' at
first sight' appear reasonable for the treasury to indemnify the abo%e
description of persons by a compensation eAui%alent to the pri%ation
they eEperience through the ne$ arrangement of the go%ernment But
as the practice of abuses constitutes no la$' and $hat is gi%en
through fa%or is different to that $hich is reAuired by justice'
there are no reasons $hate%er $hy the treasury should be bound to
support the $ido$s of pri%ate persons' from the mere circumstance of
their deceased husbands ha%ing been 7paniards; more particularly if
it is considered that' far from ha%ing acAuired any special merit
during their lifetime' most of them %oluntarily left their nati%e
country for the purpose of increasing their fortunes' and others $ere
banished from it' o$ing to their bad conduct >either can it be said
that the municipality ha%e a legal right' in the case before stated'
to recei%e any eAui%alent for the %alue of their respecti%e annual
tickets' $hich' $hen disposed of' usually amount to about N/0'000 in
the first place' because it is $ell(kno$n that the ele%en aldermenCs
seats' of $hich that body is composed' seats $hich can either be
sold or resigned' originally did not cost as much as N90'000 and
clearly the principal in%ested is out of all kind of proportion $ith
the enormous premium or income claimed 6n the second place' although
the abo%e municipal situations $ere originally purchased $ith a %ie$
to obtain some ad%antages' these formerly $ere %ery different to $hat
they are at present' $hen the great increase of shippers to +capulco'
or in more plain terms' of purchase of tickets competing to obtain
them' has gi%en to these permits a %alue more than triple to that
they possessed thirty years ago
26ndemnifying the aldermen5 6n order' therefore' to do a$ay $ith
all moti%es of doubt and dispute' as $ell as for many other reasons
of public utility' the best plan' in my opinion' $ould be' to return
to each alderman his money' and the present municipal constitution
being dissol%ed' the number of members might be reduced to four' $ith
their corresponding registrar' and like the t$o ordinary Dalcaldes'D
elected e%ery year $ithout any other re$ard than the honor of presiding
o%er and representing their fello$(citiBens =nder this supposition'
the only classes entitled to compensation' strictly speaking'
$ould be the ecclesiastical chapter and the subaltern officers'
$hose respecti%e pay and appointment are not in fact sufficient
for the decency and eEpenses of their rank in society 8f course it
$ould then be necessary to grant them more adeAuate allo$ances' but'
according to reasonable calculations' the sum total annually reAuired
$ould not eEceed NI0'000; conseAuently' the reform projected $ith
regard to the +capulco ships $ould still e%entually produce to the
treasury a sa%ing of from NH0'000 to N40'000 in the first year of
its adoption' and of N--0'000 to N-/0'000 in e%ery succeeding one
2The na%y5 6t is' on the other hand' undeniable that' if the royal
na%y and cruising %essels' or those belonging to the 6slands and
under the immediate orders of the captain(general' $ere united into
one department' and placed under one head' considerable economy
$ould ensue' and all moti%es of discord and emulation be moreo%er
remo%ed 7uch $ould be the case if the change $as attended $ith no
other cirumstances than the conseAuent diminution of commanders'
subaltern officers' and clerks; but it $ould be also proper to unite
the arsenals' and adopt a more general uniformity in the operations and
dependences of this part of the public ser%ices 6t is eAually certain
that' during peaceful times' the t$o schooners and siEty gunboats'
constituting the number of the abo%e(mentioned cruising %essels' $ould
be in great measure useless; $hilst in case of a rupture' they are not
sufficient to protect the trade of these 6slands from the attacks of an
enemy' not$ithstanding they no$ cost the go%ernment considerable sums
in repairs' etc' in order to keep them fit for ser%ice The go%ernment
ought therefore to guard against this $aste of public money' $ithout'
ho$e%er' neglecting the defence of the 6slands' objects $hich' in my
opinion' might easily be reconciled 6ntelligent persons ha%e judged
that by reducing the na%al forces to t$o frigates' t$o schooners'
and about a doBen gunboats' the essential $ants of the colony $ould be
duly ans$ered' in ordinary times; and some of the %essels might then
be destined to pursue hydrographical labors in the +rchipelago' $hich'
unfortunately' are in a most back$ard state' $hilst others could be
sent on their periodical cruises against the @oros By this means' at
least' the na%y department $ould be greatly simplified' and cease to be
eternally burdensome to the go%ernment !ith regard to the superfluous
gunboats' it $ould be eEpedient to distribute them gratuitously among
the marine pro%inces and Bisayan 6slands' on the only condition of
their being al$ays kept fit for ser%ice; as' in one sense' the great
eEpenses of maintaining them $ould be thus sa%ed by the treasury' and'
another' the inhabitants of those portions of the coast $ould be in
possession of means sufficiently po$erful to repel the aggressions of
the @oros' $ho commit great ra%ages on their settlements Finally'
if besides the reforms of $hich the army and na%y are susceptible'
it is considered that the public $orks' such as prisons' schools'
bridges' and cause$ays' so eEpensi%e in other countries' in the
Philippines are constructed by the nati%es on the most reasonable
terms' out of the community funds; that there is no necessity to build
fortifications' and maintain numerous garrisons; that the clergy' to
$hose Beal and po$erful influence the preser%ation of these 6slands
is chiefly due' do not cost the treasury annually abo%e N/00'000 and
that the geographical situation of the colony in great measure shields
it from the attacks of eEternal enemies' it $ill readily be confessed'
that a $ise and firm go%ernment might undertake' $ithout the dread of
ha%ing to encounter any great obstacles' an administrati%e system'
in a general point of %ie$' infinitely more economical than the one
hitherto follo$ed; might be able to eEtirpate numerous abuses' and
by calling forth the resources of the country gradually raise it to
a flourishing condition' and cause it hereafter to contribute largely
to the other $ants of the cro$n <ence $as it that the distinguished
%oyager' )a PLrouse FChap -9G' contemplating these 6slands $ith a
political eye' did not hesitate to affirm Dthat a po$erful nation'
possessed of no other colonies than the Philippines' that should
succeed in establishing there a form of go%ernment best adapted to
their ad%antageous circumstances' $ould justly disregard all the
other European establishments in +frica and +mericaD
28bjectionable office(holders5 6n our colonies' appointments and
command far from being sought as a means to obtain a good reputation'
or as affording opportunities of contributing to public prosperity'
are' it is too $ell kno$n' only solicited $ith a %ie$ to amass
$ealth' and then retire for the purpose of enjoying it Commercial
pursuits being besides attended $ith so many ad%antages that those
only decline follo$ing them $ho are di%ested of money and friends;
$hilst the situation in the re%enue are so fe$ in number' compared
$ith the many candidates $ho solicit them' that they are conseAuently
$ell appointed' it follo$s that the eEcess left $ithout occupation'
besides being considerable' is generally composed of needy persons' and
not the most suitable to eEercise the delicate functions of collectors
and magistrates in the pro%inces From this class ne%ertheless the
host of officers are usually taken $ho' under the name of collectors'
sur%eyors and assessors of tributes' inter%ene in' or influence
the public administration 8$ing to the %ariety and great number of
persons emigrating to +merica' ample field' no doubt' is there left
for selection' by $hich means the %iceroys may freAuently meet $ith
persons suitable and adeAuate to the abo%e trusts' if prudent steps
are only taken; but in this respect the case is %ery different in the
Philippines' $here chance alone occasionally brings o%er a European
7paniard' unemployed or friendless 6n these remote 6slands' also'
more than in any other Auarter' people seek to li%e in idleness' and'
as much as possible' $ithout $orking' or much trouble +s long as
hopes are entertained of doing something in the +capulco speculations'
e%ery other pursuit is %ie$ed $ith indifference' and the office of
district or pro%incial magistrate is only solicited $hen all other
resources ha%e failed' or as a remedy against $ant +s the applicants
for these situations are therefore not among the most select classes'
it %ery freAuently happens that they fall into eEtremely improper
and un$orthy hands
6t is in fact common enough to see a hairdresser or a lackey con%erted
into a go%ernor; a sailor or a deserter transformed into a district
magistrate' collector' or military commander of a populous pro%ince'
$ithout any other counsellor than his o$n crude understanding'
or any other guide than his passion 7uch a metamorphosis $ould
eEcite laughter in a comedy or farce; but' realiBed in the theatre
of human life' it must gi%e rise to sensations of a %ery different
nature !ho is there that does not feel horror(struck' and tremble
for the innocent' $hen he sees a being of this kind transferred from
the yard(arm to the seat of justice' deciding' in the first instance'
on the honor' li%es' and property of a hundred thousand persons' and
haughtily eEacting the homage and incense of the spiritual ministers
of the to$ns under his jurisdiction' as $ell as of the parish curates'
respectable for their acAuirements and bene%olence' and $ho' in their
o$n nati%e places' $ould possibly ha%e rejected as a ser%ant the %ery
man $hom in the Philippines they are compelled to court and obey as
a so%ereign
6n %ain do the la$s ordain that such offices shall not be gi%en a$ay to
attendants on go%ernors and members of the high court of justice' for
under preteEt of the scarcity of Europeans eEperienced in the colony'
means are found to elude the statute' by con%erting this plea into an
eEception in fa%or of this description of persons By such important
offices being filled in this manner' it is easy to concei%e the %arious
hardships to $hich many of the pro%inces and districts are eEposed;
nor can any amelioration be eEpected as long as this plan is persisted
in and the eEcesses of the parties go $ithout punishment
2E%ils from officials in trade5 6ndependent' ho$e%er' of the serious
injuries and great errors persons of the class abo%e described cannot
fail to commit in the eEercise of their functions' purely judicial' the
conseAuences of their inordinate a%arice are still more lamentable'
and the tacit permission to satisfy it' granted to them by the
go%ernment under the specious title of a licence to trade <ence may
it be affirmed' that the first of the e%ils' and the one the nati%e
immediately feels' is occasioned by the %ery person the la$ has
destined for his relief and protection 6n a $ord' he eEperiences
injuries from the ci%il magistrates presiding o%er the pro%inces'
$ho' at the same time' are the natural enemies of the inhabitants'
and the real oppressors of their industry
6t is a kno$n and melancholy fact that' far from promoting the
felicity of the pro%inces intrusted to their care' the magistrates
attend to nothing else but their o$n fortunes and personal interests;
nor do they hesitate as to the means by $hich their object is to
be attained 7carcely are they seated in the place of authority'
$hen they become the chief consumers' purchasers' and eEporters of
e%ery thing produced and manufactured $ithin the districts under
their command' thus con%erting their licence to trade into a positi%e
monopoly 6n all lucrati%e speculations the magistrate seeks to ha%e
the largest share; in all his enterprises he calls in the forced aid
of his subjects' and if he deigns to remunerate their labor' at most
it is only on the same terms as if they had been $orking on account
of the king These unhappy people bring in their produce and crude
manufactures to the %ery person $ho' directly or indirectly' is to fiE
upon them an arbitrary %alue To offer such and such a price for the
articles is the same as to say' another bidding shall not be made To
insinuate is to command((the nati%e is not allo$ed to hesitate' he must
either please the magistrate' or submit to his persecutions Being
besides free from all competition in the prosecution of his traffic'
since he is freAuently the only 7paniard resident in the pro%ince'
the magistrate therein acts $ith unbounded s$ay' $ithout dread'
and almost $ithout risk of his tyranny e%er being denounced to the
superior tribunals
27peculating in tributes5 6n order' ho$e%er' that a more correct
idea may be formed of the iniAuitous conduct of many of these public
functionaries' it is necessary to lay open some part of their irregular
dealings in the collection of the 6ndian tributes 6t is $ell kno$n
that the go%ernment' anEious to conciliate the interests of the
tributary classes $ith those of the re%enue' freAuently commutes
the pecuniary capitation taE into an obligation to pay the amount in
produce or manufactures + season comes $hen' o$ing to the failure
of the crops' the productions ha%e risen to an eEcessi%e price'
and conseAuently infinitely abo%e the ordinary rates affiEed by la$'
$hich are generally the lo$est' and the nati%es' unable to keep their
bargains $ithout considerable injury or endangering the subsistence
of their numerous families' implore the fa%or of the magistrate'
petitioning him to lay their calamitous situation before the superior
go%ernment' in order to ha%e the payment of their tribute in kind
remitted' and offering to pay it in money This is the precise moment
$hen' as his o$n profits depend on the misery of the pro%ince under
his command' he endea%ors to misuse the accidental po$er $ith $hich he
is in%ested <ence it happens that' instead of acting as a beneficent
mediator' and supporting the just solicitations of the nati%es' he at
first disregards their petition' and then all at once transforming
himself into a Bealous collector' issues his notifications' sends
his satellites into the %ery fields to seiBe on the produce' and in a
most ineEorable manner insists on collecting till necessity compels
him to suspend the measure The principal object being attained'
that is' ha%ing no$ become master of the gleanings and scanty crops
of his bereft subjects' on a sudden his disposition changes' he is
mo%ed to pity' and in the most pathetic language describes to the
go%ernment the ra%ages done to the plantations by the hurricanes'
and the utter impossibility of collecting in the tributes that year in
kind 8n such a remonstrance he easily obtains permission to change the
standing order' and proceeding on to collect in some of the remaining
tributes in money' merely to sa%e appearance' $ith perfect impunity
he puts the finishing stroke to the $icked act he had commenced' by
applying to himself all the produce his collectors had gathered in'
and places to the credit of the treasury the total amount of the
tributes' corresponding to his jurisdiction' in money
7upposing' for eEample' that this has happened in the pro%ince of
+ntiAue' $here the payment of the capitation(taE generally takes place
in the unhusked rice' rated at t$o reals per ca%an' and' through the
effects of a bad season' this article should rise as high as ten or
t$el%e reals 6t is clear that the magistrate' by accounting for the
tributes $ith the re%enue office in money' and collecting them in kind
at the rate fiEed by la$' $ould by the sales gain a profit of 100 or
900 per cent; at the same time the nati%e' by the mere circumstance
of then paying in kind' $ould ha%e paid the tribute corresponding to
fi%e or siE years in a single one' $ithout' on that account' ha%ing
freed himself from the same charge in the follo$ing seasons
2>o check on eEtortion5 !hen the eEtortionate acts as these are
practised' to $hat lengths may it not be eEpected the other eEcesses
and abuses of authority are carriedQ To the abo%e it ought moreo%er
to be added' that the pro%incial magistrates ha%e no lieutenants'
and are unpro%ided $ith any other auEiliaries in the administration
of justice' eEcept an accompanying $itness and a nati%e director;
that the scrutinies of their accounts' to $hich they formerly $ere
subject' are no$ abolished' and' in short' that they ha%e no check
upon them' or indeed any other persons to bear testimony to their
irregularities' eEcept the friendless and miserable %ictims of their
despotism and a%arice
>ot$ithstanding' ho$e%er' $hat is abo%e stated' it sometimes happens
that a magistrate is to be met $ith' distinguished from the rest by
his prudence and good conduct; but this is a miracle' for by the %ery
circumstance of his being allo$ed to trade' he is placed in a situation
to abuse the $ide po$ers confided to him' and preferably to attend
to his personal interests; in fact' if the principle is in itself
defecti%e' it must naturally be eEpected the conseAuences $ill be
eAually baneful The lamentable abuses here noticed are but too true'
as $ell as many others passed o%er in silence; and the $orst of all
is' that there is no hope of remedying them thoroughly' unless the
present system of interior administration is altogether changed 6n
%ain $ould it be to allege the possibility of remo%ing the e%il by the
timely and energetic interposition of the protector of the nati%es;
for although this office is in itself highly respectable' it cannot
in any $ay reach the multitude of eEcesses committed' and much less
pre%ent them; not only because the minister $ho eEercises it resides
in the city' $here complaints are seldom brought in' unless they come
through the channel of the parish curates; but also on account of the
difficulty of fully establishing the charges against the magistrates'
in the $ay the nati%es are at present depressed by fear and threats' as
$ell as restrained by the sub(go%ernors and other inferior officers of
justice' $ho' being dependent upon' and holding their situations from
the magistrates' are interested in their monopolies and eEtortionate
acts being kept from public %ie$
2)ess complaisant la$s needed5 6f' therefore' it is not possible
entirely to eradicate the %ices under $hich the interior administration
of these 6slands labors' o$ing to the difficulty of finding persons
possessed of the necessary %irtues and talents to go%ern' in an upright
and judicious manner' let us at least pre%ent the e%ils out of the
too great condescension of our o$n la$s 6n the infancy of colonies'
it has been the maEim of all go%ernments to encourage the emigration
and settlement of inhabitants from the mother(country' $ithout paying
much attention to the means by $hich this $as to be done 6t $as not to
be $ondered at that' for reasons of state' defects $ere o%erlooked'((at
such periods $ere e%en deemed necessary <ence the relaEation in the
la$s in fa%or of those $ho' Auitting their nati%e land' carried o%er
$ith them to strange countries their property and acAuirements <ence'
no doubt' also are deri%ed the full po$ers granted to those $ho took
in charge the subjection and administration of the ne$ pro%inces'
in order that they might go%ern' and at the same time carry on their
traffic $ith the nati%es' not$ithstanding the manifest incompatibility
of the t$o occupations; or rather' the certainty that ought to ha%e
been foreseen that public duties $ould generally be postponed' $hen
placed in competition $ith pri%ate interests and the anEious desire
of acAuiring $ealth
7ubseAuently that happened $hich $as' in fact' to be dreaded' %iB'
$hat at first $as tolerated as a necessary e%il' sanctioned by the
lapse of time has at length become a legitimate right' or rather a
compensation for the supposed trouble attached to the fulfillment of
the duties of ci%il magistrates; $hilst they' as already obser%ed'
think of nothing but themsel%es' and undergo no other trouble or
incon%enience than usually fall on the lot of any other pri%ate
merchant 6n the Philippines' at least' many years ha%ing elapsed
since the nati%es peaceably submitted to the dominion of the king'
e%ery moti%e has ceased that could formerly' and in a certain degree'
justify the indulgence so much abused' at the same time that no
plausible preteEt $hate%er eEists for its further continuation
+lthough hitherto the number of $hites' compared to that of the
people of color' has not been great' as the $hole of the pro%incial
magistracies' collectorships' and subaltern go%ernments' do not eEceed
t$enty(se%en' the scarcity of 7paniards ought not to be alleged as a
sufficient reason; nor can it be doubted these situations might at any
time be properly filled' if the person on $hom the choice should fall
$ere only certain of li%ing $ith decency and in a suitable manner'
$ithout being carried a$ay $ith the flattering hopes of $ithdra$ing
from office' $ith ten' t$enty' and e%en as high as fifty thousand
dollars of property' as has heretofore been the case' but satisfied
$ith a due and eAui%alent salary they might recei%e as a re$ard for
the public ser%ices they perform
6 do not therefore see $hy the go%ernment should hesitate in resol%ing
to put a stop to e%ils $hich the people of the Philippines ha%e not
ceased to deplore from the time of the conAuest' by proscribing' under
the most se%ere penalties' the po$er of trading' as no$ eEercised
by the pro%incial magistrates The time is come $hen this struggle
bet$een duty and sordid interest ought to end' and reason' as $ell
as enlightened policy' demand that in this respect our legislation
should be reformed' in order that the mace of justice' instead of
being prostituted in search of lucre' may hencefor$ards be $holly
employed in the support of eAuity and the protection of society
2=rgence of reform5 The only objection $hich' at first sight' might
be started against the suggestions here thro$n out is the increased
eEpense $hich $ould fall on the treasury' o$ing to the necessity of
appropriating competent salaries for the interior magistrates under
the ne$ order of things 6ndependent' ho$e%er' of the fact that the
rapid impro%ements the pro%inces must assume' in e%ery point of %ie$'
$ould superabundantly make up this trifling difference; yet supposing
the sacrifice $ere gratuitous' and e%en of some moment' it ought
not' on that account' to be omitted' since there is no public object
more important to the so%ereign himself' than to make the necessary
pro%ision for the decorum of the magistracy' the due administration
of justice' and the maintenance of good order among his subjects
The position being established' that a number of $hites more
than sufficient might be obtained' eligible and fit to perform
the duties of ci%il magistrates' $hich they $ould be induced to
undertake' if adeAuate terms $ere only proposed' it $ould seem that
no ill conseAuences might be eEpected from at once assimilating
the regulations of these pro%incial judicatures to those of the
corregimientos' or mayoralties of to$ns in 7pain' or in making out an
eEpress statute' on a triple scale' for three classes of magistrates'
granting to them emoluments eAui%alent to the greater or lesser
eEtent of the respecti%e jurisdictions +s far as regards the pay' it
ought to be so arranged as to act as a sufficient stimulus to induce
European colonists to embrace this career' in a fiEed and permanent
$ay' $hich hitherto they ha%e only resorted to as a fi%e yearsC
speculation Conformably to this suggestion' and o$ing to the lesser
%alue attached to money in 6ndia' compared $ith Europe' on account of
the greater abundance of the necessaries of life' 6 am of opinion that
it $ould be eEpedient to affiE an annual allo$ance of N/'000 to each
of the appointments of the siE principal and most populous pro%inces'
N-'900 for the neEt in importance' and for the t$el%e or thirteen
remaining' at the rate of N-'000 each; lea%ing to the candidates
the option of rising according to their length of ser%ices and good
conduct' from the lo$est to the highest' as is the case in 7pain
28bjects to be gained5 The first part of the plan abo%e pointed
out embraces t$o objects The one is to pre%ent the pro%incial
magistrates from carrying on traffic' thus depri%ing them of e%ery
preteEt to defraud the nati%es of $hat is their o$n; and the other'
to form' in the course of a fe$ years a class of men hitherto unkno$n
in the Philippine 6slands' $ho' taught by practice' may be enabled to
go%ern the pro%inces in a more correct and regular manner' and acAuire
more eEtended kno$ledge' especially in the judicial proceedings of
the first instance' $hich' o$ing to this defect' freAuently compel
the litigants to incur useless eEpenses' and greatly embarrass the
ordinary course of justice +lthough the second part at first seems
to in%ol%e an increased eEpense of NIH'000 or NI4'000 annually'
$hen $ell considered' this sum $ill be found not to eEceed N/0'000'
because it $ill be necessary to deduct from the abo%e estimate the
amount of three per cent under the eEisting regulations allo$ed to
the magistrates for the collection of the nati%e tributes' in their
character of subdelegates' generally amounting to N-H'000 or N-4'000;
besides only taking into account such real and effecti%e disbursements
or eEtraordinary eEpenses as in fact they may legally ha%e incurred
in the performance of their duties
7hould it' ho$e%er' be deemed eEpedient' from causes just in their
nature' hereafter to eEonerate the nati%es from the obligations of
paying tributes' by $hich means the amount deducted for the three
per cent commission could not then be brought into account' let
me be allo$ed to ask $hat enlightened go%ernment $ould hesitate
submitting to an additional eEpense of so trifling an import' in
eEchange for beholding more than t$o millions of men fore%er freed
from the eEtortionate acts of their old magistrates; and' through
the effects of the ne$ regulations' the latter con%erted into real
fathers of the people o%er $hom they are placedQ <o$ different $ould
then be the aspect these fine pro%inces $ould present to the eyes
of the philosophical obser%er $ho $ould' in that case' be able to
calculate to $hat an eEtent the progress of agriculture and industry
in these islands might be carried
2,emoraliBation of o%er(seas ser%ice5 >e%ertheless' 6 do not $ish
to insinuate that by the better organiBation of the pro%incial
go%ernments' the present irregularities and abuses of authority
$ould entirely cease; because 6 am a$are' more especially in the
6ndies' that the persons $ho hold public situations usually ha%e too
eEaggerated ideas of their o$n personal importance' and easily mistake
the gratification of their o$n $hims for firmness of character'
in the necessity of causing themsel%es to be respected 7till it
is an incontestable fact that' by remo%ing the chief temptation'
and rescinding altogether the license to trade' the just complaints
preferred by the nati%e against the 7paniard $ould cease; the moti%es
of those continual disputes $hich arise bet$een the magistrates
and the ministers of the gospel eEercising their functions in the
same pro%inces' and the Bealous defenders of the rights of their
parishioners' $ould be remo%ed' and the inhabitants of @anila'
eEtending their mercantile operations to the interior' $ithout the
dread of seeing them obstructed through the po$erful competition
of the magistrates in authority there' $ould be induced to settle
in or connect themsel%es $ith the pro%inces' and thus diffuse their
kno$ledge' acti%ity and money among the inhabitants' the true means
of encouraging the $hole
!hat has already been said $ill suffice to con%ince the lo%er of
truth and the friend of general prosperity' ho$ urgent it is to
introduce as early as possible' the reform proposed into the interior
administration of this important' although neglected colony; and it
is to be hoped that the go%ernment' guided by these same sentiments'
$ill not be led a$ay by those narro$(minded people' $ho predict danger
from e%ery thing that is ne$; but' after due and mature deliberation'
resol%e to adopt a measure dictated by reason' and at the same time
conformable to the best interests of the state
8f little a%ail $ould ha%e been the %alor and constancy $ith $hich
)egaspi and his $orthy companions o%ercame the nati%es of these
islands' if the apostolic Beal of the missionaries had not seconded
their eEertions' and aided to consolidate the enterprise The latter
$ere the real conAuerors; they $ho' $ithout any other arms than their
%irtues' $on o%er the good $ill of the islanders' caused the 7panish
name to be belo%ed' and ga%e to the king' as it $ere by a miracle'
t$o millions more of submissi%e and Christian subjects These $ere
the legislators of the barbarous hordes $ho inhabited the islands
of this immense +rchipelago' realiBing' by their mild persuasion'
the allegorical prodigies of +mphion and 8rpheus
2Pioneer Philippine go%ernment a theocracy5 +s the means the
missionaries called in to their aid' in order to reduce and ci%iliBe
the 6ndians' $ere preaching and other spiritual labors' and' although
scattered about and acting separately' they $ere still subject to
the authority of their prelates' $ho' like so many chiefs' directed
the grand $ork of con%ersion' the go%ernment primiti%ely established
in these colonies must necessarily ha%e partaken greatly of the
theocratical order' and beyond doubt it continued to be so' till'
by the lapse of time' the number of colonists increased' as $ell as
the effecti%e strength of the royal authority' so as to render the
go%erning system uniform $ith that established in the other ultramarine
dominions of 7pain
This is also deduced from the fragments still remaining of the first
constitution' or mode of go%ernment introduced in the Batanes 6slands
and missions of Cagayan' administered by the ,ominican friars in a
spiritual and temporal manner; as $ell as from $hat may freAuently be
obser%ed in the other pro%inces' by any one $ho besto$s the smallest
attention +lthough the ci%il magistracies ha%e since been regulated'
and their respecti%e attributes determined $ith due precision' it has
not hitherto been possible' not$ithstanding the pains taken to make the
contrary appear' to do $ithout the personal authority and influence
the parish curates possess o%er their flocks The go%ernment has' in
fact' constantly been obliged to a%ail themsel%es of this aid' as the
most po$erful instrument to insure respect and a due subordination'
in such manner that' although the parish curates are not at present
eAually authoriBed to interfere in the ci%il administration' in point
of fact' they are themsel%es the real administrators
27tanding of parish priests5 6t happens that' as the parish curate
is the consoler of the afflicted' the peacemaker of families' the
promoter of useful ideas' the preacher and eEample of e%ery thing good;
as in him liberality is seen to shine' and the 6ndians behold him alone
in the midst of them' $ithout relati%es' $ithout traffic' and al$ays
busied in their care and impro%ement' they become accustomed to li%e
satisfied and contented under his paternal direction' and deli%er up to
him the $hole of their confidence 6n this $ay rendered the master of
their $ishes' nothing is done $ithout the ad%ice' or rather consent'
of the curate The subaltern go%ernor' on recei%ing an order from the
superior magistrate' before he takes any step' goes to the minister
to obtain his sanction' and it is he in fact $ho tacitly gi%es the
mandate for eEecution' or pre%ents its being carried into effect +s
the father of his flock' he arranges' or directs' the la$suits of
his parishioners; it is he $ho dra$s out their $ritings; goes to the
capital to plead for the 6ndians; opposes his prayers' and sometimes
his threats' to the %iolent acts of the pro%incial magistrates' and
arranges e%ery thing in the most fit and Auiet manner 6n a $ord' it
is not possible for any human institution to be more simple' and at
the same time more firmly established' or from $hich so many ad%antages
might be deri%ed in fa%or of the state' as the one so justly admired in
the spiritual ministry of these islands 6t may therefore be considered
a strange fatality' $hen the secret and true art of go%erning a colony'
so different from any other as is that of the Philippines' consists in
the $ise use of so po$erful an instrument as the one just described'
that the superior go%ernment' $ithin the last fe$ years' should ha%e
been so much deluded as to seek the destruction of a $ork $hich'
on the contrary' it is' abo%e all others' ad%isable to sustain
6n this' as $ell as many other cases' $e see ho$ difficult' or rather
ho$ absurd it is' to eEpect to organiBe a system of go%ernment'
indistinctly adapted to the genius and disposition of all nations'
ho$e%er great the discordance pre%ailing in their physical and moral
constitutions <ence it follo$s that' by $ishing to assimilate
the administrati%e plan of these pro%inces to the one adopted in
the sections of +merica' incon%eniences are unceasingly met $ith'
e%idently arising out of this erroneous principle !hate%er may
be asserted to the contrary' there is no medium 6t is necessary to
insure obedience either through dread and force' or respect must be
eEcited by means of lo%e and confidence 6n order to be con%inced that
the first is not practicable' it $ill only be necessary to $eigh $ell
the follo$ing circumstances and reflections
The number of the $hites compared to that of the nati%es is so
small' that it can scarcely be estimated in the proportion of -9
to /9'000 These pro%inces' infinitely more populous than those of
+merica' are entirely deli%ered up to the charge of pro%incial 2Friars
only check on officials5 magistrates' $ho carry $ith them to the seats
of their respecti%e go%ernments' no other troops than the title of
military commandants' and their royal commission on parchment Besides
the friars' it sometimes happens that no other $hite person is to be
found in an entire pro%ince' but the presiding magistrate 6t is the
duty of the latter to collect in the kingCs re%enue; to pursue robbers;
appease tumults; raise men for the regiments in garrison at @anila and
Ca%ite; regulate and head his people in case of an eEternal in%asion'
and' in short' it is he $ho is to do e%erything in the character of
magistrate and in the name of the king Considering' therefore' the
effecti%e po$er reAuired for the due performance of so great a %ariety
of duties' and the $ant of that species of support eEperienced by him
$ho is charged $ith them' can it be denied that it $ould be risking the
security of these dominions too much' to attempt forcibly to control
them $ith means so insufficientQ 6f the inhabitants become tumultuous
and rise up' on $hom $ill the magistrate call for aid to repress and
punish themQ 6n such a predicament' is any other alternati%e left him
than to fly or die in the struggleQ 6f among ci%iliBed nations' it is
deemed indispensable that authority should al$ays appear accompanied
$ith force' ho$ can it be eEpected' among 6ndians' that the la$s $ill
other$ise be respected' $hen left naked and unsupportedQ
2@issionariesC achie%ements5 E%idently' it is necessary to appeal to
aid of another kind' and to employ means' $hich' although indirect
ones' are' beyond all dispute' the best adapted to the peculiar
circumstances of the country'((means $hich' by influencing the mind'
eEcite %eneration' subdue the rude understanding of the inhabitants'
and incline them to bear our dominion $ithout repugnance 6t is $ell
understood $hat these means are' ho$ much they are at hand' and ho$
greatly also they ha%e al$ays been en%ied by other European nations'
$ho ha%e sought to eEtend and consolidate their conAuests in both
the 6ndies )et us listen to )a PLrouse' if $e $ish to kno$ and
admire the army $ith $hich our missionaries subdued the nati%es of
both Californias; let us read' dispassionately' the $onderful deeds
of the Jesuits in other parts of +merica' and' abo%e all' let us
%isit the Philippine 6slands and' $ith astonishment' shall $e there
behold eEtended ranges' studded $ith temples and spacious con%ents;
the ,i%ine $orship celebrated $ith pomp and splendor; regularity
in the streets' and e%en luEury in the houses and dress; schools
of the first rudiments in all the to$ns' and the inhabitants $ell
%ersed in the art of $riting !e shall there see cause$ays raised'
bridges of a good architecture built' and' in short' all the measure
of good go%ernment and police' in the greatest part of the country'
carried into effect' yet the $hole is due to the eEertions' apostolic
labors and pure patriotism of the ministers of religion )et us
tra%el o%er the pro%inces' and $e shall there see to$ns of 9000'
-0'000' and /0'000 6ndians' peacefully go%erned by one $eak old man'
$ho' $ith his doors open at all hours' sleeps Auiet and secure in
his d$elling' $ithout any other magic' or any other guards' than the
lo%e and respect $ith $hich he has kno$n to inspire his flock +nd'
$hen this is contemplated' can it be deemed possible' through foolish
jealousy and %ain $ish for those persons only pointed out by the
general la$s in ordinary cases' to inter%ene in the go%ernment of the
nati%es' that the fruit of so much time constancy are not to be lost'
but also by hereafter disregarding and rejecting a co(operation'
as efficient as it is economical' that attempts should purposely be
made to destroy the mainspring of the $hole of this political machineQ
2Curtailing priestly authority5 7uch' ne%ertheless' are the mistaken
ideas $hich' $ithin the last fe$ years' ha%e unhappily led to the
adoption of measures' diametrically opposed to the public interest'
under the preteEt of curtailing the eEcessi%e authority of the
parish(curates The superior go%ernment' not satisfied $ith ha%ing
depri%ed the ministers of the faculty of personally prescribing certain
correctional punishments' $hich although of little moment' $hen applied
$ith discretion' greatly contributed to fortify their ascendency'
and conseAuently' that of the so%ereign; but' in order to eEclude and
di%est them of all inter%ention in the ci%il administration' a direct
attempt has also been made to lo$er the esteem in $hich they are held'
by a$akening the distrust of the 6ndian' and' as much as possible'
remo%ing him to a greater distance from them 6n proof of this' and
in order that $hat has been said may not be deemed an eEaggeration'
it $ill suffice to Auote the substance of t$o regulations' remarkable
for their ob%ious tendency to $eaken the influence and credit of the
spiritual administrators
By one of these' it is enacted that in order to pre%ent the abuses
and notorious mal%ersation of the funds of the sanctuary' specially
applicable to the eEpenses of the festi%ities and $orship of each
parish' and arising out of the real and half for this purpose
contributed by each tributary person' and collected and pri%ately
administered by the curate' the same shall hereafter be kept in a chest
$ith three keys' and lodged in the head(to$n of each pro%ince The keys
are to be left' one in possession of the chief magistrate' another in
the hands of the go%ernor of the respecti%e to$n' and the remaining
one $ith the parish(curate By the other measure it is declared' as
a standing rule' that no 6ndian' $ho may lately ha%e been employed
in the domestic ser%ice of the curate' shall in his o$n to$n be
considered eligible to any office belonging to the judicial department
8n measures of this kind' comments are unnecessary; their meaning and
effect cannot be mistaken 6 shall' therefore' merely obser%e' that
no untimely means could ha%e been de%ised more injurious to the state'
to the propagation of religion' and e%en to the nati%es themsel%es 6t
is' in fact' a most strange affair' that such endea%ors should ha%e
been made to impeach the purity' by at the same time degrading the
respectable character of the parish(curates' more particularly at a
period $hen' o$ing to partality and the scarcity of religious men'
it $ould ha%e seemed more natural to uphold' and by ne$ inducements
encourage the Beal and authority of the remaining fe$ This step
appears the more singular' 6 repeat' at a moment $hen' neither
by suspending the sending out of missionaries to China' and the
almost entire abandonment of the spiritual conAuest of the 6gorots
and other infidel tribes' inhabiting the interior of these islands'
ha%e the abo%e 7panish laborers been able to carry on the ordinary
administration' nor pre%ent entire pro%inces from being transferred'
as is no$ the case' into the hands of 6ndians and mestiBo clergymen
of the 7angley race' $ho' through their great ignorance' corrupt
morals' and total $ant of decorum' uni%ersally incur the contempt
of the flocks committed to their care' and' in conseAuence of their
tyrannical conduct' cause the people to sigh for the mild yoke of
their ancient pastors
2Friars bul$ark of 7panish rule5 6f' therefore' it is the $ish of
the go%ernment to retain the subjection of this colony' and raise
it to the high degree of prosperity of $hich it is susceptible'
the first thing' in my opinion' that ought to be attended to is the
good organiBation of its spiritual administration 8n this subject
$e must not decei%e oursel%es 6 again repeat' that as long as the
local go%ernment' in conseAuence of the $ant of military forces'
and o$ing to the scarcity of Europeans' does not in itself possess
the means of insuring obedience' no other alternati%e remains 6t is
necessary to call in to its aid the po$erful influence of religion'
and to obtain from the Peninsula fresh supplies of missionaries +s
in their nature the latter are essentially different from the other
public functionaries' it is $ell kno$n they neither seek nor aspire to
any remuneration for their labors' their only hope being to obtain'
in the opinion of the community at large' that degree of respect to
$hich they justly consider themsel%es entitled )et' therefore' their
pre(eminences be retained to them* let them be treated $ith decorum;
the care and direction of the 6ndians confided to their charge' and
they al$ays be found united in support of justice and the legitimate
authority
2=n$ise to discredit priests5 >othing is more unjust' and of nothing
ha%e the spiritual directors of the pro%inces so much reason to
complain' than the little discernment $ith $hich they ha%e sometimes
been judged and condemned' by causing the misconduct of some of their
indi%idual members to affect the $hole body <ence is it that no one
can read $ithout shame and indignation' the insidious suggestions and
allusions' derogatory to their character' contained in the "egulations
of Go%ernment framed at @anila in the year -49.' and $hich although
modified by orders of the king' are at the present moment still in
force' o$ing to the $ant of others' and found in a printed form in
the hands of e%ery one Granting that in some particular instances'
real causes of complaint might ha%e eEisted' yet in the end' $hat
does it matter if here and there a religious character has abused
the confidence reposed in him' as long as the spirit by $hich the
generality of them are actuated' corresponds to the sanctity of their
state' and is besides conformable to the %ie$s of go%ernmentQ !hy
should $e be eternally running after an ideal of perfection $hich
can ne%er be met $ithQ >or' indeed' is this necessary in the present
construction of society
2Testimony in their behalf5 6f' ho$e%er' any $eight is to be attached
to imposture $ith $hich' from personal moti%es' attempts ha%e been
made to obscure the truth' and prejudice the public mind against
the regular clergy; or' if the just defense on $hich 6 ha%e entered'
should be attributed to partiality or %isionary impressions' let the
+rchi%es of the Colonial ,epartment be opened' and $e shall there
find the report dra$n up by order of the king on >o%ember /H' -.01' by
the go%ernor of the Philippine 6slands' ,on "afael @aria de +guilar'
$ith a %ie$ to con%ey information regarding the enAuiries at that
time instituted respecting the reduction of the inhabitants of the
6sland of @indoro; a report eEtremely honorable to the regular clergy'
and dictated by the eEperience that general had acAuired during a
period of more than t$el%e years he had go%erned Therein also $ill
be seen the ans$er to the consultation addressed to his successor in
the command' ,on @ariano FernandeB de Folgueras' under date of +pril
/9' -.0:' in $hich he most earnestly beseeches the king to endea%or'
by e%ery possible means' to send out religious missionaries; deploring
the decline and $ant of order he had obser%ed $ith his o$n eyes in the
to$ns administered by nati%e clergymen' and pointing out the urgent
necessity of intrusting the spiritual go%ernment of these pro%inces
to the deEterous management of the former Testimonies of such $eight
are more than sufficient at once to refute the calumnies and contrary
opinions put forth on this subject' and at the same time ser%e as
irrefragable proofs of the scrupulous impartiality $ith $hich 6 ha%e
endea%ored to discuss so delicate a matter
6n a general point of %ie$' 6 ha%e alluded to the erroneous system'
$hich during the last fe$ years has been pursued by the go%ernment
$ith regard to the parish(curates employed in the interior' and also
sufficiently pointed out the ad%antages reasonably to be eEpected
if the go%ernment' acting on a different policy' or rather guided
by other moti%es of state' instead of follo$ing the literal teEt
of our 6ndian legislation' should come to the firm determination of
indirectly di%esting themsel%es of a small portion of their authority
in fa%or of the religious laborers $ho are acting on the spot <a%ing
said thus much' 6 shall proceed to such further details as are more
immediately connected $ith the present chapter
2Ecclesiastical 8rganiBation5 The ecclesiastical jurisdiction is
eEercised by the metropolitan archbishop of @anila' aided by the
three suffragans of >ue%a 7ego%ia' >ue%a Caceres and Cebu
The archbishopric of @anila comprehends the pro%inces of Tondo'
Bulacan' Pampanga' Bataan' Ca%ite' )aguna de Bay' Tambales' Batangas'
and the 6sland of @indoro
The bishopric of >ue%a 7ego%ia comprehends the pro%ince of Pangasinan'
the missions of 6tuy and PaniAui' the pro%inces of 6locos' Cagayan'
and the missions of the Batanes 6slands
That of >ue%a Caceres comprehends the pro%inces of Tayabas' >ue%a
Ecija' Camarines and +lbay
That of Cebu comprehends the 6slands of Cebu and Bohol' 6loilo'
CapiB and +ntiAue' in the 6sland of Panay' the 6slands of )a Paragua'
>egros and 7amar' @isamis' Caraga and Tamboanga in that of @indanao'
and the @ariana 6slands
The archbishop has a salary of N9'000 and the bishops N1'000 each The
curacies eEceed 900' and although all of them originally $ere in charge
of persons belonging to the religious orders' o$ing to the eEpulsion
of the Jesuits and the eEcessi%e scarcity of regular clergy' so many
nati%e priests ha%e gradually been introduced among them' that'
at present' nearly half the to$ns are under their direction The
rest are administered by the religious orders of 7t +ugustine'
7t ,ominic and 7t Francis' in the follo$ing manner*
To$ns
The +ugustinians ..
The barefooted +ugustinians F"ecoletosG 9/
The ,ominicans 94
The Franciscans :H
Total /:I
6t ought' ho$e%er' to be obser%ed' that since the detailed statement
$as made out' from $hich the abo%e eEtract has been taken' so many
members of the religious orders ha%e died' that it has been necessary
to replace them in many to$ns $ith nati%e clergymen' as a temporary
eEpedient' and till ne$ missionaries shall arri%e from 7pain
2,ual super%ision o%er friars5 The monastic curates are immediately
subject to their pro%incial superior' in the character of friars but
depend on the diocesan bishop in their Auality of parish priests; and
in like manner obey their o$n pro%incial %icars' as $ell as those of
the bishop They are alternately eligible to the dignities of their
o$n order' and generally promoted' or relie%ed from their ministry'
at the discretion of the pro%incial chapter' or according to the final
determination of the %ice(patron or bishop' affiEed to the triple
list presented to him Besides the ordinary obligations attached to
the care of souls' they are enjoined to assist at the elections of
go%ernors and other officers of justice' in their respecti%e to$ns'
in order to inform the chief magistrate respecting the aptitude of
the persons proposed for election on the triple lists' and to point
out the legal defects attributable to any of them 8n this account'
they are not' ho$e%er' allo$ed to interfere in the smallest degree
$ith any of these proceedings' and much less make a formal proposal'
as most assuredly $ould be ad%isable if permitted so to do' in fa%or
of any particular person or persons in their opinion fit for the
discharge of the abo%e mentioned duties 6t is their obligation to
ascertain the correctness of the tribute lists presented to them
for their eEamination and signature by the chief of the clans'
by carefully comparing them $ith the registers kept in their o$n
department; and also to certify the general returns' $ithout $hich
reAuisite the statements transmitted by the chief magistrates to
the accountant(generalCs office are not admitted +bo%e all they
are bound to affiE their signatures to the effecti%e payments made
by the magistrate to their parishioners on account of daily labor'
and to certify similarly the %alue of materials employed in public
$orks Besides the abo%e' they are continually called upon to dra$
up circumstantial reports' or declarations' reAuired by the superior
tribunals; they recei%e freAuent injunctions to co(operate in the
increase of the kingCs re%enue and the encouragement of agriculture
and industry; in a $ord' there is scarcely a thing to $hich their
attention is not called' and to $hich it is not eEpected they should
contribute by their influence' directly or indirectly
2+llo$ances from treasury5 The royal treasury pays them an annual
allo$ance eAual to N-.0' in kind and money' for each fi%e hundred
tributes under their care' and this' added to the emoluments of the
church' renders the total proceeds of a curacy generally eAui%alent
to about from siE to eight reals for each entire tribute; but
from this allo$ance are to be deducted the eEpenses of coadjutors'
subsistence' ser%ants' horses' and all the other charges arising
out of the administration of such $earisome duties; nor are the
parishioners under any other obligation than to pro%ide the churches
$ith assistants' or sacristans and singers' and the curates $ith
pro%isions at tariff prices
2>eed of more European clergy5 Finally' as from $hat has been abo%e
stated it $ould appear' that as many as fi%e hundred religious persons
are necessary for the spiritual administration of the interior to$ns
and districts' besides the number reAuisite to do the duty and fill
the dignities of the respecti%e orders and con%ents in the capital'
independent of $hich there ought to be a proportionate surplus'
applicable to the progressi%e reduction of the infidel tribes
inhabiting the uplands' as $ell as the preaching of the Gospel
in China and Cochinchina' most assuredly' it $ould be eEpedient
to assemble and keep together a body of no less than se%en hundred
persons' if it is the $ish of the go%ernment' on a tolerable scale' to
pro%ide for the $ants of these remote missions +t the present moment
the number does not eEceed three hundred' including superannuated'
eEempt from ser%ice' and lay(brothers' $hilst the nati%e clergymen
in effecti%e possession of curacies' and including substitutes'
coadjutors and $eekly preachers' eEceed one thousand +nd as the
latter' in general un$orthy of the priesthood' are rather injurious
than really ser%iceable to the state' it should not be deemed unjust
if they $ere altogether depri%ed of the dignity of parish curates'
and only allo$ed to eEercise their functions in necessary cases' or by
attaching them to the curacies in the Auality of coadjutors By this
plan' at the same time that the to$ns $ould be pro%ided $ith suitable
and adeAuate ministers' the nati%e clergymen $ould be distributed
in a proper manner and placed near the religious persons charged
to officiate' $ould acAuire the necessary kno$ledge and decorum'
and in the course of time might obtain character and respect among
their countrymen
To many' a measure of this kind may' in some respects' appear harsh
and arbitrary; but persons' practically acAuainted $ith the subject
and country' $ill deem it indispensable' and the only means that
can be resorted to' in order to stop the rapid decline remarkable in
this interesting department of public administration Fortunately'
no grounded objections can be alleged against it; nor is there any
danger of serious conseAuences resulting from the plan being carried
into effect 6n %ain $ould it be to argue that' if the reform is to
take place' a large number of priests $ould be reduced to beggary'
o$ing to the $ant of occupation; because' as things no$ stand' many of
the religious curates employ three or four coadjutors' and' no doubt'
they $ould then gladly undertake to make pro%ision for the remainder
of those $ho may be thro$n out of employment 8n the other hand' $ith
eAual truth it may be obser%ed that the inhabitants of the interior'
far from regretting' or taking part on behalf of the nati%e clergy'
$ould celebrate' as a day of gladness and rejoicing' the remo%al of
the latter' in return for their belo%ed Castilian Fathers
2"estriction of nati%e ordinations recommended5 6n case the ideas
abo%e suggested should be adopted in all their parts' it may be proper
to add that an injunction ought to be laid on the re%erend bishops
in future to confer holy orders $ith more scrupulosity and economy'
than' unfortunately' heretofore has been the case; by representing to
them that' if' at certain periods the Popes ha%e been influenced by
po$erful reasons not to insist on ordinations taking place in Europe'
as $as formerly the case' %ery $eighty moti%es no$ eAually urge the
go%ernment to decline' in the Philippine 6slands' paying so much to
religious %ocation' and to relaE in the policy of raising the nati%es
to the dignity of the priesthood
2@oro depredations5 )ong ha%e the inhabitants of the Philippines
deplored' and in %ain remonstrated' against the ra%ages committed
on their coasts and settlements by the barbarous nati%es of the
6slands of @indanao' Basilan and Jolo' as $ell as by the @alanos'
6lanos and Tirone @oros and others; and there is nothing that so much
deser%es the attention' and interests the honor of the Captain(General
commanding in this Auarter' as an early and efficient attempt to check
and punish these cruel enemies 6t is indeed true that' in the years
-HIH and -HI.' General ,on 7ebastian <urtado de Corcuera' undertook in
person and happily carried into effect the reduction of the 7ultan of
@indanao and the conAuest of the 6sland of Jolo' placing in the latter
a go%ernor and establishing three military posts there; under the
protection of the garrisons of $hich' Christianity $as considerably
eEtended 6t is eAually true' that on the subseAuent abandonment of
this important acAuisition' o$ing to the go%ernment being compelled to
attend to other urgent matters' the enemy acAuired a greater degree of
audacity' and the captain(general in command after$ards sent armaments
to check his inroads 8n one of these occasions' our troops obliged an
army of more than 9'000 @oros' $ho had closely beset the fortress of
Tamboanga' to raise the siege; and also in the years -4I- and -4I1'
fresh detachments of our men $ere landed on the 6slands of Jolo'
Capul and Basilan' and their success $as follo$ed by the destruction
and ruin of the fortified posts' %essels' and settlements of those
perfidious @ahometans 6t is not' ho$e%er' less certain that at the
periods abo%e mentioned' the $ar $as carried on rather from moti%es
of punishment and re%enge' and suggested by a sudden and passing Beal'
than in conformity to any progressi%e and $ell(combined system 7ince
then these laudable military enterprises ha%e been entirely neglected'
as $ell on account of the indolence of some of the go%ernors' as
the too great confidence placed in the protestations of friendship
and treaties of peace $ith $hich' from time to time' the 7ultans
of Jolo and @indanao ha%e sought to lull them to sleep Their $ant
of sincerity is pro%ed by the circumstance of the piracies of their
respecti%e subjects not ceasing' the chiefs sometimes feigning they
$ere carried on $ithout their license or kno$ledge; and' at others'
eEcusing themsel%es on the plea of their inability to restrain the
insolence of the Tirones and other independent tribes >e%ertheless'
it is notorious that the abo%e(mentioned sultans indirectly encouraged
the practice of pri%ateering' by affording e%ery aid in their po$er
to those $ho fitted out %essels' and purchasing from the pirates all
the Christians they captured and brought to them
2+ missionaryCs appeal5 Father Juan +ngeles' superior of the mission
established in Jolo' at the reAuest of 7ultan +limudin himself For
Ferdinand 6 as he $as after$ards un$orthily called on being made a
Christian $ith no other %ie$ than the better to gain the confidence
of the 7paniardsG in a report he sent to the go%ernment from the
abo%e 6sland' under date of 7eptember /1' -41.' describing the
7ultanCs singular artifices to amuse him and frustrate the object
of his mission' fully confirms all that has just been said' and'
on closing his report' makes use of the follo$ing remarkable $ords*
D!hen is it $e shall ha%e had enough of treaties $ith these @oros' for
ha%e $e not before us the eEperience of more than one hundred years'
during $hich period of time' they ha%e not kept a single article
in any $ay burdensome to' or binding on' themsel%esQ They $ill ne%er
obser%e the conditions of peace' because their property consists in the
possession of sla%es' and $ith them they traffic' the same as other
nations do $ith money 7ooner $ill the ha$k release his prey from
his talons than they $ill put an end to their piracies The cause of
their being still unfaithful to 7pain arises out of this matter ha%ing
been taken up by fits and starts' and not in the serious manner it
ought to ha%e been done To make $ar on them' in an effectual manner'
fleets must not be employed' but they must be attacked on land' and
in their posts in the interior; for it is much more ad%isable at once
to spend ten $ith ad%antage and in a strenuous manner to attain an
important object than to lay out t$enty by degrees and $ithout fruitD
2Go%ernmental lenience5 6t is an undeniable fact that the go%ernment'
lulled and decei%ed by the freAuent embassies and submissi%e and
crouching letters $hich those fa$ning sultans ha%e been in the habit
of transmitting to them' instead of adopting the energetic measures
urged by the abo%e(mentioned missionary' ha%e constantly endea%ored
to rene$ and secure the friendship of those chiefs' by means of
treaties and commercial relations; granting' $ith this %ie$' ample
licenses to e%ery one $ho %entured to ship merchandise to Jolo' and
$inking at the traffic carried on by the go%ernors of the fortress of
Tamboanga $ith the people of @indanao; $hilst the latter' on their
part' sporting $ith our foolish credulity' ha%e ne%er ceased $aging
a most destructi%e $ar against us' by attacking our to$ns situated
on the coast' not e%en eEcepting those of the 6sland of )uBon They
ha%e sometimes carried their audacity so far as to sho$ themsel%es
in the neighborhood of the capital itself' and at others taken up
their temporary residence in the district of @indoro and in places
of the jurisdictions of 7amar and )eyte; and in short' e%en dared
to form an establishment or general deposit for their plunder in the
6sland of Buras' $here they Auietly remained during the years -4:4'
-4:. and -4:: to the great injury of our commerce and settlements
2+uthority for $ar not lacking5 This $ant of eEertion to remedy e%ils
of so grie%ous a nature is the more to be deplored as the Philippine
go%ernors ha%e at all times been fully authoriBed to carry on $ar'
and promote the destruction of the @oros' under e%ery sacrifice' and
especially by the royal orders and decrees of 8ctober /H' and >o%ember
-' -49.' and July I-' -4HH' in all of $hich his majesty recommends'
in the most earnest manner' Dthe importance of punishing the audacity
of the barbarous infidels' his majesty being desirous that' in order
to maintain his subjects of the Philippines free from the piracies and
capti%ity they so freAuently eEperience' no eEpenses or pains should
be spared; it being further declared' that as this is an object deeply
affecting the conscience of his majesty' he especially enjoins the
aforesaid go%ernment to obser%e his order; and finally' $ith a %ie$
to pro%ide for the eEigencies arising out of similar enterprises'
the %iceroy of >e$ 7pain is instructed to attend to the punctual
remittance' not only of the usual Dsituado'D or annual allo$ance'
but also of the additional sum of N40'000 in the first and succeeding
years' etcD 6n a $ord' our monarchs' Ferdinand #6 and Carlos 666'
omitted nothing that could in any $ay promote so important an object;
$hether it is that the go%ernors ha%e disregarded such repeated orders
from the so%ereigns' or mistaken the means by $hich they $ere to be
carried into effect' certain it is that the unhappy inhabitants of
the Philippines ha%e continued to be $itnesses' and at the same time
the %ictims of the culpable apathy of those $ho ha%e successi%ely
held the command of these 6slands $ithin the last fifty or siEty years
2>ati%e efforts for self(defence5 +bandoned therefore to their o$n
resources' and from time to time relie%ed by the presence of a fe$
gunboats $hich' after scouring the coasts' ha%e ne%er been able
to come up $ith the light and fast sailing %essels of the enemy'
the inhabitants of our to$ns and settlements ha%e been under the
necessity of intrenching and fortifying themsel%es in the best $ay
they $ere able' by opening ditches and planting a breast$ork of stakes
and palisades' cro$ned $ith $atch to$ers' or a $ooden or stone castle;
precautions $hich sometimes are not sufficient against the nocturnal
irruptions and robberies of the @oros' more especially $hen they come
$ith any strength and fire(arms' in general scarce among the nati%es
2@oro piratical craft5 The pancos' or pro$s' used by the @oros' are
light and simple %essels' built $ith numerous thin planks and ribs'
$ith a small draft of $ater; and being manned by deEterous ro$ers'
they appear and disappear from the horiBon $ith eAual celerity' flying
or attacking' $hene%er they can do it $ith e%ident ad%antage 7ome
of those %essels are large' and fitted out $ith fifty' a hundred'
and sometimes t$o hundred men The shots of their scanty and defecti%e
artillery are %ery uncertain' because they generally carry their guns
suspended in slings; but they are to be dreaded' and are eEtremely
deEterous in the management of the campilan' or s$ord' of $hich they
$ear the blades long and $ell tempered !hen they ha%e any attack
of importance in %ie$' they generally assemble to the number of
t$o hundred galleys' or more' and e%en in their ordinary cruises'
a considerable number na%igate together +s dread and the scarcity
of inhabitants in the Bisayan 6slands cause great ranges of the coast
to be left unsettled' it is %ery easy for the @oros to find numerous
lurking(places and strongholds $hene%er they are pressed' and their
constant practice' in these cases' is to enter the ri%ers' ground
their %essels' and hide them among the mangro%es and thick foliage'
and fly $ith their arms to the mountains' thus almost al$ays laughing
at the efforts of their opponents' $ho seldom %enture to follo$ them
into the thickets and morasses' $here the musket is of no use and a
single step cannot be taken $ith any security
28utrages suffered5 The fatal conseAuences and ra%ages of this system
of cruising and $arfare round the 6slands are incalculable Besides
plundering and burning the to$ns and settlements' these bloody
pirates put the old and helpless to the s$ord' destroy the cattle
and plantations' and annually carry off to their o$n homes as many as
a thousand capti%es of both seEes' $ho' if they are poor and $ithout
hopes of being redeemed' are destined to drag out a miserable eEistence
amidst the most fatiguing and painful labor' sometimes accompanied
$ith torments 7uch is the dread and apprehension of these seas that
only those na%igate and carry on trade in them $ho are able to arm and
man their %essels in a $ay corresponding to the great risks they ha%e
to run' or others $hom $ant compels to disregard the imminent dangers
$hich a$ait them +mong the latter class' the Bisayans' or Dpainted
FtattooedG nati%es'D are distinguished' an eEtremely $arlike people of
$hom great use might be made "eared from their infancy amidst danger
and battle' and greatly resembling the @oros in their features and
darkness of skin' they are eAually alike in the agility $ith $hich
they manage the long s$ord and lance' and such is the courage and
implacable odium $ith $hich they treat their enemies that' if not taken
by surprise' they sell their li%es %ery dear' sacrificing themsel%es
in a most heroic manner' rather than to be led a$ay as capti%es
6n order' ho$e%er' that a more correct idea may be formed of the
$icked policy and atrocious disposition of these @oros' and $ith a
%ie$ to do a$ay $ith the misconceptions of those $ho are of opinion
that incenti%es to trade' and other slo$ and indirect means ought
to be employed for the purpose of o%ercoming them' it $ill suffice
to Auote the follo$ing eEamples among a number of others' e%en more
recent ones' $hich might eAually be brought for$ard
26nstances of treachery5 6n -4:H' the go%ernor of Tamboanga
dispatched' $ith regular passports and under a safe conduct obtained
from the 7ultan of @indanao' )ieutenant ,on Pantaleon +rcillas'
$ith a sergeant' eight men' and a guide' in order to bring into
the fortress the cattle belonging to the kingCs farm' $hich had
strayed a$ay and got up in the lands of the abo%e(mentioned @ahometan
prince Fi%e days after their departure' $hilst the lieutenant $as
taking his meals at the house of a D,atu'D or chief' named 8roncaya'
he $as suddenly surrounded by se%enty @oros' $ho' seiBing upon him'
bound him to a tree and then flayed him ali%e' from the forehead to
the ankle 6n this miserable and defenceless situation' the barbarous
D,atuD $reaked his %engeance on his body by piercing it all o%er
$ith his Dkris'D or dagger' and then ordered his skin to be hung up
on the pole of one of his ferocious banners
6n the year -4:.' $hilst the schooner 7an JosL lay at anchor at
Tabitabi' near Jolo' the sons(in(la$ and nephe$s of the sultan $ent
out to meet her in t$o large pro$s' eEhibiting at the same time e%ery
demonstration of peace' and' sending for$ard a small %essel $ith
refreshments' they in%ited the captain to come on board of them The
latter' decei%ed by the apparent frankness and high rank of the @oros'
$ith the greatest good faith accepted the in%itation' and proceeded on
board' accompanied by t$o sailors' $ith a %ie$ to make arrangements
for barter 7carcely had they got on board of the large pro$' $hen
they $ere surrounded and seiBed' and the captain' $ho $as a 7paniard'
compelled to sign an order to his mate to deli%er up the schooner'
$hich he reluctantly did' under the hope of sa%ing his o$n and his
companionsC li%es The @oros proceeded on board the 7panish %essel'
and' in the meantime' the t$o sailors $ere taken back to the boat'
and there killed $ith daggers in the presence of all The schoonerCs
sails $ere neEt hoisted' and she $as brought into Jolo' $here the cargo
and cre$ $ere sold in sight of' and $ith the kno$ledge and consent of
the sultan; an atrocity for $hich he has al$ays refused to gi%e any
satisfaction to a nation' thus openly and barbarously outraged by his
o$n relati%es' and in defiance of the eEisting treaties of peace 7uch
is the cruel character' and such the eEecrable policy of the @oros
generally inhabiting the 6slands situated in the Philippine seas
2Gro$th of @oro po$er5 The most lamentable circumstance is' that
these infidel races' at all times to be dreaded' o$ing to their
numbers and sa%age ferocity' after the lapse of a century of almost
uninterrupted prosperity' and encouraged also by our inattention'
ha%e at length gradually attained so formidable a degree of po$er'
that their reduction no$ must be considered an eEtremely arduous and
eEpensi%e enterprise' although an object urgently reAuisite' and $orthy
of the greatness of a nation like ours 6n order' ho$e%er' that the
difficulties of so important an undertaking may be justly appreciated'
it may be proper to obser%e that the 6sland of @indanao alone' at
the present moment' contains a population eAual' if not larger' than
that of )uBon' and the margins of the immense lake' situated in its
center' are co%ered $ith $ell(built to$ns' filled $ith con%eniences'
the fruits of their annual pri%ateering' and of the traffic they
carry on $ith the inhabitants of the 6sland of Jolo True it is'
and it may be said' eAually fortunate' that they are greatly di%ided
into parties' subject to a %ariety of Ddatus'D or independent chiefs'
in name only inferior to the one $ho styles himself the sultan of the
$hole 6sland +s' ho$e%er' the fortresses and districts of Caraga'
@isamis' and Tamboanga occupy nearly three parts of the circumference
of the 6sland' these @oros freely possess no more than the southern
part' commencing at about t$enty(fi%e leagues from Cape 7an +ugustin'
and ending in the %icinity of Tamboanga; so that the largest number
of their na%al armaments are fitted out and issued to sea' either by
the great ri%er of @indanao' or from some of the many bays and inlets
situated on the abo%e eEtent of coast
2Jolo5 The 6sland of Jolo' although small compared $ith that of
@indanao' is' ne%ertheless' in itself the most important' as $ell
as the real hotbed of all the piracies committed 6ts inhabitants'
according to the unanimous reports of capti%es and %arious merchants'
in skill and %alor greatly eEceed the other @ahometans $ho infest
these seas The sultan is absolute' and his subjects carry on trade
$ith Borneo' Celebes' and the other @alayan tribes scattered about
this great +rchipelago 6n the port of Jolo' as already noticed'
sales are made of Christians captured by the other @oros The Chinese
of +moy' as $ell as the ,utch and British' carry them manufactured
goods' opium and arms' recei%ing' in return' black pepper' beesC
$aE' balato' edible nests' tortoise(shell' mother(of(pearl' gold
dust' pearls' etc' and from @anila also a %essel usually goes once
a year $ith goods; but all act $ith the greatest precaution in this
dangerous traffic' guarding' as much as possible' against the insidious
acts of that perfidious go%ernment The great number of renegades'
of all casts' $ho ha%e successi%ely naturaliBed themsel%es there;
the abundance of arms' and the pre%ailing opulence' ha%e' in e%ery
respect' contributed to render this 6sland a formidable and po$erful
state The capital is surrounded $ith forts and thick $alls' and
the famous heights' standing near it' in case of emergency' afford a
secure asylum $here the $omen can take refuge and the treasures of
the sultan and public be deposited' $hilst in the plains belo$ the
contest may be maintained by more than 90'000 combatants' already
%ery deEterous in the use of the musket and of a bold and courageous
character The na%y of these 6slanders is also %ery respectable'
for' besides a great number of smaller pro$s and $ar(boats' they
ha%e some of a large siBe' capable of carrying hea%y artillery on
their decks' mounted on corresponding carriages' and not suspended
in slings as is the custom of the people of @indanao 6n a $ord'
Jolo is an 6sland go%erned by a system of administration eEtremely
%igorous and decisi%e; dread and superstition sustain the throne of
the tyrant' and the fame of his greatness freAuently brings to his
feet the ulemas' or missionaries of the ?oran' e%en as far as from
the furthest margin of the "ed 7ea The prince and people' unanimous
in the implacable odium $ith $hich they %ie$ all Christians' cannot
be di%ided or kept on terms of peace; and if it is really $ished to
free these seas from the e%ils and great dangers $ith $hich they are
at all times threatened' it is necessary at once to strike at the
root' by landing and attacking the Jolonese in their strongholds'
and break the charm by $hich they are held together
This' at least' is the constant and unshaken opinion of all
eEperienced persons and those %ersed in Philippine affairs; and if'
by the substantial reasons and eEisting circumstances' 6 con%ince
myself sufficiently to openly recommend $ar to be undertaken against
the @oros and pushed $ith the utmost %igor' and more particularly
commencing the $ork by a formal in%asion of Jolo; still' as 6 feel
myself incompetent to trace a precise plan' or to discuss the minute
details more immediately connected $ith the object' 6 feel it necessary
to confine myself to the pointing out' in general terms' of the means
6 judge most conduci%e to the happy issue of so arduous but important
an enterprise' lea%ing the rest to more able and eEperienced hands
2Council of $ar recommended5 +s a pre%ious step' 6 concei%e that
a council of $ar ought to be formed in @anila' composed of the
captain(general' the commanders of the na%y' artillery' and engineer
department' as $ell as of the regular corps' $ho' in conformity to
all the antecedent information lodged in the secretaryCs office for
the captain(generalship' and the pre%ious report of some one of the
eE(go%ernors of Tamboanga and the best informed missionaries' may be
enabled to deliberate and proceed on to a mature eEamination of the
$hole affair' taking into their special consideration e%erything
regarding Jolo' its early reduction' the number of %essels and
men reAuired for this purpose' the most ad%antageous points of
attack' and the best season in $hich this can be carried into
eEecution +fter all these matters ha%e been determined upon' the
operation in Auestion ought to be connected $ith the other partial
and general arrangements of the go%ernment' in order that a plan the
best adapted to localities and eEisting circumstances may be chosen'
and $ithout its being necessary to $ait for the kingCs approbation
of the means resol%ed upon' o$ing to the distance of the court and
the necessity of acting $ith celerity 6f' ho$e%er' on account of
the deference in e%ery respect due to the so%ereign' it should be
thought proper to reconcile his pre%ious sanction $ith the necessity
of acting $ithout loss of time' the best mode $ould be to send from
7pain an officer of high rank' fully authoriBed' $ho' as practised
on other occasions' might gi%e his sanction' in the name of the king'
to the resolutions adopted by the council of $ar' and take under his
o$n immediate charge' if it should be so deemed eEpedient' the command
of the eEpedition against Jolo' recei%ing the appointment of go%ernor
of the 6sland' as soon as the conAuest should be carried into effect'
as a just re$ard for his Beal and %alor
2!ar popular in Philippines5 7upposing an uniformity of opinions to
pre%ail $ith regard to the eEpediency of attempting the subjugation
of Jolo' and supposing also the eEistence of the necessary funds to
meet the eEpenses of a corresponding armament' it may be positi%ely
relied upon that the project $ould be eEtremely popular' and meet
$ith the entire concurrence and support of the Philippine 6slands The
military men' a$are of the great riches kno$n to eEist in the proposed
theatre of operations' $ould emulously come for$ard to offer their
ser%ices' under a hope of sharing the booty' and the $arlike nati%es
of the Bisayas $ould be impelled on by their hatred to the @oros'
and their ardent $ishes to a%enge the blood of their fathers and
children 8n the other hand' the abundance of regular and $ell
disciplined officers and troops' at present in the colony and the
number of gun(boats found in the ports' a $ant of $hich' on other
occasions' has al$ays been eEperienced' $ill afford ample scope for
the eAuipment of a force competent to the important enterprise in
%ie$ 6n fact' if the operation is arranged in a systematic manner'
and all the precautions and rules obser%ed as are usual in cases of
attacks premeditated against European and ci%iliBed establishments'
there is no reason to eEpect any other than a flattering and decisi%e
result' since' in reality' the $hole $ould be directed against an
enemy contemptible on account of his barbarism and his comparati%e
ignorance of the art of $ar
2>ati%e assistance5 The preparations deemed necessary being made in
@anila' and the Bisayan auEiliaries assembled beforehand in Tamboanga'
$ith their arms and respecti%e chiefs' the $hole of the operation
in Auestion' it may be safely said' might be terminated $ithin the
period of three or four months 7upposing e%en /'000 regular troops
are destined for this eEpedition' $ith a corresponding train of field
pieces' and at the moment there should not be found in the 6slands a
sufficient number of larger %essels to embargo or freight for their
con%eyance' a competent Auantity of coasters' galleys and small craft
might be met $ith at any time sufficiently capacious and secure to
carry the men This substitute $ill be found the less incon%enient'
because' as the na%igation is to be performed among the 6slands during
the pre%alence of the north $inds' usually a fa%orable and steady
season of the year' the %oyage $ill conseAuently be safe and easy 6t
$ill also be possible to arri%e at the point agreed upon' as a general
rendeB%ous' in t$enty' or fi%e(and(t$enty days' $hich place' for many
reasons' ought to be the fortress of Tamboanga' situated in front of
Jolo and at moderate distance from that 6sland; it being from this port
that' in former times' the Philippine go%ernors usually sent out their
armaments' destined to make $ar against the Basilanese and Jolonese
2@indanao also needs attention5 +s soon as this important and
memorable enterprise has been carried into effect' and the punishment
and total subjugation of these faithless @ahometans completed and
the ne$ conAuest placed under a military authority' in the mean
time that the lands are distributing and arrangements making to
establish the ci%il administration' on the same plan follo$ed in the
other pro%inces of the Philippine go%ernment' the armament ought to
return to Tamboanga $ith all possible speed; but' after stopping by
the $ay to reduce the small island of Basilan and lea%ing a fortress
and garrison there 6mmediately after$ards' and before the %arious
tribes of @oros inhabiting the 6sland of @indanao ha%e been able to
concert among themsel%es and prepare for their defence' it $ould
be ad%isable to direct partial eEpeditions to$ards both flanks of
Tamboanga' for the purpose of burning the settlements of the nati%es
and dri%ing them from the shores into the interior Forts ought then
to be raised at the mouths of the inlets and ri%ers' and a fourth
district go%ernment formed in the southern part of the island; in such
manner that' by possession being taken of the coasts' the go%ernment
and district of Tamboanga may be placed in contact $ith the ne$
one established on the one side' and on the other $ith the district
of @isamis' also the ne$ district $ith that of Caraga' the $estern
part of $hich territory is already united to that of @isamis 7uch'
at least' $as the opinion of )ieutenant(Colonel ,on @ariano Tobias'
an officer deser%edly celebrated for his prudence and consummate skill
in these matters' and this he substantially eEpressed in a council
of $ar' held on +ugust /.' -44.' for the purpose of deliberating on
the most ad%isable means to check the @oros' as appears by a long
and intelligent report dra$n upon this subject on +pril /H' -.00'
by the adjutant(general of this colony' ,on "ufino 7uareB
6n case it should be determined to adopt the means proposed by Colonel
Tobias' for the purpose of holding the @oros of @indanao in check'
and to $hich' unfortunately' due regard has not hitherto been paid'
not$ithstanding the enterprise presents %ery fe$ difficulties' o$ing
to the little opposition to be eEpected from the infidel nati%es'
the latter $ould then be left completely surrounded and shut up in
the heart of the island' and their acti%e system of pri%ateering'
$ith $hich they ha%e so many years infested these seas' entirely
destroyed 6f' through the $ant of garrisons and population' it should
not' ho$e%er' be possible to depri%e them of all their outlets' by
$hich means they $ould still be able occasionally to send some of
their cruising %essels' ne%ertheless there $ould be facilities $ith
$hich it $ould be possible to pursue and counteract the ra%ages of
the fe$ pirates $ho might furti%ely escape out of some ri%er' $hile
no$ they are fitted out' and $ell manned and armed to the number of
one and t$o hundred $ar(boats' openly in their ports
2+ plan for future policing5 +fter the emporiums of sla%ery ha%e
been destroyed by the conAuest of Jolo' and the other general
measures adopted' as abo%e pointed out' the go%ernment $ould then
be in a situation to turn its attention' $ith much greater ease'
to the arrangement of all the other minor schemes of precaution and
protection suited to the difference of circumstances and locality'
$ithout the concurrence of $hich the $ork $ould be left imperfect'
and in some degree the eEistence of those settled in the ne$
establishments rendered precarious +s' ho$e%er' 6 am unprepared
minutely to point out the nature of these measures' or distinctly
to lay do$n a ground($ork for future ci%iliBation and impro%ement'
6 shall merely obser%e' that $hat $ould then remain to be done $ould
neither reAuire any great capital' or present obstacles $hich might
not easily be o%ercome The @oros being then concentrated in the
6sland of @indanao' and this completely surrounded on all sides by our
forts and settlements' in the manner abo%e described' the only enemies
let loose on these seas $ould be either the fe$ $ho might' from time
to time' elude the %igilance of our troops and district(commanders'
or those $ho might ha%e escaped from Jolo pre%ious to its conAuest'
and taken up their abode in one or other of the Bisayas 6slands; or'
in short' such as are out cruising at the time our armament returns
to Tamboanga and takes possession of the southern coast of @indanao;
in $hich case they $ould be compelled to resort to a ro%ing life'
establishing' like the Jolo fugiti%es' temporary d$ellings among the
mangro%es and thickets bordering on the shore
The principal objects then remaining for the attention of go%ernment
$ould be to guard and protect the to$ns and settlements established
on the coasts from the insults and inroads of banditti' impelled by
necessity or despair' and at the same time to promote the gradual
o%erthro$ or ci%iliBation of the dispersed remnant of @oorish
population left in the 6sland The cruising of the pirates being
thus reduced to a space comprehended in an oblong circle formed by
an imaginary line dra$n from the southern eEtreme of the 6sland of
)eyte' to the south($est point of 7amar' $hich neEt running along
the north($est coast of @indoro' on the outside of Tacao and Burias'
and coming do$n to the $est of Panay' >egros and Bohol' closes the
o%al at the little island formed by the 7trait of Panaon' about forty
gunboats might be ad%antageously stationed in the narro$est passages
from land to land; as' for eEample' in the 7trait of 7an Juanico and
other passes of a similar kind' $ell kno$n to the local pilots By this
means' the limits $ould be gradually contracted #arious small na%al
armaments ought' at the same time' to keep cruising in the center
of this circle' pursuing the @oros by sea and land' dislodging them
from their strongholds and lurking places' and sending on those $ho
might be captured to the depot pointed out by go%ernment
2Feasibility of plans5 The first part of the plan $ould be the
more easily realiBed' as it is $ell(kno$n that most of the districts
corresponding to the Bisayan tribes' including those of Camarines and
+lbay' situated at the eEtremity of the island of )uBon' ha%e se%eral
gunboats of their o$n' $hich might be used $ith great ad%antage By
merely ad%ancing and stationing them in such channels as the @oros
must necessarily pass' either in going out or returning' according to
the different monsoons' they $ould easily be checked' $ithout remo%ing
the gunboats to any great distance from their o$n coasts +s besides
the great ad%antages resulting from this plan and e%ery one doing
his duty are apparent' no doubt numbers of nati%es $ould %olunteer
their ser%ices' more particularly if they $ere liberally re$arded'
and their maintenance pro%ided from the funds of the respecti%e
communities @oreo%er' the points $hich at first should not be
considered as sufficiently guarded might be strengthened by the kingCs
gunboats' and' indeed' in all of them it $ould be ad%isable to station
some of the latter' commanded by a select officer' to $hose orders
the captains of the pro%incial gunboats ought to be made subser%ient
!ith regard to the second part' it $ill suffice to obser%e that the
captain(generalship of the Philippine 6slands already possesses as
many as se%enty gunboats' besides a considerable number of gallies
and launches' $hich altogether constitute a formidable sAuadron
of light %essels; and' after deducting those deemed necessary for
the protection of Jolo and the ne$ pro%ince to be established in
@indanao' a sufficient number $ould still be left to carry into
eEecution all the objects proposed +t present' although the @oros
na%igate in numerous di%ions' and $ith a confidence inspired by their
undisturbed prosperity' a /1(pounder shot from one of our launches is
ne%ertheless sufficient to put them to flight; $hat therefore may not
be eEpected $hen their forces shall be so greatly diminished and their
apprehensions increased' of being defeated and capturedQ >e%ertheless'
as it is not easy for our gunboats to come up $ith them' $hen gi%ing
chase' it $ould be ad%isable to add to our cruisers a temporary
establishment of pro$s and light %essels' manned by Bisayan 6ndians'
$hich' by ad%ancing on $ith the gallies' might attack the enemy and
gi%e time for the gunboats to come up and decide the action Besides as
the Bisayan 6ndians are perfectly acAuainted $ith the mode of making
$ar on the @oros' the meaning of their signals and manoeu%ers and
the kind of places on shore in $hich they take shelter $hen pursued
at sea' the employment of such auEiliaries $ould be eEtremely useful
2>eed of undi%ided leadership5 The $hole of these defensi%e and
offensi%e arrangements $ould' ho$e%er' be ineffectual or incomplete
in their results' if the most perfect union and concert is not
established in e%ery part' so that all should conspire to the same
object' although by distinct means 6n order therefore that the
necessary harmony may be secured' it $ould be eEpedient to remo%e the
chief authority nearer to the theater of $ar' by confiding all the
necessary instructions and po$ers to the person $ho might be selected
for the direction and command of the enterprise' after the general
plan of operations had been regularly appro%ed =nder this impression'
and $ith a %ie$ to the better eEecution of all the details' it $ould
be ad%isable for the commanding officer' named by the go%ernment'
to take up his headAuarters in the 6sland of Panay' $hich' o$ing to
its geographical situation' the great number of to$ns and inhabitants
contained in the three pro%inces into $hich it is di%ided' as $ell
as other political reasons' is generally esteemed preferable for the
object in Auestion' to the 6sland of Tebu' $here' in former times'
the commanders of the pro%ince of the painted nati%es resided'
as mentioned in the la$s of the 6ndies The center of action being
placed in 6loilo' a communication $ith the other points $ould thus
more easily be kept open' aid and relief might be sent more rapidly
to the Auarter $here reAuired' and' in a $ord' all the mo%ements'
of $hatsoe%er kind they might be' $ould be eEecuted $ith greater
precision and certainty of success 6t $ould be unnecessary to
add that the pro%incial magistrates of Camarines and +lbay ought to
co(operate' $ith their fourteen gunboats and other smaller %essels' in
the measures adopted by the commander of the Bisayan establishment'
distributing their forces according to the orders gi%en by him'
and by undertaking to guard the straits of 7an Bernardino
2Paragua5 The 6sland of Paragua' at the head of $hich the
pro%incial jurisdiction of Calamianes is placed' is not included
in the great circle' or chain of stations' abo%e traced out' as
$ell in conseAuence of its great distance from the other islands'
for $hich reason it is not so much infested by the @oros' as because
of its being at present nearly depopulated and unculti%ated' and for
these reasons the attention of go%ernment ought not to be $ithdra$n
from other more important points !ith regard to that of @indanao'
the necessity of keeping up along the $hole of its immense coast' a
line of castles and $atch to$ers' has already been fully pointed out'
more especially in the %icinity of the bay of Panguil' to the north'
and the mouths of the great ri%er to$ards the south; the t$o points
in $hich the enemiesC most formidable armaments are usually fitted
out ConseAuently' it $ould not be possible to eEpect the pro%incial
commanders stationed there $ould be able to disengage any part of
their na%al force' in order to place it at the disposal of the officer
commanding the Bisayan %essels 6ndeed' it is ob%ious that it $ould be
eEtremely important to afford the people of @indanao e%ery possible
additional aid' in %essels' troops and money' in order the better to
check the sailing of partial di%isions of the enemy' and thus pre%ent
the immense number of pirates' inhabiting the interior of the island'
from breaking the fortified line' and again co%ering these seas' and
$ith redoubled fury carrying death and desolation along all the coasts
6t $ould' in fact' be eEtremely desirable if' through the concerted
measures and constant %igilance of the four chief magistrates
intrusted $ith the command of the island' the future attempts of
the @indanayans could be entirely counteracted' and their cruisers
altogether kept $ithin the line for a certain period of years; as by
thus depri%ing them of the facilities to continue their old habits
of life' these barbarous tribes $ould be e%entually compelled to
adopt other pursuits' either by ascending the mountainous parts of
the island' and shutting themsel%es up in the thick and impenetrable
forests' $ith a %ie$ to preser%e their independence; or' thro$ing
do$n their arms and de%oting themsel%es to the peaceful culti%ation
of their lands 6n the latter case' they $ould gradually lose their
present ferocious character; their regard for the con%eniences and
repose of social life $ould increase; the contrast $ould be attended
$ith most fa%orable conseAuences' and in the course of time' the $hole
of the aboriginal nati%es of these islands $ould come into our la$s
and customs' and become confounded in the general mass of Philippine
subjects' o$ing allegiance to the king
Finally' it must be eAually ackno$ledged that the 6slands of Jolo'
Basilan' Capul' and some of the other inferior ones' of $hich'
as abo%e pointed out' an union ought to be formed in the $ay of an
additional go%ernment' subordinate to the captain(general' $ould be
able to co(operate in the $ar on no other plan than the one traced
out for the pro%inces held in @indanao; that is' by their gunboats
being confided to the protection of their o$n coasts; though $ith
this difference' that if' in one instance' the main object $ould be
to pre%ent the e%asion of the enemy' in the other e%ery effort must
be employed to guard against and repel their incursions $hen they
do appear <o$e%er complete the success of the armament' destined
for the reduction of Jolo' it may ne%ertheless be presumed' that the
mountains $ould still continue to gi%e shelter to hordes of fugiti%es'
$ho $ould take refuge in the fastnesses' and a%ail themsel%es of e%ery
opportunity to concert plans' or fly off to join their comrades in
@indanao' in order to return' and through their aid' satisfy their
thirst for %engeance' by surprising some fortress or settlement'
or establishing themsel%es on some neglected and not $ell kno$n
point 6n conseAuence of this' the go%ernor' commanding there'
$ould at first reAuire the acti%e co(operation of all his forces'
for the purpose of consolidating the ne$ conAuest' and causing his
authority to be respected throughout the island
26mportance of peace for Philippine progress5 These' in my opinion'
are the true and secure means by $hich the enemies of the peace
and prosperity of the Philippines may be humbled' their piracies
pre%ented' and a basis laid for the future ci%iliBation of the
remaining islands in this important +rchipelago To this sketch'
a number of other details and essential illustrations' no doubt'
are $anting; and possibly' 6 may be accused of some inaccuracies' in
discussing a topic' $ith $hich 6 candidly a%o$ 6 cannot be considered
altogether familiar The plan and success of the enterprise must'
ho$e%er' greatly depend on military skill and talent; but as 6 ha%e
attempted no more than fairly to trace the general outline of the
plan' and insist on the necessity of its adoption' my remarks' it
is to be hoped' $ill ser%e to a$aken a serious disposition to re%ie$
and in%estigate the $hole subject' a task that most assuredly ought
to be confided to a competent and special council !hate%er defects
6 may in%oluntarily ha%e fallen into' $ill then be corrected; at the
same time it ought not to appear strange that ineEperienced persons
should presume to speak on matters connected $ith the public good'
$hen $e see them so much neglected by those $hose more immediate duty
it is to look after and promote them +t all e%ents' dispassionate
Beal has seldom done harm; and 6 again repeat' that my $ish is not
so much to see my o$n ideas adopted' as to urge the necessity of
their being eEamined and digested 6 am desirous that other sources
of information on this subject should be eEplored' that practical men
should be called in' and that those in po$er should be induced to apply
themsel%es and de%ote their eEertions to an object so highly deser%ing
of their attention 6n short' 6 am anEious that the pious injunctions
of our monarchs should be fulfilled' and that the tears and blood of
the inhabitants of these neglected islands should cease to flo$
7hould the happy day e%er arri%e' $hen the inhabitants of these
pro%inces shall behold themsel%es free from the cruel scourge $ith
$hich they ha%e been desolated for so many years' they $ill bless the
nation that has redeemed them from all their cares' they $ill tighten
their relations $ith it' and deli%er themsel%es up to its direction
$ithout reser%e The nati%es $ill then come do$n from the strong
fastnesses they at present inhabit; they $ill clear fresh lands' and
earnestly de%ote themsel%es to tillage and industry =nder the shado$
of peace' population and commerce $ill increase; the Bisayan %essels
$ill then plough the ocean $ithout the dread of other enemies than
the elements; and the @oros themsel%es of @indanao F6 say it $ith
confidenceG' straightened on all sides' and incessantly harassed
by the Christians' but on the other hand $itnessing the ad%antages
and mildness of our la$s' $ill at length submit to the dominion of
the monarchs of 7pain' $ho $ill thus secure the Auiet possession of
one of the most interesting portions of the habitable globe' and be
justly entitled to the gratitude of all nations connected $ith China
and 6ndia' for ha%ing put an end to a series of the most terrific
plunder and capti%ity that e%er disgraced the annals of any age
P+"T 666
@anila in -.1/
By Com Charles !ilkes' =7>
F>arrati%e of = 7 EEploring EEpedition' #ol #' Chaps . and :G
2Port rules5 +t daylight' on January -I' $e $ere again under $ay'
$ith a light air' and at nine oCclock reached the roadstead' $here $e
anchored in siE fathoms $ater' $ith good holding(ground Being anEious
to obtain our letters' $hich' $e $ere informed at 8ahu' had been sent
to @anila' 6 immediately dispatched t$o boats to procure them 8n
their $ay to the mole' they $ere stopped by the captain of the port'
,on Juan 7alomon' $ho reAuested them' in a polite manner' to return'
and informed the officers that' agreeably to the rules of the port'
no boat $as permitted to land until the %isit of the health(officer
had been made' etc
28fficial courtesies5 The captain of the port' in a large barge'
$as soon seen pulling off in company $ith the boats <e boarded us
$ith much ceremony' and a fe$ moments sufficed to satisfy him of
the good health of the cre$' $hen he readily ga%e his assent to
our %isiting the shore E%ery kind of assistance $as offered me'
on the part of the go%ernment' and he' in the most obliging manner'
ga%e us permission to go and come $hen $e pleased' $ith the simple
reAuest that the boats should $ear our national flag' that they might
at all times be kno$n' and thus be free from any interruption by the
guards The boats $ere again dispatched for the consul and letters'
and after being anEiously $atched for' returned; e%ery one on board
ship eEpecting his $ishes to be gratified $ith ne$s from home; but'
as is usual on such occasions' the number of the happy fe$ bore no
comparison to that of the many $ho $ere disappointed
8ur %ice(consul' Josiah @oore' EsA' soon paid us a %isit' and ga%e
us a pressing in%itation to take up our Auarters on shore $hile $e
remained To this gentleman and @r 7turges 6 am greatly indebted for
much of the information that $ill be detailed in the follo$ing chapter
2+merican hemp ships5 + number of %essels $ere lying in the roads'
among $hich $ere se%eral +mericans loading $ith hemp There $as also a
large English East 6ndiaman' manned by )ascars' $hose noise rendered
her more like a floating Bedlam than any thing else to $hich 6 can
liken it
2+ 7panish oriental city5 The %ie$ of the city and country around
@anila partakes both of a 7panish and an 8riental character The
sombre and hea%y(looking churches' $ith their a$k$ard to$ers; the long
lines of batteries mounted $ith hea%y cannon; the massi%e houses'
$ith ranges of balconies; and the light and airy cottage' ele%ated
on posts' situated in the luEuriant gro%es of tropical trees((all
eEcite a desire to become better acAuainted $ith the country
27urroundings5 @anila is situated on an eEtensi%e plain' gradually
s$elling into distant hills' beyond $hich' again' mountains rise in
the back ground to the height of se%eral thousand feet The latter
are apparently clothed $ith %egetation to their summits The city is
in strong contrast to this luEuriant scenery' bearing e%ident marks
of decay' particularly in the churches' $hose steeples and tile roofs
ha%e a dilapidated look The site of the city does not appear to ha%e
been $ell chosen' it ha%ing apparently been selected entirely for
the con%enience of commerce' and the communication that the outlet
of the lake affords for the batteauE that transport the produce from
the shores of the )aguna de Bay to the city
2Canals5 There are many arms or branches to this stream' $hich ha%e
been con%erted into canals; and almost any part of @anila may no$ be
reached in a banca
6n the afternoon' in company $ith Captain <udson' 6 paid my first %isit
to @anila The anchorage considered safest for large ships is nearly
three miles from the shore' but smaller %essels may lie much nearer'
and e%en enter the canal; a facility of $hich a number of these take
ad%antage' to accomplish any repairs they may ha%e occasion to make
2Typhoons5 The canal' ho$e%er' is generally filled $ith coasting
%essels' batteauE from the lake' and lighters for the discharge of
the %essels lying in the roads The bay of @anila is safe' eEcepting
during the change of the monsoons' $hen it is subject to the typhoons
of the China 7eas' $ithin $hose range it lies These blo$ at times $ith
much force' and cause great damage Foreign %essels ha%e' ho$e%er'
kept this anchorage' and rode out these storms in safety; but nati%e
as $ell as 7panish %essels' seek at these times the port of Ca%ite'
about three leagues to the south$est' at the entrance of the bay'
$hich is perfectly secure <ere the go%ernment dockyard is situated'
and this harbor is conseAuently the resort of the fe$ gunboats and
galleys that are stationed here
2T$in piers5 The entrance to the canal or ri%er Pasig is three hundred
feet $ide' and is enclosed bet$een t$o $ell(constructed piers' $hich
eEtend for some distance into the bay 8n the end of one of these is
the light(house' and on the other a guard(house The $alls of these
piers are about four feet abo%e ordinary high $ater' and include the
natural channel of the ri%er' $hose current sets out $ith some force'
particularly $hen the ebb is making in the bay
27uburbs5 The suburbs' or Binondo Auarter' contain more inhabitants
than the city itself' and is the commercial to$n They ha%e all the
stir and life incident to a large population acti%ely engaged in trade'
and in this respect the contrast $ith the city proper is great
2!alled city5 The city of @anila is built in the form of a large
segment of a circle' ha%ing the chord of the segment on the ri%er*
the $hole is strongly fortified' $ith $alls and ditches The houses
are substantially built after the fashion of the mother country !ithin
the $alls are the go%ernorCs palace' custom(house' treasury' admiralty'
se%eral churches' con%ents' and charitable institutions' a uni%ersity'
and the barracks for the troops; it also contains some public sAuares'
on one of $hich is a bronBe statue of Charles 6#
The city is properly deemed the court residence of these islands; and
all those attached to the go%ernment' or $ho $ish to be considered as
of the higher circle' reside here; but foreigners are not permitted
to do so The houses in the city are generally of stone' plastered'
and $hite or yello$ $ashed on the outside They are only t$o stories
high' and in conseAuence co%er a large space' being built around a
patio or courtyard
2,$ellings5 The ground(floors are occupied as storehouses'
stables' and for portersC lodges The second story is de%oted to
the dining(halls and sleeping apartments' kitchens' bath(rooms'
etc The bed(rooms ha%e the $indo$s do$n to the floor' opening on $ide
balconies' $ith blinds or shutters These blinds are constructed $ith
sliding frames' ha%ing small sAuares of t$o inches filled in $ith
a thin semi(transparent shell' a species of Placuna; the fronts of
some of the houses ha%e a large number of these small lights' $here
the females of the family may enjoy themsel%es unpercei%ed
2Business5 +fter entering the canal' $e %ery soon found oursel%es
among a motley and strange population 8n landing' the attention is
dra$n to the %ast number of small stalls and shops $ith $hich the
streets are lined on each side' and to the cro$ds of people passing
to and fro' all intent upon their se%eral occupations The artisans in
@anila are almost $holly Chinese; and all trades are local' so that in
each Auarter of the Binondo suburb the pri%ilege of eEclusi%e occupancy
is claimed by some particular kinds of shops 6n passing up the
Escolta F$hich is the longest and main street in this districtG' the
cabinet(makers' seen busily at $ork in their shops' are first met $ith;
neEt to these come the tinkers and blacksmiths; then the shoe(makers'
clothiers' fishmongers' haberdashers' etc These are flanked by outdoor
occupations; and in each Auarter are numerous cooks' frying cakes'
ste$ing' etc' in mo%able kitchens; $hile here and there are to be
seen betel(nut sellers' either mo%ing about to obtain customers'
or taking a stand in some great thoroughfare The mo%ing throng'
composed of carriers' $aiters' messengers' etc' pass Auietly and
$ithout any noise* they are generally seen $ith the Chinese umbrella'
painted in many colors' screening themsel%es from the sun The $hole
population $ear slippers' and mo%e along $ith a slipshod gait
The Chinese are apparently far more numerous than the @alays' and the
t$o races differ as much in character as in appearance* one is all
acti%ity' $hile the other is disposed to a%oid all eEertion They
preser%e their distincti%e character throughout' miEing but %ery
little $ith each other' and are remo%ed as far as possible in their
ci%ilities; the former' from their industry and perse%erance' ha%e
almost monopoliBed all the lucrati%e employments among the lo$er
orders' eEcepting the selling of fish and betel(nut' and articles
manufactured in the pro%inces
8n shore' $e $ere kindly recei%ed by @r @oore' $ho at once made us
feel at home The change of feeling that takes place in a transfer from
shipboard in a hot climate' after a long cruise' to spacious and airy
apartments' surrounded by e%ery luEury that kind attentions can gi%e'
can be scarcely imagined by those $ho ha%e not eEperienced it
+s $e needed some repairs and supplies' to attend to these $as
my first occupation +mong the former' $e reAuired a hea%y piece
of blacksmith($ork' to prepare $hich' $e $ere obliged to send our
armourers on shore The only thing they could procure $as a place for
a forge; but coal' and e%ery thing else' $e had to supply from the
ship 6 mention these things to sho$ that those in $ant of repairs
must not calculate upon their being done at @anila $ith dispatch'
if they can be accomplished at all
2City of @anila5 The city go%ernment of @anila $as established
June /1' -94-' and the title under $hich it is designated is' DThe
celebrated and fore%er loyal city of @anilaD 6n -9:9' the charter
$as confirmed by royal authority; and all the prerogati%es possessed
by other cities in the kingdom $ere conferred upon it in -HI. The
members of the city council' by authority of the king' $ere constituted
a council of ad%isement $ith the go%ernor and captain(general The
city magistrates $ere also placed in rank neEt the judges; and in
-H.H the jurisdiction of the city $as eEtended o%er a radius of fi%e
leagues 6n -.-.' the members of the council $ere increased and ordered
to assume the title of DEEcellencyD @anila has been one of the most
constantly loyal cities of the 7panish kingdom' and is' in conseAuence'
considered to merit these additional royal fa%ors to its inhabitants
2Commerce5 6n -.I1' the "oyal Tribunal of Commerce $as instituted'
to supersede the old consulate' $hich had been established since -44/'
The "oyal Tribunal of Commerce acts under the ne$ commercial code' and
possesses the same pri%ileges of arbitration as the old consulate 6t
consists of a prior' t$o consuls' and four deputies' elected by the
profession The three first eEercise consular jurisdiction' the other
four superintend the encouragement of commerce The DJunta de ComercioD
Fchamber of commerceG $as formed in -.I9 This junta consits of the
Tribunal of Commerce' $ith four merchants' $ho are selected by the
go%ernment' t$o of $hom are remo%ed annually The prior of the Tribunal
presides at the Junta' $hose meetings are reAuired to be held t$ice a
month' or oftener if necessary' and upon days in $hich the Tribunal
is not in session The t$o courts being under the same influences'
and ha%ing the same officers' little benefit is to be deri%ed from
their double action' and great complaints are made of the manner in
$hich business is conducted in them
2@agellan5 8f all her foreign possessions' the Philippines ha%e
cost 7pain the least blood and labor The honor of their disco%ery
belongs to @agellan $hose name is associated $ith the straits at
the southern eEtremity of the +merican continent' but $hich has
no memorial in these islands >o$ that the glory $hich he gained
by being the first to penetrate from the +tlantic to the Pacific'
has been in some measure obliterated by the disuse of those straits
by na%igators' it $ould seem due to his memory that some spot among
these islands should be set apart to commemorate the name of' him
$ho made them kno$n to Europe This $ould be but common justice to
the disco%erer of a region $hich has been a source of so much honor
and profit to the 7panish nation' $ho opened the %ast eEpanse of the
Pacific to the fleets of Europe' and $ho died fighting to secure the
benefits of his enterprise to his king and country
@agellan $as killed at the island of @actan' on +pril /H' -9/-;
and ,uarte' the second in command' $ho succeeded him' imprudently
accepting an in%itation from the chief of Cebu to a feast' $as' $ith
t$enty companions' massacred 8f all the 7paniards present' only one
escaped +fter these and %arious other misfortunes' only one %essel
of the sAuadron' the #ictoria' returned to 7pain ,on Juan 7ebastian
del Cano' her commander' $as complimented by his so%ereign by a grant
for his arms of a globe' $ith the proud inscription' commemorati%e
of his being the first circumna%igator' DPrimus @e CircumceditD
28ther eEpeditions5 T$o years after$ards' a second eEpedition $as
fitted out' under the command of )oaisa' $ho died after they had
passed through the 7traits of @agellan' $hen they had been a year
on their %oyage The command then fell upon 7ebastian' $ho died in
four days after his predecessor 7alaBar succeeded to the command'
and reached the )adrone 6slands' but shortly after lea%ing there
he died also They came in sight of @indanao' but contrary $inds
obliged them to go to the @oluccas !hen arri%ed at the Portuguese
settlements' contentions and jealousies arose' and finally all the
eEpedition $as dispersed' and the fate of all but one of the %essels
has become doubtful >one but the small tender returned' $hich'
after encountering great difficulties' reached >e$ 7pain
The third eEpedition $as fitted out by Cortes' then %iceroy of @eEico'
and the command of it gi%en to 7aa%edra This sailed from the port
of 7ilguattanjo' on the I-st of 8ctober' -9/.' and stopped at the
)adrone 6slands' of $hich it took possession for the cro$n of 7pain 6t
after$ards $ent to @indanao' and then pursued its %oyage to Timor'
$here part of the eEpedition of )oaisa $as found remaining From
Timor they made t$o attempts to return to >e$ 7pain' both of $hich
failed The climate soon brought on disease' $hich carried off a great
number' and among them 7aa%edra Thus the $hole eEpedition $as broken
up' and the sur%i%ors found their $ay to the Portuguese settlements
The fourth eEpedition $as sent from >e$ 7pain' $hen under the
go%ernment of ,on +ntonio de @endoBa' for the purpose of establishing
a trade $ith the ne$ islands' and it recei%ed orders not to %isit
the @oluccas This eEpedition sailed in -91/' under the command
of #illalobos 6t reached the Philippine 6slands $ithout accident'
and #illalobos ga%e them that name after Philip 66' then prince of
+sturias >ot$ithstanding his positi%e instructions to the contrary'
he $as obliged to %isit the @oluccas' and met the same treatment from
the Portuguese that had been gi%en to all $hom they belie%ed had any
intention to interfere in their spice trade The sAuadron touched at
+mboina' $here #illalobos died' an e%ent $hich caused the breaking
up of the eEpedition; and the fe$ 7paniards that remained embarked
in the Portuguese %essels to return home
The fifth and last eEpedition $as ordered by Philip 66 to be sent
from @eEico' $hen under the go%ernment of ,on )uis de #elasco'
for the final conAuest and settlement of the Philippines !ith
this eEpedition $as sent +ndres =rdaneta' a friar' $hose reputation
stood %ery high as a cosmographer* he had belonged to the ill(fated
eEpedition of )oaisa This $as the largest that had yet been fitted
out for this purpose' numbering fi%e %essels and about four hundred
men The command of it $as intrusted to 2)egaspi5 )egaspi' under
$hom it sailed from the port of >ati%idad' on >o%ember /-' -9H1' and
upon $hom $as conferred the title of go%ernor and adelantado of the
conAuered lands' $ith the fullest po$ers 8n the -Ith of February'
-9H9' he arri%ed at the island of Tandaya' one of the Philippines*
from thence he $ent to )eyte; there he obtained the son of a po$erful
chief as a guide' through $hom he established peace $ith se%eral of
the nati%e rulers' $ho thereafter aided the eEpedition $ith all the
means in their po$er +t Bohol they built the first church There he
met and made peace $ith a chief of )uBon' $ith $hom he $ent to that
island FFacts here are confused((CG
<e no$ F+pril' -9H9G took possession of all the island in the name of
the cro$n of 7pain' and became their first go%ernor 6n this conAuest'
moti%es different from those $hich go%erned them on the +merican
continent' seemed to ha%e influenced the 7paniards 6nstead of carrying
on a cruel $ar against the nati%es' they here pursued the policy of
encouraging and fostering their industry !hether they felt that this
policy $as necessary for the success of their undertaking' or $ere
influenced by the religious fathers $ho $ere $ith them' is uncertain;
but their measures seem to ha%e been dictated by a desire to promote
peace and secure the $elfare of the inhabitants There may be another
cause for this course of action' namely' the absence of the precious
metals' $hich held out no inducement to those thirsting for inordinate
gain This may ha%e had its $eight in eEempting the eEpedition in
its outset from the presence of those a%aricious spirits $hich had
accompanied other 7panish eEpeditions' and been the means of marking
their progress $ith eEcessi%e tyranny' bloodshed' and %iolence 6t is
e%ident to one $ho %isits the Philippines that some other po$er besides
the s$ord has been at $ork in them; the nati%es are amalgamated $ith
the 7paniards' and all seem disposed to culti%ate the land and foster
ci%iliBation >one of the feeling that gro$s out of conAuest is to be
obser%ed in these islands; the t$o races are identified no$ in habits'
manners' and religion' and their interests are so closely allied that
they feel their mutual dependence upon each other
The establishment of the ne$ constitution in 7pain in the year -./9
has had a $onderful effect upon these colonies' $hose resources ha%e
$ithin the last ten years been de%eloped' and impro%ements pushed
for$ard $ith a rapid step Greater kno$ledge and more liberal %ie$s
in the rulers are alone $anting to cause a still more rapid ad%ance
in the career of prosperity
+s our %isit $as to )uBon' $e naturally obtained more personal
information respecting it than the other islands !e learned that the
northern peninsula 2/H.5 $as composed of granite and recent %olcanic
rocks' together $ith secondary and tertiary deposits' $hile the
southern peninsula is almost $holly %olcanic
The northern contains many %aluable mines of gold' lead' copper'
and iron' besides coal + number of specimens of these' and the rocks
$hich contain them' $ere presented to the EEpedition by 7eOores +raria
and "oEas of @anila
7o far as our information and obser%ations $ent' the $hole of the
Philippine 6slands are of similar geological formation 6n some of
the islands the %olcanic rock pre%ails' $hile in others coal and the
metalliferous deposits predominate 8n some of them the coal(beds
form part of the cliffs along the shore; on others' copper is found
in a chlorite and talcose slate The latter is more particularly
the case $ith )uBon' and the same formation eEtends to @indoro @uch
iron occurs on the mountains Thus among the F=plandG nati%es' $ho
are yet unsubdued by the 7paniards' and $ho inhabit these mountains'
it is found by them of so pure a Auality that it is manufactured
into s$ords and clea%ers These are' occasionally' obtained by the
7paniards in their eEcursions into the interior against these bands
2Tufa5 The country around @anila is composed of tufa of a light gray
color' $hich being soft and easily $orked' is employed as the common
building material in the city 6t contains' sometimes' scoria and
pumice' in pieces of %arious siBes' besides' occasionally' impressions
of plants' $ith petrified $oods These are confined to recent species'
and include palms' etc
This tufa forms one of the remarkable features of the %olcanoes of the
Philippine 6slands' sho$ing a strong contrast bet$een them and those of
the Pacific isles' $hich ha%e ejected little else than la%a and scoria
Fe$ portions of the globe seem to be so much the seat of internal
fires' or to eEhibit the effects of %olcanic action so strongly as
the Philippines ,uring our %isit' it $as not kno$n that any of the
%olcanoes $ere in action; but many of them $ere smoking' particularly
that in the district of +lbay' called 6saroc 6ts latest eruption
$as in the year -.I:; but this did little damage compared $ith
that of -.-1' $hich co%ered se%eral %illages' and the country for a
great distance around' $ith ashes This mountain is situated to the
south(east of @anila one hundred and fifty miles' and is said to be
a perfect cone' $ith a crater at its apeE
2"esources5 6t does not appear that the islands are much affected
by earth(Auakes' although some ha%e occasionally occurred that ha%e
done damage to the churches at @anila
The coal $hich $e ha%e spoken of is deemed of %alue; it has a strong
resemblance to the bituminous coal of our o$n country' possesses a
bright lustre' and appears %ery free from all $oody teEture $hen
fractured 6t is found associated $ith sandstone' $hich contains
many fossils )ead and copper are reported as being %ery abundant;
gypsum and limestone occur in some districts From this' it $ill
be seen that these islands ha%e e%erything in the mineral $ay to
constitute them desirable possessions
!ith such mineral resources' and a soil capable of producing the
most %aried %egetation of the tropics' a liberal policy is all that
the country lacks The products of the Philippine 6slands consist
of sugar' coffee' hemp' indigo' rice' tortoise(shell' hides' ebony'
saffron($ood' sulphur' cotton' cordage' silk' pepper' cocoa' $aE'
and many other articles 6n their agricultural operations the
people are industrious' although much labor is lost by the use of
defecti%e implements The plough' of %ery simple construction' has
been adopted from the Chinese; it has no coulter' the share is flat'
and being turned partly to one side' ans$ers' in a certain degree'
the purpose of a mould(board This rude implement is sufficient for
the rich soils' $here the tillage depends chiefly upon the harro$'
in constructing $hich a thorny species of bamboo is used The harro$
is formed of fi%e or siE pieces of this material' on $hich the thorns
are left' firmly fastened together 6t ans$ers its purpose $ell' and
is seldom out of order + $rought(iron harro$' that $as introduced
by the Jesuits' is used for clearing the ground more effectually'
and more particularly for the purpose of eEtirpating a troublesome
grass' that is kno$n by the name of cogon Fa species of +ndropogonG' of
$hich it is %ery difficult to rid the fields The bolo or long(knife'
a basket' and hoe' complete the list of implements' and ans$er all
the purposes of our spades' etc
2,raft animals5 The buffalo $as used until $ithin a fe$ years
eEclusi%ely in their agricultural operations' and they ha%e lately
taken to the use of the oE; but horses are ne%er used The buffalo'
from the slo$ness of his motions' and his eEceeding restlessness
under the heat of the climate' is ill adapted to agricultural labor;
but the nati%es are %ery partial to them' not$ithstanding they
occasion them much labor and trouble in bathing them during the great
heat This is absolutely necessary' or the animal becomes so fretful
as to be unfit for use 6f it $ere not for this' the buffalo $ould'
not$ithstanding his slo$ pace' be most effecti%e in agricultural
operations; he reAuires little food' and that of the coarsest kind;
his strength surpasses that of the stoutest oE' and he is admirably
adapted for the rice or paddy fields They are %ery docile $hen used
by the nati%es' and e%en children can manage them; but it is said they
ha%e a great antipathy to the $hites' and all strangers The usual
mode of guiding them is by a small cord attached to the cartilage of
the nose The yoke rests on the neck before the shoulders' and is of
simple construction To this is attached $hate%er it may be necessary
to dra$' either by traces' shafts' or other fastenings FreAuently this
animal may be seen $ith large bundles of bamboo lashed to them on each
side Buffaloes are to be met $ith on the lake $ith no more than their
noses and eyes out of the $ater' and are not %isible until they are
approached $ithin a fe$ feet' $hen they cause alarm to the passengers
by raising their large forms close to the boat 6t is said that they
resort to the lake to feed on a fa%orite grass that gro$s on its bottom
in shallo$ $ater' and $hich they di%e for Their flesh is not eaten'
eEcept that of the young ones' for it is tough and tasteless The milk
is nutritious' and of a character bet$een that of the goat and co$
The general appearance of the buffalo is that of a hybrid of the
bull and rhinoceros 6ts horns do not rise up$ards' are %ery close
at the root' bent back$ards' and of a triangular form' $ith a flat
side abo%e 8ne of the peculiarities of the buffalo is its %oice'
$hich is Auite lo$' and in the minor key' resembling that of a young
colt 6t is as fond of mire as s$ine' and sho$s the conseAuence of
recent $allo$ing' in being crusted o%er $ith mud The skin is %isible'
being but thinly co%ered $ith hair; its color is usually that of a
mouse; in some indi%iduals darker
2"ice5 "ice is' perhaps' of their agricultural products' the article
upon $hich the inhabitants of the Philippine 6slands most depend for
food and profit; of this they ha%e se%eral different %arieties; $hich
the nati%es distinguish by their siBe and the shape of the grain*
the birnambang' lamuyo' malageAuit' bontot(cabayo' dumali' Auinanda'
bolohan' and tangi The three first are aAuatic; the fi%e latter
upland %arieties They each ha%e their peculiar uses The dumali
is the early %ariety; it ripens in three months from planting' from
$hich circumstance it deri%es its name* it is raised eEclusi%ely on
the uplands +lthough much esteemed' it is not eEtensi%ely culti%ated'
as the birds and insects destroy a large part of the crop
The malageAuit is %ery much priBed' and used for making s$eet and
fancy dishes; it becomes eEceedingly glutinous' for $hich reason it
is used in making $hite$ash' $hich it is said to cause to become of a
brilliant $hite' and to $ithstand the $eather This %ariety is not'
ho$e%er' belie%ed to be $holesome There is also a %ariety of this
last species $hich is used as food for horses' and supposed to be a
remedy and pre%enti%e against $orms
The rice grounds or fields are laid out in sAuares' and surrounded by
embankments' to retain the $ater of the rains or streams +fter the
rains ha%e fallen in sufficient Auantities to saturate the ground' a
seed(bed is generally planted in one corner of the field' in $hich the
rice is so$n broadcast' about the month of June The hea%y rains take
place in +ugust' $hen the fields are ploughed' and are soon filled $ith
$ater The young plants are about this time taken from the seed(bed'
their tops and roots trimmed' and then planted in the field by making
holes in the ground $ith the fingers and placing four or fi%e sprouts
in each of them; in this tedious labor the poor $omen are employed'
$hilst the males are lounging in their houses or in the shade of
the trees
The har%est for the aAuatic rice begins in ,ecember 6t is reaped
$ith small sickles' peculiar to the country' called yatap; to the
back of these a small stick is fastened' by $hich they are held'
and the stalk is forced upon it and cut The spikes of rice are
cut $ith this implement' one by one 6n this operation' men' $omen'
and children all take part
The upland rice reAuires much more care and labor in its
culti%ation The land must be ploughed three or four times' and all
the turf and lumps $ell broken up by the harro$
,uring its gro$th it reAuires to be $eeded t$o or three times' to
keep the $eeds from choking the crop The seed is so$n broadcast in
@ay This kind of rice is har%ested in >o%ember' and to collect the
crop is still more tedious than in the other case' for it is al$ays
gathered earlier' and ne%er reaped' in conseAuence of the grain not
adhering to the ear 6f it $ere gathered in any other $ay' the loss
by transportation on the backs of buffaloes and horses' $ithout any
co%ering to the sheaf' $ould be so great as to dissipate a great
portion of the crop
6t appears almost incredible that any people can remain in
ignorance of a $ay of pre%enting so eEtra%agant and $asteful a mode
of har%esting The go%ernment has been reAuested to prohibit it on
account of the great eEpense it gi%es rise to; but $hether any steps
ha%e e%er been taken in the matter' 6 did not learn 6t is said that
not unfreAuently a third part of the crop is lost' in conseAuence of
the scarcity of laborers; $hile those $ho are disengaged $ill refuse
to $ork' unless they recei%e one(third' and e%en one(half of the crop'
to be deli%ered free of eEpense at their houses This the planters
are often obliged to gi%e' or lose the $hole crop >ay' unless the
har%est is a good one' reapers are %ery un$illing to engage to take it
e%en on these terms' and the entire crop is lost The laborers' during
the time of har%est' are supported by the planter' $ho is during that
time eEposed to great %eEation' if not losses The reapers are for the
most part composed of the idle and %icious part of the population' $ho
go abroad o%er the country to engage themsel%es in this employment'
$hich affords a li%elihood to the poorer classes; for the different
periods at $hich the %arieties of rice are planted and har%ested'
gi%es them $ork during a large portion of the year
+fter the rice is har%ested' there are different modes of treating
it 7ome of the proprietors take it home' $here it is thro$n into
heaps' and left until it is desirable to separate it from the stra$'
$hen it is trodden out by men and $omen $ith their bare feet For
this operation' they usually recei%e another fifth of the rice
8thers stack it in a $et and green state' $hich subjects it to heat'
from $hich cause the grain contracts a dark color' and an unpleasant
taste and smell The nati%es' ho$e%er' impute these defects to the
$etness of the season
The crop of both the lo$ and upland rice' is usually from thirty
to fifty for one* this is on old land; but on that $hich is ne$ly
cleared or $hich has ne%er been culti%ated' the yield is far beyond
this 6n some soils of the latter description' it is said that for a
chupa Fse%en cubic inchesG planted' the yield has been a caban The
former is the t$o(hundred(and(eighth part of the latter This is not
the only ad%antage gained in planting rich lands' but the sa%ing of
labor is eAually great; for all that is reAuired is to make a hole
$ith the fingers' and place three or four grains in it The upland
rice reAuires but little $ater' and is ne%er irrigated
The culti%ator in the Philippine 6slands is al$ays enabled to secure
plenty of manure; for %egetation is so luEuriant that by pulling the
$eeds and laying them $ith earth' a good stock is Auickly obtained
$ith $hich to co%er his fields Thus' although the gro$th is so rank
as to cause him labor' yet in this hot climate its decay is eAually
rapid' $hich tends to make his labors more successful
The rice(stacks form a picturesAue object on the field; they are
generally placed around or near a gro$th of bamboo' $hose tall'
graceful' and feathery outline is of itself a beautiful object'
but connected as it is often seen $ith the returns of the har%est'
it furnishes an additional source of gratification
The different kinds of rice' and especially the upland' $ould no doubt
be an acAuisition to our country +t the time $e $ere at @anila' it
$as not thought feasible to pack it' for it had just been reaped'
and $as so green that it $ould not ha%e kept 2/H:5 +lthough rice
is a %ery prolific crop' yet it is subject to many casualties' from
the locusts and other insects that de%our it; the drought at other
times affects it' particularly the aAuatic %arieties There is a use
to $hich the rice is applied here' $hich $as ne$ to us' namely' as a
substitute for raBors; by using t$o grains of it bet$een the fingers'
they nip the beard' or eEtract it from the chin and face
2@anila hemp5 +mong the important productions of these islands' 6 ha%e
mentioned hemp' although the article called @anila hemp must not be
understood to be deri%ed from the plant $hich produces the common hemp
FCannabisG' being obtained from a species of plantain F@usa teEtilisG'
called in the Philippines DabacZD This is a nati%e of these islands'
and $as formerly belie%ed to be found only on @indanao; but this is
not the case' for it is culti%ated on the south part of )uBon' and
all the islands south of it 6t gro$s on high ground' in rich soil'
and is propagated by seeds 6t resembles the other plants of the tribe
of plantains' but its fruit is much smaller' although edible The
fibre is deri%ed from the stem' and the plant attains the height of
fifteen or t$enty feet The usual mode of preparing the hemp is to cut
off the stem near the ground' before the time or just $hen the fruit
is ripe The stem is then eight or ten feet long belo$ the lea%es'
$here it is again cut The outer coating of the herbaceous stem
is then stripped off' until the fibers or cellular parts are seen'
$hen it undergoes the process of rotting' and after being $ell dried
in houses and sheds' is prepared for market by assorting it' a task
$hich is performed by the $omen and children That $hich is intended
for cloth is soaked for an hour or t$o in $eak lime($ater prepared
from sea(shells' again dried' and put up in bundles From all the
districts in $hich it gro$s' it is sent to @anila' $hich is the only
port $hence it can legally be eEported 6t arri%es in large bundles'
and is packed there' by means of a scre$(press' in compact bales'
for shipping' secured by rattan' each $eighing t$o piculs
The best @anila hemp ought to be $hite' dry' and of a long and fine
fiber This is kno$n at @anila by the name of lupis; the second
Auality they call bandala
The eEportation has much increased $ithin the last fe$ years' in
conseAuence of the demand for it in the =nited 7tates; and the $hole
crop is no$ monopoliBed by the t$o +merican houses of 7turges ^ Co'
and T > Peale ^ Co' of @anila' $ho buy all of good Auality that
comes to market This is di%ided bet$een the t$o houses' and the
price they pay is from four to fi%e dollars the picul The entire
Auantity raised in -.10 $as eighty(three thousand se%en hundred and
ninety piculs; in -.1-' eighty(se%en thousand
The Auantity eEported to the =nited 7tates in -.10' $as siEty(eight
thousand t$o hundred and eighty piculs' and in -.1-' only siEty(t$o
thousand se%en hundred piculs; its %alue in @anila is about three
hundred thousand dollars T$enty thousand piculs go to Europe There
are no duties on its eEportation
That $hich is brought to the =nited 7tates is principally manufactured
in or near Boston' and is the cordage kno$n as D$hite ropeD The
cordage manufactured at @anila is' ho$e%er' %ery superior to the
rope made $ith us' although the hemp is of the inferior kind + large
Auantity is also manufactured into mats
6n the opinion of our botanist' it is not probable that the plant could
be introduced $ith success into our country' for in the Philippines
it is not found north of latitude -1J >
2Coffee5 The coffee(plant is $ell adapted to these islands +
fe$ plants $ere introduced into the gardens of @anila' about fifty
years ago' since $hich time it has been spread all o%er the island'
as is supposed by the ci%et(cats' $hich' after s$allo$ing the seeds'
carry them to a distance before they are %oided
The coffee of commerce is obtained here from the $ild plant' and
is of an eEcellent Auality =p$ards of three thousand fi%e hundred
piculs are no$ eEported' of $hich one(siEth goes to the =nited 7tates
27ugar5 The sugar(cane thri%es $ell here 6t is planted after the
French fashion' by sticking the piece diagonally into the ground 7ome'
finding the cane has suffered in times of drought' ha%e adopted other
modes 6t comes to perfection in a year' and they seldom ha%e t$o
crops from the same piece of land' unless the season is %ery fa%orable
There are many kinds of cane culti%ated' but that gro$n in the %alley
of Pampanga is thought to be the best 6t is a small red %ariety' from
four to fi%e feet high' and not thicker than the thumb The manufacture
of the sugar is rudely conducted; and the $hole business' 6 $as told'
$as in the hands of a fe$ capitalists' $ho' by making ad%ances' secure
the $hole crop from those $ho are employed to bring it to market 6t
is generally brought in moulds' of the usual conical shape' called
pilones' $hich are deli%ered to the purchaser from >o%ember to June'
and contain each about one hundred and fifty pounds 8n their receipt'
they are placed in large storehouses' $here the familiar operation
of claying is performed The estimate for the Auantity of sugar
from these pilones after this process is about one hundred pounds;
it depends upon the care taken in the process
2Cotton5 8f cotton they raise a considerable Auantity' $hich is of a
fine Auality' and principally of the yello$ nankeen 6n the pro%ince
of 6locos it is culti%ated most eEtensi%ely The mode of cleaning it
of its seed is %ery rude' by means of a hand(mill' and the eEpense of
cleaning a picul Fone hundred and forty poundsG is from fi%e to se%en
dollars There ha%e' as far as 6 ha%e understood' been no endea%ors
to introduce any cotton(gins from our country
2!ages5 6t $ill be merely necessary to gi%e the prices at $hich
laborers are paid' to sho$ ho$ lo$ the compensation is' in comparison
$ith those in our o$n country 6n the %icinity of @anila' t$el%e and
a half cents per day is the usual $ages; this in the pro%inces falls
to siE and nine cents + man $ith t$o buffaloes is paid about thirty
cents The amount of labor performed by the latter in a day $ould
be the ploughing of a soane' about t$o(tenths of an acre The most
profitable $ay of employing laborers is by the task' $hen' it is said'
the nati%es $ork $ell' and are industrious
The manner in $hich the sugar and other produce is brought to market
at @anila is peculiar' and deser%es to be mentioned 6n some of the
%illages' the chief men unite to build a %essel' generally a pirogue'
in $hich they embark their produce' under the conduct of a fe$ persons'
$ho go to na%igate it' and dispose of the cargo 6n due time they
make their %oyage' and $hen the accounts are settled' the returns
are distributed to each according to his share Festi%ities are then
held' the saints thanked for their kindness' and blessings in%oked
for another year +fter this is o%er' the %essel is taken carefully
to pieces' and distributed' among the o$ners' to be preser%ed for
the neEt season
The profits in the crops' according to estimates' %ary from siEty
to one hundred per cent; but it $as thought' as a general a%erage'
that this $as' not$ithstanding the great producti%eness of the soil'
far beyond the usual profits accruing from agricultural operations 6n
some pro%inces this estimate $ould hold good' and probably be eEceeded
26ndigo5 6ndigo $ould probably be a lucrati%e crop' for that raised
here is said to be of Auality eAual to the best' and the crop is
not subject to so many uncertainties as in 6ndia* the capital and
attention reAuired in %ats' etc' pre%ent it from being raised in
any Auantities +mong the productions' the bamboo and rattan ought to
claim a particular notice from their great utility; they enter into
almost e%ery thing 8f the former their houses are built' including
frames' floors' sides' and roof; fences are made of the same material'
as $ell as e%ery article of general household use' including baskets
for oil and $ater The rattan is a general substitute for ropes of
all descriptions' and the t$o combined are used in constructing rafts
for crossing ferries
6 ha%e thus gi%en a general outline of the capabilities of this
country for agricultural operations' in some of the most important
articles of commerce; by $hich it $ill be seen that the Philippine
6slands are one of the most fa%ored parts of the globe
2)ocusts5 The crops freAuently suffer from the ra%ages of the locusts'
$hich s$eep all before them Fortunately for the poorer classes' their
attacks take place after the rice has been har%ested; but the cane
is sometimes entirely cut off The authorities of @anila' in the %ain
hope of stopping their de%astations' employ persons to gather them and
thro$ them into the sea 6 understood on one occasion they had spent
eighty thousand dollars in this $ay' but all to little purpose 6t is
said that the crops rarely suffer from droughts' but on the contrary
the rains are thought to fall too often' and to flood the rice fields;
these' ho$e%er' yield a no%el crop' and are %ery ad%antageous to the
poor' %iB* a great Auantity of fish' $hich are called dalag' and are
a species of Blunnius; they are so plentiful' that they are caught
$ith baskets* these fish $eigh from a half to t$o pounds' and some are
said to be eighteen inches long; but this is not all; they are said'
after a deep inundation' to be found e%en in the %aults of churches
The Philippines are di%ided into thirty(one pro%inces' siEteen of
$hich are on the island of )uBon' and the remainder comprise the
other islands of the group and the )adrones
2Population5 The population of the $hole group is abo%e three
millions' including all tribes of nati%es' mestiBos' and $hites The
latter(named class are but fe$ in number' not eEceeding three
thousand The mestiBos $ere supposed to be about fifteen or t$enty
thousand; they are distinguished as 7panish and 6ndian mestiBos The
Chinese ha%e of late years increased to a large number' and it is
said that there are forty thousand of them in and around @anila
alone 8ne(half of the $hole population belongs to )uBon The island
neEt to it in the number of inhabitants is Panay' $hich contains
about three hundred and thirty thousand Then come Cebu' @indanao'
)eyte' 7amar' and >egros' %arying from the abo%e numbers do$n to
fifty thousand The population is increasing' and it is thought that
it doubles itself in se%enty years This rate of increase appears
probable' from a comparison of the present population $ith the estimate
made at the beginning of the present century' $hich sho$s a gro$th
in the forty years of about one million four hundred thousand
The nati%e population is composed of a number of distinct tribes'
the principal of $hich in )uBon are Pangasinan' 6locos' Cagayan'
Tagalog' and Pampangan
The 6gorots' $ho d$ell in the mountains' are the only nati%es $ho
ha%e not been subjected by the 7paniards The other tribes ha%e
become identified $ith their rulers in religion' and it is thought
that by this circumstance alone has 7pain been able to maintain the
ascendency $ith so small a number' o%er such a numerous' intelligent'
and energetic race as they are represented to be This is' ho$e%er'
more easily accounted for' from the 7paniards fostering and keeping
ali%e the jealousy and hatred that eEisted at the time of the disco%ery
bet$een the different tribes
6t seems almost incredible that 7pain should ha%e so long persisted
in the policy of allo$ing no more than one galleon to pass annually
bet$een her colonies' and eAually so that the nations of Europe should
ha%e been so long decei%ed in regard to the riches and $ealth that
7pain $as monopoliBing in the Philippines The capture of @anila'
in -4H/' by the English' first ga%e a clear idea of the %alue of this
remote and little(kno$n appendage of the empire
The Philippines' considered in their capacity for commerce' are
certainly among the most fa%ored portions of the globe' and there is
but one circumstance that tends in the least degree to lessen their
apparent ad%antage; this is the pre%alence of typhoons in the China
seas' $hich are occasionally felt $ith force to the north of latitude
-0J > 7outh of that parallel' they ha%e ne%er been kno$n to pre%ail'
and seldom so far; but from their unfailing occurrence yearly in some
part of the China seas' they are looked for $ith more or less dread'
and cause each season a temporary interruption in all the trade that
passes along the coast of these islands
The army is no$ composed entirely of nati%e troops' $ho number about
siE thousand men' and the regiments are ne%er suffered to ser%e in
the pro%inces in $hich they are recruited' but those from the north
are sent to the south' and %ice %ersa There they are employed to keep
up a continual $atch on each other; and' speaking different dialects'
they ne%er become identified
They are' indeed' ne%er allo$ed to remain long enough in one region'
to imbibe any feelings in unison $ith those of its inhabitants The
hostility is so great among the regiments' that mutinies ha%e occurred'
and contests arisen $hich ha%e produced e%en bloodshed' $hich it $as
entirely out of the po$er of the officers to pre%ent 6n cases of
this kind' summary punishment is resorted to
2Conditions not peaceful5 +lthough the 7paniards' as far as is kno$n
abroad' li%e in peace and Auiet' this is far from being the case; for
rebellion and re%olts among the troops and tribes are not unfreAuent in
the pro%inces ,uring the time of our %isit one of these took place'
but it $as impossible to learn anything concerning it that could
be relied upon' for all con%ersation respecting such occurrences
is interdicted by the go%ernment The difficulty to $hich 6 refer
$as said to ha%e originated from the preaching of a fanatic priest'
$ho inflamed them to such a degree that they o%erthre$ the troops
and became temporarily masters of the country Prompt measures $ere
immediately taken' and orders issued to gi%e the rebels no Auarter;
the regiments most hostile to those engaged in the re%olt $ere ordered
to the spot; they spared no one; the priest and his companions $ere
taken' put to death' and according to report' in a manner so cruel as
to be a disgrace to the records of the nineteenth century +lthough 6
should hope the accounts 6 heard of these transactions $ere incorrect'
yet the detestation these acts $ere held in' $ould gi%e some color
to the statements
The fe$ gaBettes that are published at @anila are entirely under the
control of the go%ernment; and a resident of that city must make
up his mind to remain in ignorance of the things that are passing
around him' or belie%e just $hat the authorities $ill allo$ to be
told' $hether truth or falsehood The go%ernment of the Philippines
is emphatically an iron rule* ho$ long it can continue so' is doubtful
2The go%ernor(general5 8ne of my first duties $as to make an
official call upon <is EEcellency ,on @arcelino 8roa' $ho is the
siEty(first go%ernor of the Philippine 6slands +ccording to the
established etiAuette' @r @oore' the %ice(consul' announced our
desire to do so' and reAuested to be informed of the time $hen $e
$ould be recei%ed This $as accordingly named' and at the appointed
hour $e proceeded to the palace in the city proper 8n our arri%al'
$e $ere announced and led up a flight of steps' ample and spacious'
but by no means of such splendor as $ould indicate the residence of
%ice(royalty The suite of rooms into $hich $e $ere ushered $ere so
dark that it $as difficult to see 6 made out' ho$e%er' that they $ere
panelled' and by no means richly furnished <is eEcellency entered
from a side(door' and led us through t$o or three apartments into his
pri%ate audience(room' an apartment not Auite so dark as those $e
had come from* our being conducted to this' 6 $as told after$ards'
$as to be considered an especial mark of respect to my country <is
reception of us $as friendly The go%ernor has much more the appearance
of an 6rishman than of a 7paniard' being tall' portly' of a florid
compleEion <e is apparently more than siEty years of age <e $as
dressed in a full suit of black' $ith a star on his breast
@r @oore acted as interpreter' and the go%ernor readily acceded to my
reAuest to be allo$ed to send a party into the interior for a fe$ days;
a permission $hich 6 almost despaired of recei%ing' for 6 kne$ that
he had refused a like application some fe$ months before The refusal'
ho$e%er' 6 think $as in part o$ing to the character of the applicants'
and the doubtful object they had in %ie$ 6 impute the permission $e
recei%ed to the influence of our consul' together $ith @r 7turges'
$hose agreeable manners' conciliatory tone' and high standing $ith
the authorities' $ill' 6 am satisfied' insure us at all times e%ery
reasonable ad%antage or facility
The term of the go%ernor in office is three years' and the present
incumbent $as installed in -.1- This length of time is thought to be
sufficient for any one of them to make a fortune The office is held
by the appointment of the ministry in 7pain' and $ith it are connected
perAuisites that are shared' it is said' by those $ho confer them
+fter ha%ing paid our respects to his eEcellency' $e dro%e to %isit
se%eral other officers of the go%ernment' $ho recei%ed us $ithout
ceremony !e generally found them in loose morning(go$ns' smoking' and
cigars $ere in%ariably offered us; for this habit appears in @anila to
eEtend to all ranks E%en in the public offices of the custom(house
it $as the fashion' and cigars' $ith a machero for striking a light'
or a joss(stick kept burning' $ere usually seen in e%ery apartment
2Courteous 7panish officials5 To the captain of the port' ,on Juan
7alomon' 6 feel under many obligations for his attentions 6 $as
desirous of obtaining information relati%e to the 7ulu 7eas' and to
learn ho$ far the 7panish sur%eys had been carried <e ga%e me little
hopes of obtaining any; but referred me to Captain <alcon' of the
7panish >a%y' $ho had been employed sur%eying some part of the coast
of the islands to the north The latter $hom 6 %isited' on my making
the inAuiry of him' and stating the course 6 intended to pursue'
frankly told me that all the eEisting charts $ere erroneous <e
only kne$ enough of the ground to be certain that they $ere so'
and conseAuently useless <e ad%ised my taking one of the nati%e
pilots' $ho $ere generally $ell acAuainted $ith the seas that lay
more immediately in my route The captain of the port $as after$ards
kind enough to offer to procure me one
The intercourse 6 had $ith these gentlemen $as a source of much
gratification' and it gi%es me great pleasure to make this public
eEpression of it To both' my sincere ackno$ledgments are due for
information in relation to the %arious reefs and shoals that ha%e
been recently disco%ered' and $hich $ill be found placed in their
true position on our charts
,uring our stay at @anila' our time $as occupied in seeing sights'
shopping' riding' and amusing oursel%es $ith gaBing on the throng
incessantly passing through the Escolta of the Binondo suburb' or
more properly' the commercial to$n of @anila
2Cigar factories5 +mong the lions of the place' the great royal cigar
manufactories claim especial notice from their eEtent and the many
persons employed There are t$o of these establishments' one situated
in the Binondo Auarter' and the other on the great sAuare or Prado;
in the former' $hich $as %isited by us' there are t$o buildings of
t$o stories high' besides se%eral storehouses' enclosed by a $all'
$ith t$o large gate$ays' at $hich sentinels are al$ays posted The
principal $orkshop is in the second story' $hich is di%ided into siE
apartments' in $hich eight thousand females are employed Throughout
the $hole eEtent' tables are arranged' about siEteen inches high'
ten feet long' and three feet $ide' at each of $hich fifteen $omen
are seated' ha%ing small piles of tobacco before them The tables are
set cross$ise from the $all' lea%ing a space in the middle of the room
free The labor of a female produces about t$o hundred cigars a day;
and the $orking hours are from H am' till H pm' $ith a recess of
t$o hours' from ele%en till one oCclock The $hole establishment is
kept %ery neat and clean' and e%ery thing appears to be carried on
in the most systematic and $orkmanlike manner +mong such numbers'
it has been found necessary to institute a search on their lea%ing
the establishment to pre%ent embeBBlement' and this is regularly
made t$ice a day' $ithout distinction of seE 6t is a strange sight
to $itness the ingress and egress of these hordes of females; and
probably the $orld cannot else$here eEhibit so large a number of ugly
$omen Their ages %ary from fifteen to forty(fi%e The sum paid them
for $ages is %ery trifling The $hole number of persons employed in the
manufactories is about fifteen thousand; this includes the officers'
clerks' o%erseers' etc
+s nearly as 6 could ascertain' the re%enue deri%ed from these
establishments is half a million of dollars
The nati%es of the Philippines are industrious They manufacture an
amount of goods sufficient to supply their o$n $ants' particularly
from Panay and 6locos These for the most part consist of cotton and
silks' and a peculiar article called piOa The latter is manufactured
from a species of Bromelia FpineappleG' and comes principally
from the island of Panay The finest kinds of piOa are eEceedingly
beautiful' and surpass any other material in its e%enness and beauty
of teEture 6ts color is yello$ish' and the embroidery is fully
eAual to the material 6t is much sought after by all strangers'
and considered as one of the curiosities of this group #arious
reports ha%e been stated of the mode of its manufacture' and among
others that it $as $o%en under $ater' $hich 6 found' upon inAuiry'
to be Auite erroneous The $eb of the piOa is so fine' that they
are obliged to pre%ent all currents of air from passing through the
rooms $here it is manufactured' for $hich purpose there are gauBe
screens in the $indo$s +fter the article is brought to @anila' it
is then embroidered by girls; this last operation adds greatly to
its %alue !e %isited one of the houses $here this $as in progress'
and $here the most skilful $ork$omen are employed
8n mounting the stairs of bamboos' e%ery step $e took produced its
creak; but' although the $hole seemed but a craBy affair' yet it did
not $ant for strength' being $ell and firmly bound together There
$ere t$o apartments' each about thirteen by t$enty(fi%e feet' $hich
could be di%ided by screens' if reAuired +t the end of it $ere seen
about forty females' all busily plying their needles' and so closely
seated as apparently to incommode each other The mistress of the
manufactory' $ho $as Auite young' ga%e us a friendly reception' and
sho$ed us the $hole process of dra$ing the threads and $orking the
patterns' $hich' in many cases' $ere elegant
+ great %ariety of dresses' scarfs' caps' collars' cuffs' and
pocket(handkerchiefs' $ere sho$n us These $ere mostly in the rough
state' and did not strike us $ith that degree of admiration $hich $as
eEpected They' ho$e%er' had been in hand for siE months' and $ere
soiled by much handling; but $hen others $ere sho$n us in the finished
state' $ashed and put up' they $ere such as to claim our admiration
6 $as soon attracted by a %ery different sight at the other end of the
apartment This $as a dancing(master and his scholar' of siE years old'
the daughter of the $oman of the house 6t $as eEceedingly amusing
to see the airs and graces of this child
For music they had a guitar; and 6 ne%er $itnessed a ballet that
ga%e me more amusement' or sa$ a dancer that e%inced more grace'
ease' confidence' and decided talent' than did this little girl 7he
$as prettily formed' and $as eEceedingly admired and applauded by us
all <er mother considered her education as finished' and looked on
$ith all the admiration and fondness of parental affection
8n inAuiry' 6 found that the idea of teaching her to read and $rite had
not yet been entertained &et e%ery eEpense is incurred to teach them
to use their feet and arms' and to assume the eEpression of countenance
that $ill enable them to play a part in the afterscenes of life
This manufactory had $ork engaged for nine months or a year in
ad%ance The fabric is eEtremely eEpensi%e' and none but the $ealthy
can afford it 6t is also much sought after by foreigners E%en orders
for Sueen #ictoria and many of the English nobility $ere then in hand;
at least 6 so heard at @anila Those $ho are actually present ha%e'
not$ithstanding' the pri%ilege of selecting $hat they $ish to purchase;
for' $ith the inhabitants here' as else$here' ready money has too
much attraction for them to forego the temptation
Time in @anila seems to hang hea%ily on the hands of some of its
inhabitants; their amusements are fe$' and the climate ill adapted to
eEertion The gentlemen of the higher classes pass their morning in
the transaction of a little public business' lounging about' smoking'
etc 6n the afternoon' they sleep' and ride on the Prado; and in the
e%ening' %isit their friends' or attend a tertulia The ladies are to
be pitied; for they pass three(fourths of their time in dLshabillL'
$ith their maids around them' sleeping' dressing' lolling' and combing
their hair 6n this $ay the $hole morning is lounged a$ay; they neither
read' $rite' nor $ork 6n dress they generally imitate the Europeans'
eEcept that they seldom $ear stockings' and go $ith their arms bare 6n
the afternoon they ride on the Prado in state' and in the e%ening
accompany their husbands Chocolate is taken early in the morning'
breakfast at ele%en' and dinner and supper are included in one meal
@others pro%ide for the marriage of their daughters; and 6 $as told
that such a thing as a gentleman proposing to any one but the mother'
or a young lady engaging herself' is unkno$n and unheard of The
negotiation is all carried for$ard by the mother' and the daughter is
gi%en to any suitor she may deem a desirable match The young ladies
are said to be eAually disinclined to a choice themsel%es' and if
proposals $ere made to them' the suitor $ould be at once referred to
the mother +mong the lo$er orders it is no uncommon thing for the
parties to be li%ing $ithout the ceremony of marriage' until they ha%e
a family and no odium $hate%er is attached to such a conneEion They
are looked upon as man and $ife' though they do not li%e together; and
they rarely fail to solemniBe their union $hen they ha%e accumulated
sufficient property to procure the reAuisite articles for housekeeping
2The )uneta5 Three nights in each $eek they ha%e music in the plaBa'
in front of the go%ernorCs palace' by the bands of four different
regiments' $ho collect there after the e%ening parade @ost of the
better class resort here' for the pleasure of enjoying it !e $ent
thither to see the people as $ell as to hear the music This is the
great resort of the haut ton' $ho usually ha%e their carriages in
$aiting' and promenade in groups back$ards and for$ards during the
time the music is playing This is by far the best opportunity that
one can ha%e for %ie$ing the society of @anila' $hich seems as easy
and unrestrained as the peculiar gra%ity and ceremonious mode of
intercourse among the old 7paniards can admit Before the present
go%ernor took office' it had been the custom to allo$ the bands to
play on the Prado e%ery fine e%ening' $hen all the inhabitants could
enjoy it until a late hour; but he has interdicted this practice'
and of course gi%en much dissatisfaction; he is said to ha%e done
this in a fit of ill temper' and although importuned to restore this
amusement to the common people' he pertinaciously refuses
The bands of the regiments are under the direction of Frenchmen and
7paniards* the musicians are all nati%es' and play $ith a correct ear
8ur afternoons $ere spent in dri%es on the Prado' $here all the
fashion and rank of @anila are to be met' and $here it is eEceedingly
agreeable to partake of the fresh and pure air after a heated day in
the city The eEtreme end of the Prado lies along the shore of the bay
of @anila' ha%ing the roadstead and ships on one side' and the city
proper $ith its fortifications and moats on the other This dri%e
usually lasts for an hour' and all sorts of %ehicles are sho$n off'
from the go%ernorCs coach and siE' surrounded by his lancers' to the
sorry chaise and limping nag The carriage most used is a four($heeled
biloche' $ith a gig top' Auite lo$' and dra$n by t$o horses' on one
of $hich is a postilion; these %ehicles are eEceedingly comfortable
for t$o persons The horses are small' but spirited' and are said
to be able to undergo great fatigue' although their appearance
does not promise it This dri%e is enli%ened by the music of the
different regiments' $ho are at this time to be seen manoeu%ering on
the Prado The soldiers ha%e a %ery neat and clean appearance; great
attention is paid to them' and the $hole are $ell appointed The force
stationed in @anila is siE thousand' and the army in the Philippines
amounts to t$enty thousand men The officers are all 7paniards'
generally the relations and friends of those in the administration
of the go%ernment The pay of the soldiers is four dollars a month'
and a ration' $hich is eAual to siE cents a day +s troops 6 $as told'
they acAuitted themsel%es $ell The Prado is laid out in many a%enues'
leading in %arious directions to the suburbs' and these are planted
$ith $ild almond trees' $hich afford a pleasant shade 6t is $ell kept'
and creditable to the city
6n passing the cro$ds of carriages %ery little display of female
beauty is obser%ed' and although $ell(dressed abo%e' one cannot but
re%ert to their $earing no stockings beneath
8n the Prado is a small theatre' but so inferior that the building
scarce deser%es the name* the acting $as eAually bad This amusement
meets $ith little encouragement in @anila and' 6 $as told' $as
discountenanced by the Go%ernor
2+ tertulia5 6 had the pleasure during our stay of attending a
tertulia in the city The company $as not a large one' comprising
some thirty or forty ladies and about siEty gentlemen 6t resembled
those of the mother country ,ancing $as introduced at an early hour'
and continued till a fe$ minutes before ele%en oCclock' at $hich
time the gates of the city are al$ays shut 6t $as amusing to see
the sudden breaking up of the party' most of the guests residing out
of the city The calling for carriages' sha$ls' hats' etc' produced
for a fe$ minutes great confusion' e%ery one being desirous of getting
off at the earliest moment possible' for fear of being too late This
regulation' by $hich the gates are closed at so early an hour' does
not appear necessary' and only ser%es to interrupt the communication
bet$een the foreign and 7panish society as the former is obliged' as
before obser%ed' to li%e outside of the city proper This $ant of free
intercourse is to be regretted' as it pre%ents that kind of friendship
by $hich many of their jealousies and prejudices might be remo%ed
The society at this tertulia $as easy' and so far as the enjoyment
of dancing $ent' pleasant; but there $as no con%ersation The
refreshments consisted of a fe$ dulces' lemonade' and strong drinks
in an anteroom The house appeared %ery spacious and $ell adapted for
entertainments' but only one of the rooms $as $ell lighted From the
no%elty of the scene' and the attentions of the gentleman of the house'
$e passed a pleasant e%ening
The nati%es and mestiBos attracted much of my attention at
@anila Their dress is peculiar* o%er a pair of striped trousers
of %arious colors' the men usually $ear a fine grass(cloth shirt'
a large stra$ hat' and around the head or neck a many colored silk
handkerchief They often $ear slippers as $ell as shoes The Chinese
dress' as they ha%e done for centuries' in loose $hite shirts and
trousers 8ne peculiarity of the common men is their passion for
cock(fighting; and they carry these fo$ls $here%er they go' after a
peculiar fashion under their arm
2Cock(figghting5 Cock(fighting is licensed by the go%ernment' and
great care is taken in the breeding of game fo$ls' $hich are %ery large
and hea%y birds They are armed $ith a cur%ed double(edged gaff The
eEhibitions are usually cro$ded $ith half(breeds or mestiBos' $ho are
generally more addicted to gambling than either the higher or lo$er
classes of 7paniards 6t $ould not be an unapt designation to call
the middling class cock(fighters' for their $hole li%es seem to be
taken up $ith the breeding and fighting of these birds 8n the eEit
from a cockpit' 6 $as much amused $ith the mode of gi%ing the return
check' $hich $as done by a stamp on the naked arm' and precludes
the possibility of its transfer to another person The dress of the
lo$er order of females is some$hat ci%iliBed' yet it bore so strong
a resemblance to that of the Polynesians as to recall the latter
to our recollection + long piece of colored cotton is $ound round
the body' like the pareu' and tucked in at the side* this co%ers
the nether limbs; and a jacket fitting close to the body is $orn'
$ithout a shirt 6n some' this jacket is ornamented $ith $ork around
the neck; it has no collar' and in many cases no slee%es' and o%er
this a richly embroidered cape The feet are co%ered $ith slippers'
$ith $ooden soles' $hich are kept on by the little toe' only four toes
entering the slipper' and the little one being on the outside The
effect of both costumes is picturesAue
2,ucks5 The market is a ne%er failing place of amusement to a
foreigner' for there a cro$d of the common people is al$ays to be seen'
and their mode of conducting business may be obser%ed The canals
here afford great facilities for bringing %egetables and produce to
market in a fresh state The %egetables are chiefly brought from the
shores of the )aguna de Bay' through the ri%er Pasig The meat appeared
inferior' and as in all 7panish places the art of butchering is not
understood The poultry' ho$e%er' surpasses that of any other place
6 ha%e seen' particularly in ducks' the breeding of $hich is pursued
to a great eEtent Establishments for breeding these birds are here
carried on in a systematic manner' and are a great curiosity They
consist of many small enclosures' each about t$enty feet by forty or
fifty' made of bamboo' $hich are placed on the bank of the ri%er'
and partly co%ered $ith $ater 6n one corner of the enclosure is a
small house' $here the eggs are hatched by artificial heat' produced
by rice(chaff in a state of of fermentation 6t is not uncommon to see
siE or eight hundred ducklings all of the same age There are se%eral
hundreds of these enclosures' and the number of ducks of all ages
may be computed at millions The manner in $hich they are schooled
to take eEercise' and to go in and out of the $ater' and to return
to their house' almost eEceeds belief The keepers or tenders are of
the Tagalog tribe' $ho li%e near the enclosures' and ha%e them at all
times under their eye The old birds are not suffered to approach
the young' and all of one age are kept together They are fed upon
rice and a small species of shell(fish that is found in the ri%er
and is peculiar to it From the eEtent of these establishments $e
inferred that ducks $ere the fa%orite article of food at @anila' and
the consumption of them must be immense The markets are $ell supplied
$ith chickens' pigeons' young partridges' $hich are brought in ali%e'
and turkeys +mong strange articles that $e sa$ for sale' $ere cakes
of coagulated blood The markets are $ell stocked $ith a %ariety of
fish' taken both in the )aguna and bay of @anila' affording a supply
of both the fresh and salt $ater species' and many smaller kinds that
are dried and smoked #egetables are in great plenty' and consist
of pumpkins' lettuce' onions' radishes' %ery long sAuashes' etc;
of fruits' they ha%e melons' chicos' durians' marbolas' and oranges
2Fish5 Fish are caught in $eirs' by the hook' or in seines The former
are constructed of bamboo stakes' in the shallo$ $ater of the lake'
at the point $here it flo$s through the Pasig ri%er 6n the bay'
and at the mouth of the ri%er' the fish are taken in nets' suspended
by the four corners from hoops attached to a crane' by $hich they are
lo$ered into the $ater The fishing(boats are little better than rafts'
and are called sarabaos
The usual passage(boat is termed banca' and is made of a single
trunk These are %ery much used by the inhabitants They ha%e a
sort of a$ning to protect the passenger from the rays of the sun;
and being light are easily ro$ed about' although they are eEceedingly
uncomfortable to sit in' from the lo$ness of the seats' and liable to
o%erset' if the $eight is not placed near the bottom The outrigger
$as %ery often dispensed $ith' o$ing to the impediment it offered to
the na%igation of their canals; these canals offer great facilities
for the transportation of burdens; the banks of almost all of them
are faced $ith granite !here the streets cross them' there are
substantial stone bridges' $hich are generally of no more than one
arch' so as not to impede the na%igation The barges used for the
transportation of produce resemble our canal(boats' and ha%e sliding
roofs to protect them from the rain
!ater' for the supply of %essels' is brought off in large earthen
jars 6t is obtained from the ri%er' and if care is not taken' the
$ater $ill be impure; it ought to be filled beyond the city 8ur
supply $as obtained fi%e or siE miles up the ri%er' by a lighter'
in $hich $ere placed a number of $ater(casks 6t pro%ed eEcellent
The trade of @anila eEtends to all parts of the $orld
There are many facilities for the transaction of business' as far as
the shipment of articles is concerned; but great difficulties attend
the settling of disputed accounts' collecting debts' etc' in the
$ay of $hich the la$s passed in -.I1 ha%e thro$n many obstacles +ll
commercial business of this kind goes before' first' the Junta
de Comercio' and then an appeal to the Tribunal de Comercio This
appeal' ho$e%er' is merely nominal; for the same judges preside in
each' and they are said to be susceptible of influences that render
an appeal to them by honest men at all times haBardous The opinion
of those $ho ha%e had the misfortune to be obliged to recur to these
tribunals is' that it is better to suffer $rong than encounter both
the eEpense and %eEation of a resort to them for justice 6n the
first of these courts the decision is long delayed' fees eEacted'
and other eEpenses incurred; and $hen judgment is at length gi%en'
it eEcites one party or the other to appeal* other eEpenses accrue
in conseAuence' and the ad%ocates and judges gro$ rich $hile both the
litigants suffer 6 understood that these tribunals $ere intended to
simplify business' lessen the time of suits' and promote justice; but
these results ha%e not been obtained' and many belie%e that they ha%e
had the contrary effect' and ha%e opened the road to further abuses
2En%irons5 The country around @anila' though no more than an eEtended
plain for some miles' is one of great interest and beauty' and affords
many agreeable rides on the roads to 7anta +na and @ariAuina @ost of
the country(seats are situated on the Pasig ri%er; they may indeed
be called palaces' from their eEtent and appearance They are built
upon a grand scale' and after the 6talian style' $ith terraces'
supported by strong abutments' decked $ith %ases of plants The
grounds are ornamented $ith the luEuriant' lofty' and graceful trees
of the tropics; these are tolerably $ell kept <ere and there fine
large stone churches' $ith their to$ers and steeples' are to be seen'
the $hole gi%ing the impression of a $ealthy nobility' and a happy
and flourishing peasantry
2The cemetery5 6n one of our rides $e made a %isit to the Campo 7anto
or cemetery' about four miles from @anila 6t is small' but has many
handsome trees about it; among them $as an +gati' full of large $hite
flo$ers' sho$ing most conspicuously The $hole place is as unlike a
depository of the dead as it $ell can be 6ts form is circular' ha%ing
a small chapel' in the form of a rotunda' directly opposite the gate'
or entrance The $alls are about t$enty feet high' $ith three tiers of
niches' in $hich the bodies are enclosed $ith Auicklime <ere they are
allo$ed to remain for three years' or until such time as the niches
may be reAuired for further use >iches may be purchased' ho$e%er'
and permanently closed up; but in the $hole cemetery there $ere but
fi%e thus secured This $ould seem to indicate an indifference on the
part of the li%ing' for their departed relati%es or friends; at least
such $as my impression at the time The center of the enclosure is laid
out as a flo$er(garden and shrubbery' and all the buildings are $ashed
a deep buff(color' $ith $hite cornices; these colors' $hen contrasted
$ith the green foliage' gi%e an effect that is not unpleasing 6n
the chapel are t$o tombs' the one for the bishop' and the other for
the go%ernor The former' 6 belie%e' is occupied' and $ill continue
to be so' until another shall follo$ him; but the latter is empty'
for' since the erection of the cemetery' none of the go%ernors ha%e
died 6n the rear of the chapel is another small cemetery' called )os
+ngeles; and' further behind' the 8sero The former is similar to the
one in front' but smaller' and appropriated eEclusi%ely to children;
the latter is an open space' $here the bones of all those $ho ha%e
been remo%ed from the niches' after three years' are east out' and
no$ lie in a confused heap' $ith portions of flesh and hair adhering
to them >o person is allo$ed to be recei%ed here for interment'
until the fees are first paid to the priest' ho$e%er respectable the
parties may be; and all those $ho pay the fees' and are of the true
faith' can be interred 6 $as told of a corpse of a %ery respectable
person being refused admittance' for the $ant of the priestCs pass'
to sho$ that the claim had been satisfied' and the coffin stopped
in the road until it $as obtained !e oursel%es $itnessed a similar
refusal + ser%ant entered $ith a dead child; borne on a tray' $hich
he presented to the sacristan to ha%e interred' the latter asked him
for the pass' $hich not being produced' he $as dismissed' nor $as he
suffered to lea%e his burden until this reAuisite could be procured
from the priest' $ho li%ed opposite The price of interment $as three
dollars' but $hether this included the purchase of the niche' or its
rent for the three years only' 6 did not learn
The churches of @anila can boast of se%eral fine(toned bells' $hich
are placed in large belfries or to$ers There $as one of these to$ers
near the @essrs 7turgesC' $here $e stayed; and the manner in $hich
the bell $as used' $hen s$ung around by the force of t$o or three men'
attracted our attention; for the ringers occasionally practised feats
of agility by passing o%er $ith the bell' and landing on the coping on
the opposite side The to$er being open' $e could see the manoeu%er
from the $indo$s' and' as strangers' $ent there to look on 8ne day'
$hilst at dinner' they began to ring' and as many of the officers
had not $itnessed the fact' they sought the $indo$s This eEcited
the %anity of those in the belfry' $ho redoubled their eEertions'
and performed the feat successfully many times' although in some
instances they narro$ly escaped accident' by landing just $ithin
the outside coping This brought us all to the $indo$' and the neEt
turn' more force ha%ing been gi%en to the bell' the indi%idual $ho
attempted the feat $as thro$n headlong beyond the to$er' and dashed
to pieces on the pa%ement beneath +lthough shocked at the accident'
6 felt still more so $hen' after a fe$ minutes' the bell $as again
heard making its usual sound' as if nothing had occurred to interrupt
the course of its hourly peals
2@onasteries5 6n company $ith ,r Tolben' 6 %isited one of the
con%ents $here he attended on some of the monks $ho $ere sick; he
seemed $ell acAuainted $ith them all 6 $as much struck $ith the eEtent
of the building' $hich $as four stories high' $ith spacious corridors
and galleries' the $alls of $hich $ere furnished $ith pictures
representing the martyrdom of the ,ominican friars in Japan These $ere
about se%enty in number' in the Chinese style of art' and e%idently
painted by some one of that nation' calling himself an artist From
appearances' ho$e%er' 6 should think they $ere composed by the priests'
$ho ha%e not a little taEed their in%ention to find out the different
modes in $hich a man can be put to death @any e%idently' if not all'
had been in%ented for the pictures 7o perpleEed had they apparently
been' that in one of the last it $as obser%ed that the eEecutioner
held his %ictim at armsC length by the heels' and $as about to let him
drop headforemost into a $ell From the galleries $e passed into the
library' and thence into many of the rooms' and finally $e mounted to
the top of the monastery' $hich affords a beautiful %ie$ of the bay'
city' and suburbs There 6 $as presented to three of the friars'
$ho $ere pleasant and jolly(looking men =pon the roof $as a kind
of obser%atory' or look(out' simply furnished $ith billiard(tables
and shuffleboards' $hile the implements for %arious other games lay
about on small tables' $ith telescopes on stands' and comfortable
arm(chairs 6t $as a place $here the friars put aside their religious
and austere character or appearance' and sought amusement 6t $as
a delightful spot' so far as coolness and the freshness of the sea
air $ere concerned' and its aspect ga%e me an insight behind the
curtain of these establishments that %ery soon disclosed many things
6 $as ignorant of before +ll the friars $ere of a rotund form'
and many of them bore the marks of good li%ing in their full' red'
and bloated faces 6t seems to be generally understood at @anila'
that they li%e upon the fat of the land !e %isited se%eral of the
rooms' and $ere $armly greeted by the padres' one of $hom presented
me $ith a meteorological table for the pre%ious year
The re%enues of all these religious establishments are considerable;
the one 6 %isited belonged to the ,ominicans' and $as %ery rich Their
re%enues are principally deri%ed from lands o$ned by them' and the
tithes from the different districts $hich they ha%e under their charge'
to $hich are added many alms and gifts 8n inAuiry' 6 found their
general character $as by no means thought $ell of' and they had of
late years lost much of the influence that they possessed before the
re%olution in the mother country
+mong the inhabitants $e sa$ here' $as a nati%e boy of the 6gorots'
or mountain tribe <e is said to be a true >egrito F+nother confusion
of facts((CG
2@ountaineers5 The 7paniards' as has been stated' ha%e ne%er been
able to subdue this tribe' $ho are said to be still as $ild as on
their first landing; they are confined almost altogether to the plains
$ithin or near the mountains' and from time to time make inroads in
great force on the outer settlements' carrying off as much plunder
as possible The burden of this often causes them to be o%ertaken
by the troops !hen o%ertaken' they fight desperately' and $ere it
not for the fire(arms of their ad%ersaries' $ould gi%e them much
trouble Fe$ are captured on such occasions' and it is eEceedingly
difficult to take them ali%e' unless $hen %ery young These mountains
furnish them $ith an iron ore almost pure' in manufacturing $hich
they sho$ much ingenuity 7ome of their $eapons $ere presented to
the EEpedition by Josiah @oore' EsA These are probably imitations
of the early 7panish $eapons used against them From all accounts'
the nati%es are of @alay origin' and allied to those of the other
islands of the eEtensi%e archipelago of the Eastern 7eas; but the
population of the to$ns and cities of the island are so miEed'
from the constant intercourse $ith Chinese' Europeans' and others'
that there is no pure blood among them !hen at @anila' $e obtained a
grammar of the Tagalog language' $hich is said to be no$ rarely heard'
and to ha%e become nearly obsolete This grammar is belie%ed to be the
only one eEtant' and $as procured from a padre' $ho presented it to the
EEpedition FTagalog is here mistaken for a mountaineerCs dialect((CG
The Pampangans are considered the finest tribe of nati%es; they are
eEcessi%ely fond of horse(racing' and bet %ery considerable sums upon
it; they ha%e the reputation of being an industrious and energetic
set of men
2"e%enue5 The mode of raising re%enue by a poll(taE causes great
discontent among all classes' for although light' it is' as it al$ays
has been else$here' unpopular +ll the Chinese pay a capitation taE
of four dollars The re%enue from %arious sources is said to amount
to one million siE hundred thousand dollars' of $hich the poll(taE
amounts to more than one(half' the rest being deri%ed from the customs'
tobacco' etc There is no taE upon land 6t $as thought at @anila
that a re%enue might be deri%ed by indirect taEation' far eEceeding
this sum' $ithout being sensibly felt by the inhabitants This mode
is employed in the eastern islands under the English and ,utch rule'
and it is surprising that the 7paniards also do not adopt it' or some
other method to increase resources that are so much needed !hene%er
the ministry in 7pain had to meet a claim' they $ere a fe$ years
ago in the habit of issuing drafts on this colonial go%ernment in
payment These came at last in such numbers' that latterly they ha%e
been compelled to suspend the payment of them
The re%enue of the colonial go%ernment is %ery little more than $ill
meet the eEpenses; and it is belie%ed that' not$ithstanding these
unaccepted claims' it recei%ed orders to remit the surplus' if any'
to 7pain' regardless of honor or good faith
2Go%ernment5 The go%ernment of the Philippines is in the hands of a
go%ernor(general' $ho has the titles of %iceroy' commander(in(chief'
sub(delegate' judge of the re%enue from the post(office' commander of
the troops' captain(general' and commander of the na%al forces <is
duties embrace e%ery thing that relates to the security and defence
of the country +s ad%isers' he has a council called the +udiencia
The islands are di%ided into pro%inces' each of $hich has a
military officer $ith the title of go%ernor' appointed by the
go%ernor(general They act as chief magistrates' ha%e jurisdiction
o%er all disputes of minor importance' ha%e the command of the troops
in time of $ar' and are collectors of the royal re%enues' for the
security of $hich they gi%e bonds' $hich must be appro%ed of by the
comptroller(general of the treasury The pro%ince of Ca%ite is alone
eEempt from this rule' and the collection of tribute is there confided
to a police magistrate
Each pro%ince is again sub(di%ided into pueblos' containing a greater
or less number of inhabitants' each of $hich has again its ruler'
called a gobernadorcillo' $ho has in like manner other officers under
him to act as police magistrates The number of the latter are %ery
great' each of them ha%ing his appropriate duties These consist in the
super%ision of the grain fields' coconut gro%es' betel(nut plantations'
and in the preser%ation of the general order and peace of the to$n 7o
numerous are these petty officers' that there is scarcely a family of
any conseAuence' that has not a member $ho holds some kind of office
under go%ernment This policy' in case of disturbances' at once
unites a large and influential body on the side of the go%ernment'
that is maintained at little eEpense The gobernadorcillo eEercises
the municipal authority' and is especially charged to aid the parish
priest in e%ery thing appertaining to religious obser%ances' etc
6n the to$ns $here the descendants of the Chinese are sufficiently
numerous' they can' by permission of the go%ernor' elect their o$n
petty go%ernors and officers from among themsel%es
6n each to$n there is also a headman FcabeBa de barangayG' $ho has
the charge of fifty tributaries' in each of $hich is included as
many families This di%ision is called a barangay This office forms
by far the most important part of the machinery of go%ernment in the
Philippine 6slands' for these headmen are the attorneys of these small
districts' and become the electors of the gobernadorcillos' and other
ci%il officers 8nly t$el%e' ho$e%er' of them or their substitutes'
are allo$ed to %ote in each to$n
The office of head(man eEisted before the conAuest of the island'
and the 7paniards sho$ed their $isdom in continuing and adapting it to
their system of police The office among the nati%es $as hereditary'
but their conAuerors made it also electi%e' and $hen a %acancy no$
occurs through $ant of heirs' or resignation' it is filled up by
the superintendent of the pro%ince' on the recommendation of the
gobernadorcillo and the headman This is also the case $hen any ne$
office is created The pri%ileges of the headmen are great; themsel%es'
their $i%es' and their first(born children' are eEempted from paying
tribute to the cro$n' an eEoneration $hich is o$ing to their being
collectors of the royal re%enues Their duties consist in maintaining
good order and harmony' in di%iding the labor reAuired for the public
benefit eAually' adjusting differences' and recei%ing the taEes
The gobernadorcillo takes cogniBance of all ci%il cases not eEceeding
t$o taels of gold' or forty(four dollars in sil%er; all criminal
cases must be sent to the chief of the pro%ince The headmen formerly
ser%ed for no more than three years' and if this $as done faithfully'
they became and $ere designated as principals' in %irtue of $hich
rank they recei%ed the title of ,on
The election takes place at the court(house of the to$n; the electors
are the gobernadorcillo $hose office is about to eEpire' and t$el%e
of the oldest headmen' cabeBas de barangay' collectors of tribute
for the gobernadorcillo they must select' by a plurality of %otes'
three indi%iduals' $ho must be able to speak' read' and $rite the
7panish language The %oting is done by ballot' in the presence
of the notary FescribanoG' and the chief of the pro%ince' $ho
presides The curate may be present' to look after the interest of
the church but for no other purpose +fter the %otes are taken' they
are sealed and transmitted to the go%ernor(general' $ho selects one
of the three candidates' and issues a commission 6n the more distant
pro%inces' the chief of the district has the authority to select the
gobernadorcillo' and fill up the commission' a blank form of $hich'
signed by the go%ernor(general' is left $ith him for that purpose
The headmen may be elected petty go%ernors' and still retain their
office' and collect the tribute or taEes; for it is not considered
just' that the important office of chief of Barangay should depri%e
the holder of the honor of being elected gobernadorcillo
The greater part of the Chinese reside in the pro%ince of Tondo'
but the tribute is there collected by the alcalde mayor' $ith an
assistant taken from among the officers of the royal treasury
The poll(taE on the Chinese amounts to four dollars a head; it $as
formerly one(half more TaE(lists of the Chinese are kept' in $hich
they are registered and classified; and opposite the name is the
amount at $hich the indi%idual is assessed
The 7panish go%ernment seems particularly desirous of gi%ing
conseAuence e%en to its lo$est offices; and in order to secure it to
them' it is directed that the chiefs of pro%inces' shall treat the
gobernadorcillos $ith respect' offering them seats $hen they enter
their houses or other places' and not allo$ing them to remain standing;
furthermore' the parish curates are reAuired to treat them $ith
eAual respect 7o far as concerns the pro%inces' the go%ernment may
be called' not$ithstanding the officers' courts etc' monastic The
priests rule' and freAuently administer punishment' $ith their o$n
hands' to either seE' of $hich an instance $ill be cited hereafter
2+ country eEcursion5 +s soon as $e could procure the necessary
passports' $hich $ere obligingly furnished by the go%ernor to D,on
"ussel 7turges y Auatro +nglo +mericanos'D our party left @anila
for a short jaunt to the mountains 6t $as considered as a mark of
great fa%or on the part of his eEcellency to grant this indulgence'
particularly as he had a fe$ months prior denied it to a party of
French officers 6 $as told that he preferred to make it a domestic
concern' by issuing the passport in the name of a resident' in order
that compliance in this case might not gi%e umbrage to the French 6t
$as generally belie%ed that the cause of the refusal in the former
instance $as the imprudent manner in $hich the French officers $ent
about taking plans and sketches' at the corners of streets' etc' $hich
in the minds of an unenlightened and ignorant colonial go%ernment' of
course eEcited suspicion >othing can be so ridiculous as this system
of passports; for if one $as so disposed' a plan' and the most minute
information of e%ery thing that concerns the defences of places' can
al$ays be obtained at little cost no$(a(days; for such is the skill of
engineers' that a plan is easily made of places' merely by a sight of
them !e $ere not' ho$e%er' disposed to Auestion the propriety of the
go%ernorCs conduct in the former case' and 6 left abundantly obliged
to him for a permission that $ould add to our stock of information
6t $as deemed at first impossible for the party to di%ide' as they
had but one passport' and some difficulties $ere anticipated from
the number being double that stated in the passport The party
consisted of @essrs 7turges' Pickering' Eld' "ich' ,ana' and
Brackenridge @r 7turges' ho$e%er' sa$ no difficulty in di%iding the
party after they had passed beyond the precincts of the city' taking
the precaution' at the same time' not to appear together beyond the
number designated on the paper
8n the -1th' they left @anila' and proceeded in carriages to 7anta +na'
on the Pasig' in order to a%oid the delay that $ould ensue if they
follo$ed the $indings of the ri%er in a banca' and against the current
+t 7anta +na they found their bancas $aiting for them' and
embarked <ere the scene $as rendered animated by numerous boats of
all descriptions' from the parao to the small canoe of a single log
There is a large population that li%e $holly on the $ater* for the
padrones of the parao ha%e usually their families $ith them' $hich'
from the great %ariety of ages and seEes' gi%e a %ery different and
much more bustling appearance to the cro$d of boats' than $ould be the
case if they only contained those $ho are employed to na%igate them +t
times the paraos and bancas' of all siBes' together $ith the saraboas
and pati%as Fduck establishmentsG' become jumbled together' and create
a confusion and noise such as is seldom met $ith in any other country
2,uck farms5 The pati%as are under the care of the original
inhabitants' to $hom eEclusi%ely the superintendence of the ducklings
seems to be committed The pens are made of bamboo' and are not
o%er a foot high The birds $ere all in admirable order' and made no
attempt to escape o%er the lo$ barrier' although so light that it $as
thought by some of our gentlemen it $ould not ha%e sufficed to confine
+merican ducks' although their $ings might ha%e been cut The mode of
gi%ing them eEercise $as by causing them to run round in a ring The
good understanding eEisting bet$een the keepers and their charge $as
striking' particularly $hen the former $ere engaged in cleansing the
pens' and assisting the current to carry off the impurities 6n the
course of their sail' it $as estimated that hundreds of thousands of
ducks of all ages $ere seen
The $omen $ho $ere seen $ere usually engaged in fishing $ith a hook
and line' and $ere generally standing in the $ater' or in canoes The
saraboas $ere here also in use The run of the fish is generally
concentrated by a che%auE(de(frise to guide them to$ards the nets
and localities $here the fishermen place themsel%es
+t fi%e oCclock they reached the )aguna de Bay' $here they took in a
ne$ cre$' $ith mast and sail This is called t$enty(fi%e miles from
@anila by the ri%er; the distance in a birdCs flight is not o%er
t$el%e The $hole distance is densely peopled' and $ell culti%ated The
crops consist of indigo' rice' etc' $ith gro%es of the betel' palm'
coconut' and Auantities of fruit trees
The shores of the lake are shel%ing' and afford good situations
for placing fish($eirs' $hich are here established on an eEtensi%e
scale These $eirs are formed of slips of bamboo' and are to be seen
running in e%ery direction to the distance of t$o or three miles They
may be said to in%est entirely the shores of the lake for se%eral miles
from its outlet' and $ithout a pilot it $ould be difficult to find the
$ay through them +t night' $hen heron and tern $ere seen roosting on
the top of each slat' these $eirs presented rather a curious spectacle
The )aguna de Bay is said to be about ten leagues in length by three in
$idth' and trends in a north(north$est and south(southeast direction
+fter dark' the bancas separated @r 7turges' $ith ,r Pickering
and @r Eld' proceeded to %isit the mountain of @aijaijai'
$hile @essrs "ich' ,ana' and Brackenridge' $ent to$ards the Taal
#olcano The latter party took the passport' $hile the former relied
upon certain letters of introduction for protection' in case of
difficulty
@r 7turges' $ith his party' directed his course to the east side
of the lake' to$ards a point called Jalajala' $hich they reached
about three oCclock in the morning' and stopped for the cre$ to cook
some rice' etc +t . oCclock am' they reached 7anta CruB' situated
about half a mile up a small streamlet' called PaEanau +t this place
they found ,on Escudero to $hom they had a letter of introduction'
and $ho holds a ci%il appointment They $ere kindly recei%ed by this
gentleman and his bro$n lady' $ith their interesting family <e at
once ordered horses for them to proceed to the mission of @aijaijai'
and entertained them $ith a sumptuous breakfast
They $ere not prepared to set out before noon' until $hich time they
strolled about the to$n of 7anta CruB' the inhabitants of $hich
are Tagalogs There are only t$o old 7paniards in the place The
pro%ince in $hich 7anta CruB is situated contains about fi%e thousand
inhabitants' of $hom eighteen hundred pay tribute
The people ha%e the character of being orderly' and go%ern themsel%es
$ithout the aid of the military The principal article of culture is
the coconut tree' $hich is seen in large gro%es The trunks of these
$ere notched' as $as supposed' for the purpose of climbing them From
the spathe a kind of spirit is manufactured' $hich is fully as strong
as our $hiskey
+bout noon they left ,on EscuderoCs' and took a road leading to the
south$ard and east$ard' through a luEuriant and beautiful country'
$ell culti%ated' and ornamented $ith lofty coconut trees' betel
palms' and banana gro%es 7e%eral beautiful %alleys $ere passed'
$ith streamlets rushing through them
@aijaijai is situated about one thousand feet abo%e the )aguna de Bay'
but the rise is so gradual that it $as almost imperceptible The
country has e%ery$here the appearance of being densely peopled;
but no more than one %illage $as passed bet$een 7anta CruB and the
mission They had letters to F +ntonio "omana y +randa' padre of
the mission' $ho recei%ed them kindly' and entertained them most
hospitably 2Climbing Banajao5 !hen he $as told of their intention
to %isit the mountain' he said it $as impossible $ith such $eather'
pointing to the black clouds that then en%eloped its summit; and he
endea%oured to persuade the gentlemen to desist from $hat appeared
to him a mad attempt; but finding them resol%ed to make the trial'
he aided in making all the necessary preparations' though he had no
belief in their success
8n the morning of the /4th' after mass' @r Eld and ,r Pickering
set out' but @r 7turges preferred to keep the good padre company
until their return The padre had pro%ided them $ith guides' horses'
t$enty nati%es' and pro%isions for three days <e had been himself
on the same laborious journey' some siE months before' and kne$ its
fatigues' although it turned out after$ards that his eEpedition $as
performed in fine $eather' and that he had been borne on a litter by
nati%es the $hole $ay
The first part of the road $as $et and miry' and discouraging
enough The soil $as eEceedingly rich' producing tropical plants
in great profusion' in the midst of $hich $ere seen the neat bamboo
cottages' $ith their industrious and cleanly(looking inhabitants !hen
they reached the foot of the mountain' they found it $as impossible to
ride farther' and $ere obliged to take to $alking' $hich $as' ho$e%er'
less of a hardship than riding the little rats of horses' co%ered $ith
mud and dirt' $hich $ere at first deemed useless; but the manner in
$hich they ascended and maintained themsel%es on the slippery banks'
surpassed anything they had before $itnessed in horseflesh The first
part of the ascent of the mountain $as gradual' but o%er a miry path'
$hich $as eEtremely slippery; and had it not been for the sticks stuck
do$n by the party of the padre in their former ascent' they $ould ha%e
found it eEtremely difficult to o%ercome; to make it more disagreeable'
it rained all the time
6t took about t$o hours to reach the steep ascent The last portion
of their route had been through an uninhabited region' $ith some
openings in the $oods' affording pasture(grounds to a fe$ small herds
of buffalo 6n three hours they reached the half($ay house' by a %ery
steep and regular ascent <ere the nati%es insisted upon stopping
to cook their breakfast' as they had not yet partaken of anything
through the day The nati%es no$ endea%ored to persuade them it $as
impracticable to go any farther' or at least to reach the top of the
mountain and return before night 8ur gentlemen lost their patience at
the delay' and after an hourCs endurance of it' resol%ed to set out
alone 7iE of the nati%es follo$ed them' and by half(past three they
reached the summit' $here they found it cold and uncomfortable The
ascent had been difficult' and $as principally accomplished by catching
hold of shrubs and the roots of trees The summit is comparati%ely
bare' and not more than fifty feet in $idth The side opposite to
that by $hich they mounted $as perpendicular' but o$ing to the thick
fog they could not see the depth to $hich the precipice descended
The obser%ations $ith the barometers $ere speedily taken' $hich ga%e
the height of Banajao as siE thousand fi%e hundred feet The trees
on the summit $ere t$enty or thirty feet high' and a species of
fir $as %ery common Gaultheria' attached to the trunks of trees'
"hododendrons' and Polygonums' also abounded The rocks $ere so
co%ered $ith soil that it $as difficult to ascertain their character;
,r Pickering is of opinion' ho$e%er' that they are not %olcanic The
house on the summit afforded them little or no shelter; being a mere
shed' open on all sides' they found it untenantable' and determined
to return as soon as their obser%ations $ere finished' to the half($ay
house' $hich they reached before dark
The night $as passed uncomfortably' and in the morning they made
an early start do$n the mountain to reach the nati%e %illage at its
foot' $here they $ere refreshed $ith a cup of chocolate' cakes' and
some dulces' according to the custom of the country +t ten oCclock
they reached the mission' $here they $ere recei%ed by the padre and
@r 7turges The former $as greatly astonished to hear that they
had really been to the summit' and had accomplished in t$enty(four
hours $hat he had deemed a labor of three days <e Auickly attended
to their $ants' the first among $hich $as dry clothing; and as their
baggage had unfortunately been left at 7anta CruB' the $ardrobe of
the rotund padre $as placed at their disposal +lthough the fit $as
rather uncouth on the spare forms of our gentlemen' yet his clothes
ser%ed the purpose tolerably $ell' and $ere thankfully made use
of ,uring their absence' @r 7turges had been much amused $ith the
discipline he had $itnessed at the hands of the church' $hich here
seem to be the only %isible ruling po$er T$o young nati%es had made
complaint to the padre that a certain damsel had entered into %o$s
or engagements to marry both; she $as accordingly brought up before
the padre' @r 7turges being present The padre first lectured her
most seriously upon the enormity of her crime' then inflicted se%eral
blo$s on the palm of her outstretched hand' again rene$ing the lecture'
and finally concluding $ith another $hipping The girl $as pretty' and
eEcited the interest of our friend' $ho looked on $ith much desire to
interfere' and sa%e the damsel from the corporal punishment' rendered
more aggra%ated by the dispassionate and cool manner in $hich it and
the lecture $ere administered 6n the con%ersation $hich ensued' the
padre said he had more cases of the %iolation of the marriage %o$'
and of infidelity' than any other class of crimes
+fter a hearty breakfast' or rather dinner' and eEpressing their
thanks to the padre' they rode back to 7anta CruB' $here they arri%ed
at an early hour' and at nine oCclock in the e%ening they embarked
in their bancas for @anila
2)os BaOos5 6n the morning they found themsel%es' after a comfortable
night' at )os BaOos <ere they took chocolate $ith the padre' to $hom
@r 7turges had a letter' $ho informed them that the other party had
left the place the e%ening before for @anila
This party had proceeded to the to$n of Baia' $here they arri%ed at
daylight on the -9th Baia is Auite a pretty place' and $ell situated;
the houses are clean and comfortable' and it possessed a %enerable
stone church' $ith to$ers and bells 8n inAuiring for the padre'
they found that he $as absent' and it $as in conseAuence impossible
for them to procure horses to proceed to the #olcano of Taal They
therefore concluded to $alk to the hot springs at )os BaOos' about
fi%e miles distant +long the road they collected a number of curious
plants "ice is much culti%ated' and fields of it eEtend to some
distance on each side of the road Buffaloes $ere seen feeding and
$allo$ing in the ditches
+t )os BaOos the hot springs are numerous' the $ater issuing from the
rock o%er a considerable surface The Auantity of $ater discharged
by them is large' and the $hole is collected and conducted to the
bathing(houses The temperature of the $ater at the mouth of the
cul%ert $as -.0J
The old bath(house is a singular(looking place' being built on the
hill(side' in the old 7panish style' $ith large balconies' that are
enclosed in the manner already described' in speaking of the houses
in @anila 6t is beautifully situated' and o%erlooks the baths and
lake The baths are of stone' and consist of t$o large rooms' in
each of $hich is a niche' through $hich the hot $ater passes This
building is no$ in ruins' the roof and floors ha%ing fallen in
)os BaOos is a small %illage' but contains a respectable(looking
stone church' and t$o or three houses of the same material <ere the
party found a difficulty in getting on' for the alcalde could not
speak 7panish' and they $ere obliged to use an interpreter' in order
to communicate $ith him >ot$ithstanding this' he is a magistrate'
$hose duty it is to administer la$s $ritten in that language Finding
they could not succeed e%en here in procuring guides or horses'
they determined to remain and eEplore @ount @aAuiling' the height
of $hich is three thousand four hundred and fifty feet' and in the
meantime to send for their bancas
The neEt day they set out on their journey to that mountain' and the
first part of their path lay o%er a gentle ascent' through culti%ated
grounds >eEt succeeded an almost perpendicular hill' bare of trees'
and o%ergro$n $ith a tall grass' $hich it $as difficult to pass
through
7uch had been the time taken up' that the party found it impossible
to reach the summit and return before dark They therefore began
to collect specimens; and after ha%ing obtained a full load' they
returned late in the afternoon to )os BaOos
The mountain is composed of trachytic rocks and tufa' $hich are
occasionally seen to break through the rich and deep soil' sho$ing
themsel%es here and there' in the deep %alleys $hich former %olcanic
action has created' and $hich ha%e destroyed the regular outline
of the cone(shaped mountain The tufa is generally found to form
the gently(sloping plains that surround these mountains' and has in
all probability been ejected from them 7mall craters' of some t$o
hundred feet in height' are scattered o%er the plains The tufa is
like$ise eEposed to %ie$ on the shores of the lake; but else$here'
eEcept on a fe$ bare hills' it is entirely co%ered $ith the dense
and luEuriant foliage The tufa is generally of a soft character'
crumbling in the fingers' and in it are found coarse and fine fragments
of scoria' pumice' etc The layers are from a fe$ inches to fi%e feet
in thickness
6n the country around )os BaOos' there are se%eral %olcanic hills' and
on the sides of @ount @aAuiling are appearances of parasitic cones'
similar to those obser%ed at the <a$aiian 6slands; but time and the
foliage ha%e so disguised them' that it is difficult to determine
eEactly their true character
6 regretted eEceedingly that the party that set out for the )ake of
Taal $as not able to reach it' as' from the accounts 6 had' it must
be one of the most interesting portions of the country 6t lies nearly
south($est from @anila' and occupies an area of about one hundred and
t$enty sAuare miles The #olcano of Taal is situated on an island
near the center of it' and is no$ in action The cone $hich rises
from its center is remarkably regular' and consists for the most part
of cinders and scoria 6t has been found to be nine hundred feet in
ele%ation abo%e the lake The crater has a diameter of t$o miles'
and its depth is eAual to the ele%ation; the $alls of the crater
are nearly perpendicular' so much so that the descent cannot be
made $ithout the assistance of ropes +t the bottom there are t$o
small cones @uch steam issues from the many fissures' accompanied
by sulphurous acid gas The $aters of the lake are impregnated $ith
sulphur' and there are said to be also large beds of sulphur 6n
the opinion of those $ho ha%e %isited this spot' the $hole lake once
formed an immense crater; and this does not appear %ery improbable'
if $e are to credit the accounts $e recei%ed of the many craters
on this island that are no$ filled $ith $ater; for instance' in the
neighborhood of 7an Pablo there are said to be eight or nine
2The hot springs5 The hot springs of )os BaOos are numerous' and in
their %icinity large Auantities of steam are seen to issue from the
shore of the lake There are about a doBen $hich gi%e out a copious
supply of $ater The principal one has been enclosed' and made
to flo$ through a stone aAueduct' $hich discharges a considerable
stream The temperature of the $ater as it lea%es the aAueduct is
-4.J The %illagers use it for cooking and $ashing; the signs of the
former employment are e%ident enough from the Auantities of feathers
from the poultry that ha%e been scalded and plucked preparatory to
cooking The baths are formed by a small circular building siE feet
in diameter' erected o%er the point of discharge for the purpose of
securing a steam(bath; the temperature of these is -H0J and -10J +
change of temperature is said to ha%e occurred in the latter
The rocks in the %icinity are all tufa' and some of the springs break
out close to the cold $ater of the lake >ear the aAueduct' a stone
$all surrounds one of the principal outlets T$o(thirds of the area
thus enclosed is occupied by a pond of $arm $ater' and the other third
is di%ided into t$o stone reser%oirs' built for baths These baths
had at one time a high reputation' and $ere a %ery fashionable resort
for the society of @anila; but their celebrity gradually diminished'
and the $hole premises ha%e gone out of repair' and are fast falling
to ruin
The $ater of the springs has no perceptible taste' and only a %ery
faint smell of sulphur is percei%ed >o gas escapes from it' but a
$hite incrustation co%ers the stones o%er $hich the $ater flo$s
7ome of these $aters $ere obtained' and since our return $ere put into
the hands of ,r C T Jackson' of Boston' $ho gi%es the follo$ing
analysis*
7pecific gra%ity' -001I; thermometer H0J; barometer I009 in
+ Auantity of the $ater' eAual in bulk to three thousand grains of
distilled $ater' on e%aporation ga%e((
,ry salts' 9:9 grains
+ Auantity of the $ater' eAual in bulk to one thousand grains of
distilled $ater' $as operated on for each of the follo$ing ingredients*
Chlorine 0HH
Carbonic acid 0-H
7ulphuric acid 00I
7oda and sodium 0:4
@agnesia 00:
)ime 004
Potash traces
8rganic matter ''
@anganese ''
((((
-:.
2@ount @aAuiling5 8n @ount @aAuiling' $ild buffaloes' hogs' a small
species of deer' and monkeys are found Birds are also %ery numerous'
and among them is the horn(bill; the noise made by this bird resembles
a loud barking; report speaks of them as an eEcellent bird for the
table 8ur gentlemen reached their lodging(place as the night closed
in' and the neEt day again embarked for @anila' regretting that
time $ould not permit them to make another %isit to so interesting
a field of research They found the lake so rough that they $ere
compelled to return' and remain until eight oCclock This' ho$e%er'
ga%e our botanists another opportunity of making collections' among
$hich $ere beautiful specimens of #olkameria splendens' $ith elegant
scarlet flo$ers' and a Brugmansia' $hich eEpanded its beautiful
sil%ery flo$ers after sunset 8n the shores a number of birds $ere
feeding' including pelicans' $ith their huge bills' the di%er' $ith
its long arched neck' herons' gulls' eagles' and sno$($hite cranes'
$ith ducks and other small aAuatic flocks To$ards night these $ere
joined by large bats' that $ere seen $inging their $ay to$ards the
plantations of fruit These' $ith Auantities of insects' ga%e a %i%id
idea of the $onderful myriads of animated things that are constantly
brought into being in these tropical and luEuriant climates
7ailing all night in a rough sea' they $ere much incommoded by the
$ater' $hich $as shipped into the banca and kept them constantly baling
out* they reached the Pasig ri%er at daylight' and again passed the
duck establishments' and the numerous boats and bancas on their $ay
to the markets of @anila
Both the parties reached the consulCs the same day' highly pleased $ith
their respecti%e jaunts To the kindness of @essrs 7turges and @oore'
$e are mainly indebted for the ad%antages and pleasures deri%ed from
the eEcursions
The instruments $ere no$ embarked' and preparations made for going
to sea 8ur stay at @anila had added much to our collections; $e
obtained many ne$ specimens' and the officers and naturalists had
been constantly and profitably occupied in their %arious duties
!e $ent on board on January /0' and $ere accompanied to the %essel
by @essrs 7turges and @oore' $ith se%eral other residents of @anila
!e had' through the kindness of Captain 7alomon' procured a nati%e
pilot for the 7ulu 7ea' $ho $as to act as interpreter
8n the morning of the /-st' $e took lea%e of our friends' and got
under $ay The same day' and before $e had cleared the bay' $e spoke
the +merican ship +ngier' $hich had performed the %oyage from the
=nited 7tates in one hundred and t$enty(four days' and furnished us
$ith late and interesting ne$s !e then' $ith a strong northerly $ind'
made all sail to the south for the 7traits of @indoro
7ulu in -.1/
8n the e%ening of January /-' the #incennes' $ith the tender in
company' left @anila bay 6 then sent for @r ?noE' $ho commanded
the latter' and ga%e him directions to keep closely in company $ith
the #incennes' and at the same time pointed out to him places of
rendeB%ous $here the %essels might again meet in case any una%oidable
circumstance caused their separation 6 $as more particular in gi%ing
him instructions to a%oid losing sight of the #incennes' as 6 $as a$are
that my proposed sur%eys might be impeded or frustrated altogether'
$ere 6 depri%ed of the assistance of the %essel under his command
2@indoro5 8n the //nd' $e passed the entrance of the 7traits of 7an
Bernardino 6t $ould ha%e been my most direct route to follo$ these
straits until 6 had passed @indoro' and it is 6 am satisfied the safest
course' unless the $inds are fair' for the direct passage @y object'
ho$e%er' $as to eEamine the ground for the benefit of others' and the
+po 7hoal' $hich lies about mid(channel bet$een Pala$an and @indoro'
claimed my first attention The tender $as despatched to sur%ey it'
$hile 6 proceeded in the #incennes to eEamine the more immediate
entrance to the 7ulu 7ea' off the south$est end of @indoro
Cala%ite Peak is the north point of @indoro' and our obser%ations
made it t$o thousand feet high This peak is of the shape of a
dome' and appears remarkably regular $hen seen from its $estern
side 8n approaching @indoro' $e' as is usual' under high islands'
lost the steady breeBe' and the $ind became light for the rest of
the day @indoro is a beautiful island' and is e%idently %olcanic;
it appears as if thro$n up in confused masses; it is not much settled'
as the more southern islands are preferred to it as a residence
8n the /Ird' $e ascertained the ele%ation of the highest peak of
the island by triangulation to be three thousand one hundred and
t$enty(siE fet The easternmost island of the Pala$an group' Busuanga'
$as at the time just in sight from the deck' to the south$est
6t had been my intention to anchor at +mbolou 6sland; but the $ind
died a$ay before $e reached it' and 6 determined to stand off and on
all night
8n the /1th' 6 began to eEperience the truth of $hat Captain <alcon had
asserted' namely' that the eEisting charts $ere entirely $orthless'
and 6 also found that my nati%e pilot $as of no more %alue than
they $ere' he had e%idently passed the place before; but $hether
the siBe of the %essel' so much greater than any he had sailed in'
confused him' or $hether it $as from his inability to understand and
to make himself understood by us' he $as of no use $hate%er' and $e
had the misfortune of running into shoal $ater' barely escaping the
bottom These dangers $ere usually Auickly passed' and $e soon found
oursel%es again floating in thirty or forty fathoms $ater
!e continued beating to $ind$ard' in hopes of being joined by the
Flying(fish' and 6 resol%ed to finish the sur%ey to$ards the island
of 7emarara !e found e%ery thing in a different position from that
assigned it by any of the charts $ith $hich $e $ere furnished 8n
this subject' ho$e%er' 6 shall not d$ell' but refer those $ho desire
particular information to the charts and <ydrographical @emoir
To$ards e%ening' 6 again ran do$n to the south$est point of the island
of @indoro' and sent a letter on shore to the pueblo' $ith directions
to ha%e it put on board the tender' $hen she should arri%e !e then
began to beat round 7emarara' in order to pass o%er to$ards Panay
The southern part of @indoro is much higher than the northern
but appears to be eAually rough 6t is' ho$e%er' susceptible of
culti%ation' and there are many %illages along its shores
7emarara is moderately high' and about fifteen miles in circumference;
it is inhabited' and like @indoro much $ooded +ccording to the nati%e
pilot' its shores are free from shoals 6t $as not until the neEt day
that $e succeeded in reaching Panay 6 determined to pass the night
off Point Potol' the north end of Panay' as 6 belie%ed the sea in its
neighborhood to be free of shoals' and $ished to resume our running
sur%ey early in the morning
2Panay5 +t daylight on the /4th $e continued the sur%ey do$n the
coast of Panay' and succeeded in correcting many errors in the
eEisting charts Fboth English and 7panishG The channel along this
side is from t$el%e to t$enty miles $ide' and suitable for beating
in; little current is belie%ed to eEist; and the tides' as far as
our obser%ations $ent' seem to be regular and of little strength
The island of Panay is high and broken' particularly on the south
end; its shores are thickly settled and $ell culti%ated 6ndigo and
sugar(cane claim much of the attention of the inhabitants The nati%es
are the principal culti%ators They pay to go%ernment a capitation taE
of se%en reals 6ts population is estimated at three hundred thousand'
$hich 6 think is rather short of the actual number
8n all the hills there are telegraphs of rude construction' to gi%e
information of the approach of piratical prahus from 7ulu' $hich
formerly $ere in the habit of making attacks upon the defenceless
inhabitants and carrying them off into sla%ery 8f late years they ha%e
ceased these depredations' for the 7paniards ha%e resorted to a ne$
mode of $arfare 6nstead of pursuing and punishing the offenders' they
no$ intercept all their supplies' both of necessaries and luEuries;
and the fear of this has had the effect to deter pirates from their
usual attacks
!e remained off 7an Pedro for the night' in hopes of falling in $ith
the Flying(fish in the morning
8n the morning of the /.th' the Flying(fish $as disco%ered plainly in
sight 6 immediately stood for her' fired a gun and made signal +t
se%en oCclock' another gun $as fired' but the %essel still stood off'
and $as seen to make sail to the $est$ard $ithout paying any regard
$hate%er to either' and being fa%ored by a breeBe $hile the #incennes
$as becalmed' she stole off and $as soon out of sight 2/405
+fter breakfast $e opened the bay of +ntiAue' on $hich is situated the
to$n of 7an JosL +s this bay apparently offered anchorage for %essels
bound up this coast' 6 determined to sur%ey it; and for this purpose
the boats $ere hoisted out and prepared for sur%eying )ieutenant
Budd $as despatched to %isit the pueblo called 7an JosL
8n reaching the bay' the boats $ere sent to different points of it'
and $hen they $ere in station' the ship fired guns to furnish bases
by the sound' and angles $ere simultaneously measured The boats made
soundings on their return to the ship' and thus completed this duty'
so that in an hour or t$o after$ards the bay $as correctly represented
on paper 6t offers no more than a temporary anchorage for %essels'
and unless the shore is closely approached' the $ater is almost too
deep for the purpose
27an JosL5 +t 7an JosL a 7panish go%ernor resides' $ho presides o%er
the t$o pueblos of 7an Pedro and 7an JosL' and does the duty also
of alcalde )ieutenant Budd did not see him' as he $as absent' but
his lady did the honors )ieutenant Budd represented the pueblo as
cleanly and orderly +bout fifteen soldiers $ere seen' $ho compose
the go%ernorCs guard' and more $ere said to be stationed at 7an
Pedro + small fort of eight guns commands the roadstead The beach
$as found to be of fine %olcanic sand' composed chiefly of oEide of
iron' and comminuted shells; there is here also a narro$ shore reef
of coral The plain bordering the sea is co%ered $ith a dense gro$th
of coconut trees 6n the fine season the bay is secure' but $e $ere
informed that in $esterly and south$esterly gales hea%y seas set in'
and %essels are not able to lie at anchor 7e%eral small %essels $ere
lying in a small ri%er about one and a half miles to the south$ard of
the point on $hich the fort is situated The entrance to this ri%er
is %ery narro$ and tortuous
Panay is one of the largest islands of the group !e had an opportunity
of measuring the height of some of its $estern peaks or highlands'
none of $hich eEceed three thousand feet The interior and eastern side
ha%e many lofty summits' $hich are said to reach an altitude of se%en
thousand fi%e hundred feet; but these' as $e passed' $ere en%eloped
in clouds' or shut out from %ie$ by the nearer highlands The general
features of the island are like those of )uBon and @indoro The fe$
specimens $e obtained of its rocks consisted of the different %arieties
of talcose formation' $ith AuartB and jasper The specimens $ere of
no great %alue' as they $ere much $orn by lying on the beach
The higher land $as bare of trees' and had it not been for the
numerous fertile %alleys lying bet$een the sharp and rugged spurs'
it $ould ha%e had a sterile appearance
The bay of +ntiAue is in latitude -0J 10C >' longitude -/-J 9:C
I0CC E
6t $as my intention to remain for t$o or three days at a con%enient
anchorage to enable us to make short eEcursions into the interior;
but the %eEatious mismanagement of the tender no$ made it incumbent
that 6 should make e%ery possible use of the time to complete the
operations connected $ith the hydrography of this sea; for 6 percei%ed
that the duties $hich 6 intended should be performed by her' $ould no$
de%ol%e upon the boats' and necessarily eEpose both officers and men to
the haBard of contracting disease 6 regretted gi%ing up this design'
not only on my o$n account and that of the EEpedition' but because of
the gratification it $ould ha%e afforded personally to the naturalists
The to$n of 7an JosL has about thirty bamboo houses' some of $hich
are filled in $ith clay or mortar' and plastered o%er' both inside
and out Fe$ of them are more than a single story in height That of
the go%ernor is of the same material' and o%ertops the rest; it is
$hite$ashed' and has a neat and cleanly appearance 6n the %icinity of
the to$n are se%eral beautiful %alleys' $hich run into the mountains
from the plain that borders the bay The landing is on a bamboo bridge'
$hich has been erected o%er an eEtensi%e mud(flat' that is eEposed at
lo$ $ater' and pre%ents any nearer approach of boats This bridge is
about se%en hundred feet in length; and a no%el plan has been adopted
to preser%e it from being carried a$ay The stems of bamboo not
being sufficiently large and hea%y to maintain the superstructure in
the soft mud' a scaffold is constructed just under the top' $hich is
loaded $ith blocks of large stone' and the outer piles are secured to
anchors or rocks' $ith grass rope The road$ay or top is ten feet $ide'
co%ered $ith split bamboo' $o%en together' and has rails on each side'
to assist the passenger This is absolutely necessary for safety;
and e%en $ith this aid' one unaccustomed to it must be possessed
of no little bodily strength to pass o%er this smooth' slippery'
and springy bridge' $ithout accident
T$o pirogues $ere at anchor in the bay' and on the shore $as the
frame of a %essel $hich had e%idently been a long $hile on the stocks'
for the $eeds and bushes near the keel $ere siE or eight feet high'
and a portion of the timbers $ere decayed Carts and sleds dra$n by
buffaloes $ere in use' and e%erything ga%e it the appearance of a
thri%ing %illage +lthough 6 ha%e mentioned the presence of soldiers'
it $as obser%ed on landing that no guard $as stationed about or e%en at
the fort; but shortly after$ards a soldier $as seen hurrying to$ards
the latter' in the act of dressing himself in his regimentals' and
another running by his side' $ith his cartridge(boE and musket 6n
a little $hile one $as passing up and do$n on his post' as though he
$as as permanent there as the fort itself
+fter completing these duties' the light airs detained us the remainder
of the day under Panay' in sight of the bay 8n the /:th' at noon'
$e had been $afted by it far enough in the offing to obtain the
easterly breeBe' $hich soon became strong' $ith an o%ercast sky'
and carried us rapidly on our course; my time $ould not permit my
hea%ing(to !e kept on our course for @indanao during the $hole night'
and $ere constantly engaged in sounding' $ith our patent lead' $ith
from thirty to forty fathoms cast' to pre%ent our passing o%er this
part of the sea entirely uneEamined
2@indanao5 +t daylight on the I-st' $e had the island of @indanao
before us' but did not reach its $estern cape until 9 pm This island
is high and broken' like those to the north of it' but' unlike them'
its mountains are co%ered $ith forests to their %ery tops' and there
$ere no distinct cones of minor dimensions' as $e had obser%ed on
the others 6f they do eEist' they $ere hidden by the dense forest
6 had determined to anchor at Caldera' a small port on the south($est
side of @indanao' about ten miles distant from Tamboanga' $here the
go%ernor resides The latter is a considerable place' but the anchorage
in its roadstead is said to be bad' and the currents that run through
the 7traits of Basilan are represented to be strong Caldera' on the
other hand' has a good' though small anchorage' $hich is free from the
currents of the straits 6t is therefore an eEcellent stopping(place'
in case of the tide pro%ing unfa%orable 8n one of its points stands
a small fort' $hich' on our arri%al' hoisted 7panish colors
+t siE oCclock $e came to anchor at Caldera' in se%en fathoms
$ater There $ere fe$ indications of inhabitants' eEcept at and
near the fort +n officer $as despatched to the fort' to report the
ship 6t $as found to be occupied by a fe$ soldiers under the command
of a lieutenant
2Caldera fort5 The fort is about se%enty feet sAuare' and is built
of large blocks of red coral' $hich e%idently ha%e not been taken from
the %icinity of the place' as $as stated by the officers of the fort;
for although our parties $andered along the allu%ial beach for t$o or
three miles in each direction' no signs of coral $ere obser%ed @any
fragments of red' gray' and purple basalt and porphyry $ere met $ith
along the beach; talcose rock and slate' syenite' hornblend' AuartB'
both compact and slaty' $ith chalcedony' $ere found in pieces and
large pebbles Those $ho $ere engaged in dredging reported the bottom
as being of coral' in from four to siE or eight fathoms; but this
$as of a different kind from that of $hich the fort $as constructed
The fort $as built in the year -4.1' principally for protection against
the 7ulu pirates' $ho $ere in the habit of %isiting the settlements'
and carrying off the inhabitants as sla%es' to obtain ransom for
them This' and others of the same description' $ere therefore
constructed as places of refuge for the inhabitants' as $ell as to
afford protection to %essels
,epredations are still committed' $hich render it necessary to keep
up a small force 8ne or t$o huts $hich $ere seen in the neighborhood
of the bay' are built on posts t$enty feet from the ground' and into
them they ascend by ladders' $hich are hauled up after the occupants
ha%e entered
These' it is said' are the sleeping(huts' and are so built for the
purpose of pre%enting surprise at night Before our arri%al $e had
heard that the %illages $ere all so constructed' but a %isit to one
soon sho$ed that this $as untrue The nati%es seen at the %illage
$ere thought to be of a decidedly lighter color and a some$hat
different eEpression from the @alays They $ere found to be %ery
ci%il' and more polished in manners than our gentlemen eEpected 8n
asking for a drink of $ater' it $as brought in a glass tumbler on a
china plate +n old $oman' to $hom they had presented some trifles'
took the trouble to meet them in another path on their return' and
insisted on their accepting a basket of potatoes 7ome of the houses
contained se%eral families' and many of them had no other means of
entrance than a notched post stuck up to the door
The forests of @indanao contain a great %ariety of trees' some of
$hich are of large siBe' rising to the height of one hundred and
and one hundred and fifty feet 7ome of their trunks are shaped like
buttresses' similar to those before spoken of at @anila' from $hich
they obtain broad slabs for the tops of tables The trunks $ere
obser%ed to shoot up remarkably straight 8ur botanical gentlemen'
though pleased $ith the eEcursion' $ere disappointed at not being
able to procure specimens from the lofty trees; and the day $as less
producti%e in this respect than they had anticipated )arge $oody
%ines $ere common' $hich en%eloped the trunks of trees in their folds'
and ascending to their tops' pre%ented the collection of the most
desirable specimens
The paths leading to the interior $ere narro$ and much obstructed;
one fine stream $as crossed @any buffaloes $ere obser%ed $allo$ing
in the mire' and the $oods s$armed $ith monkeys and numbers of birds'
among them the horn(bills; these kept up a continued chatter' and made
a %ariety of loud noises The forests here are entirely different from
any $e had seen else$here; and the stories of their being the abode
of large boas and poisonous snakes' make the effect still greater
on those $ho %isit them for the first time 8ur parties' ho$e%er'
sa$ nothing of these reptiles' nor anything to $arrant a belief that
such eEist &et the officer at the fort related to me many snake
stories that seemed to ha%e some foundation; and by inAuiries made
else$here' 6 learned that they $ere at least $arranted by some facts'
though probably not to the eEtent that he represented
Traces of deer and $ild hogs $ere seen' and many birds $ere obtained'
as $ell as land and sea shells +mong the latter $as the @alleus
%ulgaris' $hich is used as food by the nati%es The soil on this
part of the island is a stiff clay' and the plants it produces
are mostly $oody; those of an herbaceous character $ere scarce'
and only a fe$ orchideous epiphytes and ferns $ere seen +round the
d$ellings in the %illages $ere a %ariety of %egetables and fruits'
consisting of sugar(cane' s$eet(potato' gourds' pumpkins' peppers'
rice' $ater and musk melons' all fine and of large siBe
The officer at the fort $as a lieutenant of infantry; one of that rank
is stationed here for a month' after $hich he' $ith the garrison'
consisting of three soldiers' are relie%ed' from Tamboanga' $here
the 7paniards ha%e three companies
2Tamboanga5 Tamboanga is a con%ict settlement' to $hich the nati%e
rogues' principally thie%es' are sent The 7panish criminals' as 6
ha%e before stated in speaking of @anila' are sent to 7pain
The inhabitants of the island of @indanao' $ho are under the subjection
of 7pain' are about ten thousand in number' of $hom fi%e or siE
thousand are at or in the neighborhood of Tamboanga The original
inhabitants' $ho d$ell in the mountains and on the east coast' are
said to be Auite black' and are represented to be a %ery cruel and
bad set; they ha%e hitherto bid defiance to all attempts to subjugate
them !hen the 7paniards make eEcursions into the interior' $hich is
seldom' they al$ays go in large parties on account of the $ild beasts'
serpents' and hostile nati%es; ne%ertheless' the latter freAuently
attack and dri%e them back
The little fort is considered as a sufficient protection for the
fishermen and small %essels against the pirates' $ho inhabit the
island of Basilan' $hich is in sight from @indanao' and forms the
southern side of the straits of the same name 6t is said that about
se%en hundred inhabit it The name of @oro is gi%en by the 7paniards
to all those $ho profess the @ohammedan religion' and by such all the
islands to the $est of @indanao' and kno$n under the name of the 7ulu
archipelago' are inhabited
The day $e spent at Caldera $as employed in sur%eying the bay' and
in obtaining obser%ations for its geographical position' and for
magnetism The flood tide sets to the north$ard and $est$ard' through
the straits' and the ebb to the east$ard 6n the bay $e found it to
run t$o miles an hour by the log' but it must be much more rapid in
the straits
+t daylight on February -st' $e got under $ay to stand o%er for
the 7angboys' a small island $ith t$o sharp hills on it 8ne and a
half miles from the bay $e passed o%er a bank' the least $ater on
$hich $as ten fathoms on a sandy bottom' and on $hich a %essel might
anchor The $ind shortly after failed us' and $e drifted $ith the tide
for some hours' in full %ie$ of the island of @indanao' $hich is bold
and picturesAue !e had thus a good opportunity of measuring some of
its mountain ranges' $hich $e made about three thousand feet high
6n the afternoon' a light breeBe came from the south$est' and before
sunset 6 found that $e $ere again on soundings +s soon as $e had
a cast of t$enty fathoms' 6 anchored for the night' judging it much
better than to be drifting about $ithout any kno$ledge of the locality
and currents to $hich $e $ere subjected
8n the morning of the /nd' $e got under $ay to proceed to the
$est$ard +s the bottom $as uneAual' 6 determined to pass through
the broadest channel' although it had the appearance of being the
shoalest' and sent t$o boats ahead to sound 6n this $ay $e passed
through' continuing our sur%eying operations' and at the same time
made an attempt to dredge; but the ground $as too une%en for the
latter purpose' and little of %alue $as obtained
27ulu5 7hortly after passing the 7angboys' $e had the island of
7ulu in sight' for $hich 6 no$ steered direct +t sunset $e found
oursel%es $ithin fi%e or siE miles of 7oung <arbor; but there $as not
sufficient light to risk the dangers that might be in our course'
nor $ind enough to command the ship; and ha%ing no bottom $here $e
$ere' 6 determined again to run out to sea' and anchor on the first
bank 6 should meet +t half(past eight oCclock' $e struck sounding
in t$enty(siE fathoms' and anchored
+t daylight $e determined our position by angles' and found it
to correspond $ith part of the route $e had passed o%er the day
before' and that $e $ere about fifteen miles from the large island
of 7ulu !eighing anchor' $e $ere shortly $afted by the $esterly
tide and a light air to$ards that beautiful island' $hich lay in the
midst of its little archipelago; and as $e $ere brought nearer and
nearer' $e came to the conclusion that in our many $anderings $e had
seen nothing to be compared to this enchanting spot 6t appeared to
be $ell culti%ated' $ith gentle slopes rising here and there into
eminences from one to t$o thousand feet high 8ne or t$o of these
might be dignified $ith the name of mountains' and $ere sufficiently
high to arrest the passing clouds; on the afternoon of our arri%al
$e had a singular eEample in the dissipation of a thunderstorm
+lthough much of the island $as under culti%ation' yet it had all the
freshness of a forest region The many smokes on the hills' buildings
of large siBe' cottages' and culti%ated spots' together $ith the
mo%ing cro$ds on the land' the prahus' canoes' and fishing(boats on
the $ater ga%e the $hole a ci%iliBed appearance 8ur o$n %essel lay'
almost $ithout a ripple at her side' on the glassy surface of the
sea' carried on$ards to our destined anchorage by the flo$ing tide'
and scarce a sound $as heard eEcept the splashing of the lead as
it sought the bottom The effect of this $as destroyed in part by
the kno$ledge that this beautiful archipelago $as the abode of a
cruel and barbarous race of pirates To$ards sunset $e had nearly
reached the bay of 7oung' $hen $e $ere met by the opposing tide'
$hich frustrated all our endea%ors to reach it' and 6 $as compelled
to anchor' lest $e should again be s$ept to sea
+s soon as the night set in' fishermenCs lights $ere seen mo%ing along
the beach in all directions' and gliding about in canoes' $hile the sea
$as filled $ith myriads of phosphorescent animalcula +fter $atching
this scene for t$o or three hours in the calm and still night' a storm
that had been gathering reached us; but it lasted only for a short
time' and cleared off after a sho$er' $hich ga%e the air a freshness
that $as delightful after the sultry heat $e had eEperienced during
the day
The canoes of this archipelago $ere found to be different from any
that $e had heretofore seen' not only in shape' but in making use
of a double outrigger' $hich conseAuently must gi%e them additional
security The paddle also is of a different shape' and has a blade at
each end' $hich are used alternately' thus enabling a single person to
manage them $ith ease These canoes are made of a single log' though
some are built upon They seldom carry more than t$o persons The
figure on the opposite page $ill gi%e a correct idea of one of them
!e sa$ the fishermen engaged in trolling and using the line; but the
manner of taking fish $hich has been heretofore described is chiefly
practised 6n fishing' as $ell as in all their other employments'
the kris and spear $ere in%ariably by their side
27ulu harbor5 The neEt morning at eight oCclock $e got under $ay'
and $ere to$ed by our boats into the bay of 7oung' $here $e anchored
off the to$n in nine fathoms $ater !hile in the act of doing so'
and after our intentions had become too e%ident to admit of a doubt'
the 7ultan graciously sent off a message gi%ing us permission to
enter his port
)ieutenant Budd $as immediately despatched $ith the interpreter to call
upon the ,atu @ulu or go%ernor' and to learn at $hat hour $e could see
the 7ultan !hen the officer reached the to$n' all $ere found asleep;
and after remaining four hours $aiting' the only ans$er he could get
out of the ,atu @ulu $as' that he supposed that the 7ultan $ould be
a$ake at three oCclock' $hen he thought 6 could see him
,uring this time the boats had been prepared for sur%eying; and after
landing the naturalists' they began the $ork
+t the appointed time' Captain <udson and myself $ent on shore to $ait
upon the 7ultan 8n our approach to the to$n' $e found that a great
proportion of it $as built o%er the $ater on piles' and only connected
$ith the shore by narro$ bridges of bamboo The style of building in
7ulu does not differ materially from that of the @alays The houses
are rather larger' and they surpass the others in filth
2Pirate craft5 !e passed for some distance bet$een the bridges to
the landing' and on our $ay sa$ se%eral piratical prahus apparently
laid up T$enty of these $ere counted' of about thirty tons burden'
e%idently built for sea(%essels' and capable of mounting one or t$o
long guns !e landed at a small streamlet' and $alked a short distance
to the ,atuCs house' $hich is of large dimensions and rudely built on
piles' $hich raise it about siE feet abo%e the ground' and into $hich
$e $ere in%ited The house of the ,atu contains one room' part of $hich
is screened off to form the apartment of his $ife >early in the center
is a raised dais' eight or ten feet sAuare' under $hich are sto$ed
all his %aluables' packed in chests and Chinese trunks =pon this
dais are placed mats for sleeping' $ith cushions' pillo$s' etc; and
o%er it is a sort of canopy' hung around $ith fine chintB or muslin
The dais $as occupied by the ,atu' $ho is' neEt to the 7ultan' the
greatest man of this island <e at once came from it to recei%e us' and
had chairs pro%ided for us near his sanctum +fter $e $ere seated' he
again retired to his lounge The ,atu is small in person' and emaciated
in form' but has a Auick eye and an intelligent countenance <e
li%es' as he told me' $ith all his goods around him' and they formed
a collection such as 6 could scarcely imagine it possible to bring
together in such a place The interior put me in mind of a barn
inhabited by a company of strolling players 8n one side $ere hung up
a collection of %arious kinds of gay dresses' here drums and gongs'
there s$ords' lanterns' spears' muskets' and small cannon; on another
side $ere shields' buckler' masks' sa$s' and $heels' $ith belts' bands'
and long robes The $hole $as a strange miEture of tragedy and farce;
and the group of nati%es $ere not far remo%ed in appearance from the
supernumeraries that a Turkish tragedy might ha%e brought together in
the green(room of a theatre + set of more co$ardly(looking miscreants
6 ne%er sa$ They appeared ready either to trade $ith us' pick our
pockets' or cut our throats' as an opportunity might offer
The $ifeCs apartment $as not remarkable for its comforts' although
the ,atu spoke of it $ith much consideration' and e%idently held his
better half in high estimation <e $as also proud of his siE children'
the youngest of $hom he brought out in its nurseCs arms' and eEhibited
$ith much pride and satisfaction <e particularly dre$ my attention
to its little highly($rought and splendidly(mounted kris' $hich $as
stuck through its girdle' as an emblem of his rank <e $as in reality a
fine(looking child The kitchen $as behind the house' and occupied but
a small space' for they ha%e little in the $ay of food that reAuires
much preparation The house of the ,atu might justly be termed nasty
!e no$ learned the reason $hy the 7ultan could not be seen; it $as
Friday' the @ahomedan 7abbath' and he had been at the mosAue from
an early hour )ieutenant Budd had been detained' because it $as not
kno$n $hen he $ould finish his prayers; and the ceremonies of the day
$ere more important than usual' on account of its peculiar sanctity
in their calendar
2#isiting the 7ultan5 !ord had been sent off to the ship that the
7ultan $as ready to recei%e me' but the messenger passed us $hile on
our $ay to shore +fter $e had been seated for a $hile' the ,atu asked
if $e $ere ready to accompany him to see the 7ultan; but intimated
that no one but Captain <udson and myself could be permitted to
lay eyes on him Being informed that $e $ere' he at once' and in
our presence' slipped on his silken trousers' and a ne$ jacket'
co%ered $ith bell(buttons; put on his slippers' strapped himself
round $ith a long silken net sash' into $hich he stuck his kris' and'
$ith umbrella in hand' said he $as ready <e no$ led the $ay out of
his house' lea%ing the motley group behind' and $e took the path to
the interior of the to$n' to$ards the 7ultanCs The ,atu and 6 $alked
hand in hand' on a road$ay about ten feet $ide' $ith a small stream
running on each side Captain <udson and the interpreter came neEt'
and a guard of siE trusty sla%es brought up the rear
!hen $e reached the outskirts of the to$n' about half a mile from
the ,atuCs' $e came to the 7ultanCs residence' $here he $as prepared
to recei%e us in state <is house is constructed in the same manner
as that of the ,atu' but is of larger dimensions' and the piles are
rather higher 6nstead of steps' $e found a ladder' rudely constructed
of bamboo' and %ery craBy This $as so steep that it $as necessary to
use the hands in mounting it 6 understood that the ladder $as al$ays
remo%ed in the night' for the sake of security !e entered at once
into the presence(chamber' $here the $hole di%an' if such it may be
called' sat in arm(chairs' occupying the half of a large round table'
co%ered $ith a $hite cotton cloth 8n the opposite side of the table'
seats $ere placed for us 8n our approach' the 7ultan and all his
council rose' and motioned us to our seats !hen $e had taken them'
the part of the room behind us $as literally crammed $ith $ell(armed
men + fe$ minutes $ere passed in silence' during $hich time $e
had an opportunity of looking at each other' and around the hall in
$hich $e $ere seated The latter $as of %ery common $orkmanship' and
eEhibited no signs of oriental magnificence 8%erhead hung a printed
cotton cloth' forming a kind of tester' $hich co%ered about half of
the apartment 6n other places the roof and rafters $ere %isible +
part of the house $as roughly partitioned off' to the height of nine
or ten feet' enclosing' as 6 $as after$ards told' the 7ultanCs sleeping
apartment' and that appropriated to his $ife and her attendants
The 7ultan is of middle height' spare and thin; he $as dressed in a
$hite cotton shirt' loose trousers of the same material' and slippers;
he had no stockings; the bottom of his trousers $as $orked in scollops
$ith blue silk' and this $as the only ornament 6 sa$ about him 8n his
head he $ore a small colored cotton handkerchief' $ound into a turban'
that just co%ered the top of his head <is eyes $ere bloodshot' and had
an uneasy $ild look' sho$ing that he $as under the effects of opium'
of $hich they all smoke large Auantities <is teeth $ere as black as
ebony' $hich' $ith his bright cherry(colored lips' 2/4-5 contrasted
$ith his s$arthy skin' ga%e him anything but a pleasant look
8n the left hand of the 7ultan sat his t$o sons' $hile his right
$as occupied by his councillors; just behind him' sat the carrier
of his betel(nut casket The casket $as of filigree sil%er' about
the siBe of a small tea(caddy' of oblong shape' and rounded at the
top 6t had three di%isions' one for the leaf' another for the nut'
and a third for the lime >eEt to this official $as the pipe(bearer'
$ho did not appear to be held in such estimation as the former
2Treaty $ith =nited 7tates5 6 opened the con%ersation by desiring
that the ,atu $ould eEplain the nature of our %isit' and tell the
7ultan that 6 had come to make the treaty $hich he had some time
before desired to form $ith the =nited 7tates 2/4/5
The 7ultan replied that such $as still his desire; upon $hich 6 told
him 6 $ould dra$ one up for him that same day !hile 6 $as eEplaining
to him the terms' a brass candlestick $as brought in $ith a lighted
tallo$ candle' of a %ery dark color' and rude shape' that sho$ed
but little art in the manufacture This $as placed in the center
of the table' $ith a plate of @anila cigars >one of them' ho$e%er'
$ere offered to us' nor any kind of refreshment
8ur %isit lasted nearly an hour !hen $e arose to take our lea%e'
the 7ultan and his di%an did the same' and $e made our eEit $ith lo$
bo$s on each side
6 looked upon it as a matter of daily occurrence for all those
$ho came to the island to %isit the 7ultan; but the ,atu @ulu took
great pains to make me belie%e that a great fa%or had been granted in
allo$ing us a sight of his ruler 8n the other hand' 6 d$elt upon the
condescension it $as on my part to %isit him' and 6 refused to admit
that 6 $as under any gratitude or obligation for the sight of <is
@ajesty the 7ultan @ohammed ,amaliel ?isand' but said that he might
feel grateful to me if he signed the treaty 6 $ould prepare for him
8n our return from the 7ultanCs to the ,atu @uluCs house' $e found
e%en a greater cro$d than before The ,atu' ho$e%er' contri%ed to
get us seats The attraction $hich dre$ it together $as to look at
@r +gate' $ho $as taking a sketch of @ohammed Polalu' the 7ultanCs
son' and neEt heir to the throne 6 had hoped to procure one of the
7ultan' but this $as declared to be impossible
The son' ho$e%er' has all the characteristics of the 7ulu' and
the likeness $as thought an eEcellent one @ohammed Polalu is about
t$enty(three years of age' of a tall slender figure' $ith a long face'
hea%y and dull eyes' as though he $as constantly under the influence
of opium 7o much' indeed' $as he addicted to the use of this drug'
e%en according to the ,atu @uluCs accounts' that his strength and
constitution $ere %ery much impaired +s he is kept particularly
under the guardianship of the ,atu' the latter has a strong interest
in preser%ing this influence o%er him' and seems on this account to
afford him e%ery opportunity of indulging in this deplorable habit
,uring our %isit' the effects of a pipe of this drug $ere seen upon
him; for but a short time after he had reclined himself on the ,atuCs
couch and cushion' and taken a fe$ $hiffs' he $as entirely o%ercome'
stupid' and listless 6 had ne%er seen any one so young' bearing
such e%ident marks of the effects of this deleterious drug !hen
but partially reco%ered from its effects he called for his betelnut'
to re%i%e him by its eEciting effects This $as carefully che$ed by
his attendant to a proper consistency' moulded in a ball about the
siBe of a $alnut' and then slipped into the mouth of the heir apparent
26nterior tra%el prohibited5 8ne of the reAuests 6 had made of the
7ultan $as' that the officers might ha%e guides to pass o%er the
island This $as at once said to be too dangerous to be attempted' as
the datus of the interior and southern to$ns $ould in all probability
attack the parties 6 understood $hat this meant' and replied that
6 $as Auite $illing to take the responsibility' and that the party
should be $ell armed To this the 7ultan replied that he $ould
not risk his o$n men This 6 sa$ $as a mere e%asion' but it $as
difficult and $ould be dangerous for our gentlemen to proceed alone'
and 6 therefore said no more 8n our return to the ,atuCs' 6 ga%e
them permission to get as far from the beach as they could' but 6 $as
after$ards informed by them that in endea%oring to penetrate into the
$oods' they $ere al$ays stopped by armed men This $as also the case
$hen they approached particular parts of the to$n' but they $ere not
molested as long as their rambles $ere confined to the beach +t the
,atuCs $e $ere treated to chocolate and negus in gilt(edged tumblers'
$ith small stale cakes' $hich had been brought from @anila
+fter $e had sat some time 6 $as informed that @r ,ana missed his
bo$ie(knife pistol' $hich he had for a moment laid do$n on a chest 6
at once came to the conclusion that it had been stolen' and as the
theft had occurred in the ,atuCs house' 6 determined to hold him
responsible for it' and ga%e him at once to understand that 6 should
do so' informing him that the pistol must be returned before the neEt
morning' or he must take the conseAuences This thre$ him into some
consternation' and by my manner he felt that 6 $as serious
Captain <udson and myself' pre%ious to our return on board' %isited
the principal parts of the to$n The Chinese Auarter is separated
by a body of $ater' and has a gate$ay that leads to a bridge The
bridge is co%ered by a roof' and on each side of it are small shops'
$hich are open in front' and thus eEpose the goods they contain 6n
the rear of the shops $ere the d$ellings of the dealers This sort
of baBaar contained but a %ery scanty assortment' and the goods $ere
of inferior Auality
!e %isited some blacksmith(shops' $here they $ere manufacturing krises
and spears These shops $ere open sheds; the fire $as made upon the
ground' and t$o $ooden cylinders' $hose %al%es $ere in the bottom'
ser%ed for bello$s; $hen used' they had mo%able pistons' $hich $ere
$orked by a man on an ele%ated seat' and ans$ered the purpose better
than could ha%e been eEpected
The kris is a $eapon in $hich this people take great pride; it is of
%arious shapes and siBes' and is in%ariably $orn from infancy to old
age; they are generally $a%y in their blades' and are $orn in $ooden
scabbards' $hich are neatly made and highly polished
The market $as $ell stocked $ith fruit and fish +mong the former the
durian seemed to predominate; this $as the first time $e had seen
it 6t has a %ery disagreeable odour' as if decayed' and appears
to emit a sulphuretted hydrogen gas' $hich 6 obser%ed blackened
sil%er 7ome ha%e described this fruit as delicious' but if the
smell is not enough' the taste in my opinion $ill con%ince any one
of the contrary
@r Brackenridge made the follo$ing list of their fruits* ,urian'
+rtocarpus integrifolia' @elons' $ater and musk' 8ranges' mandarin
and bitter' Pineapples' Carica papaya' @angosteen' Bread(fruit'
Coco and Betelnut The %egetables $ere capsicums' cucumbers' yams'
s$eet(potatoes' garlic' onions' edible fern(roots' and radishes of
the salmon %ariety' but thicker and more acrid in fla%or
2+ stolen granite monument5 6n $alking about the parts of the to$n $e
$ere permitted to enter' large slabs of cut granite $ere seen' $hich
$ere presumed to be from China' $here the $alls of canals or streamlets
are lined $ith it But ,r Pickering in his rambles disco%ered pieces
that had been cut as if to form a monument' and remarked a difference
bet$een it and the Chinese kind 8n one or t$o pieces he sa$ the mark
>o -' in black paint; the material resembled the Chelmsford granite'
and it occurred to him that the stone had been cut in Boston 6
did not hear of this circumstance until after $e had left 7ulu' and
ha%e little doubt no$ that the interdiction against our gentlemen
%isiting some parts of the to$n $as o$ing to the fear they had of the
disco%ery of this plunder This may ha%e been the reason $hy they so
readily complied $ith my demands' in order to get rid of us as soon as
possible' feeling themsel%es guilty' and being unprepared for defence;
for' of the numerous guns mounted' fe$ if any $ere ser%iceable
The theft of the pistol $as so barefaced an affair' that 6 made up
my mind to insist on its restoration +t the setting of the $atch
in the e%ening' it had been our practice on board the #incennes to
fire a small brass ho$itBer This freAuently' in the calm e%enings'
produced a great re%erberation' and rolled along the $ater to the
surrounding islands $ith considerable noise 6nstead of it' on this
e%ening' 6 ordered one of the long guns to be fired' belie%ing that
the sound and re%erberation alone $ould suffice to intimidate such
robbers 8ne $as accordingly fired in the direction of the to$n'
$hich fairly shook the island' as they said' and it $as not long
before $e sa$ that the rogues $ere fully aroused' for the clatter of
gongs and %oices that came o%er the $ater' and the motion of lights'
con%inced me that the pistol $ould be forthcoming in the morning 6n
this 6 $as not mistaken' for at early daylight 6 $as a$akened by a
special messenger from the ,atu to tell me that the pistol $as found'
and $ould be brought off $ithout delay; that he had been searching for
it all night' and had at last succeeded in finding it' as $ell as the
thief' on $hom he intended to inflict the bastinado +ccordingly' in
a short time the pistol $as deli%ered on board' and e%ery eEpression
of friendship and good($ill gi%en' $ith the strongest assurances that
nothing of the kind should happen again
2@arongas island5 +s our naturalists could ha%e no opportunity
of rambling o%er the island of 7ooloo' it $as thought that one
of the neighbouring islands Falthough not so good a fieldG $ould
afford them many of the same results' and that they could eEamine
it unmolested +ccordingly' at an early hour' they $ere despatched
in boats for that purpose' $ith a sufficient guard to attend them
in case of necessity The island on $hich they landed' @arongas'
has t$o hills of %olcanic conglomerate and %esicular la%a' containing
angular fragments embedded The bottom $as co%ered $ith li%ing coral'
of e%ery %ariety' and of different colors; but there $as nothing like
a regular coral shelf' and the beach $as composed of bits of coral
intermiEed $ith dead shells' both entire and comminuted The center
of the island $as co%ered $ith mangro%e(bushes; the hills $ere cones'
but had no craters on them The mangro%es had gro$n in clusters'
gi%ing the appearance of a number of small islets This' $ith the
neighboring islands' $ere thought to be composed in a great part of
coral' but it $as impossible for our gentlemen to determine the fact
The day $as eEceedingly hot' and the island $as suffering to such
a degree from drought that the lea%es in many cases $ere curled and
appeared dry 8n the face of the rocky cliff they sa$ many s$allo$s
Fhirundo esculentaG flying in and out of the ca%erns facing the sea;
but they $ere not fortunate enough to find any of the edible nests'
so much esteemed by Chinese epicures
+t another part of the island they heard the cro$ing of a cock'
and disco%ered a small %illage' almost hidden by the mangro%es' and
built o%er the $ater 6n the neighborhood $ere se%eral fish(baskets
set out to dry' as $ell as a Auantity of fencing for $eirs' all made
of rattan Their shape $as some$hat peculiar +fter a little $hile the
nati%e fishermen $ere seen approaching' $ho e%idently had a kno$ledge
of their %isit from the first They came near $ith great caution
in their canoes; but after the first had spoken and reconnoitered'
se%eral others landed' eEhibiting no signs of embarrassment' and soon
motioned our party off To indicate that force $ould be resorted to'
in case of refusal' at the same time they pointed to their arms' and
dre$ their krises 8ur gentlemen took this all in good part' and' after
dispensing a fe$ trifling presents among them' began their retreat
$ith a con%enient speed' $ithout' ho$e%er' compromising their dignity
The eEcursion had been profitable in the $ay of collections' ha%ing
yielded a number of specimens of shrubs and trees' both in flo$er
and fruit; but o$ing to the drought' the herbaceous plants $ere' for
the most part' dried up +mong the latter' ho$e%er' they sa$ a large
and fine terrestrial species of Epidendrum' $hose stem gre$ to the
height of se%eral feet' and $hen surmounted by its flo$ers reached
t$el%e or fifteen feet high @any of the salt(marsh plants seen in
the Fijis' $ere also obser%ed here Besides the plants' some shells
and a beautiful cream(colored pigeon $ere obtained
,uring the day $e $ere busily engaged in the sur%ey of the harbor'
and in making astronomical and magnetical obser%ations on the beach'
$hile some of the officers $ere employed purchasing curiosities'
on shore' at the to$n' and alongside the ship These consisted of
krises' spears' shields' and shells; and the 7ulus $ere not slo$ in
comprehending the kind of articles $e $ere in search of
Fe$ if any of the 7ulus can $rite or read' though many talk
7panish Their accounts are all kept by the sla%es Those $ho can read
and $rite are' in conseAuence' highly priBed +ll the accounts of the
,atu of 7oung are kept in ,utch' by a young @alay from Tarnate' $ho
$rites a good hand' and speaks English' and $hom $e found eEceedingly
useful to us <e is the sla%e of the ,atu' $ho employs him for this
purpose only <e told us he $as captured in a brig by the pirates of
Basilan' and sold here as a sla%e' $here he is likely to remain for
life' although he says the ,atu has promised to gi%e him his freedom
after ten years
<orses' co$s' and buffaloes are the beasts of burden' and a 7ulu
may usually be seen riding either one or the other' armed cap(a(pie'
$ith kris' spear' and target' or shield
They use saddles cut out of solid $ood' and many ride $ith their
stirrups so short that they bring the knees %ery high' and the
riders look more like $ell(gro$n monkeys than mounted men The co$s
and buffaloes are guided by a piece of thong' through the cartilage
of the nose By la$' no s$ine are allo$ed to be kept on the island'
and if they are bought' they are immediately killed The Chinese are
obliged to raise and kill their pigs %ery secretly' $hen they desire
that species of food; for' not$ithstanding the la$ and the prejudices
of the inhabitants' the former continue to keep s$ine
2>ati%es5 The inhabitants of 7ulu are a tall' thin' and
effeminate(looking race* 6 do not recollect to ha%e seen one corpulent
person among them Their faces are peculiar for length' particularly
in the lo$er ja$ and chin' $ith high cheek(bones' sunken' lack(lustre
eyes' and narro$ foreheads Their heads are thinly co%ered $ith hair'
$hich appears to be kept closely cropped 6 $as told that they pluck
out their beards' and dye their teeth black $ith antimony' and some
file them
Their eyebro$s appear to be sha%en' forming a %ery regular and high
arch' $hich they esteem a great beauty
The dress of the common people is %ery like that of the Chinese'
$ith loose and full slee%es' $ithout buttons The materials of $hich
it is made are grass(cloths' silks' satins' or $hite cotton' from
China 6 should judge from the appearance of their persons' that they
ought to be termed' so far as ablutions go' a cleanly people There
is no out$ard respect or obeisance sho$n by the sla%e to his master'
nor is the presence of the ,atu' or e%en of the 7ultan himself' held
in any a$e +ll appear upon an eAuality' and there does not seem to
be any controlling po$er; yet it may be at once percei%ed that they
are suspicious and jealous of strangers
The 7ulus' although they are ready to do any thing for the sake of
plunder' e%en to the taking of life' yet are not disposed to hoard
their ill(gotten $ealth' and' $ith all their faults' cannot be termed
a%aricious
They ha%e but fe$ Aualities to redeem their treachery' cruelty'
and re%engeful dispositions; and one of the principal causes of
their being so predominant' or e%en of their eEistence' is their
inordinate lust for po$er !hen they possess this' it is accompanied
by a haughty' conseAuential' and ostentatious bra%ery >o greater
affront can be offered to a 7ulu' than to underrate his dignity and
official conseAuence 7uch an insult is seldom forgi%en' and ne%er
forgotten From one $ho has made numerous %oyages to these islands' 6
ha%e obtained many of the abo%e facts' and my o$n obser%ation assures
me that this %ie$ of their character is a correct one 6 $ould'
ho$e%er' add another trait' $hich is common among them' and that is
co$ardice' $hich is ob%ious' in spite of their boasted pro$ess and
daring This trait of character is uni%ersally ascribed to them among
the 7paniards in the Philippines' $ho ought to be $ell acAuainted
$ith them
The dress of the $omen is not unlike that of the men in
appearance They $ear close jackets of %arious colors $hen they go
abroad' and the same loose breeches as the men' but o%er them they
usually ha%e a large $rapper FsarongG' not unlike the pareu of the
Polynesian islanders' $hich is put round them like a petticoat' or
thro$n o%er the shoulders Their hair is dra$n to the back of the head'
and around the forehead it is sha%en in the form of a regular arch'
to correspond $ith the eyebro$s Those that 6 sa$ at the 7ultanCs
$ere like the @alays' and had light compleEions' $ith %ery black
teeth The ,atu thought them %ery handsome' and on our return he
asked me if 6 had seen the 7ultanCs beauties The females of 7ulu
ha%e the reputation of ruling their lords' and possess much $eight
in the go%ernment by the influence they eEert o%er their husbands
27uperiority of $omen5 6t may be o$ing to this that there is little
jealousy of their $i%es' $ho are said to hold their %irtues in no
%ery great estimation 6n their houses they are but scantily clothed'
though $omen of rank ha%e al$ays a large number of rings on their
fingers' some of $hich are of great %alue' as $ell as earrings of
fine gold They $ear no stockings' but ha%e on Chinese slippers' or
7panish shoes They are as capable of go%erning as their husbands'
and in many cases more so' as they associate $ith the sla%es' from
$hom they obtain some kno$ledge of Christendom' and of the habits
and customs of other nations' $hich they study to imitate in e%ery $ay
The mode in $hich the 7ulus employ their time may be eEemplified by
gi%ing that of the ,atu; for all' $hether free or sla%e' endea%or to
imitate the higher rank as far as is in their po$er The datus seldom
rise before ele%en oCclock' unless they ha%e some particular business;
and the ,atu @ulu complained of being sleepy in conseAuence of the
early hour at $hich $e had disturbed him
8n rising' they ha%e chocolate ser%ed in gilt glass$are' $ith some
light biscuit' and s$eetmeats imported from China or @anila' of
$hich they informed me they laid in large supplies They then lounge
about their houses' transacting a little business' and playing at
%arious games' or' in the trading season' go to the meeting of the
"uma Bechara
+t sunset they take their principal meal' consisting of ste$s of fish'
poultry' beef' eggs' and rice' prepared some$hat after the Chinese
and 7panish modes' miEed up $ith that of the @alay +lthough @oslems'
they do not forego the use of $ine' and some are said to indulge in
it to a great eEtent +fter sunset' $hen the air has become some$hat
cooled by the refreshing breeBes' they sally forth attended by their
retainers to take a $alk' or proceed to the baBaars to purchase goods'
or to sell or to barter a$ay their articles of produce They then pay
%isits to their friends' $hen they are in the habit of ha%ing freAuent
con%i%ial parties' talking o%er their bargains' smoking cigars'
drinking $ine and liAuors' tea' coffee' and chocolate' and indulging
in their fa%orite pipe of opium +t times they are entertained $ith
music' both %ocal and instrumental' by their dependants 8f this art
they appear to be %ery fond' and there are many musical instruments
among them + datu' indeed' $ould be looked upon as uneducated if he
could not play on some instrument
6t is considered polite that $hen refreshments are handed they should
be partaken of Those offered us by the ,atu $ere such as are usual'
but e%ery thing $as stale 8f fruit they are said to be %ery fond'
and can afford to indulge themsel%es in any kinds !ith all these
articles to cloy the appetite' only one set meal a day is taken;
though the poorer classes' fishermen and laborers' partake of t$o
2Go%ernment5 The go%ernment of the 7ulu +rchipelago is a kind of
oligarchy' and the supreme authority is %ested in the 7ultan and the
"uma Bechara or trading council This consists of about t$enty chiefs'
either datus' or their neEt in rank' called orangs' $ho are go%ernors
of to$ns or detached pro%inces The influence of the indi%idual
chiefs depends chiefly upon the number of their retainers or sla%es'
and the force they can bring into their ser%ice $hen they reAuire
it These are purchased from the pirates' $ho bring them to 7ulu and
its dependencies for sale The sla%es are employed in a %ariety of
$ays' as in trading prahus' in the pearl and bache de met fisheries'
and in the search after the edible birdsC nests
+ fe$ are engaged in agriculture' and those $ho are at all educated
are employed as clerks These sla%es are not denied the right of
holding property' $hich they enjoy during their li%es' but at their
death it re%erts to the master 7ome of them are Auite rich' and
$hat may appear strange' the sla%es of 7ulu are in%ariably better
off than the untitled freemen' $ho are at all times the prey of the
hereditary datus' e%en of those $ho hold no official stations By
all accounts these constitute a large proportion of the population'
and it being treason for any lo$(born freeman to injure or maltreat
a datu' the latter' $ho are of a haughty' o%erbearing' and tyrannical
disposition' seldom keep themsel%es $ithin bounds in their treatment
of their inferiors The conseAuence is' the lo$er class of freemen
are obliged to put themsel%es under the protection of some particular
datu' $hich guards them from the encroachment of others The chief
to $hom they thus attach themsel%es' is induced to treat them $ell'
in order to retain their ser%ices' and attach them to his person'
that he may' in case of need' be enabled to defend himself from
depredations' and the %iolence of his neighbors
7uch is the absence of legal restraint' that all find it necessary
to go abroad armed' and accompanied by a trusty set of follo$ers'
$ho are also armed This is the case both by day and night' and'
according to the ,atuCs account' freAuent affrays take place in the
open streets' $hich not unfreAuently end in bloodshed
Caution is ne%er laid aside' the only la$ that eEists being that of
force; but the $eak contri%e to balance the po$er of the strong by
uniting They ha%e not only contentions and strife among themsel%es'
but it $as stated at @anila that the mountaineers of 7ulu' $ho are
said to be Christians' occasionally make inroads upon them +t 7ulu'
ho$e%er' it did not appear that they $ere under much apprehension of
these attacks The only fear 6 heard eEpressed $as by the 7ultan'
in my inter%ie$ $ith him; and the cause of this' as 6 ha%e already
stated' $as probably a desire to find an eEcuse for not affording us
facilities to go into the interior !ithin t$enty years' ho$e%er'
the reigning sultan has been obliged to retire $ithin his forts'
in the to$n of 7ulu' $hich 6 ha%e before ad%erted to
These people are hostile to the 7ulus of the coast and to$ns' $ho
take e%ery opportunity to rob them of their cattle and property'
for $hich the mountaineers seek retaliation $hen they ha%e an
opportunity From the manner in $hich the ,atu spoke of them'
they are not much regarded Through another source 6 learned that
the mountaineers $ere Papuans' and the original inhabitants of the
islands' $ho pay tribute to the 7ultan' and ha%e ackno$ledged his
authority' e%er since they $ere con%erted to 6slamism Before that
time they $ere considered eEtremely ferocious' and $hene%er it $as
practicable they $ere destroyed 8thers speak of an original race
of ,yacks in the interior' but there is one circumstance to satisfy
me that there is no confidence to be placed in this account' namely'
that the island is not of sufficient eEtent to accommodate so numerous
a population as some ascribe to it
The forts consist of a double ro$ of piles' filled in $ith coral
blocks That situated on the east side of the small stream may be
said to mount a fe$ guns' but these are altogether inefficient; and
in another' on the $est side' $hich is rather a rude embankment than
a fort' there are some t$el%e or fifteen pieces of large calibre;
but 6 doubt %ery much if they had been fired off for years' and many
of the houses built upon the $ater $ould reAuire to be pulled do$n
before these guns could be brought to bear upon any thing on the side
of the bay' supposing them to be in a good condition; a little farther
to the east of the to$n' 6 $as informed they had a kind of stockade'
but none of us $ere permitted to see it
2Population5 +ccording to our estimates' and the information $e
recei%ed $hile at 7ulu' the island itself does not contain more than
thirty thousand inhabitants' of $hich the to$n of 7oung may ha%e siE
or se%en thousand The $hole group may number about one hundred and
thirty thousand 6 am a$are' ho$e%er' that it is difficult to estimate
the population of a half(ci%iliBed people' $ho in%ariably eEaggerate
their o$n strength; and %isitors are like$ise prone to do the same
thing The Chinese comprise about an eighth of the population of the
to$n' and are generally of the lo$er class They are constantly busy
at their trades' and intent upon making money
+t 7oung' business seems acti%e' and all' sla%es as $ell as masters'
seem to engage in it The absence of a strong go%ernment lea%es all at
liberty to act for themsel%es' and the "uma Bechara gi%es unlimited
freedom to trade These circumstances promote the industry of the
community' and e%en that of the sla%e' for he too' as before obser%ed'
has a life interest in $hat he earns
7oung being the residence of the 7ultan' as $ell as the grand depot
for all piratical goods' is probably more of a mart than any of the
surrounding to$ns 6n the months of @arch and +pril it is %isited by
se%eral Chinese junks' $ho remain trading until the beginning of the
month of +ugust 6f delayed after that time' they can scarcely return
in safety' being unable to contend $ith the boisterous $eather and
head $inds that then pre%ail in the Chinese seas These junks are said
to come chiefly from +moy' $here the cottons' etc' best suited for
the 7ulus are made Their cargoes consist of a %ariety of articles of
Chinese manufacture and produce' such as silk' satin goods' cottons'
red and checked' grass(cloth clothing' handkerchiefs' cutlery' guns'
ammunition' opium' lumber' china and glass($are' rice' sugar' oil'
lard' and butter 6n return for this merchandise they obtain camphor'
birdsC nests' rattans' bache de mer' pearls' and pearl(shells' coco'
tortoise(shell' and $aE; but there is no great Auantity of these
articles to be obtained' perhaps not more than t$o or three cargoes
during the season The trade reAuires great kno$ledge of the articles
purchased' for the Chinese and 7ulus are both such adepts in fraud'
that great caution and circumspection are necessary
2Customs dues5 The duties on importation are not fiEed' but are
changed and altered from time to time by the "uma Bechara The
follo$ing $as stated to me as the necessary payments before trade
could be carried on*
+ large ship' $ith Chinese on board' pays N/'000
+ large ship' $ithout Chinese on board' pays -'.00
7mall ships -'900
)arge brig -'000
7mall brig 900
7chooners from -90 to 100
This supposes them all to ha%e full cargoes That a difference should
be made in a %essel $ith or $ithout Chinamen' seems singular; but this'
6 $as told' arose from the circumstance that English %essels take them
on board' in order to detect and pre%ent the impositions of the 7ulus
#essels intending to trade at 7oung should arri%e before the Chinese
junks' and remain as long as they stay' or e%en a fe$ days later 6n
trading $ith the nati%es' all operations ought to be carried on for
cash' or if by barter' no deli%ery should be made until the articles
to be taken in eEchange are recei%ed 6n short' it is necessary to
deal $ith them as though they $ere undoubted rogues' and this pleases
them much more than to appear unsuspicious #essels that trade engage
a baBaar' $hich they hire of the "uma Bechara' and it is ad%isable to
secure the good($ill of the leading datus in that council by presents'
and paying them more for their goods than others
There are %arious other precautions necessary in dealing $ith
this people; for they $ill' if possible' so act as to gi%e rise to
disputes' in $hich case an appeal is made to their fello$s' $ho are
sure to decide against the strangers Those $ho ha%e been engaged
in this trade' ad%ise that the prices of the goods should be fiEed
upon before the 7ultan' and the scales of the ,atu of 7oung employed;
for although these are Auite faulty' the error is compensated by the
articles recei%ed being' $eighed in the same This also secures the
,atuCs good($ill' by the fee Fsome fifty dollarsG $hich he recei%es
for the use of them Thus it $ill be percei%ed that those $ho desire
to trade $ith 7ulu' must make up their minds to encounter many
impositions' and to be continually $atchful of their o$n interests
E%ery possible precaution ought to be taken; and it $ill be found'
the treatment $ill depend upon' or be according to the force or
resolution that is displayed 6n justice to this people it must be
stated' there ha%e been times $hen traders recei%ed e%ery kindness and
attention at the island of 7ulu' and 6 heard it e%en said' that many
%essels had gone there to refit; but during the last thirty or forty
years' the reigning sultans and their subjects ha%e become hostile
to Europeans' of $hom they plunder and destroy as many as they can'
and this they ha%e hitherto been allo$ed to do $ith impunity
+lthough 6 ha%e described the trade $ith 7ulu as limited' yet
it is capable of greater eEtension; and had it not been for the
piratical habits of the people' the e%il report of $hich has been
so $idely spread' 7ulu $ould no$ ha%e been one of the principal
marts of the East The most fertile parts of Borneo are subject to
its authority There all the richest productions of these Eastern
seas gro$ in immense Auantities' but are no$ left ungarnered in
conseAuence of there being no buyers The cost of their culti%ation
$ould be eEceedingly lo$' and 6 am disposed to belie%e that these
articles could be produced here at a lo$er cost than any$here else
Besides the trade $ith China' there is a %ery considerable one $ith
@anila in small articles' and 6 found one of our countrymen engaged
in this traffic' under the 7panish flag To him 6 am indebted for
much information that his opportunities of obser%ation had gi%en him
The materials for the history of 7ulu are meagre' and great doubt
seems to eEist in some periods of it That $hich 6 ha%e been able to
gather is as follo$s*
2<istory5 The island of 7ulu is generally belie%ed to ha%e been
originally inhabited by Papuans' some of $hom' as 6 ha%e already
stated' are still supposed to inhabit the mountainous part The first
intercourse had $ith them $as by the Chinese' $ho $ent there in search
of pearls The 8rang ,ampu$ans $ere the first of the @alays to form
settlements on the islands; but after building to$ns' and making other
impro%ements' they abandoned the islands' in conseAuence' it is said'
of the inhabitants being a perfidious race' ha%ing pre%iously to
their departure destroyed as many of the nati%es as they could
The fame of the submarine riches of this archipelago reached Banjar
or Borneo' the people of $hich $ere induced to resort there' and
finding it to eAual their eEpectation' they sent a large colony'
and made endea%ors to $in o%er the inhabitants' and obtain thereby
the possession of their rich isle 6n order to confirm the alliance'
a female of Banjarmassing' of great beauty' $as sent' and married to
the principal chief; and from this alliance the so%ereigns of 7ulu
claim their descent The treaty of marriage made 7ulu tributary to
the Banjarmassing empire
+fter the Banjars had thus obtained possession of the archipelago'
the trade in its products attracted settlers from the surrounding
islands' $ho soon contri%ed to displace the aborigines' and dri%e
them to the inaccessible mountains for protection
!hen the Chinese took possession of the northern parts of Borneo'
under the Emperor 7ongtiping' about the year -I49' the daughter of that
prince $as married to a celebrated +rabian chief named 7heriff +lli'
$ho %isited the shores of Borneo in Auest of commerce The descendants
of this marriage eEtended their conAuests not only o%er the 7ulu
+rchipelago' but o%er the $hole of the Philippines' and rendered
the former tributary to Borneo 6n three reigns after this e%ent'
the sultan of Borneo proper married the daughter of a 7ulu chief' and
from this union came @irhome Bongsu' $ho succeeding to the throne $hile
yet a minor' his uncle acted as regent 7ulu no$ $ished to thro$ off
the yoke of Borneo' and through the intrigues of the regent succeeded
in doing so' as $ell as in retaining possession of the eastern side
of Borneo' from @aludu Bay on the north' to Tulusyan on the south'
$hich has e%er since been a part of the 7ulu territory
This e%ent took place before 6slamism became the pre%ailing religion;
but $hich form of idolatry' the 7ulus pretend' is not no$ kno$n 6t
is' ho$e%er' belie%ed the people on the coasts $ere Buddhists' $hile
those of the interior $ere Pagans
The first sultan of 7ulu $as ?amaludin' and during his reign one 7ayed
+lli' a merchant' arri%ed at 7ulu from @ecca <e $as a sherif' and soon
con%erted one(half of the islanders to his o$n faith <e $as elected
sultan on the death of ?amaludin' and reigned se%en years' in the
course of $hich he became celebrated throughout the archipelago ,ying
at 7ulu' a tomb $as erected to him there' and the island came to be
looked upon by the faithful as the @ecca of the East' and continued
to be resorted to as a pilgrimage until the arri%al of the 7paniards
2Ta$i Ta$i5 7ayed +lli left a son called Batua' $ho succeeded him The
latter had t$o sons' named 7abudin and >asarudin' $ho' on the death
of their father' made $ar upon each other >asarudin' the youngest'
being defeated' sought refuge on Ta$i Ta$i' $here he established
himself' and built a fort for his protection The difficulties
$ere finally compromised' and they agreed to reign together o%er
7ulu >asarudin had t$o sons' called +mir and Bantilan' of $hom the
former $as named as successor to the t$o brothers' and on their deaths
ascended the throne ,uring his reign another sherif arri%ed from
@ecca' $ho succeeded in con%erting the remainder of the population to
6slamism Bantilan and his brother +mir finally Auarrelled' and the
latter $as dri%en from 7ulu to seek refuge in the island of Basilan'
$here he became sultan
8n the arri%al of the 7paniards in -9HH' a kind of desultory $ar $as
$aged by them upon the %arious islands' in the hope of conAuering
them and eEtending their religion 6n these $ars they succeeded in
gaining temporary possession of a part of 7ulu' and destroyed the
tomb of 7ayed +lli The 7paniards al$ays looked upon the con%ersion
of the @oslems to the true Catholic faith $ith great interest; but in
the year -H1H' the sultan of @agindanao succeeded in making peace'
by the terms of $hich the 7paniards $ithdre$ from 7ulu' and $ere to
recei%e from the sultan three cargoes of rice annually as a tribute
6n -H0.' the small(poE made fearful ra%ages' and most of the
inhabitants fled from the scourge +mong these $as the heir apparent'
during $hose absence the throne became %acant' and another $as elected
in his stead This produced contention for a short time' $hich ended
in the elected maintaining his place
This tribute continued to be paid until the flight of +mir to Basilan'
about the year -49/' $here he entered into a secret correspondence
$ith the authorities at Tamboanga' and after t$o years a %essel $as
sent from @anila' $hich carried him to that capital' $here he $as
treated as a prisoner of state
2The English treaty5 6n June' -49:' an English ship' on board of
$hich $as ,alrymple' then in the ser%ice of the East 6ndia Company'
arri%ed at 7ulu on a trading %oyage ,alrymple remained at 7ulu
for three months' engaged in making sales and purchases The 7ultan
Bantilan treated him $ith great kindness' and sought the interest of
,alrymple to obtain the liberation of his brother' $ho $as no$ held
prisoner by the 7paniards at @anila' by telling him of the distress
of his brotherCs $ife' $ho had been left behind $hen +mir Auitted the
island' and had been deli%ered of t$ins' after he had been kidnapped
by the 7paniards ,alrymple entered into a pledge to restore +mir'
and at the same time effected a commercial treaty bet$een the East
6ndia Company and the 7ulu chiefs By this it $as stipulated that
an annual cargo should be sent to 7ulu' and sold at one hundred per
cent profit' for $hich a return cargo should be pro%ided for the China
market' $hich should realiBe an eAual profit there' after deducting all
eEpenses The o%erplus' if any' $as to be carried to the credit of the
7ulus This appears to ha%e been the first attempt made by the English
to secure a regular commercial intercourse $ith this archipelago
6n the year -4H0' a large fleet of 7panish %essels sailed from @anila'
$ith about t$o thousand men' ha%ing the 7ultan +mir on board' to
carry on a $ar against 7ulu
8n their arri%al' they began acti%e operations They $ere repelled
on all sides' and after se%en daysC ineffectual attempts' they ga%e
up their design They returned to @anila' it is said' $ith a loss of
half their number' and $ithout ha%ing done any injury to the 7ulus >ot
discouraged $ith this failure' the 7paniards' about t$o years after'
organiBed a still larger force' $hich is estimated by some accounts as
high as ten thousand men +lthough this failed in its attempts on the
fort at 7oung' the 7paniards obtained possession of Tanjong @atonda'
one of the small ports on the island' $here they erected a church and
fort <ere they established a colony' and appointed a go%ernor The
inhabitants upon this deserted their habitations in the neighborhood'
and fled to the mountains' $hich' it is said' eEcited the mountaineers'
a host of $hom' $ith their chief' $hose name $as 7ri ?ala' determined
to rush upon the 7paniards' and annihilate them <a%ing to contend
against disciplined troops' it $as not an easy task to succeed But
7ri ?ala had a follo$er' named 7igalo' $ho offered to lead the host
to battle against the 7paniards' and to eEterminate them' or die in
the attempt The chief accepted his offer' and 7igalo' $ith a chosen
fe$' marched to$ards the fort' lea%ing the rest of the mountaineers
in readiness to join them at an appointed signal' and rush into the
fort en masse
2#ictory o%er 7paniards5 7ri ?ala and 7igalo' in order to lull
the $atchfulness of the 7paniards' took $ith them a young $oman' of
eEAuisite beauty' named Purmassuri The lustful 7paniards $ere thus
thro$n off their guard' the signal $as gi%en' and the host' rushing
for$ard' entered the fort' e%ery 7paniard $ithin $hich $as slain +
fe$ only' $ho $ere on the outside' escaped to the %essels' $hich set
sail' and after encountering %arious mishaps' returned to @anila
7ome time after this the 7ultan Bantilan died' and his son +lim(ud(deen
$as proclaimed sultan ,alrymple did not return until -4H/' $ith a
part of the appointed cargo; but the %essel in $hich the larger part
had been shipped' failed to arri%e' from not being able to find 7ulu'
and $ent to China Thence she proceeded to @anila' and after$ards
to 7ulu The captain of the latter %essel ga%e a ne$ credit to the
7ulus' before they had paid for their first cargo; and on the arri%al
of ,alrymple the neEt time' he found that the small(poE had carried
off a large number of the inhabitants' from $hich circumstance all
his hopes of profit $ere frustrated <e then obtained for the use of
the East 6ndia Company' a grant of the island of Balambangan' $hich
lies off the north end of Borneo' forming one side of the 7traits of
Balabac' the $estern entrance to the 7ulu 7ea <ere he proposed to
establish a trading post' and after ha%ing %isited @adras' he took
possession of this island in -4HI
6n 8ctober' -4H/' the English took @anila' $here the 7ultan +mir
$as found by ,alrymple' $ho engaged to reinstate him on his throne'
if he $ould cede to the English the north end of Borneo' as $ell
as the south end of Pala$an This he readily promised' and he $as'
in conseAuence' carried back to 7ulu and reinstated; his nephe$'
+lim(ud(deen' readily gi%ing place to him' and confirming the grant
to the East 6ndia Company' in $hich the "uma Bechara joined
+fter %arious arrangements' the East 6ndia Company took possession of
Balambangan' in the year -44I' and formed a settlement there $ith a
%ie$ of making it an emporium of trade for Eastern commodities Troops
and stores $ere sent from 6ndia' and the population began to increase
by settlers' both Chinese and @alays' $ho arri%ed in numbers 6n the
year -449' the fort' not$ithstanding all the treaties and engagements
bet$een ,alrymple and the 7ultan' $as surprised by the 7ulus' and many
of the garrison put to death 2#ictory o%er English5 This %irtually
put an end to the plans of the English' although another attempt $as
made to re(establish the settlement by Colonel FarAuhar' in -.0I;
but it $as thought to be too eEpensi%e a post' and $as accordingly
abandoned in the neEt year This act of the 7ulus fairly established
their character for perfidy' and e%er since that transaction they
ha%e been looked upon as treacherous in the highest degree' and'
$hat is singular' ha%e been allo$ed to carry on their piracies Auite
unmolested The taking of Balambangan has been generally imputed to the
treacherous disposition and innate lo%e of plunder among the 7ulus'
as $ell as to their fear that it $ould destroy the trade of 7ulu by
injuring all that of the archipelago But there are strong reasons
for belie%ing that this dark deed o$ed its origin in part to the
influence of the 7paniards and ,utch' $ho looked $ith much distrust
upon the gro$th of the ri%al establishment 7uch $as the jealousy
of the 7paniards' that the go%ernor of the Philippines peremptorily
reAuired that Balambangan should be e%acuated The 7ulus boast of the
deed' and admit that they recei%ed assistance from both Tamboanga and
Ternate' the t$o nearest 7panish and ,utch ports These nations had
great reasons to fear the establishment of a po$er like that of the
East 6ndia Company' in a spot so fa%orably situated to secure the
trade of the surrounding islands' possessing fine harbors' and in
e%ery $ay adapted to become a great commercial depot <ad it been
held by the East 6ndia Company but for a fe$ years' it must ha%e
become $hat 7ingapore is no$
The original planner of this settlement is said to ha%e been )ord
Pigot; but the merit of carrying it for$ard $as undoubtedly due to
,alrymple' $hose enterprising mind sa$ the ad%antage of the situation'
and $hose energy $as capable of carrying the project successfully
for$ard
7ince the capture of Balambangan' there has been no e%ent in the
history of 7ulu that has made any of the reigns of the 7ultans
memorable' although fifteen ha%e since ascended the throne
7ulu has from all the accounts %ery much changed in its character
as $ell as population since the arri%al of the 7paniards' and the
establishment of their authority in the Philippines Before that
e%ent' some accounts state that the trade $ith the Chinese $as
of great eEtent' and that from four to fi%e hundred junks arri%ed
annually from Cambojia' $ith $hich 7ulu principally traded +t that
time the population is said to ha%e eAualled in density that of the
thickly(settled parts of China
The go%ernment has also undergone a change; for the 7ultan' $ho
among other @alay races is usually despotic' is here a mere cipher'
and the go%ernment has become an oligarchy This change has probably
been brought about by the increase of the pri%ileged class of ,atus'
all of $hom $ere entitled to a seat in the "uma Bechara until about
the year -.-0' $hen the great incon%enience of so large a council
$as felt' and it became impossible to control it $ithout great
difficulty and trouble on the part of the 7ultan The "uma Bechara
$as then reduced until it contained but siE of the principal ,atus'
$ho assumed the po$er of controlling the state The "uma Bechara'
ho$e%er' in conseAuence of the complaints of many po$erful ,atus'
$as enlarged; but the more po$erful' and those $ho ha%e the largest
numerical force of sla%es' still rule o%er its deliberations The $hole
po$er' $ithin the last thirty years' has been usurped by one or t$o
,atus' $ho no$ ha%e monopoliBed the little foreign trade that comes
to these islands The 7ultan has the right to appoint his successor'
and generally names him $hile li%ing 6n default of this' the choice
de%ol%es upon the "uma Bechara' $ho elect by a majority
2Piracies5 From a more freAuent intercourse $ith Europeans and the
disco%ery of ne$ routes through these seas' the opportunities of
committing depredations ha%e become less freAuent' and the fear of
detection greater By this latter moti%e they are more s$ayed than
by any thing else' and if the 7ulus ha%e e%er been bold and daring
robbers on the high seas' they ha%e %ery much changed
@any statements ha%e been made and published relati%e to the piracies
committed in these seas' $hich in some cases eEceed' and in others
fall short' of the reality @ost of the piratical establishments are
under the rule' or sail under the auspices of the 7ultan and "uma
Bechara of 7ulu' $ho are more or less intimately connected $ith
them The share of the booty that belongs to the 7ultan and "uma
Bechara is t$enty(fi%e per cent on all captures' $hilst the ,atus
recei%e a high price for the ad%ance they make of guns and po$der'
and for the ser%ices of their sla%es
The follo$ing are the piratical establishments of 7ulu' obtained
from the most authentic sources' published as $ell as %erbal The
first among these is the port of 7oung' at $hich $e anchored' in
the island of 7ulu; not so much from the number of men a%ailable
here for this pursuit' as the facility of disposing of the goods By
the 7paniards they are denominated 6llanun or )anuns pirates 2/4I5
There are other rendeB%ous on Pulo Toolyan' at Bohol' Tonho' Pilas'
Ta$i Ta$i' 7umlout' Pantutaran' Parodasan' Pala$an' and Basilan'
and Tantoli on Celebes These are the most noted' but there are many
minor places' $here half a doBen prahus are fitted out Those of 7ulu'
and those $ho go under the name of the )anuns' ha%e prahus of larger
siBe' and better fitted They are from t$enty to thirty tons burden'
and are propelled by both sails and oars They dra$ but little $ater'
are fast sailers' and $ell adapted for na%igating through these
dangerous seas These pirates are supposed to possess in the $hole
about t$o hundred prahus' $hich usually are manned $ith from forty to
fifty pirates; the number therefore engaged in this business' may be
estimated at ten thousand They are armed $ith muskets' blunderbusses'
krises' hatchets' and spears' and at times the %essels ha%e one or t$o
large guns mounted They infest the @acassar 7trait' the Celebes 7ea'
and the 7ulu 7ea 7oung is the only place $here they can dispose of
their plunder to ad%antage' and obtain the necessary outfits 6t may
be called the principal resort of these pirates' $here $ell(directed
measures $ould result in effectually suppressing the crime
Besides the pirates of 7ulu' the commerce of the eastern islands is
%eEed $ith other piratical establishments 6n the neighboring seas'
there are the @alay pirates' $ho ha%e of late years become eEceedingly
troublesome Their prahus are of much smaller siBe than those of 7ulu'
being from ten to t$el%e tons burden' but in proportion they are much
better manned' and thus are enabled to ply $ith more efficiency their
oars or paddles These prahus freAuent the shores of @alacca 7traits'
Cape "oumania' the Carimon 6sles' and the neighboring straits' and
at times they %isit the "hio 7traits 7ome of the most noted' 6 $as
informed' $ere fitted out from Johore' in the %ery neighborhood of
the English authorities at 7ingapore; they generally ha%e their haunts
on the small islands on the coast' from $hich they make short cruises
They are noted for their arrangements for pre%enting themsel%es
from recei%ing injury' in the desperate defences that are sometimes
made against them These small prahus ha%e usually s$i%els mounted'
$hich' although not of great calibre' are capable of thro$ing a shot
beyond the range of small(arms 6t is said that they seldom attempt
an attack unless the sea is calm' $hich enables them to approach their
%ictims $ith more assurance of success' on account of the facility $ith
$hich they are enabled to manage their boats The freAuent calms $hich
occur in these seas bet$een the land and sea breeBes' afford them many
opportunities of putting their %illanous plans in operation; and the
many inlets and islets' $ith $hich they are $ell acAuainted' afford
places of refuge and ambush' and for concealing their booty They
are generally found in small flotillas of from siE to t$enty prahus'
and $hen they ha%e succeeded in disabling a %essel at long shot' the
sound of the gong is the signal for boarding' $hich' if successful'
results in a massacre more or less bloody' according to the obstinacy
of the resistance they ha%e met $ith
6n the $inter months' the @alacca 7traits are most infested $ith them;
and during the summer' the neighborhood of 7ingapore' Point "umania'
and the channels in the %icinity 6n the spring' from February to
@ay' they are engaged in procuring their supplies' in fishing' and
refitting their prahus for the coming year
27uppression of pirates5 6 ha%e freAuently heard plans proposed
for the suppression of these pirates' particularly of those in the
neighborhood of the settlements under British rule The European
authorities are much to blame for the Auiescent manner in $hich they
ha%e so long borne these depredations' and many complaints are made
that Englishmen' on being transplanted to 6ndia' lose that feeling of
horror for deeds of blood' such as are constantly occurring at their
%ery doors' $hich they $ould eEperience in England There are' ho$e%er'
many difficulties to o%ercome before operations against the pirates
can be effecti%e The greatest of these is the desire of the English
to secure the good($ill of the chiefs of the tribes by $hom they are
surrounded They thus $ink at their piracies on the %essels of other
nations' or take no steps to alle%iate the e%ils of sla%ery 6ndeed
the language that one hears from many intelligent men $ho ha%e
long resided in that part of the $orld is' that in no country $here
ci%iliBation eEists does sla%ery eEhibit so debasing a form as in her
6ndian possessions +nother difficulty consists in the $ant of minute
kno$ledge of the coasts' inlets' and hiding(places of the pirates' and
this must continue to eEist until proper sur%eys are made This done'
it $ould be necessary to employ %essels that could pursue the pirates
e%ery$here' for $hich purpose steamers naturally suggest themsel%es
!hat $ill appear most eEtraordinary is' that the %ery princes $ho
are enjoying the stipend for the purchase of the site $hereon the
English authority is established' are belie%ed to be the most acti%e
in eAuipping the prahus for these piratical eEpeditions; yet no notice
is taken of them' although it $ould be so easy to control them by
$ithholding payment until they had cleared themsel%es from suspicion'
or by establishing residents in their chief to$ns
2The Bajo$s5 +nother' and a %ery different race of nati%es $ho
freAuent the 7ulu +rchipelago' must not be passed by $ithout
notice These are the Bajo$ di%ers or fishermen' to $hom 7ulu is
indebted for procuring the submarine treasures $ith $hich her seas
are stored They are also %ery freAuently employed in the bache de
mer or trepang fisheries among the islands to the south The Bajo$s
generally look upon @acassar as their principal place of resort They
$ere at one time belie%ed to be deri%ed from Johore' on the @alayan
peninsula; at another' to be Buguese; but they speak the 7ulu dialect'
and are certainly deri%ed from some of the neighboring islands The
name of Bajo$s' in their tongue' means fishermen From all accounts'
they are allo$ed to pursue their a%ocations in peace' and are not
unfreAuently employed by the piratical datus' and made to labor for
them They resort to their fishing(grounds in fleets of bet$een one
and t$o hundred sail' ha%ing their $i%es and children $ith them'
and in conseAuence of the tyranny of the 7ulus' endea%or to place
themsel%es under the protection of the flag of <olland' by $hich
nation this useful class of people is encouraged The 7ulu 7eas are
comparati%ely little freAuented by them' as they are unable to dispose
of the produce of their fisheries for $ant of a market' and fear the
eEactions of the ,atus Their prahus are about fi%e tons each The
Bajo$s at some islands are stationary' but are for the most part
constantly changing their ground The 7panish authorities in the
Philippines encourage them' it is said' to freAuent their islands'
as $ithout them they $ould deri%e little benefit from the banks in
the neighboring seas' $here Auantities of pearl(oysters are kno$n
to eEist' $hich produce pearls of the finest kind The Bajo$s are
inoffensi%e and %ery industrious' and in faith @ahomedans
The climate of 7ulu during our short stay' though $arm' $as
agreeable The time of our %isit $as in the dry season' $hich lasts
from 8ctober till +pril' and alternates $ith the $et one' from @ay
till 7eptember June and July are the $indy months' $hen strong
breeBes blo$ from the $est$ard 6n the latter part of +ugust and
7eptember' strong gales are felt from the south' $hile in ,ecember
and January the $inds are found to come from the north$ard; but light
$inds usually pre%ail from the south$est during the $et season' and
from the opposite Auarter' the dry' follo$ing closely the order of the
monsoons in the China seas +s to the temperature' the climate is %ery
eAuable' the thermometer seldom rising abo%e :0J or falling belo$ 40J
,iseases are fe$' and those that pre%ail arise from the manner in
$hich the nati%es li%e They are from that cause an unhealthy(looking
race The small(poE has at %arious times raged $ith great %iolence
throughout the group' and they speak of it $ith great dread Fe$ of
the nati%es appeared to be marked $ith it' $hich may ha%e been o$ing'
perhaps' to their escaping this disorder for some years #accination
has not yet been introduced among them' nor ha%e they practiced
inoculation
>ot$ithstanding 7oung $as once the @ecca of the East' its people
ha%e but little Beal for the @ahomedan faith 6t $as thought at once
time that they had almost forgotten its tenets' in conseAuence of
the neglect of all their religious abser%ances The precepts $hich
they seem to regard most are that of abstaining from s$ineCs flesh'
and that of being circumcised +lthough polygamy is not interdicted'
fe$ e%en of the datus ha%e more than one $ife
7oung "oad offers good anchorage; and supplies of all kinds may be
had in abundance Beef is cheap' and %egetables and fruits at all
seasons plenty
8ur obser%ations placed the to$n in latitude HJ 0-C >' longitude -/0J
99C 9-CC E
<a%ing concluded the treaty and other business that had taken me to
7ulu' $e took our departure for the 7traits of Balabac' the $estern
entrance into this sea' $ith a fine breeBe to the east$ard By
noon $e had reached the group of Pangootaaraang' consisting of fi%e
small islands +ll of these are lo$' co%ered $ith trees' and $ithout
lagoons They presented a great contrast to 7ulu' $hich $as seen behind
us in the distance The absence of the s$ell of the ocean in sailing
through this sea is striking' and gi%es the idea of na%igating an
eEtensi%e bay' on $hose luEuriant islands no surf breaks There are'
ho$e%er' sources of danger that incite the na%igator to $atchfulness
and constant anEiety; the hidden shoals and reefs' and the s$eep of
the tide' $hich lea%e him no control o%er his %essel
2Cagayan 7ulu5 Through the night' $hich $as eEceedingly dark' $e
sounded e%ery t$enty minutes' but found no bottom; and at daylight
on the 4th' $e made the islands of Cagayan 7ulu' in latitude 4J 0IC
I0CC >' longitude --.J I4C E The tide or current $as passing the
islands to the $est(south$est' three Auarters of a mile per hour;
$e had soundings of se%enty(fi%e fathoms Cagayan 7ulu has a pleasant
appearance from the sea' and may be termed a high island 6t is less
co%ered $ith undergro$th and mangro%e(bushes than the neighboring
islands' and the reefs are comparati%ely small 6t has fallen off in
importance; and by comparing former accounts $ith those 6 recei%ed'
and from its present aspect' it $ould seem that it has decreased
both in population and products 6ts ca%es formerly supplied a large
Auantity of edible birdsC nests; large numbers of cattle $ere to be
found upon it; and its culti%ation $as carried on to some eEtent These
articles of commerce are not so much attended to at the present time'
and the bache de mer and tortoise(shell' formerly brought hither'
are no$ carried to other places There is a small anchorage on the
$est side' but $e did not %isit it There are no dangers near these
small islands that may not be guarded against 8ur sur%ey eEtended
only to their siBe and situation' as 6 deemed it my duty to de%ote
all the remainder of the time 6 had to spare to the Balabac 7traits
2Balabac straits5 +fter the night set in' $e continued sounding
e%ery ten minutes' and occasionally got bottom in from thirty to
se%enty fathoms +t midnight' the $ater shoaled to t$enty fathoms'
$hen 6 dropped the anchor until daylight !e shortly after$ards had
a change of $ind' and a hea%y sAuall passed o%er us
6n the morning $e had no shoal ground near us' and the bank on $hich
$e had anchored $as found to be of small siBe; it is probable that
$e had dropped the anchor on the shoalest place #essels ha%e nothing
to fear in this respect
+t :*00 am of the .th' $e made the @angsee 6slands ahead of us' and
like$ise Balabac to the north' and Balambagan to the south 7e%eral
sand(banks and eEtensi%e reefs $ere also seen bet$een them 8n seeing
the ground on $hich $e had to operate' of $hich the published charts
gi%e no idea $hate%er' 6 determined to proceed' and take a central
position $ith the ship under the @angsee 6slands; but in order not to
lose time' 6 hoisted out and dropped t$o boats' under )ieutenant Perry'
to sur%ey the first sand(bank $e came to' $hich lies a fe$ miles to
the east$ard of these islands' $ith orders to effect this duty and join
me at the anchorage' or find a shelter under the lee of the islands
+t half(past t$o pm $e anchored near the reef' in thirty(siE fathoms
$ater 6 thought myself fortunate in getting bottom' as the reefs on
closing $ith them seemed to indicate but little appearance of it
The rest of the day $as spent in preparing the boats for our
operations 6 no$ felt the $ant of the tender +lthough in the absence
of this %essel' great eEposure $as necessary to effect this sur%ey'
6 found both officers and men cheerful and $illing The parties $ere
organiBed'((the first to proceed to the north' to$ards Balabac 6sland'
to sur%ey the intermediate shoals and reefs' under )ieutenant Emmons
and @r Totten; the second to the south' under )ieutenants Perry and
Budd; and @r <ammersly for the sur%ey of the shoals of Balambangan and
Banguey' and their reefs The eEamination of the @angsee 6slands' and
the reefs adjacent' $ith the astronomical and magnetic obser%ations'
etc' de%ol%ed on myself and those $ho remained on board the ship
The $eather $as $atched $ith anEiety' and turned out disagreeable'
hea%y sho$ers and strong $inds pre%ailing; not$ithstanding' the
boats $ere despatched' after being as $ell protected against it as
possible !e flattered oursel%es that these eEtensi%e reefs $ould
produce a fine har%est of shells; but' although e%ery eEertion
$as made in the search' $e did not add as many to our collections
as $e anticipated 7ome land(shells' ho$e%er' $ere found that $e
little eEpected to meet $ith' for many of the trees $ere co%ered
$ith them' and on cutting them do$n' large Auantities $ere easily
obtained @r Peale shot se%eral birds' among $hich $as a >icobar
pigeon; some interesting plants and corals $ere also added 8n the
island a large Auantity of drift($ood $as found' $hich $ith that
$hich is gro$ing affords ample supplies of fuel for ships >o fresh
$ater is to be had' eEcept by digging' the island being but a fe$
feet abo%e high($ater mark
+lthough the time $as some$hat unfa%orable' )ieutenant Emmons and
party eEecuted their orders $ithin the time designated' and met $ith no
other obstructions than the inclemency of the $eather This $as not'
ho$e%er' the case $ith )ieutenant Perry' $ho' near a small beach on
the island of Balambangan' encountered some 7ulus' $ho $ere disposed
to attack him The nati%es' no doubt' $ere under the impression that
the boats $ere from some ship$recked %essel They $ere all $ell armed'
and apparently prepared to take ad%antage of the party if possible;
but' by the prudence and forbearance of this officer' collision $as
a%oided' and his party sa%ed from an attack
2Balambangan5 The island of Balambangan $as through the
instrumentality of @r ,alrymple' as heretofore stated' obtained
from the 7ulus for a settlement and place of deposit' by the East
6ndia Company' $ho took possession of it in -44I 6ts situation off
the northern end of Borneo' near the fertile district of that island'
its central position' and its t$o fine ports' offered great ad%antages
for commerce' and for its becoming a great entrepot for the riches
of this archipelago Troops' and stores of all kinds' $ere sent
from 6ndia; numbers of Chinese and @alays $ere induced to settle;
and @r <erbert' one of the council of Bencoolen' $as appointed
go%ernor 6t had been supposed to be a healthy place' as the island
$as ele%ated' and therefore probably free from malaria; but in -449
the nati%e troops from 6ndia became much reduced from sickness' and
the post conseAuently much $eakened This' $ith the absence of the
cruisers from the harbor' afforded a fa%orable opportunity for its
capture; and the $ealth that it $as supposed to contain created an
inducement that pro%ed too great for the hordes of marauding pirates
to resist Choosing their time' they rushed upon the sentries' put
them to death' took possession of the guns' and turned them against
the garrison' only a fe$ of $hom made their escape on board of a small
%essel The booty in goods and %aluables $as said to ha%e been %ery
large' amounting to nearly four hundred thousand pounds sterling
+lthough Borneo offers many inducements to commercial enterprise'
the policy of the ,utch Company has shut themsel%es out' as $ell
as others' by interdicting communication 6n conseAuence' eEcept
through indirect channels' there has been no information obtained of
the singular and unkno$n inhabitants of its interior This' ho$e%er'
is not long destined to be the case
@r Brooke' an English gentleman of fortune' has' since our passage
through these seas' from philanthropic moti%es' made an agreement
$ith the rajah of 7ara$ack' on the northern and $estern side of
Borneo' to cede to him the administration of that portion of the
island This arrangement it is belie%ed the British go%ernment $ill
confirm' in $hich e%ent 7ara$ack $ill at once obtain an importance
among the foreign colonies' in the Eastern seas' second only to that
of 7ingapore
The principal inducement that has influenced @r Brooke in this
undertaking is the interest he feels in the benighted people of the
interior' $ho are kno$n under the name of ,yack' and of $hom some
eEtraordinary accounts ha%e been gi%en
+ fe$ of these' $hich 6 ha%e procured from reputable sources' 6 $ill
no$ relate' in order that it may be seen among $hat kind of people
this gentleman has undertaken to introduce the arts of ci%iliBation
2The ,yacks5 The ,yacks are' by all accounts' a fine race' and
much the most numerous of any inhabiting Borneo They are almost
eEclusi%ely confined to the interior' $here they enjoy a fine climate'
and all the spontaneous productions of the tropics They are belie%ed
to be the aborigines of the island The name of ,yack seems to be
more particularly applied to those $ho li%e in the southern section
of Borneo To the north they are called 6daan or Tirun' and those so
termed are best kno$n to the 7ulus' or the inhabitants of that part of
the coast of Borneo o%er $hich the 7ulus rule 6n personal appearance'
the ,yacks are slender' ha%e higher foreheads than the @alays' and are
a finer and much better(looking people Their hair is long' straight'
and coarse' though it is generally cropped short round the head The
females are spoken of as being fair and handsome' and many of those
$ho ha%e been made sla%es are to be seen among the @alays
6n manners the ,yacks are described as simple and mild' yet they are
characteriBed by some of the most uncommon and re%olting customs of
barbarians Their go%ernment is %ery simple; the elders in each %illage
for the most part rule; but they are said to ha%e chiefs that do not
differ from the @alay rajahs They $ear no clothing eEcept the maro'
and many of them are tattooed' $ith a %ariety of figures' o%er their
body They li%e in houses built of $ood' that are generally of large
siBe' and freAuently contain as many as one hundred persons These
houses are usually built on piles' di%ided into compartments' and
ha%e a kind of %eranda in front' $hich ser%es as a communication
bet$een the se%eral families The patriarch' or elder' resides in
the middle The houses are entered by ladders' and ha%e doors' but
no $indo$s The %illages are protected by a sort of breast$ork
+lthough this people are to be found throughout all Borneo' and e%en
$ithin a fe$ miles of the coast' yet they do not occupy any part of
its shores' $hich are held by @alays' or Chinese settlers There
is no country more likely to interest the $orld than Borneo +ll
accounts speak of %ast ruins of temples and palaces' throughout the
$hole eEtent of its interior' $hich the ancestors of the present
inhabitants could not ha%e constructed The great resemblance these
bear to those of China and Cambojia has led to the belief that Borneo
$as formerly peopled by those nations; but all traditions of the origin
of these edifices ha%e been lost; and so little is no$ kno$n of the
northern side of Borneo' that it $ould be presumption to indulge in any
surmises of $hat may ha%e been its state during these dark ages E%en
the Bugis priests' $ho are the best(informed persons in the country'
ha%e no $ritings or traditions that bear upon the subject; and the
fe$ scattered legends of Eastern origin' can afford no proof of the
occurrence of the e%ents they commemorate in any particular locality
The accounts of the habits of the ,yacks are discrepant 7ome gi%e them
credit for being %ery industrious' $hile others again speak of them
as indolent They are certainly culti%ators of the soil' and in order
to obtain the articles they need' $ill $ork assiduously @any of them
are employed in collecting gold(dust' and some in the diamond mines;
and they $ill at times be found procuring gums' rattans' etc' from
their nati%e forests for barter They are a people of great energy
of character' and perse%erance in the attainment of their object'
particularly $hen on $ar(parties' or engaged in hunting
Their food consists of rice' hogs' rats' snakes' monkeys' and many
kinds of %ermin' $ith $hich this country abounds
Their chief $eapon is the parang or hea%y knife' some$hat like the
kris 6t is manufactured of nati%e iron and steel' $ith $hich the
coast of the country is said to abound They ha%e a method of $orking
it $hich renders it unnecessary for them to look to a foreign supply;
the only articles of foreign hard$are that they are said to desire'
are raBors' out of $hich to make their cockspurs 8ne thing seems
strange* although asserted upon good authority' that the iron and
steel of the coast are thought to be superior by foreigners' they
are not to be compared $ith that $hich is found in the interior'
and manufactured by the ,yacks +ll the best krises used by the @alay
rajahs and chiefs' are obtained from the interior 7ome of these are
eEAuisitely manufactured' and so hard that' $ithout turning the edge'
they cut ordinary $rought iron and steel
+mong their other $eapons is the sumpit' a hollo$ tube' through
$hich they blo$ poisoned arro$s The latter are of %arious kinds'
and those used in $ar are dipped in the sap of $hat the nati%es term
the DupoD The effect of this poison is almost instantaneous' and
destroys life in four or fi%e minutes Those $ho ha%e seen a $ound
gi%en accidentally' describe the changes that the poison occasions
as plainly perceptible in its progress Before using the arro$' its
poisoned point is dipped in lime(juice to Auicken it The range of
the sumpit is from fifty to siEty yards +lthough the arro$s are
poisoned' yet it is said they sometimes eat the games they kill
$ith them' parboiling it before it is roasted' $hich is thought to
eEtract the poison Firearms' respecting $hich they ha%e much fear'
ha%e not yet been introduced among them; indeed' it is said that so
easily are they intimidated by such $eapons' that on hearing a report
of a gun they in%ariably run a$ay Each indi%idual in a host $ould
be impressed $ith the belief that he $as the one that $as to be shot
2The di$atas5 They address their prayers to the maker of the $orld'
$hom they call ,e$atta' and this is all the religion they ha%e There
are many animals and birds held by them in high %eneration' and they
are close obser%ers of the flight of birds' from $hich they dra$
prognostics There is in particular a $hite(headed eagle or kite' upon
$hose flight and cries they put great reliance' and consult them in $ar
or on any particular eEpedition For this purpose they dra$ numbers
of them together' and feed them by scattering rice about 6t is said
their priests consult their entrails also on particular occasions'
to endea%or to look into future e%ents
6n the performance of their engagements and oaths' they are most
scrupulous They seem to ha%e some idea of a future life' and that
on the road to their elysium they ha%e to pass o%er a long tree'
$hich reAuires the assistance of all those they ha%e slain in this
$orld The abode of happy spirits is supposed to be on the top of ?ini
Balu' one of their loftiest mountains' and the portals are guarded
by a fiery serpent' $ho does not suffer any %irgin to pass into the
celestial paradise
Polygamy does not eEist among them' but they ha%e as concubines sla%es'
$ho are captured in their $ars or rather predatory eEpeditions 6f a
$ife pro%es unfaithful to her husband' he kills se%eral of his sla%es'
or inflicts upon her many blo$s' and a di%orce may be effected by
the husband paying her a certain price' and gi%ing up her clothes and
ornaments' after $hich he is at liberty to marry another The $omen'
ho$e%er' eEercise an eEtraordinary influence o%er the men
2<eadhunting5 But of all their peculiar traits' there is none more
strange than the passion they seem to indulge for collecting human
heads These are necessary accompaniments in many transactions of
their li%es' particularly in their marriages' and no one can marry
unless he has a certain number of heads; indeed' those $ho cannot
obtain these are looked upon $ith disdain by the females + young man
$ishing to $ed' and making application to marry her for $hom he has
formed an attachment' repairs $ith the girlCs father to the rajah
or chief' $ho immediately inAuires respecting the number of heads
he has procured' and generally decides that he ought to obtain one
or t$o more' according to his age' and the number the girlCs father
may ha%e procured' before he can be accepted <e at once takes his
canoe and some trusty follo$ers' and departs on his bloody errand'
$aylaying the unsuspecting or surprising the defenceless' $hose head
he immediately cuts off' and then makes a hurried retreat !ith this
he repairs to the d$elling of his mistress' or sends intelligence
of his success before him 8n his arri%al' he is met by a joyous
group of females' $ho recei%e him $ith e%ery demonstration of joy'
and gladly accept his ghastly offering
#arious barbarous ceremonies no$ take place' among $hich the heads
undergo inspection to ascertain if they are fresh; and' in order to
pro%e this' none of the brain must be remo%ed' nor must they ha%e been
submitted to smoke to destroy the smell +fter these preliminaries'
the family honor of the bride is supposed to be satisfied' and she is
not allo$ed to refuse to marry + feast is no$ made' and the couple
are seated in the midst naked' holding the bloody heads' $hen handfuls
of rice are thro$n o%er them' $ith prayers that they may be happy and
fruitful +fter this' the bridegroom repairs in state to the house of
the bride' $here he is recei%ed at the door by one of her friends'
$ho sprinkles him $ith the blood of a cock' and her $ith that of a
hen This completes the affair' and they are man and $ife
2Cremation5 Funerals are like$ise consecrated by similar offerings'
the corpse remaining in the house until a sla%e can be procured'
by purchase or other$ise' $hom they design to behead at the time the
body is burnt This is done in order that the defunct may be attended
by a sla%e on his $ay to the other $orld or realms of bliss +fter
being burnt' the ashes of the deceased are gathered in an urn' and
the head of the sla%e preser%ed and placed near it
6n some parts' a rajah or chief is buried $ith great pomp in his $ar
habiliments' and food and his arms are placed at his side + mound
is erected o%er him' $hich is encircled $ith a bamboo fence' upon
$hich a number of fresh heads are stuck' all the $arriors $ho ha%e
been attached to him bringing them as the most acceptable offering;
and subseAuently these horrid offerings are rene$ed
The ,yacks are found also in the Celebes island' but there' as in
Borneo' they are confined to the interior 6 ha%e already mentioned
that they $ere supposed to ha%e been the original inhabitants of the
7ulu +rchipelago The 7ulus speak of the country of the ,yacks as
being eEceedingly fertile and capable of producing e%ery thing The
north end of Borneo is particularly %aluable' as its produce is easily
transported from the interior' $here much of the land is culti%ated 6
ha%e obtained much more information in relation to this people' in
a %ariety of $ays' from indi%iduals as $ell as from the published
accounts' $hich are to be found at times in the Eastern prints; but
as this digression has already eEtended to a great length' 6 trust
that enough has been said to enable the reader to contrast it $ith
the nati%es $ho inhabit the islands that dot the %ast Pacific 8cean'
and to make him look for$ard $ith interest to the de%elopments that
the philanthropic eEertions of @r Brooke may bring to light
<a%ing completed our duties here' the boats $ere hoisted in' after
despatching one to lea%e orders for @r ?noE of the Flying(Fish'
in a bottle tied to a flagstaff
8n the afternoon of the -/th' $e got under $ay to proceed direct to
7ingapore' and passed through the channel bet$een the reef off the
@angsee 6slands' and those of Balambangan and Banguey !e found this
channel clear' and all the dangers $ell defined
+s the principal objects of my %isit $ere to ascertain the disposition
and resources of the 7ulus for trade' and to eEamine the straits
leading into the 7ulu seas' in order to facilitate the communication
$ith China' by a%oiding on the one hand the eastern route' and on
the other the dangers of the Pala$an Passage' it may be as $ell to
gi%e the result of the latter inAuiry' referring those $ho may be
more particularly interested to the <ydrographical +tlas and @emoir
The difficulties in the Pala$an Passage arising from hea%y seas
and fresh gales do not eEist in the 7ulu 7ea' nor are the shoals so
numerous or so dangerous 6n the place of storms and rough $ater'
smooth seas are found' and for most of the time moderate breeBes'
$hich do not subject a %essel to the $ear and tear eEperienced in
beating up against a monsoon
The Balabac 7traits may be easily reached' either from 7ingapore'
or by beating up along the $estern shore of Borneo !hen the straits
are reached' a %essel by choosing her time may easily pass through
them by daylight' e%en by beating $hen the $ind is ahead 8nce
through' the $ay is clear' $ith the eEception of a fe$ coral lumps;
the occasional occurrence of the north $ind $ill enable a %essel to
pass directly to the shores of the island of Panay + fair $ind $ill
ordinarily pre%ail along the island' and' as 6 ha%e already mentioned'
it may be approached closely The passage through to the east$ard of
@indoro 6sland may be taken in preference to that on the $est side
through the @indoro 7trait' and thus all the reefs and shoals $ill
be a%oided Thence' the $estern coast of )uBon $ill be follo$ed to
the north' as in the old route
6 do not think it necessary to point out any particular route through
the 7ulu 7ea' as %essels must be guided chiefly as the $inds blo$'
but 6 $ould generally a%oid approaching the 7ulu 6slands' as the
currents are more rapid' and set rather to the south$ard !here%er
there is anchorage' it $ould be ad%isable to anchor at night' as much
time might thus be sa%ed' and a kno$ledge of the currents or sets
of the tides obtained Perhaps it $ould be as $ell to caution those
$ho are %enturesome' that it is necessary to keep a good look(out'
and those $ho are timid' that there does not appear to be much danger
from the piratical prahus' unless a %essel gets on shore; in that
case it $ill not be long before they $ill be seen collecting in the
horiBon in large numbers
2+d%antages of 7ulu treaty5 The treaty that 6 made $ith the 7ultan' if
strictly enforced on the first infraction' $ill soon put an end to all
the dangers to be apprehended from them To conclude' 6 am satisfied
that under ordinary circumstances' to pass through the 7ulu 7ea $ill
shorten by se%eral days the passage to @anila or Canton' and be a
great sa%ing of eEpense in the $ear and tear of a ship and her can%ass
8n the -Ith' $e passed near the location of the #iper 7hoal' but sa$
nothing of it 6t is' therefore' marked doubtful on the chart +s
6 had but little time to spare' the look(outs $ere doubled' and $e
pursued our course throughout the night' sounding as $e $ent e%ery
fifteen minutes; but nothing met our %ie$
8n the -1th' although $e had the northeast monsoon blo$ing fresh' $e
eEperienced a current of t$enty(t$o miles setting to the north This
$as an uneEpected result' as the currents are usually supposed
to pre%ail in the direction of the monsoon 8n the -9th $e still
eEperienced it' though not o%er fifteen miles 8n the -Hth' $e found
it setting $est' and as $e approached the @alayan Peninsula it $as
found to be running south$est
8n the -.th' $e made Pulo +or and Pulo Pedang' and arri%ing off the
7ingapore 7traits' 6 ho%e(to' to a$ait daylight 6n the morning at
da$n' $e found oursel%es in close company $ith a Chinese junk The
-:th' until late in the afternoon' $e $ere in the 7ingapore 7traits'
making but slo$ progress to$ards this emporium of the East The number
of nati%e as $ell as foreign %essels $hich $e passed' pro%ed that $e
$ere approaching some great mart' and at 9*00 pm $e dropped our
anchor in 7ingapore "oads <ere $e found the Porpoise' 8regon' and
Flying(Fish' all $ell* the t$o former had arri%ed on January //nd'
nearly a month before' and the latter three days pre%iously Before
concluding this chapter' 6 shall re%ert to their proceedings since
our separation off the 7and$ich 6slands
The instructions to the brigs ha%e been heretofore gi%en; but it may
not be amiss to repeat here that the object in detaching them $as'
that they might eEplore the line of reefs and islands kno$n to eEist to
the north$ard and $est$ard of the <a$aiian Group' and thence continue
their course to$ards the coast of Japan <ad they effected the latter
object' it $ould ha%e gi%en important results in relation to the force
of the currents' and the temperature of the $ater 6t $as desirable'
if possible' to ascertain $ith certainty the eEistence on the coast of
Japan of a current similar to the Gulf 7tream' to $hich my attention
had been particularly dra$n
The first land they made $as on ,ecember -' -.1-' and $as >ecker
6sland Birds' especially the $hite tern' had been seen in numbers
prior to its announcement >ecker 6sland is apparently a mass of
%olcanic rocks' about three hundred feet high' and is destitute of
any kind of %egetation' but co%ered $ith guano 6t is surrounded by
a reef' three miles from $hich soundings $ere obtained' in t$enty
fathoms $ater The furious surf that $as beating on all sides of the
island' precluded all possibility of a landing being made By the
connected obser%ations of the %essels it lies in longitude -H1J I4C
!' and latitude /IJ 11C >
The French(Frigate 7hoal $as seen on the Ird; the $eather pro%ed bad'
and they $ere unable to eEecute the $ork of eEamining this reef The
sea $as breaking furiously upon it
8n the 4th' the @aro "eef $as made in latitude /9J /1C /:CC >'
longitude -40J 1IC /1CC ! Bottom $as found at a distance of four
miles from the reef' $ith forty(fi%e fathoms of line 8n the .th'
they passed o%er the site of >e%a 6sle' as laid do$n by +rro$smith'
but no indications of land $ere seen
2+rri%al at 7ingapore5 8n the --th' )ieutenant(Commandant "inggold
determined' on account of the condition of the brigs' and the
continuance of bad $eather' it $as impossible to keep their course to
the north$ard and $est$ard to$ards the coast of Japan; he' therefore'
hauled to the south$ard' $hich $as much to be regretted' and follo$ed
so %ery nearly in the same track as that pursued by the #incennes'
to$ards the China seas' that nothing ne$ $as elicited by them
+fter a passage of fifty(siE days from the 7and$ich 6slands' they
dropped their anchors in 7ingapore on January -:' -.1/' all $ell <ere
they found the =nited 7tates ship Constellation' Commodore ?earney' and
the sloop of $ar Boston' Captain )ong' forming the East 6ndia sAuadron
P+"T 6#
@anila in -.-: 2/415
By +n +merican >a%al 8fficer
2Coral5 D ; ; ; The fine bay of @anila' thirty leagues in
circumference' is situated near the middle of the $est side of the
island' and has good and clear anchorage in all parts of it' eEcepting
on a coral ledge' called the 7hoal of 7t >icholas' $hich is the only
%isible danger in the bay The dangerous part of it is' ho$e%er' of
small eEtent' and $ith proper attention easily a%oided; the least
of $ater found on it at present is ele%en feet' but its summit is
constantly approaching the surface of the sea' as has been ascertained
by sur%eys made at different periods by orders of go%ernment' $hich
circumstance seems to indicate the presence of Toophytes' that compound
of animal and %egetable life' $hose incessant and rapid labors' and'
as $e are told by naturalists' $hose polypus(like po$ers of recei%ing
perfect form and %itality into numberless dismembered portions of their
bodies' ha%e long eEcited much curiosity and admiration These small'
compound animals' commence their operations at the bottom of the sea'
and proceed up$ards' to$ards the surface' spreading themsel%es in
%arious ramifications; the older members of the mass become concrete'
petrify' and form dangerous shoals; the superior portion of these
little colonists al$ays being the last produced' in its turn generates
myriads of others' and so on' ad infinitum' till they reach the surface
of the ocean These coral reefs and shoals are found in most parts of
the $orld' $ithin the tropics; but the $aters of the eastern hemisphere
seem to be peculiarly congenial to their production' and' indeed' there
appear to be certain spaces or regions in these seas' $hich are their
fa%orite haunts +mong many others may be mentioned the @oBambiAue
channel' and that tract of ocean' from the eastern coast of +frica'
Auite across to the coast of @alabar' including the @ahL' Chagas'
@aldi%e and )accadi%e archipelagos; the southeastern part of the China
sea; the "ed sea; the eastern part of Ja%a; the coasts of all the 7unda
islands; and %arious places in the Pacific ocean These shoals' $hen
they begin to emerge from the sea' are freAuented by aAuatic fo$ls'
$hose feathers' and other deposits' combined $ith the fortuitous
landing of drifts of $ood' $eeds' and %arious other substances from
the adjacent lands' in the course of time form superaAueous banks'
of considerable ele%ation; and the broken fragments of coral thro$n
up by the $a%es' slo$ly' but constantly increase their horiBontal
diameter Coconuts are freAuently seen floating upon the sea in these
regions' some of $hich are no doubt thro$n upon the shores of the
ne$ created lands; from $hich accidental circumstance this fruit is
there propagated #agrant birds unconsciously deposit the germs of
%arious other productions of the %egetable kingdom' $hich in due
season spring up and clothe their surfaces $ith %erdure; and the
natural accumulation of dead and putrid %egetation ser%es to assist
in the formation of a rich and producti%e soil' and to increase the
altitudes of these ne$ creations +s 6 ha%e been al$ays much amused
and interested by this subject' and had freAuent opportunities'
during many yearsC eEperience' to obser%e and eEamine these shoals in
their %arious stages of subaAueous progress' and subseAuent emersion
6 am con%inced that not only many considerable islands' but eEtensi%e
insular groups' o$e their eEistence to the abo%e originD
2The people5 2/495D; ; ; The nati%es of these islands are generally
$ell made' and bear strong marks of acti%ity and muscular %igor;
they are in general some$hat larger than the Ja%anese' and bear some
affinity in the features of their faces to the @alays; their noses
are ho$e%er more prominent' and their cheek bones not so high' nor are
their skins so dark Their hair is of a jet black' made glossy by the
constant application of coconut oil' as is the custom in all 6ndia'
and dra$n together and knotted on top' in the manner of the @alays The
$omen display great taste in the arrangement and decorations of their
hair' $hich they secure $ith sil%er or gold bodkins' the heads of
$hich are freAuently composed of precious stonesD
2@iEed blood5 2/4H5D; ; ; + %ery considerable proportion of the
population of @anila is composed of the mestiBos; they are the
offspring of the intermarriages of the 7paniards $ith the nati%e
$omen' and these again forming conneEions $ith the $hites' or $ith
the nati%e 6ndians Fthe latter' ho$e%er' less freAuentG' combine
in stamping upon their descendants a great %ariety of features and
shades of color; a general resemblance is' ho$e%er' to be traced' and
$ai%ing color and manners' a mestiBo could not easily be mistaken for
a nati%e This class of the inhabitants is held in nearly the same
estimation as the $hites They are %ery cleanly in their persons'
and neat in their dress' $hich' among the males' consists generally
of a pair of cotton trousers of %arious colors' as fancy dictates'
and shoes in the European manner' a frock' or tunic' of striped grass
manufacture' $orn outside the trousers' in the manner of the +siatic
+rmenians Fbut $ithout the sash' or girdleG' the collars of $hich are
tastefully embroidered' and thro$n back on their shoulders; a European
hat completes their costume' $hich is light' cool and airy' and after
a stranger has been a short time accustomed to see $hat he at first
$ould call a per%ersion of dress' his prejudices subside' and he has
no hesitation in pronouncing it %ery proper and graceful They are
remarkably fine limbed' and $ell built' the females especially' $ho
are really models of the most complete symmetry; their hair and eyes'
$hich unlike their skins' seldom %ary from the original jet black of
their nati%e parents' besto$ upon them the primary characteristics of
the brunette This people' unlike the generality of miEed colors in
the human race' ha%e been impro%ed by their intermiEture' they are more
industrious and cleanly than the 7paniards' possess more intelligence
and polish than the 6ndians and are less malicious and re%engeful than
either The men are employed mostly as $riters' brokers' agents and
o%erseers; many of them hold lucrati%e offices under go%ernment' and
they not unfreAuently arri%e at $ealth and consideration The $omen
are also industrious' and capable of great intellectual impro%ement;
they ha%e a natural grace and ease in their manner' and make eEcellent
$i%es and mothers This character must not' ho$e%er' be taken in an
unlimited sense' for $e cannot eEpect this rule to be $ithout its
eEceptions' and it is true that some of these females do degenerate'
and copy after the manners of the creoles' or $hite nati%es; but
this is only the case $hen' by their intercourse $ith the $hites'
their 6ndian blood is merged and lost in the European That part
of the population in $hich is blended the blood of the Chinese and
Tagalogs is named the Chinese mestiBos
The nati%es are not unapt in acAuiring kno$ledge' neither do they
$ant industry' $hen efforts are made' and inducements displayed
to call their po$ers into action They are eEcellent mechanics and
artisans' and' as horticulturists' their superiority o%er many of the
+siatics is ackno$ledged They are polite and affable to strangers'
but irascible' and $hen eEcited are %ery sanguinary; their natural
bias to this re%engeful and cruel character' is strengthened and
rendered more intense by the doctrines of the "oman catholic
religion as dictated to them by the designing and interested priests
$ho reside among them The culprit al$ays finds a sanctuary in the
nearest church' till by the payment of some pecuniary mulct' he
satisfies the demands of the priests' obtains absolution' appeases
the resentment of the relations of the deceased' and eludes the arm
of justice; he gro$s hardened by impunity' repeats his offences'
and again escapes as beforeD
2+ Filipino foundry5 D; ; ; +ll the necessary $orks for a garrisoned
city are $ithin its $alls; eEtensi%e magaBines $ere erected in -H.H'
besides $hich are a hall of arms' or armory' a repository for po$der'
$ith bomb(proof %aults' and commodious Auarters and barracks for the
garrison There is also a furnace and foundry here' $hich' although
their operations $ere suppressed in -.09' is the most ancient in
the 7panish monarchy; this establishment $as founded in -9.1' in
the %illage of 7t +nna' near @anila; to the latter of $hich places
it $as transferred in -9:0 The first founder $as a Pampango 6ndian'
named Pandapira !hen the 7paniards first arri%ed at @anila' in -94-'
they found there a large foundry' $hich $as accidentally burnt'
in conseAuence of the combustibility of the building and effects'
$hich character applies to all the houses of that periodD
2)anguage5 2/445D; ; ; Their colloAuial language' like that of the
nati%es of Ja%a' Borneo' 7umatra' and many other islands in these seas'
is a dialect of the peninsular @alay from $hence it is thought they
originated; and so striking is its similarity among all these islands'
that the nati%es of each can' in a greater or less degree' understand
that of all the others The characters of their $ritten language
differ $idely' and great %arieties of arrangement eEist among them The
Tagalogs $rite from top to bottom on palm lea%es and strips of bamboo;
and many of the @oros or @ahomedans use the +rabic charactersD
2,ifference of days5 2/4.5From the circumstance of the 7paniards
arri%ing in these seas by Cape <orn' and the general route being by
the Cape of Good <ope' a conseAuent difference in time of one day
is produced in the different reckoning; the 7paniards losing' and
those $ho steer east$ard gaining' each in the proportion of half a
day in completing the semi(circumference of the globe ConseAuently'
the time at @anila' being regulated by their o$n reckonings' is one
day later than that of those $ho arri%e there by steering east$ard
from +merica or Europe; as for instance' $hen by the accounts of the
latter it is 7unday' by theirs it is only 7aturday
2English in @anila5 6n the year -4H/' the city of @anila $as taken
by the English' $here' and at Ca%ite' immense Auantities of na%al and
military stores' brass and iron ordnance' and se%eral fine ships' fell
into their hands 6t $as' ho$e%er' soon deli%ered up to the 7paniards'
on a promise of the payment to the English of four millions of
dollars as a ransom' $hich' ho$e%er' ne%er has been paid This breach
of faith and promise has been loudly complained of by the latter'
and as pertinaciously eEcused by the 7paniards' $ho complain that
the British plundered the city' and committed many other eEcesses'
contrary to the eEpress conditions of their engagements' by $hich
they $ere %irtually rendered nugatory
2Galleon trade5 The inhabitants of @anila ha%e long enjoyed the
pri%ilege of sending t$o annual ships to +capulco called Galleons'
>a%ios' or "egister(7hips' $ith the produce of the Philippines' of
China' and other parts of +sia; in return for $hich' they recei%e
%arious articles of the production of 7outh +merica; the principal
of $hich are cochineal' merchandise of different descriptions of
European origin' and sil%er in 7panish dollars and ingots' $hich
compose the principal part of the %alue of their return cargoes'
amounting annually to about three million fi%e hundred thousand
7panish dollars + large proportion of this property belongs to the
con%ents in @anila' $hose great re%enues not only enable them to
engage in eEtensi%e mercantile operations' but to lend considerable
sums to the merchants on bottomry For the indulgence in this trade'
the proprietors pay a large sum of money to the cro$n
These ships $ere of the burden of from t$el%e to fifteen hundred
tons' and $ere numerously manned and $ell appointed for defense; but
of late years' since the re%olt of the 7panish colonies' $hich has
rendered the na%igation of the intermediate seas dangerous to these
enterprises' the trade has been greatly interrupted' and instead
of risking it in large bodies' pri%ate ships of smaller burden ha%e
been hired for the purpose of di%iding the risk; some of these ha%e
been put under foreign colors' though formerly the galleons $ore'
by instruction' the royal flag' their officers $ere commissioned
and uniformed like the officers of the na%y' and the ships $ere
under the same regulations and discipline The object' ho$e%er' of
the trade in smaller ships has not been obtained; for so great are
the fears of the o$ners and agents of their being captured' and so
many restrictions laid upon the commanders that they lie in port the
principal part of the time; so that in 7eptember' -.-:' the ships of
the preceding year had not arri%ed at @anila; neither had any been
dispatched from the latter place for +capulco during that time These
interruptions' and in fact' the %irtual suspension of this commerce'
$ill undoubtedly' if a liberal and enlightened policy is pursued'
result greatly to the ad%antage of these islands and the mother
country +lready since the establishment of the cortes' permitting
foreigners to settle permanently at @anila' great impro%ements ha%e
been made in the productions of the island' and important additions
to the re%enue The failure of the annual remittance of dollars from
7outh +merica to defray the eEpenses of the colonial go%ernment' of
$hich their re%enues from the islands $ere not adeAuate to meet one
half' has been se%erely felt' and has stimulated them to make some
%ery unusual eEertions Foreign commerce has been more countenanced in
conseAuence of this state of things' and greater encouragement has been
gi%en to the gro$ers and manufacturers of their staple eEports; and if
the affairs of these islands should in future be properly conducted'
the re%enue arising from the impost on the single article of coffee'
$ill in a fe$ years be amply sufficient to support the go%ernment'
and lea%e a net income of the re%enue arising from the imposts on all
other articles' besides $hat $ould accrue from the taEes and numerous
other resources + free commerce $ith other nations $ould create a
competition' and a conseAuent reduction in the price of imports' and
their articles of eEport $ould increase' in proportion to the demand
for them 6n short' nothing is $anting in these beautiful islands'
but ability to direct' and energy to eEecute the most eEtensi%e
plans of agriculture and commerce' $hich the bounties of the soil'
and its eEcellent climate and situation' $ould most certainly render
completely successful; and' instead of being' as at present it is'
a burden to 7pain' it $ould become a source of great $ealth to herD
27pirit of independence5 2/4:5D; ; ; 6t is to be hoped that
the narro$ and illiberal policy $hich has heretofore retarded the
prosperity of these fine islands' $ill necessarily be superseded
by more eEpanded %ie$s' and enable them to maintain the rank and
importance to $hich their intrinsic $orth entitles them The spirit
of independence $hich has recently diffused its influence through
the 7panish colonies on the +merican continent' has also darted its
rays across the Pacific' and beamed $ith enli%ening lustre upon those
remote regions and the sacred flames of liberty $hich ha%e been kindled
ha%e in the bosom of that country' though for a period concealed from
the %ie$ of regal parasites and dependents' burned clear and intense;
and the time is perhaps not %ery remote' $hen it shall burst forth'
and shed its joyous light upon the remotest and most inconsiderable
islet of this archipelago
28pportunity for a republic5 Perhaps no part of the $orld offers a
more eligible site for an independent republic than these islands;
their insular posture and distance from any ri%al po$er' combined
$ith the intrinsic strength of a free representati%e go%ernment'
$ould guarantee their safety and glory; their intermediate situation'
bet$een +sia and the +merican continent' their proEimity to China'
Japan' Borneo' the @olucca and 7unda 6slands' the @alay peninsula'
Cochin China' TonAuin' 7iam' and the European possessions in the East'
$ould insure them an unbounded commerce' conseAuently great $ealth and
po$er; and their happiness $ould be secured by religious toleration
and liberal %ie$s of ci%il liberty in the go%ernment 6t must be
confessed' ho$e%er' that the national character of the 7paniards is
not suitable to produce and enjoy in perfection this most desirable
state of affairs; it is to be feared that their bigotry $ould preclude
religious toleration' their indolence continue the present system of
sla%ery' so degrading in a particular manner to a republic' their
$ant of energy paralyBe the operations of enterprising foreigners
among them >o change' ho$e%er' can be for the $orse' and if all
the ad%antage' cannot be reaped by them' $hich the citiBens of our
republic $ould secure' it $ill be better for them to seiBe and enjoy
such as their genius and talents $ill enable them toD
2<ealth5 2/.05D ; ; ; The health of the city and suburbs is
pro%erbial' and the profession of a physician is' perhaps' of all
others the least lucrati%e + $orthy and intelligent 7cotch doctor'
$ho had come to @anila' $hile 6 $as there' to eEercise his profession'
and $ho lodged in the same house $ith me' $as greatly annnoyed at
the $ant of practice $hich he eEperienced there' although he had his
full share of patronage' and often jocosely declared that the Ddom
climateD $ould star%e him; in fact he did not long remain there;
6 after$ards met him in the 6sle of France' $here he $as still in
pursuit of practiceD
2+ barbarous eEecution5 2/.-5D ; ; ; 6mpelled by a %ery common and'
perhaps' eEcusable curiosity' 6 rode out $ith some friends one day
to $itness the eEecution of a mestiBo soldier for murder The parade
ground of Bagumbayan $as the theater of this tragic comedy' for such
it may be trully called' and ne%er did 6 eEperience such a re%ulsion
of feeling as upon this occasion The place $as cro$ded $ith people
of all descriptions' and a strong guard of soldiers' three deep'
surrounded the gallo$s' forming a circle' the area of $hich $as about
t$o hundred feet in diameter The hangman $as habited in a red jacket
and trousers' $ith a cap of the same color upon his head This fello$
had been formerly condemned to death for parricide' but $as pardoned
on condition of turning eEecutioner' and becoming close prisoner for
life' eEcept $hen the duties of his profession occasionally called him
from his dungeon for an hour !hether his long confinement' and the
ignominious estimation in $hich he $as held' combined $ith despair of
pardon for his heinous offense' and a natural ferocity of character'
had rendered him reckless of D$eal or $oe'D or other impulse directed
his mo%ements' 6 kno$ not' but ne%er did 6 see such a demoniacal %isage
as $as presented by this miscreant; and $hen the trembling culprit
$as deli%ered o%er to his hand' he pounced eagerly upon his %ictim'
$hile his countenance $as suffused $ith a grim and ghastly smile'
$hich reminded us of ,anteCs de%ils <e immediately ascended the
ladder' dragging his prey after him till they had nearly reached the
top; he then placed the rope around the neck of the malefactor $ith
many antic gestures and grimaces highly gratifying and amusing to the
mob To signify to the poor fello$ under his fangs that he $ished to
$hisper in his ear' to push him off the ladder' and to jump astride
his neck $ith his heels drumming $ith %iolence upon his stomach' $as
but the $ork of an instant !e could then percei%e a rope fast to each
leg of the sufferer' $hich $as pulled $ith %iolence by people under
the gallo$s' and an additional rope' to use a sea term' a pre%enter'
$as round his neck' and secured to the gallo$s' to act in case of
accident to the one by $hich the body $as suspended 6 had $itnessed
many eEecutions in different parts of the $orld' but ne%er had such
a diabolical scene as this passed before my eyesD
; ; ; ; ;
P+"T #
The Peopling of the Philippines
By ,r "udolf #ircho$
FTranslated by 8 T @ason; in 7mithsonian 6nstitution -.:: "eportG
7ince the days $hen the first European na%igators entered the 7outh
7ea' the dispute o%er the source and ethnic affiliations of the
inhabitants of that eEtended and scattered island $orld has been
unsettled The most superficial glance points out a contrariety in
eEternal appearances' $hich lea%es little doubt that here peoples of
entirely different blood li%e near and among one another
2D>egritos and 6ndiosD5 +nd this is so apparent that the pathfinder
in this region' @agellan' ga%e eEpression to the contrariety in his
names for tribes and islands 7ince dark compleEion $as obser%ed
on indi%iduals in certain tribes and in defined areas' and light
compleEion on others' here abundantly' there Auite eEceptional'
$riters applied 8ld !orld names to the ne$ phenomena $ithout further
thought The Philippines set the decisi%e eEample in this Fernando
@agellan first disco%ered the islands of this great archipelago in
-9/-' @arch -H +fter his death the 7paniards completed the circle
of his disco%eries +t this time the name of >egros $as fiEed' $hich
e%en no$ is called 6slas de los Pintados For years the 7paniards
called the entire archipelago 6slas de Poniente; gradually' after the
eEpedition of ,on Fray Garcia Jofre de )oaisa F-9/HG' the ne$ title
of the Philippines pre%ailed' through 7alaBar
The people $ere di%ided into t$o groups' the )ittle >egros or >egritos
and the 6ndios 6t is Auite concei%able that in%oluntarily the opinion
pre%ailed that the >egritos had close relationship $ith the +frican
blacks' and the 6ndios $ith the lighter(compleEioned inhabitants of
6ndia' or at least of 6ndonesia
<o$e%er' it must be said here that the theory of a truly +frican
origin of the >egritos has been ad%anced but seldom' and then in a %ery
hesitating manner The idea that $ith the present configuration of the
eastern island $orld' especially $ith their great distances apart' a
%ariety of mankind that had ne%er manifested any aptitude for maritime
enterprises should ha%e spread themsel%es o%er this %ast ocean area'
in order to settle do$n on this island and on that' is so unreasonable
that it has found scarcely a defender $orth naming @ore and more the
blacks are coming to be considered the original peoples' the D6ndiosD
to be the intruders For this there is a Auite reasonable ground'
in that on many islands the blacks d$ell in the interior' difficult
of access' especially in the dense and un$holesome mountain forests'
$hile the lighter compleEioned tribes ha%e settled the coasts To
this are added linguistic proofs' $hich place the lighter races' of
homogeneous speech' in linguistic relations $ith the higher races'
especially the @alays ,ogmatically it has been said that originally
these islands had been occupied entirely by the primiti%e black
population' but after$ards' through intrusions from the sea' these
blacks $ere gradually pressed a$ay from the coast and sho%ed back
into the interior
2Complicated Pacific problem5 The problem' though it appears simple
enough' has become complicated more and more through the progress
of disco%ery' especially since Cook enlarged our kno$ledge of the
oriental island $orld + ne$ and still more pregnant contrast then
thrust itself to the front in the fact that the blacks and the
lighter(colored peoples are each separated into $idely differing
groups !hile the former hold especially the immense' almost
continental' regions of +ustralia F>e$ <ollandG and >e$ Guinea' and
also the larger archipelagos' such as >e$ <ebrides' 7olomon 6slands'
Fiji F#itiG +rchipelago((that is' the $estern areas((the north and
east' @icronesia and Polynesia' $ere occupied by lighter(colored
peoples 7o the first di%ision into @elanesia and Polynesia has
in latest times come to be of %alue' and the dogma once fiEed has
remained For the Polynesians are by many allied to the @alays'
$hile the blacks are put together as a special ethnological race
For practical ethnology this di%ision may suffice But the scientific
man $ill seek also for the blacks a genetic eEplanation The ans$er
has been furnished by one of the greatest ethnologists' Theodor !aitB'
$ho' after he had eEposed the insufficiency of the accepted formulas'
came to the conclusion that the differentiation of the blacks from
the lighter peoples might be an error <e denied that there had been
a primiti%e black race in @icronesia and Polynesia; in his opinion
$e ha%e here to do $ith a single race The color of the Polynesians
may be out and out from natural causes different' Dtheir entire
physical appearance indicates the greatest %ariabilityD <erein the
$hole Auestion of the domain of %ariation is sprung $ith imperfect
satisfaction on the part of those tra%elers $ho gi%e their attention
more to transitions than to types +mong these are not a fe$ $ho ha%e
returned from the 7outh 7ea $ith the con%iction that all criteria
for the diagnosis of men and of races are %alueless
+nalytical anthropology has led to other and often uneEpected
results 6t has pro%ed that just that portion of 7outh 7ea
population $hich can apparently lay the strongest claim to be
considered a homogeneous race must be separated into a collection
of sub%arieties >othing appears more likely than that the >egritos
of the Philippines are the nearest relati%es to the @elanesians' the
+ustralians' the Papuans; and yet it has been pro%ed that all these
are separated one from another by $ell(marked characters !hether
these characters place the peoples under the head of %arieties'
or $hether' indeed' the black tribes of the 7outh 7ea' spite of all
differences' are to be traced back to one single primiti%e stock'
that is a Auestion of prehistory for $hose ans$er the material
is lacking !ere it possible to furnish the proof that the black
populations of the 7outh 7ea $ere already settled in their present
homes $hen land bridges eEisted bet$een their territory and +frica'
or $hen the much(sought )emuria still eEisted' it $ould not be $orth
the trouble to hunt for the missing material 6n our present kno$ledge
$e can not fill the gaps' so $e must yet hold the blacks of the 8rient
to be separate races
2<air as a race indeE5 The hair furnished the strongest character
for diagnosis' in $hich' not alone that of the head is under
consideration; the hair' therefore' occupies the foreground of
interest 6ts color is of the least importance' since all peoples of
the 7outh 7ea ha%e black hair 6t is more the structure and appearance
$hich furnish the obser%er con%enient starting points for the primary
classification Generally a t$o(fold di%ision satisfies The blacks'
it is said' ha%e crisped hair' the Polynesians and light(colored
peoples ha%e smooth hair But this declaration is erroneous in its
generality 6t is in no $ay easy to declare absolutely $hat hair is
to be called crisp' and it is still more difficult to define in $hat
respects the so(called crisp %arieties differ one from another For
a long time the +ustralian hair $as denominated crisp' until it $as
e%ident that it could be classed neither $ith that of the +fricans
nor $ith that of the Philippine blacks 7emper' one of the first
tra%elers to furnish a some$hat complete description of the physical
characters of the >egritos' describes it as an DeEtremely thick'
bro$n(black' lack(luster' and crisp($oolly cro$n of hairD +mong
these peculiarities the lack(luster is unimportant' since it is due
to $ant of care and uncleanliness 8n the contrary' the other data
furnish true characters of the hair and among them the crisp($oolly
peculiarity is most %aluable
8n the terms D$oolD and D$oollyD se%ere contro%ersies' $hich ha%e not
yet closed' ha%e taken place among ethnologists during the last ten
years +lso the lack of care' especially the absence of the comb'
has here acted as a disturbing cause in the decision But there is
yet a set of peoples' $hich $ere formerly included' that are no$
being gradually disassociated' especially the +ustralians and the
#eddahs' $hose hair' by means of special care' appears Auite $a%y
if not entirely sleek and smooth Generally it is fro$By and matted'
so that its natural form is difficult to recogniBe To it is $anting
the chief peculiarity' $hich obtrudes itself in the +frican blacks so
characteristically that the compact spiral form $hich it assumes from
its root' the so(called Dpepper(corn'D is selected as the preferable
mark of the race The peculiar nappy head has it origin in the spiral
DrollchenD +s to the +siatic blacks this has been for a long time
kno$n among the +ndamanese; it has lately been noticed upon the 7akai
of @alacca' and it is to be found also among the >egritos of the
Philippines' as 6 can sho$ by specimens Therefore' if $e seek ethnic
relationships for the >egritos of the Philippines' or as they are
named' the +etas FEtas' 6tasG' such connections obtrude themsel%es
$ith the stocks named' and the more strongly since they all ha%e
brachycephalic' relati%ely small FnannocephalicG heads and through
their small siBe attach themsel%es to the peculiar d$arf tribes
6 might here comment on the singular fact that the +ndaman 6slands
are situated near the >icobars in the 6ndian 8cean' but that the
populations on both sides of them are entirely different 6n my
o$n detailed descriptions $hich treat of the skulls and the hair
specially' it is affirmed that the typical skull shape of the
>icobarese is dolichocephalic and that Dtheir hair stands bet$een
the straight hair of the @ongoloid and the sleek' though slightly
cur%ed or $a%y' hair of the @alayan and 6ndian peoples;D their skin
color is relati%ely dark' but only so much so as is peculiar to the
tribes of 6ndia !ith the little blacks of the +ndamans there is not
the slightest agreement 6n this $e ha%e one of the best e%idences
against the theory of !aitB(Gerland that the differences in physical
appearance are to be attributed to %ariation merely 6 $ill' ho$e%er'
so as not to be misunderstood' eEpressly emphasiBe that 6 am not
$illing to declare that the t$o peoples ha%e been at all times so
constituted; 6 am no$ speaking of actual conditions
6n the same sense 6 $ish also my remarks concerning the >egritos to
be taken >ot one fact is in e%idence from $hich $e may conclude that
a single neighboring people kno$n to us has been >egritiBed !e are
therefore justified $hen $e see in the >egritos a truly primiti%e
people +s they are no$' they $ere more than three hundred and
fifty years ago $hen the first European na%igators %isited these
islands +bout older relationships nothing is kno$n +ll the gra%es
from $hich the bones of >egritos no$ in possession $ere taken belong
to recent times' and also the oldest descriptions $hich ha%e been
recei%ed' so far as phylogeny is concerned' must be characteriBed
as modern
2>egritos a primiti%e people5 The little change in the mode of life
made kno$n through these descriptions in connection $ith the lo$ grade
of culture on $hich these impo%erished tribes li%e amply testify that
$e ha%e before us here a primiti%e race
; ; ; ; ;
FThe Auestion $hether $e ha%e to do $ith older' independent races
in the @alay +rchipelago or $ith miEtures is e%ery$here an open
one((TranslatorG
!hoe%er $ould picture the present ethnic affiliations of the
light(colored peoples of the Philippines $ill soon land in confusion
on account of the great number of tribes 8ne of the ablest obser%ers'
Ferd Blumentritt' mentions' besides the >egritos' the Chinese and
the $hites' not less than 9- such tribes <e classifies them in one
group as @alays' according to the plan no$ customary The di%ision
rests primarily on a linguistic foundation But $hen it is noted that
the identity of language among all the tribes is not established and
among many not at all pro%ed' it is sufficiently sho$n that speech is
a character of little constancy' and that a language may be imposed
upon a people to the annihilation of their o$n by those $ho belong
to a different linguistic stock The @alay 7ea is filled $ith islands
on $hich tarry the remnants of peoples not @alay
For a long time' especially since the ,utch occupation' these old
populations ha%e recei%ed the special name of +lfuros But this
ambiguous term has been used in such an arbitrary and promiscuous
fashion that latterly it has been $ell(nigh banished from ethnological
literature 6t is not long ago that the >egritos $ere so called But
if the black peoples are eliminated' there remains on many islands at
least an element to be differentiated from the @alay' chiefly through
the darker skin color' greater orthocephaly' and more $a%y' Auite
crimped hair 6 ha%e' for the different islands' furnished proof'
and $ill here only refer to the assertion that Da broad belt of
$a%y and curly hair has pressed itself in bet$een the Papuan and the
@alay' a belt $hich in the north seems to terminate $ith the #eddah'
in the south $ith the +ustralianD 8ne can not read the accounts
of tra%elers $ithout the increasing con%iction of the eEistence of
se%eral different' if not perhaps related' %arieties of peoples thrust
on the same island
2Theory of >egrito and three @alay in%asions5 From this results the
natural and entirely unprejudiced conclusion' $hich has repeatedly
been stated' that either a primiti%e people by later intrusions
has been pressed back into the interior or that in course of time
se%eral immigrations ha%e follo$ed one another +t the same time
it is not unreasonable to think that both processes $ent on at the
same time' and indeed this conception is strongly brought for$ard 7o
Blumentritt assumes that there is there a primiti%e black people and
that three separate @alay in%asions ha%e taken place The oldest'
$hose branches ha%e many traits in accord $ith the ,ayaks of Borneo'
especially the practice of head(hunting; a second' $hich also took
place before the arri%al of the 7paniards' to $hich the Tagals'
Bisayas' Bicols' 6locanos' and other tribes belong; the third'
6slamitic' $hich emigrated from Borneo and might ha%e been interrupted
by the arri%al of the 7paniards' and $ith $hich a contemporaneous
immigration from the @oluccas $ent on 6t must be said' ho$e%er' that
Blumentritt admits t$o periods for the first in%asion 6n the earliest
he places the immigration of the 6gorots' +payos' Tambales((in short'
all the tribes that d$elt in the interior of the country later and
$ere pressed a$ay from the coast' therefore' actually' the mountain
tribes To the second half he assigns the Tinguianes' Catalanganes'
and 6rayas' $ho are not head(hunters' but 7emper says they appear to
ha%e a miEture of Chinese and Japanese blood
+gainst this scheme many things may be said in detail' especially that'
according to the apparently $ell(grounded assertions of @ueller(Beeck'
the going of the Chinese to the Philippines $as de%eloped about the
end of the fourteenth century' and chiefly after the 7paniards had
gotten a foothold and $ere using the @eEican sil%er in trade +t any
rate' the apprehension of 7emper' $hich rests on some$hat superficial
physiognomic ground' is not confirmed by searching in%estigations 7o
the head(hunting of the mountain tribes' so far as it hints at
relations $ith Borneo' gi%es no sure chronological result' since
it might ha%e been contemporaneous in them and could ha%e come here
through in%asion from other islands
The chief inAuiry is this* !hether there took place other and older
in%asions For this $e are not only to dra$ upon the present tribes'
but if possible upon the remains of earlier and perhaps no$ eEtinct
tribes This possibility has been brought nearer for the Philippines
through certain ca%e deposits !e ha%e to thank' for the first
information' the tra%eler Jagor' $hose eEceptional talent as collector
has placed us in the possession of rich material' especially crania To
his eEcellent report of his journey 6 ha%e already dedicated a special
chapter' in $hich 6 ha%e presented and partially illustrated not
only the ca%e crania' but also a series of other skulls +n eEtended
conference upon them has been held in the +nthropological 7ociety
The old 7panish chroniclers describe accurately the mortuary customs
$hich $ere in %ogue in their time The dead $ere laid in coffins
made from eEca%ated tree trunks and co%ered $ith a $ell(fitting
lid They $ere then deposited on some ele%ated place' or mountain'
or ri%er bank' or seashore Ca%es in the mountains $ere also utiliBed
for this purpose Jagor describes such ca%es on the island of 7amar'
$est of )uBon' $hose contents ha%e recently been annihilated
The fe$ crania from there $hich ha%e been intrusted to me
bear the marks of recent pedigree' as also do the additional
objects =nfortunately' ,r Jagor did not himself %isit these
interesting ca%es' but he has brought crania thence $hich are of the
highest interest' and $hich 6 must no$ mention
27tudy of a giant skull5 The ca%e in Auestion lies near )anang' on
the east coast of 7amar' on the bank of a ri%er' it is said 6t is'
as the tra%eler reports' celebrated in the locality Don account of its
depressed gigantic crania' $ithout suturesD The singular statement
is made clear by means of a $ell(preser%ed eEample' $hich 6 lay
before you The entire cranium' including the face' is co%ered $ith
a thick layer of sinter' $hich gi%es it the appearance of belonging
to the class of skulls $ith )eontiasis ossea 6t is' in fact' of
good siBe' but through the incrustation it is increased to gigantic
proportions 6t is true' like$ise' that it has a much flattened'
broad and compressed form The cleaning of another skull has sho$n
that artificial deformation has taken place' $hich ob%iously $as
completed before the incrustation $as laid on by the mineral $ater
of the ca%e 6 $ill here add that on the testimony of tra%elers no
>egritos $ere on 7amar The island lies in the neighborhood of the
Bisayas +lthough no description of the position of the skull is at
hand and of the skeleton to $hich it apparently belonged' it must be
assumed that the dead man $as not laid a$ay in a coffin' but placed
on the ground; that' in fact' he belonged to an earlier DperiodD <o$
long ago that $as can not be kno$n' unfortunately' since no data are
at hand; ho$e%er' the bones are in a nearly fossiliBed condition'
$hich allo$s the conclusion that they $ere deposited long ago
The deformation itself furnishes no clue to a chronological
conclusion 6n ThL%enot is found the statement that' according to
the account of a priest' probably in the -Hth century' the custom
pre%ails in some of the islands to press the heads of ne$(born babes
bet$een t$o boards' also to flatten the forehead' Dsince they belie%ed
that this form $as a special mark of beautyD + similar deformation'
$ith more pronounced flattening and back$ard pressure of the forehead'
is sho$n on the crania $hich Jagor produced from a ca%e at Caramuan in
)uBon There are modes of flattening $hich remind one of Peru !hen
they came into our hands it $as indeed an immense surprise' since
no kno$ledge of such deformation in the 7outh 7ea $as at hand First
our information led to more thorough in%estigations; so $e are a$are
of se%eral eEamples of it from 6ndonesia and' indeed' from the 7outh
7ea F@allicoloG <o$e%er' this deformation furnishes no clue to the
antiAuity of the gra%es
FChinese and ?orean pottery are said to ha%e been found $ith
the deformed crania 7imilar deformations eEist in the Celebes'
>e$ Britain' etc <ead(shaping has been uni%ersal' cf + B @eyer'
=eber ?unstliche deformirte 7chaedel %on Borneo und @indanao and ueber
die #erbreitung der 7itte der ?unstlichen 7chaedeldeformirung' -..-'
IH pp' 1J((TranslatorG
6 ha%e sa$ed one of these skulls in t$o along the sagittal suture The
illustration gi%es a good idea of the amount of compression and of the
%iolence $hich this skull endured $hen Auite young The cranial ca%ity
is inclined back$ard and lengthened' and cur%es out abo%e' $hile the
occiput is pressed do$n$ard and the region of the front fontanelle
is correspondingly lacking )ike$ise' a considerable thickness of
the bone is to be noted' especially of the %erteE The upper ja$ is
slightly prognathous and the roof of the mouth unusually arched
For the purpose of the present study' it is unnecessary to go
further into particulars 6t might be mentioned that all )anang
skulls are characteriBed by their siBe and the firmness of bone'
so that they depart $idely from the characteristics of the other
Philippine eEamples kno$n to me 7imilar skulls ha%e been recei%ed
only from ca%es' $hich eEist in one of the little rocky islands east
from )uBon They suggest most ?anaka crania from <a$aii' and @oriori
crania from Chatham islands' and they raise the Auestion $hether
they do not belong to a migration period long before the time of
the @alays 6 ha%e' on %arious occasions' mentioned this probable
pre(@alayan' or at least proto(@alayan' population $hich stands in
nearest relation to the settling of Polynesia <ere 6 $ill merely
mention that the Polynesian sagas bring the progenitor from the $est'
and that the passage bet$een <almahera FGiloloG and the Philippines
is pointed out as the course of in%asion
+t any rate' it is Auite probable that the skulls from )anang'
Cragaray' and other Philippine 6slands are the remains of a %ery old'
if not autochthonous' prehistoric layer of population The present
mountain tribes ha%e furnished no close analogies +s to the 6gorots'
$hich Blumentritt attributes to the first in%asion' 6 refer to my
description gi%en on the ground of chronological in%estigations;
according to the account gi%en by <ans @eyer the disposal of the dead
in log coffins and in ca%es still goes on 8f the skulls themsel%es'
none $ere brachycephalous; on the contrary' they eEhibit platyrrhine
and in part decidedly pithecoid noses 8n the $hole' 6 came to the
conclusion' as did earlier Suatrefages and <amy' that 26ndications of
pre(@alay in%asion5 Dthey stand neEt in comparison $ith the ,ayaks
of Borneo'D but 6 hold yet the impression that they belong to a %ery
old' probably pre(@alay' immigration
!hen' on the -.th of @arch' -.:4' 6 made a communication on the
population of the Philippines' a bloody uprising had broken out
e%ery$here against the eEisting 7panish rule 6n this uprising a
certain portion of the population' and indeed that $hich had the
most %alid claim to aboriginality' the so(called >egritos' $ere not
in%ol%ed Their isolation' their lack of e%ery sort of political'
often indeed of %illage organiBation' also their meager numbers'
render it concei%able that the greatest changes might go on among
their neighbors $ithout their taking such a practical %ie$ of them
as to lead to their engaging in them Thus it can be understood ho$
they $ould take no interest in the further de%elopment of the affair
7ince then the result of the $ar bet$een 7pain and the +mericans has
been the destruction of 7panish po$er' and the treaty of Paris brought
the entire Philippine +rchipelago into the possession of the =nited
7tates of +merica <enceforth the principal interest is centered
upon the deportment of the insurgents' $ho ha%e not only outli%ed
the great $ar bet$een the po$ers' but are no$ determined to assert'
or $in' their independence from the conAuerors These insurgents' $ho
for bre%ity are called Filipinos' belong' as 6 ha%e remarked' to the
light(colored race of so(called 6ndios' $ho are sharply differentiated
from the >egritos Their ethnological position is difficult to fiE'
since numerous miEtures ha%e taken place $ith immigrant $hites'
especially $ith 7paniards' but also $ith people of yello$ and of
bro$n races((that is' $ith @ongols and Chinese Perhaps here and
there the importance of this miEture on the composite type of the
6ndios has been o%erestimated; at least in most places positi%e
proof is not forthcoming that foreign blood has imposed itself upon
the bright(colored population Both history and tradition teach' on
the contrary' as also the study of the physical peculiarities of the
people that among the %arious tribes differences eEist $hich suggest
family traits To this effect is the testimony of se%eral tra%elers
$ho ha%e follo$ed one another during a long period of time' as has
been de%eloped especially by Blumentritt
2+ll immigrations from the !est5 6n this connection it must not
be o%erlooked that all these immigrations' ho$soe%er many they be
supposed to ha%e been' must ha%e come this $ay from the $est 6ndeed'
a note$orthy migration from the east is entirely barred out' if $e
look no farther back than the Chinese and Japanese 8n the contrary'
all signs point to the assumption that from of old' long before the
coming of Portuguese and 7paniards' a strong mo%ement had gone on
from this region to the east' and that the great sea $ay $hich eEists
bet$een @indanao and the 7ulu islands on the north and <almahera
and the @oluccas in the south $as the entrance road along $hich
those tribes' or at least those na%igators $hose arri%al peopled
the Polynesian 6slands' found their $ay into the Pacific 8cean But
also the mo%ement of the Polynesians points to the $est' and if their
ancestors may ha%e come from 6ndonesia there is no doubt that in their
long journeys east$ard they must ha%e touched at the coasts of other
islands on their $ay' especially the Philippines Polynesian in%asions
of the Philippines are not supposed to ha%e closed $hen a migration of
peoples or of men passing out to the Pacific 8cean laid the foundation
of a large fraction of the population of the archipelago 6t is kno$n
that no$ and then single canoes from the Pele$ or the )adrone 6slands
$ere dri%en upon the east coast of )uBon' but their importance ought
not to be o%erestimated The migration this $ay from the $est must
henceforth remain as the point of departure for all eEplanations of
this eastern ethnology FThese statements are $ell enough for $orking
hypotheses' but actual proofs are not at hand "atBel' Berl #erhandl'
etc' Phil <ist Class' -.:.' 6' p II((TranslatorG
>o$' ho$ are the local differences of %arious tribes to be
eEplained' $hen on the $hole the place of origin $as the sameQ 6s
there here a secondary %ariation of the type' something brought
about through climate' food' circumstancesQ 6t is a large theme'
$hich' unfortunately' is too often dominated by pre%iously(formed
theories The importance of Den%ironmentD and mode of life upon
the corporeal de%elopment of man can not be contested' but the
measure of this importance is %ery much in doubt >o$here is this
measure' at least in the present consideration' less kno$n than in the
Philippines 6n spite of $ide geological and biological differences on
these islands' there eEists a close anthropological agreement of the
6ndios in the chief characteristics' and the effort to trace back the
tribal differences that ha%e been marked to climatic and alimentary
causes has not succeeded The influence of inherited peculiarities
is also more mighty here' as in most parts of the earth' than that of
DmilieuD
6f $e assume' first' that the immigrants brought their peculiarities
$ith them' $hich $ere fiEed already $hen they came' $e must also accept
as self(e%ident that the >egritos of the Philippines do not belong
to the same stock as the more po$erful' bright(colored 6ndios +s
long as these islands ha%e been kno$n' more than three centuries'
the skin of the >egritos has been dark bro$n' almost black' their
hair short and spirally t$isted' and just as long has the skin
of the 6ndios been bro$nish' in %arious shades' relati%ely clear'
and the hair has been long and arranged in $a%y locks +t no time'
so far as kno$n' has it been disco%ered that among a single family
a pronounced %ariation from these peculiarities had taken place 8n
this point there is entire unanimity 6n case of the >egritos there is
not the least doubt; of the 6ndios a doubt may arise' for' in fact'
the shades of skin color appear greatly %aried' since the bro$n is
at times Auite blackish' at times yello$ish' almost as %aried as is
the color of the sunburnt hair But e%en then the practiced eye easily
detects the descent' and if the skin alone is not sufficient the first
glance at the hair completes the diagnosis The correct eEplanation
of indi%idual or tribal %ariations is difficult only $ith the 6ndios'
$hile no such necessity eEists in the case of the >egritos But among
the 6ndios these indi%idual and tribal %ariations are so freAuent
and so outspoken that one is justified in making the inAuiry $hether
there has not de%eloped here a ne$ type of inherited peculiarities 6f
this $ere the case' it must still be held that already the immigrant
tribes had possessed them
2+ssistance from history5 >o$' history records that different
immigrations ha%e actually taken place )aying aside the latest
before the arri%al of the 7paniards' that of the 6slamites' in
the fourteenth and the fifteenth centuries' there remains the
older one 6f ethnologists and tra%elers in general come to the
conclusion concerning Borneo((and it is to be taken as certain((that
the differences no$ eEisting among the $ild tribes of this island are
%ery old' it ought not be thought so $onderful if' according to the
conditions of the tribes $hich ha%e immigrated thence' there should
eEist on the Philippines near one another dissimilar though related
peoples This difference is not difficult to recogniBe in manners and
customs((a side of the discussion $hich is further on to be treated
more fully !e begin $ith physical characteristics
2<air differences5 +mong these the hair occupies the chief
place To be sure' among all the 6ndios it is black' but it sho$s
not the slightest approach to the friBBled condition $hich is such
a prominent feature in the eEternal appearance of the >egritos and
of all the Papuan tribes of the East This friBBled condition may be
called $oolly' or in some$hat eEaggerated refinement in the name may
be attributed to the term D$ool'D all sorts of meanings akin to $ool;
in e%ery case there is $anting to all the 6ndios the crinkling of the
hair from its eEit out of the follicle' $hereby $ould result $ide
or narro$ spiral tubes and the coarse appearance of the so(called
DpeppercornD The hair of all 6ndios is smooth and straightened out'
and $hen it forms cur%es they are only feeble' and they make the
$hole out$ard appearance $a%y or' at most' curled
But $ithin this $a%y or curled condition of the hair there are again
differences 6n my former communication 6 ha%e attended to eEaminations
$hich 6 made upon a large number of islands in the @alay 7ea' and in
$hich it $as sho$n that a certain area eEists $hich begins $ith the
@oluccas and eEtends to the 7unda group' in $hich the hair sho$s a
strong inclination to form $a%y locks' indeed passes gradually into
crinkled' if not into spiral' rolls 7uch hair is found specially
in the interior of the islands' $here the so(called aboriginal
population is purer and $here for a long time the name of +lfuros
has been conferred on them 8n most points affinity $ith >egritos or
Papuans is not to be recogniBed 7hould such at any time ha%e eEisted'
$e are a long $ay from the period $hen the direct causes therefor are
to be looked for 6n this connection the study of the Philippines is
rich $ith instruction 6n the limits of the almost insular' isolated
>egrito encla%e' miEtures bet$een >egritos and 6ndios %ery seldom
surprise one' and ne%er the transitions that can ha%e arisen in the
post(generati%e time of de%elopment FThe island of >egros' on the
contrary' is peopled by such crossbreeds((TranslatorG
6f there are among the bright(colored islanders of the 6ndian 8cean
+lfuros and @alays close together there is nothing against coming upon
this contrast in the Philippine population also +mong the more central
peoples the tribal differences are so great that almost e%ery eEplorer
stumbles on the Auestion of miEture There not only the ,ayaks and the
other @alays obtrude themsel%es' but also the Chinese and the @ongolian
peoples of Farther 6ndia 6ndeed' many facts are kno$n' chiefly
in the language' the religion' the domestic arts' the agriculture'
the pastoral life $hich remind one of kno$n conditions peculiarly
6ndian The results of the ethnologists are so tangled here that one
has to be cautious $hen one or another of them dra$s conclusions
concerning immigrations' because of certain local or territorial
specialiBations 8f course' $hen a Brahmanic custom occurs any$here
it is right to conclude that it came here from 6ndia But before
assuming that the tribe in $hich such a custom pre%ails itself comes
from <ither or Farther 6ndia' the time has to be ascertained to $hich
the custom is to be traced back The chronological e%idence leads to
the confident belief that the custom and the tribe immigrated together
2+ncestor $orship5 8%er the $hole Philippine +rchipelago
religious customs ha%e changed $ith the progress of eEternal
relations Christianity has in many places spread its peculiar customs'
obser%ances' and opinions' and changed entirely the direction of
thought 8n closer %ie$ are to be detected in the midst of Christian
acti%ities older sur%i%als' as ingredients of belief $hich' in
spite of that religion' ha%e not %anished Before Christianity' in
many places' 6slam flourished' and it is not surprising to $itness'
as on @indanao' Christian and @ohammedan beliefs side by side But'
before 6slam' ancestor $orship' as has long been kno$n' $as $idely
pre%alent 6n almost e%ery locality' e%ery hut has its +nito $ith
its special place' its o$n d$elling; there are +nito pictures and
images' certain trees and' indeed' certain animals in $hich some
+nito resides The ancestor $orship is as old as history' for the
disco%erers of the Philippines found it in full bloom' and rightly
has Blumentritt characteriBed +nito $orship as the ground form of
Philippine religion <e has also furnished numerous eEamples of +nito
cult sur%i%ing in Christian communities
Chronology has a good ground$ork and it $ill ha%e to obser%e e%ery
footprint of %anishing creeds 8nly' it must not be o%erlooked that
the beginning of the chronology of religion has not been reached'
and that the origin of the generally diffused ancestor $orship' at
least on the Philippines' is not kno$n 6f it is borne in mind that
belief in +nitos is $idely diffused in Polynesia and in purely @alay
areas' the dra$ing of certain conclusions therefrom concerning the
prehistory of the Philippines is to be despaired of
2Tattooing5 >eEt to religious customs' among $ild tribes fashions
are most enduring )ittle of costume is to be seen' indeed' among
them Therefore' here tattooing asserts its s$ay The more it has
been studied in late years the more %aluable has been the information
in deciding the kinship relations of tribes =nfortunately' in the
Philippines the greater part of the early tattoo designs ha%e been
lost and the art itself is also nearly eliminated But since the
journey of Carl 7emper it has been kno$n that not only @alays but
also >egritos tattoo; indeed' this admirable eEplorer has decided
that the D>egroes of the East CoastD practice a different method of
tattooing from that of the @ari%eles in the $est' and on that account
they attain different results 6n the one case a needle is employed
to make fine holes in the skin in $hich to introduce the color; in
the other long gashes are made 6n the latter case prominent scars
result; in the former a smooth pattern But these combined patterns
are on the $hole the same' instead of rectilinear figures 7chadenburg
has the operations commence $ith a sharpened bamboo on children -0
years of age +mong the $ild tribes of the light(colored population
tattooing is not less diffused' but the patterns are not alike in the
different tribes 6sabelo de los "eyes reports that the Tinguianes'
$ho inhabit the mountain forests of the northern cordilleras of )uBon'
produce figures of stars' snakes' birds' etc' on children 4 to : years
old <ans @eyer describes the pattern of the 6gorots There appears to
eEist a great %ariety of symbols; for eEample' on the arms' straight
and crooked lines crossing one another; on the breast' feather(like
patterns )east freAuently he sa$ the so(called Burik designs' $hich
eEtended in parallel bands across the breast' the back' and cal%es'
and gi%e to the body the appearance of a sailorCs striped jacket 6t
is %ery remarkable that the human form ne%er occurs
!hat is true concerning tattooing on so many Polynesian islands
holds also completely here But reliable descriptions are so fe$'
and especially there is such a meager number of useful dra$ings'
that it $ould not repay the trouble to assemble the scattered data +t
least it $ill suffice to disco%er $hether among them there are genuine
tribal marks or to in%estigate concerning the distribution of separate
patterns Those kno$n sho$ conclusi%ely that in the matter of tattooing
the Filipinos are not differentiated from the islanders of the Pacific;
they form' moreo%er' an important link in the chain of kno$ledge
$hich demonstrates the genetic homogeneity of the inhabitants The
tattooings of the eastern islanders are comparable only to those of
+frican aborigines' $ith $hich last they furnish many family marks'
made out and recogniBed 6t is desirable that a trust$orthy collection
of all patterns be collected before the method becomes more altered
or destroyed
2Teeth alterations5 >eEt to the skin' among the $ild tribes the
teeth are modified in the most numerous artificial alterations The
preferable custom' common in +frica' of breaking out the front
teeth in greater or less number has not' so far as 6 remember' been
described among the Filipinos; 6 only mention that $hile 6 $as making a
re%ision of our Philippine crania' t$o of them turned up in $hich the
middle upper incisors had e%idently been broken out for a long time'
for the al%eolar border had shrunk into a small Auite smooth ridge'
$ithout a trace of an a%eolus 6t is other$ise $ith the pointing of
the incisors' especially the upper ones' $hich' also is not common 6
must lea%e it undecided $hether the sharpening is done by filing or by
breaking off pieces from the sides The latter should be in general
far more freAuent 6n e%ery case the other$ise broad and flat teeth
are brought to such sharp points as to project like those of the
carni%orous animals 6 ha%e met $ith this condition se%eral times
on >egrito skulls and furnished illustrations of them 8n a Tambal
skull' eEca%ated by ,r + B @eyer and $hich 6 lay before you'
the deformation is easy to be seen 6 called attention at the time
to the fact that among the @alays an entirely different method of
modifying the teeth is in %ogue' in $hich a horiBontal filing on the
front surface is practiced and the sharp lo$er edge is straightened
and $idened +lready the elder ThL%enot has accented this contrast
$hen he says*
DThese cause the teeth to be eAual' those file them to points' gi%ing
them the shape of a sa$D
This difference appears to ha%e held on till the present; at least
no skull of an 6ndio is kno$n to me $ith similar deformation of the
teeth This custom of the >egritos is so much more remarkable since
the chipping of the corners of the teeth is $idely spread among the
+frican blacks
27kill flattening5 The other part of the body used most for
deformation((the skull((is in strong contrast to the last(named
custom ,eformed crania; especially from older times' are Auite
numerous in the Philippines; probably they belong eEclusi%ely to
the 6ndios 6f they eEist among the >egritos' 6 do not kno$ it; the
only eEception comes from the Tinguianes' of $hom 6 de los "eyes
reports their skulls are flattened behind Fpor detrZs oprimidoG 7uch
flattening is found' ho$e%er' not seldom among tribes $ho ha%e the
practice of binding children on hard cradle boards((chiefly among those
families $ho keep their infants a long time on such contri%ances +
sure mark by $hich to discriminate accidental pressure of this sort
from one intentionally produced is not at hand; it may be that
in accidental deformation obliAue position of the deformed spot
is more freAuent; at any rate' the difference in the Philippines
is a %ery striking one' since there not so much the occiput as the
front and middle portions suffer from the disfigurements' and thereby
deformations are produced that ha%e had their most perfect eEpression
among the ancient Peru%ians and other +merican tribes
6 ha%e discussed cranial deformation of the +mericans in
greater detail' $here 6 eEhibit the accidental and the artificial
FintentionalG deformation in their principal forms The result is that
in large sections of +merica scarcely any ancient skulls are found
ha%ing their natural forms' but that the practice of deformation
has not been general; moreo%er' a number of deformation centers
may be differentiated $hich stand in no direct association $ith
one another The Peru%ian center is far remo%ed from that of the
north$est coast' and this again from that of the Gulf 7tates From
this it must not be said that each center may ha%e had its o$n' as
it $ere' autochthonous origin But the method has not so spread that
its course can be follo$ed immediately "ather is the supposition
confirmed that the method is to be traced to some other time'
therefore that some$here there must ha%e been a place of origin for
it 8n the Eastern <emisphere' and especially in the region here
under consideration' the relations are apparently other$ise <ere
eEist' so far as kno$n' great areas entirely free from deformation;
small ones' on the other hand' full of it There are here' also'
deformation centers' but only a fe$ +mong these' $ith our present
kno$ledge' the Philippines occupy the first place
The kno$ledge of this' indeed' is not of long duration Public
attention $as first aroused about thirty years ago concerning
skulls from 7amar and )uBon' gathered by F Jagor from ancient
ca%es' to furnish the proof of their deformation =p to that time
neEt to nothing $as kno$n of deformed crania in the oriental island
$orld First through my publication the attention of J G "iedel'
a most obser%ant ,utch resident' $as called to the fact that cranial
deformation is still practiced in the Celebes' and he $as so good as to
send us a specimen of the compressing apparatus for delicate infants
F-.41G Compressed crania $ere also found But the number $as small
and the compression of the separate specimens $as only slight 6n
both respects $hat $as obser%ed in the 7unda islands did not differ
from the state of the case in the Philippines Through JagorCs
collections different places had become kno$n $here deformed crania
$ere buried 7ince then the number of localities has multiplied 6
shall mention only t$o' on account of their peculiar locality 8ne is
Cagraray' a small island east of )uBon' in the Pacific 8cean' at the
entrance of the Bay of +lbay; the other' the island of @arinduAue'
in the $est' bet$een )uBon and @indoro From the last(named island 6
sa$' ten years ago' the first picture of one in a photograph album
accidentally placed in my hands 7ince then 6 had opportunity to
eEamine the 7chadenberg collection of crania' lately come into the
possession of the "eichsmuseum' in )eyden' and to my great delight
disco%ered in it a series of skulls $hich are compressed in eEactly
the same fashion as those of )anang 6t is said that these $ill soon
be described in a publication
6t is of especial interest that this method has been noted in the
Philippines for more than three hundred years 6n my first publication
6 cited a passage in ThL%enot $here he says' on the testimony of a
priest' that the nati%es on some islands had the custom of compressing
the head of a ne$born child bet$een t$o boards' so that it $ould be
no longer round' but lengthened out; also they flattened the forehead'
$hich they looked upon as a special mark of beauty This is' therefore'
an ancient eEample 6t is confirmed by the circumstance that these
crania are found especially in ca%es' from the roofs of $hich mineral
$aters ha%e dripped' $hich ha%e o%erlaid the bones partly $ith a thick
layer of calcareous matter The bones themsel%es ha%e an uncommonly
thick' almost i%ory' fossil(like appearance 8nly the outer surface
is in places corroded' and on these places saturated $ith a greenish
infiltration 6t is to be assumed' therefore' that they are %ery old 6
ha%e the impression that they must ha%e been placed here before the
disco%ery of the islands and the introduction of Christianity Their
peculiar appearance' especially their angular form and the thickness
of the bone' reminds one of crania from other parts of the 7outh 7ea'
especially those from Chatham and 7and$ich 6slands 6 shall not here
go further into this Auestion' but merely mention that 6 came to the
conclusion that these people must be looked upon as proto(@alayan
2<ope of Filipino and +merican study5 The changes $hich $ill take
place in the political condition of the Philippines may be of little
ser%ice to scientific eEplorations at first; but the study of the
population $ill be surely taken up $ith rene$ed energy +lready
in +merica scholars ha%e begun to occupy themsel%es there$ith +
brief article by ,r Brinton is to be mentioned as the first sign of
this But should the ardent desire of the Filipinos be realiBed' that
their islands ;hould ha%e political autonomy' it is to be hoped that'
out of the patriotic enthusiasm of the population and the scientific
spirit of many of their best men' ne$ sources of information $ill be
opened for the history and the de%elopment of oriental peoples To
this end it may be here mentioned' by the $ay' that the connecting
links of ancient Philippine history and the customs of these islands'
as $ell $ith the @elanesians as $ith the Polynesians of the south'
are yet to be disco%ered
+s representati%es of these t$o groups' 6 present' in closing' t$o
especially $ell(formed crania from the Philippines 8ne of them'
$hich sho$s the marks of antiAuity that 6 ha%e set forth' belongs
to an D6ndioD 2Comparison of 6ndio and >egrito skulls5 6t has
the high cranial capacity of -'910 cubic centimeters' a horiBontal
circumference of 9/9 millimeters' and a sagitta(circumference of
I.H millimeters; its form is hypsidolicho' Auite on the border of
mesocephaly* 6ndeE of $idth' 49I; indeE of height' 4HI Besides'
it has the appearance of a race capable of de%elopment; only' the
nose is platyrrhine FindeE' 9/IG' as among so many @alay tribes' and
in the left temple it bears a Processus frontalis sAuamae temporalis
de%eloped partly from an enlarged fontanelle The other skull $as one
taken from a >egrito gra%e of Tambales by ,r + B @eyer 6t makes'
at first glance' just as fa%orable an impression' but its capacity
is only -'-./ cubic centimeters; therefore I9. cubic centimeters less
than the other 6ts form is orthobrachycephalic; breadth indeE' .0/;
height indeE' 40H +s in single traits of de%elopment' so in the
measurements' the difference and the debased character of this race
obtrude themsel%es 8nly' the nasal indeE is some$hat smaller; on the
$hole' the nose has in its separate parts a decidedly pithecoid form
P+"T #6
People and Prospects of the Philippines
Black$oodCs magaBine for +ugust' -.-.' has an account of conditions
in @anila and the Philippines from data gi%en by an English merchant
$ho left the 6slands in -4:. after t$enty yearsC residence in $hich
he accumulated a fortune
D&our first Auestion' $ith respect to the 7panish population' must
refer to nati%e 7paniards only; as their numerous descendants' through
all the %ariety of half(castes' $ould include one third at least of
the $hole population of )uconia Fie' )uBon((+ CG
D8f nati%e 7paniards' accordingly' settled in the Philippine 6slands'
the total number may be stated at /'000 not military The military'
including all descriptions' men and officers' are about /'900'
out of $hich number the nati%e regiments are officered These last'
in -4:H(4' $ere almost entirely composed of 7outh +mericans and $ere
reckoned at 9'000 men' making a military force of about 4'900
DThe castes bearing a miEture of the 7panish blood are in )uconia
alone at least /00'000 The 7angleys' or Chinese descendants' are
up$ards of /0'000' and 6ndians' $ho call themsel%es the original
Tagalas' about I10'000' making a total population in that island of
about H00'000 souls !hat may be the respecti%e numbers in the other
Philippine 6slands 6 ne%er had any opportunity of learningD
FThis opinion' of a day $hen it $as not desired to disparage the
people' gi%es an idea of the miEed blood of the Filipinos $hich' in the
opinion of the ethnologists' like "atBel' is a source of strength 6t
classes them $ith the English and +mericans 8ne danger of the present
appears in o%er(emphasiBing the @alay blood' just as in 7panish times
a real loss seems to ha%e come from the contempt to$ard the Chinese
$hich led to minimiBing and concealing a most creditable ancestry
Prejudice in the past called all trouble makers mestiBos' but todayCs
study is sho$ing that trouble maker meant man $ho $ould stand up for
his rights; one must not forget that mestiBo $as used as a reproach'
that the leaders of the people $ere really typical of the people By
the old injustice those $ho $ere mediocre $ere called nati%es and
$hoe%er rose abo%e his fello$s $as claimed as a 7paniard' but a
fairer $ay $ould seem to be to consider Filipinos all born in the
Philippines((CG
The Cornhill magaBine in the late C40s had a contribution by the then
British Consul' @r Palgrea%e' on D@alay )ife in the Philippines'D
that makes more understandable the reputation of the islands' $hich
before the opening of the 7ueB $ere a health resort for Japan'
the China coast and 6ndia 6t also sho$s a fairness to the people
uncommon in the 7panish(inspired $ritings of his day
D,ull indeed must be his soul' unsympathetic his nature $ho can see
the forests and mountains of )uBon' Sueen of the Eastern 6sles' fade
a$ay into dim %iolet outlines on the fast receding horiBon $ithout
some pang of longing regret >ot the +egean' not the !est 6ndian'
not the 7amoan' not any ri%al in manifold beauties of earth' sea and
sky the Philippine +rchipelago Pity that for the Philippines no $ord
limner of note eEists The chiefest' the almost eEceptional spell of
the Philippines' is situated' not in the lake or %olcano' forest or
plain' but in the races that form the bulk of the island population
D6 said Calmost eEceptionalC because rarely is an intra(tropical
people a satisfactory one to eye or mind But this cannot be
said of the Philippine @alays $ho in bodily formation and mental
characteristics alike' may fairly claim a place' not among middling
ones merely' but among almost the higher names inscribed on the $orldCs
national scale + concentrated' ne%er(absent self(respect' an habitual
self(restraint in $ord and deed' %ery rarely broken eEcept $hen eEtreme
pro%ocation induces the transitory but fatal frenBy kno$n as Camok'C
and an inbred courtesy' eAually diffused through all classes' high or
lo$' unfailing decorum' prudence' caution' Auiet cheerfulness' ready
hospitality and a correct' though not in%enti%e taste <is family is
a pleasing sight' much subordination and little constraint' unison in
gradation' liberty((not license 8rderly children' respected parents'
$omen subject but not oppressed' men ruling but not despotic' re%erence
$ith kindness' obedience in affection' these form lo%able pictures'
not by any means rare in the %illages of the eastern islesD F<ere
again comes the necessity of combatting the popular impression that the
Philippines is a tropical land peopled by @alays The modification of
climate from being an ocean archipelago suggests that these islands are
really subtropical' $hile miEture of blood joined $ith three centuries
of European ci%iliBation makes the term @alay misleading((CG
; ; ; ; ;
P+"T #66
Filipino @erchants of the Early -.:0s
F ?aruth' F " G 7' FPresident of an English corporation interested
in Philippine miningG about -.:1' $rote*
DFe$ outside the comparati%ely narro$ circle $ho are directly
interested in the commerce and resources of the Philippine 6slands
kno$ anything about them The Philippine merchants are a rather
close community $hich only in the last decade or so has eEpanded its
diameter a little There are a number of %ery old established firms
amongst them' se%eral of them being British +mongst them also
are firms((perhaps as far as $ealth and local influence go' the most
important firms(($hose chiefs are partly at least of nati%e blood
>8TE7
2-5 >e$ &ork noon is @anilla -*01 neEt morning((C
2/5 >a%arrete' 6#' :4 8bs /a
2I5 +ccording to +lboCs ship journal' he percei%ed the difference at
the Cape de #erde 6slands on July :' -9//; D& este dPa fuL miercoles'
y este dPa tienen ellos pot jue%esD F+nd this day $as !ednesday and
this day they had as ThursdayG
215 6n a note on the -.th page of the masterly English F<akluyt
7ocietyG translation of @orga' 6 find the curious statement that
a similar rectification $as made at the same time at @acao' $here
the Portuguese' $ho reached it on an easterly course' had made the
mistake of a day the other $ay
295 To$ards the close of the siEteenth century the duty upon the
eEports to China amounted to N10'000 and their imports to at least
N-'II0'000 6n -.-0' after more than t$o centuries of undisturbed
7panish rule' the latter had sunk to N-'-90'000 7ince then they ha%e
gradually increased; and in -.H- they reached N/'-I0'000
2H5 The Panama canal pre%ents this((C
245 >a%arrete' 6#' 91 8bs -a
2.5 +ccording to GehlerCs Phys )eE #6' 190' the log $as first
mentioned by Purchas in an account of a %oyage to the East 6ndies in
-H0. Pigafetta does not cite it in his treatise on na%igation; but
in the forty(fifth page of his $ork it is said* D7econdo la misura
che face%amo del %iaggio colla cadena a poppa' noi percorre%amo H0 a
40 leghe al giornoD This $as as rapid a rate as that of our F-.40G
fastest steamboats((ten knots an hour
2:5 The European mail reaches @anila through 7ingapore and
<ongkong 7ingapore is about eAuidistant from the other t$o
places )etters therefore could be recei%ed in the Philippines as soon
as in China' if they $ere sent direct from 7ingapore 6n that case'
ho$e%er' a steamer communication $ith that port must be established'
and the traffic is not yet sufficiently de%eloped to bear the double
eEpense +ccording to the report of the English Consul F@ay' -.40G'
there is' besides the Go%ernment steamer' a pri%ate packet running
bet$een <ongkong and @anila The number of passengers it con%eyed
to China amounted' in -.H.' to 11- Europeans and I'01. Chinese;
total' I'1.: The numbers carried the other $ay $ere II0 Europeans
and 1'HH1 Chinese; in all' 1'::1 The fare is N.0 for Europeans and
N/0 for Chinamen
2-05 TuOiga' @a%ers' 6' //9
2--5 ,r Pedro PelaeB' in temporary charge of the diocese and dying
in the cathedral' $as the foremost Filipino %ictim Funds raised in
7pain for relief ne%er reached the sufferers' but not till the end
of 7panish rule $as it safe to comment on this in the Philippines((C
2-/5 TuOiga' Y#666' @ #elarde' p -I:
2-I5 Captain 7almon' Goch' 7 II
2-15 The opening of this port pro%ed so ad%antageous that 6 intended
to ha%e gi%en a fe$ interesting details of its trade in a separate
chapter' chiefly gathered from the %erbal and $ritten remarks of the
English #ice(Consul' the late @r > )oney' and from other consular
reports
2-95 6n -.H.' --/ foreign %essels' to the aggregate of 41'091 tons'
and 7panish ships to the aggregate of /H'4H/ tons' entered the
port of @anila >early all the first came in ballast' but left $ith
cargoes The latter both came and left in freight FEnglish ConsulCs
"eport' -.H:G
2-H5 6n -.H. the total eEports amounted to N-1'0-I'-0.; of this England
alone accounted for N1'.94'000' and the $hole of the rest of Europe for
only N-0/'144 The first amount does not include the tobacco duty paid
to 7pain by the colony' NI'-H:'-11 FEnglish ConsulCs "eport' -.H:G
2-45 )a PLrouse said that @anila $as perhaps the most fortunately
situated city in the $orld
2-.5 7apan or 7ibucao' Caesalpinia 7apan Pernambuco or BraBil
$ood' to $hich the empire of BraBil o$es its name' comes from the
Caesalpinia echinat and the Caesalpinia BraBiliensis FThe oldest
maps of +merica remark of BraBil* D6ts only useful product is BraBil
F$oodGDG The sapan of the Philippines is richer in dye stuff than
all other eastern asiatic $oods' but it ranks belo$ the BraBilian
sapan 6t has' no$adays' lost its reputation' o$ing to its being
often stupidly cut do$n too early 6t is sent especially to China'
$here it is used for dyeing or printing in red The stuff is first
macerated $ith alum' and then for a finish dipped in a $eak alcoholic
solution of alkali The reddish bro$n tint so freAuently met $ith in
the clothes of the poorer Chinese is produced from sapan
2-:5 )arge Auantities of small mussel shells FCypraea monetaG $ere
sent at this period to 7iam' $here they are still used as money
2/05 BerghausC Geo hydrogr @emoir
2/-5 @anila $as first founded in -94-' but as early as -9H9' =rdaneta'
)egaspiCs pilot' had found the $ay back through the Pacific 8cean
$hile he $as seeking in the higher northern latitudes for a fa%orable
north($est $ind 7trictly speaking' ho$e%er' =rdaneta $as not the first
to make use of the return passage' for one of )egaspiCs fi%e %essels'
under the command of ,on +lonso de +rellano' $hich had on board as
pilot )ope @artin' a mulatto' separated itself from the fleet after
they had reached the 6slands' and returned to >e$ 7pain on a northern
course' in order to claim the promised re$ard for the disco%ery ,on
+lonso $as disappointed' ho$e%er' by the speedy return of =rdaneta
2//5 ?ottenkamp 6' -9:1
2/I5 +t first the maEimum %alue of the imports only $as limited'
and the @anila merchants $ere not o%er scrupulous in making false
statements as to their $orth; to put an end to these malpractices a
limit $as placed to the amount of sil%er eEported +ccording to @as'
ho$e%er' the sil%er illegally eEported amounted to siE or eight times
the prescribed limit
2/15 )a PLrouse mentions a French firm F7ebisG' that' in -4.4' had
been for many years established in @anila
2/95 " Cocks to Thomas !ilson FCalendar of 7tate Papers' 6ndia'
>o ./IG DThe English $ill obtain a trade in China' so they
bring not in any padres Fas they term themG' $hich the Chinese cannot
abide to hear of' because heretofore they came in such s$arms' and
are al$ays begging $ithout shameD
2/H5 +s late as -.94 some old decrees' passed against the establishment
of foreigners' $ere rene$ed + royal ordinance of -.11 prohibits
the admission of strangers into the interior of the colony under any
preteEt $hatsoe%er
2/45 #ide Pinkerton
2/.5 Each packet $as 9 W / -K/ W - -K/ X -.49 7panish cubic
feet 7t CroiE
2/:5 #ide ComynCs comercio eEterior
2I05 The obras pias $ere pious legacies $hich usually stipulated
that t$o(thirds of their %alue should be ad%anced at interest for the
furtherance of maritime commercial undertakings until the premiums'
$hich for a %oyage to +capulco amounted to 90' to China /9' and to
6ndia I9 per cent' had increased the original capital to a certain
amount The interest of the $hole $as then to be de%oted to masses
for the founders' or to other pious and bene%olent purposes + third
$as generally kept as a reser%e fund to co%er possible losses The
go%ernment long since appropriated these reser%e funds as compulsory
loans' Dbut they are still considered as eEistingD
!hen the trade $ith +capulco came to an end' the principals could no
longer be laid out according to the intentions of the founders' and
they $ere lent out at interest in other $ays By a royal ordinance of
>o%ember I' -.91' a junta $as appointed to administer the property of
the The total capital of the fi%e endo$ments Fin reality only four'
for one of them no longer possessed anythingG amounted to nearly
a million of dollars The profits from the loans $ere distributed
according to the amounts of the original capital' $hich' ho$e%er'
no longer eEisted in cash' as the go%ernment had disposed of them
2I-5 #ide The%enot
2I/5 +ccording to @orga' bet$een the fourteenth and fifteenth
2II5 #ide ,e Guignes' Pinkerton Y6' and +nson Y
2I15 #ide +nson
2I95 "andolphCs <istory of California
2IH5 6n @orgaCs time' the galleons took se%enty days to the )adrone
6slands' from ten to t$el%e from thence to Cape Espiritu 7anto'
and eight more to @anila
2I45 + %ery good description of these %oyages may be found in the
-0th chapter of +nsonCs $ork' $hich also contains a copy of a sea map'
captured in the Ca%adonga' displaying the proper track of the galleons
to and from +capulco
2I.5 ,e Guignes
2I:5 The officer in command of the eEpedition' to $hom the title of
general $as gi%en' had al$ays a captain under his orders' and his
share in the gain of each trip amounted to N10'000 The pilot $as
content $ith N/0'000 The first lieutenant FmasterG $as entitled to :
per cent on the sale of the cargo' and pocketed from this and from the
profits of his o$n pri%ate %entures up$ards of NI90'000 F#ide +renasG
2105 The %alue of the cargoes +nson captured amounted to N-'I-I'000'
besides I9'H./ ounces of fine sil%er and cochineal !hile England
and 7pain $ere at peace' ,rake plundered the latter to the eEtent of
at least one and a half million of dollars Thomas Candish burnt the
rich cargo of the 7anta +nna' as he had no room for it on board his
o$n %essel
21-5 For instance' in -4.H the 7an +ndres' $hich had a cargo on board
%alued at a couple of millions' found no market for it in +capulco;
the same thing happened in -4.4 to the 7an Jose' and a second time
in -4.: to the 7an +ndres
21/5 6n -.99 its population consisted of 9.H European 7paniards'
-'I4. Creoles' H'I/I @alay Filipinos and mestiBos' II/ Chinamen'
/ <amburgers' - Portuguese' and - >egro
21I5 The earthAuake of -.HI destroyed the old bridge 6t is intended'
ho$e%er' to restore it; the supporting pillars are ready' and
the superincumbent iron structure is shortly eEpected from Europe
F+pril' -.4/G((The central span' damaged in the high $ater of -:-1'
$as temporarily replaced $ith a $ooden structure and plans ha%e been
prepared for a ne$ bridge' permitting ships to pass and to be used
also by the rail$ay' nearer the ri%er mouth((C
2115 "oescherCs Colonies
2195 + brief description of a nipa house' accompanying an illustration'
is here omitted((C
21H5 The follo$ing figures $ill gi%e an idea of the contents of
the ne$spapers 6 do not allude to the Bulletin 8fficial' $hich is
reser%ed for official announcements' and contains little else of
any importance The number lying before me of the Comercio F>o% /:'
-.9.G' a paper that appears siE times a $eek' consists of four pages'
the printed portion in each of $hich is -- inches by -4; the $hole'
therefore' contains 41. sAuare inches of printed matter They are
distributed as follo$s*((
Title' /4 -K/ sA in; an essay on the population of 7pain' taken
from a book' -0/ -K/ sA in; under the heading D>e$s from Europe'D
an article' Auoted from the +nnals of )a Caridad' upon the increase
of charity and Catholic instruction in France' 10 -K/ sA in;
Part 6' of a treatise on +rt and its 8rigin Fa series of truismsG'
40 sA in; eEtracts from the official sheet' /0 -K/ sA in; a fe$
ancient anecdotes' 9: sA in "eligious portion Fthis is di%ided into
t$o parts((official and unofficialG The first contains the saints
for the different days of the year' etc' and the announcements of
religious festi%als; the second ad%ertises a forthcoming splendid
procession' and contains the first half of a sermon preached three
years before' on the anni%ersary of the same festi%al' :: sA in'
besides an instalment of an old no%el' -91' and ad%ertisements' -49
sA in; total' 41. sA in 6n the last years' ho$e%er' the ne$spapers
sometimes ha%e contained serious essays' but of late these appear
eEtremely seldom
2145 #ide Pigafetta
21.5 Cock(fighting is not alluded to in the D8rdinances of good
go%ernment'D collected by <urtado Corcuera in the middle of the
se%enteenth century 6n -44: cock(fights $ere taEed for the first
time 6n -4.- the go%ernment farmed the right of entrance to
the galleras Fderi%ed from gallo' roosterG for the yearly sum of
N-1'4:. 6n -.HI the receipts from the galleras figured in the budget
for N-0H'000
+ special decree of -00 clauses $as issued in @adrid on the /-st of
@arch' -.H-' for the regulation of cock(fights The -st clause declares
that since cock(fights are a source of re%enue to the 7tate' they
shall only take place in arenas licensed by the Go%ernment The Hth
restricts them to 7undays and holidays; the 4th' from the conclusion
of high mass to sunset The -/th forbids more than N90 to be staked
on one contest The I.th decrees that each cock shall carry but one
$eapon' and that on its left spur By the 9/nd the fight is to be
considered o%er $hen one or both cocks are dead' or $hen one sho$s
the $hite feather 6n the )ondon ,aily >e$s of the I0th June' -.H:'
6 find it reported that fi%e men $ere sentenced at )eeds to t$o
monthsC hard labor for setting siE cocks to fight one another $ith
iron spurs From this it appears that this once fa%orite spectacle
is no longer permitted in England
21:5 The ra$ materials of these ad%entures $ere supplied by a French
planter' @ de la Gironiere' but their literary parent is a%o$edly
+leEander ,umas
2905 Botanical gardens do not seem to prosper under 7panish
auspices Chamisso complains that' in his day' there $ere no traces
left of the botanical gardens founded at Ca%ite by the learned
Cuellar The gardens at @adrid' e%en' are in a sorry plight; its
hothouses are almost empty The grounds $hich $ere laid out at great
eEpense by a $ealthy and patriotic 7paniard at 8rota%a FTeneriffeG'
a spot $hose climate has been of the greatest ser%ice to in%alids' are
rapidly going to decay E%ery year a considerable sum is appropriated
to it in the national budget' but scarcely a fraction of it e%er
reaches 8rota%a !hen 6 $as there in -.H4' the gardener had recei%ed
no salary for t$enty(t$o months' all the $orkmen $ere dismissed'
and e%en the indispensable $ater supply had been cut off
29-5 For a proof of this %ide the Berlin Ethnographical @useum'
>os /:1(/:9
29/5 Bertillon F+cclimatement et +cclimatation' ,ict Encycl des
7cience' @LdicalesG ascribes the capacity of the 7paniards for
acclimatiBation in tropical countries to the large admiEture of
7yrian and +frican blood $hich flo$s in their %eins The ancient
6berians appear to ha%e reached 7pain from Chaldea across +frica;
the Phoenicians and Carthaginians had flourishing colonies in the
peninsula' and' in later times' the @oors possessed a large portion
of the country for a century' and ruled $ith great splendor' a state
of things leading to a miEture of race Thus 7panish blood has three
distinct times been abundantly crossed $ith that of +frica The $arm
climate of the peninsula must also largely contribute to render its
inhabitants fit for life in the tropics The pure 6ndo(European race
has ne%er succeeded in establishing itself on the southern shores of
the @editerranean' much less in the arid soil of the tropics
6n @artiniAue' $here from eight to nine thousand $hites li%e on the
proceeds of the toil of -/9'000 of the colored race' the population
is diminishing instead of increasing The French creoles seem to
ha%e lost the po$er of maintaining themsel%es' in proportion to the
eEisting means of subsistence' and of multiplying Families $hich
do not from time to time fortify themsel%es $ith a strain of fresh
European blood' die out in from three to four generations The same
thing happens in the English' but not in the 7panish +ntilles' although
the climate and the natural surroundings are the same +ccording to
"am[n de la 7agra' the death(rate is smaller among the creoles' and
greater among the nati%es' than it is in 7pain; the mortality among
the garrison' ho$e%er' is considerable The same $riter states that
the real acclimatiBation of the 7panish race takes place by selection;
the unfit die' and the others thri%e
29I5 +n unnecessary line is here omitted((C
2915 ,epons' speaking of the means employed in +merica to obtain the
same end' says' D6 am con%inced that it is impossible to engraft the
Christian religion on the 6ndian mind $ithout miEing up their o$n
inclinations and customs $ith those of Christianity; this has been
e%en carried so far' that at one time theologians raised the Auestion'
$hether it $as la$ful to eat human fleshQ But the most singular part
of the proceeding is' that the Auestion $as decided in fa%or of the
anthropophagiD
2995 +s a matter of fact' producti%e land is al$ays appropriated'
and in many parts of the 6slands is difficult and eEpensi%e to
purchase >ear @anila' and in Bulacan' land has for many years past
cost o%er N//9 Fsil%erG an acre
29H5 6nd +rch 6#; I04
2945 6n BuitenBorgerCs garden' Ja%a' the author obser%ed' ho$e%er'
some specimens gro$ing in fresh $ater
29.5 Boyle' in his +d%entures among the ,yaks' mentions that he
actually found pneumatic tinder(boEes' made of bamboo' in use among
the ,yaks; Bastian met $ith them in Burmah Boyle sa$ a ,yak place
some tinder on a broken piece of earthen$are' holding it steady $ith
his thumb $hile he struck it a sharp blo$ $ith a piece of bamboo The
tinder took fire !allace obser%ed the same method of striking a
light in Ternate
29:5 Centigrade is changed to Fahrenheit by multiplying by nine(fifths
and adding thirty(t$o((C
2H05 Tylor F+nahuac //4G says that this $ord is deri%ed from the
@eEican petlatl' a mat The inhabitants of the Philippines call this
petate' and from the @eEican petla(calli' a mat Dhouse'D deri%e petaca'
a cigar case
2H-5 Four lines' re an omitted sketch' left out((C
2H/5 #oyage en Chine' %ol 66' page II
2HI5 +ccording to the report of an engineer' the sand banks are caused
by the ri%er 7an @ateo' $hich runs into the Pasig at right angles
shortly after the latter lea%es the )agoon; in the rainy season it
brings do$n a Auantity of mud' $hich is heaped up and embanked by the
south($est $inds that pre%ail at the time 6t $ould' therefore' be of
little use to remo%e the sandbanks $ithout gi%ing the 7an @ateo' the
cause of their eEistence' a direct and separate outlet into the lake
2H15 They take baths for their maladies' and ha%e hot springs for
this purpose' particularly along the shore of the kingCs lake FEstang
du "oy' instead of Estang de Bay by a printerCs mistake apparentlyG'
$hich is in the 6sland of @anila((The%enot
2H95 D8ne can scarcely $alk thirty paces bet$een @ount @akiling and
a place called Bacon' $hich lies to the east of )os BaOos' $ithout
meeting se%eral kinds of natural springs' some %ery hot' some luke$arm'
some of the temperature of the atmosphere' and some %ery cold 6n a
description of this place gi%en in our archi%es for the year -4I:' it
is recorded that a hill called >atognos lies a mile to the south(east
of the %illage' on the plateau of $hich there is a small plain 100
feet sAuare' $hich is kept in constant motion by the %olume of %apor
issuing from it The soil from $hich this %apor issues is an eEtremely
$hite earth; it is sometimes thro$n up to the height of a yard or a
yard and a half' and meeting the lo$er temperature of the atmosphere
falls to the ground in small piecesD((Estado geograph' -.H9
2HH5 Pigafetta says that the nati%es' in order to obtain palm($ine'
cut the top of the tree through to the pith' and then catch the sap
as it ooBes out of the incision +ccording to "egnaud' >atural <istory
of the Coco(tree' the negroes of 7aint Thomas pursue a similar method
in the present day' a method that considerably injures the trees and
produces a much smaller Auantity of liAuor <ernandeB describes an
indigenous process of obtaining $ine' honey' and sago from the sacsao
palm' a tree $hich from its stunted gro$th $ould seem to correspond
$ith the acenga saccharifera The trees are tapped near the top' the
soft part of the trunks is hollo$ed out' and the sap collects in this
empty space !hen all the juice is eEtracted' the tree is allo$ed to
dry up' and is then cut into thin pieces $hich' after desiccation in
the sun' are ground into meal
2H45 Pigafetta mentions that the nati%es $ere in the habit of making
oil' %inegar' $ine' and milk' from the coco(palm' and that they drank
a great deal of the $ine Their kings' he says' freAuently intoEicated
themsel%es at their banAuets
2H.5 + number of the 6llustrated )ondon >e$s' of ,ecember' -.94'
or January' -.9.' contains a cle%er dra$ing' by an accomplished
artist' of the mode of tra%elling o%er this road' under the title'
D+ macadamiBed road in @anilaD
2H:5 Erd and Picketing' of the =nited 7tates eEploring eEpedition'
determined the height to be H'900 English feet F4'-1I 7panishG'
not an unsatisfactory result' considering the imperfect means they
possessed for making a proper measurement 6n the @anila Estado
geographico for -.H9' the height is gi%en' $ithout any statement as
to the source $hence the estimate is deri%ed' as 4'0I0 feet The same
authority says' Dthe large %olcano is eEtinct since -4I0' in $hich
year its last eruption took place The mountain burst into flames on
the southern side' thre$ up streams of $ater' burning la%a' and stones
of an enormous siBe; traces of the last can be obser%ed as far as the
%illage of 7ariaya The crater is perhaps a league in circumference'
it is highest on the northern side' and its interior is shaped like
an egg(shell* the depth of the crater apparently eEtends half($ay
do$n the height of the mountainD
2405 From ponte' deck; a t$o(masted %essel' $ith mat sails' of about
-00 tons burden
24-5 Estado Geogr' p I-1
24/5 8fficially called Cagsaua The old to$n of Cagsaua' $hich $as
built higher up the hill and $as destroyed by the eruption of -.-1'
$as rebuilt on the spot $here formerly stood a small hamlet of the
name of ,araga
24I5 6 learnt from @r Paton that the undertaking had also been
represented as impracticable in +lbay D>ot a single 7paniard' not
a single nati%e had e%er succeeded in reaching the summit; in spite
of all their precautions they $ould certainly be s$allo$ed up in the
sandD <o$e%er' one morning' about fi%e oCclock' they set off' and soon
reached the foot of the cone of the crater +ccompanied by a couple of
nati%es' $ho soon left them' they began to make the ascent "esting
half $ay up' they noticed freAuent masses of shining la%a' thro$n
from the mouth of the crater' gliding do$n the mountain !ith the
greatest eEertions they succeeded' bet$een t$o and three oCclock'
in reaching the summit' $here' ho$e%er' they $ere pre%ented by the
noEious gas from remaining more than t$o or three minutes ,uring
their descent' they restored their strength $ith some refreshments
7r @uOoB had sent to meet them; and they reached +lbay to$ards
e%ening' $here during their short stay they $ere treated as heroes'
and presented $ith an official certificate of their achie%ement'
for $hich they had the pleasure of paying se%eral dollars
2415 From IH'000'000 to 10'000'000 lbs of cacao are consumed in Europe
annually; of $hich Auantity nearly a third goes to France' $hose
consumption of it bet$een -.9I and -.HH has more than doubled 6n
the former year it amounted to H'/-9'000 lbs' in the latter to
-/':4I'9I1 lbs #eneBuela sends the finest cacaos to the European
market' those of Porto Cabello and Caracas That of Caracas is the
dearest and the best' and is of four kinds* Chuao' Ghoroni' 8CCumar'
and "io Chico England consumes the cacao gro$n in its o$n colonies'
although the duty F-d per lbG is the same for all descriptions 7pain'
the principal consumer' imports its supplies from Cuba' Porto "ico'
Ecuador' @eEico' and Trinidad 7e%eral large and important plantations
ha%e recently been established by Frenchmen in >icaragua The cacao
beans of 7oconusco FCentral +mericaG and Esmeralda FEcuadorG are more
highly esteemed than the finest of the #eneBuela sorts; but they are
scarcely e%er used in the Philippines' and cannot be said to form
part of their commerce Germany contents itself $ith the inferior
kinds GuayaAuil cacao' $hich is only half the price of Caracas' is
more popular amongst the Germans than all the other %arieties together
2495 C 7cherBer' in his $ork on Central +merica' gi%es the cacao(tree
an eEistence of t$enty years' and says that each tree annually produces
from -9 to /0 ounces of cacao -'000 plants $ill produce -'/90 lbs of
cacao' $orth N/90; so that the annual produce of a single tree is $orth
a Auarter of a dollar @itscherlich says that from 1 to H lbs of ra$
beans is an a%erage produce + liter of dried cacao beans $eighs HI0
grains; of picked and roasted' H-0 grains
24H5 6n -4/4 a hurricane destroyed at a single blast the important
cacao plantation of @artiniAue' $hich had been created by long years of
eEtraordinary care The same thing happened at Trinidad((@itscherlich
2445 F Engel mentions a disease FmanchaG $hich attacks the tree
in +merica' beginning by destroying its roots The tree soon dies'
and the disease spreads so rapidly that $hole gro%es of cacao(trees
utterly perish and are turned into pastures for cattle E%en in the
most fa%ored localities' after a long season of prosperity' thousands
of trees are destroyed in a single night by this disease' just as the
har%est is about to take place +n almost eAually dangerous foe to
culti%ation is a moth $hose lar%a entirely destroys the ripe cacao
beans; and $hich only cold and $ind $ill kill <umboldt mentions
that cacao beans $hich ha%e been transported o%er the chilly passes
of the Cordilleras are ne%er attacked by this pest
24.5 G Bornoulli Auotes altogether eighteen kinds; of $hich he
mentions only one as generally in use in the Philippines
24:5 Pili is %ery common in 7outh )uBon' 7amar' and )eyte; it is to be
found in almost e%ery %illage 6ts fruit' $hich is almost of the siBe
of an ordinary plum but not so round' contains a hard stone' the ra$
kernel of $hich is steeped in syrup and candied in the same manner as
the kernel of the s$eet pine' $hich it resembles in fla%or The large
trees $ith fruit on them' Dabout the siBe of almonds and looking like
s$eet(pine kernels'D $hich Pigafetta sa$ at Jomonjol $ere doubtless
pili(trees +n oil is eEpressed from the kernels much resembling
s$eet almond oil 6f incisions are made in the stems of the trees'
an abundant pleasant(smelling $hite resin flo$s from them' $hich
is largely used in the Philippines to calk ships $ith 6t also has
a great reputation as an anti(rheumatic plaster 6t is t$enty years
since it $as first eEported to Europe; and the first consignees made
large profits' as the resin' $hich $as $orth scarcely anything in
the Philippines' became %ery popular and $as much sought in Europe
2.05 The general name for the be%erage $as Cacahoa(atl Fcacao
$aterG Chocolatl $as the term gi%en to a particular kind F <ernandeB
found four kinds of cacao in use among the +Etecs' and he describes
four %arieties of drinks that $ere prepared from them The third
$as called chocolatl' and apparently $as prepared as follo$s*((EAual
Auantities of the kernels of the pochotl FBombaB ceibaG and cacahoatl
FcacaoG trees $ere finely ground' and heated in an earthen %essel' and
all the grease remo%ed as it rose to the surface @aiBe' crushed and
soaked' $as added to it' and a be%erage prepared from the miEture; to
$hich the oily parts that had been skimmed off the top $ere restored'
and the $hole $as drunk hot
2.-5 Berthold 7eemann speaks of a tree $ith finger(shaped lea%es
and small round berries' $hich the 6ndians sometimes offered for
sale They made chocolate from them' $hich in fla%or much surpassed
that usually made from cacao
2./5 "eport of the French consul
2.I5 @ysore and @ocha coffees fetch the highest prices From N/0 to
N//90 per c$t is paid for @ysore; and as much as NI0' $hen it has
attained an age of fi%e or siE years' for @ocha
2.15 6n -.H9(HH(H4 California imported three and one(half' eight
and ten million lbs of coffee' of $hich t$o' four and fi%e millions
respecti%ely came from @anila 6n -.H. England $as the best customer
of the Philippines
2.95 "eport of the Belgian consul
2.H5 Coffee is such an eEAuisite be%erage' and is so seldom
properly prepared' that the follo$ing hints from a master in the
art F"eport of the Jury' 6nternat EEhib' Paris' -.H.G $ill not be
un$elcome*((-st 7elect good coffees /nd @iE them in the proper
proportions Ird Thoroughly dry the beans; other$ise in roasting them
a portion of the aroma escapes $ith the steam 1th "oast them in a dry
atmosphere' and roast each Auality separately 9th +llo$ them to cool
rapidly 6f it is impossible to roast the beans at home' then purchase
only sufficient for each dayCs consumption !ith the eEception of the
fourth' ho$e%er' it is easy to follo$ all these directions at home;
and small roasting machines are purchasable' in $hich' $ith the aid
of a spirit lamp' small Auantities can be prepared at a time 6t is
best' $hen possible' to buy coffee in large Auantities' and keep it
stored for t$o or three years in a dry place
2.45 + creeping' or rather a running fern' nearly the only one of
the kind in the $hole species
2..5 The official accounts stated that they had kidnapped t$enty(one
persons in a couple of $eeks
2.:5 )e Gentil' in his Tra%els in the 6ndian 7eas' F-4H-G says*
DThe monks are the real rulers of the pro%inces Their po$er is so
unlimited that no 7paniard cares to settle in the neighborhood The
monks $ould gi%e him a great deal of troubleD
2:05 7t CroiE
2:-5 7t CroiE
2:/5 There are three classes of alcaldeships' namely' entrada'
ascenso' and termino F%ide "oyal 8rdinances of @arch' -.I4G; in
each of $hich an alcalde must ser%e for three years >o official is
allo$ed' under any pretence' to ser%e more than ten years in any of
the +siatic magistracies
2:I5 The la$ limiting the duration of appointments to this short
period dates from the earliest days of 7panish coloniBation in
+merica There $as also a %ariety of minor regulations' based on
suspicion' prohibiting the higher officials from miEing in friendly
intercourse $ith the colonists
2:15 + secular priest in the Philippines once related to me' Auite of
his o$n accord' $hat had led him to the choice of his profession 8ne
day' $hen he $as a non(commissioned officer in the army' he $as playing
cards $ith some comrades in a shady balcony D7ee'D cried one of his
friends' obser%ing a peasant occupied in tilling the fields in the
full heat of the sun' Dho$ the donkey yonder is toiling and perspiring
$hile $e are lolling in the shadeD The happy conceit of letting the
donkeys $ork $hile the idle enjoyed life made such a deep impression on
him that he determined to turn priest; and it is the same felicitous
thought that has impelled so many impecunious gentlemen to become
colonial officials The little opening for ci%il labor in 7pain and
Portugal' and the prospect of comfortable perAuisites in the colonies'
ha%e sent many a star%ing caballero across the ocean
2:95 The eEploitation of the 7tate by party' and the eEploitation of
party by indi%iduals' are the real secrets of all re%olutions in the
Peninsula They are caused by a constant and uni%ersal struggle for
office >o one $ill $ork' and e%erybody $ants to li%e luEuriously; and
this can only be done at the eEpense of the 7tate' $hich all attempt
to turn and t$ist to their o$n ends 7hortly after the eEpulsion of
6sabella' an alcaldeCs appointment has been kno$n to ha%e been gi%en
a$ay three times in one day FPrussian &ear(Book' January' -.H:G
2:H5 +ccording to Gruno$' Cladophona arrisgona ?uetBing((Confer%a
arrisgona @ontague
2:45 + %isita is a small hamlet or %illage $ith no priest of its
o$n' and dependent upon its largest neighbor for its religious
ministrations
2:.5 Pigafetta mentions that the female musicians of the ?ing of
Cebu $ere Auite naked' or only co%ered $ith an apron of bark The
ladies of the Court $ere content $ith a hat' a short cloak' and a
cloth around the $aist
2::5 Perhaps the same reason induced the Chinese to purchase
crucifiEes at the time of their first intercourse $ith the Portuguese;
for Pigafetta says* DThe Chinese are $hite' $ear clothes' and eat
from tables They also possess crucifiEes but it is difficult to say
$hy or $here they got themD
2-005 8ne line here omitted((C
2-0-5 +pud Camarines AuoAue terrain eodem die Auator decies
contremuisse' fide dignis testimoniis renuntiatum est* multa interim
aedificia diruta 6ngentem montem medium crepuisse immani hiatu' eE
immensa %i eEcussisse arbores per oras pelagi' ita ut leucam occuparent
aeAuoris' nec humor per illud inter%allum appareret +ccidit hoc
anno -H/.((7 Eusebius >ieremberAius' <istoria >aturae' lib E%i'
I.I +nt$erpiae' -HI9
2-0/5 +t Fort !illiam' Calcutta' eEperiments ha%e pro%ed the
eEtraordinary endurance of the pine(apple fibre + cable eight
centimeters in circumference $as not torn asunder until a force
of /'.90 kilogrammes had been applied to it(("eport of the Jury'
)ondon 6nternational EEhibition
2-0I5 7apa means shallo$
2-015 To the eEtraordinary abundance of these annulates in 7ikkin'
<ooker F<imalayan Journal' i' -H4G ascribes the death of many animals'
as also the murrain kno$n as rinderpest' if it occurred after a %ery
$et season' $hen the leech appears in incredible numbers 6t is a
kno$n fact that these $orms ha%e eEisted for days together in the
nostrils' throat' and stomach of man' causing ineEpressible pain and'
finally' death
2-095 Gemelli Careri has already mentioned them
2-0H5 6 disco%ered similar formations' of eEtraordinary beauty and
eEtent' in the great silicious beds of 7teamboat 7prings in >e%ada
2-045 +renas thinks that the ancient annals of the Chinese probably
contain information relati%e to the settlement of the present
inhabitants of @anila' as that people had early intercourse $ith
the +rchipelago
2-0.5 Probably the +nodonta Purpurea' according to # @artens
2-0:5 - ganta X I liters - AuiOon X -00 lobnes X /4:1:9 hectares X
H.: acres - caban X /9 gantas
2--05 7cherBer' @iscellaneous 6nformation
2---5 @ore than one hundred years later' Father Taillandier
$rites*((DThe 7paniards ha%e brought co$s' horses' and sheep from
+merica; but these animals cannot li%e there on account of the dampness
and inundationsD((F)etters from Father Taillandier to Father !illardG
2--/5 +t the present time the Chinese horses are plump' large(headed'
hairy' and $ith bushy tails and manes; and the Japanese' elegant and
enduring' similar to the +rabian Good @anila horses are of the latter
type' and are much priBed by the Europeans in Chinese seaport to$ns
2--I5 Compare <ernandeB' 8pera 8mnia; TorAuemada' @onarchia 6ndica
2--15 Buyo is the name gi%en in the Philippines to the preparation of
betel suitable for che$ing + leaf of betel pepper FCha%ica betelG'
of the form and siBe of a bean(leaf' is smeared o%er $ith a small
piece of burnt lime of the siBe of a pea' and rolled together from
both ends to the middle; $hen' one end of the roll being inserted
into the other' a ring is formed' into $hich a smooth piece of areca
nut of corresponding siBe is introduced
2--95 T$el%e lines are omitted here((C
2--H5 1 lines are omitted((C
2--45 6n the country it is belie%ed that s$ineCs flesh often causes
this malady + friend' a physiologist' conjectures the cause to be
the free use of %ery fat pork; but the nati%es commonly eat but little
flesh' and the pigs are %ery seldom fat
2--.5 Compare + Erman' Journey "ound the Earth Through >orthern +sia'
%ol iii' sec i' p -:-
2--:5 +ccording to 7emper' p H:' in Tamboanga and Basilan
2-/05 The fear of $aking sleeping persons really refers to the
$idely(spread superstition that during sleep the soul lea%es the body;
numerous instances of $hich occur in BastianCs $ork +mongst the
Tinguianes F>orth )uBonG the $orst of all curses is to this effect*
D@ayCst thou die sleepingRD((6nforme' i -1
2-/-5 )e$in FDChittagong <ill Tracks'D -.H:' p 1HG relates of
the mountain people at that place* DTheir manner of kissing is
peculiar 6nstead of pressing lip to lip' they place the mouth and
nose upon the cheek' and inhale the breath strongly Their form of
speech is not CGi%e me a kiss'C but C7mell meC D
2-//5 Probably pot(stone' $hich is employed in China in the manufacture
of cheap ornaments Gypseous refers probably only to the degree
of hardness
2-/I5 6n the Christy collection' in )ondon' 6 sa$ a stone of this
kind from the 7chiffer 6slands' employed in a contri%ance for the
purpose of protection against rats and mice + string being dra$n
through the stone' one end of it is suspended from the ceiling of the
room' and the objects to be preser%ed hang from the other + knot
in the middle of the string pre%ents its sliding belo$ that point'
and' e%ery touch dra$ing it from its eAuilibrium' it is impossible
for rats to climb upon it + similar contri%ance used in the #iti
6slands' but of $ood' is figured in the +tlas to ,umont ,C=r%illeCs
D#oyage to the 7outh Pole'D Fi :9G
2-/15 DCarlettiCs #oyages'D ii --
2-/95 D)ife in the Forests of the Far East'D i I00
2-/H5 +ccording to Father Camel FDPhilisoph Trans )ondon'D %ol EE%i'
p /1HG' hantu means black ants the siBe of a $asp; amtig' smaller
black; and hantic' red ants
2-/45 +ccording to ,r Gerstaecker' probably Phrynus Grayi !alck
Ger%' bringing forth ali%e D7 7itBungsb Ges >aturf Freunde'
BerlD @arch -.' -.H/' and portrayed and described in G < Bronn'
D8rd Class'D %ol % -.1
2-/.5 Calapnit' Tagal and Bicol' the bat; calapnitan' conseAuently'
lord of the bats
2-/:5 6n only one out of se%eral eEperiments made in the Berlin @ining
College did gold(sand contain 00-1 gold; and' in one eEperiment on
the hea%y sand remaining on a mud(board' no gold $as found
2-I05 The Gogo is a climbing @imosa FEntada pursetaG $ith large pods'
%ery abundant in the Philippines; the pounded stem of $hich is employed
in $ashing' like the soap(bark of Chili FSuillaja saponariaG; and
for many purposes' such as baths and $ashing the hair of the head'
is preferred to soap
2-I-5 + small gold nugget obtained in this manner' tested at the
Berlin @ining College' consisted of((
Gold 441
7il%er -:0
6ron 09
Flint earth I
)oss 0-
-00
2-I/5 The nest and bird are figured in GrayCs DGenera of BirdsD;
but the nest does not correspond $ith those found here These
are hemispherical in form' and consist for the most part of coir
Fcoco fibersG; and' as if prepared by the hand of man' the $hole
interior is co%ered $ith an irregular net($ork of fine threads of
the glutinous edible substance' as $ell as the upper edge' $hich
s$ells gently out$ards from the center to$ards the sides' and eEpands
into t$o $ing(shaped prolongations' resting on one another' by $hich
the nest is fiEed to the $all ,r % @artens conjectures that the
designation salangane comes from langayah' bird' and the @alay prefiE
sa' and signifies especially the nest as something coming from the
bird((FDJournal of 8rnith'D Jan' -.HHG
2-II5 7panish Catalogue of the Paris EEhibition' -.H4
2-I15 D6nforme sobre las @inas de Cobre'D @anila' -.H/
2-I95 +ccording to the Catalogue' the follo$ing ores are
found*((#ariegated copper ore Fcobre gris abigarradoG' arsenious copper
Fc gris arsenicalG' %itreous copper Fc %itreoG' copper pyrites
Fpirita de cobreG' solid copper Fmata cobriBaG' and black copper
Fc negroG The ores of most freAuent occurrence ha%e the follo$ing
composition((+' according to an analyBed specimen in the 7chool of
@ines at @adrid; B' according to the analysis of 7antos' the mean of
se%eral specimens taken from different places*((
+ B
7ilicious +cid /9.00 140H
7ulphur I-4-9 1111
Copper /1H10 -HH1
+ntimony ./0H 9-/
+rsenic 49I: 1H9
6ron -.I4 -.1
)ime in traces ((
)oss 0/HI 0/9
((((((( ((((((
-00000 -0000
2-IH5 +ccording to the prices current $ith us' the %alue $ould be
calculated at about N-/; the %alue of the analyBed specimen' to $hich
$e ha%e before referred' N-190
2-I45 6n ,aet at that season siE nuts cost one cuarto; and in >ags'
only fifteen leagues a$ay by $ater' they eEpected to sell t$o nuts for
nine cuartos Ft$enty(se%enfoldG The fact $as that in >aga' at that
time' one nut fetched t$o cuartos((t$el%e times as much as in ,aet
2-I.5 > )oney asserts' in one of his eEcellent reports' that there
ne%er is a deficiency of suitable laborers +s an eEample' at the
unloading of a ship in 6loilo' many $ere brought together at one
time' induced by the small rise of $ages from one to one and one(half
reales; e%en more hands than could be employed The Belgian consul'
too' reports that in the pro%inces $here the abacZ gro$s the $hole
of the male population is engaged in its culti%ation' in conseAuence
of a small rise of $ages
2-I:5 +n unfinished canal' to run from the Bicol to the Pasacao "i%er'
$as once dug' as is thought' by the Chinese' $ho carried on commerce
in great numbers((+renas' p -10
2-105 )a 7ituation EconomiAue de lCEspagne
2-1-5 )esage' DCoup dC8eil'D in Journal des Economistes' 7eptember'
-.H.
2-1/5 From barometrical obser%ations((
m
Goa' on the northern slope of the 6sar[g I/
=acloy' a settlement of 6gorots -H-
"a%ine of Baira -'-I1
7ummit of the 6sarog -':HH
2-1I5 The skull of a slain 6gorot' as sho$n by Professor #ircho$Cs
in%estigation' has a certain similarity to @alay skulls of the
adjoining 6slands of 7unda' especially to the skulls of the ,yaks
2-115 Pigafetta found +mboyna inhabited by @oors F@ohammedansG and
heathens; Dbut the first possessed the seashore' the latter the
interiorD 6n the harbor of Brune FBorneoG he sa$ t$o to$ns; one
inhabited by @oors' and the other' larger than that' and standing
entirely in the salt($ater' by heathen The editor remarks that
7onnerat FD#oyage auE 6ridesDG subseAuently found that the heathen
had been dri%en from the sea' and had retired into the mountains
2-195 8n CoelloCs map these proportions are $rongly stated
2-1H5 DJa%a' seine Gestalt Fits formationGD 66 -/9
2-145 +n intelligent mestiBo freAuently %isited me during my
sickness +ccording to his statements' besides the copper already
mentioned' coal is found in three places' and e%en gold and iron $ere
to be had To the same man 6 am indebted for Professor #ircho$Cs
skull of Caramuan' referred to before' $hich $as said to ha%e come
from a ca%ern in =mang' one league from Caramuan 7imilar skulls are
also said to be found at the #isita Paniniman' and on a small island
close to the #isita Guialo
2-1.5 They are made of bamboo
2-1:5 The fruit of the $ild pili is unfit for food
2-905 -4I49 Cent or HI Far((C
2-9-5 -9H Cent or H0 Far((C
2-9/5 7or 6nspector por 7 @
>osotros dos Capnes actuales de "ancherias de )alud y =acloy
comprension del pueblo de Goa pro% a de Camarines 7ur +nte los pies
de %md postramos y decimos Sue por tan deplorable estado en Aue nos
hallabamos de la infedelidad recienpoblados esta %isitas de "ancherias
ya nos Contentamos bastantemente en su felis llegada y su%ida de este
eminente monte de 6sarog loAue ha%ia con AuiBtado industriamente
de # bajo mis consuelos' y alibios para poder con seguir a doce
ponos Fie arbolesG de cocales de mananguiteria para >uestro uso y
alogacion a los demas 6gorotes' o montesinos A no Auieren %endirnos;
eta utilidad publica y reconocer a ,ios y a la soberana "eyna y 7ofa
,oOa 6sabel /a FAue ,ios GueG & por intento
+ # pedimos' y suplicamos con humildad secir%a pro%eer y mandar'
si es gracia segun lo A imploramos' etc ,omingo Talesc Jose
)aurencianoc
2-9I5 ,endrobium ceraula' "eichenbach
2-915 "afflesia Cumingii " Bro$n' according to ,r ?uhn
2-995 +ccording to E BernaldeB FDGuerra al 7urDG the number of
7paniards and Filipinos kidnapped and killed $ithin thirty years
amounted to t$enty thousand
2-9H5 The richly laden >ao F@eEican galleonG acted in this $ay
2-945 EEtract from a letter of the alcalde to the captain(general'
June /0' CH0*((DFor ten days past ten pirate %essels ha%e been lying
undisturbed at the island of 7an @iguel' t$o leagues from Tabaco' and
interrupt the communication $ith the island of Catanduanes and the
eastern part of +lbay ; ; ; They ha%e committed se%eral robberies'
and carried off siE men >othing can be done to resist them as there
are no fire(arms in the %illages' and the only t$o faluas ha%e been
detained in the roads of 7an Bernardino by stress of $eatherD
)etter of June /9*((DBesides the abo%e pri%ate ships four large pancos
and four small %intas ha%e made their appearance in the straits of
7an Bernardino ; ; ; Their force amounts from four hundred and fifty
to fi%e hundred men ; ; ; +lready they ha%e killed siEteen men'
kidnapped ten' and captured one shipD
2-9.5 6n ChamissoCs time it $as e%en $orse DThe eEpeditions
in armed %essels' $hich $ere sent from @anila to cruise against
the enemy Fthe piratesG ; ; ; ser%e only to promote smuggling'
and Christians and @oros a%oid one another $ith eAual diligence
on such occasionsD FD8bser%ations and #ie$s'D p 4IG ; ; ; @as
Fi i% 1IG reports to the same effect' according to notices from the
secretary(generalCs office at @anila' and adds that the cruisers sold
e%en the royal arms and ammunition' $hich had been entrusted to them'
$hence much passed into the hands of the @oros The alcaldes $ere
said to influence the commanders of the cruisers' and the latter
to o%erreach the alcaldes; but both usually made common cause )a
PLrouse also relates Fii' p I94G' that the alcaldes bought a %ery
large number of persons $ho had been made sla%es by the pirates
Fin the PhilippinesG; so that the latter $ere not usually brought to
Bata%ia $here they $ere of much less %alue
2-9:5 +ccording to the ,iario de @anila' @arch -1' -.HH' piracy on
the seas had diminished' but had not ceased Paragua' Calamianes'
@indoro' @indanao' and the Bisayas still suffer from it "obberies and
kidnapping are freAuently carried on as opportunity fa%ors; and such
casual pirates are to be eEtirpated only by eEtreme se%erity +ccording
to my latest accounts' piracy is again on the increase
2-H05 The 7paniards attempted the conAuest of the 7ulu 6slands in
-H/.' -H/:' -HI4' -4I-' and -41H; and freAuent eEpeditions ha%e since
taken place by $ay of reprisals + great eEpedition $as like$ise sent
out in 8ctober' -.4-' against 7ulu' in order to restrain the piracy
$hich recently $as getting the upper hand; indeed' a year or t$o
ago' the pirates had %entured as far as the neighborhood of @anila;
but in +pril of this year F-.4/G the fleet returned to @anila $ithout
ha%ing effected its object The 7paniards employed in this eEpedition
almost the $hole marine force of the colony' fourteen ships' mostly
steam gunboats; and they bombarded the chief to$n $ithout inflicting
any particular damage' $hile the @oros $ithdre$ into the interior'
and a$aited the 7paniards F$ho' indeed' did not %enture to landG in
a $ell(eAuipped body of fi%e thousand men +fter months of inacti%ity
the 7paniards burnt do$n an unarmed place on the coast' committing many
barbarities on the occasion' but dre$ back $hen the $arriors ad%anced
to the combat The ports of the 7ulu archipelago are closed to trade
by a decree' although it is Auestionable $hether all na%igators
$ill pay any regard to it >ot long since the so%ereignty of his
district $as offered by the 7ultan of 7ulu to the ?ing of Prussia;
but the offer $as declined
2-H-5 The ,iario de @anila of June 1' -.HH' states*((D&esterday the
military commission' established by ordinance of the Ird +ugust'
-.H9' discontinued its functions The ordinary tribunals are again
in force The numerous bands of thirty' forty' and more indi%iduals'
armed to the teeth' $hich ha%e left behind them their traces of
blood and fire at the doors of @anila and in so many other places'
are annihilated ; ; ; @ore than fifty robbers ha%e eEpiated their
crimes on the gallo$s' and one hundred and forty ha%e been condemned
to presidio Fforced laborG or to other punishmentsD
2-H/5 +ccording to +renas FD@emorias'D /-G +lbay $as formerly called
6balon; Tayabas' Calilaya; Batangas' Comintan; >egros' Buglas; Cebu'
7ogbu; @indoro' @ait; 7amar' 6babao; and Basilan' Taguima @indanao
is called Cesarea by B de la Torre' and 7amar' by " ,udleo
D+rcano del @areD FFlorence' -4H-G' Camlaia 6n <ondi%Cs map of the
6ndian islands FPurchas' H09G )uBon is )uconia; 7amar' +chan; )eyte'
7abura; Camarines' >ebui 6n +lboCs DJournal'D Cebu is called 7uba;
and )eyte' 7eilani Pigafetta describes a city called Cingapola in
Tubu' and )eyte' on his map' is in the north called Baybay' and in
the south Ceylon
2-HI5 >o mention is made of it in the Estado geografico of the
Franciscans' published at @anila in -.99
2-H15 7mall ships $hich ha%e no cannon should be pro%ided $ith pitchers
filled $ith $ater and the fruit of the sacchariferous arenga' for the
purpose of be sprinkling the pirates' in the e%ent of an attack' $ith
the corrosi%e miEture' $hich causes a burning heat ,umont dC=r%ille
mentions that the inhabitants of 7olo had' during his %isit' poisoned
the $ells $ith the same fruit The kernels preser%ed in sugar are an
agreeable confection
2-H95 There $ere also elected a teniente mayor Fdeputy of the
gobernadorcillo' a jueB mayor Fsuperior judgeG for the fields' $ho is
al$ays an eE(captain; a second judge for the police; a third judge
for disputes relating to cattle; a second and third teniente; and
first and second policemen; and finally' in addition' a teniente'
a judge' and a policeman for each %isita +ll three of the judges
can be eE(capitanes' but no eE(capitan can be teniente The first
teniente must be taken from the higher class' the others may belong
either to that or to the common people The policemen FalguacilsG
are al$ays of the latter class
2-HH5 G 7Auier FD7tates of Central +merica'D -:/G mentions a block
of mahogany' se%enteen feet in length' $hich' at its lo$est section'
measured fi%e feet siE' inches sAuare' and contained altogether fi%e
hundred fifty cubic feet
2-H45 +ccording to ,r # @artens' @odiola striatula' <anley' $ho found
the same bi%al%e at 7ingapore' in brackish $ater' but considerably
larger "ee%e also delineates the species collected by Cumming in the
Philippines' $ithout precise mention of the locality' as being larger
FI. mmG' that from Catarman being -4 mm
2-H.5 6n 7umatra !allace sa$' in the t$ilight' a lemur run up the trunk
of a tree' and then glide obliAuely through the air to another trunk'
by $hich he nearly reached the ground The distance bet$een the t$o
trees amounted to /-0 feet' and the difference of height $as not abo%e
I9 or 10 feet; conseAuently' less than l*9((FD@alay +rchipelago'D
i /--G
2-H:5 +ccording to ! Peters' Tropidolaenus Philippinensis' Gray
2-405 # @artens identified amongst the tertiary mussels of the
banks of clay the follo$ing species' $hich still li%e in the 6ndian
8cean*((#enus F<emitapesG hiantina' )am; # sAuamosa' ); +rca
cecillei' Phil; + inaeAui%al%is' Brug; + chalcanthum' "%' and
the genera &oldia' Pleurotoma' Cu%ieria' ,entalium' $ithout being
able to assert their identity $ith li%ing species
2-4-5 Tarsius spectrum' Tem; in the language of the country((mago
2-4/5 Father Camel mentions that the little animal is said to li%e
only on coal' but that it $as an error' for he ate the ficus 6ndica
Fby $hich $e here understand him to mean the bananaG and other
fruits FCamel de Auadruped Phil Trans' -40H(4 )ondonG Camel
also gi%es Fp -:1G an interesting account of the kaguang' $hich is
accurate at the present day((6bid' ii 7 /-:4
2-4I5 The follo$ing communication appeared for the first time in
the reports of a session of the +nthropological 7ociety of Berlin;
but my %isitors $ere there denominated Palaos islanders But'
as Prof 7emper' $ho spent a long time on the true Palaos FPele$G
islands' correctly sho$s in the DCorresp(Bl f +nthropol'D -.4-'
>o /' that =liai belongs to the group of the Carolinas' 6 ha%e here
retained the more common eEpression' @icronesian' although those men'
respecting $hose arri%al from =liai no doubt eEisted' did not call
themsel%es Caroline islanders' but Palaos +s communicated to me by
,r Graeffe' $ho li%ed many years in @icronesia' Palaos is a loose
eEpression like ?anaka and many others' and does not' at all e%ents'
apply eEclusi%ely to the inhabitants of the Pele$ group
2-415 ,umont dC=r%ille' #oyage to the 7outh Pole' % /0H' remarks
that the nati%es call their island Gouap or 8uap' but ne%er &ap;
and that the husbandry in that place $as superior to anything he had
seen in the 7outh 7ea
2-495 The %oyages of the Polynesians $ere also caused by the tyranny
of the %ictorious parties' $hich compelled the %anAuished to emigrate
2-4H5 Pigafetta' p 9-
2-445 @orga' f -/4
2-4.5 DThe Bisayans co%er their teeth $ith a shining %arnish' $hich
is either black' or of the color of fire' and thus their teeth become
either black' or red like cinnabar; and they make a small hole in
the upper ro$' $hich they fill $ith gold' the latter shining all the
more on the black or red groundD((FThL%enot' "eligieuE' 91G 8f a
king of @indanao' %isited by @agellan at @assana' it is $ritten*((D6n
e%ery tooth he had three machie FspotsQG of gold' so that they had
the appearance of being tied together $ith gold;D $hich "amusio
interprets((D8n each finger he had three rings of goldD((Pigafetta'
p HH; and compare also Carletti' #oyages' i -9I
2-4:5 1/ and I0 Cent or -0. and .H Fahr((C
2-.05 6n one of these cliffs' siEty feet abo%e the sea' beds of mussels
$ere found* ostrea' pinna' chama; according to ,r # @((8 denticula'
Bron; 8 cornucopiae' Chemn; 8 rosacea' ,esh; Chama sulfurea'
"ee%e; Pinna >igrina' )am FQG
2-.-5 6n the +thenaeum of January 4' -.4-' Captain =llmann describes
a funeral ceremony Fti$aG of the ,yaks' $hich corresponds in many
points $ith that of the ancient Bisayans The coffin is cut out of
the branch of a tree by the nearest male kinsman' and it is so narro$
that the body has to be pressed do$n into it' lest another member
of the family should die immediately after to fill up the gap +s
many as possible of his effects must be heaped on the dead person'
in order to pro%e his $ealth and to raise him in the estimation of
the spirit $orld; and under the coffin are placed t$o %essels' one
containing rice and the other $ater
8ne of the principal ceremonies of the ti$a consisted formerly
Fand does still in some placesG in human sacrifices !here the ,utch
Go%ernment eEtended these $ere not permitted; but sometimes carabaos
or pigs $ere killed in a cruel manner' $ith the blood of $hich the
high priest smeared the forehead' breast' and arms of the head of the
family 7imilar sacrifices of sla%es or pigs $ere practised amongst
the ancient Filipinos' $ith peculiar ceremonies by female priests
FCatalonasG
2-./5 6n the chapter ,e monstris et Auasi monstris ; ; ; of Father
Camel' )ondon Philos Trans' p //9:' it is stated that in the
mountains bet$een Guiuan and Borongan' footsteps' three times as
large as those of ordinary men' ha%e been found Probably the skulls
of )auang' $hich are pressed out in breadth' and co%ered $ith a thick
crust of calcareous sinter' the gigantic skulls Fskulls of giantsG
ha%e gi%en rise to the fable of the giantsC footsteps
2-.I5 <emiramphus %i%iparus' ! Peters FBerlin @onatsb' @arch -H'
-.H9G
2-.15 )ehrbuch der Pharmakognosie des PflanBenreichs FCompendium of
the DPharmacopoeia of the #egetable ?ingdom'DG p H:.
2-.95 Philos Trans -H::' >o /1:' pages 11' .4
2-.H5 +t Borongan the tinaja of -/ gantas cost siE reals Fone Auart
about t$o pesetasG' the pot t$o reals' the freight to @anila three
reals' or' if the product is carried as cargo FmatroseG' t$o and
one(half reals The price at @anila refers to the tinaja of siEteen
gantas
2-.45 >e$ly prepared coconut oil ser%es for cooking' but Auickly
becomes rancid 6t is %ery generally used for lighting 6n Europe'
$here it seldom appears in a fluid state' as it does not dissol%e until
-HJ "' F/0 C or H. FahrG it is used in the manufacture of tapers'
but especially for soap' for $hich it is peculiarly adapted Coconut
soap is %ery hard' and brilliantly $hite' and is dissol%ed in salt
$ater more easily than any other soap The oily nut has lately been
imported from BraBil into England under the name of Dcopperah'D
FcopraG and pressed after heating
2-..5 8n PigafettaCs map )eyte is di%ided into t$o parts' the north
being called Baibay' and the south Ceylon !hen @agellan in @assana
F)imasanaG inAuired after the most considerable places of business'
Ceylon Fie )eyteG' Calagan FCaragaG' and Tubu FCebuG $ere named to
him Pigaf' 40
2-.:5 +ccording to ,r Gerstaecker* 8edipoda subfasciata' <aan'
+cridium @anilense' @eyen The designation of @eyen $hich the
systemists must ha%e o%erlooked' has the priority of <aanCs; but it
reAuires to be altered to 8edipoda @anilensis' as the species does not
belong to the genus acridium in the modern sense 6t occurs also in
)uBon and in Timor' and is closely allied to our European migratory
locusts 8edipoda migratoria
2-:05 +fter the king had $ithdra$n ; ; ; Ds$eetmeats and cakes in
abundance $ere brought' and also roasted locusts' $hich $ere pressed
upon the guests as great delicaciesD((DCol FytcheCs @ission to
@andalay Parliament'D Papers' June' -.H:
2-:-5 The names of these t$o localities' on CoelloCs map' are
confounded Burauen lies south of ,agami
2-:/5 H/9 Cent or -119 Fahr((C
2-:I5 + small ri%er enters the sea :90 braBas south of the to$er
of +buyog
2-:15 Gobius giuris Buch <am
2-:95 The lake at that time had but one outlet' but in the $et season
it may be in connection $ith the @ayo' $hich' at its north(east side'
is Auite flat
2-:H5 8r some thirty(eight yards if the old ,utch ell is meant((C
2-:45 Pintados' or Bisayas' according to a nati%e $ord denoting
the same' must be the inhabitants of the islands bet$een )uBon and
@indanao' and must ha%e been so named by the 7paniards from their
practice of tattooing themsel%es Cra$furd FD,ictD II:G thinks these
facts not firmly established' and they are certainly not mentioned
by Pigafetta; $ho' ho$e%er' $rites' p .0*((D<e Fthe king of TubutG
$as painted in %arious $ays $ith fireD Purchas FDPilgrimage'D
fo i H0IG((DThe king of Tubut has his skinne painted $ith a hot
iron pensill;D and @orga' fo 1((DTraen todo il cuerpo labrado con
fuegoD From this they appear to ha%e tattooed themsel%es in the manner
of the Papuas' by burning in spots and stripes into the skin But
@orga states in another place Ff -I.G((DThey are distinguished
from the inhabitants of )uBon by their hair $hich the men cut into
a pigtail after the old 7panish manner' and paint their bodies in
many patterns' $ithout touching the faceD The custom of tattooing'
$hich appears to ha%e ceased $ith the introduction of Christianity'
for the clergymen so often Auoted FThe%enot' p 1G describes it as
unkno$n' cannot be regarded as a characteristic of the Bisayans;
and the tribes of the northern part of )uBon tattoo at the present day
2-:.5 @eBBeria F6talianG; mLtayer FFrenchG
2-::5 6n China an oil is procured from the seeds of %ernicia montana'
$hich' by the addition of alum' litharge' and steatite' $ith a gentle
heat' easily forms a %aluable %arnish $hich' $hen miEed $ith resin' is
employed in rendering the bottoms of %essels $atertight P Champion'
6ndust +nc et @od de lCEmp ChinoisD --1
2/005 PetBholdt FDCaucasus'D i /0IG mentions that in Bossle$i the
price of a clay %essel is determined by its capacity of maiBe
2/0-5 +s usual these abuses spring from the non(enforcement of a
statute passed in -.1. F)eg ult' i -11G' $hich prohibits usurious
conracts $ith ser%ants or assistants' and threatens $ith hea%y
penalties all those $hom' under the preteEt of ha%ing ad%anced money'
or of ha%ing paid debts or the poll(taE or eEemption from ser%ice'
keep either indi%idual nati%es or $hole families in a continual
state of dependence upon them' and al$ays secure the increase of
their obligations to them by not allo$ing them $ages sufficient to
enable them to satisfy the claims against them
2/0/5 Formerly it appears to ha%e been different $ith them DThese
Bisayans are a people little disposed to agriculture' but practised
in na%igation' and eager for $ar and eEpeditions by sea' on account
of the pillage and priBes' $hich they call Cmangubas'C $hich is the
same as taking to the field in order to stealD((@orga' f -I.
2/0I5 6ll(usage pre%ails to a great eEtent' although prohibited
by a stringent la$; the non(enforcement of $hich by the alcaldes
is charged $ith a penalty of -00 dollars for e%ery single case of
neglect 6n many pro%inces the bridegroom pays to the brideCs mother'
besides the do$er' an indemnity for the rearing FDmotherCs milkDG
$hich the bride has enjoyed Fbigay susuG +ccording to Colin FD)abor
E%angelico'D p -/:G the penhimuyal' the present $hich the mother
recei%ed for night($atching and care during the bringing up of the
bride' amounted to one(fifth of the do$ry
2/015 The +suang is the ghoul of the +rabian >ightsC tales((C
2/095 #eritable cannibals are not mentioned by the older authors on
the Philippines Pigafetta Fp -/4G heard that a people li%ed on a
ri%er at Cape Benuian Fnorth of @indanaoG $ho ate only the hearts
of their captured enemies' along $ith lemon(juice; and ,r 7emper
FDPhilippines'DG in CH/ found the same custom' $ith the eEception of
the lemon(juice' on the east coast of @indanao
2/0H5 The +nito occurs amongst the tribes of the @alayan +rchipelago
as +ntu' but the +nito of the Philippines is essentially a protecting
spirit' $hile the @alayan +ntu is rather of a demoniacal kind
2/045 These idol images ha%e ne%er come under my obser%ation Those
figured in Bastian and <artmannCs Journal of Ethnology
Fb i pl %iii 6dols from the Philippines'G $hose originals are in
the Ethnographical @useum of Berlin' $ere certainly acAuired in the
Philippines' but' according to + ! Franks' undoubtedly belong to
the 7olomon 6slands 7ections ii to %iii' p 1H' in the catalogue
of the @useum at Prague are entitled*((DFour heads of idols' made of
$ood' from the Philippines' contributed by the Bohemian naturalist
Thaddaeus <aenke' $ho $as commissioned by the ?ing of 7pain' in the
year -.-4' to tra%el in the islands of the 7outh 7eaD The photographs'
$hich $ere obligingly sent here at my reAuest by the direction of the
museum' do not entirely correspond to the abo%e description' pointing
rather to the $est coast of +merica' the principal field of <aenkeCs
researches The "eliAuiae Botanicae' from his posthumous papers'
like$ise afford no information respecting the origin of these idols
2/0.5 8n the 6sland of Panay
2/0:5 +s an eEample' in anticipation of an attack on Cogseng' all
the a%ailable forces' including those of Tamboanga' $ere collected
round @anila' and the @oros attacked the island $ith siEty ships'
$hereas formerly their armaments used not to eEceed siE or eight
ships Torrubia' p IHI
2/-05 <akluyt @orga' +ppend IH0
2/--5 +ccording to the @ineral "e%ie$' @adrid' -.HH' E%ii /11'
the coal from the mountain of +lpac[' in the district of >aga' in
Cebu' is dry' pure' almost free of sulphur pyrites' burns easily'
and $ith a strong flame 6n the eEperiments made at the laboratory
of the 7chool of @ines in @adrid it yielded four per cent of ashes'
and a heating po$er of 1'./9 caloria; ie' by the burning of one
part by $eight 1'./9 parts by $eight of $ater $ere heated to -J
C Good pit(coal gi%es H'000 cal The first coal pits in Cebu $ere
eEca%ated in the @assanga %alley; but the $orks $ere discontinued in
-.9:' after considerable outlay had been made on them Four strata of
considerable thickness $ere subseAuently disco%ered in the %alley of
+lpac[ and in the mountain of 8ling' in >aga ; ; DThe coal of Cebu
is ackno$ledged to be better than that of +ustralia and )abuan' but
has not sufficient heating po$er to be used' unmiEed $ith other coal'
on long sea %oyagesD
+ccording to the Catalogue of the Products of the Philippines F@anila'
-.HHG' the coal strata of Cebu ha%e' at many places in the mountain
range $hich runs from north to south across the $hole of the island'
an a%erage thickness of t$o miles The coal is of middling Auality'
and is burnt in the Go%ernment steam $orks after being miEed $ith
Cardiff coal The price in Cebu is on the a%erage siE dollars per ton
2/-/5 English Consular "eport' /-4
2/-I5 The man credited $ith the de%elopment of the sugar industry
through machinery + monument has been erected to his memory((T
2/-15 6n Jaro the leases ha%e increased threefold in siE years*
and cattle $hich $ere $orth N-0 in -.H0' fetched N/9 in -.HH Plots
of land on the D"ia'D in 6loilo' ha%e risen from N-00 to N900' and
e%en as high as N.00 F,iario' February -.H4G These results are
to be ascribed to the sugar trade' $hich' through free eEportation'
has become eEtremely lucrati%e
2/-95 6n -.99 6loilo took altogether from >egros I'000 piculs out of
--'400; in -.H0 as much as :0'000 piculs; in -.HI' -4H'000 piculs
Fin t$enty(se%en foreign shipsG; in -.HH' /90'000 piculs; in -.4-'
I-/'I4: picula from both islands
2/-H5 The sugar intended for the English market cost in @anila'
in the years -.H. and -.H:' from M-9 to M-H per ton' and fetched in
)ondon about M/0 per ton The best refined sugar prepared in @anila
for +ustralia $as' on account of the higher duty' $orth only MI per
ton more in )ondon; but' being M9 dearer than the inferior Auality'
it commanded a premium of M/ @anila eEports the sugar chiefly from
Pangasinan' Pampanga' and )aguna((FFrom pri%ate informationG
2/-45 The 6slands of the East 6ndian +rchipelago' -.H.' p I10
2/-.5 EEhibition Catalogue; section' French Colonies' -.H4' p .0
2/-:5 "eport of the Commissioners' EEhibition -.H4' i% -0/ The 7outh
+merican 6ndians ha%e for a long time past employed the banana fiber
in the manufacture of clothing material;((FThe Technologist' 7eptember'
-.H9' p .:' from unauthenticated sources'G and in )oo Choo the banana
fiber is the only kind in use FFaits CommerciauE' >o -9-1 p IHG
2//05 +bacZ not readily taking tar is' conseAuently' only used for
running' and not standing' rigging
2//-5 + plant in full gro$th produces annually I0 c$t bandala to the
acre' $hereas from an acre of flaE not more than from / to 1 c$t of
pure flaE' and from / to . c$t seed can be obtained
2///5 +s ,r !ittmack communicated to me' only fiber or seed can
be obtained from hemp' as $hen the hemp is ripe' ie run to seed'
the fiber becomes then both brittle and coarse !hen culti%ating flaE
%ery often both seeds and fiber are used' but then they both are of
inferior Auality
2//I5 Flora de Filipinas
2//15 6n -.H.' M-00 per ton $as paid for lupis' although only imported
in small Auantities((about fi%e tons per annum((and principally used
at one time in France in the manufacture of a particular kind of
underclothing The fashion soon' ho$e%er' died out Suitol' a less
%aluable sort of lupis' could be sold at M49 per ton
2//95 6nfleEibility is peculiar to all fibers of the @onocotyledons'
because they consist of coarsely rounded cells 8n the other hand'
the true bast fibers((the ,icotyledons FflaE' for instanceG((are
the re%erse
2//H5 Through the agricultural system' also' the mestiBos and nati%es
secure the $ork of their countrymen by making these ad%ances' and
rene$ing them before the old ones are paid off These thoughtless
people conseAuently fall deeper and deeper into debt' and become
%irtually the peons of their creditors' it being impossible for them
to escape in any $ay from their position The Dpart(share contractD is
much the same in its operati%e effects' the landlord ha%ing to supply
the farmer $ith agricultural implements and draught(cattle' and often
in addition supplying the $hole family $ith clothing and pro%isions;
and' on di%ision of the earnings' the farmer is unable to co%er his
debt 6t is true the Filipinos are responsible legally to the eEtent
of fi%e dollars only' a special enactment prohibiting these usurious
bargains +s a matter of fact' ho$e%er' they are generally practised
2//45 This feeling of jealousy had %ery nearly the effect of closing
the ne$ harbors immediately after they $ere opened
2//.5 "apport Consulaire Belge' Y6#' H.
2//:5 6n the +gricultural "eport of -.H:' p /I/' another fiber $as
highly mentioned' belonging to a plant %ery closely related to sisal
FBromelia 7yl%estrisG' perhaps e%en a %ariety of the same The @eEican
name' jEtle' is possibly deri%ed from the fact of their curiously
flattened' spike(edged lea%es' resembling the dentated kni%es formed
from %olcanic stone FobsidianG possessed by the +Btecs and termed by
them iBtli
2/I05 The banana trees are $ell kno$n to be among the most %aluable
of plants to mankind 6n their unripe state they afford starch(flour;
and $hen mature' they supply an agreeable and nutritious fruit' $hich'
although partaken of freely' $ill produce neither unpleasantness nor
any injurious after(effects 8ne of the best of the edible species
bears fruit as early as fi%e or siE months after being planted'
suckers in the meantime constantly sprouting from the roots' so that
continual fruit(bearing is going on' the labor of the gro$ers merely
being confined to the occasional cutting do$n of the old plants and
to gathering in the fruit The broad lea%es afford to other young
plants the shade $hich is so reAuisite in tropical countries' and are
employed in many useful $ays about the house @any a hut' too' has to
thank the banana trees surrounding it from the conflagration' $hich'
generally speaking' lays the %illage in ashes 6 should here like to
make an obser%ation upon a mistake $hich has spread rather $idely 6n
Bishop PallegoiECs eEcellent $ork' ,escription du "oyaume Thai ou 7iam'
6; -11' he says* D)Carbre a %ernis Aui est une espece de bananier'
et Aue les 7iamois appellent Crak'C fournit ce beau %ernis AuCon admire
dans les petits meubles AuCon apporte de ChineD !hen 6 $as in Bangkok'
6 called the attention of the amiable $hite(haired' and at that time
nearly nonogenarian' bishop to this curious statement 7haking his
head' he said he could not ha%e $ritten it 6 sho$ed him the %ery
passage D@a foi' jCai dit une betise; jCen ai dit bien dCautres'D
$hispered he in my ear' holding up his hand as if afraid somebody
might o%erhear him
2/I-5 6n -.H/' English took from 7pain -9H tons; -.HI' -.'041 tons;
-.HH' HH':-I tons; -.H.' :9'000 tons; and the import of rags fell
from /1'000 tons in -.HH to -4'000 tons in -HH. 6n +lgiers a large
Auantity of sparto F+lfaG gro$s but the cost of transport is too
eEpensi%e to admit of sending it to France
2/I/5 The British Consul estimates the receipts from this monopoly for
the year -.HH(4 at N.'1-.':I:' after an eEpenditure of N1'9-:'.HH;
thus lea%ing a clear profit of NI'.::'04I 6n the colonial budget
for -.H4 the profit on tobacco $as estimated at N/'H/4':4H' $hile
the total eEpenditure of the colony' after deduction of the eEpenses
occasioned by the tobacco management' $as set do$n at N4'0II'94H
+ccording to the official tables of the chief of the +dministration
in @anila' -.4-' the total annual re%enue deri%ed from the tobacco
management bet$een the years -.H9 and -.H: amounted' on an a%erage'
to N9'IH4'/H/ By reason of proper accounts being $anting an accurate
estimate of the eEpenditure cannot be deli%ered; but it $ould be at
least N1'000'000' so that a profit of only N-'IH4'/H/ remains
2/II5 6nstruccion general para la ,ireccion' +dministracion' y
6nter%encion de las "entas Estancadas' -.1:
2/I15 @emoria sobre el ,esestanco del Tabaco en las 6slas
Filipinas ,on J 7 +gius' Binondo F@anilaG' -.4-
2/I95 The tobacco in China appears to ha%e come from the
Philippines DThe memoranda disco%ered in !ang(tao lea%e no possible
doubt that it $as first introduced into 7outh China from the Philippine
6slands in the siEteenth and se%enteenth century' most probably by
$ay of JapanD((F>otes and Sueries' China and Japan' @ay I-st' -.94G
From 7chlegel' in Bata%ia' it $as brought by the Portuguese into
Japan some$here bet$een the years -94I and -9:-' and spread itself
so rapidly in China that $e find e%en as early as -9I.' that the sale
of it $as forbidden under penalty of beheading
+ccording to >otes and Sueries' China and Japan' July I-' -.94'
the use of tobacco $as Auite common in the D@anchuD army 6n a
Chinese $ork' >atural <istory @iscellany' it is $ritten* D&en tCsao
Fliterally smoke plantG $as introduced into Fukien about the end of the
!an(li Go%ernment' bet$een -94I and -H/0' and $as kno$n as Tan(pa(ku
Ffrom TombakuGD
2/IH5 !est Cuba produces the best tobacco' the famous #uelta abajo'
100'000 c$t at from N-1/. to N::':H the c$t; picked sorts being
%alued at from N94-/0 to N4-100 per c$t Cuba produces H10'000
c$t The cigars eEhibited in the Paris EEhibition of -.H4 $ere $orth
from N/1:: to N109:. per thousand The number of cigars annually
eEported is estimated at about 9'000'000 FJury "eport' %' I49G 6n
Jenidje(?arasu F7alonicaG -4'900 c$t are obtained annually' of
$hich /'900 c$t are of the first Auality; the cost is N-49 the oka
Fabout 49 per lbG Picked sorts are $orth -9s per lb' and e%en
more((7aladin Bey' )a TurAuie a lCEEposition' p :-
2/I45 6n Cuba the tobacco industry is entirely free The eEtraordinary
increase of the trade and the impro%ed Auality of the tobacco are'
in great measure' to be ascribed to the honest competition eEisting
bet$een the factories' $ho recei%e no other protection from the
Go%ernment than a recognition of their operations ((FJury "eport'
-.H4' %' I49G
2/I.5 Basco also introduced the culti%ation of silk' and had 1'900'000
mulberry trees planted in the Camarines This industry' immediately
upon his retirement' $as allo$ed to fall into decay
2/I:5 +ccording to )a PLrouse' this measure occasioned a re%olt
in all parts of the island' $hich had to be suppressed by force of
arms 6n the same manner the monopoly introduced into +merica at the
same time brought about a dangerous insurrection' and $as the means
of reducing #eneBuela to a state of eEtreme po%erty' and' in fact'
$as the cause of the subseAuent do$nfall of the colony
2/105 + fardo FpackG contains 10 manos FbundlesG; - manoX-0 manojitos'
- manojito X-0 lea%es "egulations' _ 4
2/1-5 "egulations for the tobacco collection agencies in
)uBon((-st Four classes of Tobacco $ill be purchased /nd These
classes are thus specified* the first to consist or lea%es at
least -. inches long F0m 1-.;G the second of lea%es bet$een -1 and
-. inches F0m I/9G; the third of lea%es bet$een -0 and -1 inches
F0m /I/G; and the fourth of lea%es at least 4 inches in length F0m
-HIG 7maller lea%es $ill not be accepted This last limitation'
ho$e%er' has recently been abandoned so that the Auality of the
tobacco is continually deprecinting in the hands of the Go%ernment'
$ho ha%e added t$o other classes
+ fardo' -st class' $eighs H0 lbs' and in -.H4 the Go%ernment rate
of pay $as as follo$s*((
- Fardo' -st class' H0 lbs N:90
- Fardo' /nd class' 1H lbs H00
- Fardo' Ird class' II lbs /49
- Fardo' 1th class' -. lbs -00
((English Consular "eport
The follo$ing table gi%es the different brands of cigars manufactured
by the Go%ernment' and the prices at $hich they could be bought in
-.H4 in Estanco Fie a place pri%ileged for the saleG*((
@enas FClassesG Corresponding Price Price Price >umber
of
<a%ana Brands Per arroba Per -000 Per cigar cigars
in
2II lbs5 an
arroba
,ols ,ols Cents
6mperiales The same I490 I000 1
Prima #eguLro ,o I490 I000 1
7egunda #eguLro "egalia /H00
Prima superi[r
Filipino ,o /H00
/a 7uperi[r
Filipino >one I.00 -:00 I
Ia 7uperi[r
Filipino )ondres -9-0
Prima Filipino 7uperior
<abano /-00 -900 / -100
7egunda 7uperior 7egunda
superior
<abano /100 .94 -K. - /.00
Prima Cortado The 7ame /-00 -900 / -100
7egunda Cortado ,o /100 .94 -K. - /.00
@ista 7egunda BatPdo /090
Prima Batido'
larga >one -.49 - -.00
7egunda Batido'
largo >one -.49 -K/ I490
2/1/5 8n an a%erage 104'900'000 cigars and -'01-'000 lbs ra$ tobacco
are eEported annually' the $eight of $hich together is about 9H'000
c$t after deducting $hat is gi%en a$ay in the form of gratuities
2/1I5 The poor peasant being brought into this situation finds it
%ery hard to maintain his family <e is compelled to borro$ money at
an eEorbitant rate of interest' and' conseAuently' sinks deeper and
deeper into debt and misery The dread of fines or bodily punishment'
rather than the prospect of high prices' is the chief method by $hich
the supplies can be kept up((F"eport of the English ConsulG
2/115 From ,ecember -.9I to >o%ember -.91 the colony possessed four
captains(general Ft$o effecti%e and t$o pro%isionalG 6n -.90 a ne$
nominee' 8idor Fmember of the 7upreme Court of JudicatureG $ho $ith
his family %oyaged to @anila by the Cape' found' upon his arri%al'
his successor already in office' the latter ha%ing tra%elled by $ay
of 7ueB 7uch circumstances need not occasion surprise $hen it is
remembered ho$ such operations are repeated in 7pain itself
+ccording to an essay in the "e%ue >ationale' +pril' -.H4' 7pain
has had' from -.I1 to -.H/' ie since the accession of 6sabella'
1 Constitutions' /. Parliaments' 14 Chief @inisters' 9/: Cabinet
@inisters' and H. @inisters of the 6nterior; of $hich last class of
officials each' on an a%erage' $as in po$er only siE months For ten
years past the @inister of Finance has not remained in office longer
than t$o months; and since that time' particularly since -.H.' the
changes ha%e follo$ed one another $ith still greater rapidity
2/195 The reason of this premiun on sil%er $as' that the Chinese bought
up all the 7panish and @eEican dollars' in order to send them to China'
$here they are $orth more than other dollars' being kno$n from the
%oyage of the galleon thither in olden times' and being current in
the inland pro%inces FThe highest price there can be obtained for
a Carlos 666G
+ mint erected in @anila since that time' $hich at least supports
itself' if the go%erment has deri%ed no other ad%antage from it' has
remo%ed this difficulty The Chinese are accustomed to bring gold
and sil%er as currency' miEed also $ith foreign coinage' to @anila
for the purpose of buying the produce of the country; and all this the
nati%e merchants had recoined +t first only sil%er ounces $ere usually
obtainable in @anila' gold ounces %ery rarely This occasioned such a
steady importation that the conditions $ere completely re%ersed 6n
the 6nsular Treasury the gold and sil%er dollar are al$ays reckoned
at the same %alue
2/1H5 The Chinese $ere generally kno$n in the Philippines as
D7angleysD; according to Professor 7chott' Dsang(lui Fin the south
sBang(loi' also senng(loiG mercatorum ordoD D7angD is more specially
applied to the tra%elling traders' in opposition to Dku'D tabernarii
2/145 DThey are a $icked and %icious people' and' o$ing to
their numbers' and to their being such large eaters' they consume
the pro%isions and render them dear 6t is true the to$n cannot
eEist $ithout the Chinese' as they are the $orkers in all the trades
and business' and %ery industrious' and $ork for small $ages; but
for that %ery reason a lesser number of them $ould be sufficientD((
@orga' p I1:
2/1.5 D"ecopilacion'D )ib i%' Tit E%iii' ley -
2/1:5 D6nforme'D 6' iii' 4I
2/905 The Chinese $ere not permitted to li%e in the to$n' but in a
district specially set apart for them
2/9-5 #elarde' /41
2/9/5 7ee follo$ing chapter
2/9I5 TuOiga' E%i
2/915 >o single people in Europe can in any $ay compare $ith the
inhabitants of California' $hich' in the early years of its eEistence'
$as composed only of men in the prime of their strength and acti%ity'
$ithout aged people' $ithout $omen' and $ithout children Their
acti%ity' in a country $here e%erything had to be pro%ided Fno
ci%ilised neighbors li%ing $ithin some hundred miles or soG' and
$here all pro%isions $ere to be obtained only at a fabulous cost'
$as stimulated to the highest pitch !ithout here going into the
particulars of their history' it need only be remembered that they
founded' in t$enty(fi%e years' a po$erful 7tate' the fame of $hich has
spread all o%er the $orld' and around $hose borders young territories
ha%e sprung into eEistence and flourished %igorously; t$o of them
indeed ha%ing attained to the condition of independent 7tates +fter
the Californian gold(diggers had changed the configuration of the
ground of entire pro%inces by ha%ing' $ith Titanic might' deposited
masses of earth into the sea until they eEpanded into hilly districts'
so as to obtain therefrom' $ith the aid of ingenious machinery' the
smallest particle of gold $hich $as contained therein' they ha%e
astonished the $orld in their capacity of agriculturalists' $hose
produce is sent e%en to the most distant markets' and e%ery$here takes
the first rank $ithout dispute 7uch mighty results ha%e been achie%ed
by a people $hose total number scarcely' indeed' eEceeds 900'000; and
therefore' perhaps' they may not find it an easy matter to $ithstand
the competition of the Chinese
2/995 The rails' if laid in one continuous line' $ould measure about
-0I'000 feet' the $eight of them being /0'000 c$t Eight Chinamen $ere
engaged in the $ork' relie%ing one another by fours These men $ere
chosen to perform this feat on account of their particular acti%ity'
out of -0'000
FThe translator of the -.49 )ondon edition notes* DThis statement is
incorrect' so far as the fact of the feat being accomplished by Chinese
is concerned Eight Europeans $ere engaged in this eEtraordinary
piece of $ork ,uring the rejoicings $hich took place in 7acramento
upon the opening of the line' these men $ere paraded in a %an' $ith
the account of their splendid achie%ement painted in large letters
on the outside Certainly not one of them $as a ChinamanD((C
2/9H5 @agellan fell on +pril /4' struck by a poisoned arro$' on
the small island of @actan' lying opposite the harbor of Cebu <is
lieutenant' 7ebastian de Elcano' doubled the Cape of Good <ope'
and on 7eptember H' -9//' brought back one of the fi%e ships $ith
$hich @agellan set sail from 7t )ucar in -9-:' and eighteen men'
$ith Pigafetta' to the same harbor' and thus accomplished the first
%oyage round the $orld in three years and fourteen days
2/945 -9H9 is the date for $hat is no$ the Philippines((C
2/9.5 #illalobos ga%e this name to one of the 7outhern islands and
)egaspi eEtended it to the entire archipelago((C
2/9:5 D+ccording to recent authors they $ere also named after
#illalobos in -91I((@orga' p 9
2/H05 +ccording to @orga Fp -10G there $as neither king nor go%ernor'
but in each island and pro%ince $ere numerous persons of rank' $hose
dependants and subjects $ere di%ided into Auarters FbarriosG and
families These petty rulers had to render homage by means of tributes
from the crops FbuiBG' also by socage or personal ser%ice* but their
relations $ere eEempted from such ser%ices as $ere rendered by the
plebeians FtimauasG The dignities of the chieftains $ere hereditary'
their honors descended also to their $i%es 6f a chief particularly
distinguished himself' then the rest follo$ed him; but the Go%ernment
retained to themsel%es the administration of the Barangays through
their o$n particular officials Concerning the system of sla%ery
under the nati%e rule' @orga says Fp 1-' abbre%iatedG'((DThe nati%es
of these islands are di%ided into three classes((nobles' timauas or
plebeians' and the sla%es of the former There are different sorts
of sla%es* some in complete sla%ery F7aguiguiliresG' $ho $ork in
the house' as also their children 8thers li%e $ith their families
in their o$n houses and render ser%ice to their lords at so$ing and
har%est(time' also as boatmen' or in the construction of houses'
etc They must attend as often as they are reAuired' and gi%e their
ser%ices $ithout pay or recompense of any kind They are called
>amarnahayes; and their duties and obligations descend to their
children and successors 8f these 7aguiguilires and >amamahayes a
fe$ are full sla%es' some half sla%es' and others Auarter sla%es
!hen' for instance' the mother or father $as free' the only son
$ould be half free' half sla%e 7upposing there $ere se%eral sons'
the first one inherits the fatherCs position' the second that of the
mother !hen the number is uneAual the last one is half free and half
sla%e; and the descendants born of such half slayes and those $ho are
free are Auarter sla%es The half sla%es' $hether or narnamahayes'
ser%e their lords eAually e%ery month in turns <alf and Auarter sla%es
can' by reason of their being partially free' compel their lord to
gi%e them their freedom at a pre%iously determined and unfluctuating
price* but full sla%es do not possess this right + namamahaye is
$orth half as much as a saguiguilire +ll sla%es are nati%esD
+gain' at p -1I' he $rites*((D+ sla%e $ho has children by her lord
is thereby freed together $ith her children The latter' ho$e%er'
are not considered $ell born' and cannot inherit property; nor do the
rights of nobility' supposing in such a case the father to possess any'
descend to themD
2/H-5 <e made the Filipinos of his encomienda of #igan his heirs'
and has e%er been held in grateful memory((C
2/H/5 Gra% I0
2/HI5 Chamisso FD8bser%ations and #ie$s'D p 4/G' thanks to the
translator of TuOiga' kne$ that he $as in duty bound to d$ell at
some length o%er this eEcellent history; though TuOigaCs narrati%e
is al$ays' comparati%ely speaking' short and to the point The
judiciously abbre%iated English translation' ho$e%er' contains many
miscomprehensions
2/H15 Principally by hiring the assassination of the gifted nati%e
leader' 7ilang((C
2/H95 ,anger to Europeans' D@assacre of all $hite people'D $as a
freAuent 7panish allegation in political disturbances' but the only
proof e%er gi%en Fthe :th degree @asonic apron stupidly attributed
to the ?atipunan in -.:HG $as absurd and irrele%ant((C
2/HH5 Professor Jagor here follo$s the report sent out by the
authorities There seems better ground for belie%ing the affair to
ha%e been merely a military mutiny o%er restricting rights $hich
$as made a preteEt for getting rid of those $hose liberal %ie$s $ere
objectionable to the go%ernment((C
2/H45 6 take the liberty' here' of citing an instance of this 6n -.H-'
$hen 6 found myself on the !est Coast of @eEico' a doBen back$oods
families determined upon settling in 7onora Fforming an oasis in
the desertG; a plan $hich $as frustrated by the in%asion at that
time of the European po$ers @any nati%e farmers a$aited the arri%al
of these immigrants in order to settle under their protection The
%alue of land in conseAuence of the announcement of the project rose
%ery considerably
2/H.5 6t is called so in conseAuence of the island being nearly
di%ided in the parallel of -1J >' by t$o bays
2/H:5 7ince my return home' at the desire of that distinguished
agriculturist' Colonel +ustin' of 7outh Carolina' 6 ha%e sent for
some samples of the different kinds' and under his care it $ill no
doubt be $ell treated
2/405 8n my arri%al at 7ingapore' this circumstance $as in%estigated by
a court of inAuiry The result sho$ed that @r ?noE had no kno$ledge
of the #incennes ha%ing been seen; for the officer of the $atch had
not reported to him the fact
2/4-5 Che$ing the betelnut and pepper(leaf also produces this effect'
and is carried to a great eEtent among these islanders
2/4/5 The 7ultan' on the %isit of one of our merchant(%essels'
had informed the supercargo that he $ished to encourage our trade'
and to see the %essels of the =nited 7tates coming to his port
2/4I5 This name is deri%ed from the large bay that makes in on
the south side of the island of @indanao' and on $hich a set of
freebooters reside
2/415 From the <istory of a #oyage of the China 7ea' by John !hite
2/495 P --9
2/4H5 Pp --H(--:
2/445 P -/-
2/4.5 Pp -/9(-/.
2/4:5 Pp -I4(-I.
2/.05 Pp -1I(-11
2/.-5 Pp -11(-1H
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Eyes' by Fedor Jagor; Tomas de Comyn; Chas !ilkes; "udolf #ircho$
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