State of the Philippine Islands. Being an historical, statistical and descriptive account ... Translated from the Spanish with notes and a preliminary discourse. By William Walton

Preface

. The object of the present publication is to furnish a sketch of the population, natural productions, industry, and com merce of the Philippine Islands, together with an account of the public revenue and expences of administration. It is also intended to convey a correct idea of the mode of government pursued in the pro vinces, and, more particularly, to describe the ravages committed on the coasts by the Mahometan pirates who infest the Indian Archipelago. On these various topics such reflections will be added, as are likely to call the attention of the public to the present state of one of our most interesting colonies, the principal induce ment that has determined the writer to put the following outline to press. a author's preface. IV A residence of eight years, and the official situation he held during that time, in Manilla, have furnished him with no ordinary opportunities of obtaining infor mation on the various branches and sub jects he has taken upan himself to treat ; and in the present undertaking he feels a greater degree of confidence, from the circumstance of his MS. having met with the previous approbation of several persons of experience and authority in the Islands, whom he consulted on the leading facts and observations it contained.

Far, how ever, from presuming that he has acquitted himself of so laudable a task, in a manner worthy of the importance of the subject, these particulars are merely mentioned as a proof of his zeal ; for, in candour it must be confessed, that a complete picture could not be drawn of a country, so wide and varied, in the reduced form under which the present attempt is now laid be/ore the public. CONTENTS. AUTHOR'S

PREFACE.

. Translator's Preliminary Discourse, viz. Object of the Work. — Discovery of the Philippine Islands and Moluccas. — Fresh Attempts to follow up these Discoveries. — Origin and Termination of the Disputes between Spaniards and Portuguese respecting the Moluccas. — Fresh Attempts to colonize ihe Philippines, — Legaspi's Expedition. — Conquest and Settlement of Zebu, Paring, and Manilla. — Conquest of the Interior of Luzon. — Manilla attacked by a Chinese Pirate and nearly taken. — A British Squadron under Drake visits the Archipelago. — Spaniards attack Borneo and Ternate Manilla consumed by Fire. — High Court of Justice established there- Improvements in Manilla. — Rebellion and Destruction of the Chinese Traders and Residents. — Fresh Attempts against the Moluccas. — Capture of Ternate. — Japanese revolt in Manilla. — Spanish Expeditions against the Dutch at Malacca. — War mith the Dutch. — Dutch attack the Philippines. — Insurrections ofthe Indians. — Manilla destroyed by a dreadful Earthquake. — The Philippines threatened by a Chinese Pirate, who took Formosa from the Dutch. — Ternate, Zamboanga, fye. evaluated. — Chinese expelled from Manilla. — Commodore Anson captures the Acapulco Ship. — Dreads ul Ravages of the floors. — Volcanic Irruptions. — Chinese again expelled. — Siege and Capture of Manilla by the British. — Occurrences there during the Oc> npation. — Defence of lhe Interior by General Anda. — Junius's Letters to Sir William Draper respecting Manilla Ransom. — Evacuation. — General Anda appointed Governor Subsequent Events. — Situation of Manilla and CONTENTS.

VI Cavite Division and Size of the Philippines.— Their Cli mate, Fertility, and Natural Curiosities.— Two Kinds of Aborigines ; their Origin, present State ; how converted to Mahomedanism. — Marianas Islands and other Dependencies on the Philippines. — Decline of the latter. — Author's Views respecting Indians explained. — General Remarks on Spain in reference to her ultramarine Provinces. .it PACE Chap. I. Population. — Agriculture. — viz. Cotton, Indigo, Sugar, Bees-wax, black Pepper, Coffee, Cocoa, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Rice, Dye- Woods, and Timber. II. Of Minerals. — Estates. — Manufactures 31 III. Internal and external Commerce. — Funds therein invested. — Property belonging to pious and charitable Institutions. Mercantile Shipping. — Royal Philippine Company .... <52 IV. Of the public Revenue. — Revenue arising out of the Crown Monopolies of Tobacco. — Ofthe Coco and Nipa, or Palm Wine. — Royal Custom House. — Import and Export Duties.

Monopoly of the Bonga, or Areca Nut 98 V. Revenue continued. — Licence of Cockpits. Indian Tributes. Subaltern Branches. Disbursements and General Expences 159 VI. Of the Civil Administration and Government of the Provinces 192 VII. Of the Spiritual Administrat ion 209 VIII. Of the Moors and their Piracies CONTENTS. VII