[122] Cervantes, whose keen but justly merited satire on many of the failings of his countrymen, is only equalled by his beautiful eulogies on many of their excellencies, has aptly described the composition of their colonies in his day.
“To the Indies—the refuge and resource of despairing Spaniards—asylum of rebels—protector of homicides—receptacle of gamblers (called by some knowing ones)—common decoy for women of loose characters—the deceiver of many, and remedy of few.”—Novela del Zeloso Estnemeno [i.e., “The jealous Estremaduran”]. [↑]
[123] Andaluces: natives of Andalusia province. Montañeses: appellation of the dwellers in the hill-country of Santander province, Spain. Serviles (literally “those who are servile or fawning”): a political epithet applied to the Monarchists or Absolutists. Liberales: the Liberals in politics, much as that term is used at the present time. Le Gentil describes (Voyage, ii, p. 109) the clannishness and provincialism of the Spaniards in Manila.—Eds. [↑]
[124] This is not an isolated opinion; and in corroboration, it will be sufficient to mention, that upwards of ¾ths of all the disposable Spanish property in the country has been sent out of it. This fact is a volume in itself. Since this was written, two serious commotions have taken place, in the latter of which the conspirators obtained possession of the city, which was regained by storming.[125] [↑]
[125] Reference is here made to the rebellion incited by Novales in 1823; see account of it on pp. 47–48, ante.—Eds. [↑]
REFORMS NEEDED IN FILIPINAS
Opinion regarding the causes which antagonize the security and progress of the Filipinas Islands
Most Excellent Sir:
The Filipinas Islands, on account of their great extent, their advantageous location in the center of the commercial world of Asia, their considerable population, and the fertility of their soil—which is capable of yielding all the products which are grown between the two tropics—require from his Majesty’s paternal government a carefully planned system of measures which shall strengthen their peace and internal security, and at the same time advance their agriculture, industry, and commerce to that high degree to which they have been destined by Providence.