THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. 71 



which she did not know how to derive the ad- 

 vantages wliich it offered. 



The Indians are proprietors and tree subjects, 

 and are treated as such. The forts, whicli are built 

 in every phice on the coast against the Moors, are 

 in their power, and are garrisoned by them. The 

 privileges of their noble families have fldlen into 

 desuetude, every district, every village chooses its 

 chief, and the choice is only confirmed. These 

 Governadorcillos, Capitanos, &c. who are addressed 

 by the Spaniards with the title of Don, possess all 

 the legitimate authority ; but the consideration, the 

 riches, and power, are all on the side of the monks. 

 The fathers, who govern the people, drain them in 

 various ways, and after the church dues have been 

 paid and the priests kept the best for themselves, 

 the poor man parts with his last saving to buy^ 

 scapularies and images of saints. 



The tribute which is paid to the king, is but a 

 reasonable burthen; but the administration of to- 

 bacco, which is one of the principal necessaries of 

 life, without any distinction of age or sex, is very 

 oppressive. The fields, which the people formerly 

 cultivated for their own account, now lie fallow. 

 The Indian fears that every new production will 

 bring upon him a new tax. Only a small duty is 

 paid for the areca-palm, the nutof which is chewed 

 with the betel-leaf and lime. 



The food of the people is rice j and, with this, all 

 the fruits with which nature has so lavishly endowed 



F i< 



