RELIEF RECEIVED FROM MANILA. 37 



threatened anew by a devouring famine which threatened to put an end to their 

 miserable existence. But Providence, which incessantly watches over those peoples 

 who implore its aid, willed that the beneficent hand of our Superior Government, 

 ever benevolent and philanthropic, should put a happy end to so much misfortune 

 and unhappiness so great. 



What joy was ours on the 3d day of September, when there- arrived at this port 

 the frigate Union, bearer of most bounteous supplies of rice, maize, and other grains, 

 at prices more moderate than have ever before been known in these possessions! It 

 is impossible to describe the joy and animation of the people of this community, 

 whose misery and poverty were increasing by a plague of worms which consumed as 

 much rice, maize, and other seed as were sown in the months of July, August, and 

 September; so that if succor had not arrived so opportunely the ruined crops could 

 not have been replaced for lack of seed. Such was the scarcity that on the 29th of 

 August, four days before the arrival of the said ship, the only remaining five cabanes 

 of rice were put up at auction and sold at 5 pesos a caban. From this alone may 

 be formed an idea of the great if not the total lack which was suffered here. Like 

 one who suddenly recovers from a mortal illness to perfect health, so was the air of 

 contentment and rejoicing which seized upon all souls in their most sincere gratitude 

 to the author of so many and such great benefits. Nor was our gratitude less to those 

 gentlemen who contributed the subscription in money of $675-4^, which was dis- 

 tributed among the poor of these islands on this the birthday of our adored Queen, 

 Dona Isabella II (whom God save), in accordance with the directions of the 

 Superior Government. 



Without elements, means, or resources whatever for manifesting our gratitude, I 

 directed that on the 9th of the same month of September a mass of thanksgiving be 

 celebrated by three priests, something very rarely seen in this city, with a sermon 

 preached eloquently and eruditely, as is his custom, by Padre Fray Manuel Encarna- 

 cion, the parish priest of the village of Agat, who, in speaking of the calamities suf- 

 fered by these islands, made his hearers understand and exhorted them to the grati- 

 tude due our Government, which so prodigally relieved our necessities, finishing the 

 function with a solemn te deum, and displaying the most holy sacrament. All the 

 people bowing down like those of Israel before His Divine Majesty, breathed forth 

 their prayers and vows for the happiness of their benefactors. 



In order to give another proof of the sentiments of gratitude which filled us and to 

 carry out in a certain way the beneficent ideas of our Government, which especially 

 distinguish it, as is seen by the sublime acts which illustrate the pages of the history 

 of our colonies, I decided to act as godfather to the first girl baby which might be 

 born, and I gave to it the name of Isabella, in memory of our august Queen; and the 

 lieutenant-governor acted in the same capacity for the first boy baby, which he called 

 Narcissus, in memory of his excellency our captain-general, Count of Manila, who so 

 justly rules these remote regions, each one of us giving to his godchild 50 pesos and 

 an outfit of decent clothing, which event took place at 9 o'clock on the morning of 

 the 16th of September, with the assistance of the authorities and. of nearly all the 

 population, so that these children may be living testimony of the remembrance of 

 the generosity of our Sovereign and of your excellency, who knows so well how to 

 act as the instrument of so many and such great acts, which history will record for 

 the honor and the glory of the great Spanish nation. 



On August 10, 1851, the brigantine Clcmelino arrived from the Phil- 

 ippines bringing 65 convicts. They were in a miserable plight. On 

 the voyage two of their number had died, and nearly half of the remain- 

 der were afflicted with scurvy, virulent ulcers, or cutaneous diseases. 

 No medicines were available for treating these poor people. They 



