MANILLA. 329 



from paying tribute to the crown, an exoneration which is owing to 

 their being collectors of the royal revenues. Their duties consist in 

 maintaining good order and harmony, in dividing the labour required 

 for the public benefit equally, adjusting differences, and receiving 

 the taxes. 



The gobernadorcillo takes cognizance of all civil cases not exceed- 

 ing two tales of gold, or forty-four dollars in silver ; all criminal cases 

 must be sent to the chief of the province. The head-men formerly 

 served for no more than three years, and if this was done faithfully, 

 they became and were designated as principals, in virtue of which 

 rank they received the title of Don. 



The election takes place at the court-house of the town ; the elec- 

 tors are the gobernadorcillo, whose office is about to expire, and twelve 

 of the oldest head-men, collectors of tribute and of " champanes ;" 

 for the gobernadorcillo they must select, by a plurality of votes, three 

 individuals, who must be able to speak, read, and write the Spanish 

 language. The voting is done by ballot, in the presence of the notary 

 (escribano), and the chief of the province, who presides. The curate 

 may be present, to look after the interest of the church, but for no 

 other purpose. After the votes are taken, they are sealed and trans- 

 mitted to the governor-general, who selects one of the three candidates, 

 and issues a commission. In the more distant provinces, the chief of 

 the district has the authority to select the gobernadorcillo, and fill up 

 the commission, a blank form of which, signed by the governor- 

 general, is left with him for that purpose. 



The head-men may be elected petty governors, and still retain 

 their office, and collect the tribute or taxes ; for it is not considered 

 just, that the important office of chief of Barangay should deprive the 

 holder of the honour of being elected gobernadorcillo. 



The greater part of the Chinese reside in the province of Tondo, 

 but the tribute is there collected by the alcalde mayor, with an 

 assistant, taken from among the officers of the royal treasury. 



The poll-tax on the Chinese amounts to four dollars a head : it was 

 formerly one-half more. Tax-lists of the Chinese are kept, in which 

 they are registered and classified ; and opposite the name is the amount 

 at which the individual is assessed. 



The Spanish government seems particularly desirous of giving con- 

 sequence even to its lowest offices ; and in order to secure it to them, 

 it is directed that the chiefs of provinces shall treat the gobernador- 

 cillos with respect, offering them seats when they enter their houses 



vor.. v. 83 



