MANILLA. 
307 
much ingenuity. Some of their weapons were presented to the Ex¬ 
pedition by Josiah Moore, Esq. These are probably imitations of the 
early Spanish weapons used against them. From all accounts, the 
natives are of Malay origin, and allied to those of the other islands 
of the extensive archipelago of the Eastern Seas; but the popula¬ 
tion of the towns and cities of the island are so mixed, from the con¬ 
stant intercourse with Chinese, Europeans, and others, that there is 
no pure blood among them. When at Manilla, we obtained a grammar 
of the Tagala language, which is said to be now rarely heard, and to 
have become nearly obsolete. This grammar is believed to be the only 
one extant, and was procured from a padre, who presented it to the 
Expedition. 
The Pampangans are considered the finest tribe of natives; they 
are excessively fond of horse-racing, and bet very considerable sums 
upon it; they have the reputation of being an industrious and energetic 
set of men. 
The mode of raising revenue by a poll-tax causes great discontent 
among all classes, for although light, it is, as it always has been else¬ 
where, unpopular. All the Chinese pay a capitation tax of four 
dollars. The revenue from various sources is said to amount to one 
million six hundred thousand dollars, of which the poll-tax amounts 
to more than one-half, the rest being derived from the customs, 
tobacco, &c. There is no tax upon land. It was thought at Manilla 
that a revenue might be derived by indirect taxation, far exceeding 
this sum, without being sensibly felt by the inhabitants. This mode 
is employed in the eastern islands under the English and Dutch rule, 
and it is surprising that the Spaniards also do not adopt it, or some 
other method to increase resources that are so much needed. When¬ 
ever the ministry in Spain had to meet a claim, they were a few 
years ago in the habit of issuing drafts on this colonial government 
in payment. These came at last in such numbers, that latterly they 
have been compelled to suspend the payment of them. 
The revenue of the colonial government is very little more than 
will meet the expenses; and it is believed that, notwithstanding these 
unaccepted claims, it received orders to remit the surplus, if any, to 
Spain, regardless of honour or good faith. 
The government of the Philippines is in the hands of a governor- 
general, who has the titles of viceroy, commander-in-chief, sub-dele¬ 
gate, judge of the revenue from the post-office, commander of the 
troops, captain-general, and commander of the naval forces. His 
duties embrace every thing that relates to the security and defence of 
the country. As advisers, he has a council called the Audiencia. 
