THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS 
53 
archipelago but for the repressive measures adopted by 
the Spaniards. The history of Manila records several 
wholesale massacres of the “ Sangleyes,” the last of which 
took place in 1819, when they were accused of poisoning 
the wells. Their numbers were limited to 6000, but 
frequently rose to 30,000 or 40,000, only to be reduced 
by slaughter and exile. In 1603 some 23,000 were 
killed. Heavy taxes and strict regulations drove them 
to revolt in 1639, when over 30,000 of them fell 
victims. In 1762 they helped the English at the 
taking of Manila, and on our evacuation of the city some 
months later, an edict was published by the Spanish 
Governor that all the Chinese on the islands should be 
hanged, and this order was said to have been very 
generally carried out. Notwithstanding these checks 
to their increase they have thriven and prospered, and 
at the present time the pure race probably number about 
55,000. Of those of mixed blood it is impossible to 
arrive at an estimate. The number of Chinese women 
who leave their country is infinitesimally small, and 
the Celestial has from time immemorial chosen his wife 
from the native women. To such an extent has this 
mixture of race been carried on that the Chinese element 
has left an indelible stamp upon the inhabitants of the 
Philippines, and its influence throughout the archipelago 
is very considerable. 
The number of Spaniards, who with the exception of 
the priests are chiefly resident in Manila, is stated to be 
14,000. But here the same difficulty of estimation 
obtains as in the case of the Chinese, for, like the latter, 
they have mixed freely with half-castes and natives from 
the time of their first arrival. The Philippines, indeed, 
show as great confusion of races as any country in 
Australasia. Even the American element is present, for, 
