62 
COMPENDIUM OF GEOGRAPHY AND TRAVEL 
The gobernadorcillo, in addition to acting as mayor 
and magistrate and headman of the district to whom (or 
to his teniente) the European traveller applies for men 
and animals to continue his journey, was formerly also 
the tax collector, or rather the collector of “ tribute,” for 
by this name was known the impost levied upon every 
person not of European parentage. Each married couple 
paid a tributa , amounting to about 4s. 4d.; unmarried 
adults paid half that sum. In addition there was a forty 
days’ corvee for road mending, which could be com¬ 
pounded for by an annual payment of 12s. In 1884 all 
this was abolished, and a passport (Cedulapersonal) system 
adopted. The passports are of nine classes from 2 5 dollars 
downwards; those holding lower than a 3^- dollar rating 
being obliged to submit to 15 days’ corvee, or to pay an 
equivalent of half a dollar per diem. These passports 
are compulsory for every person above the age of 18 
years of whatever nationality. 
The army is composed of seven regiments of in¬ 
fantry ; a squadron of cavalry; a Guardia Civil of native 
troops numbering four regiments; a battery of peninsula 
artillery; a corps of engineers, with four native com¬ 
panies attached; and a corps of carbineers. The total 
strength, on a peace footing, is 11,000 men, 12 guns, 
and 120 horses. Eecruiting is by conscription, and the 
length of service eight years, but a native can purchase 
freedom from conscription by the payment of about £10. 
The navy comprises 26 vessels, mostly of small tonnage, 
although a corvette of the first class and three smaller 
unarmoured ships are stationed in the archipelago. Of the 
rest 13 are gunboats. One vessel is employed in survey 
work. The total number of officers and men on active 
service, including marines, is about 3000. At Cavite, 
the naval station of Manila, there is an arsenal and a slip. 
