The History of Philippine Islands by Joaquín Martínez de Zúñiga John Maver

Author:Joaquín Martínez de Zúñiga, John Maver [Joaquín Martínez de Zúñiga, John Maver]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Nonfiction, History, Asian, Southeast Asia
ISBN: 4064066392949
Publisher: Musaicum Books
Published: 2020-12-17T05:00:00+00:00

Note VII.—Page 18.

This shell, which even here, as every where else, bears the name of cowrie, forms likewise the currency of Africa, as it formerly did that of India; and this may probably furnish an argument in favour of the Malay origin.

Note VIII.—Page 21. Note IX.—Same page.

Two causes are here assigned for the wretched state of these dependencies, apparently different, but in fact flowing from the same source. We are told that the surrounding nations are more industrious, and can work at a cheaper rate, and that the insects and rats destroy the produce of the soil. Were the encouragement of agriculture and manufactures an object of importance in the colonial system of the Philippines, the extension and protection of the former would soon circumscribe the dominion of the rats, its most destructive enemy; and if the productions of the soil were, as they ought to be, in as great plenty, and at as low a rate as on the neighbouring islands, manufactures, particularly with the aid of machinery, would be afforded at a profit adequate to the exertions of industry. But the truth is, that the Spanish government is rather desirous of considering the Philippines as the grand depot of the commerce of South America with India and China, and it may be presumed that, on this account, not only is its industry repressed, but the very heavy expense of the settlement submitted to and annually sent from New Spain. The revenue stated to be collected in the islands amounts to about one million of dollars, and this, together with about the same sum remitted by the Acapulco ships, enable the government to defray the annual charges of the colonial establishment.

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