=204. Failure to develop colonial trade.=—In the foregoing sketch we find sufficient explanation of the decline of the domestic industry and commerce of Spain; we have still left to consider the question why the evils of the home system were not repaired by the chances for commercial development which the discovery of America and of the sea route to eastern possessions opened. Before the attention of Spanish rulers was absorbed by the attempt to suppress the Protestant movement in Europe and to subject the Netherlands, the crown had won an immense area outside of Europe; even to-day the extent of the Spanish possessions at this period is attested by the hold which the Spanish language still has on the world. Of all the European countries Spain was the one which appeared in the sixteenth century to have the best chance to build up a great commercial empire based on world-wide possessions. Why was not this chance accepted? =205. Spanish colonial policy. Taxes.=—It was a misfortune for the Spaniards that they quickly discovered precious metals in America, and in seeking to increase their supply were diverted from a more substantial basis of prosperity. But the final blame for failure lies again not with the people nor with the nature of the colonies, but with the government. The explanation is to be sought in the colonial policy of the Spanish kings. At first the trade to America was comparatively unrestricted. Before, however, merchants could establish the trade relations which would have enabled them to develop the resources both of Spain and the transmarine possessions, the government laid its heavy hand on the trade and held it down so tightly that it never acquired vigor. Heavy taxes were levied on trade, and, as in the case of taxes at home, these often were framed in such a short-sighted way that they brought far more loss to commerce than gain to the treasury. The “palmeo,” for instance, was an export duty levied in the eighteenth century on wares merely according to their bulk, without regard to their value; its effect was to encourage the export of foreign manufactures, which had great value in a small bulk so that they could afford to pay the duty, while the coarser Spanish exports were taxed out of existence.