The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume 52, 1841-1898: Explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commercial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the close of the nineteenth century — John Shaqi
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume 52, 1841-1898: Explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commercial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the close of the nineteenth century
History
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume 52, 1841-1898: Explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commercial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the close of the nineteenth century
Demarcation line of Alexander VI; Missions -- Philippines; Philippines -- Discovery and exploration; Philippines -- History -- Sources
view of these in 1784 and another in 1866; an outline of the projects,
efforts, and achievements of the noted Economic Society of Manila;
and bibliographical references for the use of the reader. Following
is a synopsis of the above documents:
Of exceeding interest and importance is the third volume of Mas's
Informe, on the policy of the Spanish government as regards internal
affairs in the Philippine Islands. Intended almost exclusively for the
use of the government, but comparatively few copies were published,
and hence the volume is of great rarity, and is not mentioned by
most of the bibliographers. We know with certainty of four copies:
two owned in the Philippines, one by the heirs of Clemente Zulueta,
and the other by Epifanio de los Santos (our translation being made
from a typewritten copy of the latter); one in the Peabody Institute,
Baltimore, and one in the collection of the Compañía General de
Tabacos de Filipinas, Barcelona. Its chief value and importance lie
in its treatment of various vital questions that had already begun to
present themselves to some minds more or less clearly--the relation of
the Filipino-Spaniards to those of the Peninsula; questions concerning
the natives, Chinese mestizos, and Spaniards; separation from Spain;
and lastly, the proposition to free the islands. The document, while
containing many things that are general in nature, and which even
appear childish and visionary, is in many other things clear-sighted,
and shows deep and keen observation. The first two volumes of Mas's
work (which have been cited so frequently in this series) were
written in order to form a suitable background to the third volume,
and thus lead to it naturally, by giving a résumé in succinct form
of the history, government, and social and economic conditions of
the islands. Proceeding to his purpose, the author states that the
intentions of Spain in regard to the colony may be one of three:
perpetual possession; utter neglect; or emancipation. He treats only
of the first and third. To ensure perpetual possession, there are
three principles to be borne in mind and acted upon: the reduction
of the white population; the subordination of the natives; and the
general reform of the Spanish administration. The growth of the white
population fosters the spirit of independence, for the Spaniards of the
Philippines look upon the islands as their own country, and have no
affection for Spain. Their only concern is to hold possession of the
government posts, but they are lazy and ignorant. They are naturally
disgruntled by the appointment of peninsular Spaniards to posts in the
islands; for, since the promotions are limited, they cannot hope for
the advancement that they believe is due them. Their discontent was
seen in practical form in the insurrection instigated in 1822 because
of the officials brought from Spain by Antonio Martinez; and there
was evident discontent because of the new contingent that appeared in
1825.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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