All these computations of the savings and increases which this
royal treasury can gain each year have been made without including
in the totals the actual product of the tributes and other branches
of the royal revenue in these islands; therefore, adding the said
product to the total of the savings and increases which are here
mentioned, there will result a greater amount than that which has
been estimated. No matter how gloomily people may talk, the aforesaid
statements are convincing that, even if these estimates are made lower,
these islands can, notwithstanding these reductions, be maintained
by their own resources alone; and in the future the royal exchequer
can make good the great sums which the islands have hitherto cost,
with the special advantage that the fortified towns and military posts
can be put into very respectable condition, and be made superior to
the forts of any hostile nation whatever.
I protest and swear that I have understood the matter thus, and that,
because I consider it feasible, judging from the experience of my
office, I have [here] devoted myself to demonstrating more specifically
that which in general is contained in the work entitled "Demonstration
of the wretched and deplorable condition of the Philipinas Islands,"
etc., which last year I presented before this superior government,
and of which I rendered account to his Majesty, whose royal mind
will consider what is most expedient for the glory of his monarchy,
the conservation of these islands, and the advantage of the royal
exchequer. It is to those ends that the savings and increases of
revenue are directed that are found in these statements--which are
the children of the zeal, affection, fidelity, disinterestedness,
and assiduity with which I have devoted myself to the affairs of the
royal service. Manila, July 10, 1766.