The Madrast commerce annually carries into Filipinas fabrics of cotton,
called cambayas, to the value of $300,000 to $350,000, a sum which
the traders carry back to their own country in cash, without taking
away any natural or industrial product of Filipinas. Likewise the
Chinese carry into the islands annually, by means of their champans,
cotton fabrics with the names of manta Hipo, Chuapo, and others,
to the value of $300,000, nearly all of which sum they carry back to
their own country in cash. The Armenians of India and the Chinese had
likewise the control, from the time of the conquest of the islands,
of importing into them annually the enormous quantity of small cotton
articles [pañuelos] and ordinary cambayas which the natives of the
country consume, until intercourse with those coasts was interrupted
in the late war with Inglaterra. Then necessity and the high price
of those goods induced the natives of Filipinas to manufacture them,
and in such abundance that the ships which arrived at Manila, after the
peace, with those commodities suffered great loss; and from that time
the importation of those fabrics ceased, and the natives continued to
manufacture them in the country. This has not been the case, however,
with the fine cambayas and kerchiefs from Madrast, nor with the cotton
fabrics from China; for the former are dyed with the beautiful and
permanent Indian colors, furnished by certain plants which are to this
day unknown in Filipinas, and the latter [are desired] on account of
the very low prices at which the Chinese sell them. Thus, although
various manufacturers of Manila have attempted to weave and dye that
class of goods, they have not obtained favorable results, and have
abandoned to the Armenians and Chinese the exclusive provision of
Filipinas with those commodities. It seems impossible that a colony
in which is produced cotton of a quality superior to that of all the
other colonies in Asia, whose natives are industrious, and where the
general consumption of the country offers a large and sure market
for cotton fabrics, must be dependent for its supply on foreign
manufacturers, and carry on with them a commerce which is one-sided
[pasivo] and ruinous. Nevertheless, the causes of this incongruity
lie in the great population of India and China as compared with that
of Filipinas, which causes the wages paid for the spinning of the
thread (and it is this item which increases or diminishes the cost
of the woven goods) to be very low; in the enormous crops of cotton
which those countries produce as compared with that of Filipinas,
which abundance causes a diminution in the price of the raw material
there; and, finally, in the superiority of the dyes of India, which
no colony has been able thus far to imitate.
In order to compensate for the cheapness of hand labor in the great
populations of India and China, it is necessary that in Filipinas
cotton-spinning machinery should be introduced, and that this project
be encouraged by all means; that instructors in weaving and dyeing
cambayas and kerchiefs be taken thither from Madrast, who shall at
the same time introduce into Filipinas a knowledge of the plants from
which the Oriental dyes are obtained, with the methods of planting
and cultivating these--meeting this expense from the communal funds
of the Indians. [These measures, and the promotion already urged for
large plantations of cotton, would furnish employment to many natives
of Filipinas, and "place in circulation within the country itself the
$650,000 which annually are carried out of it in hard money to foreign
lands for the value of the cambayas and other fabrics imported into
it." Moreover, a new and important line of goods would be added to
the exports of Filipinas in these fine cotton fabrics, which would
be equal to those of India and even cheaper; while the islands can
always supply their own coarse cottons much more cheaply than these
can be manufactured in España, an industry which should therefore be
fostered in Filipinas. These coarse commodities could thus be supplied
also to España, more cheaply than they can be manufactured there;
thus Spanish commerce would be liberated from its present dependence
upon foreign countries for them, and the money paid for them would
instead go into the hands of Spaniards, in Spanish possessions. To
secure these ends, the government of Filipinas should be cautious in
imposing import duties on the fine foreign goods, gradually increasing
them according to the ability of Philippine manufacturers to displace
foreign goods by native products. Bernaldez therefore recommends:
That encouragement and rewards be conferred on those who introduce
cotton-spinning machinery; that instructors in weaving and dyeing be
brought from India, as above mentioned; that the manufacture of coarse
cotton fabrics in the islands be promoted; that duties on the fine
goods should be gradually increased; that raw cotton be permitted
free exportation from the islands; and that the authorities of the
exchequer there confer on these matters with the local manufacturers
and merchants.]
Of the means for establishing regular communication and frequent
and permanent mercantile relations between España and the Filipinas
Islands.
[The writer urges the necessity of more interest and care for the needs
of the islands, and action by the Spanish government in their behalf,
if they are to be retained as a Spanish possession. For this purpose a
regular commerce with the islands should be maintained, sufficient to
keep twelve ships in constant employment, six sailing for the islands
every year; and thus could be kept in efficient condition the large
force (more than one thousand two hundred) of government employees
in all the departments of the island service. He warns the ministry
against plans which may be proposed by selfish interests and intrigues,
for leaving the islands in their present poverty and isolation from
the mother country. The commercial interests of the latter should
unite to carry on this work, partly for their own profit, partly as a
matter of patriotism. "The Filipinas Islands ought to be the center of
the Spanish government's power in Asia, the great market for Spanish
commerce," and the source of enormous revenues to the Spanish treasury;
they should be to España what India is to England, and are even more
capable, by their natural endowments, of being a source of power
and opulence to the mother country. Spanish commerce is being greatly
injured by the restrictions laid upon trade with the countries of Asia,
and the treasury should adjust the duties it exacts to those of other
countries; this would put an end to the smuggling which wastes more
than half of its revenues under the present system, cheapen prices,
increase the consumption of goods, and augment the revenues of the
crown. Bernaldez compares the restrictive Spanish policy with that
pursued by the Dutch and English in Asia, the latter being "based on
the principle of maintaining and protecting their principal possessions
in those regions;" and illustrates this by allusion to their leading
colonies, while he censures Spain's negligence and folly in regard
to Filipinas, and her apathy in allowing foreign nations to seize
her commerce. The royal decree of January 10, 1820, although aiding
Philippine commerce only as a temporary measure, has already done much
for the islands; their commerce with España has placed in circulation
considerable quantities of capital, and has increased the products of
agriculture and the exportation of these from Manila to such a degree
that their value has risen to almost double what it was before. This
has been mutually beneficial to both countries; but the colony "will
become the victim of this very prosperity" unless the home government
shall grant certain exemptions and privileges to render it permanent
and solid. The present restrictions on Spanish commerce prevent the
exportation of silver to Filipinas, and enable the foreigners to
monopolize the trade of the islands in iron, wine, brandy, paper,
and other wares which, being Spanish products, ought to be furnished
by Spanish merchants--who, in this fettered condition, are "unable
to find any way of placing funds in Manila for the purchase of their
cargoes." Moreover, "the premiums on insurance have been considerably
increased for [vessels bearing] the Spanish flag, on account of the
risk from the insurgent corsairs; and these same risks compel the
merchants to increase, for their part, the expenses for the armament
and crews of their ships." The merchants of Manila have only two
commodities to offer to Spanish trade, sugar and indigo, and the
latter of these is not practicable for the sole lading of a vessel;
while if the sugar crop should fail, those merchants are left without
other resource, to say nothing of the uncertainty in prices caused by
that in the number of foreign customers who will arrive at Manila. The
Spanish government, therefore, "should open to the commerce of España
with Filipinas a wider range of objects in all the productions of India
and China, both natural and industrial, in which commerce can engage
in speculation and with which it can furnish cargoes for its ships;"
for the trade in sugar alone is far too inadequate and uncertain
to support the ships needed for the maintenance and protection of
Filipinas. Bernaldez urges forcibly such action by the government,
and makes these recommendations: That Spanish ships be allowed to
trade with Filipinas, without any restrictions or duties, save that
on foreign goods carried by them a duty of ten per cent be paid,
and five per cent on arrival at Manila. That returns from these
consignments which consist in products of Filipinas shall be free
from any duties or imposts whatsoever, at either end of the voyage
or on their circulation in España. That ships may complete their
cargoes at Manila, if they wish, with any products of India, China,
and other Asiatic countries, to the extent of 30 toneladas of lading
for every 100 toneladas of Philippine products carried in the vessel;
these foreign goods shall pay ten per cent duty at Manila, and ten per
cent on reaching the Spanish ports, reckoned on the cost of the goods
at Manila as shown by the official registers. Any ship-owner who shall
have carried only Spanish goods to Filipinas and Philippine products
on the return trip shall be given the right to make another voyage
to the ports of India or China, carrying the goods most suitable
for those markets and returning to España with white cotton stuffs
and other goods at their pleasure. In these latter voyages, Spanish
products carried to Asia shall be exempt from all duties; and foreign
products carried thither shall pay a duty of ten per cent on the values
in the general tariffs; and Asiatic goods brought back to España shall
pay the same rate on the first cost in Asia, as shown by the original
invoices. That silver may be freely exported from España for all these
trading expeditions, by paying two per cent. And that the shipments
of moneys due from the colonial revenues to the Spanish government
be made through the Spanish ships which shall be at Manila at the
beginning of the monsoon, in proportion to their respective tonnage.]
Of the necessity of forming a special code of laws for the Filipinas
Islands; and of ordaining that a periodical visitation of that colony
be made by officials from the Peninsula.
[Such visitation should be made] every five years, by officials
despatched from the Peninsula for the purpose of inspecting the
manner in which the laws are fulfilled, and the conduct of government
employees of all classes; to examine the progress made in all the
branches of administration, and matters that are worthy of reform; to
make provisional arrangements for these, according to the instructions
that shall be entrusted to them; and to furnish information to his
Majesty's government, from their positive knowledge and examination of
the facts. The climate of Filipinas, and the disposition, passions,
and customs of its inhabitants, are very different from those of the
two Americas, by whose code the islands are governed. Although they
form a naturally agricultural colony, they lack agrarian laws suited to
the nature and resources of the country. The administration of justice
demands many modifications of the general laws; and the institutions
of the municipality and the [commercial] consulate, similar to those
of the Peninsula, have not corresponded to the beneficial ends which
the sovereign intended in them, on account of the character of the
persons who in Manila compose that class of corporations, and of
their clashing interests and relations. The chairs of theology,
laws, and philosophy should, I am forced to say, be abolished, on
account of the abuse which is made of the knowledge gained in those
branches of learning; and in their places be substituted chairs of
agriculture, botany, mineralogy, arts, and commerce--throwing open
the colleges and universities of España to the natives of Filipinas
who desire to cultivate the former branches. In the laws which
regulate law-suits, in the tariffs, in the penalties--in short, in
all which has been adopted from other countries and another condition
of human life--there is a certain discord with the character, usages,
and customs of the inhabitants of Filipinas which it is necessary to
correct. A periodical visitation by officials experienced in affairs,
would set everything in motion in that colony, fill the natives with
hope, correct the arbitrary use of power (which usually increased
in proportion to the distances from the center of government), and
furnish to this government accurate and impartial data for making its
decisions. It is a great mistake, in my judgment, to seek for light on
affairs of government in the colonies from the information furnished by
their authorities and corporations; they are always prone to support
their own jurisdictions or interests, and, in whatever matter these
may cross, it is impossible to expect impartiality. The laxity which
the climate inspires, the pleasures, the relations of friendship,
kindred, and interest in a small population of Spaniards - all these
things cause the neglect of affairs of government, and the domination
of private interests. Points of mere etiquette, questions of little
importance to the [royal] service, and discords (which furnish a bad
example) between married persons - it has been mainly these things
which for many years have filled the official correspondence of the
colonies and kept their authorities occupied. Many of the subjects
which are touched upon in this writing are either absolutely unknown
to the government, or have not been discussed with the specifications
and explanations which their importance deserves.
I have explained to your Excellency impartially the causes which
antagonize the security and progress of the Filipinas Islands; and
your Excellency will recognize, by the irrefutable facts which I
have here set down, that in that colony there exist the elements
necessary for it to render itself prosperous, and to distribute
its wealth throughout España, increasing the glory and power of her
sovereign. Your Excellency desires radical measures of reform, and
solidly-grounded plans for prosperity, because you recognize that
this is the great art of government and of political economy. I have
endeavored not to embarrass myself with the examination of one-sided
and isolated questions, but rather to rise to the comprehension of
the axioms and general principles which would give perpetual strength
to the tranquillity of the Filipinas Islands and lay the foundations
for their advancing prosperity.
It has already been made evident by melancholy experience that the
governmental measures adopted since the conquest of the colonies have
not been suited to their object. It is therefore necessary either
to leave existing in Filipinas the same causes which have brought
other colonies to their ruin, or to change the system without loss
of time. This great reform will assuredly be the work of the present
enlightened government of his Majesty, and the future prosperity of the
Filipinas Islands will be the grandest monument to his glory. Madrid,
April 26, 1827.
Most excellent Sir,