Part 18 (1/2)

”As for the second point, the amount of the commerce, this was formerly without any limitation; and during the time (which was short) while that condition lasted the islands acquired what strength and wealth and grandeur they now possess.” (Juan Grau y Monfalcon in Extracto Historial by Antonio Alvarez de Abreu; Madrid, 1736.--Bl. and Rb., Vol. 30, p. 50.)

This is the point of view taken by Azcarraga in his La Libertad de Comercio en Filipinas.

[96] ”In 1603, that is, when our colony had only thirty-two years of existence, there were already in the capital 25,000 Chinese, and the number of j.a.panese must have been also quite considerable, since they formed a colony which occupied the barrios of San Anton and San Miguel, at present inhabited by natives and a great portion of the white population.” (Azcarraga, La Libertad de Comercio, p. 44.)

[97] ”37. Accordingly the commerce of this city is extensive, rich, and unusually profitable; for it is carried on by all these Chinese and their s.h.i.+ps, with those of all the islands above mentioned and of Tonquin, Cochinchina, Camboja, and Siam--four separate kingdoms, which lie opposite these islands on the continent of Great China--and of the gulfs and the numberless kingdoms of Eastern India, Persia, Bengala, and Ceilan, when there are no wars; and of the empire and kingdom of Xapon. The diversity of the peoples, therefore, who are seen in Manila and its environs is the greatest in the world; for these include men from all kingdoms and nations--Espana, Francia, Inglaterra, Italia, Flandes, Alemania, Dinamarca, Suecia, Polonia, Moscobia; people from all the Indias, both eastern and western; and Turks, Greeks, Moros, Persians, Tartars, Chinese, j.a.panese, Africans, and Asiatics. And hardly is there in the four quarters of the world a kingdom, province, or nation which has not representatives here, on account of the voyages that are made hither from all directions--east, west, north, and south.” Description of Filipinas Islands, Bartholome de Letona, O. S. F.; La Puebla, Mexico, 1662.--Bl. and Rb., Vol. 36, p. 205.)

[98] ”Number 96. Distinctions in products from the islands, and their qualities with respect to those of Espana.

”All these products that are trafficked from the islands are divided into six (sic) cla.s.ses. The first is of silk, in skeins, thread, and trama. The second, the silk textiles. The third, the cotton textiles. The fourth, the products of the islands. The fifth, other small wares and articles that are brought. Of these, the last cla.s.s amounts to but little, and is not harmful to the commerce of Espana, as it is composed of rarities and foreign products. The fourth cla.s.s, namely, that of the products of the islands, by that very fact ought to be exported--a claim that is founded on justice; since it is not usual to prohibit to any province its own trade, and the exportation of its products wherever they may have a sale, even though foreign commerce be denied to it. Besides, this sort has the characteristic of the third, namely, that these wares are so cheap that their like cannot be supplied from Espana, as has been said, on account of the great difference of their prices. (In the margin: ”In number 95.”) Hence, the wares of these kingdoms would not be used any more, even did those of the islands fail; nor less, even if there were an over-supply. For the Indians and negroes care only for the linens of China and Filipinas, and, if they do not have them, they get along without them; for they have no wealth to give eight reals for what costs them one and one-half reals. One thousand bales of linen which is s.h.i.+pped from Sevilla in each trading fleet always finds a sale, and no more can be carried (to Nueva Espana)--because that would create a lack in Espana, and it would, moreover, be too advantageous to the foreigners, to whom almost all this commodity belongs. Two thousand bales of cotton textiles exported from Manila are also consumed (there); and the fact that there is less or more does not cause any considerable loss in the linen made from flax and hemp, nor does it involve much money; for the two thousand bales of cotton are worth one hundred and fifty thousand pesos, while one thousand of fine linen are worth more than one million.” (Informatory Memorial addressed to the King, Juan Grau y Monfalcon, Procurator General; Madrid, 1637.--Bl. and Rb., Vol. 27, pp. 200-201.)

[99] Ibid., pp. 98-104.

[100] Ibid., pp. 115-116.

[101] Ibid., pp. 120.

[102] Ibid., pp. 186-197.

[103] Ibid., p. 158.

[104] Ibid.

[105] Recopilacion de Leyes, Lib. IX, t.i.t. x.x.xV, Ley VI. In Bl. and Rb., Vol. 17, pp. 30-31. Jan. 11, 1593.

[106] Ibid., Ley XV.--Bl. and Rb., Vol. 17, pp. 31-32. Jan. 11, 1593.

[107] Ibid., Ley x.x.xIV.--Bl.and Rb., Vol. 17, p. 32. Jan. 11, 1593.

[108] Ibid., Ley LXVIII.--Bl. and Rb., Vol. 17, p. 33. Jan. 11, 1593.

[109] La Libertad de Comercio, p. 49.

[110] Recopilacion, Lib IX, t.i.t. x.x.xV, Leyes LXXIV, LXXV, and LXXVI.--Bl. and Rb., Vol. 17, pp. 42-44.

[111] Pedro Quiroga.

[112] Recopilacion, ibid., Ley LXXVIII.--Bl. and Rb., Vol. 17, pp. 44-45.

[113] As to the effect of these restrictions Azcarraga says: ”* * *

thus, at the end of that century, there was nothing but poverty and discontent in the city; the white population had hardly increased; commerce, confined within the narrow sphere of periodic voyages to Acapulco, was languis.h.i.+ng, without attempting to engage in any other kind of traffic; and poverty was reflected even in the very troops stationed in the city, who did duty unshod and without uniform (camisa), frequently committing robberies at the Chinese stores. * * *”

(La Libertad, p. 54.)

[114] Extracto Historial, Antonio Alvarez de Abreu.--Bl. and Rb., Vol. 44, p. 231.

[115] Ibid., p. 236.

[116] Ibid., p. 232.