The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803; 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, commericial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the beginning of the nineteenth century; [Vol. 1, no. 36]

i649-I666]

PREFACE

I 9

collusion with the alcalde, whom they endeavor to
aid in order that they may gain their own ends.
Notwithstanding the alcaldes are few who are not
often fined during their term. The government is
most to blame for this state of affairs for its course
implies that the alcaldes are expected to be rogues.
Crime has increased greatly of late years. Punishments are too light, and many criminals even get off
scotfree. This produces only bad results. The officials are slow to arrest because the criminal will soon
be released as a general rule, and will always take
vengeance if possible. Although he argues that the
death sentence ought to be abolished as an unnecessary cruelty, Mas urges that the lash be not spared,
for a good beating will correct more faults than
anything else. The jail only acts as an allurement
for the majority of Filipinos, for it is generally better than their own houses. The laws in force in the
islands are a confused mass, consisting of the Leyes
de Indias, royal decrees and orders, the decrees and
edicts of the governors, a portion of the laws of the
Siete Partidas, parts of Roman law, etc. Mas advocates strenuously the prohibition of trade granted
to alcaldes and an extension of their term of office.
One common native language, could such be established, would be very useful. There should be a
commission after the manner of that in British India,
to advise revision in the existing laws.
THE EDITORS
March, I906.