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]

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THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS

[Vol. 36

which the alcalde tries to commit, it seems to me that
they might be avoided by the countryman borrowing
the money from a private person who is not in position to annoy him." "That is all very well thought
out, but I will tell you what happens. The Indian
borrows money very easily, but it is very difficult
to get him to pay it, and he generally avoids doing
so, if possible. If a private person lends him money
and does not collect it when due, he has to go to the
alcalde in order that the latter may force payment.
The latter either does so coldly, or pays no attention
to the whole matter, since his intention is that such
private persons take warning and never again lend
to anyone; for, it is evident, that if many come to
speculate in this kind of business, the alcalde will
soon be shut out, or at least will have to submit himself to the general rules. Consequently, the result is
that capitalists draw back from him, saying, and
very rightly, that it is only fitting for the alcaldes
who possess the means to cause themselves to be paid
when a debt is due. The alcalde, then, remains
master of the field, and monopolizes this department
at his pleasure, for he who needs funds has to go to
him, for there are very few who enjoy enough credit
to get them elsewhere. Many other advantages also
favor the alcalde. The parish priests aid him, and
many times take charge of the division of the money
of the alcalde in their villages, for they know that
that is the sure means of keeping on good terms with
him, and obtaining the measures which depend on
his will in the matters of their villages. The gobernadorcillos and officials of justice are other instruments of which the alcalde makes use to apportion
and collect his funds." "Why is it that these do not