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. 48]

I75I-I765]

PREFACE

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moreover, they are taxed very moderately. They are
idle, improvident, and extravagant; they might be
rich, if they would labor even moderately; and an
increase in their tributes would require but little
additional work from them, which would also help
to correct their slothfulness. This vice, however, is
also the bane of their Spanish masters, whom Viana
bitterly rebukes; but he urges that the Indians be
compelled to do a certain amount of work, especially
in agricultural production. The various rebellions
of the natives of Filipinas constitute another valid
reason for increasing their tributes. Viana declares
that, in proposing this measure, he must at the same
time protest against the misuse or theft of its proceeds; and he rebukes, in scathing terms, the recklessness, extravagance, and dishonesty of the Spanish
officials, and the unpunished corruption and misgovernment that prevail in Spain's colonial administration. The increase of tributes can be secured
only by maintaining in the islands a military force
sufficient to punish and prevent the Moro raids, and
to keep the Indians in wholesome awe; and the
alcaldes-mayor of the provinces should be more carefully chosen and better paid. All military supplies
should be kept at Cavite instead of (as now) Manila.
As an alternative for increasing the tributes, Viana
suggests the establishment of church tithes, by which
the royal treasury would be relieved of the heavy
burden of supporting the ecclesiastical estate; or the
imposition on the Indians and mestizos of a tax for
the support of the military posts in the provinces.
Part ii of Viana's memorial is devoted to "navigation and commerce; the method for establishing
them in these islands, and their great benefits." He