n was
in collusion with the manager of the wine monopoly and they practiced
the following. The harvesters came with their wine, but they were
told that it was impossible to receive it. There was a conflict
within themselves, for they had to return to their village. Then
they were told that if they wished to deposit the wine they would
put it in certain jars which had been provided in the storehouse, by
paying such and such a rent until the administration could introduce
it. The harvesters, who needed the money, thereupon sold the wine to
the agents of the alcalde, at any price at all in order to return to
their homes. Finally, as he who had come to be an alcalde, has had
no other object than to acquire wealth, every matter which does not
contribute to that object, such as the making of a bridge, or a road,
the prosecution of evil doers, or any occupation purely of government
or justice, distracts and troubles him. On the contrary every means
of attaining his end appears to him fitting and good. This method of
thought is a little more or less in the minds of all; and thus you
observe that no one says here, not even excluding the religious, who
are those who know the country best, 'I have such or such reasons for
gaining this suit,' but, 'I have so many thousand pesos to gain the
suit.' But to tell the truth, it is not to be wondered at that the
alcaldes-mayor work without much scruple. In the space of six years
they have to pay their passage from and to Espana; to satisfy the high
interest on the money which they have borrowed; to acquit themselves
of the amount which their alcaldeship has often cost them; and besides
they make their fortunes. Not more or less is done in Turquia."

In the same way as this good man talked, the majority talk. The faults
and vices of some are attributed and laid to all. It is certain that
this system is fatal, for governors of such sort must be essentially
interested in turning down the attempt of private speculators,
and to frighten away instead the attraction of capital. That has,
as a natural consequence, the increased interest on money which
so endangers production, and, consequently, exportation and the
encouragement of the islands. But not less fatal is the opinion that
the authorities of Manila themselves are fed on such abuses. Complaints
are continually presented against the alcalde, at times very captious
and filled with falsehood and absurdity. The Audiencia and office of
the ca