ptain-general receive those complaints kindly and very easily
dictate measures humiliating for the alcalde, and impose fines on him,
of which a copy is given to the complaining parties. Rarely is it
that one leaves his alcaldeship without having paid many fines. The
Filipinos make the greatest ado, as is natural, over those triumphs
against authority, but authority loses decorum and moral force. All
this comes from the bad system established, for, since the governor
from the moment that he becomes a merchant, must be a bad governor and
a usurer and tyrant, the government of Manila is predisposed against
his acts, and declares itself the protector of the Filipinos. In this
way one evil is remedied by a worse. The supreme authority instead
of supporting and sustaining the subordinate government punishes and
degrades it. Illusion, respect, and fear vanish. It is believed that
that severity against those who rule is advantageous in making our
yoke loved, and that the natives will say, "The government is kind for
it punishes the alcaldes," while it would be better for them to say,
"The government is kind because it gives us good alcaldes."

Shortly after my arrival in the islands, being at the feast of
Cavite, distant four hours from the capital, I wished to go thither
on horseback, but all who heard of it dissuaded me from the idea,
asserting that I was about to commit a rash act. Another time when
I was coming from Laguna, on passing through Montinlupa, the manager
of the estate of that name was so greatly alarmed that he wished to
accompany me with his servants until we came near the city, and in
fact I learned soon that I was running a great danger on that road,
and that shortly before a Spanish sergeant had been murdered on
it. Then I was very much surprised to find that it was dangerous to
go near the capital without an escort, but later I have been much
more surprised to see that in provinces distant from the capital a
complete security is enjoyed. In order to show the condition of the
criminality of the island we shall present the following data drawn
from the clerk's office of the Audiencia.

Criminal causes sentenced in the Audiencia of Filipinas between the
years 1831-1837

[not inclusive]

Years Causes

1832 75
1833 83
1834 43
1835 102