t, due to the fact that the Indians
change their dwelling from time to time, or absent themselves for
some time. Mortality must also have some effect on it. It results
always that the natives of the Philippines, the subjects of the king
of Espana, form a colony about as numerous as the city of Paris;
and that that colony, if it were well governed and well directed,
might become very flourishing.

Article Thirteenth

Of the power and influence enjoyed by the religious in the Philippines

If the governor of the Philippines is absolute, the religious orders
form there a body that is not less powerful. Masters of the provinces,
they govern there, one might say, as sovereigns; they are so absolute
that no Spaniard dares go to establish himself there. If he tried to do
so, he would succeed only after having surmounted great difficulties,
and removed the greatest obstacles. But he would always be at swords'
point: the friars would play him so many tricks; they would seek
so many occasions of dispute with him; and they would stir up so
many things against him, that in the end he would be forced to go
away. Thus do those fathers remain masters of the land, and they are
more absolute in the Philippines than is the king himself.

In 1763 or 1764 an alcalde of Manila, zealous for the public welfare,
had a royal road lengthened two or three leagues from the city, and
had both sides of it planted with trees. It produced a very beautiful
effect, and facilitated the carriage of food to Manila. The fathers
of the Society began a suit against the alcalde, because, they said,
he had encroached upon the lands of the poor Indians. The alcalde,
and rightfully, paid but little attention to the suit. The fathers of
the Society, upon seeing that the matter was not turning out at all
to their advantage, caused the trees to be cut down by the Indians,
and reduced the road to its former condition--that is to say, they
administered justice themselves. Will it be believed that the affair
is left in this condition? However, nothing is more certain; it was
still quite recent at my arrival at Manila, and was related to me by
several persons worthy of credit.

According to an ordinance of the king, renewed, perhaps, a hundred
times, the religious are ordered to teach Castilian to the young
Indians. But his Majesty, the Spaniards of Manila have assured me
universally, has not yet been obeyed to this day, and has not been
able to succeed in ha