CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY JOHN M. ECHOLS Collection on Southeast Asia 3 1924 086 174 210 597 PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. Report hy Mr. Consul P.icketts on the Trade and Commerce of the fh'lippine Islands /or the Year 1867. The Philippine Group, extending from 5° to 21° north, and from 116° to 128° east, is composed of 400 islands, containing a population of about 5,566,000 souls ; of these 4,766,270 are subject to the payment of an annual tribute ; the remainder live in a state of independence. The area of the Philippines may be approximately taken at 102,000 geographical square miles. The area of Luzon, the largest isle of the group, is 35,000 geographical square miles ; its population numbers about 2,856,021. ■ The population of the Visagas, islands lying to the south- wards of Luzon, of which Panag, Leyte, Cebu, Samar, and Negros are the principal, is reckoned at about 1,910,275 persons. Mindanao, the southernmost island of the archipelago, and little inferior in size to the island of Luzon, is said to be but thinly populated ; little, however, seems to be known either as regards the number of its inhabitants or its resources. All the inhabitants of the plains of Luzon and the Visagas have embraced the Roman Catholic faith, but those of Mindanao, with but few exceptions, still adhere to the religion of Mahomet. The seasons may be divided into the vyet and dry, the former extending from June to November, and the latter from December ta May. The maximum of the thermometer during the dry months in 1866 was 33'9, the minimum 22-2 centigrade ; during the wet months the maximum was 31'2, the minimum 21 '8. The mean of the year was 27*5. The average amount of rainfall annually is about 98 inches. The soil -of the Philippines is for the most part exceedingly fertile ; indeed in few regions has Nature done more for man than in this. Among its productions are rfce, coffee, indigo, tobacco, hemp, and sugar. , I now proceed to offer a few remarks on these, the principal objects of the commerce of this colony. Jiice. — The hill rice is sown in May, and cut in October, whilst that of the plains is planted generally in July or August, and gathered in December and January. Rice forms the staple article of food for the inhabitants ; its price varies according to locality. One quinon of land, or about 6903 acres in the province of Bulacan, on an average crop, is said to produce from 250 to 300 cavans of paddy. "Were the system of irrigation understood, and generally practised, the cultivation of rice might be considerably augmented. Coffee. — Considering that coffee grows with the greatest facility in the provinces of Laguna, Cavite, Tagabas, and Negros, and- 'that its quality is considered excellent, it is indeed surprising that its culture is so limited. The export of coffee from Java is probably over 1,000,000 piculs, whilst that from the Phillipines is but 40,000 picnls per annum. Indigo {Indigofera Tinctoria). — This is grown in the provinces of Pangasiuan and Ilocos ; it is sown in November, and the crop gathered in June. Its quality being inferior, owing in a great measure to a want 2b 598 STAiyi. of knowledge of the process of its manufacture, and the profit to the grower being exceedingly small, few care to employ their time in its cnltiyation. The total annual production of indigo is seldom in excess of 5,000 quintals. Sugar-cane (Saccharum Officinarum). — This cane is cultivated in Negros, Panay, Cebu, Luzon, and in nearly every part of the archipelago ; the yellow variety being generally raised in the province of Pampanga (Luzon), and the purple in Wegjaa and Panay. The shoots are planted in the month of February, and the crops cut in the January following. The yield of raw sugar from cane planted in an indifferent soil is about 12 piculs per acre, and \m the best soil about 40 piciils, the average being about 20. The best quality is from Pampanga, and the worst from Taal, or Batangas. The. -native apparatus for crushing sugar, which consists of two stone ajdinders with wooden teeth, is in many places superseded by iron rollers' from England. Steam sugar mills have also been set up on the estates of some of the Mestizo and European landlords. It is impossible \a compute the total production of augar during the last year of the Philippines, or of any particular district, there being no- sort of statistics on ^e sul^eot. Hemp {Mi*sa. Troglodytarium/ Temtoria, or Wild Plantain). — This plant, from which cordage,, saats, and wearing apparel, of various descrip- tions are manufactured^ is cultivated in many parts, but more especially in the provinces o£ Albaj aud. Camarines, in the south of Luzon. It is planted in the raicLy season, and is propagated with ease in the same manner as the common plaatain.. 100 plants occupy about 1,000 square yards of land. The method of making the land is as follows ; the tree, after having attained the age of between two and three years, is cut down and stripped of its folds ; these are th'en divided into pieces of three or four inches wide, ' and the pulpy or fleshy pacit separated by the process of drawing them, under a krufe, fixed for the "purpose ; the fibre is thus laid ha^e, and is then placed, in the sun to idry. If the plant be left on the ground for any length of time after it has been cut down, the hem^ made from it assumes a reddish tinge unsuited to commerce ; 50 trees produce about 25 Ibsi of hemp. The total pioduction in the Philllpinea o£.hemp, daring the year 1S67, did not, it. la said, amount to much more than 400,000 piculs. The expoitatioa of hemp andl sugar, although somewhat gieatec in 1867 than in 1866 appears for some years past to have manifested but little augmentation ;. this is to be attributed, not to any falling oS in the demand, but rather to a diminution in. the supply of this sort of produce. Many suppose that the present more favouBable rate of prices wiU stimulate the natives to extend cultivation ; considering, however, that the hxilders of. larg& estates seldom farm them, themselves, but sublet them on ih^-nsetai/er fi^stssai, that the peasantry constitute the bulk of the landhnlders,, and are for the most part indebted, possessing but little diesire for accumulation, it becomes questionable whether such expectations wnrbe realized.. The encouragement of Chinese settlers, a>nd tlie putting them on the same footing as the natives in all matters of taxation and protection, would no d(Mibt gp far towards, improving the agricultural resources of the. country-. Tahacco {iHcatikna Taiacum).-^-!ThL\s plant is furnished by all tl<'.=6. islands, but the largest and best quality comes from the province of Cagayan,, in the northern part, of Luzon, T.he seedi is sown in November, and tbe leaves plucked in the February aaid.the March following. What may have been the total amount of tobacco raised, in 1867 one cannot say, but the amount delivered, to the Government may be estimated at about 210,0001 PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. 599 quintals, of which' 125,000 were furnished by the provinces of C^^gayan and Isabela. The manufacture, though free under certain conditiong in the Visagan provinces, is a Government monopoly iq Luzon. Tlie ffo- visions for the culture of tobacco are very arbitrary ; in some pnovijipea the people are permitted, and in others prohibited, to engage in its cul- tivation ; iu Oagayan, with the exQeption of 9, little maize, it is the only produce raised. All tobacco grown in Luzon must be furnished to the Governnjent at the rate of 8 dollars 50 cents, per bale of the first clsiss, of 6 dollars per bale of the second class, of 2 dollars 50 cents, pgr bale of the third class, and so on, rates which are a-nything but remunerative to the producer. In view of the fact that little or no rice is grown in Cag^yan, but that the quantity required for consumption is im- ported from adjacent districts at a hi^h price, apd that the peasant is often compelled to borrow money at exorbitant i^tes, to enable him to support his family until such time as ho becomes reimbursed for the value of the tobacco supplied by him tp the Government, it must be admitted that the condition of th^ people of Cagayan is by no means enviable. Can agriculture thrive under such a system 1 Minerals. — Gold is found in the south of the island of Jjuzon, and in Mindanas and Mindoro. Small quantities find their way to Manila from remote districts, brought principally by Chinamen, who probably acquire it by traffic with thg natives. Copper ore has been found in various places ; the only mine opened, that of Mancayan, in the north of Luzon, has proved a failure com- merpially, from its inaccessibility and the consequent difficulty of traiiis- port. Iron, a mineral which it would scarcely pay to -yvork in these regions, is abundant in Luzon, the best being obtained from the mines of St. Hilarion, at about five hours' distance from the town of Angat ; there are no regular workings, but a native extracts the ore, from which he fashions the rude plough heads used iji the country. The ore is, jt is said, estimated to contain 80 per cent, of the metal, but both land and water communication are wanting. Coal mines, which promise to become valuable, exist in the i-sland of Cebu. One of them has just ceased from production, on account of the limited means of the proprietor, which only sufficed for the extraction of surface coal of very inferior quality, and in consequence of the limited demand. Timber. — Enormous forests remain virgin on the eastern gide of Luzon, and in most of the islands ; in the settled districts, however, the people, by nature improvident, have beeji guilty of such indiscriminate waste, that a restrictive enactment has lately been issued by the Government, the immediate effect of which has been to raise the price of timber considerably. The following are the principal woods in use :— Molave {Didinamia Angiospermia), Vitex {Geniovlaia Altisima), — This wopd is of extraordinary durability against damp and wet, and e,vpn when inclosed in mud or masonry, it is very hard, of a short close grain, of a pale yellow tinge, which is gusceptible of a high polish. It is smoh prized for piles and for columns, or piers, forming supports to houses. _ ilt is proof against the ravages of the white ant. The tree rises to a height .of 60 feet, is called by the Spaniards the queen pf voods, and iubojjndsjn most of the islands, Ypil (Decandria Momginia), Eperiia Decanrfm.— This vs'ood iis gome- ■wbat larger in fibre than the molave, and of a dark red colour. It abounds in Luzon, and is much used as a substitvite foj molave, to wJjifiU, fe^jv- ever, it is inferior. 2 k2 600 SPAIN. Nan-a (JDiadelfia Dodecandria), Petrocarpus {Paltdus Santalinus).-— A red wood, with close grain and risible pores, susceptible of a splendid polish, some varieties have even been confounded with mahogany, from the appearance of the veins. It is more especially adapted for furniture, panelling, &c. Bandba (Poliadelfia Poliandrla), Munchanda Speciosa. — This tree attains a height of about 40 feet; the wood is of a dull red colour, and rots readly from exposure. It is principally in use for planking and flooring. Bongon {Monoeeia Adelfia), Sterculia CimUformis. — This wood is of a purplish red. It is much employed in building, being suited to rafters, joists, and beamSo It is subject to rot. Yacal {PoUandria Monoginia), Dipferocarptis Plagalus. — This tree reaches a height of upwards of 50 feet. The wood is of an earthy yellow colour. It is used in framework, roofing, and shipbuilding. Bamhoo {Hexandria Diginid), Bambus Arundo. — This cane grows of all sizes up to a foot in diameter, and 50 feet in height. It is one of the most precious productions of the country, from its adaptability to the wants of the Indian, to scaffolding, houses, bridges, cables, tools, and arms. It is almost weather-proof, and even when buried in mud will last for years. The cattle eat the leaves when fodder is scarce ; the interior pellicle, if extracted carefully, may be used as paper ; and it fur- nishes various remedies highly prized by the natives. Rattan (Hexandria Monoginia), Calamus Molis, Usitatis, Maximus, and Gracilis. — AH these species of cane are of great utility for many purposes. They grow to upwards of 100 feet in height, and 3 inches in diameter; they are of great tenacity, and are ordinarily used as ropes, though liable to rot from damp. The Calamus maximus, called by the natives " palasan," exudes potable water in quantity ; and split up into lengths, it is made into hats, cigar-cases, &c. The Calamus gracilis is prized for walking canes. The following woods are worthy of notice, though not so abundant, nor so much in demand, as the preceding : — Palo Maria {Poliadeljla Poliavdria\ Calophilum Inophilum. — ^This tree yields a resin of agreeable odour, called " balsam de Maria," a sub- stitute for copaiba. The wood is suitable for decking ships. Giujo (Poliandria Monoginia), Dipterocarpus Guiso. — This wood is useful in shipbuilding, and for carriage wheels. Antipolo {Monoeeia Diandria), Artocarpus Jncisa. — The tree grows to a height of 60 feet. The wood is yellow and somewhat spongy. It is valued for shipbuilding, and especially for canoes. Cedar {Penfandria Monoginia), Cedrela Odorata, called " Calantas^' attains to 100 feet high, and is much used for canoes and boats. Xandn {Poliandria Monoginia), Dipterocarpus Thurifera, attains to 90 feet high ; is used for building vessels of war, as it does not splinter under cannon-shot. Aninahla (Monoeeia Dodecandria), Mimosa Coria7-ia, attains a height of 40 feet ; is important for shipbuilding, from its lightness and durability. Palma Brava (Hexandria Monoginia), Coripha Minor. — A palm-tree which, like the cocoa-nut, rears a straight, black trunk. The wood, all but the core, is hard and unaffected by water. The camagon, a variety of the Diospyros Philoshantera, is a tree whose yellow wood, spotted with large blotches of black, makes very handsome furniture. Some specimens resemble the walnut. It is ex- tremely hard. The following Table will show, in kilogrammes, the absolute strain resisted in thruSt, tension, and torsion, by a cubic centimetre : — PHILI PPINE ISLANDS. 601 Specific Gravity, Resistance to Tlirust. Besistance to Tension. Resistance to Torsion. Molave Ypil Narra Banaba Dongou Yacal Bamboo Battan Palo Maria Guijo Antipolo Cedar . . Lanau Aninabla Palma Brara. . Camagon 0-95 1-035 0-66 0-65 1-02 1-105 0-6 0-05 0-68 0-76 0-41 0-40 0-43 0-59 1-055 0-92 600 434 500 348 435 450 400 370 286 470 226 340 530 558 1,257 563 633 904 668 1,174 950 720 664 517 694 493 892 752 264-6 153 V 127-3 166- 140- 191- 134- 190-1 115- 103-2 76-4 146-37 153- 172- Besides the molave, banaba, and palma brava, the mangachapuy, tangang, and pototan are not injnred by continued immersion in water. The following items may serve to convey an idea of the actual prices of wood for bnilding : — Molave. — 1 plank, 3 yards long, 10 inches broad, 1 inch thick, lately at 6 rials, now at 1 dollar 50 cents ; 1 post, 5 yards long, 10 inches square, lately at 10 dollars, now at 18 dollars ; 1 post, 6 yards long, 10 inches square, lately at 11 dollars, and now at 20 dollars; 1 post, 11 yards long, 1.3 inches square, lately at 50 dollars, and now at 75 dollars. Narra. — 1 plank, 3 yards long, 16 inches broad, f inch thick, lately at 2 dollars, and now at 4 dollars ; 1 plank, 3 yards long; 20 inches broad, f inch thick, lately at 3 dollars 50 cents, and now at 7 dollars. Banaba. — 1 plank, 8 yards long, 10 inches broad, 1 inch thick, lately at 1 dollar 63 cents, and now at 2 dollars ; 1 log, 6 yards long, 9 inches broad, 7 inches thick, lately at 4 dollars, and now at 7 dollars ; 1 log, 9 yards long, 10 inches broad, 8 inches thick, lately at 10 dollars, and now at 16 dollars. Dongon. — 1 log, 10 yards long, 10 inphes broad, 9 inches thick, at 1 dollar 75 cents ; 1 log^ 20 yards long, 18 inches broad, 15 inches thick, at 120 dollars. Ypil.—\ log, 5 dollars ; 1 log, 9 doUans ; 1 log 18 dollars. Labour. — The price of skilled labour varies from 3 to 5 rials {S7^ to 62^ cents) a-day, for carpenters and masons. Coolie labour costs 4 dollars per month, and maintenance. Shipwrights working in the river receive 4 rials (50 cents) a-day ; if working in the bay, 1 dollar. Pries of Land. — In the vicinity of Manila, and in some of the more fertile parts of Bulacan, land is valued at 140 dollars the acre. In Pangasinan its average value is about 30 dollars, in Negros it varies from 2 dollars to 16 dollars the acre; but where population is scanty, as in parts of New Ecsija, it is to be purchased at an almost nominal rate. Nothing in the shape of a laud-tax presses on the shoulders of the inhabitants. Permission is only granted to the peasant to hold la,nd during the time he chooses to cultivate it. Should he neglect cultivation for the space of two years, it is liable to be forfeited to the Government — 5 yards long, 7 inches broad, 5 yards long, 8 inches broad, 9 jards long, 11 inches broad, 6 inches thick, at 8 inches thick, at 9 inches thick, at 602 SFAIir. a wise regulation in that large tracts of country are thus prevented from falling UEeless'ly into fdw hmads. Tbei'e tire mailjr estates held by the religious orders, and also by Mestizo and European landlords ; but the greater portion of the culti- vated land is oCcfipied by peasant ptoprietors, who farm from 3 to 10 acfes. The tenure nndel- which land is held is based on the Meta,yer systetn. What Hiay be the exact amount of acreage under culti,vatiOn,- one has no means of ascertaining, but seven-eighths of the country is probably still lying unproductive. Ptcblic Worh. — There are few, if any, public works deserving of notice in the Philippines. Docks are gVeatly needed. It is also unfoi--; tuuate for the inhabitants of Manila that no aqueduct for the supply of good drinking water has as yet been constructed. Buoys are required in the outer harbour of Iloylo, to mark the tong and iguana banks, and also at the entrance of the river Jaro. Highwai/S. — Most of the " pueblos" or towns of any consequence are connected by roads, which, although passable in the dry season, are im- passable in the Wet. Some of them are covered with shingle, but none are macadamised. The bridges are also often carried away by the floods. The roads are repaired by forced labour, every native being compelled to furnish 40 days' service to the Government, or in default thereof to pay the sum of 3 dollars per annum. Rivers. — There are numerous streams and rivers, both in Luzon and in the other islands, but few of them are navigable for ships of great tonnage. Those most useful for commercial purposes are the Bio Grande of Pampanga, the Rio Grande of Cagayan, and the Pasig in Luzon ; the Jaro in Panag, and the Batuan in Meridanao. By the river Pasig the produce of the province of Laguna is conveyed to Manila. Ships drawing more than 11 feet of water cannot enter this river, owing to the bar at" its moiith, nor is it navigable for such craft for any distance. The Rio Grande of Pampanga, fed by the waters of the Rio Chico and the Rio de Cabanatuan, enters the bay, of Manila at about 15 miles north-west of the capital. It is navigable for small steamers as far only as Bulacan, about an hour's distance from its mouth ; and for barges as far as the village of Bongabong, in New Ecsija. It is, so to say, the main artery of the richest and most populous part of Luzon, and serves as an outlet for a large portion of the productions of New Ecsija, Pampanga, and Bulacan. The Rio Grande of Cagayan rises in the eastern range of mountains called the Sierra Madre, and, after a course of some 120 miles, enter the China Sea at Aparri. There being but 14 or 15 feet of water at flood tide on the bar of this river, large ships anchor outside. The rapidity of the current and the sudden floods render the navigation of the Rio Grande at times exceedingly dangerous. It may nevertheless be termed the high- way of the tobacco-producing province of Cagayan. Small steamers run three times a week to Guagua, once a day to Bulacan, and twice a day to Cavite from Manila. The Visayas Islands, in the south, have also at present a weekly steam communication with Manila. External Communications. — All direct steam communication between this and Singapore appears to have ceased with the demise of the Labuan Coal and China Steamship Company. Manila is distant from Hong Kong 580 miles, from Singapore 1,370 miles, from Labuan 660 miles, from Amoy 600 miles, and (in Japan) from Kagosima 1,140 miles. Harbours. — The western coast of Luzon, and some of the other islands, is indented with many commodious harbours and places of refuge. Two only in Luzon (viz., Manila and Sual), and two only in the Visayas (Ilqylo and Cebu), have, however, as yet been opened to foreign shipping. PHILIPOWItr-ETSLANDS. G'OS There is no need «tf my enteriiiaj <&a a deaoript-ion of tlvese liaTbowrs, as they are pretty aecinwtel'y ■defined on tJher ehart. Exports. — Some of the productions of the Visayas, such as sugar, liemp, and rattans, are eoliected at the ports of llsylo and Cebu, and exported directly from thence, as will hereafter be seen ; others, such as the hemp of Leyte, Samar, and Mindanao, are forwarded "to Majnila. Cagay^n, in the extreme north of Lnzon, "with Albag and Camarines in the south, and the provinces of Bulacan, Batangas, and Pangasinan, all send their produce to Manila, This latter place is, in short, the principal depot for the collection of merchandise for foreign markets. The (ihief articles of export are sugar, hemp, coffee, and tobacco. The value of produce exported from the ports of Manila, Cebu, lloylo, and Sual, daring the year 1867, amounted to 11,71.1,668 dollars. In addition to the articles already enttmerated, canes, rattans, ebony, beche de mer, cowries, soap, and wet indigo are Rxported. The values and quantities of sugar, hemp, and coffee have shown a slight increase ; bufcordage, cigajs, indigo, and leaf tobacco, a decrease since the year 1866. With the exception of tobacco leaf, little or nothing was exported to Spain. Great Britain, with her Colonies, America, and China, appear to be the great consumers of Philippine produce. During the year 1867, Great Britain, Singapore, and Australia,, received produce to the value of 4,650,607 dollars, America to the value of 3,544,785 daUars, and China to the value of 1,566,876 dollars. The quantity of sugar and hemp exported in 1867, though more than in 1866. was still less than in 1862, 1863, or 1864. Coffee and indigo present but little augmentation over the year 1864. The tobacco leaf is no longer sold at public auction as formerly, the Government having lately taken to shipping the whole on its own account, with the expectation of realising larger profits. Imports. — The principal articles of imports (which, by-the-bye, are furnished by the markets of Great Britain and China, Spain supplying but one-fourteenth of the total value) consist of plain and coloured cottons, yarn, linens, silks, machinery, coals, eartlienware, and numerous other things. The value of the principal articles of manufacture introduced into the Phillipines from Great Britain, was, in the year 1863, 3,021,398 dollars, and in 1864, 3,941,696 dollars. The imports from Hong Kong having unfortunately been included in the Government Returns, under the heading of " China Trade," I have been prevented from giving a detailed account of the same. I have, how- ever, every reason to believe that their value for the years 1863 and 18S4 did not fall far short of 3,000,000 dollars and 6,000,000 dollars respectively. The average value of cottons, &c., imported during the past twelve years, has been 530,972?. sterling, and the average quantity, 2,5,643,490 yards per annum. The average value inaported, between the years 1 862 and 1 867, was 577,352Z. sterling per annum, and the average quantity 22,808,565 yards; sbo-wincr, during the past six years, an increase in value an'd a decrease in quantity. The official value of the exports and imports combined, of the British possessions (less the port of Hong Kong, included under " China"), in the year 1857, was 9,868,459 dollars, and in 1864, 8,494,187 dollars. The official value of imports from all parts, in 1857, was 9,907,299 dollars,.aTid in 1864, 10,946,584 dollars. The official value of the exports to all paiits,in 1857, was 11,824,441 dollars, and in 1864 but 10,657,026 dollars. eo4 SFAIK. The official value of the exports and impoits combined, to and from all parts, for 1857, was 21,731,740 dollars, and for 1864, 21,603,610 dollars; showing a decrease of 128,130 dollars. The tonnage of the Spanish and foreign ships that entered the port of Manila, in the year 1857, amounted to 138,399 tons, and in the year 1864 but to 115,757 tons. The.se figures indicate an almost stationary state of the commerce and navigation of the Philippines since the year 1857. The official returns having only just been published for the year 1864, I am unable to render a detailed account of the trade of this country beyond that period. Table of Exports direct from the Port of Iloylo. Cong 1364 1865. , 1866. 1867. Sugar;— Great Brltaia Aufitmlia ... California ... Cljina Hong Kong... Yokohama ... Piculs. 121,390 3,066 28,301 Dollars. Picnls. . 18,033 30,882 58,600 9,930 Dollare. 74,971 128,900 236!'l68 40,986 ... Piculs. 89,266 27,195 24243 4,637 Dollars. 347,200 103,088 96r76S 17,270 Piculs. 7,715 41,833 96,359 5,442 2,774 Dollars. 28,341 136,862 357,414 20,800 10,366 162,757 ... 117,448 9,827 480,015 12,069 146,241 658,321 1.53,123 663,783 Paddy to Hong I Cayans Total ... ... ... 493,084 Adding 23,574 piculs sent to Manila, we have 176,697 piculs as the total export of sugar from the islands of Panay and Nesros for the year 1867. The values of the imports direct to the port of Iloylo, for tlie years 1865, 1866, and 1867, were respectively 10,542^., 8,536Z., and 3,685/. sterling. Exports from the Port of Cebi. 1864. 1865. 1866. 1867. Sngar to : — Great Britain China Australia Piculs. 44,096 11,004 Piculs. 31,993 16,377 45,465 Piculs. 57,893 9,261 5,050 Piculs. 121,711 11,673 Total 55,100 . 93,835 72,204 133,384 Hemp to : — Great Britain United States, America . . Australia 18,740 22,206 17,492 1,200 13,300 21,326 1,500 45,820 Total 18,740 40,898 36,126 45,320 The value of the different articles imported to Cebu in coasting vessels, during the year 1866, was 1,011,200 dollars; and tbe exports from Cebii in coasting vessels, during the same year, amounted to 435,314 dollars. The values of imports of foreign manufacture, direct and indirect, to the port of Sual, were, in 1864, from Manila, 360,540 dollars; from Hong Kong,, 2,315 doUarp; total, 362,855 dollars. In 1865, their values PBILIFPINB ISLANDS. 605 were, from Manila, 296,508 dollars j from Hong Kong 32,753 dollars : total, 329,261 dollars. Value of Exports direct from the Port of Sual to — lilacao. Hong Kong. Shanghai. Total. 1864 1865 1866 1867 28,162 542,721 672,429 176,788 74,749 • • S 646,632 672,429 176,788 • • Tonnage Dues. Tonnage. Light. Kiver. Cents. Cents. Cents. Foreign ships not entering the river, but arriving in ballast, and loading, pay per ton 25 6i 3i, foreign ships loading and discharging, pay per ton . . 25 12i 6i' Foreign ships discharging and leaving in ballast, pay per ton . . 25 6J 3i Guartos. Caartos. Cuartos. Spanish ships not entering the river pay for loading and discharging . . 5 5 Spanish ships arriving and departing with same cargo .. 5 n Spanish ships arriving in ballast and loading . . •• S 2i Thus Spanish ships pny hut 10 cuartos, whilst foreign ships are subject to the payment of 43J cents a ton. Foreign ships arriving and leaving in ballast, or driven in through stress of weather, also those entering with cargo for the sake of trying the port and leaving without performing any commercial operation, have all lately been exempted from the payment of tonnage dues. Differential Duties. — These are levied as follows : — On Imports. — On foreign goods imported in foreign ships, 14 per cent.; on foreign goods in Spanish ships, 7 per cent. ; on foreign goods via Hong Kong, in Spanish ships, 9 per cent. ; on foreign goods via Singapore, in Spanish ships, 8 per cent. ; on goods from Spain, in Spanish ships, 3 per cent., and in foreign ships 8 per cent. Ale and porter pay 25 per cent, in foreign, and 20 per cent, in Spanish ships ; spirits, 60 per cent, in foreign, and oO per cent, in Spanish ships; wine, 50 per cent, in foreign, and 40 per cent, in Spanish ships ; clothing, made up, 50 per cent, in foreign, and 40 per cent, in Spanish ships. Coai, flour, grain, salted, smoked, and preserved fish and meats, and agricultural macliinery, are free of duty. On Exports. — 3 per cent, by foreign, and 1 \ by Spanish ships, with the exception of hemp, wliich is 2 per cent, by foreign, and 1^ by Spanish ships, and rice, whicli is 4f per cent, by foreign, and IJ- by Spanish ships. Toliacoo free. The abolition of the differential duties, together with the tonnage dues, and the establislmient in their stead of a duty, say of 6 to 7 per cent, on imports, and of 2 to 3 per cent, on exports, without any distinction as to the flag, are remedial measures which the Spanish Government would do well to take into consideration, if it be really desirous of advancing the commercial interests of this colony. Industry. — Various stuffs, called pina, sinamais, and nipis, are manufacturei i 3i 4 1 March . . 4 4 4 3 April J 4 4 4 3i May . . • , 4 8i 4 4i June J 4 4 4 4 July .. * 4 4 1 August . . 4 4 1 September i 4 1 4 2 October . . 4 1 4 3 NoTember J 4 1 4 3 December 1 4 4 2 Currency. — The currency of the Philippines is the Spanish dollar divided into rials and cuartos, but for commercial accounts, and to corre- spond with the American dollar, also divisible into cents. A dollar con- sists of 8 rials, equal to 160 cuartos, a rial being equal to 20 cuartos. The coinage consists of the gold pieces of 4 dollars, 2 dollars, and 1 dollar ; of the silver pieces of 4 rials (equal to 50 cents), 2 rials ^equal to 25 cents), 1 rial (equal to 12^ cents), and a recent emission of 20 and 10 cent pieces; and of the copper pieces of 2 cuartos and 1 cuarto. ' The Government accoiinta are, however, calculated in escudos or florins (2 to the dollar), and in ten-thousandths of an escudo : thus 1 dollar 6 rials are equal to 1 dollar 75 cents, and to 3^^^^ escudos. The revenue of the Philippines is derived principally from a poll-tax imposed on the natives, and from the monopoly of tobacco. In the year 1867, the poll-tax was estimated at 2,663,000 dollars, the tobacco monopoly at 7,277,600 dollars, and the total revenue at 12,450,000 dollars. In the year 1863, the revenue received some con- siderable addition owing to an increase in the collection of the tobacco, but since that period it appears to have manifested but little, if any, advancement. That the agricultural and commercial resources of these islands might be expanded without much difficulty, there is no doubt ; but so long as the Government continues to occupy its present anomalous position of merchant and ruler, and so long as the present commercial system remains unchanged, any real or important progress will be next to im- possible. Manila, April 15, 1868. 608 SPAIN. PORTO RICO. Report hy Mr. Acting-Consul Cowper on the Trade and Commerce of the Island of Porto Rico during the Year 1867. The general state of the island during the past year was very far from satisfactory. Financially, its condition has been very critical for some years past; but in 1867 the embarrassments of the treasury seem to have culminated, and the government was obliged to take energetic measures to save itself from bankruptcy, military revolt, and revolution. The large staflF of civil employes and the numerous garrison had been unpaid for six months ; and, although the former did not complain very loudly, as it was always in their power to obtain the means of living, however excep- tionally, in the spheres of their different employments, the military, who were not so favourably placed, suffered great hardships, and serious threats were held out that they would help themselves ; and if they had been carried into effect, the loss of the island would have probably resulted as the revolutionary party, who desire independence and a republic, would undoubtedly have availed themselves of the defection of the troops. These circumstances had naturally caused a want of confidence in the government and the maintenance of peace, and a consequent depression in trade and all the different branches of industry ; the whole of the artisan and labouring classes were out of employ ; and many took to robbery and even murder — crimes hitherto almost unknown — to provide themselves and families with the means of existence. Such was the condition of the island when the great physical calamities fell upon it, in common with many other West India islands. The first of these was the hurricane of the 29th October — the most severe ever known in the island. It broke upon the east end ; and at Fajardo, Naguabo, and Humacao, it demolished almost every building in the towns and surrounding estates. Its first blast levelled 25,000 cocoa-nut trees ; and the floods which accompanied it carried away numerous cattle and many human beings. The grain and fruit crops were utterly destroyed, but the canes vere supposed to have been rather benefited by the large amount of manure washed down from the forests in the mountains. The hurricane was followed, on the 18th November, by the strongest shock of an earthquake on record. It caused considerable damage in the capital, the provincial towns, and the estates. 1'he former, a large fortress, is entirely composed of massive brick buildings ; but they were all more or less seriously injured. In the country isolated houses were thrown down, and on the estates the chimneys of the boiling-houses fell. Ever since the ] 8th November the earth has continued to tremble, with an occasional heavy shock ; but the panic, which was at first so great that everybody fled from the city, has subsided, and business has been resumed ; but all who can afford it have prudently built themselves wooden houses outside the walls. The effects of these calamities upon the labouring classes is the very reverse to what might have been expected. Instead of increased misery, the agricultural labourers immediately obtained employment, upon their own terms, in re-adjusting the fields, &o.; and the mechanics in the towns, such as bricklayers, carpenters, &c., found work so plentiful in repairing houses, &c., that they not only demanded exorbitant wages, but refused to work more than four days in the week for about four hours a day ; POBTO BICO. 609 indeed, as one told me, "God Almighty sent the hurricanes and earth- quakes for the benefit of the poor workman;" and they certainly took advantage of the dispensation. It will be seen, therefore, that the pro- prietors were the real sufferers, and that the charitable subscriptions sent out from England and elsewhere for the labourer were quite unnecessary. It will not be surprising, therefore, that the amount of production somewhat fell off in 1867 J less, however, than might have been expected, as will be seen by a comparison of the exports for the last five years : — Year. Sugar. Molasses. Coffee. Tobacco. Hides. Cotton. •Rum. tons. gallons. lbs. lbs. lbs. lbs. quarts. 1863 73,233 4,972,640 20,980,475 6,024,593 627,681 326,810 363,305 1864 55,212 3,732,070 14,993,830 4,678,333 569,665 1,583,187 32,055 1865 75,666 5,554,037 23,724,624 5,559,596 722,838 2,229,766 191,887 1866 64,017 5,206,655 13,903,552 3,753,582 907,330 1,948,438 165,895 1867 68,229 5,068,094 20,734,135 2,119,014 784,898 972,518 64,261 The value of these exports amounts to about 2,000,000^. sterling, tlie greater part going to the United States and Great Britain and the North American£olonies, in the proportion of .two-thirds to the former and one- thiid to the latter; thus, of the 68,229 tons of sugar exported in 1867, 47,776 tons went to the United States, 17,382 tons to Great Britain or Canada, and 3,07l tons only to other parts. The value of the imports is about 3,000,000Z. per annum, and of those from Great Britain and Canada about 800,OOOZ. The great bulk of the carrying trade is in the hands of the British ; and it would be more extensively so, were it not for the privileges accorded to the Spanish flag. About 400 British vessels load or unload at the dif- ferent ports of the island annually. Such was the state of the island at the end of 1867 ; but I anticipate that the year 1868 will witness great changes for the better. The new Captain-General, General Paira y Lacy, is a man of liberal and enlightened ideas. He at once comprehended that the long maladministration to which the island had been subject was the cause of all its evils ; and he frankly represented the true state of affairs to the Home Government, and obtained carte blanche to introduce such changes as would ameliorate its condition. His first act was greatly to reduce the number of worthless employes who absorbed the revenues of the island ; aiid he obtained and issued a Royal Decree, dated 4th February, 1 868, declaring the following articles of consumption free of import duty : — "Olive oil, rice, cod-fish, hams, shoulders, Spanish peas, grain, vege- tables, oats, rye, corn, peas and beans of all kinds, and other articles of similar description ; flour and cereals, garlic and onions, potatoes, and similar articles ; lard and butter ; dry, salted, smoked, and pickled fish ; salted sardines ; jerked beef, prime and dry salted pork, salted and smoked beef, mutton, and pork ; arrow-root ; live cattle, cows, asses, horses, mules, sheep, hogs ; mineral coal and charcoal ; live fish ; guano and other natural or artificial manure; machinery, and all kinds of mechanical apparatus or instruments, for agricultural purposes ; machinery or appa- ratus for the special cultivation or collection of cocoa, coffee, and cotton ; machinery for boring Artesian wells ; mills for cleaning rice and shelling corn ; white spruce and pitch pine ; lumber shingles ; wooden houses and nails for same." There is no restriction as to flag, cr country whence imported; and eight months' notice is to be given before any alteration can take place. ^10 'BPAIN. Besides this, the Caiptain-General has proposed to his ©overnment to make St. Juan a free port, where meichandize may b& irapored, ware- housed, and again exported, free of duty or other heavy charges ; and, through his recommendation, the Spanish govranment has recently nego- ciated a loan in London of 12,000,000 dollars for colonial purposes, of which an instalment of half a million has already arrived here, and cannot fail to produce a beneficial result : and I feel assured that, if the Captain- General is supported in his f present liberal views, and can succeed in carrying them into effect, this island will continue to be the richest and most productive for its size in the West Indies. St. Juan de Puerto Rico, June 1, 1868.