Recollections of Manilla and the Philippines | Page 4

colonial ships, the conditions of
which were perfectly incompatible with the usual course of commerce,
as they were required to return home directly from the port to which
they were destined from Manilla, and were not at liberty to touch at, or
have any intercourse with, other places than those specified in their

passport.
These absurd restrictions of course prevented a ship from profiting by
any freight she might be offered at the port of her destination from
Manilla, because the terms of her pass made it compulsory for her to
return there before she could accept any new engagement such as might
be offered her, and of course, in such a case, frequently forced them to
decline most profitable business; consequently, the colonial shipowners
found that they had to sail their vessels at a great disadvantage with all
others who were free from such interference.
Neither was the trade with Spain open to them, for the Trading
Company numbered among their many other privileges, that of having
the sole right of placing ships on the berth for the Peninsula.
This state of things actually remained in force till 1820, when a royal
order confirmed a decree of the Cortes exempting from all duties
whatever any products of the Philippines which might be imported into
Spain during the ensuing ten years; and this step may be considered as
the first evidence of a desire shown by that Government to give an
impulse to their colonial agriculture or to the manufactures and
commerce of these splendid islands.
This good work, having once begun, was followed up by the
enlightened and benevolent government of Don Pascual Enrile, who
was Captain-General of the Philippines from 1831 to 1835, and whose
entire administration has left behind it the happiest results for the
people he governed.
Commencing his reform of the laws relating to navigation by giving
passes to ships, for the period of two years, without requiring them to
declare to what place or places they were bound, or might touch at
during their absence from the port to which they belonged, he had an
opportunity of satisfying himself of the good results ensuing from
non-interference; and some time afterwards entirely loosed the fetters
which burdened them, by giving colonial ships liberty to sail wherever
they chose without restrictions as to time or place: and certainly, his
doing so was an honour for the national flag, which then waved on

every sea. These concessions proved alike wise and beneficent; and
since the time of their being granted, the tonnage and commerce of
Manilla has increased in an amazing degree, and still goes on
prosperously augmenting Her Most Catholic Majesty's treasury, besides
improving the condition of the people and the agriculture of the
country.
But this was far from being the only wise act of Governor Enrile, for
under his administration a boon of even greater importance was secured
to the country and the people of the colony, by the opening of internal
communications throughout the Philippines. He established a
comprehensive system of roads, and organised posts throughout the
islands. Although most of the roads are now kept in most wretched
order, yet being nearly always passable by horses, they are found to be
of the utmost importance to the well-being of the country, even as they
now exist.
But should a time come when more attention will be bestowed upon
them than now is, and new ones judiciously constructed in districts
where they have not yet been, the agriculture of the islands will
improve to a great degree, and corresponding advantages will follow in
its train to be reaped by the Government that is enlightened enough to
undertake them, and which is sensible enough to know what is most for
its true interests. May that day soon come, for it will be a happy one to
the Philippines and all belonging to them.
CHAPTER III.
On approaching Manilla from the bay in one of the bancas--or canoes
having a cover as a protection against the sun--which generally go off
to all ships after their anchor has been let go, and the port-captain's boat
has boarded the new arrival, the spires, towers of churches, and lofty
red-tiled roofs of houses or convents are all that can be seen over the
walls, so that the first impressions of a stranger are not in general very
vivid or interesting.
On reaching the múrallon, your banca enters the waters of the Pasig

river, prolonged by two piers into the bay, on the extreme point of one
of which is situated a small fort garrisoned by a company of soldiers,
and on the other the lighthouse, a most insignificant and nearly useless
building. Passing these, the boatmen pull up the river to the garrita, a
small round house, where the banca is