he King was much delighted at
the arrival of the priest, and wished to set up a church for him."

Unquestionably there was degeneracy that began to have mastery in high
places, and this can be distinctly made out early in this century,
becoming more obvious in depravity, when Spain fell into disorder
during the later years of the Napoleonic disturbances, and the
authority and influence of Mexico were eliminated from Spain. I may
offer the suggestion and allow it to vindicate its own importance,
that if we have any Philippine Islands to spare, we should turn them
over to the Republic of Mexico, taking in exchange Lower California
and Sonora, and presenting those provinces to California to be
incorporated in that State as counties. It was under Mexican rule
that the Philippines were most peaceable and flourishing.

The late Government of the islands as revealed to the American officers
who came into possession of Manila, was fearfully corrupt. It was
proven by documents and personal testimony not impeachable, that a
Captain-General's launch had been used to smuggle Mexican dollars,
that the annual military expedition to the southern islands was a
stated speculation of the Captain-General amounting to $200,000,
in one case raised to $400,000, that the same high official made an
excursion to all the custom houses on the islands ordered the money
and books aboard his ship and never returned either, that one way
of bribery was for presents to be made to the wives of officials of
great power and distinction; one lady is named to whom business men
when presenting a splendid bracelet, waited on her with two that she
might choose the one most pleasing, and as she had two white arms,
she kept both.

The frequent changes in Spanish rulers of the islands are accounted
for by the demand for lucrative places, from the many favorites to
whom it was agreeable and exemplary to offer opportunities to make
fortunes. It goes hard with the deposed Spaniards that they had no
chance to harvest perquisites, and must go home poor. This is as a
fountain of little tears.

The city of Manila is not lofty in buildings, because it has been twice
damaged to the verge of ruin by earthquakes and many times searched
and shaken by tremendous gales, and is situated on the lands so low
that it is not uplifted to the gaze of mankind--is not a city upon
a hill, and yet it is "no mean city." Antonio de Morga says:

"The entrance of the Spaniards into the