Page:History of the Indian Archipelago Vol 2.djvu/491

 OF THE ARCHIPELAGO. 44? and, while the Indian possessions of Portugal were under the crown of Spain, they were wholly admi- nistered by Portuguese, and on the Portuguese principles of government. The influence of the Spanish government on the fortunes and history of the inhabitants of the Archipelago, therefore, may be said to be confined to the Philippines. In this extensive and important portion of the Indian islands, it has been peculiarly active ; and a histo- rical sketch of its proceedings will prove interest- ing and instructive. It is remarkable, that the Indian administration of one of the worst governments of Europe, and that in which the general principles of legislation and good government are least understood, — one, too, which has never been skilfully executed, — should, upon the whole, have proved the least inju- rious to the happiness and prosperity of the native inhabitants of the country. This, undoubtedly, has been the character of the Spanish connection with the Phili|)pines, with all its vices, follies, and illiberalities ; and the present condition of these islands affords an unquestionable prooi of the fact. Almost every other country of the Archipelago is, at this day, in point- of wealth, power, and civiliza- tion, in a worse state than when Europeans con- nected themselves with them three centuries bacL The Philippines alone have improved in civiliza- tion, wealth, and populousness. When discovered,