Page:History of the Indian Archipelago Vol 3.djvu/79

 PUBLIC REVENUE. 67 opportunity of organizing a system of taxation so certain, productive, and beneficial, as the admi- nistration of that island has it now in its power to establish. In speculating upon this vital question I must here remark, that it is upon the justice, liberality, and entire equality, in this as well as all other great questions of legislation, with which the different classes of inhabitants are considered, that the pro- sperity of European colonies, so circumstanced as those in the Indian islands, must mainly depend. Difference of colour and language are the great obstacles to the happiness, improvement, and ci- vilization of mankind in such situations. We have the fatal example of the Spanish colonies of America to warn us against the danger and impo- licy of laws, the tendency of which is to create castes. No specific regulation should, therefore, exist lor the peculiar protection of any one class. This is not a matter for legislative interfei'ence. Every class shouJd be permitted to enter freely into contracts with another ; and the dark-coloured races should not be looked upon as minors under the guardian- ship of the state, or their imbecility will be increased and perpetuated, while then* morals will be corrupt- ed by the temptation to evasion and chicanery which the very laws themselves will hold out. 1 cannot better impress this subject upon the mind of the read- er than by quoting the high authority of that en-