• J89^ PRELIMINARY REMARKS, &C. the higher class. The persons, too, who, in later times, sustained the fortunes of the Dutch nation in the Indies, were depraved by the circumstances under which they were placed, — by the contempla- tion of domestic slavery, — by wantoning in irregular gains, — by the absence of all regular industry and competition, — ^by a long course of domination over the feeble races by which they were surrounded, — and by the want of an equal enemy or rival to afford a wholesome exercise and emulation. The Spanish worthies are still fewer in number, arid I think it would be difficult to produce one name of distinction, except that of Legaspi, who established the Spanish power in the Philippines, and founded Manila. He was a man of courage, discretion, and wisdom, and possessed of the en- thusiasm and the suppleness of character, which suited him for the novel and difficult charge com- mitted to his care. *
- Lafitau, Histoire des decouvertes et conquetes des Portu-
gais dans le noveau monde.— Valentjn, History and Descrijp- tion of theDutch Settlements in the East Indies,*— Ziniga, His- tory of the Philippines.
