468 SPANISH HISTORY I come now to say a few words respecting the intercourse which has subsisted between those parts of the Philippines conquered by the Spaniards, and those which did not yield to their arms, or the nations of the surrounding countries of the Archi- pelago. The power of the Spaniards does not extend beyond the immediate reach of their arms, and the influence of their religion. That power exists in the farthest corner of the Archipelago, at the greatest distance from native civilization^ and over tribes whom they found in a half savage state. They have never established a dominion over any nation in a considerable degree civilized. The character of the nation, and of the principles on which they established themselves, seem to have been incapable of establishing, perhaps for want of forbearance or prudence, that singular empire of opinion, founded upon a supple management of the conquered, which the Dutch and English, with so little profit, have been enabled to establish in various situations. The Spaniards have either wholly conquered and colonized, or they have been entirely baflSed. With the tribes of the Ar- chipelago, their neighbours, whom they were in- ing satisfied with this conclusion, and it is far more probable, as most of them, I believe, were Christians, that they mixed f ith the half-race of Europeans.
