.

Of the persons who are needed in the government of the.
Filipinas.
One (and the most important) of the matters which are necessary for the preservation and growth of that kingdom--whereon depends, as it were, the attainment of its object--is that the governors should be such men as are suitable for that post, and have the requisite qualifications demanded by that government.

As so few have hitherto gone there who are thus qualified, the hindrance to the growth of that country has been much more than can be understood here.
For thirty years I have been a resident in the Filipinas, and have not seen one governor such as was needed there, excepting Gomez Perez de las Marinas, who improved and bettered that land in only the three years during which he governed, more than all together who had gone before or have come since have done.

The reason for this is, that those who have succeeded since that time either had not had experience in government, or did not possess the divine gift which is necessary for this so delicate task.

Over there, although a soldier is needed who understands matters of war and knows how to regulate and direct them as they should be, yet he should be receptive of instruction; and he would learn much more there through the counsel of those who have broad experience, and through what experience can teach him, than through any knowledge that they can carry from here.