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 http://www.archive.org/cletails/cu31924030691780 
 
[HEPORT TO THE U. i MilflffiK^^)Vl^i)R IN THE PHILIPPINES.] 
 
 THE COAL MEASURES 
 
 OF THK 
 
 PHILIPPINES. 
 
 A RAPID HISTORY OF THE DISCOVERY OF COAL IN THE ARCHIPELAGO 
 AND SUBSEQUENT DEVELOPMENTS, 
 
 WTTH THIO 
 
 FULL TEXT OF THE RECOR]) OF THE MACLEOD 
 COAL CONCESSION IN CEBU, 
 
 OR 
 
 THE ULING-LUTAC COAL AND RAILWAY CONCESSION. 
 
 Compiled kkom Ofkicia:, REConns hy 
 CHARLES H. BURRITT, 
 
 First Linileivrnt, Elerenth ('(iralry, ('. S. V., 
 OFFICER IN ('PIARGJ-: THK ^rlNING BURP:aU. 
 
 war department, 
 
 division of insular affairs, 
 
 August, 1901. 
 
 WASHINGTON: ,.= 
 
 GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 
 1901. 
 
[REPORT TO THB V. S. MILITARY GOYBRNOR IN THE PHILIPPINES.] 
 
 THE COAL MEASURES 
 
 OF THE 
 
 PHILIPPINES. 
 
 A RAPID HISTORY OF THE DISCOVERY OF COAL IN THE ARCHIPELAGO 
 AND SUBSEQUENT DEVELOPMENTS, 
 
 WITH THE 
 
 FULL TEXT OF THE RECORD OF THE MACLEOD 
 COAL CONCESSION IN CEBU, 
 
 OK 
 
 THE ULING-LUTAC COAL AND RAILWAY CONCESSION. 
 
 Compiled from Official Records by 
 CHARLES H. BURRITT, 
 
 First Lieutenant, Eleventh Cavalry, U. S. V., 
 OFFICER IN CHARGE THE MINING BUREAU. 
 
 war department, 
 
 division of insular affairs, 
 
 August, 1901. 
 
 WASHINGTON: 
 
 GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 
 1901. 
 
 K 
 
^HlL4Pf}ifslB J^SLJh^hS. J-in\li^/<^ '^O&.Bf^u^ ^ 
 
 
LETTEE OF TRAI^SMITTAL. 
 
 Office of the Mining Bureau, 
 
 Manila, P. I., June 85, 1901. 
 Sir: I have the honor to transmit to you herewith a manuscript 
 report, prepared in this office, touching the general subject of "The 
 Coal Measures of the Philippines," and with it the full text of the rec- 
 ord of the so-called "MacLeod coal concession in Cebu," or "Uling- 
 Lutac coal and railway concession." 
 
 This report does not pretend to be an exhaustive study of the Phil- 
 ippine coal measures. That were impossible with the means at com- 
 mand. It is rather a review of the efforts made by Spain and the 
 subjects of that country to develop the coal-mining industries, the 
 methods pursued by them, the failures recorded, and the reasons 
 for such failures as they appear to an outside critic who looks over 
 the field after history has been made and the facts are weighed, free 
 from the bias of personal ambition and pecuniary interest, and which 
 forms the basis of all true history. 
 
 My purpose will be subserved if this work shall furnish a partial 
 basis for the guidance of future examinations and developments, both 
 from a scientific and industrial standpoint. 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 Charles H. Burritt, 
 First Lieuten/mt, Eleventh Cavalry, U. S. V., 
 
 Officer in Charge the Mining Bureau. 
 The Secretary of the 
 
 U. S. Military Governor in the Philippines. 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 Page. 
 
 Chap. I. General classification of coals c 7 
 
 II. Historical sketcli of discovery in the Philippines 8 
 
 III. First steps in development 10 
 
 IV. The dawn of the coal-mining industry 16 
 
 V. The beginning of fixed records 34 
 
 ■VI. Monopoly period in Cebu (1859 to 1870) 36 
 
 VII. Monopoly period in Tayabas and other localities ( 1859-1867) 45 
 
 VIII. The code of May 14, 1867 49 
 
 IX. Coal deposit of " La Mina," Oamamies South (1871-72) 53 
 
 X. ' ' Bapida Descripcion de la isla de Cebu ' ' ( 1867-1886) 58 
 
 XI. The mining enterprise " La Paz," in Albay (1873-1880) 75 
 
 Xn. Calatrava mines, West Negros (1874-1899) 99 
 
 XIII. Special report on Compostela and Danao 104 
 
 XIV. The island of Mindanao 124 
 
 XV. The island of Masbate 127 
 
 XVI. The island of Luzon 131 
 
 XVIL The island of Mindoro 133 
 
 XVIII. Regulation for supervision and inspection 143 
 
 XIX. The Nuevo Langreo mines in Cebu (1887-1898) 146 
 
 XX. The Compostela mines in Cebu 163 
 
 XXI. The island of Batan 174 
 
 XXII. Assays and comparisons of Philippine coals 177 
 
 XXIII. The MacLeod coal and railway concession 182 
 
 5 
 
INDEX OF PLATES. 
 
 Plate I. Geological sketch of Cebu. 
 
 II. Plan and section, Uling mines. 
 
 III. Esperanza and Caridad mines, Oompostela. 
 
 IV. Plan of "La Paz " claims. 
 
 V. Workings of "La Paz" claims. 
 
 VI. Route to Oompostela mines. 
 
 VII. Danao-Compostela mines, 1899-1900. (Permission of E. Spitz. 
 
 VIII. Coal fields of Pandan. 
 
 INDEX OF TABLES. 
 
 Table I. Coal entries in the Phihppines (1853-1867). 
 II. Coal entries in the Philippines (1868-1899) . 
 III. Statement of the laboratory assays (inspeccion-general de minas, 1878), 
 
 Compostela coal compared with coals sold in the Manila market. 
 I^^ Comparative table, coals of Compostela, Cebu, and Bulalacao, Mindoro. 
 V. The coal of Japan and neighboring islands. 
 VI. Analyses of some cannel coals and lignites. 
 VII. Elements of various American lignites. 
 VIII. Analysis of Philippine coals, compared with Cardiff, Australian, and 
 Wyoming coals. 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPmES. 
 
 CHAPTEK I.— GENERAL CLASSIFICATION OF COALS. 
 
 All coals are of vegetable origin: "All portions of a coal seam, even 
 the most structureless to the naked eye, when properlj^ prepared, 
 reveal their vegetable structure to the microscope." "Peat is vege- 
 tation which has undergone, in part, the change to coal, and, in some 
 cases, it has become brown coal. The conditions of change are some- 
 what different from those of the beds of good coal, since in the case of 
 peat the air has access, while in that of the coal the air was more or 
 less excluded by overlying strata, and the more perfect the exclusion, 
 other things equal, the better the coal." (Le Conte.) 
 
 The other important elements that enter into the construction of coal 
 and determine its quality and classification are heat and pressure; 
 increased heat and pressure raising the quality of the coal. 
 
 "The manner or laying of the coal seams is uniform in all ages; 
 resting upon a thin layer of clay called the under cla}- and above is 
 usually a shale called the black shale or roof shale." (Le Conte.) 
 
 For all practical purposes the varieties of coal maj- be fixed at four, 
 namely: Anthracite, bituminous, cannel, and brown (or lignite) coal. 
 
 The compositions of these coals is here briefly stated, although, so 
 far as yet discovered, it is only the brown coals or lignites that are 
 known to exist in these islands. 
 
 Anthracite: Per cent. 
 
 Fixed carbon 78 to 88 
 
 Volatile matter 3 to 7 
 
 Earthy impurities 4 to 12 
 
 Bituminous: 
 
 Fixed carbon 75 to 85 
 
 Volatile matter 20 to 45 
 
 Earthy impurities 1.4 to 7. 5 
 
 Cannel: 
 
 Volatile matter 40 to 50 
 
 Lignite: 
 
 Fixed carbon ...^ 52 to 65 
 
 Volatile matter 40 to 60 
 
 Earthy impurities 5 to 20 
 
 The above classifications and the figures given for their three princi- 
 pal ingredients are in a large measure arbitrary and are only useful 
 for the purposes of a general comparison, since the Coal Measures are 
 
 7 
 
8 THE COAL MEASUKE8 OP THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 not uniform in like geological formations, nor are there any two coal 
 beds of the same class alike in every exact particular. One class of 
 coal merges into another and the rates per cent of fixed carbon, ^^ola- 
 tile matter, and earthy impurities (ash) in the same Coal Measures, and 
 even in the same coal seams, varies frequently; besides, there are 
 found in different coals other impurities besides the earthy impurities 
 or ash and all of which affect their value more or less commercially 
 and industrially, such as sulphur, pyrites, etc., the consideration of 
 which in this connection are not important. 
 
 CHAPTER II.— HISTORICAL SKETCH OF DISCOVERY IN THE 
 
 PHILIPPINES. 
 
 Accustomed as we are in this day to the extensive application of 
 coal in the arts and industries, it is difficult for us to realize that while 
 its discovery is ancient its use is comparati^'ely modern; in fact, its 
 application may be said to belong exclusively to the present daj'. 
 
 Coal was first discovered in the Philippines in the year 1827; this 
 discovery was made in the island of Cebu, and, as stated bj^ Abella, "did 
 not succeed in inspiring anj' interest in the State nor in private indi- 
 viduals until the journey of the first steamships to the islands being 
 announced, the superior civil government issued in the year 1842 a 
 timely circular to the provincial authorities requesting them to furnish 
 information regarding the coal deposits that might be in their respec- 
 tive localities." 
 
 The first inspector of mines of this archipelago was Isidro Sainz de 
 Baranda. That gentleman disembarked at ^Manila on December 26, 1838, 
 and on the 25th of Januar}"- of the next year he commenced an active 
 and vigorous campaign for the enactment of a law and for the estab- 
 lishment of the mining industry in these islands which, with the pro- 
 verbial slowness of the ministry of colonies and Her Majesty's 
 Government, seems to have been wholly without effect until the 3'ear 
 1846, when the first mining code was adopted and put into operation. 
 
 The real history of the department of mines and of the mining 
 industry in the Philippines, therefore, dates from 1846. The work 
 done prior to that time may be considered as preliminary. 
 
 The circular referred to b}'^ Abella was dated October 17, 1842, and 
 was issued to the alcaldes may ores and others by Don Marcelino Oraa, 
 the then governor and captain-general of these islands. Its special 
 purpose was to obtain information of the existence of coal deposits 
 and mines, the cost and means of transportation, and other facts relat- 
 ing thereto. The replies are many of them curious, and all are inter- 
 esting; they possess, however, no value outside of their historical 
 interest. 
 
 The alcalde of Zambales reports that "In the time of great freshets 
 some pieces of black rocks that burn are accustomed to be seen in the 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 9 
 
 Banganbacao River of Botolan," but that he has not been able to 
 secure any of them because "none has been seen during the present 
 year; " he promises the governor a trip to the mountains later in the 
 year and a further report. He then branches off into a rosy account 
 of his military operations against the infidels of the mountains, and 
 reports two more towns in the mountains whose population have 
 " submitted." In November he again reports that he has fulfilled his 
 promise, but failed to find any of the " black rocks that burn," or 
 where they came from; but he left word with the "lately submitted," 
 "That in their trips they shall not neglect to collect every black and 
 heavy rock they find in the rivers, and after applying to the fire if 
 they find that it burns that they bring it to me instantty, and I do not 
 doubt they will do so if they hit upon them." 
 
 In November the inspector of mines from Albay reports a deposit 
 of coal on the island of Siargao, in the province of Cax'aga (now Suri- 
 gao), and another on the island of Batan, then being worked by Mr. 
 Jose Velarde, the governor of the province of Albay. The alcalde 
 mayor of Pampanga reports a mineral found near San Miguel, that 
 from the fact of its being heated red hot in a forge it remains so for a 
 long time and communicates fire to combustible articles that are 
 brought in contact with it, and also because of its soliditj' and hard- 
 ness, ." demonstrates that said samples might belong to the class of 
 carbon minerals, although to be assured of its goodness," as the alcalde 
 states, " the processes of chemical analysis would be indispensable, 
 and for these I am lacking the agents and apparatus that belong to a 
 laboratory. " 
 
 The alcalde mayor of Batangas reports that at Maynit, in the town 
 of Bauan, " there are found stones of different qualities, and among 
 them are seen some that are half burned, which, in my judgment, 
 might be coal; yet I doubt whether they might not be the effect of a 
 volcano which is in their neighborhood." He promises to send some 
 of the stones to Manila in order that they may be examined by men 
 learned in science. The political military governor of Saniar, with a 
 commendable conservatism, reports a deposit at the Visitation of 
 Loquilocon, in the town of Paranas, on that island, "where there is 
 accustomed to be found between the earth of the channel that the river 
 forms, a combustible which was like coal." 
 
 The other officials reported that they knew of no deposits of coal, 
 and no coal mines in their jurisdictions. 
 
 The coal discoveries in the island of Cebu, known since 1827, had 
 resulted in no efforts for their being regularly worked or developed, 
 and, in fact, it was not until 1853 that the first coal concession was 
 granted in that island. 
 
 The above notes on the original discovery were further increased by 
 a report of the inspector of mines covering all the mineral resources 
 
10 THE COAL MEASUBES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 of the islands, made to the governor in 1844, in which he locates the 
 known coal deposits as follows: 
 
 Province of Caraga: Island of Siargao. 
 
 Province of Albay: Island of Batan. 
 
 Province of Tayabas: Mauban and Antimonan (and a report that Senor Penaranda 
 had found a piece of coal in the Pagsanjan River, between the headlands of Bondoc 
 and Punta Arenas) . 
 
 Province of Bulacan: In the mountains of Angat. 
 
 Province of Pampanga: In the mountains of Camachin. 
 
 Province of Pangasinan: (Said to have been seen in the mountains of Bacnotan.) 
 
 This may be safely said to be the whole of the history of the discovery 
 of coal in the Philippines, and the extent of the knowledge of the Gov- 
 ernment with reference thereto up to 1844. The next step in the his- 
 tory may be properly called a step of development. In closing this 
 chapter on discovery, there are two pertinent statements in the i*eport 
 of Senor Baranda, from which we have just quoted, that are pertinent 
 because of their general bearing upon the status and condition of the 
 mining industry in these islands to-day, and because of their present 
 suggestive value under conditions not to a great degree different from 
 the conditions of 1844. 
 
 The first of these is: 
 
 It seems incredible that, notwithstanding it is now more than three centuries since 
 the Philippines were discovered, their mineral wealth is yet unknown. However, 
 nothing is more certain. 
 
 And the other is: 
 
 The greatest obstacle' that exists in this day in order that there may be a resolu- 
 tion to develop the mining industry is the lack of a law. * * * It falls, then, to 
 the lot of the Government alone to remove the obstacle which the nonexistence of 
 some law presents. 
 
 While there are other interesting suggestions, and of much value, 
 in this interesting paper of Senor Baranda, I shall not quote further 
 from it at this point. 
 
 I again respectfully call attention to the above two quotations as 
 showing how like the conditions of 1844 and 1901 in these islands, so 
 far as the mining industry is concerned. It seems to be an illustration 
 of that saying, "History repeats itself constantly, but nature never." 
 
 CHAPTEK III. —FIRST STEPS IN DEVELOPMENT, 1846-1853. 
 
 This chapter will contain a brief and comprehensive review of the 
 period between 1846 and 1853, at which latter date the second steps 
 in development of coal mining were taken. 
 
 On January 29, 1846, the "Decree of the superior civil government" 
 of that date was promulgated, putting into operation a complete 
 mining code in the islands. This continued, subject to some slight 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 11 
 
 amendments, to be the law under which all mining was conducted 
 until the 14th day of May, 1867, when it was superseded by the code 
 that was found in force at the date of American occupation in 1898. 
 This first code, hereafter referred to as the "Code of 1846," had much 
 to commend it. Its language was clear, concise, and plain, and its 
 definitions were comprehensive and sufficiently elastic to allow all the 
 necessary latitude in the executive control. In my judgment, under 
 honest administration, the "Code of 1846" is far superior, as a whole, 
 to the more elaborate and extended "Code of 1867." 
 
 The "Code of 1846" was composed of 56 sections, and the quotation 
 of article 2, defining minerals, is a fair illustration of its composition 
 throughout: 
 
 Abt. 2. The following are objects of mining: Precioiis stones and all substances 
 properly metallic, combustible, and saline, whether encountered upon the surface of 
 the earth or its interior. 
 
 By article 12 the sizes of mining claims are fixed at 200 Spanish 
 yards in length, and half that width, for mines in general; while for 
 veins of bituminous coal they shall be 600 yards long by 100 wide. 
 On December 22, 1851, these sizes were changed by a royal order, 
 and the coa!l claim was made 600 by 300 yards, and to include coal, 
 lignite, and peat, and with permission to take as many as four claims 
 to each mine. 
 
 These are all the essential features of the law requii'ed at this stage 
 of the examination. Other provisions from the Code of 1846 will be 
 incidentally referred to later in their proper connection. 
 
 This period may be considered the formative period in the way of 
 development. Coal mines were being worked in the names of various 
 claimants, but the works were all superficial and none of them advanced 
 to the degree of a formal registration in the inspectorate of mines. 
 
 Under date of July 4, 1847, a brief petition, signed by Leandro 
 Cardano, was addressed to the inspector of mines, asking a denounce- 
 ment of a coal mine on the island of Raporapo, but no indorsement 
 appears upon it and no action seems to have been taken. From a draft 
 of a letter it is learned that Senor Cardano was the collector of taxes 
 on tobacco for the province of Albay. This can scarce be considered 
 a registry of a mine. 
 
 The work commenced in Batan was afterwards carried on by another 
 proprietor, one Don Martin Varanda, and in the early part of this 
 period the official tests were commenced on the part of the navy in 
 the ships of war, and also in the stationary engines and the forges of 
 the arsenals, blacksmith shops, tobacco factories, and other institu- 
 tions under the control of the Government. It is curious to note that 
 at the beginning of this epoch there were not lacking those who, from 
 matters of personal interest, or from a pure habit of objecting to any- 
 
12 THE COAL MEASUKE8 OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 thin^ that imported a change, raised objections even to a trial and 
 much more to the purchase of an ounce of Philippine coal for use of 
 the colonial government. 
 
 The Governor-General, on August 19, 1846, addressed a solemn 
 communication to the inspector of mines, based upon one of these 
 bugaboo claims of danger to shipping from spontaneous combustion. 
 This was answered by the inspector, Senor Baranda, with like sol- 
 emnity, and after calling attention to the fact that the coal has been 
 transpoi'ted from Batan to Manila in connection with cargoes of 
 unhuUed rice and hemp; that it has been stored for years in ware- 
 houses at Sorsogon and elsewhere, and had not caught fire from spon- 
 taneous combustion; he slyly calls his excellency's attention to the 
 nature of these complaints and their glaring inconsistencies; since it is 
 considered unserviceable by some because of its not burning and blaz- 
 ing, and by others because it burns and blazes too easily, being so 
 liable to burn that its use is a menace to shipping from spontaneous 
 combustion. He respectfully suggests that the conflicting and incon- 
 sistent reports of trial show that the trials have either not been 
 directed with intelligence, or that perhaps the impartialitj' that is 
 indispensable has not existed. Looking backward from the stand- 
 point of the present day, it is not hard to discover several reasons that 
 certainly influenced the officers and employees of the Spanish Govern- 
 ment in their manifest opposition to the use of the Philippine coals. 
 
 The first of these reasons is found in the extravagant prices at 
 which the Spanish navy were contracting their coal for this station in 
 England. The price is so extravagant as to suggest that which the 
 inspector of mines vaguely hints at in the official documents of this 
 date, that a percentage of no mean amount was percolating from the 
 coffers of the English coal dealers into the ready pockets of the pur- 
 chasing agents of the Spanish navy. This suspicion is entitled to 
 some consideration, since in that da}^ the evidence of its existence was 
 sufficient to found a hint of selfish interest in official reports. 
 
 There was also the conservative and old-fashioned official whose 
 ease and comfort was ever disturbed by the idea of change. For 
 years it had been the custom to buy coal from England; why disturb 
 a custom that was so convenient and that would only add additional 
 burdens to the officers of the navy serving on this distant station? 
 Why change the long-established and convenient practice? 
 
 Then there was the further fact that the Spanish navy of that day 
 went to England for its engineers and chief machinists, and the true 
 Briton is clearly shown in the reports of George Peckham, the first 
 engineer of the Reyna de Oastilla, and John H. Hunt, the first engi- 
 neer of the Elcano. 
 
 All of these reasons just stated were easily advanced and were 
 officially sustained by reason of the shiftless and careless manner of 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OE THE PHILIPPINES. 13 
 
 the mine owners themselves in procuring the coal that was used for 
 making the tests. It was taken from the very surface of the ground; 
 it was mixed with earthy impurities, and no attempt made to separate 
 the coal from the dirt. 
 
 In place of care in mining, the selection of real and true veins or 
 deposits, and an honest effort to obtain a practicable and suitable com- 
 bustible, the mine owners wasted their time and their money in efforts 
 to procure from the supreme Government a positive decree compelling 
 the local navy to use Philippine coal and preventing the importation 
 of English coal by the levying of prohibitive import duties. 
 
 Such a decree was obtained for the first, positive and imperative in 
 form, but subject to the making of tests that should establish its prac- 
 ticability for steam-making purposes; while the latter became involved 
 in a labyrinth of reports and counter reports, resulting in the even- 
 tual pigeonholing of the bulky and voluminous documents pro and 
 con upon the subject of the prohibitive import duty. From time to 
 time this hope was resurrected, and met with varied success, but it 
 developed no mines. 
 
 This, however, was not altogether barren of results, for the owners 
 of the Batan coal mines now commenced to do the thing that they 
 should have done in the first place, and in 1849 we find them prospect- 
 ing for better coal, and yet without the investment of that amount of 
 capital which was positively necessary in order to secure even partial 
 success. All sorts, kinds, and conditions of "black rocks that burn" 
 were in the meantime being sent in to the Cavite Arsenal to be tested, 
 under a sweeping order requiring such tests to be made, until Novem- 
 ber 1, 1850, when we find the commanding-general of the navy return- 
 ing to Governor Urbiztondo a long expediente (collection of official 
 correspondence) on the coal mines of Angat, in the province of Bula- 
 can, and, forgetting the polite language of official correspondence, 
 declaring in plain terms, " In addition to that which the expediente 
 shows, it results from new trials that the mineral is not coal, nor, in 
 fact, combustible of any kind, since a piece having been subjected to 
 the action of a hot fire from one of the forges of the arsenal from early 
 in the morning until late in the afternoon, it only resulted in turning 
 it red and some lines from its surface was burned off; accompanying 
 this is a small box which contains a piece of the rock for such uses as 
 your excellency may deem .suitable." 
 
 At this time (1847) the commanding-general of the Visayas sent in a 
 report, with samples, touching the coal mines on the island of Siargao, 
 in the province of Caraga; these were two in number, one located at 
 Cacub and the other at Dapa; these mines were undeveloped; the sup- 
 ply was reported to be abundant. These deposits called forth from 
 Serior Baranda, the inspector of mines, the fact that he had himself 
 visited these same deposits in 1839, and that he had seen samples of 
 
14 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 coal from that island of Siargao, which from its appearance seemed to 
 be of better quality than the samples shown him. 
 
 In this document appears for the first time the complaint about labor, 
 that in the later days became so prolific an excuse for the failure of 
 every badly conceived, ill-directed, and worse-managed coal mining 
 enterprise that scored an additional failure. The auditor of the Visayas 
 calls the labor trouble to the attention of the governor-general in this 
 language: "That among the various obstacles that exist for the pros- 
 perity of the province under my command, account should be taken of 
 the lack of hands, the lack of affection for labor of our natives, and 
 their inconstancy in carrying to completion the agreements they make 
 and the enterprises they undertake." 
 
 A long memorial on southern Luzon and the newly discovered coal 
 fields of Caramuan, in South Camarines, closes the official history of 
 this period, and adds but one new discovery. This memorial, written 
 by Seiior Baranda, the inspector of mines, is both interesting and learned 
 and very clearlj' marks the border line between this period of first 
 steps in development and the next period, commencing with the year 
 1853, which may be properly named the dawn of the coal mining 
 industry. 
 
 Ordered by the governor-general, in March, 1852, to visit the newly 
 reported coal fields of Caramuan on the Pacific coast. May of that year 
 finds the inspector at Nueva Caceres, and reporting that he is awaiting 
 a guide, and complaining of the exposure " by reason of the danger of 
 being captured by the Moros who for a greater part of the year remain 
 along those coasts." August still finds the inspector at Nueva Caceres, 
 where, in response to a sharp letter of inquiry from Manila, he asks a 
 friend at court to appease the wrath of his lordship in case he shall 
 inquire again, by a statement not only of the dangers from the Moros, 
 but by reason of physical infirmities, the nature of one of which he 
 broadly states in the words, " He who can sit down no more than half- 
 way can much less ride horseback and travel over mountains." It 
 seems that his lordship had promised the inspector a leave of absence 
 of two months, and this he was waiting for in order that he might go 
 to Albay for his vacation ; and he winds up his plaintive letter to his 
 friend in this regretful strain: " My friend, you are enjoying yourself 
 in Manila with the latest comic opera,, and I meanwhile am here, wea- 
 ried with the infirmities of old age and unable to go to Albay, as I 
 desire." The memory of his lordship, however, was not defective, 
 and the inspector's excuses were not acceptable and he was called to 
 account again, and this time he responds with a promise to move as 
 soon as he can, and here for the first time appears the evidence of a 
 proposition that was later to be advanced and insisted upon with force 
 and in the next few years. This was that the State should buy the 
 improvements of the coal miners and work the mines on its own 
 
THE COAL MEA8UBES OE THE PHILIPPINES. 15 
 
 account. At this the inspector expresses astonishment and files a mild 
 protest. In November, 1852, however, having completed his com- 
 mission, he forwards a very long and minute report touching the entire 
 section of southern Luzon and the coal field at Caramuan, which is 
 up to this date by far the ablest and most valuable production in the 
 archives of this department. The test of the samples of the coal at 
 the Cavite arsenal and navy-yard was not satisfactory, for we find 
 our old acquaintances, James -Peckham and John H. Hunt, signing a 
 certificate that the " said coal does not give sufficient heat in order to 
 produce steam; and we are of the opinion that the aforesaid coal has 
 been taken from the surface of the ground." This Caramuan deposit 
 is known as the Hanopol field, it being located in the neighborhood of 
 Mount Hanopol, which deposit figures later In the development of 
 coal mines. 
 
 No records of located mines of coal appear in the archives of the 
 inspectorate, although the filing of several claims, notably at Batan 
 and Caramuan, are noted and referred to in the correspondence of this 
 period. The closing of this period shows but two deposits of coal 
 located for the purpose of being worked, namely, those of Caramuan 
 and Batan, and neither of them were worked to such an extent as to 
 be worthy of note as coal mines; they were rather speculative filings 
 and depended upon the foundation of chance alone, and in no measure 
 bear the indications of an attempt or desire for the establishment by 
 private individuals of a bona fide mining enterprise. They seem to 
 have been abandoned without reaching a permanent record. In the 
 meantime prospectors and investors were passing over other portions 
 of the islands and the way was being paved for the institution of bona 
 fide enterprises, not only at Batan, but also in Cebu and elsewhere. 
 
 On May 3, 1851, by royal decree the governor-general was author- 
 ized to "farm out" convicts for the working of mines, the enterprise 
 to pay a reasonable price for their labor, and also the wages of the 
 guard, and requiring 8 per cent of the product to be paid to the State. 
 This period, then, marks the introduction of ' ' contract prison labor " 
 in the Philippines, and became, with others later, a source of abuse 
 that in no measure tended to establish the Spanish administration in 
 the good will of the native population. The experiment of " contract 
 prison labor " farmed out to outsiders proved an engine of abuse and 
 oppression in the Philippines, as it has in all other countries where 
 such a system has prevailed. In closing this chapter, I respectfully 
 invite attention to the fact that from 1846 to 1853 the Spanish author- 
 ities had extended their power and control over a very limited section 
 of the islands indeed; it was but a few miles from Yba, on the western 
 coast of Luzon and toward the interior, when the region entered upon 
 was solely in the control of the infidels and " lately submitted;" while 
 in the south of Luzon, with the exception of three places at the most. 
 
16 THE COAL MEASTTBES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 the natives held undisputed sway inland, and the Moros, following the 
 occupation of pirates, dominated the coast during the larger part of 
 the year. Mining had not become a feature in the history of the 
 islands up to this date, and since that time we have many and numer- 
 ous records showing the nature and extent of its progress and develop- 
 ment which enables us to say with positive assurance and without fear 
 of contradiction that these Philippine Islands have never yet been 
 prospected and worked for minerals, and that to-day there is but com- 
 paratively little more of positive information as to the nature, extent, 
 and value of the mineral deposits of this archipelago than there was 
 in 1853. This will continue to remain so until the passage of such lib- 
 eral laws as will enable the hardy miners and prospectors of the world 
 to penetrate its jungle thicknesses and thoroughly prospect its moun- 
 tains and hills. 
 
 While this Bureau is in possession of sufficient information to be 
 assured that the mineral resources are considerable and probably great, 
 it does not possess and can not learn its true nature, value, and extent 
 without the aid and assistance of mines and miners, and these we can 
 never have until we have not only laws, but liberal and encouraging 
 laws that will furnish men with an inducement to face the dangers of 
 the interior and sustain the expense of travel over roads which are, in 
 the mining regions of the interior, little more in any case than narrow 
 and tortuous trails. To these obstacles there is also added the rich- 
 ness of tropical vegetation, both obscuring the face of the country 
 and increasing the hardships and risk of travel through it, and the 
 expense of prospecting and mining. 
 
 CHAPTER IV.— THE DAWN OF THE COAL-MINING INDUSTRY, 
 
 1853-1860. 
 
 As indicated in the last chapter, the year 1853 marks the real begin- 
 ning of the coal-miing industry, and it has its extention along the same 
 line for a period of seven years. 
 
 This period has for its distinguishing feature the attempt, persisted 
 in with great force and vigor, to force the State into a coal monopoly 
 by putting the mine of Guila-Guila, in Cebu, in the hands of the State 
 for development. 
 
 In this period commenced the develoment of the coal mines of Cebu; 
 the first recorded analysis of the coal of the islands was made, and 
 from here on the various periods, each of which have their distinguish- 
 ing features, will be, as far as possible, divided into convenient chap- 
 ters corresponding to these periods of development. Quotations from 
 the documents found in the archives of the inspectorate, either literal 
 or condensed, will constitute the larger part of the descriptive portion 
 of the work. 
 
 This period opens with the location of a coal mine at Guila-Guila, 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 17 
 
 in Cebu, by Don Diego Vina & Co. , on April 12, 1853, and with a 
 decree of the superior Government, of July 13, 1853, later approved 
 at Madrid, which withdrew the coal lands of Cebu entirely from loca- 
 tion and concession, and this prohibition continued throughout this 
 period. 
 
 There were but two concessions of record during this period, one 
 in Cebu and the other in Albay; three concessions dated in November 
 of 1869, which were located in Cebu, really belong to and will be 
 classified with the next period. 
 
 These two concessions are as follows: Diego Vina & Co., at Guila- 
 Guila, in Cebu, on April 12, 1853; Manuel Castro, at Casiguran, in 
 Albay, on May 30, 1853. 
 
 MINES OF CEBU. 
 
 The particular time when Sr. Diego Vina, representing a company 
 for the exploitation of the coal mines at Guila-Guila, commenced 
 operations there is not disclosed. From a curious document in the 
 archives of the inspector of mines, it appears that one Sr. Bautista de 
 Marcaida had been interesting himself for a long time immediately 
 prior to the location of the Guila-Guila mines, in a search for a mineral 
 coal that would be profitable to the State and for private enterprises. 
 In July, 1852, he submitted to the Governor-General a statement with 
 reference to the discoveries that he _had made, and the trials that had 
 resulted from coals taken from several localities in the islands, and 
 among these he includes those of Cebu, which form the title of this 
 division. His documents will be considered later. 
 
 Vina & Co. , on July 9, 1853, submitted a proposition to the treasury 
 department of the insular government for the transfer of the mines 
 of Guila-Guila to the Government. 
 
 His proposition, briefly stated, was in five sections: 
 
 First. That there should be paid to his companj', at the time of for- 
 mulating the contract of transfer, $15,000 (pesos) to cover the cost of 
 exploitation of the mines, the acquisition of contiguous lands, build- 
 ings, rails, animals, cost of railroad, and a sloop that had been pro- 
 vided for this trade; and in like manner the expenses to be contracted 
 bv the company from the date of the proposition until the closing of 
 the contract. 
 
 Second. For the discovery, property and profits assured up to date, 
 $10,000 (pesos), and if the decision of the proposition shall be put off 
 more than one year, $20,000 (pesos). 
 
 Third. That two experts, arranged to come from Spain, should be 
 employed by the Government in like capacity. 
 
 Fourth. The skilled superintendent, Pedro Cif uentes, is to be in like 
 manner provided for. 
 
 Fifth. The company undertakes not to sell or to give options to 
 5608—01 2 
 
18 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 others until the decision of these propositions by the Superior 
 Government. 
 
 The conditions of this proposition, and the selling prices proposed, 
 strike the casual reader even having no further knowledge than that 
 the mine was instituted in April of the same year, as being so out of 
 joint with the best possible conditions, so extortionate, that it ia a 
 wonder that it obtained even the honor of a recognition in the ofEce of 
 the Governor-General. On the 15th of the same month, however. 
 Governor Urbiztondo issued his decree directing the inspector of 
 mines to send Mr. Antonio Hernandez, the assistant engineer, to Cebu 
 at once, and in the meantime, reports having reached him of a dis- 
 covery at Danao, that this also should receive attention. Two days 
 prior to this, as will be remembered. Governor Urbiztondo had issued 
 his decree withdrawing all coal lands of Cebu from location and entry 
 with a view to government ownership and exploitation by the State. 
 The instructions of Mr. Hernandez were framed in the office of the 
 governor, and are as follows: 
 
 First. To embark for Cebu as soon as possible, presenting himself 
 upon his arrival to the alcalde mayor of Cebu, who will furnish him 
 the most active and efficient aid. 
 
 Second. To investigate first the deposit near Danao, reported by the 
 alcalde mayor of Cebu on the 18th of December, 1852; to ascertain 
 the quality of the combustible, its cost at the foot of the mine, its cost 
 of transportation to the port at Carmen, and all the necessary informa- 
 tion in order to place an estimate on coal obtained with hired laborers, 
 with polistas, or with prisoners. 
 
 Third. If the deposits of Danao contain available mineral coal, to 
 take out and send to Manila from 50 to 60 tons. 
 
 Fourth. Having completed his work at Danao, to proceed to Guila- 
 Guila, where Vina & Co. were located; make similar investigations 
 and reports, and a like shipment of coal. 
 
 Fifth. Make a valuation of the labors of the company up to date, 
 the cost of contiguous lands, and a full report upon all the points of 
 Vina's proposition. 
 
 Sixth. In case he shall receive notice of other deposits, to make a 
 like examination and suitable reports. 
 
 Seventh. As soon as the work is completed, to submit a detailed 
 memorial covering these points indicated. 
 
 On September 2.3, 1853, Sr. Hernandez presented his report. We 
 shall divide it between Danao and Guila-Guila, treating first only of 
 the latter and reserving the former for a separate subdivision of this 
 same chapter, since the mines of Danao were destined to cut consider- 
 able figure in the future. 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 19 
 
 GUILA-GUILA. 
 
 At a distance of 4i miles toward the southwest of the city of Cebu, 
 and on the highroad that leads to Naga, the river Mananga is encoun- 
 tered. This river enters into the sea near the town of Talisay and 
 crosses a plain 1^ miles in width. Here the river emerges from a 
 canyon; the mountains gradually increasing in height as you advance 
 toward the interior, the valley becomes closed in by high walls, and 
 the fall increases greatly. Numerous arroyos enter the river from 
 the right and left, and at a distance of approximately 9 miles from the 
 crossing of the river, on the Cebu and Naga road, the assistant ■ 
 inspector found the mines of Vina & Co., known as the Guila-Guila 
 mines. He found two shafts and four galleries. His exposition of 
 the work done is here stated: 
 
 The shaft of the "Porvenir" is situated a few yards from an arroyo in which the 
 water has exposed a discovery of a vein of coal; it is 14 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 12 
 feet deep; in one of the faces there is discovered a vein of coal 4 feet thick, which 
 runs in the direction NNE. by SSW.,with an incliuation averaging 45° to the NNW., 
 resting for a foot wall upon a bed of fine clay of grayish lead color, and with a roof 
 of limestone of breccia formation and very hard, which is separated from the coal by 
 a small vein of clayey sandstone. 
 
 The vein of coal, which on the bed of the arroyo appears clean and continues in the 
 same manner for some feet, is encountered in the shaft at 12 feet in depth, and the 
 whole of it is found with little veins of sandstone, which occupy very nearly one-half 
 of its thickness. From this working the 40 tons of coal were taken out, which was 
 tried in the steamer Elcano with satisfactory results. For that purpose the vein was 
 followed from the bottom of the shaft for some 70 feet in the direction of length 
 and from 17 to 22 feet in the sense of inclination. 
 
 At about 40 yards from the ' ' Porvenir "the shaft of the ' ' Santa Teresa ' ' is enco'un- 
 tered; an oval in form, with diameters of 13 and 11 feet and 20 feet deep. In this 
 shaft there is presented one vein of coal of good quality, 4J to 6 feet thick, which 
 runs from NE. to SW., with an inclination of 60° to the NW. In the foot wall of 
 the vein a clay is presented, leaden in color, and for its roof it is covered by a clayey 
 sandstone, which is traversed by veins of very hard breccia limestone. 
 
 Lower down from these two shafts, and on the same side of the road, there are 
 three galleries. The first is 48 feet in length and 5 J by 4 J feet. This gallery is opened 
 in the larger part in a bank of dark-gray clay, and at the bottom there is hard, gray 
 limestone; it was not possible to mark the direction of the vein of this territory, 
 because its appearance was very undulating and confused whenever encountered. 
 
 The second gallery, 400 yards from the first, is also opened in dark-colored gray 
 clay, very broken; it is 64 feet long and the same dimensions as the first. 
 
 The third gallery, at about 150 yards from the second, is likewise found in the same 
 class of clay, its length being 29 feet and its dimensions 6 by 5J feet. 
 
 The fourth gallery, named "Asuncion," about 1,000 yards from the third, isalso 
 opened on a broken and dark-colored bank of clay, which appears to alternate with 
 a breccia limestone of gray color, appearing in the floor of the tunnel at a distance 
 of 12 yards from its mouth; this also is found in clay, with small veins of white crys- 
 talline limestone. This gallery is 50 feet long, 6 feet high, and from 5 to 7 feet in 
 width. 
 
 In the two shafts and four galleries it is estimated that 1,000 pesos 
 may have been expended. The work done is scarcely worthy of being 
 
20 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 called an investigation. A gallery of 200 yards or more should have 
 been opened in a direction perpendicular to the stratification. Mr. 
 Hernandez adds: 
 
 It is to be regretted that there has not been better skill displayed in the plan of 
 these works, and that the excavation and timbering have been executed with such 
 notable carelessness. 
 
 The lands and buildings belonging to Vina, and the acquirement of 
 the contiguous lands which are mentioned in the proposition submitted, 
 are next treated by Hernandez. Their enumeration is curious and 
 interesting, and as an evidence of good faith in the offer upon which 
 the exploiting of coal mines in Cebu was tied up with a prohibitive 
 order for ten years it is deserving of mention. 
 
 Pesos. 
 
 1 house, small yard, and 2 warehouses, bought of Esteban for 10. 00 
 
 1 house, bought from Mr. Thomas 6. 00 
 
 I house and small tract, bought from Mr. Paul 14. 00 
 
 1 small house, bought from Mr. Eugenio, with an indemnification because of 
 
 the road crossing Mr. Eugenio's cornfield 12. 00 
 
 1 house, bought for 15. 00 
 
 1 warehouse, valued at 10. 00 
 
 Some adjoining lands belonging to the hacienda of Santa Nino, of Cebu, a 
 small annual tax paid. 
 
 Making a total for the buildings and contiguous lands of 107. 00 
 
 The I'ailroad tracks, etc., seem to have escaped valuation, and from 
 the evidence of the slipshod and slovenly working of these properties 
 it may perhaps be fair to presume that after diligent search Hernandez 
 failed to find them. 
 
 Mr. Hernandez disposes of the question of working these mines by 
 polistas with the statement, so clear and evident, that they are not 
 available because the working of the mines requires intelligence, which 
 can only be had from men who are trained as miners and follow it as 
 an occupation. As to the" prisoners, their employment might be had 
 upon the outside, but for the interior works, demanding both intelli- 
 gence and vigilance, a higher class of labor was demanded in the inter- 
 est of both economy and safety; that in his opinion the labors of the 
 works, both inside and outside, should be awarded by contract. 
 
 The question of transportation from Guila-Guila we may dispose of 
 in a few words. At that time there was 5 miles of heavy road where 
 the river Mananga had to be crossed repeatedly, and it was not passa- 
 ble for carts or teams of any kind; and the 40 tons of coal procured by 
 Hernandez was packed out on the backs of men and animals; and to 
 make a road would necessitate many bridges and much grading and 
 protection by embankments from rain washes and landslides. It is 
 possible to secure the road, but with difficulty, and when secured the 
 distance to Cebu would be shortened to 4i leagues, and the cost would 
 be from $1.50 to |2 (pesos) per ton for transportation. The able eugi- 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OP THE PHJLIPPIKES. 21 
 
 neer aptly asks the question why they should depend upon the diffi- 
 cult and inaccessible mines of Guila-Guila, when much lower down and 
 in many other places in Cebu there were deposits and outcroppings of 
 coal, all of which promised equally well as those of Guila-Guila. The 
 coal indications were found to extend throughout the whole extent of 
 the river Mananga, and indications also were found 2 miles above 
 Guila-Guila. "The coal area forms, apparently, the greatest part of 
 the mountain range which runs through the center of the island of 
 Cebu for nearly its whole length, and it is found verj^ much overturned, 
 as shown without doubt by the rocks of trap which ought to be present 
 very plentifully, as the great number of round stones show, which 
 stones belonging to this class are found not only in the river Mananga, 
 but in nearly all the arroyos and canyons which I have had occasion to 
 observe. There is an abundance between these irregularities of grit- 
 stones, phonolites, clay stones, porphyry, and conglomerate of trap; 
 vein marbles are likewise encountered in great quantity, commonly of 
 grayish color. I have seen besides sj^enites, micaceous sandstones, and 
 talcose slates. The sandstones, clays, and slates of the coal are hidden 
 from sight under a marly limestone more modern, which extends the 
 length of the island; it 'extends in many places to the coast and disap- 
 pears in various others under the silt which forms the plain. " Quota- 
 tions from this I'eport, touching the general formation, will not here be 
 continued; thej^ will be referred to in a later period, when a more careful 
 geological examination has been made. It is only mentioned here, with 
 its inaccuracies of little moment, as indicating that the deposits of Guila- 
 Guila are in a formation apparently much broken, and that the moun- 
 tains have been squeezed up, to use a common illustration, breaking 
 and crumpling the formation of the geological periods and resulting in 
 faults and slips in the formation, with a great variety of inclinations to 
 the carboniferous veins. These things will be confirmed by later 
 reports and more complete examinations. 
 
 So much at this point for the first formal report on the mine of 
 Guila-Guila. Before passing to the consideration of the mines of 
 Danao it may not be amiss to add at this point that the same engi- 
 neer made another examination and report upon the mines of Guila- 
 Guila, and that will be referred to in its order. 
 
 DANAO. 
 
 The town of Danao is situated on the eastern coast of Cebu, and at 
 a distance of 16 miles, approximately, from the citj' of Cebu. This 
 town is located on the seashore. The examination made bj^ Mr. Her- 
 nandez, of course, was not very extended, and no mines had been 
 opened. We learn from his examination, however, the general basis 
 of the formation, and upon which extended mining operations were 
 later carried on, and so for the present purposes this may be quickly 
 
22 THE COAL MEA8UEES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 covered at this stage of this work. He first examined the deposit of the 
 hill Masaba, in which two irregular veins were found in a clay of 
 slight consistency; this is some three hours' distance from Danao and 
 toward the northwest. Another vein in the same hill at a short dis- 
 tance was running apparently east and west, and with an inclination 
 of 30° to the north. This vein was found in process of spontaneous 
 combustion. Its quality is decidedly earthy and impure. Next, ascend- 
 ing the River Danao to its junction with the arroyo Lugupan, and at a 
 distance of an hour and a half, the mountain of Bango is encountered, 
 and here, upon the brow of this mountain, also coal veins are found 
 burning. Going a short distance away a prospect gallery of a few feet 
 encountered a vein of coal at 30° inclination toward the SSW. , and 
 with a course from ESE. to WNW. ; for a roof this vein was covered 
 with a yellowish-gray clay, undulating and veiy irregular, and for a 
 foot wall a gray sandstone of a clear gray color. At the foot of this 
 mountain, in the arroyo of Jjugupan, a conglomerate cla}'' deposit 
 was found, in which a small vein of coal was encountered, but this 
 formation, like the others, was also found to be very irregular and 
 broken. Mr. Hernandez was of the opinion that this section should 
 be examined with care, for in case a vein of good coal should be dis- 
 covered, as was reasonable to suppose, its location for exploitation 
 and transportation to a port of embarkation was all favorable. This 
 region was not unlike, in its general geological characteristics and 
 the manner of the deposits, the region of the Guila-Guila mines, and, 
 in fact, a later examination developed that it is the same geological 
 formation. 
 
 OTHER LOCATIONS IN CEBU. 
 
 Based upon accounts and personal examinations, coal was also 
 reported in the district of Boljoon, and in those of Dalaguete and 
 Argao; also in the termino of Naga. Of these Boljoon is nearly at 
 the south end of the island of Cebu, Dalaguete and Argao in the mid- 
 dle southern portion and forming practically one district, and Naga 
 is a distance of some 11 or 12 miles to the south of Cebu and is the 
 district that is later known as the Uling-Lutac properties, and which 
 forms the basis of the MacLeod concession. 
 
 These collectively comprise three separate geological formations in 
 the Tertiary age, as will be later developed, and cover the entire coal 
 area of the island of Cebu. Commencing at the northern limit of 
 the belt, which is the largest in extent, the first district includes, in 
 order from north to south: 
 
 Danao, on the river of that name, and its tributaries. 
 
 Guila-Guila, on the river Mananga, and its tributaries. 
 
 Uling and Lutac, on the river Pandan, and its tributaries. 
 
 The next, or middle district, includes: 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 23 
 
 Argao, on the river of that name, and its tributaries. 
 Dalaguete, on the river of that name, and its tributaries. 
 The extreme lower, or southern district, and the smallest of the 
 three, is: 
 
 Boljoon, on the river Lamuno, and its tributaries. 
 
 DISPUTED HONOES IN CEBU. 
 
 Before leaving this subject of coal discoveries in Cebu, it were 
 indeed a pity to pass over one of those interesting passages at arms 
 touching the distribution of honors for coal discovery that are so com- 
 mon of occurrence in all mineral countries, and in the case of Senor 
 Vina was not lacking in his Guila-Guila mine. When the report of Mr. 
 Hernandez reached the inspectorate of mines, the Inspector Baranda 
 added thereto a communication of great length, in which he adds the 
 weight of his advice and coimsel. It seems that Sefior Baranda's 
 iniirmities, together with his unquestioned long and faithful service 
 in the mining department of the Philippines, had gained for him an 
 early recall to Spain, and he was daily expecting his release and orders 
 to return home. He advises: 
 
 First. That as an encouragement to coal mining, the first contracts 
 for the Navy shall be at $20 (pesos) a ton instead of f 13 (pesos), the 
 then price of the English coal, and so encourage the "infant industry," 
 depending later upon its being diminished to a point that would make 
 it cheaper than English coal, and even become a matter of export. 
 
 Second. That the inspectorate of mines be furnished with the nec- 
 essary and indispensable means for making systematic investigations 
 of the coal deposits of the archipelago and for making their reports 
 public. 
 
 Third. That since there was an existing prejudice against the lignite 
 coals of these islands and it was a well-known fact "that in other coun- 
 tries, and particularly in the United States, both the lignites and the 
 anthracites were being employed with the happiest results, he suggests 
 that he be authorized to visit these coal workings of the United States 
 on his way* home and make an investigation of them for the uses to 
 which their products are applied, reporting later thereon to the 
 Supreme Government in Spain. 
 
 Senor Baranda then proceeds to pay his respects to the second 
 proposition of Vina, namely, that for the discovery, property, and 
 gains promised he should be paid 10,000 pesos. Figuratively speak- 
 ing, the inspector proposes to ''put a spoke in the wheel" of Vina's 
 well-conceived plan to sell out to the Government, and, as later events 
 show, he succeeded admirably, and, I venture to assert at this period 
 of time, greatly to the benefit and advantage of the State, both present 
 and prospective. 
 
 Senor Don Juan Bautista Marcaida, an intimate friend of the inspector, 
 
24 THE COAL MEASUEES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 seems to have been a man of some means, and with a commendable 
 patriotism had been warmly seconding the heroic efforts of his friend 
 the inspector in waking up the Government of Madrid to the impor- 
 tance of developing the coal industry of these islands. And let me 
 say in passing that I do not jest in so speaking of the w ork of Senor 
 Isidro Sainz de Baranda, the first inspector of mines of this archipel- 
 ago. His work was done, and well done, and had he been allowed a 
 fraction even of the aid and assistance that he reasonably asked for 
 and should have had, his work would have redounded greatly to the 
 credit of Spain, and its coal and other mines in the Philippines would 
 have been established early in the fifties, and upon a permanent and 
 paying basis. But, to return to the contest for honors: 
 
 The inspector says that his friend sought him for instructions as to 
 the methods of acquiring titles to coal properties, and they talked 
 extensively of the combustible and of the places in which — both in 
 Cebu as well as many other ppints — the combustible was found, and 
 the samples of the inspectorate were exhibited. Among these was a 
 sample from Dalaguete. It would seem that the inspector and his 
 friend were both favorably impressed with this latter sample, for, 
 being presented with a small piece, straightway Marcaida hunted up 
 Vina and others, and, associating himself with these men, a plan was 
 formulated to visit this place. But the little memorandum of the name 
 written by Baranda for his friend was small and indistinct, and so Viiia 
 was informed that the bonanza location was " Dumaguete," instead of 
 " Dalaguete." It was only a letter or two, but it made much trouble. 
 One of the partners — the expert mineral superintendent — was the 
 same Cifuentes whose future was attempted to be provided for later 
 in Visa's proposition to sell to the State. Vina owned a sloop. The 
 first place they visited was Semerara, in the province of Mindoro. This 
 cost the partners fl60 (pesos), and the sloop of Viiia was chartered for 
 this voyage. A second voystge was made to Semerara, with Cifuentes 
 in charge, and this cost $400 (pesos). Vina's sloop was still chartered. 
 The second trip to Semerara brought encouraging results, but still it 
 did not equal the little sample from " Dumaguete '' — the little town on 
 the island of Negros (not Cebu) — and once more the sloop was char- 
 tered for a trip to Semerara, where more coal was to be taken out, and 
 then go on to Negros, where the ' ' great bonanza " would be looked up 
 at " Dumaguete." For this voyage the sloop was to have ^120 (pesos) 
 a month. The firm was Marcaida, Roces, Vina, and Cifuentes. 
 Everything was prepared, and one morning Roces and Marcaida read 
 in the shipping news of the morning paper that Vina's sloop had 
 sailed. Vifia and Cifuentes had stolen a march on their associates, 
 and Cifuentes was gone to sieze the find of Dumaguete. Alas, upon 
 arrival in Negros they were astonished to learn that no coal deposit 
 was known of there; that it must be a mistake; it might possibly be a 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 25 
 
 town of similar name in Cebu; that rumors of coal mines had reached 
 Negros as being located at or near such town in Cebu. Nothing 
 daunted, Cif uentes sailed for Cebu, and the discovery of Guila-Guila 
 and the location of that mine succeeded. For this mine seems to have 
 been found near a town of that name so nearly corresponding as to 
 mislead Cif uentes a second time. They ''rushed into print " over the 
 honors, and the inspector backed his friend and exposed 'the attempt 
 to defraud Marcaida of his honors, and Vifia did not sell his mine to 
 the Government. 
 
 CASIGUEAN, ALBAT. 
 
 On the 30th day of May of this year (1853) an application was made 
 to the inspectorate for a coal mine of three pertenencias, situated in the 
 province of Albay, in the town of Casiguran.' This town is situated 
 on the south side of the Bay of Sorsogon, and all that is known of this 
 mine, which stands in the name of the peninsular Spaniard, Manuel 
 Castro, a resident of the port of Sorsogon, is that shown by the official 
 records, showing that on May 30, 1853, it was recommended to the 
 governor for a concession, and by him approved on June 10, 1853, for 
 three claims, but it seems that it was not issued. It was again solicited 
 in 1861 by the same person, receiving the name of "Reyna de Cas- 
 tilla," and it will receive no further notice at this point, its further 
 notice being left for the period of its reentry. Nothing outside of a 
 bare reference to it in the official reports is known up to the end of this 
 period. 
 
 ISLAND OF KAPU-RAPU, ALBAY. 
 
 Directly south of the island of Batan is the small island of Rapu- 
 Rapu (Rapurrapu-Rapucapu), which is mentioned during this year 
 (1853)^ as having produced some coal which had been tested at the 
 arsenal at Cavite with the usual bad results. The coal was not good. 
 It is mentioned here because of its regular place in the list of discov- 
 eries. 
 
 ISLAND OF SEMEEAEA, MINDOEO. 
 
 This island, lying directly to the south of the island of Mindoro and 
 belonging to that jurisdiction, has been already referred to in connec- 
 tion with the visits made by Don Diego Vina and his partners during 
 the year 1853, when some coal was brought away and tested on two 
 separate occasions, with results not entirely satisfactory. The coal of 
 this island will be found in later years, but its discovery properly 
 belongs to the commencement of the period at present treated. 
 
 'In the expediente in the archives of the mining bureau this is described as at a 
 place called Caritan, district of the Visitation of Parina. 
 *This island and its coal deposit has a record of discovery and registration in 1847. 
 
26 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 ANTIMONAN, TATABAS. 
 
 To this period also belongs the first mention and discovery of the 
 coal fields of Antimonan, on the Pacific side of Tayabas, and this field 
 also will be spoken of later. In the reports of this period all of these 
 places are barely mentioned. The question of the State entering into 
 the coal-mining industry, of course, deterred private individuals from 
 investing their money in the developing of coal mines, and in addition 
 to that the entire capital of the business men of that day was finding 
 more profitable employment in other speculations; and under all the 
 circumstances existing it is doubtful if coal mining would have gained 
 much headway even if it had not been for the proposed exploitation by 
 the State. 
 
 The report of Antonio Hernandez, with all the accompanying docu- 
 ments, including the propositions of Vina, were sent to Madrid for the 
 consideration of the supi"eme Government, and thus the year 1853 was 
 closed. From that period on until 1860 a few new discoveries are 
 reported, and the intervening period discloses many reports on the 
 propositions considered, and these reports will now be reviewed in 
 order of their dates, the new discoveries being noted in their order to 
 complete the history of the period. 
 
 CLOSING EEPORT OF INSPECTOR BARANDA. 
 
 [March, 1864.] 
 
 Before taking his departure for Spain the estimable and worthy 
 inspector, Don Isidro Sainz de Baranda, whose industry and zeal is 
 unquestioned, prepared and left in the archives of the inspectorate a 
 lengthy memorial on the coal deposits of this island, which we shall 
 now review, taking therefrom such extracts as, in our opinion, may 
 prove useful, either historically, scientifically, or industrially. 
 
 Its opening paragra:ph is wisely chosen: " Nature, wise in her laws, 
 has not distributed her products equally in all climates and countries; 
 but where she is lavish with some, with others she has made a scarcity. 
 This cause, so simple, is the principal basis for a community of inter- 
 ests of all countries, and gives rise to commerce and encourages indus- 
 try. By carrying products from one place to another information 
 is carried at the same time, civilization is extended, and fraternity of 
 the countries as between themselves. All are tributary points, one to 
 the other, and to think that all that is a necessity in a country is to be 
 found in it is not to know the truth, is to demand an impossibility, and 
 to be so recorded on this is not to know one's real interests." 
 
 In the list of places where coal has been discovered, in addition to 
 those that are already recorded, he mentions: 
 
 Island of Bohol, in the town of Hagna. 
 
 Island of Mindanao; Marihatagand Tobo; Bislig, Dapnana, Baganga, 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 27 
 
 Mamistagao, from Agman to Calatagan, and between the river Agusan 
 and the Gulf of Davao. 
 
 Islands of Mariannas; at Agat, in the island of Guam. 
 
 Eef erring to the causes urged against the use of the coals of these 
 islands, he mentions only two as worthy of consideration, the quality 
 and the price. As to the first, he says "The geological construction of 
 the islands being kept in mind, the existence of a deposit of coal ought 
 to be hoped for, oi a quality, abundance, and conditions as superior as 
 those Europe possess." As to the second, "It ought to be considered 
 that the means of exploitation are expensive, the carriage to a point of 
 embarkation is equally so, and the freight in this country is high." 
 
 "We name these without comment. He very pertinently says that it 
 is unfair to judge these coals by tests made, because they have all been 
 taken from the surface of the ground. He complains bitterly of the 
 refusals to make extensive tests of the coals, and again reviews at 
 length the various fields examined by him, and the tests that were made, 
 with their results, in the main unfavorable, but in a few instances, 
 notably from Batan and Cebu, with satisfactory results. Referring to 
 the exploitation of coal by the state or by individuals alone, he perti- 
 nently remarks, "In other times it was thought suitable for a govern- 
 ment to be a proprietor in the industrial and manufacturing world, by 
 which the arts are to be encouraged and the establishments of the state 
 serve for a model. But long since experience has demonstrated that 
 with the government as a proprietor it results in higher prices, and 
 the encouragement that the arts receive is nothing. So it is thought 
 that only in exceptional cases is it desirable to depart from the general 
 regulation." 
 
 After thrashing over again the objections to the use of polistas, 
 forced labor, and prisoners, he emphasizes the fact that only free and 
 well-paid labor, producing trained miners, can succeed, and especially 
 in new industries such as the coal industry, and as an illustration he 
 quotes: 
 
 The 150,000 picos of abaca -which leaves annually from the province of Albay 
 are all produced by free hands, and it is very probable that it would not be possible 
 for the government to produce with forced operatives as much nor of as good quality. 
 
 He suggests, also, that — 
 
 State exploitation will result in one depositary at the capital only, and that indi- 
 vidual speculation will be entirely lacking by which we might expect not one, but 
 many, convenient depositaries, both for the Navy and the merchant marine, and^ 
 above all, that new and better discoveries will be made, while with state exploita- 
 tion but little attention will be paid to the finding of new and better deposits. And, 
 lastly, from the Government procuring the combustible mineral that it needs for 
 itself, it is sure that, there being a lack to individuals of the opportunity of provid- 
 ing the Government steamships with coal, no one would dedicate himself to the coal- 
 mining industry, and the infant industry will be suffocated before its birth. 
 
 He suggests, rather, that individual speculation be stimulated, offer- 
 ing premiums on the first hundred tons of good coal; by taking the 
 
28 THE COAL MEA8UEES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 first thousand tons from each mine that is serviceable at a price equal 
 to or even above the English coal; by establishing sundry public coal 
 depots for the Navy and merchant marine in different parts of the 
 Archipelago, and, "in addition to all these measures, the importation 
 of foreign coal, as much as the mines of the country produce, ought 
 to be hindered and made difficult by imposing on it an import duty." 
 
 He urges the Navy to discard the old machinery and adopt the new 
 and more powerful machiner}'^ that increases the space for coal bunkers 
 and freight and decreases the space occupied for machinery, and then 
 the coals of these islands can be used for all voyages within the Archi- 
 pelago, and, mixed with English coal, even in longer voyages. He 
 again urges the desirability of some engineer being sent to the United 
 States, where the lignite coals are certainly employed, and make 
 reports to Madrid "about the class of combustible that is there 
 employed, method of doing it, and other things that he may judge of 
 interest. " 
 
 This paper, much more full and complete in details than our abstract 
 shows, went to Madrid with the other papers of the year before, and 
 doubtless had much influence, as it deserved, in the decision that was 
 eventually rendered, and resulted in the total rejection of the proposi- 
 tion to buy the Guila-Guila mines. 
 
 Having spent many months of careful study and examination of the 
 records and archives of the inspectorate of mines, which never did 
 receive that support, either from the supreme or the insular govern- 
 ment, that it deserved or the ability and merits of its inspectors 
 demanded, I close the review of this final work of Inspector Baranda 
 with regret. I know nothing of him except that which is shown in the 
 records; he came here filled with enthusiasm and patriotism; strong 
 and robust, in 1838-39; he commenced his work; for several years 
 he seems to have been engaged in traveling about through wild and 
 dangerous and fever-laden localities, for some time, at least, literally 
 carrying the inspectorate office in his hat, and in 185i he goes back, 
 after sixteen years of faithful service, broken and shattered in health 
 and filled with bodily infirmities that seemed to weigh upon him far 
 less than the infirmities of the mind that resulted from an apparently 
 unappreciative government; and yet his last, like his first, paper 
 breathes a spirit of intense loyalty and unfailing interest and hope for 
 . the mining industry of Spain and the Philippines. I would gladly 
 know more of one who so honored his country and in like degree, yet 
 with becoming modesty, honored himself. 
 
 THE GUILA-GUILA MINES AGAIN. 
 [July 4, 1854.] 
 
 The day was celebrated in Manila by the issuance of an order by the 
 Marquis of Noveliches, who succeeds Urbiztondo as governor, to 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 29 
 
 Antonio Hernandez, temporarily in charge of the inspectorate of mines, 
 in place of Senor Baranda, to again proceed to Cebu and sketch the 
 Guila-Guila mines, look up and examine and map a road from the mine 
 to the coast, and estimate its cost, and also submit estimates for coal 
 bunkers, one to be made at the foot of the mines, and the other on the 
 shore; and also an estimate of all the tools, etc. , that would be required 
 for carrying on the work of exploitation. Madrid had not yet been 
 heard from, but there seemed to be abiding confidence in the olEce of 
 the governor and captain-general that Vina's propositions, or at least 
 some modification of them, would be accepted, and that the state would 
 enter upon the work of exploiting the coal mines of Cebu. This report 
 was a very long one, accompanied by elaborate maps and plans for the 
 road, but it is only necessary here to present the principal figures sub- 
 mitted. The canyon of the river Mananga was selected as the most 
 practicable route for the road, and the cove of Tanquey, near the 
 town of Talisay, as the terminus on the coast, where a mole could be 
 built and ships have good anchorage. 
 
 The whole distance of this road he estimated at 21,200 yards, and 
 with grades as follows: 2,300 yards, with a grade of 3 yards to the 
 1,000; 4,700 yards, at 5 yards to the 1,000; 1,500 yards, at 10 yards 
 to the 1,000; 6,000 yards, at 12, 10, and 8 yards to the 1,000; 1,400 
 yards at a 2 per cent grade; 900 yards at a 4 per cent grade; 2,800 
 yards at one-half of 1 per cent grade; 1,600 yards horizontal, or practi- 
 cally so. On this road something more than 40 bridges, great and 
 small, would be required, that would cost 20,000 pesos. For its con- 
 struction he divided the road as follows: 7,600 yards to be done with 
 polistas, requiring one and one-half years; 9,900 yards to be done with 
 prisoners, requiring 600 prisoners for one and one-half years; leaving 
 900 yards over roads already established or requiring no work, and 
 2,800 yards to be constructed by the mining enterprise, presumably to 
 be taken out of the purchase price in case the sale should be consum- 
 mated, or possibly to be paid for by the State under that provision of 
 Vina's proposal which provides for reimbursing the company for moneys 
 expended in development, etc., pending the consideration of the pur- 
 chase proposition. He recommends the bridge work to be done by 
 contract. With these conditions the coal transported to the coast with 
 carabaos is estimated at 1 peso per ton. The cost of bunkers is esti- 
 mated at 1 peso per ton of capacity. He says nothing about the 
 estimate of tools required. 
 
 He closes his report with the words, no less true to-day than they 
 were in 1864, "The most effective preparation that the Philippine 
 government can exercise and dispense to the enterprises that are dedi- 
 cated to the exploitation of coal (and other) mines is the construction 
 of roads in order to convey it to the coast; without these it will amount 
 to nothing that the coal is found and mined in abundance." 
 
30 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 THE VINA SALE FALLS THEOUGH. 
 [July 10, 1865.] 
 
 In the meantime the samples of coal from Cebu and the expedientes 
 of 1853 and 1854 had reached Madrid, and the coal was analyzed by 
 the school of mines, and the mining junta on the 10th of July, 1855, 
 issued its decision. It is very lengthy and recites a great deal of the 
 reports already quoted from, and then proceeds to disapprove of the 
 scheme for State exploitation, as follows: 
 
 Bearing in mind all the favorable circumstances and the good quality of said com- 
 bustible, this junta does not hesitate in considering the carboniferous territory of 
 Cebu of the highest importance to the security and prosperity of our Philippine 
 Islands, being at this point entirely in accord with the interesting report of the 
 captain-general, Mr. Antonio Urbiztondo; not so in the idea that the Government 
 purchase the mities of Mr. Diego Vifia and establish on account of the State the 
 exploitation of coal, because even though this in certain cases might be suitable, 
 economical, a.nd even necessary, this is not so in general, and it will be easy to under- 
 stand what is always required by industrial enterprises, which is generally admitted, 
 ought in the beginning to be left to the speculation of individuals who, with an 
 administration more expeditious and more simple, can produce it much cheaper. So 
 in this view, as well also that the price asked by Vifia is very excessive, the junta 
 thinks the incipient mines of Guila-Guila, upon the river Mananga, of Cebu, ought 
 not to be purchased on account of the State, mines whose labors and expenses up to 
 the end of 1853 were still very insignificant, and could have produced coal enough to 
 indemnify the owners, especially when the discovery is more due to the diligence of 
 the inpector of mines than to the forcefulness of the concessionary. 
 
 The junta recommends that the navy be required to allow the 
 Philippine coals to intervene, and that preference be given them for 
 the present, in contracts with English coal, even if it does cost as 
 much; that depositories be established and every possible encourage- 
 ment given the industry, since "the coals already discovered are of 
 enough importance to merit our preferred attention, because they are 
 at least as good as many of the coals of Europe and North America, 
 where all classes of combustibles are made available." The junta, 
 however, disapproves the recommendation of a dutj^ on the importa- 
 tion of coal to the Philippines. In due time the Queen approved, and 
 therefrom resulted the royal order of Januarj'^ 30, 1856, here quoted; 
 
 KOYAL ORDER, JANUARY 30, 1856. 
 
 Let it be recommended by your excellency, very efficaciously, the suitability of 
 protecting by suih means aw may be in your power the exploitation of the coal 
 mines, making the points of deposit easy of access for the benefit of the enterprises, 
 and conveniently located for the use of steamships; intervening in the contracts that 
 the national navy may make for the supply of combustible in the department; 
 arranging that tlie contracts be subdivided in such manner that infant industries 
 may be able to take part in them, giving preference and protecting such enterprises 
 under equal circumstances o\'er those presenting coal from elsewhere, even though 
 in the lirst years the coal of these islands may cost the State as much as foreign 
 coals. 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 31 
 
 On April 26, 1856, Governor Manuel Crespo transmits a copy of 
 this royal order to the inspector of mines and makes this curious 
 question : 
 
 That it may please you to show me how much it may offer and liow much it may 
 conform to the end of obtaining the resulting advantages that the Government of 
 Her Majesty proposes in the development of the important branch of mining in 
 these islands, and principally of coal mining, for which industry I will attempt to over- 
 come the difficulties that present themselves in so far as this is within my ability. 
 
 At this date, and looking back over the intervening years, this 
 seems like a despairing cry of "Help!" and a careful perusal of the 
 royal order easily supplies the explanation of his distress, since it says 
 nothing and promises less, measured at least by the air-castle picture 
 of State exploitation that had been builded up with such care and 
 with such promises of emoluments and wealth (to the State?). 
 
 ANALYSIS OF CEBTJ COAL BY THE SCHOOL OF MINES. 
 [At Madrid, July 10, 1856.] 
 
 The following is the statement of the result of the analysis of the 
 coal of Guila-Guila at Madrid, and referred to by the mining junta: 
 
 QUAUFICATIVE NOTE OF THE COAL OE CEBU. 
 
 The samples coming from Guila-Guila, on the river Mananga, at 3 leagues from 
 the port of Cebu, burn easily, with a very prolonged, brilliant flame; they do not con- 
 tain pyrites in a notable or prejudicial quantity, and all form a dull and black coke, a 
 little spongy and of some weight. 
 
 From the numerous tests and analyses made in the laboratory of the School of 
 Mines it is deduced that the bank of coal, 4 feet thick, from which they come may 
 be subdivided industrially into three sections or subbanks, of which — 
 
 The best has a specific gravity of 1.14, leaves 6 per cent of ash, gives 60 per cent of 
 coke, losing 40 per cent of volatile matter, and developing 5, 750 calorics. 
 
 The second quality: Specific gravity, 1.10 to 1.22; ash, 11 per cent; coke, 58 per 
 cent; volatile matter, 42 per cent; calorics, 4,860. 
 
 The third quality: Specific gravity, 1.30 to 1.46; ash, 18 per cent; coke, 56 per 
 cent; volatile matter, 44 per cent; calorics, 4,200. 
 
 The good coal of Europe and North America for general metallurgical use and for 
 steamships and locomotives: Specific gravity, 1.15 to 1.50; ash, 2 to 14 per cent; coke, 
 55 to 70 per cent; calorics, from 4,000 to 7,200. 
 
 It results, then, that the coal of Mananga, in the island, in conjunction with these, 
 is very well suited for the use of steamships and general metallurgical and industrial 
 uses, and that for steamers of long voyage preference is given to the first quality of 
 said coal, whose specific gravity is the most normal, its ashes do not pass 6 per cent, 
 and its caloric power exceeds 5,700. 
 
 Madrid, July 10, 1855. 
 
 A true copy. 
 
 Juan A. Maktinez, Brigadier Secretary. 
 
32 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 SIBUGUEY fOAL — MINDANAO. 
 [December, 1855.] 
 
 In the meantime, and while the State exploitation scheme was reach- 
 ing its decision and quietus in Madrid, word was brought of the 
 existence of rich coal fields in the southern part of Mindanao, in the 
 mountain of Marasingan. This requires only the briefest notice. 
 Senor Cordova, of the department of engineers at Zamboanga, organ- 
 ized a party and visited this section with a large force of prisoners, 
 and, leaving Zamboanga on November 18, 1855, they visited this 
 mountain and returned to Zamboanga on the 18th of the following 
 month, bi-inging a few tons of coal procured after a long and tiresome 
 overland journej^ and with great difficultjr, because of its scarcity, and 
 reporting the entire proposition as an apparently impossible one. 
 This report was referred to the inspector of mines, who ground out 
 another long rehash of his former reports, after the fashion of that 
 dajr, and repeated the result of the test which had been made on the 
 steamship MagaUanes with the coal secured hy Engineer Cordova, and 
 recapitulates as follows: * 
 
 First. That the coal of Sibuguey is of inferior quality to that of 
 Cebu and Caramuan, since the trials made in the steam war ships dis- 
 close that for each 9 quintals of Wales coal of good quality (Cardiff) 
 or 12 quintals of Newcastle coal of medium quality there are required 
 13 quintals of coal from Cebu, 16 quintals of coal from Caramuan, 
 and 24 quintals of coal from SibugueJ^ 
 
 Second. That the coal discovered in the Marasingan Mountain, in 
 Sibuguey, is far from being as abundant as the deposit of Guila-Guila, 
 in Cebu, and even as that of Hanopol, in Caramuan. 
 
 Third. That the situation of the said deposit of Mai-asingan, as 
 regards the coast, is much less advantageous than that of the deposits 
 of Guila-Guila and Hanopol. 
 
 THE QUESTION OF THE GOVERNOR ANSWERED. 
 
 [May 20, 1S66.] 
 
 On the latter date Inspector Hernandez answers the query of the 
 governor general as to the means to be employed to carry out the 
 beneficent intentions of the royal order of January 30, 1856. 
 
 The answer is long, and only a few lines of it are of present interest 
 He narrows the favorable coal discoveries down to Cebu, and adds- 
 "Unfortunately, the decree of the most excellent governor and cap- 
 tain-general, Mr. Antonio de Urbiztondo, of July 13, 1853, has hin- 
 dered the making of exploitations and the establishing of works, and 
 there exists only thost" which prior thereto had been undertaken at the 
 site of Guila-Guila, in the canyon of Mananga — works that are yet far 
 distant from being those which the conditions of the deposit permit. 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 33 
 
 To-day, Her Majesty having declared her will that the coal mines of 
 this archipelago may not be worked on the State's account, the pro- 
 hibition has no object, and the time has already arrived for revoking 
 said disposition (decree), which has only a provisional character and 
 impedes the individuals who would dedicate themselves to this interest- 
 ing branch of industry, being satisfied of the importance, and whose 
 necessity is becoming known." 
 
 He also recommends that the Government of Her Majesty be advised 
 of the propriety "that it detail an engineer of mines to verify a 
 detailed geological examination of the island of Cebu, furnishing him 
 to that end all the resources that a work of this class demands;" that 
 while the Government has declined to conduct exploitation on its own 
 account, still, "whenever the Government can take charge of the 
 study of the territory and can take an interest in showing the possi- 
 bility of undertaking reasonable speculations, capitalists will not be 
 lacking, perhaps it may be in the peninsula or in foreign lands, who 
 will dedicate themselves to this branch and some daj^ liberate us from 
 the necessity of employing English coal, carrying the production in 
 the island of Cebu to the point to which it is called by nature," and, 
 finally, "the construction of roads is the most effective protection 
 that can be given to the coal enterprises, and without these it will be 
 difficult, or even impossible, to secure good results." He urges again 
 that the Government at once be urged to interest itself in the con- 
 struction of roads as a duty it owes not only to the people, but also to 
 itself. 
 
 A FINAL ECHO FROM CAEAMUAN. 
 [1853-1860.] 
 
 We should not close the chapter on "State exploitation" without a 
 reference to a document that forcibly illustrates the tedious delays and 
 inexcusable neglect to expedite business between the mother country 
 and its Philippine colony. The reader will recall the report of 
 Inspector Baranda of 1852 on the coal fields of southern Luzon, and 
 especially of the deposit of Caramuan, and which has been referred to 
 herein with approval as an able paper. It was sent to Madrid and 
 referred to the mining junta, and in November, 1853, the junta 
 returned it to the minister of colonies, with a request that samples of 
 the coal of Caramuan and of the geological formation of southern 
 Luzon be asked for from Manila, and that the paper then be returned 
 to the junta, and urged that it be done with speed, as the subject seemed 
 to be of great importance. As an evidence of the feverish haste of 
 the colonial department, it was April 3, 1860, or nearly seven years 
 later, when this paper was taken up and the necessaiy order issued by 
 the minister of colonies for procuring the material and information 
 requested by the mining junta. 
 5603—01 3 
 
34 THE COAL MBASUKES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 REVOKING THE OEDEK OF PROHIBITION OF COAL CONCESSION IN CEBU, 
 
 APRIL 3, 1860. 
 
 On this date, also, the royal order was issued approving the order 
 of the governor and captain-genei'al of the Philippines revoking the 
 order by which the acceptance of coal-mining concessions in Cebu was 
 prohibited, pending the decision of the question of state exploitation. 
 This action of the governor -general bears date of November 3, 1859, 
 and was issued by him upon the petition of the firm of Diego Vina 
 &Co. 
 
 CHAPTER v.— THE BEGINNING OF FIXED RECORDS. 
 
 Up to the year 1860, as has been said in a semijocular manner, the 
 general inspector of mines seems to have carried the records and 
 archives of his department in his hat. Mr. Jose M. Santos, being 
 placed in charge of the scattered expedientes and memoranda consti- 
 tuting the records and archives, undertook to consolidate and form a 
 permanent record of the various attempts that had been made to make 
 entries and procure titles to coal and other mines by denouncement 
 proceedings under the code of 1846, as well as by the special permis- 
 sions of the Crown, so far as they were of any force or validity, and 
 for this purpose he commenced the book of registries known as Book 
 1 of the Registry of Expedientes of Mines, which is now in this bureau 
 and known as Volume VI in the subsequent arrangement of the 
 archives. This book bears the certificate of Inspector Santos in its 
 commencement, over a certificate explaining its objects and purposes, 
 as above indicated, and that certificate was dated August 1, 1860. 
 Thereafter memoranda of the various procedures were entered therein, 
 and finally the book was closed, and the next volume commences with 
 the adoption of the code of 1867. 
 
 This book, like those under the new code, was but a collection of 
 memoranda, not many of the original documents being entered in full, 
 and not even copies of the titles that were issued, saving onlj" the maps 
 or plans of the surveyed mines, and the extended and completed field 
 notes of such surveys. It furnishes a criticism upon the method of 
 keeping the mining records which should be avoided in the future. 
 
 For instance, under the code of 1867, when once an expediente was 
 completed, and the title to a mine had been perfected, the expediente 
 containing all the records of the various steps in the procedure, and 
 upon which the title was based, and the examination of which would 
 become so material in the settlement of disputes that might arise 
 touching boundaries, conflicting claims, and many other questions, 
 was sent back to the ofiice of the governor of the province where the 
 mine was located, and no complete copies remain in the permanent 
 archives of the central government. 
 
THE COAL MEASUKES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 35 
 
 Unfortunately these governmental archives in the provinces have 
 been largely burned and lost through insurrection, and valuable infor- 
 mation, from many standpoints, has been lost forever. While it is 
 true that the most of these documents are valuable only from an his- 
 torical standpoint, governments should not be careless of the preser- 
 vation of all matters of its procedure, by which the historian may, 
 years after the makers of history have been gathered to their fathers, 
 write out for future generations a fair and impartial statement of the 
 general trend of the country's advancement, civilization, and progress. 
 
 The archives and records of the mining bureau, in Manila, have not 
 been so destroyed, but it is a matter of regret that they are not full 
 and complete copies instead of mere memoranda and incomplete notes. 
 I have recommended in my reports, and beg to repeat it here, that 
 whatever system may be adopted for the record of mines the final 
 resting place of all original documents and papers relating thereto 
 should be in the office of the central administration, at the capital city 
 of the country. If it shall be requisite for local service and conven- 
 ience that there be provincial records, then let all such documents be 
 transmitted in duplicate, whereby there is a double precaution against 
 destruction of the entire material by which titles and rights of posses- 
 sion are established, and upon which history is founded. 
 
 In the two chapters following, the first devoted to Cebu, and the 
 second to Tayabas and all other localities of the islands, and covering 
 the period from 1869 to 1870, we should be at much loss to get even 
 as complete a view of the progress and development of the coal indus- 
 try as we have, had it not been for the care and forethoughtedness of 
 Seiior Santos in opening even these imperfect and incomplete books of 
 registry. 
 
 As a guide to the period treated of in the two chapters following, a 
 table has been prepared in which all of the coal entries and filings upon 
 alleged coal discoveries in the Philippines are set forth in chronolog- 
 ical order, showing the date of entry, name of mine, locality where 
 discovery was made and the proposed mine was located, the district 
 and province, together with the number of claims, superficial surface 
 in square varas, the name of the entry man, and date of demarcation, 
 together with the date of cancellation, wherever the same is distinctly 
 and with certainty noted in the records of the mining bureau. 
 
 It will be observed that very few of these mines were actually sur- 
 veyed, although the number of entries during the period treated of, 
 namely, from 1859 to 1870, amounted to 87 different and distinct 
 claims, all located in the provinces of Cebu and Tayabas, with the 
 exception of the "Reyna de Castilla," in the province of Albay, and 
 the "Mina del Sol," in the province of Abra. 
 
 For the preparation of this table a very careful examination has 
 been made of all the records and archives, for the purpose of correct- 
 
36 THE COAL .MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 ing errors in names, dates, and places, so far as possible. By reason 
 of the lack of system and regularity in the keeping of the records 
 under the Code of 1846, the accomplishment of this purpose has been 
 very difScult, and, notwithstanding our best efforts, it is probable 
 that some errors may have crept in, especially in reference to the exact 
 locality of the discovery and the date or dates of cancellation. 
 
 All of the mineral entries embraced in this table are recognized as 
 canceled entries, and a general notation to that effect is found in the 
 record, but in the preparation of this table we have only inserted the 
 date of cancellation where a specific record of cancellation in the reg- 
 ular course of the procedure was clearly and distinctly noted thereon 
 and at the proper time. This table is marked Table I. 
 
 CHAPTER VI.— MONOPOLY PERIOD IN CEBU, 1859 TO 1870. 
 
 During this period, commencing with November 7, 1859, and con- 
 tinuing for several years, a curious attempt seems to have been made 
 to create a monopoly in the coal trade of the archipelago by means of 
 the control, by practically one firm, of the entire output of coal from 
 the island of Cebu, and for this purpose petitioning for all the reputed 
 and known deposits of the island. 
 
 The members of the firm of Vina, Rojas & Co. were the ones who 
 attempted this monopoly, and for this purpose they divided into two 
 sections, Rojas & Co. taking the mines of Uling, and Vina taking 
 those of Alpaco. There were really three fields in the same neigh- 
 borhood where these operations were carried on, namely, Uling, Lutac, 
 and Alpaco. 
 
 Speculative entries were made from time to time, many of them 
 being allowed to lapse, and then were renewed again from time to time 
 at various other points in the island. Arranged in the order of their 
 importance, the following tables show the number and character of 
 these filings: 
 
 First. The Uling coal fields, towns of Naga and Minglanilla. 
 
 Second. The Alpaco coal fields, town of San Fernando. 
 
 Third. The Lutac coal fields, town of Naga, River Pandan. 
 
 Fourth. The Danao coal fields, town of Danao. Divided into three groups, accord- 
 ing to location, viz, the Mount Licos, Legaspi, and Magallanes groups. 
 
 Fifth. The Jinolauan coal fields (now Toledo). 
 
 Sixth. Miscellaneous coal fields, towns of Carcar, Boljoon, Mambaje, Dalaguete, 
 Baletec, Argao, Sibonga, Badian, and Alegria. 
 
 (See Table I.) 
 
 The first three of these only were worked during this period, the 
 rest being purely speculative entries, made upon every new or reported 
 discovery, and never carried to the point of a survey, and for which 
 only 10 meters of prospecting work was required upon each mine; but 
 even this was not done in the majority of cases. 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 37 
 
 These mines consisted of three claims each, under the code of 1846, 
 and were supposed to cover a superficial surface of 180,000 square 
 varas for each claim. 
 
 These three groups are of especial interest, since they are all in the 
 valley of the river Pandan and its tributaries, which territory forms 
 the basis of the great Macleod coal concession, which forms a separate 
 chapter in the latter portion of this report and which is now under 
 consideration by the United States military government upon appli- 
 cation for the perfection of a title. 
 
 During this period it will be remembered the King had instructed 
 the captain-general to extend every possible aid to the development of 
 the coal-mining industry, the State having just declined to enter upon 
 the work of exploitation of coal mines on its own account by its refusal 
 to purchase the mines of Guila-Guila, as related in the fourth chapter. 
 
 Very little, however, exists in the archives of the mining bureau 
 bearing upon this period, outside of the expedientes of the many fil- 
 ings, and the seven surveyed mines which resulted. Senor Abella, in 
 his geological work on Cebu, gives a brief summary of the workings 
 of this period, and to that we are indebted for everything that is 
 known of anj' considerable value relating to these mines. From it we 
 quote: 
 
 Mines of Naga. — Work was done in four places of the Jurisdiction of this town. 
 Insignificant in Sibod, at the Eosario mine, and in Lutac, at the Santo Nifio mine; 
 consideralale more were those of the San Antonio and San Jos6 mines in Alpaco, and 
 much more important and inteUigent in the mines of Uling, the Santo Domingo, 
 Nuestra Senora del Carmen, and Purisima Concepci6n, afterwards included in a group 
 under the last above-stated name. 
 
 Mine of Sibod. — As we were hardly able to notice any traces of the mouth of the 
 fallen gallery in the work on Sibod Creek, hidden among the close foliage of those 
 places, we appeal to the Book of Demarcations of the Inspectorate, which describes 
 the deposit, and we find that it consists of a layer of coal with a mean thickness of 
 70 centimeters, running almost from N. to S., with an inclination of 30° to the E. 
 
 Mine of Lutac. — Mr. Lasafia gives us some information of the mine of Lutac in a 
 report to the superior civil government, written in 1861: "It has," he said in it, 
 "one layer of coal whose thickness varies between 70 centimeters and 1.50 meters; 
 its direction is approximately from NE. to SW., and its inclination to the SE. It is 
 placed between a clayey schist, serving as a bed, and a layer of clay that forms the 
 roof. The workings consist of three galleries at different levels, of which the two 
 upper ones have cut the layer of coal at a distance of 50 and 54 m.eters, and the lower 
 one has not yet cut the deposit at all. The coal is not coherent, and the greatest 
 part of it comes from the mine entirely pulverized." 
 
 Mr. Centeno, who saw these works some time after the mines were abandoned, assigns 
 to the layer (in his Geological Memorandum of the Philippines) a thickness of one 
 meter, and inclined toward the NNW., connecting it with those of Sibod and Santa 
 Eosa, in Danao, and declaring, besides, that its coal produced a coke of excellent 
 quality, proved in the arsenal of Cavite. 
 
 When we visited this place, besides the three downfalls we found only a remainder 
 of a gallery, opened in a direction from E. to W. , upon a conglomerate, and two or 
 three outcroppings, only one of which showed with clearness, in a very much over- 
 
38 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 turned ground, a thickness of 80 centimeters in the layer, and a stratification sensibly 
 extended from N. to S. , with an inclmation towards the W. According to creditable 
 information that we have acquired the works of both mines were abandoned on account 
 of the irregularity of the layers, and on account of the coal being so brittle that it was 
 unable to stand transportation. 
 
 Mines ofAlpaco.—Oi the concessions of Alpaco we have still less facts than of the 
 former ones. Mr. Lasana, in the same report to which we have just referred, says: 
 "The works are also of little importance, the opened galleries not foUowmg the 
 layer over 20 meters in length. The thickness of this layer is from 1.50 meters up to 
 2 meters; its inclination is 40° to the ENE. It is located on the brow of the moun- 
 tain, and by reason of its elevated position has very little ground for exploitation 
 under the water level." 
 
 Mr. Centeno, in spite of having visited it, mdicates nothing specially about these 
 layers, and we are only able to discover with diflBculty several old fragments, already 
 almost covered with vegetation, and only one outcropping disclosed by the waters 
 of a creek, probably after those mines were abandoned, for otherwise they would 
 have taken out all the profitable coal, as they did in other places in the valley. That 
 outcropping showed a direction of NW. to SE. and an inclination of 50° to the SW. 
 We know also from private accounts that in order to take out the greatest amount 
 of coal in any possible way they made inclined galleries after the manner of "Las 
 trancadas de Almeria," in which the drainage was very soon made impossible with 
 the scarce means at their disposal, compelling their abandonment. This enterprise, 
 as we see it from a mining point of view, was of very little importance; nevertheless, 
 they knew how to acquire for their own benefit all the sympathy and official protection 
 which was conceded to mines. 
 
 3Iines of Uling. — In Uling, as we have repeatedly said, the most important mining 
 of all the island was performed, and, though we were unable to penetrate into them, 
 because all of them were completely demolished, we saw and studied some of the 
 outcroppings that are around them, and were able to connect them with the works 
 that existed by consulting the plan we found in the archives of the "inspectorate.'' 
 
 We shall not go further into the description of the works at Mount 
 Uling, since these will be made the subject of a special chapter later 
 in connection with the MacLeod coal concession. It need only be 
 added here that the coal mines of Uling were worked to a greater 
 extent in this period than any of the others in the island, but still not 
 to such an extent as to develop the worth and value of these deposits. 
 
 A CURIOUS FACT AND ITS CONSEQUENCES. 
 
 In his work above quoted, Senor Abella thus refers to the action of 
 the superior civil government, following the failure of the sale to the 
 State of the Guila-Guila mines : 
 
 As a curious fact we must point out that, although the Supreme Government, 
 advised by the superior mining junta, had already refused the idea of exploiting the 
 coal mines of Cebu for the account of the State, the superior government of the 
 archipelago, doubtless in love with its design, though not with the funds of the 
 State, still making free with the funds of the province, attempted an exploitation, 
 strange, indeed, directing the governor of Cebu to denounce the best deposits of his 
 territory and to prepare afterwards the most appropriate way to exploit them. For- 
 tunately this order was not accomplished, or there were presented other difficulties 
 which made it impossible of realization. 
 
THE COAL MEASUKES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 39 
 
 This language is brief and decidedly pointed, and casts a flood of 
 light upon the sentiments prevailing regai'ding the value of the coal 
 deposits of Cebu — an opinion by no means founded either upon rhyme 
 or reason. So great and unfounded was this enthusiasm, that the 
 same superior government of the islands, anticipating the sale of the 
 Guila-Guila mines to the State, had expended much time and labor in 
 building a road to the Guila-Guila mines, and to which Abella refers 
 in this language: 
 
 The projected purchase of the Guila-Guila mines, and the unfortunate idea of the 
 exploitation on account of the State, having been rejected by the Government of 
 Spain, and having tested the coals of that concession with favorable results in some 
 of the steamers recently arrived at the islands, the building of a road from Guila- 
 Guila to the shore was commenced before they had perfectly examined the deposit 
 and calculated the disposable field of workings, and so learned the production that 
 might be expected — the Government contributing with 200 prisoners, the province 
 with 12,000 polistas, and four or five thousand pesos for materials, and Mr. Hernandez 
 offered himself, with the greatest disinterestedness, for the execution of the work as 
 projected. But in the meantime the workings of the mines, which had been irregu- 
 larly commenced by the proprietors, and which were afterwards put in order and 
 continued under the well-directed advices of Mr. Hernandez, gave their result, 
 establishing, says Mr. Lasana — from whom we take these accounts — enormous breaks 
 in the deposits, and almost complete disappearance of the combustible; a sad ending 
 for an enterprise that had spent 70,000 to 80,000 pesos in their works, and who shall 
 always have the merit of being the first in furnishing the means to establish such a 
 profitable industry in the country. 
 
 The same authority thus clearly states the course and result of the 
 work of the period following the abandonment of the Guila-Guila 
 enterprise: 
 
 In spite of the failure of the Guila-Guila, the members of the exploitation associa- 
 tion of Vina, Rojas & Co. did not become discouraged. This association dissolved, 
 and in 1859 the firm of Rojas & Co., on the one part, and Vina, on the other, took 
 advantage of the raising of the order prohibiting the registration of mines in the 
 island, the first mentioned establishing themselves at Uling, and the second at 
 Alpaco, beginning the new works with enthusiasm. There was entered throughout 
 the island, for the account of both mines, as is always the case, a multitude of mines 
 which were not worked because, probably, they were made with only the object of 
 monopolizing all the lands containing coal on the chance of a favorable result that 
 the mines of Uling and Alpaco might produce; so it is, that they renounced these, 
 or allowed the time to expire, in order to register, several times, as may be seen in 
 the statements of concessions petitioned for in the island. 
 
 In April, 1861, the commanding general of the arsenal passed by Cebu, and being 
 informed of the existence of ttiese mines, he ordered that the coals be tried in a gun- 
 boat. These trials were again repeated with success in other vessels of more power, 
 and the owners of the mines, encouraged, started to make roads at different places of 
 the exploitation, but always without the assurance of a regular production by the 
 preparation of the deposits. The Supreme Government, attentive always to the sup- 
 port of this important industry, encouraged the local and superior authorities, in 
 order that the coal might be consumed by the State, and offered the miners every 
 protection. Notwithstanding, a little while afterwards, the engineers of the war- 
 ships, most of them foreigners, began to find the coal weak and of bad conditions, 
 and the commanders adhered more or less to their opinions. The bad conditions of 
 
40 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 the storage, and the coal being somewhat pyritic, produced some cases of spontane- 
 ous combustion, and the navy, the sole consumer of the mines, decided absolutely 
 not to employ these coals, producing thus a conflict for the new-born industry. To 
 avoid this, the inspector of mines commenced an expediente, m which, interpreting 
 the good will so many times shown by the Supreme Government, it was solicited 
 that the navy might continue using the coal of Oebu, and succeeding with his object. 
 The mines, nevertheless, were visibly languishing, above all those of Alpaco, and in 
 spite of the new help made by the province by buying, on account of local funds, the 
 road from the mines up to the anchorage ground of Tinaan. 
 
 Both enterprises tried to join agam, assembhng their efforts atone point alone, and 
 with this object petitioned in 1869 for a mining group in Uling, but it was not able 
 to obtain the fusion, and shortly thereafter the works at Alpaco were extinguished 
 and the most important ones at Uhng suspended under the impression of a dismay, 
 in a certain sense unjustified, and just when, as we shall see, by the conclusion of 
 two large shafts, they might have recovered a great portion, if not the whole, of the 
 important capital invested by this enterprise, which, it must be confessed, is the one 
 that has worked in the island with more intelligence, more means, and less govern- 
 ment protection than any other. 
 
 As will be seen in subsequent chapters covering the periods in Cebu 
 commencing in 1870, like failures followed, and the conclusion of 
 Senor Abella, referring to the failures of both these periods, is so apt, 
 so full of wise suggestion and prudent warning, that it is quoted here 
 in his exact language: 
 
 This lamentable history of the coal-mining industry may give very beneficial 
 instruction, if there be avoided in the future the errors in which all these enterprises, 
 one after the other, were involved; possessed of a very laudable enthusiasm, but 
 rather unjustified, and therefore fruitless, animated by which they rush always 
 beforehand to expend their vigor in expensive outside workings and accessories, and 
 before being assured, by a suitable preparation of the deposits, of a production more 
 or less important, but which should have been moderated until such time as the 
 circumstances of the deposit would justify these expenses. 
 
 As the historj'^ of the mines in other localities is developed, this 
 quotation will naturally occur to the reader and furnishes a compre- 
 hensive and clear statement of the reasons for many successive and 
 repeated failures. 
 
 Fortunately the development of many coal deposits in every portion 
 of the commercial world, and the extended uses of their products, has 
 made these words of warning of less force for practical purposes in 
 these days, and they are repeated here not so much for the purpose of 
 serving that use at this time, but for the purpose of indicating that 
 the failures of coal mines in the past in these islands is by no means a 
 criterion for passing judgment upon either the nature, extent, or value 
 of the coal deposits of the archipelago, and that they do not, as they 
 should not, cast any serious doubt upon the existence of coal in good 
 situations and paying quantities, and, as the writer believes, after a 
 careful study of some deposits, at least so extensive and of such rela- 
 tively superior quality, as compared with other coals sold in this 
 market, as to render them of more value than any other mineral 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 41 
 
 deposit of the islands. This opinion, inserted at this point, seemingly 
 out of place in the history of the coal industry, the writer is willing 
 to allow to stand as a prophecy that he feels assured wiU in due time 
 be fulfilled and become an established fact. 
 
 OTHEK LOCALITIES. 
 
 By consulting the lists of coal entries of this period (Table I), it 
 will be seen that numerous filings were made in other parts of the 
 island of Cebu, commencing with the town of Danao, in the north of 
 the coal-bearing area, and extending to the town of Boljoon, in the 
 extreme south. Some of these were afterwards worked and developed 
 and have become mines; the most of them remain without investiga- 
 tion, and a few have been clearly proved to be deposits of black 
 volcanic rock, and not coal at all ; such are some of the entries in the 
 town of Minglanilla, near San Nicolas, the deposits at Carcar, and 
 others. 
 
 Of these deposits the greater portion are on the eastern coast and 
 eastern slopes of the Cordillera, but a few are on the west, notably 
 those of Alegria and Toledo (old town of Jinolauan), which latter 
 deposits are almost directly west from the deposits of Mount Uling. 
 
 Except in so far as these were developed and worked in a subsequent 
 period, and where they will be treated of in course, the others possess 
 no historical or commercial interest and need no further comment. 
 
 ASSAYS OF THIS PERIOD. 
 
 Six samples taken from the deposits of Uling and Alpaco were 
 assayed in the School of Mines at Madrid, giving, in 100 parts, the 
 following results: 
 
 
 Maximum. 
 
 Minimum. 
 
 Medium. 
 
 
 64.00 
 20.00 
 
 36.00 
 
 46.16 
 
 
 11.84 
 
 Water and volatile matter 
 
 44.00 40.00 
 
 5,760.00 4,140.00 
 
 1.46 1.10 
 
 42 00 
 
 Caloric power . . - . 
 
 4,9%. 00 
 1.23 
 
 
 
 
 These coals burn with a brilliant and very prolonged flame. 
 Another assay from these same deposits gave the following 
 Carbon 
 
 result: 
 .. 51.2 
 
 Ashes 
 
 .. 4.1 
 
 Volatile matter ........... 
 
 .. 44.7 
 
 
 
 Total 
 
 
 
 .. 100.0 
 
 Five grams burned five minutes, with medium large flame of yellow- 
 ish-white color, producing a great deal of black smoke. It did not 
 give coke, but a heavy gray coal. The ashes are ferruginous and 
 
42 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 pyretic. Its caloric power was 6016, of which 1926 correspond to 
 volatile matters. 
 
 INSPECTOR LASANA's BEPOET AND COMMENTS. 
 
 To this period the archives of this Bureau contribute but one report 
 from the inspectors of that period, but there are evidences that many 
 others were made, and they are probably to be found in the archives 
 of the Government at Madrid. 
 
 The one we have been able to find here, however, furnishes a good 
 summary of the nature and character of these reports and memorials, 
 and casts a flood of light upon the history of the coal-mining industry 
 of the time. 
 
 This document bears date of July 9, 1866, and is made over the sig- 
 nature of Senor Cesar Lasana, the inspector of mines, and is addressed 
 to the governor-general. From it we make liberal quotations, both 
 because of the valuable information it contains and for the quaint, but 
 yet expressive, arguments it advances. It deals with the question of 
 the assistance to be given by the superior government, under the 
 advice of the supreme government, for the encoux'agement in every 
 possible way of the new-born coal-mining industry. 
 
 The inspector had been stationed in Cebu, and was certainly familiar, 
 as no other man was, with all the ins and outs of the business at that 
 date. He says: 
 
 It is unquestionable tliat tlie newly born coal industry of this archipelago needs a 
 powerful encouragement and protection in order that the resources, solely individual 
 (here where the spirit of association is not developed), may not be unproductive by 
 their scarcity, and in order that the perseverance necessary to reach the results may 
 not be extinguished before the magnitude of the enterprise. 
 
 He first pa5's his respects to the reports from the governor inten- 
 dente of the Visayas and the commanding general of the navy, stating 
 that he is not altogether in harmony with their respective judgments. 
 "The first says, and he proposes as a measure of protection, that 
 whatever may be the condition of the hiborer, let his taxes as a native 
 be paid, the enterprise assuming the responsibility," and that "in the 
 same way he shall be compelled to pay the redemption from personal 
 (military) service, to which all the natives and mestizos (half-castes) 
 are bound; at the same time conceding to them, in case they are con- 
 stant in their service in the mines for a given period, which shall not 
 be less that fifteen years, and reckoning 40 years of age at least, 
 that they may be exempt from military service, if the enterprise obli- 
 gates itself to pay the 25 or 30 pesos that a substitute costs at present 
 for each laborer who di'aws the lot and is sound." 
 
 Lasana continues: 
 
 I have transcribed this paragraph entire because it does not occur to me wherein 
 the protection consists that the governor of Visayas wishes to lend to the industry. 
 In a work which, up to this date, Chinos have not been employed, it does not appear 
 
THE COAL MEASUBES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 43 
 
 to present any advantage that all pay the taxes as natives; that to free them from 
 personal (military) service, the enterprises paying the redemption, is surely not pro- 
 tection without profit to the Government; while to promise them after fifteen years' 
 work, and at least 40 years of age, exemption from poll tax and military service is 
 to promise nothing, because so improvident is the character of the Indian that only 
 to one not knowing it would it occur to offer him rewards in order that he shall work 
 for fifteen years. 
 
 ******* 
 
 The commanding general of the navy says that the consumption of native coal 
 should be limited to a third part with the foreign coal, and in the face of an opinion 
 grounded on experience and practice it can not nor should not be insisted that it 
 shall be one-half, as has been solicited. * * * That which, in my judgment, 
 should be represented to the supreme government is, that in making contracts for 
 English coal for these islands it should be kept in mind the portion of the navy esti- 
 mates that should be devoted to the purchase of native coal. I can not agree in the 
 inferiority that is supposed to exist in the coal of Rojas & Co. with respect to that 
 coming from the mines of Mr. Yifia. The veins are the same, and the spontaneous 
 combustion to which, for that matter, one as well as the other has the same tend- 
 ency, is many times the effect of the bad condition in which it is stored in the depos- 
 itaries of the navy, and of which the interested parties frequently complain. 
 
 He next refers to the "luminous report emitted by the united ses- 
 sions of government and treasury of the council of administration," 
 and which, he declares, ' ' embraces as much as may be said upon the 
 subject." 
 
 Of this document (which, unfortunately, we have been unable to find) 
 Inspector Lasafia says: 
 
 The council of administration in their very lucid report discreetly divide into dis- 
 tinct classes the measures which may be adopted by the administration to protect 
 and encourage coal-mining enterprises. In one is included those things which have 
 for their object the facilitating of the formation of the enterprises and the execution 
 of the works until the mines are placed in a state of exploitation; and the other, 
 those things which will tend to facilitate the sale of the products and to increase the 
 demand by establishing a favorable competition with foreign coals. The first rule 
 comprises: 
 
 First. The complete immunity from customs duties on machinery and all kinds of 
 manufactures and materials which shall be employed and are necessary or convenient 
 for the work of mines; the preservation and deposit of coal and its transportation to 
 the depositaries. 
 
 Second. The granting of exemptions and privileges to laborers who voluntarily pre- 
 sent themselves to lend their services in the mines. 
 
 Third. The official assistance of hands for the works, when the enterprises do not 
 find them spontaneously and in sufficient number. 
 
 Fourth. The gratuitous concession of the grounds which, in addition to those exclu- 
 sively mining claims, might be necessary to them or manifestly useful for pasturing 
 animals employed in the works, for taking out timber for proper objects, the con- 
 struction of buildings, etc. 
 
 Fifth. The pecuniary bounty furnished by the state. 
 
 The second rule comprises — 
 
 First. The entire immunity also from tariff duty for the exportation of the island 
 coal without distinction of flag. 
 
 Second. The like immunity, under the national flag, of articles foreign to the mines 
 of which we treat, whenever they are exported on vessels that, up to a certain extent, 
 contribute also to the use of the combustibles of the mines. 
 
44 THE COAL MEASUEES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 Third. The consumption by the navy, in more or less amount, and by all the 
 establishments of the state in the archipelago, of the combustible in question. 
 
 Fourth. The imposition of customs duties, up to the point which is judged suitable, 
 on the foreign and imported coal. 
 
 Fifth. The publicity, through the consular agents of all countries, of the existence 
 and quahty of the coal that the enterprises might have to dispose of. 
 
 Upon these suggestions and recommendations Senor Lasana com- 
 ments, in part, thus . 
 
 It is unfortunately too true that the lack of hands for work makes a failure in this 
 country of the best combined industrial plans and that in theory appear secure in 
 results. This lack of hands for agriculture and industry has two reasons for existence: 
 The scarcity of population, with regard to the extension of territory, and the oppo- 
 sition of the natives to work. 
 
 The first reason is of slow and diflScult remedy, and it is but just to bear in mind 
 that the privileges which are to be offered to those who are devoted to an industry 
 will be the cause necessarily of those being displeased who have not these privileges. 
 For this reason these must be granted with frugality, above all in a country in which 
 agriculture is found in a deplorable backwardness and which requires protection from 
 the government. 
 
 The second reason is the laziness, which, too, must be treated with consideration. 
 The Indians, and especially the Visayans, are of wonderful sobriety; a little com 
 boiled in water is sufficient for their nourishment; a bad trouser, and many times a 
 small piece of cloth tied to the waist, is sufficient to dress them; a bad hut is their 
 lodging. Such small needs do not require much work to cover them, but let it not 
 be believed that they do not long for good food or reprove as inconvenient the good 
 and glaring clothes; not at all. It is that their laziness is greater than their needs 
 and vices, and they live happy without satisfying them if they have to work for 
 these things in order to get them. 
 
 It is not logical that those who openly break the laws should be compelled to 
 observe them by the offering of rewards for so doing, but rather they should be com- 
 pelled to do so by force; and as work is a law which is above all human laws, because 
 it is the law of heaven, a different solution should not be sought nor disobedience 
 tolerated in complying therewith. It is all right, by reason of the severity of the 
 work, to exempt them from personal (military) service and neighborhood taxes 
 while they are busy in the mines, but to free them from any army service is a hate- 
 ful privilege which would bring serious consequences for the injuries which it would 
 occasion to those who have other business or employment not so privileged, and that 
 would bring transcendental disturbances by the abuse to which it tends. 
 
 In the third case — that is, the official aid of hands for the works when the enter- 
 prises can not get them spontaneously and in sufficient numbers, being a necessity; 
 in another report upon the same thing, the undersigned was also opposed to this 
 measure, and that opposition was founded on this: The Indian being refractory in 
 lending his personal services, the mining industry^ so far from being made secure, 
 would be made repugnant by reason ot making the services obligatory. At that 
 time there were employed in Cebu from 400 to 500 men, and sometimes more, in the 
 mines of Eojas & Co. and Vina and in the construction of the roads which lead to them, 
 there never having been seen the need of any such violent measures. Since then the 
 idleness— assisted mightily by clearing the tuba (brandy) from monopoly— has 
 increased to such an extent that the enterprises are compelled to take their laborers 
 from Manila, while the natives abandon themselves peacefully to their instinct of 
 vagrancy and intoxication, without the high wages which are offered serving as any 
 encouragement to them. It must be borne in mind that the works within the mine 
 never could be made with polistas, because it requires a certain amount of experience 
 
THE COAL MEASUEES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 45 
 
 and intelligence, wMch necessitates a term of apprenticeship,. above all, in coal mines. 
 But for the construction and preservation of roads and buildings for carrying products 
 to the storehouses, for loading and unloading vessels, and for other works on the 
 surface there is no inconvenience in employing them, paying them their daily wages 
 as voluntary workmen. 
 
 Mr. Lasana thus concludes his own views: 
 
 The stimulations which, in my judgment, can be granted are — 
 
 First. The immunity from customs duties on imported machinery, manufactures, 
 and articles necessary for exploitation, and also for exportation of native coal with- 
 out distinction of flag. 
 
 Second. Exemptions of personal (military) service and neighborhood taxes-while 
 the laborers are busy in the mines, allowing the enterprises to satisfy a moderate 
 amount of those to whom the lot of soldiers has fallen. 
 
 Third. The official aid of hands to the enterprises for the outside work when they 
 do not get them spontaneously, paying them the corresponding daily wages. 
 
 Fourth. The gratuitous concession of the area which they need for the pasture of 
 animals. 
 
 Fifth. The consumption of coal by the navy and by the state departments. 
 
 Sixth. The publicity, through consular agents, of the existence and quality of the 
 coal which the enterprises may have ready for sale. 
 
 With these advantages the coal-mining industry can be developed and advanced 
 under the shelter of protection, the government being satisfied to do that which it 
 is able to do on its part without serious injury to the other industries. 
 
 This era of feverish speculation furnishes valuable suggestions, 
 since it so clearly demonstrates that this kind of mining creates no 
 mines. Coal mining is not fostered and established by speculative 
 entries and an indiscriminate expenditure of capital. It is no less 
 true to-day than it was in the "monopoly period in Cebu." But, not 
 content with the field operations in Cebu, the same parties who were 
 wasting their money in Cebu in a vain attempt to cover all known 
 deposits instead of concentrating their capital and labor at one well 
 examined and thoroughly prospected locality, also undertook to 
 monopolize the coal fields of Tayabas, as will be seen in the next 
 chapter, and with the inevitable result that they failed in both. 
 
 CHAPTEK. VII.— MONOPOLY PERIOD IN TAYABAS AND OTHER 
 LOOAIilTIES, 1859-1867. 
 
 The fever of monopoly that had seized the members of the exploi- 
 tation firm of' Vina, Rojas & Co. during this period was not less viru- 
 lent in Tayabas than in the island of Cebu. 
 
 As early in the spring of 1860 as April 26, one Francisco Villasenor 
 had applied to the subdelegate of Tayabas for the registry of a coal 
 mine on the island of Pulong-munti, oflf the west coast of Tayabas 
 and near the town of Pagbilao. This petition reached the inspect- 
 orate at Manila on the 18th day of May, 1860. 
 
 In the meantime, and on May 1, 1860, one Ramon Dominguez had 
 entered a mine at Manila direct, which he alleges that he had discov- 
 ered and which was described as being on the island of "Pagbilao 
 
46 THE COAL MEASURES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 Grande," called by the natives "Capuluan," as shown on the map of 
 the Straits of San Bernardino. 
 
 Jos^ Maria Basa had also presented and procured an entry at Manila 
 direct on May 13, 1860, for a mine, which he described as being on the 
 island of Capuluan. Basa's petition came to grief for lack of formali- 
 ties and was canceled on the 28th of May, while Villaseiior's, for the 
 lack of the filing of a petition within ten days, stating the special 
 designation of his mine and the place where the legal labor was to be 
 done, met a like fate on June 8. 
 
 It appears, as a matter of fact, that these three claims were all for 
 one and the same discovery, and on the same piece of land, and was 
 the same mine, to be known later as the "San Francisco," consisting 
 of only one claim. 
 
 Ramon Dominguez, having filed his claim as above stated, on May 1, 
 and thereafter complying with the law relating to subsequent records, 
 at once a peculiar contest and a curious dispute arose. Villasenor held 
 the ground where the mine was located and had the backing of the 
 subdelegate of Tayabas, or the provincial authority. Dominguez had 
 the support of the inspector of mines and had complied with the law, 
 and his representative was sent down with authority and directions to 
 the subdelegate to allow him to work the mine, for the legal labor 
 to be done and completed within the ninety days before which the 
 survey might be applied for. 
 
 Dominguez's representative seems to have met with a warm recep- 
 tion, and a long and somewhat acrimonious discussion took place 
 between the provincial authority and the inspector of mines, in which 
 the subdelegate insisted that there was no coal mine discovered on the 
 island described by Dominguez, and protesting his inability to put 
 Dominguez in possession of a coal mine when there was none. 
 
 While the inspector seems to have been busy formulating and issu- 
 ing orders, the subdelegate and Villasenor seem to have been equally 
 active in finding and creating ways and means to defeat these orders. 
 In such a dilemma, what so natural as to appeal to the great and rich 
 exploiting firm of Vina, Rojas & Co. ? And this seems to have been 
 done, for on September 5, 1860, Margarita Rojas shies her castor into 
 the ring, in opposition to Dominguez, in a petition in opposition to 
 his claim of discovery, accompanied by voluminous evidence as to the 
 geography and nomenclature of the islands in the harbor of the town 
 of Pagbilao, which were calculated to prove that Dominguez could not 
 have really been the actual first discoverer of the mine, but had taken 
 advantage of the discoveries of others, and that his mine was, in fact, 
 a mine that was purely existent in his mind. 
 
 Unfortunately, the records and the evidence of this first lawsuit do 
 not disclose who really was the first discoverer of the deposit; so silent 
 is the record on that seemingly all-important and material question, 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 47 
 
 that at this day one is inclined to believe that the discoverer's name is 
 unknown. 
 
 The unfortunate cause of airthis tempest in a teapot, for so we 
 must consider it at this date, was the reliance that Dominguez had 
 placed upon the official map issued by the Spanish Government in the 
 year 1849, entitled "Spherical Map of the Strait of San Berdardino 
 and Adjacent Islands," in which a small island is represented and 
 marked as Pagbilao Chica (little), and lying near to the coast, while 
 just beyond it is a larger island, nearly cut in two by a small isthmus 
 connecting a larger northern part with a very much smaller part, 
 which is marked Pagbilao Grande (large). 
 
 Now, there was a local custom among the natives of speaking of one 
 island in that bay as Little Pagbilao, and the other as Large Pagbilao, 
 and these two alone were represented in that map. The native name 
 for the place where the coal was really found was the island of Capu- 
 luan, or Pulong-munti, and these names did not appear on the maps. 
 As a matter of fact, this was not the little island we have first men- 
 tioned, and in one sense of the word it was not the large one; it was 
 the little southern peninsula we have described, which at high tide 
 became of itself a separate island, and at low tide was connected with 
 the larger island by a thin band of sand, or an isthmus. 
 
 Blind dependence on a map that was old and incorrect, and too much 
 reliance upon reports of strange and local native names for localities, 
 brought Dominguez face to face with stern facts of locations as they 
 really were, but even yet it seemed that the inspector would win out 
 in spite of the evidence of uncertainty as to description and actual 
 location of the discovery. 
 
 The contesting faction had another happy thought. Villasenor had 
 stated that his discovery was in the town of Atimonan, and Domin- 
 guez had located his in the town of Pagbilao. Atimonan was a town 
 on the opposite, or eastern, coast of the island and some distance from 
 the mine, while Pagbilao was on the west coast and near to the mine. 
 The local authority of Atimonan, consisting of its principal men, was 
 called together and solemnly declared that the island or Capuluan, or 
 Pulong-munti, where the coal mine was actually located, was certainly 
 in the jurisdiction of their town of Atimonan, and not in that of Pag- 
 bilao; and an inspector from another branch of the general govern- 
 ment, having looked the ground over and examined the evidence, 
 decided that the town council of Atimonan was right, and the inspector 
 sent the whole accumulation of documents up to the governor-general, 
 who decided the contest in favor of the town of Atimonan and Mar- 
 garita Eojas; and Dominguez's claim was canceled on May 16, 1861. 
 
 In the meantime a firm called Javier Brothers had essayed an entry 
 on the island of Capuluan, alleged to be in the town of Pagbilao, but 
 this seems to have been but little valued, since with no further pro- 
 
48 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 ceedings being had, it remained upon the records without apparent 
 opposition from anyone until August 19, 1864, when it was canceled for 
 abandonment. 
 
 With this introduction and a brief reference to the contest that 
 opened this period in Tayabas, we call attention to the fact that Taya- 
 bas, like Cebu, was immediately ran over and covered with all sorts 
 of entries of coal lands wherever a cropping or indication could be 
 found or heard of, only two of which were ever surveyed, and both of 
 these were located on the island of Pulong-nmnti. 
 
 The mines of Tayabas do not appear to have been worked to any 
 extent, and this notwithstanding two Chinese firms— one in 1861 and 
 the other in 1862 — had entered claiais for coal mines. The boom seems 
 to have expired by 1864, for the entire bunch was canceled in a lump 
 during that year for abandonment. 
 
 In November, 1869, a Mr. Trinidad attempted to file a claim on the 
 island of Pulong-munti under the old code of 1846, but the new code 
 of 1867 had come into force, and that effort seems to have fallen to 
 the ground. Six towns shared in this coal boom, of which Pagbilao, 
 Macalelon, and Unisan were on the west coast, and Atimonan, Maa- 
 ban, and Gumaca were on the east coast. The island of Alabat con- 
 tains two of these entries lying off the east coast, one being atSangirin, 
 jurisdiction of the town of Mauban, and the other at Camagung, in 
 the jurisdiction of the town of Gumaca. 
 
 The tabulated lists of these entries, with the notes of their disposi- 
 tion, found in Table I, are all that need be added to complete the record 
 of so much of the monopoly period in Tayabas as is required for this 
 work. It does not excite as much interest as does the rush in Cebu, 
 lacking many of the essentially earnest efforts for development that 
 characterized that period in Cebu. 
 
 OTHER LOCALITIES. 
 
 The records and archives for this period contribute but two other 
 coal locations in the archipelago, one being in Albay and the other in 
 Abra. 
 
 It will be remembered that Manuel de Castro, a resident of Sorso- 
 gon, had on May 30, 1853, located a coal mine in the subdivision of 
 Sorsogon, in the province of Albay, which he described as being near 
 the visita of Parina, town of Casiguran, and at a place called Carisan. 
 
 On June 25, 1861, he renewed his petition for this same deposit, 
 making a petition for designation on the 3d of July following, in 
 which the location of the mine is described as being in the town of 
 Magallanes. On September 5 he petitioned for its demarcation, and 
 on the 15th of the same month it was surveyed, and from notes of the 
 survey in the mining bureau we learn that there were eight galleries 
 opened upon the deposit, the largest of which was 17 meters long. On 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 49 
 
 October 8, 1861, formal possession of the mine was given to De Castro. 
 It is noted in the archives that this mine is canceled but that the date 
 of its cancellation was unknown. No map or plan of the mine is found. 
 The location made in 1861 is declared to be identical with the one of 
 1853 by the same party, and in the latter location he gives to his mine 
 the name "Reyna de Castilla." 
 
 Don Francisco Javier Centurion y Zapata, a sublieutenant of infan- 
 try, resident at Fort Gibratfaro, under date of December 12, 1863, 
 petitioned for two claims on the left bank of the river Malanas, in the 
 rancheria of Paganas, province of Abra, designating his discovery as 
 the "Mina del Sol." On the lith of the same month it was admitted 
 at the office of the provincial governor; on the 18th it was remitted to 
 the inspectorate at Manila; on the 22d of December the designation 
 was made by a petition which in due course reached the inspectorate 
 on the 8th of January, 1864. The period of ninety dajs allowed for 
 performing the legal labor and applying for survej' having expired 
 without further application, the claim was canceled on May 10, 1864. 
 We have no further information in regard to this mine or the coal 
 deposit upon which it was located. With the end of this period the 
 code-of 1846 disappears, being succeeded by the more elaborate code 
 of 1867. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII.— THE CODE OF MAY 14, 1867. 
 
 The date of May 14, 1867, will ever be a memorable one in the 
 history of the mining industry in the Philippines, since on that 
 date the royal decree was issued from the palace at Madrid, in 
 which a clear, concise, and very specific code and regulations for the 
 future government of mining of all kinds was issued, and which in 
 terms expressly repeals all other laws up to that date upon the subject 
 of mines and mining. Not less so is the date of May 6, 1868, when 
 this new code, with its accompanying regulations, was formal!}- pub- 
 lished in the Gazette at Manila and became operative as the funda- 
 mental mining Jaw of the Philippines. 
 
 While I am free to confess that this law has been by no means sat- 
 isfactory in its operation, as will be seen by the examination of the 
 proceedings had under it, I am as free to admit that theoretically it is 
 without serious fault. I do not believe that it was possible to execute 
 it in the actual administration in conformity with its provisions and 
 the really splendid theory upon which it was based. The comprehen- 
 sion of its intricate procedure, so positive and minute in its details, 
 could not be expected from the ability of the provincial authorities 
 charged with its administration and conduct. There is abundant 
 proof that it was not so comprehended, and while it was in theory a 
 vast improvement upon the code of 1846 it was by no means an 
 unqualified practical success. 
 5503—01 4 
 
50 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIITINES. 
 
 The most marked change in the proceedings was the retention in 
 the provincial offices of all the documents and papers until such time 
 as all the prerequisites for a survey were complied with, when it was 
 for the first time remitted to the general inspectorate of mmes. Here- 
 after in this volume, therefore, no notice will be taken of those curi- 
 ous and peculiar entries that were solely and purely speculative, and 
 which were made possible and even encouraged by the exceedingly 
 simple and liberal code of 1846. 
 
 So far as it relates to coal mines, the basis of this law, in its more 
 important features, was the definition of the size of claims, made 600 
 by 300 meters each, and allowing several of these claims to be united, 
 and beyond the minimum allowed to one person or corporation, of 
 four claims, up to any number in a coto (group), provided it should 
 be accompanied by a certificate from an engineer showing the impor- 
 tance and benefit to the State of such grant in large ti-acts, from an 
 economical and industrial point of view, and when accompanied also 
 by a plan showing the location of the coto, also prepared by an 
 engineer, and made accurate, definite, and certain. 
 
 The canon tax was also suspended on coal-mining properties for the 
 period of thirty years from the date of the publication of this law, 
 and also for a like period the 3 per cent tax upon the gross output of 
 the mines. 
 
 The proceedings allowed the entry of coal lands and other mineral 
 lands without regard to whether the lands were public lands of the 
 State, the property of pueblos, or of private ownership, it only being 
 necessary, in case the discovery should be made upon lands of private 
 ownership, that the permission of the owner should be first obtained; 
 or, in case of refusal, the authorities might grant such permission 
 upon the payment of damages and the giving of certain securities for 
 further damages that might occur. The owner, however, had a spec- 
 ified time within which he could exploit the mineral lands of his pri- 
 vate ownership if he so desired; failing in that, the condemnation 
 proceedings would be had and the lands would be exploited by the 
 discoverer of the mineral, as stated. 
 
 To give a general idea of this course of procedure, we quote from 
 this law and its regulations those principal steps which are called the 
 " main proceedings:" 
 
 First. The admission of the petition. 
 
 Second. The publication of the description. 
 
 Third. The permission or refusal of prospecting and exploitation or of commenc- 
 ing work. 
 
 Fourth. The notice to the effect that the permission of the owner of the ground has 
 been asked. 
 
 Fifth. The presentation of thecertiflcate of the making of the mounds (landmarks). 
 
 Sixth. Notice to the effect that the work required by law — the examination and 
 staking out of the ground — has been made. 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 51 
 
 Seventh. The filing of the record with the superior civil governor (through the 
 ingpeccion general de minas and the administracion civil). 
 
 Eighth. The concession or refusal in any of the cases stated in the royal decree and 
 in the regulations. 
 
 In addition to these matters, all of which were to be noted in books 
 of record in the provinces, there is specifically provided sundry other 
 entries, such as: 
 
 First. Remittance of the records to the engineers; 
 Second. Their return; 
 
 Third. The presentation of ground plans and stamped paper by the parties; and 
 Fourth. All things tending to show the date upon which different formalities and 
 requirements in regard to the proceedings took place. 
 
 Judged by these two skeleton abstracts of essentials in a record, it 
 may be readily imagined that the cases are rare indeed when a record 
 came up from a provincial governor to the inspectorate of mines per- 
 fect and complete in all its numerous details. Such was the fact, and 
 again and again were they sent back for correction in details and for 
 the completion of forgotten and overlooked steps, certificates, and pro- 
 cedure, and both time and patience were consumed in these proceedings. 
 
 The course of a petition may be followed here, in a colloquial way, 
 to give the reader a more general and connected idea of the meaning 
 of these provisions. 
 
 The right to prospect the public lands for mineral deposits was free; 
 this prospecting, however, was limited to an excavation of 3 meters 
 in depth; thereafter further investigation and prospecting must be 
 preceded by authorization of the provincial authorities, either upon a 
 petition for registry outright or upon a petition for investigation that 
 might subsequently be turned into a registry when the mineral was 
 found, and when found in paying quantities must be so converted. A 
 prospect is sunk for 3 meters in depth and a mineral deposit is dis- 
 closed; the discoverer then makes out a petition describing the discov- 
 ery and location and asking for a registry of this mining right. He 
 selects for it a name, presenting this petition to the civil governor of 
 the province, with a letter of payment showing the deposit of |37. 50 
 with the collector of internal revenue of that province to insure the 
 payment of the expenses of survey. The governor orders the admis- 
 sion of the petition. He then orders the publication of edicts and the 
 posting of notices of the claims made. The edict is then written up 
 and forwarded to the gobernadorcillo of the village and town in which 
 the mine is located; that official for three consecutive nights publishes 
 the bandillos, as it is called, going through the village attracting atten- 
 tion by bell or some other way, and crying out in a loud voice the 
 edict of the governor in the dialect of that community, and of this he 
 makes a certificate and return to the governor. At the same time the 
 secretary of the province or some other official authorized posts upon 
 
52 THE GOAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 the bulletin board of the tribunal house of the province and the accus- 
 tomed places a copy of the edict, maintaining it for sixty days, and of 
 this certificate and return is made. If no protest appears in the mean- 
 time the owner of the mine may proceed with his denouncement pro- 
 ceedings. The governor in the meantime has given him permission, 
 provisionally, and saving a better right, to go on with the work of 
 developing the mine so as to establish its value sufficiently to deter- 
 mine whether it will justify further exploitation and a survey by the 
 engineers of the department. 
 
 Within four months of his entry he must submit samples of the 
 mineral, accompanying a petition asking for survey, and then all the 
 papers, orders, decrees, certificates, etc., being joined together as they 
 are presented to the provincial governor, are sent up to the inspector 
 of mines, who proceeds to examine the procedure had, and finding 
 sundry errors and omissions, adds a report to the expediente, as the 
 collection of papers is called, and advises the department of civil 
 administration, with his recommendations, as to what ought to be 
 done with it under all circumstances. In general this recommendation 
 is that it ought to be returned for correction to the office and officer 
 of its origin. If the directorate approves, it is sent back to the mining 
 inspector, and finds its way through that source to the civil provincial 
 governor ; and finally, and within six months from the final return of the 
 perfected and completed record, to the inspectorate. If the time is not 
 extended, the engineers make the survey and recommendations as to 
 the granting of a concession. While many other offices and officers 
 intervene with certificates, advice, etc., the governor and captain- 
 general alone was authorized to issue the title or concession, and up 
 to the time it is so issued and the party placed in possession the pro- 
 ceedings are declared to be purely administrative. 
 
 No attempt is made to give all the many and varied proceedings of 
 a title, and its antecedent proceedings, complete in this chapter. For 
 these we must refer the reader to the compilations of the law on this 
 subject, and the many interpretations and constructions placed thereon 
 by administrative branches of the government, and for this an entire 
 volume would be required. In spite of this intricate and theoretically 
 perfect law, so poorly understood and so difficult to follow in practice, 
 it was a real boon to the mining industry, and to the coal mining 
 industry in particular, and under it great progress was made. 
 
 The sense of insecurity under the old law, the constant menace of 
 new rules of aid and assistance to specific localities over those of others, 
 and the possibility of a monopoly in production were so far reduced 
 as to place the coal industry very nearly upon a purely commercial 
 basis, and as soon as the law came to be understood in its general 
 scope, objects, and purposes a new era was developed, characterized 
 by the more careful and systematic investment of capital and more 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 53 
 
 business-like methods of operating and developing the deposits. Upon 
 the whole, the code of 1867, and the progress made thereunder in the 
 following twenty-two years and up to the time of the American occu- 
 pation, challenges our admiration, and while the writer does not 
 believe its continuance, either in theory or practice, is advisable, he 
 freely admits it has served well its purpose, and its learned authors 
 have our sincere respect, as their work indeed merits commendation 
 from the student and historian. 
 
 CHAPTER IX.— COAL DEPOSIT OP " LA MINA," CAMAKINES 
 SOUTH, 1871-72. 
 
 The Code of 1867 was published on May 6, 1868, and the theater of 
 action was changed, as will be seen from the list of coal claims that 
 have been registered under this law, found in Table 11. The provinces 
 of Albay and Cebu easily lead in the list of rival claimants, including, 
 as they do, the deposits of Sogod and the island of Batan in the former, 
 and Danao, Compostela, Uling, and Lutac in the latter. 
 
 Table 11 includes all mineral entries of coal that are noted in the 
 general inspectorate of mines at Manila, commencing with the " Puri- 
 sima Concepcion," of sixty claims, instituted November 18, 1869, and 
 located at Mount-Uling, in Cebu, and ending with the " Butuan," of 
 four claims, instituted on January 12, 1899, and located in the island 
 of Batan, in the province of Sorsogon (Albay). In this table, prop- 
 erly designated as first, second, and third-class claims, in accordance 
 with the designation adopted by the mining bureau under American 
 administration for the purpose of classification, will be found the con- 
 cessions granted and not formally canceled, constituting the first class; 
 the mines awaiting demarcation, constituting the second class; and the 
 petitions presented at the inspectorate of mines, at Manila, in 1898-99, 
 and admitted by the Spanish inspector, Luis Espina y Capo, in viola- 
 tion of law, and the validity of which is denied, constituting the third 
 class. 
 
 Under the Code of 1867 the enterprises were more independent in 
 their plans of development, while not breaking loose entirely from the 
 promise of public assistance; they provided a larger amount of cash 
 capita], and engaged in a more systematic expenditure of their funds, 
 and really made much progress. At least they have demonstrated 
 the fact of the existence of coal in paying quantities and of excellent 
 quality, and made the future of the coal-mining industry a commercial 
 possibility, with only a reasonable expenditure in determining suitable 
 localities and plans of exploitation to be adopted. 
 
 With this introduction we pass to the consideration of the "La 
 Mina" mine, in South Camarines, the especial subject of this chapter. 
 
 On February 14, 1871, the alcalde mayor of South Camarines 
 remitted an expediente, commenced on the petition of Antonio 
 
54 THE COAL MEASUBE8 OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 Arejola, asking for a coal-mining concession at Boraboran, between 
 the towns of Navua and Bato. The petition was prepared under the 
 Code of 1846, and on February 27, 1871, after being noted in the 
 books of- registration, the inspector of mines returned the documents 
 to the alcalde mayor, with instructions to proceed in accordance with 
 the Code of 1867, preserving the priority. The mine was evidently 
 abandoned eventually, since there is no record of survey or applica- 
 tion even for a concession. It was, however, worked to some extent, 
 for on September 4, 1871, we find the general inspector making this 
 reply to the owner's application to take out and ship to Manila 100 
 tons of coal: 
 
 This inspectorate has carefully studied the petition of Antonio Arejola, which the 
 alcalde mayor of South Camarines remits and recommends, asking authorization to 
 sell, once only, 100 tons of coal taken from the mines of the jurisdiction of the town 
 of Bato. 
 
 The mining law in force prohibits in express terms, in article 58, the disposing of 
 minerals taken out until the miner has obtained the title of property, or his perte- 
 nencias have been demarcated, without any opposition, by an engineer of mines. 
 This article, which the petitioner allows himself to call the death blow to mining 
 development, is, on the contrary, the most secure guarantee of good faith, both on 
 account of the State and the individual; for the State, because a mine being its own 
 property, the governor, as administrator of it, ought not to deliver it to the first stranger 
 without requiring from him, in exchange for such a property as an important con- 
 cession, certain formalities that will guarantee the good use of the hidden riches; 
 that will assure the future of the exploitation, preventing an individual from render- 
 ing useless for all time, by an avaricious exploitation or by a deficient understanding, 
 the riches that other, better, and more intelligent men might be able to present entire 
 to the nation; that will guarantee, finally, the life of the operatives occupied in the 
 dangerous mining works, and which may threaten them by lack of intelligence or 
 misunderstood economy in the exploitation. 
 
 The article cited is likewise a guarantee of good faith for the individual, because 
 at employing his capital in mining he immediately counts with safety of possessing 
 that which he purchases; he knows what he possesses, because the Government, by 
 means of its skilled officials, has declared it, and, in consequence, he does not find 
 himself liable to be exposed as the victim of a charlatan or bad faith. We have a very 
 eloquent example of those concessions of that character in the Peninsula, under the law 
 of 1849, which, by reason of its not exacting due guarantees from the registering par- 
 ties, gave rise to the scandalous fluctuations, as we all know, and that without doubt 
 would have ruined the credit of this industry if the law that to-day governs in this 
 island had not appeared in the year 1859. 
 
 What would happen, most excellent sir, if at conceding the authorization that is 
 solicited for the sale of 100 tons of coal to be delivered in Manila and sold, and being 
 tried they should give a brilliant result, and upon this basis there should be formed 
 a company who delivers its capital to the so-called registerer and proprietor, and 
 after all this the Government should not concede the property, either because free 
 land does not exist, or because the registerer has not complied with the requisites 
 that the law prescribes, or, finally, because another registerer, having complied with 
 the legal prescriptions, claims the property? The answers are clear: Capitalists, 
 being defrauded, will protect themselves before embarking their capital in a mining 
 industry, and this petitioner would be the first victim of the "dose of liberty" that 
 he asks, and that should be better entitled a "dose of license and informality." 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 55 
 
 It appears, most excellent sir, that there is a decided firmness on the part of this 
 registerer to exempt himself from the law, because, being given the facilities that the 
 law offers in order to acquire mining property legally, it is not understood, since the 
 registerer allows more than five months to pass by since his first petition without 
 asking the demarcation, the expense of which would have been less than that of 
 mining the 100 tons of coal, wLen, according to article 30 of the royal decree, he 
 ought to ask for this within the period of four months, and, according to article 31, 
 the alcalde ought immediately to order the examination and demarcation to be made 
 by an engineer, and the lack of an engineer in that province can not be alleged aa a 
 serious reason; in the first place, because the registerer has no business to concern 
 himself with this purely administrative detail, and the alcalde, acquainted with the 
 administrative organization of the country in general, and even by means of the 
 aforesaid regulation of mines, in the one hundred and seventh article, knows very 
 well that there is no engineer of mines except the chief of the inspectorate, resident 
 in Manila, who always goes where the administration calls him within the period 
 that the law determines. 
 
 This inspectorate, then, tt Inks that there is no occasion for the permission solicited, 
 and begs your excellency to be pleased to state to the alcalde mayor of that province 
 the desirability, for the good of the service, that expedientes for mines be adjusted 
 in advance to the legislation in force, which, for liberality and justice, is considered 
 one of the best in the world. 
 
 The auxiliary engineer, Valentin Mariano y Corpo, was thereupon 
 dispatched to the Camarines for the purpose of making an examina- 
 tio.i of the n[iine near Bato, at the village named La Mina, and above 
 referred to, together with other mineral properties situated in the two 
 Camarines; and from his report, submitted early in the year 1872, we 
 are enabled to give a more complete description of this section of Bato 
 and its carboniferous deposits. 
 
 The village of La Mina is located in the southeast part of the prov- 
 ince of Camarines South, near to the boundary between it and Albay; 
 it is about 6 miles from the town of Bato, located on a lake of the 
 same name, in which the river Bicol has its source. Its distance from 
 Nueva Caceres is approximately 25 miles. The carboniferous deposit 
 which gave name to this village is located in the great mountain chain 
 which crosses the greater part of the length of Luzon and in this 
 province runs near to and parallel with the western coast. 
 
 Leaving Lake Bato and traveling toward the southwest, at a dis- 
 tance of a little more than a mile the district begins to rise, forming 
 hills covered thickly with vegetable earth, resting upon slaty clay of 
 dark-gray color. As the advance is made into these hills toward the 
 coast they become more rugged and more or less prolonged, some of 
 them appearing as if whittled to a poii.., and are separated from each 
 other by short valleys, with little arroyos and narrow canyons, and so 
 supporting each other they gradually gain in altitude to the divide of 
 the mountain chain, and near this point the coal was found. The 
 locality is almost entirely covered by a thick layer of vegetable earth, 
 and the hills and mountains from base to summit are occupied by great 
 forests, the vegetation being so thick as to make it diflScult to pene- 
 
56 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 trate them. These difficulties made the geological structure difficult 
 of examination. The hills seem to rest upon a base of calcareous tufa, 
 or mountain limestone, exceedingly firm and solid and in banks of 
 enormous thickness, the stratification in many places appearing very 
 discordant. Farther up the divide are found clayey slates of many 
 colors, violet and gray predominating, and more or less brittle, which 
 constitute nearly the entire formation. These clayey slates become 
 sandy in the neighborhood of the coal deposit, and upon these sandy 
 formations the deposits rest. In the same neighborhood are veins of 
 alabaster (gypsum) of notable whiteness and transparency, and which 
 possesses the property of becoming harder when exposed to the air; 
 it is heavily charged at some points with arsenical pyrites and is sus- 
 ceptible of receiving a beautiful polish. There are also veins of 
 ochers, yellow and red, and some banks of plastic clay of a dull red, 
 undoubtedly due to an excess of oxide of iron. Such is the general 
 topographical and geological description of the locality as given by 
 Engineer Valentin Mariano in 1872. 
 
 The coal outcroppings appear on two of the last foothills which con- 
 stitute the summit of the range, and which may be considered as the 
 watershed between the Pacific and the opposite coast; it is also dis- 
 closed in the bed of an arroyo which has its source through a narrow 
 canyon which separates them. The coal alternates with varieties of 
 carboniferous slates. They are from 2 to 8 centimeters thick, running 
 in a direction N. 20° W. by S. 20° E., with a dip apparently to the 
 west 20° south, and at an inclination of 60°, the direction and inclina- 
 tion being naturally equal to that of the rocks of clay formation which 
 serve for a cap layer. There are indications of other deposits in the 
 surrounding hills, promising a greater extension and more vast pro- 
 portions than that which at first appears to view. But very little work 
 had been done upon the deposits, and the prospect pits had been filled 
 up with refuse from floods when examined. A coal was disclosed pre- 
 senting well-marked characteristics; black in color with rainbow tints, 
 it is not very brilliant in general; it is light in weight and somewhat 
 brittle, with a tendency to separate into small fragments of a rhom- 
 boidal, prismatic form. This fragility, it is inferred, is caused by 
 reason of organic decomposition on account of the waters and the 
 atmospheric agents, because of its proximity to the surface. It can 
 be reasonably expected that when the workings gain some depth on 
 the deposit a true coal may be found, more compact or less brittle. 
 Subjected to small tests, the coal appears of good quality. It burns 
 with a large flame, without swelling or expanding and without crack- 
 ing during the act of combustion. It leaves very little ash and appears 
 to oarry a large percentage of fixed carbon. The engineer is of the 
 opinion that it could be used to advantage in the burning of lime and 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OE THE PHILIPPINES. 57 
 
 brick and in the forges of the iron worlts, the latter use of it having 
 been proved in practice. 
 
 As might be expected from the general description of this country 
 above stated, the enterprise was handicapped by the problem of trans- 
 portation. The coal must be carried from the place where it is mined, 
 near the summit of the mountains, to a depository on another slope of 
 the range and then an estimated distance of 3 kilometers toward the 
 south, where it can be shipped from the anchorage near Viramac and 
 Pantao. For this purpose the coal must be carried upon the backs of 
 carabaos, the roads consisting of a narrow footpath for the crossing 
 of the crags of the sierra, scarcely practicable, but the only means of 
 transport employed, and in the rainy season not possible at all because 
 of the slippery path and the swollen arroyos. 
 
 The engineer thus describes the method of mining that he found in 
 vogue: 
 
 The means employed for its exploitation up to this time are the most simple, since 
 they consist in taking out in the clear, open light of the day with a pick and crowbar 
 fragments of coal where it conveniently appears at the surface. 
 
 Notwithstanding these primitive methods and the laborious trans- 
 portation, at the rate of 2 quintals for each carabao, one day required 
 in going and another in returning, a ton's weight of 22 quintals could 
 then be put into the bay of Manila at a cost of $4 (Mexican) per ton. 
 The engineer who made this report was not carried away with enthu- 
 siasm unwarranted by the conditions, and from his able report we 
 quote with approbation the observations of that date and commend 
 them to the coal-mine promoters of the present: 
 
 In spite of the fact that the coal found appears to be of good quality, and, accord- 
 ing to the results of the trials made in a small way up to date, a. satisfactory combus- 
 tible, yet neither will the State, on account of its ships, nor will individuals, be 
 willing to expend any capital in their acquisition except that trials are made on a 
 larger scale and it has completely and in a precise manner been placed in evidence 
 whether this coal certainly possesses the necessary conditions for its application to 
 industry. Until this point, of such essential importance, is satisfactorily decided, it 
 is useless to found hopes that will later prove delusive, defrauding the shareholders, 
 and with great prejudice to the industry. And, finally, the place where the veins 
 at present discovered are shown, situated as it is in a district furrowed by narrow 
 valleys inclosed by rugged hills, where there is a lack of suflBcient space, where there 
 is ati arroyo that, as has been said, crosses the veins of coal, whose waters being 
 filtered through between the union of the stratification would inundate the excava- 
 tions at a slight depth of the workings, occasioning a continuous expense for its 
 extraction — here, in this class of exploitations, where only the most strict economy 
 in the expenses and a large output of mineral can give indemnification by its slight 
 intrinsic value, there should not be put aside the necessity of looking at a lower level 
 for other veins of greater thickness, and whose coal naturally contained would be of 
 better quality than that found. There ought, besides, to be added to this that the 
 place in question, covered throughout with a heavy forest, is an injury because of 
 the sanitary conditions. 
 
58 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 The engineer proposes, in substance, that the enterprise proposing 
 the exploitation of these coals should direct its attention to the other 
 slope of the range adjacent to the sea, and after a minute study of 
 the district let an exploration gallery of regular dimensions be opened, 
 beginning from the lowest level possible that will normally cut the 
 stratification containing the coal deposit. By this means the most per- 
 fect and economic examination of the deposit would be accomplished; 
 encountering the coal at a much greater depth, the quality would be 
 much superior and the expense of opening shafts would be avoided, 
 always more difficult in timbering and construction, and the cost of 
 taking out the waters accumulating would be much reduced, since the 
 main gallery so constructed would furnish a means for natural drain- 
 age. Other advantages, such as the avoidance of transportation by 
 carabao over the mountain passes and arroyos and the delivery of the 
 coal by tramway "at the wharf, where it could be loaded direct upon the 
 ships, will suggest themselves. 
 
 No further reference to this mine has been found, and nothing more 
 is known about it at this time. Its description seems to warrant its 
 further examination with a view to its exploitation, and along the lines 
 suggested in the report of 1872, from which we have quoted. 
 
 CHAPTEB, X.— "BAPIDA DESCRIPCION DE LA ISLA DE CEBTJ," 
 
 1867-1886. 
 
 By reference to Table II it will be seen that, commencing on Novem- 
 ber 8, 1869, with the "Purisima Concepcion," at Mount Uhng, eight 
 concessions were asked for in Cebu, consisting of 82 pertenencias and 
 embracing 12,300,000 square meters. Of these six concessions of 80 
 pertenencias were granted, embracing 12,000,000 square meters. These 
 were divided as follows: The " Purisima Concepcion," at Mount Uling, 
 60 claims; the "Esperanza" and "Caridad," at Compostela, 8 claims; 
 the "Santa Rosa," " Magallanes," and "Legaspi," at Danao, of 12 
 claims. 
 
 The concessionaries were, respectively, Antonio Ayala (Rojas & Co.), 
 Isaac Con-ui, and Pascual Veloso, and the titles were issued in 1870, 
 1873, and 1874. All of these claims were eventually abandoned and 
 canceled. 
 
 In the year 1886 there was published in Madrid a volume entitled 
 "Rapida Descripcion, Fisica, Geologica y Minera de la Isla de Cebu," 
 the work of that eminent mining engineer, Enrique Abella y Casariego, 
 chief engineer of the corps of mines, and whose work in this bureau 
 has been found to be of incalculable assistance and great value. 
 
 As this author has fully and completely covered the subject of coal 
 in Cebu for the period stated at the head of this chapter, we shall 
 insert a translation of that work, so far as it relates to coal in the 
 island of Cebu, and entirely without comment on our part. 
 
THE OOAL MEASURES 0¥ THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 59 
 
 The author gives the following complete classification of the locali- 
 ties where coal (lignito) was known to exist in the island of Cebu: 
 
 Selvero ( formerly ' ' Santa Rosa " mine ) , 
 Danao. 
 
 Lugayon (formerly "Santa Rosa" 
 mine), Danao. 
 
 Mouth of the Arroyo Camansi, Danao. 
 
 Arroyo Bairan, Danao. 
 
 Mantija (formerly "Legaspi" mine), 
 Danao. 
 
 Arroyo Magliji (part of above), Danao. 
 
 Arroyo Baisabais, Danao. 
 
 Cajumay-Jumayan, Danao. 
 
 Licos (Mine "Caridad," gallery "Es- 
 peranza"), Compostela. 
 
 Licos (another point of the gallery 
 ' ' Esperanza " ) , Compostela. 
 
 ( A lignite mixed with sand ) , Macurong, 
 River Parel, Talamban. 
 
 Mati^-iro, River Butuanon, Talamban. 
 Arroyo Taptap, Talamban. 
 (Ferruginous lignite), Guila-Guila, El 
 Pardo. 
 
 Guila-Guila, El Pardo. 
 
 Arroyo Buut (Mananga), El Pardo. 
 
 Mount Lutac, Naga. 
 
 Arroyo Sibod, Naga. 
 
 Alpaco, Naga. 
 
 Nasipit, Naga. 
 
 (Perfect lignite), Nasipit, Naga. 
 
 Cambanga, Naga. 
 
 Campacan, Naga. 
 
 Santicon, Argao. 
 
 Mantalongon, Dalaguete. 
 
 Canensay, Boljoon. 
 
 Bairan, Boljoon. 
 
 Cabagaquian, Alegria. 
 
 River Boijoan (Guinanon), Alegria. 
 
 Actiue, Toledo. 
 
 Actiue (another outcropping), Toledo. 
 
 Maulincop, Balamban. 
 
 Mineral Description— Historical Sketch. 
 
 The first mineral coal discoveries in the Philippines were made in the island of 
 Cebu in the year 1827; but this discovery did not arouse any interest either in the 
 State or in individuals until the coming of the first steamships to these islands was 
 announced, when the superior civil government, in the year 1842, issued a timely 
 circular to the provincial authorities requesting them to furnish information regard- 
 ing any coal deposits that there might be in their respective localities. 
 
 Information and samples from Cebu, like all the rest, were sent to the general 
 inspectorate of mines, but recently established in the archipelago, and upon the 
 accounts given by Mr. Isidro Sainz de Baranda, at that time the zealous inspector of 
 the department, some speculators examined several parts of the island of Cebu, 
 resulting in the presentation of a petition in April, 1853, for the necessary ground 
 for an exploitation at the place called Guila-Guila. 
 
 In the previous year other outcroppings had been discovered in the town of Danao, 
 and upon the orders of the provincial authorities samples from these were sent to 
 Manila, whereupon the superior governor of the islands, wishing to reserve these 
 deposits for the State, and after admitting propositions for a sale of the concession 
 made at Guila-Guila and prohibiting the admission of new mining registries upon 
 the island of Cebu, commissioned the distinguished engineer, Mr. Antonio Hernan- 
 dez, to examine all the deposits, to appraise those of Guila-Guila, and to send to 
 Manila 40 or 50 tons of the coal that should be taken out of the deposits of Danao by 
 the administration and under the instructions of the engineer. 
 
 Mr. Hernandez complied with his instructions, presenting a concise and notable 
 report, in which he classified the combustible as a lignite and the veins ot coal of 
 Danao as thin and irregular, and described the works of the enterprise of Guila- 
 Guila in full detail, drawing a conclusion that these coals were of an inferior grade. 
 
 The projected purchase of the Guila-Guila mines and the unfortunate idea of the 
 exploitation on account of the State having been rejected by the Government of 
 
60 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 Spain, and having tested the coals of that concession with favorable results in some 
 of the steamers recently arrived at the islands, the building of a road from Guila- 
 Guila to the shore was commenced before they had perfectly examined the deposit 
 and calculated the disposable field of workings and so learned the production that 
 might be expected. The Government contributed with 200 prisoners, the province 
 with 12,000 poUstas, and 4,000 or 5,000 pesos for materials, and Mr. Hernandez 
 offered himself, with the greatest disinterestedness, for the execution of the work aa 
 projected. But in the meantime the workings of the mines, which had been irregu- 
 larly commenced by the proprietors, and which were afterwards put in order and 
 continued under the well-directed advices of Mr. Hernandez, gave their results, 
 establishing, says Mr. Lasana, from whom we take these accounts, enormous breaks 
 in the deposits, and the almost complete disappearance of the combustible; a sad 
 ending for an enterprise that had spent 70,000 to 80,000 pesos in their works, and who 
 shall always have the merit of being the first in furnishing the means to establish 
 such a profitable industry in the country. 
 
 As a curious fact we must point out that although the Supreme Government, 
 advised by the superior ihining junta, had already refused the idea of exploiting the 
 coal mines of Cebu for the account of the State, the superior government of the 
 Archipelago, doubtless in love with its design, though not with the funds of the State, 
 still making free with the funds of the province, attempted an exploitation. Strange 
 indeed, directing the governor of Cebu to denounce the best deposits of his territory, 
 and to propose afterwards the most appropriate way to exploit them. Fortunately 
 this order was not accomplished, or there were presented other difficulties which 
 made it impossible of realization. 
 
 In spite of the failure of Guila-Guila the members of the exploitation association 
 of Vifia, Eojas & Co. did not become discouraged. This association dissolved, and 
 in 1859 the firm of Rojas & Co. on the one part and Viiia on the other took advan- 
 tage of the raising of the order prohibiting the registration of mines in the island, the 
 first mentioned establishing themselves atUling and the second at Alpaco, beginning 
 the new works with enthusiasm. There was entered throughout the island for the 
 account of both mines, as is always the case, a multitude of mines which were not 
 worked, because, probably, they were made with only the object of monopohzing 
 all the lands containing coal, on the chance of a favorable result that the mines of 
 Uling and Alpaco might produce; so it is that they renounced these or allowed the 
 time to expire in order to register several times, as may be seen in the statements of 
 concessions petitioned for in the island. 
 
 In April, 1861, the commanding general of the arsenal passed by Cebu, and being 
 informed of the existence of these mines he ordered that the coals be tried in a gun- 
 boat. These trials were again repeated with success in other vessels of more power, 
 and the owners of the mines, encouraged, started to make roads at different places 
 of the exploitation, but always without the assurance of a regular production by the 
 preparation of the deposits. The Supreme Government, attentive always to the sup- 
 port of this important industry, encouraged the local and superior authorities, in 
 order that the coal might be consumed by the State, and offered the miners every 
 protection; notwithstanding, a little while afterwards, the engineers of the war- 
 ships, most of them foreigners, began to find the coal weak and of bad condition, 
 and the commanders adhered, more or less, to their opinions. The bad conditions 
 of the storage, and the coal being somewhat pyretic, produced some cases of spon- 
 taneous combustion, and the navy, the sole consumer of the mines, decided abso- 
 lutely not to employ these coals, producing thus a conflict for the new-born industry. 
 To avoid this the inspector of mines commenced an expediente in which, interpret- 
 ing the good will so many times shown by the Supreme Government, it was solicited 
 that the navy might continue using the coal of Cebu, and the petition was granted. 
 The mines, nevertheless, were visibly languishing, above all those of Alpaco, and in 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 61 
 
 spite of the new help made by the province by buying on account of local funds 
 the road from the mines up to the anchorage ground of Tinaan. 
 
 Both enterprises tried to join again, assembling their efforts at one point alone, 
 and with this object petitioned in 1869 for a mining group in Tiling; but it was not 
 able to obtain the fusion, and shortly thereafter the works at Alpaco were extin- 
 guished, and the most important ones at Uling suspended under the impression of a 
 dismay, in a certain sense unjustified, and just when, as we shall see by the com- 
 pletion of two large shafts, they might have recovered a great portion, if not the 
 whole, of the important capital invested by this enterprise, which, it must be con- 
 fessed, is the one that has worked in the island with more intelligence, more means, 
 and less Government protection than any other. 
 
 In 1870 appears for the first time the first metalliferous registry of lead, and 
 although it was soon abandoned there was established the next year, and with great 
 enthusiasm, a mining company entitled "La Cebuana," at Manila, as a consequence 
 of the wonderful result given by some trials which proved that the mineral was lead 
 containing an extraordinary amount of gold and silver. With this discovery the old 
 mining enthusiasm of the island seemed to revive somewhat, and in 1871 the mines 
 of the town of Compostela (formerly comprised in Danao) were again petitioned for, 
 and two years later those on the banks of the Danao River. 
 
 In the meantime "La Cebuana," which had undertaken with bo much enthu- 
 siasm the working of their mines of Acsubing and Panoypoy, had dissolved, and 
 their mines were abandoned ; these mines were again registered in 1876, but owing 
 to legal defects in the procedure, which the proprie.tors did not care to amend, 
 they were not even surveyed. In the Compostela district some workings were 
 undertaken, which, in spite of several interruptions, have continued up to date 
 (1886), but in such a slow way that the total production of coal is an insignificant 
 fact. Nevertheless these mines ha%'e received in the way of ofiicial help and protec- 
 tion the necessary "polistas" for the construction of a road leading close to the 
 shore, the consumption of their coals almost constantly by the gunboats of the C'ebu 
 station, and the reiterated and always impartial counsels of the engineers of the 
 department. 
 
 The mines on the banks of the river Danao also commenced work, but their 
 workings were executed without reasonable direction and knowledge of the mining 
 industry, and at the same time they undertook the construction of a road from 
 "Santa Rosa" to Danao; but in a short time also these works were abandoned, as 
 it appears, on account of the commercial embarrassment of the proprietors, who were 
 especially engaged in other lines of business. 
 
 This lamentable history of the coal-mining industry may give very beneficial instruc- 
 tion if there be avoided in the future the errors in which all these enterprises, one 
 after the other, were involved; possessed of a very laudable enthusiasm, but rather 
 unjustified, and therefore fruitless, animated by which they rush always beforehand 
 to expend their vigor in expensive outside workings and accessories, and before 
 being assured, by a suitable preparation of the deposits, ot a production more or less 
 important, but which should have been moderated until such time as the circum- 
 stances of the deposit would justify these expenses. 
 
 After treating of the lead, gold, and silver, and placer-gold deposits, 
 the author continues his review of combustibles, as follows: 
 
 COMBUSTIBLE MINERALS. 
 
 The combustible minerals of Cebu have been the object of various classifications. 
 In the first place, the distinguished engineer, Mr. Antonio Hernandez, visited its 
 ueposits, as we have said, in the year 1855, and although he did not pretend lo make 
 a proper geological study of them, he classified them as lignites, this opinion being 
 
62 THE COAL MEASUBBS OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 taken for granted by him in Ms unpublished reports, still preserved in this depart- 
 ment, where we have so many times consulted them with excellent results. Some 
 years afterwards, and as a result of some trips to the island, Mr. Centeno saw in 
 the limestone formation of the old coast reefs the limestone formation of the moun- 
 tains of the carboniferous area, and denying at the same time the vegetable signs 
 which can, notwithstanding, be observed in the coals of Oebu, classified them as 
 true pit coals, contained in a carboniferous bank so extensive that, passing under 
 the Straits of Tinaan, they reappeared in certain outcroppmgs discovered by the 
 miners of Alpaco in the island of Negros. 
 
 Still, the lignite nature of these combustibles, as pointed out by Mr. Hernandez, 
 is the one that has prevailed; and it could not be otherwise, for, as we shall see 
 later, not only their physical, chemical, and mineralogical characteristics are suffi- 
 cient to establish this beyond a doubt, but also, as we have seen, the geological 
 examination of the coal veins and the determination of its recent age, as shown 
 from the classification of the fossils, also confirm plainly the same conclusion. 
 
 Therefore, laying aside forever the erroneous idea of the carboniferous area of 
 Oebu, it is well to bear in mind that although the extension of the coal indications 
 in connected form is considerable enough, inasmuch as there is scarcely a town that 
 does not contain them, from Balamban and Sogod up to Malabuyoc and Boljoon, it 
 does not follow either that they may or must have any relation with each other by 
 means of inferences of the considerable extension of the strata either in direction or 
 depth. On the contrary, its recent age and its lignite character presupposes, k priori, 
 the existence of isolated and interrupted deposits, among which there might be 
 some that, nevertheless, have a real industrial importance, either because of their 
 entity or relative development, as well also because of the excellent quality of the 
 combustible. We need, then, to examine carefully these two last conditions, and 
 for that we shall divide into three parts that which refers to the combustible 
 deposits, and so treating — 
 
 First. Of the quality of the deposits. 
 
 Second. Of the quality of the coals. 
 
 Third. Of the general conditions. 
 
 QUALITY OF THE DEPOSITS. 
 
 In order to understand the entity of the deposits there is nothing better than the 
 study of the more or less extensive works that have been executed upon them, in 
 which we can observe the character of their course and extension, both vertical and 
 horizontal, deducing therefrom not only their relative importance, but also the best 
 plans to be adopted for their greater industrial profit. We shall describe, then, 
 firstly, the deposits which have been the object of works of any kind, following the 
 same order in point of age that we have named in the historical sketch, and we shall 
 therefore commence with the 
 
 MINES OF GUILA-QUILA. 
 
 After more than twenty years of abandonment it is easily understood that we could 
 hardly be able to examine the old works of the glen of the river Mananga; but in 
 order to record and know the entity those exploitations had we will appeal to the 
 exact reports given by Mr. Hernandez, in 1853, reviewing, first, to a slight extent, 
 the circumstances of the appearance of the outcroppings that we were able to find 
 ourselves in that locality. 
 
 The present outcroppings.—In the river Alpagate we saw the first indication with a 
 thickness of 15 centimeters, extending from NE. to SW., with an inclination of some 
 35° to the NW. The outcropping of the arroyo of Buut was some 15 to 20 centi- 
 meters in thickness, with a direction from NNE. to SSW., inclining 20° to ESE.,- 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 63 
 
 lying between brittle clays, of which that of the slopes presented pieces of limestone 
 in its mass, similar to those of a breccia formation. 
 
 Lastly, at the bank of the river, in the place called Guila-Guila, we saw one uncov- 
 ered vein of 30 centimeters in thickness, extending from ENE. to WSW. , inclining 
 25° toward SSE. Further up the river, at Jimaumauan and at other places, there 
 is sometimes discovered insignificant small veins, which, even less than the others, 
 merit attention from an industrial point of view. 
 
 Executed works. — The works of these mines consist, according to Mr. Hernandez, of 
 two shafts and four galleries. The shaft of the mine ' ' Porvenir, ' ' located a few yards 
 from a creek in which the water has disclosed a layer of coal, is 14 feet long, 8 feet 
 wide, and 12 feet deep; in one of the upper portions a coal laver is disclosed which 
 runs in a direction NNE. to SSW., with a mean inclination of 45° to WNW., resting 
 for a foot wall upon a fine gray lead-colored clay, and covered on the top by a broken 
 limestone formation, very solid, which is separated from the coal by a layer of clayey 
 sand. The layer of coal, which appears clean in the bed of the creek and so con- 
 tinues for some feet in depth, is found in the shaft at a depth of 12 feet, full of small 
 sandy viens that take up very nearly one-half of the thickness. The forty tons of 
 coal that were tested in the steamship Alcano, and with satisfactory results, was 
 taken out of this working. From this point, at the bottom of the shaft, the layer 
 has been followed for a distance of some 70 feet in length, in the sense of direction, 
 and from 17 to 22 feet in the sense of inclination. At some 400 yards from the 
 mine "Porvenir" the shaft of the "Santa Teresa" is encountered, oval in forma- 
 tion, 13 feet in its greater, and 12 feet in its lesser diameter, and 20 feet deep; in it 
 there is presented one layer of coal of good quality 4^ to 6 feet thick, which runs 
 from NE. to SW., with an inclination of 60° to NW. In the foot wall of the layer 
 there is presented a clay of leaden color, and on the top it is covered by a sandy clay 
 that is found to be crossed by veins of a very solid broken limestone formation. 
 These workings were continued without any fixed plan until the enterprise, under 
 the prudent and intelligent counsel of Mr. Hernandez, opened a transversal gallery 
 from the creek Napairan on a true survey in order to determine its value for exploita- 
 tion, and which gallery encountered the layers transformed into small strata, so 
 worthless that they decided upon the total abandonment of these mines in 1859. 
 
 Results. — If the labors had commenced with this latter work and before risking 
 the capital of so much importance in outside expenses and buildings, the failure and 
 deception would not only have been less bitter, but by a better location of the mines 
 the coal taken out might have been sufficient in quantity to cover the value of exe- 
 cuted works. 
 
 MINES OF NAGA. 
 
 Work was done in four places of the jurisdiction of this town. Insignificant in 
 Sibod, at the "Eosario" mine, and inLutac, at the "Santo Nino" mine; considerable 
 more were those of the "San Antonio" and "San Jose" mines inAlpaco; and much 
 more important and intelligent in the mines of Uling, the ' ' Santo Domingo, " " Nues- 
 tra Senora del Carmen," and " Purisima Concepcion," afterwards included in a group 
 under the last above-stated name. 
 
 Mine of Sibod. — As we were hardly able to notice any traces of the mouth of the 
 fallen gallery in the work on Sibod Creek, hidden among the close foliage of those 
 places, we appeal to the Book of Demarcations of the Inspectorate, which describes 
 the deposit,^ and we find that it consists of a layer of coal with a mean thickness of 
 70 centimeters, running almost from north to south, with an inclination of 30° to the 
 east. 
 
 Mine of Lutac. — Mr. Lasana gives us some information of the mine of Lutac, in a 
 report to the superior civil government, written in 1861: "It has," he said, "in it 
 one layer of coal whose thickness varies between 70 centimeters and 1.50 meters; 
 
64 THE COAL MEASUEE8 OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 its direction is approximately from NE. to SW., and its inclination, to SE.; it is 
 placed between a clayey schist, serving as a bed, and a layer of clay that forms the 
 roof. The workings consist of three galleries, at different levels, of which the two 
 upper ones have cut the layer of coal at a distance of 50 and 54 meters, respectively, 
 and the lower one has not yet cut the deposit at all. The coal is," he said, "not 
 coherent, and the greatest part of it comes from the mine entirely pulverized." 
 
 Mr. Centeno, who saw these works some time after the mines were abandoned, 
 assigns to the layer (in his Geological Memorandum of the Philippines) a thickness of 
 1 meter, and inclined toward the NNW., connecting it with those of Sibod, and 
 "Santa Rosa" in Danao, and declaring, besides, that its coal produced a coke of 
 excellent. quaUty, proved in the arsenal of Cavite. When we visited this place, 
 besides the three downfalls, we found only a remainder of a gallery, opened in a 
 direction E. to W., upon a conglomerate and two or three outcroppings, only one of 
 which showed with clearness, in the very much overturned ground, a thickness of 
 80 centimeters in the layer, and a stratification sensibly extended from north to 
 south, with an inclination toward the west. According to creditable information 
 that we have acquired, the works of both mines were abandoned on account of the 
 irregularity of the layers, and on account of the coal being so brittle that it was una- 
 ble to stand transportation. 
 
 Mines of Alpaco. — Of the concessions of Alpaco we have still less facts than the 
 former ones. Mr. Lasaiia, in the same report, to which we have just referred, says: 
 "The works are also of little importance, the opened galleries not following the layer 
 over 20 meters in length. The thickness of this layer is from 1.50 up to 2 meters; 
 its inclination is 40° to ENE. It is located on the brow- of the mountain, and by 
 reason of its elevated position has very little ground for exploitation under the 
 water level." Mr. Centeno, in spite of having visited it, indicates nothing specially 
 about these layers, and we are only able to discover, with great difficulty, several 
 old fragments, already almost covered with vegetation, and only one outcropping 
 disclosed by the waters of a creek, probably after those mines were abandoned, for 
 otherwise they would have taken out all the profitable coal, as they did in the other 
 places in the valley. That outcropping showed a direction NW. to SE., and an 
 inclination of 50° to SW. We also know, by private accounts, that in order to take 
 out the greatest amount of coal in any possible way, they made inclined galleries 
 after the manner of "Las Trancadas de Almeria, " in which the drainage was very 
 soon made impossible, with the scarce means at their disposal, compelling their 
 abandonment. This enterprise, as we see it from a mining point of view, was of 
 very little importance, nevertheless they knew how to acquire for their own benefit 
 all the sympathy and official protection which was conceded to mines. 
 
 Mines of Uling. — In Uling, as we have repeatedly said, the most important mining 
 of all the island was performed, and, though we were unable to penetrate into them, 
 because all of them were completely demolished, we saw and studied some of the out- 
 croppings that are around them, and were able to connect them with the works that 
 existed by consulting the plan we found in the archives of the inspectorate. 
 
 The plan referred to in the quotation above is still found in the archives of the 
 mining bureau, and a copy of it, marked " Plate II," is attached hereto, and of this 
 plate Sen or Abella says : ' 'As an important historical data, and above all, as a graphic 
 description moic eloquent than we could make, not having been able to visit the 
 interior of the ^vorks, we join a copy to our present description and copy of the 
 report of Mr. Hernandez." 
 
 Outa-oppings.—Bnt before occupying ourselves with these, and the layers which 
 they show, we will briefly indicate the croppings that we saw in the remote villages 
 of Campacan, Clambaji, and Cambanga. In Campacan the coal matter which we 
 found (burned in part by the action of pyrites) presented a thickness of 1.25 meters, 
 and a direction from NNE. to SSE., inclining 50° to A\'j;W.; and that of Cambaji, 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 65 
 
 with a thickness of 1.20 meters, approximately, following the same direction, being 
 inclined, however, toward the opposite or eastern section. In Cambanga, of the two 
 nearest outcroppings that we distinguish there, the most clearly stratified one runs 
 from NNE. to SSW., inclining some 50° to WNW., with a thickness of approxi- 
 mately 1.20 meters. 
 
 Workings. — Between the arroyos Nasipit and Tiling two layers or veins are repre- 
 sented in the plan of the works cited (PL II), designated by the numbers "first" 
 and "second." The first, although discovered on the surface by two outcroppings, 
 not far distant from each other, one only has been cut in the interior by the gallery 
 called the new "third," and this although the second goes beyond the prolongation 
 which toward the NNE. ought to show the vein. To this fact, without doubt, the 
 knowledge of the fault alludes, which is graphically indicated in the back part of the 
 new third gallery, and proves that by this slope the vein terminates, or at least 
 shows a determination of continuity. 
 
 Let us see what occurs in the opposite sense, or from the SSW. 
 
 Although when this plan was drawn the workings had only been completed which 
 are marked on it in black lines, they were later somewhat further extended, since Mr. 
 Oenteno, in his Memoria General Minera, shows a length of 640 meters for the larger 
 of the two great transversal galleries, besides giving the status of the thicknesses and 
 qualities of the veins which are cut in it. Noted and expressed in meters, we repro- 
 duce in continuation, marked on the plan with red lines, the total length of the 
 passage until reaching the large vein, and the position of this, not taking any account 
 of the other strata and veins of coal, by reason of lack of knowledge of the circum- 
 stances of their lying (location). 
 
 Beginning at the mouth of the gallery there is encountered — 
 
 Meters. 
 
 Slaty clay and sandstone, alternately 90. 76 
 
 Coal (A) ; 55 
 
 Slaty clay and sandstone 20. 99 
 
 Coal(B) 55 
 
 Slaty clay and sandstone 11 . 62 
 
 Coal (C) 55 
 
 Slaty clay 83 
 
 Coal (D) K3 
 
 Slaty clay 511. 28 
 
 Coal (second vein of the plan) 4.75 
 
 We shall quickly observe that the first vein of the plan is never cut in this trans- 
 versal gallery, and that, united to that which we shall see, proves the disfcontinuance 
 of this class of lyings and the small importance of this first vein. 
 
 The inspection of the status shows the existence of four veins. A, B, C, and D, 
 which probably can be considered as three, in the supposition that C and D may be 
 only one vein with an interior stratum of washing of slaty clay ; but these veins do 
 not appear on the surface, and some at least are not cut in the upper ventilation gal- 
 lery, according to verbal statements which we acquire from one of the pit bosses of 
 the mines. 
 
 The large vein, the second of the plan, is cut on the other hand at two distinct 
 levels by the two small galleries which encounter it, so also by the great transversal 
 and by the one called the second in the plan. Its thickness is the largest of those 
 which up to this time we have found in the other deposits of the islands, taking into 
 account also that of 5 meters, very large, which we found in the outcropping of 
 Nasipit. On the other hand, neither toward the NE. or the SW., does there appear 
 to be discovered any sign of such consideration that it would probably be presumed 
 to be an extension of the large vein. 
 
 5503—01 5 
 
66 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 In spite of everything, the abandonment of these workings at the precise time when 
 the great transversal gallery was cutting the large vein, without first having even 
 attempted the reestablishment of a portion of the capital expended by excavating 
 the 200 meters that, in the sense of slope, the first and second galleries contained, 
 and those that, in a horizontal sense, the state of the mine would have permitted, 
 can not be rationally explained. This fact can only be explained by a great dis- 
 couragement of the enterprise, and by the fear of losing a still more considerable cap- 
 ital, an unjustifiable fear, matters having arrived at the extremity that then obtained. 
 
 Production in Quila-Quila and Naga.—We have no other data concerning the pro- 
 duction of all tlie mines described by us up to this time, beyond those contained 
 in the General Memorial of the Archipelago, of Mr. Centeno, who aasigns a total pro- 
 duction of 17,000 tons, in round numbers, to the mines of Guila-Guila, Tiling, and 
 Alpaco. 
 
 MINES OF DANAO. 
 
 Within the limits of the town of Danao, three mineral concessions existed — the 
 "Santa Rosa" mine, atLuguayan; the "Magallanes," atCamansi, and the "Legaspi," 
 at Mantija — in which the workings hardly attained to the rank of a prospect, only a 
 small quantity of coal being taken from the first one, much better situated than the 
 others for purposes of transportation. 
 
 Mine Legaspi — Outcroppings. — Going down toward the river Danao, by the way 
 of the arroyo of Mantija, before entering upon the old claims of the mine "Legaspi,". 
 we happened upon a small prospect upon the first. In this the veins show a direc- 
 tion from N. 10° W. to S. 10° E., inclining some 45° to the E. 10° N., it being ioapos- 
 sible to judge of its thickness because the small gallery that exista above it, as a 
 prospect, besides being entirely demolished was opened, and with what object we do 
 not know, over the slope of the coal vein and outside of it, following the direction 
 of the strata. The second, located in the place where the creek changes its direction, 
 is discovered in the bed of this creek, with a thickness of 1.15 meters, with a direc- 
 tion from N. 10° E. to S. 10° W., and with an inclination of 40° to the E. 10° S. 
 
 The works. — Within the lines of the abandoned mine "Legaspi," entirely within 
 the bed of the creek, we found, first an indication of slight importance, and lower 
 down upon what was, without doubt, a legal labor, a gallery entirely demolished, 
 amid the fragments of which some pieces of coal were found. Upon consulting the 
 proper book of the inspectorate we saw that when the survey of this mine was made 
 this legal labor gallery had attained a length of 11 meters, and was opened in sand 
 and clay, and following a vein of coal, 0.60 meter in thickness, extending from N. 10° 
 W. to S. 10° E., and inclined 40° to the east. 
 
 Mine Magallanes. — In the "Magallanes" also we found in the same way two out- 
 croppings near to each other, one of them not very far from a demolished working. 
 According to the same book which we have just mentioned, when this mine was 
 surveyed this working was 14 meters long, following a layer of coal 0.80 meter in 
 thickness, with the same direction as that above mentioned, and with an inclination 
 of 30° in an easterly direction. 
 
 Mine Santa Rosa. — In the abandoned mine "Santa Rosa," located, as we know, on 
 the hill liUguayan, two outcroppings are seen on the lower part of the creek of that 
 name, and some others on the upper part among the workings that have been car- 
 ried on there. Near the plain of Santa Rosa, in a natural washout of the creek 
 bank, a small \ein of some 0.10 meter in thickness is discovered between clays and 
 limestones, inclined some 75° to the NW. ; and a little farther up, on the same creek, 
 the mouth of a suiall prospect gallery is .seen, made upon an indication which is still 
 noticeable from the outside, of only some centimeters of thickness, attaining in the 
 back portion of the gallery, which is incidentally accessible, some 0.60 meter in 
 thickness, and with an inclination of 80° to the NW. Under analogous conditions. 
 
THE COAL MEA8UBES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 67 
 
 though of greater thickness, outcroppings are seen that exist among the workings of 
 this mine. 
 
 Workings. — These consist of a lower transversal gallery for prospecting purposes, 
 and of several others that were opened out upon coal, and which therefore must 
 have been exploited. The first of these, being opened upon a conglomerate of suf- 
 ficient solidity, is preserved for some 10 or 12 meters. The rest of this is entirely 
 demolished and inaccessible, but it must have reached some dozens of meters in 
 length, judging from the volume of the dumps which are still partially preserved. 
 The works which must have been exploited consist of five galleries, placed one 
 above the other in such a way that between the floor and the roof of the two, con 
 secutively contiguous, scarcely a meter of thickness was left; so all of the exploited 
 combustible taken out came from these galleries that to-day are entirely demolished, 
 though still recognizable by a linear series of downfalls, which indicate in the ground 
 the direction of the vein from N. 65° E. to S. 65° W. Judging from the coal lands 
 that are still burning, we beUeve that those exploitation galleries were each from 20 
 to 30 meters in length. Toward the SW. of this same hill the remains of a working 
 are still seen, older than all the former, and known ia the country by the name of 
 "Selvero," from the name of the alcalde mayor who directed its operation, and out 
 of which the coals were taken that were sent to Manila, and that gave occasion for 
 the first visit of Mr. Antonio Hernandez to the province. 
 
 Production in Danao. — From what can be judged of the workings described in these 
 mines of Danao, a bona fide production was not had, although scarcely as scarce and 
 contingent as in the former ones, and it must have been reduced to some 150 tons 
 extracted fr jm the galleries and for whose transportation a portion of the road to 
 Santa Rosa was made. 
 
 MINES OP COMPOSTBLA. 
 
 m the town of Compostela alone there are two adjacent mines, with the same pro- 
 prietor, called "Esperanza" and "Caridad." For several years back the claims of 
 the mine "Caridad" alone were worked, and on the claims of the "Esperanza" noth- 
 ing more was done than prospecting works, consisting of a ditch or drain, the legal 
 labor and a shaft of slight depth, but considerable width, and at present fallen in. 
 
 Outcroppings. — Not far from these works two outcroppings are discovered within 
 the bed of the river, one of a meter in thickness, and the other, at some 50 meters 
 distant, of 2.50 meters in thickness, with a direction from NNE. to SSW., and 
 with an inclination of 50° toward the east. However, this thickness disappears in 
 the shaft just mentioned, and which is opened precisely on the extension of the 
 vein. 
 
 In coming directly up the arroyo of Dapdap, near to the mouth of Jimarco and 
 Jiuagdanan, other prospects of slight thickness are found, and with a direction and 
 inclination similar to the former. 
 
 Passing a shaft that has fallen in, still within the claims of "Caridad," at the 
 entrance of a creek that is parallel to Jinagdanan, two other croppings are found, 
 almost united, and from 80 centimeters to a meter in thickness, and by its side there 
 is the mouth of a demolished gallery of investigation. 
 
 Lastly, still near to the present workings, there are to be seen other outcroppings, 
 which are shown in the accompanying PL III that we have traced, representing 
 these. We will, then, now pass to the description of the real workings of the mines. 
 
 Works upon the western layer or vein. — Though of slight importance, we can distin- 
 guish in all the workings those that may be for prospecting purposes, for prepara- 
 tion, and for profit, all of them being opened upon parallel veins, whose distance is 
 50 meters from each other, in a horizontal sense, and extending approximately from 
 NNE. to SSW., inclming from 30° to 60° toward the east. 
 
 Upon the most western vein, taking advantage of the unevenness of the ground, 
 
68 THE COAL MEASUEES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 two galleries have been opened, the lower one, for transportation and extraction, 
 being 193 meters in length, and the other, as an auxiliary, 49 meters long, and that 
 communicate between themselves and with the surface by three chimneys, that, 
 according to the inclination of the vein, foot up 56 linear meters of excavation. The 
 one, which, without passing through the upper gallery, connects the lower one with 
 the surface, has been obstructed in order not to prejudice the ventilation. From 
 the lower gallery, which is called the " Esperanza "—although it is made, as we 
 have said, within the mine "Caridad "—two transversals for prospecting have been 
 opened; that of the west only five meters, in round numbers, and that of the east, 
 which goes through the veins of clay and sandstone which are seen with detail in 
 the cut, of some fifty meters in length, there having been found in its back portion 
 very provoking indications of the passage of another vein, which advised the opening 
 of a gallery of 23.50 meters in that direction, and of an unfinished chimney of 
 14.50 meters, opened at a distance of 3.20 meters from the resulting cross timbers. 
 
 Lastly, between the galleries "Esperanza" and the auxiliary, already demolished 
 almost at our last visit to those mines, some crosscuts for profit have been opened in 
 the front, which have afforded, together with the coal of the galleries, the contin- 
 gency of a scarcity of production of these mines, and it is enough to direct a glance at 
 the longitudinal projection of these workings to be convinced of the prematureness 
 of the exploitation, inasmuch as, without reaching a maxinmm of production, the 
 laborers would be very few that could be established in the present state of the work- 
 ings, and these small pieces would be exhausted before the galleries could be suffi- 
 ciently advanced. 
 
 Workings upon the eastern vein or layer. — On the eastern vein, whose outcroppings 
 are marked on the plan, and whose indications are investigated by the gallery from 
 the east of the transversal of the "Esperanza," another gallery has beenopened, 
 called the ' ' Caridad, ' ' w'hich is 157 meters long and is only ventilated by communi- 
 cating with the surface by means of a chimney, which at a distance of 34 meters 
 from its lower mouth has also connected with it toward the north another gallery of 
 direction 52 meters long. On this vein also workings for profit are made, equally as 
 premature as those of the ' ' Esperanza, ' ' although they reach a greater development 
 on account of the coal of that second vein being harder and preferred by the limited 
 consumers from these mines. 
 
 The total extension of the workings reaches to 473 meters in galleries of direction 
 upon coal, 55 meters of fruitless transversals, and 231 meters of chimneys and nar- 
 row cuttings of every kind, or, that is to say, a general total of 759 meters of linear 
 workings opened during a period of six years' work. 
 
 This, therefore, is at the rate of 126.50 meters per year and 10.54 meters per 
 month, which figures demonstrate eloquently that which we have from the begin- 
 ning pointed out, namely, the notable slowness and decay of the working of these 
 mines. Though we shall point out further on that the works in general upon these 
 deposits ought to be done in a prudent and careful way, this prudence should not go 
 to an extreme of sluggishness, so as to be contrary to the economy of establishments 
 of this nature and contrary to the reasonable development of the workings. 
 
 Production. — The coal taken out up to 1879 came near to some 2,000 tons, accord- 
 ing to the data of the same proprietor, so that the average annual production has 
 been 333 tons, or 27 tons monthly. 
 
 Conditions and accidents. — In the gallery " Esperanza" and its auxiliary the west- 
 ern vein shows thicknesses comprised between 0.50 and 1.40 meters and inclinations 
 toward the ESE. that vary between 50° and 70°, there being discovered up to this 
 time, as the only accident in all the workings, a small fault represented with full 
 detail in the proper figures of said PL III. 
 
 In regard to the eastern vein, whose outcroppings are discovered near to the road 
 from tbe mines, besides the obstruction that toward the south appears in the gallery 
 
THE COAL MEAStTEES OE THE PHILIPPINES. 69 
 
 of the eastern part of the transversal of ' ' Esperanza, ' ' there has lately been found in 
 the back part of the gallery " Caridad " a fault of very solid clay, not brittle, and 2 
 meters thick, almost vertical, and with the direction that is marked out in the plan 
 and projection of these workings. The location and dip of this vein at this point 
 are in clay, with a little slate of the same color, so that its investigation on the other 
 side of this accident is somewhat doubtful and difficult to determine. 
 
 Consequences. — In spite of these faults and breaks, and even of the total or partial 
 interruption that may in the future appear, and that must be expected in deposits of 
 the nature and age of those we are describing, its location in a territory favorably 
 hazardous for continuing still for a certain period the workings on the slope without 
 resorting to the most expensive ones under the level of the valleys, the cheapness 
 of day labor wages and of timbers, and the excellent quahty of the lignites that, as 
 we shall hereafter confirm, insure its active sale in the market of these islands, and 
 at prices sufficiently lucrative for the miner, undoubtedly advise an active working, 
 though reasonable and cautious, without incurring in it either the exaggeration of 
 great disbursements, many of them foreign to mining itself, such as were made by 
 the enterprises of Tiling and Alpaco, or the opposite and extreme prudence which 
 was practiced in these mines, if the inconsistent and languishing sluggishness with 
 which the workings were prosecuted can be called prudence. 
 
 OTHEK DEPOSITS. 
 
 In order to complete all the accounts that refer to the coal of the island of Cebu, 
 we shall give, in continuation, a slight sketch or r6sum6 of all the outcroppings that 
 we have had occasion to encounter in our journeyings; and though we do not pre- 
 tend that the list will be complete, we believe that there will be few of those that 
 were discovered when our journeys were made that are not pointed out in the list. 
 
 Sogod. — In the vicinity of the town of Sogod, in a creek which drains into the 
 river Bao at that point, an outcropping, not very important, exists, and of still less 
 importance if the locality in which it appears is borne in mind. 
 
 Catmon. — On the banks of the river Panalipan, of the town of Catman, on the head 
 of the arroyo Hong, located on the brow of Mount Macabungat, an outcropping of 
 coal appears, which lies between gray and yellowish clays, with a thickness of 0.60 
 meter, extending from NNE. to SSW., and inclining from 30° to 35° toward the west. 
 
 Danao. — In the distant and hazardous valley of Cajumay-Jumayan, bounded on the 
 south and southeast by the peaks Sili and Lantauan, on the northeast by Mangilao, 
 and on the west by the central mountain chain, in the limits of the town of Danao, 
 we have seen two outcroppings of coal, one near to the arroyo Manjubud-jubud, and 
 the other within the bed of the arroyo Baisabais. The former is of little importance, 
 and the coal appears in a large ditch, almost destroyed, and between clays and smooth 
 sandstones, its direction appearing to be from N. to S., with inclinations almost vertical; 
 and the second shows a compact coal of very good appearance, in a vein 3 meters 
 thick, extending from NNE. to SSW., with an inclination of some 55° to the ESE. 
 
 On the other side of the arroyo we saw a small prospect in a transversal gallery in 
 this direction, and, as a proof of the upheaval which this region has suffered, we 
 found in the mouth of this gallery, which is situated a small distance from the out- 
 croppings, an inclination of the veins of from 25° to 30°, instead of the 55° which 
 we have just mentioned. Descending Cajumay-Jumayan by the footpath that leads 
 to the small valley of Santa Rosa, the source of the arroyos Sili, Mantija, and Magliji, 
 we saw three coal outcroppings of confused stratification, though in the first we 
 believe there is observed a direction from NNE. to SSW., and an inclination almost 
 vertical, with a slight tendency to dip toward the east. 
 
 Lastly, within the bed of the river Danao, near the mouth of the Camansi, four out- 
 croppings appear, with thicknesses comprehended between 0.50 and 0.70 meter. 
 
70 THE OOAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 Compostela— In the town of Compostela, and following the road that leads to the 
 mines, coming down the hill which leads to the valley of Moao, a small outcropping 
 of coal is found on the right-hand side, and lower down in the valley, and within the 
 bed of the river Dapdap, another is seen no less insignificant. A little farther on, 
 following the same road, and before entering upon the claims of the mine " Esperanza," 
 there is found a small caved-in prospect in which nothing could be seen, but it was 
 undoubtedly made upon an outcropping of some consideration. 
 
 The towns comprised between Compostela and Talamban have hardly any hilly 
 country, so that iio coal outcroppings are discovered in them. 
 
 Talamban.— In Talamban there are two that we have seen, both of them on the 
 banks of the river Ijaiup or Parel. The least imperfect, judging from the hollow 
 left by extracting the coal indications, employed, as we were told, for the use of the 
 iron works of the country, is located close to the mouth of the arroyo Taptap, on its 
 right bank, the strata of that section appearing to be in a sensible degree from NW. 
 to SE., with an inclination of 10° to the NE., or toward -the river Ijaiup; and the 
 second one, much lower down the course of the river, here already passed from the 
 region of the volcanic rocks, and at the place designated by the name of Macurong, 
 appears in the shape of a small pocket, which we happened upon while gathering 
 some samples showing its importance. 
 
 San Nicolas and Minglanilla. — Besides the indications of Guila-Guila, still in the 
 district of Minglanilla, we saw good indications of coal rather than true outcroppings, 
 whose locations there is no need to mention because they are stated in the list of 
 mineral registries of the island; and, for that matter, they contain, as their only 
 mineral, some eruptive rocks, black in color, which were mistaken for coal. 
 
 Car car. — Of this same class is the rock that caused a registry of coal on the river 
 Garay, of the barrio of Batsiji (Ocana) , of the town of Carcar. 
 
 Sibonga.— In the district of Sibonga, in the arroyo of Baulot, we saw some loose 
 pieces of coal, but ascending to the source of this arroyo we found only the volcanic 
 grounds which undoubtedly could not have produced the pieces we have mentioned, 
 and whose true origin, therefore, could not be found out. 
 
 Argao. — Upon making a caingin (a clearing for agricultural purposes on the side 
 of the mountains) some years since, on Mount Santicon, which forms the left bank 
 of the river Argao, the entire ground commenced burning, the fire lasting some time, 
 and so producing great cave-ins of the surface of the earth, which caused the sus- 
 picion of the existence of coal in that place. We ourselves were unable to take any 
 account of the conditions of the deposit and its importance, because of the cave-ins 
 mentioned above; but, nevertheless, although we confirmed its existence, the place 
 in which it is situated is so wild and far away from the coast that it removes it for 
 the present from the probability of exploitation, even supposing that its importance 
 might advise it. 
 
 Dalaguete. — On the headwaters of the Dalaguete, in a steep bank called Patani, an 
 outcropping, carboniferous in character, is seen, composed of black clay with small 
 seams of coal, which extends almost from north to south, and inclines some 33° 
 toward the east. In the bed of the same river, in its principal channel, several other 
 coal indications are discovered, of very good appearance and with the following con- 
 ditions of location: the first, with 0.25 meters of thickness and many strata of slate, 
 extends from north to south, inclining some 45° to the west; the second extends 
 from N. 20° W. to S. 20° E., almost vertical; and the remainder, belonging to a 
 deposit exposed by the same bed of the river, crossing it from shore to shore for some 
 30 meters in length, have 0.45 meters of thickness, and extend from N. 25° W. to S. 
 25° E. , and incline from 50° to 60° to the S. 25° W. These deposits are always found 
 lying between beds of clay. 
 
 Boljoon. — In the barrio Becerril, of Boljoon, we have seen two outcroppings, on 
 one of which, situated at the place called Bairan, on the right slope of the glade of 
 
THE COAL MEASUBES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 71 
 
 of Lamuiio, workings for investigation were made, which, having fallen in, made it 
 impossible at this day for us to appreciate the conditions of the deposit, though in 
 the neighboring clays there is observed a direction of from N. 15° E. to S. 15° W. 
 In the other, located on the opposite bank, the deposit shows a thickness of 0.80 
 meters, a direction almost from N. to S., and an inclination of 35° to 40° to the west. 
 
 Malahoyoc. — On the river Inamblan, of the district of Malaboyoc, at the foot oi a 
 hill called Cabagaquian, there appears an indication of 0.15 meters thickness, which 
 runs from NNE. to SSW., inclining 15° to the "WNW.; and to the west of this point, 
 in the depression that exists at the union of this hill with Mount Lanaya, another 
 one is likewise discovered, which appears to belong to a different deposit. 
 
 Alegria. — On the river called Bombon, of the barrio of Guinanon, district of the 
 town of Alegria, various coal croppings are discovered, with characteristics of loca- 
 tion very little accentuated, but which appear tending from NE. to SW., with a 
 slight inclination to the SW. The coal is very similar to that of Boljoon in its exte- 
 rior characteristics. 
 
 Toledo. — ^In the district of Toledo, the old town of Jinolauan, coal appears in two 
 places; one, of very little importance, in the river Ungun, composed of small lignite 
 veins between clays and limestones, with a direction NE. to SW., inclining some 35° 
 to the eastward; and the other, more important, in the arroyo Actiue, 3 meters in 
 thickness, with the same direction as the former, but with an inclination of 45° 
 toward the NW. 
 
 Balamban. — ^Lastly, in the place called Maulincop, of Balamban, a small strata of 
 very little importance and very gray coal is discovered underneath a limestone and 
 upon a bed of clay. 
 
 QUALITY OP THE COALS. 
 
 Mineralogical description. — The coals of the island of Cebu can be classified, miner- 
 alogically, without any kind of doubt, as Lignitos pidformes, among which there can 
 also be found varieties of those which Dufrenoy called comunes y deslustrados. In 
 fact, except some dirty and semidecomposed samples, whose condition depends rather 
 on the exterior agencies that have worked upon them, it can be said that in general 
 they are black and more or less brilliant, sometimes very similar to true jet; of une- 
 qual and conchoidal fracture, and in fresh samples quite hard; some, such as those 
 from Guila-Guila and Alpaco, slightly pyretic, and others, such as those from Com- 
 postela, with small gypseous veins, which must result from the decomposition of the 
 pyrites by water charged with carbonate of lime; of compact texture and a structure 
 almost woody, indicated by concentric zones owing to the successive layers of the 
 growing of the timber, with rays, and above all more or less gray powder; and with 
 densities ranging between 1.25 and 1.40. 
 
 Laboratory assays. — In regard to their properties for practical and industrial appli- 
 cation it is known that they depend principally upon their composition and their 
 manner of burning in the air, for which reason we shall state our own and the for- 
 eign studies and observations such as we have been able to gather about these matters. 
 The first laboratory assay that was made of the coals from Cebu dates from the year 
 1.S53, and was executed by order of the members of the executive board of mines 
 •It the school of engineers of the department. The samples coming from Guila-Guila 
 'A ere subdivided into three classes or sections and gave the following results: 
 
 Specific gravity 
 
 Ashes per 100 
 
 Colce produced per 100. . 
 Volatile matters per 100 
 Caloric power 
 
 First section. 
 
 1.14 
 
 6 
 
 60 
 
 40 
 
 6760 
 
 Second section, 
 
 1.10 to 1.22 
 
 11 
 
 .58 
 
 42 
 
 48G0 
 
 Third section. 
 
 1.30 to 1.46 
 
 18 
 
 66 
 
 44 
 
 4200 
 
72 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 The samples of the three sections burned with brilliant flame, very prolonged. 
 They did not contain pyrites in a notable or prejudicial quantity, and they all formed 
 a kind of faded black coke. 
 
 (Here follows the statement of two assays relating to the coals of Uling and Alpaco, 
 a translation of which will be found under the heading, "Assays of this period," on 
 page 41 of this report. ) 
 
 On our part, we also made like assays in the laboratory of the inspectorate with 
 the samples gathered in our first campaign, and besides others taken from the two 
 classes of foreign coals that were sold in the markets of Manila, under the name of 
 the English and Australian coal, in order to compare their power under like condi- 
 tions the one with the other, deducing therefrom which of them was the most 
 profitable for employment, and which was of lower price in producing heat, bear- 
 ing in mind the current prices of that time. 
 
 In the table that follows the results we have obtained, exactly compared, are con- 
 tained, and in it we include also those samples from Maulincop and Danao, taken 
 from outcroppings more or less decomposed, not for deducing the general importance 
 of its composition, undoubtedly altered, but as a notable sample of its relative purity 
 in spite of the unfavorable conditions under which we selected them. 
 
 (The table referred to in this paragraph is Table III. ) 
 
 The careful examination of the results that this table presents permits us to deduce: 
 
 First. That in general all the lignites that we are considering are of excellent qual- 
 ity, very rich in fixed carbon, scarce in ash, and with very high caloric power, com- 
 ing from grounds relatively so modern. 
 
 Second. That in spite of these advantageous properties, their very modern origin 
 is understood, and in a certain way confirmed also, by the condition, essentially 
 hygrometric, that they present and which gives to them a certain resemblance to the 
 vegetable combustibles separating them entirely from coals and anthracite. 
 
 Third. That all of them are of very good application for combustion in the fire- 
 boxes of steam engines, both on account of the facility with which they blaze with 
 a fiame, and because of the important condition of not choking up, neither giving 
 off a very heavy smoke nor producing a great quantity of ash. 
 
 Fourth. That in this conception the lignites are almost superior to the coals from 
 Australia, inasmuch as their caloric power does not differ much and 
 
 Fifth. That the English pit coals are very superior to these coals, but not with the 
 difference that would be supposed, their respective locations being kept in mind. 
 
 Comparing besides these results with those obtained upon the samples of coal from 
 Guila-Guila, Uling, and Alpaco, recently mentioned, we find ourselves with figures 
 very similar, except in those of the ash produced in very considerable quantities, 
 above all in the coals from Alpaco and Uling, and which we can assume is from the 
 bad preservation or quality of the samples sent to Madrid. 
 
 (For continuation, see page 202 of Appendix A to this report, commencing with the 
 words, "Steam-making power: In order to prove," etc., and continuing to the words, 
 " price which will overcome the difference in quality," on page 203.) 
 
 Comparison of commerckd prices.— With the object of proving this let us compare, 
 under like conditions, the prices of all the foreign coals, taking for this purpose the 
 real value of a nulliou of physical units produced by the combustion of the English 
 and Australian coals, supposing the mean price per ton to be II pesos for the first 
 and 9 pesos for the second. 
 
 We shall have in this manner; 
 
 1,000,000° X 9 pfs. 
 
 I 000'' '4 6 205° ~ ^•'^^ P^^' ^°^ Australian coal, 
 
 1,000,000° X II pfs. 
 
 1,000" f 7,530° = ^-^^ P^s- ^°^ English, 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OJP THE PHILIPPINES. 73 
 
 and taking from the two values the lesser or cheaper, we deduce for like price in the 
 coals of Compostela that — 
 
 1 000 000° X P 
 2-^^ = l',000^ f 5,643" X 5,829! ""^ ^ = ^'^^ P«^°« P'^'' ^"- 
 
 Consequently in norma', conditions of the market at prices less than 8.30 pesos per 
 ton, the use of the native coals results as much more favorable for commerce and for 
 the competition that can be made by foreign coals as it is more separated from it. 
 
 This fact is very important, and miners ought to keep it ever in mind when pro- 
 ceeding to determine the cost of exploitation of their coals and the profits which can 
 be obtained; and then they ought not to lose sight of the indispensable limitation 
 in the selling price and the propriety of keeping it lower in order to render the afore- 
 said competition more effective. 
 
 (For continuation of this article see page 203 of Appendix A to this report, com- 
 mencing with the words, "Tests in the Navy. In order to include and imite," etc., 
 and continuing to the words, " up to the present time prove conclusively the excellent 
 quality of the coal," on page 206.) 
 
 GENERAL CONCLUSIONS. 
 
 Concluding with a r6sum^, expressed in a few words, of all that we have stated, 
 with full- details concerning the coal deposits of the island of Cebu, there results: 
 That, although the deposits certainly appear at a multitude of points, located along 
 the length of the mountain chain, and taken together occupy a great extension in the 
 island, there ought not on this account to be attributed to them an exaggerated 
 importance which makes them in any respect comparable to the pit-coal fields with 
 which they have been unfortimately confused; since as lignite deposits of very recent 
 age, that moreover lie in a region that besides its recent age is very much overturned 
 by the eruptions it has experienced, they present general characteristics of irregu- 
 larity and discontinuity proved in practice wherever it happens that the workings ' 
 have been followed with any consistency. In their exploitation, then, that uncer- 
 tain character peculiar to them must be taken into account, and care must be taken, 
 therefore, not to em^jioy in the first installments the capital of importance, multiply- 
 ing instead within each working region the points of contact for the investigation of 
 the layers (veins) and the preparation of each profitable deposit with the object of 
 counterbalancing the scanty with the plentiful, and so obtaining in so far as it is 
 possible a constant and regular production in each exploitation. 
 
 On the other hand, the cheapness of day wages and of timbers for props, so neces- 
 sary in all mining operations, the facility in most cases of executing the exploitations 
 above the level of the valleys, at least in the first and more difficult period of the 
 workings, cheapening considerably the general interior services, the undoubted and 
 excellent quality of these lignite coals for different uses, and more especially for 
 combustion in land and maritime steam engines, and laatly the price at which they 
 could be sold in the market, with sure sale and legitimate and sufficient profit for 
 the miners, without possible competition, because the foreign coals will always reach 
 higher prices, not only absolutely but even in the true relation of their caloric quali- 
 ties, constitute such other advantageous conditions and qualities as can not be found 
 everywhere, and which, in a certain way, counteract the geological character of their 
 formation, which, to say the truth, diminishes the importance that some with ready 
 celerity had attributed to them. 
 
 But then it may happen that it will be asked why these deposits have not been 
 exploited, or are not exploited permanently? Is it because the trials of the working 
 of the mines attempted up to the present time have generally produced such 
 deplorable results? 
 
 There are various causes, and we are going to show the principal ones, even though 
 
74 THE COAL MEASURES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 we have to recall painful memories, that contain, however, useful instructions con- 
 cerning an experience which should never be forgotten. All the mining enterprises 
 of Cebu commenced their works with a truly exaggerated enthusiasm, as if nourished 
 by the belief that they controlled inexhaustible deposits which could furnish coal to 
 half the world; and this belief they saw on the other hand confirmed by the declara- 
 tions of the English engineers of our navy, who so asserted at the sight of the mines, 
 and also confirmed in official reports proceeding from the navy, which we have 
 before us, there being added to them that the deposits and the coal were identical 
 with those of Newcastle and Cardiff; in the meantime, on the contrary, the prudent 
 indications or counsels of some, although a few competent persons were not listened 
 to, and among those we ought specially to mention the very distinguished engineer, 
 Mr. Hernandez. 
 
 The capital, then, was spent without measure, with the certainty of obtaining 
 incontrovertible and very large profits, and although, to say the truth, the capital 
 was not being employed in mining properly so called, but in expensive outside 
 installments and in roads which inevitably and fatally the enterprises were com- 
 pelled to build (roads not existing then, as they do not exist now); when the reali- 
 zation of the results of such conduct came to put in evidence the absurdity of the 
 system that they had undertaken, then the discouragement was, if possible, greater 
 and not less unjustified than the first enthusiasm, and it may be seen by the Uling 
 enterprise, which was the most powerful of all, in selling their materials at a sacri- 
 fice, and, seized of an inconceivable dismay, abandoning the mines just when the 
 larger layer (vein) was assuring them of an undoubted production by a certain 
 extension which might at least have restored the capital employed. 
 
 Excessive enthusiasm at the beginning of the enterprise, and vehement and incon- 
 sidered dismay and abandonment when the difficulties of every new business pre- 
 sented themselves, and, above all, the fatal and unavoidable embarrassment of 
 transportation are, then, the culminating causes which produced the deplorable 
 results which have been just observed in the coal mining in the island of Cebu. 
 
 Laying to one side the difficulty of the general transportation — which the State or 
 province should decide upon by constructing them if, upon the discovery of the coal 
 deposits, their geological characteristics as to age and deposit had been studied 
 carefully, and so, understanding that it treated of nothing more than lignites, yet, on 
 the other side, excellent for the uses that could be made of them in the archipelago — 
 -the works could have been established on the basis of the moderate foresight which 
 for such deposits the science of the miner points out, there is no doubt that these 
 exploitations would have been secured, and, after twenty-seven years of existence, 
 could have presented to-day in the markets of the islands all, or nearly all, the com- 
 bustible they require without possible competition in prices as the result of those 
 not very extensive but numerous exploitations which could exist in the island of 
 Cebu. 
 
 We can adduce many examples of similar deposits among those that are produc- 
 ing relatively great amounts of combustible of modern origin. In America, Aus- 
 tralia, and in Europe great quantities of lignites are exploited with great advantage 
 both for miners and consumers. Spain has produced nearly 39,000 tons in the year 
 1881, according to the last official statistics which we can consult; Russia has raised 
 the production of this same combustible to more than 15,000,000 tons^ yearly; Italy, 
 which is found in the same situation as the Philippines, without containing in her 
 soil even a single deposit of pit-coals, exploits with eagerness those lignites which 
 she possesses and produces nearly 100,000 tons yeariy; and the Philippines, \\here 
 the coal industry has received numerous official protections, born, as we may say, 
 vmder the impulse of it (since by official action the first discoveries and accounts of 
 its coal deposits were given out), does not produce, notwithstanding, more than some 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHItlPPINES. 75 
 
 few tons of that important material, and those in a laborious, weak, and inconse- 
 quent fashion. 
 
 It is necessary to acknowledge it; all the official efforts have been in vain up to 
 the present to enliven this industry, because at times they invested in them with a 
 character irritating by its exclusiveness; and at other times they quenched with good 
 but officious desires that liberty of industrial action which if it is necessary for all 
 kinds of business, is still more so for those that relate to mining. 
 
 The true and only mission reserved to the State, in the support of the mining 
 wealth, was almost always forgotten, which is not other than that of studying sci- 
 entifically and industrially the mineral wealth of the soil, in order that private 
 industry by the knowledge of these studies may be able to calculate, and with pru- 
 dent foresight invest its capital, and that of making easy these exploitations by con- 
 structing the roads for necessary transportation, not only for the development of 
 mining exploitations, but for the welfare and improvement of the territories that 
 they cross. 
 
 Fortunately this kind of support, more indirect but not less beneficial, has begun to 
 be realized by the rational and scientific study of the soil and of the mineral deposits 
 in the Philippines, avoiding with it the confusions and exaggerated hopes, born in 
 the heat of mistaken belief, that there may exist pit-coal banks and that it was also 
 to be expected that, when the necessities increased and the wealth and culture of 
 the country demanded it, there would be constructed necessary roads for transpor- 
 tation. 
 
 Then the like development of industry and commerce and that of steam navigation 
 will demand a greater amount of combustible, and oblige them to think anew upon 
 the exploitations of the coal deposits in Cebu, without incurring the old errors which 
 on the one side the experience and on the other side the facilities of the associated 
 means, and the mining geological science, will have entirely done away with. 
 
 CHAFTEB XI.— THE MIBTING ENTEKPRISE "LA PAZ," IN ALBAY, 
 
 1873-1880. 
 
 In the preceding chapters we have brought the coal mining industry 
 of Cebu down to the end of the year 1886, so far as it is necessary for 
 the general purposes of this report. This brings us to the organiza- 
 tion of the Company Nuevo Langreo, whose mines and workings in 
 Cebu were located in 1887, and the specific treatment of which will be 
 found hereafter in the history of coal mines in Cebu, commencing 
 with the year 1887. 
 
 Our old acquaintance, Francisco Villasenor, apparently unaware of 
 the enactment of the code of 1867, presented a petition in July, 1873, 
 prepared under the code of 1846, for a coal mine in Tayabas, which 
 he describes as a discovery made by him in the mountains of the bar- 
 rio of Aiquirin; it was returned to the alcalde mayor of Tayabas, and 
 no further record of it appears. We have been unable to learn any- 
 thing about this alleged discovery. 
 
 During the year 1874 five petitions, drawn under the code of 1846, 
 were presented for coal mines at Tubajon and Mabua, on the island of 
 Dinagat, province of Surigao. They were returned for procedure 
 under the code of 1867, and no further record is found of them. A 
 petition presented in 1877 for a coal discovery on Mount Malolod, 
 
76 THE COAl MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 island of Polillo, in the province of Infanta, was disposed of in the 
 same manner. In 1879 the petition of Rafael Herrera for one claim 
 at Tagakag, on the island of Dinagat, reached the point of an applica- 
 tion for demarcation, when, on July 20, 1880, it was canceled by the 
 voluntary renunciation of the petitioner. 
 
 All the other entries of this period belong to the province of Albay, 
 and while a considerable amount of them were demarcated, all were 
 abandoned without the issuance of a concession. They were distrib- 
 uted as follows: 
 
 Island of Batan l"* 
 
 Sugud (Sogod) - 8 
 
 Gatbo 7 
 
 Total 27 
 
 embracing 120 claims, or 18,000,000 square meters. 
 
 These entries in Albay were largely in the interest of a coal mining 
 company organized upon the basis of a stock company, encouraged by 
 the governor-general and the Supreme Government, and that has 
 gained, under the title of "La Paz," a conspicuous position in the his- 
 tory of coal mining in the Philippines. Its operations were originally 
 on the Sogod deposit, in the subdivision of Bacon, and its operations 
 were subsequently extended to the neighboring island of Batan. These 
 mines were abandoned, but the deposits of Batan will appear again in 
 the history of the closing period of Spanish sovereignty, commencing 
 with the year 1890, other parties having taken them up and obtained 
 concessions thereon, some of which are still uncanceled upon the 
 records, and many of which had not proceeded to the extent of a con- 
 cession or the granting of a title. 
 
 While Isaac Con-ui was attempting the manipulation of the govern- 
 ment for the construction of highways and tramways to connect his 
 mines with the coast, and to secure a contract to supply the navy with 
 coal at reduced rates in exchange for state aid, the "La Paz" company 
 was also busy in the province of Albay in securing or attempting to 
 secure state aid and assistance for its adventures. There has been pre- 
 served in the Mining Bureau archives elaborately prepared prospec- 
 tuses and documents, reports, and other papers, including maps and 
 plans, and which contain valuable information that may be properly 
 considered in connection with existing claims and mining rights 
 attempted to be instituted on the same deposits. 
 
 The "La Paz" is found in December, 1874, representing to the 
 governor-general that it proposes to enter upon the exploitation of 
 Its recently acquired coal mines in Albay on a grand scale; that it 
 comprehends the necessity of having the works done under the direc- 
 tion of a skilled engineer, not only to insure a successful outcome for 
 the association, but principally to insure the safety of the workmen to 
 
THE COAL MEASUBES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 77 
 
 be employed; that having in mind that the failure of the diflferent coal- 
 mining industries has been due more to the lack of skilled direction 
 than the quality or quantity of the coal; that the development of the 
 coal-mining industry is of national importance and has been promised 
 the full protection and assistance of the Government, and the lack of 
 skilled engineers in this country, thereupon it asks that the superior 
 Government allow the association the services of Jose Centeno, chief 
 of the inspectorate of mines, for one year as resident engineer in 
 charge of their works. To this petition the chief engineer added a 
 statement that the business of his department was not pushing him, 
 and that inasmuch as similar aid had been given to the copper mining 
 company in Lepanto, and the development of coal mines was of great 
 national interest, he recommended the granting of the petition. The 
 director-general of civil administration, after a general demurrer 
 against the precedent of the State furnishing engineers from its super- 
 visory department of mines for private companies, also recommended 
 it. The governor-general, on February 5, 1875, issued the necessary 
 decree, subject to the approval of the supreme Government, and sub- 
 ject to an immediate termination of the services in case it was disap- 
 proved. On February 18 the chief engineer announced his departure 
 under this decree, the department of mines being left in chax'ge of his 
 chief assistant. On April 26, 1875, a royal order was issued approv- 
 ing the loan of the chief inspector until February 5, 1876, on condi- 
 tion that on or before that date the association should provide itself 
 with an engineer on its own account. In September, 1875, the associ- 
 ation was found again asking for one more year, and on April 10, 
 1876, the royal order of that date extended the period to Decem- 
 ber 31, 1876, adding thereto the condition "positively for the last 
 time," Seiior Centeno in the meantime having been retained at the 
 mines by a provisional order of the governor-general. The irrepres- 
 sible managing director, on May 16, 1876, presented another petition 
 asking the repeal of the condition. This, too, was granted, but on 
 January 1, 1877, the engineer returned to his duties in the inspectorate. 
 On June 13 of that same year, under direction of the governor-gen- 
 eral, he again returned to the mines to superintend the mining of 150 
 tons for tests on a large scale in the navy. This resulted in a report, 
 which will be found hereafter. 
 
 In August, 1875, the association raised the question of the right of 
 the company to use timber from the public lands in its mining enter- 
 prise without the payment of a tax thereon. This was based on arti- 
 cles 60 and 81 of the code of 1867, which makes the miner a citizen of 
 the community where his mine is located, so far as relates to communal 
 advantages of water, wood, timber, pasture, etc., for his own use. 
 The opinions of the inspectors of mines and mountains were diametric- 
 ally opposite, the former claiming the free use of timber for all pur- 
 
78 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 poses, including the timbering of mines, and the latter contending for 
 a free use for domestic purposes. The opinions are very long, and the 
 council of administration was called into the contest for its opinion, 
 resulting in April, 1876, in a compromise decision, the usual result of 
 such contests, by which a provisional order was issued allowing the 
 "La Paz" association the free use of such timber as the skilled 
 engineer in charge (Jose Centeno, chief of the inspectorate of mines) 
 should decide was necessary, and the entire question to be referred for 
 decision to the Supreme Government, the association to indemnify the 
 treasury for the remitted tax by paying it in case the decision was 
 adverse. The "La Paz" association received then a favorable deci- 
 sion, as usual, but not without a struggle. This question of the free 
 use of timber in mining will again be raised in these islands, and the 
 documents referred to herein contain many useful suggestions upon 
 both sides of the question. 
 
 The governor-general took a great interest in this association, which 
 he manifested in many ways, as has already been seen by the extraor- 
 dinary proceeding of sending the chief engineer of the inspectorate, 
 of mines to Sugud to act as supervising engineer of a private enter- 
 prise, keeping him there in that capacity from February, 1876, to 
 January, 1877, and then sending him back again in June of that year, 
 ostensibly to superintend the mining of 150 tons for naval tests. But 
 that was not all. He interested himself in securing, at least indirectly, 
 subscriptions to its proposed increased capital stock, and in every 
 other way possible. In the exercise of his special prerogatives, in 
 the fall of 1876 he commissioned the eminent engineer, Ramon Marty, 
 to visit the mines and make a report on the mines. This was done, 
 and in October, 1877, the report was made, and the association pub- 
 lished it and used it to boom its sale of stock. Now, Ramon Marty 
 was not connected with the inspectorate of mines, and it would seem 
 that Engineer Centeno was not consulted about this matter, and the 
 publication of Engineer Marty's report and the use made of it seems 
 to have been not only a surprise to Centeno, but also a cause of 
 offense, for he is found complaining to the director of civil adminis- 
 tration because the province of the engineer of mines has been invaded 
 by a member of the corps of national engineers attached to another 
 branch (the military branch) of the service. The latter official replied 
 that it was certainly within the province of the governor-general to 
 employ any agency he desired, and that even if it was not it was quite 
 certain that it was beyond the province of the chief engineer of the 
 inspectorate of mines to criticise the actions of the governor-general. 
 
 The report of Engineer Marty was published simultaneously with 
 a prospectus of the association soliciting subscriptions to its new 
 shares, dated December 15, 1877. It would seem, however, that the 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 79 
 
 association did not purpose to trust entirely to the chance of securing 
 an increase to its capital stock by popular subscription, for a memo- 
 rial, dated December 1, 1877, was presented to the governor-general 
 proposing that the administration subscribe for shares from the pub- 
 lic charities and local funds. Other petitions and propositions fol-. 
 lowed, all looking toward government aid, and showing conclusively 
 that it was the public purse rather than private funds, invested and to 
 be invested in the enterprise, that were relied upon by the associa- 
 tion. As might be expected, an enterprise that we know from subse- 
 quent examination and discovery was located upon an extensive and 
 valuable deposit of coal, met with failure for want of funds. It seems 
 strange to us at this date that the men of that date did not understand 
 that "It takes money to make money," and this axiom is true of min- 
 ing in the Philippines to-day, as it is elsewhere. 
 
 We translate from the records of "La Paz," as found in the mining 
 bureau, the following pages, and the careful reader will find in them 
 man J' valuable suggestions: 
 
 Petition of December 1,. 1877 — Subsceiptions feom Public Funds. 
 
 Don Zoilo Y. de Aldecoa, managing director of the coal-mining company of La 
 Paz, with due consideration has the honor to show unto your excellency — 
 
 That upon the arrival of your excellency in these islands, among the first things 
 which attracted your attention was the necessity of the exploitation of the mineral 
 coal deposits contained within the country, with the object that the industries and 
 steam navigation might receive the impulse that the cheapening of combustible 
 would naturally give them; producing in the development of the general wealth, the 
 powerful influence which the rapidity and economy of trade exercises, and more 
 especially in a country which, by reason of its being composed of islands and of 
 navigable rivers, can not dispense with steam navigation. 
 
 Neither was it concealed from your excellency that for exalted political and 
 economical interests of the State, besides, to be liberated from the ruinous tribute 
 which it to-day pays to foreign nations for the importation of coal would be desirable; 
 the navy and merchant marine being submitted to a dependency which a patriotic 
 spirit must endeavor to cast off at the cost of any sacrifice. 
 
 Your excellency, finding that worlis of considerable importance upon a rich deposit 
 of good mineral, and under favorable conditions, had been executed by this asso- 
 ciation, whose capital stock was almost exhausted without having attained their 
 object, by reason of having been deceived in their calculations, by the circumstance 
 of having to employ laborers, inexperienced and unskillful in the most intelligent 
 methods, very properly deemed that its organization did not meet the exigencies of 
 the enterprise, and in your desire to be of service for their advancement, in order to 
 realize your patriotic thought, expressed the idea that the association should 
 reorganize, increasing its capital stock by means of the admission of a greater number 
 of shareholders, a method that would permit the encouraging of the spirit of enter- 
 prise in a country which needs it so much, if the business gave the results which its 
 appearances promise, and evade heavy and appreciable losses of capital if the 
 hopes founded upon it be frustrated. 
 
 The shareholders hastened to adopt your excellency's ide^, recognizing its excel- 
 lence, and the issuance of the new shares took place accordingly, the enterprise 
 
80 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 adopting an anonymous character in order to better facilitate their placing, which is 
 being carried out under the auspicious protection which, inspired by the aforesaid 
 considerations, your excellency has deigned to extend to this association. 
 
 The lack of capital has been the cause of others having failed heretofore in the 
 exploitation of the mines, and that precedent, coupled with the timidity which 
 always prevails against imdertaking an unknown business, it is to be feared, will 
 influence unfavorably the attempt to unite the necessary elements in order that the 
 enterprise may receive that impulse which is required for the exploitation of the 
 mines on an appropriate scale, the country and the state meanwhile being deprived 
 of that benefit which they are entitled to receive from them. Nothing would be 
 more effective in stimulating the subscription of capital than .the example of the 
 public administration. In that they would see in it, beside's a secure guaranty, that 
 an impossible ideal would not be attempted; and in this behalf, having in mind the 
 nature of the assistance which the superior authority of the islands extended so 
 opportunely to the organization of the present bank, which brings so many benefits 
 to commerce and the shareholders, directing that the public charities and local funds 
 should contribute with their capital, the company has concurred in forwarding to 
 your excellency this attentive and respectful explanation, which I have the honor to 
 confirm in a — 
 
 Prayer that, if it be not inconvenient, there be invested in this enterprise a part of 
 the aforesaid local funds, which are those called upon for the realization of the devel- 
 opment and progress of the public wealth, by such means as may be considered con- 
 ducive to that end by the authorities administering them, for nothing can be more 
 favorable to agricultural production and to the industries and commerce of the islands 
 than providing them with coal at a low price, etc. 
 
 Manila, December 1, 1877. 
 
 ZoiLO Y. DE Aldecoa. 
 
 On December 2, 1877, this petition was referred by the director of 
 civil administration to the inspectorate of mines for an urgency report 
 upon the proposition and especially upon the mineral wealth of the 
 deposits of Sugud and the future that its exploitation might offer. 
 The report of the chief engineer, Jose Centeno, was submitted some 
 time in the same month and is as follows: 
 
 Rbpokt op the Engineer op the Inspectokate of Mines, Don Jose Centeno, 
 Dated the Day op December, 1877. 
 
 The Corps of Mining Engineers, 
 
 District of the Philippine Islands. 
 Most Illustrious Sir: Don Zoilo Y. de Aldecoa, managing director o£ the coal- 
 mining society called La Paz, in the document that precedes, petitions his excellency 
 the governor-general, that the public administration, in a manner resembling that 
 which has been done in the case of the Spanish-Filipino Bank, may be allowed to 
 invest a portion of the local funds in the exploitation of these mines. The petition 
 is founded on the idea that has been expressed to the society by his excellency, the 
 governor-general, for the reorganization, giving greater augmentation to its capital 
 stock by the admission of new shareholders, not only with the aim of developing 
 the exploitations on a grand scale and to make progress against those misfortunes 
 which may be presented, but also to diminish the individual sacrifice of the share- 
 holders in the event of a disastrous termination; and an idea so advantageous having 
 been accepted by the association, it might happen that the sad examples that former 
 enterprises present, by reason of there having been a lack of suflScient resources, and 
 the lack of confidence that capital has in every new business in a country such as 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 81 
 
 this where such safe and lucrative employment can be given it, might be so many 
 other causes for delay on the part of capitalists, and might hinder therefore the pro- 
 jected reorganization, if there be not presented, as an effective stimulant, the interest 
 that the State with its guaranty of certainty, takes in the enterprise. 
 
 It has pleased your excellency to ask advice from this inspectorate upon the 
 extreme measures which said instrument contains, and especially information about 
 the mineral richness of the deposits of Sugud, and the future that its exploitation 
 might offer; and in compliance with this decree the inspectorate has the honor to 
 present to your excellency the following account: 
 
 The undersigned inspector, being authorized by the supreme government, in order 
 to make plans for and direct the mineral workings of Sugud from the foundation of 
 the society until the 1st day of January, 1877, and commissioned afterwards in June 
 last by his excellency, the governor-general, to superintend the extraction of 150 
 tons of coal from these mines with the object of making tests in the vessels of the 
 navy, the data that he has the honor to present to your excellency refers only to the 
 time of his last visit, that is to say, to the month of July last past, ignoring, as he 
 has no knowledge, the workings that since then may have been possibly made. 
 
 At 2 kilometers to the southeast, approximately, from the visita of San Esteban, 
 in the jurisdiction of the town of Bacon, the first outcroppings of combustible are 
 encountered, the places discovered by the errosive action of a small arroyo called 
 Panogsogon. These outcroppings, prospected by excavations opened from above at 
 various other points to the south and north, "established the existence of a strata of 
 coal from 4 to 8 meters in thickness, with a direction of N. 20° W. to S. 20° E. , and 
 with an inclination almost vertical. 
 
 Upon the creek Camaroon, at a distance of about 2,000 meters to the south of 
 Panogsogon, two other outcroppings were discovered, located upon distinct veins 
 whose directions and inclinations were approximately equal to the first, it being sup- 
 posed that one of these may be the continuation of this last one. 
 
 Upon these data, petitions for registry were presented by various individuals to 
 the government of Albay, that resulted in the demarcation and concession of 20 per- 
 tenencias, contiguous to each other (see PI. IV) , that were subsequently acquired 
 with due legal formalities by the coal-mining association La Paz, legally organized 
 in Manila. This association recently has also presented in the government of 
 Albay some new registries of coal on the island of Batan, whose expedientes are in 
 course of procedure at this time. 
 
 A beginning was made on these works under the direction of the undersigned, in 
 the neighborhood of Panogsogon Creek, by opening vertical shafts upon the strata, 
 which were afterwards connected by means of a gallery of direction, and by a prepa- 
 ration also of an exploitation that ultimately should be made by a system of horizon- 
 tal cuts of the most convenient location, exposing the condition of the location of 
 that deposit. 
 
 At the same time there was commenced exterior works, such as a tramway that 
 unites the mines with the sea, a wharf or pier for embarkation at the port of Sugud, 
 which has a depth of 4 fathoms; buildings for employees, storehouses, etc. 
 
 These works, finished in the greater part at the beginning of the present year, 
 lacked only some meters of excavation in the galleries in order to connect the shafts 
 at a depth of 25 to 30 meters, and to give a commencement to the mining of coal in 
 the first shaft. 
 
 At that date the period of authorization allowed to the undersigned for directing 
 these works was terminated, and he returned to Manila, leaving, however, the nec- 
 essary instructions for the employees of the establishment for the continuation dur- 
 ing his absence, which lasted until the month of June, the time at which, as has 
 been hereinbefore stated, he was commissioned by his excellency the Governor- 
 General to take from these mines 150 tons of coal for a test. 
 
 5603—01 6 
 
82 
 
 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 During this last visit to this establishment, the communication of the shafts San 
 Jose, Santa Julia, San Juan, and Aldecoa was completed, comprehending an exten- 
 sion of the subterranean labors of 230 meters, and a commencement was given to the 
 works for benefit by connecting the shafts Santa Julia and San Jose by a system of 
 horizontal cuts, there having been taken out in a few days from the commencement 
 of the cuts 200 tons in place of the 150 that had been asked; and commencing at the 
 time of my departure from the establishment, on the 15th of July last, a regular 
 course of exploitation with a small daily production of 12 tons, that, however, should 
 have been increased according to the measure that they opened new cuts. 
 
 The following table, with the map which accompanies it (see PL V), prepared by 
 the undersigned engineer, will give a more exact idea of the workings of Sugud than 
 any minute description that would make this report diffuse: 
 
 
 Dimensions. 
 
 Observations. 
 
 
 Length. 
 
 Width. 
 
 Height. 
 
 Main shaft 
 
 4.60 
 1.20 
 2.60 
 2.00 
 2.30 
 1.60 
 
 1.28^ 
 
 40.00 
 1.93 
 
 16.00 
 8.00 
 
 2.50 
 1.00 
 2.00 
 l.SO 
 1.80 
 1.60 
 
 1.70 
 
 1.70 
 
 • 
 
 1.70 
 
 Variable. 
 Variable. 
 
 24.00 
 23.00 
 34.00 
 22.00 
 27.00 
 30.00 
 
 2.00 
 
 2.00 
 2.00 
 
 8.00 
 6.00 
 
 On wall of the vein. 
 
 
 On roof of the vein. 
 
 
 On wall of the vein. 
 
 
 On vein. 
 
 
 On wall of the vein. 
 
 
 On wall of the vein, almost in 
 
 First gallery of the San Jose at the 
 principal shaft. 
 
 Second gallery of the San Jose to 
 
 the north. 
 Second gallery of San Jose to the 
 
 south toward the back part to the 
 
 south of the Aldecoa. 
 
 Cuts of Santa Julia to the south 
 
 Cuts from the first chimney of the 
 
 San Jose to the south. 
 
 contact with it. 
 Trapezoidal section and the 
 width taken at the middle of 
 its length. 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 In coal. 
 Do. 
 
 From here it may be adduced, most illustrious sir, that the works having been 
 commenced in February, 1875, the association of La Paz has created in a little more 
 than two years an important establishment that commenced to give, in July last, 
 signs of life and of a brilliant future not far removed, since a small increase of 8 tons 
 daily over the 12 which the first days had produced (an increase easy and safe with 
 the opening of new cuts) would have been sufficient to produce, in twenty-five 
 working days of the month, 500 tons, that, sold to the ships at $4 at the coast would 
 have produced $2,000, by which they could scarcely cover the monthly working 
 expenses of the establishment, in which there are comprehended not only the works 
 for production, but also those for advance in order to prepare new labors more exten- 
 sive and deep, so increasing the production as to insure a continuously active 
 exploitation. 
 
 It is certain that in this first shaft it will not be convenient to take out the bulk 
 completely, but to leave a superficial zone intact throughout its entire length m 
 order to avoid depressions on the surface, and in order to respect completely that 
 portion next to the creek Panogsogon for a length of 30 or 40 metera, so as to place 
 the laborers in shelter from the abundant filtrations that are produced in the rainy 
 season and originate from this creek. But by all means there should always be 
 given an exploitable zone of suflScient length and height to sustain a small produc- 
 tion daily of 20 or 25 tons for three or four months, in which time they would be 
 able to make preparations for the new bulks lower down. 
 
 In reference to the amount of capital, there was invested in this estabhshment up 
 to July last, according to the balance of the 30th of June, the sum of $93,140.97, in 
 which there is included the original expenses in the first attempts before the society 
 was constituted, as well as the corresponding expenses in the acquisition of the mine 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 83/ 
 
 India, which amounted to the sum of $15,609.08, which, subtracted from the above 
 figure, reduces the amount which represents the true investment for the works 
 carried on in Sugud to $77,531.89. 
 
 This, then, was the state of this establishment, described at as great length as is 
 possible in an account asked for by your excellency with such urgency. The society 
 has, however, in its possession a memorial compiled not a great while ago by the 
 undersigned, in which there can be found, if your excellency may deem it necessary, 
 more details than those which appear in this account. 
 
 It results then, illustrious sir, that the mining establishment of Sugud, as well as 
 on account of its advantageous situation in the neighborhood of a port sheltered in 
 all the monsoons, with suiBdent depth for vessels of large tonnage, to which it 
 would be possible to carry the coal from the mines by a tramway already completed, 
 as well, also, as on account of the favorable auspices which the deposit presents in a 
 depth of 40 meters that the shaft Aldecoa reaches; as also on account of the good 
 quality of its coal, which, tried time and again by the navy and merchant marine, 
 has given results completely satisfactory, which raises it to the height of good coal 
 from Australia, with the advantage over that of its being cleaner and of a more per- 
 fect combustion; also, finally, because of the state of advancement and good order in 
 which it carries on its work, it is from all lights worthy of a decided protection on 
 the part of the Government, first interested economically and politically in that the 
 Spanish navy and industries in these distant parts may depend upon its own ele- 
 ments of life and cheapness, and see themselves free from the onerous tribute which 
 they pay to foreigners, and which considerably retards its development. 
 
 In regard to the form in which this protection should be given, either by direct 
 aid from the funds or by timely measures which guarantees, to a certain extent, the 
 capital that is invested, or by laws, wise and liberal, which will raise this industry 
 by means of favorable conditions for its development, is a matter essentially one of 
 political economy, whose resolution can not be determined by this inspectorate, hav- 
 ing full confidence in the competency of the other departments of greater authority. 
 
 Manila, day of December, 1877. 
 
 JosB Centeno. 
 
 Prospectus op the "La Paz." 
 
 [December 5, 1877.] 
 
 On December 4, 1874, there was created an association, in accordance with a pub- 
 lic writing executed before the notary Don Francisco Hernandez y Fagarines, for the 
 exploitation of the mineral claims which were owned by the peninsular lawyer Don 
 Juan Manzano y Vazquez, in the place called Pansogsogon, neighborhood of Gatbo, 
 municipal district of Bacon, in the province of Albay. 
 
 Without special name or designation it was distinguished by the location at Manila 
 of its main oflice, and was constituted with a capital of 60,000 pesos, divided into 
 1,000 transferable shares. Of these, 800 were paid up and 200 remained unissued, 
 which latter the first proprietor reserved as the purchase price of the transfer to the 
 association of the above indicated mining claims. Some time afterwards it was pro- 
 posed to Mr. Manzano to purchase these 200 shares for the sum of 15,000 pesos. The 
 proposition was accepted and the association was definitely established with 1,000 
 paid-up shares, and with the same rights and obligations. 
 
 On October 25, 1875, the enterprise increased its holdings by acquiring the mine 
 named "La India," belonging to Messrs. Berches and Figueroa, of the commercial 
 community of Sorsogon, which had been transferred to Messrs. Findlay, Eichardson 
 & Co., and the association acquired this from these gentlemen for the sum of 3,000 
 pesos, which was evidenced by the execution of the proper legal writings. 
 
 Finally, in the month of November last past, they have legally acquired the rich 
 
84 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 deposits of Batan, an island situated in the Gulf of Albay, a few miles distant from 
 the port of Sugud. 
 
 As soon as the association was formed, the direction of the works was intrusted to a 
 reputable mining engineer, whose plan of exploitation was unanimously approved 
 by the shareholders. 
 
 Without resorting to the extraordinary measures for which he had been authorized, 
 the director found in the honest inhabitants of the province sufficient elements for 
 realizing his proposals. From two to three hundred Albayans voluntarily assisted 
 in the demand for the works for day labor, whom the novelty did not terrify nor the 
 danger discourage. Thanks to their natural docility and cunning, and to the intel- 
 ligent direction of the engineer, they who had dedicated their whole life to the use 
 and cultivation of abaca were quickly converted into skillful miners. 
 
 Shafts were opened and galleries constructed according to the prescriptions of the 
 science and the conditions of the deposits. A tramway, commencing at the mouth 
 of the principal shaft, was planned and completed, extending into the sea, by means 
 of a mole, to a depth of 7 meters. To the encouragement of the new industry the 
 families of the workmen assisted and behind these the small tradesmen, and very 
 soon there was seen to arise on these desert shores, under the protection of this great 
 leading cause, a city, clean and elegant, which will be in time, and at no distant day, 
 one of the most beautiful and important of the Pacific coast. 
 
 The slight consistency of the grounds in their upper strata made it diflficult to con- 
 struct cuts to take out the mineral, and it was made clear to the enterprise that more 
 time and capital would be necessary, than had been calculated in the first place, in 
 order to place the mines in a state of exploitation which will respond to the hopes 
 and the needs of this archipelago. 
 
 The association then determined to name a commission of their own body who 
 should visit the mines and listen, upon the ground, to the explanations which the 
 director should see fit to give, and to propose as a consequence the necessary measures 
 for the most speedy realization of their propositions. 
 
 As a result of this visit the corporate capital was raised to the sum of 200,000 pesos, 
 and new works in depth were undertaken, in consideration of which, according to 
 the observations of the engineer, the grounds were acquiring due consistency; the 
 veins were presented with more regularity, and the minerals were showing better 
 conditions in proportion as the labors were proceeded with in a vertical sense. 
 
 In this situation and already taking out pit coal, although not yet in great quan- 
 tities, there arrived at these islands the worthy authority who to-day rules their 
 destinies. 
 
 The Marquis of Oroquieta, from Spain, was informed of the existence of the 
 association, and comprehending the immense advantages which the exploitation of 
 its peculiar coals would bring to this far province, from the first day he showed the 
 greatest interest in the happy result of the business, and offered every kind of aid 
 and protection in so far as was 'compatible with law and justice. 
 
 He made a participant in his patriotic work of the illustrious General Polo, who 
 loaned himself generously to the end that tests of the Sugud coal should be carried 
 to a finish in the ships and establishments of the State, under the supervision of engi- 
 neers of the navy; proofs which have been completely satisfactory, because the 
 royal navy has declared officially that the mineral could be substituted without 
 great disadvantage for the foreign coals that to-day are burned in the navy. 
 
 Not yet satisfied with this, the governor-general, impatient to see a large produc- 
 tion from the mines, an incident which involved great projects for the aggrandise- 
 ment of this country, sent officially to Sugud a distinguished military engineer, that 
 he might inform him in detail of the actual state of the exploitation and its probable 
 resnltu. 
 
 The Iruit of that commission is the very luminous memorial which we publish in 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. »5 
 
 continuation of this, and which the modesty of the author restrains the company 
 from praising as he deserves. 
 
 Studying this work with care, and taking into account its apt observations, believ- 
 ing by all means the work necessary that it points out, and accepting with profound 
 gratitude tne patriotic counsels of the superior authority, this association has judged 
 it necessary to Increase its sphere of action. To that end it has determined to issue 
 and offer to the public another thousand shares of the same value as the former, 
 raising in that manner the company's capita,! to 400,000 pesos. 
 
 The immediate disbursement of the new shareholders will be only 125 pesos per 
 share, equalizing in this manner with the present shareholders. But in case, as it 
 is not hoped, the capital is consumed so that it would be necessary that new assess- 
 ments should be paid In, up to the completion of the 200 pesos which each share 
 represents, it will be divided equally among all the shareholders, whose obligations 
 to the company will terminate definitely with the payment of these 200 pesos. 
 
 To conclude this slight sketch of the actual state of the association, it is due to the 
 association to state tliat the facts and figures contained in this statement have been 
 verified and confirmed by the working commission named in the board convened at 
 Malarcanan. under the presidency of the most excellent governor general, and that 
 the said association, more confident than ever of the richness which the rich deposits 
 of the coal on its property contains, and profoundly convinced of the immense 
 advantages that, with its exploitation on a grand scale, it must bring to the mother 
 country and to this beautiful Filipino land, it finds itself disposed to suffer every 
 class of sacrifices in order to proceed with the splendor of its honorable obligation 
 whatever that may be resulting from the new issue of stock. However, it is possible 
 that all the efforts combined of the old shareholders may not be suflBcient to accom- 
 plish the object it desires; it begs the aid of its fellow-citizens, in order to insure 
 more and more the accomplishment of an enterprise worthy of our great past in 
 Oceania, that it may respond to the necessities of the present civilization and that 
 will win for those who realize it the veneration and gratitude of future generations. 
 
 Manila, December 15, 1877. 
 
 Z. Y. DE Aldbcoa, 
 
 Managing Director. 
 
 The following document is printed with the above prospectus: 
 [Memorial. — ^The Coal Mining Industry and the future op the Philippines.] 
 
 It is unquestionable that in this age of steam the colliery wealth of a country is 
 the barometer of its industrial and commercial prosperity. Since the celebrated 
 Vat applied the new motive power which so justly has immortalized his name, the 
 industry and all connected with it, unfolding in new horizons, has taken such lofty 
 elevation. 
 
 The governments, who, comprehending their interest, aided with enthusiasm the 
 new invention by affording at all cost the indispensable element for its development, 
 were not delayed in attaining the due reward for their efforts, seeing their countries 
 placed at the head of all the rest, and transformed into great centers of modern 
 civilization. 
 
 For such reasons all this that is of influence directly or indirectly in the exploita- 
 tion of combustible mineral ought to be regarded with preferred 'interest, to all the 
 rest. As is well, said by Berrat, the production of a precious metal has an isolated 
 value; coal, on the contrary, animates all that is found within its radius of action. 
 It is coal that creates manufactures of all kinds; it is coal that centuplicates the 
 roads of communication; and while the value of a kilogram of gold or silver hardly 
 succeeds in duplicating, by the exchange, the transportation and the work, who is 
 capable of determining a limit to a ton of coal, that being worth an insignificant 
 
86 THE COAL MEASORES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 amount coming out of the mines, starts by attaining a price many times tenfold by 
 the transportation, and ends by producing daily a work of 10-horsepower of steam. 
 
 If we should try to search the cause of the preponderance always increasing of 
 England, we would find it out by only fixing the mind on her four great coal areas, 
 that, embracing an extension of 1,570,000 hectares of coal land, give annually to the 
 industry more than 340,000,000 of metric quintals of coal. 
 
 When all the world thought that France, in consequence of the disasters that have 
 lately weighed upon her, would late or never regain her vigor, with general surprise 
 she was seen rising, as if urged on by springs, in order to place herself higher than 
 ever. The powerful arm of industry alone was able to cause a consequence so unfore- 
 seen and sudden. 
 
 Unfortunately in our beloved Spain so much does not happen. The nation, which 
 once gave products that disputed in all the markets of the world, finds herself to-day 
 prostrated, not for want of elements, for it were difficult to have another more 
 favored by Providence in minerals of all kinds, but on account of the civil discords 
 that, taking her sons from agriculture and industry, are washing with blood her fer- 
 tile fields and making impossible the exploitation of the mineral wealth which her 
 soil f ontains. 
 
 However, it is just to mention that there is a territory in the Spanish Peninsula, 
 not always esteemed as it deserves, where all the misfortunes that have been deso- 
 lating the country have been impotent to make it desist in the titanic struggle that it 
 maintains with the most potent powers, with the purpose of not allowing the indus- 
 trial spirit and the holy love of work to be taken from its soil, true guarantee of the 
 regeneration of Spain, who supporting herself on this can soon be raised to the place 
 that by tradition, history, and natural wealth belongs to her. 
 
 In this uneven contest between activity and intelligence the country to which we 
 refer has always been seen defeated before the immense superiority of her opponents, 
 to whom she is compelled to pay extravagant prices for the substance of her chief 
 industry. Fortunately the day is not distant when their powers being equalized she 
 will be able to aspire to the victory. The supreme government is at present making 
 huge efforts to free the peninsular industry and navigation from the ruinous tax 
 which they have to pay for coal to England and France, protecting in fact with all 
 her power those enterprises that are exploiting the coal deposits existing in the 
 mother land soil as rich in quantity and quality as those of foreign parts. When 
 this happens in the peninsula where, by its proximity to the productive centers, on 
 account of the facility of communication, the native element that interests us has a 
 price that, according to authentic data we have before us, very seldom reaches 
 7 pesos per ton. What will happen to the new-born industry of this beautiful coun- 
 try where the coal reaches after having been brought more than 3,000 leagues of 
 distance, thus increasing its value to 20 pesos and never falling below 12J? 
 
 Under such conditions it ia useless to reflect upon the development of industry and 
 steam navigation in this Archipelago, that will continue paying enormous taxes to 
 Europe and America, while aided by the spirit of association, the Archimedian lever 
 of the present age, there is not put in exploitation the rich colliery banks she pos- 
 sesses. The present memorial has for its object to mai known the actual and proba- 
 ble future state of the mines of " Sugud," in Albay, owned by the coal mining asso- 
 ciation entitled "La Paz," that has made, and is making, the utmost efforts to estab- 
 lish an exploitation on a grand scale. That this slight work may contribute some- 
 thing to the success of so plausible a purpose is the greatest reward to which we 
 aspire. 
 
 In the meantime, not to weary ourselves in repetition, with the exploitation of the 
 I'hilippines coal, a political object will be obtained, a release from paying tribute to 
 nations that may some day be our enemies; a humane end, because with the develop- 
 ment that the industry will take, the native will learn to love work, the chief of all 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 87 
 
 virtues, and lastly a high, patriotic object for the encouragement of them, commerce, 
 will increase, and there will increase rapidly the immense wealth that is contained in 
 this Archipelago in a latent state. 
 
 DEPOSIT OF SUGXJD. 
 
 Before commencing with the description of the Sugud mines, in order to excite 
 that indulgence we so much require, we ought to state that whatever facts it contains 
 have been acquired in the brief term of twenty-four hours. This fact alone would be 
 enough in order to comprehend that, though our abilities were very superior to what, 
 unfortunately, they are in reaUty, it would not be within human power to describe 
 with scientific accuracy a coal bank, and less still in a country not geologically stud- 
 ied and that presents so many difficulties for this kind of work, but, indeed, we believe 
 they are sufficient to deduce therefrom the importance of the bank as much on 
 account of its quality as its probable quantity, which is the object we propose. 
 
 At 13° 8' of latitude and 130° 22' of longitude, from the meridian of St. Fernando, 
 and to the south of the island of Lu ion, the bay known by the name of Albay is to 
 be found, from which the claims called ' ' Santa Kita de Mauzano, ' ' ' 'Angeles de Man- 
 zano," "La Paz de Manzano," "Santa Rosa de Manzano," and the "India" com- 
 mence, which, embracing a zone of 600 meters in width, cross the island from coast 
 to coast, taking for a point of commencement the village of San Esteban and follow- 
 ing the direction N. 20° W., S. 20° E. 
 
 All the claims which have been enumerated are those that, together with the other 
 twenty-four lately denounced in the island of Batan, called "Espana," "Filipinas," 
 and "Albay," 6 kilometers distant from the village of San Esteban, constitute the 
 property of the mining company entitled "La Paz," and which have served us for 
 the acquisition of the figures, both topographical and geodetical, hereafter set forth. 
 If, commencing from the village of San Esteban, the island is crossed in a direction 
 from north to south, approximately, a series of hills or smooth slopes are found that, 
 gaining height gradually toward the east, terininate in the Pacific Ocean, and grad- 
 ually sloping toward the west terminate at a distance of 5 kilometers, where the 
 Sugud River has its course, into which some of the creeks that separate them flow, 
 and in the same direction, from east to west, with only slight variations. 
 
 The distance, that midway between both coasts following the indicated route and 
 the zone of the area whose topographical description we have just sketched, is cov- 
 ered over with a vegetation in which samples of the colliery flora are abimdant, 
 represented by the species of the Acotyledons family of ferns, with the variation's from 
 the genii Pecopteris, Neuropteris, Sphenopteris, and Adontopteris, a species that, as 
 is known, constitutes the characteristic mark of the flora mentioned. There are also 
 to be found with equal profusion the species of the Monoctyledons and the family of 
 the Licopodiaceas, whose trunks, called Lepidodendrons, show the impression of 
 their leaves in a rectangular form, with a vertical diagonal. All the species which 
 we have just enumerated show a great similarity to the fossil specimens which have 
 been found in all the coal deposits and whose notable collections have enabled 
 Brongniart to describe 501 species of those that took part in the formation of this rich 
 combustible. 
 
 A slight vein of vegetable, clayey earth covers completely the territory of which 
 we treat. There exists in some places deposits of superficial sands madrepore in ' 
 great quantity along the coast, blocks of limestone, blue in color, fine grain, and of 
 various sizes, containing nodules of great hardness and purity crystallized. The said 
 blocks or stones are to be found at different depths, mixed with decomposed clay of 
 an ash color, with spots of lime dissolutions that are converted in some parts into 
 grains from 5 to 6 millimeters of diameter. It is noticeable that of this kind of 
 ground some of the hills that have been formerly described are formed. 
 
88 THE COAL MEA8UEES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 Following the course of the creeks there are found banks of conglomerates, which 
 elements are united by a calcareous clayey cement of weak consistency. At a short 
 distance others exist in which quartz predominates, alternating with mica and 
 decomposed feldspar. They are bound by a silicious cement of great hardness, form- 
 ing true pudding stones. 
 
 Between these banks there are inserted clayey schists, greasy to the touch, that 
 separates itself into layers of stones of a dark ash color, between which appears veins 
 of coal of a decimeter of thickness. By going up a greater distance there should be 
 banks of hard sandstones (grindstones), of which we have found some samples 
 brought down by the current. 
 
 The plans of stratification are, with slight variation, of vertical inclination, their 
 direction being that of north 20° west, south 20° east. 
 
 The earlier investigations relate to the creeks which cross the claims of Santa Eita 
 de Manzano and La Paz de Manzano; in the same creeks we have examined three 
 notable outcroppings of coal of a thickness varying between 3 to 27 meters, all of them 
 in straight hue, and with the same direction as the banks of conglomerates; their 
 roof and wall, constituted of strata of clay, ash colored, and of little consistency. In 
 the creeks that cross the claims of the mine India there exists another outcropping 
 4 meters thick, its roof and wall formed of two strata, the first of loose clay, and the 
 second of clay sand of slight consistency, to which follows another of sandstone of 
 large grain, very loose. Ascending the creek marked with the letter D, and at a dis- 
 tance of 40 meters, there is found another new outcropping of 1.30 meters of thickness, 
 between two veins of clayey sandstone of dark ash color, separating itself into layers 
 of stone of strata agreeing with those of the coal; continuing the investigations, going 
 toward the east, there are, alternating with conglomerates, banks of limestone of 
 fine grain, to which follows in an extension of 30 meters others of clayey schists of 
 the same color as those forming the roof and wall of the outcropping lately indicated. 
 
 The strata are in parallel plains in a direction NS. 20° to 25° W., and of an incli- 
 nation approximately vertical. Lastly, in the creek which is found to the south of 
 the mine "India," there appears an outcropping of two meters of thickness between 
 ash-colored clays of little hardness, its direction and inclination being analogous to 
 those described. Of the detailed description that has been made to us of some fos- 
 sils that have been found in the exploitation works, of which we shall treat more 
 extensively hereafter, we suppose they pertain to some piece of Sigillaria, deducing 
 from the said statement that they presented three vascular scars, one central and 
 two lateral of larger dimensions, which characterize them. From the preceding 
 data we draw the following conclusions: 
 
 First. That the Sugud deposit is covered by a layer of ground of recent formation 
 (alluvion) justified by vegetable earth, sandstone, madrepores, and stones of dif- 
 ferent forms and dimensioii.s. 
 
 Second. That under this covering, which we might call artificial, there appears, 
 with all its geological characters, the ground of colliery formation, having been sub- 
 ject to the corrosive action of the currents from the creeks which separate the hills 
 described, so clearing the ground of a more recent age, it has brought out evidence 
 of its existence in seven butcroppings of coal which, with coordinate stratifica- 
 tion, alternate with clayey schists, calcareous conglomerates, pudding stones, and 
 sandstones. 
 
 Third. Combining the outcroppings, and bearing in mind that five of them are in 
 the same direction and that its roof and wall present the same quaUty and color, we 
 shall deduce that they belong to or form part of one central layer that, besides cross- 
 ing all the island, also follows in the same way along the bay of Albay and the 
 strait of San Bernardino, to reappear again with power, direction, and inclination 
 approximately equal in the island of Batan and island of Samar, respectively. 
 
 Fourth. That, bearing in mind the second outcroppings, distant 40 meters in a 
 
THE COAL MEASUKES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 89 
 
 perpendicular sense from the direction of the first layer located in the possession of 
 the mine "India," the banks of clayey schists of dark color, that alternate with con- 
 glomerates in the vicinity of the second layer, and the indications that appear in the 
 other possessions of the mine "La Paz de Manzano," tending toward the east, we 
 may conclude that the layer indicated is nothing more than one of those that, in 
 union with the other surveyed from the mine "India," and the signs showing the 
 existence of several others, form a contingent of this rich deposit. 
 
 Fifth. That if it is borne in mind that the three types of combustible mineral — 
 that is to say, the anthracites, the bituminous coals, and the lignites— form a continu- 
 ous mineralogical series, which concurs with the geological series of the ground; if, 
 as it is supposed, there exists in the bank oily coals and anthracite, they are found 
 rising toward the east, because the constituent elements, as well of the conglomer- 
 ates as also of the pudding stones and sandstones, diminish in volume going in that 
 direction, and this diminution establishes its more recent geological age. 
 
 Sixth. And lastly, that if we fix our attention not only on the surveyed outcrop- 
 pings, but also on those that we know exist in the immediate islands, we shall 
 deduce that the Sugud deposit is nothing more than an integral part of a great coal 
 area whose center and limits it is not possible to determine actually. 
 
 We draw these conclusions: That the Sugud deposit presents all the characteristics 
 that show richness of combustible; the only geological knowledge that we have of 
 the constitution of this territory is that the next above it in transition already indi- 
 cates that it may contain deposits of coal. Without any more than these data we may 
 make known that there are companies in Europe (Switzerland) who spend actually 
 considerable capital in search of deposits of the combustible mentioned, for that 
 purpose having had to make borings of more than 900 meters in depth, which, 
 though without success up to date, they have not for that reason failed to undertake 
 others of the same kind. In this which occupies our attention it is not necessary 
 to make use of work so expensive, because nature has made clear, as well by the 
 outcroppings, the schists impregnated with the coloring matter of coal, as also by the 
 evidence and reminders that may be found in the courses of all the creeks, the true 
 existence of two layers, and all the indications that show new and important min- 
 eral deposits in the immediate neighborhoods. 
 
 MINEKALOGICAL CHABAOTER OF THE SUGUD COAL. 
 
 The coal of this deposit appears, at the time of mining, hard and sonorous, breaking 
 off in large fragments. It burns with rapidity, producing a prolonged white flame, 
 of a color not unlike to bituminous substances, leaving as a residue from combustion 
 a white ash without consistency or odor, attacked by diluted sulphuric acid, and a 
 small quantity of very clear smoke. 
 
 The planes of stratification appear generally well defined, observing that there 
 exists through them a tendency, though of little intensity, to slack when they are 
 long exposed to the action of the air. In the fragments where there is bifurcation 
 of strata there are observed in some of them the results of a slide, results that are 
 inherent and accidental, following the coal formation. If a fragment is cut by two 
 planes that, being perpendicular between themselves, are also perpendicular to the 
 strata, Lu the hardest production there exist concentric flutings of great brilliancy, 
 called by the miners "partridge's eyes," which indicate much wealth in carbon. 
 Lastly, there are observed in some strata yellow spots of iron sulphuret (pyrites) in 
 small quantity and others that are red from the oxides of the same metal. 
 
 From the preceding data it is deduced that the mineral is noncokable, suitable for 
 steam engines, and that, on account of its prolonged flame and on account of the 
 richness in carbon it contains, ought to produce very energetic fires; that its lack of 
 bituminous substances, which makes it very dry, occasions very little more expense 
 
90 THE COAL MEASUEES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 for combustion, which is by no means inconvenient, being reimbursed as well by 
 the qualities previously stated as also by the fact that it stains the boiler tubes very 
 little and does not adhere to the furnace bars, circumstances of very great interest, 
 as well for stationary engines as for those of vessels, more especially for war ships. 
 As there is no doubt (and such is the opinion of the most competent authors on the 
 matter) that the best analysis of a coal is the one obtained in making trials of it for 
 the use that is intended, there accompanies, as a continuation, documents Nos. 1, 2, 
 and 3, which show the results obtained in the official proofs made by our navy 
 burning Sugud combustible, comparing it with those of Cardiff, and the testimonies 
 of the chief engineers of merchant steamers Leyte and Camiguin. 
 
 From the reports issued by the navy, acquired by repeated tests burning alter- 
 nately Cardiff and Sugud coals, it appears that the second is superior to the English 
 by reason of the following important conditions: 
 
 First. It raises steam from twelve to fifteen minutes sooner, keeping up the 
 pressure. 
 
 Second. It stains the boiler tubes much less. 
 
 Third. It gives less smoke, and this is white. 
 
 It is, on the other hand, more expensive, at the rate of 25 per cent for stationary 
 engines and 40 per cent for those of vessels. 
 
 From the merchant marine tests are deduced the same results, with the difference 
 that the consumption does not exceed Cardiff coal more than 20 per cent, and the 
 good condition that it adheres much less to the furnace bars. 
 
 So that, placing ourselves in the most unfavorable case, if the coal can be had 40 
 per cent cheaper than that of Cardiff, the inconvenience in the excess of consump- 
 tion is annulled, and it will have preference under all circumstances, although the 
 firemen will have more work; this is with augmentation reimbursed in not having to 
 clean the boiler tubes and furnace bars so much. 
 
 Very well. If the deposits are presented in regular condition, the Sugud coal 
 could be had at 4 pesos per ton by the navy, with which no other can compete; and 
 then, bearing in mind that the average paid for Cardiff is 14 pesos, a benefit of 
 8.40 pesos per ton will be the result, taking into consideration the increase of 40 per 
 cent for the greater consumption. Inasmuch as the merchant marine, as also sta- 
 tionary engines, use Australian coal, very inferior to Cardiff by all means, and 
 although the price is 8.50 pesos, it can never compete with the low prices of Sugud. 
 
 It is necessary to know that for all these calculations we have started from the 
 most exaggerated data; a coal that can be said is from the surface has been compared 
 with the best known in the world, which is mined from the heart of its coal areas. 
 Is it not logical to suppose that at greater depths, when the veins become more uni- 
 form, the coal will also be of better conditions? Such is at least our opinion, which 
 we hope to see confirmed by development. 
 
 It remains to us, in order to finish this part, to give the scientific explanation of 
 the difference whicli appears among the different tests made of the Sugud coal, for 
 ■ while some, as we have seen, do not give more than 20 per cent of expense over 
 Cardiff, in otliers it reaches to 40 per cent. The reason of this, to all appearances 
 an anomaly, is made clear, if it is borne in mind that in order that the results should 
 be alike it would be indispensable that the engines were also alike in all their parts, 
 and more especially in allthose parts which influence the draft. Very well; the navy 
 has the section of their furnace bars, chimneys, smokestacks, etc., fitted for the draft 
 that is suitable for Cardiff coal, which of all known coals is the one requiring the moat 
 draft; the merchant marine have calculated for Australian coal, which requires much 
 less. For such reasons it is evident that for the test of the Sugud coal, which needs 
 less draft than even the Australian, it was much less expensive for these last on 
 account of the draft being arranged more nearly to that which is suitable. In the 
 report given by the navy, it says, at the end, that it is a very difficult problem, and 
 
THE COAL MEAStJEES OE THE PHILIPPINES. 91 
 
 that a8 yet the power has not been given to regulate the draft at will in order to con- 
 serve all the caloric power of different kinds of combustible, securing the minimum of 
 consumption. We agree, but we' differ in this, in reference to the particular point 
 which occupies us; it is not so much to increase the draft as to diminish it; for the 
 first it would be necessary to change the dimensions of the spaces of the furnace 
 bars, of the chimney, fire boxes, and smokestacks, while for the latter, which is the 
 actual point, it would be enough to secure the result to take two sets of furnaces, 
 one for Cardiff and the other for Sugud, with which, besides diminishing the 
 expense in an amount, we believe, not less than 20 per cent, there would not be 
 incurred the defect of having the engine fitted for only one kind of combustible. 
 
 EXEODTED WOKKS AND COUKSE WHICH MUST BE FOLLOWED. 
 
 Having seen the quantitative and qualitative importance of the Sugud deposit, let 
 us occupy ourselves with the description of the works which have been executed 
 and the course which ought to be followed according to our opinion. The first con- 
 sist in a tramway which, starting from the edge of a pier permitting vessels of 20 feet 
 draft to anchor, ends in the mouth of the main shaft, after having reached an exten- 
 sion of 3 kilometers; in 130 meters of horizontal gallery, which starts from the 
 main shaft at 11 meters from the surface; in another gallery of the same nature, 
 which, starting from the San Jose shaft at a depth of 24 meters, and following the 
 direction N. 20° E., ,S. 20° W., approximately, runs for a distance of 188 meters; 
 lastly, in a main shaft, and those called San Jose, Santa JuUa, San Juan, Aldecoa, 
 and chimneys Nos. 1 and 2. 
 
 In the property of the company mentioned there is likewise an administration 
 building, located in the neighborhood of the pier; a camarin, newly constructed, 
 where 150 laborers can be comfortably lodged, located in proximity to the Santa 
 Julia shaft; a dismounted steam engine of 20 horsepower; a camarin for storing coal, 
 with a lever to weigh wagons and materials in considerable amount. 
 
 The layer in all the extension where works have been established is of excellent 
 conditions in its mineral, and with variable thicknesses between 3 and 7 meters, in 
 an extension of 124, which is the one comprised between chimney No. 2 and the San 
 Juan shaft, starting from some crosscuts indicated in the plan of No. 2. From these 
 last to the main shaft, and the one of Aldecoa, there are irregularities in its quality 
 and thickness, presenting in some parts very good conditions, as happens in prox- 
 imity to the Aldecoa shaft, while in others it is entirely broken to pieces by the clay 
 stones, which we have described in making the geological sketch of the deposit. 
 
 In consequence ot what is said it is deduced that the works are not at the suitable 
 point for exploitation, besides, as it appears if mining the mineral from the indicated 
 cuts of the San Jose shaft going toward the Santa Julia could be continued, the 
 proximity in which the gallery is found to the bed of Panogsogon Creek renders it 
 entirely impracticable. In the remaining parts it would not give a mineral of suit- 
 able condition to accredit the deposit; and lastly, there does not exist works for 
 advancement in order to continue the exploitation in a regular and orderly course. 
 It being indispensable to proceed with new works, we shall first present a calcula- 
 tion of probabilities, which is that which shows us the course they have to follow. 
 
 If we bear in mind that whenever the layer has irregularities it is exactly in all 
 points where stones appear mixed with decomposed clay, we shall reach the well- 
 grounded supposition that at greater depths the deposit will appear in better condi- 
 tions when this kind of ground disappears, contrary to colliery statutes. 
 
 Observing that at the depth of 30 meters of the San Jose shaft all of it opened in 
 the kind of ground just described, there appear layers of clay recharged with bitu- 
 minous substances, and of much consistency and hardness, then we may logically 
 suppose that the change in the geological constitution will not be at great depth. 
 
 Taking likewise into consideration that at the depth of 27 meters of the trial shaft 
 
92 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPIKES. 
 
 of Cape Pedro the layer has appeared with much more regularity and the clays of a 
 darker color than those' found at less depth, these are all circumstances that lead to 
 the same conclusion as that of the former paragraph. Wherefore, the kind of works 
 that ought to be undertaken is in a vertical sense and with preference those in which 
 the layer is presented in poorer conditions and not proceeding with horizontal works 
 until there exists a plain conviction that they can give good results. 
 
 It is likewise the opinion of the undersigned engineer that new works ought io be 
 tried in the place called India, where there appears, aa we have seen, two layers on 
 the surface and indications of others, being a mineral of as good quality, in spite of 
 being under atmospheric influences, as that taken from the works which we have 
 formerly described. 
 
 The course which ought to be followed, after having marked the direction of the 
 layers, is to make investigations through trenches in a perpendicular sense to its 
 direction until they are brought to view; to undertake afterwards vertical works 
 placed on the wall of the layer which shall facilitate the investigations that ought to 
 be made of the same, from 10 to 20 meters in depth, and verifying by those prelimi- 
 nary works that the layers are presented with regularity in order to be exploited in 
 longitudinal extension of 300 meters, commencing the works by galleries of prolonga- 
 tion at a distance of 30 meters one from the other, in order to proceed in succession 
 to the exploitation, which will be made by crosscuts of labor ascending or forward. 
 At the same time this is undertaken, to start from the greatest depth, with trans- 
 versal galleries of investigation, in order to go in search of new deposits of whose 
 existence, as we have already seen, there exists as most positive all the indications 
 which science has. 
 
 Works of the same kind ought to be established in the newly denounced claims, 
 of which we have the best information, but about which we have not occupied our- 
 selves on account of our not having been able to investigate them. 
 
 Following the procedure mentioned, it is obtained that the works of investigation 
 serve this purpose when it is resolved to establish fields of labor. In case this should 
 not succeed, then by boring, which, on the other hand, is not applicable to the pres- 
 ent case without serious inconveniences, because the layers are presented almost 
 vertical. 
 
 Briefly, we shall say that, bearing in mind the quantitative and qualitative impor- 
 tance of the deposit, the security in mining the combustible, and the protection which 
 so loyally is granted to it, no society of this kind has been founded under better 
 auspices and with more probabilities of great success if it undertakes the works 
 with the assiduity and constancy that they require. 
 
 In view of the many facts this writing contains, we can not do less than reaffirm 
 what we have already said on another occasion — that is, in declaring that the Sugud 
 deposit is worthy of the interest with which our worthy chief authority and all 
 those who boast of themselves as good Spaniards have protected it. 
 
 Manila, October 1, 1877. 
 
 Eamon Makty. 
 
 Documents Previously Cited. 
 
 Commanding General op the Navy of the Philippines; the Ma.toe-General of 
 THE Philippine Navy: 
 
 Excellent and Illustrious Sir: Having been honored by your illustrious excel- 
 lency with the presidency of the commission charged with testing in some of the 
 ships of this squadron the coal from the mines of Sugud, province of Albay, and 
 although said test has not been completed, since there remains the trials which are 
 to be verified from the gunboat CaviteFw, as this boat will necessarily be delayed for 
 some days yet in making a list of its works, I believe it due to myself, without preju- 
 
THE COAL MEASUBES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 93 
 
 dice, to give your illustrious excellency an account in extenso of the proofs already 
 affected, directing attention in this notice to the results which have been obtained 
 up to the present time. 
 
 This combustible in all the ships in which it has been tested raises steam sooner 
 than the coal of Cardiff, the difference being estimated at some twelve or fifteen min- 
 utes, and sustaining well the pressure in the boilers. 
 
 The coal of Sugud likewise has the appreciable advantage of staining very little the 
 boiler tubes, it not being necessary to wash them more than once in eighteen hours, 
 and neither does it adhere to the furnace bars, without doubt because of the small 
 bituminous substance which it contains. On the other hand, there is a circumstance 
 implying a greater disadvantage, which is that it burns very rapidly, occasioning 
 the consumption, on that account, of so much more. 
 
 The excess of expenditure which this coal has over that of Cardiff, generally used 
 in this department, the commission calculates, on account of all the circumstances; 
 more or less favorable, occurring in the different trials, is not less than 40 per cent. 
 However, this excess is much less in the engines on the land, because that in the 
 tests made in the shops of the arsenal it was said to be not more than 25 per cent, 
 resulting in perfectly natural causes on account of the less difficulty and the greater 
 perfection which these apparatus have over those which are used in the ship. 
 
 The coal that is treated of makes little smoke in burning, and this is white, a favor- 
 able condition, likewise, on account of the small amount that it soils the rigging, and 
 because it does not develop the presence of a ship, in certain well-understood cir- 
 cumstances, and on account of the quantity of ashes and cinders which is left from 
 its cornbustion it may be calculated little more or less than that which is left in the 
 residue of consumption of any other good coal. 
 
 Then the coal of the mines of Sugud has the general good conditions, and I do not 
 believe it adventurous to say to your illustrious excellency that I believe it is accept- 
 able for the purposes of consumption in the ships of this squadron, taking into 
 account, naturally, that its price compensates this greater consumption that is indi- 
 cated heretofore, and the greater labor which is afforded as a logical consequence to 
 the firemen of the ships, and I make no account of this that the excess of expendi- 
 ture diminished the coal bunkers, because that this difficulty, which would be serious 
 in long navigations, does not have, according to my judgment, great importance in 
 the squadron of this archipelago on account of the existence of the coal deposits in 
 convenient points. 
 
 Before I terminate it appears opportune to add one observation. Your illustrious 
 excellency understands much better than I that the proportions of the different 
 parts of the furnaces, with relation to the combustible which is burned, as also the 
 draft, exercises the greatest influence upon the chemical operation of the combus- 
 tion, and that these proportions, notwithstanding the many and repeated studies 
 which have been effectuated and the infinite experiments made, it is not yet possi- 
 ble even to fix upon the precise manner that will satisfy all of the conditions. 
 
 I say this, excellent sir, that if it should prove an objection on account of the 
 greater consumption of Sugud coal, that this greater consumption might be in a 
 measure diminished by narrowing the openings of the furnace bars. In the first 
 place, this greater expenditure of coal depends upon its organic composition. This 
 is on account of the lack of bituminous substance, and not because it crumbles much 
 and leaves unbumt any part of the charge of the fire box, as is proved by the ashes 
 and the remaining residue. 
 
 Then, that this variation in the fire-box grating is a subject that I consider in the 
 extreme delicate, it being in nowise convenient that fire-box gratings of ships of 
 war be prepared especially for the use of a determined combustible. 
 
 Cavite, November 12, 1877. 
 
 Manuel J. Mozo. 
 
94 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 To TB.Ti Most Excellent and Illustrious Commanding General of the Navy. 
 Spanish Steamer Leyte. 
 [From Tabaco to Manila.] 
 
 Manila, April SO, 1877. 
 Having taken on board of this steamer, in Sugud, on the 21st of March, 18 tons of 
 coal from the mines of that place, and having used it on our voyage to Manila, it has 
 given a satisfactory result; however, it has not been a true test of the qualities of 
 combustion of the coal because the quantity was so small it had to be mixed half of 
 the time with other common coal that was in the coal bunkers, and as there was 
 very little breeze during the entire navigation the wind has been much less than 
 that which is necessary in order to secure the consumption of coal in the furnaces. 
 The consumption has been nearly 10 per cent more than is consumed by us with the 
 use of Australian coal and 20 per cent more than that of Cardiff. 
 
 The coal is very clean and dry, so it is that our boiler tubes at our arrival in Manila 
 were clean, notwithstanding their not having been washed in the course of thirty- 
 nine hours. Using Australian coal, we have to wash the boiler tubes each eighteen 
 hours, and if there is little wind, each twelve hours. The coal neither burns nor 
 injures the furnace bars of the fire boxes and gives scarcely any smoke. 
 
 Arthur Le Hay, First Engineer. 
 
 Statement of the Undersigned upon the Coal op Sugud, in the Province op 
 
 Albay. 
 
 Following is the result of various kinds of coal consumed daily with a mean rate of 
 speed of 7 J knots per hour: 
 
 Tons per day. 
 
 English coal ; 3| 
 
 Cardiff coal sj 
 
 Australian coal 3J 
 
 Sugud coal 3i 
 
 The steamship Camiguin has an effective force of 125 horsepower, and using Sugud 
 coal it consumes two and three-tenths pounds per horsepower per hour. 
 
 I can assert that said coal is of a good class for steamers, because it is equal in force 
 and result to the English coals of Newcastle and the Australian coal. 
 
 It has an advantage, more especially, because it produces very little ash, for which 
 reason the furnace bars last much longer, this being an item that figures in the 
 expenses of an engine. 
 
 Manila, October, 1877. 
 
 G. Haydon, 
 First Engineer Steamer Camiguin. 
 
 Petition of April 3, 1878, for Advance from Provincial Funds. 
 
 Most Excellent Sir: Mr. Zoilo Ybaiier de Aldecoa, managing director of the Coal 
 Mining Association La Paz, with due respect, has the honor to show to your excellency: 
 That owing to the different circumstances that were encountered, and that this 
 association previously stated to your excellency in a writing of December 1 last, and 
 the necessity that was seen of seeking a greater extension of its resources, because the 
 means were not suflacient to place the mine in a state of exploitation; and the enter- 
 prise desirous that the business be representative of an exclusively national interest, 
 because of the considerations then admitted, inferred that the measure that would 
 most easily reconcile this laudable purpose with its necessities, was to make a new 
 issue of shares of the value of $200,000 (pesos). Being thus agreed, and knowing 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. • 95 
 
 already the favorable disposition of your excellency toward the outcome of this enter- 
 prise as an organ for the future of this country, an economic and political interest of 
 the highest preeminence that could not hide itself from the clear intelligence of your 
 excellency, and which you gave evidence of having penetrated from the very moment 
 of your arrival in the islands, it resolved at the same time to solicit of your superior 
 authority, as you had opportunity that you would be pleased to give your aid for 
 the placing of the new shares among those of this neighborhood, by means of 
 which, and if the outcome of the enterprise did not disappoint the hopes that it 
 promised, there would be secured at once the diffusion of the spirit of association 
 here, where so much opposes this, such as the lack of strong capital, the distance at 
 which it is found from the principal centers of business, the abandonment in which 
 the most powerful elements of wealth lie, which this productive soil conceals; ignor- 
 ing the spirit of speculation and the grand necessities of which this country is lack- 
 ing, but that through these means could be accomplished, rendering difHcult by their 
 lack the development of agriculture, commerce, and industry. Your excellency, 
 being persuaded that for the realization of all these advantages it was indispensable 
 that the giving of coal to the country precede, did not hesitate to take under your 
 auspices the placing of the shares; but the efforts, that with indefatigable solicitude 
 the worthy director of civil administration has in fact attempted, seconding the 
 desires of your excellency and inspired by the same thoughts, have been dashed to 
 pieces by the aforesaid conditions of this community, or it may be by the scarcity 
 of capital, by the absence of the spirit of association, and by the suspicion which the 
 mining business engenders, due to the circumstances of these enterprises having been 
 undertaken by spirited but imprudent individuals, unprovided with sufficient capi- 
 tal, and who exist everywhere, although here tliese things can be realized with 
 greater economy because of the cheapness of day labor, and more at Sugud because 
 of the favorable circumstance of the proximity of the mine to the sea. 
 
 The association, being convinced that the insignificance of the capital subscribed 
 was not sufficient to extricate it from its perplexity, since, if this were, the resources 
 yet existing of its capital stock might be sufficient, and that on account of finding 
 itself at the end of a few months perplexed by the same difficulty, it would not con- 
 duce to its interests to change its present constitution by the admission of new share- 
 holders who would direct the future of the enterprise without bringing to it more 
 than an insignificant interest, so the association was agreed upon directing that this 
 should be placed in the knowledge of the superior authority of your excellency, with 
 the expression of our profound gratitude for whatever your excellency, from your 
 exalted office, should be pleased to do in aid of this enterprise. 
 
 The association, most excellent sir, possessed of the same spirit of nationality which 
 induced it to solicit previously the patronage of your excellency for the placing of 
 the new shares, and by virtue of that attempt having been frustrated, has agreed to 
 address itself anew to your superior authority, proposing to you another means of 
 assistance, that without the inconvenience of that previously attempted, perhaps 
 may be more efficacious of the object of quickly placing the mine in a state of proper 
 exploitation. Most excellent sir, the provincial funds, destined to supply, by means 
 of the advantages of general interest, the necessities of agriculture an"d of commerce, 
 contributing by the means most adequate for the discovery of the elements which 
 constitute the public wealth, it appears that within the scope of their object would 
 be the application of them to the encouragement of the exploitation of the mines of 
 coal, by which it is beyond controversy that nothing could here contribute with 
 greater efficacy to the wealth, the soul of commerce and industry, than the gift to 
 the country of abundant and cheap steam. In this conception, the association makes 
 bold to solicit of your excellency that from said funds there may be advanced to it 
 100,000 pesos, on condition that they shall be returned with the value of the first 
 25,000 tons of coal that may be taken from the mine, and which shall be delivered 
 
96- THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 to the State at the price of 4 pesos a ton, which represents less than the third part of 
 that which it costs the State to-day. 
 
 This advance would be an act analogous to the subsidies which the State offers to 
 the raikoad enterprises, steamships, etc., but with the advantage proposed to be 
 effected by the condition of repayment, besides promising it the same indirect com- 
 pensations as the others. The repayment should be counted as a probability, since 
 with 100.000 pesos, and the portion of the association's capital which yet remains, 
 it is nearly certain that the mines will be placed in a state of exploitation which per- 
 mits the extraction of this tonnage of coal, if not at once, yet not beyond a year. 
 
 Such operation, most excellent sir, appears to be within the spirit of the royal 
 orders of January 30, 1854 and 1856, by which it was ordered that the superior gov- 
 ernors of the islands shall give to the enterprises engaging in coal mining every aid 
 and protection which its development demands, intervening in the contracts for coal 
 for the navy, and even paying for the coal of the islands in the first years at the price 
 of foreign coal, a thing that by being done would be without doubt in the interests of 
 the State more weighty than the repayable advance which we solicit from your excel- 
 lency. On the other hand, the association has understood that these advances have 
 already a precedent, having been carried into effect in the case of Mr. Diego Vina, the 
 first exploiter of the mines of Cebu. 
 
 In the conditions through which this society has passed, it has already consumed 
 its resources without profit or progress, and it urges you, most excellent sir, to take 
 a definite action in respect to the future of the mines. Your excellency will permit 
 me, yielding to the pressure of a similar state, to urge for your consideration the neces- 
 sity that you be pleased to communicate to us an early decision, in order that we 
 may not prolong our sacrifices unfruitfully. 
 
 It is grace that we hope to obtain of your excellency, whose life may God preserve 
 many years. 
 
 Manila, April 3, 1878. 
 
 Z. Y. DB Aldecoa. 
 
 To the most excellent Governoh-General of these Islands. 
 
 Eeport of Director of Civil Administration on above Petition. 
 
 Most Excellent Sir: Don Zoilo Ybaiier de Aldecoa, managing director of the 
 coal mining association "La Paz," has recourse to your excellency in the name of 
 said association, with the purpose that 100,000 pesos be advanced it, in the nature 
 of an anticipation, in order to hasten the works that are commenced on the mines of 
 its ownership, and which amount would be paid back with the first 25,000 tons of 
 coal that is extracted from these works, which would be the result by the purchase 
 price of 4 pesos for each ton, truly a great benefit to the State's interests. 
 
 Up to the present, and your excellency animated by a desire to increase the pub- 
 lic wealth in the Philippines, and without curtailing any kind of legitimate means, 
 has demonstrated your great interest in protecting the exploitation of the coal banks 
 of Sugud, where the mines ot the association "La Paz" are located, and in accord- 
 ance with such design an attempt was made to reorganize said association, with the 
 concurrence of the individuals who compose it, doubling the capital stock, issuing 
 1,001 shares of 200 pesos each, in order to raise 200,000 pesos; interesting the notable 
 persons of the country, according to their willingness, in the purchase of shares in 
 it and the State to the extent of 200 shares, which might also be necessary (the 
 Supreme Government also concurring in it) as a means of furthering the mineral 
 industry in the Philippines, and furnishing, finally, every other recourse that could 
 be employed, in order to secure the benefit of such noble purposes. 
 
 Unfortunately results have not corresponded with the aspirations of your excel- 
 lency, because capitalists, preoccupied yet with the great losses that they have suf- 
 
THE COAL MEASTJKES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 97 
 
 fered, who have already been compromised in enterprises of this species, have 
 remained reticent, and without interesting themselves in the acquisition of the shares 
 issued; and because the development of the wealth and mercantile business of the 
 Philippines being very extraordinary there is not enough for the necessities of agri- 
 culture and commerce; and because the interests that they produce are of greater 
 extent. 
 
 No one can doubt that, by the development of the public wealth in this country, it 
 will be more effective and advantageous to have in exploitation some mines of com- 
 bustible, sufficient for the different established industries, or those that may be 
 established in the future; neither does it admit of doubt that this utilitj' takes the 
 proportions of a political necessity, if thought is taken of the distance which sepa- 
 rates us from the Peninsula, inasmuch as there is here consumed by the naval and 
 merchant marine coal imported from Europe, and inasmuch as the least international 
 complication might deprive us of that which, at present, is consumed in the Philip- 
 pines, and paralyze in a moment, and suddenly, the life of a State that has six million 
 inhabitants, and with a rich and vast territory divided into islands which can only 
 communicate among themselves by means of steamers. 
 
 The reasoning expressed, perhaps with excessive earnestness, but whose impor- 
 tance is made notorious, is strengthened with the great force that facts and opinions, 
 as well of an official as a private nature, furnish to it relating to the bounty and 
 richness of the coal banks of Sugud, and the facility with which they might be 
 exploited and their products applied to the multitude of necessities which progress 
 has created and developed in modern times; and of the bounty and richness of those 
 deposits there is as good proof, the statements emitted by the inspectorate of mines, 
 and by the special commission charged by your excellency to make new studies con- 
 cerning them, and whose respective documents should be united to this incident for 
 the greater illustration of the subject in all its phases, and as a necessary means for 
 the government of His Majesty that it may determine in due time with perfect 
 knowledge of the case. 
 
 In view, therefore, of the reasons expressed, the director who subscribes considers 
 it of great utility to encourage the exploitation of the mines of Sugud by those 
 means that the Supreme Government approve after having complete knowledge of 
 the transcendance and importance of this subject. But he believes the proposition 
 of Mr. Aldecoa inadmissible, because it places upon the State the realization of a con- 
 siderable expense without due intervention and fiscal control on its part, and whose 
 repayment it may be supposed is doubtful, or at least fortuitous; and he considers 
 also as equally indispensable that your excellency, for the present knowledge of the 
 most excellent administrator of the colonies, in order that he may adopt the proper 
 resolution, call his attention to the situation of the Philippine treasury, and that 
 this being undertaken, that it will place upon it new obligations without furnishing 
 the means for its satisfaction. Notwithstanding this expression, your excellency 
 will decide. 
 
 Manila, April 15, 1878. 
 
 29, approved. J. C. db Herkeea. 
 
 The suggestions of the directorate of civil administration being 
 approved by the governor-general, the petition last quoted, with its 
 accompanying papers, were forwarded to Madrid on April 15, 1878, 
 but in the meantime that Government had considered the proposition 
 of December, 1877, for a proposed subscription of 200 shares from the 
 public charities and local funds, and had issued the decree of April 6, 
 1878, so effectually discountenancing this character of aid that it seemed 
 entirely unnecessary to consider the proposed advance from provincial 
 
 5503—01 7 
 
98 THE COAL MEASUKES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 funds. This decree of April 6, 1878, is given in full, and from its con- 
 tents it can be seen that the hopes of the association for further sub- 
 stantial aid from the State were dashed in pieces, and in 1880, after a 
 hopeless struggle to carry on an extensive mining development without 
 money, the association of "La Paz " gave up the effort and passed into 
 
 histoiy. 
 
 EoYAL Order of Apkil 6, 1878. 
 
 Most Excellent Sik: The expedients commenced in view of your excellency's 
 letter dated December 30, last (1877), accompanied by sundry documents relating to 
 the propriety of the State becoming interested in 200 shares of 200 pesos each from 
 those the mining association named "La Paz" proposes to issue in a new series, 
 which association commenced to exploit the deposits of fossil coal of Sugut (Sugud), 
 in the province of Albay, with the purpose of developing its workings and being able 
 to solve that important industrial problem. 
 
 Koting that among the aforesaid documents no report or opinion appears which 
 emanates from the inspectorate of mines of that district, which is the subdepartment 
 called upon to illustrate and judge of that subject; 
 
 Noting that the treatise that, with professional character, gives the information 
 about it is insufficient for that purpose, because it does not come from a professional 
 person in that department, nor from a consulting suboflBce of the administration; 
 
 Considering that in accordance with good economic principles and administration 
 the State ought not to convert itself into an industrial institution, nor commingle its 
 interests or those of public corporations with individual enterprises, not even with 
 the laudable object of determining problems, such as we are speaking of, hut that 
 it ought to facilitate its good progress by the means of government that exist in its 
 hands, to the end that they may obtain the best result in the development of its 
 richness and that of the country; 
 
 Considering that with this laudable object the royal order of June 14, 1876, was 
 issued, increasing the personnel and planning the mineral-geological studies in that 
 archipelago of your worthy command, directed in the first place to coal-bearing 
 lands whose results becoming known, as they may be, will demonstrate to the 
 industrials which is the carboniferous wealth and its conditions of location, and in 
 that case they -^xill be able to unite for exploiting it with their activity and capital, 
 let them come from Spanish or foreign houses, to the advantage of the country and 
 the other industries to which that combustible can give life within the law, for the 
 reason that these control; 
 
 Considering that the result which the laudable efforts attain that the association 
 of " La Paz ' ' displays pertaining to the coal industry will serve as a model standard and 
 example to others that may be formed with like object, and being suitable and 
 necessary that those forces be guided by the torch of science and the results of 
 exj)erience in those difficult exploitations, to the end that they may not be barren 
 of results, as unfortunately has happened in former cases, from lack, doubtless, of 
 study and foresight; 
 
 Considering, finally, the great extent of coal-bearing territory that appears to 
 exist in that archipelago and the importance that, in various senses, it will have in 
 due time on account of sundry industries, principally that of navigation, it is the 
 desire of the Government of His Jlajesty to secure the direction of the forces so that 
 there may not be a bail ending, and that a suitable development may be obtained, 
 to \\ liich end, having heard the opinion of the superior official junta of mining, 
 and in accordance with its advice. His Majesty the King (w. G. g.) has been pleased 
 to resolve: 
 
 First. That the King expresses the pleasure he has in the good wishes of your 
 excellency for the development of tlie coal industry of Sugut (Sugud), represented 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 99 
 
 by the association of "La Paz," expressive of your patriotism, which in many like 
 .instances has appeared to give encouragement to this important industry. 
 
 Second. That as a consequence of their administration under that point of view, 
 it is not possible to approve, nor is it approved, that the public funds be applied to 
 the purchase of shares in an individual enterprise, as your excellency proposes con- 
 cerning the aforesaid "La Paz." 
 
 Third. That in order to facilitate the greatest advancement of these enterprises, 
 your excellency will remit, in the shortest possible time, a code of regulations that 
 should be formed for the more adequate official inspection of the mineral exploita- 
 tions, as a consequent of the first and second general provisions of the royal decree 
 of May 14, 1867; and, 
 
 Fourth. That while these regulations are being published, your excellency provide 
 that the persons who, with the character of official directors, are placed in charge of 
 the exploitations of coal shall be engineers or mine superintendents with titles as 
 such, obtained in Spain or in a foreign country, to the end that they may unite 
 the necessary legal and skilled fitness in order to manage it with advantage and 
 guarantee the successful outcome of the interests placed in their charge for the safety 
 (police) and health (sanitation) of the operatives, as wag provided by the royal order 
 of July 22, 1876, on account of the said association of "La Paz." 
 
 The as.sociation "La Paz" seems to have died a natural death, for 
 there is found in this office the voluminous expedientes of the coal 
 mines of this company, heretofore mentioned, as in process of denounce- 
 ment of the coal deposits of the island of Batan, three in number, 
 entitled "Albay," "Filipinas," and "Espana," the last entries on 
 which were made on September 15, 1878, ordering the issuance of 
 titles to the association, but no entry appears showing that such titles 
 were ever issued, and this conclusion seems to be supported hy the 
 fact that these expedientes are found in the archives of this bureau. 
 Had titles been issued these expedientes would have been returned to 
 the provincial government. 
 
 The "La Paz" exploitation ended in a failure and with heavy losses 
 to its shareholders. 
 
 CHAPTEK XII.— CALATRAVA MINES, WEST NEGSOS, 1874-1899. 
 
 The name of Vina is already a familiar one in the history of coal 
 mining in the Philippines. In 1874 a new aspirant for honors in coal 
 discovery appears in the person of Diego Vina, jr. This young man, 
 for such his literary productions seem to indicate, has left on record 
 a letter describing his expedition to Calatrava, in West Negros (on the 
 eastern coast of that island), which is so vivid in its descriptions, so 
 honest and ingenuous, and withal so accurate in its description, as I 
 am advised, that I quote the letter almost entire. This letter is dated 
 at Calatrava, on June 1, 1874, and is addressed to his father: 
 
 We arrived here at 4 o'clock in the afternoon to-day, commencing at once the 
 work of exploration, which is the object of our visit, of the coal deposits of this coast 
 of the island of Negros. 
 
 TOWN OF CALATRAVA. 
 
 Calatrava, the ancient barrio of (Tiluban, is situated on the seashore, on the right 
 bank of the river of the same name, and on a small flat surrounded by sloping hills. 
 
100 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 Its sorry aspect, and a village exceedingly miserable, denotes that its inhabitants are 
 enemies of labor. We were very well received by the present captain, Mr. Leon 
 Barban, who immediately conducted us to his house, where we have been the object 
 of the greatest kindness. He voluntarily offered to accompany us to the mountains, 
 alleging that he feared the savages, the only population of these forests, might do us 
 harm. In short, we started out at 8 o'clock on the morning of the 2d to explore the 
 mountains of Calatrava in search of coal. The expedition was composed of the cap- 
 tain, three other men, my brother John, and myself. Embarking in a boat we took 
 up the journey, going up the river, well armed and with sufficient instruments for 
 the occasion. We were taking the courses with the compass, from which, in twenty 
 sightings that in the twenty turns in its navigation the river has, gave, by the result- 
 ing various courses, a direction between north and west, so that the probable direc- 
 tion of the river, from the mouth to where a small boat can go up, is N. 60° W. 
 Continuing in this course for an hour and a quarter, and arriving near to the mouth 
 of the arroyo Magasan, which is a tributary of the Giluban, here we left the boat 
 and the guide made us go up this arroyo, which fatigued us very much until arriv- 
 ing at the summit, for we were going up a very steep grade without any road and 
 with a very rough and stony surface. At last we reached the summit, where the 
 hut of a savage is located. The appearance of these semisavage beings gave us an 
 unfavorable impression, being compelled to feed on fruits and wild roots, plagued 
 with a skin disease, and most repugnant; they resemble beasts more than men. 
 
 By our request two sons of these [people] accompanied us who knew the place 
 where more veins of coal were found. We continued our journey, descending by 
 the arroyo of Sinigasaan, searching for the Giluban again, although much higher 
 up. On this course we had occasion to admire once more the beautiful vegetation 
 of these tropical regions in its virgin forests, and above all its beautiful waterfall, 
 which measures more than a hundred feet in height, which cost us much labor to 
 descend, despite our hardiness and agilitv. We again encountered the Giluban, by 
 which we continued to ascend until it forks with the Macasilao, which is the river 
 where the croppings of the coal are found. We arrived at these at 6 o'clock in the 
 afternoon, after nine and a half hours on the road. We only had time to see them 
 and immediately to construct a small hut where we could sleep. This was quickly 
 made. Placing some stones for pillows, we retired to sleep. Notwithstanding so 
 many inconveniences we rested, but an inopportune rain storm came to disturb us 
 at daybreak. Very early on the morning of the 3d we commenced the examination 
 of the veins, commencing from the last. 
 
 First. This is encountered, as the others are discovered, in the same river bed. Its 
 course is irom east to west and inclines to the north with an inclination of 60°. 
 The compactness or thickness is 13 feet, with a declivity in the middle. It shows a 
 bare crest along the bank of the river for a length of 160 feet. The river measures 
 at this place a width of 72 feet, its bed being a placer of hard clay. In fact, this 
 same clay is the bed of the vein, and for a hanging [wall] it has a soft earth indefin- 
 able at this time. 
 
 Second. At 90 feet from the first the second outcropping appears which, being 
 found in the middle of the river and under water, we were unable to examine. 
 
 Third. At 195 feet from this second one another outcropping of 138 feeet is en- 
 countered. It runs east and west; inclining to the north with [an angle of] 40°; 12 
 feet thick, with a declivity in the middle of 2 feet; bed and hanging wall of clay; 
 here the river measures 90 feet in width. 
 
 Fourtli. At some thousand feet lower down we encounter another outcropping, 
 which we were also unable to examine from the same causes as the second. 
 
 Fifth. Lower dawn another outcropping is presented, very much covered, but on 
 the whole ^^'e ascertained that its course was N. 40° E.; it is found to be mixed with 
 stone; its inclination is 50°. 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 101 
 
 Sixth. Two hundred feet lower down another outcropping is presented, with the 
 same course, and with the same quaUties expressed above, except the rock, from 
 which this is exempt. 
 
 Seventh and eighth. Another 200 feet farther down two outcroppings are found 
 united, which inchne in different directions, with course from east to west, with 30° 
 inclination. The quality of the coal of these last is very good, and it is from here 
 that a sample was taken by us. 
 
 CONCLUSIONS. 
 
 It has surprised me that in the neighborhood of the veins the forest ia not so thick 
 as in the other places. This circumstance has permitted us to see that the land from 
 here, without its being level, still neither does it appear to be mountainous, which 
 would favor the exploitation of these veins. This, in addition to what those disclosed 
 by the river, whose banks do not exceed 9 feet, shows also the proof that another 
 class of labor is not possible than by means of shafts, which, as is known, always 
 offer great difficulties because of the filtrations. 
 
 These considerations have caused me to desist from making examinations other 
 than those already expressed, and I decided upon my return to town, which we pro-, 
 ceeded to do, following always the course of the river with the object of seeing the 
 existing conditions if at some time it might be necessary to make a road through it. 
 
 The river ia incased between high meadows from Macasilao to the mouth of Mag- 
 asan, and from there to the town it shows a little more width and is even navigable. 
 
 The road as sketched does not appear difficult to me; but the execution will cost a 
 great deal because of the considerable distance that these veins are from the sea; 
 because in all, or the greater part, it would have to go by declivities or slopes, exceed- 
 ingly steep and for the moat part in [live] rock; this, at least, is the poor opinion of 
 the undersigned. On our return we cut off a considerable distance, but at the cost of 
 much fatigue. 
 
 The 4th instant we passed in taking notes and reports for our second expedition to 
 Falave. On the 5th we made a trip of exploration toward the barrio of Falave on 
 horseback, but did not get farther than San Isidro for lack of a guide; and we were 
 compelled to return to Calatrava. 
 
 There we sought information from two savages and a negrito as to whether it were 
 possible to pass from Falave to the river of Cabatoy following the course of the river; 
 the answer was in the negative, magnifying the dangers of that road, which was, 
 according to them, an impossibility of impossibilities for us to cross through there. 
 (Afterwards we learned that the savages had conspired in order that we might not 
 know the way.) But I wished to see and ascertain for myself concerning what they 
 said, on account of which I begged the captain to accompany us with enough people 
 in order uo go through by the way of Falave and surmount the obstacles which might 
 be encountered until finding the veins of coal that are to be encountered in this river, 
 according to the proofs from the fragments of this mineral that are sometimes found 
 on its banks, and with the result that we decided upon the journey to that point. 
 
 SECOND EXPEDITION. 
 
 The 7th instant, in the afternoon, we started out with the purpose of sleeping in 
 Falave, and from there to commerce the journey early, and ao we did. In fact, on 
 the morning of the 8th we undertook the journey — eleven persons in all. Being 
 animated ourselves with the spirit of discovery we followed up the river, which 
 shows up very favorably for the passage of a road or cart road, since, although 
 incased between lofty and sloping mountains, there are, notwithstanding, level tops 
 sufficient for these passes. Fording the river now and again, but with little trouble, 
 it is only at the place of Mine-Utud, where a part of the road would have to be made 
 
102 THE COAL MEASURES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 on a declivity, but for all the rest it is so easy that in some parts it would be possible 
 to construct it from the trenches and only to cut the trees which at this time impede 
 the passage. In this survey, that in my judgment will be little more than a league, 
 the river is forded nine times and the cost of a horse road (trail) will be msignificant 
 to the arroyo of Lalpal or place of Cabatoy, which is where we found the so much 
 desired veins. 
 
 COAL. 
 
 In the arroyo of Lalpal a vein of coal is found which we examined after six hours 
 of arduous labor in order to bring it into view. From the investigation it followed that 
 it waa not as good as we thought, since it only measures 5 feet in thickness and is 
 somewhat pyritic; its course N. 50° W., and slopes toward the east with a rapid 
 inclination of from 40° to 50°, so that we were not satisfied with our trouble, and 
 therefore, and because it was already growing dark, we ceased from our labors to 
 commence again the following day with our investigations ; in fact, our efforts were 
 not in vain, since, on the following morning, correcting and rectifying the operations 
 of the day before and exploring these places more and more, we encountered another 
 vein not very far from the first, on the same river, Falave, with the same course and 
 the same inclination as that, but free from pyrites and with a thickness or compactness 
 of 15 feet. 
 
 This last vein deserves our particular attention, since, besides presenting such an 
 abundance of coal, it is situated in a position so advantageous that its exploitation 
 could be made by the most easy methods that the mining art employs, because it is 
 leading through a high mountain with only a horizontal gallery and a little higher 
 than the level of the river, it is possible in a short time to take -out much coal. 
 
 The topography of the land at this point is not unfavorable, since, in spite of the 
 virgin forests which cover these places, from there up the mountains become separated 
 and form a valley which to-day is found sufficiently cleared by the "Caiguines" or 
 clearings of the savages, the only inhabitants of those territories; in fact, without an 
 instant's hesitation, I feel sure that the exploitation and transportation of the coal to 
 the place of embarkation and port of Tagbaji would be easy, requiring very little 
 trouble and capital. 
 
 THE ,MONT.\NES (s.WAGEs). 
 
 The only drawbacks that are there encountered are these savages, who, led by 
 Christians frightened away, and criminals, attempt to oppose the introduction into 
 these places of the Spanish and laboring class of people. I hope in time and I have 
 no doubt that, being convinced from the products and advantages which it would 
 furnish to them, it would be possible to make of them even good laborers, as has 
 been the result in other points of this archipelago, since, although at present they 
 would not be available for the necessary interior laborers, they would be able to aid 
 with a great service with their carabaos in the conveyance of the coal. 
 
 THE PORT. 
 
 Another of the great advantages that this exploitation presents is the port and 
 anchorage, the first i.s composed of the island of Tiniguisan, with the mainland of 
 Falave. This port, sheltered from all winds, and capable of receiving a numerous 
 squadron, has about 15 fathoms of water, with a bottom of mud and sand. Its 
 openings, one of which is toward the north and the other toward the east, make the 
 entrance into this port easy with all the winds. AVithin this port is found the river 
 or arm of the sea of Tagvajie, in \vhich it is also possible for barks of Ught draft to 
 enter, since, once inside, it is likewise of much depth. 
 
 CONSIDERATIONS. 
 
 With all that I have stated it is seen that tlie principal elements for a mining 
 exploitation are found conquered at this point, since with a port, than which there 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 103 
 
 is none better, an accessible road and ease in extracting the coal, I believe that no 
 one will hesitate to say that it is a fair business (proposition) and in it but little cap- 
 ital is necessary, only indeed the cooperation of well-informed persona and those who 
 know how to appreciate the value of things. 
 
 Finally, I conclude, having made clear the advantages which exploiting there 
 would have, that there is likewise the timber with which these places abound, and 
 at the same time cultivating the great plain which is joined to the port, or better 
 said, between that and the river, because of its being already cleared and able to be 
 made into irrigated land with very slight expense. 
 
 Under date of June 24, 1874, he writes from Bacolod: 
 
 After the expedition to Calatrava and Falave, and seeing the excellence of that 
 business, I have made haste to make the denouncement of two pertenencias in the 
 last point and for which there exist in my possession the already known receipts; 
 and in order not to delay so important a matter, I beg of you that you will be pleased 
 to receive the power (of attorney) that on this date I execute in order that with free- 
 dom it will be possible to give this business the course which is most convenient, and 
 in order that with your friends, and especially with Mr. Jose Centeno, it may be 
 possible to give life to this matter. 
 
 I wish, and it is my will, that all my brothers share equally the benefits with 
 myself in this matter, and therefore I desire the formation of an anonymous society, 
 with the name " Viiia Brothers," for whose foundation and good organization I ask 
 you to make arrangements with Mr. Centeno, who is a skilled man in these matters, 
 and who will no doubt accept this work. 
 
 No record appears in the archives in relation to the entry of Diego 
 Vina, jr., from which we conclude that this particular entry was aban- 
 doned. From other sources we know that this same field was again 
 examined in 1879. In 1893 another entry was made on these deposits 
 and renounced in 1896. In 1896 there were three locations made on 
 them by Martin Buck and Joaquin Casanovas y Llovet, and in due 
 time the legal labor being completed, application was made for their 
 demarcation for the pui-poses of concession, and these applications 
 were pending when the Spanish-American war commenced. These 
 bear the names of Nuevo Cardifi', Nuevo Cardiff 2d, and Nuevo 
 Cardiff 3d, respectively, and are each for four claims. These belong, 
 therefore, to the second-class claims, according to our classification of 
 existing entries. 
 
 Through the courtesy of these claimants, who are residents and 
 business men of Manila, we are able to give a comparatively recent 
 analysis of the coal from these three claims: 
 
 NUEVO CARDIFF. 
 
 [Thickness o£ the vein, 15 feet.] 
 
 Ashes 3.90 
 
 AVater .' 6.10 
 
 Hydrogen ,. 2. 00 
 
 Oxygen ,3. 00 
 
 Carbon 85.00 
 
 Total 100.00 
 
 Caloric power 6, 928 
 
104 THE COAL MEASDKES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 NUEVO CARDIFF SECOND. 
 
 [Thickness of the vein, 4 feet.] 
 
 Ashes ^-2" 
 
 Water 6.80 
 
 Hydrogen ■ ^-00 
 
 Oxygen - - 2. 00 
 
 Carbon 83.00 
 
 Total 100.00 
 
 Caloric power - 7, 567 
 
 NUEVO CARDIFF THIRD. 
 
 [Thickness of the vein, 7 feet.] 
 
 Ashes 4.00 
 
 Water 10.00 
 
 Oxygen 6. 00 
 
 Hydrogen - - 5. 00 
 
 Carbon 75.00 
 
 Total 100. 00 
 
 Caloric power 6, 206 
 
 An opportunity will be given in a subsequent chapter to compare 
 these assays with the assays of lignites of other countries, including 
 the coals of Japan, and it will be seen that this combustible does not 
 suffer by the comparison. In fact, the Philippine coals in general are 
 not only equal to, but in manj^ cases superior to, the best Japanese 
 coal. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII.— SPECIAL REPORTS ON COMPOSTELA AND DAN AG, 
 
 1871-1887. 
 
 The conditions prevailing in Cebu during the time of the "La Paz" 
 exploitation (see Chapter XI) seem to require a more particular men- 
 tion than will be found in the translation from the work of Mr. Abella 
 in Chapter X. The industry in Cebu at this time was centered in the 
 Compostela and Danao district, and becomes of special interest because 
 of the extensive claims presented to-day by Enrique Spitz for these 
 same coal lands, together with much other adjoining territory believed 
 to be valuable for coal. 
 
 Briefly stated, on November 3, 1871, one Isaac Con-ui solicited two 
 mines of four pertenencias each, giving them the names of "Caridad" 
 and " Esperanza." In due time these were demarcated, and on January 
 10, 1873, they were regularly conceded. On July 2'2, 1S73, one Pas- 
 cual Veloso solicited three mines in the same district and of like size, 
 giving them the names of ^' Santa Rosa," " .Magallancs,"' and " Legaspi." 
 Concessions were duly issued for these mines on ^lay 23, 1S71. Much 
 interest was excited by these two (>nterprises in Cebu, and they received 
 a full degree of government protection and assistance, but without 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 105 
 
 success, and on June 1, 1887, a notation was made on the records that 
 this latter group of mines had been abandoned for many years. 
 Directlj' afterwards these fields were again taken up l^y an association 
 organized under the name of the " Sociedad Nuevo Langreo," and the 
 titles gained b}' this association are still extant, being represented at 
 this time, as we have said, bj' Enrique Spitz. 
 
 Mr. Isaac Con-ui was not less persistent in his applications for gov- 
 ernment aid and assistance than his competitor of the " La Paz " in 
 Alba}'. In Ma}% 18Y2, a survej' for a wagon road was made at the 
 government's expense from his mines at Dapdap to the Cove of Cot- 
 cot, where he proposed to ship his coal. Now, of course the building 
 of roads belongs to the government, but the road proposed at that 
 time was solely for the benefit of Isaac Con-ui, and as he attempted to 
 have it constructed from provincial funds it is not strange that the 
 provincial government of Cebu at that time was found protesting. 
 
 However, Con-ui prevailed, and on Dece;mber 20, 1872, the governor- 
 general, having determined that this road was one of general public 
 utility, ordered it built from the provincial funds, taking an agree- 
 ment from Con-ui that in the three years following the completion of 
 the road he would pay back the cost in three equal annual paj'ments. 
 The road was built at a cost of ^6,195.80, and in 1877, after a long 
 correspondence, the provincial governor secured an executive order 
 requiring Con-ui to pay up, as he had agreed; but when the goberna- 
 dorcillo of Compostela sought Mr. Con-ui to enforce paj^ment it was 
 found that he had left that section and was reported to be in Manila. 
 The money was never paid, and shortly after the state released Con-ui 
 from the obligation to pay, it developing that the road was not really 
 completed so as to be a practical road. 
 
 In 1887 he petitioned for an import duty of 10 per cent on foreign 
 coal, endeavoring to have the import duty of 1861 on coal restored, 
 which latter duty had been repealed in 1866, and this was refused in 
 1880 by the supi'eme Government. 
 
 The effort also to compel the navy to use his coal was also denied, 
 because it was clear that the exploitation was on too small a scale to 
 supply the needs. Nothing daunted, in 1879 he asked the state to 
 construct a tramway from his mines to the coast, in return for which 
 he agreed to supply the navy with coal at -i pesos per ton. An inves- 
 tigation of his works disclosed that he was not putting enough of his 
 own money into the enterprise to guarantee his good faith, and this, 
 too, was denied. The works, however, were more extensive than pre- 
 vious exploitations, and after a careful examination of all the evidence 
 I am satisfied that had the demand for coal been as large as at the 
 present the money and work expended bj' Mr. Con-ui would have 
 been sufiicient to place his enterprise on a paying basis and independ- 
 
106 THE GOAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 ent of government aid. Owing to the present interest in the Danao 
 and Compostela coal fields, we quote at length from the reports of 
 that date. 
 
 Kbpokt of Exgineer Abella to Inspector of Mines upon Con-ui's Petition for 
 Government Aid, March 17, 1878. 
 
 To the Inspector-General. 
 
 Upon my return to this city after having examined carefully the territory in the 
 vicinity of the towns of Danao and Compostela, and therefore the mines of this lat- 
 ter town named "Esperanza" and " Caridad," the only ones which to-day are in 
 exploitation throughout the whole island, the proprietor of these mines has delivered 
 to me, as representative of the general inspectorate, a communication addressed to 
 the most excellent governor-general of the archipelago, soliciting aid and protec- 
 tion from the State for the development of the industry which he has commenced 
 (a development which he has no doubt of being able to accomplish ultimately), in 
 constructing the road which is to unite the mines with the coast, and which will 
 assure an outlet for his products in case the steamships of the naval stations of Cebu 
 and Zamboanga are supplied with these products. This petition is based upon the 
 spirit and letter of repeated royal orders, which have been issued by the supreme 
 Government concerning this matter and on the friendly spirit which the governor- 
 general of these islands has' manifested toward the coal-mining industry, employed 
 up to the present time exclusively and in a special and decided manner for the bene- 
 fit of mines of the same kind in southeastern Luzon — a spirit which the petitioner 
 desires to see extended to his mines, situated at the two points already mentioned, 
 in the complete construction ot the road to the coast and the sale of hia products to 
 the ships of the State. The undersigned engineer within the bounds of his official 
 knowledge is entirely unaware of the example just cited by the proprietor of the 
 Compostela mines, although the publicity of certain documents has made known to 
 him that which is not unknown to the majority of the public of these islands; but, 
 regardless of this example, he does not doubt, nevertheless, that it constitutes a prec- 
 edent which should favor the petitioner whenever the case is similar, since under 
 the circumstances, perhaps not more favorable as regards the seniority of titles, the 
 situation nearer the central portion of the archipelago can be shown by him. The 
 history of the slow development of these mines until their arrival at the present 
 state of exploitation is better known to your lordship than to the undersigned, 
 since you assisted, I may say, in the birth of the same, making the demarcation and 
 examining them in the month of November, 1871. Neither is it unknown to me 
 that in 1873 the titles of ownership were issued, and that in the same year trials of 
 the coal were made, first in the gunboat which made a voyage from Compostela to 
 this city and afterwards on a larger scale in the steam war ship J/ariyidS de la Victoria, 
 and in the arsenal of Cavite, the favorable results which were obtained being pub- 
 lished, by superior order, in the Gazette of July 19 of the same year. In spite of 
 these trial>>, which assured to a certain extent the only market which can be obtained 
 to-day by the native coals, demonstrating practically its advantageous application 
 in steam navigation, nevertheless there remained the culminating difliculty of the 
 transportation across a very broken country, having to cross hills, valleys, and guUeys 
 without e\en a poor road, this constituting a disadvantageous circumstance little less 
 than insurmountable for a private indi\ldual, in \'iew of the 2i leagues of distance from 
 the mines t(.> the nearest point of the coast. In view of these circumstances the pro- 
 prietor of the mines was grantee 1 the construction of a road, the province furnishing him 
 with the extra polistas from the neighboring towns, requiring of the concessionary the 
 maintenance and implements \\hich they required, the concessionary binding himself 
 also to repay, at the expiration of a certain length of time, to the local funds the 
 
THE COAL MEASUKES OF THE PHIIilPPINES. 107 
 
 value represented by the polistas which might be employed. This favor, conceded 
 in 1872 under the name of a protection, although it was in itself nothing more than a 
 mere advance (loan), has not produced up to this time the completion of the road, 
 which is found to be in such condition that the transportation is yet very expensive, 
 and they can not receive the development which they might have been able to^ 
 acquire if the working of the mines should have been made from the first in accord- 
 ance with the requisites of science. The experience acquired in the coal-mining 
 enterprises of this island has been that of fatal results, by reason of the discourage- 
 ment which all feel from the great amount of capital which must be invested in roads 
 and other exterior works before commencing the real working of the mines, which 
 they then abandon in a little less than a virgin state. «This fact, notoriously known, 
 and more particularly by your lordship, who has indicated it in public documents 
 after having proved this on the ground itself, demonstrates theoretically that the 
 miners should limit themselves to the execution of the works which constitute the 
 real working of their claims, cutting off those other costly works which exhaust their 
 resources. But the question being resolved in these terms: Is the exploitation of 
 the mines possible? What would the cost of the combustible be, placed at the coast? 
 In the total cost of the coal placed on the coast there would figure in an enormous 
 and inadmissible proportion the amount consumed for the cartage or transportation, 
 and that which could be transported would never be of any consideration nor of such 
 importance as to remunerate the fatigue of the miner, who must count upon a profit 
 which highly repays his toil in view of the fortuitous character which the products 
 of the mining industry always have. It is, therefore, entirely impossible to make 
 any exploitation of combustible in this island without means of communication, 
 efficient and cheap, and these means, which by reason of their general character and 
 expense can not and should not be executed by the mining enterprises, whose 
 resources are needed for employment in the preparation and profitable working of 
 their deposits, but should be executed by the State whose interests will thereby be 
 benefited, since in addition to encouraging and creating new industries in the coun- 
 try it will cause the development of the exploitation of forestry and agricultural 
 products, adding to the general welfare and wealth. Nevertheless, the undersigned 
 engineer understands the State can not, neither should it, accede to the first petition 
 which in this sense may be made, and that it is necessary that the richness and 
 importance of the industry to' be developed shall be fully established, in order that 
 the sacrifices it may make, if the creation of convenient and inexpensive means of 
 communication can be called such, shall be amply compensated by the wealth which 
 the industry creates, and by the direct advantage of the nation having at its disposal 
 native coal without depending upon the foreign suppliey. 
 
 With this object I will briefiy and in a few words state the circumstances of the 
 quality of the coal and of the arrangements of the veins, deducing therefrom their 
 probable future. Having executed the plan of the interior works in relation to the 
 outcroppings, a map or plan and a slight explanation would be, without any dotlbt 
 whatsoever, the best description of the present state and the future of said mines; 
 but not having the time at my disposal indispensable in order to set forth the data 
 wliich I possess, I will limit myself to an extract from them in this report, complet- 
 ing them in due time in compliance with tlie commission which has been conferred 
 upon me. Within the eight pertenencias of the two mines, Esperanza and Caridad, 
 situated at the upper part of the valley of Dapdap, there appear numerous outcrop- 
 pings which belong to two distinct veins which run from NNE. to SSW. and incline 
 from 30° to 50° toward'ESE., with a thickness which is ne\er less than 0.80"" nor 
 more than 1.30". The coal of lioth veins is very similar, slightly bituminous, hard, 
 noncokable, almost entirely free from pyrites, not very old, probably metamorphous, 
 although practically applicable to combustion in marine steam engines, which con- 
 stitute, as has been shown, the only application to which the native coals can to-day 
 
108 THE COAL MEASURES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 be put, whatever their age or properties of combustion might be. The works exe- 
 cuted up to the present time are of no great consideration. Excepting the various 
 abandoned works and those of investigation without fixed plan, there exist to-day 
 three galleries, which constitute two levels of exploitation, whose profitable working 
 has been commenced, although on a small scale, since in five years of working there 
 have been sold only some 1,600 tons of coal, enabling a calculation of approximately 
 a total output of little more than double this amount, by reason of the natural waste 
 of the worthless material produced, most certainly in slightly considerable quantity. 
 
 In order to open the three galleries the natural inequality of the valley of Dapdap 
 has been taken advantage of, although not entirely, since the lower gallery has not 
 been placed at the lowest par^ of it included within the pertenencias, in which case 
 there could be counted on an average altitude of 100 meters, or a future of easy and 
 cheap exploitation before commencing the more costly work of sinking shafts below 
 the level of the oxitcroppings farthest down. The lower gallery is 176 meters; the 
 intermediate one which communicates with it, ventilating it, is 40 meters; and the 
 upper one, w'hich is ventilated from the surface by means of a chimney, is 145 
 meters, opened on the second vein of the east side. It follows, then, that in both 
 veins there is a total of 361 meters opened in coal; some 60 meters of fruitless work in 
 crosscuts for investigation; examinations, in the sense of inclines, 13 meters in that 
 of the west side, and 50 meters in the second of the east side, and some drifts for 
 profit in both; in all of these labors there is to be observed a regularity and con- 
 stancy in the character of the coal and the conditions of arrangement, which permit 
 of hopes of a very probable flattering future, and allow, and even counsel, the com- 
 mencement of an active and regular development, counting on the resources indis- 
 pensable for this object, and with good transportation facilities to the point of 
 embarkation. These conclusions justify, then, fully the importance of these deposits 
 of coal, an importance which is amply sufficient to advise the completion of the 
 highway, which will place them in easj' and direct communication with the coast, 
 above all if there be borne in mind the friendly interest which the Supreme Govern- 
 ment has always manifested toward this industry. 
 
 As regards the proposal that the ships of the State in the stations of Cebu and 
 Zamboanga consume the Compostela coal, the undersigned engineer also believes 
 this justifiable whenever, aside from that which may result from the analyses and 
 tests in the laboratory which should be made in the general inspectorate, the navy 
 shall have made experimental trials of said coal for itself in some of its ships, and it 
 proves to be applicable for its purposes, and the proprietor promises to sell said coal 
 at advantageous prices as compared with the cost of foreign coal in this market, 
 thereby proving clearly and definitely real advantages for the interests of the State, 
 which m addition to obtaining for its use native coal of profitable application, and 
 much cheaper than those which at present are generallly consumed, will create and 
 •develop an important industry and thereby a wealth which will assist more or less 
 in the early increase of the revenues in various ways. 
 
 Lastly, before concluding, I should state that upon receiving the petition and 
 making report thereon to your lordship, I have borne in mind various circumstances. 
 In the first place, the constant protective spirit which the Supreme Government has 
 manifested in favor of the development of the industry which we represent in this 
 archipelago, a spirit which advises the reception and encouragement of all those pro- 
 posals which are conducive to that end, above all if they are based upon good prin- 
 ciples of justice and general convenience. In the second place, your lordship knows, 
 better than the undersigned, that this is not the first expediente which the general 
 inspectorate of mines has begun in favor of the coal-mining industry of this same 
 island of Cebu, since in 1863 there was instituted another analogous one entreating 
 the comandancia-general of the navy to revoke an order which condemned the 
 infant coal-mining industry of this island. Lastly, I could not do less than take 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPIlSrES. 109 
 
 very greatly into account the constant watchfulness which your lordship, as chief of 
 this department, has manifested at all times in favor of its development, and there- 
 fore 1 attempt, although poorly, to interpret the friendliness of your lordship, admit- 
 ting and forwarding to you the foregoing petition. Nevertheless your lordship will 
 decide that which is most opportune. 
 Cebu, March 17, 1878. 
 
 Enrique Abella y Casakiego, 
 Chief Engineer of the Second Class. 
 
 CoN-Ui's Petition fob Constructing a Tramway and Reports Thereon, April- 
 November, 1879 — Petition op Don Isaac Oon-Ui. 
 
 To the Most Excellent Commanding General of the Navy: 
 
 Don Isaac Con-ui, proprietor of the coal mines of Compostela, most respectfully 
 states to your excellency: 
 
 That the most excellent governor-general of this archipelago has been pleased to 
 issue, in the expediente instituted at my request concerning the opening of a high- 
 way, the decree by which it is ordered, among other things, that the highway, for 
 the opening of which I petitioned, be finiahed with personal service labor, since the 
 said highway has been declared to be of public utility and convenience. This expe- 
 diente, the highway having once been completed, makes it possible to furnish the 
 coal which is needed for the navy of this station, and other departments of the State, 
 at 85 (pesos) per ton delivered at the harbor of Compostela. But, being desirous that 
 the State obtain the greatest advantages possible, I appeal to your excellency, show- 
 ing that in case the State were to construct an iron tramway for the conveyance of 
 the coal from the mine to the harbor, your petitioner will be able to furnish said coal 
 at $4 (pesos) per metric ton, delivered at the harbor. The petitioner submits the 
 aforesaid propositions to superior consideration in order that, if they are believed to 
 be acceptable under proper conditions, you may be pleased to provide whatever your 
 superior knowledge believes appropriate for the realization of the indicated pur- 
 poses, and, therefore, 1 beg of your excellency to approve that which is asked if, in 
 your superior judgment, you deem it proper. 
 
 Manila, April 16, 1879. 
 
 Isaac Con-ui. 
 
 Decree Ebfekred to in the Preceding Petition. 
 
 The most excellent governor-general of these islands has been pleased to decree the 
 following on this date: Having seen the expediente instituted by Don Isaac Con-ui, 
 petitioning that he be exempted from the payment for materials and day laborers 
 employed in the opening of a highway which, commencing from the mines belong- 
 ing to him, called "Esperanza" and "Caridad," jurisdiction of Compostela, district 
 of Cebu, terminates at the cove of Cotcot, and to the payment of which he is obligated 
 by the superior decree of November 18, 1872; having seen the reports of the chief 
 engineer of the corps, Don Enrique Abella, the reports of the directorate-general of 
 civil administration, and of the council of administration; and it appearing that the 
 highway referred to was declared in the said superior decree of November 18, lb72, to 
 be of public utility and convenience; it appearing from the trials made in the arsenal 
 of Cavite and on board the steamer Santa Filomena that the coal from these deposits 
 unite excellent, qualities of combustion and caloric power, the comandancia general 
 of the navy having decreed the purchase of said coals for the use of all the ships of 
 this station by which there is obtained an immense economy in favor of the interests 
 of the State, because of the excessively high prices reached by foreign coals here; 
 there existing sufficient justification for the necessity of arranging and terminating 
 the work upon said highway, which will facilitate the conveyance of the combustible 
 
110 THE COAL MEASUEES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 to the point of embarkation; in consideration of the spirit of protection which the 
 Supreme Government has constantly manifested in favor of the development of the 
 mining industry of this archipelago, the said fortunate concessionary ought to be 
 relieved of all payment, both for the materials and for day wages referred to in the 
 superior decree of 1872, which were used in the construction of said highway, and 
 which road tax may not have covered. Considering, lastly, that this protection 
 counsels that all those measures which are conducive to this end be received and 
 encouraged, and above all, if they are based upon solid principles and general con- 
 venience, as are the present ones, this General Government, in entire conformity 
 with the said council of administration, and with the proposals of the directorate- 
 general of civil administration, and having seen section 5, article 9, of the superior 
 decree of December 20, 1876, has decided to decree the following: First, that Don 
 Isaac Con-ui be exempted from all obligations for the repayment to the local funds 
 which was imposed upon him by the superior decree of November 18, 1872, on 
 account of the work of opening the highway which unites the mines belonging to 
 him with the cove of Cotcot. Second, availing myself of the powers conceded to me 
 by section 5, article 9, of the said superior decree of December 20, 1876, proceed with 
 all haste to the execution and termination of the said highway, with the aid of the 
 road tax and with the funds of the province, by reason of the fact that said highway 
 has been acknowledged to be of public convenience and utility. Third, and lastly, 
 the politico military governor of the district will most effectively see to it that these 
 labors be made with the greatest regularity and promptness, employing for this pur- 
 pose the greatest possible number of polistas in order that the towns in the immedi- 
 ate vicinity enjoy, as soon as possible, the immense benefits which it will bring 
 them, and that at the proper time the transportation of the coal from those deposits 
 to the place of embarkation be facilitated, faithfully interpreting the spirit of the 
 Government toward all coal-mining industries in these islands. Transmitted to you 
 for your information and for compliance therewith. 
 
 Jose Cavbsas de Hekeeea. 
 
 Offioal Communication of the Commandant General of the Navy Tkansmit- 
 TiNG THE Petition of Con-ui to the General Government. 
 
 Most Excellent Sir: The proprietor of the coal mines of Compostela, Don Isaac 
 Con-ui, has forwarded an exposition to the department in my charge, by means of 
 which he offers to supply the navy with said combustible at the price of 5 pesos per 
 ton, delivered at the harbor of the said place of Compostela, as soon as the work 
 upon the highway directed to that place is finished, and which price he binds him- 
 self to better, lowering it to 4 pesos, in case there be constructed an iron tramway, 
 on account of the State, for the transportation of said coal; and as such offers should 
 merit consideration, in view of the immense benefit they would bring to the State,! 
 have not hesitated in bringing the matter to the attention of your excellency, includ- 
 ing the aforesaid exposition, for the effects which they may produce in that Govern- 
 ment, so worthily in your charge. 
 
 Manila, April 17, 1879. 
 
 Jose Polo de Beknade. 
 
 To the Most Excellent Governor-General of these Islands. 
 
 First Report of the Inspectorate of Public Works. 
 
 Most Illustrious Sir: The most excellent commanding general of the navy has 
 forwarded to the most excellent governdr-yeneral, with an official communication of 
 April 17 last, an exposition which has been directed to him by Don Isaac Con-ui, 
 proprietor of the coal mines of Compostela (island of Cebu), manifesting: That the 
 termination of the works upon the highway which unites said mines with the cove of 
 
THE COAL MEASTJKBS OP THE PHILIPPINES. Ill 
 
 Cotcot, having been ordered by the Superior Government, he is willing, when said 
 highway shall be completely finished, to give the coal which may be needed for the 
 navy or for any other department of the State, at the price of 5 pesos per ton, deliv- 
 ered at the wharf of Compostela; but, being desirous that the State obtain the great- 
 est possible advantages, he \s'ould reduce said price 1 peso, or, that is, would sell each 
 metric ton of coal for 4 pesos, if the State would construct on its account an iron tram- 
 way for the transportation of the coal from the mine to the harbor. The most excel- 
 lent commandante general of the navy expresses in his official communication the 
 view that such offers merit consideration, by reason of the immense benefit which 
 would accrue to the State, for which reason he brings the matter to the attention of 
 the most excellent governor-general, including iSie petition, for ensuing official action. 
 As the first step in this matter your most illustrious lordship has been pleased to remit 
 it originally to this inspectorate for a report thereon, and in consequence thereof I 
 have the honor to show: The department under my charge only knows of the exist- 
 ence of the coal mines of Compostela, and the result of the tests made with their coal 
 in the ships of the State, by the notices made in the press of the capital; but, this 
 matter being foreign to this department, it has nothing to show regarding this enter- 
 prise, inasmuch as it is a beneficiary of the Government in the terms expressed in the 
 superior decree which the interested party incloses a copy of. From which said 
 decree, which does not appear officially in this inspectorate either, it appears that 
 the public utility and the convenience of a road constructed from the mine to the cove 
 of Cotcot, or, which is to be deduced therefrom, to the point of embarkation, has 
 been declared by the Superior Government; that for the construction of this road the 
 proprietor of the mines, Don Isaac Con-ui, is exempted from all responsibility ; as to 
 the class of such responsibility I am for my part also unaware, but without doubt it 
 has been incurred and on behalf of the construction which has been heretofore made; 
 and, lastly, that the works upon said highway be ordered completed with the great- 
 est speed, and emjjloying the road tax and the funds of the province "as much in 
 order that the towns in the immediate vicinity enjoy, as soon as possible, the immense 
 benefits, as that it may facilitate the transportation of the coal to the point of embarka- 
 tion." It follows, therefore, in view of the facts supplied by the attached incident, 
 that the Government, while favoring the general interests of certain towns of Cebu, 
 since the road in question has been declared of public utility and convenience, also 
 favors the interests of the proprietor of the mines of Compostela, who will transport 
 his coal over the said road; and, I feel sure that this measure is of the highest impor- 
 tance for the enterprise, known as it is by all, that the methods (roads) for hauling 
 are the diflSculties of greatest importance for exploitations in business enterprises of 
 this class. Mr. Con-ui, knowing without doubt the benefits which the highway in 
 question would bring it, and at the same time enable the placing of his coal, offers 
 to give the same to the State at the price of 5 pesos per metric ton, delivered 
 at the harbor, which fact favors, as I understand, in a manner also very important 
 to the interests of the State, since the military marine is the greatest consumer of this 
 combustible, it had to pay a much higher price for foreign coal. It would appear, 
 then, up to here, most illustrious sir, that if the State and even the general interests 
 should commence, perhaps shortly, to enjoy the benefits which should result from 
 obtaining the coal at the indicated price, the owner of the mine enjoys in exchange 
 the advantages which correspond from the establishment of a road connecting the 
 mine and the harbor, without any expense whatever on his part. It is not to be 
 doubted that public action has done all that corresponds to the general interests and 
 to the individual owner of the mines. This latter, nevertheless, understands the 
 desirability of perfecting the methods of transportation, and in his petition proposes 
 that in exchange for the construction of a tramway from the mines to the harbor he 
 will reduce to the State by 1 peso the price which he has fixed on each metric ton 
 of coal. The State, as has been stated, has conceded no slight protection to the 
 
112 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 mine, constructing on its account the existing highway and making provision for 
 completing the same with the greatest rapidity, so that the propositions of Mr. 
 Con-ui must be considered purely and simply under the point of view of the advan- 
 tage which it may bring to the State in the consumption of coal in the expense which 
 will lie caused by the construction of the tramway; that is, whether this expense Avill 
 amount to more than the economy it offers in the price of the combustible. 
 
 The character of this subject being fixed, 'such as it is understood by this general 
 inspectorate, there follows the immediate necessity of taking into account various 
 considerations, the first of which is undoubtedly the annual consumption of coal from 
 Compostela which can be made by the navy. This information is not furnished by 
 the official communication of the (*mandancia general, with which has been re- 
 mitted the petition of the proprietor, and although it may appear in some other 
 expediente, as, for example, that in which has given rise to the construction of the 
 highway, as this is unknown to me I am unable to set it forth here and I deem it 
 indispensable that your most illustrious lordship be pleased to obtain the same 
 again. This information is most important as a point of commencement for the suc- 
 cessive study of the advantages of whic^h we treat hereafter, because, as has been 
 said before, and which moreover is well known, the navy will always be, above all 
 the institutions and establishments of the State, that which will consume most coal. 
 This measure having been touched upon, this inspectorate under my charge can 
 immediately proceed to a calculation, in an estimate upon the ground, the cost of 
 the tramway which is desired, and the comparison between this information and that 
 which the economy of 1 peso per ton of the combustible which the navy uses will 
 give, with which can be formed a sufficiently exact idea of the advantages to be 
 gained by proceeding with or not proceeding with the construction which is pro- 
 posed. Another kind of consideration must be considered also: The extension and 
 richness of the veins which are being exploited at Compostela, and even the means 
 or resources with which the proprietor counts for the exploitation. He does not fix 
 any certain length of time whatever for the duration of his agreement, and even when 
 the lack of this detail permits it to be taken in the sense of unlimited permanency, 
 this same fact may favor him in case of immediate abandonment of the exploitation 
 for lack of means. Treating of the interests of the State which must be employed 
 in exchange for the advantages, it is not prudent to compromise them in speculations 
 but little guaranteed. The State would certainly gain nothing by constructing the 
 tramway from the mine to the cove of Cotcot if the mine resulted unproductive or 
 was not exploited in a short period of time, and it would make null the benefit in 
 price which is taken as a base for the execution of the works. In order to guarantee 
 the capital which the State may empl(jy in the construction of the tramway, it is 
 necessary to guarantee, first, the duration of the advantage which is offered it, since 
 the tramway is not a work of general interest and consequently of public utility and 
 convenience, and it is well established in this report that it is to ser\-e exclusively for 
 the hauling of the coal from the mine of Compostela. This is the opinion of the 
 general inspectorate under my charge. 
 
 Manila, May 14, 1879. 
 
 Manuel Bamiees. 
 
 To the Most Illustrious Director-General of Civil Administration. 
 
 Official Communication of the Directorate to the Comandancia General op 
 
 THE Navy. 
 
 ]\IosT ExcELLEXT Sir: This directorate, in accordance with the report and propos- 
 als by the general inspectorate of iiublic ^A'orks, the cause for which was the proposi- 
 tions by the proprietor of tlic coal mines of Compostela, wliicli your ext'ellency was 
 pleased to forward to the most excellent governor-general of these islands with an 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. IIS 
 
 official letter of April 17 last, I have the honor to again direct to your excellency the 
 said matter in a request that for its proper determination you may be pleased to direct 
 that there be shown in the same the annual consumption of the combustible from said 
 locality which may be made in the ships and the service of the squadron. So that 
 If the said proprietor should extend to private individuals the advantages iu price 
 which he offers the State, and in order that then there could be borne in mind the 
 benefit which general interests might also obtain from it, it would be most con- 
 venient to know likewise the calculation of the coal which the merchant marine of 
 this archipelago consumes, as also the very illustrious opinion of your excellency on 
 this and other particulars which .present themselves, in aiding in the most exact 
 appreciation of this subject. God protect your excellenc}^ many years. 
 
 Manila, May 16, 1879. 
 
 J. 0. DE Herkeka. 
 
 To the Most Excellent Commanding General of the Navy. 
 
 Official Communication of the ComanBancia General of the Navy. 
 
 Most Illustrious Sir: All that refers to the national coals being of the greatest 
 interest for the navy, as much on account of its price and the notable economy which 
 it would bring to the State as on account of political considerations, I ordered the 
 immediate compliance with that which was requested of this department by your 
 most illustrious lordship in your official communication of the 16th of the month 
 last past, regretting the delay in replying which was occasioned by the difficulty in 
 obtaining the information relative to the navy and the merchant marine. According 
 to data scrupulously obtained it can be calculated with sufficient approximation that 
 the steam merchant marine consumes 26,000 tons annually. The navy, in the three 
 fiscal years of 1875 to 1876, to 1877, and to 1878, has consumed 24,383 tons of coal, of 
 which 22,121 tons were for the ships and 2,262 for the arsenal and the stations. 
 These quantities show an average annual consumption of 8,128 tons, which will most 
 certainly not be that of ordinary times, because those were the years of the block- 
 ades and hostilities of the squadron at Jolo and Tavi-Tavi, the campaign of Jolo, and 
 its first occupation. It is sufficient for me to add in returning the* expediente that, 
 taking the greatest interest in this matter, I desire to aid your most illustrious lord- 
 ship with all the information and data which you may believe will assist you on my 
 part. God protect your most illustrious lordship many years. 
 
 Manila, June 9, 1879. 
 
 Rafael K. de Arias. 
 
 To the Most Illustrious Director-General of Civil Administration. 
 
 Second Keport of the Inspectorate General of Public Works. 
 
 Most Illustrious Sir: The most excellent commanding general of the navy, com- 
 plying with that which your most illustrious lordship was pleased to request of him 
 in your communication of the 16th of May last past, has returned the expediente 
 relative to the construction of a tramway on account of the State from the coal 
 mine of Compostela to the cove of Cotcot (Cebu), showing: That according to 
 previou.s information gathered with great care, it may be calculated with sufficient 
 approximation that the steam mercliant marine consumes 26,000 tons of com- 
 bu.stible annually; that the navy has consumed during the last three fiscal years 
 24,383 tons, which gives an average consumption of 8,128 tons annually, altho uch 
 this average will not be the ordinary one because during said period occurred 1 ihe 
 blockade and hostilities of the squadron at Jolo and Tavi-Tavi and the campai,<.'n of 
 Jolo and its first occupation. There is shown, therefore, most illustrious sir, in this 
 expediente the important and necessary information which I requested in my first 
 
 5603—01 8 
 
114 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 communication, and which I consider to be the base for the economic study which 
 should be made of the proposal of Don Isaac Oon-ui. It follows, by virtue thereof, 
 that the maximum consumption of coal made by the navy of this station, under cir- 
 cumstances of great activity by the squadron, is limited to 8,123 tons. It is not an 
 easy matter for this inspectorate to determine what would be the amount of the 
 ordinary consumption; but it believes that there may be accepted for such, in round 
 numbers, as a basis for calculations, the quantity of 8,000 tons per year, feeling sure 
 that this calculation will certainly not be prejudicial to the proprietor of the mines. 
 The advantage which Mr. Con-ui offers in exchange for the construction of the tram- 
 way he limits to the State, and therefore the consumption of the State is the only 
 consideration which, for the time being, must be taken into account. This advantage 
 can now be determined, and, as we have seen, is appraised at 8,000 pesos a year, a 
 sum which, as the official interest on the money, represents a capital of 100,000 pesos. 
 Thus it is, then, that it is known that by the State entering into the construction of 
 the tramway proposed, employing 100,000 pesos, it will obtain the corresponding 
 official interest on the same through the economy of 8,000 pesos, which will accrue 
 to it in acquiring the coal for the navy. If the proprietor would make his offer more 
 extensive to the merchant marine, and in consequence a benefit to the general inter- 
 ests, the matter would present a subject for greater consideration and study, and the 
 State could determine up to what point it should continue favoring the enterprise in 
 exchange for the advantages which said interests would bring. As individual action 
 it is not possible to subject to the same calculations as that of the State, we can 
 neither venture to suppose that the merchant fleet would supply itself exclusively 
 with the coal from Compostela; much less reason would we have for imagining 
 that, given the advantage in price offered to the market, the combustible from 
 that locality would be consumed even as much as a third part of that which is 
 employed each year by the merchant marine ; or, although it were only an equal 
 number of tons with that number which has been supposed for the navy, in this 
 case we would have another 8,000 pesos of interest, enabling us to increase the 
 amount employed in the construction of the tramway by another 100,000 pesos, 
 which is the same; moreover, this calculation is at least very premature, and I only 
 set it forth here in order that I fail not in treating of any of the measures advanced 
 by your most illustrious lordship and so concretely answered by the comandancia- 
 general of the navy. The inspectorate under my charge could then proceed now to 
 the study of the work which has given place to the orders concerning this expedi- 
 ente; but the prudence with which it is proposed to treat of this subject obliges this 
 inspectorate to advise your most illustrious lordship beforehand that it deems best 
 to acquire first the technical and economical report of the inspectorate-general of 
 mines. In the latter part of my communication of May 14, I showed to your most 
 illustrious lordship that it was not enough to take into account the question only 
 mathematically of the advantages which the State and the proprietor of the mine 
 may obtain. The first thing that should be known is as to the conditions of said 
 mine and the guaranties which, in favor of his agreement, Jlr. Con-ui presents- 
 guaranties which to-day are reduced to his good faith and his word, which for my 
 part I accept. The aforesaid inspectorate has made a study of the coal banks of 
 Cebu, and the mineral and geological report which it published by royal order in 
 1876 proves, in the first paragraph, on page 35, that the outcroppings of Compostela 
 are not unknown to it. Since that date the exploitation of those outcroppings has 
 been continued, and the inspectorate of mines, on its part, having at this time an 
 engineer of the department destined for that district, so that the State can be 
 informed with due exactitude as to the future which the mines of Mr. Con-ui offer, 
 the works which have been done during this time, the elements of exploitation, and 
 the good service with which it counts, and even those which it can command in the 
 future, in order to guarantee the State, by means of a faithful compliance, the capi- 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 115 
 
 tal which this latter may employ in the construction of the tramway. The best 
 management of the public funds requires all this, most illustrious sir, aijd the baro 
 proposition of 3Ir. Con-ui, which heads this expediente; for, it should not be lost to 
 view that if to-day the coal-mining industry solicits advantages and protection on 
 the part of the State, and this is conceded to the first enterprise which requests the 
 same, we should also recognize in the future the same right, at least, to other indus- 
 trials that may institute the denouncement of new districts. The inspectorate of 
 mines will illuminate, without any doubt whatever, this expediente with an exact 
 report, conscientious and voluminous, in order that it may contain important 
 information, which will guarantee the final determination which is adopted by the 
 State, and it may perhaps also furnish plans and sections of the mine, and of the 
 ground which lies between this latter and the cove of Cotcot, which documents may 
 serve, perhaps, for making the study of the tramway. I propose, therefore, to 
 your most illustrious lordship, that you may be pleased to submit this matter to 
 said inspectorate, with complete authorization to extend its worthy opinion on all 
 the measures which, under any point of view, it believes should be taken into 
 account for the better and more complete determination of the matter. Your most 
 illustrious lordship will decide. 
 
 Manila, June 16, 1879. 
 
 Manuel Ramiees. 
 
 To the Most Illustrious Dieectok-Genekal op Civil Administration. 
 
 Report of Abella to Inspector-General of Mines, Julv 24, 1879. 
 
 To the Inspector-General: 
 
 As soon as I received your attentive communication, dated the 26th of last month, 
 with a copy of the expediente, instructed by the general directorate of civil admin-, 
 istration in regard to a proposition from Mr. Isaac Con-ui to furnish his coal to the 
 State at $4 per ton in exchange for the construction of a tramway from the seashore 
 to the mines, I started on my way for these purposes: With' the object of examin- 
 ing them and seeing the progress which they have made in the sixteen months that 
 have elapsed since my first and former visit, in which certainly the State, always 
 kindly disposed toward the coal industry of this archipelago, granted to the mines 
 we are treating of a condonation of payment on the road, offering to finish it on its 
 own account, having beforehand completed an ofiicial test of their coals on a large 
 scale, both in the arsenal and in the vessels of the navy, and, lastly, offering in a 
 recent royal order to consume exclusively national coals. These are motives more 
 than sufiicient to encourage any enterprise or concessionary of inines, and therefore 
 it was reasonable to suppose that the Compostela mines had realized a very visible 
 progress in their organization and workings. Finding myself morally obliged to per- 
 form the surveyance mentioned even if in your attentive communication, formerly 
 mentioned, your lordship had not already indicated to me, to a certain extent, this 
 line of conduct. 
 
 In regard to the manner of showing all the data which the general inspectorate of 
 public works in its very illustrious report wishes to know, it seems proper to me to 
 insert here the opinion which I gave in an expediente commenced by the same 
 Con-ui in November of last year, inasmuch as I showed therein the condition of the 
 mine and the probable future that it might possess, inserting in suitable places the 
 improvement or retrocession which I have observed in my last visit. In this man- 
 ner the progress, if there is any, and the present organization of the mines will dem- 
 onstrate what can be expected in the future and the guaranties that the Compostela 
 mines may offer to the State. 
 
 By referring to my data on the studies of my fir.>?t campaign in this island, I said 
 in my report just mentioned: 
 
 "Therefore, selecting from the data I have collected those more directly relating 
 
116 THE COAL MBiSURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 to the object of this opinion, let me begin by giving a brief idea of the petitions and 
 vicissitudes that the coal area of the town of Compostela has had in other times; 
 afterwards describing them slightly from a geological point of view, and with more 
 details from an industrial mining light, in relation to their works, their combustible 
 layers, and the chemical and mineralogical properties which they present for imme- 
 diate and useful exploitation. 
 
 "The coal formations of Danao were already known, at least since the year 1852, 
 and they were anciently embraced also in the jurisdiction of the town of Compostela. 
 They were petitioned for seven years after the first registers of the area, to-day occu- 
 pied by the mines of this town, and, although they were again petitioned for in 1866, 
 neither of the two petitions were granted for purely legal reasons, furthered probably 
 by the same interested party. In 1871 its present proprietor petitioned for them in 
 two contiguous registries, Esperanza and Caridad, each one for four claims, which 
 were officially surveyed at the proper time, and the corresponding titles of property 
 were granted to him in 1873. 
 
 "In the former year there had been already conceded the construction of a road 
 from the mines to the Compostela road, and in the same year in which the titles of 
 property were granted to him took place the first official tests at the Cavite arsenal 
 and in several war ships, which testimony the interested party exhibits in this 
 expediente. 
 
 ' ' Since that time, then, they commenced to work the mines, and though their pres- 
 ent condition certainly does not expose a suitable return for five years of work regu- 
 larly sustained, this slowness can be explained by several social reasons; by the 
 embarrassing economic penury that a single proprietor had to meet; and, above all, 
 by the culminating difficulty upon which the attempts of the coal industry in Cebu 
 have been dashed to pieces up to date — the difficulty of the land transportation nec- 
 essary and indispensable, taking into consideration the interior location of all the 
 mines in the island. 
 
 "These we are treating of are located on the southwest brow of the Mount Licos, 
 along the creeks Dapdap and Sugui, in a broken ground made up of lime, clay, and 
 conglomerates of several kinds, in overthrown and lifted layers, as metamorphosed 
 by the volcanic rocks which are found on both sides of this formation, and even 
 insinuating themselves among some of the strata which form it. Its age, though not 
 yet perfectly distinguished on account of the scarcity of true characteristic fossils, 
 must, by those found up to date, be counted between the Miocene of the Tertiary 
 period and the Cretaceous of the Secondary, both inclusive, and therefore it can be 
 affirmed that coals which are found in this formation are not coals, properly so called, 
 which are formed only in grounds of the same name (primitive period or of transi- 
 tion), but Tertiary lignites, or, at the most, Secondary, very modern, though by 
 their appearance and quality they have acquired the name of perfect lignites. 
 
 "Hitherto there are three strata that have been discovered within the claims 
 Esperanza and Caridad, being revealed in the first instance and very especially on 
 account of the numerous outcroppings that are seen there, since the more important 
 works are only performed upon two of them. 
 
 ' ' Having studied the thickness of these layers upon the outcroppings, it can be 
 believed that they vary between 0.40 m. and more than 2 m.; but wherever you 
 choose to examine the works that are executed the thickness has never exceeded 
 1.40 m., and this must ari.se from the supposition that they have been doubled in 
 some pointd, making an apparent thickness that would, aside from this accident, 
 always be found to lie smaller. 
 
 "The directions and inclinations that affect both the coal layers and those of clay 
 and sandy stones among which they are found are rather changeable, as can be 
 understood remembering what I have just stated upon the influence which the igne- 
 ous rocks have exercised upon all of them, raising this formation, giving it at first 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 117 
 
 sight an appearance of antiquity which it does not in reality possess. However, 
 there can be established as conditions of more frequent occurrences within the 
 claims an average direction from NNE. to SSW. and an inclination generally com- 
 prehended between 30° and 50° to the ESE. 
 
 " The works executed within the perimeter of both concessions are of two kinds — 
 works of isolated surveyance, without order or fixed plan, at the present abandoned; 
 and works kept up and which are actually at one and the same time for prospecting 
 purposes, for preparation, and for profit. 
 
 ' ' A drain and a shaft, fallen in for a large portion close to the point of commence- 
 ment of the claims of the mine Caridad; a gallery, also fallen in, close to the mouth 
 of the creek parallel to Ginagdanan; a shaft located in the bed of the creek Sugui, 
 and some prospect holes on the upper part of this same creek constitute the works 
 of the first class, all of short extension, abandoned, as we have said, and therefore 
 inaccessible, and that can prove nothing to-day, though when they were opened 
 they might have indicated something, because they were made in the vicinity or 
 upon the same outcroppings of the strata of combustible. 
 
 "The works kept up at the present are made upon two of the three strata whose' 
 existence, we said, could be included within the claims. 
 
 "Over the strata which could be called the western there has been opened, tak- 
 ing advantage of the unevenness of the ground, two galleries, one (A) below for 
 transportation and extraction, and the other (B) aiding ventilation, that communi- 
 cate between themselves, almost, by two chimneys (C) (D), which follow approxi- 
 mately the inclination of the strata; and I say almost because, although the second 
 did not have communication, yet when I drew the sketch of these works (month of 
 February), however, it reached the same longitude as the first, and would commu- 
 nicate very soon. Besides these there exists another chimney (C), which becomes 
 visible at the arroyo, but which is already of no use and remains closed in order not 
 to prejudice the ventilation. The length of the lower gallery, which is entitled 
 Esperanza, though it is opened in the mine Caridad, is 176 meters; that of the aux- 
 iliary, 49 meters; and between the three chimneys they make a total of 37 meters 
 approximately. (See PI. III.) 
 
 In the gallery Esperanza two transversals of surveyance have been opened, that of 
 the west of only 5 meters, in round numbers, and the eastern of 50 meters in length, 
 crossing the sand and clay strata which are seen with detail in the cut (fig. 5, PI. 
 III). In its back part there has been found indications, but very' confused, of the 
 course of other layers (fig. 3, PI. Ill), whose outcroppings are shown to the east of 
 the creek, and upon which have been executed the other works which we are about 
 to describe. 
 
 "Lastly, between the galleries of direction, Esperanza and the auxiliary, there 
 have been opened some cuts for products, arranged for in advance, which have fur- 
 nished a part of the contingent of the up to date scarce production of these mines. 
 It is sufiicient to take a glance at the longitudinal projection of these works (fig. 4, 
 PI. Ill) to be convinced that these cuts of exploitation have been opened very pre- 
 maturely, inasmuch as, if the maximum of extraction should be wished, the work- 
 men who could find room to work would be very few, and the small bulks that are 
 prepared would be exhausted. " 
 
 The state in which I have recently found the works of this strata is rather short of 
 praiseworthy. Upon entering the main gallery a great number of bents of rotten props 
 were seen, eaten away by white ants, broken or out of place; the ledges (timbers) of 
 the roof and on the sides also broken and rotten in great number; the scales of the 
 roof and of the front, which cause those breaks, threatening to fall in places where 
 they had not already bulged out, forming dangerous caves, whose rubbish choked up 
 the drains and pavement, entirely flooded by the abundant filtrations, very natural 
 in this monsoon, which, besides gazing upon the numerous cobwebs interwoven in 
 
118 THE COAL MEA8UEES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 the timbers, increased the grief of this sight, giving an appearance of neglect and 
 premature age to this gallery, which on the former year I had found in excellent con- 
 dition. The remaining excavations were more or less in about the same condition, 
 the appearance having been improved only a trifle by those things not mentioned 
 in my former examination, and which are marked in red color on the corresponding 
 sketch. (See PI. III.) 
 
 These consist in an advance of 16.58 meters of the main gallery; in the lengthen- 
 ing of the chimney D up to the surface, with 19.50 meters of new excavation, and in 
 the opening at the extreme east of the transverse of a gallery of 23.50 meters; and 
 of a chimney, not finished, of 14.30 meters, opened at 3.20 meters of tlie mouth of 
 this last gallery. The cuts have been extended to the north, which is shown in the 
 sketch, and projection represented in red lines. (See PI. III. ) 
 
 In the layer which might be called the central, whose outcroppings have been 
 shown in the sketch and whose indications have been found in the back part of the 
 eastern transverse [gallery] of Esperanza there has been opened another gallery, E, 
 called Caridad, which is ventilated only by the chimney F and others smaller, 
 some of them really narrow passages which do not come to the surface, but commu- 
 nicate with it at a distance from all the cuts, and which can be seen in the plan, as 
 well as in flg. 6, PI. Ill, with full detail. 
 
 The gallery Caridad is 145 meters long, the ventilation chimney 53 meters, and the 
 total of all the chimneys and narrow passages already mentioned about 86 meters. 
 
 In this deposit are also seen labors executed for profit — as premature as those of 
 Esperanza — since, although by a special disposition of the laborers these reach a 
 greater extension, the exploitation of the cuts being extended in a regular manner 
 and without intermission very soon would be expanded, so that they must be sus- 
 pended by arriving at the limit of the transportation gallery, whose advance neces- 
 sarily has to be much slower than the advance of the cuts. 
 
 The conjunction of these works presented on my last visit a sight still more pain- 
 ful and deplorable than that of the gallery Esperanza, because, in addition to the 
 circumstances which I have indicated in this, I found two points of the course of the 
 transportation gallery entirely impassable on account of the rubbish and the pro- 
 jecting sharp angles in it by reason of the broken timbers, which made the passage 
 rather dangerous and difficult. Besides, of the ntunerous narrow passages that exist 
 from the cuts to this gallery many of them have fallen in, destroying the security 
 which the workmen ought to have. 
 
 Regarding the advance of these works during the course of time between my two 
 visits, these are reduced to an advance of 11.90 meters from, the main gallery, and to 
 the opening of a noM' upper gallery toward the north, connecting with the ventila- 
 tion chimney at a distance of 34 meters from its lower mouth, with 51.60 meters of 
 length; advancing the cuts, respectively, a small amount to the north, and another 
 to the south, up to a new narrow passage of 21.20'meters of length, marked in the 
 plan and projection of this deposit. (See PL III.) 
 
 The total extension of passage galleries and chimneys of both strata, according to 
 what is just pointed out, is 370 meters of direction galleries, 176 meters of chimneys 
 and narrow passages of all kinds, and 55 meters of unfruitful transversals, it not 
 being possible to apjjraise exactly the works of real exploitation or superficials, as 
 some cuts are refilled or inaccessible. However, the figure, declared by the proprie- 
 tor to be 1,600 tons of coal sold up to the present, appears to the undersigned engineer 
 rather exaggerated, because, adding to it at least 25 per cent for waste and worthless 
 coal, it amounts to a total of 2,000 tons taken out; and as the average thickness of 
 both layers is only 0.90 meter, this woidd necessitate an exploited extension of 2,222 
 square meters, which does not exist in tact. 
 
 In short, the general total of lineal excavation is 600 meters, opened in five years' 
 work, amounting, therefore, to 120 meters per year and 10 meters per month, 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 119 
 
 v/ithout counting the slight woAs of partial surveyance in two shafts, a gallery and 
 ."onie drains, which, nevertheless, would add only an insignificant fraction, and of no 
 value to these figures, which, for that matter, show, as I said at the beginning, a 
 great slowness in working these mines. 
 
 In any way the total advance during the past sixteen months, between my two 
 former surveyances, consists of 103.58 meters of direction galleries and 55 meters of 
 chimneys and narrow passages, or a general total of 158.58 meters of lineal works, 
 making a monthly average of 9.91 meters, which approaches sufficiently but does 
 not reach to the already short general average of the works executed in the five pre- 
 vious and first years of existence of the mines, and, therefore, if I deplored more 
 than a year ago the slowness of all the works, I must repeat now as much more, 
 adding, because I ought to state it, that both these last figures and the general con- 
 dition of the excavations reveal very clearly the culpable neglect in which they have 
 been left, the incalculable slowness with which they have been prosecuted under 
 normal conditions that were so favorable but will never return again, and so reveal 
 the slight guarantee which the organization and the present progress of the works 
 offer, to such an extent that the laborers that were employed on the whole work 
 did not exceed between eight to ten men, even during the time of my last visit, at 
 which tune, in the interest of self-preservation, they should have been taking such 
 interest in the speedy repair of the excavations that were falling in. 
 
 Tire strata, both in the gallery Esperanza and in its auxiliary, present a thickness 
 never less than 0.50 meter nor greater than 1.40 meters and inclinations no less 
 variable, seeing that at point A there is one of 70°, at the covered chimney one of 
 55°, at the point one of 57°, at the point D one of 50°, and at the faces which are 
 seen represented in fig. No. 1, PL III. 
 
 Between the two chimneys of both galleries the strata shows a small break, which 
 in fig. No. 2 is shown with full detail, this being the only accident of this nature 
 which has been presented up to the present in all the extension of the scanty works 
 which have just been detailed. However, it might be possible to attribute this, 
 perhaps, to a cause similar to the obstruction which the present layer shows in the 
 back part of the transversal gallery E. 
 
 This obstruction, in spite of the 23 meters of gallery which has lately been exe- 
 cuted, has not yet disappeared, nor is there shown proximate indications that permit 
 us to suppose the readjustment of the layer in this place. 
 
 In the gallery Caridad and contiguous works this central strata also shows a simi- 
 lar thickness, though in general a little larger, and inclinations comprehended 
 between 28° and 45°, but almost ever rising above the smaller at 40°. 
 
 Unfortunately, at 7 meters farther from the new excavation, made after my first 
 visit, this layer has likewise shown a fault of clay, very solid and not brittle in forma- 
 tion, of 2 meters of thickness, almost vertical, and with direction marked with a red 
 line in the accompanying plan and projection (see PL III). As the bed and roof of 
 the layer at this point are of.slaty clay, with the same color and with identical con- 
 ditions of composition and location, its investigation on the other side of this accident 
 is rather doubtful, and there is no other remedy than to direct three registries to the 
 north, east, and west, respectively, in order to illuminate this most important point 
 of the ulterior course of the works. 
 
 All that has been stated up to here, and the persistence with which numerous out- 
 croppings are presented along the arroyo of Sugui, and which constantly proves the 
 course of the coal beds, gives rise to agreeable hopes for the future of the region not 
 yet exploited; though there will always have to be counted on the narrowing, 
 obstructions, and other accidents that will diminish somewhat the presumable amount 
 of com?)ustible. However, adhering to what the geological facts gathered up to the 
 present show, the undersigned engineer thinks that these combustible strata, ter- 
 tiary or secondary, ought to have neither the extension nor the regularity of those 
 
120 THE COAL MBASUKES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 of other older and essentially carboniferous grounds, and that it might for that mat- 
 ter happen that the layers are interrupted, substituting other beds of different nature 
 in order, perhaps, to reappear a little farther on. 
 
 Almost all these predictions, as has been seen by the recent facta which I have 
 stated, have been partly confirmed during the process of time, comparatively limited, 
 between my two visits to these mines; and therefore it does not seem to me useless, 
 always on the ground of the geological facts which I have gathered, to persist once 
 more in the very peculiar character of these lignite deposits, in relation with the bitu- 
 minous always more important. Those ought not to merit the confidence which could 
 be grounded on these by their regularity and great extension, that permit the employ- 
 ment and unqualified investment of great capital with the least possible risk within 
 the very special conditions of the mining industry. 
 
 In regard to that which relates to the apparent quality and industrial properties of 
 these lignites, here is the r6sum6 of the observations and experiments that I have 
 had occasion to make. 
 
 Considered mineralogically, the lignites of both beds look alike, but differ in some 
 of their properties; the one proceeding from the western strata (gallery Esperanza) 
 has 1.329 of density; it is a brilliant black, regularly hard, with some gypseous small 
 veins among the mass; of compact texture, rolled structure, and rays and powder 
 slightly dark gray; that of the central strata (gallery Caridad) has 1.340 of density; 
 is equally black and brilliant, but not so hard, and, above all, has concentric circular 
 structure, very noticeable, or, what is the same, there is noticed in it a great multi- 
 tude of circles in groups, with centers exactly like those that are discovered as lines 
 of growth on the vegetable shoots and trunks. In this is seen frequently, in addi- 
 tion, some pyrites in spots. 
 
 In order to appraise justly the industrial properties of these combustibles it would 
 not be enough to study them absolutely, because the result which has been found in 
 certain conditions, inherent to each assay, would teach us nothing regarding those 
 same properties studied in other combustibles, with analogous but not the same 
 circumstances. Therefore I have at the same time executed, and in reactive condi- 
 tions and temperatures exactly the same, not only the laboratory assays of these lig- 
 nites, but also those of the English and Australian coals which were in the market 
 for sale at the time of these experiments (month of August, 1878). The English 
 coal — Cardiff — to all appearances, coming from Ynchauste & Co.'s warehouse, and 
 that from Australia, furnished by Mr. Aldecoa, merchant of this city, coming from 
 Wollorong mines (Newcastle), and from the Agricultural Mining Company's mines 
 (Sydney). The average of two assays upon each combustible gave the result stated 
 in the annexed statement (see Table III). The careful examination of these results 
 shows that though the combustible we are speaking about is inferior to those from 
 foreign derivation used in these islands, they have precisely the quality of the coals 
 which ought to be applied tor combustion in the furnaces of steam engines. 
 
 Supposing that in these the water that feeds the boiler is at 40° and that in the 
 combustion of the coal there is wasted a third of the developed heat, there will be 
 had as an effect of practical utility, or what is the same, the amount of steam at 100° 
 which the combustion of 1 kilogram of coal produces. 
 
 t 5£29° 
 
 550° -I- 100° — 40° ~ 6.37'' for the coal coming from Esperanza gallery. 
 
 J 56 43° 
 
 550° -4- 100° — 40° ~ 6.16'' for the coal coming from Caridad gallery. 
 
 I 7530" 
 
 550° 4- 100° — 40° ~ ^-^^^ £or the coal coming from England. 
 
 f 6205° 
 
 550° + 100° — 40° ~ 6.78'' for the coal coming from Australia. 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 121 
 
 As a very useful figure for knowledge, let us estimate also, in analogous condi- 
 tions and in relation to the ordinary prices that the foreign coals reach, that which, 
 as a maximum, those from Compostela ought to have, deducing therefrom the use- 
 ful heat of those, that is, that which on a final trial becomes useful to commerce and 
 industry. In this way it will be possible to appraise in concise terms the competi- 
 tion that the native coals can make on the markets of these islands as against the 
 foreign productions. The current price of foreign coal in the Manila market, the 
 regulator of the rest of the markets of the archipelago, used to be from $10 to $12 
 for the English coal and from S8 to $9 for the Australian, or an average of 111 for 
 the first and $9 for the second. Supposing always that in the apparatus in which 
 this coal is applied there is a loss of a third of the heat produced by the combustion, 
 the useful heat, or what is the same, a million units of heat will be: 
 
 1,000,000° X $11 „„ ,„ , , .^ ,. , 
 1000k X # 7 530° ^^ English coal. 
 
 1,000,000x19 „„,„, , , , 
 
 c=$2.17 for the Australian coal. 
 
 1000k X I 6,305° 
 
 Taking from both results the cheapest one, and assigning to those_of Compostela, 
 those acquire, it is inferred, a commercial value of — 
 
 1,000,000° x$X ,,. „„„„ 
 
 2-17 1000k X i (5643 5829)^ ' °'^' X=I8.30 per ton. 
 2 
 
 This being the equivalent to that of the foreign coals, any other smaller price that 
 the native coal from Compostela might have will make it therefore of much more 
 advantageous and economical use for commerce. 
 
 It is true that the present value (November, 1878) of the foreign coals is much 
 smaller than those which I have taken as a point of commencement, for the English 
 coal is sold at $8 and Australian at $6.50 per ton, or at $1.59 and $1.57, respectively, 
 per million units of heat, but even with these abnormal prices the deduced V'alue for 
 that of Compostela would be $6 per ton, which is precisely the price at which it was 
 sold at Cebu during my stay in that island. 
 
 There results from this that, out of this abnormal circumstance of the moment, 
 an average price from $6 to $7 per ton is very profitable for commerce and for navi- 
 gation, and it is difiicult for the foreign coals to compete with it, due to the other 
 advantages that the merchant marine and that of the State have found in the coals 
 in question. 
 
 This price rewards with easiness the anxiety of the industrial miner, only consid- 
 ered as such miner, and supposing that the mines are worked with a scientific plan, 
 well ordered and economic. 
 
 But, by taking out and preparing conveniently their coals, it is found they had to 
 be transported first across some 14 kilometers of a very rough road, impassable in 
 the rainy season, and afterwards by the maritime route up to the warehouse where 
 they are needed by the buyer. In these travels the miner loses the greatest part of 
 his profits, because, besides the high freight of trade, the present land transportation 
 in itself swallows almost 25 per cent of the average value which has just been fixed. 
 
 There seems to be deduced from this, as a fatal and unavoidable consequence, that 
 the miner must be at the same time a builder of good roads and an agent of trade 
 vessels to carry his goods to all the markets, combining his industrial business with 
 others purely commercial. But besides the fact that the economical convenience of 
 division of the work repulses the miner, the painful experience acquired in that same 
 island of Cebu, with the ruin of other similar mining enterprises, renders it a very 
 profitable lesson. There has been seen, in fact, the discouragement iproduced in 
 the mines of Uling and Alpaco by the investment of large capital in roaiis and other 
 
122 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 outside works, uncommon to mining, before commencing tlie true work of these 
 mines, discouragement which had for an inevitable consequence the total abandon- 
 ment of the mines, which were still, we may say, almost in a virgin condition. Is 
 the development of the coal industry of this island of Cebu possible under these 
 circumstances? 
 
 These considerations are not stated by the undersigned engineer as an aid to 
 the claim which the interested party states in this expediente; for, besides the esti- 
 mation of this point not being perhaps for his contention, he understands, on the 
 other hand, that the imposition of duties on foreign coals, besides injuring the com- 
 merce of steam navigation, would involve in itself the germ of decay for the same 
 coal industry which would make an abuse of its advantageous position, weakening 
 itself, as always happens in the course of time in all privileged industry. But at 
 the same time he believes it his duty to state the true condition of this question in 
 order tliat it may be known by the Supreme Government, which, without any doubt, 
 will know how to plan those prudent measures which, without creating privileges or 
 troubles to other industries, shall favor this so very unfortunate mining industry of 
 this archipelago. 
 
 This I said in the month of November of the former year, and this same thing I 
 can repeat at present, since in general terms the State ought to facilitate the ordi- 
 nary transportation of all the industrial products, and very especially that of coal, 
 for the special circumstances which are contained in this report, above all in these 
 far regions, though in harmony always with the progress of the country, with the 
 general interests of the remaining industries, and with the possibility that is fur- 
 nished to the miner of carrying his products to the market, a thing almost impossible 
 without an ordinary road, whose construction can not be demanded from him, due 
 to reasons just pointed out. The concessionary of Compostela has succeeded to this 
 sacrifice, if such it can be called, for the State — the establishment of ordinary means 
 of transportation in a civilized territory; then let there be built for him the high 
 road from his mines to the shore, if is wanted, with an outline and execution which 
 he has not got, due to the lack of learned direction (see the sketch, PL VI), by 
 which he can easily transport his coals to the shore more economically than at 
 present, furnishing within a certain time, never so soon as many believe, and always 
 under the supposition of a radical reformation in its organization, the 8,000 toss 
 which the navy requires. The State can not, however, carry her complacency 
 further without exposing herself to the charge of being unjust and discriminating by 
 not being disposed to make as many tramways as there are deposits existing in these 
 islands, or upon this island; all of them deposits with similar circumstances of Ij'ing 
 and location which, if at present are not worked, can be exploited to-morrow. 
 
 And under this point of view it is necessary to confess that the advantages wfiich 
 the Compostela mines can contribute in relation with the similar deposits, not 
 exploited, are very few. The experience of a year and a half has proved to-day that 
 her works are the only titles wliich she can adduce, as has just been proved; all the 
 rest insufficient for its extension and painful for its present condition. 
 
 Regarding the guarantees which the exploitations in question offer, the undersigned 
 chief engineer understands that they can be of several kinds. Now, regarding the 
 rank and special character of the deposit; now, with the executed works and amount 
 of capital invested in them; now, with the tangible resources of material which can 
 be at present seen; with the materials and instructed working population; now, 
 lastly, with the moral and material resources wliich in the future they may intend to 
 employ in the development of schemes which perhaps exist. 
 
 Regarding the first extreme points — of the rank and character of the deposit and 
 importance of the works — I have sufficicntl>- spoken in order to be abundantly 
 understood; and concerning the capital invested, and the present visible resources of 
 the mines, they are reduced to some 5,000 or 6,000 pesos invested in the works, 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 123 
 
 including in them the shores, wood roads, allowances, and warehouses on hand 
 . Avithin the claims, and an insufficient material for two sieve grates, some eight small 
 wagons, some hoarded wood rails, and hardly the necessary number of tools for 
 some 25 or 30 miners, which on the other hand can not be distributed on account of 
 the suppression of daily wages which took effect some fourteen months ago, accord- 
 ing to the voluntary statement made to me by some laborers in the same mine. 
 
 Regarding the projects which the concessionary ought to entertain in order to 
 continue or to develop his industry, they ought to be and would be undoubtedly 
 very extensive and suitable, but the undersigned engineer can not know them, and 
 even if he knew them he could not ground upon them hia report, which can only be 
 based upon accomplished facts, such as are all those that have been pointed out, or 
 upon considerations deduced from, scientific principles within his knowledge. 
 Bringing this to a close, then, with a resumd of all that has been said, and stating its 
 natural and logical consequences with the necessary distinctness and plainness, the 
 undersigned engineer, treating of the considerable interests of the State, though it is 
 painful to him in some points, must state: 
 
 First. That the coal deposits of Compostela belong to the rank of lignite deposits, 
 more or leas recent. 
 
 Second. That within this rank and due to its conditions of deposit they present 
 sufficient good appearance, and a pleasing future can be expected, always with the 
 consequent exception to its limited importance, without even supposing them to be 
 of an indefinite duration. 
 
 Third. That the executed works must be qualified aa insignificant and therefore 
 as inaufficient to provide for the needs of the navy at present. 
 
 Fourth. That in order to produce with regularity the 8,000 tons that are estimated, 
 a term is neceasary which depends upon the resources that it has at its disposal. 
 
 Fifth. That the preaent condition of the works is rather painfull and shows a 
 neglect much more inexplicable, as it waa done while the State was granting to 
 the mines a marked protection, and much more worthy of censure, since its pro- 
 prietor was making, in the meantime, propositions which logically supposed the 
 existence of circumstances entirely contrary to the reality. 
 
 Sixth. That the combustible is of excellent quality, and of an employment as 
 much more economic in regard to foreign coala used in the archipelago as that its 
 price is removed further from the extreme limit of $8 per ton in normal conditions 
 or §6 per ton in exceptional conditions, estimated for the former year; and 
 
 Seventh. That the guarantees which, consequently, the mines present are insig- 
 nificant, for ita past almost null, deplorable; perhaps negative for the present, and 
 entirely hypothetical for the future. 
 
 However, your excellency will report that which you believe most suitable. 
 
 Cebu, July 24, 1879. 
 
 Enrique Abella y Casaeiego, 
 
 Chief Engineer. 
 
 Comments op Inspector op Mines on Above Report. 
 
 Most Illustrious Sir: I have the honor to return to your excellency the expe- 
 diente forwarded by Mr. Isaac Con-ui upon the construction, on account of the state, 
 of a tramway from the coal mines of Compostela, in Cebil, up to the cove of Cot Cot. 
 
 The second-class chief engineer, Mr. Enrique Abella y Casariego, who has been for 
 some time now pursuing geological studies in that island, is well acquainted, without 
 doubt, with the measures which the general inspectorate of public works wishes to 
 obtain in order to render its final judgment, which fact impelled this inspectorate in 
 my charge to send a copy of the expediente to the aforesaid engineer, in order that 
 hia report might embrace such details as relate to the matter under consideration. 
 
 Mr. Abella's report ia, as he himself states, an amplification of the one iasued on 
 
124 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 the 27th of November, 1878, in connection with another expediente concerning the 
 imposition of import duties on foreign coals, commenced by the same Con-ui nearly- 
 two years ago. The amplification consists in showing the progress realized up to 
 date in those mines since his last report, progress which, unfortunately, is almost 
 null and to a certain extent negative, if there be borne in mind the fact that the 
 condition of neglect in which those mines are found not only means the actual 
 paralyzation of the works, but also that which is more serious — greater difficulties for 
 the later exploitation that will have to be contended with when the works are 
 operated at a lower level than that which they have at present, since they should 
 necessarily be open in order that the mines may attain an active production— diffi- 
 culties resulting in the most serious consequences from the caving in of the works, 
 which, because of this most deplorable neglect, has already commenced, and which, 
 being extended, will produce afterwards pressures very difficult to withstand. 
 
 This inspectorate has thoroughly studied the attached report, and thinks nothing 
 need be added to it, knowing, as it does, the competency of the engineer who signs 
 it and his special knowledge of that island, whose geology he has been studying for 
 the last two years. 
 
 The report is accompanied by sketches and careful details of the Compostela mines 
 aaid of the area which separates them from the Cot Cot cove. 
 
 The copies of these documents, as well as the performance of other preferred mat- 
 ters relative to the commissions which your excellency was pleased to confer upon 
 me concerning the district of Surigao, have been the cause of the delay which vour 
 excellency will observe in this matter. 
 
 May God protect your excellency many years. 
 
 Manila, November 29, 1879. 
 
 Jose Cjenteno. 
 
 To the Illustrious Directoe-Gexeral op Civil Administration. 
 
 > 
 It is needless to add that the tramway was not built either by Con-ui 
 or the state. It is also needless to add that these documents prove 
 that up to the year 1880 no real and substantial efforts were made to 
 develop the coal deposits of Cebu. A blind reliance upon government 
 aid and a haphazard development without sufEcient prospecting of the 
 coal area resulted, as it will continue to result if like policies are pur- 
 sued, in additional failures. Failure under properl}^ directed efforts 
 and with ample capital and skilled labor is not probable. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV.— THE ISLAND OF MINDANAO. 
 
 From all the evidence obtainable the late inspector of mines of this 
 archipelago, in an article ^yritten by him in the year 1899, was fully 
 justified in his statement: "The beautiful island of Mindanao is the 
 richest in minerals in the whole archipelago. There are to be found 
 mineral deposits of all kinds, the chief of which are gold, silver, and 
 coal." The island seems to be extremely rich in its deposits of coal, 
 so far as number and extent are concerned, although less is known 
 of its value and quality than of the other regions that have been 
 described in this work. 
 
 In the year 1847 the governor of Caraga (now Surigao), by com- 
 mand of the governor-general, submitted an extended report in ref- 
 erence to the coal deposits of the island of Siargao, off the northeast 
 
THE COAL MEASUEES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 125 
 
 coast of the main island of Mindanao, which report is of interest, as it 
 is descriptive of the deposits of Cacub and Dapa, which have been 
 made the subject of an attempted entry of 60 pertenencias by Isidore 
 Sanger, under date of November 14, 1898, and by means of one of the 
 so-called " thii-d-class claims," whose illegal and fraudulent character 
 have been exposed in official reports of the mining bureau. 
 
 The report of the governor of Caraga was made to- the commanding 
 general of the Visayas on March 25, ISIT, the substance of the report 
 being — 
 
 First. That there are two mines discovered, situate in the towns of 
 Cacub and Dapa, both on the island of Siargao. 
 
 Second. That the mines, not being exploited, there is no present 
 supply of coal to be obtained from them. 
 
 Third. That no estimate can be given as to what amount these mines 
 would produce, but the deposits afford indications of abundance. 
 
 Fourth. That the claimants of the mine, not hsfving their mines 
 exploited, decline to submit propositions to furnish coal therefrom 
 to the state. 
 
 Fifth. That the cost price of placing the coal on the nearest coast 
 would be 11 reales per quintal; that the transportation is expensive, 
 having to be made over difficult roads, using carabaos as beasts of bur- 
 den; that anchorage grounds are not frequent except for small boats, 
 which generally go to the shore, and the ships of heavy burden must 
 anchor some distance from the shore and in a situation that would not 
 secure their safety during the southwest monsoon. 
 
 It is but fair to say that this information is not quoted as reliable, 
 since the governor of Caraga himself says that his sources of informa- 
 tion are not entirely satisfactory. Several boxes of this coal were 
 obtained and sent to the governor general. 
 
 In his letter of transmittal the commanding general (acting gov- 
 ernor) of the Visayas makes this interesting comment, which we quote 
 because of its bearing upon questions of transportation and labor, both 
 of which are of great importance in the development of the coal mines 
 of the archipelago: 
 
 The mine situated at Dapa is found nearer to the coast than that of Cacub and 
 affords better samples. Both distances are short, although I am not able at the pres- 
 ent time to state it by reason of the lack of data. Those from the territory capable 
 of judging say that a well-planned road for these mines would be insignificant. In 
 order to complete this account so far aa in my power, I call your excellency's atten- 
 tion to the fact that among the various obstacles that exist for the prosperity of the 
 province under my command that account must be taken of the lack of laborers, the 
 lack of affection for labor in our natives, and their inconstancy in carrying to com- 
 pletion the agreements they make and the enterprises they undertake, with which 
 difficulties whoever resolves upon the exploitation of said mines would perhaps vainly 
 have to contend. This objection, however, is not insuperable, because the island of 
 Bohol affords a considerable and poor population who daily emigrate in search of 
 work, and from there the hands which are lacking for the labors of the mines and 
 
I 
 
 126 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPl^IJVES. 
 
 the construction of the main passages which lead to them could be taken if tney could 
 be utilized for these services. 
 
 The boxes of coal were sent to the inspectoi- of mines, Mr. Baranda, 
 who evidently did not have a vexy good opinion of the samples, for in 
 his very brief report of July 16, 1847, he disposes of the entire mat- 
 ter in this laconic statement: 
 
 In view of the coihmunication of the governor-intendant of the Visayas, and the 
 samples of coal which your excellency was pleased to send me, I may say to your 
 excellency that in this inspectorate there is an account of the deposits of the island 
 of Siargao, and that I visited them myself in November, 1839. The quality of the 
 coal can only be known with certainty by making tests, and repeated tests, for 
 the purposes for which it is to be used. The chemical tests and the appearance of 
 the outside characteristics might perhaps be a guide of little security, so that I 
 shall limit myself by stating to your excellency that I have seen samples of coal from 
 the said island of Siargao that seemed to me of better quality than those which your 
 excellency was pleased to send me. 
 
 Near to the island of Siargao is the island of Dinagat, and in the 
 year 1874 five petitions' appear upon the records relating to coal deposits 
 upon the latter island, and located at Tubajong, Mabua, and Aliton. 
 Evidently hews traveled slow in those days, for, while the code of 1867 
 had been published in the Gazette early in the year 1868, after the 
 lapse of six years the knowledge of the new code had not reached the 
 capital of the third district of Mindanao, at Surigao, for all of these 
 petitions were drawn, presented, and forwarded under the code of 
 1846. They were returned to the provincial governor for further 
 proceedings under the new code, and further evidence of them is not 
 found in the records of the inspectorate. Five years later (1879) one 
 Kaf ael Herrera Lo-Liang-Co, described . as a Christianized Chino, and 
 a merchant and resident of the town of Tabonga, in that district, peti- 
 tioned for one pertenencia of coal land near Tagagag, proceeding 
 under the code of 1867, and succeeded in advancing his claim to the 
 point where it was sent to the general inspectorate of mines for the pur- 
 poses of legal demarcation, and a survey was ordered in April, 1880; 
 but it would seem that the Chino did not value his coal mine to the 
 extent of paying the cost of the survey, for on July 20, 1880, he 
 renounced his claim and it was abandoned. 
 
 In the year 1886 a merchant of Cagayan, a peninsular Spaniard, 
 named Ovidio Fernandez Pereiro, presented a petition for 35 per- 
 tenencias, under the name of "Ulloa." This mine was located at the 
 village of Calvan, in the town of Amulung, near the estuary of the 
 same name, in the district of Cagayan. This proceeding likewise 
 seems to have come to naught, there being no record save only the 
 fact of the presentation of the petition. From other sources we learn 
 that this deposit is a very large one and capable of easy development. 
 
 This completes the record of the coal entries and record discoveries 
 on the north side of Mindanao. It is known, however, that very 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 127 
 
 many other coal (ieposits are found in these neighborhoods, all of which 
 are undeveloped and their value unknown. On the east coast coal has 
 been discovered in many places, and notabh^ at Bislig. It is also dis- 
 covered at many points on the south coast, but no record is made in 
 the archives of the bureau except that of the deposit of Mount Mar- 
 asingan, in the territory of Sibuguey, upon which we have two long 
 reports, dated in 1856 and 1856, respectively, from a commission under 
 the direction of the commandant of engineers of Zamboanga, who 
 led an expedition for the purpose of examining these coal deposits, 
 which had been reported to be of great extent, easy of access, and 
 available for the purpose of supplying the, naval station of Zambo- 
 anga with coal for the fleet. 
 
 • These reports will not be given at length. The result of the expe- 
 dition was 36 tons of very dirty coal, to extract which amount and 
 convey it to the coast required the labor of 100 prisoners for the 
 period of seventeen days. The coal was not found in large deposits, 
 and the distance from the coast was from five to six days' traA^el, 
 according to the method of reckoning distance by the natives of that 
 section. The coal was brought to Manila and tested in the war ship 
 Magallanes in the presence of many competent witnesses. It was 
 found that the amount consumed was from 23 to 26 quintals instead 
 of from 9 to 10 quintals of Cardifl' coal for a like period. The resi- 
 due of ash was very great, and the coal was declared unfit for steam- 
 making purposes. These reports contain much interesting data of 
 local histoi'ical value, but as a proof of the extent and value of the 
 coal deposits they have little value. It is but fair to sdij that the 
 examination of the deposits was superficial, and the whole transaction 
 leaves an impression on the reader that but little real interest was felt 
 in the result of the expedition by those in charge. In fact, the emi- 
 nent engineer, Antonio Hernandez, in his comments thereon, sums up 
 the result in this manner: "Their discoveiy adds only some interest- 
 ing data to that which exists concerning carboniferous deposits in 
 many other points of the Archipelago." 
 
 In conclusion, we need only to add that since the American occupa- 
 tion we have had numerous reports of the existence of coal at other 
 points, but these reports have little value by reason of the lack of 
 samples of the coal, as well as the uncertainty of description. 
 
 CHAPTER XV.— THE ISLAND OF MASBATE. 
 
 On July 26, 1887, proceedings were commenced for the location of 
 the coal mines "San Jose "and "Santa Cruz," of four pertenenci^s 
 each. These two areas are contiguous and are located in the town of 
 Cataingan, in the barrio of Nabangig, on the southeastern coast of the 
 island of Masbate. On May 25, 1888, these mines were platted, having 
 
128 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPITSTES. 
 
 been previouslj^ surveyed by the mining engineer of the inspectorate, 
 and on May 31, 1888, titles of property were duly* issued to Jose 
 Munoz. These properties have been worked with more or less regu- 
 larity, and the titles have not been canceled or annulled by the Spanish 
 officials, and upon the records they consequently present a prima facie 
 evidence of title. 
 
 The records and archives disclose the fact that the concessionary 
 was working the mines up to and including the year 1895, as will be 
 seen by the extracts from these archives at the close of this chapter. 
 From the report of an English engineer who visited these mines for 
 the purpose of making a report thereon shortly before the Spanish- 
 American war we have obtained the following detailed information in 
 reference to the deposit: 
 
 The coal fields are located at a distance of a little over 7 miles from 
 the barrio of Cataingan, which is the place of landing. The property 
 embraced in the title is intersected by the river Nabangig, and in the 
 outcroppings along the banks of this river three workable seams of 
 coal are found — one of 4 feet 1 inch in thickness, another of 3 feet 2 
 inches, and the other of 3 feet 1 inch, and all lying at an angle of 70°. 
 Several other beds of coal are also found, but too thin to work profit- 
 ably. From the formation it is to be inferred that there are other 
 workable seams in the neighborhood which will be found as the known 
 seams are being worked. 
 
 An analysis of the coal from the 4 foot 1 inch vein, made hj Mr. A. 
 H. Holditch, an English analyst, gave the following result: 
 
 Water, at 212° F 10.50 
 
 Ash 4.38 
 
 Sulphur 4.00 
 
 Volatile naatter 43. 31 
 
 Fixed carbon 41. 40 
 
 Total 100.00 
 
 To this analysis Mr. Holditch adds, as a notation: 
 
 The coal is remarkable as containing so much moisture, but I failed to make it 
 coke at all. It did not seem, by any heat I could apply, possible to make the parti- 
 cles adhere. It crumbled up at once when removed from the crucible. 
 
 The ash and the sulphur are both very small, and the coal would make very good 
 steam coal. 
 
 The quantity of moisture in the coal was caused by the sample hav- 
 ing been taken from the outcropping, and l)y the hygroscopic quality 
 of the coal generally. The coal was found to be hard and l)right 
 looking, and on the return trip of the engineer from Masbate the thick 
 coal was tested on one of the Manila steamers. It was found that it 
 was almost smokeless, while the Japanese coal that was much used 
 gave ofl^ large volumes of bhu'k smoke whenever coal was put on the 
 fires. The engineer on boanl the steamer informed him that the ]\his- 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 129 
 
 bate coal did not make so much dust as the Japanese coal, and that 10 
 tons of Masbate coal was equal to 12 tons of the Japanese coal that 
 was sold in Manila for steam purposes. 
 
 The same engineer is also the authority for the statement that he had 
 called at Singapore on his way home, and made inquiries about the 
 Japanese coal and examined some of it, and found it very small and 
 also that after being exposed to the weather for a few months it was 
 very inferior to Cardiff coal and was only in fair demand on account 
 of its comparative cheapness. 
 
 The amount of coal in the above concessions is estimated to be suffi- 
 ciently great to keep a colliery going for twenty years, with an annual 
 output of 3,000 tons, and that two years' time would be required to 
 open out the mine for a full supply. That when the present conces- 
 sions are exhausted, they could be easily extended to any extent, at 
 merely a nominal cost, and the coal mines of Masbate were recom- 
 mended by him as a safe and remunerative investment. 
 
 The coal mines in question have been visited by American pros- 
 pectors and miners since the American occupation, through whose 
 courtesy we have received samples of the surface coal from these 
 mines, and also from other outcropping in the neighborhood. The 
 examination of these samples confirms the recommendations made in 
 the report of the English engineer above quoted, and the location of 
 the coal deposit geographically seems to confirm the theory that this 
 deposit is a portion of an extended seam of coal running from the 
 northwest toward the southeast, and appearing under similar condi- 
 tions on the islands of Mindoro and Samar. We are not in possession 
 of any information whatever in reference to the present owners and 
 claimants of the Spanish titles, and by reason of the fact that all work 
 in the way of mining in the island of Masbate has been necessarily 
 suspended by reason of insurrection, are unable to state whether the 
 property has been abandoned by its former owners or not. There 
 seems to be very little if any question, however, as to the practical 
 steam making qualities of the coal of Masbate, as will be seen from 
 the comparison of the analysis contained in this chapter with the 
 analysis of the coals of Japan and other lignite coals, which will be 
 found in a subsequent chapter of this work. The island of Masbate, 
 by reason of its nearness to the city of Manila and the proximity of 
 the mine to the coast, together with other physical surroundings that 
 have been called to our attention by the American prospectors who 
 have visited these deposits, especially commend it as a favorable field 
 for development, and it is probable that the coal mines of Masbate 
 will be worked at an early date. 
 
 From the archives of the inspectorate we gather the following inter- 
 esting incidents relative to the exploitation of the Masbate coal fields of 
 "San Jose"and "SantaCruz." Notwithstanding the fact that the law 
 
 6503—01 9 
 
130 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 presumed an annual visit and inspection of the mines by the engineer 
 of mines, no visit had actually been made to the mines of Jose MuBoz 
 & Son, at Cataingan, up to the year 1894. In March of that year 
 Enrique de Almonte was commissioned to make a visit of inspection, 
 and his report was by no means favorable to the concessionary. The 
 force of men was found insufficient, the working of the mines ava- 
 ricious and detrimental to their future profitable exploitation. No 
 shafts or tunnels had been constructed, and the coal had been mined from 
 the surface croppings in no less than sixteen different and distinct places, 
 producing a total output of 623 tons in six years, and all of these from 
 open pits along the bank of the river Nabangig. It brings a smile to 
 the face of those of us who are accustomed to the regular and sys- 
 tematic workings of the lignite coals of the Pacific coast, and the 
 mountain States and Territories of the United States, whose coals are 
 in all respects similar to the Philippine coals, to examine the diagrams 
 and read the descriptions of the mine workings of this Masbate coal 
 mine. It was not mining at all. Jose Munoz, the concessionary, was 
 fined 100 esoudos (50 pesos), and paid the fine. The next year, how- 
 ever, Munoz was on time with a petition in February, in which he set 
 forth his troubles and sorrows with his coal mine, and as this petition 
 graphically calls attention to two very important questions in connec- 
 tion with mining in the Philippines, namely, the labor question and 
 the holiday question, I give his petition in full: 
 
 To the Most Excellent Director-General op Civil Administration: 
 
 Jose Mufioz, with personal cedula, etc., concessionary of the coal mines "San 
 Jose" and "Santa Cruz," situate in the district of Cataingan, in Masbate, respect- 
 fully shows: That in spite of the efforts that he has made to attract to his mines the 
 scanty and scattered population that the extensive township of Cataingan contains, 
 and even that of the neighboring town of Palanas, it has been impossible to secure 
 them, even conceding to them every advantage by the construction of dwelling 
 places for them and the payment of day wages very much higher than usual in the 
 district. Those natives, accustomed to a pastoral life, alternated with small cultiva- 
 tions which permit them to live at ease the greater part of the day, in no manner 
 admit the regular labor which mines indispensably require, and the few operatives 
 who, by force of gifts, have consented to give their services as mining laborers, have 
 deserted in a short time, wearied by those labors that they find very difficult and 
 that require a sustained muscular force. 
 
 Another inconvenience is that when any native does consent to enter into a con 
 tract, it is with the condition of not abandoning his little cultivated field, and at the 
 arrival of the period of seed time, or harvest, they abandon the mines without a 
 thought of the injuries that result from their instability. 
 
 Obtaining workmen from the island of Leyte and from the provinces of the Cama- 
 rines and Albay has been tried, and some of them, by reason of having in their pos- 
 session a small amount of moijey, took themselves off, especially at the time of the 
 occurrence of the fiesta of their pueblo; and others because they found the work of 
 excavating the hard sandstone that constitutes that land very difficult, and all of 
 them, in general, find the scantily inhabited community very unpleasant, because 
 unprovided with the fiestas that they find in their own pueblos. Thus it is that at 
 times not even the doubling of the usual pay in that district has been found effective 
 
THE GOAL MEASUEES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 131 
 
 in retaining them. Last year a few and limited supply of laborers were hired and 
 less than half were from this district; the rest were made up of some Tagaloga, some 
 Vicols, and the remainder Visayans from various places, and, as customarily happens 
 in such cases, of the poorer class from each province, so that each ton of coal has cost 
 nearly double the price obtained for it on sale. 
 
 Under such conditions it has only been possible to exploit in open workings, with 
 a notable injury to the said concessionary, since the laborers obstinately refuse to 
 work under ground, and the undersigned is not able to collect a colony of Ilocanos, 
 or from another tribe of the country in sufficient number, who by contract will adjust 
 themselves to a fixed time, which is that which he attempts to secure at present; he 
 will have no other remedy than to have recourse to Asiatic immigration, difficult of 
 promoting and establishing to advantage, for which he will have to secure consider- 
 able capital and no little time, in case the petitioner attempts by all the skillful 
 means at his command to find in the country itself the hands that he needs. 
 
 If to all this I have stated your excellency adds the enormous inequality in 
 exchange with Europe, which makes the exportation of the machinery necessary in 
 every kind of a mine impossible, and which has paralyzed for the present the trade 
 in which the subscriber was engaged with an enterprise in London, your excel- 
 lency will be able easily to deduce the uncertainty of the present situation of the 
 aforesaid mines, and in case that the visit of inspection to the said mines is made, 
 the undersigned begs that you will be kindly disposed to pardon the faults that may 
 be observed in the course of said visits of inspection at said mines, because of their 
 being due to causes foreign to the will of the concessionary, etc. 
 
 Manila, February 15, 1895. 
 
 JosB MuSoz. 
 
 Upon the recommendation of Inspector Abella, who said: "These 
 difficulties, more or less exaggerated, are unfortunately too true and 
 both contribute to delay effectively the development that was hoped 
 in these and other exploitations of Filipino coal," the visits of inspec- 
 tion for 1895 were indefinitely postponed, as had been done also in 
 the case of the coal mines of Mindoro and other localities. 
 
 It may not be out of place to ask these questions: Under the changed 
 condition of affairs, will the natives of these islands now give their 
 services as laborers in the mines for a fair compensation, and with a 
 constancy that will enable the mines to be operated with regularity, 
 and to compete with the Australian and Japanese coals in the Philip- 
 pine market? Or, on the other hand: Must resort be had to Asiatic 
 labor by the importation of Chinese, with the alternative of abandon- 
 ing the rich mineral deposits of coal that are known to exist in 
 the archipelago? The answer to these questions is with the natives 
 themselves. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI.— THE ISLAND OF LUZON. 
 
 In addition to the deposits of coal on the island of Luzon and its 
 neighboring small islands, which have been heretofore described in 
 more or less detail, it is well known that there are other deposits of 
 lignite of like character in greater or less quantities in very many 
 other portions of the island. 
 
132 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 On May 26, 1889, one Anacleto del Rosario and an associate solicited 
 the registry of a coal mine to be known as "Legaspi," at the place 
 called Binacunyan, in the town of Montalban, in the province of Manila. 
 
 Upon publication of the notices, Mr. Esteban Atencio y Bonilla pre- 
 sented a protest, alleging that he was the owner of the land, and on 
 August 25 he presented a certificate from the inspector-general of 
 mountains in order to establish his title to the property. The petition 
 for demarcation accompanied by samples of the coal was presented, 
 notwithstanding, but before official action was completed, and on Octo- 
 ber 7, 1889, the mine was formally renounced by the claimants. The 
 samples of coal from this deposit seem to be of superior quality and 
 very similar to the samples of coal from the island of Polillo, in the 
 province of Infanta, one of the deposits of which furnished the basis for 
 the location of the "San Eafael" mine on July 29, 18T7, based upon a 
 discovery on the eastern slope of Mount Malolod. 
 
 From Centeno's Monografias Geologicas it is learned that in the 
 destructive earthquake of 1879 pieces of mineral coal were cast up 
 from the fissures that were opened in the immediate vicinity of the 
 town of Ayuso, in the province of Tarlac. We have recently been 
 shown samples of coal that were said to have been obtained at various 
 points in the Zambales Mountains, and it is a well-known and estab- 
 lished fact that there are large deposits of coal found at various points 
 in the rich Cagayan Valley at the northern end of the island. Coal 
 has also been discovered since the American occupation on the west 
 coast of the island of Luzon, in the foothills of the mountain chain 
 between the Ilocanian provinces and Lepanto and Abra. "In fact, 
 deposits of coal are distributed from the northern end of Luzon to the 
 southeastern extremity. Of many of these occurrences nothing more 
 is known than that lignite has been found. The vegetation is so luxu- 
 riant that in most cases it is something of a task to ascertain anything 
 more definite. The best deposits known appear to be in the extreme 
 southern end of Luzon and on small adjacent islands. Here the quality 
 is good and the thickness of the beds reaches nearly 15 feet. The out- 
 crop is near the shore, and it was here that the insurgents supplied 
 their steamers with fuel." 
 
 The above quotation, from the pen of George F. Becker, United 
 States Geologist, is a fair and exact statement of the conditions in 
 reference to the coal deposits of the archipelago generally, not only as 
 applied to Luzon, but all other portions of the islands. 
 
 At various distances from the Laguna de Bay, in the provinces of 
 Laguna and Morong, are also many known beds of lignite, and some 
 of them of sufficient size and convenience of location to render them 
 profitable for development as soon as the necessary roads and bridges 
 can be supplied for the purposes of transportation. In this locality 
 also, and at various points between the eastern end of the Laguna de 
 
THE OOAI, MEAStlKBS OP THE PHILIPPINES. 133 
 
 Bay and the Pacific coast, natural oil springs are reported, which seem 
 to indicate the presence of an oil-bearing strata of considerable extent. 
 So numerous are the indications of coal and oil in the immediate vicin- 
 ity of the city of Manila that it is a matter of considerable surprise 
 that only one attempted coal location has been found upon the records 
 and archives of the department of mines. I have made a special effort 
 to find out the particulars in reference to the coal deposits last quoted, 
 and from the information that 1 have been able to gain I have very 
 little doubt of the existence of coal in that portion of the island of 
 Luzon, good in quality and extensive in quantity. It would seem that 
 but very little attention has been given to the prospecting and devel- 
 oping of the coal seams and measures at the very doors of the metrop- 
 olis of the archipelago. This is all the more remarkable inasmuch as 
 so much aid and assistance have been given to the development of coal 
 mining in the Philippines on the part of the general Government of 
 Spain and the local government of the archipelago. While I am 
 unwilling to assert as a positive fact that paying coal beds can be 
 developed within the immediate radius of the city of Manila, since I 
 have had no opportunity to verify in person the various statements 
 that have been made to me in reference thereto or collect myself or 
 under the supervision of the Bureau samples from these deposits, I 
 am entirely satisfied in recommending to miners and prospectors a 
 careful examination of the fields referred to, and on the part of the 
 Government an examination of this entire section of country by an 
 expert geologist and engineer from the Department of Mines as soon 
 as the condition of the country will permit. In fact, a detailed geo- 
 logical survey of Luzon and its adjacent islands should be the very 
 first field to receive attention when the geological work of the Mining 
 Bureau is resumed. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII.— THE ISLAND OF MINDORO. 
 
 By reference to the table of mines it will be seen that ten mines of 
 coal are credited to this little-known island. Of these the "Santa 
 Maria," of two pertenencias, is located on the small island of Sem- 
 erara, directly south of Mindoro, and title was issued for this mine on 
 May 12, 1893. This mine is the property of the well-known mer- 
 chant and boat owner, Antonio de Yribar, of Manila, who has made a 
 business of trading with the island of Mindoro for many years. He 
 is also the claimant of a mine situated on the main island of Mindoro, 
 in the town limits of Bulalacao. This latter property does not appear 
 in the list of mines, for the reason that it belongs to a class of claims 
 known as "provincial claims," or claims instituted by petition pre- 
 sented to the politico-military governor and that had not reached the 
 inspectorate of mines on petition for demarcation prior to American 
 
134 THE COAL MEASURES OB THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 occupation. We have had placed at our disposal by Captain de 
 Yribar an elaborate report on this property made by the well-known 
 engineer, Fenton W. Hill, of Manila, from which we shall make 
 liberal quotations hereafter. The same report also contains informa- 
 tion of a mine claimed by the Kecoletos Order of Friars, in the same 
 neighborhood. We acknowledge the courtesy of Captain de Yribar,. 
 not only for the use of this report and its accompanying maps and 
 diagram of a proposed railway, but also for much other valuable 
 information about the island of Mindoro and its resources. 
 
 The other nine mines are divided into two groups, eight of them 
 located at Siay and Napisian, in the town of Bulalacao, and titled on 
 May 12, 1893. Each of these mines embrace four pertenencias. The 
 remaining mine, the "San Felix," of four pertenencias, also in Bula- 
 lacao, belongs to the "second class," or claims awaiting demarcation 
 at the date of American occupation. 
 
 ITie careful reader will recall the accounts of the early visits made 
 to the coal fields of Semerara, and especially the voyage that was 
 arranged foi' that island, to be later extenaed to the island of Negros, 
 and which resulted in the discovery and location of the coal mines 
 at Guila-Guila, in Cebu. The coal of Semerara is, therefore, not a 
 new discovery. The coal fields of Bulalacao are of later date. 
 
 The commander of the steam transport Patvno, returning to Manila 
 from a voyage to the south, put into the port of Bulalacao, on the 
 south of Mindoro, on March 22, 1879, and the conditions of the 
 sea and wind not permitting the continuance of the voyage he sent 
 his first engineer with eight stokers and a guide to visit some coal 
 deposits that the natives reported to him existed along the banks of a 
 river near the anchorage. Upon the return of the Patvno to Cavite 
 on Christmas Day this adventure was reported to the commanding 
 general of the navy, who immediately transmitted it to the governor- 
 general with the remark: "The great facility with which it can be 
 extracted, and the great resources for any ship belonging to the State 
 which finds itself in need of combustible along these coasts, cause me 
 to beg your excellency to read the report of the engineer concerning 
 it." Upon this an expedition was organized and, under the direction 
 of the inspector of mines, this deposit was further examined. From 
 the voluminous reports and correspondence we extract so much as is 
 of interest or value. 
 
 The first document is the report of the engineer, A. Valentin, dated 
 December 22, 1879: 
 
 In compliance with your orders of the 21st of the present month, I left the ship at 
 5 o'clock on the morning of the 22d in order to go and investigate a vein or lode of 
 coal situated at some 8 miles from the anchorage at Bulalacao. By means of the boat 
 I was able to travel some 4 miles through a river which may be some 2 to 1\ meters 
 in depth and 5 or 6 in width. At the end of these 4 miles the river separates into 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 135 
 
 two branches, which probably reunite, but as to which I am unaware, having not 
 knowledge of the topography of said neighborhood. At the place where the river 
 divides I went ashore with eight men from the ship's crew, and traveled some 4 
 miles on foot, crossing large plains (flats), which in that covmtry are called " Cogo- 
 nales," by means of a road, which should more properly be called a footpath, but on 
 favorable ground, upon which good highways could be opened with great ease. At 
 some 400 meters from the deposit of coal we had to cross a river, which should more 
 properly be called a rivulet by reason of having no more than 2 feet of water by 10 
 in width, and we arrived at the place where the coal appears, which is none other 
 than the very edge of the river which we had crossed. The said river, at the place 
 where the coal is, forms an angle of some 140°, in which the currents caused by the 
 floods continue year by year, carrying away ground, and for this reason the lands 
 washed away have left open to view the end of the vein of coal. The bank of the 
 river at the place where the coal appears is approximately some 4 meters above the 
 level of the water. The depth of the river will barely reach from 2 to 3 feet. At 3 
 meters below the level of the ground the coal appears, and it enters the groiind with 
 an inclination of some 30° Some 6 d/m of the vein are above the level and some 
 8 d/m are below the same (the water) and not in the bottom or bed of the river, but 
 rather in the bank. The outline of the lode — ^that is, from the Uttle which appears — 
 is that of a comer of 4 meters in length, surrounded by veins of half petrified clays 
 of different colors — dark gray, greenish, blue, and yellow — and in which are to be 
 found some extremely hard rocks, very dense, with a vein of crystallized quartz. 
 Above these veins of clay is another sandy clay, with many rocks of irregular form, 
 but round, and the upper strata of the ground is of vegetable earth. The exploita- 
 tion of this coal, in view of its situation, would offer few difficulties. The lode, I 
 believe, should be an immense one; that which is exposed probably has a superficial 
 surface of 4 square meters, and in order to find veins of greater thickness it will 
 probably be necessary to open a gallery on the main body. I have extracted in half 
 an hour some 200 kilograms, which we brought on board, and a trial of it was made 
 with only 20 kilograms, it being noted that it gives oft more heat than the coal 
 which we used on board, and that it is almost completely consumed, leaving so little 
 residue from the 20 kilograms tested that the quantity is hardly appreciable; it being 
 found that 20 kilograms of that which is consumed on board has left more residue 
 and has consumed the same length of time, of two hours in burning, as that of the 
 same quantity of this class. It is a coal of medium quality, very similar in appear- 
 ance to that from Australia and from Compostela, and in the small amount which I 
 was able to bring pyrites of iron is not to be seen — qualities most valuable in coals 
 which are to be taken on board as combustible for a steamship. I should like, sir, 
 to give you a great deal more information concerning this combustible, but the small 
 quantity which we have of it, and the lack of a generator especially constructed for 
 this class of trials are lacking on board, and in order to thoroughly appreciate its 
 qualities it would be necessary to have some 10 tons at our disposal and make a 
 voyage with it in order to determine its exact value. 
 
 On January 7, 1880, Jose Centeno, having obtained from Cavite 
 samples of the coal brought from Mindoro by the Patino, reported to 
 the director-general of civil administration that there had been pre- 
 sented to him by the engineer of the transport a piece of coal coming, 
 as he said, from a deposit of Bulalacao examined by him, and stating 
 at the same time some facts as to the locality and circumstances of the 
 situation of the deposit, which, although important, were not, how- 
 ever, sufficient to pass upon the true importance of the discovery, 
 
136 THE COAL MEASUBE8 OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 it having nothing of especial value, because of the very short time 
 employed in the examination. Senor Centeno says: 
 
 I then proceeded to make the assays in this laboratory, and from these it results 
 that the coal in question presents the following characteristics: 
 
 It is black, unpolished ore of a slaty textuie, of slight hardness, and brittle. Its 
 specific gravity is 1.282. It bums with ease, producing a large flame with suflacient 
 smoke, and leaves a yellowish-red ash in the quantity of 4.30 parts for each hundred. 
 
 Its composition in each part is: 
 
 Fixed carbon 41.06 
 
 Volatile matter 42.14 
 
 Water 12.50 
 
 Ashes 4.30 
 
 Total 100.00 
 
 Its caloric power, obtained by the litharge test, according to the method of Ber- 
 thier, results in 5,198 calories. As these figures by themselves, without the corrob- 
 oration of tests made on a grand scale in steamships, do not afford sufficient data to 
 pass upon the true importance of this combustible, he has believed it proper to 
 establish a comparison with analogous figures obtained in tests made under like 
 conditions with the coal of Cebu (Compostela) already examined and tested in war 
 vessels of this navy, and with conclusions as follows: 
 
 Erom this table it is deduced that the coal of Bulalacao, although somewhat less 
 in combustible wealth and caloric power to that of the mines of Compostela, in Cebu, 
 can, however, be applied in navigation and in general for heating purposes in steam 
 engines. Its application wUl be more or less advantf^eous, according to the geolog- 
 ical conditions in which the deposit is found, its distance from the sea, its proximity 
 or distance from the forest that furnishes timbers for timbering, etc., all of which it 
 is not possible to state without verifying upon the ground the detailed situations and 
 conditions. 
 
 This resulted in the sending of an expedition headed by Don Jose 
 Centeno, the inspector of mines, to the island of Mindoro, leaving 
 Manila by the Valiente on February 16. From the inspector's report, 
 on March 6, 1880, we quote: 
 
 We arrived at Bulalacao on the early morning of the 18th, and on the same duty 
 disembarked the 20 military prisoners with their captain, and they were established 
 at the site where the carboniferous deposit, the object of the examination, appears, 
 which is discovered toward the north of the town, and at a distance of about 5 miles, 
 the first two of which was covered by an estuary, navigable for boats of smaller 
 draft, and the three remaining by plains covered with bamboo. 
 
 The deposit presents itself on the left bank of a river of medium size that flows 
 from the mountains situated to the north of Bulalacao, inhabited by a savage race 
 called Manguianes. The cropping is found covered almost entirely by the waters, 
 only a small part being visible, composed of coal, very dirty and brittle, that it would 
 have been useless to gather. Therefore it became necessary, in order to be able to 
 obtain some quantity of the combustible sufficient to make a test on a large scale, to 
 change the bed of the river, which was accomplished by means of a dam made of 
 stone rolled down, clay, and brush. With this work there was a strata (of coal) dis- 
 covered, and, although with some trouble, by reason of the abundant filtrationa 
 which come in continually, 10 men, by means of a channel or drain, were able to 
 take out about 3 tons from under the level of the river, it not being possible to 
 continue this work because at the same time that the excavation was deepened the 
 waters increased to such an extent that it was already impossible to control them. 
 
THE COAL MBASUBES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 137 
 
 The deposit discovered in this manner is a strata of coal with faces of clay. Its 
 direction is W. 25° N. to E. 25° S.; its inclination 19° N., to 25° E., and its thick- 
 ness 0.75 m. The roof of the strata is discovered covered by a bank of conglomerate 
 composed of rounded stones and sand cemented by a quantity of clay, and upon this 
 another strata of dark-colored clay, which forms the subsoil of the vegetable earth. 
 All these strata form on the left bank of the river, a bank of 5 meters in height, 
 that it was necessary to take down in order to be able to take out some coal from the 
 bed of the river. Although this work presented some difficulties, among others the 
 abundance of waters that had to be contended with in order to cut out coal at a 
 level lower even than that from which it had been taken out on the creek bed, we 
 undertook it, however, with a desire to increase somewhat the small quantity con- 
 tained. Four days of continuous labor, not only of the 20 prisoners that we brought, 
 but also of some workmen that we were able with great difficulty to obtain in the 
 small town of Bulalacao, permitted us to make the clearing indicated and arrive at 
 the strata of coal by means of a drain of 1.75 meters below the level of the river. 
 In the meantime the drain traversed the clayey and waterproof roof, but at the first 
 blow struck upon the coal the water rushed in with such force, seeking its level, that 
 at every point it was useless to think of increasing by this recourse what we had 
 been able to secure there. The workmen labored with great hardships, submerged 
 to the middle of their bodies in water and exposed to a burning sun that would cer- 
 tainly have made them useless if this task had been continued some days. This 
 consideration, added to the fact that the deposit is of very little interest, because of 
 its small thickness, especially because of its location under the bed of a river that, 
 even being disposed of by the means in our power, would have presented serious 
 difficulties for its exploitation, and lastly because of the quality of the coal, which 
 is very mediocre because it is presented in broken parts, slaty, very thin, and trav- 
 ersed to all appearances by cracks that make it exceedingly permeable, decided us 
 in suspending these labors that offered no utility, either present or future. 
 
 We arranged, therefore, on the 25th that the prisoners should go on board, having 
 collected and carried down already the 3 tons of coal that they had been able to take 
 out, and that same night at 12 o'clock we weighed anchor from this port for the trip 
 to Manila, where we arrived on the morning of the 27th. 
 
 It would seem from the reading of these two reports that the expe- 
 dition under Inspector Centeno had made an additional and new dis- 
 covery; that he did not, in fact, inspect the coal deposits described by 
 the engineer of the Patino at all. This opinion is strengthened by 
 subsequently acquired knowledge of the coal deposits of the town of 
 Bulalacao, some of which are above and others below the water level. 
 
 We make the following quotations from the report of Mr. Fenton 
 W. Hill, C. E., made in February, 1898, as the result of a careful 
 examination made by him in January of that year of the claims of 
 Mr. Yribar and the Recoletos Fathers, and heretofore referred to. 
 His report includes a proposition for a railway to connect the Yribar 
 mines with the coast at Bulalacao, and the construction of a wharf 
 where ships of large tonnage can load direct from the coal cars. In 
 the general remarks on the proposition he says: 
 
 The country surrounding these concessions is more or less mountainous, and is, as 
 well as the range of mountains that flank the railway route on the west down to the 
 coast, of carboniferous formation. This mountain area, the general direction of which 
 is north and south, contains the numerous coal deposits that are to be found in this 
 district. These coal deposits, so far as I could find out, run northeast and south- 
 west, as nearly as possible. 
 
138 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 In reference to the Yribar mine and the proposed railway and wharf 
 he says: 
 
 I think it would be advisable to increase this area by the addition of five more 
 blocks, making a total area of 124 acres 2 roods, instead of, as now, only 20 acres 3 
 roods. This block is located on a small mountain stream, which joins the main 
 river to the south, and its situation in a direct line bearing 335° from the township 
 of Bulalacao is about 4i miles. 
 
 Most of the intervening country is an extensive fiat, extending on both sides of the 
 river Bulalacao. 
 
 This area of level country does not appear to be subject to inundation. It is fairly 
 well timbered by numerous belts of good timber of large size, suitable for mining 
 purposes and railway timbers, which, together with the large forests of good timber 
 existing on some of the ranges near the mines, provides an unlimited supply for all 
 purposes at a very nominal cost when compared with other coal fields, where all 
 timber required for mining has to be brought — sometimes from over the sea — from 
 other parts at a big cost to the mine owners. 
 
 The river Bulalacao, though fairly a large stream near the coast, in its course 
 passes close to the southern boundary of the concession, while its source extends far 
 beyond it to the east, but it is of no use as a means of transport. During eight 
 months of the year the water in the upper reaches and down to within about 2 miles 
 of the coast almost entirely disappears in the bed of the channel. This stream is 
 influenced by the tides for about one-third (in a direct line) of the distance to the 
 mines, but the entrance to it is closed by a sand bar, which at low water is almost dry. 
 
 The rise and fall of the tides at Bulalacao is about SJ feet. 
 
 A small mountain stream passes through the concession and runs into the 
 Bulalacao. This stream is flanked on both sides by fairly high ranges, which con- 
 tain numerous coal seams. And it is in the bed of this stream that the several coal 
 seams, numbered from 1 to 6, have been exposed by the rush ol storm water. 
 
 The place where seam No. 1 is exposed in the stream has been flxed as the point of 
 departure or center of the concession, the boundaries of which extend from this 
 point 145 meters to the north, south, east, and west 
 
 COAIi SEAMS. 
 
 Seam No. 1. This seam is well deflned and is 9 feet thick, the strike or trend being 
 SW. and NE. by E., extending into the hills on both aids of the stream, and the 
 underlie is about 25° to the south. 
 
 The seam has been opened out on the west side of the stream to a distance of about 
 3 meters, and it appears to rise as it enters the hill, the coal seam becoming more 
 compact and of better quality. From this seam I had taken out about half a ton for 
 a sample. 
 
 Seam No. 2. Is located about 60 meters up the stream from No. 1, and is 6 feet in 
 thickness. The strike appears, from the little that has been exposed, to be about 
 NNE. and SSW., and rising as it makes out into the hills to the west. The underlie 
 is to the east about 20°- Only about IJ meters of its length have been exposed, 
 showing a fairly compact seam of good coal. From this seam I had 5 hundredweight 
 (about) taken out for a sample. 
 
 Seam No. 5. Is farther up the stream about 64 meters in a northwest direction from 
 No. 2. It is about 7 feet thick, but not quite so compact in the seam as the others. 
 No work has been done to open it beyond just breaking into it. It appears to run 
 deeper below the surface and to cross the stream at a lower level. The strike appears 
 to be SW. and NE., with an underlie to the east of about 23°. No samples were 
 taken from this place. 
 
 Seam No. 4. This is a well-defined and large body of coal, 12 feet thick, with 
 
THE COAL MEA8UBES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 139 
 
 apparently the same strike as No. 3 — that is, SW. and NE. The underlie is about the 
 same, 23° to the east. It is situated about 50 meters to the NE. of No. 3. This seam, 
 though not much work has been done on it, is opening up very well and is very 
 promising, showing at a depth of 3J meters from the surface and 3 meters cut in 
 from the stream on the west side a compact body of coal right through the seam. 
 This seam exists on both sides of the stream. From this place I took away quite a 
 ton of the coal for a sample. 
 
 Seam No. 5. Is 3 feet thick and solid and is situated only 30 meters upstream from 
 No. 4. The strike is about the same, SW. and NE., but it is more vertically inclined, 
 standing at about 40° easterly. Only about 2 meters of this seam have been worked, 
 and I took a sample from this of about 5 himdredweight. 
 
 Seam No. 6. Is still farther up the stream, about 120 meters from No. 5. It is 3 
 feet in thickness and shows a nice compact seam with a NNE. and 8SW. strike, and 
 has an easterly underhe. This seam is exposed on the west side of the stream, but 
 no work has been done on it other than stripping the surface to find its width. 
 
 There are also two outcroppings of coal situated high up on the eastern slope of 
 the western range. 
 
 These outcrops, though separated from each other by a distance of about 18 meters 
 and are at different levels, 30 and 40 meters above the stream where Nos. 3 and 4 
 seams show out, may possibly turn out to be a continuation of those seams. 
 
 These several coal seams are all crossed by the small stream running through the 
 block, and they extend beyond into the hills on both sides. They are all con- 
 veniently situated close to each other, the distance between Nos. 1 and 6, following 
 the sinuosities of the stream, being not more than 325 meters. They can all be con- 
 nected by a side cutting at the foot of the range following the stream, from which 
 all the necessary adits would be led off to work the coal seams either to the right 
 or the left. Thus an abundant supply of coal would be got at the start without the 
 expense of sinking a shaft for several years to come. The surrounding country is 
 very promising in appearances and has all the characteristics of a lar^e coal field. 
 
 Although scarcely any work has been done by way of opening up the several 
 seams beyond that necessary to ascertain their thickness and direction, it has been 
 sufficient to prove that coal does exist in more or less large seams and that it 
 improves in quality the farther they are worked into. 
 
 The coal is semibituminous in character and bears a strong resemblance to many 
 of the Australian coals. It gives off very little smoke and burns to a fine white ash 
 without clinkers, and is a good steaming coal. This was proved by a practical test 
 I had made of 2 tons on the steamer Bolinao, all of which was surface coal, the 
 greatest depth being not more than 3 meters, and taken from tour different seams, 
 as follows: Seam No. 1, about half a ton; seam No. 2, about 6 hundredweight; seam 
 No. 4, a little over a ton; seam No. 5, 5 hundredweight. 
 
 These coals when put on the steanaer weighed only 2 tons. I had intended to 
 get about 16 tons, sufficient to run the steamer from Bulalacao to Manila, but labor 
 being scarce and very bad I was only able to get the 2 tons. 
 
 On the 27th of January, 1898, and when the steamer had got on her way and was 
 well out from the land, we made the trial, which lasted seven hours, from 4.30 
 to 11.30 p. m. When starting this trial at 4.30 p. m. the gauge showed 60 pounds 
 pressure. The fires from Australian coal were then drawn and the ash pits cleaned 
 out before firing up with this new coal. While this was being done and the new 
 fires getting into good order the pressure in the boilers fell to 50 pounds, but it very 
 soon went up to 55, 58, and 60 pounds, and kept steady at that without any trouble 
 during the seven hours the coal lasted. During the last three hours we experienced a 
 very rough sea. It burned well and freely and with only a little smoke of a very light 
 color, and made only a small percentage of fine white ashes, free from clinkers. 
 These 2 tons made oidy 400 pounds of ashes. It appeared to me that this coal 
 
140 THE COAL MBASTJKES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 required not so much stoking as the Australian coal did. In this I am borne out by 
 the chief engineer, whom I requested to note independently the result of this trial 
 and record the same in his official log. This, I understand he did. 
 
 Although the coal was taken from the surface, down to a depth of only 3 meters, 
 and from four different seams, the result of this trial was very satisfactory and showed 
 that it is a good steaming coal, even on the surface, and will bear comparison very 
 favorably with Australian coal, the difference being only about 14J per cent in favor 
 of the Australian, which is very little when the difference of depths which these two 
 coals are worked is taken mto account, one on the surface almost and the other 
 from a great depth. When these seams are opened out and worked farther into the 
 mountains this difference will disappear, and, in my opmion, a coal equal to the 
 Australian will be produced and in large quantities. 
 
 Judging from what I have seen, and basing my calculation on the usual practices 
 and rules laid down for calculating contents of coal seams when mclined, I estimate 
 that there are about 1,500,000 tons to be got out of this block, assuming of course 
 that no fault or break occurs in the several seams. 
 
 Besides coal, there are on this property large quantities of iron hematite, which 
 might prove a source of revenue outside of that got from coal, if only a small furnace 
 was erected. The screenings and small coal could be used for smelting it into pig 
 iron, instead of being dumped down as a waste product. 
 
 All these seams are most conveniently situated for working economically, requir- 
 ing little time and expense to open up, so that coal could be turned out almost at 
 the start. Timber in abundance for all requirements is at command and the mines 
 are within a short distance of the bay, where there is secure anchorage and a sate 
 port to load at any time of the year. 
 
 Transport by the river is not available. Therefore, to bring the coal to the sea- 
 board with the least trouble and handling, a light meter gauge railway not more 
 than 6 miles in length will be required, as well as a jetty long enough to reach deep 
 water (say, 6 fathoms). 
 
 There are no engineering difficulties to contend with in constructing this line, 
 though possibly a couple of bridges may be required if, when the survey has been 
 made, it was found the line could be shortened somewhat by erecting them. 
 
 Most of this line would traverse over a level country, where the embankments 
 need not necessarily be more than 3 feet high, and could be formed from the side 
 ditches. 
 
 At the north end there would be some small cuttings necessary to bring the line 
 to the coal workings, but at the south end there would be more cutting required to 
 get through the range of hills that skirt the coast line. I have no doubt that when 
 cutting through this range coal seams will be found, for it is in this range, but a 
 little more to the west, where the P. P. Recoletos concession is situated. 
 
 The materials from this cutting could be used to make the soUd part of the jetty 
 over the shallow portion which extends out for a long distance. The end of the 
 jetty would have to be on piles, with the necessary fenders for ships to lay alongside. 
 
 In reference to the mines of the Recoletos Fathers he says: 
 
 Unfortunately, I was unable to make a satisfactory inspection of this property, not 
 having the time, nor was I able to see the coal seam said to have been worked in 
 the addit, on account of the workings having all fallen in. 
 
 This block is well situated on the eastern slope of the range on the west side of 
 the bay, and is only about IJ miles from the coast. It is easily accessible by a large 
 gully, which leads from the coast right up to the mines, which are situated almost 
 at the base of the upper stepping of the range. The surrounding country is carbon- 
 iferous and looks promising. 
 
 There are many small seams of coal varying from 11 to 12 inches in thickness to 
 be found in the several small streamlets that run into this gully. 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 141 
 
 At the head of this large gully a drive or addit has been made into the hill, fol- 
 lowing the coal seam, about IJ meters thick (so I was told), for a distance of about 
 5 meters. Unfortunately this addit is closed up, having fallen in for want of tim- 
 ber. The samples of coal I found strewed about the entrance of this addit appears 
 to be more of a black shale, very dull, and breaks with a clean cleavage like slate, 
 and is not at all like the coal from Antonio Yribar's block, though possibly, and I 
 am inclined to think there can be no doubt but that good coal will be found when 
 properly prospected for. 
 
 The surroundings have all the appearance of being a likely coal field, and on that 
 account I think it very likely to turn out well if further prospecting is carried out. 
 Should this prove so, it can easily be connected with the coal depot near the coast 
 at a very small cost by a small tram line, which could be so graded that the loaded 
 wagons could travel down by gravitation and the empty wagons be taken back by 
 horses. There is an abundance of good timber within easy distance for all require- 
 ments. 
 
 In his general conclusions, Engineer Fenton, who seems to have 
 made a very careful and extended examination of the entire Bulalacao 
 proposition, says: 
 
 Judging from the results of my inspection and the trial of the coal made on board 
 the S. S. Bolinao, there can be no suggestion of doubt in my mind that the district in 
 which these coal concessions are situated is and will prove to be an extensive and 
 valuable coal field when properly explored. 
 
 The block in the name of Antonio de Yribar appears to be somewhere near the 
 center of it, and with abundance of coal on it ready to be cut out, as well as large 
 quantities of valuable iron ore, hematite, and situated as it is within 6 miles of a 
 good and secure harbor for ships all the year round, together with its close proximity 
 to Manila, must commend itself as a valuable property and one that could be worked 
 with little expense for several years, turning out any quantity of coal in proportion 
 to the labor employed and proper management. 
 
 The other block of P. P. Becoletos is also favorably situated, and I think it only 
 requires more prospecting. Its general appearance and the fact that coal does exist 
 warrants better attention given to it. Should this be done, I feel sure the results 
 would be satisfactory. 
 
 All the facts carefully considered tend only to one conclusion — that is, that the 
 property as a coal field is a valuable one, and, in my opinion, will afford to enterprise 
 a good reward for the investment of a moderate capital. 
 
 The group of eight mines of Napisian and Siay referred to in this 
 chapter were all titled to Rafael Cuscoroa y Martinez, and it is said 
 that these properties have passed into the hands of a large and wealthy 
 firm of Manila. I have, however, been unable to learn who the real 
 claimants for the property are. It seems quite certain from reports 
 from reliable parties that a portion of these locations are made upon 
 coal seams that are on high ground, while the rest are on lower ground 
 and can not be practicably worked because of water. The properties 
 have been little developed or worked, if at all, as might be expected 
 from the date of the concessions, in 1893, the insurrection of 1896, the 
 Spanish-American war, and the insurrection of 1899 having covered 
 the larger portion of the time since the issuance of the titles for said 
 mines. 
 
 The archives of the mining bureau also disclose the fact that up to the 
 
142 THE COAL MEASUBE8 OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 year 1895 no licensed superintendent had been presented by the con- 
 cessionary, as required by the existing laws, to be placed in charg;e of 
 the work of these mines, and that the legal labor of four men for one 
 hundred and eighty -three days in the year for each pertenencia had 
 not been furnished. The reasons alleged by the concessionary, and 
 said to be well founded in the report of the inspector of mines, were 
 that the island of Mindoro, on account of its scarce population and its 
 slight security, and because of a soil and climate which are very 
 unhealthy, presents exceptional circumstances for the exploitation of 
 coal mines there, and therefore it was recommended that the legal visit 
 and examination for the year 1895 be omitted, with notification to the 
 concessionary that in the future a strict compliance with the provisions 
 of the law would be insisted upon. 
 
 In the year 1896 an attempt was made on the part of Martin Buck 
 and Joaquin Casanovas to obtain the cancellation of the mines "San 
 Claudio," "Prudencia," "San Armando," and "San Clemente," for 
 the reason that the concessionary had failed utterly to perform the 
 labors of development upon these mines as required by the regula- 
 tions. Four petitions were filed for these properties, and these were 
 remitted to the inspectorate at Manila for the purpose of publication 
 of notice in the Manila Gazette. The petitions were retxu'ned to the 
 politico-military governor of Mindoro for procedure in accordance 
 with the provisions of the mineral code, but it seems that the governor 
 had views of his own in reference to the method of procedure, and he 
 proceeded to return the petitions to the petitioners, and also the letters 
 showing the deposit of the reglementary fee of $37.50 for each peti- 
 tion. Upon appeal to the inspectorate these petitions and letters 
 of deposit were again returned to the governor of Mindoro, with 
 instructions to proceed in accordance with the law of mines in force 
 and the regulations. From this time nothing further appears upon the 
 records of the inspectorate, and from the fact that these mines appear 
 in the list of mines with no evidence that the title has been can- 
 celed it is presumed that the opposition of Martin Buck and Joaquin 
 Casanovas was abandoned. 
 
 A curious incident in the original attempt at the location of these 
 mines by the present concessionary is an opposition presented by one 
 Antero Sanding, objecting to the registry of the mines for the reason 
 that he was the owner of the ground they occupied, having held and 
 worked them as coal-mining properties for the period of sixteen years. 
 In passing upon this alleged opposition the inspector of mines calls 
 attention to the fact that, notwithstanding the fact that the engineer 
 of the Patino and the inspector of mines, Centeno, had both visited 
 this locality within the alleged period, they make no mention what 
 ever of any coal mines in operation in the island of Mindoro, or there 
 being any worked deposits observed by them in that neighborhood, as 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 143 
 
 it is certain they would have done had such been the case; and in any 
 event that it is certain no coal had been shipped from Mindoro, and 
 that not a single word is found in the archives of the inspectorate of 
 mines fi'om the claimant Sanding, and upon investigation of the claim 
 of this alleged claimant it was summarily disposed of. There are no 
 further documents in the archives of the mining bureau relating to 
 the coal of Mindoro, and the conclusion of the whole matter may be 
 summed up in the statement that the coal mines of Mindoro are entirely 
 undeveloped, and, so far as known, only partially prospected, as shown 
 by the report of Engineer Hill. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII.— REGUIiATIONS FOB StTPERVISION AND INSPEC- 
 TION. 
 
 The first and second paragraphs of the "general provisions" of the 
 royal order of May 14, 1867, provide: 
 
 1. Overall mines and mining establishments the govemmentof the islands, through 
 the engineers, shall exercise that vigilance and inspection necessary to compliance 
 with this decree and with the regulations. 
 
 2. The regulations shall determine the form and manner in which said inspection 
 shall be exercised, and whether there be any kind of opening and development of 
 mines which demand the direction of an engineer or professional aid who may serve 
 as such professional or as expert and who shall be excepted from other obligation. 
 
 On April 6, 1878, as a result of the application of the association 
 "La Paz" for the continued loan of a Government engineer to super- 
 intend the development and working of their coal mines in Albay, a 
 royal order was issued, by the second and third provisions of which 
 regulations were ordered to be prepared and submitted for the suit- 
 able supervision of mining exploitations by engineers and providing 
 for provisional appointments in the meantime. These provisions were 
 as follows: 
 
 3. That, in order to facihtate the advancement of these enterprises, your excel- 
 lency submit in the shortest possible time a system of regulations which should be 
 formulated for the most suitable supervision by engineers of the mining exploitations 
 under the first and second general provisions of the royal decree of May 14, 1867. 
 
 4. That while these regulations are being published your excellency provide that 
 persons in charge of coal mines in the capacity of managers shall be engineers or 
 superintendents of mines, with diplomas as such obtained in Spain or in a foreign 
 country, to the end that they may unite the necessary and proper skill for the man- 
 agement of mines to advantage and guarantee the successful outcome of the interests 
 placed in their charge and the police and sanitation, as was provided by the royal 
 order of July 22, 1876, for the same company of "La Paz." 
 
 On August 23, 1890, a royal decree, which was published in Manila 
 on October 16, 1890, among other things contained in said decree, 
 stated: 
 
 That in spite of the dispositions of the royal order of April 6, 1878, a person with- 
 out a professional diploma from Spain or a foreign country can continue directing 
 
144 THE COAL MEASURES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 the working of coal mines of Cebu, approving the authorization ceded by the gov- 
 ernor-general to that effect; but considering that the safety and health of laborers in 
 the mines would not be sufaciently protected if the fourth provision of said royal 
 order were abolished entirely, it is therefore resolved that the said provision remain 
 in force in its entirety, as the inspector-general of the department proposed, for 
 those coal-mining exploitations whose annual production exceeds 5,000 tons, and 
 that those whose production does not reach that amount can be managed by persons 
 who, without having a professional diploma, show sufficient technical or practical 
 skill before the inspectorate in the form that the superior authority of these islands 
 determines upon for this purpose, it being at the same time the wish of His Majesty 
 that the intendencia de hacienda be advised through the General Government that 
 in forming the preliminary estimate for 1891 they include the amounts necessary for 
 the increase of the staff of the mining department with an engineer and an experi- 
 enced assistant- as is now required for the suitable discharge of the duties assigned 
 to the inspectorate of the department. 
 
 Under the implied authority, and to complete the instructions of the 
 royal order of April 6, 1878, and that of August 23, 1890, which refer 
 to the working of mineral coal of these islands, the governor-general 
 on October 28, 1890, issued the following instructions, making them 
 apply only to the island of Cebu: 
 
 1. The persons who, as professional directors, place themselves at the head of coal 
 workings whose production should be more than 5,000 tons annually must be engi- 
 neers or superintendents of mines, with certificates as such, obtained in Spain or in 
 a foreign country. 
 
 2. For this purpose the proprietors of this kind of workings, or companies owning 
 the same, shall present to the general directorate of civil administration a petition, 
 accompanied by the certificate, which shall accredit their professional faculties. 
 These certificates shall be examined by the general inspectorate of mines, which 
 shall issue an opinion as to their validity. In case they should be declared valid, 
 the General Government shall issue the competent personal authorization to the 
 petitioner for the exercise of his profession in these islands, to be written on stamped 
 paper of the fourth class if the certificates should be from foreign countries. In the 
 latter case the ministry of colonies shall be informed of the authorization granted. 
 
 3. The contiguous mines or groups of mines which have been allowed concentra- 
 tion of labor in accordance with the legislation of the department, and whose pro- 
 duction should not be 5,000 tons, may be directed by persons who do not possess 
 professional certificates above mentioned, provided they obtain the special authoriza- 
 tion specified in the following article: 
 
 4. To obtain this authorization it is necessary: 1. To be over 25 years of age and 
 to prove in any way that may appear sufficient that they have been foremen in 
 charge of workings or professional operatives in any mining work, national or for- 
 eign. 2. To prove before the general inspectorate of mines practical competence on 
 the following points: 
 
 Idea of how strata of coal, and particularly those of lignite and the rocks that 
 generally accompany them, lie. 
 Manner of sinking shafts and running galleries in coal and country rock. 
 Timbering, and more especially shoring. 
 
 Natural ventilation and how it may be accelerated in necessary cases. 
 Lighting; precautions. 
 Workings of profit in coal strata. 
 Drainage of workings in the most simple cases. 
 Extraction and transportation of the products in the most simple cases. 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 145 
 
 Claesifications, cleaning, and storage of coal. 
 
 Workings of the compass and most elementary manner of drawing a plan of the 
 workings. 
 
 Slight legal knowledge of the duties and rights pertaining to a mining concession 
 in these islands. 
 
 5. Those who wish this especial authorization shall direct their petitions to the 
 general inspectorate of mines, accompanied hy the documents already cited and the 
 certificates that may be deemed convenient. The inspectorate shall fix the day for 
 the practical examination of the petitioner, after which a record shall be made of it, 
 which shall be attached to the above document. 
 
 If the result of the practical examination should be favorable, a copy of the record 
 shall be made on stamped paper of the fifth class, which must be visaed by the most 
 illustrious director-general of civil administration, and this document shall serve as 
 a basis for the authorization which the latter, upon the recommendation of the 
 inspectorate, shall grant the petitioner to direct coal mines whose production does 
 not amount to 5,000 tons. 
 
 6. In order that these instructions may be duly complied with, the general inspect- 
 orate of mines, represented by an engineer, shall make the yearly regulation visit, 
 verifying more especially the production of the mines classed according to article 3. 
 
 7. If, as a consequence of the visits, the engineer should find that the yield of the 
 mines is greater than that which their professional director may authorize, the pun- 
 ishment provided for the cases by article 49 of the royal decree of mining in force 
 in these islands shall be imposed upon the. company or owner. 
 
 The fine shall be collected by the chief of the province under his own personal 
 responsibility. 
 
 The mine owners may protest against the penalty imposed, applying to the general 
 directorate of civil administration, which shall definitely decide the question after 
 hearing the general inspectorate of the department, in conformity with article 84 of 
 the said royal decree. 
 
 On February 3, 1891, this code of instructions, having been exam- 
 ined and approved at Madrid, was declared to " fully merit the end in 
 view, viz, to facilitate exploitations of coal without detriment to the 
 obligation of the Government to protect workmen," and " it has been 
 deemed proper to approve said instructions," and they are "made 
 general and applied to every portion of the archipelago." 
 
 Under these new provisions, or more properly speaking, the instruc- 
 tions to make effective provisions already existing, a system of annual 
 visits to the coal mines, by engineers from the general inspectorate of 
 mines, was inaugurated and maintained, and an honest attempt seems 
 to have been made to carry out the spirit and letter of the law. It 
 resulted in a marked improvement, and, in fact, marks the commence 
 ment of a new era in coal mining in the Philippines. 
 
 This commenced the last period under Spanish administration, and 
 in it there might have been several coal mines successfully established 
 in the islands had the Government done its part toward the general 
 plan. The coal miners needed roads and bridges. Nor was thi j demand 
 confined to the coal-mining industry alone; all industries required 
 these means of transportation; but this want was not supplied, and the 
 burden of constructing these public improvements, or in lieu thereof, 
 550a— 01 10 
 
146 THE COAL MEASUKES OE THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 constructing narrow-gauge railways, many of them of considerable 
 length, in order to connect their mines with the coast, fell upon the 
 coal companies. In return for this assumption of the obligations of 
 the State by individuals, the Governnient, on April 1, 1891, proceeded 
 to establish an export duty of 60 cents (Mexican currency) per ton (of 
 1,000 kilograms) on all foreign coals. The coal companies faced these 
 new conditions with a commendable spirit, and despite the additional 
 and unwarrantable expense of building roads and bridges that the State 
 should have built, the smallness of the capital available, the difficulty 
 of securing constant and satisfactoiy native labor, and the interposition 
 of a nonprogressive influence opposed to the development of the 
 resources of the archipelago, and especially hostile to the advent of 
 foreign capital and foreign interests, so rich were the deposits shown 
 to be by the work carried on in the mines of Cebu and elsewhere that 
 the coal industry of the Philippines came near to an established fact, 
 as will be seen in the succeeding chapters. To be sure, the works 
 described and the results obtained will seem more like a history of 
 prospecting than real mining to those who are familiar with the devel- 
 opment and working of the extensive lignite coal fields of the Pacific 
 coast and the Rocky Mountains of the United States, still it represents 
 a marked advance, and amounts to a demonstration of the great values 
 in combustible that await the investor in Philippine coal lands under 
 wise and liberal legislation and a live government conducted upon the 
 basis of securing " the greatest good to the greatest number." 
 
 CHAPTEE, XIX.— THE NXJEVO IiANGREO MINES IN CEBU, 
 
 1887-1898. 
 
 In the months of June and July, 188T, as will be seen by consulting 
 the Table No. 11, five mines were petitioned for in the island of Cehu 
 by one Celestino Martinez y Zapico, with the names " Magallanes," 
 "Nuevo Langreo," "Cebuana," " Portiella," and "La Mestiza," con- 
 sisting of 9 pertenencias. At some time thereafter, and before the year 
 1890, an association appears to have been formed under the manage- 
 ment of the well-known resident of the city of Cebu, Mr. Florentine 
 Rallos, under the name of Sociedad Nuevo Langreo. The five mines 
 above enumerated were acquired by the association, to which, and in 
 the same neighborhood, they added the mines " San Julian" in 1891, 
 and the "Carlota" in 1895, of 8 and 1 pertenencias, respectively, 
 making a total of 18 pertenencias, or 2,700,000 square meters. All 
 of these properties pertain to the district of Danao. This company 
 also acquired, in 1892, the mine known as " Nuestra Senora del Car- 
 men," at Santa Rosa, in the district of Danao, which was later, and on 
 the 10th day of March, 1894, by reason of failure to develop it, can- 
 celed by order of the governor-general of the islands. The same 
 enterprising company also located a claim, through Florentine Rallos, 
 
THE COAL MEASUBE8 OF THE PHILIPPINES. 147 
 
 as manager, known as the "Mercedes," at the old workings of the 
 Alpaco mine, in Naga, but this mine, titled in 1892, was also canceled 
 in the year 1894. A short time before making an entry upon the 
 Alpaco coal field, and in the previous year, Mr. Rallos, as manager 
 for his company, had also made an entry of two mines, of 8 perte- 
 nencias each, under the names of "Josefa" and "Casilda," in the 
 well-known coal field of Mount Uling, in Naga, titles for which were 
 issued to Mr. Rallos, on behalf of his company, on the 16th day of 
 May, 1891. These last two entries were also canceled in March, 1894, 
 and became the basis of the MacLeod coal concessions, which form an 
 appendix to this report. 
 
 The work of the Nuevo Langreo Company was confined to the group 
 of mines first mentioned herein, together with the " San Julian" and 
 " Carlota," and constituting what is popularly known as the Nuevo 
 Langreo concessions in Danao. A detailed account of the operations of 
 the Nuevo Langreo, so far as it is necessary to give a correct idea of the 
 work in the Danao coal fields, constitutes the principal subject-matter 
 of this chapter, the material for which is gathered principally from 
 the reports of the engineers in their annual visits under the provisions 
 of the law stated in the last chapter. We do not give these reports in 
 full, since there is contained in them much extraneous and irrelevant 
 matter that would only serve to add volume without general interest 
 or value. 
 
 At the same time that the coal fields of Danao were being developed 
 with more or less zeal by the Nuevo Langreo, the late Mr. Ramon 
 Montanes was acquiring the title to and developing the Compostela 
 group of mines, next adjoining the properties of the Nuevo Langreo 
 toward the south. His initial entry was the "Angeles," of March 17, 
 1890. The Compostela group of mines will form the subject of the 
 next chapter. 
 
 The first visit to the Nuevo Langreo mines was made by the engineer 
 Abella in the month of February, 1890. At this time it will be remem- 
 bered that the Nuevo Langreo's concessions were limited to the five 
 claims first mentioned herein. Work of development was found to 
 have been carried on only in the "Magallanes" and "Portiella," the 
 work on the remaining three having been confined to the legal annual 
 labor required for the compliance — a compliance, as in all cases of like 
 character, purely formal — with the requirements of the concessions, 
 demanding that for each pertenencia there should be performed each 
 year the labors of four men for one-half of the year, or 732 days' work 
 for each pertenencia. The company had, however, solicited the con- 
 centration of the annual labor under the provisions of article 78 of the 
 regulations, which, in efffect, provided that the labors upon a number 
 of connected concessions might be consolidated and carried on at one 
 or more points in case it should be for the best interests of the enter- 
 
148 THE COAL MEASUBES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 prise, and upon obtaining the consent of the superior civil governor 
 of the archipelago. 
 
 On the "Portiella" the engineer reports two galleries: One opened 
 below the legal labor, close to the level of the plain, which was con- 
 tinued for a short distance and then abandoned by reason of the poor 
 condition of the vein. The other commenced above the legal labor, 
 had attained a length of 34 meters, with a chimney for ventilation of 
 5 meters, and in which gallery no drifts for exploitation had been 
 made. 
 
 On the " Magallanes," nearest to the Danao River, the legal labor 
 gallery was found abandoned and caved in. Its indicated length was 
 from 50 to 55 meters. Another gallery, closer to the river, had been 
 run for a distance of 12 meters, and a transversal of 27 meters for the 
 purposes of investigation. The cave-ins in the legal labor gallery were 
 occasioned, naturally, by the exploitation of all the coal in the vein, 
 drifts having been made to extract the coal. The intermediate group 
 of the works had received the name of "Santa Barbara," and consisted 
 of a transversal for cutting the vein some 21 meters in length. Seyen 
 meters of this entry had been provisionally refilled, in order not to 
 renew the timbering often. A main gallery of 98 meters was run with 
 an auxiliary gallery for ventilation, 60 meters in length, and 52 meters 
 was excavated for chimneys, two connecting the lower gallery with its 
 auxiliary and two connecting the latter gallery with the surface. 
 
 The upper group of the works had received the name of "Cova- 
 donga," and was found more developed than the others. A transversal 
 of 53 meters had cut two veins, upon which galleries were opened, of 
 181 and 65 meters, respectively, with two auxiliary galleries, aggre- 
 gating 147 meters in length. With the first vein there was found to 
 be 76 meters in chimneys, and with the second vein 36 meters. To this 
 was added the excavations for exploitation, consisting in the taking 
 out of the upper portion of the levels of the auxiliaries and a part of 
 the lower levels, in the second vein more especially. 
 
 The engineer sums up the entire work completed as 660 meters in 
 galleries of direction, 101 meters in transversals of service and inves- 
 tigation, and some 164 meters in chimneys, making a general total of 
 925 linear meters. The surface exploited in drifts is estimated at some 
 500 s([uare meters. The condition of the various workings in refer- 
 ence to timbering, ventilation, and drainage was found sufficient and 
 was commended. 
 
 When taking into account that these mines were located in June and 
 July, 1887, the above resum6 of the work accomplished ia two and 
 one-half years is very small, considering, as we must, that for the nine 
 pertenencias of this group there was required by the regulations and 
 the law of mining 6,588 days' work for each year; but it shows a 
 marked advance over the previous works in Cebu, and demonstrates 
 
THE COAl MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 149 
 
 the wisdom of the system of inspection and supervision on the part of 
 the government. 
 
 The visit for the year 1891 to this same group of mines was also 
 reported by Engineer Abella, his legal visit having been effected in 
 February of that year. The concentration of the labors had, in the 
 meantime, been granted a^nd it might be expected that there would b- 
 a much more extended development along some special line. This dv 
 not prove to be the case. On the contrary, it was found that the prac- 
 tice of indiscriminate works, carried on with a view to securing imme- 
 diate returns in coal and without reference to the future welfare of the 
 mines, had been the rule, calling for a strong rebuke from the engi- 
 neer, and the threat of a line if such robbery should be continued in 
 the future. 
 
 From this report we learn that upon the legal labor gallery of the 
 "Portiella" an advance of 48.50 meters had been made, and a ventila- 
 tion shaft or chimney had been commenced and extended for only 5 
 meters without reaching the surface, and which chimney the engineer 
 declared must be finished before the work in this gallery could be 
 allowed to proceed. The vein here was found to be narrowed to 15 cen- 
 timeters in thickness. 
 
 Upon the works of the " Magallanes," nearest to the river, the 12 
 meters of the previous year had been extended for 8 meters, following 
 a vein of coal, from which all the coal available was taken out until 
 reaching the level of the Danao River, and these works were then 
 abandoned and were fallen in. 
 
 In the "Santa Barbara" group the gallery for transportation had 
 been continued toward the SSE. , until coming out at the surface, next 
 to a small arroyo, in a length of 8.30 meters, drifting on the coal until 
 it was entirely extracted up to the entrance of the transversal. Toward 
 the NW. of the same gallery a gallery was driven in sterile rock for 
 5.37 meters, searching for the vein in a break, and in addition and on 
 the border of the vein and break 28. 85 meters was excavated in an 
 oblique curved chimney which opened on the auxiliary tunnel or gal- 
 lery at 25 meters from its mouth. On the other side of the same 
 arroyo a transversal, running toward the north, was opened with the 
 object of cutting the vein that was to be seen in the same arroyo, but 
 at a distance of 6 meters this was abandoned and very properly so, 
 proposing, as they did, to cut the same vein at a greater depth from 
 the extreme NW. of the main gallery of " Santa Barbara." 
 
 In the works called "Covadonga" the first gallery was prolonged 
 8.60 meters, making a rapid turn toward the SW. and following 
 the vein, and afterwards for some 2 meters in sterile work, a result 
 which might have been foreseen from the violent turn that the vein 
 makes at that point. Toward the SE. of the same gallery another 
 bifurcation was made, directed toward the south in order to find the 
 
150 THE CO At MBASTTBBS OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 first vein, since the gallery in this place followed the second vein, 
 vrhich was, in fact, found at some 8 meters distant. Here a chimney 
 of from 10 to 15 meters was opened for- ventilation and the new gal- 
 lery had a total length of 29.60 meters. The gallery commenced 
 the previous year at the SW. of the arroyo, in order to serve as an 
 auxiliary to this portion of the vein of ''Covadonga," was found 
 fallen in, by reason of a work which was qualified as robbery, and 
 which, for that reason, contrasted with all the other workings in that 
 group, which, generally speaking, were well ordered and directed. 
 The method of drifting and stoping was declared to be avaricious and 
 reprehensible, and a fine of 200 escudos was promised for the next 
 year in case the like methods were pursued. The transportation by 
 small carts is condemned as costly and a substitute of some kind rec- 
 ommended, and for all distances greater than 50 meters. 
 
 The engineer, with that magnanimity of spirit so characteristic of 
 that gentleman, declared that the company had, upon the whole, done 
 well, and the conditions of the law as to the number of days' labor for 
 the concentrated work had been furnished. 
 
 In the year 1892 the annual visit was made in the month of March 
 by Engineer Antonio Vargas. The condensation of his report would 
 seem to indicate that the gentle hint dropped by Senor AbeUa the year 
 before and the exercise of his charity had not created an impression 
 upon the company, for the work was not more vigorous and the results 
 were not more prominent, as will be seen by the following abstract. 
 It should be remembered that this year the "San Julian," of 8 perte- 
 nencias, was added to this group, the title thereto having been issued 
 on May 16, 1891. 
 
 In the "Portiella," in the gallery farthest up from the legal labor, 
 there has been an advance upon the 82.50 meters previously executed 
 of 7 meters, the coal strata continuing to narrow at the back portion 
 until it had a thickness of only 0.05 of a meter. In spite of the warn- 
 ings of the engineer, given the previous year, the ventilation shaft or 
 chimney was found incomplete, and the owners were warned not only 
 to open this ventilating shaft, but also others 'in case the work should 
 be further continued in that direction. 
 
 In the gallery "Santa Barbara" an advance of 39 meters was noted, 
 and at a distance of 11.80 meters from where such advance commenced 
 a ventilating shaft was excavated 20 meters in length and communi- 
 cating with the surface through a chimney or vertical shaft of 8.10 
 meters in depth. This chimney, together with another connecting 
 with the surface from the auxiliary gallery and 7.26 meters in length, 
 made the circulation excellent and created an activity of the circulation 
 in both galleries. 
 
 Upon the principal gallery of the "Santa Barbara," already com- 
 pletely abandoned, and before the proper time for the preservation of 
 
THE GOAL MEASUEES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 151 
 
 the working, a rectangular bulk had been exploited, 35 meters in 
 length by 15 meters in height. In this working it was impossible for 
 the engineer to penetrate, and this completes the labor as stated, and 
 the engineer emphatically declares that, considering the number of 
 pertenencias, the requisite number of workmen have certainly not 
 been employed. 
 
 Titles for the "Josef a" and "Casilda" mines, of eight pertenencias 
 each, in Naga, had been issued to the Nuevo Langreo Company 
 (through Florentino RaUos, its managing director) on Maj 16, 1891, 
 and consequently these mines also came into the computation for the 
 year 1891-92, and a fine of 100 escudos was levied for the failures 
 in that group. A like condition was also found in the mines of 
 Compostela. 
 
 The visit of Engineer Vargas in March, 1892, having developed the 
 fact that the mining companies of Compostela, Danao, and Naga had 
 not complied with the regulations with reference to the number of 
 laborers required for each pertenencia, upon the report of such visit 
 the inspector-general, Enrique AbeUa y Casariego, made the following 
 report and recommendations, under date of April 4, 1892: 
 
 First. That the group of mmes of the towns of Danao and Compostela have 
 executed mining works, but not in sufficient quantity in order to cover the legal 
 working population of the same as laid down in Article 50 of the Eoyal Decree of 
 Mines, taking into account the number of pertenencias which each group contains. 
 
 Second. Absolutely no labor at all has been performed on the group of mines of 
 Naga, situated at Mount Tiling. 
 
 Rigorously complying, then, with the sixty-sixth article of the royal decree which 
 governs mining in these islands, all the concessions of the mines of the island of Cebu 
 ought to be canceled, since, in accordance with the sixth general condition set forth 
 in the titles of property which were issued to them in due time, it appears that they 
 were obliged to have the mines occupied with four operatives for each pertenencia 
 during the half of each year. 
 
 However, by a strict and rigorous application neither the general interests of the 
 province nor those of the state, nor yet those of individuals, would gain anything; 
 although there are other coal deposits existing in the Philippines, analogous to these 
 of Cebu, which are not soHcited or worked, there are no other persons or companies 
 found who solicit the deposits of Cebu in order to work them more actively, and by 
 the cancellation of the present concessions there would only be secured the destruc^ 
 tion of the small exploitations which already exist in Danao and Compostela, and 
 the removing of the probability of a more important working. It is also to be taken 
 into account that the infant mining industry of Cebu contends with difficulties 
 inherent to every new industry, increased by the painfulness of mining labors, and 
 by the lack of available roads, outside of three or four months during the year, for 
 the extraction of their coal; and, therefore, it would be advisable in the present case 
 to invoke article 53 of the royal decree, by which the most excellent governor-general 
 has the faculty of reducing the legal laboring contingent for the mines one-half during 
 a period which shall not exceed two years, whenever there exists difficulties in the 
 exploitation and explorations of their deposits, such as exist in the present case and 
 are easily proved. 
 
 At first view it appears that all of the groups visited in Cebii are not in the same 
 condition, since the Danao and Compostela mines have made some work, although 
 
152 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 not sufficient, and that of Naga or UUnghaa done absolutely nothing; but this latter 
 group has not yet presented a superintendent for the works, which it is obliged to 
 have in compliance with the instructions approved by the royal order of Februarys, 
 1891, by reason of which no one haa been able to mark out or direct the mining 
 labors, and as by reason of this fault there has been imposed and collected a fine of 
 100 pesos, which is equivalent to four hundred days' work, it follows that with this 
 penalty there is an equality created, to a certain extent, resulting from this fault, 
 with those committed by the other groups, and therefore the general inspectorate 
 believes that equity would decide that this rale can be applied to Danao, Compostela, 
 and Naga alike, wiii only some supplementary restrictions. 
 
 Founded upon all of these considerations, the general inspectorate proposes to 
 your excellency that this statement be sent to the most excellent governor-general 
 that he may be pleased to decree the following: 
 
 First. That, taking into account the material difficulties with which the infant 
 exploitation of coal in Danao and Compostela is struggling, that there be conceded 
 them, for one time only, the dispensing of the legal mining population which has 
 not been furnished, as is proved on the visit of inspection performed in the mouth of 
 March last, but notifying the concessionaries respectively that if on the next annual 
 visit this legal mining population is not found fully covered, that he will apply to 
 them with full vigor the fiftieth and sixty-sixth articles of the royal decree of min- 
 ing decreeing their concessions canceled. 
 
 Second. That there be conceded in the same manner an analogous dispensation to 
 the group of mines of Uling, in Naga, with the same notification, but with the sup- 
 plementary condition that for the year next following they shall have performed 
 not only the labors corresponding to that year, but one-half more for this which 
 they have failed to do for the present year, in order to be placed iu the same condi- 
 tion with the group of mines of Danao and CJompostela. 
 
 This recommendation was approved on April 8, 1892. 
 
 On the following year, and in the month of February, 1893, Mr. 
 Florentino Rallos presented a petition on behalf of his company, in 
 which he states "that in the group of mines of the Company Nuevo 
 Langreo, situated at Camansi or Mantija, of the district of Danao, of 
 this province, aU of the workings are found in coal and worked by the 
 necessary number of ininers, but, due to the abundance in nearly all 
 of the year past and the present from the production of sugar, espe- 
 cially in Danao, the coal which is extracted is lost by the exposure to 
 the weather at the mouth of the mines by reason of the lack of beasts 
 of burden, since all the carabaos of the pueblo that were employed in 
 the former year in hauling down the coal to the warehouses on the 
 coast are dedicated this year to working the fields and in the crushing 
 of the cane, which in said pueblo is not small, and the condition of the 
 sugar also, as related to the number of people in the working popula- 
 tion. For this reason the enterprise, notwithstanding their having 
 advanced the workings sufficiently, have not secured the number of 
 necessary meters which accredits the working population marked out 
 by the regulations of the department, and with the object of not incur- 
 ring the responsibility" they ask of the governor-general the neces- 
 sary dispensation for the year 1893. 
 
 Upon this report, Inspector Abella having made a formal recom- 
 mendation in its favor, an operation of the lalsors were remitted under 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 153 
 
 date of March 17. This did not excuse the past failures, however, 
 and the regular visit to the mines occurred on the 21st day of April, 
 1893, from which we condense the following facts: 
 
 In the gaUery denominated "Escribana" there was found to be an 
 advance of 48.32 meters, with a chimney of 5.64 meters from the 
 auxiliary gallery for ventilation; an advance of 42.78 meters in the 
 gallery called "Pilar," with a chimney commencing two-thirds of 
 the distance from its mouth; an advance of 4 meters in the gallery 
 of " Santa Barbara;" two drifts of 80 and 14 meters, which had been 
 made upon the coal strata from the chimney which was noted the pre- 
 vious year, until within 1 meter of the face of the gallery, and a small 
 shaft chimney which communicated with the oblique gallery opened 
 upon the same break and pertaining to the works indicated by Mr. 
 Abella on his last visit. 
 
 The first 35.18 meters of the gallery "Escribana," whose dunensions are 1.94 
 meters in height and 1.35 meters in width, taken from the inside of the timbering, 
 have been opened transversally and in direction, the 13.14 meters remaining follow- 
 ing a vein of coal from E. 25° N. to W. 25° S., with an inclination of 25° and with a 
 trend to the N. 25° W., and 1.20 meters thick. The chimney of 5.64 meters follows 
 the inclination of the strata. The rock which serves as walls is a clayey slate. 
 
 The first 18.98 meters of the gallery denominated "Pilar" are opened in sterile 
 ground, and in an oblique direction to the strata, whose direction is from N. 32° E. 
 to S.. 32° W.; inclination of 33°, with a trend toward E. 32° S., and the same thick- 
 ness as that of the "Escribana." At some 16.20 meters from the crosscut of the 
 "Pilar" there exists, according to the inclination of the strata, a gallery chimney of 
 some 28 meters in length, in an inclined measurement, and with a direction of 
 W. 32° N. 
 
 The strata of the gaUery "Pilar" is found, as in the "Escribana," between clayey 
 slates, a circumstance which, with the others, such as inclination, direction, and 
 thickness, causes one to suppose that they are the same. Also the trapezoidal sec- 
 tion and dimensions of these works are identical. 
 
 The 4 meters advance in the gallery "Santa Barbara," following the direction of 
 the strata, are easterly, according to the measurement made last year. The two 
 drifts, in vertical cuts, exploited on the strata of "Santa Barbara," commence in the 
 gallery chimney indicated in the former year, and they have an altitude of 2 meters 
 and 30 and 14 meters of advance, leaving an intermediate bulk between "Santa Bar- 
 bara" and the first of the drifts of 2.50 meters in height. 
 
 The small chimney of rectangular section has for dimensions 1 meter in length by 
 0.85 meter in width and a depth of 0.60 meter. 
 
 And this report ends with the words: 
 
 All these works, although they are directed with the best possible judgment in so 
 far as regards their security especially, leave much to be desired by reason of the 
 Uttle activity with which this group of mines u, exploited, causing it to lack much of 
 having the requisite number of workmen. 
 
 The lack in the amount of labor which should have been done, as 
 shown by this report, caused the inspector-general, Senor Abella, on 
 the 13th of May, 1893, to make the following recommendation: 
 
 In accordance with the visit of inspection made on the 21st of last April to the 
 group of mines "Portiella," "Mestiza," "Magallanes," "Cebuana," and "Nuevo 
 
154 THE COAL MBASUBBS OV THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 Langreo," and all of the group of Camansi, situated in the district of Danao, of the 
 island of Cebu, there has been executed in the last year 134 meters of gallery and 
 two drifts of 30 and 14 meters of advance, respectively. 
 
 Taking into accoimt the work of procrastination of every class of labor before 
 existing, and graduating it in the manner most favorable possible to those which have 
 been made this year, yet it fails to cover even the total working force belonging to 
 the 17 pertenencias of this group, to say nothing of the half of it, by virtue of the 
 concession which was allowed by the superior decree of March 3 of the present 
 year. 
 
 In accordance with the legislation of the department in force it should proceed to 
 declare all the concessions of this group canceled, but renewing at this time the same 
 considerations of toleration recommended for the group of Uling, there can be added 
 in this case that it has been the first that up to this day, by its own modest and con- 
 tinued working, has practically demonstrated at the present time that the exploita- 
 tion of coal mines is possible and profitable. 
 
 The punishment that, in accordance with the 49th article of the royal decree, 
 ought to be imposed on these concessions in case that they are not declared canceled, 
 ought, therefore, to be more light than that imposed upon the group of Uling, with 
 so much the more reason as this was a repetition of the instances meriting a punish- 
 ment. This general inspectorate understands a fine of 100 escudos will be sufficient, 
 in order to hinder that in the future there be a lack of the reglamentary conditions 
 of the concession for this group. 
 
 This fine was duly and promptly paid by the concessionary. 
 
 The visit of 1893 to the mine "Nuestra Senora del Carmen," at 
 Santa Kosa, and the "Mercedes," at Alpaco, owned, as we have said, 
 by the Nuevo Langreo Company, resulted in a report, "that, up to 
 the present, they have not complied with any of the legal prescrip- 
 tions obligatory upon them," but no action for cancellation was taken 
 in the year 1893. 
 
 In the year 1894, however, a similar state of affairs existing, these 
 titles were canceled in March, and at the same time also the titles of 
 the "Josef a" and "Casilda," in Mount Uling. In the same month, 
 upon recommendation of the general inspectorate of mines, the gov- 
 ernor-general issued a decree suspending the admission of petitions 
 for registration and investigation temporarily and for eight months 
 in connection with locations In the valley of the river Pandan, from 
 its source in the district of Uling to its mouth. On September 21, 
 1894, by a decree of that date, the temporary prohibition just stated 
 was made permanent. This prohibitiqn has never been removed. 
 
 Senor Abella himself made the visit to the mines of Nuevo Langreo 
 in February, 1894, finding the works in a very unsatisfactory state, as 
 shown by the extracts from his brief and concise report. Omitting 
 formal statements in this report, we quote: 
 
 In the works called "Santa Barbara" there has only been made a small shaft of? 
 meters vertical length and 8.75 meters inclination from the surface to the gallery 
 for transportation, afl in barren rock, with the object of ventilating the works of 
 preparation which are being executed in consequence of the cavings in occasioned on 
 the interior by reason of the rains and the refilling of the small exploitable region 
 above the old auxiliary of these works. The cavings in, very visible from the sur- 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 155 
 
 face, indicate that the movements of the ground may have been propagated at the 
 interior, prejudicing the good exploitation subsequently of the bed, so that the 
 inconceivable slowness of the exploitation of these works, commenced before 1890, 
 and the refilling completely of the stopes, already made, make the maintenance and 
 reparation of the works and the subsequent exploitation difficult and resultingly 
 costly. 
 
 In the works designated with the name of " Escribana " there has been made the 
 following new works: 5.30 meters of advance in the principal gallery, or gallery of 
 transportation; 15.60 meters in sterile rock to the surface; and 16 meters following 
 the vein, first horizontally and afterwards inclined in the chimney made before the 
 former visit; and another new chimney of 12 meters, with some 5 meters at its 
 extremity of auxiliary gallery commenced in both senses. A total of 53.90 meters 
 of linear labor, of which 38.30 meters are in coal and 15.50 in sterile rock. 
 
 In the works called "Pilar" there have been opened 9.80 meters in a small shaft 
 opened in sterile rock in order to communicate the chimney indicated upon the for- 
 mer visit with the surface; 14.70 meters in a new chimney; and 15.40 meters of 
 advance in the gallery for transportation, with respect to the length noted in the 
 past year; a total of 39.90 meters of work in length, of which 30.10 were opened in 
 coal and 9.80 meters in barren rock. In these works there have been made, more- 
 over, 89 square meters in stopes. 
 
 The works designated with the name ' ' Portiella " are already exploited and can not 
 be visited. According to information acquired, which is verified by the cavings in 
 which are to be seen on the surface, stopes for profit were made upon some 52 meters 
 of vein, first opening a chimney of 6 meters in length. 
 
 In this manner it would result in some 260 square meters in stopes. 
 
 Therefore, among all the works, there have been executed during the year 349 
 square meters of exploitation in drifts and 115.55 meters of linear work, of which 
 74.45 meters were opened in coal and 41.15 meters La barren rock. These figures 
 show the insufficiency of the labors of the 17 pertenencias concentrated, even 
 counting, in addition, upon the costly repairs which are being made on the ' ' Santa 
 Barbara, ' ' and the procrastination of the timbering of these works of ' ' Pilar ' ' and 
 of the ' ' Escribana. ' ' 
 
 Outside of the "Santa Barbara" I could not visit, for the reasons above set forth; 
 the general state of police of the remainder of the works is sufficiently acceptable. 
 
 The visit of the engineer in February, 1895, developed a most agree- 
 able change in the Nuevo Langreo. A railway to connect with the 
 mines and the coast was under way, and new signs of life and activity 
 were present at the mines. The report of the visiting engineer is 
 replete with detailed facts and figures, and extended to such a length 
 as to render it impracticable for full quotations. For our purposes 
 we shall quote some clauses in full, and in others compile and con- 
 dense the facts and figures to show the actual condition of the 
 workings. 
 
 In reference to the railway, which will be found noted on the map 
 and plan of the Danao and Compostela mines, as at present claimed by 
 Enrique Spitz, the engineer says: 
 
 From the town of Danao, situated on the eastern coast of Cebu, to the district of 
 the Visita of Camansi, where these coal deposits are situated, is a distance of some 
 11 kilometers, leaving the highroad of Danao by the cart road to Santa Rosa, and 
 then along the left bank of the river Danao to the mines. This road presents 
 great difficulties, since it goes up the bed of the river itself for a distance of more 
 
156 THE GOAL MEASUKES 01* THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 than 8 kilometers, and it makes tlie exploitation of this somewhat rich carboniferous 
 bank a point little less than impossible, and which is, in our opinion, no other than 
 the prolongation of that of Compostela. 
 
 In order to obviate these inconveniences, this exploiting enterprise has com- 
 menced with the greatest activity the construction of a narrow-gauge (0.60 meter) 
 railway, operated by animal power (horses or carabaos), but so substantially con- 
 structed that in due time a steam motor can be substituted (a locomotive of some 
 4 tons). 
 
 This iron road was projected by the assistant of public works, Mr. Modesto Marte, 
 and is, on the whole, identically the same as that we speak of in the visit to the mines 
 of Compostela. 
 
 Commencing with a projected wharf (in our opinion difficult of establishing and 
 preserving, because the cove which would serve for anchorage is very open and 
 violent, being situated on the eastern shore of the sea, and, as we have understood, 
 will be substituted for a service of steam barges, in our opinion, of better utility) it 
 nms through the streets of the town and terminates at the mines. 
 
 The work is well advanced and is difficult because of its costly execution, such as 
 works of strengthening grades in eruptive lands that have a tendency to move about 
 and to become swollen, or in lands of little firmness formed by wash of freshets, and 
 that demand stone intrenchments for strengthening, over very hard rocks on which 
 it is necessary to use powder by reason of their not permitting the introduction of 
 dynamite, which does not fail in being a difficulty of considerable consideration; 
 and from the mountains of great height, because of the broken character of the 
 country, and through which for its greater portion the road runs along the middle 
 slope, skirting the central mountain range and the headwaters of this well-watered 
 region. 
 
 The execution of these works is good and carried out with considerable skill, more 
 especially when you take into consideration that it has not been possible to bring it 
 to a state of full completion by reason of the line being broken by some cuts render- 
 ing the through transit impossible until these works are planned and executed. 
 
 This road supposes a very great courage, scientifically and economically speaking, 
 that speaks volumes in favor of these miners. 
 
 The compiled figures show the result of the year's work at the 
 mines: 
 
 "San Luis" working: A gallery divided into two zones, with a 
 total length of 26.18 meters, 1.98 meters wide at the bottom and 0.94 
 meter wide at the top, and 1.76 meters high; timbering and ventila- 
 tion good; 2 meters in clay, 23.68 meters in coal, and 0.50 meter in 
 sandstone. This working is separated from the " Pilar" by the Danao 
 River. 
 
 "Pilar" working: An advance in the general gallery of 20 meters, 
 and an auxiliary gallerj^ starting from a vertical shaft of 11.20 meters 
 to cut the second chimney at 17.72 meters; prolongation of the second 
 chimney 3.32 meters; exploitation by drifting in the portion compre- 
 hended between both chimneys and the auxiliary gallery; prolonga- 
 tion of the upper gallery 12.50 meters, following the direction of the 
 general gallery and communicating with it bj"^ narrow passages; two 
 narrow passages of 1.80 meters; a vertical shaft 4: by 2 meters and 4 
 meters long, which communicates with the second narrow passage; 
 two entries to the right and left of the principal gallery, the one to 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 157 
 
 the left of 4.63 meters and the one to the right of 3 meters; another 
 entry to the right, and parallel to the last, of 2.70 meters. For the 
 purpose of computing the legal labor allowance, the above work is 
 allowed as a total advance of 251.85 meters, which, as a matter of fact, 
 is much in excess of the real advance. 
 
 "Escribana" working: This working was found completely fallen 
 in, the coal having been completely taken out. The rubbish and 
 caved-in workings were run over, and, as in the case of the "Pilar," a 
 like liberal and unreliable estimate was made, the total credit allowed 
 being, advances by galleries, chimneys, and entries of all kinds, 91.20 
 meters and in drifts a space of 591 square meters. 
 
 "Enrique Abella" transversal; a new working: This was found 
 extra well timbered, and the gallery was advanced 18.30 meters, its 
 form being a trapezoid 1.95 by 0.95 meters in width, and 1.97 meters 
 high. At 7.50 meters from its mouth a vein of coal of 0.35 meter in 
 thickness was encountered, upon which no exploitation had been made. 
 The workings were: 7.50 meters in clay; 0.35 meter in coal; 8.45 
 meters in clay again; 2 meters in sandstone. 
 
 This sandstone was very hard, of very fine grain, with quartzite 
 veins, and crossed by narrow dikes of pure hyaline quartz (SiO^), hav- 
 ing the appearance of a granite of exceedingly fine grain. 
 
 The mine service was by means of small cars of three-fourths of a 
 ton in capacity, an iron road of 0.60 meter of width running the 
 length of the entire gallery, and prolonged in the same direction 
 through an open cut outside the mouth for 7.49 meters. 
 
 At 2 meters at the outside of its mouth there was a switch, running 
 in a curved line for 29.52 meters, where the cars were unloaded. 
 
 At the open space on the outside, between said gallery and the work- 
 ing of "Santa Barbara," there had been established, first, a building 
 for the watchman of the works; second, an inclined screen for screen- 
 ing the coal; third, following the course of the Arroyo Bairan, a box 
 for washing coal, taking advantage of the natural slope or fall of said 
 water course, at whose extremity the coal was collected in baskets. 
 
 "Santa Barbara" workings: These workings were censured upon a 
 previous visit, and an attempt was made to rehabilitate them, under 
 the advice given by the general inspector of mines. The result, fig- 
 ured in the same liberal way, credits these works with a general 
 advance in the main gallery of 22.38 meters, in the upper galleries 
 21.30 meters, in narrow passages 59.30 meters, and in drifts 411.18 
 square meters. 
 
 The "Portiella" and " Covadonga," mentioned in the previous years, 
 were found totally abandoned. 
 
 In figuring up the result of the year a credit is given of 394.90 
 meters in lineal advance, and 1,204.98 meters in superficial advance, 
 representing 11,798 days' work, and by adding thereto 749 days for 
 
158 THE COAL MEASUKBS OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 the outside work the total of 12,444 days' work, or the full amount 
 required for 17 pertenencias, is made up. In this computation no 
 allowance is figured for the personnel employed in the work on the 
 railway, nor of the employees of the carpenter or blacksmith shops. 
 
 Upon the whole the law seems to have been more than complied with, 
 although the statements of advances made in the mines themselves are 
 certainly exaggerated. 
 
 The visit for the year 1896 was made in February and March of 
 that year, and his report states: 
 
 The road which connects the mines with the port extends some 9 kilometers, with 
 two transfers, the first at Bonga and the second at Langob, the coal being carried in 
 baskets, which are loaded at the mouth of a hopper which exists near the river 
 Danao. 
 
 The advance of the workings in the past year is as indicated in the table which is 
 inserted at the end of the report of this visit, and the state of them is as follows: 
 
 First. The ' ' Pilar " working: This is exploited by retiring from the front face of the 
 gallery toward its mouth. The ventilation is good and the timbering in the parts 
 which are being worked are renewed in order to preserve it, and in the parts which 
 are abandoned they are refilled with rubbish. 
 
 In the present year there is an advance of 5 meters in the general gallery acknowl- 
 edged, 17.45 in chimneys and narrow passages, 375.66 meters in drifts. 
 
 Second. " Escribana" working: Completely abandoned and fallen in. 
 
 Third. " Jesusa" investigation: In order to cut a strata of coal which cropped out 
 at the river, an investigation was established, which was abandoned because of its 
 threatening to cave in at a distance of 12.20 meters from the open cut. 
 
 Fourth. "Jesusa" working: The same vein which it was supposed the "Jesusa" 
 investigation would strike is reached by a gallery of the same name, which at pres- 
 ent measures 33.83 meters, and in which two narrow passages have been made of 0.80 
 meter, united by a gallery overhead of 6.75 meters, and in its center a chimney 
 which pierces to the surface at 8.61 meters in height. 
 
 Ventilation good. Timbering good. 
 
 Fifth. "Enrique Abella" working: In the transversal gallery and cutting a strong 
 vein of coal of 1.75 meters, called " Juday." It is one of the most important and 
 best developed in the exploitation. 
 
 The advance in the gallery is 58.41 meters. The road going to the face of the gal- 
 lery is completed. The vein which was cut is exploited in drifts by a gallery of 
 direction, with which a chimney communicates, which pierces to the surface, with 
 an inclination of about 30° and 46.77 meters of length. 
 
 Between this working and the "Santa Barbara" there has been established a wash- 
 ing place, or, better said, the former one has been improved. 
 
 The road which starts from the mouth of the "Abella" also collects the coal com- 
 ing from the " Santa Barbara ' ' and carries it to an inclined plane of 17 meters in length 
 and approximately 10° of inclination, terminating in a platform where the baskets 
 are loaded. 
 
 Ventilation good. Timbering good. 
 
 For the present the presence of inflammable gases is not detected. 
 
 Sixth. "Santa Barbara" working: This working is still exploited in retirmg from 
 the face of the gallery, which advanced some 29 meters with respect to the former 
 year, taking out by drifts all the coal up to the mouth, and abandoning it after- 
 wards. At the present time the drifts are situated between the general chimney 
 which connects with the surface and the fault to which we have attested. 
 
 Ventilation regular in general and good m the drifts. 
 
THE GOAL MEA8UKB8 OF THE PHILIPPINES. 159 
 
 Timbering, like the ventilation, ought to be attended to somewhat more than it is. 
 
 Seventh. "Mercedes" working: This working is suspended in order to commence 
 it after a better knowledge of the direction of the vein. The coal is of a very 
 medium quality. The length of the working is 17 meters. The ventilation is good. 
 Timbering good. 
 
 Eighth. "San Luis" working: After the "Enrique Abella" this is of the greatest 
 imimrtance at the present time, and better employed. It has a development of 77.13 
 meters in galleries; 12.95 meters in an auxiliary; 12.61 meter? in narrow cuts; 36.32 
 meters in upper gallery, and 14 meters in a vertical shaft. Besides the work in 
 drifts, there is 375.66 meters. Ventilation good. Some of the bents ought to be 
 renewed and a part of the roofing. 
 
 It is worked with safety lamps because of the inflammable gases existing. The 
 thickness of the vein is more than 2 meters. 
 
 No record of a visit is found in 1897, due undoubtedly to the dis- 
 turbed condition of the country, but we have an account of the visit 
 in 1898, which was made in January of that year, which we give in full: 
 
 The works visited are: 
 
 First. "Enrique Abella" Transversal: This transversal, having its mouth within 
 the pertenencias, of the mine " Nuevo Langreo," has at the present time a length of 
 160.03 meters. On the occasion of the last visit it had 81.44 meters. Therefore there 
 has been made an advance of 78.59 meters, of which 27.60 meters are opened in 
 sandstone and the rest in clay. At 70.07 meters from its mouth two galleries of 
 direction start to the right and left, by which a vein of coal 1.20 meters thick, with 
 a trend towards the north, and inchned 28°, is exploited. These two galleries were 
 already opened at the former visit, at which time that of the right hand had 11.32 
 meters and at the present time has 62.15 meters, until encountering the fault, and 
 following afterwards with an investigation or prospecting entry of 36.50 meters in 
 length, seeking the vein. Wherefore it results that an advance of 50.83 meters, besides 
 the investigation gallery of 36.50 meters, has been made on it. On its right face 
 there is established three chimneys, which reached to the surface. The first one, at 
 15 meters from the crossing, has a length of 50 meters, following the inclination of the 
 vein. All of it was in coal with the exception of the last 3 meters, which are in 
 vegetable earth. The second chimney has a length of 33 meters. It was opened in 
 coal, following the inclination of the vem for the first 32.50 meters, and the other 
 2.50 meters remaining has been in vegetable earth, and the third chimney has 20 
 meters of length, having its mouth at the fault. Through these chimneys drifts are 
 established, all the coal being taken out and filling in afterwards, leaving only a bulk 
 of 3 meters nearest to the crossing, working having been made in drifts to the extent 
 of 1,760 square meters. In the gallery of direction, on the left hand side, likewise it 
 has been advanced until it has a length of 100.66 meters, of which 11.35 meters were 
 counted at the last visit. Its advance, then, has been 89.31 meters. On its left face 
 there has been opened 4 chimneys and 10 narrow passages or cuts. The second, 
 third, and fourth chimneys were opened since the former visit, following the incli- 
 nation of a vein of coal, and each of them has the following length: The second, 41.10 
 meters; the third, 34 meters, and the fourth, 26 meters, there having been established 
 in them drifts which have taken out the coal for an extension of 1,916 square meters. 
 There has been left in it a bulk of coal of 2 meters on an average. 
 
 In r6sum6: In this gallery there has been made an advance on the transversal gal- 
 lery of 78.59 meters, and, besides, the installation of a narrow-gauge road for carriage; 
 in the right-hand gallery of direction, 50.83 meters, and in the investigation or pros- 
 pecting gallery, 36.50 meters; and in the gallery of direction on the left hand 89.31 
 meters and the installation of a narrow-gauge road; in the chimneys at both sides, 
 
160 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 186.31 meters; in narrow passages or cuts, 20 meters, and in the entire exploitation 
 by drifts, 3,676 square meters. 
 
 The timbering is good, due to some of the old bents having been made strong, 
 which were found in a rotten condition, and its ventilation in the drifts is good. At 
 the face of the transversal gallery it is somewhat difficult, and it is desirable that it 
 should be made more active. 
 
 Second. "Nueva Jesusa" workings (new): This transversal gallery was opened 
 at a lower level than the old gallery " Jesusa." In this a working of 58.49 meters in 
 length has been made, preceded by an open cut of 2 meters. At 25.35 meters from 
 its mouth it cut a vein of coal, and a gallery was opened from the right hand, fol- 
 lowing the direction of the coal vein already previously cut by the old working 
 "Jesusa" at an upper level, until arriving at the first inspection galleries of the old 
 "Pilar," reaching, therefore, a length of 63.60 meters. The vein was exploited to 
 the shaft of the old working "Jesusa," a working in drifts having been made of 224 
 square meters. At 51. 71 meters from the mouth another gallery was opened from the 
 right-hand side on account of another vein of coal having been cut, having a thick- 
 ness of 0.42 meters, trending toward the east and at an inclination of 85°, following 
 always in clay and coal until reaching a length of 13.71 meters. At the mouth of 
 this gallery a chimney in the roof, following the inclination of the vein, reaches the 
 surface with a length of 25 meters, its section being 0.80 meters by 0.60 meters. 
 
 In r^sum^: In this gallery the advance of 15.44 meters has been made in sandstone, 
 and the rest in clay and coal. Its ventilation is good, and its timbering is not in a 
 good state by reason of the works being already abandoned. 
 
 Third. "Espina" working (new): This working of new execution has a total 
 length of 92.47 meters, preceded by an open cut of 6 meters; at 38.28 meters from ite 
 mouth the first chimney in the roof was opened, which reached the surface in a 
 vertical sense with a length of 3 meters. At 62.97 meters a vein of coal was cut of 
 0.47 meters thickness, trending toward the east and at an inclination of 38°, the sec- 
 ond chimney being opened at this point entirely in coal until it arrived at the sur- 
 face with a length of 11.50 meters, following the inclination of the vein; and at 68.87 
 meters from the aforesaid mouth another vein of 6.56 meters thickness was cut, fol- 
 lowing the same inclination and trend as the former. At this point the third 
 chimney was opened, following the incUnation of the vein and reaching the surface 
 with a length of 12 meters. These last two chimneys communicate between them- 
 selves by means of an upper gallery of 5 meters, following afterwards to the face of 
 the working, in a length of 3.55 meters, cutting the vein of coal and leaving a thick- 
 ness of 2.10 meters. At the face of the gallery the former veins were cut again by 
 reason of a break of 2.50 meters occurring in them at 87.89 meters from the mouth. 
 
 In r^suni^: In this gallery 92.47 meters are in clay; the two chimneys of the upper 
 gallery in coal and clay, and besides, a narrow-gauge railway for carriage has been 
 instituted in it. Both the timbering and the ventilation are good. 
 
 Fourth. Transversal gallery "Calderon" (new): The transversal gallery "Cal- 
 deron" is situated at the lowest level possible of the pertenencias which compose 
 this group; its present length is 95.06 meters, opened in clay, with the exception of 
 5.20 meters, which are in sandstone. It is preceded by an open cut of 7.60 meters. 
 At 23.73 meters from its mouth, and in the left face, an investigation gallery of direc- 
 tion has been opened perpendicular to the transversal gallery, which has a length of 
 6.70 meters, cutting a vein of coal of 1.07 meters in thickness, with an inclination of 
 35°, and trending toward the west. At 27.08 meters the first chimney was opened 
 in the right face, with an inclination of 85° and a direction perpendicular to the 
 transversal gallery, reaching a length to the surface of 23.30 meters, opened in clay. 
 At 37.08 meters there is encountered the first narrow cut, having its mouth in the right 
 face and connects with the first chimney by means of an upper gallery. At 45.34 
 meters, and in the right face, there is found two cuts or narrow passages, which 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 161 
 
 communicate with the first and the chimney by the upper conduit. At 59.49 meters, 
 and in the right face, a shaft is encountered of 40° of inclination, with a length of 
 11.36 meters, reaching the surface by a vertical shaft of 3.72 meters; this shaft has a 
 section of 1.23 meiers in height by 1.21 meters in width, and communicates with the 
 two narrow passages and the chimney by means of an upper gallery which has a 
 total length of 33 meters, leaving a bulk of 3 meters. Through this shaft the coal 
 mined in the transversal gallery " Enrique Abella" is raised, going out by the mouth 
 of this new transversal gallery to the washing plant newly installed at the river and 
 nearest to its mouth. At 82.93 meters from the mouth of this transversal gallery, 
 and in the left face, the second prospecting gallery is found, with a total length of 
 14.70 meters, that cuts a vein of coal of 1.10 meters thickness, with a trend toward 
 the east, and inclined 35°; and at 84.43 meters, and in the left face, the second 
 chimney is found, opened in clay, and inclined at 2.62 meters, communicating with 
 the surface afterwards through a vertical shaft of 7.07 meters in length. 
 
 In resume: In this transversal gallery, besides the 95.06 meters, there has been 
 made in prospecting entries, 21.40 meters; in chimneys, 32.99 meters; in upper gal- 
 leries, 33 meters; in narrow cuts, 6 meters; in the shaft, 15.08 meters; and in an 
 open cut, 7.10 meters; and, besides, the installation of a narrow-gauge road for car- 
 riage. The ventilation and timbering are good. 
 
 Fifth. "Conchin" working (new): This labor, having its mouth toward the east 
 of the old "Pilar," at present is fallen in, having reached a length of 18.60 meters in 
 a direction parallel to the aforesaid "Pilar" working, and proved by the sunken 
 earth. 
 
 , Sixth. "San Jose" working (new): This gallery is opened toward the southeast of 
 'the new gallery, "Espina." It has a total length of 51.45 meters, and its mean direc- 
 jtion is SSE. At 17.90 meters from its mouth it cut a vein of coal of 0.95 meter thick- 
 ness, with 37° inclination, and trending toward the east. At this point a chimney was 
 opened, following the inclination of the vein, reaching to the surface with a length 
 of 4.65 meters, and leaving in it a bulk of 2 meters. Above the vein an upper 
 gallery was opened toward the face, with a length of 12.17 meters. This working is 
 abandoned, cave-ins having been commenced in it. 
 
 Seventh. "San Luis" working: This working, since the last visit, has advanced 
 fora distance of 31.30 meters. At6.30 meters on this advance a faultwas encountered, 
 and the auxiliary was prolonged 19.60 meters to the fault. At 5 meters from the 
 face a vertical shaft of 8.40 meters was opened; all the coal was exploited up to the 
 fault, having made a working in drifts of 240 square meters, following the vein in 
 retiring, and this gallery, which at present is fallen in, was abandoned. 
 
 Eighth. Old "Jesusa" working: In this gallery the working was advanced, since 
 the last visit, to 20 meters of length, until arriving at the refilling of the old "Pilar" 
 working. Two drifts were established at 2 meters from the front, all the coal being 
 taken out, and afterwards abandoning it. At the present time it is fallen in; the 
 advance in drifts is 176 square meters. 
 
 Ninth. In the old working "Santa Barbara" the work was continued with drifts 
 in the act of retiring until all the coal was taken out, a labor in drifts having been 
 made of 85 square meters; at the present time fallen in. 
 
 Tenth. In the gallery "Mercedes" no advance of any kind has been made and it 
 is at the present time abandoned. 
 
 GENERAL KESUME. 
 
 Advances in galleries, 663.41 meters, of which 48.24 meters are in sandstone and 
 the rest, 615.17 meters, in clay and coal; in auxiliary galleries, 19.60 meters; in pros- 
 pecting cuts, 57.90 meters; in upper galleries, 53.72 meters; in chimneys, 274.84 
 meters; in shafts, 23.48 meters; in open cuts, 15.10 meters; in narrow passages, 26 
 
 5603—01 11 
 
/ 
 162 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 meters; and in drifts, 4,394 square meters; and, besides, the installation of a narrow- 
 gauge road to the length of 355.43 meters, and the establishment of new coal-washing 
 places at the river. 
 
 The general state of safety and the sanitary condition of the working is good, 
 except in those'workings which at this visit are cited as abandoned or fallen in. 
 
 This last report brings the history of the Danao coal fields, under 
 the administration of the "Sociedad Nuevo Langreo," down to the 
 Spanish-American war, and, as will be seen by the results obtained by 
 the report for the year 1898, which we have quoted almost in its 
 entirety, a very satisfactory progress was made. Evidently the gen- 
 eral manager of this company, who is known to us by reputation as a 
 practical and careful man of business, and his superintendent and 
 other employees at the mines were learning at last the real conditions 
 in reference to the character of the deposits of coal at Danao and their 
 manner of lying, which would have resulted, in the course of the next 
 three years, in placing the Danao mines upon a paying basis, and 
 would also have discovered — what I believe exists at that point— a far 
 more regular and superior class of combustible. 
 
 Measured by the extensive lignite coal mines with which we are 
 familiar, the working, it is true, seems but a trifle, but when judged 
 by the many adverse conditions that prevailed and which the reader 
 of the history of these islands will recognize without enumeration and 
 which can be found in this report by the careful reader, the workings 
 of the " Sociedad Nuevo Langreo" are easily recognized as an advance 
 in the coal-mining industry of the archipelago of no small value. 
 
 To this volume there are attached sundry maps and plates, to which 
 attention is invited in this connection. The general map of the island 
 of Cebu shows the geological conditions of that island as developed by 
 the geological survey conducted by the able and enthusiastic engineer, 
 Enrique Abella y Casariego, whose faithful labors and valuable works 
 1 have frequently had occasion to refer to with satisfaction. From 
 this map it will be seen that the Danao coal fields are the farthest 
 north of the coal fields of Cebu; next south of them and adjoining 
 them are the Compostela fields, and these will be treated of in the 
 next chapter. 
 
 In the years 1898 and 1890 the Danao and Compostela fields seem 
 to have passed into the possession of Enrique Spitz, a merchant of 
 Manila, who has attempted to add to the area of this territory by 
 filings made in Cebu, and also in Manila, after the American occupa- 
 tion in 1898, with a view of consolidating these two coal fields and 
 covering a large block of coal lands in one body, consisting of nearly 
 10,000 acres. Many of these claims are "third-class claims," the dis- 
 position of which, as to recognition, has not been determined officially 
 under the Government of the United States. The large plate of this 
 
E S F'E RAN Z A AN D CARI DAI 
 
 Scale 1 : 1 
 
 20 30 40 5< 
 
 FACES OF THE GALLERIES. 
 
 ESPERANZA 
 
 AUXILIARY 
 
 CARIDAD 
 
 GALLERY - 
 
 fi 
 
 Sea 
 
 
 PROJECTION HOR 
 
 s 
 
 PROJECTION, ON A PL.VNE PAR.\LLEL TO THE BED OF THE ESPERANZA GALLERY. 
 
 CLT-TRANSVERSA] 
 GALLER 
 
PLATE III 
 
 AD MINES, COMPOSTELA 
 
 . 1000 
 
 lOO aUTTRRS. 
 
 lY - ESPERANZA 
 
 ^ 
 
 Scale on: 100. 
 
 N HORIZONTAL OF THE GALLERY 
 
 Sr-ale 1 : 100 
 
 ERSAL-OF THE PASSAGE OF THE 
 \,LLERY ESPERANZA. 
 
 CoodStted 
 
 "^X5:7»,.- 
 
 FACES (IF THE PASSAGE OF THE ESPERANZA CUT WHERE 
 APPEAR DISTI;RBED CONDITIONS OF SECOND BED. 
 
 LU-„;t|3 
 
 v..../,W....AV.,-.v.,,.W^^/////////wW^..^/.^^ 
 
 PROJECTION, OX A PLVNE RmALLEL TO THE BED OF THE CARID.yD GALLERY. 
 
ESPERANZA 
 
 AUXILIARY 
 
 CARIDAD 
 
 Sea 
 
 
 PROJECTION HORl 
 
 s. 
 
 PROJECTIOK. ON APL\]SE PAR.\LLEL TO THE BED OF THE ESPERANZA GALLERY. 
 
 CLT-TRANSVERSAL 
 GALLER1 
 
 "TT' 
 
 C„sedA,.-shaF^^;?.^fB yi^!t£^^^i^^^ 
 
Scale of 1:100. 
 
 HORIZONTAL OF THE GALLERY 
 
 Srale 1 : 100 
 
 ERSAl.-OF THE PASSAGE OF THE 
 lLLERY ESPERANZA. 
 
 wm 
 
 FACES (IF THE PASSAGE OF THE ESPERANZA CUT WHERE 
 APPEAR DISTURBED CONDITIONS OF SECOND BED. 
 
 PROJECnOX. OX A PLVNE RAIULLEL TO THE BED OF THE CARID.\D G.ULERY. 
 
DANAO - COMPOSTETA 
 
 MINES 
 
 1899-1900 
 
 PEKMISSIO.V OF E. SPITZ 
 
 Sccilc 1 : 30000 
 
 >< 
 
EXPLANATION 
 
 PiLeblf)S 
 ^ Outcropping 
 
 /^y ri r\ r» 
 
PLATE VII 
 
PERMISSION OF E. SPITZ 
 
 Sccile 1 : 30000 
 
 4 
 y 
 
 P 
 
 Ll 
 
 1,4, 
 
 N.M. 
 
 EXPLANATI 
 
 Pueblos 
 Oiitcroppi 
 IVagorv R 
 Brtcfle- f- 
 Point of 
 Le-gcvL Li 
 SUih.es o 
 JfcLgrLett 
 Pcttl Ro 
 miners 
 
 ^=^ 
 
 ..u//i -■~^ 
 
 
 ^u — 
 
 -^^ _y^ 
 
 
 —- — 
 
 
 - 
 
 -^- — 
 
 ,,ltf" -■^''- 
 
 
 ^}."- — 
 
 
 
 -JT-^ 
 
 — . ,w/j ' 
 
 
 I-^- 
 
 Siboq — ^ ' ^ft> 
 
 
 
 .,,, .-'f' "'^'^ 
 
 s^ ,-^— 
 
 ^. ~-« 
 
 ==-- ^ .^Ufc. 
 
 ^UIK- 
 
EXPLANATION 
 
 ^ 
 }< 
 
 Pueblos 
 
 Outcropping 
 
 Wagon. RoacL 
 
 BricUe Path 
 
 Potnt of Depart a re 
 
 Legal Labors 
 1,-4, SUikes of Beina;rcatlon 
 N.M. J/agnetlc Xorth. 
 -— -— — Rail ftoa.cl 
 ^^^ R i ve rs 
 
 P 
 LI 
 
174 
 
 
 ,. 
 
 .Uf'.s7/;r« 
 
 1 \ 
 
 175 
 
 , 
 
 176 
 
 Porliella 
 
 2 
 
 177 
 
 „ 
 
 
 CnrJolo 
 
 1 
 
 170 
 
 n 
 
 179 
 
 MntjoUniirs 
 
 2 
 
 Kid 
 
 „ 
 
 IHl 
 
 Xwvd l.onrjrco 
 
 2 J 
 
 ]«2 
 
 n 
 
 U5?i 
 
 Crhii an n 
 
 2 
 
 22r> 
 
 ft 
 
 2.}2 
 
 S'../u/ia/i 
 
 » 
 
 2 If) 
 
 ,, 
 
 224 
 
 ffeirt-fi f/ff/i'iilc 
 
 C, 
 
 2X\ 
 
 
 2.'ir) 
 
 Om.yUtitrrii 
 
 1- 
 
 Total 263 Pertenencias - Clainis 
 3945 Hectare as 9744^15 Acres 
 
 JL'LIUS BIEN S C^ LITH N Y 
 
PLATE VI 
 
 JULIJ i. BfEN 6 CO. LITH f 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OP THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 163 
 
 consolidated mineral group, with many details, shows the scope of 
 this plan and the condition of these two fields with reference to each 
 other. For this plate we are indebted to the courtesy of Mr. Spitz, 
 who has been working these coal mines, and is working them up to 
 the present date, to a limited extent and so far as the conditions of 
 insurrection and disturbance in these islands would permit. 
 
 By reference to the table of mineral entries in Cebu the number, 
 names, dates, and general conditions of all the subsequent entries of 
 both Danao and Compostela can be found and their location can be 
 traced upon the large map last referred to. They do not require any 
 further explanation in this report. 
 
 CHAPTER XX.— THE COMPOSTELA MINES IN CEBTJ. 
 
 By reference to the table showing the coal entries of Compostela, in 
 the closing period from 1887 down to the present date, two groups 
 will be observed, and they are commonly spoken of as the "Angeles" 
 and "Progreso" groups, respectively. The latter dates from the year 
 1887 and appears in the table under the name of the entryman, Juan 
 Labridan. Three of these mines were renounced in 1888, and the 
 "Progreso," of 20 pertenencias, was canceled in the year 1890. 
 
 The "Angeles" group dates from March 17, 1890, and the four 
 mines composing the group were all entered by or in the name of 
 Ramon Montanes, whose name is closely identified with the develop- 
 ment of the coal mines of Cebu. This group consists of — 
 
 Date of 
 entry. 
 
 Name of mine. 
 
 Number of 
 claims. 
 
 Date of title. 
 
 Mar 17,1890 
 Sept. 12,1892 
 June 30, 1894 
 Apr. 4, 1896 
 
 Angeles 
 
 San Enrique.. 
 Kafael Reyes . 
 Angeles 
 
 Pertenencias. 
 12 
 
 May 16,1891 
 July 5, 1894 
 Oct. 11,1896 
 Mar. 23,1898 
 
 Making a total of 26 pertenencias, or 3,900,000 square meters. 
 
 These mines have been frequently referred to in the last chapter, 
 and will also be readily traced upon the large map of the Danao and 
 Compostela coal fields therein mentioned. They adjoin the Danao 
 mines on the south, and since the year 1898 we understand that the 
 titles to these properties, which were never canceled by the Spanish 
 Government and are consequently "first-class claims," have passed to 
 Enrique Spitz as the representative of the Danao-Compostela Coal 
 Mining Company. 
 
 The history of these mines, which, like the Danao mines, were con- 
 nected with the coast by a railway of narrow gauge, also noted on the 
 map, is told in the reports of the ofiicial visits of the engineers of the 
 inspectorate, from which we take so much as may be necessary to 
 
164 THE COAL MEASUBES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 supplement and complete the information already referred to in the 
 previous chapter: 
 
 Visit of March, 1892. 
 
 The works which have been made upon the "Angeles" during the year, approxi- 
 mately, of its existence may be reduced to the following five: 
 
 A gallery of direction of 9.29 meters in length and of 1.80 by 1.60 meters in croBs 
 section, made upon the strata which has undergone combustion and toward the 
 northeast, farther up than the point of commencement. 
 
 Leaving the said point of commencement and going in a direction from north to 
 south, a second working of the said five is found, which consists of a gallery of some 
 8 meters in length, already abandoned and fallen in, by reason of its having encoun- 
 tered in its extremity the old workings, which are likewise destroyed. 
 
 Continuing to the south, there exists a third transversal gallery , of 17.20 meters in 
 length, established with very good judgment, inasmuch as in addition to cutting the 
 strata of coal at a short distance, it is opened in more consistent and solid ground 
 than that which is encountered in the fourth working, which is situated farther to 
 the south and consists of a gallery of direction of 10 meters upon a stratum of O.60 
 meter thick, and having for a foot wall and hanging wall clays exceedingly incon- 
 sistent and brittle, which made the advance of the works much more laborious and 
 difficult. 
 
 Lastly, in the place farthest to the south and following down a small arroyo which 
 has shown the diverse strata which have caused the former workings, there exists 
 on its right bank a transversal gallery of 29.32 meters, with another of direction of 
 some 14 meters to the right and left upon striking the stratum at some 20 meters from 
 the mouth of the first. 
 
 Even while the works are directed and fortified properly, and leave nothiag to be 
 desired on this account as regards the regulations of an exploitation well ordered, I 
 can not do less than indicate, before terminating my observations, that they have 
 failed as regards article 50 of the law in force concerning mining, in not having sup- 
 plied the number of workmen which it orders. 
 
 Visit of Apbil, 1893. 
 
 The workings of the mineral group "Angeles," in Oompostela, are 11.25 meters, 
 which the gallery "Santa Cecilia " measures, run transversally to a stratum of coal 
 which has not been intersected as yet because of the paralyzation of the works. It 
 runs through clayey slates, and the trapezoid which it forms for a cross section 
 measures 2 meters in height and 1.50 meters in average width on the inside of its 
 timbering. 
 
 Another of the workings — and which I will indicate in the order in which I have 
 visited them — is the transversal gallery known by the name of ' ' Bamoncita, ' ' of equal 
 dimensions with the former and those which follow. It has not encountered the 
 vein whose cropping appears in the arroyo near by in the 30.35 meters which have 
 been opened. 
 
 Of the gallery denominated "Segunda," at present abandoned at some twenty odd 
 meters, 20.48 meters are preserved in order to exploit an important bulk that was 
 cut by this gallery transversally. 
 
 The "Aureliana" is a transversal gallery of 40.68 meters in length which has cut a 
 vein whose direction is from S. 45° "W. to N. 45° E., the inclination being from 35° 
 to 40°. The rock which serves as walls ia a clayey slate. Upon the vein there has 
 been an advance of some 8 meters. At about 32.48 meters from the mouth of the 
 "Aureliana" there is a chimney of inclination which is 10 meters in length, without 
 yet having reached the surface. 
 
THE COAL MEASTJEES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 165 
 
 Another of the workings is the gallery "Esperanza," of 96.46 meters in length, and 
 made in coal from the very mouth upon a vein with a direction N. 10° E. to S. 10° 
 W., the inclination being 35° to the E. 10° S., and its present thickness at the face 
 measures 0.40 meters. At some 38.25 meters from the mouth of the "Esperanza" 
 there opens a transversal gallery of 28.25 meters in length, intersecting at some 14.62 
 meters a vein of coal 1.20 meters thick and whose direction is from N. 28° E. to S. 
 28° W., and whose inclination is 30°, with a trend to the W. 28° N. Also at a dis- 
 tance of 28.90 meters from the mouth of the ' ' Esperanza ' ' there is a gallery chimney, 
 auxiliary of ventilation, 36 meters in length, and following the inclination of the 
 vein from where eight drifts, in vertical cuts of 2 meters of height, commence with an 
 intermediate bulk between the gallery and the first of them, of 2.50 meters in width. 
 The first of these drifts has advanced 27 meters, and the others at 2 meters from each 
 other toward the mouth of the gallery. 
 
 The gallery named "Abella," 20.15 meters in length, is opened transversally upon 
 an outcropping about to be intersected. 
 
 Near to an old gallery of the workings of Isaac Oon-ui there is being opened a shaft 
 1.70 meters in length by 1 meter in width inside of its timbering and at present reach- 
 ing 18.10 meters in depth. At a distance of 2.70 meters from its mouth it has inter- 
 sected a vein of coal which is the same as that of the "Aureliana." 
 
 At 10 or 12 meters from the right bank of the arroyo Sugui there have been made 
 56.70 meters of transversal gallery, intersecting at a distance of 24 meters from its 
 mouth a veiu of coal of which it was impossible to take other data regarding the 
 strata and the rest of the workings because of the cave-ins that have taken place. 
 
 Also on the right bank of the arroyo Jimarco there is a transversal gallery of 20.29 
 meters in length which intersects various veins. 
 
 It is a pity that certain works have not been carried along with others in order 
 that the most favorable results might have been obtained, which is not the case, for 
 while the works, essentially mining works, have been carried forward with sufficient 
 activity, although not with the number of workmen required by law, the outside 
 transportation has been disregarded, which has hindered them from attaining a 
 greater development, and the group "Angeles" is found in a good state of exploita- 
 tion, taking into account the inconveniences which it has had to contend with in 
 preserving workings which are of no service whatever and the coal discovered in 
 them which was not taken out at the proper time. 
 
 Visit of Februahy, 1894. 
 
 The mouths of attack made upon this group since their concession are so numerous 
 that, in order not to confuse them hereafter, it is desirable to cite all those at present 
 known, indicating in passing their total advance and the corresponding computation 
 of the workmen for the present year. They will be indicated, commencing from 
 north to south, the length of all the pertenencias. 
 
 The first is the transversal gallery, named "Santa Cecilia," situated on the banks 
 of the river Danao, and cited in the visit of 1893. Since then no workings in the 
 nature of an advance appear to have been made upon this gallery, and to-day it is 
 fallen in, and for that reason it was not possible to examine its interior. 
 
 On one of the small streams which unite to form the arroyo Sugui another trans- 
 versal gallery, named "Eamoncita," is situated, which has been extended until it 
 cuts an outcropping which is found farther up the same arroyo. In addition, lower 
 down, but very near to the mouth of this same gallery, there appears another out- 
 cropping. This transversal to-day is 46.20 meters long, and therefore has advanced 
 15.85 meters in barren working, a small vein of 0.15 meter thickness having been 
 cut at 40 meters from its mouth. 
 
 Following the arroyo there is encountered not far from this point the first work 
 
166 THE COAL MBASTTEES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 cited in the visit of 1892, executed upon an outcropping of coal partly burned. 
 To-day there is only to be seen a line of cavings-in of 10 or 12 meters in length, which 
 prove an advance of 2 meters since 1892 in the gallery and the consequent exploita- 
 tion of the upper part of the vein, which had not exceeded some 25 square meters. 
 
 In the portion of the arroyo nearest to the point of commencemient of this group 
 (old mouth of the gallery " Caridad" ) to-day there is scarcely to be seen the remains 
 of the second working indicated in the visit of 1892. 
 
 Lower down on the left slope and in front of the present mouth of the gallery 
 "Enrique Abella" there is yet found the remains, fallen in, of two workings, both 
 of which bore the name of "Segunda," one of which is cited in the visit of 1893. In 
 the state in which they are now found the total length reached by them can not be 
 calculated. 
 
 It appears that one of them, or perhaps both, had for an object the cutting of the 
 bed of 0.60 meter, which was directly attacked and partly exploited by means of a 
 gallery of direction whose remains are to be seen farther down upon the same slope, 
 and which were cited as the fourth place in the visit of 1892. 
 
 On the opposite slope and fronting the highest up of the fallen-in workings, called 
 "Segunda," the gallery designated in the visit of 1893 by the name of "Aureliana" 
 is encountered, which is to-day known by the name of "Enrique Abella." In this 
 gallery there has been an advance over the 40.68 meters which it had m 1893 of 
 62.50 meters, always upon a vein of more than 1 meter in thickness. Besides this, 
 within the present year there has been executed on it 90 meters of chimneys and 
 narrow passages upon the coal and 1 87 square meters of exploitation. 
 
 In the gallery "Esperanza," situated at an upper level and opened upon another 
 vein of less thickness, there, has been advanced 25.84 meters in direction, in addition 
 to the 96.46 meters designated at the former visit, amounting to the enormous quan- 
 tity of 122.40 meters of chimneys and narrow passages in addition to the 36 meters 
 which it already possessed on the last visit, which do not lend any service whatever 
 and only tend to debilitate the vein and to multiply the timbering. Within this 
 same gallery there exists, toward the east, a tranversal, already cited in the former 
 visit, upon which there have been advanced 4.20 meters. 
 
 On the other edge of the arroyo there was opened a transversal entitled "Abella," 
 noted in the former visit, with 20. 15 meters of length, which has advanced, according 
 to information proved, some 11 meters more. In this latter course it encountered 
 the vein of coal which it was intended to cut, but a f alling-in having occurred, it was 
 attempted to reach the same vein by another transversal situated upon the same side 
 at a higher level, in whose mouth there exists yet a ground which indicates for this 
 working a length approximately of some 15 meters. To-day it can not be penetrated 
 by reason of having fallen in. 
 
 Below the mouth of the transversal "Abella," and very close to the arroyo and to 
 the entrance of the old gallery called "Esperanza," opened by Isaac Con-ui, there 
 still exists the mouth of a shaft which reached some 25 meters in depth, correspond- 
 ing, therefore, to an advance of 7 meters for the computation of the present year, since 
 on the former visit it was assigned a length of 18.10 meters. 
 
 Lower down from the mines on the arroyo called ' ' Sugui ' ' three mouths appear very 
 close together, two of them situated on the left margin and the other, which is the 
 highest, on the right. 
 
 This last was opened in a transversal, encountering the same vein reached in the 
 gallery "Abella," and afterwards the transversal was continued and followed the 
 vein for some 15 meters. It is difficult to measure the advance of this working, 
 which is to-day fallen in, as in all those which are situated near to some arroyo, 
 because their dumps are washed away by the current without leaving a vestige of 
 the importance of the work executed. 
 
 At a higher level than this gallery, on the highest part of the slope, there exists 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 167 
 
 another transversal, to-day also fallen in, which should have reached some 40 meters 
 in length. It is unknown whether it cut any vein of coal. 
 
 To the south of it are also seen the mouths, fallen in, of a gallery of direction and 
 of a lower prospecting entry near by. The gallery must have reached some 12 
 meters in length, all in coal. 
 
 The other two mouths, which we cite heretofore, of the three near to the arroyo 
 have the name of " Enriqueta." That of the north encountered loose ground, which 
 caved in after reaching a length of 19 meters, according to the depression which can 
 be measured upon the surface of the ground. 
 
 As a substitute for it there has been opened, lower down upon the same slope, 
 another new " Enriqueta," also transversal, which at the present time reaches 13.50 
 meters in length. 
 
 Much lower down on the same arroyo, on its right bank, there has been opened 
 another transversal, called "Albino," formerly known by the name of "Suqui." 
 At a few meters from its entrance there has occurred a cave-in, which makes the 
 inspection of its interior an impossibility. In the visit of 1893 it was assigned 56.70 
 meters for reference, because it then already presented another cave-in, which, after 
 having been raised and continuing the transversal working and upon the vein, pro- 
 duced the present cave-in. In order to compute the working force, an advance of 
 some 6 meters in the gallery of direction, on account of being the only ones proved, 
 has been presumed. 
 
 Lastly, on the arroyo of Jimarco there has been opened another transversal with 
 the object of cutting the vein of an outcropping which is to be seen in the bed of 
 a small arroyo affluent. At the last visit it had already 20.30 meters, and it has 
 advanced 5.50 meters more without as yet encountering the vein. 
 
 In rfeum^: The mine workings executed in the ten months past since the last 
 visit are: 
 
 In transversals, direct measurements: "Ramoncita," 15.85 meters; "Esperanza," 
 4.20 meters; "Enriqueta," fallen in, 19 meters; "Enriqueta," at the present time, 
 13.50 meters; "Jimarco," 5.50 meters; total, 58.05 meters. 
 
 In transversals, presumed or calculated: "Abella," 11 meters; shaft, 7 meters; 
 gaUery fronting the "Enriqueta," fallen in, 30 meters; gallery above this upon the 
 slope, 40 meters; gallery above the "Abella," 15 meters; total, 103 meters. 
 
 General total in transversals, 161.65 meters. 
 
 In galleries of direction, direct measurement: Upon the burned strata, 2 meters; 
 "Enrique Abella," 62.50 meters; "Esperanza," 25.84 meters; total, 90.34 meters. 
 
 In galleries of direction, presumed or calculated : Gallery fronting the ' ' Enriqueta, ' ' 
 15 meters; "Albino" (old Suqui), 6 meters; gallery with prospecting entry, 12 
 meters; total, 33 meters. 
 
 General total in galleries of direction, 123.34 meters. 
 
 Chinmeys and narrow passages in coal: "Enrique Abella," 90 meters; "Espe- 
 ranza," 122.40 meters; total, 212.40 meters. 
 
 Drifts of exploitation: In the "Enrique Abella," 187 square meters; in the burned 
 vein (presumed), 25 square meters; total, 212 square meters. 
 
 With these workings the legal working force for the 20T)ertenencias which com- 
 pose the group has been covered, computing for that purpose the outer and auxiliary 
 workings for screening, transportation, and other works within the boundaries of 
 the pertenencias themselves. 
 
 The state of police of the interior workings appears to be excellent at first sight; 
 the galleries are ample and the waters run well through the drains; the timbering is 
 so profuse that the bents touch each other in many places, and the ventilation 
 appears to be sufficient in the majority of the drifts and galleries; but all the details 
 being examined with a little attention, some deficiencies are found. The timbering 
 has not been put in place by experienced hands, siace neither the joints of the 
 
168 THE COAL, MEASURES OE THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 uprights with the crosspieces are well calculated for sustaining lateral pressures, nor 
 are the arches placed firmly against the walls of the excavations, hollows resulting, 
 from which there commences the falling of small pieces and hollow cavities, which 
 upon propagation on the interior of the rocks produce enormous cave-ins, which are 
 to be seen in these mines, and which contradict apparently the visible abundance of 
 timbering. Neither is the ventilation at the front of galleries, which are not more 
 distant than 25 meters, satisfactory, and it should be remedied by tubes, made either 
 of lumber or thin plates of galvanized iron and from 30 to 40 centimeters in diameter, 
 which overlap each other, placing them from the chimney of ventilation nearest to 
 the face of the gallery in the workings in order to oblige the air to purify the gallery 
 before going out through the chimney. 
 
 The scattering of the points for working proves in an evident manner that in this 
 group there never has existed any plan of works, from which there results an exces- 
 sive number of workings in barren ground and a disorder of the service very deplor- 
 able for the interests of the concessionary. On the other hand, the works preparatory 
 for a true exploitation are very insuflEicient for a sustained production, which would 
 be required by the iron tramway which is being installed from the mines to the 
 coast. 
 
 Visit of February, 1895. 
 
 (Note.— The report of this visit contains an excessive amount of 
 useless details, necessitating its abridgment; such portions as are 
 quoted in full, as written, are printed in smaller type.) 
 
 The visit of this year was commenced with an inspection of the 
 tramway in course of construction to connect the mines with the coast. 
 The road was found to be projected for its entire length of 14 kilome- 
 ters, with a width of 0.60 meter, and a weight of rails of 7 kilograms 
 per linear meter. (See large map of Danao and Compostela coal fields.) 
 
 It commences with a dock constructed of lumber, 100 meters in 
 length by 3.75 meters in width and 5 meters above high-water mark, 
 terminating in a platform of 5.75 meters in width by 4 meters in 
 length. On this platform is a double track. The track is constructed 
 from the wharf for a distance of 7,300 meters to the foot of an inclined 
 plane, which, when completed as projected, will have a length of 125 
 meters. The service on this plane is conducted at present by aerial 
 steel cables of 0.005 meter in thickness, operated with block and tackle. 
 Here the coal is reloaded. Leaving the plane upon the other side, the 
 road is constructed to a distance of 1,800 meters to a coal bunker where 
 service is now provided by a small steam engine of from 4 to 5 horse- 
 power. From this point on to the mines, a distance of about 4i kilo- 
 meters, the service is by means of carabao carts and rafts over the old 
 cart road. 
 
 The service of the transportation of the coal is effected, at present, in the follow- 
 ing manner: 
 
 Kilos. 
 
 1. From the mines to the bunker (engine) by carts and rafts 4.500 
 
 2. From this to the plane by car 1. 800 
 
 3. Steel aerial cable 100 
 
 4. From cable to dock by car 7. 300 
 
 Total distance 13. 700 
 
'■?•■'■ 5< - <: 
 
 r 
 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 169 
 
 The coal cars are rectangular in form, of 113 arrobas in capacity, or IJ English 
 tons of 88 arrobas per ton. 
 
 The inclination or grade of the track in its course in descending, or from the 
 mines to the dock, is from 1 to 1 J per cent, and although in some portions it may be 
 a little greater it never exceeds from 3J to 4 per cent. 
 
 This descent of the coal utilizes for its motive power only the grade of the track 
 itself, and has a velocity of some three minutes per kilometer. The cars have their 
 brakes corresponding to them, and each train consists in general of three cars. 
 
 The ascent is effected by trains of three cars, moved by animals (either carabaos 
 or horses), and they have a velocity in the first place which averages very slow, and 
 in the second some five minutes per kilometer. 
 
 This service, the road once being completed and the track in place,' will be per- 
 formed by a locomotive of some 4 tons. 
 
 This once being completed it will be possible to obtain a trip service exceedingly 
 important, hauling up on the ascending trips the necessary material for the exploi- 
 tation, and on the descending trip the coal to the dock, with the movement of some 
 10 trains daily of 5 cars to the train, or 50 cars of 113 arrobas each, which amounts 
 to 5,650 arrobas; in tons, 75. 
 
 On this tramway there are several bridges of from iO to 50 meters 
 in length, and the work is well done. 
 The following workings were visited: 
 
 I. "Jimarco." 
 II. "Albino" (oldSuqui). 
 
 III. "Consolacion" (new). 
 
 IV. "Nueva Enriqueta." 
 V. "Carmen" (new). 
 
 VI. "Esperanza." 
 VII. " Enrique Abella." 
 VIII. "Buena vista." 
 
 I. "Jimarco" working: The timbering of this working has been renewed and 
 strengthened. 
 
 The stratification of the clay beds have an average inclination of from 12° to 15°. 
 
 The coal is presented in the third zone, imbedded in a very hard sandstone forma- 
 tion eminently calcareous and with an inclination of 72°. 
 
 The lignite is highly anthracitic and metamorphosed, very dirty, but not pyritic. 
 
 The present working cuts a series of small veins of variable thicknesses, between 
 0.005 to 0.02 meter, which present a good appearance. 
 
 The contacts of these veins are of slate, bituminous in structure and foliated frac- 
 ture, color whitish-black matte, and very adhesive to the coal. 
 
 The fracture of the coal is concoidal, with jet brilliancy. 
 
 The face is presented clean and with a tendency to change its stratification, pre- 
 senting indications of slates analogous to those which were presented at the out- 
 croppings. 
 
 II. "Albino" working: This working is fallen in and abandoned. Supposed 
 advance, 23 meters. 
 
 III. "Consolacion" working: This outcropping is found upon the river Suqui, at 
 a distance of 5.91 meters from the center of the mouth of thegallery, whose course is 
 E. 17° 80' N. 
 
 This working is found fallen in completely. Senor Canga abandoned this working 
 with reason, on account of finding them poorly directed with reference to the manner 
 in which the veins present themselves. 
 
 The outcroppings, which are two in number, are distant from each other 2.50 
 meters, presenting two important veins with a direction of NNE. to SSW., with a 
 
170 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 thickness of 2.50 meters for the first and 1.90 meters for the second and witli an 
 inclination of 13°. Supposed advance, 13.50 meters. 
 
 IV. " Nueva Enriqueta " working: This working, upon proving to be again neces- 
 sary, it would be an indispensable necessity to run a chimney of direct draft at some 
 10 meters from the face. 
 
 It cuts no vein of coal whatever. Advance, 36.50 meters. 
 
 V. "Carmen" working: This working, by reason of being the first which has been 
 really established by Mr. Canga, we noticed very particularly, finding it well tim- 
 bered and secured; its advance changed in direction to avoid cave-ins, and the 
 dimensions are more reduced. 
 
 The total working contains 11 meters in sandstone and 21.91 meters in clay. 
 
 It cuts soriie small minute veins of coal and tends to seek the vein marked by the 
 new outcropping upon the arroyo Sugui. 
 
 The new outcropping has a direction, very marked, from north to south, and the 
 lignite is very markedly anthracitic. From the middle point of this to the mouth of 
 the gallery "Esperanza" there is a distance of 33 meters in a direction W. 10° N. 
 Advance, 33.91 meters. 
 
 VI. "Esperanza" working: One of the most important of this exploitation. 
 There is established an iron track throughout its entire length, which extends to 
 
 the exterior in a distance of 111.73 meters. 
 
 The timbering was renewed for the most part, and the old, which has not been 
 lost, has been reenforced. 
 
 The ventilation is much better than on the former visit, by reason of the establish- 
 ing of a new upper gallery, which carries the air directly to the face, and in addition 
 there is noted the establishing of a mechanical ventilation by means of suction air 
 pumps installed in this last chimney. 
 
 At 38.25 meters from the mouth of the gallery there has been established a new 
 partition, which tends to avoid the filtrations of water coming from the old and 
 abandoned works of Isaac Oon-ui, which threatened a change of the plan of this 
 working until the present control of the waters. 
 
 The following advances have been made in this working: In direction, 26.54 
 meters; in transversals, 3.30 meters; in drifts, four of 3.30 by 2.50, 33 meters; in 
 upper gallery, 25 meters. 
 
 The thickness of the vein of coal diminishes toward the surface of the exterior 
 level. 
 
 VII. "Enrique Abella" working: In this working there have been performed 
 the following labors: 
 
 First. Establishing of the track, which is extended to the exterior in a length of 
 148.09 meters. 
 
 Second. Renewal of all the timbering, which was in a very bad state. 
 
 Third. Improvement of its ventilation, carrying it always toward the face by 
 means of an upper gallery. 
 
 Fourth. Establishment of six new drifts of narrow passages. 
 
 Fifth. Eefllling of the old drifts. 
 
 Sixth. Opening of a second level at 23 meters from the first, communicating with 
 the working in drifts. 
 
 So that it gives: Advance in principal gallery of the first floor, 73.59 meters; new 
 gallery, second floor, 7.30 meters; narrow passages, eight of 2.50 meters each, or 20 
 meters; an upper gallery, 70.09 meters; working in drifts, 6 by 4.50 by 3.75 meters, 
 or 101.25 square meters. 
 
 ( Note. — The work " Romancita "has suffered no alteration with respect to the visit 
 in which advances are referred to, but its arches have been renewed in order to pi* 
 pare them for a new advance, and there has been established a track for communi- 
 cation with the "Enrique Abella.") 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. l7l 
 
 E6sum6: First. The number of workings have been diminished, but, on the other 
 hand, and what should have been done from the very first, these all tend toward a fixed 
 and determined plan, which is to cut all the known veins by a grand transversal, 
 which, in the opinion of Mr. Canga, ought to have some 300 meters toward the right 
 in the direction of the gallery "Esperanza" and some 600 meters to the left for 
 examination of all the outcroppings and the establishment of galleries of direction 
 when the vein encountered should warrant it, exploiting this by the method of 
 labors most appropriate to its thickness and other conditions. 
 
 Second. The establishment of a track will facilitate considerably the exploitation. 
 
 Third. The ventilation is much better. 
 
 Fourth. The timbers are more rationally established. 
 
 Fifth. The dimensions of the works newly made are more rational. 
 
 Computation of working force: Development of workings; old "Alboin," 23 meters; 
 "Consolaci6n," 13.50 meters; "Jimarco," 23 meters; "Nueva Enriqueta," 36.50 
 meters; "Carmen," 33.91 meters; "Esperanza," 29.84 meters; "Enrique Abella," 
 80.89 meters; total, 240.64 meters. They have scantily reached the legal number of 
 workmen. 
 
 Visit of March, 1896. 
 
 The number of pertenencias of the "Angeles" and of the mining concession " San 
 Enrique," with the neighboring mine, and whose accumulation of workings has been 
 conceded, is sixteen, calling for eleven thousand seven hundred and twelve days' 
 labor per annum. 
 
 The road which connects the mines with the wharf of Compostela is already 
 extended to within some 800 meters of the mine workings without any other trans- 
 fer than that of the -inclined plane, whose installation has not yet been finished. 
 This service, as in the former visit, is furnished by means of cables. 
 
 The advance in the workings during the past year, since our farmer visit, is the fol- 
 lowing, going from the north toward the south: 
 
 First. ' ' Eamoncita ' ' working : This transversal gallery has been prolonged in a longi- 
 tudinal direction 23.40 meters. At 52.60 meters from the mouth of the transversal a 
 vein of coal 1.10 meters thick, of 60 degrees inclination, and in a directionN. 17° 30' B., 
 was cut, upon which a gallery of direction was run, which measures at the present 
 time a length of 23.07 meters, in which and at 4.50 meters a chimney of 5.60 meters 
 in length by 0.80 by 0.80 meter in size was raised. 
 
 The status of the working, both in the timbering and ventilation, is good. 
 
 Second. "Enrique Abella" working: In this working an auxiliary gallery has been 
 made which is some 21 meters higher than the general gallery, and following, the 
 same as the general gallery, the direction of the vein, measuring at the present time 
 a length of 89.16 meters, in which there has been established two workings in 
 ascending drifts, the first of which measures a surface of 422.50 square meters and 
 the second 105 square meters. This gallery carries the ventilation to the general 
 gallery and to the drifts, descending by means of two shafts, the first 2 meters long 
 and the second 4 meters. These drifts communicate with the surface by means of 
 two inclined chimneys, the first of 18.50 meters and the second of 13.50 meters. 
 The upper gallery of the general gallery of direction has advanced 52.50 meters; the 
 general gallery has likewise advanced 31.34 meters. In this drifts commence from 
 a narrow passage, and 517.30 square meters have been exploited. In narrow cuts 
 there have been made 22 meters of longitudinal distance. Ventilation and timber- 
 ing good. 
 
 Third. "Esperanza" working: The general gallery has advanced 3 meters; the 
 upper gallery 65.50 meters. 
 
 In narrow cuts there has been made a linear working of 7.40 meters. The drifts 
 represented a working of 1,434.16 square meters. 
 
172 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPflKES. 
 
 At 15 meters from its mouth, and at the left-hand side, a transversal gallery has 
 been opened, which measures 26.90 meters; and another at the right-hand side, and 
 at 57.50 meters from its mouth, which at this time measures 40.20 meters and 
 which cut the vein "Enrique Abella" at 7.55 meters. The renewed timbering is of 
 molave and its condition is good. The ventilation is complete, both in the galleries 
 and in the drifts. 
 
 Fourth. "Jimarco" working: This transversal gallery has advanced 18.02 meters 
 without yet cutting the vein which it is seeking. The last 8.50 meters are cut in a 
 clay so hard that its advance is less than as if it were done in sandstone. 
 
 In order to ventilate this working, and at 46.81 meters from its mouth, an inclined 
 chimney has been established, 21.93 meters long with a section of 1 meter and an 
 inclination of 65 degrees, which reaches to the surface. Ventilation and timbering 
 good. 
 
 Fifth. ' ' San Enrique : " In front of the legal labor of the mine by this name a new 
 transversal gallery has been installed, which already presents the vein of coal in its 
 face and measures 9.40 meters of fortified open cut and 12.70 meters of gallery. Ven- 
 tilation and timbering good. 
 
 The mine "San Rafael," belonging to the same registerer, presented no legal labor 
 whatever, and no book of visits in order to enter these facts ; therefore the undersized 
 engineer proposes to the general inspectorate a correction or fine in money that may 
 be suitable. 
 
 Visit of January and Fbbeuahy, 1898. 
 
 The coto "Angeles" and the mine "San Enrique" has had conceded its accumu- 
 lation of works, and has an extension of sixteen pertenencias, there belonging to it 
 a working force equivalent to eleven thousand seven hundred and twelve days' labor 
 per year, or in the two years which have elapsed without a visit, twenty-eight thou- 
 sand four hundred and twenty-four days' work. 
 
 I. "Ramoncita" working: In this working there have been made the following 
 advances: 
 
 In the gallery of direction, 3.93 meters; chimney which pierces the surface, 14.10 
 meters. In the transversal gallery, which continues in good condition as to timber- 
 ing and ventilation, there has been no advance; not so as to the gallery of direction, 
 which has fallen in; so also as to the chimney. 
 
 II. "Enrique Abella" working: Advances of this working in two years: 
 
 In the principal gallery meters.. 83.89 
 
 In the auxiliary gallery do 22.00 
 
 In the principal upper gallery do 83. 89 
 
 In the auxiliary upper gallery do 61.25 
 
 In the narrow cuts at the principal gallery do 26.00 
 
 In narrow cuts at the auxiliary gallery .do 16. 00 
 
 In ventilation chimneys do 117.50 
 
 In drifts of coal square meters.. 4,745.25 
 
 All the coal comprehended between the two galleries and that which exists over 
 the f"!cond, up to the surface, has been taken out. 
 
 TLe coal that remains between the last chimney and the fault is divided by overhead 
 galleries and narrow passages into nine masses, as they have told us, since we have not' 
 been able to visit it because of the auxiliary galleries and chimneys having fallen in. 
 
 State of the workings: The principal gallery is well preserved and is prolonged for 
 15 meters beyond the lault; all the rest of the workings are. fallen in. 
 
 III. "Esperanza" working: Advances in this working are: 
 
 In the general gallery meters. . 5. 00 
 
 In its upper ventilation gallery do 77.00 
 
THE COAL MEASUEES OE THE PHILIPPINES. 173 
 
 In cuts from the general gallery meters. . 28. 00 
 
 In the first transversal gallery do 6. 10 
 
 In the second do 6. 80 
 
 In drifts upon coal square meters. . 1, 492. 87 
 
 Advances in this working are presumed because of their sinking in, since the mouth 
 of the general gallery has caved in, and it was not possible to penetrate into it. 
 
 These workings ought to be worked with safety lamps because of the inflammable 
 gases existing. 
 
 IV. " Jimarco" working: Advances in this working, 3 meters in the general gal- 
 lery. The vein of coal has not yet been cut, and the status of this working is good. 
 
 V. "San Enrique " working: In this working the vein of coal, which has a direc- 
 tion from N. 7° E. to S. 7° W., with an inclination of 80 degrees to the east, and 
 a thickness of 0.85 meters, has been cut. Advances in this labor in a transversal 
 gallery, 10.30 meters; in a new gallery of direction, 7 meters. The transversal gallery 
 is well preserved and the gallery of direction is fallen in. 
 
 VI. "Second Nueva Enriqueta" working: At the lower level of the galleries up 
 to the present time established and very near to the arroyo Sugui a new working has 
 been opened, which bears the above name, with the object of tapping the "Enri- 
 queta" vein. Direction of this gallery, N. 17° 30' E. Dimensions: Length, 60 
 meters; width at the bottom, 2 meters, and at the top, 1.30 meters; height, 2.20 
 meters. 
 
 In order to give ventilation to this gallery, a shaft is commenced in the shape of 
 an open excavation, which at present reaches 8 meters in depth without having as 
 yet penetrated the gallery. 
 
 The mouth of this new working is fallen in, and in the outer surface, following the 
 direction of the gallery, there exists various sinkings of the earth, although its tim- 
 bers are nearly all preserved. 
 
 The entrance to this gallery is at present made through a narrow defile which the 
 caving has left free, its police and sanitation condition being therefore very deficient. 
 
 VII. Between the mouths of the ' ' Enrique Abella ' ' gallery and the second "New 
 Enriqueta" there has been commenced the construction of a coke oven, of which 
 there is only seen, up to the present time, the lateral walls and two chimneys of 
 short draft, all of it of brick and masonry in common bond, whose system can not 
 even be defined, because there exists neither floor, fireplace, nor archway. The 
 dimensions of this furnace, in the form of a rectangular plane, are 1.75 meters long, 
 2.95 meters wide, and 2 meters high. 
 
 The chimneys are in two bodies. The first is a truncated rectangular pyramid and 
 the second a rectangular right prism, with the following dimensions: Lower base of 
 the trunk of the pyramid, 0.75 square meter; upper base of the trunk of the pyra- 
 mid, 0.60 square meter; base of the right prism, 0.50 by 0.45 meter; total height 
 ot the chimney, 2.71 meters. 
 
 RESDMi:. 
 
 Advance in galleries meters. . 208. 02 
 
 Advance in shaft do 8. 00 
 
 Advance in chimneys and narrow passages do 201. 60 
 
 Advance in upper galleries do 423. 74 
 
 Total linear advance do 841. 36 
 
 Labor in drifts upon coal ...square meters.. 6, 237.34 
 
 Which demonstrates that the legal working force belonging thereto, according to its 
 superficial extension, has been covered. 
 
 Since the month of September last all these workings have been abandoned, except 
 for a very short period of time, in which the attention given to their preservation was 
 
174 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 very deficient, by reason of which the general state of the same can not be poorer 
 nor more lamentable, with danger on account of further labors of reparation which 
 must later on be commenced, this inexplicable abandonment being very censurable. 
 
 AN APPEAL FOB PROTECTION AND ITS RESULT. 
 
 The concessionary of these mines also appealed to the Government 
 for protection, but in a very modest degree. On January 24, 1893, 
 he prepared and presented a petition requesting ".That in all bids and 
 purchases of coal for the State the mineral coals from Cebu and from 
 Australia be admitted indiscriminately and at the same price." The 
 result of this application, which was forwarded to Madrid, accompa- 
 nied by voluminous and carefully prepared records stating all the facts 
 regarding the development of the coal mines of the Philippines and 
 the character and quality of the coal, resulted in the royal order which 
 was communicated through the director-general of civil administration 
 at Manila on the 19th day of February, 1896, and which speaks for 
 itself. 
 
 To the Most Excellent Goveenob-General of the Philippine Islands. 
 
 Most Excellent Sik: Your excellency's official communication. No. 95, of the20th 
 of February, 1895, with which you remit the expediente instituted in order to deter- 
 mine whether or not, in the purchases and bids for coal for the use of the State in 
 that archipelago, the coals from said islands should or should not be admitted at the 
 same price and indiscriminately with the coals from Australia, has been received. 
 
 After seeing the reports of such corporations and governmental departments as 
 have been consulted, after considering the desirability of acquiring Philippine coals, 
 not at the same price as the coals from Australia, but fixed at a value therefor accord- 
 ing to their caloric power, and in conformity with the essential portions of the report 
 of the superior council of the mining district, His Majesty the King, and in his name 
 the Queen Regent, has seen fit to make the following order: 
 
 First. That the terms set forth in the communication of Ramon Montafies, pro- 
 prietor of certain mines in the district of Compostela, in the province of Cebu, for 
 the admission of the coal from that locality indiscriminately and at the same price 
 as Australian coals in the bids and purchases of coal for the State, at Manila, are not 
 admissible; 
 
 Second. That the resolution adopted by that General Government in its decree of 
 August 25, 1893, is acceptable; by which it is provided that preference be given to 
 the admission of native coals in the departments of the State over the Australian 
 coals, and in fixing its purchase price there shall be taken into account, not only the 
 difference of their respective caloric powers, but also the facts demonstrated by 
 laboratory tests in order to be able to properly appreciate the quality of the coal for 
 the purposes for which it is to be applied; and 
 
 Third. That, without prejudice to what has been done by that Superior Govern- 
 ment, it is in turn directed to adopt all manner of encouragement for the coal-mining 
 industry of that archipelago. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI.— THE ISLAND OF BATAN. 
 
 The island of Batan is not a stranger to the reader. It figures in 
 this report as early as 1842, when the governor of Albay, Velarde, 
 was working its large open deposits and shipping its coals, and again 
 
THE GOAL MEASUEES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 175 
 
 in 1847, when entries were made by Martin Varanda. In the fifties 
 claims were filed on its beds, and when the famous coal-mining com- 
 pany, "La Paz," retired from business, after its ineffectual attempt to 
 increase its capital stock and to secure financial assistance from the 
 State, the entries of this company on the island of Batan, known as the 
 "Esperanza," "Filipinas," and " Albay," which had I'eached the stage 
 of title ready for issuance, were left in that incompleted state, and the 
 expedientes remain to this day in the archives of the mining bureau. 
 
 AH of these things will be found in previous pages, but it is with 
 the present condition of coal and coal lands in Batan, and with the 
 entries made thereon belonging to the last era of Spanish rule in the 
 Philippines, that we have to do in this chapter. 
 
 The principal known deposits of this island, so far as previous and 
 present locations and discoveries are concerned, are on the north and 
 east coast, although, for that matter, it is almost literally true that the 
 entire island of Batan is a mass of coal, and not only that, but a mass 
 of coal of good quality, it furnishes a coal that makes an excellent 
 quality of coke, a fact we have been able to establish by a test of a 
 sample from that island made in our own laboratory. 
 
 By reference to the table for the last half of the period covered by 
 this report it wUl be observed that locations of coal were made in the 
 year 1893 on the island of Batan, and almost sinmltaneously by three 
 different parties — the "Sodupe," by Gil Brothers, consisting of two 
 pertenencias, on the 20th of December; the "Balerma," "Urgera," 
 and "Ganalda," of one pertenencia each, on the 21st of December of 
 the same year, by Messrs. Villanueva & Co. ; and the "San Francisco," 
 of four pertenencias, by Emilio Munoz, on the 30th of December, 1893. 
 
 In the year 1894 there was added to the Gil Brothers group of 
 mines the "Bilbao," of four pertenencias; the "Lucas y Josefa," of 
 one pertenencia, and the "Chifladura," also of one pertenencia; and 
 to the properties of Messrs. Villanueva & Co., the "Perseverancia," of 
 one pertenencia. In March, 1895, Gil Brothers presented petitions 
 for the " Presentacion " and the "Olaveaga," of two pertenencias 
 each. All of the above-named mines were conceded, and titles issued 
 by the Spanish Government in the latter part of the year 1895, which 
 is all of the mines on the island of Batan of the "first class;" that is, 
 those for which concessions had been issued by the Spanish Govern- 
 ment prior to the American occupation. This makes twelve perte- 
 nencias in the Gil Brothers group, and four each in those of Messrs. 
 Villanueva & Co. and Emilio Munoz. 
 
 At the time of the American occupation there was pending in the 
 inspectorate of mines, and awaiting demarcation and survey, upon 
 application for concessions, the "Vizcaya," of twenty -four pertenen- 
 cias; the "Elisa," of one; the " Juanito," of four, and the "Lydia," 
 of two pertenencias, and all in the interest of Gil Brothers. From 
 
176 THE COAL MEASUKES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 the records and archives of the department it would seem, however, 
 that the " Juanito" is included within the limits of the " Vizcaya." 
 
 All other claims on the island of Batan, noted in the-table, belong 
 to the class known as "third-class claims," and require no further 
 attention at this time. 
 
 Notwithstanding the fact that the island of Batan is so near to the 
 city of Manila, as compared with the mining fields of Cebu, but very 
 little work has been done, apparently, for the actual development and 
 active working of its coal deposits during the days of Spanish occupa- 
 tion. Directly after the issuance of titles, in 1895, owners of coal 
 mines in Batan were found applying to the Government for a suspen- 
 sion of the laws and regulations requiring them to maintain a fixed 
 working population for the purpose of the development of their 
 mines, by reason of their inability to secure a licensed superintendent, 
 and afterwards by reason of the disturbances of the country, caused 
 by insurrection. 
 
 ■The information available in reference to the workings on the island 
 of Batan, in the mining bureau, is very meager. From a prospectus 
 issued by the firm of Gil Brothers it is learned "that it would be 
 impossible to give a complete idea of the number of veins of coal 
 existing in these mines and other data referring to the same, all the 
 pertenencias not having been explored." 
 
 This statement is confirmed by the reports that have reached us 
 through miners and prospectors who have visited the island since the 
 American occupation of that portion of the archipelago. 
 
 From the same prospectus we quote: 
 
 There are seven veins explored up to the present time; they are nearly parallel to 
 each other, with an average thickness of 1 meter and an inclination of approxi- 
 mately 25°. The workings are: Gallery No 1, rmming in a direction of N. 20° W., 
 transversely to the first vein, which is cut at 25 meters distance from the point of 
 excavation. At this point a gallery following the vein has been opened, this gallery 
 being worked for a distance of 23 meters in length. The transversal excavation 
 continues, encountering the second vein nearly parallel to the first and 35 meters 
 distant; this has been worked for 32 meters. And for vein No. 3 two galleries, Nos. 
 2 and 3, have been opened, situated at an elevation of 35 meters above No. 1, and 
 both in a longitudinal sense, No. 2 being found at 10 meters elevation with a thick- 
 ness of 1.10 meters and an inclination of 20° W. The other labors are prospects for 
 investigation, and all of them promise a large quantity of coal. 
 
 The above brief statement is substantially all the information that is 
 available in reference to the coal deposits of Batan, so far as their 
 working by the present claimants is concerned, that we have been able 
 to find. The island of Batan has only been recentlj^ visited, but from 
 the several miners and engineers who have visited it I am inclined to 
 believe that the workings so far executed are of but little importance, 
 while the samples of coal that have been brought back from these trips 
 and exhibited in this bureau show that the coal is of a superior charac- 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 177 
 
 ter, and confirms oui' previously conceived ideas of the extent and 
 value of this coal deposit of Batan, gathered frona studies of that neigh- 
 borhood and the general distribution of coal in the southern portion 
 of the island of Luzon and its adjacent islands. 
 
 In the next chapter will be found the result of assays made from 
 outcroppings of coal made in the inspectorate of mines at Manila. 
 The samples so assayed were from the "Bilbao" and "Vizcaya" 
 claims, and taken from the surface; samples that we have seen taken 
 from the workings are of much better quality. There is an established 
 market for Batan coal. 
 
 It would seem that the firm of Gil Brothers have perfect confidence 
 in the ability of the coal properties owned and controlled by them to 
 furnish not only a sufficient quantity, but also a satisfactory quality 
 of coal for the use of the Navy of the United States in this archipel- 
 ago, for in the year 1899 a proposition was made to the then military 
 governor to furnish such an amount of coal as should be required for 
 the use of the Army and Navy of the United States in these islands 
 at a price which should be named by the military governor himself, 
 provided that they were furnished with protection to enable them to 
 proceed with the work on the mineral development of their properties. 
 From special reports that I have been able to gather from those who 
 have visited the coal fields of Batan and investigated the conditiops of 
 the coal deposits in that island, I have every reason to believe that 
 with a regular and systematized plan of development and with prac- 
 tical coal mining methods that this offer might easily have been made 
 good. There seems to be no question about the abundance of coal, 
 and nearly as little question in reference to its quality. 
 
 CHAPTER XXII.— ASS ATS AND COMPARISONS OP PHILIPPINE 
 
 COALS. 
 
 The first assay of Philippine coal was made in Madrid, at the National 
 School of Mines, in the year 1853, the samples employed for that pur- 
 pose coming from the mines of Guila-Guila, in Cebu. At that time, 
 and for many years thereafter, the only facilities for obtaining assays 
 of coal were in Madrid, to which place the samples were sent by ves- 
 sels doubling the Hoi'n, and consequently we have but few assays m 
 the early portion of the coal-mining history of these islands. At sun- 
 dry points in this report will be found statements of assays made, and 
 we propose to add in this chapter such other statements as we have 
 been able to secure from the records and archives of the bureau and 
 from all other sources. The assays, without exception, were made 
 from surface samples and outcroppings, while in the tables that are 
 mentioned, and in which are given statements of the assays of lignites 
 and soft coals from all other parts of the world, the samples have come 
 5503—01 12 
 
178 THE COAL MEASUBES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 from the best samples available, taken from the depth and average of 
 the vein. 
 
 The assays previously stated in this report will be found for Guila- 
 Guila coal on pages 31 and 71, for Uling and Alpaco coal on page 41, 
 for the island of Negros (Calatrava) on page 103, for the island of 
 Masbate on page 128, and for the island of Bulalacao on page 136. 
 
 To these we add the following: 
 
 ISLAND OF ALABAT. 
 
 Outcropping of coal from the Visita of Camogan (Camagung), island 
 of Alabat, town of Gumaca, province of Tayabas: 
 
 Composition per hundred: 
 
 Hygroscopic water 3. 20 
 
 Volatile matter 23. 28 
 
 Carbon 68. 04 
 
 Ashes 5, 48 
 
 Total 100,00 
 
 The combustion is slow; the ashes are reddish-gray; it produces a 
 coke of a brilliant metallic aspect. Total calorics, 6,442. 
 
 ISLAND OF LBTTE. 
 
 A sample of coal sent to the general inspectorate from Merida, in 
 the island of Leyte: 
 
 Composition per hundred: 
 
 Fixed carbon 47. 975 
 
 Hygrometric water _ ,550 
 
 Volatile material 48. 350 
 
 Ashes ; 3. 125 
 
 Total 100.000 
 
 Specific gravity, 1.08; calorics, 6,800. 
 
 ISLAND OF CEBU. 
 
 From various outcroppings on the property of the Sociedad Nuevo 
 Langreo, in the district of Danao. 
 
 First sample from the place called Chile: 
 
 Composition per hundred : 
 
 Fixed carbon 41. 90 
 
 Hygrometric water 24. 46 
 
 Combustible volatile matter _ . 23. 44 
 
 Ashes 10. 21 
 
 Total 100.00 
 
 Calorics, 5,053 to 6,146; color of flame, whitish-red, giving little 
 smoke; ashes a whitish-yellow; it does not coke. 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 179 
 
 Second sample from the same locality, taken from a parallel vein 
 near by: 
 
 Composition per hundred: 
 
 Fixed carbon 48. 250 
 
 Hygrometric water _ 18. 162 
 
 Combustible volatile matter 24. 238 
 
 Ashes 9. 350 
 
 Total 100.000 
 
 Calorics, 5,217; long white flame; little smoke; ashes white-yellow- 
 ish, and it does not coke. 
 
 Third sample from the same neighborhood but farther south: 
 
 Composition per hundred: 
 
 Fixed carbon 45. 660 
 
 Hygrometric water 22. 388 
 
 Combustible volatile matter 27. 632 
 
 Ashes 4. 320 
 
 Total _ 100. 000 
 
 Calorics, 5,487; burns with a long white flame, giving off but little 
 smoke; ashes are lead white in color, and it does not coke. 
 Fourth sample, from the place called Mantija: 
 
 Composition per hundred: 
 
 Fixed carbon 46. 500 
 
 Hygrometric water 16. 898 
 
 Combustible volatile matter 29. 902 
 
 Ashes 6. 700 
 
 Total 100. 000 
 
 Calorics, 6,680; burns with long white flame, giving off but little 
 smoke; ashes reddish white; slight tendency to coke. 
 
 ISLAND OP BATAN. 
 
 Five samples of coal from outcroppings on the mines "Bilbao" and 
 " Vizcaya," assayed for Jacinto Gil Gorrono. 
 
 Sample No. 1. 
 
 Composition per hundred: 
 
 Fixed carbon 45. 53 
 
 Hygrometric water 13. 10 
 
 Combustible volatile matter 34. 15 
 
 Ashes .". . . 7. 22 
 
 Total 100.00 
 
 Calorics, 5,206; flame long and white; gives off a highly dense 
 smoke with a slight resinous odor; ashes white in color, slightly yel- 
 lowish. 
 
180 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 Sample No. !S. 
 Composition per hundred: 
 
 Fixed carbon 46. 82 
 
 Hygrometric water 13. 84 
 
 Combustible volatile matter 35. 46 
 
 Ashes 3. 88 
 
 Total 100.00 
 
 Calorics, 6,687; flame long with reddish-yellow cone; smoke dense 
 and with the characteristic odor of pit coal; ashes yellow, with a some- 
 what leaden color. 
 
 Sample No. 3. 
 Composition per hundred: 
 
 Fixed carbon 44. 78 
 
 Hygrometric water 13. 32 
 
 Combustible volatile matter 38. 68 
 
 Ashes 3.22 
 
 Total 100.00 
 
 Calorics, 6,540; flame reddish yellow in color; slightly dense smoke, 
 with a very resinous odor; ashes reddish-leaden color. 
 
 Sample No. A. 
 Composition per hundred: 
 
 Fixed carbon 42. 50 
 
 Hygrometric water 14. 20 
 
 Combustible volatile matter 37. 70 
 
 Ashes 5.60 
 
 Total 100.00 
 
 Calorics, 6,536; flame is reddish white in color, and gives off a very 
 dense smoke with a characteristic odor of pit coals; ashes white in 
 color and slightly jj^ellowish. 
 
 Sample No. 5. 
 Composition per hundred: 
 
 Fixed carbon 44.96 
 
 Hygrometric water 13.40 
 
 Combustible volatile matter 38. 54 
 
 Ashes 3. 10 
 
 Total 100.00 
 
 Calories, 5,613; flame reddish white, giving oft" a somewhat dense 
 smoke of resinous odor: ashes a yellowish-lead color. 
 
 ISLAND OF OEBU. 
 
 Through the courtesy of Mr. Neil McLeod we are enabled to give 
 an assajr made from the Uling coals, of the river Pandan, in Cebu, 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 181 
 
 made by the mechanical department of the Southern Pacific Kailroad, 
 at San Francisco, Cal. 
 
 Moisture 6. 30 
 
 Volatile matter 35. 30 
 
 Fixed carbon 53. 55 
 
 Ash 4.45 
 
 Sulphur 0. 40 
 
 Total 100. 00 
 
 Caloric value, 13. 54; calorific value, with relation to Cardiff coal, 
 87.32; this coal does not coke. 
 
 THE COALS OF JAPAN. 
 
 In Table V (sheets A and B), attached hereto, will be found an anal- 
 ysis of the Japan coals that are so extensively used in the Orient. Of 
 the coal classified in this table Nos. I, 11, and III are from Kiuslin, 
 and IV, V, VI, and VII from Yezo. Their analyses are taken from 
 the work, Yesso Coals, by H. Munroe, Tokio, 1874. No. VIII is 
 taken from Hawk's Narrative Perry Expedition. Of these coals of 
 Japan, Professor Rein says, in his work on The Industries of Japan: 
 " Japanese coal in most places, if not everywhere, is Tertiary coal, and 
 its origin of lacustrine formation. Its recent formation is proved by 
 the many leaf impressions of deciduous plants in the shales accompany- 
 ing it, but its properties and appearance are like hard coal, and only 
 in exceptional cases resembles those of brown coal. It is really bitumi- 
 nous coal, notwithstanding its lack of age, and with it are found seams 
 of genuine brown coal in the Neo-Tertiary strata of Japan, although 
 they are generally thin." 
 
 LIGNITE COALS OF WYOMING. 
 
 Through the courtesy of Prof. Wilbur C. Knight, of the University 
 of Wyoming, we have obtained the latest assays from the lignite coal 
 fields of that State, from which we have been able to compile the table 
 of "Analysis of the Philippine coals, compared with Cardiff, Austra- 
 lian, and Wyoming coals," which will be found in Table VIII, hereto 
 attached. (This same table is also found on page 50 of "Reports of 
 the Taft Philippine Commission," S. Doc. No. 112, Fifty-sixth Con- 
 gress, second session, having been previously used as an exhibit of a 
 report to the honorable United States Philippine Commission from 
 this Bureau.) 
 
 LIGNITES AND CANNBL COALS FROM OTHER PARTS. 
 
 In Tables VI and VII will be found analyses of various lignites and 
 cannel coals, not only from the United States, but from various other 
 countries, from an examination of which, when considered with refer- 
 
182 THE COAL MEASURES OP THE PHILIPi'INES. 
 
 ence to the Philippine coals, the analysis of which in every instance is 
 from outcroppings and surface coals, it will be seen that there is no 
 reason why the Philippine coals should not compete with both the 
 Japanese and Australian products in the Far East as a steam-making 
 coal, and it will undoubtedly do so when the mines are once developed 
 and made to produce, as they undoubtedly will, a quality of coal far 
 superior to any of the samples of Philippine coals that have yet been 
 analyzed and reported upon. 
 
 Very much has been said in this report, from time to time, in quot- 
 ing from different reports and documents found in the archives of this 
 Bureau with reference to the age and character of the Philippine coals. 
 We assume no responsibility for the accuracy of anj'' of these state- 
 ments, from the "black rocks that burn" opinion of a provincial 
 alcalde, in 1842, on up to the scholarly descriptions of the governor- 
 general's special engineer to the "La Paz." This is not a prospectus 
 for the organization and floating of a mining corporation, but an 
 attempt to compile from official records and reliable sources the facts 
 in reference to coal and coal mining in the Philippines, so far as it is 
 known, and the progress and history of its development. Of this 
 question of the age and character of the Philippine coals, and the con- 
 clusions to be drawn from the evidence submitted, we have nothing 
 to do. We quote, however, the remark of Mr. Hiram D- McCaskey, 
 B. Sc, mining engineer of this department, from his report to the 
 chief of this Bureau, which forms an appendix to the Bureau's annual 
 report for the year 1901 to the United States military governor in the 
 Philippines: 
 
 Neither the assumption that because a coal is from the Tertiary beds it is neces- 
 sarily a lignite, nor that if it be a lignite it is a coal of unimportance, can long be 
 accepted, nor can many other assumptions equally absurd. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII.— THE M'LEOD COAL AND RAILWAY 
 CONCESSION. 
 
 Attached to this report is the translation of the complete record of 
 the above-named concession, forming Appendix A. These papers 
 create a species of concession which is radically different in principle 
 from those obtained under the ordinary procedure of the code of 1867, 
 and it is, therefore, not classified with the mines generally in Table.'! I 
 and II. 
 
 With the cancellation of the titles of the mines "Josef a" and 
 "Casilda," at Uling, in the district of Naga, in 1871, the property of 
 the Sociedad Nuevo Langreo, the mineral properties of the Pandan 
 Valley, in Cebu, were withdrawn from the market and the mineral 
 coals of that valley were sold at auction to the highest and best bidder, 
 accompanied by special conditions for the construction of a railway to 
 connect the mines with the coast. At this sale Mr. Neil McLeod, of 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES 183 
 
 Manila, became the purchaser, the proceedings reaching a termination 
 at about the time of the commencement of the Spanish-American war. 
 The value of the coals of Uling and Alpaco has been a frequent sub- 
 ject of mention, but in the voluminous expediente prepared under the 
 supervision of Inspector Abella all of the evidence in reference to the 
 deposits of the valley of the river Pandan has been so carefully col- 
 lected and connectedly and perfectly stated that the subject of this 
 chapter needs no additional comment from this Bureau. The reading 
 of Appendix A makes the entire matter clear, and the papers speak for 
 themselves. 
 
APPENDIX A. 
 
 TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENTS REFERRING TO ULING AND 
 LUTAC GOAL CONCESSIONS IN THE ISLAND OF CEBU. 
 
 General Inspectorate of Mines (Philippines), Mining. 
 
 Expediente proposing the suspension of the admission of the regis- 
 ti-ations and investigations of mining claims in the valley of the river 
 Pandan, in the division of Naga, island of Cebu, with the object of 
 preparing this mineral region for the benefit of the State and subse- 
 quent concession. 
 
 Commenced March 14, 1894. 
 
 Most Excellent Sir: On submitting for your approval the decree 
 of cancellation of the mines "Josef a y Casilda," of the group of 
 Tiling, this general inspectorate had the honor of indicating that it did 
 not propose to declare open for registration the territory embraced in 
 these claims, with the expectation that the most excellent governor- 
 general would deem it proper to approve the proposal made regarding 
 these deposits and the action to be taken by this general inspectorate. 
 
 The limited number of employees and the necessity of attending to 
 business pending in this department in regular order obliges this 
 inspectorate to restate this proposal in a few words, in order that, if it 
 is deemed convenient, the decree of cancellation of the mines above 
 mentioned and the matters proposed in this opinion be published 
 together, without prejudice to a more complete statement being made 
 in a more exhaustive treatise, to be sent to the minister of the colo- 
 nies, containing the same arguments, supported by the facts which 
 are scattered through various documents heretofore prepared by this 
 general inspectorate. 
 
 Forty years have passed since the first attempts were made to develop 
 coal mines in the island of Cebu and other places in this Archipelago, 
 without there existing up to the present time a single mine with a 
 production sufficient to demonstrate publicly and practically the gains 
 that can be obtained in this business when properly conducted. 
 
 The causes which have produced this result do not depend upon the 
 184 
 
•'>- 
 
 .-/yj^- 
 
 O A L L t r< T' N " 2 . 
 
 PLATE II 
 
 PLAN AND SKCTION 
 
 showirijS woi'U <l(mc at 
 
 ITMNCl MINES 
 
 lo 15 'i' M;il-cll IJUil 
 
 Miul.-l.y Sl-;N()Ii CKN'TF.N'O 
 1 nspcfl iir,' JO rifl^nu'ef 
 ;(>\-KH.NMK.\M' MlNIXd 1 )1•:PAKTM^:NT 
 |■ 1 1 1 1 ,1 1'l'l Nh' isi.A.vn.s. 
 
 VENTILATION GALLERY 
 CZ 
 
 GALLERY // N° 1 
 
 SKCTION OX LINK A. B 
 
 Pit "-26iJ 
 
 GALLFRY N-a OLD 
 
 OPit Nasipll 16oo 
 
COAL FIELDS OF THF PANDAX 
 
 XAOA. CEBU. 
 
 PLATE VIII 
 
 
 
 I- Outcrops 
 
 JUU-J^ BlTN Z CO LITH 
 
 Scale 1 • 50.000. 
 
 2 3* 
 
THE COAL MEAStJBES OK THE PHILIPPINES. 185 
 
 poor quality of the combustibles nor upon the smallness of the 
 deposits. 
 
 The inevitable experience in every new industry in its early stages, 
 resulting in improper management, the exaggerated and enthusiastic 
 ideas, the great amounts expended in roads and improvements not 
 connected with mining, but necessary to its development and to the 
 transportation of its products, exhausted the resources of the first to 
 attempt such development, their exaggerated and enthusiastic ideas 
 then turning into dismay and unjustified abandonments, which pro- 
 duced the discredit of a business of such great importance to the 
 country. 
 
 Of late years, although the investigations made by the State have 
 brought about the establishment of some small developments, the want 
 of confidence of capitalists is still preserved to such an extent that 
 those small establishments have been unable to secure the necessary 
 funds with which to undertake the construction of roads for trans- 
 portation which are necessary for the development of their mines. 
 
 At present those establishments are obliged to transport their coal 
 in carts drawn by carabaos at a cost of from $3 to $6 per ton for 
 transportation alone, which expense can not be borne and will again 
 bring about the ruin of these enterprises, thereby further discrediting 
 the coal-mining industry and retarding for thirty or forty years more 
 the definite establishment of this industry in the Philippines. 
 
 Without doubt, most excellent sir, the establishment and develop- 
 ment of this industry not only affects the wealth of these islands, but 
 their defense, since the defense of an Archipelago must necessarily be 
 made by the navy; and such defense of territories so distant from the 
 mother country can only be assured by the development of coal mines 
 within that same territory. 
 
 Therefore, it is the sacred and essential duty of the State to implant 
 in a definite and permanent manner the coal-mining industry of these 
 islands, as no one is ignorant of the fact that that industry can not be 
 established in a few days nor in a few months. 
 
 The development by the State of one of the coal-mining districts of 
 the Philippines, made with the object of, while providing for the 
 exigencies of a war, serving as an example and model to other estab- 
 lishments which might be set on foot, has certain great inconven- 
 iences and disadvantages known to all, although some persons (but not 
 the undersigned) defend the idea when applied to infant industries 
 such as those of this archipelago, which idea has been carried out to 
 a certain extent in the creation of agricultural experimental stations. 
 
 But, putting aside this development by the State, improper in its 
 very nature, the State can and should attempt to give an indirect aid 
 to the coal-mining industry, manifested by an indirect subvention to 
 be paid back in a short space of time, which, avoiding the dangers and 
 
186 THE COAL MEASUKES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 difficulties which have destroyed coal-mining enterprises in the Philip, 
 pines up to the present time, would make possible the profitable, per- 
 manent, and active development of a district previously selected, 
 thereby furnishing an example which would assure the exploitation 
 and immediate development of all other deposits of coal known at the 
 present time and be the cause of the discovery of other new deposits. 
 
 The ahoals on which have been wrecked these attempted coal-mining 
 developments consist, as we have just shown, in the scarcity of the 
 capital necessary to properly prepare an extensive district for devel- 
 opment; and therefore, if this preparation is made by the State with- 
 out actual exploitation of any kind and the mines are delivered under 
 sufficient guarantee, after being so prepared, to a national company 
 which can undertake the work, securing and selling coal, the profits 
 which they shall obtain in the business must be more than sufficient to 
 pay for the labor performed and the capital invested by the company 
 and to repay in a short time the capital used by the State. In this 
 manner would be practically demonstrated the possibilities of coal 
 mining and the benefits to be derived therefrom, and it can not be 
 doubted that with this example these enterprises will continue to be 
 established and multiply. 
 
 It is clear that this preparation by the State, requiring the use of 
 large capital, can not and should not be made except in one of the dis- 
 tricts investigated by the State, where an outcome is assured which 
 will warrant the realization of the plan of being paid back its advances, 
 and of promoting and establishing the coal-mining industry; and for 
 this none is so appropriate as the valley of the river Pandan, in which 
 are situated the deposits of Tiling and Lutac, which, in addition to con- 
 taining various veins of a common thickness from 0.70 to 1 meter of 
 merchantable coal, contains also another of 5 meters in width, already 
 uncovered for more than 200 meters in depth, following its slope, in 
 which assuredly there can and should be supposed to exist some 
 400,000 tons of coal above the level of the valleys. The selection of 
 this district is justified, moreover, by the difficulties existing there for 
 preparatory work, which demand the employment of forces and capi- 
 tal greater than other deposits of coal known in the Philippines, as is 
 especially shown by the fact that, in spite of having belonged three 
 years to the mining company "Nueva Langreo," the concessions had 
 to be canceled because the company during these three years had not 
 been able to secure a single ton of coal or furnish the force of laborers 
 required by law for its claims, while in the mines of Danao, conceded 
 to the same company, it has been able to comply with these requisites, 
 although in a small way and under the difficulties above mentioned. 
 
 Therefore, most excellent sir, this general inspectorate has taken 
 advantage of the time when this cancellation has been decreed in order 
 to draw up the proposition which it now has the honor to unfold 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 187 
 
 before your excellency, likewise taking into consideration that the 
 present state of the coal markets of these islands favors the attempt 
 to develop extensively its combustible minerals, as the consmners, 
 being accustomed to Australian coal, which now is very scarce in the 
 market, which is substituted by coal of Japan and Borneo of a very 
 inferior quality, desire to secure for their consumption Filipino coal, 
 whose good qualities they are acquainted with. 
 
 In order to carry out the preparation of the Uling mines on behalf 
 of the State, which are situated in the valley of the river Pandan, there 
 are necessary — 
 
 First. The prosecution of investigations and necessary preparations 
 in order that the company, which is the concessionaire, can commence 
 its work with a production of from 25,000 to 30,000 tons of combusti- 
 ble material annually; and. 
 
 Second. The construction at the same time of a narrow-gauge rail- 
 road from Uling to the port of Tinnan, with the necessary docks for 
 the transportation and loading of those 25,000 to 30,000 tons of coal 
 annually. 
 
 To carry out these mining investigations, and for the proper prepa- 
 ration of the veins considered suitable for commencing the develop- 
 ment, there will be required two years and a total capital of from 
 130,000 to $40,000; and for the construction of the railroad, which 
 will have to be approximately 15 kilometers in length, will be required 
 some $75,000 to |90,000, estimating a maximum cost, perhaps exagger- 
 ated, of from 15,000 to |6,000 per kilometer. 
 
 These figures, given in round numbers, will have to be made more 
 definite by careful and detailed investigations, to be carried out by 
 this inspectorate, concerning the mining labors, and by the inspector- 
 ate of public works concerning the railroad and dock; but an approxi- 
 mate estimate of the entire capital can be made at from $115,000 to 
 $140,000, which has to be advanced by the State in the two years 
 required for the completion of the preparatory labors proposed. 
 
 Considering the actual conditions and local facts existing, and the 
 prices at which the combustible can be sold in the markets of these 
 islands, it can be estimated that in the subsequent development to be 
 carried out by the concessionary at least a net profit of from $3 to $4 
 per ton should be obtained, so that a tax can well be demanded from 
 this enterprise of from $1.50 to $2 per ton to be applied upon the 
 liquidation of the capital of from $115,000 to $140,000 advanced by 
 the state, which would amount annually to from $37,000 to $60,000, to 
 be applied on said indebtedness, if the enterprise should be required 
 to produce a minimum amount of from 25,000 to 30,000 tons. In this 
 manner the total liquidation of advances made by the State would be 
 realized in the three or four first years of the exploitation, leaving 
 besides to the enterprise a very respectable profit as interest upon the 
 
188 THE COAL MEAStTEES OF THE PHILIPPI'NES. 
 
 capital employed in this development. Upon the settlement of the 
 indebtedness, the road and improvements made by the State would 
 pass to the company, but it should be obliged to then undertake pros- 
 specting investigations below the level of the valleys, in order to 
 assure the total exploitation of the deposits. 
 
 The concession of these mines prepared by the State for profitable 
 development can not be made under ordinary conditions provided by 
 the mining laws, in which the State only concedes the right to work 
 the deposits, but must be made to a special company, which must pre- 
 sent guaranties that the work can be carried on so as to realize good 
 results for itself, those of the State, and the towns; and therefore 
 there can be demanded, among other conditions that may be consid- 
 ered proper — 
 
 That of citizenship of the individuals and the capital. 
 
 That of a minimum capital of |80,000 with which can be prosecuted 
 the work of developing the mines. 
 
 That of competent management, as is demanded by the law in force 
 in these islands regarding coal mines, with a mining engineer having 
 a diploma and being a Spanish subject. 
 
 That of producing a minimum amount of from 25,000 to 30,000 tons 
 annually. 
 
 That of paying in a convenient manner the tax per ton for the set- 
 tlement of the cost of improvements made by the State. 
 
 That of carrying on prospecting investigations beneath the surface 
 as soon as the settlement is made of the advances of the State. 
 
 Besides, as the State should not perform any work in preparation 
 without being assured that at its conclusion there would exist a com- 
 pany or partnership disposed to carry out the development and subse- 
 quent labor, the concession of the mine should be made previous to the 
 commencement of the labors, but after executing the careful investi- 
 gation regarding the mines, the railroad, and the necessary docks, 
 since those studies are necessary to establish the cost which will serve 
 as a basis for the concession. In this conception it will be necessary 
 to demand of the concessionary the deposit of a certain amount in pro- 
 portion with the amount of capital which the enterprise must have, 
 from $10,000 to $12,000, which can be recovered in proportion as min- 
 ing labors are performed in investigation and preparation; and which 
 would answer for the existence of the company during the time in 
 which the State is executing the said preparatory labors, avoiding the 
 remotest probability that, upon the conclusion of these labors, the com- 
 pany will have ceased to exist. 
 
 In determining what class of funds will have to bf employe for ths 
 object proposed in this statement this inspectorate does not believe that 
 it can or ought to specify it. It should be shown, nevertheless, as a 
 precedent which perhaps should be taken note of, that the carrying 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 189 
 
 out of public works and other similar services appearing in the local 
 estimates, and not appearing in the estimates of general funds more 
 than the staff and the studies carried on by the departments of public 
 works and mines, it follows naturally that the detailed studies to be 
 carried on by the staffs of the departments of mines and public works 
 in order to formulate the conditions to which the concessionaries must 
 comply, should be charged to the general funds where there exist funds 
 available for such purposes, the carrying on the labors in the valley of 
 the river Pandan being authorized afterwards to be charged against 
 the local funds where there are funds available for other similar 
 services. 
 
 Considering that the above statements were explained somewhat 
 roughly with better intentions than success, and trusting that they 
 will be considerately dealt with by your excellency and by the gov- 
 ernor-general, this general inspectorate has the honor to propose: 
 
 First. That the admission of petitions for registration and investi- 
 gation of mines within the valley of the river Pandan, district of Naga, 
 island of Cebu, be temporarily suspended for the period of eight 
 months, publishing the proper decree at the same time as the decree 
 of cancellation ordered by the general directorate of civil administra- 
 tion respecting the mines " Casilda y Josefa," situated in the same 
 valley. 
 
 Second. That this action be reported to the minister of the colonies, 
 also sending all the facts necessary for him to appreciate its advantages, 
 and for this purpose this general inspectorate will prepare as soon as 
 possible the treatise in which will be stated all existing facts which are 
 now scattered in various treatises and official publications. 
 
 Third. That the minister of the colonies be requested to communi- 
 cate his decision by telegraph in order that, in case it should be favor- 
 able, the investigation may be promptly carried into effect, which have 
 to be conducted by the general inspectorates of mines and public works. 
 
 Submitted for your excellency's decision. 
 
 Manila, March 14, 1894. 
 
 Eneique Abella t Casaeiego. 
 
 March 15, 1894. 
 
 Excellent Sie: The directorate approves in every respect the 
 important and meritorious ideas distinctly but modestly stated in the 
 preceding article, and is of the opinion that your excellency can well 
 authorize the decree proposed, as well as order that with all possible 
 diligence the inspectorate draw up the treatise mentioned in this 
 excellent article. 
 
 Submitted for your excellency's decision. 
 
 A. AVILES. 
 
 March 16; so ordered. 
 
190 THE COAL MEASURES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 Manila, March 16, 189^. 
 In conformity with the recommendation of the general directorate 
 of civil administration and general inspectorate of mines, the admission 
 of petitions for registration and investigation of mining claims within 
 the valley of the river Pandan, from its source in the district of UUng 
 to its mouth, is temporarily suspended for eight months. 
 Publish this, and communicate it to interested parties. 
 
 Blanco 
 
 General Directorate of Civil Administration, Mines. 
 
 Most Excellent Sir: The most excellent governor-general of 
 these islands has deemed it proper to issue the following decree 
 [here is copied the preceding decree from the words ' ' Manila, March 
 16, 1894," to and including the words "to interested parties"], which 
 I communicate to your excellency for your information and to be 
 acted upon. 
 
 May God protect you many years. 
 
 Manila, March 16, 1894. 
 
 A. Aviles. 
 
 To the most excellent Politico Military Governor of Cebu. 
 A copy. Abella. 
 
 Directorate-General of Civil Administration, Mines. 
 I have the honor of sending to your excellency a decree of the 
 governor-general and another of this directorate to be inserted in the 
 Gazette, ably published by yourself, which should be published simul- 
 taneously. 
 
 God protect your excellency many years. 
 Manila, March 21, 1894. 
 
 A. Aviles. 
 To the Director of the Manila Gazette. 
 
 A complete copy of the decree inclosed. 
 
 A copy. Abella. 
 
 Manila, April 18, 189^. 
 To the most excellent Minister of the Colonies. 
 
 Most Excellent Sir: Thegeneral inspectorate of mines on March li 
 last past submitted a recommendation for the realization in a practical 
 manner of the development of the coal-mining industry of these islands, 
 which is so necessary for the wealth of the country and for its defense, 
 
THE 0OA.L MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 191 
 
 and which is recommended by many royal orders issued by the min- 
 istry under your able direction. 
 
 And considering the importance of the matter, the general directorate 
 of civil administration and the General Government examined carefully 
 the proposal, and approve of it in its entirety, and accepted the same, 
 issuing in consequence thereof my decree of March 16, published in 
 the Gazette, of this capital, on the Mth, in which is suspended the 
 admission of petitions for registration and investigation of mines in 
 the valley of the river Pandan, in Cebu, for eight months. 
 
 During these eight months the department und6r your excellency's 
 direction can examine carefully the facts and statements contained in 
 the proposal, which I have the honor to forward inclosed to your 
 excellency, requesting that you communicate by telegraph your 
 decision to this General Government in order that the time may be 
 extended, or the suspension already decreed done away with, or the 
 immediate carrying on of the investigation be ordered in case the 
 decision should be favorable. 
 
 The reading of the accompanying documents will show to your 
 excellency that no great sacrifice is imposed upon the State in carrying 
 out the proposal made, since even if a certain capital has to be invested 
 for two years, very insignificant considering the importance, it is 
 clearly and certainly shown that the capital can be recovered in a very 
 short time. 
 
 God guard, etc. , most excellent sir. 
 
 A copy. 
 
 TEEATXSE. — PROPOSAL FOR THE ADVANTAGEOUS ENCOURAGEMENT OF 
 THE COAL-MINING INDUSTRY OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 Treatise prepared by the general inspectorate of mines, giving more details regarding 
 the proposal accepted by the general government of the islands, March 16, 1894, 
 in which is proposed the method of securing this advantageous encouragement in 
 the preparation by the State of the deposits of Uling, in Cebu, and in conceding 
 the mines so prepared to a national company which would reimburse the Govern- 
 ment for the capital so advanced in a short time and with certainty. 
 
 Genbkal Causes of the Depeessed Condition of Coal Mining in the Philippines. 
 
 Nearly half a century has passed since the first attempts at developing coal mines 
 in the Philippines were made without there existing, up to the present time, a single 
 mine with a production of sufficient importance to demonstrate in a practical manner 
 the advantages and gains to be derived from such enterprises properly conducted. 
 Nevertheless, it can be said that this result is not due to the smallness of the deposits 
 nor to the poor quahty of the combustibles. 
 
 These deposits are found in large quantities, especially in Tayabas, Albay, Mas- 
 bate, Samar, Mindoro, Cebu, ISTegros, and Mindanao, with excellent outcroppings of 
 veins attaining 5 meters in thickness, which, upon being partially investigated or 
 developed, have been shown to possess the most advantageous qualities in regard to 
 their geological age, upon which can be undertaken possible exploitations as those 
 
192 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 in Russia, Austria, Italy, and even in Spain, and as those which are commencing to 
 be developed in Borneo upon deposits similar to those of the Philippines. 
 
 Moreover, the coal extracted, often in bad condition, from these deposits, upon being 
 tested on various occasions by laboratory assays and practically in war vessels and 
 merchantmen, has always given very acceptable results, equal to those produced by 
 Australian coal, formerly almost exclusively used in the Philippines, and superior to 
 those obtained from combustibles from Japan and Borneo, which are now used in 
 large quantities. 
 
 Therefore the unsuccessful result obtained in the development of coal mines in 
 the Philippines should be attributed to other causes, which we will now briefly 
 enumerate: 
 
 When the first attempts at coal mining were made, the inexperience resulting from 
 want of professional knowledge of the matter and the inevitable results as in every 
 new industry caused by bad management, the exaggerated and enthusiastic ideas 
 imagining enormous deposits and fabulous profits, and especially the great amounts 
 expended in roads and other improvements fatally necessary to the development of 
 those enterprises, exhausted the resources of the first to attempt such development, 
 and then those exaggerated and enthusiastic ideas of those early days were turned 
 into dismay and premature and unjustified abandonment, which produced inevitably 
 the ruin and discredit of a business which properly conducted would have been able 
 to have greatly benefited this business and the country. 
 
 At present, although the professional investigations made by the State have brought 
 about the establishment of some small developments, the want of confidence of busi- 
 ness men and capitalists is preserved to such an extent that these establishmenta 
 have not been able to secure the necessary funds to open or improve roads for trans- 
 portation which are necessary for their development, they being obliged to transport 
 their coal to shipping ports in carts drawn by carabaos, at a cost of transportation of 
 from $3 to |5 per ton. 
 
 These difficulties create a condition of affairs so disastrous to these enterprises that 
 it can even cause their ruin, thereby further discrediting this unfortunate industry 
 and retarding fatally and inevitably its definite establishment for thirty or forty 
 veara more. 
 
 GREAT DAMAGES CAUSED BY THIS DEPRESSION. 
 
 The damages resulting to the entire country from this state of affairs becomes of 
 greater importance every day. 
 
 During the last year (1893) , according to the commercial statistics of customs, there 
 were imported into the Philippines some 85,000 tons of coal, in round numbers, com- 
 ing from Australia (69,900), from Japan (8,200), from China, originally from Borneo 
 (4,700), and from the United States of America, probably in ballast (2,200). This coal 
 has been sold at an average price of not less than |9 per ton, so that the 85,000 tons 
 imported cost the country $765,000, and adding to this the $116,000 mentioned in the 
 estimates of coal for the navy-yard it produces the respectable sum of $881,000, which, 
 excepting a small fraction for commissions and warehouse charges, goes to enrich the 
 mining industry of Australia, Borneo, and Japan, and the shipping carried under the 
 English or the Japanese flag, to the great detriment of a country naturally favored 
 with deposits of this same combustible mineral which could be utilized. 
 
 The failure to develop these deposits of combustible mineral not only causes this 
 uncalled-for and unnecessary expense to the Philippines of nearly a million of 
 dollars, but it also places them in danger in the case of defense in an international 
 war, since the defense of an archipelago has to be by a navy and the defense by a 
 navy of territory so distant from the mother country can only be assured by the 
 development of its own coal resources, as no one is ignorant of the fact that that can 
 not be done in a few days nor in a few months. 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OV THE PHILIPPINES. 193 
 
 NECESSITY FOR PRACTICAL ENCOURAGEMENT OV THESE EXPLOITATIONS. 
 
 It is the sacred and essential duty of the entire Government, therefore, to estab- 
 lish and implant in a definite manner the coal-mining industry in the Philippines; 
 and this duty has not been forgotten by the Government of the mother country, as 
 is proved by the large number of royal orders which for this purpose have been 
 issued after the existence was known of coal deposits in the Philippines. But 
 unfortunately those sovereign dispositions have not produced, up to the present 
 time, the proposed object, and the business can not be given confidence by simple 
 orders and recommendations, which have been obstructed by such great difficulties, 
 nor can there be created a spirit of cooperation, which is not considered necessary in 
 a country where individually such good rates of interest are obtained upon capital. 
 Therefore, the time has come for putting into effect the lofty ideas of the General 
 Government, proposing for the encouragement of the coal-mining industry in the 
 Philippines other methods more powerful and effective than those of recommenda- 
 tion and advice, which have been employed up to the present time. 
 
 The exploitation by the State of one of the coal-mining regions of these islands, 
 made with the object of providing for the exigencies of an international war, would 
 serve as an example and model to other private enterprises which undoubtedly 
 would be undertaken, and would be a method which perhaps would give certain 
 good results, but in addition to exceeding the proper functions of the Government, 
 has such practical disadvantages, well known to all, that it ought to be abandoned 
 at once, although many persons defend the idea when applied to infant industries 
 such as those of this archipelago, in which effectively, as a means of instruction, 
 experiments are being carried on in the agricultural experiment stations. 
 
 METHOD OF EFFECTING THIS ENCOURAGEMENT. 
 
 But, setting aside this system, although applied with the special intention of prac- 
 tically demonstrating that good results can be obtained from the development of coal- 
 mining properties, let these improvements be made upon any deposit whatsoever, 
 overcoming the difficulties which are now encountered in order that a private enter- 
 prise may realize this result, then it is certain that this practical example will not 
 only cause the development of all other known deposits of combustible minerals, but 
 will cause the discovery of other new ones. 
 
 Of all the difficulties which we have briefly mentioned in the beginning the most 
 serious, that which in spite of the advancement of the times still exists and will con- 
 tinue to exist until a practical example destroys it, is the want of confidence of capi- 
 talists in this business, so that if the State succeeds in destroying it, substituting 
 itself in certain respects for these capitalists, the result will be obtained. This tem- 
 porary substitution can be realized by means of an indirect aid to be repaid, the 
 State preparing from a mineralogical point of view a suitable place for mining devel- 
 opment, without performing actual exploitation, and transferring this place so pre- 
 pared to a national company, vrith sufficient guaranties, which would commence its 
 work of extracting and selling coal, obtaining in this manner from the beginning 
 profits more than sufficient to pay the interest on its own capital and to repay in a 
 short time that advanced by the State. 
 
 SELECTION OP THE DEPOSITS AND THEIR DESCRIPTION. 
 
 But in order that the Government should decide to make this preparation with the 
 certainty of an outcome which would not destroy its prestige, which would assure 
 the encouragement treated of and the repayment which should be realized, it isnec- 
 
 5603—01 13 
 
194 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 essary that it select with great care and prudence the district in which this prepara- 
 tion is to be made, and therefore the selection is limited to some of the regions stud- 
 ied by the Government in the past few years. 
 
 The island of Cebu complies with these conditions, and within this island there is 
 no district so appropriate as the valley of the river Pandan, in the division of Naga, 
 in which are situated the deposits of Uling and Lutac, which, as we will afterwards 
 prove, not only contain various veins of coal of a merchantable quality 60 centi- 
 meters in thickness, but others 5 meters thick, which, has been investigated for 200 
 meters following the slope. The selection of these deposits is justified, moreover, 
 by the great amount of labor and capital required for its preparation, much greater 
 than are required in the other deposits of the island, as is especially shown by the fact 
 that in spite of having belonged three years to the mining company Nuevo Lang- 
 reo, this company did not not succeed in extracting a single ton of coal nor fur- 
 nish the force of laborers required by law for its claims, while in the mines of Danao 
 it has been able to carry on the work, although limited to an insignificant scale. 
 
 If, in spite of this precedent, which has a bad influence on the pubUc, and in spite 
 of the first unfortunate attempt at developing this property, made by Eojas & Co., 
 the State succeeds is preparing the mines of TJIing and Lutac, making the profits 
 clear and undeniable which can be obtained from this development, it can not be 
 denied that the prestige and the encouragement of working the coal mines will have 
 been realized completely, banishing forever the dicredit in which they are now 
 submerged. 
 
 Let us now see if the conditions of these deposits confirm the possibility of their 
 profitable development and advise their development by the State, and for this pur- 
 pose let ua commence by resuming in a few words the difficulties experienced in 
 performing the small amount of work which has already been done there. 
 
 When the mines of Uling were first worked by Eojas & Co. the cultivated region 
 of the coast only extended to the little valley called Pandan, the upper part of the 
 river being covered by a high and dense forest, which, although it facilitated the 
 acquisition of necessary timber for the development of the mine, increased the diffi- 
 culties and expense, to a great extent, of building roads and establishing workshops, 
 buildings, and houses, besides making those places so unhealthy, especially when 
 they commenced to clear the ground, that for a few j^ears this location was the terror 
 of the province. This unhealthy condition produced a scarcity and unbearable high 
 price of day laborers, and therefore compelled a slow prosecution of the work and 
 the expenditure of large sums in performing this work. 
 
 Under these conditions the necessary buildings were erected and a road suitable 
 for carts was constructed, not a good one, but expensive, which ended at the wharf; 
 and among other labors a little mining was done, which is marked in black, green, 
 and yellow in the annexed plan, prepared by the engineer, Mr. Centeno, in the year 
 1867, which was the year in which the enterprise suffered serious drawbacks. In 
 order to remedy these difficulties they endeavored to combine their resources with 
 those of the company of Alpaco, offering besides great inducements to new capital, 
 which they desired to procure. "This was done," adds the same Mr. Centeno in 
 his Memoria Geologica Minera de 1876, "and we were working to carry it out, 
 anxious to see an enterprise for coal mining properly established in the Philippines; 
 but unfortunately the business was already old, it had upon it the weight of eighteen 
 years of failure, and it was therefore impossible to raise it up." 
 
 Some time afterwards the two large transversal entries cut the main vein, as is 
 indicated by red lines upon the plan, proving thereby the continuance of the main 
 vein to more than 200 meters of depth along its slope, and making immediate pro- 
 duction possible; but in spite of this decisive circumstance, having occurred during 
 the same period as the death of the moat important and enthusiastic member of the 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 195 
 
 enterprise,' the heirs, not having confidence or knowledge of the matter, and dis- 
 mayed by the enormous expenses already incurred, entirely abandoned the mine, 
 sacrificing the buildings and materials on hand. 
 
 These deposits remained in this state of abandonment some twenty-two years, at 
 the end of which the Nuevo Langreo Company, with a small capital at its disposal, 
 which hardly was sufficient for the development of its Danao mines, petitioned for 
 the deposits of Tiling, and they were conceded to it by the easy method established 
 by the Spanish mining law. These deposits remained in their hands three years, 
 during which they did not accomplish anything extraordinary except to reopen in 
 an indifferent manner some hundred meters of the lar^e transversal entries made by 
 the Eojas company, and therefore the Government, after having granted all favors 
 consistent with its prestige and the execution of the laws in force, was compelled to 
 declare the cancellation of this concession, and the general inspectorate of mines now 
 avails itself of this circumstance to make the proposal of which this treatise deals. 
 
 We will now briefly deal with the condition of these deposits from an industrial 
 point of view. 
 
 In the creeks known as Campacan, Tiling, Nasipit, and Cambaji five outcroppings 
 appear, which are shown on the attached plan of that district, which correspond 
 respectively with the large vein of 5 meters which appears in the Nasipit Creek and 
 with the other three or four remaining veins, the mean direction indicated by the 
 stratifications of the earth being NNE. These three or four veins appear on the sur- 
 face with from 1.20 to 1.25 meters of merchantable coal. 
 
 In order to ascertain the conditions of these veins beneath the surface, in addition 
 to the plan of the workings of Mr. Centeno, which accompanies this article, we insert 
 further on, having taken it from the Memoria Geologica Minera, written by the 
 same engineer, a table of all the stratifications encountered in one of the large trans- 
 versal galleries, which, from its length, must be the one on the lower level or the first 
 gallery of the plan (color black and red). The table so taken, reduced to meters, is 
 as follows, commencing at the mouth of the gallery: 91.39 meters alternating slaty 
 clay and sandstone, 0.58 of coal; 21.17 of slaty clay and sandstone, 0.58 of coal; 11.70 
 of slaty clay and sandstone, 0.58 of coal; 0.83 of slaty clay, 0.83 of coal; 514.91 of 
 slaty clay and sandstone, 4.75 of coal vein, second on the plan. 
 
 The details of the position of these stratifications are not indicated in the treatise 
 referred to, nor is it shovra whether the veins of coal annotated will be found, as is 
 supposed, in the corresponding ventilating galleries. For this reason we have not 
 properly shown these veins upon the cut or cross sectional drawing of the veins, 
 which would form a geological cut which would have been of very great use for our 
 purpose. 
 Keeping in mind the facts to be used, it should be deduced— 
 First. That the large vein, the second vein of the plan, the outcropping of which 
 with 5 meters of merchantable coal appears in the Nasipit Creek, has been inter- 
 sected by the second gallery (color green) at about 120 meters to the NNE. of its 
 outcropping following its course and at about 50 meters following its declination; and 
 likewise by the large transversal or second gallery (colors black and red), at about 
 200 meters, always NNE. from the outcropping following the course and at about 
 200 meters following the declination. 
 
 Second. That the said first vein of the plan which has outcroppings in two places 
 
 some 80 meters apart has only been cut by the third new gallery (color yellow) at 
 
 about 20 meters below the surface, following its course; which appears to indicate 
 
 the existence of a lack of depth. 
 
 Thu'd. That on the other hand, the large transversal or first gallery of the plan has 
 
 1 Mrs. Margarita Rojas de Ayala. 
 
196 THE COAL MEASUBBS OP THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 intersected four other veins which can be utilized, which do not have any outcrop- 
 ping. For the preparation and development these four veins should be considered 
 as three, the first two containing some 60 centimeters of merchantable coal and the 
 last 2.25 meters, with an intermediate vein of 0.83 meter, or 1.42 meters of coal which 
 can be used. 
 
 ESTIMATE OP THE COAL SITUATED ABOVE THE LEVEL OP THE UUNG EIVBH. 
 
 Under these circumstances, let us see the total amount of coal at the lowest esti- 
 mate that can prudently be calculated in the deposits of Tiling, that can be worked 
 above the level of the large transversal gallery which is shown in the plan. 
 
 Whatever lies below this level should pertain to a second period of the develop- 
 ment of these mines, concerning which we should not occupy ourselves at present. 
 
 "We know that the large vein of 5 meters of merchantable coal continues almost 
 with the same thickness to the level of the large transversal timnel, giving 200 meters 
 of depth of the vein which can be utilized, and that it has been investigated in a 
 NNE. direction an additional 200 meters from its outcropping; therefore, as we are 
 not treating of veins of metal, in which the richness can be concentrated in pockets, 
 it should be supposed that this vein can have a horizontal extension of 2 or 3 kilo- 
 meters or following its direction; but in order to be reasonably conservative, perhaps 
 excessively so, we will suppose that only 500 meters can be figured on as the exten- 
 sion in this horizontal direction. From this point of view the coal contained in the 
 vein will be 500 by 200 by 5, or 500,000 tons, excluding the surplus which would 
 result from considering the average thickness of the coal, which would not be leas 
 than 1.30, and, therefore, about 160,000 more. 
 
 In the same conservative manner we will suppose that the three or four veins of 
 1.20 or 1.25 meters seen in the outcroppings in the Campacan and Cambaji creeks 
 only consist of 300 meters of horizontal extension and 100 meters in depth along the 
 declination, resulting that one of the veins will contain 300 by 100 by 1.20, or 36,000 
 tons, and in the case that there are only three veins corresponding to all the out- 
 croppings there will be 3 by 36,000, or 108,000 tons of coal. 
 
 Applying these same estimates to the veins intersected by the large transversal 
 gallery, giving two veins containing 60 centimeters of merchantable coal, and another 
 with the intermediate vein, containing 1.40 meters of coal that can be utilized, there 
 results 300 by 100 by 0.60 by 2 veins, or 36,000 tons, and 300 by 100 by 1.41, or 
 42,000 tons. 
 
 Adding all these estimates we obtain: 
 
 Tons. 
 
 In the large vein 5 meters in thickness 500,000 
 
 In the 3 veins appearing on the surface 108, 000 
 
 In the 2 veins of 0. 60 intersected by the transverse gallery 36, 000 
 
 In the vein together with intermediate vein 42, 000 
 
 Total 686,000 
 
 If, being overconservative, in addition to the limited measurements which we have 
 just supposed and the disregard of 30 per cent of the thickness, we reduce the esti- 
 mate 10 per cent more for waste, we will obtain, in round numbers, 600,000 as a mini- 
 mum figure for the coal which can be declared to be above the level of the large 
 transversal gallery, or, in other words, above the level of the river Tiling. 
 
 It is clear that in developing these veins there must be found, looking at the mat- 
 ter fairly, a much greater quantity of coal than that indicated, but we have preferred 
 to be especially conservative in these estimates in order to show that an optimistic 
 spirit did not guide us, and to demonstrate that, without reservations of any kind, a 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 197 
 
 large capital can be invested in these deposits with the certainty of recovering it in a 
 short time, however small the price may be that is obtained per ton. 
 
 QUALITY OP THE COAL. 
 
 Let us now explain the facts which exist regarding the quality of the coal of these 
 deposits, the application which can be made of it in these islands, the price at which 
 it can be disposed of, and therefore the advantages which can be derived from well- 
 directed exploitation. 
 
 The first assays which were made upon the coal from the outcroppings of these veins 
 (and of Alpaco) in the school of mines in Madrid many years ago, gave the following 
 results on a basis of 100 parts: 
 
 Carbon 
 
 Ashes 
 
 Water and volatile material - 
 
 Units of heat 
 
 Density 
 
 Minimum. 
 
 It burned with a brilliant and large flame and did not produce genuine coke, but 
 a hollow and bright substance, which, after being burned, left ashes of a reddish and 
 yellowish color. 
 
 Mr. Oenteno, who knew the coals extracted by the work performed upon these 
 deposits, says (Memoria Geologica Minora), regarding its quality, as follows: "These 
 four veins (those of Uling and Alpaco) produced lighter and drier coals than that 
 (that of Sibod, in Lutac) and did not form coke; nevertheless they are especially 
 applicable for steam engines, because they produce a large flame, hardly discoloring 
 the tubes of the boilers, and affect very little the furnace bars." 
 
 Likewise in 1862 the war vessel Reina de Costilla and merchantmen successfully 
 tested the coal from the Uling mines. 
 
 On the other hand, it is known that the results known recently by chemical assays 
 and practical tests of the coals from Compostela and Danao can and should be applied 
 to those of Uling, since they treat of deposits of the same formation, the first deposit 
 alongside of the latter on the same island and under very similar circumstances, 
 though of course accidental variations can be foimd not only in different veins, but 
 even in the same vein. Therefore we include herein (Appendix No. 1) the certifi- 
 cate of the comparative laboratory essays made in 1878 upon coals from Danao and 
 Compostela compared with foreign coals then being sold in Manila, the demonstrated 
 and practical result deduced therefrom (Appendix No. 2), and the official test still 
 more important of more recent date which has been made by the Navy (Appendix 
 No. 3). 
 
 From the foregoing it can be deduced: 
 
 First. That these combustibles, although mineralogically and geologically they 
 should be called lignites, are of excellent quaUty, very rich in carbon and containing 
 little ash, and possessed of great heating qualities, almost equal to those of Australian 
 coal, so extensively used in the Philippines. 
 
 Second. That they can be used to good advantage as fuel for furnaces in steam 
 engines, both on account of the readiness with which they give out flame and from 
 the very important circumstance of not clogging the flues nor giving dense smoke, 
 nor producing a large quantity of ashes. 
 
 These excellent qualities are now so well known to all machinists and engineers of 
 the merchant marine of these islands that to-day, since the Australian coal unported 
 
198 THE GOAL MBASUEE8 OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 is being substituted by coal from Japan and Borneo, they desire to use Philippine 
 coal and always prefer it to the coal from these last two countries. 
 
 COMMERCIAL VALUE OF THB COAL. 
 
 The profits that can be obtained from these deposits must depend upon a multi- 
 tude af circumstances, such as the location, quantity, the more or less well-directed 
 system of the development, manner of extraction, and the market price which can 
 be estimated for the product. As we already know, the location, quantity, system 
 of development, and the manner of extraction will have to be established in the esti- 
 mates for the preparation and the development which will be made before the com- 
 mencement of the work, so we will now commence by inquiring into the market 
 price of those combustibles with reference to the average price which the best coal 
 consumed in the archipelago has attained. 
 
 The coal which is preferred for ordinary use or for use in furnaces in steam engines 
 is Australian coal, which for many years has been sold at prices ranging from J8 to 
 $11. Its average price can therefore be stated to be $9 per ton, as we have said 
 before. 
 
 "We will suppose that the practical result obtained by the burning in those furnaces 
 would only be two-thirds of the heating power of the coal consumed, which is the 
 amount generally obtained in the majority of steam engines. 
 
 Under these conditions the real value of a million physical units of heat produced 
 by the combustion of coal irom Australia will be (see Appendix No. 1 for the value 
 of the heating power of coal, not considering the volatile materials) : 
 1,000,000" X 9 pfs. „,„,,, ,,, ^ 
 lioOO^x 16,205 = 2-17 dollars (Mex.). . 
 
 If we give the same value to the million of heat units of the coal of these islands 
 and figure out the market price X unknown, this price will be the equivalent of the 
 $9 estimated for the Australian coal. We will take as the heating power of the 
 Philippine coal the average 5,736 of the two figures inserted in Appendix No. 1 cor- 
 responding to coals from the interior of the mines, without reference to the heat 
 units of the volatile materials. "We will have then: 
 
 1,000,000° xX 
 ^•" -1,000'' X 15,736^'^'^ 
 X =8.30 dollars (Mex.). 
 
 In round numbers, these combustibles should be sold, therefore, at an average 
 price of about $8 per ton as long as the general conditions of the coal market of this 
 extreme part of the Orient does not vary, which is improbable. In general, it can 
 be established that its price ought to be 8 per cent lower than the price of Australian 
 coal, taking into consideration the heating powers, without regard to the fluctuations 
 of the market. 
 
 PROPOSED PRODUCTION. 
 
 Considering the difficulties encountered in establishing a permanent laboring popu- 
 lation in any place in the Philippines, even in the island of Cebu, which is one of 
 the most populous, and likewise considering that a sudden and large production of 
 coal would change the conditions of the market, we will fix the production of these 
 deposits at 30,000 tons annually, and on this basis we will estimate the amount of 
 preparation which must be made. 
 
 PREPARATION. 
 
 In order to realize this preparation under these circumstances it would be necessary: 
 
 1. Mining labors. — ^To execute the mining labors necessary. To determine their 
 
 number and extent — that is, to establish a fixed plan of the preparatory labors— it 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 199 
 
 would be necessary to possess in advance a large number of definite facts which 
 to-day we are ignorant of, as, for example, those referring to the situation and the 
 different levels between the outcroppings and the ravines or creeks nearest them in 
 which to drift the galleries to work the veins; but as it is necessary to determine 
 these facta and ascertain, even though in a very inexact manner, the amount of 
 expense to be sustained, we will anticipate the following conditions: 
 
 (a) That the large vein should be opened by two transversal galleries which would 
 ventilate one another, and divide the deposit into the two levels to be first developed 
 in the future, which could be accomplished by two galleries 200 and 400 meters in 
 length, respectively, and 300 meters more of shafts connecting them, to open which 
 the veins of coal secondly intersected would be availed of. In all some 900 meters 
 of excavation in barren rock for the large vein. 
 
 (6) That upon the two transversal galleries cutting the large vein there should be 
 drifted from there four galleries to the NNE. and the SSW., having suitable connec- 
 tions between them for ventilation, and in two years there could be drifted about 
 1,200 meters of galleries and 800 meters of shafts to connect them, or a total of 2,000 
 meters of excavations in coal for the large vein. 
 
 (c) That at the same time, in the Campacan or the Cambaji creeks, there should 
 be drifted another transversal gallery with the proper ventilating shafts, imder the 
 same conditions which we have indicated for the large vein, but to be shorter. There 
 can be estimated about 500 meters of excavation in all in barren rock. 
 
 (d) That at the point of intersection of these transversals with the veins of coal 
 there should be opened in them galleries on both sides, with a length of 600 meters, 
 with the proper connecting shafts, which may attain a length of 400 meters. Total, 
 some 1,000 meters in coal. 
 
 With these approximate estimates we would have (see Appendix No. 4) : 
 
 1,400 meters in barren rock, at |5.50 per meter f 7, 700 
 
 3,000 meters in coal, at $3.50 per meter 10, 500 
 
 4,000 props for the entries, renewed in the second year at 55 cents per prop. . 2, 200 
 
 Placing of these props 600 
 
 Warehouses of light material, property, and tools 12, 000 
 
 Fee of the superintendent from the inspectorate, who will have to carry on 
 the work, and the salaries of assistant superintendent and the overseers for 
 
 two years _. 3, 000 
 
 Visits of inspection for two years 2, 000 
 
 Contingencies 2, 000 
 
 Total 40,000 
 
 2. Railroad for the mines. — To construct a railroad for working the mines from 
 Uling to the harbor of Tinaan, and the necessary docks for loading. 
 
 The harbor of Tinaan is selected as the point for the loading of these coals because 
 it is the only one which really deserves this name on the coast in the immediate 
 vicinity of the mouth of the river Pandan, and in it already exist the docks of the 
 old mines of Uling and Alpaco (see Appendix No. 5). 
 
 The confluence of the Campacan and Cambaji creeks, from where the river takes 
 the name of Uling, can be taken approximately as the point of commencement of 
 the railroad (see annexed plan of the region). 
 
 From this point to the harbor, following one of the sides of the valley, probalily 
 the right side, the road will attain a length of some 15 kilometers, and as the point 
 of commencement is some 150 meters above the level of the sea there results a very 
 acceptable grade of IJ per cent. 
 
 For the transportation of the annual production of 30,000 tons which we have 
 determined upon, it is enough to give the road a width of 60 centimeters. 
 
 Under these conditions we can estimate that the construction of a kilometer of 
 
200 THE GOAL MEASUEES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 road and the necessary material therefor would cost from $4,000 to $5,000; but, in 
 order to anticipate all contingencies which might occur, we will allow a cost of $6,000 
 a kilometer, or a total of $90,000. 
 
 CAPITAL NECESSAEY. 
 
 Therefore in order to carry out the preparation of these deposits, there is needed, 
 approximately: 
 
 For the mining labors to be performed $40, 000 
 
 For the construction of the railroad 90,000 
 
 Capital necessary 130, 000 
 
 We must again say that these figures are the result of a rough calculation in the 
 nature of a preliminary estimate, which only aims to give an approximate amount of 
 capital which the State must advance to realize the preparation of the deposits which 
 is proposed in this treatise. If this proposal, already considerately received by the 
 General Government of these islands, should be considered in the same manner and 
 adopted by the minister of the colonies, the above figures can be rectified and made 
 definite by careful investigations, to be made by the general inspectorates of mines 
 and public works of these islands. 
 
 TIME OP REPAYMENT OF THE CAPITAL. 
 
 Let us now see how much time is required for the repayment of the supposed cap- 
 ital of $130,000. 
 
 From the facts which can be deduced from the badly managed enterprises which 
 are now being carried on in the island of Cebu (Danao) , it seems to appear that the 
 coal can be produced at the mouth of the mine for $1.40 per ton, so that, although 
 paying from $3 to $5 for transportation, these enterprises have been able to realize 
 profits of from $2 to $4, since they have sold their coal in Danao at from $8 to $10 
 per ton. 
 
 Under the conditions which would be established for the development of the mines 
 at Tiling, with a production of 30,000 tons, and with perfect transportation facilities, 
 and with systematic arrangement of the workings, it ought to be supposed that the 
 profits to be obtained would be larger than that which we have just indicated, but in 
 order to remain within the bounds of prudent estimates we will suppose that there 
 can only be realized a profit of $2 per ton. 
 
 Applying one-half of this profit to the repayment of the capital and the interest on 
 said capital advanced by the State, we will have: 
 First year: 
 
 Interest at 5 per cent on the total capital of $130,000 $6, 500 
 
 Eepayment, first annual 23, 500 
 
 Second year: 
 
 Interest at 5 per cent on remaining capital of $106,500 5, 325 
 
 Repayment, second annual 24,675 
 
 Third year: 
 
 Interest at 5 per cent on remaining capital of $81,825 4, 092 
 
 Repayment, third annual 25, 908 
 
 Fourth year: 
 
 ■ Interest at 5 per cent on remaining capital of $55,917 2, 796 
 
 Repayment, fourth annual 27, 204 
 
 Fifth year: 
 
 Interest at 5 per cent on remaining capital of $28,713 1, 437 
 
 Repayment, extracting this last year 30, 149 tons instead of 30,000 28, 713 
 
 Amount of repayment and interest 150, 150 
 
 Capital repaid 130,000 
 
THE COAL MEASUEE8 OF THE PHILIPPINES. 201 
 
 Demanding, therefore, a tax of $1 per ton, the repayment and the payment of the 
 interest can be realized in five years, or, in other words, in order to be certain of 
 being repaid the capital used in the preparation of these deposits, the existence of 
 five times 30,000, or 150,000 tons of coal only is required. As much more undoubt- 
 edly exists in these deposits, there would bfe no danger in reducing still more this 
 amount or tax upon each ton. 
 
 CONDITIONS TO BE IMPOSED. 
 
 Moreover it should be observed that during the payment of this amount of $1 
 per ton for the repayment and interest, the company developing the property would 
 secure profits which are very large in proportion to the capital for the development 
 of the deposits. It would therefore be just and proper to demand of this company, 
 for the public benefit as well as its own, that upon the completion of the repayment 
 it would employ the excess in the investigation and preparation of the lower veins 
 which are beneath the level of the valleys, so assuring the second period of develop- 
 ment and the entire exploitation of the deposits. 
 
 Upon the mines being properly prepared and ready to produce certain profits from 
 the commencement of the work, it can not be supposed that there will be a lack of 
 companies petitioning for the concession of the right to develop these deposits; but 
 in order to avoid the remotest possibility that upon the conclusion of this prepara- 
 tion by the state there will be wanting companies to petition for that concession, 
 compelUng the state to commence the work itself or to preserve at great expense 
 and other inconveniences all the other excavations opened, the sale can be announced 
 and the concession thereof made before commencing this preparatory work, but 
 only after completing the definite investigations which we have indicated above, 
 and in order to secure the carrying out of this agreement, which would have to be 
 done in a minimum space of time of two years, it will be necessary to demand of the 
 concessionary a guaranty of a certain amount, depending upon the amount of capi- 
 tal involved, such as the deposit of |10,000 to 115,000 in coin or governmental 
 securities, this guaranty to be returned when the repayment has been made to the 
 state, demanding as an equivalent the investigation work in the lower levels which 
 we have mentioned above. 
 
 Moreover, in order that the State may be assured of the realization of its plan of 
 encouraging the coal-mining industry of the Philippines without hindering the com- 
 pany holding the concession from obtaining the profits resulting from this exploita- 
 tion, it will be necessary to impose especial and extraordinary conditions, since we 
 are not treating of an ordinary concession of a deposit, such as is made in accordance 
 with the ordinary mining legislation, but of the concession of some mines prepared 
 to give certain profits from the beginning. Therefore, among other conditions which 
 may be considered necessary, the following should be demanded: 
 
 First. That of making in customary manner of a deposit of from 110,000 to $15,000 
 in order to bid for the concession. This deposit to be made as a guarantee, to be 
 retained until the repayment of the capital used by the State, then to be returned to 
 the company in the manner to be specified. 
 
 Second. That of constituting a national company three months before making the 
 transfer of the mine, according to notification to be given to that effect, with a mini- 
 mum capital of $80,000, which is considered as necessary to undertake the expenses 
 caused by the working of the mines. 
 
 Third. That of accepting under an inventory the mines properly surveyed and 
 laid out, the material, the tools, the railroad, the docks, and the necessary roUing 
 stock, at a total cost previously determined at the granting of the concession, the 
 company agreeing to prosecute the development work and to undertake the exploi- 
 tation in accordance with the requirements of scientific coal mining and subjecting 
 itself to all the conditions laid down by the law then in force regarding mines as 
 
202 THE COAL MEASURES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 well as satisfying the taxes or contributions which, are established or to be estab- 
 lished in a general way for mines of the same class. 
 
 Fourth. That of having a competent superintendent in the mine, as is demanded 
 by the law in force in these islands regarding coal mining, to be a mining engineer 
 with a diploma from Spain, said superintendent to be a Spanish subject. 
 
 Fifth. That of securing continually until the deposits are exhausted, which are 
 conceded to the company, an annual production of 30,000 tons of coal, to be clean, 
 washed and sorted, to the satisfaction of the State superintendent, in order to avoid 
 a bad reputation in the market, either through being mixed with dirt or slate or 
 through containing quantities of pyrites, which would make it dangerous in ware- 
 houses or in the coal bunkers of ships. 
 
 Sixth. That of repaying the capital, fixed at the time of the sale as money spent 
 by the State, and that of paying 5 per cent interest, paying so much per ton semi- 
 annually, calculating on the production indicated of 30,000 tons. 
 
 Seventh. That of executing necessarily deep mining labors, below the level of the 
 valleys, upon the repayment of sums advanced and interest to the State, then recov- 
 ering, in accordance with the values of the work done in this development, the 
 amount of the deposit of $10,000 to $15,000, which was made upon award of the con- 
 cession. These valuations will be made by the State superintendent. 
 
 Eighth. That of answering for exact fulfillment of the contract with the total 
 value of the labor performed, roads, buildings, material, and tools, the State being 
 able to impose fines not to exceed $500 for slight omissions properly proved. 
 
 The other administrative details necessary for carrying out this proposition in case 
 it should be favorably adopted by the minister of the colonies, as it has already been 
 done by the General Government of these islands, should not be specified in this 
 treatise, but we can indicate the convenience of adopting rapid and summary meas- 
 ures of an extraordinary character since we are treating of an industrial enterprise of 
 exceptional importance to this Archipelago under existing conditions. 
 
 Manila, March 31, 1894. 
 
 Enrique Abblla y Casaeiego. 
 
 APPENDIX NO. 2. 
 
 Practical and Useful Qualities of the Coal. 
 [De la Eap. Descrip. Fis. Geo. y Min. de Cebu.] 
 
 Steam-making power.— In order to prove these deductions under another point of 
 view, let us now estimate the practical and useful qualities which these combustibles 
 can furnish in the production of steam in the generators in the known types of steam 
 engines; and as the only combustible well tested is the best from the Compostela 
 mines, we will concern ourselves alone with the figures of the assays made of them, 
 because there is no doubt that all the lignites of which we treat are very similar in 
 their composition and heating qualities. 
 
 For our object the types of steam generators can be reduced to two— generators of 
 low pressure, or of condensation, and generators of medium or high pressure, or with- 
 out condensation. The first of the former receives the water from the condenser at 
 a higher temperature than the ordinary, varying with certain details of construction, 
 but which we can suppose, without varying much from the truth, to be about 40° C. 
 The latter take the water at ordinary temperature, or the temperature of the atmos- 
 phere, which in this climate is about 30 degrees. 
 
 We will likewise suppose, as is generally the case, even in machines well con- 
 structed and in good condition, that in practical use only two-thirda are used of the 
 
THE GOAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 203 
 
 ■heat given out by the combustion of the coals which are burned in the furnaces. 
 
 Under these circumstances the amount of steam at 100 degrees which each kilogram 
 
 of coal can practically produce will be, respectively, when there is condensation — 
 
 15,829° 
 
 550° X 100° 40 = o J^i 37 for that of the gallery "Esperanza;" 
 
 t 5 643° 
 550° X 100° 40 = 6 ^i 16 for that of the gallery "Oaridad;" 
 
 f 6,205° 
 550° X 100° 40 = ° '^j 18 'o^ Australian coal; 
 
 f 7,530° 
 550° X 100° 40 = 6 '^i 23 for that of Cardiff, 
 
 and when there is no condensation — 
 
 6 k, 26 for that from the gallery "Esperanza;" 
 
 6 k, 06 for that from the gallery "Caridad;" 
 
 6 k, 67 for that from Australia, and 
 
 6 k, 09 for that from Cardiff. 
 
 These same figures, but inverted, would give us in the supposed or similar condi- 
 tions the quantity of combustible necessary to produce a kilogram of steam at 100 
 degress, or, respectively — 
 
 . 156 k, of coal of "Esperanza " for machines with condensation; 
 
 . 159 k, in those without condensation; 
 
 . 162 k, of "Caridad" coal for the former, and 
 
 . 164 k, for the latter. 
 
 . 147 k, of the Australian coal in the former; 
 
 . 149 k, in the latter, and lastly, 
 
 . 121 k, of the English coal in the former and 
 
 . 123 k, in the latter. 
 
 These figures having shown to us the practical steam-making power of each one of 
 the combustibles we are comparing, confirm the opinion formed only in view of the 
 composition, convincing us also that Filipino coals can really compete with Aus- 
 tralian coals, since there is such a slight difference between their respective steam- 
 making powers. 
 
 This difference is, on the other hand, much greater between the English coal and . 
 our coal; but in spite of all, we believe that the latter can compete with the former 
 through the more advantageous price, which will overcome the difference in quality. 
 
 APPENDIX NO. 3. 
 
 Quality of the Coal. 
 [De la Eap. Descrip. Fls. Geo. y Min. de Cebu.] 
 
 Testa in the navy. — In order to include and unite herein all the facts referring to 
 the quaUty of this coal we will now take up the many tests made by the navy since 
 1853, in which were executed the first by the ships Elcano, Reina de Costilla, and 
 Jorge Juan. 
 
 It seems that a definite result was never obtained regarding this question, nor was 
 the experience acquired ever recorded, but it is certain that almost all the steam- 
 ships which have been on this station have tested the coal of the island of Cebu, and 
 always as if they were treating of a matter completely new and unknown. So we 
 will not enumerate all, repeating the same views, but will content ourselves with the 
 experiments executed most intelligently and with results least indefinite. 
 
 By the MagaUanes.—In 1856 the steamship MagaUanes, burning in its furnaces coal 
 
204 
 
 THE COAL MEASURES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 from Guilaguila, generated steam in one hour, consuming 28 quintals of coal; and 
 with English coal the same time was required, but only 24 quintals were consumed. 
 The hourly consumption with the coal of Guilaguila was from 9 to 10 quintals, or 
 1 more than with English, producing in the combustion little smoke and few ashes. 
 By the Rdna de Costilla. — In 1862 the steamship Reina de Costilla tested the coal 
 from Alpaco, mixed with equal parts of English coal and Australian coal, producing 
 the following results: 
 
 Cardiff 
 alone. 
 
 Cardiff 
 
 and 
 Alpaco. 
 
 Australian 
 
 and 
 
 Alpaco. 
 
 Weight of equal quantities 
 
 Mean consumption per hour and horsepower 
 
 Ashes produced per hundred 
 
 Cinders produced per hundred 
 
 Soot produced per hundred 
 
 Pounds. 
 100 
 10 
 
 Pounds. 
 16 
 11 
 9 
 3 
 1 
 
 Pounds. 
 96 
 10.6 
 7 
 
 4.1 
 1.6 
 
 The engine worked during these tests at a mean pressure of 7 pounds, giving 19 
 revolutions per minute, with two degrees of expansion. 
 
 By the Sudceste. — In a letter written by Mr. Centeno from Manila to the Revista 
 Minera (Vol. XVIII), it is stated that the merchant vessel Sudceste, in the voyages 
 from Manila to Cebu and return, used 43 tons of English coal in the former and 51 
 of Alpaco coal in the latter, with equally good weather, and the same time of 50 hours 
 for both trips. 
 
 By the Prueha. — In the year 1873 the first tests were made with coal from Com- 
 postela on board the gunboat Prueha, of the division of Cebu, there being secured 
 some incomplete results which, according to oflScial information in our possession, 
 prove that this coal is of far better quality than that from Australia formerly con- 
 sumed. 
 
 By the Marques de la Victoria. — In the OiEcial Gazette of Manila, of July 19 of the 
 same year, were published the results of the tests made during the preceding month 
 by the steamer Marques de la Victoria and by the arsenal of Cavite. 
 
 It can be deduced from the former that these coals burn freely, requiring fifty- 
 'eight minutes to generate steam, and that the ship being put in motion with the 
 first degree ot expansion with a constant pressure of 19 pounds without the use of 
 artificial draft, there was consumed 98 kilograms per horsepower and per hour, 
 instead of the 39 generally used at this same degree of expansion, there being pro- 
 duced after the combustion a small quantity of cinders which did not cling to the 
 furnace bars, and there being noted, upon the experiments being concluded, very 
 little dirt on the tubes. The time is not specified which was required by the foreign 
 coal to generate steam, nor the exact quantity of cinders and' ashes with the com- 
 bustibles produced on the test; but in the tests made by the arsenal of Cavite these 
 facts were completed, the results being as follows, much more definite and 
 interesting: 
 
 Table of the tests made on the SOth and Slst of the present month of tiie coal from the 
 " Esperanza" and " Caridad" mines. 
 
 Time required to produce steam minutes.. 20 
 
 Time required from this moment to the production of 40 pounds do 30 
 
 Total do.... 50 
 
 Time during which the machinery was in operation do 70 
 
 Coal consumed from this moment until the completion of the test, kilo- 
 grams 43 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 205 
 
 Water evaporated during the test kilograms. . 280 
 
 Water evaporated by eacli kilogram of coal, or the actual generating power 
 
 of the coal kilograms.. 6.51 
 
 Weight of the ashes do 9 
 
 Arsenal of Cavite, June 27, 1873. 
 
 Manuel Ginart, The Commander. 
 A copy. 
 
 Antequeba. 
 
 Other steamers. — After this other gunboats of the naval division of Cebu and some 
 merchant vessels have consumed on various occasions this kind of combustibles with 
 good results, according to the statements of their commanders, engineers, and 
 captains. 
 
 Recent tests. — Lastly, very recently other official tests have been made by superior 
 order at the arsenal of Cavite and by the vessel Santa Filomena with results still 
 more complete and noteworthy than the preceding. 
 
 At the arsenal. — At the arsenal were made tests in a boiler without a jacket, so 
 that the steam came in free contact with the air, giving, after four days, the follow- 
 ing results: 
 
 Surface of furnace bars square meters . . 1. 24 
 
 Number of furnaces 2 
 
 Total surface of furnace bars square meters. . 2. 48 
 
 Surface heated directly '. do 16. 58 
 
 Tubular surface do 54. 12 
 
 Total surface heated, except ash pans do 70. 70 
 
 The experiment having been conducted with the greatest care for four days, the 
 following result was obtained: 
 
 
 Atmosphere. 
 
 Depositary. 
 
 Boiler. 
 
 Temperature: 
 
 °C. 
 33.44 
 26.66 
 30.55 
 
 °C. 
 31.66 
 27.22 
 29.44 
 
 °C. 
 
 98.88 
 
 Mim'mnTn 
 
 29 44 
 
 MprtiiiTYi . . . 
 
 64.16 
 
 
 
 Carbon consumed from the time ebullition commenced until the conclusion 
 
 of four days' test kilograms.. 3,694 
 
 Weight of water evaporated in the four days do 24, 040 
 
 Time consumed in the evaporation hours.. 24 
 
 Quantity of water evaporated per kilo of coal kilograms . . 6, 500 
 
 Ashes obtained per 100.. 2,923 
 
 Coal dust obtained do 10,068 
 
 Soot obtained do 135 
 
 By the Santa Filomena. — In the rejwrt of this boat are given, among others, the fol- 
 lowing facts: 
 
 "The consumption per hour of the coal, ascertained by the amount of coal used 
 during the experiments, was 550 kilograms, or 13.32 tons per day; and as the ordi- 
 nary consumption of this and other like vessels is on average 12 tons of the coal 
 usually consumed, sometimes having reached as high as 13 or 14, according to the 
 books of the boat, the result is that the difference of consumption indicated is of 
 slight consideration. 
 
 "It has been stated that during the proof the pressure was well maintained, while 
 the engine remained in the first and second degree of expansion, dropping consid- 
 
206 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 erably when the engines ran at full speed. This also occurred when, a few days 
 before these experiments, the vessel m^de a test of its engines, notwithstanding that 
 on this occasion the coal was from Wales and from the mines of Brymbo. 
 
 "In regard to the steam-making power of this combustible, the experiments made 
 give a result which shows it to be undoubtedly very suitable, since it is shown that in 
 the boiler of the arsenal 6,500 kilograms of water were evaporated per kilogram of 
 coal, and as with the kind of boilers which have been used for these tests with the 
 best coal; for example, the Cardiff, there can only be expected from 7 to 7.8 kilo- 
 grams of steam for each one of combustible, the result is comparatively satisfactory. 
 The residue, after the combustion, in the proportion of 12 to 15,810, are also better 
 than that generally obtained. 
 
 "The combustible under consideration has some other qualities which make it 
 very adaptable, one of them being the very important quality of covering the tubes 
 with but little soot and not adhering to the furnace bars on account of the small 
 amount of bituminous substance which it contains. The smoke which it produces 
 is not excessive; its color is gray, and, besides, it is very clean, as during the time 
 when the engine was running the sides and the deck of the boat were not soiled in 
 any way. 
 
 "Lastly, it should be noticed also that this coal makes very little dust and that it 
 is not consumed rapidly, circumstances which, added to those already enumerated, 
 make the coal treated of very acceptable for ordinary purposes of navigation even 
 when burned alone; but its mixture with a third of Cardiff ought to give excellent 
 results both as to quality and economy." 
 
 It is to be regretted that, with these facts, suitable comparative tests have not been 
 made; but, from all points of view, those made up to the present time prove conclu- 
 sively the excellent quality of the coal. 
 
 APPENDIX NO. 4. 
 
 Phices of Daily Labor and some Mining Works in the Island of Cebd 
 
 Daily labor. 
 
 Mining overseers $0. 50 to f 1.00 
 
 40 
 25 
 25 
 25 
 50 
 25 
 75 
 40 
 
 Pickmen 25 
 
 Helpers 20 
 
 Men for carts and wagons 20 
 
 Surface laborers 20 
 
 Carpenters 40 
 
 Helpers .20 
 
 Blacksmiths 40 
 
 Helpers 25 
 
 Note. — At present there do not exist special men for timbering the mine; the car- 
 penters on the surface fashion the props, or^cut them according to measurements 
 given them, and the men employed in the mine put them in place. 
 
 Cost of a set of timbers. 
 
 Wood ( labor and top piece) , 25 cents for two $0. 60 
 
 50 wedges 25 
 
 Wages of the carpenter 25 
 
 Total 1.10 
 
 For one prop 55 
 
THE COAL MEASUBES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 207 
 
 Cost of a meter of gallery in coal. 
 
 Pickman and helper, two shifts $1.35 
 
 Two cartmen for each shift 1.00 
 
 Cost of a prop 55 
 
 Cost of oil for lamps XO 
 
 Cost of material and tools 20 
 
 Cost of overseeing 25 
 
 Total 3.45 
 
 Cost of a meter of gallery in slaty clay is the same as the preceding figures. 
 
 Cost of a meter of gallery in sandstone. — At present the cost is about four times more 
 than openings in slaty clay or coal, but the timbering is avoided always and the 
 expense saved. The result is $11.60. 
 
 Note. — They have begun to use powder and drills very recently, but we have not 
 yet positive information as to the cost. 
 
 In the largest transversal opened in Cebu there has been found 25 per cent of sand- 
 stone and 75 per cent of slaty clay in the galleries. We have, then: 
 
 In 100 meters — 
 
 25 of sandstone, at $11.60 $290. 00 
 
 75 of slaty clay, at $3.45 258.75 
 
 Total 548.75 
 
 Average cost of a meter in transversal gallery is $5.50. 
 
 APPENDIX NO. 5. 
 
 Bay op Tinaan. 
 [From the Book of Charts ot the Philippine Archipelago.] 
 
 Bay of Tirumn. — It is situated in 10° 11' north latitude and 129° 56' east longitude 
 (the dock) , and 11 miles southwest from the city of Cebu; it is the loading place for 
 the coal from the mines of Uling and Alpaco; it is situated in a slight curvature which 
 the coast makes at this point. This little bay is a mile wide and its shores are 
 covered with marshes, forming shoals which do not extend out more than 1 cable's 
 length. At one-half mile to the southeast from the little pueblo of Tinaan,' which is 
 in the center of the bay, there is a reef of sand and rock, 6 cables long from ENE. to 
 WSW. by 2 cables wide, around which, and almost touching its sides, are found 
 from 12 to 20 meters of water; the extremities of this reef, as well as the points of 
 the bay between which the harbor is formed, have been duly ascertained. 
 
 The sounding in the middle of this harbor is from 20 to 22 meters, and diminishes 
 gradually to 5 meters at a distance of 1 cable's length from the dock. In the middle 
 of the channel, to the south, between the reef and the coast, there is a depth of 10 
 meters of water, while to the north is to be found from 28.4 to 20 meters, having a 
 width of 5 cables' length, which is the best and easiest entrance. 
 
 1 It is only a "barrio." 
 
208 THE COAL MEASURES OV THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 ROYAL OEDEK TKANSMITTED BY THE DIKECTOE-GENBRAL OF CIVIL ADMINISTRATION TO 
 
 INSPECTOR OP MINES. 
 
 Most Excellent Sir: The minister of the colonies, by a communication dated 
 July 16 last past, and numbered 650, transmitted the following royal order to the 
 most excellent governor-general: 
 
 Most Excellent Sir: Having considered the communication of your excellency, 
 No. 138, of April 18 last past, and the expediente and treatise accompanying it rela- 
 tive to the preparation by the State of the coal-mining region in the valley of the 
 river Pandan, in the island of Cebu, of that archipelago, in which communication 
 your excellency states that there haa been decreed the suspension for eight months 
 of the admission of petitions for the registration and investigation of mines in said 
 region, in accordance with the recommendations of the general inspectorate of mines 
 and the general directorate of civil administration of those islands. 
 
 It being evident upon examination of the said expediente that the benefit and 
 advantages to be derived from encouraging the coal-mining industry of that archipel- 
 ago would be very great, the preparation by the State being carried into effect, of 
 the deposits of Tiling, in Cebu, and the mines so prepared being conceded to a com- 
 pany which would pay back the capital advanced, with which project the superior 
 commission of mines has given its complete approval; 
 
 It being advisable that before proceeding upon the necessary investigation for the 
 realization of the said mining preparation the general inspectorate of public works 
 should be consulted respecting the staff it could furnish for the investigation and 
 plans for the railroad to the mine, and the docks which should be constructed for this 
 purpose, and respecting the probable cost of these works, and the treasury should 
 likewise be consulted regarding the funds which could be available for the reaUzation 
 of such an important project; 
 
 Considering that while this information is being acquired the general inspectorate 
 of mines could determine and draw up the list of conditions for the concession of 
 the mines referred to, and prepare said special concession, the General Government 
 being authorized to approve them upon the acquirement of the necessary information; 
 
 Considering that before undertaking the work of preparing the mines of the said 
 region there should be taken into consideration the necessary staff to carry out these 
 labors and the funds required for the same purpose. 
 
 His Majesty, the King, whom God protect, and in his name the Queen Regent, in 
 conformity with ideas expressed and proposed by your excellency in this very impor- 
 tant matter, as well as with the advice of the superior commission of mines, has 
 considered it advisable to decree: 
 
 First. That the recommendation and proposal prepared by the general inspectorate 
 of those islands for the preparation by the State of the coal-mining region compre- 
 hended in the valley of the river Pandan, subdivision of Naga, in the island of Cebu, 
 of that archipelago, be first approved, and that the action carrying this into effect, 
 taken by that General Government, be likewise approved. 
 
 Second. That the general inspectorate of public works of those islands be consulted 
 regarding the staff which it can assign to the investigation and preparation of plans 
 for the railroad and docks required for the works determined upon, and regarding 
 the probable cost of said works. 
 
 Third. That the treasury be consulted regarding the funds which it could set aside 
 for the realization of such important works, and regarding the convenience of plac- 
 ing the total amount necessary for said object in the estimates of those islands. 
 
 Fourth. That the general inspectorate of mines of those islJinds investigate and 
 draw up the list of conditions considered proper for the granting of the concession of 
 the mining exploitation alluded to, after the preparation of the same by the State, 
 anticipating the concession to accompany, with the necessary guaranties, and author- 
 
THE GOAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 209 
 
 izing your excellency to approve said list of conditions and announce and make the 
 concession in the form and upon the terms which you consider best, after receiving 
 favorable information from the inspectorate and treasury above mentioned, from the 
 council of administration and the general directorate of civil administration of those 
 islands. 
 
 Fifth. That after the making of the said concession, and when there exists in those 
 islands a sufllcient staff in the department of mines, as the present staff should now 
 be increased, and when the funds are determined upon which should be set aside for 
 the carrying on of the work of the mining preparation planned, the said works, the 
 project, and the railroad should be commenced according to the discretion and 
 judgment of that general government in order to attain a successful conclusion of the 
 important project treated of. 
 
 I commvmicate this to your excellency by royal order for your information, and to 
 be carried into effect. 
 
 And the said superior authority having ordered the execution of this decree by an 
 order dated to-day, I transmit this to your excellency for your information and to 
 be carried into effect. 
 
 God protect your excellency many years. 
 
 Manila, August 20, 1894. 
 
 [seal.] a. Aviles. 
 
 To the Most Excellent Inspector-General of Mines. 
 
 KECOMMENDATIONS OP INSPECTOR OP MINES. 
 
 Most Excellent Sir: The royal order. No. 650, of July 16 last past favorably 
 approves the recommendation forwarded to the minister of the colonies on April 18 
 of this year, referring to the preparation of the deposits of Uling and Lutac, in Cebu, 
 but of the five paragraphs contained in this royal order the three first only can be 
 complied with immediately. 
 
 In the first place, there is approved by the first disposition the proposal made and 
 the temporary order of the general government of March 18 last past, and there- 
 fore there should be issued a new decree making permanent the prohibition already 
 ordered regarding the admission of petitions for registration of mines within the val- 
 ley of the river Pandan. 
 
 In the second disposition it is ordered that the general inspectorate of public works 
 be consulted respecting the probable cost of the railroad from Uling to Tinaan and 
 of the docks of the latter place, and likewise regarding the staff which can be assigned 
 to carry on the investigation and prepare the plans for these works, and to comply with 
 this order it will be sufiicient that the general directorate under your able charge 
 transmit to the said inspectorate this part of the royal order, sending a copy of the 
 proper topographical plan of the region which is in the recommendation, and notify- 
 ing it that the said railroad has to transport a hundred tons of coal daily; has to 
 commence, approximately, at the confluence of the Campacan and Cambaji creeks, 
 at an altitude of about 150 meters, and to terminate at the docks, which likewise 
 have to be constructed in the harbor of Tinaan, the conditions of which are specified 
 on page 610 of the Book of Charts of the Philippines. 
 
 In the third disposition it is ordered that the treasury be consulted regarding the 
 manner of obtaining and making provision in the estimates for the total amount 
 which is considered necessary for the carrying out of this project, and although the 
 exact amount is still unknown, as it can not be" fixed until the definite investigations 
 have been made, both for the road and for the dock. As for the preparatory labors 
 in the mine, the third provision can be complied with, since an estimate has already 
 been roughly made in the plan presented and approved heretofore, and by means of 
 that plan and the aptitude of the treasury department of these islands, that depart- 
 
 5503—01 14 
 
210 THE COAL MEAStJEES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 ment can inform you what it considers moat convenient, upon this original expediente 
 being sent to them for that purpose. 
 
 In the fourth disposition, which orders that this inspectorate investigate and draw 
 up the list of conditions which must be established for the making of the concession 
 of the mines of Tiling and Lutac, after they are prepared, it is evident that the first 
 fact necessary to be ascertained in order to draw up this list of conditions is that of 
 the exact cost of the preparation and the time that would be required, because it 
 can not be supposed that any company would solicit the concession of some mines 
 upon their being prepared without knowing what capital it is obUged to pay back 
 and how much time will elapse in awarding the mine for the commencement of the 
 exploitation. It is necessary, therefore, that they conclude in advance the definite 
 investigations of the road and docks and the preparatory labors upon the deposit, 
 in the meantime it being impossible for this inspectorate to comply with the provisions 
 of the royal order to this effect, and a notification should be sent to the minister of 
 the colonies regarding the impossibility of doing this. 
 
 But, in stating the reasons causing this impossibility, there can be proposed, at the 
 same time, the methods of realizing in the shortest space of time possible, not only 
 the concession, but also the labors and investigations already approved, along with 
 the guaranties necessary and requisite for a business of such great importance. 
 
 The immediate realization of the mining investigations to be carried on by this 
 general inspectorate can be brought about as soon as the engineer arrives in these 
 islands to fill the position designated in the estimates, for, since the plan has been 
 approved, it is now one of the duties of the most excellent governor-general of these 
 islands to order that investigation immediately, considering it as a service to be pre- 
 ferred and very important for the future of the mining industry of these islands. As 
 for the work to be done by the general inspectorate of pubUc works, it can likewise 
 be ordered by the general government of these islands, and it can be supposed that 
 it will be done in a very short space of time, as the investigation and survey of 15 or 
 16 kilometers of railroad for mining purposes, along with the docks at Tinaan, is not 
 of such importance as other investigations and surveys for railroads of great length 
 and other investigations which this same inspectorate has very recently attended to 
 so successfully in northern Luzon. 
 
 Upon the preparation and approval of the definite plans, and since in the list of 
 conditions for the concession planned not only have been stated those referring to 
 the exploritation of the mines, but those of an economic character, and those concern- 
 ing the railroad and the docks, it would be well that this list of conditions be drawn 
 up by a commission composed of a chief of the treasury department, to be desig- 
 nated by the director of the treasury, and the general inspectors of public works 
 and mines, presided over by the most excellent director-general of civil administra- 
 tion, and there acting as secretary an engineer of the inspectorate of mines, and in 
 this manner this list of conditions will contain all the guaranties necessary for the 
 execution of the terms of the concession, in order that having previously obtained 
 the advice of the council of administration it can be submitted for the approval of 
 the most excellent governor-general, and thereupon the publication and concession 
 can be made. 
 
 Likewise, this same commission can be advised to determine the most simple form 
 for carrying out the preparatory labors in the mines, granting them powers similar to 
 those possessed by the commissions of ports, with which they will be able to greatly 
 facilitate the proceedings and steps necessary for the completion of those labors. 
 
 Note. — In conclusion this general inspectorate has the honor to propose to your 
 excellency: 
 
 First. That there be transmitted to the general inspectorate of public works the 
 second disposition of the royal order, No. 650, of July 16 last past, as well as the facts 
 known regarding the railroad and the docks projected. 
 
THE COAL MEASUEES OP THE PHILIPPINES, 211 
 
 Second. That this expediente be submitted to the most excellent governor-general, 
 proposing to him: 
 
 A. That the original royal order be remitted to the treasury department in order 
 that they give the information applicable thereto, as is directed in the same. 
 
 B. That a decree be promulgated in accordance with the ideas expressed, declar- 
 ing the decree permanent which was issued March 18 of this year. 
 
 C. That a report be made to the minister of the colonies regarding the impossibil- 
 ity of complying with the provisions of paragraph 4 of the said royal order, demon- 
 strating the methods of concluding all the labors pertaining to the development of 
 the enterprise as heretofore approved by means of a commission composed of a chief 
 of the treasury, appointed by the director of the treasury; the general inspectors of 
 public works and mines, presided over by the most excellent director-general of civil 
 administration, and the secretary being an engineer of the general inspectorate of 
 mines. 
 
 Submitted to your excellency for decision. 
 Manila, September 17, 1894. 
 
 Eneiqtje Abella y Oasakiego. 
 
 Septembeb 19, 1894. 
 Most Excellent Sie: The directorate approves the within. 
 
 A. AviLES. 
 
 September 21. 
 So ordered. 
 
 TKANSLATION OF ABSTRACT OF POBEGOING. 
 
 Proposing that this expediente be remitted to the treasury, that the decree of 
 March 18 be declared permanent, and that the minister be informed of the impossi- 
 bility of drawing up the list of conditions ordered, proposing to him the methods of 
 carrying out the entire plan with guarantees for its execution. 
 
 INSTBUCTIONS TO INSPECTOK-GENEEAL OP PUBLIC WORKS — GENERAL DIRECTOBATE OP 
 CIVIL ADMINISTRATION — DEPARTMENT OP MINES. 
 
 Most Excellent Sir: The most excellent governor-general has deemed it proper 
 to decree the fulfilment of the provisions of royal order No. 650, dated July 16 of 
 the present year, the second provision of which is as follows: 
 
 "That the general inspectorate of public works of those islands be consulted regard- 
 ing the staff which it can assign to the investigation and preparation of plans for the 
 raihoad and docks required for the works determined upon and regarding the prob- 
 able cost of said works.'' 
 
 In order that you can comply with the latter part of the above provision, I trans- 
 mit to your excellency the topographical plan of the region in which it is proposed 
 to construct the railroad and docks referred to for the development of some deposits 
 of coal which are situated in that district, and notify your excellency — 
 
 First. That the said railroad has to transport 100 tons of coal daily. 
 
 Second. That it has to commence, approximately, at the confluence of the Cam- 
 pacan and Cambaji creeks, at an altitude above the level of the sea of about 150 
 meters. 
 
 Third. That the natural conditions of the harbor of Tinaan will be found stated 
 at page 610 of the Book of Charts of this archipelago published by the navy. 
 
 God protect your excellency many years. 
 
 September 19, 1894. 
 
 A. Aviles. 
 
 To the most excellent Inspector-General of Public Works. 
 
 A copy. 
 
 Abella. 
 
212 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 DECREE OF GOVEKNOE-GBNERAL MAKING PERMANENT DECREE OP MARCH 18, 1894. 
 
 Manila, September 21, 1894. 
 By virtue of the provisions of royal order No. 650, of July 16 last, the temporary 
 prohibition ordered in my decree of March 18 of the present year is declared per- 
 manent, and therefore petitions for registration or investigation of mines will no 
 longer be admitted for mining claims comprehended within the valley of the river 
 Pandan, in the island of Cebu, from its source in the district of Uling to its mouth 
 in the district of Naga. 
 Publish this and communicate it to whom it may concern. 
 
 Blanco. 
 
 communication to the minister of the colonies. 
 
 Manila, September S9, 1894, 
 
 Most Excellent Sir: In attempting to comply with all the dispositions of royal 
 order No. 650 of July 16 last, we have met with the difficulty shown by the general 
 inspectorate of mines regarding the impossibility of preparing the list of conditions 
 for the concession of the mines to be prepared in the valley of the river Pandan, 
 since the exact cost of the preparation is not known, nor the time in which it can 
 be carried out, and it is evident that it can not be expected that any company would 
 solicit such a concession without knowing the amount of capital which it is obliged 
 to pay back, nor the time that must elapse before the mines are delivered to them 
 prepared for immediate exploitation. 
 
 Therefore it is especially necessary that the definite investigation regarding the 
 railroad, docks, and the mining labors for the preparation of the deposits be carried 
 out as soon as possible, and" this can be done in a short space of time, in spite of the 
 small number of employees, if this work be given the preference on account of the 
 importance of this work for the development of an important industry of these 
 islands. 
 
 The general inspectorate of mines states that it can carry on the 'work as soon as 
 the new engineer arrives who is assigned to that department, and it is probable that 
 the general inspectorate of public works can do the same on account of the compar- 
 atively slight importance of the investigation and survey of 15 or 16 kilometers of a 
 mining railroad, compared with those which it has attended to regarding railroads 
 of great length and much more importance. 
 
 In order to avoid as much as possible the delays necessarily caused by consulta- 
 tions and communications with different bureaus, without overlooking the certainty 
 of success necessary for a business of such importance, this General Government, in 
 accordance with the recommendation of the general inspector of mines and general 
 director of civil administration, believes that it could create a commission composed 
 of a chief of the treasury, appointed by the director, and the general inspectors of 
 public works and mines, presided over by the general director of civil administra- 
 tion, and the secretary being an engineer of the inspectorate of mines, which com- 
 mission could be empowered not only to prepare the list of conditions for the conces- 
 sion planned, but of ordering and arranging the manner of carrying out In the best 
 manner possible the preparation of the mines, granting it powers similar to those 
 possessed by the commissions of the improvement of porta. In this commission 
 there is contained the necessary knowledge for successfully carrying on the work 
 intrusted to it in addition to the interests of the State being sufficiently protected. 
 
 God protect, etc. 
 
 I am, most excellent sir, ■■ 
 
 A copy. 
 
 recommendations regarding funds. 
 
 Most Excellent Sir: Being unable to estimate the expense which would be 
 occasioned by the carrying out of the project of the general inspector of mines for 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 213 
 
 the development of the coal deposits of Uling and Lutac, as among other investiga- 
 tions to be made, the general inspectorate of public works must make those suggested 
 by the royal order of July 16 last, and the same diflBculty being encountered in 
 fixing the date of the conclusion of the project, the undersigned is unable to give 
 information suflBciently definite to be of any practical advantage, since the amount 
 of funds must necessarily accommodate itself to the amount of expenses estimated, 
 and the public treasury can provide for new matters with more or less facility in 
 proportion to its condition at the time when the payments must be made. But, as 
 the most excellent minister of the colonies has heretofore approved the treatise and 
 plans prepared by the general inspectorate of mines, I have the honor of showing 
 your excellency that in my judgment the plans should be prosecuted without antici- 
 pating too much the probable cost, for anything that develops the public wealth is 
 equivalent to augmenting the public resources, and in this last mentioned case treats 
 of an expense which, being given its class and probable quantity, can not form any 
 real diflBculty in the preparation of the estimate for carrying out the work, and is 
 different from the other expenses which the public treasury has to meet, as all sums 
 expended for the carrying on of the work will be paid back. 
 
 The general inspectorate of mines, treating of the expenses for the public works, 
 indicates that the investigations to be previously made by the staff of the departments 
 of mines and public works for the fixing of the terms of the granting of the conces- 
 sion should be carried on by the general funds of the Government, and that the 
 labors in the valley of the river Pandan should be borne by local funds. I have 
 already said, and the general inspectorate of mines agrees with me, that this division 
 of expenses follows — I will not say the system, because it does not deserve such a 
 good name — the practices used in the formation of public estimates of the Philippines; 
 but as these practices are not justified in any way in this matter, as upon determina- 
 tion of the class to which a service belongs it ought to be borne entirely either by 
 the State or by the municipalities according as it treats of the work of public inter- 
 est of a local character, it is not proper to follow practices so slightly justified, espe- 
 cially when there is only one contributor and the expenses caused by carrying out 
 the project have to be returned, and this repayment would offer some diflSculties if 
 the contribution for the work was made from both general and local funds and the 
 products of the enterprise to be paid had to be divided between these two funds in 
 settlement of the sums advanced. 
 
 If the public oflficials who have to attend to the formation and preparation of the 
 project are sustained by the State; if the local funds receive the principal receipts 
 from the general treasury of the islands; if the taxpayer is the same in both cases, 
 for neither the State nor the local funds receive revenues which are not obtained by 
 means of established taxes; if, finally, the general inspectorate of mines has not pre- 
 pared its plan nor the minister of the colonies approved it, but if, inspired by reasons 
 of public interest, and it appearing, in effect, that the realization of this enterprise 
 ought to encourage mining developments by active work, which is the best example 
 in all countries, especially in a country like the Philippines, which is just entering 
 into commercial life, the funds of the State should be the ones to completely pay the 
 expenses caused by the mineral preparation of the coal-bearing property in the val- 
 ley of the river Pandan, in accordance with the plan proposed by the general inspec- 
 torate of mines. 
 
 Such, at least, is the opinion of the undersigned, and which is respectfully sub- 
 mitted to the superior judgment of your excellency. 
 I am, most excellent sir, 
 
 J. GiMBNO AgIUS. 
 
 Manila, October IS, 1894- 
 
214 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 Dieeotorate-General op Civil Administration, 
 
 Department op Minbs. 
 Most Excellent Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the com- 
 munication prepared by your excellency regarding the mining preparations to be 
 made of the coal-bearing district of the valley of the river Pandan, in Cebu, toother 
 with the expediente, as transmitted by your excellency, and expressing your able 
 opinion, in accordance with the decree of the Governor-General. 
 God protect your ex sUency many years. 
 Manila, October 25, 1894. 
 
 To the most excellent Dieectob-Geneeal op the TEEAsmtY. 
 A copy. 
 
 A. AVILBS. 
 
 Abella. 
 
 EOYAL ORDER TEANSMITTED BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OP CIVIL ADMINISTRATION TO 
 
 THE INSPECTOR OP MINES. 
 
 Most Excellent Sir: There has been communicated to the most excellent 
 Governor-General by the minister of the colonies, dated December 5 last, and 
 numbered 1150, the following royal order: 
 
 "Most Excellent Sir: Having considered the communication of your excellency, 
 No. 493, of September 29 last, in which you state the views of the general inspeet- 
 orate of mines of those islands regarding the impossibility of complying with pro- 
 vision 4 of the royal order of July 16 of the present year relative tp the preparation 
 by the State of the coal-mining region in the valley of the river Pandan, island of 
 Cebu, of that archipelago, and in which were proposed some measures for the carry- 
 ing out of the project mentioned; having examined the royal order, bearing in 
 mind the first provision of the said disposition, confirmed by the second provision of 
 the same, it is ordered that the general inspector of public works of those islands be 
 consulted respecting the probable cost of the railroad and docks proposed to be con- 
 structed; that in the second disposition of said royal order the study and plan of 
 a list of conditions is dealt with which should be prepared by the general inspector- 
 ate of mines for the said preparation of the said coal mines while the inspectorate 
 of public works was securing the information above mentioned; that in the tiiird 
 disposition is stated that before undertaking the work for the mineral preparation 
 treated of the necessary force of employees should be secured for the work, mean- 
 ing the work itself in the said preparation, and independent of the studies previously 
 necessary to form the preliminary plan for the same; that the general inspectorate 
 of mines could form, anticipating subsequent action, the said preliminary plan as a 
 basis for the list of conditions, taking for this purpose all the time and gathering all 
 the facts and information which would be deemed necessary for the object indicated 
 without being opposed in any way nor there being established any limitation by the 
 royal order treated of. 
 
 ''Considering that the commission whose creation is proposed for this special 
 matter can not and should not have executive authority such as that possessed by 
 the commissions of ports, whose class and functions as administrators of funds and 
 revenues are of a character foreign to that set forth in the proposal, and that if this 
 commission should only have advisory functions it would be one additional proceed- 
 ing in this matter, unnecessary in any way, as there exist in those islands bureaus 
 competent to consult with in this matter; it likewise not being necessary or advis- 
 able to hasten this matter, but, on the contrary, it should be given all due considera- 
 tion which its importance merits, and for this purpose the procedure is indicated and 
 prescribed by the mining laws in force regarding the general inspectorate of mines 
 of those islands. 
 
 "His Majesty the King, whom God protect, and in his name the Queen Regent, 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 215 
 
 haa deemed it proper to decree that your excellency be instructed: That the royal 
 order referred to of July 16 last does not prevent the general inspect jrate of mines of 
 those islands, assisted by that of public works, from attending to all the investiga- 
 tions and studies which are deemed necessary for the most suitable preparation 
 possible of the list of conditions for realizing the mining concession treated of, and 
 that said inspectorate conform with the provisions of the said order regarding all 
 measures for carrying the realization of said project into effect, the present order to 
 be published partly in the Gazettes of Madrid and Manila. 
 
 "I communicate this to you by royal order for your information and that the same 
 may be duly executed." 
 
 And the said superior authority having ordered its execution by decree of this 
 date, I transmit this to your excellency for your information and that the same may 
 be duly executed. 
 
 God protect your excellency many years. 
 
 Manila, January 5, 1895. 
 
 A A TTTT "Pfl 
 
 To the most excellent Imspeotoe-Gbneral op Mines. 
 
 COMMUNICATION TO GENERAL INSPECTOR OF MINES. 
 
 Most Excellent Sir: This directorate, as representing the Governor-General, on 
 this date, on the recommendation of the general inspectorate of public works, has 
 given the order, a copy of which I remit to your excellency, regarding the fulfillment 
 ot the provisions of the second disposition of royal order of July 16 last, relative to 
 the survey and plans of the railroad and docks for the development of the coal 
 deposits of the district already determined upon in Cebu. 
 
 I have the honor of communicating this to your excellency for your information 
 and to be carried into effect. 
 
 God protect your excellency many years. 
 
 Manila, February 18, 1895. 
 
 A. AVILES. 
 
 To the most excellent Inspector-General op Mines. 
 
 recommendation op public works approved. 
 
 No. 59.] General Direotoeate op Civil Administration, 
 
 General Inspectorate op Public Works. 
 
 Most Excellent Sir: By letter dated September 19, 1894, the general directorate 
 of civil administration communicated with this general inspectorate of public works 
 regarding the fulfillment of the second disposition of royal order No. 650, of July 16 
 of said year. 
 
 In said disposition it is ordered that this department be consulted regarding the 
 staff employees which it could assign to the survey and preparation of plans for the 
 railroad and docks necessary for the work planned for the purpose of developing some 
 coal deposits in the mining region of the island of Cebu, represented on the topo- 
 graphical plan accompanying it, and regarding the cost of said work, the same 
 directorate also communicating certain facts undoubtedly for the purpose of being 
 used in said investigations. 
 
 Being ignorant of the facts which caused the decreeing of the said royal order, the 
 inspectorate has not been able, up to the present time, to propose with sufficient 
 certainty the most convenient plan for carrying out the provisions of that royal order. 
 
 But, having at hand the expediente drawn up at the suggestion of the able inspector 
 of mines of the Philippines, I can appreciate the extent of the matters that will be 
 intrusted to the department of public works in the prosecution of this work, among 
 them being the surveys and preparation of plans and the preparation of the estimate 
 which will show the probable cost of the railroad and docks. 
 
216 THE COAL MEASUEES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 Regarding the work which has to be planned and executed by the State, the esti- 
 mate of expenses to be caused by the survey must be prepared for both the field 
 work and the office work in the preparation of three copies of the plan. The depart- 
 ment should direct the engineer in charge of -public works in Cebu to investigate the 
 conditions of +hat locality in conjunction with the general inspector of mines, who 
 proposes to soon make a visit to the mines of that island, in order that by mutual 
 agreement they fix as definitely as possible the point of commencement of the rail- 
 road, regarding the natural conditions of the locality for the location of the same, 
 and that at the same time they agree on the facts regarding the exploitation of the 
 mine they should also bear in mind those referring to the mining railroad and the 
 dock. 
 
 It is also proper that the expenses of these surveys should be paid out of the credit 
 of $15,000 which was appropriated in article 1, chapter 5, of section 8, of the general 
 estimates of the department of industries for the year 1894r-95, for the investigation 
 and survey of new railroads planned by the State. 
 
 Regarding the number of employees of this department who can be assigned to 
 the said surveys and preparation of plans, this inspectorate can only state that in the 
 department of public works of Cebu, as in other departments of the archipelago, the 
 number of employees is very small, considering the large number of duties assigned 
 to them; but upon the assignment of this work, as is proposed to the engineer in 
 Cebu, the staff necessary to assist him can be selected from other persons skilled in 
 this class of work, in the probable case that employees of the department can not be 
 spared. 
 
 The above are the views of this inspectorate regarding the fulfillment of the dispo- 
 sitions of the royal order of July 16 last, contained in the second article thereof. 
 
 Submitted for your excellency's decision. 
 
 I am, most excellent sir, Casto Olano. 
 
 February 18, 1895. 
 
 So ordered: 
 
 AVILES, 
 
 The Director-Oeneral, Representing the Governor-General. 
 A copy: 
 
 Olano, the Inspector-General. 
 
 PROPOSAL to submit NEW VIEWS TO MINISTRY. 
 
 Most Excellent Sir: The proposal for the preparation of the Uling and Lutac 
 mines in Cebu, forwarded to the ministry in official communication No. 138 of April 
 18 last, was answered by royal order No. 650 of July 16 following, which was com- 
 plied with by remitting the expediente to the treasury department and sending a 
 copy of the dispositions referring to the department of public works to the said inspec- 
 torate thereof, and the observations of this inspectorate regarding the work intrusted 
 to it were also forwarded to the ministry. 
 
 The treasury department wrote a comprehensive statement dated October 18, and 
 on December 5 the ministry of the colonies deemed it proper to issue royal order 
 No, 1150, in which it was stated that there was nothing in the royal order of July 16 
 last to prevent this inspectorate, assisted by that of public works, from making all 
 the investigations and observations necessary for the preparation in as skillful a 
 manner as possible of the list of conditions of the concession to be made, it therefore 
 being ordered that the said royal order of July 16, 1894, be complied with. 
 
 In accordance with this order the undersigned chief requested of the zealous and 
 able general inspector of public works the immediate fulfillment of the sovereign dis- 
 position, so many times mentioned, agreeing with him regarding the necessity of 
 determining upon the ground, previous to taking any steps upon the definit* inves- 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 2lV 
 
 tigation, the principal places for the railroad service which has to be constructed, 
 with reference to the outcropping and the plan for the work to be carried on; and as 
 the undersigned inspector thought that he should make a visit to that region for this 
 and other purposes, the most illustrious inspector-general of public works proposed 
 to your excellency and to the General Government the recommendation which, 
 after being ordered compUed with, has been communicated to this inspectorate with 
 date of the 18th instant. 
 
 While the question is in this condition, and while this inspectorate with the data 
 at its command is drawing up as rapidly as possible the list of conditions, as it has 
 teen directed, it would be well to transmit to the ministry not only the new matters 
 of information above mentioned, but also the clear and able opinion written by the 
 director-general of the treasury, in which it is shown that the public treasury of the 
 Phihppines can undertake this new matter and that in his judgment the project 
 should be undertaken without too much preoccupation regarding what ita reahzation 
 would cost, as everything which tends to develop the public wealth is equivalent to 
 augmenting the property taxable, and the class and probable quantity treated of can 
 not constitute a real difficulty in the formation of the estimate in which it is con- 
 signed; because, in view of this, the ministry would then be able to consign in the 
 next estimates of 1895-96 a sum of $100,000, in round numbers, for example, which 
 would make it possible to commence the work within the twelve months included 
 therein, demonstrating by this consignation to the future concessionaries that the 
 government intended to comply with its promises and was resolved to carry the 
 preparation ordered into effect in the briefest time possible. 
 
 In view of these considerations this general inspectorate has the honor to propose 
 to your excellency that this expediente be again forwarded to the most excellent 
 governor-general in order that, if he consider^ it convenient, he may remit to the 
 minister of the colonies an authorized copy of the opinion of the treasury depart- 
 ment, and of the proposals of the general inspectorates of public works and mines 
 which are contained therein, calling the attention of the most excellent minister of 
 the colonies to the words and considerations of the treasurer already mentioned 
 above. 
 
 Submitted for your excellency's decision. 
 
 Manila, February 19, 1895. 
 
 Enkiquk Abella y Casabieqo. 
 
 February 20, 1895. 
 So ordered: 
 
 AVILES, 
 
 Director-General in Charge of the Executive Office. 
 
 [Translation of abstract of above, proposing that a certified copy of the new opinions contained in 
 this expediente be transmitted to the ministry, calling attention above all to tha. of the treasury 
 department.] 
 
 COMMUNICATION TO MINISTRY. 
 
 Manila, February SO, 1896. 
 To the Most Excellent Minister op the Colonies. 
 
 Most Excellent Sib: I have the honor to remit attached hereto to your excel- 
 lency an authorized copy of the new opinions placed in the expediente for the min- 
 eral preparation of the mines of Uling and Lutac, in Cebu, by the State, calling your 
 attention especially to that of the director-general of the treasury, in which it is man- 
 ifested that the public treasury can undertake this new matter, and that in his opm- 
 ion of the same it should be undertaken without too much preoccupation regarding 
 what its realization may cost, as everything that concerns the development of the 
 public wealth is equivalent to increasing the property taxable, and the class and 
 
218 THE GOAL MEA8UEE8 OP THB PHILIPPINES. 
 
 probable quantity which is treated of can not constitute a real difficulty in the forma- 
 tion of the estimate in which it may be consigned. 
 
 This being so, perhaps it would be convenient to consign in the estimates of 1895- 
 96, either in the general or the local, a sum of $100,000 in round numbers, for 
 example, which would permit the commencement of the work after the correspond- 
 ing concession is made, so demonstrating by this consignation that the government 
 was complying with its propositions, carrying into effect the preparation projected. 
 Upon the announcement of the concession with an amount already consigned in the 
 estimate, the doubts and false impressions would vanish which always prevail regard- 
 ing administrative delays in affairs of this nature. 
 
 God protect, etc. 
 
 I am, most excellent sir, Abella. 
 
 REPORT OF DEPARTMENTS OP MINES AND PUBLIC WORKS. 
 
 On the 5th and 6th days of the month of April, 1895, with the object of complying 
 with royal orders Nos. 650 and 1150, of July 16 and December 5, respectively, of 
 the year 1894, and the decree of the General Government of these islands of Febru- 
 ary 18 of the present year, Mr. Enrique Abella y Casariego, general inspector of 
 mines, and Mr. Ricardo Ayuso, chief engineer of public works of that district, met 
 in the subdivision of Naga, of the island of Cebu, executing with common accord a 
 hasty survey of the valley of the river Uling or Pandan, comprehended between 
 Mount Uling, where are located the coal deposits of Uling, known for a long period 
 of tirrie, and the harbor of Tinaan, situated to the south of the mouth and termina- 
 tion of the said Pandan Eiver, there resulting from this survey the following conclu- 
 sions and agreements: 
 
 First. That the route should commence at the lower-level strip of land compre- 
 hended between the rivers Cambaji and Gampacan (or Lamsub), not only on account 
 of the necessities of the mining exploitation and the situation of the principal veins 
 of coal, but also on account of the existence of land appropriate for the foundation of 
 the work necessary for crossing the Cambaji; 
 
 Second. That from this point the route must follow the right margin of the river 
 Uling, or the eastern slope of Mount Binabac until reaching the valley of Butun; 
 
 Third. That on reaching Mount Sayao the route should continue on the lowest 
 level possible in order to facilitate the transportation of the coal from the veins of 
 Sibod and Lutac; 
 
 Fourth. That only a detailed study of the ground can fix the line of way from the 
 valley of Butun rnitil the crossing of the Ug-og Creek, which empties into the valley 
 of the Pandan, determining whether it has to be constructed following the windings 
 of the principal river through Sayao and Lutag, or if it has to be directed through 
 the course of the creeks Sibod, Guindulman, and Ug-og; 
 
 Fifth. That from the Ug-og Creek it should follow down the right margin of the 
 river Pandan until descending to Tinaan; 
 
 Sixth. That in this place the dock or docks should be situated necessary for the 
 loading of the coal; 
 
 Seventh. That this road and the rolling stock has to be calculated to transport at 
 least 100 tons of coal per day, and a maximum of 150 (also daily); and 
 
 Eighth. That in accordance with these conditions for the transportation it will be 
 best that the width of the road does not exceed 60 centimeters, in' order that it can 
 be connected directly with those from the shafts, stopes, or places of washing of the 
 coal of the mines. 
 
 And these points having been agreed upon, the present act was drawn up in dupli- 
 cate in Cebu the 8th day of April, 1895. 
 
 EOTiiQDE Abklla. y Oasariego. 
 RicABDo Ayuso. 
 
THE COAL MEASUEES OF THE PHUiIPPINES. 219 
 
 Most Illustrious Sib: In compliance with the royal orders, in whicli was embraced 
 and ordered the proposed preparation of the deposits of Tiling, this general inspec- 
 torate has the honor to present, attached hereto, the list of conditions which must 
 be imposed upon the concession projected. 
 
 This list having been made before the execution of the detailed and definite studies 
 of the deposits and of the works which the State has to execute, it is clear that the 
 amount of the cost of these works and of the time necessary for their realization is 
 to a certain extent undetermined, or calculated without a solid basis; but this does 
 not present great inconveniences, because, while this list is being dissented from and 
 added to, they can proceed with the execution of the studies of a definite nature, 
 and because even if they were completed the results obtained likewise could not be 
 . absolutely exact. 
 
 The accompanying conditions have been taken for the most part from those already 
 indicated in the treatise drawn up by this inspectorate to propose thai which is going 
 to be realized, and therefore there is no need for further explanation. The others 
 have been taken from other lists of conditions for analogous services of the State, 
 judging them applicable to this case. 
 
 This list of conditions should be remitted to the general inspectorate of public 
 works in order that it be informed and add all other conditions referring to the con- 
 cession for the railroad and docks which have to be built by the State as forming 
 part of the preparation of the mine, by which due compliance is made with the 
 provisions of the royal order decreed regarding this matter. 
 
 Nevertheless, your excellency will decide. 
 
 Manila, October 19, 1895. 
 
 Enbiqob Abblla y Oasaeiego. 
 
 Octobbb 23, 1895. 
 Pass to the inspectorate of public works. 
 
 BOEBS. 
 
 C. DE Olano. 
 
 LIST OP CONDITIONS FOE THE CONCESSION OP THE ULING AND LUTAC MINES IN THE 
 VALLEY OP THB EIVEE PANDAN, SUBDIVISION OP NAGA, IN CBBU, PEBPAEED FOE 
 IMMEDIATE EXPLOITATION. 
 
 First. The object of the concession will be the immediate development of the Tiling 
 mines, prepared in advance, at the expense of the State, for an exploitation and 
 transportation to the harbor of Tinaan of at least 100 tons daily, in accordance with 
 the conditions established in this document. 
 
 Second. To this effect there will be transferred to the concessionary within a 
 maximum period of three years after the making of the adjudication — 
 
 I. The land of lUling and Lutac, conveniently laid out in pertenencias and sur- 
 veyed according to plans prepared by the general inspectorate of mines, with the 
 buildings, workshops, bunkers, outside roads for the service, mining labors, machin- 
 ery, material, and materials which will figure in the inventories and plans in detail. 
 
 II. The mining railroad for transporting a minimum amount of 100 tons daily, 
 starting from Tiling and terminating at the harbor of Tinaan, with the rolling stock, 
 docks, buildings, workshops, which likewise will figure in the corresponding inven- 
 tories and plans. 
 
 Third. The concessionary within a term of one month, counting from the day of 
 the adjudication, should deposit in the treasury as a guarantee of the conditions of 
 this document the sum of $10,000 in coin, or its equivalent in Government bonds at 
 the market quotation, it being understood that if three months are allowed to trans- 
 pire without making this deposit the adjudication will be declared without effect, 
 with the forfeiture of the security given at the time of bidding, a new award there- 
 upon being made. 
 
220 THE COAL MEASUEE8 OP THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 This deposit will be returned in installments in the time and manner set forth in 
 condition 15. 
 
 Fourth. If the transfer of the mines and railroad is delayed more than three years, 
 which is mentioned as the maximum time in the preceding condition, the Govern- 
 ment will pay interest at the rate of 5 per cent on this deposit for all the time exceed- 
 ing this period until the said transfer ia made. 
 
 Fifth. Three months before the transfer of the mine the concessionary is obliged 
 to have organized, in accordance with the code of commerce, a special company for 
 the exploitation of these mines, registered and domiciled in Manila or in Cebu, with 
 a minimum capital of $100,000, two-thirds at least subscribed. To this effect notifi- 
 cation will be given of the transfer of the mines four months in advance. 
 
 Sixth. If, as is prescribed in the preceding article, the company is not organized 
 three months before the transfer of the mine, notification having been given, the 
 concession will be declared canceled, with a total forfeiture of the guarantees given, 
 which will be invested in the preservation of the interior works and all other works 
 executed, new bids being thereupon received. 
 
 Seventh. The company, organized in the manner established by condition 5, to 
 take the place of the first concessionary in all the obligations established in this doc- 
 ument, without the necessity of a new contract, and for this purpose will always have 
 a properly authorized representative to deal with the General Government of the 
 islands. 
 
 Eighth. The company performing exploitation is obliged to accept the inventory 
 valuation of the mines and railroad which is transferred to it, it being understood 
 that the total value of the labor and works performed will not exceed in any case 
 $250,000, although a greater amount is actually invested in them; but if a less sum 
 should be used, that will be the one which will figure in the valuations and which 
 will be the amount of the subsequent repayment. 
 
 In these valuations amounts invested by the Government in personal staff will not 
 be included. 
 
 Ninth. The company performing this exploitation will be obliged to pay for each 
 ton of coal extracted the amount which it will have offered in its bid, until the repay- 
 ment of the capital advanced by the State in the preparation of the mines, with 
 interest at the rate of 5 per cent on this same capital, payable annually. 
 
 This payment to be made at the conclusion of each three months, always estimat- 
 ing at the least 100 tons daily, which the mines should produce as a minimum, there 
 not being extenuating circumstances as provided for in condition No. 11. 
 
 Tenth. Until the deposits are worked out, the production can not be less than 
 36,000 tons of coal annually. This will be placed upon the market clean, washed 
 and classified according to the judgment of the governmental inspector, to avoid its 
 being discredited commercially through the coal being placed upon the market 
 mixed with earth, slate, or noticeable quantities of pyrites, which would make it 
 dangerous in the bunkers. 
 
 Eleventh. If extraordinary conditions should be encountered in the deposits which, 
 through no fault of the concessionary, render very diflBcult or impossible the realiza- 
 tion of the production stated in the preceding condition, the general government of 
 the islands can modify these conditions to a certain measure, after favorable reports 
 have been made by the oflScial inspector in charge of the concession and by the 
 inspector-general of mines. 
 
 Twelfth. The company is obliged to comply with all the provisions of the mming 
 laws of these islands, and to satisfy all taxes and contributions at present in force for 
 coal mines, and likewise will enjoy all exemptions and benefits conceded to the 
 mining industry, provided, always, that they are not in conflict with the conditions 
 of the present document. 
 
 Thirteenth. In addition to the inspection especially placed in charge of the con- 
 
THE COAL TttEASXJRES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 221 
 
 cession by the Government, as may be deemed convenient in manner and form, the 
 company will organize a directing management of a mining engineer with a Spanish 
 title for the business. 
 
 Fourteenth. To meet the expenses caused by the inspection placed in charge by 
 the State the company will pay annually 10 cents for each ton extracted, making the 
 payments every three months into the public treasury, which shall only be used in 
 the service indicated. 
 
 Fifteenth. As soon as the company has repaid the capital and paid the interest for 
 the preparation of the mines it will execute mineral labors of exploration at a greater 
 depth below the level of the valleys, being then paid the value of those labors upon 
 the presentation of certificates calculated by the State inspector, until the total 
 amount is paid of the guaranty deposited upon making the bid and the adjudication 
 of the concession. 
 
 Sixteenth. The company will always answer for the exact compliance with this 
 contract and the provisions of the mining laws with the total value of the labors, 
 roads, buildings, and material of all classes which the mines contain, fines to be 
 imposed which shall not exceed $500 for violations sufficiently proved upon the 
 visits of inspection. 
 
 Abella. 
 
 communication from department of public works to department op mines. 
 
 Most Excellent Sir: I have the honor to return herewith to your excellency the 
 expediente which refers to the preparation of the coal mines contained within the 
 valley of the river Pandan, subdivision of Naga, province of Cebu, which your excel- 
 lency was kind enough to remit with communication dated October 24 last, in com- 
 pliance with the decree of the general directorate of civil administration of the 
 preceding day, also inclosing a copy of the additional list of conditions which have 
 to be imposed upon the railroad concession for the development of the said mines, 
 and the report prepared by the chief engineer in charge of the inspectorate of rail- 
 roads of these islands, with which documents this inspectorate is in complete accord, 
 requesting your excellency to acknowledge the receipt of the expediente and the 
 documents referred to. 
 
 God protect your excellency many years. 
 
 Manila, January 17, 1896. 
 
 Casto Olano. 
 
 To the Most Excellent Inspector-General op Mines. 
 
 report op inspector of railroads — PUBLIC WORKS. 
 
 No. 5.] Inspectorate of the Manila and Dagupan Railroad, 
 
 Corps op Engineers of Roads, Canals, and Ports. 
 
 I have the honor to present to you herewith the list of special conditions which 
 have been drawn up as supplemental to those to be imposed upon the concession of 
 the mines and railroad of Uling and Lutac, in Cebu, in fulfillment of the order of 
 your excellency. 
 
 This document consists only of four articles, and in them are determined the con- 
 ditions which ought to control, the transfer of the works, during the exploitation, 
 and after its termination; therefore considering all the phases of the railroad con- 
 cession, but limited strictly to the works pertaining thereto. The conditions con- 
 tained in the document afe in accord with the laws in force for such cases in these 
 islands or with the royal decree of August 6, 1875, and the regulations for its execu- 
 tion of May 24, 1878, and only differ from the list of conditions prepared by the 
 general inspectorate of mines in the conditions regarding the transfer of the works, 
 which transfer, 1 believe, in so far as it refers to the works executed by the general 
 
222 THE OOAL MEASURES Olf THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 inspectorate of public works, ought to be carried out in accordance with the pro- 
 cedure which is followed in the transfer of all public works; or, m other words, with 
 the assistance and intervention of the two interested parties, there being modified, 
 in so far aa it affects the railroad, condition No. 8 of the document drawn up by the 
 general inspectorate of mines, in which the concessionary is obUged to abide by the 
 inventories prepared of the works by the administration, without any intervention 
 on his part, a proceeding which, as I have said before, opposes the doctrine laid 
 down for the service of public works and even with the rules of the conmion law. 
 
 This is all that I have to show your excellency, requesting you to be kind enough 
 to acknowledge the receipt of the expediente of the general inspectorate of mines 
 treated of, and which I have the honor of returning to you attached hereto for such 
 action as you may deem proper. 
 
 God protect your excellency many years. 
 
 Manila, January 15, 1896. 
 
 Antonio de la Cabama, 
 The Chief Inspecting Engineer, General Inspector of Public Works. 
 
 Olano, Inspector-GeneraX. 
 
 A copy. 
 
 additional list of special conditions to govebn the concession op the mining 
 kaileoad por the sekvice op the coal deposits op uling and lutao, cebu. 
 
 Aet. 1. The works and material for the railroad will be transferred to the conces- 
 sionary according to detailed plans and inventories of the same, which will be drawn 
 up in conformity with the general measurement of the works. This measurement 
 will be made by the engineer of roads, whom the general government will designate, 
 in conjunction with the concessionary or his representative, and will extend to all 
 the parts of the works open to view, but in those which are hidden the dunensions 
 will be adopted which appear in the definite plan of the works, approved by the 
 government. The valuation will be made by applying to the result of the measure- 
 ment the prices of the project approved. The expenses caused by these operations 
 will be to the account of the concessionary. 
 
 Art. 2. The concessionary can manage the line as he thinks proper, without fur- 
 ther interference of the agents of the administration than those referring to condi- 
 tions of police, safety, and good management of matters of public welfare. 
 
 Art. 3. The concession of the railroad' is made for the time of the duration of the 
 exploitation of the mine, although it can not exceed, in any event, ninety-nine years. 
 Upon the ceasing of the operation of the railroad on account of the coal deposits of 
 UUng, Lutac having been entirely worked out, and upon the declaration of this fact 
 by the administration, the concessionary is obliged to remove all works which occupy 
 lands of public ownership, taking the materials away in the term of one year, so that 
 said lands remain free and in the same condition in which they were before the con- 
 struction of the line; and in case it is not done in said time, the administration will 
 execute it at the expense of the concessionary. 
 
 Art. 4. The concessionary will be obliged to comply with whatever dispositions 
 of a general nature are dictated by the administration for railroads of its class in the 
 Philippines, and which are not in conflict with the provisions of this document. 
 
 Manila, January 15, 1896. 
 
 Antonio de la Oamaea, 
 
 The Chief Inspecting Engineer. 
 
 There is a seal which says: "Inspectorate of railroads— Public works." 
 
 A copy. 
 
 Olano, The InspectoT-Oen&ral. 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHTLIPPrNES. 223 
 
 OPINION OF THE INSPECTOR OF MINES ON THE CONDITIONS. 
 
 Most Illustrious Sir: The general inspectorate of public works accepts com- 
 pletely the report and additional list of special conditions for the concession of the 
 mining railroad from Tiling to Tinaan, in Cebu, drawn up by the inspectorate of 
 railroads of these islands. 
 
 This general inspectorate would not examine either that report or the consequent 
 additional list if it were not made to appear therein that condition 8 of the document 
 prepared by this inspectorate estabhshes a procedure which opposes the methods 
 estabhshed in the service of public works, and even the rules of the common law. 
 
 In the first place, it is known that nothing opposes the common law imless it is 
 immoral or impossible to be complied with in accordance with the law, and in that 
 condition 8 there is nothing that is immoral or opposed to the common or special 
 laws of the nation. 
 
 This general inspectorate also believes that the first article of the additions now 
 drawn up is not in conformity with the opinion laid down in the first project and 
 approved by the Government in the two royal orders which form a part of this expe- 
 diente, because it does not treat here of making an appraisement of the work done, 
 both regarding the mines and the railroad, at the time of making the transfer, but of 
 cataloguing methodically everything then existing, at what it may have cost — that is, 
 at its value at the termination of the work, whatever may be that value; and upon 
 that value has to be carried out the repayment of the amounts expended by the 
 state, and that value has to be the one which the concessionary must previously 
 agree to, and for this purpose article 8 of the list of conditions made by this inspect- 
 orate was drawn up. 
 
 On the other hand, by the procedure adopted by the inspectorate of railroads of 
 these islands and accepted by the general inspectorate of public works the word " val- 
 uation" is applied in the sense of appraisement, and as for every appraisement it is 
 necessary to adopt certain types of prices (always variable) he chooses those given 
 in the plan, with which is not obtained the real value of the works which the gov- 
 ernment will have paid for at the time of their conclusion, which is that which, as 
 has been said, ought to be sought as the amount of repayment. No one is ignorant 
 of the fact that there always results a great difference between the valuation of proj- 
 ects and that of works already carried out, and if the valuation of these results 
 greater, as is probable, the interests of the state would be unduly prejudiced, and if 
 the valuation results less the concessionary would be prejudiced likewise unduly, 
 because the state does not propose to make a business proposition of this, but to lend 
 assistance and protection to the industry, besides other views and higher considera- 
 tions mentioned in this expediente. 
 
 As, according to royal order No. 650, of July 16, 1894, confirmed by the order No. 
 1150, of December 5 of the same year, this list of conditions has to be examined by 
 the treasury department and the council of administration, and whatever opinion is 
 adopted by the former or the high consultative body of these islands in accordance 
 with their judgment this general inspectorate declares in advance that it will also 
 espouse that opinion, because it does not believe that the details of the concession 
 have as great importance as what has been the cause of the above explanation, for 
 those details can be modified to meet any point of view that may be adopted with- 
 out destroying the importance of the ultimate fact sought, which is no more than 
 the establishment of an active coal-mining enterprise in these islands which would 
 create and develop wealth not yet being exploited, assuring at the proper time the 
 defense of the national territory of these islands. 
 
 These explanations having been prepared, it follows that this expediente should 
 be remitted to the treasury department in order that said department may give its 
 
224 THE GOAL MEASURES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 able ruling in compliance with Provision IV of the said royal order of July 16, 
 
 1894. 
 
 Submitted to your excellency for decision. 
 
 Manila, January 21, 1896. 
 
 Enkique Abblla y Oasameqo. 
 
 January 29, 1896. 
 So ordered. 
 
 Bores. 
 
 the opinion of the treasuky department. 
 
 Most Excellent Sir: Having examined the expediente for the preparation of the 
 coal mines of Tiling (Oebu), and the list of conditions for their concession, drawn up 
 by the general inspectorate of the department, as well as the additional list of 
 special conditions which ought to control the railroad concession for the service of 
 the coal deposits of the said mines, drawn up by the chief inspecting engineer of the 
 Manila and Dagupan Railroad, this department finds said lists of conditions to be in 
 accordance with the treatise prepared by the general inspectorate of mines, and the 
 legal prescriptions governing contracts regarding public services, and in his judg- 
 ment the additional list should be merged in the principal, thereby both constituting 
 a single document, since they have an intimate relation and tend to the fixing of the 
 corresponding conditions to which the concession of the said pubUc service has to 
 be subordinated, the provisions of the royal order, No. 650, of July 16, 1894, being 
 thereby strictly complied with. 
 
 Such is the report which the undersigned has the honor to make to your excel- 
 lency in fulfillment of the provisions of Article IV of the said sovereign disposition. 
 
 Manila, March 12, 1897. 
 
 Gutierrez db la Vega. 
 
 General Inspectorate op Mines op the Philippines, 
 
 Mining Department. 
 Expediente in which J. C. Donaldson-Sim petitions for the especial concession of the 
 mines of Uling, subdivision of Naga, in Cebu, for the realization in them of the 
 preparation planned by the state and the consequent exploitation of at least 100 
 tons daily. 
 
 Commenced October 21, 1895; continued in the following year and also in the 
 year 1897. 
 
 To the most excellent Governor-General of the Philippine Islands. 
 
 Most Excellent Sir: Mr. J. 0. Donaldson-Sim, a resident of this city, with a per- 
 sonal cedula of the fifth class, No. 1198, issued by the administrator of the public 
 treasury of this province on January 17 of the present year, shows your excellency, 
 with due respect: 
 
 That as the representative of a syndicate which desires to place in exploitation the 
 mines of Uling, subdivision of Naga, in Cebu, he has the honor to address your excel- 
 lency, petitioning you to make a special concession of these mines to the said syn- 
 dicate, the company agreeing to establish the same preparation that the state promised 
 to carry out, and then work the mines with a minimum production of a hundred tons 
 daily, and under the other conditions that your excellency may deem proper to 
 impose, and which your petitioner supposes will be acceptable. 
 
 Therefore he petitions your excellency that, giving the present petition due course, 
 and reserving to the undersigned the right of priority under similar terms of conces- 
 sion, you may deem it proper to favor and concede what is petitioned for. 
 
 God protect your excellency many years. 
 
 Manila, October 18, 1895. 
 
 I am, sir, J. 0. Donaldson-Sim, 
 
 Cedula duly presented. 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 225 
 
 RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INSPECTOR-GENEBAL OF MINES. 
 
 Most Illustrious Sib: Mr. J. C. Donaldson-Sim, as representative, as he says, of 
 a syndicate or company, petitions from the most excellent governor-general the espe- 
 cial concession of the coal deposits of Uling, upon which was to be carried into effect 
 a preparation at the expense of the State, he promising to realize that same prepara- 
 tion and the consequent exploitation of at least 100 tons daily under the conditions 
 which may be imposed upon him, and which he supposes must be acceptable. 
 
 As a matter of fact, it has already been ordered, by royal order based upon a propo- 
 sition made more than a year ago by this general inspectorate, that the deposits of 
 Uling and Lutac be prepared at the expense of the State, with the object of afterwards 
 transferring the exploitation of the same to a private company which would repay 
 the advancement made by the State, and comply with other special conditions, and 
 for this purpose the admission of ordinary registrations of mines was prohibited in 
 Cebu throughout the whole extent of the valley of the river Paudan, which compre- 
 hends those deposits, and the preliminary studies for the realization of the work 
 already being carried on by this inspectorate and that of public works. 
 
 But the proposition was presented by this inspectorate and was accepted by the 
 Government in view of the fact that in spite of the existence and known good quality 
 of the coal deposits of these islands there has never been realized in them any 
 exploitation of real importance, so that, if a private company with sufficient guaran- 
 tees would offer now to carry into complete effect the plans adopted by tne State, 
 this general inspectorate is of the opinion that those offers should not be rejected, 
 but should be investigated and accepted under such conditions as would guarantee 
 the proper exploitation of the deposits without disturbing in any other manner the 
 free action which that company would require for the development of its business. 
 
 The first requirement which should be guaranteed is the existence and organiza- 
 tion of that company or syndicate, and for this purpose it would be necessary to 
 demand of the concessionary, at present petitioning, a deposit which should not be 
 less than the customary 2 per cent of the necessary capital for undertaking the prep- 
 aration and total exploitation of the mine, and as this capital can not be less than 
 $350,000, the cash guarantee should amount to $7,000-. 
 
 The mining company having been organized in accordance with the code of com- 
 merce, within a period which should not exceed one year, and having been registered 
 in Manila, with a minimum capital of 1350,000, the first deposit should be increased 
 to 5 per cent of the capital of the company, with the object of guaranteeing in a 
 positive manner the realization of the works of the mineral preparation; but the 
 company can withdraw three-fourths of that deposit by proving, in the usual man- 
 ner—that is, by certificates of the engineer in charge of the inspection of the mines — 
 that they have performed labors of preparation amounting to that sum. The fourth 
 part remaining will be applied in the same manner to guarantee the labors of explora- 
 tion which the company must perform at a greater depth below the level of the 
 valley, the company being able.to. perform these labors when it considers it most 
 convenient. 
 
 The studies and labors ought to be begun when the company is organized, and for 
 concluding the necessary preparation in order to attain the production of a hundred 
 tons daily, it should be conceded a maximum time of three years— equal to that taken 
 by the State— which can be extended in case the deposits present conditions which 
 would make it impossible or very difficult to attain this minimum production of a 
 hundred tons daily. 
 
 In order that the State can exercise the supervision and inspection necessary for 
 the fulfillment of the conditions of this concession without burdening the estimates, 
 it ought to demand of the company a small tax of 10 cents per ton produced, which 
 
 6503—01 15 
 
226 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 is very little, considering the extent of the concession and the favorable conditions 
 under which it is made. 
 
 The pertenencias which form the two mining concessions of Uling and Lutac 
 ought to form a single concession as regards the mining work, on account of the 
 special conditions of the valley in which they are situated, for a period of at least 
 ten years, considered to be reasonable; and they should also enjoy, while the exploi- 
 tation is being carried on, the privileges which mines of coal now enjoy in thia 
 archipelago, nevertheless being subjected to the general conditions which these 
 same concessions are obliged to comply with. 
 
 In the opinion of this inspectorate, the possibility should be foreseen, on account of 
 war or other similar circumstance, of the Government requiring a great part of the 
 total production of these mines, and therefore it should impose upon the company 
 the obligation of giving to the Government that production at the price that the coal 
 would have obtained in the market before the declaration of those extraordinary 
 circumstances, in order to avoid the abuses which could result in such cases. 
 
 In the concession of the mines ought to be included that of the construction and 
 operation of the mining railroad, which is indispensable for the business, but this 
 question being outside the jurisdiction of this inspectorate this expediente should be 
 remitted to that of public works, in order that it indicate the conditions which it 
 thinks proper to impose upon the concessionary or the company to be substituted, 
 bearing in mind the convenience of assisting, as far as possible, in this construction 
 which tends in such a large measure to benefit the wealth of the country and pro- 
 vide for its defense. 
 
 As soon as the general inspectorate of public works has reported, this expediente 
 should be presented to the most excellent governor-general, who is the person to 
 whom the petition was directed in the first place, and, supposing that he agrees with 
 what is proposed, the conditions should be communicated to the petitioner which 
 have been adopted for the making of the concession of the mines along with the 
 railroad and docks. If he should signify his willingness to conform with these, the 
 expediente should be forwarded to the ministry of the colonies, since it refers to and 
 modifies the royal orders decree for executing, at the expense of the State, the prepa- 
 ration of the mines in the valley of the river Pandan, which, in the meantime, should 
 not nor can not have its proceedings and final action delayed. 
 
 In conclusion, this inspectorate thinks that, without prejudging the decision which 
 the ministry of the colonies may take, the offer and petition made by Mr. Donaldson- 
 Sim can be accepted, provided always that this petitioner accept, in addition to the 
 conditions which may be imposed for the concession of the railroad and docks, those 
 which refer exclusively to the concession of the mines, which are the following: 
 
 First. The object of the concession is the exploitation of the coal deposits of Uling 
 and Lutac, divided by pertenencias into two groups in accordance with the plans of 
 the general inspectorate of mines, and the construction and operation of the mining 
 railroad and docks for the transportation of the coal from Uling to the harbor of 
 Tinaan, the concessionary obligating himself to sustain a minimum of a hundred 
 tons daily of production. 
 
 Second. In the month in which the petitioner is informed of the concession he 
 should deposit in the treasury at Manila the 2 per cent of the minimum capital which 
 is deemed necessary for undertaking the exploitation, or, in other words, the sum of 
 $7,000 in coin, or Government securities at the market quotation, in order to guaran- 
 tee the organization and registration in Manila of the company which is to work the 
 mines. 
 
 Third. Within the year in which the concession is adjudicated, as a maximum 
 time, a company should be organized in accordance with the code of commerce, and 
 registered in Manila, with a minimum capital of 1350,000, thereupon increasing the 
 
THE COAL MBASUBES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 227 
 
 guarantee of the first concessionary to complete the 5 per cent of that capital, or, in 
 other words, the amount of 117,500. Thereupon the demarcation should be made of 
 the mines in accordance with the law then formulating the concession of the mines. 
 Fourth. If the preceding condition is not complied with the first concessionary 
 will forfeit the amount of his guaranty of 2 per cent. 
 
 Fifth. The investigations which the State will have performed and the works of 
 exploration which will have been carried on will remain the property of the com- 
 pany upon its organization. 
 
 Sixth. The deposit of the 5 per cent made by the company can be recovered up to 
 75 per cent of its value, in proportion to the amount of the certificates issued by the 
 engineer in charge of the inspection of the mines, in which the value is stated of the 
 labors of preparation which have been carried on. The 25 per cent remaining will 
 be applied in the same manner to the valuations of the works of investigation below 
 the level of the valleys, which the company can carry on when it considers it most 
 convenient. 
 
 Seventh. The works of preparation, in order to attain a minimum production of 
 coal of 100 tons daily, including the construction of a mining railroad, shall be com- 
 pleted within the maximum term of three years after the organization of the 
 company, unless there are presented in the deposits extraordinary conditions which 
 make the attainment of this production very difficult or impossible, in which case 
 the governor-general can alter or modify it, after favorable reports have been made 
 by the engineer in charge of the inspection of the mines and the general inspector of 
 the department. 
 
 Eighth. The company is obliged to comply with the provisions of the mining 
 laws which are not contrary to these conditions, and likewise can enjoy the benefits 
 now granted to other coal mines, it also being understood that there can not be 
 imposed on this concession, during its existence, new taxes or obligations. 
 
 Ninth. In order to meet the expenses caused by the supervising inspection of the 
 mines, the company will pay 10 cents for each ton extracted, and these payments, 
 which will only be expended for the object indicated, shall be paid into the public 
 treasury at the expiration of every three months. 
 
 These payments will not release the company from having in the mines the super- 
 vising inspection which is now demanded from all coal mines in these islands. 
 
 Tenth. Although the concession of Tiling and Lutac are separate, they will be 
 considered as joining one another as regards the force of laborers reqmred, they being 
 permitted to concentrate the work exclusively in Tiling until the company deems it 
 proper to develop the veins of Lutac. Nevertheless, if in the term of ten years after 
 the organization of the company no labor has been performed in exploiting the 
 Lutac mines, this group of pertenencias will be considered canceled, and the Govern- 
 ment can concede it to anyone petitioning for it. 
 
 Eleventh. If, on account of war or other extraordinary like cLrcumstance, the Gov- 
 ernment requires either partially or entirely the coal which this concession produces, 
 the company is obliged to deUver the same to it at the price which would have been 
 obtamed in the market before the declaration of those extraordinary circumstances 
 occurred. 
 
 Submitted for your excellency's decision. 
 
 Manila, October 22, 1895. 
 
 Enrique Abella v Oasariego. 
 
 Pass this to the inspectorate of public works, in order that it report as soon as pos- 
 sible upon the subject regarding the matters in which its opinion is required. 
 
 October 23, 1895. _ 
 
 Boees. 
 
228 THE COAL MEASURES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 General Inspectoeate of Mines of the Philippines. 
 
 Most Excellent Sir: I have the honor to, remit herewith the expediente which 
 refers to the preparation of the coal mine contained in the valley of the river 
 Pandan, subdivision of Naga, province of Cebu, in compliance with the decree of 
 the general directorate of civil administration, dated yesterday, which is contained 
 therein. 
 
 God protect your excellency many years. 
 
 Manila, October 24, 1895. 
 
 Enrique Abella y Casahiego. 
 
 To the moat illustrious Inspector-General of Public Works. 
 
 A copy. 
 
 Abella. 
 acknowledging receipt of above. 
 
 Most Excellent Sib: This general inspectorate having been sufficiently informed, 
 I have the honor to return to your excellency the expediente prepared at the 
 instance of Mr. J. 0. Donaldson-Sim for the concession of the mines of Tiling, sub- 
 division of Naga, province of Cebu. 
 
 God protect your excellency many years. 
 
 Manila, November 23, 1895. 
 
 Casto Olano. 
 
 To the most excellent Inspector-General of Mines. 
 
 communication from inspector-general of public works. 
 
 Most Illustrious Sir: In accordance with information contained in the expedi- 
 ente which was given due course at the instance of Mr. J. C. Donaldson-Sim, in 
 petitioning for the special concession of the mines of Tiling, subdivision of Naga, 
 province of Cebu, which the general inspectorate of mines remitted to me in com- 
 pliance with the order of your excellency upon the matter, dated October 23 last, I 
 have the honor of forwarding herewith to your hands a copy of the report made in 
 this matter by the engineer of this general inspectorate of public works of the rail- 
 roads of the Philippines, with which document I am in complete accord, and 
 attached thereto I return to your excellency the said expediente through the said 
 general inspectorate of mines. 
 
 God protect your excellency many years. 
 
 Manila, November 23, 1895. 
 
 Casto Olano. 
 
 To the most illustrious Director-General of Civil Administration. 
 
 No. 145.] Public Works, Inspectorate of the 
 
 Manila and Daqupan Railroad, 
 Corps of Engineers of Roads, Canals, and Ports. 
 
 Your excellency has been pleased to remit, for the information of this inspectorate, 
 a petition which Mr. J. C. Donaldson-Sim presented to the most excellent Governor- 
 General of these islands, soliciting the especial concession of the mines of Uling, sub- 
 division of Naga, in Cebu, in order to realize the preparation planned by the State 
 and the consequent exploitation of a hundred tons daily at least. 
 
 The opinion of this inspectorate's requested regarding the conditions in which the 
 concession of the mining railroad could be made, which is considered necessary to 
 construct for the convenient exploitation of these mines, and in this regard we will 
 show that the legislation in force in these islands, to which all concessions of rail- 
 roads must be subjected, is contained in the royal decree of August 6, 1875, dictating 
 the general basis for railroad legislation in the Philippines, and the regulations for 
 the execution of the law of railroads of the peninsula of May 24, 1878, which like- 
 wise controls in the execution of that decree, by virtue of what is provided in arti- 
 cle 1 of the additions to the same. Therefore, as the railroad treated of is not destined 
 
THE COAL MEASURES Ot THE PHILIPPINES. 229 
 
 to be of general use, but for that of a private enterprise, and in its consideration is 
 to occupy lands belonging to the State, the concession should be made in accordance 
 with articles 72, 73, and 74 of the said regulations, but it should nevertheless be 
 noted that, although this railroad may be intended for the development of a private 
 industry, it can perhaps be considered as of general interest, and it appears that it is 
 so considered by the general inspector of mines in the expediente drawn up for the 
 purpose of the State preparing the labors of this same mineral deposit, and make 
 possible the exploitation thereof. Upon this supposition, and if the Government 
 declares the construction of this line to be of public benefit on account of being for 
 the development of some deposits of a general interest, the concession should be 
 authorized in accordance with the proceedings and conditions given in articles 13, 
 14, and 15 of the said royal decree of August 6, 1875, and articles 75, 76, and 77 of 
 the regulations of May 24, 1878, and with the privileges and exemptions given in 
 article 17 of the same royal decree. In either case, the concession of the line should 
 he made for the time only during which continues the exploitation of the mine with 
 which it connects, and in case of the exhaustion of the deposits, and upon the declara- 
 tion of that fact by the administration, the concessionary, at his own expense, will 
 have to tear down all the structures which he has placed on public lands, also remov- 
 ing the materials, so that the lands shall remain vacant and in the same condition in 
 which they were before the granting of the concession. 
 
 In summing up, and as an abstract of what has been said, it is the understanding 
 of the official making this report that in case the Government considers it con- 
 venient to accede to what the petitioner requests and to concede the exploitation 
 of the mines of Uling, it can execute at the same time the concession of the railroad 
 necessary to serve these mines, under the following conditions: 
 
 First. The petitioner will be granted a period of six months in which to present 
 the general plan of the line, or the preliminary plan, in accordance with the method 
 approved by royal order of June 7, 1876, in case this line shall be declared of public 
 benefit; and in case this declaration is not made, he shall present the plan of the same, 
 according to the requirements stated in article 72 of the regulations for the execution 
 of the law of railroads of May 24, 1878. 
 
 Second. Upon the approval of the plan, or preliminary plan, referred to in the 
 preceding condition, and before commencing the work, the concessionary should 
 deposit as a bond or guarantee a sum equivalent to 5 per cent of the total value of 
 the hne in case it should be declared of public benefit, and only 5 per cent of the 
 estimated value of structures occupying public property in the case that declaration 
 is not made. This guarantee will be returned to the concessionary upon his showing 
 that he has satisfied the terms of, the contract. 
 
 Third. The inspection and supervision of the construction will be executed by the 
 functionary or functionaries of the general inspectorate of public works whom 
 the Governor-General may designate, and the expenses occasioned thereby will be 
 charged to the concessionary. This intervention of administrative agents will only 
 be exercised regarding work affecting public property if the concession is declared 
 not to be of public benefit, and will be exercised over all work on the line if this 
 declaration is made. 
 
 Fourth. Upon the conclusion of the work the concessionary can operate the line as 
 he considers proper, without further intervention of the administrative agents than 
 refers to the conditions of safety, police, and good management of affairs of public 
 interest. 
 
 Fifth. This concession will be granted for the period of time when the exploitation 
 of the mine is being carried on, although it never can exceed ninety-nine years. In 
 the event of the operation of the railroad ceasing on account of the exhaustion of the 
 deposits of Uling, and upon the declaration of the same by the administration, the 
 concessionary is obliged to tear down all the structures which occupy public lands, 
 
230 THE COAli MEASURES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 removing the materials therefrom within the term of one year, so that the lands shall 
 remain vacant and in the same condition in which they were before the granting of 
 the concession, and in case that this is not carried out in said time the admimstration 
 will perform this labor at the expense of the concessionary. 
 
 Sixth. The work on this line should be begun in a period of six months, counting 
 from the approval of the plan, and should be finished in the time to be stated in the 
 conditions given therein, except in the case of fuerza mayor, properly proved. 
 
 Seventh. This concession will lapse upon the concessionary failing to comply with 
 any of th« terms of the concession, in which case he will lose the guaranty given 
 and the lands ceded will again form a part of the public domain. 
 
 Eighth. The concession is granted subject to the provisions of the royal decree of 
 August 6, 1875, and the regulations for its execution, of May 27, 1878, in so far as 
 applicable; the concessionary also being subject to whatever dispositions of a general 
 nature are decreed by the administration for railroads of its class in the Philippines 
 which are not contrary to the provisions of this document. 
 
 The above is what I consider best to report regarding the expediente treated of, 
 which I herewith have the honor of returning to your excellency. 
 
 God protect your excellency many years. 
 
 Manila, November 21, 1895. 
 
 Antonio de la Oamaba, 
 
 Chief Inspecting Engineer. 
 To the Inspector-Gbnbbal of Public Woeks. 
 
 A copy. Olano, the Inspector- Oeneral. 
 
 recommendations op inspectorate op mines and deckeb thereon, etc. 
 
 Most Illustrious Sib: The general inspectorate of public works on the 23d of 
 this month remitted the report by the inspector of the Manila and Dagupan Railroad, 
 with which it completely concurs. In that report the inspector of the railroad 
 makes note of the fact that the law in force in the Philippines is the royal decree of 
 August 6, 1875, and the regulations for the execution of the law of railroads of the 
 peninsula, of May 24, 1878, which is in force likewise in the Philippines by virtue of 
 article 1 of the additions to that royal decree; and as a consequence of these disposi- 
 tions and the idea contained in his report eight conditions are established, to be 
 applied in case the Government decides that it can concede to the petitioner the 
 concession of the railroad at the same time as that of the mine. 
 
 Such being the case, it follows that the matter should be placed before the moat 
 excellent governor-general, proposing to him : 
 
 First. That the interested party be notified of the conditions indicated by this 
 general inspectorate, and by that of public works for the concession of the mine and 
 the railroad which has to connect them with the harbor of Tinaan, in order that he 
 may show in writing if he agrees to them, or that he may set forth any modiflca- 
 tiona that he may consider proper; and. 
 
 Second. That upon the compliance with this requirement an authorized copy of this 
 expediente be remitted to the minister of the colonies, in order that he may decide 
 what he considers best in accordance with the information in his possession, and that 
 in the meantime the proceedings and studies be continued regarding the expediente 
 for the preparation, at the expense of the State, of the mines of Uling, the especial 
 concession of which is now petitioned as that proceeding and those studies are 
 ordered executed by royal order. Submitted for your excellency's decision. 
 
 Manila, November 25, 1895. 
 
 Enrique Abella y Casaeiego. 
 
 November 28, 1895. 
 Most Excellent Sir: The directorate so orders. 
 So ordered. j. Bores y Romero. 
 
THE COAL MEA8UEES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 2B1 
 
 [Translation of abstract reporting upon the petition oj Mr. Donaldson-Sim and the conditions indi- 
 cated by the inspectorates of mines and public works, and proposing that the interested party be 
 notified before remitting the expediente to the ministry of the colonies.] 
 
 On this date, being previously notified, Mr. J. C. Donaldson-Sim presented him- 
 self in this general inspectorate in order to be informed of the above decree and of 
 the conditions indicated by the general inspectorates of public works and mines, in 
 proof of which he signs below. 
 
 Manila, December 2, 1895. 
 
 Enrique Abblla y Casakiego. 
 
 J. C. DoNALDSON-SlM. 
 communication prom J. C. DONALDSON-SIM REGARDING DECREE. 
 
 To the Most Excellent Governor-General of the Philippine Islands. 
 
 Most Excellent Sir: Mr. J. C. Donaldson-Sim, a resident of this city, with a 
 personal cedula of the fifth class. No. 1198, issued by the administrator of the treas- 
 ury of this province, January 17 of the present year, shows to your excellency, with 
 due respect: 
 
 That your petitioner, having examined with great care the conditions which the 
 general inspectorates of mines and public works have submitted as necessary for the 
 Spanish Government to concede what has been petitioned for regarding the mines of 
 Tiling, in Cebu, concurs with the greater part of them, except those which I shall 
 hereafter express to your excellency. 
 
 In the third condition of those submitted by the inspectorate-general of mines is 
 demanded the deposit of 5 per cent of the amount of capital necessary for the exploi- 
 tation, including in that capital that which is necessary for the construction of the 
 mining railroad from Uling to Tinaan; therefore with that deposit ought to be satis- 
 fled that which the inspectorate-general of public works indicates in its second condi- 
 tion. This second condition should therefore be dropped, it being covered by the 
 third of the conditions of the mining department to which it belongs, it being 
 expressed therein that the mining railroad be declared of public benefit. 
 
 In the same manner the sixth condition of mines ought to be merged in the same 
 second condition of public works, it clearly appearing that the cash guaranty corre- 
 sponding to the public works ought to be satisfied completely upon the construction 
 of the mining railroad. Likewise, there should be added to this sixth condition of 
 mines, "If it were possible, in the judgment of the officials of the Government." 
 
 As the third condition of mines gives one year's time for the organization of the 
 company after the making of the concession, with the deposit of 2 per cent of the 
 total capital, it will be necessary that this same maximum period of one year be 
 granted for the presentation of the survey of the mining railroad, instead of the six 
 months established in the first condition of public works. 
 
 Likewise the clear interpretation of condition 11 of mines appears doubtful to the 
 petitioner regarding the fixing of the price of coal before the declaration of war or 
 extraordinary circumstances which are therein mentioned, and it is necessary that 
 it be expressed if that price is the one that coal would have immediately before or 
 one week before the official declaration of those extraordinary circumstances. 
 
 Having made the slight modifications and alterations, the petitioner accepts the 
 conditions indicated by the general inspectorates of mines and public works, hoping 
 that in accordance with your judgment you may deem it proper to influence the 
 decision of the Government regarding the concession which the petitioner has 
 solicited. 
 
 God protect your excellency many years. 
 
 Manila, December 4, 1895. 
 I am, excellent sir, 
 
 J. C. Donaldson-Sim. 
 
232 THE COAL MEA8TTRBS OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 COMMUNICATION TO MINISTER OF THE COLONIES. 
 
 Manila, December 31, 1895. 
 To the Most Excellent Minister op the Colonies. 
 
 Most Excellent Sie: In order that your excellency may adopt whatever resolu- 
 tion you consider most appropriate, I have the honor to forward to your hands the 
 annexed authorized copy of the expediente drawn up on account of the petition made 
 by Mr. J. 0. Donaldson-Sim, for the realization, in the name of a company, of the 
 preparation of the mines of XTling, which the state was beginning to execute, and its 
 subsequent exploitation. 
 
 In the meantime the regular proceedings and the official investigations for the 
 preparation of the said mines of Tiling will continue their regular course, since they 
 were ordered carried out by royal order. 
 God protect, etc. 
 
 I am, most excellent sir, 
 
 Abella. 
 
 royal order of may 31, 1896, and decree thereon. 
 
 Most Excellent Sir: There was communicated by the minister of the colonies, 
 with the date of May 31 last and number 575, to the most excellent governor-general 
 the following royal order: 
 
 "Most Excellent Sir: The expediente having been formulated in those islands 
 concerning the petition of Mr. J. C. Donaldson-Sim for the realization in the name 
 of a company of the preparation of the coal mines in Cebu, in that archipelago, which 
 preparation has been ordered executed by the state in fulfillment of the provisions of 
 royal order of July 16, 1894, favorable reports having been made upon said petition 
 by the general inspectors of public works (and mines) of those islands, and conditions 
 having been proposed by them, respectively, for the concession of the said mines and 
 for the railroad necessary for their development, regarding which your excellency 
 reports in his communications of the 18th and 31st of December last, and having con- 
 sulted the superior commission of mines, which is likewise favorable to this petition; 
 considering that the proposition contained in the royal order of July 16, 1894, above 
 cited, was that of aiding and making possible under good conditions the exploitation 
 of the coal deposits of the valley of the river Pandan, in the island of Cebu, having 
 seen the uselessness of the attempts made up to the present time to carry out the said 
 exploitation; but upon a private enterprise offering itself with sufficient capital and 
 guarantees for the realization of said mining preparation, relieving the state from the 
 obligations contracted, it will be convenient for such proposition to be carried into 
 effect by said private enterprise, provided that upon the granting of the concession 
 all measures be adopted necessary to completely guarantee the interests of the state. 
 
 "Regarding the petition of J. C. Donaldson-Sim, although his proposition is accept- 
 able, it will be advisable to refrain from any action of a definite nature regarding the 
 guarantees to be determined upon until a notice calling for bids has been published 
 in these islands, in order to ascertain if there are others who will offer better terms 
 and guarantees for such development under said conditions; and treating of a con- 
 cession of an especial character, of a privilege of exploitation, the formation of the 
 list of conditions prepared by the general inspectorates of mines and public works 
 should be ordered and approved by that general government, in subjection to which 
 conditions, and after the said public bidding, your excellency can concede the said 
 mining preparation and the railroad necessary for its subsequent exploitation. His 
 Majesty the King, whom God protect, and in his name the Queen Regent, has 
 deemed it proper to decree: that the list of conditions be prepared by the above 
 mentioned departments of those islands, for the placing of the concession of the pre- 
 paratory works on the mines treated of before the public for bids thereon, authoriz- 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 233 
 
 ing your excellency to thereupon grant the especial concesBion, to which the corre- 
 sponding expediente refers, an extract of this resolution being published in the Gazette 
 of Madrid, and in its entirety in that of Manila, and your excellency being informed 
 of what action to take in the matter. 
 
 "I inform your excellency of this by royal order, for your information and to be 
 carried into effect." 
 
 And the above-mentioned superior authority having ordered the fulfillment of the 
 provisions of this order, by a decree of this date, I transmit it to your excellency for 
 your information and to be carried into effect. 
 
 God protect your excellency many years. 
 
 Manila, July 8, 1896. 
 
 J. Bores. 
 
 To the Most Excellent Inspector General of Mines. 
 
 General Directorate of Civil Administration. 
 
 Most Excellent and Illustrious Sm: With date of January 29 of the present 
 year, I had the honor of remitting to your excellency the expediente formed for the 
 preparation of the mines of Tiling, in compliance with a provision of the royal order 
 No. 650, of July 16, 1894, but it being necessary to have it at hand now for the com- 
 pliance with the royal order No. 575, of May 31 last, I request your excellency for 
 its return in the shortest period of time possible. 
 
 God protect your excellency many years. 
 
 Manila, November 11, 1896. 
 
 J. Bores. 
 
 To the Most Excellent and Illustrious Director-General of the Treasury. 
 
 A copy. 
 
 Abella. 
 General Directorate op Civil Administration. 
 
 Most Excellent and Illustrious Sir: On the 11th of November last, I had the 
 honor of addressing to your excellency the following: 
 
 "Most Excellent and Illustrious Sir: With date of January 29 of the present 
 year, I had the honor of remitting to your excellency the expediente formed for the 
 preparation of the mines of Uling, in compliance with a provision of the royal order 
 No. 650, of July 16, 1894, but it being necessary to have it at hand now for the com- 
 pliance with the royal order No. 575, of May 31 last, I request your excellency for 
 its return in the shortest period of time possible." 
 
 And this being a matter of an urgent character, I renew the above request of your 
 excellency. 
 
 God protect your excellency many years. 
 
 Manila, December 9, 1896. 
 
 J. Bores. 
 
 To the Most Excellent and Illustrious Director-General of the Treasury. 
 
 A copy. 
 
 Abella. 
 
 General Directorate op Civil Administration. 
 Most Excellent and Illustrious Sir: With date of November 11 of the year 
 last past, I had the honor of requesting of your excellency the return, in the shortest 
 period of time possible, of the expediente formed for the preparation of the mmes 
 of Uling, with the object of complying with the provisions contained in royal order 
 No. 575, of May 31, 1896, to which communication your excellency answered, with 
 date of December 15 last past, that you would remit it as soon as the consulting com- 
 mittee of the intendencia under your able supervision submitted its report. As the 
 
234 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 matter is of an urgent nature, and as the said expediente has not yet been returned, 
 I take the liberty of reminding your excellency of the urgency of its remission, in 
 order that, if you deem it proper, you may order that the said consulting commit- 
 tee submit its report as soon as possible, with the object of complying as soon as pos- 
 sible with the object stated in the important royal order above mentioned for the 
 benefit of the interests of the state, of which your excellency is so faithful a guardian. 
 God protect your excellency many years. 
 Manila, January 26, 1897. 
 
 J. Bores. 
 To the Most Excellent and Illustrious Dikector-Geneeal of the Treasury. 
 A copy. 
 
 Abella. 
 list of conditions. 
 
 First. The object of this special concession is the regular exploitation of the coal 
 deposits of Uling and Lutac, with the plan of a minimum production of 36,000 tons 
 annually, executing for this purpose the necessary mining labors and the construc- 
 tion of a railroad from Uling to the harbor of Tinaan, with a dock or docks for load- 
 ing and unloading in this harbor. 
 
 Second. The concessionary is obliged to deliver in Tinaan all orders for coal which 
 may be made upon him, in order to provide for the normal necessities in the Philip- 
 pines, until the amount reaches one-half of the annual production, at the price 
 which that combustible realizes in the market, with a rebate per ton which the con- 
 cessionary himself will fix and which will constitute the object of the bidding. 
 
 Third. In order that any bid may receive consideration it will be necessary that 
 a deposit be made in the treasury of Manila of 2 per cent ($7,000) of the capital 
 which is considered necessary to carry that exploitation to a conclusion under the 
 conditions established in this document. 
 
 Fourth. Before the expiration of a year after the adjudication of the concession a 
 special company will be organized and registered in Manila in accordance with the 
 code of commerce, which company has to carry out the preparation and exploitation 
 of the mines, with a minimum capital of $350,000, at least two-thirds of which is 
 subscribed, and this company, without the necessity of a new contract, is obliged to 
 take the place of the first concessionary in all the obligations established by this 
 document, it being obliged to appoint for this purpose an authorized representative 
 at the seat of the General Government. 
 
 Fifth. At the same time that the company is organized the concessionary will be 
 obliged to show — 
 
 1. That the plan has been presented in accordance with the rules approved by 
 royal order of June 7, 1876, or a preliminary plan in lieu thereof of the mining rail- 
 road from Uling to Tinaan, with the docks for loading at that point, the whole work 
 being considered as of public benefit. 
 
 2. That it has increased the deposit it made upon presenting its bid, to complete 
 the 5 per cent (|I7,500) of the minii ,um capital of the company, which will serve 
 as a guaranty for the compliance with the provisions of this document until it is 
 returned in the manner established by condition 11; this guaranty being deposited 
 in the treasury of Manila, either in coin or its equivalent, in public securities at the 
 market quotations, or in notes of the treasury itself. 
 
 Sixth. If conditions 4 and 5 are not complied with within the time mentioned 
 therein, the concessionary will forfeit the amount of his guaranty on presenting his 
 bid, without the right to any reclamation. 
 
 Seventh. Upon the proving of the fulfillment of the conditions 4 and 5 in full the 
 demarcation and survey of the mines of Uling and Lutac will be commenced and 
 
THE COAL MEASUEES OB' THE PHILIPPINES. 235 
 
 carried out, they being laid out in accordance with the boundaries stated in the 
 plans prepared by the general inspectorate of mines; but those limits can be varied 
 on the petition of the company, provided that the engineer in charge of the demar- 
 cation and the general inspectorate of the department believe it necessary for the 
 development of the outcroppings which have been discovered within the valley of 
 Uling. 
 
 Eighth. The works ior the preparation of the mine, to place them in the condition 
 ready to produce r^ularly the hundred tons daily estabhshed as a minimum in this 
 document, will be commenced six months after the first inspection for the demarca- 
 tion, and must be completed before the expiration of three years from that same 
 date. 
 
 In the same manner the work upon the railroad must be commenced six months 
 after the approval of the plan, and must be completed before the expiration of three 
 years after the commencement of those works. 
 
 Ninth. The preceding condition can be modified in case of "fuerza mayor," prop- 
 erly proved; but if the company fails to comply with it without a sufficient reason 
 it will lose its guaranty, the concession being declared canceled. 
 
 Tenth. If in executing the preparatory works on the mines there are presented in 
 the deposits conditions of such a nature as to make it impossible or very difficult to 
 attain the minimum production established in this document, the governor-general 
 can modify it in conformity with the decisions of the engineer in charge of the 
 inspection of the mines and the general inspectorate of the department. 
 
 Eleventh. Upon the completion and the approval of the railroad and docks at 
 Tinaan there will be returned to the company the 5 per cent of the value of the 
 works stated in the plan, returning the value of the deposit as a guaranty as estab- 
 lished in paragraph 2 of condition 5 of this document. 
 
 The remainder of the guaranty likewise will be returned to the company until 
 completely repaid, returning to them successively the amounts of the certificates of 
 valuation made annually concerning the preparatory labors which should be carried 
 on after the commencement of the exploitation, these certificates having been issued 
 by the engineer in charge of the inspection of the mines. 
 
 Twelfth. The inspection and supervision of the works on the railroads and docks 
 will be in charge of the functionary or functionaries of the general inspectorate of 
 public works whom the General Government may designate, and the expenses occa- 
 sioned thereby will be charged against the account of the concessionary. 
 
 Thirteenth. The company can operate the line as it thinks proper, without greater 
 interference by the administrative agents than that referring to conditions of safety, 
 police, and the good management of public affairs. 
 
 Fourteenth. The concession of the railroad is executed in accordance with the 
 provisions of the royal decree of August 6, 1875, and the regulations for its execution 
 of May 24, 1878, in so far as applicable, for the time during which the mine is being 
 exploited, although it can in no event exceed ninety-nine years; and once finished, 
 the company is obliged to tear down all the works occupying public property, remov- 
 ing the materials within the term of one year, so that those lands will remain as they 
 were before the granting of the concession, and in case it is not done in said time the 
 administration will do it at the expense of the concessionary. 
 
 Fifteenth. The company is obliged to comply with the provisions of the raining 
 law now in force, which is not contrary to the conditions of this document, and it 
 will likewise enjoy the benefits which coal mines now enjoy or may enjoy in the 
 future, without it being possible to impose on this new especial concession, during 
 its existence, new taxes or burdens. 
 
 Sixteenth. The coal which these mines may produce will be placed on the mar- 
 ket very clean, washed, and classified according to the judgment of the governmental 
 
236 THE COAL MEASURES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 official in charge, in order to avoid its being discredited in commerce in case it should 
 be sold mixed with earth, slate, or perceptible quantities of pyrites, which would 
 make it dangerous in bunkers. 
 
 Seventeenth. In order to cover the expenses occasioned by the inspection of the 
 Government, the company will pay 15 cents for each ton extracted, placing the 
 amount of this payment, which will only be used for this purpose, in the public 
 treasury in Manila or Cebu. 
 
 These payments will not exempt the company from having in the mines the gov- 
 ernmental overseer which to-day is demanded in all coal mines in these islands. 
 
 Eighteenth. Although the concessions of Uling and Lutac are separated, they will 
 be supposed to be together for all legal purposes, they being able to concentrate all 
 the work exclusively at Uling until the company is ready to attack the veins of 
 Lutac. Nevertheless, if at the end of ten years after the formation of the company 
 no work has been done at Lutac, this group of claims will be considered canceled, 
 and the State can concede it to anyone who petitions for it. 
 
 Nineteenth. If on account of war or other similar extraordinary circumstance the 
 government requires the entire production of these mines, the company is obliged 
 to grant it at the price which the coal brought one month before the conflict, with 
 the corresponding rebate offered in the bid. 
 
 Manila, June 12, 1897. 
 
 Oasto Olano, 
 
 General Inspector of Public Works. 
 Enrique Abella y Casakiego, 
 General Inspector of Mines, FUipinas. 
 
 Most Illustrious Sir: The royal order No. 575, of May 31, 1896, orders that 
 there be formed by this general inspectorate and that of public works a definite 
 list of conditions destined to bring about a public bidding for the concession of the 
 preparatory works and exploitation of the mines of Uling and Lutac. 
 
 When this royal order was communicated to this general inspectorate, all of the 
 few members of its staff were engaged in field operations appertaining to the depart- 
 ment, and when they returned to this city and attempted to take up this very 
 important matter, the sa-l events which then began to occur in this archipelago made 
 that work slightly inopportune, since the circumstances were not the most adequate 
 for undertaking industrial enterprises in these islands, and a failure would have been 
 obtained at the bidding. Besides, in order to proceed with all the facts at hand 
 regarding the matter, it was necessary to possess the expediente on the preparation 
 of the mines of Uling and Lutac; and that expediente was in the treasury depart- 
 ment, pending a report regarding the other lists of conditions prepared on the sup- 
 position that those mines would be prepared by the State. That expediente was 
 requested of the treasury in the beginning of the month of November last; it was 
 again requested in the month of December, and at the end of January, both last past, 
 and it hai'lng been at length returned and the aspect oi the question of public order 
 now being changed, this inspectorate has the honor to present herewith the plan 
 of the list of definite conditions for the bidding ordered made by the royal order of 
 May 31 of the preceding year. 
 
 For its preparation the only difficulty presented was that of seeking a motive for 
 the bidding which did not exist in the former conditions, as in this expediente there 
 is only treated the imposition of some conditions upon a proposition presented by 
 Mr. J. C. Donaldson-Sim, and in the beginning it was supposed that the State would 
 carry out the preparation, and the motive of the bidding was the amount of money 
 to be repaid of the capital used by the State. This inspectorate believes it has found 
 
THE GOAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 237 
 
 that motive for the bidding desired, by imposing on the concessionary the just and 
 reasonable condition of ceding to the State, if it should require it, the one-half of the 
 production of the mines, at the market price, with a rebate per ton to be fixed by 
 the bidder himself. This rebate constitutes, therefore, the amount to be bid upon. 
 
 The other conditions, with slight modifications, are the repetition of those already 
 drawn up by this inspectorate and that of public works, including all of them in the 
 same document, aa we are only dealing with a single concession. 
 
 These conditions should be remitted to the general inspectorate of public works, in 
 fulfillment of the royal order, already cited, of May 31 of last year, sending with it 
 the first expediente concerning the preparation of the mines, in order that they may 
 have at hand all the facts regarding the matter. 
 
 Submitted for your excellency's decision. 
 
 Manila, May 18, 1897. 
 
 Enhique Abblla y Casariego. 
 
 June 2, 1897. 
 So ordered. 
 
 BOKES. 
 
 Most Excellent Sir: Conforming with the list of conditions prepared by the 
 general inspectorate under your able supervision, in accordance with which condi- 
 tions there shall be held public biddings for the concession of the preparatory works 
 regarding the exploitation of the coal mines of Uling, in Cebu, and the mining 
 railroad for the exploitation of the same, and the said document having been signed 
 by the undersigned inspector, I have the honor of returning to your excellency the 
 t'xpediente relative to this matter which you had the kindness to remit to me with 
 your communication of the 3d instant. 
 
 God protect your excellency many years. 
 
 Manila, June 12, 1897. 
 
 Casto Olano. 
 
 To the Most Excellent Inspector-General of Mines. 
 
 Most Excellent Sir: In connection with the carrying on of the investigations 
 for the preparation of the coal deposits of Uling and Lutac at the expense of the 
 state, there was presented a proposition to carry out that same preparation and 
 the subsequent exploitation subscribed by one Mr. Donaldson-Sim, who said he 
 was the representative of a foreign company. 
 
 This expediente having undergone the usual course of proceeding and having been 
 remitted for the decision of the ministrv of the colonies, the superior ministry dic- 
 tated the royal order No. 575, dated May 31, 1896, ordering that the general inspect- 
 orates of public works and mines should prepare a list of conditions for bringing 
 about a public bidding regarding the preparation and exploitation of the said mines, 
 authorizing your excellency to afterwards grant it, reporting to the ministry. 
 
 As, in order to prepare the list of conditions of the concession planned, it was 
 necessary to have at hand the original expediente in which had been proposed to 
 the Government the preparation of the mines, this was requested of the treasury 
 department, where it had been sent to secure a report required by royal order, the 
 document being secured only after three successive letters to remind that department. 
 
 With this expediente at hand, this general inspectorate prepared the list of special 
 conditions to which this special concession has to be subjected, the general inspect- 
 orate of public works agreeing to it, as appears in this expediente, through the com- 
 
238 THE COAL MEASURES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 munication attached thereto and through the signature placed on the same hy the 
 most illustrious general inspector of that department. 
 
 If your excellency should deem it proper to approve that list of conditions, it 
 follows that the notice for bids should be published in the manner shown in the 
 plan of the decree, which the undersigned has the honor to present herewith to 
 your excellency. 
 
 Submitted for your excellency's decision. 
 
 Manila, June 25, 1897. 
 
 I am, most excellent sir, 
 
 Enkique Akella y Oasahiego. 
 
 July 3, 1897. 
 The directorate approves. 
 
 J. BoEES Y Romero. 
 So ordered. 
 
 Manila, July 8, 1897. 
 
 In fulfillment of royal order No. 575, of May 31, 1896, and in conformity with the 
 proposal of the general inspectorates of mines and public works and the general 
 directorate of civil administration, I have deemed it proper to decree the following: 
 
 First. A public bidding is to be held for the special concession of the groups of 
 coal mines of Tiling and Lutac, situated in the subdivision of Naga, of the island 
 of Cebu. 
 
 Second. The attached list of special conditions is approved regarding this con- 
 cession, and, in accordance with the provisions thereof, will be executed the works 
 of preparation of the mines, the construction of the railroad, and the exploitation of 
 the deposits. 
 
 Third. The bidding will be held six months after the publishing of this decree in 
 the Gazette of Manila — that is, on the same day of the month of January, 1898, 
 at 12 o'clock a m. — in the hall of public acts, in the building known as the former 
 custom-house, before the royal commissioners selected in the manner provided for 
 these cases by royal order No. 320, of April 18, 1897. 
 
 Fourth. At the general inspectorate of mines will be found at the disposition of 
 those who desire to take part in the bidding, the plans and technical data regarding 
 the mines, together with the original list of conditions approved by the present 
 decree. 
 
 Fifth. The bidding will be conducted in accordance with the provisions relative to 
 public sales contained in royal order of February 27, 1852, extended to the colonies 
 by royal order of September 29, 1856; therefore the propositions must be presented 
 in sealed documenta in strict conformity with the annexed model, and accompanied 
 by the document showing that the deposit in the treasury has been made of the 
 guarantee of |7,000 in money, certificates of money deposit in the same governmental 
 treasury department, or bonds of the State at the market quotations, according to 
 condition third of the list of conditions. 
 
 Sixth. The bidding will concern the rebate, which must be made in the price of 
 the combustible which the State may require in accordance with the second condi- 
 tion of the list of conditions. If there should result one or more propositions equal, 
 with the best terms, there will be proceeded with immediately, and only between 
 those proposing these terms, a new reception of bids in accordance with the instruc- 
 tions of March 18, 1862. 
 
 P. DE ElVERA. 
 
THE GOAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 239 
 
 MODEL OP THE PROPOSITION. 
 
 Mr. John Doe, resident of , being informed of the decree calling for bids, 
 
 published in the " Gazette of Manila" of (date) , and of the list of conditions 
 
 which accompany it, for the concession by public sale of the mines of Uling and 
 Lutac, situated in the subdivision of Naga, province of Cebu, obligates himself to 
 undertake the said concession in strict accordance with the conditions thereof, and 
 agreeing in accordance therewith to deliver at Tinaan the coal required by the State 
 until the amount reaches the one-half of the production of the mines, at the market 
 price of similar coals, with the rebate of per ton. 
 
 Date and signature in full of the bidder. 
 
 GENERAL INSPECTORATE OF MINES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 Most Illustrious Sir: I have the pleasure of remitting to you herewith 16 pages, 
 certified, for publication in the Gazette under your able direction, requesting that it 
 be placed in a preferable place on account of the importance of the matter treated of. 
 God protect you many years. 
 
 Manila, July 19, 1897. 
 
 Enrique Abella y Casahiego. 
 
 To the Most Illustrious Director op the Gazette of Manila, and Secretary op 
 THE Governor-General. 
 
 A copy. Abella. 
 
 The advertisement and the conditions attached to the concession, already trans- 
 lated on pages 62, 63, 64, and 67 hereof, were published in the Manila Gazette of July 
 22, 1897. Owing to an error in the fourth condition of the list, stating that the mini- 
 mum capital should be $35,000 instead of $350,000, as published in the Gazette of 
 July 22, the list of conditions, with the said error corrected, were again pubhshed in 
 the Gazette of July 24. 
 
 Manila, July SS, 1897. 
 To the Most Excellent Minister of the Colonies. 
 
 Most Excellent Sir: In fulfillment of royal order No. 575, of May 31, 1896, the 
 general inspectorate of mines prepared the list of conditions for the reception of bids 
 for the preparation and exploitation of the coal deposits of Uling and Lutac, and the 
 general inspectorate of public works agreeing entirely with that list of conditions, 
 with date of the Sth of the present month I approved the said list, the decree adver- 
 tising the sale and the said list being published in the Gazette of this city of the 
 22d and 24th instants, in which your excellency can examine them. The apparent 
 delay caused in this matter is due principally to the unfortunate events occurring in 
 this archipelago, whict commenced precisely upon the arrival of the royal decree 
 above mentioned, making the time inappropriate for any bidding upon an industrial 
 enterprise such as that treated of. 
 
 God, etc. , most excellent sir. 
 
 (Draft.) Ij- (Initial of Luis Espina.) 
 
 General Directorate op Civil Administration, Mines. 
 Most Excellent Sir: In order to comply with royal order No. 575, of May 31, 
 1896, and with the object of being able to hold the public sale announced by superior 
 decree of the most excellent governor-general, dated July 8, 1897, published in the 
 Gazette of Manila on the 22d and 24th of the same month and year; and that the 
 royal commission in charge of the sale may be called together, over which your 
 
240 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 excellency is the able president, I have the honor of passing to your excellency the 
 original expediente drawn up for the special meeting concerning the public sale of 
 the group of coal mines of the valley of the river Pandan, situated at Tiling and 
 Lutac, of the politico-military district of Cebu. 
 
 God protect your excellency many years. 
 
 Manila, January 20, 1898. 
 
 L. MONCADA. 
 
 To the Most Excellent Dihectoe-Gbneeal of the Teeasury. 
 A copy. 
 
 L. ESPINA. 
 ORIGINAL OF ABOVE OEDER AND DECREE. 
 
 Manila, January 22, 1898. 
 To the Most Illustrious Director-General of Civil Administration. 
 
 Most Illustrious Sir: I have the honor to inform you that on yesterday there 
 was received in this department, with your communication of the 20th instant, the 
 original expediente prepared for the holding of a special session for the public sale 
 of the group of mines of coal of the valley of the river Pandan, situated at Tiling and 
 Lutac, of the politico-military district of Cebu. 
 
 God, etc. 
 
 January 22, 1898. 
 To the Inspector-Oeneral of Mines, Interventor- General del Estado, Ordenador-General de 
 Pagos, Letrado Consultor, Notario de Hacienda, Jefe de la. Seccion: 
 It having been decreed by the governor-general, July 8, 1897, that before the royal 
 commission in charge of public sales, in the hall of public acts, there beheld a public 
 sale on the 22d of this month at 12 o'clock in the forenoon, concerning the prepara- 
 tion of the mines of Tiling and Lutac, in the valley of the river Pandan, of the sub- 
 division of Naga, of the province of Cebu, therefore I communicate this to you for 
 your information and to be acted upon. 
 God, etc. 
 
 proposition to bid at the sale of the MINES OF ULING AND LUTAC, SITUATED IN 
 THE SUBDIVISION OP NAGA, OF THE PROVINCE OF CEBU. 
 
 To the president and members of the royal commission regarding sales: 
 
 Mr. Neil Macleod, a resident of this capital, being informed of the decree calling 
 for bids, published in the Gazette of Manila under date of July 22 of last year, and 
 the list of conditions which accompanies it, for the concession by public sale of the 
 mines of Tiling and Lutac, situated in the subdivision of Naga, province of Cebu, 
 obligates himself to undertake the said concession in strict accordance with the con- 
 ditions thereof, and agreeing, in accordance therewith to deliver at Tinaan the coal 
 required by the State until the quantity reaches the one-half of the production of 
 the mines at the market price of similar coals, with the rebate of 51 cents Mexican 
 per ton. 
 Manila, January 22, 1898. 
 
 Neil Macleod. 
 He presented his personal cedula of the fourth class, issued in Manila, and num- 
 bered 74. 
 
 [Treasury of Manila. Provisional deposit in securities. To be applied on public sales.] 
 
 Date of deposit, January 21, 1898. Amount deposited, |7,000. 
 
 By Pablo Mejia, representing Mr. Neil Macleod, to bid at the sale of the mines of 
 Uling and Lutac, situated in the subdivision of Naga, province of Cebu, there lias 
 been deposited this day the sum of $7,000 in treasury obligations of the Philippines, 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 241 
 
 as a provisional deposit, the details of which are indorsed hereon, and which will be 
 . returned in accordance with the regulations of the treasury on the presentation of 
 this certificate of payment, which is taken note of under No. 3 in the record for enter- 
 ing such matters, and 1174 of the day book of receipts. Manila, January 21, 1898. 
 By order of the treasurer: 
 
 Oaelos Eebnchun. 
 Inspected by order of the general inspector. 
 
 Fedeeioo Nin. 
 
 Obligations of the treasury of the Philippines. 
 
 Series 
 B. 
 
 Number of same. 
 
 Date of issue. 
 
 Coupon^ 
 
 and 
 numbers. 
 
 Value. 
 
 40 
 
 61,101 to 61,140 
 
 Aug. 1,1897 
 do 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 2 
 
 $4,000 
 2,000 
 1,000 
 
 20 
 
 64,731 to 64,750 
 
 10 
 
 64,776 to 64,785 
 
 do 
 
 
 Total 
 
 
 
 7,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 Pay to the order of the most illustrious director-general of the treasury. 
 Manila, January 22, 1898. 
 
 Neil Macleod. 
 
 number fifty-six. 
 
 In Manila, the 22nd day of January, 1898, before me, Mr. Jose Engracio Monroy y 
 Torres, a notary of the illustrious college and notarial district of this city, a citizen 
 and resident of the same, at present being through authorization in the hall of public 
 acta of this department of the treasury, there being present the members composing 
 the royal commission in charge of sales of public property of this city, who are Mr. 
 Antonio Dominguez Alfonso, intendente-general de hacienda, president; and Messrs. 
 Enrique Pinto, jefe de negociado de la intervencion-general de la administration del 
 estado, in place of the interventor; Jose Folia, ordenador-general de pagos, ad interim, 
 in place of the regular general; Benito Perdiguero, letrado consultor, as a substitute; 
 Mr. Jose Carces de Marcilla, jefe de la seccion de impuestos indirectos; Mr. Candido 
 Cabello, subdirector-general de administracion civil; Mr. Luis Eapina y Capo, 
 inspector-general de minas, and Mr. Vicente Asencio as secretary, with the object of 
 proceeding with the public sale of the special concession of the groups of mines of 
 Tiling and Lutac, in the valley of the river Pandan, situated in the subdivision of 
 Naga, of the island of Cebu, in compliance with royal order No. 575, of May Slst, 1896. 
 
 Therefore, at the hour of 12 in the forenoon, the president ordered the criers 
 should announce the session open, which having been done, Mr. Neil Macleod 
 appeared as a bidder, with the document containing his proposition, and the time 
 ordered having passed without there appearing any other bidder, the president pro- 
 ceeded to open the said document, with the result that the said bidder offered to 
 undertake the said concession in strict accordance with the conditions thereof 
 inserted in the Gazette of Manila of July 22nd of the last year, and agreeing in 
 accordance therewith to deliver at Tinaan the coal required by the state until the 
 quantity reaches the one-half of the production of the mines, at the market price of 
 similar coals, with the rebate of fifty-one cents Mex. per ton, and said offer being 
 advantageous to the interests of the treasury, the commission decided to grant pro- 
 visionally in favor of the said Mr. Neil Macleod the said concession of the matters 
 treated of, with the rebate offered by him, and under strict subjection to the said 
 list of conditions prepared for the concession. 
 
 And that this may appear I draw up the present instrument, which the members 
 
 5503—01 16 
 
242 THE GOAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 of the commission sign, showing that the person making the proposition showed his 
 personal certificate of the fourth class, No. 1071, issued the 11th inst. by this revenue 
 office, of which I certify. 
 
 A. DoMiNGDEz Alfonso. 
 Candldo Cabello. 
 Enrique Pinto. 
 Jose Folla. 
 
 Jose Cabces de Maecilla. 
 Luis Espina y Capo. 
 Benito Pbrdiguero. 
 Vicente Asbncio. 
 Notarial mark affixed. 
 
 I. Engbacio Monroy. 
 It is scrolled. Notarial seal affixed. 
 
 This is a literal copy of the original, which under No. 56 is contained in this year's 
 record, to which I refer, certifying it for use in the offices of the treasury, and the 
 corresponding expediente. I issue the present copy on three sheets of sealed paper 
 of the 12th class of this biennial issue, numbered 698365, 698366, and 698367, on 
 which I place my notarial mark, sign, and scroll, the issuance of the copy being 
 noted on the said original in Manila the date above written. The alterations 
 "grupos," "Pa," and "Bello" are correct. 
 [notarial seal.] I. Engracio Monroy. 
 
 Most Illustrious Sir: On the 22d of January last there was held before the royal 
 commission in charge of sales of public property, in the hall of public acts of this 
 city, a public sale for the preparation of the mines of Tiling and Lutac, in the valley 
 of the River Pandan, of the subdivision of Naga, of the province of Cebu, there being 
 presented only one proposition, subscribed by Mr. Neil Macleod, he agreeing to 
 undertake the concession treated of, and therefore the said commission declared 
 that proposition admissible, and adjudged provisionally the concession in favor of 
 the person so proposing. 
 
 Note. — By virtue of what has been expressed the official in charge of the matter 
 has the honor to propose that you deem it proper to confirm the public sale made by 
 the royal commission in charge of sales of public property of this city, and adjudi- 
 cate the matters referred to in favor of Mr. Neil Macleod definitely. 
 
 And if you deem it proper to conform with the proposal there is attached the 
 appropriate form of decree. 
 
 Manila, May 18, 1898. 
 
 Ramon P. Florbs y 
 Jose Javier db. 
 
 The directorate conforms. 
 
 Manila, May 18, 1898. 
 
 In conformity with the proposal of the department of indirect imposts this general 
 director of the treasury approves the public sale regarding the special concession of 
 the groups of mines of Uling and Lutac, of the valley of the River Pandan, subdivi- 
 sion of Naga, island of Cebu, made by the royal commission in charge of sales of 
 public property of this capital, and the concession treated of is adjudged definitely 
 in favor of Mr. Neil Macleod, with strict subjection to the list of conditions formed 
 for that purpose. 
 
 For the consequent effects return this expediente to the department from which it 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 243 
 
 came, so that the interested party may be notified of this decision, in order that 
 from and after tliat date the time mentioned in the list of conditions may commence 
 to run. 
 
 DoMiNGUBz Alfonso. 
 
 Manila, May — , 1898. 
 ^Ir. Neil Macleod: 
 
 The most illustrious director-general of the treasury on the 18th instant was pleased 
 to decree the following: (Preceding decree from the words "In conformity with," 
 down to and including the words "may commence to run," is here inserted.) 
 
 Which I communicate to you for your information. 
 
 God, etc. 
 
 Manila, June SO, 1898. 
 Pass to the notary's office of the treasury for the preparation of the proper instru- 
 ment in writing. 
 
 Certified copy of the first copy of the instrument of special concession of the groups 
 of coal mines of Uling and Lutac, situated in the subdivision of Naga, of the island 
 of Cebu, executed by the most illustrious Antonio Dominguez Alfonso, director-gen- 
 eral of the treasury, as representative of the State, in favor of Mr. Neil Macleod. 
 
 Authorized by Mr. Jose Engracio Monroy y Torres, notary of the illustrious col- 
 lege of Manila. 
 
 [Mr. Jose Engracio Monroy y Torres, notary of the illustrious college and notarial district of this 
 capital, residing at and with his residence in the same.] 
 
 I certify that Mr. Neil Macleod, a merchant, fifty-eight years of age, a married 
 man and resident of this city, with a personal cedula of the fourth class. No. 1061, issued 
 the 11th day of January last, by the internal-revenue department of the treasury, 
 shows me, to be certified, the first copy of the instrument which reads as follows: 
 
 "Number three hundred and thirty-seven. 
 
 "In Manila, the 30th day of June, 1898, before me, Mr. Jose Engracio Monroy y 
 Torres, a notary of the illustrious college and notarial district of this capital, residing 
 at and with his residence in the same, authorized to act by virtue of sufficient 
 request in this treasury department. The most illustrious Mr. Antonio Dominguez 
 Alfonso, director-geperal of the treasury of these islands, a resident of this city, in 
 the name and as representative of the State, and Mr. Neil Macleod, 58 years of age, 
 a married man, a merchant, resident of this city, with a personal cedula of the fourth 
 class. No. 1061, issued on the 11th of January last by the internal-revenue depart- 
 ment of the treasury; and both possessing the legal capacity necessary for the 
 execution of this instrument, freely and of their own will manifest — 
 
 "First. That in the public sale held the 22nd of January last, before the royal com- 
 mission in charge of sales of public property of this capital, there was adjudged 
 provisionally in favor of Mr. Neil Macleod the special concession of the groups of 
 coal mines of Uhng and Lutac, in the valley of the river Pandan, subdivision of 
 Naga, of the island of Cebu, in the form and with the rebate of price offered by said 
 party, and with strict subjection to the list of conditions which served as the basis 
 of the sale, an adjudication which was confirmed definitely by decree of this treasury 
 department, with date the 18th of May last past, which with said list of conditions 
 and its approbation, as well as the instrument containing the proposition of the 
 interested party, the document showing the depositing in the treasury of the amount 
 
244 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPIKE8. 
 
 required to enter into the bidding, and the award, are contained in the expediente 
 pertaining to the matter and copied in their order in the following terms: 
 
 (Here follows list of conditions contained on pages 92, 93, 94, 95, and 96 preceding. 
 Then approval and list of conditions governing reception of bids, contained on pages 
 99 and 100 hereof; then proposition of Neil Macleod, on page 104; then evidence 
 of deposit in treasury, on pages 104 and 105; then provisional award to Neil Macleod, 
 on pages 105 and 106; then definite award, page 107.) 
 
 "Second. That in consequence thereof the most illustrious Antonio Dominguez 
 Alfonso, in his representative capacity, declares that he concedes to Mr. Neil Mac- 
 leod the concession of the regular exploitation of the coal deposits of Uling and 
 Lutac, in" the subdivision of Naga, of the island of Cebu, with strict subjection to 
 the list of conditions inserted in this instrument. 
 
 "Third. Mr. Neil Macleod accepts and obUgates himself to the exact compliance 
 with all the terms set forth in the said list of conditions. I, the notary, warned the 
 gentlemen executing the within that this instrument had to be taken note of in the 
 recorder's office of the province of Cebu, as without such record being made it 
 would not prejudice a third party and would not be admitted in the courts and tri- 
 bunals, departments and offices of the Government if the object of the presentation 
 should be to make effective this right of property which should have been recorded 
 to the prejudice of third parties, except in the two cases of exception provided for 
 in art. 389 of the mortgage law. 
 
 "So they state and declare, in the presence of the witnesses, Mr. Mariano de 
 Leon y Francisco, a law student, and Mr. Daniel Lecefa y Eeyes, a scribe, residents 
 of this city; and they having been informed of their right to read the instrument 
 for themselves, I proceeded to the reading of the entire document, the contents of 
 which is ratified by the parties executing the within, and the witnesses sign. Of 
 acquaintance with those appearing, their professions and residences, and of every 
 matter contained in this instrument, I certify. 
 
 "A. Dominguez Alfonso. 
 "Neii. MacLeod. 
 "Mabiano de Leon. 
 "Daniel Lecbta. 
 
 ' ' Notarial mark placed. 
 
 "J. Engkacio Monkoy. 
 
 "This bears a scroll. Notarial seal. 
 
 " This is a literal copy of the original, which is contained in my record of this 
 year, under number 337, to which I refer; and at the request of Mr. Neil Macleod, I 
 issue the present first copy on one sheet of sealed paper of the first class, and six 
 sheets of the tenth class, marked with the numbers 1341, 1126, 1127, 1128, 1129, 
 1130, and 1131, all of this biennial issue, on which I place my notarial mark, which I 
 sign, and place a scroll, the copying being noted on the said original in Manila the 
 date of the execution. Of all of which, as well as that the alterations ' aproba,' ' truc- 
 cion,' '5,' 'v,' 'noven,' 'seis,' 'ad,' and the interlineations 'mineras,' 'no,' are valid 
 and the erasure ' de ' is not valid, I certify. 
 
 " Notarial mark placed thereon. 
 
 "J. Engracio Moneoy. 
 
 " Scroll aflixed. Notarial seal." 
 
 This is a literal copy of the first copy of the instrument shown me, to which I refer. 
 And by virtue of the request of Mr. Neil Macleod, and to be attached to the corre- 
 sponding expediente, I issue the present certified copy on seven sheets of sealed paper 
 of the eighth class, numbered 36123, 36122, 36121, 36120, 36119, 36118, and 36117, 
 of this biennial issue, which I seal with the seal of my notarial office, on which I 
 place my notarial mark, which I sign and scroll, having noted the same in the cor- 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 245 
 
 responding book, in Manila, July 5, 1898. The interlineations "mineras," "no," 
 and the alterations " la Ins " and " seis," are valid. 
 [Notarial seal.] J. Engeacio Monro y. 
 
 Manila, July 15, 1898. 
 Pass to the advisory department of this treasury department in order that it may 
 be informed. 
 
 C. Vega. 
 
 Most Illustrious Sir: The preceding documents, acknowledged by the notary, 
 Mr. Jose Engracio Monroy, regarding the concession of the mines of Tiling and Lutac, 
 in Mindanao (should be Cebu) are executed in accordance with the laws in force; 
 therefore, if you deem it proper, you can give your approval. 
 
 Manila, July 29, 1898. 
 
 Juan Garcia Vasquez. 
 
 [Copies of papers in the hands of Neil Macleod. — Translations.] 
 
 Department op the Treasury, 
 
 Section op Indirect Imposts. 
 The illustrious intendente-general of the treasury, on the 18th of the present 
 month, has been pleased to decree the following: 
 
 " In conformity with the proposal of the section of indirect imposts this intenden- 
 cia-general approves the public auction sale of the special concession of the group of 
 mines of Uling and Lutac, in the valley of the river Pandan, district of JSfaga, of the 
 island of Cebu, made by the board of royal auctions of this capital, and finally adju- 
 dicated in favor of Mr. Neil Macleod to perform that which is resolved, with strict 
 subjection to the schedule of conditions formed for that purpose." 
 
 This is communicated to you for your knowledge, showing that after the date of 
 this decree of May 18 the time fixed will commence to run, according to the terms 
 fixed in the schedule of conditions. 
 God guard you many years. 
 Manila, May 20, 1898. 
 
 Caelos Vega y Verduio, 
 
 The Subintendente. 
 To Mr. Neil Macleod. 
 
 Department op the Treasury, 
 
 Section op Indirect Imposts. 
 
 The illustrious intendente-general of the treasury on this date has been pleased to 
 decree as follows: 
 
 "In view of the petition presented by Mr. Neil Macleod, to whom was adjudicated 
 provisionally, at public auction sale held before the board of royal auctions of this 
 capital, on the 22d of January last past, the regular exploitation of the coal deposits 
 of Uling and Lutac, in the district of Naga, province of Cebu, this intendencia-gen- 
 eral, in conformity with the proposal of the section of indirect imposts, hereby does 
 prorogue, until such time as navigation shall be possible, the date fixed from which 
 to commence counting the period fixed, in accordance with the schedule prescribed." 
 
 This is communicated to you for your information. 
 
 God guard you many years. 
 
 Manila, July 15, 1898. 
 
 Jose Garces de Marcilla. 
 
 To Mr. Neil Macleod. 
 
246 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 Table I. — Coal Entries in the Phillippines, 1853-1867, 
 
 Date ot entry. 
 
 Name oi mine. 
 
 Locality. 
 
 District. 
 
 Province. 
 
 Apr. 12,1853 
 ]yft,y 30,1863 
 
 Nov. 7,1859 
 ....do 
 
 Nov. 14,1859 
 Dec. 20,1859 
 
 do 
 
 ....do 
 
 do 
 
 Mar. 27,1860 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Apr. 4,1860 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Apr. 26,1860 
 May 1, 1860 
 
 May 3, 1860 
 
 May 4,1860 
 
 May 5,1860 
 
 May 6, 1860 
 May 13,1860 
 May 15,1860 
 do 
 
 May 16,1860 
 May 17,1860 
 
 do 
 
 ....do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 May 18,1860 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 May 21,1860 
 May 31,1860 
 
 June 9,1860 
 June 13,1860 
 June 16, 1860 
 
 June 18, 1860 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 July 10,1860 
 July 11,1860 
 July 15,1860 
 
 ....do , 
 
 July 28,1860 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 .do. 
 -do. 
 
 do 
 
 Aug. 1,1860 
 Aug. 31, 1860 
 Sept. 9,1860 
 
 Sept. 11,1860 
 Sept. 19, 1860 
 Sept. 25,1860 
 
 Guila-Guila 
 
 Eeyna de Castilla. 
 
 San Fernando 
 
 Purlsima Concep- 
 ci6n. 
 
 Santa Ysabel 
 
 Sin nombre 
 
 do 
 
 ....do 
 
 do 
 
 San Antonio 
 
 San Jo36 
 
 San Rafael 
 
 Santo Nino 
 
 Sin nombre 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 San Francisco - 
 Sin nombre 
 
 Guila-GuOa. 
 Carisan 
 
 Rio Agpaco 
 
 Monte Uling, Arroyo 
 
 Uling. 
 
 Arroyo Latauan 
 
 Monte Baao 
 
 Monte Mabacong 
 
 Monte Malogonlon 
 
 Monte Malay 
 
 Arroyo Sacan-Ynulgan. . . 
 
 Monte Candauj on 
 
 Arroyo Sacanduajon 
 
 Monte Barrio de Bisar€l- 
 
 Bairan, Rio Salaming. 
 
 Santo Nifio . 
 
 Purisima Concep- 
 ci6n. 
 
 Santisima Trini- 
 dad. 
 
 Santa Margarita . . 
 
 Sin nombre 
 
 Santa Filomena. . . 
 
 do 
 
 Visita Matitinao 
 
 Visita Tlmauan or Bacon. 
 Pulong-munti 
 
 Isla de Capoluan or Pag- 
 bilao. 
 
 Monte Lutac, Arroyo Pan- 
 dan. 
 
 Monte Uling, Arroyo Nas- 
 pit. 
 
 Arroyo Actiue (Active) . . 
 
 Arroyo Cambooc 
 
 San Pedro... 
 Sin nombre . 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 San loai 
 
 San Antonio 
 
 San Andres 
 
 Santo Domingo . . . 
 Nuestra Senora 
 
 del Carmen. 
 
 Sin nombre 
 
 Seiior Resurecci6n 
 Sagrado Coraz6n 
 
 de Jesiis. 
 
 Sin nombre 
 
 Nuestra Sefiora de 
 
 la Paz. 
 
 Sin nombre 
 
 La Paz 
 
 Virgen del Rosario 
 San Camilo 
 
 Arroyo Actiue (Active) .. 
 
 Monte Bangamban, Ar- 
 royo Latauan. 
 
 Arroyo Dngug 
 
 Arroyo Libang-libang 
 
 Arroyo Ginalas 
 
 Monte Cambooc, Arroyo 
 Mayan. 
 
 Arroyo Omyom , 
 
 Arroyo Maipay 
 
 Arroyo Naupa 
 
 Arroyo Lanas ', 
 
 Arroyo Capancan 
 
 Monte Cambaji 
 
 Arroyo Cangarary 
 
 Mambog, Rio Togos . 
 
 Rio Togos 
 
 Pulong-munti 
 
 Bonbon, RioCabulijan. 
 Pulong-munti 
 
 San Vicente 
 
 Santo Domingo . . 
 
 Santa Maria , 
 
 La Purisima Cou- 
 cepci6n. 
 
 Santa Margarita . 
 
 Santisima Trini- 
 dad. 
 
 San Antonio 
 
 San Francisco 
 
 Concepci6n 
 
 Nuestra Seiiora de 
 la Soledad. 
 
 Sin nombre 
 
 Asunci6n 
 
 Sin nombre 
 
 Balauacan 
 
 Pulong-munti 
 
 Isla de Capaluan 
 
 Monte Licos, Arroyo Lu- 
 gui. 
 
 Arroyo Camansi 
 
 Pulong-munti 
 
 do 
 
 ....do 
 
 .do. 
 .do- 
 
 -do. 
 .do. 
 
 Bonbon, Rio Cabulijan. 
 Pulong-tubig 
 
 San Nicolas. 
 Casiguran . . 
 
 San Fernando . 
 Naga 
 
 do 
 
 Mauban 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 San Fernando. 
 
 ....do 
 
 do 
 
 Boljoon 
 
 Mambaje . . 
 Dalaguete . 
 
 Baletec 
 
 Argao 
 
 Sibonga . . - 
 
 Badian 
 
 Alegria 
 
 Atimonan . 
 
 Naga . . 
 ....do. 
 
 Jinolauani. 
 
 ....doi 
 
 Pagbilao 
 
 Jinolauan i . . 
 Minglanilla . 
 
 Jinolauan i . 
 
 ....doi 
 
 ....doi 
 
 ....doi 
 
 ....doi 
 
 ....doi 
 
 Minglanilla . 
 
 '.'.'.'.do'.'.'.'.'.'.. 
 
 Naga 
 
 Carcar 
 
 Macalelon. 
 
 ....do 
 
 Atimonan . 
 
 Gumaca... 
 Atimonan . 
 
 Calilayan ' 
 Atimonan . 
 Pagbilao . . 
 Danao 
 
 do 
 
 Atimonan . 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 .do. 
 -do. 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Gumaca . . . 
 Atimonan . 
 
 Pinaninding and Ypil ^. . . . .do . . . 
 
 Pulong-munti do . . . 
 
 RioCaglati I Gumaca. 
 
 Cebu.. 
 Albay . 
 
 Cebu .. 
 ....do. 
 
 ....do... 
 Tayabas . 
 ....do... 
 ....do... 
 ....do... 
 Cebu .... 
 ....do... 
 ....do... 
 ....do... 
 
 .....do... 
 ....do... 
 ....do... 
 ....do... 
 ....do... 
 ....do... 
 ....do... 
 Tayabas . 
 ....do... 
 
 Cebu .. 
 ....do. 
 
 .do. 
 
 ....do... 
 Tayabas . 
 Cebu.... 
 .....do... 
 
 .do. 
 .do. 
 .do. 
 .do. 
 
 .do. 
 .do. 
 .do. 
 .do. 
 .do. 
 .do. 
 ..do. 
 
 Tayabas . 
 
 do... 
 
 ....do... 
 
 .do. 
 .do. 
 
 ....do. 
 ....do. 
 ....do. 
 Cebu .. 
 
 do... 
 
 Tayabas . 
 
 do . . . 
 
 do... 
 
 .do. 
 .do. 
 
 .do. 
 .do. 
 .do. 
 .do. 
 
 .do. 
 .do. 
 ..do. 
 
 1 Now called Coledo. 
 
 2 Now Unlsan. 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 
 Compiled from the Aechives of the Mining Bureau. 
 
 247 
 
 Num- 
 ber of 
 claims. 
 
 Surface. 
 
 Name of entryman. 
 
 Date of de- 
 marcation. 
 
 Date of can- 
 cellation. 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 Sq. yds. 
 900,000 
 180,000 
 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 180,000 
 180,000 
 180,000 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 
 640,000 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 180,000 
 860,000 
 
 540,000 
 
 540,000 
 
 540,000 
 
 540,000 
 180,000 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 
 180,000 
 360,000 
 540,000 
 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 
 540,000 
 640,000 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 
 640,000 
 180,000 
 360, 000 
 360,000 
 
 360,000 
 640,000 
 640,000 
 
 Diego Viiia & Co . 
 Manuel Castro . . . 
 
 Mariano Koxas. . . 
 Kafael Amandi. . . 
 
 Aug. 24,1854 
 
 Aug. 
 Aug. 
 
 3, 1862 
 2, 1862 
 
 Antonio de Ayala 
 
 Francisco Rodriguez . 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Diego Vina 
 
 Dionisio Bustamente. 
 
 Joaquin Garcia 
 
 Margarita Roxas 
 
 ....do 
 
 ....do 
 
 ....do 
 
 ....do 
 
 ....do 
 
 ....do 
 
 ....do 
 
 Francisco Villasenor . 
 Ram6n Domlnguez. . - 
 
 Jan. 
 Jan. 
 
 9, 1861 
 10,1861 
 
 July 1,1864 
 June 8,1860 
 
 ....do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Margarita Roxas . 
 ....do 
 
 Jan. 11,1861 
 
 .do. 
 
 June 8,1860 
 May 15,1861 
 
 June 1,1860 
 Mar. 24,1870 
 
 Nov. 11,1861 
 
 ....do 
 
 Jos6 Maria Baza. . 
 Rafael Amandi. . . 
 Margarita Roxas . 
 
 Tomfts Vina 
 
 Margarita Roxas . 
 
 ....do 
 
 do 
 
 .do. 
 .do. 
 -do- 
 .do. 
 .do. 
 .do. 
 -do. 
 
 Francisco Villasefior 
 
 Gregorio and Felipe Javier. 
 Jos6 Maria Baza 
 
 Alejandro Antonio Adulta 
 Vicente Rilles de Le6n 
 
 Gregorio Javier 
 
 Vicente Rilles de Le6n. 
 
 Javier Brothers 
 
 Margarita Roxas 
 
 ....do 
 
 Mariano Roxas. . . 
 ....do 
 
 Margarita Roxas . 
 
 do 
 
 Antonio de Ayala . 
 
 do 
 
 Margarita Roxas 
 
 Ulloa Manuel de Castro . . . 
 Simplioio and Luis Javier. 
 
 Pascual de Ooampo . 
 Margarita Roxas — 
 JuanVivar 
 
 do 
 
 May 28,1860 
 July 27,1862 
 Nov. 11,1861 
 
 July 27,1862 
 May 17,1860 
 
 do 
 
 ....do 
 
 Jan. 12,1861 
 
 July 20,1861 
 
 June 16, 1861 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Nov. 11,1861 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Mar. 24,1870 
 July 1,1864 
 
 June 27, 1860 
 Aug. 19,1864 
 do 
 
 May 15,1861 
 June 27,1860 
 
 July 12,1860 
 
 Aug. 19,1864 
 July 1, 1864 
 
 do 
 
 Aug. 19,1864 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 .do. 
 .do. 
 
 .do. 
 
 Aug. 19,1864 
 do 
 
 May 15,1861 
 Aug. 19,1864 
 May 15,1861 
 
 See for continuation 
 June 26, 1861. 
 
 Cancellation notnoted. 
 Do. 
 
 Proved not to be coal. 
 
248 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 Table I. — Coal Entries in the Philippines, 1853-1867, Compiled 
 
 Date of entry. Name of mine. 
 
 Locality. 
 
 Province. 
 
 85 
 
 Sept. 29,1860 
 
 Sept. 30, 1860 
 
 Oct. 30,1860 
 
 Nov. 6,1860 
 
 Nov. 24,1860 
 
 do 
 
 Nov. 28,1860 
 
 do 
 
 Dec. 14,1860 
 do 
 
 Jan. 30,1861 
 
 Mar. 13,1861 
 
 June 25, 1861 
 July 26,1861 
 Oct. 7, 1861 
 
 do , 
 
 do 
 
 Apr. 1, 1862 
 
 May 5, 1862 
 June 20, 1863 
 
 Dec. 18,1863 
 July 11,1866 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Aug. 13,1869 
 
 Virgen de Anti- 
 polo. 
 Sin nombre 
 
 do 
 
 Santo Nino 
 
 San Camilo 
 
 San Vicente 
 
 Asunci6n 
 
 San J036 
 
 San Antonio 
 
 Nuestra SefLora 
 
 del Carmen. 
 Santa Margarita . . 
 
 Nuestra Senora de 
 
 la Natividad. 
 Reyna de Castilla. 
 
 Sin nombre 
 
 Nuestra Seiiora de 
 
 Antipolo. 
 Nuestra Senora 
 
 del Pilar. 
 Nuestra Senora 
 
 del Eosario. 
 Rosario 
 
 Sin nombre 
 
 La Natividad de 
 
 la Santisima 
 
 Virgen. 
 La Minadel Sol.., 
 Nuestra Senora 
 
 del Rosario. 
 Nuestra Senora 
 
 del Pilar. 
 Nuestra Senora de 
 
 Antipolo. 
 
 San Vicente 
 
 San Camilo 
 
 Sin nombre 
 
 Malatondos 
 
 Camagung (Isla de Ala- 
 bat). 
 
 Rio Caglati, Arroyo Bun- 
 gasug. 
 
 Monte Lutac, Arroyo Pan- 
 dan. 
 
 Monte Licos, Arroyo 
 Luqui. 
 
 Arroyo Camansi 
 
 Rio Caglati, Arroyo Bon- 
 gaon. 
 
 Arroyo Caglati 
 
 Monte Latab 
 
 Monte Campacan 
 
 Monte Gtmiijan, Arroyo 
 
 Tagbag. 
 Arroyo Cambaji 
 
 Casiguran (Casiran). 
 Bocboc, Rio Bitogo. . 
 Monte Licos 
 
 Arroyo Camantija. 
 do 
 
 Guindulman, Arroyo 
 Sibod. 
 
 Arroyo Lonod 
 
 Arroyo Cambaji 
 
 Rio Malanao 
 
 Arroyo Cabanbauan. 
 
 Arroyo Casamantija and 
 Arroyo Cabanbauan. 
 
 Monte Lucos, Arroyo 
 Jinandongan. 
 
 Arroyo Camansi 
 
 Arroyo Lugui 
 
 Pulong-munti 
 
 Atimonan . 
 Gumaca . . . 
 
 do 
 
 Naga 
 
 Danao 
 
 do... 
 
 Gumaca . 
 
 ....do. 
 ....do. 
 Cebu .. 
 ....do. 
 
 do. 
 
 Naga . . 
 do . 
 
 ..do.. 
 Tayabas . 
 
 do. 
 
 Cebu.. 
 ....do. 
 
 Mauban; Sanji- 
 
 rin, Isla Alabat. 
 
 Naga 
 
 Magallanes. 
 
 Gumaca 
 
 uanao 
 
 .do. 
 .do. 
 
 Macalelon. 
 Naga 
 
 Pagano . 
 Danao . - 
 
 .do. 
 .do. 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Atimonan . 
 
 Tayabas . 
 Cebu .... 
 
 Albay ... 
 Tayabas . 
 Cebu .... 
 
 .do. 
 .do. 
 -do. 
 
 Cebu. 
 
 Abra . 
 Cebu . 
 
 .do. 
 .do. 
 
 .do. 
 -do. 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 
 FROM THE Archives of the Mining Bureau — Continued. 
 
 249 
 
 Num- 
 ber of 
 claims. 
 
 Surface. 
 
 Sq. yds. 
 360,000 
 
 360,000 
 
 360,000 
 
 540,000 
 
 540,000 
 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 
 540,000 
 
 540,000 
 
 180,000 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 
 540,000 
 
 540,000 
 
 540,000 
 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 
 360,000 
 540,000 
 
 540,000 
 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 540,000 
 
 Name of entryman. 
 
 Luis Javier 
 
 Timoteo Villaaenor . 
 
 Juan Vivar 
 
 Margarita Roxas 
 
 Mariano Roxas 
 
 Margarita Koxas 
 
 Mariano Roxas 
 
 Antonio de Ayala . 
 Mariano Roxas 
 
 Margarita Roxas . 
 do 
 
 Manuel Castro 
 
 Yam-Sonti and Llm Tagco 
 Mariano Roxas , 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Gabino Veloso. 
 
 Yap-Cbantico and Yu-Tioco 
 Mariano Roxas 
 
 Francisco Javier . 
 Margarita Roxas . 
 
 do 
 
 .do. 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Tadeo V. Trinidad . 
 
 Date of de- 
 marcation. 
 
 Jan. 8, 1861 
 
 July 31,1862 
 
 Sept. 15,1861 
 
 July 28,1862 
 
 Date of can- 
 cellation. 
 
 Aug. 19,1864 
 May 15,1861 
 do 
 
 Aug. 3, 1862 
 
 July 31,1864 
 Aug. 19,1864 
 
 .do. 
 
 Mar. 24,1870 
 Aug. 19,1864 
 July 1,1864 
 
 Apr. 30,1864 
 
 July 17,1864 
 
 July 10,1863 
 
 July 10,1862 
 
 Apr. 30,1864 
 Nov. 8, 1863 
 
 July 17,1861 
 Jan. 8, 1867 
 
 .do. 
 .do. 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Aug. 18,1869 
 
 Remarks. 
 
250 THE GOAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 Table II. — Coal Entries in the Philippines, 1868-1899, 
 
 
 Date of entry. 
 
 Name of mine. 
 
 Locality. 
 
 District. 
 
 Province. 
 
 1 
 
 Nov. 8,1869 
 Feb. 14,1871 
 
 Nov. 3,1871 
 do 
 
 Apr. 3, 1873 
 do 
 
 July 21,1873 
 
 July 22,1873 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Aug. 7,1873 
 
 Sept. 17,1873 
 Sept. 20, 1873 
 
 do 
 
 Sept. 30, 1873 
 Oct. 10,1873 
 Oct. 11,1873 
 Oct. 19,1873 
 Nov. 19,1873 
 
 do :. 
 
 Dec. 2, 1873 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Dec. 9, 1873 
 do 
 
 Mar. 21,1874 
 
 Mar. 26,1874 
 Apr. 1, 1874 
 do 
 
 Apr. 23,1874 
 May 13,1875 
 
 July 18,1875 
 Oct. 10,1875 
 
 do 
 
 Jan. 18,1876 
 
 Apr. 21,1876 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 July 29,1877 
 
 Nov. 22,1877 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Aug. 22, 1879 
 
 Feb. 10,1886 
 June 13, 1887 
 June 23,1887 
 
 June 28, 1887 
 July 4,1887 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 July 8, 1887 
 July 11,1887 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Purislma Concep- 
 
 ci6n. 
 Sin nombre 
 
 Monte Uling, ArroyoNas- 
 
 pit. 
 Boraboran 
 
 Naga 
 
 Cebu 
 
 Camarines 
 South. 
 
 Cebu 
 
 do 
 
 o 
 
 Nauvaand Bato.. 
 Compostela 
 
 S 
 
 
 4 
 
 Esperanza .- 
 
 Magallanes 
 
 Dagdac 
 
 5 
 
 MasabaorSili 
 
 
 do 
 
 6 
 
 Camansi or Tiga 
 
 Monte del Barrio de Ai- 
 quirin. 
 
 do 
 
 Pagbilao 
 
 do 
 
 Tayabas 
 
 Cebu 
 
 do. 
 
 7 
 
 Sin nombre 
 
 Santa Rosa 
 
 Magallanes 
 
 S 
 
 
 9 
 
 Camansi 
 
 do 
 
 in 
 
 Mantija 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 11 
 
 La Paz de Manzano 
 La India 
 
 
 
 Albay 
 
 do 
 
 T> 
 
 do.. . 
 
 do 
 
 13 
 
 Daraga de Man 
 zano. 
 
 Luciana de Man- 
 zano. 
 
 Santa Rosa de 
 Manzano. 
 
 Santa Rita de 
 Manzano. 
 
 Angeles de Man- 
 zano. 
 
 La Soledad de 
 Manzano. 
 
 Villa de Arevalo.. 
 
 Santa Marina 
 
 Fidelidad 
 
 do 
 
 do. . 
 
 do 
 
 14 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 l.'S 
 
 do 
 
 .. -do 
 
 do 
 
 16 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 17 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 18 
 
 
 -do 
 
 do 
 
 19 
 20 
 
 Gatbo, Rio Biong 
 
 Montujar, Rio Ysingan . . . 
 Gatbo, Rio Biong 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do i 
 
 do. 
 
 ?1 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 m. 
 
 Dos Amigos 
 
 Uni6n 
 
 
 do.... 
 
 do 
 
 « 
 
 Gatbo, Rio Biong. . . 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 24 
 
 El Porvenir 
 
 El Progreso 
 
 Soledad 
 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 2fi 
 
 Gatbo, Arroyo Bontot 
 
 Tubajon and Mabua 
 
 Tubajon 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 26 
 
 Isla de Dinagat. . . 
 do 
 
 Surigao 
 
 do 
 
 27 
 
 Sin nombre 
 
 Virgen Maria 
 
 Pascuala 
 
 m 
 
 Mabua 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 29 
 
 do.... 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 30 
 
 Tom^ y Gtvbina . . 
 Perseverancia 
 
 Constancia 
 
 La Paz de Manzano 
 
 Santa Rita 
 
 Tesoro 
 
 Aliton 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 81 
 
 Tambo, Isla de Batan 
 
 Siguan, Isla de Batan 
 
 Tambo, Isla de Batan 
 
 Siguan, Isla de Batan 
 
 Tambo, Isla de Batan 
 
 Malabo, Isla de Batan 
 
 Potolan, Isla de Batan 
 
 Masaga, Isla de Batan 
 
 Pisadan, Isla de Batan 
 
 Monte Malolod 
 
 
 Albay 
 
 do 
 
 82 
 
 do 
 
 Xi 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 84 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 85 
 
 4o 
 
 do 
 
 86 
 
 Santa Rosa 
 
 Marta 
 
 do 
 
 . ...do 
 
 87 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 SS 
 
 Voluntad 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 39 
 
 Espacio 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 40 
 
 San Rafael 
 
 Albay 
 
 Polillo 
 
 Infanta 
 
 Albay 
 
 do 
 
 41 
 
 Pisidan, Isla de Batan 
 
 Masaga, Isla de Batan 
 
 
 42 
 
 Filipinas 
 
 do 
 
 43 
 
 Espana 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 44 
 
 Angeles 
 
 
 Isla de Dinagat. . - 
 
 Surigao 
 
 Cagayan 
 
 Cebu 
 
 do 
 
 45 
 
 Ulloa 
 
 
 46 
 
 Magallanes 
 
 Progreso 
 
 
 
 47 
 
 Licos and Tuganon 
 
 Manganas-anas 
 
 
 48 
 
 Nuevo Langreo . . . 
 Aurora 
 
 Danao 
 
 .do 
 
 49 
 
 Glnagdanan and Licos . . . 
 
 
 do 
 
 50 
 
 Amelia 
 
 
 .do 
 
 61 
 
 Catalina 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 62 
 
 Cebuana 
 
 
 
 .do 
 
 63 
 
 Portiella 
 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 64 
 
 La Mestiza 
 
 Casilda 
 
 
 .... do 
 
 ...do 
 
 65 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 50 
 
 Las Asturianas 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 Compiled fkom the Aechives of the Mining Bureau. 
 
 251 
 
 Num- 
 ber of 
 claims. 
 
 Surface. 
 
 Name of entryman. 
 
 Date of con- 
 cession. 
 
 Date of can- 
 cellation. 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 60 
 
 Q) 
 
 4 
 4 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 Sq. meters. 
 9,000,000 
 
 Ant/inin Ayalflr 
 
 Feb. 26,1870 
 
 June 1,1887 
 
 
 Antonio Arejola 
 
 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 150,000 
 150,000 
 
 
 Jan. 10,1873 
 do. 
 
 
 
 do 
 
 
 
 
 
 June 20, 1873 
 do. 
 
 No concession granted . 
 Do. 
 
 .....do 
 
 
 Francisco Villa-sefior 
 
 
 July 31,1873 
 
 June 1,1887 = 
 do 2 
 
 Under code 1846" not 
 
 4 
 4 
 4 
 4 
 
 4 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 4 
 4 
 4 
 4 
 4 
 4 
 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 
 600,000 
 
 600,000 
 
 600,000 
 
 600,000 
 
 600,000 
 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 
 Pn.<imin,l V*^l0s^ 
 
 May 23,1874 
 do 
 
 admitted. 
 
 do.. .. 
 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do.2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 record of concession. 
 Do. 
 
 Juan Anz6n 
 
 
 
 Not demarcated. 
 
 
 
 
 Do. 
 
 
 
 
 Demarcated, but no 
 
 
 
 
 record of concession. 
 Do. 
 
 
 
 
 Do. 
 
 Canuto Puentevella 
 
 
 
 Not demarcated. 
 
 
 
 June 22,1874 
 do 
 
 
 do 
 
 
 Do. 
 
 do 
 
 
 do 
 
 Do. 
 
 do. 
 
 
 June 23, 1874 
 do 
 
 Do. 
 
 do 
 
 
 Do. 
 
 .do 
 
 
 June 24, 1874 
 do 
 
 Do. 
 
 do 
 
 
 Do. 
 
 
 
 
 Under code 1846; not 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 admitted. 
 Do. 
 
 
 
 Constantino Carlotta 
 
 
 
 Do. 
 
 
 
 do 
 
 
 
 Do. 
 
 
 
 Jos6 Diaz Herreia ' 
 
 
 
 Do. 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 4 
 4 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 4 
 4 
 
 600,000 
 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 
 600,000 
 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 
 
 
 Dec. 9,1876 
 do 
 
 
 do 
 
 
 ed for lack of legal 
 labor. 
 Do. 
 
 . do 
 
 
 do 
 
 Do. 
 
 do 
 
 
 
 No demarcation. 
 
 .do 
 
 
 Dec. 9,1876 
 Oct. 30,1877 
 do 
 
 Demarcation suspend- 
 
 
 
 ed for lack of legal 
 labor. 
 Demarcated; canceled 
 
 do 
 
 
 for failure to present 
 paper for title. 
 
 do 
 
 
 do 
 
 Do. 
 
 do 
 
 
 do 
 
 Do. 
 
 Antonio Gim6nez y Tenor. 
 
 
 Nov. 16,1879 
 
 Code of 1846; not ad- 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 8 
 
 1 
 
 36 
 2 
 20 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 7 
 
 8 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 0» 
 
 OS 
 
 1,200,000 
 
 1,200,000 
 
 1,200,000 
 
 150,000 
 
 5,250,000 
 
 300,000 
 
 3,000,000 
 
 300,000 
 900,000 
 1,050,000 
 1,200,000 
 300,000 
 300,000 
 150,000 
 100,000 
 100,000 
 
 
 mitted; canceled by 
 renunciation. 
 Demarcated, but no 
 
 
 , 
 
 
 concession. 
 Do. 
 
 do 
 
 
 
 Do, 
 
 
 
 July 20,1880 
 
 Canceled by renuncia- 
 
 
 
 tion. 
 Abandoned. 
 
 Sociedad Nuevo Langreo.. 
 
 Mar. 13,1888 
 do 
 
 
 
 1890 
 
 Canceled; no other 
 
 
 do 
 
 date. 
 
 
 
 Jan. 28,1888 
 do 
 
 Renounced. 
 
 
 
 Do. 
 
 
 
 do 
 
 Do. 
 
 Sociedaxi Nuevo Langreo.. 
 
 An 
 
 Mar. 13,1888 
 do 
 
 
 
 
 Do. 
 
 
 .L...do 
 
 
 Do. 
 
 
 
 Feb, 8,1888 
 do 
 
 No free land. 
 
 do 
 
 
 Do. 
 
 1 Not stated; no concession asked. 
 
 " Noted as abandoned for many years. 
 
252 THE COAL MEA&UEES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 Table II. — Coal Entries in the Philippines, 1868-1899, Compiled 
 
 Date of entry. Name of mine. 
 
 July 16,1887 
 July 27,1887 
 Mar. 1, 1889 
 May 26,1889 
 Mar. 17,1890 
 Mar. 26,1890 
 Apr. 30,1890 
 
 do 
 
 Nov. 13,1891 
 Dec. 8, 1891 
 
 Dec. 
 Jan. 
 
 8, 1891 
 10, 1892 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Feb. 12,1892 
 
 Feb. 18,1892 
 Sept. 12,1892 
 
 Oct. 19,1892 
 Jan. 3,1893 
 Dec. 20,1893 
 Dec. 21,1893 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Dec. 30,1893 
 Jan. 31,1894 
 Apr. 28,1894 
 June 30, 1894 
 Oct. 26,1894 
 
 do 
 
 Mar. 6, 1895 
 Mar. 24,1895 
 do 
 
 July 15,1895 
 
 Mar. 22,1896 
 
 ....do 
 
 do 
 
 Apr. 4, 1896 
 May 1, 1896 
 Aug. 10,1897 
 
 do 
 
 ....do 
 
 Nor. 15,1897 
 Dec. 13,1897 
 Sept. 10, 1898 
 Sept. 15,1898 
 
 do 
 
 ....do 
 
 Oct. 28,1898 
 Nov. 3, 1898 
 
 ....do 
 
 ....do 
 
 ....do 
 
 Nov. 5, 1898 
 
 ....do 
 
 ....do 
 
 ....do 
 
 ....do 
 
 ....do 
 
 ....do 
 
 ....do 
 
 Nov. 11,1898 
 
 San Jos6 
 
 Santa Cruz 
 
 Santa Maria 
 
 ],;egaspl 
 
 Angeles 
 
 San Julian 
 
 Josefa 
 
 Casilda 
 
 Santa Eosa 
 
 Nuestra Seiiora 
 del Carmen. 
 
 Mercedes 
 
 Carolina 
 
 Locality. 
 
 San Armando . 
 
 San Rafael 
 
 San Claudio... 
 San Joaquin . . 
 San Ram6n . . . 
 San Clemente. 
 
 Prudencia 
 
 Progreso 
 
 Alfonso XIII. 
 San Enrique . 
 
 Pilar 
 
 Maria 
 
 Sodupe 
 
 Balerma 
 
 Urgera 
 
 Ganalda 
 
 San Francisco.. 
 Perseverancia.. 
 
 Bilbao 
 
 Rafael Reyes... 
 Lucas y Josefa . 
 
 Chifladura 
 
 Carlota 
 
 Presentaci6n 
 
 AUevega (Olavea- 
 
 ga). 
 Maria Cristina . . . 
 
 Nuevo Cardiff 
 
 Nuevo Cardiff 2d. 
 Nuevo Cardiff 3d. 
 
 Angeles 
 
 SanFaix 
 
 Blisa 
 
 Juanito 
 
 Lidia 
 
 Palma 
 
 Vizcaya 
 
 Paz 
 
 San Jacinto 
 
 San Enrique 
 
 San Ramiro 
 
 Sin nombre 
 
 La Esperanza 
 
 Magallanes . 
 
 Hanopol 
 
 Binacungan 
 Danao , 
 
 Vizayas 
 
 Luguayan 
 
 Germania 
 
 Aplicaci6n (Am- 
 pliacidn). 
 
 Cebii 
 
 Muao 
 
 Dapdap 
 
 Good Hope 
 
 Nabangig 
 
 do 
 
 Painan 
 
 Binacungan 
 
 Licos 
 
 Sili 
 
 Uling and Cambaji 
 
 Uling and Campacan 
 
 Luguayan 
 
 Santa Rosa and Magliji . 
 
 Alpaco . 
 Siay — 
 
 Napisian . 
 
 Siay 
 
 Napisian , 
 
 Siay 
 
 do. 
 
 Napisian 
 
 do 
 
 Cambumampao . 
 
 Active 
 
 Tag-angilang or Mangia- 
 
 pugiap. 
 
 Balian 
 
 Calatoy 
 
 Napisay, Isla de Batan . . . 
 Pututan, Isla de Batan. . . 
 Bencalon, Isla de Batan.. 
 
 Liguan, Isla de Batan 
 
 do 
 
 Malabog, Isla de Batan . . 
 Calabang, Isla de Batan.. 
 
 Lupa 
 
 Caticatigahan, San Ra- 
 
 m6n, Isla de Batan. 
 
 do 
 
 Camansi 
 
 SabUTJ, Isla de Batan 
 
 Aguls, Isla de Batan 
 
 Yidiong . 
 Calatoy, . 
 
 Macasilao 
 
 do 
 
 Tuganon 
 
 Cataitican 
 
 Isla de Batan 
 
 Isla de Batan (Babe) 
 
 Catigaban, Isla de Batan. 
 
 Burat, Isla de Batan 
 
 do 
 
 Isla de Batan 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Libod, Isla de Batan 
 
 Burard and Manila, Isla 
 de Batan. 
 
 Carisan 
 
 Hanopol 
 
 Binacungan 
 
 Camansi 
 
 Santa Rosa 
 
 Luguayan 
 
 Silo or San Julian . 
 Licos 
 
 Santa Rosa 
 
 Parel, Muao y Cotcot. 
 
 Dapdap 
 
 Arroyo Bougaon , 
 
 District. 
 
 Cataingan . . 
 
 do 
 
 Semerara 
 
 Montalban . 
 Compostela. 
 
 Danao 
 
 Naga 
 
 do 
 
 Danao 
 
 do 
 
 Naga 
 
 Bulalacao . 
 
 do.. 
 
 do., 
 
 do.. 
 
 do.. 
 
 do.. 
 
 do.. 
 
 do.. 
 
 Toledo . 
 
 do 
 
 Compostela. 
 
 Danao 
 
 Calatrava .. 
 
 Bacon 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Compostela. 
 Bacon 
 
 do. 
 
 Danao - 
 Bacon . 
 do. 
 
 Toledo ... 
 Calatrava . 
 
 .....do 
 
 do 
 
 Compostela - 
 Bulalacao . . 
 
 Bacon 
 
 do 
 
 .....do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 .....do 
 
 Magallanes 
 
 Caramuan 
 
 Montalban 
 
 Danao and Com- 
 postela. 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do... 
 
 do... 
 
 do... 
 
 Gumaca . 
 
 Province. 
 
 Masbate . 
 
 do... 
 
 Mindoro. 
 Manila . . 
 
 Cebu 
 
 do... 
 
 do... 
 
 ....do... 
 
 do.... 
 
 -...do.... 
 
 do... 
 
 Mindoro. 
 
 do. 
 
 do. 
 
 ....do. 
 ....do. 
 ....do. 
 ....do. 
 ....do. 
 Cebu .. 
 
 .do. 
 .do. 
 
 -...do 
 
 West Negros. 
 Sorsogon .... 
 
 — do 
 
 ....do 
 
 ....do 
 
 ....do 
 
 ....do 
 
 ....do 
 
 Cebu 
 
 ....do.... 
 
 Cebu 
 
 Soisogon . 
 do.... 
 
 Cebu 
 
 West Negros. 
 
 ....do.... 
 ....do.... 
 
 Cebu 
 
 Mindoro.. 
 Sorsogon . 
 
 do.... 
 
 ....do.... 
 ....do.... 
 ....do.... 
 ....do...- 
 ....do.... 
 ....do.... 
 ....do.... 
 ....do.... 
 ....do.... 
 
 ....do 
 
 Camarlnes.. 
 
 Manila 
 
 Cebu 
 
 .do. 
 .do. 
 .do. 
 .do. 
 
 ....do... 
 ....do... 
 
 do... 
 
 Tayabas . 
 
THE COAL MEASTTEES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 253 
 
 FROM THE Archives of the Mining Bureau — Continued. 
 
 N>im- 
 berof 
 claims. 
 
 Surface. 
 
 Name of entryman. 
 
 Date of con- 
 cession. 
 
 Date of can- 
 cellation. 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 So. meters. 
 
 600,000 
 
 600,000 
 
 300,000 
 
 1,660,000 
 
 1,800,000 
 
 1,200,000 
 
 1,200,000 
 
 1,200,000 
 
 600,000 
 
 1,200,000 
 
 1,200,000 
 600,000 
 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 300,000 
 
 4 600,000 
 4 600,000 
 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 300,000 
 150,000 
 150,000 
 150,000 
 600,000 
 160,000 
 600,000 
 300,000 
 160,000 
 
 150,000 
 150,000 
 300,000 
 300,000 
 
 600,000 
 
 600,000 
 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 
 1,200,000 
 600,000 
 150,000 
 600,000 
 300,000 
 300,000 
 
 3,600,000 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 300,000 
 900,000 
 
 600,000 
 9, 000, 000 
 4, 500, 000 
 
 600,000 
 
 600,000 
 
 600,000 
 
 3,450,000 
 
 9,000,000 
 
 4,050,000 
 
 6, 600, 000 
 
 6,760,000 
 
 600,000 
 
 3os6 Munoz de Bustillo. . . 
 
 do.i 
 
 Antonio de Yribir 
 
 Anacleto del Rosario 
 
 Ramdn Montanes 
 
 Sociedad Nuevo Langreo- 
 
 Florentino Rallos 
 
 do 
 
 Rani6n Montaiies 
 
 Sociedad Nuevo Langreo. 
 
 .do. 
 
 May 31,1888 
 
 do 
 
 May 12,1893 
 
 Rafael Cascarosa y Meit- 
 
 tlnez. 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do ..-- 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Comelio Roberto Blair 
 
 Pickford. 
 do 
 
 May 16,1891 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 July 8, 1892 
 June 18, 1892 
 
 do.. 
 
 May 12,: 
 
 Mar. 20,1894 
 
 ....do 
 
 Mar. 10,1894 
 ....do 
 
 .do. 
 
 do....:.. 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do , 
 
 do 
 
 June 19, 1896 
 
 Ram6n Montanes July 5, 1894 
 
 Julian Roji 
 
 Francisco Ga. Romero. 
 Jacinto Gil Gorrono . . . 
 Sres. Villanueva & Co. 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Emillo Mufioz 
 
 Sres. Villanueva & Co. 
 Jacinto Gil Gorrono . . . 
 
 Ram6n Montanes 
 
 Jacinto Gil Gorrono . . . 
 
 .do. 
 
 Sociedad Nuevo Langreo. . 
 
 Jacinto Gil Gorrofio 
 
 do 
 
 Comelio Roberto Blair 
 
 Pickford. 
 Martin Buck and Joaquin 
 
 Cassanovas y Lovett. 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Ram6n Montanes 
 
 Victor Herrera 
 
 Enrique Gil Gorrono 
 
 Jacinto Gil Gorrono ^ 
 
 Pablo Emilio Herrmann 2 
 Rosello Vioh y Rossello ' . 
 
 Ja'cinto Gil Gorrono 
 
 Enrique Gil Gorrofio 
 
 Jacinto Gil Gorrofio 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Henry Brodek 
 
 Jos6 Verches y Vera 
 
 Antonio Fuset 
 
 do 
 
 Ram6n Montafies . 
 Enrique Spitz 
 
 .do. 
 .do. 
 .do. 
 .do. 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Edouard C. Andr«. 
 
 .do. 
 
 Dec. 6, 1895 
 Aug. 16,1896 
 
 ....do 
 
 ....do 
 
 Oct. 11,1895 
 Aug. 16,1895 
 Dec. 6, 1895 
 Oct. 11,1895 
 Dec. 6, 1895 
 
 ....do 
 
 June 6,1896 
 Dec. 6, 1895 
 do 
 
 Feb. 
 July 
 
 2. 1894 
 
 3. 1895 
 
 June 19,1896 
 
 Mar. 23,1898 
 
 First-class. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 Abandoned. 
 First-class. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 Do. 
 Do. 
 Do. 
 Do. 
 Do. 
 Do. 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 Do. 
 
 No discovery. 
 
 Abandoned. 
 
 First-class. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 Do. 
 Do. 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Second-class. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 First-class. 
 Second-class 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 Third-class 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 Do. 
 Do. 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 Do. 
 Do. 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 Do. 
 Do. 
 Do. 
 
 ' Jose Mufioz. 
 
 2 Correct to Enrique Gil Gorrofio. 
 3 Correct to Rafael Vich y Rosell6. 
 
254 THE COAL MEASUKES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 Table II. — Coal Entribs in the Philippines, 1868-1899, Compiled 
 
 Date of entry. Name of mine. 
 
 Locality. 
 
 District. 
 
 ProTince. 
 
 123 
 124 
 125 
 126 
 127 
 128 
 129 
 130 
 131 
 132 
 133 
 
 134 
 135 
 
 Nov. 11,1898 
 
 ....do 
 
 ....do 
 
 ....do 
 
 ....do 
 
 ....do 
 
 ....do 
 
 ....do 
 
 ....do 
 
 do 
 
 Nov. 14,1898 
 
 Nov. 23,1898 
 Jan, 12,1899 
 
 C^sarine de Court 
 
 Wealthy 
 
 Franco 
 
 Abondance 
 
 Sainte Barbe 
 
 Arbiguay 
 
 Clementine 
 
 Jean 
 
 Auguste 
 
 Richfield 
 
 Cacub 
 
 San Jos6 
 
 Butiian 
 
 Bambang 
 
 Arroyo Paglati 
 
 Baao 
 
 Sanjirin, Isla de Alabat . . 
 
 Malay 
 
 Baao 
 
 Monte Malolod 
 
 Malagonlong 
 
 Baao 
 
 Camagon 
 
 Cacub and Dapa (Isla 
 
 Siargao). 
 
 Sam-ang 
 
 Birombato and Butuan, 
 
 Isla de Batan. 
 
 Gumaca 
 
 do 
 
 Mauban , 
 
 do 
 
 do , 
 
 ....do 
 
 PolUlo , 
 
 Mauban 
 
 do 
 
 Attmonan 
 
 Numancia and 
 Cabuntug. 
 
 Loquilocon , 
 
 Bacon 
 
 Tayabas . 
 
 do... 
 
 do... 
 
 do... 
 
 do... 
 
 do... 
 
 Infanta.. 
 
 do. 
 .do. 
 Surigao. 
 
 Samar 
 
 Sorsogon . 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 FKOM THE Archives op the Mining Bukeau — Continued. 
 
 255 
 
 Num- 
 ber of 
 claims. 
 
 Surface. 
 
 Name of entryman. 
 
 Date of con- 
 ceesion. 
 
 Date of can- 
 cellation. 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 4 
 4 
 4 
 4 
 4 
 4 
 4 
 4 
 4 
 4 
 60 
 
 30 
 4 
 
 Sq. meters. 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 600,000 
 
 9,000,000 
 
 4,500,000 
 600,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 do 
 
 
 
 
 do 
 
 
 
 Do 
 
 do 
 
 
 
 Do. 
 
 do 
 
 
 
 Do 
 
 do 
 
 
 
 Do. 
 
 do 
 
 
 
 Do 
 
 do 
 
 
 
 Do 
 
 do 
 
 
 
 Do. 
 
 do 
 
 
 
 Do 
 
 Isidoro Sanger 
 
 
 
 Do 
 
 do 
 
 
 
 Do 
 
 Jos6 Maria Yesiaz . 
 
 
 
 Do 
 
 
 
 
 
256 
 
 THE COAL MBA8UBES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 I 
 
 
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 ■uoq 
 
 S g 15 
 
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 T-H 1^ r-J 
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 ~~ffl 
 
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 rH rH tH . 
 
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256 
 
 THE COAL MEASUEES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 O bo 
 
 
 M ss 
 
 •a 
 
 
 
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 CO 
 
 
 1/3 
 
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 CO 
 
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 r-os 
 
 
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THE COAL MEASUEES OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 257 
 
 
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 tA 
 
 
 © 
 
 
 
 
 « 
 
 
 
 
 
 C^ 
 
 Q 
 
 
 
 E^ 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 l-^ 
 
 s_ 
 
 
 II 
 
 s 
 
 
 O 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 O 
 
 ^1 
 
 03 
 
 
 tH 
 
 
 
 
 0) 
 
 o 
 to 
 
 a . 
 ■ftS 
 
 
 s 
 
 a. 
 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 gw 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 5503—01- 
 
 -17 
 
258 THE COAL MEASURES OF THE PHILIPXTNES. 
 
 Table V. — The Coal oi' Japan and Neighboring Islands. 
 
 Elementary analy- 
 sis. 
 
 I. 
 
 Taka- 
 shima. 
 
 It. 
 Miike. 
 
 III. 
 Karatsu. 
 
 IV. ,' 
 Soracbi. 
 
 V. 
 HorumuL 
 
 VI. 
 Hou- 
 shiki. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Mid- 
 
 zunuki. 
 
 VIII. 
 Kelung. 
 
 A. 
 Water 
 
 1.320 
 78.633 
 5.816 
 
 8.721 
 
 .659 
 
 4.851 
 
 0.536 
 69. 280 
 6.524 
 
 4.888 
 3.488 
 16. 284 
 
 2.690 
 69.436 
 5.156 
 
 11. 920 
 1.177 
 9.621 
 
 2.928 
 
 77.040 
 
 5.«86 
 
 11. 014 
 
 .642 
 
 2.791 
 
 8.479 
 68.842 
 4.771 
 
 15.180 
 
 .472 
 
 2.266 
 
 5.360 
 66.221 
 6.222 
 
 10.118 
 
 1.607 
 
 12.472 
 
 3.714 
 57.689 
 4.620 
 
 10.144 
 3.765 
 20. 068 
 
 3.774 
 
 
 73. 013 
 
 
 6.313 
 
 Oxygen and nitro- 
 
 15. 129 
 
 
 1.087 
 
 Ash 
 
 4.408 
 
 
 
 Total 
 
 100. 000 
 
 100.000 
 
 100.000 
 
 100. 000 
 
 100.000 
 
 100.000 
 
 100.000 
 
 100.000 
 
 
 
 B. 
 
 Water evaporation 
 at40°C 
 
 1.32 
 38.13 
 55.45 
 
 5.10 
 
 0.54 
 38.51 
 43.36 
 17.50 
 
 2.69 
 40.13 
 47.12 
 10.04 
 
 2.98 
 36.03 
 59.05 
 
 2.99 
 
 8.48 
 37.52 
 61. 67 
 
 2.43 
 
 6.36 
 35.95 
 46.11 
 13.08 
 
 ,3.51 
 22.98 
 67.51 
 6.00 
 
 3.77 
 
 Combustible gases . . 
 Carbon residuum . . . 
 Ash residuum 
 
 52.13 
 43.47 
 4.41 
 
 Total 
 
 100.00 
 
 100. 00 
 
 100.00 
 
 100. 00 
 
 100.00 
 
 100.00 
 
 100.00 
 
 100.00 
 
 
 
 Specific gravity 
 
 1.260 
 
 1.335 
 
 1.349 
 
 .1.279 
 
 1.323 
 
 1.351 
 
 
 1.254 
 
 
 
 Of the coal classified above, I, II, and III are from Kiushin, and IV, V, VI, and VII from Yezo 
 Their analysis is taken from the work " Yesso Coals, by H. Munroe, Tokio, 1874." Number VIII is 
 taken from F. Hawks' narrative, " Perry Expedition," vol. ii, pp. 167, 168. 
 
 Table VI. — Analyses of some Cannel Coals and Lignites. 
 
 Locality. 
 
 Specific 
 gravity. 
 
 Carbon. 
 
 Hydro- 
 gen. 
 
 Oxygen. 
 
 Nitrogen. 1 Sulphur. 
 
 Ash. 
 
 Water. 
 
 Lignites; 
 
 Cologne 
 
 Devonshire 
 
 Styria 
 
 Cannel coal; 
 
 Van Diemens 
 Land 
 
 Nova Scotia 
 
 Scotland (Bog- 
 head) 
 
 Lancashire 
 (Wigan) 
 
 1.180 
 
 Per cent. 
 
 63.29 
 66.31 
 50.72 
 
 79.34 
 82.67 
 
 63,10 
 80.07 
 
 4.98 
 5.63 
 6.34 
 
 10.41 
 9.14 
 
 8.91 
 5.53 
 
 Per cent Per cent 
 
 26.24 
 22.86 0.57 
 
 33. 18 2. 
 
 4.93 
 8.19 
 
 I 
 7.25 
 
 Per cent 
 
 2.36 
 .90 
 
 .96 
 1.50 
 
 8.49 
 2.36 
 7.86 
 
 19.78 
 2.70 
 
 0.91 
 
 Table VII. — Elements of vakious American Lignites. 
 
 Kentucky 
 
 Blandvllle 
 
 Washington Territory 
 
 Vancouver Island 
 
 Colorado; 
 
 Carbon Cy 
 
 Canon City 
 
 Arkansas .' 
 
 Texas, Robertson County . 
 
 Specific 
 gravity. 
 
 1.20 
 1.17 
 
 1.27 
 1.28 
 
 1.23 
 
 Fixed 
 carbon. 
 
 Per cent. 
 40 
 31 
 
 58.25 
 62 
 
 41.25 
 56.8 
 34.5 
 45 
 
 Volatile 
 matter. 
 
 48 
 
 31.75 
 
 31 
 
 46 
 34.2 
 28.6 
 89.5 
 
 Water. 
 
 Ash. 
 
 Pel' cent. 
 
 30 
 
 11.5 
 
 7 
 
 4 
 
 3.5 
 4.5 
 32 
 11 
 
 Per cent 
 7 
 
 9.5 
 3 
 3 
 
 9.25 
 4.6 
 5 
 4.5 
 
 Total 
 volatile. 
 
 Per cent. 
 53 
 59.5 
 38.75 
 35 
 
 49.5 
 38.7 
 60.5 
 60.5 
 
 Coke. 
 
 Per cejit. 
 47 
 40.5 
 61.25 
 65 
 
 60.6 
 61.3 
 39.5 
 49.5 
 
THE COAL MEASURES OP THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
 259 
 
 Table VIII. — Analysis of Philippine Coals compared with Cardiff, Australian, 
 
 AND "Wyoming Coals. 
 
 Description of 
 mine. 
 
 Location. 
 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 Cardiil 
 
 Newcastle and Sid- 
 ney. 
 
 Santa Rosa 
 
 VanDvke.." 
 
 Sweetwater Coal 
 
 Co. 
 U. P. No. 1 
 
 Caridad . 
 Dillon... 
 
 Esperanza - . 
 Magallanes. 
 
 U. P. No. 7 
 
 U. P. No. 2 
 
 Deer Creek Coal 
 
 Co. 
 Grinnell 
 
 Burgess 
 
 Antelope 
 
 M.&M 
 
 Jumbo 
 
 Inez Coal Co 
 
 Cataingan . 
 Bulalacao . 
 Becker 
 
 U. P. No. 1 
 
 England.. 
 Australia . 
 
 Cebu 
 
 Rock Springs, 
 
 Wyo. 
 do 
 
 ...do... 
 
 Cebu 
 
 Rawlins . 
 
 Cebu .. 
 do. 
 
 Almy, Wyo 
 
 Carbon, Wyo - - . 
 Glemock, Wyo. 
 Sheridan, Wyo. 
 
 do 
 
 Cambria, Wyo . 
 Buffalo, Wyo.. 
 Cambria, Wyo . 
 Inez, Wyo 
 
 Maabate 
 
 Mindoro 
 
 Sheridan, Wyo. 
 
 Hanna 
 
 P.ct. 
 83.00 
 71.45 
 
 67.94 
 56.50 
 
 55.70 
 
 55.60 
 
 54.56 
 54.00 
 
 P. ct 
 8.60 
 16.25 
 
 31.75 
 34.50 
 
 36.96 
 
 36.42 
 
 34.53 
 32.86 
 
 51.96 37.56 
 49.60 35. 
 
 48.75 
 
 48.30 
 
 47.76 
 
 44.75 
 
 44.70 
 
 44.26 
 
 44.20 
 
 43.66 
 
 42.60 
 
 41.40 
 41.06 
 38.75 
 
 34.88 
 
 35.43 
 
 33.03 
 
 33.18 
 
 37.55 
 
 39.38 
 
 34.30 
 
 40.13 
 
 86.05 
 
 43.31 
 42.14 
 44.37 
 
 38.70 35.25 
 
 P. cl. 
 4.50 
 2.90 
 
 9.23 
 6.25 
 
 6.56 
 
 5.38 
 
 9.60 
 6.56 
 
 7.80 
 11.18 
 
 7.37 
 
 7.42 
 13.82 
 14.42 
 13.06 
 
 6.72 
 14.70 
 
 6.72 
 
 14.65 
 
 10.50 
 12.50 
 8.72 
 
 14.10 
 
 P. ct. 
 3.90 
 9.40 
 
 L08 
 2.75 
 
 1. 
 
 2.60 
 
 1.31 
 6.60 
 
 2.68 
 3.62 
 
 9.00 
 
 8.85 
 
 5.40 
 
 7.65 
 
 4.70 
 
 9.65 
 
 6.80 
 
 10.50 
 
 6.80 
 
 4. 
 
 4.30 
 
 8.21 
 
 11.90 
 
 842 
 432 
 
 674 
 
 7,530 
 6,206 
 
 1,369 
 
 1,632 
 1,491 
 
 6,829 
 5,490 
 
 91.60 fuel. 
 
 87.70 fuel; mixed. 
 
 89.69 fuel. 
 
 91.00 fuel; commercial 
 
 " Rock Springs." 
 92.66 fuel; commercial 
 
 "Rock Springs." 
 92.02 fuel; "U. P. R. E. 
 
 "Rock Springs." 
 89.09 fuel. 
 86.85 fuel; commercial 
 
 steam. 
 
 89.62 fuel. 
 
 84.53 fuel; 0.67 foreign 
 matter. 
 
 83.63 fuel; C. P. & U. P. 
 R. R. locomotive. 
 
 83.73 fuel; U. P. R. R. 
 
 locomotive. 
 80.78 fuel; F. E. & M. V. 
 
 R, R. locomotive. 
 77.93 fuel; B. & M. R. R. 
 
 in Neb. locomotive. 
 82.25 fuel; commercial 
 
 84.63 fuel; Black Hills 
 
 coke. 
 78.50 fuel; commercial 
 
 steam. 
 83.78 fuel; Black Hills 
 
 coke. 
 78.56 fuel; F. E. & M. V. 
 
 R. R. locomotive. 
 84.71 fuel; 0.41 sulphur. 
 83.20 fuel. 
 83.12 fuel; commercial 
 
 steam. 
 73.96 fuel; D. P. R. R. 
 
 locomotive. 
 
II^DEX, 
 
 Abac^, production of, in province of Albay 27 
 
 Abandonment of the Guila-Guila enterprise 39 
 
 Abella _ ]^49 
 
 Abella y Casariego, Enrique 58 
 
 Agius, J. Gimeno 213 
 
 Albay, entries of claims in 76 
 
 Aklecoa, Zoilo y de, report of 79, 85 
 
 Alegria _ 71 
 
 Alfonso, Antonio Dominguez 241, 243, 244 
 
 Aliton, coal discovered at 126 
 
 Almonte, Enrique de 130 
 
 American prospectors visit Masbate coal region 129 
 
 Amount invested in Sugud mine 83 
 
 of coal in Masbate mines 129 
 
 Analysis of Cebu coal by school of mines 31 
 
 Masbate coal 128 
 
 the code of May 14, 1867 49 rt seq. 
 
 Antimonan, Tayabas 26 
 
 Appeal tor protection 174 
 
 Arbella }' Casariego, Enrique, report of _ 115 
 
 Archives of mining bureau, list of claims compiled from 246 
 
 provinces burned 35 
 
 Areloja, Antonio 53 
 
 Argao 70 
 
 Arias, Rafael R. de 113 
 
 Army and Navy of the United States have an offer to secure native coal 177 
 
 Arsenal tests of Philippine coal 205 
 
 I and comparisons of Philippine coals 177 
 
 of coal 41 
 
 Association of La Paz , 143 
 
 A lencio y Bonilla, Esteban, protest of 132 
 
 A yala, Antonio •- 58 
 
 Ay uso, Ricardo 218 
 
 Balamban 71 
 
 Basa, Jos6 Maria 46 
 
 Batan, island of 174 
 
 Bate Lake 55 
 
 Bayof Tinaan 207 
 
 Becker, George F., United States geologist 132 
 
 Beginnings of fixed records 34 
 
 Bernade, Jose Polo de 110 
 
 Bislig, coal found at 127 
 
 Boljoon 70 
 
 261 
 
262 INDEX. 
 
 Page. 
 
 Bores, J 233 
 
 Breches y Figueroa, Messrs 83 
 
 Buck, Martin 103,142 
 
 Bulalacao, samples from deposit of 135 
 
 analysis of 136 
 
 Cabello, Candido 241 
 
 Cacub, coal deposits of 125 
 
 Calatravas mines, West Negros 99 
 
 Cannel coal from other parts 181 
 
 coals, analyses of 258 
 
 Capital lacking for coal developments 186 
 
 necessary to develop coal industry 200 
 
 Carama, Antonio dela 222 
 
 Caramuan, final echo from , 33 
 
 Carcar 70 
 
 Caridad 58,104 
 
 Casanovas, Joaquin - 103, 142 
 
 Casiguran, Albay 25 
 
 Castro, Manuel 17 
 
 Castro, Manuel de 48 
 
 Causes of depressed condition of coal mining 191 
 
 Centeno, Jos6 77, 80, 123, 135, 136 
 
 Centurion y Zapata, Francisco Javier 49 
 
 Chinese firms entered claims for coal mines 48 
 
 Classification of coals 7 
 
 Coal beds 15 feet thick 182 
 
 deposits in Camarines South , 53 
 
 development as a defense for the islands 135 
 
 entries in the Philippines 246 
 
 fields, early, list of 36 
 
 first discovered in Cebu 8 
 
 formation of Danao, when discovered 116 
 
 measures of the Philippines 7 
 
 seams of ilindoro 138 
 
 Coals of Japan 181 
 
 Code of 1846 described 11 
 
 May 14, 1867 49 
 
 Comandanoia general of the navy, comnninication from 113 
 
 Combustible minerals _ 61 
 
 Commercial value ot coal •. 198 
 
 Communication of commander of the navy 110 
 
 directorate to commander of the navy 112 
 
 to general inspector of mines 215 
 
 ministry -. 217 
 
 minister of the colonies 212 
 
 Comparative tests of Philippine coals 257 
 
 value of different coals 120 
 
 Comparison of prices of different coals , 72 
 
 Comparisons of Philippine coals 177 
 
 Composition < if coals ^ 7 
 
 Compostela mines of Cebu — 163 
 
 Concessions for coal development permitted.. ' 34 
 
 in the island of Cebu • 184 
 
 pending at the time of the Spanish- American' war .; , 103 
 
INDEX. 263 
 
 Page. 
 
 Conditions for granting State aid to the coal industry 201 
 
 of concession of Tiling and Lutac mines 219 
 
 Contract prison labor in the Philippines 15 
 
 Con-ui, Isaac 76,104,114,115,123 
 
 Convicts farmed out for working coal mines 15 
 
 Cordova, Seiior 32 
 
 Cost of driving a meter of shaft or gallery 207 
 
 mining Siargao coal 125 
 
 timbers for mines 206 
 
 Crespo, Manuel, governor 31 
 
 Dalaguete _ 70 
 
 Damage caused by depressed condition of mining industry 192 
 
 Danao 21 
 
 Danao-Compostela Coal Mining Company 163 
 
 Dapa, coal deposits of 125 
 
 Dawn of the coal-mining industry 16 
 
 Decree of governor-general, September 21, 1894 212 
 
 Deposit of Sugud 87 
 
 Deposits of coal known in 1844 10 
 
 Description and assay of different coals 258 
 
 of coal deposits 193 
 
 Mindoro coal deposits 136 
 
 the island of Cebu 58 
 
 Difficulties attending coal developments 186 
 
 Difficulty of transportation 74 
 
 Dinagat, coal deposits in ' 126 
 
 Director of civil administration, report of 96 
 
 Documents relating to coal concessions in island of Cebu 184 
 
 Dominguez, Ramon 45, 46 
 
 Donaldson-Sim, J. C 224 
 
 Duty of State to develope coal industry 185 
 
 Early discoveries of coal 8, 9, 10 
 
 in Batan 174 
 
 Earthquake of 1879 132 
 
 Elements of various American lignites 258 
 
 Entries of coal claims in the Philippines 246 
 
 Era of speculation 45 
 
 Espina y Capo, Luis - 53, 241 
 
 Estimate of coal above sea level 196 
 
 Executed works in Sugud district 91 
 
 of Guila-Guila 63 
 
 Expedition, second, to Talatrava district 101 
 
 Findlay, Richardson & Co - 83 
 
 First steps in development of coal industry ^ 10 
 
 Fixed records, beginnings of 34 
 
 Folia, Joe6 241 
 
 Flores, Ramon, P '- 242 
 
 General provisions of Royal order of 'May 14, 1867 143 
 
 Gil Brothers 175,176,177 
 
 Ginart, Manuel 205 
 
 Gobfernadorcillo, duties of 51 
 
 Gold in Mindanao 124 
 
 Government protection requested 174 
 
264 INDEX. 
 
 Page. 
 
 Guila-Guila : 28,31,38,39,59,62 
 
 description of 19 
 
 mine in hands of the State 16 
 
 Hay, Arthur Le 94 
 
 Haydon, G. , result of coals consumed ' 94 
 
 Hematite in Mindoro 140 
 
 Hernandez, Antonio, report of 18,20,23,32,59,127 
 
 Herrera, J. C.,de 97 
 
 Herrera, Eafael 76 
 
 Hill,FentoA W., engineer 134,137 
 
 Historical sketch of coal in Cebu .- 59 
 
 History of coal discoveries in the Philippines 8 
 
 Holditch, A.H 128 
 
 Holidays interfere with coal mining 130 
 
 Hunt, John H 12,15 
 
 Importation of coal into the Philippines ■. 192 
 
 Improper management of coal development 185 
 
 Improvements in Nuevo Langreo ^ 155 
 
 necessary for coal development 145 
 
 Index of plates 6 
 
 tables 6 
 
 Inspection of mines, regulations for 143 
 
 Inspectorate-general of public works, second report of 113 
 
 Inspectorate of public works, report of 110 
 
 Inspector Lasana's report 42 
 
 Inspector of mines, recommendations of 209 
 
 railroads, report of 221 
 
 Instructions for working the mines of Cebu 144 
 
 to inspector-general of public works 211 
 
 Isidro Sainz de Baranda, first inspector of mines 8, 13, 23, 26, 59 
 
 Island of Alabat 178 
 
 Cebu 178 
 
 Leyte 178 
 
 Batan 174,179 
 
 Luzon 131 
 
 Masbate 127 
 
 Mindanao l24 
 
 Mindoro 133 
 
 Javier Brothers 47 
 
 Javier, Jos6 242 
 
 Jos6 Munoz & Son, Cataingan 130 
 
 Knight, Wilbur C, Professor 181 
 
 Laboratory assays of coals 71 
 
 Labor question discussed i 44 
 
 in Masbate district 130 
 
 La Cebuana 61 
 
 La India 83 
 
 Lake Batp 55 
 
 La Mina, Camarines South 53,55 
 
 La Paz Company 175 
 
 La Paz in Albay 75, 76 
 
 Lasafia Cesar 42 
 
 Leandro Cardano 11 
 
INDEX. 265 
 
 Page. 
 
 Leceta, Daniel 244 
 
 Le Conte, quotations from 7 
 
 Legaspi 58,104 
 
 Leon, Mariano de 244 
 
 Letter of transmittal 3 
 
 Lignite, beds of, in Luzon X32 
 
 coal of Wyoming 181 
 
 Limited area of Spanish control I5 
 
 List of conditions for exploiting Uling and Lutac coal deposits 234 
 
 Localities wliere coal entries have been made 41 
 
 has been found 191 
 
 Lo-Liang-Co 126 
 
 Luzon, island of I3I 
 
 McCaskey, Hiram D 182 
 
 McLeod coal and railway concession 182, 184 
 
 McLeod, Neil 180 
 
 Mabua, coal discoveredat 126 
 
 mines of 75 
 
 Magallanes 58,104 
 
 Malaboyoc 71 
 
 Manzano y Yasquez, Juan 83 
 
 Marcaida, Bautista de 17,23 
 
 Marcilla, Jos^ Carces de 241, 245 
 
 Mariano y Corpo, Valentin 55 
 
 Martinez y Zapico, Celestino 146 
 
 Marty, Ram6n 78, 92 
 
 Masbate coal almost smokeless 128 
 
 Masbate, island of 127 
 
 Method of mining 57 
 
 suggested for encouraging coal industry 193 
 
 Mindanao, island of 124 
 
 Mindoro, island of 133 
 
 Mineralogical character of the Sugud coal 89 
 
 Mineral wealth of Mindanao 124 
 
 Mines: 
 
 Albay ' 175,250 
 
 Alpaco 38,39,64,147 
 
 Angeles 147,252 
 
 Balerma 175,252 
 
 Bilbao 175,177,252 
 
 Caridad 67,116,120 
 
 Carlota 146,252 
 
 Casilda 147,151,154,250,252 
 
 Cebuana 146,153 
 
 Chifladura 175,252 
 
 Compostela '. 115,122,151 
 
 Covadonga 149,157 
 
 Elisa 175,252 
 
 Esperanza 67,116,120,175,256 
 
 Filipinas - 175,250 
 
 Ganalda 175 
 
 Josefa 147,151,154,252 
 
 Juanito 175,252 
 
266 INDEX. 
 
 Mines — Continued. Page. 
 
 LaMestiza 146,250 
 
 Legaspi 66,132,254 
 
 Lucas y Josef a 175, 252 
 
 Lutac 37,63 
 
 Lydia 175,252 
 
 Magallanes 66,146,148,153,250,252 
 
 Mercedes 147,252 
 
 Nuestra Seriora del Carmen 63,146,154,246,248,252 
 
 _ NuevoLangreo 146,152,153,159,186,250 
 
 Olaveaga 175 
 
 Perseverancia 175, 252 
 
 Portiella 146,148,150,153,157 
 
 Presentacion 175, 252 
 
 Prudencia 142,252 
 
 Purisima Conoepcion 53, 58, 63, 246 
 
 Eosario 63,248 
 
 San Armando 142,252 
 
 SanClaudio 142,252 
 
 SanOlemente 142,252 
 
 San Francisco 175,252 
 
 San Jos6 63,127,246,252,254 
 
 San Julian 146,252 
 
 Santa Barbara 148 
 
 Santa Rosa ...66,252 
 
 Santo Domingo 63,246 
 
 Santo Nino 63 
 
 Sodupe 175,252 . 
 
 Sibod 37,63 
 
 Uling 38,39,64 
 
 Urgera 175 
 
 Vizoaya 175,177,252 
 
 Mines of Cebu 17 
 
 Mining code first promulgated 10 
 
 of May 14, 1867 49 
 
 industry of the Philippines 85 
 
 Monografias Geologicaa, by Centeno .' 132 
 
 Monopoly period in Cebu 36, 45 
 
 Tayabas and other localities 45 
 
 Montafies, Ramon 163 
 
 Mount Licos 116 
 
 Mount Malolod 75 
 
 Mozo, Manuel J 93 
 
 Mufioz, Emilio 175 
 
 Muiloz, Jos6 128 
 
 Munroe, li 181 
 
 Napisian and Siay , group of mines of 141 
 
 Necessity for encouragement to the coal industry 193 
 
 Nuevo Cardiff mines 103 
 
 analysis of coal 103 
 
 Nuevo Langreo mines in Cebu 146 
 
 Objects of mining 11 
 
 Objections to State control of coal production 27 
 
INDBX. .267 
 
 Obligations of the treasury of the Philippines 241 
 
 Oil springs reported 133 
 
 Olano, Casto 216 
 
 Opinion of the inspector of mines '. 223 
 
 Oroquieta, Marquis de 84 
 
 Outcroppings of Gulla-Guila 62 
 
 Pandan River, division of Naga, Cebu _ 184 
 
 Patino, commander of, finds coal 134 
 
 Peckham, George 12, 15 
 
 Perdiguero, Benito 241 
 
 Pereiro, Ovidio Fernandez 126 
 
 Period of monopoly in Cebu 36 
 
 Petition for provincial funds _ 94 
 
 of Con-ui for government aid 106 
 
 construction of tramway 109 
 
 Petroleum in the island of Luzon 133 
 
 Philippine coals compared with other coals 259 
 
 Pinto Enrique _ , 241 
 
 Practical qualities of the Philippine coal 202 
 
 Price of coal for Spanish navy 12 
 
 labor at various mining works 206 
 
 Prices of different coals in the Philippines 121 
 
 Prison labor 60 
 
 Production of other countries 74 
 
 Projected purchase of the Guila-Guila mines 39 
 
 Proposal for the encouragement of coal mining in the Philippines 191 
 
 to submit new views to ministry 216 
 
 Proposed production of coal .- 198 
 
 Proposition to bid at sale of mines of Tiling and Lutac 240 
 
 Prospectus of La Paz _ 83 
 
 Province of Albay 10,25 
 
 Bulacan __ 10 
 
 Camarines South 14 
 
 Caraga 10, 13 
 
 Pampanga 10 
 
 Pangasinan - - 10 
 
 Tayabas 10 
 
 Provincial archives burned 35 
 
 Quality of coals 71,140,197 
 
 Railroads for the mines 199 
 
 Railway for Danao mines 163 
 
 Rallos, Florentino - 1-16, 152 
 
 Ramires, Manuel 115 
 
 Ripida descripcion de la isla de Sebu r 58 
 
 Rapu-Rapu, Albay ■- 25 
 
 Recent visit to Batan coal fields 176 
 
 Recoletos Order of Friars 134,137,140 
 
 Recommendations of public works approved 215 
 
 the inspector of mines 209 
 
 regarding funds - - 212 
 
 Records, beginnings of 34 
 
 Regulations for supervision and inspection 143 
 
268 INDEX. 
 
 Page. 
 
 Rein, Professor 181 
 
 Eeport of commander of Spanish navy 92 
 
 department of mines and public works 218 
 
 Inspector Lasana 42 
 
 to commander of the navy 94 
 
 Result of appeal for government aid 174 
 
 Rivera, P. de 238 
 
 Rojas& Co ' 36,44,58,194 
 
 Eojas, Margarita - 46 
 
 Rosario, Anacleto del -- - 132 
 
 Royal decree of August 23, 1890 143 
 
 order of January 30, 1856 30 
 
 Aprils', 1878 --- 98,143 
 
 August20, 1894 208 
 
 January 5, 1895 215 
 
 May 31, 1896 232 
 
 Sanger, Isidro - 125 
 
 San Felix in Mindoi-o - 134 
 
 San Moolas and JMinglanilla 70 
 
 Santa Maria of Mindoro 133 
 
 Santa Rosa 58,61,104 
 
 Santos, Jose M 34 
 
 Savages of Talatrava district 102 
 
 >Semerara, coal fields of 134 
 
 Seiuerara, ^lindoro 25 
 
 Sibonga 70 
 
 Sibuguey coal, Mindanao 32 
 
 Silver in Mindanao __ . 124 
 
 Sirgao, coal deposits of 124 
 
 Slow development of mineral wealth _ 10 
 
 S(ieiedad Nuevo Langreo 162 
 
 Special conditions to govern mining railroad 222 
 
 reports on Compostela and Danao 104 
 
 Speculative entries 36 
 
 Spitz, Enrique 104,156 
 
 Spontaneous combustion, fears cancerning 12 
 
 Statement of laboratory assays 256 
 
 Steam -making power of Philippine coal 202 
 
 Sugud mines, report of work performed 82 
 
 Supervision and inspection, regulations for 143 
 
 Table of contents 5 
 
 tests made of Philippine coals 204 
 
 Taft Philippine Commission, report of 181 
 
 Tagakag, mining claim of . ., 76 
 
 Talamban ■ 70 
 
 Testimony of engineers of merchant steamers 90 
 
 Tests made liy the Navy 203 
 
 of coal 12 
 
 made at Cavite arsenal 13 
 
 Toledo 71 
 
 Town of Calatrava 99 
 
 Translation of documents referring to Uling and Lutac coal concessions in the 
 
 island of Cebu 184 
 
INDEX. 269 
 
 Page. 
 
 Transportation from Guila-Guila 20 
 
 of coal in carts 185 
 
 Treasury Department opinion of mining concession 224 
 
 Troj lical vegetation an obstacle to mining exploration 16 
 
 Tubajon, mines of 75 
 
 Tubajong, coal discovered at 126 
 
 Uling 64 
 
 and Liitac coal concessions in the island of Cebu _ 184 
 
 group of coal claims 184 
 
 mines 187 
 
 Unhealthf ulness of 31indoro 142 
 
 Urbiztondo, Antonio 30, 32 
 
 Use of timber from public lands ., 77 
 
 Valentin, A 134 
 
 Varanda, Martin 11, 175 
 
 Vargas, Antonio 150 
 
 Vasquez, Juan Garcia 245 
 
 Vega, Gutierrez de la 224 
 
 Vega y Verdugo, Carlos ._ 245 
 
 Vegetation an impediment to explorations 132 
 
 Veins of the Calatrava district 100 
 
 Vessels made successful tests of Philippine coal 197, 204 
 
 Villanueva & Co 175 
 
 Villasefior, Francisco 45, 46, 75 
 
 Vina, Diego, jr 99 
 
 Vina, Diego & Co 17, 30 
 
 Vina, Kojas&Co 36,39,44,45,46 
 
 Vifia, sale of mines not accomplished 30 
 
 Visits to Danao mines 164 et seq 
 
 Ynchauste&Co 120 
 
 Yribar, Aaitonio de 133 
 
 Yribar mines 137, 138 
 
 Zambales Mountains contain coal 132 
 
 o 
 
WORKINGS OF 
 
 LA PAZ CLAIMS 
 
 S'? Julia Shs 
 
 S.Juan Shaft 
 
 Aldecoa Shaft 
 
S'? Julia Shaft 
 
 SECTION ON THE PLANE A B 
 
 S.Jose Shaft 
 
 Air Shaft N" 2 
 
 Scale = 500 
 
 10 5 O 
 
 10 
 
 30 
 
 -i— 
 
 HO 
 
 50 
 
PLATE V 
 
 cm 
 
 3 
 
 Maestro Shaft 
 
 S 
 
 S 
 
 Ur Shaft N° 2 
 
 JULIUS B!EN & CO LiTH NY. 
 
PLATE 
 
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