Book VI 



Of the District under the Circuit Court of the PhiHppines Located 

 in Manila, with the Provinces It Contains and the Remarkable Things 

 in Them [and the Corregimientos and Alcaldias Mayores to Which 

 the President Makes Appointments.] 



Chapter I 



Of the Route Followed to the Philippines, and the Island of Luzon 

 Where the City of Manila Is Located. 



767. The famous port of Acapulco is the chief point of embarka- 

 tion for the Philippine Islands. This is a longer voyage than from 

 Spain to the Indies. The port is at 17° N. ; it has a hot climate, 

 somewhat unhealthy at times. It contains as many as 70 Spanish 

 residents, with as many more free mulattoes and Negroes, and slaves 

 living there. It has a brisk trade in connection with the ships coming 

 from the Philippines. The Viceroy of Mexico appoints its Alcalde 

 Mayor for the administration of justice. It contains a Spanish garri- 

 son and Royal Officials — Paymaster and Treasurer — who collect and 

 administer the funds of the Royal Patrimony and the dues from the 

 ships going to and coming from the Philippines. This port belongs 

 to the district of the Circuit Court and Archbishopric of Mexico. 



768. The ships sailing to the Philippines, once out of the harbor 

 of Acapulco, turn SW. and lose altitude until they reach i2°3o', in 

 search of breezes. The good season is in November, December, and 

 January; then they always have a following wind toward the W., 

 and follow the sun, with nothing but water and sky to be seen. Then, 

 after 40 days more or less of navigation, they reach numerous islands 

 called the Ladrones ; there are 16 principal islands and many others 

 of less importance. These run N. and S., on a line with Japan ; 

 they lie in 12° N, and are called the Ladrones (Thieves' Islands) 

 because the natives have thievish tendencies. They come out to meet 

 the ships they see passing the islands, in boats which are unique and 

 unlike all others ; boat, mast, and sail are all made of bamboo ; there 

 is only one of these heathen islanders in each, tiller in one hand and 

 sheet in the other ; and these boats are in fact as light as bamboo ; 

 our ships may be under full sail with a good following wind, and 

 they can sail around them all they please, thanks to their lightness. 



268 



