106 SAMBOANGA. [1844. 



dreaded tribe of the Illanons, crossed by the Malay, had 

 descended. These people take their name from the 

 Bay of Illaiion, situated to the S.E. of Samboanga, the 

 capital being the city of Mindanao. They are at peace 

 with the Spanish authorities. 



Shortly after noon we rounded the south western 

 point of Mindanao, and opened the Santa Cruz Islands, 

 situated about two miles to the southward of the town 

 of Samboanga, and on passing the Fort and Bay of Cal- 

 deras on our left, got sight of the Spanish colours on the 

 Fort of Samboanga. Vessels passing this strait, and 

 more particularly if intended to anchor off Samboanga, 

 should keep close to the Mindanao shore, not only to 

 avoid the dangerous patches which lie off the Santa Cruz 

 Islands, but also to ensure anchorage in those cases, 

 which failure of wind and strong currents render advi- 

 sable. There are no dangers on the north side of the 

 channel but what are well beaconed by the outer fishing 

 stakes ; these, in almost every place in the eastern seas 

 frequented by the Malay, will be found to be placed in 

 three or more fathoms. 



About 4 o'clock in the evening we dropped anchor off 

 the town of Samboanga, in seventeen fathoms, and by 

 advice received at Manila, moored, to prevent fouling 

 the cables amongst the rocks, which the eddies, resulting 

 from the strong currents of this strait, frequently produce. 

 I immediately paid a visit to Colonel Figueroa, the Com- 

 mandant or Governor, by whom I was received with all 

 the hearty cordiality which I had been informed at 

 Manila, was the type of his character. The gentleman 

 before alluded to, had arrived, and being now present, 



