THE ECONOMIC CONDITION OF THE PHILIPPINES 49 



mentioned. (Refer : Lord Anson's " Journey Round the World," 

 1749, and the description of Spanish commerce by J. C. S., 

 Dresden, 1763.) The home freight consisted chiefly of silver 

 dollars, and there were also passengers — persons going to seek 

 their fortune in' the Philippines — and officials and soldiers sent 

 out by the Madrid government as substitutes. 



The merchandise yielded twice its value in Manila, and, as is 

 recorded, sometimes even four times, which in certain cases 

 may no doubt have happened. The profit, however, did not 

 all go into one pocket, but was divided among a number. The 

 government issued warrants (boletins) restricting the shipping 

 of cargoes to the monasteries, pensioned officials, and other 

 privileged persons, who then sold them to merchants. In this 

 manner the profits were distributed. The result was that mer-. 

 chandise of very high value was shipped, and the nao often so 

 packed with cargo that the guns had to be stowed away. On 

 the home journey there was often over $3,000,000 value on 

 board. As these ships were maintained at the expense of the 

 government, it is natural that a portion of the shipping fees was 

 reserved for the royal exchequer. 



Generally the well-laden nao sailed from Cavite in July, 

 steering northward to 30°, where, taking advantage of the west- 

 ern winds, it made straight for the shores of California, then 

 coasting southward to Acapulco. The voyage was always most 

 difficult and dangerous and often very long, lasting sometimes 

 six months or more. In later years the ships sailed more com- 

 monly through the Straits of San Bernardino, south of Luzon, 

 though this did. not shorten the voyage. Arrived at the Cali- 

 fornia coast, they ran into San Lucas, where they took in pro- 

 visions and received information as to the movements of pirate 

 in the waters — naturally a matter of great concern, considering 

 the value of the cargo. The home voyage to Manila was easier 

 and quicker, seldom occupying more than two months. The 

 ship sailed southward from Acapulco to about i0° N., whence 

 it took the passage to the Marian (Ladrone) islands, and then 

 further, through the Straits of San Bernardino, to Manila. As 

 the time arrived when the nao might be expected, nightly fires 

 were lighted on two high rocks, so that the vessel could find 

 her way through the islands. (In old works the islands Guam 

 and Rota are mentioned.) 



The naos were vessels of 1,200 tons or even more, and were 

 manned as warships and armed with 50 or 60 cannon. Not- 



4 



