272 
SAN FRANCISCO TO MANILLA. 
The eastern extremity of M’Kenzie’s Group was made on the 29th, 
in latitude 10° 07' 53" N., longitude 139° 54' 58" E. To the north¬ 
ward and westward of it, a supposed shoal was passed over, but none 
was found. 
M’Kenzie’s Group is of greater extent than is represented on the 
maps. It is composed of a great many islets, with passages between 
them, some of them into the lagoon, through one of which the 
schooner entered, with not less than seven fathoms water on the bar. 
This group is thickly inhabited, and some of the natives boarded the 
schooner. They resembled the Caroline Islanders, but had their teeth 
much discoloured, apparently from the use of the betel-nut. From 
them some fish and cocoa-nuts were procured. They were seen to be 
in possession of iron utensils, and appeared to have before had commu¬ 
nication with vessels. 
Mr. Knox now steered for the Straits of Bernadino, and made 
Cape Espiritu Santo, on the night of the 4th of January. Owing 
to the want of observations for two days before, he was in danger of 
being shipwrecked. On the 11th, he had passed through the straits, 
and anchored under Cape St. Jago, whence he got under way, and 
reached Manilla, as before stated. 
I now felt myself secure against farther detention, and hoped to 
expedite my duties, so as to reach Singapore in the time designated in 
my instructions. 
MANILLA BANCA. 
