294 
MANILLA. 
as would indicate the residence of vice-royalty. The suite of rooms 
into which we were ushered were so dark that it was difficult to see. 
I made out, however, that they were panelled, and by no means richly 
furnished. His excellency entered from a side-door, and led us through 
two or three apartments into his private audience-room, an apartment 
not quite so dark as those we had come from: our being conducted 
to this, I was told afterwards, was to be considered an especial mark 
of respect to my country. His reception of us was friendly. The 
governor has much more the appearance of an Irishman than of a 
Spaniard, being tall, portly, of a florid complexion. He is apparently 
more than sixty years of age. He was dressed in a full suit of black, 
with a star on his breast. 
Mr. Moore acted as interpreter, and the governor readily acceded 
to my request to be allowed to send a party into the interior for a few 
days; a permission which I almost despaired of receiving, for I knew 
that he had refused a like application some few months before. The 
refusal, however, I think was in part owing to the character of the 
applicants, and the doubtful object they had in view. I impute the 
permission we received to the influence of our consul, together with 
Mr. Sturges, whose agreeable manners, conciliatory tone, and high 
standing with the authorities, will, I am satisfied, insure us at all times 
every reasonable advantage or facility. 
The term of the governor in office is three years, and the present 
incumbent was installed in 1841. This length of time is thought to be 
sufficient for any one of them to make a fortune. The office is held 
by the appointment of the ministry in Spain, and with it are connected 
perquisites that are shared, it is said, by those who confer them. 
After having paid our respects to his excellency, we drove to visit 
several other officers of the government, who received us without cere¬ 
mony. We generally found them in loose morning-gowns, smoking, 
and cigars were invariably offered us; for this habit appears in 
Manilla to extend to all ranks. Even in the public offices of the 
custom-house it was the fashion, and cigars, with a machero for 
striking a light, or a jost-stick kept burning, were usually seen in every 
apartment. 
To the captain of the port, Don Juan Salomon, I feel under many 
obligations for his attentions. I was desirous of obtaining information 
relative to the Sooloo Seas, and to learn how far the Spanish surveys 
had been carried. He gave me little hopes of obtaining any; but 
referred me to Captain Halcon, of the Spanish Navy, who had been 
employed surveying some part of the coast of the islands to the north. 
The latter, whom I visited, on my making the inquiry of him, and 
