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. 



-,'.^t**>r>; 



- ;:".,„ 



MANILLA BANCA. 



