384 CITY AND BAY OF MANILLA. [ 830. 



and extensive building ; the other public edifices are mostly churches 

 and monasteries. 



This is the chief seat of commerce for the Philippine Islands, and 

 the port is constantly crowded in the summer months with Chinese 

 junks ; and with American, English, French, Spanish, Dutch, and 

 Portuguese ships, all the year round. The principal articles of export 

 are sugar, indigo, hemp, coffee, tobacco, rice, honey, pearls, pearl and 

 tortoise-shell, &c. The imports consist principally of wine, brandy, 

 cutlery, &c, together with manufactured articles of silk, cotton, and 

 woollen. This city was taken by the English in 1762, and ransomed 

 for a million pounds sterling ; but the ransom has never yet been paid, 

 if I have been correctly informed. Its present population is about 

 sixty thousand souls, of all colours and features. 



Ships bound to this port during the north-east monsoons should 

 endeavour to make the land a little north of the bay ; and during the 

 south-west monsoons they should first make Goat Island. The latter 

 prevail from the month of May to October inclusive ; and the former 

 for the rest of the year. There is an island of about two miles in 

 circumference, lying at the entrance of the bay, rather nearer to the 

 north shore, with sufficient depth of water on either side of it, close to 

 its shore, for a line-of-battle ship. During the north-east monsoons, I 

 should always advise ships to pass to the north of this island ; but 

 during the south-west monsoons, the southern passage will be most 

 advisable. They are both equally safe and easy, having no concealed 

 dangers half a mile from either shore. 



This island is called the Corregidor, and has a small fort and signal- 

 staff on its summit, where the Spanish flag is displayed on ships en- 

 tering the bay. Strangers, in going in at daylight, will do well to keep 

 the island close on board. They will receive a visit from the board- 

 ing officer, who is stationed at this island to obtain information and 

 assist strangers bound to Manilla, with provisions, or a pilot if required. 

 You will also receive the daily papers by the boarding officer, who 

 sends a boat to the port of Cavite every day. Ship-masters should be 

 very cautious not to allow any boats to come alongside, nor permit any 

 to leave the vessel, until after they have received a visit from the health 

 officer. By a strict attention to the laws and customs of the port, a 

 due share of politeness, with a few trifling presents to the first and 

 second captains of the port, the collector, and health officer, you will 

 ensure great despatch in your business through the custom-house ; but 

 a contrar}' deportment will inevitably produce delay. 



In entering the bay of Manilla, either in the north or south passage, 

 you will not have less than ten fathoms of water within a quarter of a 

 mile from either shore. From the Corregidor to the city the course is 

 north-east-by-east three-quarters-east, eight leagues ; and to the port 

 of Cavite the course is east-by-north half-north, seven and a half 

 leagues ; and from Cavite to Manilla the course is north-north-east, 

 three leagues, and no dangers between them. The soundings are 

 regular, from five fathoms at Cavite, increasing gradually until half- 

 way to Manilla, to ten fathoms ; and then decreasing gradually until 



