428 ORIENTAL COMMERCE [Eastern Islands. 



China cash is in use bore, their price from 160 to 180 for a kangan. 

 In making bargains, it should be specified whether is meant real or nominal 

 kangan ; the dealing in the nominal or imaginary kangan is an ideal barter. 

 When dealing in real kangans, they must be examined ; and the gandangs, 

 or bundles of 25 pieces, are not to be trusted, as the dealers will often forge 

 a seal, having first packed up damaged kangans ; — at this the Chinese here 

 and at Sooloo are very expert 



SAMBOANGAN. — The Spaniards are in possession of a considerable 

 part of the S. coast of the island, the principal place in which is Sam- 

 boangan. 



The anchorage in the road is with the Church E. i N. about half a 

 mile from the shore. The channel between this point and Basselan being 

 narrow, the Spaniards prevent Chinese junks passing this way. 



MANILLA. — This city, the capital of the Philippine Islands, and 

 the principal settlement belonging to the Spaniards in the East Indies, is 

 situated in latitude 14° 36' N. and longitude 120° 5# E. in a fine large bay, 

 on the W. side of the Island of Luconia, or Suzan, the largest of the Ar- 

 chipelago. The city stands on the banks of the river Pasig, obstructed by 

 a bar, but which is navigable for small vessels a considerable distance inland. 

 It is about two miles in compass, and in length about half* a mile; the shape 

 is irregular, being narrow at both ends, and wide in the middle. Several 

 considerable rivers empty themselves into the bay, besides the Fasig. 



Small vessels generally anchor in Manilla mad in five fathoms the N. 

 bastion bearing N. 37° E., the fishing stakes at the river's mouth N. 18° E, 

 distant about a mile ; but large ships anchor at Cavite, where is a good har- 

 bour, well sheltered from W. and S. W. winds. 



Cavite, the port and marine arsenal of Manilla, is about 7 miles to the 

 S. W. ; it stands on a long narrow neck of land, on one side of which is the 

 sea, and on the other the bay that forms the port. It is defended by the 

 Castle of St. Philip, which is by much the best fortress in the island. On 

 the same point stands the arsenal, where the galleons and other vessels are 

 built. The town, which is of considerable size, is in a state of decay. 

 Vessels not requiring more than 17 feet of water, unload inside the low 

 sandy spit of land ; large ones lie off the castle. No foreign vessel can be 

 repaired at the arsenal, without special permission. 



Trade. — A fertile soil and favourable climate multiply the products of 

 this island. The tobacco is excellent ; this article is monopolized by Govern- 

 ment. The indigo is inferior to that of Bengal. The coco is fine. It 

 grows spices, sandal wood, ebony, rice, cotton, sugar in abundance, and, 

 latter! \\ coffee. Native iron is found in masse?. 



