We coasted along the south side of the island to the west, and passed next day in sight of Chambungo,[194] another town in this island, thirty leagues west from the river of Mindanao, and said to have a good harbour.  On the 10th February we coasted along the west side of the Philippine islands, and while passing Panga,[195] a large island inhabited by the Spaniards, we saw many fires, which we supposed were intended to give notice of our approach, it being rare to see a ship on this coast.  The 18th we anchored in ten fathoms at the N.W. end of the island of Mindora.  This is a large island, the middle of which is in lat 12 deg. 45’ N. its length from N.W. to S.E. being forty leagues.  While here, a canoe with four Indians came from Manilla, who told as that the harbour of Manilla was seldom without twenty or thirty vessels, Chinese, Portuguese, and Spaniards, and if we had a mind to trade clandestinely, they would deliver letters from us to certain merchants there.

[Footnote 194:  Probably Sambuang, at the western extremity of Mindanao, in lat. 6 deg. 52’ N. long. 122 deg. 20’ E. from Greenwich.—­E.]

[Footnote 195:  Pany, or Panai.—­E.]

We sailed again on the 21st, and came on the 23d to the S.E. end of Luconia, where we took two Spanish barks from Pagassanam,[196] a small town on the N.E. part of this island, having goods on board for the Acapulco ship.  This great island of Luconia extends in length through six degrees of latitude, from 12 deg. 30’ to 18 deg. 40’ both N. and is surrounded by many small isles, especially at its north end, Mindora being the chief of these isles, which communicates its name to the straits which run between it and the main island of Luconia.  The surface of this large island is partly composed of large pasture plains, and partly of mountains, the latter of which afford some gold; and the plains, or savannahs, are stored with buffaloes, bullocks, horses, sheep, goats, and hogs.  The inhabitants are Indians, who live in little towns, under the Spanish jurisdiction, and are instructed in the Romish religion by Spanish priests.

[Footnote 196:  Perhaps the gulf on Pangasian is here meant, on the E. side of Luzon, in lat. 16 deg.  N.]

Manilla is the chief city, or rather the only one, in the island, seated at the foot of a ridge of high hills, fronting the harbour, near the S.W. point of the island, in lat. 14 deg. 38’ N:  This city is defended by a strong wall, and is composed of well-built spacious houses, covered with pan-tiles, the streets being broad and regular, with a large market-place in the middle, and has many fair churches and convents.  The harbour is large; and, besides the two great Acapulco ships, contains abundance of small vessels belonging to the place, besides usually thirty or forty stout Chinese junks; and the Portuguese also have liberty to trade to this place.  Many Chinese merchants also reside constantly in this city.  A league from the city, nearer the sea, there is a strong fortress to defend the harbour, where the great ships lie at anchor.  Most of this account I received from Mr Coppinger, our surgeon, who had formerly been thither, sailing from the Coromandel coast.