Page 387
An. 1687
Isle Luconia. Manila City and Harbour.
places it is very woody. Some of the Mountains of this Island afford Gold; and the Savannahs are well ftockt with herds of Cattle, especially Buffaloes. Thefe Cattle are in great plenty all over the Eaft-Indies; and therefore 'tis very probable that there were many of thele here even before the Spaniards came hither. But now there are alfo plenty of other Cattle, as I have been told, as Bullocks, Horfes, Sheep, Goats, Hogs, &c. brought hither by the Spaniards.
It is pretty well inhabited with Indians, moft of them, if not all, under the Spaniards, who now are mafters of it. The Native Indians do live together in Towns; and they have Priefts among them to inftruct them in the Spanish Religion.
Manila, the chief, or perhaps only City, lies at the foot of a ridge of high Hills, facing upon a fpacious harbour near the S. W. point of the Ifland, in about the Lat. of 14 d. North. It is environ d with a high ftrong Wall, and very well fortify'd with Forts and Breaftworks. The Houfes are large, ftrongly built, and covered with Pan-tile. The Streets are large, and pretty regular; with a Pa- rade in the midft, after the Spanish fafhion. There a great many fair Buildings, befides Churches and other Religious houfes; of which there are not a few.
The Harbour is fo large, that fome hundreds of Ships may ride here: and is never without many, both of their own, and ftrangers. I have already given you an account of the two Ships going and coming between this place and Acapulco. Befides them, they have fome fmall Veffels of their own; and they do allow the Portuguefe to Trade here, but the Chinefe are the chiefeft Merchants and they drive the greateft Trade; for they have commonly 20 or 30, or 40 Jonks in the Harbour at a time, and a great many Merchants conftantly refiding in the City, befide