MANILA.
The Capital of Cuçonia, the largest of the Philippine Islands, and the principal settlement of the Spaniards in the east, in lat. 14° 36′ 8′′ N., lon. 120° 53 E. Popula- tion about 100,000), of whom from 4,000 to 5,000 may be Europeans. Manila is built on the shore of a spacious bay of the same name, at the mouth of a river navigable for small vessels a considerable way into the interior. The smaller class of ships anchor in Manila roads, in five fathoms, the north bastion bearing N. 37 E., the fishery stakes at the river's mouth N. 18° E., distant about a mile; but large ships anchor at Cavite, about three leagues to the southward, where three is a good harbour, well sheltered from the W. and S.W. winds. The arsenal is at Cavite; which is defended by Fort St. Philippe, the strongest fortress on the islands. The city is surrounded by a wall and towers, and some of the bastions are well furnished with artillery.
Though situated within the tropics, the climate of the Philippines is sufficiently temperate; the only considerable disadvantage under which they labour in this respect being that the principal part of the group come within the range of the typhoons. The soil is of very different qualities; but for the most part singularly fertile. They are rich in mineral, vegetable, and animal productions. It is stated in a statistical account of the Philippines, published at Manila in 1818 and 1819, the entire population of the islands amounted to 2,249,852, of which 1,376,222 belonged to Luçonia. But this return is believed to have been under-rated; and the population having increased very con- siderably in the interval, it is now estimated at about 4,000,000. There are some, but not many, Chinese settlers, and but few Europeans. The natives are said to be the most active, bold, and energetic of any belonging to the Eastern Archipelago. "These people," says a most intelligent navigator, "appear in no respect inferior to those of Europe. They cultivate the earth like men of understanding; are carpenters, joiners, smiths, goldsmiths, weavers, masons, &c. I have walked through their villages, and found them kind, hospitable, and communicative; and though the Spaniards speak of and treat them with contempt, I preceived that the vices they attributed to the Indians ought rather to be imputed to the government they have themselves established."-(Voyage de M. De La Perouse, c. 15)
The trade of the Philippines has increased very rapidly of late years. The imports principally consist of cotton, stuffs, and yarn, iron and hardware, woollens and wor- steds, machinery, wines and spirits, furniture, arms and ammunition, apparel, slops, &c. By far the largest portion of the imports is supplied by the United Kingdom; but owing to the high discriminating duties in favour of goods imported on Spanish bot- toms, a large proportion of the British goods are brought in Spanish ships from Singapore. In 1856 the imports of British produce were valued at £1,575,000, and the exports of Philippine produce on British account at £1,370,000. The Americans export produce worth about £1,000,000; and as their imports are a mere trifle, the balance is extinguished by drafts on London. Manila has also an extensive and increasing trade with China, Singapore, Java, Australia, India, &c.
The quantity of rice and paddy shipped to China from the islands cannot be ascertained with any degree of exactness; what goes from Manila is very small, because, before arriving there, it has, by its transport expenses added to the price at which it is obtained in the districts where it is produced, which, of course, prevents its being shipped from the capital. Probably, however, about a million coyans, each of which, one with another, weighs about a China picul, or 133 lbs., may be annually exported. The export is regulated by the supposed scarcity or abundance of food in the country.- (M'Micking's Manila, p. 270.)