ady
stated. Access to it is obtained through [a bay with] two entrances,
which are caused by an island between them, called Mariveles. There
is a corregidor there, whose only duty is to set fires on the highest
part of the island. [41] These are seen from Manila, and give notice
of what is passing, in accordance with the signals that the governor
has made or given. A Chinese vessel is signaled by one fire; one
from Macan by two; one from India by three; and one from Castilla by
four. Both entrances are navigable, for both are very deep. Then the
entrance expands into the most beautiful bay that I think the world
possesses; for it is more than forty leguas in circumference. [42]
Anchorage can be found in all parts of it, and its maximum depth is
not over forty brazas. The bottom is sand and mud, without a single
pebble. A marvelous number of rivers and creeks empty into the bay,
which cause the latter to be more frequented. It is so filled with
fish that, although so great a town is fed by them, it never begs alms
outside. When the vendavals blow, the weather is terrific; for they
come from the sea, and the waves sweep in from the sea, and become so
violent that ships cannot navigate without great danger. Since the
vessels are laden in the time of vendaval season, and the distance
from Manila to Cavite--the port--is two leguas eastward, the crossing
is very dangerous during the vendaval, and great misfortunes have
occurred, both to property and to life, without the governors being
able to remedy it--or rather, caring to do so, for they could easily
remedy it. But let us leave their government, which does not concern
us. The settlement, then most flourishing, was located where the city
of Manila is situated, namely, at the mouth of the Pasig River where
it empties into the sea, and on the south side of it. On the north
side is located another settlement, which formerly was very large,
and even now is not small; for what it lacks in Tagals, it makes
up in Chinese Christians, and those who have settled there. It is
called Tondo, [43] and our convent there is a very handsome building,
being entirely of cut stone. The convent contains the equipage of
the father provincials, who have gone there to live. This seems well
advised, because they do not stay in Manila, nor can they stay there;
and by this method they save themselves innumerable inconveniences
and importunities. Besides, whenever necessary, they can reach
Manila very