Page 305
An.1686
They design for Mindanao.
C H A P. XI.
They resolve to go to Mindanao. Their depar- ture from Guam. Of the Philippine Islands. The Isle Luconia, and its chief Town and Port, Manilo, Manila, or Manilbo. Of the rich Trade we might establish with these Islands. St. Johns Island. They arrive at Mindanao. The Island described. Its Fertility. The Lib- by Trees, and the Sago made of them. The Plantain Tree, Fruit, Liquor, and Cloth. A smaller Plantain at Mindanao. The Bonano. Of the Clove-bark, Cloves and Nutmegs, and the Methods taken by the Dutch to monopo- lize the Spices. The Betel-nut, and Arek tree. The Durian, and the Jaca-tree and Fruit. The Beasts of Mindanao. Centapes or Forty Legs, a venomous Insect, and others. Their Fowls, Fish, &c. The Temperature of the Climate, with the Course of the Winds, Torna- does, Rain, and Temper of the Air through- out the year.
WHile we lay at Guam we took up a Resolu- tion of going to Mindanao, one of the Phi- lippine Islands, being told by the Frier and others, that it was exceedingly well stored with Provisi- ons ; that the Natives were Mahometans, and that they had formerly a Commerce with the Spaniards ; but that now they were at wars with them. This Island was therefore thought to be a convenient place for us to go to : for besides that it was in our way