the administration
of the sacrament.

This difference in the cargo of the ship to and from Manilla,
occasions a very remarkable variety in the manner of equipping the
ship for these two different voyages. For the galleon, when she sets
sail from Manilla, being deep laden with a variety of bulky goods, has
not the conveniency of mounting her lower tire of guns, but
carries them in her hold, till she draws near Cape St Lucas, and is
apprehensive of an enemy. Her hands too are as few as is consistent
with the safety of the ship, that she may be less pestered with the
stowage of provisions. But on her return from Acapulco, as her cargo
lies in less room, her lower tire is (or ought to be) always mounted
before she leaves the port, and her crew is augmented with a supply of
sailors, and with one or two companies of foot, which are intended
to reinforce the garrison at Manilla. And there being besides many
merchants who take their passage to Manilla, her whole number of hands
on her return is usually little short of six hundred, all which are
easily provided for, by reason of the small stowage necessary for the
silver. The galleon being thus fitted for her return, the captain, on
leaving the port of Acapulco, steers for the latitude of 13 deg. or 14 deg.,
and runs on that parallel, till he gets sight of the island of Guam,
one of the Ladrones. In this run the captain is particularly directed
to be careful of the shoals of St Bartholomew, and of the island of
Gasparico. He is also told in his instructions, that to prevent his
passing the Ladrones in the dark, there are orders given that, through
all the month of June, fires shall be lighted every night on the
highest part of Guam and Rota, and kept in till the morning.

At Guam there is a small Spanish garrison, purposely intended to
secure that place for the refreshment of the galleon, and to yield her
all the assistance in their power. However, the danger of the road at
Guam is so great, that though the galleon is ordered to call there,
yet she rarely stays above a day of two, but getting her water and
refreshments on board as soon as possible, she steers away directly
for Cape Espiritu Santo, on the island of Samal. Here the captain is
again ordered to look out for signals; and he is told, that centinels
will be posted not only on that Cape, but likewise in Catanduanas,
Butusan, Birriborongo, and on the island of Batan. These centinels
are instructed to make a fire when