American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1826-08-08

MdBeHan, received from MIN the name OF the Ar
chipeago of ST. Lazarus; but were subsequently,
called by their present appelation in compliment
TO Philip II. of Spain. These islands. which are
very numerous, were also called by the ancients
Bisayas, Painted Islands, because the natives pain
ted their bodies, like the Indians OF old Spain exer-
cises nominal control over these isles, but is
nnually engaged in war with the natives, who are
race of unconqucrable pirates. The intolerance oil
the government, to religion and improvement.
has kept these islands, gifted as they are by nature
with natural wealth, in state of anguishng power
Ivy The soil is generally fertile. but the dcsoane
hurricanes, which sometimes occur, destroy whole
districts One of the natural effects OF the ntole.
rant rule which is exercised here, is the extreme
Incidence oil the natives who are with difficulty uI
ged TO any thing like aborious effort this is parlicu
larly evident in the Inefficient manner in which the
gold mines worked The people themselves 20
nearly naked; their houses are huis made OF palm
leaves and such is their poverty, that they require
no doors TO secure their wealth green bamboo
serving them Tor pot, plainain leaf for plate
tor forks they make of their thumbs and fingers.
and palm mat receives their limbs, when they re-
quire repose. When the Spaniards came hither
they found number Of Papuan negroes, so wild and
shy OF approach, that they were thought to be
satyrs, and men with tails; and some of these arc
sun to be found IN the eastern islands Of the cluster
who appear to be little removed from the brute
creation with regard TO intellect. This class OF
natives is, indeed, scarcely distngushabe from the
ourang outang. IL is said that these Papuans are
the aborigInes of The Philippine islands, and that the
bisayans are only foreign ntruders Various tribes,
however, are TO be found in these islands, and in
their gene,al characteristics, they nearly resemble
the other islanders: they governed by petty
chiefs, and custom constitutes law They can pur.
chase but single wife. but may have as many con
cnbines as ,hey please: ard oltentimes the bride
groom serves number Of years for his wiie as
JACOB did tor his two wives. The language which
is generally spoken in these islands, and which is
highly esteemed for its melody, is Tagala Ltea
tue appears to have houisLed TO certain extent
amongst the natives, as the Spanish mi. sionares
destroyed many historical poems and songs which
they iGund here on their arrival considering the NJ
as relics OF idoatry. Woods and arbors constitute
ne area and temple in which they perform the
super stitiaus rites OF their religion, with oil the
y udica &C enlpnies presess presldes ct these
my sterles, who with lance, plerces a hog, work
'ns ne self up into frenzy, while the blood OF the
victim flows those no are present then dcyour the
ctrcase, and finally close the ceremony with dance
When bey bury their dead under an idea that they
VII sli!i have occasion for means OF defence whe
they posse ssed in this world they derosie clothes
~ ms and iood. on the tomb These islands were
3iscoyered BY Magellan ST. Lazarus day 1921 !
hy three years after. the setlemen, which had been
established at Manila lin 1870 WAS attacked by
powerful Chinese pirate, but he was defeated The |
BRUSH, under General Draper, took Manila, in |
7o2, out !, was restored in l764, and mas ever since
emained under It's present masters, prey to mis-
government and its necessary consequences
The Peloo islands are supposed to have been frs,
discovered from the Philippines. They are an in
erestlng cluster Inhabited by people who go naked,
md are OF deeper than Indian copper color, but
Who have been celebrated for their kindness and
hospitality to mariners wrecked on their shores.
! he captain of the Panther. Bombay cruizer. who
'isi'cd them IN 1871, was so pleased with the man
'ers OF the natives, tho he resigned his command
WIN view to end his days amongst them A trial
u - months, however, SO changed the current of
lis incllnatons, that he made his escape from The
Stands, Prince Lee Boo was native OF these isles
MO which civilization has been now partially intro.
uced There is considerable wood upon them
PARTICULARLY ebony, the manchineel, cabbage and
read iru trees indeed The name is said TO be taken
rom the tall palms which cover them. yarns ;
ocoa nuts, planains oranges, lemons, sugarcanes.
amooos, and beiel nuts, are here in abundance,
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