The island Mindanao was divided into a number of
small states. The port at which the "Cygnet" aiid her
tender now anchored, with a large district of country
adjacent, was under the dominion of a sultan or prince
who appears to have been one of the most powerful in
the island. The Spaniards had not established their
dominion over all the Philippine Islands, and the
inhabitants of this place were more apprehensive of
the Hollanders than of any other Europeans, and
on that account expressed some discontent when they
understood the "Cygnet" was not come for the purpose
of making a settlement. On the afternoon of their
arrival Swan sent an officer with a present to the
sultan, consisting of scarlet cloth, gold lace, a scimitar,
and a pair of pistols, and likewise a present to another
great man, who was called the general, of scarlet cloth
and three yards of silver lace. The next day Captain
Swan went on shore and was admitted to an audience
in form. The sultan showed him two letters from
English merchants, expressing their wish to estab-
lish a factory at Mindanao, to do which he said the
English should be welcome. A few days after this
audience the "Cygnet" and tender went into the river,
the former being lightened first to get her over the
bar. Here, similar to the custom in the ports of
China, an officer belonging to the sultan went on
board and measured the ships.
