Daily National Intelligencer

Extract of a letter from an officer on board the United States' Frigate Congress, to his friend in Washington, dated at

"MANILLA, MARCH 1, 1820.

"This being the first American vessel of war that has ever been in this part of the world, it is considered as a great curiosity. Of course we have had a great number of visiters of almost every description; we have had some trouble, and have been alternately pleased or angry, according to the sex, rank, or character, of those who, from inclination, we treated with attention, or to whom we were compelled, by necessity, to be polite.

"This Island, blessed with a delightful climate and luxuriant soil, produces, with the most abundant fertility, every species of vegetable. The chief articles of trade are sugar, indigo, and wax; but, owing to the narrow and illiberal policy of the Spanish government, this colony, which ought to produce a considerable revenue to the mother country, is a burden and expense to it. Two ships are annually sent to Acapulco with merchandize, and return with money, not being allowed to bring a larger amount than 100 per cent. on the original price of the cargo; consequently, much specie is smuggled in, which is a considerable loss to the revenue. The inhabitants, like most other eastern people, are indolent, and averse to all kinds of hard work. They are, at the same time, addicted to every species of gambling, and are slaves to the most abject superstition. The Inquisition is in full force, and the Archbishop is scarcely inferior to the Governor.

"We found here four American ships, waiting for their cargoes; also two French sloops of war, under the command of Monsieur Philibert. These latter are on a cruise of observation, and touched here to procure the indigo and other plants to take to Cayenne, (a French settlement in South America.) They also intend taking thither a number of Chinese and Carraboos to cultivate their plantations. We shall sail in ten or fifteen days for China, (Macao,) from which place it is uncertain whither we shall go.

"P. S. I had almost forgotten to mention that the Governor visited the ship yesterday. He was honored with a salute. The evening concluded with a handsome ball on board, at which his daughters and a number of Manilla ladies attended."