Philippine E-Journals

The Manila Galleons

Gregorio F. Zaide

Discipline: History

 

Abstract:

For more than two centuries, from 1593 to 1815, the royal Manila galleons annually crossed the broad Pacific, constituting the only link between the Orient and America. They were veritable argosies, carrying valuable cargoes worth a king's ransom. They ferried to Acapulco the precious exports of Asia, such as spices, silks, cotton fabrics, porcelain, musk, ivory, and perfumes. On their homeward trips to Manila, they brought Mexican silver and the products of the New World and Europe.