The Balignini near the watering-places were the worst we met--insolent and inclined to pilfer; indeed, there was nearly a quarrel about some of the seamen’s clothes they tried to appropriate. To show their dislike, they planted sharp fish-bones round the watering-place, in the hope that our men, landing in the dark, might cut their feet. The Dutch burnt about two hundred houses, but did little injury to the stockades, which are, however, sadly out of repair. In proper order, well mounted with guns, they could make a good defence, as the walls facing the sea are about fifteen feet thick of mud and stone, encased with teak stockades. The rampart around the sultan’s palace is in the best repair, but not so thick as the others; and datu Daniel’s is by no means contemptible. The men, too, would fight bravely, as they did against the Dutch; but their guns, except the brass ones, are mostly dismounted, and they have no carriages ready; the iron ones are said to be those taken at Balambañgan, when they surprised and captured our settlement. The appearance of the country from the sea is very beautiful, many of the hills rising to a peak some 2,000 feet above the level of the sea; while others are lower and wooded, and form an agreeable contrast. Several of these eminences are forest-covered to the summit, while many present alternate patches of rice cultivation, pasture land, groves of cocoa-nut, palms, gardens, and detached clumps of forest trees. It is by far the most beautiful island I have seen. Sulu, in good hands, might be made to produce every tropical production, and become the centre of the commerce in these seas. Ships, by staying a little time, may obtain bullocks, fowls, ducks, vegetables, fruits, cocoa-nuts, and very fine water at a very good watering-place. The duties on goods are high; nevertheless, Mr. Wyndham and the Spaniards carry on a profitable commerce. Tulyan is rather a small island, with hills to the north, but low land on the south: the former with a few trees and some bananas, with cocoa-nut palms at the foot; the latter a little woody. Dalrymple gives some account of it. In his time the Spaniards had driven the natives away, burnt their houses, and cut down their fruit-trees; but there is now a large village along the beach, with many cocoa-nut groves. The inhabitants are pearl fishers. Next day anchored off two woody islets; the captain, as usual, shelling and dredging. Islands are to be seen in the distance all around us. _6th._--Anchored off Basilan. High hills and lowlands covered with woods, showing but few clearings. We counted eighteen islands at one time; among which were the late pirate haunts of Balignini and Tonquil. Beat about, and anchored off Samboañgan after dark.