from the West Coast of America to the Philippine Islands, not less than 150 Degrees of Longitude) is that which is least known to our own or the Neighbour Nations; that Navigation that there is on it, is by the Spaniards , who go Yearly from the Coast of New Spain to the Manilha's , but that but by one beaten track; so that I cannot be so particular here as in the other two. What the Spanish Authors say of the Winds they find in their Courses, and what is confirm'd by the old Accounts of Drake and Cavendish ; and since by Schooten , who sail'd the whole breadth of this Sea in the Southern Latitude of fifteen or sixteen Degrees, is, that there is a great conformity between the Winds of this Sea, and those of the Atlantick and Æthiopick ; that is to say, that to the Northwards of the Æquator, the predominant Wind is between the East and North-East; and to the Southwards thereof there is a constant steady Gale between the East and South-East, and that on both sides the Line with so much constancy, that they scarce ever need to attend the Sails, and Strength, that it is rare to fail of crossing this vast Ocean in ten Weeks time, which is about 130 Miles per diem ; besides, 'tis said that Storms and Tempests are never known in these parts: So that here is the very best of Sailing; no want of a fresh fair Wind, and yet no danger of having too much: Wherefore some have thought it might be as short a Voyage to Japan and China , to go by the Streights of Magellan , as by the Cape of Good Hope .
The Limits of these general Winds are also much the same as in the Atlantick Sea, viz. about the thirtieth Degree of Latitude on both sides; for the Spaniards homewards bound from the Manilha's , always take the advantage of the Southerly Monsoon , blowing there in