Travel journal, letters and photographs collected by Charles A. Davis and his wife Bess Davis in the Philippines between 1900 and 1901.

The journal, entitled "Memorias sobre las Yslas Filipinas," (translates roughly to "Reports on the Philippines Yslas") documents a sea voyage from Manila to Gibraltar between May 17 and August 13, 1854. The text in Spanish, in which the author describes stops in the ports of Hong Kong, Singapore, Pinang Island in Malaysia, Aden, Suez, Cairo, Alexandria, Malta, and Gibraltar, has been extensively edited in pencil by another writer. Also included in the journal are a table of distances and time spent in each port; and a list of expenses. Six letters and a postcard, dated June 16-Oct. 1, 1900, were written by Charles A. Davis, a young American who left Cincinnati on May 22, 1900 to take up a job as a court reporter in Manila, after the Americans had taken control of the Philippines. His letters describe the voyage to Manila, his living arrangements, and the social life and customs of the city. His wife, Bess, whom he married on May 2, 1900, and who later joined him in Manila in 1901, wrote four letters, dated March 4-28, 1901, to family members back home, describing in great detail her life in Manila. Many of the photographs taken by the Davises show the interior of their house in Manila, room by room; their Filipino houseboys; their friends, John Hansserman and his wife; and Charles’ office. There are also many photos of streets and shops in Manila, cathedrals and churches, the gates of the walled city, and native scenes in the Philippines, China, Japan and Hawaii.