The Spanish Empire had a trading route between Manila in Philippines and Acapulco in Mexico (part of New World at the time), called the Manila Galleon. The ships also carried slaves from the Philippines along with other trading items. It is believed some slaves escaped from one of these ships, and eventually made their way to Louisiana, and eventually settled in a place called Saint Malo. The presence of these men, who became known as Manila men, has been recorded as early as 1763 and presents an alternative story to the typical narrative that European settlers came to North America first.