GALILEON, in naval affairs, a fort of ships employed in the commerce of the West Indies. The Spaniards send annually two fleets; the one for Mexico, which they call the flota; and the other for Peru, which they call the galleon. See Flota.

By a general regulation made in Spain, it has been established, that there should be twelve men of war and five tenders annually fitted out for the armada or galleons; eight ships of 600 tons burden each, and three tenders, one of 100 tons, for the island Margarita, and two of 80 each, to follow the armada; for the New Spain fleet, two ships of 600 tons each, and two tenders of 80 each; and for the Honduras fleet, two ships of 500 tons each: and in case no fleet happened to sail any years, three galleons and a tender should be sent to New Spain for the plate.

They are appointed to fail from Cadiz in January, that they may arrive at Porto Bello about the middle of April; where, the fair being over, they may take aboard the plate, and be at Havannah with it about the middle of June; where they are joined by the flota that they may return to Spain with the greater safety.