built lately to command the Pass of Panguel Lake This Place is a
Station of the utmost Consequence as the Possession of it opens a
Communication with the Illanon with whom by the mediation of Sooloo
the Confederacy must be made. The Possession of Missamis will be
supported by a Garrison of 25 Europeans & a Guard Ship for which
Service a Ship built for a Man of War there may be used & it mand
with a Detachment of 30 Men from the Europe Ship whose Place may
be supplied with transports or Guachinanyas from Samboangan It is
proposed to make a Declaration at taking Samboangan that in Case the
Islands do not submit they must stand the Consequence of the Moorish
Incursions & a Confederacy with the Moors may be made to aid them in
infesting the Spanish Districts by supplying them with Ammunition. The
General Terror of the Moors will influence as well the Indians as the
Padres to submit when they find that this only can protect them from
in truth the greatest of all Calamitys.
It is proposed the Ships shall proceed from Missamis to Zebu the
reduction of which City will be a matter of equal Facility & Importance
as the Fort is very inconsiderable close to the Sea without Ditch & the
Garrison according to the Spanish writers a Compy of 100 Guichenangas
& another of Pampangas & Cagayans tho it appears that it is now even
more inconsiderable. Adjoining to Zebu is Bohol now in rebellion &
said to be apostatized certainly they have murderd & ejected at least
some of the Fathers they are considered as of the same Original as the
Sooloos & are held the Bravest of the Philipinas. Such Circumstances
evince not only the Facility of a Confederacy with them but of the
Consequence of this in making a Divission against the Spaniards &
protecting the Conquerd Islands to which it may not be improper to
observe that some time ago the Boholons offerd if the King of Spain
would remit the Tribute that they would protect at their own Charge
all the Bissayas which Proposal was however neglected.
There is a Ship at Sooloo which may have good Consequences we mean
redeeming with Captives as may be found useful as Guides in the
different districts of the Bissayas.
The reduction of Zebu should terminate the action of the Europe
Ship which should then proceed to China with her Cargo & on her
return call at Manila to Convey the Sultan if he can not be sent
sooner. The operation of the other Vessells should be directed towards
the reduction of Leyte & Samar which are destitute of Forts & which
are solely under the Jurisdiction of the Jesuits.
The N. E. Monsoon is the most convenient time for the attack of Ylo
Ylo unless a Detachment could be made from Magendanao. The reduction
of Pany is an important Object in two Lights as a Granary to the
Bissayas in general & therefore a Security for their Submission &
as a Place from whence all our Possessions & even Manila itself may
have resource. However the Junction of Bohol & the Moors seem to
require the Zebu Rout.
[At the beginning of this document is written the date "23 Novr. 1762,"
probably the date of the receipt of this plan in London. [9]]
LETTERS FROM CORNISH TO CLEVLAND
Admiralty Office, April 19.
Copy of a letter from Vice-Adm. Cornish, [10] to Mr. Clevland, dated
in the bay of Manila, the thirty-first of October 1762.
It is with the greatest pleasure I have the honour to acquaint their
Lordships with the success of his Majesty's arms, in the reduction of
the city of Manila, which was taken by storm on the morning of the 6th
instant. [11] In my letters of the 23d and 31st of July, I acquainted
their Lordships with my proceedings to that time; after which I used
every possible means at Madrass for dispatch, the decline of the
S. W. monsoon making it of the utmost importance. To promote this end,
I completed the Elisabeth, Grafton, Lenox, Weymouth, and Argo, with
such of the troops and military stores as they were to take on board,
and on the 29th sent them away under the command of Commodore Tiddeman,
to proceed to Malacca, with a view that they might complete their water
there by the time I should arrive with the remainder of the squadron.
Having accomplished the imbarkation of everything designed for the
expedition, with a dispatch much beyond my expectation, as we had from
the whole time of my being there a violent surf to contend with, I
sailed the 1st of August with the ships under mentioned, viz. Norfolk,
Panther, America, Seaford, South-sea castle storeship, Admiral
Stevens storeship, Osterly company's ship, leaving the Falmouth,
at the request of the president and council, to convoy the Essex
India ship, who was not ready to sail, having the treasure to take
on board for the China cargoes, and to bring to Manila such of the
company's servants as were to be put in possession of that government,
if the expedition succeeded.
The 19th, I arrived at Malacca, and was disappointed in not finding
Mr. Tiddeman there; who did not join till the 21st, having met with
long calms. The difficulty of watering the squadron at this place
made it the 27th before I could leave the road.
On the 2d of September, I arrived off Pulo Timean, and was joined
by Capt. Grant in the Seahorse, whom I had detached, upon my first
arrival at Madrass, to cruise between this island and the streights
of Singapore, to stop any vessels he might suspect going to Manila.
On the 19th, I made the coast of Luconia; but was drove off again by a
strong N. E. wind, which separated some of the squadron. The 22d, the
gale broke up, and the wind shifting to the S. W. the 23d we recovered
the land again. The next day [we] entered the bay of Manila, and,
in the close of the evening, anchored off the fort of Cavite, with
the whole squadron, except the South-sea castle and Admiral Stevens,
the Falmouth and Essex having joined me off the coast. In the night
I sent the masters to sound about the fortifications of Cavite; and,
by their report, found that it might be attacked by ships.
The 25th in the morning, the wind not being favourable to attack
the Cavite, I took two of the frigates, and with Gen. Draper, [12]
and some other officers, reconnoitred the shore about Manila, and
observed some churches and other buildings to stand near the works on
the south side of the town, particularly toward the S. W. bastion. We
had some design of attacking Cavite first, to have had the conveniency
of that port for the shipping; but considered, that though the attack
should be attended with all the success we could hope, yet it would
cause a delay at least of two days before we could land at Manila,
which time would afford opportunity to the enemy to demolish these
buildings near their works, and to prepare many obstacles to our
landing, and perhaps recover from that consternation our unexpected
arrival had thrown them in; and farther, Manila being the Capital,
if that fell, Cavite would in consequence.
From those considerations, I joined in opinion with the General to
take advantage of circumstances so favorable for a descent, and land
the troops with all dispatch, and endeavour to get possession of some
posts near their works, which, if effected, would greatly facilitate
the reduction of the city.
In consequence of these resolutions, I immediately made the signal on
board the Seahorse for the squadron to join me, and for the troops to
prepare to land. About seven in the evening, the 79th regiment, with
the marines, in the boats, under the direction of the Captn Parker,
Kempenfelt, and Brereton, pushed for the shore; and under the fire of
the three frigates, effected the landing at a church called the Moratta
[i.e., Malate], about a mile and a half from the walls. [13] We had
no opposition from the enemy, but some difficulty from the surf, which
run high, and bilged all the long-boats; but happily lost no men. [14]
The next morning the General took an advanced post about 200 yards from
the glacis; and there, under cover of a blind, intended his battery
against the face of the south-west bastion. The number of troops being
small, I landed a battalion of seamen, consisting of about 700 men,
under the command of the Captn Collins, Pitchford, and George Ourry.
The 25th, I dispatched three armed boats after a galley coming up the
bay to Manila. They came up with her, resolutely boarded her, and took
her, notwithstanding she kept up a smart fire with patteraroes and
muskets. She mounted two carriages and seventeen brass swivel guns,
and had eighty men. By letters, found in her, we discovered she was
dispatched from the galleon St. Philippina [i.e., "Filipino"] from
Acapulco, and whom she had left the 10th of September at Cajayagan,
[15] between the Embocadero and Cape Spiritu Santa. Upon this
discovery I came to a resolution to send the Panther and Argo [16]
in quest of her; but it was the 4th of October before the weather
permitted their sailing.
The 28th of September the General acquainted me that he was beginning
to work on the battery; and that if some ships could get near enough
to throw shot on the works of the town opposed to it, it might take
off some of the enemy's fire and attention, and thereby facilitate its
construction. In consequence of this, I ordered Com. Tiddeman, with
the Elisabeth and Falmouth, towards the town, as near as the depth
of water would permit, and to place the ships in such a position as
would best answer the purpose intended; which was accordingly done
the next day, and their fire had a very good effect.
On the 30th, the South-sea castle arrived with stores, which were much
wanted, particularly the intrenching tools; for want of which the army
had been so greatly distressed, that I was obliged to employ all the
forges in making spades, pickaxes, &c. for them. The 1st of October
it began to blow fresh, and in the night increased to a hard gale,
[17] which drove the South-sea castle ashore near the Polverista, a
little to the southward of our camp. This accident however had some
considerable advantages attending it, as the situation she lay in
made her cannon a protection for the rear of our camp: it was likewise
the means that all her military stores were got on shore with safety
and dispatch, and the army supplied with the provisions she had on
board, both which were articles they stood in immediate need of, and
which could not have been supplied by boats, as it continued blowing
weather for several days after, and the surf breaking very high on
the beach. This gale was from W. S. W. directly on the shore, which
gave me much concern for the safety of the squadron, particularly for
the Elisabeth and Falmouth, who were only in four fathom water, and,
as I have since been informed, with the sand of the sea struck; but
the bottom being mud, and soft to a considerable depth, they received
no damage. On the 4th in the morning, the General opened the battery,
which was so well managed, and seconded by the ships before the town,
that in four hours the defences were taken off, and the next day in
the evening the breach was made practicable.
On the 6th, at day-light in the morning, the General's regiment,
with the sea-battalion, mounted the breach, made the attack, and soon
got possession of all the bastions, which completed the conquest. I
immediately went on shore, and, with the General, had a meeting with
the Spanish governor, and some of his principal officers; when a
capitulation was agreed on, that the town and port of Cavite, with
the islands and forts dependent on Manila, should be given up to his
Brittanic Majesty, and that they should pay four millions of dollars
for the preservation of the town and their effects, (a copy of which
capitulation I have inclosed).
On the 10th, I sent Capt. Kempenfelt [18] in the Norfolk, with the
Seaford and Seahorse, to take possession of Cavite, agreeable to
the capitulation. By this acquisition we are in possession of a very
large quantity of naval stores; and beside the advantage of almost
every convenience for refitting a squadron, the people are supplied
with fresh meat and vegetables in a great plenty.
The siege, though short, was attended with many difficulties, and
great fatigue, in which both the officers and men exerted themselves
with the utmost chearfulness. We had constantly fresh gales, a lee
shore, and consequently a high surf, to contend with, which made it
always difficult, frequently hazardous, and sometimes impossible,
to land with boats. The rains fell very heavy, and our little army
were surrounded and harassed by numerous bodies of Indians, who,
though undisciplined, and armed only with lances, bows and arrows,
yet by a daring resolution, and contempt for death, they became
not only troublesome, but formidable. I have the satisfaction of
acquainting their Lordships, that throughout the whole expedition,
the most perfect harmony and unanimity has subsisted between his
Majesty's land and sea forces.
You will receive with this, an account of the number of officers and
men, both seamen and marines, that were landed from the squadron, as
likewise of the killed and wounded in each corps. It is with concern
I acquaint their Lordships with the loss of Commodore Tiddeman, who
in attempting to enter the river in his barge, the morning after the
reduction of Manila, was drowned with five of his people, by which
unhappy accident his Majesty has lost a brave and experienced officer.
Capt. Kempenfelt, by whom I send this (and [who] will present to you
for their Lordships a plan of the town of Manila, and the port of
Cavite) has been of the greatest assistance to me during the course
of this enterprise. He is very capable of furnishing their Lordships
with many particulars necessary for their information; and his great
merit makes it my duty to recommend him as a very able officer. [19]
I am, &c.
S. Cornish
[The list of which Admiral Cornish speaks is herewith given. This
we take from the London Magazine (xxxii, p. 222), as only the totals
landed, killed, and wounded are given in Scots Magazine.]
An Account of the Number of Seamen and Marines landed from his
majesty's Squadron under the Command of Rear Admiral Cornish; as also
of the Number killed and wounded during the Attack of Manila.
Norfolk, Rear Admiral Cornish, Capt. Richard Kempenfelt. 2 commissioned
officers, 12 petty ditto, 96 seamen, landed. 2 seamen killed. 1 ditto
wounded. Marines. 2 commissioned officers, 9 non-commissioned ditto,
34 private, landed. 1 private killed.
Elizabeth, Commodore Tiddeman. Capt. Isaac Ourry. 1 commissioned
officer, 2 petty ditto, 76 seamen, landed. 1 seaman killed. 5 ditto
wounded. Marines. 2 commissioned officers, 3 non-commissioned ditto,
21 private, landed.
Grafton, Capt. Hyde-Parker. 1 commissioned officer, 3 petty ditto,
100 seamen, landed. 2 seamen wounded. Marines, 2 commissioned officers,
6 non-commissioned ditto, 32 private, landed. 1 private wounded.
Lenox, Capt. Robert Jocelyn. 1 commissioned officer, 5 petty ditto,
119 seamen, landed. 4 seamen killed. 2 ditto wounded. Marines. 3
commissioned officers, 4 non-commissioned ditto, 38 private, landed. 1
private wounded.
Falmouth, Capt. William Brereton. 1 commissioned officer, 2 petty
ditto, 50 seamen, landed. 2 seamen killed. Marines. 2 commissioned
officers, 1 non-commissioned ditto, 11 private, landed.
Weymouth, Capt. Richard Collins. 3 commissioned officers, 7 petty
ditto, 80 seamen, landed. 1 seaman killed. 1 ditto wounded. Marines. 2
commissioned officers, 6 non-commissioned ditto, 26 private, landed. 2
private killed.
America, Capt. Samuel Pitchford, 2 commissioned officers, 2 petty
ditto, 61 seamen, landed. 1 seaman, killed. 1 ditto wounded. Marines. 1
commissioned officer, 4 non-commissioned ditto, 22 private, landed. 1
private killed.
Panther, Capt. George Ourry, acting Captain. 1 commissioned officer,
2 petty ditto, 50 seamen, landed. Marines. 1 commissioned officer,
5 non-commissioned ditto, 24 private, landed.
Argo, Captain Richard King. Marines. 2 commissioned officers, 3
non-commissioned ditto, 22 private, landed.
Seahorse, Captain Charles Cathcart Grant. Marines. 1 commissioned
officer, 2 non-commissioned ditto, 26 private, landed.
Seaford, Captain John Peighin. Marines. 1 commissioned officer,
2 non-commissioned ditto, 18 private, landed. 2 private killed.
Officers killed and wounded, &c. belonging to the
Norfolk, Lieut. Peter Porter, and Mr. White, surgeon's second mate,
killed.
Lenox, Thomas Spearing, second Lieut. of Marines, wounded.
Total officers, seamen, and marines: landed 1017. killed 17. wounded
17.
N. B. The surgeons, armourers, and other artificers, are not included
in the above account.
Norfolk, off Cavite, October 31, 1762.
S. Cornish
Copy of a letter from Vice-Adm. Cornish, to Mr. Clevland, dated in
the bay of Manila, the 10th of November, 1762.
In my letter of the 31st of October, I acquainted you of my having
sent Capt. Parker, with the Panther and Argo, in quest of the galleon
Saint Philipina, from Acapulco bound to Manila.
The 7th instant, Capt. King in the Argo, returned, with a letter
from Capt. Parker, acquainting me, that in consequence of my orders,
having the 30th of October, got the length of the island Capul, near
the entrance into the Embocadero, in pursuit of the Saint Philipina,
where the Argo had come to an anchor (and which he intended to do
for that night), just as the day closed saw a sail, and stand to the
northward; at eight in the evening he got sight of the chace, about
two leagues to leeward, but unluckily, by the rapidity of a counter
current to what the chace was in, was drove among the Narango's,
[20] in the utmost danger of being lost, and obliged to anchor: the
frigate having escaped the danger, got up with the chace, and engaged
her near two hour; but was so roughly handled, that Capt. King was
obliged to bring too to repair his damage. By this time the current
slackened, which enabled Capt. Parker to get under sail with the
chace in sight. About nine the next morning he came up with her, and
after battering her two hours within half-musket shot, she struck. The
enemy made but little resistance, trusting to the immense thickness
of the sides of their ship, which the Panther's shot was not able
to penetrate, excepting her upper works. Capt. Parker was no less
disappointed than surprised, when the General came on board, to
find, that instead of the Saint Philipina, he had engaged and taken
the Santissimo Trinidad, [21] who departed from Manila the 1st of
August for Acapulco, and had got 300 leagues to the eastward of the
Embocadero; but meeting with a hard gale of wind, was dismasted and
put back to refit. She had 800 men on board, and pierced for sixty
guns, but when Capt. King engaged her, had only six mounted, and but
thirteen when taken. She draws thirty-three feet of water, and is a
much larger ship than the Panther. I cannot ascertain the value of
her cargo, but there is to the amount of one million and a half of
dollars registered, and she is reputed to be worth three millions.
Capt. King left the Panther with her prize at an anchor about three
leagues south of the Corregidow [i.e., Corregidor], at the mouth of
this bay; and as I have sent a reinforcement of men with launches
and warps, I hope very soon to have them in safety. [22] I am, &c.
S. Cornish
LETTER FROM ADMIRAL CORNISH TO LORD ANSON
Admiral Cornish to Lord Anson [23] on the operations at Manila
My Lord
It affords me the most sensible pleasure to congratulate you on the
success of His Majesty's Arms in the reduction of Manila with its
dependancies.
The possession of the port of Cavita is an acquisition of great
Consequence to the Squadron, by which I shall be enabled with a plenty
of Stores of all kinds and a Number of Artificers to refit many of
the Ships, that in their present condition it would not be safe to
proceed with them to Sea; having these advantages together with a
good Hospital and plenty of Provisions, I shall be able to give new
Health to the People, to proceed from this place with the Squadron, in
a better condition than it has been since my Arriving to the command.
I gave Captain Parker an order to Command the Panther, as She was
a Clean Ship, and joyn'd the Argo with him to go in quest of the
Galleon St. Phillipina who was at Cayayagan between the Bocadero &
Cape Spirito Santo the 10th of Sept.; and proposed remaining there
till the Monsoon was broke up; As Capt. Parker was with your Lordsp
and is very well acquainted with those Seas I have the most sanguin
hopes of his success.
I am very sorry to mention that the Company's Servants at Madrass
took every method in their Power to obstruct the expedition, except
Mr. Pigot (who proved himself hearty in it & wished it success) their
behaviour on this occasion was shamefull; they would admit only of
two Companys of their own Troops to goe on the Expedition; and those
composd. of French deserters, [24] and Prisoners they released on this
Occasion; of two thousand Seapoys they were to furnish about 500 only
was embarked; they even refused a small Vessel which would have been of
great use, the Master being a good Pilot in ye Streights of Mallacca
and well acquainted with the Bay of Manila, he was threaten'd to be
turn'd out of their Service, for Shewing a readyness for going with me;
but of these Circumstances and many others regarding their behavior
in the outset of the Expedition your Lordship will receive particular
Information from Genl. Draper. I wish I could forbear to tell Your
Lordsp that My Constitution is much hurt by my long Continuance in
the West & East Indies during the course of this war, and puts me
under the necessity of begging whenever the Public service will admit,
that Your Lordship will indulge me with the favor of being relieved.
For a more particular State of the Squadron I take the liberty of
referring your Lordship to Captn. Kempenfelt, whom I send with my
dispatches, and will have the Honour to present to you some Coppar
Plates of the Philippine Islands, that were found in Manila. [25]
This Gentleman having approved Himself a very able & diligent officer,
as such I beg leave to recommend Him to Your Lordship's Protection. I
have the Honour to be with the greatest Respect Your Lordship's most
obliged & most humble Servt
Sl. Cornish
Norfolk, off Cavita in the Bay of Manila 1st of Novr. 1762.
[Endorsed: "Copy of a Letter from Admiral Cornish to Lord Anson giving
an acct. of Taking of the Manila Islands: Novr. 1st, 1762. Rece'd at
the Admty. April 14th, 1763 at night."]
LETTERS FROM GENERAL DRAPER TO EARL OF EGREMONT
A copy of Brigadier General Draper's Letter to the Rt. Hoñble The
Earl of Egremont his Majesty's Principal secretary of State for the
southern Department [26]
Manila Novr. 1st. 1762
My Lord
I do myself the Honour of sending Lieut. Colonel Scott late adjutant
General to inform you of the success of his Majesty's arms in the
conquest of manila, [27] and the Cession of the Phillipin Islands
to the British Throne, on the 6 of October, we took that Capital
by storm, wherein nothing could equal the conduct & bravery of the
officers & Troops--but their moderation afterwards notwithstanding
the great Provocations to Exert all the severities & Rigours of war,
as my secretary Lieut. Fryer had been murdered with a Flag of Truce
but British Humanity was superior to vengeance the Troops considered
rather how Englishmen should act than what the spaniards ought to
suffer they received all the suppliants to Mercy: as the Distruction
of so fine a City was not the object of the War, Admiral Cornish & I
Dictated the inclosed Conditions to the Governour & Chief Magistrates
they were most readily accepted & we flatter ourselves that the Term's,
considering their situation were as moderate for them as Beneficial
for us, the East India company is to have a third part of the Ransom.