the port of Cavite to the Gentlemen appointed to receive them in
behalf of the Company with all the Cannon ammunition and Warlike
stores found therein, according to the inclosed Lists, the Kings
Goodness has granted them one of the richest Cities & Islands in the
World, in Fertility & every other blessing of nature not inferiour to
any belonging to the British Crown, if the turn of affairs in Europe
can perpetuate Possession it may prove a source of Commerce & wealth
not to be equalled in any other port of the Globe; the season of the
year & the Condition of the squadron will not permit Mr. Cornish to
take Possession of the subordinate Islands that have been ceded to
his Majesty, till the ships are repaired the admirals zeal for his
Majesty's service & his great & essential service to us, during the
whole course of the Expedition & fatiguing operations of the siege
are beyond all praise all the other officers of His squadron Exerted
themselves to the utmost upon [e]very occasion, the Captains Collins
Pitchford and George Ourry who commanded the corps of five hundred
seamen, whom the admiral was so obligeing to support me with behaved
with the greatest spirit & good Conduct, & were of singular use to
us their men and the marines behaved with their usual activity Life
and Intrepedity.
In my letters from Madrass & their Duplicates I took the Liberty to
inform your Lordship how much I depended upon the great abilities
of Colo. Monson for the success of the Interprize; the Reduction of
the place has been so much owing to his Consumate skill & Bravery
that it would be doing him the highest Injustice not to name him
in a particular manner I blush to give him orders & most humbly beg
leave through your Lordship to recommend him to his Majesty & shall
esteem my own poor services most abundantly rewarded by any mark of
the Royal favour to him and the following Gentlemen. Lt. Colo. Scott,
Major Barker, who Commanded the artillery, Captain Stevenson chief
Engineer (with majors Cotsford & Barnard) Captain Fletcher major of
Brigade my nephew Captn. moore Captain Pemble aides de camp they
have all acted in their several departments with such great merit
as much facilitated my good fortune the two Corps of his Majesty's
& the Company's artillery & their other Troop's behaved Exceeding
well. In the last place I beg leave to represent the services of my
own Regiment which under the good conduct of their former & Present
field officers, the Majors Fell and Drake, has the Peculiar merit
of having first stop'd the Progress of the French in India, turned
and decided the fate of the War there, and Carry'd the Glory of his
majesty's arms to the utmost verge of Asia, seventy three officers &
above eight hundred men have fallen the victims of their own vallour &
the cause of the Publick, since the Regiment left England, besides
the numbers who have been wounded the widows & orphans Occasioned
by this severe service are very numerous, Your Lordships goodness
encourages me to mention them as objects of Compassion
I am My Lord with the greatest respect
Your &ca
signed Willm. Draper Brigr. Genl. & Commr. in chief.
Captn. Fletcher has ten stands of Colours to lay at his majesty's Feet.
[The following letter, dated one day later than the above, appears to
be a second and more careful draft of substantially the same letter.]
Whitehall, April 16. 1763. On Thursday night, Lt-Col. Scott
arrived with the following letter to the Earl of Egremont, from
Brig-Gen. Draper, who also arrived himself about the same time.
Manila, Nov. 2, 1762.
My Lord,
I do myself the honour of sending Lt-Col Scott, late adjutant-general,
to inform your Lordship of the success of his Majesty's arms in the
conquest of Manila, the surrender of the port of Cavite, and the
cession of the Philippine islands.
On the 6th of October we took the capital by storm, after twelve
days operation, which are detailed in my journal. Our loss upon this
occasion would have been trifling, but for the death of Maj. More,
a valiant good officer; and it is with particular satisfaction I can
assure your Lordship, that the firm bravery and perseverance of the
troops could only be equalled by their humanity after victory. Out
of respect and deference to Adm. Cornish, we waited till he came on
shore; and, being desirous to save so fine a city from destruction,
we jointly dictated the annexed conditions to the Governor-General (the
Archbishop), and the chief magistrates; who most readily embraced them.
Considering their critical situation, and vast opulence, the terms
were as reasonable for them as beneficial to us. We allow the India
company a third part of the ransom, the whole of which amounts to
a million Sterling; [28] and, according to my instructions, I have
this day delivered up Manila, one of the richest cities and islands
in this part of the world, with the port of Cavite, to Dawson Drake,
Esq; and the other gentlemen appointed to receive them on behalf of
the company, with all the artillery, ammunition, and warlike stores
found therein, agreeable to the inclosed inventories.
I have appointed Maj. Fell of the 79th regiment to be commandant of the
garrison; which must consist of all the troops brought from Madrass,
as the great extent of the place, its very numerous inhabitants,
and unsettled country, with the importance of the Cavite, demand at
least this force for an effectual security.
The season of the year, and condition of the squadron, oblige us to
defer the taking possession of the subordinate places ceded to the
crown, until the ships have had a sufficient repair; and I have the
pleasure to acquaint your Lordship, that the large quantity of naval
stores taken in the royal magazines at Cavite, supply most excellent
materials for this purpose, in which the Admiral is indefatigable;
whose zeal for his Majesty's service, great cordiality, and constant
attention to us during the whole course of the expedition, and
fatiguing progress of the siege, are beyond all praise. The other
officers of the fleet exerted themselves to the utmost upon every
occasion. As a small acknowledgment of our many obligations to Mr
Kempenfeldt, the Admiral's Captain, I begged his acceptance of the
government of the citadel and port of Cavite, till it was given up
to the company. His prudent and excellent regulations there, were of
the greatest utility to the public service.
The Captains Collins, Pitchford, and George Ourry, who commanded
the battalion of seamen, behaved with great spirit and conduct; and
Capt. Jocelyn, who was intrusted with the care of the disimbarkations,
gave us all the assistance that could be wished or expected from a
diligent good officer. The marine officers and corps were of great
service, and the seamen astonished us with most extraordinary proofs of
activity and valour, particularly those who assisted at our batteries.
The reduction of Manila has been so much owing to the consummate skill
and bravery of Col. Monson, that I fear my faint representations
cannot do justice to his merits; and I most humbly beg leave,
through your Lordship, to recommend him to his Majesty: together
with the following officers, viz. Lt-Col. Scott; Maj. Barker,
who commanded our artillery; Capt. Fletcher, major of brigade; the
Engineers Capt. Stevenson and Cotsford, and Ens. Barnard; the Captains
Moore and Pemble, aides-de-camp, who have all acted in their several
departments with extraordinary merit, and greatly facilitated my good
fortune. Both the Royal and the Company's Artillery, with their other
troops, behaved very well. In the last place, may I presume to point
out the services of the 79th regiment, which, from the good conduct
of their former and present field officers, has the peculiar merit of
having first stopped the progress of the French in India, and not a
little contributed to the happy turn and decision of that war under
Col. Coote, and has since extended the glory of his Majesty's arms to
the utmost verge of Asia. Twenty-three officers, with upwards of 800
men, have fallen, in the cause of their country, since the regiment
left England: numbers of the survivors are wounded. Your Lordship's
goodness encourages me to mention them as objects of compassion and
protection. Capt. Fletcher has nine colours to lay at his Majesty's
feet. [29]----I have the honour to be, &c.
William Draper, Brig-General, and Commander in Chief.
Proposals made to their Excellencies his Britannic Majesty's
Commanders in Chief by Sea and Land, by his Excellency the Archbishop,
Captain-General of the Phillippine Islands, the Royal Audience,
the City, and Commerce of Manila.
Art. I. That their effects and possessions shall be secured to them,
under the protection of his Britannic Majesty, with the same liberty
they have heretofore enjoyed.--Granted.
II. That the Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman religion, be preserved
and maintained in its free exercise and functions, by its pastors
and faithful ministers.--Granted.
III. That the families which are retired into the country may have
free liberty to return unmolested.--Granted.
IV. That the same indemnification and liberty may extend to persons
of both sexes, inhabitants of this city, without any prejudice or
molestation to their interior commerce.--They may carry on all sorts
of commerce as British subjects.
V. Having great confidence in the manners and politeness of their
Excellencies the Britannic Generals, hope they will use their best
endeavours in preserving peace and quietness in the city and suburbs,
chastising all people who shall dare to oppose their superior
orders.--Granted.
VI. That the inhabitants of this city may enjoy the same liberty of
commerce as they have had heretofore, and that they may have proper
passports granted them for that end.--Answered by the 4th article.
VII. That the same liberty may be granted to the natives of the
country for bringing in all manner of provisions, according to their
usual method, without the least opposition or extortion, paying for
them in the same manner as hath been heretofore practised.--Granted;
but any person coming in with any fire-arms, or offensive weapons,
will be put to death.
VIII. That the ecclesiastical government may be tolerated, and
have free liberty to instruct the faithful, especially the native
inhabitants.--They must not attempt to convert any of our Royal
Master's Protestant subjects to the Popish faith.
IX. That the use and exercise of the economical government of the
city may remain in its same freedom and liberty.--Granted.
X. That the authority, as well political as civil, may still remain
in the hands of the Royal Audience, to the end that, by their means,
a stop may be put to all disorders, and the insolent and guilty be
chastised.--To be subject to the superior controul of our government.
XI. That the said ministers and royal officers, their persons and
goods, be in full security, be maintained in their honours, with
a stipend sufficient for their support, his Catholic Majesty being
answerable for the same; upon those conditions the above-mentioned
ministers will be under the protection of his Britannic Majesty, in
the same manner as the rest of the inhabitants. His Catholic Majesty
must pay for their support.
XII. That the inhabitants may have free liberty to reside within, or
out of the city, as shall be most convenient for them.--Still to be
subject to the revocation of our government, if they find it necessary.
Done at head-quarters in the city of Manila, this 6th [30] Day of
October, 1762.
S. Cornish W. Draper
Man. Ant. Arzp. de Manila, Gov. y Cap. Gen. de las Philipinas.
Francisco Henriquez de Villacourta
Manuel Galban y Ventura
Francisco Leandro de Viana
Conditions on which the city of Manila shall be preserved from
Plunder, and the Inhabitants preserved in their Religion, Goods,
Liberties and Properties, under the Government and Protection of his
Britannic Majesty.
Art. I. The Spanish officers of every rank shall be esteemed as
prisoners of war, upon their parole of honour, but shall have the
liberty of wearing their swords. The rest of the troops, of every
degree and quality, must be disarmed, and disposed of as we shall
think proper. They shall be treated with humanity.
II. All the military stores, and magazines, of every kind, must be
surrendered, faithfully, to our Commissaries, and nothing secreted
or damaged.
III. His Excellency the Governor must send immediate orders to the
fort of Cavite, and the other forts under his command, and dependent
upon Manila, to surrender to his Britannic Majesty.
IV. The propositions contained in the paper delivered on the part of
his Excellency the Governor, and his council, will be listened to,
and confirmed to them, upon their payment of four millions of dollars,
the half to be paid immediately, the other half to be paid in a time
to be agreed upon, and hostages and security given for that purpose.
Done in the city of Manila, Oct. 6, 1762.
S. Cornish W. Draper
Manuel Ant. Arzp. de Manila, Gov. y Cap. Gen. de las Philippinas.
Francisco Henriquez de Villacourta
Manuel Galban y Ventura
Francisco Leandro de Viana [31]
All the islands subordinate to Luconia, and Manila its capital, and
which are at present under the domination of his Catholic Majesty,
must be ceded to his Britannic Majesty, who must be acknowledged
sovereign till the fate of these islands is decided by a peace
between the two Kings. Their religion, goods, liberties, properties,
and commerce, shall be preserved to the inhabitants of those islands
who are subjects of Spain, in as ample a manner as they are confirmed
to the inhabitants of Manila, and the island of Luconia. All the
governors and military shall be allowed the honours of war; but give
their parole, as the officers have done at Manila and Cavite, not to
serve or take up arms against his Britannic Majesty.
Dated at Manila, Oct. 30, 1762.
S. Cornish W. Draper
Man. Ant. Arzp. de Manila, Gov. y Cap. Gen. de las Philippinas.
Francisco Henriquez de Villacourta
Manuel Galban y Ventura
Francisco Leandro de Viana [32]
[We add here also, as being its proper place, the following
"Proposals," taken from Draper's Plain Narrative, pp. 27-30, which
we find nowhere else.]
Proposals of their Excellencies his Britannic Majesty's Commanders in
Chief, which are agreed to by the Most Illustrious Governor of these
Islands, as likewise the Royal Audience, the City and Commerce with
the Clergy, both secular and regular.
Art. I. That the Governor would give immediate Orders for delivering up
the Port of Cavita, with its Fortifications, which has been executed
by an Order to the Castiliana of the said Port, which was shewn to
their Excellencies, and sent to the Serjeant Major of the said Port.
II. To satisfy the Four Millions of Dollars, which are immediately
demanded by the aforementioned Commanders in Chief, all the Capitals
of the public Funds, such as the Misericordia, the Ordentercarra,
[33] and the religious Communities, as also what belongs to the
Archbishop, which shall be found in being; and what shall be wanting
of the Compliment of the said Four Millions, shall be made up by
the Capitals which the said Ship Phillippina shall bring in, with
Condition, that if the said Ship should be taken by his Britannic
Majesty's Ships before the Time that the Advice dispatched by his
Excellency the Governor shall arrive to her, ordering her to come
into this Bay; or if the Capital therein should not be sufficient
to compleat the said Four Millions, they will give a Bill on his
Catholic Majesty; and if the said Ship should not be taken with the
Capital therein contained at the Time that the Commander of the Ship
Phillippina may receive Orders to conduct her here, the whole shall
be given up to make up the Sum of Four Millions. But in Case there
should not be sufficient to make up the whole Sum, they will give
Bills on the Treasury of his Most Catholic Majesty.
In this Manner the said Proposals are agreed to on the Part of his
Excellency the Governor and his Council, and confirmed by their
Excellencies the Britannic Commanders in Chief, according to the
fourth Proposition of their Excellencies, bearing Date the 6th Day
of October, 1762.
Signed by the Archbishop and the Ovidores of the City of Manila.
Counterpart signed by
Rear Admiral Cornish and Brigadier General Draper
DRAPER'S JOURNAL
A journal of the proceedings of his Majesty's forces on the expedition
against Manila
The troops allotted for this enterprise were the 79th regiment,
and a company of the Royal Artillery. The auxiliaries furnished by
the gentlemen at Madrass, consisted of thirty of their artillery,
six hundred Seapoys, a company of Caffrees, one of Topazes, and
one of pioneers; to which they added the precarious assistance of
two companies of Frenchmen, inlisted in their service, with some
hundreds of unarmed Lascars for the use of the engineers and park
of artillery. As a compensation for this feeble supply of men, they
favoured us with some very good officers in every branch of the
service. Rear Adm. Cornish reinforced our little army with a fine
battalion of five hundred and fifty seamen and two hundred and seventy
good marines. So that the whole force for the land operations amounted
to two thousand three hundred men; who, with the necessary stores,
were imbarked on board of his Majesty's squadron, and two India ships
employed as transports, with an activity and dispatch that did great
honour to all concerned in those arrangements. [34] The preparations
were commenced, completed, and shipped, in three weeks, through a
raging and perpetual surf, by which some lives were lost.
As Maj.-Gen. Lawrence was of opinion, that the settlements would be in
danger if more forces were drawn from the coast, the two battalions
of the company's troops, all the cavalry, six thousand Seapoys, with
the part of Col. Monson's, and the highlanders, then at Madrass,
were left for their security. The Medway, York, and Chatham, that
were hourly expected, had orders left for them to remain for the
protection of the trade. We sailed, with the Admiral's division, the
first of August. The Seahorse, Capt. Grant, was previously dispatched
through the streights of Malacca to the entrance of the China sea,
to stop all vessels that might be bound to Manila, or sent from any
of our neighbouring settlements to give the Spaniards notice of the
design. Commodore Tyddyman, with the first division of the fleet and
troops under Col. Monson, sailed two days before us, that our watering
might be more speedily completed at Malacca; where we arrived the
nineteenth of August. We there bought up a large quantity of rattans
to make gabions, a good number of which was finished on board the
several ships. The twenty-seventh we sailed for our second rendezvous,
off the island of Timon. The necessary signals and instructions were
then given for landing on the coast of Luconia.
On the twenty-third of September we anchored in Manila bay; and soon
found, that our visit was unexpected; the Spaniards were unprepared
[35] To increase as much as possible the visible confusion and
consternation of the enemy, we determined to lose no time in the
attack of the port of Cavite, that was at first intended, but proceed
directly to the grand object, judging that our conquest there would of
course occasion and draw after it the fall of Cavite. On the morning
of the twenty-fourth, we sent an ineffectual summons to the town, and,
with the Admiral and other principal officers, examined the coast,
in order to fix upon a proper spot for landing the troops, artillery,
and stores. We found a most convenient place about two miles to the
south of Manila. Accordingly, all the boats were immediately prepared
by the proper signals: and three frigates, the Argo, Capt. King;
Seahorse, Capt. Grant; and Seaford, Capt. Peighin, were sent in very
near the shore to cover the descent. The 79th regiment, the marines,
a detachment of artillery, with three field-pieces, and one howitzer,
fixed in the long-boats, assembled in three divisions under their
sterns; the left, commanded by Col. Monson, quartermaster-general;
the centre by me, with Lt-Col. Scott the adjutant-general; the right
by Maj. More, the eldest field officer. As we had determined to land
near a church and village called Malata, that was opposite our left,
the other two divisions, which had been separated only to amuse and
distract the attention of the enemy, were ordered to join that as
soon as possible. About six in the evening we pushed, with an even
front, for the shore, under the prudent and skilful management of
the Captains Parker of the Grafton, Kempenfelt the Admiral's captain,
and Brereton of the Falmouth, who had the direction of the boats. The
frigates kept up a brisk fire to the right and left of us, to protect
our flanks, and disperse the enemy, who were beginning to assemble
in great numbers both horse and foot, to oppose our descent. This
cannonade had the desired effect. They retired, and left us a clear
coast. But a violent surf arose, many boats were dashed to pieces,
our arms and ammunition much damaged; providentially no lives were
lost. We formed upon the beach, marched, and took possession of the
Malata, fixed our outposts, and passed the whole night under arms. The
Spaniards were employed in burning part of their suburbs.
The twenty-fifth we seized a fort which the Spaniards had abandoned,
named the Polverista, [36] that proved a most excellent place of arms,
for covering the landing of our stores, and securing our communication
with the squadron. Col. Monson, who was detached with two hundred
men to view the roads and approaches to Manila, occupied the Hermita
church, large and commodious, about nine hundred yards from the
city. We made the priest's house the headquarters; sent orders to
Maj. More to march up with the 79th regiment to secure and maintain
this post, which was of the utmost consequence, both from its strength,
and the great cover it afforded us from the rains that had deluged
the country, and made it impossible to incamp; for we too soon found,
that the monsoon had broke upon us. The surf continued dangerous; the
rains increased; the landing of our artillery and stores became very
hazardous; our remaining troops were put on shore with much peril,
and some loss; Lieut. Hardwick was drowned. But the courage and
activity of the seamen surmounted all obstacles; they got on shore
part of the Seapoys, some provisions, and such stores as were first
wanted, and by signals demanded from the squadron; the officers of
which were indefatigable in giving us all possible assistance; and
Capt. Jocelyn, who was intrusted with the care of the disimbarkation,
did every thing that could be wished or expected from a diligent
good officer. We left the marines at our first post, the Malata,
to be near the Polverista, to preserve our communications, and guard
our stores and park of artillery. The men, from the good conduct and
example of their officers, behaved very well, and were of great use
upon all occasions. As the rains had forced us to seek the protection
of the houses that were under the fire of the bastions, the Spaniards
cannonaded our quarters, which were much nearer the walls than the
usual rules of war prescribe. They attempted likewise to burn more
of their suburbs, but were prevented by the great activity and good
conduct of Capt. Fletcher, major of brigade, and Capts Stevenson and
Cotsford, the engineers; who having advanced under cover of the houses
to St. Jago's [i.e., Santiago] church, near the sea, and within three
hundred yards of the town, reported its importance so sensibly, that
we posted a body of men there, notwithstanding its contiguity to their
bastions. The enemy soon fired upon us; but not with perseverance or
effect enough to dislodge us. We had some few men killed and wounded.