Profession, have already anticipated their supposed Profits, and may
live to repent their fatal Success in a Jail; unless the powerful
Intercession of the Government will rescue them from impending Misery
or Destruction. They vainly look up to me for that Protection, which
in their Names, I again request from your Lordship's good Offices.
I must add, that the calumnious and envenomed Attack upon my own
Character, demands the most public Justification: Being described
both at Home and Abroad, as a Man void of all Faith, Principle, or
common Honesty; and so, indeed, I should be most deservedly thought,
were I guilty even of the smallest Part of what the Spanish Memorial
accuses me. A Dey of Tunis, or Algiers, would blush to make use of so
black an Instrument of Perfidy and Piracy. I owe, therefore, this open
Vindication of my Conduct, both to my Sovereign, and to my Country,
whose Representatives were pleased to honour me with their public
Thanks, the greatest of all Rewards, and indeed, the only one I have
received for my late Services.--Sed mihi facti fama sat est. [195]
My Silence, perhaps, may be misconstrued; it may be suspected that
I have sacrificed the deluded Partners of my Expedition, to private
and base Considerations; (for something of a dark and private Treaty
has been whispered about) but, I thank Heaven! my Behaviour has been
such as will bear the Light of Day; and the all-searching Eye of Truth.
The Spaniards have assigned my Breach of Faith in the Capitulation,
as one Reason for their Refusal of Payment: I cannot, therefore,
servilely stoop, or submit to the heavy Load of Guilt, with which they
have endeavoured to overwhelm me. But perhaps, a Second Gondemar [196]
is arrived amongst us: Yet the Happiness of the Times, we have the
good Fortune to live in, forbids me to carry the Allusion any farther;
nor have I the Vanity to compare myself to the great Raleigh, even
in Miniature; a very unjust and vindictive Accusation, forms the only
Part of the Parallel betwixt us. But as the execrable Days of James the
First can never be renewed under the Reign of our most just, good, and
gracious Sovereign, I will not harbour the least Suspicion that I shall
resemble that illustrious Man in his Misfortune; or remain unprotected,
or be sacrificed for my poor Endeavours to serve my King and Country;
to whose Judgments I most dutifully and humbly submit my Cause.
I have the Honour to be, my Lord, With great Respect and Esteem,
Your most obedient, humble Servant,
William Draper
The Spanish Arguments for refusing Payment. [197]
The English Generals who made themselves Masters of Manila proposed,
on the [198] Fifth of October, 1762, a Capitulation to the Archbishop,
who acted as Governor; by which they promised to preserve the City from
Pillage, if the Governor and principal Magistrates would consent to,
and sign the Articles of, the said Capitulation; which they were forced
to do, being threatened to be put to the Sword, in Case of Refusal.
Notwithstanding this shameful Capitulation, extorted and signed by
the Means of Violence and Rigor, General Draper ordered or suffered
the City to be sacked and pillaged, for forty Hours, by Four Thousand
English, who plundered it of more than a Million of Dollars. [199]
Therefore the said Capitulation ought to be void, because it was
signed by force; and because General Draper first violated and broke
the Capitulation, by permitting the City to be pillaged. Consequently,
that Capitulation only, which was proposed by the Governor, accepted
of, and signed by Admiral Cornish and General Draper, upon the seventh
of October, ought to be considered and respected in this Affair.
The First Article of which grants to the Inhabitants of Manila, the
peaceable and quiet Possession of all their Effects; the Fourth and
Sixth grant them the Liberty of Commerce, under the Protection of
his Britannic Majesty.
Refutation
It is a known and universal Rule of War amongst the most civilized
Nations, that Places taken by Storm, without any Capitulation, are
subject to all the Miseries that the Conquerors may chuse to inflict.
Manila, my Lord, was in this horrid Situation; of Consequence the
Lives of the Inhabitants, with all belonging to them, were entirely
at our Mercy. But Christianity, Humanity, the Dignity of our Nation,
and our own Feelings as Men, induced us not to exert the utmost Rigours
of the Profession, against those wretched Suppliants; although my own
Secretary, Lieutenant Fryar, had been murdered, as he was carrying a
Flag of Truce to the Town. The Admiral and I told the Archbishop and
principal Magistrates, that we were desirous to save so fine a City
from Destruction, ordered them to withdraw, consult, and propose such
Terms of Compensation as might satisfy the Fleet and Army, and exempt
them from Pillage, and its fatal Consequences.
The Proposals they gave in, were the very same, which the Spaniards
most artfully call a Second Capitulation; and were afterwards agreed
to, and confirmed by us (with a few Restrictions) but at that time
were so unsuitable to their desperate Situation, that we rejected them
as unsatisfactory and inadmissible. As Conquerors, we took the Pen,
and dictated those Terms of the Ransom which the Spaniards thought
proper to submit to; for they had the Alternative, either to be passive
under the Horrors of a Pillage, or compound for their Preservation;
they accepted the latter.
The Objection and Pretence of Force and Violence may be made use of
to evade any military Agreements whatsoever, where the two Parties
do not treat upon an Equality; for who, in War, will submit to an
inconvenient and prejudicial Compact, unless from Force? But have
the Spaniards forgot their own Histories? Or will they not remember
the just Indignation expressed against Francis the First, who pleaded
the like Subterfuge of Force and Violence, to evade the Treaty made
after the Battle of Pavia, and his Captivity?
Should such elusive Doctrines prevail, it will be impossible,
hereafter, for the Vanquished to obtain any Quarter or Terms
whatsoever: The War will be carried on usque ad internecionem; [200]
and if a Sovereign shall refuse to confirm the Conditions stipulated
by his Subjects, who are in such critical Situations, the Consequences
are too horrid to mention.
By the same fallacious Sophistry, a State may object to the Payment
of the Ransoms of Ships taken at Sea, and to Contributions levied
in a Country which is the Seat of War. But it is always allowed,
that in such Cases, a Part must be sacrificed to save the Whole;
and surely, when by the Laws of War, we were entitled to the Whole,
it was a great Degree of Moderation to be contented with a Part.
The Destruction that we could have occasioned, would have trebled
the Loss they suffer by the Payment of the Ransom. The rich Churches
and Convents, the King of Spain's own Palace, with its superb and
costly Furniture, the magnificent Buildings of every Sort, the
Fortifications, Docks, Magazines, Founderies, Cannon, and in short
the Whole might have been entirely ruined, the Spanish Empire in Asia
subverted, and the Fruits of their religious Mission lost for ever,
[201] together with the Lives of many Thousand Inhabitants, who were
spared by our Humanity. As a suitable and grateful Return for this
Lenity, the Spanish Memorial affirms, that after the Capitulation
was signed, General Draper ordered or permitted, the City to be
sacked and pillaged forty Hours together, by Four Thousand English,
who plundered it of more than a Million of Dollars.
As my own Character, both as an Officer, and a Man of Honour, is so
wickedly attacked by this unjust Accusation, I must beg Leave to state
the whole Affair, in its true Light; and do appeal for its Veracity
to the Testimonies of every Officer and Soldier, who served in the
Expedition, and to all of the Marine Department.
We entered Manila by Storm, on the 6th of October 1762, with an Handful
of Troops, whose Total amounted to little more than Two Thousand;
a motley Composition of Seamen, Soldiers, Seapoys, Cafres, Lascars,
Topasees, French and German Deserters. [202]
Many of the Houses had been abandoned by the frightened Inhabitants,
and were burst open by the Violence of Shot, or Explosion of
Shells. Some of these were entered and pillaged. But all military
Men know, how difficult it is to restrain the Impetuosity of Troops
in the first Fury of an Assault, especially when composed of such a
Variety and Confusion of People, who differed as much in Sentiments
and Language, as in Dress and Complexion.
Several Hours elapsed, before the principal Magistrates could be
brought to a Conference; during that Interval, the Inhabitants were
undoubtedly great Sufferers. But, my Lord, this Violence was antecedent
to our Settling the Terms of the Capitulation, and by the Laws of War,
the Place, with all it's Contents, became the unquestionable Property
of the Captors, until a sufficient Equivalent was given in Lieu of
it. That several Robberies were committed, after the Capitulation
was signed, is not to be denied; for Avarice, Want, and Rapacity,
are ever insatiable: But that the Place was pillaged for Forty Hours,
and that Pillage authorized and permitted by me, is a most false
and infamous Assertion. The People of Manila, my Lord, have imposed
upon their Court, by a Representation of Facts, which never existed;
and to make such a groundless Charge the Reason for setting aside,
and evading a solemn Capitulation, is a Proceeding unheard of until
now, and as void of Decency, as Common Sense.
The following Extracts from the Publick Orders, given out the very Day
we entered the Town, will sufficiently convince your Lordship, of my
constant Attention to the Preservation of those ungrateful People;
who have almost taught me to believe, that Humanity and Compassion
are Crimes.
Extracts
October 6th, Manila.
"The utmost Order and Regularity to be observed.
"All Persons guilty of Robberies, or Plundering the Churches and
Houses, will be hanged without Mercy.
"The Guards to send frequent Patroles both Day and Night, to prevent
all Disorders.
"The Drummers to beat to Arms, the Officers to assemble with their Men,
and call the Rolls.
"The Adjutants to go around the Town, and take an exact Account of
the Safe-guards, posted for the Protection of the Convents, Churches,
and Houses.
October 7th.
"All the Inhabitants of Manila are to be looked upon and treated as His
Britannick Majesty's Subjects: They having agreed to pay Four Millions
of Dollars, for the Ransom and Preservation of their City and Effects.
"The Criminals executed for Robbery and Sacrilege, to be buried at
Sunset." [203]
I hope the foregoing Extracts, are sufficient to vindicate my
Character. Moreover, the strictest Search was made on board the
Squadron by the Admiral's Orders, and amongst the Troops, to recover
what had been stolen and secreted; and all the Money, Plate, and
Jewels, so recovered, were put into the Treasury, and allowed, and
accepted of as Part of the Ransom.
Now let us examine the Foundation of the Spanish Pretensions. In
the first Place, they have misstated the Propositions, and made our
Proposals antecedent to theirs, which is impossible. For how could
our Fourth Proposition take Notice of, and consent to theirs, unless
from a previous Knowledge and Perusal of what they had to offer? And
indeed, the whole force of the Spanish Arguments, depends entirely
upon the Second Capitulation, as they are pleased to term it: But the
Liberty of Commerce, and all the other Privileges which they there
insist upon, were granted conditionally, upon their Compliance with
the Fourth Article of our Propositions. It expressly declares, that
the Proposals 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
agreed upon; and Hostages [204] and Security given for that Purpose. It
is therefore most evident, that they had not the least Shadow of Right
to any Privileges, until this Article was most punctually fulfilled.
How it has been fulfilled, has been but too clearly manifested, by
the Court of Spain's Refusal to pay the Two Millions of Dollars, for
which we trusted to the Honour and Punctuality of that Nation. Until
that Sum is paid, it is impossible even to name the Galeon.
Postscript
It is now pretended that the Spanish Governor exceeded his Powers,
that he had no Authority to draw Bills, of such a Nature, upon his
Court: But will not unforseen Events, demand unforseen Expedients? In
Europe, where the Distance will allow of it, it is undoubtedly the
Duty of every Governor or Commander, to consult his Sovereign (if
an Opportunity offers) before he presumes to give his Consent to, or
ratify any Agreement that may be prejudicial or dishonourable to his
Crown. But can such Formalities be required or observed at the Distance
of half the Globe? The Persons entrusted with such remote Commands,
must be left to their own Discretion; to the Fertility or Barrenness
of their own Invention and Resources. A State may undoubtedly punish
the Man who is found to have betrayed its Dignity or Interests; but
at all Events, it must abide by his Decisions, how prejudicial soever.
We find in History, that the Romans, have sometimes delivered up
to the Enemy such of their Generals, who had made a shameful or
disadvantageous Peace, without the Consent or Approbation of the
Senate: But that Practice has been universally condemned upon the
truest Reasons; because the Delivery of an Individual could never
be adequate to the Advantages they might acquire by the breaking
of a bad Treaty; or compensate their Enemies for the Opportunities
and Advantages they might give up, or lose, upon the Faith of such
an Agreement.
I flatter myself that the Spaniards will not copy that great Nation
in its Defects, but imitate its Virtues.
It is also asserted, that the Ransom Bills were given and accepted
only to preserve the private Property of the Inhabitants; But I do
most solemnly aver, my Lord, that the Ransom was general, as well as
particular. Can Six Hundred Pieces of Brass and Iron Ordnance? can
the Fortifications of the Citadel and Town of Manila, with those
of the Citadel and Port of Cavite, the publick and royal Magazines,
Store-houses, Docks, &c. be called private Property? They belonged,
most undoubtedly, to his Catholic Majesty, and by the stern Rules of
our Profession, might have been destroyed, had the Admiral and I been
disposed to have carried on the War with that Barbarity, of which other
Nations have more than once set us the Example: But we considered
rather how Englishmen should act, than what our Enemies might have
suffered. But let us, for a Moment, admit that the Bills were drawn
for the sake of preserving private Property only: Even in that Case
the Spaniards are bound in Honour to oblige the People of Manila
to pay the Money; and they are now very able to discharge the Debt,
since they have received all the Treasure of the Philippina Galeon.
Our Court has shewed them a most bright and laudable Example,
by taking Care that all the Ransom Bills, due even to the Enemy's
Privateers, should be most punctually paid, since the Conclusion of
the Peace. Surely such upright Proceedings on our Side will infuse
the same religious Observance of good Faith in all concerned in this
Business. Otherwise we must say with Grotius, ab Injustitiâ excusari
nequeunt, qui, cum pacta improbent, tamen retinent, quæ, sine pactis
non haberent. "They cannot avoid the Imputation of Injustice, who
disapprove of Treaties, and yet keep Possession of what they could
not have been possessed of, but by the Means of those Treaties."
We have an indisputable Right to Manila, and all its Dependencies,
if the Ransom Bills are not faithfully paid.
I do therefore, my Lord, in the Names of all concerned (the Navy,
Army, and East India Company) implore the Assistance and Protection
of the Government, and its effectual good Offices, to maintain our
most just Rights, and recover the Part of the Ransom as yet unpaid.
[Here follow the "Proposals" and "Conditions," q.v., ante, pp. 75-80.]
LETTER FROM CARRION TO RUEDA
Jesus
Pax Christi, etc.
After our misfortunes which happened at the capture of Manila by the
English, we are breathing a bit. Hardships have not been lacking here
since then, but they have been accompanied by relief.
Last year it was God's will to bring us safely the ship "Santa
Rosa" with peace signed and a new governor ad interim for these
islands. [205] As no other boat was left, the said "Santa Rosa"
was fitted up and now it has returned to us, bringing us the
regularly-appointed governor Don Francisco Raon. This is the beginning
of the recuperation of these islands.
For the rest, one could have feared the total ruin of these domains,
according to the unbridled manner in which the Moros were killing and
capturing through the Bisayas. The governor ad interim has placed
Manila in a state of the best defense against European powers,
and has opened about it a very wide ditch and made some very high
intrenchments. If eight thousand Europeans were necessary to capture
it before now fourteen or sixteen thousand will be necessary.
There is no doubt but that the present governor will perfect these
works, and that he will more eagerly check the boldness of the
Morillos. [206] That being done, the trade of Bisayas will again
flourish, which is almost necessary for the conservation of this
capital.
God has placed a very heavy hand upon our friends the English in
their retirement. It is enough to say that seven of their fourteen
ships have been lost, and one-half the men whom they brought here,
who numbered in all about eight thousand. Of a truth their hopes saw
a sorry fulfilment. Cruel Micenas, fugitibo Eneas, etc.
Concerning the unhappy condition of the missions of the empire of
China, your Reverence will already have had accurate information
through the Portuguese fathers who were ordered to be taken to
Europa by their not king--"I am not king," as he said at the time
of the earthquakes, and as he has caused us to see afterward in our
misfortunes. [207] What has become of Father Master Manuel Guevara,
who was confused with the Portuguese? Has he died or has he been
restored to our province of Toledo? If he is living, a thousand
greetings [to him].
We have had the latest news from two Portuguese fathers (who had
come here previously from the provinces, and who on that account did
not fall into the clutches of the sparrow-hawk), which is reduced to
saying that about thirty fathers are left in that empire--about ten
or eleven in the court of Pequin, and the others scattered through
its vast provinces. Those of the court are living openly with the
license of the emperor and the rest are keeping hid. But all lack
the aid which formerly was sent to them from Goa. May God aid them
and give them strength to leave the shore after so fierce a storm,
and withdraw us all from the other storm which is lashing all the
vast body of the Society. [208] San Pedro Macati, July 8, 1765.
Your Reverence's humble servant,
Eugenio Carrion (rubric)
I beg your Reverence to communicate this letter to the reverend father
Orea, as one of those small morsels which was supplied to him when
he was our beadle in the school of Murcia.
[Addressed: "My Father Joseph de Rueda."]
LETTER FROM PAZUENGOS TO MESQUIDA
Jesus
Pax Christi.
I am writing this letter, in doubt as to the arrival of your Reverence,
and with hopes of the arrival here of the ship "Santa Rosa" and with
desires of the coming of a governor to free us from the abominations in
which we are. Don Francisco Xavier [de la] Torre is the most detestable
robber ever seen in the East or West Indias, a man without shame or
trace of Christianity. All this might be tolerated if he took any
care of the defense of the Indians; but he has wholly abandoned the
fields of Christendom, saying that a cornucopia of the islands is
given to him, and that the king our sovereign will abandon them,
or transfer them to the French. Thereupon, he has given himself
over to a libertine life, so far as his morals are concerned. He
looks after nothing else than selling the offices dear, and robbing
king and vassals. He obtains it all with abun[dant] [209] stipends,
but does not pay them, but feigns very well that he issues vouchers
for them. But [what?] will your Reverence say on learning that he
has bondsmen who give him opinions, ... testimonies contrary to
all justice and truth? We have a bishop ...; and for that reason I
have already sent four [students] so that they may be ordained [at]
Zebu. I am sure that it will be necessary to send all the others, who
have finished and who are studying. He has hoisted the flag against the
religious orders with all his might, and I am sure that all the orders
will write this year, resigning their ministries into the hands of his
Majesty. [210] The Society and the Dominicans are determined to do it,
for the auditors and some of the city have resolved to censure and
dishonor them. The Frenchman Solano, formerly a barber and wig-maker is
alcalde-in-ordinary of Manila, and today a regidor of this city. Who
would believe that such a ... thing could be? This vile man, incited
by the governor, by the auditor, ... and by the fiscal of his Majesty,
had the insolence to get out on the highway of Meyha with two thousand
workmen and widen it by more than two varas. Although he knew that
it was ecclesiastical property, he answered that the last thing that
leaves the body is the soul. What can such governors, [such] auditors,
and such alcaldes occasion, if not the ruin of the community?
Not less ruined are the Bisayas, as they are without stipends,
and cannot be helped from here, since they have no boats which can
resist the Moros, for the governor has not made a grain of powder
nor a single boat, although it is a fact that he has cost the king
almost a million pesos. The fathers are compelled to go almost
naked, and they have had to make shoes out of the parchment of their
books. They have been assisted as much as possible, and already
those missions owe thirty thousand pesos to the province. Of the
ten churches built of stone and mortar, and a like number of houses
in the residence of Hilongos, only two are left, and all the rest
are ruined and burned by the Moros. Your Reverence may conjecture
almost the same thing of other less defensible villages. All [the
inhabitants of] the two villages which were formed under the charge
of Samboangan are dead or captives, and I am sure that the missions
of the Recollects have suffered greater ruin, proportione servata;
for I am told that the entire jurisdiction of Caraga is reduced to one
thousand tributes. Since your Reverence left, one-half the Indians of
Bisayas have been captured or killed. May God bring us a governor,
may God bring us some auditors, who shall recognize and appreciate
the defense of the Catholic religion and of the poor Indians!
The estates of Calatagán and Looc, burned and sacked by the Moros; the
estates of Meysilo and La Piedad, burned and sacked by the Christians;
that of San Pedro Tunasan, sacked by the Indians, commanded by six
Franciscan friars; Lian and Nasugbú delivered to the Joloan [? Jelaco
in transcript] king by treaty; that of Naic abandoned to the robbers;
San Pedro Macati burned by the English, with the exception of the
house and church! Those which have suffered less are Marquina, Payatas,
and Calamba, although they have suffered considerably.
Don Manuel Fernandez Thoribio has been appointed governor of
Samboangan, and has secret instructions to ascertain what estates
and what manner of livelihood the Jesuits have. In general, all
the alcaldes who have been sent out carry instructions against
the regulars. The fact is that stipends are not to be paid to the
ministers, and no alms or aid is to be given to carry on the missions.