advantage which arifes from it is, th enriching the Jefuits, and a few private perfons befides, at the other extremity of the world. Thefe arguments did fo far influence Don Jofeph Patinho, who was formerly Prime Minifter, and an enemy to the Jefuits, that about the year 1725, he had refolved to abolish this trade, and to have permitted no Indian commodities to be introduced into any of the Spanish ports in the West Indies, except fuch asfhould be carried, thither by the register fhips from Europe. But the powerful intrigues of the Jefuits prevented this regula-, tion from taking place. tunnage is divided into a certain number. of bales all of the fame fize. These are divided among the convents at Manila, but principally to the Jefuits, as a donation to fupport their miffions for the propagation of the Roman Catholic faith; and the convents have hereby a right to embark fuch a quantity of goods on board the Manila hips, as the tunnage of their bale amounts to; or, if they chufe not to be concerned in trade themfelves, they have the power of felling this privilege to others: nor is it uncommon, when the merchant to whom they fell their share is unprovided of a flock, for the Convents to lend him confiderable.fums of money on bottomree. The trade is by the royal edies limited to a certain value; but it always exceeds it; and the return cannot be short of three millions of dollars. The principal return is always made in, filver: the rest of the cargo is but of little account, the other articles, befides the filver, being fume cochineal, and a few fweetmeats, the produce of the South American felements, together with Furopean millenery ware for the women at Manila, and fome Spanish wines, fuch as tent and sherry, which are intended for the ufe of their priests in the adminiftration of the facrament. As it is fufficiently obvicus that the greatest hare of the treasure, returned from Acapulco to Manila, does not remain in that place, but is again difperfed into different parts of India; many remonftrances have been made to the Court of Spain against this Indian trade with Mexico. It has been urged that the fik manufactures of Valencia, and other parts of Spain, are thereby greatly preju diced, and the linens carried from Cadiz much injured in their fale; fince the Chinese filks, coming almost directly to Acapulco, can be afforded confiderably cheaper there than any European manufactures of equal goodness; and the cottons from the Coromandel, coaft make the European linens nearly ufelefs. So that the Manila trade renders both Mexico and Peru let's dependent upon Spain for a fupply of their receffities, than they ought to be; and exhaufts thofe countries of a confiderable quantity of filver, the greatest part which, were this trade prohibited, would center in Spain, either in payment for Spapifh commodities, or in gains to the Spabih merchants, whereas now the only of Do myfelf the honour of fending lieut. I col. Scott, late adjutant general, to inform your lordship of the fuccefs of his majesty's arms in the conquest of Manila, the furrender of the Porte of Cavite, and the ceffion of the Philippine islands. Our On the 6th of October we took the capital by form, after 12 days operation, which are detailed in my journal. lofs upon this occafion, would have been trifling, but for the death of major Mare, a valiant good officer; and it is with particular fatisfaction I can affure your lordhip, that the firm bravery and perfevefance of the troops could only be equalled by their humanity after victory. Out of respect and deference to admiral Cornish, we waited till he came on fhore, and, being deurous to fave fo fine a city from defruction, we jointly dictated the annexed conditions to the governor general (the archbishop) and the chief magiftrates, who moft readily embraced them. Confidering their critical fituation and vaft opulence, the terms were as reafonable for them, as beneficial to us. We allow the India Company a third part of the ranfom, the whole of which amounts to a million fterling; and according to my in uctions, I have this day delivered up Manila, one of the richest cities and inands in this part of the world, with the Port of Cavite, to Dawson Drake, Efq; and the other gentlemen appointed to receive them on behalf of the Company, with all the artillery, ammunition, and warlike ftores found therein, agreeable to the enclosed inventories. I have appointed major Fell, of the 79th regiment, to be commandant of the garrifon, which must consist of all the troops brought from Madrafs, as the great extent of the place, its very numerous inhabitants, an unfettled country, with the importance of the Cavite, demand at least this force for an effectual fecurity. The feafon of the year, and condition of the fquadron, oblige us to defer the taking poffeffion of the fubordinate places ceded to the crown, until the hips have had a fufficient 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 moft excellent materials for this purpose, in which the admiral is indefatigable, whofe zeal for his majefty's fervice, great cordiality, and conftant attention to us during the whole course of the expedition, and fatiguing progrefs of the siege, are beyond all praife. The other officers of the fleet exerted themselves to the utmost upon every occafion. As a small acknow. ledgement of our many obligations to M.. Kemperfeldt, the admiral's captain, I begg'd 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 infinite utility to the public fervice. The captains Collins, Pitchford, and George Ourry, who commanded the battalion of feamen, behaved with great fpirit and conduct; and capt. Jocelyn, whɔ was entrusted with the care of the difem. barkations, gave us all the affiftance that could be wished or expected from a diligent good officer. The marine officers and corps were of great fervice, and the feamen attonithed us with most extraordinary proofs of activity and valour, particularly those who affifted at our batteries. The reduction of Manila has been fo much, owing to the confummate skill and bravery of colonel Monfon, that I fear my faint representations cannot do justice to his merits, and I most humbly beg leave, through your lordship, to recommend him co his majesty, together with the follow ing officers, viz. lieutenant-col. Scott, major Barker who commanded our artile lery; captain Fletcher, major of Brigade; the engineers captains Stevenfon and Cotsford, and enfign Barnard; the captains Mop e and Pemble, aids de camp, who have all afted in their feveral de partments 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 prefume to point out the fervices of the 79th regiment, which, from the good conduct of their former and prefent field officers, has the peculiar merit of having fira stopped the progrefs of the French in India, and not a little contributed to the happy turn and decision of that war under col. Coote, and has fince extended the glory of his majesty's arms to the utmost verge of Afia, Twenty-three officers, with upwards of Soo men have fallen, in the caufe of their country, fince the regiment left-England: numbers of the furvivors are wounded. Your lordship's goodneis encourages me to mention them as objects of compassion and protection, Captain Fletcher i as nine colours to lay at his majesty's feet. I have the honour to be, &c. WILLIAM DRAPER, Brigadier general, and commander in chief. PROPOSALS made to their Excellencies bis Britannic Majefly's Commanders in Chief. by Sea and Land, by bis Excellency the Archbishop, Captain General of the Philippine lands, the Royal Audience, the City and Commerce of Manila. Article L. That their effects and poffeffions thall be fecured to them, under the protection of his Britannic majesty, with the fame liberty they have heretofore enjoyed. Granted. II. That the Catholic, Apoftolic, and Roman religion be preferved and maintained in its free exercife and functions, by its paftors and faith ul miniilers. Granted. III That the families which are retired into the country, may have free, liberty to return unmolested. Granted. V. That the fame indemnification and liberty may extend to perfors of both fexes, inhabitants of the city, without any pe judice or moleftation to their interior commerce-They may carry on all forts of commerce, as British fubjects. С с 2 V. Hav V. Having great confidence in the manners and politeness of their excellencies the British generals, hope they will use their best endeavours in preferving peace and quietness in the city and fuburbs, chaftifing all people, who shall dare to oppofe their fuperior orders. Granted. VI. That the inhabitants of this city may enjoy the fame liberty of commerce as they have had heretofore, and that they may have proper passports granted them for that end. Anfwered by the fourth article. VII. That the fame liberty may be granted to the natives of the country, for bringing in all manner of provisions, according to their ufual method, without the least oppofition or extortion, paying for them in the fame manner as hath been heretofore practifed. Granted; but any perfon coming in with any fire-arms, or offenfive weapons, will be put to death. VIII. That the ecclefiaftical government may be tolerated, and have free liberty to inftruct the faithful, especially the native inhabitants. They must not attempt to convert any of our royal master's proteftant fubjects to the popish faith. IX. That the ufe and exercife of the œconomical government of the city may remain in its fame 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 ftop may be put to all diforders, and the infolent and guilty be chaftifed. To be fubject to the superior controul of our government. XI. That the faid minifters and royal officers, their perfons and goods, be in full fecurity, be maintained in their honours with a ftipend fufficient for their support, his Catholic majesty being answerable for the fame; upon thefe conditions the abovementioned minifters will be under the protection of his Britannic majesty, in the fame manner as the rest of the inhabitants. His Catholic majesty must pay for their fupport. XII. That the inhabitants may have free liberty to refide within, or out of the city, as fhall be moft convenient for them. Still to be fubject to the revocation of our government, if they find it neceffary. Conditions on which the city of Manila fball be preferved from plunder, and the inbabitants maintained in their religion, goods, liberties and properties, under the government and protection of his British majesty. I. The Spanish officers of every rank fhall be elteemed as prifoners of war, upon their parole of honour, but shall have the liberty of wearing their fwords. The reft of the troops, of every degree and quality, must be disarmed,, and difpofed of as we shall think proper. be treated with humanity. They fhall ་་ II. All the military ftores and maga zines of every kind must be førrendered, faithfully, to our Commiffaries, and no thing fecreted or damaged. III. His excellency the governor must fend immediate orders to the fort of Cavite, and the other forts under his command, and dependant upon Manila, to furrender to his Britannick majesty. IV. The propofitions, contained in the paper delivered on the part of his excellency the governor and his council, will be liftened to and confirmed to them, up on 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 fecurity given for that purpose. All the islands (subordinate to Luconia" and Manila its capital, and which are at prefent under the dominion of his Catholic majesty) must be ceded to his Britannick majesty, whɔ must be acknowledged fovereign till the fate of these islands is decided by a peace between the two kings. Their religion, goods, liberties, properties, and commerce, fhall be preferved to the inhabitants of tho inlands, who are fubjects 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 fhall be allowed the honours of war, but give their parole, as the officers have done at Manila and Cavite, not to ferve or take up arms against his Britannick majesty. Whitehall, April 19. A Journal of the proceedings of vis majefly's forces on the expedition against Manila, THE troops allotted for this enterprize up a large quantity of rattans to make gabions, a good number of which was finished on board the several ships. The 27th we failed for our fecond rendezvous off the idland of Timon. The neceffary fignals and instructions were then given for landing on the coast of Luconia. On the 23d of September we anchored in Manila bay, and foon found, that our vifit was unexpected; the Spaniards unprepared. To encrease as much as poffible the visible confufion and confternation 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 conqueft there would of course occafion and draw after it the fall of Cavite. On the morning of the 24th, we fent an ineffectual fummons 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, artil were the 79th regiment, and a company of the royal artillery. The auxilia ries, furnished by the gentlemen at Madrafs, confifted of thirty of their artillery, 600 feapoys, a company of Caffrees, one of Topazes, and one of pioneers; to which they added the precarious affiftance of two companies of Frenclumen, enlisted in their fervice, with fome hundreds of unarmed Lafcars for the ufe of the engineers and park of artillery. As a compenfation for this feeble fupply of men; they favoured us with fome very good officers in every branch of the fervice, Rear admiral Cornish reinforced our little army with a fine battalion of 550 feamen and 270 good marines, fo that the whole force for the land operations amounted to 2300 men, who, with the necellary ftores,lery, and stores. We found a moft copwere embarked on board of his majesty's fquadron, and two India fhips employed as tranfports, with an activity and difpatch that did great honour to all concerned in thofe arrangements. The preparations were begun, compleated, and thipped in three weeks, through a raging and perpetual furf, by which fome lives were loft. As major general Lawrence was of opinion that the fettlements would be in danger if more forces were drawn from the craft, the two battalions of the company's troops, all the cavalry, 6000 feapoys, with the part of colonel Monfon's, and the highlanders, then at Madrafs, were left for their fecurity. The Medway, York and Chatham, that were hourly expected, had orders left for them to remain for the protection of the trade. We failed with the admiral's divifion, the ift of Auguft. The Seahorse, captain Grant was previously dispatched through the Streights of Malacca to the entrance of the China fea, to ftop all veffels that might be bound to Manila, or fent from any of our neighbouring fettlements to give the Spaniards notice of the defign. Commodore Tyddyman, with the first divifion of the fleet and troops under colonel Monfon, failed two days before us, that our watering might be more speedily compleated at Malacca, where we arrived the 19th of Auguft. We there bought venient place about two miles to the South of Manila. Accordingly, all the boats were immediately prepared by the proper fignals; and three frigates, the Argo, capt. King; Seahorse, capt. Grant; and Seaford, capt. Pelghin, were fent in very near the fhore 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, affembled in three divifions under their fterns; the left commanded by colonel Monfon, quarter-mafter general; the center by me, with lieutenant colonel Scott, the adjutant-general; the right by major More, the eldest field officer. As we had determined to land near a church and village called Malata that was oppofite our left, the other two divifions, which had been feparated only to, amule and distract the attention of the enemy. were ordered to join that as soon as poffible. About fix 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, Kemperfeldt, the admiral's captain, and Brereton of the Falmouth; who had the direation of the boats. The frigates kept up a brisk fire to the right and left of us, to protect our flanks, and difperfe the enemy, who were beginning to assemble in great numbers, both horfe and foot, to oppofe our defcent. This cannonade had the the defired effect. They retired, and left of war prefcribe. They attempted likeus a clear coaft; but a violent furf arofe, wife to burn more of their fuburbs, but many boats were dafhed to pieces, our were prevented by the great activity and arms and ammunition much damaged; good conduct of captain Fletcher, major providentially no lives were loft. We of brigade: and captains Steventon and formed upon the beach, marched, and Corstold, the engineers; who having adtook poffeffion of the Malata, fixed our Vanced under the cover of the houfes to outposts, and paffed the whole night un- St. Jago's church near the sea, and within der arms. The Spaniards were employed 300 yards of the town, reported its imin burning part of their fuburbs. portance fo fenfibly, that we posted a body of men there, notwithstanding its contiguity to their bastions. The enemy foon fired upon us, but not with perfe verance or effect enough to diflodge us. We had fome few men killed and wounded. that The 26th. The adminal fent on shore the battalion of feamen under the command of the captains Collins of the Weymouth, Pitenford of the America, and George Ourry of the Panther. They were cantoned between the 79th regiment and the marines. The rest of the company's troops of all forts were likewise landed, and put under cover. The Spaniards advanced out of the garrifor, under the command of the chevalier Fayett, with 400 men, and two field-pieces; and from a church, about 200 yards to the right of that we yesterday took poffeffion of, near the fea, begun a cannonade upon the right flank of our peft. Some feapoys under enfign Carty, who behaved very well, were fent to skirmish with them, supported b; three picquets of the 79th regiment, and 100 feamen, all under the command of colonel Monfon, who foon drove the enemy back into the town. In their precipitate flight, one of the field-pieces was left upon the glacis. The 25th we feized a fort which the Spaniards had abandoned, named the Polverifta, that proved a most excellent place of arms for covering the landing of our ftores, and fecuring our communication with the fquadron. Colonel Mon"fon, who was detached with 200 men "to view the roads and approaches to Manita, occupied the Hermita church, large and commodious, about goo yards from the city. We made the priest's houfe the Head quarters; fent orders to major More to march up with the 79th regiment to fecure and maintain this poft, 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 impoffible to encamp; for we too foon found, the Monfoon had broke upon us. *furf continued dangerous; the rains creafed; the landing our artillery, and ftores, became very hazardous; our remaining troops were put on shore with much peril, and fome lofs; lieutenant Hardwick was drowned: but the courage and activity of the feamen furmounted all obstacles; they got on shore part of the Seapoys, fome provifions, and fuch ftores as were first wanted, and by fignals. The fuperior fkill and bravery of our demanded from the fquadron; the officers of which were indefatigable in giving us all poffible affistance; and captain Jocelyn, who was entrusted with the care of the disembarkation, 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, preserve our communication, and guard our stores and park of artillery, The men, from the good conduct and ex- ample of their officers, behaved very well, and were a very great use upon all occations. As the rains had forced us to feek the protection of the houses that were under the fire of the baftions; the Spaniards cannonaded our quarters, which were much nearer the walls than the ufual rules people were fo evident from this affair, that it occafioned a fecond fummons to the governor, but to no purpose; the anfwer was much more fpirited than their condu& had been. Colonel Monfon had orders to keep poffeffion of this fecond church, (if he found it tenable) for as we had not men enough, or dry ground to make regular approaches, we were forced into these measures, rath as they feem, and contrary to a' rules of our profeffion, by our critical fituation. From the top of this poft, which we called No. 2, we had a perfect view of the enemy's works. The front, we were obliged to attack, was defended by the baftions of St. Diego, and St. Andrew, with orillons and retifed flanks; a ravelin which covered the royal Bale |