gate, a wet ditch, covered way, and glacis. The baitions were in excellent order, lined with a great number of nine brass cannon; but their ravelin was not armed, the covered way out of repair, the glacis by much too low, and the ditch was not produced round the capital of the baftion of St., Diego, which determined us to attack it, and make our dispositions accordingly. The negligence and omiffion of the enemy to poft centries in the covered way, gave us an opportunity of founding the ditch; which perilous enterprize was affected by a small party of the 79th regiment, under captain Fletcher, who begged leave to undertake it: the Spaniards fired from their baftion, and killed or wounded three of our people: the depth of the water was only five feet, the breadth about thirty yards,

As the great extent, of this populous city made it utterly impoffible to invest it with our handful of men, two fides were constantly open to the Spaniards to introduce fupplies of men and provifions, and carry cut their effects. They availed themselves of our weakness. Their own garrison of Soo men of the royal regiment, under the command of the marquis of Villa Medina, brigadier general, was augmented by a body of 10,000 Indians from the province of Pampanga, a fierce and barbarcus people. Thefe difadvantages were not to be remedied, as we could not take poffeffion of Minondo, Tondo, and la Vera Cruz, the pofts which commanded the river, and communication with the country. The inundations had fecured their Parian fuburb; but no difficulties could check the ardour of the troops, who laboured incessantly in making fafcines and gabions, and preparing every thing for the construction and opening of our batteries. One for fmall shells was compleated this night, and played upon the bastion of St. Diego. Its pofition was behind the church, nearest the fea, called No. 1. The officers of the artillery and engineers exerted themselves in a manner, that nothing but their zeal for the public fervice could have infpired.

27th. The governor fent out a flag of truce, to apologize for fome barbarities committed by the favages lately mentioned, who had murdered fome ftraggling feamen; and to request that a nephew of his taken in the Bay, might be sent on fore. This, gentleman had been dif

patched from the Phillippina galleon juft arrived on the coast from Acapulco, with the first advices. of the war. Hoftilities ceafed till eleven at night, when we recommenced our fire from the mortars, encreafed them to four, and placed a fix 1 pounder on our left Bank, as a further fecurity for our poft at St. Jago's church. As the capture of the galleon, and her treasure might be well afteemed a national, object, Mr. Cornifh propofed fending. the Panther and Argo from the fquadron, to intercept her, which was confented to; and the officers of the navy very generously agreed to our sharing any prizes that might be taken in this cruize, as we had before confented to their haring.. with us in any booty that might be taken at land; and the diftribution to be made according to the rules his majesty has fixed, for the fea fervice. The admiral likewife fent on shore eight 24 pounders ship, guns, and two 18 pounders for our battering train; as, to fave time, we brought onlythe land carriages and platforms from Madrafs.

28th. The governor's, nephew was landed. My fecretary, lieut. Fryar, was ordered to conduct him into the town with a flag of truce. In the mean time a large. party of the garrifon, intermixed with Indians, fallied out to attack our fecond, poft N. 2, by which lieutenant Fryar was, advancing to the Ravelin gate. The barbarians, without refpecting his character, inhumanly murdered him, mangling his body in a manner too shocking. to mention. In their fury they mortally wounded the other gentleman who had, endeavoured to fave Mr. Fryar. Our party; received their onfet with much firmness and bravery, and repulfed them with fome lofs on their fide. As it was evident that the Indians alone were guilty of this horrid piece of barbarity, our foldiers fhewed them no mercy.

29th. The admiral, at my request, ordered the Elizabeth, commodore Tiddyman, and the Falmouth, captain Brereton, to place themselves as near the town as the depth of water would permit, and fecond our operations by enfilading the front we intended to attack, but the shallows kept them at too great a distance to answer the purpose effectually, though their hot ftruck much confusion and terror into the inhabitants. We continued our bombardment day and night.

· October rft and 2d. The weather, grew fo very tempeftuous, that the whole fquadron was in danger, and all communication with it entirely cut off. The violence of the ftorm forced the South-Sea Caftle ftoreship (which was lately arrived) from her anchors, and drove her on fhore: even in this fituation the fhip was of great ufe. Captain Sherwood enfiladed the whole fea-beach to the fouthward, and kept in awe a large body of Indians, who menaced the Polverifta, and our magazines at the Malata. Notwithstanding the deluge of rain which accompanied the wind, by the perfeverance of the troops and feamen, we compleated the battery for the 24 pounders, raised a mortar battery for the heavy fhells of 10 and 13 inches, made a good parallel and communication from the church to the gun-battery, and established a fpacious place of arms on the left of it, near the fea. The roaring of the waves prevented the enemy from hearing the noife of our workmen' in the night. They gave us no interruption, but feemed to truft entirely to the elements, While the governor (the archbifhop) gave out, that an angel from the Lord was gone forth to destroy us like the host of Sennacherib. On the afternoon of the 2d, the feamen with wonderful activity, brought up and mounted all the guns in the battery, which we masked.

3d. The weather became moderate. At day-light the battery was opened against the Jeft face of the bastion of St. Diego, towards the faliant angle. One hundred feamen were appointed to affift the corps of artillery in this fervice. Our cannon, by the most excellent fkill and management of major Barker, and the officers under him, were

ferved with fuch juftnefs, quickness, and: dexterity, that the 12 pieces on that face of the baition were filenced in a few hours, and the Spaniards drove from them. We' had but two men killed.

At night we began a battery for three guns on the left of our place of arms, to ilence thofe that were in barbet upon the the orillon of the baftion of St. Andrew, which annoyed our flank. We maintained a brisk fire of grape and musketry all the night, to prevent the enemy from repairing their embrazures and remounting the cannon. The mortars now (augmented to feven) were kept constantly playing upon the gorge of the bastion, and the contiguous defences.

4th. About three hours before day, 1000 of the indians attacked the cantonment of the feamen. They were encouraged to this attempt by the inceffant rains, in which they flattered themselves our fire arms would be ufelefs. Their approach was favoured by a great number of thick bushes that grew upon the fide of a rivulet, which they paffed in the night, and, by keeping clofe, eluded the vigilance of the patroles. Upon the alarm, colonel Monfon and captain Fletcher, with the picquets, were difpatched to the affiftance of the feamen, who very sensibly kept firm in their pofts, and were contented to repulse them, till day-break, when a fresh picquet of the 79th regiment appearing upon the Indians right flank, they fled, were purfued and difperfed with the lofs of 300 men. Had their skill or weapons been equal to their ftrength and ferocity, it might have coft us dear. Although armed chiefly with bows, arrows, and lances, they advanced up to the very muzzles of our pieces, repeated their affaults, and died like wild beafts, gnawing the bayonets. This attack coft us fome few men ; but we loft a most excellent fea-officer, captain Por. ter, lieutenant of the Norfolk, fincerely and justly lamented by us all. We had fcarce finished this affair, when another body of them, with part of the Spanish garrifon, again attacked the church, No. 2. forced the Seapoys from their poft in it, nearest the town, took poffeffion of the top, from whence they killed and wounded. feveral of our people, who were entirely expofed to all their weapons. Notwithftanding this difadvantageous fituation, the European foldiers maintained their

poft

poft behind the church with great firmnefs and patience, and at laft diflodged the enemy with the affiftance of fome field pieces, and the good conduct of major Fell, field officer of the day, captain Fletcher, and other brave officers fent to their relief. The Spaniards left 70 dead behind them in and about the church. On our fide captain Strahan, of the 79th regiment, a very good officer, was mortally wounded, and 40 private men wounded and killed.

This was the enemy's laft effort: all their Indians, excepting 1800, discouraged by their loffes, returned home. Our working parties, and the fire of our batteries, which had been a little interrupted by thefe attacks, recommenced with greater fpirit than ever. We found likewife the good effects of giving the enemy no time to repair their embrazures or carriages in the night. They opered only an inconfiderable fire from three or four embrazures in the curtain, too oblique to have much effect: before night thofe defences were ruined.

5th. Major Barker's fire was fo violent, that the breach appeared practicable. Our cannon from the three gun battery filenced thofe of the enemy on the Orillon of St. Andrew. We were in hopes that the Spaniards would be fenfible of their danger, and think of giving up the town. But they were obftinate without bravery, or any generous refolution of defending the breach. In the evening, the defign of storming the place was communicated to the principal officers of each department only, and the neceffary prepa. rations made.

6th. At four o'clock in the morning we filed off from our quarters, in fmall bodies, to give the lefs fufpicion; and, by degrees, affembled at St. Jago's church, obferving the utmost filence, and concealing ourselves in the place of arms, and the parallel between the church and the battery. Major Barker kept up a brisk fire upon the works, and thofe places where the enemy might be lodged or intrenched. Our mortars were well applied for the fame purpose. At day-break we difcerned a large body of the Spaniards formed on the baftion of St. Andrew, which gave us reafon to imagine they had got fome information of our defign, and intended to annoy us with their musquetry and grape from the retired flank of that baftion, where they had ftill two cannon placed; April 1753.

but upon the explofton of fome shells that fell among them, they went off. We took immediate advantage of this, and by the fignal of a general difcharge of our artillery and mortars, rushed on to the affault, under the cover of a thick fmoke that blew directly upon the town. Sixty volunteers of different corps, under liutenant Ruffel on the 19th led the way, fupported by the grenadiers of that regiment. The engineers, with the pioneers, and other workmen, to clear and enlarge the breach, and make lodgments, in cafe the enemy should have been too ftrongly intrenched in the gorge of the baftion, followed: colonel Monfon and major More were at the head of two grand divifions of the 79th ; the battalion of feamen advanced next, fuftained by the other two divifions of the 79th; the company's troops clofed the rear. They all mounted the breach with amazing fpirit and rapidity. The few Spaniards upon the baftion difperfed fo fuddenly, that it was thought they depended upon their mines. Captain Stevenson had orders to make a strict search to difcover them; but our precautions were needlefs. We met with little refiftance, except at Royal Gate, and from the galleries of the lofty houfes which furround the grand square. house over the royal gate, 100 of the Spaniards and Indians, who would not furrender, were put to the sword. Three hundred more, according to the enemy's account, were drowned in attempting to efcape over the river, which was very deep and rapid. The governor and prin cipal officers retired to the citadel, and were glad to furrender prifoners at difcretion, as that place was in no good pofture of defence. Capt. Dupont of the 79th, with 100 men took poffeffion of it. The marquis of Villa Mediana, with the rest of the Spanish officers, were admitted as prifoners of war on their parole of honour; and to conciliate the affections of the natives, all the Indians who fell into our hands were difmiffed in fafety. Our joy upon this fortunate event, was greatly clouded by the lofs of major More, who was transfixed with an arrow near the royal gate, and died immediately, univerfally lamented for his good quali

ties.

In the guard

Captain Sleigh of the grenadiers, and fome other good officers were wounded. We had about thirty private men killed or wounded. In confequence Dd

of

of the terms dictated to the Spaniards, the port of Cavite and citadel, with feveral large hips, and a vast quantity of warlike and naval ftores, were furrendered to us. Captain Champion with 100 marines, and as many feapoys, embarked on board the Seahorse to take poffeffion of it. The Spanish garrifon of 300 men, on the approach of our people, mutiny'd against their officers, plundered fome houses, and went off into the country with their arms.

As a small acknowledgment of the great fervices which the whole army had received from captain Kempenfeldt, the admiral's captain, I begged he would act at Cavite with a commiffion as governor for his majesty, being well affured that no one could difcharge that truft with more conduct and abilities.

Spanish officers of note, prisoners of war. Don Felix de Eguilux, lieut. gen. of ar tillery.

The marquis of Villa Mediana, brigadier gen. and col. of the king's regiment.

Don Miguel Valdes, lieut. col. and commandant of the fecond battalion of

ditto.

Don Jofeph de Riarte, lieut. col. and governor of the Cavite.

Don Francifco Rodriguez, ferjeant major of ditto.

Don Manuel Fernandes Toribio, commandant and ferjeant major of the citadel of St. Jago.

Of the 79th regiment, capt. Sleigh of the grenadiers, lieut. Hazlewood, lieut. Garnons, enfign Hog.

Of the battalion of feamen, Mr. Neal, midshipman of the Lenox.

Of the marines, lieut. Spearing. Artillery, one private killed, one ferjeant, three private wounded.

79th regiment, fix private killed, forty five ditto wounded.

Seamen, feven private killed, one ferjeant, eighteen private wounded.

Marines, five private killed. Company's troops, one ferjeant, two private drowned, one ferjeant, five private wounded.

Seapoys,eight killed,thirty one wounded. Total one ferjeant, twenty-nine private killed, three ferjeants, one hundred and two private wounded. William Draper

Return of brafs and iron ordnance, powder, fhot, fhells, &c. found in the town and citadel of Manila.

Brafs ordnance-342 ferviceable, 8 un

serviceable.

Don Thomas de Caftro, chief engineer and col. of the king's regiment.

Fourteen captains, thirteen lieutenants, twelve enfigns, two adjutants, one phyfician, one furgeon, eleven ferjeants, 261 rank and file.

Of the marine, four captains, two enfigns. Of the artillery, one captain commandant, two lieutenants, one enfign, one adjutant, one commissary.

ferviceable.

Brafs mortars, 6 inch, and beds-2.
Iron howitzers-7.

Carriages-66 ferviceable, 85 unferviceable.

Of the above, 4 brass guns and 7 fwivels were spiked, and 8 wounded.

SHOT, of all fizes, from 28 pounders to
four ounces-18,073.
Grape ditto-2411.
Double-headed-118.

257.

Ditto barrels, 360.

able.

i

Admiralty Office, April 19. Copy of a Letter from Vice Admiral Cornish, to Mr. Cleveland, dated in the Bay of Manila, the 3ft of October, 1762. IT is with the greatest pleasure I have the honour to acquaint their lordships with the fuccefs of his majefty's arms in the reduction of the city of Manila, which was taken by ftorm on the morning of the 6th inftant. In my letter of the 23d and 31st of July, I acquainted their lordships with my proceedings to that time; after which I used every poffible means at Madras for dispatch, the declines of the S. W. monfoon making it of the utmost impor

tance.

To promote this end, I compleat ed the Elizabeth, Grafton, Lenox, Weymouth, and Arge, with fuch of the troops, and military stores, as they were to take on board, and on the 29th fent them away under the command of comodore

a view that they might compleat their water there by the time I fhould arrive with the remainder of the fquadron.

Having accomplished the embarkation of every thing defigned for the expedition, with a difpatch much beyond my expectation, as we had from the whole time of my being there a violent furf to contend with, I failed the first of Auguft with the ships undermentioned, viz. Norfolk, Panther, America, Seaford, South Sea Caffle ftore fhip, admiral Steven's store ship, Ofterly Company's fhip, leaving the Falmouth, at the request of the prefident and council, to convey the Effex India fhip, who was not ready to fail, having the treasure to take on board for the China cargoes, and to bring to Manila fuch of the Company's fervants, as were to be put in poffeffion of that government, if the expedition fucceeded.

The 19th, I arrived at Mallaca, and was difappointed in not finding Mr. Tiddeman there, who did not join till the 21ft, having met with long calms: the difficulty of watering the fquadron 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 captain Grant, in the Seahorfe, whom I had detatched, upon my first arrival at Madras, to cruize between this ifland and the ftreights of Sincapore, to ftop any veffels he might fufpect going to Manila.

On the 19th I made the coaft of Luconia, but was drove off again by a strong N. E. which feparated fome of the fquadron. The 22d the gale broke up, and the wind fhifting to the S. W. the 23d we recovered the land again; the next day er. tered the bay of Manila, and in the clofe of the evening anchored off the fort of Cavite with the whole fquadron, except the South-fea Castle and admiral Stevens, the Falmouth and Effex having joined me off the coaft. In the night I fent the mafters to found 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 general Draper, and fome other officers, reConnoitred the fore about Manila, and Dd 2 obferved