Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 July 1898 — SIEGE OF MANILA IN 1762. [ARTICLE]

SIEGE OF MANILA IN 1762.

It Surrendered to English Troops After Twelve Daye. Commodore Dewey’s recent victory ©ver the Spanish fleet in Manila harbor will give interest to the following account of its siege and capture by the English army and fleet in 1762, taken in the main from Mayo’s “ComS odious View of Universal History,” >m 1753 to 1802, published, in 1804. The English ambassador to Spain left Madrid in December, 1761, and active hostilities commenced early in 1762. Col. Draper, who had served with distinguished honor in the war in the Carmatic, had passed some time in Canton in China, for the recovery of his health. He had there made himself acquainted with the state of the Philippines, then ill-provided for defense. Bv his advice an expedition was planned against Luzon, the most important island; and an armament, consisting of a squadron commanded by Admiral Cornish and about 2,500 land forces under Col. Draper, was fitted out from Madras for that purpose. The landing being effected, the commanders advanced toward Manila, and the marquis of Villa Medina, the governor, was summoned to surrender. Confident in the strength of the place, which was regularly fortified and garrisoned with 800 Europeans, the marquis resolutely refused. The garrison having been repulsed in a sally, batteries were erected and the siege was commenced. The difficulties were increased by the violent rain which fell while they were preparing for the attack; but, in spite of this, their operations were carried' on with great success. When the governor saw that his works were no longertenable with so small a force against the resolute attacks of his enemy, he determined on another sally, as his last effort. This was made with great vigor and address; the besiegers being Jstad£e<| in the night by surprise, by almost the’~wnole garrison, supported by a body of Malaccese, who charged "with all the savage ferocity which marks their character. Repulsed in their first attack, they renewed it with redoubled fur}’, but were driven back to they: w<?rks with considerable loss on both sides. The fire from the batteries was then recommenced with great effect, and the Spanish cannon were soon silenced. Finding that the governor was determined to held out, even after a breach waa made, the British commanders ordered a general assault, which proved effectual. The governor retiring to the citadel, the citizens were exposed for some hours to the ravages of the besiegers; but having testified his loyalty by his ill-judged perseverance, he Was at last obliged, October 6, 1762, alter a siege or 12 days, to surrender his garrison as prisoners of war and to agree to the payment of $4,000,000 as a ransom for the city. The payment of this sum, however, is said never to have been completely made. These successes were rendered more effectual by the subsequent occurrences at sea. In expectation of meeting a rich Ackpulco ship, two men-of-w ifere sent out by the adipiral, which, in their cruise for her, captured the Santa Trinidada, bound for Mexico, and the Hermione, from Lima, with bullion and merchandise to a vast amount on board. Manila was held by Great Britain for 15 months and restored to Spain by the treaty of Paris, in 1763.—N. a. Times.