Note 2 — LETTERS FROM GENERAL DRAPER TO EARL OF EGREMONT
Reading edition
Le Gentil (ii, pp. 264, 265), says that the British made many mistakes in the expedition against Manila. They should, he says, have first seized the posts about Manila, and the city would have fallen of its own accord because of its weakness, without the necessity of a siege; and in addition the “Filipino” would not have been able to escape. Another mistake was made in allowing Anda to form his army.
The following communications are interesting as showing the diplomatic side of the British expedition against Manila. These letters all bear the same pressmark as the present document (all being contemporary government copies of the real originals), and are to be found at folios 15–16 verso, 23, 23 verso, 33 verso, 34, and 45.
21 Janry 1763
To Gover. Crommelin
Sir
As it is my duty to acquaint his majesty’s principal Secretary of State with all important Transactions in which his majesty’s Troops in this part of the World are concerned. I beg leave to request you will send me the Paragraph of the Letter relative to the Capture of Manila that I may transmit it to England by this opportunity. I also request you will order the Packet to be kept open until you have received my Letter which shall be sent as soon as possible. Had I been acquainted with this sooner, I should not have troubled you to detain the Packet.
I am
&ca. S. L. M.
From the Goverr. 21 Janry 1763
Sir
I am favoured with yours of this date and agreeable to your Request our Secretary is directed to send you a Copy of the advise we received yesterday relative to the Capture of manila and to keep the Packet open till he receives your letter.
I am &ca.
Signed Cha Crommelin
From Mr. Ramsay 21 Janry 1763
Sir
I am directed by the Hoñble the Presedt, and Council to tend you the accompanying copy of a Paragraph of a Letter from the Chief and Factors at Tellicherry containing the agreeable news of the surrender of manila to his majesty’s arms on which important acquisition, I beg leave, Sir, to congratulate and am respectfully Sir &ca
Signed Andw. Ramsay Secry
Copy of a Paragraph of a Letter from the Chief & Factors at Tellicherry to the President and Council at Bombay dated 10 January 1763 it received 20th following ⅌ Express Boat, “We addressed you under the 28th. & 29th. ultimo ⅌ ship Royal Admiral and the Chief having received by a Private Letter from the Resident at Calicutt, the agreeable news of a Macao ship arrived at Cochin, bringing advice of the surrender of manila in four days to Admiral Cornish we dispatch this Boat, tho unacquainted with any other particulars, Chiefly to advise your Honour &ca, of it, and Request your acceptance of our Congratulations on so Considerable an acquisition. Immediately on our learning any further accounts we shall send away another Boat with them,
A True Copy.
signed Andw. Ramsay Secry.
To the Earl of Bute 21 Janry 1763
My Lord
Having the Honour to Command his Majesty’s Troops here, I esteem it my duty to send your Lordship the enclosed Paragraph of a Letter of the Governour & Council here received yesterday from the Chief and Factors at Tellicherry of which we hourly expect confirmation. I have the Honour to congratulate your Lordship on the success of his Majesties arms & of being with the highest respect
My Lord
2 Duplicates Your Lordp. &ca. ⅌ Express over Land S. L. M.
From Mr. Ramsay Secretary 2d February (sic) 1763
Sir
I am directed by the Hoñble the President and Council to send you the enclosed attested Copy of a Paragraph of a Letter received yesterday from the Chief and Factors at Tellicherry and to acquaint you that the Tartar snow, which has hither to been detained at Surat Bar, in Expectation of receiving a more Certain and particular accot. of the Capture of Manilha will shortly be dispatched from thence, if therefore you have any further advices to transmit to Europe you will be pleased to prepare them, as soon as possible that they may be duly forwarded by Sir &ca.
signed Adw. Ramsay Secry
follows the Paragraph
“We have received no further particulars regarding Manilha except that the day of it’s surrender was the 6th october.
To Mr. Ramsay 2d February 1763
Sir
I have just now received your Letter enclosing a Paragraph from Tellicherry, and I here with send you a Letter for the secrety. of state, which I desire you will forward by the Tartar snow,
I am &ca.
S. L. M.
To the Earl of Bute 2d February 1763
My Lord
Having just now had the enclosed Paragraph sent me by the Governour & Council here I do myself the Honour of immediately transmitting it to your Lordship
I am &ca.
S. L. M.
A letter from “Captain Duff of the 89th Regimt.,” dated “Fort St. George 24 Jañry 1763” contains the following:
“In my letter sent by Captn Morrison I mentioned the news of this place at that time, in particular the arrival of Captain Wood of the Company’s Troops from Manilha with the account of the surrender of that place to General Draper the 6th of last October he says that the Field officers have all made their fortunes and that General Draper with Colonel Scott and two or three more officers were to go home in November on board the seahorse man of War. It is said each of the field officers have Cleared £ 12,000 and in the event of the acapulco ship being taken, of which they seemed to be pretty certain they should share very near as much more. The General and admirals shares are prodigious.”
The above paragraph was sent by S. L. M. to the “Governour & Council, 4 march 1763”
A letter from “General Lawrence, Fort, St. George 9 February 1763” says:
“The Expedition to Manila has deprived us of so many men & we are not likely to have them again, that we are in great want here. I beg you will remind the Governour of sending the remainder of Monsons whenever opportunity’s offer.” ↑