LETTERS FROM GENERAL DRAPER TO EARL OF EGREMONT A copy of Brigadier General Draper's Letter to the Rt. Hoñble The Earl of Egremont his Majesty's Principal secretary of State for the southern Department [26] Manila Novr. 1st. 1762 My Lord I do myself the Honour of sending Lieut. Colonel Scott late adjutant General to inform you of the success of his Majesty's arms in the conquest of manila, [27] and the Cession of the Phillipin Islands to the British Throne, on the 6 of October, we took that Capital by storm, wherein nothing could equal the conduct & bravery of the officers & Troops--but their moderation afterwards notwithstanding the great Provocations to Exert all the severities & Rigours of war, as my secretary Lieut. Fryer had been murdered with a Flag of Truce but British Humanity was superior to vengeance the Troops considered rather how Englishmen should act than what the spaniards ought to suffer they received all the suppliants to Mercy: as the Distruction of so fine a City was not the object of the War, Admiral Cornish & I Dictated the inclosed Conditions to the Governour & Chief Magistrates they were most readily accepted & we flatter ourselves that the Term's, considering their situation were as moderate for them as Beneficial for us, the East India company is to have a third part of the Ransom. In obedience to his majesty's Commands, I have delivered up Manila & the port of Cavite to the Gentlemen appointed to receive them in behalf of the Company with all the Cannon ammunition and Warlike stores found therein, according to the inclosed Lists, the Kings Goodness has granted them one of the richest Cities & Islands in the World, in Fertility & every other blessing of nature not inferiour to any belonging to the British Crown, if the turn of affairs in Europe can perpetuate Possession it may prove a source of Commerce & wealth not to be equalled in any other port of the Globe; the season of the year & the Condition of the squadron will not permit Mr. Cornish to take Possession of the subordinate Islands that have been ceded to his Majesty, till the ships are repaired the admirals zeal for his Majesty's service & his great & essential service to us, during the whole course of the Expedition & fatiguing operations of the siege are beyond all praise all the other officers of His squadron Exerted themselves to the utmost upon [e]very occasion, the Captains Collins Pitchford and George Ourry who commanded the corps of five hundred seamen, whom the admiral was so obligeing to support me with behaved with the greatest spirit & good Conduct, & were of singular use to us their men and the marines behaved with their usual activity Life and Intrepedity.