MANILA, the capital of an island of the same name
in the East Indies, on the south-east side of the island,
where a large river falls into the sea, and forms a noble
bay 30 leagues in compass, to which the Spaniards
have given the name of Bahia, because the river runs
out of the great lake Bahi, which lies at the distance
of six leagues behind it. In compass it is two miles,
in length one third of a mile; the shape irregular, be-
ing narrow at both ends, and wide in the middle. On
the south it is washed by the sea, and on the north and
east by the river; being also strongly fortified with
walls, bastions, forts, and batteries.—Manila contains
about 30,000 souls, who are a very motely race, distin-
guished by several strange names, and produced by the
conjunction of Spaniards, Chinese, Malabars, Blacks,
and others inhabiting the city and islands depending
on it. Without the walls are large suburbs, particu-
larly that inhabited by the Chinese merchants, called
Sangley. In proportion to the size of the place, the
number of churches and religious houses is very great.
Only small vessels can come up to Manila; but three
leagues south of it is the town and port of Cavite, de-
fended by the castle of St Philip, and capable of re-
ceiving the largest ships. Here stands the arsenal
where the galleons are built, for which there are from
300 to 600 or 800 men constantly employed, who are
relieved every month, and while upon duty are main-
tained at the king's expence. By an earthquake which
happened here in 1645, a third part of the city of
Manila was destroyed, and no less than 3000 people
perished in the ruins.
In the war before last, Spain having entered into engage-
ments with France, in consequence of the family-coin-
pact of the house of Bourbon, it was found expedient
by Britain to declare war also against Spain. Where-
upon a force was sent out from our East-India settle-
ments, particularly Madras, for the conquest of the
Philippine Islands, under General Draper and Admi-
ral Cornish: who, after a siege of 12 days, took Ma-
nila on the 6th of October 1762 by storm; but, to
save so fine a city from destruction, agreed to accept a
ransom, amounting to a million sterling, a part of
which, it is said, was never paid. The Spanish vice-
roy resides in this city, and lives like a sovereign
prince. The government is said to be one of the best
in the gift of the king of Spain. When the city was
taken, as above, the archbishop, who is a kind of
pope in this part of the world, was also viceroy. Five
large ships, loaded with the riches of the East, as dia-
monds from Golconda, cinnamon from Ceylon, pepper
from Sumatra and Java, cloves and nutmegs from the
Moluccas and Banda islands, camphire from Borneo,
benjamin and ivory from Cambodia, silks, tea, and
china-ware from China, &c. sail yearly from hence to
Acapulco in Mexico, and return freighted with silver,
making 400 per cent. profit.
The city of Manila is governed by two alcaides: the
rest of the cities and great towns have each an alcaide;
and in every village there is a corregidore. Appeals
from their sentences are made to the royal court at
Manila, in which there are four judges, and a fiscal or
attorney-general; each of these judges has a salary of
3300 pieces of eight per annum. The viceroy is pre-
sident; and in that quality has an income of 4000
pieces of eight, but he has no vote; yet if the judges
are equally divided, the president names a doctor of
the civil law, who, in virtue of his appointment, has
a decisive voice. The attorney-general, in right of
his office, is protector of the Chinese, in consideration
of which he receives 600 pieces of eight every year.
As for the Indians that are in subjection, they pay tri-
bute in the following proportions: Young men from
18, and from thence, if they continue single, to the age of 60, pay five rials of plate by way of capitulation; as single women likewise do from 24 to 50: married men pay ten rials. It is computed, that there are within the compass of this government 250,000 Indians, subject to his Catholic majesty, of whom two-fifths hold immediately from the king, and the rest from lords or proprietors, who pay two rials each for the maintenance of the forces, and the like sum for the parish-priest. The royal revenue is computed at about half a million of pieces of eight, exclusive of casualties. In regard to the military establishment, the garrison of Manila consists of about 800 or 1000 men, and there are about 3000 more in the Philippines. The viceroy is by his office captain-general, with a salary of about 4000 pieces of eight.