Richmond Enquirer

MASSACRE AT MANILLA.

We are indebted to an obliging friend for the following interesting article:

Phil. Gazette,

The Island of Luconia from its extent, climate and fertility of soil, would under proper encouragement soon become an important colony to Spain. Situated in the neighborhood of China. industrious cultivators, skillful artisans and intelligent traffickers, could with ease be obtained from that overflowing country. The products, indigo, coffee, cotton, sugar, tobacco and rice, and its commercial situation is yet excelled by any in the east; for it can carry on trade with both hemispheres. The system of Spain "keep your colonies poor that you may govern them" has been carried into vigorous execution, for unfortunately, the whole commerce, (a little trade to Amoy and some Chinqueunks excepted,) was under the direction of the Philippine company who sent annually a few ships and bought and sold at their own prices. Thus the natural indolence of the savage born under a vertical sun, was encouraged, emigration checked, and the native population which constitutes 9/10ths of the whole, kept in idleness, viciousness and ignorance, implicitly obedient to a priesthood as idle, ignorant and vicious as themselves. Through these the few Spaniards in the Island govern. The disjointed state of the Spanish empire, has from necessity opened the trade of Manilla to the world, and for some years, ships from all nations have visited the port the natural consequence of which was a greater demand for the productions of the soil, and a proportional enhancement of their value. New plantations were forming, and a spirit of industry and enterprise was beginning to appear in the country: this one would suppose the government would view with pleasure : it is said that it was otherwise. Jealousy with foreigners particularly of the Europeans and Americans, was the consequence and a determination to get rid of them at the first opportunity. It was probably necessary to premise the above to account for the origin of the late horrid massacre committed in Manilla.

The city of Manilla is situated in the neighborhood of the lake Bahia the borders of which a great quantity of filth had accumulated. The population outside the wall may probably amount to two hundred thousand. (a few Chinese, foreigners and trading people excepted) almost exclusively Indians. They do not form one continued city, but rather a collection of large villages densely inhabited, after the Malay manner. Sometimes in the month of September, normally heavy rains caused the lake to overflow its banks, and spread itself over the country for some distance around: upon its subsiding, the accumulated filth and large quantity of vegetable matter, when exposed a hot sun, soon produces an epidemic disease (cholera morbus) which daily carries off hundreds of the natives. Unfortunately the same disease had, for one or two years previously affected India, and was then raging in China. It required no great address to make the Indians believe that the disease was imported and to turn their rage upon the foreigners. Accordingly, on the 9th of October they assembled about 1 A.M. when the attack commenced. Such numbers were engaged, that it was thought impossible for the government to be un-informed of their plans and yet so well was the secret kept from the foreigners ignorant of the language that not one was aware of the danger that threatened him. The first person attacked was W. Godfroi (a surgeon) whom they left for dead--he was taken to the guard-house, and on his recovering a little, his hands were tied behind him by the soldiery of the regular arms, and in this situation conducted to the Corregidore's prison, where he remained 24 hours without assistance. Godfroi (the naturalist) and captain Wilson, of the English ship Mecope, immediately waited on the Governor, but the only satisfaction they could get was that he would consider of it. The above gentlemen with J. Wilson an American midshipman, were soon afterward murdered in the Escolta. The governor appeared on the Escolta, directly after the murder, and while the bodies were exposed to view, expostulated with the men on what they were doing, but took no measure to stop the massacre. He soon left there and this so far encouraged the mob that by afternoon what they were doing was averred to be by the governor's orders. The hotel for foreigners was then attacked--ten Frenchmen were murdered; (another Gantin) a very powerful man fought his way through the mob with his fists only receiving several wounds from their pikes and knives. When he reached the street his sight failed, and he would have fallen a sacrifice but a Spanish civil officer seized him, and tying his hands led him to the guard house, where the officers put him in irons, and were going to finish the work, when he demanded a Confessor--they sent for one--in the mean time a Spanish officer arrived (Saint Olive) and saved him, sending him to the hospital. Guillot was shot by an officer of the regulars--M. Dantafeld's house was attacked about 2 P.M.--the doors were very strong and resisted the force of the mob for 3 hours. About 3 o'clock, the governor appeared in front of the house with a guard of about 100 foot and 50 dragoons--he harangued the populace to desist--(they hooted at him, and raised their pikes to his breast. Instead of dispersing them he retired, and did not afterward interfere.

At this moment there were 4000 to 5000 troops quartered within two furlongs of the place, and could have been brought up in 15 minutes, as most of them were under arms.--The door resisted 2 hours longer, when the mob entered, and mangled 5 persons in so horrid a manner, that their bodies could not be distinguished--the next morning the mob commenced plundering and murdering the Chinese, The troops were then drawn up in columns before the city gates, and a proclamation issued to hang every fifth man they should take unless they immediately retired peaceably to their homes. The proclamation was instantly obeyed. These vigorous measures were pursued it is said, in consequence of the declaration of Colonel San Martin, to the Governor or Council, threatening to place himself at the head of his Regiment, and for the honor of Spain, cut down the mob without his Excellency's orders.

The surviving foreigners accuse the Governor of acquiescing in the measures of the mob, to prove which the above cases are mentioned, as being those where the governor was present, or were perpetrated by his civil or military officers. Power never for an instant passed from him, he was heard to implore but not to threaten; no one was punished for his agency, even the serjeant who shot Guillot, was liberated from his confinement and was seen the next day at the head of his platoon escorting the Host!!! Honorable mention is made of several Spaniards, who exerted themselves to save those they could, and were successful in preserving the lives of 20 or 30 Europeans.

Killed--T. Wilson, American midshipman--D. Nichols, capt. ship Mecope, English--10 English seamen--Godfroi, Guillot, Toulon, Debaz, Dapcrat, Estroup, Aipaud, Martin, French--Duntzfeidt, Shaffaulzky, Danes--above 40 Chinamen.

Wounded--D'Arbell, Gantin, Godfroi, surgeon, French--Baptisio, American.