Its other exterior works, arranged according to their order, are reduced to a bridge that can be raised, a moat with its counterscarp faced with stone [revestido], and at a little distance a ravelin in condition for defense—notwithstanding which, on account of masking the gate it is not found in front of the half of the curtain which was its proper place. Although this gate had the remaining features of covered way, parapet, palisade, and esplanade, they were entirely in ruins at the time when this government began—which induced us to plan them anew, in modern style, and of much better quality than were the old ones.
All the curtains which face the western and northern part of this fortress are, without question, the weakest part of its defenses; but on the supposition (which is believed to be a remote contingency) that European armies may move to attack it in earnest—and it may be regarded as an enormous undertaking by our enemies here, who are most laughable on account of their lack of discipline and of forts—the natural defenses are apparently even more than sufficient. For it has on the west the waters of the bay for a moat, and on the north a river that is broad and deep; and with this all fears may be laid aside.
There is also maintained in this city, at the expense of the royal treasury (as being a necessity), a foundry for artillery, grenades, and cannon balls of all calibers; and an iron-furnace, where men are continually forging, according to the occasion, many hand-weapons and some firearms. The metals for these are transported from countries beyond the sea. Besides these, a scant half-legua to the south, is the powder-factory, which is enclosed by a triangular redoubt of stone and mortar, with seven mounted iron cannons, and fortified by three demi-bastions. This factory supplies gunpowder to Manila and the forts dependent on it; to the ships of his Majesty which sail annually to the port of Acapulco and the Marianas Islands; to the armadas which, when any danger from enemies arises, are made ready on the opposite shore; and to the public festivals. More than enough to cover the expense is received from those who wish to buy it, to whom it is furnished for their money. The ingredients of its composition are produced in the country, except the saltpetre, which is brought from foreign countries.
Artillery, mounted and dismounted, of this fort, with whatever is necessary for handling it
| Bronzecannons | Caliber | Iron cannons | Caliber | ||
| 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | ||
| 1 | 4 | 13 | 4 | ||
| 1 | 5 | 6 | 5 | ||
| 2 | 8 | 10 | 6 | ||
| 1 | 9 | 11 | 8 | ||
| 1 | 14 | 4 | 10 | ||
| 1 | 16 | 4 | 12 | ||
| 15 | 8 | 4 | 14 | ||
| 7 | 20 | 5 | 18 | ||
| 3 | 22 | 4 | 20 | ||
| 2 | 24 | 2 | 30 | ||
| 6 | 25 | ||||
| 2 | stone-mortars, for moat-guards | 90 | |||
| 43 | bronze cannons | 65 | iron cannons | ||
Military supplies kept in reserve, independent of those used in actual service
| 20,370 | iron cannon-balls, as reserve for the said artillery. |
| 18 | bronze stone-mortars, with their chambers. |
| 5 | iron esmerils. |
| 4 | iron pinzotes. |
| 458 | match-lock arquebuses. |
| 409 | flint-lock guns and [hand-] cannons, with bayonets. |
| 34 | pairs of pistols. |
| 20 | blunderbusses, bronze and iron. |
| 2,267 | short swords, cutlasses, and broadswords. |
| 1,097 | iron grenades. |
| 50,342 | lead bullets, of suitable size. |
| 800 | arrobas of gunpowder, kept in reserve. |
The fighting men who serve in the said royal camp of Manila comprise nine companies of Spanish infantry. The first is under command of the captain-general; the second, of the master-of-camp; the third, of the sargento-mayor; and the rest, under six captains who are appointed by this government. Each company has its alférez, its sergeant, and also its minor posts of page, standard-bearer, fifer and drummer; and, in all, there are six hundred and seventy-five soldiers. There are also a captain and thirteen halberdiers, the personal guard of the governor and captain-general; two paid adjutants, and seven supernumeraries; one deputy-commander of artillery, with his head gunner, and thirty-six artillerists. There is a military engineer, and an overseer of the royal works; and there are masters and a suitable number of workmen for casting artillery, operating forges, and making gunpowder. There are also, to serve as workmen in the said shops, a company of Pampango infantry, with their captain, alférez, sergeant, standard-bearer, and two hundred and forty-three regular soldiers—more or less, according to circumstances.
The wages and rations of the said soldiers are paid monthly, excepting the captain-general, who receives his pay every four months and at the rate of 8,000 pesos (each of 450 maravedis of silver) a year. The amount each one receives is stated thus:
Officers: The master-of-camp, 137 pesos, 6 tomins; the sargento-mayor, 30 p.; the six captains, each 15 p.; the captain of the guard, 24 p.; the deputy commander of artillery, 25 p.; the military engineer, 25 p.; the overseer of works, 20 p.; two paid adjutants, each 8 p.; the seven supernumeraries, each 6 p.; the alferezes, each 4 p.; the sergeants, each 3 p.; the head gunner of the artillery, 8 p.; the Pampango captain, 4 p., 4 t.; his alférez, and his sergeant, each 2 p., 4 t.