Pitt's 'Gallant Conqueror'

by James Dreaper

Overview

The capture of Manila from the Spanish in October 1762 caused William Pitt the Elder to refer to the General that commanded it, William Draper, as "Manila's gallant conqueror." Draper became a figure of public controversy after becoming the victim of the political satirist "Junius," and incidentally left a lasting legacy from his involvement with drafting the laws of cricket. Using previously unpublished sources, James Dreaper has produced a groundbreaking new assessment of this powerful military figure, and a fascinating portrait of the times in which he served.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781845111779
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	04/28/2006
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.62(d)

About the Author

James Draper read history at Cambridge and spent many years in banking and public affairs.

Table of Contents

Foreword
• Introduction
• Illustrations
• Forming claims to Authority
• Uncertain Opportunities
• Steps towards visibility
• Distractions of Peace: Renewal of War
• To India and a Siege
• Offers and Departures
• Chimera - the lure and the reality
• Ideas from a voyage to China
• Peace delayed: war widened
• The Manila plan takes shape
• Hustle and Arguments
• Pressures of wider events
• Coup de Main
• Frustrations
• Illusions in Slow Dissolve
• Quarrels in Manila
• Muted welcome at home
• Intruding realities
• Manila - the last stages
• The Falklands linkage
• Public and Private concerns
• Late Challenges and Dismays
• Junius challenged
• Junius revisited
• American connections
• Domestic generosities
• Final call to arms
• Court Martial
• Chimera Renewed
• Notes
• Sources