MANILLA.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 611, 11 June 1851, Page 4

MANILLA.

[From the Sydney Morning Herald. We are indebted to Captain Young, of the Symmetry, for the following interesting news from Manila :— ° The rice crop had been much below an average (according to report 25 per cent.) ; this is accounted for by the fall of rain having been much less than usual, during the last southwest monsoon. All exportation has been prohibited. The shock of an earthquake was felt at daybreak on the morning of the 11th February ; commenced by a gentle undulating motion ; but rapidly increasing in strength, it became violently oscillating, and was at last mixed up with a jerking vertical movement ; it lasted fourteen or fifteen seconds. For some minutes afterwards the river was much agitated, and during the shock two columns of smoke or vapour were seen to rise from the sea, near the shipping, and pass away before the wind to the north-west. It caused considerable alarm ; and immediately after the shock passed off, the tolling of the bells of the numerous churches summoned the inhabitants to acts of grateful devotion. It was said to be the sharpest shock which has been felt for many 1 years. J

; There was some talk of a. new El Dorado S’-F f lscovered olll y seventy miles from Manila. Gold has all along been found (sometimes in considerable quantities) in the beds of the mountain streams, being sought after and co fleeted by Indian women and children, who deliver it to government officers at a certain value. A recent exploration, however has been so encouraging, that it is, said “ di 2 - gings are to be commenced forthwith Piracy—The Spaniards and the SooI V R^; ES _>— r ° r .a ges past the Philippines I ia» I ?P'1 rJnnrlo.A,! v - Li

Moorish pirates inhabiting the island Mendavao to Borneo,' known as th its® 1 Islands, and under the governs J Pfi oo Rajah of Sooloo whose capital city i°^ tllB fortified, and contains about 30 oho 8 Many threats have been made at V' ‘ by the Spanish government of the 8 t .’® es answered only by fresh depredations 111 ' 1 ? 1 length the Spaniards have resolved u n d ' command of the new Captain G e n era i et ?J e Philippines, an old Carlist officer to P ° rt e the Sooloo pirates. In December last?” 6 ' pedition left Manila, for this purpose in n ing a frigate, a gun-brig, three war steame and 2500 soldiers, commanded by the c tain General. The expedition proceeded' Somboango, and took on board 500 mores 1° diers, and then sailed on, landing on twos ii piratical islands, burning the villas; putting the inhabitants to the sword. °C) a 30th December the expedition reached ft bay of Sooloo, and sent in a kesiaiS' ordering the Rajah to hoist the Spauis? standard as a token of submission; but th Rajah insulted the flag, and the officer bea/ ing it had a narrow escape. It was then de' termined to attack the batteries the next mor ning, although 16,000 men garrisoned J forts and town. As it happened, however the Mbors began the attack next mornins firing on the ships from the batteries with 150 guns, including 32-pounders: the fi le was heavy and well directed, and twoofth steamers were soon struck in the hulls, killing many men. The Spaniards, finding tb e i r force inadequate for the enterprise, withdrew their ships out of range, and returned to Somboango, sending back one of the steamers to Manila for reinforcements. The most lively enthusiasm pervaded the population for this purpose, and large sums in aid were voted by the Town Council and other public bodies while every despatch was used in collecting troops and ammunition. On the 3rd Febraary 3500 troops a number of natives, with ample ammunition, three war steamers, eel seven transports, were sent off, and 1500 more troops were to be embarked at Zebo, and it was estimated that when these reinforcements joined the Captain General at Somboango, he would have 12,000 men under bis command, and would resume the expedition.