Dawsonne Drake

Dawsonne Drake (1724–1784) was the first

Governorships

Born in

On 2 November 1762, he assumed gubernatorial office as the first British governor after the Battle of Manila (1762). He led the Manila Council, assisted by Claud Russell and Samuel Johnson. During his administration in the Philippines, his term was scandalized by bitter quarrels with various military officers, including Major Fell, Capt. Backhouse, and Capt. Brereto. Drake "had the difficult tasks of collecting the ransom, promoting trade, and defending the perimeter. It is no wonder he had difficulties, but it is remarkable that he did so badly."^[1]

Post-governorship

Upon his return to Madras in April 1766, he was tried by the Madras Council on criminal charges including extortion from the Chinese community and "abusing his authority to extort money from anyone who came into his power." He was found guilty and dismissed from the Council at Fort St. George, India on 2 December 1767. This sentence was later modified, and he was simply limited in his council rank.^{[1]: 62, 82–84, 99, 111}

References

• Halili, Marie Christine (2004). Philippine History. Sampaloc Manila: Rex Bookstore. pp. 99–102.
  ISBN 978-971-23-3934-9
  .
• "Ilocos Sur". Archived from the original on 13 June 2009.
• Spate, Oskar Hermann Khristian (1983). Monopolists and Freebooters. Kent, United Kingdom: Croom Helm Ltd. pp. 272–276.
  ISBN 0-7099-2371-6
  .
• "Drakes of Buckland". Archived from the original on 22 December 2009.