East Indies theatre of the French Revolutionary Wars situation in Europe had however shifted once more during 1796 when France and Spain signed the Treaty of San Ildefonso, transferring Spain from an ally of Britain to an ally of France. British attention in the East Indies therefore shifted from the French island territories to the Spanish Philippines, where the defence squadron had been badly damaged in a hurricane in April 1797 and was in dock for extensive repairs. British forces were once again in the ascendant, Rainier commanding five ships of the line, one fourth rate ship and six frigates. Extensive plans were developed by Rainier in conjunction
East Indies theatre of the French Revolutionary Wars to Macau. After seeing his charges into harbour in December, Captain Edward Cooke investigated Manila himself in "Sybille", accompanied by "Fox". There he discovered the weak state of the Spanish squadron. Other British ships were operating in the East Indies: in July 1797, "Resistance" and a force of EIC troops captured Kupang on Timor but were subsequently driven off by an armed uprising by the Malay citizens of the town. In the street fighting 13 British troops and 300 Malays were killed. "Resistance" was subsequently lost on 24 July 1798, accidentally destroyed with more than 300 of its crew in