YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

naval and military
E M O I R S

OF

GREAf BRITAIN,

FR0M

1727 TO 1783.

BY •.
ROBERT BEATS6N, Es^ L.L.D.

IN SIX VOLUMES.

VOL. II.

9S9(^®9Sec;

JLonDon:
PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES'AND ORME,
NO. 39. PATERNOSTER-ROW ;
\V. J. AND J, RICHARDSON, ROYAL EXCHANGE; A. CONSTABLE AND CO.
EDINBURGH; AND A. BROWN, ABERDEEN.
1804.

J. Chalmers & Co. Printers,
Aberdeen.

CONTENTS.

i7i'/- A Change of the Miniflry, \. Plan of operations, 2. The
feals taien from Mr Pitt, ^, Refented by the nation, ^. A coali
tion of parties, 6. A promotion of Admirals, 7. Supplies granted
hy Parliament, 7. Eajl Indies — Revolution in Bengal, 8' to 42. —
Wejl Indies — Gallant behaviour of Captains Forrejl, Langdon, and
Suckling, 42. Succefi of Captain Forrejl, 46. Operations in North
America,^']. Siege of LouiJburgrelinqiiifJjed, ^/\. Admiral Hoi.
hurne reinforced, 55. His fleet difperfed by a form, jd. Pro.
ceedings ofM. de Kerfaint on the coajl of Africa, 59. Mediterra-.
nean—M. du Revefi efcapes with four fail of the line, 60. Tranf
aElions at and near home — Expedition againjl Rochtfort, 64. Mif-
carries, 71. Bravery of Captain Lockhort and others, 76 to 91.
1758. A promotion of Admirals, 91. Plan of operations of the
campaign, g2. Supplies granted by Parliament, ^^. Eojl Indies —
Admiral Pococi defeats M. d''Ache, 94. Trench take Fort St Da-
vid^s, 96. Proceedings of the French, g6 to lb. Admiral Pqcock
again defeats M. d''Ach^, no. M. Lally lays Jlege to Madras,
116. Is forced to raife it, 121 Weft Indies — Bravery of Captain
Tyrrel, 112. o«// 123. North America — Louifhurgbejteged, 126.
Surrenders, 133. Great bravery of Admiral Bofcawen, 1-^6. He
is thanked by the Houfe of Commons, 137. Africa — Senegal taken,
139. Goree taken, 145. Affairs in the Mediterranean — Admi
ral Ojborn''s fuccefs, 151. The Prince George of eighty guns burnt,
J55. Admiral OJborn^s letter to the Speaker ofthe Houfe of Com
mons, 158. TranfaBions at and near home — Commodore Holmes
obliges the French and Auflrians to evatuate the city of Embden,
J 60. Sir Edward forces a feet of French fhips qf war afhore at
the mouth ofthe river Charente, 163. Secret expedition under the
Duie of Marlborough and Commodore Howe, and the grand fleet
under Lord Anfon, fail from Spithead, 166. The troops land at
Cancal, 168. Burn a number of fhips clofe to the city of St Malo,
170; and re-embark again, 170. Return to England, 171. Ge
neral Bltgh appointed to the command of the troops — he, and Com
modore

CONTENTS.

modore Howe, fail for the coajl of France, 173. The troops land
near Cherbourgh, 174. March to the town, and deftroy the jetties
arid bafon, 176. The troops re-embark, ii"] ; and fail for Eng
land, 177. Sail again for the coajl of France, 177; and land at
St Lunaire, near St Malo, l^]. March round to St Cas bay, 180,
The rear-guard of the army attacked as they were re-emharkmg.
182. Lord Anfon and the grand fleet return to England, 187.
Captures and aBions by cruizing jJnps, 188 to 194. A fleet and
troops f ent to the Wefl Indies, 194.
1759. Formidable deflgns of the French, 196. The Britifh navy,
howflationed, 199. Supplies granted by Parliament, 200. Pro
motion of Admirals, 200. An aB of Parliament concerning pri
vateers, 202. Proceedings in the Eafl Indies, 20^. Admiral Po-
cock defeats M. d''Ach^, 205. Admiral Pocock returns to Eng
land, 217. The command devolves on Rear-Admiral Stevens —
Proceedings, of the Comte d''Eflairtg, 2iq to 224. Proceedings of
the Dutch in Bengal, 224 to 228. Wefl Indies — Troops land on
(he Ifland of Martinico, 22^, Obliged to retreat, 2^2. Attack the
ifland of Guadaloupe, 235. Various operations, until it f ur renders,
235 to 263, North America — Plan of operations for the campaign,
263. Niagara attacked— a battle there — the fort furrenders, 265.
to 270. Expedition againfl Ticonderago and Crown Point, 270, to
p.'j']. Expedition againfl ^ebec — a detail of the various operations
(here — the battle of^ebec — the death of General Wo If e~rfur render
of the city, is'c. 277 fo 312. Mediterranean — Admiral Bofcawen
arrives off Toulon, 313. Endeavours to cut off tiuo frigates from
the harbour — but is foiled, 313 and 314. Is forced to return to
Gibraltar, 314. Has notice of the enemy'' s approach, and goes in
purfuit of them, 314. Defeats M. de la Clue, 316 ^0318. Admi
ral Bofcawen returns to England, and leaves Vice-Admiral Broder
ick to comma tid, 319. Hfs proceedings, 319 to 321. TranfaBions
at and near home — Sir Edward Hawke fent to crui'ze off Brejl —
his proceedings during the fummcr, and defeat of M. de Conflans,
from 321 to 342. Sir Edward Hawke and Admiral Bofcawen
thanked hy the Houfe of Commons, 343. Commodore Boys gpes in
purfuit of M. Thurot, 345. Sir Piercy Brett goes with a fleet to
Yarmouth roads, 345. Succefs of the cruizing fhips, from ^d,$ to
35'b 1760.

«'. CONTENT S. V.
1760. Operations carried on. Supplies granted by Parliament, and
diftrihution af the navy, 355. Affairs in the Eafl Indies— fucceffes
there, 356. Pondicherry befieged, 358. A detail of tbe flege,
358. to 369. The fleet in great danger, 364. Affairs in the Wefl
Indies, 374. to 377. Affairs in North America — plan of the cam
paign there, 377. The French march from Montreal againfl ^e-
bec, 379. Their army attacked at Stllery by General Murray,
who is repulfed, 380. Arrival of the Diana and Commodore
Swanton, 382. The French raife the flege, 383. General Mur
ray embarks his troops, and proceeds up the St Lawrence towards
Montreal, from 384. to 386. General Amherfl and his army em
barks at Ofwego, 386. His operations, 387. The route of Colo
nel Haldimand acrofs Lake Champlain, 387. JunBioa ofthe three
armies near Montreal, 388. Correfpondence with General Am
herfl, 388. to 402. Canada furrenders, 402. French troops oblig
ed to lay down their, arms, 402. Captain Byron deftroy s fame
French fhips , and a village, in Bay de Chaleur, 404. Affairs in
the Mediterranean, ,406. and 408. TranfaBions at and near home
— M. Thurot, his progrefs and defeat, 408 to 414. The Ramillies
lofl, 415. Succefs of the cruizing fhips, 415. to 41S. Admiral
Bofcavoen dies — his charaBer, 419. and 420. Afecret expedition
fet on foot, 420. His Majefly King George II. dies — his charaBer
422. and i\2^. The fecret expedition laid aflde for the prefent, 423.
Privateers taken, 425. Generoflty of the Britifh to the French
prifoners, 426. An Algerine corfair wrecked in Mounts-hay, 427.
Affairs of 1761 — piflribution of the naval force — Supplies granted
by Parliament, 428. A full account of the negociatlons for peace,
and the reflgnation of Mr Secretary Pitt, from 429. to 445. Af
fairs in the Eafl Indies, 445. to 449. Affairs in the Wefl Indies,
I 449. Lord Rollo takes Doniinica, 450. St Anne of 64 guns
taken, 452. Affairs in North America, 453. Affairs in the Me
diterranean, 454. TranfaBions at and near home, 455. French
fhips efcape out of the river Vilaine — Sir Edward Hawke returns
to England, 45^. A full account ofthe expedition againfl the ifland
of Belleifle, 456. to 467. French bombard, and attempt to burn
the fquadron in Bafque road, 467. to iif><). Naval aBions and cap
tures, afti^. to 484. Journal of the ^een^s voynge to England,
485. to 487. 1762.

vi. CONTENTS.
1762. The Miniflry refolve to carry on the war with vigour, ^^"J.
Demand a categorical anfwer from Spain, 489,- which brings on a
rupture with that power, 489. War declared againfl Spain, 489.
Pafliament meets — both Houfes prefent loyal addreffes to the King,
ajfuring him that they would fupport him, andfland by him with
their lives and fortunes, is,()0. Supplies granted by Parliament, 491.
Powerful aid fent to the King of Portugal, and the diflrihution of
the naval force, 491. Lord Anfon dies — his charaBer, 492. A
naval promotion, 493. Affairs in the Eafl Indies, 495. A full
account ofthe taking of Manila, isfc. 496. to 515. Wefl Indies —
An account of the taking of Martinico, Grenades, St Lucia, is^c.
515. to 529. French fleet arrives under M. de Blenac — he efcapes,
529. Sir James Douglas with a fquadron fent to Jamaica, 532.
A grand expedition deflgned againfl the Spanijh fettletnents in the
Wefl Indies, 532. Operations on the Jamaica flation, 534. Sir
George Pocock and the Earl of Albemarle arrive, 537. An ac
count of the flege of Fort Moro, the Havannah, iyc. iyc, 539. /»
j68. RefleBions on the flege, ^Gg. Sir George Pocock returns to
England, 570. DiflreJJes ofthe homeward bound fleet, 571. Suc
cefs of Rear-Admiral Keppel, 573. Havannah delivered, up, 374.
Affairs in North America — gallant behaviour of Captain Rowley,
574. St John''s, Newfoundland, taken by the French, 576. Their
behaviour there, 576. M. de Ternay efcapes with the fquadron— •
end the place retaken by Colonel William Amherfl, 577. to 581. An
expedition againfl Buenos Ayres defeated by a terrible accident, 581.
to 587. Mediterranean — the ABive and Favourite take the Her
mione, 588. Generous behaviour of Captain Clarke, 589. Tran
faBions at and near home — Commodore Spry drove off his flation by
aflorm, by vohich means M. de Blenac efcapes, 590. Lord Howe
end the Duke of York go to fea, 591. Return — Sir Charles Hardy
and the Duke of York go to fea — return, 591. Rencfounter with a
French frigate, 591. Succefs of the Britijh cruizing jhips, ^^2. to
599. AliflofFrench and SpaniJh privateers taken, 600.^0602.
Bravery of fame Britifh privateers, 603. Benevolence of King
George III. to fame unfortunate Frenchmen, 604, The peace, with
fome remarks on it, 606. to 609.
NAVAL

NAVAL AND MILITARY
MEMOIRS

OF

GREAT BRITAIN,

1757.
XxLTHOIJGH a change of Adminiftration had taken plac^
at the clofe of laft year, and a plan ih fome meafure formed by
them for the operations of the enfuing campaign ; yet there
evidently appeared not only a want of vigour in the Govern
ment, but in all our naval and military affairs. Perhaps this
was owing to many fenfible people forefeeing that the prefent
Minlftry would not be able to fland their ground, as they met
with a very ftrong oppofition in the Houfe of Commons. Mr
Pitt was well acquainted with the fentiments of the people ;
and he loft not a moment in doing all that lay in his power to
correft abufes, to revive the deprefled fpirit of the nation, and
to employ its natural ftrength in the moft efFedtual manner.
The foreign auxiliaries were fent home, trade was protefled,
and powerful fuccours were fent to all the Britifh colonies in
America. The Earl of Loudoun had been fent out the preceding year
as Commander in Chief of the land forces in North America ;
he found on his arrival there, the afeirs of the colonies in a
dreadful plight. In order to retrieve them, and be able to
aft on the ofFenfive, it was abfolutely npcefTary, he faid, to re
inforce him, early in the fpring, with at leaft teft thoufand
VOL- II. A men.

NAVAL AND i75:7-

men, efcorted by a powerful fleet, fuperior to any the enemy
could fit out ta oppofe it ; and he requefted that this body of
troops might be fent all at one tim'e ; as all the military fuc
cours that had been afforded the colonies hitherto, had been
fent acrofe the Atlantic in fuch. fmall bodies, and at fuch long
intervals, that they never had it in their power, either to pro-
teO. the inhabitants, or aft with vigour againft the enemy ;
who, from their fuperiority in numbers, alertnefs, or our
own mifconduft, contrived to cut them in pieces fpon after
their arrival. To this plan the Mini^ry aflfented ; and inform
ed his Lordfhip, that this fcheme had met with his Majefty's
approbation ; arid that, as foon as the feafon would permit,
the reinforcements he aflced for Would be fent.
At this time, there was a powerful and well difciplined ar
my in Great Britain. Ten new regiments had been ralfed,
the end of the year 1755. At the beginning of 1756, a re
giment, confifling of four battalions of a thoufand men each,
was raifed :' they were deftine4 to ferve in America, and, offi
cers, as well as men, compofed of foreign Proteflants.
In Auguft 1 7 5(5, a battalion had been added to the fifteen
oldeft regiments of infantry then in Great Britain ; yet of this ,
powerful armyi there- was not a man to be fent to America ;
Ireland was to have that honour. The caufe was evident : the
French were marching a large army into Germany, and the
then Commander in Chief was in hopes of being able to pre
vail with the Miniflry to tranfport the army in Britain, to
the aid of the Ele£torate of Hanover : this he could not bring
about, and Ireland could not afford to fpare fo large a body
of men as was required to be fent to North America. In or
der, therefore, to make up the deficiency, a fcheme of Archi
bald Duke of Argyle's was adopted, and perhaps one of the
wifeft that ever yet was devifed : this was, to raife two regi
ments of twelve hundred men, each, from among the Highland
clans in Scotland,, the officers to raife their own men.
The Minifter, who was infinitely fuperior to the prejudices
that aftuate low minds, readily gave into it. He faw the plan
replete with found wifdom : it was, indeed, the Iharpeft axe
that

1757- MILltAkY MEMOIRS.

that ever was' laid at the root of Jacobitifm. It not only anni
hilated dlfaffeftioft ; biit it did more : it transferred the affec
tions of the difloyal clatis, to the illuftrious Houfe of Harlover.
The icntn wete^raifed in the fpace of a few weeks ; and We do
not hazard much when -v^e aver, that no body of men ever
ftrved With rhore honour to thebifelves,, orxtealadvantage to
their kitlg "and country, than they did.
Vice-Admiral Holburne was appointed to command the
fleet that iitras to efboirt the tro'ops to North America, ahd to a£l
in conjuniStion with the fiarl of Lbudoun ; but, from a ftrahge
fatality, which as fet had attended all out operation?, he was
fo Idng detairifed in England, that, before he arrivfed at his
deftination, the feafon for a£l:ing was drawn near a clofe.
As the eiiemy had hitherto been fuperior to Britain in point
of naval fotcfe in the "Weft Indies ; Reat-Admiral Cotes took
out with him large reinforcements, arid convoyed the trade
to Jamaica ; as did Commodore Moore, to the LeeWdrd Iflartds.
Admiral Ofborn was fent to command the fleet iii the Medi
terranean ; and, as the enemy were fending out a fleet and an
army to the Eaft Indies, Commodore Stevens was difpatched
¦with a reinforcement of {hips to join Vice-Admiral "Watfon.
The enemy's aflrvity, in fending out fuccours to their colo
nies early in the Spring, was very confpicucus ; arid, notwith-
ftanding all Mr Pitt's endeavours, they got the ftart of Britairt
this camjjaigft. The fenemy foon obtained information of the
plan of Operations laid by the Britifli Miniftry, and they took
all the precautions in their power to render them abortive ;
for, although ftrong fquadrons had been kept cruizing before
their principal fea-ports, yet the reinforcements they fent out,
had the gOod fortune to efcape them all. -
Early in January, 3 ftrong fquadron under M. de Beaufre-
morit, ftole out of Breft ; his deftination was Ltsuifburg : but
as that harbour could not be free from ice on his arrival on
the AmeriCafn -coaft, if he fteered his courfe drre£tly for that
place ; he proceeded to the ifland of Hifpaniola, arid cruized
for fome time in the "Weft Indies, where he did the Britifli
trade conftderable damage ; arid gt a proper feafon proceeded
A 2 for

NAVAL AND- 1757-

for Cape ]fereton. On his voyage hither, he nearly intercepted
Sir Charles Hardy and the Earl of Loudoun on their way from
New York to Halifa'x.
Another fquadron likewife got out of Breft. It was com-
HKinded by M. de Kerfaint, who fteered for the coaft of Africa,
wh^re there was no fquadron capable of oppofing him. He
did the Britifli trade on that coaft an incredible deal of mifchief,
and then fteered for the "Weft Indies.
Early in May, the French made a confiderable embarkation
of troops, which they fent to the Eaft Indies, under the com
mand of Lieutenant General Count Lally. Thefe troops
were efcorted by five fail of the line, commanded by Count
d'Achci While Mr Pitt and his friends continued in adminiftration,
from the meafures they adopted, things wore a more favour
able afpe£t ; and, as they were defervedly very' popular, the
fpirits of the nation began to revive. But the fpirits of the
nation were fuddenly and unexpectedly eaft down ; for, on
the 9th of April, Mr Pitt, by his Majefty's command, refigned
the feals. Never was' a meafure more difagreeable, or more
repugnant to the fentiments of the nation in general ; nor did
they fail to fhow their refentment on the occafion, > The cla-
mour at the difmiffion of the Minifter, was not that of a few par- ¦
ticular friends, or of a hired mob, but prefently fhewed itfelf
to be that of the principal people throughout the kingdom.
From the city of London downwards, fcarce a city or corpo
ration in England but teftified their difapprobation of the mea
fure, ^y prefenting him and Mr Legge, (the late Chancellor of
the Exchequer), with the freedom of tbeir refpe£live corpora
tions, in gold boxes of exq.uifite workmanfhip,, accompanied
either with letters or fpeeches, in which they beftowed the
higheft encomiums on their condud, and exprefled their warm-
eft wifhes for their being fpeedily reinftated in their offices.
Various reafons were affigned for removing Mr Pitt and his-
friends. His adherents gave out, that it was owing to his re-
fufal to comply with certain meafures required of him and
wliich he thought detrimental to the true intereft of his coun try.

Vj^y.' MILITARY MEMOIRS.

try. His opponents faid, it was owing to the inability of him-
felf and his friends, to raife the neceffary fupplies. Had this
laft been the cafe, his reflgnation had been voluntary, not for-f
ced ^ and, it muft be allowed, that during the Ihort time that
Mr Pitt and his friends continued In office, they gave evident
proofs of their fuperior abilities and difintereftednefs, and re-
ftored the nation from defpondency, to a fenfe of its own
ftrength, vigour and dignity.-
At this diftaiice of time, it appears almdft Impoffible jto con
ceive the fpirit which the Minifter and his friends had infufed
into the nation in general, during the little while they held the
reins of government in their hands. Its benign influence fpread
like wild-fire ; and from the day that Mr Pitt took the lead in
Adminiftration, the dread of an invafion vanifhed like .an idle
phantom, which had been raifed by a perturbed imagination.
Mr Pitt's friends all refigned their employments, when he
was difmlffed ; In confequence of which, Daniel, Earl of "Wln-
chelfea and Nottingham, Sir William Rowley K. B. the ho
nourable Edward Bofcawen, Gilbert Elliot, Efq; John Lord
Carysfort, Savage Moftyn, Efq; and the honourable Edwin San
dys, were appointed Lords Comrniffipneirs ofthe Admiralty.
The ftate ofthe nation was at this time truly deplorable;
without an ally that could he of the fmalleft fervice ; engaged
in an expenfive, and hitherto an unfuccefsful war; and at home
torn iri pieces by fa£tion. This unfortunate change of Admi-
nlflratlon, in a great meafure fiifpended all the military opera
tions ; and, having no Miniftry firmly -fettled, the plans that
had been concerted were now no longer attended to. AH par
ties were wholly engroff'ed with the ftruggle fgr power. Nor
did the French remain Id^e fpetlators of our dpmeftic contefts ;
but took the opportunity of fending out powerful fuccours to
all their colonies, particularly to North America ; by which,
fhey were not orily enabled to baffle the plans that had been laid
for the reduction of their principal fortreffes, but to attack
fome of the Britifh with fuccefs. This grand political cOnteft
waS attended with the worft confequences ; it infufed an unr
vcommon -degree of languor into all our naval and military ope-
& ^ rations:

NAVAL AND I757-

rations : for, while our commanders abroad knew not who was
to reward their fervlces, or punifli their negleCls, and even were
not affured in what light their beft intended aajons mightbe
confidered, thpy had reafon to apprehend that they might not
be reprefented to the nation as they really were, but as it might
anfwer the parjilcular p^rpofes of fome ruling faCrion ; who,
to fcreen their own bad condua, might give them up as a facri-
fice, to appeafe the wrath of an enraged and injured public.
In fhort, the enterprizing boldnefa, which 5s the charaaeriftic
,of the Britifh nation, and which afterwards broke forth, arid
fhone with fuch unparalleled luflre, feCRjecl fpr 3 wbilerto.bfi
hid under a cloud.
. At laft, a coalition between the twp contending par^ifs was
happily effeSed ; and the following partition of places took
place on the 29th pf June, viz. Mr Pitt and the Earl pf HpI-
derneffe. Secretaries of State ; the Duke pf Newcaftle, th.e Ho
nourable Henry Bilfon Legge, (Chancellor of the Exchequer),
Robert Nugent, Efq; William Vlfcount Dwncannon, and the
Honourable James prenville. Lords CPri^riiiffipners ofthe Trear
fury ; the Hpnpurable George Grenville, Treafurer of the Nar
vy ; Richard Earl Temple, Lprd Privy Seal ; Henry Fox, Efq;
Pay-Mafte!f-Gene.ral of the Land Forces; the Honourable
Charles Tpwrifhend, Treafurer of the Chamber ; the IDuke pf
Devonfhlre, Lord Chamberlain of the Houfehpld; Granville
Earl Gower, Mafter of the Horfe ; the Duke of BedforcJ, Lor4
Lieutenant of Ireland ; Sit Rpbert Henley, Lord Keeper of the
Great Seal ; and George Lord Anfon, the Honourable Edward
Bpfc^jBven, Temple Weft, Efq; G?org^ H^y, li.l^. D. Thpmas
Orby Hunter, Gilbert Elliot, Efqs; jnd the Honourable John
Forbes, Lords Commiffioners of the Admiralty. In th^ Riotjtl*
of September this year, died Vl.ee-Admiral "^Veft. His death,
by many, was fuppofed to have been accelerated by the hard
fatecf his colleague in the Mediterranean command, in 1756.
In Mr "Weft, the nation was deprived {?f a m^q of the greatefl;
probity, and the fervice pf an excel|pnt officer. Hans Stanley,
Efq; was appoiri|:ed to hi? ip^, at the Bpard pf Admiralty,
From this arrangement in the State, we ^may vyith prppriety date

1757'

MILITARY MEMOIRS.

7

date the beginning of Mr Pitt's admmiftjration, which brought
Great Britain to the higheft pitch of ^ory and profperlty.
By his Majefty's command, the following promotion of flag-
officers was made in February : '

WjUiam Martin, Efq;
Ifaac Townfend, Efq;
George Lprd Anfon,
Henry Ofborn, Efq;
Thomas -Smith, Efq;
Thomas Griffin, Efq;
Sir Edward Hawke, K. B.
Charles Knowles, Efq;
Honourable John Forbes, j
Honourable Edward Bofcawen,^
Charles Watfon, Efq;
Temple "Weft, Efq; \
George Pocock, Efq;
Hop. (jeorge Townfhend,
Savage Moftyn, Jlfq; [
Francis Holburne, Efq;
Henry Harrifon, Efq;
Thomas Cotes, Efq; i
Thomas Frankland, Efq; ^

Td be Admirals of the White.

Admirals- of the Blue.

Vice- Admirals of the Red.

Vice-Admirals of the "White.

-Vice- Admirals of the Blue,

Rear-Admirals of the Red,

The fupplies granted by Parliament were very great ; fifty-
five thoufand feamen being voted for the current year ; and
the fum totail voted this Seffion, .amounted to the fum of
8,350,3251. IS. 3d. (See Note 100.) After the difmiffion of
Mr Pitt and his friends, the Houfe of Commons determined tp
enquire into the caufe of the lofs of the ifland of Minorca.
Nothing could be more agreeable to the nation : they addrefTed
his Majefty for a grejt, number of papers, all of which were
laid before the Houfp. If however the then Rlinlftry meant
this enquiry as a juftification of their own condudt, the papers
produced had a quite contrary tendency.
It appeared that they had little or no foreign intelligence :
A 4 that

8 NAVALAND t7S<^-^^
that they had very early notice of the intended attack on Mi
norca ; that the number of fhips of war in commiffion, amoun
ted to two hundred and fifty, having on board fifty thoufand
feamen and marines ; and the army In Great Britain, at that
time, was more than thirty thoufand men : Yet, ftrange to re
late, the Committee of the whole Houfe came to feveral refo-
lutions, the firft and laft being the moft extraordinary that ever
yet was, framed. In the firft, they fay. That it appeared to the
Committee, that his Majefty, from the 27th day of Auguft
1755, to the 20th of April 17515, received fuch repeated and
concurrent intelligence, as* gave juft reafon to believe, that the
French King intended to invade his dominions of Great Bri
tain or Ireland, In the latter. That the Committee are of opi
nion, that no greater number of fhips of war could be fent into
the Mediterranean, than were aCtually fent thither, under the
command of Admiral Byng; nor any greater reinforcement
than the regiment, which was fent, and the detachment, equal
to a battalion, which was ordered for the relief of fort St Phi
lip, confiftently with the ftate of the pavy, and the various fer-^'
vices effeijtial tp the fafety of his Majefty's dpminipns, and the
interefts of his fubjeCts *. Thefe refolutions did not pafs with
out long debates and fevere animadverfionsj, and were not car
ried by large majorities.

EAST INDIES.— 1756 8( 1757.
The fquadron of his Majefty's flilps in India, ftill continued
under the command of Vice-Admiral Watfon ; and confifted
of three fhips of the line, one pf fifty guns, two frigates, and a
floop. (See Note loi). Towards the end of April 1756, the
Vice-Admiral and his fquadron left Bombay, being as fpon as
the monfoons wpuld permit ; and arrived at fort St David's on
the coaft of Coromandel, about the middle of May. Soon after
which, he received information from the Prefidency of Madras'
that the French had einbark?d three thoufand men on board of
fix
* Vide the Refolutions ofthe Houfe of Commons in May 1 j ry.

i7S<5-7. MILITARY MEMOIRS.

fix of their largeft Eaft India fhips, which were to be converted
into men of war as fopn as they arrived in India. Thefe troops
were to be efcorted by fix men of war of the line. This intelli
gence was tranfmitted by the Direftors of the Eaft India Com
pany in London,; and, coming from fuch authority, was firmly
believed. Admiral Watfon, on this, put his fquadron In the
beft c-ondltlon he could to receive the enemy, and ordered every
officer to fleep on, board. The Prefidency of Madras Tcquefted
he would^ repair with the fquadron to that place. With this
requeft he reluCtantly complied, as he knew the road of fort St
David to be the moft propler ftatidn on the whole of the Coro
mandel coaft, for intercepting the French fleet. The Nabob
of Golconda had quarrelled with the French in his country un
der M- de Buffy, and requefted fuccours of the Prefident and
Council of Madras, to drive them out of his territories. This
being confented to, a detachment of five hundred men was on
the point of marching, when an exprefs arrived from Bengal,
informing the Governor and Council, that the Nabob, on the
moft frivolous pretexts, had quarrelled with the Company, laid
.fiege to Caffimbuzar and Calcutta (See Note loa.), and made
himfelf mafter of both places : that Governor Drake, and a
number along with him, had made their efcape on board flilps
at Calcutta, and were in the utmoft diftrefs at Fulta. About
the fame time, the Vice-Admiral received orders to repair with
the fquadron under his command to England. Thefe orders
he communicated to the Prefident and Council. They were
greatly embarraffed on this intelligence, and not only requefted
of the Vice-Admiral to remain with his fquadron in India ; but
affured him, unlefs fome of the men of war proceeded immedi
ately to Bengal, the Company's affairs would be entirely ruin
ed ; as, without fuch aid, thry had not fufficient Ihlpping
to tranfport' the number of troops neceffary to be fent on
this fervice. The Vice-Admiral faw that it was abfolutely ne
ceffary to fuperfede his orders, in order to prevent, the total ruin
of the Eaft India Company ; and he determined to proceed Im
mediately with the fquadron to Ballafore road : but as the
mouth of the river Ganges abounds with dangerous fhoals called the

TO

NAVAL AND i756'57'

the Braces, it was thought impoffible to get the largeft fhips
over them. The Saliflaury, Bridgewater and Kingsfiftiefj were
therefore tP be piit under the command of Captain Martin, and
to proceed up the river to Calcutta. Tp perfons unacquainte4
with the Bay of Bengal, the voyage from Madras to Ballafore
road, feems fo eafy as to admit of being executed almoft as
foon as refplved on. But the cafe is quite the ceverfe ; for, at
this feafon of the year, there are fuch violent gales of wind and
ftrong currents which cpntlnually fet out of the bay, that it has
frequently happened, when a fliip was thought to have made a
confiderable progrefs, on her voyage, the firft land fhe made
was the IfJ^nd pf Ceylon.
The Admirals failed from Madras the 14th of Oftober, with
the Kent, Cumberland, Tyger, Salifbury, Bridgewater, and
Blaze * fire-lhip, and fome of the Company's fhips ; having 3
detachment of troops on board, under the command of Lieu
tenant Colonel Clivef . The weather was uncommonlytempef*
tuous. Some days after falling, the Salifbury fprung a leak,
and making the fignal of diftrefs, affiftanee was fent her as foon
as poffible. The leak was found to be in tlie bow. In order
to flop it, it was necefTary to bring her by the ftern : this toot
up fome ,time ; but it was at laft effeCted : and the Admiral
left it in Captain Martin's choice, either to bear away for the
ifland of Ceylon, or to endeavour to reach the Ballafore road s
he preferred the latter, as this fhip was of the utmoft confe
quence to the fuccefs of the expedition, having two hundred
land forces on board ; befides. Captain Martin had been pitched
upon, to command the fliips that were to go up to Calcutta.
After innumerable toils and difficulties, the Kent, Tyger,
Bridgewater, and fome of the Company's fhips, arrived in Bal
lafore road the 5th of December. The Cumberland unfortu
nately falling to leeward, grounded on a fand-bank ; but was got
< » This veffel was purchafed by the Admiral, on his receiving advice of the
French armament expeiSted in India. He g^a-ve the command of her to his firft
Lieutenant, Richard ^ow Admiral Sir Richard) King, vtho happened to be frck
when the Admiral failed: his Lieutenant not being able to reach the Ganeej.
was forced to bear aw^y for Bombay.
^ Afterwrards Lord Clive. ^

i75$-57- MILITARY MEMOIRS. u

got off agaiP) without repeivlng any material injury. After
nj^ny fruitlefs attempts, Rear-Admiral Pocock was conftr^ined,
from want pf prPVifiPRS, to bear away far Vizagapatnam. The
Salifbury, after encpuntgrlng many fevere gales, and all or
board .reduced to Ihort allowance, aad even in danger of
perifhjng thjrpugh want, ha4 the good fortune, ?t laft, through
fjif perfeyerance of her Captain, to arrive in Baili^fqre road :
fhe fpl}owed yiee-AdmiraJ Watfon over the fhoals, and joined
him at Fulta-
UppB tjif VieP-Admirsl's arrival, two Englifls pilots came on
board the Kent, frpna whom he iearne4 what farther misfortunes
had hefa^lew the garrifoji of palcutta. This |i:i3de him the
more eager .to proceed. Ari<l t^o^g^ ^^^ pilots hefitated as to
their ability pf taking the largeft fliips over the fhoals ; yet the
Admiral, from the Information l^e }iad received from Captain
Speke, v/ho had been feyeral times befpre in the river, judging
it practicable, ,uefolved to attempt It, and happily fucce^ded in
croffing the Brakes, which be did the Bth, and arrived at Fulta
tj^e 15th. I^ere he fpund the Klngsfiflrej flqop, which he had
difpatched froii(i Madras, to let the fa<3:ory pf Fulta know that he
was haftenlng to their affiftanee : and likewife Captain King,
who had taken his paffage in tl^e Proteftor, Captain England,
one jcif the Company's fhips, whp was (ordered to Bengal with
Sepoys, to rei^lforce tJie trpops under Colpnel Clive. This fliip
failed from Madras two days after the Admiral, and arrive4 at
Fulta two days befpre him. Captain King was in hopes of
finding his fhip here ; but as flie could' not reach Bengal, he
ferved on board the Kent as a volunteer.
The condition in which the Admiral found Governor Drake
and thcyeft of thfi unfortunate people who had efcaped the
rage of the Nabob of Bengal, is much eafier to be conceived
than 4f*fc.ribe-d. Some v^^ere q;^ board of the (hips which had
efeaped faUirtg Into the hands of the Mpors ; feme in mean
houfes afhore ; others In tents ; all badly clothed, and greatly
diminifhed in numbers by death and ficknefs. But it is now
neceffary to inforip the reader, of the caufe^ which had reduced
them tpthis melancholy condition. .
The Nabob Allverdi Cawn, dying in IMay 1756, was fuc-
ceeded-

12

NAVAL AND i75^-57-

ceeded by his nephew Surajah Dowla, a ybung man of only
twenty-four years of age, but of extremely bad difpofitions. e
exerclfed his power in fo tyrannical a manner, that many o is
principal fubjefts fled to the European fettjements for fafety.
On this, the Nabob iffued an order, that no power fliould af
ford an afylum in their forts or fettlements to any of his fub-
jefts. The French and Dutch immediately complied with this
order; but the Britifli being more refraftory on this head, the
Nabob fwore he would drive them out of the country. Some
difpute happening at this time between Governor Drake, and
Omichund, a rich Indian merchant, the latter was imprlfoned
at Calcutta : on this, the Nabob raifed a numerous army, and
marched againft the Company's fettlements at Caffimbuzar.
On a promife of fafe condufl, he got Mr Watts the chief in his
power, and he made him write for two more of the Council, .
Mr Batfon and Mr Collet. No fooner were thefe two gentle- .
men arrived in his camp, than he made Mr Batfon and Mr
Watts prifoners ; and fent back Mr Collet to the fort with
a declaration, that, unlefs it was furrendered to him Immediate-i
ly, he would put every foul in it to death. The gentlemen
were divided In opinion: but on account of their friends whom
the Nabob already had in his power, it was agreed to furrender
the place to him. When the Moors entered the Fort, they felz-
ed on every thing, Ill-treated their prifoners, ftripped them al-
Hioft naked, and then fent them to Houghley, where they were
clofely confined, till they were removed to Muxadabad. The
Nabob then marched his army againft Calcutta, which he In-
vefted the 17th of June. He declared he would drive every
Engliffiman out of his dominions : yet he wrote Governor
Drake, offering to accommodate matters with him if the Go
vernor would pay him his duty upon the trade for fifteen years
paft, defray the expence of his army, and deliver up fuch of his
fubjefts as were then in the fort ; which terms, the Governor
refufed. The Nabob then attacked a redoubt at the entrance of
the town, from which his troops were repulfed with great
flaughter. On the i6th he made an attack on another redoubt
and was again obliged to retire. But having again renewed his
attacks

1756.57- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 13

attacks on the i Sth," the troops In thofe pofts were ordered to re
tire into the Fort ; on which the Moors took poffeffion of the
town, and were allowed to plunder it for twenty-four hours.
The Nabob then invefted the Fort, and raifed a battery of two
twelve -pounders, from whence they kept up fo feeble and ill-
direfted a fire, that by it a breach could never have been accom-
plifhed. Governor Drake now convened a Council of war to confider
the ftate of affairs ; when the commanding officer of artillery
informed them, that there was riot ammunition hi the Fort for
three days. In confequence of this, the principal ladies era-
barked on board the (hips ; and, foon after, the Governor and
Others followed their example. The command of the place
now devolved on Mr Holwell, the fecond in council, who de
termined to defend it to the laft extremity. The numbers that
retired with the Governor might be about two hundred ; and
the ftrength of Mr Holwell's garrifon did not exceed two hun
dred and fifty men. He called a Council of war, and divided
three chefts of money among the difcontented fo Idlers, to whom
he made large promlfes for their courage and fidelity. He fe-
cured the keys of the place, and took every precaution to make
a refolute defence. The Moors having got poffeffion of fuch
houfes as commanded the Fort, they from thence fired muf-
quetry on the baftlons, and drove our troops from them ; but
the cannon feveral times diflodged them from thefe houfes with
great lofs. The attack was continued till the 20th in the after
noon, when it was found that our lofs in killed and wounded
had been confiderable ; that the remainder were much exhauf-
ted with fatigue, and the ammunition nearly expended. On
this, Mr Holwell ordered the white flag to be hung out, that he
might negociate terms with the Nabob. This he did to pro
long time, in hopes of making good his retreat down the river
to the fhips, as he was certain the Nabob would not keep to
any conditions he might agree to. But in this defign he
was difappointed ; for the Governor had got fo far dawn the
river, that every hope was precluded from that quarter : and
the time he fo much wanted to prolong, was cut fhort; for, du
ring

H

NAVAL AND n5^'57'

ring the pariey from thfe walls, the back^gate was bettaye o
the Mbors, who entered the Fort in a body, KT i; u
Mr Holwell had fevetal audiences, ' in which the Nabbb
promifed that no harm fliould be dohe to the Btitiffi : but fcfoft
after it was dark, the prifoners, to the number of one hun
dred and forty^fix, were thurft into the black-hole, a clofe
aoartment about eighteen feet fquare. The diftrefs they here
fuffered, is beyond imagination dreadful*. Mt HolweH, and
twenty-two others, alone remained alive iri the morning, to
paint a fcene, more replete with hortor than perhaps was
ever yet related. Meffrs Holwell, COurt, and Burdett, were
in fhe morning taken into cuftody of an officet : the reft of the
furvivors were fet at liberty. Unfortunately, in the hufry of
the attack, the releafe of Omichund Was forgot ; and his being
found in prifon, very much Incenfed the Nabob, who was per-
fuaded, from Mr Holwell's voluntarily undertaking the deferi:ce
of the place, that the Eaft India Company had immenfe trea-
fiires eoneealed In it. In hopes of extorting a difcovery, Mr
Holwell and his two fellow prifoners were loaded with irons,
and ordered to the camp. They had but a fcanty allowance
of rice and water to fubfift on. In extreme bad health, they
were convefyed by water to Muxadabad ; and would urildoubt-
edly have perifhed, but for the klrid interpofitlons of the gentle
men of the French and Dutch factories, particularly M, Law,
the French Chief, who gentroufly fnpplled him with clothes,
linen, provlfions, liquors aiid money. Nor did they obtain
their liberty, until the Nabob returned to Muxadabad.
The arrival of Admiral Watfon with his fqtiadron. Was of
all things the moft wlflied for by the unfortunate BtititTi whd
Lad been forced to fly from Calcutta, and who found the old
adage but too truly verified, that the unfortunate find but few
friends. The refpea they had met with, when in poffeffion
of the moft flouriftiing fettlement that any European powe*
bad in Bengal, made them feel their fad reverfe of fortune
the ftronget : being now levelled by the iron hand of adverfity,' all
* Mr Holwell, in 1758, publlfbed an aecount of this Ihocking piece of Sarbsritv,

I7S6-57- MILITAR.Y MEMOIRS.

all that refpe£l: was baflifhed, and they were in a manner for
gotten and fiegle£ted. The Admiral immediately fet about
putting his fqaadtoft in the beft condition poffible. He purchaf
ed a Veflfel, which he flamed the Thunderer, and converted
her into a bprnbiketch, giving the command of her to his firfi:
Lieatenaat, Mr Thomas Warwick. He wrote to the Nabob,
expreffihg how much he wals furprifed at his conduit towards
the Comipafiy ; and that his Intention in coming hither, was
to reftote them to their fettlements, in which he hoped he
would moft GOfdiatly affift. Tbe Admiral now refolved to
command in perfon the expedition for the recovery of Calcutta,
and to take the brge fhips with him : but the pilots would not
take- chs-rge of them till th^ fpririgs were over. The troops,
who had been landed in ordet to refrefh them, were again em-
ba-iked. They amounted to fix hundred Europeans, and one
thwufand Sepoys.
The fquadron failed from Fulta the 27th of December ; and
next day the Company's troogs vvere landed at Mayapore, -in
order thaS Coloiiel Clive might attack the Fort of Bougee-
Bottgee, belonging fo the Nabob, by land, whilft the fquadron
cannonadied it. Early on the a-pth, the Admiral made the fig
nal to weigh anchor, and the fleet moved towards the Fort ;
which, at feven o'cloek, began to fire on the Tyger, the head-
moft-fhip, attd' foon after upon fhe whole of the fquadron. By
eight o'clock, the large fhips bad got oppofite it, and commenc
ed" a- very warm fire on the place. At ten o'clock, the Corhpa-
ny's troops' were feeri marching under the bank of the river ;
on which, the Admiral made the fignal for the King's
troops, under the command of Captain (a:fterwards Sir Eyre)
Coote, to faind and join tbem. This he did immediately.
They advanced asnd took poffeflion of two- out-pofts, which
the enemy had abandoned on Captain Coote's firft landing.
Colonel Clive, after a moft fatiguing march, pofted his men
in different bsdies round the Fort, to eut off the retrerat of the
garrifon ; and the Admiral fent two nine pounders afnore from
his own fhip, to enable Colonel Clive to make a breach in the
walls. r The

i6 NAVALAND

t75<5-S7'

The Nabob had a confiderable military force in the neigh
bourhood, under the command of Monlch-Chund his ^
nor of Calcutta. He made a bold pufli to raife the fiege of
Bougee-Bougee. Having privately marched with a detach
ment of about three thoufand horfe and foot, he unexpeftedly
attacked one of our out-pofts, and made fome impreffion on it.
But Colonel Clive, being informed of the caufe, immediately
marched with a reinforeement of troops and fome field-pieces,
and attacked the Nabob's forces. His cannon did great execu
tion among the Moors ; but what moft contributed to their de
feat, was, their General, Monich-Chund, receiving a muflcet-
ball which paffed through his turban : , after this they fled with
the greateft precipitation. Although the fhips had totally fi-
lenced the cannon of the Fort, the enemy made no offer to
furrender ; on the contrary, they kept firing fmall arms and
fire arrows. A Council of war, confifting of fea and land of
ficers, was held on board of the Kent ; in which it was refol
ved, to attempt carrying the place by ftorm early next morn
ing ; and, to ftrengthen the army, the Admiral fent afhore a
detachment of feamen, under the command of Captain King,
to affift them In this fervice. Colonel Clive gave orders for the
troops to reft on their arms all night, in order to be ready to
attempt the breach in the Fort at day-break ; but they were
unexpe£tedly faved the trouble of this arduous piece of work,
by a very extraordinary adventure, which is related by a very
refpedtable author, the late Mr Ives, who was on the fpot
We cannot pay that worthy man a greater token of refpedl,
than to give the account of this tranfaftion in his own words.
« All now was quiet ih the camp : and we On board the
« flilps, which lay at their anchors but at a fmall diftance
" from ^he fliore, had entertained thoughts of making ufe of
«' this interval to refrefli ourfelves alfo with an hour or- two of
«« fleep : but fuddenly, a loud and univerfal acclamarion was
»' heard from the fliore, and foon afterwards an account was
« brought to the Admiral, that the Fort had been taken by
" ftorm. This was a joyful piece of news, and the more fo
« as it was quite unexpefted ; but when the particular circum-
" ftances

J7S6-57- MILITARY MMmOIRS. 17
« ftances that ufliered in this fuccefs were related, our exulta-
« tion was greatly abated ; becaufe that the rules fo indifpen-
" fably neceffary in all military exploits, had been entirely
" difregarded in the prefent inftance ; and therefore, we could
" not help looking upon the perfon, who had the principal
" hand in this viftory, rather as an objefl: of chaflifementi
" than of applaufe. The cafe was this— ^During the tranquil
" ftate of the camp, one Strachan, a common failpr belonging
" to the Kent, having been juft ferved with grog (arrack mix-i
" ed with water), had his fpirits too much elated to think of
" taking reft : he therefore ftrayed by himfelf towards the
" Fort, and imperceptibly got under the walls. Being ad-
" vanced thus far without interruption, he took it into his
" head to fcale it at a breach that had been made by the can-
" non of the fhips ; and having luckily gotten upon the baf-
" tion, he there difcovered feveral moors fitting on the plat-i
" form, at whom he flourifhed his cutlafs, and fired his piftol ;
" and then, after giving three loud huzzas, cried out. The
"place is mine! The Mborifh foldiers immediately attacked
*' him, and he defended himfelf with incomparable refolution ;
" but, in the rencounter, had the misfortune to have the blade
" of his cutlafs cut in two about a foot from the hilt. This
" mifchance, however, did not happen, till he was near being
*' fupported by two or three other failors, who had accidentally
" ftraggled to the fame part of the Fort on which the other had
" mounted. They hearing Strachan's huzzas, immediately
" fcaled the breach likewife, and echoing the triumphant foundj
" roufed the whole army ; who taking alarm, prefently fell on,
" pell mell, without orders, and without difcipline, following
" the example of the failors. This attack, though made In
" fuch confufion, was attended with no other bad confequence,
" but the death of Captain Dougald Campbell, who was un-
" fortunately killed by a muflcet-ball from one of our own
" pieces in the general cPnfufion. It never was exaftly known
" what riumber of Moors were in the Fort when our people
" firft entered ; probably very few, the major part of the gar-
" rifon having made their efcape foon after their batteries were
VOL. u. B "filenced."

i8

NAVAL AND tjS^Sl-

" filenced." In the fort were found eighteen pieces of can
non, from twenty-four pounders downwards, and forty oa
of gun^powder. The place was fituated for defence, having a
wet ditch all round ; and, confidering the fort of troops With
Which It was defended, it made a defence much beyond ex-
pea-ation. « Strachan, the hero of this adventurous tranfac^
" tion, was foon brought before the Admiral, who, notwith-,
« ftanding the fuccefs that had attended it, thought it neceffa-
« i-y to fliew himfelf difpleafed with a meafure in which the
" want of all military difcipline fo notorioufly appeared. He
" therefore angrily aCcofted this brave fellow with, " Strachan^
," What is this you have been doing ?" The untutored hero,
" after having- made his bow, fcratched his head, ahd, with
" one hand twirling_his hat on the other, replied, " Why, to be
" fure. Sir, it was I who took the fort ; but I hope there was
^' no harm in it." The Admiral with difficulty fuppreffed a
" fmile, excited by the fimpliclty of the anfwer ; while the
" whole company were exceedingly diverted at the awkward
" appearance of the brave fallor, and the language and man-^
" ner which he ufed in recounting the feveral particulars of his
" mad exploit. Admiral Watfon then expatiated on the fa-
" tal confequences that might have attended his irregular, con-
" dui£t ; and, with a fevere rebuke difmlffed him ; but not
*' without dropping fome hints, that at a proper opportunity he
" fhould certainly be punlfhed for his temerity. Strachan,
" amazed to find himfelf blamed for an a£lion that he thought
" deferved praife, and for which he expe£ted to have received
"applaufe, in paffing from the Admiral's cabin, muttered,
" If I am flogged for this here aBion, I will never take another
" Fort hy mgelf as long as I live, by G— ." The Angularity of
" the enterprize, its fuccefs, and the fearlefs fpirit which the
" man dlfplayed, pleaded ftrongly with the Admiral in his'
" behalf ; Whilft the difGlpllne of the fervice required that fome
" outward marks of difpleafure fhould be ffiown. To pay a pro-
" per regard to all thefe confiderations, fhe Admiral outward-
" ly e-xpreffed marks of his difpleafure for fome time ; but af-
<« terwards at the ihtereeffioa ef fome officers, which intercef- " fion

1757- MILITARY MEMOIRS, 19
" fion the Admiral himfelf prompted thern to make, he moft
" readily pardoned him. The daring exploit of this man
•' might have procured him the office of boatfwain, before
" the dofe df the expedition, in one of the King's fhips, if
*' the whole tenor of his condu£t, both before and after the
" ftorming of the Fort, had not been fo very irregular as fo
*' render it impoffible for the Admiral to advance him from his
" humble ftation to a higher rank, how ftron^y foever his in-
" clinations led him to do it*."
The evening of the 30th of December, the King's and the
Company's troops were reimbarked on board the fhips ; the
Sepoy's being ordered to march by land. On the ift of Ja
nuary 1757, the fhips entered between Tanna fort, and the
battery oppofite to it ; both of ' which the enemy abandoned
at the approach of the fhips. In them were found about for
ty pieces of cannon, many of them twenty-four pounders, all
mounted on good carriages, with fome powder and ball. The
Admiral ordered fhe Salifbury to remain here to bring off the
cannon ; and then to demolifh the forts of Bougee-Bougee,
and Tanna, to prevent fhe enemy' from repoffeffing them. —
And, having received informanon, that the enemy had pre
pared, a little higher up fhe, river, a fhip and fome veffels as
fire-lhips, and filled them with combuftibles, to be ready to
fall down with the tide on the fquadron, in the night, he fent
up the boats manned and armed, who boarded and fet them
on fire, without the leaft oppofition.
On fhe 2d, early in fhe morning, Colonel Clive and the
Company's troops were landed, and immediately begah their
march towards Calcutta. The Kent, Tyger, Bridgewater,
and Kingsfifher, proceeded up the river ; and, at forty mi
nutes after nine, fhe enemy began to fire upon the Tyger, from
their batteries below Calcutta, which they fucceffively aban-
B 2 don-
* Ives's voyage to India, p. lOO. This intrepid fellow, Strachan, after hav
ing ferved in every one of the engagements between Admiral Pocock and the
French in the Eaft Indies, and receiving a wound in one of them, became a
penfioner to the Cheft at Chatham ; and was foine years ago a failor on board
one of the guardlhips at Portfmoutli. -¦

20 NAVALAND 1757-

doned, as the fhips apprpached. At twenty minutes paft ten,
the Tyger and Kent having got abreaft of the fort, commenced a
moft furious cannonade of near two hours. The enemy were
drove from their guns, and foon after ran out of the fort ;
which the Admiral perceiving, he landed Captain King, and
Captain Coote, with the King's troops, to take poffeffion of
it; which was immediaitely done, and the latter appointed
Governor. In the fort were found four mortars, ninety one
pieces of cannon of different calibers, and a confiderable quan
tity of ammunition. The fliips fuffered but little : nine fea
men and three foldiers were killed, and twenty-fix feamen and
five foldiers wounded. The Admiral having' appointed Cap
tain Coote to be Commandant of the Fort, it was highly re-
fented by Lieutenant-Colonel Clive, who as fenlor officer of the
land forces, claimed it as his right. Neither party were dif-
pofed to yield the point ; but, to prevent fhe fervice from fuf-
fering by this difpute, fome of the principal officers interpofed,
and got it amicably fettled. The Admiral going afhore fhe next
day, the Colonel delivered the keys of the garrifon into his
hands, which he immediately delivered f o Mr Drake, and his
council ; who, thereupon, declared war againft fhe Nabob, in
the name of the Eaft India Company, as did Admiral Watfon
in the name of his Britannic Majefty.
The great and uninterrupted fuccefs which had attended all
the Admiral's operations fince he entered the Ganges, threw
the enemy into the greateft confternatlon ; and, refolvlng to
take all poffible advantage of their panic, he planned another
enterprize, which, as foon as he had properly fecured Fort Wil
liam and Calcutta, he fet about putting info execution. This
was the attacking of Houghley, a rich city belonging to the
Nabob, fituated about thirty miles above Calcutta. For this
fervice, he ordered the Bridgewater, Captain Henry Smith ;
the Kingsfifher floop, Qapfain Richard Toby : and the Thun
der bomb-ketch. Captain Thonias Warwick, with all the boats
of the fquadron, to be manned with one hundred and fifty fai_
lors, two hundred European foldiers, and two hundred and
fifty Sepoys. Major Kiipatrick had the command of the land for-

1757- MILITARY MEMOIRS.

21

forces ; and the command of the failors who were to ferve on
(hore, was given to Captain Richard King. This little arma
ment failed from Calcutta the jfh of January. It however
had nearly been difconcerted by an unforefeen accident : the
Bridgewater ran afhore, but was luckily got off again, without
having fuftained much damage. This retarded their proceed
ings for two days : however, on the 9th, they came to an an
chor off the place. The land forces, and the failors deftined
to afl: on fhore with them, were immediately landed ; ^nd next
day, die fhips cannonaded the fort until midnight. Major Kii
patrick then fent Captain Coote to examine the breach, which
he reported it pra£licable to enter. On this, they determined
to ftorm the place ; and, for this purpofe, they refolved to make
two attacks at the fame time. Fifty men were ordered to at
tack the main gate, and to keep up a conftant firing. The real
attack was againft the breach ; but, as moft of the garrifon had
been drawn to the defence of the main gate, where they heard
the greateft fire kept up, this party found but little refiftance,
and prefently obtained poffeffion ofthe forf,and, foon after, of
the city ; for the garrifon, perceiving the fort carried, fled out
at one of the gates with the greateft precipitation. The fort
was ftronger than was imagined, and had a garrifon of at leaft
two thoufand men, whp fired very fmartly on our people for fe
veral hours. In it were found twenty guns, from twenty-four
pounders downwards. The goods found In the place were but
fmall in comparifon of what was reported to be in it ; and the
captors would, no doubt, have met with a much more confider
able booty, if fhe.Dutch had not afforded fhe enemy intelligence
of the defign, as well as aided them iri removing their moft va
luable effefts. Soon after the taking of Houghley, the Admi
ral fent up Captain Speke of the Kent, to take upon him fhe
command of the failors ; and he learning that the Nabob had
feveral very confiderable granaries at a place called Gongee,
about three miles from Houghley, he with fhe failors, and
Captain Coote with fifty European foldiers and one hundred
Sepoys, marched againft it. On their way, they learned that
the Nabob had a confiderable army encamped very near it;
E 1 not-

82 NAVALAND »757*

notwlthftanding which, they marched for a mile and a half mto
the village of Gongee, and, having reached the principal grana
ries, they fet fire fo them, and began their retreat.
They had fcarcely completed their work, when word was
brought to Captain Coote, that a body of the Nabob's troops,
at leaft four thoufand in number, were marching to attack him.
On this, he divided his foldiers into three divifions, and began a
ftreet-firing. At the firft fire, the commander of the Nabob's
troops fell, on which all their Tiorfe galloped off. Their infan
try kept up an ill-direaed fire from the houfes, which killed
and wounded a few men. On hearing the firing. Major Kii
patrick marched with a reinforcement fo fuftain this party.;
but the affair was over before he got up. The Nabob was
now incenfed beyond meafure at the Englilh, who had not only
ftripped him of all the conquefts he had made, but had invaded'
his territories with fuccefs, and greatly diftreffed his army, by
the deftruftion of his magazines af Houghley and Gongee: he
therefore raifed a great army, and was refolved, he faid, not to
leave an Engliffiman in his dominions. He had already begun
his march from Muxadabad for Calcutta ; and, foon after the
burning of his magazines, he condefcended to write fo the Ad
miral. This letter the Admiral anfwered ¦ with a becoming
fpirit. The Nabob did not choofe to make any reply; but con
tinued to augment his forces, and draw his army together, and
march towards Calcutta. When he thought he had a force fuf
ficient to demand what terms he pleafed, he once more wrote
to the Admiral, propofing a negociation, and that the Admiral
Ihould fend a perfon of fome confequence to treat with him.
The Nabob did not wait for a reply to this letter, but marched
on. His force was faid to be eighteen thoufand horfe, fifteen
thoufand foot, ten thoufand pioneers, about forty thoufand at
tendants, fifty elephants, and forty pieces of cannon.
To combat this mighty force, we had only about feven hun
dred European foldiers, one hundred artillery men, and thirteen
hundred Sepoys, with fourteen field pieces, fix pounders. Yet
were they quite undlfmayed with the appearance of this multi
tude ; fuch confidence had they in their commander, and he in
the

1757- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 23

the brayery of his little army. Colonel Clive pitched his camp
on a piece of ground about four miles to the northward of Cal
cutta, between it and the Nabob's army. On fhe 2d of Febr
ruary, the Nabob's troops were feen marching about a mile
from our campi in the way towards Calcutta. Colonel Clive
marched a detachment towards the enemy; and a cannonade
began, which continued till it was dark, when the Colonel re-'
turned with the detachment to his camp. Agreeably to the
propofal of the Nabob, that proper perfons might be fent to
treat pf peace with him ; on the 3d of February, Meffrs Walfh
and Scrafton were difpatched with fhe Admiral and Colonel's
demands ; but thefe gentlemen, inftead of being brought by
the Nabob to the place he had named, were conduced to Omi'
chvmd's garden, which lies within the bound-ditch of Calcutta,
and where the Nabpb had now fixed his head-quarters. Hig
army were encamped on a plain, about four miles fo the eafti-
Ward of fhe town, and between it and our forces under Colonel
Clive. Our plenipotentiaries, at their firft interview, did not
fail to exprefs .their aftonifhment to the Nabob, at not finding
him at the place he had appointed for their meeting him, to
which they Iiad been direfted to repair, and much doubted their
having power to treat at any other place. When they came to
talk on fhe bufinefs which had brought them, they perceived^
from the manner in which the Nabob treated the fubjett, that
he meant only tp amufe, and procraftinate the matter, In order
to gain time : on which, having preffed for leave to depart, he
referred them to one of his principal agents, for what he had
farther to fay: but Meffrs Walfh and Scrafton, knowing how
little the Nabob's word .was to be relied upon,, and fufpecting
fome treachery, as foon as if was night they withdrew, and
were fp fortunate as to get fafe to Colonel Cllve's ca.mp. On
relating to him all that had paffed between them and the Na
bob, he came to the refolution to attack the Nabpb in his camp
that very night ; and immediately difpatched an officer fo fhe
Admiral, to , acquaint him of his defign, and to requeft him tp
ftrengtiben his army with a detachment of feamen. The Ad
miral heartily concurring in the defign, gave the neceffary or-
B 4- ders

M

NAVAL AND '757-

ders immediately. The men all turned out volunteers, an
confifted of one hundred and eighty from the Kent ; one hun
dred and feventy-three from the Tyger; one hundred and
twenty from the Salifljury; twenty-nine from the Bridgewater;
thirty-feven from the Kingsfiftier, and thirty from the Indian
men; making in all a body of five hundred and fixty-nine men,
who were put under the command of Captain Warwick of the
Thunder bomb. He landed with his corps on the 5 th of Feb
ruary, about one -in the morning, a little above Kelfal's oda.
gon ; and about two he joined Colonel Clive, whofe troops
were under arms, and ready to march. The detachment of
failors was ordered to attend and guard the train of artillery,
which confifted of fix field-pieces, and one coiiorn. Colonel
Clive immediately began his march in the following order :—
the King's and Company's grenadiers in the front— the failors
with fhe arriUery— the battalion and the Seppys brought up the
rear. At three o'clock. Colonel Cliv^ altered his difpofition,
and marched the battalion immediately in front of the failors
with the artillery.
In this order, our little army marched unperceived till day
break, having Mr Amyatt and a black man for guides. About
five o'clock they entered the Nabob's camp, and began the at
tack immediately. It was extremely favourable to the Nabob
and his army, that at this time there was one of thofe remark
ably thick fogs, which, at certain feafons of the year, are very
frequent in Bengal ; and which even furpafs the thickeft fogs
on the banks of Newfoundland, and render any obje£t invifible
at a few yards diftance. This circumftance occafioned our
guides to miftake their way ; and, inftead of condu£ting our
principal attack to the Nabob's tent, they kept too much to the
left, and led the troops without the Bunglo ditch, behind which
the enemy had entrenched fhemfelves. This miftake was the
pnly thing which faved the Nabob and his army. Colonel Clive
therefore, drew pff his troops, gained a pafs in the entrench
ment ; and, as day was now broke, the fog difperfing, and the
great inferiority of his numbers would foon be difcovered he
made the beft of his way fpr- Calcutta, where he arrived, amidfta briflt

1757- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 25
a briflc cannonading on both fides, about noon. In this aflion.
Captains Pye and Bridges ofthe Company's troops were killed;
and Lieutenant Lutwidge, of the Salifbuiry, mortally wounded :
twelve failors, feventeen foldiers, and ten fepoys killed ; and
fifteen failors, and near fifty foldiers and fepoys wounded. The
carriages of two of the field-pieces breaking, they were obliged
to be left behind. The Nabob's lofs was very confiderable. A
Brahman, who was in his camp foon after fhe adtion, faid he
had thirteen hundred men killed and wounded ; and', among
the former, two Generals, and twenty-fwp Captains, befides the
lofs of five hundred horfes, and three or four elephants. This
a£Hon began to ficken the Nabob of war, and make him now
turn a ferious thought to peace. He dreaded fhe thoughts of
another attack, efpecially as Colonel Clive, about five o'clock,
the fame evening, by an excellent piece of generalfhip, marched
from Calcutta back to his former ground. Soon after the
ftorming of the Nabob's camp, fhe Admiral wrote to him ;
and, the day following, fhe Nabob made overtures of peace ;
and, to Ihew how earneft he was to get It fpeedily accompll-
flied, began to march his army back to Muxadabad. On the
9th of February, the Nabob wrote to fhe Admiral, and fent the
articles of peace which he had ratified. (See Note 103.)
The certain intelligence our Commanders had received of a
French war, of the fuccours which the French were fending
out to India, and of the ftrong garrifon they had at Chanderna-
gore in the neighbourhood of Calcutta, made them haften to
conclude their differences with the Nabob, and prevented them
from obtaining fuch advantageous terms as they might other-
wife have expefted. The Governor and Council preffed fhe
Admiral to attack the French fettlement at Chandernagore im
mediately ; and he was deterred alone from complying with
their requeft, by the, arrival of fome French gentlemen from
that fettlement, with propofals for a neutrality. They were far
from being unreafonable ; but at length, were wholly rejedled
from the following confiderations — All fhe French fettlements
in India are fubordinate to the Governor and Council of Pon
dicherry: Therefore, the Governor and Council ofthe French fettle-

26 NAVALAND '757-

fettlements in Bengal, were not fuppofed to have fufficient au
thority to enter into a treaty of neutrality, which the Superior
Council of Pondicherrry might difapprove of, and render inva
lid. The French finding this plan unfuccefsful, feU on another,
in which, fpr a while, they fucceeded better. They applied in
the moft powerful manner fo fhe Nabob ; and, juft as the ex
pedition was neariy ready to take place, he wrote to the Admi
ral, requiring him to defift from attacking the French: this
letter was dated the 19th of February. A new correfpondence
was opened between the Admiral and the Nabob ; and the for
mer, at laft, prevailed on the latter fo much, that he left it with
Iiim fo do whatever he thought right : this letter was dated the
1 oth of March. Notwlthftanding certa in intelligence had been
received of the treacherous difpofition of the Nabob, of the va
rious intrigues he had entered into to avoid fulfilling the terms
of the treaty, and of the affiftanee he fecretly afforded the
French ; yet, on the prefent occafion, thefe were to be over
looked, and his feemirig compliance with the Admiral's requeft
embraced, before the enemy could have time to work on him to
withdraw the order. As fhe Nabob had been in dread of an at
tack from the Pytans, he had requefted the Company's affif
tanee. Accordingly, Colonel Clive croffed fhe Ganges with the
army, fo be af hand to affift the Nabob, or to be ready to march
againft Chandernagore, as foon as the Nabob would give his
confent. On fhe Sth of March, fhe Admiral having fent the Bridge-
water and the floop to efcort the ftores, the Colonel began to
march toward the French fettlement; and on the 13th it was
invefted. On the 14th, the enemy made a ftrong fortie, but
were repulfed with the greateft bravery by Captain Coote ;
on which they abandoned all their outworks and batteries and
Ihut fhemfelves up in the Fort.- This Fort was a regular
fquare, about three quarters of a mile in circumference with
four baftlons, each mounring fixteen guns, befides fome on
the curtain, and a battery of four pieces of cannon on the top
of a church. There was a dry foffe round three fides to the
land.

1757- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 27

land, with a gjacis of about forty yards. Before the north-
gate was a ravelin which mounted five guns ; and fhe port at
the river fide, was defended by a battery of fix guns, which
flanked down the river. As the enemy had, for 3 confide
rable length of time, been apprifed of the Admiral and Colo
nel's intentions againft them, they had fallen on every ex
pedient to fruftrate their defign. In the channel, about a mile
below Chandernagore, which is rendered very narrow by means
of a fandbank, they funk three fhips loaded with ballaft : for
tunately for us, they had negle£ted to cut away their mafts.
They had prepared feveral fhips filled with combuftibles, ready
to drop down on the fleet, whenever they fhould begin the at
tack. The men of war having landed at Calcutta all their
fuperfluous ftores, began to move up the river. On the i8fh
of March, the Kent, Tyger and Salifbury, got within fight
of the French fort, and anchored, the 19th, off the Pruffian
ofta'gon. At night, the Admiral fent the boats of the fqifa-
dron, manned and armed, up the river, to endeavour fo cut
the cables of the fire-fhlps, and turn them adrift : this was
accordingly effeiSted without any lofs. On the: 20th,' the Ad
miral fent a fummons to the French commandant to furrender
the place. He returned for anfwer, that he would defend it
to the utmoft of his power. The Admiral fent the boats to
found the river, which the enemy did all they could to pre
vent, by throwing x>f fhells, and a fevere cannonading. Thefe
did Httle or no execution ; and a fafe channel being found,
the Admiral determined to proceed the next morning, and
fettled his difpofition for the attack : the Tyger to be placed
againft the N. E. baftion ; the Kent againft fhe curtain be
tween the baftlons oppofite the water-gate ; and the Salifbury
againft the S. E. baftion. Colonel Clive had erefted a battery
to play in concert with fhe fhips.
By the 22d, every thing was ready; but fhe fides not an-
fwering, the Admiral poftponed the attack fill next morning.
In the evening , of the 21ft, Rear-Admiral Pocock, .arrived in
Jiis boat. He had come a few days before to Ballafore road,
\n his (hip the Cumberland ; but as he could not get her up
the

28 NAVAL AND ^757-

the river, he refolved to be at the feat of adion as foon as pof
fible, and came up the river in his barge. Next day, he hoift-
ed his flag on board the Tyger. Every precaution' being taken
for the fliips to find fhe right channel, the Admiral got under
fail with the fquadron, very early on the 23d of March. At
ten minutes after fix, the enemy began firing from a redoubt
they had clofe to fhe river fide, which they abandoned as the
leading fliip approached. Colonel Clive opened his battery
on the fouth-eaft baftion. By half an hour after fix, fhe Ty
ger was placed in her ftation ; foon after, the Kent alfo ; and
the Admiral made the fignal f o engage. Unfortunately, juft
as fhe Kent let go her anchor, fhe tide of ebb began to make
with great rapidity down the river, which occafioned her an
chor to drag, and before fhe brought up, was got into the -
ftation which fhould have been occupied by the Salifbury : by
this accident, the Salifbury was thrown out of the a£llpn, to
the great regret of all on board. The battle now raged with
great fury. At laft, after three hours of a moft fevere cannon
ading, the French defired to capitulate, and terms were agreed
on. (See Note 102.)
As fhe Kent and Tyger had to fuftain the brunt of this
attack, they fuffered very much. The former had nineteen
men killed, and forty-nine wounded ; and fhe latter thirteen
men killed, and fifty wounded. Scarce an officer on board
the Kent efcaped unhurt. The firft Lieutenant, Mr Perreau,
was killed ; the third Lieutenant, Mr Hey, mortally wound
ed ; and Mr Staunton, fourth Lieutenant, wounded. Captain
Speke and his fon, were both wounded by the fame cannon-
ball ; the latter fo badly, that there was a neceffify fo ampu
tate his leg ; in confequence of which operation, he died, to
the inexpreffible grief of his worthy father, and all his acquain
tance. The Mafter of the Tyger was killed ; and Rear-Ad
miral Pocock flightly wounded. The Kent had three upper
and three lower deck guns difmonnted ; and both fliips fuffer
ed much in hulls, yards, mafts and rigging. The Kent dur
ing the afllon, by the explofion of fome cartridges, was fet on
fire ; but, by the prefence of mind, and aftivity of Lieutenant William

I7S7- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 29

William Brereton, It was happily extiriguifhed. The enemy's
lofs was very confiderable in killed and wounded. They had a
garrifon of five hundred, Europeans, and feven hundred blacks ;
one hundred and eighty-three pieces of cannon, from twenty-
four pounders downwards ; three fmall mortars, and a confi-
, derable quantity of ammunition. Befides the fhips the enemy
funk below to ftop up the channel, fhey (unk and run afhore
five large fhips above the Fort ; and four floops and a fnow,
fell into the captors hands. The enemy made a very gallant
refiftance, and held out till the Britifh fhips and batteries had
completely ruined the defences pf the place. The land forces
under Colonel Clive behaved with their ufual intrepidity.
A few days after the capture of Chandernagore, the Admi-
miral wrote fo fhe Nabob, to inform him of his fuccefs, and
preffed him to fulfil the treaty he had entered Into : but this
crafty prince ftill put him off with ample promlfes, and great
profeffions of friendffilp, at the fame time that he had granted
a protection fo M. Law, and fhe French who had fled from
Chandernagore. As they made him believe that a great force
was coming from Europe to their affiftanee, which would
foon drive the Britiffi from all their conquefts in Bengal ; he
liftened to all they faid, and endeavoured fO procraftinate with
the Englifh, until he fhould be fufficiently enabled fo z& open
ly againft them. Several letters paffed between the Admiral
and Nabob ; but thefe had not the defired effeft : and Mr
Watts, and the gentlemen of the fa£tory at Caffimbuzar,
found it neceffary, privately to withdraw from that place ; of
which, the Nabob, in a letter to the Admiral ofthe 13th of
June, complained as a breach of treaty, and feemed refolve^
to proceed accordingly.
From the time that Surajah Dowlah became a conqueror,
his pride and infolence Increafed fo greatly, that many of his
principal courtiers were very much difcontented ; but as his
cruelty kept pace with the reft of his bad qualities, they were
afraid either to fpeak or a£t, as the Nabob had made many
fevere examples from his fufpicions only. The chief of the
malconteiits, were Meer Jaffier Ah Cawn, a man of great
power

3<i NAVALAND ^757'
power, and nearly allied to Surajah Dowlah ; Roy DuUub,
general of horfe ; and Ju'ggef-Seef, banker fo the Nabob, and
efteemed the rlcheft merchant in all India, or perhaps in the
world, Thefe perfons refolved, if poffible, to dethrone Sura
jah Dowlah ; and made known their defigns to Mr Watts,
then refident at the Nabob's Court. He immediately made
- them known to Colonel Clive, and he fo fhe fecret Council at
Calcutta, who refolved to encourage and promote the fcheme
all in their power.
As the tyrant was extremely fufpicious, and had fpies on
all fhe principal perfons of his court, the utmoft circumfpec-
tion became neceffary ; and the Council, leaving the manage
ment of this important affair entirely to the condu£t of Co
lonel Clive and Mr Wafts, they took every precaution to in-
fure fuccefs. Mr Watts judged it would be extremely dange
rous to be feen going often to the houfes of the confplrators.
He therefore drew one Omichund a Gentoo merchant to his
intereft, and communicated the fecret to him ; and, by his
means, carried on his correfpondence with Meer Jaffier, un-
obferved. This Omichund was a man of a very extraordina
ry character, of the deepeft cunning, and his infafiable avarice
fuch, that, for the fake of pecuniary advantages, he was ca
pable of carrying into execution the blackeft defigns. Mr
Watts was not fufficiently aware of what Omichund was ca
pable of doing, till it was out of his power fo retrieve it.
The plot was juft ready to take place ; nothing remained on
the part of Mr Watts, but the figning of the treaty with Meer
Jaffier, when the ruling paffion of Omichund had neariy ren
dered the whole abortive. As he knew Surajah Dowlah was
poffeffed of great treafures, he therefore demanded of Mr
Wafts, as a reward for his fervlces, one quarter of the Na
bob's wealth, which was fuppofed to be near eighty millions
fteriing, and told Mr Watts, if his demands were not complied
with, he would inform the Nabob of the whole franfa£lion-
and, from the knowledge he had of his temper, left him to
- judge ofthe confequences. After much converfation with Mr
Watts on this fubjed:, his final terms were, thirty lacks - of
rupees.

l757^ MILITARY MEMOIRS, 31
rupeesj or three hundred and feyenty thoufand pounds fter
iing, to be fecured to him by a fpecial article in the treaty.
Mr Watts applied to Meer Jaffier, and informed him of Orai-
ehund's ultimate demands. He refolved not to abide by them,
if any means could be advifed to obviate them, and, it is
thought, fuggefted the plan which was afterwards carried into
execution. Mr Watts wrote an account of fhe whole to the
Jfecret Council ; and they agreed that two treaties fhould be
executed, the one real, the other fi£titious ; the firft to be the
one by which Meer Jaffier was to abide ; the fecond to have the
article infifted ori by Omichund in it ; both of which were to
be figned by Meer Jaffier, but the laft only to be figned in
Omichund's prefence. Such was the ftri£t probity of Ad
miral Watfon, that he could not be prevailed upon to fign the
fidlitious treaty, by which even fuch a confummate villain as
Omichund was to be cheated. But matters were, now gone
too far, to recede ; therefore Colonel Clive and the reft of the
Council figned the treaty, and Admiral Watfon's name was,
without his knowledge, put to it. Meer Jaffier privately" fign
ed the real treaty, and in Omichund's prefence figned the fic
titious one ; who, being now perfeftly fatisfied, nothing re
mained but to put the finifhing ftroke to the confpiracy. (See
Note 104.)
On the 1 2th of June, Meer Jaffier and his confederates fent
word that all was ready; and on the 13th, Colonel Clive
marched vvith the whole army, which confifted of
Regular troops - 650
Topaffes, ferving with ditto 100
Artillery-men - 100
Sailors, under Lieutenant Hayter and feven ")
midfhipmen, who ferved with the artil- > 50
lery - J
Sepoys - _ - - 2100
Total, 3000
• Eight field-pieces, fix pounders. — One howitzer.
The Admiral garrifoned Chandernagore; the fquadron pro-
teftcd

32 NAVALAND '757-
tefted Calcutta ; and he ordered fhe Bridgewater up to Hough
ley, to keep open the communication there between the army
and the fquadron.
The day Colonel Clive began his march, he wrote to the
Nabob, wherein he complained of the flagrant breaches of
the treaty ; of his turning their Vaqueel difgracefuUy from his
prefence; refufing free paffage to the Englifli through his
country ; intercepting their trade, and fearching the faftory
at Caffimbuzar for ammunition and wariike ftores, on pretence
of an attempt on his life, in time of profound peace ; threaten
ing them with an Inftant rupture, if they did not fubmit to
the fearch. But what he greatly infifted on, was the protec
tion and money with which he affifted M. Law, and the French
in his dominions, and other articles by which he had grofsly
infringed the treaty. In fhort, that he was refolved to march
immediately to Caffimbuzar, and would willingly fubmit his
obfervation of the treaty to Meer Jaffier, Roy DuUub, Jugget-
Seet, and others his great men ; and if they fhould finjl he had
deviated in the leaft from the treaty, he would give up all
further claims : but if, on the contrary, it fhould be found,
that the Nabob had violated the treaty, he would then demand
fatlsfaftion for all the loffes the Englifh had fuftained, and all
the charges pf their army and navy : And concluded — as the
rainy feafon was near, he ffiould not wait for an anfwer being
fent fo him, but would come and receive it.
On the 14th of June, Mr Watts and the other gentlemen,
with thirty foldiers, who had made their efcape from Caffim
buzar, joined the army ; and on the i8fh. Major Coote was
fent to befiege Cutwah fort and town, fituated on, the fide of
the river which forms the ifland of Caffimbuzar ; and on the
19th, the Nabob's forces abandoned the fort, leaving In it
fourteen pieces of- rannon, and a large quantity of ammuni
tion and grain.
As It had been agreed on by all In the confederacy, that Meer
Jaffier Ihould fuc.ceed to the Nabobfhip, Colonel Clive when
within twp days march of Muxadabad, halted for a few days
until he received advice from TMeer Jaffier. On the 21ft of
¦June

1757. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 33

June, at night, he began his march ; and as the rainy feafon
was now fet in, and moft of the country overflowed, fhe fol
diers had to march fhe greateft part of the way up to their
middles in water. At fix o'clock next morning, the army
having croffed the river, marched two miles farther, and took
poft. There they halted till the evening, when the march was
refumed ; and at four in the morning of the 23 d, the army
took poft at Plaffey-grove, after a very fatiguing march, it
having rained the whole night.
The Colonel, foon after his arrival, had intelligence brought
him, that the vanguard of the Nabob's army, confifting of fix
thoufand men, was within three miles of ours ; on which he
ordered ari advanced guard of two hundred Europeans, and
three hundred Sepoys, with two pieces of cannon, to poft
fhemfelves in Plaffey-houfe ; and feveral guards of Sepoys, at
proper diftances from each other, round the grove. At day
break, the Nabob's army was perceived marching out of their
lines, and, from their motions, feemed determined fo furround
our army, , Colonel Clive accordingly made a • difpofition to
receive them. The right flank of the army was covered by
the grove, and fhe left by Plafley-houfe and river. The Na
bob's army kept marching towards ours. It was formed in
deep columns, fupported by a train of artillery confifting of
upwards of fifty pieces of cannon, of eighteen, twenty-four,
and thirty-two pounders. His train was pofted between fhe
intervals of his troops, and batteries of two or three pieces 01
cannon. They continued marching in this manner as long as
the ground would admit oflt ; but having failed in their defign
to furround our army, they made a halt, and detached a larg-e
body of troops, commanded by Meer Modun, one of their
principal Generals, headed by fifty French, and four pieces of
cannon, and, lodged fhemfelves behind the banks of a tank
or pond, only fix hundred yards diftant from our army, when
fhey began a brlfk cannonade. This was returned from our
field-pieces ; and both armies continued in this fituation fill
twelve o'clock, when a heavy Ihower of rain falling, the ene
my's horfe advanced, as if to fake advantage of it; but find-
voL. II. G ing

34 NAVALAND

1757-

ing the rain did not in the leaft flack the briflcnefs of our can-^
nonnde, their ardour was checked. The rain ceafing, the can
nonading continued till thte o'clock, when the enemy retired,
without confufion, fo their old camp. A large corps was now
feen marching on our left ; but the uncertainty whether they
were friends or foes, made the Cplonel order the field-pieces
to be fired, to make them keep at a proper diftance. This
corps proved fo be that part of the l^abob's army command
ed by Meer Jaffier.
Colonel Clive, who had been at the head of his troops dur
ing the whole time of the cannonade, retired for a few mi
nutes to Plaffey-houfe to get dry clothes. He left the com
mand of the troops with Major Kiipatrick, with dire£tions to
inform him, If any motion was made by the Nabob's army ;
and not to ftir without his orders. But great was his fur-
prize, wheri he had notice, that a large detachment of our
troops, withfome field-pieces, was marching towards the emi
nence which had been Occupied by the enemy's troops under
Meer Modun and the French. The Colonel haftened after
this detachment, and overtook It juft as if arrived at the
tank. He found it commanded by Major Kiipatrick, with
whom he was very angry for taking upon him fo march the
troops without his orders. The Colonel was determined not
to retreat, and fent for a reinforcement of troops from the
Grove ; which Major Coote brought immediately to him.
He refolved to bring on a fecond adion, and to make it de-
cifive. He ordered 'the King's grenadiers, and a grenadier compa
ny of Sepoys, to lodge themfelves behind a bank, very clofe
to the enemy's lines, from whence they kept up a continual
fire with their fmall arms ; as did the detachment at the tank,
with four pieces of cannon. The enemy came out in large '
bodies with their heavy artillery, to attack our feveral detach
ments ; but met with fuch a warm reception, that they were
every one of them repulfed with confiderable lofs. After a
fmart cannonading, the enemy's troops were obferved to be in
great confufion, and their elephants to be very unruly. Co
lonel

I7S7- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 3;
lonel Clive took immediate advantage of it, and fent orders to
Major Coote to attack a large body of the enemy's horfe poft
ed near him ; and to another oflicer to ftorm the angle of the
enemy's camp af the fame time. Both thefe attacks happily
fucceeded ; the enemy made but a faint refiftance, and a ge
neral route enfued. The purfuit continued till it was dark j
when the army halted at Doudpore, a place about fix miles
from fhe field of battle : and here the reft of the army from
Plaffey, joined Colonel Clive.
Our lofs in this memorable battle was very Inconfiderable ;
nineteen Europeans killed and wounded, and thirty Sepoys.
The Nabob's army was computed to amount fo twenty thou
fand horfe, and forty thoufand foot. He had about five hun
dred men killed, among whom was Meer Modun (whofe death
occafioned the confufion juft mentioned), befides three ele
phants, and a great many horfes. All his artillery, camp, bag
gage, elephants, &c. fell into the conqueror's hands. During
tbe purfuit,. a large body of horfe appearing on our right, they
were fired at : but fpon after, -a meffenger arrived with a letter
from Meer Jaffier to Colonel Clive, informing him that they
were- troops under his command, and requefting an interview
with him that night or next morning.
Accordingly, next day he had an Interview; and after he had
congratulated the Colonel on his vi£tory, he affured him, that
he was now ready to perform his agreement. The Colonel fa-
luted him Nabob of Bengal, Bahar, and Orixa ; and advifed
him to repair, without the fmalleft lofs of time, to Muxadabad,
after Surajah Dowlah ; and affured him, he would immediately
follow him with his whole force, to maintain him in his
dignity. The Nabob Surajah Dowlah, immediately on his defeat,, fled
to his capital, from which he was only about twenty miles dif
tant ; and the next evening, in the utmoft defpair, on Meer
Jaffier's arrival, he difguifed himfelf in the habit of a Faquler,
and, with one or two attendants, endeavoured to make his
efcape *. Meer Jaffier immediately entered the palace, where
e 2 every
' He was purfucd, overtaken, and made prifoner next day by a body of troops

3(5 NAVALAND ^757'

every thing was' in the utmoft confufion ; but the timely arrival
of Meffrs Watts and Walfti from Colonel Clive, pacified the
inhabitants, as they were affured of his protedion.
On the 27th of June, Colonel Clive made his public entry
into Muxadabad; and, on the 30th he went to the palace,
where, in prefence of all the great men of the Court, he fo-
lemnly feafed Meer Jaffier on the Mufnud, or carpet and throne
of ftate, where he was unanimoufly faluted Nabob, and receiv
ed the fubmiffion of all prefent.
The treafures of the late Nabob fell greatly ftiort of expeS-
atlon. However, Meer Jaffier pundlually fulfilled all the ar
ticles of the treaty, as foon as his finances permitted. And,
fo highly fenfible was he of the important fervlces rendered to
him by Admiral Watfon and Colonel Clive, that, over and
above the fums ftlpulated to be paid by the treaty, he gave fifty
lacks of rupees, or 650,000!., to be divided between fhe navy
and army.
Colonel Clive fpent fhe remaining part of the inonth In fet-
ling and adjufting all matters confequent to fuch an important
revolution. All thefe mighty affairs were fcarcely concluded, and the af
fairs of the Eaft India Company, from the moft defponding
ftate, reftored to their former profperlty, or rather in a ftate of
fplendour which they had never before attained; when the man
who had been the chief contributor to this fuccefs was carried
off^by the unhealthinefs of the cUmate, on the 16th of Auguft
1757. The Illuftrious perfon alluded to, was Vice-Admiral
Charles Watfon. He died, moft fincerely and defervedly re
gretted. We have already had occafion fo fpeak of him in a
public charafter, aud of his behaviour in the public fervice,-
His character in private life was not eclipfed by his public con-
du£t*. His death at this time would have been feverely felt
by England In this part of the world, had not the next in com
mand
headed by a fon of Meer Jaffier, by whofe order he was that night put to death
privately. ,
* The Eaft India Company have ereiled a beautiful monument to h' m f "
il! Weftroinftcr Abbey, and his Majefty was pleafed to create his only fon a Baronet.

1757- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 37

mand been Rear-Admiral Pocock, who was equal to the im
portance of fhe f ruft now repofed In him ; and he had fcarcely
taken on himfelf fhe command, before he had occafion to exert
all his abilities to fave the India Company's fettlements on the
Coromandel coaft from total ruin.
Admiral Watfon had ftatloned Commodore James, in the
Company's frigate Revenge, of twenty-four guns, off Pondi
cherry, to watch the motioris of the enemy, and to give him
the earlieft intelligence ofthe French fquadron, which he had
reafon to expe£l on fhe coaft : on this ftation, Mr James was
joined by his Majefty's fhip Triton, commanded by Captain
Townley. Early in September, Rear-Admiral Pocock received
a letter from Commodore James, informing him, that the Re
venge and Triton had been chaced from their ftation, by a
ftrong fquadron of French fhips of war ; and added, that Com
modore Stevens, with the reinforcements from England, might
be hourly expe£ted. Thefe the Admiral , impatiently longed
for, as the force he had at prefent with him was by no means a
match for the enemy. The Kent being quite worn out, was
condemned and broke up. Three ffiips of the line, two fri
gates, and a floop of war, were all the force he could now muf-
fer up ; and of thefe, the Cumberland, who had never come
higher up the Ganges than Culpee, was preparing to heave
down. While here, fhe took a very rich French fhip which
came info the^Ganges. Commodore James in the Revenge,
while efcorting a body of troops from Bombay to Bengal, fell
in with fhe L'Indien, a French Eaft Indiaman, on the coaft of
Malabar, and took her. She was laden with warlike ftores and
provlfions for the French fquadron then at the Mauritius ;
which was a lofs they feverely felt, as It greatly retarded their
equipment. Commodore Stevens was detained longer at Bombay than he
expefted, in the neceffary repairs of his fquadron, having been
obliged to heave down his own fhip, the Elizabeth, to ftop a
leak. He failed thence the 20th of January 1758 for the Covo-
-mandel coaft.
We Ihal! conclude this year's account of tlie operations In
c 3 tlie

38 NAVALAND ^'^^^
the Eaft Indies, by the very fplrited behaviour of three Captains
of fhips belonging to the Britifli Eaft India Company ; and
fliall give it in Captain Wilfon of the Suffolk's own words,
" On the 8th of March 1757, in lat, 35-— 40- S and 6. 30.
" to fhe eaftward of the Cape of Good Hope, in company
?« with fhe Houghton, Captain Richard Walpole, and the Go-
«' dolphin. Captain William Hutchlnfon, faw two fail, who
" gave us chace, and, coming up with us in the night,.kept on
« our weather-beams rill morning. Being fufpicious of a war,
«' we made ready to engage. At dawn of day, we all fpread
" our colours, and I made the fignal for a line of battle ahead ;
<« which being prefently formed, we hauled up our courfes,
" took in our fmall fails, and laid to, to receive them. As the
" day broke, we could perceive the fhips to be French, fhe lar-
" geft being a two-decker, with fourteen ports in her lower
f tier ; and the other a frigate of twenty-fix guns. They bore
" down on us, and, before they came within gun-fhot, hoifted
" their colours ; and the large ffiip fired a fhot at us, which I
" immediately returned; but both falling fhort, we defifted fir-
«' ing fill fhey came within our reach : when a general firing
" began on our fide, they hauled up to the weftward, to bring
" their broadfides to bear, and began alfo. The attack was
" ffiort ; for as our heads lay different ways, we were foon out
« of the bearings of each other's guns. All our fhips received i
" fome {hoi ; and the great fhip's main-top-fail being brought
" down, they made fail to fhe weftward ; on which we wore,
" and, making fail after them, foon came up, got confiderably
»' nearer, and brought our larboard guns to bear. A warm en-
« gagement enfued for about half an hour, when the French
*< fliip .hoifting her main-top-fall, they made fail from us. We
" immediately crowded after them, but they went faft from us.
" Being put of gun-fliof, they fpoke with each other, and foon
«' tacked. There being little wind, they fell much to leeward
" before fhey could bring their fhips to. When fhey fet all
" their fail, we hauled up our courfes to receive them. Thev' 5
"came much nearer than before, and a very fmart fire was
« maintained on both fides whilft they were paffing. When
" theyl

1757- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 39
" they went out of the bearing of our guns, we fet all our fall,
« making a fhow of ftanding for their wakes : But as they con-
" tinued their courfe to fhe eaftward with all their fail, we
" fhaped ours to fhe weftward, and loft fight of each other in
" about fix hours. By the fhot lodged in our hulls, we found
« that the great fhip carried twenty-four and twelve pounders,
" and the fmall one twelve pounders.
" As thefe fhips were not in a proper ftation for cruizing,
" we concluded they were on their paffage to Mauritius.
« I fhould do our officers and feamen injuftice, if I did not
" inform you, that they behaved with all the bravery and in-
« trepldity peculiar to Englifh feamen."
On board the Godolphin, a midfliipman loft his leg, and two
feamen were wounded : they all recovered. On the former,
the Eaft India Company fettled a handfome' annuity for life :
And fhe Company having, fome time before, pome to a refolu
tion, to give a bounty of two thoufand pounds Sterling to eve
ry crew which fhould defend their fhip when attacked by the
enemy's fhips of war, they, on this occafion, chearfully paid the
money to the refpeftive crews who had fo well merited it.
The French Miniftry had determined fo fend out a ftrong
naval and military force fo the Eaft In.lles, under the com
mand of officers of experience, eariy In the year 1757, in order
to obtain fuch a fuperiority of force In that country as would
enable them to difpoffefs the Britifh of their fettlements In In
dia: the command of the fquadron deftined for this fervice
was conferred on the Con^pf D' Ache, an officer of abilities and
experience: that of the larid- forces was given to Lieutenant-
General Compte Lally ; he was alfo appointed Governor Gene
ral of all fhe French poffeffions in India, and vefted with moft
cxtenfive powers. The fquadron of M. D' Ache confifted of
the Zodiac of fi;venfy-four, the BeUiqueux of fixty-four, and
the Superbe of feventy guns. King's ffiips, together with a
(hip of fifty guns, .and a frigate belonging to fhe Eaft India
Company, On board of this fquadron was embarked the re
giment of Lally, and a detachment of the royal artillery, mak
ing about twelve hundred men, and a great many officers of the
c 4 ' firft

40 NAVALAND

1757-

¦^ft families, and of high rank in the army, eager to have an
opporf;unty to diftingulffi themfelves on a fervice where t ey
thought that fuccefs was infallible. This armament failed from
Breft on the 6th of March 1757, but was foon after overtaken ,
by a violent ftorm, In which the Befllqueux loft her mam-top- -,,
gallant maft, and mize'n-top-maft, and was in fuch danger of
driving affiore, that her Captain was obliged to come to an an
chor, and make the fignal of diftrefs, on which M. D' Ache,
in fhe Zodiac, went to his affiftanee ; in doing of which, as
the gale ftill conttnued to blow ftrong, he loft her main and
fore-top-mafts, and the fquadron being much difabled, they
were compelled to return to Breft fo refit. During the ffiort
fpace of time that M. D. Ache's fquadron had been at fea, fome
difpatches had been received from Canada of an unfavourable
nature ; on which fhe French Miniftry refolved to fend fucr
cours immediately to North Atnetlca ; but not having a naval
force ready of fufficient ftrength to efcort them, they were com
pelled to withdraw the Superbe and Belllqueux from M. D'
Ache's fquadron, and equip them for this fervice ; and M. D'
Ache received orders to remain at Breft until his fquadron was
reinforced with fhips of fuch force as would enable him to exe
cute the orders he had received : an expedient was fallen on to
do this with great expedition. The French Eaft India Com
pany had feveral of their ffiips conftrudled on purpofe to ferve
as ffiips of war, when they rnlght require it ; of which four
had failed for India, having on board the regiment of Lorraine,
in December 1756. Two ffiips of this defcripflon being at
Breft, were immediately added to M. D' Ache's fquadron ; and
he was to be ftill farther reinforced by three more, who were
ordered to be got ready with all poffible difpatch at Port L'Ori-.
ent. The equipping of thefe veffels retarded the departure of
M. D' Ache's fleet until the 4th of May : they reached Rio de
Janeiro, in Brazil, on the 23d of July, having loft three hun
dred men by a fever, owing to their being too much crowded
on board the ffiips. Here they remained two months In order
to refreffi their foldiers and failors, when M. D' Ache
more put to fea, and arrived at the Ifle de France on the i Sth of

1757- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 41

of December, with a great number of fick on board the fquad
ron. Af this port he found the ffiips that had carried out fhe
regiment of Lorraine, returned from Pondicherry. He loft no
time in getting his fquadron put in a condition fo enable him to
obey the inftru£lIons he had received. He had his fick landed,
and reinforced his fquadron with the beft of the Eaft India
Company's fhips he , found there ; and, taking as many men
from the crews of the remaining ffiips as completed his com
plement of men, he put fo fea on the 27fh of January, The
operations of this formidable armament will be fully related
in fhe affairs of fhe year 1758,
On the 26th of 0£tober 1757, advices were received by fhe
Governor and Council at Madras, of the great fuccefs which
had attended fhe operations of Admiral Watfon and Colonel
Clive In Bengal ; but the accounts of this great profperlty were
fomewhat damped, by the difpatches Informing them that it
had been found neceffary to detain the detachinent of troops
which had been fent from Madras to Calcutta under Colonel
Clive : this was the more feverely felt, as certain information
had been received of the great reinforcements the French ex
pected from Europe. Admiral Pocock had alfo received intel
ligence of a great naval and military force that the French were
fending to India ; he therefore determined' to remain with the
fquadron in the Ganges, until the month of Janriary, for the
profefllon of Calcutta, in expedtatlon of being joined by the
fleet from England under Commodore Stevens. In Auguft,
when the -Commodore arrived in the bay of St Auguftine, in
the ifland of Madagafcar, he difpatched the Queenborough fri
gate, to inform Admiral Pocock that he intended to proceed
with the fquadron under his command to Bombay, where he
expe£ted to join him.
From this determination, it became impoffible for Comriio-
dore Stevens to reach fhe coaft of Coromandel fooner than the
beginning of the year 1758. The approach of fhe monfoon
made this difappoinfment of lefs importance ; as, while It con
tinued, no operations, could be carried on ; and, as fhe enemy
did not expedt any more ffiips of force from Europe during this
interval.

42 NAVALAND ^75^*
interval, it was to be hoped that before the French fleet could
arrive at^ondicherry, the two Britiffi fquadrons would have
formed a junction.
"WEST INDIES.— Leeward Island Station.
The fquadron on this ftation was commanded by Commo
dore Moore. He relieved Rear-Admiral Frankland, who pro-
ceeded to England In the WInchefter (See Note 105.) The
moft important fervlces rendered by this fquadron, were, the
profe£tion it afforded to the trade of the iflands ; the taking
and deftroying a great many of the enemy's privateers ; and
capturing a great number of their merchant fhips. Captain
Middleton took no lefs than feventeen privateers ; moft of
them indeed of fmall force, but very capable of doing mifchief.
For this piece of fervice, the Affembly of the ifland of Barba
does ordered him one hundred piftoles to purchafe a fword, in
token of their approbation of his condu£t, and of their grati«
tude for fhe prote£tion he had afforded their commerce.
I
WEST mDlES.—Ia7Jiaica Station.
His Majefty's fquadron on this ftation was commanded by
Rear-Admifttl Cotes (See Note io6.), who having the beft in
telligence of the enemy's force in thofe feas, ftatloned his ffiips
fo judicioufly, and purfued fuch meafures for fhe proteftioji of
our trade, that, of fhe rich fleet, confifting of one hundred and
fifty fail of merchantmen, which he fent to England under con
voy of the Lynn, and other ffiips of war, not one fell into the
hands of the enemy. He fent the Augufta, Edinburgh, and
Dreadnought, under the command of Captain Forreft of the
,former, to cruize off Cape Frangols, where the enemy were af-
fembling a fleet for Europe. This fleet was to be efcorted by a
fquadron of war ffiips, commanded by M. de Kerfaint 1
Jiad arrived fome little time before from the coaft of Africa where

1757- MILITARY MEMOIRS.

43

where he had pillaged fome defencelefs places, and made feve
ral valuable captures. The Admiral hoped,, that Captain For-
reft's force would be nearly equal fo that of M. de Kerfaint •
but the French Commodore unexpectedly meeting with a rein
forcement of fome {hips at Cape Francois, this, with the affif
tanee ofthe garrifon and the feamen belonging to the merchant
fhips, now added to his fquadron, made'him greatly fuperior to
the force under fhe command of Captain Forreft. (See Note
107.) On fhe 21 ft of OCtober, M. de Kerfaint came out of
Cape Francois; and with his formidable fquadron, was in
hopes of compelling Captain Forreft to quit his ftation. At fe
ven in the morning, the Dreadnought made a fignal for feeing
the enemy ; and by noon they could be plainly feen from fhe
quarter-deck. On this. Captain Forreft made the, fignals for
Captains Langdon and Suckling to come on board of him to
hold a Council of war, which was of very ffiort duration.
Being all met on his quarter-deck. Captain Forreft faid, " Well,
*' gentlemen, you fee they are come out to engage us." Upon
which Captain Suckling anfwered, " L think It would be a pity
" to difappoint them." Captain Langdon was ofthe fame opi
nion. " Very well, replied Captain Forreft ; go on board of
" your ffiips again :" — when he immediately made the fignal to
bear down and engage the enemy. Captain Suckling led the
van. Captain Forreft was in the centre, and Captain Langdon
in the rear. The aftion commenced about twenty minutes af
ter three o'clock, and continued with great brifknefs for two
hours and a half ; when fhe French Commodore made fhe fig
nal for one of his frigates to come and tow him out of the line.
The reft of his fquadron foon after followed his example.
Never did officers and men behave better than fhe Britiffi.
Their good conduct was as confpicuous as their bravery. The
enemy, on the contrary, did not avail fhemfelves of their evi
dent fuperiority, and blundered very much. Af fhe beginning
of the a£tIon, the Greenwich ffiooting up too near the Intre
pide, fhey had nearly fallen on board each other. This^threw
them into confufion ; which Captain Suckling obferving, took
aU the advantage he could of it. When the Intrepide fell
aftern

44 NAVALAND ^757-
aftern difabled, fhe Opiniatre ffiot up into her ftation ; in doing
of which, the Greenwich, ftill in confufion, got on board of
the Sceptre. Unable to extricate themfelves from their difa
greeable fituation, the whole group were furioufly cannonaded
by fhe Augufta and Edinburgh ; which laft fairiy drove the
Sceptre out of the line,,
Our ffiips had fuffered fo much In their rigging, that they
were in no condition to purfue fhe enemy. The Augufta had
nine men killed, among whom was fhe Firft Lieutenant and
twenty-nine men wounded, twelve of them dangeroufly ; with
mafts, yards, fails, boats and rigging very much damaged.
The Dreadnought had nine men killed, and thirty wounded,
twenty very dangeroufly ; loft her mizen-fop-maft in the ac
tion, and the mizen-yard ffiot down ; alfo the maln-top-maft
and top, foon after the a£tion was over ; every maft, yard, .
fail, rope and boat unfervlceable, except the fore-top-maft and
top-fail yard ; with many ffiot in the hull. The Edinburgh fuf
fered leaft : ffie had only five men killed, and thirty wounded ;
but her mails, fails and rigging were much damaged, and
fome ffiot in her hull.
No war has produced a braver aflilon, nor a victory gained
over fuch decided fuperiority. The French, on this occafion,
had put on board the Sceptre her full complement pf guns,
either from the ffiore, or out of an India ffiip they had at the
Cape ; had alfp mounted the Outarde ftoreffiip with as many
guns as ffie had ports ; and had not only men taken from fhe
merchant-ffiips. bi}t foldiers from fhe garrifon. Their lofs of
men was prodigious, between five and fix hundred killed and
wounded. The Intrepide had her mizen-maft and main-top-
maft much wounded, thrice fet on fire by their own powder,
and the rigging and fails fo much damaged that the ffiip would
not work. The Sceptre was fo much damaged by the Edin
burgh, as to be obliged to quit the line before the aftion was
over. The Opiniatre was difmafted, and otherwife greatly
difabled. The Greenwich had her mafts, yards and rigging
greatly damaged, and thirty ffiot between wind and water
Captain Forreft with his fliips was obliged to bear f

1757- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 45
Jamaica, in order to get his damages repaired. And as foon
as M. de Kerfaint could get his fquadron ready, he failed for
Europe with his convoy. On their approaching the coaft of
France, they met a fevere ftorm; in which the Opiniatre,
Greenwich, and Outarde, parting from their anchors in Con
quet road, drove affiore, and were wrecked.
The Affiftanee, Captain Wellerd, on the 20th of Novem
ber, chafed a fnow privateer of eighteen guns, and a fchooner
privateer, with a prize ffie had taken, into Tiberoon-bay, at
the weft end ofthe ifland of Hifpaniola, where the enemy had
a battery of five guns. The veffels hauled clofe to the ffiore,
in hopes of finding protection from the battery. Falling little
wind. Captain Wellerd vvas obliged to tow in. On the 21ft,
he burnt the two privateers, funk the prize, and difmounted
all the guns on the battery, with the lofs only of two men
killed, and fome damage done to his rigging.
The princefs Mary captured, off Monti Chrifti, a large
Dutch ffiip, laden with fugar, coffee and indigo. If appeared
that this ffiip was one of the fleet which had failed from Cape
Frangois a few days before, under convoy of M. de Kerfaint's
fquadron ; and that ffie had brought from Holland fo that
place, cannon, ffiot, powder, and other warlike ftores ; and
was now on her return to Europe with a French cargo.
On fhe 6th of December, Admiral Cotes failed from Jamai
ca with fhe Marlborough, Auguftiis, and Princefs Mary. On
the 13th, he made the Augufta's fignal fo chafe off Cape Ti-
beroon, where ffie took a fmall French floop, loaded with
fugar ; and fhe enemy fet fire to a large ffiip of fixteen guns,
to prevent her falling into our hands ; which blew up before
the Augufta's boat could get on board. On the 14th they
took with their boats two French privateers ; one of eight guns
and twelve fwivels, fhe other of four guns and eight fwivels ;
moft of whofe crews fwam affiore. Some of the fewl:hat were
made prifoners on this occafion, informing the Admiral, that
a rich fleet under convoy of two armed merchant frigates, were
ready to fail from Port-au-Prince for Europe, the Admiral im
mediately difpatched the Marlborough's tender to look into
that

46 NAVALAND '757-

that port ; who foon returned with an account, that eig a-
den ffiips were-come into the road, and lay with their mam-
top-fails loofe. Upon this, the Admiral ordered the Augufta
to cruize off the ifland of Gonave for two days ; at the ex-
pirarion of which time, fiie was to join the fquadron off Cape^
Nicholas. The courage and condua which Captain Forreft ifplayed
on the 2 ift of Oaober this year, were not more confpicuous
than his knowledge and alacrity on the prefent occafion. Con
formably to his orders he proceeded up fhe Bay, between the •
iflands of Gonave and Hifpaniola, with a view to put in prae^
tice a plan he had laid, for making prizes of the above ffiips.
Next day, in the afternoon, he faw two floops ; but, that he
might HQt rifle a difcovery, he for the prefent fordjore chafing
them ; and the better to conceal his defign, hpifted Dutch co
lours, and difguifed his ffiip with tarpaulins. At five in the
afternoon, he difcovered feven fail of ffiips fteering to the weft
ward, and hauled from them fo avoid fufplclon ; but as foon
as It Was dark, he -followed them with all the fall he could
carry. About ten o'clock at night he perceived two fail, one
of which fired a gun, and the other made tlie beft of her way
to Leogane, another little port in the bay. -Soon after this
Captain Forreft got fight of eight fail to leeward, near another
port, called Petit Guave. On his coming up with the ffiip
that had fired the gun, after he had hailed the Captain, aflced
him who he was, run out fome of his lower deck guns, and
threatened to fink hiin if he made the fmalleft alarm, ihe fub-
mitted without oppofition. Having taken out her crew, ^hc
put a Lieutenant and thirty-five men on board the prize and
ordered her to ftand for Petit Guave, to intercept any ofthe
enemy who might attempt to reach that port. He then made
fail after the body "of the fleet ; and, by dawn of day, finding
himfelf in the midft of them, he began to fire at them all in
their turns, as he could bring his guns to bear. They return-
ed the fire for fome time ; but three of the largeft ftriking
their colours, were fecured, and afterwards made ufe of in
affifting to take the remainder. One endeavoured to efcape but

1757- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 47
but was -taken about noon. Thus, by a well-laid plan, the
whole fleet (a fnow only efcaping) were taken by a fingle
fliip. The Cargoes confifted of the moft valuable produce of
Hifpaniola ; and the prizes proved of great value, (See Note
iq6.) The other cruizers on this ftation, with the American pri
vateer's, were very fuccefsful, and took a great number of pri
zes, fome of them of great value ; befides faking and deftroy
ing a number of fmall privateers. Admiral Cotes paid great
attention fo the protection of the trade of • Jamaica, and fent
fufficient. convoys with fhe homeward-bound ffiips ; fo that
, very few of them fell into fhe enemy's hands.
On the i8fh of March, his Majefty's fhip the Greenwich,
commanded by Captain Roddam, being on a cruize, had the
misfortune to fall In with a fquadron of French ffiips of war,
commanded by M. de Beaufremont, confifting of five fail of
the line and fome frigates ; and, after making a moft gallant
refiftance againft fo fuperior a force, was taken.

NORTH AMERICA.
We formerly remarked, that when the Earl of Loudoun
had been fent out fo command the land forces in North Ame
rica, fhe preceding year, he had then found matters in that,
country, in the greateft confufion imaginable. And althongh
the greateft diffenfion reigned between the different provinces,
and fhe frontlets of each were expofed fo fhe inroads of a cruel
and an a^Ive enemy, yet no meafures had been concerted for
a general defence. His Lotdffilp, in his endeavours to efta-
bliffi order, was but poorly feconded ; as General Webb had,
by the moft ffiameful inactivity, allowed Ofwego to fall into
the enemy's hands, and, with it, all the veflels we had on
Lake Ontario, fo that they were now become mafters of the
navigation of fhe Lake. So fituated. Lord Loudoun fet him
felf to work, fo put things info fome fort of order ; and to form
a plan, which, if approved, would enable him not only to re-pel

48 NAVAL AND ^757-
pel the enemy in all their attacks, and drive them from e -
ritory they ufurped, but to carry the war into the ear
their country. He tranfmitted fo the Miniftry, in Autumn,
1756, a fcheme for the reduaion of Cape Breton ; with an
eftimate ofthe force requifite for putring the plan in execution.
The Miniftry approved of the defign ; of which they informed
his Lordffiip eariy In the Winter.
As it was Intended to employ moft of the regular troops on
the expedition againft Louiffiurg, his Lordffiip found it necef
fary to affemble the Governors of the provinces of Penfylyania,
Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina, at Philadelphia, in
order to concert with them the meafures proper to be taken
for fhe common defence of the frontiers during the time he
ffiould be employed to the ,nprfhward with the army, for en
deavouring to heal the animofitles of fhe colonies; and to In
duce them fo unite and aCt for the general good. This was,
an arduous taflc ; and. In this negociation, in which his Lord
ffiip dlfplayed very great abilities, a plan of defence was fet
tled, the number of troops to be furnlffied by each colony was
ftlpulated, and their deftination, route, and day of march fix
ed. So affiduous was he in this important bufinefs, that he
got it finlffied in ten days ; when he returned to New York,
where he did not pafs his time in idlenefs, but was indefati
gable in getting ready every requifite for the fiege of Louiffiurg,.
that nothing might be wanting, or to feek, againft fhe fleet
and army arrived from England. Thefe he , expeCted as foon
as the feafon would permit.
On the American coaft, the winter months are commonly
fo extremely boifterous, that It frequently happens, there is
little or no intercourfe with Europe during that feafon. Such
was this winter in America ; by which means, his Lordffiip,*
was uninformed of the ftate of affairs at home. Tire fear-'
city of the crop, or the change of Adminiftration, were equal
ly unknown to him. His confidential correfpondents were
among the friends of the late Miniftry, When deprived of
their places, they flattered^ themfelves that it would not be
long ere they would be reinftated. So far, they judo-ed right': but

1757' MILITARY MEMOIRS. 49

but did not forefee, that their re-eftabllffiment would conti
nue but a ffiort time ; thus deceiving themfelves, as well
as their friends on fhe other fide of fhe Atlantic ; whereby the
Commander in Chief ftill kept up his intercourfe with fhe old
Miniftry, and omitted to pay that attention to fhe new one,
which, as the immediate fervants of fhe Crown, they had a
right to expeCt. In this, his Lordffiip was more mifled by
the information and advice of his friends in England, than by
hl-s own incllnalflon. Certain it is, that no man ever intended
better, or had the real intereft of his country more af heart.
The Earl of Loudoun, well knowing of what importance it
is, in military tranfaCtions, to keep the enemy as ignorant as
poffible of the operations intended againft them, with the
view of concealing his prefe'nt defigns, he, on the 3d of Janu-
ry, thought proper to lay a general embargo on all outward-
bound ffiips. In doing this, he had two other great objeCts
iri view, viz. the more eafily to colled a fufficient number of
veffels to tranfport the troops he had affembled, from New
York fo Cape Breton ; and the obtaining a body of feamen
for his Majefty's ffiips. Self-Interefted people will never allow,
that the exigencies of the State are of a fuperior nature to that
of an individual. Of confequence, this meafure of his Lord
ffiip Was moft loudly exclaimed againft on both fides ofthe At
lantic ; and fome circumftances happened, which gave reafon,
on a flight examination of faCls, to fuppofe his I^ordffilp had
aCted improperly.
The crop had failed laft year in England, and the people
were apprehenfive of a famine. The merchant exclaimed,
" No aid can be had from America, on account of the em-
" bargo." The planter faid, " Notwithftanding we have had
*• a luxuriant crop, we can give no aid to the mother country,
" on account of the embargo :" and thus, tfils unfortunate,
but well intended meafure, fended very much to make his
Lordffiip unpopular, both in America and in England. Nor
had it the defired effeCt of concealing from fhe enemy, the
plan intended to be purfued the enfuing campaign ; for, foon
after the Miniftry had agreed to the plan tranfmitted by the
vox. ir. D Earl

50 NAVALAND

1757-

Eari of Loudoun, fhe Court of Verfailles received informa,
tiOn of it, and Immediately adopted meafures to render it
abortive, by fending out, very eariy in the fpring, troops,
and a flrong fleet to Louiffiurg, with every requifite the gar
rifon might want.
The Commander In Chief exerted himfelf in getting ready
provlfions for the troops, and materials for the fiege of Louif-
burg ; and had colkaed at New York, ninety fail of tranf-
ports. On fhe 6th of May, Sir Charles Hardy, the Governor
of New York, received his commiffion as Rear-Admiral of
the Blue, with orders to hoift his flag immediately, and ad in
conjunftion with the Eari of Loudoun. He accordingly
hoifted his Sag on board the Nightingale, and took the com
mand of the fleet in America. On the 20th, he caufed a
hot prefs to be made at New York, when near four hundred
good feamen were obtained. This additional and leafonablc
fupply, was of the greateft fervice ; for, by their affiftanee,
the army, confifting of five thoufand three hundred men,
(See Note ro8.) were embarked by the 25th, and fell down
to Sandy-Hook, where Sir Charles Hardy fliifted his flag to
the Sutherland,
Juft as the fleet was ready to proceed to Halifax, a French
prize was brought in, being part of a fleet of merchant ffiips
from the Weft -Indies, under convoy of five fail of the line,
commanded by M. de Beaufremont, bound for Louiffiurg,
and from which fleet ffie had parted but a few days before.
This intelligence was immediately after corroborated by an
exprefs from Bofton, importing, that five fhips of the line
and a frigate had been feen cruizing off Halifax. Thefe ac
counts were highly perplexing to Lord Loudoun,; but he had
no alternative ; for, until fhe matter was cleared up, he was
neceffitated to remain where he was, the naval force under -
Sir Charies Hardy being much too inferior to contend with
fuch a fquadron. The Rear-Admiral immediately difpatched
two floops of war to view the coaft, and to gain intelligence.
They foon returned with fhe agreeable tidings, that tliev had
feen no enemy. On which, the fignal was made to unmoor; and.

I7S7- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 51
and', on the 5 th of June, the fleet failed from the Hook, and
arrived in the courfe of a few days at Halifax, where they
found three regiments of foot and a company of artillery. Lord
Loudoun difcmbarked the troops ; encamped the whole near
the town ; and had them daily out at exercife, in order to
train them, and make them acquainted with fhe nature of the
fervice they were going uppn.
It had been well, had his Lordffiip's aCtivity been properly
feconded in England ; but that was not fhe eafe. Nothing
perhaps can juftify Lord Loudoun for leaving New York, with
fo, confiderable a body of troops, under fo flender a convoy,
but the hopes of finding Admiral Holburne with a fleet and
troops from England already arrived at Halifax before him.
Unfortunately this was an event he had long to look for, and
which put his patience to the fevereft trial. Political convul-
fions are always extremely detrimental to military operations ;
and, when put in competlrion, the latter are regarded, as fe-
condary motives only. Nothing can demonftrate this in a
clearer manner, than the unfortunate expedition we now are
fpeaking of.
It was the i6th of April before Admiral Holburne failed
with his fleet from St Helen's, where he had been long de
tained by contrary winds, for Ireland ; the troops deftined for
North America, being' to embart at Cork. This being at
laft effected, the Vice-Admiral failed from thence fhe 7th of
May, and arrived at Halifax the 9th of July, by niuch too late
in fhe feafon for going on an enterprize, where fo much op
pofition was reafonably to be expeCted. Why this fleet was
not fent out much fooner, and of a much fuperior ftrength to
any fleet the French might have in America, cannot well be
accounted for. The public are left to conjcClure, that this
negleCt proceeded from want of proper intelligence, the un-
fettled ftate of Adminiftration, and our violent diffenfions at
home ; which brought great difcredit on our arms, and the
nation to the brink of ruin.
The aClive exertions of the French to counteract our enter-
prizes, were well worthy of our imitation. Early in the month
D 3 of

52

N^AVAL AND ^757-

of January, M. de Beaufremont was difpatched with a fqua
dron from Breft. But as he would have arrived too early in
the feafon for the harbour of Louiffiurg being open and free
from ice, had he purfued a direCt courfe for that port ; he.
therefore proceeded firft to the Weft Indies, where he remain
ed until the feafon admitted of his entering the harbour of
Louiffiurg, which he did on the 5th of June. Had he been a
fevir days later, he had certainly fallen in with and taken Sir
Charies Hardy and Lord Loudoun, with the troops, on their
voyage from New York fo Halifax. M. de Beaufremont found
in the harbour M. du Reveft, with four fail of the line from
Toulon ; who had only arrived the day before. In coming
through the Straits of Gibraltar, he had a little bruffi with the
fquadron under Admiral Saunders ; and owed his efcape to
his fuperior failing, and a dark night. On the 3d of May,
M. Bois de la Mothe had the good fortune to efcape out of
Breft, with nine fail of the line and four frigates, having troops
and all forts of ftores ; and arrived at Louifburg fhe 29th of
June. Thefe fquadrons when united, confifted of eighteen
fail of the line, and five frigates. (See Note 109.)
It has often been matter of wonder, that M. de la Mothe,
with a fleet fo much fuperior in every refpeCt fo Admiral Hol-
burne's, did not purfue fhe Britiffi fleet when if retired from
before Louifburg, and block it up in the harbour of Halifax ;
but our furprize will ceafe, when it is confidered, that M. de
la Mothe's Prders were exprefsly for the protection of Louif
burg. Befides, it was a moft pofitive InftruCtion given to the
French naval commanders, to avoid as much as poffible fhe
coming to aClIon with the Britiffi fleets, or even fingle ffiips,
unlefs the fuperiority ffiould be fo decidedly in their favour,
as to give a certainty of vldory ; and the French Admiral
might 'reafonably conjeaure, that a reinforcement ¦Should be
fent from England, as foon as the fuperiority of the French
fleet became known fo the Bririffi Miniftry (and which was
really fhe cafe), when the majority might have been in fa
vour of Admiral Holburne ; whofe fleet at this time confifted only

1757- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 53

only of fourteen fail ofthe line, and three frigates. (See Note
1.10.) The Earl of Loudoun had under him, Major-Generals A-
bercrombie, Hopfon, Lord Charles Hay, and Brigadier-Gene
ral Laurence. The army was compofed of fixteen battalions,
(See Note 1 1 1.) five hundred men belonging to the regiment of
artillery, five hundred rangers, and one hundred carpenters ;
making, in all, about eleven thoufand men. Whilft Admiral
Holburne was buGed in watering and victualling the fleet, and
making all his neceffary arrangements. Lord Loudoun landed
the newly arrived troops, in order to refreffi them after fo long
& voyage. They were exerclfed daily, and all poffible care
taken to render them as healthy as poffible. In the mean time,
the Admiral difpatched Captain Rous in the Winchelfea, with
fome more frigates, to look into the harbour of Louiffiurg ; arid
to bring him as certain accounts of the enemy's ftrength as he
could obtain. It had been a piece of unjuftlfiable prefumption
to have proceeded without fuch precaution. But even the pru
dence with which fhe Commander in Chief had aCled, was
blamed by fome. It was faid " fo be keeping the foldiers cou-
" rage at bay, and expending the nation's wealth in rnaking
" ffiam fights, and planting cabbages*;" words fpokepby Lord
Charles Hay, and for which it was judged proper, by a Coun
cil of war held the 3 ift-of July, to put him under arreft. The
afternoon of the fame day, all the franfporfs were ordered to
the weftern ffiore in divifions, and to have their boats ready to
embark fhe forces ; while the army was ordered to hold them
felves in readinefs to embark on an hour's warning. Captain
Rous returned ; and, in confequence of his report, the army
was embarked the ift and 2d of Auguft; the mafters of franf
porfs received their failing orders ; and the general rendezvous
was appointed to be in Gabarous-bay, about two leagues weft
of Louiffiurg. D 3 From
* Thisexpreffion of Lord Charles Hay's, alludes to the daily exercifing ofthe
troops.andto Lord Loudoun's having, on his arrival at Ha il ax, got a garden pre
pared for the ufe of the foldiers-, the cabbages, &c. produced in which, were of
great benefit to the army in general, and contMbuie much to the prefervation of
their health.

54

NAVAL AND '7^7-

From the intelligence hitherto received, the enemy had not
collected any force of fufficient ftrength to deter the comman-
ders from profecufing their intended enterprize.
The Windfor man of war arrived from England the 4th ;
and the fame day a fchooner arrived, fent exprefs from Cap
tain Edwards, the Governor of Newfoundland, informing the
Admiral, that one of his cruizers had taken a fchooner bound
to France from Louiffiurg, with difpatches ; which luckily not
having been deftroyed, they learned from them, that the force
the enemy had affembled at Louiffiurg was very great ; it con
fifting of eighteen fail ofthe line, and five large frigates; and
that, including the garrifon, they had feven thoufand regular
forces. A Council of war was immediately held, in confequence of
the above intelligence, who refolved, " That confidering the
*' great ftrength of the enemy, and fhe advanced feafon of the
" year, if was expedient fo poftpone the attack upon Louifburg;
" and that the troops ffiould proceed fo the different places
" where the public fervice required them." Such of fhe regi
ments as were to compofe the garrifon of Halifax difembarked
there ; others, under proper convoy, proceeded up the Bay of
Fundy, to Fort Cumberland and Annapolis Royal ; and the
Earl of Loudoun, with the remainder, failed for New York.
To have perfevered in the enterprize againft Louiffiurg, after
the receipt of fuch intelligence, would have been a refolution
fraught with the greateft temerity, when it was known that the
enemy had fo great a force to oppofe them. Under fuch cir
cumftances, it was fcarcely poffible for the army to have forced
a landing ; or, if they had, it would have been attended with.
fuch a lofs of men, as muft have difabled them from proceed
ing in the attack ; while, from the fuperiority of the French
fleet, Admiral Holburne could have afforded the army very Ht
tle affiftanee in the operations of the fiege -, and In cafe he had
been repulfed by the French fleet, he could not have co- operated
with them In the fiege at all ; fo that the retreat of the army
would have been extremely precarious. If not impraft' hi •
and

1757- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 55

and fuch a misfortune would have expofed the whole of fhe
Britiffi poffeffions In America to certain deftruCHon.
The Admiral refolved to reconnoitre Louiffiurg himfelf;
and leaving the Windfor, the Arc-en-ciel, the Nightingale,
Speedwell, Gibraltar's Prize, and Grenado bomb, . for the de
fence of Halifax, he failed with his fleet, as foon as the wind
would permit (which was the 1 6th,) on a cruize off Louiffiurg
(See Note 112.), where he arrived the 20th, and got fo clofe fo
the harbour's mouth, that fome ffiot were fired at his headmoft
ftiips from the Ifland-hattery. He had now an opportunity of
feeing that fhe intelligence refpeCting the enemy's naval force
was perfectly correCt.
M. de la Mothe now making the fignal for his fquadron fo
unmoor. Admiral Holburne made fhe fignal for his fleet to tack,
and ftand off the land. When it 'was dark, he bore away for
Halifax, where he arrived the nth -of September, and found
four fail of the line from England, under the command of Cap-
' tain Geary (See Note 112.) ; which fquadron, Adminiftration,
having now difcovered how fuperior the enemy's naval force was
in point of ftrength to that und(^r Admiral Holburne, had fent
out to his affiftanee. But this reinforcement arrived when it was
too late in the feafon to commence military operations. All that
was now in the Admiral's power, was to block the French fleet
up in Louiffiurg, to prevent them from aCting any where elfe ;
and as he knew they could not winter there, he was In hopes of
attacking them to advantage, when the feafon compelled them
to forfake their prefent afylum. He gave immediate orders for
his fhips to wood and water, and fo be particularly careful of
both. He failed . from Halifax, and ftatloned his fquadron,
now confifting of nineteen fail of the line, two of fifty guns,
and fome frigates, in fuch a manner as was moft likely to in
tercept fhe enemy.
On the evening of the 24fh of September, being then about
twenty leagues fo the fouthward of Louiffiurg, It began to blow
freffi at eaft ; and in the night, the wind veering round to the
fouth, it blew a perfeCt hurricane, which continued till eleven
o'clock the next day, when it fortunately changed fo the north.
D 4 This

56

NAVAL AND

1757-

This was the happy means of faving the Britiffi fquadron from
deftruCtlon, as they were then very near the rocks ofthe ifland
of Cape Breton, when the tempeft abated of its fury, and took
a different dlreftlon. The Tilbury unfortunately ftruck, and
was wrecked about two leagues from Louiffiurg : the Captain
and moft of fhe crew periffied. Thofe that were faved, were
conduded to Louiffiurg, and afterwards fent to England. The
Grafton ftruck on fhe rocks, but luckily got off again. Scarce
a ffiip of the fquadron but fuftained fome lofs ; and all of them
were confiderably ffiattered. The following is allowed to be
nearly an exaCt ftate of the loffes fuftained.

Ships.
Newark
Invincible
Grafton

Captain
Naffau
Prince Frederick
Sunderland
Bedford Centurion
Devonffiire Eagle
Nottingham
KIngfton Windfor
Tilbury Nightingale

Damages.
Six guns thrown overboard.
Three men, her main and mizen mafts gone,
Main-maft, forefop-maft, and rudder; but
this laft was fupplled by a machine of
Cpmmodore Holmes's invention, by which
fhe ffiip was fteered fo England.
Difmafted.
Ditto, and arrived in England- with nine feet
water in her hold.
Ditto, and obliged to bear away for St John's
Newfoundland.
Difmafted,
Ditto. Ditto, and fen guns thrown overboard.
Ditto.
Ditto, and fifteen guns, and arrived in Engr
land with eight feet water in her hold.
Mizen-maft, and twelve guns thrown over
board.
Sixteen guns thrown overboard.
Ditto.
Wrecked, the crew partly faved.
Mizen-maft, four men loft, and twenty guns.
Cruizer

17J7. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 57
Ships. Damages.
Cruizer floop The mizen-maft, three men loft, and ten guns
thrown overboard.
Ferret floop Foundered, and all on board periffied.
The oldeft feaman in fhe fleet had never feen fuch a dread
ful tempeft ; which, for the time it lafted, furpaffed even thofe
encountered by Lord Anfon off Cape Horn, In his voyage to
the South Sea.
Admiral Holburne collected his ffiattered fquadron in the beft
manner he could ; fent the moft difabled ffiips fo England un
der the command of Sir Charles Hardy and Cpmmodore
Holmes, and went with the remainder fo Halifax ; where, hav
ing refitted them as well as he could, he failed for England,
leaving the command to Lord Colvill In fl^e Northumberland,
who, with fome other ffiips, were fo winter at Halifax. Lord
Colvill had orders to repair with his fquadron off Louiffiurg, as
foon as the feafon would permit, to prevent any fupplies from
getting in to that place.
As the ffiips of war were chiefly employed on the intended
enterprize againft Louiffiurg, they had but few opportunities
of making captures. The Windfor, on her voyage from Eng
land, took fhe Heureux, from St Domingo for Bourdeaux, of
five hundred fons burden, and very richly laden ; befides two
veffels with ftores and provlfions for Louiffiurg and Quebec.
The Winchelfea, off Louiihurg, took a floop of fixteen guns,
after a ftout refiftance, bound for Quebec with ftores. The
Nottingham, on her voyage to England, took a privateer of
twelve guns. On fhe 3d of November, fhe Lightning fire-ffiip,
commanded by Captain Henry Martin, was attacked by a prl-
vateer of fixteen guns, and a great number of men ; but not
withftanding the enemy's fuperiority, he defended his ffiip with
great refolution and courage ; and having the good fortune to
difable the privateer. Captain Martin ordered all his fails to be
fet, and got off. He had his Lieutenant and fome men killed,
and feveral wounded. The American privateers gave the ene
my's

58 NAVALAND i757-
my's trade, both on this coaft and in fhe Weft Indies, very
great annoyance, and made many valuable prizes.
Never was the failure of an enterprize more unjuftly laid to
the charge of the two chief commanders than was this. The
great expence to which the nation had been put, having raifed
their expectations to fhe higheft pitch; the chagrin they expref-
fed, when they heard that the attack was poftponed, is not to
be conceived. But the moft judicious, and thofe well acquain
ted with all the circumftances, agreed in opinion, that, fo far
from deferving blame, fhe prudent conduCt of both had faved
the colonies from being conquered by France.
Even difafters in other parts of America were laid to the
charge of the Earl of Loudoun. When he left New York, he ,
had taken care to leave fuch a force under fhe command of Ge
neral Webb at Albany, as was quite fufficient to proteCt the
frontiers, and to have repelled any attack made by M. de Mont
calm, who had fucceeded Baron Diefkau in fhe command of
the French arrny ; with which force General Webb might have
faved Fort William Henry, had he marched with the troops he
could have affembled.
The ffiameful conduCt of the French General, in allowing
his Indians to maffaore fhe Britiffi, in violation- of the terms of
capitulation of that place, did not pafs without thofe warm
and ffiarp remonftrances from Lord Loudoun which fo barbarous
a behaviour deferved. The excufes made by M. de Montcalm,
were futile in the higheft degree. And when the prefent Lord
Amherft completed the plan of operations (that had been laid
down by the Earl of Loudoun), by the taking of Montreal, he
had in view a fort of retaliation for their perfidy at Fort William
Henry, in the dlfgrace he put on the French troops, by oblig
ing their fix regular regiments to lay down their arms in the
prefence of fome Britiffi officers fent on purpofe to fee them
perform this humiliating taflc ; and this for their infamous and
ungenerous behaviour during the war in America,
The French fquadron, during the ftorm of the 24th and 25th
of September, were not free from danger, even in the harbour
of Louiffiurg ; as many of their ffiips received confiderable da
mage,

1757- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 59
mage. While in this, port, they loft a great number of men by
an epidemical diftemper which raged with great fury among
them. They put to fea the end of OGober, and reached Breft
in a very fhattered and diftreffed condition the end of Novem
ber. The Bien- Acquis and the Hermione were taken by two
of the Britiffi cruizers on their voyage to Europe.
AFRICA.
The French fquadron which failed from Breft In the Spring, .
under M. de Kerfaint, proceeded to the coaft of Guinea, where
they did confiderable mifchief to fhe Engliffi traders, took and
deftroyed many ffiips, there being no naval force on the coaft
of fufficient ftrength to oppofe their defigns ; the chief of
which was, to attempt fhe conqueft of the principal forts held
by the Britiffi on that coaft. To this enterprize they were in
cited, by the defencelefs ftate they were known fobein.
The firft attempt was againft the fort at Cape Coaft ; M, de
Kerfaint wifely judging, that, If he fucceeded- here, the other
fubordinate forts would fall of courfe, Mr Bell, the Governor
of this fort, took every precaution to maintain fo important a
poft, that the ffiort notice he had of the enemy's approach would
admit of. When he firft received the intelligence, his whole
garrifon did not exceed thirty white men, and a few Mulatto
foldiers ; his powder magazine contained only half a barrel of
gun-powder ; and the fortifications were deemed hy the beft
judges to be in fuch a crazy ftate, as fo be unable to withftand
half an hour's well direCted cannonade from a ffiip of war.
Yet, not difcouraged, with his difmal fituation, he immediately
procured a fupply of gun-powder, and a reinforcement of fifty
men from fome of the trading veffels then on the coaft. He
mounted fome fpare cannon upon an occafional battery ; and
affembled a large, body of well armed Negroes, under one of
their chiefs, on whofe fidelity he could depend, Thefe he pof
ted at a place the moft likely for fhe enemy fo attempt a de-
fcent. Mr Bell had fcarcely done all this, when the French
fquadron

6o NAVALAND »757-

fquadron made its appearance, and foon after began an attack:
but they met with fo warm a reception, that in lefs than two
hours they were fain to cut their cables and make off, having
damaged the caftle very little. This repulfe was mafter of
great difkppointment to the principal officers of the Dutch fort
and faftory at Elmina, in the neighbourhood of Cape-Coaft |
Caftle, who had publicly avowed thelrtpartlallty for the French
Commodore's fuccefs, and viewed the aCtion at a diftance, in
hopes of their wiffies being accompliffied. M. de Kerfaint,
thus difappointed, fteered for the Weft Indies. He was much
blamed for mifconduCt in this attack, as well as for want of re
folution : but he placed the mifcarriage of the defign to his
having been misinformed as to the defencelefs condition of the
place ; and was befides apprehenfive left his fquadron had been
difmafted, in which event they would have been rendered unfit
for fulfilling the farther objeCls of his InftruCtions.
Much praife is due fo Mr Bell for his fplrited exertions on
this occafion : for had the French fucceded in this attack on
Cape-Coaft Caftle, in all probability not only all fhe Britifli
fettlements on the African coaft had fallen into their hands,
but all the natives in our intereft would have revolted fo them,
as feveral leading men among them ffiewed themfelves very
wavering upon M. de Kerfaint's arrival, and fhe profpeCl of
fuccefs which his ftrength feemed to promife.
MEDITERRANEAN STATION.
Vice-Admiral Hawke returning to England towards the
clofe of laft year, fhe command of his Majefty's ffiips in the
Mediterranean, devolved on Rear-Admiral Saunders; (See
Note 112.) who having received intelligence, that four fail of
the line and a frigate had failed from Toulon, and ffiaped their
courfe towards the mouth of the ftraits of Gibraltar • he failed
.from the latter place, on the 2d of April, with the'cuUoden,
Berwick, Princefs Louifa, Guernfey and Portland, to endeavour
to intercept them. On

1757- MILITARY MEMOIRS.

On the 5th, about four o'clock in the afternoon, he got fight
of the enemy : being to leeward, he formed the line. At fun-
fef the enemy did the fame, being then about two miles to the
windward of the Britiffi fquadron, and immediately began to
fire ; but none of their ffiot reached any of our ffiips, who con
tinued fo chafe and gain upon the enemy. The Guernfey,
and Princefs Louifa, got within ffiot, and began fo engage ;
but before the other ffiips could get up fo fupport them, it was
night, and fhe two fquadrons loft fight of each other. The
moon rifing about nine o'clock, fome of fhe ffiips made the fig
nal for feeing the enemy, on which Admiral Saunders made the
fignal for a general chace ; but as moft of his ffiips wete foul
and heavy fallers, they could not overtake the enemy, whofe
fliipS, being quite clean, failed much better, and got clear off.
This fquadron confifted of four fail of the line and a frigate.
It was commanded by M. du Reveft, Chef d'Efcadre, and was
bound for Louiffiurg.
Admiral Saunders ftatloned his fquadron fo judicioufly, that
our own trade was extremely well proteCled, whilft that of
the enemy met with very great annoyance from our cruizers.
The Fortune floop. Captain Hotham, took a large French
fhip from Marfeilles, bound fo Martinico, after a clofe en
gagement of an hour and a half. She carried twenty-fix guns,
had a crew of one hundred and fifty men, and was efteemed
double the force of Captain Hotham's ffiip, who, at fhe fame
time, took a brig that was In company with the former. In
the aClIon, the enemy had fen men killed, and many wounded.
Captain Hotham dlfplayed fo much courage and conduCl on
this occafion, that he was direCtly made a poft Captain.
The Experiment, Captain Strachan, being on a cruize on
the coaft of Spain, was attacked by the Telemaque, a priva
teer belonging fo Marfeilles, of twenty-fix guns, and three
hundred and thirty men ; who, after a few broadfides, board
ed the Experiment. Of the men who made this at/empt, not
one returned, but were all of them cut to pieces. Soon after
the enemy boarded the Experiment a fecond time; but were
again repulfed with great lofs. The two ffiips had now got
very

62 NAVALAND ^757-
very clofe to each other, where they maintained an obftinate
fight with great guns. The enemy's fire beginning fo flacken,-
Capfain Strachan feizing the opportunity, refolutely boarded
the privateer, and foon compelled the enemy fo furrender.
They had upwards of one hundred men killed, and feventy'
wounded in the aClion, On board the Experiment, only four
men were killed, and twenty wounded. Captain Strachan,
anxious fo get rid of his prifoners, ftood in for the Spanifh
fliore, and fent his boat, with his mafter, four failors, and
fome of his prifoners to Alicant, with orders to the mafter to
buy fome neceffaries, and return to the ffiip immediately. But
the Governor of fhe place ordered fhe boat to be feized, and
the crew to be fent fo prifon, on pretence that Captain Stra-
chan had violated the neutrality of the coail of Spain ; although
the contrary was well known : the privateer being at anchor
when ffie firft got fight of the Experinient, weighed or flipped
her cable, purfued, and fired the firft ffiot. Captain Stra
chan, finding his boat did not return, ftood with his prize for
Gibraltar, from whence he wrote to Sir Benjamin Keene, the
Britiffi 5^inlfter at fhe Court of Madrid, complaining of the
behaviour of the Governor of Alicant.
The Ambufcade took fix French veffels from the Levant,
one of which fold for 1 2,oool, Being on another cruize, flie
fell in, off the ifland of Sardinia, with fhe Vainqueur, a
privateer belonging to Marfeilles, of twenty. four guns, twelve
and nine pounders, and three hundred and fixty men ; when,
after an aClion which continued near an hour, ffie ftruck.
The enemy had fifty men killed, and a great many wounded.
The Ambufcade had three men killed. The Vainqueur had »
confort, a xebeque, who likewife engaged fhe Ambufcade;
but when the Vainqueur ftruck, ffie made off and efcaped.
The Hampton Court chafed a French frigate, called La
Nymphe, affiore on the ifland of Majorca, where the crew
landing, fired on fhe Hampton Court ; upon which Captain
Hervey ordered a broadfide to be fired into the frigate, and
funk her. The

1757- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 63
The cruizers of the fquadron, in general, took many rich
prizes, particularly from the Levant.
Tbwards the end of May, Vice-Admiral Offiorn arrived
with confiderable reinforcements, and took on him the com
mand of the fquadron. He brought the trade from England-
with him, which was fent fo its various deftinations with pro
per convoys.
From the ftrength, of the Britiffi fquadron, the Barbary
States paid the greateft refpeCl to their flag.; and the Italian
States obferved a ftriCler neutrality than they had hitherto
done. The Britiffi privateers and letters of marque made many va
luable prizes in the Mediterranean this year.
We ffiall conclude our narrative of the tranfaCtions on this
ftation, with fhe following wonderful adventure of Peter Mur
ray, who, for thelbravery and conduft which he exhibited on
this occafion, deferves particular notice. The St George,
Ives, from Smyrna for London, richly laden, was taken on
the 4th of June, near Oran, by Le Bien Aime, privateer of
Marfeilles, mounting twenty-four guns. All fhe crew were
taken out, and put into fhe privateer, except Peter Murray
the mate, the boatfwain, and two failors, who, with feven
teen Frenchmen, were left on board of the St George, and
ordered to carry fhe prize to Marfeilles. On the night of the
nth of June, being then about fifteen miles fron;i the coaft of
Catalonia, Murray obferving the Commander of the veffel faft
afleep in the cabin, found means to enter it, and provide him
felf with a piftol and three cutlaffes. Advancing on the quar
ter-deck, he attacked eight French failors who were on the
watch, and drove them to the forecaftle ; one of whom mak
ing fome refiftance, was wounded. The noife occafioned by
this fcuffle, awaked the Comma-ndant, who, getting fhe length
of the cabin door, and perceiving Murray on the quarter-deck,
with a piftol which he had in his hand, took aim at him;.
which, luckily miffing fire, Murray direClly difcharged one
of his piftols, and lodged two balls in his Ihoulder, which
obliged him to retire into the cabin. The other four Britiffi
failors,

64 NAVALAND ^757'

failors, hearing the report, and coming upon deck, inftantly
flew fo the affiftanee pf Murray, and forced the eight French
failors down the fore-hatch-way to their comrades, threatening
to kill fhe firft who ffiould come upon deck without leave;
Murray then went to the cabin, brought away all the arms,
and laid them near him on the quarter-deck. He now affum-
ingthe command of the veffel, ordered four of the French
failors from below, to help to navigate her : thefe he ftafioned
between the forecaftle and the main-maft, threatening them
with death. If fhey came nearer fhe quarter-deck, or refufed to
execute his commands for, navigating the ffiip. With thefe
precautions, Murray and his companions brought fhe veflel to
an anchor in the harbour of Barcelona, the morning of the
12th; liberated his prifoners ; and made a declaration of the
trarifaClion before the Britiffi Conful at that place.
TRANSACTIONS AT OR NEAR HOME.
The avowed intentions of the enemy fo invade Great Bri
tain or Ireland, and the great preparations at all their fea-ports,
induced the Miniftry to have a ftrong fquadron cruizing to the
weftward to obferve their motions ; notwlthftanding which,
M. de Bois de la Mothe found a lucky minute, when fhe fqua
dron under Admiral Weft was by bad weather drove from
their ftation, to fteal out, and, unmolefted, reach Louiffiurg.
Rear-Admiral Broderick relieved Admiral Weft. He conti
nued cruizing till the month of June, when he was joined by
Vice-Admiral Bofcawen, who returned fo port in July. Lit-
le elfe can be faid of thefe cruizing fquadrons, than to men
tion the rime of their failing from, and return to England;
they not having had the good fortune to perform any thing
worthy of notice. Indeed, the enemy having no fleets in the
European feas to oppofe the Britiffi ; they, of courfe, had nO
opportunity of fignafizlng themfelves. The prizes they made,
will be found mentioned among the captures at the end of the
tranfaClions of this year. At

1757- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 6^
At the time when the tumult of faClion became filencedi
and an Adminiftration fettled, the affairs of Great Britain did
not wear a very favourable afpeCl. Our only ally, the King
of Pruffia, had by his prefumption received a very great de
feat af Colin, from M. Daun ; and the army of obfervation
under the Duke of Cumberland, was very hard preffed by an
army of French, commanded by M. d'Etrees, of much fupe
rior numbers. The Miniftry were therefore anxious to do
fomething which could be of fervice, both to his Royal High--
nefs and his Pruffian Majefty,
At this time, a fcheme was offered fo Mr Pitt, for a defcent
on the French cOaft, and attacking the town and port of Roche
fort by a coup-de-main. Captain Clarke, an officer of abili
ties, being on his return from Gibraltar, (where his regiment
then was) to England in 1754, got leave fo come by the way
of Spain and France ; and while af Rochefort, he was very
particular in taking a view of fhe ftrength of that place. As
a war was apprehended between Great Britain and France, he
thought an attack on this port extremely likely fo fucceed, it
being very poorly fortified ; having only a rampart, with a re-
vetement flanked with redans, no outworks, no covered-way,
and, in many places, no ditch, fo that the bottom of the Walls
was feen at a diftance.
As this place (See Note 1 13.) was one pf the enemy's prirt*
cipal naval magazines, a fuccefsful blow againft it could not
fail of being fenfibly felt by them. Mr Pitt approved much of
the plan, which he viewed as very advantageous for Great
Britam ; an objeCl which, in all his meafures, he never loft
fight of. If this expedition fucceeded, if would be a fevere
ftroke on the enemy's marine, as all the ffiipping at this tim?
at Rochefort, the dock-yard, the arfenal, artd the foundery,
would be involved in one general ruin. It would, befides, be
reftoring the kingdom to that credit and refpeClabilIfy its arms
once had among the European powers, by retaliating an inva
fion in reality on France, who had for fo many months threat
ened his Majefty's dominions with a fimilar vifit ; and, as the
enemy had drained their country of troops to augment fhe ar-
VOL. H. E mies

66 ' NAVAL AND ^757-
mies which they had fent Into Germany, their coafts were
fuppofed to be in a very defencelefs fituation, there not being
more than ten thoufand men from St Valery to Bayonne*.
The: fcheme was laidhefore the Cabinet, adopted, and ordered
fo be put in immediate execution. In confequence of which,
a large; fquadron of ffiips of war were ordered to be got ready' '
with the utmoft difpatch ; and tert regiments of infantry af
fembled and encamped in the Ifle of Wight, with orders fo be
ready to embark at a moment's warning. Thefe were to be
joined by a troop of light horfe, and a company of artillery^
eacamped near Portfmouth, as foon as franfporfs could cOme
round from the Thames to receive them. Lieutenant-Gene
ral Sir John Mordaunt was appointed to command the troops,
having under him Major-Generals Conway and CornwaUis.
Sir Edward Hawke was appointed to command the fleet deftin
ed on this ferviccj having under him Vice-Admiral Knowles,
and Rear-Admiral Broderick, The great preparations naade
for this enterprize, raifed the expeClatlons of the people to the
higheft pitch, and rivetted the eyes of all'Europe.
The deftination of this armament was kept a profound fe
cret, which occafioned a general confternatlon throughout
France ; the people being in daily expeftation of the blow,
but uncertain where the ftroke would fall. Every one was full
of conjecture ; and the moft fenfible concluded, that its chief
intent was fo oblige the King of France to withdraw a great
part of his army from Germany, to defend the fea-coafts of his
own dominions ; and, by this means, not only aid the King of
• According to the btelligence which Adminiftration had, the French array
was difpofcd of in the following manner : '
In Germany, .
In America and their Iflands, . 
'   85,000
In the Eaft Indies, - -  '4,000
On thefea-coafl of France, from St Valery to Bayonne. an extent
of four hundred miles,  , '  10,000
In garrifons and mterior parts of Franca neit the Empire and
ftom Calais down to Provence, 
'  29,000
Total,. tS'!,QOt>

I7S7- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 67
of Pruflia, but contribute greatly towards the protecting his
Majefty's eleCloral territories ; and that Its grand and immedi
ate objeCl, was the deftruClion of the French, marine. As
this enterprize was faid to be planned by Mr Pitt, the nation,
repofing the greateft confidence in his abilities and public fpi-.
rit, formed the moft fanguine hopes from it : and the event
ffiewed that their opinion was well founded.
After every thing was properly concerted, and the officers
all at their pofts, the wind blowing from the weftward, pre
vented the franfporfs getting round from the Downs. This
was matter of great uneafinefs to Mr Pitt, who preffed the
commanders fo expedite their operations. The troops difplay-
ed an anxiety af fhe delay, and longed fo be led againft the ene
my. His Majefty's inftruClions fo fhe Commander in Chief
were, " To attempt, as far as ffiould be found practicable, a
?'defcent on the coaft of France, at or near Rochefort, in or-
" der to attack, and, by vigorous impreffion, force that place;
" and to burn and deftroy, fo the utmoft of his power, all
" fuch docks, magazines, arfenals, and ffiipping, as ffiall be
" found there." His Majefty enjoined fhe two Commanders
to the ftriCleft harmony, and a good underftanding together ;
and the fame to be maintained between the two fervlces.
On board the Magnanime was one Thierl, a Frenchman,
who faid that he had been a pilot more than twenty years on
the French coaft ; and who confirmed all that Captain Clarke
had faid of Rochefort. The wind at laft coming eafterly, the
tranfports reached Spithead. Not a moment was loft. On
the 5th and 6th of September, the troops embarked at Cowes ;
at which time, fhe artillery and light horfe embarked from
South-Sea beach. Too few franfporfs having been provided,
in order to remedy this defeCl, the Admiral ordered the lower
tier of guns fo be taken out of the Jafon of fifty guns, and.
put five companies of fhe third regiment on board that ffiip.
On the Sth of September, the fleet failed, (See Note 113.)
leaving the nation, big with hopes, to guefs af their deftina
tion. It was fhe 14th before thofe in the fleet could form any
idea of it ; but, on that day, the change of courfe gave fome
E 2 reafon

<58 NAVALAND ^7S7-
reafon to believe, that Rochefort was the objeCt. The fealed
orders given by fhe Admiral to each, were direCted not to be
opened,- but in cafe of feparation, or when to the weftward of
the iflands of Scilly. Having got this length, the Admiral fud-
denly altered his courfe, and ftood in fo the Bay of Bifcay.j
,On the 15th,- Sir John Mordaunt gave out exceeding proper
orders to the troops for landing, and how to conduCt them
felves when landed. On the 17th, Captain James of the Roy-
al regiment of artillery, was ordered fo fupply each tranfport
Vvith a light brafs fix-pounder, to be fixed on the bow of their
long-boat* ; with two boxes of ammunition, one of grape,
and the other of round ffiot. On the 1 9th, about eight in the
evening, the Admiral made the fignal to lie to, that all the
franfporfs might eome up. At four o'clock next morning, he
made the fignal to make fail ; and foon after the Medway was
ordered ahead to make the land. The fame day, the Admiral
iffued the following order :
" By Sir Edward Hawke, Knight of the Bath, Admiral of
" the Blue fquadron of his Majefty's fleet, &c.
" If, in ftanding In between the ifles of Rhe and Oleron, I
" ffiall find the wind and weather will permit of proceeding to
" Bafque-road, and attacking the ifle of Aix, I will hoift a
" red flag on the flag-ftaff, at fhe fbre-top-gallant-maft head,
" and fire three guns. Then you are "hereby required and di-
" reCted, without lofs of time, to ftand In as near to the faid
" ifle of Aix as fhe pilots will carry you, with all, or as many
« of the ffiips of your divifion, as you ffiall think fuflicleiit ,
« for that fervice, and batter it, till fuch time as fhe garrifon i
" ffiall either furrender, or abandon it. In either Cafe, you :
" are to land a number of men fufficient to demoliffi It with '
« all poffible difpatch, fending me the earileft intelligence of
«' your proceedings. For which, this ffiall be your order. « Given
•This was ordered, with a view that the hoats. thus armed, might in fome !
Iheafure cover the landing of the troops ; and, by their fire f 1, 1 u,s
any forces the enemy might bring down to oppofe the defcent.

1757- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 69

" Given under my hand on board his Majefty's ffiip Ramil-
" lies, at fea, this 20fh day of September, 1757.
" Ed. Hawke.
" By command^ of the Admiral, « J. Hat.
(^* To Charles Knowles, Efq; Vice -Admiral of
"the Red fquadron of Ms Majeflfs fleet."
Sir Edward Hawke, about noon, made the fignal for the
Vice-Admiral fo proceed with his divifion, which was immedi
ately complied with. At two o'clock, fhe Medway made the
fignal for feeing the land ; and, foon after, fhe Vice-Admiral
(now confiderably ahead of the fleet), faw it likewife. About
four o'clock. Captain Keppel hailed Admiral Knowles, and told
him he faw a French man of war ftanding In for the fleet. She
was foon difcovered f o be a two-decked ffiip, and had out a
private fignal, viz. a Dutch jack at her mizen top-maft head.
The Vice-Admiral hefitated whether he fliould fend any of his
divifion fin chace of her, confidering his orders, and the nature
of the feryice he was fent on ; but he thought, if he did not,
the fail in fight might efcape from any ffiips the Admiral (now
confiderably aftern) might order after her-; and, in cafe Sir Ed
ward Hawke did not' approve of what he had done, he eould
recal fhe ffiips he had fent. He accordingly made the Magna-
nime's fignal to chafe, and hailed Captain Keppel to do fhe
like. As foon as Sir Edward Hawke obferved what the Vice-
Admiral had done, he confirmed it, by repeating the Torbay
and Magnanime's fignals to chafe, and fending after them gtJie
Royal William and Coventry. The ffiips fpread every fail fhey
could, and gained on the enemy very faft ; but ffie was too near
a port fo be brought fo aClion. She efcaped with difficulty in
to the river Garonne, where ffie run into fuch ffioal wafer, that
our ffiips durft not follow her.
This little affair gave an alarm to the whole coaft, which was
vifible by the multitude of fires which appeared on the hills and
rifing grounds as fpon as it grew dark. Early on the 21ft, Sir
E 3 Edward

yo

NAVAL AND ^757-

Edward Hawke fent the Dublin, Burford, and Achilles, to rein.
force the Vice-Admiral,' and fupply the place of the ffiips of his
divifion which he had fent in chafe, with orders to proceed as di-
reded yefterday. Admiral Knowles immediately niade fail to
wards the land ; and being got within two miles of it, about
nine o'clock, the weather became thick and hazy. The pilot
defired that the ffiip might be tacked, and laid with her head off
the land, till it cleared, fo as he could fee his marks. On foun
ding, there was found only eleven fathoms water. Whilft the
Vice-Admiral was lying-to, he made the fignal for the Captains
of his divifion, and ordered them to fend for their pilots ; no
two of whom agreed what land It was. He fent their opinions
fo Sir Edward Havpke, who was now advanced fonie miles near,
er fo him. As Sir Edward did not ftop to take up the boat,
Admiral Knowles made a fignal that he wanted to fpeak with
him ; and, making all flie fail he could, joined the fleet about
noon. He then went on board fhe Admiral, and informed
him, that thofe ffiips which had been fent in chafe tl^e preced^ig
evening, having rejoined the fleet, the pilots had refufed to take
charge of leading fhem in. Upon this, Thierl, the pilot of the
Magnanime, was fent for; who told i^ireCtly what land if was,
and offered to lead in the fleet. This offer was immediately
accepted ; and the Vice-Admiral pro.ceeded with his divifion,
the reft of the fleet following. About fix o'clock in the even-
ing, when the Vice-Admiral and his divifion were in the Peri
iuis d'Antloche, fhe tide of flood being fpent, the Magnanime
made fhe fignal to come to an anchor,, which Sir Edw5tT4,
Hawke and the whole fleet did about eight o'clock. Early in the
morning of the 22d, the Magnanime made the fignal to wei^h*
which the Vice- Admiral's divifion immediately obeyed; and
Sir Edward Hawke with the reft of the fleet followed. Ahmi
eleven, it falling calm, the fleet was obliged once more tp come
to an anchor ; but at three in the afternoon, a breeze fpringing'
up, the whole weighed, and In the evening came into BafquS-"
road. On the 21ft, Sir John Mordaunt gave out fome farther
orders relative to the behaviour of the troops, which did him
great honour ; as they were calculated to infpire a true military fpirit .

I7S7- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 71

fpirit in all under his command, and were received vvith every
token of joy and applaufe by the troops. ¦
Thus, by unforefeenand unavoidable accidents, the enemy hav
ing had no lefs than three days notice ofthe approach of this ar
mament, it cannot be fuppofed that they were; idle all that time.
Sir Edward Hawlte, however, determined hot to lofe a mo
ment, hut proceed immediately to aClion. Early in the morn
ing of fhe 23d, the Vice-Admiral and his'divifipn moved to
wards the Ifle of Aix, accompanied by the two bomb-ketcheg.
They proceeded in the following order : the Magnanime, Bar
fleur, Neptune, Torbay, and Royal William. There were twq
French ffiips of the line lying off the ifland, who, as foon as
they faw our ffiips in motion, flipped their cables, and made for
the mouth of the river Charante, Captain Howe led on with a
calm fteady bravery, that has rendered his ¦ name Immortal.
About twelve o'clock, the fort began to throw fhells, and foon
after to fire cannon. One of the former was fo well alined, as
to burft immediately over fhe Barfleur, but did no damage. At
ten minutes paft pne, fhe Magnanime having got, within forty
yards of the fort, came tp an anchor with a fpring on her cable,
and began a mpft inceffant and well direCted fire. A quarter
of an hour afterwards, the Barfleur brought up, at a greater dif^
tartce, and began fo fire likewife. This cannonading continued
for upwards of half an hour, when the fort furrendered. In it
were found eight mortars of fourteen Inches diameter, and thir
ty' pieces of cannon, mounted en barbette; fixteen of which
were eighteen, the remainder fourteen pounders ; , and on the
tower of fhe fort were two brafs twelve pounders of exquifite
¦vi^orkmanffi'Ip ; which Sir John Mordauntj in token of the great
idea he had of Captain Howe's' gallant behaviour, prefenfcd to
him, to adorn the quarter deck ofthe Magnanime. The garri
fon confifted of near fix hundred men, being part of fhe regi
ment of Poitou, and fome marines and failors fent from Roche
fort. The enemy had nine men killed, (eight pf whom they
had buried), and a great many wounded. Although the bomb-
ketches had only thrown four fhells, and that at near two miles
diftance, yet all of them had either fallen in the fort or In the
E 4 flitch.

72

NAVAL AND ^157-

ditch. A regiment was landed to take poffeffion of the fort and
batteries ; who, by their behaviour while here, did not do much
(Credit to the nation or themfelves.
This firft omen of fuccefs, trifling as if was, gave great fpirit
to both the fleet and army; and there remains Httle doubt, that,
had this blow been followed by the landing of fhe troops in the
evening of the 23d, while fhe enemy were all in confternatlon
and difmay, that we might have become mafters of Rochefort,
with very little lofs, even with every difadvanfage under which
this expedition laboured.
Sir Ed^yard Hawke, on the evening of the 23d, difpatched
Rear-Admiral Broderick, with Captains Douglas, Denis and
Buqlde, to found fhe coaft, and to endeavour, if poffible, to find
a place where the troops could difembark. They continued on
this fervice all night, and next morning, made their report ; by
which If appeared, that the coaft was extremely difficult of ap
proach ; and that ffipals run fo confiderable a way off, that nei
ther fhe frigates nor floops of war could come near enough to
cover the difembarkatioii of the troops: even the tranfports
could not come nearer the fhore than two miles diftance.
While the lea-officers were eniployed on this duty, the Gene-r
ral fent Colonel Wolfe, attended by fome other officers, on a
fimilar fervice. The Colonel landed in a fmall bay furrounded
by fand-hiils, near the town of Chatataillon ; of which he re
ported to Sir John Mordaunt, that it was poffible fo land the
troops there, but that a fmall body of determined men might
prevent them.
A Council of war was held on the 25th, early in fhe morn
ing, on board the Neptune. It confifted of the four fenlor of
ficers of each fervice ; and they, confidering the above reports,
and the many debarkations it required before fhe army could be
landed, even if the wind and fide were in their favour, and no
oppofition from the enemy, agreed, that it was improper to
proceed againft Rochefort. Orders were therefore Immedl-
ately given to demoliffi the fortifications on the Ifle of Aix ;
and miners fet to work, under the direction of Admiral
Knpwles. One

1757- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 73

One of the greateft difadvanfages this army had to encounter,
was the fmallnefs of fhe debarkations they were able to make
at one time. The moft that the boats (and thefe chiefly belong
ed to the tranfports) cpuld contain, were eighteen hundred
men ; who, when , landed, muft maintain their ground until
they could be reinforced by a fecond debarkation, which would
have required fome hours, even fuppofing both wind and fide
in their favour. Thus, the landing of all the troops would
have taken up nearly a whole day ; and before the light artil
lery, petards, fcallng-ladders, and other Implements requifite
for the fuccefs of the enterprize could' be brought on ffiore, per
haps fix or eight hours more might have elapfed before the army
could have been put in motion. The moment the debarkation
was completed, the General ffiould have marched direClly a-
gainft Fort Fouras, which, being of no great ftrength towards
the land, it would have been proper to fecure at all events, in
order tohave a fortified place to which the army could have re
treated, when they had finlffied their bufinefs at Rochefort. If
the attack againft Fort Fouras proved fuccefsful, a corps ought
to have been left in if, fufficient, not only to defend If againft
the enemy, but to have augmented its works on the land fide,
andlcept open a communication between the fort and the army.
By this plan, perhaps two days would have been fpent before
the troops came before Rochefort. Even then. If would not
have been too late to have carried fhe place by a coup-de-main,
as, being unprepared to withftand a briflc affaulf, it in all pro
bability would have furrendered on the firft fummons.
But the enemy feeing nb attempt made to land, began to re
cover from their panic, and take fteps for their defence. Re
gular troops now appeared in confiderable bodies along fhe
fhore ; breaft works were thrown up at every place where a de
fcent appeared practicable ; and large gaflles and launches were
fent from Rochefort, which would have effectually prevented
a debarkation from taking place, where the boats were unpro-
teCled by the ffiips of war.
A fecond Council of war being held on the 28th, they, not
wlthftanding that the coaft now appeared lined with troops, came

74- NA'VA'L AND i7S7-

came to the extraordinary refolution, that a defcent ought to be
made on fhe enemy's. coaft with all poffible difpatch. General
Cornwallis was the only diffenting voice ; but he afterwards ac--
quiefced widi the majority. . This refolution was a matter of
great furprize to -every one ; as, feme days prior to this, it was'
judged advifeable not to proceed againft Rochefort; and it
could not be fuppofed that the enemy were lefs prepared to re
ceive us now, than they were at that time. However, in con
fequence of this ftrange refolution, orders were given fo the
troops to be ready to land at midnight.
The grenadiers, aud troops deftined to land at firft, were in
the boats by one in the mornmg, under the proper officers ;
when a ftrong gale began to blow from the ffiore. The officers
of the navy appointed to eoflduCt the landing, now reprefentedi'
that the long-boats, which it would be neceffary to tow on ffiore,
would make their way with great difficulty ; and that confe-
quently fhe troops woiild be a long time expofed to the fire of
the enemy; that the tranfports boats, which were to be rowed '
by foldiers, would be ftill flower, and more expofed; that it
v,rould be day before the firft embarkation could poffibly get on
fliore ; and that it could not be fupported by a fecond in lefs
than fix hours. Upon which the Generals, judging it would
not be expedient to attempt to land under thefe circumftances,
agreed fo defer It for that night ; and fhe troops were ordered
on board their ffiips again. On the 29th, the General Officers
-.igreeing In opinion, that as the coaft was now alarmed, and ¦
lined with troops,,, all attempts againft Rochefort at prefent
were impraCticable ; on the 30th, fhe fortlficarionson fhe Me
of Aix were blown up, and the barracks burnt : and the Vice-
Admiral and his divifion joined the fleet In Bafque road.
On the ift of Oftober, the whole failed for England, and ar
rived at Spithead the 6th. It is Impoffjble to exprefs the mur-
raurings that refounded from all quarters, when it was known
that this mighty armament, on which the nation had formed
fuch prodigious hopes, was returned, without fo much as at
tempting to land on the French coaft ; and that all that had
been donej 'after jiuttlng the nation to near a million Sterling of
expence.

1757- MILITARY MEMOIRS.

75

expence, was the reduction of fhe ifland of Aix. Adminiftra
tion blamed the Generals ; they rejiorted on the projectors ;
and the difcontent increafed fo much, that his Majefty ordered
a Board of General Officers, confifting of Lieutenant-General
the Duke of Marlborough, and Major-Generals Lord George
Sackville and the Honourable John Waldegrave, to enquire In -
to the caufes of the failure of the expedition againft Rochefort,
They met on the Bth of November, and made their report on
the 2ift. In confequence of their report. Sir John Mordaunt
was ordered to be tried by a Court-martial, ofwhich Lord Ty-
rawley was Prefident. It began at the Horfe-Guards on the
14th of December, and ended the 20th. The charge exhibited
againft Sir John was, "That he had difobeyedhis Majefty's or
ders and inftruClions." Many witneffes were examined ; but
after mature deliberation, the Court unanimoufly acquitted him
of the charge.
In hopes of intercepting the Freneh fquadron on its return
from Louiffiurg, where It defeated our meafures, and rendered
our defigns againft that place abortive, a fleet, confifting of fif
teen fail ofthe line and feveral frigates (See Note 115.), was
ordered to fea, under Admirals Hawke and Bofcawen, two of
fieers in whom the nation repofed fhe greateft confidence.
They failed from Spithead the 22d of OClober, and in a few
days had got to their ftation, and arranged their fleet in fuch a
manner as would in all likelihood have anfwered fhe expecta
tions, pf the Admirals, and the intention of fending them out,
had not a violent gale of wind difperfed fhe fleet. Before fhe
weather permitted them to regain their former ftation, M, de
Bois de la Mothe and his fliattered fquadron had the good for
tune to reach the harbour of Breft unperceived, ebccept by the
Vanguard, Captain Swanton, a cruizing ffiip, who fell in with
them on the 23d of November. The Vanguard was chafed by
them for feveral hours ; when their headmoft ffiip, carrying fe-
venty-four guns, came up and engaged her for fome time.
The French Admiral, fuppofing that the chafe made for Slr
Edward Hawke's fleet, was apprehenfive left the noife of the
pannonade ffiould bring the Britiffi fquadron upon him ; and
well

76 . NAVALAND i7S7-
well knowing, that the fleet under his command was not in a
condition for encountering fuch an adverfary, he recalled his
chafing ffiips, and made for Breft with all the fail he could fet;
where he landed fuch numbers of fick, that the hofpitals could
not contain them, which obliged many of them to be fent to
churches and convents.
The two Admirals, finding that their prey had efcaped
them, returned fo Spithead fhe r5th of December, leaving fome
ffiips fo cruize to the weftward, and to obferve the enemy's
motions.
CAPTURES, &c. BY CRUIZING SHIPS.
In this line, none made a more confpicuous figure than Cap
tain John Lockhart, of his Majefty's ffiip the Tartar, of twen
ty-eight guns and two hundred men. And that fhe reader may
form a more diftlnd idea of his confummate bravery, good con
duCl and fuccefs, we have placed the captures he made this
year in immediate fucceffion to each other.
Being on a cruize. In the month of January, he took the
Prince de Soubize, from Martinico, laden with fugar and
coffee. Soon after, he took the Mont-Ozier privateer of Rochelle, of
twenty guns, nine pounders, and one hundred and eighty men.
Captain Lockhart having compelled her to ftrike, was giving
orders to take poffeffion of her, when he perceived her bearing
down on him. All hands were ordered to quarters : prefently
after, the privateer boarded him : but the enemy had reafon fo
repent of their attempt, it having coft them fhlrfy-fix men kil
led, and as many wounded. The aftion was renewed ; but the
enemy, after loGng fifty-eight men, were forced to fubmit.
Captain Lockhart being indifpofed,, the Tartar, in fhe month
of February, proceeded on a cruize, commanded by her firft
Lieutenant Mr Thomas Baillie, who fell in with, and took, af-
ter an obftinate engagement of fome hours, the ViCtoIre priva
teer of Havre de Grace, of twenty-fix guns, and two hundred and

1757- MILITARY MEMOIRS.* 77

and thirty men. This veffel was purchafed by Government,
added to the Royal Navy, and called the Tartar's Prize. The
command of her was conferred on Mr Baillie, as a reward for
his-valour. Captain Lockhart being on a cruize in fhe month of March,
fell in with the St Maria privateer of Havre de Grace, mount
ing twenty-four guns, and having on board two hundred and fe-
venfy-five men ; which he took after a long fight.
As foon as his damages were repaired, he proceeded on ano
ther cruize ; when, after an engagement of an hour and a quar
ter, he took the Due D'AIguIllon privateer of St Malo, of fix
hundred tons, twenty-fix guns, and two hundred and fixty-five
men. The enemy had fifty men killed and wounded : the Tar
tar had only four men killed, and one wounded.
While on a cruize, in the month of May, he took fhe Pene
lope privateer of Moriaix, of eighteen guns, and one hundred
and ninety men. Before fhey, would furrender, they had four
teen men killed.
In fhe month of OCtober, he took fhe Comteffe de Gramont
privateer cf Bayonne, of eighteen guns, and one hundred and
fifty-five men. She was bought by Government, converted in
to a floop of war, and called the Gramont.
In the month of November, Captain Lockhart performed an
aCtlon of fuch merit, that had not his reputation been already
eftabliffied, this alone would have been fufficient to have done
fo. Being on a cruize, in company with fome other ffiips, he
gave chafe fo a large fail, which he came up with after a pur-
.fuit of thirty hours. She provedfo be the Melampe privateer
of Bayonne, of feven hundred tons, thirty-fix guns, and three
hundred and twenty men. Such a vifible fuperiority did not In
the leaft intimidate him. He began a very clofe engagement,
which lafted with great fury for three hours, when ffie ftruck ;
af which time, fhe ffiips who had been in company when the-
chafe began, were only to be difcerned from the maft heads.
In this aClIon, the Tartar had only one man killed, and three
blown up in the fore-top; her rigging and fails much damaged,
with many ffiot in the hull. The Melampe had twelve men
killed.

78 ' NAVALAND »757-
t 
killed, and twenty-fix wounded. She was one hundred and
fixteen feet long upon her keel ; her extreme breadth thirty-
three feet; and being a very fine ffiip* and only two months old,
ffie was purchafed by Government, and added by the fame name
to the Royal Navy.
SuPh repeated afts of bravery, made the enemy dread meet
ing with Captain Lockhart, more than with a ffiip pf double
the Tartar's force. The merchants of the city of London
were fo fenfible of fhe many fervlces he had rendered them,
that they prefented him with, a beautiful piece of plate, of
two hundred guineas value. On the cup is curioufly chafed
and emboffed,. with the feven French privateers, his own ffiip,
and his arms. The falver is twenty-fix inches in diameter,
with the following infcription : " The gift of the two public
" Companies, the Underwriters and Merchants of the City of
"London, to Captain, John Lockhart, Commander of the
« Tartar, for his fignal fervice in fupporting fhe trade, by di-
" ftreffingthe French privateers in the year 1757."
The Merchants of fhe city of Briftol, following fo laudable
an example, prefented him with a piece of gold plate, of one
hundred guineas value. And the Corporation of Plymouth,
with the freedom of that town in a filver box. '
The Unicorn, of twenty-eight guns, commanded by Cap
tain Rawlings, took the Invincible privateer, of St Malo, of
twenty-four guns, and two hundred and eighty-fix men, after
an aCtion bf an hour and a half. Captain Rawlings was mor
tally wounded In fhe beginning of the aCtlon ; but Lieutenant
Clements continued It with great fpirit, and obliged the enemy
to ftrike, who had between thirty and forty men killed. The
Unicorn, befides Captain Rawlings, had the boatfwain, ar
mourer, and a marine killed, and five men wounded. By
fome prifoners found on board the prize it was difcovered,
that a privateer had cruized in confort with the Invincible.
As foon, therefore, as Lieutenant Clements faw his prize Into
KInfale, he went in purfuit, and had the good fortune to take
her. She proved to be the Comteffe de Noailles, privateer of
Bourdeaux, of eighteen guns, and a hundred and forty-three men.

i7S> MILITARY MEMOIRS. * 79

men. For fuch important fervices, Mr Clements was imniedi-
ly made a Poft-Captain. . ,
The Eagle, Captain Pallifer, and the Medway, Captain Pro-
by, took fhe Due d'Aquitaine, commanded by M. d'Efquilen,
a French Eaft India fhip, armed for war, of fifteen hundred
tons, having fifty guns, eighteen pounders, mounted on two
.decks, and four hundred and fixty- three men, after an aCtion
of an hour, in which the enemy had fifty men killed, and a
great many wounded ; all. her mafts ffiot away, and otherwife
much damaiged. The Eagle had fen men killed, and thirty-
two woundied ; the Medway ten wounded. The Due d'Aqui
taine was pierced for fixty-four guns, although ffie had only
fifty mounted, and was purchafed by Government, and add
ed to the Royal Navy.
The Lancafter, Captain Edgecnmbe, and the Dunkirk, Cap-
fain Howe, took the Comte de GramOnt privateer, of Ba
yonne, of thirty-fix guns, and three hundred and feventy men ;
Le Nouveau Saxon, a privateer of Bourdeaux, pf fixteen guns,
and one hundred and fifty men ; a fchooner with wine and
trandy for Quebec ; and retook his Majefty's floop of war the
Merfin, ,
The Dunkirk, Captain Howe, took, after a long chafe, the
Prince de Soubize, a privateer of fourteen guns, ten fwivels,
and one hundred men. When fhe Dunkirk came up with her
her Captain had the temerity to fire a broadfide into the Dun
kirk, and then ftruck his colours. Captain Howe caufed ftriCl
-inquiry to be made. If any body on board was hurt. It was
liicky for the enemy, there was not ; for, if a fingle perfon on
board had received the fmalleft injury, he was refolved fo have
jioured a broadfide into them for their infolence.
The Huffar, of twenty-eight -guns. Captain Elliot, and the
Dolphin, of twenty-four guns. Captain Marlow, on the 23d
of November, chafed a large French ffiip, which fhe Huffar
got alongfide of about eight in the evening ; and fhe Dolphin.
coming up foon after, they both continued engaging the enemy
(whom fhey difmafted) fill near ten in the evening, when flie
funk with her colours flying. The rigging of the Huffar was fo

8o NAVALAND ^757-

fo much damaged, ffie could not get out a boat in time to fave
any of fhe people : the Dolphin fent a boat, but could find
none. She was thought to be a two-decked ffiip, with one
tier of guns mounted*
The Unicorn, commanded by Captain Matthew Moore,
gave chafe to a French frigate, which he came up with, and
engaged for five hours, when, after difmafting her, ffie ftruck.
She proved to be the Hermione, of twenty-eight guns, (but
pierced for thirty-two.) Both ffiips fuffered much in the ac
tion, and had many men killed and wounded. The prize was
one of M. de la Mothe's fquadron from Louiffiurg : ffie was pur
chafed by Government, and added fo the Royal Navy, by fhe
name of the Unicorn's Prize.
The Chichefter, Captain Willet, took, after giving her two
broadfides, the Bienacquis, a French frigate, of thirty-eight
guns, and three hundred men, commandedhy M. Macartney:
The prize had three men killed, and eight wounded. She was
purchafed by Government, and called the Aurora. She was
another of M. de la Mothe's fquadron.
The Otter floop, Captain Thomas Harrifon, (fon fo the
braVe Admiral of that name,) in one cruize, retook fhe Tyger
privateer of BIddeford ; took the privateer that took the Tyger;
took a war floop of twelve guns, and one hundred and thirty
men, laden with provlfions, arms, and bale goods, on the
French king's account, for the MiffifippI ; the Jeune Mars,
from Nantz for Marrinico ; and a ffiip for St Domingo, of four
hundred tons. Captain Harrifon was foon after made a Poft-
Captain. The Lyme, Captain Vernon, took fhe Enfreprenant prlva-
teer of Havre de Grace, of fixteen guns, and one hundred and
thirty men.
The Southampton, of thirty-fix guns, commanded by Cap
tain Gilchrift, being one of the expedition fleet, was fent by
Sir Edward Hawke, to look into the harbour of Breft. On
the 2 ift of September, he perceived a fail in chafe of him, on
which
• Suppofcd to be the Alcyon of fifty guns.

I7S7-. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 8i

which he tacked, and ftood after the chafer, who immediately
hauled up her courfes, and broughf-to. Soon after, it proved
light breezes and calms ; fo that Captain Gilchrift could not
get clofe to her, till near tw'o in fhe afternoon ; at which time,
having got within^ mufket-ffiot, the enemy began to fire ; but
the Southampton kept ftanding on, till ffie was within twenty
yards of the enemy, when a very warm engagement began.
The ffiips foon after fell on board of each other. The enemy
endeavoured to board the Southampton, which was vigoroufly
difputed for a quarter of an hour ; when, having loft their
firft and fecond Captains, moft of their officers, and fixty
men killed and wounded, fhey ftruck. She proved to be the
Emeraude, a French frigate of twenty-eight guns, and two
hundred and forty-five men. Captain Gilchrift had his fe
cond Lieutenant and nineteen men killed ; and every officer
(except himfelf) and twenty-eight men wounded. The prize
was bought by Government, added to the Royal Navy, and
named the Emerald. As Captain Gilchrift was conducting his
prize to England, he took the St Lewis privateer of Dunkirk, of
ten guns, and fixty-three men.
The Sheernefs, Captain Thomas Graves, took the Portma-
hon privateer of St Malo, of fourteen guns, and eighty-four
men. The Dolphin, Captain Marlow, took the Marquis du Bar-
rail privateer of Dunkirk, of twelve guns, and one hundred
and fifty men, after an engagement of three quarters of an
hour. The enemy had one killed, and two wounded ; the
Dolphin only one wounded. On board fhe privateer, were
ranfomers for 757I. She was purchafed by Government, and
called the Dolphin's Prize.
The Flamborough, . Captain Jekyl, took the General Lally
privateer, of fourteen guns, four fwivels, and a hundred and
thirty men. She was bought by Government, and called the
Flamborough's Prize.
The Ifis, Captain Wheeler, in one cruize, took three pri
vateers, viz. the Precieux of St Malo, of' twenty-fix guns,
and two hundred and forty men ;' Le Comte d'Herville, of
VOL. II. F ^oui^^eaux.

B2 NAVALAND 1757-
Bourdeaux, of fixteen guns, and one hundred and fixty men ;
and le Prince dp Turenne, of ten guns, and eighty-four men.
And on another cruize, he fookri^the Efcarbouclc, a French
floop of war, of fixteen guns, and'one hundred and ten men.
The Antelope, Captain Saumarez, took the Moras priva
teer of Bayonne, of twenty-two guns, twelve fwivels, and two
hundred and forty-five men. The Antelope not being able
fo open her lower ports, the privateer fought her for an hour
and a half ; by which the Moras had thirty-two men killed,
and tvi^nty wounded, and her mizen-maft ffiot away.
.The Someriet, Devonffiire, and Rochefter, took the Vic-
toJre privateer, of Bayonne, of twenty-fix nine pounders, and
three hundred and twenty men.
The Badger floop of war, of twelve guns, commanded by
Captain Tliomas Taylor, took a privateer, belonging to Ha
vre de Grace, of eight guns, and feventy-two men, which he
fent Into the Downs, and foon after fell In with the Efcorte
privateer of St Maloes, of eighteen eight-pounders, and one
hundred and fifty-feven men, which notwithftanding the-dif-
parity of force. Captain Taylor inftantly engaged, and, after
a clofe aClion of an hour and a half, the enemy were obliged
to ftrike. There -were no marines on board the Badger. Cap
tain Taylor gave the command of the men, ftatloned at the
fmali armsi fo Mr Andrew Rutherfurd his purfer, who behav
ed with the greateft bravery, and had a ffiot through one of
fhe corners of his hat. The Lords of the Admiralty were fo
exceedingly well pleafed with Captain Taylor's conduCl, that
he was promoted to the rank of Poft-Captain, and Mr Ruther
ford was. appointed purfer of the Coventry frigate. The Ef
corte was purchafed by Government, and made a floop of war
by the fame name.
The_ Happy floop of war, of eight three-pounders, eight ,
fwivels,' and eighty-men, commanded by Captain Burnet, on
his return from fhe ifland of Jerfey, was attacked by the In
fernal privateer of Havre de Grace, of fix fix-pounders, eight
four-pounders, fix fwivels, and feventy-three men. Captain
Burnet feeing the enemy's fuperiority of fize and weight of
metal,

1757- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 8j
metal', moft gallantly boarded them ; and having luckily about
twenty of Bocland's regiment on board, they were of great
ufe to him ; foon cleared the deck of the privateer, and
forced her crew to ftrike. For this piece of bravery. Cap
tain Burnet was foon after promoted to the rank of Poft-Cap
tain. The Loweftoffe, Captain Haldane, took fhe Sauterelle pri
vateer of Breft, of fourteen guns, and one hundred and thir
ty-five men ; the Cigal privateer of Breft, of fixteen guns, and
fifty men ; and a ffiip of four hundred fons from St Domingo.
The Harwich,- Captain Rowley, and fhe Loweftoffe, took
the Ruby privateer of St Malo, of twenty-two guns, and one
hundred and twenty men. The former likewife took the Bo-
rina, of fourteen guns, and fixty men, from Rochelle for Ca
nada. The Trident, Loweftoffe, and the Hind, took the Ardencout,
privateer of fpurteen guns, fix fwivels, and eighty.-fix rrien ;
the Difficile, privateer of eight guns, and forty-eight men ;
and the Prince, with naval ftores for America.
The Grampus floop, of fourteen guns. Captain Allen, took
the Due d'Aumont, privateer of Dunkirk, of fixteen guns,
fix fwivels, and one hundred men ; after an engagement of
an hour and a half, in which fhe enemy had four men killed,
and ten wounded. The Grampus had only four men wound
ed. The Weafef floop. Captain Gafcolgne, took a privateer of
fixteen guns.
The Squirrel, Captain Hyde Parker, took L'Arnerique, of
fix hundred tons, from St Domipgo, with a cargo valued at
30,oool. '
The Effex, Captain John Campbell, took the Comte.de St
Florentine privateer, of St Malo, of eighteen guns, and one
hundred and fen men.
The Litchfield, Captain Barton, and fhe Centaur, Captain
Brown, took fhe Invincible, privateer of fixteen guns, and
one hundred men.
The Dealcaftle, Captain Edward Hughes, and, the Pere-
F 2 grini?

84 NAVALAND ^757'

grinc floop, Captain Trelawney, took a ffiip from Martinico,.
valued at 6obol, ' ;
The Harwich, Captain Rowley, and the BIddeford, Cap-
fain Digby, tpok the Defire from St Domingo.
The Alcide, Captain Douglas, the Dolphin, Captain Mar
low, and the BIddeford, Captain Digby, took the Prince de
Soubize, privateer of Bourdeaux, of twenty guns ; and two
ffiips richly laden from St Domingo.
The York, Captain Pigot, took the Mars, privateer of Bay
onne, of fixteen^ guns, and one hundred and eighty men;
the Dromadere, and the Deux Amis, from St Domingo ; Le
Nomme de Dieu, from Rochelle, for the MiffifippI, with
wine, brandy, flour, and fbap, having on board twenty-twop|
failors, and fixty foldiers ; the Henry, from St Malo, laden ,
with provlfions for Cape Breton ; and fhe Rubis, of twenty-,
two guns, bound for Canada, having on board fifty-four fai
lors, and two hundred and twenty-feven foldiers.
The Somerfet, and Rochefter, commanded by Captains
Geary and Duff, took the. Renommee, of three hundred and
fifty tons, laden with pork, flour, and mufquets ; and the Su
perbe, of feven hundred and fifty tons, laden with provlfions,
bale goods, and feveral cafes of fmall arms. Both thefe wf-
fels , were bound for North America, and had on board one
hundred and forty-nine failors and paffengers ; two hundred
and forty-two officers and foldiers of the regiment of Royal
Volontiers Etrangers ; .two hundred and forty barrels of
gun-powder, and five hundred and twenty muflsiefs and bay
onets, &c.
The Seahorfe took a rich ffiip from St Domingo ; as did the
Winchelfea : and fhe St Albans took fhe Prince de Cond from
the fame place.
The America, Coventry, and Brilliant, commanded by
Captains Byron, Scroop, and Parker, being on a cruize, on
the plh of December, retook an Engliffi veffel. On fhe 14th,
they took a French veffel from Gafpe-bay. On the 19th, thfey
gave chafe fo a French fnow, who, in firing her ftern-qhafc,
by fome accident took fire in the powder room, which blew up

175?: MILITARY MEMOIRS. 85

up all the after part of her. She burnt with great violence for
half an hour, and then funk. Out of feventy men, no more
than twenty-four could be faved ; and many of thefe were
miferably burnt. She was a fine veffel of two hundred tons
burden, and was laden with fhe fineft furs from Quebec. On
the 24th, in the morning, they gave chafe fo a French priva
teer ; but falling little' wind, it was evening before the Coven
try got up with her, when ffie engaged her very clofely for an
hour and a half, before ffie ftruck. She proved to be the Dra
gon of Bayonne, of twenty-four nine pounders, and two hun
dred and eighty-four men ; quite a new ffiip on her firft cruize.
She had four men killed, and twelve wounded*. The Coven
try had only fix men wounded, among whom was the Captain.
While the prifoners were removing on the 25th, a fail was
perceived ; on which Captain Byron made the Brilliant's fignal
to chafe, who foon came up "with her: ffie then fired into the
BriUiant, and wounded one man ; Captain Parker returned
the fire and funk her, , She was called the Intrepide, was a
privateer belonging to Bayonne, of fourteen guns, and one
hundred and thirty men ; eigl\t or ten of whom were killed 5
the, reft were faved by the Brilliant's boats.
The Antelope, Captain Alexander Hood, being on a cruize
on the coaft of France, fell In with the Aquilon, a French
ffiip of war, of fifty guns, and four hundred and fifty men.
The ene,my, after exchanging a few broadfides, fled. Cap
tain Hood immediately purfued, and drove her affiore on the
rocks in the Audjerne-bay, where ffie was totally loft. The
enemy had thirty men killed In the aClion, and twenty- five
wounded. The Antelope had three men killed, and thirteen
wounded. A young gentleman, a midffilpman, of the. name
of Murray, had fhe misfortune to have both his legs ffiot
away. He was carried down to the furgeon ; while dref-
ing, he heard the crew give three cheers ; and imagining that
the enemy had ftruck, he -waved his hand round his head,
and,expired. The Southampton, Captain Gilchrift, on his way from
F 3 Portf-
* She was purchafed into the fervice, and named the Eurus,

86 NAVAL AND '757'

Portfmouth to Plymoudi, having money on board for the
dock-yard ; on the 25th of July about eleven at night, fell in,
off the high land of St Albans, with five French privatee?i8j
two of which appeared to be of equal force with the South.
aropton. Captain Gilchrift engaged one of them for au hcHir
and a half. The enemy attempted to board him feveral times,
but they were beat off; and the French ffiip received fo much
.damage, that ffie made fignals for the other Veffel to bear
down to her affiftanee, whieh -ffie immediately did ; fo that
the Southampton was for fome time between two fires, one
upon fhe bow, the other on the quarter, and continued thus
engaged for upwards of an hour. But Captain Gilchrift hav
ing luckily got his whole broadfide to bear on the firft ffiip,
and breaching his affermofl guns forward, and liis foretac/ft
guns aft, he gave her a whole broadfide, which filenced her
entirely. The other ffiip Coming up, began a fmart engage
ment for a quarter of an hour, and then dropt aftern. By
this time, the Southampton was left a mere wredk upon the
wafer, and in no condition to follow the enemy : ffie had re
ceived fome very dangerous ffiots between wind and water;
her rigging ffiot to pieces ; had ten men killed outright .; four
teen mortally, and many flightly wounded. In this crip
pled Condition Captain Gilchrift put into Weymouth nest
day. The Prince Edward, of forty guns, commanded by Captain
William Forfefcue, being on a cruize off the iflands of Scilly,
fell in with a French frigate of thirty- fix .guns, which he en
gaged ; but, night coming on, they feparated. ¦ Next morn-
ing. Captain Forfefcue renewed the aaion, which contlnaed
till eleven o'clock in the forenoon, when fhe enemy fljeeredoff.
The Prince Edward had the misfortune to have her main and
mizen-mafts ffiot , away the firft broadfide ; and could nevet
bring mpre than five guns fo bear on the enemy, while the fea
ran fo high, that fhe lower ;ports of the Prince Edward could
¦ not be opened. She had ten men killed, and forty woundfld*
The Seahorfe, -Captain Taylor, having under his command
the Raven and Bonetta'floops, commanded by Captains Bover and

,1757- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 87

and Clarke, lying off Oftend, fell in with two French frigates
of thirty-fix or forty guns each. Captain Taylor engaged them
frOm half an hour after twelve, till four in the evening ; and
obfiged them to ffieer off. The Seahorfe's mafts, yairds, and
rigging, were fo rauch ffiattered, that ffie could not purfue
them ; and the Bonetta could not lay alongfide of fhem, hav
ing received a ffiot in her bow which drove in a plank. The
Seahorfe had eight men killed, and feventeen wounded, eight
of them mortally. One of the French ffiips was difabled,
and ' the Seahorfe carried away her foremaft ; Captains Taylor
and Bover were wounded.
•The Hazard floop of war. Captain Hanbury, took a priva
teer of eight guns, many fwivels,. and forty-five men. Being
a fine failer, (he was purchafed by Government, made a war-
floop, and called the Hazard's Prize.
The James and Thomas fender, commanded by Lieutenant
John Peighin, was attacked by a large fnow privateer; which
Mr Peighin endeavoured all in his power to board, but the
enemy always prevented him. Confcious of their fuperiority
of guns, they kept engaging him for an hour and a' half;
notwlthftanding which, he plied the few guns he had, fo well,
as to oblige the enemy to ffieer off : he had four men killed,
and feven vvounded.
The Grampus floop, commanded by Captain Thomas Knack-
ftone, took the Procureur, privateer of Calais, of ten guns,
fix fwivels, and thirty-fix men.
CAPTURES BY PRIVATEERS AND LETTERS
^ OF MARQUE.
The Defiance, privateer of London, took the Jupiter, of
four hundred tons, ten guns, and feventy-five men, from the
coaft of Guinea and St Domingo, valued at 30JO00I.; La
Reine des Anges, of eighteen guns, and fifty men, Le St
Philip, of fixteen guns and fifty men, both from St Domingo,
valued at two mjlUons of livres ; La Mariamne from St Do-
F 4 mingo ;

88 NAVALAND *757-
mingp ; the Bohemien, privateer of eighteen guns, nine poun
ders, and two Engliffi veffels which fhe Bohemien had taken;
and a privateer called the Provoft de Paris, of twenty-four
guhs, nine pPunders, twenty-fix fwivels, and three hundred
and twenty-five men, after an engagement of fix hours ; the
Defiance had ten men killed and twenty-two wounded ; the
enemy had feventy men killed and Wounded.
The Charming Nancy privateer, of Jerfey, took, in one
icruize, a privateer of fixteen gUns, fourteen fwivels artd fifty
men ; the Marquis de Salha, a privateer of Bayonne, of fixteen
guns, and one hundred and twenty-three men ; a floop load
ed with wheat and peafe ; a brig from Bourdeaux to Nantz,
with wine and flour, fix guns, twelve pounders, and two large
anchors; a fmall veffel with wine, hams, pitch, oars, &c.;
ranfomed a brig for 150I. ; — retook two Engliffi veffels ; and
drove affiore three ffiips from St Domingo, in one of which,
they found fixty hOgffieads of Indigo.
The Tyger privateer took, in company of the King of Pruf
fia privateer of London, the Bienacquis of three hundred tons,
ten guns, thirty foldiers, befides feamen, for the Miffifippi;
having on board one thoufand three hundred and forty-fix caflts
of flour, fixty barrels of gun -powder, and fix pieces of can
non, viz, three twenty-four pounders, and three eighteen
pounders, fixty bomb-ffiells, ammunition, foldiers clothing,-
&c.
The St" George, privateer of London,, took a Dutch ffiip
with ffiot for Bourdeaux ; the Unicorn, privateer of St Malo,
of twelve guns, and one hundred .men ; and the Marquis 4'
Aumont privateer of Bourdeaux, of fixteen guns and one hun
dred and fixty men.
The Bofcawen, St George, Black Prince, and Shark prhra-
teers of London, and Ifaac privateer of Liverpool, took the
Prince de Confi, a French Eaft India ffiip, from France to '
Pondicherry, mounting twenty-four guns, twelve pounders,
and one hundred and ninety three men, valued at ico,oooL
The ffiip and her materials fold for 5025I.
The Britannia privateer, of Briftol, of fhlrty-two guns, nine

I7S7- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 89

nine and fix pounders, and two hundred and twenty men^
commanded by Captain Fowler, was attacked by fhe Gran
ville privateer, of Granville, of thirty-fix guns, nine and twelve
pounders, and two hundred and feventy-eight men. The ac
tion lafted four hours, when fhe enemy ffieered oft'; and blow
ing up foon after, all on board periffied, except four, who
were taken up by the Britannia's boats.
The Conftantine privateer, of Briftol, took Le St Jean le
Baptifte, a French Eaft India ffiip, of one thoufand tons, and
pierced for fifty, but had only thirty-fix guns mounted when
taken. She was bound to Nanf z, from Vigo In Spain, where
ffie had unloaded her cargo.
The Victory privateer of London, took the Oriflamme priva
teer, of twenty guns, and one hundred and tvventy-five men.
The Phoenix privateer of Jerfey, took a new French floop
of war going from Dunkirk fo Breft. She had ports for fix
teen guns, but when taken had, only four mounted ; and a
crew of forty-fix men only.
The erie^ny had confiderable fuccefs againft our trade, par
ticularly by taking fhe greateft part of our Carolina ffiips,
which diftreffed the merchants very much In the article of in
digo : they likewife made fome valuable prizes on fhe coaft of
Guinea. The only ffiips of war taken by the enemy this
year, were, the Greenwich, already mentioned ; and the Mer
lin floop of war, taken by the Machault privateer of thirty-fix
guns; but which Captain Edgecumbe afterwards retook.
The Vlflory privateer of London, of forty guns, was taken
by the St Michael, a French man of w^r of fixty guns.
The Dorfet privateer, of twenty-eight guns, fell in with the
Melampe privateer ; and, after an engagement of three hours,
was obliged fo ftrike. The Dorfet was twice boarded, had
her main and fore-mafts ffiot away, and between feventy and
eighty men killed and wounded. She had received fo many
ffiot between wind and water, that fhe enemy, fearing ffie
would fink, after taking out the men, turned her adrift,
Thefe were the moft confiderable captures made by the e-
ncmy. They had an inconceivable number of privateers at
fea.

90 NAVAL AND i757-
fea, who were very alert, anc^ picked up, in the courfe of this
year, five hundred and feventy-one Bririffi fhips, great and
fmall ; by far the greateft part of which were of very incon
fiderable value. And, although the number of prizes taken
from the enemy, amounted to no more than three hundred and
fixty-four, yet, the balance was greatly in our favour ; for,
ambng thefe, could be reckoned one hundred and fifteen, which
were either privateers of force, or armed merchant ffiips, car
rying a great number of guns, and manned -with upwards of
ten thoufand feamen, and whofe cargoes fold for an immenfe
fum*. Thefe fucceffes contributed to weaken and impoverifh the
* The following is an authentic lift of the cargoes of French "WeU India prize
fhips, fold at public fale in London, Briftol, Liverpool, &c. from the 19th of
September, 1756, to the ift of Seplember, 1757, including thofe token before
the declaration of war. 28,344 hhds fugar.
900 tierces ditto.
1097 barrels ditto.
3987 pipes and hhds of coffee.
4660 tierces ditta.
7997 barrels ditto.
6851 bags ditto.
3264 bags and pockets of cotton.
1669 calks of indigo.
11,188 hides whole and half.
8j cafks of cocoa.
198 bags ditto.
800 bags of ginger.
II cafks of tortoifc-SiclI.
3'?6 elephants teeth.
ZS3 calks of gum fenega.
75 tons of fundry wood.
38hhdsofcaffiafiftula.
173 bagsduto.
35,560 lb. ditto.
I za .calks of arnatto.
14 fcrivellos.
4 calks of dragon's blood.
14 tons of lignum vitse.
545 rolls of tobacco.
And fundry other different forts of goods
The cargoes of the prizes taken in the Weft Indies, and brought h. ¦ t, •
tifh fhip, are not in the above lift, ^ ' ''°'"= "" E""

I7s8. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 91

the enemy, and-to haftem the ruin -of their trade ; while, on the
contrary, it tended fo raife fhe fpirits of the Britiffi merchants,
by compenfating them for the lofs of the Carolina fleet, and
the prizes made on fhe coaft of Guinea by the enemy. The
fleets from the Baltic, the StJ?eIghts, and from the Weft In
dies, arrived without any lofs. 175'8.
As fhe Miniftry were now firmly fettled, amd faClion at an
end, the fupplies were eafily and readily granted. Plans of ope
rations were early concerted, and proper officers appointed to
carry themf into execution. The confidence the people had in
Mr Pltai's abilities and intentions, made ithembeasr with pleafiire
the >heavy taixes wthlch the profeoution of the war had rendered
neceflary. As its operations grew more extenfive, new refour-
ces feemed to unfold themfelves. The fuccefs of our arms, in
the icoupfe of Ishis year, roufed the fpirit of the nation, and rive
ted the Minifter In the people's affeClIons. The checks which
Come of the ' Minifter's fchemes met with, did not difpirit the
people ; on the -eontrary, they ferved as incitements f o raake
Adminiftr.atiiaii redouble Its_efforts, to wipe off the ftain of for-
mer-dJfgraces. On the 5th of FebruaTy, his Majefty ordered ' the foUowing
.promotion of flag-officers fo fake place :
Charles Knowles, Efq; -^
Hon. John Forbes, Efq; i Admirals of fhe Blue.
Hon, Edward Bofcawen, Efq; J
George Pocock, Efq; Vice-Admiral of the Red,
Hon, 'George Townffiend, Efq; 7 ^. . , . , ^ ^ -nn ¦
¦a ¦ TLT iL T^j- '^Vice-Admirals of the White,
rrancis Holburne, .Efq; 3
Henry Harrlfous Efq; 7 „. , , . , f , t>7
n-,, ^ ^r > Vice-Admirals of the Blue.
ihomas Cotes, Efq; 3
Lord Harry Powlett, Rear-Admiral of the Red.
SirCbarles Hardy, Knight, Rear-Admiral of the White.
In the month of Auguft, his P.Iajefty was pleafed to order the

92

NAVALAND i758-

the following Captains to be appointed Rear-Admirals of the
Blue: Thomas Pye, . , '
Charles Stevens,
Philip Durell, and
Charles Holmes, Efquires.
The Earl of Loudoun was recalled from North America, and
the command, conferred on Major-General Abercrombie. The
plan of operations there was to commence with the fiege of
Louiffiurg. Admiral Bofcawen was appointed to command the
fleet on this fervice, having under him Rear-Admiral Sir
Charles Hardy, and Commodore Durell. Early in the month
of January, the Rear-Admiral failed from England in fhe Cap
tain, of fixty-four guns, for Halifax in Nova Scotia, to fake
upon him the command of the ffiips which had wintered there ;
with orders fo repair off LOuiffiurg as foon as fhe feafon would
permit, to intercept any fupplies which the enemy might endea
vour fo throw Into fhe place.
Early In February, Commodore Durell failed alfo for Halifax
in the Diana frigate, fo haften the armament as much as poffi
ble, againft Admiral Bofcawen's arrival. Some regiments of
foot being embarked, and the neceffary ftores on board, the
Admiral failed from Portfmouth on the 1 9th of February with
his fleet. Sir Edward' Flawke was fent out early in fhe fpring,
with a ftrong fquadron, to block up fhe French ports, and to
hinder any fupplies from being fent to their colouies : a fervice
he effectually performed. And Cpmmodore Holmes, with a
fmall fquadron, obliged the French and their allies to abandon
Emden. The Minifter, convinced that the enemy's coafts could be In
vaded with fuccefs, refolved, as there was a large body of regu
lar troops in England, that they ffiould not remain idle, A
ftrong body of them was therefore affembled, eariy in the
fummer, in the Ifle of Wight. The apprehenfions of an inva
fion, it was imagined, would oblige the enemy either to recal
fome of their troops from Germany, or at leaft prevent fhem
from fending reinforcements thither, pf which they ftood very
much

I7S8- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 93

much in need. The Britiffi Minifter, therefore, entertained
hopes, that, by means of armaments of this kind, the operati
ons of the King of Pruffia, and of Prince Ferdinand' of Brunf-
wick, would be powerfully feconded ; at the fame time, that It
would diftrefs the enemy af home, and render them tired ofthe
war. The troops on this fervice, were to be commanded by the
Duke of Marlborough, and to be efcorted by a fquadrpn of
fmall fhips of war, commanded by the Honourable Captain
Howe. While, a ftrong fquadron of large ffiips, under the
command of Lord Anfon, proceeded off Breft, fo block up all
the French ports on that 'fide, and to prevent fhe enemy from
fending a fleet fo oppofe Commodore Howe's operations. Re
inforcements were alfo fent to India, under the command of
Captain Tiddeman. '
That the enemy might feel the fuperiority of the Britiffi na
vy in all quarters of the world ; a fmall fquadron was detached
under the command of Captain Marffi, to reduce their fettle
ments on fhe coaft of Africa, and to proteCl the Britiffi trade
and forts there, from ravages fimilar fo thofe which the enemy,
unmolefted, had committed laft year on that coaft.
No fooner did the campaign on the coaft of France end, than
a. body of thofe troops which, had been In England allfummer,
were embarked, and, under the efcort of a ftrong fquadron, fent
to attack fhe French fettlements among the Caribbee Iflands.
This command was entrufted to Major-General Hopfon, and
the naval department to Commodore Moore, who continued to
command his Majefty's fleet on that ftation. Vice-Admiral
Cotes commanded fhe fquadron at Jamaica: Admiral Olbprn
commanded the fleet in the Mediterranean, until he was refiev-
cd by Rear-Admiral Broderick : Vice-Admiral Harrlfdn com
manded at Plymouth : Rear-Admiral Holmes, at Portfmouth :
and Admiral Smith, in the Downs.
The Parliament was extremely liberal in its grants. Sixty
thoufand feamen were voted for the current year; and the
fum total of the fupplies, during this Seffion, amounted to
13,480,5571. (See Note 1 15.) The bill for eftabllffiing a Na
tional Militia was properly regulated, and that ufeful and con- ftl-

94 NAVALAND 1758-
ftlfutional body of men ordered to be raifed for the defence of
fhe kingdom. The Honourable George Grenville (one of the
ableft and beft Minifters that ever Britain faw) renewed his de
fign this Seffion, and once more brought in a hill, for the en
couragement of feamen in the Royal Navy, by which a regular
method was eftabliffied for the punClual and frequent payment
of their wages ; befides being thereiby enabled more eafily and
readily to remit money.far the fupport of ^helr wives and fami
lies. This excellent bill eafily paffed the Commons ; but the
Lords were not fo clear about its ufefulnefs. On the fecond
reading of the bill, they had, by defire, feveral Members of the
Houfe of Commons examined as witneffes, fo whom many
queftlons were put concerning fhe Inconveniencies that had at
tended the paying of the feamens wages, as well as refpeCting
the remedies propofed by this new aCl. Their Lordffilps then
agreed to it ; and It foon after received the Royal affent. Few
aCls have been attended with more beneficial confequences ; it
being thereby appointed, that for the whole, or fuch part of
their pay as the men do not choofe to take In caffi, they are fo
receive a ticket from the Compilffioner for the fum due; which
ticket is made payable on demand by any Collector of his Ma
jefty's cuftoms or excife, to whom it may happen fo be prefen
ted in any part of Great Britain *,
The Bririfli cruiaing fliips were foyery judicioufly difpofed,
that many of the enemy's rlcheft merchant ffiips, and fhe ftrong-
eft privateers, fell into their hands : and the Britiffi commerce
was remarkably well proteCled by convoys.
EAST mmES.— Coromandel Coast.
Notwithstanding that the French power was effeClually
cruflied In Bengal, yet, on the coaft of Coromandel, they had
fuch an evident fuperiority of ftrength, particulariy of land
troops
* Some few amendments to this piSt, which we (hall point out in its proper
place, would render it one of the moft bcnefieial laws that ever was paffed for
the fea fervice.

1757- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 95

forces, that it was no longer judged prudent for the Britiffi
troops to keep the field. They were therefore ordered into gar^.
rifons. Fortunately, the enemy did not avail themfelves of the
opportunity which their great fuperiority gave fhem. Proba
bly they had orders to wait for fhe arrival of their fleet, on
board of -which were very confiderable reinforcements; which
being conduCled by an officer of ability and experience, they
perhaps hoped, on being joined by him, to be able fo pufli on
their tiperafions with the greater effeCl.
Admiral Pocock was joined by Commodore Stevens, with
the ffiips and reinforcements from England, in Madras road,
on the 24th of March. And having put the fquadron in the
beft condition poffible, he failed, on the 1 7th of April, in order
to get to the windward of Fort St David, fo intercept the
French fquadron, which be had reafon to expeCl would be foon
on the coaft.
The Comte D'Ache, on the 1 7th of December, .arrived at
the Mauritius ; where having joined the India fquadron under
M. Bouvet, he kff that place on fhe 27th of January 1758, and
went to the ifle of Bourbon, in order to get provlfions and other
neceffaries for his fleet, from whence he failed the 4th of Fe
bruary for the cpaft of Coromandel ; when, the mohfoons being
fet in againft him, he took what Is called the long courfe, and
did not make the ifland of Ceylon till the Q 3d of April, nor
Carical till the, 26th, On the 28th, he anchored in fhe road
of Fort St David's.
This fquadron, confifting of eleven veffels^ In a manner fur-
rounded his Majefty's frigates Bridgewater and Triton, com
manded by Captains Henry Smith and Townley, who, per
ceiving no poffibility of efcaping, run their ffiips affiore, rather
than let them fall into the, enemy's hands ; and, fetting them
on fire, retired with fhe crews to the fort. (See Note 1 17.)
M, D'Ache immediately detached a ffiip ofthe line and afrl-
gate, having Comte de Lally and his officers on board, for Pon
dicherry, whither he was obliged to go to open his commlflion.
Next morning, at nine o'clock. Admiral Pocock, who to
make fure of falling in with the enemy's fleet, had in ten days
worked

96 NAVAL AND i7S8-
worked up as high fo windward as the head "of fhe ifland of
Ceylon, then ftood in again for the coaft of Coromandel, which
he made on the 28th of April, and faw Nepapatam; and, coaf-
tlng along ffiore, got fight of the French fquadron, which at
this time confifted of one ffiip of feventy-four, one of fixty, one
of fifty-eight, one of fifty-four, two of fifty, two of forty-four,
and, one of thirty-fix guns. The Britiffi fquadron confifted of
two of fixty-four, two of fixty, one of fifty-fix, and two of fif
ty guns, and the Queenborough frigate, (See Note 1 1 8.)
Admiral Pocock made the fignal for a general chafe; dn
which the French fleet weighed anchor, and ftood out fo fea
E. by N. with the wind at S. E. At half paft twelve. Admi
ral Pocock had. got within a league of the enemy, who were
then waiting for him In a line of battle ahead. He then haul
ed down the fignal for chace, broughf-to on fhe ftarboard tack,
and made fhe , fignal for a line of battle ahead, at half a cable's
length diftance * ; when he ordered the Captain of fhe Queen
borough' to fend all his marines on board of fhe Cumberland,.
and twenty men on board of the Tyger : thefe two ffiips failing
very badly, and being at this time far aftern, it was a quarter
paft two before fhey got into their ftatlons ; at which time,
Admiral Pocock bore down on fhe Zodiaque, M. D'Ache's
ffiip. In the centre of the French line. \
When the Admiral made the fignal for a line of battle ahead
at half a cable's length diftance, fhe Captains of fhe Newcaftle
and Weymouth miftook the fignal, and did not clofe up to the
ffiips ahead of them ; and when the Admiral made the fignal
for a clofer engagement, all fhe other ffiips obeyed, except the
Newcaftle and Weymouth. The enemy fired as the Britiffi
ffiips approached. The Cumberland worked very ill, and was
long in getting into her ftation in the line ; fo that the Vice-
Admiral's, and three ffiips ahead of him, had the whole fire of
the enemy to fuftain. Admiral Pocock did not return a fingle
ffiot till his ffiip hauled up oppofite to the Zodiaque ; when,
at fifty-five minutes paft three, he made the fignal to engage ; '
the Tyger, who led fhe van, attacking the Bien- Aime, who led
fhe
• One hundred vards.

1758' MILITARY MEMOIRS.

97

the French van at the fame time. The three fternmoft ffiips
in the Britiffi line kept af a great diftance, and did not properly
fupport fhe Admiral, who behaved with the greateft couragCj
as did Commodore Stevens, and the Captains ahead of the
Admiral. It fortunately happened, that the enemy had a daftardly Cap
tain likewife, M. D'Apret of fhe Due de Bourgogne, who from
the beginning of fhe aClion fled behind the French line, acrofs
which he fired at fhe Britiffi ffiips. The Sylphide, being only
in the line for ffiew, was driven out of it at the firft broadfide.
The Conde 'having her rudder difabled, was alfo forced fo quit
the line. The aClion in the van and centre on both fides conti
nued with great fury. The Captain ofthe Cumberland exerted
himfelf fo get info aClion ; in the doing of which he ran up fo
clofe to the Yarmouth, that ffie had no room to wear and get in
to her ftation, and at length was obliged to back her fopfails to
obtain it by falling aftern, which fUcceeded, but not until ffie
had dropped a little lower than the St Louis, the ffiip that fell
to her lot fo engage, and af a confiderable diftatice from the Ad
miral, whofe fecond aftern was her place in fhe line. During
this manceuvre, the Newcaftle and Weymouth, in order to pre-
ferve their proper diftances, backed likewife,' and both fell low
er than the Moras, then the rearmoft ffiip of the enemy's line.
But after the Cumberland had fet her fopfails, and gained her
proper ftation, fhe Newcaftle ftill kept back, notwithftanding
the Admiral had made the fignal for fhe three rearmoft ffiips to'
clofe the line ; on which the Weymouth hailed her fo to do ;
which not being attended to, ffie hauled her wind, and paffing
to the windward of the Newcaftle, came properly into the line,
and attacked fhe Moras, and in fen minutes forced her to bear
away. During this, fhe Cumberland warmly engaged the St
Louis, and took off the greateft part of fhe fire which ffie was
pouring on fhe Yarmouth's quarter. Af this time, a great ex
plofion of powder happened on board the, Zodiaque, arid like-
wife on board the, Bien- Aime, which occafioned fome confu
fion in thefe fliips for a little while. Mv, D'Ache then made
the fignal; for ifiicji of his ffiips as. had withdrawn from the ac-
voi. II, G tion,

98 NAVALAND 17S8.

tion, fo return to It : but to this they paid no regard. The Ty-
ger having loft her fore-topfall-yard, could not preferve her fta
tion, which gave her oppofite in the French line a confiderable
advantage over her ; but fhe Saliffiury and Elizabeth afforded
her all the affiftanee in their power.
Notwithftanding that the ffiip of the hne and the frigate
\^hich M. D'Ache had detached to Pondicherry with M. Lally,
were now within a league of him, and making fo his affiftanee,
yet he found himfelf in danger of being overpowered, by fhe
jnceflant fire from the Britiffi van and centre, whofe rear be
coming more clofe, afforded aid to their centre. M. D'Ache
finding it Impoffible to recal his ffiips Into aClIon, he made the
fignal, and bore down fo them, intending to join the Comte de
Provence from Pondicherry, and his other ffiips, which he did
about fix o'clock : at which time, finding his ffiips had fuffered
greatly in the combat, he hauled his wind, and made off to
wards Pondicherry with the larboard tacks on board.
On this, Admiral Pocock hauled down the fignal to engage,
and made the fignal f o chace ; but fuch of his ffiips, whofe
Captains had done their duty, were fo completely difabled In
their rigging, that It was impoffible to overtake the enemy, ;
whofe 'ffiips having fuffered lefs in their rigging, failed fafter.
Confidering the ftate the fquadron was in, and more efpecially
that night approached, the Admiral judged it proper to haul
, clofe upon a wind, and ftand to the fouthward, with the view,
if poffible, of keeping to the windward ofthe enemy, and of
eheing able to engage fhem next morning, if he ffiould be fo
fortunate as to prevent their weathering him in the night. For
.this purpofe, he ordered the Queenborough ahead to obferve
their motions, and continued endeavouring to work up after
them fill fix In fhe morning of the firft of May ; when, finding
,that.he loft ground confiderably, he came to anchor about three
miles fo the fouthward of Sadras.
This aClIon was fought about feven leagues weft by north
of Alamparva. The Britiffi loft in this battle twenty-nine men
kUled, and eighty, nine weunded. The French, who had fuf
fered lefs in ^fheir -rigging than the Britiffi, anchored about ten
o'clock

1757.. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 99
o'clock the night of the aClion off Alamparva. The Bien- Aime,
. who had fuffered much in the fight, and among other damages
had the flings of her ffieet anchor ffiot away ; which dropping,
run out the cable, this was immediately cut; another ffiot had,
unperceived, grazed the upper coil ofthe cable of fhe beft bow
er, with which the ffiip came to an anchor In Alamparva road,
but on the firft ftrain It parted; a fmall anchor was immediately
dropped, but it would not hpld ; there was another ready, and,
before the fails could be fet, the ffiip drove info the furf, and
ftranded without a poffibility of recovery ; but all her crew
were faved, and afterwards moft of her cannon and ftores.
The enemy's lofs of men in the aClion was great,, having one
hundred and fixty-two killed, and three hundred and fixty
wounded. This difparlty of lofs can only be accounted for, by
the enemy directing their fire chiefly at the rigging of their
opponents, while fhey aimed af the hulls of their ffiips. The
French had a great many land-forces on board, who no doubt
fuftained a confiderable diminution of numbers. On board of
M, D'Ache's four officers were killed, and feven wounded ;
forty men were killed, thirty-five died of their wounds, and one
hundredland fifty were wounded. The ffiip had feventeen fhot
between wind and wafer. The reft of fhe French ffiips fuffer
ed In proportion.
M. D'Ache proceeded to Pondicherry with his fquadron,
where he landed twelve hundred fick, and difmlffed M, D'Apret
from the command of the Due de Bourgogne, which he con
ferred on M. Bouvet.
The French Admiral, in his difpatches fo his Court, fpoke
of the valour and conduCt of Admiral Pocock in the higheft
terms of praife. Had the Admiral been as well feconded in
this aClion by fhe Captains who commanded fhe ffiips which
compofed fhe rear of his. fleet, as he was by Commodore Ste
vens, and fhe Captains who commanded the ffiips which com
pofed the van, there is every reafon fo think that fhe French
fleet woidd have been completely defeated in this aCtlon, and
fome of their ffiips taken.
The French had now an army of three thoufand five hun-
G 2 dred

ICO

NAVAL AND 1758^.

dred Europeans, and near as many Sepoys. M. de Lally, fen
fible how much they had loft by their Inaaivlfy hitherto, refol
ved fo purfue a contrary conduCt ; and, with this view, the
very day he arrived at Pondicherry, he caufed a confiderable
part of his army, headed by the Comte D'EftaIng, to be put in
motion. ^
On the 29th of April, his van-guard entered the bounds of
Fort St David, where they plundered the villages, and difperfed
fome of the black troops in fhe pay of fhe Britiffi Eaft India
Company, which caufed a great defertlon among fhem. The
enemy fummoned Cuddalore, which was furrendered to them
on the 3.d of May, on condition that the garrifon ffiould have 11:-
berty to retreat with their arms fo Fort St David.
General Lally now laid fiege to that place. It was a moft
fortunate circumftance for the Britiffi Eaft India Company, that
a man of fo very untraCtable a difpofition as M. de LaUy had
been fent to command the French forces In India ; for his im
perious and overbearing temper was fuch, as prefently loft him
the affection and efteem of his troops, and of the fervants of the
French Eaft India Company, which latter he treated with great
contempt. To the cuftoms of the natives he paid not fhe fmal
left regard,, which made them behold him with' terror and de-
teftatlon. Difregarding their particular eaft or profeffion, he '
compelled them to work as pioneers to. his army, and to do many
offices which they had never before ftooped fo perform. In
ffiort, he fcorned fo liften to any information or fuggeftion
whatever, refolvlng that his dictates ffiould be implicitly obeyed.
Admiral Pocock having received one hundred and twenty
men from the hofpltal, and eighty Lafcars from the Governor
of Madras ; and having the mafts of his crippled ffiips fiffied,
and repaired his moft material damages, tried for fome days to
work up along the ffiore ; but without fuccefs. He then put
off the land; and, on the loth of May, had ftrefched as far
fo th6 fouthward as the latitude of nine degrees thirty minutes
north, by which he hoped to be able to fetch fo windward of
Fort St David. But upon ftanding in again, he met with
ftrong wefteriy winds ; and was retarded by the Cumberland, who

¦1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS. isr

who was fo leaky as fo prevent her keeping the wind. Being
unable, therefore, to reach higher than Alamparva, he anchored
off that place the 26th of May; and on the 30th he got fight
of Pondicherry, where lie perceived the French fquadron at
anchor in the road.
As foon as the Britiffi fquadron were defcriedby fhe enemy,
M. D'Ache called a Council of war, compofed of his Captains,
and the Governor and Council of Pondicherry ; whofe opinion
was, that Itwas expedient for the fquadron to remain moored as
clofe to the ffiore as poffible, that they might receive the affif
tanee of the batteries facing fhe fea, in cafe they ffiould be at
tacked. Scarcely was this refolved on, when fhe furious Lally made
his appearance. He had pofted thither, upon receiving fhe
news that the Britiffi fleet had been feen on fhe coaft. His
powers being large and ample, he difregarded the opinion of the
Council of war, ^declaring, that it would be ffiameful not to
meet the Britifli fleet in the open fea ; and l>e accordingly fent
four hundred Lafcars to ferve on board the fquadron. On tils
M. d'Ache weighed anchor, with eight fail of the line and a
frigate ; but, inftead of bearing down on Admiral Pocock, who
could not work up to him, he kept the wind, plying for Fort
St David, to which place the French had laid fiege. Lally, af
ter thus forcing the fleet fo fea, returned to the fiege ; but he
had no fooner got beyond the bounds of Pondicherry, than the
Governor and Council off that place (who It feems had full
powers in the abfence of Lally the Governor-General) fent or
ders to M, d'Ache to return there with his fleet, for the protec
tion of fhe place and their commerce. This order proved of
the greateft fervice to the Britiffi, as, foon after fhe return of
the French fleet to Pondicherry road, three of the Company's
ffiips, having on board money, merchandize and ftores, arrived
at Madras, which muft infallibly have been taken, had not the
fears of fhe Governor and Council of Pondicherry induced
them to recal their fleet ; and thefe fhips wouldESlave afforded
fuch an ample fupply of money, as to have faved M. Lally his
G 3 difgraceful

102

NAVAL AND I7j8.

difgraceful expedition fo Tanjore, in queft of an old and an un-
juft debt.
Admiral Pocock endeavoured all in his power fo get up with
the French fleet ; but was prevented In a great meafure by fhe
Cumberiand's bad failing. The fecond and third day, the cur
rent fetting ftrongly to the leeward, the fquadron, not having
either land or fea winds, loft ground confiderably.
On the 6th, the Admiral received a letter from fhe SeleCt
^ Committee at Madras, mentioning the fuccefs of fhe French
arms af Fort St David's, and the probability that Fort St
George would be foon invefted, which would put it out of their
power to fupply the fquadron with water. On this he immer
diately fteered for Madras ; and foon after brought his difobe-
dient Captains to a Court-martial ; by whofe fentence. Cap
tain Legge of the Newcaftle was caftlered. Captain Vincent
difmlffed the command of the Weymouth, and Captain Bre
reton of the Cumberland to lofe one year's rank as a Poft-
Captain, Let us now take a view of the operations of the French be
fore Fort St David. The Britiffi Eaft India Conipany had been
at great expence In ereCling fortifications here ; and had cm-
ployed Mr Robins, an experienced engineer, for that purpofe.
He unfortunately died before he had completed his plan. In
this fituation if was, when Mr Lally, with, all his forces, fat
down before it ; and, on the i6th of May, began to fire upon
the place with two guns and five mortars, from Cuddalore,
On fhe 26th, they opened a battery of feven guns, and five
mortars, at the diftance of eight hundred yards to fhe weft
ward ; and, on fhe 30th, they opened two batteries, one tp
the north, of nine guns and three mortars, and the other to
the north-eaft, of four guns, all about the fame diftance. Ma
jor Pollier, who commanded in the place, by no means anfwerr
ed the expeClatlons which fhe world had formed of him. His
defence of ifr.yas injudicious, confidering the weaknefs of the
garrifon. thought to have abandoned fome out-pofts which
he endeavcv.ed to defend ; but he was fo relax In difcipline,
that fhe garrifon having too free accefs tn the ftore-houfes of
' ar-

I7S8 MILITARY MEMOIRS. 103

arrack, and other ftrong liquors, were feldom in a condition
to do their duty properly. He had likewife been too prodigal'
of his powder, which he expeiided when his fire could do little'
execution againft the enemy ; fo that a want of ammunition
and a fcarclty of water, were the chief reafons which induced'
him fo defire to capitulate 3 for the fort was ftrong, and ca
pable of holding out a miich longer time than It did. The
enemy had not even afieCled a breach, having only ruined'
fome of the defences, and difabled thirty pieces of cannon.
On the 2d of June, Major Pollier requefted of Alexander
Wynch, Efq; who aCled as Deputy-Governor, to call a Coun
cil of war ; when they unanimoufly agreed to furrender the
place, and accordingly propofed terms to M. Lally ; who con
fented that the garrifon were to march put with the honours
of war ; but were afterwards to lay down their arms, become
prifoners of war, and thereafter to be exchanged. They were
allowed their ' baggage and effeCls ; and care was to be taken
of the fick and wounded. All magazines and military ftores
were to be delivered up ; and the mines and fubterraneous
works of the place to be ffiewn to the French engineers. The
garrifon confifted of two hundred Europeans, eighty-two in
valids, thirty-five artillery, and two hundred feamen ; who,
together with their officers, and the Deputy- Governor and
Council, were conduCled prifoners to Pondicherry.
M. Lally ordered the fortifications fo be razed to the ground ;
and, with all the barbarity of an uncivilized buccaneer or
free-booter, he extended his wanton cruelty, npt only to the
dfeftruClion of the Engliffi gentlemens villas, but to the towns
of fhe innocent natives. This inconfiderate piece of conduCl
coft him very dear afterwaads ; for the country people were fo
enraged, that when fhe French army laid fiege fo Tanjore,
they cut off his fupplies of provlfions ; by v/hich they loft more
men by famine, than by fhe enemy.
The lofs of Fort St' David was feverely felt by the Eaft In
dia Company ; and, from fhe great military force of the ene
my, and the boaftings of M, Lally, now elate with his con
queft, they had reafon to apprehend the lofs of ali .their fet-
G 4 tic-.

104

NAVAL AND r758-

tlements on the ¦ coaft of Coromandel, The Governor and
Council of Madras, however, took every precaution that pru
dence could fuggeft, fo fruftrate M, Lally's defigns. They
raifed fome new companies of Sepoys ; entered info new alli
ances with the country powers ; and ftrengthened, by every
means in their power, their old friendffiips. Had M. Lally
marched immediately againft Madras on the furrender of Fort
St David, he had undoubtedly made an eafy conqueft of it,
the fortifications not being then completed ; but he feemed to
waif fill the feafon would compel Admiral Pocock with his
fquadron to leave the coaft, before he undertook this enter
prize ; during which interval. Governor Pigot not only com
pleted the fortifications of Fort St George, but added feveral
new works to the intended plan,
M. Lally's pride and infolence had difgufted the leading peo
ple of Pondicherry fo much, that fhey did not fecond his in
tentions v^ith any degree pf fpirit ; and his obftinacy rendering
him deaf to every kind of advice, he did not liften fo proper
information. It is therefore lefs ipafter of wonder, that though
the French had fome fuccefs at firft againft the Britiffi fettie-
ments, the fubfequent bad management of their affairs ffiould
have occafioned a reverfe of fortune.
An extreme want of money was in a great meafure the ruin
of the French affairs in India. Indeed, fo fuch ftraits were
they driven at this time, that, on the 7th of Auguft, .they.
made prize of a Dutch ffiip (the Haerlem), from Batavia for
Negapatnam, merely for having anchored in the road of Pon
dicherry, The French government feized the money on board,
amounting to feventy or eighty thoufand pounds Sterling, for
their own ufe; unloaded the cargo, and detained the ffiip.
When M. Duplelx was Governor of Pondicherry, he had, in
the year 1749, compelled the King of Tanjore to fign a paper,
promifing the payment of a very large fum of money*. This
money they now refolved to demand ; and, the better to enforce
their claim, M, Lally made his army march fouthward, refolv-
pg to attack our poft at Trichinopoly. Upon their approach ing
f Seventy lacks of rupees, orS/jv^ooI,

J758. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 105
ing the Britiffi fettlement of Davecofah, the Chief of It pru
dently retired, and effeCled a retreat to Madras, paffing through-
the Tanjore country. M, Lally, finding if abandoned, conti
nued his march, leaving there a confiderable detachment under
M. Souplere : he took his route by Tranquebar, where fhe
Danes fupplied him with fome ammunition and field-pieces.
At Negapatnam, he demanded from fhe Dutch a loan of mo
ney, cannon and ammunition, and a fupply of provlfions. It
is not to be doubted, from the advantageous offers raade by
M. Lally, that our good allies complied with his terms : this,
however, they denied, except as to fhe provlfions, of which
they fent him frequent fupplies, while his army was befieging
Tanjore. M. Lally, on entering the Tanjore country, feized
on the port of Nagore, a town belonging fo the King, and
upon all the effeCls that were found there, belonging to fhe
country merchants, from all parts of India, and fold them fo
Mr Fiffier, a Colonel of Huffars, In the French fervice, for
two lacks and a half of rupees, when fhey were known fo be
worth double that fum. The French army took the road to
Tanjore, and took poft at Trivalour : here fhey eftabfiffied a
magazine ; and, from this place, M. Lally fent Commiffaries
to demand the money which has been mentioned, arid a free
paffage for his army through his country to Trichinopoly. The
feizing of Nagore, and their behaviour at that place, caufed
their demands to be heard with little attention ; but, M. Lal
ly fent an embaffy fo the King, confifting of two officers and
a prieft, to demand a paffage by fhe neareft road fo Trichino
poly; and, at fhe fame time, the affiftanee of his armv. The
King, perceiving the great ftrength of the French, thought if
was beft to compromife matters. He accordingly gave con
fent for the French army's marching throtigh his dominions,
but not by the route propofed by Lally : he alfo offered a fmall
part of the money demanded ; but refufed fhe affiftanee of his
troops. The prieft remained at Tanjore, while fhe tWo offi
cers returned to Trevalour with the King's anfwer. Some
time after,' the prieft demanded an audience ; he then not Jon-
ly infifted on a free paffage for fhe French army by the route
named

io6 NAVAL AND 1758-

named by M. Lally, and the affiftanee of the King's troops ;
but on the immediate payment of five lacks of rupees. The
King was much difpleafed at this, but confented to give four
lacks, out of which >e required fome deduClion for the da
mages done him at Nagore : to the reft of the demand, he
gave the fame anfwer as before.
As the French army kept advancing, even while this nego
ciation was going on, the King began fo fee through their de
figns, and took meafures accordingly ; and, being refolved to
ftand all the horrors of a fiege, rather than fubmit to thefe ex
orbitant demands, he therefore ordered the prieft to leave the
city' inftantly. When the advanced guard ofthe French ar-'
my arrived, they fired on the city, which put an effeClual end
to all negociation, M, Lally then blockaded the town, in-
hopes that his formidable appearance would frighten fhe Tan-
joreans info a compliance with his demands. In this, how
ever, he was miftaken ; for fhey deftroyed many of his men
in failles ; and by means of a large body of horfe, and a de-
tachment from Trichinopoly commanded by Captain Caillaud,
they cut off his convoys of fupplies, and greatly haraffed his
army. M. Lally, finding that he did not advance his affairs
-by hoftlle meafures, and being In great want of provlfions,
tried once more what he could do by means of negociation ;
and fent an officer of rank and a prieft to the king with his
terms. They, were not only empowered to conclude an agree
ment, but to remain as hoftages for the performance of it.
They prevailed oh the king to give fifty thoufand rupees In
hand ; a promife of four lacks ; and a fupply of three hundred
horfe, and one thoufand colleries ; but this on the exprefs con
dition, that the French army ffiould immediately remove from
before the town. M. Lally, however, making no motion to
wards the performance of his part of the agreement ; the King
would not fuffer the two hoftages to depart, and declared they
fhould not be permitted to go fill the French army had begun
its march. This produced feveral meffages. At length It was
fettled, that the King ffiould fend out the troops ftlpulated by
agree*

1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 107

agreement, and detain the hoftages till the army was three
days march from the place.
The irafcible temper of M. Lally overturned every part of
this agreement. Finding only fifty of the three hundred horfe-
men arrive in his camp, he ordered them all into confinement;
averring, that the King having broken his word in not fending
the whole, he would keep thefe confined fill fuch time as he
fent out the remainder. The King, juftly piqued at this be
haviour, ordered the French hoftages to be imprlfoned, and
declared he would not fend any more troops till fuch time as
thofe he had already fent were releafed. Meantime, M. Lally,
pluming himfelf on having outwitted an Afiatic Prince, in thofe
very arts for ¦which thefe Princes are efteemed fo famous ;
while this negociation was going on, bufily employed himfelf
in erecting batteries, and placing his heavy artillery upon
them ; fo that, when the parley was at, an end, he began to
fire upon the town ; the fortifications whereof not being con-
ftruCled to refift a regular fiege, he prefently made a confide
rable breach in the walls. The Tanjoreans feeing their city
threatened with deftruClion, refolved on a generally fally, and
put their defign in execution on the 9th of Auguft. Defpair
muft have heightened their courage : otherwife, if Is not eafy
to account for their fuccefs, when it is confidered that fhey
had to attack a large body of regular European troops, as
well as difciplined Sepoys, entrenched and fupported by a large
train of artillery. The Tanjoreans attacked at once both the
French camp and the batteries, with fo much vigour and refor
lufion, that they killed about one hundred Europeans, took one
gun, one tumbril of ammunition, two elephants, and fome
horfes ; and after blowing up fome tumbrils of gunpowder,
returned again into the town. Great as fhe numbers of the
King of Tanjore's troops were, the Impreffion they made In
this fortie, muft be Imputed folely to the miferable condition
in which fhe French army were, being exhaufted by famine
and fatigue, and moreover highly difpleafed with their Gene-
neral. ]N|. Lally was forced to raife the fiege and retreat, leaving his

io8 NAVAL AND 1758-
his cannon fpiked upon the batteries. The Tanjoreans pur
fued and greatly haraffed his army on its march, killed many
of his troops, and, took two pieces of cannon and two mortars.
M. Lally, with agitation of mind eafier to be conceived than
defcribed, reached Carical with his ffiattered army about fhe
end of fhe month.
Whilft af Trivalore, on his retreat to Carical, he received
information that the French fquadron was at Pondicherry, and
M. d'Ache on his arrival at that place, had intimated to fhe
Supreme Council there, his determination to return, without
delay, with the fleet under his command, fo fhe Mauritius.
M. Lally was quite thunder-ftruck with this piece of intelli
gence, and Immediately fent the Count D'EftaIng to Pondicher
ry, to make the ftrongeft remonftrances to M. d'Ache, againft
the refolution he had taken.
On the 3d of July, three of the Britiffi Eaft India Company's
fhips arrived In Madras road : they had left England the preced
ing year, but not arriving In the Bay pf Bengal until rhe north
ern monfoon had fet in, they proceeded fo the Ganges ; from
whence they were difpatched In April, with money, merchan
dize, and ftores from Calcutta, but without any of the re
cruits they brought from England, or any troops in return for
thofe which had been fent with Colonel Clive, when Admiral
Watfon proceeded there with the fquadron. The fouthern
monfoon which began when they failed, obliged them to make
the outward paffage towards Achin, in the ifland of Sumatra,
and when they ffiaped their courfe for the coaft of Coroman
del, the firft place they made was Negapatam, at which they
received fuch Intelligence, as obliged them fo put to fea again
diteClly, and keep out of fight of land, until they ftood for
Madras. The fafe arrival of this fleet was entirely owing" fo
the ill groundedtapprehenfions of the Council at Pondicherry,
who, not permitting M. D'Ache to proceed on his intended
cruize with his fquadron, but in the middle of June, recalled
him from Carrical ; which meafure prevented this fleet from
falHng into the enemy's hands, and the treafure they had on
board, would have afforded them a fupply, fufficient for flKlr exr

1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS. iop

exigencies, and prevented their fruitlefs and difgraceful expe
dition to Tanjore.
Admiral Pocock having refitted his fquadron, (See Note
118.), and completed their water, failed in queft of the ene
my's fleet on fhe 25th of July, fteering to the fouthward along
ffiore, with the fea and land breezes ; and anchored on the even
ing of the afith off Alamparva. Seeing a fnow and feven chelin-
gas* near the fort clofe in ffiore, he fent the boats of the fqua
dron againft them, manned and armed. They burnt and funk
the chelingas, and brought off the fnow. Thefe chelingas
were all empty, having been fent from Pondicherry with can
non and ordnance ftores, which were landed the day before,
and for which place fhe fnow, which was loaded with fire
wood, was bound. On fhe 27fh, in fhe eveiilng, the fqua
dron got within three leagues of Pondicherry road, where fhey
perceived the enemy's fleet at anchor.
On the 28th, about ten in the morning, the enemy got un
der fail, and ftood to the fouthward with the land breeze ; on
which Admiral Pocock, in hopes of coming up with them, or,
if poffible, to weather them, as being the moft likely means
of bringing them to aClion, made fhe fignal for a general
chace ; but they kept to windward, and anchored next morning
off Porto Novo. When the land breeze fet in, they weighed,
and ftood to windward ; and, about eight o'clock, were out of
.fight. At four in the afternoon. Admiral Pocock feeing a
ffiip in the S. E. quarter, gave chafe : at five, ffie hoifted French
colours, and ftood in for the land ; and foon after run affiore
about two leagues to the northward of Porto Novo. He ,fent
boats on board fo endeavour fo bring her off; but finding this
impracticable, without lofing a great deal of time, ffie was fet
on fire. She proved fo be the Reftlfuflon, bound fo Pondi
cherry, from Carical, where flie had been fent vnth ordnance
ftores, and other materials for M,' Lally's army. This ffiip
had been difpatched from Bengal laft OClober with French
prifoners; who, taking the command of her from the mafter, car-
• A fort of Urge boats ufed for landing of goods, people, cannon, &c. pecu
liar to the coaft of Coromandel, where there is always a very great furf,

II© NAVAL AND 1758.
carried her to Maffulipatam ; from whence ffie was fent to
Pondicherry, where the Governor and Council, contrary to
the law of nations, made a prize of her.
At ten o'clock in the forenoon of fhe ift of Auguft, the Ad
miral once more obtained fight of the French- fquadron, as they
were getting under fail offTranquebar. They foon after form
ed a line of battle ahead, with their ftarboard tacks on boaird,
and feemed fo edge down towards him : but when he made fail
and ftood for them, they hauled upon a wind till one o'clock,
when they formed a line of battle abreaft, and bore down upon
him with an eafy fail. At half paft one, he made the fignal for
his Tquadron fo form a line of baffle ahead with the ftarboard
tacks on board ; and ftood fo fhe eaftward under fop-fails,
fometimes fhe main-top-falls fquare, as the ffiips ftatlons in the
line required, waiting for the enemy. At five, the enemy's van
was abreaft of our centre, and at about two miles diftance.
They ftood on till their van was abreaft of the Britiffi van; and
kept about fhe fame diftance, till half an hour paft fix, when
they hoifted their top-fails, fet their courfes, and ftood fo the
fouth-eaft. Admiral'Pocock then made the fignal for his van
to fill and ftand on, and make fail fo the fouthward, keeping In
a line till twelve o'clock : when, judging by the enemy's fignal
guns that fhey had tacked, he made to fhe fignal to wear, and
ftood on to fhe weftward after them ; but, at day-light, fhey
were not to be feen. In the evening of the 2d, he defcried
four ffiips In ffiore to the north-weft ; and, on the 3d, at five
in the morning, got fight of the enemy's fleet off Negapatnam,
about a league to fhe windward, formed in a line of battle
ahead, with their ftarboard tacks on board ; on which he alfo
formed a line of battle ahead with fhe ftarboard tacks on
board, and ftood towards them. Fearing that the enemy's
fliip which led their van *, would be an overmatch for the
Tyger which led his van, he made the fignal for the Elizabeth
to change places with the Tyger. At eleven, fhe wind dying
away, the Britiffi fleet were left quite becalmed ; while the
enemy
* The Comte de Provence of feventy-four guns.

1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS, iii

enemy were fo fortunate as fo be favoured with a light
breeze from the land, with which they ftood on, their line
extending, from eaft to weft, and paffed fo near the rear of the
Britifli line af right angles, that they might eafily have cut off
the Cumberland and Newcaftle, fhe fternmoft ffiips, as they
could not have received any affiftanee from fhe others, who lay
becalmed with their fterns' towards fhe enemy. They did not
avail themfelves, however, of this advantage, but paffed on with
out firing a ffiot.
At noon, the fea-breeze fprung up, which gave the Britiffi
the weather-gage. Both fleets formed their lines anew to the
wind ; and at twenty minutes paft twelve. Admiral Pocock
made the fignal to bear down on fhe enemy, and engage. The
Elizabeth and Comte de Provence began the engagement; but,
foon after, fhe mizen ofthe latter taking fire, ffie vvas obliged fo
quit the line, and her crew were conftralned to cut away fhe
maft, in order to fave the ffiip. The Due de Bourgogne then
attacked fhe Elizabeth, but was fo overpowered by her fire,
that Comte d'Ache himfelf, at that time warmly engaged with
the Yarmouth, endeavoured all he could to puffi up to her af
fiftanee ; but his intention was thwarted, by the fteering- wheel
of the Zodiaque being ffiattered by a ffiot from his antagonift j
to repair which, ffie paffed under the lee of the Due d'Orleans;
and no fooner had ffie returned into the line, than one of her
lower-deck guns in the gun-room burft, and beat through the
¦deck above. This misfdrtune was foon followed by another,
of a much more ferious nature, and dreadfully alarming. The
bulkhead of the powder-room was fet on fire ; and whilft they
were bufy in extinguiffiing it, fhe newly , repaired wheel gave
way, whereby fhe ffiip fell on board the Due d'Orleans, her fe
cond ahead. Both, while trying to extricate themfelves, were
expofed to a moft fevere cannonade from the Yarmouth and
Tyger, to which the enemy, for a confiderable time, were un
able to make any return. The Conde and Moras were by this
time beat out of fhe line ; and, at eight minutes after two, fhe
Zodiaque ha'ving got difentangled, M. d'Ache bore away, and
in fifteen minutes afterwards, the reft of his ffiips followed his
• es-

1 1.2 NAVAL AND 1758.

example: on which Admiral Pocock made the fignal for a
clofer engagement. This fignal was obeyed with alacrity by
all the ffiips, and the enemy were feverely raked by means of
this well-timed manceuvre ; but, as they crowded all the fail
they could fet, the Admiral foon after 'hauled down fhe fignal
for the line, and made the fignal for a general chafe. On this,
^he enemy cut away all their boats, that their ffiips might have
no impediment to retard their failing, and ftood to the N. N. W.
A running fight now took place, which lafted fill near three
o'clock, by which time the enemy had got beyond reach of can-
non-ffiot. The purfuit was continued till dark, when Admiral
Pocock finding it impoffible to get up with fhem, about eight
o'clock came to an anchor with his fquadron off Carical, three
miles from the ffiore'. The enemy made for Pondicherry.
During the aClion, the breeze being gentle, the water fmooth,
arid both fleets clofe to each other, they fired with great certain
ty. The French, as ufual, aimed at the rigging of the Britiffi
ffiips, whilft they took the furer mark of their hulls, which fuf
fered feverely ; and, notwithftanding the irregularity and ffiort
continuance of this aClion, the French fuftained as great a lofs
of men in it as they did in the former engagement *, although
their numbers were lefs In this fight by one thoufand two hun
dred than if was in the firft. On board the Zodiaque thirty.
three were killed, and one hundred and fifty dangeroufly woun
ded. The killed In the Britiffi fquadron amounted only fo
thirty-one, and the wounded to one hundred and fixty-fix.
Both M. d'Ache and Admiral Pocock were wounded by fplin-
ters ; as alfo , Captain Martin and M. D'Ache's Captain : and
Ad/rilral Stevens was wounded by a muflcet-ball, which lodged
in his flioulder, and was feen fo be ffiot with aim by a French
officer X- The Britiffi fleet were greariy dam,aged In their mafts
and rigging, infomuch that, had not the weather proved ex
tremely eafy, their mafts would moftly have gone by the board. The
* They acknowledged they bad two hundred and fifty men tilled, and fix hun
dred and two wounded. ^
t Orme's Hiftory ofthe Wars in Indoftan, Vol. II, page 331.

1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS. tij

The behaviour of our oflicers and men In this aClion met with
Admiral Pocock's higheft approbation.
The French Admiral retired with his fquadron to Pondi
cherry ; but he entertained the ftrongeft fufpicions that, by
Admiral Pocbok's having kept fo vt'indward with fhe Britifh
fleet, it was vi^itha defign of falling fuddenly upon his fquadron,
whilft Jie was bufily employed in Pondicherry -road repairing
the damages fuftained in the lafl aClIOn, and that he would em
ploy his fire-fhips in this attack. So ftrongly was M. D'Ache
prepoffeffed of this, that he anchored his fquadron is clofe to
the town, and as near the ffiore, as the draright of water would
admit of; and there the fleet was under the protection of the
fortifications that fronted the fea. The Council of Pondicherry
feemed to have fhe fame dread of an attack, for they recalled fo
their affiftanee a detachment of 600 Europeans, under M. Sou-
pire, who was encamped at Gingee ; M. D'Ache having de
clared, that as foon as his fquadron was refitted, he was refol
ved to proceed with it to the Mauritius. Neither the remon
ftrances of the Count D'Eftaing, who was fent on purpofe by
M. Lally to proteft againft the refolution of M. D'Ache, and
who faid that it would be attended with fhe worft confequen
ces ; and, in order to diffuade M. D'Ache from putting it ih
practice, he offered to embark any number of troops on board
the fquadron, and fo accompany fhem himfelf, as a proof of his
confidence of fuccefs, if the Count D'Ache, inftead of retreat
ing to the Mauritius, would fail, and venture another aClIon
with the Britiffi fleet : but all that could -be urged could not in
duce him to change fhe plan he had adopted. M. Lally paffed
the river Coleroon- with his army at Devecotah ; this took him
two days to perform, and he was obliged at the laft to leave his
artillery behind him : he arrived af Cortical on the 24th of July.
M. Lally, who returned to Pondicherry the 28th of Auguft,
was much againft this meafure ; and he fummoned a fort of
Council, compofed of the Council appointed by the French Eaft
India Company, and fome military officers, who joined with
him in remonftrating fo the Admiral on the refolution he had
formed ; and urged the neceffity of his once more fighting the
VOL^ II. H Bri-

,14 NAVALAND 1758-

Britifli fleet, or, at leaft, continuing where he was while they
remained on the coaft of Coromandel. But all fhe Captains of
the French fleet concurred with their Admiral, that the one was
impjaClicable, and the otiier not advifeable. In order, how,
ever, to ftrengthen M. Lally's army as much.as pofffWe, M.
D'Ache landed five hundred marines and failprs ; and, having
put his fliattered fquadron In the beft eonditloa lie could, h^,
on the 3d of September, failed for the Mauririus..
If being rather early in the feafon fpr their fleet to leave the
epaft, Admiral Poc©ek conjectured they might intend to cruize
for fome time. He therefore difpatched the Queenborough, 35
fpon as he had advice pf their departure, to cruize off the ifland
pf Ceylon, in hopes of hearing of thepi ; but ffie returned wifhr
out gainiHg. any iHtelligence.
Admiral Ptjcock having advice of a French fnow being at ai?'
chor in the road of Negapatnam, difpatched the Queenbprougli
to cut her out; which fervice was performed pn the 5th pf
Auguft, within gunffipt pf the Dutch fprt, which did npt fir?
to proteCl her : but the Governor remonflrated afterwards.
She was called the Rubis, of one hundred and fifty toris. Sh?
failed from fhe Mauritius the ift of July, and was bound to
Pondicherry, loaded with ffiot and medicines f.
The fquadron being at Negapatnam, received on bpard Ma
jor Caillaud with two hundred and fifty men from Trichinopo
ly, which they landed af Madras the 25th of September. In
order to ftrengthen the garrifon as much as poffible, the Seleft
Committee made appHcatiori to the Admiral for a detachment
of marines. He accordingly landed one Captain, one Lieuten-,
ant, and one hundred and" three men of that corps, who proved
of excellent fervlce^uring the fiege.
Admiral Pocock wifhed to have watered the fleet at Negapat
nam ; in this he was difappointed ; for there fhe Dutch made
apre-
f A few days afterwards, the Haerlem, a Dutch fhip from Batavia, of five
hundred tons, having thirty thoufand dollars on board, anchored in the road of
. Pondicherry. This fhip, the French Admiral immediately feized, by way of re-
prifal for the fuppofed connivance of the Governor of Negapatnam, in not pro-
teiling the Rubis, according to the right of a neutral port.

1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 115
a pretence that they could not comply with his requeft, as their
armament from Batavia required all the fervice of their Maffoo-
la-boats ||. The Admiral, therefore, refolved to-do this at Cey
lon, Hon his way to Bombay, and failed from Madras on the
20th of Auguft, and, on the 30th, arrived at Trincomalee,
where common hoats can ply to the ffiore. He ftafioned the
fquadron at the mouth of the harbour, and ordered the Revenge
frigate to cruize off the Friar's Hood ; who, the ad of Septem
ber, about ten in the morning, got fight of a fleet of ffiips to
S. E. They foon after gave chace to the Revenge, and one of
tsheir headmoft fhips fired a fhot at her ; on which Admiral Po..
cock immediately put to fea with the fquadron, an.d endeavour
ed all he could to come up with them, but could not get within
cannon-fbot of them at fun-^et, and he foon after loft fight of
them. It proved to be the French fquadron on their way to
the Mauritius. Having completed their water, the Britiffi
fquadrpn failed for Bombay.
M. Lally was in the utmoil diftrefs for money ; when, for
tunately for him; on the 1 8th of OCtober, a veffel arrived from
Europe at Pondicherry, having on board mpney fp the amount
of one hundred thoufand rupees, with which fupply he refolved
to commence his operations, although deprived of the affiftanee
of the fleet, befides being at this time on the worft terms with
the Council of Pondicherry and his principal officers, occafion
ed by his infufferable pride and arrogance. As foon, therefore,
as certain intelligence was received of Admiral Pocock's having
failed for Bombay, M- Lally put his army in motion ; and, that
he jnight take fhe field with as many men as poffible, he drew
all the troops that could be fpared from his different garrifons,
and marched northward towards Arcot, of which he took pof
feffion, as well as of fome other fmall places. He returned to
Conjeveram, where he continued for fome time, colleding am
munition and ftores : and here he was joined by M. de Buffy^
witli about three hundred horfe and four hundred foot, from
Golconda. They now endeavoured to make themfelves mafters
of Chengalaput, a place pf the utmoft confequence : but it was
H 2 for-
li A fort of flat boats ufed on the coaft of Coromandel.

ii6 NAVAL AND 175.S.
fortunately preferved, by fhe timely arrival of fome companies
of Sepoys from Madras ; and fhe poffeffion of it proved no lefs
beneficial-to us, than detrimental to the French, during fhe fiege
of that place,. The enemy, finding that they could not make
themfelves mafter of this fort by a coup-de-main, as was inten
ded, and that to befiege If would require too much time ; they
therefore returned'^to Conjeveram'.
M, Lally hearing of the arrival of Colonel Draper with part
of his regiment, and apprehending that the remainder of it
would foon follow, began his march for Madras, and fat
down, before that place with his army, on fhe i4fh of December,
All the out-pofts were abandoned on fhe enemy's approach ;
and the Britiffi army being unable fo make a ftand againft fo
great a force' as M, Lally had with him. Colonels Lawrence and
Draper retired into fhe town with the troops, where every thing
was prepared to make a moft obftinate defence. Ifouf Cawn
was ordered to march from Trichinopoly, with two thoufand
Sepoys, and fome ff eld- pieces, to Chengalaput, to join Captain
Prefton, who commanded there ; they proved of very great
ferviee, in haraffmg the enemy, and cutting off their convoys
of ftores and provlfions. Major Caillaud was difpatched to fhe
King of Tanjore, to prevail on him to afford the Company a
body of horfe to join Ifouf ,,Cawn. But the enemy being in
poffeffion of almoft all the country round Madras, he could not
profecute his journey by land : he therefore, even in this fem-
peftuous feafon, embarked In an open boat, landed at Tranque
bar, and, as foon as the weather permitted, fet out for Tanjore,
whieh he reached about the middle of December.
The affairs of the Britiffi Eaft India Company not being in
the moft profperous condlrion, the Major met with a cool re
ception at that Court ; and as the friends of his nation had
been removed by the King, he found it a difficult matter to
gain his point. However, he at laft had fhe good fortune, fo
obtain a body of three hundred horfe ; and having got toge
ther as many Sepoys, he began his march for Chengalaput,
which, although two hundred and fifty miles diftant, he reach
ed in eleven days. Here he left his corps, ^d haftened to
Mount

1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 117

Mount St Thomas, where Captain Prefton and Ifouf Cawn
had taben poft. With them he concerted fuch a plan of ope
rations as might moft effeClually diftrefs the enemy ; and being
furnlffied with money, the foul of an Indian army, he imme
diately returned to his troops. M. Lally took poffeffion of the
Black Town, when the troops ftatloned, there retired into Ma
dras ; and as his men were fatigued with their march, pr per
haps difperfed in plundering fhe town. Colonel Draper thought
that a fally at that time, while unexpected by the enemy, would
have the moft happy effeCl. In this opinion he was feconded
by Governor Pigot and Colonel Lawrence. Accordingly, Co
lonel Draper fallied forth with five hundred men, and two
field-pieces. He at firft met with great fuccefs ; and, had
the grenadiers of his regiment followed either his example or
his orders, the enemy had ftill fuffered more confiderably than
they did, and might perhaps have been compelled to raife the
fiege. But the Colonel, after having performed wonders, and
lofing near two hundred of his men, one half of which by
their own imprudence were made prifoners, was obliged to re
tire. The lofs fuftained in killed, were Major Pollier, and
Captains Hume and Billhook, together with about fifty raen,
and near as many wounded ; befides upwards of one hundred
made prifoners. Colonel Draper furprized fhe regiment of
Lorraine, which he would have deftroyed, had not a brigade
of freffi troops come fo their aid. He made prifoner the
Count d'Eftaing, a Brigadier-General, whom he fent into the
fort before he retreated. On this occafion, ^the enemy had above
four hundred men killed and wounded, among whom were
thirty or forty officers. Governor Pigot declared, in order to
animate the garrifon, that he would diftribute fifty thoufand
rupees among them, five days after the fiege was raifed, or
the French beat off. This ferved greatly to animate the men.
The Governor daily vifited the works, and was extremely li
beral to thofe whom he found deferving.
The enemy loft a confiderable time before fhey opened
their batteries ; and when they did, they were frequently de
ftroyed by the fuperior fire from the town.
H 3 Dur-

n8 NAVALAND 1758.
During the fiege. Governor Pigot received the agreeable
news, that Colonel Forde had gained a compleat viClory over
the Marquis de Conflans, and the French forces under him
near Vizagapatam, on which the garrifon fired a feu-de-joye.
M. Lally fent in a flag of truce, with a letter, complaining
that fhot were fired on his head quarters, and that if we per-
fifted in it, he would burn the Black Town. Perhaps thij
extraordinary man is the firft General that ever fiied his head
quarters within point-blank ffiot of the enemy's artillery.
The operations of the fiege were greatly interrupted by the
repeated attacks under Ifouf Cawn, Major Caillaud, and Cap
tain Prefton, from Chengalaput and Mount St Thomas. In
one of their excurfions, fhey intercepted a convoy of the ene
my's ftores, confifting of tents for three thoufand mefl ; a
large mortar which they fpiked up, and burnt the bed ; two
guns which they alfo fpiked up, and burnt the carriages ; and
fome ammunition which they carried off, together with a con
fiderable number of cattle going fo the enemy's army before
Madras. In ffiort, their excurfions were fo defultory and ra
pid, that M. Lally faid fhey refembled flies, being no fponer
beat from one part, than they fixed pn another. He fent fe
veral detachments to endeavour to difperfe them. ,Thefe had
always been defeated. At laft, perpeiving how much this Ayr
ing corps retarded his defigns, and haraffed his troops, he
fent out a detachment of fix hundred Europeans, fifteen hun
dred Sepoys, all his cavalry, and ten pieces of cannon under
M. Soupire, in hopes of effeClually cruffiing thefe troublcfome
parrizans. But Major Caillaud and Captain Prefton had poft
ed their trojops fo fuch advantage at Mount St Thomas, that
after a very brlfk attack which lafted feveral hours, the ene
my were obliged fo return to camp, without being able to ef;
feCl their defign.
M. Lally, however, ftill perfifted inthe fiege, and carried
on his works clofe to the glacis, where he ereCted ,a battery,
and began a mine, to open a way into the ditch : but it was
fprung fo injudicloufly, that although it made a breach in the
wall, the enemy could derive but Kttle advantage from it. M.
Lally,

1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS. n^

Lally, as he gave out, had feized on tlie Dutch fort at Sadras,
in order to prevent It from falling into our hands. Major Gail*
laud formed a defign to ftoprize it in the night ; but his guides
deeeiving hin>, he fo&ftd that day would be broke before be
could reach it ; fo that he was obliged to defift. On4iis re^
tarSi he took a French courier bringing a letter from M. Lally
to M. de Leyrit, the Governor of Pondicherry, Its contents
are extraordinary ; a«d as they exhibit a true piClure of the
man, and of the condifion of fhe French army, we take the
liberty fo prefent the reader with a tratifliation of this fingular
lerfdrmance. " £/dt»p before Madras^ pebruary 14th, 1759.
" A good blow might be ftruck here. There is a fhip in
" the road, of twenty guns, laden with all fhe riches of Ma.-
" dras, whieh it is faid will remain there till the 20th. The
" Expedition is juft arrived, but M. Gorlin is not a man to
" attack her ; 'for ffie has made him rUn away once before.
" The Briftol, on tbe other hand, did but juft make her ap-
" pearanee before St Thomas's ; and on fhe vague report of
"thirteen ffiips coming from Porto Novo, ffie "took fright;
" and after landing the provlfions whieh . which ffie was laden,
" fhe would not ftay, even to fake on board twelve of her owh
" guns ¦which he had lent us for fhe fiege.
" If I was the jujdge of fhe point of honour of the Compa-
" ny's officers, I would break him like g'lafs, as well as fome
*' others of thtm, ,
" Tbe Fidelle, or the Haerlem, or even the aforefald Briftol
" with her twtlve guns reftored to her, would be fufficient to
" make themfelves mafters of the Engliffi ffiip, if they could
" manage fo as fo get fo windward of her in the night, iViau-
«* gendere and Tremillier are faid to be good men ; and, were
" thejr employed to tranfport two hundred wounded men, that
" we have here, their fervice would be of importance.
" Wc remain ftill in the fame pofitlon : the breach made
" thefe fifteen days, all the time within fifteen toifes of the
H 4 wall ;

I2« NAVALAND 1758'
f wall of the place, and never holding up our heads to look
« at it.
" I reckon we ffiall, on our arrival at Pondicherry, endea-
f vour to learn fome other trade ; for this of war, requires too
" much patience.
" Of fifteen hundred Sepoys, which attended our army, I
" reckon near eight hundred are employed on the road to Pon-
" dicherry, laden with fugar, pepper, and other goods ; and
^« as for the Coulls, they are all employed for the fame pur-
'' pofe, fince the firft day we came here.
" I am this day taking my meafures to fet fire to the Black
" Town, and blow up the powder-mills.
" You will never imagine, that fifty French deferters, and
f one hundred Swifs, are aClually flopping the progrefs of
" two thoufand men of fhe King's and Company's troops,
" which are ftill here exifting, notwithftanding the exaggerat-
" ed accounts that every one makes here, according to his own
^' fancy, of the flaughfer that has been made of them ; and
*• you will be the ftill more furprized if I tell you, that, were
*' it not for, the two fklrmiffies and four battles we fuftained,
•' and for the batteries which failed, or, to fpeak more pro-
*• perly, which were unlkilfully made, we ffiould not have
" loft fifty men from the commencement of the fiege, till this
« day. " I have wrote fo M. de Larche, that if he perfifts in not
" coming here, let who, will raife money on fhe Polygars ;
" for me, I will not do It ; and I renounce (as I informed you
" a month ago I would do) meddling direClly or indircClly,
" with any thing whatever that may have relation to your Ad-
?' miniftrationj whether civil or military. For I had rather go
« and command the Caffres of Madagafcar, than remain in this
« Sodom ; which it Is impoffible but the fire of the Engliffi^
" muft deftroy, even though that from Heaven ffiould not.
" I have the honour to be, &c.
" Lally.
¦^' P. S. I think it neceffary to apprize you, that as M. de
" Sou-

1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 121

" Soupire has refufed to take upon him the command of this
" army, which I have offered to him, and which he is em-
" powered to accept, by having received from fhe Court a du-
" plicate of my commiffion, you muft of neceffity, together
*« with the Council, take it upon you. For my part, I un-
" dertake only to bring it ,back either fo Arcot or Sadras.
" Send, therefore, your orders, or come yourfelf to command
" it, for I ffiall quit it on my arrival there."
The arrival of the Shaftefbury India ffiip in Madras road
from Bombay, announced the long expeCted reinforcements
to be near at hand ; and on fhe i6th of February 1759, Cap
tain Kempenfelt, whom the Admiral had fent with two twen
ty gun ffiips, and fix other veffels, on board of which were
Major Monf on with the remainder of Draper's- regiment, and
fome more troops and flores, arrived very opportunely to fave
the Black Town. The moment that M. Lally perceived them,
he made every thing ready to raife fhe fiege, and, by dawn of
day on the 1 7th, he was nearly out of fight. He left behind
him near forty pieces of battering cannon, almoft every one of
which had been difabled during the fiege, and a large quanti
ty of ammunition and ftores. Captain Kempenfelt Immediate
ly landed the troops, who inftantly joined fhe garrifon in pur
fuit of the French army.
Thus was preferved, by a refolute and manly defence, the
city of Madras, after a fiege of upwards of nine weeks. Great
praife was due to the officers and men, particularly fo Mr Pi
got the Governor, to Colonels Lawrence and Draper, and to
Major Brereton, for their unwearied zeal, bravery, and good
conduCl. The promifed reward of fifty thoufand rupees was
immediately Iffued on the French going off J two thirds where
of were diftributed among the Europeans, and one third a-
mong the Sepoys and Lafcars of the garrifon. M. Lally was
in the utmoft tranfports of rage and defpair. From the force
he had brought out with him, and the few troops we had to
oppofe to -it, he had boafted, that he would breakfaft at Fort
St David, dine at Madras, and fup at Bengal. He now, how-

122 NAVALAND 175S.

ever, found himfelf fo ill fupported, both by thofe in po\ir^ti
and by his troops, whofe efteem his temper was ill calculated
to retain, that he retired with his army, refolved fo quit the
command of it. His letter to M. de Leyrit, bears ftrong marks
of the agitations of a mind, mortified and enraged at the unex*
peCled defence of Madras, which blafted all his hopes of being
able to drive fhe Britiffi from Indoftan. In his retreat his
paffions feem entirely to have got the better of him ; for be
left fuch marks of his favage and brutal difpofition on his.
toute, as will for ever dlfgrace his name as a foldier, an ofEeer,
or a gentleman. It is hardly poffible to exprefs, how much
merit accrued to Major Caillaud, Captain Prefton, and Ifouf
Cawn, from this important fiege ; as, by their indefatigable
affiduity and alertnefs, M. Lally's fchemes were in a great mea
fure fruftrated. WEST INDIES.— Zemara' Island Station.
The fquadron in thefe feas, continued under the command
of Commodore Moore, (See Note iig.) he fent Captain Tyr
rell on a cruize with the Buckingham and Cambridge ; and
the Captain receiving intelligence, that fome of the enemy's
privateers were at an anchor in the Grand Ance bay, in the
ifland of Martinico, he immediately went in queft of tbem.
On his appearance, the veffels drew clofe to the ffiore under
cover of a battery ; which, after a fevere cannonade, he de-
mollffied : deftroyed three privateers, and took a fourth. The
village clpfe by, was a ftrong temptation to failors, fluflied
with viaory, to attack and plunder ; and they warmly folici-
ted Captain Tyrrell's leave to march aga.ii.ift it. His reply to
this requeft, does him more honour than the moft fplendid
conqueft. " Gentlemen, —It is beneath us to render a num-
" ber of poor people miferable, by deftroying their habitations
" and little convenlencies of life : brave Engliftmen fcorn to
« diftrefs even their enemies, when not in arms againft them."
The honeft tars, fenfible of their worthy leader's obfervations,' ac-

1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS. ijj
acquiefced in his fentiments of humanity. In this attack, the
Buckingham had three guns difraounted, one man killed, and
two wounded : the Cambridge had one man killed, and feven
wounded. During the fanie cruize, he took a fchooner pri
vateer, and chafed a large prjvateer affiore : before his boats
could get on board the latter^ the crew quitted her, and fet her
on fire.
In November, Captain Tyrrell in the Buckingham, was or-
dered to cruize off St Euftatia, to intercept _a fleet ready to fail
from thence, laden with provifions for the French iflands.
They were to be efcorted to Martinico by the Floriffant, of
feventy-four guns, and feven hundred men ; the Aigrette, of
thirty-eight guns, and three hundred and fifty men ; and tbe
Atalante, of twenty-eight guns, and- two hundred and fifty
men. On the 3d of that month, he gave chace to a fail, which
proved to be his Majefty's floop fhe Weazle. Captain Tyrrell
ordered Captain Boles on board to receive orders. While thefe
were writing out, a fleet of nineteen fail being difcovered
W. S. W., Captain Tyrrell immediately gave chace. *At two
o'clock he difcovered them to be fhe French men of war and
their convoy. At half an hour after two, the Weazle got
very clofe to fhem, when one of the frigates fired a broadfide
at her ; on which Captain Tyrrell made the fignal for the
floop to come off. He hailed her Lieutenant, and ordered him
not fo go near any of the ffiips of war, as the finalkft of them
was greatly fuperior to the Weazle. Captain Tyrrell gave direc
tions to Captain Boles to fuperlntend the lower^-gun deck of
the Buckingham. The fire of the two frigates was very troublc
fome to Captain Tyrrel, as he was bearing down on the Flo
riffant ; but getting his broadfide to bear on them, they re
ceived fo much damage from bis fire, that both kept out of
gun-ffiot during the remainder of the aClion. He now got up
vvith the Floriffant, when a very clofe engagement commenced.
The enemy having cut fhe Buckingham's rigging, endeavoured
to get off ; but Captain Tyrell fetting all the fail he was able,
purfued. her, and, having once more got clofe along-fide pf
her, the aClIon was renewed with double fury. Af this time,
paptain Tyrrell was wounded in the Hand and face, which
obliged

124 NAVALAND 1758.

obliged him to quit the deck for a little time, leaving the com
mand fo Mr Marffiall his firft Lieutenant, who was foon after
killed. The. fecond Lieutenant then came upon deck, and
fought the ffiip, till Captain Tyrrell, having got his wounds
dreffed, refumed the, command. Night being now coming
on, and the enemy's fire greatly flackened ; fhey hauled. down
their colours, and at fhe fame time fired about half a broad
fide ; when, unluckily fome of the ffiot happening to ffiafter
the Buckingham's tiller to pieces ; and all the rigging being
gone, the ffiip was under no command. The enemy perceiv
ing that foriie difafter had happened on board the Buckingham,
fet what fails they had left ; and witb the help of their frigates,
got off, having loft upwards of two hundred men. On board
the Buckingham, feven men were killed, fifteen wounded
dangeroufly, and thirty -one flightly.
Tbe Woolwich took the Marffial de Broglio, from Breft for
Cape Francois, laden with warlike ftores, provlfions, &c. ef
teemed a very valuable prize.
Tbe Weazle floop took a Dutch ffiip of four hundred tons,
laden witb flour, wine, foap, and candles ; the Captain of
wbich produced Dutch papers : but fufpicions arifing that ffie
was French property, diligent fearch was made, when, behind
the wainfcofting of the cabin, the French papers were found,
which condemned the prize.
The Oliver Cromwell privateer, of St Chriftopher's, took a
Dutch ffiip of near four hundred fons burden, laden with war
like ftores for the French ^flands. She had a pretended clear
ance from Amfterdam, and would have been releafed, had not
one of the crew been prevailed upon, by means of a large fum
of money, fo make a difcovery of ber real deftination ; when let
ters and papers were found concealed in the buoy, which con
demned the cargo.
WEST mDlES.— Jamaica Station.
The fquadron on this ftation continued to be commanded by
Admiral Cotes. (See Note 1 20.) Dur-

1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 125

During this year, there happened but few events on this fta
tion worth relating. Admiral Cotes difpofed of his fquadron
to fo mucb advantage, that the enemy's trade was in a great
meafure annihilated ; many of their privateers taken ; and our
own trade extremely well protected. On the ift of Septem
ber, tbe Affiftanee (then commanded by Captain David Ed
wards) and tbe Dreadnought, being on a cruize, and having re
ceived intelligence bf the Palmier, a French fliip of war, of fe
venty-four guns, being in thefe feas, they went direClly, in queft
of ber, and gave chafe to ber off Port-au-Prince. The Dread
nought got up with ber about four o'clock next morning, and
began to engage her very clofely. Unfortunately, tbe Affiftanee
was becalmed, and could not get up fo fecond Captain Suck
ling's bravery ; wben the enemy, having difabled the Dread
nought's rigging, fet all their fail, and made off. As foon as
the breeze fet in, both ffiips went again in queft of the enemy ;
but the Palmier bad now got fo far ahead, fbat ffie effeCled her
efcape. The Dreadnought had eight men killed, and feven
wounded ; her mafts and rigging mucb damaged. A few days
before our ffiips fell in with the Palmier, ffie had taken bis Ma
jefty's floop the Stork.
This fquadron captured upwards of forty Dutch ffiips, either
employed in carrying out ftores and provlfions to the French
colonies, or returning to Europe laden with their fugars, cof
fee, cotton and indigo : moft of whicb were declared legal
prizes by our Courts of Admiralty. And they likewife took a
great many from the French, fome of wbich were of confider
able value.
The Thurloe privateer, of St Chriftopher's, of fourteen guns,
and eighty-four men, commanded by Captain Mantle, took fhe
Deux Amis privateer, of Port Louis, of ten guiis, and ninety-
eight men, off Cape Tiberoon, on the 15th of January. The
enemy bore down upon the Thurloe, who was prepared to re
ceive her. After a few broadfides, they endeavoured to make
off ; upon which the Thurloe gave chace, and foon after got
along-fide of the enemy, who, feeing no poffibility of efcaping,
refolutely boarded the Thurloe on her bow. A moft defperate ,
and

12(5 K AVAL AND 1758.
and bloody engagement then eomeienced, which lafted near
three hours, with piftols, fwords, hand-grenades, powder-flaflcs,
and ftink-pots ; at laft the enemy furrendered, when they had
only ten men fit for duty. The Thurloe had ten men killed, and
twenty-five wounded. They expended in fhe aCtlpn, three hun
dred powder-flaflcs, feventy-twp ftink-pots, and eleven rounds
of great guns^nd fmall arms,
NORTH AMERICA.
The want of fuccefs in the laft campaign, bad raifed a great
clamour againft the commander in chief, particularly the Earl
of Loudoun; whofe meafures, though well intended for the
fervice of his country, bad unfortunately raifed bim a number
of enemies, both in England and in America : he was therefore
recalled, and tbe command of the land forces conferred on Ma
jor-General James Abercrpmbie. The plan of operations
laid down by Lord Loudoun, were formed with too much judg
ment to be laid afide. As he bad been extremely aCtive in col
lecting materials, and taking every ftep in bis power fo open
the campaign with vigour, whenever the feafon would permit ;
the Miniftry determined to avail themfelves of the preparatioHS
he had made, and once more fo make an attempt on Louiffiurg;
and, that no fuccours might be thrown' into the place, Rear-
Admiral Sip Charles Hardy was difpatched in the Captain man
of war, very early in the Spring, to talce the command of fhe
fquadron which had wintered at Halifax ; with orders to repair
off Louiffiurg, and ufe his utmoft endeavours to prevent the
garrifon from receiving fupplies from Europe.
The frequent thick fogs, however, and hard gales of wind on
the coaft at this feafon of the year, were extremely favourable
to the enemy ; for notwlthftanding that Sir Charles Hardy re
paired off Lsuifburg the moment the feafon would permit, the
French were fo fortunate as to fteal out of Breft with a ftrong
fquadron under the command of M. de Chaffaut, accompanied
with fonae troops and fupplies of every kind, with which they got

175*. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 127

got Into Louiffiurg unperceived ; but not finding there the naval
force he expeCted jn that port, and in dread every minute of
being blocked up, he haftened bis -departure for Quebec ; (See
the laft part pf Note 137.) Forefeeing what muft be the fate
pf Louifburg, be wiffied to take the whole of bis fquadron along
with him ; but, on the remonftrances of M. Drucour the Go
vernor, he was prevailed on to leave fix fail of the line and fome
frigates under M. d? Beauffier, to affift in the defence of the
place ; and with ^e remainder of his fquadron to fail for the
river !5t Lawrejice. Sir Charles Hardy had, however, the good
fortune fo intercept the Foudroyant, being the annual fliip from
France to Quebec, of feven hundred fons burden, mounting
twenty»two guns, and having on hoard an immenfe quantity of
gun-powder, fmall arms, cloathing, and dry goods fo a very
great amount *. Captain Boyle of the Boreas, took, after a
fhort aCHon, the Diana, a French ffiip of war, of thirty-fix guns.
CJpmnjpdpre Durell arrived very early in the feafon at Halifax,
having been difpatched from England, to expedite the military
operations there, and to bave every tbing ready to embark the
army, by the time that Admiral Bofcawen, who was now ap
pointed Commander in Chief of the fleet in North America,
fliould arrive.
Tbe Admiral failed from Spithead, the i8tb of February.
The Invincible of feventy-four guns, one of bis fleet, comman
ded by Captain Bentley, efteemed tbe fineft of her rate in Eng
land, was unfortunately loft : this accident was occafioned by
her miffing ftays, and running on a fknd-bank fo the eaftward
of St Helen's : her men, guns, and ftores were faved ; but eve
ry attempt to fave fhe fhip proved ineffectual. The Dublin, of
the fame force, was immmedlately difpatched after Admiral
Bofcawen, to fupply the place of the Invincible ; on board of
which ffiip, embarked Major-General Amherft, wbo, on tbe
recal of the Earl of Loudoun, was appointed by his Majefty to
the

* This fhip ftood a fhort aftion with the Adrhtral'sftiip. The weather herog
ftormy, th^ Captain could not open her lower ports ; when the enemy, taking
her for a frigate, were fome time before the/ were conviAce4 of their miftake.

128 NAVAL AN'D 1758-
the command of the land-forces deftined to befiege Louiffiurg*.
(See Note 121.) Tbe forty-third regiment proteCled fhe back
fettlements of Nova Scotia; and detachments from different re
giments, amounting to eight hundred men, were left in garrifon
at Halifax, under the command of Major Morris of tbe thirty-
fifth regiment. ^
On the 28fh of May, fhe Dublin met Admiral Bofcawen
coming out of Halifax with his fleet. General Amherft went
irAmediafely on board the Namur, when the command of the
army was delivered up to him. The Dublin, being very fickly,
proceeded
* The following anecdote was related about this tirae, and averred to be a faft.
On the rath of February; a perfon, accompanied by a meffenger from the Ad
miralty, arrived exprefs at Portfmouth, and was immediately introduced to Ad
miral Bofcawen ; concerning whom, the following particulars tranfpired. He
had for fome time been mafter of an Englifh veffel, trading from port to port in
North America, particularly in the river St Lawrence ; but being taken prifo
ner by the enemy, he was detained near three years, by order of M. de Mont
calm, who, on account of his extenfive knowledge of the coaft, and more parti
cularly of the ftrength and foundings of Quebec and Louifburg, would not per
mit him to be exchanged. A refolution was taken to fend him to Old France
in the firft packet-boat, there to be confined till the end of the war. He was
accordingly embarked, and was the only Englifh fubjedt on board of this
Teffel. During the voyage he was admitted into the cabin, where he one
day took notice, that they bundled up the packet, and put it into a canvas bag '
that it might be ready to be thrown overboard upon any appearance of danger.
Being conftrained to put into Vigo, to get fome provifions, as alfo, to gain in
telligence of the Britifli in thefe feas, they here found Britifh men of war. The
prifoner thought this a proper time for putting the following fcheme in exe
cution. One night feizing the opportunity of all, except the watch on deck,
being found afleep, he took the packet out of the bag j and having fixed it
in his mouth, he Clently let himfelf down into the bay, and, to prevent noife
by fwimming, floated on his back info the wake of the Britifh fhips ; where,
laying hold of a hawfer, he called for afBftance, and was immediately taken on
board with the packet. The Captain examined him ; treated him with the
greateft civility ; gave him a fuit of his own clothes ; tranfcribed the packet,
which was faid to be ofthe greateft importance in regard to our fuccefs in North
America ; and then fent him poft over-land to Lifbon with a copy of the French
difpatches, from whence he w'as brought to Falmouth in a floop of war, and im
mediately fet out for London. Upon his arrival in town, he was examined by
the proper perfons in Adminiftration, and fuitably rewarded. By his own de
fire, he was immediately fent to Portfmouth, to go on board the Admiral's own
(hip upon the expedition to North America.

1758^ MILITARY MEMOIRS. 129
proceeded to Halifax ; and, in ber, the General fent the Ho
nourable Colonel Monckton, to take the command of tbe for-;
ces there. Tbe fleet, amounting fo one hundred and fifty-feven
fail, made for Gabarus-<bay, where the general rendezvous was
ordered. For fome days the weather continued fine ; and the
fleet keeping well together, the general took this opportunity fo
iffue fome orders relative fo the difembarking of the troops, and
making good their landing on the ifland of Cape Breton. The
weather foon after becoming fempeftuous, the fleet difperfed;
fo that it was the 2d of June before Admiral Bofcawen, with
tbe greateft part of the fleet, reached fhe rendezvous;
Major-General Amherft, with Brigadier-Generals Lawrence
and Wolfe, went immediately to reconnoitre the coaft, and the
enemy's pofitlon. They found the French extremely well pre
pared to receive them, having a chain of pofts from Cape Noir
to fhe Flat-point, arid irregulars from thence to the bottom of
the bay. At every place where there appeared a poffibility of
a defcent being made, batteries of cannon and mprfars were
ereCled, and entrenchments thrown up fo defend them. But
what the Generals found would be a great hinderance fo their
firft operations, was the violence of the furf, which was fo great
af this time, that it was Impoffible for any boats to land.
Notwithftanding fhe formidable appearance of the enemy's
defences, the General refolved, from fhe obfervations he had,
been able to make, to order the troops into the boats early next
morning, in hopes that, before that time, more franfporfs would
arrive, and the violence of the furf abate. The General's dif
pofition for the defcent was, fo form fhe troops into, three di
vifions, and in order to diftrafl: the enemy's attention as mucb
as poffible, to ffiow as If fhey meant to land at three different
places at the fame time. The divifions on the right and centre
were only meant as feints, while that on the left was meant as
the real attack. Unfortunately the wind increafed during fhe
'night, which rendered all landing impracticable. That the firft
favourable minute, bowever, migbt be embraced, the General
feveral times caufed the troops fo be put Info the boats between
this and the Bth, but was as often compelled, from the violence
vox,. II. I of

w^

NAVAL AND 1758'

of the furf, to order them on board the ffiips again. During
this interval, the enemy were extremely bufy in adding to their
works, in throwing ffiells, and cannonading tbe ffiips if they ap
proached the ffiore.
In order to divert the enemy's attention from the intended
place of defcent, the General ordered fhe fwenty-eighth regi
ment (who were on board of floops), fo fail, under convoy, by
the month of the harbour, to Lorembec ; and at the fame time
fent a proportion of artillery, deftined for the Light-Houfe
point, with orders to make every poffible ffiew of landing there.
On the Sth the army were all In tlie boats. The divifion on
the left, under Brigadier- General Wolfe, confifted ofthe four
oldeft companies of grenadiers, followed by the light infantry
and companies of rangers, fupported by fhe Highland regiment,
and thefe by fhe remaining companies of grenadiers. The
centre divifion, under Brigadier-General Lawrence, was com
pofed of tbe fifteenth, twenfy-feeond, thirty-fifth, forty- fifth,
regiments, and fecond battalion of Royal Americans ; and were
ordered to make a ftiew of landing at the Freffi- Water Cove.
Tbe divifion on the right, under Brigadier- General Whitmore,
was compofed of the fecond battalion of the Royal regiment,
fhe feventeenth, forfy-feventh, forty-eighth, fifty-eighth regi
ments, and third battalion of Royal Americans ; and were or
dered to row towards fhe White-point, as if Intending fo force
a landing there.
CortHnodore Durell having explored the coaft, by order of
Admiral Bofcawen, gave it as his opinion, that fhe troops might
land in the bay on the left, without any damage from the furf,
under cover of the frigates. Accordingly, the Kennington and
Halifax were ranged on the left ; the Diana, Gramont, and
Shannon In the centre ; and the Sutherland and Squirrel on the
right. As foon as the covering ffiips were ftafioned, fhey be
gan a warm cannonade on the enemy's works ; which having
continued about a quarter of an hour, tbe divifion under Gene
ral Wolfe began to row, in extreme good order, for fhe ffiore.
The enemy did not throw away a fingle ffiot, but waited tlU the
troops approached the land; whten, pouring upon them the
wbok

1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 131
whole fire of their cannon and mufquefry, almoft every ffiot
took place. The furf aided their efforts ; but the calmnefs and
intrepidity of Brigadier-General Wolfe got the better of all ob-
ftacles. The men jumped into the water, and haftened to the
ffiore. He formed them upon the beach : wben they inftantly
attacked fhe enemy with fuch impetuofity with fixed bayonets,
as to drive them from their pofts in great confufion. The furf
was fo violent, that feveral boats were overfet, and others daft-
ed In pieces ; by which many men were drowned, and almoft
all tbe ammunition damaged.
When General Wolfe had thus made good the landing, the
centre divifion moved towards tbe left, and the right followed
the centre. The boats returned to the tranfports with great
difpatch; and, before night, all the troops were landed. Scarce
was this done, when the wind rofe fo high, and the furf increaf
ed fo much, that all communication with fhe fleet- was cut off.
The enemy, in tbeir flight, left behind them three twenty-four
pounders, feven nine-pounders, and feven fix pounders, two
mortars, and fourteen fwivels, whicb they bad placed along
fliore, to prevent our landing. The weather continued fo fem
peftuous for fome days, that nothing could be got on ffiore to
commence the operations of the fiege.
On the i?th, the General having received Intelligence, that
the enemy bad deftroyed the grand battery, and called In their
out-pofts, detached Brigadier-General Wolfe, with twelve hun
dred men, round the N. E. harbour, to the Light-houfe
point. Here he took poft, and foon after ereCled batteries,
which played with great fuccefs on tbe Ifland battery and the
ffiipping, and greatly facilitated the operations before tbe town.
From the extreme badnefs of the weather, the fiege at firft
went on very flowly; fo that it was the 13th, before fhe Ge
neral could break ground before the place ; when the enemy
made a fally on the wprkmen, but were inftantly drove back.
The ground being rough in fome places, and fwampy in others,
occafioned an infinite deal of labour and fatigue fo the troops ;
and the enemy's ffiips in the harbour keeping up an inceffant!
fire on them while at work, it was the lytb in the evening,
12 > beforei

132

NAVAL AND ' 1758.

before a battery could be opened ; at which time the enemy
fired very briflriy. By fhe 25th, fhe Ifland battery was filenced;
its own fire had greatly contributed fo Its ruin : fo that Gene
ral Wolfe found it only neceffary fo leave a detachment of ar
tillery at the Light-houfe-poinf, in order to keep .the Ifland bat
tery in rulrts. He returned with a great part of his corps to
the camp before the town, and formed an attack on the weft
gate, where he made moft rapid advances, and ereCled fome
batteries that played with great fuccefs on fhe town and ffiip
ping. And tlie Admiral, ever ready fo promote the public
fervice, landed his marines, which were formed- into a batta
lion, and joined the army before the town.
On the 28'th, the enemy funk a ffiip of the line and two fri
gates acrofs the mouth of the harbour, to hinder the Britifli
fleet from entering It,
On fhe 9th of July, they made a fortie at night ; and, though
drunk, furprized a poft, but were prefently beat back with
lofs. In this fldrmlffi fhe Earl of Dundonald was kilted, and
fome grenadiers made prifoners.
The army underwent great fatigues in carrying on the ap
proaches, which were, now confiderably advanced, when a
lucky accident happened, that gave fhem confiderable felief,
and greatly diftreffed the enemy. On the 21ft, the Enfrepre
nant of feventy-four guns took fire, from fome powder blow^^
ing up on board of her. The explofion was great, and foon
eaught the fails of two more ffiips. They all burnt with great
fury, our batteries playing- on them the whole time, which
contributed very much tov^ards their deftruClion. This was
an Irreparable lofs to the enemy. Next day more batteries
opened ; and the approaches were advancing faft to fhe cover
ed-way. The fire from fhe enemy's only two remaining'ffiips
gave them fome trouble ; but the Admiral, who had along
done every thing in his power fo fecond fhe operations of the
fiege, refolved to remove this inconvenience. In fhe night
of the 25th of July, he fent Into the harbour fix hundred fail
ors, under fhe commarid of Captains Laforey and Balfour, to
take pr burn the before-mentioned ffiips. This they gallantly aiui

1758- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 133

and fuccefsfully executed, in fpite of the fire from fhe ffiips,
the Ifland battery, Point Rochefort, and fhe town.
Captain (the late Rear-Admiral Sir John) Laforey boarded
the Prudent of feventy-four guns, and carried her ; but ffie
being agrpund, be could not bring her off; on which he fet
ber on fire. Captain Balfour attacked fhe Bienfalfant of fixty-
four guns, ' took ber, and towed her into the N. E. harbour.
This ftroke was conclufive ; for the Admiral, going affiore,
informed General Amherft, that he would fend fix ffiips of the
line next day into tbe harbour. But at that moment the, Ge
neral received a letter from the Governor, defiring fo capitu
late on honourable terms. To which General Amherft return
ed the following anfwer : —
" In anfwer fo the propofal I juft now had the honour fo
" receive from your Excellency, by the Sieur Lopinot, I have
" only fo fell your Excellency, that It hath been determined
" by his Excellency Admiral Bofcawen and me, that his ffiips
" fliall go in to-morrow to make a general affault upon fhe
" town. Your Excellency knows very well the fituation of
" the army and fleet ; and as his Excellency the Admiral, as
" well as I, is very defirous to prevent the effufion of human
'*' blood, we give your Excellency pne hour, after this, to de-
" termine to capitulate as prifoners of war, pr to take" upon
" you all the bad confequences of a defence againft this fleet
" and army. And I bave tbe boijour to be, &c.
" Jeff. Amherst."
The Governor, foon after, returned the following anfwer
to General Amherft ;
" To anfwer your Excellency in as few words as poffible, I
«' bave tbe honour fo repeat to you, that my refolution "is ftill
" tbe fanie, and fbat I will fuffer the confequences, and fuf-
". tain the attack you fpeak of. And I have fhe honour fo
"be, &c."
" Le Chev, de Drucour."

^3

¦Not

134

NAVAL AND 1758-

Not long after the delivery of this epiftle, however, the Go-
vernor altered his opinion. Having duly confidered of Ad
miral Bofcawen's intention of fending In fome of his fleet tp
batter the town ; that the defences of the place on tbe laiid-
fide were in a moft ruinous condition ; that all fhe French ffiips
of war were either taken or deftroyed ; and that any oppofi
tion he could make, would not be fufficient fo prevent fhe
Britiffi ffiips from entering the. harbour; and perceiving, at
at fhe fame time, that General Amherft was preparing fo at
tack the covered-way, he did not chufe to rilk the confequen
ces of a general affault. Towards evening, therefore, fhe
Sieur Lopinot returned ; and a capitulation was agreed on, by
which fhe garrifon were made prifoners, of war, (See Note
122.) On this glorious event. Admiral Bofcawen wrote the fol
lowing letter to Mr Cleveland, Secretary to the Board of Adr
miralfy. *' Sir, f« Namur, Gahreufe-bay, July Z'jth, 1758.
" I will not trouble you with a particular detail of the land-
" ing and fiege ; but cannot help mentioning a particular gal-
•' lant aClIon, In- the night between the 25tb and 26th inftant.
" The boats of the fquadron were in two divifions, command-
f ed by the Captains Laforey and Balfour, to endeavour ei-
" ther to fake or burn the Prudent of feventy-four guns, and
" the Bienfalfant of fixty-four, the only remaining ftips in.
*' the harbour ; In which thev fucceeded fo well, as to burn
" the former, flie being aground, and take the latter and tow
" her into the N. E. harbour, notwithftanding they were ex-
" pofed to the cannon and mulketry of the Ifland battery,
" Point Rochefort, and the Town, being favoured with a dark
" night. Our lofs was inconfiderable ; feven men killed, and
" nine wounded,
" I bave given fhe command of the Bienfalfant to Captain
" Balfour, and the Echo frigate to Captain Laforey, Mr Af-
" fleck and Mr Bickerton, Lieutenants, who boarded the Bi-
« enfaifant,

1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS, 135

*« enfaifant, fucceed thefe gentlemen In fhe .^Stna fire-ffiip, and
•' Hunter floop.
"I have only farther to affure his Majefty, that all the
" troops and officers, botb fea and land, have fupported the
" fatigues of this fiege with firmnefs and alacrity. And I
" am," &c.
The Admiral difpatched the honourable Captain Edgecumbe
with bis letters on this occafion ; and the General fent his
brother and Aid-du-camp, Captain William' Amherft, with
his. They met witb-a moft gracious reception from the King,
at whofe feet they laid the enemy's colours, belonging to the
French regiments furrendered at Louiffiurg. His Majefty was
pleafed to order five hundred pounds to be given to each of
thefe gentlemen, and the colours fo bs lodged in the Cathe
dral Church of St Paul's. They were accordingly carried with
great military pomp from the palace of Kenfington into the
city, and hung up in that church, in honour of this conqueft.
Immediately after the furrender of Louiffiurg, Admiral Bof
cawen detached Sir Charles Hardy with feven fail of the line,
to the gulph of St Lawrence, to deftroy fhe French fettlements
at MIramichi, Gafpee, &g. He was accompanied by Briga
dier-General Wolfe, with three battalions of land forces, and
fome artillery. Sir Charles Hardy had orders to endeavour to
intercept the French fquaidron, expeCted every day from Que
bec. Having completely performed the fervice fhey were or
dered on. Sir Charles Hardy and the General returned with
the fquadron and troops to Louiffiurg. Some ffiips were fent
to the Iflind of St John's, In the gulph of St Lawrence, and
a detachment of troops under Lieutenant-Colonel Lord Rollo,
to fee the capitulation complied with, and to garrifon that
place. General Amherft, as foon as he heard of General Abercrom-
bie's repulfe af Ticonderago, embarked with fix battalions ; and
under convoy of the Captain man of war, proceeded to Bof
ton ; wben he difembarked liis troops, and marched through
the woods to the General's camp at Lake George,
I 4 Admiral

f26 NAVAL AND 1758.
Admiral Bofcawen, having fettled all the neceffary matters
at Louiffiurg, failed for England with a part of fhe fquadron,
leaving Rear-Admiral Durell with the remainder to winter in
America ; with orders, to enter fhe river St Lawrence, as
early as poffible next fpring, to prevent any fupplies from
being thrown Into Quebec, Part of Admiral Bofcawen's fqua-
dron being feparated from him on fhe paffage, there remained
in company, on the 27th of OClober, only fhe Namur, Royal
William, Somerfet, and Bienfalfant, of fhe line of battle ;
with the Boreas, Trent, and Echo frigates, and two fire-ffiips.
The Bienfalfant was provided but with a few rounds of pow
der, fo that only the three firft mentioned ffiips could come
into aClion. On that day, tbe Admiral being in fhe channel
foundings, fell in with the French fquadron from Quebec,
under the command of M, de Chaffaut, confifting of five fliips
pf the line ' of battle*, one frigate, and fhe Carnarvon Britifli
Eaft India ffiip, which fhey had taken the day before. The
enemy bemg pn the contrary tack, paffed the Engliffi fquadron
very near to leeward, and difcharged their broadfides in paf
fing, which were returned by fome of the ffiips ; but the wind
blowing hard, the motion of fhe ffiips, moft of whom could
not open their lower ports, rendered this ffiort aClIon of litde
effea, , •
Admiral Bofcawen, who was not In the leaft intimidated
at the apparent fuperiority of the French fquadron, immediate
ly changed his courfe, and ftood after fhem. The night was
very fempeftuous ; but next morning, the enemy were again
difcovered, and then confifted of only four fliips of the line
and a frigate, one of them having loft company. The Ad
miral had alfo fhe misfortune to lofe fight of all bis frigates.
The chafe, however, was renewed with the greateft ardour ;
and, although the fquadrons were very near each other, the
Admiral had the mortification to find that bis ffiips did not
gain ground on fhe enemy, who fled with all tl^e fail they could
carry.
" The Tonnant of eighty, Intrepide and Hero of feventy-four, Prothce and
BeUiqueux of fixty-four guns.

1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 137

carry. However, the Eaft India ffiip was retaken. One of
the French line of battle ffiips, having received fome damage,
feparated from the others fhe night following ; which was fhe
caufe of her capture, a few days afterwards, in the Briftol chan
nel*. The Admiral, after ufing every, effort in vain to over
take the enemy, arrived at Spithead on fhe i ft of November.
The conqueft of Cape Breton was not more advantageous
to the nation, than It was glorious to the commanders ; fo
whom tbe Houfe of Commons unanimoufly refolved to give
their thanksj-. This refolution was tranfmitted by a letter
from tbe Speaker fo Major-General Amherft ; and, as Admi
ral Bofcawen was a member of that Houfe, on the 1 2th of*
December the Speaker addreffed him as he ftood in his place,
in fhe following words :
*• Admiral Bofcawen, — ^The Houfe have unanimoufly refol-
" ved, that their thanks ffiould be given fo you, for the fervice
*• you have done your King and country in North America ;
•* and it is my duty to convey their thanks to you.
" I wiffi it could be in a manner fuitable fo the occafion,
" and as they ought to be given you, now ftanding in your
*' place as a member of this Houfe.
" But were I able to enumerate and fet forth, in the beft
" manner, the great and extenfive advantages accruing to this
" nation from fhe conqueft of Louiffiurg, with the iflands of
" Cape Breton and St John ; I could only exhibit what has al-
" ready been, and is the genuine and uniform language of every
"part of fhe kingdorri.
" Their joy, too, has been equal fo their fentiments on this
" interefting event : and in their fentiments and joy fhey have
" carried their gratitude alfo to you. Sir, as a principal Inftru-
" ment in thefe moft Important acqulfitlons.
" You are now, therefore, receiving the acknowledgements
*' of the people, only in a more folemn way, by fhe voice, tbe
" general
* The BeUiqueux of fixty-four guns, taken by the Antelope of fifty, offllfra-
combe. t December 6th, 1758.

138 NAVALAND 1758-

" general voice of their reprefentatives in Parliament — the moft
" honourable fame that any man can arrive at, in this, or any
" other country. If is, on thefe occafions, a national honour,
" from a free people ; ever cautioufly f o be conferred. In order
" fobe the more efteemed, to be the-greafer reward ; and which.
" ought to be referved for the moft fignal fervices to the ftate,
" and the moft approved merit in them; fuch as this Houfe has
" aClually, and very lately, made their objeCls of public thanks.
" The ufe, I am perfuaded, you will make of this juft tefti-
•' mony, and high reward of your fervlces and merit, will be,
*' the preferving in your own ¦ mind, a lafting impreffion of
** what the Commons of Great Britain are now tendering to
" you, and in a conftant continuance of tbe zeal and ardour
" for the glory of your king and country, which bave made you
" deferve It.
" In obedience to the commands of the Houfe, I do, with
" great pleafure to myfelf, give you fhe thanks of the Houfe,
" for the fervice you have done fo your king and country In
" North America."
Upon which. Admiral Bofcawen faid,
" Mr Speaker, — I am happy in having being able to do my
" duty ; but bave not words to exprefs my fenfe of the diftin-
" gulffiing reward that has been conferred on me by this Houfe;
" nor can I enough thank you. Sir, for fhe poUte and elegant
" manner. In which you have been pleafed to convey to me the
" refolution of the Houfe." *
The taking of Louiffiurg in fhe manner now defcribed, was
a fevere blow to the enemy. Befides the lofs of the place it
felf, that of fix men of war of the line and four frigates, was
alone an objeCl worth fending an armament againft if; and
fuch a ftroke given fo fhe French marine, was of the greateft
importance, and feverely felt. To the Britiffi colonies, the con
queft of Louiffiurg was of the higheft Importance, as from this
place, multitudes of privateers had fallied out, and had in a great
meafure deftroyed not only fhe coailing intercourfe of the co
lonies
* Votes ofthe Houfe of Commons, December ijth, 1758.

1758- MILITARY MEMOIRS.

139

lonies with each other, but even that of the mother country
with them. To the French themfelves, the lofs was beyond
defcription great, it being in a manner a key to all their nor
thern colonies, as if was almoft the only harbour they bad in
North America, that could admit of their fliips of war, and
thereby afford proteftion to their fiffieries. This, with the de
ftroying of Miramlchi, Gafpee, &c. in fhe gulph of St Law
rence, and the Britiffi being In poffeffion of the ifland of St
John's, put an end fo their fiffiery ; a branch of trade, former
ly extreftiely beneficial to them, and in which they employed a
great many fliips annually. Great Britain can never pay too
mucb attention to her fiffieries in this and other parts of the
world. A market ought carefully to be fought for, and every
encouragement held out f o the merchants, to give a preference
to fhe fiffi fold by Britifh fubjeCts. We ought always to have
in remembrance alfo, that this trade is one of the beft nurferies
for feamen ; a circumftance alone, if no other advantage attend
ed It, of fufficient importance to a country, whofe confequence,
its rank, and even its exiftence as a ftate, depend entirely on the
flouriffiing con<Htion of its navy.
AFRICA.
The projed of attacking the French fettlements on the coaft
of Africa, was firft fuggefted by Mr Thomas Cumming, a Qua
ker. He had made feveral voyages fo Portenderrick, in fhe
neighbourhood of the French fettlements af Senegal, where he
contracted a perfonal acquaintance with the Mooriffi King of
Legibelll. This Prince, from fome infuit or negleft received
from the French Governor af Senegal, was extremely exafpera-
ted againft the French nation, and affured Mr Cumming, he
was extremely well difpofed towards the fubjeCts of Great Bri
tain, and would affift, with all his power, any armament their
King ffiould think proper fo fend againft Goree and Senegal.
In cafe of fuccefs, he promifed to grant an exclufive trade fo
fhe fubjeCls of his Britannic Majefty. Mr Cumming, being a
fenfible

140 NAVAL AND 1758,

fenfible intelligent man, confidered this propofal well ; procu
red the beft information relative to the ftate of fhe French fac
tories ; and, learning that hoftillties were commenced between
Great Britain and France, he formed a plan for reducing them,
with which he repaired to London, and communicated If fo the
then Adminiftration, This plan was laid before the Board of
Trade, where Mr Cumming was very ftriClly examined ; and
he gave fuch fatisfaCtory and minute details ofthe French fettle
ments, their fituation, ftrength and commerce, that the Board
approved much of the defign. •
After fuch high approbation, Mr Cumming thought that his
defigns would be put in immediate praCtice. But this patriotic
quaker had ftill many mortifications and difappoinfments to en-
countei", before he could bring this about: nor could he ever
fully accompliffi It, as fhe Miniftry ftarved his plan, by ftriking
off one large ffiip from his requifitlon ; and In lieu of fix hun
dred land forces, which he required, the Lords of the Admiral
ty allotted only two hundred marines for this fervice ; a mea
fure fhey had reafon to repent of afterwards.
At length, and after repeated applications, in the year 1757,
he obtained an order, that the two annual ffiips bound fo the
coaft of, Guinea, ffiould be jpined by a floop and two buffes ;
and that they ffiould make an attempt on the - French fettle
ment in the river Senegal, This armament was detained fo
long In England by contrary winds, that the feafon was too far
advanced fo admit of any chance of fuccefs. The Miniftry
therefore countermanded what fhey had very unwillingly gran
ted. Mr Cumming would have had all bis toils and follcita-
tlons to have gone through again, if a change of Admlniftra-
rion had not taken place. But Mr Pitt, perceiving Mr Cum-
mlng's plan fo be fraught with fhe moft beneficial confequen
ces fo the nation, and It being now powerfully feconded by Mr
Samuel Touchet, a confiderable merchant In the city of Lon-
dod, to whom Mr Cumming had communicated the fcheme ;
the enterprize was once more adopted, and refolved to be put
in execution.
The fquadron allotted for this fervice, was commanded by
Captain

1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 141

Captain Henry Marffi, and confifted of one ffiip of the. line, one
of fifty guns, a frigate, a floop, two buffes, (See Note 124.) and
fome fmall arnied veffels hired by Government, that carried
from four fo eight guns, which were manned and officered from
tbe fquadron. The land forces confifted of two hundred ma-
rliies, under the command of Major Mafon; a detachment of
artillery, commanded by Captain Walker; fen pieces of cannon,
eight mortars, and a confiderable quantify of warlike ftores and
ammunition. Mr Cumming, the chief promoter of this expe
dition, went on board tbe fquadrpn, which failed from Plymouth
March 9th 1758.
In their paffage, they touched at the ifland of Teneriffe,
where, while the ffiips were fupplying themfelves with wine
and water, Mr Cumming, in the Swan floop, proceeded to Por
tenderrick, being charged with a letter o^ credence to his old
friend fhe King of Legibelll, Unfortunately, his Majefty was
at this time a confiderable way up fhe country, carrying on a
war againft a neighbouring Prince, The Queen Dowager,
who remained at Portenderrick, gave Mr Cumming fo under-
ftand, that ffie could not at prefent fpate any troops to join fhe
Britiffi forces going againft Senegal : but one of the chief men
of the coaft difpatched a meffenger to inform the King of their
arrival on the coaft, and their defign. This man declared, that
he would with all poffible hafte raife a body of three hundred
foldiers to join the Britiffi, and affured Mr Cumming, that the
King would fend a detachment from his army to fecond their
efforts againft fhe French, Juft at this time. Captain Marffi
and the fquadron arrived ; and being apprehenfive that fhe
enemy might gain intelligence of bis defign, and take precau
tions acCPrdingly, he refolved not fo waif for fhe Mooriffi auxi
liaries, but to proceed immediately fo Sfenegal.
On the 22d of April, he weighed from Portenderrick, and
next day got off fhe mouth of the river Senegal; when he per
ceived the French flag flying on Fort Louis, which is fituated
on an Ifland in the midft of the river, about twelve miles above
the bar. Here the Commodore made' prize of a Dutch ffiip
richlv laden with gum, and came to an anchor with the fleet. The

142 NAVALAND 1758-
The enemy having got notice of the Commodore's intentions,
, had armed a brig and fix floops with cannon, and pofted fhem
behind the bar, to defend the entrance of the channel. Thefe
gave fome annoyance to the boats in founding. While this fer
vice was performing, fhe troops, artillery, tents, ftores, and am
munition, were put on board the fmall craft, fo be ready fo
proceed as fpon as the channel was difcovered. This being
accompliffied, the Swallow floop, tbe two buffes, and armed
veffels, got under weigh on the 29th ; and the wind, whicb ge
nerally blows down fhe river, chopping about, our veffels led
with a flowlng'fall. Fortunately, fhe Swallow floop and Portf
mouth bufs, with moft of fhe fmall armed veffels, got fafe acrofs
the bar, and Immediately made towards the enemy's ffiips;
who at firft feemed refolved to wait for them, but, on their
nearer approach, fled under the guns of the fort. The Lon
don bufs and fome veffels with troops, all the tents, and fome
artillery, were unfortunately wrecked in croffing the bar. —
Luckily no lives were loft : the foldiers made for fhe ffiore,
where fhey were immediately joined by their companions from
the veffels whicb had got fafely over the bar. Thefe bringing
ammunition and entrenching fools along with them, fet Imme
diately fo work, and raifed fome entrenchments for their fecu-
rity againft the natives, who appeared to be very numerous ;
which precaution proved unneceffary, as, inftead of being hof
tlle, they came In and fubmitted in great numbers.
Next day, the Commodore reinforced the land-forces with a
corps of three hundred and fifty feamen; foon after, the French
Governor fent two officers with a flag of truce, with terms on
which he propofed to furrender : a few alterations having been
made by Captain Marffi and Major Mafon, fhe place furrender
ed, (See Note 124.) This capitulation was finlffied the ift of
May ; and, in confequence of it. Captains Campbell and Wal
ker were fent up with a flag of truce, to fee the articles figned
and fulfilled. They were much retarded by fhe rapidity of the
ftream. Af laft, getting near a battery, they hoifted their flag,
and beat the chamade for near an hour; but no notice being
taken of them, they rowed down the river again to the Ititrench- mentj

1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 143

ment ; where they leamt, that the negroes on the ifland were
in arms, and had blocked up tbe French in the fort, as they
did not think themfelves properly fecured, either in their per
fons or property, by the capitulation. This was foon after
confirmed by a letter from the French Governor to Major Ma
fon, informing bim, that unlefs the French DireClor-General
fliould be permitted to remain with fhe natives, as a furety for
that article of the capitulation in which fhey were concerned,
they would allow themfelves to be cut in pieces, rather than
fubmit. This requeft being granted, tbe Britiffi forces mar
ched for Fort Louis, attended by a number of boats. • The
French feeing them advance, immediately ftruck their flag?
and Major Mafon took poffeffion of the fort, in which was a
garrifon of two hundred and fifty men, officers included. —
Ninety-two pieces of cannon were found in fhe fort and bat
teries, and fixteen veffels were delivered up, moft of them la
den. The effeCls found here, in gold, gums, goods, and prize
fliips, amounted to the value of 200, oooi. If fhe Governor of
this place had waited only a few days longer before be made
an offer to furrender, the enterprize muft have been abandon
ed, as moft of the requifites for a fiege were loft in crofling tbe
bar. The whole country round, is one continued burning fand,
and wafer both fcarce and unwholefome. As the men had not
a tent to ffielter themfelves with, they were expofed to fhe
fcorching heat of the fun in the day, and heavy dews In the
night. The climate, fo fatal fo Europeans even in better cir
cumftances, muft foon have made fuch bavock among this little
band of troops, that few would have returned on ffiip-board a-
galn ; while the French were nearly as numerous as fhe Britiffi
regular troops, when they took poffeffion of tbe fettlement.
The Englift bad formerly fettlements here, but were driven
from them by the French, who engroffed the whole trade from
Cape Blanco to the river Gambia; a traCl of land near five hun
dred miles In extent. The Dutch were the firft who fettled at
Senegal, where they ereCled two forts- The .French made
themfelves mafters of them in 1678. In the year 1692, the
Engliffi

144 NAVALAND 1758.

EngUffi took them ; but, in the following year, the French once
more got poffeffion of them, and had kept fhem ever fince.
They built Fort Louis in 1 692, which is fituated on an ifland
about twelve miles from the bar af the mouth of fhe river Se
negal. They have eftabliffied feveral faCtories on the banks of
this great river, particularly at Podore and Galam ; the former
fituated four hundred, and the latter nine hundred miles farther
up the river : all thefe were included In the capitulation. Of
gum fenega, the produce of this country, a great quantify is
ufed by fhe Britiffi manufacturers. Tbis valuable article benig
wholly In the poffeffion of the enemy, fhe Britiffi merchants
were compelled to buy it at fecond hand from the Dutch, ,who,
knowing the importance of this commodity, exaCled moft ex
orbitant profits. Several very valuable articles are likewife
brought here by fhe natives, fuch as, gold-duft, elephants teeth,
hides, cotton, bees- wax, flaves, oftrich feathers, Indigo, amber
gris and civet ; fo that Great Britain, at a very fmall expence,.
and without the lofs of a man, found herfelf poffeffed of a moft
valuable conqueft, which. If properly managed, might prove of
fhe higheft importance to her commerce, and the.fource of very
great wealth. It is fo be hoped, for the honour of Great Bri
tain, that Mr Cumming, to whofe zeal, fagaclty, and perfeve-
rance, this Important acquifition is entirely owing, was libe
rally rewarded. Certainly much was due fo a man, who, to
ferve the public, had not only negleCled his private concerns,
but hazarded his life in the execution of an enterprize he had
fo wifely planned *,
After fecuring the fort, batteries and ftore-houfes, the cor
poration and burghers of the town of St Louis fubmitted, and
fwore allegiance to his Britannic Majefty. The neighbouring
Princes, attended by large and uncouth retinues, vied with each
other in paying their earileft compliments fo, and in conclud
ing treaties with, the conquerors ; and the King of LegibelK
fent an ambaflador from his camp to Major Mafon, with pre-
fents, compliments of congratulation, and afliirances of friend
ffilp. The number of free independent Negroes and Mulat- toes
* Mr C>imming was gratified with a handfome penCon during life.

1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS. ¦ i4S

toes fettled on fhe ifland of' St Louis, or Senegal, amounted to
three thoufand ; and many enjoyed flaves and poffeffipns' of
tbeir own. Tbe enemy's colonies in the Weft Indies foon felt
the effeCls of the lofs of Senegal, as they were chiefly fupplied
with negro flaves from thence.
As foon as matters were properly fettled at Senegal, Cap
tain Marffi, agreeable fo his orders, prepared fo attack fhe
ifland of Goree on the fame coaft, about thirty leagues to the
fouthward of Senegal. Having fent away the French garrifon
for Europe ; and leaving a fufficient land-force under Major
~ Mafon In tbe fort, with fome fmall armed veffels for the pro
tection of the trade ; he failed with tbe fquadron the 1 7 th of
May; and on the 24th, got clofe to fhe ifland of Goree, and
the ffiips, having fprings on their cables, be began a warm
cannonade on the place. At firft the enemy were much alarm
ed, and made but a poor defence : but, finding that the fire
from tbe fquadron made little or no impreffion upon the works,
they returned to their guns, and redoubled their efforts. After
the ffiips had lain two hours and a half before the place. Captain
Marffi was forced to make fhe fignal fo cut tbeir cables and re
tire, their rigging, mafts, yards and hulls being confiderably
damaged ; befides having about twenty men kilted, and forty
wounded. This check, adminiftration were fenfible, was en
tirely owing to fhe fmallnefs of fhe force fent againft the place;
and as they were determined to follow up the plan laid by Mr
Cumming for fubjeCtlng fhe French fettlements on tbe African
coaft, they, towards fhe end of the year, came to fhe refolution
of fending out a ftrong armament to accorripliffi this important
defign, and which Commodore Marffi, for want of fufficient
force, had not been able to accompliffi.
The Naffau, Swan floop, and Portfnaouth bilfs, returned
with fhe trade bound for^Englahd ; and, foon after, the Har-;
wich fell in with a private Freneh ffiip of war, called the Comte
de St Florentine, of fixty guns. Captain Marffi exchanged
fome broadfides with fhe enemy, when they made off: and
his rigging being much cut, he could not, with all' bis endea
vours, overtake the enemy. Cajifaln Marffi foon after failed
VOL, Ii. K ' fer

146 NAVALAND 1758-

for Jamaica, faking the ffiips , for that ifland under his con^
voy ; as the Rye had, fome time before, taken the trade for
the Leeward iflands.
The fuccefs which had afteiided Mr Cumming's plan at Se
negal, and the advantages accruing therefrom to tbe commer^
clal Intereft of Great Britain, were fo confiderable, that Admi
niftration were now determined to attack the ifland of Goree, ,
the only remaining fettlement the French had on the coaft of
Africa. The Honourable AuguftuS Keppel, brother to the
Earl of Albemarle, was pitched upon fo command the fqua
dron deftined for this fervice, which confifted of four ffiips. of
the line, one of fifty, one of forty-four guns, two frigates, a
floop, and two bomb-ketches. (See Note 1 25.) Commodore
Keppel was ordered fo repair to the harbour of Cork In Ireland,
for the land-forces which were to make a part of the expedi
tion. Thefe confifted of fhe fecond battalion of Lord Forbes's
regiment, and fome piquets from other corps ; the land forces-
were commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Worge, who had late
ly been appointed Governor of Senegal.
The Commodore, when In Cork harbour, gave out falKng
orders and rendezvoufes for his fleet, and failed from thence
on the 26th of OCtober ; but, by contrary winds, was forced
to return to port. However, they finally failed on the nth
of November. The weather, as might be expeCted at that
feafon of fhe year, was extremely boifterous, accompanied
frequently with thick fogs ; it cleared, however, on tbe morn
ing ofthe 29th, which proved the means pf preferving the fleet
from Inevitable deftruClion, the coaft of Barbary being then
perceived to be- clofe under their lee. This was the more ex
traordinary, as, by their reckoning, fhey thought themfelves
fifty leagues to the weftward of it ; which can only be ac
counted for, from the ImperfeCl obfervations they bad been
able to make in the: thick weather, and from a ftrong current
fetting to ^ the eaftward. The fquadron all got clear of this
danger, except fhe Litchfield, and a tranfport ; of whofe
misfortunes fhe reader will find a particular account in the
Appendix. (See the latter part of the laft mentitaled. Note.) On

1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS, 14^
On tbe 14 th of December, tbe fquadron anchored in the
road of Santa Cruz, one of the Canary iflands, where fhey re
paired all tbeir damages ; and having taken in a fufficlency of
wine, they failed from thence on tbe 2ofh, and on fhe 28tb,
in the morning, got fight of tbe iflandof Goree.
Tbe Commodore fent a frigate ahead witb French colours
hoifted, with orders, as foon as ffie came open witb the Ifland,
to hoift a Britiffi enfign at the mizen-peak, being the French
flgnal for that day. In order to deceive the enemy ; but they
took no notice of it. The reafon why they did not, was, that
tbe fquadrpn bad negleCled to falute the fort l for although
the ffiips had all hoifted French colours, and tbe enemy were
in daily expectation of a fleet from France, this omiffion made
them conjecture, that the ffiips in fight were not friends. The
Commodore foon put the matter beyond a doubt; for, get-
ing abreaft of the ifland about two o^clock, he hauled down
the French and hoifted Britiffi colours ; and at three o'clock,
he came to an anchor with tbe fquadron in Goree road, in
eighteen fathoms water, the ifland bearing S. W, by S. about
I four miles diftant.
The Saltaffi floop, and tbe tranfports having the troops on
board, were ordered down to a bay between' Point Goree and
Point Barrabas, it being the moft convenient place for troops
to row from, in cafe their affiftanee had been wanted. Tbe
Cdmmodore loft not a moment in putting his orders In execu
tion ; and having reconnoitred the place, he refolved to at
tack If with fhe ffiips on the weft fide ; not becaufe it was tbe
weakeft, but being the lee fide ; by w]»ich means fuch of the
ffiips as ffiould have the misfortune fo have their cables ffiot
away, might without any danger put to fea, and by beating
to windward, he enabled fo get into aClion again.
"Early In the morning of the 29th, the flat-bottomed boats,
manned by the fquadron, were fent fo the franfporfs, into
which the "troops were ordered fo embark, and, when the
Commodore made the fignal for that purpofe, to land on the
ifland of Goree. .
The Commodore made the following difpofition of his
K 2 fqua-

148 NAVALAND 175^-
fquadron: the Prince Edward he ordered againft the north.
point of fhe ifland, and fo cover fhe Firedrake bomb ; the
Naffau led the van of fhe fine-of-battle ffiips, and was ordered
to bring up abreaft of St Peter's battery of five guna; the
Dunkirk to bring up abreaft of a battery a little to the north-
ward of the former; the Torbay to bring up abreaft of fhe
weft point battery of five guns, and the corner of fhe upper
fort ;. the Fougueux to bring up abreaft of fhe mortar battery
of eight guns and two mortars, and alfo to cover tbe Furnace
bomb. As foon as tbe firft ffiip had dropped her anchor from
ber ftern, ffie was to hoift a pendant from the mizen peak, as
a fignal to the ffiip immediately aftern of her that ffie had
brought up. Thus the fecond was to acquaint the third, and
fo on of the reft ; and the Captains were ordered not to fire a
gun till each was abreaft of ber ftation, and moored botb head
and ftern.
About nine o'clock, the Prince Edward, and Firedrake
bomb, bore down on tbe ifland, and began the attack. The
enemy, not obferving any ffiip coming to fecond the Prince
Edward, brought all the guns they could to play upon her.
, The Cotnmodore, obferving that fhe Firedrake bomb threw
moft of her ffiells over the ifland, by overcharging their mor
tars, an error which thofe on board could not perceive, he
fent an officer on board the Furnace bomb, with orders for
them to avoid the fame miftake ; by wbich means, moft of the
fliells thrown by her did execution.
The Naffau, Dunkirk, and Torbay, having at length got
into their ftatlons, foqji called the enemy's attention from the
Prince Edward, by a clofe and well direCted fire. But the
wind beginning to fall towards fhe middle ofthe day, fhe Fou
gueux could not get fo foon fo her ftation as fhe other ffiips ;
and the Furnace bomb falling on board of her, retarded her a,
confiderable time. At laft ffie got placed, and powerfully fe
conded the other ffiips. This cannonade was' too dreadful for
the enemy long to withftand, and they accordingly, ftruck their
colours. On this tbe firing ceafed, and the Commodore fent an offi cer

1753- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 149

cer and his fecrefary to the Governor, who, before theycould
land, fpoke fo them from fhe beach, and defired to know
on what terms the Commodore propofed he ffiould furrender.
The officer fold him,- he thought he bad furrendered, as he
had ftruck his wflours. The Governor replied, that he meant
it only as a fignal for a parley. Upon b^jng fold, the Com
modore was determined that the place ffiould furrender at dif-
cretion ; M. de St Jean faid, he knew bow to defend himfelf.
The officer replied, the Commodore would fire one gan over
the ifland, after which he might renew the attack whenever
be pleafed. Upon this, the boat returned witb all fpeed on
board fhe Commodore ; who, upon being informed of what
had paffed, fired the gun over the ifland, and made a fignal
to renew the aClion. The enemy fired only a few guns, when
the ffiips poured their broadfides with redoubled fury on them ;
whereupon the enemy fled from their guHs, ftruck their regi
mental colours, and called for quarter from every part of the
. ifland. Tbe Commodore took immediate poffeffion of it, by
landing his marines^ who hoifted Britiffi colours on the fort.
The letter wbich Commodore Keppel wrote to Mr Secretary
Pitt on tbis occafion, gives a very modeft account of this very
brilHant aCtion. It is as follows ;
" Sir,
¦" I ARRIVED here, with the fquadron under my command,
" on the 28tb of December, in the evening j and next morn-
" ing, agreeable to his Majefty's InftruCtions, I attacked, witb
** fhe ffiips, the forts and batteries on the ifland of Goree,
" which were foon reduced to defire to cajntulate : and the
" Governor's demands were, to be allowed to march the
" French troops out of tbe garrifon with the honours of war,
" His terms I abfolutely rejeCled, and began a freffi attack.
" It was, however, of very ffiort duration, when the Ifland,
" forts, garrifon, &c. furrendered at dlfcreflon to his Majef-
" ty's fquadron. ,
" Lieutenant-Colonel Worge bad bis troops embarked in
" flat-bottomed boats, in good order and readinefs, at a pro-
K ^ " per

159 NAVALAND 1758.
" per ^Iftance, with tbe_ tranfports, to attempt a defcent,
« when it ffiould be found practicable or requifite.
" Two days after- fhe furrender of tbe ifland, I ordered it
" to be delivered up, with fhe cannon, artillery, ftores, pro-
«' vifions, &c. found in It, to the officer and troops Lieutenant
" Colonel Worge thought fit to garrifon the place v^ith : and
" the Colonel is taking all imaginable pains to fettle and regu-
" late the garrifon in the beft manner, and as faft as things
•' will admit of.
<¦ The inclofed. Sir, is a ftate of the ifland, witb the artil-
*' lery, ammunition and provlfions found in the place at ita
" furrender. " French made prifoners of war, about three hundred :
" Blacks In arms, a great number, but not well enough in-
" formed yet fo fay precifely. Lofs of the enemy, as to men,
*' fo very differently ftated by thofe who have been aflted, that
*' I muff defer faying the number."
During the attack, many thoufand negroes lined the Afri
can ffiore, from which Goree is but a few miles diftant, to
behold fuch a new fcene, as floating caftles fubduing thofe fhey
had long looked upon as invincible. Whilft tbe ffiips were
thundering againft the ifland, their affonlffiment is inexpref
fible. The lofs of men we fuftained in tbis attack, was very in-
confid. rable : Lieutenant Weft, of the Prince Edward, was fe
verely wounded.
The joy of the nation on occafion of this conqufeft, was in
fome meafure damped, by fhe accounts of the Litchfield, and
a tranfport with troops, belonging to the fquadron, being
wrecked on fhe coaft of Barbary, in tbe Emperor of Morocco's
dominions ; the Britiffi being too brave and generous, not to
feel for the misfortunes of their fellow-fubjeCis, efpecially
when employed in the fervice of their country. (See Note
J25.) Commodore Keppel, after efcorting Colonel Worge to his
Government

1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS. iji

Government of Senegal, leaving a proper garrifon there, and
fcourijig the coaft, returned with his fquadron to England-
MEDITERRANEAN,
The command of his Majefty's ffiips In fhe Mediterranean,
was entrufted to Admiral Offiorn, haying under him Rear-
Admiral Saunders. (See Note 126.) The French Miniftry
were well acquainted with the caufe that bad hitherto eitabled
them to fruftrate all our beft-laid plans ; which was no other,
than taking the greateft care to obferve the moft profound fc-
crecy, as to the real deftination of all their armaments ; tp
ufe every means to draw tbeir enemies attention from tbe eb-
jeCl of their defigns ; and to be beforehand with them in all
their naval and military expeditions. By fteadily perfeverlng
in this conduft, they had difconcerted all our fchemes in North
America, and greatly facilitated their own. The fuccefs they
bad, by difpatching their fquadron in the winter njonths, they
found, from ekperienoe, gave thera the beft chance of eJudaisg
the vigilance of the Britiffi fleets ; and they determined, in
this refpeCl, to repeat the fame experiments this year as they
had done the laft.
A ftrong fquadron was accordingly ordered to be got ready at
Toulon, the command of whicb was given fo M. de la Clue.
(See Note 127.) This fleet left that port early in the mouth
of December, ,1757 ; but they pould not equip fo many fliips
with fuch fecrecy asto prevent the Britiffi Minifter from ob
taining intelligence of it, wbo immediately put Admiral Of
born on his guard ; to whofe alertnefs it muft be placed, that
this well laid plan-pf the enemy was fg completely difconcert
ed, that it contributed greatly to the fuccefs with which the
Britiffi arms were crowned in America. This, added to the
blow which Admiral Offiorn gave the French Navy, well en
titled him, along with the conquerors of Louiffiurg, to fhe
thanks of the Houfe of Commons.
From the great naval preparations whicb were going on at
K 4 all

152 NAVALAND 1758-
all the. principal fea ports in Great Britain, the French were
certain that a blow was intended to be ftruck af their American
colonies, whicb If they did not ward off by finding them very
powerful fuccours, the confequences migbt prove very fatal to
them. They therefore redoubled their exertions in getting the
fquadron at Toulon ready to put fo fea.
This armarnent was partiy defigned for fhe Eaft Indies, and
partly for North America, but was not to feparate until they
had fairly attained the Weftern Ocean ; when M, de la Clue,
with the largeft fquadron, was fo proceed to the Weft Indies^
and wait there till the feafon would permit him fo enter the
harbour of Louiffiurg, which was his ultimate deftinatiOn,
From the time of the year they failed from the port of Toulon j
joined to the fempeftuous weather fo common af that feafon,
and the long dark nights, fhey entertained hopes of being able
tp accomplifli their plan, and pafs the Straits unperceived. In
this, however, they were difappointed; for Admiral Offiorn,
who had long expeCted them, bad ftationed bis ffiips In fuch'a
manner, that M, de la Clue, finding It Impoffible to elude the
vigilance , of the Britiffi fleet, was conftrained to put info the
harbour of Carthagena, in Spain; and had but juft time to
anchor his fquadron in that port, when the Admiral, with his
fleet, made his appearance, and blocked him up in that port.
The French Commodore, feeing he bad not ftrength fufficient
to come out and fight the Britiffi Admiral with any profpeCl
of fuccefs, and the fervice be was going on requiring the-ut-
moft difpatch, he .preffed his Court for a ftrong reinforcement
of ffiips fo be fent him immediately, to enable him fo proceed*
to his deftination, without further lofs of time ; and. If he was
conftrained to fight Admiral Offiorn, that he might do it on.
more equal terms than af prefent. His Court faw clearly the
juftnefs of M. de la Clue's reafoning ; and ordered a fquadron
of five ffiips of the line and a frigate, fo be got ready at Tou
lon with the utmoft expedition, fhe command ofwhich was
given to M, du Quefne, an able and expert officer, with orders
fo join M. de la Clue In the harbour of Carthagena with aU
poffible difpatch. They accordingly failed, and two fliips of
the

1758. MILfTARY MEMOIRS. 153

the line had tbe good fortune to elude tbe vigilance of our
fquadron, and got into Carthagena. But it fared not fo well
with the others ; for, on the 28th of February, off Cape de
Gat, Admiral Offiorn perceived four fail clofe tb bis fleet at
day-break. On their not anfwering his private fignal, he made
tbe fignal ro chafe them ; whereupon, tbe largeft of the four
fliips made a fignal, when the enemy's ffiips immediately fet all
the fail they could crowd, and fteered different courfes. The
Admiral detached ffiips after each of them. About feven in
the evening, the Revenge got clofe up with the one flie chafed,
and began a very warm engagement, whicb lafted about thirty-
eight minutes, when the Berwick coming up, and firing a
broadfide into her; ffie ftruck. She proved fo be the L'Orphee
of fixty-four guns, and five hundred and two men, command
ed by M. d'Herville : the enemy had twenty-one men killed,
and eighty-nine wounded. Captain Storr of the Revenge,
fearing the enemy might reach the harbour of Carthagena be
fore they could be brought to an aClIon, was obliged to en
gage them at a great difadvanfage, having too. mucb fail fet ;
by which means, he had thirty-two men killed, and fifty-four
wounded. Among the latter were Captain Storr, who loft fhe
calf of one of bis legs ; and Mr Mcuntfprd, the firft Lieutenant.
The, enemy were only about two leagues diftant from the port
of Carthagena, when they ftruck- '
The Monmouth, Swlftfure, and Hampton-Court, went m
purfuit of the largeft fail. About eight in fhe evening, fhe
former (having run her comrades out of fight), got up with
the chafe, and began a clofe and well direCted fire. Soon af
ter the aCtlon began. Captain Gardiner received a wound ; but,
as it was of no great confequence, he kept fhe deck, and was
encouraging his people, when he received a fecond, by a muf-
ket-ball in fhe forehead, which proved fatal to him. Lieute
nant Carket then took the command of the ffiip, and continu
ed the aCtlon with uninterrupted vigour. At nine o'clock, the
Monmouth'a mlzen-mafl was ffiot away; upon which, the
enemy gave three cheers. Soon after, fhe fame misfortune
)>efel themfelves, on which, fhe Monmputh's people failed not to

154 NAVALAND I7i8.
to return the compliment. About ten o'clock, the enemy loft
their main-maft ; when the Monmouth's crew once more gave
them three cheers, and continued the aClion with great briflc
nefs, till half an hour after twelve, when the enemy's fire
greatiy flackened ; and foon after was quite filenf. At this
time, fhe Swlftfure came up. Captain Stanhope hailed them
to know if they had ftruck. The only reply to this, was a vol
ley of fmall arms, accompanied by a few guns ; on which,
Captain Stanhope poured one broadfide, and fhe greateft part
pf another, into fhem, when they furrendered. She proved
to be the Foudroyant of eighty-four guns, and eight hundred
men, commanded by M. du Quefne, Chef d'Efcadre, who,
with great polltenefs, prefented his fword to Lieutenant Car
ket. The enemy had one hundred men killed, and ninety
wounded. The Monmouth bad twenty-eight men killed, and
feventy-nine wounded.
Never was a more gallant aClion : and It was the opinion of
every one, that Lieutenant Carket would have compelled fhe
enemy fo ftrike, notwithftanding fhe great difparlty of their
force, even if the otiier ffiips had not come up. The Admi
ral was fo highly pleafed with his conduCt, that he conferred
on him the command • of the Foudroyant*, which was foon
after purchafed by Government, and added to the Navy.
The Monarch and Montagu drove fhe Oreflame of fifty
guns affiore, under the Caftle of Aiglos ; and had if not been
for violating the neutrality of the coaft of Spain, would have
4 entirely

* The Foudroyant, when meafured at Gibraltar, was, from her ftern to her
tafferel, one hundred and eighty-five feet three inches ; length of her keel, one
hundred and fifty-five feet ; and her extreme breadth, fifty feet. By this mea
fure, flie was found to exceed the length of our firft rates by twelve feet, and '
to be nearly the fame breadth with them. Her weight of metal, was twenty-
four and forty-two pounders : whereas the Monmouth's was only twelve and
twenty-four pounders. She had brafs guns all abaft the main-maft. The Or-
phee h-dd many brafs guns likewife. In the above adlion, the f^onmouth ex
pended eigtty barrels of gun powder, which was near four tons ; and one thou
fand five hundred and forty-fix round, five hundred and for^y grape, and or.f
hundred and fifty-fix double-hSaded lh,ot.

1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 155

entirely deftroyed her. Tbe Pleladc of twenty-fix guns, got
away by dutfaiJing tbe Britiffi ffiips.
Rear-Admiral Broderick, being ordered to the Mediterranean,
to relieve Rear-Admiral Saunders, failed from Spithead in his
Majefty's ffiip Prince George, of eighty guns, with the Glaf-
gow frigate, and Alderney floop, having under his convoy the
trade for Liffion and the Straits. On the 13th of Auguft, in
latitude forty-eight, the Prince, George unhappily took fire,
about half-paft pne in the afternoon, and continued buming
with great violence till near fix in fhe evening, \vhen flie funk.
The following letter from Dr Sharp, tbe Chaplain of the Prince
George, dated on board the Glafgow, off Lifbon, April 20th
1758, will give the reader a particular account of this very
melancholy affair.
" I doubt not but you are already greatly furprized at read-
" ing from whence I date my letter; but mucb more will you
" be when you hear the caufe of it, I beg you would arm
*' yourfelf, to read the moft difmal and melaricholy ftory that
" ever was related. Indeed it Is not in fhe power of tongue
" to exprefs, or pen to defcribe, the miferable fpeClacle I was
•' wltnefs to. For, on Thurfday the i Sth inftant, at half an
" hour paft one, afternoon, word was paffed into the ward-
*' room by the centry, that the fore patt of the Prince George
*' was on fire. The Lieutenants ran immediately forward, and
" myfelf, with many others, went direClly on fhe quarter deck,
" when we found the whole ffiip's company was alarmed. The
?' pumps were handed out, the fire engine and buckets carried
" forward, and every immediate remedy applied. The Admi-
" ral with Lieutenants on watch, kept the quarter-deck, from
" whence be fent fuch orders, as be thought moft expedient
" for the prefervation of the ffiip, and the fouls in her. Cap-
*' tain Peyton, and fhe other Lieutenants, on diligent fearch,
" found that the fire broke out firft in the boaffwaln's ftore-
" room. To this place large quantities of water were applied;
*' but all in vain ; for the fmoke was fo very great and hot, that
" fhe poor creatures could not get near enough for the flames,
" for their labour to have any effeCl. On which Captain Pey-
" (on

iS6 NAVAL AND 1758.

"ton ordered fcutties to be made .that the water mightbe
" poured in by that means ; but here he was defeated likewife,
" for only two carpenters could be found, and they had nothing
" fo work with for a Ipng time but a hammer and chiffel each,
" The lower-deck ports were then opened, but the water that
" guffied in from fhem, was not fufficient to ftop tbe violence
" ofthe flames. He ordered, likewife, the powder room to be
" wetted, left the ffiip ffiould immediately be blown up, and
" every foul perlffi in an inftant. This had fhe defired effeCl ;
*' and for fome minutes we had a glimmering hope of faving
" the ffiip. I mention the above particulars, as I was below
" myfelf, worked with the men as long as I could ftand it, went
" up for air, and returned again inftantly, and confequently an
" eye-witnefs : therefore declare them as faCls. Tbe fire foon
" increafed, and raged violently aft and on the larboard fide ;
" and as the deftruCtlon of the fliip Was now found inevitable,
" the prefervation of the Admiral was firft confulted. Captain'
'< Peyton came on the quarter-deck, and ordered the barge to
" be manned, into which fhe Admiral entered with near forty
" more ; for now there was no diftinCtlon, every man's life
" was equally precious. The Admiral finding the barge would
" overfet, ftripped himfelf naked, and committed himfelf to the
" mercy of the waves ; and after toiling a hour in refifting fhe
« violence of the waves, he was taken up by a merchantman's
" boat,. Captain Peyton kept fhe quarter-deck an hour after
" the Admiral left It, when he happily got into a boat from
«' fhe ftern ladder, and was put fafe on board the Alderney ,
" floop. I muft be deficient fo paint fhe melancholy fcene that
« was now before me ; ffirleking, cries, lamentarions, bemoan-
«' ings, raving, defpair, and even madnefs Itfelf, prefented them-
« felves. It was now high time to think of faking care of my-
" felf. I looked to every part- of the ffiip for my prefervation,
" and foon faw three boats aftern of the fliip, I went Imme-
« diately to my cabin, and offered up my prayers to God, par-
« ticulariy thanking him for giving me fuch refolution and com-
" pofure of mind; then jumped into the fea from one ofthe
" gun-room ports, and fwam to a boat, which put me fafe on
" board

I7s8. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 157

" board the Alderney floop. There are three hundred people
" faved: tbe principal of which are, fhe Admiral, Captain Pey-
" ton. Lieutenants Durell, Bell, Baird, and Cannan; Mr Hardy,
" purfer, Dr Sharp,i chaplain, Mr Brpughton, mafter, > Meffrs
" Higgins and Zbbell, lieutenants of marines, Mr Flum, boat-
" fwain, Meffrs Penton, Pemberton, arid Baynes, paffengers ;
« Meffrs Hutchlnfon, Palmer, Ogue, Moore, Matthews, Smith,
" Forrefter, Hartiey, Rogers, Simmons, Morris, Carfton, Hale
" and Short, petty officers. We had faved near the whole ffiips
" crew, bad the merchantmen behaved like human creatures ;
" but they kept a long way to windward fhe whole time; and,
" fo their greater fhame be it fpoken, inftead of faving the men
" that fwam to their boats, they were employed in taking up
" geefe, fowls, fables, chairs, and whatever elfe of that kind
" came near tbem."
All tbe letters wrote on this occafion, ^were full of the moft
terrible fcenes of diftrefs. It is to be lamented, that the mer
chantmen were not more attentive to the faving of the men ;
but they were ignorant that any precautions had been taken fo
prevent the ffiip from blowing up, and were afraid to venture
too near, left fhey ffiould , involve themfelves In the fame dif
trefs, efpecially as the guns of the Prince George, as they heat
ed, went off.
From the beft accounts, the following feems tP be the trueft
ftate of the numbers faved and loft:
715 Complement. 260 Saved.
30 Paffengers. 485 Loft.
745 Total. 745 Total.
Admiral Broderick, having colleCled all the men faved, and
putdiena onboard the Glafgow frigate, proceeded to Gibraltar,
where he relieved Rear-Admiral Saunders, who foon after failed
for England In the Montagu, with the Revenge, the two prizes
the Foudroyant and Orpbee, and arrived at Spithead the 5'h of
July. Admiral Offiorn having blocked up tbe French In the
harbour of Carthagena, till if was too late for tbem f o proceed
on their relpeCtlve deftinations, and his large ffiips being moftly foul.

ts8 NAVAL AND J758.
foul, he ptocedded to Gibraltar to refit, ftationlng his frigates
in fuch a manner, that ffiould the enemy perfift in coming out,
he might have timely notice of tbeir approach, and intercept
them. But as foon as Admiral Offiorn left the coaft of Spain,
M. de la Clue and his fquadron returned fo Toulon. The com
mand of his Majefty's fleet on this ftation, foon after devolved
on Rear-Admiral Broderick. Admiral Offiorn, on account of
bad health, failed in the St George for England, faking with
him fome other ffiips, and the trade that was ready, and arrived
at Spithead the 2 1 ft of July. The thanks of the Houfe of Com
mons were tranfmitted to Admiral Offiorn in a Very elegant
letter from the Speaker to bim ; to which he returned fhe fol-
ilowing anfwer :
"Sir, '
" I want words to exprefs fhe honour the Houfe of Com-
<« mons have been pleafed to confer upon, me, and only hope,
" that you, Sir, will be as gracious to me, in reprefenting my
" gratitude to that Auguft Aflcmbly, as you have been in ac-
" quainting me with their favourable acceptance of my fervi-
" ces. 1 have done no more than my duty. I have been only
" the humble, though happy inftrumerit, of, executing the wife
.<' meafures dirediedby his Majefty.
" I have no title fo any glory, but what Is common to me as
" a feaman, and as an Engliffiman zealous for the fervice of my
" country, which is pleafed to reward me with this inftance of
" their approbation. From fhe fituation of my health. Sir, I
" can flatter myfelf pf having but few opportunities of employ-
" ing the remainder of my life in fhe grateful exertion of my
" abilities for the honour and intereft of my country. But as
" the Houfe of Commons Is fo glorioufly watchful to encou-
«^ rage the greateft merit, by rewarding the leaft, England can
« never want good officers ; and, however honoured I am by
" this dIftin'dlIon,'may my fervices be the moft inconfiderable
¦" that ffiall be thus honoured. I am, with the greateft refpeCi,
" Sir, your moft obedient, and
« Moft bumble fervant,
December Sth, 1758. " Henry Osborn," The

J758. ~ MILITARY MEMOIRS. 159
The few frigates that could be fpared from blocking up the
French ports, and failing as convoys to our trading veffels, had
tolerable fuccefs againft the enemy. ¦
The Ambufcade took five of their ffiips from Turkey,' and a
fnow from Marfeilles. ,
The Lyme took a French ffiip from Syria, valued af 40,0001.
Tbe Fortune floop took a fl>ip \yitb provlfions and ftores, for
Canada. Tbe Rainbow and Deal-Caftle men of war, with the Enter
prize privateer, took three rich ffiips from the Levant.
Tbe St Alban's and Favourite floop took the Loire, a French
man of war, of thirty-fix guns, but pierced for forty-four, hav
ing upwards of a thoufand tons of provifions on bpard : they
alfo took two polacca's, with military ftores for Martinico.
Inthe month of January, the Monmouth, Captain Gardiner,
took a privateer of eighteen guns, and one hundred and forty-
three men. :
The Monmouth, commanded by the Honourable Captain
Hervey, being on a cruize, in company with the Lyme frigate,
fell in witb La Rofe, a French ffiip of war of thirty-fix guns,
and three hundred men, fo which he immediately gave chafe.
The enemy finding they could not efcape, run their ffiip affiore
on the ifland of, Malta, where the crew abandoned her ; on
which Captain Hervey ordered her to be fet on fire.
The Favourite, floop, took the Gronyard from St Domingo,
mounting twenty-fix nine pounders, and one hundred and thir
ty men, after an obftinate engagement : ffie was laden with fu
gar, coffee, cotton. Indigo, torfolfe-ffiell, and drugs, to a very
great amount. Alfo, a ffiip richly laden from Martinico.,
The Antelope of London, a letter of marque, took the St
Roche, a French letter of marque, of feven hundred tons, from
St Domingo for Marfeilles, a very valuable prize : ffie bad on
board a ranfomer for the Antigua Merchant, for 3,333 guineas.
Tbe Deal-Caftle, letter of marque, took four veffels on the
coaft of Provence.
The Liverpool, letter of marque, took a privateer of fixteen
guns, and two hundred men.
TRANS-

i6o NAVAL AND 1758.

TRANSACTIONS AT AND NEAR HOME.
Havikg given a very particular account of all the diftant
operations that fall within the plan of thefe Memoirs, it now
becomes neceffary to fpeak of fhe naval and military tranfaC
tions at or near home. Although the Minifter, at the begin
ning of this year, had not fallen in with the fcheme of fending
over a body of Britiffi troops to Germany, to aft in -concert
with the forces of the army ofthe allies, under the command of
Prince Ferdinand of Brunfwick : yet he refolved fo affift and
co-operate with tbem, as far as lay in fhe power of the Britiffi
navy to effeCl,
A large body of French and Auftrlan forces had feized on
the city of Embden, belonging to the King of Pruffia (See Note
128.), where they were guilty of great exceffes, and levied hea
vy contributions. Moft of fhe fupplies for the garrifon came
down the river Ems. The cutting off entirely tbis means of
fupport, or at leaft greatly interrupting it, might compel the
enemy to evacuate, not only fhe city, but all the Pruffian terri
tory .dependent on it, ;Fof this purpofe, a fquadron of fmaU
ffiips of war was fent thither, under Commodpre Holmes. The
manner In which he performed this important fervice, cannot
be better defcribed, than In the following letter from him fo
Mr Cleveland, Secretary to fhe Lords Commiffioners of the
Admiralty. " Seahorfe, at anchor off Emhden,
" March 21, 1758,
"Sir,
" It is. with the greateft pleafure that I acquaint my Lords
" Commiffioners ofthe Admiralty, of the fuccefs of his Ma-
" jefty's ffiips in the rh-er. The enemy had not fuffered the
" buoys fo be laid this year, tliinking to obftruCl any attempts
« for fhe recovery of Embden by fea. It was therefore with
«« equal furprife and concern, that they obferved the arrival of
his

i7S8. MILITARY MEMOIRS. i6i
" his Majefty's ffiips Seahorfe and Sfrombolo : and after having
" doubled tbe number of tbeir workmen upon fhe batteries
" they bad begun, they fet about raifing three more witb all ex-
" pedition towards the fea, expeCling to be attacked from that
" quarter. " On tbe 17th, tbe Seahorfe and Sfrombolo anchored be-
" tween Delfziel and Knok ; and on the i Bth, they came fo
" their ftation between Knok and Embden, by which the ene-
" my faw themfelves cut off from all communication down fhe
" river. They continued working on their batteries towards
" the fea ; but, at the fame time, made all the. neceffary prepa-
" rations for evacuating tbe place.
*' The garrifon confifted of French foot and horfe, of differ-
" ent regiments - 2500
*' Auftrlan foot, of tbe regiments of Prince Charles of
" Lorraine, and Colonel Van Pflatz - iioo
" Two companies of artillery - - - 120
" Total 3720
" On fhe 19th, at fix in the morning, the French troops
" were under arms, and marched out of the town before night.
" And on the 20th, fhe Auftrians began their march. at nine in
, " fhe morning. About noon, and not before, I had notice of
" thefe operations, and that they had been franfporting their
" baggage and cannon up the river, in fmall veffels, over night,
" and that one of them was lying round a point of land, at fome
" diftance from us, fo go up by the next tide : fo foon as we
*' could ftem the tide, I difpatched tbe armed cutter Acrias,
*' and two of fhe boats, in purfuit of the enemy. They came
*' up with the veffel -we had intelligence of, and took her. I
" reinforced them by another boat; and fhe whole detachment,
?' commanded by Captain Taylor, continued the chafe up tbe
** river. The enemy, at this time, lined botb fides of it, and
" gave the firft fire on the boats, who were then coming up
" with three of their armed veffels. Tbe fire was brifltiy re-
" turned on Our fide ; and in fight of their army, and under
VOL. II. L " theif

i62 NAVAL AND i75*-

" their fire, Captain Taylor came up with one of them, attack-
" ed her, run her aground, and carried her, after fome firing on
« both fides. The officers and men left the veffel to recover the
" ffiore ; in attempting of which, fome of them were dropt by
" the fire from the boat. The other two veffels,. which had
" cannon on board, got clear, under favour of the night, and
" cover of their army.
"The firft veffel taken, had the fon of Lleufenant-Colonel
" Schollhelns, of Prince Charles of Lorraine's regiment, and
" one corporal and one pioneer on board, with fome baggage
" belonging to his father. There was fome money found,
" which, partiy from the fpecie, and partly from the manner of .
" Its being made up, was concluded to be pay for the troops,
" and therefore detained, together with fhe corporal and pio-
" neerj and all the little implements of war fhey had with
," fhem. As for fhe Lieutenant-Colonel's fon, he is but a boy,
" and not of an age to be regarded as an enemy ; for which
" reafon I have fent him affiore, to be returned to bis father,
" witb all his and bis father's things ; and have wrote to his
" father, upon his giving me his honour that the money Is truly
" his private property. It ffiall be returned.
" The other veffel that was taken, had on board Major de
" Bertrand ; M. Van Longen, Commlffary of War ; M. Tra^
" jane. Adjutant de la Place ; M. le Bouffe, Lieutenant of Ar-
" flllery, and a guard of private men ; with three hoftages
" which they carried off from Embden, viz. Eodo Wilhelm
" zur MIchlen, DoClor of Laws, Prefident of fhe College de
" Quaranfes, and Admlniftrator of the Royal and Provincial
" College at Aurich ; Baron Van Hane of Leer, Admlniftrator
" of Leer.
" M. Eodo Wilhelm zur MIchlen received a ffiot In the vef-
" fel during the fcuffle, but it is not dangerous. From him I
" had the account already given fo their Lordflilps, of the happy
" effeCl- the prefence of bis Majefty's two ffiips have produced,
" by occafioning thefudden evacuation of the enemy out ofthe
" town of Embden,"
We

1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 163

We bave inferted the whole of Commodore Holmes's letter,
that tbe reader may fee with how mucb alacrity he executed the
fervice entrufted to him; as likewife, that generoflty and fpirit
which fo nobly diftinguiffies almoft all thofe perfons who bold
any rank in tbe Brltilh fervice.
Mr Pitt, who had always the beft information concerning
the enemy's defigns, received very early intelligence that a con
fiderable fquadron of ffiips were fitting out by the French, in
tended fo efcort a large fleet of merchant veffels, with troops
and ftores on board, and foon expeCted fo fail from fhe Ifle of
Aix for their American colonies. Thefe preparations did not
efcape the Minifter's notice, as be was convinced, fhe ftriking
of a fuccefsful blow af this armament would in a great meafure
infure fuccefs to our plan of operations on the other fide of the
Atlantic. Tbis important fervice was entrufted to Admiral
Hawke, wbo failed from Spithead the nth of March with a
ftrong fquadron. (See Note 1 29,) Sir Edward, on the even
ing of the 3d of April, made fhe light of the Baleines on the
Ifle of Rhee ; and at the three next morning, made fail towards
Bafque road. At day-break, he difcovered a number of veffels,
efcorted by three frigates, a few leagues fo windward, fo which
he gave chafe ; but the wind baffling, they all got into St Mar
tin's in, the Ifle of Rhee, except one brig, that was run affiore
and burnt by the Huffar. By four in tbe afternoon, the Ad
miral difcovered fhe enerhy's ffiips lying off the Ifle of Aix. — ^
Their force was as follows :
Floriffant - - 74 guns
Sphinx - 64
Hardi - 64
Dragon - - 64
Warwick - - 60
Befides fix or feven frigates; as alfo, forty merchant ffiips, hav-^
ing three thoufand troops on board.
At half an hour after four, fhe Admiral made the fignal for
,1 general chafe. At five, fhe enemy began to cut and flip their
cables, and run in great confufion. At fix, their Commodore
,L 2 made'

i<;4 NAVALAND 1758-
made off, when the headmoft ffiips were within gun-ffiot and a
half of him. By this time, many ofthe enemy's ffiips were on
the mud ; but as there was not a fufficient depth of water for
the Britiffi ffiips to follow fhem, and night coming on, the Ad
miral made the fignal fo come fo an anchor abreaft of tbe Ifle
of Aix.
Next morning, the enemy's men of war were difcovered a-
ground,ahd almoft dry, about four or five miles diftant; many
of the merchantmen, and feveral of the men of war, being on
their broadfides. As foon as the flood made, fhe Admiral put
the beft pilots on board the Intrepid and Medway, and fent
them a gunffiot farther in, where fhey anchored ^ and found
ing a little ahead, at high water, fhey found but five fathoms, of
which the tide rifes eighteen feet.
The whole day fhe enemy were extremely bufy in getting
their ffiips out of danger, being apprehenfive that fome fire-
ffiips would be fent to deftroy fhem. They therefore fent
launches and men from Rochefort, who were employed in car
rying out warps fo drag the ffiips through tbe mud, as foon as
they ffiould be wafer-borne. In the mean time, they threw
overboard their guns, flores, and ballaft, and were even feen
heaving water out at their ports. By the evening of the 4fh,
fome of their men of war got as far as the mouth of fhe Cha
rante. 'The merchant ffilpts were aground towards the Ifle
Madame. The Britiffi frigates cut away above eighty buoys
laid on their anchors, and what fhey bad thrown overboard.
On the 5th, the Admiral fent one hundred and fifty ma
rines affiore to the Ifle of Aix, under the command of Captain
Ewer, who effeClually deftroyed fhe new works which the ene
my had ereCted there. As foon as he bad effeCled this, be re-
embarked again, preferving good order, and giving no diftur-
bance to the inhabitants.
The Admiral failed on tbe 6th ; and next day fpoke with a
neutral veffel from St Martin's ; by whom he learned, that the
convoy he bad chafed on the 4tb, was laden with ftores, provi
fions, &c. for America, and, when joined by fome ffiips from
Bour-

758, MILITARY MEMOIRS. 165

¦Bourdeaux, were fo have proceeded on their voyage, under con
voy ofthe men of war which lay off fhe Ifle of Aix.
Thus this formidable armament of tbe enemy, if not totally
overthrown, was nearly the fame in effeCl ; as, before the ffiips
could be repaired, and the ftores and provifions which had been
deftroyed could be replaced, the feafon would bave been too far
advanced fo bave anfwered the end propofed ; and this early
and well-timed blow given in Europe, greatly facilitated the
conqueft- of Cape Breton and its dependencies.
On the 7th of April, the Effex, of fixty-four guns, com
manded by Captain John Campbell, and the Pluto fire-ffiip,
comnianded by Captain James Hume, being on their way fo
join Sir Edward Hawke, fell In with twelve fail of the enemy's
merchant ffiips from Bourdeaux, efcorted by the Galatbee fri
gate of twenty-two guns, and bound to Quebec. They had
the good fortune to take the frigate,, a letter of marque of twen
ty guns, and one other ffiip of fhe convoy ; but fhe brave Cap
tain Hume was unfortunately killed in engaging the letter of
marque. Two more of the above fleet were afterwards taken
by bis Majefty's ffiips the Antelope, and Speedwell floop.
The Minifter having determined on another expedition to
the coaft of France, for this purpofe a large body of infantry
was early affembled in the Ifle of Wight, the command of
which was conferred on Lieutenant-General the Duke of
Marlborough, having under him Lleutenant-Generals Lord
George Sackville and the Earl of Ancram, Major-Generals
Waldegrave, Moftyn, Dury, Bofcawen, and Granville ElHof,
and Brigadier-General George Auguftus Elliot (afterwards
Lord Heathfield.) Tbe troops In fhe Ifle of Wight were to be
joined by fome troops of light dragoons, commanded by Bri
gadier-General Elliot, encamped near Portfmouth; a large train
of heavy and field artillery, with howitzers, and mortars ; and
a detachment of four hundred men from fhe royal regiment of
artillery. (See Note 130.). The whole army amounted to
fourteen thoufand men, and was divided info five brigades, each
commanded by a Major-General.
The warlike genius of Britain feemed now to be roufed.
L 3 Re-

i66 NAVAL AND 1758.

Refolved to wipe out the many ftains which our arms bad re
ceived fince the commencement of this war ; our youth of for
tune and family feemed to vie with each other who ffiojild be
foremoft in the fervice of their country: for the Lord Vifcount
Downe ; Sir James Lowther, Baronet ; Sir John Armitage,
Baronet ; Norborne Berkeley ; Francis Blake Delaval, Efqrs.
and others, accompanied the Duke of Marlborough as volun
teers. The naval part of this expedition was compofed of two fqua
drons. That which was defigned fo co-operate witb the troops
confifted of a few ffiips of the line, with a number of frigates
and floops of war, bomb-ketches, and other veffels. This was
put under the command of tbe honourable Captain Richard
Howe, a nobleman every way equal to fuch an Important
charge, and not more diftlnguiffied by bis rank, than by his
abilities and courage. Tbe other fquadron was corhpofed of
upwards of twenty ffiips of the line ; tbe conimand of which
was given fo Lord Anfon, having under him Admiral Sir Ed
ward Hawke, The lutentloii of this laft fquadron was, fo
cruize off Breft, and In a manner fo cover the lefier one under
Commodore Howe, and to prevent fhe enemy from fending
any fleet capable of difturbing his operations.
The great objeCl of the whole, was, not only fo oblige
France to withdraw a part of her troops from Germany, which
would afford effeClual fuccourboth to the King of Pruflia, and
Prince Ferdinand of Brunfwick ; but alfo, the deftruCtlon of
the enemy's marine, and fea-ports in the Britiffi channel, whence
their privateers had fallied, and done mucb mifchief to our
trade. The profound fecrecy with which the deftination of
this armament was kept, filled the enemy with moft dreadful
apprehenfions. They had few troops at home, and an Immenfe
length of fea coaft to defend. Being confcious how vulnera
ble they were on this fide, wbich fhe expedition againft Roche
fort had evinced to all Europe, they \yere diftraCled how to
poft the troops they had, from the uncertainty where the fuf-
pended blow was to fall.
The fquadron under Commodore Howe, confifted of one
ffiip

1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 167

ffiip of the line, four of fifty guns, ten frigates, five floops,
two fire-ffiips, and two bomb-ketches. (See Note 131.) The
errors obfervable in the former expedition fo the coaft of France,
were now endeavoured to be rectified. The failure againft
Rochefort, was in fome meafure attributed to the want of pro
per boats to land a fufficient number of troops at once, that
would either force the enemy from any entrenchments they
might bave thrown up, or enable them fo maintain their ground
till a fecond debarkation could be made to fuftain them. To
obviate this formidable obftacle, flat-bottomed boats were
built, on a new conftruClion. They were rowed by twelve
oars, contained feventy foldiers,"and only drew two feet of wa
ter : each of fhe frigates carried one of thefe, as did moft of
tbe largeft tranfport veffels. Every thing being now ready,
the 24th of May the embarkation began, and by the 27th, the
troops were all on board, and rendezvoufed at Spithead. Great
were the expectations of the nation from this armament; which
from the number and finenefs of the ffiips, exhibited one of
the grandeft fcenes ever beheld at Spithead. The wind be
coming favourable on the i ft of June, early in the morning
Lord Anfon made the fignal fo weigh, and foon after. Com
modore Howe's fquadron weighed likewife. As the former
fteered fo fhe weftward, and the latter direCHy acrofs the
channel, the two fquadrons were foon oiit of fight of each
other. We ffiall now follow Commodore Howe, and give a com
plete narrative of the operations of this part of the grand expe
dition, before we treat of 'the other part under Lord Anfon.
Scarce had fhey left fhe EngHffi ffiore, when it began fo blow
hard ; but the gale being favourable," the Commodore thought
if neceffary, about midnight, fo make fhe fignal to lay-to, left
they ffiould run too clofe with fhe French coaft before morn
ing. At fix in fhe morning of the 2d, the fleet made fail, and,
by eight, had fight of Cape La Hogue. From fhe rapidity of
the tides in the Race of Alderney, and frequent calms, the
Commodore was often obliged fo come fo an anchor.' As he was
now in full view of fhe coaft, the enemy were fufficiently alar-
L 4 med ;

i68 NAVAL AND 1758.
ped ; and, from tbe courfe he fteered, could eafily guefs at
the place of his deftination. At laft, on the 5th, tbe whole
fleet ftood in for Cancale-bay, about two leagues fo the eaft
ward of St Mflo, At eight o'clock, the Commodore made
the fignal for the ffiips having grenadiers on board, to make
fail. At eleven, the Commodore, the Duke of Marlborough,
and fome general officers, went, in a cutter, to reconnoitre
the ffiore, and were fired at, from a fmall battery in the bay.
By two o'clock, the whole fleet came to an anchor, when the
fignal was made for all the ffiips having flat-bottomed boats on
board, fo hoift fhem out.
Immediately the grenadiers, with the brigade of foot-guards,
embarked on board them, and rendezvoufed under the ftern of
the Effex. Some infantry, with a few horfe, appearing on the
hills fo oppofe the defcent, the Commodore ffilfted bis broad
pendant to the Succefs, and, with the Rofe, Flamborough,
and Diligence floop, ftood towards the ffiore to cover tbe land
ing of tlie troops, clear the beach, and filence the battery,
which confifted pf two twenty-four pounders, and one twelve
pounder. This fervice, by the briflcnefs of fhe fire, he effec
tually performed, making at fhe fame time fhe fignal for the
troops in the flat-bottomed-boafs, commanded by Lieutenant
General Lord George Sackville, and Major Generals Moftyn
and Dury, fo puffi for the ffiore. This was inftantaneoufly
obeyed ; and, under cover of the fire from the frigates, they
landed In fhe greateft order, and formed on the beach with
out any lofs, notwithftanding about one hundred of the ene
my kept up a fire on the troops, from a high bill behind fhe
village of Cancale. On the approach of the grenadiers of fhe
twentieth regiment, however, they fled. The flat-boats im
mediately returned on board the tranfports, and a fecond de
barkation was made before dark, who, joining the firft, the
whole took poft on a hill, and lay on their arms all night.
The Marquis de Landal, Intendant of fhe coaft, who had
come to reconnoitre our pofition, falfing in witb an advanced
party, was defired by Lord Vifcount Downe, to furrender;
but, trufting fo fhe fleetnefs of his horfe, he refufed to do fo ;
on

1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 169

on wbich he was fired at, and botb himfelf and his fervants
were killed. Tbe 6fh was entirely taken up with landing the
remainder of the army, tents, baggage and ftores, together
with the ligbt-borfe and field artillery. On the landing of tbe
troops, fhe affrighted inhabitants of Cancale fled from their
houfes, which fome ftraggling foldiers and failors plundered ;
but fhe Duke of Marlborough was no fooner informed of this,
than he caufed fhe offenders fo fuffer condign puniffiment on
the fpot. By day-lpreak on the 7fh, the whole ftruck their
tents, except the third brigade, under the command of Ma
jor-General Bofcawen, and marched off in two columns ; the
firft headed by the Duke of Marlborough and Lord "George
Sackville, the fecond by the Earl of Ancram. They took dif
ferent routes ; and although both columns were preceded by a
large corps of pioneers, and bad but two leagues to march, it
was fix In fhe evening before they arrived in the neighbourhood
of St Malo, (See Note 132.), where they encamped, with the
village of Parame (whicb was made the head-quarters) in
front, while tbe village of St Servand covered fhe left flank.
During fhe time that the army were pitching their tents,
the Commander in Chief, efcorted by a party of ligbt-borfe,
and the piquets of the army, went fo reconnoitre fhe town,
and advanced pretty near fo It. On perceiving the light-
horfe, the enemy fired from the ramparts, but with little exe
cution. While on tbis fervice, the Duke of Marlborough
perceived, that a number of ffiips and houfes, filled with na
val and military ftores, at St Servand and Solldore, (two fu-
burbs to St Malo), were not proteCled by the cannon of the
city, and might be eafily fet on fire. He therefore, on his
return to fhe head-quarters, gave orders for a detachment to
march on this fervice. This, as foon as it was dark, was moft
effeClually performed ; and,, about midnight, was beheld one
of the grandeft fcenes of conflagration that imagination can
form. Upon this occafion there were deftroyed,

AT

,7o NAVALAND ^TS^-

AT SOLIDORE,
1 fliip of 32 guns, never at fea, completely rigged.
3 — 20 new "^
I — 20 old (All thefe bad mafts, yards, rigging, and
I floop 12 C ^ confiderable quantity of ftores on
' 2 ffiips 16 J board. _
I _ 30 juft laid on fhe ftocks, the keel and timber all
burnt.
6 merchant ffiips, two of fhem new.
6 floops.
AT St. SERVAND.
I ffiip of 50 guns on the ftocks, "^
I — — 36 I v King's ffiips.
1—18 J
62 merchant fhips, and many fmall craft.
In the ftore-houfes were great quantities of pitch, train oil,
rofin, plank, deals, &c. &c., which were all confumed, toge
ther with every ffiip in fhe harbour, one only excepted, a pri
vateer of thirty-fix guns, which, being afloat, could not be
got at. The damage done to fhe enemy on this occafion, was
moderately calculated at 8oo,oool. exclufive of fhe advantage
that confequently accrued to the Britiffi trade, by fuch a heavy
ftroke given to the enemy's privateers.
On the Bth, a battalion of foot-guards, commanded by Co
lonel Csefar, was detached fo Dol, a fmall city about twelve
miles from St Malo. The Colonel had orders fo reconnoitre
the country, fcour It of any of the enemy's parties, and to try
to gain fome intelligence. Colonel Csefar met with no ob-
ftruClIon on his march ; was politely received at Dol ; paid
for every thing the troops had, and returned to camp next
day. The

1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 171

Tbe general officers and engineers, having carefully recon
noitred fhe city of St Malo, found it a place of , fo much
ftrength, as not to be carried by a coup-de-main, although in
capable of holding out any length of time againft a regular
fiege. From its fituation and natural ftrength, however, if
could refift any attack which fhey had time to form againft it;
for, before fhe heavy cannon and mortars neceffary for fuch
fiege could be landed and tranfported to the army, and ap
proaches and batteries made, a much fuperior army would un
doubtedly be affembled againft them. They therefore judged
it expedient to return to Cancale-bay, and re-embark the troops
as foon as poffible.
Tbe third Brigade, whom the Duke of Marlborough had left
encamped on the heights of Cancale, had not been idle dur
ing the abfence of the army ; having, in tbis interval, ereCled
a fortification for the whole to bave retired to. In cafe of need.
Tbe ground on which it was ereCted, was moft judicioufly
chofen ; its whole extent did not exceed eleven hundred pa
ces, in which was an entrenchment, two redoubts, a horn-
work, and two batteries ; the whole fo mafterly conftruCted,
that the army could have re-embarked with the utmoft fafety,
even if fhe enemy had affembled a much fuperior force fo haVe
obftruCled them.
On fhe I oth, fhe army decamped from before St Malo, and
marched fo their ground within the lines at Cancale. On the
nth, the embarkation commenced ; and. In the courfe of next
day. It was completed. The lofs fo this time from the day of
landing, did not exceed thirty men. The coaft about Gran
ville was next reconnoitred, and orders given for the grena--
diers to complete their ammunition, and hold themfelves in
readinefs to land ; but this defign was foon laid afide, fhe coaft
here being too much alarmed to hope for fuccefs, and the
objeCt too inconfiderable to rifle the lofs of men or time upon
it. The fleet, by reafon of an adverfe wind, was unable. to leave
the bay of Cancale before fhe 2 1 ft. After repeated attempts,
they once more got to fea, where the troops were joined by
their

J72 NAVALAND 1758.

their reconvalefced meh from the ifle of Wight, under convoy
of the Ifis, Captain Wheeler. On the 23d, tbe fleet made the
ifle of Wight ; but the wind changing, they ffiaped their courfe
once more for the coaft of France ; and, on the 26th, were
clofe in with Havre de Grace, The flat-boats were ordered
to be hoifted out, and every thing made ready for a defcent.
But, after the coaft had been fufficientiy explored by the Duke
and fhe Commodore, it was found, that the enemy were fo
well prepared for refiftance, that, on the 29th, the whole fleet
bore away before the wind for Cherburg, where they came to
an anchor, about two miles from fhe town. The enemy fired
on the tranfports from feveral batteries, but did no execution.
Every thing was now got ready for a defcent ; but a ftrong gale
of wind fpringing up, and blowing direClly upon fhe ffiore,
occafioned fo great a furf, that the landing of the troops be
came extremely hazardous. If not impracticable. The gale con-
nued increafing, fo that feveral of the franfporfs drove from
their anchors, and got foul of each other. The whole fleet was
expofed to much danger ; the provifions were almoft expend
ed, as was the hay for the horfes ; and the foldiers, from being
too much crowded on board the tranfports, were beginning to
grow fickly. Thefe confiderations induced the Commanders fo
defer fhe enterprize againft Cherburg for the' prefent, and re
turn fo England. Accordingly next morning, the fleet weigh
ed anchor, and, on the ift of July, arrived at Spithead ; and,
a few days after, the troops occupied their former ground at
Newport. When fhe fleet appeared off Cherburg, the Guir-
land, a French frigate of twenty-two guns, was in the road ;
which, on the approach of our ffiips, had flipped ber cable,
and ftood out for fea. She was immediately purfued by the
Renown, who came up with, and engaged her for fome time,
and, on the Rochefter's firing a few fliot at her, ffie ftruck.
thus ended the firft part of the grand expedition to the
coaft of France, From the nature of fuch operations, the
fervice performed was, In the opinion of the moft fenfible and
beft informed, as much as could be reafonably expeCted,
The blow now ftruck, might not be of any great confequence

1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 173
in itfelf. Or be confiderably felt by the enemy in any future
operations of tbe war : but fo us, as a commercial nation,
the deftroying of fo many privateers and other ffiips, was a moft
important fervice ; befides that tbis behaviour towards a gaf-
conading enemy, raifed botb our councils and our arms very
very high in the opinion of Europe, in fhe fame proportion as
thofe of France were lowered in it.
The nation bad been put to too much expence, and the ex
pectations they bad formed from this armament were too fan
guine, fo let the remaining part of the fummer pafs unem
ployed by fo fine a body of troops, as were once more affe.%bled
in fhe ifle of Wight. .The Minifter was alfp .of too aClive a
difpofition to give fhe enemy a moment's refpite, while the
feafon permitted of any military operation being purfued with
any profpeCl of fuccefs. He loft no time, therefore : another
defcent on the coaft of France was refolved upon ; and the
troops ordered to hold fhemfelves in readinefs to embark on
the ffiorteft notice.
Soon after the return of the army to England, Mr Secretary
Pitt found, that it was abfolutely neceffary to reinforce the al
lied army In Germany, commanded by Prince Ferdinand of
Brunfwick, with a confiderable body of Britiffi troops. Tbe
Duke of Marlborough was chofen fo command them, and
with him went Lord George Sackville, Major-General Wal
degrave, the Adjutant and X^arter-Mafter-Generals, and one
brigade of infantry from the ifle of Wight, confifting of the
twentletb, twenty-third, and twenty-fifth regiments of foot.
From the many accidents a littoral war is liable to, it is not
to be wondered at, that fo many general officers, well acquaint
ed with the nature of this Ibrt of fervice, declined the com
mand of the army in the ifle of Wight. After many had re
fufed the honour, it was -accepted of by Lieutenant-General
Thomas Bligh, who was fent for from Ireland on purpofe.
This arduous talk would bave required an officer in the prime
of life to fuperlntend all its various branches ; yet did this ho
neft old veteran accept of the command without befitafion,
from a moft noble principle, — that, as a foldier, hfe had no
riglit

174 NAVALAND 1758.

right to choofe the fervice he was going upon ; but, at all
times was in duty bound fo go wherever fhe fervice of his coun
try required, or where the King might be pleafed to order him.
General Bligh, however, was too far advanced in life for fuch
a fevere duty, and bad never been employed In fervice fimilar
to that which he was going on. Lord Vifcount Fifzmaurice,
(now Marquis of Lanfdown), was appointed Adjutant-Ge
neral, and Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Clarke, Quarfer-Maft^r-
General, His Royal Highnefs Prince Edward, fecond fon to
the late Prince of Wales, embarked as a midffilpman on this
expedition, to exert himfelf in the fervice of his country, and
to learn fo command her navies, by the example of fo accom.
pliffied an officer as Commodore Howe.
The fquadron having been refitted and reinforced by the
Montagu of fixty guns, commanded by Captain Rowley ; the
troops were embarked, and, on the 31ft of July, the fleet fell
down fo St Helen's. They weighed anchor next day, and ftood
right acrofs fhe channel. On the 6th of Auguft, they came to
an anchor in Cherburg road, (See Note 132.), and were fired at
from feveral of the enemy's batteries. From fhe time that the
place had been threatened with an attack by the Duke of Marl
borough and Commodore Howe, the enemy had been extremely
bufy In throwing up works to present a defcent, aud thefe were
defended by a confiderable body of regular troops, and all the
militia of this dlftrlCl. The Commodore, having on board his
Royal Highnefs Prince Edward, accompanied by General Bligh
and fhe other Generals, reconnoitred the ffiore ; and a difpofi
tion was made for landing the troops. Early in the moriiing of
fhe 7th, the fleet moved to Marals-bay, about two leagues to
the weftward of the town, leaving only a frigate and b'omb-
ketch to draw off the enemy's attention to that place ; and the
Commodore having his pendant on board the Pallas, made the
fignal for the frigates, floops and bomb-ketches, to range them
felves along the bay, and for the troops, compofing the firft de
barkation, to rendezvous under his ftern. On the fignal being
made,, the frigates, floops and bomb-ketches, kept up a warm
fire on fhe eneniy's intrenchments ; who, not being able to
' with-

1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 175

withftand it, abandoned their works, and fled for ffielter to an
adjoining wood ; but were prefently drove from thence, by the
commanding officer of the artillery directing the mortars in fhe
bomb-ketches to be charged witb pound-balls, which fell fo
thick, and did fuch prodigious execution among tbem, particu
larly among the cavalry, that they retreated out of the wood
witb fhe utmoft precipitation, , leaving the coaft clear for the
troops to land, wbo had, whilft this fervice was performing,
embarked in fhe flat-bottomed boats, each of thefe boats having
on board eighteen failors, and fifty foldiers.
The boats were formed in four divifions, and conduCled by
Captains Duff, Rowley, Maplefdon and Pafton, of fhe navy.
About one o'clock, (on the enemy's flying from the wood), the
Commodore made the fignal for fhe troops to land ; when the
grenadiers and foot-guards, under fhe command of Major-Ge
nerals Moftyn and Dury, made good the' landing with very
little lofs. On feeing the boats row for the ffiore, a few of the
enemy returned to oppofe the landing. Thefe were immedi
ately attacked with fuch vigour by the troops who firft landed,
that fhey fled behind fhe hedges ; from whence they were pre
fently forced to retire with confiderable lofs, and to fly up fhe
country. They left a piece of brafs cannon behind them on
the beach.
By the evening, the whole of the infantry were difembark
ed ; when the General ordered fhe army to encamp on a piece
of grouijd near the village of Erville, whofe extent did not ex
ceed fix hundred paces. This occafioned fhe greateft confu
fion ; but, fortunately for us, fhe enemy negleCled fhe favour
able minute of attacking the army in fhe night. While coofed
up in this wretched pofitlon, no front of any length could have
been extended ; and the trPops, from their fituation, muft have
fired on each other. The Duke of Richmond, fenfible of the
error that had been committed, marched his regiment a little fo
fhe left, where be drew them up in a proper manner, and which
the whole might have done. In this pofition the army remain
ed all night. The General gave out the moft pofitive orders,
that the inhabitants were on no account whatever to be molef- fed ;

176 NAVALAND 1758.
ted ; and that tbe ftriCleft difcipline ffiould be obferved by the
troops. Early in fhe morning of fhe Sth, fhe light dragoons and field
artillery were landed ; and fhe General receiving intelligence,
that none of fhe enemy's troops were to be feen, formed tbe ar
my into two columns, and began bis march for Cherburg. The
General entered the place without oppofition, fhe enemy's
troops retiring from the town and forts along ffiore, as he ap
proached. As foon as the town and forts were property fecured, the ar
my was encamped on a contiguous rifing ground. No time
was loft in fetting to work to deftroy what was finiffied of the
bafon, with fhe two piers af fhe entrance of fhe harbour ; to
render the harbour itfelf ufelefs for ffiips of burden ; and to de
moliffi all forts, batteries, magazines, and ftores..
On fhe i5fh, tbis fervice was completely executed; when
the fatal blaft was given, which reduced Cherburgh once more
fo a very infignificanf place. One hundred and feventy-three
iron cannon, and three mortars, were deftroyed. Twenty-two
brafs cannon, and two mortars of fhe fame metal, were, with
witb fhe colours,, taken, and fent to England. Thefe were
drawn from the Royal Palace af Kenfington, quite through the
city of London, to the Tower, with great pomp; an exhibition
highly pleafing to the people. General Bligh brought away
hoftages for the payment of a contribution of 3000I.; but Go
vernment fent fhem immediately back, without demanding the
money. The ffiot and ffiells were funk, or brought away.
Twenty veffels Were found In fhe harbour. On board two of
thefe the brafs cannon and mortars were put, and brought fo
England. The remaining eighteen were either burnt, or filled
with ftones, and funk acrofs fhe entrance ofthe harbour, to
choak it up.
Tbe enemy had now affembled a very confiderable force in
the neighbourhood, and our out-pofts had frequent flcirmiffies
with their parties. A detachment bf our light cavalry fell in
witb a patrole of tbe enemy's, attacked fhem, and drove them
off; Captain Lindfay, who commanded the party, was mortaUy wound-

1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 177
wounded. The lofs was of itfelf very confiderable, as he waS
juftly looked upon to be among tbe beft cavalry officers in tbe
fervice. On the i6tb, the army re-embarked without moleftation.
Tbe lofs, from the day tbe army landed to this time, amounted
only to twenty men killed, and thirty wounded.
The deftruClion of tbe bafon of Cherburg, was rather a mor
tifying, than a fevere blow to the French, as they bad for fome
years negleCled tbe works here. The harbour, when finiffied,
would bave admitted a ffiip of fifty guns : and tbe plan of mak
ing it a port, may fome time or other be refumed, wben the
Government can fpare money to carry it into execution ;
whicb, in cafe of another war, might be of great fervice to tbem,
and become a very dangerous and fprmidable neighbour to
to Great Britain.
On the 17th, the fleet failed for England; and arrived, on
the 1 9th, in tbe road of Portland. All was now done that
could be expeCledthis Campaign. The whole of fhe enemy's
coaft was now alarmed, and large bodies of troops were col
lected, in different parts, to oppofe a defcent, or cut off our re
treat ; add fo thefe, the advanced feafon of fhe year, fhe army
confiderably leffened fince fhe beginning of tbe campaign, by
the brigade fent to Gerrriany, and the numbers that 'were now
fick on board. Better, therefore, had it been, if they bad ftop-
ped here ; as, had they done fo, and difembarked the troops,
their triumph bad been complete. The burning of the fliips
and ftoreboufes af St Malo, the deftruClion of Cherburg, and
the alarming fhe whole coaft of France, whicb undoubtedly pre
vented them from marching fo large a- body of forces into Ger
many as they intended, were fuch important fervices, that
fhey fufficiently anfwered the intention of the enterprize. But
a third attempt, under circumftances fuch as we bave defcribed,
and witb an inconfiderable body of troops, was giving fhe ene
my a fair opportunity of balancing accounts with us, which they
in fome meafure did at St Cas.
While the fleet remained In Portiand road, they were em
ployed In taking refreffiments onboard. On tbe 31ft of Au-
VOE. II. M guft,^

178 NAVALAND 1758.

guft, fhey failed again for fhe coaft of France ; and oii tbe 3d
of September, came to an anchor in the bay of St Lunaire, on
the coaft of Britanny,, about two leagues fo the weftward of St
Malo. The next day, the army landed without oppofition, and
encamped about half a mile from the ffiore.
The fole view General Bligh could have In landing here, was
fhe faking of the city of St Malo, it being fhe only place of any
confequence In the neighbourhood. This defign appears the
more extraordinary, as fhe town was now In a much better
pofture of defence, than when the Duke of Marlborough, with
a much fuperior army, in the middle of fummer, had found his
force unequal to the enterprize. Befides, the rapid river Ranee
was now between fhe army and the town, which muft be crof
fed before St Malo could poffibly be irivefted. The public were
never informed of any reafons which might induce General
Bligh to make an attempt on St Malo at that time, with any
profpeCl of fuccefs. But to proceed.—
On the 5 th, fhe General having been Informed, that, in time
of peace, there had often been af St Briac, a fmall port In the
neighbourhood, near three hundred ffiips, be detached five hun
dred men, under fhe command of Lleufenant-Colonel Sir Wil
liam Boothby, to deftroy them. But on his arrival. Sir WiUiam
was much difappointed, as he only found thirteen veffels great
and fmall, which he burnt, and returned fo the camp in the
evening. While Sir William Boothby was on this fervice, the Commo
dore, with the Prince, came on ffiore, and, along with the Ge
neral Officers, reconnoitered the whole weftern fhore of fhe ri
ver Ranee, to try If It was poffible fo attack St Malo on that
fide. They found the weft bank extremely well fortified, and
defended by a numerous body of troops : of courfe, they were
much interrupted while on this fervice by the enemy's cannon,
a ffiot falling within a yard and a half of his Royal Highnefs.
The Commodore affured the General, that, from fhe dangdrous
fituation of the harbour, it being an entire chain of rocks, he
could give him no affiftanee from the men of war or bomb-ket
ches.- On this affurance, tbe defign againft St Malo was given up

1758. MILITARY MEMdlRS. 179

up. Tbe weather now became fo very bad, that neither the
Prince nor Commodore could get on board, and were conftrain
ed to put up with very indifferent quarters that night. Next
day (fhe 6fh), a Council of war was held, at wbich the Commo
dore affured the Members, that from his obfervations and know
ledge of the coaft, he could give no affiftanee to bombard the
town, without hazarding the lofs of all the men of war : and
further, that it was not fafe to embark the troops in St Lunaire
bay, as, from tbe foulnefs of the bottom, ffiould it blow freffi,
the whole fleet would be expofed to tbe utmoft danger ; and
that therefore if would be neceffary to remove the fleet to tbe
bay of St Cas, and to march tbe army round to that place.
In confequence of this, tbe army marched next day (the 7tb),
for Pont Briant, During tbe march, fmall parties of tbe ene
my annoyed the army from hedges and woods, Thefe were
eafily difperfed ; but they wounded two officers and ten men.
The army encamped near fhe river Plancoet, whicb they were
to ford next day, as foon as fhe tide permitted ; at which time
the enemy appeared In confiderable bodies on fhe oppofite bank,
as if refolved to defend the paffage.
On tbe 8fh, the army croffed the river, wading up to their
• middles. The enemy fired brllkly while fhe army was fording
the river, but fled as foon as It had gained tbe oppofite ffiore.
On this occafion we had an officer and fen men killed, and a
good many foldiers wounded. In tbe afternoon, the army en
camped near fhe village of Guildo; and on the 9th marched for
Maflgnon, This day, fhe advanced guard was attacked by five
companies of French grenadiers. Thefe were fpeedily repulfed
and forced fo retreat, having, in this rencounter, near two hun
dred men killed and wounded. In fhe afternoon, the army en
camped near fhe fowh of Maflgnon. Our lofs this day was
thirty men killed and wounded.
During the night, one of our advanced pofts took a French
dragoon prifoner, who gave the General the following true, but
difagreeable intelligence — That eleven battalions of infantry,
and five regiments of cavalry, with ten pieces of cannon and two
mortars, under the command of the Due D'AIguIllon, were en-
M 2 camp.

i8o , NAVALAND 1758.
camped within three miles of us, and intended to give us battle
next morning. Upon receipt of this Intelligence, a Council of
war was immediately held, where it was refolved, that as the
enemy's ftrength was fo mucb fuperior to the Britiffi, a retreat
ffiould fake place early next morning fo St Cas bay, and the
troops be re-embarked as faft as poffible. An officer was im
mediately difpatched fo Commodore Howe in St Cas bay, only
a league and a half off, to acquaint him of this refolution. The
Commodore, on receiving this information, iffued tbe neceffary
orders for tbe reception of tbe troops ; and, as foon as it was
"day-light, made a moft mafterly difpofition of his frigates and
bomb-ketches along fhe bay, for covering the retreat of fhe ar
my. The enemy's defign was to get between the bay of St Cas
and our troops ; which they certainly would have effeCled, had
not the bad roads, and the bringing up of tbeir artillery, prevent
ed them V as, at this time, we gave them every advantage they
could wiffi for. When a General means to retreat before a fu
perior force, or fteal a march upon the enemy, be decamps as
filently as poffible. On the prefent occafion, however, a very
different conduCl was followed. Early in the morning, Gene
ral Bligh ordered the generale fo be beat. Our drums alarmed
the enemy, who inftantiy repeated fhe fignal, ftruck their tents, •
and followed us ; which otherwife, perhaps, they would not
have done quite fo early in the morning, as their army, which
had been colleCled from the extremities of tbe province of Bri
tanny, was very mucb fatigued by forced marches through bad
roaids. As foon as it was light, our army began its march to
wards St Cas bay ; and although preceded by a large corps of
pioneers, and the diftance only a league and a half, it was nine
in the morning before fhey reached tbe heights above fhe vil
lage. The marching off by beat of drum, was not the only er
ror committed on this occafion : for, inftead of ordering the
regiments to embark immediately on their arrival, the re-em
barkation commenced with tbe field artillery and lighf-cavaby ;
whereas, botb cannon and horfes ffiould have been facrificedon
this occafion, and either totally abandoned, or, at leaft, (if time
and circumftances admitted of its being done without hazard ing

1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS. i8i
ing a great lofs of men), they ought to bave been the very laft
to embark. From tbe ffiort notice, too, that was given, it was
impoffible to bave all the tranfport veffels ranged near fhe fri
gates ; a circumftance fbat ought certainly fo bave been atten
ded fo : and orders ffiould bave been given, that inftead of the
boats rowing, in order to put the foldiers on board of their par
ticular ffiips, many of whom lay at a great diftance ; they ffiould
have been put on board the ffiips neareft the ffiore, by which a
great deal of time would bave been faved. Captain Duff of the
Rochefter fuperintended the re-embarkation of the army, affif
ted by Captains Rowley, Maplefden, Pafton and Elphlngftopc ;
and notwithftanding the impediments they met with, fuch was
tbe activity ofthe fea-officers and failors, that, by eleven o'clock,
two thirds ol the army were on board. About this time, a large
body of tbe enemy's cavalry made their appearance on the top
of the hill' above tbe village of St Cas, and, foon after, a much
larger one of infantry near the Wind-mllJ.
It was a point determined on,- between the land and naval
Commanders, that the troops ffiould remain between the trench
thrown up along tbe ffiore and the beach ; fo that, In cafe the
enemy's troops ffiould defcend the bill to attack them, fhey
migbt be expofed fo the whole fire of tbe frigates, (now ranged
along the bay for covering the re-embarkation,) without any
objeCl intervening. About half an hour after eleven, the enemy
made a motion fo defcend the bill, but received fuch a violent
fire from fhe ffiips, that they were forced to retire fo their for
mer ground with confiderable lofs. They foon after opened a
battery of fix pieces of cannon near the Wind-mill, which play
ed inceffantly on tbe troops and boats, and did great execution.
They now made a fecond effort fo defcend the bill ; when the
frigates renewed their fire, and tbe enemy loft many men. At
laft, bowever, they got poffeffion of a hollow way, and a wood,
which for fome time covered them ; but the inceffant and well
direfted fire from the ffiipping, and tbe bomb-ketches throwing
ffiowers of pound-balls from tbeir mortars, foon diflodged them,
and compelled them once more to retire to fhelr-former ground.
At twelve o'clock, they opened a battery of coborns from behind
M 3 a bedg«

|82 NAVALAND 1758.
a hedge to tbe right of the Wind-mill; but the fire from the fri
gates was fo well direCted againft it, that only two of all the ffiells
they threw did execution. Tbe enemy, as their troops arrived,
began to extend fhemfelves to the right and left, and once more
tried to defcend the hill.
After much lofs, they got poffeffion of the village of St Cas,
which is fituated midway between fhe heights and the beach.
The Britifli force on ffiore, at this time, did not exceed ele
ven hundred men, and confifted of part of the . fpof-guards
and tbe grenadiers of t^ie army, commanded by Major-Gene
ral Dury, who, on this occafion, did not ffiew that happy
coolnefs and prefence of mind, which was to be expeCted from
one fo very expert upon the parade as be was. He unfortu
nately obferved the enemy fo march a corps of at leaft fifteen
hundred men into a wood, on the left ; on which be imme
diately ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Forrefter f to march with
three hundred men of the third regiment of guards, and dlf^
lodge them. This ftrange order, which was diametrically op
pofite fo what bad been concerted with the Commodore, was
of infinite uffe to the enemy ; for as foon as Colonel Forrefter
began bis march up tbe bill fo attack the enemy in the wood,
the naval officers on board the frigates which covered the em
barkation, and who were remarkably attentive to all our mo
tions, obferving that this detachment would interpofe befweei;
their fire and the enemy, ordered their ffiips to give over the
cannonade. Tbe error was perceived, when too late fo be
remedied. Colonel Forrefter was recalled, and the ffiipping
inftantly recommenced their fire ; but the French had feized
the lucky moment ; and, during the fatal interval of fhe na
val cannonade, kept pouring down in great numbers from the
village of St Cas, to attack the troops which were now re
maining on the beach. It was here that Lieutenant Colonels
Clavering, and Lord Adam Gordon, at the head of their re-
fpeaive grenadier companies, fo greatly fignalized themfelves ;
and their example was followed by many others, who, by
their bravery, prevented the enemy for a confiderable time
from
t The Author had this informatipn from Colonel Forrefter himfcjf-

1758- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 183

from being able fo get out of the hollow way, till being over
powered by their fuperior numbers, they were forced to retire
to the beach. At this time the failors were obferved to ffiew
figns of fear, by difcovering a reluClance to row in with the
boats, and bring off tbe troops ; whereupon, fhe Commodore,
wbo was quite colleCled amid tbis fcene of carnage, reproach
ed bis men, and ordered bis own boat fo be rowed into the
thickeft of tbe fire. He brought off feveral foldiers himfelf*,
ftanding upright in bis boat. His example fo animated bis
failors, that tbe tokens of fear which they had ffiewn, inftant
ly vaniffied : they now cheerfully followed their leader through
every danger, and brought off many officers and foldiers, who
muft otherwife bave either been killed or made prifoners.
All the ammunition of our foldiers was nov(^ expended,
which, from an unparalleled negleCl, was far from being copi-
plete in the morning ; whereupon, unable any longer to with
ftand tbe enemy's numbers, they difperfed and fled. Part plung
ed into the wafer and endeavoured to reach the boats by fwim-
ing, in which attempt many periffied. Part took to a rock on
tbe right of tbe bay, where a confiderable number were faved
by the boats. It was here that brave Sir John Armitage was
killed. As the enemy had now entire pofl'effion of the beach,
and ftill kept firing on our men, who were no longer ajale to
make any refiftance ; the Commodore made the fignal. for tbe
fhips fo ceafe cannonading, when the enemy immediately gave
quarter to the troops. General Dury having been wounded,
took to tbe water, and was never more heard of. Colonel Lord-
Frederick Cavendiffi, with many other officers of diftinClion,
were wounded and made prifoners. His Royal Highnefs
Prince Edward was .on ffiore when tbe attack began, and be
haved witb the greateft fpirit and refolution ; infomuch, that
M 4 the
* So when the Grecians to their Na-vy fled.
High o'er the trench, Achilles rear'dhis head;
Greece^ frora one glance of that tremendous eye,
Strait took new courage, and difdain'd to fly :
Troy faw aghafl the living lightnings play.
And turn'd her eye-balls from the flafliing ray.
J'ofe's Homer's Iliad, Boo& i8.

i84 NAVALAND 1758-
the Commodore, thinking that he expofed bis perfon too much,
was neceffitated to command liim fo go on board.
Tbe following return Is allowed to give tbe moft exadl ac
count of the lofs of the Britiffi army and navy on this occafion. Men.
Officers of the Army, killed, wounded or prifoners, - 37
 r- of fhe Navy, ditto, ditto, - J
Serjeants, drummers, and rank and file of the Army
killed, wounded or made prifoners, - - 750
Seamen, ditto, ditto, - - - 30
Total, 822
The Captains Rowley, Maplefden, Pafton and Elphinftone
of the Navy, who affifted Captain Duff to fuperlntend the re^
embarkation of the troops, were made prifoners, and the firft
of whom was flightly wounded.
The Commodore wrote the following letter to Mr Secretary
pitt, f Effex, off St Cas Bay, September Mth, 1758.
" Sir,
" In my letter "of the 7th, I had the honour to inform you
," of the movement of the fleet from St Lunaire to this bay.
" The re-embarkation having commenced, af the Lieute-
«« nant-General's requeft, upon bis arrival with the troops on
" this ffiore yefterday morning ; the firft corps were taken off^
" without any confiderable interruption from the enemy. But
" in their attack upon our rear-guard, the Captains Rowley,
" Maplefden, Pafton, and Elphinftone (commanding under
" Captain Duff, the different divifions of flat-boats), waiting
«' to embark with the grenadiers, were made prifoners. My
" own obfervation of fhe very refolute behaviour of thefe Cap-
" tains, and Captain Duff, being confirmcfl by the report of
*« tbe land-officers concerned In that fervice, I cannot omit this
" notice of it.
f« The other particulars of our lofs, refpeCling officers and
f* men

I7s8. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 185
« men belonging to the ffiips of war, Is added in the lift an-
" nexed. Judging fhe anchorage on this part of the coaft no-:
" wife proper for fhe fleet to riemain at this feafon of the year,
" till the further fupplies provided could be taken chi board,
" If not fent for, and the troops put again in a proper ftate for
" fervice, I am therefore preparing, with the Lleutenant-
" General's confent, to return, for that purpofe, to any fuch
" port as I may be able moft conveniently to gain in England,
" And I am, &c.
" Howe.*
" P. S. His Royal Highnefs, who was pleafed to be prefent
" at the embarkation, continues In perfeCl health. Seamen Seamen
" Ships. Officers killed, wounded, or prifoners. killed, wounded.
" Effex, - - II
" Rochefter, Mr Sommerville, fecond Lieutenant
*' killed, one Midftipman wounded. 7 n
" Portland, Captain Maplefden, prifoner ; Mr
" Lindfay, Midffilpman, wounded, — —
.'* Montagu, Captain Rowley, flightly wounded,
" and prifoner. - — 2
" Jafon, Captain Pafton, prifoner. — t
" Salamander, Captain Elphinftone prifoner. — —
f Speedwell, - - - — 2

"Total, I 17"
The enemy did not purchafe this viClory af a cheap rate.
Their lofs was never exaClly known ; but, from the fire of the
troops, and the ffiot and ffiells from tbe ffiip§, it muft bave
been very confiderable.
Thus ended our expeditions to tbe coaft of France ; the
moft expenfive, as well as a very uncertain method of maklno- war
* While on this fervice, the Honourable Richard Howe fucceeded his brother,
peorge Auguftus Vifcount Howe, (who was killed in America,) in title and efiate.

186 NAVALAND 1758.
war. The fuccefs of the two firft expeditions this fummer;
had raifed great expectations in the minds of the pubHc : this
unexpected 'check, therefore; was extremely mortifying to
them, and maile a great impreffion on their minds. It is com
mon with the vulgur, to rate military merit only by the fuccefs
that accompanies It, Thus, the Commander-in-Chief, who
was fhe hero of fhe nation while af Cherburg, bad now fallen
in tiielr opinion, and his conduCl fubjefted fo very fevere anl-
madverfions for his misfortune at St Cas, This difafter great
ly elevated the French, who filled all the foreign gazettes with
the moft exaggerated accounts of our defeat. Indeed they had
caufe foto do, in order to afford fome confolation fo their na
tion, whofe trade was In a great meafure ruined by the Britiffi
navy, and whofe coafts had, for fhe whole fummer been infulted
with impunity. But in faCt, this aCtion at St Cas could only be
called at moft the cutting off a rear-guard ; and, confidering the
nature of a war of this fort;- fhe Britiffi nation bad great rea
fon fo congratulate therrifelves that their Ibfs was fo inconfide
rable, The enemy's coafts were not deftltute of froopsi as was
the cafe in Autumn laft year ; for, befides the army under the
Due D'AIguIllon in Britanny ; a ftrong force bad been affem
bled in the neighbourhood of Cherburg ; and the French Ge
nerals were feverely -cenfured, for allowing fhe Britiffi army
to retire from that place unmolefted. This little affair dlfplri-
ted the Britiffi nation much more than it ought. Their ex
pectations were too fanguine ; and more blame was thrown on
General Bligh than he deferved, whofe chief fault on this oc
cafion feems to bave arifen from his being lulled Info a fatal
fecurlty, that the enemy were incapable of muffering a force
fufficient to oppofe his march, or interrupt his operations.
Had General Bligh purfued his route to the heights of St Cas
by forced marches, and there ereCled fome works, fo cover
the.retreat of his army while re-embarking, in all probability
the lofs fuftained would have been very trifling.
The fpirit with which the operations of Britain were carried
ori this campaign,, feemed fo Infure fuccefs ; while the good in
telligence which the Minifter obtained- of the enemy's defigns,
enabling

1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS, 187
enabling him to counteraCl them, before they were ripe for ex
ecution. The enemy were far from idle, and intended to have
detached fquadrons from tbe ports of Breft, Rochefort, and
Toulon, to the aid of Louiffiurg, (See fhe laft part of Note
137.); where, if they had united, they would have formed a
fleet nearly equal to that under Admiral Bofcawen, But this
junction was happily prevented, by the aClIvIty of Admiral
Offiorn in the Mediterranean, and of Admiral Hawke off tbe
Ifle of Aix.
The fleet under Lord Anfon confifted of twenty-two ffiips of
the line, and eight frigates (See Note 133.) His Lordffiip
prpceeded, as we bave already obferved, to block up the har
bour of Breft, and the French ports on that fide, witb a view
to prevent tbem from fending out a fquadron to interrupt the
operations of the fleet under the command of Commodore
Howe. Soon after be got fo his ftation. Admiral Hawke was
feized with a fever, and obliged to return to England, On
this, bis Lordffiip formed bis fleet Into three divifions ; Cap
tains Corniffi and Geary being appointed Commodores, with
broad pendants. He likewife detached fmall fquadrons fo an
noy the 'enemy's trade ; wbich being now reduced fo a very
Jow ebb, thefe had little fuccefs.
Tbe Alcide, and Thames, with fhe Folkeftone cutter, on
the 22d of June, being on a cruize off Uffiant, gave chafe to
a French frigate. Tbe Thames got up with her about one In
the morning of the 23d, and began a clofe engagement, which
lafted till four ; when the enemy run among fome rocks near
to Uffiant light -houfe, and by that means made her efcape.
Captain Colby was tbe only perfon hurt on board the Thames,
being wounded by a muflcet-ball in the left eye-brow. The
Alcide could be of no ufe In this aClion, it being too near the
fliore for her draught of wafer.
Lord Anfon, with the fquadron under his command, came
to an anchor in Plymouth found the igth of July, where he
was jpined by Rear-Admiral Holmes, whp hoifted his flag on
board the Ramillies. And having taken on board water and
provifions, failed again ori tbe a 2d to bis forraer fbtion.
On

NAVAL AND 1758.

On tbe 1 2tb of September, the Shrewffiury, ITnicom, and
Lizard, being on a cruize, gave chafe fo a number of fmall
French coafting veffels, under convoy of the Thetis and Ca-
lypfo frigates, and an armed fnow, working between fhe paffes
of Fonfenoy and Toullnguef, where our ffiips could not reach
them. Captain Hartwell, however, greatly exerting himfelf,
run all rifles to cut fome of fhem off; and had the good fprtunc
to get between the frigates with part of fhe convoy, and fhe
pafs of Toullnguef. On this fhey ftood for the fouth ffiore.
Captain Hartwell came up and engaged fhe two frigates near
two hours, when theThetis ffieered off, and run for the mouth
of the river Poul Davit. A little before dark, the Calypfo,
with about twenty of the fmall craft, run on ffiore at Point de
Leven, where it is probable ffie was foon deftroyed by the
fwell of the fea, ffie lying upon a large heel ; and ftriking ve-
ry hard upon fhe rocks, with all her rigging ffiot to pieces.
The Lizard had only one man killed, and eight wounded.
Rear-Admiral Saunders joined tbe fleet fhe end of Auguft,
and hoifted his flag on board the Neptune. The three Admi
rals continued cruizing till tbe middle of September ; by which
time . Commodore Howe bad finlffied his campaign on the
coaft of France ; when Lord Anfon, and Rear-Admiral
Holmes, witb the greateft part of the fquadron returned to
England, leaving fhe remainder under Admiral Saunders, to
block up Breft, and fo endeavour fo Intercept tbe French fqua
dron, then expected to be on its return from Quebec. He
was] not fo fortunate as to fall in witb fhem. He, however,
continued cruizing fill the middle of December, wben he re
turned to England with tbe fquadron.
CAPTURES, &c. BY CRUIZING SHIPS.
The Adventure armed ffiip, of eighteen guns, fix pounders,
commanded by Captain John Bray, being in Dungenefs road
on tbe ift of January, faw a large fnow reach in for the Nefs ;
on which, be cleared ffiip, and made ready for aClion. About two

1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 189

two in the afternoon he cut his cable, and foon after the
aClion began. Captain Bray, apprehending tbe enemy had a
defign of raking him, put the helm bard aport, wbich had the
effeCl intended, of laying the enemy's ffiip athwart haufe,
tbeir bowfprit coming in between the Adventure's main and
mizen-mafts. Captain Bray himfelf, and tbe pilot Immediately
paffed the end of tbe mizen top-fail-ffieet through the enemy's
bob-ftay, and made it faft ; but fearing that fhould not be
ftrong enough fo bold them, they paffed a hawfer three times
round their bowfprit and the capftern, on tbe Adventure's quar
ter-deck. The aClion now depended entirely on fhe fmall
arms, which was very fmart for near an bour ; wben the ene
my ftruck. She proved to be tbe Machault privateer of Dun
kirk, mounting fourteen guns, nine-pounders, with one hun
dred and twp men ; forty whereof were killed and wounded In
the aClion. On board the Adventure there was only one man
killed, and two wounded. In reward for this gallant aClion,
Captain Bray was foon after made a Poft-Captain.
The Huffar, of twenty-eight guns, and two hundred men,
commanded by Captain John Elliot, being on a cruize, about
forty-five leagues to the weftward of fhe Lizard, on the 8tb of
January, af day-break, faw a French privateer about two or
three gun-ffiot from bim, to which he immediately gave chafe,
but did not come up with her till near three in tbe afternoon,
wben ffie brought to. A very warm engagement now com
menced, which continued for an hour and three quarters, when
tbe enemy ftruck, having eight feet of wafer in her bold, five
guns difmounted, fifty-two men killed, and thirty-feven woun
ded, ber main and mizen mafts gone, and fhe foremaft fo mucb
damaged, that if fell overboard next morning. She proved to
be the Vengeance of St Malo, mounting thirty-two guns,
twelve and nine pounders, about twenty fwivels, and had, on.
the roUe de I'equlpage, three hundred and nineteen men. On
board the Huffar were fix men killed, and fifteen wounded.
The prize was purchafed by Government, and added to the
Royal Navy, by the name of fhe Vengeance, and where ffie
.performed fome good fervices in the courfe of the war. Captain

190 NAVALAND 1758.
Captain Elliot, when on another cruize, took the Heureux
Malouin, from Martinico for St Malo, mounting twenty-two
guns, and manned by feventy men ; laden with two hundred
and forty-feven bogffieads twenty-one tierces and fifteen bar
rels of fugar; ninety-four bogffieads fifty -one tierces forty-
feven barrels and one hundred and fifty-nine bags of coffee ;
fixteen bales of cotton ; a cafe of cocoa, and a caflc of indigo.
The Windfor, commanded by Captain Samuel Faulknor, on
the 14th of March, took fhe Pacifique, belonging to fhe French
Eaft India Company, laden with coffee, &c. from the Ifle of
France. On fhe 1 7fh of April, be fell in with two French fri
gates, conveying three ftore-ffiips. The former made an ap
pearance as if they meant to ftand an engagement; but as foon
as Captain Faulknor got within three gun-ffiot of fhem, fhey
made all the fail they could from him. He purfued ; but per
ceiving they greatly outfailed him, he defifted from following
them, and made after fhe ftore-ffiips. As fhey fteered differ
ent courfes, he could Only take one, viz. the Grand St Pierre,
of four hundred tons, laden with provifions, and one thoufand
ftand of fraall-arms, bound for Quebec, The Baden, another
of thefe ftore-ffiips, of nearly fhe fame biirden and lading, was
taken by his Majefty's ffiip the Alcide.
The Stirling Caftle, E,ffex, and Loweftoffe, took two French
ffiips ; one, of three hundred and fifty fons, mounting twenty
guns, having on board fixty-one feamen, and twenty foldiers ;
the other, of three hundred tons, mounting eight guns, having
on board twenty-three feamen, and nineteen foldiers; both
laden with provifions for Louiffiurg.
The Vanguard, BIddeford, and Dolphin, took a privateer be
longing fo Bayonne, of twenty-two guns ; and a ffiip richly
laden from St Domingo.
The BriUiant and Coventry took a French ffiip from St Do
mingo, and another from Cape Breton.
The Dunkirk, commanded by fhe Honourable Captain Dig-
by, took three French ffiips, viz. two from Rochelle for Louif
burg, and one from Port Louis to St Domingo.
On the 29th of May, Captain Pratten, of bis Majefty's. ffiip
Intrepid,

I7S8. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 191
Intrepid, being on a cruize, with a fmall fquadron, to the weft
ward, about three in the afternoon, defcried a fail fo the S. W.
and immediately made fhe fignal for tbe Dorfetffilre of feventy
guns, commanded by Captain Denis, to chafe ; and foon after
wards, perceiving the fail to be a large ffiip, he ordered tbe
Achilles, commanded by Captain Barrington, after her, and
then followed with the reft of fhe fquadron. About feven in
tbe evening, the Dorfetffilre came up with the, chafe, and im
mediately began a very clofe , engagement, which continued
with great briflcnefs fill near nine o'clock ; but on the Achilles
coming up, and firing a few -ffiot, the enemy ftruck, and proved '
fo be the Ralfonable, a French fliip of war, of fixty-four guns,
and fix hundred and thirty men, commanded by the Prince de
Mombazon, Chevalier de Rohan. The enemy had fixty-one
men killed, and one hundred wounded In the aClion. The Dor
fetffilre bad fifteen men killed, and twenty wounded. The
Ralfonable being quite a iiew Aiipj was purchafed by Govern
ment, and added by the fame name to the Royal Navy,
The Torbay, commanded by fhe Honourable Auguftus Kep
pel, took the Roftan, a privateer of Bourdeaux, of twenty-fix
guns, and three hundred and twenty men ; twenty-fix of whom
were killed, and many wounded, before ffie ftruck. On board
the Torbay, three men were killed. The Frenchmen on board
this privateer, had devifed a new and curious ftratagem to fave
her. They concealed ninety men in the hold : when the few
that are ufually put on board to navigate prizes into port ffiould
be at a diftance from fhe captors, thefe concealed men were to
rife and overpower fhem, and retake the veffel : luckily, how
ever, being too eager to put their fcheme into execution, they
were difcovered, and difappointed In their intention. The
Roftan, being a remarkably fine fliip, was purchafed by Go
vernment, and added to the Royal Navy, ^by the name of the
Crefcent, Captain Keppel, with fome other ffiips under bis command,
took four French ftore-ffiips, all bound for Canada.
Thfe Brilliant, commanded by Captain Hyde Parker, took the
la Nymphe, privateer of Granville, of twenty guns, and one
hundred

192 NAVALAN'D 1758-
hundred and fixty meri: and tbe La Vengeur privateer, of
Dunkirk, of twelve guns, and ninety men.
The Alcide, commanded by Captain Douglas, took the Am-
phitrite from St Domingo for Bourdeaux, having a very rich
cargo on board : arid, in company with the ACleon, Captain
Ourry,topk the Robufte, a French ffiip, armed en flute, of twen
ty-four guns; having on board fix twenty-four pounders ;
twelve eighteen pounders; fix iron mortars ; three thoufand
bomb-ffiells of thirteen inches diameter ; a great quantity of
cordage, canvas, flour, and many other ftores for the French
fquadron -at Cape Francois in Hifpaniola.
Tbe Lizard, Captain HartweU, being on a cruize off Breft,
on the 2d of OCfober, fell in with L'Heroine, and Le Due d'-
Hanover, two French corvettes, and engaged both of them for
upwards of an hour, when the former (the largeft) made all the
fail ffie could for the rocks near tbe opening of the paffage of
Fonfenoy. Captain Hartwell then direCted bis whole fire to
the latter) v^^bo ftruck, after engaglngbalf an bour longer : ffie
mounted fourteen guns.
The Southampton, Captain Gilchrift, took, after an obfti
nate engagement of three hoUrs, the Caiimartin privateer, of
Dunkirk, commanded by Jean Baptift de Cock, new from the
ftocks, of two hundred and eighty foris, mounting fixteen fix-
pounders, many fwivels and mufquetoons ; and had on board
one hundred and forty-feven meri. She had a -ranfomer on.
board for twelve hundred guineas. Captain Gilchrift likewife '
took a privateerof twenty guris, and two hundred and ten men,
belonging fo Bayonne, who ftruck without firing a gun.
The Ifis, Captain Wheeler, took , the Touralne, from St Do
mingo for Rochelle ; and, in company with his Majefty''s ffiip
the Vanguard, Captain Swantorij a Dutch ffiip of four hundred
tons, laden with fugar,; &c. from St Domingo. Captain
Wheeler likewife took the Rhinoceros, a French ffiip of war,
of feven hundred tons, thirty-fix guns, andjthree hundred men,
from.Quebec, but being very leaky, he took tbe crew' out, and
fet ber on fire.
Tbe Falmouth, Captain William Brett, took the La Moreffe de

1756. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 193
de la Rochelle, from St Domingo, laden with fugar* coffee, and
indigo. While tbe two grand expedition fleets were fitting out
at Portfmouth, tbe French Miniftry were extremely anxious for
intelligence concerning them ; and fome perfons were appre^i
bended at the camp in tbe Ifle of Wight,- on fufpicion of being
fpies. A few days after, a privateer of eighteen guns appeared
off St Helen's road (May 25th), fired three guns, and fent a
boat on (bore ; but no perfon anfwering tbeir fignals, tbe boat
returned inunediately on board again. The privateer then
ftood towards Spithead, where) by way of fineffe, ffie faluted
the Admiral under Engliffi colours, then ftood pff again, and
fired five guns more, fuppofed to be a fignal for fome fpy to
come off to ber. This ftrange conduCl creating a fufpicion
that ffie was an enemy, the Admiral made the fignal for a fri
gate to flip and purfue ber ; on perceiving of which, ffie fet all
the fail ffie could, and endeavoured to efcape. Juft at this
time, the Loweftoffe, Captain Haldane, was coming up to St
Helen's from tbe Downs ; and tbe frigate in chafe rtiaking the
fignal of an enemy, tbe Loweftoffe intercepted and took her :
fhe made no refiftance, having thrown all her guns overboard
to make her fail fafter. Tbe Loweftoffe tobk a large French
ffiip from St Domingo, witb a valuable cargo.
His Majefty's ffiips Dolphin and Solebay, cotrimanded by
Captains Marlow and Craig, being in Leith road, and receiving
intelligence that a French privateer, called the Marffial de Belle-*
ifle, of forty-four guns, and five hundred men, was cruizing off
the mouth of the Frith of Forth ; on this 2 ift of May failed in
queft of her, and, on the 26th, about feven in tbe morning, got
fight of her off the Red-bead. They immediately gave chafe.
About eight, the Dolphin got up with her, and began a clofe
engagement, which continued about an hour and a half ; at
which time the Solebay came up, and began alfo to engage.
The aCtion continued fill near twelve o'clock, when the enemy
having greatly damaged the rigging of botb ffiips,- made fail,
and ffieered off. The Britiffi ffiips gave chafe,, but were too
much difabled to come up with tbe enemy. The privateer was
commanded by the famous M. Thurot, of whom we ffiall have
VOL. II. N frequenff

194 NAVALAND 1758.

frequent occafion to fpeaS: in the courfe of this work. He had
taken many veffels on fhe Scots and Engliffi coafts, and behav
ed with fuch a degree of politenefs and humanity fo his prifon
ers, as is feldom experienced from xme of his ftation. By the
mafter of an Engliffi veffel, who was a prifoner on board the
privateer at the time of the aClion, It was learnt, that the ene
my had eighty men killed and wounded. The Dolphin bad one
man killed, and fifteen wounded. The Solebay had five men
killed, and thirteen wounded ; among the latter, was Captain
Craig. The Antelope, Captain Thomas Saumarez, being at an an
chor In King-road, on the 3 1 ft of OCtober, received intelligenee
that a French man of war was lying at anchor off the ifland of
Lundy ; on which be weighed, and, although the wind was
contrary and blowing hard, he beat down tbe Briftol channel,
and next day faw her at anchor below Ilfracombe. The ene
ray, on difcovering the Antelope, weighed and ftood towards
her: when about the diftance of a mile, they hoifted their co
lours, and feemed prepared to- engage, but foon after hauled
them down. As foon as the Antelope got within gun-ffiot of
the French ffiip, ffie fired a ffiot at ber ; which tbe enemy not
returning. Captain Saumarez fent bis firft Lieutenant on board
them to know if they had ftruck ; but, tbe boat not returning
10 fpeedily as he wiffied, he bore down under ber ftern, and
bailed to kiKiw if they had furrendered, when he was anfwered
they ha4. She proved to be the Belllqueux, of fixty-four guns,
and had on board four hundred and feventeen men. She was
one of M. du Chaffault's fquadron from Quebec, that fell In
with Admiral Bofcawen's fleet on the 27tb of OClober. She
had furs on board to a very confiderable amount; and was pur
chafed by Government, added fo the Royal Navy, and the com
mand of her conferred on Captain Saumarez.
The Dublin, Captain Rodney, on her paffage to North A-
merlea, took the Mount Martin, a French Eaft India ffiip home-
Ward bound, of great value.
No fooner was the campaign on the coaft of France over,
than another conjnnCl expedition was formed by tbe Minifter to

1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 19J

to diftrefs the enemy's colonies in the Weft Indies. A power
ful fquadron under the command of Captain Robert Hughes,
was equipped for this fervice ; and a confiderable body of land-
forces, under tbe commarid of Major- General Hopfon, embark
ed on board franfporfs, and failed from Spithead tbe end of
November. But as tbe account of this expedition falls more
properly in with the year 1759, it ffiall there be fully treated
of. The Britiffi privateers and letters of marque were very
fuccefsful, many of the prizes they took being of great value.
But the enemy's trade had fuffered fo much laft year, and the
beginning of this, that they were obliged fo fallen various
fchemes fo fupply their colonies with neceffaries, and to bring
home their produce. From the tempting offers held out by
the French merchants, the Dutch were Induced to become
their carriers, and, for fome time, fupported, by fbfeir affiftanee,
the expiring commerce of France. If is impoffible to enume
rate all the confiderable captures whieh were made this year.
The. moft valuable cargoes were in Dutch bpffoms ; moft of
which, witb many of the veffels, were condemned as lawful
prizes In the Court of Admiralty, af London. This fplrited
conduCl of the Miniftry, in dlreCling the Britiffi cruizers to
take all neutral veffels they found affifting the enemy, or carry-
ing the produce of their colonies, was fhe occafion of much
altercation between fhe Britiffi Court and their High Mighfi-
neffes. The Dutch ftill perfifted in this illicit commerce, as,
when they happened fo be fo fortunate as to arrive fafe, their
profit was very great. Yet, from the number of ffiips which
were condemned, their nation muft have been confiderable lo-
fers In fhe end.
The enemy had no great fuccefs In making valuable prizes
in Europe, thofe that they did take being chiefly coafters, —
They Indeed took the Carnarvon Eaft Indiaman, but ffie was
foon after retaken. But fhey gave the Britiffi trade a fevere
blow in America, by intercepting fhe homeward bound fleet
from South Carolina, efcorted by the Winchelfea frigate,
which they took, together witb thirty-four of the ffiips under
her convoy. The reft of fhe fleet difperfed, and fome of them
N 2 efcaped.

1^6 NAVAL AND I759-
efcaped. This piece • of good fortune, together with the de
ftroying of his Majefty's ffiips Triton and Bridgewater at Fort
St David's in the Eaft Indies, and the taking of the Stork floop
of war in the Weft Indies, were all the captures, of any confe
quence, the enemy could boaft of. Tbe whole number of vef
fels taken by the enemy this year, amounted to three hundred
and thirteen, among whom were feven privateers. The ba
lance, however, was greatly in favour of Britain; for, exclufive
of fhe men of war taken and deftroyed, they took forty-nine
ftout privateers and armed merchantmen; one hundred and
four French trading ffiips, and one hundred and feventy-fix
neutral ftips, having French property on board; moft ofwhich
proved extremely beneficial to the captors.
1Y59.
If defeating tbe moft formidable defigns of an aClive enemy
bent upon the deftruClion of this country, and a recital of the
moft glorious and important fucceffes, can give pleafure to the
reader, there are few parts of the annals of Great Britain, that
can be compared witb the tranfaCtions of tiiis year. They af
ford a leffon of tbe greateft confequence to the welfare of this
country, and cannot fail to convince the world, that, with un
animity at bomcj a Minifter of abilities poffeffing the confi
dence of tbe people, a right choice of commanders, and fhe
national ftrength exerted and direCted againft proper objeCts,
we are not only capable of defeating tbe moft dangerous de
figns of our natural and Implacable enemies, but able fo annoy
them in every part of the globe ; while, at the fame time, we
can grant ample protection to our own fubjeCls, and affiftanee
to our allies.
The enemy were fo fenfibly affeCled by the loffes and defeats
they fuftained laft year, that they refolved to repair them, and
if poffible, wipe out the dlfgrace they had fuffered from the
repeated defcents we had made on their fea coafts, and to reta
liate on us, by invading Great Britain or Ireland. As they
could

1759' MILITARY MEMOIRS. 197
could not fail remembering to what a miferable condition we
were reduced in tbe year 1756, and the confternatlon that their
threats of an invafion then created in tbe kingdom, they refol
ved to repeat tbe fame artifices in the year 1 759. Indeed they
were drove to the expedient of making Great Britain or Ireland
the theatre of tbe war, as tbe only means left them of retriev
ing their affairs ; and, from the immenfe preparations they
were every where making for tbis enterprize, they hoped to
occafion fuch a panic among the people of England, as would
effeClually prevent tbe Minifter either from affifting our Ger
man allies, or our American colonies ; and, by obliging us fo
fix our fole attention at home, fo difable us from profecufing
any fchemes we bad projeCled againft tbeir fettlements in the
Weft Indies, or North America.
Notwithftanding tbe immenfe force with which Great Bri
tain was threatened to be attacked, all tbe defigns of the ene
my were reiidered abortive. Tbe cafe was now very different,
from what it bad been in the year 1756. Tbe fpirit of fhe
nation was now roufed, and the people were no longer in fuch
a wretched ftate of imbecility, as fo be intimidated by mena
ces. The greateft confidence was placed in the abilities of
Adminiftration ; who feemed fo little to fear the threats and
mighty preparations of the enemy, that they not only fent fuc
cours to the allied army under the command of Prince Ferdi
nand of Brunfwick ; to our colonies in America and the Weft
Indies, and our fettlements in the Eaft Indies ; but difpatch
ed a very powerful armament, very early in tbe fpring, againft
Quebec; while the enemy, appeared refolved fo exert and coir
leCl the whole of their naval force in feconding tbeir intend
ed invafion of tbe Britiffi dominions in Europe, negleCled fp
fend out any fquadron to prevent the province of Canada from
falling under fhe dominion of Britain,
From fhe extraordinary exertions made by Great Britain to
carry on the war in America, the French Miniftry flattered
themfelves, that the coafts of Britain and Ireland were in a
great meafure left defencelefs ; and boafted, that we had not
fhips to form a fquadron of fufficient ftrength to face the fleet
N 3 they

ipS NAVALAND 1759.
they were preparing af Breft. They made no fecret of their
intentions of an invafion, whicb they gave out, was to be
made on Ireland, England, and Scotland, at tbe fame time.
For putting in execution their defign againft the firft mention
ed kingdom, they affembled a large body of troops at Vannes,
in Lower Britanny, under the command of Due d'AIguIllofl,
Governor of that province. Thefe were to be embarked on
board tranfports, a great number of which they had colleCled ,
in the Morbihan for this purpofe, and whicb were to be efcort
ed fo their deftination, by the combined fquadrons of men of
war from Breft and Toulon, commanded by M. de Conflans,
and M. de la Clue. For fhe invafion of England, a great army
wasafliembled on fhe coaft of Normandy ; the embarkation of
which was'to be at Havre de Grace ; where the narrownefs of
the channel made fhe enemy conceive hopes that tbis enterprize
inight be executed in flat-bottomed boats. For tbis purpofe,
they caufed a great number fo be built there on a new con
ftruClion. They were calculated to bold four hundred men
each, to carry two pieces of cannon, twenty-four pounders,
one at fhe bow, and fhe other at fhe ftern, with one maft, and
were fo conftruCted, as to draw very little water. With thefe
boats, they flattered themfelves they ffiould be able to tranfport
tbeir army acrofs the channel in a dark night, and land on the
Engliffi coaft before any of our ffiips of war could difcover
them. The enterprize they intended againft Scotiand, or the north
of Ireland, was fo be attempted by a much inferior force to
the other two, whofe operations were only to fecond their
other defigns, by caufing a diverfion in the north of Scotiand,
or of Ireland, ih order fo diftraCt us, while we ffiould be bu
fy in repelling their main attacks. The armament allotted for
this fervice was to fail from Dunkirk. The land forces con
fifted of no more than fifteen hundred men, to be efcorted by
five frigates commanded by M, Thurot ; a man, who, from
being mafter of a fmall privateer, had, at the commence
ment of fhe war, in this inferior ftation, not only rendered
himfelf famous, but refpeaable, and had attained a charafter, inr

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS.

T99

infinitely fuperior to tbe Captains of corfairs In general. He
was not more remarkable for his aCSiIvIty, than his humanity;
infomuch, that thefe, added to his fuccefs, not only rendered
him a great favourite of his own nation, but he was even ef
teemed by his enemies. His daring fpirit, and a thorough
knowledge of the Britiffi coafts, pointed him out to the French
Minifter, wben their nation did not abound in great men, as
a fit perfon fo be employed in fuch a defperate enterprize, and
raifed him from a private ftation, to the command of a fqua
dron of King's (hips.
Suck were the formidable projefts tbe enemy had planned.
But, by tbe provident care of the Miniftet who not only kept
a fufficient force to guard tbe Britiffi coaft, but fent ont power
ful fleets to block up the enemy's principal ports, their difperf
ed fquadrons were ¦not able to effeCl a junClIon with each
other, without hazarding a battle, which, if they did, they
¦were almoft fure of being defeated ; fo that, in tbe end, all
the ambitious fchemes which they had laid with fo much care
¦were completely fruftrated, and refleCled nothing but difgrace
upon tbe projectors of them. The militia of England were
emljodied, and were difpofed in fuch a manner, that, with fhe
tegolar troops at bome, a very ftrong army w;ould have been
ready to face tbe enemy wherever they might haye prefumed
to attempt a landing, Notwithftanding the artifices, of the
French to intimidate the people, and wbich their emiffarles
endeavoured fo infufe info their minds with great induffry,
by reports of tbeir immenfe preparations for war, together
with tite account of the tranfpoirts and flat-bottomed boats
that were getting ready in their ports j no kind of terror was
feen among the people, but a calm, fteady bravery appeared,
and an alertnefs every where ready fo repel fhe threatened at
tack. Every meafure indeed was taken, that tended fo defeat
tbe enemy's fchemes.
A fquadron of men of war was ftafioned off Dunkirk, under
tbe command of Captain Boys, to watch the motions of M.
Thurot. Admiral Smith commanded in the Downs, having
under bim Sjr Piercy Brett. Rear-Admiral Rodney was fta-
N 4 tioned

20P NAVALAND I759-
tioned with a confiderable force in tbe channel, fo as to bave
an eye on the ports of Normandy. Sir Edward Hawke was
fent out with a ftrong fquadron of men pf war to block up the
harbour of Breft, The command of tbe fleet in the Mediter
ranean, was entrufted fo Admiral Bofcawen, wbo carried out
with him a ftrong reinforcement of fliips to that ftation, Rear-
Admiral Corniffi was fent with anpther ftrPng reinforcement
of ftips fo fhe Eaft Indies, and likewife took out a ponfid'erar
ble body of land-forces with blna. The fquadron at the Lee
ward Iflands, wben joined to that under Captain Hughes, be
came extremely formidable ; was to ai3: in concert with the
land-forces under Major-General Hopfon, againft the French
fettlements in that part pf the wprhd. Major-General Wolfe
Was pitched upon to comniand the land, and Vice-Admiral
Saunders the naval fprces, deftined againft Quebec. Such was
the arrangement of fhe Britiffi forces, and fuch the comman
ders whom fhe Minifter fbought fit to employ pn this impor-
tanf occafioi}. Indeed, the choice did almoft as much honour
to him who fingled them out, as their conduCi did to them
felves, and to their country..
The Parliament were extremely liberal in their grants this
year. In the courfe of the Seffion, they voted fixty thoufand
feamen, including fourteen thoufand eight hundre4 and forty-
five marines, for the fervice of the current year ; and the fum-
tofal of the fupplies granted, amounted to 12,761,3101. 19s.
5|d. (See Note 134.)
On tbe I4tb of February, this year, his Majefty was pleaf"
ed to order the following promotion pf Flag-Officers :
Honourable George Townffiend ")
Francis Holburne, Efq; ^ Vice-Admirals of fhe Red.
Thomas Cotes, Efq; ¦)
Thomas Frankland, Efq; [
Lord Harry Powlett SVice-Admirals of the White.
Harry Norris, Efq; j Tho-

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. mi

> Vice- Admirals of the Blue.

Thomas Broderick, Efq;
Sir Charles Hardy, Knight
George Earl of Norfhelk
Charles Saunders, Efq;
Thomas Pye, Efq; ~\
Charles Stevens, Efq; > Rear-Admirals of the Red.
Philip Durell, Efq; J
Charles Holmes, Efq; ^ Rear-Admiral^ of the White.
bamuel Cornifh, Eiq; 3
Francis Geary, Efq; — Rear-Admiral of the Blue.
On tbe igtb of May, the following Captains were promoted
to Flags, viz.
Smith Callis, Efq; ? Rear-Admirals of tbe Blue.
jGeorge Bridges Rodney, Efq; Ji
The fuccefs which the Britiffi privateers had the preceding
years, encouraged more adventuters to try their fortunes in
Jike manner, fo that tbe channel fwarmed with them. But
their harveft was over. Tbe French trade to the Weft Indies
was in a manner ruined ; indeed, very few French veffels ven
tured to fea ; fo that many perfons, from their want of fuccefs,
loft fuch great fums by the equipment of privateers, that they
were unable to indemnify their owners. Great numbers of
thefe privateers were very fmall ; and fome of tbem were coni
manded by men remarkable only for a brutal courage, and en
tirely devoid of every principle of honour or humanity ; and
the horrid exceffes committed by fome of thofe wretches upon
neutral veffels, called loudly for the puniftment of the perpe
trators. The traffic whicb tbe Dutch bad entered into with the
French, in fupplying them with naval ftores, and conveying
the produce of their colonies to Europe, gave thefe miiitrre-
ants a pretext for boarding all Dutch veffel^ they met, and for
fearching them. A Dutch ffiip frpm Copenhagen, having on
board the baggage and domeftics belonging to tbe Marquis dc
Pig-

202

NAVAL AND 1759.

Pignatelli, Ambaffador from the Court of Spain to the King
of Denmark, was boarded no lefs than three times fucceffively,
in the Engliffi Channel, by three different privateers, who
forced open the hatches, rummaged fhe veffel, broke open and
rifled fhe trunks and packages belonging fo the Ambaflador,
infalted, wounded, and beat his officers and fervants, and car
ried off wearing apparel and effeCls to a large amount, toge
ther with letters of credit, and a bill of exchange. Another
Dutch ffiip was detained, and rifled by other privateers, who
killed fome of the crew with hatchets, and terribly wounded
the reft.
Complaints of thefe piracies and robberies having been made
to tbe Court of London, the Lords of the Admiralty promif
ed, in fhe Gazette, a reward of five hundred pounds, with
out deduction,, to any perfon who ffiould difcover the offenders
concerned in thefe aCls of piracy. Some of them were ac
cordingly defected, and brought fo a public trial, when fhey
were condemned, and moft defervedly fuffered death at Execu
tion-dock, near Wapping. But Admininiftration refolyed, in
next feffion of Parliament, fo redrefs, if poffible, this griev
ance, arid put an effeClual ftop to fuch proceedings In future.
Accordingly, an aCl was paffed, intituled, <• An aQ to explain
" and amend an aCt of the' twenty-ninth of George II., for
" the encouragement of feamen, and fhe mt>re fpeedy and ef-
" fedual manning 'of his Majefty's navy; and for the better
" prevention of piracies and robberies by private ftips of war,''
The preamble of this aCl fet forth, that repeated complaints
have of late been made, of divers outrageous ads of piracy
committed by the crews of fmall veffels, being, or pretending
to be Engliffi privateers. And, after enaCling, That from and
after the ift June 1759, ^° much of fhe aCl of the a^fh of
George II., as direCts fhe granting ef commlffions to priva
teers, is repealed ; It declares, that fuch commiffions are how-
ev^. ftill to be granted, upon appHcation fo the Admiralty;
but providing, that no ffiips ffiall be entitled to thefe In Europe,
except fuch as are above one hundred tons burden, and carry
ing ten carriage guns, three pounders and forty men ; unlefs the

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 203

tbe Admiralty, in their dlfcreflon, ffiall think fit to grant fuch
commiffion fo any ffiip of inferior fize or burden.
The power tbus granted to the Admiralty, was in confe
quence of a petition from the inhabitants of the iflands of
Guernfey and Jerfey fo Parliament, fetting forth, That a great
number of tbe inhabitants of thofe Iflands, had now, as in
former wars, embarked a great part of their fortunes in equip
ping fmall privateers, whicb ufed to run in clofe with the
French ffiore ; and, being difguifed like fiffiing boats, had
not only taken a number of French prizes, to the great annoy
ance of tbe enemy ; but alfo obtained material intelligence of
tbeir defigns, on many important occafions : That thefe fer
vices could not be performed by large veflels, which durfl not
approach fo near fhe coaft, and indeed could not appear with
out caufing an alarm, which was communicated from place
to place by appointed fignals. For thefe and other reafons,
they prayed to be exempted from tbe penalties In the bill then
depending,
EAST INDIES.

Vice-Admiral Pocock having refitted his fquadron at
Bombay, made ready for fea ; and on the 7th of April, failed
for the coaft of Coromandel, ufing his utmoft endeavours to
get round the ifland of Ceylon before the French fleet, which
was -daily expeCled from the Mauritius. Having gained this
neceffary point, he continued to cruize in ftatlons tbe moft
likely to intercept the enemy's fleet, and at tbe fame time to
proteCl the Britiffi trade.
On the 3 oth of June, he bad the good fortune to fall in
with the Grafton and Sunderland from England, with fi-ve fail
of Eaft Indiamen, On board of thefe ffiips he found provi
fions and ftores, of whicb bis fquadron ftood very much in
need. On tbe 3d of Auguft, he failed for Pondicherry. Off this
place he cruized during the whole of that month, but could fee

204 NAVAL AND 1759.
fee nothing of the enemy, nor hear any tidings of them. Both
his provlfions and water beginning fo grow fcarce, he was ne
ceffitated to proceed witb tiie fquadron to Trincomale, where
he got a fupply of thofe articles. He failed from thence witb
his fquadron on fhe ift of September, having, a few days be
fore, difpatched tbe Company's frigate Revenge, witb orders
to cruize off Ceylon, and to keep a ffiarp look-out for the
enemy. M. d'Ache, who, with his fquadron arrived at the ifland of
Mauritius tbe end of Septenjiber 1758, here found a reinforce
ment of three fail of the line, under the command of M d'Eguil-
le, an officer of great reputation, waiting for him, and feve
ral of their Eaft India Company's ffiips were alfo arrived from
France., The crews of all thefe ffiips amounted to 5500 men,
A number fo great brought the enemy info great diftrefs, for
all the provlfions that could be colleCled in tbe ifles, or what
could be drawn from Madagafcar, witb the fupplies fent from
Europe, were infufficient to feed this multitude, their numbers
nearly equalling that of the French colonifts in that part of fhe
world. Councils were held f o devife means of relief, and fhey
determined to fend one of their ffiips of war, witb eight of fhe
Company's ffiips, which would leffen their number between
three and four thoufand men, to tbe Cape of Good Hope,
where they were to endeavour to purchafe provifions, fufficient
for the fquadron for the voyage to India, and in the meantime,
the crews would be fupported, without encroaching on the
original ftock. Thefe ffiips arrived at fhe Cape the beginning
of January: two bf fhem had the good fortune to take the
Grantham, a valuable ffiip belonging to the Britiffi Eaft , India
Company, that had been difpatched from IVl adras in the month
of September. Af fhe Cape, the French purchafed, but at a
vaft. expence, a great quantity of grain, wine and meat, and
returned to the Mauritius, in April and May. In the interim,
M. d'Ache was bufily employed in refitting his fquadron, and
the four war ffiips, belonging to the French Eaft India Com
pany, whicb had^ not hitherto mounted the number of guns
they were pierced for, were now armed to the full fcale of their con-

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 205

conftruClion. Thefe alteration and other equipments, retard
ed tbe departure of tbe fquadron from the Mauritius until
tbe 1 7th of July. They fteered firft for tbe ifland of Bourbon,
and then for Foul Point, in the ifland of Madagafcar, fo take
in fome rice and other provifions, which bad been procured
there, and on the 30th of Auguft arrived off fhe port of Bata-
cola, in the ifland of Ceylon, twenty leagues fo the fouth pf
Trincomale, where M. d'Ache obtained information of the
Britiffi fleet, and, on tbe 2d of September got fight of them
off Point Pedron. His fquadron confifted of eleven ffiips of
the line, befides frigates. Admiral Pocock bad only nine fail
of the line and a frigate.
The fame day, the Revenge frigate, about fen o'clock, made
a fignal to Admiral Pocock, for feeing fifteen fail in the S; E.
quarter, ftanding to the N. E. Theffe proved fo be the ene
my's fleet ; and, foon after, they faw the Revenge chafed by
a French frigate, wbo fired feveral ffiot at her. Upon which
Admiral Pocock made fhe fignal for a general chafe; and ftood
toward the enemy with all tbe fail he could crowd. This foon
obliged the enemy's frigates to give over chafe, and rejoin the
French fquadron. Falling little wind, the Britiffi fleet was
prevented from getting near them when fhe day clofed.
This formidable fleet, the greateft that had ever appeared In
tbe Indian feas, was chafed, invited, and even provoked to fight
by a mucb inferior force ; for, on a comparative view of the
two fquadrons, it appears that Admiral Pocock had but nine
ftips of the line, including the Cumberland, whicb was fo weak
and difabled as to be obliged to be reduced from fixty-fix tb
fifty-eight guns, in order fo eafe ber ; whilft M. D'Ache bad
eleven fail of fhe line, and a mucb greater fuperiority net only
in guns and men, but in fize of ftips and weight of metal.
Tbe enemy, notwithftanding their fuperior ftrength, endeavour-
ed to fteal away in tbe night undifcovered ; but were fruftrated
in tjiis defign, by tbe Admiral's ordering the Revenge fo make
fail to tbe S. E., and to try to keep fight of them. She was fo
lucky as to difcover them about eleven at night, and immediately made

2o6 NAVALAND i759"-
made fhe fignal, on which the whole fleet bore down towards
them. On the 3d, about one In the morning, a heavy fquall coming
on, which continued till three, obliged the Britift fleet fo bring-
to, and clew up their fails. At day-break, the enemy's fleet
was difcovered bearing N. E. by N., about five or fix miles dif
tant. Admiral Pocock then made the fignal for a general chafe
fo the N. E. ; Point Pedroon, on the ifland of Ceylon, bearing
weft fix or feven leagues. At nine, the enemy's fleet bore N.
E. by E., and were formed in a line-of-battle ahead, on the
ftarboard tack, with the wind at W. N. VU. A little after nine.
Admiral Pocock made the fignal for a line-of-battle abreaft, and
ftood for the centre of fhe enemy's fleet, which kept under
way, and appeared to go from the wind ; by which means the
Britiffi fleet altered their bearings greatly ; for, by noon, they
bore S. E. by E., diftant fix or fevemniles.
The wind decreafing as the day advanced, and the Tiger
and Newcaftle failing very ill, though they carried all fhe fail
fhey were able, it was near fun-fet before the fleet could form
their line. About a quarter after five, fhe Britift fquadron
being nearly abreaft of the enemy, they wore, and came to the
wind on the other tack ; upon which the Britiffi ffiips tacked,
the rear firft, and ftood for the enemy's fquadron. The Britiffi
fleet was now about four miles diftant, with very little fteerage
way, and continued fo till near ten; when a freffi breeze fpring
ing up from the S. S. W., the fquadron hauled clofe to the wind
under their fopfails, and formed the line ahead. This ffiift
brought the enemy aftern, and a little upon fhe weather quar
ter of the Britiffi line ; but It foon after proving hazy, the Bri
tiffi fleet loft fight of them. What is very remarkable, the ene
my made no fignal, in this or the preceding night, either with
guns or lights. The Revenge was fent to look out aftern, but
not perceiving them, ffie was fent ahead ; and, about eight o'-*
clock next morning, ftie made the fignal for feeing four fail to
the N. E. ; on which a general chafe was begun by the whole
fquadron, and continued till near two in the afternoon ; at
which time, feeing no more than two fliips, and the Admiral find-

i?59- MILIT A r;Y MEMOIRS. 207
finding he could not come up with thofe, he made the fignal for
tbe Revenge to come into the fleet: when he ftood to the north
ward, and made all the fail he could to get off Pondicherry,
juftly concluding the French fquadron was bound thither.
The Admiral got off that place early in the morning on tbe
8fh, but faw no ftips in the road. At one in the afternoon,
however, of that day, be difcovered the enemy's fleet to the S.
E. ; and by three, he counted thirteen fail. He was then ftan
ding to the northward with the fea breeze ; and, fo prevent
their paffing him, he kept a ftarp out-look in tbe night. On
the 9th, at fix in fhe morning, he only difcovered part of the
enemy's fquadron ; but, by nine o'clock, he counted fixteen
fail. At two in the afternoon, the wind fpringing up, he made
the fignal for a general chafe ; and at four, the enemy appear
ed to be formed in a line of baffle abreaft, and bore right down
upon him. Admiral Pocock ordered fhe Revenge to keep be
tween fhe fquadron and the enemy during the night, in order
to obferve their motions.
At fix in the morning on fhe loth, fhe ^nemy's fquadron
bore S. E. by S. diftant eight or nine miles, and was formed in
a line of baffle ahead on the ftarboard, tack. Admiral Pocock
continued bearing down on them In a line of battle abreaft,
with fhe wind about N. W. by W, At ten, the enemy wore,
and formed a line of battle ahead on the larboard tack ; and at
eleven, fhe Britiffi did the fame. Rear-Admiral Steven^ in the
Grafton being then oppofite to fhe Zodiaque, began fhe aCtion
on fhe Britiffi fide; when, perceiving Admiral Pocock In the
Yarmouth was coming clofe to that ffiip, after giving her a few
broadfides he left her ; then, pufting on, be attacked the Ven
geur ; wbich having drove out of the line, he went fo the af
fiftanee of the. Tiger and Newcaftle, two ffiips ahead of him,
that bad fuffered very much from fhe fuperiority of the ffiips of
tbe enemy which they had engaged. One of thefe, the St
Louis, did not long withftand the fire of the Grafton, but re
tired out of the line. The Rear-Admiral then attacked the
Minotaur, and the Due d'Orleans, and continued to engage
both thefe ftips till tbe battle ended. Admiral Pocock be
ftowed

ao8 NAVALAND 1759.

flowed his firft fire on the Comte de Provence ; and then ftot
ahead, and engaged M. d'Ache in the Zodiaque. The aClioii
now became general with feven of the headmoft Britift ftips ;
but the Sunderland failing very ill, kept back fhe Weymouth.
Thefe two ftips, from tbe French Admiral beginning the com
bat before fhey could clofe the line, were in a great meafure
deprived of the glory of fhe day ; by wbich means the Salif
bury, the weakeft ftip, was left alone to engage the Illuftre,
fupported by the Fortunee ; and, in confequence of fo unequal
a fight, was greatly ftattered, having in a ftort time loft her
main-top gallant-maft, and prefently after, her main-fop-fail,
which obliged her, for a little, to quit the line : juft at this
time, the Sunderland luckily got up, and direClly engaged the
Illuftre. The Elizabeth led the Britift van, and attacked tbe AClIf,
which ftip, in lefs than a quarter of an bour, took fire. This
accident bringing her crew from fhe guns to exflngulft it, the
, Elizabeth took every advantage of the difafter, and kept up a
well directed cannonade on the ACtif, wbo for a confiderable
time was unable f o- return a fingle ftot. M, de I'Aguille, in
the MIriotaur, perceiving fhe diftrefs of the ACtif, went fo her
affiftanee, which obliged the Elizabeth tp haul her wind : by
this manoeuvre flie was unluckily drove beyond fhe line of
aClion. The Tiger then engaged the Minotaur, and the New
caftle fhe St Louis : in this conflict, from the difparlty of the
Britift ftips, fhey were botb greatly difabled : it was then that
Rear-Admiral Stevens in the Grafton came very opportunely
to their affiftanee. The enemy having aimed much at fhe rlg-
' ging of our ftips, the Sunderlandj who had to deal with both
tiie Illuftre and Fortunee, before ffie bad fired three rounds,
was in a manner difabled by the fall of her main-top-fail; and
ber head braces being likewife ffiot away, her fore-fop-fail
fwung back, which made ber fall aftern of her two opponents.
At three o'clock, the Saliffiury got into the line again ; and, in
a quarter of an hour afterwards, both the Comte de Provence
and the Due de Bourgogne, were obliged to quit it in order to
re-

»759- MILITARY MEMOIRS.

ao9i

refit their rigging ; on whicb the Illuftre clofed up to the Zo
diaque. At four o'clock, tbe only French ftips which kept the line
and continued the engagement, were, the Minotaur and Due
d!Orleans againft tbe Grafton, the Zodiaqufe againft the Yar
mouth, tbe Illuftre againft the Cumberiand, and the Fortunee
and Centaur againft the Saliffiury and Sunderland. Soon after,
the Fortunee and Centaur quitted the line. Tbe French Admi
ral being at this time rendered infenfible by a very bad wound
he bad received in bis thigh from a grape ftot, and the Cap
tain of the Zodiaque being killed an hour before, fhe officer
next in command ordered the ftip to be wore, in order to join
,, thofe wbo had gone off, wben tbe other French ftips foon fol
lowed their Admiral : wbich having joined, their whole fquad
ron bore away, and ftood to tbe S. S. E., with all the fail they
could crowd. The four ftips that compofed the Britift van,
had fuftained fo bot a fire, during two hours, from fix of the
enemy's largeft ftips, fbat fhey were in no condition to purfue.
The Tiger bad ber mizen-maft and main-top-maft ftot away,
befides being in other refpeCls greatly difabled. The Newcaftle
was much damaged in her mafts, yards, and rigging. The
Cumberland and Saliftury jn fhe rear, were not in a condition
to make fail. The Yarmouth bad ber fore- top-fail yard ftot
away In the flings ; and the Grafton and Elizabeth were great
ly difabled In their mafts, yards, and riggingi The Sunderland
and Weymouth, in ftort, were fhe only ftips capable pf purfu-
ing tbe enemy ; fo that only feven of the ftips received fhe
whole fire of the enemy's fleet, till towards the conclufion, and
even then, only eight.
Tbe enemy continued retreating to the foj^thward till (iark ;
at which time. Admiral Pocock ordered fhe Revenge to keep
between our fquadron and tbe enemy's ; and then lay-to on his
larboard tack, in order that fhe difabled ftips might repair their
damages. At day-break, on tbe 1 1 th, the enemy were feen to
the S. S. E., lying-to on the larboard tack, about foiir leagues
diftant, the wind about weft. On difcovering our fquadron,
they immediately wore and brought to on fhe other tack, and
VOL. ir. ® ^'^"-

410 NAVAL AND 1759.

contmued fo till the evening, wben their diftance was fo much
Increafed, that they could hardly be difcovered from fhe main
tops of the Britiffi fquadron.
At this time, the wind coming tP the eaftward. Admiral Po
cock made the fignal to wear, and ftood under an ealfy fail to the
S. W. ; the Sunderland having the Newcaftle in tow ; the
Weymouth the Tiger ; and the Elizabeth the Cumberland.
The lofs the enemy fuftained in this battle, was near fifteen
hundred men killed and wounded. Among the former, was
fhe Captain of the Zodiaque, and M. Surville of the Centaur :
among the latter, the Comte d'Ache, Their ffiips were much
damaged In their hulls ; but as their rigging had fuffered little
in comparifon With the Britiffi, they had it rlow in their power
to reach Tbridicherry ; the only point they now feemed folicit-
ous about. They' accordingly failed for that place; ¦where they
landed about four hundred European feamen, two hundred
Caffirees, two Or three lacks of rupees, and the diamonds which
they found in the Grarifhairi Indiaman ; fhe value of the dia
monds might be about two lacks more.
The lofs of men the Britiffi fuftained In this aCtion was very
confiderable ; ,fhere being no lefs than five hundred and fixty-
nine inen killed and wounded, viz. one hundred and eighteen
killed In the aCHo'n, fixty-fix who died of their wounds, one hun
dred and t'werity-two dangeroufly woiinded, and two hundred
and fixty three flightly. Among the killed, was Captain Colin
Michie of the Newcaftle, together with Captain Gore and
Lieutenant R.e(lffiaw ofthe marines; Lieutenant Elliot and the
gunner of the Tiger ; fhe mafter of the Yarmouth, and boat
fwain of fhe Elizabeth, Amongft fhe wounded were Captain
Somerfet ofthe Cumberland, who was hurt in one of his' ancles ;
and Captain Brereton of the Tiger, who received a confufion
on "his head. All the officers and feamen behaved' with the
greateft bravery and fpirit during tbe aClion ; and, by the vi
gour and conftancy of their fire, obliged the enemy to retreat,
riPtwIfhftariding the great fuperiority of their force. On the
1 2th, Admiral Pocock having got fight of the ffiips in Negapat
nam road, early in tbe morning, and feeing nothing of the ene
niy's

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 21 f

my's fleet, be came to an anchor with the fquadron at ten
o'clock in- the forenoon, about three leagues, fo fhe fouthward
of that road ; and in the evening, difpatched the Revenge to
Madras, with letters to fhe Governor and Council. On the
I5fh, the whole fquadron came to an anchpr In Negapatnam
road, where the Admiral inftantly fet fp work tp repair his da
mages, refit his fquadron, and put things in the beft condition
poffible for fervice that the time perniifted. Early in fhe
morning of the 20th, he once more put to fea, and ftood fo the
northward ; and at nine, be was joined by fhe Revenge from
Madras, who brought him a reinforcement of fixty-three men
belonging fo the Bridgewater and Triton, which had been
taken at Fort St David's, and exchanged at Pondicherry ; be
fides ten impreffed men from tbe Calcutta Indiaman. ' Thefe
were divided between the Tiger and Newcaftle, as thofe were
tbe ftips which had loft fhe greateft number of men in the late
engagement. The Admiral likewife received a letter from fhe
Governor and Council, of whicb tbe following is an exfraCl.
" Sir,
" The Revenge anchored here tbe night of the 14th Inftant;
*' and next morning, we received the honour of your letfe;rs,
" dated the nth and I2tb inftant; containing advice of ybur
" difcovering the enemy's fleet on tbe 2d, and, after much fa-
" tigue, bringing fhem fo an aClion on fhe lofh. The warm
" fire you fuftained for two hours with feven ftips againft ele-
" ven, and obliging fhem at laft, fo make tbeir retreat, will do
" immortal honour fo you and Mr Stevens, and all the brave
" officers who bad fhe happinefs to ferve under you : and we
" feel much for the Commanders of the Weymouth and Sun-
" derland, who were deprived, by the' nature of the . enemy's
" difpofition, from coming in for an equal ffiare in the glory of
" the day. We look upon this as the laft effort of the enemy,
" and weH might they boaft of their fuperiority ; but fhe check
" fhey have met with, will ffiew fhem they are difappointed of
" the mighty effeCls they expeCled from this armament. Il is
" fortunate you found means to- force them to an engagement
02 "he^

212 NAVALAND 1759.
" before they reached Pondicherry, as the troops they may have
" brought for landing, have no doubt had a ffiare in the lofs.
" As yet, we bave not heard of their arrival at Pondicherry ;
" but we fuppofe them there by this time, as the wind has been
" ftrong foutherly. After they have landed their tropps and •
" ftores, no great -advantage can be expeCled by engaging them;
" and we would rather take the liberty fo recommend the wait-
" ing, u'ntil joined by fhe reinforcements from England, &c,
" &c.
" Fort St George, September i6th, 1759."
From the enemy's fquadron having been for fome time at
Pondicherry, they muft have bad all their damages thoroughly
repaired, and in every refpeCl ready for aQIon, As Admiral
Pocock was neceffitated to pafs by that place, in bis wiy from
Negapatnam fo Madras, he judged his doing If in fhe night
would be liable to mifreprefentatlon, and that if would certain
ly give the enemy reafon to conclude, that the fquadron had
fuffered fo much in the late engagement, that be was defirous
of avoiding the French fleet, Notwlthftanding all the .advan
tages of fuperiority and fituation. Admiral Pocock determined
not to pafs the enemy's port in the dark, nor baulk M, d'Ache,
if he had a mind to try his ftrength with bim once more.
By break of day of the 27th, Admiral Pocock and his fleet
were got clofe in with Pondicherry road, where fhe French
fquadron were lying at anchor In a line of battle. ' Our fleet
not being in a condition to attack them in that place, where
fhey would be feconded by the fort and batteries on ffiore ; the
Admiral, therefore, drew his fquadron into a line of battle a-
bead upon the ftarboard tack, and was then almoft within ran
dom ftot of their neareft ffiip. The wind blowing off ffiore,
about W. S, W., our ffiips lay with their maintop-f3lls;to fhe
maft, juft keeping a proper fteerage way for fhe line of battle
to continue well formed. While our fquadron remained In
this fituation, fhe French Admiral made fhe fignal, at fix o'clock,
to heave a-peak, and, an bour after, to weigh; and by the time
all the fquadron, which confifted of eleven fail of the line and
two

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 213

two frigates, was under fall. It was near ten o'clock, at which
time, as tbe wind was . off ftore, fhe Britift fleet confe
quently were driven to the leeward ; Admiral Pocock was'
In hopes they would bear direClly down and engage. But M.
d'Ache bad no fuch intention. He made fhe fignal for his
fquadron to keep clofe by the wind, and alfo fo make fail and
ftretcb away to the fouthward in a line of battle ahead ; by
which manoeuvre, they increafed their diftance, from abput
random ftot at day-light, fo near four leagues to the windward
at fun-fet. Had they cut or flipped their cables, on firft difco
vering the Britift fquadron, they might hSve come to an aClion
before feven o'clock; and, after they got under fail, had fhey
bore direClly down, might bave been clofe along fide by eleven.
As foon as tbe French fquadron returned to Its anchorage
off Pondicherry, the fupplies theyhad brought for fhe army
and prefidency were landed ; fhe treafure amounted to 1 6000I, ,
in dollars, and the diamonds taken in fhe Grantham, were ef
teemed worth 1 7,oool. The troops amounted to only one
hundred and eighty men. Count d'Ache would not go affiore,
and fignlfied his intention of failing immediately for the Mau
ritius. The feafon, although advanced, was not yet dange
rous, nor were the damages fuftained by fhe French fquadron
greater than what had been fuftained by the Britift ; but tbe
intelligence be had received of a reinforcement of four ftips of
the line being every day expeCted by Admiral Pocock, which
would give birii fuch decided fuperiority of force, that he was
refolved to put to fea as foon as poffible : Accordingly, on the
19th, he made the fignal for failing, and all the ftips loofed
their top-fails.
The fupplies brought by the fquadron to Pondicherry, were
neither proportioned to the wants or expedations of fhe fettle
ment, and when tbeir contents were made known, there ap
peared fhe ftrongeft marks of difappoinfment, In every face,
but the fight of the fquadron getting under way; in twenty-four
hours after their arrival, fpread univerfal confternatlon, and
excited the greateft ferment and indignation. The principal
oflicers ofthe military and civil departments, the principal In-
o ; habltanti

214 NAVALAND 1759^.
habitants and clergy affembled at the Governor's houfe, and im
mediately formed fhemfelves into a national council, which
unanimoufly decreed, that the precipitate departure Of the
fquadron muft produce the moft detrimental confequences to
the Intereft pf fhe ftate, as holding out fo all fhe country
powers a moft ftameful acknowledgement, that fhey bad been
entirely defeated in the laft fea-fight, and were not able to
ftand another ; and that they utterly defpalred of every thing
on ftore. In confequence of this refolution, a proteft was im
mediately drawn, declaring M. d'Ache refponfible for the lofs
pf fhe colony ; fuch were the ftrong words they made ufe of,
and refolvlng to lay fheb complaints before the King and Mi
niftry, and demand public juftice for his conduCl. Tbe ffiip-
Duc d'Orleans, having been by fome accident detained in the
road, after fhe others were under fail, her commander was
charged to deliver the proteft to M. d'Ache, and alfo a copy
to every commander in fhe fquadron, which were twelve
leagues out at fea when fhe Due d'Orleans joined fhem. Upon
rec'eiving the proteft, M. d'Ache immediately held a council,
confifting of all the commanders of his fleet, and on the 2 2d
of September, be returned with fhe fquadron, and anchored
in fhe road of Pondicherry, and went affiore to confulf with
General Lally, and the members of fhe Council.
M, d'Ache continued firm in his opinion of returning to the
Mauritius as foon as poffible, and M. Lally and his council
finding him inflexible, were obliged to compromife matters
with him, and agree fo bis departure, on condifiori that He
ffiould leave all the Coffrees ferving on board the fquadrpn,
amounting to four hundred, and five hundred Europeans, ei
ther failors or marines; thefe were accordingly landed, and the
fquadron bid a final adieu fo Pondicherry on the 30th, and
made the beft of their way to the Mauritius,
M. Lally, with his ufual Irafclbillty, ftiled fhe reinforce
ments he had juft received from fhe fquadron, fhe ffium of the
fea ; Indeed moft of them could only for fometime be of fittle
ufe, except doing duty in a garrifon, while fhe regular troops
were employed in the field. Admiral

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS, 215

Admiral Pocock was now convinced, that the enemy were
refolved, by every means in tbeir power, to avoid coming to
another engagement ; and as their whole conduCl indicated a
defign to leave the coaft of Coromanciel, and make good their
retreat to tbeir iflands, he convened the Rear-Admiral and
Captains of bis fleet, to confult what was prpper fo be done
on the prefent occafion, and the probable confequeiices of a
further purfuit. They all agreed in opinion, that the French
Officers, being fatisfied wlfb the fervices fhey bad done the
Trench Eaft India Company, in landing at Pondicherry what
men they could fpare from the fleet, were now determined to
avoid coming f o another aClion ; and that If we purfued with
any view of coming up with fhem, they would lead our ffiat
tered fquadron quite up to their iflands. But, befides that the
condition of our ffiips would not permit us f o follow them at
all to the fputhward ; exclufive of thefe reafons, there was ftill
a more cogent one for the fquadrpp's repairing iminediately
to Madras ; as at that time there was not above two days
bread, and very little water on bpard : and the monfoon being
near at hand, a fupply of thofe' articles became requifite. In
order fo navigate the fquadron to Bombay,' before the fem
peftuous feafon commenced, at which time it Is extremely
dangerous for ftips fo remain on the coaft of Coromandel.
The Admiral, witb fhe fquadron, coming to an anchor in
Madra? road, on the 28tb, fuch expedition was ufed in refit
ting, victualling, and watering the fhips, and adminlftering to
tbe fick and wounded, tl>at the whole fquadron was enabled
tp fail from thence, the i6fb of OCtober. Next day they for
tunately met witb Rear-Admiral Corniffi and his fquadron,
and tbe long-expeCled reinforcements from England, together
with tbe Ajax, Stprmont, and Houghton Indiamen, having
Colonel Eyre Coote and the greateft part of bis regiment on
board. Admiral Pocock ordered all the trpops newly come
from Europe, to be put on board fhe Queenborough ; and
4ifpafched her immediately with the three India ffiips for Ma
dras, where they arrived the 27th.
The whole fleet now made fail for the coaft of Malabar ;
o 4 but

2i6 NAVALAND 1759.

but in going round tbe ifland of Ceylon, they encountered fuch
fevere gales pf wind, that fhe Cumberland and Saliftury, being
in great diftrefs, by leaks which they could not keep under
with all their pumps, made fignals to fpeak with the Admi
ral. The Saliffiury's diftrefs appearing the greateft, as her
crew, by being kept conftanfly at tbe pump, were over fa
tigued, the Admiral ordered her fo be affifted with eleven men
and an pfilcer from each ffiip. Notwithftanding this fupply of
freffi men, and having thrown thirty of her guns overboard,
at the end of two days, they found the water gain fo much
upon fhem, that they were again obliged to make the fignal
of diftrefs. Upon this, the Admiral ordered all tbe boats of
tbe fleet to ftay by fhe Saliftury, to fave the crew in cafe of
the ffiip's finking ; and fent Rear-Admiral Corniffi and Cap
tain Harrifon on board, to examine into ber fituation, before
he would too haftily take the men out of ber. They immedi
ately ordered freffi men to the pumps, beginning with their
own barges crews ; by this means ffie was foon cleared, and
by fhe help of a thrummed fail put under her bottom where
the principal leak was, they made if practicable to keep her
free with half her pumps. Judging ber now to be no long
er in danger, they' returned to their own ftips; and theSa*
liftury made fail the next morning.
Admiral Pocock beirig defirous of fending Rear-Admiral
Corniffi to the coaft of Coromandel, as foon as the feafon would
permit, difpatched him with tbe Lenox, Due d'Acquitaine,
York, Weymouth, Sunderland, and Falmouth, for Tillicher-
ry, which was fhe general rendezvous. The weather now be
coming exceedingly fine, and the mpnfoon appearing f o be fet in,,
Admiral Pocock, knowing that a fingle ffiip will always make a
quicker paffage than a fleet, fuffered every ffiip to make tbe beft
of her way for the intended port; with orders, that each, as
they arrived, ffiould begin fo fake in their water, and put their
fick affiore. On the 20th of November, fhe Yarmouth, Eli
zabeth, and York, arrived af Tillicherry; and, by fhe 21ft,
the whole fquadron came in.
That no time might be loft in refitting the ftips af Bombay, and

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 217
and, preparing tbem for their return fo fhe coaft of Coroman
del, Admiral Pocock gave orders fo Rear-Admiral Stevens
on fhe 26tb, to proceed direClly to Bombay witb fhe Grafton
Elizabeth, Tiger, and Saliffiury, and followed himfelf on tbe
29th ; leaving orders with Rear-Admiral Corniffi to fail with
the fix ftips under bis command, for the coaft of Coromandel
on the I5tb of December, as it was to be hoped the feafon
would then be favourable, and the fick and wounded recovered.
Though the Vice-Admiral was under orders fo return to Eng
land ; yet on receiving tbe accounts of freffi dlfturbanccs in
Bengal, be determined to remain in Indja fome time longer ;
but as foon as he obtained intelligence that the affairs of the
Company were re-eftabllfted in Bengal, and of the fignal viClo
ry obtained over the French on the coaft of Coromandel, he
refolved to comply with bis orders, having the inexpreffible
pleafure of leaving the affairs of tbe Eaft India Company in
fuch a profperous condition, and in delegating fhe command
of tbe fquadron to an officer of fuch diftlnguiffied merit as
Rear-Admiral Stevens, fhe companion of his dangers and vic
tories, not more confpicuous for his bravery and good conduCl,
than for the harmony whicb always fubfifted between him and
the Vice-Admiral, and bis readinefs fo concur in fhe execution
of every fervice which he thought advantageous to his King
and country.
Before Vice-Admiral Pocock left India, he received letters
from tbe three prefidencies, replete with the ftrongeft expref-
fions of their fenfe of tbe zeal which be had at all times ffiewn,
and the aClual fervices which he had fo often performed, for
the benefit of tbe Eaft India Company, and the honour of the
Britiffi flag. Thefe teftimonies were juftly due to his diftln
guiffied merit ; as, while on this ftation, be had dlfplayed very
great courage and abilities. The Britiffi Annals do not affprd
a fimilar inftance, of fhe fame Commander fighting three pitch
ed battles, in tbe fpace of eighteen months, againft a mucb fu
perior force, without lofing a ftip, and uniformly compelling
bis antagonift Comte d'Ache to retreat. Indeed, tbe whole of
^is behaviour, while on tbis important fervice, redounds much to

2i8 NAVALAND 1759.

to his honour, and cannot fail to tranfmlf his name to poftferity
with the higheft applaufe ; and by thofe of his profeffion is
well worthy of imitation.
The junction of the fquadron from England, under fhe com
mand of Rear-Admiral Corniffi, gave the Britiffi fuch a decid
ed fuperiority in point of naval force in India, that the French
fleet never returned back from their iflands ; and the want of
fo powerful an aid, greatly accelerated the ruin of fhe affairs of
the French Eaft India Company.
Rear-Admiral Stevens failed from Bombay, the 21ft of
March, for the coaft of Coromandel, with the Grafton, Eliza
beth, Tiger, and Newcaftle ; and Admiral Pocock, in fhe
Yarmouth, failed from thence, tbe 7 th of April, for England ;
leaving af Bombay the Saliffiury, which, having bad a tho
rough repair, was then almoft ready to fail ; together with
the Cumberland, which was fo be taken Into dock the firft high
tide. '
On the 1 7th of April, Admiral Pocock arrived at Anjingo,
and failed from thence on the 21ft, Af this port, he received
a letter from Admiral Stevens, which -waited his arrival, dated
April nth, on which day he failed from thence, acquainting
him of his proceedings ; particularly, that he had retaken
three fmall Engliffi veffels off the Vlngorla rocks, from the
Malwans, a fet of pirates who had captured them but a few
hours before ; and that there had been no account ofthe French
fquadron fince the time of tbeir departure from Pondicherry
the 2d of October 1759.
On the I Sth of June, Admiral Pocock arrived at, the ifland
of St Helena, where be found his Majefty's ftips Rippon and
Colchefter, waiting to convoy home the Eaft India ftips, three
of which were of great value, having pn board a great quan
tity of diamonds, and rich goods from Bengal, For the fe
curlty of fo confiderable an objeCt, fhe Admiral thought prp
per f o delay his voyage until the 7th of July, when he fet fail
with the fliips of war, and feventeen fail of Eaft Indiamen, and
conduCled fhem fafely to the Downs on the 22d of September, This

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 219

Tbis was fuppofed to be the rlcheft fleet that ever arrived in
England. A few days after be reached London, fhe thanks of the
Honourable Eaft India Company were voted to him, af a Ge
neral Quarterly Court of DireClors and Proprietors held at
the India Houfe, for the great and glorious fervices which be
bad done fhe Company in the Eaft Indies : and af the fame
meeting it was propofed, to have either his ftatue or portrait
taken, whichever was moft agreeable to him, fo be placed in
their ball ; and a deputation from the DireClors were ordered
to wait on him, to know his pleafure. He made choice of fhe
marble. During his abfence. In January 1760, he was chofen
one of fhe reprefentatives in Parliament for Plymouth. His
Royal Mafter gave him alfo a moft gracious reception : and
foon after his arrival, be was promoted to be Admiral of fhe
Blue fquadron ; befides. having fhe Moft Honourable Order of
tbe Bath conferred on him.
While fhe grand naval armament of France was employed
on the coaft of Coromandel, a fmall fquadron was equipped,
with tbe greateft fecrecy, to be fent againft fome diftant fac
tories of the Britift Eaft India Company, which the enemy
learned were in a very defencelefs ftate, and in no expectation
of an attack being made on them.
Tbe reader will remember, in fpeaking of the famous fiege
of Madras, In the affairs of laft year, that Colonel -Draper, In
a fally be made from fhe town, took Brigadier-General M.
d'Eftaing prifoner. This gentleman requefting permiffion to
go to Pondicherry, M. Pigot, the Governor, was fo good as
to grant bim leave on his parole, which he gave in the ufual
form, viz. " not to ferve direCtly or indlreClly againft fhe Brl-
" tiffi during the prefent war, or until he ffiould be regularly
" exchanged." Yet bow muft If furprize every mifitary per
fon, to find fbat M. d'Eftaing was on board this fleet.? And
although he affeCls, in the firft part of its, fuccefs, not to ap
pear as a principal ; yet there Is the greateft reafon fo believe,
that be bad tbe chief command and direClion of all Its opera
tions. But

220 NAVALAND 1759.
But to proceed. — Their force confifted of the Conde of fifty
guns, the Expedition of twenty-two, and fome fmall veffels.
On the 13 th of October, they made their appearance before
Gombroon, in the Gulph of Perfia, (See Note 136.); and the
fame day landed about one hundred and fifty Europeans, and
about the fame number of Caffrees. The Company's veffel,
the Speedwell, was in fhe road : tbe crew fet her on fire,
abandoned her, and retired to tbe faClory. This fettlement is
of fo very fmall note, that It fcarce deferved to be mentioned
in any thing relating fo fhe late war, had not fhe French, with
their ufual oftentatlon, magnified the reduction of a defence
lefs factory by fhe pompous appellation of a fiege, and foretold
fuch bad confequences fo the Eaft India Company from this
infignificanf conqueft. This faCtoty was eftabliffied on fome
very great privileges being granted to fhe company ; and here
they fold a confiderable quantify of woollen goods, until fhe
troubles In Perfia broke out, when their trade declined very
much. The air Is fo very unhealthy, frorri the hot winds,
that the place Is almoft deferted even by the natives, except at
the time fhe Eaft India Company's ffiips arrive, when they
come, and traffic for what fhey want, and retire.
This being the ftate of the commerce carried on here, there
was no occafion for warehoufes ; nor was there ever any fort
built here. The only ftrength of the place confifted in a ftrong
houfe, in which the Company's agent and his clerks lived ; and
the garrifon confifted only of a fmall detachment of foldiers,
fcarcely adequate to the neceffary fervice for which fhey were
defigned, viz. to defend the Company's fervants from fhe rob--
bers with which the neighbouring country is Infefted. Againft
this paltry place the enemy advanced, and began to bombard if
from two mortars, and to batter it from four pieces of cannon ;
and, as if this force had not been fufficient to reduce the fac
tory, fhe frigate, at high water, hauled very near, and began to
cannonade It. The agent, and all the Europeans in the place,
which were about thirty, did all in their power to defend it ;
but the Topaffes and Sepoys would not ftand to their guns.
About three in the afternoon, the French fummoned the
place

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 221

place to furrender. And upon a confultaflon with the few mi
litary they had, they were of opinion that they fliould fubmit,
as the houfe was not tenable againft fuch a force. The follow
ing curious articles were foon after agreed upon and figned.
" ARTICLES of CAPITULATION for the East India
Compant's Factory of Gombroon, between Alexander
Douglas, Efqulre, Chief ofthe faid fettlement and Council,
and MonfieurDEsEssARS, Captain of bis Moft Chrlftlan Ma
jefty's ftip Conde, and Commander in Chief of fhe prefent
Expedition, and Monfieur Chernya.re, Captain-Commander
ofthe Land Forces.
" Article I. — SO foon as the prefent capitulation is figned, a
detachment of French troops are fo take, poffeffion of the fac
tory. Tbe keys are to be delivered fo fhe Commanding Offi
cer ; and no perfon is to come in or go out without his permif
fion, as be will take care to prevent diforders and thefts.
" Article II. -r-All effeCls, of what kind foever, contained in
tbe faClory, are < to belong f o the befiegers, and are to be deli
vered to fhe French Commlffary, with all books and papers in
tbe poffeffion of the befieged,' The befiegers are to be ffiewn
the warehoufes, that they may place the neceffary centinels over
them. The artillery, arms, ammunition, provifions, money,
merchandize, and flaves; in general, every thing- contained
within the hQ.0Ty, Is comprehended in this artlclfe.
" Article III. — The Chief, tbe garrifon faClors, writers, and
all Europeans in the fervice ofthe Engliffi Eaft India Company;
in general, all the fubjeCls of bis Britannic Majefty In the fac
tory, are to be prifoners of war, under the following claufes
only. " Article IV.-^ Whereas Monfieur d'Eftaing, Brigadier of
Foot, and formerly prifoner of his Britannic Majefty, is now on
board the ffiip Conde, in bis way fo Europe, by the way of
Bufforah, and being defirous of rendering more fecure the intel
ligence received, of an exchange being made in bis behalf, be
tween Mr Pigot, Governor of Madras, and Monfieur Lally, Lieu-

222 NAVALAND 1759.
Lieutenant-General ; it is now agreed between the befiegers
and befieged, that Alexander Douglas, Efqulre, Chief of the
Engliffi Eaft India Company's faClory at Gombroon, with Wfl-
liam Naffi, Enfign Johnfton, Dymoke Lyfter, Lieutenant
George Bembow, Lieutenant Richard Evans, and Richard
Mainwaring, are lawfully exchanged for Monfieur d'Eftaing ;
and they are at full liberty f o go where, and fo what place they
pleafe. In confequence of which, Monfieur d'Eftaing is under
no other claufe, than what is fpecified in the fixth article,
" Article v.— Though the prefent exchange of prifoners is
an unneceffary precaution in behalf of Monfieur d'Eftaing, yet
all perfons mentioned in the preceding article are abfolutely free.
But ffiould Monfieur d'Eftaing bave been already exchanged, as
undoubtedly he is ; in that cafe, for the feven perfons already
mentioned, who now enjoy their liberty, a like number, and of
equal ftation, of his Moft Chrlftlan Majefty's fubjeCis, are to be
releafed, whenever a cartel Is made,
" Article VI. — Monfieur d'Eftaing, In order fo. fulfil with the
greateft exaCtltude the promife be made Governor Pigot, that
he would not take up arms againft the .Engliffi, on the Coro
mandel coaft only, for the fpace of eighteen months, reckoning
from the firft of May 1759, defires it rriay be, inferted in the
prefent capitulation, that, notwithftanding he is now exchang
ed, yet he will keep the promife he made Governor Pigot, of
not taking up arms againft the Engliffi on the Coromandel
coaft only, for the fpace of eighteen months ; but he is at free
liberty, in all other places, to fake arms. I
" Article VII. — If it is poffible fo agree about fhe re-pir-
chafing of Gombroon faCtory, it will be looked on as a part|of
the prefent capitulation, the befiegers referving to fhemfelves
the liberty neverthelefs to do therewith as they may think fit,,
ffiould no agreement be concluded with fhe befieged.
" Article VIII, — In confequence of fhe exchange of Mon
fieur d'Eftaing, and at his particular requeft to Monfieur Des
Effars, Alexander Douglas, Efq; Chief of the Engliffi Eaft In
dia Company's fettlement of Gombroom, and all others men
tioned in the fourth article, have liberty, and may carry off all
their

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 223

their own effeCls of what kind or fort foever, excepting ammu
nition, provlfions, marine, military, or warlike ftores.
« Dated at Gombroon, tbe 14th of OClober, af fix o'clock in
the morning, in tbe year of our Lord 1759.
Alexander Douglas.
" Des Essars. William Nash.
Charnyare. Rich. Johnston."
We have deviated from our general plan, and given this ex
traordinary capitulation at full length, in order to make the In
famous coriduCl of M. d'Eftaing appear as confpicuous as pof
fible ; and fo lay open to all fhe world, fhe grofs falfities advan
ced therein concerning him. For, in tbe firft place, he could
not have received any advice of his being exchanged, as, af the
time of figning this paper, no cartel had taken place between the
two nations ; and, in the fecond place, the parole he gave to
Mr Pigot, was In the exprefs terms as we have above narrated
it. This diffionourable partizan, either never ha'd any ferious
thoughts of going to Europe, or muft have fuddenly rellnqulffi-
ed fhem ; for, as foon as they had fold, or embarked on board
their ffiips every thing Valuable in the place, they fet fire to the
houfes, blew up fhe faClory, and failed on another expedition,
where this felf-exchanged prifoner had the effrontery openly to
affume the chief command.
The ¦ beginning of January 1760, this adventurer arrived on
the coaft of the ifland of Sumatra with his armament, and foon
after attacked Natfal and Sappanooly, the two moft nortbera
fettlements on that ifland. The latter place made a fplrited de
fence : it ftood a cannonade for three days, and was at laft
taken by ftorm. On fhe 29fh, the enemy appeared off Fort
Marlborough, (See Note 139-), the principal Britiffi fettlement
in the ifland. The Denham Indiaman from Bengal was in the
road ; and, as the enemy attempted to become mafters of her,
the crew fet her on fire, and retired fo the fort. The defence
made here, did not correfpond with tbe reft of our behaviour in
India ; for, after a few days defence, the fort was abandoned,
and the garrifon retired up the country, where M. d'Eftaing foou

224 NAVALAND 1759.
foon obliged them to furrender prifoners of war. No fooner
was he in poffeffion of this fettlement, but be fucceffively made
himfelf mafter of all the places the Britift had in Sumatra,
making all the Europeans prifoners of war. Having fent thefe
to Batavia, from whence they were afterwards carried to Ma
dras ; M, d'Eftaing, after completely deftroying our forts and
fettlements, failed for the Mauritius with very' confiderable
booty. The enemy's cruizing veffels fell in with feveral of the Bri
tift Eaft India ffiips, all of which had the good fortune to beat
them off, exc'jpf fhe Grantham, Captain Oliver, homeward
bound from Bengal, which they took near fhe Cape of Good
Hope ; and proved a very valuable capture, ffie having diamonds
and goods on board, to the amount of near 300,0001,
We ffiall conclude our account of fhe tranfaCtions in the
Eaft Indies this year, witb the following very extraordinary.
affair : —
The French were not the only enemies thfe Engliffi Eaft In
dia Company had to contend with. The Dutch, ever watchful
to extend their commerce, and fo augment tbeir dominions In
India, took the opportunity, while we were repelling fhe at
tacks of the French, fo lend a very confiderable naval force," and
troops, to Bengal ; In hopes, as thefe fettlements were at a
diftance from the theatre of the war, to find them fo mucb off
their guard, that the commerce and faClorles In that country
muft eafily fall viClIms fo , their artful defigns. They went
about the execution of this plan witb great fecrecy ; but, not
withftanding all their jwecauflons. Colonel Clive, Governor of
Bengal, had notice of their defigns, and prepared accordingly
to receive them.
As the following letter from Calcutta, gives a very juft re-'
prefentafion of this Angular tranfaCtion, we here beg leave to
prefent the reader with a copy of it. — " The chief fettlement
" fhe Dutch have in Bengal,' is a very ftrong fort and faClory at
" Chinfura, on the river Ganges : _at,fhis place, but more fo at
" Calcutta, a very confiderable trade Is carried on in faltpefre.
" The Dutch feemed long to have been grafping at an opportu- « nity

759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 225
* nity to engrofs tbis trade to themfelves ; and the prefent op-
*' portunity, when our ftips of War were not on fhe coaft, feem
ed tbe moft favourable. Under colour, therefore, of reinfor
cing their garrifons, tbe Governor of Batavia had formed a
fcheme of fending thither fuch a body of troops, aS would fe
cure to the Dutch, not only tbe whole trade of faltpefre car
ried on there, but in time might be able to worm out the En
glift from tbe trade of Bengal. Happily Colonel Clive fuf-
peCled their defign. Upon tbe arrival of tbe firft two tranf
ports, •vybich were ftips of thirty-fix guns, and full of men,
the Colonel fent a letter to the Dutch Commodore, inform
ing him, fbat be would not allow him to land any forces, or
march them up fo Chinfura, as be bad from good authority
been made acquainted witb their fcheme; In anfwer to this
letter, the Dutch Commodore wrote to Colonel Clive, that
be never intended to march any forces fo Chinfura, and that
he only begged the liberty of putting bis men aftore down
tbe river, to refreft fhem ; whicb liberty Colonel Clive gran-
fed to bim, upon condition that fhey ftould not offer to march
farther. In the mean time, five other Dutch ftips arrived in
the river. The Dutch Commodore thinking himfelf now in
a .fituation to aCl as he pleafed, refolved to retaliate fhe fup
pofed injury he had received, ,in not being permitted to go
up the river : he therefore not only ordered fhe land-forces
now on ftore to make the beft of their way fo Chinfura, but
he alfo gave orders fo the ftips under bis command, to ufe
their utmoft endeavours fo feize every Eriglift ftip . that
ftould appear upon the river. In confequence of thefe or
ders, feveral fmall veffels belonging to the Company were
taken that day, and detained as lawful prizes. Tuefday fol
lowing, the Calcutta, (one of the Eaft Indiamen), Captam
Wilfon, went -down fhe river, bound for England. When
be came abreaft of the Dutch Commodore, the .Dutchman
hailed bim, and fold him. If he offered to pafs, they would
fink him. As they were getting ready their guns, and feem
ed in earneft, Captain Wilfon thought If moft prudent to re
turn up fo Calcutta, where two of our Indiamen were lying,
VOL. i.r. P vi':f.

225 NAVAL AND 1759.

" viz. the Duke of Dorfet, Captain Forreffter,, and the Hard-
" wicke. Captain Sampfon. "Captain Wilfon, upon his atrlVat,
" informed Colonel Clive of his ^eing ftopt: whereupori, the
" Colonel fent Prders to the three ftips above-mentioned, Im-
" mediately to get In readinefs; and gave fhem orders to ufe
" their utrrioft endeavours, to take, burn, or fink, every Dutch
" ftip or ffiips fhey fhould meet with. The ftips immediately
" were equipped ; their quarters lined with bags of faltpefre to
" fcreen the men frorii the ftot; and each of therii took on
" board two additional twelve pounders. Thus ¦ fitted out,
" they fell down the river, till they came up to tbe feven Dutch
" ffiips, who, on their approach, drew up in a line of battle to
*' receive them *- Three of fhe Dutch ffiips mounted thirtyr
" fix guns, three twenty-fix, and one fixteen guns, each. The
" Britiffi ffiips, as they approached, followed their example,
" and drew up in a line likewife. As the Duke of Dorfet was
" the neareft the enemy. Captain Wllfpn of the Calcutta, the
"Commodore, fired ^ gun as a figrial for her to begin the en-
" 'gagement ; which 'ffie immediately did, and came to an an-
** chor clofe to the enemy. Unhappily It fell a dead calm, fo
" that fhe Duke of Dorfet was engaged alone clofe to the enemy
" a confiderable time, before either the Hardwicke or Calcutta
" could poffibly come up : however, fhey at laft got up,'and all
" three joined In keeping a continual and very bot fire upon the
" enemy, which was returned by the Dutch witb great brlflc-
" nefs. At length, two of the Dutch ihips -were obliged to flip
" their cables, and run away; and a crofs ffiot having cut the
" cable of another of their ftips, ffie drove aftore, fp that there
" were now only four ftips to engage with. A few broadfides
" after, the Dutch Commodore ftruck his flag to Captain Wil-
" fon, upon which the others followed bis example :j:. In theen-
* The Dutch fliips -mere the 'Vliirmgen, of thirty- fix guns, J. James Zuydlant,
Gommodore ; the Bleif-wyk and Wilgeleegen, of thirty-fix guns each ; the Prin
cefs of Orange, the Elizabeth Dorothea, and the Waereld, of twenty fix guns
each ; and the de l^roffel, of fixteen guns.
f In this I imagine there is a miftake ; as, on the Dutch Commodore's ftrik
ing his flag, his fecond did not furrander, but fooght his way, and made down-

i759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 227
*' engagement; which lafted juft two hours and five minutes,
" our ftips did not lofe one man ; a circumftance the more re-
*' markable, as the Duke of Dorfet was tore almoft to pieces,
*' having about ninety ftot in ber bull : Captain Forrefter was
" wounded in the knee with a ball, and Is reduced fo low, that
*' it is feared he cannot furvive it. After the Dutch ftips
" ftruck. Captain Wilfon bad tbe curlofity fo go on board
" them. He reported that they were a moft ftocking fight,
" tbe decks being covered with dead bodies, and every thing
" befpattered with blood and brains. Out of one ftip, be faw
" thirty dead bodies thrown overboard ; from which, and froni
" other circumftances, be had reafon to believe, that their lofs in
" tbe engagement muft bave'amounted to fome hundreds. The
" crews were all carried up prifoners to Colonel Clive. Dur-
" ing this naval engagement, tbe land-forces which the Dutch
" had put affipre, were in full march for Chinfura, to the nuni-
" ber of about eleven hundred. Colonel Clive having intelll-
" gence of their march, fent a corps of five hundred Englift to
" oppofe them, under the command of Colonel Ford. The tWo
" engagements ended mucb about the fame time ; and In both,
" the Englift were viClorious. Colonel Ford played his part
« fo well, that he killed four hundred on the fpot ; and made
«' all tbe reft prifoners, and carried fhem likewife to Colonel
" Clive. This laft viClory is the more happy for Us, as, bad it
" gone otherwife, in all probability, the Intereft of the Englift
« in Bengal would have fuffered greatly ; for the new Nabob,
" whether from fome fecret cprrefpPndence with the enemy, or
" from the natural treachery of the people, ftood by with a
" confiderable army to join the viClorious party, whatever fide
*' ftould get the better. This appeared from his aftet behavi-
" our ; for, though he ftood by a tame fpeClator of the appa-
" renfly unequal combat the Englift fuftained, no foOner did
" viClory declare In their favour, than he fent to the comman-
" der and offered his fervice, and even offered his army fo re-
" duce Chinfura ; but Colonel Clive thought proper to decline
p 2 accepting
the river to Culpee, where he was intercepted by the Oxford and Royal George,
two of our Iiidiamcn juft arrived in the river.

228 NAVAL AND 1759.
" accepting his offer. This affair is now made up; and Col o-
" nel Clive has delivered back the ftips to the Duich, on their
" giving fecurlty to pay ioo,oool. for the damage the Engfiffi
" fuffered In the two engagements. Both engagements bap-
" pened on tbe 24 th of November,"
WEST INDIES.— Leeward Island Station.

Towards the clofe of Autumn, 1758,, intelligence having
been received, that the French Carribbee Iflands were weakly
garrifoned, and might be eafily reduced, an expedition was
planned, for attacking fhem. A body of troops, confifting of
near five thoufand men, was collected for this fervice : but,
for fome rime, the Minifter was unable to find a general ofli
cer who would accept of tbe command ; many having declined
it, on various pretexts. At laft, it was conferred on Major
General Hopfon, who, though almoft worn out with age and
infirmities, accepted it, on fhe principle,' that he bad no right
to refufe undertaking any fervice his Majefty thought fit to
order him upon. He had under him Major-General Barring
ton, and Brigadier-Generals Armiger, Haldane, Trapaud, and
Clavering. (See Note 137.) This armament failed from Eng
land the end of November, efcorted by eight men of war of
the line, commanded by Captain Robert Hughes ; and arrived
in Carllfle bay, in fhe ifland of Barbadoes, the beginning of
January, 1759. Onboard of thefe ftips of war, were feven
hundred marines, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Rycaut ;
which corps were, in cafe of need, fo land as a battalion, and
aCt in concert with the army. Here they found Commodore
Moore with his fquadron, who took upon him the command
pf the fleet, and Was foon after joined by the Ludlow Caftle,
witb the fecond battalion of Royal Highlanders under her
convoy from Scotland. Commodore Moore deprived Lieute
nant-Colonel RycaUt, of the marines, of all command ; where
by that ufeful corps was never permitted to land and aCl with
the land forces, which was a very great lofs to the army. While

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 229

"While here, the neceffary orders were given for landing the
troops, and making a defcent on the enemy's coaft ; and, that
thefe orders might be more clearly underftood, while other
matters were getting ready, fhe General had the whole army
twice difembarked in Carllfle bay, in the manner fhey were or
dered to land wben aClIng againft the enemy : while here, each
line of battle ftip received forty negroes, to affift the army in
drawing the cannon, &c. On fhe 13th of January, fhe whole
fleet failed from Barbadoes, and next day got fight of Martini
co, (See Note 137.) Early on the 15th, they were clofe in with
Diamond Rock ; and, in the afternoon, entered fhe bay of
Fort Royal. The Floriffant of feventy-four guns, and the Bel-
lone frigate, were then lying off Negro Point : which ftips im
mediately on defcrying the Britift fleet, flipped their cables,
and turned up tbe bay, and, by fix in the evening, came to
an anchor in the Carenage, behind the citadel of Fort Royal.
Tbe frigate was difpatched in the night for Europe ; but, on
her paffage to France, fte was taken by a ftip of Admiral
Holmes's fquadron going to Quebec. As our ftips turned up
fhe bay, the enemy fired fome ftot from the Ifle de Ramieres,
at the headmoft ftips ; but finding this bad no effeCl, fhey de
fifted. The Commodore, having given the neceffary orders
for , attacking the batteries along ftore early next morning,
the fleet kept plying to windward all night.
By break of day, on tbe i6tb, the Briftol and Rippon turned
up tbe bay to a fmall fort on Negro Point, The Lion, like-
wife defigned for this fervice, had drove out to fea In fhe
night. By eight o'clbck, tbe two ftips got clofe to fhe fcrt,
and began fo warm a fire, that tbe enemy foon abandoned if ;
when a detachment of marines was landed from the former,
wbo, climbing up the rocks, entered the fort, and hoifted Bri
tift colours. About the fame time, the V/Inchefter, Wool
wich, and Roebuck, attacked the batteries in Cas des Navie-
res bay, about a league below Fort Negro, where It was pro
pofed to land tbe troops. By fome accident, the enemy's
powder magazine at this place blew up. The fliips, after fi-
lencing the enemy's batteries, were ordered to remain at their
p 3 ftation,

230 NAVALAND 1759.

ftatlons, frequently firing upon the ftore, and into the woods,
to prevent the enemy from affembling a body of forces to op
pofe a defcent. Tbe French having thrown up intrenchments
in feveral fmall bays, lined with troops, who, expeCling the
army to land there, kept clofe concealed behind them ; Intend
ing from thence to have poured tbeir whole fire upon our troops
as they approached the beach.
The Generals and chief engineer, after reconnoitring the
coaft, fixed on a place where tbe landing ftould be attempted.
About two o'clock in the afternoon, tbe Commodore made the
fignal for fhe troops fo prepare fp land, and to rendezvous un
der the ftern of the Cambridge ; where they were ranged into
three divifions, commanded by Captains Shuldham, Gambler,
and Burnet. At four o'clock, tbe fignal for the defcent being
made, the troops rowed brifkly towards the ftore, under cover
of the fire from the fliips which bad attacked the forts along
ftore in fhe morning, and made gpod their landing between
Cas des Nayieres bay, and Point Negro, witbout any oppofi-?
tion from the enemy. The boats imniediately returned to the
tranfports ; and before day-light was gone, moft of the troops
were difembarked, and the remainder, witb the light artillery,
early next morning. The army took poft on the high groun4
above Fort Negro, and lay on their arms all night. The fqua
dron came to an anchor between Fort Negro and Ifle de Ra
mieres ; when tbe enemy, percelvlng'fhaf the ftips were with
in reach of their ftells, began tp bombard them, 3ome of
the ftells fell beypnd the Rippon, Lyon, and Briftol ; and one
fell yery near the Cambridge ; on which, the Commodore or
dered the headmoft ftips to weigh, while be himfelf flipped
his cable, and dropt aftern, Durmg fhe night, the enemy
were conftanfly employed in fortifying every place, where there
was a poffibility of troops marching to attack the citadel of
Fort Royal. The nature of the country greatly aided their
efforts;, and the whole militia, being now in arms, they "a- '
mounted fo at leaft ten thoufand men, who were to oppofe
an army of no more than four thoufand four hundred and
forty

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 231
forty-four men, as appeared by the returns given in to the Ge.-
neral. By day-break of the 17th, the light artillery being landed,
and fhe enemy appearing ia large bodies on a rifing ground.
near a -wood ; the grenadiers of the army, under the command
of Lieutenant-Colonel Crump, were fent . to attack them. On
the approach of the grenadiers, the enemy retreated into the
wood, from whence they kept up a warm, though irregular
fire ; infomuch, that the Britift troops could not force thera
from thence ; whereupon the fixfy-firft regiment, witb fome
field-pieces, were fent; lo fupport the grenadiers. The enemy,
however, were likewife confiderably reinforced, and kept fo
mucb under cover of the trees, and buftes, that the Colonel
after repeated attacks, found he could not diflodge them ; and
the French having fet fire to a large field of fugar canes on the
flanks of Colonel Crump's corps, their retreat became fo en
dangered, that, about eleven o'clock, fhe General fent an or
der for them to retire, and to take poft nearer to the army, and
more out of the reach of fhe enemy's ftot.
The General, being thus foiled in his firft attack, fent an
aid-de-camp, with a letter fo fhe Commodore, demanding bis
affiftanee to enable him to attack the citadel of Fort Royal ;
and, wHle waiting for an anfwer, a party of the Royal High
land regiment -were fent to Ikirmift with the enemy, where,
though very roughly handled, fliey behaved with the greateft
bravery. The General had requefted the Commodore to' land
tbe battering cannon at tbe favannah near to the town of Fort
Royal, and to attack the citadel with fhe ftips of the line,
while he battered it from the land ; as unlefs thefe demands
were complied with, he could not, he faid, maintain his
ground. On this, the Commodore fummoned a Council of
war of naval officers, who judged it impoffible to comply
with fhe demands made ; as, in landing the cannon at the fa
vannah, the boats employed on that fervice, muft of neceffi
ty be expofed to the fire of Fort Royal, which could not be
attacked by the fquadron, without fhe greateft riflt ; for, the
eafteriy wind and leeward current conftantly fetting out of the
p 4 bay.

ag2 NAVAL AND 1759-

bay, prevented fhe men. of war from proceeding higher, with
out being frequently obliged to tack ; in doing of which, fome
hours would be requifite, and fhe ftips all the while be expof
ed to tbe cannon and mortars of Fort, Royal, tbe Ifle de Ra
mieres, and a lirong battery at the end of the bay. Fort Roy
al is built on a peninfulafed rock, which projeCls into the bay,
being confiderably higher than any ftip, it could not be attack
ed by the fquadron with any profpeft of fuccefs. The Com
modore, therefore, offered to land the cannon at Fort Negro,
and that the feamen ftould drag them to what place the Ge
neral thought proper fo begin his attack ; a moft difficult and
hazardous fprvlce, as the whole country from Fort Royal tp
Fort Negro is very uneven, being much inferfeCied by deep ra
vines and narrow pafles.
The General, judging bis ftrength' infufficient to reduce fhe
ifland, came fo a refolution to retreat that fame evening on
board the franfporfs. The better fo deceive the enemy, in- •
trenc'hing-tbols,' chevaux-de-frife, &c, were landed; parties
kept flclrmiffiing with tbe enemy's advanced pofts ; and a breaft
work was begun. But, as foon as night fet ih, fome of the
ftips of war drew near to Point Negro, fo cover fhe re-em
barkation of the troops, in cafe they ftould have been attack
ed in their retreat. ThlsrefolufiPn of General Hopfon's being
quite unexpected, the enemy gave him no moleftation : the
army began to re-embark about feven, and were all on board
by eleven o'clock at night. Our lofs In this attempt, was on
ly one officer and twenty-two men killed, with two officers
and forty-feven men wounded.
Early on the i8th, a Council of war was held, when it was
determined fo leave Fort-Royal bay, and make an attempt
on St Pierre, fhe capital of the ifland. As the General was de
firous that no time might be loft, fhe Commodore immediate
ly made the fignal to weigh ; and, fhe better to deceive fhe
enemy, kept turning into Fort Royal bay, fill the evening,
when the whole fleet ftood out of the bay, and run down along
the weft fide of tbe ifland ; and, by fix o'clock next morning
(the 19th,) were off tbe town of St Pierre, it bearing E, N, E.
diftant

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS.

233

diftant four miles. This town Is , large and well built, fituat
ed at the upper end of a fpacious bay. Its only ftrength is a
fmall, though regular citadel, with fome batteries of cannon
and mortars, on the heights above the town. Tbe deftruftlon
of this towri, was all that could be effeCled by fhe ftips, as,
from the great depth of fhe water, they could bave come with
in piftol-ftot of the fort ; and at this inftant a wefteriy wind,
a phenomenon in thefe latitudes, fprung up, and blew right
into tbe bay till evening. Nothing could be more favourable
to the attack than tbis circumftance. But even after the town
had been deftroyed, the conqueft of the ifland was at as great
a diftance as ever ; as ftill Fort Royal remained to be reduced;
and, until that was done, there was no poffibility of maintain
ing our ground on the ifland with fo fmall a force,
Befpre the town, lay a great number of veffels^ which might
have been deftroyed by tbe bomb-ketches ; but this was never
attempted. At feven o'clock, the Commodore ordered the
Panther in to found fhe bay, which was done from fide to
fide : at eight, two bomb-ketches were ordered towards the
town ; and at noon, the Rippon was fent againft a battery, a
mile and a half north of St Pierre's. While the Rippon was
proceeding to her ftation, things had much the appearance of
an attack : But another Council of war beirig called, the fplaii
of operations was once more changed ; the bomb-ketches were
forbid to bombard, and fhe Panther was recalled. The fleet
,'of tbe enemy's merchant ftips and privateers af anchor before
the town, beheld our fupinenefs In full fecurlty. Why the
Panther was not ordered to fire fome broadfides as fte ranged
along the bay, and fhe bomb-ketches to throw ftells among
tbem, was mafter of general furprize, as that would have o-
bllged them either fo run afliore, or put out to fea, when they
riiuft have fallen into our hands. But, what was ftill a greater
caufe of wonder, even after the refolution of entirely defifting
from the attack on Martinico had been determined on, the Rip-
pon was fuffered fo proceed alone againft fhe battery, as if to
try the experiment, whether the power of her thunder alone,
was fufficient to have reduced the ifland. Captain Jekyl
brought

234 NAVAL AND 1759.

brought up , againft the battery at two o'clock, within half a
cable's length of the ftore, in thirty-five fathom water, and
immediately began a very warm fire. The battery was pre
fently filenced : but the enemy, having no other objeCt in view,
beftowed the whole of their -attention on this feemlngly de
voted ftip ; for no fooner was fhe firft battery filenced, than
they opened another on a point fo fhe northward, and. a third
on a bill fo fhe fouthward, which with fhe battery at tbe north
end of the town, and a bomb-battery, all fired at fhe fame time
on the ftip. Captain Jekyl, froni his fituation, was obliged
fo fire from both broadfides and fterrj-chafe guns at fhe fame
time, for upwards of two hours. The enemy often hulled
the flilp, wounded fhe mafts, fails, yards and rigging, and kil
led and wounded feveral men.
Captain Jekyl, at half an hour after four, obferying fhe
Commodore with the men of war and tranfports, to be above
two leagues aftern ; the bomb-ketches called off, and no ftip
of fhe fquadron engaging the enemy, or any coming to his
affiftanee, notwithftanding they muft fee fhe defperate fifuatlpji
the Rippon was in ; concluded, fbat all thoughts of the atr
tack againft St Pierre were laid afide ; and finding his ftip to-
be in great danger from fhe n umber pf ftells, moft of which
vvere extremely well direCted, he ordered his boats to be man-i
ned, fhe cable to be cut, and the ftip to be towed off. On
ber retreat, all the batteries redoubled, their fire'; thofe that
had been filenced, opened again ; fome of them raked her
fore and aft ; a ftell funk fhe long boat aftern ; while the mi
litia poured an inceffant ftower of fmaU ftot on ber. The
ftip was now fo clofe to the ffiore, if was every moment ex
peCled ffie would fake the ground ; and as ffie was attacked
frpm fo many different points. Captain Jekyl fpund if necef
fary, not only to continue to fire at once from both fides, and
from his ftern chafe, but even to run two guns out of the ftern
gallery. At half an hour after five,, the Commodore having fent 9.
Lieutenant on board, with orders to tow pff fhe Ihip ; at fiif,

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 235

a breeze fpringing up, fte was foon out of the reach of the
enemy's ftot. The Rippon, in this engagement, expended
upwards of feven bimdred great ftot, though, for tbe laft two
hours of- it, fifty men were employed in towing off fhe ftip,
befides above forty fick in fhe hold during the whole time of
the aCtion. Captain Jekyl, In this confliCl, dlfplayed the moft
confumniate bravery. Never was a ffiip in greater danger of
being funk ; for the enemy's bomb-battery was well ferved, and
they foon got ber diftance with fuch exaClnefs, that few of
the IJiells (which were ponftanfly thrown from the beginning
tp fhe end of fhe aClion) fell farther from fhe ffiip than twen
ty yards ; while many dropped alpng-fide, and one between
the barge and tbe yawl- Thus ended this attack on Martinico,
which certainly was not attacked fo briflcly as If ought, and
brought no kind of credit fp our arms. The Comniander in
Chief pf tbe landrforces was not equal to fuch fevere fervice:
altbpugb his intentions were extremely good, yet from the in
firmities pf age, he was obliged to take every thing by report.
Had be been in tjie prime of life, able fo have exerted him
felf, and to have led on fhe attack briflriy, there is little rea-.-
fon fo doubt, that, from fhe blow being fo very unexpected,
and tbe confternatlon the enemy appeared, to be in, the confe
quence muft have been, thp reduction of the ifland in a very
ftort time.
The fame Council of war that agreed to rellnqulffi the at
tack on Martinico, refolved on that againft Guadaloupe, (See
Note 137.), the next objeCl pointed out to fhe General by his
InftruClions. Accordingly, at eight in the morning of the
20fh, the Commodore made fail to the northward, and was
foon after joined by the troops from Antigua. By noon of
the 2 2d, the fleet was clofe In with the town of Baffe-Terre,
the capital of the ifland of Guadaloupe, and kept plying all
day between that ifland and Ifles des Saintes ; while the Gene
ral Officers, Commodore, and chief engineers, were employed
in reconnoitring the town and the ffiore. The town is built
along a fine open bay, defended by feveral batteries of heavy can-

236 NAVAL AND 1759.

cannon towards tbe fea ; and, on a confiderable eminence to
the fouthward of fhe town, ftands Fort Royal, mounting for
ty-feven pieces of cannon.
From the time the fleet appeared, the enemy were extreme
ly bufy in throwing up intrenchments to defend every poffible
hriding place, and in taking every precaurion that the time
would admit of, fo refift an attack. From the great height of
Fort Royal above the water, fhe chief engineer was of opinion,
that it was impregnable fo fhe fquadron, and that their lower-
deck guns could not batter it. The fubfequent attack ffiewed
his opinion fo be well founded ; as the ffiot from the men of
war neither injured the walls, nor difmounted the cannon, but
almoft entirely ruined the upper ftorles of the barracks. As
foon as the ffiore had been fufficiently explored, a Council of
war was held, wherein it was refolved to make an attack on
Baffe-Terre with the men of war early next morning ; and the
Commodore, notwithftanding the chief engineer's opinion fo
the contrary, refolved to place the three largeft ffiips of tbe line
againft the citadel. The ffiips were ordered fo attack In the fol
lowing order.
ships. Guns. , 7 A battery fo the fouthward of tbe citadel, of
Lion 60 >
^ nine guns.
St George 90 "} .
M f Ik- it ^^^ citadel of Fort Royal, mounting forty-
Cambridge 80 3 S •
Panther 60") The Royal battery In the town, of fwelye
Burford 70 3 guns.
R ¦ k 6 ? "^ battery in the town, of feven guns, called St
5 Nicholas.
1 Le Morne Rouge, a battery of fix guns en bar-
Rippon 60 ^ bette, a little to the northward of the town.
The Captains were ordered to filence their refpeClive batte
ries, if poffible; and to ly by them till further orders. The
bomb-ketches had, during tbe night, thrown fome ffiells into the

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS, 237

tbe fort and town to interrupt tbe enemy, wbo were extremely
bufy at their works; but thefe did little or no execution. About
fpven in tbe morning of the 23d, Commodore Moore ffilfted his
broad pendant from fhe Cambridge fo the Woolwich; and, half
an bour afterwards, be made the fignal to engage, on which
the ftips deftined to attack, drew into a line, and ran down
clofe along tbe ftore of Guadaloupe. At nine o'clock, the Li
on got abreaft of tbe battery fte was ordered fo attack, and be
gan fo erigage very warmly. She was raked, bowever, by a
fmall battery aftern to tbe fouthward, and by all the guns which
fhe citadel could bring to bear upon her. At half paft nine,
the St George, Norfolk, and Cambridge, began fo engage the
citadel, and kept up a moft Inceffant fire, fill five in the after
noon, when the fort ceafed firing. At ten, the Panther anchor
ed witb a fpring on her cable, clofe to the Royal battery, .and
ippijtinued warmly engaged for feveral hours.
Tbe Burford, who was to have fupported the Panther, had
unfortunately let go her anchors too foon, by which means,
wben fte began to engage, fome of her ftot ftruck tbe Panther.
Tbis obliged Captain Shuldham, in the heat of fhe aCtlon, fo
fend an officer on board tbe Burford to acquaint Captain Gam-
bier Of tbe accident, who finding, by his fituation, that his fire
would be of no fervice, flipped his cables, and drove off to fea.
The Berwick was juft going to let go her anchors abreaft of St
Nicholas's battery, when the enemy fet fire fo fome bf their
fmall craft, and cut them adrift; one of which was fo near
driving on board of her, that ffie was obliged to rehnqulffi her
-ftation, and ftand out fo fea to avoid being fet on fire.
The Rippon, about a quarter of an bour after ten, brought
up againft the Morne Rouge battery ; but having run In too
clofe, on letting go her anchors flie tailed tbe ground, and ftuck
faft ; and, from fhe Berwick's being obliged to put out to fea,
fte was expofed to the fire of the St Nicholas, as well as the
Morne Rouge batteries. At twelve o'clock, tbe Lion, St
George, Norfolk, Cambridge, Panther, and Rippon, were in hot
aClion. The citadel was feverely galled by fhe ftot from the
Panther, as Captain Shuldham ordered all the cannon which could

238 tJAVALANb 175^.
-could be brought to bear, to play upori it. Tbe Lion havita^
filented her battery, was called off, about twelve o'clock, by the
Commodoi-e. Of all the ffiips that were engaged, the Rippoh
was in the greateft danger. After having filenced fbt Momfe
Rouge battery, the enemy perceived ffife Was aground ; upon
which they returned to their giins, filled their intrenchments
witb a large body of militia, and kept up an inceffant fire of
great guris and fmall arms; while the St Nicholas battery raked
hei- on the ftarboard bow, and killed and wounded many men.
To add fo her diftrefs,, a large box, containing nine hundred
cartridges of gun powder, blew up ori the poop, and fet fire fo
the ffiip, Vhich vvas -with much difficulty extlngulffied. All
her grape ffiot waS expended. Having hiade the fignal of dif
trefs, the Briftol, Captain Leflle, came immfedlafely fo her affif-
tanbe ; run in between her and the St Nicholas battery, which
had played upon her from the beglrining of fhe aCtlon, and
kept a well-dlreCted fire upon it. His marines, af the fame
time, taking the militia in the trenches In flank, drove theni
from their poft, fo that the fire on the Rippon In a great mea
fure ceafed, efpecially when the Roebuck, Captain Lynn, run lit
and engaged the battery of fix guns fo fhe northward of the
Morne Rouge, and filenced it.
It being now near five in the evening, and the whole of fhe
enemy's cannon filenced, the Commodore made the fignal for
the troops to prepare to land ; on wdilch fhe firft and fecond-
brigades got into their boats, and repaired to fhe rendezvous ;
by which time, night v/as near at hand. The Commodore hav
ing foon after recalled the fignal, the troops were ordered bacfc
to their refpeClive franfporfs ; in doing which, owing to the
darknefs of the night, and the men of war, on their return from
the batteries, having nearly run down fome of the boats, they
found great difficulty and danger.
The Rippon ftill continued aground. Captain Jekyl ufed
every means fo get her off. He ordered all the larboard guns
to the ftarboard fide, ftarted thirty tons of water in the forehold
fo lighten her forward, and employed all his boats in endea
vouring fo tow her off. Having carried out hawfers, all bands were

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 239

¦were ordered fo the capftern, but the anchors came home ; and
in this difagreeable fituation did the ffiip remain, till near twelve
o'-clock at night, when, contrary to almoft every one's expec-
tSrion, fte gave a fudden ftart, and Immediately floated, to the
gfreat joy of the officers and men, who were not without appre
henfions that the enemy would attempt burning her in the
xii^ht. About 'feven in the evening, the four bomb-ketches ftood to-
vyards the town, into which fhey threw fome ftells and carcaf-
fes'; arid as all the honfes were covered with ftlngles, numbers
of fhem entirely built of wood, and fhe place containetl large ma
gazines arid ftoreboufes bf rum, fugar, tar, &c, whofe contents
took fire like finder, this beautiful town blazed forth, by fen o'
clock, a dreadful fcene bf conflagration. This inconfiderate
ftep ruined many Innocent people: nor has time ever been able
to difcover, what purpofe the burnlug of the town of Baffe-
Terre was intended to anfwer; as, when this wanton bombard-
merit took place, fhe batteries were filenced, and the place giv
ing no fort of annoyance fo fhe ffiipping.
The number of men killed in tbe aCtion, was not proportion
ed to its feverlty. The only officer killed, was Lieutenant Ro
berts of the marines, in the.NorfoIk : the wounded, were. Cap
tain TrelaWny of fhe Lion, Lieutenant Curie of fhe marlries of
the fame ftip, and Lieutenant Chandy of the marines of fhe
Rippon ; with about thirty men killed, and double that num
ber wounded. There were found in the road the bulls of fe
veral veffels, to fome ofwhich the enemy let fire; while others
of tbem, endeavouring to get out to fea, were intercepted by
fhe Ludlow Caftle, and other men of war.
If is very remarkable, that the enemy never hoifted their co
lours during the whole of this furious cannonade ; concerning
which it is but proper to obferve, that this great expenditure of
powder and ftot might well have been faved. But the Com
modore feemed refolved, that the ftips of war ftould do fome
thing more than merely cover the landing of the army, and
tranfport their cannon and ftores. Had tbe troops been lan
ded, under cover of the frigates, in a bay about a mile to the
north-

340 NAVALAND 1759.
northward of the town, and which migbt bave been done with
very little lofs, as the enemy had only a few companies of re
gular troops to oppofe them, the militia would not have long
v/ithftood the cannonade of the covering ftips. Tbe town,
being quite open on fhe land fide, muft either bave fubmitted,
or have been abandoned on the approach of the army. Tbe ci
tadel was not in a fituation to make long refiftance againft a
regular attack ; and the burning of fo fine a town, anfwered no
purpofe, but to ruin individuals, and to render them, more def
perate in the defence of the ifland ; whereas, on the contrary,
had their wealth and property remained untouched, they would
have been anxious for a capitulation, as the only means left
them to prevent it from fuffering by tbe dreadful calamities ge
nerally attendant on war. ,
The 24th, not a gun was fired from fhe ftore ; while the
town ftill continued to burn with unremitted violence. The
whole fleet came to an anchor in the bay by two o'clock in the
afternoon ; and at three, the Commodore made the fignal for
the troops to prepare to land. Thefe immediately got into
their boats ; and by five in the evening, the firft and fecond bri
gades were landed a little to the northward of the town ; and,
prefently after, fhe third brigade, without any moleftation from
the enemy. Captains Shuldham, Gambler, and Burnet, con
ducted the debarkation.
The enemy had not time to finift fhe intrenchments they had
begun on the rifing ground behind the town, where it was ex
pected fhey would make an oppofition ; inftead of which, they
abandoned them, and fled. The army was immediately drawn
up, on the high grounds, and lay on their arms all night. Soon
after the troops had taken poft behind the town, the enemy a-
bandbned the citadel of Fort Royal, and retired on the other fide
of the river Gallion, towards the mountains. On this, the
fixty-firft regiment was difpatched to take pofleffion of fhe
town and citadel ; four hundred of whom, under Major Teef-
dale, went againft the latter ; and never were troops in greater'
danger, as the enemy, v/hen they retired out of fhe fort, after
Ipiking up the cannon, bad laid a train to the powder magazine,

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 24:

in which were three hundred barrels of gunpowder. Luckily for
our troops, a Genoefe, who bad been tbe chief gunner of the
place, and who bad fecreted himfelf when tbe French aban
doned the fort, found means to defert ; and, juft as fhe troops
got clofe to the walls of tbe fort, be informed fhe command*
ing officer of the danger they were all in. Having proffered,
if they would follow bim, to lead tbem into tbe place, bis fer-^
vices were accepeed. Not a moment being to be loft, tbe ut
moft difpatch was ufed in getting into tbe citadel, to wbich tbe
deferter faithfully coriduCled them ; and the train being the
firft tbing fought for, was found, and inftantly fwept away by
the pioneers ; while the unfortunate negro, who bad been brib
ed witb a few dollars to fet fire to it, was found witb tbe light
ed match in bis band, drunk, and ftaggering towards it. He:
was immediately fecured, and his match extiriguifted;. About
fix in the evening, our colours were hoifted on tbe uppermoft
baftion of Fort Royal.
The 25th was folely taken up in landing the tents and light
artillery, and marking out tbe ground for encamping tbe batta
lions, on tbe different heights, in fuch a manner as to be able, in
pafe of an attack, to affift each other. A corps of light infan
try was formed from tbe different regiments, and tbe command
of it given to Major Melvill, who took poft with it In a moft ad-*
vantageous fituation, about three miles up the country, which
fo effeClually commanded all the paffes on that fide, that if the
enemy ftirred, he was, from his fituation, enabled to give the
alarm. And here itis worth remarking, bow .dangerous it Is
to allow an enemy to recover from fhe confternatlon Into which
a fuccefsful and unexpected attack neceffarily throws them ;
it being the opinion of fhe beft informed, that bad our troops,
fmall as they were in number, been led on brlflcly againft the
enemy early next morning, while their minds were yet ftrongly
impreffed with fear, their ears ftill forindlhg from the dreadful
cannonade of the ftips of war, no rejgular plan of defence re
folved on, and tbeir works not yet completed, they would pre-i
fently have been drove from their ftrong bold ; and in a few
days after, tbe whole Ifland might have been fubdued. a
. VOL, 11. ,0.. M. Na-

242 NAVAL AND -1759.

M, Nadau, the Governor of the ifland, judged propesly In
abandoning the citadel; for as he had fewregular troops, "with
-which to make a defence, and the place, unprovided with out
works, was commanded by higher :ground, he would have been
obliged to furrender, and with him the whole ifland, But-hy
retiring to thcmountains, he was able to affemble the whole of
the militia; and, trufting tothe natural ftrength of thecountry,
and the unwholefomenefs of fhe 'climate, he -was enabled to
hold out for fome months, during which time he'hadihopes of
fuccours arrIvIng:from Europe, or of the Bririft ftrength being
fo much exhatifted, that they would "be obliged to rellnqulffi
the enterprize : 'Both of which 'events were very near taking
place. The .fpofihe pitched -upon to make a ftand at, was cal
led the Dos d'Ane, i'romiifsrefembllng, af a diftance, an afs's
back. Herehe'convened a greatbodyi.of .the militia, and. fet to
work to raife Iftrong intrenchments, on which a number of can
non were planted. If was a poft exceedingly 'ftrong by nature,
fituated in a deep cleft in the mountains, and commanded en
tirely the paffageanto the Capes Terre, bymuch the rlcheft and
beft cultivated part (of the whole ifland. The afcent to this
poftfiom the town, from whichit is diftant about fourmiles,
isforithe moft .part extremely fteep, therroad crooked, and in
terrupted ^by rocks and ftumps of trees; fhe whole environs
beinglHterfeCled-by.deep ravines or jgullles, at the bottom of
which run rapid .torrents of water, which make them ftill more
difficult to pafs; and at every place where there appeared a
probability of our attempting to force a paffage, an intrench-
ment was. thrown up.
On. the 26th, our Commanders fent-M. Nadau a letter, con
taining propofals for the furrender of the ifland. To which he
returned the following anfwer :
" .Gentlemen,
" I Have received the letter your Excellencies did me the
"honour to write on the 25th. The propofals you offer, are
" Suoh as cpuld only arife from fhe eafy acquifition you have
" made of the- town and citadel of Baffe Terre; for otherwife, •' you

1759- MILfTARY MEMOIRS. 243
" you muft do me fhe juftiee to believe, I would not bave re-
" ceived fhem. The force you poffefs, is Indeed fufficient to
" give you poffeffion of tbe extremities of the ifland ; but as
" to the inland part of fhe country, we there have an equal
" chance with you.
" In regard to any confequences that may attend my refufal
" of the terms propofed, I am perfuaded they will be fuch only
" as are authorifed by fhe laws of war : but ftould it happeil
" otherwife, we have a Mafter who is powerful enough to take
" revenge for what we may fuffer. I am, witb refpeCl, your
" Excellencies moft humble and obedient fervant,
" Nadau D'Etreil."
" Guadaloupe, 2']th January, 1759.
" To their Excellencies Meffrs Moore
" and Hopson; General Officers of
" bis Britannic Majefty's Forces at
" Baffe Terre."
This anfwer of M. Nadau was fplrited and proper. It was
no Idle gafconade, fo charaCleriftIc of his countrymen^ but the
dISiates of a man refolved- to defend to the utmoft of his power
the charge entrufted to him : for he on all occafions manlfeflfed
a fteady courage, and, witb a handful of regular troops; and a
large body of undifcipllned militia and negroes, he madea ftarid
for upwards of three months. At the time this anfwer Was
communicated to fhe General, fhe army was In high fpirits, arid
in good health ; but inftead of carrying the war into the Capes
Terre, fhe only part of the ifland where regular troops could
aCt to advantage, he kept them employed In flvirmifting with
the enemy. In burning fome houfes and fugar plantations, and
in repairing and adding fome works to the citadel of Fort
Royal. '
This fort of war coft the lives of many men; and as fhe
whole of fhe army was not kept employed, numbers, froni
mere inaClivify, joined to tbe natural unhealthinefs of the cli
mate, fell fick, and the hofpitals became crowded.
(^2 On

244 NAVALAND 175^
On the 4tb of February, a detachment was fent out to at"
tack a houfe which the enemy bad fortified, and whicb gave
fome annoyance to our advanced poft. If belonged fo Madam
de Charmy, who, with a true Amazonian fpirit, beaded her
fervants, appeared at every place where fhe fire was the hot-
teft, arid encouraged her negroes to defend tbe poft to the ut
rrioft. Indeed its fituation was fuch, that nature alone feem
ed, fufliciently fo haye guarded it. This plantation was on the
fummit of a fteep precipice, and ftrongly intrenched ; but, as
the Britiffi troops, when properly led on, generally furmount
all difficulties, they, after a hot difpute, carried the place,
which, fhe enemy deemed impregnable ; but witb confiderable
lofs. Two officers were killed, and three wounded. Much
too great a lofs. In obtaining fo fmall an advantage.
The enemy feelrig us fo_very inaClive, began to grow more
daring, and even fo approach within cannon-ftot. They erec
ted fome intrenchments on a bill to the fputhward of the cita
del, from whence fhey greatly annoyed the garrifon with muf-
kefry, and fired at fhe troops from a fmall battery, as they
relieved the guar|d at the works beyond fhe river Gallion. It
being, refolved to attack thefe two pofts, Lieutenant-Colo
nel Deffirifay was pitched upon to command fhe detachment
for this fervice, which cpnfifted of tbe grenadiers, witb one
hundred men and the, pioneers of the fixfy-firft, and grena
diers of the fixty-third. regiments. Early on tbe 6fh, Colonel
Deffirifay ordered a party, confifting of the battalion men and
pioneers, to attack and deftroy the enemy's battery, and level
their intrenchments. But fhe officer (Captain Barford of the
fixfy-firft regiment) who was fent on tbis fervice, having mif-
underftpod Colonel Deftrifay's orrders, not only marched a-
galnft a wrong battery, fituated half a mile more to the fouth
than the one he ftould have attacked, and deftroyed the can
non ; but, at his fetting out, committed another capital er
ror, by fetting fire to upwards of a dozen of negro huts fcat-
tered on each fide ofthe road, with which he might have co
vered his retreat, in cafe be, had been attacked. The blaze
thereby occafioned, alarmed the enemy, who immediately re
paired

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. . 245

paired fo the four gun battery in fuch numbers, that he now
found it impoffible to fulfil the moft material part of his orders-,
and on bis retreat bis detachment bad like to have fuffered
mucb, being obliged to march back the fame road by which
fhey bad advanced, and clofe to fhe negro huts, which ftill
continued to burn with great fury. But being now reinforced
by the half of the grenadier company of fhe fixty-firft regi
ment, they marched up a fteep bill, and attacked fhe enemy's
intrenchments, which they entered. While the pioneers were
employed in levelling thefe, a large body of the enemy were
obferved marching to attack fhe remainder of the grenadiers
which Colonel Deftrifay bad pofted on the other fide of a ra
vine ; and as the party under Captain Barford were very near
the enemy, and took fhem in flank, fhey inftantly began a very
warm fire on tbem, whicb lafted only about ten minutes, when
the enemy fuffered fo much, that they fled with the greateft
precipitation. The citadel, during this attack, fired a number
of coborns and royals, which, on the enemy's flight, did
amazing execution. •
In this little affair, the officers of the fixty-firft regiment
greatly diftinguifted themfelves : and presented, by their pre
fence of mind, the party of grenadiers from being overpower
ed. Our lofs was only eight men killed and wounded : but,
by a deferter wbo came In next day from the enemy. It was
learnt, that their lofs confifted of feventy men killed, and one
hundred and thirty wounded.
While thefe matters were going on with the army, the fai
lors were bufied in tranfporting fo the citadel fuch of tbe ene
my's cannon, found on the batteries in fhe town, as appeared
ferviceable ; and in landing fome cannon from the men of
war. It being refolved fo attack Fort Louis on fhe Grand Terre
fide of the ifland ; on the 6th, fhe Commodore detached on
this fervice, the Berwick, Roebuck, Woolwich, Renown,
Bonetta, two bomb- ketches, and a detachment of marines,
under the command of Captain Harman ; along with whom,
the General detached fome companies of fhe Royal Highland
e 0^3 re.-

346 NAVAL AND 1759.
regiment. And on the lotb, the Panther was difpatched to
reinforce Captain Harman's fquadron.
Early on the 13th, Captain Harman proceeded with the
ftips under his command, and attacked Fort Louis In the fol
lowing order, having firft bombarded the place for fevera}
days, Roebuck of 40 guns, Captain Lynn,
WInchefter, 50  Le Cras,
Berwick, 64 '  Harman.
Panther, 60  Shuldham.
Woolwich, 44  Deering.
Renown, 32 - M'KenzIe.
Befides the fort, the enemy bad a number of batteries along
the ftore, and two redoubts on two hills, each' mounting four
pieces of cannon ; all which played with great fury as fhe
ftips approached. The cannonade ha'ring lafted five hours,
eyery houfe in the fort was burn^ by the bomb-ftells, a breach
made in the walls, and the enemy drove from their batteries
along ftore, The enemy had prepared three veffels as fire-
fhips, which they moored acrofs the entrance of the harbour,
but they were boarded ' by fhe boats of the fleet, towed ori
ftore on the Ifle de Couchon, and fet on fire. Captain Har
man, whp, before he proceeded with the ftips to the attack,
had ordered the Highlanders and marines to get into the flat-
boats, to be ready to land af a moment's ¦warning, now jmade
the fignal for tbe troops to land, when the boats rowed brifldy
for the ftore, and landed, notwithftanding the enemy kept up
a brilk fire on fhem from their intrenchments and redoubts.
Major Campbell of the marines, commanded fhe troops, and
kd them on with fuch fpirit, that the enemy were foon driven
both from the fort, and all their works, with fixed bayonnets ;
moft of the mens ammunition having been fpoiled in landing,
owing f o tbe boats not being piloted to tbe proper place pf dif-
embarkation. The enemy witb great labour and flrill, had drove
wooden piles, at fome diftance from the beach, ail along the
o ftore

1759- MI LIT A RY MEMOIRS. 247
fljore, whofe tops did npt appear above water; by which means^
the boats not being able to. get clofe enough to the ftore, flig;
foldiers were neceffitated to plunge into the water, which In
moft places took them above the middle. No troops could,
behave with mPre courage, than the Highlanders and marines,
did on this occafion ; nor did they gain their point without
confiderable lofs. A Lleuteriant of fhe Berwick, with feveral
feamen, were killed. While this little exploit was. going on.
General Hppfon kept fhe army employed in working at the
additional, fortifications he bad ordered to be made to the cita
del, and in a. few trifling fklrmiftes with the enemy. Such
numbers of fhe troops fell fick from this life of inactivity,, that
Ills Excellency was compelled to fend a great many of them
to Antigua.
Things were in this difagreeable fituation, when, onfhe-27fh.
of February, General Hopfon breathed his laft, The com
mand, now devolved pn Major-Genej-al Barrington ; who refplr
ved to purfue quite another plan of operations, and to carry
the war both info the Capes-Terre and Grande-Terre at the
fame rime. The Commodore having intelligence, that the
Dutch,, from St Euftatia, frequently fupplied the enemy with
provlffons, fent the Rippon and Briftol to crujze off that iflaiid,
and, if poffible, to prevent this traffic. ,
On the 28th of February,, General Barrington gave orders
for the army to hut on their prefent ground ;' which was com
pletely done, by the ift of March, This was only meant,
however, as a fineffe to amufe the enemy, who looked pn It
as a certain indication of tbe army being to remain on the Baffe-
Terre fide. Tbe artillery, baggage, and fick, were all em^
barked on fhe 2d, 3.d, and 4th. The next day, the batteries
in the tovvn were blown up ; and, very early on the 6th, the
out-pofts were called in- Before day broke, the whole of the
army were on board tbe tranfports, except fhe fi?:ty-fhird regi
ment and a detachment of arollery, who were left as,, a garri
fon in Fort Royal, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel
Deffirifay. The Commodpre alfo left the St George and Buc-
Jilngham men of war, as a further fecurlty to die garrifon. The
0, 4 enemy

248 NAVAL AND 1759.

enemy were greatly furprifed at this manoeuvre, who, neither
hearing our drums at day-break, nor feeing any motion af the
out-pofts or camp, feemed to fufpeCl an ambufcade. They
therefore ventured, with the greateft caution, firft to the out-
pofts, then to the firft encampment, and fo on to the lower-
moft huts ; and finding all abandoned, they, about mid-day,
fet fhe huts on fire.
On the 7thi the Commodore, with the men of war and
tranfports, failed for Fort Louis on the Grand-Terre fide of
the ifland ; but, from the trade wind and leeward current, it
was the titb before fhey arrived ; and many of the tranfports
did not get round fill the 2cth. On the nth, a large detach-.
ment was fent out to cover a party of feamen, employed in
dragging a fift pond ; and although the enemy kept at a confi
derable diftance, yet, by a conftant though irregular fire, they
killed three men, mortally wounded Lieutenant Sinclair of
the Highlanders, and wounded nine private men ; a tranfac-
tion, which General Barrington was extremely difpleafed with.
At this time, fhe Commodore received a piece of in
telligence, that In a great meafure deprived the army of fhe
affiftanee of the fleet, (by much the moft formidable part of
this armament), and greatly retarded the conqueft of the ifland:
this was, fhe certain arrival of a fquadron under the command
of M, du Bompart, frpm Old France, confifting of eight ffiips
of the line and three large frigates, (See Note 138,), having
on board a battalion of Swifs and other troops, intended for
the relief of Martinico, ftould he find it invefted by our troops.
He was then lying between the Ifle des Ramieres and Point
Negro, In the Great Bay of Fort Royal, In fhe ifland of Mar
tinico ; from whence it was very praClIacble for M. du Bom
part fo throw fuccours into Grande-Terre, while Commodore
Moore, in the fituation he then lay, would be incapable of
putting to fea to opppfe him. Tbe Commodore, therefore,
came to a refolution, to call in all fhe cruizing ftips, and to
fail immediately fo Prince Rupert's Bay, iri fhe ifland of Do
minica, where he might be early acquainted with the motions
of the enemy, and be ready to follow him, if occafion requir ed.

1759. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 249
ed, as he' would then be to the windward of Guadaloupe,
and only nine leagues diftant from if. Accordingly, the ma
rines doing duty on ftore were relieved, and put on board
• tbeir refpeClive ftips ; but they being fickly, the' General, at
the requeft of the Commodore, fent a detachment from the
airmy on board the men of war ; and on the 13th, fhe fqua
dron failed from Fort Louis, fo Prince Rupert's Bay, (leaving
the Roebuck to guard the tranfports), where the Commodore
was foon after joined by fhe St George, Buckingham, Rippon
and Briftol.
This refolution of the Commodore's, though extremelyv ne
ceffary, proved exceedingly hurtful to our commerce in thefe
feas ; for, during bis ftay in Prince Rupert's Bay, the enemy
captured a great number of our trading ffiips. This occafion
ed great murmurs among tbe merchants and planters, againft
tbe Commodore : but when matters are properly confidered,
it evidently appears, that it was impoffible for him to have
aCled in any other manner, in the then critical fituation 6f
affairs. As the deftination of the French fquadron, as well as where
its future operations might be direCted, was uncertain, Brlga-
gadler-General Haldane refolved to proceed immediately to
his government of Jamaica, fo put that ifland in a proper pof.
ture of defence : and having failed on fhe 2 1 ft, in the Renovim
frigate, bis place, as Brigadier-General, was fupplied by Lieu
tenant-Colonel Crump. As feyeral tranfports were now ar
rived with the troops on board ; on fhe 23d, the General or
dered a detachment of fix hundred men on board fuch tranf
ports as carried moft guns, under the command of Lieutenant-
Colonel Crump, having under him Lieutenant Colonel Barlow ;
and on the 25th, they failed to attack the tovras of St Fran
cois and St Anne's,
Tbe fame /day, arrived three hundred and fifty volunteers
from Antigua, Montferrat, and St Chriftopher's. Thefe were
immediately landed ; and the General, being tbus ftrengthen
ed, embarked three hundred men under the command of Ma
jor Teefdale, with a view of attacking the enemy's poft at Go- fier

2SO NAVALAND 17I9.

fier early next morning, very properly judging, that fhey had
fent a confiderable part of their forces to oppofe Colon,el,
Crump, as they did not appear fo numerous at this poft as
formerly. Early, therefore, In the morning of the 30th, this
detachment were in the flat-boats, and rowed for the ffiore.
The enemy made a ffiort oppofition from their battery and In
trenchments ; but, notwithftanding thefe effo,rfs, the troops
landed, formed on the beaeh, and inftantly attacked and drove
them from their works, with great fpirit and refolution. —
The town was fet on fire, and the cannon and battery deftroy-»
ed. In confequence of the fuccefs of this detachment at Go-
fier, fhe General formed a fcheme for an attack upon all the
enemy's pofts, which fhey had ereCted oppofite to ours. He
fent orders to Major Teefdale, to force his way fo Fort Louis,
from which he was diftant about two miles ; and his route lay
over a rugged, mountainous, and woody country. Orders were,
likewife fent to the officer commanding the troops In the camp,
under the walls of Fort Louis, to make two forties, and at
tack the enemy's intrenchments. At the fame time, all the
boats of the tranfport fliips up the harbour, were filled with
as many men as could be fpared, and ranged as If going tp land;
in the rear ofthe enemy's works. Their attention was fo much
diftraCled, that, they knew not, by feeing fo many places
threatened at once, which fo fuccour firft ; and, apprehenfive
left they ftould be put between two fires, they negleCled to
-reinforce a poft on the top of a high and fteep hill, which Ma
jor Teefdale had orders to attack : by this means he carried
his point, which proved of the utmoft importance. From the
natural ftrength of this place. If the enemy bad behaved with
common refolution, fuccefs was very uncertain, The flat-
boats, therefore, rowed along fliore as this detachment ad
vanced, to be ready. In cafe of their being repulfed, to bring
them off; but finding the enemy fucceffively give way, they
purfued, and got poffeffion of a hill on whofe fummit the ene
my had eftabliffied a poft, and, with immenfe labour, under
cover of felled trees and bruffiwood, bad ereCted a battery of
three twenty-four pounders, which was to have opened the
next

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 251
next morning on our camp, which It entirely commanded.
This poft was carried with the lofs of Captain Gunning of the
fixty-firft regiment, an excellent officer, and unlverfally la
mented by the army : feven private men were alfo killed, and
twp officers and fen private men wounded. The intended
forties from the camp, thorough fome mifunder ftanding of the
orders, did not take place ; by which means the enemy's in
trenchments remained unattacked.
The detachment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Crump, landed
without oppofition, between the towns of St Francois and St
Anne. Here be divided his troops into two corps ; and fent
Lieuf.-Col. Barlow, at the head of one of fhem, againft the
latter place ; while he himfelf proceeded, at the head of the
other, againft the former. The enemy made a ffiew of defend
ing botb places ; but were attacked with fuch refolution, that
the towns were carried and burnt, and the batteries and can
non deftroyed ; after which, they returned to the boats, and
re-embarked again. This fervice was performed with the lofs
of one man mortally*, and two flightly wounded.
As the General had determined to make an irruption into
tbe Capes Terre, he only waited the arrival of fome tranfports
with troops on board, fo put his defign info execution : but,
before they arrived, he received 3 piece of intelligence, whicb
called bis attention for 3 little while to BalR-Terre ; where the
enemy, foon after the fleet and army had left that place, became
extremely daring. They approached the citadel in confiderable
bodies, and fired into it ; by which feveral men were woun
ded. In order tp repel thefe attacks, Lieutenant-Colonel Def-
brifay,
* This poor fellow belonged to the Royal Highlanders, and received bis wound
as foon as he landed. His companions tarried him to a hut clofe by, where
they laid him down, leaving his firelock by his fide. When the troops were
marched to attack the towns, diftant fome miles from the place of landing, a
rafcally Frenchman came into the hut, and perceiving the dying foldier incapa-.
' ble of refiftance, he eafed himfelf on the poor man's breaft, and was going to
wards the door; when the foldier full of indignation, muttered all his ftrength,
laid hold of his mufquet, -and fired it at the mifcreant, who fell dead on the
tpat. In this fituation was he found, when the troops returned to their boats :
this worthy foldier died, as his companions were carrying him on board.

252 NAVAL AND 1759.
brlfay, the Governor of the place, ordered the cannon to be fir
ed, whenever tbe enemy appeared In force ; and, to. be tbe more
ready for tbis fervice, be had caufed two barrels of gun-pow
der to be put into the ftone centry-box, in the angle of a baf
tion, to be near af hand when there was occafion to fire the
cannon. Thefe barrels had unluckily been negleCled to be pro
perly covered up ; and the enemy appearing In a large body,
the Governor ordered a few guns to be fired at them ; when
fome fparks from the wadding of one of tbe guns, were obfer
ved to blow towards the centry-box where the powder was
lodged. Gpvernor Deffirifay being informed of this, lent two
bombardiers fo cover up fhe barrels with ffieep flclns ; but the
Governor having unfortunately ordered another gun to be fired
before the bombardiers could execute the fervice they were fent
on, a fpark from the wadding of the gun fet fire to tbe gun
powder, which occafioned a dreadful explofion. Tbe Gover
nor, and the two bombardiers, were blown to atoms ; Major
TroUope, Lieutenant Read, fome artillery men, and feveral
men of the fixty-third regiment, were killed ; and Captain Gil-
man, feveral other officers, and fome privates of the fame regi
ment, were wounded. The enemy, on perceiving this difafter,
which they thought greater than it really was, came down in
large bodies, with a defign to attack the fort ; but received fo
fevere a fire, from the cannon and mufquefry, that they were
foon convinced tii their miftake ; and after fuftaining confider
able lofs, they retired within their works. Being foon after
fupplied with a thirteen inch mortar from Martinico, they be
gan fo throw ffiells info fhe fort, and were bufy In ereCting a
battery of cannon ; when General Barrington being inforraed
of the fituation of affairs at this place, be immediately detached
Major Melvill with a reinforcement of troops, fo take on him
the command of Fort Royal ; and fent the chief engineer, to
give directions about repairing the fort.
Major Melvill, having reconnoitred the enemy's works, or
dered a ftrong fally to be made from fhe fort ; who attacked,
and effeClually deftroyed their battery ; fpiked up the cannon ;
and

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 253
and returned into the garrifon, with the lofs of only fix men
killed, and fix wounded. ,
As all the tranfports were now arrived^ the General colleCled
a body, of near fifteen hundred men, (the ftrength of the army,
after reckoiiing thofe whiqb garrifoned Fort Royal and Fort
Louis, and the detachment on board the fleet.) Thefe he
placed under tbe command of Brigadier-Generals Clayering
and Crump ; and having been Informed that there was a poffi
bility of furprlfing Petit Bourg, Goyave, and St Maries, at one
and the fame time, be determined to make the trial ; fince, if
tbe attack fucceeded, tbe Capes-Terre would be in a manner
conquered. On the Sth of April, the troops got into the flat-
boats by eight in tbe evening, and rendezvoufed under the ftern
of the Grenado bomb-ketch. General Clavering having arran
ged them for the different attacks, proceeded with the utmoft
diligence fo put the fcheme into execution; but tbe night prov
ed fo very fempeftuous, and the negro conductors were fo
much frightened, that they were air in danger of being loft
upon tbe ftoals. The Brigadier, however, landed with about
.eighty men ; but fhe place was fo full of mangroves, and fo
deep in mud, that after making feveral efforts, he was obliged
to return ; and the enemy having difcovered the defign, took
eyery precaution to render fuch attempt for the future abortive.
General Barrington being laid up witb the gout,. caufed Bri
gadier-Generals Clavering and Crump to reconnoitre fhe ftore
of Arnonville, In confequence of tbe report riiade by thefe
officers, the detachment under their command failed on the
1 2th up tbe harbour ; and, under cover of the Woolwich man
of war, which, together with fhe Grenada boirib. Commodore
Moore bad fent to affift the troops in their operations, they ef
feCled a landing by day-break, in a bay near to Arnonville.
The enemy made no oppofition, but fled, as our troops ap
proached, fo a ftrong poft behind the river Le Coin. This poft
was of the greateft confequence to tbem, as it covered fhe
whole country as far as Bay Mahaut, where their provifions
and fupplies of all forts were landed by tbe Dutch from St Eu
ftatia. They bad fpared no pains to render this place impreg nable.

254 NAVAL AND 1759.
nable, though its fituation was fuch as required very little affif
tanee from art. The river. On account of a morafs covered
with mangroves, was only acceffible at two narrow paffes; and
thefe pofts they had fortified with cannon and entrenchments,
defended by all the militia of that part of the country. The
Britiffi troops could only attack fhem in a very contracted
front, which was at laft reduced to the breadth of fhe roads,
interfeCled with deep and wide ditches. The Britift artillery,
which confifted of Only four field pieces (fix poundets) and two
howitzers, kept up a conftant and well direded fire on the top
of the enemy's intrenchments, to cover our attack, which was
made with the greateft coolnefs and bravery. Though fhe ene
my made a ftout refiftance, their works were fucceffively car
ried ; and the troops having repaired the bridge, and getting
round on their rear, they fled with great precipitation, but were
fo clofely purfued; that about feventy of the firft people of fhe
ifland were made prifoners. Six pieces of cannon were found
on the works ; the forcirig of vidiich, coft us one officer, and
-fifteen men killed, and two officers and fifty two men wounded.
Brigadier Clavering did not lofe a moment's time ; for, as
foon as the artillery was able to pafs the ditches, he preffed on
towards Petit Bourg. On the approach of fhe army, fhe ene
my abandoned an intrenched poft they had, about half a mile
to the left of the road, and retreated, keeping about two hun
dred yards in front of our men : the better to retard whofe
march, they fet fire to the fugar canes, which obliged our peo
ple more than once to leave the road, to avoid any accident to
their powder. The Britiffi troops arrived late in fhe evening,
on the banks of tbe river Lezard ; behind the only fordable
part ofwhich, the enemy had thrown up very ftrong Intrench
ments, proteCled by four pieces of cannon on a hill a little way
in their" rear. The General was of opinion, from the natural
ftrength of this poft, that, to attack the enemy direClly In front,
would coft him dear. In reconnoitring it, however, he luckily
found two canoes ; which he caufed to be conveyed down
tbe river, where, during the night, lie had ferried over a corps,
fufficient to attack the enemy in flank tbe next morning. The
better

J759* MILITARY MEMOIRS. 255
better to amufe them, and to prevent their gaining intelligeHce
of bis rea.1 defigns, be ordered. fome cannon and mufquefry to
play 'on tfbeir tintrencbments dmring the night.
Eariy on 'the 1 3tb, liie attack was begu'n : and the corps
which bad been ferried acrofs the river Lezard, making their
appeajcance, the Citiemy, fenfible of their danger, fled. The Bri
tifli troops then paffed Jibe river without the Ipfs of a man, a-nd
purfjued the enemy to Petit Bourg ; which place they had for
tified with lines and redoubts, mounted witb cannon ; and, to
prevent a defcent belrtg made here, ithey had drove ftrong piles
a confiderable waiy from the ffiore, the tops ofwhich were under
water, and being clofe together, boats coiuld not approach the
ftore until they were removed. Here the Brigadier found Cap
tain Ovedale of the Grenada bomb-ketcli, fhrowiag ffiells into
their works ; and as the enemy perceived the General faking
poffeffion of (all the heights around tbem, fhey not only aban
doned their fonrtificafions, but their artillery alfo. As tbe
troqps were gteatly fatigued, the General .halted here to refrefli
them, and to get a fupply of provifions.
On the 1 3'f)h, he detached Brigadier-General Crump with fe
ven hundred men to fhe Bay Mahaut ; and, at the fame time,
fent another detachment to attack the enemy's poft at Goyave,
about feven miles in front. The enemy, who miftook this laft
for the vanguard of tbe army, were feized with fuch a pa^Ic,
that they only difcharged their cannon once, and fled ; aban
doning a poft which a few refolute men migbt have defended
againft a very fuperior force. On the approach of Brigadier
Crump, the enemy quitted fhe town and batteries of Bay Ma
haut. Thefe the Brigadier burnt and deftroyed, together with
a large magazine of provlfions, with which the Dutch had fup
plied tbe enemy, and which alone had been the caufe of their
holding out fo long. Having completed his work, he rejoined
General Clavering at Petit Bourg, who was prevented from ad
vancing by fhe heavy rains, whicb had fweiled the rivers to a
great height, and the rivulets to impetuous torrents ; but he
improved this time in ftrengthening the poft of Petit Bourg;
where he left a fmall garrifon.
On

256 NAVAL AND 1759.
On the 2oth, General Clavering began bis march for St Ma
ries, where the enemy had colleCled their whole force, and
ftrongly intrenched, themfelves, in order to defend tbe entrance
into the Capes-Terre. The General reconnoitred this poft with
great exaClnefs ; and foort perceived, by bis own obfervation,
and the information he had received from his guides, that it
was not impoffible to get info their rear by roads which fhe
enemy thought impaffable, and wbich they bad confequently
negleCled to guard. He immediately ordered a detachment for
this fervice, under Lieutenant-Colonel Barlow ; and fent or
ders fo haften the march of the artillery, which, from the bad
nefs of the roads, had not been able to get up. Things turned
out exaClly as the General wiffied. Colonel Barlow having,
though with great difficulty, got through a thick and moraffy
¦wood, in the rear of the enemy's works; and the artillery keep
ing up a brilk fire upon fhem in front, they were foon fo fenfi
ble of tbeir dangerous fituation, that their precipitate flight
alone faved them from being made prifoners. They were pur
fued as far as fhe heights of St Maries, where the General again
formed his little army, and refolved immediately to attack their
intrenchments and batteries there.
While the pioneers, fo enable fhe artillery to march, were
levelling the barricadoes which tbe enemy had abandoned,
Lieutenant- Colonel Barlow with his detachment, attempted a
fecond time to penetrate the woods, and fo climb the precipices
whicb covered the flanks of the enemy's lines. But before the
cannon got up, fhey perceived this motion, and fent pff a de
tachment fo oppofe it. Upon tbis. General Clavering imme
diately attacked fhe enemy in front, with fuch vigour, that he
carried their works, notwithftanding they poured in a heavy fire
from their cannon and fmall arms. They fled with fuch pre
cipitation, that they left all tiieir artillery ; and were now fo
convinced of the fuperior difcipline and bravery of tbe Britiffi
troops, that they fled af their approach.
The 21ft, the army entered the Capes-Terre, tbe rlcheft and
moft beautiful part of the ifland. Here an alarm was fpread,
very early in tbe morning, that a large body of the enemy were feeti

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 257
feen advancing to attack the out-pofts ; but, on the nearer ap
proach of tbis body, it was found to be eight hundred and fe
venty unfortunate flaves, tbe fole property of M. Pinel, who
were coming to furrender fhemfelves prifoners. The only con
dition thefe poor creatures made, was, not to be refold to their
former mafter. As the inhabitants of tbe country were in
arms, and tbeir houfes abandoned. General Clavering was un
der the cruel neceffity pf fetting fire to all tbeir habitations; fu
gar canes, &c. : fo that wben night arrived, tbis fine country
appeared one continued blaze of fire ; and many negroes, who
bad been pofted among fhe fugar canes fo fire on our troops
while on theif march, were unfortunately burnt,
M. Nadau, who had been at uncommon pains In fortifying
tbe different paffes, now finding tbem fucceffively forced, every
means of being fupplied witb ftores and provifions (by help of
tbe Dutch) cut off, and that fhe militia were become fo tired of
tbe war, that they did not fecond bis efforts witb fpirit to op
pofe our progrefs; while. In addition to all this, be was ftrongly
importuned by the principal inhabitants fo fubmit ; began fo
entertain thoughts of capitulating, as the few regular' troops he
bad, were by no means capable of making refiftance without the
affiftanee of the militia, on whom be eorild no longer depend.
On fhe 22d of April, therefore, he fent fo General Claverlng's
head quarters, Meffrs ClalnvIHiers and Duquerey, to demand a
fufpenfion of arms, and to know what terms tbe General would
be pleafed to grant fhem. In confequence of which. General
Barrington, who was immediately made acquainted with their
demand, haftened to General Claverlng's quarters, where, on
the 25th, the terms of capitulation were agreed to, and figned
on tbe ift of May. The Deputies from Grande-Terre, not
having fufficient powers from the Inhabitants, went back for
proper authority, and returned on the -2d of May, when all mat
ters were fully and finally fettied. (See Note 13 7).
Early on the 2d of May, the Deputies from Grande-Terre
returned, and figned fhe following paper :
" We, fhe Deputies of tbe Grande-Terre, arrived tbis d^y
•' with full powers, do conf&nt fo the capitulation figned the
VOL. II. "^ ^^

262 NAVALAND i759-
ftroyed both, notwithftanding an inceffant fire :from the bat
teries, which he returned, and difmounted fevera^ of their
guns. The Falcon bomb ketch. Captain Roblnfon, being ftatloned
off the Saintes, In order to prevent the enemy from bringing
any fuppfies or affiftanee fo Guadaloupe on that fide of the
ifland, unfortunately mifled ftays, as ffie was in purfuit of a
privateer, and was ftranded ; but the officers, men, and ftores
were feved.

WEST INDIES.— Jamaica Station.
Vice-Admiral Cotes continued tp command bis Majefty's
fquadron on this ftation (See Note 139.), and placed his
cruizers fo well, that almoft all the French ffiips which ven
tured to fail without a , ftrong convoy, were take^i. Many
Dutch veffels, laden with the produce of fhe French colonies,
were alfo condemned as legal prizes, notwlthftanding they
ufed every method and art to difgulfe and co.nceal that their
cargoes appertained to the enemy.
On the 29th of April, the Viper floop took a Dutch ffiip
called the Adrian, laden with fugar. Indigo, and cotton. She
had failed a few days before from a French port in the ifland
of Hifpaniola, under convoy of two French frigates, viz. the
Hermione, of twenty-fix guns, and one hundred and feventy
men, and fhe Hardi, of twenty guns, and one hundred and
fifty men. They had another Dutch ftip under their convoy,
and were all of them deeply laden with the fineft fugars and
indigo. The Dreadnought, Seaford, and Wager, with the
Peregrine and Port Antonio floops, being on a cruize, had
the good fortune fo fall in with and take the two frigates and
Dutch veffel, on the 2d of May. They were condemned by
the Admiralty court at Jamaica, and proved very valuable
prizes. The other cruizers ofthe fleet were likewife very fuccefsful. The

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 163
Tbe enemy had many of their privateers taken or deftroyed 5
and fhe Britift trade was remarkably well proteCled.

NORTH AMERICA.
The fuccefs with which our arms bad in general been trown-
ed in this part of the world laft year, pointed out the plan of
operations proper to be followed this campaign, and whicb, if
fteadily and brifkly purfued, feemed fo promife tbe termination
of tbe dominion of France in North America. Thefe opera
tions were all originally planned by the Earl of Loudoun, when
Commander in Chief in North America.
Great Britain, having, at an immenfe expence, attained a
fuperiority over tbe enemy. In point of military force, it was
refolved to attack tbem In all their priuclpal pofts af one and
the fame time. By this method they would be fo diftraCled,
and their attention fo mucb divided, that they' could not poffi
bly colled all tbeir force in one place ; to wbich their fuccefs,
and our misfortunes, had hitherto been principally owing.
Every neceffary ftep was taken to open the campaign tbe mo
ment the froft broke up ; and although the operations Intended
were of an immenfe extent, and at a prodigious diftance one
from fhe other, yet fo judicioufly was every thing concerted,
that the fuccefs of any of fhe fchemes would greatly affift and
forward the operations of the reft. Four grand, expeditions
were determined upon. The firft we ftall mention, is the at
tack of the' French forf~ near fhe Falls of Niagara.
This fort entirely commands fhe communication between
the lakes Erie and Ontario ; the reduction of wbich was en
trufted to Brigadier-General Prideaux, an officer of very great
reputation. From the known importance of this poft. It was
conjectured, that the enemy would draw a very confiderable
force from tlieir forts and fettlements upon the inferior lakes.
To hinder this, another expedition was planned from tbe fouth
ward ; of which hereafter. General Prideaux, ffiould he
prove fuccefsful againft Fort Niagara, bad orders, after its re-
R 2 duCtlon,

26o NAVAL AND 1759.
from France during the war, this was by far tbe moft benefi
cial fo Great Britain.
The Commodore, being reinforced by fhe Ralfonable and
Naffau men of war, of fixty-four guns each, left Prince Rupert's
bay, and came to Baffe-Terre road.
General Barrington at this time made the tour of fhe ifland,
in order to put it In a proper ftate of defence, and fettle the ad
miniftration of juftice. He appointed Brigadier-General Crump
Governor; and Lieutenant-Colonel Melvill, Lieutenant-Gover
nor of the ifland. The fourth, fixty-third, and fixty-fifth regi
ments, with a company of artillery, he left as a garrifon. Tbe
fecond baittallon of Royal Highlanders, and what men could
be fpared from the other three regiments, he fent to New York,
to reinforce General Amherft; and, on the 25th of June, the
General having with him the third, fixty-firft, and fixty-fourth
regiments, failed for England under convoy of the Roebuck man
of war.
M. du Bompart having failed from Martinico with his fqua
dron, -the Commodore fent out fome cruizers fo gain intelli-
geiice of his motions. The Rippon having been ordered to
look info fhe Grenades, found bim at anchor in a bay of that
ifland, 'with feven fail of the line. Captain Jekyl immediately
returned, and acquainted Commodpre Moore of this; who dif
patched a frigate to fee if M, du Bompart ftill continued there ;
when it was found, that he load returned fo Martinico as foon
as the Rippon had gone out of fight.
The great fuperiority of our fquadron prevented that of the
French from doing any very material mifchief to our colonies;
and, after the furrender of Guadaloupe, the fuccefs of their
privateers was confiderably checked. The Commodore, with
the large fliips pf his fquadron, were employed, from fhe 27th
of June fo the 22d of July, in failing to all our iflands, and
in collecting the merchant ffiips deftined for England. Hav
ing come into the road of Baffe-Terre, in the ifland of St
Chriftopher's, he delivered the charge of fhe trading ffiips to
Captain Hughes of the Norfolk, who, on the 26th of the
fame month, failed with tbem for England, efcorted by the
Nor-

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 261

Norfolk, St' George, Cambridge, Burford, Panther, Rippon,
Briftol and WInchefter, the Speedwell flopp, and fhe Grena
da, Infernal, and King's Fiffier bomb-ketches. This rich fleet,
confifting of upwards of three hundred fail, arrived fafe in
England the end of September.
The Commodore now hoifted his pendant on boardj the
Buckingham, and turned his thoughts towards looking after
tbe enemy's privateers,' and the diftreffing of their trade.
Captain Varlo, of fhe Antigua floop of war, during the
fiege, funk two French fchooners, and took a third laden witb
arms and ammunition for Guadaloupe. He likewife took and
deftroyed a confiderable riumber of the enemy's fmall privateers
and trading veffels.
Captain CoUingwood, of the Crefcent, being on a cruize
on the 13th of Auguft, fell in with, off St Chriftopher's, tbe
Ametbyft of thirty-two guns, and the Berkely of twenty guns,
having under their convoy, nineteen trading veffels from Mar
tinico for St Euftatia, laden with fugars (five of which were
afterwards taken). He 'immediately attacked the largeft ;
but the enemy being to windward of him, he could not bring
on a clofe engagement ; and his mafts and rigging, (af which
the enemy principally aimed) being greatiy damaged, he was
obliged to ly-fo, to repair them. This opportunity the Ame
tbyft took fo efcape, which the Berkely was likewife endea
vouring to do, when Captain CoUingwood got along-fide of
her, and, after a ftort aCtion, he compelled her fo ftrike.
The Hampffiire took two privateer floops.
Tbe Griffin, Captain Taylor, being bn a cruize, took a
French veffel off St Pierre in Martinico, and chafed two priva
teers affiore near to Rofeau in Dominica; and being joined
by an Antigua privateer, and learning that there was a French
¦fnow, laden with coffee, at anchor under the cannon of Ro
feau, with an Engliffi fchooner laden with fiffi, juft taken by
a French privateer, he fent his boats thither, manned and
armed, who cut out a floop. He then went in himfelf, and
demanded the fnow and fchooner of the Governor ; which be
ing refufed bim, be caufed fhe veffels to be boarded, and de-
R 3 ftroyed

*58 NAVALAND 1759-
« ift of this month, between their Excellencies tbe Honour-
" able General Barrington, and John Moorfe, Efq; and the in-
" habitants of Guadaloupe, agreeable to the 22d article of faid
*' capitulation, <« Done at the bead quarters, Inthe Capes-Terre, Guada-
*' loupe, May 2d 1 759,
" duhazeis,
" Gaiybeton,"
Scarce was this important tranfaCtion finiffied, when an ac
count was received, that M. du Bompart, with his fquadron
from Martinico, (See Note 138.), baying on board fix hundred
regular troops, two thoufand volunteers, and a quantity of arms
and ammunitionj bad appeared off St Anne, and there landed
a battalion of Swifs, (near fifty of whicb deferted to us tbe night
they remained on ffiore). On being informed that the Ifland
had furrendered a few days before, he re-embarked the troops,
and returned to Martinico. Had this reinforcement arrived a
week fooner, the conqueft of Guadaloupe had been found im
practicable, as fhe ftrength whicb M. du Bompart had with
him, was nearly equal fo our whole army. The Hampffiire
man of war, on her way from England to join the fquadron,
having got fight of the French fleet. Captain Norbury immedi
ately proceeded fo Prince Rupert's bay with this intelligence to
the Commodore, who inftantly gave orders for the fquadron to
be ready to fail ; and, at half paft nine the fame evening, he
put to fea in queft of the enemy. (See Note 1 38).
Commodore Moore continued to keep turning to the wind
ward, between the iflands of Dominica and Marlgalanfe, fhe
whole time he was out, in hope of intercepting M. du Bompart
qn his return to Martinico. He broughf-to every day at noon,
by which the fquadron fell fo keward as mucb In fhe day as it
had gained In the night to windward ; but having, on the 6th,
received certain Intelligence of M. du Bomparf's return fo Fort
Royal bay, be returned to his old ftation in Prince Rupert's bay,
in the ifland of Dominica.
General Bairringfon fummoned the iflands of Marigalante, les

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 259

les Saintes, Defeada, and Petite-Terre, to furrender on the fame
terms as Guadaloupe had done. They all fubmitted, except
tbe former ; on which, a body of troops, confifting of near
twelve hundred men, were fent againft it, under the command
of Brigadier-General Crump, efcorted by fhe Berwick, Briftol,
and Ludlow Caftle men of war, and two bomb-ketches from
Prince Rupert's bay, to favour fhe defcent. On the arrival
of this force, the Governor and inhabitants thought fit to fub
mit, Tbus, after an invafion of more than three months, thefe im
portant colonies were torn from France, and added to fhe Bri
tift dominions. The fuccefs whicb attended this expedition,
was mucb more than could have been reafonably expeCled, as
the army was by far fhe greateft part of the time deprived of the
affiftanee of tbe fleet to affift its operations. The difficulties
they met witb, and the dangers fhey overcame, were very
great ; but, by their difcipline and perfeverance, fhey forgot tbe
intolerable heat of tbe fun, fhe great fatigues in croffing
mountains and rivers, in afcending precipices, and in puffiing
through moraffes, which they did witb amazing alacrity, fhe
whole country being a natural fortification. The French had,
for political reafons, kept tbe world in general, entire ftrangers
to tbe value of this colony. It Is not, therefore, to-be wonder
ed at, that the people of England did not receive fhe news of
this valuable acquifition In the way that if deferved, as their
thoughts were entirely bent on fhe conqueft of Martinico,
which they imagined a place of much greater confequence. To
every perfon intelligent in the Weft India commerce, however,
Guadaloupe was known to be a place greatly fuperior in value
to Martinico ; but this laft being fhe refidence of the Frerfch
Captain General, and as all ffiips loaded with the produce of
Guadaloupe, before they failed for Europe, were obliged fo
clear out at St Pierre's in Martinico, It was therefore concluded
by moft people, that their cargoes were really fhe produce of
that ifland. Thus they remained ignorant of the importance of
the largeft and beft fugar ifland in this part of the Weft Indies;
and we rifle nothing in affirming, that, of all the conquefts made
R 2 fron^

a64 NAVALAND 1759.

duClion, to leave a fufficient garrifon ip if ; to embark the reft
of bis force? without delay, and to proceed acrofs lake Onta
rio, enter the river St Lawrence, fall down with tbe ftream,
and attack the French poft on Ifle Royal, about four leagues
below Galette ; from whence there was no obftruCiion to the
city of Montreal,
The fecond expedition was fo proceed ham Philadelphia,
under the command of Brigadier-General Stanwix. Tbe ob
jeCl of its operations was againft the French forts and fettie-
ments upon the banks of tbe lake Erie, as it was prefumed
they would be confiderably weakened by the force colleCled
from thence, to oppofe the operations of Brigadier-General
Prideaux. This conjeClure was abijndanfly juftified by the
event ; as fhe fuccefs of General Stanwix's operations exceeds
ed fhe moft fanguine expectations.
The third expedition was to be commanded by Major-Gene
ral Amherft, lately appointed Commander in Chief pf fhe
Land Forces in North America, and was deftined againft Ti
conderago and Crown Point. From the very great force allptted
for the redu3;ion of thofe places, if was boped, that he would
eafily become mafter of them early in the campaign ; and t;hat
afterwards he might obtain fuch a naval force as would enable
hiin to crofs lake Champlain, and either fprm a junCtion with
the army under General Wolfe before Quebec, or, by forcing
his way to Montreal, make fuch a powerful diverfion in his
favour, as would greatly facilitate his operations.
The fourth expedition, and we may truly fay the moft im
portant of fhem' all, was defigned againft Quebec ; the com
mand of which was conferred on Major-General Wolfe, who
had rendered himfelf fo very confpicuous by his gallant beha
viour at the fiege of Louiffiurg, the year before. He was to
be affifted by a powerful fleet, under the command of Vice-
Admiral Saunders. He had only ten regiments affigned him
for the performance of this fervice.
The firft, third, and fourth of the expeditions we have now
mentioned, fall within the plan of this work ; and we ffiall
endeavour to afford the reader a very ample account of them. But

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. ' 265
But as they did not ah fully anfwer the expectations formed of
tbem, by their commanders not feconding the operations of
fuch as they were intended to fupport, we ffiall only obferve,
that in conjunCl operations, fuch as we are going to defcribe,
there often occur fo many difficulties and embarraffments In
their execution, that it is frequently beyond the power of a
perfon poffeffing the greateft forefight, to contrive fufficient
means to reniedy them. Where thefe difficulties are occafion
ed by negleCi, it would be Improper to conceal them, fince
making them known, is the only fure method by which they
may be avoided in future. Thus, the negleCl of fending a
proper quantity of ammunition, had nearly rendered the expe
dition againft Niagara abortive ; and from that negled:, the
fecond part of its intended operations could not be followed
up. The want of a corps of ffiip-carpenters, whereby the
army under General Amherft was fo long detained at Crown
Point before be could crofs lake Champlain, Were heavy clogs
on tbe expedition againft Quebec ; as tbe want of the co-ope
rations of thefe two armies. In fhe latter part of their refpec-
tive plans, left the Immortal Wolfe to ftruggle, unaffifted,
againft a force of more than double his numbers ; but which
be overcame, merely owing fo his fuperior genius, and fhe
refources which he poffeffed within himfelf. The troops em
ployed in the feveral expeditions, exceeded thirty thoufand men.
The Expedition against Fort Niagara. (See Note 140.)
The command of this expedition was entrufted fo Brigadier-
General Prideaux, an officer of merit and abilities. The army
migbt amount to near five thoufand men, of which about one-
half were provincial troops. The fatigues which they had to
encounter, in the firft part of their route, were beyond dcj
fcrlptlon great. They fet out from ScheneClady, on the Mo
hawk river, upon which ftream they rowed, until they came
to fhe great carrying place between it and Wood Creek. The
tranfporting of the ftores, provifions, cannon, and ammuni-
' " , tion

170 NAVAL AND 1759,

trary winds might have prevented them being conveyed acrofs
the lake. This, however, does not juftify the negleCl at- firft ;
for, even the ftores they fent acrofs fhe lake with the troops, do
not appear fo have been adequate to the attack of Fort Niagara,
far lefs for enabling fhem fo proceed afterwards, as was inten
ded, to attack the fort at La Galette. Sir William Johnfon,
immediately on the death of General Prideaux, difpatched an
exprefs to the Commander in Chief, to inform him of this me
lancholy event. In confequence of this, Brigadier-General
Gage was ordered to fet out Immediately for Ofwego, and from
thence to proceed to Niagara, and take upon him fhe command
of the army there. Sir William, after leaving a fufficient gar
rifon in the fort, embarked the army, and returned to Ofwego ;
where he found General Gage, to whom he delivered up the
command. General Amherft had ordered a reinforcement of
troops to this poft ; but whether it was owing to the army not
being properly provided for a fiege, or that the feafon was top
far advanced, General Gage did not think proper to enter the
river St Lawrence, but employed what remained of the cam
paign, in completing the fort here. Some ffiip carpenters being
fent fo this place, two large veffels were ordered to be built here
under fhe direClion of Captain Loring of the Navy, in order
that we might be mafters of the navigation on Lake Ontario,
and the river St Lawrence, as far as Montreal.

The ExPEDiTioKf against Ticonderago, and Ceown Point,
(See Note' 141.)
General Amherft, now appointed Commander in Chief of
his Majefty's forces in North America, was to conduCl the en
terprize againft Ticonderago and Crown Point ; and, from the
large army allotted for this enterprize, it was hoped he would
be able, early In the campaign, to drive the enemy from all the
pofts they occupied on the Lakes George and Champlain, and
the river Sorell ; and then, by means of that river, to enter fhe
pro-

J759- MILITARY MEMOIRS, 271

province of Canada, and to make a junCtion with the army un
der Major-General Wolfe, before Quebec,
Very early in tbe Spring, General Amherft repaired to Al
bany, in order to prepare and haften every meafure for taking
the field, and for aCling witb vigour. The enemy had been
extremely aClive in getting a naval force on Lake Champlain :
no fteps; therefore, ought to have been omitted, to enable us to
obtain a fuperiority over them in this particular, with the ut
moft difpatch. It was well known, that all fhe principal fea-
ports of New-England abounded with ffiip-carpenters, as fhe
building of ffiips for fale then conftltuted a chief branch of their
commerce. It is therefore fo be lamented, that fome hundreds
of them bad not been colleCled to join General Amberft's army,
when he became mafter of riconderago. The adopting of fuch
a meafure, could eafily bave been juftified, as it would, in all
probability, have proved the means of faving fhe expence of
another campaign for fhe final reduction of Canada, by equip
ping, in due time for aCling, fuch a naval force was would have
made General Amherft mafter ofthe navigation of Lake Cham
plain, very foon after the eneray retreated from Crown Point.
Another material fervice might have been effeCled by them ;
namely, the having all the batteaux in complete order, to tranf
port fhe army and artillery acrofs Lake George, while the Ge
neral was building a fort af fhe end of the Lake. This would
have faved much time, together with fome pieces of ordnance,
which were funk in fhe leaky batteaux. As the troops arrived.
General Amherft puffied them forward to the pofts eftabliffied
on the Hddfon's river, above Albany ; and about the ift of
June, he affembled his army af Fort Edward, taking every pre
caution to prevent a furprize, or the enemy's obtaining infor
mation of his ftrength or defigns. While encamped here, a fpi
rit of defertlon becoming too prevalent among the troops, fhe
General was neceffitated to make an example, in order to put a
ftop fo It, Two deferters who were taken, were tried by a
Court-martial, and fentenced to be ffiot. He approved of this
fentence, and it had the effeCl he defired.
The horrid barbarities committed by the French, and the In
dians

268 NAVAL AND 1759.
ing a cohorn as he came oppofite to him, the ffiell burft imme
diately, a piece of which ftruck the General on fhe head, and
killed him on the fpot.
Colpnel Johnfon, of the Provincials, having Ukewlfe been
killed, the command devolved upon Sir ¦William Johnfon, Ba
ronet, who refolved to purfue the fame wife plan that his pre-
deceffor bad done. Some of his Indians brought him advice of
tbe enemy's approach to raife the fiege. In the evening of the
23d of July, they arrived within fight of fhe fortified poft, in
the rear of our camp, and which had then only two hundred
men in It. This corps the enemy had reckoned on overpower
ing, and then penetrating into the camp. But after dark.
Sir William reinforced this poft with five hundred men ; and
fo difpofed his little army (after properly guarding his trenches)
on the right and left of this poft, as to give the enemy a re
ception they did not expeCt.
Early in t'ne morning of the 24th, the enemy made their ap
pearance. And the Indians of our army advanced to fpeak
with the Indians In the French army ; but the latter declining
the conference, the former gave the war-hoop, and the aClion
commenced. The French advanced with great briflcnefs, but
were prefently checked, by the vigorous fire of our troops.
Tbe Indians in the army (who had hitherto ftood fpeClators of
the conteft) got on the enemy's flanks ; and fhe troops advan
cing with Incredible fury, gave the enemy fo briflc a charge with
their bayonets, that they every where gave way, and fled. It
was then that the Indians dlfplayed their talents and courage.
The purfuit was long and bloody. The few that efcaped, owed
their prefervation to the thicknefs of fhe woods. Many were
kifled In fhe battle, and a confiderable number made prifoners,
among whom were M. d'Aubrey, the firft, and M. de Lignery,
the fecond In command ; fhe latter, with feveral others, being
wounded. Itbeing known, that the garrifon entirely relied upon this ar
my for relief ; as foon, therefore, as the troops returned from
the purfuit. Sir Wllllani fent a fummons by the honourable Cap
tain Hervey, to the commanding officer of the fort, to furrender. The

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 269
The Captain bad directions fo let fhe Governor know the fate
of tbeir army, and that they had now no hop^s of relief left.
M. Poiicbot could not credit tbe difcomfifure of their friends •
but, to be certain of it, be fent an officer back with Captain
Hervey, to fee the prifoners whom we bad reported to be in
our poffeffion. They confirmed the account we had given the
Governor of their difafter ; who, having now no profpeCl of
rehef, and our approaches drawing very near the fort, entered
upon terms : and the capitulation, by which he and his garrifon
were allowed fo march out witb the honours of war, and after-
Wards fo be made prifoners, were figned next day, (See Note
140.), and poffeffion taken of tbe place.
If was fortunate the fort furrendered when if did ; for had
the enemy perfevered in their defence, we muft either have
tried fo carry the place by affaulf, or have raifed the fiege, and
recroffed the lake. In the latter cafe, nothing but a favourable
wind could bave preferved the army from ftarving, as their pro
vifions were almoft expended, and they had only a few rounds
of cannon-ftot, and very little powder, left. The garrifon was
fully adequate to the defence of the place. To bave ftormed if,
would bave Coft a great number of lives, and .would bave been
a meafure that nothing but the defperate fituation fhe army was
then in, could have juftified. The garrifon, amounting to fix
hundred and feven men, exclufive of officers,- next day marched
to the fide of the lake, with all the honours of war ; there laid
down their arms; and then embarked on board of veffels,
agreeable to fhe terms of capitulation. The French ladies and
women belonging to tbe garrifon, were, at their own requeft,
fent to Montreal.
In tbe fort were found forty -eight pieces of cannon of differ
ent cafibersj and two mortars, with great ftore of ammunition
and provifions. General Prideaux, and Colonel Johnfon, were
the only officers killed ; and the lofs of private men was very
inconfiderable. How it happened that this armament was fo
poorly equipped at firft, in fuch very material articles as ammu
nition and provifions, has never been cleared up. Perhaps a
further fupply was intended to have followed them ; and con
trary

265 NAVALAND 1759.

tion, to the creek, was a moft laborious piece of work; and
could only be equalled by what fhey had fo perform after they
entered Wood Creek ; as General Webb, when the French
bad taken Ofwego, In 1756, apprehenfive left the enemy might
penetrate to Albany by means of this navigation, bad caufed it
to be choaked up with logs and felled trees, in order to pre
vent their approach, Thefe obftruCtlons General Prideaux had
to remove, before he could reach Ofwego, When Wood
Creek was cleared, the troops embarked, fell down that ftream,
croffed Oneida Lake and rowed down the river Onondago, till
within a few miles of its entrance into lake Ontario, when
fome falls obliged fhe army to difembark, and tranfport their
cannon, ftores, and batteaux, to Ofwego, by the carrying
place. General Prideaux and bis army left SheneClady the 20th of
May ; but if was the 1 ft of July before he failed from Ofwe
go ; at which place lie left Colonel Haldimand, with three
hundred and fifty regulars, a battalion of Provincials, and
fome Indians ; making in all about a thoufand men. Tbe Co
lonel had orders fo rebuild the fort whicb the enemy had de
ftroyed in 1756 ; and, in the mean time, to raife works fo fe
cure his party from any attempt which might be made to dif
lodge them.
Colonel Haldimand Intrenched bis detachment in as fecure
a manner as poffible.- Scarely had he finiffied this neceffary
work, when he was attacked by a very large force of Canadi
ans and Indians, under M. Luc le Come, aided by the Abbe
Piquet, , who had hopes to butcher the whole of this detach-
ment, according to their cuftom of making war. After re
peated attacks, however, M. le Come, and his pious friend,
were repulfed with very confiderable lofs, and obliged to re
tire. Of the two French veffels which efcorted this fcalping-
party acrofs the lake, one of them run aground, and the other
fprung a leak, and funk ; fo that they were both loft fo the
enemy. Even this difafter was of no fmall advantage to us in
the nest campaign, as by it fhe enemy loft a decided fuperi
ority on lake Ontario. The repulfing of M. le Come had fome very

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 267

very beneficial confequences. It prevented the enemy from
making an inroad on the back fettlements under that mercl-
lefs ravager, and preferved the communication witb lake On
tario and General Prideaux's army.
To return fo General Prideaux, and his operations. The
General with bis army croffed lake Ontario, without any ac
cident ; and on tbe 6th of July, arrived at Niagara, where
they landed about fix miles eaftward of the fort, and which,
being fituated on a narrow penlnfula, be foon completely In
vefted. This done, be Inftantly fet about fortifying tbe rear
of bis encampment, fo prevent a furprize. He made a com
munication between the landing place and the river ; carried
on bis approaches to the fort ; and ereCted batteries with all
poffible difpatch, fo ruin fhe defences ofthe place : but if was
the i5fh of July before fhey were opened.
Tbe enemy feemed very fenfible of the importance of Fort
Niagara. They had there placed a ftrong garrifon, well fup
plied In every refpeCt, under a good and a determined officer.
But, not trufting to that alone, they drew all the troops they
could fpare from Detroit, Prefque-Ifle, Venango, and Le
Boeuf. This army was ordered to affemble at the Rapids, on
the eaft fide of Lake Erie, under M. Aubrey, and to march fo
the relief of Niagara. They were to be accompanied, by a large
body of Indians ; and their defign was fo attack tbe befieging
army in fhe rear, whilft the befieged ffiould at the fame time
make a ftrong fortie, and attack the army In front. But fhe
meafures purfued by General Prideaux fruftrated fhe whole
of this plan. Obtaining intelligence of their defign, be eftabliffi
ed a ftrong poft In the rear, and fomewhat to the left of his
camp, upon fhe only road by which fhe enemy could attack
bim ; while he guarded his trenches in fo effeClual a manner,
that the enemy would have found it extremely difficult to force
them. Unfortunately this brave man did not live to reap the
fruits of his labours : be was killed in the trenches on tbe eve
ning of the 1 9tb of July, as he was giving directions for car
rying on fhe works. This melancholy accident happened by
the carelefsnefs of a gunner, wbo, not obferving him, and fir
ing.

272 NAVAL AND 1759.
dians who fided with them, will for ever remain an i'ndelible
ftain upon the charafter of M, de Montcalm, who not only
countenanced thofe bloody and ffiameiful outrages, but even en
couraged themby rewards. A continuance of them, produced
the following order from General Amherft : " No fcouting
" party, or others in the army, are to fcalp women or children
" belonging fo the enemy : they are, if poffible, fo take them
«' prifoners : but not to Injure them on any account : the Gene-
" ral being determined, ffiould the enemy continue to murder
«' women and children, who are fubjeCls of the King of Great
" Britain, fo revenge it by fhe death of two men of the enemy,
" for every woman and child murdered by them." That the
enemy might" not pretend ignorance of his refolutions on this
head, he fent an officer with a flag of truce, fo M. de Bourle-
maque, fhe commanding officer at Ticonderago, with a copy of
the above order. On fhe 1 1 ft of June, fhe army marched from
Fort Edward, and. In tbe evening, reached the banks of Lake
George, and there encamped. General Amherft gave orders
for the immediate ereCtion of a fort there, to be called Fort
George, as a proper place at which to form a magazine ; and
to leave Ih It fuch ftores as were not immediately wanted by the
army. He likewife gave directions to Captain Loring of the
navy, to weigh the Halifax floOp which had been funk laft year ;
ordering, at the fame time. Major Ord of the artillery, fo fu
perlntend the building of a large raft, or radeau, to carry fome
heavy artillery. The General was much retarded in all his
operations, owing to bad roads. When the floop was weighed
up, Captain Loring was ordered to fee all the whale-boats and
craft neceffary for tranfporting the army acrofs tbe Lake, put In
proper order : from the abilities, aClivity and bravery which in
general charaCterife the officers of the Britiffi Navy in the dif-
charge of any important truft committed to their care. General
Amherft conceived hopes, that Captain Loring, confidering how
much the fuccefs of the enterprize depended on a proper exe
cution of the fervice entrufted to him, would have exerted hlm-
Jfelf on tbe prefent emergency : but in this, as well as other In-
ftances, he greatly difappointed the General. On the i6th of
July

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 273
July, thfei iradeau, conftruCled to carry nine twelve poundersi
was launched, and named the Invincible. Every thing having
been reported complete, on the 21ft of July, General Amherft
embarked tbe army ; but in fuch bad condition were many of
tbe boats, that the men and ftores were obliged to be relanded.
When other boats were obtained, they once more embarked;
One of thefe batteaux, having one hundred barrels of gun-pow
der on board, funk immediately, as did likewife a raft with two
ten-inch mortars. Thefe the General did not at prefent at
tempt to weigh, that bis operations might be no longer retar
ded. The army, amounting to near twelve thoufand men, was
ranged in four columns, led by Brigadier- Gerieral Gage, Colo
nels Haviland, Schuyler^ and Lyman,
The General embarked on board the Invintible radeau, from
whence all fignals were to be made. Tbe Halifax floop was
ordered to cruize In fhe rear of tbe whole. The vanguard,
confifting of. Gage's light infantry, preceded tbe army ; and in
the front of the vanguard, was a flat-bottomed boat, in which
was a three-pounder mounted. The army proceeded down fhe
Lake, the men ufing tbeir blankets by way of fails, when thei
wind favoured. About ten o'clock, the army reached tbe firft
Narrows, wben fhe General made fhe fignal to halt, in order
to put tbe different columns in order ; which being done, fhe
army proceeded down the Lake. A little before dark, tbe
weather growing I'lazy, the General made the fignal fo bring-
to. As foon as it was clear day4igbt on tbe morning of the
^2d, fhe fignal was made fo proceed ; and, in a few hours, the
army reacheil the fecond Narrows. The General then making
the fignal to land, the troops immediately pufted for tbe ftore,
and effeCled a landing In the greateft order, near the fpot where
General Abercronibie landed with bis army laft campaign.
The General, after leaving a proper guard to proteCl the
boats, ftores, &c., put the army in motion towards Ticondera
go ; and our vanguard foon fell in with the advanced poft of
the enemy, confifting of four hundred regulars and Indians,
whom they routed in a moment, the Indians not waiting for a
fecond fire. The ground they occupied was near tbe Sawmills^
VOL. ir, s about

274 NAVAL AI<P i7-59'

about two miles from the fort ; and was fo, very ftrong by na
ture, that hud the enemy behayed with cpmmon, refpjutlon,
they might have maintained, their ppft until the caiinon, ^i|ad been
brought up fo diflodge them. Here the General eftabfilhed a
ppiil to preferve his communication with t^ boats j and puft
ed on with the army to'\(irards, the enemy's wofks.
The French had thrown up yery ftrojtg intrenclijcnents on
the ojjly fide, by which the fort CPuld be approached ; and as
fhey had affembled a very ftrong force here, the Geijigra! deter
mined to proceed, with the greateft cauftpn in t^ie attack? The
artillery was ordered to be brought forward with, the ufmofl
difpatch ; but, the roads, having been in a great meafure de^
ftroyed by the enemy, it arrived. very flowly. M. Bourlemaque
perceiving the manner in which General Amherft was. proceed
ing, afid knowing, his lines, could not hpld out againft a, formi
dable artillery, and) regular approaches.; he, on. the 23d> aban
doned; hi? intrenchments, and retired ¦within the fort Sppn
after, he erobarjjedi for Crown Point, leaving a detachment of
four hundred men, tp. defend thg fort. The in-frenchments
being, immediately taken poffeffion of by the grenadiers, of ths
army, the enemy kept up a. warm fire on them from the fort,
with little. efeCb. Every, neceffary ftep was taken fo haften tlie
reduction pf the place.
On. the 25th, the, HonourahLe Lieutenant-Colonel Roger
Townffiendj was unfortunately killed iij the intrenchments.;
and nex.t day the. enemy, blew, up the fort, and retired with the
garrifon to Grown. Point. Tbe General fent fome boats In pur
fuit of the. fugitives, who came up, with a few batteaux laden
with powder, which fl^ey took, and made fixteen men prifoners.
The fort was confiderably damaged by the explofion, yet not
fo much fo, but that the General thought proper to caufe it to
be repaired. The Ipfa in making this conqueft, was only one
Lieutenant-Colonel, one Lieutenant, and fifteen private men
killed ; and. about fifty rank and file wounded.
Every exertion was now. made to get .the batteaux, and whale-
boats into Lake. Champlain, which was a moft laborious piece
of work ; and, while the army, were fo employed, the General having

1759'- MILITARY MEMOIRS. . 2^5
having received tbe raelancholy accounts of the death of Gene
ral Prideaux before fort Niagara, immediately ordered Brigadier
General Gage, to fet out for that place by way of Ofwego, '
and take on him the command ofthe troops there. On the ift
of Auguft, the General received certain intelligence, that the:
enemy had abandoned their poft at Crovifn Point, and had retir
ed down Lake Champlain to tbelfle aux Noix. A detachment
was therefore irhmediately fent fo fake poffeffion or their lines ;
and the General, with tbe bulk of fhe army, arrived there on
the 4th. A new fort was here traced out by Colonel Eyre, and
tbe building oflt was fet about direClly.
But an objeCl of greater Importance attraCted fhe General's
attention, which was, to obtain, if poffible, a fuperior naval
force fo tbe enemy on Lake Champlain. Captain Loring was
ordered fo build a brigantine of fixteen guns at Ticonderago ;
but, information being received, that the* enemy had increafed
their naval force on tbe Lake, fhe General fent for Captain
Loring to Crown Point, on the 1 7th of Auguft, and laid be-
forfe him a ftate of that force. If was then agreed to fet about
building a radeau, to cSrry fix twenty-four pounders ; but the
General learning, that the enemy had launched a floop fo carry
fixteen guns, he again fent for Captain Loring on fhe ift of Sep.
tember, when It was agreed to build a fecond veffel with all
poffible difpatch. All thefe difficulties might have been obvi
ated, if, at the opening of the campaign, a body of carpenters
had been affembled in proper time, as then very little delay
could have enfued to the army in waiting till the veflels were
ready to proceed down the Lake. On fhe 19th, the General
received a fetter of the i ith from General Gage, atqualntlng
him, that from various difficulties whic'h had arifen; he found
it utterly impracticable fo proceed down the river St Lawrence
againft Ifle Royale, near La Galette, On the i ith of OClober,
the brigantine, mounting eighteen guns and twenty fwivels,
and fhe floop, mounting fixteen guns, arrived at Crown Point.
The troops embarked, and, about four in the afternoon, fet
fail down the Lake in four divifions. On the 12th, fome guns
were heard early In the morning, whicli arofe from a part of
s 3 tbe

276 ' NAVAL AND ' 1759.
the 42d regiment having followed the light of the brigantine
inftead ofthe radeau, where the General was; and in fhe mor
ning, they fell In with the enemy's veffels, who fired at them ;
but tiiey were lucky enougli fo make their efcape, except one
boat. In which was a Lieutenant and twenty men. Towards
evening, the wind increafed very much, which obliged fhe Ge-
'jieral fo order tbe batteaux into a commodious bay on the wef
tern ffiore for ffielter : here tbe troops landed, and boiled their
kettles. On fhe 13th, the wind blew fo high and contrary,
that fhe army could not proceed. On fhe 14th, fhe General
received letters from Captain Loring, and from his Aid-de
camp Captain Abercrombie, whom he had fent fo affift fhe
former In finding the enemy's veffels. By .thefe letters, the
General learned, fhaf,-on fhe morning of tbe 1 2tb, being then
about forty-five miles down the Lake, they faw a fchooner be
longing to the enemy, and, in giving chafe to ber, unluckily
both ithe Britiffi veffels ruri aground, . by which the fchooner
efcaped. The Britiffi veffels were got off again ; and foon af
ter, perceiving three of the enemy's flobps which had paffed
in the night between fhem and the army, fhey gave chafe,
forced them into the bay on the weftern ffiore, and came f o an
anchor off the entrance. In fuch a manner, as to prevent the
enemy from efcaping. The day following, Captain Loring
fent two whale boats farther into the bay in fearch of the floops,
who difcovered, that the enemy had abandoned and funk two
of them in five fathom watet ; and fhe third, they had run
aground. The Commander of tne Britiffi floop was then ordered
to try to fave the ftranded veffel, ' and Captain Loring was or
dered to proceed down the lake. In hopes of getting between th^
fchooner and the Ifle aux Noix, and of intercepting ber.
On the I Sth, the wind changing, the army proceeded on
its voyage, and reached the bay, where the French floops were
funk. The ftranded veffel having been got ofl^, artd ready to
fail, the General put two hundred men on board of the three
Britift veffels, to enable Captain Loring to find the enemy's
fchooner. The, froft had been very intenfe every night for
fome time paft, and the rough blowing northerly wind return ing

1759- MILITARYMEMOIRS. 277

ing on tbe 19th, the General found it was vain fo contend any
longer againft thefe elements : as, before be could reach the
Ifle aux Noix, fhe feafon would be fo far advanced, that be
could entertain but little hopes of fuccefs. He therefore re
turned to Crown Point, and gaye orders for completing the
forts there, and at Ticonderago, and for tbe troops to go intp
winter quarters. Thus, from various accidents, was the brave
Wolfe left with his little army to fight bis vjray, unfupported
by either of tbe two other armies, through innumerable dif
ficulties and dangers, and from which alone fhey were extri
cated by tbe extraordinary fldll and prudence of their General.
As we bave already mentioned thaf the fourth and moft
important expedition in this campalj^n, was the one deftined
againft Quebec, (See Note 142,) we will now proceed to give
a full account of that moft glorious conqueft. The Minifter,
ever aCluated by a regard for fhe public, and fufficiently aware
of tbe importance of the enterprize, refolyed to (eleCl a GencT
ral to conduCl- it, on whofe abilities he could depend. The
fame which Brigadier-General James Wolfe had acquired at
the fiege of Louiffiurg, pointed him out fo the Secretary of State
as a proper perfon on whom to beftow the command of the
land-forces deftined for this fervice. In this fele<^}Qn, Mr
Pitt regarded- merit alone, as the General wa? not indebted
either to family or cpnneClIons who could aid him In the at
tainment of fuch an honour. But the Minifter clearly per
ceived the great profeffional knowledge of General Wolfe ;
and thaf, from the immenfe refources which he obferved him
to poffefs, he was every way equal fo the great truft repofed
in him. And it muft be owned that the Minifter was not de
ceived ; as, in his line, few have equalled him in the Britiffi
fervice, and none have furpaffed bim. General Wolfe was
too much mafter of his profeffion, not to fee cleariy, that the
forces allotted for the fervice be was going upon, were by no
means "equal to fhe many arduous taflcs he would neceffarlly
have to perform. He embarked, however, with cheerfulnefs ;
the Minifter affuring him, that the expedition under General
Prideaux would make a powerful diverfion in his favour on
s 'i the

278 NAVALAND 1759.
the fide of Montreal ; and from the very great force which
the Commander in chief bad referved to aCl under bimfelf, it
was not to be doubted, but that he would have it in bis power
to co-operate with him, by the time be could be able to lay
fiegeto Quebec.
He had under him Brigadier- Generals Monckton, Town
ffiend, and Murray, all of npble families, and who fecpnded
General Wolfe in all his operations, with great judgrnent, cou
rage, and conduCl. General Wolfe made choice of the »Staff-
Officers that were to ad under him ; and in this,- be ffiewed
great difcernment. All of them fully anfwered bis expeCta-.
tions on this arduous enterprize, which proved the means of
pointing out fome noble officers, whp have fince rendered
great and important fervlces to their country. (See Note 142.)
The troops allotted for this fervice, cpnfifted of ten battalions
of infantry, three companies .of grenadiers, and forne compar
nies of artillery and rangers, making in all, about nine fboiiT
fand twck hundred men.
The command of the fleet, by far the moft confiderable part
of fhe force deftined. againft Quebec, wa! entrufted to Vice-
Admiral Saunders, haying under him Rear-Admirals Durell
and Holmfes. The fleet confifted of twenty fail of the line,
(See Note 142.) and near as many frigates, befides floops,
bomb ketches, fire ftips, and armed veflels. Rear-Admiral
Durell, vi'ho commanded his Majefty's ftips In North Ameri
ca, having wintered his fquadron at Halifax In Nova Scotia ;
the moment the feafon would permit, entered the river St
La-wrence, in order to intercept any fupplies coming for the
city of Quebec. He took feveral ftore-ftlps : but, fome days
before he got into the river, a fleet of feventeen fail, with
ftores, having fome few troops on board, reached Quebec-. He
got as far up, by the 23d of May, as the Ifle de Bee. - On his
arrival in the river, he hoifted French colours ; and as the in
habitants had been made to' believe they might rely on a fleet
from France in the fpring, a number of pilots went on board,
where they were detained by the Admiral's order, and after-
.war4s proved of very great fervice in navigating the fleet underVjce-

[759- MILITARYMEMOIRS.' 279

Vice-Admiral Saunders up the river. Rear-Admiral Holmes
was difpatched, early in the yfear from England to Halifax, to
haften matters as Wiucb as poffible; and on the 17th of Fe
bruary, Vice-Admiral Saunders, with General Wolfe, failed
from Spithead for Louiffiurg, which was appointed the general
rendezvous for the fleet and troops. 'On his atrival however
off that port, he found it fo choaked up with ice, that there
was no poffibility of entering it : be was therefore conftrained
to bear away with his fleet- for Halifax,
The commanders of each department exerted themfelves in
getting every tbing ready for the expedition ; and as foon as
the tranfports arrived, the troops were embarked. Generai
Wolfe iffued fuch dear and diftinCl orders to his army on this
occafion, as would have done honour to the moft experienced
commander. He feerned fO have gained the hearts of his
whole army, by whom he was ip entirely beloved that they
repofed the greateft confidence In hira, and felt fhemfelves
happy, even in the midft of dangers, wbefi he was near fhem.
Every thing being now ready, the VIcerAdmiral, with fhe
men of war and tranfports, left. Halifax and failed for Louif
burg ; where they were joined by fome regiments in garrifon
there, and by pthers from fbt bay of Fundy. The fleet began
to leave Louiffiurg the ift of June ; but It was on the 6th be
fore the whole was clear of that . barbom-. Admiral Saunders
baying iffued the neceffary orders fo ,each ftip, with fignals,
and arranged this immenfe fleet into proper divifions, made
fail on tbe evening of the 6th for the gulph of St Lawrence.
On the 23d of June, the whole fleet got up as far as the ifland
of Coudre : here they found Rear-Adpiirgl Durell and his
fleet ; who^ from the time of his arrival, had prevented any
fupplies from reaching Quebec by rneans of the river;" Hav
ing furnilhed the Vice-Admiral with a number of excellent pi
lots, his fquadron was augmented with feyeral large ffiips, and
ordered to remain here, effeClually to prevent the enemy from
interrupting the fiege on this fide. Admiral Saiinders now
holfled his flag on board the Stirliflg Caftle ; and, having,
with the remainder of the men of war, and the army, pro-
s 4 . ceeded

a8o NAVALAND i7S9»
ceeded up the river, be, on tbe a6tb of June, anchored in the
gulph of St Lawrence, off the ifland of Orleans.
We ftall now give an account of the difpofitions made by
the enemy to repel fo formidable an invafion as at prefent
threatened the capital of Canada. M. de Montcalm took eve
ry meafure which an able and experienced General could, to
defend bis country, and to defeat fhe enterprize. Not truft
ing alone to the dangerous navigation of the river, with whofe
intricacies we were In a great meafure unacquainted, to retard
the approach of the fleet ; all the buoys in tbe traverfe were
ordered fobe taken up ; and whatever elfe could afford us afr
fiftance In the navigation of fhe river, was ordered to be deftroy
ed. But that dangerous paffage had been fo well explored by
Admiral Durell, that the whole fleet got through w^Ifhout any
lofs. The inhabitants of the village of St Paul's, and St Jo-
feph, fituated a little above the ifland of Coudre, were fo very
imprudent, as fo fire at one of our founding boats, for which
- they paid dearly afterwards. From the time that Admiral
Durell appeared In the river, the Marquis de Mpn^calm had
repaired to Quebec, with fix battalipns of regular troops ; a
large ^body of favages, and bad armed all the Canadians. As
the whole north ftore of the river St Lawrence, for many
leagues above Quebec, to many leagues below it, is very bold,
with few acceffable places ; he lined it with troops, and for
tified thofe places which nature had left unguarded', in fuch a
manner, as to all appearance rendered a defcent at them im
practicable. Tbe main body of bis army, amounting at leaft
to fourteen thoufand men, he encamped at Beauport near Que
bec, in a moft advantageous fituation, and had thrown up very
ftrong works In its front, from the river St Cl)arles, to the
falls of Montmorenci. He armed two hulks with eight guns
each, in the river St Charles, to defend a bridge of communi
cation whicb be had thrown acrofs thaf river, between his camp
and the town of Quebec ; the extremities of which he had like-
wife fecured by very ftrong works.
The plan of fhe enemy's operations, was to aCl entirely upon
the defenfive. M. de Vaudreuil was the Governor- General of

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 281

of the Province ; and M. de Montcalm was Commander in
Chief of the Land Forces. The former being a Cafctain in
tbe navy, knew very little of military matters ; between whom
and M, de Montcalm there was not a tborough good under
ftanding ; confequently they were feldom of the fame opinion
in council. Tbe French General readily judged from whence
our operations were likely to begin againft fhe city of Quebec ;
and propofed, in a Council of war, that a detachment of four
thoufand men, with a proper train of artillery, ftould be
ftrongly intrenched at Point Levi ; and thaf other works ftould
be conftruCled higher up the country, at certain diftances, for
tbe troops to retire to, in cafe their works at fhe Point ftould
be forced. But M. de Vaudreuil over-ruled this moft excel
lent plan, and, infifted; that though we migbt demolift fome
houfes in the city of Quebec with our ftells, we could not
bring our cannon to bear upon the city, acrofs tbe river, fo as
to injure the defences of fhe place : it was therefore his firm
opinion, thaf it was their duty fo ftand upon fhe defenfive
v/ifh their whole force on the north fide of the bafon, and not
to divide it on any account whatever. To this plan, M. de
Montcalm was obliged to conform ; and he made no detach
ments from bis army, but fuch as were abfolutely neceffary
from the different movements made by General Wolfe.
M. de Montcalm arranged his army into three grand divJ-
fions. The right was commanded by Brigadier-General Ba
ron de St Oiirs ; the centre by Brigadier-General M. de Sene-
fergues ; and the left by M. Herbln. The defence of the city
of Quebec was entrufted to M. de Ramefay, the King's Lieu
tenant, with a garrifon of feven or eight hundred men*. In
this pofition fhey waited our approach.
On the 27th of June, the whole army landed on fhe Ifland
of Orleans, near the church of St Lawrence, and encamped in
one line, about a mile and a half from fhe fliore. The Gene
ral then went, with the chief engineer, under a proper efcort,
to the weft end of the ifland, fo reconnoitre fhe enemy's fitu
ation. He perceived them encampted and ftrongly intrenched, their
* Al! their nival matters were under the direftioc of M. de '^'auguelin.

282 NAVAL AND 1759*
their works being defended by a numerous artillery. Their
right extended.to the river St Charles, and their left towards
the cataraCl of Montmorenci, with the village of Beauport ih
the centre of their camp, and that of Charlebourg in the rear
of their right. In the afternoon of this day^ a dreadful ftorm
of wind and rain came on, which did mUch damage to fhe
tranfports and boats. Towards night, the weather became
more moderate ; when the Admiral was enabled fo place his
fleet in a proper manner, and fo take evety precaution fo pre
vent it from being hurt by fhe enemy's fire-ftips. To enable
the feamen to undergo the* neceffary fatigues of fhe fiege, the
Vice-Admiral ordered a Lieutenant and one hundred feamen
from each of the line-of-battle ftips under Rear-Admiral
Durell/ and diftributed them on board of the ftips that were
along with himfelf.
On the 28th at midnight, fhe enemy fenf.down feven fife-
ftips and two rafts, to deftroy out fleet. As fhey drew near
the Britift ftips, fhe enemy fired fuch cannon as they had on
board, and fet fire fo the veffels. Their appearance was Very
formidable ; being In the proper channel for the fleet, and the
tide driving them along. Our gallant feamen, however, grap'r
pled thefe infernal machines, and towed them clear of the
fleet, fome of them fo fhe fouth ftore, and others to fhe weft
end of the ifland of Orleans, where they were foon confumedt
The Vice-Admiral was defirous to move fome large ftips
and frigates into the bafon of Quebec : but, conjeCluring that
fhe enemy had a confiderable force, with cannon and mor
tars on Point Levi, which might incommode him in this
operation, he made General Wolfe acquainted with his fuf
picions ; who immediately ordered Brigadier- General Monck
ton, with his brigade, fo embark on board of flat-bottomed
boats, and fo land near Point Levi; which be did in fhe
night between the 29fh and 3 oth. His light troops drove off
fome irregulars of the enemy ; killed feven of their men, and
raade five prifoners. The Brigadier took poft near Beaumont,
where he intrenched himfelf; fixing to the door of a church,
at fome little diftance, a tranflation of a manlfefto, which Ge.

1759. ¦ MILITARY MEMOIRS. 283
General WoUe had publifted as foon as he landed on the
ifland Qf Orleans (See Note 142-), that the enemy might
know both what they had to hope, ahd what f o fear.
General Mon,ckton having called In bis detached parties,
marched from Beaumont to Point Levi, and there took poft,
but found nio batteries or works. The enemy endeavoured to
diflodge General Monckton from this ^oft ; for which purpofe,
as foon as the tide feryed, they fent down from Quebec, on
the morning of the ift of July, three floating batteries, viz.
one of two guns, tbe others of one gun each ; witb which
they cannonaded fhe pofts occupied by the Britift troops for
an hour and a half. In order to remove them, the Vice-Ad
miral ordered the Trent frigate, the moment the fide would
admit of it, to work up and drive off the enemy. This fer
vice Captain Lindfay performed with the greateft alacrity,
and eonnpelled the gun-boats, after a few broadfides, to retreat.
General Wolfe alfo croffed the river with a reinforcement of
troops and artillery ; and a battery was immediately ereCled
to prevent the like infulfs in future. The Vice-Admiral alfo
worked higher up with fome of fhe large ftips, placing frigates
ahead of them.
Every night, a number of large boats, well manned, were
moored a confiderable way ahead of fhe frigates, with ftriCl
orders . to keep a ftarp look out, and to be ready to grapple
any fi*e-ftips or rafts the enemy might fend down againft fhe
fleet. Colonel Carleton likewife took poft at the weft end of
tbe ifland of Orleans, and ereCled works there for the defence
of tbe hofpltal, ftores, &c. The enemy feeing the ftips ap
proach fo near, and fear that they might pafs the town in the
jnight, and get into tbe upper river ; they therefore ordered
what ftips, fhey had (See Note 142.) to Batifcan, a place a-
bout twenty leagues above Quebec ; but kept fhe greateft part
of their crews to affift in working, their artillery. General
Wolfe, after having viewed the. poft at Point Levi, and its
environs, marked out the ground whereon to ereCl batteries
for cannonading Quebec acrofs the river. He next returned to
tbe ifland of Orleans, where, having completed the works, he

284 NAVAL AND 1759.
embarked the army on the 9fh of July ; and, very early in the
morning, made a defcent on the north ftore, below the falls
of Montmorenci, under cover of the Porcupine floop, and
Bofcawen armed ftip.
That General Wolfe might be enabled tp carry as many
troops with him as poffible. Admiral Saunders ordered all the
marines of the fquadron to be landed on the ifland of Orleans,
under the command of Major Hardy, of the fixty-fecond regi
ment of foot, with orders to do duty there, and to occupy all
the pofts that the General had eftabliffied. But a more clear
and dlftinCl account cartnot be had of this part of the opera-r
tions of the campaign, than that which is given by Mr Wolfe,
in his letter of the 2d of September, to Mr Secretary Pitt. The
military talents he here dlfplayed, juftly rank him among fhe
firft of bis profeffion ; and his language is fuch, as entitles him
to no inconfiderable place in the republic of letters. For the
reader's fatisfaClIon, we here infert a 9opy of If.
" Head quarters at Monmorenci, in the river
" St Lawrence, September ^d 1759.
" Sir,
" I wiffi I could, upon this occafion, have the honour of
" tranfmltting to you a more favourable account of the progrefs
" of his Majefty's arms ; but the obftacles we have met with in
" the operations of the campaign, are much greater than we had
" reafon to expeCt, or could forefee ; not fo mucb from the
" number of the enemy, (though fuperior to us), as from the
*' natural ftrength of the country, which the Marquis de Mont-
" calm feems wifely to depend upon.
«« When I learned that fuccours of all kinds bad been thrown
" into Quebec ; that five battalions-of regular troops, complet-
" ed frorri the beft of the Inhabitants of the country, fome of
" the troops of the colony, and every Canadian thaf was able to
" bear arms, befides feveral nations of favages, had taken fhe
« field In a very advantageous fituation ; I could not flatter my-
« felf that I ffiould be able to reduce the place. I fought, bow-
>' ever, an pccafipn to attack their army, knowing, that with
thefe

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 285

*' thefe troops, I was able fo fight, and that a viClory might dif-
" perfe tbem.
" We found them encamped along the ffiore of Beauport,
" from fhe river Sf Charles to fhe falls of Montmorenci ; and
" intrenched In every acceffible part. The 27tb of June, we
*' landed upon fhe Ifle of Orleans ; but, receiving a meffage
" from the Admiral, that there was reafon to think that the
" enemy bad artillery, and a force .upon the Point of. Levi, I
" detached Brigadier Monckton, with four battalions, fo drive
" them from thence. He paffed the 29tb at night, and march-
" ed the next day to the Point ; he obliged the enemy's irregu-
" lars to retire, and poffeffed himfelf of that poft ; tbe advan-
" ced parties upon this occafion had two or three fklrmiffies
" with thS Canadians and Indians, with little lofs on either
" fide. " Colonel Carleton marched, witb a detachment to the weft-
" ermoft point of fhe Ifle of Orleans, from whence our opera-
" tions were likely to begin.
*' It was abfolutely neceffary to poffefs thefe two points, and
*' fortify tbem, as, from either the one or the other the enemy
" might make it impoffible for any ffiip to lie in the bafon of
" Quebec, or even within two miles of If.
" Batteries of cannon and mortars were ereCled -with great
" difpatch on the Point of Levi, to bombard tbe town and ma-
" gazines, and injure fhe works and batteries : tbe enemy per-
•* ceiving thefe works in fome forwardnefs, paffed fhe river with
«' fixteen hundred men to attack and deftroy fhem. Unluckily
" they fell into confufion, fired upon one another, and went
" back again; by which we loft an opportunity of defeating
•' this large detachment. The effeCl of this artillery has been
" fo great (though acrofs tbe river) that the upper town is con-
• ' fiderably damaged, and fhe lower town entirely deftroyed.
" Tbe works for tbe fecurlty of our hofpitals and ftores ori
" the Ifle of Orleans being finiffied, on tbe 9fh of July, at night,
" we paffed the north channel, and encamped near the enemy's
*' left, the river Montmorenci between us. The next morning
" Captain Dank's company of rangers, pofted in a Wood to
*' cover

286 NAVALAND i759-
" cover fome workmen, were attacked and defeated by a body
'< of Indians, and had fo many killed and wounded, as to be al-
" moft difabled for the reft ofthe campaign. The enemy alfo
«' fuffered in this affair, and were in their turn driven off by fhe
" neareft troops.
" The ground; fo the eaftward of fhe falls, feemed to be (as
" it really, is) higher than that on the enemy's fide, and fo com-
" mand it In a manner which might be made ufeful to us. There
" Is befides a ford below the falls, which may be pafled for
'• fome hours in fhe latter part of the ebb and fhe beginning of
" the flood-.tlde: and I had hopes, that poffibly means mightbe
•' found of paffing the river above, fo as to fight M. Montcalm
•' upon terms of lefs dlfadvantage than direClly attacking his in-
*' frenohments. In reconnoitring fhe river Montmorenci, we
•' found if fordable at a place about three miles up ; but the op-
«• pofite bank was intrenched, and fo fteep and woody, that It
*' was to no purpofe to attempt a paffage there. The efcort
•« was twice attacked by the Indiaris, who -were as often repul-
«' fed ; but. In thefe rencounters, we bad forty (officers and
" men) killed and wounded,
" On the 1 8th of July, two men of war, two armed floops,
•' and two tranfports with fome troops on board, paffed by the
" town without any lofs, and got info the upper river. This
" enabled me to reconnoitre the country above ; where I found
'' the fame attention on fhe enemy's fide, and great difficulties
«' on ours, arifing from the nature of the ground, and the ob^
" ftacles to our communication with the fleet. But what I
'< feared mpft, was, that if we ffiould land between the town
*' and the river Cape Rouge, the body firft landied, could not be
" reinforced before they were attacked by the enemy's whole
" army. " Notwithftanding of thefe difficulties, Ithought once of at-
*' tempting It at St Michael's, about three miles above fhe town;
" but, perceiving that the enemy, jealous of the defign, were
" preparing againft it, and had aClually brought artillery and
"a mortar, (which, being fo near Quebec, they could In-
•' creafe as they pleafed), to play upon the flilpping ; and as It
«« muft

175&- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 287

" muft have been many hours before we could attack them,
*' (even fuppofing a. favourable night for the boats fo pafs Vy the
" tpwri.' uphurt), if feetriedj fp hazardous, that I thought it beft
" to defift.
"- However, tp divide the enemy's force, and to draw their
" attention, as high up the river as poffible, and to procure fome
•' intelligence ; I fent a detachment, under the command of
'• Colonel Carleton, to land at Point de Trempe, to attack
•' whatever be might find there, bring off fome prifoners, and
'¦• all. the ufeful. papers he could get. I bad been informed,
"tjiat a, nua?ibe35 of the inhabitants of Quebec b*d retired, to
*' thaf place,, and that probably we ffiould find a magazine of
•• prpivifions there.
" The Colonel was fired, upon by a body of Indians therao-
" ment he landed, but they were foon difperfed, and' driven In-
" to the woods : he fearched for magazines, but to no purpofe,
" brought off fpme prifon¬ers, and returned with little lofs.
" Afff r this bufinefs, I came back fo Montmorenci, where I
" found that Brigac^er Townffiend had, by fuperior fire, pre-
" vented; the French frpm ereCteing a battery on the bank ofthe
" river, from whence fhey intended- fo have- cannonaded our
•' camp.. I now refolved to fake fhe firft opportunity which
" prefented itfelf, of attacking the enemy, though pofted to
"great ::^dvantage,.and every where prepared fo receive us.
" As fhe men of war cannot,, for want of a fufficient depth of
" water, cpme near enough to the enemy's intrenchments, to
•' annoy them in tbe leaft, the Admiral had prepared two tranf-
•' ports (drawing but little water), whicb upon occafion could
" be run aground fo favour a defcent. With the help of thefe
•' veffels, which I underftood would be carried by the tide clofe
" to fhe ffiore, I propofed to make myfelf mafter of a detached
" redoubt near to, the water's edge, and whofe fituation appear-
" ed to be out of mulkef ftot ofthe intrenchment upon the hill:
«' if tbe enemy fupported this detached place, if would necef-
". farily bring on an engagement, what we moft wifted-for;
" and if not,. I ftould have it in my power to examine their
" fituation, fo as to be able to determine where we could beft-
" attack

288 NAVALAND 1759.
*' attack them. Preparations were accordingly made for an
*« engagement. The 3 ift of July In the forenoon, the boats of
" the fleet were filled with grenadiers, arid a part of General
•' Monckton's brigade from Point Levi : fhe two brigades un-
•• der Brigadiers Townffiend and Murray, were ordered to he in
" readinefs to pafs fhe ford, when it ffiould be found neceffary.
" To facilitate the paffage of this corps, fhe Admiral had placed
•' the Centurion in the channel, fo that ffie might check the fire
" of the' lower battery wbich commanded the ford : this ffiip
" was of great ufe, as her fire was Judicioufly direCled. A
" quantity of artillery was placed upon the eminence, fo ai to
" batter and enfilade fhe left of their entrenchments.
" From fhe veffel which run aground neareft in, I obferved
*' that fhe redPubt was too much commanded to be kept with-
*' out great lofs; and the more, as the armed ffiips could not be
** brought near enough to cover It both with their artillery and
•' mulketry, which at firft I conceived they might. But as the
'• enemy feemed in fome confufion, and as we were prepared
" for aftlon, I thought it a proper time to make an attempt
*' upon their intrenchments. Orders were fent to the Briga-
*' dier-Generals fo be ready with the corps under their com-
" mand ; Brigadier Monckton to land, and Brigadiers Townffiend
" and Murray, fo pafs the ford.
" At a proper time of tide the fignal was made; but, rowing
" towards the ffiore, many of the boats grounded on a ledge,
" that runs off a confiderable diftance. This accident put us
" into fome dlforder, loft a great deal of time, and obliged me
" to fend an officer to ftop Brigadier Townftend's march, whom
" I then obferved to be in motion. While fhe, feamen were
" getting the boats off, the enemy fired a number of ftells and
" fliot, but did no confiderable damage. As foon as this difor-
" der could be a little put to rights, and fhe boats were ranged
«' in a proper manner, fome of the officers of the navy went In
" with me fp find a better place to land: we took one flat-bot-
«' tomed boat with us fo make the experiment, aiid as foon as we
" found a fit part of the ftore, the troops were ordered fo dlf-
" embark, thinking it not yet too late for the attempt, " The

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. iS'g

" Tbe tbirfecn companies of grenadiers, and two hundred
." of the fecond Royal American battalion, got firft on ftore.
" The greriadiers were ordered to form themfelves into four
" diftinCl bodies,^artd to begin the attack, fupported by Briga-
*' dier Monckto^i's corps, as foon as the troops had paffed the
«' ford, and were at band to affift. But, whether from the
" noife and hurry at landing, or frOm fome other caufe, tbe
" grenadiers, inftead pf fprming themfelves as they were dlrec-
" ted, run on impetuoufly towards tbe enemy's intrenchments,
" inthe utmoft diforder and confufion, witbout Waiting for fhe
"corps that were to fuftain tbem and join in tbe attack. Bri-
" gadier Monckton was not landed, and -Brigadier Townftend
"was at a confiderable diftartce, though upon his march to
" join us, in very great order. The grenadier^ Were checked
" by tbe enemy's firft fire, and obliged to ftelter themfelves In
•< and about tbe redoubt, which the French abandoned at their
" approach. In tbis fituation fhey continued fOr fome time, un-
" able fo form under fo hot a fire ; and halving many gallant
" officers wounded, who (carelefs of their perfons) had been
" folely intent upon (heir duty, I faw the abfolute neceffity of
" calling them off, that they might form themfelves under Bri-
" gadier Monckton's corps, which was now landed, and drawn
*' up on fhe beach in extreme good drderj
" By this accident, and this fecond delay, it was near night ;
" a fevere ftorm came on, artd the tide began to make ; fo that
" I thought it moft advifeable, not tb perfevere in fo difficult an
" attack, left, in cafe of a repulfe, the retreat of Brigadier
" Townftend's corps might be hazardous arid lincertain,
" Our artillery had a great effeCl upon tbe enemy's left,'
" where Brigadiers Townffiend and Murray -^i^ere to have af-
" tapked ; and It is probable, that, if thofe accidents I have
" fpoken of had not happened, we ffiould have penetrated fbercj
" whilft our left and centre (more remote from our artillery)
*' muft bave bore all the violence of the muflkefry.
?? The French did not attempt to interrupt our march.—
*•« Some of tbeir favages came down to murder fuch wounded
VOL. II.- T its

29© NAVALAND 1759.
" as could not be brought off, and to fcalp the dead, as their
" cufttom is.
" Tbe place where the attack was intended, bad thefe ad-
" vantages over all others hereabout. Our artillery could be
" brought I into ufe ; fhe greateft part, or even the whole of the
" troops, might aCl at once ; and the retreat, in cafe of a repulfe,
" was fecure, at leaft for a certain time of the fide. Neither
" one or other of thefe advantages can any where elfe be found.
" The beach upori which the troops were drawn up, was of
" deep mud, with boles, antf cut by feveral gullies ; the bill to
" be afcended very fteep, and not every where praClicable ; the
" enemy numerous In their intrenchments, and the fire hot If
" fhe attack had fucceeded, our lofs muft certainly have been
?' great ; and theirs Inconfiderable, from the ffielter which the
"neighbouring woods afforded them. Tbe river St Charles
" ftill remained to be paffed, before fhe town was invefted.
" AH thefe circumftances I confidered ; but the defire to aCl In
" conformity to tbe King's intentions, induced me to make this
" trial, perfuaded that a viClotious army find no difilculties.
" Immediately after this check, I fent Brigadier Murray a-
" bove the town, with twelve hundred men, direCling him to
" affift Rear-Admiral Holmes in the deftruClion of the French
" ffiips, if they could be got at, (See Note 142.) in order to
" open a communication with General Amherft. The Brlga-
" dier was to feek every favourable opportunity of fighting
" fome of the enemy's detachments, provided be could do it
"upon tolerable terms ; and ufe all the means in his power to
" provoke them fo attack him. He made two different at-
" tempts to land upon tbe north ftore, without fuccefs ; but in
" a third yffas more fortunate. He landed unexpeCledly at de
" Chambaud, and burnt a magazine there; irt which were fome
" provifions, fome ammunition, and all tbe fpare ftores, clotb-
" ing, arms, and baggage of their army.
" The prifoners he took. Informed him of the furrender of
" tbe Fort of Niagara ; and we difcovered by intercepted let-
" ters, that the enemy had abandoned Carillon and Crown
« Point, were retired to the Ifle aux Noix, and that General
" Amherft

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. Spx
*' Amherfl: was maiking preparations to pafs tbe Lake Cbam-
" plain, to fall upon M. BourlemaqUe's corps, which confifts o£
" three battalions of foot, and as many Canadians as make tbe
" whole aQiiount to three thoufand men.
" The Admiral's difpatches and mine would have gone eight
" or ten days fooner, if I bad not been pf evented from writing
" by a fever. I found myfelf fo ill, and am ftill fo weak, that
" I begged the General-Officers to confult together for tbe pub-
•* lie utility. They were all of opinion, that as more ftips and
" provifions have now^ got above the tovim, they ftoidd try,
" by conveying up a Corps of four or five thoufand men,
«' (wbich is nearly die whole ftrength of the army, after the
" points of Levi and Orleans ate left In a proper ftate of de-
" fence), to draw tbe enemy from their prefent fituation, and
" bring them to an aClion. I have acquiefced in their propofal*
" and we are preparing to put it in execution.
" Tbe Admiral and I have examined tbe town, with a vie*
" to a general affault ; but, after confulting witb tbe chief en*
" gineer, who is well acquainted with tbe interior parts of it,
" and after viewing^it with tbe utmoft attention, we found, that
" though the batteries of tbe lower town migbt be eafily filen-
" ced by tbe men of war, yet tbe bufinefs of an affaulf would
•« be but little advanced by that, fince the few paffages that lead
" from tbe lower to fhe upper town are carefully intrenched ;
** and tbe Upper batteries cannot be affeCied by the ftips, wbich
" muft receive confiderable damage from tbem, and from tbe
" mortars. The Admiral would readily join in this, or in any
*' other meafures for the public fervice ; but I could not pro-
" pofe to bim an Undertaking of fo dangerous a nature, and
•* promifing fo little fuccefs.
" To the uncommon ftrength of tbe Country, tbe enemy have
" added (for tbe defence of the river) a great number of float-
" ing batteries and boats. By the vigilance of thefe, and the
" Indians round our different pofts, it has been imppflible to
" execute any thing by furprize. We bave had almoft daily
" flclrmiftes with thefe favages, in which they are generally de*
" feafed, but without lofs on our fide.
T 2 "By

S9t NAVALAJJD 1759.
" By the lift of difabled officers, (many of whom are of rank)
" you may perceive. Sir, that tbe army is much weakened. By
" the nature of the river, the moft formidable part of this ar-
" mamerit Is deprived of fhe power of aCling, yet we have al-
" moft the whole force of Canada to oppofe. In this fituation,
" there Is fuch a choice of difficulties, that I own myfelf at a
« lofs liow fo determine. The affairs of Great Britain, I know,
" require fhe moft vigorous meafures ; but then the courage of
" a han4ful of brave men ftould be exerted only where there is
." fome hope of a favourable event. However, you may be af-
" fured. Sir, that the fmall part of the campaign that remains,
" ftall be employed (as far as I am able) for the honour of his
" Majefty, and the intereft of the nation. In which I am fure of
" being well feconded by fhe Admiral and by the Generals ;
" happy if our efforts here can contribute to the fuccefs of his
" Majefty's arms in any other parts of America. I have the
«* honour to be, with the greateft refpeCl,
" Sir, " Your moft obedient, and
" Moft humble fervant,
" Ja. Wolfe."
As the letter TH^hicb Vice-Admiral Saunders wrote to Mr Se
cretary Pitt on this occafion, forms a moft excellent fupplement
to the mafterly letter of General Wolfcj and gives an able and
diftlnd detail of the operations which fell to fhe lot of the Navy
in this arduous enterprize, we beg leave to infert it likewife.
" Stirling Caftle, off Point Levi, in the river
" ht LaHxirehce, September ^ih, 1759.
"SiA,
" In my letter of Jurie 6th, I acquainted you I was then off
" Scutari, ftanding for the river St Lawrence. On the 26tb, I
" got rip \S^itb the firft divifion ofthe fleet and tranfports, as far
" as the middle ofthe Ifle of Orleans, where I immediately pre-
" pared fo land the troops, which I did the next morning. The
" fame day, the fecOnd and third divifions came up, and the
«' troops from them yrere landed likewife. " I got

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 293
« I got thus far without any lofs or accident whatever ; biit,
" direClly after landing tbe troops, a very hard gale of wind
" came on, by whicb many anchors and fmall boats were loft,
•* and much damage received among the tranfports by their
*' driving on board each other. The ftips that loft moft an-
?* chors, I fupplied from the men of war, as far as I was able,
«« and, in other refpeCls, gave them the beft affiftanee in my
" power. " On the 28th, at midnight, the enemy fent down frora
« Quebec feven fire-ftips ; and though our ftips and franfporrs
« were'fo numerous, and neceffarlly fpread fo great 3 part of
*' the chatitiel, we towed them all clear and aground, w ithout
•* receiving the leaft damage from them, fhe next night Ge-
" ral Monckton croffed tbe river^ and landed with his brigade
** on the fouth ftdre, and took poft at Point Levi ; and Gene-
•* ral Wolfe took his on the weftermoft ppint of the ifle of
*? Orleans. " On the ift of July, I moved up between tbe points of
«' Orleans and'Levi ; and it being refolved to land on the north
" ftore, below the falls of Montmorenci, I placed, on tbe Sth,
" his Majefty's floop the Porcupine, -and tbe Bofcawen armed
" veffel, in the channel between Orleans and the north ftore,
« to cover the landing, which took place that night.
" On tbe i7tb, I ordered Captain Rous ofthe Sutherland,
" to proceed, with the firft fair wind and night tide, above
•' the town of Quebec, and to take with him bis Majefty's
" ftips Diana and Squirrel, ¦wdth two armed floops, and two
" cats armed, and loaded witb provifions. On the 1 8tb at
" night, they all got up, except the Diana, and gave General
*• Wolfe an opportunity of reconnoitring above tbe town ;
*' thofe ftips having carried fome troops with them for that
'« purpofe. The Diana run aftore upon the rocks off Point
" Levi ; and received fo much damage, that 1 have fent her
" to Bofton with twenty-feven fail of American tranfports,
*' (thofe which received moft damage in the gale of the.27tb),
*' where they are to be difcharged; and the Diana, having re-
*' paired her damage, is to proceed to England, taking with
T 3 her

S94 NAVALAND 1759.
« her tbe maft IhJps, and what trade may be ready to accompa-
** ny her.
" On the 28tb, at midnight, the enemy fent down a raft of
*' fire-ftages, of near a hundred radeaux, which fucceeded no
*• better than their fire-ftips.
" On the 31 ft. General Wolfe determined to land a num-
*• ber of troops above tbe falls of Montmorenci, in order to
*' attack the enemy's lines ; to cover which, I placed the Cen-
« turion in the channel between the ifle of Orleans and tbe
*« fallsi and ran on ftore, at high water, two cats wbich I
*• had armed for tbe purpofe, againft two fmall batteries and
" two redoubts, where our troops were to land. About fix in
" the evening fhey landed ; but the General not thinking it
*• proper to perfevere in the attack, foon after part of them re*
" embarked, and tbe reft croffed the falls with General Wolfe;
*' upon which, to prevent tbe two cats from falling into tbe
«• enemy's bands (they being dry on ftore) I gave orders to
*' take the men out, and fet them on fire ; which was accor-
** ingly done.
" On the 5th of Auguft, in the night, I fent twenty flat-
«f boats up the river, to the Sutherland, to embark twelve hun-
" dred and fixty of the troops, with Brigadier- General Mur-
«* ray, from a poft we bad taken on the feuth fliore. I fent
** Admiral Holmes up to the Sutherland, to aCl in concert
*« with bim, and to give all the affiftanee the ftips and boats
" could afford. At the fame time^ I direCled Admiral Holmes
« to ufe his beft endeavours to get at, and deftroy the ene-
** my's ftips above tbe town ; and to that purpofe I ordered
« the Loweftoffe, and Hunter floop, with two armed floops and
*' two cats and provifions, to pafs Quebec, and join tbe Su-
"therland: but the wind blowing wefteriy, it was the 27fh
« of Auguft before they got up, which was tbe fourth attempt
?' they bad made to gain tbeir paffage.
" On the 25tb, at night. Admiral Holmes and General
« Murray, with part of tbe troops, returned : they bad met
*f with and deftroyed a m»gazine of tbe enemy's clothing,
« fome gun-powder, and other things : and Admiral Holmes had

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 295

" bad been ten or twelve leagues above the town, but found it
" impracticable at this time to get farther up.
" General, Wolfe having refolved to quit the camp at Mont-
" morenci, and go above the town in hopes of getting between
" the enemy and their provifions, (frippofed to be in their
" fhips there), and by that means force them to an aClIon ; I
" fent up, on tbe 39th at night, tbe Seahorfe and two armed
" floops, witb two cats laden with provlfions, fo join the reft
" above Quebec ; and having taken off all the artillery from
•' the camp at Montmorenci, on fhe 3d inftant, in fhe fore-
*• noon, tbe troops embarked from thence, and landed at point
*' Levi. The 4tb, at night, I fent up all tbe flat-bottomed
" boats ; and tbis night a part of tbe troops will march up
" tbe fouth ftore, above the town, to be embarked in the ffiips
" and veffels there ; and to-morrow night the reft will follow,
" Admiral Holmes is alfo gone up again, to affift in their fu-
" ture operations ; and to try if, witb the affiftanee of the
" troops, it is praClicable to get at fhe enemy's ftips,
" As General Wolfe writes by this opportunity, be will
" give you an account of bis part of the operations, and bis
" thoughts what farther may be done for bis Majefty's feryice.
" The eneray appear to be numerous, and appear fo be ftrong-
" ly pofted : but let the event be whai it will, we ftall remain
" here as long as tbe feafon of fhe year will permit, in order
". to prevent their detaching troops from hence againft Gene-
*' ral Amherft ; and I ftall leave cruizers at the mouth of the
" river, to cut off any fupplies that may be fent fhem, witb
" ftriCl orders to keep that ftation as long as poffi.^le. Tbe
" town of Quebec js npt habitable, being almoft entirely burnt
" and deftroyed.
" I inclofe you the prefent difpofition of the ftips under my
" command. Twenty of fhe victuallers that failed from Eng-
" land witli tbe Echo, are arrived here : one unloaded at
*« Louiffiurg, having received damage in her paffage out ; and
'• another I have heard nothing of. No ftips of the enemy
" have come this way, that I have bad any intelligence of,
<" fince my arrival in tbe river, except one, kden witb flour
T 4 " and

2Si6 NAVALAND 1759.

* arid brandy, which was taken by Captain Doake of the
f Lizard. " Before Admiral Durell got into the river, three frigates
" and feventeen fail, with provifions, ftores, and a few recruits
•' got up ; and are thofe we were fp anxious, if poffible, to
f* deftroy. " Yel]:erday I received a letter from General Ariherft, (tp
" whom I have had no opportunity of writing fince I have
*• been in tbe river), dated Camp af Crown Point, Auguft 7th,
*' wherein he only defires I would fend tranfports and a con- .
" voy to New Yprk, to carry to England fix hundred and fe-
" yen prifoners, taken at J;he furrender pf Niagara,
•' I ftould have wrote you fooner from hence; but while
f my difpatches were preparing. General Wolfe was taken
*• yery ill ; he has been better fince, but is ftill greatly out of
*' order, " I ffiall very foon fend honje the great ftips. And I have
f fhe honour to be, &c. f Charles Saunders.''
The orders given out by General Wolfe, on the firft pf Au
guft, the day after be intended to have attacked the enemy's
intrenchments, do him great credit. At the farne time fbat
he means fo reprimand the troops who difobeyed bis orders,
he feems to affure thern of an opportunity pf regaining his fa-
¦vour, if they pay due regard to orders and difcipline. " The
" check (fays the General) which the grenadiers met with
" yefterday, wifl, it is hpped, be a leffon to fhem for the time
*f to come ; fuch Irnpetuous, 'irregular, and unfoldierlike pro-
" ceedings, deftroy all order, make it impoffible for tbeir com-
" manders fo form any dlfpofifjon for an attack, and put it
" out of the General's power fo execute his plan. The grena-
" diers could not fuppofe, that they alone could beat the French,
" army ; and therefpre. If was neceffary thatthe corps under
*' Brigadier Monckton and Brigadier Townftend, ftould have
" time fo join, that the attack might be general : the very firft
" fire of the enemy, was fuflicient fo repulfe men -who ha<l loft
'"all

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 297
" all fenfe of order and military difcipline : Amberft's and the
" Highland regiment alone, by the foldierlike and cool man-
" ner they were formed in, would undoubtedly have beat back
" the whole Canadian army, if they had ventured to attack
" tbem. The lofs, however, is inconfiderable, and may be ea-
" fily repaired, when a favourable opportunity offers, If the
" men will ftew a proper attention t6 their officers."
By tbe detachment whicb General Wolfe bad fent up the
river under Brigadier Murray, the Marquis de Montcalm con-
jeClured that our poft at Montmorenci was fo much weakened
thereby, that it migbt eafily bave been forced, if attacked in
the proper place. Early in tbe morning, two large columns
were feen to, march from the enemy's camp to the northward,
fuppofed fo be with a defign, either to attack General Wolfe
in his camp by croffing tbe river Montmorenci at tbe upper
ford, or elfe fo fall upon bis rear as he was quitting that poft,
and incommode him iri re-embarking fhe troops : but General
Wolfe bad digefted bis plan fo well, that he carried on fhe
whole operation without any lofs. No fooner were the French
troops obferved in motion, that Brigadier Monckton ordered a
large detachment from bis poft at Point Levi to embark in
boats, arid, under cover of fome frigates and floops, to ftand
towards tbe Beauport ftore. This feint had the defirqd effeCi.
M, de Montcalm, dreading to be attacked in bis lines, recall
ed his two columns in hafte. In the mean time. General
Wolfe having withdrawn bis artillery, fet fire fo the works he
had ereCled ; marched down to the beach, where the flat-bot
tomed boats waited for him ; and tbe enemy giving him no
interruption, be re-embarked the trpops, moft of whora he
ordered to encamp at Point Levi, the remainder at Point Or
leans. It is inconceivable how great an affeClion tbe whole
army had "for General Wolfe ; bis ficknefs made a moft vifi
ble impreflion oh thera, and when his health permitted him to
return to camp and vifit fhe guards and pofts as ufual, they
gave tbe ftrongeft proofs of the moft heartfelt joy : his pre
fence never failed to infufe freffi fpirits Info fhe troops.
General Wolfe novy formed one of the grandeft. plans ima-
ginahle

298 NAVAL AND 1759.

glnable, in order to obtain tbe objeCl of his wlftCs. Tbe Ad
miral caufed the whole of the flat-bottomed boats, with an
additional number of frigates and ftips, to pafs the town in the
night of the 4tb ; and Admiral Holmes once more went up,
and took fhe command there. As many troops as could be
fpared frora the Point of Orleans, were conveyed to the camp
at Point Levi ; whence the General marched thera, together
witb all the force that could be fpared frora that poft, up fhe
fouth ftore, fording the river Efchemin, and proceeding to a
fpot where they were embarked on board the war ftips and
tranfports. Rear-Admiral Holmes conduCled the whole a
confiderable way up the river. M. de Montcalm, from fhe
fmall number of ftips and veffels wbich he favv,. not fufpeft-
ing that General Wolfe had conveyed fhe greateft part of his
force above the town, immediately detached M. de Bougain
ville with a corps of two thoufand men, witb orders to obferve
tbe motions of General Wolfe, and to oppofe bis landing on
the north fliore. Admiral Holmes came fo an anchor witb
his fleet above Cape Diamond, The General, that he might
draw the enemy's attention as high up tbe river as poffible,
made many feints fo land ; and in order to refreft the meu,
who were very much crowded on board the ftips, be frequent
ly landed them on the fouth ftore. General Wolfe baying
now completely adjufted his plan, the troops, arranged in. the
flat-boats, were to be followed by fhe ftips and veffels, fo as
they ftould arrive nearly about fhe fame time at tbe place in
tended for fhe defcent. Captain Chads, of tbe navy, direCl
ed under Admiral Holmes ; to whofe orders and direftions,
the General exprefsly commanded that the greateft attention
fliould be paid. On fhe 1 2tb of September, General Wolfe
iffued the following orders, dated from on board the Suther
land. " The enemy's force is now divided ; great fcarclty of prQ-
" vifions Is now In their camp ; and univerfal difcontent among
" fhe Canadians. The fecond officer in command is gone to
<' Montreal, or St John's ; wbich gives reafon to think that
« General Amherft is advancing into the colony,, A vigorous " blow

I759'- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 299

« blow ftruck by the army at tbis junClure, may determine
« the fate of Canada. Our troops below are in readinefs to
« join us : all tbe light artillery and tools are embarked at the
" Point of Levi ; and tbe troops will land where the French
" feem leaft to expeCl it. Tbe firft body thaf gets on ftore
" is to march direClly to the eneray, and drive thera frora any
" little poft they raay occupy. Tbe officers muft be careful
•' that the fucceeding bodies do not, by any miftake, fire upon
" thofe wbo go before them. The battalions muft form on
" the upper ground with expedition, and be ready to charge
" whatever prefents itfelf. Wben the artillery and troops are
" landed, a corps will be left to fecure tbe landing place ;
" while the teflf march on, and endeavour to bring tbe French
" and Canadians to a battle. The officers and men will re-
" member what tbeir country expefts from them, and what
*« a determined body of foldiers, inured to war, is capable of
«• doing, againft five weak French battalions, mingled witb
" diforderly peafantry. Tbe foldiers muft be attentive and
" obedient to their oflicers, and refolute in the execution of
« their duty,"
The ftrpke being now ready to be ftruck, the whole arma
ment prepared to contribute their aid to the grand defign.
Tbe Admiral, in tbe evening of tbe 12th, ordered all his boats
below the town to rendezvous aftern of one of the frigates.
Into thefe he put all tbe marines he could poffibly fpare ; and,
under cover of fome frigates and floops of war, he ordered
thera to work, up, and juft at break of day to ftand over to
the Beauport ftore, as if going to make a defcent there ; while
the frigates and floops ¦jvere ordered to ftand as near as they
could with fafety, and to cannonade the French lines. This
feint had an excellent effeCl, and obliged the enemy to leave
a ftronger detachment to guard tbeir works than they would
have otherwife done. What trobps could be fpared from the
poft of Point Levi, were ordered to be ready to embark in
boats at a moment's warning, under the command of Brlgar
dier Monckton. General Wolfe, in the Upper River, order
ed all his troops on board their refpeClive ftips. At nine
o'clock

300 NAVALAND 1759.

o'clock this night, the firft divifion of the foldiers were order*
ed into the flat-bottomed boats ; and a little after, the whole
fquadron moved up the river with the tide of flood. This de
ceived the enemy very much. It being a fine clear ftar-ligbt
night, M. de Bougainville immediately put his corps in rao
tion, and marched up the north bank of the river, to be ready
to oppofe any defcent which might be made there.
About an hour before day-light ofthe I3tb. fhe boats fell
down fhe river with the tide of ebb. By the help of their
oars, they went at a great rate. In half an hour the ftips
followed them ; and, a little before day break, they arrived
at tbe eaftward of Sillery, a league above Cape Diamond.
The light infantry, commanded by Cdonel Howe, were car
ried a little lower down, by the rapidity of the current. The
place where they difembarked, was at the foot of a woody
precipice, whicb witb the utmoft difficulty they fcrambled up,
and difperfed a ' guard on fhe top, whicb were placed, to de
fend a fmall foot path. At this inftant, the corps under Bri
gadier Monckton haying arrived in boats from Point Levi, im
mediately landed and afcended tbe hill. Thefe were followed
by tbe corps under Brigadiers Townftend and Murray ; and
tbe remainder of the troops were difembarked as faft as the
boats could bring them from the ftips.
Day was now broke ; and General Wolfe perceiving the
French army under M, de Montcalm in raotion, made a dif
pofition of his troops, which he varied as more regiments ar
rived. His right was covered by the Lpuiffiurg grenadiers.
On the right of this corps he afterwards placed the thirty-
fifth, the twenty-eighth, forty-third, forty-feventh, fevenfy-
cighth, and fifty-eighth regiments, which compofed the firft
line, divided info two brigades, commanded by Brigadiers
Monckton and Murray, The fecond line was compofed of the
fifteenth regiment, and the two battalions of Royal Ameri
cans, commanded by Brigadier Townftend. The refervc
was now compofed of the forty-eighth regiment, drawn up In
eight fubdivlfions, with large intervals, under the command
of Colonel Burton. The left of the army was covered' by the*
light.

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 301
light-infantry, commanded by Colonel Howe, who, poffefs-
ing bimfelf of fome houfes and a fmall copfe wood, perform
ed very great fervice in tbe aftion. General Wolfe ordered
tbe men to load with an additional bullet, wbich did great
execution. In tbis difpofition, the General waited the ap
proach of the enemy.
M. de Montcalm formed bis army into three columns ; but
lined the ground in his front with a corps of irregulars and
markfraen, who, while he was advancing, kept up a very galling
fire on the front of the Britift line, but were obligee} to retire,
by tbe bravery of the light- infantry, and a light fix-pounder,
whicb the failors dragged up about eight o'clock. This gun
played with great fuccefs on the eneray's columns, and obliged
the French General more than once to make alterations In bis
difpofition. About fen o'clock, tbe enemy came on brlflcly to
tbcL attack, and ftewed fhey meant, If poffible, to gain fhe left
flank. On this. Brigadier Townftend advanced the fifteenth
regiment, and formed it en potence, which effeClually preven
ted their defign. As fpon as they came within muflcet-ftof,
they began fo fire : but the Britift troops referved theirs, until
tbe enemy were within thirty yards. They then gave their fire,
which they repeated, fo quickly, and with fuch effeCl, that the
enemy every where gave way, and, under cover of the fmoke,
charged thera with fixed bayonets.
It was at tbis time that General Wolfe, exerting bimfelf at
the bead of the Louiffiurg grenadiers, received bis mortal wound.
Colonel Carleton, tbe Quarter Mafter General, received a dan
gerous wound on bis head ; and ftortly after. Brigadier Monck
ton was ftot through the body, at the bead of the forty-feventh
regiment. Nor did it fare better witb the General Officers of the ene
my's army. M. de Montcalm was mortally wounded, and obli
ged to be carried off fhe field. Their fecond in command, Bri- .
gadier M.' de Senezergue, was alfo mortally wounded, made
prifoner, and died a few days afterwards on board the fleet.
Their third In command. Brigadier Baron de Sf Ours, was killed.
Part of the French troops made a fecond, but faint attack, and

302 NAVALAND i759«
and were prefentiy repulfed. Some others took to a thick copfe
wood, and there they made a ftand for a while, which efiedu-
ally covered the retreat of a great part of tbe French army.
Never did troops behave better than the Britiffi on tbis occa
fion. They were cool and intrepid, and paid the utmoft atten
tion to the orders they received. Tbe Louiffiurg grenadiers,
with the twenty-eighth and forty-feventh regiments, drove back
the enemy with fixed bayonets ; and Brigadier Murray advan
cing brlflcly, with the troops under his coraraand, tbe rout of tbe
enemy became general. It was then that the Highlanders^
fupported by the fifty-eighth regiment, took to their broad-
fwords, driving part of the French into tbe town, and part in
to their works, af their bridge over the river St Charles ; nor
did they retire until the cannon from the ramparts fired upon
them. The aClion on tbe left, and in tbe centre of tbe Britift army,
was not fo fevere. The light infantry behaved to admiration :
they defended the houfes of which they had taken poffeffion fo
"well, that they repulfed tbe enemy in all the attacks they made
to diflodge fhem. During fhe aClion, Colonel Howe, who had
taken poft with two conipanles behind a fmall copfe, frequentiy
fally ing upon the right flank ofthe enemy, drove tbem in heaps
on each other. This obliged M. de Montcalm to detach a corps
to oppofe the Colonel; on which he retired into the above
mentioned houfes, from whence the enemy could not force him.
Brigadier Townffiend, by advancing forae platoons of the fif
teenth regiment againft fhe front of this body, prevented their
ever being able fo execute their orders, which were, fo take the
left of the line in flank, while their Irregulars and Indians were
to fall upon the rear, Prevloufly fo this, one ofthe Royal Ame
rican battalions had been detached to preferve the communica
tion with the boats ; and the other bad joined the firft line, in
order to occupy the fpace there left vacant by Brigadier Mur
ray's movement.
Things were in this pofition, wben Brigadier Townftend
was informed thatthe command had devolved upon him. He
immediately repaired to the centre ; and finding the troops fome-

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 303

ibmewbat in diforder, occafioned by their eagernefs in tbe pur
fuit of the enemy, be gave orders for tbem fo form iraraediately.
This was fcarcely done, when M, de Bougainville, with his
corps frora Cape Rouge, appeared in tbe rear of tbe Britift ar
my, and feemed to threaten an attack. This officer, wben be
dlfeovered that the ftips and boats bad fallen down tbe river,
followed them down the north ftore with the greateft expedi
tion ; but tbe ebb-tide carried tbe boats fo very faft down tbe
ftream, that even bis cavalry could not keep pace with them.
Some battalions immediately faced about to receive him ; and
tbe cannon at that inftant firing a few rounds at bis corps, be
judged it prudent to retire.
Wben the enemy were completely defeated. Brigadiers
Townftend and Murray went to tbe head of each regiment, and
thanked tbem for their gallant behaviour. In this aClIon we
had only fifty-feven men killed, and fix hundred and feven
wounded. The eneray had near fifteen hundred men killed,
wounded, and prifoners, and one piece of cannon taken. Their
lofs fell chiefly on tbe regulars ; and fome of their officers who
were made prifoners acknowledged, that they never faw fuch a
fire as that which the Britiffi troops firft gave their army. Eve
ry ftot feemed to take place ; and fo many fell, that they
thought they had loft half their troops.
Nothing could exceed tbe furprize of tbe Marquis de Mont
calm, when he heard thaf General Wolfe and the Britift army
had made good their landing above tbe town. He could not
credit if, and faid, " It is only M. Wolfe with a fmall party
*• corae to burn a few houfes, look about him, and return.'*
But when he was informed that the Britift army were drawn
up in order of battle on the plains of Abraham ; " Then," faid
be, " fhey have at laft got to the weak fide of this miferable
" garrifonr therefore we muft endeavour to cruft themby our
' *' numbers, and fcalp them all before twelve o'clock." He died
the day after the battle ; and it is reported of bim, that wben
his wounds were dreffed, he requefted of tbe furgeons who at
tended him, fo tell hira ingenuoufly whether or not his wounds
were mortal. On being infornied they were; he faid, "He
" wa?

304 NAVALAND 1759.
" was glad pf it." He next alked bow long he might fur
vive: He was told ten or twelve hours, perhaps lefs. "So
" much tbe better," replied be ; " then I ftall not live to fee
" the furrender of Quebec."
Small as our lofs was in tbis aClion, the nation deemed fhe
viClory dearly bought, when they beard that General Wolfe
was killed. He at firft received a wound in the wrift : this did
not oblige him to quit tbe field ; but, wrapping his handker
chief round it, he continued to give Orders with bis ufual calm
nefs and perfplcuity ; when juft as the enemy gave way, be re
ceived a wound in fhe breaft, which proved mortal. He was
carried a little way in the rear of tlie army, and laid down.
Hearing one of the. officers who ftood clofe by him fay, " See
" how they run !" tbe dying hero aflced, with fome emotion,
" Who run ?" To this the officer rejoined, " The enemy. Sir ;
" they give way every where." Then the General faid, " Pray,
" do one of you run to Colonel Burton, and fell him fo march
" Webb's regiment with all fpeed down to Charles's river, to
*« cut off the retreat of the fugitives from fhe bridge — Now God
" be pralfed," faid he, " I ftall die happy :" and, turning on
his fide, foon after expired. '
The character of General Wolfe has been drawn by many
able hlftorlans. All are full of encomiums ; yet npne has ever
exceeded the truth. As he who feems to have drawn the ex-
aCleft portrait of this celebrated hero, had a good opportunity
of being thoroughly well acquainted with him, we ftall give it
in his own words. " The death of General Wolfe -was a na-
" tional lofs, unlverfally lamented. He inherited from nature
" an animating fervour of fentiment, an Intuitive perception, an
" extenfive capacity, and a paflion for glory, whicb ftlmulated
" him to acquire every fpecies of military knowledge, that
" ftudy could comprehend., that aClual feryice could illuftrate
" and confirm. This noble warmth of difpofition feldom fails
" to call forth and unfold all the liberal virtues of the foul. —
" Brave above all eftimatlon of danger ; generous, gentle, com-
" placent, and humane ; the pattern of the officer, the. darling
" of the foldier. There was a fublimity in bis genius, which
" foared

T759- MILITARYMEMOIRS.

305

" foared above the pitch of ordinary minds. And had bis fa-
" culties been exerclfed fo their full extent, by opportunity and
" aClion ; bad bis judgment been fully matured by age and ex-
" perience, he would, witbout doubt, have rivalled In reputa-
" tion the moft celebrated Captains of antiquity *."
General Townftend loft no tjme in following up this vic
tory. He encamped the array In fuch a raanner, as thaf the
enemy could not eafily furprife fhem ; direCling, at fhe fame
time, redoubts to be ereCled, which not only kept fhe enemy's
parties at a due diftance, but gave the men ample fecurlty In
carrying on the operations againft the town, from whence a
conftant cannonade was kept up. Tbe ground having been
well reconnoitred, fhe engineers fet to ¦work in ereClIng bat
teries for mortars and cannon. But before they were comple
ted, M. de Ramefay, on the 1 7th, offered to furrender the town,
A meffage was immediately fent to the Vice-Admiral, who re
paired to the bead-quatters ; when, fhe terms of the capitula
tion being fettled, they were figned the morning of the i Sth.
(See Note 142.)
The conclufion of General Townftend's letter to Mr Secre
tary Pitt, gives a moft accurate and diftinCi account of this af
fair. — " The 17th at noon, before we bad any battery ereCled,
" or could have had for two or three days, a flag of truce came
" out, with propofals of capitulation, which I fent back again
" to the town, allowing fhem four hours to capitulate, or no
'¦ farther treaty. The Admiral had at this time brought up his
" large ftips,. as Intending to attack the town. The French of-
" ficer returned at flight with fhe terms of capitulation; which,
" with the Admiral, were confidered, agreed to, and fignedy at
'' eight In the morning of the i8th inftant. Tbe terms we
'' granted, will, t flatter myfelf, be approved of by his Majefty ;
'' confidering the enemy affembling in our rear, and, what is
" far more formidable, tbe very wet and Cold feafon, which
" threatened our troops with ficknefs, and the fleet with fome
" acciderit ; it had made our road fo bad, that we could not
" bring up a gun for fome time. Add to tbis, the advantage
VOL. II. u of
• Dr Smollefs Continuation of thfe Hiftory of England, vol, V. page SS-

3o6 TSr AVAL AND 1759.
" of entering the toWn with the Walls in a defenfible ftatej and
" the being able to put a garrlfdh there, ftrong entotigh fo pre-
'' vent all furprize. Thefe, I hope, ¦Will be deemed fufficlerit
" confiderations for granting them the terms I bavfe the honour
'' to tranfmlf to you.
" The irihabltants pf the coUritry come In to Us vefy faft,
" bringing in their arffiS, and taking the oaths of fidelity, until
'' a gerieral pfeace determines their fituifltJn.
" By deferters w6 learri, that the enemy are re-iaftembllng be-
" hind Cape Rouge ; that M. de Levis Is CPffie do\\rn fromthc
" Montreal fide to command them : fome fay, be has brought
" two battalions with him: if fo, this blow has already affifted
" General Ahiherft. By other defehers We learri, that M. de
'' Bougairivllie, with eight htindred men and provifioris, was on
" his march fo fling himfelf into the town the i8th, the very
^' mornirtg It capitulated ; Pri which day wt bad not completed
" fhe inveftlture of the place, is fhey had broken doWn their
"bridge of boats, arid had detachments In very fttoilg wotks ori
'' the other fide of the river St Charles.
" t ftould not do juftice to the Admirals, and fhe naval fer-
" vice, if I negleCled this occafion of aCknowledglrig how niuch
" we are indebted fbr our fuCcSfs fo the Conftant affiftanee and
" fupport received from therii, 'and the perfeCl harmony ahd
'' correfporiderice which has prevailed throughout ill bur Ope-
" iratiohs, iri the uricommon difficlilfies which the nature bf this
" country, in particular, prefents to military Operations of a
'' great extent, and which no army can itfelf folely fupply ; the
'' immenfe labour in artillery, ftotes, and provifions ; the long
" Watchlngs and attertdance in boats ; the drawing up our artll-
'' lery by the feariien, even 'in the heat of aClIon. It is my
" duty, ftort as my command has been, to acknowledge, for
" that time, how great a ftare the navy has had iri this fuccefs-
" ful campaign."
On the iSth, Lieutenant-Colonel Murray, at the head of
three companies 6^ grenadiers, with a piece of cannon, and a
detachment of the Royal regiment of artillery, marched in, and
took poffeffion of the upper town, hoifting Britift colours on
the

1759- MILITARYMEMOIRS. 367

the moft confpicuous part of the fortifications. At tbe fame
time. Captain Pallifer, * with a detachnient of feamen, took
poffeffion of the lower town. The garrifon, agreeable fo the
terms of capitulation (See Note 142.), marched out with the
honours of war, arid were embarked on board of tranfports for
France. In the place was found a numerous artillery, and a
great quantity of military flores. For an account of the ftrength
of the garrifon, and other particulars, (See Note 142.)
Tbe General's difpatches were brought to England by Lieu
tenant-Colonel Hale ; and the Admiral's, by Captain James
Douglas of the Alcide, They arrived a few days after Gene
ral Wolfe's letter, giving an account of bis repulfe at the Falls-
of Montmorenci, and of the very great difficulties be had fo
ftruggle with. His moft excellent letter interefted every one
in bis fate ; and be now became ftill more a favourite with the
nation, efpecially for his firm determination to exert himfelf to
tbe utmoft for the good of his country, although he did not
flatter fhem with being able to reduce the capital of Canada*
The pubhc having the fulleft confidence in his affurances, long
ed with impatience for the next difpatches.
The victory gained over M, de Montcalm, and the furrender
pf Quebec, were announced in one Gazette Extraordinary,
Although joy and rapture flew from one end of the kingdora to
the other; yet, in the midft of this exceffive exultation, a con
cern for the death of General Wolfe was vifible in every coun
tenance ; and while they rejoiced at the victories, they failed
not in paying due praifes fo fhe memory of the accomplifted
hero, who had fallen in the attainment of them. Bonfires and
illuminations were univerfal, one place excepted ; and this was
the village in which fhe mother of the deceafed General lived.
The inhabitants felt for her grief, which they would not in-
creafe ; and put a violence on their inclinations, by not joining
with their neighbours in giving public teftimonies of joy and
approbation on this occafion. To every one In fhe leaft ac
quainted with the difpofitions of the people, fhey muft know
that the facrifice fhey then made was very great.
XJ 2 From
* Afterwards Sir Hugh Pallifer Bart- Admiral ofthe Blue, and Governor of
Greenwich Hofpita!.

3o8 NAVALAND 1759.
From the good old King, Colonel Hale and Captain Douglas
procured a moft gracious reception- They had each a prefent
of 500I. to buy a fword. The former obtained fhe command
of a regiment of light dragoons ; the latter received the honour
of knighthood, and, foon after, was fent to command fhe fqua
dron at the Leeward Iflands. The /ity of London, the Unlver-
fitles, and many of the principal Cities and corporations addref
fed his Majefty, and congratulated him on this important vic
tory ; and a royal proclamation -Was iffued, appointing a day of
folemn thankfglvlng to Almighty God, throughout the Britift
dominions. Soon after the Parliament met, Mr Secretary Pitt, in a moft
elegant fpeech, expatiated on the brilliant fucceffes ofthe cam
paign, and on the very great merit of the Admirals and Gene
rals. But when be came to fpeak of the tranfcendent worth
of the immortal Wolfe, be convinced bis audience, that what
he faid came from the heart. The beautiful panegyric he was
pronouncing, was, for a few fecpnds, interrupted by the fympa-
theflc fear, which flowed for the lofs his country had fuftained,
by fhe death of fuch an accomplifted officer. He concluded,
by moving for an addrefs fo his Majefty, requefting that he
would order a monument fo be ereCled in Weftmlnfter-Abbey
to the memory of Major-General James Wolfe. Tbe motion
was Immediately feconded, and the Houfe unanimoufly agreed
to it ; as fhey did, immediately after, fo return their thanks fo
tbe furvlving Generals and Admirals wbo had been employed in
tbe glorious and fuccefsful expedition againft Quebec.
As foon as a fufficient number of houfes could be repaired In
the city of Quebec, the army ftruck their tents, and marched
into the garrifon, Brigadier-General Murray was appointed
Governor, and Colonel Burton Lieutenant-Governor of Quebec.
Poffeffion was taken of all the enemy's pofts in the neighbour
hood, and parties from the garrifon employed to cut wood for
winter fuel. The inhabitants brought in fuch freffi provifions
as they could fpare. Admiral Saunders was bufied In landing
ftores and provifions for the garrifon ; and difpatched the large ffiips

1758. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 309

ftips bome, under the command of Rear-Admirals Durell and
Holmes. Tbe corpfe of General Wolfe was ftipped on board of the
Jloyal William, and received there with all the honours due to
it. The fame ceremony was obferved when it was landed at
Portfmouth, in order to be conveyed fo the burial-place of his
faraily. , ,
The weather having become very fempeftuous, fome of the
large ftips, irt going down the river, were In great danger.
The Royal William and Captain run aground ; but were lucki
ly foon got off again without fuftaining any damage. On the
I oth of OClober, the Terrible had certainly been wrecked, but
for a warrant-officer on board. The ftip being drove from her
anchors by the irrefiftlble rapidity of the fide of ebb at the
ifland of Coudre, he propofed making an anchor fufficient to
hold her ; fuch a one as he remembered to have feen^ wben
very young, on board of the Centurion, then commanded by
Commodore Anfon. He accordingly faftened one of the ffiip's
quarter-deck gur^s to two fmall anchors-; by means of which,
fte brought up, and rode with eafe. Her large anchors were
all of them found to be broke, which was not difcovered till
the cables were bove in.
Tbe Admiral difpatched the Stirling Caftle to Liffion, and
hoifted his flag on board of the Somerfet. On the i8th of Oc
tober, after fainting fhe garrifon, be failed for England in
company with fhe Devonflilre, and Vanguard ; Brigadier-Ge
neral Townffiend returning home along with him.
Lord Colvill was left to command the fleet in America, hav
ing under bim tbe Northumberland, Alcide, ' Trident, Pem
broke, and Prince of Orange, ¦with feveral frigates, on board
one of whicb General Monckton embarked for New York for
the recovery of bis wounds. Two floops of war, viz. the
Racehorfe and Porcupine, commanded by Captain^s Miller and
Macartney, were left to winter at Quebec,
As foon as the French faw thaf the Britift fleet bad fallen
down the river St Lawrence, fhey got their flilpping at Bataf-
can ready to follow their example. They fell down the river
U3. by

3IO NAVAL AND 1759.

by degrees, and waited at Cape Rouge for a fair wind to car
ry fhem paft the city of Quebec. By a violent gale, on the
a 24 of November, three of their veflels were drpve aftore,
arid wrecked*. The garrifon having received orders to be very
stlert, all the guns were loaded, in order tp prevent the French
ftips from paffing the town.
On fhe 24tb of November, the wind came fair : the night
was dark, and with the tide of ebb, the enemy's ftips came
down. They were not, however, unpbferved by the garrifon,
who £re4 every gun that pointed towards them, befides throwr
ing a great number of ftells ; but to no purpofe ; the veffels
all efcaped, except the Efizabeth, who, fteering rather top
near fhe fputh fide of tbe river, was, by the ftrength pf the
tide, forced aftore aijd ftranded near one of -the Britifli fchpori-
ers, ¦vvhich liad been ordered to watch their motions, and
which lay at anchor a little lower down fhe river. This fphonDO-
er mounted only four guns, but kept firing at the ftraii«l|;d yet-
fel ; the crew of which being refolved not tp let their ftip fall
into our hands, laid a train, near fo which they placed a light
ed match. They then abandoned the veffel, and took to their
boat ; wben, with the aid of fome boats froHi two others of ffip
French ftipsf , fhey boarded the fchooner, and carried her.
Early in the morning of fhe 25th, Captain George Miller of
the Racehorfe, his Lieutenant, and upwards pf forty volunteer
failors, went and boarded the Elizabeth. They then fpund
the lighted .match, which they prefently exfinguifted ; and
Captain Miller, not fufpeCting that the enemy had Jjiid a train
to the Hiagazlne, ordered a light to be ftruck ; a fpark. from
which unluckily falling on the loofe powder, the veflel blew
up in an inftant ; by which unfortunate a&cLdent moft of this
party were killed ; and tbe few that remained aUve, among
whorn were Captain Miller and his Lieutenant, were dreadful
ly mangled and fcorched. A CiaP^diaB peafant obferving the
explofion, in hopes pf finding fome plunder, ventured on hoard,
and found the Captain, his Lieutenant and two men lyln,g in
.gre^t
» The Soleil Royal, the Scneflerre, and the Due de Fronfac.
f The Machault and Chefine.

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 311

great agpny. This humane Canadian returned to ftore for
affiftanpe, and got them (together with fix more of the unhap
py fufferers whom they afterwards found) conveyed to his
hpufej where had their wounds anointed with bear's greafe,
and admlnlftered tp tbem all the comforts in his power. He
then went to Quebec, and made the Governor acquainted with
tjieir fituation, whp was, fill then. Ignorant of ¦vyhat had be
fallen them. His Excellency highly .cpmmerided the peafant
fpr his humanity, entertained bim vvell, and rewarded him
¦with twenty dollars, and a quantity of fait provifions, A pro
per conveyance ¦was imraediaitely font to bring Captain Mifler
and bis compaijioris to fhe bpfpital of the Urfuline Convent,
where every care was taken of them ; but, fo terribly were
they fcorched and bruifed, that moft of fhem died in a few
days ; and of the whole, only two or three of the private men
recovered. The ftips of war having been conftantly employed through
out the whole of the fummer In attending on this grand expe
dition, was fhe reafon why they made fo few captures from
the enemy. The Trident took a large Spanlft ffiip of twenty
guns, from Martinico for Bourdeaux, laden with fugar, coffee,
pocoa, indigp, and cotton ; and the Succefs tOok, in tbe month
of July, in tbe gulph of St Lawrence, two large Dutch ffiips, .
from the Ifland of St Euftatius, laden with beef, pork, and
bifcu.It, two hundred barrels' of gun-powder, and a great quan
tity of cannon-ffiot, and bomb-ftells.
Thus ended a moft fuccefsful campaign In America, The
tide of fortune feemed to have turned entirely againft France.
Her great want appears to have been a daring and enterpriz
ing Minifter, 1 who, if be had npt ftrength fufficient to aCl
againft, or direClly oppofe the force which he brought intp
this country, might have fallen on expedients to make a di
verfion calculated fo interrupt our prmcipal operations, and
which might haye proved the' means of protraCling fhe Im
pending fate of fhe Frepcb colonies, for fpme time longer. For
inftance, had M. de Bompart, wben he found be could not
prevent the ifland of Guadaloupe from falling into our haiids,
u 4 ¦ fteerecj

312 NAVALAND 1759.

fteered for New York with bis fquadron, be might have made
fuch an impreffion there, as have obliged General Amherft
either to come himfelf, or at leaft to make fuch a detachment
from bis army, as vvould perhaps haye difabled him from aCl
ing on the offenfive, for the remalrider of the campaign. From
New York, M, de Bompart might have gone to Halifax or Sf
John's-Newfoundland, or botb. An attack on either of thefe
places, would have obliged Admiral Saunders to make fuch a
detachment from his fleet, as might have greatly diminiffied
our force liefore Quebec, and, perhaps in the end, would
have proved the ruin of the enterprize ; while, before fuch
detachment could have been able to overtake M. de Bompart,
he n>ight have done his bufinefs, and failed for Europe,'
MEDITERRANEAN.
At the port of Toulpn, the enemy were exerting themfelves
to the utmoft, in getting ready for fea aS| many ftips as pof
fible. This conftltuted a part .of their grand plan of opera
tions, as a great deal depended upon the equipment they were
able to make here ; and trufting that Mr Pitt bad fp difperfed
the Britiffi navy, fo fecond his extenfive plans in the Weft In
dies and Arnerica, that he would not be in a condition to afr .^
ford Vice-Admiral Broderick a reinforcement of fufficient
ftrength to prevent fhem from l^ccoming mafters pf the Medi
terranean fea ; they therefore hoped to be able, without run-
ing the rifle, of any material interruption, to fprm a junClion
with their grand fleet at Breft, under Marftial de Conflans, and
thus be enabled to ol^tain fo great a naval fuperiority in fhe
Bri.tlfli channel as that fhey might efcort their armies, and co-
opera.fe with them in invading his Majefty's dominions of
Great Britain and Ireland. But in this projeCl they were dif
appointed, as well as in all the reft of their vaft defigns.
Mr Pitt had the beft intelligence of what was going forward
at Toulon, and fufficient difcernment to perceive of what im
portance if was to the affairs of Great Britain, fo prevent the
Toulon

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 313

Toulon fquadron frorn forming a junGion with that at Breft,
He therefore appointed an officer to command his Majefty's
ffiips on this ftation, in whofe abilities he could place the
greateft confidence : this was Admiral Bofcawen.
Early in fhe fpring, a confiderable number of ftips had
been detached to reinforce Vice-Admiral Broderick, and car
ried out orders for him to repair off Toulon as foon as pof-
ble, fo watch the enemy's motions there. Oa the 14th of
April, Admiral Bofcawen failed from Spithead, ¦with three fail
ofthe line and fome frigates, and arrived at Gibraltar the 27th.
As foon as he had appointed convoys for the trade, and cruizers
to annoy the enemy, he failed from thence the 3d of May,
and, on the i6th, formed a junClion with Vice-Admiral Bro
derick off Cape Sicie, and affumed the command of the fleet.
(See Note 143.)
The command of the fquadro^n fitting out at Toulon was
conferred on M. de la- Clue, an officer of confiderable abilities.
Admiral Bofcawen, on his arrival, fburtd the enemy's fleet al
moft ready for fea. He blocked thera up with fuch care, that
not a ftip could get in or out of that port but with his per-
mllfion. On the 7 th of June, he perceived two French fri-
. gates' making for Toulon, to which he immediately gave chafe.
' Thefe he cut off from the harbour, but could not prevent their
taking ftelter in an adjoining bay, where they were proteCied
by fome batteries of heavy cannon. The Admiral determined
to deftroy them if poffible ; to effeCluate which, he next day
fent In fhe Culloden, Conqueror, and Jerfey, under the com
mand of Captain Callis. The Captains conduCled their ftips
into the bay with the greateft refolution and good conduCi-
and In all probability would have been able to execute their
orders ; but, foon after they entered the bay, it fell a dead
calm, and fhey were for a confiderable time expofed to a moft
fevere cannonade of heavy cannon, , before they could return a
ftot, tbe enemy having ftrongly reinforced all their pofts.
When the ftips got properly placed, fhey returned an exceed
ing brilk and well direCled fire for more than two hours ; but
the Admiral, perceiving that the frigates were beyond his
reach

.314 NAVAL AND 1759,

reach, ordered the three ftips to retire, and fent the boats of
the fquadron totow off the Culloden, who had loft her mai ^-
yard and mizen-top-maft. She had fixteen men killed, and
twenty-fix wounded ; the Conqueror had two killed and fpur
wounded ; the Jerfey, eight killed and fifteen wounded ; and
all the ftips were much damaged in their rigging and fails.
The Admiral ftood out fo fea for fpme days, until the crippled
fliips wprercpmpletely repaired ; when he again returned to hi?
ftation. Here he continued, until the water and provlfions of the
fquadron becoming fcarce, and feme of them needing repairs,
he was neceffitated to proceed to Gibraltar, about the begin
ning of July : but preferring the bay of Salo, in Spajn, to wa
ter at, he put in there with the fquadron, fhe Sth of that raontlj.
There fhey were plentifully fupplied with water, as well as
all fortSjof vegetables, and fuch freft provifions as the country
afforded, at very reafonable rates. The fleet having boarded
veffels from Turkey and the Barbary ffiore, had not pratique*
granted fo if ; a circumftance which the Adrniral was npt fer
ry for, as It prevented drunkennefs and defertlon ; and left the
failors ftould ha.ve been infefted with the plague, fhe Spaniards
ufed the precaution to form a line round the watering place,
to prevent fhem from ftrolling into the country.
The fleet having completed their watering, failed froni Salo
bay, the 24th of July, and arrived at Gibraltar fhe 4th pf An-
guft, where the neceffary repairs of the fquadrpn -were imme
diately fet about.
But, that the Admiral might have timely notice of the ene
my's approach, in cafe fhey ventured to leave their afylum, he
ordered the Xyme to cruize off Malaga, and the Gibraltar to
cruize
• ¦When a fleet or fliip has not a certificate of health to fliew, they mufl per
form quarantine, if ihey are to unload. If they make a fliort fliay, they are
not allowed pratique ; that is, they are not allowed any intercourfe with the
fliore, for fear of introducing the plague. The letters- they fend afhore, are all
J'moaked witli fulphur before they are opened or forwarded ; and when they
pay for what is furnillied them, the money is put into a veflel having vinegar
init.

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 315

cruige from Eftepona to Ceuta-polnt. This latter on fhe 1 7fh
of Aug^iift) difcovered the enemy, confifting of fifteen fail
(See Note 144.), clpfe in with the Barbary ffiore. Captain
M^'Cleverty made direClly for Gibraltar with all the fail he
cpuld crowd, and arrived off Europa-point about half an hour
after feven o'clock.. He immediately made tbe fignal of
the enemy's ftrength and fituation to the Admiral, who fent
an offioer on board with orders to Captain M'Cleverfy to keep
a ftarp Igok-out after the enemy, and to make fignals accord
ingly, WJie» this important intelligence arrived^ the repairs
of the fquadron were not completed ; fhe Namur, in particu
lar, bad not a fail at her yards : but fuch was the difpatch
made on this emergency, that the fquadron was out of the bay
a little before ten o'clock that very night. (See Note 143.)
It confifted ef fourteen fa.il of the fine, witli tbe Shannon and
vEtna fir^ftlps.
On the 1.8th, at, day-breakj our fleet, owing to tbe hurry
in which they left -Gibraltar-bay the nigbf before, was feparated
into two divifions. The Warfpight, Culloden, Swlftfure, In
trepid, America, Portland, and Guernfey, having lain at an-
chor near the Namur, they pufted put to fea along witb her,
aiiid kept clofe to the Adnalral all night, who ftood to the weft
ward with a prefs of fail. Vice-Admiral Broderick, with the
reft of the fquadron, were fome leagues aftern. At feven o'
clock, they got fight of the enemy's fleet to the weftward, con
fifting "of feven fail, (he reft having feparated In fhe night.
The Freneh Admiral made a private fignal ; whicb not being
anfwfijied. Admiral Bofcawen made the fignal for a general
chafe to the N. W., and, at nine, made another for tbe ftern
moft ftips to make more fail, which brought the veffels in our
rear faft up, they finding a fine breeze at E., while thofe of
the enemy were becalmed, with fcarce fteerage-way. The
fquadron continued to gain on the ejiemy, who, at one o'clock,
hoifted their colours. At twenty minutes afterward,s, the
B-rlfift fleet did the fame ; and, foon after. Admiral Bofca
wen made the fignal to engage.
At half paft one, the enemy began firing at the headmoft of
the

3i6 NAVALAND 1759.
the Britift ffiips ; and Admiral Bofcawen perceiving, that it
was tbeir intention, as foon as the breeze reached fhem, fo
endeavour fo make off, he was anxious that the headmoft
ftips of his fquadron ftould puft on fo attack the enemy's van,
in order to ftop their flight until all the ftips ftpuld get up.
He therefore made the fignal for fhe America and Guernfey
tp make more fail. At half an bour after two, the Culloden
began fo fire on the Centaur, the enemy's fternmoft ftip ;
and, foon after, the America, Portland, Guernfey, and War
fpight got into aClion, The wind now died away ; but ftill
continued to blow freft with the divifion aftern, which brought
them in for a ftare of the viClory, Admiral Bofcawen in the
Namur, began to engage tbe three .fternmoft ftips of the ene
my, about four o'clock. The Swlftfure and Intrepid being fo
windward of bim, he hailed fhe former, and direCled Captain
Stanhope to endeavour to get up with the enemy's van ftip,
and engage her, which he punctually did, Tbe Intrepid
ftould have engaged M, de la Clue's fecond ahead. About
half an hour after four, the Namur got along-fide of the O-
cean ; they had not engaged above half an hour, when the
Namur was difabled, and thrown out of the aClion ; her mizen-
maft * and both topfall- yards being ftot away, fte by this means
fell aftern.
M. de la Clue availed himfelf of the difafter which had be
fallen Admiral Bofcawen's ffiip, and endeavoured to get off
with bis fquadron. The French ffiips immediately fet all the
fail they could carry, the Centaur excepted, wbo, having loft
her fore and maln-top-mafts, was obliged to ftrike ; ffie was
otherwife greatly damaged, being engaged by every ffiip as
they came up, befides the CuUoden, who fought her for a con
fiderable time ; and it may be truly faid, that ffie ftood fhe
brunt of the battle. Wben the Namur fell aftern. Admiral
Bofcawen ordered out his barge, info which he got, and rowed
with all poffible hafte on board the Newark, and there hoift
ed bis flag. The aClion was now ceafing, a purfuit took place, .
which
• The men in thi mizen-top were all faved, being taken in at the ftern ports
when the maft fell over the ftern.

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 317

whicb Admiral Bofcawen continued unremittingly tbe whole
night. There was a fine breeze of wind, accorapanied with
a little haze ; by means of which, two of the enemy's ffiips
altered their courfe in the night, and made their efcape.
Af day-light on the I9tb, only four fail of their ftips were to
be feen. The Britift fquadron at this tiine were not above a
league aftern of them, and not more than five leagues from La
gos in Portugal. There was now very little wind. About nine
o'clock the Ocean ran among fhe breakers; and fhe other three
ftips came to an anchor. Admiral Bofcawen fent the Intrepid
and America fo deftroy the Ocean, Captain Pratten having
anchored, could not get in ; but Captain Kirk performed that
fervice alone. As foon as fhe Ocean took fhe ground, fte car
ried away all ber mafts, which bad been much wounded In the
aClion ; and Captain Kirk bringing the America very clofe, fir
ed fome guns into her ; upon which fte ftruck. M, de la Clue,
with one leg broke and the other wounded, having been landed
about half an hour before ; Captain Kirk fent fome officers and
men to take poffeffion of the ffiip, and found M. le Comte de
Carne, ber Captain, and fome officers and men, ftill on board.
Thefe were taken out ; and; finding it Impoffible to bring off
the ffiip, ffie was fet on fire. Captain Bentley of the Warfpight
was ordered againft tbe Temeraire of feventy-four guns, and
brought ber off very little damaged. Vice-Admiral Broderick,
and hisdivifion, went againft the other two ffiips, and brought
off the Modefte of fixty-four guns, after an aClIon of near half
. an bour. Tbe Redoubtable of feventy-four guns, being bulged,
and her officers and men having left ber, they fet her on fire.
In this aClion, the enemy had a great number of men killed and
wounded. On board fhe Centaur alone, fhe Captain and two
hundred men were killed. The lofs the Britiffi fuftained, a-
mounfed only to fifty-fix killed, and one hundred and ninety-
fix wounded, (See Note 14^.) Among the former was Mr
Cafwell, a Midffilpman of the Namur ; and among the latter
was Lieutenant Pafcall, of the fame ffiip.
The unfortunate M- de la Clue died of his wounds at Lagos.
He wrote an account of the aCtion to the French Ambaffador at
Lif-

3i8 NAVALAND 1759,

LIfton (See Note 145.), In which he complains h'tterly of the
cowardice of fome of bis Captains, who deferted bim on the
hlght of the 1 7th ; and of the inattention of others to his fig
nals. Many were of opinion, that bad the French fquadrpn
kept tpgefher in a well-formed line, their lofs might not have
proved fo confiderable as it did ; at leaft the viClory would not
haVe been fo eafily gained as it was : in all probability it would
have been very bloody, confidering that Admiral Bofcawen's
fleet was but two fail ofthe line fuperior to M. de la Clue's.
The Britiffi, as well as the French Admiral, was not quite
well pleafed with the behaviour pf all his Captains; fome of
whom, he thought, did not make fail enough fo get up with the
van of the enemy's fleet, which the Admiral wiffied they ffiould
attack, in order to retard their flight Until the reft of the fqua
dron ffiould be able to join in the aClion. -Others, through mif-
management, he thought, had allowed their ffiips to fall to lee-
Word, after they had engaged the enemy fome time, ahd there
fore Could not properly get into aCtiPrt again. But great al
lowance ought to be made for this ; for juft as the Britift ftips
came up with the enemy's rear, the v^ind died away. They at
tacked the enemy on the lee fide. In order that they might be
able to open their lower ports, fome of fhe ftips carrying thdm
very low. Another feafon why fome of the Britiffi ftipS fell fo
rauch to leeward, was, that the French Admiral, on perceiving
Admiral Bofcawen in the Namur, and fome ftips along with
him, preffing forward to attack his van and centre, made his
fleet luft'up as much as they poffibly could, fo as fo form a fort
of crefcent ; by which pofition, the whole of his ftips in their
vari and centre were enabled by their fire not only to affift the
rear, but each Other, in their endeavours to repel fhe attack
which they looked for every moment from fhe Britiffi Admiral.
By this manoeuvre of M. de la Clue's, fuch of ouf fliips as firft
got up with the enemy's rear, and to leeward of their line,
were thrown out of aClion; while, for Want of a fufficient
breeze of wind, they could not get info if again. The Port
land, -having loft her fore fop-maft, dropped aftern. The In
trepid was to windward of the Namur j ffie did not bear down clofe

175^. MILITARYMEMOIRS. 319

clofe eflSugh, but kept aloof; and fired at fhe enemy acrofs the
other ftips.
In this aftlon Admiral Bofcawen dlfplayed the greateft cou
rage and cortduCl, and, aS far as lay in his power, exerted him
felf to take every ffiip of the enemy, Tbe day after the battle,
he iras beard to fay, " It is well, but It might have been a great
" deal better," Tbe Admiral re-boifted his flag on' board of the
Namut ; arid difpatched Captain Buckle, in the Gibraltar, to En
gland; With lettets, Contalflirtg an account of bis fuccefs. His
Majefty gave Captain Buckle a moft gracious receptlott, and Was
pleafed to order him a prefent of 500I. fobuy a fword.
As foon as fhe f(^uadroft bad repaired their damages. Admi
ral BofeaWen, agreeable to his InftruClions, failed for England
with the Narriur, Warfpight, Swlftfure, Intrepid, America, and
Portland} and the Salamander and -(Etna fireffiips, together with
the Temeraire arid Modefte prizes ; which were foon after fol
lowed by the Edgar, Princefs Loulfaj and Centaur prize.
The commarid of the fquadron once more devolved on Vice-
Admiral Broderick, who, ih conformity with his Orders, repair
ed off the port of Cadiz, to block up part of M, de la Clue's
fleet, which had taken ftelter there.
Hig Majefty was highly pleafed with the conduCl of Admi
ral Bofcawen, who was received by him; on his return, with
great tokens of regard. The Admiral was, foon after, fworn a
Member of fhe Moft Honourable Privy Council, and appointed
General of the Marine Forces, with a falary of 2000I. a-year.
Captain Bentley of tbe Warfpight, and Captain Stanhope of the
Swlftfure, were knighted. The three prizes were purchafed by
Government, and added to the Royal Navy by the fame names.
Vifce-Admlral Broderick with bis fquadron (See Note 146.)
blocked up fhe French ftips In Cadiz with fhe greateft care.
But on fhe 9fh of November, he was overtaken by a terrible
ftorm, in wbich the fquadron was in the greateft danger of
being wrecked, the Newark and Culloden were obliged to cut
away all their mafts, and run Into Cadiz. Tbe Admiral's ftip
received fo much damage, that it was found neceffary to fend
' her

320 NAVALAND 1759.
ber to Gibraltar to refit. He then hoifted his flag on board fhe
Conqueror ; and, with the remainder of his fleet, continued fo
cruize before that port. The enemy, although now fuperior in
point of ftrength, would not come out and venture a battle.
Their fituation at Cadiz was far from being agreeable, the Spa
niards making them the fubjeCls of fevere pafquinades*. They
were af laft relieved from their fufferings by another great
ftorm, which forced fhe Vice-Admiral frora his ftation, and
compelled him, much againft his inclination, to return to Gib
raltar. Finding the coaft clear, they ventured ouf, and got fafe
back to Toulon.
The Vice-Admiral, during bis cruize off Cadiz, took two
French ftips of great value from the Weft Indies; and the other
cruizing veffels on this ftation had likewife confiderable fuccefs.
On the 1 4th of April, the Thetis and Favourite floop, took a
French ftip from Martinico, valued at 7000I. ; and the day fol
lowing, fhey gave chafe fo two fail. The Favourite did not
get up with fhe one fte chafed till fix o'clock the next morn
ing: nor would fte have been able to reach her, but that it for
tunately fell calm: fo that the Favourite, with the help of her
oars, got clofe along-fide the enemy; when a moft defperate
engagement commenced, which lafted two hours and a half.
The veffel furrendered, and proved to be the Valeur, from St
Domingo, with a very valuable cargo, on board. Her force was
greatly fuperior to the Favourite, ffie having twenty nirie-poun-
ders, and four twelve-pounders, and one hundred and fen men;
whereas the floop had only fixteen fix-pounders, and four three-
pounders, and the fame number of men. The enemy expec
ted the Favourite would attack them on the larboard fide, and
made preparations accordingly : this being perceived by Cap
tain Edwards, he attacked them on the ftarboard fide, which
threw them into fuch confufion, that they never recovered from
it during the aCtlon. .Too much praife could not be given to
Captain Timothy Edwards, for his bravery on this occafion ;
and
• One of thefe was an advertifement. fixed on the moft public fpot in the mar
ket-place, and on the dock-gates  " To be fold, eight French fliips of war.
« For further particulars, encjuire of Vice-Admiral Broderick.''

1759' MILITARY MEMOIRS. 321

and fo fenfible was Admiral Bofcawen of his great merit, that
when tbe Valeur was purchafed by Government, made a poft
ftip, and put in commiffion, he beftowed on him fhe command
of her. In the aClion, fhe Valeur had thirteen men killed, and
nine wounded. Her cargo confifted of fugar, coffee, and Indi
go. Tbe Favourite had only feven men wounded; but fuffered
much In her hull, mafts, yards, and rigging.
On the I itb of May, the Glafgow, commanded by Captain
Wllkinfon, fell In with L'OIfeau, a French frigate of twenty-
fix guns, and engaged her very fmartly for fome time : but the
enemy direCting their fire chiefly af the Glafgow's rigging,
whicb they daraaged very rauch, fhey fet all fhe fail they could
crowd, and by thaf raeans efcaped into Port St Pierre, in fhe
ifland of Sardinia, after lofing a great many men in fhe aClIon.
The Glafgow had one man killed, and fen wounded.
The Tartar's Prize, Captain Baillie, In the month of April,
after an obftinate engagement, took a large French ffiip of thirty-
fix guns, and carried her into Cagliari, She afterwards, on her
voyage back to Gibraltar, having fome ffiips under convoy, un
fortunately ftarted a plank ; and, notwithftanding every effort,
fte funk. The Captain and crew were faved.
TRANSACTIONS AT AND NEAR HOME-
Owing to the mighty and continued threats of ,^the enemy,
their ports and coafts were fo well watched, that they did not
carry on their immenfe preparations unperceived. During the
winter and fpring raonths, many cruizing ftips were fent fo
keep a ftarp look-out, off all their principal fea-ports. Thefe
were fortunate enough to pick up a great number of neutral
veffels, which were proceeding fo fupply them with all forts of
naval and military ftores. The French afferfed at every court
In Europe, that, from the powerful fquadrons wbich England
bad fent to different parts of fhe -.vorld, fte would not be able
fo have a fleet in the channel this year equal to what fhey had
at Breft. Greatly, however, were the French Miniftry aftoniffi-
voi,. II. X ed.

322 NAVAL AND 1759-

ed, wben fhey learned, that Sir Edward Hawke, with a fle'et of
twenty-five fail of fhe line and many frigates, (See Note i47-)»
had taken his ftation off that port the beginning of June.
While the Admiral kept cruizing at fome leagues diftance with
his fleet, he detached the Honouralale Captain Hervey in the
Monmouth, and fome fmaller ffiips of war, to anchor clofe to
the harbour's mouth ; fo that, while he could obferve all their
motions within, he intercepted every veflel which endeavoured
to enter it. As the French defigned tp make their principal
embarkarion of troops at Vannes in Lower Britanny, they had
affembled a great number of tranfport veffels in tbe Morbian ;
but fo prevent them from ftlrring. Sir Edward Hawke detached
Captain Reynolds in the Firm, having under bis command
three ffiips of fifty guns, feven frigates and a fire-ftip, with or
ders fo watch their motions. This blockade continued all fhe
fummer ; and, when the Firm grew fo foul as to render it ne
ceffary for her fo go fo England fo refit. Captain Duff, of the
Rochefter, relieved Captain Reynolds, (See Note 148.)
The A.chilles, Captain Barrington, for fome time compofed a
,part of this little fquadron, and was very aClive'on this ftation.
In fhe month of September, fome French veffels making for the
Morbian, were chafed info a bay near the entrance of that har
bour. It being refolved fo attempt fo cut them out or deftroy
them, a pilot undertook fo conduCl In the ftips: but not hav
ing a fufficient knowledge of fhe coaft, fhe Achilles, which was
the leading ftip on this fervice, in going into the bay, ran on a
funken rock with great force, and made fo much water that It
was imagined the crew could not prevent ber from finking. By
fuperior flcill and good feamanftip, however, fte was conduCled
to Plymouth, Admiral Hawke ordered two frigates to keep
clofe by her, to be ready to fave fhe crew, and fo afford all fhe
affiftanee In their power. When the Achilles got into the
Sound, ffie hoifted fhe fignal of diftrefs, whereupon a number of
boats full of men were Immediately fent off to her ; and, by
the time ffie got up the Hamoaze, was completely unrigged, and
her guns taken out. Still all the pumps were obliged to be kept
at work, as they had more difficulty fo keep the fliip up than
ever;

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 323

ever ; at laft after much labour fte was got into dock. When
left dry, a large bole was found in her bottom ; which. It was
fuppofed, bad been occafioned by a piece of rock that bad ftuck
in it, but which bad fallen out when fte was unrigging. Tbis
accident deprived Captain Barrington of a ftare of the laurels
gained on the 2 oth of November.
As Havre de Grace was the port from whence fhe eneray
planned a fecond debarkation of troops ; and as the diftance
from England was but ftort, fhey defigned to tranfport their ar-
maraent in flat-bottoraed boats of a particular conftruClion, and
which they called Praraes *. They bad forraed at that place
large raagazlnes of materials for building a great number of
thefe veffels ; a work they had been employed in for feveral
months. A great many of thefe praraes were already built ;
many more on the ftocks ; and, in ftort, fhey were making
fuch advances In this fcheme, as excited fhe attention of our
Miniftry, who determined to fend a fquadron, attended by a
fleet of bomb-ketches, to endeavour f o deftroy thefe veffels and
magazines by means of a bombardment. Tbe place having
been well reconnoitred by engineers, fhey gave it as tbeir opi
nion, that the thing was praClicable. Accordingly, Rear-Ad
miral Rodney was fent with a fquadron on tbis fervice (See
Note 149.) ; and, in a letter to fhe Secretary of the Admiralty,
he gave the following account of his fuccefs :
" Achilles, off Havre de Grace, July 6th 1759.
"Sir,
*' His Majefty's ftips and bombs under my command failed
'¦ from St Helen's in fhe morning of the 2d inftant, and with
" a favourable wind and moderate weather, anchored fhe day
" following in the great road of Havre ; where, having made
" the difpofitions to put their Lordffilps orders in execution,
X 2 " the
* Thefe prames or flat-bottomed boats, are about one hundred feet long,'
twenty-four broad, and ten deep ; have a deck, and carry two pieces of cannon;
have one maft, and are conftrufied to ufe their fails or oars as occafion may re
quire. Some will carry, three hundred men with tiheir baggage ; others fifty ca
valry complete,

324 NAVAL AND 1759.

«' the bombs proceeded to place fhemfelves In fhe narrow chaft-
" riel of fhe river leading to Honfleur, It beirig the moft proper
*' and only place to do execution from. About feven in the
" evening, two of the bombs were flafioned, as were all fhe
" reft early next morning, and continued to bombard for fiffy-
" two hours, without Intermiffion, with fuch fuccefs, that the
" town was feveral times in flames, and their magazines of
" ftores for fhe flat-bottomed boats, burnt with great fury for
" upwards of fix hours, notwithftanding the continual efforts
" of feveral hundred men to extlnguiffi It, Many of tbe boats
•' were overturned and damaged by fhe explofion of fhe fiiells.
" During the attack, the eneray's troops appeared very riumer-
" Oris, were continually ereCting new batteries, and throwing
" Up Intrenchments. Their confternatlon was fo great, that all
•' the Inhabitants forfook the town,
*' Notwlthftanding this fmart bombardment, I have the plea-
" fure fo acquaint you, fbat the damage done us by the enemy,
" has been very inconfiderable, though numbers of their ftot
" and ftells fell, and burft among the Bombs a:-d boats. I
« am," &c.
On this Occafion, nineteen hundred ffiells were thrown, and
one thoufand one hundred and fifty carcaffes. Tbe mortars,
from fhe long and quick firing, were rendered quite unfervlce
able. The enemy's lofs was very confiderable, many of tbeir
flat-boats being burnt, and others fo greatly "damaged,, that it
Vvould require a length of time fo have fhem properly repaired.
Although feveral of their principal magazines were confumed ;
yet fhe enemy boafted thaf they would foon be able to put their
veffels in as good a condition as before the bombardment, and
did not rellnqulffi their fcheme of invading Great Britain.
Rear-Admiral Rodney, with a fquadron of frigates, kept
watching their motions here fhe reraainder of this year, mak
ing many prizes of neutral ffiips going to Havre de Grace with
naval and military ftores.
Sir Edward Hawke continued with unremitting aClivify to
cruize off Breft, and occafionally detached fmall fquadrons to
fcour

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 325

fcour the enemy's coafts ; fo that they were forced to keep all
the war ffiips In their harbours ; and of the merchant ffiips
which ventured out, moft of them fell Into the hands of fhe
Britift, Tbe Admiral detached Captain Keppel with a fraall
fquadron to Bafque road, fo attack any ftips fhe enemy might
have there, or at the Ifle of Aix ; but not finding any, he re
joined the fleet. His Royal Highnefs Prince Edward, ferved
part ofthe fummer as a Midftipman on board the Magnanime;
but, being appointed Captain of the Phccnix, he returned to
England to join bis ftip. Captain Hervey ftill kept his fta
tion clofe to the mouth of fhe harbour of Breft, in fight of the
French fleet, whicb be frequently infulted by faking fome
veffel in their view. Having, on fhe ift of July, cut out fome
neutral veffels in Cameret-bay, which were laden with naval
ftores, M. de Conflans determined fo drive him from his poft.
Accordingly, on the following day, the enemy fent out four
ftips of the line to attack bim ; the French fleet, at the farae
time, appearing ready fo fecond fhe attack in cafe of need.
Captain Hervey's force feldom exceeded two ftips of the line,
with a few frigates and floops. Notwlthftanding the enemy's
fuperiority, he difdained fo fly ; but, with the utmoft undaunt
ed courage, flipped bis cable, and went to meet Jihem half
way ; on which fhey tacked about and raade off. He purfued,
and carae fo near their fternmoft ftip, as to be able to bring
on a ftort aClIon ; but having only a little way fo go before
fte was under the protection of numberlefs batteries of hea
vy cannon, the Captain was obliged fo defift from fhe pur
fuit, and return to his old ftation. The cannonade brought
Sir Edward and his fleet fo Captain Hervey's affiftanee ;
which circumftance induced M, de Conflans to furl his top-
fails, and re-moor bis fquadron. It was afterwards learned,
that bad the four fliips fucceeded either in taking Captain
Hervey, or in driving bim from bis ftation, they were then
to have failed to the Morbian, and to have attacked our little
fquadron there, which they made certain of cruffiing ; after
which they were to have efcorted fhe French army, which was
ready tb embark on board the franfporfs fo their deftination.
X 3 Soon

326 NAVALAND 1759,

Soon after this exploit. Captain Hervey, with the boats of his
little fquadron, affifted by fhe Pallas frigate, cut out four
Swedlft ffiips from under a ftrong battery, at the entrance of
Breft harbour. Thefe veffels were laden with naval ftores for
the French fleet.
On the 15th of September, he landed bis marines and a few
feamen on the little ifland of Molines, and laid the inhabitants
under contribution of a few cattle, fome other freffi ftock,
and fome vegetables. The prieft of the place made ftrong re-
prefentatlons In behalf of his parlffiloners, who, be affured
Captain Hervey, were wretchedly poor ; and begged of him
to defift from his demand. Captain Hervey replied fo him,
" Thar he was forry fo diftrefs the poor inhabitants ; But,
*' what he now did, was to ffiow the enemy, and all Europe,
*' that the French could not proteCt their people in tbeir own
*' fight, much lefs dare the invafion of England."
On the 28th of September, Captain Hervey went in his
own barge, attended by four others. Into a fmall bay near the
entrance of Breft harbour, where be boarded and cut out Lp
Mercure, a tender belonging fo M. de Conflans, of four guns.
In towing ber off, they were expofed to very great danger,
being fired at from a number of batteries, both of cannon and
mortars, befides mulketry from a numerous body pf troops
drawn up along ffiore. The Captain, fo reward fhe brave
fellows who accompanied him on this fervice, generoufly gave
up his ffiare of the prize and head-hioney to thera. The Mon
mouth now becoming very foul and leaky. Captain Hervey
was reluClanriy obhged fo quit his ftarion, where he bad ac
quired great applaufe for his vigilance and bravery, and return
ed to England ; by which he was deprived of his ffiare of
the laurels which the fleet earned on the 20fh of November.
The fempeftuous feafon now coming on, the French, fo far
from being deferred from profecufing their fcheme of an in
vafion, hoped fo be the better able to carry It into execurion ;
well knowing, that It was not always poffible for our fleet at
fuch a time to keep the fea. They intended, therefore, the
poment the coaft vs'as clear, to come out ; in hopes of being able

1759" MILITARY MEMOIRS. 327

able to carry their point before the Britift fleet could come
up witb tbem fo difconcert their projeCl.
A violent gale bf wind forced Sir Edward Hawke from his
ftation into Torbay, on the 9th of November. This gale faved
M. de Borapart and bis fquadron, who muft otherwife have
fallen in with tbe Britift fleet. Contrary fo bis expectations,
he arrived fafe in Breft. His fleet was immediately ftripped
of its men, which proved a firaely recruit fo thafofM.de
Conflans. The Ramillies, the ftip in which Sir Edward Hawke
had his flag all tbe fummer, was now fo foul and leaky, that
that fte was obliged fo return to port to refit : he therefore
hoifted bis flag on board of the Royal George.
The fafe arrival of M. de Bompart, convinced M. de Con
flans that the Britift fleet bad been forced from their ftation :
he therefore ventured to leave his afylum on the 14th. Sir Ed
ward Hawke the fame day put to fea from Torbay ; and on fhe
15th, was Informed by Captain M'Cleverty of the Gibraltar*,
that the Breft fleet were failed, and that fhey had been feen
twenty-four leagues N. W. of the ifland of Belleifle, fteering
S. E. This news was received with great joy, and every ftip
prepared for aClIon. Sir Edward Hawke made for Qulberon-
bay witb a prefs of fail, rightly judging that M. de Conflans
would ftcer for that place. In order to liberate the fleet of
tranfports which Commodore Duff kept clofcly blocked up in
the Morbian. But In this defign he was frequently thwarted
by contrary winds, which drove him confiderably to the weft
ward. This was an inexpreffible mortification to men panting
for aClion, wbo bad long blocked up the French fquadron,
and had reafon to be apprehenfive, now that they had ventur
ed ouf, fbat fhey might efcape them at fea, or perhaps gain
forae other port, where the toil of watching fhem would he
renewed. On tbe 19th, the wind at laft became fair ; when Sir Ed-
x 4 ward
• It is not a little remarkable, that the fame Captain, in the fame fliip,
fliould in the fame year difcover two ftrong fleets of the enemy, and that by his
means both of them fliould have been defeated, viz. M. de la Clue in the Medi
terranean, and M. ds Conflans.

32S NAVAL AND i759-

ward Hawke ordered the Maidftone and Coventry frigates a-
bead of fhe fleet, the one on fhe ftarboard, and fhe other on tbe
larboard bow. Early in fhe morning of the 20fh, be ordered
the Magnanime ahead fo make the land. About half an bour
after eight, the Maidftone made the fignal for feeing a fleet ;
and, foon thereafter, the Magnanime made the fignal that
they were enemies. Sir Edward Hawke imraediately raade
the fignal for a line-of-battle abreaft, in order to draw tbe ftips
that were aftern up with him ; and foon afterwards, he raade
the fignal for fhe feven ffiips neareft the enemy to chafe, draw
into a line-of-battle ahead, and fo endeavour fo ftop them,
until the reft of the fquadron could get up, hoping by this
means to bring on a general engagement. When the Maid
ftone firft got fight of the eneray's fleet, they were in chafe of
Cpmmodore Duff's fquadron, which they would foon bave
overpowered. On their difcovering Sir Edward Hawke's fleet, fhey fell in
to great confufion, but feemed af laft fo come to a determi
nation to fight. They recalled their ffiips that were in chafe
of Commodore Duff's fquadron, and endeavoured to form a
line. Every one thought, from fhe equality of fhe two fqua
drons, fhe battle would be long and bloody ; yet in all the
Britifli fleet, there was not a failor but reckoned on viClory,
The difpofition of the enemy was of great fervice fo us, as,
while they were forming their line, our ffiips approached thera
faft. When nearly up with thera, M, de Conflans feeraed fo
have changed his plan of operations ; and inftead of waiting to
engage fhe Britiffi fleet, he made off. They were then near
their own coaft, with the dangers of which they were well
acquainted, and at fhe fame time knew how to avoid fhem.
Perhaps M. de Conflans Imagined, that getting fhe Bririffi fleet
to follow his among the rocks and flioals with which fhe ffiore
abounds, and of which we were In a great meafure Ignorant,
was the beft and fureft expedient he could fall upon to defeat
it, efpecially as the weather was fempeftuous, and the day al
moft at the ffiorteft. The enemy endeavoured to keep their fleet

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 329

fleet together, and fteered right before the wind for the ftore,
which was not more than four leagues to leeward.
At two o'clock, they began fo fire at our headmoft ftips ;
and about half an bour afterwards, the Warfpight and Dorfef-
ftire being clofe up witb fhe enemy's rear. Sir Edward Hawke
made the fignal for engaging. Soon after the Revenge, Mag
nanime, Torbay, Montague, Refolution, Swlftfure, and ' De
fiance, came into aClion. The battle now raged with great
fury. Tbe Formidable, in which was M. du Verger, the French
Rear-Admiral, was attacked by fhe Refolution, when, after
fuftaining a fevere cannonade from her, and a broadfide or
two frora every Britift ftip as they paffed, the Formidable
ftruck about four o'clock. Captain Speke fent his boats and
took poffeffion of her. The lofs of men on board the Formi
dable was dreadful ; M. du Verger, and upwards pf two hun
dred men, being killed. Meanwhile, the Admiral, Vice-
Admiral, and all the ftips In the rear, ufed every means in
their power fo get into aCtioii. The Thefee fuftained a warm
aClIon with fhe Magnanime ; but the latter being difabled,' by
one of our ftips running foul of her, fte fell aftern. The The
fee was then attacked by the Torbay, Captam Keppel, the for
mer of wbich foon after went to the bottom. This melancho
ly accident happened through a piece of felf-prlde of her Cap-
fain, who had ordered his lower tier of guns to be run ouf
when he firft engaged with the Magnanime ; and foon after
he began fo engage the Torbay, a heavy fquall of wind came
on. Having omitted fo order his lower ports to be ffiut, and
the pilot Informing him, fbat the veffel was by this means
ffiipping a great deal of water ; he was piqued at being tauglt
bis duty, perfifted In keeping the ports open, and foon after,
fhe Thefee funk. Of a crew which confifted of eight hundred
men, only twenty were faved ; thefe were picked up the next
morning by tbe Britift from the topmafts of the ¦vreck, which
appeared above wafer. Before this accident, herCaptain, M.
de Kerfaint, was efteemed a good officer. Owlnf to the fame
caufe, the Torbay was In the greateft danger of ; fimilar fate ;
when Captain Keppel, by fuperior feamanftip. and ordering
' the

.<3o NAVAL AND i759-

the lower ports to be ffiut, faved the ffiip ; but a great deal of
the Torbay's powder was fpoiled, which obliged Captain Kep
pel to order his men, when they were going fo engage the
Thefee, not fo throw away a ffiot. Soon after this, the ene
my's ffiip fhe Superbe went fo the bottora, fuppofed fo have pe
riffied from the fame caufe which proved fatal to the Thefee.
Sir Edward Hawke was extremely anxious to get along-fide
of the Solell-Royal, on board of which was M. de Conflans ;
but the French Admiral, not reliffiing fuch a potent antago
nift; kept going off, leavmg fhe rear of his fleet engaged. —
Ijord Howe in the Magnanime, foon got clofely engaged with
the unfortunate Thefee ; when the Warfpight eagerly pufting
on, in order to ftop the enemy's van from getting off, ran foul
of his ftip. The Magnamine and Warfpight were foon fepa
rated, without fuftaining much damage from each other. His
Lordftip then renewed the attack of the Thefee, when being
again run foul of by fhe Montague, the foreyard • of his , ftip
was carried away. The enemy's ftip made off; and, before
the two veffels could get clear of each other, fj;ie was out of
j reach, to the great grief of Lord Howe, who was heard tp
exclaim, that by this unlucky difafter, they would lofe their
ftare of the glory of the day. But obferving the French Heros
to leeward, and fomewhat difabled, he bore down fo clofe
upon her, that, in ranging along-fide, he carried away the
fluke of one of his anchors. He attacked this ftip ¦vvith the
Jreateft bravery, and foon compelled her fo ftrike. She came
to an anchor ; but it blowing very hard, no boat could be fent
0.1 board of her '¦. and her Captain run her aftore in the night,
and landed his men. The Britift ffiips had now got well up
v/ith fhe enemy's fleet. The Royal George was In the centre
firing at every ffiip within reach. The Vice-Adrairal, Mars,
Hero, &c. vere all pufliing hard to come in for a ffiare of the
glory pf the day. A little before night, fhe enemy's fleet di
vided; and M. de Beaufremont, the French Vice-Admiral*,
with the Tomant, Orient, Intrepide, Magni fique, Dauphin. Royal
• Tliis is take; from the journal of an officer of knowledge and experience.

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 331

Royal, Jriftef, Dragon, Brilliant, and Bizarre, went off to
the fouthward, within the Four-bank, fuppofed with a defign
to draw the Britiffi after tbem, in order to lead fhem on die
bank. Sir Edward Hawke judged rightly in not purfulng
tbem. The daylight was almoft gone ; and being on an ene
my's coaft, of which he was in a great meafure Ignorant,
furrounded with iflands, rocks, and ffioals, no pilots on board,
that would take charge of the ffiips, and. In addition to thefe,
a lee ffiore, and ftormy weather, he made the fignal for the
fleet fo come to an anchor. Darknefs alone faved the remain
der of the enemy's fleet, and put an end to the aClion, A few
hours raore day- light, and probably they would all have been
taken or deftroyed.
Frora a grpfs defeCl or impropriety in the night fignals
then in ufe, and which were eftabliffied by the authority of
the Admiralty, the very falutary meafure adopted by Sir Ed
ward Hawke, of bringing fhe fleet fo an anchor at fhe time
he did, might have been attended with the moft fatal confe
quences, and might have proved the deftruClion of the victo
rious fleet of Britain, By thefe InftruCtions, fhe fignal fo an
chor by night was, two guns fired from fhe Admiral's ffiip, with
out lights, or other means being ufed by which they could be
diftlnguiffied from any other guns firing af the fame time. It
is very obvious, therefore, that towards the conclufion of a
battle, only terminated by the want of light, there muft be
firing on all fides ; and that confequently, two guns fired from
tbe Admiral's ftip, could not. In fuch a fituation, be diftin
guifted as a fignal. The obedience to fuch a confufed order
was fuch as might have been expeCted : only a few of the ftips
which were near the Admiral, knew any thing of his having
anchored : the others either ftood out to fea, or anchored on
different places of fhe coaft, as they were urged fo that mea
fure by neceffity. From this divided ftate of the Britift fleet,
it is evident, thaf had fhe French fliips kept in a collective bo
dy, which they ought to bave done, by following the route of
+ She was wrecked the next day at tfie mouth of the river Loire.

532 NAVALAND 1759.

of M. de Beaufremont within fhe Four-bank, fhey might bave
attacked the few ftips which remained at anchor near Admi
ral Hawke, in the morning of the 21ft, with fuch fuperior
force as muft have given them a declfive and complete viClory.
Thefe fads fuggeft fome very ferious and important re
flections on the fubjeCl of fignals ; as, in this inftance, they
appear to be of fo much confequence, thaf by a defeCt in them
alone, Britain might have been expofed to an invafion, and
France left miftrefs of the fea, notwithftanding the efforts of
a fkilful and gallant commander, feconded by fhe exertions of
the moft aClIve and intrepid feamen embarked in a fuperior
fleet. It perhaps may be matter of furprize fo fome of fhe in
habitants of this Ifland to be informed, that fhe fame fignals
are ftill in force, and continue to direCl the evolutions of the
Britiffi fleet* ; and that they were formed during fhe laft cen
tury. It may alfo appear ftrange, that among all the various
improvements which have pervaded naval affairs fince that time,
no Lord High Admiral, or Board of Admiralty, have ever
beftowed fufficient time In confidering of a proper change in
this part of the fea-fervlce. If It proceeds from want of fuf
ficient power In the Admiralty to make the alterations, fomuch
wanted, no time ought to be loft in applying fo Parliament
to Inveft them with the neceffary authority, fo as to have fhe
naval inftruClions thoroughly examined, and a new code drawn
up containing fhe neceffary alterations ; which code ffiould
be infpeCted and approved of by a Court of Inquiry, confifting
of the beft informed naval officers. To fome, this may ap
pear trifling ; but the firft naval characters in fhe kingdom
know it to be a matter of fuch moment fo Britain, thaf on It
the fafety of her fleets, by night as well as day, and the pro
per management of them in rime of battle or other danger, in
a great meafure depends.
The ftrong contrary winds which had bafiled the Britiffi fleet
when in purfuit of the enemy, likewife retarded fhe progrefs of
M. de Conflans, and proved the means of faving the little fqua,
dron under the command of Commodore Duff, who firft receiv ed
* 1790.

1759 MILITARY MEMOIRS. 333

ed intelligence of the Breft fleet having put fo fea, from Cap
tain Nightingale of tbe Vengeance, on fhe morning of the 20th,
and wbo luckily reached Quiberon before fhe enemy appeared.
On entering the bay, he fired his guns as faft as poffible. The
Commodore- knew fhe meaning ofthe firing;, and immediately
made the fignal for his fquadron to cut their cables. In a few
minutes they were underway. He attempted to get out fo fea
by the north end of Belleifle ; but, fhe wind ffiifting, fhe Bclli-
'queux was the only ffiip of fhe fquadron fbat could make off by
that paffage. He then fried fo efcape by fhe fouth end of fhe
ifland ; In doing of which, he was obferved by M. de Conflans,
who immediately made the fignal to chafe. The Chatham,
failing very badly, was almoft within gun-fliot of a French ftip
of feventy-four guns, when a man on fhe maln-top-gallanf-
yard of the Rochefter, called ouf that he faw a fail ; and, pre
fently after* thaf he faw a fleet *. They were foon difcovered
to be friends, on which Commodore ^Duff made the fignal for
bis fquadron to tack and chafe the enemy. This unexpected
manoeuvre at firft aftonifted the French ; but prefently difco
vering the caufe, M, de Conflans recalled his chafing ftips,
which were now chafed in turn by Commodore Duff's fqua
dron, who, In fhe courfe of fhe da^^, joined Sir Edward Hawke,
and was very aCtive In contributing to the enemy's defeat. The
night of the 20th proved extremely dark^ and boifterous, and
during it, many guns of diftrefs were heard ; but, whether fired
by friends or foes, the roughnefs of the fea prevented any affif
tanee being fent fhem by boats. In the morning of the 21ft,
the fcene whicb prefented itfelf was terrible. The Refolution
was aftore and wrecked; alfo the French Heros f on the Four- bank.
* When the fleet were difcovered to be friends, the joy on board the Rochef
ter was fo great, that they gave three cheers; and fcarce a man but threw his hat
overboard, as a fort of defiance to the enemy. The other fliips of this little
fleet followed the example fet them by the Commodore's fliip.
•|- This fliip had fubmitted to the Magnanime, and come to an anchor ; but in
the night, her Captain run her aground, and with her crew efcaped on fliore. —
They were demanded as prifoners of war by Sir Edward Hawke. This brought
on a curious correfpondence between Sir Edward and the Due d'Aiguillon, the
Governor of Britanny. (See Note 15 J.)

334 , NAVAL AND 1759.

bank. The Soleil Royal having, during the night, come to an
anchor In the midft of our fleet, as foon as day-fight enabled ber
to fee her fituation, flie flipped her cable, and endeavoured to
make off, but got affiore near fo the town of Croifie, where
fte was loft. As foon as fte was obferved to be In motion. Sir
Edward Hawke made the fignal for the Effex to flip and purfue
her, which was Immediately obeyed ; but, In the purfuit, fte
unfortunately got on the Four-bank, and was wrecked. Wben
the French 'Vice-Admiral went off fo the fouthward with a
part of their fleet, fhe Glorleux, Robufte, Norfbumberiand; In
flexible, Evellle, Sphinx, Solitaire, Veftale, Aigrette, Calipfe,
and Le Prince Noir, ftood fo the northward, and retired fo fhe
mouth of the river Vilaine, (See Note 150.) ; where, by taking
out the guns, ftores, &c. and lightening fhe ftips as much as
poffible, they, on the 21ft, by taking advantage of the flood-tide,
and the wind under the land, got into that river, from whence
feyeral of them could never be brought out again. For this
piece of fervice, M. Villars de la Broffe, the comraanding officer
of this fquadron, was difgraced, and banlfted fo the caftle of
Saumar, On fhe 2 ad. Sir Edward Hawke ordered fhe Soleil
Royal and Heros to be fet on fire.
Thus was this mighty and much boafted armament defeated
and difperfed ; in doing of which, the Britift lofs was inconfi
derable. The number of men killed In this aCtion did not ex
ceed fifty ; and the wounded, about two hundred and fifty. —
The only officer killed, was Lieutenant Price of the Magna
nime : and the only one wounded, was Captain Baird of the
Defiance, who had a finger ftot oft. The letter wrote by Sir
Edward Hawke on this occafion to the Secretary of the Admi
ralty, gives fo juft and modeft an account of this glorious en
gagement, and the reafons which induced him to run fuch pro
digious rifles in order to deftroy fo great a force of the enemy,
thaf it would be unpardonable not to give thaf letter af full
length, as it appeared In the London Gazette, (See Note 150.)
" Royal George, off Penris Point, November 2 /\th 1759.
«' Sir,
«' In my letter of the i7tb by exprefs, I defired you to ac-
" quaint

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 335

*' quaint their Lordftips with my having received intelligence
" of eighteen fail of the line and three frigates of the Breft fqua-
" dron being difcovered about twenty-four leagues to N, W.
" of Belleifle, fteering to the eaftward ; all the prifoners, how-
*' ever, agree, that on fhe day we, chafed tbem, tbeir fquadron
" confifted of four ftips of eighty, fix of feventy-four, three of
•' feventy, eight of fixty-four, one frigate of thirty-fix, one of
" thirty-four, and one of fixteen guns, with a fmall veffel to
"lookout. (See Note 150.) They failed from Breft the 14th
** inftant, tbe farae day I failed from Torbay. Concluding that
" their firft rendezvous would be Quiberon, the inftant I re-
" ceived the intelligence, I direCted my courfe thither with a
" preft fail. At firft, the wind blowing hard at S. by E. and
" S., drove us confiderably fo fhe weftward. But, on the i8fh
" and I9fh, though variable. If proved more favourable. In
" fhe mean time, having been joined by tbe Maidftone and Co-
" ventry frigates, I direCted their commanders to keep ahead of
'.' the. fquadron, one on the ftarboard, the other on the larboard-
" bow, Af half paft eight o'clock in the morning of the 20fb,
" Belleifle by our reckoning bearing E. by N. a quarter N,, the
" Maidftone made the fignal for feeing a fleet. I immediately
". fpread abroad the fignal for a line abreaft, in order fo draw
" all fhe ftips of the fquadron up with me ; I had, before ,fent
" the Magnanime ahead to make the land. At three quarters
" paft nine, fte made fhe fignal for an enemy. Obferying, on
"my difcovering fhem, that they made off, I threw out the fig-
" nal for the feven ftips neareft fhem fo chafe, and' draw into a
" line of battle ahead of me, and endeavo ur to ftoptbera fill
*' tbe reft of the fquadron fliould come up, who were alfo to
" form as they chafed, thaf no time might be loft in fhe purfuit.
" That morning they were in chafe of the Rochefter, Chatham,
" Portland, Falkland, Minerva, Vengeance, and Venus, all of
•' which joined me about eleven o'clock ; and, in the evening,
•' the Sapphire from Quiberon-bay. All tbe evening we had
" very freft gales af N. W. and W, N, W. with heavy fqualls,
" M, de Conflans kept going under fuch fail as all his fquadron
" could carry, and, at fhe fame time, keep together; while we
" crowded

336 NAVALAND 1759.

" crowded after him with every fail our ftips could bear. At
" half paft two P. M., the fire beginning ahead, I made the fig-
" nal for engaging. We were then to fhe fouthward of Belle-
" ifle; and the French Admiral headmoft, foon after led round
" fhe Cardinals while his rear was in aClipn. About four o'-
" clock, the Formidable ftruck ; and, a little after, the Thefee
" and Superbe were funk. About five, the Heros ftruck, and
" came to an anchor ; but If blowing hard, no boat could be
" fent onboard her. Night was now come on, and being on a
" part ofthe coaft, among iflands and ftoals, of which we were
" totally ignorant, without a pilot, as was the greateft. part of
" the fquadron, and blov^^Ing hard on a lee ftore, I made fhe
" fignal to anchor, and came-to in fifteen fathom waferj fhe
" ifland of Dumet bearing E. by N, between two and three
" miles, fhe Cardinals W, half S., and the fteeples of Croizle
" S. E., as we found in fhe raorning,
'¦' In fhe night, we heard many guns of diftrefs fired ; but
" blowing hard, want of knowledge of fhe coaft, and whether
" fhey were fired by a friend or an enemy, prevented all means
" of relief.
" By day-break, on the 21ft, we difcovered one of our ftips
" difmafted afliore on the Four ; the French Heros alfo, and
" the Soleil Royal, which under cover of the night had an-
". chored among us, cut and run aftore to the weftward of
"Croizle, On the latter's moving, I made the Effex's fignal fo
" flip andipurfue her; but flie unfortunately got upon the Four,
" and both fte and the Refolution are Irrecoverably loft, not-
" withftanding we fent fhem all fhe affiftanee fhe weather
" would permit. About fourfcore of the Refolufion's com-
" pany, in fpite of fhe ftrong remonftrances of their Captain,
" made rafts, and with feveral French prifoners belonging to
" fhe Formidable, put off, and I am afraid drove out to fea.
" .^11 fhe Effex's are faved, (with as many of the ftores as pof-
" fible), except one Lieutenant and a boat's crew ; who were
' ' drove on the French ffiore, and have not fince been heard of.
" The remains of both ftips are fet on fire. We found fhe
" Dorfetftire, Revenge, and Defiance, in fhe night ofithe 20fh,
" put

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 337

" put out to fea ; as 1 hope fhe Swlftfure did, for fte is ftill
" miffing, Tbe Dorfetftire and Defiance returned next day,
" and tbe latter faw fhe Revenge without. Thus what lofs we
" have fuftained, has been owing to the weather, not tbe ene-
" my ; feven or eight of whofe llrtC-of-battle ftips got to fea, I
" believe, the night of fhe aClion, As foon as it was broad day-
" light in the morning of the 2 ift, I difcovered feven or eight
" of the enemy's line of battle ihips at anchor, between Pohit
*' Penris and tbe river Villalne ; on which I made the fignal to
" weigh, in order to work up and attack them ; but it blowed
" fo hard from the'N. W,, that, Inftead pf daring to eaft the
" fquadrpn Ippfe, I was obliged to ftrike top-gallant-mafts.
" Moft of thofe ftlpS appeared fo be aground at low water; but
" on tbe flood, by lightening thera, artd tbe advantage ofthe
" wind under tbe land, all, except two, gpt that night into the
<' river Vlllaine.
" Tbe weather being moderate on fhe 22d, I fent the Port-
" land, ChaJtbata, and Vengeance, to deftroy the Soleil Royal
" and Herds. The French, ori the approach of our ftips, fet
" tbe firft on fire ; and, foon after, the latter met with fhe fame
" fate frora our people. In the raean tirae, I got under way,
" and Worked up withirt Penris Point, as well for the fake of
" its being a fafer road, as to deftroy. If poffible, the two ftips'
", of the enemy which lay without the Vlllaine ; but before the
" ftips I bad fent ahead for fbat purpofe could get near them^
*' being quite light, and with the fide of flood, they gOt irtj
" All the 23d, we were erapfcyed reconfloltring the entrance:
" of the river, which Is very narrow; and only twelve feet wa-
" ter on the bar, at low wafer. We difcovered feven or eight:
" line of battle ftips about half a mile within, quite light, and
*' two frigates moored acrofs fo defend the entrance of the ri-
" ver. Only the frigates appeared to have guns in. By even-
" ing, I had twelve long-boats fitted as fire-ftips, ready to at-
" tempt burning thera, under cover of the Sapphire and Coven-
" try; but the weather beirig bad, and fhe wind contrary, oblig-
" ed rae to defer it, till at leaft the latter ftould prove more fa-
VOL. II. r " vou-

338 NAVAL AND 1759.

" vourable. If fhey can by any means, be deftroyed, it fliall be
" dpne. "In attacking a. flying aiemy, it was impoffible. In the fpace
" of a ffiort winter's day, that all our ffiips ftould be able to get
" into aClion, or all thofe of the enemy brought to if. The
" Commanders and companies of fuch as did come up with the
" rear of the French on fhe 20th,bihayed with the greateft in-
" trepldity, and gave the ftrongeft proofs of a true Britift fpirit.
*' In the fame manner, I am fatisfied, woidd thofe have acquit-
" ted themfelves, whofe bad going ftips, or the diftance they
" were at in the raorning, prevented from getting up. Our lofs.
" by the ei^iemy is not confiderable ; for in the ftips which are
*' now with me, I find only one Lieutenant and thirty-niae fea-
" men and marines killed, and , about two hundred and two
" wounded. When I confider fhe feafon of fhe year, the hard
" gales of wind on the day of aClIon, a flying eneray, the ftort-
" nefs of the day, and the coaft we were on ; I can boldly af-
" firm, that, all that could poffibly be done, has been done..
" As to the lofs we have fuftained, let it be placed to fhe ac-
•,' count of the neceffity I was under,, of running all rifles to
" break this ftrong force of the enemy. Had we had two hours
" raore day-light, fhe whole had been totally deftroyed or taken,
" for we were almoft up with their van when night overtook us.
'* Yefterday came m here the Pallas, Fortune floop, and Pro-
" ferpine fire-ftip. On the i6fb, I had difpatched fhe Fortune
" fo Quiberon, witb directions to Captain Duff to keep ftriClly
" on his guard. , In the way thither, fte fell in with the Hebe,
" a French frigate of forty guns, under jury-raafts, and fought
" her feveral hours. During tbe engagement. Lieutenant
" Stuart, fecond of the Ramillies, whom I had appointed to
" command her, was unfortunately killed:, the furvlving officers,
« on confulting together, refolved to leave her, as fte prove4 too
" ftrong for thera. I have detached Captain Young (See Note
" ^S3-)> t° Quiberon-bay with five ftips, and am making up a
" flylng-fquadron, to fcour the coaft to the Ifle of Aix, (See
" Note 1 54.), and, if praClicable, to attempt any of the enemy's
" ftips that may be there. I am, &c. Ed. Hawke."
When

1-759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 339

Wben If becarae publicly known that the French fleet had
failed from Breft, the whole kingdom were in a ferment, and
anxious for the event. Yet great as was the caufe for tbis
alarm, if was far from producing difmay, hurry or confufion;
The Minifter took every precaution fo make the people eafy :
his meafures for defence were cool and vigorous, Rear-Admi
ral Geary was immediately detached with a ftrong relnforce-
raent of ftips to Sir Edward. Hawke, (See Note 150.) ; but he
¦ was not fo fortunate as fo join hira before fhe overthrow of M.
de Conflans. Every ftip of war capable of putting to fea, thofe
juft arrived frora tbe Weft Indies, North America and the Me
diterranean, not excepted, were ordered to be ready af a mo
ment's warning. In ftort, had the enemy given tbe flip to Sir
Edward Hawke at fea, Adminiftration took fuch fteps, as would
foon have convinced thera, that Britain ftill poffeffed another
fleet fufficiently ftrong to defeat tbeir arabitious projefts of an
invafion. Indeed, fuch a truly patriotic fpirit diffufed itfelf
throughout fhe Britift officers, that each feemed to exprefs an
ardent defire fo diftinguift himfelf in the fervice of his country;
the greateft alacrity was dlfplayed ; every one, without waiting
for orders, proffered bis affiftanee where be thought it was moft
wanted ; well knowing, that at fuch a critical time, a moment's
delay might have defeated tbeir generous intentions : add to
this, fuch an univerfal harmony pervaded every department, as
muft infallibly have ' crowned our endeavours with fuccefs.
What ftronger inftance can be given of this, than In the conduCt
of Vice-Admiral Saunders ? who being in the chops of the
channel on bis return from the conqueft of Quebec, there learn
ed that the Breft fleet were failed, and that Sir Edward HaWke
was gone in purfuit of them. He had only three ffiips ofthe
line with him, yet he confidered that even this trifling addition
might be of fervice in attacking fp great a force as that under
M, de Conflans; and judging, too, that tbe exigency of the cafe
was a fufficient reafon for hira to proceed, without orders, di
reClly to join Sir Edward Hawke, be accordingly fteered his
courfe for Quiberon, with every fail he could fet. On board
tlie Af^'-^iral's. ffiip, was BrigadierrGeneral (how Marquis)
Y 2 T«wn*

340 NAVAL AND 1759.
Townftertd. He, like Admiral Saunders, was fired with a love
of his country ; and, forgetting the foils and dangers of a long
and a fevere campaign, he refolved to accompany his compa
nion in viClory, in hopes of ftaring together in tbe glory of
triumphing over fhe enemy in Europe, as they had done in
America. Nothing could be more laudable than fuch a con
duCl ; and it is to be lamented that fortune did not fecond their
generous intentions, and permit them to add a fprig of the lau
rel fo nobly earned by Sir Edward Hawke, fo fhe wreathe
which they had acquired by their vlflories at Quebec. It was
fome days after the aftion before they heard of it ; on which
Admiral Saunders fteered for England.
Every Captain, on learning thaf the Breft fleet had failed,
and that Sir Edward Hawke was in purfuit of if, haftened to
Quiberon-bay, in hopes of having a ftare in defeating the ene
my ; bnt the Admiral ufed too much difpatch for them fo en
joy that fatlsfaClion, The Fame, Belllqueux, and Soufliampfon,
joined him a day -or two after the baffle. On the 26fh, Sir Ed
ward Hawke fent Commodore Young with a fquadron fo an
chor in Quiberon-bay, (See Note 152.) ; and, on fhe 28th, he
detached fhe Honourable Auguftus Keppel with a fquadron to
Bafque-road, fo attack fuch of the enemy's fleet as he raight
find there : but before he could reach thaf place, M. de Beau
fremont, apprehenfive of fuch a vifit, had got all his guns out,
and retired up the river Charente, where our ftips bad not fuf
ficient depth of water fo follow him ; whereupon Captain Kep
pel rejoined the Admiral, (See Note 153.)
Sir Edward Hawke difpatched ^Captain Campbell with the
glorious and welcome tidings of the difcomfifure of the French
fleet. The joy of the nation at this event, was great beyond
defcription. Bonfires, Illuminations, and every demonftration
of joy, were exhibited frora end to end of the kingdora. The
King gave Captain Campbell a moft gracious reception, and or
dered him a prefent of 500I, to buy a fword.
By this glorious viClory, all fhe ambitious projeCls of France
for the invafion of tbe Britifli dorainion, vanlfted into fraoke :
and, fhey were compelled to give up a plan, frora the fuccefs of
which

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS.

which they expeCled fo repair all fhe loffes fhey had fuftained
during tbe war. Nor did their misfortunes end here ; riieir
finances failed tbem, and they were obliged to ftop payraent on
a variety of their funds, which fo rauch affeCled their public
credit, that they were now forced to give great premiums to ob
tain money fo carry on tbe war. In order fo keep up the fpirits
of tbe people, the French Miniftry publifted M. de Conflans'
letter, giving an account of the fea-fight on the 2otb of Novem
ber, (See Note 151.); a performance moft artfully calculated
to deceive them. But fhey could not fo eafily blind fhe eyes of
all Europe, who beheld them dlfmantllng and paying off their
ftips in the river Vilaine, and dragging their flat-bottoraed
boats, now alraoft a terra of ridicule, up the Seine, fo as to be
out of the reach of our bomb-ftells, and there fo wiaf till a
more favourable.opportunity ftould prefent itfelf for their being
employed with forae probability of fuccefs.
Sir Edward Hawke continued to annoy the enemy on tbe
coaft of France very much ; but, notwithftanding all bis en
deavours, he could not accompllft fhe deftruClion of the ftips
wbich had taken ftelter in the river Vlllaine, (See Note 1 50,)
thefe being removed fome miles from its entrance, which the
enemy bad now fo ftrongly fortified, as to render all attempts
to deftroy them by means of fire-ftips, utterly impracticable.
Time however effeCled what force was unequal fo : for of all
the ftips of the line which got In there, only three could be
brought out : the others, by frequently taking fhe ground, were
rendered fo totally unfervlceable, that they were obliged to be
broke up and fold.
Adrairal Hawke fent Lord Howe affiore fo the Due d'AI-
guillon, with whora be fettled an exchange of prifoners ; and,
foon after, fent Captain Ourry of the ACleon frigate, to en
deavour fo weigh the guns of fhe Soleil Royah The enemy
expeCling this ftep, had ereCled fome batteries of cannon at
Croizle to defend tbem. Captain Ourry let them know, riiat
if they fired on the people employed on this fervice, he would
return tbe fire ; but this threat had not fhe effeCl to make them
dpfift.. On. this. Captain Ourry not only cannonaded the
>¦ 3 place.

342 NAVALAND I7J9-
place, but caufed a bomb-ketch to throw fome ftells into the
town of Croizle, which confumed a great part of if. The Due
d'AIguIllon remonftrafed againft thefe proceedings to Sir Ed
ward Hawke ; but he perfifted in defending Captain Ourry's
(See Note 154,) conduCl; juftly remarking that the people of
Crozle had themfelves to blame for what they fuffered.
If redounded much tp the credit of Adrainlftration, that,
during the long time the fleet were blocking up the enemy in
Breft, great care was taken to fend them an ample fupply of
provifions, vegetables, and porter ; but after the defeat of M,
de Conflans, the winds proved fo very adverfe, that fhe good
intentions of the Admiralty were thwarted ; and inftead of the
ufual fupply, the men were obliged to be put on ftort allpw
ance. This induced the failors to think, that now the danger
pf an invafion was oyer, their friends jn England had forgot
ten them*.
Sir Edward Hawke was relieved on this ftation, by Admi
ral Bofcawen, and returned fo England after an abfence of ten
months. He ¦waited on the King on the 21ft of January 1760,
who received him with the mpft diftinguifted marks of favour,
meeting him as he entered the prefence chamber, and thank*
ing him for the fervice he had done his country. Soon after,
he bad a penfion on fhe Irift eftabliftment of aoopl. a year for
bis own life, thofe of hjs fons, and the furyivor of themf. The
* This occafioned the following witty Imprflmptu.
Ere Hawke did bang
Monfieur Conflans,
You fent us beef and beer.
Now Mdnfieur's beat,
¦We've nought to eat.
Since you have nought to fear.
f This illuftrious feaman was, January 4th 1763, appointed Rear-Admiral cf
Great 3ritain ; November 5th 1,765, ¦Vice-Admiral of Great Britain; and in
Pecember the fame year, he was appointed firft Lord of the Admiralty, which
he refigned in 1771. In 1768, he was made Admiral and Commander in Chief
of his Majefty's Fleet. He was created a Baron of the Kingdom of Grea^ Bri
tain, May 20th 1776 ; and on this occafion chofe a very apt motto to his atsaa,
Viz. STRIKE. His Lordfliip departed this life, oaober 16th 1 781.

r759- MILITARYMEMOIRS. 343

Tbe Houfe of Commons unaninnpufly voted their thanks to
Admiral Bofcawen, Vice-Admiral Saunders, Rear-Admirals
Durell and Holmes ; to Generals Monckton, Townftend, and
Murray ; and to Admiral Sir Edward Hawke. The Spea:ker,
the firft day that Admiral Hawke went to the Houfe after his
return home, addreffed bim as follows :
¦" Sir Edward Hawke, — The Houfe has unanimoufly refolv-
" ed, that tbeir thanks he given to you for tbe late fignal vic-
*• tory obtained by you over the French fleet.
" You are now. Sir, happily returned to your country, after
" a long but moft important fervice, and' veturnejd viClorious
" and triumphant, and full of honour. You meet fhe applaufe
" of your countrymen in tbeir minds and hearts, and which
" they bad manifefted before, in all outward deraonftratlons
*• of public joy and congratulation,
" Your expedition was for tbe neareft and moft- affeClIng
" concern to us — the Imraediate defence of his Majefty's king-
?' doms, againft a difappointed amd enraged enemy ; medl-
" tating. In their revenge, our deftruClion at once. Your
*' truft, therefore. Sir, was of fhe higheft nature ; but to which
" your characters of courage, fidelity, vigilance and abilities,
•" were known to be equal. You foon freed us from fears ;
" and having anfwered all our hopes, that brayery and conduCl
•' could give, or turbulent feas and feafons admit of — even
" the laft did not difturb or diminiffi your fpirit and vigour.
*• You have overawed the eneray in their ports — In their chief
" naval force ; rill ftame, perhaps, or defperation, brought
" them forth at lafl. You fought them ; fubdued thera ; and,
" in their confufion, and difmay, made thofe, who would ef-
" cape, to feek their fecurify in flight and difgrace,
" Thus, tbeir long preparing invafion was then broken and
" difpelled ; and which cannot but bring to our remembrance,
" the defign and the fate of another Armada, In a forraer age
" of glory, whofe defeat was, at that time, the fafety of En-
" land, and the lafting renown of fhe Englift navy,
" Thefe, Sir, are your late eminent fervices to yoiir King
Y 4 " and

344 NAVAL AND 1759-

*' and country ; and have been now enuraerated, not from any
" iraaginatloi} that they are unknown any where, or can ever
f be forgotten; but that your prefence with us makes them
" to rife, with their firft ftrength, Irt our thoughts, as th? re-
*' CQunting of thera rauft give us a freft fpirit of joy in our ac-
" knowledgeraenfs of thera. Our acknowledgements, then,
*' Sir, you have, for thefe paft fervices ; perrait us fo add
" to our expectations too, of what may be your future merit,
f' in defence of fhe rights and honour of your country, wbere-
" ever you ftall again coraraand.
*• It is a yery pleafing office to me, to convey thefe thanks of
*' the Houfe to you ; and 1 do give you, in the name of the
*f Coraraons of Great Britain, their thanks, for the late fignal
f' victory obtained, by you over the French fleet,"
To the above elegant fpeech. Sir Edward Hawke made the
following reply ;
" Mr Speaker, — I own myfelf greatly at a lofs, as to the
^'proper manner of acknowledging the great honour confer-
<' red on me by this auguft Houfe, in their diftinguifted ap-
" probation of my conduCl on the 2oth of November laft. In
" doing my utmoft, I pnly did my duty I owed to ray King
" and country, which ever has been, and ftall be my greateft
*' ambition to perform faithfully and honeftly, f o the beft of
" my ability, I can only affure this Honourable Houfe, that
." I receive this great mark of honour with the greateft refpcd;
" and I ftall ever retain the moft grateful fenfe of it,
" Before I fit down, permit rae. Sir, in particular to return
" you my moft refpeClful thanks, for the very obliging raan-
" ner in which you have comraunlcated to me the great ho^-
«• nour done me by this Houfe, which I ftall always efteem as
" the higheft obligation,"
FIls Majefty, anxious to reward fuch oflicers as bad dlftin-
guiflied fhemfelves in the fervice of their country on this oc-
fion, appointed Admiral Bofcawen General of his Marine.
® Forces,

I759> MILITARY MEMOIRS.

345

Forces, with a falary of 2000I. a year ; Vice-Admiral Saun
ders, Lieutenant-General of the fame, witb a falary of 1 200I.
a' year ; and the following Captains of the Navy, to be Colo
nels of the above corps, vb.
Sir Piercy Breft, Knt. at POrtfraputh ;
Hpnourable Auguftus Keppel, af Plymouth ; and
Richard Lord Vifcount Howe, at Chatham : with a falary
pf 8oq1. a year eachi,
-At Dunkirk, the French were extremely bufy in fitting out
a fmall fquadron, commanded by M. Thurot, which was to
efcort a body of tropps defrined to fecond their grand plan of
invading his Majefty's dominions. But a fleet under fhe com
mand of Commodore Boys, (See Note 155.) keptthem clofely
blocked up the whole fummer. A violent gale of wind, how
ever, in the beginning of November; forcing Corairiodore Boys
frora his ftation, M. Thurot feized tbe opportunity of flipping
out, and fteered northwards. As foon as the weather per
mitted'. Commodore Boys followed him ; but not being able
to overtake hira, he kept cruizing on the coaft of Scotland, to
proteCl that part of the kingdom. In the mean time, a report
was fpread, that M. Thurot's defign was againft Yarmouth, or
fome of the large towns on the eaft coaft of England. In
order to prevent the execution of fuch a plan. Sir Piercy
Brett was ordered from his command in the Downs, and with
a fmall fquadron (See Note 156,) to fake his ftation. In Yar
mouth roads, fo be ready at band to move to the relief of any
place which the enemy's fleet might threaten fo attack. But as
the deftruClion of M. Thurot's fquadron appertains to another
year, we will leave him to profecute his voyage, and proceed
to give a detail of the fuccefs ofthe cruizing ftips.
On fhe 3 ift of February, about feven in the raorning, Rear,
Admiral Holmes, in his way to North America, having fent
theVeftal of thirty-two guns, commandedhy Captain Samuel
(now Lord) Hood, ahead pf his fquadron, the Captain made
the figoal for feeing a fail ; and, fopn after, that it was an e-
nemy.

346 NAVAL AND 1759.

nemy. He immediately gave chafe, and alfo made the fignal
tothe Admiral, that he would be able to fpeak with the chafe.
Left tbe enemy ftould have proved too ftrong for Captain
Hood, the Admiral difpatched the Trent of twertty-eight guns,
commanded by Captain Lindfay, to bis affiftanee. About two
in the afternoon, the Veftal got clofe along-fide of tbe enemy,
and beiran a warm aClIon, which continued without inferralf-
fion till fix in the evening, wben fte ftruck, and proved to be
La Bellone of thirty-two guns, and two hundred and twenty
men,, coramanded by the Comte de Beauhonnoir. They bad
forty men killed, and a great many wounded ; and when they
furrendered, had only the fore-maft left ftanding, which foon
after' went by the board, it being rauch wpunded, and no rig
ging left fo fupport it. The Veftal had five raen killed; and
twenty-two wounded, and was fo much difabled Ih ber rigging
that, immediately after the aCtion, all her top-raafts fell over
the fide : the lower raafts rauft have gone likewife, had not
the weather proved very favourable. Although the Trent was
reckoned a very fine failer, and began fo chafe very foon after
theVeftal, yet~ffie was full four miles aftern when tbe enemy
ftruck. The Bellone had efcaped out of Fort-Royal bay, in
the ifland of Martinico, In the night of the 1 6th of January,
and bad come through Commodpre Moote's fleet. She was
purchafed by Government, and added to the Royal Navy, by
the name of the RepUlfe.
The Windfor, Captain Samuel Faulknor, being on a cruize
off the Rock pf -Lilbpn, gave chafe, on the 27th of March, fo
four large^fail to leeward. On the approach of the Windfor,
the ene^y drew into a line-of-battle ahead, about a cable's
length 4funder, and remained In this pofition till ffie got up,
and engaged the fternmoft near an hour ; when tbe three head
moft ffiips fet all the fail they could, and raade off. On this,
the Windfor's antagonift ftruck, and proved to be the Due dc
Chartres, of twenty-four twelve pounders, but pierced for fix
ty guns, and two hundred and ninety-four raen ; of whom,
twenty-eight were killed in the aClion, and eighteen wounded.
-The Windfor had only one man killed, and fix wcunded. The car-

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 347
cargo of the prize was very valuable ; it confifting of fixty tons
of gun-powder, one hundred and' fifty tons of cordage, be-
fides flour, fail-cloth, wine, &c. She left Port L'Orient the
22d of March, in company. with tbe other ftips*, all of which
were bound to India, where they were to be converted into
ftips of war. ,
His Majefty's ftips the Ifis of fifty guns, and jffiolus of thir
ty-two guns, commanded by Captains Wheeler and Elliot,
being on a cruize off the Ifle of Dieu,' on the rpth of March,
got fight of four, frigates, conveying a fleet of thirty coafting
veffels : three of the frigates ftood towards thera, in order to
proteCl their convoy. The Ifis ftood for the leewardrapft, fte
appearing to be fhe Coraraodore, to prevent, if poffible, any
of the reft getting in witb the land, it being a lee ftore. But
Le Sauvage, of thirty- two guns, the ftip fte ftood for, made
off before fte got within gunftot of her. La Blonde, of thir
ty-two guns, came clofe along fide the Mollis, under courfes.
An aClIon imraediately coraraenced, which lafted for a ftort
tirae ; when fhe .^Eolus unluckily fell aftern, owing fo her hav
ing neither brace nor bowline left to fill the raaln-fop-fail with,
the only damage fte had received in the aClion. • The enemy
feized tbe opportunity, fet all her fail, and raade off. They
¦would foon have been overtaken, had not the third frigate inter
pofed, by coraing along-fide of fhe Molus, and engaging her :
in a quarter of an hour, fte was forced to ftrike her colours,
and proved to be fhe Mignone, a frigate belonging to the
King of France, mounting twenty guns, with a crew of one
hundred and forty-three men, coraraanded by the Chevalier de
Tur-
• FRENCH SHIPS that the ¦Windsor fell in with.

SHIPS.

Tom.

Guns
mounted

Guns
pierced for.

No. of
men.

Due de Chartres,

IIOO

24

60

294 Taken.

Le Maffiac,

I zoo

86

74

300^

L'Indien,

IIOO

24

54

87° > Efcaped.

Lc St Luc,

700

ig

26

SCO J

Total, 4100 9* ai4 X064

348 NAVALAND i7S9-
Turfanville, who with thirty of his men were killed, and the
feeond. Captain and twenty -five men wounded. The Blonde
with the gteatek difficulty got off.
The, Southampton and Melampe, Captains Gilchrift and
Hotham, being on a cruize in the North Seas, gave chafe, on
the 28th of March, to two large fail. The latter being the
beft failer, came up with them, and engaged botb for upwards
of three quarters of an hour, wben the Southampton likewife
came up ; on which one of fhe French ftips made off. The
Melarape being by tbis tirae very much difabled in her fails
and, rigging, fell aftern. A warm engageraent then commen
eed between tbe Southampton and fhe other French ftip : but
the Melampe having got ber rigging fo far repaired as fo be
able fo get' info aClion again, the enemy, after an obftinate re
fiftance, was obliged to ftrike. She proved to be the Danae,
a frigate belonging fo fhe King of France, of forty guns, and
tbies hundred and thirty men. Her firft and fecond Captain,
with "upwards of thirty men, were killed in the aClion, and a
great number wounded. She was purchafed by Government,
and added to fhe Royal Navy by the fame name. The Me
lampe had eight men killed, and twenty wounded. The South
ampton had one raan killed, and eight wounded. Araong the
latter was Captain Gilchrift, wounded by a pound ball in the.
ftoulder, which quite dlCibled hira from future fervice in fhe
navy. In confideration of his misfortune, bis Majefty was
pleafed fo fettle a penfion of 300I. a year on bim during life.
The Achilles, of fixty guns, the Honourable Captain Bar
rington, being on a cruize about fixty leagues to the weftward
of Cape FInifterre, on the 4th of April fell in with, and took,
after an aClion of two hours, fhe Comte de St Florentine, a
private fliip of war, mounting fixty guns, with a crew of four
hutidred and eighty-three men, commanded by the Sieur de
jMontay. The enemy, in the aClion, had one hundred and
fixteen men -killed and wounded : the Captain was ftot through
the body, and died two days after the aClion. The ftip was
greatly damaged, having all her mafts ftot away. She proved
a very valuable prize ; had been on a cruize on the coaft of
Guinea,

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 349

G uinea, where fte had a ftort engagement witb his Majefty's
ftip the Harwich ; after which fte took fpme valuable prizes
there ; proceeded to the Weft Indies, where fte had been very
fuccefsful, and was on her return to France when taken ; her
cargo confifting of five hundred tons of raerchandize, viz. ele
phants teeth, gold duft, &c. Her Captain had infured 20,oool.
on his own account. She was purchafed by Governraent, and. ¦
added to tbe Royal Navy, by the narae of the St Florentine.
Tbe Achilles had only two raen killed, and twenty-two wound
ed in the aClion.
His Majefty's ftips, Chatham, Venus, and Thames, com
manded by Captains Lockhart, Harrifon, and Colby, being on
a cruize on tbe coaft of France, on the i8th of May, early in
tbe morning, gave chafe to a .fail in Hodieme-bay, on the
coaft of Britanny, After two hours purfuit, it blowing freft,
the chafe carried away her top-maft 5 foon after which, the
Thames came up witb her, and commenced a clofe engage
ment. The enemy made a very good defence, and did not
ftrike until the Venus came up, and raked her fore and aft.
She proved to be the Arethufe, a very fine frigate belonging to
the King of France, bound to Breft frora Rochefort ; mount
ed thirty-two guns, but pierced for thirty-fix, and bad a crew
of two hundred and feventy men, commanded by the Mar
quis de Vaudreuil. The enemy had fixty men killed and wound
ed. Being quite a new ftip, and efteemed fhe , fineft of ber
rate in the French navy, fte was purchafed by Government,
and added to the Royal Navy by the name of the Arethufa.
In the aClion, fhe Thames had four raen killed, and eleven
\wounded. The Venus had only five men wouuded.
On the icfh of OClober, tbe Hercules, of feventy-four guns.
Captain Porter, being on a cruize, fell in witb a French ftip of
war of feventy-four guns, about eight in the raorning, fo which
he gave chafe. At firft, the enemy bore down on the Hercules;
and when Captain Porter thought he was within gun-ftot, he
hoifted his colours, hauled up his ports, and run out his guns.
On tbis, fhe enemy Iraraediately hauled their wind, and fet
their raain-fail and ftay-falls. Captain Porter purfued ber .with all

356 NAVAL AND i7S9-
all the fail be could crowd. As be carae near her, ffie fired
firft her larboard, and then her ftarboard broadfide, and then
ftood on again. About nine at night, the Hercules got up
with ber, and began to engage as faft as tbe guns could bear :
but, in half an hour, an unlucky ftot carried away the raain-
top-raaft of the Hercules ; an advantage fhe eneray Iraraediate
ly availed themfelves of, and got away' as faft as poffible. Cap
tain Porter continued the purfuit, until he faw the eneray enter
Bafque-road, about eight o'clock the next raorning. " It is pro
bable, thaf this ffiip was Le Guerrier, one of the runaways of
M. de la Clue's fquadron. The Hercules had one man killed,
and two wounded, one of whora was Captain Porter, who was
mucb hurt by a grape-ffiot in the head.
His Majefty's frigates Thames and Coventry, commanded by
Captains Colby and Burflem, being on a cruize In the chops of
the Channel, in the month of February, about loo leagues fo
the northward of Cape FInifterre, fell in with two French fliipS
. of war, viz. La Palmier of 74, and a frigate of 36 guns, on their
voyage frora the Weft, Indies, to which they Iraraediately gave
chace; and carae faft up with thern ; fhey conjeCluring them
frora their appearance to be French Eaft India ffiips, the fea
running fo high that fhe Palmier could not open her lower
ports. On coming up with the eneray, an aClion iraraediately
took place. The Thames, in puffiing on to attack fhe frigate,
had the good fortune to ffioot away the Palmier's fore-fop-raaft.
The aCtion had not continued long, before Captain Colby found,
from fhe enemy's weight of metal, that they were ffiips of war,
and bore away in order to acquaint Captain Burflem of this; In
doing of which, the Tharaes was nearly run down by tbe Pal
mier; being quite clofe, ffie feU on board of ber, the eneray's
bowfprit going over the Thames's topfall. While in this def
perate fituation, Captain Colby kept up a well-direCled fire,
and raked the Palmier fore and aft, which threw thera Into
great confufion ; when, by the great exertions made on board
the Thames, and tbe fwell of the fea, fte |ot clear with very
little damage. The King's frigates finding the enemy's fuperi
ority too great for them, retired out of the reach of their guns, but

1759- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 351

but kept the enemy's ftips in fight all night. They had each
of thera five or fix men killed, and as many wounded, in tbis
ftort confliCl. The fea growing fome what calmer in the
night, the Palmier, early next raorning, opened one of ber low
er ports, and fired a ftot at the Coventry, then at near two
miles diftance repairing her dapiages, which ftruck tbe gun
wale of the ftip, and wounded a raan, on which the Coventry
hauled a little farther off. The enemy, then, by way of defi-
ance, hoifted their colours, with Britift colours over them ; as
much as to fay. Come and take poffeffion of your prize ; and
got up a new fore-top-maft with great fpeed. The Britift
Captains perfevered in the chace. In the day-time, the two
frigates feparated, the one on the ftarboard, and tbe other on
tbe larboard bow of tbe enemy,, whom they juft kept in fight ;
all the while fpreading tbe proper fignal abroad, and firing guns,
in hopes they would be difcerned by fome Britift ftip of the
line. At night, they drew clofe up with the eneray, into whofe
ftips they frequently poured a broadfide, and then raade off.
By this raeans they killed and wounded a great raany of their
raen ; and had certainly taken the largeft ftip, if the frigate
bad not been in corapany. They continued thus to barafs thera
for raany days, till fhey faw thera enter Breft, not having been
fo fortunate as fo raeet witb any of his Majefty's ftips.
Tbe Anfon cutter having been taken in tbe Channel by a
privateer of Bayonne, of much fuperior force, tbe eneray put
twenty of their people on board,- in order to navigate ber to
France. They Jeff thirty of the cutter's crew on board of her,
whora, for the more fecurlty, they kept in Irons : but fome of
them contriving to get their irons off, they releafed the reft,
jumped upon deck, and, having overpowered tbe Frenchmen,
obliged thera to navigate her info Plymouth.
The Rippon, Captain Jekyll, being on a"cruize, took, after a
chafe of fome hours, the Chefine, a French ftip of five hundred
tons burden, mounting twenty-two guns, and having a crew of
one hundred men. She came from Batifcan, a port in the
river Sf Lawrence, about twenty leagues above Quebec, which
place fte had paffed in the night pf the 24th of November, along

3f2 NAVAI^ AND i7S9-
along with firtie other veffels. It Is remarkable, that after the
Chefine was taken, fte greatly outfailed the Rippon,
The following a'necdote redounds mucb to the honour of the
Britift Navy, His Majefty's ftip Argo, of twenty-eight guns,
coraraanded by Captain Tinker, corapofing one of Coraraodore
Boys's fquadron, was ftationed off tbe port of Oftend, along
with fome cutters. The Captain fent a very polite raeffage to
fhe Governor of the place, faying. As the King his mafter was
not at ¦war with the Houfe of Auftria, he expeCled to be fup
plied with refreftments from Oftend, although it was garrifon
ed with French troops ; otherwife be would make prize of
every veffel belonging to the port, that fliould prefurae to come
out of the harbour. No notice being taken of this meffage, he
proceeded fo put his threats in execution, and detained three
fifting-boats. The Governor finding him In earneft, fent out a
flag of truce, with a compliment, affuring him he wpuld com
ply with his requeft ; in confequence of whicb, the Captain
received daily fupplies froni the ftore. At this time, there was
a French frigate of thirty guns In the harbour ; the Captain of
which was extremely galled to fee this intercourfe carried on.
To prevent it, he fent Captain Tinker a raeffage to this effeCl,
" That If he would difmlfs his cutters, and give him bis honour
" that none of Commodore Boys's fquadron ftould interpofe in
" fhe conteft, he would come ouf next day, and give hira bat-
" fie," Captain Tinker defired the meffenger to fell the Cap
tain of the French frigate. That he would difmlfs his cutters,
and not only give his word, but even fend an officer as an hof-
tage for the performance ; that he ftould not be affifted by any
ftip of the Commodore's fquadron, which then lay feven or
eight leagues to leeward ; but that he would engage him fingly
at a minute's warning. Captain Tinker had his ftip ready for
aClIon next morning, weighed anchor, and, with colours flying,
ftood towards the harbour's mouth, where he broughf-to with
his courfes clewed up, and maln-fop-fail fo the maft. In this
pofture he lay as long as the tide would permit him, clofe to
the fortifications, in fight of all fhe French officers, who were
affembled to fee the combat. But Monfieur did not choofe fo
keep his appointment, although it was of his own making. A Lift

CO

Pi

sw

<!
t-H

A LIST of French Privateers taken, and by whom. In 1759.

Number ot

Number of

Number of

Number of

Pbivateers Names
Belonged to

By whom taken.
OoMM ANDERS
How dilfofed of.
Sold to the Merehants.
Guns
M(n
Kill, 0
IVo. 0
Guns 3a
Mil
V^ WiVa 1^4 i\ i^ ±J E. 1^ iji
Kill. 0
0
Machault
14
240
Granville
' Juno
aao
J. Phillips
Marquis de Barail
Marquis de Durat
1416
184
aoo
1 Dunkirk
00
0 0
("Deptford -
1 Brilliant - -
5036
350340
J. Holwell
Ja. Logie
0.0
00
\ Ditto
Marquis de Marigny
ao
aoo
Granville
0
0
Montagu
60
• 400
Jof. Rowley
0
0
Ditto ' -¦
Moras
a*
aoa
St Malo
0
0
Unicorn - -
a8
aoo
Tho. Graves
0
0
Ditto
Bafijne
a*
aio
Bayonne
0
0
Brilliant
36
240
J. Lendrick
0
0
Ditto
La Comteffe de k Serre
2-2
187
St Malo
26
15
Adventure -
3a
aao
M. Moore
0
a
Ditto
¦Vermudian
16
1*4
Bayonne
0
0
Flamboroflgh
a3
aoo
A. .Kennedy
0
0
Ditto
Entreprenant
8
Si
Dunkirk
0
0
Richmond -
3a
:a20
T. Halkerfon
0
0
Ditto
La Morech
g
80
Hav. de Gra.
0
0
{¦.Thames
i Coventry
3aa8
jaao aco
S. Colhy
J. Burflem
00
00
•Ditto
Carilloneur
8
6a
Dunkirk
0
0
Rochefter -
50
35^
R.Duff
0
0
Ditto
DifpatehLe ¦Vieux
to
5a
Moriaix
0
0
Diligence -
14
ICO
T. Eaftwood
0
0
Ditto
8
36
Dunkirk
0
0
Surprize
20
^6o
C. Antrobus
0
0
Ditto
Marillon
8
5a
Ditto -
0
0
Xiverpool - ¦
aB
aoo
Rich. Knight.
Q
0
Ditta
10
354 NAVAL AND 1760-
In the courfe of this year, the Freneb Navy received fundry
fevere blows from Admirals Hawke and Bofcawen*
A great number of fmall privateers were taken or deftroyed -,
and many neutral veffels were captured, carrying naval ftores to
the enemy af Havre de Grace, Breft, &c., moft of which were
condemned as lawful prizes.
The oniy lofs the navy fuftained by the eneray, was that of
the Hawke floop of war, taken by a privateer of mucb fuperior
force. We had the misfortune, however, to have the Mermaid
of twenty guns, commanded by Captain Hackman, wrecked on
Arabian-key, as fhe was conveying GTeneral Shirley to his go
vernment of the Bahama Iflands : the crew were faved. The
Falcon bomb-ketch alfo went on fhe Iflands Les Saintes, near
Guadaloupe. She ftruck on a rock as ftie was chafing a priva
teer: the crew, and the fmalleft mortar, were faved.
The fmallnefs of the number of trading (hips of value taken
from the French this year, was more owing to their trade being
ruined, than to want of vigilance on our part. The captures
made by us, amounted fo one hundred and fixty-five fhips. In
cluding the neutral veffels condemned; and forty-one privateers ,
and armed merchantmen.
The French made captures of two hundred and fen veffels,
many of which were of confiderable value, chiefly In the Weft
Indies, while the flejet under Commodore IVloore was watching
the motions of M. de Bompart and bis fquadron. The others
were coafters, of which fome were taken by not obeying the
orders of their refpeftlve convoys. 1Y60.
The. naval and rallitary tranfa£Hon-s' of this year, do not af
ford fuch a ferles of great and brlillant events as fhe preceding,
A fort of refpite feemed fo be given to the French navy ; not
that our meafures for fubduing fhe enemy were in the leaft
flackened, but that the fevere blows given by Admirals Hawke
and Bofcawen had fo difabled tlieir marine, that they had few
> OS

1760. MILITARY MEMOIRS, 355

or no fliips of force at fea. They made but a feeble effort to
fuccour their North American colonies, which were corapelled
to fubrait, fcarcely any raeans being ufed by thera to procrafti
nate their fafe. The fuperiority of our force, and the a£tivlty
of Its Comraanders, overawed thera at fhe farae tirae in tbe
Weft Indies ; while, in tbe Eaft Indies, tbe whole of their
fetfleraents fell fucceflSvely into the bands of Colonel CootCj
and Adrairals Stevens and Cornifli.
Tbe brave, but unfortunate Thurot, with bis fraall fquadron,
made a raore confpicuous figure, and did raore for tbe fervice
of bis country, than Marftial de Conflans witb the flower of
the French navy. After having done wonders, in which his
probity kept pace with bis bravery, bis little arraaraent was
cruflied by Captain Elliot of the -/Eolus* : M. Thurot was fo
fortunate as not to furvive bis defeat.
In Araerica, fhe plan for profecufing the war was fteadily
purfued ; and it ended in raaking a complete conqueft of Ca
nada and its dependencies. Tbe Parliaraent voted feventy
thoufand fearaen and raarlnes, to be eraployed for the current
yeat ; and the furas granted this feffion, araounted in all fo
^S>5°3>S<^4- 15s- pH- (S^eNote 157,)
The Navy was kept extreraely aftive. Sir Piercy Breft
coraraanded in fhe Downs ; frora whence he fent cruizers to
annoy tbe eneray, and profe£l our trade in fhe North Seas.
Adrairal Rodney coramanded in the Channel, ^nd blocked up
Havre de Grace. Admirals Hawke and Bofcawen relieved
each other alternately in Quiberon bay, where a large fqua
dron was kept fo block up fhe French fhips of war in the river
Villalne, and fo fend cruizers off Breft, Port L'Orient, and
Rochefort. Coraraodore Swanton was fent out fo Quebec
with a fquadron of men of war, and fome ftore fhips, fo join
Lord Colvill, and to prevent the enemy frora fending fuccours
to Canada, by means ofthe river St Lawrence. Captain By
ron was fent with a fmall fquadron to Louifburg, with fome
miners, to deftroy the fortifications there. Sir James Douglas
Was difpatched to relieve Commodore Moore at the Leeward
Iflands, where a very confiderable fquadron was affembled.
z 2 Rear-
* Now Admiral of the White.

35(5 NAVAL AND 1760.
Rear- Admiral Holmes was fent to Jamaica, to relieve Vice-
Adrairal Cotes ; and a reinforcement of five fliips of the line,
was ordered to the Eaft Indies. - Such w.a6 the deftination of
the Britifh nawy this year.

EAST INDIES.
After the vi<aory whicb Colonel Coote gained over M.
Lally at Wandewalb, the affairs of tbe French went rapidly
to ruin. Chlttipyt, Arcot, Permacoil, and Alamparva fell,
with their garrifons, into fhe hands of the conquerors. Amid
thefe fucceffes, Rear-Admiral Cornilh, with fix fhips, arrived
at Madras. The Falmouth, one of his fquadron, meeting with
the Haerlem*, a French ftjip frora Merguy, obliged her to
run albore two leagues to the northward of Pondicherry. M,
d'Ache not appearing with his fquadron on the coaft, Mr Cor
nifli was left at liberty to affift in reducing tbe French fettie-
ments. Colonel Coote, witb the greateft part of the army,
marched to attack Waldour, and block up Pondicherry by land.
Major Monfon, witb the chief engineer, feven gunners, and
fifty pioneers, were embarked on board the fleet. In order to
forra fhe fiege of Carical, with the marines whicb Admiral
Comifti was fo land from his fleet. They were fo be joined by
forty artillery, one hundred Europeans, and two thoufand Se
poys from Trichinopoly.
Admiral Cornifli arrived in Carical road the 28th of March,
with his fquadron ; and at five in the evening. Major Monfon,
with three hundred marines, and all the pioneers, landed a-
bouf four miles to the north of fhe place. They marched
dire£lly up to it, and took poffeffion of the town early next
morning, with very little lofs. The Major finding his troops
annoyed by a redoubt (called Fort Dauphin) in tbe rear of
bis army, ordered fora^ fhells to be thrown Into It ; on which
the enemy imraedately abandoned it, and retired to Fort Louis. This
f This is the ftiip which the 'French feized laft year from the Dutch *rith
treafure on board ; ihe was loaded with timber and planks;

176^0. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 357

This opened! a communication vpith the country, which fup
plied our troops with plenty of frefti provifions. By the ift
of April, a battery of four eighteen pounders was finiflied ;
and, being joined by the Nabob, and the reinforcements tfiey
expe£led from Trichinopoly, on the 3d, at night, fhey inreftefd
the plaee on all fides. By the" 5th, they had ere£ted feveral
batteries, breached one baftion, and difmounted fe^veral gims,
when Major Monfon received advice that M. Lally bad fent a
confiderable body of horfe and foot as far as Chilam'brunt, to
relieve tbe place. He Imraediately famraoned the Command
ant to furrender, which, after fome difficulty, be did ; and he
arid his gartlfon, confifting of two hundred and fix Europeans,
and two hundred Sepoys, were made prifoners of war. The
failors were of great fervice in landing tbe ftores, which they
performed In the night, clofe to the enemy, wlthoutany Ibfr.
• Major Monfon marched next^ for Chrlambrum, and' fum
moned the garrifon, who, by their anfwer, feemed determined
to ftand an attack. But in fhe night, fome pioneers, who were
carrying fafclnes to a battery, happening' to miftake tbeir ¦way,
bad marched up to the fort*. Theerremy imagining they were
bringing ladders to feale the wall, cried out, " That fhey fuT-
" rendered at difcretlon." There were no more than forty Eu
ropeans', a-nd fix officers, and between two and' three hundred
Sepop and Topai!es in fhe place. The garrilbn at Veradrchrlum
furrendered ^oon after, where about half the former numbers
'vrere made prifoners.
Major MonlX)n joined Colonel Coote fhe beginning of May,
ftavrng, in fhe fpace of a month, deprived the French of many
valuable pofleffion s, a-nd at laft {hut up M. Lally with his ar
ray within tbe walls of Pondicherry, the only place of confe
quence that now reraained in the hads of the French.
The marines were re-embarked, and- on board of their refpec-
tive {hips. Rear-Admiral Cornifh was joined In St David^s
road, by Rear-Admiral Stevens-, with fhe reraaind'er of fhe
z 3 fquadron
* The fort was a fmall fqpare, withravelings before each curtain, a faile bray
half round, a good ditch with fome water, a covered way palifadoed, and a good
glacis, with bomb-proof places in different works for five hundred men.

3S8 NAVAL AND i7<5o.
fquadron from Bombay, wbo affuraed tbe command ofthe fleet.
(See Note 158.)
Admiral Stevens proceeded off Pondicherry with the fqua
dron ; while Colonel Coote, who had taken Waldour and VII-
lenour, encamped about four miles from It, and about half a
mile from Oullagary, where the eneray ftill kept poft. Tbe
Colonel threw up redoubts in tbe feveral avenues leading to
the city ; the enemy did fhe fame ; and fhe advanced pofts
were within raulkef-fhot of each other. During this tirae
the enemy made two attempts on Cuddalore : in fhe firfl, they
carried off feventy fick ; in the laft, they were repulfed with
lofs, M. Lally, now defpairing to accomplifh the ruin of the
Britifh fetfleraents by force, bad recourfe to various intrigues
and ftratagems with the country princes, to bring them tojils
affiftanee. In fome of thefe he fucceeded ; but that did not
avail him much : for the Governor and council of Madras,
with Colpnel Coote, took fuch wife and vigorous meafures, as
rendered all his fchemes abortive.
The rainy feafon drawing near. Governor Pigot and Colo
nel Coote requefted the Admiral to land bis marines, fo affift
in taking Arlancopaiig, They were accordingly landed at Cud
dalore .on the apth of Auguft, and next day joined the army-
Colonel Coote ordered Major Monfon with eight hundred men,
to attack fhe place ; while himfelf, with the raain body of the
army, marched againft fhe enemy af Oullagary, where fhey
were ftrongly pofted.
M. Lally, who had received intelligence of this fcheme, rer
folved, If poffible, to difconcert If, He propofed, therefore,
in fhe abfence of fhe army, fo attack our redoubts, which he
had reafon to think would be but feebly guarded. Had the ex
ecution of this bold and well concerted enterprize been equal
to its plan, there is little doubt, but that confiderable mifchief
might have been done. On fhe 3d of September, at four in
the morning, be affaulted, at one and the fame time, four of
our advanced redoubts. Though they were only guarded by
Sepoys, and a few' gunners, the enemy were repulfed frora
three

1760. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 359
tliree of them with great lofs : the fourth they carried, and
fet it on fire, making three gunners prifoners. The army was
marching to fuftain the redoubts, when advice was brought that
the enemy bad retreated. On the night of the 4th, M. Lally
made a vigorous attack on tbe redoubt near the Tamarind
Tope ; but the eneray were fo well received, thaf, after a
very briflc effort to carry tbeir point, fhey were obliged to re
tire. Colonel Coote at this time being fuperfeded in his command,
by Major Monfon's receiving a commiffion of Colonel, irarae
diately retired to Madras. Colonel Morris's regiment of 'High
landers 'having joined the army. Colonel Monfon gave orders
fbr attacking tbe eneray's pofts at Oullagary church, and the
redoubts in tbe Bound Hedge, 6A the pth, af midnight. Ma
jor Smith, witb the Company's troops, attacked the former, a
little before day-light, -wlrh fuch impetuofity, thaf fhe enemy
were obliged to abandon their ^works, leaving nine field-pieces
behind. He purfued them 'to a redoubt where fhey raade
fome ftand ; but ^he Xoon drove them thence, under tbe walls
of Pondicherry.
Colonel Monfon having laid a plan for intercepting thera In
their retreat from Oullagary, bad marched with two regiments
for that purpofe ; but, fhe night being very dark,' part of his
detachment miffed their road, which caufiiig a delay, he relin-
quifhed it : and being anxious for the fuccefs of Hs plan againft
the redoubts, pufhed on at the head of his grenadiers, and at
tacked the eneray, who foon giving way, abandoned three re
doubts, and left behind thera ¦fifteen pieces of cannon. Af thisv
critical junfture. Colonel Monfon received a fhot, which broke
botb bones of one of bis legs. The troops - now took poft in
the Bound Hedge, which fecured fo them fhe ground they
bad gained. On the loth, fhe whole army encaraped at Oul
lagary, and fent out detachments to fecure fhe redoubts they
had taken, and another to inveft Ariancopang. M. Lally,
feeing its fall inevitable, gave orders for withdrawing the gar
rifon, and blowing up the Fort, whicb was not fo effe£tually
done, but that it was foon repaired, and a poft eftablifbed there.
z 4 Colonel

3^0 NAVALAND 1.760.

Coloiiel Monfon being no loiiger able to continue the block
ade In perfon, the Governor and Council of Madras earneftly
entreated Colonel Coote to tefutflC the command ; which hc
accordingly did, and arrived in canip on the 30th. The mon
foon npw approaching, on Qft'ober 6thj the whole line was
ordered to ftrike their tents, to raarch a mile and a half to
the left of their former ground, and to encamp on a hill dur
ing the rainy feafon.
The enemy had in the road of Pondicherry, befides fmaller
craft, two frigates,' the Baleine and Hermione, and one of the
Eaft India Company's fhips, called La Compagnle des Indes.
Thefe veffels lay at anchor befo^^e the town, as near the furf as
„ they could lay with fafety, and under the prote£i:ion of one hun
dred pieces of cannon, rabunted on the fortifications next tbe fea.
M, Lally intended that as foon as the ftormy weather Ihould
oblige the Britifh fleet fo withdraw at a greater diftance from
Pondicherry, to difpatch fh?fe veffels to the fouthward, with
prders tp return with provifions as fpeedily as pbffible, which
he had hopes wpyld be accpmpllfhed, ere the blockade by fea
was again eftablifbed, Rear-Admiral Stevens yefolved to at
tempt cutting the frigates out ofthe road ; his fqwadrpn was at
anchor off Cuddalore, and preparations were accordingly made
for this exploit, and fhe night fixed on ; liut the fhips being
obferved by telefcopes from the tpwn, to he hoifting out their
boats before it grew dark, made the enemy fufpefl: the defign,
and they Inftantly fent ftrong reinforcements of men from the
fhore fo fhe fhips ; this was obferved by the Brlijifh fquadron, and
the Admiral finding fhe enemy too much on their guard, de
fifted from the attack for fhe prefent ; but he ordered the Ti
ger of fixty guns, to anchor to the fouth of Pondicherry, at
Wp miles diftance from the fliore, and about a fortnight af
terwards, he refolved to make another effort fo cut out the fri
gates, and for this purpofe, twenty-fix boats were ordered to
be hoifted out after it was dark, and manned v/ith four hun
dred failors, ropftly volunteers for this fervice ; they failed fo
the Tiger, under whofe ftern they were all ordered to affemble
at twelve o'clock. Soon after, fhey obferved that the lights in
the

1760. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 361

great cabin of the Herralone (the neareft of the enemy's fhips)
were all extingulfljed -, from this they concluded, that tbe offi
cers were gone to reft, fo off fhey fet. The boats were ranged
in two divifions, fhe firft deftined to board the Hermione,
the fecond, the Baleine ; ' fhe attack of the Compagnle des Iiides
was to depend on fhe other attacks proving fuccefsful. To
prevent feparation, the boats of each divifion moved In a line,
and were linked to each Other by ropes. To prevent noife,
the niphes of the oars were muffled with frefh fheep fkin ; and
the watch-word by which they were to know each other in the
dark, was Cathcart, a word thaf few Frenchmen can pronounce
properly. It lightened continually, as ufual, in the nights be
fore the change of the monfoon ; notwithftanding fhe firft
divifion got within piftol-fhot of tbe ftern of the Hermione,
before they were difcovered -, the boats then feparated, and
rowed up brifkly, equally on each fide of the fhip, and two
pufhed forward to the bows, to cut the cables, Frora the
H^oment they were difcovered, all hands In the fhips were up,
and kept a warm fire of mufketry on the boats ; fhe (hip Les
Corapanie des Indes, fired 'what oannon fhe could bear on the
boats, but nothing could damp the fpirit of the Britifh failors.
The Hermione was boarded in as many parts as there were
boats round the fhip ; her crew, which confifted of feventy
men, behaved very well, defending fherhfelves with pikes and
piftols, when the attack came band to hand. The man who
firft attempted to cut the cable, had bis head cut off by an of
ficer, ftanding in the bow to guard It : bat after a ftout refif
tance, the enemy were overpowered, and all driven or tum
bled down the hatchways ; for no concert for furrenderlng
could be attended fo. In fhe confufion and hurry every thing
was in. As foon as allthe Frenchmen were fecured, the hai^-
ches were clofed, and, centinels placed over thera. The mizen-
top-fall, the only fail bent, was fet to carry off tbe (hip, which
J feveral boat^ were in readinefs to tow. The enemy on fhore,
who had waited until tbe firing of tbe attack bad ceafed in
tbe Hermione, then began a raoft violent cannonade; the
lightning afforded the raeans to take a fure aim, and they re
peatedly

362 NAVALAND 1760.

peatedly ftruck the fhip ; one fhot deftroyed the wheel of the
rudder, killed the two men who were fteering, and cut fhe til
ler-rope. The prifoners confined below, deterred every one
from going down into the gun room, to fix another rope to
the rudder, and the fingle fail was not fufficient to fteer the
fhip ; the boats remained the only means of carrying ber off,
and fhey fugged with fuch violence, that fhey continually fnap-
ped fhe towing ropes. Meanwhile fhe fire continued with
great brifknefs from the fhore. Af length it was fuggefted
that the fhip had no motion, and refifted by a cable and an
chor concealed under her keel ; on'which the officer who com
manded fhe attack, refolved to leave ber. The prifoners were
informed, that it was intended to fet the fhip on fire, on
which they came up, anc^ moft readily agreed fo be carried off
in fhe boats, which rowed away with fhem fo the Tiger, but
wheti they arrived on board that fhip, the Captain (Digby
Dent), was by no means pleafed with their conduft, and faid
that he would fend fome or his own crew to bring off the fhip.
This fpirited rebuke had the defired effe£t : fhe raen were a-
fhamed, and inftantly got into their boats, fet off again for the
Hermione, but met her half a mile nearer than fhey had left
her ; for the land-wind had fprung up, and was driving her
out to fea. The difpofitions for the attack of tbe Baleine were
the fame, but fucceeded with lefs difficulty ; ber crew made
little refiftance ; only three men were killed before they fur
rendered. The rtidder of the fhip was on fhore, but fhe had
feveral fails bent to the yards, which fufficed to condudt her
to fhe Tiger, before the Baleine came up to her. No at
tempt was made on fhe Compagnle des Indes. Both prizes
were purchafed into fhe fervice.
The wet feafon being now fet In, the Adpiiral, on the 23d,
ordered five fail of the line to continue the blockade, under
the command of Captain Haldane, and failed with the remain
der of the fquadron to Trincomale. All that Mr Coote bad
now to do, was, to cut off, as much as poffible, die enemy's
communication witb the country. His orders. In this refpeft,
were punftually obeyed, by that adive officer,. Major Prefton. While

J^6o. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 363

While the monfoon lafted, no works could be raifed againft
tbe town, but what the hurricanes and rains would have im
raediately levelled. Colonel Coote was convinced, thaf fhe
fureft raethod of faking Pondicherry, was by famine ; his ar
ray not being of fufficient ftrength, completely to inveft the
place in a regular manner. Befides, he knew It to be ftrongly
fortified, and defended by an able and refolute officer; whofe
pride and obftinacy, fo prejudicial fo him on all other occafions,
would make him, as in effeft if did, perfevere to fhe very laft
moraent. In defence of the only place wbich France now had
In India.
Colonel Coote, defirous pf bringing the garrifon to terms
iraaglned, that by tbe conftant alarra of fome batteries playing
pn them af forae diftaece, he might greatly add to their diftrefs
they being already weakened by famine, and mutinous through
difcontent. He accordingly ordered a ricochet batterv, of four
pieces of cannon, to be erefted to fhe northward, at fourteen
hundred yards from the town, purely with a defign to harafs
^he enemy.
On the I oth of November, the ftores were landed, and eve
ry thing prepared fo carry on fhe fiege with all fhe vigour that
circumftances would admit of. The more to diftrefs the ene
my, batteries were erefted fo play on different quarters of the
place, fo enfilade each other ; and, by that means, to render
their fituation in the town ftill raore haraffmg and difagreeable.
At the farae time, our works were af fuch a diftance from the
walls, that the enemy's fire had no certain effeft on fhem. On
fhe Sth of December, at midnight, two new batteries were
opened. The town was now fo greatly preffed for want of
provifions, that fhe riumber of deferters increafed daily ; but
what was ftill a more melancholy proof of their defperate fitu
ation, fourteen hundred of the poor Inhabitants were driven
out of the town by M, Lally's order, and, wben flopped by
our advanced guard, they were fired on from fhe ramparts
both with cannon and muflcetry ; by which three of thefe rr.i-
ferable people were killed. They reraained fome days In that
^eplorable ftate, without any thing to feed on but grafs ; till
Co-

364 NAVALAND 1760;

Colonel Coote, finding the poor creatures conftantly fired on
as they attempted to return fo their habitations, took compaf-
fion on them, and perraitted fhem to pafs info fhe country.
Thofe in the town were not In a rauch better fituation. They
were reduced to fuch extreme diftrefs, that they lived on ca
mels, elephants, dogs, and cats; and even of this wretched
provender, there was great fcarclty. Sixteen rupees were at
orie time paid for the flefh of a dog.
M. Lally had hopes of being relieved by a powerful fleet from
France. He continued firing brifkly from tbe ramparts, but
did not damage the works. They killed one gunner, and a Su-
bedar of Sepoys, on the 9th of December. On the 25fb, Ad
miral Stevens returned frora Trincoraale with four fhips of the
line, and refuraed the command of fhe fleet. On tbe 29fb, a
battery was begun, of fen guns, and three mortars, within four
hundred and fifty yards diftance ofthe town.
The new year was ufhered in with a moft violent hurricane ;
fo that fhe ift of January was as reraarkable for the fears if occa
fioned in the Britifh camp, as for the hopes of relief it afforded
to tbe diftrefled garrifon and Inhabitants of Pondicherry. The
afffi£ted eagerly catch at every glirapfe which gives thera the
fmalleft appearance of aid, or of pufting a period fo their fuffer
ings. T'he Britifh fleet, which had rode triumphantly before the
town, and intercepted or chafed away every fuccour that was
endeavoured to be thrown into the place, was now in danger of
being annihilated. When the ftorm began. Admiral Stevens
had along with him eight fail of fhe line, two frigates, a fire-
fhip, and a fliip witb ftores. From eight in the morning, till
ten, there was a conftant fucceffion of fqualls, the laft being al
ways the moft violent. At thaf time. Admiral Stevens, in the
Norfolk, (having for his Captain the .gallant and unfortunate
Kempenfelt), was forced to cut his cable, and made the fignal
for the fquadron fodo the farae. But the noife and violence of
the gale was fuch, that no guns could be lieard, nor a fignal ob
ferved. Unfortunately, the other comraanders refolved fo obey
their orders, and continue at anchor, until their cables became fo

t^6o. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 3(^5

lb ftrained hy tbe violence of tbe wind and waves, that they
parted ; and fhe veffels, with the greateft difficulty, got before
tbe wind, with fcarce any fail fet. The gale continued to in-
creafe until noon ; by whicli tirae, the wind had veered from
tbe N. W- where it began, to the N. E, ; and in an inftant it
was fucceeded by a calm, attended by a thick haze. This was
of fhort d^iraflon ; for, in the fpace of a few minutes, tbe ftorm
burft from the N, E. and feeraed fo blow witb r.edoubled fury.
Had the fquadron got under fail, and proceeded to fea when
it began to blow frefh in the morning, they would have bad an
opportunity of gaining fufficient fea-room, before the ftorra
carae frora fhe S. E. Tbe firft guft of this frefh hurricane, laid
the Panther on her beams ; when, the fea breaking over her.
Captain Affleck ordered the raizen-maft to be cut away. This
not relieving the fhip, he ordered the raain-raaft to be cut away
likewife; but, in doing of this, it broke below the upper-deck
with fuch force, that it tore if up, bung over the fide, and con
tinued to incumber the fhip for a confiderable time, until a vio
lent wave carried if away. This anfwered their wifhes ; the
fhip righted ; and, tbe reefed fore-fail having luckily withftood
tbe violence of the gale, by raeans oflt, they got back into four
teen fatbora water, and there dropped the fheet-anchor ; but it
not bringing up, they cut away fhe fore-maft, the fall ofwhich
carried away fhe bowfprit, when the fhip came round, and in
this raanner rode out the ftornj.
The America, Medway, and Falmouth, were likewife difmaf
ted } and, after rauch diftrefs, came to an anchor near the Pan
ther. But It did not fare fo well with fhe Newcaftle, the
Queenborough frigate, and the Proteflor fire-fhip, who, re
turning with the S. E, gale, miftook their foundings, and drove
towards the fhore, without endeavouring fo corae to an anchor.
The loudnefs of fhe wind prevented thera frora bearing the
noife of the furf breaking on the fhore, whicb they had reached
before they difcovered their danger, and when fhey could ap
ply no remedy. All three were wrecked about two miles fouth
of Pondicherry. Of their crews only feven perifhed; who
were

366 NAVAL AND 1760.

were dafhed overboard by the violence with which fhe fhips
beat when they took the grpund. 1
A more miferable fate attended the Due d'Acquitaine, fhe
Sunderland, and the Duke ftore-fhip. Their raafts unluckily
withftood both hurricanes, until they were driven back by the
S. E, tempeft, and were under fhe neceffity of anchoring;
when, bringing up with all their mafts ftanding, fhey were foon
overwhelmed by the waves, and either overfet or foundered.
The crews, in number eleven hundred, perifhed, except feven
Europeans, and as many Lafcars, who were next day picked up,
clinging to fome of the materials which had floated from the
funk fhips.
The garrifon of Pondicherry beheld the misfortune which
had befallen the Britifh fleet, as a miracle wrought in their fa
vour ; by means ofwhich, they hoped foon to be relieved frora
the mifcries of famine under which they had fo long laboured.
The vindldtive Lally, therefore, when the ftorm abated, feeing
the port no longer blocked up by the Britifh fleet, exulted at its
difafter, and with a heart replete with joy, he launched a boat
from the beach, and by that means endeavoured to convey a
letter to fhe French refident af Pulllcaf ; of which letter we here
give a tranflation, as it will ferve to afford forae idea of this An
gular man,
" Mr Raymond,
" Pondicherry, January 2, 1 761,
" The Englifh fquadron is no mere. Sir. Out of twelve
" fhips they had in our road, feven are loft, crews and all ; the
" four others are difmafted ; and it appears that there Is no
*• more than one frigate th;;t bath efcaped. Therefore do not
" lofe a moment to fend us chelingas upon chelingas loaded
" with rice. The Dutch have nothing fo fear now, Befides,
" according to the law of nations, they are only to fend us no
" provifions themfelves, and we are no longer blocked up by
" fea, " The faving of Pondicherry hath been in your power once
" already : if you mifs the^ prefent opportunity, it will be en-
" tirely

1760. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 367

" tirely your fault. Do not forget alfo fome fmall chelingas,
" Offer great rewards. I expedt feventeen thoufand Moraffoes
" within thefe four days. In fhort, rifle all, atterapt all, force
" all, and fend us fome rice, fhould if be but half a garfe at a
« tirae.
« Lallt."
This epiftle was luckily intercepted, and the joy of the enemy
was but fhort-llved; for, about fun-fet on fhe 2d of January,
the Norfolk, with Admiral Stevens' flag, was difcovered In the
offing, to the unfpeakable fafisfaftlon of bis friends on fliore.
By the judicious condu£t ofthe Admiral and his Captain, the
Norfolk returned in complete order to the blockade. He fell in
with the Liverpool at fea, who had loft all her mafts In fhe fe
cond ftorra ; and foon after, be raet the Grafton, who gave tbe
Admiral the welcome tidings, that he had left Rear-Admiral
Cornifh, on fhe 2 8tb of December, witb fhe Lenox, York, and
Weyraouth, about thirty leagues off the land, in their way from
Trincoraale fo Pondicherry, The Adrairal gave the charge of
the Liverpool to the Grafton, and got fo Pondicherry road in
the raorning of fhe 3d, In fhe afternoon, he was again joined
by thera ; and, next day, by Rear- Adrairal Cornifh, and the
fhips under his coraraand : fo that the blockade was now as
coraplete as ever,
Adrairal Stevens immediately difpatched letters fo all the
fetfleraents of fhe Dutch and Danes on the coaft, informing
thera, that Pondicherry was as corapletely befieged as before,
botb by fea and land : and fbat If any veffels fliould attempt to
throw provifions into If, they would undoubtedly be raade prizes
of. On fhe 7th, fhe Salifbury arrived frora Trincomale, and
brought in a prize, called La Compagnle des Indes. At the
farae time, fhe Tiger arrived frora Madras, where fhey had not
felt any thing of the hurricane. Every fhip of the fleet that
was expefted, were now affembled. The Elizabeth, and the
South-Sea Caftle, with fhe Baleine and Herralone prizes were
af Borabay ; the two former gone into dock.
Colonel Coote was now employed in repairing tbe bafteKies, and

368 NAVALAND 1760.

and approaches to fhe place, which tbe hurridanes had almoft
ruined. On the 5fh, the Sf'Thomas rddoubt, of very great con
fequence fo tbe enemy, was attacked, in which Were four twen
ty-eight pounders, and was carried without any lofs. It did
not, however, remain long in our poffeffion ; for, next morning
at daybreak, three hundred of fhe enemy's grenadiers retook
it ; owing to tbe officer who coramanded there, not being able
to keep his Sepoys together. By the 1 2tbj the ten-gun battery
was repaired, and kept up a very brlfk fire, vvhich greatly dama
ged the counter-guard and baftioh, and made a breach ih tbe
curtain. Next dayj in the evening. Colonel Coote ordered a
working-party of feven hundred Eutopeans, and five bundted
Lafcars, with the pioneers of the array, under a field-officer, to
the northward, fo ereft two batteries ; one for eleven guns, and
the other for three mortars, which fhe engineers had traced
out; and to carry on the other neceffary works there. Altho'
the raoon fhone very bright, the enemy gave thera no interrup
tion; and, by morning, they were alraoft finifhed.
The 14th, the ten-gun battery kept a conftant fire the whole
day, which entirely ruined the weft face and flank of the' N. "W:
baftion ; and, on fhe 15th, the eleven-gun battery opened and
played with futh fuccefs, that, by eight o'clock irt fhe morning,
the enemy's fire was filenced : ' whereupon. Colonel Coote gave
orders for beginning a trench to contain the royal mortars, and
three guns, for the more fpeedy demolition of fhe derai-baftion
and ravelin bf fhe Madras Gate.
Notwithftanding that M. Lally faw clearly that Pondicherry
mufl inevitably fall, yet that extraordinary raan, frora a raoft
ftubborft pridS and obftinacy, fcorned to raake any offer to fur
render, or to enter into any terms for fhe wretched inhabitants,
which might have faved what they had left from becoming a
prey to 3 vi£torious foldlery. But he had not the feelings
which are ufually found in men; his natural difpofitions partak
ing much more of the brute than of the hero. He was proud,
obftinate, and arrogant, fo a degree. The having been, for fo
long a fpace of time, daily eye-witnefs fo the great and nuraber-
lefs fufferings of thefe unfortunate people, muft, on a mind
poffeffing

i7t)o. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 369*

poffeffing coraraon huraanity, have raade a deep impreffion. —
This alone would bave been a ftrong incentive witb any other
man, fo have ufed every raeans in his power fo bave obtained
the raoft favourable terras frora the conquerors, and fo bave al
leviated, by every kindnefs and attention, the rigour of tbe fate
of a fet of men who bad frequently fought under his banners,
who had behaved well, and who bad borne witb great fortitude
many bardfhips, during a blockade and fiege which lafted eight
months ; efpecially, wben it is confidered, that their prefent
misfortunes bad arifen from his want of fuccefs in tbe condudl
of the war ; and thaf, frora having been in a ftate of eafe 'and
affluence, they were likely to be plunged into ruin and want.
The inhabitants of Pondicherry were now driven to tbe ut-
moft^defpair.; and M. Lally, finding that the place could not
hold out any longer, confented to deliver it up, and gave the
peoplejleave fo endeavour to obtain fhe beft terras they could for
thernfelves, from Colonel Coote. (See Note 158.) But, from
the extraordinary method in which he chofe this matter fhould
be managed, no regard was paid to their reprefentatlons. On
the 15th, in the evening. Colonel Durre of the Royal artillery,
the chief of the Jefulfs, and two Civilians, carae out of tbe city,
with propofals for.dellverlng up Pondicherry. (See Note 158.)
M. Lally, notwithftanding all bis raisfOrtunes, perfevered oa
this occafion in all bis baughtincfs. He declined to offer any
terras from bimfelf. Perhaps he would have found it very
diflicult to have urged any arguments ftrong enough to fave
the place from fhe fate of Fort St David.
He fent a letter to Colonel Coote, full of inve£tives againft
the Britifh, for their breach of treaties relative to India, of
which the following is a tranflation :
" The taking of Chandernagore, contrary to the faith of trea-
" ties, and of that neutrality which bas always fubfifted be-
" tween all European nations, and particularly between the two
" nations In this part of India ; and tl^at, imraediately after a
" fignal fervice which the French had rendered the Englilh, not
" only in taking no part againft them with the Nabob of Ben-
vot. II. A a " gal,

370 NAVALAND 176a

" gal, but in receiving thern in tbeir fettlements, to give them
'« time to recover from their loflfes, (as appears by the letter of
" thanks from Mr Pigot himfelf, and from the Council of Ma-
*' dras to that of Pondlcbetry) ; added to the formal refufal of
" fulfilling the fconditlotis of a cartel, agreed upon between our
" refpe£tlve Mafters, though it was at firft accepted by Mr PI-
" got, and fhe Commiffioners were named on both fides to go
" to Sa^drafs, to fettle amicably tbe dlfficulfies which migbt oc-
*' cur in its exectrtlon ; put it out of ray power, with refpeift to
" My Court, to make or propofe to Mr Coote any capitulation
" for the town of Pondicherry.
" The King's tfOops, and thofe of the Company, furrender
" therafetves fbr want of provifions, prifoners of war of bis Bri-
" tannic Majefty, on the terihs of the cartel, whicb I reclaim
" equally for all the inhabitants of Pondicherry, as well as for
" fhe exercife of the Roraan religion, the religious houfes, hof-
" pitals, furgedns, chaplains, fervaiits ; referring rayfelf to the
*' decifioii of fhe two Courts for reparation, proportioned to the
" violation of fo foleraft i treaty.
" Accordingly, Mr Coote rtiay take poffeffion, to-morrow
*' morning at eight o'clock, of the gate of Villehour, and after
*' tG-morro'i<r, at the fame bour, of that of Port St Louis ; and
" as he has the power in bis own hands, he will dictate fuch
" nlterlor difpofitioiis to be raade as he fhall tbhik proper.
" I dentand, merely from a 'principle of juftice and huraanity,
« that the rabthet and fifters pf Raja Saib be permitted to fe^k
«' an afylum where fhey pleafe, or that they remain prifoners
" among the Englifli, and not be delivered into Mahomet Ally
«' Cawn's bands, ^hlch are ftill red with the blood of the huf-
" band and father, which be bas fpilf, to tbe (barae indeed of
" thofe who gave them up fo him ; but not lefs to the fliarae
«< of the Commander of the Englifli array, who fhould not have
" fuffered fuch a piece of barbarity to be coraraitted in bis
*' camp. " As I ara tied up by tbe cartel in the declaration whicb I
« make to Mr Coote, I confent that the gentlemen of the Coun-
" cil of Pondlchcrfy may make their own feprefehtatiohs to hira,
" 'jvitb

1750. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 371
" with regard to what may more immediately concern their
" own interefts, as well as tbe intereft of the inhabitants of tbe
" colony. " Done at Fort Louis of Pondicherry, the i5tb day cf Janu-
" ary 1761.
" To Colonel Coote. " Lally."
To the foregoing extraordinary letter. Colonel Coote return
ed the following anfwer :
" Tbe particulars of tbe capture of Chandernagore having
" been long fince tranfralffed to his Britannic Majefty, by the
" officer to whom that place furrendered,. Colonel Coote can-
" not take cognizance of what paffed on that occafion ; nor can
*' he admit the fame as any way relative to tbe taking of Pon
¬dicherry. " Tbe difputes whicb have arifen concerning the cartel con-
" eluded between their Britannic and Moft Chrlftlan Majefties,
" being as yet undecided, Colonel Coote bas it not in his
•' power to adrait fbat the troops of bis Moft Chrlftlan Majefty,
" and thofe of tbe French Eaft India Corapany, fhall be deera-
" ed prifoners of war to bis Britannic Majefty, upon the terras
" of that cartel ; but requires that they furrender tberafelves
" prifoners of war, to be ufed as be fhall think moft confiftent
** witb the intereft of the King his mafter ; and Colonel Coote
" will fhew all fuch indulgencies as are agreeable fo humanity.
" Colonel Coote will fend the grenadiers of his regiment, be-
" tween the hours of eight and nine o'clock to-morrow morn-
" ing, to fake poffeffion of the Villenour gate ; and the next
" raorning, between the fame hours, he will alfo take poffeffion
" of the gate of Fort Louis,
" Tbe raodier and fifters of Raja Saib fhall be efcorted to
*• Madras, where proper care fhall be taken of their fafety ; and
" they fhall not, on any account, be delivered into fhe hands of
" Nabob Mahomet Ally Cawn,
" Given at the bead-quarters, at the camp before Pondi-
" cherry, tbis I5tbday of January 1761.
" To Arthur Lolly Efq. ^c. " EriE Coote."
A a 2 To

372 NAVALAND 1760.
To the articles propofed by tbe Jefults, &c. for the Eaft In
dia Company, Colonel Coote returned no anfwer. (See Note
158.) On the 1 6 th, the grenadiers of Colonel Coote's regiment
took poffeffion of the Villenour gate, at eight in fhe raorning ;
and thofe of Colonel Draper's regiment, of the Citadel in the
evening. Next day Colonel Coote, accompanied by Rear-Ad
miral Cornifh, and Captains Haldane and Tinker, went in and
took poffeffion of fhe city on the part of both fervlces, as fhey
had jointly compelled the place to fubmit to them. In the city
were found a great quantity of mifitary ftores, and a nuraerous
artillery on the ramparts, (See Note 158,), but the provifion
was nearly expended, for there did not remain above two days
fcanty allow a'nce of the miferable food the garrifon and Inhabi
tants had been neceffitated to fubfift on, Tq fuch a degree
were the inhabitants, and the Company's troops in Pondicherry,
exafperated againft M, Lally, that he demanded a guard from
Colonel Coote for his profeftion. The third day after the fur
render of tbe place was appointed for his departure for Madras.
In fhe forenoon of this day, a number of officers (moftly of the
French Company's battalion) and others, went up the fteps of
the Governmenf-Houfe, and made towards M. Lally's apart
ments ; no longer reftralned by his authority, and regarding
him as the fole author of all fhe calaraifies that bad befallen
them, their deteftatlon of him was redoubled, and they broke
out in the moft vindiftlve expreffions of menace and reproach:
one of hl-s Aid-du-Camp's came out to tbem, hira they infulted;
and there is no knowing fo what length their thirft of revenge
would have carried fhem, when a guard arrived and difperfed
them ; but they reaffembled about one o'clock, and waited at
the gate of fhe c'tadel ; but M, Lally did not come ouf fill the
evening, when he was efcorted by fifteen Britifh Huffars, and
four troopers of his own guard. He was in his palankin. Near
a hundred perfons were gathered together at fhe gate, moftly
officers, and with them the counfellors M. Maracin and Cour-
ten. No fooner did M; Lally appear, than a hue and cry was
fet up by this groupe of people ; wbo infulted hira witb hiffes,
pointing, and every abufive name j but the efcort prevented his
perfon

i7<5o. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 3^3

perfon frora violence. M. Dubois, the King's Commlffary, was
to have accompanied M. Lally, but he did not leave the fort
until an bour afterwards. He was on foot. Af fhe gate, fhe
fame perfons were again afferabled, and were as abufive to bim
as they had been to M. Lally ; he ftopt, and faid he would an
fwer any one ; on which one Defer ftept out : fhey drew, and
at the fecond pafs, laid Dubois dead. He was about fixty, years
of age, fhort figbfed, and always wore fpeftacles. No one
would affift bis fervants to remove and bury the corpfe. He
bad raifed tbe refentment that was now fhewn fo him, by bis
having been the author of the protefts on the part of fhe King,
againft all fhe diforders and irregularities which came to bis
knowledge in tbe department of tbe French fettlements in
India. This conqueft put an end to the French power on the coaft
of Coromandel, and in a raanner annihilated their Eaft India
Company ; as, in confequence of it, the Britifli now coraraan
ded the whole comraerce of the Eaftern peninfula pf India, frora
the Ganges to the Indus, fhe raoft extenfive and raoft profitable
fphere of coramerce In tbe world.
M. Lally, wben he arrived in India, brought with hira fuch
ftrong reinforceraents, that he vowed after the faking of Fort
St David's, be would extirpate the Britifh from fhe country.
But Cplonel Coote having gained fhe glorious battle of Wande-
wafb, not only fecured by it our own fettlements, but, by ftea
dily purfulng bis plan, without any confiderable reinforceraents,
had the glory of delivering fhe Britifli fettlements In India from
the power of this raoft formidable rival.
It afforded great fatisfaftion fo the kingdom, to learn, that
the moft perfeft harmony had fubfifted between fhe fleet and
army, during this tedious fiege. The lofs fuftained by the ar
my was inconfiderable ; but that of fhe navy was very heavy,
as we have already mentioned. Araong the gallant officers
drowned. on tbe ift of January, were Captains Sir Willlara
Hewit, Baronet, and the Honourable James Colvill, of the '
Royal Navy.
Of the fhips which were driven afhore, the guns, witb moft
A a 3 of

374 NAVALAND 1760.

of fhe ftores and provifions, were faved; and it was chiefly
from the materials of thofe veffels, that the difabled fhips were
fo fpeedily refifted. The lofs fhe enemy fuftained was very
confiderable. The mifitary, wbo were raade prifoners, araoun
ted fo near fifteen hundred ; and the inhabitants and fervant?
of the Eaft India Company, to upwards of fix hundred. The
military ftores and wealth found in the place was very great,
(See Note 158.)
WEST INDIES.— Leezvard Island Station.
Commodore Sir James Douglas coramanded his Majefty's
fleet on tbis ftation, which was of confiderable ftrength. (See
Note 159.) His Majefty's floop of war tbe Virgin, comman
ded by Captain St Loe, on ber way from Barbadoes to Guada
loupe, had the raisfortune to fall in with three ftout privateer$
belonging to Martinico, and, after making all poffible refiftance,
was taken ; Captain Sf Loe, and many of bis crew, being killed.
The French having no fquadron in thefe feas. Sir James
Douglas was the better enabled to beftow bis attention to fhe
proteftion of oiir own trade, and to diftrefs that of theirs. As,
however, they had a fwarm pf fraall privateers, which greatly
interrupted our comraerce, be fet about deftroying thera effecr
tually, and placed bis cruizing fhips in fuch a raanner, that
nurabers of thera were taken. The Buckingham and Naffau
convoyed the firft fleet to England. The Fonjdrpyant, Lancaf»
ter, and Emerald fhe fecond.
Captain O'Brien of the Temple, with the Griffin under bis
coraraand, being on a cruize fo tbe foijtbward, in the month of
September, received information of feven fail of veffels that
were at an anchor at tbe Grenades, laden with provifions, &c,
fpr Martinico ; to whicb place be Imraediately proceeded; and,
after filencing their batteries, cut out the veffels, among which
was bis Majefty's floop the Virgin, taken by the enemy in
April laft. The Temple had two men . killed, and twenty
lyounded ; among the latter was Lieutenant Vincent, who bad the

1760. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 375
the raisfortune to lofe bis leg by a cannon-fbot. The Griflin,
who had an equal (hare in this undertaking, bad not a man
hurt. Thefe (hips. In their way from'the Grenades to Antigua,
fell in with, and took thirteen veffels, bound to Martinico, la
den with provifions, &c.
The pruizers belonging to this fquadron made raany confi
derable prizes. Many of tbe enemy's privateers were taken or
deftroyed, and nurabers of thera laid up at the different harbours
of Martinico, &c. ; and our own trade was fo well protefted,
that the rnerfihaqts had no caufe of complaint.
WEST INDIES.— Jamaica Station.
Rear-Admiral Holmes relieved Vice-Admiral Cotes on this
ftation, wbo failed for England in the Marlborough, taking
along witb him tbe trade that were then ready. (See Note
160.) Admiral Holmes having received intelligence that five
French frigates, witb other veffels, were preparing at Cape
Francois to fail for France, he difpatched the Hampfhlre, witb
tbe Boreas and Lively frigates, to intercept theni. Ori the i6th
of Oftober, the expefted fleet put to fea from fhe above-men
tioned port ; and next morning, at fun-rife, the Britifh fhips
getting fight of thera, iraraediately gave chafe ; they then bore
due 5. Cap? Nicholas bearing S. by E. diftant eig.ht leagues.
Owing to calms, and variable winds, they neared the eneray
but flowly. In tbe evening, however, the breeze frefhened,
which brpught our fliips faft up with thera, ; At twelve at
night, tbe Boreas being tbe beadraoft fhip, got along-fide the
Sirenne, coraraanded by Commodore M'Cartie. They engaged
very fraartly for five and twenty rainutes ; wben the Sirenne,
declining tbe adiion, fhot ahead, and epdeavoured to get off.
The Boreas, being difabled in her rigging, could not again
clofe witb her rill two in the afternoon of the next day ; wben
a vigorous aftlon commenced off the eaft end of Cuba, and
continued till forty minutes paft four, when the Sirenne ftruck.
She mounted thirty-two guns, and had on board two hundred
A a 4 and

37(5 NAVAL AND i7<5a.
and eighty men, eighty of whora were killed and wounded ; raoft
of their wounded died. The Boreas had one raan killed, and
one man wounded. At the time the Boreas firft engaged fhe
Sirenne, fhe was to fhe northward of the Harapfhire and Live
ly, who were in chafe of the pther four frigates, which were
making fhe beft of their way fo fhe fouthward ; but the night
being dark and fqually, they were only able to keep fight of
them. On the i8th, at day light, fhe enemy ¦were fix miles ah.eadof
the Lively, exerting all their fklU to make tbe weft end of the
ifland of Torfuga, and get info Port-au-Paix. The Lively, who,
made good ufe of her pars, was confideratfly ahead of the
Harapfhire, and got along-fide of the Valeur, fhe fternraoft of
%he eneray, at half an hour paft feven. A very fraart a£lIon
enfued, ¦which continued for an hour and a half; when the Va^
leur, comnianded by Captain Talbot, ftruck, having a Lieuten
ant and thirty-feven men killed, and the Captain, mafter, boat
fwain, and twenty-two private men wounded. She mounted
twenty guns, and had on board, af the beginning of tbe a£l:ion,
pne hundred and fixty men. On board fhe Lively, only two
men were killed. Both fhe prizes were purchafed by Govern
ment, and added to the Royal Navy by the fame names.
The Harapfhire kept on after fhe other three frigates ; and
the wind frefhenlng, fhe gained fo faft upon thera, that at half
paft three in the afternoon, fhe got between the Due de Choi-
feuil and fhe Prince Ed^yard, tbe two beadraoft fhips, and open
ed ber fire upon thera. But the firft haying the advantage of
the wind, raade good her retreat Info Port-au-Palx. Tbe other
run on fhore about two leagues fo leeward, when fhe ftruck her
colours : but, on the Harapfhire preparing to take poffeffion,
the eneray fet her on fire, and fhe foon after blew up.
On the 19th, in the morning, the Harapflilre, havjng the
Lively and her prize In corapany, raade fail towards Frefh-
water bay, which lies a little farther to leeward of Port-au-Paix,
to take or deftroy the Fleur de Lys, the fternraoft of fhe three
frigates fhe had chafed the day before ; but on the approach of
pur fhips, fhe enemy fet ber on fire, and ftie foon after blew up.
The

1760. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 377

The enemy bad but few fhips at fea. Admiral Holmes's
fquadron, bowever, took and deftroyed a great many of their
privateers. Tbe taking of the Vainqueur of ten guns, fixteen
fwivels, and ninety men, and the Mackau, a fmall veffel of fix
fwivels and fifteen men, from the bravery of the aftion, de
ferves particular notice. They were taken by the boats of the
Trent and Boreas, coraraanded by the firft Lieutenants of their
refpeftive fhips, Meffrs Millar and Stuart, in Cumberland har
bour, there not being water fo carry any of the fhips up to thera.
Tbe officers and raen in the boats behaved with the greateft in
trepidity, and boarded and carried the Vainqueur under the
ftrongeft premeditated difficulties the enemy could devife. The
Trent had three men killed, one miffing, and one wounded.
The Boreas bad one man killed, five wounded, and ber barge
funk in boarding. As foon as they had taken thefe two veffels,
they pufhed on after the Guefpe, of eight guns, and eighty-fix
men, which lay farther up in tbe Lagoon ; but on their ap
proach, the French fet her on fire, and flie was deftroyed. The
lofs of the enemy, on this occafion, was very uncertain; for
about forty of fhem jumped over-board, when tbe boats boarded
the Vainqueur, and fen men were found wounded on board.
The Mackau made no refiftance.
The Harwich man of war had fhe misfortune fo be drove on
the Colorodos, at fhe weft end of Cuba ; and, notwithftanding
all fhe efforts of the crew, was totally loft. Luckily the raen
were faved, and carried to the Havannah, frora whence they
were fent to Jamaica.
NORTH AMERICA.
The fuccefs which had attended all our military operations
in tbis part of the wbrld, laft year, determined Adminiftra
tion fteadily fo purfue and follow up tbe advantages they had
gained ; and indeed, if poffible, to deprive the French of all
their poffeffions in North America, in tbe courfe of this cam
paign. For this purpofe, three expeditions were planned ; all of

J7«

NAVAL AND 1760.

of which were to bave diftlnft views, in the firft part of their
operations, but ultlraately to form a jundlion for laying fiege
to the city of Montreal ; by the fall of which, an end would
be put to the French dominion in this part of the globe.
The Commander In Chief had been very affiduous, during
the winter, to eftabllfh fuch a naval force on Lake Ontario,
as would enable him to face the fleet fhe enemy had on it ;
and if he brought if nearly fo an equality, he was pretty confi
dent thaf be would foon become fuperior to tbem. For this
purpofe, two very fine veffels had been built at Niagara, viz.
fhe Onondaga, carrying eighteen guns, of whicb four were
four-pounders, the reft fix-pounders ; and a crew of one hun
dred men : and fhe Mohawk, carrying fixteen fix-pounders,
and ninety men. Af Ofwego, he bad likewife forae row-gal-
lles, and floating batteries, and a number of whale-boats built.
Thefe, with what he had brought down Wood Creek, be
thought would be fufficient to tranfport bis army acrofs Lake
Ontario, then to enter fhe river Sf Lawrence, fall down the
ftreara, and attack the enemy's poft at La Gallette. As foon
as he had made himfelf mafter of that place, he was fo pror
ceed down fhe river againft Montreal.
The military force deftined for this fervice, amounted to
near thirteen thoufand men ; one half of which were regular
troops, and the other half Provincials ; and to thefe may be
added, a body of Indians, of various tribes or nations, under
the coraraand of Sir William Johnfon, Baronet.
The Comraander in Chief raade choice of this route, not
only as the eafieft, but as the fureft means fo prevent the ene
my from retiring, by means of the river St Lawrence, and the
lakes, fo their fettlements on the Miffifippi, which they might
have done, if he bad advanced againft fhem by the route of
Lake Champlain. The fecond' expedition was to be conduct
ed by Colonel Haviland, whofe force, in Regulars and Pro
vincials, might be about five thoufand men. (See Note 161,)
Having a decided fuperiority of naval force on Lake Chara-
plain, he was to embark bis army to Crown Point, crofs fhe
Lake, and attack the French poft on the Ifle aux Noix ; wbich
having

1760. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 379
having feevired, he was to raake himfelf mafter of the eneray's
forts at Cbamblee and St John's ; and, by means of the river
Sorel, forra a juration with the army under the Coraraandcr-
In Chief at Montreal,
The third expedition, under the command of General Mur
ray, was to proceed from Quebec, whofe army was to be com
pofed of two regiments frora Louifburg, and all the troops fbat
could be fpargd frora tbe garrifon of Quebec. With this force,
he was to embark on hoard of veffels, and fo proceed up the
river St Lawjrence, as foon as it becarae navigable, to attack
any pofts the eneray raight bave between Quebec and Mont
real i and at this laft-meiltipned place, to form a jun£tIon
¦with Generai Amherft. Lord Colvill, with whom fhe com
mand of the fquadron wintering at Halifax had been intrufted,
entered the river St Laurence as foon as the feafon would per
mit ; indeed, fo early, as to preclude fome ftore-fhips from
France proceeding up the river to Quebec, which city they
entertained hopes that the Chevalier de Levis bad retaken ;
whereby thefe fliips were conftrained to fteer for the bay of
Chaleur. Adminiftration were in no way wanting on their part ; for
Commodore Swanton, with a very confiderable naval force,
ftores of all forts, and provifions, was difpatched very early
in the fpring from England, (See Note 162.); while, in order
to ftrengthen the raain array as much as poffible, and leffen
the public expence, the greateft part of the garrifon of Louif
burg was ordered to be withdrawn, and to join General Mur
ray's army at Quebec.
A fraall fquadron at tbe farae tirae, under fhe command of
Captain Byron, (See Note 162.) was fent to Cape Breton, hav
ing on board a company of miners, with orders fo deftroy the
fortifications of Louiflaurg, preferving only the ifland battery,
and the royal baftion of the town, where were the barracks,
and which could eafily be cpnverted into a fort capable of
containing a few companies of infantry.
The French Generals were fenfible, that unlefs they made
a vigorous effort to retrieve their affairs, they rauft inevitably

38o NAVAL AND 1760.
be crufhed by fuperior nurabers ; and accordingly refolved to
recover, if poffible, the city of Quebec, before the river St
Lawrence was fo far clear of ice as to admit of the Britifh fleet.
They therefore bufied themfelves the whole of the winter, in
preparations for this enterprize.
Thefe, bowever, they were unable to carry on with fuch fe
crecy, as to prevent General Murray frora obtaining informal
tion of their defign. As , he looked on the fortifications of
Quebec as a ftrong cantonraent, and frufted to them only as
his laft refource, lie determined, tbe moment fhe froft broke
up, to form a ftrong Intrenched camp on the heights above the
town ; and which the enemy rauft force, before fhey cpuld
lay fiege to the place. For this purpofe, he called in bis dif
tant oUt-pofts, ordered all the inhabitants to retire, and caufed
intrenching tools fo be carried to the fpot on which be intend
ed fo raife his new fortifications. The froft, bowever, pre
vented him from executing his plan, before the French army,
commanded by the Chevalier de Levis, made their appearance.
The enemy's force was compofed of regulars, colony troops,
and Canadian militia, raaking in all, between fourteen and
fifteen thoufand men. M. de Levis fent down the river his
heavy artillery, ftores and provifions, on board a nuraber of
veffels, efcorted by two frigates, under the coraraand of M.
Vauguelln. Thefe were to corae fo an anchor at fhe Foulon,
a few miles above the town.
Though the garrifon of Quebec had fuffered feverely during
the winter, frora an inveterate fcurvy which had carried off
near a thoufand men ; yet General Murray, conceiving the
French army to be chiefly compofed of militia, (while the
troops under his command, though fewer in number, were
brave, in high fpirits, and habituated to defeat fhe eneray), re
folved to march ouf and attack M. de Levis, before bis army
could recover fhemfelves from the effe£ls of a long and fa
tiguing march, or his artillery join him.
Accordingly, early on the 2'8th of April, hc marched out
with upwards of three thoufand men, the flov^er of his garri
fon, and twenty field-pieces, fix-pounders. He found the
French

1760. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 3B1

French array at the village of Sillery, and attacked it with the
greateft ardour. Had tbe valour of the troops been properly
feconded by the field-pieces, it is probable that tbe Chevalier
de Levis would never have broke ground before Quebec. But
the Coramandlng-officer of artillery, by forae fatal raiftake,
placed the cannon in a hollow, inftead of an eminence, where
he would bave bad a full view of the enemy ; and, by a moft
unpardonable blunder, tbe fhot brought along witb the guns,
was for nine, inftead of fix-pounders ; by which means, the
artillery was of no raanner of ufe ; and the whole brunt of the
actioh fell'on the infantry, wbo, after behaving as well as it
was poffible for raen fo do, were corapelled, by fuperior num
bers, to retire with confiderable lofs, within the walls.
Had the eneray affaulted the town that night, wben tbe gar
rifon had not yet recovered frora their fatigues, and were dlf-
pirifed by a defeat, fhe event, frora the great extent of the
.place, and the weaknefs of tbe works, bad probably terraina-
ted in their favour. But they loft this opportunity ; and the
garrifon now feeing that their relief folely depended on tbe ar
rival of the Britifh fleet, refolved to defend the place as long
as it was in their power ; in hopes, by their exertions, to find
the enemy fo rauch work, that their friends would have time
to come to their affiftanee.
The next day, the enemy broke ground, and were bufied in
ereflring batteries. The garrifon, at tbe farae tirae, was not
idle ; and from this time, to tbe pth of May, the raen were
employed in repairing fhe works, and dragging cannon from
the lower town to the upper. Their fire increafed every day;
and before fhe enemy could return a fliot from their batteries.
General Murray had got one hundred and fifty cannon mount
ed on the ramparts. He difpatched the Racehorfe floop of war
down the river to look for fhe fleet, and haften thera to the re
lief of the garrifon.
On the pth, fhe Loweftoffe frigate, coraraanded by Captain
Deane, anchored in the bafon, and faluted tbe garrifon, whofe
joy on this occafion was fo great, that they redoubled their fire
on the enemy for fome hours. Captain Deane immediately land-

382 NAVALAND 1760.
landed, and gave the joyful tidings, that Commodore Swan
ton, witb a fleet frora England, was at band to give thera
relief. A fchooner was immediately difpatched down the river,
in hopes of finding him. Captain Deane bad captured a ftore-
fhip from France, in the Gulf of St Lawrence, mounting
twenty -fix guns ; which he fent to Halifax.
On tbe I Itb, tbe enemy opened one battery of mortars, and
three of cannon, which they afterwards increafed ; fo that they
had at one time, about ten mortars, and near forty pieces of
cannon, of twelve, eighteen, and twenty-four-pounderS, in
a£tIon againft the place. But our fire was fo very fuperior,
that they were fomefiraes forced to alter tbeir attack ; while at
others, we filenced their batteries. Tbe wind at laft proving
favourable, Coraraodore Swanton, in tbe Vanguard of feventy
guns, accompanied by tbe Diana frigate, anchored in the ba
fon, tbe i5tb, in the evening. Captain Deane went Immedi
ately on board of the Vanguard, and let the Commodore know
that General Murray was very defirous that the enemy's naval
force above tbe town fhould be removed.
Early on the i6tb, therefore, as foon as the tide would per-
, mit, the Cothraodore and fhe two frigates worked up to attack
tbe enemy's fleet. At firft, Mr de Vauguelln made a fhew as
if he meant to ftand an aftidn ; but he was attacked with fucb
vigour by the two frigates, the whole of bis fleet fled with the
utmoft precipitation. The Pomona of thirty-fix guns was
drove afhore, and afterwards burnt, a little above Cape Dia
mond ; and the Atalante of thirty-two guns, (bared the fame
fate, near Point au Tremble, about ten leagues above the town.
Of their whole fleet, only the Maria floop of war efcaped ;
and fhe, having a number of wounded officers and prifoners
on board, made off the moment they perceived the Britifh
fhips in motion to attack fhem. The reft of fhe enemy's Vef
fels were either taken or deftroyed. They loft many men, and
bada number made prifoners, among whom was M. de Vaugue
lln their Coraraodore. Whilft tbe Loweftoffe and Diana were
employed in purfulng and deftroying the enemy's fleet, Com
modore Swanton, in the Vanguard, fell down the channel of
Sii-

1760. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 383

Sillery, brought bis broadfide to bear on tbe right flank of the
enemy's trenches, and enfiladed thera with bis cannon for fe
veral hours. This fire was fo well feconded by fbat from the
ramparts, that tbe eneray were compelled to abandon thaf part
of tbeir works. M. de Levis fent two field- pieces fo play on
the Vanguard, but they bad no effe£t ; and tbe fhip fheerlng
¦with the tide, brought forae of ber guns to bear on thera ; on
which the eneray retired with great fpeed.
Inthe night between tbe i6th and 17th, M, de Levis raifed
tbe fiege : tbe Militia of the lower country were ordered to
return to their refpediive parifhes, while the Regular and Co
lony troops retired to Jacques Carfier. The better to deceive
General Murray, they left tbeir carap ftanding, with a great
deal of baggage ; ftores of ammunition and provifion ; thirty-
four pieces of battering cannon, ten field-pieces, fix mortars,
four petards, and a large quantity of fcaling ladders and in
trenching tools. General Murray pufhed out at tbe head of
tbe grenadiers and light infantry, in hopes of cuffing off forae
of tbem In their retreat : but they bad got fo rauch the ftart of
bim in point of time, and retreated fo rapidly, that he could
not overtake them, and returned to Quebec, with only a few
ftraggler prifoners.
The Loweftoffe frigate, in returning from purfulng the ene
ray, unfortunately ftruck on a funken rock in the raiddle of
the ;-Iver, and funk foon afterwards ; but all tbe crew were
faved. Coraraodore Swanton, on bis way up the river, look
ed into Gafpee bay, and found tbe ftore fhip on which M, de
Levis fo rauch depended. She was unrigged, and be left the
Eurus frigate in charge of her. Lord Colvill, witb his fqua
dron, arrived on tbe i Sth : he bad been greatly retarded in his
paffage frora Halifax by thick fogs, great quantifies of floating
ice, and contrary winds.
Captain Schomberg of fhe Navy, and Lieutenant-Colonel
Maitland, were fent bome with Lord ColvIU's and the Gene
ral's difpatches, to Mr Secretary Pitt, giving an account of
the raifing of the fiege of Quebec. They were both moft gra-
cioufly

384 NAVALAND 1760.

cloufly received by the King, who ordered each o£ tbem a pre
fent of five hundred pounds.
General Murray haying orders to march againft Montreal,
witb all tbe force he could fpare from his garrifon, fet to
work to prepare for fbat expedition. He drew detachments
frora the different regiments to the amount of two thoufand
five hundred men. Thefe he forraed Into feven battalions,
divided fhem info two brigades ; tbe firft coraraanded by Co
lonel /Burton, and the other by the Honourable Colonel Howe.
The fleet which was to efcort thera up tbe river, was cora
raanded by Captain Deane*, and confifted of the Penzance,
Drana, and Porcupine ; the Gafpee fchooner of eight guns ;
five row-gallles, having a twenty-pounder each ; and four
row- gallies having a twelve-pounder each; forty tranfports, and
twenty-fix boats. The troops embarked on board the tranf-~
ports the 13th of June, and failed next day, without waiting for
the reinforcements daily expefted from Louifburg under con
voy of the Sutherland. They paffed by Jacques Carfier'wifh-
out receiving any Injury, notwithftanding that the enemy fired
very brifkly upon them ; for fhe channel being near tbe fouth
fhore, fhe diftance was too great for either their fhot or fhells
to do any execution. They anchored that evening af De
Chambaud. The next day, fhey were fo pafs fhe Rapids of
Richelieu ; to oppofe which, the French had eredted a battery
of three guns, having alfo fome armed galliots, in order to dif
pute the paffage. The Porcupine floop, and fome of our gallies
got through. The enemy kept a brlfk fire on thera, and fome
of the tranfports as they paffed, by which they killed an officer ,
and three privates of fhe Highlanders, and. wounded a few
more ; but were beat off hy fhe cannon of the Porcupine and
gallies. The tide now failed, and the wind became contrary ;
lb that the army was feparated for near twelve days, one half
being above the Rapids, the other below fhem. During
• 1 his is fuppofed to be the gentleman who was fent exprefs by the Admiral
ty to Admiral Bofcawen, at Portfmouth, when he was on the point of failing to
North America, im7j8, to attack Louifburg. See North America, 1758.

l^6o. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 385

During this difagreeable interval,. General Murray landed
fome of bis troops every day on the fouth fhore. He publifli-
ed a manlfefto, affuring the inhabitants, that all who did not
quit their habitations, and appear In arms, fhould be profedled"
and meet with no moleftation. The Penzance was ftationed
below tbe Rapids, fhe drawing too mucb water to proceed high
er up. On the 27tb, a frefh and favourable gale fprung up ;
fo that the Diana witb the troops below got through, and join-
id their friends above the Rapids,
Had the enemy placed fome armed fhips at the upper end of
tbe Rapids of Richelieu, and provided fome fmaller ones, fill
ed with combuftibles, ready to fend down among our fhips as
foon as they entered them, it would bave been next fo an ira-
poffiblllty for our people to have forced a paffage through the
Rapids ; and, to bave reached Montreal by raarching up the
fouth fhore, would have been a tedious and difficult talk.
On the 8tb of Auguft, the fleet paffed by Trois Rivieres,
which the eneray bad raade as ftrong as time and circuraftances
would adrait of; and having reraoved a ftrong boora, laid acrofs
the river by the eneray to obftrudt the navigation, they, 011 fhe
I2tb, anchored off Sorrel, at which place the enemy had a
ftrong poft, defended by a large body of regular troops, under
the coraraand of M. de Bourlemaque; whicb were defigned to
prevent a junftion being forraed by the array under General
Murray, and that under Colonel Haviland. Tbe Diana was
ftationed below Trois Rivieres, to keep open the coramunica-
llon with Quebec.
M. Dumat, who had attended fo General Murray's motions
all the way up tbe north fhore from Jacques Carfier, having
witb bim a corps confifting of tbe piquets of the French array,
the light cavalry, and forae Canadians, amounting in all to near
three thoufand men, now cantoned bis corps between Trois.
Rivieres and Montreal. Lord Rollo, with the troops from
Louifburg, followed General Murray up tbe river witb all tbe
difpatch in his power. His little fleet was condudled by Lieu
tenant Garnier of the Navy, whom , Lord Colvill bad fent. on
purpofe. About a league from Trois Rivieres, be received a
yoL. II. B b verbal

386 NAVAL AN.D i7<5o-
verbal meffage from General Murray, by Lieutenant Cock of
the Navy, who being a fenlor officer fo Mr Garnier, Infifted
on taking charge ofthe fleet, and of conducing if up fhe river:
Lord Rollo would not Interfere in the difpute, but only faid, If
he did fo, he muft abide by fhe confequences.
The river divides into two channels near to Trois Rivieres ;
aud by the fouthermoft Lieutenant Garnier meant to bave con
dudled the fleet. Lieutenant Cock was of a contrary opinion,
and chofe the channel clofe by the town ; in paffing of which,
the fleet was fired very fmartly upon frora their batteries, by,
.. which Lieutenant Maleolra of the twenty-fecond regiment had
his leg fliot off, and feveral men wejre killed. General Murray
raade good his landing on the Ifland of St Ignatius, and was
there joined by Lord Rollo, and the troops under bis coraraand.
The Chevalier de Levis now took the coraraand ofthe French
troops at Sorrel, fo watch fhe motions of fhe Quebec array.
General Murray fent detaehments down fhe river, and chaf-
tlfed fome pariffies whq had taken up arms, after having taken
fhe oaths of neutrality. . Their habitations being deferted. Ge
neral Murray gave orders fo burn thera. In bis letter to Mr
Secretary Pitt, he humanely laraents being corapelled to ufe
this violence ; faying, " My nature revolts wben this becomes
" a neceffary part of ray duty."
Let us now take a view ofthe operations of the army under
the Commander-in-chief. The grand rendezvous of this army
Was af Ofwego, where a royal dock-yard was eftablifbed, and a
number of fhip-carpenters fet to work to build gallies and a ra
deau, while fhe foldiers were bufied in building a fort fo contain
fix hundred raen. The whole force, on this expedition, was
near twelve thoufand raen. The grenadiers and light infantry
ofthe army were formed into feparate corps. The command
of the former was given to Lieutenant-Colonel Maffey, and of
fhe latter, to Lieutenant-Colonel Amherft, On tbe i4tb of
July, our two war fnows-frora Niagara appearing in fight of
Ofwego, fhe General fent off an officer to Captain Loring, with
orders for hira to proceed in fearch of the eneray's veffels, which
be had Intelligence were cruizing on the lake. On the 20th, thefe

1760. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 387

thefe veffels appeared in fight of Ofwego, Captain Loring not
having fallen in with fhem. On this, the General difpatched a
boat in fearch of the Captain, with orders for him to attack the
enemy immediately. By tbe 25th-, the army was afferabled j
and all raatters being arranged, on the 5th of Auguft, the Ge
neral gave orders for the army to hold itfelf in readinefs to
embark. On the 7th, tbe grenadiers, the firft battalion of Royal High
landers, and two companies of rangers, embarked ; and were
detaehed under the command of Colonel Haldimand, to take
poft at the bottom 'of the lake, and to affift Captain Loring in
finding tbe proper channel for proceeding down the river St
Lrwrence. The army was efcorted by five row- gallies, each
carrying a twelve pounder ; and a radeau, carrying a twenty-
four pounder. On the loth, allthe regulars embarked; and
in order to avoid tbe confufion refulting frora fuch a number of
batteaux and other boats and fraall craft, the General pufhed
forward witb them, leaving orders with Brigadier- General Gage
to embark the remainder, and follow as foon as poffible.
A garrifon and a number of artificers were ordered to be left
at Ofwego, where an hofpltal was eftabfilbed. From the ftri£h
difcipline which the General caufed to be obferved, and the or
ders he gave out, our Indian allies began to grow tired of the
fervice, as fhey had no profpe£l of having an opportunity of
gratifyiiig their natural difpofition with murder and devaflafion;
fb that, when the army embarked, their numbers were dimini
fhed from thirteen hundred and thirty, to fix hundred and fix.
From the number of troops left in garrifon at Ofwego, the fick
in the hofpltal, and tbe defertion of fhe favages, tbe army was
now reduced fo about ten thoufand five hundred men.
Bad weather obliged General Amherft, with bis corps, to put
info a fmall creek af night ; in doing of which, an artillery boat
was loft on the bar at tbe entrance of it. Tbe weather becom
ing more moderate, he proceeded, at noon on fhe nth, for the
river de la Mothe ; where be was joined by General Gage with
fhe provincials on the i 3fb, when the army landed. It embar
ked the next morning, and, witbout meeting any accident, join-
B b 2 ed

388 NAVALAND 1769.
ed the advanced corps under Colonel Haldlraand, who had ta
ken poft on a fpot at fhe head of the river St Lawrence. That
day the army paffed by our two war veffels, when Captain Lo
ring, not having found the right channel of tbe river, the Ge
neral refolved to proceed without them. The i6fb, the advan
ced guard of fhe army arrived late at Point de Baril, frora
whence one of the eneray's brigs appeared in fight ; and by
intelligence which fhe General received frora an Ofwegatchie
Indian, he was informed, thaf one of the eneray's brigs lay
aground near La Galette ; and that another brig lay at anchor
in fhe river, not far off. The General refolved to attack the
latter with the row-gallies ; and Colonel Willlarafon requefted
leave to lead the attack, fo whicb fhe General affented.
The night being very dark,, this attack was poftponed till the
1 7th, when fhe array raoved on, and foon carae In fight of the '
eneray's veffel, which endeavoured to efcape up the river. Co
lonel Williamfon and the five gallies immediately made towards
her. She cannonaded them with great brifknefs as they advan
ced. When fhe gallies got to fhe proper diftance for engaging,
tbe wind died away, which was of great fervice to thera ; as
they were thereby enabled to point their fire with the greater
exadtnefs. Cplonel Willlarafon was rowed in a fraall boat to
the different gallies, and diredted tbe attack.
The General had ordered Colonel Grant, with three hundred
men, to advance and board her; but before this order could be
executed, fhe ftruck. The adtion lafted two hours and a quar
ter. She was called tbe Outawa, mounted one eighteen poun
der, feven twelve ppunders, and two eight pounders ; had on
board one hundred raen ; was about one hundred and fifty tons
burden, and was commanded by M. la Broquerie.
The General was fo extremely well pleafed witb the condudl
of Colonel Williamfon on this occafion, that be named the
prize the Williamfon, and gave the command , of ber to Lieu
tenant Sificlair. Tbe gallies fired one hundred and eighteen
rounds ; the brig fired feventy-two. We bad a ferjeant of ar
tillery killed, artd one man ¦slirounded : tbe enemy bad three kil
led, and twelve wounded. The army reached Swegatchie, or
La

1760. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 389

La Galette, and encaraped ; frora whence the General fent en
gineers to reconnoitre Fort Levis on Ifle Royale, and tbe iflands
near It. The army was ready to move on af day-break on the
18th; but the gallies had not yet completely refitted the da-
. mages they fuftained in the a£lion. Tbe engineers did not re
turn till near ten o'clock in the forenoon ; and, frora fhe re
port they raade, the General did npt find it neceffary fo make
any alterations In bis plan for attacking the fort on Ifle Royale.,
The weather was very bad ; but as foon as it cleared up, the
General ordered the array to raove on. A fraall veffel of the
eneray's, togeAer witb four or five Tow-gallies, each having a
four-poimder on board, carae in fight ; but on our gallies raak
ing towards them, they retired under profedtion of tbe . fort.
The difpofition made for invefting the fort, was as follows —
The General took with bim the eightieth regiment, three row-
gallies, fhe light infantry, grenadiers, firft brigade of regulars,
Schuyler's regiraent of provincials, and the greateft part of fhe
Indians who were with Sir Willlara Johnfon, and forae light
field pieces. They were to row down by fhe north fhore, pafs
tbe fort, and take poffeffion of the ifland and coafts below It ;
whilft two corapanies of rangers, two row-galKes, the fecond
brigade of regulars, Lyman's regiment of provincials, witb tbe
reraainder of the Indians, under the command of Colonel Hal
dimand, were fo row down fhe fbuth ffiore, to take poft oppo
fite the fort, where they were under cover. The other provlur
cial regiments, and tbe heavy artillery remained at Swegatchie,
under the coraraand of Brigadier- General Gage. The Wil
liamfon brig was ordered to fail down In fhe raiddle of fhe river
between tbe two columns, and to anchor at random-ffiot from
tbe fort.
Tbe eneray kept up a brlfk cannonade frora the fort, on fhe
column that rowed by the north fhore, the row-gallies, and the
Williamfon brig ; by which one row-galley was funk, and fcr
veral boats and oars were ftruck with their fliot : on this occa
fion, we had two raen killed, and eight or nine wounded. As
the boats were ordered to keep at a co fiderable diftance from
each other, the coluran was of great length, aud the laft boat
B b 3 did

390 NAVAL AND 1760.
did not arrive till eleven o'clock at night, when the place was
completely Invefted.
Ifle Galot, and L'Abbe Piquet's ifland, were found abandon
ed. The enemy had fled with great precipitation, as in their
houfes fome fcalps were found, which they had taken on the
Mohawk river, with tools and utenfils of various kinds, two
fwivels, forae barrels of pitch, and a great quantity of iron.
The Indians, on finding the fcalps, burnt the chapel, and all
|:he houfes. Endeavours were ufed this night to weigh the
jrow-galley, but witbout effefl:.
On the 19th, the Gerieral and engineers reconnoitred the
fort, anil pitched on proper fpots for erefting batteries againft
it, viz. one on each of the two iflands neareft the fort, and one
pn a point of land on the fouth fhore. They were to be moun
ted with fixteen pieces of cannon, twenty-four and twelve-
pounders, one ten- inch mortar, and two howitzers; and the
work was fet about immediately. The fort fired on the Wil»
llamfon, which Lieutenant Sinclair fmartly returned ; but the
General fent him word to avoid, rather than keep up the can-?
nonade. In the afternoon, our two fnows appeared, and the General
fent orders to Captain Loring to anchor at random-tffiot from
the fort, and avoid firing. The row-galley was weighed up in
the night ; the gun was found to be damaged, but not render
ed unfervlceable. Tbe fafclnes and materials for the batteries
bein^ in great forwardnefs,. the heavy artillery, was ordered
down from Swegatchie in the night, with all fhe troops there,
except one of the Connedllcut regiments, which was ordered
to fake poft at that place. On fhe 23d, all the batteries opened
on the fort ; and their fire foon obliged the enemy tq draw in
fome of their guns.
Tbe General, that he might lofe as little rime before the
place as poffible, formed a plan to carry If by affault. For this
purpofe, the three veffels were or4ered to fall down the ftream,
and anchor as near the fort as they could, their fops being
manned with good markfraen, fo prevent the enemy from mak
ing ufe of their guns. The grenadiers were then to be rowed in

1760. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 3pt

in, and landed with tbeir fcallng-ladders, whilft fhe light in
fantry were fo keep firing info the embrafures,- and on the
works. Thefe orders the troops received with great cheerful
nefs, and .prepared to put them in execution with alacrity ; but
an accident liappened, wbich obliged tbe General to poftpone
his intentions.
Tbe Williamfon, commanded by Lieutenant Sinclair, and
the Mohawk, coraraanded by Lieutenant Phipps, pundtually
obeyed tbeir orders, anchored near the fort, and gave and re
ceived a very ftrong fire. But Captain Loring in the Onon-
doga, not taking the farae courfe, ran aground. The two firft
veffels, not being properly fupported, were very roughly hand
led. The Willlarafon had a plank ftarted, and was obliged to
retire to one of the neighbouring iflands fo get It repaired ;
and as all tbe enemy's fire was now aimed at the Mohawk, fhe
was in danger of being funk, which compelled Mr Phipps to
order his cable to be cut, and come off,
Tbe enemy feeing' tbe diftrefs of fhe Onondago, poured all
their fire on her ; and although within four hundred yards of
our batteries. Captain Loring ftruck his colours, and fent his
mafter on (bore to tbe eneray, wbo endeavoured fo take poffef
fion of her ; but Colonel Willlarafon obferving this, ordered
one of the batteries to be pointed againft them. The fire frora
it obliged thera to defift frora their defign, and to retire fo the
fort, witb the lofs of fome of their people. The General then
ordered Lieutenant Sinclair from fhe Williamfon, and Lieute
nant Pennington, witb a detachment of troops, to go on board
the Gtiondoga. This they imraediately did, with the raoft un
daunted refolution, and again hoifted fhe colours : but all tbeir
endeavours to get off the veffel proving Ineffedtual, they, by
order, abandoned her about midnight.
Perhaps this accident was not fo unfortunate as was af firft
imagined. If probably was the means of faying much bloo^
which muft have been fpilled in affaulting the fort ; fince.pn
the 25th, M. Pouchot, Commandant of the garrifon,. beat the
chamade ; and demanding what terms he migbt expect, was
anfwered. That the fort muft be immediately furrendered, and
B b 4 the

392 NAVAL AND 1760.
the garrifon made prifoners of war, only fen minutes being al
lowed for a, reply. The terms were accepted within the limi
ted, time; and Colonel Maffey*, witb three companies of gre
nadiers, took poffeffion ofthe place. (See Note 163.)
The lofs fuftained by fhe Britifli before it, was twenty men
killed, and nineteen wounded. Our firft fhot killed fhe ene
my's officer of artillery ; fhey loft eleven men afterwards, and
had about forty woundedf. What row-gallies and boats they
had, were delivered up with the fort. The pilots found in
Fort Levis, were all detained, in order to condudt fhe army
jdown fhe river. The garrifon were fent to New Yprk, The
General changed the name of Fort Levis fo Fort William Au
guftus, When the place fubmitted, the Britiffi Indians prepared fo
enter it, with an intention to tomahawk and butcher the gar
rifon. The General having notice of their intentions, fent fo
Sir William Johnfon, praying hira fo perfuade thera, if poffi
ble, to defift ; at the fame time affuring him, if fhey offered
to enter fhe fort, he would order thera fo be fired on. The
ftores of the place, be faid, ffiould be delivered up fo them,
his army not wanting what few blankets might be found there.
This raeffage had Irs proper effedl, and faved the unfortu
nate garrifon ; hut it In a great meafure alienated the affec
tions of thefe favages, infomuch, thaf Sir William Johnfon In
formed General Amherft, that he was apprehenfive, from their
extreme difguft, that they would quit the army, and retire to
their- refpedtlye homes. To this General Amherft repHed,
that " he believed he had fufficient force for fhe fervice be was
" going ou, without their affiftanee : he wiffied to preferve
f their friendfhip, but could not think of purchafing It af fhe
" expence of countenancing fhe horrid barbarities they wiffied
¦« to perpetrate," And added, " If fhey quitted the array,
. f let thera take care npt fo commit any adt of cruelty on
" their
m
* Afterwards General Maffey, and in 180G created Lord Clarina in Ireland,
f ¦Veffels taken at Fort Levis: — Two veffels behind the ifland, filled with wa
ter.— Five fmall row-gallies ; eaph of them had one gun, viz. three of them one
fhree-pounder ?ach, and two of them one four-pounder efch.

i76q. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 393

*' their way home ; for if they did, he would certainly chaftife
" theni." Upon this, all the favages, except about one hundred and
feventy, went peaceably horae : thefe continued faithful, pro
ceeding with the array fo Montreal ; and when the carapaign
was ended, each of thera received a filver raedal from Gene
ral Amherft, that they might be known af the Britiffi pofts,
and receive every token of friendffilp, that their fidelity and
huraanity deferved. Had tbe enemy obferved a fimilar con
dudt in all their military exploits In this country during the
war, their afchievements would not have been ftained with
the raurder of women and children, infaraoufly put to death m
cold blood.
Frora tbe furrender of Fort Levis, to the 31ft, the army
was employed in levelling the batteries, and repairing the fort,
tbe batteaux, and other veffels ; In landing ftores and provi
fions for tbe new garrifon, which confifted of two hundred
men ; and in eredting an hofpltal for the fick and wounded.
About noon, the General, with the firft divifion of fhe array,
embarked ; rowed down the river twenty-four miles ; and,
paffing the firft Rapids, encaraped that evening on the Ifle au
Chat. On tbe ift of Septeraber, he paffed fhe Long Saut ; but bad
the precaution to march covering parties along the ftores.
Tbis was a difagreeable, as well as a dangerous operation.
The boats were obliged fo row In fingle file, and at a diftance
from each other, whicb took up a confiderable deal of time,
though fhe current of tbe river was violent ; and tbe Rapids
being full of broken waves, fhe batteaux took in wafer, and
a corporal and three men of fhe Royal Highlanders were drown
ed. The army reached Johnfon's Point, fourteen miles frora
Ifle au Chat, and there encamped.
The General fent parties dowri fo Lake Sf Francis ; and Sir
Willlara Johnfon went with his Indians fo an Indian village
called Afquefaffina, fo affure fhem of profedtion, if they be
haved well. On fhe 2d of September, General Gage joined
jhe fecond divifion of the army ; when tbe whole rowed twen-
fv-four

394 NAVALAND 1760.

ty-four miles down lake St Francis, and encamped at Point de
Baudet ; at ¦which place fhe Chevalier de la Corne had been
with a party a ffiort time before. At night, very bad weather
came on ; but the boats were luckily ffielfered In coves.
The weather ftill continuing bad, fhe army halted on fhe 3d ;
and on the 4th, at day-break, they were all in their boats.
TJie navigation of this day was beyond Imagination dange
rous ; and even the enemy, who were well acquainted with
the intricacies of the river, deemed the General's attempt to
pafs the Rapids with an army impradtlcable. Had they been
prepared with row-gallies and gun-boats, carrying heavy metal,
to difpute his paffage, and had attacked the army while In the
midft of fhe rifts and broken water, or before it was formed,
immediately on paffing the Rapids, fhey. In all probability,
would have rendered this part of the expedition againft Mon
treal abortive. General Amherft, .however, aware of this,
did all that lay in his power to prevent it.
Taking with him fhe light infantry, grenadiers, rangers, the
baftahons of regulars, fhe row-gallies, and fome light artille
ry, and ordering General Gage to follow him with the reft
of the army, be puffied through, but not without lofs. Forty-fix
batteaux, feventeen whale-boats, and one row-galley, were
either wrecked or funk, whereby eighty-four men were unfor
tunately drowned ; and a few pieces of ordnance, fpme ftores
and provlfions were loft. Great as this misfortune may feem,
it Is trifling to what an oppofition from the enemy would
have been In this dangerous paffage ; and their negledl In feiz
ing this opportunity, can only be accounted for by fhe ad
vancing of the armies under General Murray and Colonel Ha
viland towards Montreal, as, in the abfence of the troops, the
place muft have have fubmitted to fhe army who firft appear
ed before It.
The great art of paffing thefe Rapids on riffs f, confifts in
managing

t Thefe Rapids are four in number, V\z. Cotau de lac: Hatturet da Ctdres ;
Saijfm ; and Troii rt la Cafiade. The two laft are extremely tremenduous and
dangerous,

17^,0- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 395

managing the boats fo as to keep at a proper diftance from
each pther.
On the 4th, General Amherft, with the troops he had with
biro, rowed down tbe river to Ifle Perot, where he encaraped;
and, early on the morning of the 5fh, he was joined by Ge
neral Gage, and the remainder of the army. Here the array
reraained all that day, repairing the batteaux and boats. When
General Amherft, with the troops, landed here, fhe inhabi
tants fled, and concealed themfelves in tbe woods. Some
were taken ; while others obferving that no violence was of
fered to their habitations', carne in, took the oath of neutrali
ty, and were put in quiet poffeffion of their houfes ; at whicb
they were not lefs pleafed than aftonifted. They admired the
CKaSt difcipline of our army, particularly fhe manner in wbich
the Indians were kept within bounds, as fhey were under the
greateft apprehenfion from them,, Confcious, indeed, of their
own former bloody enormities, fhey had little expe£tation that
tbeir crimes would have been fo eafily forgiven, and themfelves
treated with fo much clemency.
On the 6tb, at day-break, fhe army embarked, and foon af
ter proceeded about four leagues down fhe river, along the
¦fouth ftore, in four columns ; and in a few hours landed at
La Chine, on the ifland of Montreal, (See Note 163.), about
three leagues frora the city of that name. The enemy made
no oppofition, but fled towards the town, breaking down a
bridge as fhey redred, to retard the march of the troops as
much as pofiible. The ' General pufted on with fhe greateft
part of fhe array that day, and Invefted Montreal. In fhe
courfe of the day he got up two twelve-pounders, five fix-
pounders, and five three-pounders of light artillery. The ar
my lay on their arras all night.
Here we will leave the Commander In Chief, and take a
view of the progrefs of the army under Colpnel Haviland,
whofe force did not exceed three thoufand fi.ve hundred men,
(See Note 161.) On the nth of Auguft, this little army em
barked at Crown Point, where Colonel Haviland left Colonel
Forfter of the Royal regiment to command, and proceeded down

396 NAVALAND 1760.
down Lake Champlain. On the i6th, they difembarked, and
encaraped on fhe left bank of fhe river Richelieu, a little way
above Ifle au Noix. Here Colonel Haviland erefted three bat
teries of cannon, and one of mortars ; which, on the 24tb,
were opened againft the fort the enemy bad there, and played
with fuch fuccefs, that M. de Bougainville, tbe Comraandant,
who had there a confiderable force, retired on the 27th, leav
ing an officer and thirty men fo capitulate, who were raade
prifoners, M. de Bougainville likewife abandoned Fort St John, and
Fort Charablee, and retreated fo Montreal ; of whicb two
forts Colonel Haviland Immediately took poffeffion ; and, foon
after, of Longuille, and of the ifland of St Therefe, in the
neighbourhood of Montreal, From this laft. Colonel Havi
land difpatched an officer fo General Amherft, wbo found him
at Ifle Perot.
On the 7th, General Murray landed with bis army at fhe
lower end of the pariffi of Point au Tremble, on the ifland of
Montreal, from whence if Is diftant about ten miles ; and, the
fame day. Colonel Haviland arrived on the fouth bank of fhe
river Sf Lawrence, oppofite to Montreal.
It is not a little remarkable, that three armies, whofe ope
rations were fo extremely diftant from each other, ftould all
of thera have completely accompliflied fhe fervices they were
fent fo perform, and then fo rendezvous, almoft within the
fpace of thirty hours of each other, af a particular fpot, fo
as to be able fo form a jundtlon, and co-operate in completing
the grand and ultimate objedt of all their operations. Gene
ral Amherft feemed highly fenfible of the raerits ofthe leaders
of the two affifting arrales ; for. In bis letter to Mr Secre
tary Pitt, he fays, " I ftould do Injuftice fo Governor Mur-
" ray, and Colonel Haviland, if I did not affure you, they have,
" executed the orders I gave them to the utmoft of ray wiftes:
« and to Brigadier- General Gage, I am greatly obliged."
In the raorning of the 7th, two French officers carae fo one
of the out-pofts, and requefted fo be condudted to the Cora-
raander in Chief. This was imraediately coraplied with ; wben they

1760. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 397

they prefented to him the following letter, from the Marquis
de Vaudreuil, Governor-General of Canada.
««SlR, " Montreal, September "jth, 1760.
" I fend to your Excellency, M. de Bougainville, Colonel of
" foot, accorapanied by M. de Lac, Captain in fhe regiraent
" de la Reine. You raay rely on all that fhe faid Colonel ftall
*' fay to your Excellency in ray name.
" I bave the honour to be,
" With the higheft confideration, &c.
" Vaudreuil.
« His Excellency Major.General Amherfl, isfc."
The confequence of tbis interview was, a ceffation of hofti
llties until noon ; at which time, M., Vaudreuil fent out tbe
terras on whicb be propofed to capitulate. General Araherft
fent thera back, together with a copy of fhe terras he refolved
to grant, accorapanied witb tbe following letter : —
"Sir,
" Camp before Montreal, September "jth, 1760.
" I am to thank your Excellency for fhe letter you honoured
" rae with this raorning, by Colonel Bougainville ; fince which,
" tbe terms of capitulation which you demand, have been de-
" llvered to me. I fend them back to your Excellency, with
" thofe I have refolved to grant you ; and there only remains
" for me to defire, that your Excellency will take a determina-
" tion as foon as poffible, as I ftall make no alteration in them.
" If your Excellency accepts of thefe conditions, you may be
" affured, that I will take care they ftall be duly executed ;
" and that I ftall take a particular pleafure to alleviate your
" fate as mucb a$ poffible, by procuring to you and to your
" fuite, all the conveniencies that depend on me.
" I have the honour to be, &c.
" Jeff. Amherst.
•' His Excellency the Marquis de Vaudreuil^ Js'f." This

398 NAVAL AND it6&.

This was followed by tbe following letter from the Marqufe
de Vaudreuil, to General Amherft.
"Sir,
" Montreal, September "jth, 1750.
" I have received fhe letter your Excellency has honoured
" rae with this day, as well as the anfwer to fhe articles which
" I had caufed to be propofed to you by M. de Bougainville.
" I fend the faid Colonel back to your Excellency ; and I
"perfuade myfelf, that yoU will allow him fo make by word
•« of mouth, a reprefentation to your Excellency, which I
" cannot difpenfe witb myfelf from making,
" Ihave the honour to be, &c. " Vaudrueil."
As General Amherft had corae fo fhe fixed refolution not
to deviate In the leaft frora tbe terms be bad- prefcribed for
fhe furrender of the colony of Canada, he declined feeing M.
de Bougainville, but lent Major Abercrombie, (one of his Aid-
du-camps), to receive fhe letter he brought ; fo which be re
turned the following anfwer : —
"W, *' Camp before Montreal, September 1th. 1^60.
" Major Abercrombie has this moment delivered to rae the
*' letter with which your ExceHency bas honoured rae, in
" anfwer fo that which I had addreffed fo you, with the con-
" ditions on which I expe6t that Canada ftall furrender. I
" have already had the honour to inform ybur Excellency,
" that I ftall make no alteration in fhem. I caimot deviate
" from this refolution. Your Excellency will therefore be
" pleafed to take a determination imraediately, and acquaint
" me In your anfwer, whether you will accept them or not.
" I have the honour to be, &c.
" Jeff. Ammerst.
" His Excellency M. de Vaudreuil, (sfc." The

1760. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 399

The Governor-General, finding that he could not prevail on
General Amherft to raake any alteration on bis terras, the Che
valier de Levis, Coramander in Chief of the French troops in
Canada, wrote the following letter to his Excellency General
Amherft.
"Sir,
" Montreal, September "Jth, 1 760.
" I fend your Excellency, M. de Lapaufe, Affiftanf Quarter-
" Mafter-General fo the army, on the fubjedt of fhe too rlgor-
" ous article which you impofe on the troops by the capitula
" tion, and to -which It would not be poffible for us fo fub-
" fcrlbe. Be pleafed fo confider tbe feverlty of that article.
" I flatter rayfelf, that you will be pleafed to give ear to the
" reprefentatlons that officer will raake to you on ray part, and
" bave regard to thera.
" I have fhe honour to be, &c.
" Le Chevalier de Levis
" His Excellency Major-General .Amherfl."
When M. de Iiapaufe perceived that General Araherft bad
peruled the letter he had brought frora the Chevalier de Levis,
he was endeavouring, with all the rhetoric he was mafter of, to
' ftate the grievance of which fhe Chevalier complained ; when
the General, defiring bim fo be filent, fold him, " Fbat on ac
count of fhe Infamous part which the troops of France had ac
ted, in exciting the favages fo perpetrate fhe raoft horrid and
unheard-of barbarities during the whole progrefs of the war,
and for other open treacheries, as well as flagrant breaches of
faith, be was refolved to manifeft to all the worid, by this capi
tulation, his deteftatlon of fuch ungenerous pradrices, and his
difapprobation of their condudt : he was therefore determined
to decline liftening to any farther reraonftrances on this fub-
jea." Tbe General having thus explained the noble motives on
which he adted, difraiffed M. de Lapaufe, witb the following
letter to the Chevalier de Levis. Sir,

400 NAVAL AND i7<Jo.

« Sir,
" Tbe letter which you bave fent me by M. de Lapaufe, has
" tbis inftant been delivered to rae. All I have to fay in an-
" fwer to if is. That I cannot alter, in tbe leaft, the conditions
•' whicb I have offered to the Marquis de Vaudreuil ; and I ex-
" pedt his definitive anfwer, by the bearer, on his return. On
" every other occafion, I fhall be glad to convince you of the
" confideration with which I ara, &c.
',' Jeff. Amherst.
" M. le Chevalier de Levis,"
Soon after, the Governor-General, fent out an officer, with
tbe following letter to General Amh?rft.
"Sir,
" Montreal, September ^th, 1 760.
•' I have deterrained to accept the conditions your Excellen-
" cy propofes. In confequence whereof, I defire you will
« corae to a deterrainafion with regard to the raeafures to be'
" taken relative fo fhe figning of the faid articles.
" I have the honour to be, &c.
" Vaudreuil.
" His Excellency General Amherfl''
To which letter. General Araherft refumed tbe following
anfwer. '
"Sir,
" Camp before Montreal, September ith, i']6q,
" In order to fulfil fo rauch the fooner on ray part, the exe-
" cuflon of fhe conditions which your Excellency has juft de-
" terrained fo accept ; I would propofe, that you ffiould fign the
" articles whicb I fent yefterday to your Excellency, and that
" you would fend them' back fo rae by Major Abercrombie,
" that a duplicate may be made of fhem immediately, wbich I
" ftall fign, and'fend to your Excellency.
"I repeat here the affurances of the defire I have to procure to
" your

1760. MILITARYMEMOIRS. 401

" your Excellency, and to the Officers and troops under your
" command, all poffible conveniencies and profe£tion. For
" which purpofe, I reckon that you will judge it proper that I
** ftould caufe poffeffion to be taken of the gates, and place
"guards imraediately after the reciprocal fignature of the capi-
" filiation. However, I ftall leave this to your own convenit
"ence; fince I. propofe it only with a view of raalntaining
" good order, and to prevent, with greater certainty, any thing
*' being atterapted againft the good faith and terras of fhe ca-
<' pitulation ; in order to which, I ftall give the coraraand of
" thefe troops fo Cblonel Haldiraand, wbo, I am perfuaded,
" will be agreeable to you.
" I have tbe honour tb be, &c.
" Jeff. Amf-rst.
" His Excellency Marquis de Vaudreuil, isfc."
The fame day, the General fent another letter to the Marquis
de Vaudreuil, as follows : —
" Sir, " Camp before Montreal, September Bth, 1760.
" I have juft fent to your Excellency, by Major Abercroni-
" ble, a duplicate of the capitulation wrbicb you bave figned
" this niorning; and, in conrotraity thereto, and the letters
" that have pafled between us, I likewife fent. Colonel Haldi-
" mand to take poffeffion of one of tbe gates of fhe town, in
*' order to enforce til? obfervation of good order, and prevent
" differences on both -fides.
" I flatter myfelf fbat you will have reafon tb be fully fatis-
" fied with my choice of the faid Colonel on this occafion.
" I have the honour to be, &c.
" Jeff. Amherst.
" His Excellency Marquis de Vdudt^euilj ^c."
Colonel Haldimand accordingly went into tbe ^town, took
poffeffion of tbe gates, and proceeded to the parade ; where the
fecond battalion of the regiment of La Reine^ the fecond batta-^
vol. II, c c Hon

402

NAVAL AND i75.o-

lion of the regiraent of La Sarre, the fecond battalion of fhe re
giment of Royal Rouffillon, Languedoc, Guienne, and Beam,
with the fecond and third battalions of fhe regiment of Berry,
and two of De la Marine, or colony troops, were drawn up,
amounting to four thoufand and eleven men ; when he faw
thera lay dawn their arms, agreeable fo the terras of capitulation.
He then demanded fhe colours of each battalion and regimeqit.
Their reply fo this was curious ;— That although the feveral re
giments had brought their colours with thera from France, they
had, finding tbem troublcfome and of little ufe in this woody
country, deftroyed thera. This anfwer being repeated to Ge-
neial Amherft, he Infifted that the Marquis de Vaudreuil, and
the Chevalier de Levis, ftould affirm this tO be truth, on their
words of honour. This they immediately did.
The deftrudtlon ofthe colours ofthe different regiments, was
a meafure the enemy had very recently adopted ; for, fo late as
the 28fh of April, feveral ofthe French regiments were feen
with colours at the l>aftle near Quebec. The enemy reftored
two ftand of colours belonging to tbe late regiments of General
Shirley and Sir William Peplperel, taken at Ofwego In 1755.
The other two ftand of xolours had been hung as trophies In
the cathedral of Quebec, and were deftroyed witb that church,
during the fiege of that city in 1759.
General Amherft, on the 13th of September, detached Ma
jor Rogers, with fWo corapanies of Rangers, and a detachment
of the royal regiraent of artillery, to take poffeffion of all fhe
pofts the enemy bad upon the Lakes. He was only able to
reach Detroit, which M. Delatre delivered updlreftly; but,
fhe feafon being too far advanced for his proceeding to Michili-
makinack, he remained at Detroit during the winter ; and, as
foon as fhe Lakes were navigable, fet out, and took poffeffion
of all fhe French pofts in the government of Canada.
WMlft General Murray wSs proceeding up the river to Mont
real, he fent orders to Colonel Frafer, whora be bad left Com
mandant at Quebec, to erabark with a detacbraent, and to at
tack the fprt the eneray had left at Jacques Carfier. This he
immediately did ; and> landing near that place, took poffelTion ,
of

iT^So. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 40^
of a rifing ground which entirely commanded the place. He
fent a furamons to the Governor to furrender; but he returned
for anfwer, that he would defend the place to the laft extre
mity. On this, forae mortars began to play on tbe fort, and a,
battery was alfo in great forwardnefs, when the Marquis de Al-
bergotti changed bis refolution, and offered to furrender; wbich
he did at difcretlon. The condition of the place but III fuited
witb the Marquis's pompous threat: for, in it, there were found
only a few very indifferent guns, little ammunition, and fcarce
any provifions, except a little live ftock, and a garrifpn of about
one hundred men. Including fifty of the militia.
The enemy bad a number of fmall privateers, wbich greatly
interrupted the navigation of the river. Thefe took ftelter in
fraall creeks and bays, chiefly on the north ftore of the river St
Lawrence, where tbe large ftips of war could not corae at
them ; and from whence they fallied forth when they faw any
defencelefs veffels going up or down it. In tbe river Sangue-
ney, above Tadoufac, there was a great number of thefe vermin*
Lord Colvill lent fome fmaU ftips pf war, and a nuraber of ar
med fchooners, with orders to fearch every creek and bay, from
tbe mouth of tbe river to Quebec ; when, after much trouble
and fatigue, they had the good fortune to take or deftroy them
all, and to retake raany of tbe veffels of which they had raade
prizes. The fuccours whicb tbe French deftined to the aid of
their North American colonies, did not arrive in the river St
Lawrence, until Lord Colvill and his fquadron had entered it.
This intelligence was Communicated to them by tbe mafter of a
veffel wbich was taken by one of the frigates that efcorted the
ftore-ftips from France. On this fhey deterrained to retire up
tbe Bay de Chaleur, a place but little known, hoping to get in
telligence conveyed overland to the Marquis de Vaudreuil, of
their difagreeable fituation, ¦while they muft neceffarlly wait his
orders there.
A Ridtlgouchi Indian, however, informed Lord Colvill, af
Quebec, that the ftips containing the before-mentioned fuc-*
cours, were at the French fettlement In Chaleur-bay; on which
he detached the Prince of Orange, Rochefter, and Eurus, with
c 6 2 fome

404 NAVAL AND 176a.
forae fmall armed veffels, under the coraraand of Captain Wal-
lIs,/fo the place defcribed by the Indian, fo take or deftroy thera.
At the fame tirae, another Indian having arrived, conveying
fhe like inforraation to the Governor of Louiffiurg, and ftating,
that there were two fifty gun ftips, three frigates, and a great
tainy fchooners. In the Bay de Chaleur ; the Governor diredlly
coramunlcated this intelligence fo Coraraodore Byron, who
thought any opportunity which prefented itfelf of crafting the
French naval power, ought not to be negledled. He accord
ingly failed with his fquadron, (See Note 162.) and got into the
bay fhe, 24fh of June ;, but was furprized to find only fhe Mac
hault of thirty-two guns, the Bienfalfant pf twenty-two, and
the Marquis de Marloze of fixteen, with a number of fmalJ
veflels. 1
The Coraraodore having been feparated frora his fquadron,
arrived forae tirae before the reft of his. ftips. As foon as he
made bis appearance, fhe enemy landed what few troops they
had brought out with thern, and eredted a battery to endeavour
to prevent the Farae frora getting farther up the bay. This
gave a good deal of Interruption tothe boats eraployed in foun
ding ; but this bufinefs being finifted, fhe Coraraodore pro
ceeded up the bay, and bringing his broadfide fo bear on tbe
battery, poured fuch a h?avy ,fire' on it, that the eneray aban
doned their works, and fled witb their ftips to fhe upper end
of fhe bay, where they bad a confiderable feffleraenf. Here
they thought tberafelves fecure j as, for want of a fufficient
depth of. wafer, large ftips could not follow thera ; but, not
trufting altogether to thaf, they fet fo work, and eredted two
batteries on oppofite points of land, whith projedted Into the
bay. The entrance between thera being very narrow, they
placed fhe Machault and Bienfalfant in fuch a manner, as to
bear upon it with their broadfides, and feeraed refolved fo make
an obftinate defence.
The reraainder of fhe fquadron being now arrived, fhe Cora
raodore deterrained to lofe no tirae in attacking them. He put
an additional number of raen on board of the Repulfe and Scar
borough, and one hundred men on board of 2l fchooner carry ing

i7«p. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 405

ing four guns, fix pounders; while, with the boats of the fqua
dron, be warped tbe frigates clofe up to their batteries, notwith
ftanding that they all the while kept up a warm cannonade
Opon tbem. The frigates foon filenced their weakeft battery ;
after which, they brought their broadfides to bear on fhe ftroiig-
eft one, and on the eneray's ftips ; when, after a very hot ac
tion of fome honrs, the Machault ftruclc her colours ; but, be
fore our people could fake poffeffion of her, the enemy fet her
and the Bienfalfant on fire, and landed all their crews. They
had about feventy Britiffi prifoners confined on board fhe Mar
quis de Marloze, who drea'ded eyery moraent that tbe ftip they
were in would ftare the 'fate of the others, as fhe eneray bad
abandoned ber, and carried off all her boats; With the great
eft difficulty thefe unfortunate people forced open tbe hatches ;
. which the eneray perceiving, fhey had the barbarity to fire on
thera from fhe ftore; but fortunately, the diftance was too
great for mufketry to do execution, In this difagreeable fitua
tion did they wait fill it grew dark, when one of them fwam on
board tbe Repulfe, and gave Inforraation of their condition.
On this, the boats were ordered to be raanned an^d arm^d,
and,, under cover of the fire of the frigates, paffed the enemy's
battery, and reached the Marquis de Marloze ; took out tbe
prifoners, and fet fhe ftip pn fire. The enemy now fled froni
their works into tbe woods ; and next day, the village, which
confifted of upwards of two hundred houfes, witb the prize
ftips and- fraall craft, together witb fhe whole feffleraenf, were
effectually deftroyed. In this adtion, we had twelve meri kil^,
led, and the fame number wounded. By a deferter, it vvas
learned, that the enemy bad thirty men killed, and many more
wounded. As Coraraodore Byron was corping down the bay
de Chaleur, on his return fo Louiffiurg, he 'met fhe fquadron
under the coraraand of Captain vV aliis, which had been detach
ed by Lord Colvill, fo perform the fervice that he had juft been
upbn. As foon as Louifburg was difraantled, Mr Byron and
his fquadron returned to England, taking the ralners with him.
Major Barre was feledted by the ,Coramander-in-chIef fo he
the bearer of his difpatches fo Mr Secretary Pitt, And as Cap-
c c 3 tain

4o6 NAVALAND 1760.
tain Deane, ofthe Diana, had condufted the fleet from Quebec,
to Montreal, to the entire fatisfadllon of every one ; and indeed
the very important fervices which he had rendered bis country
during the whole of this campaign, appeared in fo confpicuous
a light to Generals Araherft and Murray, that they were indu
ced to requeft of Lord Colvill to appoint hifti to be the bearer of
his Lordftlp's difpatches to the Secretary of State. Nothing
could be raore agreeable to Lord ColvIU's inclinations ; and he
was fent horae with them accordingly. His Majefty received
both Captain Deane and Major Barre in the raoft gracious man
ner, and was pleafed to order the fum of five hundred pounds
to be given to each of tbem to buy a fword.
His Majefty's ftip the Eurus, of twenty guns, commanded by
Captain John Elphinftone, being on'a cruize, was overtaken by
a fevere ftorm, and wrecked near the mouth of the river St
J^avi^rence : the crew were faved,
MEDITERRANEAN,
Vice-Admiral Saunders was appointed to coraraand his
Majefty's fleet in the Mediterranean, and failed from England
in the month of April. (See Note 164.) His Majefty, inthe
year 1759, ^^"^ Captain Milbank ofthe Guernfey, as his Am-r
baffador to the Eraperor pf Morocco, In order to treat for the
ranfora of the crew of his Majefty's ffiip the Litchfield, wreck-,
edon fhe coaft of Africa In 1758, which he got fettled ; and at
the farae" tirae ftlpulated for the releafe of all other bis Majef
ty's fubjedts, then In captivity. Tbe fura required was
225,000 hard dollars, which was accordingly paid, and the
people delivered up to him. Captain Barton, the Comraander
of fhe Litchfield, was fpon after appointed to tbe coraraand of
the Temeraire raan of war of feventy-fou't guns.
Admiral Saunders having inteHIgence that' the French were
preparing fome ffiips at Toulon, failed from Gibraltar the 24th
of June, In hopes of falling in witb fhem. He fent the Veftal
along the Spaniffi, and the Valeur along the Barbary ftore, to
recon-

1760. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 407

reconnoitre all the bays and harbours as they paffed ; while
himfelf, with his fquadron, fteered a raiddle courfe, fo as to be
ready to ift as exigencies might require. The two frigates, not
having difcovered any thing of fhe enemy, joined him off Mi
norca. Tbe Admiral then fteered for Toulon ; and by dlfgulf-
ing one of bis frigates, he decoyed off a pilot boat, from the
mafter of which he learned, that the French fquadron, confifting
of two ftips of fixty-four, two of fifty guns, ai^d twb frigates,
had failed about fifteen days before, having on board an Am
baffador for Conftantinople. On tbife inforraation. Admiral
Saunders detached Captain Pallifer, with the Shrewffiury, So
merfet, Dunkirk and Prefton, and tbe Shannon, Pallas, Veftal,
and Kennington frigates in fearch of the enemy. The Pallas
chafed pne of the enemy's ftips, of much fuperior force, into
the Morea ; while Captain Pallifer blocked up tbe remainder in
a port in tbe ifle of Candia for feveral months, by which means
he prevented the enemy frorii giving any annoyance to our trade.
But his ftips growing foul, he was obliged to relinqulft his fta
tion, and bear away fpr Gibraltar to refit.
The enemy finding the feas clear, (lole back to Toulon. The
Thetis and Rainbow .took tbe Vidtoire privateer of Marfeilles,
of twenty-four guns. The Cygnet took the Jupiter, a French
privateer of" eighteen guns, and one hundred and thirty-five
men. The Quehec took the Phoenix, ? French privateer of
eighteen guns, and one hundred and twenty-five men.
The diligence of Admiral Saunders was fuch, fbat frora tbe
time he made his appearance in thefe feas, the eneray's trade
was reduced to a ftate of ftagnation,; while his attention to
ferve tfee allies of his country, kept pace with his inclination to
diftrefs her eneraies.
When the fubjedits of Portugal were ordered to leave the
Pope's doralnlons, he, judging that fuch Portuguefe of diftlnc-
tion as raight choofe to return faoraje, would repair to Leghorn
for a paffage, iramediately fent an exprefs to Civita Vecchia, to
acquaint them, that a mari of war ftould be ready at Leghorrh
to carry thera to Liffion. They accordingly repaired thither,
and embarked on board the Jerfey, which condudted them to
c c 4 that

4o8 ' NAVALAND , 176c).
that port. A mark of kttention with which his Moft Faithful
Majefty was extremely well pleafed.
TRANSACTIONS AT OR NEAR HOME.
Although the expedition under the comniand of the fa
mous M, Thurot failed from Dunkirk, in Odtober 1759, yet
as It did not reach the objedt of. its deftination, nor coraraence
its operations until fhe beginning of this. year, it now coraes
in courfe to be defcribed. His force confifted of five frigates.,
manned with feven hundred and twenty-fix failors ; and on
board this little fquadron were erabarked thirteen hundred
land-forces, (See Note 165.) thefe w^ere coramanded by M,
Flobert, a Brigadier-General, and were intended to fecond the:
operafipns of tbe Due d'AIguIllon, by landing in the north of
Ireland, foon after he was fuppofed to have Invaded the fouth
ern part of that kingdom. This armament may he confidered
as the laft wreck of their grand plan of Invafion, every branch
of which was happily blafted and rendered abortive, tb^'pugh
the vigilance of fhe Minifter, and the adtivify and bravery of
the officers who adted by his orders, and put his plans info excr
cuflon. On the 17th of Odtober 1759, M, Thurot had the good for
tune to make his efcape frora Dunkirk with his little fquadron,
in abfence of the fleet under Coraraodore Boys, which, after
blocking him up all the furamer, had been forced, by a violent
gale of wind, to retire fo fhe Downs, His firft rendezvous-
was Gottenburg in Sweden. Here he reraained fifteen days,
when, having taken in what ftores he ftood in need of, he
proceeded to Bergen in Norway. On his voyage thither, he
encountered a terrible ftorm ; his fleet was feparated ; and
the Begon, one of his ffiips, received fo much damage, that
fte was obliged to return fo France. Having repaired his
fquadron In the beft manner he could at Bergen, he failed
from that port the 25th of December, with his four frigates,
and proceeded round the Orkney Iflands for his deftination ;
when,

1760. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 409

wben, after a terapeftuous voyage, and overcoraing many dif-
ficultlesi they got fight of the Irift coaft on the 25th of Janu
ary, intending to have made a defcent near Londonderry : but
the wind becoming contrary, and increafing to a ftorm, the
ftips feparated, and were in great danger bf being wrecked.
The Blonde fuffered mucb ; four of her guns being obliged
to be thrown over-board to eafe the ftip. The Amaranth
could not find tbe fquadron again ; and, after fuffering raany
hardftips, and having been chafed feveral tiraes, arrived in
great diftrefs at St Malo.
M. Thurot's fquadron was now diralnifted to three ftips,
all of whicb had fuffered feverely In this laft ftorra : provi
fions were likewife becoming fo fcarce on board, that the men
were reduced to ftort allowance. In this fituation, tbe Cap
tains of fhe Blonde and Terpfichore made tbe fignal fo fpeak
witb the Commodore.' Being come on board, they requefted
bim to return fo France, as, from ficknefs and reduced num
bers, , they thought fhey could not fulfil the intention of fhe
enterprize. This M. Thurot pofiflvely refufed ; but, in order
to refreft the men, he agreed, to put into the Ifland of Ifla as
fbon as poffible : whicb on the i6th of February, they got
fight of. The people on ftore miftaking them for merchant
ftips who warited pilots, Meffrs M'Donald and M'Neil, iri a
fmall boat, went on board of the Commodore. They were
iramediately condu£ted into the great cabin, when they firft
difcovered their miftake. M. Thurot treated thera with great
politenefs, and affured them fhey had nothing to fear ; for that
all be wanted, was to be condudted into a fafe harbour ; and
if fhe country people would furnift them with provifions, they
ftpuld be paid for them in ready rabney. Mr M'Neil was
fent on ftore to let tbe people know this, and prevent their
being alarraed.
In tbe evening, the ftips were condufted into Claggencar-
rlck bay, where they came to an anchor. Two French boats
went, without orders, and plundered two floops in the bay,
one of fhem belonging fo Mr M'Donald. When -M. Thurot
¦\yas inforraed of this, he was extremely difpleafed ; and as his
people

41©

NAVAL AND i7<5o.

people had carried off five tons of flour from the veffel, he In
fifted upon paying fifty guineas in lieu of it, although Mr
M'Donald affured him that It was more than the value- Tbe
Marftal Belleifle being very leaky, they brought the ftip to
a heel, and continued at work on ber and the other two ftips
all the tirae fhey were here. The enemy bargained for a fup
ply of black cattle, af the rate of fifty ftllllngs a head ; and M.
Flobert gave a draught on fhe French refident at the Hague,
for the money. Very luckily for the merchants, fhey ftewed
the draught tp M. Thurot, who affured fhem fbat It was npt
worth a farthing. He then went with thera to M. Flobert,
whora he upbraided for fhe meannefs of his condu£l, obliging
hira fo pay thera down fifty guineas In eaft, and fo give thera
a draught for the balance due to thera on the King of France's,
banker at Paris, which he affured thera would be duly honour
ed, and which they afterward found to be true. Other pro
vifions whicb they procured, were paid for in ready raoney.
While here, M. Thurot received fhe raortifying intelligence
of M. Conflans-' defeat by Sir Edward Hawke. At firft, fhe
French officers would not believe it ; but they were foon uri-
decelved ; for Mr M'Donald having the Scots Magazine in his
pocket, In which was an account of the adtion from tbe Lon
don gazette, they were convinced of its truth, and appeared
very rauch dejedted.
Notwithftanding tbe difagreeable certainty of the defeat of
tbe grand fleet of France, the perfeverlng Thurot refolved
fteadily to obey his orders, and to ffiow bimfelf worthy the
command to which he had been elevated. The powers with
which he was_ entrufted, appear f o have been very ample. A
great majority ofthe French officers were for landing here, and
plundering the country. He affured them, if they did, that
not a foldier of them fliould return on board the fquadron
he commanded ; and that he would fail without therii. But,
left his threats ffiould not have due weight with tbem, he went
to bis bureau, and took out a paper, which was an order from
the King of France, in which he pofitively coraraanded, that no

1760. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 4"
no moleftation ftould be given to the inhabitants, wherever
they landed.
On the 19th of Februry, the eneray failed frora Ifla, and
ne,xt day anchored in Carrickfergus bay, oppofite Killrute-polnt.
In the town were four companies of the fixty-fecond regiraent,
coramanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Jennings : thefe men were
newly raifed, and the companies far from being complete.
The French ftips were aJ firft taken' for a large frigate and
-two ftore-ftips ; but as they were feen fo, ply frequently frora
the ftips to tbe ftore, with boats full of raen, Colonel Jenn
ings fent an officer with a party to reconnoitre thera, who foon
returned and i:eported fhey were enemies. The Colonel di
redlly beat to arms, wben tbe militia as well as regulars affem
bled. Under efcort of tlie forraer, he difpatched what French
prifoners were at Carrickfergus to Belfaft ; and took all the
precautions in his power to defend fhe place. M. Thurot
landed as raany fearaen, as, with thp foldiers, made up one
thoufand men. As foon as they had made good their landing,
they feized on fome horfes, which their huffars mounted. M.
Flobert with his troops then began his raarch for the town,
from which he was diftant about two miles and a half. Colo
nel Jennings pofted his men to defend the gates of tbe town,
to whicb their huffars now advanced. Unfortunately, our
foldiers had but a few rounds of powder and ball. On fhe firft
fire, the enemy's advanced parties were checked, and forced
to retire to their main body, who now divided, and attacked
the North and Scots gates at fhe fame time. Our raen be
haved with the greateft bravery, ^nd repulfed the enemy ;
but their araraunitlon falling, they were forced to retire to the
caftle, where they defended themfelves ; and, notvvlfhftanding
their amriiunition was all expended, they continued to annoy
tbe eneray by throwing down bricks and ftones on thera as
they advanced : but the French bringing up two pieces of can
non, with which they battered the gate of the caftle. Colonel
Jennings was obliged to capitulate, (See Note 165.), after do
ing his utmofl; to defend an old fortrefs little better than a
heap of ruins. As

4T2 NAVAL AND 1760.

As foon as the eneray were inafters of the town of Carrick
fergus, their Comraanders deraanded of tbe Mayor, provifions
of all forts, of which their fleet was in great want, otherwife
tbe town, fhey faid, ftould be plundered. The, Maglftrates
not being' able to comply with this requeft, they put their
threat in execution,' and found more provifions than fhey ex-
pe£ted. They likewife raade forae prizes of veffels coming up
the bay of Belfaft, particularly two floops, one laden with
flour, and the other with herrings. The cargoes they put on
board their fliips, and then burnt the veffels. This trifling
conqueft coft fhe enemy very dear. They had feveral officers,
and about thirty raen killed, M. Flobert, with a good 'raany,
other officers, and upwards of fixty men, being wounded ; the
forraer, and fome of the men, were obliged to be left behind ;
for whofe fafety, M, Thurot took the Mayor and forrie other
gentleraen along with hira as hoftages. Early on fhe 26fh,
they erabarked their troops, after fpiking up forae iron can
non in fhe caftle, and throwing what powder they found there
into the fea ; and next day fet fail, in order to return to France.
This little armament occafioned a great alarm In Ireland.
As foon as the account of fhe enemy's landing reached the
Duke of Bedford, (then Lord Lieutenant of the kingdom) at
Dublin, orders were given for raarching a confiderable body
cf horfe and foot againft thera, under the coraraand of the Earl
of Rothes ; and all the militia of the county of Antrim were
ordered to affemble ; fo thaf If fhe enemy bad riot made a pru
dent retreat at fhe time they did, in a few days would have
found it impoffible to have regained their ftips. The Duke
of Bedford fent expreffes to all the principal fea-ports, to In
form fhe Captains of any of his Majefty's ftips, who might
happen to be there, of the enemy being on the coaft. Lucki
ly, at KInfale," the exprefs found three of his Majefty's fri
gates, viz. the .iEolus, BriUiant, and Pallas, coraraanded by
Captains Elliot, (now Adrairal of the White) Logie, and
Clements. They loft not a moraent, but put fo fea inftantly, and went
in queft of the enemy, whora they found and defeated. The
following

i7(So. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 413

following account of the defeat was tranfmitted to the Duke
of Bedford, a few day afterwards, by Captain Elliot,
« My Lord,
" JEolus, in Ramfay bay, February 2<)th, 1 760.
« I had tbe honour to write you on the 26th Inftant, oft'
" Dublin, but very Incorreftly, and in great hafte. As I that
*' minute had information from the fifterraen, that the enemy
" were then at Carrickfergus, I made all the difpatch poffible
" to attack fhem there, and got off fhe entrance of fhe harbour
*' that evening ; but the wind being contrary, and blowing ve-
<« ry hard, I could not get In.
" On the 28tb, at four inthe morning, we got fight of tbem
" under fail, and gave chafe ; about nine, I got along-fide
" their Coraraodore ; and, in a few minutes, the adtion be-
*' came general, and continued very briflily for an hour and
*« a half, when they all three ftruck their colours.
"They proved, to be fhe Marftal Belleifle of forty- four
" guns, and five hundred and forfyrfive men, M. Thurot, who
" is killed ; the Blonde of thirty-two guns, and four hundred
*' men, M. de Kayce ; and tbe Terpfichore, of twenty-fix guns,
*' and three hundred raen, M. Defrauaudais, (Including troops
" in this nuraber). I put in here to refit the ftips, which are
" greatly difabled in their mafts and rigging ; the Marftal Bel-
" lelfle in particular, which loft her bowfprit, mizen-raaft, and
" main-yard In the adtion ; and it was with much difficulty
*' we kept her from finking.
" I have acquainted ray Lords Comralffioners of tbe Admj-
" miralfy with the particulars by exprefs ; and I propofe refurn-
" ing to forae port In England, as foon as the ffiips can poffi-
" bly be repairedj Subjoined is a lift of the killed and wound-
** ed. And I ara, " My Lord,
" Your Grace's
" Moft hurable and obedient fervant,
" John Elliot." Ship^.

4

NAVAL AND

176a

Ships.

Guns. Men. Commanders.

Killed.

Wounded.

-liEolus,
Pallas, ,
Brilllarit,

32 220 John Elliot,
36 240 Michael Clements,
36 240 James Logie,

4 I
0

15 5
II

Total, 5 31
" N. B. — I find it impoffible to afcertain the nuraber of the
" eneray killed and wounded ; but, frora fhe beft accounts I
" can get, they amount to three hundred."
Such was the fafeof fhe brave, but unfortunate Thurot. Hc
fought bis ffiip until ffie bad feveral feet water in her hold,
and her decks covered with killed and wounded. Perceiving
all farther refiftance vain, be had given orders to ftrike the
colours V but ere this could be put in execution, he was killed.
He was generally lamented both by friends and foes ; as his
behaviour, on all occafions, was replete with honbur, huma
nity, and generoGfy. Thefe, joined to an undaunted courage,
juflly rendered hira confpicuous ; and were the means that
raifed him to the coraraand of a fquadron. In hira, France
loft one of her beft naval officers ; who, if he had furvived this
difefter, raight, frora his abilities, have proved a formidable
eneray to the Britiffi.
The behaviour of Captains Elliot, Clements, and Logie,
their officers and men, on this occafion, did fhem great ho
nour ; and in fuch eftiraation did the people of Ireland regard
the Important fervice they had done, that their reprefentatlve
body in Parliament unanimoufly voted tbe three C^apfalns their
thanks. The Blonde and Terpfichore were purchafed by Government,
and added to the Royal Navy by the farae naraes.
Adrairal Bofcawen was appointed to command the fleet fta
tioned in Quiberon-bay, on the coaft of France, in room of
Adrairal Hawke. He accordingly hoifted bis flag on board
the Royal William ; and, with the Sandwich, in whicb was
Rear-Admiral Geary, the Ramillies, St George, Princefs A-
mella, and Orford, failed from Plymouth, the 5th of February. Tbe

1760. MILITARY MEMOIRS./ 41S

The wind foon after became cbntrary ; but, anxious to get
to his ftation, he endeavoured to beat down the Channel, and
had got nearly abreaft of the Land's end, when a terrible
ftorm came on, by which the fquadron were difperfed, and
each ftip endeavoured to make for fome port in fhe Channel.
Unfortunately the Ramillies, Captain Wittronge Taylor, in
ftead of ftanding on for St Helen's, tried to make Plymouth :
the weather being hazy, be -unluckily overftot the port, and
got embayed near the Bolt-head, on fhe 15th, where he was
forced to corae to an anchor. He ordered all the raafts to be
immediately cut away ; but fuch was fhe fury of the tempeft,
that the cables either broke, or tbe anchors came bome ; fo
that tbe ftip drove againft tbe rocks witb the greateft violence,
and was dafted in pieces. Of her crew, which confifted of
feven hundred and' fifty raen, only a raldftipman and twenty-
fix raen were faved. They leaped from the ftern of fhe ftip,
to a cliff In tbe rock, frora whicb fhey were drawn up with
ropes by fhe country people. Maiiy of their corapanions tried
to fave their lives in like manner ; but not being able to reach
the cliff, they were crufted to death between the rock and
tbe ftip.
Tbe Namur being now repaired. Admiral Bofcawen hoifted
his flag on board that fliip ; and, on fhe 9th of March, failed
, for bis coraraand in Quiberon-bay. (See Note 166.) The Ad
rairal ftationed five ftips of fhe line, and two frigates, under.
tbe coraraand of Sir John Bentley, off the mouth of the river
Vilaine, to prevent the enemy's ftips there from making their
efcape. Admiral Bofcawen bimfelf lay at anchor with fome
I large ftips in Quiberon-bay ; and as he faw occafion, detach
ed ftips to cruize, and fo reconnoitre Bafque road, and fhe
ports of Breft and L'Orient.
The Centaur being on a cruize off Cape FInifterre, fell in
with the Valiant of fixty-four, and the Amefhyfte of thirty-
two, guns, from the Weft Indies, to whicb Captain Forreft
gave chafe. The enemy were deceived by the appearance of
the Centaur, miftaking her for a friend ; but fte not anfwer
ing the private fignal, and they perceiving her making ready to

4i6 NAVAL AND ,. 1760.
to engage, by clewing up her courfes, which difcovered her
force, raade all the fail they were able, and, by altering their
courfe In the night, efcaped into the Groyne,
The Niger of thirty-two guns. Captain Eenflnck, fell in with
the Diadem of feventy-four guns, having under ber convoy
fome ftore-ftips for Marrinico, Captain Benfinck kept them
company for feveral days, in hopes of falling in with fome of
our ftips of the line. During which time, he more than once
endeavoured to cut off forae of the ftore-ftips ; but they kept
fo clofe fo their efcort, that they baffled all bis efforts. In one
of thefe attempts, his ftip was rauch daraaged by forae broad
fides from! the Diadera : he was af length obliged to leave them,
having, af parting, fix feet water In his hold. Wben be loft
fight of them, be was forced fo heel his ftip, in order to ftop
fome leaks under the ftarboard counter, occafioned by the ftot
ffie bad received from the eneray.
The Diadera foon after met with the Shrewffiury, Pallas,
and Argo ; they Iraraediately gave her chafe. The Argo took
one of the ftore-ffiips, whilft the Pallas was engaging the Dia
dera, in hope of difabllng her in fuch a raanner, as raight en
able fhe Shrewffi^iry to get up with her. In this brave atterapt
¦the Pallas was greatly damaged; and having twenty-three men,
killed and wounded, ffie was obliged fo ffieer off. The Shrewf-
bury, being a heavy failer, could not get up with the enemy.
The Diadem, foon after this little bruft, fell in with the Royal
William, from whence fte had a very narrow efcape ; but got
i.ito the Groyne, after a ftort chafe, in whicb fte was vlfibly lo
fing ground.
Thefe particulars are mentioned, only to point out with-
what great judgment Admiral Bofcawen ftatloned his cruizing
ftips, infomuch, that in all the attempts of fhe French fo fend
any fupplies to their colonies, the veffels carrying fuch fupplies
had uniformly the fate to fall In with fhe fliips of bis fquadron.
Tbe 'enemy having obtained information, that our trading
veffels for Oporto and Liffion, were efcorted only by tbe Ja
maica floop, difpatched the Malicieufe of thirty-fix, and L'Opale
of thirty-two guns (two of their beft frigates) fo intercept them.
On

i76o, MILITARY MEMOIRS. 417

On the 28th of March, they fell in with bis Majefty's ftip the
Penguin, pf twenty guns. Captain Harris, which they took ;
but finding ber leaky, they burnt her, and fent the crew to
Vigo. They then proceeded on their cruize. All their hopes
of enriching fb^nfelves by the capture bf tbe Liffion and Opor
to fleets, proved chimerical, owing fo tbe bravery of Captains
Skinner and Kennedy, Commanders of his Majefty's ftips
Flamborough and BIddeford; who having failed in company
on a cruize from Liffion, on the 1 8fb of March, had tbe good
fortune to fall in with fhe enemy on the 4th of April ; and, not
at all difcouraged at their vifible fuperiority, iraraediately gave
thera chafe. The eneray perceiving the fraallnefs of our ftips,
bore down on them about feven in the evening, wben a clofe
and warm a£tIon coraraenced, which was raaintained with great
brifknefs until nine o'clock, when the eneray ftot ahead. Our
people iraraediately reefed new braces, and, having repaired
their damages in the beft raanner poffible, purfued tbe eneray,
and compelled thera fo renew the adtlpn, wbich lafted with
great fury from an hour after nine, until near eleven o'clock,
wben tbe enemy's fire gradually flackened. At firft it was ima
gined they were going fo ftrike ; but, inftead of that, they fet
all the fail they wete able, and raade off. Our two ftips being
greatly daraaged In their fails and rigging, were in no condition
to follow them, though fhey endeavoured it all in their power.
Finding the purfuit to be In vain, they put into Lifton fo refit.
There they found fhe trade from England arrived, under con^^
voy of fhe Jaraaita floop ; whicb bada very narrow efcape from
the eneray, fhey being fo near as fo hear the cannonading.
The Flara'borough had five raen killed, araong whora was Lieu
tenant Price of the raarlnes ; and fen Wounded* The BIdde
ford had her Captain and eight raen killed ; and her Lieutenant
and twenty-five raen wounded, the forraer pf whora raorf ally :
her raain-top-maft was ftot away, and all ber other mafts,
yards, and rigging, greatly difabled. After fhe death of Cap
tain Skinner, Lieutenant KnoUIs fought fhe ftip with great
bravery. On his being mortally wounded, Mr Thomas Stacey,
tOL. II. D d the

4x8 NAVALAND i7^0'
the mafter, took fhe command, and continued the a£tIon, till
they obliged fhe eneray fo fteer off.
Captain Hervey of the Dragon, chafed a large French ftip
into a bay near fo Port Louis, where fte took ftelter under a
battery; which Captain Hervey foon filenced, and fent his
boats to' tow off the ftip ; but finding her aground, they fet
her on fire, bringing off four fmall barks, and thirty prifoners.
Admiral Rodney continued extremely adtlve on bis ftation
off Havre de Grace, (See Note 166.) The eneray bad the
temerity to fail from Harfleur, In fhe raonth of July, In the
middle of the day, with fifteen prames laden with cannon and
ftot, fuppofed to be deftined for Breft. They made all poffi
ble parade ; their colours were flying, and fhe bills on each fide
of the river Seine, and the walls of Havre de Grace, were co
vered with fpedlators, wbo were aftonifted that the Britiffi
fquadron made no motion for intercepting them. Admiral
Rodney knew perfedtly well that bis purfulng them would be
to no purpofe, until the praraes bad pafled the river Orne, as
they bad It in their power to take ffielter in feveral fmall ports.
He did not let thera proceed unobferved, but bad their mo
tions clofely attended to ; In fhe mean time, giving orders fo
his fquadron to be ready, tbe raoraent be ffiould raake fhe fig
nal fo chafe.
When fhe eneray bad got fhe length of Caen river, fhey kept
ftanding backwards and forwards on the ffioals, by which fhe
Adrairal perceived, that they intended to raake a puffi down
tbe channel wben if was dark. He therefore gave diredtlons fo
tbe fmall veffels of his fquadron, as foon as night came on, fo
make all poffible fail for tbe mouth of fhe river Orne, in order
to cut off the enemy's retreat ; while, with his other ffiips, he
proceeded at the fame time (without fignal) with the utmoft
difpatch, for the fteep coaft of Port Baffin, Thefe raeafures
bad all the wiffied-for fuccefs. The enemy's prames were in-
fercepfed off Point Percee, by two of his fquadron, difguifed
like Dutch veffels, which bad got to the weftward of fhem ;
when, perceiving their retreat cut off, five of them run affiore,
and were totally deftroyed. The other ten, with the greateft difii-

i7<Jo. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 41$*

difficulty, got into the river Orne. They appeared fo be fine
veffels, upwards of one hundred feet long, and capable of con
taining frora three to five hundred raen. Adrairal Rodney's
fuccefs prevented the eneray frora trying fuch experlraenfs in
future; as orders were iraraediately given to unload raore than
a hundred praraes wbich were ready to fail, had fhe others pro
ved fuccefsful ; and fo fend thera up to Rouen. The Admiral
gave tbe eneray great annoyance along their coaft. He fent
three ftout cutters fo fcour the ffiore towards Dieppe, which efr
fedtually deftroyed an extenfive fiffiery they had near to that
place. They took four fiffiing veffels, of fixty tons each, having
twenty-four raen on board ; and at the farae flrab, drove above
thirty others affiore.
In the month of Auguft, Sir Edward Hawke (See Note 167.)
in the Royal George, relieved Admiral Bofcawen In tbe bay of
Quiberon, wbo returned to England the ift of Septeraber, This
was the laft fervice that this gallant fearaan rendered to the pub
lic, he dying at bis feat of Hatcbland, near Guildford, In Surry,
January 8fh, 1761, unlverfafly regretted by fhe Britiffi nation.
This officer, whofe life had been dedicated to fhe duties of
bis profeffion, poffeffed, frora nature, a warm temper, and a good
underftanding. His condu£t correfponded with fhe vigour of
bis mind, marking his friendffiips and enmities with tbe force of
bis character. But his ardour was tempered by bumanlt y, and
guided by an affedllonate regard for all tbe individuals Intrufted
fo his raanagement *. To thofe who were more Immediately
under his eye, his folicitude extended even to parental care,
which was acknowledged by the ftrongeft marks of grief araong
the fearaen of the ffiip in whicb he had been embarked, every
man feefing fhe Admiral's death as his own particular misfor.
tune. Such were the peculiar charadteriftrcs which diftlngui
ffied this great officer araong the feamen of Britain, But, as
the adtlve, the dlKgent, the intrepid fervant of his country, he
Dd 2 Is
* The nation are indebted to Admiral Bofcawen, for patronizing and firft in
troducing the celebrated Dr Hales's ventilators in the Navy, and afterwards bring
ing them into univerfal ufe on board of his Majefty's Ihips, which has proved the
fortttnate means of preferving the lives of many thoufand feamen.

420 NAVALAND 1760.
is exalted by all the talents of a diftlnguiffied chief. Confura-
mate fldll In his profeffion ; the raoft fcrupulous fidelity whicb
fpurns at peculation; unbounded zeal; and the raoft cool, col-
ledted, and perfeverjng courage ; are forae of the qualities
whicb rendered Admiral Bofcawen one of the greateft naval
chara£ters which this ifland ever produced.
Admiral Hawke perfevered In the plan of bis predeceffor in
coraraand ; and bis cruizers were very fuccefsful. On the 4th
of Septeraber, be fent fhe Magnanlrae, Prince Frederick, jand
Bedford, under the coraraand of Lord Vifcount Howe, to at
tack a fort on fhe Ifland of Duraef, near Quiberon bay. It fur
rendered very foon after fhe two laft mentioned ffiips bad been
placed againft It. In the fort were found nine pieces of can
non, eighteen and twelve pounders. The garrifon was corapo-
fed of one corapany of the regiraent of Bourbon, confifting of
fifty-five men, of wbich two were killed, and fix wounded in the
attack. The only damage fuftained by the ffiips, was a ffiot
through tbe Bedford's ralzen-raaft. Tbe ifland is near three
miles long, and two broad, and has plenty of freffi water. Its
capture proved of great fervice to the fleet on tbis ftation, du
ring the remainder of the war.
A plan having been concerted for attacking the ifles of Bour
bon and Mauritius, iti fhe Indian feas, feveral regiments receiv
ed orders f o hold themfelves in readinefs for foreign fervice ;
and, from fhe foldiers' clothing being ordered fo be lined with
unbleached linen, no doubt was entertained, but this was the
fervice for which they were deftined. Major-General Kingfley
was named to coraraand the land forces, and fhe Honourable
Auguftus Keppel, fhe fleet, which was to efcort thera fo their
deftination. The general rendezvous was appointed to be at
the ifland of Diego Rays. It is certain, that fhe Admiral com
manding bis Majefty's fleet in fhe Eaft Indies, had orders fent
hira to co-operate In tbis enterprize, with fhe greateft part of
the naval force under bis coraraand. The Miniftry judging,
that by the time the troops frora Europe could poffibly reach.
the French iflands, tbe eneray's raarlne would be completely
driven from every part of Indoftan, the fame conveyance which car-

1760. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 421

carried out tbe orders to the Admiral In the Eaft Indies, direc
ted him. Immediately on his arrival at fhe ifland of Diego Rays,
to fend a 'veffel to fhe bay of St Auguftin, In the ifland of Ma
dagafcar, where be would find a frigate, with difpatches con
taining inftrudtions for bis future condudl. This plan was af
terwards laid afide, for reafons whicb the public were left to
conjedture. In order to apprize Admiral Corniffi In tbe Eaft Indies, of
the enterprize againft fhe French Iflands being relinqulfted,
the Terpfichore frigate, coraraanded by Sir Thoraas Adams, was
difpatched to Madagafcar, with orders to wait there, till Ad
miral Cornift fent a ftip to receive from bim the difpatches
with which be was charged. Of all thisj the public reraained
quite Ignorant ; for, although the original plan of the enter
prize was entirely altered, yet. In fhe raonth of October, fhe
troops were ordered to afferable in the neighbourhood of Portt-
mouth, and a number of tranfports were colledted there to re
ceive them. (See Note 167.) But when a regiment of light-
dragoons, a battalion of foot-guards, and feveral other corps' of
light-infantry, together with a large train of battering-cannon,
were ordered to affemble at the fame place, the public began to
form various conjedtures concerning the real deftination of this
arraaraent. Sorae politicians would have It fo be deftined
againft Oftend, or Antwerp, in order to raake a powerful diver
fion in favour of the operations of the allied army under Prince
Ferdinand of Brunfwick ; others, that It was to join the army
under the Hereditary Prince of Brunfwick, then adring on tbe
Lower Rhine. But a circuraftance happened, which difcover
ed that tbe enterprize was deftined againft the ifland of Belle
ifle, or forae part of the coaft of France. Two regiraents were
to be drawn frora Ireland, to join the troops frdm England,
which were now all embarked, and waited only a fair vvdnd fo
proceed. But fhe wind which detained thofe at Spithead,
being fair for the regiments at Cork, fo fail for the general ren
dezvous; they accordingly failed for Quiberon bay, where they
waited feveral weeks, in hopes of being joined by their friends
from England. (See Note 167.) D d 3 An

422 NAVALAND i7<5o-
An unexpedled event drew the attention of the public from
this enterprize for fome little tirae. This was the death of our
Sovereign, King George IL, who died at his palace of Kenfing
ton, between feven and eight o'clock in fhe morning, on fhe
27th of Odtober, In fhe feventy-feventh year of bis age, and
thirty-third of his reign. The immediate caufe of bis death
was a rupture ofthe fubftance ofthe right ventricleof the heart,
by which fhe circulation was ftopped In an inftant. We live
too near fhe age in which bis Majefty reigned, to be able to
draw fhe charadter of this Monarch with juftnefs and precifion.
His reign, until fhe prefent war. Is not reraarkable for any great
events. His fubjedts always enjoyed peace at home, one mo
mentary broil excepted. Whenever the national ftrepgfh was
properly exerted, fhe kingdora always acquired glory. The laft
years of his reign were by far fhe happieft, his Minifters being
highly agreeable fo fhe nation af large ; aftuafed as they were
by a true love of their country, whofe intereft and glory was
their firft confideration. His Majefty lived to fee party-rage,
which bad proved fo froublefprae to feveral of his Minifters, in
a raanner extinguifted, Tbe wife and falutary raeafure of em
ploying the Highland Clans in fhe fervice of Government, put
a final end to Jacobitifm, and gained him their affedtlons, while
their adtlons teftified they were fincere. Clemency and kind
nefs can accompllft what cruelty and force can never obtain.
If his Majefty did not poffefs firft-rate abilities, his condudt, on
many trying occafions, ffiowed that bis underftandipg was far
being defedtive. In bis temper he was choleric. He perfedtly
well underftood fhe intereft of all tbe Princes of Europe ; par
ticularly thofe of the Germanic body, for whofe concerns be
ever ftewed the greateft attention.
It was unfortunate for this country, thaf his Majefty bad at
tained the prirae of life before he came fo refide in it. This
prevented bim from ever attaining fuch a knowledge of the En
glift language, as fo enable him to perceive its beauties, pr to
become acquainted with the moft efteemed works, or the fineft
writers of the kingdora. Learned raen, after fhe death of his
Queen, therefore, did not meet with that encouragement which is

1760. MILITARY MEMOIRS, 423

is due to fuperior raerit. literature confequently did not flourlft
fo much as might have been expected in the latter part of his
reign. The fine arts kept pace with literature. This Is fuppo
fed to have proceed frora too rigid an oeconomy, and Is perhaps
the greateft bleralft In bis reign ; for, in private life, he was an
excellent huffiand, an affe£tIonate parent, a kind raafter, and,
to thofe whom be efteemed, a fincere friend. Plain and dlredl
in bis intentions ; true to his word ; fteady In his favour and
profedtion to bis fervants, whom he never changed willingly,
efpecially thofe near bis perfon : fhey advanced in years along
witb him, and many of thera died in his fervice.
In bis reign, agriculture increafed; trade and raanufa£tures
flourlffied to a great degree ; and raany wife regulations were
raade for fhe profperlty of the kingdora, by Parliament. With
regard to tbe affairs of Government, he was fomewhat Indiffer
ent as to wbo might have tbe manageraent of thera ; but this
only took place frora fhe downfal of bis favourite Sir Robert
Walpole, who bad rendered ftate raatters fo eafy to bis Majefty,
that be placed entire confidence In hira : yet, as he was neceffi^
tated to part with him, he never afterwards ffiewed the farae
regard or partiality to any Minifter. His Majefty was terape-
rate, and a ftridt lover of juftice. He died unlverfally beloved
and regretted by all his fubje£ts. George the Second raay npt
be ranked among Kings who are ftyled great, by hlftorlans ;
but he poffefled a raore exalted chara£ter, and was truly an
honest man.
Mr Pitt ftill continued to diredt all public bufiiiefs under bis
late Majefty's fucceffor ; and our warlike preparations fuffered
no abaferaent. The troops were all on board for tbe fecret ex
pedition, and raoved from Spithead to St Helen's, to be the
raore ready fo erabrace fhe firft breeze of fair wind that ffiould
offer, and to proceed to their deftination. But having long
waited for this, Adrainlftration thought tbe feafon too far ad
vanced for military and naval operations; therefore, on the 13th
of December, orders were given for tbe fleet to return to Spit
head, and for the troops to difembark, and go into winter quar
ters. D d 4 The

424 NAVALAND 1760.

The A£teon, Captain Paul Henry Ourry, gave chafe to, and
drove on ffiore, a privateer of fixteen guns, between Cape Bar
fleur, and Cape la Hogue, and effedlually deftroyed her.
The Niger, Captain Benfinck, took L'Epreuve, a fnow floop
of war, belonging to tbe king of France, of fourteen guns, and
one hundred men. She was bought by Government, and ad
ded to the Royal Navy.

A LIST

A LIST of tbe Principal Privateers taken on this Station, ^c. isTc.

Privateers Names.

Jafon Margaret fchooner
Pallas
Chevalier de Barro
Phoenix Grivols
Du Guay Trouin
ElizabethFavourite Chevalier d'Arthefay
*Bien Aime
D'Igouville,Villegenie, Mercury
Viaor

Number of

Guns.

Men.

8

.?2

8

58

M

100

20

146

12

120

10

80

10

,^2

6

41

6

60

8

58

12

113

14

123

12

113

10

90

24

220

8

44

8

65

8

.54

8

62

Belonging to.

St Malo
RochelleBayonne DittoMoriaix
St Malo
Dhto Ditto
Ditto GranvilleDunkirk
Port L'Orient
St Malo
Rochelle
Sf Malo

Revenge cutter 8 44 Dunkirk
Due d'Ayen 8 6s Ditto
Comte de Gulche 8 54 Bayonne
Comteffe d'Ayen 8 62 Dunkirk
She had a ranfomer on hoard for two thoufand three

By whom taken.

Number of

Niger Orford
C Farae
I Achilles
Repulfe
f Adteon
^ TweedDiligenceHornet
Thames
Torbay Antelope
CarCafe floop
C Rainbow
^Thetis Arethufa
HazardFlamborough Alarra cutter
hundred pounds.

Guns. I Men

3*
66 74 60 32 28 28 10 12
3^74
50 8
44. 32 32 8
28 8

Commanders Names.

220520600 400 220 200

John Benfinck
Richard Spry
Hon. J. Byron
Hon. S. Barrington
J. C. Allen
P. H. Ourry
200 W. Pafton.
80 W. Offiorn.
90 Ja. Johnfton
220 S, Colby
700 Wra, Brett
350 r. Graves
60 C, Inglis
240 Chr. Baffet
220 J, Moutray
220 Hon, RabyVane.
60 S. C. Goodal
220 A. Kennedy
40 Lr. Anningfon

How dif
pofed of.
Sold Ditto
1 Ditto
Ditto DittoDittoDittoDittoDitto
DittoDitto
Ditto
> Ditto
DittoDittoDitto
Ditto

426 NAVALAND 1760.

In the courfe of this year, the Navy fuftained no lofs by the
eneray, except the Penguin of twenty guns, and the Virgin
floop. But thaf which if fuftained by accident was very con
fiderable, viz, the Raralllles of ninety guns, and tbe greateft
part of her crew, on the Bolthead. The Conqueror of feveiify
guns, on Sf Nicholas's Ifland, nearPlyraoutb. The Curaber-
land of fixty-fix guns, but carrying only fiffy-eight : ffie was an
old ffiip, but had been repaired at Bombay : ffie funk near
Goa, ih the Eaft Indies : fhe crew were faved. The Harwich
of fifty guns, wrecked on the CollorodOes, at the weft end of
the ifland of Cuba, The Griffin of twenty-eight guns, wreck
ed on the Ifland of Barbuda, and fifty of her crew drowned.
The Lyme, of twenty-eight guns, wrecked on the Categate,
and thirty of her crew drowned. The I^oweftoffe, of twenty-
eight, and fhe Eurus of twenty guns, wrecked In fhe river St
Lawrence; and fhe IMermald of twenty-four guns, wrecked
on a key near the Bahama iflands : the creWs' of the three laft
faved. The enemy's trade being In a great meafuie annlhilkfed', fhe
captures made this year were confequently few. They ' a-
mounfed fo only one hundred and fen veffels. On fhe contra
ry, our trade flourlflied in every part of fhe globe ; and the
enemy having fwarras of fraall privateers at fea,; captured no
lefs than three hundred and thirty of fhe Britiffi ffiips' ; few of
which, however, were of any confiderable value. Six' Royal
ftips being taken by fhe Britiffi, nearly balanced accounts with
fhe enemy. It is to be laraented, that forae of their privateers
exerclfed horrid barbarities on their prifoners, being the crews
of fuch ffiips as had prefuraed fo make refiftance, and who
were afterwards obliged to fubmit : Condudt that would have
difgraced fhe moft infamous pirate ; and it wpuld have re
dounded rauch to fhe credit of the Coutt of France, to have
made public examples of thofe who behaved In this raanner.
•I am afraid, likevirlfe, that there was but too much reafpn for
complaint of jll treatment to the Britiffi fubjedts, even after
they were landed in France, and fent to prifon. Of this, in
deed, feveral affidavits were raade by the fufferers when they re-

i76ii MILITARYMEMOIRS. 427

returned fo England. On fhe contrary, the condudl of Great
Britain was a ftriking example of their kindnefs and huraanity
to fuch unfortunate perfons as were made prifoners of war.
The prifons were fituated- in wholefome places, and fubjedt to
public Infpefitlon ; and the prifoners had every favour ffiown to
thera that prudence would admit of. From the greatnefs of
their numbers, if Is true, they frequentiy remained long In
confinement before they could be exchanged, in terms of the
cartel ; by which their clothes were reduced to a very bad ftate,
raany of thera indeed alraoft naked, and fuffered much from
tbe inclemency of the weather. No fooner, however, was
their raiferable fituation in this refpedt raade known, than
fubfcrlptlons for their relief were opened at feveral of the prin
cipal banklng-houfes in London, by which very great fums
were procured, and iraraediately applied in purchafing necef
faries for thofe who ftood in great need of them.
The bad ftate of fhe finances of France, did not permit that
kingdora fo continue the allowance they had formerly granted
for the maintenance of their fubjedts who might become pri
foners of war ; but the nation, who had acquired fo much glo
ry in overcoming them, had alfo fhe generofify to maintain
fuch of thefe unfortunate men as were In her power, af fhe
public expence.
We ffiall conclude the account of the franfadtlons of this
year, with the following inftance of generofify in the Britiffi
nation to a fet of unfortunate people, the condudt of whofe
prince had fet a very different example. On fhe 28th of Aur
guft, an Algerine xebeque of twenty guns, and full of men,
was drpv.e affiore and wrecked in Mount's bay, near Penzance,
in the county of Cornwall ; about one hundred and fifty of the
crew got affiore, which greatly alarmed the country people.
They had been forty-four days from Algiers, and had been on
a cruize off Cape FInifterre. No fooner was their cafe made
known, than his Majefty ordered a houfe to be provided for
fhem to lodge in, and all poffible care was taken to' fupply
thera with provlfions. They were embarked on board of a
tranfport, and, under a convoy of a ffiip of war, fent home with

428 NAVAL AND 1761.
witbout any charge, or without any ranfora being exa£ted from
thera.

1761.
The affairs of this year differ very rauch In their nature from
frora any we bave related ; and the political franfaftlons be
corae fo blended with the naval and rallitary, that it is irapof-
fible f o feparate thera ; the former of wbich are indeed fo very
important and Interefting, that without forae knowledge of
them, thefe Meraoirs would appear defedtive. A negociation
to bring about a peace between Great Britain and France, the
terms prefcribed, the caufe of Its failure, fhe refignation of the
Minifter when In fhe plenitude of power, and a declaration of
war againft Spain, are tbe topics to which we allude.
The fecret expedition which had fo long exerclfed tbe thoughts
of politicians, was not relinqulffied, but poftponed until the
feafon of tbe year becarae more fuited to naval and mifitary
operations. The command of the land-forces was now be
ftowed on Major-General Studholm Hodgfon ; and that of
tbe fquadron which was to co-operate with them, on Commo
dore Keppel, who likewife was appomted to coraraand all his
Majefty's ffiips ftationed from Uffiant to Cape FInifterre.
Soon after fhe French ffiips made their efcape out of the river
Vilaine, Sir Edward Hawke, and fhe greateft part of bis fqua
dron, returned fo England.
The comraanding officers of his Majefty's ftips on the diffe
rent ftatlons abroad, were. In fhe Mediterranean, Vice-Adrai
ral Saunders ; In North Araerica, Lord Colvill ; at Jamaica,
Rear-Admiral Holmes ; at the Leeward Iflands, Coraraodore
Sir Jaraes Douglas, until the clofe of the year, when Rear-
Admiral Rodney was fent out ; In the Eaft Indies, Rear-Ad
miral Stevens, after whofe death, the command devolved on
Rear-Admiral Cornift, At bome, Vice-Adrairal Holburne
commanded at Porffmouth; Sir Piercy Brett, intbe.Downs;
, Cora-

1761. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 429
Commodore Keppel to the weftward ; and Commodore Swan
ton in the Channel.
The fums granted by Parliaraent in the courfe of tbis fef
fion, were liberal beyond example. Seventy thoufand fearaen,
including eighteen thoufand three hundred and fifty-five raa-
rines, were voted for the fervice of tbe current year. Tbe
grants for the navy alone, araounted to upwards of feven mil
lions. Two hundred thoufand pounds were granted to make
proper corapenfafion to the refpedtive provinces in North A-
merica, for the expences Incurred by thera in levying, cloth
ing, and paying for fhe troops raifed by them, according to
tbe adtlve vigour, and ftrenuous efforts of fhe refpedlve pro
vinces. In ftort, the fura total voted this year, araounted to
18,816,1191. 19s. 9id,, exclufive (See Note 168.) of the
8eo,oool, for his Majefty's civil lift, which Is voted for tbe
term of the King's life. His Royal Highnefs Edward Duke
of York, was, by his Majefty's coraraand, proraoted to be
Rear Adrairal of fhe Blue ; and on the 3 oth of July, bis Ma
jefty was pleafed fo proraofe George Lord Anfon, to be Ad
miral and Commander In Chief of fhe fleet.
Soon after fhe King's acceffion fo the throne. It was per
ceived, thaf others befide thofe in Adminiftration had a confi
derable Influence, and thaf fhe ftreara of Royal favour began
fo flow Into raore chanriels than forraerly. The Cabinet be
carae divided ; which proved fhe fource of a political ferraent
thaf lafted for feveral years, and in wbich the violence of par-
' ty-rage was .carried fo a greater height than the annals of
Great Britain afford any precedent of.
Whether it was, that Mr Pitt thought himfelf highly obliged
to tbe late Prince of Wales, bis Majefty's father, or that he
deemed It expedient to introduce a perfon iiifo the Admini
ftration, to whofe judgraent he knew that his Majefty paid
great deference, and who was rauch In his confidence, John
Earl of Bute, was, March 25th, appointed Secretary of State
for the northern departraent. It Is a certain fadt, that no Mi
nifter ever poffeffed fo corapletely the good opinion of the na
tion at large, as Mr Pitt did. The unparalleled fucceffes which' had

430 NAVAL AND 1761.

bad attended the Britiffi army during his Adminiftration, no
doubt contributed very much to this. Yet the expence of the
Continental war was fo prodigious, and proved fuch a clog on
all our operations, that fhe nation began to weary, and wiffied
fo get handfomely rid of it, forefeeing that raany of our valu
able conquefts muft be relinqulfted on a peace, by way of
compenfation, and in order to obtain better terras for the King
of Pruffia, and our German allies.
The great load of debt In which the nation was plunged,
and to which we wsre yeariy adding, together with fhe ruined
ftate of the French finances, made a peace equally neceflary
for both nations. As fhe Due de Cholfeull, tbe King of France's
Prime Minifter, had fignlfied his Mafter's defire for peace ; In
the month of May, Hans Stanley, Efq; was appointed Envoy
Extraordinary to the Court of Verfailles, and M, Buffy came
in the fame charadter to that of London, A negociation was
then begun, in which, from fhe conceffions agreed to be made
by the Court of France, and the profeffions made by M, Buffy
at the commencement of It, there was every reafon to believe
they were fincere, and that this falutary raeafure would be at
tended with fuccefs.
The belligerent powers had come to a refolution to hold a
general congrefs at Augffiurg, In Auguft, to adjuft their re
fpedtive claims, and reftore peace. But it appears fo have
been the full intention of the Court of Great Britain, to have
all the articles of the peace then negociating with France, fully
fettled before this congrefs met. In fhe beginning of this
treaty it was propofed, that each party ftould remain in pof
feffion of what they had conquered from each other ; and the ,
refpedtive ftates in which they ffiould happen to be In the dif
ferent parts of the globe, at the periods ftlpulated by the trea
ty, were to ferve as the bafis on which they were to proceed.
By this treaty of uti poffidetis, it is evident, that if if was
ftrldtly adhered to, Great Britain would have greatly the ad
vantage of France, The former did not, however, propofe
to retain all tbe conquefts flie had made, but yield up fome of
them, for which, no doubt, an equivalent was expedted. The firft

1761. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 43'
firft difficulty that arofe, was in fixing fhe proper epochas
when hoftillties ffiould ceafe in fhe different parts of the world.
Mr Secretary Pitt Infifted that the only one his Court would
admit of, was the day the treaty ffiould be figned. To this
fhe French Minifter raade a calm, but ftrewd reply. The
Britiffi Minifter af laft relinqulffied this point ; and the French
naraed the following epochas for the fituation that the refpec-
tive Crowns ffiould be In at fhe periods mentioned for pufting
an end to the war on the terms of uti pofftdetis, viz. tbe ift day
of September 1761 in the Eaft Indies ; fhe ift day of July the
fame year in the Weft Indies, and In Africa ; and the i ft day
of May In Europe. This fcheme was rejedted by fhe Britift
Court, on the pretence that tbe epochas were too near.
It muft be obferved, thaf at this tirae, great hope^ were en
tertained of hurabling the French ftill raore. Belleifle was
juft going to be attacked, and Prince Ferdinand of Brunfwick
was making confiderable progrefs In Hefle, againft the French
alrmy under M. de Broglio,
Soon after accounts arrived of the ifland of Belleifle being
taken, Mr Pitt delivered (June I7tb) a refcrlpt to M. Buffy,
»n which he declared, " That before he would agree to treat
•• definitively upon any point, and particularly upon the epo-
" chas, he infifted upon two prellaiinary condition : i ft. That
" every thing which ftould be happily adjufted between the
" two Crowns, in relation to their particular war, ftould be
" made obligatory, final, and conclufive, independent of the
" fate of the negociation at Augffiurg, 2d, That the definl-
" five treaty of peace between Great Britain and France, or
" preUralnary articles to that end, ftould be figned and ratl-
" fied between the date of this refcript, (June 17th,) and the
" ift day of Auguft following. If thefe conditions were ac-
" cepted, then Great Britain agreed to narae, on her part, de-
«' terminate epochas fo which the uti pofftdetis ftould refer,
" viz. the rft of July for Europe, tbe ift of September for
«' America and Africa, and the ift of Noveraber for the Eaft
" Indies. While the Britift were battering the walls of the citadel of
Pa-

432 NAVALAND 1761.
Palais, fhe Court of Verfailles was bufily employed In obtain
ing two very important points, which the neceffities of the
kingdom made them extremely urgent for ; the firft of which
was, to bring fhe Court of Vienna to confent to their making
a feparate peace with Great Britain. Tbis requeft was grant
ed, with fhe following reftridtlons, viz. That nothmg might
be ftlpulated to the prejudice of Auftria : the fecond was, to
endeavour fo bring fhe Court of Madrid not, only to fupport
France with money to carry on the war, but to get Spain fo
take' a part in it, in cafe tbe negociation with Great Britain
for peace ftould break off. In botb of thefe, they were fuc
cefsful. The French Minifter now agreeing fo proceed on Mr Pitt's
terms ; on fhe 1 5fh of July, M, Buffy gave in a raeraorial to
the Britift Minifter, in wbich be propofed, that all Canada,
together with Cape Breton and tbe Ifland of St John's, ftould
be ceded and guaranteed to Great Britain ; and fbat tbe forti
fications of Dunkirk ftould be deraolifted. In return for
wbich, France clalraed a confirraaflon of her right to fift on
the coafts of Newfoundland, agreeable fo tbe ftipulations of
the treaty of Utrecht ; the ifland of Minorca to be reftored
for the iflands of Guadaloupe and Marigalante ; tbe four neu
tral iflands In the Weft Indies, to be thus divided, viz. Toba
go to belong to Great Britain, Sf Lucia to France, and Do
minica and St Vincent's to fhe native Caribs, under the pro
fedtion of Francs. Either Senegal or Goree in Africa to be
reftored fo France, alfo the ifland of Belleifle ; for which Got-
tingen, Heffe, and Hanau were fo be evacuated, and the
French army in Gerraany to be drawn off to the Maine and
the Rhine.
In the Eaft Indies, the French had nothing to offer by way of
equivalent ; but fhey endeavoured, with rauch art, and a great
deal of fpecloufnefs, to point out the true Intereft of the refpec-
tive Eaft India Corapanies of each nation, propofing that raat
ters in this country ftould be fettled by a treaty Hegoclafed by
fhe two Corapanies themfelves. France endeavoured to raake
the moft of her conqufts in Weftphalla, with which fte wanted to

1,61. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 43^,
to raake compenfation for her loffes in other parts ofthe globe.
The Britiffi Minifter, af the very beghining of this treaty, de
clared, with a fitmnefs peculiar fo hira, that be would fupport
the King of Pruffia to fhe utmoft. In return for this, the
French Miniftry declared, that they thought tberafelves equally
bound fo fupport the Eraprefs Queen. But, in order to obvia.te
thefe difficulties, a fcherae was propofed by France, whicb had
a very fair appearance. If ftafed, thaf as the raalntaining of
arrales in Germany was attended witb great expence to both
nations. If his Britannic Majefty would recal tbe Britiffi forces
from Gerraany, fhe King of France vvould recal double the
nuraber of his national troops frora his armies on the Upper
and Lower Rhine fo France; and that no French troops ffiould
remain In Gerraany, but In proportion to thofe kept In tbe pay
of his Britannic Majefty. The French concluded with an ar
ticle, frora which, they faid, they would not recede. This was,
a reftitution of the captures raade by Great Britain before the
declaration of war. This deraand fhey founded on the law of
nations, and the raoft exprefs ftipulaflon of treaties: at the farae
time they obftinately refufed to deliver Up Gueldres and Cleves,
which they had conquered frora the King of Pruffia. Along
with this memorial, containing the conceffions which France
was willing fo make to obtain peace, M. Buffy, by defire of the
King of Spain, prefented a private raeraorial. It propofed, in
order to eftabllffi a peace upon folid foundations, not fo be fta-
ken by fhe contefted Interefts of a third power, that his Catholic
Majefty raight be Invited to guarantee the treaty between tbe
two Crowns. It farther propofed, with the confent and com
munication of his Catholic Majefty, the fettiing of the three
points then In difpute between Great Britain and Spain, and
which might produce a nevv wat In Europe or America; name
ly, the reftitution of fbme ffiips taken in fhe courfe of fhe pre
fent war, under Spaniffi colours ; the liberty clalraed by the
Spaniffi nation to fift on the banks of Newfoundland ; and the
demolition of certain fetfleraents, raade contrary to tbe treaty
by fhe Britift logwood cutters in the Bay of Honduras.
This memorial, offered by an enemy nearly brought at our
VOL. II. E e feet,

434 NAVAL AND 1761.

feet, met with fhe reception it juftly merited from the Britiffi
Minifter, who, with a proper indignation, and In a raanner of
which only he hirafelf was capable, returned it to M. Buffy, as
containing raatters wholly inadralffible ; at the farae tirae, affu
ring him, thaf his Britannic Majefty would not fuffer France, in
any manner whatever, to interfere in his difputes with Spain,
nor permit a word of them to be mentioned In the prefent ne
gociation for peace ; and that it would be confidered as an af
front, and a thing incompatible with the fincerlty of the nego
ciation on the par^ of France, to make any farther raention of
fuch a clrcumftanc^. Nor did Mr Pitt ftop here ; he immedi
ately fufpedted that tbe Court of Verfailles had obtained a pro
mife of affiftanee from that of Madrid, and whicb had made the
French fo daring. He therefore required of fhe Spanlft Mi
nifter to difavow the propofifions whicb had been faid fo be
raade with the knowledge of his Court; expreffinghis aftoniffi-
ment at feeing a propofal for accoraraodating difputes between
friends, coming through fhe raedlura of an enemy; and at find
ing points of fo rauch confequence offered for deliberation by a
French En'voy, when his Catholic Majefty had an Arabaffador
refidlng In London, from whom no Intimation of fuch bufinefs
had been received. Mr Pitt, In the courfe of fhe negociation,
let M. Buffy know, thaf he would not relax in his demands, fay
ing, " that It would be time enough to treat on thofe mafters
" when fhe Tower of London was taken fword -In-hand," An
expreffion which was faithfully tranfmitted to his Catholic Ma
jefty at Madrid, and which the French afterwards endeavoured
fo make ufe of, in order fo induce Spain tb fake a part In fhe
war with thera ; as, frora tbe haughtinefs of fhe Britiffi Mini
fter, the negociatlons fof-peace were likely to break off. - Not
withftanding the terms of ftria friendffilp that fubfifted be
tween fhe Courts of Verfailles and Madrid, peace was become
fo very requifite for the forraer, that, in order to obtain It, fhey
would have condefcended to have made an apology for having
prefimied to Interfere in our difputes with Spain, But the an
fwer that was tranfmitted to Mr Pitt frora the Spanlfli Arnbaf-
fddor, put the intentions of his Court beyond a doubt, in cafe die

1761. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 43S
the negociatlons for peace ffiould prove unfuccefsful. He
avowed and juftified the ftep taken by M, Buffy, as coinciding
entirely with the fentiments of fhe King bis Mafter ; and de
clared, thatthe Kings of France and Spain were united not
only by ties of blood, but by thofe of mutual intereft ; thaf bis
Moft Chrlftlan Majefty could not be too highly coramended In
endeavouring to render the peace as fecure and permanent as
the viclffitude of human franfadtlons would allow ; and he ad
ded, very haughtily, that if governed by any other principles,
his Catholic Majefty, confulting only bis greatnefs, would have
fpoken from bimfelf, and as became bis dignity.
Mr Pitt had too mucb difcernment not fo perceive what all
this rauft terminate In. Frora the underftanding that now fub
fifted between tbe two principal branches ofthe Houfe of Bour-^
bon, he judged, that if France did not obtain favourable terms
of peace from Great Britain, the latter would foon have both
to contend with. On this occafion, he afted with a dignity
becoming the Minifter of a great and free people. He ffiewed
himfelf no way ambitious of feeking a war, yet not afraid of
engaging In It. But, that fhe nation might not be precipitately
plunged into a rupture with Spain, the Earl of Briftol; tbe Bri
tift Ambaffador at Madrid, was inftrudted to reraotiftrate, with
energy and firmnefs, on the daring Inferpofition of that court.
In the negociation between France and Great Britain, and to
demand a declaration of the final intentions of Spain ; to per
fevere in the negative put upon the Spanlft prefenfions fo fift
upon the Banks of Newfoundland ; to reft fhe article of difpu
ted captures on the juftice ofthe Englift tribunals ; to continue
the former profeffions of bis Court, indicating a defire of an
amicable adjuftnienf of fhe logwood difpute, and fhe willing-
nefs of his Britannic Majefty to caufe the fetfleraents on the
coaft of Honduras to be evacuated, as foon as his Catholic Ma
jefty ftould fuggeft another raethod by which the fubjeds of
Britain could enjoy that traffic, to whfcb they had a right by
treaty, and which the Court of Madrid bad farther confirmed
to them by repeated promlfes.
The Earl of Briftol loft no time in complying witb bis In-
E e 2i ftrudlioas'.

43^ NAVAL AND 1761.

ftrtidtlons. He had a conference with Mr Wall, the Spaniffi
prime Minifter, who greatly applauded fhe msgnanimity of fhe
King of Great Britain, in not perralfting France to interraeddle
in his difputes with Spain. The Court of Madrid, he faid, had
certainly confented that France fliould make tbe propofiflon ;
but declared, that things had not been regarded in the farae
point of view by them, as the Court of London had viewed
fhem, Hcy at the fame time, aflced the Ambaffador, Whether
it could be Im'aglned in England, that the Catholic King was
feeking fo provoke Great Britain fo war In her moft flouriffiing
and exalted condition, and after fuch a ferles of profperous
events, as never perhaps occurred in the annals of any other
kingdora? But he refufed to give up any of fhe three points in
difpute ; owning, that the raoft perfedt harraony fubfifted be
tween the Courts of France and Spain ; that. In confequence
of that harmony, the Moft Chrlftlan King had offered to affift
his Catholic Majefty, in cafe the difpute with Great Britain and
Spain ffiould terminate In a rupture ; and that this offer had
been confidered in a friendly light.
When the Earl of Briftol tranfmitted an account of bis con
ference with the Spaniffi Minifter, Mr Pitt faw at once the part
that Spain intended to take ; and his condudt on this occafion
was fo truly great and noble, that, if he had performed no
other fervice to his country, this alone ought to have endeared
him to the whole nation, A Council was immediately held,
•«vhere he delivered- the fentiments of a Britiffi patriot, replete
with the love of his country, and anxious for her glory and
profperlty. The evafions of the Court of Spain, he faid, we
©ught fo confider as a refufal of fat Isfa-dtion- ; and that refufal,
as a declaration of war. We ought, from prudence, as well as
fpirit, to fecure to ourfelves the firft blow. If any war could
provide its own refources, it was a war with Spain, Her fup
plies lay at a diftance, and, as we were already mafters of the
fea, thefe might eafily l?e intercepted, or cut off. Her flofa, or
American plate fleet, on which ffie had great dependence, was
not yet arrived ; and fhe faking of It would at once ftrengthen
eiwfelves, and difable her. Such a bold, but neceffary ftep,
would

1761. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 437

would be a leffon to his Catholic Majefty, and to all Europe,
how dangerous it was to prefurae to didtate In fhe affairs of
Great Britain ; and that Spain deferved this chaftiferaent, as
much from what ffie had already done, as from what fte in^
tended (See Note 169.) againft the Britiffi nation.
The dignity and foundnefs of this reafoning was not to be
confuted. The Council was compofed of nien of very great
abilities, feveral of whom had advifed like raeafures, with regard
to France, before war had been formally declared againft that
Power, as thofe which the Minifter now urged ffiould be taken
againft Spain ; yet, a great majority of them chofe to differ in
fentiment from him. The meafures be recommended, they
confidered as violent, and contrary to the laws of nations.
They agreed, that we ought not to be Intimidated, by the
threats of any power, from afferfing our juft demands ; but
thaf It was Impolitic to add war to war, and eneray to eneray,
when tbe fprings of Governraent were already overftralned, and
to engage in what we had not ftrength to fupport. Upon juft
provocation, they added, it woulifl be cowardice to ftun a war;
but fo court and find pretexts for one, would be madnefs. If
Spain ftould be gained over by France, and take a declfive part
in the war againft Great Britain, if vt^uld then be rime enough
to declare war ; and then all Europe would be convinced that
we adted with coolnefs and refolution. The whole kingdom
would then fee that we were forced, from unavoidable neceffi
ty, to adopt this raeafure, and would chearfully agree to fup
port an Adrhiniftration which had a(9:ed with moderation and
firmnefs, but which was averfe to lavlft away the public trea
fure wantonly, or employ it In profecufing an unjuft war.
The reafons they affigned, were not confidered by a number
of people as the real motives by which fhey were adtuated on
this occafion ; and fbme went fo far as 'to fay, thaf fhey were,
in fadt, tired of his fuperiority, knowing, that while Mr Pitt
continued in the Cabinet, he would be regarded as the princi
pal perfon In Adrainlftration, not only by the nation, but by all
the world. The Minifter was not to be perfuaded, by thefe
^eclous arguments, to alter bis opinion. He had been able to
E e 3 dive

438 NAVALAND 1761.

dive into fome of fhe raoft fecret raeafures of tbe Courts of
France aud Spain ; and fo learn, that the Sovereigns of fhe
Houfe of Bourbon had figned a Faraily Corapadt f, whicb was
founded ori principles moft hoftlle fo the liberties of Europe,
and particularly levelled againft the profperlty of Great Britain,
Had Spain been chargeable with no other unfriendly defigns a-
^ainft this country, this alone was quite fufficient to bave rouf
ed the indignation of fuch a Minifter ; and, regarding the opi
nions he had heard delivered, as timid, ffiort-fighted, and nar
row-minded, he exclaimed with great warrath, " This is now
*' the time for humbling fhe. whole Houfe of Bourbon ! and if
*• the glorious opportunity is let flip, we ffiall in vain look for
*' another. Their united power, if fufiered to gather ftrength,
" will bafile our raoft vigorous efforts, and poffibly plunge us In
" the gulph' of ruin. We muft not allow thera a moraent, to
•' breathe : felf-prefervafion bids us cruft them, befpre they
" can cprablne or recolledt tberafelves,''
The Secretary, perceiving that fhe raajorify of the Council
were not likely to be brought over fo his opinion, unfortunately
declared, fbat unlefs he could carry fo falutary a meafure, this
was the laft time he ftould fit af that Board. For, added he,
" I was called to fhe Adminiftration of public affairs by the
" voice of fhe people ; to them I have always confidered my-
" felf as accountable for ray condudt ; and therefore cannot re-
" raain in a fituation, which raakes rae refponfible for raeafures
" I am no longer allowed to guide,"
This laft refolution of Mr Pitt's, did npt induce thera fo
change their opinions : nor did they feera fo regret, that, from
their obftinacy, the Crown wa? likely to lofe the affiftanee of fo
valuable a fervant. They perfevered in oppofing fhe Secretary ;
for, on a divifion, only he and his brother-in-law. Earl Teraple,
were for an iramedlafe declaration of war againft Spain, Since
this event happened, ther-e has elapfed time fufficient for viewing
with exadtnefs, and determining on the motives which induced the
t Mr Pitt is fuppofed to have obtained certain intelligence of the figning of
this treaty, from George Keith, 'Earl Marifchall, the Pruffian Ambaffador at
Madrid.

,761. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 43!^
the majority of the Council to deviate in opinion on fo irapor-
tant a point, frora Mr Pitt. They knew, that, while he contiiiu-
ed in Adminiftration, their political confequence would be very
inconfiderable ; and that the nation looked up to him alone as
their guardian angel. He bad indeed refcued them frora def
pondency. Without tbe aid of foreign raercenarles,, he had re
ftored the nation to Its wonted vigour ; and, by properiy exert
ing our natural ftrength, had laid an infolent foe proftrate at
ber feet.
A Minifter muft have been more or lefs than man, that did
not feel an honeft pride, in having raet fuch fupport, for faving
the veffel of the State wben in fhe greateft dTanger, and conduc
ting ber to a fea of glory and renown ; and, confcious of bis
own Integrity and difintereftednefs, Mr Pitt could but ill brook,
on this occafion, to be thwarted in his endeavours, when fteer
ing the veffel clear of a ftoal, of which the crew were ignorant.
His warra teraper was well known to his eneraies : of this they
availed tberafelves, and adopted raeafures which they were fure
would rid thera of one, whofe refplendent qualities as a Mini-
nlfter, bad frequently rendered thera, like the fatellltes of Jupi
ter, fcarcely vifible without the help of a telefcope. He refign
ed fhe feals info his Majefty's hand, on the 5th of Odtober, and
the King accepted them. He was offered any honours in the
power of the Crown fo beftow ; but thefe he declined. His
lady was created Baronefs Chatham ; and a penfion of 3000I.
a-year was fettled on their joint lives, and the life of their fon
John Pitt : for this virtuous man was far frora rich.
No change In any Adminiftration ever excited fo macb alarra,
or gave more real concern to the nation, than this of Mr
Pitt's. It was felt like a great national calamity ; and every
one dreaded, that, frora the want of his all-Infpiring genius to
dIreS fhe Councils of fhe nation, their Intereft would be fa-
crificed to patch up an Inglorious peace with one nation, in
order to avoid going to war with another, wbich well deferved
to feel the refejitraenf of Great Britain.
The news of Mr Pitt's refignation was received In France
and Spain, efpecially the forraer, with every demonftration of
E e 4 joy ;

440

NAVAL AND i7<5i.

joy ; as they then Indulged the hope, that we had not a raan
of equal abilities for his fucceffor, throughout the kingdora.
The French now boafted of the Faraily Corapadt, or treaty,
they had brought about ; which was not only to retrieve their
affairs, but fo humble the pride of Great Britain,. The Earl of
Egreraont was appointed fucceffor fo Mt Pitt, as Secretary of
State, but did not take the lead which that gentleraan bad
done. He was, however, a raan of very confiderable abilities; .
and, fenfible that the fureft raeans fo regain fhe confidence of
the nation, was to proceed with fpirit in regard to Spain, he,
with the confent of the reft of the Cabinet, Inftrudted the Earl
of Briftol fo adt with firmnefs, and to require from fhe Court
of Madrid, an account ofthe purport of this much boafted-
treaty. To this, a very evafive anfwer was given by Mr Wafl,
viz. that the King his Mafter had thought If proper and expe
dient to renew his Family Corapadt with fhe Moft- Chrlftlan
King, An account of this very extraordinary combination, the
reader will fi.nd in the Appendix, (See Note 1 70,) But It may
be neceffary to ftate in this place, fhe manner In vyhich France
brought Spain to fign this treaty, and fo become a party in.
a war which had almoft ruined the former.
From the death of the peace-loving Ferdinand VI, who
breathed his laft, the loth of Auguft 1759, France had redou
bled her efforts with l«s fucceffor, Don Carlos III, King of
the Two SicIHes. It had been ftlpulated by an article in the
treaty^ of Alx-la-Chapelle, in the event of Don Carlos fucceed
ing to the throne of Spain, on the death of his brother Ferdi
nand, that Don Philip, Duke of Parma, ftould fucceed to the
throne of the Two Sicilies ; and that the Dutchles of Parma,
Placentia, and Guaftalla, ftould revert fo the Houfe of Auf
tria, while certain dlftrlfts ftould be affigned fo his Sardinian
Majefty, To this treaty Don Carlos never acceded ; and when
he became King of Spain, he altered fhe deftination entirely.
His eldeft fon being declared Incapable of inheriting, from an
invincible weaknefs of underftanding, he therefore placed his
third fon, Don Ferdinand, on fhe Sicilian throne : the fecond
he declared Prince of Afturias, and his own immediate fuc
ceffor.

f a

1761.

MILITARY MEMOIRS. 44i.

ceffor. Witb thefe regulations, bis brother, Don Philip, Duke
of Parma, acquiefced ; and the Court of Vienna, who were by
far the greateft lofers by it, was brought over to confent fo it,
through the mediation of France. The King of Sardinia, be
ing brother-in-law to Don Carios and Don Philip, received by
way of compenfation, a fum of money.
This good aftlon done by France, was ever confidered by
the King of Spain as a fervice of the higheft importance ; and
as his Catholic Majefty maybe compared to a citadel in whicb
there are raany wealc places, fhe French Minifter affailed hira
hke an accomplifted General, and raade his approaches only
where he was likely to carry bis point. The ties of blood had
a confiderable weight with Charles III. ; and this appeared in
feveral adts of partiality to the Court of France.- He was, at
the farae time, as liberal of bis profeffions of friendffilp to
Great Britain, as his brother Ferdinand had been, but with
much lefs fincerlty ; for, fhe French Minifter knew very well
that fhe Britift nation were no favourites with him. He ne
ver forgot the difagreeable vifit he received from a Britiffi fqua
dron under fhe command of Commodore Martin, at Naples,
in fhe year 1742, by whom he was compefled to withdravv his
troops frora fhe aid of fhe Spaniffi array, and fo fign a neufra-
Hty much againft his inclination. To fee the elder branch of
his faraily humbled by a power to whom he had an averfion,
was a circumftance he could not behold with indifference ;
efpecially as France had proffered Spain all the aid in her
power, ffiould her difpute with Grdat Britain end in a rup-
tnre. As a ftrong proof of his friendffilp for France, he con
fented thaf M. Buffy, her Envoy af fhe Court of London, ftould
raake the propofifions he had done, relative to the difputes
fubfifting between Great Britain and Spain, But what excit
ed his jealoufy fhe moft, had by far fhe greateft weight with
him, and brought him fooner Into the war, was fhe rapid
progrefs of fhe Britiffi troops in Araerica ; whence, if the
French ftould be driven by force of arms, It was infinuat-
ed, that his own dominions in that country were too tempt-

442 NAVALAND 1761.

ing an obje£t for fhe Britift to withftand, efpecially as their
affairs were diredted by a proud and afplring Minifter, while
no European Power, who had any territory In -Araerica, re
mained f o aid Spain, and eaft the balance In her favour. One
thing more was conclufive, whicb was, that the arrogance of
the Britift Minifter had Increafed towards France, fince the
King of Spain's friendftip for her was publicly made known ;
and fbat fhe negociatlons for peace were, in a great meafure,
at an end. All thefe confiderations had due weight witb fhe
King of Spain, and Induced him fo fign fhe Faraily Corapadt,
on the 15th of Auguft.
The reply given by M, Wall to the Earl of Briftol, concern-
' ing this treaty, and tranfraltted to fhe Britift Miniftry, was
far frora being fatisfadtory. The Ambaffador was therefore
diredted te deraand a categorical anfwer on this fubjedt. This
completely did the bufinefs ; as the flofa being arrived, Spain
bad no occafion fo wear fhe mafk any longer. Tbe Earl of
Briftol, on this iraportant bufinefs, dlfplayed great abilities and
addrefs. Finding he could not draw any fatisfadtory anfwer
from the Spanlft Minifter, he was neceffitated to come to fhe
point ; and infornied hira, that the Britiffi Court expedted a
categorical anfwer to fhe following queftlons : Whether the
Catholic King intended to join the Trench, our enemies, or
purpofed to adt hoftilely ? or, Whether he would, in any
manner, depart from his neutrality ? Adding, thaf Spain's re
fufal to give this fatisfadllon, would be deeraed an aggreffion,
and a declaration of war. This conference was held on the
8th of Deceraber. M, Wall feemed very rauch furprifed at
this declaration ; and In return only faid, " What is to follow ?
" you have then orders f o withdraw frora hence ?" Which the
Earl of Briftol anfwering In the affirraaflve ; M. Wall then
requefted that the deraand might be put info writing, whicb
was complied with. It was the lofh before any anfwer was
fent to the Britiffi Ambaffador ; when he received a letter frora
M. Wall, to the following purport : " That the fpirit of haugb-
" tinefs and of difcord, which didtated this inconfiderate ftep, -
" and which, for the misfortune of mankind, fflU reigns fo
" much

1761. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 443

" rauch In the Britift Government, Is what conffituted, in the
" farae inftant, the declaration of war, and attacked the King's
" dignity. Your Excellency raay think of retiring wben, and
" in the raanner moft convenient for you ; which Is the only
" anfwer that, without detaining you, his Majefty has order-
" ed rae to give yPu." Although rauch Indifpofed, the Earl
of Briftol deterrained to quit Madrid as foon as poffible, and
return by way of Liffion, He applied for an order for poft-
horfes to carry hira and his retinue to the frontiers of Portu
gal ; but that was refufed hira, until he had reached fhe city
of Badajox, ,
The Earl of Briftol found if extreraely difficult to get infor
mation of the rupture between the two Crowns conveyed to
Vice-Adrairal Saunders, and General Parflow, at Gibraltar,
as his houfe was furrounded with fpies : but he at laft effedted
it. He alfo fent a domeftic, with a letter to the Britiffi Con
ful af Liffion, defiring hira fo detain any Britiffi ffiip of war
that raight be then at that port, fo carry home his next dif
patches ; but to fend fuch letters as the fervant brought, ira
mediately fo Englaiid by the packet. The fervant brought
with him a copy of the King of Spain's orders to feize all the
Britiffi ftips In his ports ; which raoft effedtually announced
that a rupture bad taken place between the two Crowns.
This iraportant intelligence. Captain George Johnftonc, being
then at Liffion, got conveyed with fhe greateft difpatch fo Ad
miral Rodney, af the Leeward Iflands.
Iraraediately upon the commenceraent of hoftillties between
the two Crowns, fhe King of Spain ordered all fhe Britift ftips
in his ports fo be feized, and confifcated the goods belonging
to fhe raerchants. How rauch raore noble was the condudt of
the King of Great Britain ! who, fcorning to diftrefs indivi
duals who bad entered his ports on the good faith of , fhe con
tinuance of peace, ordered that fuch Spaniards as carae under
thaf defcription, ftould reraain unmplefted in their perfons
and effects ; and that their merchant-ftips ffiould be perraitted
to depart in fafety. War was folemnly proclaimed againft
Spain, at London, on the 4th of January 1762 ; and the Spa
niards

444 NAVALAND 1761.
niards did the fame againft Great Britain, , at Madrid, on the
1 8th of the fame raonth.
The Conde de Fuentes, the Spanlft Ambaffador, when he
left London, raet with no obftrudtion or refufal f o obtain poft-
horfes ; and, as foon as he arrived at Dover, embarked for
Calais. Before his departure from London, he delivered a pa
per, in fhe form of a manifefto, fo fhe Earl of Egreraont, full
of reflections on the, Britift Government, and fhe treatment
fhey had given Spain ; faying, that had they fet about the bu
finefs with propriety, all their demands might have been an
fwered ia a friendly manner, and fhe horrors of war, into which
the two nations were going to plunge themfelves, have been
avoided: and concluded with giving a fort of explanation of
fhe Family Corapadt. This paper, (See Note 171.) together
with fhe anfwer made f o it by the Earl of Egreraont, the reader
will find in the Appendix, (See Note 172.) And as the corre-
fpon^pee between his Majefty's Minifters, and fhe Earl of
BrIftOT, relative to the rupture with Spain, was raade public, fhe
moft raaterlal parts of It may likewife be found In fhe Appen
dix. (See Note 173.)
The combined Courts, fenfible of how mucb advantage the
ports of the kingdom of Portugal were to fhe Britift cruizers
during a war againft Spain, refolved fo invite bis Portuguefe
Majefty to join them In the war againft Great Britain, They
endeavoured to convince him, that England had behaved with
great tyranny to Portugal ; and doubted not but he would
comply with their wiffies ; which If he did, fhey had a body
of forces ready on his frontiers, fo raarch and garrifon all his
principal fortreffes, to prevent fhe Britiffi from entering his
ports. They allowed his Majefty but four days to give a cate
gorical anfwer to their friendly proffers. His Portuguefe Ma
jefty behaved with great firmnefs ; and although his kingdom
bad fuffered from violent earthquakes, and was convulfed by
domeftic confplracles, yet he determined not to forfake his old
friends. The confequence was, that their refpedtive Am.baffa-
dors left fhe Court of Liffion ; and the confederated Courts
formally declared war againft his Portuguefe Majefty, oh the
mpft

1761. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 445

moft frivolous pretexts fbat ever were urged for fuch a raeafure.
His Britannic Majefty being refolved to give his Moft Faithful
Majefty all fhe fupport in his power, a confiderable fleet, and
near ten thoufand land forces, were imraediately fent him, (See
Note 174.) befides a great number of fea and land officers, fo
ferve in bis navy and army. Thefe, joined with the Portuguefe
troops, foiled all the efforts of the Spaniffi and French forces f o
obtain poffeffion of Portugal. EAST INDIES.
Immediately after tbe taking of Pondicherry, four fail of
the line were detached under the coraraand of Rear-Adrairal
Corniffi, with a body of troops under Major Hedtor (now Sir
Hedtor) Munro, in order fo reduce Mahle, on the Malabar
coaft ; the only fettleraent that reraained in the poffeijSpn of
the French on the peninfula of Indoftan. When off that place,
they were joined by Thoraas Hodges, Efq. Coraraander at Til
licherry, fo whom, and fhe above officers, M. Louet furrender
ed Mahie on the loth of February,
In the month of April, the fervice received a fevere blow by
the death of Rear-Admiral Stevens, a brave and an excellent
officer, who bad frequently diftlnguiffied hirafelf In the fervice
of his country. He fell a vidtira to the unhealthinefs of the
climate, and was fucceeded In fhe command of the fquadron
by Rear-Admiral Corniffi, who, in confequence of orders from
England, repaired with fhe fleet to Bombay, fo put It in fhe
beft condition poffible foj fea. The ffiips on tbis ftation were
now confiderably diminiffied in numbers, (See Note 175.)
The Cumberland funk off Goa; but the crew were faved: and
the Tiger and Saliffiury were condemned, as unfit for fervice.
In confequence of a defign fo attack the iflands of Bourbon
and Mauritius, a body of troops had been erabarked at Portf-
raouth, under Major-General Kingfley, who were to be efcor
ted fo their deftination by a fquadron of men of war, coraman
ded by Commodore Keppel, The Commander in Chief of his
Majefty's

446 NAVALAND 1761.

Majefty's fleet In the Eaft Indies had orders to repair to rfie
ifland of Diego Rays, this Ifland being appointed fhe general
rendezvous, with the greateft part of fhe fquadron under his
command, in order fo join Commodore Keppel there, and im
mediately on his arrival, to detach two ftips fo fhe bay of St
Auguftine, in the ifland of Madagafcar, where he would find a
frigate with difpatches for him. As foon as the Elizabeth,
Araerica, Falraouth, Chathara, and Seaford, together with fhe
Alderney floop, were ready, he difpatched thera under fhe cora
raand of Coraraodore Tidderaan, They got off the ifland of Di
ego Rays the 14th of September, and were joined, in the end
of Odtober, by Rear-Admiral Cornift in fhe Norfolk, having
with hira the Grafton, Weyraouth, and York, and the Corapa-
ny's frigate. Revenge: the ftrength of the fquadron was farther
Increafed by the arrival of the Lenox and South-Sea-Caftle, on
the I oth of Noveraber.
As foon as It was determined to relinqulft the defign againft
the iflands of Mauritius and Bourbon, fhe Terpfichore of twen
ty-fix guns, commanded by Sir Thomas Adams f , was fent out
with difpatches to Adrairal Cornift in the greateft hafte, to in
form hira of it. His orders were, to proceed to the bay of St
Auguftine in the ifland of Madagafcar, and waif there until fhe
Admiral ftould fend a ffiip fo receive fhe difpatches with which
be was charged. As foon as Admiral Corniffi got to fhe ren
dezvous, he fent Commodore Tiddeman In the Elizabeth, ac-
« companied by another ffiip, to look into fhe bay of St Auguf
tine, and bring him his difpatches frora England. But when
they approached the Ifland of Madagafcar, the weather was fo
extreraely fempeftuous, that It was judged impoffible for
a ffiip to ly at anchor in the bay of Sf Auguftine ; fo that
they returned fo the Admiral without the difpatches frora En
gland. Sir Thomas Adams remained In the bay of St Auguf
tine until bis provifions were nearly exhaufted, his crew ex
treraely fickly, and the Terpfichore alraoft a wreck. He was
forced fo purchafe provifions frora the natives ; and, defpair ing
f This account the author had from Sir Themas Adam%

i76i. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 447

ing of hearing from Adrairal Corniffi, was conftrained to bear
away for the Cape of Cood Hope, where he arrived in a very
ftattered condition.
The fquadron under Admiral Corniffi, having only four
months provlfions on board wben fhey left India, began now to
be in great diftrefs. Having relied on the fleet expe£ted from
England for fupplies of ftores of all kinds, no accounts being
received of Coraraodore Keppel, and fhe fempeftuous feafon
approaching, the Admiral was af length obliged fo make for
Madras with fhe ffiips he bad with him, where he arrived, after
having loft a great number of men. The York, while on this
cruize, ran foul of fhe Revenge frigate in a dark night, with
fuch force, as to ftave in all her gunwale to the -wafer's edge,
befides carrying away her main-maft. In this difagreeable
rencounter, the York loft her fore^raaft, bowfprit, raaln-top-
maff, and raaln-yard. As it blew very hard, tbe people In tbe
York, feared that the Revenge had gone to the bottora, the of
ficer of the watch having thrown bimfelf on board of the York.
Next day, however, as fhey were working to windward, to in
form the Admiral of their difafter, they had the pleafure to fee
the Revenge, but rauch difabled. The York was very fickly ;
and not being able to raake mucb fail for fome days, fhey found
it impoffible fo work up to the fleet; but tbe Chatham being in
corapany, afforded thera a great deal of affiftanee. Both ffiips,
however, now becoraing exceedingly fcarce of provifions, their
crews fickly, and finding it irapradllcable fo regain fke fleet,
they were forced to bear away for tbe Cape of Good Hope.
By fhe tirae they arrived there, tbe crew of tbe Terpfichore
were quite recovered; and Sir Thoraas Adaras feeing three fail
In the offing, went off in bis barge to meet them, fuppofing
thera to be Britiffi ffiips ; but juft as he bad got along-fide of
the headmoft, he perceived her to be a French ftip of the line :
on this, be rowed for the two fternraoft, wbich proved to be
tbe York and Chathara, in the raoft diftreffed fituation that
iraaginaflon can form. The firft was under jury mafts, and
had near three hundred fick men on board ; the few thaf were
able to ftand the deck, were in a moft wretched plight, the
Captain

448 N^AVAL AND 1761.
Captain and all the officers being obliged fo work as hard as
any of the foremaft men, both at pump and braces ; they had
likewife, for a confiderable time, been ffiort of bread. The
reigning diforder on board was the higheft degree of a dro,pfical
fcurvy, by which, in the fpace of one raonth, (the tirae eraploy
ed from their firft bearing away, fo their arrival at the Cape)^'
they had burled upwards of fixty raen. The Chathara, In point
of ficknefs, was not in a better condition than fhe York, The
night before they made the land of the Cape of Good Hope,
they fell in with the French ffiip of war before mentioned, viz,
the Centaur of feventy guns, frora the Mauritius, wb6 had
been at the bay of St Auguftine in queft of fhe Terpfichore
frigate ; but, raiffing her, had bore away for the Cape, She
did not choofe to corae near, perceiving thera both to be two-
decked ffiips. ' This was a fortunate circuraftance for fhe York
and Chathara ; as, had ffie attacked them, an eafy conqueft
would have been made of both ffiips, neither of them being In
a condition to make any refiftance.
Sir Thomas returned immediately to bis fliip, and not only
fent all the men he could fpare, but all forts of refreffiments
for fhe fick, and foon after brought both ftips fo an anchor.
He waited on the Governor, fo whora he related the raelancholy
condition In which he found thera, when his Excellency gave
iramedlafe orders for every poffible affiftanee being afforded
fhem. An hofpltal was Inftantly provided, and fhe fick landed
from both ftips ; but in doing of this, although every care was
taken of them, feveral died. Such, however, as reached fhe
hofpltal, and partook of fhe refreffiments with which the Cape
of Good Hope abounds, fpeedily recovered.
The ftips were fitted for fea with all pcjffible difpatch.
While this was doing, a large fleet of Dutch Eaft India Com
pany ftips arrived at the Cape from Europe, and, a few days
afterwards, a letter from a Britiffi failor on board one of the
Dutch India ffiips, was conveyed fo Captain Lynn of fhe Cha
tham, intimating, that himfelf and feveral Britiffi fubjedts had
been kidnapped in Holland, and were now detained on board
fhe Dutch India ftips, contrary to their inclinations. The
Britift

1761. MILITARY MEMOIRS.

449

Bririft Captains, in hope of getting this affair aralcably fet
tled, waited on the Governor ofthe place, as well as the Cora
raodore of the Dutch ftips, and made known their orders bow
to adt when fuch complaints were made to them. The Dutch
Coraraodore urged, that the affair was mifreprefented ; that
they were moftly volunteers; and that, without their aid,
they could not navigate their ftips on their refpeaive voyages.
The Bririft Captains co^ild not give up fhe point ; and, in con
formity fo their order.^, infifted on fearching the Dutch fhips
for the Britift ,fubje£ts ; with which the Dutch at laft com
plied, when near one himdred and fifty Britift feamen were
obtained. They proved a very feafonable fupply to the York
and the Chatham ; as, without them, they would have fcarce-
''Ty been able fo have navigated the two ftips back to India,
- whither they foon afterwards failed*. The Terpfichore re
turned to England.

WEST INDIES^— Leeward Island Station.
^ Commodore Sir James Douglas coraraanded bis Majef
ty's ftips on this ftation. He was very adtlve in diftreffing the
enemy's privateers, and afforded very ample profedtion fo fhe
iflands and their trade. His fquadron was reinforced. by the
vol. II. r f Stir--

* A like circumftance happened to Sir Thomas Adams, on his voyage to Ma
dagafcar. Falling in with a Dutch Eaft India fliip, outward bound, mutual ci
vilities paffed. The Dutch Captain fent one of his mates, and invited Sir Tho
mas on board to dinoer. He being indifpofed, coiild not go ; but fent his firft
Lieutenant, who was moft politely entertained, and ihewn every part of the
ftiip. 'When between decks, a flip of paper was put into his hand, on which
I was written an information (hat feveral Britifh. faildrs were detained on board,
contrary to their inclination, and praying him to get them releafed. The Lieu
tenant xequefted that the men might he deUvered up to him ; which the Dutch'
Captain refufed. Sir Thomas Adams being made acquainted with the affair, he
affured the Dutch Captain, that he was forry to do any thing offenfive to hinv
after the politenefs he hadlhewn them ; but he'mult-obey his orders, which ledr
him to ufe force, if nothing elfe would do ; a neceflity, he hoped, he would not
compel him to. Upon this, the men in queftion were delivered up.

45"

NAVAL AND 1761.

Stirilng-Caftle, Norwich, Falkland, Sutheriand, Penzance, ;|
and Repulfe, (See Note 176.) which efcorted a body of troops
from North America,, under fhe coraraand of Lord Rollo.
The ifland of Dominica was fo much under the influence of
France, and fo partial fo tbe privateers of that nation, that it
could not with propriety be any longer confidered as a neutral
ifland : orders had therefore been fent from England to attack
it. Accordingly, on the 4th of June, Sir James Douglas, in
the Dublin, failed from the Baffe Terre, in tbe ifland of Gua
daloupe, having with hira fhe Belllqueux, Montagu, and Su
therland, artd Lord Rollo, with the troops under his coraraand.
On the 6th, he anchored in the road of Rofeau, the capital I'
of tbe ifland. Two officers were iraraediately fent on ftore,
with a manifefto, figned by tbe Coraraodore^and bis Lordftip, ,
fetting forth the reafons for their coraing iii a hoftlle manner,
furamoning the inhabitants to furrender. This paper being
read to tbe people by the officers ; two of the principal inha
bitants came off, foon after, and went on board the Dubfin,
witb a defign to treat about a capitulation for the ifland.
Whether this was only a feinj to gain time, or that the
people on ffiore had, in their abfence, been fplrited up by M.
Longprie, tbe Governor, fo ftand on their defence, It is diffi
cult fo deterralne ; but, foon after they were fet on ffiore in
the afternoon, an anfwer was given, that they would defend
themfelves ; whereupon fhe inhabitants appeared in arms at
ail their intrenchments and batteries, botb at the town, and
at the heights above it. Every thing having been prevloufly ;'
concerted between Lord Rollo and the Commodore, the lat-'
ter iraraediately on this made tbe fignal for tbe troops to
prepare to land ; when tbe ftips moving clofe to tbe ftore,
came to an anchor witb fprings on their caUes, and began fo
warm a cannonade, that the enemy's batteries were foon fi
lenced. Under cover of the fire from the ftips, the troops
landed in moft exceUent order, and immediately formed on
tbe beach, while a part of them marched and took poffeffion
of the town. Lieutenant-Colonel Melvill, at the head of the
grenadiers, fei?ed a flanking battery and part of an adjoining in-

i76i. MILITARY MEMOIRS. A^i
intrenchment which the enemy had abandoned on his approach.
The enemy then retreating to a little diftance, kept up an Irre
gular fire of muflcetry frora behind trees and buflies, and now
and then fired a few ftot frora a battery they bad, which over
looked the intrenchments, the town and the ftore. Night
was now come on ; and as Lord Rollo apprehended that the
troops inight fuffer much from fome cannon and mufquefry
which the enemy had placed on works they had eredted on the
fide of a bill, which commanded the ground near to where
the troops were pofted, and conjeauring, that the country
being now alarmed, and extremely capable of defence, tbe ene
my might be confiderably reinforced before morning, he re
folved to attack them in their intrenchments immediately. —
J.Ieutenant-Colonel Melvill led on the grenadiers with great
fpirit : he was fupported by the battalion troops. They fuc-
^'ceffively drove the enemy from all their batteries and intrench
ments in great cpnfufion, and took poft at their head-quarters.
On this occafion, M. Longprie, the Governor, M. de la Couche,
the fecond in command, and feveral of the principal inhabitants
of tbe ifland, were made prifoners. The lofs fuftained by the
Britiffi was only two men killed, and four wounded. Next
day the whple ifland fubmitted ; and the people having deliver
ed up their arms, took tbe oath of fubmiffion to his Britannic
Majefty. The place being taken by affault. Lord Rollo would
grant thera no terras, but prote£tion, until his Majefty's plea-
..Ture ftould be known.
By means of fpies, the Commodore gained intelligence that
a frigate, •with a fhip under Neapolitan colours, and a fnow,
richly laden, were foon to fail for Europe, from St Pierre's jn
"the ifland of Martinico. Ships were ftationed to intercept
them ; ^Ijich they certainly would have done, bad npt a gale
feparateid them foon after failing, by which the frigate efcaped,
but the other two were take». The Virgin floop, commanded
by Captain Briffiane, took a fchooner laden with coffee : tbe-
maklng of this capture was attended with fo many circumftan
ces of refolution and good condufl:, that they dcferre parUcU'*
Iar mention. The fchooner was at anchor clofe tp the ifland of
pf2^ St

4J2 NAVAL AND 1761.

St Lucia. On the Virgin ftanding for her, the people on ftore
got under arms fo prevent fhem from attacking the fchooner,
and kept an inceffant fire from fwivels and raufquetry on the
Virgin and her boat, (which had put off to endeavour to board ,
the fchooner) by 'which Captain Brifbane and feveii men were
wpunded. This obliged Lieutenant Brabazon, who comraand-,
ed fhe boat,' to return on board for a fet of freft men, thofe
he had with hira being all difabled by wounds. This done, he
once raore rowed for the fchooner, and, under fire of the
floop, he boarded, and brought her off.
Mr Pkf having determined to make an attack on all fhe French
iflands In this part of the Weft Indies, bad, for this purpofe,
ordered a very»large rallitary force to proceed fo that quarter,,
as foon as the hurricane raonths were over. Thefe were to be
joined by a confiderable reiiiforceraent frora Europe ; and the
coraraand of the fleet which was to co-operate with tbe army,.
was beftowed on Rear-Adrairal Rodney.
WESt l^JES.^Jdmaica Station.
Rear-Aomiral Holmes coramanded bis Majefty's ftips ori
this ftation, (See Note 177.); and, confidering the fevir ftips
of any confequence the French had now at fea, his cruizers
were pretty fuccefsful. On the 7th of January, the Trent,
coraraanded by Captain Lindfay, fell In with,, and gave chafe
to Le Bien Alrae, a French merchant frigate of twenty guns,
and eighty-five men, frora Martinico for France, laden with \
fugar and coffee. Coming clofe up with her, a clofe engage
ment took place, which lafted an hour ; when fte ftruck,
having twenty men killed and wounded. The Trent .had only
one man killed, arid five wounded. She proved a very valu
able prize;
The Cambridge being under repair, arid fhe Admiral receiv
ing intelligence that the St Anne was foon to put to fea from
Port au Prince, he hoifted his flag on board of the Centaur,
andj with fome other ftips, got off that port on the jtb of
June

i7^6i, MILITARY MEMOIRS. 453
June, whicb he blocked up In fuch a raanner, that he could
not fail of Intercepting her. Early In fhe morning, the Hamp
ffiire got fight of tbe St Anne, and chafed her right down upon
the Centaur to leeward. Upon tbe chafe difcovering the Cen
taur, fte hauled up, and was kept between the two ftips till
fte was alraoft In-ftore, and becalraed about a league to the
northvvard of Donna Maria bay, wben fte began to fire ber
.'ftern-chafe. A little after nine o'clock, the Centaur got up
clofe along-fide of her, and began to engage ber; on whicb
fte ftruck ber colours. She was pierced for fixty-four guns,
but had only fix twenty-four pounders, twenty-fix twelve poun
ders, and eight eight-pounders raounfed, with a crew of three
hundred and eighty-nine raen, and was coraraanded by M.
d'Aguillon. She had on board a cargo of great value, con
fifting of Indigo, fugar, and coffee. Being a fine ftip, and
,alraoft new, fte was purchafed by Goveynrnent, and added to
" the Royal Navy by the farae narae. ,
On the 2 ift of December, Rear-Adrairal Holmes died, unl
verfally lamentedi The coraraand devolved on Captain Arthur
Forreft of the Centaur, the fenior Captain, until tbe arrival
of Sir Jaraes Douglas.
NORTH AMERICA.
Lord Colvill had the coraraand of bis Majefty's ftips on
this ftation, (See Note 1 78.); which having now no eneray to
contend with, were moftly employed in efcorting lai^e bo
dies of land-forces to fhe Weft Indies. Some of tbe tranfports
having feparated frora their convoys, feveral of them ¦were raet
by French privateers of confiderable force, which attacked
thera ; and though the tranfports had no guns, yet they made
fuch a ftout refiftance with their fmall arms, that they beat off
tbe enemy. In thefe aftlons, an officer of Colonel Montmo-
gomery's Highland regiraent, and a good raany private men,
were killed, and feveral officers and private men wonnded.
F f 3 ME-

,414 NAV Ali AND 1761.

MEDITERRANEAN.
His Majefty's ftips on this ftatlpn were commanded by
Vice-Admiral Saunders, (See Note 179.) who, towards the
clofe of this year, received a very confiderable reinforcement
under the command of Sir Piercy Breft. On the ift of April,
the Ifis, Captain Wheeler, being on a cruize off Cape„ Tres
Forcas, fell in •with a large fail, to wbich he imraediately gave
chafe, and got along-fide of her about fix in the evening, when
a warra adtion took place, in tbe beginning of which. Captain.
Wheeler, a raidftlpraan, and a quarfer-mafter, were killed by ,
one ftot. The cotnraand of the Ifis devolved on Lieutenant
.Cunningham, who continued a running fight (the eneray en
deavouring to make off) unfil half paft ten ; at whicb time they
endeavoured to get to the northward of the Ifis, fo as to gain
the Spanift ftore. To prevent this defign being effeded,
Lieufenaijt Cunningham found If neceffary to riin on board the-
eneray, whieh was done without any damage to the Ifis, ex
cept the lofs of one of her anchors ; foort after whicb, the
eneray furrendered. She proved to be the Orgflame, 7 French
flilp of war of fifty guns, but bad only fourteen eighteen-poun
ders, and twenty-fix twelve pounders mounted. She bad be
tween forty and fifty men killed and wounded in tbe adtion.
Her cargo was very valuable j an.d, although deeply laden, fte
was able to ufe her lower ports. The Ifis had only four men
killed, includmg the Captain, and nine wounded.
The Thunderer, Modefte, Thetis, and Favourite floop were
ordered to cruize off Cadiz, In hopes of Intercepting L'Achllle
pf fixty-fpur, and Bouffon of thirty-two guns, two French
ftips of war, which were expe&d foon to fail from that port.
On looking Info Cadiz, on the I4tb of July, it was perceived
-that the JPrench ftips had ftole out 5 and, judging what courfe
they would fteer, the Britift ftips followed liiem witb a prefs
of fail. On the 26th, about two ift the afternoon, they got
fight of theni ; and about one in the raorning of the 17th, the
Thun-

I76r. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 4SS
Thunderer got clofe along-fide L'Achllle, and began a very
clofe adtion, when unfortunately one of fhe Thunderer's up
per-deck guns burft, which blowing up a great part of the
poop, killed and wounded a great many raen, and fet fire fo the
ftip. The fire, with fome difficulty, was got extinguifted, and
the engagement was inftantly renewed. The ftips getting quite
clofe to each other. Lieutenant Leflie, at the head of one hun
dred and fifty men, refolutely boarded the enemy, when they
ftruck. About feven in the morning, fhe Thetis got up with
the Bouflbn, and eiigaged her very clofely for half an hour;
when tbe Modefte coraing up, and firing a few ftot, the eneray
furrendered. Both the prizes had a great raany raen killed and
wounded in the refpeftlve adtlons. The Thunderer, befides
being confiderably daraaged in ber bull, raafts, yards, and
rigging, had feventeen men killed, and ohe hundred and thir
teen wounded, feventeen of whom died a few days afterwards.
Among the wounded was Captain Proby, (who received a
flight hurt in tbe hand), and the fecond and third Lieutenants.
The 'jfhetis fuftained no lofs.
Tbe Cygnet took the Julius Csefar privateer of eighteen
guns, and one hundred and thirty-five men ; and the Favou
rite floop took the St Jofeph and St Antoine Spanifh privateer,
of twelve guns and eighty-five men.
TRANSACTIONS AT OR NEAR HOME.
Admiral Sir Edward Hawke, having along with him
Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Hardy, reraained af their ftation in
QtiiberOn-bay, witb a confiderable fleet, watching the French
ftips of war, which continued blocked up in tbe river Vil
lalne ; the better to obferve whofe motions, the Adrairal de
tached four ftips of the line, under the coraraand of Captain
Gambler, who anchored about a league from the entrance of
the river ; and every night, forae fraall craft kept plying be
tween the river's mouth and the ftips, in order to give notice,
in cafe the enemy ftould try to raake their efcape : this was
r f 4 the

4^6 NAVAL AND 1761.
the more neceffary, as InteUigence had been received, that a
great reward had been offered by the King of France, to any
perfon wbo would undertake to bring ouf fhe ftips of war in
Villalne river, and condudl themfo Breft or Rochefort.
To accorapllft this, the eneray chofe a very dark night, and a
high fide ; and on fhe 2d of January fhey effedted It. As foon ,
as they carae ouf, the fraall craft gave the . alarra ; and being
neceffitated to fail clofe by fhe ftips under Captain Garabler,
one or two of the' French ftips were feen, and a gun fired into
one of thera. Of this fhey took no notice, but kept ftanding i
on ; whereupon Captain Gambler, iraraediately letting Sir Ed
ward Hawke know by fignal what had happened, flipped big
cables, and put to fea with the Burford, Prince Frederick, Ed- ; ,
gar, and Sf Florentine. His own judgraent would have led
hira fo raake for the entrance of the harbour of Breft ; but per
ceiving a light, he confulted his officers, wbo advifed him to fol
low it. This be did with a crowd of fail, and carae up with
tbe chafe next raorning. She was a Spaniffi veffeil, and had
been raade ufe of as a decoy fo miflead our ffiips. On this.
Captain Garabler diredlly raade for Breft, whither he arrived
only a few hours too late,, for overtaking fhe fugitives.
The fecret expedition under General Kingfley having been
relinqulffied. Sir Edward Hawke, and Sir Charles Hardy, re
turned to England, the beginning of March, leaving a fraall
fquadron in Quiberon-bay,
Another fecret expedition being ordered, and every tbing in
readinefs, Mg,jor-General Hodgfon, who was appointed fo cora
raand fhe land-forces, gave orders for fhe array fo erabark.
It confifted of twelve battalions of Infantry, two battalions of
marines, and three companies of fhe regiment of artillery ;
whicb force was to be followed by four troops of light-dra
goons, making In all about ten thoufand raen. The fquadron
which was fo co-operate with If, confifted of ten fail of the line,
eight frigates, three floops, three bonib-kefches, and two fire-
ftips, and vvas coramanded by Coraraodore Keppel. (See Note
180.) Such was the ftrength of this formidable arraaraent,
which failed from St Helens the 29th of March ; but it was .
fhe

1761. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 457
the 6th of April before the wind perraitted thera to get fight
of fhe ifland of Belleifle, againft which they were defigned.
In the evening the Coraraodore detached fix frigates, with
orders to ftation tberafelves between the main and the ifland,
to cut off the eneray's coraraunication with 'the continent.
Ever fince the end of laft auturan, when Belleifle had been '
threatened with an invafion, fhe eneray had fpared no coft or
pains to put It In a ftate of defence. Intrenchments and baf-
f 'teries were raifed at every place where a landing was thought
pra£ticable ; and a ftrong garrifon was placed In the fort, un-
;-der'tbe coraraand of the Chevalier de St Crplx, one of fhe beft
officers In fhe French array; Eariy In the raorning of fhe 7th,
the fleet paffed fhe fouth end of the Ifland ; and, falling very
near the ftore, gave the General and the Commodpre an op
portunity of reconnoitring the coaft, and enabled thera fo fix
on a place where a defcent could be made with the greateft
*tprobabilIty of fuccefs. This they thought could be effedted,
in a bay' near fhe point of Lomaria ; but fhe wind being then
foutherly. It could not be atterapted at that tirae : at noon,
V however, tbe whole fleet carae to an anchor in the great road of
"l Palais. The General, Coraraodore, and fome other officers,
went immediately in a cutter, fo examine the coaft fo the
northward ; but they found the enemy fo well prepared at eve
ry place, and fo extreraely alert and attentive fo all our rao
tions, that they could not fix upon a fpot where a landing could
be made good, without riflving a great many lives. While on
this fervice, the flat-boats were hoifted out, and the troops got
in readinefs fo land on a raoraeht's warning, Tbe General
Officers returned too late in fhe day, to make any attempt for
a landing; but they fettled a plan for a defcent, which they re
folved to put in pradtlce next morning, at a place called Port
Andro ; whicb place fhey had particularly noticed on the 7fh,
as they failed along the ifland.
In order to diftradt the eneray, and fo divide their attention
as rauch as poffible, a feint f o land was fo be made near f o San
son at the fame time. For this purpofe, Sir Thoraas Stanhope,
.aud four fliips of war, with the tranfports having the ninety-
feventh

458 NAVALAND 1761.
feventb and ninety-eight regiraents, and the marine corps on
board, were ordered to proceed on this fervice, in Order to draw
off a confiderable part of tbe enemy's forces to that part of the
ifland, fo oppofe this fuppofed debarkation. On tbe Sth, early
in the morning, the wind being at N. E. a fignal was made for
the tropps to get into the boats, and fo repair to tbe rendezvous.
The Dragon and Achilles, witb the two bomb-ketches, were
ordered to fail round the Point de Lomaria, at the foutb-eafl:
end of the ifland, ahd to attack a four-gun battery wbich defen
ded fhe entrance into the bay of Port Andro, where it was in-
tended the troops ftould endeavour to force a landing. Com
modore Keppel ftlfted bis broad pertdant from the Valiant to
tbe Prince of Orange ; and, with the troops in the flat-boats,
foon after followed the ftips to the bay of Port Andro. The
Afcbilles led the Way into the bay, and began the attack, in
which flie was fo well feconded by the Dragon, that the ene
my's pannon were foon filenced ; on whicb the Achilles hoifted
a Dutch jack at the raain tOp-gallattt-maft head, being the fig
nal that fhey had done fo. Immediately the fignal was made
from the Prince of Orange for the troops to land. They row
ed for the ftore In three divifions, condudted by Captain Barton
of the Navy ; it being Intended to land af three places, conti
guous fo each other, at the fame tirae. The enemy was pofted
in the ftrongeft manner, intrenched up to the teeth on the fides
of a fleep hill, the foot of whicb they had fcooped away to
fuch a height, that it was irapoffible to get up to tbeir breaft-
works without the affiftanee of fcallng-ladders. The troops,
however, raade good their landing, notwithftanding a heavy
fire of fraall arras frora the enemy's works. But, after perfor
ming prodigies of valour, the General, finding all their efibrts
ineffedtual to afcend the bill, was obliged to order a retreat, af
ter fuftaining confiderable lofs. Here Generals Crawford and
Carleton (now Lord Dorchefter) exerted themfelves greatly :
the latter received a wound in tbe thigh.
One of the flat-boats, having on board fixty grenadiers of the
Cxty-feventh regiment, bad landed at a very difficult place, at
fome diftancie frora the fpot where fhe army was ordered to
land.

i76i« MILITARY MEMOIRS.

459

land. Thefe getting to the top of the hill. Captain Offiorne
there formed his little band with great judgment 5 but they
were fo quickly attacked by much fuperior numbers, that they
were totally routed ; all of thera, excepting twenty wbich the
boats brought off from the rocks to which they had fled, being
either killed or made prifoners. Had Captain Oftorne's land
ing been obferved in due time, and fuccours immediately fent
to bim, he would certainly have maintained his ground until fhe
army had landed, when the enemy muft either have retreated,
or been cut to pieces : he unfortunately fell in this gallant at
tempt. The fire from the ftips effedtually covered the retreat
of the army ; but fcarce were they got out of the bay, when
ihey were overtaken with a fevere gale of wind. In which all of
; tbem were iti the greateft danger of being loft. They had far
to row to regain their ftips ; and night coming on, the tranf
ports got foul of each other, when many anchors and cables
were loft, together with twenty fiat-bottomed boats.
While the attack was making at Port Andro, Sir Thomas
Stanhope caUfed the troops to be erabarked in boats, with eve
ry appearance of raaking a defcent near to Sau^on, in order to
fecond the operations at the fouth part of the ifland. The lofs
fuftained by the army, on the 8th, amounted to near five hun-
dr^ men, in killed, wounded, and prifoners. As foon as the
ifireather '^became raoderate, all diligence was ufed fo get fhe
damages they bad fuftained, repaired in the beft manner that
circuraftaf&es would admit of; but the lofs of fo raany fiat-
'S'bOttoraedJioats was feverely felt in their next atterapts foland,
. and occafioned the debarkations to be inferior in point of force
'.|:o what they had hitherto been.
^ The arrival of the tranfports, however, under convoy of the
Windfor, Captain Cleveland, having the light-dragobns on
' board, was of confiderable fervice, as it enabled Genera! Hodg
fon to forra another feint, when be repeated his attempt to force
his landing. The coaft being explored with the greateft care»
a plan of attack was concerted for making a defcent on the 22d,
at a place called Fort d' Arfic, under the condudl of Major-Ge
neral Crawford, In order to fcccnd his operations, two feints wer^;

4^0 NAVAL AND i7<Sr.
were to be raade at the farae tirae : tbe firft near Sf Foy, under
the condlift of Brigadier-General Larabart, but who had or
ders, in cafe he faw any profpedt of fuccefs, to land, and en
deavour to raaintain his ground until he was reiriforced : the
other! feint was to be made af Saugon, where the franfporfs,
having the light-dragoons on board, were convened ; which,
with the Torbay, Temeraire, and other war ftips, made a very
formidable appearance. The Sandwich, Dragon, and Prince
of Orange, together with two bomb-ketches, and two armed
tranfports, were ordered fo cover the landing of fhe troops at
Fort d' Arfic ; the debarkation fo be under the diredllon of
, Captain , Barton. Sir Thomas Stanhope, in the Swlftfure,
with the Hampton Court, Effex, and Lynn, were ordered to
attend the operations of the corps under Brigadier-General
Larabart. Early in the raorning of the 22d, the ftips were all at
their refpedtive ftations, and foon filenced the eneray'sbafteriesJ -
While this was performing, the troops got Into their boats
and rowed to the rendezvous, under fhe ftern of the Achilles,
ready to proceed to the places of attack. The fignal being made
to land, about three o'clock In the afternoon, they rowed off In
two divifions ; and kept clofe together, till nearly abreaft of
the fpots where defcents were fo be atterapted. The troops
under Brigadier Larabart, being clofe under the fteep rocks, ,
were not rauch feen by fhe eneray, who judged that fhe princi-'-
pal attack was fo be made at Fort d' Arfic. Brigadier-General
Larabart, thinking the place he was fent againft weakly guar-*
ded, ordered fhe troops to land. The grenadiers of the ipfh
regiraent, coramanded by Captain Paterfonf , clambered up the
rocks unperceived by the eneray, and reached fhe furaralt.
Thefe were followed by a fmall corps of marines, headed by
Captain Murray. This was quite unexpedled by tbe eneray,
who frufted entirely tO the great height of the precipice, and
thought if impoffible that a landing could be effedted here.
Some more troops arriving, they formed on fhe top of fhe rock;
when > being perceived by fhe enemy, the reglmeht of BIgOrre
marched down tbe hill, and attacked them with great refolu tion,
t Afterwards Major-General Paterfpn,

i7(5r. MILITARY .MEMOIRS. 461

tion. The troops now pofted tberafelves behind a wall, from
which tbe enemy could not force thera ; and, keeping up a
fteady and well-diredted fire, they raaintained their ground un
til Brigadier-General Larabart arrived witb the grenadiers of
the tbirtietb regiment, and fhe reraainder of the raarlnes, under
Lieutenant-Colonel Mackenzie ; upon which General Larabert
ordered the troops to raove brifkly on, and attack the enemy in
turn, which fhey did with great fpirit ; and taking them In
flank, they forced thera to retire to the fop of the hill, where
they had fome field-pieces.
In tbe raean tirae, Sir Thoraas Stanhope, who was extrerae
ly attentive to all tbe raotions of the troops, the raoraent he per
ceived that they had raade good their landing, raade fhe fignal
for all fhe boats, manned' and armed, to go to their affiftanee.
On this, fhe divifion of troops defigned to attack Fort d'Atfic,
rowed with the greateft difpatch to fecond General Larabart ;
who, as foon as he found that he bad force fufficient, raarched
up the hill, and attacked the eneray. They only fired their
cannon once, and fled. Three brafs field-pieces, and forae
f wounded prifoners, were taken here. Our lofs, on this occa
fion, did not exceed thirty men. Captains Paterfon and Mur
ray, whofe behavionr did them the greateft honour, were both
wounded ; having, with their companies alone,, ftood an attack
.from near three hundred of the eneray's. beft troops, until they
were reinrorced by forae of General Lambart's corps. By five
In the evening, the troops were all landed ; when the General
having arranged his forces, puffied on near three railes after the
eneray ; and faking poft on an eralnence, the. array there lay on
their arras all night.
In the night, the eneray lighted a large fire on the fop of a
hill in the middle of fhe Ifland, Tbis was a fignal for all the
inhabitants, able to bear arms, fo repair to Palais. In order to
retard the march of fhe array as rauch as poffible, the eneray
broke 'up fhe roads, deraoliflied the bridges, and, after .fplkirig
up the cannon, and deftroying the carriages, blew up all their
little raagazlnes at.the different batteries along ftore. Early on
the 23d, General Hodgfon put the army in motion, and march ed

4^2 NAVAL AND 1751.
ed towards Palais. M. de St Croix having now colle£ted his
whole force, twice ftewed an intention of making a ftand, and
rlflclng a battle. But the Britift General advanced with fuch
caution, and at fhe fame time with fuch refolution and briflc*
nefs, that .the enemy retired as the troops approached ; and fi
nally ftut themfelves up In their redoubts, and citadel of Palais.
When the news reached London, of the check General
Hodgfon had received on the Sth of April, the nation feemed
difpleafed, not having been accuftoraed of late to rebuffs of this
fort. The Minifter iramediately ordered a reinforcement of
four battalions of infantry, together with a fupply of flat-bot
tomed boats, cables, anchors, and all forts of naval and military
ftores to be fent to the befiegers. They were efcorted by five
ftips of the line. (See Note 1 80,)
The firft. ftep that General HodgfOn took, was, to fecure all
tbe neceffary pofts and paffes, and to eftabllft a proper com
munication with the fleet. At firft, tbe weather being very un
favourable for landing the cannon, ammunition, i intrenching
tools, and pvovlfipns, occafioned a delay of feveral days before
he could break ground before the place. M. de St Croix availed
himfelf of this as much as poffible, and added new works to
thofe already conftrudted ; having with great labour and judg"
ment raifed fix redoubts to defend the town of Palais, which It
was abfolutely neceffar]^ tp take, before the approaches could be
carried on againft the citadel, as he had placed fhem bn the
very ground where be judged fome of our batteries muft be.
eredted". It was tbe ad df May before our batteries opened, when their
effedl was foon perceived. The night' following, the enemy
raade a vigorous fally, with a corps of four hundred men, head
ed by one of their beft officers. Trbcy attacked our moft ad
vanced work, which they forced, and there raade Major-Gene- '
ral Crawford, who was exerting hirafelf very rauch, and his
two aids-du-camp, prifoners. They tlien puflied on, and at»
tacked the trenches ; when their leader was heard fo encourage
his men, by calling out to thera, " AUons, raes enfans; mes fol-
" dats, aliens! voilS, c' eft la voye a I'honneur, a la gloire, a la
«' viaoire.'"

i7«i. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 463
" vidloire." He then leaped into the works, but was inftantly
pierced through the heart by the thruftofa bayonet from a
grenadier of the -thirtieth regiment. A good deal of firing now
commenced on botb fides ; but a party pf marines, under the
command of Captain David Hepburn, arriving very feafonably
to the affiftanee of the troops In the trenches, they attacked the
enemy fo brlflcly, that they were forced to retire with confider
able lofs. Sir William Peere Williams, of the fixteenth regi
ment of light-dragoons, in returning frora vlfiting an out-poft,
the night being dark, unfortunately raiftook his way, and getting
clofe to the citadel, was ftot by one of the enemy's centinels.
When the engineer began to extend his fecond parallel, he
found It neceffary that one of the enemy's redoubts ftould be
attacked. The General gave orders that two hundred men
^ould affault it next morning, and that four pieces of batter
ing cannon, one howitzer, and a number of cohomsj ftould
play on it all night. This greatly ftattered the place, and fa
tigued the enemy; fo that when the detachment marched a -
galrift it next morning, (tbe 13th), they, perceiving with what
inti-epidity our troops advanced to the redoubt, furrendered
themfelves prifoners. Captain Smith of the thirtieth regiment,
and Captain (now Major-General) Carruthers, who comman
ded the detachment, refolved to take advantage of the panic in
which they found tbe enemy : they therefore pufted on, and
attacked two more of the enemy's redoubts ; but, in order to
avoid being made prifoners, the French abandoned botb, and
fled with precipitation to the citadel.
Brigadier-General Jenning? coraraanded in the trenches, and
had a corps ready to bave fupported the troops in affaulting
the redoubts, if it had appeared neceffary. At this time, an
officer obferved fo him, that it was a pity not to take advantage
of the. confternjition the enemy appeared to be in, by inftantly
attacking the other three redoubts; when Major Neftitt, pf
the fixty-ninth regiraent, offering to undertake that fervice with
two hundred raen, the Brigadier agreed tq the propofal. He
ordered all of that regiment then on duty in the trenches
{amovnting only to three hundred and fev«nty men) tp attend the

464 NAVALAND 1761.
the Major, who loft not a raoraent, but raarched againft fhe
three reraaining redoubts with the greateft refolution, and car
ried thera with very little lofs ; the eneray abandoning thera
fucceffively as the troops approached. In' thefe works were
found a great quantity of araraunitlon, wall-pieces, and in
trenching fools. In this attack. Major Neftitt and nine raen
were wounded, and four men killed. The eneray, befides very
confiderable lofs in killed and wounded, had one hundred raen
made prifoners.
General Hodgfon followed up this ftroke very briflcly, and;
immediately made a lodgment In tbe town, which obliging fhe
enemy to abandon if, fhey were now clofely blocked up in the
citadel.' From fhe alertnefs of tbe fquadron, all corrimunica-
tlon between the continent and the citadel of Palais was en
tirely cut off; and the place being now corapletely invefted, all
hope of relief fo the befieged was precluded ; who, in the end
were compelled to furrender ; their numbers daily decreafing,
and fhe defences of the place fo much ruined, that fhey had no
fafety but the cafemates,
M. de St Croix, bowever, refolved to defend the place to
the laft ; and, by that raeans, fo eftabfiffi bis own honour and
reputation, and make fhe befiegers pay as dear for the, place as
poffible. He repeated his forties ; none of which, however,
had efi^edt fufficient to retard fhe operations of the fiege. One
of tiiefe having been diredted againft a fmall battery of can
non, where Lieutenant Lachlan Cuthbert coraraanded, the
people he had with hira, thinking they would be overpowered,
fled, and left their officer alone. He upbraided thera with their
condudl, pointed fome of fhe guns at the eneriiy, and fired
them. His diftrefs being - obferved, a reinforcement of raen
was fent him fo very fpeedily, that the enemy were prevented
frora feizing the battery, and foon obliged fo retreat with lofs.
General Hodgfon was fo rauch pleafed with the gallant beha
viour of Mr Cuthbert, that he gave hira his thanks In fhe pub
lic orders of next day.
By fhe 1 6th of May, the batteries were corapleted, and the
citadel was inceffantly pkyed on frora forty raortars, ten how
itzers, ,

1761. MILITARY MEMOliCS. 465
itzers, ten thirty-two pounders, twenty twenty-four pounders,
and ten twelve pounders ; while the brafs field-pieces were
occafipnally eraployed tb fire rlcpcbet, to clear tbe enemy'^
works. On tbe 20th, one fhot from fhe citadel killed a fer
jeant and thirteen men ; and the farae day, two failors were;
killed, as they were dragging cannon to a battery. On the
2pth, at night, one of our ftells entered a fraall place in the
citadel, made a great explofion, and drove fome of the ftones
intp tbe town witb fuch force, as killed one inan belonging to
the Britift, and wounded feveral more. The 25th, fhe breach
began to appear confiderable ; on which day, a flag of truce
was fent from the citadel, with a letter from Major-General
Crawford, to General Hodgfon ; complaining, in the narae of
the Britift prifoners in fhe citadel of Palais, againft M. de St
Croix, who had ordered thera to be confined in the upper" part
of one of the houfes in the garrifon, where they were expofed f o
the Britift ftot. Colonel Burgoyne was iramediately difpatch
ed to the continent, with a letter to the Due d'AIguIllon, re
monftrating againft fucli treatment. The Colonel returned,
and brought an Officer back with him, charged with letters to
M. de St Croix frora the Due d'AIguIllon. He was diredlly
conveyed into the citadel ; and foon after, the prifoners were
removed to the cafemates. '
Frora this time, fo the 7th of June, the appfo'aciies made
a rapid progrefs, and fhe breach appeared fo wide, that pre
parations vvere making to ftorm the place, when M, de St
Croix beat the Charaade, The Coraraodore was iraraediately
fent for; and the terras for furrenderlng the citadel being ad
jufted and fignfed, (See Note 1 80.) poffeffion was taken of It
the next day. In confideration of the gallant defence made by
M. de Sf Croix, fhe garrifon were allowed all the honours of
war; marched through tbe breach the Britift cannon had
made in the walls of the citadel, and were imraediately era
barked for France. The lofs tbe eneray fuftained during the
fiege was very ctmfide'rable. When tbe place was firft inveft
ed, the ftrength of the garrifon aihpunted to two thoufand fii
hundred men ; and when they, marched out, on the 8th of
VOL. IT. G g V .June,

4^6 NAVAL AND i^iSr.

June, their nurabers confifted of one thoufand fix hundred and
feventy-eight men. By this it appears, their lofs in killed,
wbunded, prifoners, deferters, and fick, amounted fo nine
hundred and twenty-two. The lofs the Britift fuffered by
fhe enemy, from fhe 22d of April, to the 7th of June, wa§
thirteen officers, and about three hundred meri killed ; with
twenty-one officers, and about four hundred and eighty men
wounded, (See Note 180.) : amorig fhe latter was Brigadier-
General Howe. But the lofs the army fuftained by the ene
my was fmall, when .compared with what fhey fuffered by
ficknefs. The great fatigues they underwent during the fiege,
and a want of proper refreftments, threw many Into a fever
and dyfentery, vi'hich carried off great numbers.
It redounds much to the honour of the Na'<ry and Army,
that, duiring this fatiguing fiege, the greateft harmony fnb'u'ft-
ed betvveen the two fervices : both had their ftare in this ar
duous woric ; and it muft be allowed, that the affiftanee of fhe
fleet contributed greatly to the fuccefs of the enterprize. The
Coraraodore fent the Honourable Captain Barrington, as did
the General bis aid-du-carap. Captain Rook, with their re
fpedtive difpatches, which announced the army's having made
good their landing on the 22d of April. His Majefty gave to
both a moft gracious reception, and ordered each of fhem a
prefent of 506I, When fhe Ifland furrendered, the General
again fent Captain Rook, and fhe Commodore, Captain Bar
rington, with the agreeable intelligence fo England, On this
occafion, alfo, the King received them very gracioufly, and
again ordered each a prefent of 500I.*
General Crawford was appointed Governor of Belleifle, and
a ftrong garrifon left In it : but when fhe Spanlft war broke out,
* The'ComrModore having, occafioa to fend fome difpatches of importance to
England, intrufted them to Captain Scroop, of the Hampton-Court, 'who, ai
ibon as the (hip was anchored at Spithead, put off in his barge, in order to land
at Portfmouth, arid fet out for London. He was viiifortunately overtaken "by »
fudden and heavy fquall, when the harge overfetting, moft of the people were
"dro'wried : hut.Captai'n Scrbbp, and a few others, after fwimming for a confide
rable «time, were, with the greateft diSkulty,, faved by a boat, which put off
to their afliftance.

i7<Ji. MILITARY MEMOIR'S. 46

407,

out, be was detached with the gfeateft part of the trciops to
Portugal. The reraainder were fent to the Weft Indies un
der Brigadier-General Rufane. A freft garrifon was fent frora
England, of fome new raifed regiraents ; and Colonel Jaraes
Forrefter, of tbe ninefy-feventh regiment, was appointed Gd-
vernor.

BASQUE ROAD, and the ISLAND of AIX.
After fhe furrender of the ifland of Belleifle, Commodore
Keppel detached a fquadron from his fleet, under the command
of Sir Thomas Stanhope, fo Bafque Road, with a defign to at
tack fuch of tbe eneray's ftips as he raight find there, and to
demolift any new works they were eredting on fhe Ifland of
Aix. (See Note 181.) Sir Thoraas came to an anchor with his
fquadron In Bafque Road, and not finding any of the enemy's
ftips, he next day detached Captain Parker with the Buckings
ham, Monmouth, Naffau, and Furnace bomb, to deftroy the
forfificatlons on the ifland of Aix. '
Captain Parker anchored off the ifland velth the ftips under
his command, and fent aftore Captain Chaplen ofthe Furnace
bomb,^to blow up fhe works. The enemy had fix prames and
a great number of row-gallies at fhe mouth of the river Cha
rante, which, on the 21ft of July, endeavoured to remove the
ftips at anchor oft" the Ifland of Aix, which they attacked with
twelve mortars, and upwards of feventy pieces of cannon. A-
bout feven In fhe morning, the enemy's veffels, accompanied
by a number of launches full of men, .weighed anchor from
the Paffe des Filles, and, with the tide of ebb, dropped to
wards the ftips. They drew up in clofe line ahead ; and, from
their number and raotions, it was firft colijedtured thaf they
meant to come quite clofe ; but they foon after hauled their
wind, and brought up In a regular line upon the ftoals, be
tween the ifland of Ent and Fort Fouras ; ahd, at a quarter
after nine o'clock, began to bombard and cannonade. In lefs
than half an hour, they got the diftance exadl, on whiohlthe
Bririft ftips veered away, fo be out ofthe reach of their ftells;
G g 2 l^ut

4tf8, NAVAL AND 17(^1.
but as they veered, the eneray weighed anchor, dropped with
the tide, and ftill preferved their diftance. Upon this, all the
ftips hove ahead, expedting, as they had neared thera fo rauch,
that the enemy's veffels would be within reach of their can
non ; and indeed feveral of the ftot ftruck thera. At half an
bour after eleven, the boats of the fquadron in Bafque Road
joined the ftips off the ifland of Aix ; and ebb-tide being al
moft fpent, Captain Parker refolved fo waft nearer to the ene
my. Sir Thomas Stanhope likewife fent fhe A£teon, Fly,
and Blaft, to their affiftanee. Captain Parker ordered the two
latter to keep under fail, and the Adteon fo range along the
praraes, and give thera ber broadfide as fte paffed them. In or
der to amufe, and draw die eneray's attention frora the boats
then employed in carrying out warps, and frora throwing ffiells
af the line of battle ffiips, raany of which fell very near, but
without touching them.
At half paft twelve, fhe Adteon ran aground on the tail of
the Pall-bank. Tbe boats were immediately difpatched with
ftream-anchors and hawfers to her affiftanee, and about two
o'clock fte floated. This unlucky accident prevented any of
the ftlpS frora warping, except the Naffau, which was diredt
ed to cover the Adteon ; which ftip having laid out warps,
fte, by this raeans, got confiderably nearer the eneray, and
corapelled five of the prames (the fide of flood then making)
to retreat to their former moorings, and the other to get un
der the cannon on the fouth point of the ifland of Oleron.
During the bombardment. Captain Chaplen threw from the
Furnace-bomb thirty two ftells, which were extremely well
diredled. On the 2 2d, one of tbe prames dropped with the
flood above the men of war in the river Charante. Captain
Ourry's behaviour was extreraely fpirited, and raerlted great
applaufe. The A£teon had four men killed and one wounded,
and her rigging mucb daraaged. Tbe main braces, and one
of the fore-puftock-ftrowds of the Buckingham, were ftot
away. One of the eneray's ftells fell under the Naffau's coun
ter, lifted the ftip a little, drove in two trunnels, and ftook
her whole frame. Several ftells alfo fell very near the Mon-
tnoutb

J76i. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 469
mouth, and Buckingham. A ftot frora one of the praraes
fell on board fhe Adteon ; it weighed upwards of thirty-eight
pounds : by this raeans, the weight of metal thofe extraordina
ry veffels carry,- was afcertained.
As foon as the works on tbe Ifland of Aix were deftroyed.
Captain Parker's fquadron rejoined that under Sir Thomas
Stanhope in Bafque road, whofe fleet being alternately relieved
by ftips from England, continued on this ftation during the
remainder of tbe year. In fhe month of December, fhe eneray
made another attempt upon the ftips in Bafque road, and put
it in execution from a quarter fhe leaft expedted, viz. from fhe
N. W. end of the Ifland of Oleron. They chained three vef
fels, of about fifty tons each, af bead and ftern together, at
the diftance of a third of fhe cable afunder, and as thefe would
take in a large fweep, they towed them info the wake of the
Britift men of war. Nothing could be more favourable for
fuch an attempt ; the night was dark, the fides at their height,
and the wind fair as could be defired. As our people expedit
ed that any attempt that migbt be made on them would corae
frora the river Charante, they were not prepared for an attack
frora Oleron. The eneray, either through fear, or accident,
fet fire to their veffels too foon, which prefently after blowing
up, their explofion firft gave the alarm ; they were then about
two miles from tbe Britift fquadron, and diredlly in fhe ftream
of the Princefs Amelia : but the violence of the explofion hav
ing broke the chains, tbe fire ftips feparated, and tbe danger
was at an end. Next morning. Sir Thomas Stanhope fent
the boats of the fquadron, who boarded fome of tbe fire-veffels,
extinguifted fhe flames, and towed their remains into the fleet.
The Trident's people picked up a man of war's boat that had
attended ontbls enterprize, with L'Orient on her ftern. The
enemy made no farther attempts to remove the ftips in Bafque
road ; and Lord Howe foon after relieved Sir Thomas Stanhope
in this coraraand.
In order to prevent the eneray frora fending any force from
Breft, to difturb the operations going on againft Belleifle, a
G g 3 ftrong

470 NAVAL AND 1761.
firong fquadron of flilps was Hept cruizing off, thaf port, un- '
der fhe coraraand of Captain Buckle. (See Note 182.)
On the pth of March, the Rippon fell In with the Achille
a, French ftip of fixty-four guns, and a frigate, fo which fte
gave chafe ; and getting clofe to them about fix In the evening,
the friigate came near him, and hoifted Britift coIouts, f^ap'
tain Jekyl having then bore down on her, fte fet all the fail
fhe could, and made fignals to ber confort, by firing flcy-rock«
ets, who alfo crowded fail and raade off. Captain Jekyl loft
fight of thera in fhe night ; but next raorning he once more
perceived thera, and gave chafe to fhe largeft, who raade a pri«
vate fignal ; which not being anfwered, the chafe bore away
with all the fail ffie could fet. The Rippon imraediately pur
fued, and at half-paft nine at night, got clofe along-fide of the
eneray. A very clofe adtion diredlly fopk place, which lafted
near three hours and a half, fhe ffiips being fometimes In dan
ger of falling on board of each other. It blew very hard all
the time, and the fea ran fo very. high, that it was feldom the
Rippon could open her lower ports : when this was attempted,
fte ftipped fo much fea, that the people on the lower deck were
frequently up fo their knees in wafer. Towards fhe end of
the adtion, the enemy's fire greatly diminiflied, when unlucki
ly one of the Rlpppn's lower-deck guns burft, which killed
eight men, wounded eight more, and made fo great a concuf-
fipn, that all fhe lanterns pn that deck were extinguifted. On
which Captain Jekyl gave prders, to fight only the four aft-
moft, on the lower-deck, and to keep the ports of fhe others
ftut, to exclude the water .: during the whole of the adtion,
the enemy carried as much fail as fhey could before the wind,
both ftips failing at the rate of ten knots an hour. The night
was exceffwely dark, with a hard gale of wind, and fqually wea
ther ; fome of the Rippon'sftot having carried away the ene
my's fore-yard, and fore-top-maft, the Rippon fuddenly run
ahead of her, but brought to, that the eneriiy might corap up,
and not have the advantage of hauUng her wind to wind
ward of the Rippon ; while flie lay In this pofitlon the Achille
paffed clofe under her ftern, and raight have raked her to
great

1761. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 471

great advantage, but were in fuch confufion, that only one fwi-
vel was fired from tbe eneray, which unluckily happened to
carry away one of the RIppon's raain-top-fall fteets, the ftop-
pers having been taken off, on account of the fqualllnefs of the
weather. As foon as the Achille bad paffed fo leeward. Cap
tain ¦ Jekyl endeavoured to wear the Rippon after her, but the
jib and ftayfall, halliards, with all fhe braces of the bead-fails
being ftot away, this was found fo be impradtlcable, fill fome
repair was made ; at this very time came on a heavy ftower
of rain, and the ftips foon loft fight of each, other : the Rip
pon was in a ftort time put In a ftate to follow the enemy,
and continued fhe chafe all night, fhe people forward often
affirming, that they faw light ; yet when, day broke]; although
the weather bad become clear, no veffel was in fight. The
Captain of the Achille, who was a Knight of Malta, having,
after this adiion, put into the Groyne, publifted an account
of if, in which he fays, he beat off an Englift ftip of feventy-
four guns.
On the 1 6th of March, the Bedford, Captain Deane, took,
after a chafe pf fixten hours, a French ftip of war, called the
Comette, of thirty-two guns, and two hundred and. fifty men.
The Hero and Venus, coraraanded by Captains Forfefcue
and Harrifon, on tbe 3d of April, took fhe Bertin, an out
ward bound French Eaft India ftip, raounting twenty-eight
guns, (but pierced for fixty-four) with a crew of three hun
dred and fifty-three men, ninety-three of whora were foldiers.
Her cargo, which proved very valuable, confifted of ordnance
and naval ftores, raercbant goods, and twenty-four thoufand
dollars. She was a fine ftip, was purchafed by Government,
and added to the Royal Navy, and naraed the Belleifle.
The Aquilon, Captain Ogle, took fhe Subtile, a frigate be
longing fp the French Eaft India Corapany, of fixteen guns,
and eighty-four raen : fte was laden with coffee and pepper.
The Albany floop. Captain Brograve, took the Pheafant, a
French floop of war of fixteen guns, and one hundred and
twenty-five men. She was purchafed by Government, and ad-
ed to the Royal Navy by the fame name.
Gg4 The

472 NAVALAND i7<5t.
The Solebay and Amazon, coraraanded hy Captains John
Dalryraple and Keith, on the 30th of January, fell iii with
the Chevert privateer of Dunkirk, and chafed her from morn
ing until two in ithe afternoon, when fte got und^r a battery
pf four guns tp the ijorthward o'f Calais cliff, which kept up
an inceffant fire at our ftips. About four o'clock, tbe priva
teer having run aftore, foori affej; ftruck to tbe Amazon, and
was got off. She mounted eighteeii guns, and had a crew
pf one hundred and fixty men. She wa? purchafed by Govern
ment, added to the Royal Navy, and named the Pomona.
The Coventry of 28 guns, commanded by Captain Burflem,
being detached by Commodore Keppel to reconnoitre the coaft
of France, drove aftpre a Fr.encb floop of vyar, cajled the Le-
vereffe of fourteen guns. In a fmall fandy bay, near the en
trance of Port L'Orient ; the Coventry canie to an aiichpr as
near as her draught of water would admit of, and kept up fo
warm a fire on the floop, that the enemy abandoncjd her ; moft
of thera leaping info the water and getting aftpre. Captain
Burflem fent his l^oats and boarded the veffel, and brought her
off, very little daraaged : he next day joined the fquadron with
his prize, vvhen it was unanimoufly agreed fo make a prefent
of her to the widow of Lieutenant Cropk, whp had been lofl;
in a barge off Quiberon-bay a piort time before.
Llejiteiiant Jobrj M'Bride of the Grace arraed cutter, being
q^ Dunkirk, pbfervjng that the two praraes, lately at anchor,
were gone into the harbour, and that only four flat-bottoraed
hoats, and a dogger priyafeer, reraained in the road, immedi
ately went and joined the Maidftone, ?nd propofed to Captain ,
Digges, if he wpjild le|: him have four boats manned and arm
ed, fo cut out the privateer that night. The Captain, knowing
Mr M«BrIde to be a raan of jrefolution and condu£t, cheerfuUy
granted hirn his reqjieft. The boats fet out on this expedition
about ten o'clock at night ; and when they carae near the road,
they laid all their pars acrofs, except two In each boat, which
they raufiled with baize, to prevent their being heard at a dif
tance. In thaf manner fhey proceeded, until they were within
mufket-ftot of the privateer, ij'hen they were hailed. To tbis
they

1761. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 473
they made no reply, but rowed brlflcly ; and in a few minutes
boarding ber on both fides at the fame Inftant, they carried her,
and brought her off. The enemy made but a flight refiftance.
The Lieutenant of the privateer was ftot through the bead
witb a muflcet-ball, by Lieutenant M'Bride, while pointing a
gun to fire into one of the boats. The enemy had one raan
killed, (exclufive of fhe Lieutenant), and five wounded : wc
had only two raen wounded. This exploit was effedted with
in half gun-ftot of a fort on fhe eaft fide of the harbour, but
which had not tirae fo interrupt fhem ; for as foon as the pri
foners were fecured, they cut fhe cable, and failed out of fhe
road with the greateft difpatch.
Tbe Blonde, Captain Kennedy, being ftationed on the coaft
pf Portugal, took a French ftip of four hundred tons burden,
from Bourdeaux to St Domingo : flie mounted ^twenty-four
,guns, and had a crew of one hundred and twenty raen ; her
cargo confifting of wine, brandy, and ftores. She engaged the
Blonde an hour before fte would ftrike: her fore-maft was ftot
away ; the ftip confiderably damaged ; and bad fix men killed,
and many wounded. Tbe Blonde had only two men wounded.
Captain Kennedy prote£led the trade fo well, that tbe Britift
faBiOty at Lifton prefented hira with a piece of plate, of the
value of 200I., In token of tbe high opinion which they enter
tained of bis good fervices.
On the Sth of January, bis Majefty's ftip Unicorn, com
manded by Captain Hunt, being on a cruize off the Penmarks,
gave chafe to the Veftale, a French frigate of thirty-two guns
and two hundred and twenty men, coraraanded by M. Bolfter-
telot. Captain Hunt received a gun-ftot wound the third
broadfide, in bis right thigh, of which be died an hour after
the adtion. The coraraand then devolved on Lieutenant John
Syraons, wbo bravely fought the ftip frora half an bour paft
ten, fill half an bour paft twelve, when fhe eneray ftruck, hav
ing raany raen killed and wounded ; among fhe latter was M.
Boiftertelof, who loft bis leg, and died of his wounds next day.
The Unicorn had five men killed, and ten wounded, fix of tbem
^angeroufly. Lieutenant Symons, for his bravery, was made

474 NAVALAND 1761.

a Mafter and Comraander, The Veftale was purchafed into
the fervice, and called the Flora, The day after the a£tIon,
Captain Symons faw a fail to windward, which appeared fo hira
to be a French ftip of war: fte bore down upon hira for about
half an hour, then hauled her wind, and ftood in, for fhe land.
On the I oth, he perceived two ftips engaged, which proved
fo be his Majefty's ffiip fh'e Seahorfe, and the L' Aigrette fri
gate, being the fame he faw on the pth, the latter of which
made all the fail fte could from the other, upon fhe Unicorn's
coming within two gun-ftot pf them ; and, her rigging hav
ing fuftained no material damage, fte efcaped. Qaptain Sy
mons continued in chafe of her fill evening ; but finding fte
greatly out-failed fhe Unicorn, who had got a mizen top-maft
up, in place of a fore-top-maft, to eafe the fore-maft, and a
main fop-gallant maft for a mizen top-maft, and her fails and
rigging much damaged in the adtion with the Veftgle, he defif
ted frora the purfuit.
The Seahorfe, coraraanded by Captain Jaraes Smith, having
been appointed fo carry out the aftronomers to Bencoolen, in
the Eaft Indies, to obferve the tranfit of Venus over the Sun ;
on the I oth of January, being about thirty-four leagues S. W.
of the Start, about eight in the raorning, perceived a large fri
gate bearing down upon hira. Captain Sralth continued bis
courfe, and prepared fo engage, Af a quarter before eleven,
the enemy came within piftol-ftot, when an aftion began,
which lafted an hour and a quarter with great warmth ; during
which, the ftips were board and board three different tiraes,
which occafioned great flaughfer on both fides. The enemy,
upon feeing the Unicorn making for thera, made off, notwith
ftanding Captain Smith did all in his power to prevent it. The
Seahorfe had eleven men killed, and thirty-eight wounded.
The frigate that engaged the Seahorfe, was the L'AIgrette, of
thirty-four guns, who, with the Veftale, two ftips pf fijffy-four
guns, and the Calypfo of fixteen guns, had efcaped frora the
river Villalne on the 2d of January. Captain Sralth gained
great reputation by his fpirited condudt on this occafion, his
fhip raounting only twenty guns, and having no more than a
hundrecl

1761. MILITARY MEMOIRS.

475

hundred and fixty men. Being obliged to return to England
to have her refitted, he was there promoted to fhe command
of the Guernfey of fifty guns. Captain Charies Cathcart
Grant fucceeded him in the Seahorfe, and proceeded tp the
Eaft Indies with the aftronoraers.
The Venus pf thirty-fix, and the Juno of thirty-two guns,
coramanded by Captains Harrifon and Philips, being on a
cruize to the weftward of Scilly, the former topk a privateer
of St Malo, carrying fix guns, fi.\ fwivels, and thirty-nine men.
On the 30th of January, they fell In with the Brune, a
French frigate, of thirty-fix guns, and three hundred and fix
teen men. After a chafe of forae hours, the Venus overtook
her. An afl:Ion then commenced, which lafted. upwards of
two hours ; when the Juno coming up, and firing a few guns,
the Brune ftruck. The Venus had four men killed, and eigh
teen wounded; among the latter was Captain Harrifon, his firft
Lieutenant, and Mafter, The Juno had only two men woun
ded. The Brune had nineteen men killed, and thirty-nine
wounded. She was purchafed by Government, and added to
the Royal Navy by the farae name.
The Richmond of tbirty-'fwo guns, commanded by Captain
Elphinftone, being on 3 cruize on the coaft of Flanders, receiv
ed intelligence, on tbe 23d of January, of a French frigate,
that had the day before taken an Englift veffel, and ranfomed
her. He immediately went in queft of the enemy's ftip, and
fortunately falling in with her abput feven o'clock the fame
night, he crowded fail to come up with her: fte at firft bore
down upon the Richmond, but flie fuddenly hauled her wind,
and endeavoured to get away. Captain Elphinftone purfued,
and came up with lier about half paft ten o'clock the next mor
ning ; when they began to engage, ftanding towards the land.
At half paft twelve, both ftips ran affiore, along-fide of each
other, ftill continuing the engagement, but for a ftort time
only, as the eneray fled from their quarters. The Richmond
fopn afterwards got afloat ; but being drove by the ride a little
to leeward, the enemy quitted their ffiip, and efcaped on ftore.
The French frigate was called the Felicite, of thirty-two guns, and

476 NAVALAND 1761.
and bound to Martinico with a cargo valued at 30,000!. Ster
ling, She had near one hundred men killed and wounded in
the adtion ; among the former was M. Donnel, her Captain.
The Richmond bad only three men killed, and thirteen woun
ded. This brave adtion was fought near S'Gravefande, about eight
miles frora the Hague, The young Prince of Orange, Gene
ral Yorke, Count D'Affry the French Arabaffador, and many
other perfons of diftlndlion, were fpedlators of tbe combat ; in
which, the feamanftip and courage of the Britift appeared raoft
confpicuous, and added greatly fo tbe reputation of our arras.
Next day. Captain Elphinftone boarded the Felicite, and luck
ily found fhe difpatches deftined for the Weft Indies, which in
their hurry they bad forgot fo throw over-board. They had
likewife left four of their dead, and one drunken raan on board,
which laft he brought off, and fet fhe ftip on fire.
The Minerva of thirty-two giins, and two hundred and
twenty men, commanded by Captain Alexander Hood, at day
light on the 23d of January, in latitude 45, 22. N, Cape Pinas
bearing S, by E. diftant thirty leagues, got fight of a large fail,
to which he Imraediately gave chafe, and foon difcovered her to
be a ftip of two decks. Tbe wind being freft eafterly, and a
great fea, at twenty minutes paft ten o'clock Captain Hood got
along-fide of her, and began a clofe engagement. At eleven, the
main and fore-top-maft ofthe enemy's ftip being ftot away, fte
prefently after fell on board the Minerva on fhe ftarboard bow,
and then dropped along-fide; but the fea foon parted both
ftips, when fhe enemy fell aftern. About a quarter after ele
ven, the Minerva loft ber bowfprit, and, a little afterwards, her
fore-maft. From thefe unfortunate accidents. Captain Hood
defpaired of being able to attack tbe enemy again. He ordered
the wreck to be cut away as foon as poffible, and the ftip was
cleared of It by one o'clock, but with the lofs of one raan, and
the fteet-anchor. He then wore the ftip, and ftood for the ene
my, wbo was then about three leagues to leeward. At fpur
o'clock:, he got clofe up with her, and renewed tbe attack. —
About a quarter before five, fte ftruck ; and proved to be tbe
Warwick

iTtSi. MILITARYMEMOIRS. 477

Warwick of thirty-four guns, but pierced for fixty, the fame as
when fte belonged to his late Majefty. She was coraraanded
by M. la Vergdr de Belair, who had the King's coraralffion to
rank as Captain of a fire-ftip ; having on board two hundred
and ninety-five men, feventy-four of whom were a detachment
of King's troops, with two officers, and four paffengers ; fhe
latter deftined for Pondicherry. She was bound for fhe Ifles of
France and Bourbbn, and was loaded with proVlfions, ammuni
tion, and ftores. She had fourteen men killed, and thirty-two
wounded. The Minerva had fourteen raen killed, and thirty-
four wounded. At nine o'clock, the Minerva's main-maft went
away; and at eleven, the mizen-raaft followed.
On tbe 1 3fb of March, the Vengeance of twenty-fix guns,
(nine and four-pounders) and two hundred raen, coraraanded
by Captain Nightingale, gave chafe fo a large fail ; and about
five o'clock in the afternoon, he got along-fide of the eneray,
and began a very clefe engageraent, which continued for three
quarters of an hour ; during whicb tirae, the Vengeance was
five riraes on fire. When fo rauch ftattered in her fails and
rigging, that the ftip was not under coraraand, the eneray ran
tbeir bowfprit over the tafferel, for boarding ; but were firaely
prevented frora putting that fcherae in execution. The Ven
geance fteered off fo repair her fails and rigging. As foon as
the ftip was put In proper condition. Captain Nightingale
again got clofe to the enemy, and renewed the engagement,
which continued an bour longer, when the enemy fteered off,
and bore away. The Vengeance being a fecond time difabled
in her mafts and rigging, was fome tirae in wearing ; but hav
ing at length effedted it, fte got once raore along-fide of the
enemy, within piftol-ftot, and engaged another hour and a
- half, when they called for quarter. She proved to be the En
treprenant of forty-four guns, but bad then only twenty-fix
twelve and nine-pounders mounted, with a crew of two hun*-
dred and three men : fte was equipped for war, and merchan
dize, and loaded with various kinds of goods for St Domingo.
The enemy had five men killed, and twenty-four wounded. The

478 NAVALAND 1761.
The Vengeance had fix men killed, and twehty-feven wounded,
moft of thera dangeroufly.
On the i3fh of Auguft, his Majefty's ftip Bellona, of fe
venty-four guns, and fix hundred men, coraraanded by Captain
Robert Faulknor, and fhe BrilHant of thirty-fix guns, and two
hundred and forty raen, commanded by Captain Loggie, fell in
with fhe Courageux of feventy-four guns and feven hundred
men, and the Malicieufe, and Hermione frigates, of thirty-two
guns each, off Vigo, ^hen they were firft difcovered, it was
evenlnp-; but perceiving thera to be ftips of war, chafe was
given. The enemy crowded every fail they could fet, to get
away. If being clear moon-light, the parties had a view of
each other all the night. In the raorning, the French were
about five miles ahead-. The Bellona, although an excellent
going ftip, had gained little more than two miles. In a chafe of
fourteen hours. The French Commodore had it ftill in his
power to make his efcape ; but his raoveraents foon difcovered
a contrary refolution. He hoifted a red enfign in fhe raizen
flirouds, (which was a fignal for fhe two frigates to clofe and
engage the Brilliant) hauled down bis ftudding-fails, wore
round, and ftood for the Bellona-,
To reconcile this feeraingly Inconfiftent condudt of the
French, It will be neceffary to take notice, thaf when fhey firft
difcovered our ftips in fhe haze of fhe horizon, they believed
thera to be both line of battle ftips ; all objedls feen in thaf fi
tuation, appearing much larger than they really are. In the
raorning, they found fhe Brilliant to be a frigate, and fuppofed
the Bellona to be a fifty-gun ftip ; which is not fo be wonder
ed at, as fte had been frequently taken for a frigate.
The engagement began with the Brilliant and the frigates,
one ofwhich, after eiichanging a few broadfides, ftot ahead.
Wben Captain Loggie perceived he ftould have both frigates
to deal with at once, he obferved fo his officers, that, in his pre
fent circumftances, the beft he could do Was, if poffible, to find
fufficient employraent for both veffels, that they might not be
able to annoy the Bellona ; and, af fhe farae time, carefully fo
avoid being taken hirafelf. With what admirable judgraent and

1761. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 479

and prefence of mind he forriied his plan, and with what a
Ite'ady conduft and refolution he executed every part of his
duty, at this critical moment, will fufficiently appear from
what follows. During fhe tirae the Bellona and Courageux
Were engaged) and for an bout afterwards, he withftood the
united, attacks of botb frigates, and at laft obliged thera to ffieer
off, greatly daraaged in their hulls and rigging. The Brilliant
fuffered inuch lefs than could have been expe£led. She had
five raen killed, and fixteen wpunded ; araong fhe forraer, was
the Mafter,
The Courageux and Bellona approached each other faft,
having a fine vvorking breeze, and fhe fea quite fraooth ; fo
that the raen could ftand and work their guns as at a battery.
There being no roora for accidental ffiots between wind and
water, or lofs of raafts or yards by ftiff of v^eather, if Is plain
that the vidlory could only be decided by fuperio^ refolution
and fkill ; and indeed. If we compare tbe two veffels, a more
equal match Could not have been picked out from the navies
of the two nations. Wheri the Bellona was within mufket-
'ftot, the enemy poured a broadfide into her; and bad given
half another, before Captain Faulknor returned tbe fire. The
firft broadfide frora the Bellona, ftruck the wafer ; but almoft
every ftot rofe frora thence, and took place. The French
keeping up a very brlfk fire, in a raoraent the Bellona's ftrowds,
hraces, bowlings, and all her rigging, were cut to pieces;
her raizen-maft next went, and fell over tbe ftern, with all the
men In the tops ; but they fortunately 'were faved by getting
in at the gun-roora ports. All this happened in nine minutes
from fhe time fhe adtion began.
Captain Faulknor, on finding his ftip fo rauch difabled,
feared the enemy might make their efcape : he therefore gave
' orders for boarding. TJie pofitlon of the two ftips foon -ren
dered that itopradtlcable 4 the Courageux was now In danger
of running athwatt the Bellona's fore-foot-; and, left fte ffiig]it
take the advantage of that fituation to rake her fore and aft,^
by fhe prefence of Inind, and united efforts of Captain Faulk
nor and the Mafter, (the only two officers' on fhe quarter-deck), the

48o NAVALAND 1761.
the Bellona was made to wear round, by means 6f her ftud
ding-fails, (as all the other rigging was ftot away), and fell on
the oppofite quarter of fhe Courageux, whicb proved to be her
ftarboard fide. This was the declfive moment. The officers
and feamen, with a promptitude and regularity which men
thoroughly difciplined are alone capable of, flew each to tbeir
refpedtive oppofite guns, and carried on, from the larboard
fide, a more terrible fire than before. In about twenty rai
nutes, fhe enemy hauled down their colours, and orders were
giving to ceafe firing. When fhe officers had come upon fhe
quarter-deck, to congratulate each other on the vidlory, an
unexpedled round of ffiot carae frora the lower tier of the Cou
rageux, It Is impoffible to defcribe the rage thaf animated the
Bellona's crew on this occafion ; without waiting for orders,
they flew to their guns, and in an inftant poured two broad
fides into the eneray, who now- called for quarter. The firing
at laft ceafed on both fides,
The.adtion lafted frora twenty-five rainutes paft fix, till four
minutes paft feven o'clock. At half an hour after feven, the
two frigates bore away, and the Britiffi fliips were fo much
difabled, fhey could not purfue thera. The Bellona had fix
ttien killed, and twenty-five wounded, none of thera dange-
geroufly. The Courageux had two hundred raen killed, and
one hundred and ten wounded ; and the ffiip greatly daraaged.
She was commanded by M. Dugue Lambert, who was wound
ed in fhe neck, ofwhich he died on fhe 25th at Lifton. His
funeral was attended by the Britiffi, along with fhe French of
ficers. The Courageux turned out a valuable prize, having on board
ranfomers for five veffels which fte had taken, amounting to
8500I. She was purchafed by government, and added to the
Royal Navy, by the fame narae.
The wind' proving ftrong northerly for forae days after the
a£tion, and as both ftips were much difabled, Captain Faulk-
nore bore away for Lifton, where he difcharged the prifoners,
and fet the wounded men on ftore. The crew qf fhe Coura^
geux applied to the Freneh refident for relief > but he could give

i7(Si. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 481

give them none. Upon which the gentlemen of fhe Britift
fadlory there, raifed a fubfcripfion for them, fo whicb the of
ficers of fhe Bellona and Brilliant were very liberal; fo that
they gained as much honour by their humanity and benevo
lence to their vanquifted enemies, as they had acquired glory
in fubduing thera. The fubfcripfion araounted fo two huni
dred and thirty pounds. And bad if not been for this tirae-i-
iy relief, thofe poor unfortunate people rauft have perlfted for
want ; there being no provifion made by the French Govern.
ment, for fhe relief of fuch of their fubjedts as may chance, to
be carried in there, or to any other port, fick, wounded, or
prifoners ; whereas, Britift fearaen are every where provided
for, and fhe expence defrayed by Parliaraent.
The Courageux, on her way to Lifton, by forae accident
took fire. On the alarra being given, twenty-four French pri
foners were fo terrified, that they threw themfelves overboard,
where they perlfted. Tbe fire, by the a£livify of Lieutenant
Male, was foon extinguifted, Captain Faulknor's recomraen-
dations procured proraotlon for Mr Male, who was raade Maf
ter and Comraander.
The Hornet floop df war. Captain George Jdhnftoney was
ftationed fo profedt the Britift trade on the coaft of Portugal,
which bad been much annoyed by French privateers ; but thefe
corfairs having received advice of the Hornet's arrival, toge
ther with an exadl defcription of the veffel, carefully avoided
her ; but one of theni was at laft decoyed, by a ftratagem of
Captain Johnftone's, fo come . to a£tion with his ftip, which
ended in her being taken by tbe Hornet; Several of thefe
privateers had been chafed by the Hornet, but always raade
off before fhey could be brought fo aftlon, on which Captain
Jphnftone refolved to difgulfe his ftip, and while at fea, took out
the raizen-maft ; foon after he was chafed by a privateer, who
perceiving the Veffel he chafed fo have only two mafts, con
cluded, that fte was not a war ftip ; and was prefently along
fide of the Hornet, when an adtion coraraenced, but was
fpeedily forced fo ftrike. Captain Johnftonc carried fhe prize
to Lifton, where foon after, learning of the Court of Spain hav-
VOL. II. H h ing

483 NAVAL AND i?iSj.
ing declared War againft Great Britain, he difpatched her to the
Weft Indies, fo Rear-Adrairal Rodney, with advice of If, where
fte arrived fix weeks before intelligence of the Spanlft war reach
ed him from England.
The King George privateer of Briftol, Captain Reed, of
twenty-four guns, and one hundred and eighty men, took,
after an engageraent of five hours, ^ the Beauraont of fix hun
dred tons, araounting twenty-two guns, with two hundred
and forty men, from fhe Eaft Indies, having a cargo valued
at 70,0001. fteriing. The enemy bad fixty raen killed and
,wourided. The King George had feven raen killed, and eigh
teen wounded.
The attention which the Navy Officers of Great Britain paid
to the comraerce of their country, was truly meritorious : the
truth of this cannot be better evinced^ than by the following
letter to the Secretary of the Admiralty, from Captain Timo
thy Edwards.
"Sir,
" You will be pleafed to acquaint their Lordftips, that'when
•* I coraraanded the Valeur, iii January and February laft, un-
" der fhe orders of Sir Charles Saunders, being then at Al-
** giers, I received information, that an Algerine cruizer had
" plundered an Englift veflel near Cape FInifterre, bound to
" the coaft of Guinea, which I believe might happen near the
" end of January or February ; upon which I went, attended
" by fhe Conful, to demand fatisfa(9:ipn of the Dey, for fuch an
" adt of piracy, and affront done his Majefty's flag ; -when he
" bad the crew feverally fearched, and after a fevere reprimand
" to the foldlery that were the principals, be found and reftor-
*' ed five hundred German crowns, two pieces of Englift fiJ-
" ver, fome wearing apparel of little worth, and a few arras.
" I ftould be glad to know how the money is to be difpofed
" of, that will be lodged next week with Meffrs. Martin, Stone,
« and Elackwells, bankers in Lombard Street. I am," kc.

A lilST of the Principal French Privateers taken tbis Year, and by whom, Csfc.

Number ofi

Number of

¦

Number o{\ ~

Number o£

H

Names of the Priva

Belonged to

By whom taken.
How difpoledof.
teers.
Guns|Men
Kill. 0
Wo.
Guns
Men 600
X,/H^LU41> aA.a...w
Kill.
Wo.
L'Anemoine
14
130
Bourdeaux
0
" Mars and
J Orford
74
Ja. Young
0
0
Sold
Le Sardoine
14
130
Ditto
0
0
66
520
Rich. Spry
0
0
Purchafed by Government
Due de Beringhen
8
60
Dieppe -
0
0
' Biddeford
20
I20
T. Howe
0
0
Sold, had 5 ranf. on board
Sainte Terefe
10
75
Ditto
6
0
/•Ditto
Zephyr
Comte de Gtamonc
12ao
67
117
Bayonne -
Ditto
00
00
' Aquilon
28
200
Chaloner Ogle
0
0
S Ditto
) Purchafed by Government
Aurora
10
75
Rochelle -
0
0
CSold
L'Augufte
12
«7
Ditto
0
0
Vengeance
28
200
G. Nightingale
0
0
Ditto
Duchefle de Gramont
I»
87
St Malo -
0
0
Juno
3»
220
J. T. Philips
0
0
<¦ Formerly his Majeft.floop the
X Hawke, purch. by Govern.
Sultan
10
75
Bayonne -
0
0
Swallqw floop
14
100
Lieut. Brice
0
0
Sold
e*
Aimable Gabrietle
14
108
St Jean de Luz
. 0
0
Efcorte floop
14
100
Chas. EUys
0
0
Ditto
^
Due de Mazarine
la
io6
Dunkirk -
0
0
Niger
3*
220
J. Bentinck
0
0
Ditto
M
Hardi
10
1*5
Bayonne -
0
0
Tweed
28
200
W Pafton
0
0
Ditto
Puc de Biron
io
109
Dunkirk ¦
0
0
Argo
28
200
Rd.King
0
0
Ditto, had 7 ranf. on board
Admiral
12
65
Ditto
0
0
Milford
28
200
R. Man
0
0
Ditto
Efcurial
14
122
Bayonne -
0
0
Minjyrva ^
3«
220
A. Hood
0
0
Ditto
Quimper
8
65
Ditto
0
0
Arethufa
3»
220
Hon. R. Vane
0
0
Ditto
8
37
Ditto
0
0
Liverpool
28
200
Rd. Knight
0
0
Ditto
Bofcawen
'10
1 80
StMaJp -
0
0
Scorpionfloop
X4
100
T. Hallum
0
0
Ditto
Revenge
6
6ft
DU,ppe -
»
5
Hunter cutter
8
40
Lieut. Jarvis
0
I
fDo. a gallant aftion, the prlv.
1 making a ftout refiftance
^1
¦> Solebay and
J Amazon
28
200
J. Dalrymple
0
0
¦> Purchafed by Government,
! and called the Pomona
Chevert
18
i6q
Dunkirk -
0
0
26
200
B. Keith
0
0
•
Loup
12
70
Ditto
0
0
Badger floop
14
100
— Scott
0
0
Spld, and had 5 ranf. on board
Colibry
16
no
Ditto
0
0
Danae
40
250
H. Martin '
0
0
Ditto, had 3 ranf, on board
Amarante
18
137
St Malo -
0
0
Mars
74
600
Ja. Young
0
0
Ditto, had 1 ranf. on board
Henry
12
65
Bayonne >-
0
0
Dorfetihire
70
540
J. Campbeil
0
0
Ditto " j
484 NAVALAND 17^^-

This year, like the former, fhe eneray had very few trading
ftips of their own nation at fea. The captures made from them
amounted only to one hundred and fevenfy-feven, including
privateers. To thefe we muft add, of Royal ftips, no lefs
than fix of the line, and eight frigates.
The lofs which the Britift fuftained, appear^s enorraous,' the
enemy having taken eight hundred and fourteen veffels. Few
of them, It is true, were of any confiderable value, except
the Ajax Eaft India ftip. Captain Lindfay, who was killed in
fhe a<aion with die Prothee-of fixty-four guns. She was home
ward bound frora Bengal, and valued at 200, oooi.
The only Royal veffel taken by the eneray this year, was,
the Speedwell cutter. She was captured by the L' Achilles in
fhe harbour of Vigo, In Spain ; as appeared very plainly to
the Court-martial, who tried her Cora raander. Lieutenant
James Allen, on his return fo England.
Befides the lofs which fhe Navy fuftained in tbe Eaft Indies,
on the I ft of January,, the BIddeford, of twenty guns, com
manded by Captain Thomas Gordon, was, "on the 30th of
Deceraber, through the ignorance of the pilot, run on the
Hazeborough fand and wrecked. Captain Gordon, and one
half of the crew were drowned.
The Pheafant floop. Captain Nelfon, foundered In the Chan-
iiel, and all fhe crew perlfted.
By the death of that excellent officer, fhe Right Honoura
ble Edward Bofcawen, Adrairal of the Blue, General of fhe
Marine Forces, one of the Lords Coraralffioners of the Adrni-
ralty, and one of His Majefty's moft honourable Privy Coun
cil, at his feat at Hatchlarid, in the county of Surry, on the
I oth of January this year, and by the reraoval of Mr Elliot to
the Treafury Board, two feats at the' Board of Admiralty be
carae vacant ; which were filled up by George Buffy Vifcount
Villiers, and Thoraas Pelham, Efq.
Vice-Adrairal Pocock was, at the end of this year, promo
ted fo fhe rank of Admiral of the Blue ; and, with Vice-Ad
miral Saunders, was honoured with the Order of the Bath.
To the Naval and Military tranfadlions of this year, we wifl ad4.

1761. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 48J
add an account of the voyage of our truly illuftrious Queen,
frora Stade fo England.
His Majefty, on tbe Sth of July, having fumraoned a Privy
Council, made known to fhem his moft gracious intentions,
of demanding in marriage fhe Princefs Charlotte of Mecklen-
burgb-Strelitz, a princefs diftinguifted by every eminent vir
tue, and araiable endowraent. The Privy Council requefted,
that his Majefty would be pleafed to make his moft gracious
declaration to tbem public ; which was done accordingly.
This news was received with univerfal joy by all ranks of people.
The Earl Harcourt fet ouf in qualify of Ambaffador fo Stre-
lltz, to demand fhe Princefs in marriage for bis Majefty ;
which being agreed to, a fquadron of raen of war, command
ed by Lord Anfon, was ordered to efcort her Majefty to Eng
land. The Royal Caroline yacht was newly ornamented ; her narae
was changed to the Royal Charlotte, in honour of the Britift
Queen ; and the coraraand conferred on Captain Peter Denis.
On the 6tb of Auguft, the yachts rendezvoufed at Harwich :
where Lord Anfon having arrived on the 7fh, he hoifted his
flag on board the Royal Charlotte ; and in fhe evening raade
the fignal for Tailing.
The Sth, the yachts joined the raen of war, when the fol
lowing order in failing was obferved. Van.
Hazard, 14 guns. Honourable Captain St John.
Lynx, 14 guns. Honourable Captain Keith Sewart. Tartar, .
28 guns. Captain J. Knight.
T» 1 OL 1 .. 1,. C Lord Anfon, Adrairal of the fleet.
Royal Charlotte yacht, < ^ . t^ ^ .
C Captain Peter Denis.
WInchefter, 50 guns. Captain J. Hale. Nottinghara, 60 guns.
Captain S. Marftall.
The other Yachts.
Minerva, 32 guns. Captain Alexander Hood.
Larboard. Rear. Starboard
H h 3 9*»

NAVAL AND .i7<Si-

/

9fh. The weather was ftormy from one in the morning,
blowing dire£l)y on Yarmouth fands : towards noon it became
moderate, and the fleet ftood raore out. The Admiral threw
out the WInchefter's fignal to chafe fo tbe N. E., when fte
met, with the Baltic' fleet, and returned to her ftation.
13 th, Made Heligolandt.
c 14th, The Notflnghaim, WInchefter, Minerva, and Tartar,
anchored at the Red Buoy, about feven leagues from Cuxha
ven J and the reraainder oi the fleet proceeded to the Elbe.
I5tb, The yachts carae up to Stade, when Lord Anfon,
the Dutcheffes of Ancafter and Harailton, with tbeir atten
dants, fet out to raeet the Queen.
2 2d, The Queen arrived at Stade, and refted there the 33d.
24tb, Being a very fine day, the Q^een fet out from Stade,
af half an hour after nine, under a triple difcharge of fhe can
non frora. fhe raraparts ; and at half an bour after fen, was fa
luted by the fort In the creek. At eleven o'clock, fte was met
by the Admiralty barge, with the royal ftandard of England fly
ing in the l?ow, preceded by Lord Anfon's barge, with the
union flag In the bow. The Royal Charlotte yacht was dreffed
in the different colours of all nations, to receive ber Majefty.
The raoraent fte carae on board, they were all ftruck In an In-
¦ ftant, and fhe royal ftandard hoifted at the maln-top-gallant-
maft head, the Admiralty flag at the fore f op-gallant-maft head,
and the union flag at the mizen top-gallanf-maft bead. Lord
Anfon now hoifted his flag on board the Lynx, and gave the
fignal ; on which fhe other ftips gave a royal falute.
25fh, The yachts and fmall ftips of war failed about nine Jn
the morning ; came down to Gluckftad, a Danift fort, which
did not falute. They kept on, and came fo an anchor at nine
at night.
2;6tb, At four in the morning, weighed anchor and failed ;
•were faluted by Ritzbuttle and Cuxhaven forts, at eight o'clock,
whicb was returned. Here the Queen's brother went aftore,
and the fleet were pufting out to the Red Buoy ; but tbe wind
coming dire£lly ahead, the Admiral returned to Cuxhaven road, and

1762. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 487
and came to an anchor : foon after this, they had fome very
heavy fqualls.
27th, Continued at anchor ; ftrong gales at W.
aStb, At five in the morning, failed ; and af eleven joined '
the large ftips : they faluted the royal yacht. Lord Anfon
now hoifted his flag on board tbe Nottingham.
29th, Blew a ftorm all nightj and the greateft part of the
day. Few ofthe ftips but received fome damage. Tbe Roy
al Charlotte yacht outfailed the whole fleet. It grevr calmer
towards night.
30th, Fine weather, light gales. The fleet kept on as good
a'courfe as the wind would perrait, this and the two following
days. September 2d, Blew very bard all the morning; In the even
ing, at eight o'clock, faw Flamborou'gh-bead, and ftood out a-
gain to fea, an E. S. E. courfe.
3d, Fine weather in the raorning ; fqually towards evening.
5th, Stood in for the land again ; and in the afternoon, par
ted corapany with the large ftlps.^
6th, About noon, tbe Queen arrived at Harwich. Her Ma
jefty was reraarkably well the whole voyage. She fet out on
her journey for London that evening. Slept the firft night at
the Earl of Abercorn's at Witham ; and next evening, arriv
ed at St James's, and was efpoufed to his Majefty.

1762.
Although the prefent let of Minifters had differed in opi
nion from Mr Pitt, as foan immediate war with Spain; yet, to
do them juftice, they were by no means inattentive to the na
val and military operations, and profeeuted the war with vi
gour. The publie expefted much information from bis Ma
jefty's fpeech, at the meeting of tbe new Parliament, and that
the fenfe of the nation would foon become known. As his
Majefty was anxious to learn their real fentiments, the Miniftry
did not exert their influence in the ufual manner at eleflions,
H h 4 but.

4§8 NAVALAND 1762'
but, In getjeral, left the people to raake a free choice of their re
prefentatives. The Parliament met on tbe 3d of Noveraber
1761 ; arid the Lord Chancellor fignlfied bis Majefty's pleafure
to fhe Coraraons, that they ftould return to their own Houfe
and choofe a.Speaker, whom they were defired to prefent to his
Majefty on fhe 6th. The choice fell on with Sir John Cuft,
Baropet, who, on .the 6th, was prefeiafed to the King in the
jifual raanner ; and being approved of, his Majefty addreffed
both Hojifes, and infornied thera, " That at the opening of the
firft Parliaraent furaraoned and elefted under his authority, he,
with pleafure, took notice of an event which raade hira com
pletely happy, and given univerfal joy to his loving fubje£ls,-7-
nis marriage with a Princefs erainenfly diftinguifted by every
virtue and araiable endowraent ; and which, while it afforded
him all poffible domeftic comfort, could not fail of highly con
tributing to the happinefs of his kingdoms, which bad been,
and which always ftould, be his firft obje£l in every a^ion of
his life.
" It had been his earneft wift, he faid, that this firft period
.of his rejgn, might be marked with another felicity, fhe reftoririg
the bleffings of peace to his kingdom, and putting an end to
the calamities of war, under' which fo great a part of Europe
jufferecl. But though overtures had been made to hira, and
to his good brother and ally the King of Pruffia, by the Belli
gerent Powers, in order fo a general pacification, for which
purpofe a congrefs was appointed ; and propofifions had been
raade by him to France, for a particular peace with that Crown,
which were followed by an adlual negociation : yet, thaf con
grefs had not hitherto taken place ; and the negociation with
France was entirely broken off."
Having raentioned the fucceffes which had attended his arms
laft year, and the great raagnaiiimlty of the King of Pruffia, he
.continued : *' In this fituation, he was glad fo have an oppor-
.tu nity of receiving the trueft inforraation ofthe fenfe of his
people, by a new choice of their reprefentatives. He was fully
perfuaded, they would agree with hira In opinion, that the ftea* ¦
dy exertion of our raoft vigorous eftorfs, in every part whete the

i7«52- MILITARYMEMOIRS. 489
the enemy may ftill be attacked witb advantage. Is tbe only
means that can be produftive of fuch a peace as may with rea
fon be expefled from our fucceffes. It was, therefore, his fix
ed refolution, with their concurrence and fupport, to carry on
fte war in the moft effeClual manner, for the intereft and ad
vantage of his kingdoms ; and to maintain, to the utmoft of
his power, the good faith and honour of his Crown, by adher
ing firmly to the engagements entered into with his allies. In
this, he would perfevere, until bis enemies, moved by their own
loffes and diffreffes, and touched with the miferies of fo manv
nations, ftall yield to the equitable conditions of an honourable
peace ; in which cafe, as well as in the profecuflon of fhe war,
he affured them, no confideration whatever fliould raake him
depart frora the true interefts of thefe his kingdoras, and the
honour and digtilty of bis Crown." Both Houfes returned ad
dreffes replete witb loyalty and kindnefs.
All that the public learned frora the throne was, that the
negociation for peace with France was at an end ; and that fhe
war was to be profeeuted with the utmoft vigour. With re-
;gard fo tbe affairs with Spain, fhe public remained in fufpenfe
till the 26th of December, when fhe gazette announced a rup
ture with that kingdom ; the Earl of Briftol having been refu
fed any fatisfadllon to tbe categorical anfwer he was defired to
alk, relative to certain engagements, offenfive fo Great Britain,
¦ fuppofed to have been conf ratted between the Courts of Madrid
and Verfailles. On fhe 4th of January, war was declared a-
galnft Spain In London, and letters of reprifal iffued. And, on
the I Sth of the farae month, war was declared againft Great
Britain at Madrid. (See Note 183.)
The Parliament raet on the 19th of January, after the recefs
for fhe Chriftmas holidays. The farae day the King went to
the Houfe of Peers ; and, in a fpeech to both Houfes, inform
ed thera, " Thaf fince tbeir recefs, It was with concern he had
been Indlfpenfably obliged to declare war: againft Spain ; and
that tbe caufes wbich gave rife to this meafure, were 'fet forth
in bis public declaration on the occafion. His condu£l, he faid,
%o fhe King of Spain, ever fyice his acceffion to the throne, had
beerj

49© NAVAL AND 1762.
been fo friendly, that it was raatter of fhe greateft furprize to
hira, to find, that engagements had. In this conjunflure, been
entered into between that Crown and France, and a treaty niade
to unite all the branches of the Houfe of Bourbon, in a moft
ambitious and dangerous defign againft the comraerce and in
dependence ofthe reft of Europe, and particularly of his king
doras. That whatever colours raay be endeavoured to be put
¦upon thefe Injurious proceedings of tlie Court of Madrid, hc
had. nothing to reproach hirafelf with ; and though he had left
nothing untried, that could have prevented this rupture, he
thought If neceffary fo prepare againft every event. He there
fore relied on the divine bleffrag, on the juftnefs of his caufe,
on tbe zealous and powerful affiftanee of bis faithful fubjefts,
and on fhe concurrence of his allies, who muft find fhemfelves
involved In the pernicious and extenfive proje£ls of his ene
mies ;" and concluded, by faying, " I leave thefe confidera
tions with you, full of fhe jufteft confidence, that the honour
of my Crown, and the interefts of ray kingdoras, are fafe In your
hands." To this fpeech, both Houfes returned raoft affedllon
ate addreffes, approving of his Majefty's condudl, affuring him
of their fupport, and that they would ftand by hira with their
lives and fortunes. The condudl of Mr Pitt, on this occafion,
did hira fhe greateft honour. The defence he raade, was as
mafterly a piece of eloquence as ever was delivered in the
Houfe : it carried convidllon along with if, and glowed with
the genuine flame of pafrlofifra. And It furely was no fmall
corapliraent paid to his abilities and penetration, thaf fhe pre
fent Adrainlftration had found tberafelves neceffitated to adopt
the very raeafure he had fo ftrongly urged In vain to thera, and
,the rejedllon of which had obliged hira to withdraw frora the
fervice ofthe public.
The eftimates of the current year having been all fettled be
fore fhe rupture with Spain, no demand was raade on the pub
lic on that account ; but forae of fhe old fervants of fhe Crown,
not being pleafed with the meafures refolved on in fhe Cablnpt,
or thinking themfelves negledled, refigned their employraents.
The Duke of Newcaftle was araong the firft ; who was fuc
ceeded

jyfia. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 491
ceeded as Firft Lord Commiffioner of the Treafury, by the Earl
of Bute, who brought in with bim raany wbo were thought to
be fwayed by principles different frora thofe ofthe laft Adralni-
ftration. This gave hiuch offence to that party, and was the
means of raifing up the baneful fpirit. of fadlion, which raged
fox a confidera,ble time with tbe greateft violence l;hroughout
tbe kingdom. When t^be annual treaty with the King of Pruf
fia came to be renewed at the beginning of this year, the Mini
ftry infifted that the article hitherto Inferted, by which Great
Britain bound herfelf not to conclude a peace without fhe con
fent of that Monarch, ftould be left out entirely. To this his
Pruffian Majeifty would not agree. The fubfidy of 670,0001.
was proffered ; but, without the article before raentioned, he
would not accept of it. In the courfe of fhe feffion, feventy
thoufand feamen were voted for the lervice of the current year;
and the fum total of the fupplies voted by Parliament, amoun
ted to 18,229,1531. (See Note 184.)
Since the war witb Spain was become inevitable, the Mini
ftry refolved to puft if on with vigour. His Majefty, in his
fpeech to bot^ Houfes on the 19th of January, having hinted,
that In confequence of the determination of fhe Court of Spain,
his allies would be Involved in fhe calamities of war, and that it
was found that the King of Portugal was to be attacked by the
confederated Monarchs, on the raoft frivolous pretexts ; it was
now tleterrained to fend powerful fuccours to his Portuguefe
Majefty. Lord Tyrawley was appointed Ambaffador to the
Court of Lifton, and Commander in Chief of the Britift forces
deftined for this ferviee. He immediately fet out for Portugal,
in order to concert with the King and bis Minifters, the proper
meafures to be adopted on this occafion. He was foon after
followed by fhe Earl of Loudoun, who was appointed fecond in
coraraand, and who brought along with him a confiderable nura
ber of land forces. (See Note 174.) The great body of infan
try which bad been ordered frora North Araerica, in order to
reduce the French Caribbee Iflands, whicb fervice was now fup
pofed fo have been performed, tbe Miniftry were deterrained to
reinforce with a body of troops frora England, who, after gar-

492 NAVAL AND 1762.

rlfonlng the newly Anquered iflands, were to proceed without
lofs of time, and attack the city of Havannah. Tbe command
of the array deftined for this fervice, was beftowed on Lieiiten-
ant-General the Earl of Albemarle. The coraraand' of the
fquadron was given to Admiral Sir George Pocofrk, who had fo
greatly diftinguifted himfelf in the courfe of the war in fhe
Eaft Indies, having under hira Coraniodore Keppel, brother to
the Earl of Albemarle. While the Spaniards were thus affailed
in the Weft Indies, an expedition, under fhe command of Bri
gadier-General Draper, was fent agalhft the Phifippine iflands
in the Eaft Indies. On the death of Adrairal Holraes, Sir
James Douglas was appointed to coraraand at Jaraaica ; Rear-
Admiral Rodney commanded fhe fquadron at fhe Leeward
iflands; and Commodore Lord Colvill thaf in North America,
where, contrary to expedlation, he had very adllve fervice fo
perforra with a very fraall force. Iniiraediately on the rupture
with Spain, Coraraodore Sir Piercy Brett was lent with a ftrong
relnforceraenf of ftips to Sir Charles Saunders in fhe Mediter
ranean. Sir Edward Hawke, having under hira Rear-Adrairal
his Royal Highnefs fhe Duke of York, cruized on fhe coafts of
Spain and Portugal. The fanie fquadron likeVvife went on a
fecond cruize, under the coraraand of Sir Charles Hardy, and
the Duke of York. In fhe beginnings of fhe year, a fquadron
cruized off Breft, under fhe command of Coraraodore Spry,
who was relieved on this ftation by Coraraodore Man. At the
farae .period alfo, Commodore Lord Vifcount Howe coraraan
ded in Bafque road, on which ftation he was relieved by Cora
raodore Denis. Commodore Young coraraanded In fhe chan
nel ; Adrairal Holburne af Portfraouth ; and Coraraodore
Moore In the Downs. Such was the diftributioh of tbe navy
this- year.
On the 6th of June, died that Illuftrious oflicer George Lord
Anfon, Adrairal and'Coramander In Chief of the fleet, and Firft
Lord Coraralffioner of the Adralralty. Now that the rage and
malevolence of party fpirit has had tirae to fubfide, this great
man appears In very ftlning colours ; and although born of an
ancient faraily, yet it was his merit alone'fhat raifed hira to the
high

1763. MILITARY MEMOIRS.

493

high honours which he attained. The farae which he acquired
in his voyage round the world, in which he ftewed an equanl-
raity of mind equal fo the numberlefs perils and dangers which
he encountered, will, while the Englift language lafts, never
ceafe to be remerabered ; and on this voyage, the prudence,
perfeverance, good condudl, huraanity, and courage, which he
dlfplayed, would alone have been fufiiclent to have made his
fortune, and raifed hira fo a great degree of eralnence In the
Naval Annals of Great Britain, If no other circuraftance had
corae to his aid. On his return home, he was proraoted to a
flag; and on the 2d of May 1747, he defeated and took fix
French ftips of war, and was foon after raifed fo fhe peerage.
The NaVy of this country is particularly indebted to hira, for
training to the fervice fo raany excellent officers, whilft on
board the Centurion, on his voyage round the world. The
names of Sir Charles Saunders, Sir Piercy Brett, Lord Vifcount
Keppel, Sir Peter Denis, Baronet, Robert Hughes, John Camp
bell, William Langdon and Philip Saraaurez, Efqrs. will, for
the fervlces they perforraed, be ever revered by their country.
And It Is not a little extraordinary, that all fhe above Lieuten
ants ftould live to attain flags, except the laft, who, after giv
ing raany diftinguifted proofs of his courage and good fearaan-
ftip, was killed fighting for his King and country, Odlober
14th, 1747, being then Captain of the Nottinghara of fixty
guns. Lord Anfon's place at fhe Admiralty Board was fupplied by
the Earl of Halifax, who remained but a'ftort time in this of
fice ; for, being foon after appointed one of bis Majefty's prin
cipal Secretaries of State, the Honourable George Grenville
was, Odlober i9fh, 1762, made Firft Lord ofthe Adralralty.
Odlober 21ft, this year, his Majefty was pleafed to order a
proraotlon of Flag-officers, and alfo to proraofe twelve Captains
to ,fhe rank of Rear- Adrairals, which made the whole rank as
follows :

Sir William Rowley, K. B. ,„,. , ,. , ,„, .
Ifaac Townfend, Efq; ^ ^^"'''''^' "^ *^^ W^"^'

*Heilrjr

494

NAVAL AND

1762.

*Henry Oftorn, Efq;
*Thoraas Griffin, Efq;
*Sir. Edward Hawke, K. B.
Charles Knowles, Efq;
Hon. John Forbes,
Sir Geoi^e Pocock, K. B.
Hon. George Townftend,
Francis Holburne, Efq;
* Thoraas, Cotes, Efq;
*Thoraas Frankland, Ef^;
Lord Harry Powlet,
Harry Norris, Efq;
*Thoraas Broderick, Efq;
*SIr Charles Hardy, Knt.
*George Eari of Northeflc,
*Sir Charles Saunders, K. B.

]

Admirals of the White.

Admirals of the Blue.

> Vice-Admirals of the Red:

?Vice-Admirals of the White.

*Thomas Pye, Efq;
*Philip Durell, Efq;
*Sarauel Cornift, Efq;
*Francis Geary, Efq;
* George Bridges Rodney, Efq;
*H. R. H. Edw. Duke of York,^

? Vice-Admirals of tbe Blue.

Sir Willlara Burnaby, Knt. '
Jaraes Young, Efq;
Sir Piercy Brett, Knt.
John Moore, Efq;

¦Rear-Admirals of tlie Red.

jJS Richard Tyrrel!,
Alexander Lord Colvill,
Sir Jaraes Douglas, Knt.f^^^^'^-Adrtiirals of fhe Whiter
William Gordon, Efq; George
t In 1764, Sir John Bently refigned his office as Extra Commiffioner ofthe
iJavy, and was promoted to his flag, and took rank after Sir James Douglai.

1762. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 495

J r George Lord Edgecumbe,
.§ 3 Robert Swanton, Efq; ( -, » , . , r ¦, t,,
B\c , ,-, -n/- \ > Rear-Admirals of the Blue,
a, \ bamuel Graves, Efq;:|:
O ^Hon. Auguftus Keppel,
The Admirals marked thus*, were thofe promoted on this
occafion. Captain Sir Thoraas Stanhope, Knight, fucceeded Sir Piercy
JJrett, and Captain the Honourable Auguftus John Hervey
fucceeded the Honourable Auguftus Keppel, as Colonels of
Marines. The death of Lord Anfon occafioned the following prorao-
tlons to take place : Adrairal Sir William Rowley, K. B. was
appointed Adrairal and Coramander In Chief of the Fleet, and
Admiral Henry Oftorn, Vice-Adrairal of Great Britain, (both
thefe In roora of Lord Arifon) : and Adrairal Sir Edward Hawke
K. B. was appointed Rear-Adrairal of Great Britain, in room
.of Sir Winiam Rowley, K. B.
, EAST INDIES.
Rear-Admiral CoriSiish continued to command his Ma
jefty's fquadron In the Eaft Indies, where the French having
now neither fettlements nor trade, be was at full liberty to dl-
redl his whole force againft tbe Spaniards ; and he foon re
ceived inftru<9:Ions In what manner to proceed. Colonel Dra
per, who diftinguifted himfelf by his gallant behaviour at the
fiege of Madras in 1759, being foon after obliged to quit India
on account of bad health, embarked on board the Winchelfea
Eaft India ftip, coramanded by fhe Honourable Thoraas Howe,
and with hira raade a voyage to Canton in China. While
there, he had an opportunity of learning tbe exadl llate of fhe
Spanift fettlements at the Philippine iflands, (See Note 185.); and
f In the beginning of 1763, Captain William Parry was promoted to his flag,
and took rank after Rear-Admiral S. Graves:

49« NAVALAND 1752.
and found that fhe Spaniards, confidering an attack on thera as
an irapradlicable thirig, frufted raore to their very reraote fitu
ation from Europe, than fo their real ftrength. When a rup
ture with Spain was rumoured, he laid fhe inforraation he had
received refpedling the Spanift Afiatic fetfleraents, together
with his own obfervations, before Lords Egreraont and Anfon,
who viewed the whole In a very iraportant light, and requefted
thaf Colonel Draper would dr^w up a raeraorial refpedling fhe
matter, and point out what force could be detached from In
dia to put in pradllce bis plan of reducing fhe Philippine iflands.
In this work, he raet with great affiftanee frora Captain Howe.
The rhemorial was laid before his Majefty and the Cabinet
Council, who approving it, refolved, when hoftlllfles becarae
unavoidable, fo carry it into iraraedlate execution. As the fuc
cefs of this enterprize depended folely on tbe fecrecy and dif
patch with which it was carried on, and as the great diftance
raade It irapoffible to fend a body of troops fufficient for this
fervice frora Europe, fhe attempt was rather confidered as a
coup-de-main. Imraediately on fhe declaration of war againft
Spain, Colonel Draper was difpatched to India in the ArgO;
frigate, coraraanded by Captain Richard King*. He carried
out very ; ample orders and inftrudtions for proceeding againft
Manila, and was himfelf appointed Comraander in Chief of
the land forces, with the rank of Brigadier-General. (See
Note 185.) As fhe journal which he tranfralffed fo the Secre
tary of State contains the beft account of the proceedings of
the army before Manila, we here fake the liberty to infert it
verbatim.

'• JOURNAL of the Proceedings of his Majesty's Forces on an
Expedition againjl Manila.
** The troops allotted for this enterprize, were the 79tb re
giment ; a company of the Royal Artillery^ The auxiliaries
furnlfted by the Gentlemen at Madras, confifting of thirty of
their
* Novif Sir Richard King, Bart, and Admiral of the White.

1762. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 497
their artillery, fix hundred Sepoys, a cdrapany of Caffres, one
of Topazes, aftd one of pioneers ; to which they added the
precarious aflrftance of two corapanies of Frenchraen enlifted
in their fervice, with forae hundreds of unarraed lafcars, for
the ufe of fhe engineers, and park of artillery. As a corapen
fafion for this feeble fupply of men, they favoured us with
fome very good officers in every branch of the fervice. Rear-
Admiral Cornift reinforced our little array with a fine battalion
of five hundred and fifty fearaen, and two hundred and feven
ty marines ; fo that the whole force for the land operations
amounted to two thoufand three hundred men, who, with the
neceffary ftores, were embarked on board bis Majefty's fqua
dron, and two India ftips employed as tranfports, with an
adlivity and difpatch that did great honour to all concerned
ih thofe arrangements. The preparations were begun, com
pleted, and ftipped in three weeks, through a raging and al
moft perpetual furfi by which fome lives were loft.
" As Major-General Lawrence was of opinion that the fettle
ment would be In danger, were more forces drawn from the
coaft, the two battalions of the Corapany's troops, all the ca
valry, fix thoufand Sepoys, with that part of Colonel Munro's
and the Highlanders then at Madras, were left for their fecu
rlty. The Medway, York, and Chatham, that were hourly
expedled, had orders left thera to reraain for the protedlion of
the trade. We failed with tbe Adrairal's divifion the ift of
Auguft. The Seahorfe, Captain Grant, was prevloufly dif
patched through the Straits of Malacca, to the entrance of fhe
China fea, to ftop all^effels that raight be bound fo Manila,
or fent frora any of Our neighbouring fetfleraents, fo give fhe
Spaniards notice ofthe defign. Coraraodore Tidderaan, with
the firft divifion of the fleet, and fhe troops under Colonel
Monfon, failed two days before us, that our watering raight
more fpeedily be corapleted af Malacca, where we arrived the
19th of Auguft. We there bought a large quantity of rattans
fo raake gabions, a good nuraber of which was finifted on
board the feveral ftips. The 27th, we failed for our fecond
rendezvous, oft' the ifland of Tiraon :' the neceffary fignals' and
VOL. II. I * in-'

4518 NAVALAND 1762.

inftrudllans were then given out for landing oh the coaft; of
Luconia. " On fhe 23d of Septeraber, we anchored in Manila^bay, and.
foon found that our vifit was unexpedled ; the Spaniards un
prepared. To inereafe as much as poffible the vifible confu
fion and confternatlon of the enemy, we determined to lofe no
time in the attack of Port Cavlte, that was at firft intended,,
but proceed diredlly to fhe grand. ojjjedt, judging that our con
queft there would of courfe occafion and draw after it the fall
of Gavite., Oni the morning of the 24tb, we fent an inefec-
tnal furamons to the town, and» with the Adrairal and other
principal officers,, examined the eoaft, in order to fix upon a.
proper fpot- for landing the troops, artillery, and ftores.^ We
found a raoft convenient place about two railes to fhe fouth of
Manila. Accordingly all the boats were immediately prepaaied:
by the proper fignals : and three frigates, the Argo, Captain
King ; tbe Seahorfe, Captain Grant ; and fhe Seaford, Cap
tain Pelghlii,, were fent In very near the ftore to cover the de
fcent. The 79th; regiment, a detachment of artillery, with.
three field-pieces,, aaid, one howitzer fixed on fhe long boats,,
affembled in three divifions under their fterns ; the left com
manded by Colonel Monfon; the centre by me, with Lieute
nant-Colonel Scott, the Adjutant-General ; fhe right by Ma
jor More, the eldeft Field-Officer. As we had determined to
land near a church, and village called. Malata, that was oppo
fite our left, ,the other two divifions, which had been feparated
only to diftradl and amufe fhe enemy, were ordered to join
that as foon as poffible. About fix in the evening, we pufted
with an even front for the ftore, under fhe prudent and fkil
ful raanagement of Captains Parker * of the Grafton, Kemp
enfelt fthe Admiral's Captain, and Brereton ofthe Falmouth,
who had the diredllon of fhe boats. The frigates kept up a
brlfk fire to the right and left of us, to protedl our flanks, and
difperfe the eneray, who were beginning to affemble In great
num-
* Alrerwards Sir Hyde Parker, Bart, and Vice-Admiral of the Bliie..
t Afterwards Rear-Admiral ofthe Bluei

sp2. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 499

numbers, both horfe and foot, to oppofe our defcent. This
cannonade bad fhe defired effedl. They retired, and left us a
clear coaft. But a violent furf arofe, many boats were dafted
to pieces, our arms and ammunition much damaged : provi-^
dentlally no lives were loft. We forraed upon the beach,
marched, and took poffeffion of the Malata ; fixed out out-
pofts, and paffed fhe whole night under arms. The Spaniards
were employed in burning part of their fuburbs.
" The 25tb, we feized a fort which fhe Spaniards had a.
bandoned, naraed the Polverifta, wbich proved a moft excel
lent place of arms, for covering the landing of our ftores, and
fecuring our communication with fhe fquadron. Colonel Mon
fon, wbo was detached witb two hundred men to view the
roads and approaches to Manila, occupied fhe Herralfa church,
large and coramodious, about nine hundred yards from the ci
ty. We made the prieft's houfe the head-quarters ; fent or
ders to Major More to march -with the 79th regiment to fecure
and raaintain this poft, which was of fhe utraoft confequence,
both from its ftrength, and the great cover it afforded us from
the rains that had deluged the country, and made If Impoffibfe
to encarap ; for we too foon found that the monfoon had broke
upon us. The furf continued dangerous, the rains Increafed ;
fhe landing of our artillery and ftores becarae very hazard
ous; our remaining troops were put aftore with rauch peril and
fome lofs ; Lieutenant Hardwiek was drowned. But the cou
rage and adlivity of the feamen furmounfed all obftacles. — i
They got on ftore part of the Sepoys, fome provlfions, and,
fuch ftores as were firft wanted ; and by fignals demanded aid
from the fquadron, fhe officers ofwhich were indefatigable In
giving us all poffible affiftanee ; and Captain Jocelyri, who was!
intrufted vrith fhe care of the dlfembarkation, did every thing .
that could be wifted or expedied from a diligent and good of
ficer. We left our marines at our firft poft, the Malata, to be
near fhe Polverifta, to preferve our coramiinication, and guard
our ftores and park of artllleiy. The men, from the good
condudl and example of their officers, behaved very well, and
were of great ufe r.pon all occafions. As the rains had forced
iia ns

500 NAVAL AND i7<52.
us fo feek' the protedlion of the houfes that were under the fire
of the baftlons, the Spaniards cannonaded our quarters, which
were rauch nearer the walls than fhe ufual rules of war pre-
fcrlbe. They atterapted likewife to burn raoft of their fu
burbs, but were prevented by the great adtivify and good con
dudl of Captain Fletcher, Major of Brigade, and Captains Sfe-
venfon aiid Cotsford, engineers; who having advanced under
cover of the houfes of St Jago's church, near the fea,. and with
in three hundred yards of the town, reported its importance fo
fenfibly, that we pofted a body of raen there, notwithftanding
Its contiguity fo the baftlons. The eneray foon fired upon us,
but not with perfeverance or effedl enough to diflodge us. We
had fome few raen killed and wounded.
" 26th, The Adrairal fent on fliore fhe battalion of fearaen,
under the command of Captains Collins of the Weymouth,
Pitchford * of the America, and George Ourry from the Pan
ther. They were cantoned between the feventy-ninth regiment
and the inarines. The reft of the Corapany's troops, of all
forts, were likewife landed, and put under cover. The Spa
niards advanced out of the garrifon, under the coraraand of
the Chevaller'Fayette,- with four hurfdred raen, and two field-
,pleces ; and frora. a' ehurch about two hundred yards to the
•right of that we yefterday took poffeffion of, near the fea, be
gan a cannonade upon the right flank of our poft. Sorae Se
poys, under Enfign Carty, who behaved yery well, were firft
fent to fldrmlft with them, fupported by,three piquets of the
fejvenfy-nlnth regiment, and one hundred feamen, all under
the command of Colonel Monfon, who foon drove the eneray
back Into the town. In their precipitate flight, one of the
field pieces was left upon fhe glacis.
" The fuperior Iklll and bravery of our people were fo e-
vident frora this affair, thaf It occafioned a fecond fumraons
to fhe Governor ; but to no purpofe : their anfwer was rauch
more fplrited than their cOndudl had been. Colonel Mon
fon had orders fo keep poffeffion of this fecond fchurch, if he
found it tenable ; for, as we had not raen enough, or dry
ground,
* Now Samvel Cornifli, Efq. Admiral of the White.

1762. MILITA.RY MEMOIRS. 501
ground, to make regular approaches, we were forced into thefe
meafures, raft as they feem, and contrary to all the rules of
our profeffion, by our critical fituation. Frora the top of
this poft, which we called No. 2. we had a perfedt -view of
the enemy's work. Tbe front we were obliged to attack, was
defended by the baftlons of St Diego and St Andrew, with orll-
lons and retired flanks, a ravelin wbich covered the royal gate,
a wet ditch, covered way, and glacis. The baftlons were In
excellent order, lined with a great number of fine brafs can
non ; but their ravelin was not arraed, the covered-way ouf of
repair, fhe glacis by rauch too low, and the ditch was not pro
duced round tbe capital of the baftion of St Diego, which de
termined us to kttack It, and raade our difpofitions accordingly.
The negligence and omiffion of the enemy to poft centinels in
tbe covered-way, gave us an opportunity of founding the ditch,
which perilous enterprize was effedled by a fraall party of tbe
feventy-ninth regiment, under tbe coraraand of Captain Fiet-,
cher, who begged leave to undertake it. The Spaiilards fired
frora their baftion, and killed or wounded two or three of our
people. The depth of the water was only five feet, the breadth
ibout thirty yards. As the great extent of this populous city
made it impoffible for us to inveft it with our handful of men,
two fides were conftantly open tq the Spaniards, to introduce
fupplies' of men and provlfions, and carry out their effedls.
. They availed tberafelves of our weaknefs, Their own garri
fon, of eight hundred raen of the royal regiraent, under the
coraraand of the Marquis de Villa Medina, Brigadier-General,
was augmented by a body of ten thoufand Indians from the
province of Pampanga, a fierce and barbarous people. Thefe
difadvanfages were not to be remedied, as we could not take
4)offeffion of Minondo, Tondo, and La Vera Cruz, the pofts
which coraraanded the river, and coraraunication with the
country. The inundations had fecured their Parian fuburb;
but no difficulties could check the ardour of the troops, wbo
laboured inceffantly in making fafclnes and gabions^ and in
preparing every thing for the conftrudlion and opening of the
batteries. One for fraall ftells was completed this night, and
I I 3 plave4

502 IJAVAL AND 176.*:

played upon the baftion of St Diego. Its pofition was behind
the charch neareft fhe fea, called No. i . The officers of the
a-rtlllery, and engineers, exerted themfelves in a manner that
nothing but their zeal for flie public fervice could have in-
fpired. « 27th, The Governor -fent out a flag of truce to apologise
for fome barbarltl&s committed by the favages lately imentloned,
who had murdered fome ftraggling fearaen, and to requeft that
a nephew of his, taken in fhe bay, might be fent on ftore.
This gentleman had been difpatched from the PhlUipIna gal
leon, jvft arrived ou the coaft from Af^apulco, with the firft
advices of the war. •Hoftillties ceafed until eleven at night,
wheij we recoramenced our fire from the mortars, increafed
them to four, and placed a fix-pouader on our left flank, as a
further fecurlty to our poft at St Jago's church. As the cap
ture pf fhe galleon, and her treafure;, lalght be well -efteenied
a national objedl, Mr Cornift pro.pofed fending the Panther
and Argo from the fquadron, to intercept her, which vvas con
fented to ; and fhe officer? of fhe Navy very generoufly agreed
to our ftaring any prizes that might betaken this cruize, as
we had before confented to their ftaring with us in any booty
that might b.c taken at land ; and the diftribution to be made
according to the rules his Majefty had iixed fof the fea fer
yice. The Admiral likewife fent on Jbore, eight twenty-four
pounders, fliip gun?, and two eighteen pounders for our bat
tering train ; as, to fatv.e time, we brought pnly the land-car
riages and platforms frpm Madras.
*' 2.8th, The Governor's nephew was landed : my Secretary,
Liejftenant Fryar, was ordered to condudl hira into tbe town
with a flag p£ truce. In fhe mean time, a large party of the
garrifon, intermlxfd with Indians, fallied out to attack our fe
cond poft, at No. 2. ]?y which Lieutenant Fryar was advancing
to the Ravelin gate. The barbarians, without refpedling his
9har4£t«-, inhumanly murdered him, arid mangled his body in
a manner too ftpcking to mention. In their fury, thev mor
tally wounded the oiher gentleman, who had endeavoured to
fave Mr Fryar. Our party received their pnfet with miicb ^rm- nefs.

Z762. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 503
nefs and bravery, and repulfed them with forae lofs on their
fide. As it was :evident that the Indians alone wene gulhy of
thishcMrrid piece of ibarbarlfy, our foldiers ffiewed tbem .no
mercy. " 2pth, The Admiral, af my requeft, ordered the Elizabeth,
Commodore Tiddeman, and the Falraouth, Captain Brereton,
to place tberafelves as near the town as the depth of water
would perrait, and fecond our operations, by enfUading tbe
front we intended to attack ; but the ftallows kept them aftoo
great a diftance to anfwer fhe purpofe effedtually, though their
ihot ftruck much confufion and terror into the inhabitants. Wc
continued our bombardment day and night.,
" 30th, Tbe engineers traced out Admiral Cornift's battery
for eight twenty-four pounders, on the left of St Jago's church;
but the violence of the rains retarded our progrefs ; and the ab
fence of two ftips .that had on boaird a confiderable quantify of
fafclnes, and many working and intrenching-fools, .<put us fo
forae inconveniences. The Admiral's goodnefs fupplied thefe
defedls : allthefraitbs and carpenters inthe fleet were employ
ed im making thofe Inftruraents i and, by .their induftry and dif
patch, they were enabled to proceed. The Elizabeth and Fal
mouth penfevered in their cannonade upon the town ; which
was returned frpm the enemy's fea line, without any effedl.
" Odlober i ft and ad, Tbe weather grew fo very terapeftuous,
that the whole fquadron was in danger, and all communication
vvith It entirely cut off. The vblence of the ftorm forced the
South-Sea-Caftle ftore-ftip (which was lately arrived) frora ber
anchors, and drove her aftore ; even In this fituation, the ftip
wasof -great ufe. Captain Sherwood enfiladed the whole beach
tp the fouthward, artd kept In awe a large body of Indians, who
menaced the Polverifta, and our magazines at the Malata.
Notwithftanding fhe deluge of rain which accorapanied the
wind, by the perfeverance of the troops and fearaen, we com
pleted the battery for the twenty -four pounders, raifed a mor
tar-battery for the heavy ftells of ten and thirteen inches, made
a good parallel and coraraunication frora the churcl\ to the gun-
battery, and eftablifted a fpacious place of arms on the left of it,
I i 4 near

504 NAVAL AND 1762-
near the fea. Tbe roaring of the waves prevented fhe enemy
from hearing fhe noife of our Workmen in the night. They
gave us no Interruption, but feeraed to truft entirely to the ele
ments ; while the Governor (the Archblftop) gave ouf, that an
angel from the Lord was gone forth td deftroy us like the hoft
of Sennacherib. On the afternoon of the 2d, the fearaen, with
-wonderful adlivity, brought up, and mounted all the guns in
the battery, which we maffced./ -
" 3d, The weather becanie raoderate. At day-light, the bat-
-tery was opened againft the left face of the baftion of St Diego,
towards fhefallenf angle. One hundred fearaen were appoint
ed to affift the corps of artillery in this fervice. Our cannon,
by the excellent flrill and manageraent of Major Barker, and the
officers under hira, were ferved with fuch juftnefs, quicknefs,
and dexterity, thaf the twelve pieces on that face ofthe baftion,
were filenced in a few hours, and fhe Spaniards"- drove frOra
thera. We had but two raen killed.- At night we began a
battery for three guns, on the left of our place of arms, to fi
lence thofe that were en barbette, upon fhe orillon of fhe baf
tion of St Andrew, which annoyed our flank. We maintained
a briflc fire of grape and muflcetry all the night, to prevent the
enemy from repairing their embrazures, and remounting their
cannon. The raortars (now augraented to feven) were kept
conftanfly playing upon the gorge of tbe baftion and the conti
guous defences.
" 4fh, About three hours before day, a thoufand of the Indi
ans attacked the cantonment of the feamen. They were en
couraged fo this attempt by fhe Inceffant rains. In which fhey
flattered tberafelves our fire-arras would be ufelefs. Their ap
proach was favoured by a nuraber of thick buftes that grew
upon the fide of a rivulet, wbich they paffed In the night ; and,
by keeping clofe, eluded the vigilance of the patroles. Upon
the alarra. Colonel Monfon and Captain Fletcher, with piquets,
were difpatched to fhe affiftanee of the fearaen, who very fenfi
bly kept firm, In their pofts, and were contented to repulfe tbem
till day-break ; wheri a freft piquet of the feventy-ninth regi
ment appearing upon fhe Indians' right flank,' they fled, and
were

1762. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 505

were purfued and difperfed with the lofs of three hundred men.
Had their flcill or weapons been equal to their .ftrength and fe
rocity. It might have coft us dear. Although armed chiefly
with bows and arrows and.lances, fhey advanced up to the very
muzzles of our pieces, repeated their affaults, and died like wild
beafts, gnawing the bayonets. This . af tacJc coft us fome. few
men ; but we loft an excellent fea-officer,, Captain Potter, Lieu
tenant of the, Norfolk, fincerely and juftly regretted by us all.
We bad fcarce finifted this affair, when another body of tbem,
with part of the Spanift garrifon, again attacked fhe church.
No. 2. ; forced the Sepoys from their poft in if, neareft the
town ; took poffeffion of the top, from whence they killed and
wounded feveral of our people, who were entirely expofed to
all tbeir weapons. Notwithftanding this dlfac^vantageous fitu
ation, the European foldiers maintained their poft behind fhe
church with great firmnefs and patience, ane^ at laft diflodged
tbe eneray witb tbe affiftanee of forae field-pieces, and fhe
good condudl of Major Fell, Field-Officer of the day. Captain
'.Fletcher, and other brave officers, fent to their relief. Tbe
Spaniards left feyenty dead behind thera, in and about the
cburch. On our fide, Ca.ptain Strachan of the feventy-ninth
regiraent, a very good officer, was raortally wounded, and forty
private men killed and wounded. This was the enemy's laft
effort: all the Indians, except eighteen hundred, difcouraged
by their loffes, returned bome. Our working parties, and the
fire of our batteries, which had been a little interrupted by thefe
attacks, recommenced with greater fpirit than ever. We found
likewife the good effedls of giving the enemy no time to repair
their embrazures, or carriages, in the night. , , They opened only
an Inconfiderable fire from three or four embrazures In the cur
tain, too oblique to have mucb effedl. Before night, thofe de
fences were ruined.
" 5th, Major Barker's fire was fo violent, that the breach ap
peared pradlicable. Our cannon from the three-gun battery
filenced thofe of the enemy, on the orillon of St Andrew. We
weile in hopes that the Spaniards would be fenfible of their dan
ger, and think of giving up the town. But, they were obfti nate.

5o6 NAVAL AND 1762.
Bate, without hr^yery, or any generous refolution' of defending
the breach. In the evening, tbe defign of ftorming the place
was communicated to the principal officers of each department
only, and the neceffary preparations made.'
" 6th, At four o'Jflock in the morning, we filed off from our
quarters in fmall bodies, to give tbe lefs fufpicion ; and, by de
grees, affembled at St Jago's church, obferving die utmoft fi
lence, and concealing ourfelves in the place of arms, and the pa-
ralM between the churchand the battery. Major Barker kept
up a brlfc-fire upon the works, and thofe places where tbe ene
my might be lodged or intrenched. Our mortars were well ap
plied for the fame purpofe. At day-break, we difcerned a large
body of fhe Spaniards, formed on the baftion of St Andrew,
which gave us reafon to imagine they had got fome informa
tion of our defign, and intended fo anixoy us with their muf,
fcetry and grape from tbe retired flank of that baftion, where
they had ftill two cannon placed ; but, upon fhe explofion of
fome ftells that fell amongft them, fhey went off. We took
immediate advantage of this, and by the fighal of a general
difcharge of our artillery and raortars, rufted on to the affault,
under cover of a thick fmoke that blew dlncdlly upon the town;
Sixty volunteers of different corps, under Lieutenant Ruffel of
the feventy-ninth regiment, led the way., fupported by the gre
nadiers of that regiment. The engineers, with the pioneers,
and other workraen, to clear and enlarge the breach and make
lodgements, in cafe the enemy ftould have been too ftrongly
intrenched in the gorge of fhe baftion, followed. Colonel
Mcttifbn and Major Mpre were at the head of two grand divifi
ons of the feventy-ninth regiraent : the battalion of fearaen ad
vanced next, fuftained by the other two divifions of the feventy-
ninth regiraent. The Corapany's -troops clofed ihe rear. They
all raounfed the breach with araazing fpirit and rapidity. The
few Spaniards upon the baftion difperfed fo fuddenly, that It
was thought they depended upon their mines. Captain Steven-
fon had orders to make a ftrldl fearch to difcover thera ; but
our precautions were needlefs. We met with little refiftance,
except at the Royal gate, and frpm the galleries of the lofty
houfes

17<S2. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 507
houfes wbich furrouad tl»e great fquai«. Jn the guaffl-feoiufe,
over the Royal gate, a hundred of tbe S^aniaisids and Indians,
who would not furrerader, were pat to the fword. Three htin
dred more, according to tiie enemy's account, were diowned in
attemptiag to efcape over tbe river, -which was very deep and
rapid. The Governor and the principal officers TCitired to the
citadel ; and were glaid td furrender as prifomeiis at xliilccetian,
as that place was in no good pofture of defcmce. Captaio Du-
pont of the feventy-ninth with a hundred men, took poiffefllon
of it. The Marquis of Villa Medina, with the reft of the Spa
nift officers, were admitted as prifoners of war, on tiheir panole
of .honour; and to conciliate the affecHomis nf the natives, aU
the Indians who ifdl iimto our hands, were di&mffed in lafet.y.
Oixr joy, Hpon this fortunate event, was greatly cloadedby the
lofs of Major More, who was transfixed with an arrow near *he
Royal gate, and 'died immediately, univerfally laraented for bis
good qualities. Captain Sleigh of the grenadiers, and (forae
other (good oSicevs, wiere wounded. We bad about 'thirty pri
vate men tilled and wouaded.
" ia confequence of the terms diidlated to the Spaniards,
(See Note 1-85.) tiie port of Cavite and citadel, with feveral
large fhips, and a vaft quantity of naval and warlike ftores, were
furrendered to ns. Captain Champion, with a hundred ma
rines, and as many Sepoys, Embarked on board the Seahorfe, to
take poffdEon of it. The Spanlft garrifon, of three hundred
men, on the approach of ©nr peopfc, mutinied againft their of
ficers, plundered fome houfes, and weitt off into the CGtmtry
with tlieir arms.
" As a fmall ackHowledgement «£ the great fervices wbich
the whole army tad received from Captain Kempeiifelt, the Ad
miral's Captain, I begged he would adl at Cavite, with a com
miffion acs Governor for bis Majefty ; being well afllired, that
no one could (difchai^e tJiat truft with more condudl and abi
lities."
' Before General Draper made any terms with the Governor,
lie waited the arrival of Admiral Cornift, who was Immediate-

5o8 ¦ NA V AL"' AliJi)' 1762.

ly fent for; and befides the propofals made by the Governor,
an agreeraent was entered into, to fave the city of Manila froih
being pillaged ; to which Itwas liable, having been taken by
ftorm. (See Note 185.) Confidering fhe critical fituation, and
vaft optdence of the place, the terms were rauch more .reafon
able than people ,In their fituation could well bave expedled.
In confideration of the aid afforded to this expedition by the
Eaft India Company, a third part of the ranfora, which In all
araounted to one raillion Sterling, was affigned^to them ; and,
agreeable to his orders. General Draper delivered up Manila
and its dependencies, (November 2d,) fo Dawfon Drake, Efq;
and the other gentlemen appointed f o receive thera on the part
of the Eaft India Corapany ; together with all fhe artillery, am
munition, and warlike ftores, of which there was a great quan
tity. (See Note 185.) '
The extent of the city of Manila being fo great, and the cl^
tadel of Cavite requiring a garrifon. General Draper was necef'
.fifafedto leave the whole of the military force hel)r6ught with
him, for fhe fecurify of the place. He appointed Major Fell
of the feventy-ninth regiment. Commandant of the "garrifon.
At Cavite, the Admiral found a. plentiful fupply of all forts of
naval ftores,' and conveniencies for refitting the fquadron. No
thing redounds more to the honour of the forces eraployed on
(this enterprize, than the ftrldl harmony which prevailed between
the two fervices ; fhe grestf fatigues that both cheerfully under
went in the courfe of the fiege, and fhe attention which the
Naval officers paid to the troops while aftore, deferves the
higheft praife. The bravery and adlivity of the failors aftonlfli-
ed every one. While fuch unanimity and cordiality fubfifts a-
mong a determined and refolute band, what raay they not at-
chleve ? And tp this glorious circumftance this important con
queft is chiefly owing ; for throughout the whole of this vidlo-
rious war, no conjundb expedition has been condudled with
more refolution and profeffional flcill, than the conqueft of the
Philippine Iflands. It refledls the greateft honour on all em
ployed. Their fuccefs appears fcarcely credible. With a
handful of troops they carried on a fiege, amid deluges of rain, and

17^3. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 509

and fuch furious terapefts of wind, that all coraraunication be
tween fhe fleet and array was frequently cut off. After ten days
operations to carry the town by affault, is a military exploit al
moft without a parallel ; efpecially when It is confidered, that
befides a ftrong garrifon in a fo#n fortified after fhe modern
raanner, and the eleraenfs to contend with, they were furroun
ded by nuraerous bodies of Indians in ftridl alliance with the
Spaniards, who, though undifcipllned arid badly arraed, yet, by
a daring refolution and conterapt of death, became not only
troublcfome, but formidable. (
Had tbe Spaniards adled with a refolution and military flcill
equal fo their obftinacy, and Inftead of attending to the prayr
ers and prophecies of the Archbiftop the Governor, who, in
the midft of the hurricane, declared that the angel of the Lord
had gone forth fo deftroy the enemy, like the hoft of Sennache
rib ; but entrenched tberafelves ftrongly in tbe gorges of the
baftlons when attacked, the conqueft of Manila bad not proved
fo eafy. , , r,
The ftranding of fhe South-Sea-Caftle ftore-ftip, inftead of
a misfortune, proved quite the contrary. By tbe fituation in
which fte lay, her guns not only protedled the rear of our can-
tonements, but fcoured the beach for a confiderable length, and
idaiie feveral bodies of the Indians keep a refpedlful diftance ;
while, from being fo very near the ftore, the provlfions and
;¦ ftores ftie had on board were landed with great facility, and
afforded a feafonable fupply to the foldiers, at a time when the
weather had for fome days Interrupted all communication be
tween the fleet and the array.
During the violent terapeft on'the ift of Odlober, fhe whole
fquadron, but particularly the Elizabeth and Falmouth, were in,
great danger ; the gale blowing from W. S. W. diredlly on the
ftore, and fhey being anchored In four fathom water, in order
to batter and enfilade the town. They ftruck the ground ; but
the bottom being mud, and foff fo a confiderable depths nei
ther of thera received any injury. A galley being perceived
coraing up the bay on fhe 25th of Septeraber, the Adrairal
difpatched three boats raanned and armed after her. They came

5IQ NAVALAND , i7<^2.
came up with, and infta&tly boarded and took her, notwlth
ftanding fte kept up a fmart fiie with patteraroes and muflcets.
She mounted two carriage and feventeen brafs fwivel guns,
and had eighty men.
By letters foiind in ber, it was difco*cred that fte was dif
patched from the galleon St Pbillppifnai, from Acapulco, and
whom fee bad left tbe lotb of September at Cajayagan, be
tween tbe Embocadero and Cape Spiritu Santu. Upon this
difcovery, it was refolved to detach the Panther and Argo, un
der the command of Captain Hyde Parker, In queft of her.
Xhey failed accordingly on the 4th of Odlober, and on fhe
30th got the length of the iflland of Capul, near fhe entrance
of the Embocaderof, where the Argo had corae to an anchor,
and whieh Captain Parker intended to do for that night : but,
juft as the day clofed, he faw a fail ftanding to fhe northward ;
he followed ; and at eight thaf night got fight of her again
about two leagues to leeward ; but unluckily, by fhe rapidity
of a counter current to what the chafe was in, the Panther
drove among the Narango's, was in the utraoft danger of
being loft, and obliged to anchor. The Argo having e-
fcaped fhe danger, got up with fhe chafe, ajid engaged her
near three hours ; but was fo roughly handled, that Captain
King was neeefliitated fo fering to, In order fo repair his da
mages. By this time the current flackened, which enabled
Captain Parker to get under fail, with the chafe in fight. A-
bout nine the nest morning, he came up with her, and, after
battering her for two hours within half mufket-ftot, fte ftruck.
The enemy made but a poor refiftance, trufting to tbe immenfe
thicknefs of the fides of their ftip, which, except the upper-
works, the Panther's ftot was not able to penetrate. Captain
Parker was no lefs difappointed than furprifed, to find, when
the General came on board, that he had engaged and taken the
Santlffirao Trinidad, alias the Poderofo, who departed from
Manila tlie ift of Auguft for Acapulco, and had got three hun
dred leagues to the eaftward of the Embocadero, but meeting with
t The Embocadero is fhe ftrait or palTage amoiig the Philippine iflands^
through whicb the galleon fails in her voyage ts and from the city of Manila.

1762. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 5JI

with a bard gale of wind, was difraafted, and put back to refit.
She had eight hundred raen on board ; was pierced for fixty
guns ; but wben engaged by the Argo, had only fix of them
raounted, and but thirteen when taken j fte was a great deal
larger than the Panther, and drew thirty-three feet water.
She proved a very valuable prize, having one raillion of dol
lars jegiftered on board, and was reputed to be worth thitee
millions. The lofs fuftained during the fiege, was much lefs than could
bave been expedled frora the nature of fuch a fevere piece of
fervice. It araounting to one officer ofthe Navy, and three of
ficers of the King's troops killed ; one officer of the Navy, and
four of the King's troops wounded ; one officer of , the Cora
pany's troops drowned ; thirteen fearaen and marines, feven
of the King's, and eight of the Company's troops killed ; fix of
the Company's troops drowned : twenty failors or marines,
forty-nine of the King's, and thirty-feven of the Company's
troops wounded. Coraraodore Tiddeman, in attempting to
enter the river in bis barge, the morning after the redudllon
of Manila, was unfortunately drowned with five of his people.
(See Note 185.)
It would be difficult to afcertain with exadlnefs, the value
of this acquifition to Great Britain ; but tbe territory now
reduced to her obedience, confifted of fourteen confiderable
iflands, which, from their extent, fertility, and fituation for
trade, are not to be equalled In the world. The adlive fpirit
of comraerce, not fuiting tbe genius of the Spanlft nation,
this grand Archipelago did not jjrove fo advantageous to the
State, as it otherwife inight have been ; even as it was, it
could not raifs of being feverely felf by Spain, if we confider
that this conqueft, together with that of the Havannah, in a,
great meafure fecured. fo Britain the chief fources of their
trade to Afia and America, and cut off the comtAunicatIon&
between the principal parts of their vaft- but uncbnnedled em
pire. Both General Draper and Admiral Cornift, received the
thanks of the Houfe of Commons fot die fecvice they had- don& their

ji2 NAVALAND 1762.

their country, by tbe conqueft of the Philippine iflands. The
forraer was foon after raade a Knight of fhe Bath, and the lat
ter created a Baronet of Great Britain.
The Spanlft colours taken at Manila, were, by his Majef
ty's orders, at the requeft of General Draper, hung up in the
Chapel of King's College at Cambridge, of which fhe General
had been a meraber.
As the Spaniards had now received. certain intelligence, that
tbe annual ftip, the Phillplnna, from Acapulco, was arrived
at a port called Palapa, In fhe ifland of Samar, they became
extreraely apprehenfive that fte rauft foon be captured, as Ad
miral Cornift was refolved to fend fliips In queft of her. The
taking of this veffel muft have ruined moft of the principal
merchants of Manila ; but In order fo render this misfortune
as light as poffible, the Governor and merchants entered into
a negociation with Adrairal Cornift and General Draper, by
which It was ftlpulated, that they, ftould ufe every raeans in
their power to affift In delivering up fhe ftip Phllippina to the
Britift, with all ber treafure and plate on board, on condi
tion, that they were allowed to take as rauch raoney as would
pay off the balance due to the Britift, of the four rallllons of
dollars which the Spaniards had confented to give for the ran-
foiii of the city of Manila. This was agreed to ; but whether
the Spaniards were ffncere or not, feeras very probleraatlcal ;
indeed it appears pretty evident, thaf they only wanted to gain
tirae, and prevent a force being fent againft fhe galleon, until
they had notice that the raoft valuable parts of her cargo were
conveyed fo far up the country, as to put It beyond the reach
of the Britift. The feafon feconded their . defigns ; as they
well knew, that It was next to an Irapoffibllity, for ftips to
get through fhe Erabocadero, frora Manila to Palapa, while
the N. E. raonfoon lafted. In order fo give their fcherae all
tbe appearance of plaufiblllty in their power," as foon as the
Vice-Admiral Informed fhe Governor that the Argo and Sea
ford frigates were ready fo proceed on this fervice, he fent on
board two Regldores, and two of fhte Council of Coramerce,
to accompany Captain King to Palapa ; thefe gentlemen were
vefted

1763. MILITARY MEMOIRS. jrj
vefted with full powers, and carried orders to the General of
the galleon, to fee that the terras of the agreement were com
plied with.
Thus equipped. Captain King, with the two frigates, falletl
for Palapa, and did all that lay in his power to reach that
port ; but the weather proved fo extremely terapeftuous and
rainy, that, after ufing every effort for the fpace oi three months,
in. which time be had frequently run great rifles of lofing both
ftips, and his provifions being neariy expended, he found it
Impoffible to get through the Embocadero, againft the ftrength
of the N. E. monfoon, and had the mortification to be con--
ftralned to return to Manila, virlfbouf effedling his purpofe,
where he arrived juft In time to have the Argo refitted to ac-
corapany Vice-Adrairal Cornift and the fleet to 'the coaft of
Cororaandel. The Admiral- left the Falmouth, Captain Bre-
reton, and the Seaford, Captain Peighin, to protedl the new
Britift conquefts at Manila ; ordering tbe former fo proceed
to Palapa as foon as fhe feafpn would permit, in order to get
poffeffion of the Phillppina and her treafure. He likewife was
to be accompanied by civil officers ; but as no account has ever
appeared of Captain Brerefon's proceedings on this enferprizey
if Is prefuraed that he vvas equally unfortunate in his endea
vours to obtain poffeffion of this rich ftip as Captain King bad
been. Af the tirae that Admiral Cornift failed for the coaft
of Cororaandel, It Was currently reported at Manila, that the
Spaniards bad fecured the raoney and plate at a place far from
the fea; and there is every reafon to believe this report was
true. It would therefore have been irapoffible for Captain Bre
reton fo have landed a fufficient nuraber of raen to take the
treafure, by force j ahd little regard wOuld be paid to the let
ters of the Spanift Governor and Council of Manila, by the
General of the galleon, or the Spaniards who were interefted
in fhe cargo of the Phillppina.
The condudl of fhe Court of Spain, witb regard fo the non
payment of the Manila ranfom-money, will afford a very ufe
ful leffon for naval and military people in their future behavi
our, if ever any thing fimilar ftould occur. It will point out
VOL. II. K k to

514 NAVALAND 1762.
to them the neceffity of taking proper methods to infure the
fulfilling of all ftipulations in the raoft araple manner, and to
put it ouf of fhe power cf any State, on ill grounded pretexts,
to defraud the conquerors of their juft rights. The city of
Manila was faved from being plundered by the Britift forces,
in confideration of fhe inhabitants paying them four millions pf
dollars, one half of which was to be paid immediately, the .
other half at a time to be afterwards agreed upon. For this
half, amounting. to near 450,000!. Sterling, the Governor-Ge-
neral of the Philippine iflands drew bills on the Royal Treafu
ry at Madrid..
Before the intelligence of this conqueft arrived In London,
a general peace was concluded ; and when tlie bills were pre
fented, payment was refufed by the Court oi Spain, on the
fpecious pretext, thaf the perfons compofing the civil power
at Manila, were forced into terms that were oppreffive and
unjuft, from the dread of being put to the fword, if they re
fufed their confent to them ; and notwithftanding tjhat they
figned fuch conditions wkh the Britift Commanders, yet Ge
neral Draper either ordered or fuffered the city to be pillaged
for forty hours by four thoufand Englift, who plundered it of
more than a million of dollars ; and on this account the Court
of Spain argued that payment ought not to be made. To
this General Draper replied, " That it was a known and uni-
" verfal rule in war among the moft anclvlllzed nations, that
" places taken by ftorm, without any capitulation, are fubjedl
« to all the miferies that fhe conquerors raay choofe to Inflidl.
" This was tbe condition of Manila. The objedlion and pre-
" tence of force and violence may be made ufe of to evade any
" military agreements whatever, where fhe two parties do not
" treat on an equality^_ By the fame mode of reafoning, a liate
" may objedl to fhe payment of ranforas of ftips taken at fea,
" and fo contributions levied In a country which is the feat of
" war ; but it is always allowed, that In fuch cafes, a part muft
<« be facrlficed to the whole. The deftrudlion which ftould
" have followed military execution, would have trebled ijie
" fmn exadled, befides that the Spanift Empire in Afia would
" thereby

1762. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 515
" tJiereby bave been entirely fubverted." The charge of al
lowing the military to pillage for forty hours, was a grofs ex
aggeration, and eafily refuted; concerning which. General
Draper farther replied, " That the nuraber of troops which en-
" tered Manila when it was ftormed, amounted to little raore
" than two thoufand, which were a raotley corapoOtlon of
** feamen, foldiers, fepoys, caffres, lafcars, topaffes, French
"and German deferters. The difficulty of reftralnlng any
" troops, in the firft fury of an affault, is well known ; but
*' it muft be much greater, when compofed of fuch a variety
" and confuflon of people, who differed as much in fentiment
" and language, as in drefs-and complexion. Several hours
"had elapfed before the principal inhabitants could be brought
" to a conference : during that interval, the inhabitants were
« undoubtedly very great fufferers ; but fuch violence was an-
" tecedent to fettleing the terms of capitulation ; and, by the
*' laws pf war, the place, with all its contents, became the
*' unqueftionable property of the captors, until a fufficieht e-
" qulvalent was given in lieu of it. That feveral robberies were
*' committed after the capitulation was figned. Is acknowledg-
*' ed ; but it Is denied that the place was pillaged for forty
"hours, or with the permiffion of the General, as he imme-
^' diately Iffued ouf orders for preferving the flirlSeft regularity
" and decorum ; and therein declared, that whoever ftould be
?' guilty of robberies, or plundering tbe churches and houfes,
" .ftould .be hanged without mercy." General Draper made
feveral examples, and did all that lay in bis power to enforce
the terms of .the capitulation. Confidering bow very much the
enemy had at &z\ie, in a large and opulent city, and the eafy
terms by which ifhey faved the place from a general pillage, it
is ftameful to think that fo honourable a people as the Spaniards
fliould have made tbe fmalleft obje^ioii to Gomply with terms
wbldi proved of fuch imanlfeft advantage to their Afiatic fettle
ments.
WEST INDIES.— ^Leezvard Island Station.
The complete redudlion of the French fettlements in North
ska America,>

St6 NAVALAND 1762.
America, enabled the Miniftry fo draw a very confiderable
military force to the Weft Indies, where it was refolved to
make a very powerful attack upon fuch iflands as ftill remain
ed under the dominion of his Moft Chrlftlan Majefty. For
this purpofe, eleven battalions were afferabled In the raonth
of Auguft, on Staten Ifland, near New York. The coraraand
of this army was given to Major-General Monckton, (See
Note 186..); and every thing being got ready, they failed for
Barbadoes the end of Odlober, under convoy of a ftrong fqua
dron of fliips of war, coraraanded by Captain Darby of the
Devonftire. Colonel James Grant, who had been fent wi'th
a confiderable detachment of troops fo Charleftown in South
Carolina in 1761, in order fo chaftife the Cherokee Indians,
who had been troublefome to the fettlers in fhe Interior parts
of that province, having perforraed that fervice, was ordered
to erabark all the troops thaf could be fpared frora Carolina, and
to join the array at Barbadoes.
Rear-Admiral Rodney -|- was fent frora England early in Oc
tober, with feveral capital ftips, to join thofe under Sir James
Douglas, and fo affume fhe coraraand of the fquadron there.
Lord Rollo had received orders fo colledl fuch troops as could
be fpared frora the different garrifons In the Weft Indies, and,
with the troops already under his coraraand, to join the army
under General Monckton at Barbadoes ; at which ifland Rear-
Admiral Rodney arrived the 22d of November 1761, and, be
tween that time and fhe, pth of Deceraber, the reft of his fqua
dron joined hira. Here he found Sir Jaraes Douglas with part
of bis fleet, which, as foon as fhey were corapletely watered
and vidi ualled, he detached fp block up fhe ifland of Martini
co. Adrairal Rodney, while at Barbadoes, hired ten floops,
which he manned and arraed. Thefe he fent partly to cruize
oflr the Ifland of Euftatia, fo prevent the Dutch from afford
ing fhe French any fupplies of naval and military ftores and
provifions, and partly fo cruize off Martinico ; and, as th?y
drew but little, water, had orders to loOk into all the fmall
harbours
) -f Afterwards Lord Rodney, and Admiral of the White,

17^2. MILITARYMEMOIRS. 517

Harbours ori the windward fide of fhe Ifland, and to endeavour
fo cut out any veffels they raight find there. He likewife wrote
to all the Governors of tbe iflands belonging to Great Brifalii,
inforraing thera of fhe arrival of the armament, and its def
tination, and entreating thera fo lend all the affiftanee In their
power to the enterprize. On which the Governor of Barba
does laid an erabargo on the ifland, in order to conceal from
fhe eneray what was going on there ; and two corps were
raifed, the one confifting of five hundred white, and the other
of fix hundred black raen, who joined the array. The Adrai
ral endeavoured all' in his power to obtain feamen who could
ferve as pilots at Martinico, and fo fuch he offered large pre
miums. On the i4tb of Deceraber, the Teraeraire and Ac-
feon ftips of war joined the Adrairal with a body of troops
frora the Ifland of Belleifle, under the coraraand of Brigadier-
General Rufane ; and on the 24th of that raonth. General
Monckton, with the array frora North Araerica, arrived in
Carilfle bay, as did, foon after. Lord Rollo, with the corps
under his coraraand.
The whole ofthe troOps being now arrived, fhe Adrairal and
General, with the proper officers, were bufied In raaking the
neceffary arrangeraeiifs for the enterprize, and in giving the
troops all the refreft raent in their power ; which being done,
this grand arraaraent, confifting of upwards of thirteen thou
fand land forces, (See Note 186.) and a fleet of fixteen fail of
the line, raany frigates, floops of war, borab-ketches, hofpltal
ftips, and franfporfs, (See Note 186.) failed from Carilfle bay
on the 5fh of Jariuary 176?, and on tbe 7th joined Sir Jaraes
Douglas off fhe Ifland of Martinico. It was a moft unpardon
able negleft, that the bays and landing places of this ifland bad
not been properly examined, and accurate charts of thera made
out for each ftip. There feeras likewife a great want of infor
mation, both as to the Ifland itfelf, the ftrength of the garrifon,
and of tbe works the enemy had erefted fince tbe attempt made
on the ifland in January 1759. This country is extremely
mountainous in the centre, whence iffue numberlefs large
ftreams of water, which, in the hurricane months, are fwclled
Kk3 to

S^9 NAVALAND 1762-

to viplent torrents. Thefe have, In their vyay to the fea, wor»
deep channels for themfelves ; fo that the country is every half
mile interfe,dled by deep ravines or gullies, with fteep rocky
fides, having water , running at the bottom, which in, many
places is but barely fordable. Thefe fo^ds are rendered diffi-
fult to pafs, from the number of large ftones which the torrents
have rolled frpm the fjdes of fhe mountains. In making war
here, great precaution is neceffary ; a landing muff be effedled
as near the fortified places defigiied fo be attacked as poffible,
as the tranfporting pf cannon, araraunitlon, and all the ftores
requifite to carry on a' fiegie to any diftance, acrofs fuch a rug
ged country, is abfolutely Irapradlicable. In the firft part of
the operations againft Martinico, this does not feem to have
been attended fo, until experience pointed it out ; for,, inftead
of raaking for the great Bay of Fort Royal, with the fleet and
array. Admiral Rodney detached five fail of the' line to that
bay, and ordered one of tbe fliips tp hoift a fimilar flag fo bis.
In order (a^ fhe fame time) to diftradl the enemy's attention,!
and harafs their troops, be fent five large frigates off^ La Trl-
pite, pn the oppofite fide of the Ifland. Botb thefe detaeh
ments vyere to raake a feint of landing troops ; and with the
reraainder of the fleet,, he came to ^n anchor in St Anne's bay,
the beft harbour 011 the weathermoft part pf the ifland.
Sir James Douglas,, with his divifion, ftood clofe in, and fi-
lenped the batteries ; in performing this fervice,. we bad the
misfortune f o lofe the Raifonable, by her running on a little
reef of rocks of which fhe pilot was entirely Ignorant,^ as fte
was leading In for one of fhe enemy's batteries. Her people,,
ftores, and guns, were faved. Here a part of the army was
landed ;. but the General foon foand that it would be impoffi-
Ixle to rnarch- round to Fort Royal from this fpot: and Informa-
- tlofli having beea, received both by him and the Admiral, that
finee the defcent raade on this Ifland In 1759, the eneray had
eredled fortifications frora Negro* Point,, ar confiderable waif
down tliat fide of the bay/ (Sf Fort- Royal, it wonld. be in vain
to attempt- m&king a defcent there. The account given of fhe
flrengtb of thefe new works- was greatly exaggerated ; but, in
con-

1762. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 519
confequence of this report, a new plan was proppfed, which
was, to land the army at St Lucy, on the oppofite fide of St
Ann's bay, and to march acrofs the ifthmus to Grofs Point, fo
as to be able to reduce Pigeon Ifland ; which being done, the
ftips of war could with fafety anchor on the eaft fide of Fort
Royal bay, and attack the citadel. But when if was confider
ed with what difficulty cannon, ftores, and provlfions, could be
conveyed acrofs this part of the i^and, in wbich there was alfo
a great fcarclty of water, this plan was foon relinqulfted.
The General refolved, however, fo atterapt the redudllon of
Pigeon Ifland from the eaft fide. Accordingly, a detachment
of the fleet was fent under Commodore Swanton, to Ance Dar-
let, accorapanied by two brigades of foot, coraraanded by Bri
gadier Generals Haviland and Grant, and a corps of light In
fantry under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Scoff. The
Commodore having foon filenced fhe eneray's batteries, the
troops were landed, and marched to the heights oppofite to
Pigeon Ifland. On the roth. Captain Herveyf, in the Dragon,
was ordered into the Grand Ance, where he filenced a ftrong
fort, landed bis raarine^, and took poffeffion oflf; but, foon af
ter, a detachment of eight hundred men, under Lieutenant Co
lonel Melvill, relieved them. He was detached by Brigadier-
General Haviland to take poft there. In cafe if ftould be found
neceffary to march his corps to fecure that place. - As he per
ceived that It would not be an eafy matter to accompllft the de
fign on whicb he was fent ; be acquainted General Moncktbn,
that he had taken poft on the high ground oppofite to the fort
on Pigeon -I fland, within the range ofthe eneray's ftells ; and
finding the road Irapaffable for cannon and raortars neceffary for
the redudllon of that ifland, he was of opinion, that he had beft
march to Ance Darlet, re-erabark the troops under his cora-
rtiatid, and there, with Coraraodore Swanton, wait farther or
ders. While on this ground, the light Infantry were attacked,
in the dead of night, by three corapanies of grenadiers, forae
freebooters, negroes, and raulattoes, whicb the eneray had paf
fed over from Fort Royal ; but they were fo warmly received,
K k 4 that
t Afterwards Earl of Briftol, and Vice-Admiral of the Blue. He died in 1 779.

520 NAVAL AND 1762.

that they raade a precipitate retreat, leaving fome dead, and havr
ing a ferjeant and three of their grenadiers taken prifoners; the
Britift troops did not fuftain any lofs.
The Adrairal and General finding that all their operations
hitherto, had not forwarded their defign of reducing the Ifland,
refolved to alter their mode of attack. The batteries at St
Ann's were blown up, the troops were erabarked, and, with tbe
war fti^s, proceeded to Anpe Darlet, where they joined Briga
dier-General Haviland, and altogether prodeeded to the bay of
Fort Royal, where they came to an anchor. The Admiral and
General, attended by the proper officers, went and examined
the coaft with the greateft attention ; and haying fixed on a
fpot on fhe weft fide ofthe bay, where there appeared i poffibi
lity of their being able to make a defcent, every thing was got
in readinefs accordingly. Various feints were ordered at dif
ferent parts ofthe Ifland, which had a very good effedl. In fhe
njght of fhe 15th of January, the grenadiers were diftributed
on board fome of the line of battle ftips, that they raight be
ready to difembark in an inftant. Nine other line of battle
ftips were at the farae tirae ordered fo range along tbe ftore,
and attack the eneraies batteries. Early In fhe raorning of the
i6th, the ftips raoved to their refpedlive ftatlons, and foon
coraraenced a very warra cannonade. In the raean tirae, all
the flat-bottoraed boats were got ready fo receive the troops ;
and the ftips having filenced fhe batteries by noon, tbe Adraif
ral raade fhe fignal for fhe troops fo prepare to land, and foon
after to repair to fhe rendezvous. Here fhey were ranged info
three divifions. The right wing was commanded by Captain
Shuldham; J the centre by Corampdore Swanton ||, wbo fuper
intended the debarkation ; and the left wing by Captain Her-r
vfy. On the fignal being made, they pufted boldly for the
ftore, made good their landing without any lofs, in Cas des
Nav res bay, and formed In fhe greateft order on fhe beach.
The grenadiers, in three bodies, comnianded by Lieutenant-Co-
I lonels
¦f Afterwards Lord Shuldham of the Kingdora of Ireland, and Adrairal of the
White. He died in 1798.
II Afterwards Rear-Admiral of the Blue.

f]62. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 521

lonels Fletcher, Maffey, and Vaughan, led the van. The light
infantry, commanded by Lleufenant-Colonel Scott, and Major
Leland, followed ; and laftly, the battalions In brigades. By
fun-fet, about two-thirds of the army were difembarked, and
the reraainder early next raorning; at which time, the Admi
ral alfo reinforced the army with a corps of marines, which
were formed Into two battalions of four hundred and fifty men
each, and fent on ftore fuch, requifites as fhe army ftood In im
mediate need of. General Monckton formed bis array on the
heights above Cas des Navieres bay ; and as foon as tbe tents
could be landed, they encaraped there.
r Tbe troops bad raany difficulties fb encounter before fhey
could lay fiege to Fort Royal, which was now full in their
view, at four miles diftance. The vigorous fire from the ftips
had raade the landing an eafy matter ; but in advancing to
wards the citadel, great caution was neceffary. The whole
country was a fort of natural fortification. The eneray's re
gular troops, indeed, were not raany ; but the militia and peo
ple of colour were, from their numbers, truly formidable.
They were not only well armed, but well flcIUed in fhe only
kind of war which could be carried on In a country like this,
full of fteep woody mountains, feparated by deep ravines, hav
ing torrents of water at fhe bottom; every acceffible place
guarded and fortified with cannon, and all fhe heights ftrong
ly intrenched, particularly Morne Torfenfon, and Morne
Garnier, two high hills, which may be confidered as out-works
to fhe citadel of Fort Royal, which fhey fo entirely comman
ded, that when thefe were carried, it was no longer tenable ;
and until they were In our poffeffion, no attack could be form
ed againft the fort with any probability of fuccefs. In order to
attain this point, the General found It neceflary to eredl batte
ries, under cover of whofe fire the troops raight attack fhe pofts
on the firft of thefe eralnences; upon. which (when carried)
batteries rauft be eredled fo drive the enemy frora Morne
Garnier. The eneray, fenfible of the iraportance of both thefe
ftrong pofts, had fpared no pains in fortifying thera with re
doubts and very ftrong intrenchments ; in the face of which
works.

522 NAVAL AND 1762.

works, our troops had to march In otder to attack them. The
General and Adrairal fent letters fo fhe Secretary of State, and
to the Admiralty, containing an account of the army being
landed, and the fteps fhey were purfulng for attacking the ci
tadel of Fort Royal, by fhe Honourable Captain Robert Boyle
Walfingbam, of his Majefty's ftip the Modefte, who raet with
a moft gracious reception from his Majefty.
While the batteries neceffary for the grand attack were erec
ting, the army -continued encamped on the heights above Cas
des Navieres ; and the Adrairal not only landed the artillery,
but fent on ftore a large body of fearaen, who found no diffi
culties in tranfporting the heavleft cannon and mortars up the
fteepeft mountains, to a very confiderable diftance from the fea,
and acrofs the enemy's line of fire. The gallant behaviour of
the naval officers and failors, on this dangerous fervice, could
only be equalled by the cheerfulnefs and difpatch with which It
was executed.
The batteries being completed. General Monckton raade the
neceffary difpofitions for attacking tbe enemy's pofts on Morne
Tortenfon. On the 24th of January, at break of day, the troops
advanced under cover of a briflc fire from fhe batteries : the gre
nadiers, under Brigadier-General Giant, began fhe adlion, by
attacking the eneray's advanced pofts. Brigadier Rufane on
the right, with his brigade and fhe raarlnes, were ordered to
advance and attack fhe redoubts along the fea-coaft, a thoufand
fearaen in flat-bottoraed boats rowing up as be advanced.—
Lord Rollo's brigade fupported fhe grenadiers. Brigadier
Walft with his brigade fupported fhe light infantry under
Lleufenant-Colonel Scott, who were ordered to attack the left
of a plantation, and to endeavour to get round fhe enemy. The
light Infantry effedled their point ;- and while the grenadiers
were driving fhe eneray frora poft fo poft, they got upon their
left flank, which helped not a little to coraplete their rout. The
ftrong works the eneray had eredled, were now fucceffively at
tacked, with fuch Irrefiftlble impetuofity, that, by rane o'clock,
our troops were in poffeffion of them all ; together with the
ftrong ground of Morne Tortenfon, whereon were feveral re
doubts

1762- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 523
doubts mounted witb cannon, and moft advantageoufly fituated.
The enemy retired in the greateft confufion to Morne Garnier,
a ftill higher hill than Morne Tortenfon, and feparated from it
by a deep ravine, covered with a. very thick bruft wood, and a
rivulet at the bottom. From this poft the enemy boafted they
coidd not be driven ; they bad. Indeed, been at uncommon paiins
in atlding to Its great natural ftrength, every thing which art
could devife to render it ftill ftronger. The fpirit of the grena
diers in this attack was fuch, thaf fome of fhem purfued the
enemy to the bridge of the town of Fort Royal, and brought off
fome prifoners from thence. While the attack juft raentioned
was going on, Brigadier Haviland, with his brigade, two batta
lions of Highlanders, and a corps of light infantry coramanded
by Major Leland, bad orders (from the reported pradllcability
of tbe paffage) to crofs a ravine a good deal to fhe left, attack a
body of the enemy who were pofted on feveral heights oppofite
to bim, and endeavour to get In on their left flank ;. in order by
this means to divide their force, in cafe they chofe to fupport
this poft.
Although this corps began their march at two o'clock in fhe
morning, yet they found fo many difficulries tp furmount, that
nDtwithftandIng all their endeavours, if was late before they
could get acrofs the ravine. When General Monckton found
that fhe eneray were giving way on all fides, he ordered Lieu
tenant-Colonel Scott's light Infantry, Brigadier Walft's brigade,
and a divifion of the grenadiers, to a plantation more to the
left, where Brigadier Haviland was to have come down. They
drove off fome of the enemy polled there ; and the light infan
try poffeffed fhemfelves of a very advantageous poft, oppofite to
Morne Garnier. To fupport thera, tbe General ordered Bri
gadier Haviland's corps (which now paffed fhe ravine) to their
right ; while the divifion of grenadiers under Brigadier Grant,
and Walft's brigade, kept poffeffion of this upper plantation,
which coraraunlcated with Brigadier Haviland's corps. The
marines which the General had taken from Brigadier Rufane,
were pofted to cover the road between the two plantations.
The 25 th, batteries were begun on Morne Tortenfon to play
againft

5-24 NAVAL AND 1762.
againft the citadel of Fort Royal ; but fhe troops were fo rauch
annoyed on this and the 26th, by the eneray's fire frora Morne
Garnier, that the General carae to fhe refolution to attack this
poft Immediately ; and fo begin his operations to the left where
Brigadier Haviland wds pofted^ there to eredl batteries againft
thofe of fhe eneray which fo rauch "annoyed our troops. An
attempt fo force this poft muft have been attended witb confi
derable lofs ;' but which, owing to the raftnefs of the enemy,
was luckily prevented ; ' as, on the 27th, about four o'clock in
the evening, they, under cover of their batteries, and with the
greateft part of their force, had the temerity to attack the two
corps of light infantry, and Brigadier Haviland's brigade, in the
pofts they occupied ; by whora, however, fhey were received'
with fuch fteadlnefs, that fhey were iniraedlafely repulfed.
Such indeed was the ardour of the Britift troops, and fo eager
were they in the purfuit of the enemy, that fhey paffed the ra
vine along with thera, feized their batteries, and took poft
there : fhey were prefently reinforced by Brigadier Walft's bri
gade, and the divifion of the grenadiers under Brigadier Grant,
who, iramediately on the attack, had marched to fupport them.
Night was now come on ; but Major Leland moving on to the
left with his light infantry, and finding no oppofitlpn, continued
his route towards the enemy's redoubt, on the furaralt of Morne
Garnier, and took poffeffion oflt; the eneray (except a few"
grenadiers who were made prifoners) having abandoned it on
his approach. Their regular troops Retired fo fhe citadel, and
the militia difperfed into the country. Thus, by a happy pre
fence of mind, was a defenfive advantage Iraproved in fhe nick
of time, to a fuccefsful attack ; and, by mingling with fhe ene
my In their retreat, or rather flight, our troops preffed fo clofe
upon them, that by nine at night, they had driven them frora
all their pofts, and were in complete poffeffion of Morne Gar
nier, which entirely commanded fhe citadel. On hearing of
Major Leland's fuccefs. Brigadiers Walft, Grant, and Haviland,
marched immediately with their corps to fhe fupport of the
light Infantry. So precipitate was fhe eneray's flight, that they
left a raortar loaded, and eight or nine guns unfplked, with a
quantity

I7<>2. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 525
quantity of ammunition and provifions. The cannon and
mortar were turned againft the citadel in the raorning.
The General being now in poffeffion of this advantageous
•poft, frora whence the eneray had fo much annoyed our peo
ple ; and having completed two batteries on Morne Tortenfon,
confifting of fourteen guns and three mortars, they were open
ed againft the citadel on the 30th. But finding that the dif
tance was too great, tbe General ordered poffeffion fo be taken
of Morne Capuchin, not raore than four ,hundred yards diftant
frora the fort ; and fhe fooner to reduce the citadel, he irame
diately refolved to eredl batteries af both thefe places, while,
for fhe eafier conveyance of the cannon by water, he caufed
Major Leland, with his light infantry, to take poft on the river
Monfieur. The enemy feeing fuch mighty preparations, judg
ed it prudent to furrender, and beat the chamade on the even
ing of the 3d of February ; In confequence of which, the gate
of fhe citadel was delivered up f o his Majefty's forces, the even
ing of fhe 4th ; and at nine In fhe raorning ofthe 5fb, the gar
rifon raarched ouf, agreeable to the terras of capitulatiori. (See
Note 186.) It confifted of about eight hundred men, grena
diers, marines,; raillltia, and freebooters. About one hundred
and fifty were killed or wounded during the fiege. The place
raight have held out forae time longer, as, before it could have
been fforraed, a breach or two rauft have been raade in fhe
walls.' The eneray, in the feveral attacks, had not lefs than a
thoufand men killed, wpunded, or made, prifoners; araong the
latter, fome of the principal inhabitants, who were taken on the
24th. M. de la Touche, the Governor-General, after leaving a gar
rifon In Fort Royal, retired with fhe remainder of his forces to
St Pierre ; without once fending to enquire after his killed,
wounded, or prifoners. Iraraediately upon fhe citadel's furren
derlng, a deputation frora raoft of the quarters of the ifland
carae in, defiring fo capitulate, M, de la Touche having refufed
them his permiffion to enter Into terms. The 7th, fhe capitu
lation ,was figned, fo which feveral of fhe other quarters of the
ifland daily acceded. On the 7th, Pigeon Ifland was fumraon ed

526 NAVALAND 1,762.
ed to furrender, with which its Commandant immedlatdy com
plied, on the farae terras with thofe granted to the citadel, can
non excepted. On the 28th of January, General Monckton
learning that M. Nadau D'Etreil, late the French Governor of
the Ifland of Guadaloupe, was at a houfe about two leagues off,
he thought it neceffary to fend and raake hira prifoner. This
unfortunate gentleman bad been very ill treated by M. de la
Touche, whofe condudl in the dtefence of Martinico, was much
inferior to that dlfplayed by M. Nadau in the defence of Gua
daloupe. Witb the Important intelligence of the furrender of Fort
Royal, General Monckton fent home bis fenior aid-de-camp.
Major Gates, (the fame who was afterwards a General Officer
in the army of the American rebels) ; as did the Admiral Cap
tain Darby of his Majefty's ftip Devonftire. They met with a
moft gracious reception from his Majefty, and bad each a pre
fent of 500!. to buy afword.
The General gavse iJie neceffary orders to repair the citadel
of Fort Royal, and was making the utmoft difpatch for at
tacking St Pierre ; -when two deputies arrived on the 1 2th of
February, offering terms of capitulation for the whole ifland,
on the part of M. le Vaflbr de la Touche, the Governor Ge
neral. On the 13th, l3iey received fhe General and Admiral's
anfwers to their propofals, which fhey carried to St Pierre's ;
and, on tlie 1 4th, returned with the capitulation figned, (See
Note 186.); in confequence ofwhich. General Monckton left
Fort Royal on the ijtb, with the grenadiers of the army, and
the fecond brigade; and, on the i6fh, took poffeffion of the
opulent city of St Pierre, and all the pofts and batteries in its
nelgbbourbood. The French Governor was In a great meafure
compelled to take this ftep ; for iraraediately on the furrender
of Fort Royal, the Admiral had detached tbe Honourable
Captain Hervey in the Dragon, and fome other ftips, to fhe
harbour of La Trinite. The Captaiii landed his marines and
five hundred feamen, and took poffeffion of the place-, on
¦which all tbe quarters in that part of tbe ifland fubmitted fo
the Britift arms. This greatly diminifted tbe force under M. de

17^2. MILITARY MEMOIRS, 527

de la Touche; but ftill be would not propofe any terms un
til he found that the Admiral and General were coming againft
St Pierre, with their whole force ; when, tbe inhabitants
dreading the fame fate to their capital, as that which befel the
capital of Guadaloupe in 1759, befeeched the Governor to
propofe terras of C2pitulatIo.n, and even gave him fo under-
ftand that they would no longer aid hira in the defence of the
place ; on which he fent his brother, and a General Officer,
with his terms.
With an account of the furrender of fhe ifland of Martinico,
General Moncktoii fent home his aid-de-camp. Captain Ri-
caut, who was gracioufly received by his Majefty ; had a pre
fent of 500I. given hira fo buy a fword, and was foon after
proraoted to the rank of Major.
WhUe raeafures were purfulng for the reduftlon of the ifland
of Martinico, the Admiral fent tome ftips under tbe command
of Commodore Swanton, to block up the ifland of Grenada.
{See Note 187.) And as foon as Martinico had fubmitted.
Commodore Swanton received a reinforcement of ftips, who
efcorted thither fhe fifth brigade, with Lieutenant-Colonel
Scott's Light-infantry; Thefe troops were commanded by
Brigadier- General Walft; who arriving off Grenada the 3d
of March, be next day fent Lieutenant-Colonel Scott aftore
with a letter to the Governor, furamoning hira to furrender.
This he pofitively refufed, in like manner as be had done a
fummons received from Coraraodore Swanton, before the troops
arrived. The inhabitants, however, perceiving their deftrac-
fion inevitable if they held out, and being affured that ihey
would not obtain fuch favourable terras at any future time as at
the prefent, they figned a capitulation on the 4th. A very ftrong
poft, which coramanded fhe fort, was occupied by fhe Gover
nor, aided by his garrifon of regular troops, and fbme freeboot
ers who ftill ftood on their defence. On the 5th, General
Walft landed with the grenadiers, the light-infantry, and the
twenty-feventh regiment, and iraraediately took fuch fteps as
muft foon bave obliged fhe Governor tp furrender : but he
faved the General *ny further trouble ; for, £nding himfelf
abandoned

528 NAVALAND 1762.
abandoned by the Inhabitants, bis coraraunication with tbe coun
try, and every fupply, cut off, he furrendered at difcretion,
without firing a gun. With this Ifland alfo furrendered the
Greiiadillas, a clufter of Iflands, two of which (Carriacou
and Bequla) ^re near as large as the ifland of Antigua. Ge
neral Walft appointed Lieutenant-Colonel Scott, Governor of
this new conqueft, leaving the ninety-fifth regiraent as a gar
rifon, and returned with fhe remainder of the troops to Mar
tinico. General Monckton fent home bis Aid-de-carap, Cap
tain Wood, with the news of this conqueft, who was graci-'
oufly received by his Majefty, and ordered to be prefented with
500I. to buy a fword. The lofs the Britift troops fuftained In
the conquefts they raade, was rauch lefs than could bave been
expedled, confidering the nurabers of fhe eneray, and the
ftrong country fhey poffeffed, (See Note 187.) every acce^ble
part of which was entrenched, and defended by a numerous ¦
artillery. (See Note 187.) What negroes were taken from fhe
eneray, before the ifland furrendered, were all fold, and the
money arifing from the fale divided araong the fubalterns, non-
coraralffioned officers, and private raen ; the Generals, Field-
officers, and Captains having genetoufly given up their ftares
f o theraf .
On the 24th of February, fhe Honourable Captain Hervey
was detached with a fraall fquadron againft the ifland of St
Lucia. (See Note 188.) His orders were, only to attack it in
cafe he found his ftrength fufficient to reduce if, and If not
ftrong enough, to raake his report to the Adrairal. Captain
Hervey could not get fuch a diftindl account of the enemy's
ftrength or fituation as he wifted, and the entrance Info the
harbour being now narrow, he could not fee from without in
what raanner it was fortified ; but he fell on a ftratagem that
procured him the Intelligence that he wanted. He fent in an
officer to fummon M. Longueville, the French Governor, to
' furrender,
f Avery different condudl was purfucd at the fiege of Guadaloupe, in 1759.
The Negroes and other prize goods then taken, were all fold by a perfon who
ftiled himfelf King's Agent ; but the money arifing froia the fales was never ac
counted for f 0 the army ferving there.

176a. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 529
furrender, while he hirafelf dreffed like a raidftlpraan, accom
panied tbe officer, by way of an interpreter, and was, along
witb hira, condudted into the Fort f o the Governor, who de
clared that he was refolved to hold out fo the laft extreralty.
Captain Flervey being now convinced that his ftips could corae
very near the fort, he therefore refolved to enter the harbout:
next day, and with bis cannon, reduce M. de Longueville tP
reafon ; who no fooner faw the ftips approach the harbour's
mouth, than he offered terms of capitulation, ^hlch being
fettled, -{See Note 188.), Captain Hervey took poffeffion of
the fort and harbour, which Is one of the beft In this part of
the Weft Indies. The Captain's orders were, as foon as he
had reduced St Lucia, which was looked upon as a French
Ifland, to proceed againft the ifland of St Vincent's, (See Note
1 89.) and to inform the Chief or Chiefs of the native Caribs,
that he was not corae to raoleft thera in any ft ape whatever,
but to rid thera of the yoke which the French had Impofed on
them ; to compel the ufurpers to retire to Martinico ; and af
furing fhem, that fhe King his Mafter would grant them his
Royal protedlion, and maintain them in that ftate of neutra
lity to which they were juftly entitled.
On his way fo obey thefe Inftrudlions, he met an exprefs
from the- Admiral, with orders for Captain Hervey to join him
with all expedition. The reafon of this was, thaf the French,
well awire of how great importance the poffeffion of the Weft
Indies iflands was fo them, and that without a powerful aid,
their fall was Inevitable, had made a defperate effort either to
relieve fuch as might be befieged, or to fuccour others that
might be threatened witb an attack, in fuch a manner as Would
make us either abandon the defign, or buy fhe conqueft very
dear; For this purpofe, they had fitted out af Breft feven fail
of the line and three frigates, the command of which was
given to M, de Blenac ; and on board of this fqiladron (See
Note 1 90.) they had embarked feven battalions of Infantry.
The troops v/«re coraraanded by the VifcOunf de Belfunce :
he was accompanied by Chevalier de St Croix, who had been
appointed Governdr of St Domingo. This fquadrpn had the
Vol. iu l 1 '" good

53© NAVAL AND 1762.
good fortune to efcape out of Breft in abfence of Commodore
Spry, who had a few days before been blown off tbe coaft.
On his return fo this ftation, he perceived that the enemy's
fleet, availing themfelves of bis at)fence, had ftole out. He
tried to overtake fhem ; but they having got too far ahead of
him, he gave over fhe purfuit, and difpatched the Aquilon
frigate to the Weft Indies, in order to put Admiral Rodney
on his guard.. Had the' Aquilon arrived a few days fooner, it
is probable this French fquadron had been either taken or def
troyed ; but the firft notice of their arrival in the Weft Indies
was announced by their appearance off La Trinite on the wind
ward fide of Martinico on the Bth of March. In the evening
they fent a boat to the ftore with an officer In It to gain intel
ligence. They did not land, but fpoke to a French planter,
who was attending fome Negroes at work In a field. ,The fqua
dron laid to fill about one o'clock on the loth, when they put
before the wind, and came alraoft within cannon-ftot of La-
Trlnite, Inforauch thaf Major Gordon Grahara, who coraraan
ded there with the fecond battalion of Royal Highlanders,
thought they were going to land ; but they changed tbeir courfe
and ftood for the ifland of Dorainica. At this time Admiral
Rodney's ,fleet was much difperfed ; part being off the Gre
nades with Coraraodore Swanton, part with Captain Hervey,
and a part with Sir Jaraes Douglas, cruizing off the Salinas.
Such being the fituation of affairs, when Adrairal Rodney re
ceived advice that M. de Blenac was on tbe coaft, he Iramedi
ately fent orders to Commodore Swanton and Captain Hervey
to join him off fhe Salinas, and, with the few ftips he had
with thera, he left Martinico, jolikd Sir Jaraes Douglas, and
went In queft of the French fquadron. Commodore Swanton
and Captain Hervey joined hira without delay ; fo that, in the
courfe of a few days, he found hirafelf at the bead of a power
ful fleet, but could obtain no account of tbe eneray ; he foo'n
after learned, thaf they bad been feen from St Chriftopher's
fleering to fhe weftward ; a circumftance which put it beyond
doubt, that they had gone to Cape Frangols. The Admiral
returned to Martinico, where he found the Aquilon frigate, wiio.

i7<J2- MILITARY MEMOIRS. 531
who, furnlfting him with certain accounts of the ftrength of
the enemy's fleet, he ordered fhe fquadron fo be watered arid
got ready for fea with the utmoft difpatch.
It was a moft fortunate circumftance, that M. de Blenac
had failed from Breft before the French Miniftry received in
formation of Spain's refolution to take a part In fhe war ; for ,
foon after his appearance off Martinico, Rear-Adrairal Rod
ney received letters frora Captain George Johnftonc, of his'
Majefty's floop the Hornet, dated frora Lifton, into which
port fhe Captain had carried a fmall French privateer which he
had taken. Frora the Coramander of this veffel, Captain Johh-
ftone learned of the certainty of a rupture between Great Bri
tain arid Spain. This was confirraed a few days afterwards by
the Spanift Ambaffador at Lifton receiving difpatches from'
Madrid, In which was a copy of Spain's declaration of war
againft Great Britain ; on which Captain Johnftonc iraraedi
ately vidlualled and raanned his prize, and fent her off exprefs
with letters to Adrairal Rodney In the Weft Indies, where flie
had the good fortune to arrive In twenty-three days : the offi
cer who coraraanded her brought along with hira a copy of the
King of Spain's order of Deceraber loth 1761, for feizing all
Britift veffels in Spanift portsf. On this, Adrairal Rodney
gave orders fo his fquadron to take all Spanift veffels whatever:
foon after which, a tender belonging to the Dubll;i captured
a packet-boat, carrying difpatches for the Spanift Governors'
in the Weft Indies, advlfing fhem of the declaration of war
againft Great Britain. This capture was of the utmoft impor
tance, as by means oflt the Spaniards in the Weft Indies' fe-
niained entirely Ignorant of what was' tranfadling in Europe,'
whik Britain was fully acquainted with what had been done.
- The Right Honourable George Grenville was fo well pleafed
with Captain M'Laurin's condudl/ that he ordered him a pre
fent of 200I. L 1 2 While
t This prize he put under the command of the Mafter of the Hornet, Mr
(afterwards Captain) John M'Laurin. He delivered Captain J ohnftone's letter
to Admiral Rodney, on the l Sth of January 176a; thiswas fix weeks prior tci
the Admiral's' receiving advice ofthe Spanilh war frorti England'.

532 NAVALAND 1762.
While the fleet was watering. Admiral Rodney received
letters from the Governor of Jaraaica, Informing hira of Rear-
Admiral Holmes's death, and requefting thaf forae troops and
fliips might be fent Imraediately for fhe, defence of fhe ifland,
as a ftrong fquadron of Spanift ftips of war had arrived af
the Havannah, which made them very apprehenfive of an at
tack from the combined forces of France and Spain ; and con
cluding, from fhe above caufe, that the latter had taken a
decided part againft Great Britain. Admiral Rodney corarau
nlcated this Intelligence fo General Monckton, who, having
no Orders fo that purpofe, was very much at a lofs how to pro
ceed. The Admiral thought the emergency fo great, that he
refolved to go himfelf with a confiderable part of his fquadron
fo that ifland, and difpatched a frigate exprefs to Coraraodore
Forreft (who, fince the death of Adrairal Holraes, command
ed his Majefty's ftips at Jamaica), by which he informed hira
of the arrival of a French fquadron In the Weft Indies, and
requefting fhe Coraraodore to join hira off Cape Sf Nicholas
with all the ftips he could raufter, as he was determined to block
up the enemy in fuch of their ports as he ftould find fhem at.
He af fhe fame time defired to be informed of every particular
relative fo Jaraaica, In order that he might be the better ena
bled fo take the proper meafures for its prefervation. The
fquadron was ordered to rendezvous at the Ifland of St Chri
ftopher's, that he might feledl the ftips he defigned ftpuld ac
company him. Before be had got every thing ready for fail
ing, the Richmond frigate. Captain Elphinftone, arrived there
from England on the 26th of March, who brought out orders
to the Adrairal and General Monckton, not to profecute any
defigns. they might have planned, as his Majefty had thought
p.roper fo order a grand fecret expedition to the Weft Indies,
to which every operation rauft give way, and in wbich both
fervices rauft join, in order to Inereafe Its force as rauch as
poffible. But the Adrairal not being quite eafy as to the fafer
ty of Jamaica, and as the fquadron on thaf ftation was likewife
to be Included In the grand expedition, he refolved to fend a
large reinforcement pf ftips under the command of Sir James
Douglas,

17^2. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 533

Douglas, (See Note 191.) to that ifland, with orders to get
fhe fquadron there ready for fea as. foon as poffible, in order fo
join Sir George Pocock : which being done. Admiral Rodney
detached a part of bis fleet to cruize off fhe Spanift Main, un
der tbe command of Coraraodore Swanton, and then returned
with the remainder to St Pierre's in Martinico, to wait the ar
rival of Admiral Pocock; having. In the mean^irae, fent a
frigate to meet hlra'at Barbadoes.
The cruizers of Admiral Rodney's fquadron captured but
few confiderable prizes. The Adleon took a Spanift regifter
ftip on the 4th of February, off Tobago, laden with cannon, -
gun -powder, fmall arms, and ordnance ftores, bound for La
Guira. The Ferret floop of war, commanded by Captain Peter
Clarke, being on a cruize to fhe windward of the ifland of Por
to Rico, took a Spanlft floop, 'the raafter of which, on condi
tion that bis veffel ftould be reftored to him, promifed to ftpw
Captain Clark? a Spanlft ftip of great value at anchor not far
off; but as fte imounted twenty- four guns, and had a great
many men, he was afraid fte might prove an overmatch for
the Ferret. The terms being agreed on, ap foon as the fliip
was diilindlly feen, the floop was reftored. Captain Clarke
found much difficulty fo get at the pneray, whofe ftip was at
anchor in a bay, behind a reef of jrocks and a fand-bank ; fo
that to get clofe at her, was attended with great hazard. For
three days he plied off and on, and fent his boats during fhe
night to found the bay, when they at laft found a channel of
fifteen feet water. Small as this depth was. Captain Clarke
being refolved to make^ trial of it, he early next morning en
tered Its channel, and ftoOd for the enemy, who, as foon as
the Ferret came within reach of their guns, kept up an incef
fant, but ill diredled fire 011 her. When the Ferret had got
within poiiit-blank ftot, fte unluckily touched the ground ;
but her broadfide bearing on the enemy, flje returned their fire
with great briflcnefs for near two boijrs, when the enemy,
having firft hauled down their colours, took to their boats, and
abar^doned- their ftip. Captain Clarke immediately fent his
L 1 3 boats

534, NAVAL AND i7<J2.

boats on board : She was bound frora the Caraccas' to Cadiz,
and proved a very valuable prize. If is fuppofed that the ene
my's lofs of raen rauft have been confiderable, as ranch blood
was found on the decks ; but they had carried off their kil-
l,ed, as well as wounded. The Admiral vvas fo well pleafed
with fhe behaviour of Captain Clarke and bis crew, that he
yent on board and returned them bis thanks. The Captain
was foon after appointed fo a poft ftip. This fleet was rein-
fprced the end of the year, (See Note 192.) and a flag fent
out to Commodore Swanton.
WEST INDIES.— Jamaica Station.
In order to underftand diftindlly the franfadtlons in this part
of the world. We fhall begin with giving an account of fuch
operations as happened previous to fhe arrival of Sir George
Pocock. Rear-Admiral Holmes dying fhe 24th of November
1 76 1, the command devolved on Captain Arthur Forreft; of
his Majefty's ftip Centaur. Owing fo the adlivity of fhe Bri
tift cruizers, the eneray's trade was quite deftroyed ; and if
the Dutch had not affifted thera, they would have found it a
difficult matter to have difpofed of fhe produce of their colo
nies. The Fowey *, coramanded by Captain Jofeph Mead, on her
voyage from Martinico to Jamaica, fell in with the Ventura, a
Spaftifli -frigate of twentyvfix twelve pounders, and three hun
dred men, off Cape Tiberoon. Captain Mead Iraraediately bore
down and attacked her clofely. The enemy returned fhe fire
yery briflcly ; when, after engaging an hour and a half, both
ftips were fo much daraaged, that fhey fteered off fo repair
their rigging. This completed, Captain Mead coraraenced the
adlion again ; but it being now ten o'clock af night, and ex
tremely dark, he found It impoffible to get his ftip placed a-
gainft his antagonift as he wifted. He fherefore gave over fir-
. ing
• The Fowey mounted only twenty-four nine-founders, and had one hundred
and thirty-five men.

1762. MILITARY MEMOIRS.

S3 J

ir?g until day-llgjit, when he determined to renew the adlion.
Next morning, as foon as he got fight of fhe Ventura, hp once
more bore dpwn, and engaged her until half an hour after
eight, when, being very much damaged In her hull, raafts, yards,
and rigging, the enemy ftruck. She had forty men killed, and
a great raany wounded. The Fowey had ten men killed, and
twenty-four wounded.
On the 3d of April, the Huffar, commanded by Captain Car
ket, attacked four French ftips at anchor, under a fort In Ti
beroon bay : one, mounting fixteen guns, he, burned ; another
of fourteen guns, he funk ; and cut ouf fhe other two, viz. one
of fixteen,, and the other of twelve guns, both of them kden
with flour and indigo. In this attack, the Huflar had one man
killed, and twelve wounded. The enemy had feventeen men
killed, and thirty-five wounded ; moft of their crews efcaped
on ftore in their boats. The Huffar, being on a cruize off the
ifland of Hifpaniola, In the month of May, had the misfortune
to ftrike on a rock, and was wrecked : three of her crew were
drowned ; the reft were faved, and fooir after fent f o Jamaica,
Intelligence was brought to the Coraraodore, of the arrival
of M. de Blenacwith a French fquadron at Cape Frangols, by
the Merlin floop, coramanded by Captain Carteret, who was
cruizing off that port when fhe eneray's fleet raade Its appear^
ance. It happened fo be night ; and the floop not anfwering
fte private fignal, expedled every rainute fo be taken, as, frora
the fignals made by M. de Blenac, forae of his ftips were or
dered to chafe. But the Captain fell on a ftratagera .which fa
ved his ftip. He hoifted a nuraber of lights, and kept firing
his guns as if be bad been raaking fignals to bis own Adrairal
or Coraraodore. This fcheme fucceeded to his wift; the chaf
ing ftips were recalled ; fhe French fquadron raade for the
Cape with all the fail fhey could crowd, and entered that port
in fuch confufion, thaf the Dragon of fixty-four guns, one of
their fquadron,, run on a fand-bank, and was loft. So large a
fleet, and fuch a nuraber of troops as fhey brought with thera,
greatly alarraed fhe Ifland of Jamaica, which dreaded ari attack
¦frora fhe combined forces of France and Spain, efpecially wben
L 1 4 they

^3<5 NAVAL AND 1762.
they learned that fhe latter bad a very ftrong fleet at tbe Ha
vannah. The Governor and Council iraraediately refolved to
make application to General Monckton and Admiral Rodney
for affiftanee. Orders having arrived about this tirae frora En
gland, reftrldling fhe General and Adrairal frora engaging in
any new enterprize, no troops could be fpared ; but Admiral
Rodney judging It abfolutely neceffary for fhe fecurify ofthe
ifland of Jaraaica, fo have a ftrong fleet there, difpatched Sir
Jaraes Douglas with ten fail of the line, lo take the command
pf the fleet on the Jaraaica ftation, until the arrival of Sir
George Pocock.
In order to prevent a jundlion between the French and Spa-_
nift fleets. Sir James difpatched a fquadron of ftips (See Note
191.) under the coraraand of the Honourable Captain Hervey,
to block up the French fquadron In Cape Francois ; which fer-
>dce he perforraed with great adlivity. Soon after M. de Ble-
nac's arrival, he wrote fo the Governor of fhe Havannah, ac
quainting hira of hoftillties having coraraenced between Great
Britain and Spain, and offering to corae with his fquadron to
the Havannah to his affiftanee. The Governor, not dreading
an attack, declined fhe offer; and he Is reported fo have faid,
that he would as foon fuffer a Britift fquadron to enter the port
as a French one. Sir Jaraes Douglas exerted hirafelf as rauch
as poffible fo get fhe fleet at Jaraaica ready for fervice, and fallr
ed with It to fhe general rendezvous off Cape Nicholas ; to
which place Captain Hervey and his fquadron were alfo order
ed ; and there fhey joined Sir George PocDck, of whofe ap-
pointraent arid operations we ftall now fpeak.
As foon as it was known for certainty, ' that a rupture with
the Court of Madrid was uriavoidable, the Britift Miniftry de
terrained to avail fhemfelves of fhe large body of land forces
which was -then in the Weft Indies, by attacking the Spaniards,
as they had done the French, in forae of their principal fettle
ments, and fhey refolved fo begin with the Havannah. This
place was juftly looked upon as the key to the Spanift fettle
ments Iri the Weft Indies ; and as it in a great meafure cut off
311 communication between the colonies atid the mother coun-

17^2. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 537
try, our attaining poffeffion of it could not fail to be feverely
felt by the enemy. No time was to be loft ; but the great dif
ficulty lay In colleaing a force fufficient for an enterprize of
fuch importance. Orders were fent to General Monckton, to
colledl all the troops that could be fpared from that part of tbe
Weft Indies, which were reckoned at eight thoufand raen ;
four thoufand were to be fent frora England ; about two thou
fand were expedled to be drawn from. Jaraaica ; and Sir Jeffrey
Amherft having orders fent him fo raife forae raen for this fer
vice in North Araerica, thefe, with what regular troops he
could fpare, were eftiraafed at four thoufand ; fo thaf fhe array
deftined againft fhe Havannah, when joined by fhe troops ex
pedled from North America, might be about fifteen or fixteen
thoufand effedllve men, (See Note 193.) As already menrion-
ed, the army deftined on this fervice was fo be commanded by
the Earl of Albemarle, and the. fleet by Admiral Sir George
Pocock. No more than five fail of fhe line were fo accompany
the Admiral and General from England.
The troops being embarked, fhe fleet failed frora Spithead
the 5fh of March, and confifted of five fail of the line, (See
Note 193.) thirty tranfports, nineteen ftore and vidlualling
ftips, and eight ftips loaded with artillery and ftores. Off Ply
mouth, they were joined by theSt Florentine and Burford, who
were ordered to fee the fleet a confiderable way fo the weft
ward. On the uth, chafe was given to a large fail; and the
Valiant coraing up with her, fte ftruck, and proved to be fhe St
Brieft, a French Eaft India ftip, of feven hundred tons burden,
having a crew of two hundred and thirty raen, befides paffen
gers, bound from fhe Ifle of Bourbon fo Port L'Orient, and la
den with coffee and pepper. The Admiralfent the Burford to
efcort the prize to Plyraoufh. One of fhe ftore-ftips run foul
of a tranfport, by which fte was fo much crippled, thaf fte was
unable to proceed on her voyage. The moft material of her
ftores were taken out, and the veffel fent back to England, un
der convoy of fhe Rippon. Soon after, a violent ftorm fepara
ted tbe fleet, w-hlcb did not completely unite again until the
20th of April, when the Namur arrived at Barbadoes, after a
paffage

538 NAVAL AND i7<52.
paffage of forty-five days. Here the Adrairal found moft of
his ftips ; as alfo fhe Rippon, which, with fome of the tranf
ports, had arrived a few days before. A frigate, with letters
from Rear-Adrairal Rodney, was likewife there, with Major
Monypenny, who had been fent by General Monckton, to in
form the Earl of Albemarle of the fuccefs with wbich his Ma
jefty's arms had been attended, and to lay before his Lordftip
a ftate of the army under his coraraand. On tbe 24th, the fleet
failed from Carllfle bay, and arrived In Cas des^avleres bay, in
the ifland of Martinico, on the 26fh.
Here Sir George Pocock and fhe Earl of Albemarle affumed
the coraraand of their refpedlive departraenfs, and every exer
tion was ufed to get all things in readinefs for proceeding on
the fecret expedition. A nuraber of fafclnes were made by
the foldiers, and put on board of franfporfs and frigates ; and
orders were feqt to Sir James Douglas fo join Sir George Po
cock with the fleet under bis coraraand, off Cape Nicholas in
the ifland of Hifpaniola. General Monckton had the offer of
the government of Martinico, or to go third In command in the
expedition againft the Havannah. But his health being greatly
impaired In the Weft India climate, he chofe to return to New
York, to the government of which he had been appointed.
Brigadier-General Rufane was appointed Governor of Marti
nico. The Earl of Albemarle divided the army info five bri
gades, (See Note 193.) The four companies of light infantry
belonging to fhe regiraents brought frora England, and one bat
talion of grenadiers, were forraed Info a corps, and the cora
raand of It given fo Colonel Carleton, now Lord Dorchefter ;
while the coraraand of fhe other two battalions of grenadiers,
was given to Colonel (now Lord Vifcount) Howe.
As foon as It was determined fo fend fhe Eari of Albemarle
to the Weft Indies, orders were fent fo fhe Governor of Ja
maica, to raife two thoufand ftout negroes for the fervice of
tbe army, In order to affift them in their various operadons.
He was inftrudled, lit the fame time, to endeavour fo raife a
corps of five hundred Negroes, to be formed into a regiment,
and to adt as foldiers. Of the former, fifteen hundred were
raifed.

i7<S2. MILITARY MEMOIRS, 539
raifed, and did raoft excellent fervice during the fiege ; nor
did fhe ifland tiirn fhe neceffities of Governraent to their own
eraoluraent ; on fhe contrary, they were furnlfted for five.
pence Sterling per day, although the price of labour was then
at fifteen pence Sterling in that ifland. The latter corps, thro'
fome raifunderftanding with fhe Governor and principal people
of tbe Ifland, did not take effedl, except for one company. Tbe
Earl of Albemarle, when at Martinico, gave orders for pur
chafing eight hundred or a thoufand Negroes in the different
iflands, left thofe ordered to be hired at Jamaica ftould not be
ready fo join him.
Every thing being now In readinefs. Sir George Pocock and
the fleet failed frora Martinico the 6fh of May; and on the
Sth, going through the Mona paffage, they joined the ftips un
der Captain Hervey, who was eraployed in blocking up M. de
Blenac in the harbour of Cape Fran9oIs. On the 1 7fh, they
arrived off Cape Nicholas ; and, on the 23d, were joined by Sir
James Douglas witb the fquadron from Jamaica.
Now It was that the proper method of proceeding againft
the Havannah was concerted. The Admiral had two routes to
make choice of. The eafieft was to fail along the fouth fide
of tbe Ifland of Cuba, get into the tradi of the galleons, to
Come round fhe weft end of the ifland, and fo beat down to the
Havannah. This route would require much time ; and as fo
very much depended on difpatch, it Is not to be wondered at,
that Sir George Pocock took fhe ftorfeft, although the raoft
hazardous, of fhe two routes, and refolved fo fteer on the
north fide of the ifland of Cuba, through the intricate and dan
gerous paffage, known by fhe narae of the Old Straits of Ba
hama, a very narrow navigation, of near fix hundred miles long.
By fo doing, however, he greatly ftortened his voyage, and
found the eneray unprepared for an attack ; at the farae tirae
that he fecured fhe only paffage by which the French could
fend fupplies fo the Spaniards frora Hifpaniola. By avoiding
tbe currents, and beating up againft fhe trade^wlnd, the Admi
ral and General hoped fo gain fo rauch time, as to be able to
coraplete their operations before the hurricane feafon fet in. All

540 ' NAVALAND 176:

All the neceffary arrangement; being made for landing the
army, and every thing properly concerted with the naval offi
cers, the Admiral formed his fleet Info feven divifions. He
difpatched Sir James Douglas, In the Centurion, to Jamaica,
with orders f?o haften the ftips that were there, and, along with
the trade for Europe, to bring fuch fupplies of Negroes and
provifions as that ifland could furnift. On the 27th of May,
the Admiral raade the fignal, and the whole fleet, now confift
ing of about two hundred fail, bore away (See Note 193.) for
tbe Old Straits of Baharaa. The precautions ufed in this pe
rilous navigation, cannot be better defcribed, than is done by
Sir George Pocock himfelf. In his letter fo the Secretary ofthe
Admiralty, dated Naraur off Chorera river, July 14th, 1762,
ofwhich the following Is an extradl : —
" Sir, «' Agreeable fo my intentions fignlfied to you by my letter,
" dated the 26.th of May, by the Barbadoes floop, I bore away
*' with the fleet fhe next afternoon, having the day before fent
*' the Bonetta floop. Captain Holmes, with a Providence pilot
« on board him, to diredl the veffels fo their proper ftatlons on
" the Cuba fide, and Bahama banks, that we might be guided
« by their fignals in our paffage. Luckily, the next day, the
« Richmond joined us : fte had been down the Old Straits to
" Cayo-Sal, and- Captain Elphinftone had been very diligent
" and careful in his remarks going through and returning back,
" having taken flcefches of fhe land and Cayos on both fides,
" He kept ahead of the fleet, and led us through very well.
*' We paffed fhe narroweft part in the night, between Cape
" Lobos and Cayo Comfito, keeping good fire-lights on each
" Cayo for our diredllons ; and found Lord Anfon's Spanift
" chart of the Old Straits a very juft one. The Providence
*• pilot, who was on board the Bonetta floop, placed the Trent,
« Captairi Lindfay, at the firft ftation on fhe Cuba fide, forty
"leagues to the eaftward of where fte ought fo have been. 
f' This occafioned forae of the others never fo find the Cayos
?' where they were fent to lie on': but no III confequences at-
" tend-

1762. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 541
" fended it; though we find the pilots in general ignorant of
" the paffage. On the 2d, in the morning, the Alarm and
<* Echo being ordered .ahead to lie on Cayo-Sal bank, the for-
" mer made fhe fignal for feeing five fail In the N. W. quarter.
" They both chafed, with other ftips ; and about two in the
" afternoon. Captain Alms In the Alarra, carae up and engag-
«* ed the Thetis, a Spanift frigate of twenty-two guns, and
" one huridred and eighty raen ; and the Phoenix ftore-ftip,
" armed for war, of eighteen guns, and feventy-five men ; and
" in three quarters of an hour, both ftruck to her. The Thetis
" had ten men killed, and fourteen wounded ; tbe Alarm had
" feven men killed, and ten wounded. A brigantine and two
«' fchooners were at firft In company with them ; one- of the
" latter efcaped. They were bound fo Sagoa in fhe Straits,
" for timber for the ufe of the ftips at the Havannah; from
" whence they had failed twelve days before.
" During all the paffage through the Old Straits of Bahama,
" we had fine weather and little current ; and, on the 5th in
" fhe evening, got clear through, and faw the Metances. On
" fhe 6th, in the morning, brought to, about five leagues to
" fhe eaftward of the Havannah, to iffue out diredllons to the
" Captains of the fleet, and mafters of the tranfports, with re-
" gard fo fhe landing of fhe army : arid having appointed the
" Honourable Coraraodore Keppel * to condudl that part of
" the fervice, leaving with him fix ftips of the line, and fome
" frigates, and having raanned the flat-bottomed boats from the
" fleet, I bore away, about two o'clock in tbe afternoon, with
" thirteen ftips of the line, two frigates, the bomb-ketches, ahd
" thirty-fix fail of Vidluallers and ftore-ftips, and run down off
" the harbour ; where I faw twelve Spanift ftips of the line,
" and feveral merchant-ftips. Next morning, I erabarked the
" marines' boats, and raade a feint of landing about four miles
" fo the weftward ofthe Havannah. About the farae time, fhe
" Earl of Albemarle landed with the whole army, without op-
" pofitlon, between the rivers Boca Nao and Coxlmar, about fix
" miks
• Afterwards Lord 'Vifcount Keppel, and Admiral of the 'White.

542 NAVAL AND 1762.
" railes fo the eaftward of fhe Moro : but there appearing a
" body of raen near the ftore, Mr Keppel ordered the Mercury
" and Bonetta floop in ftore, to fcour the beach and woods 5
" and a raore confiderable body appearing afterwards, as if they
**, intended to oppofe the Earl of Alberaarle In paffing the Cox-
" Iraar river, the Coraraodore ordered Captain Hervey in the
" Dragon, to run in and batter the caftle, which in a ftort
" tirae he filenced, and the array paffed unraolefted."
From the prifoners made In the Spanlft ftips taken on the
2d inftant, certain informatipn was obtained of the fituation
of affairs at the Havanna. The Spaniards had a fleet of twelve'
fail of the line, two of fhem but juft launched ; two more on
the ftocks nearly finifted, and feveral merchant ftips. The
men of war were almoft ready for fea ; but no account had
reached the Governor of fhe Intended attack. The -firft ac
count he received of it was frora the crew of the fchooner
which efcaped frora fhe Britift ftips on the 2d inftant. He
then called a council of war, corapofed of all his principal of
ficers ; to thefe were joined fhe Conde de Superunda, Lieute
nant-General of his Catholic Majefty's forces, and late Vice
roy of the kingdom of Peru ; Don -Diego Tavares, a Major-
General, Knight of the Order of St Jago, and late Governor of
Carthagena ; thefe officers being accidentally af fhe Havanaa,
on their way horae to Spain, frora their late refpedlive govern
ments. In this Council, a plan of defence was fettled, and a
refolution taken to hold out fo the laft extremity. The Moro,
being of the greateft confequence, and on fhe poffeffion of
which the fate of the Havanna In a great meafure depended,
was intrufted to the command of Don Louis de Velafco, Cap
tain of the Reyno ftip of war ; and a raore judicious choice
could not haye been made. He difcharged this iraportant
truft witb a courage and fidelity that has rendered his name
"immortal. The Marquis de Gonzales, Captain di the Aqui
lon ftip of war, was appointed fecond in command. He
imitated the example of Don Louis de Velafco in every re-
fpedl, and died fword in Iiand, in defence of his truft. Be
fore

T7<J2. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 543
fore the .Governor could array the militia of the ifland. It was
neceffary that war ftould be proclaraed in due form againft
Great Britain, which he loft no time In doing ; and in the
courfe of a few days, had an array nearly as nuraerous as that
ofthe Invaders. The garrifon of the Havanna confifted at
this time of Men..
Nine fquadrons of Cavalry, viz. One of the Havannah
dragoons, four of fhe regiraent of Arragon dragoons,
and four of the regiment of Edinburgh dragoons;
twenty men fo each fquadron, — — 810
INFANTRY.
Regiment of the Havanna, , — — 700

of Spain, two battalions, — 1400
of Arragon, ditto, — 1400

Three companies of artillery, — — 300 - 3800
^ ? 
Total regular troops, — 4610
Sailors and marines belonging to the fleet, — 9000

Total of the Spanlft forces at the Havanna, 1 3,610
Militia, and people of colour, — — 14,000
Total, — — 27,610
The greateft part of fhe regular infantry, and all their ca
valry, together with a large body of militia, took poft at the
large village of Guanamacoa, with a defign to prevent the
Britift troops frora getting round the harbour to attack the
city on the weft fide.
The journal of the fiege of the Havannah, as given by the
chief engineer, contains fuch an araple account of all the va
rious operations, that we beg leave to infert it here, together
with fuch other particulars as have been communicated to the
author. *' June

544 NAVAL and: 1762.
" June 7fh, Coraraodore Keppel had got every thing ready
" for diferabarking fhe army, with a difpatch that did himv
" great honour. By day-light, all the troops were in the flaf-
" boats, and ranged In three divifions ; the centre condudled
" by fhe Honourable Auguftus Hervey ; the right wing by
" Captains Barton and Drake ; the left wing by Captains Ar-
" buthnot and Jekyl ; and. fhe referve by Captain Wheelock.
" The fignal for landing being made by fhe Commodore from
" the Richmond; and there appearing a body of the eneray
" to oppofe the landing, he ordered the Mercury and Bonetta
" floop to fcour fhe beach, and fire Into the woods, upon
" which the enemy difperfed, and the whole array landed wlth-
" out oppofition. The firft debarkation confifted of the firft
" brigade, grenadiers, and light-infantry, coraraanded by
" Lieutenant-General Elliot, Major-General Keppel, and Bri-
" gadier-General Haviland. The Earl of Alberaarle followed
•• in the Valiant's barge, and General Lafaufille coraraanded
" the debarkation of the other brigades. The whole forraed
" on the beach ; and when the debarkation was corapleted,
" the Earl of Albemarle began his march towards the Ha-
" vanna : but a very confiderable body of the- eneray appearing
*' as if fo difpute fhe paflage of Coxiraar river, fhe Corarao-
" modore ordered Captain Hervey In the Dragon to batter
" Coximar fort, which In a ftort time he filenced ; and Lord
" Albemarle, at the head of the light-infantry and grenadiers,
" paffed unmolefted. His Lordftip took up his head quarters
" there for that night. The troops lay on their arms along fhe
" beach ; and the piqaets were advanced into fhe woods-
«' While fhe troops Were landing on this fide. Sir George Po-
" cock raade a feint on the Havanna fide, in order fo diftradl
" fhe enemy's attention. He embarked all the marines in
" boats, and made a ftew of landing, about four railes to
" the weftward of the city. To this raotion the eneray was
?' not inattentive, which greatly favoured the grand difembar.^-
•• kation. « June 8th, Early in the morning Lord Alberaarle iharched
" the main body of the army to the village of Guanamacoa, " about

1752* MILITARY MEMOIRS. ^45
*« abput fix miles from the landing place, and fent Colonel
« Carleton through the Coxiraar wood, with a fmall corps of
" troops to the farae village, to endeavour to cut off the re-
" treat of a corps of the eneray faid to be afferabled thetci and
« which his Lordftip deterrained to attack. The eneray were
" moft advantageoufly pofted on a rifing ground, and drawn
" up to receive our troops. This corps was corapofed of a
" large body of infantry, and all the eneray*s cavalry^ Their
" nurabers obliged Colonel Carleton to change bis pofition ;
" and as bis corps did not exceed twelve hundred raen, he
" thought the moft prudent method would be, to Occupy a
" ftrong poft, which he did diredlly, and to acquaint Lord
" Albemarle of the enemy's ftrength and pofition. His Lord-
" ftip, with tbe army, was now got into the plain, and was
" feparated only from the Colpnel, by fhe river Coximar, a
" fordable ftream. Lord Albemarle fent the Colonel orders to
*' attack the enemy oppofite to hira, arid he would attack them
" af tbe fame time, on the oppofite fide of tbe village of Gua-
" namacoa. No fooner had Colonel Carleton put his troops
" in motion, than a large body of the enemy's cavalry aftack-
" ed the light -infantry pofted on the right of his corps ; but
" being foon repulfed by the heavy fire with which they were
" received, they retreated in great confufion^ This fo much
" difpirlted the reft of the Spaniards, amounting to near fix
*' thoufand men, that fhey quickly retired ; and Lord Albe-
" marie entered the village without oppofitiort.
" Colonel Howe, with two battalions of grchadiets. Was fent
" through fhe Coximar wood, by another road, fo reconnoi-
" fre tbe Moro fort, and to fecute the coraraunication to that
" fort frora the river Coximar. The Admiral fent the Alarm
" and Richmond in ftore, fo found as near fhe Punta fort as
" poffible, down along the weft ftore* They found anehor-
" ing ground for three leagues down tbe coaft, from twenty
" to five fathoms water, and eafy landing fot any numfeer of
" men. The enemy, this afternoori, funk one of their large
" ftips In the entrance of the harbour. The Earl of Albemarle
" having brought faddles and brl^tes from England, for a troop
VOL. II. Mm "of

54<? NAVALAND 1762.
« of light di;agopnSj confifting of one hundred men, they were
*« mounted on horfes which were taken from the enemy.
" The command of thera was given to Captain Suttie of the
«*, ninth regiment, and they proved exceeding fervicealjle, both
*f as patroles, and in, driving in cattle. They were added to
" ihe corps left under the command of General Elliot at Gua-
'f. naniiacoa. " pth. Lord Albemarle marched the airmy from Guanama-
" coa, and encamped in the woods between the Coximar and
•* the Moro, leaving a corps at Guanamacoa, under the com-
*^ mand of Lieutenant-General Elliot-, to fecure the avenues
" pn thaf fide, and a large track of country, which raight
" fupply fhe army with water,- cattle, and vegetables. The
" enemy now began to unrig their, ftips-, funk another large
«« ftip at fhe entrance, and! laid a. boora acrofs the mouth of
" the harbour. .
'.'. I oth,. Lord Albemairle ba-vlng acquainted Sir George- Po-
" cock, that the Cavannos which coraraanded the Morov were
" fooii fo be attacked,; the Admiral, to facilitate that raea-
" fi^re, and to draw the enemy's, attention to the Havannah
'-' fide» in the eveplng fenfe In i>he Belleifle, Caiptain Knight, to
" batter fhe caflJe of Chorera ; the Nottinghara was ordered
" fp be ready to fecond the attack in cafe of need, ;. and. the
' '-' Cerberus, Mercury, Bonetta, and Lurcher,, were ordered
" to ke^p firing into the woods In the night ; and allthe ma-
" rines were erabarked in boat^, fp raake the enemy Imagine a
" difembarkaflon was» Intended-. In fhe evening. Colonel
" Carleton, with the light infantry and- grenadiers from Coxl-
*' mar, invefted, the Cavannos : and, about mid-day of the
" i.ifh, attacked and carried the redoubti, with very little lofs:
" the enemy made ver-y little refiftariee ;. and retreated into the
«« Moro, which was now Invefted. At this place was a poft
" eft^WIfted, called by fhe name of the Spanift Redoubt. Juft
« at the time; Colonel Carieton attacked fhe Cavannos, the
" enemy, quitted the caftle of Chorera. The Admiral ordered
" the three bomb-ketphes to anchor- this night, to throw ftells
" intd

1762. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 547

« into fhe town, which they aecordlngly performed, under
*' cover of fhe Edgar, Stirllng-Caftle, and Echo.
"il2th. The Moro fort was, by order of Lord Albemarle,
" further reconnoitred, and the fiege of it intrufted to Majpr-
«' General Keppel. From the chief engineer's opinion, it was
" refolved to eredl a battery againft it, as near as the cover of
" the woods would adrait of ; and the place pitched upon for
" fhe battery, was within two hundred and fifty yards diftance.
" Preparations were accordingly raade, and parties ordered to
"make fafclnes.. The hardftips which the army fuftained In
«* carrying on this fiege, are alraoft inexpreffible : tbe foil was
" every vvhere fo thin, that it was witb great difficulty and
" fatigue fhey could cover tberafelves on their approaches.
" There being no fprlng^or river near thera, if was neceffary to
?* bring water frora a great diflaace ; and fo precarious and
" fcanty was this fup'ply, that they were obliged to have re-
" courfe to water frora the ftips. Roads for coraraunicatlori
" were to be cut through thick woods ; the artillery was tp be
" dragged for feveral railes over a rough rocky counff y. 6e-
" veral dropped down dead with beat, thirft, and fatigue;
" But fuch was fhe refolution of the Britift, and fuch the hap^-
" py confequences of that happy and perfedl unammity. which
" fubfifted between fhe land and the fea- fervices, that nodifli-
" culties, no hardftips, flackened for a moment the operations
"againft this -important, ftrong, and well-defended place.
" The enemy having funk a third large ftip In the entrance
" of the harbour, which entirely blocked If up; the Admiral
" ordered four ftips of the Hue to. continue cruizing in the of-
" ifing, and anchored with the reft of his fquadron off Chore-
" ra river, about four ;miles from the Havannah ; which place
" afforded plenty of good water and wood. Commodore Kep-
'« pel reraained on ihe -eafl fide, at anchor off Coximar river,
" with as -many fliips a£ war and tranfports. as were neceffary.
" He landed a confiderable body of fearaen, .who were ex-
*' tremely ufeful In landing the cannon, and ordnance flores
«' of all kinds, manning fhe batteries, raaking fafclnes, and in
" fupplying the army with water, there.being no wafer or .wells
M m 2 "ori

548 NAVAL AND 1762.
" orr the Cavannos. The Adrairal landed cannon of different
" calibers from the ftips, two raortars frora the Thunder-
" borab on fhe eaft fide, two frora fhe Grenada bomb on the
" weft fide, with old cables for eredling defences, old canvas
" for making fand bags, and ammunition ; afforded every other
" affiftanee that was in his power ; and fet himfelf the example
" of the cordiality and harmony which fubfifted between the
" two corps,
" 13th, The battery already mentioned was begun, as alfo
" a howitzer battery, beyond the Spanift redoubt, fo remove
" fhe ftipping farther up, the harbour, fo prevent them from
" raolefting the troops in their approaches, which In their
" prefent fituation fhey did very rauch. Lord Albemarle or- •
" dered two battalions of grenadiers, and three hundred llght-
" infantry, under the command of Colonel Howe, fo land at
" Chorera, f o fecure a footing, and engage forae part of the
" enemy's attention upon that fide. To this detachment the
" Adrairal added elghthundred raarlnes, forraed Info two bat-
« talions, under fhe coraraand of Majors Carapbell and Col-
" lins. Captain Walker, of the Lurcher cutter, going up
" Chorera river, out of mere curlofity, was killed.
" The great fcarclty of earth raade the approaches go on
" againft fhe Moro but flowly, as If took fhe array from this
" fo fhe 29th, during which time their fatigues were incredl-
" ble, before they got fhe cannon, mortar, and howitzer bat-
" ferles ready fo play upon the Moro and ftipping.
" 29th, At day-break, the enemy landed two detachments
" of five hundred men each, of grenadiers and chofen men,
" with a detachment of armed Negroes and Mulattoes ; one
" upon fhe right under fhe Moro, the other upon the left
" near the Lime-kiln. The piquets and advanced pofts, pre-
" vented fhe fuccefs of thefe detachments, by repulfing them ;
•' kining^ and taking near two hundred, befides wounding a
" great number, who moftly got off by favour of the woods.
" The lofs fuftained by the Britift was only fen men killed
" and wounded.
« 30th, This day was chiefly taken up in carrying ararau-
" nitlon

1762. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 549

" rtition and fuch neceffaries to the feveral batteries, fo pro-
" vide for their opening next morning ; which was done by
" the foldiers, and five hundred blacks, purchafed by Lord
" Albemarle at Martinico and Antigua, for that purpofe.
" Lord Alberaarle having fignlfied to the Adrairal, as the bat-
" teries were to open next day, that fome ftips placed againft
" the Moro, would take a great deal of fhe eneray's fire from
" the batteries, and give fhem an opportunity of difmounting
" forae of their guns ; the Admiral accordingly ordered the
" Dragon, Cambridge, and Marlborough, under the coraraand
«• of Captain Hervey, who volunteered in tbis fervice. The
" Stirhng-Caftle was ordered fo lead until fhe firft ftip was
'* properly ^placed, and then to raake fail off; but Captairi
" Campbell not performing that fervice agreeable to the orders
" he received from Captain Hervey, he complained of hira,
" and defir^ed his condudl raight be Inquired Info by a court-
" raartial ; which was done after the fiege was over, and he
" was caftlered.
" July ift. This morning, two batteries of cannon opened,
•' which, witb thofe of mortars, made our fire as follows :
•' Batteries, , Guns. Mortars.
a4pdrs. 13 in. loin. Royals.
*' On the left, called William's battery, 4 — 2 — o — o
" Grand battery, — — 8 — 2 — o — o
" Left parallel, -p- — o — o — 2-^12
" Batteries on the beach, 1— o — 2 — i — 14
« Total, — 12 — 6 — 3 — 26
" The enemy's fire exceeded ours upon the front attacked. In
'' nuraber of guns, which amounted to fixteen or feventeen,
" from fix to twelve pounders. They played one mortar of
" eight inches, and that very feldom- Upon the whole, our
" fire was confiderably fuperior to theirs ; befides, our works
'' were more fecure, theirs being only a parapet of thin ma-
" fonry. This morning, the Cambridge, Dragon, and Mari-
M m 3 " borough

55°

NAVALAND »762-

" borough proceeded to their ftations, (Captain Hervey having
" the fignal out for the line), and about eight o'clock began to
" cannonade with great fury, which fhe eneray returned with
'' much fteadlnefs. This firing, one of the warmeft ever feen,
¦" continued fill two in fhe afternoon, without intermiffion.
" The Cambridge (v/bich was within grape-ftot), was fo much
" damaged in her hull, mafts, yards, fails, and rigging, with the
" lofs of many men killed and wounded, that It became necef-
" fary to order her off; and, foon after, fhe Dragon, which
'' fuffered much in lofs of raen, and damage in her hull; and, as
" fhe Marlborougli could be of no further fervice, flie was or-
" dered off likewife. The number of the killed and wounded
?' were as follows :
?' Ships. Killed, Wounded.
," Dragon, — 1 6 — 37
" Carabrldge, — 24 - 95
'.' Marlborough, — 2 — 8

*' Total, 42 — 140
- " The Captains, officers, and raen, behaved, upon this occa-
" fion with the greateft refolution. Capt;;in Gooftrey of the
" Cambridge was killed foon after the ftip brought up : bis
" place was fupplied, during fhe remainder of the adlion, by
" Captam Lindfay of the Trent, who gave many ftrong proofs
" of his valour, and ftewed himfelf worthy to fucceed the brave,
" but unfortunate, Gooftrey, In this cannonade, the Moro,
" which Is fituated upon a very high and fteep rock, had great
" advantages over the ftips, and was prodf againft all their ef-
" forts ; befides the fire from the Moro, the Punta, and fome
/' batteries in the town, brought raany guns to bear on them,
" which gajled them very much. This bold attempt, though it
" had very little effedl upon the works on thaf fide of fhe fort
" which the ftips attacked, was neverthelefs of confiderable fer-
" vice, Tbe enemy's attention being diverted to that fide, fhe
" other was a good deal negledled : the fire from our batteries f« was

1762. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 551

« 1vas poured In with redoubled futy ; becarae fuperior to that
" of the enemy, and did great damage to their works. But fhe
" moment the Spaniards were free from the fire of our ftips,
" they again returned to the front our batteries played on, be-
" haved with great Valour, and returned our fire with great
" briflcnefs. iSTever, frora the beginning of the war, had Britift
" valour been fo well matched ; and they might now behold
" in Don Velafco, tbe Governor ofthe Moro, an adverfary vvor-
" thy of their arras, whofe condudl feeraed to be fuch, as raads
" thera exert all their rallitary fkill and fpirit to fubdue him-
" 2d. Our batteries continued 'their fire with great fuccefs,
" and beat^own the front attacked, particularly the eight-g'uu
" battery ; but, unhappily, about upon, we were obliged fo
" flacken, that battery being In danger of catching fire, frora
" the conftant fire kept up, and the drynefs of the fafclnes,
" having had no rain for fourteen days. However, before
" evening, the eneray's fire was reduced to two guns, which
" fired but feldora.
" 3d. The fire which our people flattered themfelves was
" extinguifted, broke ouf about two in the morning again with
" great violence; and, though both water and people were fent
*' as faft as poffible, they came too late ; the fire had gpt fo
" great a length, that water had no effedl, nor could earth ftifle
" it. Thus was the labour of feventeen days, of five or fix
" Hundred men, deftroyed In a few hours, and the whole fo do
" over again. This was a mortifying ftroke, and was felf the
" raore feverely, as fhe other hardftips of the fiege were by this
" time alraoft grown Infupporfable. Sicknefs, fomething of
" which tbe troops brought with thera from Martinico, and
" which had Increafed greatly In this unwholefome country,
" and rigorous fervice, had reduced fhe army to half Its num-
•f.-bers ; af the farae time it doubled the fatigue of thofe few
" who ftill preferved fome ftrength to perform the neceffary
" duty. No lefs, at this time, than five thoufand foldiers, and
" three thoufand fearaen, were down of various diftempers.
" A 1613! want of good 'provifions exafperated the difeafe, and
" retarded the recovery. The deficiency of wafer was of all
Mm 4 "their

55? NAVALAND 1761,
" their grievances the greateft, and extremely aggravated all
" the reft of their fufferings. The procuring from a diftance
" this wretched fupply, fo unequal fo their wants, exhaufted
?' all their force, Befides, as the feafon advanced, the profpedt
«' of fuccefs grew fainter. The hurricane feafon was now at
" hand, and if it fet in violent, fhe fleet would be expofed to in-i
?' evifable rum ; and, without its affiftanee, the array, in Its
" feeble fiftiatlon, could not carry on the fiege. But, in the
»' raidft of thefe cruel diftreffes, the fteadlnefs of the coramaur
" ders infufed life and adliyity into the troops, and roufed them
" to incredlfjle exertions. New batteries arofe in the place of
" the old ones. The fire foon becarae equal, and then fuperior
" to the eneray's, There was anpther embrasure added tp
?' William's battery.
" 4th and 5th, All means were ejcerted thefe two nights tq
?' exflngulft the fire ; and with rauch difficulty, there were two
" embrazures faved upon the right, and the epauleraent for
" mortars upon fhe left. The firft of thefe embrazures were
" continued nnfil the guns were difabled ; and two raore were
" ferved en barbette, until the enemy's fire obliged tbe men to
" give them up *, It was now determined to convert the mor,?
" far battery, in the left parallel, into a battery for cannon,
" which was accordingly begun ; and to make fome Improve-
«• ments In the other wprks, which the enemy's fite from the
*' town. Fort la Punta, ftips of war, and floating batteries, had
" rendered neceffary.
" The Defiance and Hampton-Court having been ordered to
" cruize between port Mariel and the bay of Honda, in going
<' down
? There appears evidently a great miftake to have been committed, in ereaing
the grand battery fo near the Moro fort, and in concluding that the place would
be eafily taken after the enemy's giins fliould be difmounted, which it was fuppo*
fed the grand battery would fopn effefl: this ooft the lives of many men. After
the grand battery was burned, another plan was adopted; the new batteries
which were erefted, were placed, at double the diftance from the Moro fort tha?
the old one was ; and it was found neceffary to f uin the defences of the place, be
fore they approached too clofe to it. The miftake here alluded to, protrafled
fhe fiege at leaft three weeks longer than it otherwife would have been, and oct
pafioned great additioiisl fatigue to the troops.

1762. MILITARY MEMOIRS.

553

»' down, faw two fail at anchor offport Mariel harbour ; which
" Captairi M'KenzIe of the Defiance brought ouf, after fome
" firing bad paffed. All their crews, except twenty men, had
*' left them. They proved to be the Vengeance, of twenty-fix,
" and Marte, of eighteen guns, and had been out on a cruize.
" 6th. Two raore erabrazures were added this night fo WIl-
>' liara's battery ; and a place fixed upon, near fhe ftone re-
" doubt, for another battery of four guns,
" 9th. This morning there were twelve guns in battery, viz.
" William's battery of feven guns, the left parallel of five guns,
-" befides mortars. The enemy fired about eight or nine.
'* I oth. Af night, a battery of four guns was begun on the
I" left parallel.
" uth. This morning tbe four gun battery near the ftone
" redoubt, and two guns upon the faved part of fhe grand baf-
'' tery newly repaired, opened, and played with fuccefs. We
" had now eighteen guns In play, fo eight or nine which the
" enemy ftill kept up : for, by their uninterrupted communl-
•" cation with the town, and the great affiftanee of their failors,
*' who ferved their guns, fhey always raade good fhe loffes In
" the night, that they had fuftained in the day. This forenoon,
" two guns in the left parallel battery failed, one by runnlr.f-;
-" the other by cracking ; fhe carriage of a third was difabled
" on William's battery. In the afternoon, the merlons of the
'* grand battery again caught fire, and extended frora right to
" left ; when the whole was Irreparably confuraed,
*' 1 2th. The difabled guns in the left parallel, and In WIl-
" liara's battery, were replaced laft night, fo that fixteen guns
" ftill continued to play upon the enemy. Toward noon, fhe
" carriages of the three guns in fhe ftone redoubt were difabled.
" Sir Jaraes Douglas arrived with fhe Jamaica fleet.
'' i3fb. This mornirig, a battery of four thirty-two pounders
" opened on the right parallel, againft the left baftion, and made
•' confiderable l^avock. Another battery of four guns was or-
" dered to be made upon the right of it, as foon as fhe materi-
" ais could be colledled. The ruins of fhe burnt battery were
*' ordered to be converted into a line for muflcetry. " 14th.

554 NAVAL AND 17^2.

" 14th. The four guns in the ftone redoubt battery, were
" laft night mounted on fea carriages. There were now twen-
" ty guns, againft five or fix of the eneray's, which 'they began
" with In the morning, and before dark they were reduced fo
'' two. The whole front attacked, appeared In a ruinous Con-
" dition; yet the eneray, though kept in conftant hurry and
«' confufion, behaved with fpirit. Preparations for carrying on
" fhe approaches had now been In hand for fome days. The
" 40fh regiment was employed In making gabions ; fhe men
" of war In making junk, blinds, or mantelets; and fome bales
" of cotton were purchafed frora the Jamaica fleet, to ferve as
" wool-packs. All thefe preparations and precautions were
" abfolutely neceffary, as, on account of fhe rocks, the whole
" approaches were obliged fo be raifed above ground.
" 15th. The eneray's fire was totally filenced before night.
" 1 6th. The enemy fired in the morning from two guns,
'' and only twice from each. The reft ofthe day they fired
" from muflcetry and wall-pieces, but not rauch frora either.
" The approaches began to be advanced this evening : the guns
" and araraunitlon were carried to the new battery. The ene-
'' my feemed to be employed In making up freft merlons upon
¦" the face of the right baftion.
" 1 7fh, The Valiant's battery opened this morning between
" ten and eleven. The enemy had no fire on the front aftack-
" ed; but fired two guns from the left baftion upon William'^
" battery, and up along the Cavannos, This afternoon, the
" gabions began fo be ftuffed with fafclnes, for advancing tbe
" fap. In the evening, fhe fap was begun ; but, there being a
" thick thorny wood to cut through, was advanced but little
" way, " 1 8th, Tlie eneray's fire this raorning was the fame as yef-
" ferday. Two howitzers put into Dixon's battery, to, fire in-
" to the breaches. The fap was carried on this night about
" two thirds of the way to the fraall battery af the foot of fhe
" forties before the right baftion, A fraall lodgeraent was made
" at fhe edge of fhe wood, before the point of the left baftion,
" 19th. The enemy fired this morning with three guns from
" the

1762. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 555
" the front attacked ; but fhey were foon filenced. About
'' noon, pofleffion was taken of the covered way before the
" point of the right baftion ; and the forraer fap carried on at
" night, and another begun along the covered way before the
" right face, where a lodgement was made.
" 20th. This morning, the miners were entered under the
" right or fea face of the- right baftion, the only place where
" there was a pradllcabllity of doing It at the foot of the wall ;
" for the ditch of the front attacked was feventy feet deep
"' from the edge of the counterfcarp, and upwards of forty feet
" of that depth funk In fhe rock ; but fortunately there was a
" thin edge of the rock left at the point of the baftion, fo cover
« the extremity of the ditch from being open to the fea, and fo
" prevent furprlzes ; and by means of this ridge, the rainer paf-
" fed with fome difficulty to the foot of the wall, which he
" could do nowhere elfe without the help of- fcallng-ladders ;
'' an operatlonljofb tedious and dangerous. This ridge was fo
" narrow, that there was no poffibility of covering a paffage
" upon if, from the fire of the oppofite flank ; but they took
" their chance, and were glad to find it even with that difad-
" vantage. It coft only three or four men during the whole
" time. A ftaft was begun to be funk, fhe fame afternoon,
" without the covered way, for the mines fo throw the coun-
" terfcarp info the ditch, to fill It up in cafe of occafion. The
" fap was continued along the glacis, and a gun was got Into
" fhe falient angle of fhe covered way, againft the oppofite
" flank. In the day-time, parties were kept making fafclnes,
" and other preparations, againft the town, after the Moro
" ftould be taken.
" The fappers and miners continued their work, but were
" rauch. interrupted by meeting often with large ftones, which
" coft thera much labour to remove. In the night, there being
- a fufplclon that there were very few men in the fort, a fer-
'' jeant and twelve raen fcaled the fea-line, a little to the right
" of the raine, and found only about nine or ten men afleep in
" that part of fhe work : they awoke before the ferjeant and
" his party got up to them, and ran off immediately to alarm " the

5s6 NAVAL AND 1762.
" the reft. The ferjeant and his party then came down ; and
" on being ordered up a fecond time, found they had taken the
" alarm, that confiderable numbers were afferabled, and ready
" to oppofe any farther attempt. Had it been poffible to have
'¦ fuccoured this party briflcly, the fort might have been carried
" at this time; but the enemy being on their guard, the attempt
" was not fo be repeated.
" 2ift, It now becarae evident to the Governor of the Ha-
" vannah, that the Moro rauft be fpeedily reduced, if left to
" its own ftrerigfh. At all' events, foraefhlng appeared ne-
" ceffary to be done ; and. In the prefent exigency of affairs^
" he refolved to ftrike fuch a blow, as, if it fucceeded, would
" not only give immediate relief fo the Moro, but in all proba-
" billty oblige fhe fiege fobe raifed. His plan was admirably
'' well laid, but miferably executed. He ordered a fally from
" the town of near fifteen hundred raen. Thefe be ferried
'' over the harbour in boats before day ; and dividing thera in-
" fo three bodies, they were ordered to attack fhe pofts on fhe
" Cavannos, drive our people from thence, and fet fire fo fhe
" fafclne batteries and fap. Had this plan taken, place, there
" Is little doubt but the enterprize muft have been abandoned, ,
" The burning Of fhe batteries the firft time, was a fevere
•' ftroke ; fhe eredling thera a fecond time, was attehded with
•' great fatigue : the army was now extremely fickly ; no word
" of fuccours from North Araerica '; and had the enemy fuc,.
" ceeded in their defigns, it would have been Irapoffible for the
" exhaufted troops to have colledled materials to form the fiege
" anew : but fuch was the refolution of our troops, that the
'' eneray, although greatly fuperior In nurabers, were not able
" fo ruin any part df fhe works. The eneray began fhe attack
" about four in the raorning. The firft party pufted up the
" bank behind the Shepherd's battery : here they were ftopped
" near an hour by the guard pofted there, confifting only of fhli»-
" ty men, coraraanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Stuart of the
" ninetieth regiment, until he was joined by about one hundred
" fappers, and the third battalion of Royal Araerlcans. 'JChe
" fire continued hot all that time. The enemy were then
" driven

1762. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 557
" driven dowri fhe bill with great flaughter : as raany as could,
" got Into their boats, and raany leapt into the wafer, where one
" hundred and fifty of them were killed or drowned. The fe-
" cond party endeavoured to puft up by the falient angle ofthe
" Moro, to attack the fappers upon the glacis, and their cover-
" Ing party ; but they were beat off in a very ftort time.. The
" third party went up the back ofthe Spanift redoubt ; but find-
" Ing the guard there reinforced, and ready fo receive thera, they
" prudently returned the way they came, without attempting
" any thing. Colonel Carleton was Brigadier-General of the
" day, (having adled as Brigadier fince Lord Rollo left the array),
" and had a great ftare In repulfing fhe eneray : he was prefent
" every where ; broiighf up the Royal regiraent, thirty-fourth
" regiraent, and Royal Americans, to the affiftanee ofthe pofts ,
" and received a bad wound in purfulng fhe enemy down the
" hill, where fhe flaughter was very great. In order to cover
" the retreat of their party, fhe Spaniards cannonaded moft fu-
" rioufly frora the Punta, tbe weft baftion, frora tbe line and
" flanks at the entrance of the harbour, and from their ftlp-
" ping; and fo eager were they to repulfe our troops, that
'' their ftot killed a number of their own people. In this at-
" tack, fhe enemy had four hundred men killed, drowned, or
" taken prifoners, befides the wounded that got off. Our lofs
" was only fifty men killed and wounded. At the time the
" eneray were attacking, there were great nurabers paraded
" in the town, and forae of them going into the boats to fuftain
" the attack ; but when they perceived tbe rough treatment
" their comrades had raet wifl^, they prudently defifted. The
" alarra was entirely over, and fhe raen returned fo their work,
" by eight o'clock,
" This was the laft effort for the relief of the Moro, which
" abandoned as' It was by the city, and while an enemy was
" undermining its walls, hel^ ouf with a fallen refolution, and
^ raade no propofal to capitulate.
" 23d, The works of fapping, raining, and making fafclnes
" profeeuted with vigour, " 24th

558 NAVAL AND 1762.
" 74th, The fame works gol^g on ; and materials were col-
" ledled for eredling a battery of four guns, to be opened a-
" galnft Da Fuerza, and fo enfilade the two next flanks fac-
" ing the entrance of the harbour.
" 25th, The fame works in hand, and preparations making
" for attacking the city, againft fhe Moro ftould be taken.
" 26th, The former works in hand. This raorning, a mer-
" chant-frigate of two decks, which had much .annoyed the
" Britift, was funk by a howitzer from Dixon's battery. She
*' was moored acrofs the entrance, before fhe weft baftion,
" within the boora, and near the funk ftips.
" 27th, The former works continued In hand, and a mortar
" battery begun at fhe Spanift redoubt ; likewife a battery
" begun for three guns, to fire upon boats landing at the Mo-
" ro. This would have been of confiderable fervice all along,
" if it could have been ferved without eredling other batteries
*' to check the fire ©f the Moro Itfelf, upon that fide ; but that
" could not be umdertakem, as the troops found fufficient em
s'' ployment in the works of the real attack.
" 28th, The former works In hand. This afternoon, a large
, " merchant ftip of the enemy's caught fire by lightning, with-
" In fhe harbour, and blew up in about |:en minutes, Oreat
" preparations raaking for attacking fhe city. Brlgadier-Ge-
" neral Burton arrived with the firft divifion of fhe troops
"frora North America, under convoy of the Intrepide ; they
" were ordered to the weft fide : the arrival of freft troops at
" this critical time, reanimated the foldiers drooping fpirits,
" and made them ftrain every nerve to obtain poffeffion -of fhe
" long-wift.ed-for prize. They failed from New -York the
'• nth of June; and on the 24th of July, fhe Chefterfield and
" four tranfports run on Cayo Comfife, the entrance of the
" Baharaa ftraits, on the Cuba fide, an hour before day-light
" and were flxanded, but loft no feamen or foldiers. The
" Intrepide raet the Richmond the 25th, who was looking
" out for the convoy. Captain Elphinftone returned with
" three tranfports which were cleared, In order to bring away
" the feamen and troops who were on ftore ; and, for fhe
" more

t7<52. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 559
" more difpatch, > the Admiral fent away the Echo, Cygnet,
" and Thunder bomb, to meet the Richmond, and take the
" men out of her ; and he ordered Captain Elphinftone to
"take the Cygnet with him and proceed up the^raifs, to
" meet the fecond divifion of the tranfports.
" 29itb, The former works in hand. The mines were this
" day prepared for fpringing to-morrow.
" 30th, About two this raorning, the enemy fent two boats
" and a floating battery out of the harbour, to fire into the
" ditch where the miners were af work : they fired grape and
" fmall arms, but without any other effedl, than a ftort in-
" ferruption of the work : fhe covering party fired fo fmartly
" upon them, that they Were foon obliged to retire. About
*' two ofclock in the afternoon, the mines were fprung. That
" In the counterfcarp, had a very inconfiderable effedl ; but
*' that In the baftion having thrown down a part of both faces,
*^ made a breach, which the General and chief engineer
" thouglpit pradlicable ; upon whicb the troops under orders
" for the affault, were ordered to raOunt. Lieutenant Charles
" Forbes of the Royals led the way, and afcended fhe breach
" with the greateft refolution ;, and, forraing very expeditioufly
" upon the top of the breach, foora drove tbe enemy from every
" part of the ramparts. The brave Don Louis de Velafco,
" who made fo noble a defence, exerted himfelf to the laft fo
*' fave the fortrefs committed to his charge; and in endea -
•" vouring to rally his men*, was raortally wounded. Befides
" this lofs, which was of Itfelf confiderable, the eneray bad
" about one hundred and thirty men and feveral officers killed ;
" four hundred threw down their arms, and were made prifo-
" ners ;
• Don I^ouis de Velafco, was mortilly wounded coming up the flope to the
rampart. The ftorm was a kind of furprize, as the Britiih were upon the ram,-
part before the alarm was given to the garrifon, which was then in the Cafe
mates. Every attention was paid by the conqlierors to the brave Don Louis de
¦Valafco : he requefted to be conveyed to the Havaivn^, which was immediate
ly complied with ; and he died there two days afterwards. In" fuch high efti
raation did his Catholic Majefty hold the conduift of this gallant officer, that
be not only ennobled his fon by creating him 'Vifcount Moro, but ordered that
there Ihould always be a fcip in the Spanilh navy, named the Veiasco.

56o NAVXlAND 176^'

'' ners ; the reft were either killed in boats, or drowfled in at-
" terapting to efcape fo the Havannah. Some few defperate
" Spaniards retired to the Light-houfe in tbe Moro ; and,
" while Lieutenants Forbes, Nugent of fhe ninth, and Hoi-
" royd of the ninetieth regiraents, were congratulating each
" other on their vidlory, they fired upon thera, and killed the
•' two latter : Mr Forbes, exafperated at the death of bis com-
«' panlons, iraraediately marched, attacked, and forced the
" light-houfe, and put all in It to the fword. This glorious
" affair, coft two officers and about thirty men killed and
" wounded: The Marquis Gonzales, the fecond in coraraand
" in the Moro, was killed whilft he was raaking brave but
" Ineffedlual efforts to rally bis raen. The taking of the Moro
" gave univerfal joy fo the troops ; and when the fatigues they
*' underwent In befieging of It is confidered, none will doubt
" their fincerity.. The poffeffion of this fort, coft forty-four'
" days hard ftruggle frora fhe tirae the firft operations had
" been begun againft it ; , during which tirae the Spaniards
"loft a thoufand raen ; nor did we obtain it without blood*
" fted. " 31ft, No tirae was loft in getting all things ready to at-
" tack fhe town ; and fhe eneray, fenfible of their approach-
*' ing danger, fired very brlflcly againft fhe Moro, and pointed
" chiefly againft that part of fhe fort where the ciftern was,
" In hopes no doubt, ¦ of letting out fhe wafer. Batteries for
" cannon and raortars, were conftrudling with the greafelt
" expedition along the Cavannos ; and Lord Alberaarle went
"to the weft fide.of the town to reconnoitre thp ground there,
" and fee In what manner attacks might be carried On witli
" moft advantage on that fide, in cafe of occafion.
" Auguft ift. The enemy ftill continued to cannonade the
*' Moro. Major-General Keppel gave orders foTr etedli^g the,
" remainder of the batteries upon the Cavannos, agreeable to
'' fhe plan given in by the chief engineer ;' fome by the firft
" and third brigades, and fome by the failors.
" 2d, This raorning, before day, the enemy fent down a fe-
*' venty

'17^2. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 561
« venty gun ftip into the entrance, and moored her oppofite
" the Fuerza ; fte diredled her fire likewife againfl: tbe Moro.
"Two howitzers were run into the battery to fire at her,
'« which incommoded her a good deal. The batteries men-
'< tioned yefterday, were begun, and confifted of thirty-five
« pieces of cannon. The Echo and Thunder borab, returned
." with the fecond divifion of tranfports, which failed frora
" New York the 30th of June.
" 3d, The former works in hand, and carried on with great
" diligence. This evening, the eneray's ftip oppofite to the
" Fuerza, was removed by the howitzers with a good deal of
•' confufion. "4th, The chief engineer reported to Lord Albemarle, fbat
" there was to the weftward of the town, a very advanfage-
" ous attack fo be formed againft fhe Pollgons, next the Pun-
" ta, by the cover of a bank running along ftore, from the
" L^zaro to Fort La Punta, fuppofing that fort filenced : that
'' there was a road upon fhe bank, which was, for a confi-
" derable way, covered both frora Fort La Punta, and every
'' part of the town : that the road was at prefent ftopped up
" by trees felled on each fide, but raight be eafily. cleared :
" but as attacks upon that ground would In forae degree ftand
" In the line of fire of the Britift batteries upon the oppofite:
" fide, it would be moft advifeable to delay, until thefe batte-
" ries had In fome meafure effedled their defign ; and efpecl-
" ally as they might of themfelves, perhaps, anfwer the end
" without further trouble.
" 5fh, The works and batteries on the Moro fide in hand
" as before, and fome of the platforms begun fo be laid. If
" was now difficult to get materials for this purpofe, thofe
"frora England and Martinico being allexpended; but, by
" the Admiral's affiftanee, the materials were got. Lord
" Albemarle took up his head- quarters this evening on the weft
'• fide. " 6fh. The works In hand as yefterday ; and being confide-
" rably advanced, and fhe men much fatigued, there was
" none allowed for this night. Thirty carpenters, from fhe
VOL, II. . N n " Pro-

5«2 NAVAL AND i7<52.
" Provincial troops, lately arrived, were employed to affift in
" making platforms. A command of engineers and a propor-
" tion of intrenching fools were ordered to the weft road, fhe
" former fo go as foon as the batteries and works on the eaft
" fide ftould be ready, and the fools to be ftipped Immediafe-
" ly. Tbe chief engineer was ordered fo repair on that fide,
" and reraain there.
" 7th. The forraer works on fhe eaft fide kept going on,
" and fafclne parties ordered fo work pn fhe weft fide.
" Bth. The forraer Works in hand on the eaft fide ; but faf-
" cine making, was retarded confiderably on fhe weft fide, for
" want of tools. This afterrjoon the ftip arrived on the weft
" fide vvrlfh the Intrenching fpols ; but fhe crew being fickly,
" there were none landed. In the evening, Lord Albemarle
" went himfelf, and reconnoitred the road and ground frora
" the Lazaro and the Punta, and ordered fome pofts to be ta-
" ken farther advtaced,
" The Richmond, Lizard, Enterprize, Cygnet, and Porcu-
'' pine floop arrived, bringing with thera all the^fearaen and
" foldiers frora fhe ftips that were wrecked. Captain Banks ¦¦¦
" of the Lizard inforriied fhe Admiral, that, on the 21ft of
" July, at three o'clock In the afternoon, being near the paf-
" fage between Maya Guanna and the North Calcos, he dlf-
" covered two French ftips of fhe line, three frigates, and fix
" fail of brlgantlnes and floops ; that the raen of war and frl-
" gates gave chafe to the convoy, and thaf five of the tranf-
" ports were taken, with three hundred and fifty of fhe fifty-
" eighth regiment (Anftruther's), and one hundred and fifty
" Provincials on board thera. The reft of tbe troops arrived,
" and landed in perfedl health.
" 9th. The Intrenching tools were landed this day by the
" affiftanee of the raen of war. The eneray having difcovered
*' our reconnoitring towards the Punta for fome days, fet
" fome hoyfes near the road on fire, to prevent their being a
" ftelter for us. In the evening, there was a party of two
*' hundred men ordered fo raake a redoubt upon the road to
"the Punta, with a covering party of the fame nuraber: the
" place

il6i. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 563
" place intended for the redoubt, which was partly upon fhe
" road, being rauch incumbered as mentioned before, all they
"could do, was to clear, off the trees,- and forra an abbatis In
" the front and flanks for prefent defence. .*.
^' I oth. At day-break this raorning, the eneray having dif-
" covered the covering party, and fufpedllng our having beeri
" at work, began tp cannonade along the road pretty warmly,
" but with little execution. About ten in the raorning, our
"'batteries being ready to .open on tbe eaft, and thofe on the
" weft fide to open ground. Lord Alberaarle fent a flag of truce
" by an Aid-de-carap, fo acquaint the Governor with fhe
V ruin that threatened the place, and furaraoned hira to capl-
" fulate. The Governor, after keeping the flag of truce froni
"that tirae till between three and four Inthe afternoon. In
-." the open fields, at forae hundred yards diftance frora fhe
'' works, fent hira' back ; and, before he got, two thirds of fhe
" way, began to fire ; af fhe fame time, many people were
" feen leaving the town with loads : In the" evening, there was'
" a party fent fo carry on the works as before.
" nth. At day-break this morning, all our batteries opened,
" confifting of forty five pieces of cannon, and eight raortars.
"The advantage of pofition, as well as of fuperior fire, be-
" came vifible very foon. Fort la Punta was filenced between
" nine and ten ; the north baftion, in about an hour after-
" wards ; but now and then fired a ftot. Between one and
" two, a great number of the enemy were difcovered running
" off from the Punta, as If they had abandoned It About
- " two o'clock, there were flags of truce hung out all around
" the garrifon, and on board the Admiral's fliip ; foon after,
" there arrived a flag of truce at the head-quarters, which
" proved fo be with propofals for a capitulation.
" Sir George Pocock was iraraediately fent for, and fhe bu-
" firiefs entered upon as foon as he carae. The works were
" ftopt for this night ; and the flag returned about duflc.
" I2th. The truce continued.— This day the flag was fent
" in aud returned ; and fent In again in the evening. The
" works were-osJered-fo be carried on as before, which gave
jq' n 2^ " roont

5<54 NAVALAND »7'52-
" room to expedl that hoftillties were to be renewed in the
" morning ; but, before that time, the capitulation was fet-
" fled. " 13th. This day the capitulation viras figned and fealed.
" 14th. About ten this raorning, MajOr-General Keppel,
" with five hundred raen, took poffeffion of Fort la Punta ;
" and about noon, ofthe Punta gate and baftion; at both
" which places, there were Bririft colours hoifted, having been
" evacuated by the eneray. Colonel Howe tpok poffeffion of
" the land gate, with two battalions of grenadiers, about the
" fame time."
The Spaniards ftruggled a long time fo fave their men of
war ; but this was a capital point, and wholly inadralffible.
They alfo made fome attempts to have fhe harbour declared
neutral during fhe war, (as may be feen frora tbe capitulation),
which. In fadt, was declaring its confequence ; but this was
fteadily refufed. After two days altercation on thefe fubjedts,
they gave up fhe points In queftion, and the Britift were put
in poffeffion of the Havannah, after having lain before it for
two raonths and eight days. With the city, was yielded a
diftrldl of an hundred and eighty railes fo the weftward. This
conqueft was, without doubt, in Itfelf the moft confiderable,
and In Its confequences the moft declfive, of any we had raade,
fince the beginning of fhe war ; and in no operation, were the
courage, fteadlnefs, and perfeverance of the Britift troops,
and the condudl of their leaders, raore confpicuous. The ac
quifition of this place, united in itfelf all fhe advantages which
can be acquired in war. It was a rallitary atchlevemenf of
the higheft clafs : By Its effedl on the eneray's marine. If was
equal, to the greateft naval vidlory ; and in the plimder, it
equalled the produce of a national fubfidy. Nine fail of the
enemy's line-of« battle ftips were taken. Three of their capital
ftips, as already mentioned, bad been funk by themfelves at
the beginning of the fiege r two raore were in forwardnefs
, upon fhe ftocks, and were afterwards deftroyed by the captors.
The enemy, on this occafion, loft a whole fleet (rf ftips of war,
befides

17(52. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 565
befides a number of confiderable merchant ftips. And in
ready money, In tobacco colledled at fhe Havannah on account
of the King of Spain, and in other valuable merchandizes, the
fum loft by the enemy, perhaps did not fall ftort of three mil
lions fteriing..
Lord Albemarle difpatched Captain Nugent bome with a
letter to the Earl of Egreraont, of which the following Is a
copy :
"My Lord, " Headquarters, near the Havannah,
Auguft 2\ft, 1762.
«' I have the honour of inforraing your Lordftip, that the
""town of the Havannah, with all Its dependencies, and raen
" of war in the harbour, furrendered to his Majefty's arms by
" capitulation on fhe 13th Inftant.
" Inclofed is a copy of the capltiilaflon (See Note 193.), va-
" rious returns, and the chief engmeer's continuation of the
" journal of the fiege of the Moro fort, which was taken by
•* ftorm on the 30th of July laft month ; fo much fo the ho-
" nour and credit of his Majefty's tropps, and fo Major-Gene-
" ral Keppel, who coraraanded tbe attack, that I ftould do
" thera injuftice, if I did not mention tbem in a particular
** manner to your Lordftip. Our mines were fprung about
" one o'clock, and a breach made, juft pradlieable for a file of
•' men in front. The enemy was drawn up on the top of it
" in force, with a feeming deterrainafion to defend it. The
" attack was fo vigorous and irapetuous, that the enemy was
*« inftantaneoufly drove from the breach, and his Majefty's
*' ftandard planted on the baftion.
" I did not fend a particular exprefs with this good news to
" your Lordftip, becaufe I flattered myfelf, that what has hap-
" pened, would foon be the confequence of our fuccefs at fort
" Moro. " On the nth in the raorning, by a fignal frora the fort, we
" opened our batteries againft the town and Punta fort. The
" guns and raortars were fo well ferved by the artillery and fail-
" ors, and their effedl fo great, that, in lefs than fix hours, all
N n 3 "tbe

5<55 NAVAL AND 17^2.

," the guns in the fort and north baftion were filenced. The
'f Goverrior hung put fhe white flag, and beat a parley ; at the
f fame time, fent out an officer to propofe a ceffation of arms
f for twenty-four hours, in order to prepare the articles of ca-
" pitulation, " I fent on board the Namur, fo fhe Admiral, to inform him
"ofthe Governor's propofals.
" Sir George Pocock immediately came to my quarters, and
." we agreed to a fufpenfion of hpftilifles fo fhe I3tb, at twelve
" o'clock. >
" I fummoned the Governor on the i oth. His anfwer was
f very civil and proper ; at the fame time feylng he would de-
," fend the town to the laft extremity.
" The difficulties the offipers and foldiers have met with, jind
." the fatigues they have fo cheerfully and refolutely gone thro'
" fince the array firft landed on this ifland, aire not to be defcri-
" bed. They deferve from rae the greateft coraraendations :
" and I muft' entreat your Lordfliip to take the firft opportunity
" of informing his Majefty, how much I think myfelf obligedj
" to Lieutenant-General Elliot, and the reft of the general offi-t
" cers under my command ; to every officer and foldier In the
" army ; and to the officers and failors of his Majefty's fleet, for
" the zealous manner In which fhey have carried on fhe fervice,
'' and for the great affiftanee I have received from them. Hap-
" py we ftall think ourfelves. If our condudl meets with his
" Majefty's approbation. ' , '
" Sir George Pocock, and Commodore KeppeJ, have exerted,
" themfelves In a moft particular raanner : and I may venture
" to fay, that there never was a joint undertaking carried on
*< with more harmony and zeal on both fides ; which greatly
" contributed to the fuccefs of it,
" Captain Nugent, one of my Aids-de-camp, who has the
" honour of delivering you ray difpatches, can inforra your
" Lordftip of any particulars you are pleafed to learn from
" him. He has been very adlive ; and prefent at every mafe-
" rial affair that has happened fince the landing of the troops.
." I rauft beg, through your Lordftjp, to recoraraend him to
"his

i7<52. MILITARY MEMOIRS.

567

" his Majefty, as a very deferving young man. He carries with
" him the Spanift enfign taken af fhe Moro.
" Colonel Carleton *, who has adled as Brigadier fince Lord
" Rollo left the array, had the raisfortune of being yvrounded
" on the Z2d of July, when the eneray raade a fortie : He is at
" prefent in a fair way of doirig well, I think It but juftice to
"Major Fuller, who is ray eldeft Aid-de-carap, to fay, thaf I
" ftould have fent him to England, if I had not thought it
" would be raore agreeable to his Majefty's fervice, to receive
" the news by one pf his own fervants.
" I am, &e. " Albemarle."
The -Admiral fent home the Honourable Auguftus Hervey
with his difpatches ; and fhe following is a copy of his letter fo
Mr Cleveland, Secretary to the Admiralty..
"Sir,, ** Namur, eff Chorera river, near the
Havannah, Auguft igth, 1762.
" I defire you will acquaint their Lordftips, that it is with
** the greateft pleafure I now congratulate thera on the great
" fuccefs of his Majefty's arras, in the redudlion of theHavan-
" nab, with all its dependencies,
" The Moro fort was taken by ftorm the 3 oth of laft raonth,
" after a fiege of twenty-nine days. During which time, the
" enemy loft above a thoufand men, and a brave officer in Don
;; " Louis de Velafco, Captain of one of their men of war, and
>. " Governor in the Moro, raortally wounded in defending the
• " colours, fword in hand, in the ftorra. And, on the uth In-
" ftant, the Governor ofthe Havannah defired fo capitulate for
s, " the town, which was granted ; fhe articles were agreed to
" and figned, and we were put in poffeffion of the Punta and
"Land-gate on the 14th. With this great and important ac-
" quifition to his Majefty, have alfo fallen twelve large raen of
" war of fhe line, as per lift ; three of which were funk, with
N n 4 "a
* Now Lord Dorchefter.

568 NAVAL AND 1762.

*' a Company's ftip, in the entrance of the harbour ; nine are
*' fit forjea, and two upon the ftocks ; a blow that I hope will
«' prove the more capital to the enemy, as they receive it fo
" early in ^e war ; and, I may venture to fay, will leave all
" their fetfleraents in this part of fhe world, expofed to any at-
" terapt that raay be thought proper to be raade on thera, But
" however trivial, with the poffeffion of tbe HavannaJi, It may
" appear, I yet cannot help mentioning the difcovery and pof-
*• feffion of the harbour of Mariel, about feven leagues to the
" leeward of this, and which we had made ourfelves mafters
" of, though the enemy had endeavoured to ruin it, by finking
" ftips In the entrance ; and had lately fent near one hundred
*• tranfports, with fome raen of war there, for the fecurlty a-
" galnft the feafon in which we are already advanced. It wiU
*' be as needjefs, as alraoft Impoffible, for me to exprefs or de-
" fcrlbe thaf perfedl harmony that has uninterruptedly fubfifted
" between the^ fleet and array from our firft fetting out. In-
" deed if Is doing injuftice to botb, to mention tbem as two
" corps, fince each has endeavoured, with fhe moft conftant
' ' and cheerful emulation, f o render it but one ; uniting in the
*• fame principles of honour and glory for their King and Coun-
" try's fervice. I am glad, on this occafion, to do juftice fo the
" diftinguifted merit of Coraraodore Keppel, who executed
" the fervice under bis diredllon, on the Coximar fide, with the
" greateft fpirit, adiivify, and diligence. And I rauft repeat,
" that fhe zeal his Majefty's fea-officers and fearaen ejcerted, in
" carrying on the fervices allotted to thera, is highly to be com-
" mended. " I ftall now beg leave to refer their Lordftips to Captain
" Hervey, for all further particulars, whora I fend with this let-
" ter, and who has approved hirafelf a brave and a deferving
" officer in this expedition ; therefore think myfelf obliged to
" defire their Lordftips will recomraend him fo his Majefty.
« I am, ,
"Sir, *' Your moft moft obedient humble fervant,-
" G. Pocock." The

1762. Military memoirs. 569

The lofs of men which we fuftained in this remarkable fiege
was very confiderable ; (See Note 193.) though but trifling in
comparifon of what were fwept off after the place was In our
poffeffion. Lord Alberaarle having orders fo refj^n as many
troops as could be fpared when fhe fiege was over, to Nortk
America, the fifth brigade was ferif f o New York, where a long
and fevere winter had fuch an effedl upon foldiers alsmoft ex
haufted by an affive campaign In a very warm cliraate, that
very few of fhem lived to fee fhe fpring. The manner in which
the attack againft fhe Havannah was condudled, has been fe
verely cenfured by many.
Had the city been the firft objedl, inftead of the fecond, our
lofs had riot been near fo great as it was. The city was of
great extent, the wall was out of repair, its fortifications con
fifted of twenty-one baftlons, no out-works except two ravelins,
the ditch dry, and not of any great breadth, and tbe cover-
; ed-way ruinous. The Punta fort was calculated more fo fe
cure the entrance of the harbour, than to add ftrength to the
town. The Moro was a ftrong fort of a triangular forra, hav
ing two baftlons towards the land, and two irregular ones to
wards the fea, where it joined by a wall fome ftrong batteries
of heavy cannon, which defended the entrance, and Overlooked
'. the town and Purifa. The fleet, from the fituation of the place,
could not affift with any effedl in battering fhe walls of it; and
to have endeavoured to force an entrance into fhe harbour,
would have been madnefs in fhe extreme : yet the Spaniards
feera to have had a great dread of this, by their finking feveral
very large ftips in the entrance to prevent If. This was almoft
the only thing cenfurable in the noble defence they made, as
the broadfides of twelve ftips of the line gave fhem ample fe-
ctirlty on this head.
The finking of fuch largp ftips has, moreover, materially in
jured the harbour, as they have never been able to weigh or re
move them. As Lord Albemarle found the enemy unprepar
ed, fhe fortifications of the city of fhe Havannah out of repair,
few regular troops In garrifon, himfelf at fhe head of an army
habituated to vidlory, the hurricane -feafon faft appyoachlng, when

57« NAVAL AND 1762.
when the climate was more to be dreaded than an adlive ene
my ; thofe reafons, in the opinion of many, ought to have in
duced his Lordftip to make good his landing on the weft fide ;
and, before ihe enemy had time fo recover from their furprize,
or to form a regular plan of defence for the city, to have endea
voured to carry fhe place by efcalade. In fuch an attempt, it
is more than probable he would have fucceeded. When the
city fellj'all fhe fubordinate places fell of courfe, together with
the fleet ; nor would the lofs fuftained have been fo great, as
that occafioned by a long profradled fiege. In cafe of a re
pulfe, too, the enterprize would not have been af an end ; it
was only purfulng the method which was adopted, and which
in the end proved fuccefsful. There Is another matter, with
regard fo the operations againft the Havannah, that might have
had very great weight with thera. This was the imraenfe
wealth which If was fuppofed fhe city contained, and which, in
cafe of a fuccefsful affault, would have become the property of
the vidlors ; the gallant foldiers and failors not having then
learned, thaf the prize-money they had fo dearly earned, was to .
be fo very unequally diftributed. It will indeed for 'ever re
main an indelible ftain on Adminiftration, in permitting the
Comraanders fo appropriate fp large a ftare to tberafelves, by
which the Inferior officers and private raen obtained but a raere
trifle (See Note 193,) In reward of the bravery fhey had ftown,
and fhe unparalleled hardftips fhey had undergone.
A flag, as Rear-Adrairal of fhe Blue, coraing out to Coramo-,
dore Keppel, Sir George Pocock, on the 3d of Noveraber, deli
vered up the coraraand of fhe fquadron to hira ; and, with the
Namur, CuUoden, Temple, Devonftire, Marlborough, the In
fante, St Gcnaro, Affumptlon^ and feveral other Spanift prizes,
with about fifty fail of tranfports, failed frora fhe Havannah for
England^ They had a tolerable paffage, until fhey carae with
in two hundred leagues of the Larid's-end ; when the wind
coming round too the eaft, and blowing very hard, fhe fleet
was difperfed and driven ouf of its courfe. Many of the ftips
being leaky, ill provided with provifions, and In a bad ftate to
keep the fea, were unable to make the land. Irv

1762. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 571
In this miferable ftate, it is the lefs to be wondered at, that
during the bad weather, twelve of the tranfports foundered.
Their Crews were faved by the ftips in company. On the 13th
of December, tbe Temple ftared a like fate. The Culloden
and Devonftire were neceffitated fo throw raoft of their guns
over-board to eafe the ftips ; and after being in the greateft
danger of perlftlpg, they, with the San Genaro, and forae
more of the fleet, reached the harbour of KInfale in Ireland,
where they remained a confiderable time repairing their dama
ges, before they could proceed to England, which they at laft
did. The San Genaro, a fine new ftip, was drove frora her
anchors in fhe Downs, and loft. The fufl^erlngs of that part of
the fleet which kept fhe fea, are alraoft inexpreffible. Reduced
by faraine, and wafted by fatigue, fhe raen were in a great raea
fure worn out ; raany died of thirft; ficknefs, and cold. Com
ing frora a warra climate, their clothes were ill calculated to
refift fhe fevere weather they met with In fhe northern latitudes.
Several of the tranfports were wrecked In the Britift Channel,
' moft of whofe crews perlfted. Sorae of the ftips were near a
month before fhey got into port, after they had raade the land ;
-and as moft of thera were leaky and worm-eaten when they left
' the Havannah, If Is wonderful, confidering fhe weather they
met with, that fo many of thera reached England. The Lords
of fhe Adralralty becoraing uneafy for the fafety of Sir George
Pocock, feyeral frigates were fent out in queft of hira ; and, on
* the I3tb of January 1 763, he at laft reached Spithead.
The Marlborough had ftill a harder fafe. Two days after
the fleet got through the Gulph of Florida, fte parted frora the
Adrairal ; when, raeering with a fevere gale of wind, the leaks,
which were confiderable before, increafed to fuch a degree, that
after looking In vain for the Adrairal, fte was obliged to put
before fhe wind. For forae days, fhey run frora fifty to feven
ty leagues in twenty-four hours ; and, the leaks ftill Increafing,
- the crew were rauch weakened by the fatigue of pumping.
Captain Burnet ordered thirty guns to be thrown over-board,
and the anchors to be cut away, in hopes of eafing the ftip ;
but the leaks were grown fo very confiderable, that this effort had

572 NAVALAND 1762.
had little effedl. On the 28th of November the ftip having
become quite water-logged, the moft fenfible on board began to
defpair, and thought their deftrudlion certain. The crew raade
great exertions, and, with the utraoft difficulty, kept the ftip
above water all night ; when, to tbe inexpreffible joy of all on
board, at day-break on the 29th, the raan at the raaft-bead cal
led out that he faw four fail. This welcorae and unlooked-for
intelligence, infplred the exhaufted crew with new fpirits ; and,
fo eager were they to behold the raeans by which they hoped
to be refcued from inftant death, that the pumps would have
been deferted, had not the officers, with drawn fwords in their
hands, compelled ^he raen to a continuance of their labour*
otherwife the ftip rauft have funk before the fails in fight could
have arrived fo their affiftanee. What fail they could make,
was fet ; and they fteered for the wifted-for objedls. At fhe
farae time, fhey kept firing of guns, and hoifted fignals of dif-
drefs. Thefe were happily obferved ; and the fliips raade fail
towards fhe Marlborough, now a floating wreck : they proved
to be his Majefty's ftip the Antelope, of fifty guns, commanded
by Captain Graves, with a convoy from Newfoundland, bound
for Lifton. As foon as the Antelope came within hail. Cap
tain Burnet made his fituation known; whereupon the boats
of each ftip were imraediately hoifted out. By five in the even
ing, the crew got all fafe On board the Antelope, together with
forae chefts of raoney, and all the effedls of the officers and
men. General Lafaufille, who was a paflenger on board the
Marlborough, died two days before fte fell In with the Ante
lope. One of the Lieutenants of fhe Marlborough having ex
amined the ftip before fhe laft boat put off, and finding two
of the crew drunk and afleep between decks, he had thera con
veyed to the boat. The wafer was then up to the orlop-deck.
The ftip was fet on fire, and fhe Antelope made fail for Lifton.
Such an addition of men on board the Antelope, obliged the
Captain to put the whole fo ftort allowance of water, a hard-
ftlp that would have been feverely felt at any other time, but
which was mild, in coraparifon of what the Marlborough's crew
had fuffered for forae days before they had the good fortune to
fall

17(52. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 573
fall In with the Antelope. This reftrldlion was of ftort du
ration, as they had a quick paffage to Lifton, where all their
wants were relieved.
When the Earl of Albemarie had got all raatters fettled at the
Havannah, he appointed his brother, Major-General Keppel,
Governor of It ; and failed for England, the beginmng of De
cember, in his Majefty's ftip the Rippon.
As foon as the hurricane feafon would permit, Rear-Admiral
Keppel fent, out his ftips to cruize on different ftations ; by
means of which, Captain Arbuthnot In fhe Orford, Captain
Bickerton in the Temeraire, and Captain Wolfeley in the A-
larm. In company with the Inflexible privateer, took, and car
ried info Jamaica, the St Carlos of five hundred tons, and the
St Jago of three hundred tons : fhey were Spanlft regifter
ftips, both laden with cocoa, bound from the Caraccas to Spain,
and turned out very valuable prizes.
Rear-Admiral^ Keppel in the Valiant, having with him the
Temeraire, Orford, Perabroke, and Notflrigham, together with
the Eagle hofpital ftip, being on a cruize off Cape Francois,
received advice that the eneray were preparing a fleet of up
wards of twenty fail for Europe, to which they were to be ef
corted by four merchant frigates : he therefore placed his fqua
dron in fuch a manner, as would be moft likely to Intercept
thera. Under cover of a dark night, they ventured out, and
foon after fell In with three New York, and four Weft Indian
privateers, which took five fail of this fleet. Next raorning,
the remainder were defcried by Adrairal Keppel and his fqua
dron, whd, with fhe affiftanee of the before raentioned priva
teers, took thera all, together with their efcort, and carried
them Info Port Royal In Jaraaica.
The Dragon, Captain Hervey, on her voyage home with Sir
George Pocock's and the Earl of Albemarle's letters, took a
French ftip from St Domingo, valued at 30,0001. Sterling.
The Port Royal, floop of war, and fhe Weftmoreland, pri
vateer of Jamaica, being on a cruize on the Mofqulfo ftore,
took L'Etoile de la Mer, a Spanift regifter ftip, valued at
40,0001. The

574 NAVAL AND i7<52.
The Danae, Captain Martin, being on a cruize, fell in with
a French privateer of fixteen guns, from St Domingo, who
bore down on hira. The Frenchraan had heard of the peace,
,and was returning Info port ; but, unfortunately for hira, ralf-
taking the preclfe time when hoftillties were to ceafe, and
thinking himfelf in full fecurify, he came quite clofe to the
Danae. He was greatly difconcerted when ordered fo ftrike
his colours, and carae on board, where he received fhe difa-
agreeable news, that peace did not fake full effedl in fhe Weft
Indies till fhe day following.
Admiral Keppel difpatched horae the reraainder of tbe Spa-
irift prizes, under the condudt of Captain Arbuthnot in the
Orford, having with hira fhe Centaur, Dublin, Alcide, Hamp
ton Court, Edgar, and fome frigates ; himfelf waiting fo de
liver up fhe Havannah, agreeable fo the terras of peace. On
the 30th of June 1763, fhe Conde d' Arida arrived from Ca
diz, with four fail of fhe line, and fome tranfports, having on
board two thoufand Spanlft troops coraraanded by General
O'Reilly; and on their producing an order frora his Majefty, for
delivering up the Britift conquefts In the Ifland of Cuba, con-
forraable fo treaty, they were received with every token of re-
fpedl. The ^Britift garrifon embarked ; and, on fhe 7th of
July, fhe keys of fhe city were delivered up fo the Conde d*
Arida, whora his Catholic Majefty had appointed to be Go-
I vernor of the Havannah.
Captain Stair Douglas of the RIchraond, efcorted a detach
ment of the Royal regiment of foot, fo fake poffeffion of
St Auguftine, fhe capital of Eaft Florida ; and Captain Fre
derick Maitland efcorted the third battalion of fhe fixtieth regi
ment, to take poffeffion of Penfacola, the capital of Weft Flo
rida. Rear-Adrairal Keppel proceeded tO Jamaica ; and was foon
after relieved on this ftation by Rear-Admiral Sir William
Burnaby.
NORTH AMERICA.
From recapitulating the glorious fucceffes which every where atten-

1762. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 573

attended fhe Britift arras, we rauft now eaft our eyes to North
America, where for a ftort rime fhe fcene Is reverfed. This
turn of fortune, was in the furprize of fhe ifland of Newfound
land (See Note 194.) by the French, to whora its defencelefs
ftate was well known. The eneray, anxious to ftrike a blow
like this, and knowing, from fhe great armaraents which we
had fitted out to adl witb vigour againft fhe Spanlft fettle
ments In the Weft Indies, and the reinforcements fent by Ge
neral Amherft fo the army coraraanded by the Earl of Albe
marle, that raany of our principal poffeffions in North Araerica
were poorly garrifoned, and that we had no fleet of any ftrength
in that part of the world, they refolved fo avail tberafelves of
this opportunity ; for which purpofe, while we were deeply
engaged elfewhere, they equipped a fraall fquadron at Breft,
(See Note 195,) with fhe utmoft fecrecy. The coraraand of
this fquadron they beftowed on M. de Ternay, on board of
. which they embarked a body of fifteen hundred Infantry, com
manded by the Comte d'Hauffonville. This little arraaraent
got out of Breft In a thick fog. Inforraation being foon after
obtained pf their departure. Sir Edward Hawke and the Duke
of York, with a fquadron, (See Note 200.) were difpatched in
: purfuit of thera. But the eneray fteering right acrofs tbe At-
; lantic Ocean, got clear off.
On the 1 Itb of May, they fell in with three very rich fleets,
under a convoy very rauch inferior to their force, fhe capture
of which would have been of rauch raore defrlraent fo the
comraerclal intereft of Great Britain, than the taking of St
John's In the Ifland of Newfoundland, and diftreffing the fiffie
ry there for a feafon. Thefe fleets confifted of a fquadron of
Eaft India Corapany's ftips, which Captain Rowley, In the
Superb of feventy-four guns, was fo efcort a confiderable way
to the weftward, (See Note 195.); the trade for North Araeri
ca, efcorted by the Gofporf ; and the trade for the Weft In
dies, efcorted by the Danae. As foon as the enemy got fight
of thera, they gave chafe. Captain Rowley, being the fenior
officer, iffued orders to tbe different fleets to continue their
courfe, while, with the men of war, he dropped aftern of
them.

576 NAVAL AND ^^62.

them, and forraed a fort of rear-guard', keeping between the
trade and fhe eneray. When they had neared Captain Row
ley fo rauch, that he could eafily diftinguift their force, he
forraed his three ftips into a line, brought to, and prepared
for adlion. The enemy, who were now about randora-ftot
diftance, on feeing this, hauled their wind, and raade off.
Captain Rowley immediately gave them chafe, but as they
were clean ftips, they greatly outfailed him ; on which he
gave over fhe chafe, and rejoined the convoy. But, left the
enemy ftould make any attempt to cut off fome of fhe trading
fliips during the night, he gave orders fo fhe Albion Indiaman
to carry the light for that night, while himfelf remained in
the rear, with fhe war-ftips, to protedl them*.
The enemy's defign againft Newfoundland, was fufpedled
by feveral people In England, who acquainted the-, Lords of
the Admiralty with their fufpicions ; and the great Mr Pitt
failed not to point ouf to their Lordftips the defencelefs ftate
of that fettlement. In confequence of this, a fquadron was
fent under Captain Pallifer (See Note 195.) to fuccour fhe
place. M. de Ternay purfued his courfe, and arrived at his
deftination the 24th of June. The troops were difembarked
in the bay of Bulls, and marched againft St John's. Fort
William, its chief defence, was In no condition to make re
fiftance ; and the officer commanding the feeble garrifon, being
fummoned, furrendered the place.
In the harbour, they took the Grammont flpop. Captain
Mouat, and fome trading veffels, and deftroyed all the fifting
fUckle and ftages ; a condudt they invariably purfued where-
ever they went, M. d'HauffonvIlle fent a detachment, who
took Trinity, and the Ifland of Carbonera, although the natu
ral fituation of the hft was fuch, that half a dozen of raen
could have defended it againft a thoufand. Confidering how
very extenfive the operations of the war were. It Is rather a
raatter of wonder that this was the only place In his Majef ty's
* For this piece of fervice, the merchants of London prefented Captain Row- .
ley with a beautiful filver epergne; as did the Eaft India Company with a fil
ver diihi '

17^2. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 577
ty's doralnlons where the enemy could fucceed by furprize^
Their triumph, however, was of ftort duration; for Captain
(now Vice-Adrairal) Graves, of his Majefty's ftip the Ante
lope, being Governor, took every raeafure in his power to pre
vent fhe eneray from making a complete conqueft of the ifland.
He was at Placentia, with his own ftip and the Syren, when
M, de Ternay arrived at St John's, On hearing of the difafter
which had befallen that place, he iraraediately wrote to Gene
ral Amherft at New York, and to Lord Colvill, Coraraander
of his Majefty's fleet In North America, at Halifax, Inform
ing tbem of his fituation ; meanwhile, putting all things in
fuch a condition at Placentia, that the eneray never prefuraed
to attack that place.
Lord Colvill made all poffible hafte, and joined Captairi
Graves with what ftips and troops he could mufter, (See
Note 195,) His Lordftip landed fome marines to reinforce
the garrifon ; and although fhe force under his coraraand was
SOiifiderably Inferior to that of the enemy, yet he refolved to'
go in fearch of tbem, and failed from Placentia the 2 2d of Au
guft, On the 25fh, he got off St John's, and gave chafe to
a fchooner, which he took clofe to the harbour's mouth. She
was coraraanded by an Enfign de Vaiffeau, had been a Britift
privateer, mounted eight guns, and had on board thirty men.
. From the luformation of the prifoners It was learned, that the
enemy bad added confiderably to tbe works of the fort, and
eredled fome batteries at the entrance of the harbour, where
they had laid a ftrong boom acrofs, to prevent any ftip of force
from entering It. Learning alfo of the depredatory excurfions
which the enemy had made at different parts of the ifland, he
fent the marines of fhe Syren to' fhe ifland of Boys, which
faved that place from falling into the enemy's hands. Sir Jef
fery Amherft informed Lord Colvill, that he was refolved. If
poffible, to drive the enemy from St John's, and, for that
puipofe had given orders to collet a body of troops (See Note
ipj.) the command of which he gave fo his brother Lieute
nant-Colonel Amherft. As thefe troops were fo be colledled
frora the different garrifons along the coaft. Colonel Amherft
VOL. lu ' e o loft

578 NAVALAND 1762.

loft not a moment in proceeding from New York to Halifax,
and frora thence to Louiffiurg. Frora this laft place he failed
the 7th of Septeraber, and joined his Lordftip on the nth, a
few leagues to the fouthward of Sf John's.
This was a very fortunate jundlion. Colonel Araherft had
forraed the plan of an attack ; but, on converfing with Captain
Graves, who, frora his very fuperior abilities,, great profef
fional flcill, and the very ample information he was able to
give of the country, and the pofitlon of fhe enemy, he relin
qulfted his own plan of operations, and adopted the one form
ed by Captain Graves. The fuccefs with Vifhich It was atten
ded, ftewed how judicioufly It had been laid ; and while It
was executing, the fquadron kept as clofe to the harbour's
mouth as poffible, either to attack M. de Ternay, ftould he
endeavour to efcape, or fo prevent him from fending a force
to difturb Colonel Amherft and Captain Douglas In their ope--
rations. Lord Colvill fent the Syren along virifh the troops, to
cover their landing ; and Captain Douglas had orders to co
operate all his power with Colonel Araherft,
It being judged proper to land fhe ttoops in Torbay, abouf
three leagues to fhe norfhw^ard of St John's, they were form
ed Into two battalions ; the firft of which was given to Lieu
tenant-Colonel Tulikeris of the forty-fifth reglmertt, and fhe
fecond to Major Sutherland of fhe feventy-feventh regiraent.
While the troops forced their landing, fhe eneray fired fome
ftofs; but on receiving a, briflc fire from the Britift light-in
fantry, they fled towards St John's. Colonel Araherft irarae
diately put his troops In motion, and raarched about four miles ;
the road was bad, narrow, and through a very thick wood.
Captain M'Donell's light infantry corps rriarched in front, and
carae up with fhe enemy, who had concealed fheoifdves In
the wood. They were routed after a flight refiftance, and
fome of them raade prifoners ; the reft fled towards St John's :
forae of the Britift were wounded In the attack. The country
opened, and the troops took poft to the left of Kitty- Vifty,
a deep inlet from the fea, where Colonel Amherft meant fo
have difembarked his troops ; bat, fhe enemy, aware of this, ^ad

t762. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 579
had ftopped up the entrance,, by finking forae fraall veffels In
it. The right of the array being clofe fo the river Kitty- Vlttyj
the eneriiy fired acrofs if, from' a poft they had on a hill, and
incommoded the troops very much. Colonel Araherft. caufed
a body of troops to march up to the fop of a high rock which
coratiianded the ford : under the cover of whofe fire, the light-
infantry of the array, under fhe coraraand of Captain M'Ken
zIe, forded the river. Thefe, fupported by the grenadiers of
the royal and feVenty-feverith regiraents, attacked this ftrong
fioft iof the enemy, drove them from the bill, and purfued
them towards St John's ; when meeting a reinforcement, they
faced about : on wbich Colonel Araherft fent Major Sutherland
with fome more troops to the affiftanee of fhe light infantry
and grenadiers ; which the eneri:iy perceiving, they retreated
with great precipitation. The troops then took pofleffion of
the deferted poft, and fo maintain it Was neceffary, In order to
preferve a coraraunication with fhe fleet, for fhe landing of
artillery, ftores and provifions. In this attack, Captain M'
KenzIe Was raortally wounded. The eneray loft a good many
men, arid ten were made prifoners.
On the i4th, the troops got the chanriel cleared of the funk
en veffels ; and Captain Fetgufon, who commanded the artil
lery, brought round forae field-pieces from Torbay, in ftal-
lops. The ground from Kitty-Vitty to St John's is remarka
bly ftrong. The enemy having occupied fhe tops of two hills
which they liad fortified, of thefe It waS abfolutely neceffary
to difpoffefs thera before fiege could be laid to the fort. The
neareft of thefe hills lay In front of fhe Britift out-pofts, and
near the road to St John's, Early in fhe raorning of fhe 15th,
Captain MDonnel,- with his light-Infantry, after a raoft fa
tiguing and difficult march, got round fhe bill, and took the
enemy by furprize ; and although fhey had pofted here three
companies of grenadiers, and two. piquets, with a mortar and
a fix-pounder, under M, de Belcomb, their fecond In command,
and' efteemed 'one of their beft offi.cers ; yet with fuch vigour
were the enerny attacked, thaf they only gave one fire, and re
treated with great precipitarion, having a great many killed
002 and

58o NAVALAND 1762.

and wounded, befides a Captain and thirteen men made prifo
ners. On this occafion. Lieutenant Schuyler and four men
were killed, and Captain M'Donell and eighteen raen wound-
ed. On fhe i6th, the array marched towards St John's, on
which the enemy abandoned the poft fhey had on fhe other
hill, which entirely coraraanded the entrance of the harbour ;
on this Colonel Araherft imraediately ordered poffeffion fo be
taken, and in the courfe of the day, completely Invefted fort
St John's. Captain Douglas having fent the artillery, mortars,
and camp -equipage from Torbay fo Kitty-Vitty, fhe Colpnel
broke ground that very night. During the greateft part of the
day of the 26th, ihe fog was remarkably thick ; a circumftance
equally fortunate to both fhe Britift and the French, Colonel
Amherft by it was enabled to take all his meafures for reducing
fhe place, without being perceived by tbe enemy ; while, un
der Its cover, M. de Ternay ftole out of the harbour with his
fquadron, and effedted his efcape, Lieutenant-Colonel Tuli-
kens, who was pofted on a hill which comraands the entrance
of fhe harbour, could hear their noife, but could not dlfcern
any of their fliips : the fog even altered fhe diredllon of fhe
found, which feeraed fo corae from another part of the har
bour, while they rauft have been diredlly under hira. When
it cleared up, fhe eneray's fleet were feen by Lord Colyill's
fquadron ; but they had got fo great a diftance, that It would
have been to no purpofe to have purfued thera ; and fhey were
fo fortunate as not to fall in with the ftips under the coraraand
of Captain Pallifer, who had been fent frora England to fhe re
lief of St John's, and who arrived on the coaft foon after M.
de Ternay took his flight. The French Coraraodore went off
in fo great a hurry, that he left his anchors behind hira, and
even turned adrift fhe boats which had towed him out of the
harbour ; their grenadiers were to have gone on board fhe
fquadron ; but for fear of lofing fo favourable an opportunity
of efcaping, he would not throw away fo much time as fo
embark them. Lord Colvill, from fhe care he had taken to
provide a number of ftallops and fmall craft, by which fhe ar
tillery and ftores were eafily tranfported from Torbay to Kltfy-
, Vitty,

?7<52. MILITARY MEMOIRS, 581

Vi"y> greatly accelerated fhe military operations. Captain
Douglas of tbe Syren condudled this part of the fervice, with
an exadlnefs and adiivify peculiar fo his charadter. On the
1 7th, Colonel Amherft opened a mortar battery againft the
fort, and was bufy in eredling , forae batteries for cannon ;
wl>en, on the i8fh, M, d'HauffonvIlle began a correfpondence
with Colonel Araherft, which ended in a capitulation, by
which the French furrendered tberafelves prifoners of war,
on condition of being fent fo France. The Colonel's corref
pondence with the French Comraandant, and fhe articles of
capitulation, will be found In the Appendix, (See Note 196.)
The French carried matters with a high hand while they re
raained raafters of St John's ; plundered without raercy, all
the merchants there, and fent off many of the Inhabitants in
fmall veffels fo Placentia, and other places. The goods thus
taken from fhem, were thrown promlfeuoufly into fuch ware
houfes as the eneray found raoft convenient for their purpofe.
The arduous taflc of returning fhe plundered goods to the right
owners, of reftoring order, and of fetting all raatters to rights
where fhe French had exerclfed their authority, was left fo
the raanageraent of Captain Graves ; whofe iraparfial conduiS;
met with univerfal applaufe,
SOUTH AMERICA,
We ftall conclude our hiftory of the war in this quarter of
the globe, by an account of an expedition againft Buenos
Ayres, (See Note 197.) The plan was well laid, although It
failed of fuccefs. Accident alone was the caufe of its raifear-
riages. While our troops and navy were eraployed in attack
ing the Spanlft fetfleraents in fhe Weft Indies and in Afia, a
blow was concerted to be ftruck againft their fettlements in
South America ; and an attack upon the colony of Buenos
Ayres in the river Plate, was agreed on. To carry this plan
info execution, the Britift Miniftry gave every encouragement
to fome private adventurers, among whom were fome noble-
003 mto

582 NAVAL AND 1752.
men and wealthy merchants, fo undertake this enterprife.
There were fundry very cogent reafons for this expedition.
Buenos Ayres, from the lucrarive trade carried on there, was of
itfelf an objedl : its fituation was extreraely iraportant during
the war ; for, by fhe poffeffion of this port, we could carry our
arras Into the vitals of fhe Spanift Araerican dominions. It
was not only well adapted for aiding any enterprife againft the
Spanlft fettlements in the South Seas, as well as all the Spanift
colonies in this part of the world, befides th,at it lay moft con
veniently to raoleft fhe Portuguefe fettleraents; |jut by the pof
feffion of It, we could diftrefs our enemies, as well as protedl
our allies. Amongft the greateft encouragement? to this un
dertaking, was the weaknefs of fhe place, wbich by no raeans
poffeffed ftrength equal to its Iraportance. From thefe confi
derations, it Is to be laraented that the Britift Miniftry were
not able to raake it an objedl of pubhc, inftead of privatg con
cern; but frora the multiplicity and extent of our mifitary ope
rations, this was rendered utterly Impoffible, The adyentu-
rers purchafed frpm Government his Majefty's fhips KIngfton
and Ambufcade, and conferred the coraraand qpon Captajn
Macnaraara, of the Eaft India Company's fervice, an officer of
reputation and experience. He qfed great difpatch In fitting
out the two ftips, and repaired to Lilbon, where he was joined
by a confiderable relnfoxceraent. On board the fquadron were
erabarked five hundred Portuguefe troops. He failed from the
Tagus the 30th of Auguft 1762 ; his force as follows :
Bririft, S * ^°''^ ^^'^^' 5° S^'^^' 35° "^e^^-
i-Arabufeadp, 38 ^ 200
p - C Gloria, 361 Having on board 500 fol-
° ' C A Snow, 1 6 5 diers, befides feamen.
And five veffels loaded with ftores.
They proceeded Immediately for Rio de Janeiro, the capital
of the Portqguefe fettlements in Brazil. All difpatch was ufed in
* The Kingfton, changed to this name, from that. nobleman ha.ving a confij
derable ihare in the undertahing.

17^2. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 583

in getting the fquadron ready for the expedition ; which being
done in three weeks,, fhey failed, and, on the 2d of Noveraber,
arrived in the river Plate. The voyage, hitherto profperous,
now began to change its afpedl. As foon as the fquadron had
entered the river, difficulties began to eraerge, which had not
been forefeen. A violent ftorm of wind and rain arofe, accom
panied with tbe moft dreadful flaftes of lightning and claps of
thunder. Luckily tbe fquadron received no damage, and next
day tbe weather becarae moderate. On founding the river, it
was found to be full of ftoals, which rendered fhe navigation
extremely intricate ; obftacles in themfelves yery difficult fo be
fiirmounted, and which muft have proved great obftrudllons in
the projedted attack againft Buenos Ayres.'
The Spaniards were more on their guard than was at firft ap
prehended ; they had even adted on fhe offenfive, and attacked
and taken the Portuguefe fettlement of Npva Colonia, af which
place Captain Macnamara defigned to have put In, for reinforce
ments and intelligence. The fquadron paffed by MonfC; Video,
the firft fettlement the Spaniards have on tbe north ftore, and
wliere their regifter HKps difcharge their cargoes. Here they
faw one of thefe ftips, fuppofed to be the Sf Barbara, waiting
for convoy from Spain ; but Captain Macnamara did not think
proper to engage her, as her cargo was at this time at Buenos
Ayres, and the attacking of her would have alarmed the whole
country, and probably defeated the fcherae. The better to de
ceive the enemy, the fquadron hoifted no colours, which caufed
them to be taken for Portuguefe ; enemies the Spaniards bad
no dread of. Next day they faw a veffel clofe In ftore ; on
which the Coraraodore ordered the boats raanned and armed to
attack ber. When our boats carae near, they fired on them ;
upon which they rowed brifldy up, and, pouring a volley of
fmall arms Into her, were pulling on board, when fte ftruck,
and proved to be a fcliooner of twenty tons,, loaded with mili
tary ftores from Buenos Ayres, bound to Monte Video : fte
mounted fix brafs fhree-poiinders, two brafs patteraroes, and
had eleven men on board. From the prifoners, fhey received
fhe difagreeable intelligence of the Spaniards having made an
004 eafy

584 NAVALAND n<Sa.
eafy conqueft of St Sacrament, or Nova Colonia, about a month
before. The Commodore riiade all the expedition up fhe river he
could ; but was rauch retarded, as fome one or other of the
veffels got aground every fide. This obliged him to keep near
the fouth ftore, being the deepeft wafer, from whence he could
plainly perceive the enemy's troops march up the banks ; and
when he carae fo an anchor, fhey Incaraped, Intrenched fhem
felves, and fet fo work to eredl batteries to oppofe a defcent.
On tbe raorning of the 17th of Deceraber, fhe fquadron got
within fight of Noya Colonia, and faw two frigates at anchor
under fhe fortifications ; and, near to one of the forts, a large
Indian camp. The fquadron cleared for adtion, in hopes of at
tacking the place next day; the Portuguefe frigate got aground
three or four leagues off; when the Commodore's pilot, whom
be had brought from Rio de Janeiro, declared It impoffible for
the fquadron f o take the place. On the 24th of Deceraber, the
Coraraodore went on board the Arabufcade, and told the Cap
tain, that he had corae to a refolution to attempt cutting ouf or
deftroying fhe two Spanlft frigates before raentioned, and that
he intended fo put his plan in execution that night, the rendez
vous fo be at his ftip. Accordingly nine boats manned and
arraed, having pitch-tubs and hook-ropeg, &c. on board, were
ordered for this expedition. The night was extremely dark ;
but the boats were either too late In fetting ouf, or did not row
briflc enough ; for they were near a mile's diftance frora fhe
largeft frigate when day broke. The fort gave fhe alarm, and
began to fire, as did both the frigates imraediately after. All
they could now do, was fo return : which fhey did at great
hazard : but fuch bad aira did the Spaniards take, that not a
man was hurt. Half an hour's more darknefs would have com
pleted the ruin of the frigates, as they were entirely unprepar
ed : to attempt this a fecond tirae, however, would have been
ridiculous. The Commodore was extremely ill fatisfied with
the management of this affair.
The Commodore finding all his atterapts on Nova Colonia in
vain, failed down the river, with an intent of attacking Monte

Vid

eo.

17<52. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 58J

Video. Having got off there, he went In a fmall veffel, and
founded the entrance of the harbour, which the pilots faid was
very difficult. While- the Coraraodore was preparing for the
attack, a fail carae in fight; and the fignal being raade to weigh
anchor, the fquadron ftood for her. They were in hopes fte
was a galleon or regifter ftip frora the South Seas, two being
expedled about this tirae ; but fte proved to be a Portuguefe
veffel with difpatches for the Coraraodore ; the Captain of
which, an Engliftman, who had navigated In this river for
twenty-three years, and was efteemed fhe beft pilot the Portu
guefe had, undertook to carry the Lord Clive within piftol-ftot
of the fort at Nova Colonia : his offer was readily accepted by
the Coraraodore, and fhe fquadron ftood once more up the ri
ver : In'two days fhey got off Nova Colonia, and, on the 6fh of
January 1763, refolved to attack it immediately. Hazardous
as the enterprize was, there was great probability of its fuccefs;
the ftips were in good order, and fhe men in high fpirits. The
Lord Clive led the van, followed by the Arabufcade and Portu
guefe frigate, which laft was to attack a fmall battery; but,
either through defign or accident, they got aground forae miles
off, and were of no fervice ; fo that the two Britift ftips had
the fire of the fort, the batteries, with a frigate of thirty-fix,
and another of twenty-eight guns, fo fuftain. The ftips mov
ed on fo fhe attack with all their colours dlfplayed, horns
founding, and drums beating, expreffive of their hopes of vic
tory. The engageraent began about twelve o'clock, and continued
with great vigour on both fides for four hours ; and fuch was
fhe fpirit and refolution of our. failors, that their fire feeraed
always fo Inereafe, while that of the eneray, unable and unac-
cuftomed to fuch work, gradually diminifted. Their batteries
and ftips being now almoft filenced, and fhe Spanift foldiers
flying from their guns, fhe colours were every moment expec
ted fo be ftruck, Juft at this critical inftant, when vidlory
feeraed certain, by fome unknown accident the Lord Clive
took fire, and was foon In a blaze. The flames were fcarcely
difcovered, when there appeared an Impoffibility of quenching them.

586 NAVALAND 1762.
them. Now was exhibited a raoft melancholy fpedlacle': both
fides of fhe veffel were immediately crowded with naked men,
who, but a few minutes before, reckoned themfelves almoft In
the affured poffeffion of conqueft and wealth : raany precipita
ted tberafelves into the fea, preferring the dreadful alternative
of death by water rather than by fire : forae clung to the yards
and rigging, until the afcending flaraes forced them to tumble
into fhe fea, where they perlfted. Coraraodore Macnaraara,-
who had received a wound in the hand, and another in the
nofe, by a fpllnter, ftripped ; and, with fhe brave Captain Wil
liams, the pilot, leaped over-board, and both perlfted. Upon
this accident being perceived, fhe enemy's fire recomraenced,
and their difraayed troops returned to the batteries : this re
doubled the diftrefs of thofe on board ; and raany, wbo might
have efcaped by fwlmraing, were killed. Several who had loft
their lirabs in the engageraent, lay bleeding and helplefs on the
deck ; and, without the leaft power of ftifting their fituation,
beheld the raercilefs flames approach thera. No affiftanee
could be given, all being occupied by their own diftrefs, and
intent on their own prefervation. Sorae of fhe wounded perl
fted by their own hands. A circumftance Is related of this
dreadful fcene, which Is extreraely ftriking, and ftrongly cha-
radterifes fhe fpirit ofthe Britift fearaen. Several of thofe who
could not fwirn, In the raidft of this fcene of horror and confu
fion, went fo fhe lower deck guns, and kept up a conftant fire
upon the enemy, till they were driven by the flames to perift
by anqther element. Out of three hundred and fifty men, only
feventy-eight efcaped.
The other veffels of fhe fquadron, far from being able fo
yield any affiftanee fo the fufferers, were obliged to cut their
cables, and get off as expeditioufly as they could, left fhey
ftould be involved In fhe fame fate. The Ambufcade with
great difficulty got off about fix In fhe evening, and anchored
about four miles from Nova Colonia : fte was reduced fo a
mere wreck, having received fixty ftot in her hull, many of
them between wind and water ; five ftot In fhe raaln-top-raaft,
all the boats unfervlceable, fore-top-raaft ftot through fhe
heel ;

i7<52. MILITARY MEMOIRS.

587

heel; the beft bower and ftream cable ftot through; fails, lifts,
braces, and halliards much damaged; fix feet water in the
Jiold, and fix guns difmounted. By wonderful exertions, they
repaired fome of their moft material damages, and made a ftift
to get back to Rio de Janeiro.
, In this diC^ftrous manner ended this expedition, which had
been condudted with a refolution equal to any during the war,
but with a fortune yery different. The nijmber of men was
^he pnly confiderable lofs that attended this repulfe. It was
no fmfiU confolation, however, to thofe whp efcaped tlie flames,
that after they got on ftore, they were treated with a degree of
humanity and benevolence which could not be exceeded, had
the fame calamity happened to them on the co^ft of their own
country, and among their deayefl friends and relations. Inftead
of regarding fhem as perfons come to deftroy and plunder their
fettleraents, the Spaniards confidered their misfortijnes, not
their enmity, and treated tl^em rather as their children, than
captives. The Britift came to them naked; they clothed them
all decently, and ufed thera in every other ijiftance with equal
tendernefs and indulgence. Thus was the war clofed by an
adtion, the fitteft in the world to Infufe fentiments correfpon-
dent to a ftate of peace and union between two brave and ge
nerous nations, whpfe true intereft Is, to be always united in
friendfliip.
MEDITERRANEAN.

As foon as it was perceived that a rupture with Spain was
unavoidable, a ftrong reinforcement of ftips was fet out under
the command of Sir Piercy Brett, to join the fleet under Sir
Charles Saunders, who ftill continued to be vefted with the
command of his Majefty's ftips on this ftation ; (See Note
196.) The cruizing ftips raet with very great fuccefs, parti
cularly the Adlive and Favourite floop, whicb having been fent
in hopes of intercepting a very rich ftip expedled at Cadiz frora
Liraa, had the good fortune to get fight of her on the 21ft of
Mav,

588 NAVALAND 1762.

May, and immediately gave chafe. In a few hours they were
clofe along-fide, when Captain Sawyer hailed thera whence
they carae; and, on being anfwered from Lima, he defired fhem
to ftrike, for that hoftllifies were coraraenced between Great
Britain and Spain, This was a piece of news they were not
prepared for; but, after a little befitafion, they fubraifted.
Poffeffion was then taken of the veffel, the Herralone, which
was by far fhe rlcheft prize made during the war ; the cargo
and ftip, &c. araounting fo 544,648!. is. 6d. ; a particular
account of which, and fhe diftribution of the prize money, the
reader will find In the appendix, (Note 197.)
The treafure was conveyed frora Portfraouth to London in
twenty waggons, efcorted by a party of failors. The waggons
were decorated with the Britift colours flying, having thofe of
Spain underneath thera. They raade a grand proceffion, and
entered the city of London the 12th day of Auguft, the day his
Royal Highnefs the Prince of Wales was born ; and which con
tributed very much to Inereafe the joy which was fo generally
manifefted on the glorious occafion. The proceffion proceed
ed along Piccadilly, down St James's ftreef, where his Majefty
and many of fhe nobility viewed it frora the windows over fhe
gate of the palace. On their coraing to London, they were
joined by a troop of light dragoons, with a band of raufic, ton-
fiftlng of kettle-druras, French-horns, trumpets and hautboys ;
and Ip this raanner did fhey march on through fhe city fo fhe
Tower, amid the acclamations of a prodigious concourfe of
people. One of Sir Charles Saunders's fleet took the Perlu of Barce
lona, having on board one hundred thoufand dollars. This
was the firft fliip taken frora Spain, after the declaration of
war. On fhe 23d of July, the Pallas was attacked in Cadiz-
bay by two xebeques, one of thirty-two, and the other of twen
ty-four guns. After engaging for forae tirae, they were both
fo much difabled, and had loft fo many men in fhe adtion, that
they made off. Captain Clements purfued, and would have
taken them both, had not a ftip of fhe fine been difpatched
from Cadiz to their affiftanee, which carae in time fo protedl fhem ;

1762. MILITARY' MEMOIRS. 589
thera ; as, on her approach, the Pallas was obliged to defift,
and fave herfelf by flight.
The Adlive took a French privateer of twenty-two guns, and
two hundred and forty men.
The Gibraltar, Captain Griffith, took a French privateer of
eighteen guns off Leghorn, after a moft defperate engagement,
in which the firft Lieutenant of the Gibraltar, and five men
were killed, and many wounded.
The Brune, commanded by Captain Tonyn, being on a cruize
off Carthagena, on the 23d of Odtober, about {even leagues to
the weft of that port, fell in with fhe Olfeau, a French frigate
of twenty-fix guns, and two hundred and forty men, and, after
an obftinate engagement, took her. The Brune had fix men
killed, and fourteen wounded. The Olfeau had forty-nine men
killed and wounded. The Chevalier de Modene, her Captain,
loft his right arm ; three of his officers were wounded, and all
fhe reft killed. She was purchafed by Government, and added
fo the Royal Navy by fhe fame narae.
In the month of November, the Sheernefs, coraraanded by
Captain Clarke, being on a cruize, was chafed Into Villa Fran
ca by three French ftips of war, where they followed. The
Captain of La Minerve, adtuated by an idle fpirit of vanity and
infolence, refolved to anchor between the Sheernefs and the
fliore. In doing this, he ran his ftip upon fhe rocks that form
fhe eaftern fide of fhe harbour. The wind blew very freft,
and the fea ran fo high, that no boat durft venture from the
ftore fo afford him affiftanee. Tbe Captain was quite igno
rant of his profeffion ; and being ill feconded by his officers and
people, who were little accuftoraed fp meet with fuch difficul
ties, fhe 'ftip, in lefs than two hours, was completely wrecked.
In this dreadful fituation, expedting fo perift every moraent.
Captain Clarke fent his boats fo their affiftanee ; and the Bri
tift failors exerted tberafelves fo effedtually, (fo fhe aftonlft-
ment of all who beheld them) that they brought off all the
crew, except about twenty-five who were wafted off by the
violence of the waves. The French Commodore entertained
fo high a fenfe of the benevolence of Captain Clarke on this oc-

590

NAVAL AND <762.

occafion, that he waited on him In perfort, and thanked hira for
the great affiftanee he bad afforded them In their diftrefs.
When the war was at an end. Sir Charles Saunders and the
greateft part of the fleet failed for England, leaving a fqua
dron under Rear-Adrairal Sir Piercy Brett, to take poffeffion
of Minorca. Sir Piefcy was relieved In command by Commo
dore Thomas Harrifon in the Centurion ; on board of whofe
fcip, his Royal Highnefs the Duke of York for fome time
hoifted his flag.
TRANSACTIONS AT OR NEAR HOME.
In order to prevent fhe French from fending fuccours ta
their Weft India fettlements, now attacked by the fleet and
army under Admiral Rodney and General Monckton, a fqua
dron was kept trnizirig before Breft, under the coraraand of
Coraraodore Spry, (See Note 198.) Btit a fevere gale about
tbe middle of January having corapelled hira to put info Ply-
tnotith ; iri bis abfence, the French difpatched M, de Blenac,
with a fleet of feven fail of the line, three frigates, and a
floop, for Martlriico, as before related. On board of this fqua
dron, they embarked five battalions of infantry, (See Note 190,)
They were feeri foon after they got out, and Coraraodore Spry
was early informed df their depalrture. He ftaped bis courfe
to the beft of his jiidgrtient, arid purfued fhem with a prefs of
fail : but miffing themj and not having a ftock of provlfions
on board to virartant his proceeding farther, he difpatched the
Aquilon frigate. Captain Ogle, exprefs to Admiral Rodney
(as was obferved xvhen treating of the conqueft of Martinico)
to put him on his gtard ; and returned with his fquadron to
England, Tlie French continued arming fome ftips at Rochefort. But
men of war fitted there, muft fall down the river Charante,
and take in their guns and heavy ftores abreaft of the Ifland of
Aix, before fhey proceed fo fea. They would have found
great difficulty to effedl this, as fhe fquadron under Commo dore

1762. MILITARY MEMOtRS.

591

dore Lord Vifcount Howe, in Bafque-road, very narrowly
watched all the enemy's motions at this port. Lord Howe
going as Captain to bis Royal Highnefs the Duke of York,
was relieved on this ftarion by Coraraodore Denis, (See Note
199.), who fent out cruizers from this place, which picked
up fome prizes both from the French and Spaniards. When
intelligence was received that M. de Ternay, with a fraall
fleet, had efcaped from Breft, "Sir Edward Hawke, and fhe
Duke of York, with ten fail of the line and fpme frigates,
(See Note 200,) were ordered out In purfuit of him. M. de
Ternay fteered right acrofs the Atlantic, and Sir Edward fteer
ed for Cape FInifterre, by which they miffed of each other.
After an unfuccefsful cruize. Sir Edward returned to England
about fhe end of Auguft. This fleet was again ordered to fea,
under the command of Sir Charles Hardy, and failed from
Spithead the 1 2th of Septeraber. On the 29th, the Duke of
York followed bim with a reinforcement of ftips, (See Note
201.) Thefe continued cruizing till fhe 3 otb^frf Odlober, when
they came to an arichor in Plymouth found. They put to fea
again on the i3fh of November, and ftretched as far to the
fouthward as flie ifland of Madeira, in hopes of falling in with
forae. of the Spanift regifter ftips, before the tirae prefcribed
by the preliminary articles of peace for a ceffation of hoftillties
in thefe latitudes took place ; but they returned to England
without fuccefs,.
While Sir Fdward Hawke was cruizing on the coaft of
Spain, a fquadron under the command of Commodore Man
(See Note 202.) blocked up the port of Breft. The ftips of
this fquadron, picked up feveral prizes. On the ift of Sep
tember, Coraraodore Man made fhe Torbay's fignal fo chafe
a fail in the S. W. quarter, which was foon perceived to be an
enemy. The wind dying away, Captain Brett hoifted out his
boats, and towed for feveral hours towards the chafe. In the
evening, a freft breeze fprung up, when all the fleet joined in
the purfuit ; and af half paft fen at night, the Lion got up
with the enemy. An adlion then took place, which lafted
near an hour, when the Zephyr, a French frigate of thirty- two

592 NAVALAND - 17^2

two guns, (but mounting only twenty-fix), and two hundred
and fifty men, (one hundred of whom were foldiers), ftruck.
She was bound for Newfoundland with troops, two brafs mor
tars, forae brafs cannon, ammunition and ftores. The enemy
had nine killed, and twenty-five wounded ; her rigging very
much damaged. The Lion had only three men flightly wound
ed. Coraraodore Young coraraanded a fraall fquadron in the
channel, and hoifted his broad pendant on board the Guernfey.
He watched with great attention all fhe principal pofts belong
ing to the enemy in the channel, and prevented them from
tranfporting naval ftores clpfe along ftore in their prames from
Havre de Grace to Breft. He forced forae of thefe aftore
near the raouth of Caen river. His cruizers deftroyed a few,
and obliged others to run up the river for ftelter, where they
could not be got at.
Coraraodore Moore coraraanded In the Downs, and bad his
broad pendant on board fhe St George. His cruizers found
more eraployraent frora the Dutch, than either the French or
Spaniards ; for the fubjedts of the States General ftill perfifted
in fupplying the enemies of Great Britain with all forts of
naval and warlike ftores ; and were alfo engaged In carrying
the produce of fhe French colonies frora the Weft Indies to
Europe, They had been fo very clamorous againft the vigi
lance of fhe Britift cruizers In fearching their ftips, and pre
venting their illicit commerce, that, in order fo put a ftop fo
them, their High Mightineffes had found It neceffary to put
fome ftips of war In coraralffion, in order to protedl their
trade. Four of fhe merchant ftips, under convoy of a frigate
of thirty-fix guns, in the month of September fell in with the
Hunter floop, the Captain of which, agreeable to his orders,
fent his boat on board one of the merchant ftips. In order fo
fearch her. This the Captain of the frigate would not permit ;
and the Hunter floop, not being of fufficient ftrength to en
force the orders, her Captain made the beft of his way to fhe
Downs, and made a report fo Coraraodore Moore of what had
happened. The Coraraodore Immediately fent Captain Adaras in

1762. MILITARY MEMOIRS.

593

in the Diana, having with him fhe Chefter of fifty guns, and
the Hunter and Trial floops, with orders to fearch the mer
chant ftips, and fo ufe force, if neceffary. The day following,
Captain Adams came up witb tbem, and fold fhe Captain of
the Dutch frigate, that he rauft know what his convoy were
loaded with ; who anfwered, that he would not allow bis
convoy to be fearched, and would defend fhe ftips coraraitted
to bis care, to the laft. On this. Captain Adaras ordered a
boat, with a Britift jack in her bow, fo be fent on board of
each of the Dutch raercbant ftips, letting fhe Captain of
the frigate af the farae time know, that he would not al
low the Britift flag to be Infulted. The Dutch frigate fired a
gun at the headmoft boat, loaded with grape ftot, by which
pne raan was wounded ; on this. Captain Adaras fired a gun
af fhe frigate, in order to bring her to. This was anfwered
by a broadfide ; and an adlion iraraediately coraraenced be
tween the Diana and the Dutch ftip of war, which lafted a-
bout a quarter of an hour, when the Dutch ftip ftruck, who,
wlthher convoy, were all brought into fhe Downs. In the
adlion, the Dutch had four men killed, and five wounded;
among the latter was the Captain, who loft a part of his nofe.
The Diana had not a man hurt. The merchant ftips were
found to be laden with naval ftores for fhe ufe of the French
navy ; and were detained to ftand trial. The war ftip was
difmlffed. The Loweftoffe, Captain Stirling, drove aftore, and deftroy
ed two French prames off Graveling, feveral of whofe crews
were killed or wounded In endeavouring to efcape. The Grace
cutter, coraraanded by Captain M'Bride, deftroyed a fmall
French privateer on the coaft of Holland. The Lion cutter,
coraraanded by Lieutenant Reeve, took a French lugfall pri
vateer of fuperior force ; and the Tartuffe cutter took a fraall
French privateer. The Phoenix, Captain Bethel, took, after
a chace of fix hours, fhe L'Opale, a French frigate of twenty-
four guns, and two hundred and fifty raen.
On the 30th of January, the Danae, then coraraanded by
Captain Hay, in abfence of Captain Martin, having thirteen
VOL. JI. P P fli'ps

594 NAVAL AND i752-

ftips under convoy from Gibraltar, fell In with a large French
ftip, who lay fo for fhem. Although the Danae was much
fuperior In force, as foon as they came up, the Frenchraan en
gaged her for upwards of three hours, yard-arm and yard-arm
moft ofthe time, during which, the enemy loft her main-yard,
fore-fop maft, maln-top-maflr, and bowfpritl She muft have
been, obliged to ftrike, if the Danae had been under manage
raent. But all the running rigging, fore and aft, was ftot
away, and the mafts and yards much wounded ; fo that the
ml^en-maft went by the board, and fhe main yard was oblig
ed fo be lowered down and launched over-board, fo fave the
main-maft. In this ftattered condition. Captain Hay could
not get the ftip fo vt^ork; which fhe enemy perceiving, fet
what fail they could, and had the good fortune to get off.
Captain Hay haying repaired- forae of his raoft raaterlal daraa-
ges, ftood after his convoy. He had eighteen raen killed, and
forty-two men wounded, feven of whom died in a few days.
The enemy's ftip was fhe TIgre, a private ftip of war, of
twenty- fix guns, and two hundred and forty raen, coramand
ed by M, Fabry, She afterwards engaged his Majefty's ftip
the Dealcaftle, Captain Tindal, who obliged her to fteer off ;
and foon after raeeting with fhe King George privateer.
Captain Reed, was taken by her, after an obftinate engage
ment. The Richmond, Captain Elphinftone, on his way to the
Weft Indies, took a Spanlft regifter ftip frora Carapeachy
for Teneriffe, whpfe cargo confifted'of a hundred tons of log
wood, two thoufand raw hides, and thirty thoufand dollars,
which laft Captain Elphinftone carried along with hira. '?
None of fhe cruizing ftips were raore diftinguifted than the
V.enus, commanded by Captain Thomas Harrifon, who, on
the 6th of January took the Boulogne, from fhe Ifle de France,
laden with coffee and pepper, after an adlion of an hour, in
which the eneray had feven men killed, and twenty wounded.
On board of this ftip, vvhich mounted twenty guns, and had
a crew of one hundred and , forty men, came paffenger the
Comte d'Eftaing, who fo ftamefiilly broke his parole in fhe
Eaft

17^2. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 595
Eaft Indies. This ftip was reckoned woPth 40,000!. Steriing.
Captain Harrifon, on fhe 6fh of March, In latitude 42. 20.
Oporto E, by S,, diftant ninety-two leagues, at day-light fell In
with a Britift ftip, who had a fignal of diftrefs ouf (name
unknown) without a living creature on board. She was laden.
with provifions, bale goods, &c.; when boarded, fte had nine
feet water in ber hold. Captain Harrifon diredted her pumps
to be tried, when his people foon cleared her of the water,
found out her leak, and ftopped If. The farae day he gave
chafe fo a fail, which he came up with and took : fte proved
to be the Aimable Marie, from Bourdeaux for Sf Domingo.
In the evening of the fame day. Captain Harrifon got fight of
' another Britift ftip, with a fignal of diftrefs out, and was
¦'^"greatly furprifed, when he came up with her, to find her
alfo abandoned. Her cargo was fhe fame as the other ; fte
had eight feet wafer in her hold, which was foon cleared, and
the leak in a great meafure ftopped. Captain Harrifon fuf
pedled thaf there was fome trick In the intended lofs of thefe
fliips, efpecially fhe laft, as fte appeared to bave been aban
doned for forae tirae, was a fine veffel of thirty guns, but not
well furnlfted for a long, or even a Weft India voyage.
On the 17th, Captain Harrifon was chafed with his- three
'ftips in company, by a brig which he foon perceived to be a
privateer, and immediately gave chafe fo her himfelf, on which
the eneray endeavoured fo raake off, when after a purfuit of
twenty-fix hours, .during which tirae he run fixty leagues, the
enemy's raaln-top-raaft broke, and fell over fhe fide ; he then
came up with her, on which fte ftruck, and proved to be the
Aimable Jofepha, a Spanift privateer of St Sebaftians, mount
ing fourteen guns, and having a crew of one hundred and
three men. On the 6th of May, Captain Harrifon took the
Mlqullet, a French privateer of Bayonne, of fourteen guns,
and one hundred and fix men. On the 4fh of June, he took
the Noftra Sigiiora de Bignonla, a Spanlfli privateer of Bilboa,
..of fixteen guns, twenty fwivels, and one hundred and ninety-
rfi.ve men ; and on fhe 15th of September, In company with
the Lark, Captain Shiriey, took the Carnabel, a Spanift prl-
'. P P 2 vateer

S96 NAVALAND 1762.

vateer of St Sebaftians, of eight guns, and eighty men. On
the 1 8th, they took the Due de Penfhievre, a French priva
teer of Bayonne, of fourteen guns, and one hundred and fix
men ; and, on fhe 23d, fhey took, after a ftort chafe, the
Galgo, a Spanift privateer of eighteen guns, and one hundred
and thirty-fix raen.
On the 15th of Odtober, the Venus took, after a chafe of
three hours, the Crozen, a fchooner belonging to the King of
France, of fix guns, and thirty-fix raen.
The -liEolus, Captain Hotharaf, took, when on a cruize off
Cape Finlfterre, two French privateers belonging fo Bayonne,
and retook a prize fhey had taken, viz. a ftip frora Jaraaica ;
and. In corapany with fhe Brilliant, Captain Logic, took three
French privateers, with a prize which one of thera had taken.
On the 29fh of Auguft, Captain Hotham being off Cape
Pinas, with the wind wefteriy, got fight of two fail fo fte
windward, fteering to the eaftward. On feeing the jEoIus,
they hauled their wind, and ftood In to Aviles bay, juft to the
weftward of the Cape, ' On doing this, the Captain plainly
difcovered their force, and faw thaf one of them was a very
large ftip ; but judging that they had done this, on purpofe to
avoid meeting with hira, for Aviles did not appear a port ca
pable of receiving a ftip of her fize, he refolved, as foon as
the wind and weather would adrait, to reconnoitre it. It
was, however, fhe 2d of Septeraber, before he could effedl
his purpofe, when he ftood into the bay with a light air of
wind frora fhe eaftward, and faw the above raentioned ftips
at anchor; the fraalleft clofe under the weftmoft land ofthe
bay, about three or four railes diftant frora the other, which
was obferved fo be warping towards fhe entrance of Aviles ri
ver. She had fufficient tirae to do' this, before it was in Cap
tain Hotham's power fo give her any interruption. The wind
freftened, and Capitain Hothara ftood farther on. Opening '
fhe point round which fhe largeft ftip lay, he received her fire,
and that of a three gun battery, which was not obferved befor?,
fituated
t Now Lord Hotham of Ireland, and Admiral of the White,

17<52. MILITARY MEMOIRS.

597

fituated on an eminence within fhe point. , Judging, however,
that after the .ffiolus was properiy placed, fhe battery could
not give much annoyance, he made a fmall trip, and about
three in tbe afternoon, anchored with a fpring on his cable,
in fuch a pofition, as to be able to diredl part of tbe ftip's
fire upon the battery, af the fame time that, he attacked fhe e-
neray's ftip ; To this cannonade, the Spaniards made a very
faint return ; and foon after, took fo their boats and abandon
ed the ftip ; on which Captain Hotham fent Mr Pafley, his
firft Lieutenant, on board, to fake poffeffion of her, at the
fame tiriie covering hira from the fire which was ftill kept up
from the battery. No fooner had Lieutenant Pafley got on
board the prize, than the eneray abandoned the battery ; and
to prevent their returning to It, and giving any interruption
during the night. Captain Hothara fent Lieutenant Carapbell
on ftore, with a party of marines, who fpiked up the guns.
When tbe tide was about half ebb, the prize grounded ; but
there being a probability of getting her off fhe next flood, an
chors and warps were carried out, and every neceffary means
made ufe of to accompllft it : but fte bulged in the night be
fore tbe tide bad rifen high enough to float ber, by which
this defign was rendeied fruitlefs ; fhe prize was tl^en fet on
fire. From fome papers found on board. Captain Hotham
learned that fte was a Spanift ftip called theSt Jofeph*
from the, Caraccas, bound to Paffage, and laden with bides
and cocoa. She had only thirty-two" guns raounted, was capa
ble of being raade to carry fixty, having ring-bolts fixed be
low, and her timbers cut for that purpofe ; but had only a few
of her lower ports cut out, and might raeafure about twdve hun
dred tonsi Captain Hothara ftrongly recoramended it to the
Captain of the Charraing Nancy, privateer of Jerfey, to go
and attack the other ftip : but, although of much fuperior
force, he declined if. As foon as day broke on fhe third, he
^weighed, and went hirafelf In fearch of her : but not being
able to fee any thing of heri he concluded fte had efcaped,
bf putting to fea in the night. Captain Hotham was greatly
pleafed with the behaviour of his ftip's company on this occa-
p p 3 fion ;

^^i NAVAL AND 1762.
fion ; and although his rigging and fails were much daraaged,
he fortunately had not a raan hurt.
On .the nth of Septeraber, between St Andero and Bilboa,
he fell in with, and gave chafe fo .feven fail bf ftips, fteering
to fhe weftyi'ard. They all monnfed guns ; and three of them
appeared to be frigates. They were too ftrong for him to at
tack alone ; but he kept thera corapany, in hopes of falling in
with fome of the Britift cruizers : not being fo fortunate as
do fo, he was obliged to leave thera, and return to his ftarion,
in doing which, he took a floop from Bourdeaux, bound fo
St Domingo, laden with provifions, one of the above conypy,
but which had feparated foon after failing.
The Fame and Lion took the Efcurial, a French floop of war,
mounting ten guns, and fli,e Villevean, a French ftip frora the
Ifle de Bourbon, haying a cargo of four thoufand bales of cot
ton. The Milford of twenty-eight guns. Captain Robert Man, In
latttude 34, 15- N, and longitude 25. 7, W. frora London, on
the 7fh of March, af fen in the raorning, faw a fail, to which
be gave chafe, and came up with af fen'p'dock at night. A
very clpfe adllpn immediately commenced; at fhe beginning of
which Captain Man had the misfortune to receive a ftot thro*
the right thigh from ^ fix pound ball, of which wound he died
at three the next morning. Ijieutenanf Day, on whom the
command devolved, fought- the ftip with great fpirit, until half
an hour paft eleven o'clock, when he received a wound from a
muflcet ball In the raiddle ofthe forehead, which totally depriv
ed him, of his fenfes, and of which he died two days after
wards. The fecond Lieutenant, Mr Naft, continued the ac
tion until half paft two next morning, when fhe eneray ftruck.
She proved to be La Gloire, frora Paffage, belonging to Bour-
_deaux, and bound to St Doraingo, a letter of marque. She
mounted fixteen fix-pounders, but pierced for twenty, ten fwi
vels, and ninety-four men; was laden with wine, flour, brandy,
bale goods, &c. They had fix men killed, and eighteen woun
ded. The Milford had her "Captain, firft Lleutenajit, and two
men killed, and thirteen wounded. The

17*52. MILITARY MEMOIRS.

599

The Valiant, Coraraodore Keppel, on fhe i itb of March, on
"his voyage to the Weft Indies, took the St Prieft, a French Eaft
India ftip of feven hundred tons burden, and two hundred and
thirty men befides paffengers, from the Ifle de Bourbon, bound
to Port L'Orient. Her cargo confifted of coffee and pepper.
The Blonde, Captain Kennedy, took, after an hour's engage
ment, the Boutin, a French Eaft India ftip, of four hundred
and fixty tons, mounting twenty guns, having one hundred and
eighty-nine men on board, including paflengers, bound from
the Mauritius to Port L'Orient, laden with coffee and pepper.
,, We ftall conclude this firft part of Naval and Military Tranf-
adlions, with the narrative of a very brave adlion of the Ho
nourable Captain John Ruthven, Comraander of his Majefty's
ftip the Terpfichore, of twenty-fix fix-pounders only, who, af
ter an obftinate defence, corapelled the Marquis de Marigny, of
twenty nine-pounders, but pierced for twenty-four, to ftrike.
She was bound frora Bourdeaux fo St Doraingo. The condudl
of Captain Ruthven was much applauded. The enemy endea
voured to avoid a clofe engageraent, and avail tberafelves of their
great fuperiority of weight of raetal ; but Captain Ruthven, by
getting clofe upon their weather quarter, made bis fix pounders
do as much execution as the enemy's nine-pounders. The ene
my had nine men killed, and eighteen wnunded. On board of
the Terpfichore, five men were killed, and the Captain and fix
teen wounded.

A LIST ofthe principal French and Spanish Privateers taken, and by whom, from the end of the Year 1 761,
to the conclufion of the War.

O-o

No.df

No. of

-
Belonging to
By whom taken.
CAPTAINS NAMES
Hon difpofed of.
PRIVATEERS KAMES.
Guns
Men.
Guns. 28
Men. 200
W £^ A J «K 1,1 0 li*l #« HA hL. 13
Cerberus Auguftine
12 10
105 80
\ St Malo
Tartar -
J. Knight
\ Sold.
Audacleux ¦
10
104
Breft -
1
1
Dos Amigos - t
Guerrier
8
10
50
120
St Sebaftians
Bayonne
(. Coventry
28
200
Rob. Carpenter
> Ditto,
Grolgnard
10
126
Ditto
J
¦"
J
Due d'Ayen
16
120
Dunkirk
Tweed -
28
200
W, Pafton
Ditto.
Creole
8
84
Bayonne
)
¦^
Amiable Jofepha
14
103
St Sebaftians
y Venus -
36
240
T. Harrifon-
Mlquelet
14
106
Bayonne
\
/
j> Ditto.
N. S.de BIgonia
16
^95
Bilboa -
J
Due de Penthievre
14
106
Blayonne
7 Ditto, and the
5 Lark
Galgo
18
136
Bilboa -
32
220
T. Shirley
Perrier
Efperance
6 6
8b
60
> Bayonne
^olus -
32
220
W. Hotham
P
Malonin
6
80
St Malo -
i Ditto,
>Ditto.
Curieux
6
33
Ditto -
[• and the
Migonne
8
63
Bayonne _
3 Brilliant -
3<5
"240
Ja. Logie
J
LIST CONTiBSfWE?!*

FRIVATEERS NAMES.

Romaine

Due de Fronfac
Serviceable A Spanifh packet
Le Baillen
La Minx -
N. S. del Corolylas,
Anama Guipufcoa
Faraily Corapa£l
Grand Amiral -
Bearnolfe
Soujon Comte d'HeronvIlle
Domervllle
Sequler -
Artemifa -

No. of

Guns.

Men.

20

130

12

120

8

90

14

59

14

160

10

68

],.

1.7-0

lO

,201

10

8.S

14

82

8

.45

i6

129

8

64

12

90

8

65

Belonging to

Dunkirk

Sf Sebaftlan
i Rochelle
St Sebaftians
St Sebaftians
Bayonne
Ditto
> Moriaix
? St Malo
Bayonne

By whom taken.

EflexBellona
i Mermaid

'Royal William

Bofton -
Liverpool Richmond Renown

> Adventure

No.j)f

Guns. Men.

64 7424

84
32 28
3a
32 32

500600 180

750

CAPTAINS NAMES,

A. Schomberg
p. Denis
G. Watfon

H. Pigot

220 Sir Tho. Adams

200220

220

220

R. Knight
J. Elphinftone

Cha. Middleton

How difpofed of.

Sold. Ditto.
Ditto.

. Ditto.

Ditto.
Ditto.Ditto.
Ditto.
Ditto.

o

LIST CONTINUED.

o

PRIVATEERS NAMES.
Due de Broglio
Nannen Juplfre
Cantabria N,S.delaPIedad,7 alias Golondrina 3
Mars Dunkerquolfe Comte de Flandre
La Gala
Efperance Malouin
La Parfalt
Amitie
Vldoire

No of

Guns.

Men.

14

80

6

. 5°

22

i8j

14

115

8

65

10

50

4

30

10

70

6

56

6

66

6

34

12

103

18

77

10

77

- IT,,.

- *70

Belonging to
Dunkirk
Sf Malo
Bayonne

Dunkirk St Sebaftians
St Malo
St Malo ,
Sf Sebaftians
Bayonne
Ditto

By whom taken.

Difpatch floop
V Looe
lAIdbo'rough
, DolphinDianaJuno Brilliant
Diligence floop
^ Arethufa
Niger
Adeon

No. of

Guns. Men,

12
40 24243232
36 12
3232 28

CAPTAINS NAMES.

100 Hon, P, Bertie
250 T. Penny
160M. Graham
1 60 R. Keeler
220 W, Adams,
220 Hon. G. Falconer
240 Ja. Logic
100 W. Ofborn.
220 Hon. Raby Vane
220 T.Cornwall
220 P. H. Ourry

How difpofed of

C Sold. She had 6
I ranf. on board.
i Ditto Ditto
C Ditto. Had 5 ranf.
\ on board.
Ditto Ditto DittoDitto
DittoDitto.

>
<>
>
G

17<52. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 603
It would be doing Injuftice to the Britifli failors embarked In
private fhips of war, not fo record the following inftances of
their bravery.
The Brilliant and Duke of York privateers, coraraanded by
Captains Creighton and , gave chafe to feme Spanlfli
veffels, who took flidter in a fraall port near Cape Finlfterre,
defended by a battery of four guns at the entrance. This they
attacked, and in two hours beat fhe Spaniards frora their guns:
they then landed and hoifted Britifli colours bn it. They had
it in their power to have laid the town in aflies, but contented
tberafelves with fpiking up fhe cannon, burning two fliips that
lay there In ballaft, and bringing off^ four veflels, which were
laden with wine for fhe ufe ofthe Spanlfli fleet af Feirol. All
this they perforraed with no other lofs, than two raen killed,
and twelve wounded.
The Harapden packet, of eight guns and thirty men, com
manded by Captain Board, ftatloned between Faro and Gib
raltar, was attacked off" Tenerifle, by eleven privateers, who
bore down in order pf baffle. Their Coraraodore was a barco-
longo of eight guns, and fixty raen. His fecond, a xebeque of
theTarae force, Thefe veflels led the van of this fleet. Five
others of a lefler fize came a little aftern of the Coraraodore ;
the other four veflels had each a gun in their prow, and were
manned with twenty-five or thirty men each : thefe brought
up the rear. The battle began at eleven o'clock : at half paft
one they hauled their wind, and returned frora whence they
carae leaving the packet to proceed to Gibraltar, where fhe
arrived about three o'clock fhe fame day. Her rigging and
fails were rauch hurt ; but flie had the good fortune not to
have a man hurt. It was. afterwards learned, that the enemy
had fourkilled, and eight wounded.
The King George privkfeer. Captain Reed, took, after an
obftinate engageraent of two hours and a half, the Tiger fri
gate of twenty-fix nine pounders, and two hundred and forty,
men, coraraanded by M, Fabry, frora St Doraingo, bound fo
Bourdeaux. She was a King's frigate lent to the merchants,
>yho fitted her out. During fhe adlion, three of her guns
burft;

6o4 NAVAL AND 1762.
burft; by which accident, the eneray had twenty raen kil
led outright, and a great number wounded ; befides having
eighty men killed or wounded in the battle. Her cargo was
valued at 150,000!. The King George had three men killed,
and twelve wounded ; but of thefe eight died of their wounds.
We cannot conclude the firft part of thefe Memoirs, with
out mentioning fhe following circumftances, fo very charac-
teriftic of our Moft Gracious Sovereign.
On the loth of January, fhe Zenobie, a frigate belonging
to the King of France, of twenty-two guns, and two hundred
and ten raen, failed frora Havre-de-Grace, on a cruize. On
the 1 2th, fhey were overtaken by a violent ftorm, and, after
ufing every efibrt, were obliged to run the fhip afliore on the
peninfula > of Portland; where with much difliculty, feventy
one of the crew were faved, who got on fliore with very few
clothes. The barbarous Inhabitants, however, came down
and ftripped the poor unfortunate creatures of what little fhe
fea had left them. They muft have perlftied, had not Mr Ta-
ver, the Governor of Portland, Interpofed his authority, and
exerted his benevolence. When fomewhat recovered from
their bruifes and fatigues, he fent thera to Weyraouth; from
whence the officers wrote to the Lords of the Adralralty, pe
titioning their Lordflilps, thaf in comraiferarion of their dif
treffes, they would not add capdvify to their misfortunes-
The Secretary of the Admiralty Imraediately anfwered their
letter. In which he inforraed thera, that the Lords of the Ad
miralty had laid their letter before his Majefty, who v/as graci
oufly pleafed to order. In corapaffion of their deplorable dr-
cumftances, thaf they were not to be regarded as prifoners,
but thaf fhey fhould all of thera be Iraraediately clothed, and
maintained at his expence, until erabarked for France.
This huraanity and generofify was attended with fhe fol
lowing good effea. On the night of the 25 th of January, ip
a violent ftorm, a Britifli veffel was drove afhore near fo Havre-
de-Grace, and broke to pieces, but fhe crew were faved. The
Commandant of the place being Informed of this, immediate- ately

1762. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 605
ately ordered them'good comfortable quarters, and allowed fhe
cpmraon raen af the rate of thirty fous a day, until they .were
embarked for England.
The enemy took frora us but one floop, viz, the Gramont,
which they found in the harbour of St John's Newfoundland;
and the Bafiliflc bomb-ketch of eight guns, coramanded by
Captain Lowfield, who, on her voyage to England frora the
Havannah, was, on fhe 29th of Oaober, taken by fhe Auda-
cla, privateer of Bayonne, of eighteen guns, and one hundred
and forty men, after a raoft obftinate engageraent. In which
both Captain Lowfield and his Lieutenant were raortally
wounded, and raany of fhe crew were killed,
Befides the lofs already raenrioned of fhe Raifonable and
Chefterfield, In the Weft Indies, we had the raisfortune to
lofe the Huraber of forty guns. Captain Onflow, on Hazebo
rough fand, off fhe coaft of Norfolk, as he was convoying
horae the Baltic fleet. The Captain and crew were faved.
(The Peregrine, Scorpion, Savage, and Epreuve floops of
war, with all their crews, were likewife loft.
In the Eaft Indies, fhe Tiger and Sallftjury becarae quite un
fervlceable, and were broke up. The Falraouth was alfo worn
out, and obliged to be left at Batavia,
In the courfe of this year, we took one hundred and twenty
privateers and merchant ftilps from the eneray ; raany of them
of very great value. In point of nurabers, fhe lofs fuftained
by tbe Britifh was rauch fuperior to bpth French and Spa
niards ; but few of thera were of very great value, except
the Walpole outward bound Eaft India fliip, and thofe which
fhe King of Spain had raoft ungeneroufly detained In his ports
when fhe two courts carae to a rupture. The Spaniards had
neither fleets, cruizers, nor privateers at fea, fufficient fo give
great annoyance to fhe Britifli coraraerce ; and for the French,
they had fcarcely any thing at fea but frigates and privateers.
They did the Britifli trade forae raifchief ; but fuch numbers
of them were captured by the Britifli cruizers, thaf towards
the clofe of the war,, the feas were well cleared of them, and
their

6o6 NAVALAND 1762.
their mercantile people In general fo much hurt by fhe lofles
they had fuftained, that they were not In a condition to fit
out raore. No nation ever paid dearer for a ten raonths war
than Spain did, and ftie well deferved If for her feraerlty.
Confidering that fhe loft the Havannah, with a great part of
the ifland of Cuba ; the Philippine Iflands, with a great many
merchant fliips at both places, the Manila galleon, the Hermi
one, and other valuable fliips, together with a large fquadron
of fhips of war, fhe got too eafily ouf of her difilculties at fhe
peace. We hazard nothing in afferfing, thaf it was owipg fo
fhe imraenfe pecuniary aid which the .ftate derived iroin the
unparalelled fucceffes with which all our principal operations
were attended, that Great Britain was enabled fo profecute
with vigour the moft expenfive, as well as the raoft extenfive
war thaf ever this kingdora waged. To this rauft be added,
fhe prodigious fubfidles paid for a nuraber of years fo foreign
princes ; and the aid afforded the kingdora of Portugal, in
men, raoney, and fliips, which faved her frora being over
powered by fhe Spaniards and French, Frora fhe very great
fuperiority of fhe Britifli navy, the trade received fuch araple
protedlion, that during the laft three yfears of the war. It great
ly Increafed ; yet, confiderable as our refources were, we fhould
have found the war rauch raore oppreflive to us, had If not
been for the great Influx of raoney which flowed into the king
dora from an extenfive war, and of which Government reap
ed the iramedlafe advantage.
In order fo bring info one ftrong point of view, fhe Yery
great fuccefs which the Britifh navy obtained over fhe navies
of France and Spain, fhe reader will find af Note 203, In the
Appendix fo this work, complete lifts of the French and Spa
nlfli fliips of war that were taken, loft, or. deftroyed, from
1755, to the conclufion of hoftillties ; and at Note 204, a fimi
lar lift of the Britifli fliips of war; alfo, a lift of the Britifli Cap
tains who were killed In battle, mortally wounded, or who loft
their lives with their refpedlive fhips ; at Note 205. a com
plete lift of the Britifli navy, with t^e names of the Captains, as

i7<J2. MILITARY MEMOIRS. 607
as it ftood at the conclufion of the war; and at Note 206. a
coraplete lift of the Spanlfli navy as it ftood in 1759.
The King of France had fignlfied his wifties to the Britifli
Court, through the King of Sardinia's Arabaffador there, that
. he was defirous that the negociatlons for peace might be renew
ed. In confequence of this, the Duke of Bedford was fent to
Paris, as Arabaffador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary from
the Court of London; and the Due de Nivernois carae fo Lon
don in fhe farae charadler, from the Court of Verfailles. The
preliminaries for a peace with France, Spain, and Great Britain,
vrere figned at Fontalnbleau the 3d of Noveraber. (See Note
207.) After the recital of fueh glorious fucceffes, the reader will no
doubt be greatly furprized to find how very inadequate was fhe
peace juft raade; efpecially when it Is confidered, that the
King of Pruflia's affairs were now taking a favourable turn, and
that they required no conceflSons on our part to obtain better
conditions for hira. The farae may be faid of the King of Por
tugal ; while, by our fucceffes In tbe Eaft and Weft Indies, the
whole American dominions pf Spain lay at our mercy. By
this famous treaty of peace, we gained, in America, the whole
province of Canada, with the iflands of St John and Cape Bre
ton, and all that part of Loulfiana which lies on the eaft of the
river MifllfippI, the town of New Orleans excepted, and the free
navigation ofthe river Miffifippi. The French were permitted
to fifb on the banks of Newfoundland, under certain limita
tions. The iflands of Sf Pierre and Miquelon, were ceded fo
them for curing of their fifli, and fhe condudllng of their fifli-
ery ; but fhey were not to eredl any fortifications there, or to
keep a garrifon ftronger than fifty men. Spain to relinquifti
her claim to fifti on fhe banks of Newfoundland. Great Bri
tain fo be permitted fo cut logwood, and build houfes, but not
to eredl fortifications. All fortifications that were eredled, to
be demollftied. Spain to reftore any places flie raay have con
quered In Portugal, and fo cede fo great Britain fhe province
of Florida ; in confideration of which. Great Britain was to re
ftore

6o8 NAVALAND 1762.

ftore the Havannah and its dependencies to Spain, Martinico,
Guadaloupe, Marigalante, to be reftored to France, together
with the neutral Ifland of St Lucia. Great Britain to retain
the Grenades and fhe Grenadines, with the neutral iflands of
Dominica, St Vincent, and Tobago, In Europe, the Ifland of
Minorca to be reftored to Great Britain, and the ifland of Belle
ifle tp France. The fortifications of Dunkirk to be deraollfh-
ed. In Africa, Great Britain was to retain Senegal, and reftore
the Ifland of Goree fo France, In Afia, all our conquefts raade
from France in this part of fhe globe, to be reftored ; but with
this reftrldlion, that ftie was fo eredl no-fortifications in the pro
vince of Bengal. ,
The terms of the peace were loudly arraigned ; yet, at fhe
fame time, theyhad many advocates In their defence. The Ira-
menfe extent of our Araerican dominions, now that Great Bri
tain can call Canada and Florida her own, would leave our A-
merlcan fubjedts af full liberty to purfue their different avoca
tions, without any European power difturbing them. The na
tives could be eafily kept In awe, when unfupported. The prof-
pedlsheld out for improveraents in coramerce, were boundlefs';
and promifed adventurers fuch imraenfe returns, as would grai
tify the utmoft avidity. Such was fhe language of fhe friends
of Adminiftration ; but thofe attached fo fhe Oppofition, and
they were not a few, drew 'a very different pidlure. The full
fecurlty, exclaimed they, that Is fo be enjoyed by the Ameri
cans, will not fend to the advantage, of Britain, when they have
nothing to fear. They will forget fhe favours they have receiv
ed from the mother^counfry, when fhey are no longer In need
of her fupport. They will endeavour to aggrandize thernfelves,
and get clear of the controul with which their coramerce is
fettered ; and when the temper of fhe firft emigrants to the
weftern conrinent was reviewed, gratitude and loyalty could
not be fuppofed fo be Ingrafted on their defcendants. In their
opinion, Canada fliould have been reftored fo France ; the li
mits of Nova Scotia extended; the iflands of Cape Breton and
St John retained ; and France excluded from the Newfound
land fiftiery, Spain fhould have been permitted to keep Flo
rida ;

1762. MILITARY MEMOIRS. -609
rida ; it never was an objedl worth fhe contending for ; and
confidering that the Bririfli poffeffed the key to the Spanlfli
Weft Indies, as long as they held fhe Havannah, they fhould not
have parted with it, without a very valuable confideration ;— a
part of the ifland of Hifpaniola, or the Ifland of Porto Rico, and
our right to the logwood trade eftablifbed ; a territory on the
Spanilh Main in the bay of Honduras, and bay of 'Carapeachy,
ceded to us, together with the ifland of Rattan, for which the
Spaniards fliould bave bad tbe ifland of Minorca. The French
fhould either have been obliged to yield up their half of the ifland
of Hifpaniola, or fhe ifland of Guadaloupe and its dependencies,
to Great Britain. Belleifle to be reftored to thera, with Goree
in Africa. It fhould likewife have been a ftipulaflon between
our Court and that of Madrid, that if the enterprize againft the
Philippine Iflands proved fuccefsful, an equivalent fliould have
been given before they were reftored. Had this been the cafe,
one of thofe iflands might have been fecured to us ; and by
means of It, we might have becorae rivals to the Dutch in the
fpice trade. But "by the terras of peace, the beft opportunity
was loft of humbling fhe pride of fhe Houfe of Bourbon that'
ever was, or perhaps ever will be again in the power of Great
Britain.

THE END OF THE SECOND VOLUME.

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