the fort we took defended itself only for thirty-four minutes, though but two fhips, Capt. Howe and Capt. Greaves, attacked it, the complements of which were not above a third more than the garrifon; that notwithstanding the furprifing fuccefs which happened on the 23d, they all agreed to come back on the 29th, without fo much as attempting to land, or to execute the orders they were fent with." We fhall conclude this account with two or three articles from France, viz. "Paris, O&. 12. If the English had pushed their enterprife with that celerity and valour which are the principal means of fuccefs in attempts of this kind, they had infallibly fucceeded in ruining and burning our docks and magazines at Rochefort. Two of the King's fhips, the Prudent, of 74 guns, and the Capricious, of 64, which were in the road, and could not come up the river, were on the very point of being fet on fire by their refpective crews, as the only means of preventing their falling into the enemy's hands, when that enemy was graciously pleafed to render that meafure unneceffary, by quitting the coast." "Paris, O. 11. An officer who was made prifoner by the English in the ifle of Aix, and releafed upon his parole, is arrived here, and reports, that, excepting the demolition of the fort on that ifland, they did no damage to the inhabitants; that, on the contrary, they indemnified thofe whofe houfes were deftroyed by their cannon; and that they obferved the greatest order during the fhort time of their ftay. This officer adds, that the English did not expect to meet with fo much difficulty as they found in the execution of their project of landing near Rochefort and Rochelle; that the officers they fent to reconnoitre the fhore reported, that a landing could not be attempted without great hazard, as well on account of the rocks and currents, as of the meatures taken by the French to defeat any defcent that might be attempted." AT T length our great expectations from the fecret expedition are all evaporated in fumo, and our tremendous fleet, after having frightened all the old women and children upon the coaft of France, now rides harmlefs at Spithead. The reafon of their returning without having even attempted any act of hoftility proportioned to their force, is likely now to afford as much matter of conjecture, as the place of destination did before they set fail. The reafons hitherto made public, are certainly by no means fatisfactory, We are told, that the land-forces were prepared to debark, and required the navy to cover their debarkation; but that the wind was fo contrary, and the water fo fhallow, the fhips could not advance: wherefore the prudent gentlemen in the land-fervice, fecing the fhore covered with regular troops, held a council of war, in which it was adjudged impracticable to land the forces. But they must hope to find us at home, as fhallow as they found the water upon the coaft of France, to think that rea fons as contrary to common fenfe, as the wind could be to the fleet, will check us from attempting to fathom into the myftery of their inactivity. It would be doing great injuftice to the managers of the expedition, to fuppofe that they had not fathomed the water, to fee how far the fhips could go, before they fent them; and it would be doing us manifeft wrong, to imagine that we will not endeavour to dive into the caufe of their tame return, and judge of what they might have done, before we acquit them of the crime of nonaction. It certainly could not be fuppofed, that that the wind would always blow fair for the fleet; neither could the landgentlemen imagine, that the French government would order their coafts to be laid into gravel walks, and plant their foldiers on the fhore with birch brooms in their hands, to fweep the way clean, for the more commodious landing of the troops. They must neceffarily have expected all the oppofition which could be met with from an active and skilful enemy, prepared for their coming; and therefore they ought to have been no more furprised at the fight of the French foldiers along the coaft, than at the foam of the waves upon the fea-beach. If the wind blew contrary, fure there could have been no danger in ftaying a few days at leaft, in hopes of its changing. They might be certain that Rochefort would not run away from them; and why they should run away from Rochefort, feems inconceivable. I never yet heard of Cæfar, Alexander, or any other heroes, holding councils of war in fight of an enemy. All this reafoning and deliberation only ferves to check the ardour of an army which is to act offenfively, by prefenting dangers and difficulties to the minds of many who would never have discovered them and had the brave Capt. Clive called a council of war, he had never reduced the nabob by his amazing intrepidity. But it would be unpardonable to impute the return of our fleet to the want of courage in our commanders either by fea or land. They were men of experienced valour; and there are, no doubt, fome latent caufes which preferved the enemy from feeling the effects of their prowess. However, it is fome confolation, to reflect, that we have lot nothing. As to the money which has been fpent in equipping this terrible armada, it has been expended among ourselves, and ftill circulates in the kingdom. The most humiliating circumftance is, that we shall become the laughingftock of Europe. Their derifion will be in proportion to our mighty prepa. rations; and the tremendous fleet now rocking at Spithead, will be compared to the ridiculus mus, which crept out of the groaning mountain. The ministry, who have been so highly extolled on account of this equip ment, will now, it is to be feared, be condemned for its mifcarriage. But if it is owing to any failure of duty in the commanders, the my are not refponfible for their misbehaviour; for as they employed the most valiant and experienced men upon this occafion, they fo far acquitted themselves with honour, and are juftified by their choice. 7 Where the fault lies, it is folly at prefent to conjecture; but the cause of fo extraordinary an event, cannot long be concealed from a free people. It would be offering a precipitate injury to the reputation of our patriot my, to fuppofe that they would countenance a mock expedition. If the intent of this vast armament had been only for parade, and defigned as an inoffenfive prelude to a deftructive peace, we may be affu. red that their refignation would have forerun the deceitful equipment. We may conclude from their eftablifhed fkill and integrity, that they will be able to juftify their conduct; let us therefore fufpend our judgments, and accuse no one, till we have fome authentic facts, upon which we may ground our accufations. From the MONITOR, O. 22. TH HE character of a free people is to ufe fuch means as they are intitled to, by the constitution and laws of their country, to maintain their liberties, and property; and not to bewail their misfortunes with effeminate fighs and tears, till defpair, which deftroys reafon and courage, makes them careless of their real intereft, and easy to be fettered by the inftruments of tyranny and corruption. Is it enough for Britons to be permitted to bewail difgrace upon difgrace," and lofs upon lofs? Is it not time to forbear thofe daftardly complaints, which echo from every corner of thefe dominions, and breathe nothing but fear and weakness? weakness? Such a refentment, or revenge upon ourselves, if it fmothers it felf in defpair, will never produce an amendment in public measures, but encourage the authors of our prefent furprife and forrow to complete our ruin. This would not be acting up to the wisdom and refolution of our forefathers. They, when the parliament was compofed of none but men of large fortunes, who were to contribute the greateft proportion to the fupplies demanded by the crown, paid no regard to the artifices of the King's fervants, invented to draw the people's money into the royal exchequer; nor were afraid, when it was mifapplied, to flop their hands, and to upbraid majesty itself. "We are amazed, O King," faid they to Henry III. "where you have funk the immenfe fums of money, railed under various pretences, without doing the leaft fervice to our country; and we will not tamely be thus fleeced for the time to come. Te It now remains for us to exert that Spirit, which only is able to convince the world, that Britons are fill as powerful and free as in thofe days of liberty, and to bring to light the fecret fprings of our mifcarriages, It is a great misfortune for any kingdom, when it rings with complaints of oppreffion and corruption, without ever feeing a fingle example of punishment; and when all the weight of the public authority falls only on the people, and ne. ver upon those who ruin them. The nation was never more difappointed, nor, if we are to judge from contingencies, fo expofed to the contempt of our enemies, as by the inactivity and mifcarriage of the late expedition. And all they who were in trufted with the hopes of the nation, a measure on which the honour and fafety of thefe kingdoms chiefly depended, be fuffered to retire in peace? fhall we not endeavour to find out the caufe of this defect? It could not mifcarry without fome caufe; which is anfwerable for all our disgrace and lofs. Our own prefervation calls upon us to inquire, where we are to fix the object of our refent ment; and the laws of a free people prefcribe the method both to detect and to punish the authors of their misfor tunes and difquietudes.. Are we to caft the blame on the minifter? Did he not provide a fufficient ftrength of fhips and foldiers? Did he not deliver the inftructions for the expedition in the moft explicit and pofitive terms; to attempt a defcent on the coaft of France, at or near Rochefort, in order to attack, and by a vigorous impreffion to force that place," &c.? Did he not difpatch them to the feat of action with fo much fecrecy, that the French had no opportunity to cover their coafts; and at a time when they could not mufter above four battalions in all Britany? Had this armament been retarded and conducted like that ordered for the relief of Minorca; or had thefe inftructions been as defective and contradictory as thofe fent to Gibraltar, or had the enemy been prepa red to receive our imbarkation with a fuperior force; reafon, humanity, and juftice, would acquit the commanders; and our refentment would neceffarily fall on the minifter. But fince they have no fuch plea, let them anfwer, why they did not attempt a defcent on the French coaft. This is what the people have a right to ak, and to have answered in the moft explicit manner. Upon the refolution of this queftion depends our prefent contentment; and from the meafures to be taken thereon, we may determine upon our future fafety and li berty. For if the avenues to truth and juftice fhould be fo obftructed by power and corruption, that there is no detecting or coming at the caufe of our complaints, diffatisfaction will difturb any heart that wishes well to his country; and should they efcape with impunity. who have done us this difhonour, what expectations can we entertain of fuccefs upon our arms hereafter? Was the defcent impracticable? This impracticability muft either appear from an impoffibility of landing the forces, occafioned by the contrariety of the winds, the inclemency of the fea or weather, weather, the want of boats and other conveniencies to carry and cover the foldiers from the hazards of an hoftile fhore; or it must be imputed to the fuperior ftrength of the enemy: for it cannot be prefumed, that an invader can appear on a coaft without fome appear. ance of a refiftance. But on this expedition, the winds, weather, and fea, were favourable; neither boats nor other conveniencies were wanting; and the coaft was naked without batteries, and covered only with an undifciplined mili. tia, and crouds of frightened fpectators. Why then did our commanders delay their inftructions? Was it not practicable to land in thefe circumstances? Did they, by alarming the whole coaft a bout Rochefort, for eight days together, without making one attempt to land at or near it, do to the utmost of their power to force the place with a vigorous impreffion, and to burn and deftroy, &c.? Did not this mifconduct give the French an opportunity to erect batteries, and to ftrengthen and fortify themselves on the coaft; while our terrible fleet loft its fierceness, and was content to take up 600 half-ftarved Frenchmen from the little garrison of Aix, to transport them into the rich meadows of G. Britain? If these things be fo, ought not the council of war which let flip the time when it was practicable to execute their commiffion, and founded the impracticability of their orders upon the confequences of their own delays and omiffions, be anfwerable to the public, and rewarded according to their deferts? Was it a capital crime in the unfortunate commander in the Mediterranean, for not attempting to relieve Minorca; for not trying, or not doing the utmost of his power, to land the forces for that garrifon, when the fhore was covered by a powerful army, and in fight of the enemy's fleet of fuperior force? and fhall there be no imputation of treachery, cowardice, or negligence; fhall the 12th article of war be forgotten, in this cafe, where every circumftance confpired to the fuccefs of a well-concerted and well-appointed expedition? Is the nation to be quieted and fatif fred by the refolutions of a council of war, composed of thofe men, who, by their inactivity, might feek an excuse not to expose themselves to dangers ? Councils of war are to confider of the moft effectual means to execute orders but if ever it be allowed for good doctrine in politics, that a council of officers, ordered upon a fervice of any ha zardous danger to their lives, fhall have power to vote that fervice, or their orders, impracticable, before they have made a vigorous attempt, or done the utmoft in their power, both in regard to time and ftrength, we can expect very little fuccefs in our fleets and armies, where commiffions are not the frequent rewards of merit, and whole bones and full pay are the chief objects of their care. Can the city of London forget how warmly they addreffed his Majesty and inftructed their reprefentatives for an inquiry into the lofs of Minorca, and the neglect of our American territories? Do not they recollect the weight their re monftrances had with our fovereign, and the guardians of our liberties, to bring the object of their resentment to juftice, and many hidden things to light, before the house of Commons? Did not the whole nation expect this from the citizens of the metropolis? And can it be fuppofed that they will be wanting at this important conjuncture, to exert themfelves in their country's cause, or fuffer any private schemes to delay their addrefs to the throne of juftice, for a detection of those whofe conduct in the late expedition has blafted the well-concerted measures of the ministry, and given the enemy the greatest advantage? This has always been the practice of that freedom which preferved the Britifh conftitution from the injuries that have inflaved its neighbouring states; which has maintained the crown in its prerogative, and guarded the fubjects from incroachments upon their rights and privileges; and which, in all times of public calamity, has been found fufficient to affuage the murmurings of the people, to unite them in the love of their country, and to fecure them from open and fecret enemies. From From the CITIZEN, O. 11. THE campaign may now be looked upon as over. The troops muit go into winter-quarters; and a million of money has been fcattered only to raise a laugh among our rifible enemies, and, perhaps, among ourselves too. I wish it may not. Every year produces fresh hopes. Thus in the fpring, Lord Loudon and Adm. Holburne were to have done wonders-Kill them, as Capt. Bobadil fays. The Corfican expedition was to have been fuccessful too-Kill them also. But this fecret expedition was to have fecretly destroyed the whole power of France-Kill them alfa; while only two failors of our fide have been killed, and one of our enemies, though we were all Jack Giant-killers a month ago. The dignity of the plan, laid by a miniftry in vogue with a fickle people, the great opinion of the chief commander, and the immenfity of the armament, to the supply of which the ordnance-ftores were almoft exhausted, made every true Briton rejoice. Many an extraordinary bottle has been confumed in additional bumpers, throughout this tippling ifland: but Providence, I believe, would have been better pleafed with private prayers than fuch Bacchanalian rites. We are either the most pious or profligate of all people. True piety is not, like that of the Pharifees, to be feen of men. Perhaps we have fuch. If not, there is no other name left for us but what I have juft mentioned. The French, the Lutherans, fing Te Deum, and pray as publicly in their camp, as they exercife. A chaplain of an English regiment is a finecure of 5 5. a-day fubfifience, and I s. 8 d. arrears; and is to be bought every week in the year at brokers fhops. A fine inftitution to a cure of the fouls of above 1000 people, as moft regiments have two battalions. As we are not heartily with the God of hots and armies, he of course is not with us. It is he, and he only, that can frap the bow, and break the Spear in funder. Let us no longer truft to ourfelves, but trust in him, and him only. Sion College. Tours, B. B. An O DE to HOPE. Nil defperandum. Hou bleffing fent us from above, TRich offspring of celeftial love! Fair HOPE! thy prefence let me hail, O'er life's rough feas, amid the tempefl's roar, When grief intrudes, when pains affail, Pilot my rolling bark, and fet me fafe on fhore. 'Tis thine, when troubles rack the heart, Thy lenient balfam to impart. This load of life, oh! who could bear, Didft thou not 'fuage each galling care? Thy frowns all human happiness destroy; Thy fmiles dawn peace upon the foul, and endlefs joy. The wretch, of ev'ry friend bereft, Repentants gafping out their breath, While Nature tells her pangs in fighs; And wave. The Law's delay, the Lover's pain, Oppreffion's whip, Confinement's chain, The fcorn of Pride, and Guilt's keen fmart, Would foon fubdue the lab'ring heart: But thou ftepp'ft in, the drooping foul to raise, And giv'ft a future profpect of more pleasing days. Why may not Britain, then, once more Strike terror to proud France's shore? Hence, fell Despair!-Go, fix thy throne In Gallic breafts; there reign alone. HOPE ftill in Britain lives; nor will the die, Till GEORGE, and GEORGE's race, afcend the greeting fky. A fong. The LOVER'S RELIEF. Ar |