officer of the order of St. Lewis was convicted of correfponding with Blakeney, and condemn'd to the gallies for life. So that a principal channel of intelligence was cut off.

June 15. The fire of the befieged was much flackned, and the befieger's had approached fo near that the fire of the fmall arms prevented their replacing by night the guns that were difmounted by day. During thefe operations the French fleet continued undisturbed before the port; and at this time the frigates that cruifed at some distance had taken 15 British merchantmen without the lofs of a single man. Thefe fhips were bound homeward from the Levant, and put into Mahon to refresh, fuppofing they should there have been protected by Byng, who they knew had a force fufficient to beat the French, and therefore too haftily, and too confidently concluded he had beaten them. A fhallop which ferved to keep a communication between Marlborough Redoubt and Fort St. Philip, had alfo been taken fome time before, by ten grenadiers of the regiment of Hainault, who leap'd into the fea with their fabres in their mouths, and fwam to the fhallop, which in fpight of thofe on board, and the fire from the fort, they car

ried off.

Of the fubfequent operations we know nothing, but from the following letter fent by the Marshal Richelieu to his court.

Marshal Richlieu's Letter to the French King Camp before St. Philip's June

29.

"I

acquited himself. Every general officer has likewife performed with courage and conduct the business he was put upon.

The Marquis de Laval, major-general of the trenches, was charged with the attack on the left, directed against Fort Strugen and Argyle, and against the Queen's and Kenn's redoubts. He was at the head of 16 companies of grenadiers, and 4 battalions to fupport the attacks: he had under him the Marquis de Monty, brigadier, and the Marquis de Briqueville, colonel, whofe regiment was the leading one at the trenches. Royal Comtois was the fecond regiment. M. de Monti was appointed to attack Strugen and Argyle, and M. de Briqueville was to advance upon Kenn and the covertway between this work and the queen's redoubt.

M. de Sades, Briqueville's licutenant-colonel, was to attack the queen's redoubt, at the head of four conpanies of grenadier's of Haynault, Soiffonois and Cambis. To thefe 3 attacks were joined two engineers and 150 labourers, an officer of the artil lery corps, and ten gunners, a detachment of 50 volunteers carrying ladders, and a brigade of miners.

The center attack was directed against the western redoubt + and Caroline's lunette, and commanded by the Prince of Beauveau. who had under him two brigades, with which he was likewife to cover the trenches in cafe of need.

The first attack on the right, commanded by the Count de Lannion, was directed against Marlborough Fort: he had under him the royal brigade and the regiment of Britanny. M. de Roquepine and the Chevalier de Lemps, at the head of 400 volunteers and 100 grenadiers, were to land in

*Fort Strogen is Anftruther's battery. Fort Argyle is Argyle's battery. The queen's redoubt. And Kenn's redoubt is Kane's lunette fo called from the governor of that

St. Stephen's Cove, and march from thence to Fort St. Charles.

The fecond attack on the right, under the direction of the Marquis de Monteynard, commanding the brigades royal marine and Talaru, was intended to take the fouth weft Lunetts, to communicate with the attack of Fort St. Charles, and to cut off the communication between Marlborough Fort and St. Philips

At the fame time that all thefe attacks were to be made, M. de Beaumanoir, lieutenant colonel, commanding at the Signal-tower, was to fet off in fhallops with his detachment from the cove that lies between St. Philipet's Fort and the fandy towers, in order to come and favour M. de Monty's attack, and endeavour to flip into the covert-way between the Half-moon and Argyle Fort ..

M. de Tortainval, captain in the regiment of Haynault, with 100 men of that detachment, was to land at the foot of the enemy's grand battery towards the entrance of the port.

At ten o'clock in the evening, all our batteries having ceafed firing the fignal for the attack was given by a cannon fhot and 4 bombs fired from the Signal-tower † M. de Monty advanced upon Strugeon and Argyle, and Mefirs. de Briqueville and Sades fucceffively pretled forward to their attack of Kenn and the Queen's redoubts. Our troops marched on with the greatest valour; and after a very brifk and very long firing, which did no fmall execution, they at laft took Strugen by affault, and Argyle and the Queen's forts by fcalade. We initantly fet about making a lodgment in

that part which was the principal attack, whilft the others made their refpective diverfions.

The Prince of Beauveau having at the fame time caufed his brigades to march up to Cateline's and the western redoubts he made himself master of the covert-way, and nailed up 12 pieces of cannon there. A lodgment being impracticable, becaufe Kent's redoubt was not taken, he contented himfelf with cutting down the pallifades, breaking the gun-carriages, and maintaining a-while this attack, in order to favour the principal one, which was executed with the greateft conduct and courage.

The attacks of Meffrs de Lannion and Monteynard depending on the fuccefs of that upon Fort St. Charles, they waited for the fignal which M de Rocupine was to make; but the enemy having perceived great movements in that part, they kept on their guard, and prevented the intended debarkation. In the mean time M. de Lannion annoyed Marlborough Fort.

The diverfion made by all thefe firings, and the combination of all these attacks, gave the attack of the left time to make fure of fuccefs; so that by break of day we lodged 400 men in the queen's redoubt and 220 in Strugen and Argyle. I was posted in the center of the attacks on the left, having with me the Count de Maillebois, the Marquis du Mesnil and the Prince of Wirtemberg, to give orders neceffary to fupport the attacks and enfure fuccefs.

At five in the morning, the 28th, a futpenfion of arms was agreed upon in order to carry off the dead and wounded.

We took many mortars and cannon in Strugen, Argyle, and Queen's Forts. In the latter we made 15 prifoners, among whom is the enemy's fecond commandant, who was charged with the detail of the defence, and was the principal acting man in the garrison.

The

The fame day, at two o'clock in the afternoon, three deputies came out of the place, and defired 24 hours to draw up articles of capitulation; but I allowed them only till 8 in the evening; at which hour one of them returned, and brought me a draught of articles; upon which I drew up a counter-draught, and fent it by the Chevalier Redmont, who found the enemy fo amazed at the prodigious feats of our infantry, and the thort time in which fo grand an attack was performed, that they fubmitted to the conditions I impofed, which are not harsh. I shall speedily fend the capitulation; but there are yet fome trifling matters to be fettled, which however, does not hinder our grenadiers from being matters of the gate of St. Philip's Fort, and alfo of Marlborough and St. Charles's Forte.

M. de Lannion is a little bruifed in the fhoulder, and M. de St. Tropes, aid-de-camp to the Count de Maillebois, is flightly wounded in the face : M. de Guelton, lieutenant in the navy, who commanded the fhallows at the attack of St. Charles Fort, is killed. The number of killed and wounded amounts to about 25 officers and 400 foldiers.

Such is the history of the fiege and capture of Fort St. Philip, a fortrefs of the utmost importance o the trade of Great Britain, which yet feems to have been rather given away than taken from us. The garrifon was greatly deficient from the firft, fo that in a fhort time there was not a fufficient number of men remaining to man the works, without keeping the fame guard longer upon duty than their ftrength could bear. Yet the place was held by the brave commander five weeks after the misconduct of Adm. Byng had deprived him of the fuccour he was fent to afford; during which time he had not the leaft fign of afliftance, or intelligence of encouragement. At length having exhaufted his ftores, and wanting men for farther detence, was compelled to give up the place a

facrifice to the unaccountable negligence, delay, treachery, or timidity of those by whom he might have been enabled to render all attempts against it ineffectual, for fince the French became mafters of the place they find new caufe of furprize that they ever gained it. The difficulties they forefaw were many, but in comparison of thofe which appeared upon a near examination of the works, they were nothing.

Articles of Capitulation propofed by Lieutenant General BLAKENEY, for his Britannick Majefly's Garvifon of the Castle of St. Philip's in the land of Minorca with thofe agreed to by General Richelieu.

ARTICLE I.HAT all acts of LTH hoftility fhall cease, until the articles of capitulation are agreed upon and figned.

ART. I. Granted.

ART. II. That all the honours of war fhall be granted to the garrison on their furrender, fuch as, to march out with their firelocks on their fhoulders, drums beating, colours flying, twentyfour charges for each man, match lighted, 4 pieces of cannon, and 2 mortars, with 20 charges for each piece, a covered waggon for the governor, and 4 others for the garrifon, which fhall not be fearched on any pretence.

ART. II. The noble and vigorous defence which the English have made, having deferved all the marks of esteem, and veneration, that every military. perfon ought to fhew to fuch actions and Marthal Richelieu being defirous alfo to fhew General Blakeney the regard due to the brave defence he has made, grants to the garrifon all the honours of war that they can enjoy, under the circumftance of going out for an embarkation, to wit, firelocks on their fhoulders, drums beating, colours flying, 20 cartouches each man, and alfo lighted match; he confents likewife, that Lieutenant General Blakeney, and his garrifon, fhall carry

away

away all the effects that belong to them, and that can be put into trunks. It would be useless to them to have covered waggons; there are none in the ifland, therefore they are refused.

ART. III. That all the garrifon, including of all the fubjects of his Britannick majesty, as well civil as military, fhall have all their baggage and effects fecured, with liberty of removing and difpofing of them as they fhall think proper.

ART. III. Granted, except to the natives of the island, upon condition, that all the lawful debts of the garrifon, to the Minorquins, who are to be confidered as French fubjects, shall be paid.

ART. IV. That the garrifon, including the officers, artificers, foldiers, and other fubjects of his Britannick majefty, with their families, who fhall be willing to leave the illand, fhall be provided with proper tranfport veffels, and conducted to Gibraltar by the hortest and most direct navigation; that they fhall be landed there immediately on their arrival, at the expence of the crown of France, and that they fhall be fupplied with provifions that may be yet remaining in the place at the time of its furrender, as long as they fhall remain in the island, and during their voyage at fea, and that in the fame proportion that they receive at present. But if a greater quantity fhould be wanted, that they hall be furnished with it at the expence of the crown of France.

ART. IV. Tranfport veffels fhall be furnished from among those which are in the pay of his most chriftian majefty, and proper for the military and civil garrifon of Fort St. Philip, and their families. Thefe veffels fhall carry them by the fafeft navigation to Gibraltar, with the shortest delay poffible, and hall land them immediately, upon condition, that after their being landed, thefe fhips fhall be provided with fufficient paffports, that they may not be molested on their return to the ports of France they shall be bound for

And hostages fhall be given for the fafety of the tranfport veifels and their crews, who shall embark in the first neutral fhip that fhall come to fetch them, after the faid veffels shall be returned into the ports of France,

The garrifon fhall alfo be fapplied with provifions, as well during their ftay in theifland, as for 12 days voyage, which fhall be taken from thofe that fhall be found in the Fort St. Philip, and diftributed on the footing, that they have been ufually furnished to the English garrifon; and if more be wanted, it fhall be furnished, paying for it as fhall be agreed by commiffaries on both fides.

ART. V. That proper quarters fhall be provided for the garrifon, with an hofpital for the fick and wounded, whilft the tranfports are getting ready, which fhall not exceed a month, to be reckoned from the day of figning this capitulation, and with regard to those who fhall not be in a condition to be tranfported, that fhall tay, and care fhall be taken of them till they are in a condition to be fent to Gibraltar by another opportunity.

ART. V. The veffels being ready for the tranfporting the garrifon, the providing quarters, as demanded, becomes unneceffary; they fhall go out of the place with the leaft delay, in order to proceed to Gibraltar; and with regard to thofe who cannot be embarked immediately, they fhall be permitted to remain in the island, and all the affiftance they fhall want fhall be given them for their going to Gibraltar, when they fhall be in a condition to be embarked; a ftate of them fhall be drawn up, and the neceffary paffports shall be left, for a fhip to go and return; and an hofpital fhall also be furnished for the fick and wounded, as fhall be settled by the refpective commiffaries.

ART. VI. That the governor shall not be accountable for all the houses that fhall have been destroyed and burnt during the fiege

ART. VI. Granted for the houses deftroyed or burnt during the fiege;

but

but feveral effects, and titles of the admiralty court, which have been carried away by the receiver; and the papers and titles relating to the ladings of the French merchant fhips, which have been also retained.

ART. VII. When the garrison fhall come out of the place, no-body fhall be permitted to debauch the foldiers, to make them defert from their regiments; and their officers thall have accefs to them at all times.

ART. VII. No foldiers fhall be excited to defert, and the officers fhall have an entire authority over them to the moment of their embarkation.

ART. VIII. An exact difcipline fhall be obferved on both fides.

ART. VIII. Granted..

ART IX. That fuch of the inhabitants of the island, as have joined the English for the defence of the place, fhall have leave to remain, and to enjoy their goods and effects in the island without being molested.

ART. IX. General Blakeney and Marthal Richelieu cannot fix or extend the authority of the kings their mafters, over their fubjects; it would be fetting bounds to it, to oblige them to receive in their dominions, thofe whom they should not think proper have fettled there.

to

ART. X. That all prisoners of war fhall be restored on each side.

ART. X. All the prifoners that have been made during the fiege fhall be reftored on each fide, fo that when the French return those they have, the piquets, which were taking going to join the French fleet, the day admiral Byng appeared before Mahon, fhall be reftored.

The Piquets here mentioned were the men taken by Admiral Byng in a tartan, Marhal Richelieu, on the appearance of the English fquadron, embarked 13 companies of 50 men tach on board feveral tartans, to ftrengthen Galiffonier's fleet, but the admiral failing a way from the ifland about the fame time, not one of them reached him, but all, except one got fafe back. The prifoners therefore taken in this one are the piquets here

meant

ART. XI. That Mr. Cuningham t the engineer, who acted as a volunteer during the fiege, fhall have a passport, and leave to go wherever his affairs require.

ART. XI. Granted.

ART. XII. Upon the foregoing condition, his excellency the lieutenant general governor confents, after the hoftages fhall have been exchanged for the faithful execution of the above articles, to deliver up the place to his moft chriftian majesty, with all the magazines, ammunition, cannon, and mortars, except those mentioned in the fecond article; and to point out to the engineers all the mines and fubteraneous works. Done at the caftle of St. Philip, the 28th of June 1756.

ART. XII. As foon as the foregoing articles fhall have been figned, the French fhall be put in poffeflion of one of the gates of St. Philip's castle, as

+ This gallant officer was fecond 'engineer of the place when Mr. Armstrong left it, and pro tempore, till a commiffion for that purappointed by General Blakeney to fucceed him pofe fhould arrive from England, of which no doubt was made. However, an old decrepid

G

-n came out as chief engineer, and fuged Mr. Blakeney's leave to refign and retire perfeded Mr.Cuningham, who thereupon begto his regiment, as he could no: with honour ferve under fuch a perfon. General Blakeney, tho' greatly concerned, could not refufe fo reafonable a request, and Mr. Cuningham immediately embarked for Nice, together with two children, and his lady ready to lye-in of a third. She was brought to-bed at Nice; and Mr. Cuningham, during the stay thereby occaMinorca, and recollecting that the platforms fioned, hearing of the French defigns against of the batteries in Fort St.Philip were infuch a rotten and ruinous condition, that they could not ftand any hot fervice, he inftantly laid out all the money he was mafter of, about 16001. in purchafing timber fit for repairing them, hired a veffel, put it on board, and failed directly, with it him elf for Port Mahon, leaving his lady and children at Nice. His arrival with fuch a fupply in fuch a critical juncture gave General Blakeney infinite pleafiire. He told Captain Cuningham, that the service he had done his country, out of pure zeal was fo confiderable, that he did not know how he could be fufficiently rewarded for it; but earnestly infifted on his ftaying, to which he generously confented;

well