to another, till, inftead of fixpence allowed by the government, 3d. only is paid to the person that actually furnithes thefe wretched prifoners with food; which, as it muit be furnished at a price fo low, can be but little better than poifon; fo that, by unwholefome provifions, clofe confinement, and putrid air, they are fuffered to perish, without redrefs and without pity. The affertion, that by this attack on the French trade, the home infurance is raifed to more than fifty per cent. is denied; and it is affirmed, that the infurance was never more than forty guineas; and the safety of our own trade is fo far from having been fecured, that when the merchants have applied for ftronger conveys, they have been refused, with falle accounts of the enemy's force; the effects of which have been fuch, that the approaching fpring will demonftrate our trade to have fuffered much more than that of the French. In answer to the pretence, that the expedition to the weftward was intended to intercept Salvert and La Motte, as well as Du Guay, whom it was fuppofed they would join; it is fhewn that the junction of Du Guay with Salvert and La Motte could not be fuppofed without the groffeft ignorance and abfurdity. Du Guay was at Lif bon, La Motte and Salvert were to go from Louifbourg to Breft. Lisbon was 136 leagues diftant from this courfe, and Du Guay, as if he had not been fufficiently out of the way, failed to Cadiz, which was 20 leagues farther out of the way both in latitude and longitude, yet from this particular alone the miniftry fuppofed a junction with the northern fquadrons to be intended. That, allowing our fleet to be fo weakened by fickness, as not to furnish the proper equipments, this very ficknets was the effect of criminal negligence; it was the effect of forcing men to fea who had never been used to that element, of the want of ventilators, and of good provifions. But, that a fquadron might have been fent time enough to preferve Minorca, appears even by the very attempt to fhew the contrary; because, it is allowed that there was a fufficient number of fhips for this fervice ready victualled and manned, under failing orders, and as no foreign fervice could be equally preffing with the prefervation of Minorca, because no other place was equally in danger, nothing more was neceffary than to recal there failing orders, and fend the fleet that had been defined to other lefs neceffary fervice on this. It is alfo alledged, that the fhips which were faid to be neceflary for the defence of our own coafts might as well have been at Mahon as where they were; by lying at Spithead they gave the marine minifter an opportunity to go on board and hoilt his flag for one day, and then, as an admiral abfent upon leave, receive a thousand pounds per Annum ever fince; but they could not prevent an invafion from Flanders and Picardy, in fmall craft; and the fmall craft in the French ports furnithed the pretence for dreading an invafion; an invasion from France in finall craft can never come but from the neareft ports, and the wind that would have brought them from these ports to the coaft of Kent, Suffex, or Effex, would have prevented the fleet at Spithead from oppofing them. A fleet in the Downs only could have prevented the invafion that we were taught to expect; but as there was 3 fleet at Spithead, where it could not act, there was no fleet in the Downs, where it could. It is faid in the defence, that if 15,000 Frenchmen had landed, the confequence might have been fatal even to our capital; but it is remarked in the anfwer, that this once opulent and powerful island, containing two millions of men able to bear arms, muft be reduced very low indeed, if 15,000 Frenchmen Frenchmen could force their way to our capital, and produce fuch scenes of ruin as cannot be conceived without horror. The fuggeftion, that the French fleet at Toulon might fall through the freights of Gibraltar, and either fuccour the colonies in North America, or invade Minorca, is fhewn to be without foundation in probability; the veffels for tranfporting the troops that were affembled there, were fuch as were only fit for the fmooth feas, and fhott voyages in the Mediterranean, and were no more fit for the Atlantic ocean than a wherry, The affertion, that Mr. Byng's Such is the fubftance of the answer to the defence of the miniftry, in the fifth Letter, and upon this occafion we hope our readers will observe, that we ftate what is faid on each fide, without entering into the merits of the caufe which either has efpoufed; leaving the facts alledged by both, to ftand on fuch proofs as they have brought to fupport them, and leaving the public to determine on which fide the ballance of evidence turns. His Majefty's most gracious Speech to` both Houses of Parliament. My Lords and Gentlemen, Have called you together in a con fleet was well manned and equippuncture, which highly requires the ed, is alfo fhewn to be falfe, as he had neither ftorefhip, firefhip, nor hofpital fhip, and feveral of his vef fels, particularly the Intrepid, was not fit for the fea. Galiffonniere, on the contrary, whofe fleet is faid to have been manned with old men and boys, was at the time of action in a very different condition; for, fuppofing him to have been ill manned when he left Toulon, he had then the ableft failors on board two hundred tranfports to take on board his fleet. But, as it is now too certain that Minorca is loft, this writer afferts, that it was not intended to be kept, for the following reafons: ift, The general and fubaltern of ficers of the regiments at Mahon, to the number of 60, were fuffered to remain in England during the whole time of the equipment at Toulon. 2d, An offer of 6000 troops by the Modenese minifter, for the defence of St. Philip's was refused. 3d, No reinforcement of any other troops was fent, notwithstanding the application and remonftrances of the commanding officer on that head. And 4th, Two HUNDRED AND SEVENTY FOUR THOUSAND POUNDS fterling was remitted to Mirepoix from France, just befofe he left this · kingdom. deliberation, advice and affiftance of parliament; and I truft, that (under the guidance of divine providence) union and firmness in my affectionate people will carry me, with honour, through all difficulties; and finally vindicate the dignity of my crown, and its indubitable rights, against the antient enemy of these kingdoms. The fuccour and prefervation of America cannot but constitute a main object of my attention and follicitude; and the growing danger, to which our colonies may ftand expofed, from our late loffes in thofe parts, demand refolutions of vigour and dispatch. An adequate and firm defence at home must have the chief place in my thoughts; and in this great view, I have nothing fo much at heart as that no ground of diffatisfaction may remain in my people. To this end, a national militia, planned and regulated with equal regard to the just rights of my crown and people, may, in time, become one good refource, in cafe of general danger; and I recommend the framing of fuch a militia to the care and diligence of my parliament. The unnatural union of councils abroad; the calamities, which, in confequence of this unhappy conjunction, may may, by irruptions of foreign armies into the empire, fhake its conftitutions overturn its fyftem, and threaten oppreffion to the proteftant intereft there, are events, which muft fenfibly affect the minds of this nation, and have fixed the eyes of Europe on this new and dangerous crifis. The body of my electoral troops, which I ordered hither at the defire of my parliament, I have directed to return to my dominions in Germany, relying, with pleasure on the fpirit and zeal of my people, indefence of my perfon and realm. Gentlemen of the House of Commons, I will order the proper eftimates to be laid, in due time, before you; and I rely on your wisdom, that you will prefer more vigorous effects (tho' attended with large expence) to a lefs effectual, and therefore lefs frugal, plan of war, I have placed before you the dan. gers and neceffities of the public; it will be your care to lay, in fuch a manner, the burthens you may judge unavoidable, as will leaft diftrefs and exhauft my people. My Lords and Gentlemen, I cannot here be unmindful of the fufferings of the poorer fort, from the prefent high price of corn, and the difturbances which have arifen there from; and I recommend to you to confider of proper provifions, for preventing the like mifchiefs hereafter. Unprofperous events of war in the Mediterranean have drawn from my fubjects fignal proofs, how dearly they tender my honour, and that of my and they cannot, on my part, fail to meet with juft returns of unwearied care, and unceasing endeavours, for the glory, profperity and happiness of my people. crown; The bumble Address of the Right Honourable the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament affembled. Moft gracious Sovereign, and loyal fubjects, the lords E, your majefty's most dutiful fpiritual and temporal in parliament affembled, beg leave to return your majesty our humble thanks for your moft gracious fpeech from the throne. The importance of the prefent crifis, and the dangerous confequences which may refult from the unnatural union of councils in Europe, are fo fenfibly felt by this houfe, that we should think ourselves wanting in duty to your majesty and our country, if we did not beg leave to offer, at your royal feet, our ftrongeft affurances, that we will, to the utmost of our power; promote and effectuate fuch measures, as fhall be found expedient for vindicating the honour of your crown, and afferting the juft rightə of your majefty and your fubjects. Permit us to return your majefty our most humble and grateful thanks, for your majefty's gracious conde fcenfion to the request of your par liament, in caufing a body of your electoral troops to come into this country, at a conjun&cure fo critical to its prefervation and defence. With the deepest fenfe of our obligations to your majefty, we beg leave to approach your throne, there to offer the tribute of our warmeft gratitude for that paternal care and follicitude, which your majefty has expreffed for the fuccour and prefervation of America; nor are we lefs fenfibly affected with your majefty's gracious attention to the fafety and honour of this kingdom, by recommending to our care the forming of fuch a plan of defence at home, as may enable your majesty to exert the power of Great Britain with vigour and fuccefs abroad. The many bleffings we enjoy under your majefty's mild and gracious government, call for the warmest and fincereft acknowledgments of our hearts; hearts; and demand, in our part, the moft firm and loyal affurances to your majefty, that, not difcouraged by any unprofperous events of war, we will, with the greater ardour and alacrity, employ our most zealous efforts to extricate your majefty from all difficulties, with honour and dignity to your majesty's crown, and profperity to your people. We beg leave to return your majefty the thanks of this houfe for the tender and compaffionate regard your majefty has fhewn to the fufferings of the poorer fort, from the high price of corn; and to affure your majefty that we will take that matter into our immediate confideration, in order to provide fuch speedy and adequate relief, as the nature and importance of the cafe requires. His Majesty's Anfwer. Return you my hearty thanks for this very dutiful and affectionate addrefs. The warm expreffions with which you repeat the affurances of your determination to exert yourfelves in the defence of the rights and poffeffions of my crown, give me the greateft fatisfaction; and you may be affured, the only ufe I fhall make of the confidence you repofe in me, will be to purfue fuch meafures, as the prefent critical conjuncture renders neceffary for the welfare and profperity of my kingdoms. your majefty, in pointing out, from the throne, such a plan of force for our defence, as may best tend to the fatisfaction of your people, and in particular, a well modelled national militia, as one proper fecurity for your majefty's perfon and realm. In this prefent arduous conjuncture, your faithful commons, next after divine providence, rely on your majefty's wifdom and magnanimity; remembring British efforts in time paft, under princes, whofe first glory was to found like your majefty. the strength of their government in the contentment and harmony of their fubjects. Thus united, and thus animated, this houfe will chearfully fupport your majefty through all difficulties, and vindicate, to the utmoft, the dignity of your crown, and its undoubtable rights, against the ancient enemy of thefe kingdoms. We truft, your majefty, ftrong at home, will find yourself revered abroad, and in condition to fupport that weight and confideration in Europe, which belong to a king of Great Britain, notwithstanding the unnatural and unhappy union of councils, which have formed, on the continent, fo new and dangerous a crifis.-This houfe thinks, with pain, on the faid events of our war in the Mediterranean, and in America; they will take thefe affecting matters into their most serious confideration, not imputing blame to any unheard; and will with all confidence, alacrity, The humble Addrefs of the Houfe of Com- and difpatch, fecond your majesty's royal care for the fpeedy fuccours and prefervation of America, under the growing dangers to which thofe invaluable poffeffions ftand expofed. We beg leave to affure your majefty, that your faithful commons will confider of proper provifions for the relief of the poorer fort from the prefent high price of corn, and for preventing the like mifchiefs hereafter, according to the royal and compaffionate recom mendation of your majesty. New Reflections on the Conduct of the War, and the prefent State of public Affairs, particularly the Lofs of Minorca, and the Behaviour of Mr. B. from the Preface to Three Letters relating to the Navy, Gibraltar, and Port Mahon, which were written in the Year 1747 and 1748, and are wow first published. Of the Letters, which appear to be written with great Candour, Impartiality, and Knowledge of the Subject, an Epitome will be given in fome future Magazine. 7Hoever reflects upon the fatal e upon ear has pro duced, cannot blame that impatience, which the people exprefs for a ftrict enquiry into the caules of them. The nation has reafon to hope, that they who prefide, will gratify thefe expectations both from a fenfe of their duty to their king and country, and from the prudence and neceffity of the thing. If the war is not carried on with vigout, our ruin is unavoidable: and to carry it on as it ought, will require fuch immenfe fums, that it cannot be expected, the people will fubmit with patience to that grievous load of taxes, which must be impofed upon them, if the minitry do not give them this mark of their good intention. Indeed fome methods have been lately uted to perplex and confound the people. Mr. B➡ accufes the late M-y, and the late My Mr. B; but it is to be hoped, that the people will not fuffer themfelves to be fo perplexed by this, as to lofe the purfuit of the real criminals. There are at leaft fuch appearances of guilt in both, that whoever is innocent muft with for a strict enquiry that his innocence may appear and it is the duty and the intereft of the minifter, and of the nation to detect the guilty, that punish ment be a terror to others. Two enquiries are to be made, which are perfectly diftin&t and independant of each other. First, why the fecurity of Minorca was not fooner attended to, and not only a reinforcement fufficient for the defence of it, but a fleet ftrong enough to prevent its being attacked, sent to the Mediterranean. Secondly, whether admiral B-when he was there did his duty in the engagement, and afterwards used all the means he could to reinforce the place. Minorca is at fuch a distance from England, and fo near the French coaft, that, as foon as we began to take the French fhips, it was very natural to expect, that the French would endeavour to difpoffefs us of it, if there was any probability of fucceeding. Confidering then the length of the navigation from hence to that place, and the uncertainty of the fea, prudence furely required an immediate reinforcement to be fent to the gatrifon, especially as the M-y could not but know, that the regiments there, if full and complete, were much too weak to defend the place, and that many of theit officers were abfent from their pofts; and that no affiftance was to be expected from the inhabitants, but the contrary. It is very probable, that the French threatened an invasion of England, only to alarm us, and oblige us to keep our fhips at home, but 'tis poffi ble that if we had weakened our fleet too much by fending large fquadrons to America, they might actually have made a defcent here, which it was the duty of our miniftry to provide againfts but this could be no objection against fending a ftrong fleet to the Mediterranean; for if our whole fleet be fuperior to that of the French as 4 to 3 (and I believe it is fuperior in a greater proportion) than if 25 fail of the line had been fent to block up 20 fail of the French at Toulon, it is evident we fhoulft ftill have preserved our fuperiority here, even in a greater de gree, than we have in the whole. When our hips cruize off Breft, or any of the French ports in the channel, they may by the weather be driven away, and the French |