usly be urged, that the _French_ Fleet designed to
escape thro' the _Streights_, in order to join a Squadron from _Brest_,
and so do some terrible Mischief, the Lord knows where?----What
unaccountable Panick could seize you, in behalf of _Gibraltar_? Were not
all their Efforts exerted, all their Armaments drained, all their
Magazines exhausted, to carry on the Siege at _Minorca_?--besides the
Strength they borrowed of the _Genoese_.

What Alarms could _Gibraltar_ apprehend, unless Ships were to rise from
the Deep, or an Army drop from the Skies?----Whatever they might boast of
the Strength and Cleanness of their Fleet, they must have sustained some
Damage in the Engagement: They must be weakened and disabled by the brisk
Firing of Mr. _West_'s Division; not to mention the immense Quantity of
Powder and Ball discharged from the _Ramillies_, which surely could not be
expended in vain.--Yet, notwithstanding these Reasons, it appeared more
eligible to you to retire, than to answer the Design of your Expedition.

I would not be understood to reflect on the Valour of those Officers who
embarked along with you; and you might think it a Deference due to them to
acquiesce in their Sentiments.--But yet, my Lord, had you considered, with
due Attention, the Distresses of the Place--the Certainty of its falling
into the Hands of the _French_, if not relieved--the grand Purpose for
which you was sent--and the Censures to which you would stand peculiarly
exposed, as Commander of the Regiment on board----I am persuaded you
would have been the first for landing the Reinforcement, and have
indignantly rejected a Proposal for abandoning a Fortress so valuable,
unassisted, unrelieved.----Whatever Danger might have attended the
Enterprize, would have redounded to your Glory----and your Neutrality, at
least, would have endeared you to the eternal Esteem of your Friends, and
recommended you to greater Honours than we can confer.----What Pleasure
would it give to those who have the least Connection with you, to find
your Resolution so singularly distinguished, and your Zeal for your
Country so warm, as to surmount every Obstacle, every Difficulty,
attending its Defence! I remember to have read of a great General, whose
Example should be the Model of every Soldier, that having convened a
Council to debate upon some important Enterprize, then in Agitation, and
finding them discontented with his Proposal, he upbraided their Timidity,
gave them Li