lieve, with the most exquisite Concern and Regret, that it was
in our Power to have destroyed their boasted Squadron, and abundantly
revenged their Invasion of _Minorca_.

What Instance can be produced in our naval Records, where so small a
Difference in Strength was ever urged to vindicate a timorous Action, or
justify a hasty Retreat. There has been a time when our Captains, so far
from being terrified with a formidable Enemy, have exulted in their
Superiority--improved it to their own greater Glory, and envied no Success
but what has been obtained by unequal Numbers.--Vigilance and Resolution
will succeed against the strongest Force. Fortune may hold the Ballance of
War; but Bravery turns the Scale.

If any thing could embitter the Remembrance of our late Misfortunes, it
must be those Circumstances that have suspended the Fate of the Author of
them so long, contrary to the united Demands of the Kingdom. We are not so
barbarously impatient for Justice, as to deny an equitable Trial to the
worst of Criminals; but we cannot see why the Satisfaction of an injured
People should be delayed; and we can never be too jealous of that Power
which enables us to arraign the greatest Crimes, and condemn the most
capital Offenders. And, with relation to the present Case, nothing but the
most scrupulous Mercy could have deliberated on the Execution of his
Sentence so long. The Fury of the People was subsided. All the Weapons,
which Falshood and Calumny could invent, to transfer the Odium of this
Transaction to a higher Cause. His Situation was considered with all the
Allowance that Candour could make: His Judges entered upon his Trial free
from all Prejudice and Passion, and every Witness that was desired was
granted. So that all Complaints of ill Usage and Injustice are urged
without the least Shadow of Foundation; and there is not the least Reason
to pretend that he falls a Sacrifice to the Resentment of a private
Party.--If he has the Sanction of Authority to produce, let his Commission
be shewn, and the Mystery of the whole Combination be unfolded: But if no
Associates should be found, if the original Springs of our Mischiefs
should be inaccessible, we do know the Instruments of them, and whether
Bribery or Disaffection, or Cowardice or Negligence, has principally
prevailed.--We know what we ought to have done, and need not be reminded
what we have lost. We are sensible _who reflected Disgrace upon his
Majesty's Flag, abandoned