. But it is time to finish this digression, and to
leave the reader to the perusal of the ensuing work, which, with how
little art soever it may be executed, will yet, from the importance
of the subject, and the utility and excellence of the materials, merit
some share of the public attention.

SECTION I.

_Of the Equipment of the Squadron, and the Incidents relating to it,
from its first Appointment to its setting Sail from St Helens._

The squadron under the command of Mr Anson, of which I here propose to
recite the most material proceedings, having undergone many changes in
its destination, its force, and its equipment, during the ten months
between its original appointment and its final sailing from St Helens,
I conceive the history of these alterations is a detail necessary to
be made public, both for the honour of those who first planned and
promoted this enterprize, and for the justification of those who have
been entrusted with its execution; since it will from hence appear,
that the accidents the expedition was afterwards exposed to, and which
prevented it from producing all the national advantages the strength
of the squadron and the expectation of the public seemed to presage,
were principally owing to a series of interruptions, which delayed the
commander in the course of his preparations, and which it exceeded his
utmost industry either to avoid or get removed.

When, in the latter end of the summer 1739, it was foreseen that a
war with Spain was inevitable, it was the opinion of some considerable
persons, then trusted with the administration of affairs, that the
most prudent step the nation could take, on the breaking out of the
war, was attacking that crown in her distant settlements; for by this
means, as at that time there was the greatest probability of success,
it was supposed that we should cut off the principal resources of the
enemy, and should reduce them to the necessity of sincerely desiring
a peace, as they would be deprived of the returns of that treasure by
which alone they could be enabled to carry on a war.

In pursuance of these sentiments, several projects were examined,
and several resolutions were taken by the council. And, in all these
deliberations, it was from the first determined, that George
Anson, Esq. then captain of the Centurion, should be employed as
commander-in-chief of an expedition of this kind: and, he at that time
being absent on a cruize, a vessel was dispatche