enemy, or in the least promoting the success of the enterprize, they
would in all probability uselessly perish by lingering and painful
diseases; and this, too, after they had spent the activity and
strength of their youth in the service of their country.

I cannot but observe, on this melancholy incident, how extremely
unfortunate it was, both to this aged and diseased detachment, and
to the expedition in which they were engaged, that, amongst all the
out-pensioners of Chelsea College, which were supposed to amount to
two thousand men, the most crazy and infirm only should be called out
for so laborious and perilous an undertaking; for it was well known,
however unfit invalids in general might be for this service, yet, by a
prudent choice, there might have been found amongst them five hundred
men who had some remains of vigour; and Mr Anson fully expected that
the best of them would have been allotted to him; whereas the
whole detachment sent seemed to be made up of the most decrepid and
miserable objects that could be collected out of the whole body; and
by the desertion already mentioned, even these were cleared of the
little strength and health which were to be found among them, and he
had to take up with such as were much fitter for an infirmary than for
any military duty.

It is here also necessary to mention another material particular in
the equipment of this squadron. After it was determined that Mr Anson
should be sent to the South Sea, it was proposed to Mr Anson to take
with him two persons under the denomination of agent-victuallers.
Those mentioned for this employment had been formerly in the Spanish
American colonies, in the service of the South-Sea Company, and it
was supposed, that, by their knowledge and intelligence on that coast,
they might often procure provisions for the squadron by compact with
the inhabitants, when they were not to be got by force of arms. These
agent-victuallers were, for this purpose, to be allowed to carry
to the value of fifteen thousand pounds in merchandize on board the
squadron, as they represented that it would be much easier to procure
provisions in exchange for goods, than for the value of the same goods
in money. Whatever colours were given to this scheme, it was difficult
to persuade the generality of mankind that it was not principally
intended for the enrichment of the agents, by the beneficial commerce
they proposed to carry on upon that coast. From the beginnin