e
Finisterre; a Spanish register-ship, carrying a considerable treasure
from Lima to Cadiz; a rich Manilla ship, said to be the richest taken
since the galleon captured by Lord Anson; another plate-ship with
200,000 dollars in specie and a quantity of bullion, &c.; and finally,
a great variety of small Spanish craft. At the close of the year,
therefore, the Spanish monarch had reason to deplore his rashness in
entering into this war.

AFFAIRS IN THE WEST INDIES.

During the year the transatlantic war was carried on with various
success. In the month of January, Vice-admiral Byron arrived at
St. Lucie with nine sail of the line, and there joined Rear-admiral
Barrington. This compelled the Count d'Estaing to act on the defensive.
He took refuge in Martinique, where he remained five months, and nothing
could induce him to issue from his safe retreat. While here he was
joined by some ships under Count de Grasse, and fresh land-troops
also arrived from France. On the other hand, Byron's fleet was also
reinforced by some ships under Admiral Rowley. Both fleets, however,
remained inactive till Byron sailed away to escort our homeward-bound
West India fleet to a certain latitude. The French admiral now detached
a small force to St. Vincent, where the Caribs joined the French,
and where the English garrison thus assailed capitulated. After this
d'Estaing proceeded with his whole fleet and 9000 land-troops to
Grenada. Lord Macartney, the governor, had only one hundred and fifty
regulars, and about three hundred militia to oppose to him; but he made
a brave resistance with this little force, and even repulsed the first
assault of nearly 3000 French troops. His lines, however, were stormed,
and after Macartney had retired into the fort he was compelled to
surrender at discretion. Before he surrendered, however, Admiral Byron,
who had returned from escorting the trade, appeared off the island, and
attempted its relief. An engagement took place between the British and
French fleets, in which some of the English ships were disabled, and the
French lost 1200 men killed, and 2000 wounded. Night put an end to the
action, and although in the course of the day the white flag was
seen waving over the capital of Grenada, which was a proof that Lord
Macartney had been compelled to surrender, Byron remained on the scene
of action, hoping that the enemy would engage him again on the morrow.
In the morning, however, he discovered that d'