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CHAPTER IV.

The Army under Lord Cathcart and Sir Chaloner Ogle proceeds to the West Indies -Nature of the Climate on the Spanish Main-Admiral Vernon sails to Carthagena-Attack on Fort Lazar-Expedition to Cuba-Rupture between the Queen of Hungary and the King of Prussia-Battle of Molwitz-The King of Great Britain concludes a Treaty of Neutrality with France for the Electorate of Hanover-A Body of French Forces join the Elector of Bavaria-He is crowned King of Bohemia at Prague-Fidelity of the Hungarians-War between Russia and Sweden-Revolution in Russia-The Spanish and French Squadrons pass unmolested by the English Admiral in the Mediterranean-Inactivity of the Naval Power of Great Britain-Obstinate Struggle in electing Members in the new Parliament-Remarkable Motion in the House of Commons by Lord Noel Somerset—The Country Party obtain a Majority in the House of Commons—Sir Robert Walpole created Earl of Orford-Change in the Ministry-Inquiry into the Administration of Sir Robert Walpole-Obstructed by the new Ministry-Reports of the Secret Committee-The Elector of Bavaria chosen Emperor-The_King of Prussia gains the Battle at Czaslaw-Treaty at Breslau-The French Troops retire under the Cannon of Prague-A fresh Body sent with the Mareschal de Mallebois to bring them off-Extraordinary Retreat of M. de Belleisle—The King of Great Britain forms an Army in Flanders-Progress of the War between Russia and Sweden-The King of Sardinia declares for the House of AustriaMotions of the Spaniards in Italy and Savoy-Conduct of Admiral Matthews in the Mediterranean-Operations in the West Indies-The Attention of the Ministry turned chiefly on the Affairs of the Continent-Extraordinary Motion in the House of Lords by Earl Stanhope— Warm and obstinate Debate on the Repeal of the Gin-Act-Bill for quieting Corporations-Convention between the Emperor and the Queen of Hungary-Difference between the King of Prussia and the Elector of Hanover-The King of Great Britain obtains a Victory over the French at Dettingen-Treaty of Worms-Conclusion of the Campaign-Affairs in the North-Battle of Campo Santo-Transactions of the British Fleet in the Mediterranean-Unsuccessful Attempts upon the Spanish Settlements in the

West Indies.

ARMY UNDER LORD CATHCART.

modore of the four British ships, saluted THE British armament had by this time one of them with a broadside, and a smart proceeded to action in the West Indies. engagement ensued. After they had fought Sir Chaloner Ogle, who sailed from Spit- during the best part of the night, the enhead, had been overtaken by a tempest in emy hoisted their colors in the morning, the bay of Biscay, by which the fleet, con- and appeared to be part of the French sisting of about one hundred and seventy squadron, which had sailed from Europe, sail, were scattered and dispersed. Never- under the command of the marquis d'Antheless, he prosecuted his voyage, and an- tin, with orders to assist the Spanish admichored with a view to provide wood and ral, De Torres, in attacking and distressing water, in the neutral island of Dominica, the English ships and colonies. War was where the intended expedition sustained a not yet declared between France and Engterrible shock in the death of the gallant land; therefore hostilities ceased: the Englord Cathcart, who was carried off by a lish and French commanders complimented dysentery. The loss of this nobleman was each other; excused themselves mutually, the more severely felt, as the command of for the mistake which had happened; and the land forces devolved upon general parted friends, with a considerable loss of Wentworth, an officer without experience, men on both sides. authority, or resolution. As the fleet sailed along the island of Hispaniola, in its way to Jamaica, four large ships of war In the mean time Sir Chaloner Ogle arwere discovered; and Sir Chaloner detach-rived at Jamaica, where he joined vice-aded an equal number of his squadron to give miral Vernon, who now found himself at them chase, while he himself proceeded on the head of the most formidable fleet and his voyage. As those strange ships refused army that ever visited those seas, with full to bring to, lord Augustus Fitzroy, the com- power to act at discretion. The conjoined

NATURE OF THE CLIMATE ON THE
SPANISH MAIN.

squadrons consisted of nine and twenty and reputation. Here the English admiral ships of the line, with almost an equal lay inactive till the ninth, when the troops number of frigates, fire-ships, and bomb- were landed on the island of Tierra Bomba, ketches, well manned, and plentifully sup- near the mouth of the harbor, known by plied with all kinds of provisions, stores, the name of Boca-chica, or Little-mouth, and necessaries. The number of seamen which was surprisingly fortified with casamounted to fifteen thousand: that of the tles, batteries, booms, chains, cables, and land forces, including the American regi- ships of war. The British forces erected a ment of four battalions, and a body of ne- battery on shore, with which they made a groes enlisted at Jamaica, did not fall short breach in the principal fort, while the adof twelve thousand. Had this armament miral sent in a number of ships to divide been ready to act in the proper season of the fire of the enemy, and co-operate with the year, under the conduct of wise, expe- the endeavors of the army. Lord Aubrey rienced officers, united in councils, and Beauclerc, a gallant officer, who command steadily attached to the interest and honored one of these ships, was slain on this ocof their country, the Havannah, and whole casion. The breach being deemed pracisland of Cuba, might have been easily re-ticable, the forces advanced to the attack; duced; the whole treasure of the Spanish but the forts and batteries were abandoned: West Indies would have been intercepted; the Spanish ships that lay athwart the harand Spain must have been humbled into bor's mouth were destroyed or taken: the the most abject submission. But several passage was opened, and the fleet entered unfavorable circumstances concurred to without further opposition. Then the frustrate the hopes of the public. The min- forces were reimbarked with the artillery, istry had detained Sir Chaloner Ogle at and landed within a mile of Carthagena, Spithead without any visible cause, until where they were opposed by about seven the season for action was almost exhaust- hundred Spaniards, whom they obliged to ed; for, on the continent of New Spain, retire. The admiral and general had conthe periodical rains begin about the end of tracted a hearty contempt for each other, April; and this change in the atmosphere and took all opportunities of expressing their is always attended with epidemical distem- mutual dislike: far from acting vigorously pers which render the climate extremely in concert, for the advantage of the comunhealthy; besides, the rain is so excessive, munity, they maintained a mutual reserve, that for the space of two months no army can keep the field.

and separate cabals; and each proved more eager for the disgrace of his rival, than zealous for the honor of the nation.

ADMIRAL VERNON SAILS. SIR CHALONER OGLE arrived at Jamaica The general complained that the fleet lay on the ninth day of January; and admiral idle while his troops were harassed and diVernon did not sail on his intended expe- minished by hard duty and distemper. The dition till towards the end of the month. admiral affirmed, that his ships could not lie Instead of directing his course to the Ha- near enough to batter the town of Carthavannah, which lay to leeward, and might gena: he upbraided the general with inachave been reached in less than three days, tivity and want of resolution to attack the he resolved to beat up against the wind to fort of St. Lazar, which commanded the Hispaniola, in order to observe the motion town, and might be taken by scalade. Wentof the French squadron, commanded by the worth, stimulated by these reproaches, remarquis d'Antin. The fifteenth day of Feb- solved to try the experiment. His forces ruary had elapsed before he received cer- marched up to the attack; but the guides tain information that the French admiral being slain, they mistook their route, and had sailed for Europe, in great distress, for advanced to the strongest part of the fortifiwant of men and provisions, which he cation, where they were moreover exposed could not procure in the West Indies. to the fire of the town. Colonel Grant, who Admiral Vernon, thus disappointed, called commanded the grenadiers, was mortally a council of war, in which it was deter- wounded: the scaling-ladders were found mined to proceed for Carthagena. The too short: the officers were perplexed for fleet being supplied with wood and water want of orders and directions; yet the solat Hispaniola, set sail for the continent of diers sustained a severe fire for several hours New Spain, and on the fourth of March with surprising intrepidity, and at length anchored in Playa Grande, to the wind- retreated, leaving about six hundred killed ward of Carthagena. Admiral De Torres or wounded on the spot. Their number was had already sailed to the Havannah; but now so much reduced, that they could no Carthagena was strongly fortified, and the longer maintain their footing on shore; begarrison reinforced by the crews of a small sides, the rainy season had begun with such squadron of large ships, commanded by violence, as rendered it impossible for them Don Blas de Leso, an officer of experience to live in camp. They were, therefore, re

imbarked; and all hopes of further success | harbor. The troops were landed, and enimmediately vanished. The admiral, how-camped at the distance of twenty miles furever, in order to demonstrate the impracti- ther up the river, where they remained tocability of taking the place by sea, sent in tally inactive, and subsisted chiefly on salt the Gallicia, one of the Spanish ships which and damaged provisions, till the month of had been taken at Boca-chica, to cannonade November, when, being considerably diminthe town, with sixteen guns mounted on one ished by sickness, they were put on board side, like a floating battery. This vessel, again, and re-conveyed to Jamaica. He manned by detachments of volunteers from was afterwards reinforced from England by different ships, and commanded by captain four ships of war, and about three thousand Hore, was warped into the inner harbor, soldiers; but he performed nothing worthy and moored before day, at a considerable of the reputation he had acquired; and the distance from the walls, in very shallow people began to perceive that they had miswater. In this position she stood the fire taken his character. of several batteries for some hours, without RUPTURE BETWEEN THE QUEEN OF doing or sustaining much damage: then the HUNGARY AND THE KING OF PRUSSIA. admiral ordered the men to be brought off THE affairs on the continent of Europe in boats, and the cables to be cut; so that were now more than ever embroiled. The she drove with the sea-breeze upon a shoal, king of Prussia had demanded of the court where she was soon filled with water. This of Vienna part of Silesia, by virtue of old exploit was absurd, and the inference which treaties of co-fraternity, which were either the admiral drew from it altogether falla- obsolete or annulled; and promised to assist cious. He said it plainly proved, that there the queen with all his forces, in case she was not depth of water in the inner harbor, should comply with his demand; but this sufficient to admit large ships near enough being rejected with disdain, he entered Sito batter the town with any prospect of suc- lesia at the head of an army, and prosecuted cess. This, indeed, was the case in that his conquests with great rapidity. In the part of the harbor to which the Gallicia was conducted; but a little farther to the left, he might have stationed four or five of his largest ships abreast, within pistol-shot of the walls; and if this step had been taken, when the land forces marched to the attack of St. Lazar, in all probability the town would have been surrendered.

EXPEDITION TO CUBA.

mean time, the queen of Hungary was crowned at Presburgh, after having signed a capitulation, by which the liberties of that kingdom were confirmed; and the grand duke her consort was, at her request, associated with her for ten years in the government. At the same time the states of Hungary refused to receive a memorial from the elector of Bavaria. During these transacAFTER the reimbarkation of the troops, tions, his Prussian majesty made his public the distempers peculiar to the climate and entrance into Breslau, and confirmed all the seasons began to rage with redoubled fury; privileges of the inhabitants. One of his and great numbers of those who escaped generals surprised the town and fortress of the vengeance of the enemy perished by a Jabluxka, on the confines of Hungary; more painful and inglorious fate. Nothing prince Leopold of Anhalt-Dessau, who comwas heard but complaints and execrations: manded another army, which formed the the groans of the dying, and the service for biockade of Great Glogau on the Oder, took the dead: nothing was seen but objects of the place by scalade, made the generals woe, and images of dejection. The con- Wallis and Reyski prisoners, with a thouductors of this unfortunate expedition, agreed sand men that were in garrison; here, likein nothing but the expediency of a speedy wise, the victor found the military chest, retreat from this scene of misery and dis- fifty pieces of brass cannon, and a great grace. The fortifications of the harbor were quantity of ammunition. demolished, and the fleet returned to Jamai- The queen of Hungary had solicited the ca. The miscarriage of this expedition, maritime powers for assistance, but found which had cost the nation an immense sum them fearful and backward. Being obliged, of money, was no sooner known in England, therefore, to exert herself with the more than the kingdom was filled with murmurs vigor, she ordered count Neuperg to assemand discontent, and the people were depress-ble a body of forces, and endeavor to stop ed in proportion to that sanguine hope by the progress of the Prussians in Silesia. which they had been elevated. Admiral The two armies encountered each other in Vernon, instead of undertaking any enter- the neighborhood of Neiss, at a village callprise which might have retrieved the honor ed Molwitz; and, after an obstinate dispute, of the British arms, set sail from Jamaica the Austrians were obliged to retire, with with the forces in July, and anchored at the the loss of four thousand men killed, woundsouth-east part of Cuba, in a bay, on which ed, or taken. The advantage was dearly he bestowed the appellation of Cumberland purchased by the king of Prussia. His

kinsman, Frederick, margrave of Branden-jous army, into Westphalia; and this exburgh, and lieutenant-general Schuylem- pedient proved effectual. A treaty of neuberg, were killed in the engagement, togeth-trality was concluded; and the king of Great er with a great number of general officers, Britain engaged to vote for the elector of and about two thousand soldiers. After this Bavaria at the ensuing election of an emaction, Brieg was surrendered to the Prus- peror. The design of the French court was sians, and he forced the important pass of to raise this prince to the Imperial dignity, Fryewalde, which was defended by four and furnish him with such succors as should thousand Austrian hussars. The English enable him to deprive the queen of Hunand Dutch ministers, who accompanied him gary of her hereditary dominions.

ELECTOR OF BAVARIA.
WHILE the French minister at Vienna

in his progress, spared no pains to effect an A BODY OF FRENCH FORCES JOIN THE accommodation; but the two sovereigns were too much irritated against each other to acquiesce in any terms that could be pro- endeavored to amuse the queen with the posed. The queen of Hungary was incensed strongest assurances of his master's friendto find herself attacked, in the day of her ship, a body of five and thirty thousand distress, by a prince to whom she had given men began their march for Germany, in no sort of provocation; and his Prussian order to join the elector of Bavaria; another majesty charged the court of Vienna with French army was assembled upon the Rhine; a design either to assassinate, or carry him and the count de Belleisle being provided off by treachery; a design which was dis- with large sums of money, was sent to neowned with expressions of indignation and gotiate with different electors. Having thus disdain. Count Neuperg being obliged to secured a majority of voices, he proceeded abandon Silesia, in order to oppose the Ba- to Munich, where he presented the elector varian arms in Bohemia, the king of Prus- of Bavaria with a commission, appointing sia sent thither a detachment to join the him generalissimo of the French troops elector, under the command of count Des- marching to his assistance; and now the lau, who, in his route, reduced Glatz and treaty of Nymphenburgh was concluded. Neiss, almost without opposition: then his The French king engaged to assist the elecmaster received the homage of the Silesian tor with his whole power, towards raising states at Breslau, and returned to Berlin. him to the Imperial throne: the elector In December, the Prussian army was dis- promised, that after his elevation he would tributed in winter-quarters in Moravia, after never attempt to recover any of the towns having taken Olmutz, the capital of that or provinces of the empire which France province; and in March his Prussian majes- had conquered: that he would, in his Imty formed a camp of observation in the neigh- perial capacity, renounce the barrier-treaty; borhood of Magdeburgh. and agree that France should irrevocably A TREATY OF NEUTRALITY CONCLUDED retain whatever places she should subdue WITH FRANCE FOR HANOVER. in the Austrian Netherlands. The next step THE elector of Hanover was alarmed at of Belleisle was to negotiate another treaty the success of the king of Prussia, in ap- between France and Prussia, importing, prehension that he would become too formid- that the elector of Bavaria should possess able a neighbor. A scheme was said to have Bohemia, Upper Austria, and the Tyrolese: been proposed to the court of Vienna, for that the king of Poland should be gratified attacking that prince's electoral dominions, with Moravia and Upper Silesia: and that and dividing the conquest; but it never was his Prussian majesty should retain Lower put in execution. Nevertheless, the troops Silesia, with the town of Neiss and the of Hanover were augmented: the auxiliary county of Glatz. These precautions being Danes and Hessians in the pay of Great taken, the count de Belleisle repaired to Britain were ordered to be in readiness to Frankfort, in quality of ambassador and march; and a good number of British forces plenipotentiary from France, at the Imperial encamped and prepared for embarkation, diet of election. It was in this city that the The subsidy of three hundred thousand French king published a declaration, signipounds, granted by parliament, was remitted fying, that as the king of Great Britain had to the queen of Hungary; and everything assembled an army to influence the apseemed to presage the vigorous interposition proaching election of an emperor, his most of his Britannic majesty. But in a little Christian majesty, as guarantee of the time after his arrival at Hanover, that spirit treaty of Westphalia, had ordered some of action seemed to flag, even while her troops to advance towards the Rhine, with a Hungarian majesty tottered on the verge view to maintain the tranquillity of the of ruin. France resolved to seize this oppor-Germanic body, and secure the freedom of tunity of crushing the house of Austria. In the Imperial election.

order to intimidate the elector of Hanover, In July, the elector of Bavaria being mareschal Mallebois was sent, with a numer-joined by the French forces under mareschal

Broglio, surprised the Imperial city of Pas- her of his friendship; the pope permitted sau, upon the Danube; and entering Upper her to levy a tenth on the revenues of the Austria, at the head of seventy thousand clergy within her dominions; and even to men, took possession of Lintz, where he use all the church-plate for the support of received the homage of the states of that the war.

country. Understanding that the garrison of WAR BETWEEN RUSSIA AND SWEDEN. Vienna was very numerous, and that count As the czarina expressed an inclination Palfi had assembled thirty thousand Hun- to assist this unfortunate princess, the garians in the neighborhood of this capital, French court resolved to find her employhe made no farther progress in Austria, but ment in another quarter. They had already marched into Bohemia, where he was rein- gained over to their interest count Gyllenforced by a considerable body of Saxons, burgh, prime minister and president of the under the command of count Rutowski, chancery in Sweden. A dispute happening natural son to the late king of Poland. By between him and Mr. Burnaby, the British this time his Polish majesty had acceded to resident at Stockholm, some warm altercathe treaty of Nymphenburgh, and declared tion passed: Mr. Burnaby was forbid the war against the queen of Hungary, on the court, and published a memorial in his own most frivolous pretences. The elector of vindication; on the other hand, the king Bavaria advanced to Prague, which was of Sweden justified his conduct in a rescript taken in the night by scalade: an achieve- sent to all the foreign ministers. The king ment in which Maurice count of Saxe, an- of Great Britain had proposed a subsidyother natural son of the king of Poland, dis- treaty to Sweden, which, from the influence tinguished himself at the head of the French of French counsels, was rejected. The forces. In December the elector of Bavaria Swedes having assembled a numerous army made his public entry into his capital, where in Finland, and equipped a large squadron he was proclaimed king of Bohemia, and of ships, declared war against Russia, upon inaugurated with the usual solemnities; the most trifling pretences; and the fleet then he set out for Frankfort, to be present putting to sea, commenced hostilities by at the diet of election. blocking up the Russian ports in Livonia.

At this period the queen of Hungary saw A body of eleven thousand Swedes, comherself abandoned by all her allies, and manded by general Wrangle, having adseemingly devoted to destruction. She was vanced to Willmenstrand, were, in August, not, however, forsaken by her courage; nor attacked and defeated by general Lasci, at destitute of good officers, and an able min- the head of thirty thousand Russians. Count istry. She retired to Presburgh, and in a Lewenhaup, who commanded the main army pathetic Latin speech to the States, express- of the Swedes, resolved to take vengeance cd her confidence in the loyalty and valor for this disgrace, after the Russian troops of her Hungarian subjects. The nobility of had retired into winter-quarters. In Dethat kingdom, touched with her presence cember he marched towards Wybourg; but and distress, assured her, unanimously, that receiving letters from the prince of Hessethey would sacrifice their lives and fortunes Hombourg and the marquis de la Chetardie, in her defence. The ban being raised, that the French ambassador at Petersburgh, inbrave people crowded to her standard; and forming him of the surprising revolution the diet expressed their sentiments against which had just happened in Russia, and her enemy by a public edict, excluding for proposing a suspension of hostilities, he reever the electoral house of Bavaria from treated with his army, in order to wait for the succession to the crown of Hungary; further instructions; and the two courts yet, without the subsidy she received from agreed to a cessation of arms for three Great Britain, their courage and attachment months. would have proved ineffectual. By this supREVOLUTION IN RUSSIA. ply she was enabled to pay her army, erect THE Russians had been for some time magazines, complete her warlike prepara- discontented with their government. The tions, and put her strong places in a posture late czarina was influenced chiefly by Gerof defence. In December her generals, Be- man counsels, and employed a great number renclau and Mentzel, defeated count Thor- of foreigners in her service. These causes of ing, who commanded eight thousand men, discontent produced factions and conspiraat the pass of Scardingen, and opening their cies; and when they were discovered, the way into Bavaria, laid the whole country empress treated the authors of them with under contribution; while count Kheven- such severity as increased the general dishuller retook the city of Lintz, and drove affection. Besides, they were displeased at the French troops out of Austria. The grand the manner in which she had settled the seignior assured the queen of Hungary, that succession. The prince of Brunswickfar from taking advantage of her troubles, Lunenberg-Bevern, father to the young Je should seize all opportunities to convince czar, was not at all agreeable to the Rus

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