berty to return, and declared that he would march forward with
his own fifth Legion alone!----His Reproach had a just Effect upon them,
and inspired them with such Shame and Indignation as rekindled their
Courage, and carried them thro' the greatest Difficulties with
uninterrupted Success.

My Lord, I should not have expostulated with you so freely, had I not been
assured that the intended Reinforcement was practicable, and might have
been successful. History affords many Instances of Garrisons, in Strength
much inferior to _St. Philip_'s, holding out against a more formidable
Enemy; and, whatever Representations may have been given of the romantick
Nature of the Attempt, if I should maintain that your own small Supply
would have been sufficient, I should be justified in the Assertion by the
most unexceptionable Authority.

There is great Reason to believe, that had the fatal Attack, on the 29th
of _June_, been repulsed from those Forts which were most defenceless, and
most surprized, as it might have been done with a very small Number more,
they never would have renewed it again with equal Fury, or equal
Advantage. And if there be any Weight in this Supposition, if there was
any Prospect of affording the Castle any Relief, we can't help being
astonished that any Danger should induce you to decline the Prosecution of
so glorious an Undertaking.----We cannot applaud the Voice you gave in the
Council, according to our present Apprehensions; and we must continue in
this Opinion, unless you shall vindicate your Conduct, and acquaint us
with those Views that influenced your Lordship's Determination. This a
Piece of Justice which the Honour of your Character requires, and which
your Friends expect. As your Electors, we beseech it; as the Subjects of
an insulted Kingdom, whose Losses are universally felt, we demand it at
your Hands.

Reflect, my Lord, (for your Country can never forget) what a long
Succescession of dreadful Consequences this Loss must extend to Futurity?
What additional Expences must the Protection of our Trade require, when
thus deprived of its Guardian? What Sums can insure the Return of our
Ships, exposed, as they must constantly be, to the Capture of our Enemies?
What Profit can attend that Commerce, which must always be liable to
irretrievable Losses? What Fleets of Convoys must be engaged for our
Defence, which might otherwise be employed to the Annoyance of the Enemy?
What aggravated Indignities we mu