e different frontiers of Beyra and Alentejo. Their
army, under the command of the Condo das Galveas, undertook the siege
of Valencia D'Alcantara in May, and took it by assault; Albuquerque
surrendered upon articles, and then the troops were sent into quarters
of refreshment. The marquis de las Minas, who commanded the Portuguese
in the province of Beyra, reduced the town of Salva-terra, plundered and
burned Sarca, but was obliged to retire to Panamacos at the approach
of the enemy. Towards the end of September the confederates, being
reassembled, invested Badajox, by the advice of the earl of Gal-way, who
lost his right hand by a cannon ball, and was obliged to be carried off;
so that the conduct of the siege was left to General Fagel. He had
made considerable progress towards the reduction of the place, when the
marquis de Thesse found means to throw in a powerful reinforcement, and
then the confederates abandoned the enterprise. The war continued
to rage in Hungary with various success. Ragotzki, though frequently
worsted, appeared still in arms, and ravaged the country, which became a
scene of misery and desolation. In Poland the old cardinal-primate owned
Stanislaus, but died before the coronation, which was performed by the
bishop of Cujavia. In the beginning of winter king Augustus had passed
through Poland in disguise to the Muscovite army, which was put under
his command in Lithuania; and the campaign was protracted through the
whole winter season, notwithstanding the severity of the weather in that
northern climate. In the spring the Swedish general, Reinchild, obtained
a complete victory over the Saxon army, which was either cut in pieces
or taken, with their camp, baggage, and artillery; yet the war was
not extinguished. The king of Sweden continued obstinately deaf to all
proposals of peace, and was become as savage in his manners, as brutal
in his revenge.

THE FRENCH FLEET DESTROYED, &c.

At sea the arms of the allies were generally prosperous. Philip of
Spain, being obstinately bent upon retaking Gibraltar, sent mareschal de
Thesse to renew the siege, while de Pontis was ordered to block up the
place by sea with his squadron. These French officers carried on the
siege with such activity, that the prince of Hesse despatched an express
to Lisbon with a letter, desiring sir John Leake to sail immediately to
his assistance. This admiral having been reinforced from England by sir
Thomas Dilkes, with fiv