to at least ten thousand, so artfully had they
been drawn up in sight of the enemy. The batteries began to play, and
in a little time demolished four towers that served as out-works to
the fort; then they made a breach in the outward wall, through which
brigadier Wade, at the head of the grenadiers, stormed a redoubt, with
such extraordinary valour as struck the besieged with consternation.
On the second or third day they thought proper to beat a parley, and
capitulate, on condition that they should march out with the honours of
war: that the Spaniards should be transported to Murcia, and the French
to Toulon. These last, however, were detained, by way of reprisal for
the garrison of Denia. The Spanish governor was so mortified when he
learned the real number of besiegers, that on his arrival at Murcia, he
threw himself out of a window in despair, and was killed upon the spot.
La Jonquire was confined for life, and all the French officers incurred
their master's displeasure. Fort St. Philip being thus reduced, to
the amazement of all Europe, and the garrison of Fort Fornelles having
surrendered themselves prisoners to the admirals Leake and Whitaker, the
inhabitants gladly submitted to the English government, for king Philip
had oppressed and deprived them of their privileges: general Stanhope
appointed colonel Petit governor of Fort St. Philip, and deputy-governor
of the whole island. After this important conquest he returned to
the army in Spain, where an unsuccessful attempt to surprise Tortosa,
finished the operations of the campaign.

RUPTURE BETWEEN THE POPE AND THE EMPEROR.

The British fleet not only contributed to the reduction of Minorca, but
likewise overawed the pope, who had endeavoured to form a league of the
princes in Italy against the emperor. This pontiff had manifested his
partiality to the house of Bourbon in such a palpable manner, that his
Imperial majesty ordered monsieur de Bonneval to march with the troops
that were in Italy, reinforced by those belonging to the duke of Modena,
and invade the duchy of Ferrara. He accordingly took possession of
Comachio and some other places, pretending they were allodial estates
belonging to the duke of Modena, and fiefs of the emperor, to which the
holy see had no lawful claim. The viceroy of Naples was forbid to
remit any money to Rome; and the council of the kingdom drew up a long
memorial, containing the pretensions of his catholic majesty, which
str