he kingdom of Naples; in which case you are, with all your power,
to hinder and obstruct the same. If it should so happen that at your
arrival with our fleet under your command, in the Mediterranean, the
Spaniards should already have landed any troops in Italy in order
to invade the emperor's territories, you shall endeavour amicably to
dissuade them from persevering in such an attempt, and offer them your
assistance to help them to withdraw their troops, and put an end to all
further acts of hostility. But in case these your friendly endeavours
should prove ineffectual, you shall, by keeping company with, or
intercepting their ships or convoy; or if it be necessary, by openly
opposing them, defend the emperor's territories from any further
attempt." When cardinal Alberoni perused these instructions, he told
colonel Stanhope, with some warmth, that his master would run all
hazards, and even suffer himself to be driven out of Spain, rather
than recall his troops, or consent to a suspension of arms. He said the
Spaniards were not to be frightened; and he was so well convinced that
the fleet would do their duty, that in case of their being attacked
by Admiral Byng, he should be in no pain for the success. Mr. Stanhope
presenting him with a list of the British squadron, he threw it upon the
ground with great emotion. He promised, however, to lay the admiral's
letter before the king, and to let the envoy know his majesty's
resolution. Such an interposition could not but be very provoking to the
Spanish minister, who had laid his account with the conquest of
Sicily, and for that purpose prepared an armament which was altogether
surprising, considering the late shattered condition of the Spanish
affairs. But he seems to have put too much confidence in the strength
of the Spanish fleet. In a few days he sent back the admiral's letter
to Mr. Stanhope, with a note under it, importing that the chevalier Byng
might execute the orders he had received from the king his master.

HE DESTROYS THE SPANISH FLEET.

The admiral, in passing by Gibraltar, was joined by vice-admiral
Cornwall with two ships. He proceeded to Minorca, where he relieved the
garrison of Port-Mahon. Then he sailed for Naples, where he arrived
on the first day of August, and was received as a deliverer; for the
Neapolitans had been under the utmost terror of an invasion from the
Spaniards. Sir George Byng received intelligence from the viceroy, count
Daun, who