cattered and dispersed.
Nevertheless he prosecuted his voyage, and anchored with a view to
provide wood and water, in the neutral island of Dominica, where the
intended expedition sustained a terrible shock in the death of the
gallant lord Cathcart, who was carried off by a dysentery. The loss
of this nobleman was the more severely felt, as the command of the
land-forces devolved upon general Wentworth, an officer without
experience, authority, and resolution. As the fleet sailed along the
island of Hispaniola, in its way to Jamaica, four large ships of war
were discovered; and sir Chaloner detached an equal number of his
squadron to give them chase, while he himself proceeded on his voyage.
As those strange ships refused to bring to, lord Augustus Fitz-roy,
the commodore of the four British ships, saluted one of them with a
broadside, and a smart engagement ensued. After they had fought during
the best part of the night, the enemy hoisted their colours in the
morning, and appeared to be part of the French squadron, which had
sailed from Europe tinder the command of the marquis d'Antin, with
orders to assist the Spanish admiral De Torres, in attacking and
distressing the English ships and colonies. War was not yet declared
between France and England; therefore hostilities ceased; the English
and French commanders complimented each other; excused themselves
mutually for the mistake which had happened; and parted friends, with a
considerable loss of men on both sides.

NATURE OF THE CLIMATE ON THE SPANISH MAIN.

In the meantime sir Chaloner Ogle arrived at Jamaica, where he joined
vice-admiral Vernon, who now found himself at the head of the most
formidable fleet and army that ever visited those seas, with full
power to act at discretion. The conjoined squadrons consisted of
nine-and-twenty ships of the line, with almost an equal number of
frigates, fire-ships, and bomb-ketches, well manned, and plentifully
supplied with all kinds of provisions, stores, and necessaries. The
number of seamen amounted to fifteen thousand; that of the land-forces,
including the American regiment of four battalions, and a body of
negroes enlisted at Jamaica, did not fall short of twelve thousand. Had
this armament been ready to act in the proper season of the year,
under the conduct of wise experienced officers, united in councils,
and steadily attached to the interest and honour of their country, the
Havannah, and the whole island of