approaches by land, the squadron blocked up
the place by sea in such a manner that no succours could be introduced.
A French ship of the line, with some smaller vessels destined for
the relief of the garrison, were intercepted and taken by the British
cruisers; and, indeed, the reduction of Louisbourg was chiefly owing to
the vigilance and activity of Mr. Warren, one of the bravest and best
officers in the service of England. The operations of the siege were
wholly conducted by the engineers and officers who commanded the British
marines; and the Americans, being ignorant of war, were contented to act
under their directions. The town being considerably damaged by the bombs
and bullets of the besiegers, and the garrison despairing of relief, the
governor capitulated on the seventeenth day of June, when the city
of Louisbourg, and the isle of Cape Breton, were surrendered to his
Britannic majesty. The garrison and inhabitants engaged that they would
not bear arms for twelve months against Great Britain or her allies; and
being-embarked in fourteen cartel ships, were transported to Rochefort.
In a few days after the surrender of Louisbourg, two French East India
ships, and another from Peru, laden with treasure, sailed into the
harbour on the supposition that it still belonged to France, and were
taken by the English squadron.

The news of this conquest being transmitted to England, Mr. Pepperel
was preferred to the dignity of a baronet of Great Britain, and
congratulatory addresses were presented to the king on the success of
his majesty's arms. The possession of Cape Breton was, doubtless, a
valuable acquisition to Great Britain. It not only distressed the French
in their fishery and navigation, but removed all fears of encroachment
and rivalship from the English fishers on the banks of Newfoundland. It
freed New England from the terrors of a dangerous neighbour; overawed
the Indians of that country; and secured the possession of Acadia to the
crown of Great Britain. The plan of this conquest was originally laid by
Mr. Auchmuty, judge-advocate of the court of admiralty in New England.
He demonstrated, that the reduction of Cape Breton would put the English
in sole possession of the fishery of North America, which would annually
return to Groat Britain two millions sterling, for the manufactures
yearly shipped to the plantations; employ many thousand families that
were otherwise unserviceable to the public; increase the sh