e nation.

SESSION CLOSED.

On the twenty-seventh of May, his majesty went to the house of peers,
and, after having given the royal assent to the bills then depending,
thanked his parliament, in a speech from the throne, for their vigorous
and effectual support. He acquainted them, that the injuries and
hostilities which had been for some time committed by the French against
his dominions and subjects, were then followed by the actual invasion of
the island of Minorca, though guaranteed to him by all the great powers
in Europe, and particularly by the French king; that he had, therefore,
found himself obliged, in vindication of the honour of his crown, and
of the rights of his people, to declare war in form against France; and
that he relied on the Divine Protection, and the vigorous assistance
of his faithful subjects, in so just a cause. The parliament was then
adjourned to the eighteenth of June; and from thence afterwards to the
eighteenth of July, and then it was prorogued.

CHAPTER XI.

_Letter from M. Rouille to the Secretary of State..... The
two Nations recriminate on each other..... The French
threaten Great Britain with an Invasion..... Requisition of
six thousand Dutch Troops according to Treaty..... Message
from the King to the Parliament..... A Body of Hessians and
Hanoverians transported into England..... French
Preparations at Toulon..... Admiral Byng sails for the
Mediterranean..... He arrives at Gibraltar..... engages M.
de la Galissonniere off Minorca..... and returns to
Gibraltar..... Ferment of the People at Home..... Admiral
Byng superseded and sent home Prisoner..... Account of the
Siege of St. Philip's Fort in Minorca..... Precautions taken
by General Blakeney..... Siege commenced..... English
Squadron appears..... General Attack of the Works..... The
Garrison capitulates..... Sir Edward Hawke sails to
Minorca..... Rejoicings in France, and Clamours in
England..... Gallantry of Fortunatus Wright..... General
Blakeney created a Baron..... Measures taken for the Defence
of Great Britain..... Proclamation..... Earl of Loudon
appointed Commander-in-Chief in America..... His Britannic
Majesty's Declaration of War..... Substance of the French
King's Declaration..... Address of the City of London.....
Trial of General Fowke..... Affairs of America..... Colonel
Bradst