rculated hints and insinuations, that the kingdom
had been purposely left unprovided; and that the natives of South
Britain had been formerly subdued and expelled by a body of Saxon
auxiliaries, whom they had hired for their preservation. In a word,
the doubts and suspicions of a people naturally blunt and jealous,
were inflamed to such a degree of animosity, that nothing would have
restrained them from violent acts of outrage, but the most orderly,
modest, and inoffensive behaviour by which both the Hanoverians and
Hessians were distinguished.

{GEORGE II. 1727-1760}

FRENCH PREPARATIONS AT TOULON.

Under the cloak of an invading armament, which engrossed the attention
of the British nation, the French were actually employed in preparations
for an expedition, which succeeded according to their wish. In the
beginning of the year, advice was received that a French squadron
would soon be in a condition to sail from Toulon; this was afterwards
confirmed by repeated intelligence, not only from foreign gazettes, but
also from English ministers and consuls residing in Spain and Italy.
They affirmed that the Toulon squadron consisted of twelve or fifteen
ships of the line, with a great number of transports; that they were
supplied with provisions for two months only, consequently could not
be intended for America; and that strong bodies of troops were on their
march from different parts of the French dominions to Dauphine and
Provence in order to be embarked. Notwithstanding these particulars of
information, which plainly pointed out Minorca as the object of their
expedition; notwithstanding the extensive and important commerce carried
on by the subjects of Great Britain in the Mediterranean; no care was
taken to send thither a squadron of ships capable to protect the trade,
and frustrate the designs of the enemy. That great province was left
to a few inconsiderable ships and frigates, which could serve no
other purpose than that of carrying intelligence from port to port, and
enriching their commanders by making prize of merchant vessels. Nay,
the ministry seemed to pay little or no regard to the remonstrances of
general Blakeney, deputy governor of Minorca, who, in repeated advices,
represented the weakness of the garrison which he commanded in
St. Philip's castle, the chief fortress on the island. Far from
strengthening the garrison with a proper reinforcement, they did not
even send thither the officers belonging