lodgement close to the
works; here they found convenient barracks and quarters of refreshment,
masks for their batteries, and an effectual cover for their mortars and
bombardiers. The general has been blamed for leaving the town standing;
but if we consider his uncertainty concerning the destination of the
French armament, the odious nature of such a precaution, which could not
fail to exasperate the inhabitants, and the impossibility of executing
such a scheme after the first appearance of the enemy, he will be found
excusable, if not altogether blameless. Some houses and windmills were
actually demolished, so as to clear the esplanade and the approaches.
All the wine in the cellars of St. Philip's town was destroyed, and the
butts were carried into the castle, where they might serve for gabions
and traverses. Five-and-twenty Minorquin bakers were hired, and a large
number of cattle brought into the fort, for the benefit of the garrison.
The ports were walled up, the posts assigned, the sentinels placed,
and all the different guards appointed. Commodore Edgecumbe, who then
anchored in the harbour of Mahon close under the walls of the castle,
sailed away with his little squadron, consisting of the Chesterfield,
Princess Louisa, Portland, and Dolphin, after having left all his
marines, a detachment from Gibraltar, the whole crew of the Porcupine
sloop, and the greater part of the Dolphin's, as a reinforcement to the
fort, under the immediate direction and command of captain Scroop of
the Dolphin, who, with great gallantry, offered himself for this severe
duty, and bravely signalized himself during the whole siege. The French
admiral might certainly have blocked up this harbour in such a manner,
as would have prevented the escape of these ships, and divers other
rich merchant vessels, which happened then to be at Mahon; but in all
probability, they purposely allowed them to abandon the place, which,
on any emergency or assault, their crews and officers would have
considerably reinforced. The enemy were perfectly acquainted with the
great extent of the works, and the weakness of the garrison, from which
circumstance they derived the most sanguine hopes that the place might
be suddenly taken, without the trouble of a regular siege. After Mr.
Edgecumbe had sailed from Gibraltar, and general Blakeney had ordered
a sloop to be sunk in the channel that leads to the harbour, the French
squadron made its appearance at this part of