retaries of state, the commissioners of the
admiralty, or any others of his majesty's ministers, in relation to the
equipment of the French fleet at Toulon, or the designs of the French on
Minorca, or any other of his majesty's possessions in Europe, since
the first day of January, in the year one thousand seven hundred and
fifty-five, to the first day of August, one thousand seven hundred and
fifty-six. They likewise desired to peruse a list of the ships of war
that were equipped and made ready for sea, from the first of August, in
the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty-five, to the thirtieth day
of April in the following year; with the copies of all sailing orders
sent to the commanders during that period; as also the state and
condition of his majesty's ships in the several ports of Great Britain
at the time of admiral Byng's departure, with the squadron under his
command, for the relief of fort St. Philip, during the period of time
above-mentioned, according to the monthly returns made by the admiralty,
with the number of seamen mustered and borne aboard the respective
ships. They demanded copies of all orders and instructions given to that
admiral, and of letters written to and received from him, during his
continuance in that command, either by the secretaries of state, or
lords of the admiralty, relating to the condition of his squadron, and
to the execution of his orders. In a word, they required the inspection
of all papers which could, in any manner, tend to explain the loss
of Minorca, and the miscarriage of Mr. Byng's squadron. His majesty
complied with every article of their request: the papers were presented
to the house, ordered to lie upon the table for the perusal of the
members, and finally referred to the consideration of a committee of
the whole house. In the course of their deliberations they addressed
his majesty for more information, till at length the truth seemed to be
smothered under such an enormous burden of papers, as the efforts of a
whole session could not have properly removed. Indeed, many discerning
persons without doors began to despair of seeing the mystery unfolded,
as soon as the inquiry was undertaken by a committee of the whole house.
They observed, that an affair of such a dark, intricate, and suspicious
nature, ought to have been referred to a select and secret committee,
chosen by ballot, empowered to send for persons, papers, and records,
and to examine witnesses in the m