expensive to the nation, on intelligence not only
slight at the first view, but false upon further examination. But the
people were still his advocates; they discerned something mysterious in
the whole conduct of the commander-in-chief. They plainly perceived that
caution took the place of vigour, and that the hours for action were
spent in deliberations and councils of war. Had he debarked the troops,
and made such an attack as would have distinguished his courage, the
voice of the people would have acquitted him, however unsuccessful,
though prudence perhaps might have condemned him. Even Braddock's
rashness they deemed preferable to Mor-daunt's inactivity: the loss of
so many brave lives was thought less injurious and disgraceful to
the nation, than the too safe return of the present armament. The one
demonstrated that the British spirit still existed; the other seemed to
indicate the too powerful influence of wealth, luxury, and those manners
which tend to debauch and emasculate the mind. A public trial of the
commander-in-chief was expected by the people, and it was graciously
granted by his majesty. It is even thought that Sir John Mordaunt
himself demanded to have his conduct scrutinized, by which method alone
he was sensible his character could be re-established. His majesty's
warrant for holding a court-martial was accordingly signed on the third
day of December. The court was composed of nine lieutenant-generals,
nine major-generals, and three colonels, who sat on the fourteenth, and
continued by several adjournments to the twentieth. Lieutenant-general
Sir John Mordaunt came prisoner before the court, and the following
charge was exhibited against him; namely, that he being appointed,
by the king, commander-in-chief of his majesty's forces sent on an
expedition to the coast of France, and having received orders and
instructions relative thereto, from his majesty, under his royal
sign-manual, and also by one of his principal secretaries of state, had
disobeyed his majesty's said orders and instructions. The proceedings
of this court were nearly similar to those of the court of inquiry. The
same evidences were examined, with the addition of sir Edward Hawke's
deposition; and a defence, differing in no essential point from the
former, made by the prisoner; but the judgment given was clear and
explicit. Sir John Mordaunt was unanimously found Not Guilty, and
therefore acquitted, while the public opinion remained un