ibelli, sent an
ambassador from his camp to major Mason, with presents, compliments
of congratulation, and assurances of friendship. The number of free
independent negroes and mulattoes, settled at Senegal, amounted to three
thousand; and many of these enjoyed slaves and possessions of their own.
The two French factories of Podore and Galam, the latter situated nine
hundred miles farther up the river, were included in the capitulation;
so that Great Britain, almost without striking a blow, found herself
possessed of a conquest, from which, with proper management, she may
derive inconceivable riches. This important acquisition was in a great
measure, if not entirely, owing to the sagacity, zeal, and indefatigable
efforts of Mr. Cumming, who not only formed the plan, and solicited the
armament, but also attended the execution of it in person, at the hazard
of his life, and to the interruption of his private concerns.

Fort Louis being secured with an English garrison, and some armed
vessels left to guard the passage of the bar, at the mouth of the river,
the great ships proceeded to make an attempt upon the island of Goree,
which lies at the distance of thirty leagues from Senegal. There the
French company had considerable magazines and warehouses, and lodged
the negro slaves until they could be shipped for the West Indies. If
the additional force which Mr. Cumming proposed for the conquest of this
island had been added to the armament, in all probability the island
would have been reduced, and in that case the nation would have saved
the considerable expense of a subsequent expedition against it, under
the conduct of commodore Keppel. At present, the ships by which Goree
was attacked were found unequal to the attempt, and the expedition
miscarried accordingly, though the miscarriage was attended with little
or no damage to the assailants.

EXPEDITION TO CAPE-BRETON.

Scenes of still greater importance were acted in North America, where,
exclusive of the fleet and marines, the government had assembled about
fifty thousand men, including two-and-twenty thousand regular troops.
The earl of Loudoun having returned to England, the chief command in
America devolved on major-general Abercrombie; but as the objects of
operation were various, the forces were divided into three detached
bodies, under as many different commanders. About twelve thousand
were destined to undertake the siege of Louisbourg, on the island of
Ca