ad built at an enormous expense to the
nation, while Louisbourg remained in the hands of the
English in the last war, was, in the course of this siege,
entirely demolished by two or three shots from one of the
British batteries; so admirably had this piece of
fortification been contrived and executed, under the eye of
that profound engineer.

In answer to this proposal he was given to understand, that he and his
garrison must surrender themselves prisoners of war, otherwise he might
next morning expect a general assault by the shipping under admiral
Boscawen. The chevalier Dru-cour, piqued at the severity of these terms,
replied, that he would, rather than comply with them, stand an assault;
but the commissary-general, and intendant of the colony, presented a
petition from the traders and inhabitants of the place, in consequence
of which he submitted. On the twenty-seventh day of July, three
companies of grenadiers, commanded by major Farquhar, took possession
of the western gate; and brigadier Whitmore was detached into the town,
to see the garrison lay down their arms, and deliver up their colours
on the esplanade, and to post the necessary guards on the stores,
magazines, and ramparts. Thus, at the expense of about four hundred men
killed and wounded, the English obtained possession of the important
island of Cape-Breton, and the strong town of Louisbourg, in which the
victors found two hundred and twenty-one pieces of cannon, with eighteen
mortars, and a considerable quantity of stores and ammunition. The
merchants and inhabitants were sent to France in English bottoms; but
the garrison, together with the sea-officers, marines, and mariners,
amounting in all to five thousand six hundred and thirty-seven
prisoners, were transported to England. The loss of Louisbourg was the
more severely felt by the French king, as it had been attended by the
destruction of so many considerable ships and frigates. The particulars
of this transaction were immediately brought to England in a vessel
despatched for that purpose, with captain Amherst, brother to the
commander, who was also intrusted with eleven pair of colours taken
at Louisbourg; these were, by his majesty's order, carried in pompous
parade, escorted by detachments of horse and foot-guards, with
kettle-drums and trumpets, from the palace of Kensington to St. Paul's
cathedral, where they were deposited as trophies, under a discharge of
canno