rtant post of the whole island, was
neglected by the general of Martinique, who had resolved to blow up the
fortifications of the citadel: but, luckily for the islanders, he had
not prepared the materials for this operation, which must have been
attended with the immediate destruction of the capital, and indeed of
the whole country. Some of the inferior officers, knowing the importance
of the Morne Tortueson, resolved to defend that post with a body of
the militia, which was reinforced by the garrisons of Fort-Negro and
Casdenavires, as well as by some soldiers detached from the Florissant:
but, notwithstanding all their endeavours, as they were entirely
unprovided with cannon, extremely defective in point of discipline,
dispirited by the pusillanimity of their governor, and in a great
measure disconcerted by the general consternation that prevailed among
the inhabitants, in all probability they could not have withstood a
spirited and well-conducted attack by regular forces. About two o'clock
general Hopson thought proper to desist from his attempt. He gave the
commodore to understand that he could not maintain his ground, unless
the squadron would supply him with heavy cannon, landed near the town
of Port-Royal, at a savannah, where the boats must have been greatly
exposed to the fire of the enemy; or assist him in attacking the
citadel by sea, while he should make his approaches by land. Both these
expedients* being deemed impracticable by a council of war, the troops
were recalled from their advanced posts, and re-embarked in the evening,
without any considerable molestation from the enemy.

* The commodore offered to land the cannon on the other side
of Point-Negro, at a place equally near the road from the
English army to Port-Royal, and even cause them to be drawn
up by the seamen, without giving the troops the least
trouble. But this offer was not accepted. General Hopson
afterwards declared, that he did not understand Mr. Moore's
message in the sense which it was meant to imply.

Their attempt on the Morne Tortueson had cost them several men,
including two officers, killed or wounded in the attack; and, in revenge
for this loss, they burned the sugar-canes, and desolated the country,
in their retreat. The inhabitants of Martinique could hardly credit the
testimony of their own senses, when they saw themselves thus delivered
from all their fears, at a time when they were overwh