considerable commerce; and at that very
juncture, above forty sail of merchant ships lay at anchor in the bay.
The town was defended by a citadel regularly fortified, but at that time
poorly garrisoned, and so situated as to be accessible to the fire of
the whole squadron; for the shore was bold, and the water sufficient
to float any ship of the line. Before the resolution of proceeding to
Gua-daloupe was taken, the commodore had ordered the bay to be sounded;
and directed the Rippon to advance, and silence a battery situated a
mile and a half to the northward of St. Pierre. Accordingly, captain
Jekyll, who commanded that ship, stood in, and anchoring close to the
shore, attacked it with such impetuosity, that in a few minutes it was
abandoned. At the same time the Rippon was exposed to the fire of three
other batteries, from which she received considerable damage both in
her hull and rigging; and was in great danger of running aground, when
orders were given to tow her out of danger.

DESCENT ON GUADALOUPE.

The whole armament having abandoned the design on Martinique, directed
their course to Guadeloupe, another of the Caribbee islands, lying at
the distance of thirty leagues to the westward, about fifteen leagues
in length, and twelve in breadth; divided into two parts by a small
channel, which the inhabitants cross in a ferry-boat. The western
division is known by the name of Basseterre; and here the metropolis
stands, defended by the citadel and other fortifications. The eastern
part, called Grandterre, is destitute of fresh water, which abounds in
the other division; and is defended by fort Louis, with a redoubt, which
commands the road in the district of Gosier. The cut, or canal, that
separates the two parts, is distinguished by the appellation of the
Salt-river, having a road or bay at each end; namely, the great Cul
de Sac, and the small Cul de Sac. Gua-daloupe is encumbered with high
mountains and precipices, to which the inhabitants used to convey their
valuable effects in time of danger; but here are also beautiful plains
watered by brooks and rivers, which fertilize the soil, enabling it to
produce a great quantity of sugar, cotton, indigo, tobacco, and cassia;
besides plenty of rice, potatoes, all kinds of pulse, and fruit
peculiar to the island. The country is populous and flourishing, and
the government comprehends two smaller islands called All-Saints and
Deseada, which appear at a small distan