with every neceffary for fubfiftence and defence, and a regular plan laid down for fupplying them in future from Lisbon. This was the 1 ENTH fiege.

tan had poffeffed it 748 years. Don Enrique IV. of Caitile, then on the throne of Spain, od the title of KING of GISRALTAR. la 1704, Gibraltar was torn, molt probably for ever, from the Spanish Domain, by te Englub, under Sir George Rooke. In a rcentil of war, held July 17th, on board the Eglih dlect, about 7 leagues caft of Tetuan, the attack was refolved upon; four days after the firet got into the Bay of Gibraltar, and 10 Englith and Dutch marines, under the Punce of Heffe Darmstadt, were landed on the neck of land to the north of the town, to cut off any communication with the country. The Prince having potted his men, fummoned the place, which the Governor retufed to furfender. Next day the admiral gave orders that the ships appointed to cannonade the tead, under Rear Admiral Byng, and thofe which were to batter the South Mole Head under Capt. Hicks of the Yarmouth, should take their politions But the wind being contrary they could not get into their ftations till the dy was spent. In the mean time, to amufe the ramy, Capt. Whitaker was fent in with te boats, and burnt a French privateer of 12 puns at the Old Mole. On the 23d, foon after day-break, the ships being placed, the admiral threw out the fignal for cannonading, which was continued with great fury for 5 or 6bours, 15000 thot being fired in that time agreft the town, fo that the enemy were foon drven from their guns, efpecially at the South Ma Head. As the gaining that fortification would enfure the reduction of the town, the admural ordered Capt. Whitaker with all the eats to endeavour to poffefs it. But whilft de was pething for it with great alacrity the Capt. Hicks and Jumper, who lay next the Mele, landed fome men from their pinnaces and boats before he came up, on this the Spamards blew up the fortiñcations about the Mole, and killed 2 lieutenants and about 40 se, and wounded 60 more. Yet our men kret poffefion of the great platform, and Whitaker landing with the feamen who had

Now the ELEVENTH fiege commenced under the Marquis de Villadarius, lie had with him all the forces the Spaniards could collect in Andulofia and Eftremadura, with fome French troops and French engineers; the latter had been fent from France on purpose, and were chiefly relied on. This difgufted the Spaniards, who were fo abfurd in their ideas, that though they could do nothing themfelves, and indeed did not know how to go about it, yet could not bear to be taught by others, or to fee themselves outdone by them. The firge lafted 4 months, during which the Prince of Hefle eminently diftin guithed himself by his conduct, courage, and indefatigable application. The garriton was supplied with men and provifions from Lifbon. At laft Monf. de Pointis came with a fquadron of 20 French fhips of war to block it up by fea. Upon which Sir John Leake was fent with a fronger fquadron to relieve the place, and he arrived in the Bay, October 9th. In the meantime the Marthal de Teffe took the command of the befiegers; he had been fent by the Court of France, which was difïatisfied with the conduct of Villadarias; but he had no better fuccefs, and the fiege was at last abandoned in 1705, During this fiege the Spaniards made a very defperate attempt to take it: on the eaft fide of the rock, at Pafz de Algarovas, guided by a goat herd they got up 500 men, and concealed themfelves in St. Michael's Cave; the fecond night they fealed Charles the Vth's wall, and furprifed and murdered the guard at the figual houfe; and at Middle Hill, by ropes and fealing ladders, they got up fome hundreds of the party ordered to fuftain them, but being discovered, they were all driven over that precipice, which the Spaniards name Salta de Loba, or the Wolf's Leap.

ordered on this fervice, they advanced and took a redoubt or fmall baftion, half way wer the Mole and the town, and many of the enemy's cannon; upon which the governor fired to capitulate, and surrendered on honorale terms. A circumftance that contributed greatly to accelerate our fuccefs, is recorded Barnet: after the admiral had bombardthe town, but with no great fuccefs, fame repid feamen puthed afhore at a place, where the rock was thought inacceffible, and they fucceeded in mounting it; having the top, they furprized all the females onging to the town in a chapel, where ac

g to their fuperftition, they were imping the Virgin's protection. The failors and the ladies, which contributed not a litto difpofe the Dons to furrender, which dd on the 24th. The Prince of Heffe, the marines belonging to the fleet were in garrison, and furnished from the fleet

In 1727 the TWELFTH fiege commenced, it was carried on by the Marquis de las Torres, it is only remarkable for a vain attempt of the Spanish engineers to blow up the head of the hill, by means of a mine under Will's or Queen's battery.

Under the dominion of Great Britain, the fortifications have been fo improved and perfected, that joined to the natural firength of the place they render it impregnable, and all likelihood of its returning to the Spaniards inprobable. There is generally kept in the magazines 18 months provifions. To the Moors it was the key of Spain, and the English defervedly reckon it the key of the Mediterranean. The town of Gibraltar reaches near a mile from the land gate to the fouth port; from the fouth port to the end of the hill at Europa are two miles more.

In 1779, and this year 1780, the Spaniards are carring on the THIRTEENTH fiege.

NAVAL

WHITEHALL, Dec. 18, 1779. EXTRACT of a LETTER from Capt. Dalrymple, Commander of the Loval Brill Volunteers, to the Right Hon. Lord George Germain, one of his Majetty's principal Secretaries of State, Received yesterday by Lieut. Carden of the 60th regiment.

You

St. Fernando de Omoa, Oct. 21, 1779. OUR lordfhip would be informed, that Gen. Dalling had difpatched me to the Mufquito thore to collect a force, and that he had alfo fent arms, artillery and ammunition for St. George's key, being the principal fettlement of the Bay-men.

On the 27th of September, the day of our arrival at the Black River on the Mufquito Shore, an advice boat came up from the Bay with certain intelligence, that the Spaniards had, on the 15th of September, taken possesfion of St. George's Key, having a number of armed pettiguas, and about 600 men. On this notice, having collected 60 Indians and enlifted fome volunteers on the fhore, we Lailed in the Porcupine floop of war with shree tranfports for the relief and refìablithment of the Baymen. On the evening of our failing from black river we fell in with Com. Luttrell in the Charon accompanied by the Loweftoffe and Pomona frigates, when we were informed that St. George's Key had been retaken by his Majelly's armed fchooner Racehorfe, and that the remaining inhabiLants with their flaves had retired to Truxilio and Rattan. I intended to have confulted the Bay-men on re-fettling the Honduras, when I was informed, that his Majefty's thips had been at the Galph of Dulce, and not finding the register fhips there, had proceeded to St. Fernando de Omoa, where they discovered them; that they had entered the Bay, where fome that were exchanged between them and the fort, but not having a fofficiant land force to attack on the thore, they were obliged to leave it. Judging this a happy opportunity of adding luftre to his Majefty's arms, I waited upon Commodore Luttrell, and offered to attack on the land file with the Indians and the detachment of Loyal Irith, if he would reinforce me with the marines and mufquetry men from the fhips. The Commodore agreeing in opinion that the fort might be taken by attacking by fea and land at the fame time, it was accordingly determined on, and Truxilio was appointed as the rendezvous to collect the Baymen with their flaves, where we met fome people from the Mufquito fhore, who had

thips. The Commodore immediately Bay-men collected, as I fuggested were difperfed about the Iflands of Ra Bonnaccoa; they were formed by four companies, being invented with by Gen. Dalling for that purpose; the L'officered by their proprietors. reinforcement of 255 men, added to the rif, muiquetry men from the thips, dians, our force amounted to upwards mrd. The Commodore having got is nefs at my requeft, fealing ladders, itfa fland of arms, exclufive of 70 stand in me of the regimental arms, and down by Gen. Dalling, which were a for the Bay. We were informed b guides that Porto Omoa was only thre gues diftant; and our intention wa marched directly on in the night to 1. and efcalade the fort; but the d dance ing greater than was imagined, and the very bad which they patted, fuch as venture to affirm no European troop marched before in this climate, bemg o to march (on account of impenetrable groves) out into the fea, which dar their cartouches, and at other times th

goons, moraffes, and narrow foothover mountains, rendered almost impa from the late rains,, having precipice each fide, and forced to grope our wa lights made from cabbage trees. We not arrived within two leagues of the f day break, having loft our rear, fome la down through fatigue, and others fing line of march from the darknefs of the n and the difficulty of keeping up in paths paffable by Indians. In the morning the line was brought up by Capt. Carden of 60th regiment of foot, and having refre the troops for two hours, we proceeded a through paffes and defiles the fame as night before, the Indians fkirmishing a the paths. We had taken two lookfrom which fome of the foldiers efcaped carried intelligence that an enemy was vancing, and, as they had feen our fqua the night before, and the Mufquito cra imagined that Indians (only) landed f them, were the enemy on fhore, not thi ing that Europeans would undertake fuc march; and in order to favour this decepti the Indians were advanced in front and lodged them from their look-outs, which vented them from occupying the defilesi paffes, until we arrived near the town, wh they had placed an ambuscade. The Indi who are extremely fharp as fcouts, percen them; they reprefented that the Spania were drawn up in force: a difpofition of tack was immediately framed for the Lo

+

Irish and marines to force the pafs in front in column, and to advance rapidly with the grenadiers march, fupported by the fecond fine drawn up, and the Pomona's mufquetry men of the fird line, were detached to gain a hill on the left, covered with wood, which commanded the país: these orders being infiantly executed, the defile was forced. We received a feastering, ill-directed fire from 50 or 60 Spaniards, which killed one foldier only of the loyal Irish, and wounded a matine; and fo great was the panic, that they fied on al! quarters to the fort, woods, and town, evacuating the governor's houfe, built with battlements, and terraffed on the top, a poft, which if defended by 20 British regulars, would have hopped our whole force. The gaining this hill, and that which the Pomona's men had ascended, gave us an entre view of the fort, commanding it and the town in the bottom, the fort distant half a nile, and the town clofe under the hill. The Sraithing continued from the town, and galled us a little; being unwilling to fet fire to it, I delifted upwards of an hour: but finding that I could not permit an enemy on my Bank, the town forming a crefcent under the bill, orders were given for its be ng confumed, which were carryed into execation, the inhabitants flying to the fort and woods: the property confumed in the bwn was effimated at 100,000 piaftres. The fquadron came into the bay while the town was in flames; and fuppofing it a proper time to batter the fort, went in a-breast of it. A Everfion was made by the land forces in their favour from the hill. The Scaling ladders were carried by the Honduras fufileers; but their eagerness to engage in skirmishing made Liem drop the ladders, and hatten to get up to the head of the column, which prevented the land forces from co-operating with the !quadroa (by ftorming) so heartily that day as could have been wished.

The Lowestoffe having got a-ground, and the other hips, as 1 imagined, obferving the fignal was difplayed that the land forces could nos co-operate, defifted firing. The Lowestoffe was much damaged, but got off.

The day following we palled in skirmishing, in fecuring the roads round the fort, and driving in cattle for the land forces. On the 18th the fquadron landed fome guns to the schward four-pounders were got up that night, and a battery was immediately opened en them.

This battery incommoded them much, but never could have made any impreffion on the walls of the parapet, as they were 18 feet thick. The Spaniards pointed that evening three sare guns towards the land fide, and in the soring difmounted one of ours. Obferving ere were fome houfes near the fort, which the Spaniards had neglected to burn, parties of marines, bay-men, and Indians occupied them, and kept up fo inceffant a fire on the mazures of the fort, that the Spaniards fire

from the guns, were often filenced for hours and we oblerved them throwing over the dead This day fix more guns were got up by the feamen and baymen, one of which Gen. Dal-ling had fent for the baymen, three others being unfortunately fwamped coming on thore: Capt. Cardan opened a battery of 4 fix-pounders from the hill which the Pomona's men had gained in the first skirmish at the defile, which alfo commanded the fort.

Forefeeing, that by a fiege of this nature, before approaches could be made in a regular way, and a breach effected, a vast train of artillery would be required, and a length of time, after which we would be obliged to ftorm, having alfo the enemy in our rear all round; and having maturely weighed all thele circumftances, and the difadvantages inevitably attending a hege, it was therefore determined to efcalade the fort, as the ditch was found to be dry. And having confulted with the Commodore on the mode of attack, it was refolved that the Pomona fhould be towed clofe in, the heavier fhips co-operating. The attack being determined on, the Europeans were formed into four columns in line, four men advanced with guides at the head of each column, in each column followed eight men carrying the ladders, who were followed by a few hand grenade men. Two columns confifting of feamen and two of marines with a few loyal Irith. At three in the morning, this difpofition being made, and our force confifting of 150, we moved down the hill, and there lay waiting for the fignal of the Charon, which was to denote the had got under way, and would attack in 20 minutes. The fignal being made a little after 4 o'clock in the morning of the 20th, we advanced under the fire of our own batteries, and were encouraged, by obferying that the Spaniards did not perceive our march, by the direction of their thot over us, pointed at our batteries on the hills.

The Pomona and Acer alfo attracted their notice by the fire from the fea fide; by this fortunate co-operation, in profound filence, arms trailed, and in order to animate the troops, the parole was changed to bayonet. and the counter-fign Britons frike home. We advanced undiscovered under the Spanish fentries, who were every two or three minutes paffing the word alerto. Atthe entrance into the ditch were 2 guns painted from the flank of the baition to fcour it. We were perceived by their fentries, and their drum beat to the alarm pofts. Our columns were ftaggered and fept back; but inftantly recovering themfelves, they advanced to the wall, in height 28 feet, on which was a battery of five guns; they reared one ladder, a fecond, and a third; the first ladder was broke by the flank guns of another baftion, killing a midshipman, and badly wounding five men; the other ladders were also wounded, but not broke; two feamen got up firft by one ladder, and obeyed their orders in not firing, they prefented at

the Hon. John Luttrell, and William Dalrymple, Efq; to treat for the exchange of the Spannh garriton at Omoa, on the part of his Eritannic Majefty, have fet forth, that they are ready to treat on the part of his Catholic Majefty for the fame. The faid request is complied with upon the following terms and conditions: Firth, All the Spanish officers, which bear his Catholic Majefty's commiffion, fhall be prifoners of war, and admitted upon their parole, that they thall not ferve directly or indirectly, against the King of Great Britain, his fubjects or allies, during the prefent war, cles they are before exchanged.

Secondly, that all the faid officers fhall be permitted to chufe their place of refidence, provided that they are not found beyond the ditance of 60 leagues from Omoa, nor nearer to Omoa than 40 leagues, until they be exchanged in the manner hereafter fet forth. Thirdly, That all the Mulattoes and people of mixed colour, whether men, women, or children, as well as the artificers, fhall Live liberty to return home, provided none of them take up arms against the King of Great Britain, his fubjects or allies, or be found within 30 leagues of Omoa, until this agreement is fully accomplished.

Fourthly, that the faid Don Simon Defaux and Don Juan Daftiex, doth engage for the governor of Merida, in cafe the English prifoners captured in the bay of Honduras are within his district, and if not, for the goversor of whatever Spanish diftriét they may be 13, that he fhall return an equal number of Mulattoes or people of mixed colour, to thofe that have been liberated at Omoa; and of this aumber fuch as were taken in the bay of Hon

Baras by the Spaniards fhall have the preference. And it is farther understood and agreed between the parties to this agreement, at all the fubjects of the King of Great Britain, taken in the bay of Honduras, and Low in the custody of the faid governor of Merida, fhall be exchanged, by giving MuMatters for Melittoes, men for men, women in women, children for children; and this change to be made the moment the faid gouror of Merida can be made acquainted with this convention, but at all events not to exLet the space of three months.

Faithly, The ferjeants and foldiers of the galars shall be exchanged for an equal numher of ferjeants and foldiers of the British ar; and if the King of Spain fhould not have ich in his poffeffion, then to be exchanged it the principal merchants and traders, taken *George's Key in the bay of Honduras; proLided a fufficient number of white people cant be fent from Omoa to exchange them, and Inceipt to be given by the English Commifry for fuch number of men as may have been ptured by the Spaniards in the bay of Honas, as fhall exceed the numberdelivered from garrison of Omoa; fuch receipt of the furas to be given by the Spanish Commiffary, the balance is in favour of England. The

Spanish feamen to be exchanged in like manner for English feamen, as is specified by the parties relpecting the ferjeants and foldiers.

Sixthly, The Hon. John Luttrell and William Dalrymple doth covenant, that the Spanith garrifon at Omoa, ball be embarked within the fpace of three days, on board of veffels properly provided, and fhall be conveyed without lofs of time, to the Caffle of St. Philip, within the Gulph of Dulce, or to fome adjacent Spanish poft, and there delivered at the fole charge of his Britannic M1jelly. And the faid Don Simon Defnaux and Don Juan Daliex doth covenant, that the oflicers, foldiers, merchants, artificers, Mulattoes, and people of white, or mixed colour, fubjects of his Britannic Majefty, which fince the commencement of the prefent war with Spain, have been taken in the bay of Honduras, thall be embarked within the pace of three months, from the day the faid Don Simon Defnaux and Don Joan Daffiex thall be landed in the Gulph of Dulce, and fent to Omoa, or the next nearest English fettlement, at the fole expence of the King of Spain; provided the faid English prifoners, or any of them, are within the jurifdiction of the governor of Merida; but thould they have been fent to the Havannah, then the faid Don Simon Defnaux and Don Juan Daftiex doth covenant, that the governor of the Havannah thall embark them from thence, and land them at the expence of the King of Spain as aforefaid, at Jamaica, whithin the face of fix months from the date hereof. Provided always, that if every article of this agreement is not fricly performed on the part of the court of Spain, We, Don Simon Defnaux and Don Juan Dafties, were fully bound for ourfelves, and for all the Spanith officers of the garrifon, to repair, without lofs of time, and by the thorteit mode of conveyance to Omea, or to the nearest English fettlements there to deliver themfelves up as prifoners of

war.

And for the further fecurity hereof, the faid Don Simon Defnaux and Don Juan Daftiex, will deliver up as hoftages, Col. Antonio Fernandes, fecond commandant of the garrifon, the Rev. Blafs Mercenario, chaplain of the register fhip St. Jofeph, the Padre Antonio Mercurdetio, late chaplain of Omoa, to whom we promife to give the ornaments of the church, (which we refuse, to raufom) upon condition, that every part of this agreement is fulfilled by the court of Spain, within the time, and in the manner before fpecified, but to remain till then in the hands of the English.

Signed on the part of his Britannic Majefty at Omoa, the 24th of October 1779

(Signed) JOHN LUTTRELL. (L. S.) WM. DALRYMPLE. (L. S.) Signed on the part of his Catholic Majesty, at Omoa, the faid 24th of Oct. 1779.

DON SIMON DESNAUX. (L. S.) DON JUAN DASTIEX. (L. S.) We, the underwritten, do ratify and conF 2 firm