CHAP. XIX.
Reading edition
CHAP. XIX.
An unaccountable dread pervaded the nation, which the public measures certainly tended to heighten. In the early part of 1756 the enemy had collected immense forces upon their coasts with the avowed object of invading England. Foreign auxiliaries were called in, measures of precaution and defence were adopted, while the real objects of attack from all their mighty threats, were entirely forgotten and neglected. Amongst the additional forces voted during the present year, 9138 Marines were decreed by Parliament; in order to complete which 30 additional companies were ordered to be raised. The expedient of a land impress was resorted to, in the form of an "Act for the more speedy and effectual recruiting his Majesty's Land Forces and Marines," but which was suspended by a Royal Order upon the 1st of May, in consequence of the zealous and patriotic co-operations of the nobility and gentry, who, by their purses and their energies, rendered it unnecessary.
The real designs of the French having been developed in an expedition against Minorca, while they continued to amuse the nation by the terrors of an invasion, produced a declaration of war upon the 18th of May, against that power. Admiral Byng had been detached for its relief, and had previously been ordered to disembark all the Marines from his ships, in order to take on board a number of land forces destined for the relief of that garrison.
Commodore Edgcumbe, who commanded the British squadron in the Mediterranean, foreseeing an attack upon the island, had landed 1 Captain, 2 Subalterns, 4 Serjeants, 4 Corporals, 3 Drummers, and 104 Rank and File, being nearly the whole of his Marines, to strengthen its defence, who shared in the fatigues and the glory of that distinguished siege under Lieutenant General Blakeney. Much spirit and determined bravery was evinced in the course of it.
After more than two months tedious approaches, the enemy stormed, upon the 25th of June, in different points, but with partial success. The firing had continued from ten at night until four upon the following morning, when Marshall Richelieu beat a parley in order to bury his dead. But he shamefully invaded the interval of suspension, by reinforcing the lodgments he had gained, which communicating by subterraneous passages, afforded easy access into the body of the place itself.
This led to its immediate fall, by capitulation, after seventy days contest, and is an instance of what little confidence should be placed in the French character, under every similar occasion.
The Nation, always too apt to despond from slight causes, most bitterly lamented this event, which was preceded by the very unwelcome tidings of a drawn battle between the hostile fleets. Sir Edward Hawke succeeded the unfortunate Admiral, who became a victim to the strict letter of the law, and the general prejudices of his Country. From a vast superiority our commerce in those seas was well protected, while that of the enemy suffered extremely. The constant threats of descent appeared to paralyse every exertion but that of domestic security; while the enemy were carrying on their schemes of distant conquest under the panic which these had produced.
Towards the close of the year a new Ministry was formed, to which the Nation looked with confidence and hope.
In this administration that great and manly character, Mr. Pitt, was one.—No farther details occur under the era of 1756.—The Marines, in common with their brethren in the British Fleet, shared in the credit which was gained by some partial actions during the year.