( a- ) 



ftrange infatuation feemed to prevail in 

 the whole conduit of this embarkation. 

 For though it was unaccountably de- 

 tained till the feafon for its failing 

 was paft, no proper ufe was made of 

 that time, which Ihould have been 

 employed in providing a fuitable force 

 of failors and foldiery ; nor was there 

 a due attention given to other requifites 

 for fo peculiar and extenfive a deftination. 

 This negled not only rendered the 

 expedition abortive in its principal ob- 

 jeft, but moil materially affe&ed the 

 condition of each particular fliip ; and 

 none fo fatally as the Wager, who being 

 an old Indiaman bought into the fer- 

 vice upon this occafion, was now fitted 

 out as a man of war, but being made 

 to lerve as a ftore-fliip, was deeply 

 laden with all kinds of careening geer, 

 military and other {lores, for the ufe of 

 the other fhips ; and, what is more, 

 crowded with bale goods, and encumber- 

 ed 



