ENG 
delays and sniftakes of the miniftry, however, fruftrated 
that part of the fchetne, which was originally well laid. 
The commodore let fail from Portfmouth in September, 
1740, with five fhips of the line, a frigate, and two flore- 
fhips, with about fourteen hundred men. Having reached 
the coafl of Brazil, he refrellied his people on the illand 
of St. Catharine, a fpot that enjoys all the fruitfulnefs 
and verdure of the luxurious tropical climate. From 
thence he fleered downward into the tempclfuous regions 
of the fouth ; and in about five months after, meeting a 
terrible temped, he doubled Cape Horn. By this time 
his fleet was difperfed, and his crew deplorably difabled 
with the fcurvy ; fo that with much difficulty he gained 
the illand of juan Fernandez. There lie was joined by 
one fhip, and a velfel of feven guns. From thence, ad¬ 
vancing northward, he landed on the coafl of Chili, and 
attacked the town of Payta by night. The garri'fon and 
the inhabitants fled on all lides ; and the treafures of the 
place were feized by the conquerors. This fmall fqua- 
dron then advanced to Panama, fituated on the iflhmusof 
Darien, on the weflern fide of the great American conti¬ 
nent.- The commodore now placed all his hopes in tak¬ 
ing one of thofe valuable Spanilh fhips which trade from 
the Philippine illands to Mexico. In hopes of meeting 
with one of thefe, the commodore travelled the great 
Pacific Ocean; but the fcurvy once more vifiting his 
crew, feveral of his men died, and ahnoft all were dif¬ 
abled. In this exigence, having brought all his men into 
one velfel, and let fire to the other, he fleered for the 
illand of Tinian till his men had fomewhat uncovered 
their health, and his (hip was refitted for failing. At 
lengthy after various toils and dangers, he difcovered the 
Spanilh’ galleon he had fo long been in quell of. This 
velfel was built as well for the purpofes of war as of 
merchandize. It mounted fixty guns, with five hundred 
men ; while the crew of the commodore did not amount 
to half that number. However, the viclory was on the 
fide of the Englifli ; and they returned home with their 
prize, which was ellimated at three hundred and thirteen 
thoufand pounds Iterling, while the different captures 
that had been previoully made, amounted to as much 
more. Thus, after a voyage of three years, conduced 
with uncommon perfeverance and intrepidity, the public 
fuftained the lofs of a fmall fleet, but gained immortal 
glory ; while a few individuals were rewarded with im- 
menfe riches. 
When Anion fet out, it was with a defign of adding a 
fubordinate part to a more formidable armament deligned 
for the coafl of New Spain, confiding of twenty-nine 
fhips of the line, and almofi an equal number of frigates, 
furniffied with all kinds of warlike (lores, near fifteen 
thoufand feamen, and as many land forces. Never was a 
fleet more completely equipped, nor never had the nation 
more fanguine hopes of fuccefs. Lord Cathcart was ap¬ 
pointed fo command the army ; but dying on the palfage, 
the command devolved upon general Wentworth. The 
miniftry, without any vilible reafon, detained the fleet in 
England, until the feafon foradlion in America was nearly 
loft. In the country where they were to carry on their 
operations, periodical rains begin about the end of April, 
and this change in the climate as furely brings on epide¬ 
mical and contagious difeafes. Having at length arrived 
before the wealthy city of Carthagena, they landed their 
forces, in order to form the liege. This city, which lies 
within fixty miles of Panama, ferves as a magazine for 
the merchandizes of Spain, which are conveyed from 
Europe thither, and from thence carried over land to Pa¬ 
nama, to be exchanged for the native commodities of the 
New World. The taking of Carthagena, therefore, 
would have obftrudted the whole trade between Old and 
New Spain. 
To carry on the fiege with fafety, the troops were 
landed on the illand Tierra Bomba, near the mouth of 
the harbour, which had been ftrongly fortified. The 
land forces eredted a battery on-Ihore, with which they 
LAND. 713 
made a breach in the principal fort, while admiral Ver¬ 
non, who commanded the fleet, ftnt a number of (hips 
into the harbour, to divide the fire of the enemy, and to 
co-operate with the land army. The breach being 
deemed practicable, a body of troops were commanded 
to ftorm ; but the Spaniards deferted the' works, and re¬ 
tired into the city. Encouraged by this advantage, ge- 
neral Wentworth marched up to the walls, and attempted 
to fcale fort St. Lazare, in order to take the place by 
ftorm. Nothing could be more unfortunate than this un¬ 
dertaking ; the fcaling ladders were found too fliort; the 
enemy made a very brave defence ; and the Englifh were 
obliged to retreat in eonfufion, leaving fix hundred men 
dead on the fpot ; among whom was colonel Grant, who 
commanded the grenadiers. The terrors of the climate 
foon began to be more dreadful than thofe of war ; the 
rainy feafon fet in with fuch violence, that it was im- 
poffible for the troops to continue in camp ; and the mor¬ 
tality of a contagious air began to attack them in all its 
frightful varieties. Thefe misfortunes led to diflenfions 
and mutual recriminations between the commanders ; till 
at lad they agreed to re-imbark the troops, and to with¬ 
draw as quick as poffible from this fcene of (laughter and 
contagion. This fatal mifcarriage, which tarniflied the 
Britifh glory, was no fooner known in England, than the 
kingdom was filled with murmurs and difcontent. 
To this caufe of complaint, feveral others were added. 
The inactivity of the Englifli fleet at home was among 
the mod principal. Sir John Norris had twice failed to 
the coaft of Spain, at the head of a vqry powerful fqua- 
dron, without taking any effeClual ftep to annoy the ene¬ 
my. The Spanifli privateers, which were numerous and 
enterprifing, annoyed our commerce with great fuccefs, 
having taken four hundred and feven fhips belonging to 
the lubjeCts of Great Britain. The Englifh, though at 
an immenfe expence in equipping fleets, feemed to lie 
wholly inactive, and fuffered one lofs after another with¬ 
out reprifal. Thefe untoward events had a manifeft in¬ 
fluence upon the general eleClion which followed j and 
the complaints againft the miniftry became fo general, 
that fir Robert Walpole began to tremble for his fafety. 
The prince of Wales, who continued to live retired from 
court, concurred in the oppofition. Obftinate druggies 
were maintained in all parts of the kingdom ; and fuch 
a national fpirit prevailed, that the country intereft feemed 
ready to preponderate. In this fituation, the minifter 
finding the ftrength of the houfe of commons turned 
againft him, tried every art to divide that confederacy 
which he knew he had not ftrength to oppofe. His firft 
attempt was by endeavouring to difengage the prince 
from his party, by promifes of royal favour, and other 
emoluments. The hilltop of Oxford was fent to him, 
with an offer, that if he would make fubmiffion to the 
king, he fiiould be taken into favour; fifty thoufand 
pounds ffiould be added to his revenue; two hundred 
thoufand fltould be granted him to pay his debts ; and 
fuitable provifion made for his followers. This, to a 
perfon involved in debt, from the fcantinefs of his pen- 
fion, and the neceffity of keeping up his dignity, was a 
tempting offer. However, the prince nobly difdained it, 
declaring he would accept of no conditions dictated under 
the influence of a minifter whofe meafures he could not 
approve. 
Walpole now faw that his power was at an end ; but 
he ft '11 feared more for his perfon. The refentment of 
the p ople had been railed againft him to an extravagant 
height , and tl'M- leaders taught them to expedt very 
fignal juftiee to the ' ippofed oppreffor. But in this they 
were deceived. The king adjourned both houfes of par¬ 
liament for a few days; and, in the interim, fir Robert 
Walpole was created earl of Orford, and refigned all his 
employments. At no time of life did Walpole acquit 
himfelf with more art than on the prefent occafion. The 
country-party confifted of tories and difeontented whigs ; 
the former, implacable in their refentments, were loud 
