536 
SIEGE OF MINORCA. 
ing Great Britain,, and for tins purpose concentrated troops, war-ships, 
and transports at Brest; these preparations were viewed with great alarm 
throughout England, and a large fleet was detained at home for the 
security of the nation. Meanwhile the French, almost unperceived, 
embarked some 16,000 to 18,000 men on board vessels at Toulon, 
sailed unmolested for Minorca early in April and proceeded with the 
siege of St. Philip’s Castle, as set forth in the Journal. 
As soon as news of this hostile invasion was received, Great Britain 
formally declared war against France on 18th May. 
A SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE MANNER IN WHICH MINORCA 
FELL INTO THE HANDS OF THE ENGLISH . 1 
Upon the reduction of Sardinia, and the return of the Fleet to the 
Coast of Catalonia Major General Stanhope projected an expedition 
for the conquest of the Island of Minorca, then Garrisoned by the 
French and Spaniards for King Philip. 
He accordingly procured the necessary orders for embarking a body 
of troops, amounting to two thousand six hundred Men, as it was given 
out; though in reality there were not more than two thousand ; 
twelve hundred of which were British, including the Marines; Six 
hundred Portuguese, and the rest Spanish; these were put under his 
command, and arrived at the Island on the 14 of September, 1708. 
They met with a great deal of difficulty in landing, and transporting 
the heavy Artillery in so rocky a Country, where there were but few 
Beasts of burthen, that they could come at; yet with continual labour 
they brought their whole train, consisting of 42 Guns, and 15 Mortars 
in twelve days time, to the ground where they intended to employ 
them. 
In the mean time Fornelles Castle was briskly attacked by Capt 
Butter, in the Dunkirk; who got into the harbour two hours before 
the Centurion, Captain Fairborn, which was dispatched with him from 
the Fleet, and fired 36 Barrels of Powder against the Castle, which 
made a gallant defence ; but the Garrison finding the Centurion was 
able to get in, and had begun a warm fire on them, thought proper 
to surrender themselves Prisoners of War, having had but one man 
killed and four wounded, whereas the Ships had eleven killed, and 
about sixty wounded. 
The Garrison consisted of about fifty men, and had twelve Guns 
mounted for its defence. 
This success intimidated the Garrison of St. Philip’s Castle and 
contributed a good deal to hasten its surrender to the confederates. 
On the 28th at day break, the General opened a Battery of Nine 
Guns, against the two middlemost Towers, that defended a line the 
Enemy had lately made, and beat them down, making some breaches 
in the line wall itself, which consisted only of loose stones without 
mortar. 
Brigadier Wade, being posted at some distance on the right with 
i The spelling and capital letters are reproduced as in the original. 
