SIEGE OF MINORCA. 
579 
A .—I do not pretend to be a competent Judge of tbis matter; 
which I think depends much on the plan of Defence, and Force and 
Attacks of the Enemy. 
Q .—What is the number of the present Garrison. 
A .—I am not at all acquainted with the present strength of the Gar¬ 
rison. 
Q .—Is it practicable for an Enemy to carry the sap otherwise than 
above ground. 
A ,—The Ground on which the Enemy should make their approaches 
and erect their Batteries, being mostly hard rock, they can I believe 
make their approaches no otherwise than above ground. 
Q.—If this be the only means; what are the materials to be got there 
first. 
A .—1 know of no other method of approach, than what is men¬ 
tioned above; and the materials they would make use of, I apprehend 
would be Fascines, Earth from the Gardens (the mould of which is 
very fine and light), Gabions, Barrels, Sand Bags, &c. 
Q .—If it is so difficult to carry on the sap otherwise, is it not then 
almost impossible for the Enemy to countermine the several Mines 
which defend the Angles and Faces of each work. 
A .—From the nature of the soil as has been described above, which 
is mostly hard rock, it is scarcely practicable to countermine the Mines 
which defend the outworks and outward covered way. The French 
who brought a Company of Miners with them in 1756, attempted it, 
but after much fruitless labour, and no progress, gave over the attempt. 
Q .—What is the number of Men requisite for a Defence of the Out¬ 
works upon each presumed Polygon of attack. 
A .—This I think depends much upon present circumstances when the 
place is attacked, and on the plan of Attacks, and Force of the Enemy. 
It may be observed that the number of Men that mounted daily in the 
Outworks in 1756, were not adequate to the defence of such extensive 
outworks and covered way, when the French stormed it (who at that 
time attacked the whole extent of the Fortification to the sea, as well 
as land), and it was not safe to send Troops from the defence and Service 
of the Inner works and Covered way, to reinforce the Guards in the out¬ 
works, and the Men that landed in the Boats under Charles Fort where 
the Hospital was, were repulsed with the assistance of the sick and 
wounded Men, the weakness of the Garrison allowing but very small 
Guards on the line of Defence to the sea. 
Q .—As the Mines seem to be the principal Defence of St Philip's, 
what number of Mines would be necessary. 
A .—I think a Company of at least 100 Miners would be absolutely 
necessary for so large a number of Mines and such extensive under¬ 
ground works. 
