The History of the American Revolution: In Two Volumes

Chapter XXI. Foreign Affairs, connected with the American Revolution 1780, 1781.

MAY 5, 1781 CHAPTER XXI Foreign Affairs, connected with the American Revolution 178o, I 78I. (205] THAT SPARK WHICH WAS FIRST KINDLED at Boston, gradually expanded itself till sundry of the nations of Europe were involved in its wide spreading flame. France, Spain and Holland were in the years 1778, ' 779 and 1780 successively drawn in for a share of the general calamity. These events had so direct an influence on the American war, that a short recapitulation of them becomes necessary. Soon after his most Catholic Majesty declared war against GreatBritain , expeditions were carried on by Don Galvez the Spanish governor of Louisiana, against the British settlements in West-Florida. These were easily reduced. The conquest of the whole province was completed in a few months by the reduction of Pensacola. The Spaniards were not so successful in their attempts against Gibraltar CHAPTER XXI and Jamaica. They had blockaded the former of these places on the landside ever since July I 779, and soon after invested it as closely by sea, as the nature of the gut, and variety of wind and weather, would permit. Towards the close of the year the garrison was reduced to great straits. Vegetables were with difficulty to be got at any price, but bread, the great essential both of life and health, was most deficient. Governor Elliott who commanded in the garrison, made an experiment to ascertain what quantity of rice would suffice a single person, and lived for eight successive days, on thirty two FEB. 8 ounces of that nutritious grain. 1780 The critical situation of Gibraltar called for relief. Astrongsquadron was prepared for that purpose, and the command of it given to Sir George Rodney. He when on his way thither fell in with I 5 sail of merchant men, under a slight convoy bound from St. Sebastian to Cadiz, and captured the whole. Several of the vessels were laden with provisions which being sent into Gibraltar [w6J proved a seasonable supply. In eight days after, he engaged near Cape St. Vincent with a Spanish squadron ofeleven sail of the line, commanded JULY 18 by Don Juan de Langara. Early in the action the Spanish ship San Domingo mounting 70 guns, and carrying 6oo men blew up, and all on board perished. The action continued with great vigor on both sides for ten hours. The Spanish Admiral's ship the Phoenix of 8o guns, with three of 70, were carried into a British port. The San Julian of 70 guns was taken. A Lieutenant with 70 British seamen was put on board, but as she ran on shore, the victors became prisoners. Another ship of the same force was also taken, but afterwards totally lost. Four escaped, but two of them were greatly damaged. The Spanish Admiral did not strike till his ship was reduced to a mere wreck. Captain Macbride of the Bienfaiscent, to whom he struck, disdaining to convey infection even to an enemy, informed him that a malignant small pox prevailed on board the Bienfaiscent; and offered to permit the Spanish prisoners to stay on board the Phoenix, rather than by a removal to expose them to the small pox, trusting to the Admiral's honor, that no advantage would be taken of the circumstance. The proposal was chearfully embraced, and the conditions honorably observed. The consequence of this important victory was the immediate and complete relief of Gibraltar. This APR. 12, 1781 HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION being done, Rodney proceeded to the West-Indies. The Spaniards nevertheless persevered with steadiness, in their original design of reducing Gibraltar. They seemed to be entirely absorbed in that object. The garrison, after some time, began again to suffer the inconveniences which flow from deficient and unwholsome food: But in April 1781, complete relief was obtained through the intervention of a British fleet, commanded by Admiral Darby. The Court of Spain, mortified at this repeated disappointment, determined to make greater exertions. Their works were carried on with more vigor than ever. Having on an experiment of 20 months found the inefficacy of a blockade, they resolved to try the effects of a bombardment. Their batteries were mounted with guns of the [207] heaviest metal, and with mortars of the largest dimensions. These disgorged torrents of fire on a narrow spot. It seemed as if not only the works, but the rock itself must have been overwhelmed. All distinction...