A History of the West Indies; Containing the Natural, Civil and Ecclesiastical History of Each Island ... (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1811 edition. Excerpt: ...colony, acknowledged by their timid apprehensions how much they dreaded to face a British foe. Common prudence, says Hume, would have suggested the propriety of keepin their fleet ready for action; and as theirs, and that of t e English, were not far from an equality, and could be of very little service in the port, they should have put out to sea, and hazarded the issue of an engagement. A battle, maintained with spirit, though finally unsuccessful, might have so far disabled their opponents, as to unfit them for any further attempts, after a dear-bought naval victory. The loss of the whole Spanish fleet in this way might have saved the city; but the city once taken, nothing could save the fleet. Either through extreme cowardice or infatuation, the only use.they made of their shipping was to sink three of them behind a strong boom at the mouth of the harbour. " This precaution, (observes Raynal) has proved detrimental only to the Spaniards, who have not been able to weight up these large vessels; and there was the less reason for it, as the enemy would not have attempted to force their way into the harbour, which was defended by the Moro and the fort on the point." The entrance, prior to this expedient, was very narrow, which being.. guarded on both sides by rocks, obliged all ships to keep an exact course in order to avoid them. This very circumstance would have exposed them to the tremendous fire of the Moro; and the dread of its artillery would have been sufiicient to deter the most daring. The British commanders, not altogether ignorant of the confusion which prevailed within, hastened to avail themselves of the assistance which this opportunity afforded; and therefore, in a very short time, made every pxgparation...