Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 2]
and Winters have I been at it, yet after all I fear we shall not have an opportunity of laying hold of one of them, as long Nights will very soon accomodate them in their escape; if such is their intention.
I have read with much concern the failure of the Expedition against Teneriffe, but the account seems to be so curtailed from its originel [original] shape, that I cannot understand how it was conducted. If the taking of Teneriffe was really of consequence, no Place could ever have been attached with greater certainty of success, but I should never suppose the design to be conducted or undertaken from an Idea it had not a few thousand Men for its defence, or from a supposition of a disaffection of its Inhabitants, and without this was the case, what could 800 Men expect to do landed in such a Surf, and in case of necessity, how were they to get back; for surely no man could expect such kind politeness as they experienced from the Enemy. Eight hundred Men however, (at least those who were landed) if they had been kept on board, & the Ships brought against the Town might have effected all they wished. No Capital was ever more vulnerable than St Cruz - without landing a Man