The New Hampshire Gazette

Extract of a Letter from a worthy Gentleman, receiv'd by one of the last Vessels from London.

The Loss of Mahon, through the unaccountable Conduct of Admiral Byng, who is now under Arrest in Order for Tryal; is a sore Rebuke for our vain confident Boasting in our Maritime Power, which this Affair has now brought into Reproach and Contempt.

I cannot give you a more summary Account of the Affair, than by transcribing the Words of a noble Personage, in a Letter to me on this Occasion.

"The Affair of Port Mahon, from the first Resolution of the Land and Sea Officers before Gibraltar, to that of returning to Gibraltar, after the Skirmish with Galissonière: is to me the most unaccountable Conduct that I ever heard, or read in any History in my Life; the whole is indeed absurd and irrational. I am persuaded the Orders to Fowke the Governor of Gibraltar, to deliver to Byng a Battalion, and to Byng to receive a Battalion from thence, on board him, and to go to the Relief or Defence of Port Mahon, were positive; but Time must discover; by a diligent Enquiry, the Wickedness or Weakness of this dark and unintelligible Transaction; but how to retrieve it, is in the Hand of Providence only."