The New Hampshire Gazette

LONDON.

It is natural to pass from Dejection to Exultation. He that thought his Danger more than it was, will set more Value than he ought on every Glimpse of Deliverance. When we lost Minorca, a general Panic fell upon the Nation, and every Man met his Neighbour with a clouded Forehead, and a downcast Eye, as if London had been besieged. Louisbourg is now taken, and our Streets echo with Triumph, and blaze with Illumination, as if our King was once more proclaimed at Paris. Surprizes both of Grief and Joy are natural, but let us recover from them as soon as we can, and estimate every Event according to its Importance, and every Acquisition according to its Value. The Siege of Louisbourg has been so happily conducted, that, perhaps there are few Examples in History, of a Place so strong, conquered in so short a Time, with so little Loss. Whether this Facility of Success be attributed to English Skill, or to French Timidity, it is equally pleasing. If our military Skill be great, we may hope to conquer Men, who, tho' they have equal Bravery, have less Knowledge; if our Enemies be timorous, they can never be formidable, whatever be their Skill. The French seem to have placed too much Confidence in their Ships, which made the Harbour inaccessible by Sea, and which they did not consider the Besiegers might destroy by their Batteries. Human Caution is never able to guard all Sides; and Danger, when it comes unexpected, comes with double Force. When the French saw their Ships destroyed by shot from the Land, they lost their Courage, and forgot that their Walls were yet undemolished. Thus Louisbourg was taken, and the Reputation of our Arms restored; which is indeed an Effect, if not the greatest, of this boasted Conquest. Louisbourg is not useful to us, in the same Degree as its Loss is detrimental to our Enemies. They value it as a Port of Security for their Ships, as the Place where their American Forces may safely assemble, sheltered alike from Hostilities and Tempests. We can desire it only that we may deprive them of an advantageous Station, for we do not want Ports in that Part of the World; so that much is taken from our Enemies, but little gained to ourselves. But this is the Condition of War; to make one part weaker, is to strengthen the other: and this Advantage we have obtained not only by the Capture of the Fortress, but by the Destruction of eleven Ships, by which the French Navy, which was weak at the Beginning of the War, is reduced to a state in which it can no longer hope to oppose us.