The want of Engineers was bitterly felt throughout the whole, and though it was in many instances amply compensated by the handsome and voluntary tenders of service, from the Officers of the Corps of Royal Artillery, still these were of too subordinate a nature to remedy the errors committed in the leading plan of operations.
We had also to combat a garrison nearly equal to our own army, which was but little aided by the Native Auxiliaries, whose chief use lay in guarding the skirts of our Camp from surprize, or harassing parties; for they would never defend any post without being supported by European troops.
This disaster involved a loss of 1065 Whites of every description, while that of the enemy did not exceed 500.
In the West Indies an attack was again intended against St. Jago, in Cuba, by some land forces embarked at Jamaica and the Marines of the squadron, with which design the whole put to sea, but after a long perseverance against strong northerly winds, which prevented their approaching that coast, it was given up, and diverted to an enterprize against Port Louis on the south side of Hispaniola. This service was performed by the ships in line of battle, which, after three hours heavy cannonade, compelled its Governor to surrender upon terms, when Major Scott, with a detachment of Governor Trelawney's regiment, and the Marines, were landed, and took possession of the Fort in the name of his Majesty.
After having shipped or destroyed upwards of 80 heavy cannon, and blown up the works, the whole were re-embarked.
Towards the close of the present year a very serious mutiny occurred on board his Majesty's ship Chesterfield, upon the coast of Africa, but like all attempts of so diabolical a nature, it was suppressed by the spirited efforts of a few well disposed of her crew. This leads me to the reflection, that, however brave and intrepid the character of a British Seaman is, still his valour becomes palsied the moment it is exerted in a wrong cause. Such indeed must ever be the consequence of such ill aimed combinations. The wretch who is capable of subverting his country's interests cares but little for those of his friends. In principle a villain, he never fails being the first to desert and betray the unfortunate men, who are the dupes of his counsels, particularly when his own life appears in danger.
In order to exhibit how dangerous it is even to conceal the existence of a mutiny, I will state an instance which arose out of the above occasion:—After the Chesterfield was recovered from those daring insurgents, she was carried into Barbadoes, when all the culprits were put on board the Richmond, excepting two. Some of them were indulged with their liberty and to mess with that ship's company; so liberal are our laws even to the criminal, before trial and condemnation.
Having, by their protestations of innocence, interested some of the people in their favour, T. Ferriman, the ship's Steward, I believe from pure motives, and wishing to discover those who had united in planning their escape, drew out a paper for the signature of all who wished well to the scheme. Within two hours he was himself informed against, by one who had subscribed to it, and being found in his pocket, it was too powerful an evidence to resist that article of War which holds him equally guilty with the perpetrator, who knowingly conceals any gathering mutiny even for a moment.
Every detail of active operation closes with the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, now a second time rendered memorable by the growth of the Olive.
After more than nine years hostility, all the powers agreed to a general restitution of conquests. France and Spain were left to lament a ruined Navy, and an impoverished people, while Great Britain felt an accession of more than four millions of circulating specie, which concealed from the public view a large addition to her national debt.