A Journal of the Expedition to Carthagena With Notes: In Answer to a Late Pamphlet Entitled, An account of the Expedition to Carthagena   By: Anonymous

With NOTES.

In ANSWER to a late PAMPHLET;

ENTITLED,

An ACCOUNT of the EXPEDITION to CARTHAGENA .

Qui statuit aliquid, parte inaudita altera, Æquum licet statuerit, haud æquus suit.

Senec. Med.

The SECOND EDITION.

LONDON : Printed for J. ROBERTS, in Warwick Lane . M.DCC.XLIV.

THE INTRODUCTION.

The following Sheets contain an Answer to a Pamphlet, which appeared on the Close of the last Session of Parliament, and is entitled, An Account of the Expedition to Carthagena.

To set that whole Transaction in the most clear Light, the Author has laid before the Publick an exact and faithful Journal of the most material Occurrences, not only during the Troops being on Shore in the Neighbourhood of Carthagena , but from the Time of the Fleet's sailing from Jamaica ; the Period from which the Author of the Pamphlet begins his Relation.

The Notes are (as far as it was practicable) placed in the same Order with those in the Pamphlet; to which References are made, that the Reader may (if he pleases to take that Trouble) compare each Note with the Answer to it.

Several Facts will be here found to be placed in a very different Light from the same Facts, as they are described in the Pamphlet, and others to be rejected, as absolutely false and groundless; but the Author flatters himself, that he has advanced nothing which is not founded upon Truth, and such as can be supported by living Evidences, or by authentick Records, whenever his Antagonist shall be pleased to lay aside his Mask; otherwise, no Notice will be taken of any Reply, which may hereafter be published.

January the 10th, 1740 .

It was resolved in the principal Council of War[1] held at Spanish Town in Jamaica , that the whole Fleet should proceed to Windward, to observe the Motions of the Squadron under the Command of the Marquis d'Antin ; and that Capt. Dandridge should be sent before in the Wolf Sloop to get Intelligence.

No Time having been lost in preparing to put to Sea; January the 22d, Sir Chaloner Ogle sailed with his Division out of Port Royal Harbour; Commodore Lestock the 26th, and Vice Admiral Vernon the 28th: The three Squadrons, having join'd January the 31st, made Cape Tiberon , on the Coast of Hispaniola , February the 7th; the same Day Captain Dandridge came into the Fleet. February the 8th, the Admiral made a Signal for General and Flag Officers, and communicated to them the Report he had received from Captain Dandridge ,[2] viz. " That he had , January the 30th, look'd into Port Lewis, where he had seen nineteen Ships of War; that one of them carried a Flag at the Main top mast Head, and another a broad Pendant ;" which Report being taken into Consideration, it was resolved to steer directly to the Isle of Vache ; where the Fleet arrived February the 12th, and cast Anchor at about two Leagues to the Westward of Port Lewis .

The same Day Captain Laws was sent in the Spence Sloop a fresh to reconnoitre the Harbour of Port Lewis , who return'd in a few Hours with a Report, " That he had there counted sixteen Ships of War, and that one of them carried a broad Pendant ."

February the 13th, the Admiral, accompany'd by the General, went in his Barge into the Bay between the Isle of Vache and Hispaniola , where there was found sufficient Depth of Water for the large Ships, and good Anchorage for the Transports. February the 14th, a French Officer came off with a Message; but the Admiral declining to see him 'till late in the Evening, he return'd without having deliver'd it.