Naval and Military Memoirs of Great Britain, from 1727 to 1783

Note 191. Lift of the Fleet under the command of Sir Peter Parker at Jamaica.

The foregoing Squadron was reinforced in the courfe of the year with the following ships:

The ships marked thus † were either wrecked or foundered in the

great hurricane this year.

Obliged to bear away for England in great distress.

* Came to England with the trade.

Note 192. Lift of the French Fleet in the Weft Indies, 1780.

Note 193. Articles of Capitulation of Fort St Juan.

ART. I. The garrison shall be allowed the use of their batteaux to tranfport themselves where they shall think proper, and the term of four days for the entire evacuation of the fort.

ANS. The garrifon of Fort St Juan shall furrender prifoners of war, and be conducted to fome port (in my option) of North America, fubject to the Crown of Spain, and fhall be furnished with veffels and provifions neceffary to the voyage, provided they engage their parole of honour not to bear arms against his Britannic Majefty, until an exchange of prifoners fhall have taken place, conformably to fuch cartel as is or may be established between the two nations. ART. II. The garrison shall march out with colours flying, each man with a ball in his mouth, lighted matches, drums beating, each foldier fhall have twenty rounds, mufquet and fide arms, together with two pieces of cannon, (three-pounders) with twenty rounds to each.

ANS. The British forces must be put in poffeffion of the principal gate of the fort between the hours of four and five in the afternoon, at which centinels thall be kept, to prevent the Indians from committing any act contrary to the rules of war or laws of humanity : And in favour of the gallant defence which the Commandant has made, the garrifon fhall be allowed to march out, colours flying, drums beating, lighted matches, mufquet and fide arms, with two rounds each man, to the foot of the Glacis, oppofite to the fouth front of the Castle, where they shall pile up their arms and accoutrements, (the officers keeping their fwords) afterwards they fhall return to the Caftle.

ART. III. Every officer and foldier, on evacuating the Castle, fhall be allowed to keep their effects, baggage, money, and whatever else may actually belong to them.

ANS. The officers and foldiers fhall be allowed to keep their baggage, and whatever money may actually belong to them, but every flave must be detained for the ufe of his Britannic Majesty.

ART. IV. The prifoners made at the advanced poft on the island of Bentole fhall be reftored.

ANS. In cafe the garrifon fhall accept the terms of capitulation offered, the prifoners made at the advanced poft on the island of Bentole shall be included in it; provided, however, that all flaves shall appertain of right to the King my master.

ART. V. The garrifon (hall be allowed ten days for the evacuation of the fort, during which time they fhall not be molested by any perfon whatfoever.

ANS. The garrifon fhall not be molefted by any perfon whatsoever until their arrival at the place appointed.

ART. VI. The garrifon fhall be allowed the ufe of their own pro

vifions.

ANS.

ANS. No other answer is neceffary to this article, than that already given to the first.

ÄRT. VII. The garrison fhall be allowed to carry with them all fuch ornaments and effects as are neceffary to their religion and mode of worship.

ANS. Granted in the fulleft fenfe.

ART. VIII. The British forces shall treat the garrifon with humanity and politenefs, duties incumbent on all nations.

ANS. It is the characteristic of Britons to treat their prifoners with humanity and politenefs; and I pledge my word to do my utmoft to keep the Mosquitos within the bounds of moderation.

ART. IX. Should any doubts arife in the preceding articles, they shall be explained in favour of the garrifon.

ANS. As I do not mean to cavil, an answer to this article would be useless; immediately on being put in poffeffion of the interior of the fort and its dependencies, I will appoint an officer, who fhall take charge of the military cheft, and likewise name Commiffaries to take account of all warlike ftores and provifions, artillery, flaves, and in general of every thing which fhall be found in the ftores or elfewhere, belonging to his Catholic Majesty.

(Signed) JOHN POLSON, Colonel and Commander in Chief. JUAN DE AYSSA, Governor of the Castle of St Juan.

Note 194. Lift of the Squadrons detached under the command of the Honourable Capt. William Cornwallis, by Sir Peter Parker, commanding his Majefty's Fleet on the Jamaica ftation.