Journal of events & minutes of particular evidence relating to the late expedition against Rochefort &c & the subsequent Courts of Enquiry

23'd abandon'd 30 pieces of cannon & 8 mortars. 500 men in the fort - not many killed by our bombardment. On our side only 3 killed & 10 wounded on board the "Magnanime". After this successful attack I got Sir John Mordaunt's leave to go ashour, (which he was at first loath to grant having refus'd others: but) thought, as we were intended to land on the mainland, it must be an advantage to inspect what we con'd of that Coast from the Aix Ramparts. Perciev'd Fouras - the strip of land running S.E. towards the mouth of the Charente guarded by a small fort which con'd not offer much resistance - But a better spot for landig w'd be just north of the spit - Pte Chatrelaillon. Return'd at nightfall & reported to the Comm'dr-in=chief. 24th Ve Adm'l Brodrick sent to reconnoitre reported that a landing might be safely effected at Fouras - Thierre the Pilot agreeing to take the Magnanime close up in that depth

of water - In order to divide the enemy's attention I propos'd a diver w'h bomb & fire-ketches on the side towards Rochelle - but this diversion not regarded as necessary by Sir E. Hawke. All now seem'd favourable for the great coup. Howe in particular very confident. 25th A Council of War summon'd to consider the project of a landing. After much discussion it was finally decided that it w'd be too ventures for if the ships gounded & the E. of the Ditch at Rochefort failed troops cou'd not be brought off. 26th The disappointment general at the threaten'd inaction. Had unclear talk w'h Howe & Thierry - 27th Nothing done & every day increased? the chances of doing even less. E. Hawke will not shoulder the responsibility fo a military decision

Sept 28th A Council of War held on board the Neptune being unproductive a further one was held this day on the Ramillies (previously Cornwallis had sent for me & acquainted me that he had decided to vote against the attempt on the ground that the proper moment had passed & that the enemy had taken such measures as w'd make even our success too costly for the ends we had in view. Was sorry to hear it - but ventur'd to remind him of the effect of total inaction on the troops & the the Nation which firmly expected us to strike a blow in this quarter - for myself I believed we ought to land & fight)

The question before the Council was whether the forts leading to & upon the mouth of the Charente were open & capable of being attack'd by land. At the request of the President (Sir E. Hawke) stated my opinion w'h regard to Fort Fouras - was not a strong place - seeming to be principally fortified towards sea yet I had seen people at work on the

Sept 28th land-side - that if our troops w'd come at the Barbette B'tty by it, is it might be of great use in taking Fort - provided there was proper ammunition for that purpose - Fort? c'd not be taken but by artillery unclear Escalade.

Lt. Col. Clarke said he cou'd make kind of judgement on Fouras on land side by the help of a Teles & the only he ever heard of for observed? it -

General Conway propos'd that M * This man's name was Girard a French prisoner, was not disinclined, shou'd give evidence bearing upon F. - unclear?

Prisoner described Fouras as a circular Fort - upon the back? of it towards the land there was no ditch when he saw it years ago - that it had 24 pieces of cannon mounted towards? the sea & embrasures for guns towards the land -

Also described Ft. La Pointe - like Fouras?

Sept. 28th circular, & has 22 pieces of cannon. On the E. side, towards the land had a wall like that of Fouras - but the landing in the Bay of Chatelaillon was the best landing of any place there & that when landed & you got upon the Rochefort Road it was a fine open country - When he was in Fouras on the 23rd there was but 22 or 24 guns in it & not above 50 men of all kinds - much about the same number of guns in Ft. la Pointe - Both Forts enclos'd by a wall - in much the same manner towards the land - All this evidence having taken effect upon the Council Sir John Mordaunt declar'd he was of opinion that something further shou'd be attempted & ask'd for the opinions of the others - Therefor Admiral Knowles said he had got great light from those examin'd & w'd ask for the attempt