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

Evidence at the 1st Enquiry.

Nov 12th Attended at Judge Advocates Office where was assembled a meeting of Gen'l Officers appointed to enquire into the causes of the failure of the late expedition - These were:

Lt. Gen'l the Duke of Marlborough; Major Gen'l Lord George Sackville & Major G. Waldegrave -

The first day's sitting taken up w'h reading letters and papers - after which was heard Sir John Mordaunt's statement which he read out at length & then the meeting adjourn'd till the

14th Reading of Sir J. M's narrative resumed - At its close ensued a discussion on the point of Admiral Brodrick's letter to Sir. J. M. referring to the night of the 28th Sept. in which the Adm'l very distinctly stated that the generals are come to a resolution not to land to-ight, but to wait till daylight when they can have a full view of the ground where they are to land "- All this consider'd most injurious - as also for Sir J. Mordaunt's

Nov 14th admission that this letter had been shown to him but that "in the hurry he did not sufficiently attend to the contents."

After 2 o'clock my evidence was call'd for, as quarter M'r Gen'l of the expedition - Was desir'd to inform? the Board what pass'd the evening of the taking of the Isle of Aix - in regards? to the attack on Fouras?

Stated I had been at the Isle of Aix & returned about 8 o'clock & then took the liberty of suggesting my opinion? to the Adm'l & Sir J. M. that I did not doubt but that a ship of war might batter Ft. Fouras & that a body of troops might be landed at the same time & attack it w'h success - I furthermore mention'd (as I had only seen the Fort) that if Sir Edward shou'd at the same time think proper to make a diversion near Rochelle such a proceeding might engage the attack of the enemy & so give an opportunity of making a descent between - At this time I also broach to both the Admiral & the Gen'l my

Nov 14th 1757 Opinion as to sending the bomb-ketches out - not knowing but bombs might be thrown into Rochelle - Accordingly Sir Edward sent for them also? - another circumstance in regard to sending for the pilot of the Magnanime who would inform Sir Edward if there was depth of water sufficient to carry a ship up to Fouras - From the low opinion I had of the Fort a 40 or 50 gun ship might at least annoy the Fort - so as to give an opportunity of landing - Sir E. then seemd inclined to the attack of Fouras & mention'd the Barfleur as a ship he intended to employ - talk'd of doing it the next morning & appear'd very keen & warm about it. On the next day Sir. E. H. did send for the pilot of the Magnanime & examin'd him - but I was not present - I spoke to the pilot myself that morning (but am not certain whether it was before or after his being examined by Sir Edward) & ask'd him, whether he cou'd carry a ship up to Fouras? The pilots answer was, either he cou'd (or believ'd he cou'd) take the Magnanime within 1/2 a mile of Fouras & indeed

Nov 14th 1757 indeed would beat it down in less time than he had done the other Fort - Ask'd the pilot further - Whether between Fort Fouras & F't la Point any persons cou'd be landed during an attack to invest Fouras - & desir'd the pilot to find a guide amongst the prisoners to show a proper place for landing - venturing to tell him, they shou'd be handsomely rewarded, if they perform'd the service well - Also ask'd the pilot why he chose the Magnanime rather than the Barfleur or any other ship? He answer'd - On account of the captain - of whom his expression was - "Il est jeune & brave - servez-vous-en" (this tribute to M'r Howe was well receiv'd by the Board)

Sir John Mordaunt: Have you ever heard any sea captain say, he wou'd undertake the taking of the Fort?

Answer: Capt Colby of the Princess Amelia in conversation on that head told me he had made offers to attack it - not certain he said he had made those offers to Sr. E. H. but

Nov 14th frequently to M'r Brodrick - likewise on the 28th Sept observ'd to Capt Colby that as it was then late there might possibly be a necessity of attacking it, in order to bring off the troops, & said in that case I suppos'd, as an Englishman who wish'd well to his country - he wou'd urge the Adm'l to do it - Believe I spoke to the same purpose afterwards to M'r Brodrick in the America -

Question: Of what strength did Fouras appear to you when you first reconnoitr'd it?

Ans: I saw it immediately after the attack of the Isle of Aix & it appear'd to me to be a weak fortress: the front & parapets were of masonry which; I conceive must have been of advantage; & consisted of a straight line of a wall & another within that higher up & no out-works (I speak of the side nearest the sea) - Could not from my eye discover the land-side or get one word of intelligence concerning it at that time - There were 24 embrazures to the sea-side & a battery beyond, which battery I did