A Letter to Lord Robert Bertie

a Time, alas! when it ought to have been invincible. Besides, we have been told of the immense Rate at which our Enemy's Ships failed, (if we were capable of being bubbled by so palpable an Imposition) which must necessarily disappoint our most vigorous Efforts in the Chace.

And yet, notwithstanding these unsurmountable Difficulties, which it was Mr. Byng's peculiar Misfortune to encounter with, your Friends cannot cease to believe, with the most exquisite Concern and Regret, that it was in our Power to have destroyed their boasted Squadron, and abundantly revenged their Invasion of Minorca.

What Instance can be produced in our naval Records, where so small a Difference in Strength was ever urged to vindicate a timorous Action, or justify a hasty Retreat. There has been a time when our Captains, so far from being terrified with a formidable Enemy, have exulted in their Superiority--improved it to their own greater Glory, and envied no Success but what has been obtained by uneq