we read of no further attempt upon gibraltar until 1720. at that time the spanish fortress of ceuta, on the african coast, was beleaguered by the moors; and with the professed intention of relieving it, a large armament was collected in gibraltar bay, under the marquis de leda. the british government, however, received information that the real object of the expedition was the surprise of gibraltar; and accordingly ordered the governor of minorca to embark immediately with a portion of his troops and reinforce its garrison. on his arrival, he found that this important post was defended by three battalions only; that the stores contained provisions for scarcely fourteen days; and this with a strong spanish fleet in the bay. he took such active measures, however, that{22} the marquis de leda was obliged to abandon all hopes of carrying the rock, and to sail for ceuta.
towards the end of 1726 the spaniards assembled an army near algesiras, which, in the following january, they moved to the plain below san roque. soon after this camp was formed, the count de los torres, the spanish commander, advanced within reach of the garrison. brigadier kane then despatched a message, desiring the count to retire from the range of his guns, or he would do his utmost to force him. the count replied that, as the garrison could command no more than they had power to maintain, he should obey his catholic majesty’s orders, and push forward as far as he was able. the english general was forced to bear with this insolence, because war had not yet been formally declared between england and spain.
the situation was altered, however, when in february the spaniards began to erect batteries on the neutral ground. it was felt that this movement was an open declaration of hostile intentions, and the english guns began to fire on the spanish workmen. information having been received that the enemy were constructing a mine, our engineers succeeded in discovering the spot, and baffling their{23} operations. on the morning of the 22nd a sharp fire was opened on the garrison, and new batteries were run up which commanded the old mole and the town. the besieged, however, relaxed nothing in their efforts, and maintained the defence with persistent vigour, though their ordnance, being old, were constantly bursting, and inflicting almost as much injury on our own gunners as on the enemy.
the english admirals, on the 2nd of april, resolved on bombarding algesiras, whence the spaniards received their supplies of ammunition; but the ships being becalmed, were compelled to drop anchor; after which, says drinkwater, the navy never gave themselves any further concern about annoying them in that quarter. on the 16th, two sergeants, with ten men each, were ordered to push along under the rock, and alarm the enemy in the trenches; the governor intending, when they were sufficiently aroused, to rake them with discharges of grape. the sergeants did their duty, and the enemy instantly beat to arms; but the bombardier charged with the duty of signalling to the batteries fired too soon, and the spaniards, discovering the man?uvre, quickly retired under cover.
shortly afterwards news arrived of the con{24}clusion of peace, and the spanish accordingly dismantled their works and retreated to their different quarters.
the rock now continued in the possession of the english for many years, without any attempt being made to disturb them; and we may pass over half a century in silence, taking up our record again in 1776, when the right hon. general george augustus elliot was appointed governor. his name will long be remembered in connection with the famous siege of 1779.
