This Day in History: January 31

We have just now received very unpleasant intelligence from the West Indies, Mr. Bingham 'tis said writes from Martinico that General Grant had possessed himself of the Island of St. Lucia. Count d'Estaing having block'd up four British Ships of the Line, which were Iying in the Bason or Harbor, landed a body of Troops and attempted to force one of the Enemys works, these were severely repulsed, and the Count after having sustained a loss of upwards of fifteen hundred Men, had desisted from the Enterprise, and retired. He had been reinforced by four Ships of the Line from France, and two captured English Frigates. I have not time to enquire into particulars, but as the Account is against us, there is no ground for suspecting exaggeration. [More]