Next day a Council of War determined to change the attack against St. Pierre's, when the troops returned on board, and the guns were destroyed. After some consideration this idea was also relinquished, and it was resolved to proceed against Guadaloupe. Having made that island upon the morning of the 23d, a disposition of attack, against Basseterre and the Forts, was given out, which commenced at nine, and continued, without an interval, until night, when the whole were silenced. The loss was confined in this long and heavy cannonade, to Lieutenant Roberts, of Marines, in the Norfolk, killed; Captain Trelawney, of the Lyon, Lieutenants Curle and Chaudy, of Marines, on board that ship and the Rippon, wounded; with 30 of different descriptions killed and 60 wounded. The town was unhappily set on fire, which irritated the flying inhabitants to a more vigorous defence of the island. Upon the 24th the troops were landed, when the French abandoned the works they had began on the rising ground behind Basseterre, without opposition. Our army took possession of them and halted there during the night. Next morning the enemy also deserted the citadel, retiring towards the mountains with the resolution of resting their future defence upon the chance of sickness gaining ground amongst our troops, and of succours from Europe. The 61st regiment, under Major Teesdale, was directed to occupy the town and citadel. This detachment owed their salvation to a Genoese deserter, who informed the Commanding Officer, when on the eve of entering the latter, of their impending danger from the explosion of a mine to which the train had been laid, and that was to have been fired by a Negro, who, unaware of the hazard to himself, was bribed to this duty. By pushing rapidly into the citadel, the train was found, and timely swept away, as the dark coloured emissary was advancing, with drunken and staggering steps, to have executed the diabolical design. Upon the 25th the field pieces, and every necessary implement were landed, and the ground marked out for the different regiments, in such a manner as to co-operate instantly when required. A corps of Light Infantry, drawn from the several Battalions, was also formed and placed under the command of Major (now General) Melville, which rendered very essential services. The French Commandant, Mons. Nadau, took post in a deep cleft of the mountains, which commanded his supplies from Cape Terres, by far the best cultivated quarter of the island. Every approach to this recess was also guarded by intrenchments. Upon the 26th a summons was sent him, which he modestly but firmly rejected.