Minorca remained a French possession from 1756 for seven years
till 1763, when it was again ceded to Britain under the Treaty of Paris at the end of the Seven Years War. As a measure of Britain's victory over France, Britain also gained Canada, Florida, numerous islands in the West Indies, and a free hand in India.
This short French occupation of Minorca was a happy one, for France was Catholic, and this eliminated many of the frictions under British rule. Their first governor was Count Cayetano de Lannion from Brittany, and Minorcans look upon him as one of the best governors they ever had. During this period the French built the little town of San Luis to house Breton sailors. Its little church is of this period, and bears the arms of Louis XV of France, after which the town is named.
The second British occupation of Minorca, which lasted for nineteen years, from 1763 to 1782, was less harmonious, owing to unsympathetic or self-seeking governors, and a fresh turn of the political wheel that brought new disasters to Britain. Once more there was neglect of the island's defences. The first British governor was General Johnston who served from 1763 till 1774, except for intervals when he was recalled to England for inquiry into his administration. Minorcans found him despotic, and unduly influenced by his wife, Lady Clare, who did not like the island. The Minorcan writer Verdaguer introduces them into his novel Piedras y Viento (Stones and Wind) about the island during this period. General Moystin, deputy-governor in 1771, is notable for having initiated the building of Georgetown, now known as Villa Carlos, and demolished the old suburb of San Felipe adjoining the fort. The military hospital on the King's Island in Port Mahon also dates from this year.
General John Murray succeeded Sir George Howard as governor in 1774, and was the last to hold the post during the second occupation. The appointment was evidently still considered important, as he was a distinguished soldier who had been one of Wolfe's brigadiers at the siege of Quebec, and had previously been governor of the new colony of Canada. He had a reputation for harshness.
Murray had further – familiar - cause for worry. Britain was feeling a strain on her sea communications brought about by her new far-flung empire, so that Minorca was again being starved of both men and supplies. In a personal letter to a friend at home at this time about a consignment of wine and grief at the death of his wife, he shows a deep distrust of the home administration. By 1778 Britain and France were again at war, and graver events cast their shadows.
The destinies of Minorca and Gibraltar became closely linked. In 1778 the four years' siege of Gibraltar began, and troops and supplies for Minorca had to pass through Gibraltar. There they were frequently retained by Gibraltar, who felt their own need was greater. In spite of this, Minorca gave much voluntary help to Gibraltar at this time. At night small supply ships from Minorca would break the blockade and slip into Gibraltar.
Minorcans and British even sent food parcels to their friends, until General Elliott, governor of the 'Rock' put a stop to it as he said 'at least a third of each vessel's cargo was employed for selfish purposes'. By 1781 Gibraltar's plight was so desperate that it was entirely dependent on Minorca for food and livestock, and Elliott and Murray secretly arranged convoys from Minorca to bring more massive supplies. France was fully aware of the source of all this help, and it was inevitable that she would put a stop to it by once more invading Minorca.
Unknown to Murray, a Spanish nobleman in the guise of a merchant had secretly visited Minorca in 1779 to gauge the likelihood of support from the Minorcan gentry in the event of a joint Franco-Spanish invasion, and his report had been satisfactory. And in 1781 Murray, having quickly overcome his grief at the loss of his wife, and married the daughter of the British consul in Majorca, now evacuated her and a child to Leghorn for safety, owing to his certainty of attack.
Diplomacy to save Minorca took the most bizarre twists at this time. It was suggested that Britain offer the island to Russia (retaining the right to use Port Mahon) if Catherine the Great would intervene, and bring about peace with France and Spain.

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