general Lincoln on his giving up Charlestown, of Good Hope; the court of France however was now refused to lord Cornwallis; and gen- not being unapprized of its destination, diseral Lincoln was appointed to receive the sub-patched a fleet of superior force from Brest, mission of the royal army at York-Town, under the command of M. de Suffrein, to precisely in the same way his own had been counteract the design of the British commoconducted about eighteen months before. dore. The French overtook the English Lord Cornwallis endeavored to obtain per- squadron at the Cape de Verd Islands, on the mission for the British and German troops sixteenth of April, and though the latter to return to their respective countries, under was at anchor in a neutral port (Port Praya, no other restrictions than an engagement in the island of St. Jago), and consequently not to serve against France or America. He under the protection of the Portuguese flag, also tried to obtain an indemnity for those proceeded to attack it. The British squadof the inhabitants who had joined him; but ron was thrown into some confusion on the he was obliged to recede from the former, first attack, and the conduct of the commoand also to consent that the loyalists in his dore has not escaped censure on this occacamp should be given up to the uncondition- sion. The native valor of the British seaal mercy of their countrymen. His lordship men, however, soon displayed itself, and the nevertheless obtained permission for the Bo- outward-bound India ships which came unnetta sloop of war to pass unexamined to der convoy of the commodore, taking an acNew-York. This gave an opportunity of tive part in the engagement, the French screening such of them as were most obnox- were beaten off, but not without the loss of ious to the Americans. seventy-seven killed and wounded on the The regular troops of France and Amer- part of the English. The object of the exica, employed in this siege, consisted of about pedition was by this rencounter completely seven thousand of the former, and five thou- defeated. sand five hundred of the latter; and they As before mentioned, a fleet of twenty were assisted by about four thousand militia. sail of the line, and a fifty-four gun ship, had On the part of the combined army about sailed from Brest, under the command of M. three hundred were killed or wounded: on de Grasse; and as the French had already the part of the British about five hundred, eight sail of the line and a fifty gun ship at and seventy were taken in the redoubts, Martinique and St. Domingo, it was genewhich were carried by assault on the four- rally supposed they would have a decided teenth of October. The troops of every superiority in the West Indies. The British kind that surrendered prisoners of war ex- fleet was weakened by the admiral's sending ceeded seven thousand men; but so great a squadron under the command of commowas the number of sick and wounded, that dore Hotham, with the convoy which conthere were only three thousand capable of veyed the Eustatia treasure to England, bearing arms. which reduced his fleet to twenty-one sail A British fleet and an army of seven thou- of the line. As it was therefore of the utsand men, destined for the relief of lord most importance to intercept the squadron Cornwallis, arrived off the Chesapeak on of de Grasse, admiral Rodney detached the the twenty-fourth of October; but on re- admirals Hood and Drake, with seventeen ceiving advice of his lordship's surrender, sail, for that purpose, while he remained himthey returned to Sandy-hook and New-York. self at St. Eustatia, with a few ships, for its Such was the fate of that general, from protection.

whose gallantry and previous successes the On the twenty-ninth of April the French speedy conquest of the southern states had fleet appeared in sight of the British admibeen so confidently expected. No event ral Hood as he lay in the channel of St. Luduring the war promised fairer for overset- cia. The French convoy got safe into the ting the independence of at least a part of harbor of Fort Royal in Martinique, and the confederacy, than his complete victory four ships of the line, and a fifty gun ship at Camden; but by the consequences of that out of the same harbor, were enabled to join action, his lordship became the occasion of the French fleet. The enemy, notwithstandrendering that a revolution, which from his ing this superiority, appeared desirous of previous success was in danger of terminat- avoiding a general engagement, and after ing as a rebellion. The loss of his army many ineffectual endeavors on the part of may be considered as the closing scene of the English to gain the wind, so as to force the continental war in North America. the French admiral to a decisive action, both EXPEDITION OF COMMODORE JOHN- fleets ceased firing, and each claimed the STONE-OPERATIONS IN THE WEST victory. To the French indeed it was almost productive of equal consequences; for

INDIES.

In the beginning of the campaign a squad- though they lost the greatest number of men ron of ships, under the command of commo- in the action, five of the English ships were dore Johnstone, was sent against the Cape so disabled as to be rendered unfit for imme

diate service. Thus the superiority of the troops were in a wretched state of despondenemy in those seas was decided and irre- ency; the Sepoys deserting, the inhabitants sistible. M. de Grasse, on the following day, treacherous, and all the resources cut off. was desirous of bringing the contest to that The general, therefore, ordered dispatches conclusive point which before he had evad- at the same time to Sir Edward Hughes and ed; but Sir Samuel Hood disappointed him to general Goddard, to urge them to be acby his masterly movements, by which the tive in distressing the possessions of Hyder English fleet arrived safe at Antigua after on the Malabar coast, and to promote as being pursued by the French. much as possible a peace with the Mahrat

On the twenty-sixth of May, admiral Rod-tas. ney received intelligence from governor In the beginning of the year 1781, HyFerguson that the French fleet had appear- der's force within the boundaries of the Cared off the island of Tobago on the twenty-natic alone was estimated at above one hunthird; upon which admiral Drake was dis- dred thousand men, while that of Sir Eyre patched with six sail of the line and some Coote did not exceed seven thousand. land forces to its relief. Upon reaching the The two armies encountered near Porto island on the morning of the thirtieth, ad- Novo on the first of July. At seven in the miral Drake discovered the enemy's fleet, morning the British troops proceeded from of twenty sail, between him and the land; that place, and after an hour's march came he was therefore obliged to retreat. When in sight of the enemy strongly posted. Hyadmiral Rodney on the fourth of June arriv- der's artillery was well served by Europeans, ed off the island, with twenty sail of the or those instructed by them, and did considline, he found it in possession of the enemy; erable execution. In this critical situation, the next day he saw the French fleet of a bold movement was necessary; and the twenty-four sail of the line, with which he British general determined to turn the right did not think it prudent to engage on ac- of the enemy. Fortunately the country account of their superiority; he therefore re-corded with his wishes, and by this moveturned to Barbadoes. ment he was enabled to take the enemy ob

It may be necessary to remark in this liquely, and avoid the full front and fire of place the ill fate which attended the booty their works and batteries. In this manner seized by the plunderers of St. Eustatia. the first line only decided the fortune of the The homeward-bound convoy, which convey-day. Though Hyder, with great dexterity ed a great part of the property, was almost and promptness, formed a new front to reentirely captured by the French in the chan-ceive the British general, and detached a nel, on the second of May; and the island large body of infantry to prevent the second itself was taken on the twenty-sixth of No- line from obtaining possession of some high vember following, by four ships of the line, grounds, yet at length European order and and a handful of men, under the command discipline was victorious over the undisciof the marquis de Bouille, and the whole English garrison made prisoners of war. The island of St. Martin submitted at the same time to the French arms.

SUCCESSES IN INDIA.-HYDER ALLY

DEFEATED.

plined rabble of an eastern camp. Hyder was obliged to retreat, after leaving three thousand of his best troops dead on the field of battle.

In the course of the following month the British gained a second victory over Hyder, after fighting from nine in the morning till sun-set, within about sixteen miles of the city of Trepassore.

WHEN we turn our attention towards the East Indies, we find the British forces more successful than in the West. After the defeat of colonel Baillie, the whole Carnatic In the mean time the shipping of Hyder was evacuated by the British, and Madras Ally was destroyed by Sir Edward Hughes, itself might be considered as in a state of in his own ports of Callicut and Mangalore. blockade. The arrival of the indefatigable The Dutch also fatally experienced the valor Sir Eyre Coote, in the latter end of 1780, and enterprise of the British forces in that and the vigorous measures which he pursu-quarter of the globe.

ed, effected a sudden and unexpected change, Some gentlemen of the factory at Fort and relieved, almost at a single blow, the Marlborough, in the month of August, underCarnatic from the ravages of a dangerous took an expedition against Sumatra ; and all and remorseless enemy. In two days after the Dutch settlements on the western coast his arrival he took his seat at the council- of that island were reduced without any loss. board, and produced orders from the supreme The town and fortress of Negapatam, in the government of Bengal, for the suspension of Tanjore country (one of the most valuable Mr. Whitehill, the president, whose intem- of the Dutch settlements on the continent perate conduct had been a chief cause of of India), surrendered by capitulation to the alienating the affections of the Nizam. English on the twelfth of November, after a siege of twenty-two days.

Upon the arrival of Sir Eyre Coote, the

ENGAGEMENT WITH THE DUTCH. the combined fleets returned with the arroTHE inactivity of the Dutch has been at- gant intention of annihilating, for ever, the tributed to the treachery of certain persons, naval force of England. The hostile fleets employed in high offices of trust under the appeared in the British channel before the States-general, secretly in league with the ministry had any information of their movecourt of London. ments; and it was owing to the accidental To harass the trade of Holland, and to pro- meeting of a neutral vessel that admiral tect that of England, a squadron was fitted Darby had time to escape into Torbay with out at Portsmouth, in the month of June, and the British fleet. The count de Guichen was the command given to admiral Sir Hyde for an immediate attack upon the British Parker. The Dutch seemed, at an instant, ships as they lay; a contrary opinion was to awake from their torpid inactivity; and supported by M. Boussel, an officer of great by the middle of July, a considerable fleet reputation, who pointed out the danger there was fitted out in the Texel, under the com- would be in attacking admiral Darby, in his mand of admiral Zoutman, who sailed about present situation, as they could not hear that period, with a considerable convoy un-down upon him in a line of battle abreast, der his protection. The British admiral was but must go down upon the enemy singly. then on his return with the convoy from The Spanish admiral, and the major part of Elsineur. The hostile fleets met and fought the officers of the fleet, coincided with M. on the morning of the fifth of August off the Boussel in opinion: besides, the leaky con Dogger Bank. The force of the Dutch was dition of the ships, and the mortality which seven ships of the line, and ten frigates; and prevailed among the seamen, were further the British squadron consisted only of six inducements to refrain from an immediate ships of the line, and five frigates, but was attack.

Spanish squadron was scarcely in a condition to reach its destined port, the etiquette of that frivolous court forbade its entrance into a French harbor.

superior in weight of metal to the Dutch The combined fleets, after waiting in vain fleet: the firing on both sides was restrained for some time to intercept our homewardtill the ships came within half-musket shot bound ships, were obliged, from the hard of each other; and the action continued with weather, which set in about September, to an unceasing fire for three hours and forty return to port as soon as possible. M. Guiminutes, till the vessels on both sides were chen took shelter in Brest; but though the so shattered that they became unmanageable and unable to form a line to renew the combat. For a considerable time both squadrons lay to in this condition; at length the Dutch, with their convoy, bore away for the Texel; and admiral Parker was in no condition to follow them. The English lost one hundred and four men killed, and three hundred and thirty-nine wounded; the loss of the enemy must have been more considerable. It was attributed to the neglect of the admiralty that the advantages on the part of the English were not greater.

In the beginning of December M. de Guichen sailed again from Brest with nineteen ships of the line, and a considerable convoy of merchant-ships. Admiral Kempenfelt was dispatched to intercept them with no more than twelve sail of the line. On the twelfth the British admiral encountered the enemy in a hard gale of wind, when both fleet and convoy were considerably dispersed. With It was owing to the remissness of the same much professional skill he cut off twenty of department, that the French fleet from Brest, the convoy, and afterwards drew up in a line under the count de Guichen, was permitted of battle to face the enemy, when, for the to form a junction with the Spanish fleet first time, he was apprized of his great infrom Cadiz, in the latter end of July. The feriority, and was obliged to retreat. The combined fleets consisted of forty-nine ships gross neglect of the admiralty excited the of the line, and carried with them ten thou- discontent of the public, when they saw so sand land forces for the reduction of Minor- favorable an opportunity lost of regaining ca. After landing the troops upon that island, the honor of the British flag.

CHAPTER XVIII.

Decline of Lord North's Influence-Session of Parliament-King's Speech-Motion against offensive War with America-Petitions against the War-Misconduct of Admiralty-General Conway's Motion against the War-Dissolution of the Ministry-New Ministry-Popular Measures-Affairs of Ireland-Reform Bills-Minorca taken-French Fleet in the West Indies defeated by Rodney-Misfortunes of West India Fleet-Bahamas taken by the Spaniards-Defeat of Spaniards at Gibraltar-New Administration.

DECLINE OF LORD NORTH'S INFLUENCE. Jappointed to introduce the motion. In the -KING'S SPEECH TO PARLIAMENT. beginning of the debate, lord North rose to NOTWITHSTANDING ministers had flattered make a declaration, that it was no longer in themselves that they had secured such a the contemplation of government to prosemajority at the general election, as to render cute the war internally in America, but that their power permanent and irresistible, yet the whole form and conduct of it was to unit soon appeared that they were mistaken in dergo a total change. The motion of oppothis opinion, and that of the new members sition, however, went no farther than to dethe majority were secretly disposed to favor clare, that the war has hitherto been inefthe whig party. From the moment of the fectual to the purposes for which it was uncapture of lord Cornwallis, all discerning dertaken, and that all further attempts to men foresaw the downfall of lord North's reduce the Americans by force, would be administration, and the wavering and venal injurious to the interests of the country. phalanx in the senate had already begun to In the course of the debate, general Burmake overtures to the leaders of opposition. goyne acknowledged that he was now

In the midst of the dissatisfaction and gene- convinced the principle of the American ral ill-humor created by the repeated dis- war was wrong, though he had not been of graces which had attended the British arms that opinion when he engaged in the serin America, the parliament assembled on vice. Passion, and prejudice, and interest, the twenty-seventh of November 1781. In were now no more, and reason and observathe speech from the throne, his majesty ob- tion had led him to a very different concluserved, "that the war was still unhappily sion: and he now saw that the American prolonged, and that to his great concern, the war was only one part of a system levelled events of it had been very unfortunate to his against the constitution of this country, and army in Virginia, having ended in the total the general rights of mankind." loss of his forces in that province. But he The minister stated various arguments could not consent to sacrifice, either to his against the motion, such as the impolicy of own desire of peace, or to the temporary pointing out to the enemy what was to be ease and relief of his subjects, those essen- the future system of the war. On the vote tial rights and permanent interests upon of this day, the minister experienced a dewhich the strength and security of this fection of about twenty of those members country must ever principally depend." His who usually divided with him, as Sir James majesty declared, "that he retained a firm Lowther's motion was rejected by only a confidence in the protection of Divine Provi- majority of forty-one, or two hundred and dence, and a perfect conviction of the jus- twenty against one hundred and seventytice of his cause" and he concluded by call-nine.

mons.

ing "for the concurrence and support of The late hour to which the debate on the parliament, and a vigorous, animated, and twelfth had been protracted, made it necesunited exertion of the faculties and resources sary to defer proceeding on the business of of his people." the army estimates till the following Friday, A motion for an address of thanks, in the fourteenth of December, when the subject usual style, was made in the house of com- of the American war underwent, for the fourth time since the beginning of the sesMOTION AGAINST AMERICAN WAR. sion, a long and vehement discussion. The Nor discouraged by repeated defeats, the secretary at war informed the house, that minority, on the twelfth of December, re- the whole force of the army, including the newed their opposition to the American war militia of the kingdom, required for the serunder the form of a specific motion; two vice of the year 1782, would amount to one of the leading men among the landed inter-hundred and ninety-five thousand men. One est, Sir James Lowther and Powys, were hundred thousand seamen and marines had ·

been already voted by the house. It was, disastrous, could not itself be considered however, stated by lord George Germaine, but as a great and grievous calamity." Seve"that the ministry were of opinion, consid-ral other remonstrances and addresses were ering the present situation of affairs, and brought in from other places; and the speedy the misfortunes of the war, that it would not dissolution of the ministry appeared evident. be right to continue any longer the plan on 1782.-An inquiry into the conduct of the which it had hitherto been conducted; and first lord of the admiralty was the first busithat a fresh army would not be sent to sup-ness of parliament after the recess. The ply the place of that captured at York- accusation was opened on the twenty-third Town. It was intended only to preserve of January 1782, with great address and such posts in America as might facilitate ability, by Mr. Fox.

and co-operate with the enterprises of our In support of the motion it was urged that fleets." our naval armaments had been always too General Conway declared himself "anxi- late to be attended with any success; and ous for a recall of our fleets and armies from that the earl of Sandwich had uniformly negAmerica. Of two evils, he would choose lected to send fleets at the opening of the the least, and submit to the independence several campaigns, to prevent the junction of America, rather than persist in the prose- of the French and Spanish squadrons; nor cution of so pernicious and ruinous a war. had he, at the conclusion of those campaigns, As to the idea now suggested of a war of made any attempts to attack or to annoy posts, what garrisons, he asked, would be their separate force. The confederate fleets, able to maintain them, when it was well amounting to sixty sail of the line, under known that even Sir Henry Clinton, at count d'Orvilliers, had appeared in the chanNew-York, did not consider himself as se-nel, with every mark of triumph, for two cure?" campaigns, not only unresisted but even Fox remarked, “that four years ago, after shunned by our naval armaments. The the disaster of Saratoga, the noble lord at chevalier de Ternay had also been suffered the head of affairs had amused the house to proceed unmolested with his ships to with the same language as at present. Then America, when he transported thither those the plan of future hostilities was to be dif- French troops which afterwards served under ferently modified, and the war conducted on general Washington, and assisted in the a smaller and more contracted scale. On capture of Lord Cornwallis and his army. this contracted scale, however, we had lost Captain Moutray, and the large fleet of East another great army, besides suffering other and West Indiamen under his convoy, had grievous defeats, and irretrievable calami- been betrayed into the hands of the enemy, ties." by being directed to repair to Madeira;

Pitt reprobated, with the utmost force of whereby they were of necessity obliged to language, "as a species of obstinacy bor- proceed in that track which could not fail dering upon madness, the idea of any fur- to conduct them to the naval armaments of ther prosecution of the American war, with the enemy. Indeed, the first lord of the our fleets opposed by a superior force, and admiralty had acted uniformly as the ally our armies in captivity. He appealed to the and servant of the house of Bourbon; and whole house, whether every description of so had the rest of his majesty's ministers; men did not detest and execrate the Ameri- without whose aid, the wisdom of a Frankcan war, and whether it were uncharitable lin, the valor and the prudence of a Mauto implore the Almighty to shower down his repas, the vigilance of a Sartine, the craft vengeance on the men who were the authors of their country's ruin?" PETITIONS AGAINST THE WAR-MIS

of a de Caistres, the policy of America, and all the vigor and resources of France and Spain, though doubly formidable from their confederacy with Holland, could never have THE approbation of the people to the cause attained the power of overwhelming our of the minority now appeared in several pe- once invincible dominions with so much distitions and remonstrances which were pre- grace and calamity.

CONDUCT OF ADMIRALTY.

sented against the war. The city of London, The culprit was defended by captain John on this occasion, led the way in a very strong Luttrel, lord Mulgrave and lord North. remonstrance, in which they tell his majesty, After some altercation, however, it was "Your armies have been captured; your do- agreed, that the inquiry should be referred minions have been lost; and your majesty's to a committee of the whole house, on the faithful subjects have been loaded with a following Thursday; and this was followed burden of taxes, which, even if our victories by resolutions for certain papers, which had been as splendid as our defeats have were necessary to substantiate the criminal been disgraceful; if our accession of do- charges. The committee of inquiry having minion had been as fortunate as the dismem- been, from various causes, delayed to the berment of the empire has been cruel and seventh of February, Fox on that day rose