CHAP. XXXI.

CHAP. XXXI.

Eleven thousand Marines constituted the establishment of 1778.

Until the close of the last year France stood in awe, and continued to cherish the flames of rebellion by assurances only of support. Remarking the humbled spirit of our nation, at all times too prone to over-rate its calamities, that Power became less cautious, and in a little time avowed her inimical purposes. This was accelerated by a meditated plan of reconciliation, which had undergone the sanction of Parliament, and was about being submitted to the American revolters.

To circumvent its effects, our natural enemy closed with these States a treaty of commerce and defensive alliance upon the 6th of February, which inspired them with a well-timed hope of rising superior to all their pressures. Never did Mercy appear in such odious colours, as when she went forth to the Colonists. Her good offices were every where rejected with contempt and disdain, of which the American Congress gave a conspicuous example. The British Army too, could not recognize Her, and doubted much whether She was of true English origin.

Winter had suspended every active essay on the part of both armies, excepting in the case of some detachments that were from necessity pushed into the country for supplying our numerous forces in Philadelphia; to afford a protection to the suffering Loyalists, and to annihilate the ships and vessels of the rebels, which still remained higher up the Delaware river.

One of these was entrusted to the Hon. Major Maitland, who had long served with distinguished credit in the Corps of Marines, whose high military talents had recently paved the way for his transit into the line, and which placed him, at this time, at the head of a Battalion of Light Infantry.

In conjunction with Captain Henry, of the Royal Navy, who commanded a force of three gallies and other armed small craft, the Major embarked in some flat-bottomed boats, with the 2d Battalion of Light troops, upon the 7th of May. Agreeably to his instructions, he proceeded to destroy the rebel Marine between Philadelphia and Trenton.

At ten on the noon of the 8th, he landed at White-hill, where a superior force of the enemy, chiefly Cavalry, seemed determined to oppose his progress. After having got ashore some field-pieces, Major Maitland pushed on towards Bordentown with great alacrity, driving before him the rebels, and surmounting, with much spirit, many local obstacles. Here he took five guns that commanded the river, and burnt a large quantity of provisions, tobacco, military stores, and camp equipage.

The enemy began to collect in great numbers at Trenton, where they looked for this flying detachment; but its leader, after indulging them in this idea, suddenly struck off towards the river, re-embarked, and took post on the Pennsylvania shore.

Early on the morning of the 9th, he advanced to Biles-island Creek, burnt some valuable vessels, moved on to Bristol, thirteen miles distant, in the afternoon destroyed every ship there, and returned, with his active followers, on board the boats at sun-set. Never was the distinguishing motto of "hilariter et celeriter," more truly exemplified than throughout these rapid duties. The manner in which this service was performed, was highly characteristic of the genius of that man who so completely achieved it.

The rebel loss amounted to 2 frigates, 9 large ships, 6 privateers, 23 brigs, and many schooners; besides an immensity of goods and stores.

The Navy very justly were entitled to their share in these honourable transactions.

General Howe soon after resigned his command to Sir Henry Clinton, whose first measure was the evacuation of Philadelphia, upon the morning of the 18th of June. In this retreat they were materially aided by the ships of war, as the whole Army, by the admirable dispositions of Lord Howe, were conveyed and encamped on the Jersey shore before ten at noon. Their retrograde progress to New York, with its attending incidents, are events unconnected with my purpose.

The preparations of France had preceded her hostile avowals.

Count D'Estaing, putting to sea from Toulon in April, made the Virginia coast early in the month of July. His hopes were to have found the British Fleet and Army, in the Delaware, and at Philadelphia, and by an united attack with General Washington on both, to have struck a blow at once decisive of the fate of America. Disappointed in these, he proceeded off New York, and after a few menaces he again disappeared, at first shaping his course to the Southward. But this was merely to cover his design against Rhode Island, in concert with a rebel force under General Sullivan. The French Admiral entered that harbour upon the 8th of August, anchoring his fleet between Newport and Conanicut.

Advice having been sent to Lord Howe, at New York, of the enemy's motions, his Lordship hastened to relieve the Garrison, and arrived in sight of it on the morning of the 9th.

D'Estaing, seizing a favourable wind, pushed out again, and formed in line, with the evident resolution of hazarding a battle. After two days of able manœuvring on the part of Lord Howe to gain the wind, which was thwarted by adverse circumstances, he quietly awaited the enemy's attack. Just on the eve of conflict, Neptune interposed, and scattered the hostile fleets.

This produced some single actions, in which English valour uniformly triumphed against powerful superiority, but was rendered unavailing in every instance, by the contingencies of fortune. The gallantry of Dawson, Hotham, and Raynor will appear indelible upon our Naval annals, as well as the bravery of those Seamen and Marines who so nobly seconded them.

The French Fleet, after recovering from the storm, again peeped into Rhode Island, from whence the rebels had retreated in confusion. It gladly took refuge in Boston, whither Lord Howe followed it, but durst not attempt so strong a position.

Thus D'Estaing gained but little from his system of surprize. He was a fit agent to have executed the insidious schemes of his Court, when we recollect his breach of parole in the East, which would have made him the sanctioned victim to a halter, if he had fallen within our power.

The appearance of a new and natural foe seemed to revive in every breast the flame of patriotism. At no period of our national existence did the English character appear more great. The Commercial Sailor vied with his Majesty's servants in the Fleet and Army in this noble and emulous zeal.

Admiral Byron having sailed from England in the beginning of June, reached the American coast with his fleet, but in a detached and shattered state. An evil planet seemed to rule over all his destinies, and his good fortune fell much short of his merit. Lord Howe having resigned the Naval command to that Officer, he proceeded off Boston, after having repaired all damages, from which he was driven to Rhode Island by a heavy gale that proved fatal to some of his ships. Of this D'Estaing took occasion to slip out, and with a powerful force aimed his future efforts against our West India islands.

Thither Commodore Hotham was detached with ten regiments, under General Grant, who joined Admiral Barrington at Barbadoes on the 10th of December, and on the 12th proceeded against St. Lucia. Here the army landed, while the squadron anchored in the Cul de Sac, where some Seamen and Marines were disembarked to man the batteries on each side of the harbour.

D'Estaing, who had reached Martinique, sailed also to realize his plans of conquest; but hearing of the descent upon St. Lucia, he resolved upon relieving it. The attempt was fruitless, but it yielded the display of much obstinate valour on both sides. The French were completely beaten, and the island fell.

It would carry me beyond my purposed bounds to dwell upon the many events of this year. The Marine Soldier was almost entirely limited to Naval duties, which were, in a detached sense, both numerous and brilliant upon the coasts of America.

In the indecisive battle of the 27th of July, between the grand Fleets of Britain and France, Lieutenant John M'Donald, of Marines, on board the Prince George, was wounded.