Retrospective view of American affairs in the year 1778. Expedition to

Bedford, Fair Haven, and to Martha's Vineyard. Admiral Montague

dispossesses the French of the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon.

Lord Cornwallis, and Gen. Knyphausen, advance into the enemy's coun-

try, on both sides of the North River. Surprize of Baylor's light horse.

Success of the expedition to Egg Harbour. Surprize of Pulaski's le-

gion. Cruel depredation by Butler, Brandt, and the savages, on the

back frontiers. Destruction of the new settlement at Wyoming, attended

with circumstances of singular cruelty and barbarity. Col. Clarke's

expedition from Virginia, for the reduction of the Canadian towns and

settlements in the Illinois country. Consequences of Clarke's success.

Expedition from Schoharie to the Upper Susquehanna. Destruction of

the Unadilla and Anaquago settlements.

p. [1

CHA P. II.

Review of conciliatory measures pursued by the commissioners for restoring

peace in America. Attempt to open and smooth the way to a negotiation

by private communications and correspondence, fails in the effect, and is

highly resented by the Congress. Resolutions by that body against

holding any communication or intercourse with one of the Commissioners.

Gentleman in question declines acting any longer in the commission, and

publishes a declaration in answer to the Congress. Declaration from

the remaining commissioners in answer to that body. Final manifesto

and proclamation by the commissioners. Cautionary measures recom-

mended

mended by the Congress to the people; followed by a counter manifesto,

threatening retaliation. Singular letter from the Marquis de la

Fayette to the Earl of Carlisle. American expedition for the reduction

of the British settlements in the country of the Natches, on the borders

of the Missisippi. Expedition from New York, under the conduct of

Commodore Parker and Colonel Campbell, for the reduction of the pro-

vince of Georgia. Landing made good, and the rebels defeated.

Town of Savannah taken, and the province in general reduced. Major-

General Precost arrives from the southward; takes the town and fort

of Sunbury, and assumes the principal command.
[18

CHA P. III.

Island of Dominica taken by the Marquis de Bouille, governor of Marti-

nico. State of the French fleet at Boston. Riot between the French and

inhabitants. Desperate riot between the French and American sailors

in the city and port of Charles Town. M. D'Estaing sails from Boston

for the West Indies; having first issued a declaration addressed to the

French Canadians. Admiral Byron's fleet driven off from the coast of

New England by a violent hurricane, which afforded an opportunity for

the departure of the French squadron. British fleet detained at Rhode

Island, to repair the damages sustained in the tempest. Reinforcement

sent from New York to the West Indies, under the conduct of Commo-

dore Hotham and Major-General Grant: narrowly miss falling in

with the French fleet: join Admiral Barrington at Barbadoes, and

proceed together to the reduction of the island of St. Lucia: troops

land, take the French posts in the neighbourhood of the Grand Cul de

Sac: proceed to Morne Fortune and the Viergie. M. D'Estaing ap-

pears in sight, with a vast superiority both of land and marine force:

attacks the British squadron in the Grand Cul de Sac; and is bravely

repulsed by Admiral Barrington, twice in the same day. French land

their troops in Choc Bay: attack General Meadows three times in the

Viergie; are repulsed every time, and at length defeated with great

loss. Great glory obtained by the British forces, both by sea and land,

in these several encounters. M. D'Estaing, after ten days longer

stay, abandons the island of St. Lucia, without any farther attempt for

its recovery. The Chevalier de Micoud, with the principal inhabitants,

capitulate before the French fleet is out of sight.
[36

CHA P. IV.

State of public affairs during the recess of parliament. Address and peti-

tion from the city of London. Militia embodied. Camps formed. Ad-

miral Keppel appointed to the command of the grand fleet for the home

service. Peculiar situation of that commander. Fleet sails from St.

Helen's. Licorne, French frigate, stopt and detained. Blamable con-

duct of the captain, in firing unexpectedly into the America man of

02

zar.

war. Desperate engagement between the Arethusa and Belle Poule

frigates. French schooner bravely taken by the Alert cutter. Another

French frigate falls in with the fleet; and is, with the Licorne and

schooner, brought to England. Fleet returns to Portsmouth for a re-

inforcement. Rewards and bounty of the French King to the officers

and crew of the Belle Poule. Admiral Keppel sails again from Ports-

mouth. Falls in with the French fleet under the Count d'Orvilliers;

and, after a chace of five days, brings them at length to action. Ac-

count of the engagement on the 27th of July. View of those circum-

stances which were supposed to have prevented that action from being

decisive. French fleet escape in the night, and return to Brest. Pru-

dent and temperate conduct observed by the Admiral. Returns to Ply-

mouth to refit. Proceeds again to sea, but cannot meet with the French

fleet.
[50

CHA P. V.

Speech from the throne. Amendment moved to the address in the House

of Commons. Great Debates. Amendment rejected upon a division.

Opposition to the address in general, in the House of Lords, but no

amendment proposed. Address carried upon a division. Motion to ad-

dress the Crown, in the House of Commons, for a disavowal of certain

passages in the late manifesto issued by the Commissioners at New York.

The motion, after long debates, rejected upon a division. Similar motion

by the Marquis of Rockingham, likewise causes much debate, and is re-

jected upon a division. Protest. Circumstances which tended to the

rendering the late action off Brest a subject of parliamentary discus-

sion. Admiral Keppel, being called upon, gives some account of that

business in the House of Commons. Answered by Sir Hugh Palliser.

Reply. Court martial ordered for the trial of Admiral Keppel. Con-

duct of the Admiralty censured and supported: Question, relative to

the discretionary powers of that board, much agitated. Bill brought

in and passed, for the holding the trial of Admiral Keppel on shore

(in consideration of his ill state of health), instead of its being held a

board ship, as before prescribed by the law. Recess.

CHA P. VI.

[75

Debates arising on questions of supply, previous to the recess. Augmenta-

tion of 14,000 men to the land service. Trial at Portsmouth. Ad-

miral Keppel honourably acquitted. Receives the thanks of both Houses.

Vice-admiral of the blue resigns his employments, and racates his seat

in the House of Commons. Memorial, signed by twelve admirals, pre-

sented. Great discontents in the navy. Resolution of censure moved

by Mr. Fox, on the conduct of the admiralty. Motion, after lung

debates, rejected upon a division. Second motion, of a similar nature,

by Mr. Fox, rejected upon a division. Two great naval commanders

declare against acting under the present system. Resolution of naval

officers.

officers. Sir P. J. Clerke brings in a bill against the contractors:

first question carried upon a division; but the bill rejected upon another.

Bill in favour of Dissenters brought in and passed. Affairs of Ire-

land. Various attempts and proposals for affording commercial relief

to that country, prove at length ineffectual.

CHA P. VII.

[105

Debates on the army extraordinaries. Motion for printing the estimates re-

jected upon a division, Committee on East India affairs. Resolutions

moved for and carried, relative to the violence committed on the late Lord

Pigot in his government. Motion for prosecuting certain members of the

late council at Madrass agreed to. Mr. Fox's motion, for the removal

of the first lord of the admiralty from that department, is, after long

debates, rejected upon a division. Committee of enquiry into the conduct

of the American war. Amendment moved to the motion for the examina-

tion of Earl Cornwallis, by the minister, and carried upon a division in

the committee. Amended motion then put, and rejected upon a division.

Third motion rejected. Transactions in the committee discussed in the

House, and rescinded. Committee revived. Earl Cornwallis, and other

witnesses, examined in behalf of Lord and Sir William Howe. Counter-

evidence proposed, and agreed to. In the interim, General Burgoyne's

evidence brought forward and examined.

Committee suddenly dissolved.

Counter-evidence examined.

CHA P. VIII.

(229

Two enquiries in the House of Lords tending to the same object, and car-

ried on through the greater part of the session. Enquiry into the state

of the navy, and the conduct of the admiralty, instituted by the Earl of

Bristol. Motions for naval papers bring out much debate, and are re-

jected upon a division. Motion by the Earl of Bristol, for the removal

of the first lord of the admiralty from his employment. Great debates.

Motion rejected upon a division. Protests. Enquiry into the govern-

ment and management of Greenwich Hospital, conducted by the Duke of

Richmond. Moves for a compensation to Captain Baillie, late lieute-

nant-governor of Greenwich Hospital. Motion rejected upon a division.

Minority Lords quit the House. Resolutions in vindication of the Earl

of Sandwich. Hard case of Captain Baillie. Marquis of Rockingham

endeavours to bring forward an enquiry into the affairs of Ireland.

After several ineffectual attempts, a kind of compromise takes place, re-

ferring the business of that country to the ensuing session. Mr. Towns-

hend's motion to defer the prorogation of parliament, rejected upon a

division. Spanish manifesto. Address from the Commons. Second

address moved by Lord John Cavendish. Motion of adjournment car-

ried upon a division. Amendment to the address of the Lords, moved

by

by the Earl of Abingdon, and rejected upon a division. Second amend-

ment proposed by the Duke of Richmond; rejected upon a division,

after considerable debate. Bill brought in by the minister for doubling

the militia, after much debate and proposed amendment, passed by the

Commons. Indemnity bill likewise passed. Militia bill meets with

great opposition in the House of Lords. Indemnity bill much opposed ;

but carried through. Protests. Militia bill deprived of its principal

effective powers, and returned to the Commons. Debate on a point of

privilege. Bill passed. Speech from the throne.
[153

CHA P. IX.

Hostilities in the East Indies. Sea-fight between Sir Edward Vernon

and M. de Tronjolly. French squadron abandon the coast of Coroman

del. Siege of Pondicherry. Gallant defence by M. de Bellecombe.

Capitulation. State of affairs in Georgia and the Carolinas. Loyal-

ists defeated in North Carolina. American General, Lincoln, arrives

in South Carolina to oppose Major General Prevost. Rebels defeated

at Briar Creek. General Prevost passes the Savannah, and penetrates

into South Carolina; advances to Charles Town; retires. Action at

Stono Ferry. General Prevost takes possession of the island of Port

Royal. Expedition from New York to Chesapeak Bay, under the con-

duct of Sir George Collier and Major General Matthew. Great da-

mage done to the Americans in the neighbourhood of Hampton and

Norfolk. Expedition up the North River; Stoney Point and Verplanks

taken. Expedition to Connecticut, under Sir George Collier and Go-

vernor Tryon. Surprize of Stoney Point by General Wayne. Reco-

very of that post. Attack upon Paulus Hook. Lieutenant Colonel

Maclane befieged by an armed force from Boston. Relieved by Sir George

Collier, who destroys the whole rebel marine in the Penobscot. (174

CHA P. X.

Endeavours to

Admiral Byron takes the command in the West Indies.

draw M. D'Estaing to an engagement without effect. Mortality at St.

Lucia. Mr. Byron convoys the homeward-bound trade. Loss of the

island of St. Vincent's, during the absence of the fleet. French fleet, re-

inforced by the arrival of M. de la Motte, proceeds to the reduction of

the Granades. Lands a body of forces, which invest the Hospital Hill

in the island of Granada. Attack the works by night, and carry them

by storm. Lord Macartney proposes to capitulate; but, the terms offered

by D'Estaing being deemed inadmissible, surrenders the fort and island at

discretion. Admiral Byron returns to St. Lucia; proceeds with the

fleet and army for the recovery of St. Vincent's. Receives intelligence

at sea of the attack upon Granada, and, being ignorant of the great su-

periority of the French fleet, changes his course in order to succour that

island. Different views and conduct of the hostile commanders. En-

gagement.