1800.

BOOK IV. tance from the coast of Brittany (captured before by the English in 1761) was the chief object CHAP. IX. against which this armament was directed, more especially as it had been for some time blockaded in such a manner as to intercept all kinds of supplies. Deterred, as it is thought, by the strength of the place from attempting a landing, the squadron, commanded by Rear-admiral Sir John Borlase Warren, with a convoy of troops under Lieutenant-general Sir James Pulteney, sailed for the coast of Spain, and arrived in the bay of Piaya de Dominos on the 25th of August. The fire of three ships of war, viz. the Impetueux, Brilliant, and Cynthia, and a gun-boat, St. Vincent, having silenced a fort of eight 24-pounders, a debarkation was effected during the evening, in a small opening near Cape Prior, under the superintendance of Sir Edward Pellew, and the whole army reached the shore without the loss of a single man. At the same time were landed sixteen field-pieces, attended by seamen from the men of war to carry scaling-ladders and drag the guns up the adjoining heights. The reserve, followed by the other troops in succession as they gained the beach, immediately ascended a ridge of hills; and when they had attained the summit, the rifle corps fell in with, and drove back a party of the enemy, notwithstanding Lieutenant-colonel Stewart, the commander, was wounded.

On the 26th at day-break, a more considerable body of Spaniards was forced to retire by the Earl of Cavan's brigade, supported by some other troops, particularly the first battalion of the fiftysecond; so that the English remained in complete possession of the heights of Brion and Balon, which overlook the town of Ferrol, its noble and capacious bay, and the ships of war in the harbour. In this prosperous state of affairs, and at the very moment the army expected to advance, a retreat was ordered to be effected by the general. Sir James Pulteney, in his dispatch, dated August 27, thus vindicated his conduct, remarking that he had now" an opportunity of observing minutely the situation of the place, and of forming, from the reports of prisoners, an idea of the strength of the enemy; when, comparing the difficulties which presented themselves, and the risk attendant on failure, on one hand, with the prospect of success and the advantage to be derived from it on the other, he came to the determination of re-embarking the troops in order to proceed without delay on his further destination." Accordingly, in consequence of the indefatigable exertions of the captains of the squadron, the whole of the army and artillery was again taken on board the men of war and transports before day-break.

It is to be lamented, that Sir James Pulteney, whose conduct upon this occasion has been much

censured, had not been previously provided with sufficient information relative to the strength of the place, and that the inquiry, which was moved for in parliament, July 22, did not take place. Some went so far as to declare, that Ferrol was about to be delivered up, and that an officer had actually set out with the intention of surrendering the keys: but when we take into consideration the courage and talents displayed by this lieute nant-general during the campaign of the preceding year in Holland, (as mentioned in the 15th Chapter of our 3d Book, page 224,) instead of giving credit to unsupported assertions, we must conclude there were substantial reasons for declining the attack.

Soon after this failure on the coast of Gallicia, another expedition was directed against the province of Andalusia, which eventually proved equally fortunate for Spain; it being manifestly the intention of both expeditions to annihilate her consequence as a maritime power.

About the close of the preceding year, (Dec. 5, 1799,) Lord Keith transmitted a declaration to the consuls of all neutral powers, stating Cadiz to be in a state of blockade; and on the 22d of July, 1800, Rear-admiral Bickerton published a similar notice. Cadiz, though at this time afflicted with an epidemical distemper, exactly similar to the plague, was also threatened with a visit from a powerful armament. This consisted of the squadron in the Mediterranean, forming 22 ships of the line and 27 frigates, with 84 transports and other vessels, making in all 143 sail, and having of 20,000 men on board.

an army

This armament having come to anchor, Oct. 6, Don Thomas de Morla, the governor, immediately addressed a letter to the British admiral, in which he expressed his surprise at the arrival of a hostile squadron, during the prevalence of a disease which "carried off thousands of victims,

and threatened not to suspend its ravages until it had cut off all those who had hitherto escaped." "I have too exalted an opinion of the English people, and of you in particular," he added, “ to think you would wish to render our condition more deplorable. However, if, in consequence of the orders your excellency has received, you are inclined to attract the execration of all nations, to cover yourselves with disgrace in the eyes of the whole universe, by oppressing the unfortu nate, and attacking those who are supposed to be incapable of defence, I declare to you, that the garrison under my orders, accustomed to behold death with a serene countenance, and to brave dangers much greater than all the perils of war, know how to exhibit a resistance which shall not terminate but with their entire destruction. I hope that the answer of your excellency will inform me, whether I am to speak the language of

consolation to the unfortunate inhabitants, or whether I am to rouse them to indignation and revenge.'

To this interesting letter, a reply was returned in the names of Sir Ralph Abercromby, and Lord Keith, which, after expressing a due compassion for the deplorable state of Cadiz, stated that a number of his Catholic majesty's vessels were armed in order to join the naval forces of the French, and to be employed in prolonging the troubles which afflict all the nations of Europe, disturb public order, and destroy the happiness of individuals. We have received orders from our sovereign," added they," to use every effort to defeat the projects of the common enemy, by endeavouring to take and destroy the ships of war which are in the harbour and arsenal of Cadiz. The number of troops entrusted to our command, leaves but little doubt as to the success of the enterprise. We are not disposed to multiply unnecessarily the evils inseparable from war. Should your excellency consent to give up to us the vessels armed, or arming, in order to act against our king, and to prolong the misfortunes of neighbouring nations, your crews and officers shall be at liberty, and our fleet shall withdraw; otherwise we must act conformably to the orders which have been given to us, and your excellency cannot attribute to any other than yourself, the additional evils which you fear."

The Spanish governor instantly rejected a proposal, which he stiled "insulting to the person to whom it was addressed, and but little honorable to those by whom it was made." Hereupon an attack appeared inevitable, and directions for a landing were prepared on board the Foudroyant, and issued October 4. It was intended that the first division of troops was to have been embarked in 102 boats, in the following manner:

Under Captain Stevenson, 1,065 men, composed of part of the 28th, and 50th regiments, together with a detachment from the Corsican rangers; Under Captain Morrison, 1,021 of the 50th and 28th regiments;

Under Captain Lamour, 1,050 of the 42d regiment;

Under Captain Scott, 196 guards; and Under Captain Ayscough, 900 guards. The landing was to have been effected under the direction of Captain Cochrane; but providence defended the wretched inhabitants of Cadiz, for the weather proved so exceedingly unfavorable, that it was deemed proper to abandon the enterprise. It must be observed that this expedition was planned and fitted out before the

alady there was known to exist.

We have, however, to mention two other occurences, more fortunate in their result, Malta, so unjustly seized by Bonaparte in the course of his expedition to Egypt, and of which we have given ́21.

an ample account in the fifth chapter of the pre- BOOK IV. ceding book, had now experienced a blockade of two years, both by sea and land; in the course CHAP. IX. of which, General Vaubois had been summoned 1800. no less than eight different times. During the whole of this period the natives had exhibited a marked and decided hatred to the French, whom they accused (and with great reason) of spoliation and injustice, and not only prevented any supplies being thrown into La Valetta, but also assisted Brigadier-general Graham in hemming in the city, and checking the excursions of the garrison. At one time of the siege, the inhabitants themselves suffered still more than the garrison, from scarcity, and the blockade on the land side would have entirely ceased, but for a supply from Sicily. A deputation having repaired there to solicit succours from the court, the lady of the English ambassador represented the distresses of the natives in such a forcible manner to the queen, that two vessels laden with corn were instantly. purchased and sent off in the course of the same day. This little incident sufficiently proves how unjustly that lady was accused of the want of feeling, as alluded to in the 14th chapter of book III; and it produced such an effect on the mind of the Emperor Paul, that he immediately transmitted the cross of the order of Malta to Lady Hamilton; while by the continuance of his protection to the family of Ferdinand IV. he prevented that prince from experiencing a similar fate with the King of Sardinia.

A reinforcement of troops having arrived under Major-general Pigott, Malta was invested still more closely than before; but as it would have been impolitic to have besieged the place, its reduction was entrusted to the operation of famine alone. At length, all hopes of receiving supplies from France having vanished, an attempt was made to save two frigates in the harbour, viz. La Justice and Diane; but the latter, in consequence of the vigilance of the blockading squadron, was immediately captured by the English. A few days after this, General Vaubois assembled a council of war in the national palace: and it appearing that the magazines of provisions had been entirely exhausted for more than a month; that the liquors of all kinds were nearly expended, and that the only food remaining for the garrison, and the citizens (which was merely bread) must fail in the course of a week, it was determined that the governor should send a flag of truce to the English commander, to propose a capitulation, while Rear-admiral Villeneuve was to stipulate in favor of the seamen.

Articles were accordingly drawn up on the 5th of September, which were eighteen in number; the British fleet was to enter the port when the capitulation was signed; the national gate to be occupied by a guard of both fiations. The gar 4 F 25. F3

1800.

BOOK IV. rison to be prisoners of war, and not serve against Britain till exchanged; every thing public to be CHAP. IX. given up; all sick to be left behind under the care of French medical officers, and when recovered to be sent to France; no persons to be censured for their conduct under the French in Malta; all who wished to go to France to be permitted to depart; six months to be allowed for the sale of property of those who did not remain. Very few of the articles were refused, and those only which regarded the shipping of the French, which were at or might come into Malta, within twenty days.

It was admitted by the French, that in blockading this island for two years and five days, the English displayed great intrepidity and perseverance. The French garrison and inhabitants suffered every privation; they subsisted a long time on asses and mules' flesh, which was 1s. 6d. a pound. Houses were searched for cats and mice, for food; a fowl cost more than 31.; a sucking pig, 500 florins; an egg, ls.; and every thing in proportion. Indeed, the exertions of the British employed on this service were entitled to the highest praise. Two Maltese ships, a frigate, several merchantmen, and five or six gun-boats, found in the harbour, were considered as prizes, and became the property of the victors.

About the same time, the inhabitants of Curaçoa were induced, by peculiar circumstances, to claim the protection of Great Britain. Victor Hughes, aware of the riches contained in this flourishing little colony, and under pretence of anticipating the designs of the English, fitted out an armament, and effected a landing there with 1,500 men. In this critical situation of affairs, Goveruor Lauffer entered into a correspondence with

Captain Frederic Watkins, of the Nereide frigate; and that officer having arrived in sufficient time to prevent the enemy from storming the principal fort, a capitulation was immediately entered into, and the island surrendered to him, September 13. Notwithstanding the great trade carried on by the inhabitants, particularly with the Spanish settlements, forty-four vessels only were taken on this occasion.

The French regretted the loss of Malta, as appeared by the great pains they took to make a set-off of the treaty with America. The Moniteur was adopted as the government gazette; and when the French papers said, that the American treaty would console them for the loss of Malta, such was then the sentiment of the government of France. This convention with America was of great length, and related merely to the form to be observed by the ships of both nations with regard to their neutrality. On the whole, it was not a thing of any moment, and seems to have been done more with a view of lulling the Americans, than any other. America gained nothing, and France conceded nothing; the latter power wished to appear generous at a small expense; and both wished to serve themselves.

The American treaty was written in the French and English languages, and signed by three members of each government. Joseph Bonaparte was at the head of the French plenipotentiaries. It enumerated the articles denominated contraband, and stated that although they be found on board a vessel, they are only to be condemned, she herself remaining free. By this convention neither nation was to share in the fisheries of the other on its coast; but the whale fishery to be free in all parts of the world.

EVER since the reign of Peter the Great, the emperors of Russia had acted a conspicuous part on the theatre of Europe. Influenced by a similar ambition, they all successively endeavoured to complete the plan which his genius had conceived, and accordingly aimed at subverting the empire of the Turks, seizing on their European dominions, and placing a Greek emperor once more on the throne of Byzantium. Paul Petrawitz, however, (styled by some of the writers of the

day, the mad emperor) instead of wishing to be coine the successor of Constantine, confined his views to the acquisition of the grand mastership of Malta, and the command of the knights of St. John of Jerusalem. No sooner had his imperial majesty received intimation of the surrender of that island, than he applied to the ministers of Great Britain to obtain possession of it, in conformity to a previous agreement.

Great Britain, at the beginning of the contest,

had obtained either the open or secret approbation of every neighbouring court; but the scene was now changed, and that country which had commenced the war with all the states of Europe, as her allies, found at this time the majority leagued against her. They complained that their neutrality was no longer respected, that their shores and harbours were violated by the British cruisers, and that even their men of war were not permitted to afford protection to the convoys entrusted to their charge. They likewise commented on the procrastination, delays, and expences incident to the English court of Admiralty, and resolved to recur to decisive measures for obtaining redress.

Sweden deemed herself greatly injured on a variety of occasions, but more particularly by the detention and condemnation of several merchantmen bound for the Mediterranean, under the convoy of a ship of war. The judge (Sir William Scott) asserted upon this occasion, "That the right of visiting and searching merchantmen upon the high seas, whatever be the ships, cargoes, or destination, is an incontestible right of the lawfully-commissioned cruisers of a belligerent nation. That the authority of the sovereign of the neutral country being interposed in any manner of mere force, cannot legally vary the rights of a lawfully commissioned belligerent cruiser; and that the penalty for the contravention of this right is the confiscation of the property so withheld from visitation and search." This dispute was occasioned by a fleet of Swedish merchantmen, carrying pitch, tar, hemp, deals, and iron, having been seized in the British channel by Commodore Lawford, (June 30, 1798.) It appeared by the instructions delivered to the captain of the frigate, who convoyed these vessels, that in case the ships of any nation should pretend to the rights of search, he was to discover the power to which he belonged, by hoisting his colours and firing a salute, and in the event of violence to resist force by force. He, however, only obeyed the former part of his orders, and was conducted with the ship under his protection to Margate roads, in consequence of a special order from the lords of the Admiralty.

Sweden also complained that one of her merchantmen, without a cargo, had been seized by an English squadron, and employed in an hostile enterprize against two Spanish frigates in the bay of Barcelona, by which stratagem they had both been captured.

Denmark asserted that a number of her vessels had been seized on the most frivolous pretexts, and even carried into the ports of Great Britain, although no species of contraband property whatsoever had been found on board. It was stated at the same time, that the captain of one of her frigates had been detained and treated with harsh ness. This alluded to the case of his Danish

1800.

majesty's frigate the Haufeneu. Some English BOOK IV. men of war having fallen in with this vessel and her convoy, (December, 1799,) the commander of CHAP. X. one of them demanded her destination, and on learning that she was bound for Gibraltar, replied, "that if the captain was going there, he would not visit the convoy; but, in case it should not cast anchor in that port, the ceremony would assuredly take place." Captain Van Dockum. having informed the officer who came on board that he would resist a search, a signal was made to examine the fleet immediately, and a boat from the Emerald prepared to execute the order, ou which some musquetry was fired from the Dane, and one of the English sailors severely wounded, A boat belonging to the Flora was at the same time seized and detained until a threat of retaliation had been held out. On their arrival in the bay of Gibraltar, Lord Keith demanded to inspect Captain Van Dockum's instructions, but the latter refused to comply: at the same time he observed, that he was commanded to prohibit the visitation of his convoy, and that he only obeyed his orders by firing on the boats of the English squadron. Having afterwards pledged his honor to this, in presence of the admiral and governor of the castle, and promised to surrender himself before a judge, he was permitted to return on board; but on entering his boat, he transmitted a letter, in which he refused compliance. Hereupon, Lord Keith stated, "that if he neglected to submit, and should thereby attempt to withdraw himself from justice, the affair would be represented to his court." Mr. Merry, the minister of Great Britain at Copenhagen, accordingly. presented a note on this subject to Count Bernstorf, dated April 10, 1800, in which he insisted on the right of visiting, and examining merchant vessels on the high seas, whatever their nation might be, and whatever their cargoes or destinations." He also stated, "that his Britannic ma-jesty had no doubt of the displeasure which his Danish majesty would feel on learning this violent and indefensible procedure of an officer in his service; and the king was persuaded of the promptitude with which his Danish majesty would make to his Britannic majesty the formal disavowal and apology which he had so just a right to expect from him in the present case, with a reparation proportioned to the nature of the offence committed." Neither apology nor reparation, however, was made; on the contrary, Count Bernstorf, in his reply, asserted, "that none of the maritime and independent powers of Eu rope had ever acknowledged the right of permitting neutral vessels to be searched, when escorted either by one or several ships of war." He added, "that the captain of the Danish king's frigate, by repelling a violence which he had no right to expect, had done no more than his duty;

BOOK IV. and that it was on the part of the English frigates that the violation of the rights of a neutral soveCHAP. X. reignty, and of a power friendly to his Britannic majesty, had been committed."

1800.

An event occurred soon after, that occasioned much perplexity, and was productive of the most disagreeable consequences. Although the armed vessels of the two northern powers had protested against a search, and one of them had actually recurred to small arms, yet nothing in the shape of a regular engagement had hitherto taken place. In the course of this summer, however, the captain of the Freya having refused to permit the vessels under his protection to be examined by the English squadron at the mouth of the channel, although he freely offered to exhibit all their papers for inspection, an action immediately ensued, and after having two men killed, and five wounded, the Dane struck his colours, and was earried into the Downs.

The English ministers, apprehensive of a rupture upon this occasion, and naturally alarmed for the safety of the vessels employed in the Baltic trade, sent Lord Whitworth to Copenhagen in the character of plenipotentiary, while his mission was supported, and his arguments enforced by means of a strong squadron, consisting of nine sail of the line, four bomb-vessels, and five gunboats, under Admiral Dickson, which entered the Sound; and, in consequence of an invitation for that purpose, anchored in Elsineur roads. After a considerable time spent in discussion, a temporary adjustment took place, in consequence of which the Danish frigate with the convoy were to be released, and the former "repaired in a port of his Britannic majesty, according to the usage followed by friendly and allied powers:" but the decision respecting the right of visiting merchantmen under convoy of a ship of war, was postponed; and, in the mean time, Denmark was to employ her armed vessels for this purpose in the Mediterranean only, a measure rendered necessary in that sea, in consequence of the depredations of the Barbary cruisers. This convention with Denmark took place August 29; but so ineffectual it proved, that the northern powers, in the course of a few months, entered into an association for their mutual protection, and actually revived the treaty of armed neutrality, which had originated towards the conclusion of the American war,

The Emperor of Russia, who had laid an embargo for a few weeks on all the ships and property of English subjects within his dominious; on the 16th of August published a declaration, in which the measures taken in 1780, " for establishing the principles of a wise and impartial neutrality," were appealed to, and he was the first to invite Sweden, Denmark, and Prussia, to adopt this plan. After lamenting that "at the epoch of the dissolution of a great power," too

little care was taken to give a new sanction to these principles, on account of the intervention of novel and extraordinary events; the detention of the Danish frigate (the Freya) was mentioned, as tending to prove how much the independence of crowned heads might be endangered, if they neglected to re-establish the principles and maxims on which the protection and safety of the neutral powers rested. As the manifest interest of his imperial majesty, both in regard to the navigation of his own subjects, and that of his ports bordering upon other nations, required that the seas which wash the coasts of the Russian empire should be sheltered from such acts of violence, he invited the powers who possess harbours in these districts, and particularly his majesty the King of Prussia, his majesty the King of Denmark, and his majesty the King of Sweden, to concert with his imperial majesty respecting measures which would be successively communicated to them, for re-establishing, in their full force, the principles of an armed neutrality, to secure the liberty of the seas.'

On the 16th of December, the King of Sweden, in consequence of this invitation, entered into a treaty with the Emperor Paul, in which they laid down certain principles for the extension and security of commerce. By these new regulations, it was maintained that any ship might freely navigate on the coasts of the belligerent powers, and that every thing but what was expressly contraband, should be free. The declaration of the officers commanding ships of war convoying mer chantmen, respecting their cargoes, was to be deemed sufficient; no search was to be allowed, and for protecting the trade of the two countries, the contracting parties agreed to equip and provide squadrons.

Soon after the Kings of Prussia and Denmark acceded to this confederacy, and the Emperor of Russia carried his resentment still further, by again laying an embargo on all the British ships in his ports: he likewise issued orders to buru those detained in the harbour of Narva, in consequence of the escape of two vessels in contravention of his commands, and treated the sailors with great severity and harshness. These proceedings were immediately connected with the grand-mastership of the order of St. John of Jerusalem; for his imperial majesty expressly stated, in the court gazette, that he had recurred to this measure, because possession had been taken "of Valetta, and the island of Malta, in the name of the King of Great Britain, and the English flag alone hoisted," &c. and it was asserted, that the sequestration should not be taken off " until the conditions of the convention concluded in the year 1798 were punctually fulfilled."

While Portugal, the faithful ally of Great Britain, was threatened with subjugation, it was