1759.

FRENCH INVASION.

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called upon those who disapproved of the measures in progress to speak out and discuss them, and not to vent their spleen in pamphlets, or lie in wait for distresses to find fault. The generals received unanimous votes of thanks; the army was extended to nearly 95,000 British troops and 7000 foreigners; and upwards of twelve millions of money were granted for the service of the year.

Towards the close of the session, in May, the king 1759. informed both houses, through the two secretaries of state, that he had received authentic information of an intended invasion by the French. Fresh protestations of attachment followed. Extensive preparations were put into train, and the powers of the militia bill were peremptorily tested. The next news turned the militia bayonets into ploughshares.

CHAP. XVI.

1759-1760.

BRILLIANT SUCCESSION OF NAVAL VICTORIES. ENGAGEMENT OFF GIBRALTAR. DEFEAT OF THE FRENCH SQUADRON IN THE BAY OF QUIBERON. — THUROT'S ENTERPRISE.—CAMPAIGN IN AMERICA. SIEGE AND CONQUEST OF QUEBEC.-DEATH OF WOLFE. CAMPAIGN IN GERMANY. BATTLE OF MINDEN. CONDUCT OF LORD GEORGE SACKVILLE, MUNIFICENT SUPPLIES VOTED BY PARLIAMENT. PARLIAMENTARY QUALIFICATION ACT.CLAMOUR IN IRELAND AGAINST THE UNION, DEATHS IN THE ROYAL FAMILIES OF EUROPE. CAMPAIGN IN GERMANY. — FINAL ACQUISITION OF CANADA. COURT MARTIAL ON LORD GEORGE SACKVILLE. DEATH OF GEORGE II. HIS CHARACTER.

THE ships of England at this period commanded nearly all the practicable waters of the world, and were everywhere triumphant. The number and importance of the collisions with the enemy were unparalleled within a similar compass of time. A fierce and unremitting warfare was kept up in the West Indies, where several armed ships and prizes richly laden with French goods were captured, and carried into the neighbouring harbours. Those seas were covered with privateers, who inflicted, at intervals, severe reprisals upon the British, seizing during the year no less than 200 ships, valued at 600,0007.; a large amount, but sinking into insignificance in comparison with the seizures on the other side. A vast number of privateers and ships were taken in the channel and elsewhere, and conveyed into the English ports; and the engagements that took place in distant quarters exhibited a roll of victories more rapid and decisive than had ever before been achieved by the naval power of England. The names of Hood, Elliot, Gilchrist, Barrington, and Falkner, are conspi

1759.

NAVAL ACTIONS.

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cuous in these gallant exploits which conferred such imperishable glory upon their country.

The intelligence received in England of the preparations on the coast of France for a meditated invasion of Great Britain, assuming by degrees a more distinct and unequivocal shape, admiral Rodney was ordered with a squadron to Havre-de-Grace, for the purpose of destroying the flat-bottomed boats that were building in that harbour for the embarkation of the troops. Arrived at the narrow channel of the river leading to Harfleur, the admiral disposed his vessels for a bombardment of the town. The inhabitants fled in the utmost consternation; the town was set on fire in several places; and the devastation committed by shots and shells was very considerable. But the actual injury committed upon the military resources of the enemy was trifling compared with the cost of the armament. Pitt was prodigal of expenditure in such enterprises; contenting himself with planning magnificent projects, and leaving the treasury people to find the means. The only sound apology that could be made for this fruitless undertaking was, that it warded off the battle from the shores of England, ill prepared at the time to to encounter an attack. There were not more than 12,000 disposable troops in the whole kingdom, and the French prisoners who crowded the towns were consigned to the charge of the militia. Under such circumstances it was necessary, at any expenditure, to divert the scene of hostilities from home.

A more decisive action occurred later in the year off the straits of Gibraltar. Admiral Boscawen, who then held the command in the Mediterranean, finding the French fleet lying at anchor at Toulon, had the temerity to order three ships of the line to advance and burn two of the enemy's ships that lay close to the mouth of the harbour. Overpowered, however, by a superior force, and exposed to the fire of a line of batteries they had not before perceived, they sustained serious damage; and the admiral returned to Gibraltar for the purpose of refitting

his shattered vessels. In the meanwhile, M. de la Clue, the French commander, availed himself of the opportunity of sailing, hoping to pass the straits unobserved. But the English admiral had not omitted to take the necessary precautions; and being apprised of the approach of the enemy, he immediately put out to sea, and made the signal to chase. A furious running fight ensued, in which the French displayed great intrepidity against a superior force. At length M. de la Clue, finding the struggle hopeless, and the English squadron crowding all their sails to come up with him, determined to burn his ships rather than submit. Being at this time near the coast of Portugal, he ran his own vessel ashore near the fort of Almadana, from the batteries of which three shots were fired on the English. One of the French captains followed the example of the admiral; others attempted to land their men at another part of the coast; and two of the vessels altered their course, and deserted. This victory was effected at a very inconsiderable loss, while the carnage on the other side was terrific. The admiral's ship (esteemed to be the best in the French navy) and three other first-rate vessels struck their colours, a fifth was burned after having been abandoned by the crew, and two of the prizes were sent home to England. The gallant De la Clue was severely wounded in both legs, and expired soon after. This engagement took place on the 18th of August.

By the arrangements so promptly made to arrest the threatened invasion nearly all the French harbours, where naval armaments of any consequence had been in preparation, were kept in check; and it was hoped that the assault on Havre-de-Grace, and the failure of the squadron equipped at Toulon, would effectually prevent any further attempts to carry the menace into execution. But the French government had not yet abandoned the design; and a formidable fleet, which had been fitted up in the harbours of Rochefort, Brest, and Port Louis, was now ready for sea under the command of M. Conflans, with powerful reinforcements of troops assembled

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ENGAGEMENT IN QUIBERON BAY.

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in Lower Bretagne. But the coast was so completely blockaded by the British navy that no opportunity offered of getting out of the harbour of Brest, where the fleet was collected, until in the month of November the English squadron, commanded by sir Edward Hawke, were driven from their reconnoitring station by stress of weather, and forced to take anchor in Torbay. M. Conflans instantly put out to sea with twenty-one sail of the line and four frigates. Sir Edward Hawke, receiving intelligence of their departure, sailed without loss of time, and came up with them on their own coast, off the bay of Quiberon, on the 20th of November. The weather was tempestuous, and the days short and cloudy; and the English admiral laboured under the further dis-advantage of a lee shore, and a coast full of rocks and quicksands. M. Conflans, availing himself of these circumstances, endeavoured to shelter his fleet amongst the rocks, but sir Edward Hawke followed him with broadsides. The action opened at three o'clock in the day, and a scene rendered awful by the state of the elements ensued. The gallantry of the English throughout the whole of this tremendous engagement was worthy of the signal victory they obtained. In the midst of a tempest, exposed to a dangerous shore, and maintaining a position which the most heroic courage could not improve, they poured such a destructive fire into the enemy, that the whole fleet must have been annihilated if darkness had not intervened and suspended the battle. Two English vessels were lost in the storm, but the crews were saved; and this was the principal damage the squadron sustained. On the other side, two ships of the line were stranded and destroyed; two more were sunk during the action; a fifth struck her colours, but the state of the weather precluded the possibility of taking possession of her; the flag-ship was burned by her own crew to prevent her from falling into the hands of the British ; another was taken; eight got away during the night; and seven, with considerable difficulty, sheltered themselves in the river Vilaine, where they were blockaded,