HISTORICAL MEMOIR OF NAVAL TRANSACTIONS, DURING THE PRESENT WAR, FROM ITS COMMENCEMENT IN 1793

Summary

HÆC OLIM MEMINISSE JUVABIT.

Many are the Heroes of the dark rolling Sea!–Thy sails are like the clouds of the morning; and thy Ships like the light of Heaven; and Thou Thyself like a Pillar of Fire that giveth Light in the Night!

Ossian.

Retrospect of the preceding six Months–Events previous to the actual Commencement of Hostilities–Particular Ships when Commissioned–Appointments–Various Subscriptions for additional Bounty–Conduct of the Spanish, and Dutch, at this Period. Sailing of the principal Squadrons–Letters from Lords Grenville, and Chatham, to the Lord Mayor–King's Proclamations. East India Trade–Cession of the Part of Dantzic, with Reflections. Lord Rodney's Monument, &c. Petition of Mr. Mudge–Number of Officers at this Period–Statement of the Naval Force–Privateers taken.

BIOGRAPHICAL memoirs of living officers necessarily contain much that is connected with this department of our Chronicle; those lately published, together with The Toulon Papers, include correct details of some of the principal Naval Transactions of the present war. Our Historical Memoir of them was consequently for a time postponed, to create a greater variety; and to allow room for subjects that demanded an immediate attention.–Before we enter on the transactions of July 1793, it will first be necessary to take a Retrospect of the preceding half-year; to insert, what before would have too much interrupted the principal object we have in view; and also to add such communications as have been since received, or whatever, on a second view, appears to have escaped our notice.