whole produce of the Lottery was diftributed into prizes; four tickets for every 500l. ftock fubfcribed, upon paying rol. for each ticket; the growing produce of the finking fund was applied to the amount of 2,296,2091. Various duties and favings produced 148,5661. The annual intereft upon the funded debt, with the annuity, amounted to 330,000l. for the payment of which, a tax of fix-pence in the pound was laid on all houses from five pounds to fifty pounds a year rent, and ane fhilling in the pound on all above 50l. An additional duty of eight guineas per ton was laid on all French wines, and four guineas per ton on all other wines imported. These two taxes were calculated to produce 336,5581.

As the French declaration was delivered but a few days after the contract for the loan had been made, the moneylenders became great lofers by the fudden fall of stocks, on account of the confequent rupture with France. But notwithstanding no money had then been paid as a depofit, yet fuch was the honour of the contractors, that the payments were regularly made. The minifter endeavoured to procure them an indemnification from Parliament, but without effect. The feffion was clofed on the third of June.

CHA P. IV.

Condition of France at the Commencement of Hoftilities-Engagement between the British and French Fleets off Ushant Valuable Captures made by the English-Arrival of the Commiffioners at Philadelphia-Evacuation of that City, and march of the combined Army to New-York-French

Fleet

Fleet under Count d'Estaing, appears off Staten Island -Operations of the Army at New-York-Attempt upon Rhode Iland-Engagement between the two Fleets prevented by a Storm-D'Eftaing takes refuge in Boston Harbour-Difcontents of the Americans-St. Pierre and Miquelon taken by the English, and the Island of Dominica by the French-Dif perfion of the English Fleet under Admiral Byron-Dreadful Inflances of Cruelty in the Back Settlements-Trials of the Admirals Keppel and Pallifer-Pondicherry takenMeeting of Parliament-State of Ireland-Enquiry into the Conduct of the American War-Spanish Manifefto laid before Parliament-The Minifter unable to raise the full Amount of the Supplies-Conclufion of the Seffion-Operations in America-General Prevoft's attempt upon CharlestownDetachments from Sir Henry Clinton's Army-The Ifland of St. Lucia captured-Deftruction of the American's shipping at Penobscot-The French reduce the Island of St. Vincent, and afterwards Granada-Engagement between Byron and d'Estaing-The Town of Savannah defended against the French and Americans-Gibraltar invefted by the Spaniards -Succeffes of the French on the Coast of Africa-England threatened with an Invafion from France-RequiJitions made to the States of Holland-The combined Fleets of France and Spain enter the British Channel-Internal State of England Meeting of Parliament-State of Affairs in Ireland-Events in Scotland-Inftances of Public Spirit-Acts paffed in Favour of Ireland-General Difcontents in Confequence of the national Expences County Meetings formed, and Petitions prefented-Mr. Burke's Plan for the better fecuring of the Independence of Parliaments, and the economical Reformation, in the Civil and other Establishments-Plan for a Committee of Accounts propofed by Colonel Barré-Petitions from Jamaica -Lord North's Bill for appointing Commiffioners of Accounts

Y 2

Mr.

-Mr. Dunning's Propofitions---A numerous Society formed under the Title of "The Proteftant Affociation"-Petition prefented to the House of Commons, by Lord George Gordon, for the Repeal of the Act which granted relief to Roman Catholics --Riots and Devastations in London -Conduct of Parliament---Supplies, and Ways and Means for the Year 1780--- Parliament rises---Signal Viɛtary obtained by Sir George Rodney over the Spanish Fleet---Gibraltar relieved---Succefs of Admiral Digby-Spirited Attempt to reftrain the Dutch carrying-Trade---Expedition from Jamaica to the Spanish Main---Captures from the French in the WeftIndies---Naval Engagements-Hurricanes-Valuable Captures from the Spaniards-Charleftown in South Carolina reduced by Sir Henry Clinton-Splendid Victory obtained by Earl Cornwallis at Camden-Difplay of Bravery and Conduct in various Actions at Sea.

HE kingdom of France, ever fince the acceffion of Louis XVI. had been recovering itfelf from the con fufion and diftreffes into which it had been plunged by the mifrule of his predeceffor. Profufion and neglect no longer wafted the public revenue. As the young monarch was intent on reftoring the luftre of that potent kingdom, he fought out fuch men for public employments as were moft likely to further fuch patriotic views. It is a remark of the Duke de Sully, that" although good Princes may be wanting to good minifters, yet good minifters will never be wanting to a Prince who has difcernment enough to find them, who chooses them for their fuperior parts, experience, and integrity, and who refolves to fupport them against all oppofition raised by the cabals of the court, or the factions of the ftate." Necker, who fucceeded Turgot, carried the reformation farther than his predeceffor, regardless of the clamour which was raised by interefted men: "a man of

an.

an elevated foul," faid he, "will not defcend to enter the lifts with obfcure writers." Such were the effects produced from thefe labours, that the ordinary revenues of the kingdom were fpeedily brought to exceed the ordinaryexpences by 10,200,000 livres, befides three quarters of a million sterling, employed in reimbursements. His fuperior abilities, and the manner in which they were exercised, placed him on a level with the Sullys and Colberts, to whom France has been fo much indebted. In oppofition, however, to the views of the minifter, the King refolved no longer to remain a quiet fpectator of the impending fate of America. It was in vain the minifter reprefented, that "neither conquefts nor alliances could prove so valuable, as what the King might one day draw from his own power, the improvements in husbandry and in the national credit, by a prudent adminiftration and the encouragement of induftry, thofe being the only things wanting to ftrengthen a kingdom, where there are twenty-four millions of inhabitants and 2000 millions of fpecie.+" To wreft from Great Britain her envied fupe riority on the ocean, was the flattering object which feduced the French King from his pacific pursuits, and the naval force which he had collected, encouraged that fond expectation.

1

When the British ministry were compelled to make head against this new enemy, it became neceffary to fingle out fome naval commander of tried valour and long experience, to whom they could entruft the fleet which was to be opposed to that of France in the European seas. Thefe qualities, which had gained him the warm efteem

455,000l. fterling. See the State of the Finances of France the

beginning of the Year 1769, p. 32.

190,000l. fterling. hoa tang god pl

Y 3

of all ranks in the navy, pointed out Admiral Keppel for that important fervice. He was one of the oldeft officers in the navy, and had feen a greater variety of service than any other man in it. When not more than fourteen years of age, he accompanied Commodore Anfon in his voyage round the world; and in the laft war had rendered himself confpicuous for his gallantry and fuccefs in Europe, Africa and America. A noble defcent, an ample fortune and perfonal merit were united in this commander; but as a fenator, he had declared his diflike of the American war, and had arraigned the conduct of the Admiralty-board in not rendering the naval force of the kingdom more powerful and effectual to awe its enemies. The exigence of the times required, however, that minifters fhould feek the affiftance of thofe whom they could not call their friends, and the king himself therefore proffered him the command, The Admiral declared his readiness to serve his king and country, but difclaimed, all acquaintance with official men, and as he received his command immediately from his Majefty, he threw himfelf upon his Majefty's gracious fupport and protection,

When Keppel arrived at Portfmouth to take upon him the command of the grand fleet, he found that there were only fix fail of the line which were in any degree of condition for immediate fervice, and a great deficiency in failors, as well as in all kinds of naval ftores. His applications to the Admiralty-board caufed uncommon exertions to be made, and by the beginning of June he put to fea, with fleet confifting of twenty fail of the line, and three fri gates. He foon after fell in with two French frigates, which he captured, although the fituation of the two nations, with respect to each other, was neither that of war nor peace. By the papers found on board these prizes, he first learnt, that thirty-two fail of the line, and ten frigates,

were