LXII

-1798.

Bold and surprising movement

of the Bri

tish.

CHAP. their heads towards the west. Having on their left, or larboard, the coast abounding with shoals, they had no apprehension that the British ships would make any attempt on that side, where, besides shallow water, they would be so much annoyed by the batteries on shore: their defence was directed to the starboard, where only they expected an attack: but one adventurous movement of the British totally disconcerted the Gallici plan of combat. Captain Foley, in the Goliah, leading the British van, darted in ahead of the enemy's vanmost ship, Le Guerrier, doubled her larboard side, and having poured a destructive fire into the Frenchmen, moved on to the second, whom he charged with tremendous fury. Next followed the Zealous, captain Hood, who attacked the enemy's vanmost ship, also on her side next the shore. Thirdly proceeded the Orion, sir James Saumarez, and took her station on the inside of the enemy's third ship. The Theseus, captain Miller, following the same example, encountered the enemy's fourth. Fifth came the Audacious, captain Gould, who moved round to the enemy's fifth. Sixth advanced the Vanguard, carrying the heroic Nelson, with his gallant Berry, and took his station opposite to the enemy's starboard, where, expecting the British efforts, they were prepared. The enemy's first and second, which had longest encountered our ships, being considerably damaged before Nelson came up, the admiral assailed that which was still fresh; the seventh, eighth, and ninth ships stationed themselves opposite to the fourth, fifth, and sixth ships of the enemy. Thus by the masterly seamanship and conduct, with the dauntTess valour of the British commanders, nine of our ships were so disposed as to bear their force upou six of the enemy. The seventh of the French was L'Orient, a ship of immense size, be ing a hundred and twenty guns: this stupendous adversary was undertaken by the Bellerophon, captain Darby ; while the Majestic, captain Westcott, attacked an antagonist farther astern. The British ships, thus arranged, played upon the ene nry with the most tremendous effects. The heroic admiral himself was wounded in the head but his soul animating his valiant countrymen, the ardour of their efforts was undiminished. Meanwhile the Leander and Alexander, captains Thomp xon and Ball, though by having been foremost on the side of Alexandria, they were behind the others in passing Aboukir, yet reached the enemy in time to partake of the most dreadful Impetuous dangers of the conflict. The enemy fought with a valour and impetuous heroism which no efforts of courage and skill could have withstood but the extraordinary courage and skill which they had to encounter; they resolutely persevered in their ex ertions after the close of the evening till the approach of midnight. The conflict was now carried on in the darkness of the night in the southern latitudes, and the only light to guide their

conrage and extraordinary efforts

of the Irench,

REIGN OF GEORGE III.

formodel to ply operations were the flashes of cannon. About twelve o'clock, the enemy's enormous ship, the L'Orient, was blown up with a terrible explosion, and a blaze that displayed at one glance the promontory of Aboukir, the capacious bay, and the magnificence in vain of the Nile. The French now found all their endeavours hope- combat the less; they however continued a languid fire, with increasing in-naval hetermissions, and at length entirely desisted from opposition so England. unavailing. Morning opened a view, exhibiting at once the in- Decisive trepid valour and obstinate resolution of the vanquished, the did victory stupendous efforts and decisive victory of the conquerors. Of of Nelson. the French fleet two ships only and two frigates escaped fire or destruction; so complete was the victory of British heroism and ability. The French transports in the harbour, and garrison in Alexandria, waited, in suspense, for their personal doom, as well as the fate of the French navy. Even as far as Rosetta, distant about thirty miles from Aboukir, the battle, by the aid of glasses, was seen by French officers, from its minarets and towers. An interesting part of the prospect afforded by the dawning morn was, the adjacent shores all lined with natives, regarding with astonishment both in the conquered and conquerors, the terrible heroes of the north. As a sublime effort of na- Estimate val genius, the history of ENGLAND HERSELF affords no instance achievemore brilliant than the battle of the Nile. The head that pro- ment jected the plan of attack, the hearts and hands that carried its into execution, deserve not merely the cold narrative of the historian, but the ardent description of the epic poet. Were Homer to rise from the dead, he would find a subject worthy of his muse in the British sailors and the British officers, headed by the British Nelson.

Government, anticipating its political effects, were animated Extensive with the hopes of reviving and extending the combination mentous against France. There were various circumstances favourable consequen-.. to this expectation: the Austrians regarded the treaty of Campo ces of the Formio as merely an armed truce, during which they were to Aboukir: znake dispositions for renewing the combat. The emperor himself, a harmless prince, and intent upon frivolous amusesment, little comprehended the political interests of his domizrions; but extremely plastic, was guided by his counsellors, and

d See Denon's Travels, vol. i.

e Annual Register, 1798, ch. ix.; and 1799, ch. viii. VOL IT.

80

LXII.

1798,

stimulates

all Europe to resist the

power of France.

Russia.

CHAP acted wisely or unwisely according to the directions he receiv1 ed. His ministers having now time to recover from the cousternation under which they had concluded a peace that left to France such valuable possessions, and finding a great portion of the French force, with its formidable leader, by the late victory separated from the country, began to perceive the practi cability of recovering some of their lost advantages. A congress had been opened at Rastadt between the various princes of the Germanic empire and the French republic, for the adjustment of their respective pretensions; but the settlements went on very slowly, and many differences were either found or made. Catharine, empress of Russia, at first had only been in name a member of the confederacy; but after the secession of Prussia, had judged it expedient to become serious, and was preparing a great force, when suddenly arrested by the hand of death. Character Her successor and son, Paul, though weak, was extremely im perious, and having the most despotic notions of kingly right, considered the Bourbon family as unjustly and iniquitously eject ed from a rightful possession, which they derived from heaven; and not individuals, excluded from the executive office held by their ancestors, when the majority of the people conceived such an exclusion conducive to the public welfare: he therefore determined to attempt their restoration, which, after Nelson's regulations victory, he thought practicable. Throughout his empire, but and exter- especially in the metropolis, he was chiefly anxious to preserve nal policy. the gradation of ranks, and to resist novelty. The minuteness

of Paul.

Internal

State of

the Ame

rican republic as

affected by

of his arrangements for this purpose extended to orders for wearing cocked hats instead of round, coats without capes, waistcoats with flaps, stocks instead of stiffened handkerchiefs, breeches and shoes with buckles instead of strings; prohibited half boots; and manifested a petty mind pursuing a great object, which was in its careless ease and appendages to reprobate republicanism, and to cherish monarchy in its stiff and formal ceremonials. His proclamations about shoe buckles and neck handkerchiefs as clearly demonstrated the intentions of such a man, as an edict for preventing an influx of revolutionists. Paul very directly and explicitly avowed his abhorrence of the French republic, and indicated such dispositions to overthrow the present revolutionary system, and re-establish monarchy. The Turks also were incensed at the French invasion of Egypt, and manifested a determination to use their utmost efforts to drive them from that country, and to combine with their ene mies. The British ministers were not slow in discovering these views, and endeavoured to form a confederacy more powerful than the preceding alliance; nor were their views confined to Europe, but extended to the American republic.

France, considering herself as the nurse of American liberty, from the confederacy of 1778, had cultivated a close connexion with the new commonwealth. From the commencement of the French revolution, the Gallic republicans had eagerly desired

"

REIGN OF GEORGE III.

to spread their own peculiar doctrines beyond the Atlantic: CHAP.
they had procured many votaries, but were not able to succeed
with the more respectable and powerful classes in the United
States: maintaining solid and beneficial liberty, property, and revolutions
religion, these presented three potent bulwarks against the and con-
French revolution. The necessary precautions of Britain for tests in
preventing importation of stores into France, had given um-
brage to the Americans; but on fully considering the necessity of
the case, and the fairness and equality with which the British
government had acted, they had been perfectly reconciled; and,
in 1794, had concluded a treaty of amity and commerce. In
1796, the haughtiness of the directory on the one hand, and the
prudence of America on the other, coincided with the policy of
Britain in drawing the ties of confederation closer between this
country and the United States. The French republicans, con-
sidering the United States as indebted to France for their inde-
pendence, hore with impatience and indignation that so great a
benefit should be overlooked, and that, in this struggle for liber-
ty, with so many powers combined against them from every
quarter in Europe, they should be forsaken by that people, in
whose cause they had acted with so much zeal and success.
But they were particularly displeased with the treaty of 1794,
which they deemed inconsistent with the engagements between
France and America. The French government breathed no-
thing but revenge; and its agents were extremely active in ex-ilog for
ertions to revolutionize America. Two parties now existed in
the states, which, from their objects, may be deemed the con-
stitutional, or supporters of the established government; and
the revolutionary, or abettors of innovations on the model of
the French changes. Of the former were the greater number
of men of property, character, and importance in the state, of
the latter were demagogues and their votaries, and the same
kind of men that were agitators of discontent in Great Britain,
and that are agitators of discontent in all countries where cir-
cumstances afford an opportunity. The object of the constitu
tional party was peace and neutrality, not to be interrupted by
the contests of Europe. These would, in the course of a few
years, raise the United States to a condition of prosperity and
power, that must render them formidable to all the world, and
secure to them tranquillity at home, and respect from abroad.
The French having intercepted a letter from the United States
to the ambassador at London, expressing these sentiments,
considered this avowal of neutrality as inimical to the republic
of France, and hoped to effect such a change in America as
would render them dependent on France; and, by their agents,
ardently endeavoured to spread principles of jacobinical revo-
lution. Meanwhile, they made very imperious remonstrances
to the government of the United States; and at length passed
a decree directing her privateers to capture the vessels of neu-
tral nations. In consequence of this decree, numerous captures

1798.

CHAP. of American vessels were made by the cruisers of the French LXII. republic, and of some of those of Spain, during the year 1797. A farther decree, on the subject of maritime affairs, was issued in January 1798, "That all ships, having for their cargoes, in "whole or in part, any English inerchandise, should be held "lawful prizes, whoever might be the proprietor of that mer"chandise; which should be held contraband from the single circumstance of its coming from England, or any of its fo "reign settlements." It was also enacted, that the harbours of France should be shut against all ships, except in cases of distress, that had so much as touched at any English port; and, that neutral sailors, found on board English vessels, should be put to death. The execution of this last decree was prevented by a declaration on the part of Britain, threatening retaliation. But these hostile proceedings extremely incensed the Americans, and disposed them to enmity with the country that they considered as the universal disturber of other states. Convin ced, however, of the policy of persevering in neutrality, the American government still attempted conciliatory measures; and instructed their envoy to endeavour to re-establish harmony between the French and the American republics: but the dis rectory haughtily refused an audience. Imputing to intimida tion the American desire of preserving peace, the directory re solved to make the most of their supposed fears; and intima ted, that if a treaty was to be renewed between France and America, the states must contribute, in return for this friendship, a very large sum of money; and farther intimated, that it would be impossible for America to resist the power of France. The American government was well aware, that boasts of a power to be exerted by France on the ocean, where Britain was her opponent, were not to be dreaded as the means of conquest; still however, should a rupture take place, their trade they knew would be very materially injured: they there fore made such a reply as showed that they still desired peace, though they would not be bullied to concession; and they de clared themselves solicitous to avoid a contest with the French republic. One object only was dearer to them than the friendship of France, their national independence: America, they observed, had taken a neutral station: to lend a sum of money to a belligerent power, abounding in every thing requisite for war, but money, would be to relinquish their neutrality, and take part in the contest. To lend that money, under the lash and coercion of France, would be to relinquish the government of themselves, and to submit to a foreign government imposed by force. They would make one manly struggle before they surrendered their national independence. America was not like the petty nations of Europe that had become subject to the Gallic yoke they were competent to their own defence against all hostile attacks; they could maintain their own rights. The