Chapter III: Part 3

Although Great Britain, as a guarantee of the balance of continental power, had, during a past period, exerted her resources in the cause of her Allies, opposed to the interests of France, although his Majesty King George the Second, in quality of Elector of Hanover, had been highly distinguished in the field at the head of these armies, still a specious cordiality continued to exist between the two nations.

Since the declaration of hostilities against Spain, our restless and intriguing neighbours enjoyed all the advantages of war, without experiencing any of its evils.

At the outset of this year, however, their projects were developed by the equipment of powerful naval armaments in their ports, and the assembling of armies upon their sea-coasts; the avowed aim of which was against the Crown and Liberties of the British Empire.

A Prince, delegated by his Father, and drawn from his retreat in another country, mild in his temper, and amiable in his manners, was induced to renew their almost forgotten claims upon our monarchy, and to revive the quickly decaying prejudices within our land, in favour of his family and himself.

Unable now no longer to restrain her views, France declared war upon the 20th day of March, which was answered by a similar proclamation of the 31st, on the part of England.--That Providence which has often so signally interposed for our country was now conspicuous.--The elements were employed in the destruction of many of their transports and troops at Dunkirk, while our floating bulwarks chased their covering fleet from our coasts.

At this time the whole property of naval prizes was vested in the captors, his Majesty having generously relinquished that share which hitherto had pertained to the Crown.

The arrival of Commodore Anson from his expedition, which was originally intended to co-operate across the isthmus of Darien, with the fatal one conducted by Admiral Vernon, diffused a joy into the nation.

The specie which was gained by his enterprize, courage, and perseverance was immense; and although it was obtained antecedent to the royal grant, still it was divided amongst his squadron, unimpaired by claims.

About three hundred and thirty marines shared in the toils, and the many debarkations which took place in his tedious progress; having been drafted from the different regiments to fill up the complement of his ships, and to supply the place of a number of Invalids under Lieutenant Colonel Cracherode, who dreading their approaching hardships, deserted from the service.

Fleets were now detached to every quarter of the globe, and a force of eleven thousand five hundred and fifty-six Marines, was again the establishment of 1744.

It falls not within my scope to enlarge upon the wide and mingled events of this year. A partial affair in the month of May, occurred in the Mediterranean, in which the party of Marines disembarked from the Essex signalized themselves. That ship being on a cruize, gained sight of twenty-six Xebeques and Settees, bound to Antibes, from whence they were to carry troops to Italy. The former were a convoy to the latter, which were laden with powder, cannon, ordnance stores, and provisions. Thirteen having taken refuge in the Creek of Cassi, the Marines were landed in order to co-operate with the boats, and to repel any enemy that might appear to retard their progress. They were soon attacked by a body of Spaniards, whom they beat back, and thus effected the object on which they were employed. Eleven vessels were burnt and two captured, which was a material loss in its consequences.

Nothing further, that properly falls within my notice, appears within the period of this year: our numerous cruizers were peculiarly successful, and although few traits of achievement appear on the face of our public transactions during this limited era, still both the nation and the individual felt the benefit and the incitement that resulted from the liberal sacrifice recently made by their Sovereign, which, while it promoted a general activity and zeal amongst every class of his subjects, struck deep also into the commercial vitals of our enemies.

The ten Regiments of Marines, by order of the Secretary at War, were directed to recruit with expedition, and in order to render them speedily effective, a number of impressed men were allotted to each. This expedient was also adopted with regard to many Regiments of Infantry.

In the Bill for the more easily recruiting his Majesty's Land Forces and Marines, a clause was inserted, that every one who should enter voluntarily would be entitled to a bounty of four pounds, and might require his discharge from the service at the expiration of three years.

The Parliament met upon the 27th of November, and granted a vote of £206,253 15 0 to support an establishment of eleven thousand five hundred and fifty Marines during the ensuing twelve months.

CHAP. XIV.

Some inferior attacks having been made, during the last year, by the Governor of Cape Breton upon Canso and Annapolis, in Nova Scotia, the former of which places was burnt by the French, the Northern Colonies of British America became alarmed for their safety. Roused by the representations and the united patriotism of Mr. Achmuty, Judge of the Admiralty Court, in New England, and Mr. Vaughan, an individual of great fortune and public spirit, they commenced preparations for an expedition against Louisburg. Accordingly considerable levies were begun, and a co-operating naval force was requested by Governor Shirley, of Massachusetts Bay, from his Majesty's Ministers.

At this time Commodore Warren commanded upon the West India station, who was ordered to repair to Canso with that view. A meritorious secrecy prevailed throughout, which half secured the success of an attempt that, considering the strong means of defence possessed by the enemy, and the inexperienced troops employed against them, was extremely doubtful. The activity of the Americans upon this occasion, was fully equal to the important interests they had at stake.

Upon the 4th of April the levies from New England reached Canso, and were encamped there, where they were improved in their discipline until the arrival of the other troops from the different Provinces, while the ships of war upon the coast, and some stout privateers, continued off the harbour of Louisburg, in order to cut off all supplies, as well as intelligence of the projected enterprize.

Upon the 23d of April, Commodore Warren arrived at Canso, and against the 29th all the land forces were embarked, when they proceeded for Gabarus Bay, about four miles from the capital of Cape Breton.

Upon the 30th two thousand men were landed at noon, who beat back a respectable force which was detached to prevent their descent. Upon that and the following day the rest were disembarked along with nearly three hundred Seamen, and five hundred Marines, under cover of the privateers and some smaller vessels ranged along the shore. The whole was under the command of General Pepperel, a native of Piscataway.

The French, proudly conscious of their strength, were exposed to surprise from this cause. It is but justice to an enemy, and it affords an impressive example to the military servants of every State, to remark an instance of fidelity in the private Soldiery of the garrison, at this critical moment. Long employed in carrying on the extensive works of Louisburg, without any recompence, which, however, was granted by their Government, but alienated from them by their Officers, they had been in a state of insubordination and discontent, little short of mutiny, nearly six months, until the appearance of our forces, when Patriotism cancelled all inferior grievances, and these brave men now only recognized the duties of zeal and allegiance to their Sovereign and their Country. In a body they requested to be led against the invaders, but suspicion and distrust restrained their superiors from availing themselves of the tender. The spirit was allowed to subside, and perhaps an occasion was lost of averting their approaching destinies.

After the disembarkation of our troops, they were pushed on and formed two separate encampments; one on the southern part of the harbour to attack the City, and the other upon the northern side against the Grand Battery.

Upon the night of the 1st of May our outscouts, in the latter direction, set fire to some storehouses full of combustibles, which burnt so awfully that the French within this important post became panic struck, and conceiving that the whole British force was advancing, retreated precipitately into the City. The works were possessed in the morning by only thirteen men, who were soon reinforced, when an unavailing attack was made by the enemy to recover them.

They had done their utmost to render all the cannon unserviceable, which required some time before they could be drilled and fit for use; during which a most tremendous fire was opened upon this spot from the guns and mortars upon the Island Battery, and the Town, but with little success. Within a few days they both experienced the effects of this post being in our hands, in the loss of men, and the demolition of houses.

The force on the north side of the harbour were not idle, but had pushed their approaches within two hundred yards of the City, by the 12th of May, which they continued to cannonade, with great vigour and success, from some heavy guns planted on an eminence called the Green Hill, and a fascine battery of twenty eight.

The business of the siege was carried on under the greatest difficulties, with an unsurpassed alacrity by all. No class could here claim any pre-eminent merit, for every one was guided by one uniform impulse.

The walls and embrasures of what the French entitled the Circular Battery, were soon destroyed, and every thing went on well. Some important captures, which accelerated the fall of Cape Breton, were made by our blockading squadron.

It being necessary to push matters as quickly as possible, an attempt upon the Island Battery was ordered, as it very materially incommoded our operations on the north side, and prevented the entrance of our ships into the harbour.

A force of two hundred Marines, and three hundred Americans, was appointed for this service, and about twelve at night, on the 23d of May, the whole proceeded on that duty. Soon after a heavy fog came on that prevented their landing from the whale boats, and which obliged them to draw off; although they were not unheard by the enemy's garrison, which then consisted of only fourteen men, to whom this afforded a timely hint for their reinforcing so material a post with three hundred and fifty.

Upon the 27th, at two in the morning, this enterprize was renewed by one hundred and fifty Marines and nearly two hundred Provincials. The French, discovering their approach, fired grapeshot from their heavy guns, which destroyed some boats with the soldiers, when our troops gallantly pushed ashore.

Until sunrise they persevered in the daring but unequal contest; when at last, reduced numbers, and walls which they in vain attempted to scale, obliged them to call for quarter.

By indefatigable labour, however, on the night of the 1st of June, a commanding situation upon the cliff, which swept the platform of the Island Battery, and the entrance into the harbour, was completed, and cannon were planted in it. Things now drew to a crisis; every subordinate event combined to prosper an undertaking founded in a judicious policy, and conducted with an unanimous zeal. After forty-nine days of unrelaxed exertion, Louisburg capitulated, and with it the whole Dependency of Cape Breton.--This object was accomplished with the loss of little more than one hundred men, while that of the French exceeded three hundred. The greater part fell on the Marines in the attempt upon the Island Battery, who shared in the success and glory of that expedition, and in the general tribute of applause which was so justly conferred upon all--by their Country.

The domestic events of the present year were marked by so peculiar an interest, that I cannot pass them without notice.--The adverse circumstances which occurred early in 1744 had only suspended, but did not annihilate the hopes of Prince Charles Edward, the eldest son of the Pretender, to re-ascend the throne of his ancestors.

Guided by desperate and designing men, urged on by the wily politics of France, which wished him success, but would not afford the means of it, and personally sanguine in his disposition, he readily listened to every representation that flattered his views. He accordingly embarked his destinies in a stile little adequate to the extent of his designs, which were to dethrone a beloved Sovereign, and to overturn the Constitution of a brave and a free People.

It is not for me to follow him in the range of his efforts, or to detail the successes which for a while attended his steps.

Britons, little accustomed to hear the sound of war at their own gates, were at first alarmed at the novelty, but they soon evinced both loyalty and union in sustaining the fixed rights of their Monarch, and in defending their own liberties.--Party became dumb, while addresses, backed by associations were the tenders daily made to their King.

It was reserved for a branch of that House which he came to destroy, to vindicate its claims and its honor. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland, by the Battle of Culloden, not only put a close to the Rebellion, but for ever ended the aspiring hopes of the family of the Stuarts; the remains of which have survived to exist upon the bounty of a Prince whose throne they had striven to subvert.

The events of a short day transformed Charles from an imaginary Monarch to a humble beggar, and he would fain have quickly retraced his steps to that shore, upon which he had landed with such elated prospects. But many sufferings and hardships were yet in store; an interval which has immortalized the character of those poor but virtuous natives amongst whom he flew for refuge.

Although a reward £30,000 was the boon offered for his person, and he constantly within the power of the meanest, still an Iscariot, was not to be found. Adversity, that hour in which true friends can best be recognized, shewed him human nature in its most exalted form, in a people, though depressed by penury, that would not sacrifice either him or his cause.--Every loyal man, while he must deprecate _the aim_, will still applaud _the principle_ of their actions. The illiterate tenants of the Hebrides have transmitted an example of fidelity and allegiance worthy of being known and imitated by the subjects of every realm. The unfortunate Prince found his way to France, and while time has extinguished his family, it has also subverted prejudices, and has incorporated all his adherents with the united strength of the Empire.

Although the incidents to which I have thus recurred have no connexion with my subject, still the _inferences_ that arise from them, as well as the critical occasion, I trust, will sanction their insertion and this digression.

The following was the list and effective strength of the Marine Regiments in 1745:

_Regiments._ _Number of effective Men._ _Wanting to complete._
Churchill's 878 122
Frazer's 864 136
Lowther's 848 152
Byng's 797 203
Cochran's 945 55
Cotterell's 843 157
Cornwall's 845 155
Duncombe's 784 216
Powlett's 916 84
Jeffrey's 882 11
----- -----
8,602 1,398
===== =====

Besides 1,550 Commissioned and Non-commissioned Officers.

At this time, and indeed since their institution in 1739, Commissions were purchased and sold in the Regiments of Marines, although they always bore an inferior value to these in Old Corps. A perquisite frequently arose to the Colonels from the disposal of Second Lieutenancies, when his Majesty was pleased to accept of their recommendation. Such usually produced from £250 to £280, while Ensigncies in the Line sometimes yielded £400.

Nothing worthy of further notice occurred within the transactions of this year.

CHAP. XV.

Early in 1746, a Committee was appointed to investigate the state and grievances of the Land Forces and Marines. A considerable increase of expence had accrued in the maintenance of both, which was one of the objects of this inquiry. Such as affected the Marine Regiments I have already detailed, and assigned the causes of the additional charges in this establishment since the peace of Utrecht. The same are applicable to the Army at large, in the allowance which was made to Commission-Officers in lieu of servants, in 1713, in a similar indulgence granted to the Quartermasters in marching Regiments in 1718, and the annuities to Officers Widows, to Colonels for clothing lost by deserters, to Captains for recruiting, and to the Agents of Corps, which were all the newly-adopted establishments of the latter year.

These additional grants, while they meliorated the situation of the Officer, cost the Nation but little.

It appears, in the course of this inquiry, that the perquisites of a Colonel, in clothing a Marine Regiment, exceeded those of the Foot, from the comparative superiority in their numbers, and the articles being of an inferior quality.

The grievances which had existed, and were _peculiar_ to those Regiments, appeared conspicuous in the course of this public research.

"Upon the whole business, witnesses were examined by the Committee who deposed that the Marines, while on the West India expedition, were paid according to the returns of effective men made monthly to the Commander in Chief, and the account of the _off-reckonings_ was kept by the Pay-Office; and that the Officers _clearings_ of the first raised six Regiments had been paid _only_ to the 25th of December, 1740, and of the other four to the 24th of June, 1741, _of which_ the Pay-Master cannot _now_ make any demand, till muster-rolls are delivered into his office, which he must compute, and then certify a state of the Regiment's account to the Secretary at War, who lays it before the King; in consequence of which, _warrants_ for _clearing_ the Regiment are issued to the Pay-master, who then makes out _debentures_, pursuant to which a _warrant_ is drawn for the payment of the money, and that by this was to be understood _clearing_ the Regiment. It further appeared, that by the usage of the Army, Regiments could not be _cleared_ with till muster-rolls were made out, but that the Marines had never been regularly mustered, (owing to their being detached and employed in every quarter of the globe) to which circumstance is owing their not having been cleared with, which has been a sad inconvenience to many of the Officers who were obliged to assign their arrears at a prodigious discount."

One of the Agents, upon his evidence, suggested to the Committee an expedient, by which to remedy this evil, which was, that muster-rolls might be made up from the books of the Men of War already come home, and from the muster-rolls of the men now at quarters. He additionally submitted it as his opinion, that it was the _duty_ of the _Commissary_ to make up this account, and _within his instructions_, to accept of such books as immediate vouchers. This Gentleman farther certified, that the _off reckonings_ were regularly paid, but that the _clearings_ were not, and that the Colonel usually saved near £1,000 out the _off reckonings_, after clothing a Marine Regiment; and he conceived, that the Officers _clearings_ might also be paid by a _warrant_ from the King to the Secretary at War; more particularly as there was no deficiency of Officers, though there might be of Private men; and the returns made being strictly upon honor, might supply the want of muster-rolls.

From another witness it was obvious, that no account had ever been settled with the Captains of Marines for their Companies, the Agents always alleging, that it could not be done without muster-rolls; and that though the Marines, when in the West Indies, were mustered and paid in the same manner as the marching Regiments were; and though the latter were cleared when they came home, _yet the former were not_.

That in the summer of 1745, indeed, a warranty countersigned by the Secretary at War, was sent to the Pay-Master for _clearing_ the four last raised Regiments of Marines, notwithstanding the want of muster-rolls; but not being signed by the Lords of the Treasury, it was not attended to.

This hardship was _peculiar_ to the Marine Regiments, as it became evident to the Gentlemen forming the Committee of Inquiry, that the different Corps of Foot employed upon the same service had been _cleared_ by such authority countersigned by the Secretary at War alone, without any objection, though the pay had been issued in the same manner to them, and the want of muster-rolls equally their case.

Marine Officers, it appeared, were not allowed to take their servants, when ordered to embark.

At this period, there was a sum of £101,551 3 4 in the hands of the Pay-Master of Marines; the amount of the above-mentioned claims, whose character and motives, however, were clearly exculpated from any blame; but it was not so with his Deputy or Cashier, who had appropriated near £90,000, bearing interest upon land-tax tallies, East India Bonds, and clothing assignments, _without the knowledge of his Superior_, who had been informed, and till this investigation took place, always understood that the whole had been deposited in the Bank of England.

Another Subordinate, the Accountant of the Pay-Master, shared in the annual profits of these investments, which were derived from the invaded rights of the injured Officer.--After having divided the spoils during some years, and having made a restitution of the principal, they were both deprived of their situations.

Such a scene of grievance appeared through the whole of this scrutiny, that the Committee emphatically closed their report, by the ingenuous avowal, that the _facts_ which appeared called for public notice, and highly deserved the attention of Parliament.

It ought to be related, to the honour of these suffering Corps, that during the long period of nearly six years they suppressed their feelings until the present occasion, of which they very properly availed themselves.

They now submitted their wrongs to a Board, instituted by legislative sanction, and for the express purpose of redress, as well as of inquiry; the following are the terms in which the Memorial of one of the Marine Regiments were couched:

To the Gentlemen of the Committee, and which may be considered
as engrossing the general sentiments of the whole that were
employed in the Expedition to the West Indies.

1st. "That in the month of August, 1740, when _this_ regiment was one of those embarked for the expedition to the West Indies, the Captains were obliged by _order_, out of their own pockets, to provide and lay in a stock of sugar, tobacco, snuff, shirts, shoes, stockings, jackets, trowzers, and other sea stores, for the use of their Companies; and were considerable losers in the waste and weighing, and in the division of the several species to the men; that farther, if any man died (which was frequently the case,) who had not lived long enough to pay the charge of their slops, the Captain was the only sufferer, as he received his mens' subsistence _according to the effective monthly returns only_, by order of the General; nay, the ordinary allowance of the two Warrant Men, paid in Great Britain and Ireland monthly to the Captains, with their subsistence, was here deducted, notwithstanding they embarked complete.

2dly. "The exchange of money between England and Jamaica, at that time was 40 per cent. and money enough to be had at that exchange for the payment of the Army; nevertheless the Officers and Private Men on that expedition were obliged to receive their pay at 20 per cent. for some time: indeed, upon a general murmur made by the army upon that occasion, there was 5 per cent. more added; so here was still a deduction of 15 per cent. A noted instance of this severity at the end.

3dly. "The Agents _now_ deny making up their accounts with the Captains of Marines, in the same manner that other Captains are accounted with; and in short deny giving any accounts at all. By this means a good deal of that martial dependence a Soldier ought to have on his Officer is withdrawn, as he finds the Agent is his factotum in affairs of money, and his executor in case he dies. The Agents, in order to support these their unjust proceedings, endeavour to screen themselves under some wrested paragraphs in the Mutiny Act; for (as we apprehend), from the Legislatures designed intent, and quite contrary to the King's Order in his Articles of War, _which must always be consequent to the above act_, as by the said act it is, that his Majesty is empowered to make such orders or articles.

4thly. "The Officers of Marines are by the same terms of chicanery kept from receiving their arrears, there being five years and a half due the 24th of June of the present year (1746), notwithstanding the other parts of the Army receive them punctually, though in no part of the service ought the arrears to be quicker paid than in the Marines, where Officers are put to certain and immediate necessary expences on every embarkation.

5thly. "It is plainly evident that no Officer in the Marine service (whilst dealt and accounted with in this manner), enjoys the same privileges with the other Officers of the Army, which must of consequence create heart-burnings, to the detriment of the service. Seeing, therefore, that these Officers have (notwithstanding their cruel usage) on all occasions and at all times been most ready with their lives and abilities to devote themselves to the service of their King and Country, we humbly beg that this their situation may be inquired into."

The instance which was referred to from the 2d article is as follow:

"A Pay-Master, while the Marines were employed in the Island of Cuba, by order of his Commanding Officer, did receive between 3 and £400 of the deceased Officers money, for which he gave bills upon the Agent of the Regiment in London, and issued out this money to the Officers, on account of their subsistence at the full exchange, which they were in great need of.

"When this Pay-Master was in the course of passing his accounts with the Agent of the Regiment, he was told that the Pay-Master General would not allow him this money, because all money on account of the Regiment (a scheme of which the Pay-Master knew nothing) _was to be drawn from the Contractors_, that is, the Marines were to receive their subsistence at 15 per cent. less than the currency of the country; though God knows, and the world are competent judges of the hardships and severities of campaigning in such a climate with sea provisions only, and bad water; besides, it was utterly impossible for men thus curtailed of their small subsistence, to purchase the least refreshments, when it is considered that a poor sheep was sold for £4, a turkey at £1 3 9, and so in proportion for every thing that could be termed fresh provisions.

"In return for such sufferings, the few who remained alive to revisit their native country, with the entail of broken constitutions scarcely worth the enjoying, which they still dragged on in the solacing hope of all their sorrows being closed, and all their claims adjusted, in order to restore their health, and to render them once more fit for the service of their King and Country, to their great disappointment, are to this very day kept (we believe) by the juggling tricks of the Pay-Master General, and the Agents, from their arrears, _and the small benefits allowed to other parts of the Army_.

"From the beginning of this example it is plain, that no charitable regard was to be paid to the executors of deceased Officers receiving their money at par in Great Britain, nor to the sufferings of Officers in America, who received this small sum on the same terms there for subsistence. We therefore most humbly pray your goodness to intercede with his Majesty for the relief of these our grievances."

Such are the details of privation which this meritorious body had long continued to endure in silent loyalty. Thus early did they afford the brightest examples of steady allegiance, which has transcended to their posterity under every change of constitution they have undergone, and what, I trust, will ever be the distinguishing characteristic of a British Marine, under all the destinies of himself or his country.

One resulting and immediate consequence of this public inquiry was, that the Pay-Master made good the balance in his hands, which was lodged in the bank of England for the future benefit of those who were so justly entitled to it.

Having introduced, in the preceding part of this inquiry, some terms which may not be understood by all, I shall take a retrospect of each, and define them in rotation.

The first that occurs is _off-reckonings_--of these there are two kinds, _gross_ and _nett_ off-reckonings; the former consisted of all the pay of the Non-commission Officers and Private Men _above_ their subsistence: for instance, during the period to which I allude, the _full pay_ of a common Soldier was 8_d._ per day, out of which 2_d._ was stopped for clothes, &c. and 6_d._ remained for his subsistence. From this too, 6_d._ per week was deducted to furnish stockings and shoes when the regimental articles were worn out.

The Captain of each Company always settled with his men for the balance, if any, every two months. _Nett off-reckonings_ were the amount of the _gross off-reckonings_, reserved for the purpose of clothing the men, _after_ the deductions of 1_s._ in the pound, and one day's pay from each Regiment, for the benefit of Chelsea Hospital, with 2_d._ in the pound for the agent of each Corps.--Such stoppages were always made at the Pay-Office.

_Clearings_ were the balance of each Officer's pay _above_ his subsistence, after the deductions stated were made, which ought to have been regularly paid by the Pay-Master General to the different Marine Agents.

_Warrants_ were documents with the sign-manual attached to each which authorized the receipt, and disbursements of money from the Treasury. They may be considered as the _sanctions_ of any Board. _Debentures_ were commonly made up at the Pay-Office, by virtue of warrants from the War-Office, annexing a general statement of the charges of each Regiment, upon which proceeded a _final_ or clearing warrant. Debentures originated in 1649, and they were a mode in the form of a bond, or bill, by which Government obliged itself to render payments of such monies as might be due to the Soldier, or his assigns, upon examining and closing the account of his arrears.

Nearly twelve thousand Marines was the vote of 1746. Early in this year, an expedition was meditated against Quebec, and a considerable force assembled at Spithead for that intent, amongst which was Colonel Powlet's Regiment of Marines; but from unaccountable delays, there the whole remained until the season was too late for such an attempt.

They were afterwards destined against Port L'Orient, with a view to distress the French East India Company, as well as to create a diversion in favour of the Austrian operations in Provence. The Commanders appointed were Admiral Lestock and Lieutenant General Sinclair.

The long detention of so respectable a force, until the period of Equinox not only gave time for the enemy to ascertain its object, but endangered its progress along a hostile coast, at so very critical a season.

At last, having assembled at Plymouth, the whole set sail upon the 14th of September, steering directly for the coast of Britanny.--Five thousand Infantry to be strengthened, if necessary, by the Marines of sixteen Sail of the Line, and eight Frigates, were the number employed on this occasion.

They made the coast upon the 18th; but from adverse circumstances, a debarkation was not effected until the 20th. The interval was advantageous for the enemy, who by alarm guns during the day, and lighted fire-beacons upon the tops of corresponding hills during the night, soon apprised their distant countrymen of an invader's approach.

It was in vain that opposition was attempted against the descent of our troops, by a body of undisciplined Militia. After having landed the cannon, with the ammunition and stores, in Quimparley-Bay, the whole were left under the charge of a small party of the Royal Artillery, and a body of one hundred Marines.

On the 21st the army advanced in two columns against Plymeur, which they reached after some slight skirmishing. The place having agreed to surrender, but afterwards treacherously firing upon a detachment, it was given up to plunder. On the following day, the whole moved on to a rising ground within a mile of Port L'Orient, the ultimate object of their views. After a fruitless parley, which the French had established, in order to gain time and to collect their scattered means of defence, hostilities commenced on the 24th.

Some affairs took place between that and the 26th, when after a cannonade, which did considerable damage to the town, a retreat was commenced under cover of the night.

The French were now pouring from all quarters, and the situation of our forces became critical. The fatigues endured by our men of every description were excessive. The opportunity of conquest seems to have been lost in the want of early energies, which allowed a valuable interval to the enemy for defence.

After a loss of about one hundred and fifty killed, wounded, and missing, and some Artillery, the re-embarkation was effected, when the fleet set sail upon the 1st of October, for the Bay of Borneuff, off Quiberon, and to the South of Quimperlay.

The body of Marines I have mentioned, were intrenched at Quimperlay, to guard the landing-place, and the rest, under Colonel Holmes, were united with the Army.

Upon the 4th of October, some troops were landed on the peninsula of Quiberon, without opposition, from whence the natives had fled with all their effects. After remaining ashore some days, the whole returned to England, without having effected any thing during that time, worthy of remark.

Nothing of moment appears farther on the face of the military operations of the present year, in which the Marines had a share.

In the gradual increase to the Establishment of the Army during the present war, the Marines became incorporated with the Line, and their numerical precedence commenced with the 44th Regiment, entitled, The First Marines.

The following is the detail of the Field Officers and Agents of each Corps, all of which were quartered in Great Britain, and in the vicinity of the principal sea-ports, at the close of the present year.

44th Regiment, or First Marines.

George Churchill, Colonel.
N. Mitchell, Lieutenant Colonel.
James Macdonald, Major.
J. Winter, Dartmouth-street, Westminster, Agent.

45th Regiment, or Second Marines.

Robert Frazer, Colonel.
J. Leighton, Lieutenant Colonel.
T. Mathews, Major.
T. Paterson, Conduit-street, Agent.

46th Regiment, or Third Marines.

C. H. Holmes, Colonel.
P. Damar, Lieutenant Colonel.
W. Brown, Major.
T. Fisher, Privy-gardens, Whitehall, Agent.

47th Regiment, or Fourth Marines.

C. George Byng, Colonel.
B. Hutchison, Lieutenant Colonel.
J. Read, Major.
T. Paterson, Conduit-street, Agent.

48th Regiment, or Fifth Marines.

C. James Cochran, Colonel.
C. Whiteford, Lieutenant Colonel.
J. Stuart, Major.
Maynard Guering, St. James's-park, Agent.

49th Regiment, or Sixth Marines.

------------, vacant, Colonel.
C. Gordon, Lieutenant Colonel.
C. Leighton, Major.
William Adair, Pall-mall, Agent.

50th Regiment, or Seventh Marines.

H. Cornwall, Colonel.
J. Paterson, Lieutenant Colonel.
R. Bendish, Major.
T. Fisher, Privy-gardens, Whitehall, Agent.

51st Regiment, or Eighth Marines.

J. Duncombe, Colonel.
J. Cunningham, Lieutenant Colonel.
J. Brewse, Major.
Maynard Guering, St. James's-park, Agent.

52d Regiment, or Ninth Marines.

C. Pawlett, Colonel.
G. Walsh, Lieutenant Colonel.
--------, Major, _vacant_.
Mr. Guering, Agent.

53d Regiment, or Tenth Marines.

Sir Andrew Agnew, Colonel.
C. Pawlett, Lieutenant Colonel.
C. Durand, Major.
Mr. Guering, Agent.

These Regiments, when complete, were supposed to consist of one thousand Rank and File each, and every battalion of ten Companies.

At this period the whole forces upon the British Establishment amounted to eighty-five thousand six hundred and eleven men.

As institutions of honor, and distinctions of merit, are necessary incentives for animating the zeal both of Corps and individuals, as like every other inheritance, peculiar privileges ought to be transmitted, unimpaired, to the lineal successors of Public Bodies, if not forfeited by misconduct, or abused by wantonness, I am thus led to remark an occurrence that took place in London, and which is authenticated by Major Donkin, in his "Military Collections," who was a cotemporary and intimate with the Officer to whom the circumstance happened. It is thus expressed:

"_The 3d Regiment of Foot, raised in_ 1665, known by the ancient title of The Old Buffs, have the privilege of marching through London with drums beating, colours flying! which the city disputes not only with all other Corps, but even with the King's Guards going on duty to the Tower! It happened in the year 1746, that as a detachment of Marines were beating along Cheapside, one of the Magistrates came up to the Officer, requiring him to cease the drum, as no Soldiers were allowed to interrupt the civil repose. The Captain commanding (an intimate friend of mine) immediately said, Sir, we are Marines.--Oh, Sir! replied the Alderman, I beg pardon; I did not know it! Pray continue your route as you please."

It has been already noticed in the early part of this retrospect, that the Corps of Marines was originally engrafted upon _that Regiment_ to which the Major alludes--that the _Old Buffs_ of the present day gained one numerical step in the Line, from the extinction of its predecessor, previous to which circumstance it had no claim to the privilege in question, and could establish no subsequent one from merely a sameness in name.

The conclusion which naturally arises must be, that after having ascertained _our First Parent, as children_, we should enjoy unalienated the honors of our forefathers.--Whether or not, in authenticating the fact he has stated, the Major means to advance a similar inference by a like train of analogy, I know not, but it appears to carry a feasible construction.

Although the metropolis is but rarely the scene of our service, except that of recruiting, still no one can anticipate the reforms which may be judged necessary in the different military establishments of our Country. In adducing one example of undisputed right, it must certainly fix it as a recognized principle under all future contingencies, excepting that the laws of police shall have utterly abolished the practice.

CHAP. XVI.

Eleven thousand one hundred and fifty Marines constituted the vote for 1747.

Notwithstanding the disasters of the last year in a projected expedition under Duke D'Anville, against Cape Breton, still the ministry of France persevered in their designs upon that important possession. Another object, more extensive in its nature and more fatal in its aim, formed also a part of their plan in the subsequent operations of the war, which was directed against the British dependencies upon the Coast of Coromandel.

These armaments equipped, under different destinations, set sail from France in united force, under the fond persuasion that no hostile interruption could stop their progress.

A happy genius appeared at this time to guide our Naval Councils. Early intelligence was obtained of the enemy's views, and adequate measures were soon taken to counteract them. The occasion afforded a fresh display of the zeal and intrepidity of Vice Admiral Anson, and Rear Admiral Warren, who with a superior force fell in with and captured, upon the 3d day of May, five sail of the line of battle, a large frigate, and four stout armed ships freighted on account of the French East India Company, with troops and stores.

Above £300,000 in money, which was intended to answer the contingencies of these expeditions, was found on board the Men of War, which altered its course to the Bank of England, and whither it was escorted by a party of Marines, in military procession, amidst the acclamations of the populace.

For this achievement the Vice Admiral was created a Peer of Great Britain, and Rear Admiral Warren was invested with the Order of the Bath.--The whole Fleet received the cordial thanks of their Sovereign, through its Commander, in these words, and who became the organ of the Royal wish:

"Sir, you have done me a great service--I thank you, and desire you to thank, in my name, _all the Officers and Private Men_, for their bravery and conduct, with which I am well pleased."

Soon after the enemy sustained a heavy commercial loss in forty-eight sail of homeward bound West Indiamen.

The 14th of October, in this year, memorable for our naval successes, was another day of triumph.

Rear Admiral Hawke, whom the vigilance of our Ministry detached early in August to intercept a numerous convoy then collecting for the West Indies, continued upon his cruizing ground until that morning, when their wished-for object was espied. After the most gallant defence, six ships of the line struck their colours, and were carried into Portsmouth. The Order of the Bath was the well-earned laurel of this victory to the Commander, and the legislative thanks of a grateful country were rendered to the subordinate Officers, Seamen, and Marines of the Squadron.

While victory thus crowned the British Flag, its Commerce also continued protected by the same guardian care. A few short months accomplished the conquest of the flower of the French Navy, the consequences of which were soon felt in the security of our trade and the increase of public credit. Those of the enemy were both fast on the decline, and a general despondency prevailed throughout their country, from which all their boasted victories upon the Continent could not revive the nation.

Towards the close of this year, Rear Admiral Boscawen sailed for the East Indies with a powerful squadron, having nearly two thousand troops on board, in order to reinforce our ships then inferior to the enemy upon that station, and to retrieve our affairs in that quarter of the globe. All our exertions during this era were employed on our proper element, in which the Marines bore a share, and they leave not to me a single detached incident for record.

In the early part of this year, his Majesty directed that the several Regiments of Marines which were then existing, or might afterwards be raised, should for the future obey such orders as they, from time to time, might receive from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, from which period our present Constitution may, in some degree, be dated.

CHAP. XVII.

The distresses of France had now reached their height in the destruction of her navy, and the annihilation of her commerce. Spain also, cut off from her resources by the vigilance of our fleets, was equally poor, and her subjects still more wretched; while Britain, now directed by unanimity and wisdom, seemed as if invigorated by the struggle.

Great must have been the sufferings of his people, when Louis XV. condescended to express his ardent wish for the return of peace to an individual who was then his prisoner. That Sovereign ingenuously avowed to Sir John Ligonier the pressures which had induced him to urge the topic; and it was a hint too interesting for humanity to pass unnoticed. Accordingly, a Congress was soon after held at Aix-la-Chapelle, in order to arrange the terms of negociation. The prospect however, did not relax our efforts, which were still greater than ever.

Eleven thousand five hundred and fifty Marines were the establishment of 1748.

Admiral Boscawen, who had sailed from England in November of the last year, got sight of the Mauritius upon the 23d day of June. His orders were to make an attack upon it, but this object was subordinate to the conquest of Pondicherry, which was the chief view of the expedition. The enemy had long been aware of his destination, and were well prepared to receive him. After having reconnoitred the coast, and sounded where a probability appeared of effecting a disembarkation, it was at last ascertained, that the powerful means of defence which presented every where, and the dangers of approaching the land in many places, must necessarily involve a great sacrifice of men, and render success even ultimately doubtful. The coming on of the autumnal monsoons had also an influence in the decision of a Council, which was to relinquish this attempt, and to proceed without delay for the Coast of Coromandel, the enjoined scene of operations.

Upon the 27th of June, the Admiral bid adieu to the island, and arrived at Fort St. David on the 29th of July. Here the troops were landed and encamped, with all the necessary stores. At no period could the Nation ever boast of a more zealous or faithful servant than Admiral Boscawen. It was now but a short interval ere he proceeded to carry his instructions into effect, under his own auspices; having entrusted the Fleet to Captain Lisle, the next in command, who had orders to co-operate to the utmost.

Previous to the departure of Vice Admiral Griffin, with four ships intended for Europe, the Marines were drafted from them, and added to the battalion, which upon this service consisted of eight hundred and eighty rank and file. The whole amounting to four thousand one hundred and twenty British and Country troops to be afterwards reinforced by two thousand native auxiliaries, and one thousand one hundred sailors, trained to small arms, were to form the besieging army. The battering cannon, mortars, and every implement were conveyed by the squadron within two miles of the town, while the land forces began their march towards Pondicherry, on the 8th of August, about thirty miles distant. They were uninterrupted till the 11th, when a shew of opposition was made by an intrenched force of the enemy on the banks of a river. These gave way, however, upon the advance of a detachment to attack them. On the other side stood the fort of Arian-Coupan, which it was essential to carry previous to opening the siege. A force of seven hundred men, composed of grenadiers, and the piquets of the Army were deemed adequate to this attempt by the Engineers who reconnoitred the works. In this service they had been unhappily deceived, from the peculiarity of the ground in front of the fort, the real strength of which was hid from their view.

Unprepared for the assault, our brave men, when too late, found its formidable state, but with a persevering though an unfortunate spirit, they continued an attack which afforded no hope of success.

The enemy now galling them extremely by flanking fires from two batteries on the opposite side of the river, a retreat was made after the loss of 150 men killed and wounded, and amongst them some of our best officers. The fall of Major Goodere of the Artillery, upon this occasion, was peculiarly lamented, and from his high professional talents, was considered as an event inauspicious to the future operations of the army.

The detachment being repulsed, retired towards the sea, in order to preserve a communication with the ships, and thus to disembark the cannon and stores. Here they slept all night upon their arms, and on the following day, the 13th of August, were joined by the army. In the afternoon the 1100 Seamen were landed under Captain Lloyd.

It was now determined to carry on approaches in regular form. Upon the 17th a battery of four guns was opened, but being injudiciously placed it produced no effect. The Artillery Officers having volunteered to construct another, it began on the following morning with such success, that a desperate attempt was made by the enemy to destroy it. This at first succeeded, but our men soon rallying from a temporary panic, the French were beat back and their Commanding Officer taken prisoner. Major Lawrence, however, and some officers scorning to participate in the early terror which seized the troops, became captives.

Upon the 20th some gunpowder taking fire within the Fort, the principal Battery blew up, by which explosion upwards of 100 of the enemy perished. They then, by putting matches to the different mines, demolished all the fortifications, and the remains retreated to Pondicherry.

The ruins were soon occupied by our troops, who were employed, until the 25th in rendering this post tenable. They afterwards crossed the river of Arian-Coupan, and got possession of a strong situation within a mile of the place, without a shew of contest. This being to the north west of the town, a communication was from thence maintained with the ships to the northward of it, and all the implements necessary for the siege were now landed.

Early in the morning of the 1st of September the Advanced Guard of 100 men, consisting principally of Marines, was attacked by very superior forces, which were headed by Mons. Portalis, the principal Engineer of the enemy; who was mortally wounded, besides four other Officers, and the whole were repulsed with a loss of upwards of 120 soldiers.

Upon this occasion a woman fought in the Marine Ranks of the name of Hannah Snell, a native of Worcester, who, after many chequered destinies, inlisted at Portsmouth in Colonel Frazer's regiment, from whence she was embarked with a detachment on board the Swallow sloop, one of Admiral Boscawen's squadron. In this affair she behaved with distinguished courage, having fired 37 rounds, and received a ball in the groin, which, two days afterwards, she herself extracted, and likewise dressed the wound. Eleven others in both legs, but of inferior consequence also, rendered her removal to the Hospital, at Cuddalore, absolutely necessary, where she continued three months.

When recovered she was ordered on board the Eltham frigate, in which she continued till that ship returned home and was paid off. After receiving her discharge from the Marine Service, in company with many of her companions, she set out for London. The time arrived when they were to bid each other a long adieu; this moment she chose to discover her sex, in order to attest the truth of her adventures. One of her friends tendered his hand, which was declined. She afterwards wore the Marine Dress, and having presented a petition to his Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland, he, with a princely spirit, attended to her prayer, and placed her on the King's list for a pension of thirty pounds a year for life. This she enjoyed until a few years ago, when, after a long residence at Walsall, in Staffordshire, her days were closed.

It was not until the 25th of September that the batteries were completed, when they began to play. Owing to a general ignorance of the plan of Pondicherry, our first attack was directed against its strongest quarter, and after different approaches, it was discovered that a deep and intervening morass prevented their being carried within a distance near enough to produce effect. Notwithstanding a combined cannonade on the part of the squadron, against the town, it was found that the enemy's fire rather gained an ascendency. Sickness becoming prevalent, from the fatigues endured by the troops, often up to the middle in water; the rainy season being daily expected, which would inundate the country and cut off their retreat to Fort St. David's, and the army rapidly diminishing in its numbers, afforded strong grounds for immediately abandoning the siege. A Council of War, held on the 30th of September, determined upon this measure, after which period the only objects to be accomplished were reimbarking the men and stores, and setting fire to the batteries, all which were effected upon the 5th of October, and the whole were in motion upon the morning of the 6th.

They had happily chosen the critical moment for retreat, as the rains which fell upon the same evening, had nearly rendered the rivers impassible; however they reached Fort St. David's upon the evening of the 7th, after having demolished the Fort of Arian-Coupan on their way.

The want of Engineers was bitterly felt throughout the whole, and though it was in many instances amply compensated by the handsome and voluntary tenders of service, from the Officers of the Corps of Royal Artillery, still these were of too subordinate a nature to remedy the errors committed in the leading plan of operations.

We had also to combat a garrison nearly equal to our own army, which was but little aided by the Native Auxiliaries, whose chief use lay in guarding the skirts of our Camp from surprize, or harassing parties; for they would never defend any post without being supported by European troops.

This disaster involved a loss of 1065 Whites of every description, while that of the enemy did not exceed 500.