An addition of twenty companies was ordered early in the year 1757,
to complete the parliamentary vote of eleven thousand four hundred
and nineteen marines.
The happy change which had taken place in the councils of the
nation seemed to extend its effects through every department.--That
vigor and unanimity was, however, again suspended by intrigue and
faction, of which the enemy availed themselves, by detaching with
impunity, reinforcements to their distant dominions.
A coalition of parties having been accomplished, re-animated the
country, but nothing peculiarly interesting or falling within my
scope, can be remarked within the current incidents of this year.
Some partial naval actions, which did honor to the leaders, and
which reflected credit upon all the subordinates who had a share,
were fought within this period. They evinced that our spirit was
not extinguished, but that it only awaited the auspices of some
guiding hand, and a higher occasion, to render it of substantial
benefit to the public.