A large augmentation to the Marine corps was voted for the year
1760, which amounted to 130 companies, comprizing in all 18,355;
being more than one fourth of our naval forces.
Their merits and usefulness became conspicuous by the most zealous
and spirited services, on either element, to which their mingled
duties called them.
It was the happy destiny of Captain Elliot to deliver his country
from the remaining terrors of invasion, kept alive by the
adventurous and enterprizing squadron of Thurot.
After having accomplished every thing within the power of a mortal,
for the good of his Nation, this Commander outlived not his defeat,
but fell gloriously; leaving behind him a name equally revered for
humanity as valour.
The enfeebled state of France, unable to extend support to
the distant members of her Empire, exposed them as easy and
alternate conquests to our successful arms. Although but few naval
achievements occur through this year, still the spirit of our
seamen continued the same, in every instance that presented for
their efforts.
This era first brought into public and deserved notice, the great
military talents of Colonel, afterwards General Sir Eyre Coote.
To him may be chiefly attributed the recovery of our drooping
interests in the East, at one time nearly annihilated by the bold
and vindictive genius of Monsieur Lally.
Soon after the decisive battle obtained by Colonel Coote over
that General at Wandewash, Admiral Cornish reached Madras with a
reinforcement of six ships of the line. The French squadron not
appearing on the coast, enabled our joint forces to prosecute
future schemes of conquest. The first step was the advance
of Colonel Coote against Waldour, and the united blockade of
Pondicherry by sea and land. Major Monson, the second in command,
was destined to attack Carical, and accordingly embarked on board
the squadron with that view. The forces which he was to head
consisted of 300 Marines, to be afterwards joined by a small body
of Artillery, some Europeans, and a considerable number of Seapoys
from Trichinopoly.
Admiral Cornish having arrived in the road of Carical upon the
28th of March, Major Monson was landed with the Marines and some
native pioneers, at five in the evening, where they halted during
the night, and advanced against the town early on the following
morning, which they gained with a trifling loss. Being annoyed by
Fort Dauphin, the enemy were also driven from it into Fort Louis,
by a few shells.
Upon the 3d of April all the expected reinforcements arrived, by
which the latter was immediately invested.
Learning on the 5th that the garrison had a prospect of relief, and
having already done considerable damage to the enemy's works, the
Commandant was summoned to surrender, to which he agreed; the whole
being considered as prisoners of war. The Seamen were meritoriously
active in landing the necessary stores during the night-time.
By the successive operations of this force, the French were
deprived of many important possessions, and Monsieur Lally, with
an army, which a little while ago were the dread of that quarter,
became shut up in Pondicherry, at the commencement of May.
These material services having been effected, the Marines were
reimbarked on board their respective ships, and honoured by the
thanks of him who had led them. In the mean time, Colonel Coote
had carried his object, and had advanced within four miles of
Pondicherry, towards which he threw up redoubts.
Rear-Admiral Stevens having assumed the command of the British
Fleet, proceeded off that place, and at the instance of the
Governor and Council of Madras, as well as of Colonel Coote,
landed the Marines at Cuddalore, upon the 29th of August, in order
to accelerate matters before the setting in of the rains. They
immediately joined the Army, and were materially assisting in the
many active and tedious services that ensued.
Major Monson having received a superior commission to that of
Colonel Coote, this respectable Officer, for a while, relinquished
these bustling scenes; but the former being wounded most severely
in a successful enterprize, which he conducted with great gallantry
against the enemy's batteries, was in turn compelled to resign the
command of the Army. Recent experience had convinced the public of
the value of him who had been superseded, and the highest testimony
that could have been yielded to an Officer, was recalling him to
fill the important situation he had held.
The high-spirited Lally, jealous only of his own honor, but
unfeeling towards the unsurpassed sufferings of those beneath
him, persevered in defending Pondicherry, while a glimpse of hope
remained. A dreadful disaster to our Fleet had nearly realized his
deliverance; but the steady seamanship of our Officers, amidst one
of the greatest hurricanes that ever blew, preserved a valuable
remains for the service of their Country, which soon resumed the
blockade of that important Capital.
It was not until the middle of January of the ensuing year that it
fell, and with its conquest became involved the ruin of the French
East India Company, with all their dependencies on the coast of
Coromandel.
Such were the happy commercial results, as well as territorial
acquisitions, that were obtained by our successful arms; in
accomplishing which the Corps of Marines was in some degree
instrumental.
On a retrospective view, a great share of credit is justly due
to Vice-Admiral Pocock, who, with very inferior numbers, was in
three battles opposed to Monsieur D'Ache; in every one of which he
supported the honor of the British Flag, while he afforded both a
countenance and co-operation to the enterprizes of our Army.
The plan of completely conquering the province of Canada was this
year carried into effect; it was well arranged, was executed with
spirit, and exhibited high military talents in Sir Jeffery Amherst,
who commanded in Chief.
Some of our Naval Officers contributed much to the general success,
from their intimate knowledge of the local navigation, and their
active zeal in conducting the necessary and numberless duties of
landing and re-embarking the troops.
The reduced state of the French Marine did not allow of many
opportunities to signalize our Fleet during this year; but whenever
they occurred, our superiority was uniformly conspicuous. From the
protection which it gave to an important branch of our commerce,
the gallant action between the Flamborough and Biddeford, both 20
gun ships, with two heavy French frigates, deserves notice.--These
had been detached on purpose to intercept our outward-bound for
Oporto and Lisbon, which they learnt was under convoy of a small
sloop of war. Fortunately for this valuable Fleet, our ships got
sight of La Malicieuse and L'Opale, of 36 guns each, upon the
morning of the 4th of April, and gave them chace. It was not until
seven in the evening, when observing our vast inferiority, the
enemy seemed willing for the combat. At this hour they closed, and
continued engaging till nine, when a short respite enabled both to
renew the battle, which continued till midnight.
That intrepid perseverance which so strongly marks the British
character, and in a comparative sense so peculiarly distinguishes
the British Seaman, at last prevailed, and compelled this very
superior enemy to seek safety in flight; while the disabled state
of our little ships, from the heavy metal to which they had been
exposed, precluded the idea of pursuit.
Captain Skinner and the Hon. Lieutenant Knollis, of the Biddeford,
fell upon this occasion; but their loss was nobly compensated
by the unremitting good example of Mr. Stacey, the Master, who
succeeded to the command.
Lieutenant Price, of the Marines, was also killed on board the
Flamborough.
The events of this action were of much greater moment than such as
frequently arise from the vindictive conflicts of greater numbers,
as it preserved a large convoy from falling into the hands of the
enemy, which would have otherwise been its fate, upon the very day
it was fought.
Admiral Rodney was very active with his flying squadron, while our
Grand Fleet, by its vigilance and occasional descents, entirely cut
up the enemy's commerce, and kept their sea-coasts in a state of
constant alarm, under the successive commands of Admirals Boscawen
and Hawke.
The nation had to deplore the loss of its Sovereign on the morning
of the 25th of October, who died alike beloved and regretted by
every class of his subjects.
Upon the noon of the following day, his present Majesty was
proclaimed King of these Realms, and very early afforded the most
impressive earnests of predilection for his native Land, its glory,
and its happiness.
The magnanimous benevolence of Englishmen was at this period highly
conspicuous to their distressed fellow-countrymen, who were
prisoners in France, and whose sufferings from penury and nakedness
were of a kind the most extreme.
Sympathizing with their distresses, subscriptions were set on foot,
and it was not long ere they were relieved by the most liberal
supplies. The public generosity was not confined within the pale of
its own kindred, but was stretched forth even towards our captive
foes, whose wants were most imperious, but from which their nation
was unable to deliver them.
When we reflect upon such noble acts of fellow-feeling, the
man who is insensible to the reciprocal duties of fidelity and
gratitude, deserves not the virtuous title of a Briton. The world
also must cease to wonder at the many signal instances of Divine
interposition in favor of this little island, when it considers
that Providence is thus vindicating his own ways, in behalf of
a people, who are uniformly guided by the sacred precepts, and
godlike impulse, "of forgiving, and doing good to their enemies."