The 1st of June, 1794, presents one of the best fought actions that appears on our Naval records. France had continued to molest our commerce by her cruizing squadrons, but her internal necessities, during this year of general scarcity, obliged her to concentrate her ships, and, with all her united forces, to cover the safety of an immense convoy from America. This was the main object, for which nothing too much could be risqued. From the instances of defection which had so often occurred in her military leaders, that republic, jealous of its baneful extension, combined Mons. St. Andre, an approved democrat, in the public character of a Commissioner, with their Chief Vice Admiral Villaret Joyeuse, on board the Montagne. During three preceding days the fleets were in sight, two partial affairs took place, and some very able manœuvring. The wind having been gained by Lord Howe, on the evening of the 31st of May, at seven in the morning of the following day, he bore up to battle, while the French coolly awaited his approach to so close a distance that little more than an hour decided the victory. The republican Chief gave the first example of flight, in which St. Andre, doubtless, coalesced, in spite of all his popular enthusiasm. Seven captured ships were amongst the fruits of that glorious day, which enervated all the subsequent exertions of a vindictive foe, during the war. Many of the fleet having been supplied with acting Marines, from different regiments, the loss which befell our establishment was, on that account, proportionally less. Captains (now. Colonel) Smith, and C. Money, besides Lieutenant S. Mitchell, were among the wounded, and comprized the total of our casualties in Officers. The carnage amongst the French was dreadful, and in the ships alone that were taken, it far exceeded the whole sustained by the British fleet. The united thanks of a grateful Country were conveyed to the Officers, Seamen, and Marines, for their faithful services on this proud day. Few single actions appear on the face of this year. One which was fought betwixt the Artois and La Revolutionaire French frigate, did honor to Captain Nagle in achieving her capture; but it deprived his King of a brave and good soldier, his family of a promising member, and his corps of one of its most shining ornaments, in Lieut. Peter Craigie, of Marines, who was severely wounded, and died soon after amputation. CHAP. XL. Fifteen thousand Marines were voted for the service of 1795. In consequence of the reverses of France at Toulon, and in the battle of the 1st of June, her commerce was neglected, and her Sailors became dispirited. Limiting nearly the whole of her energies to one element, she was thus enabled in every quarter, to pour from her frontiers a host of Soldiers and of Conquerors.