Besides the many useful reforms adopted by Earl St. Vincent, for the internal œconomy of the British Navy, his Lordship also turned his attention to the corps of Royal Marines. Upon the 18th of March, 1803, a new code of instructions was published for their regulation when on shore, which vests in the four Senior Captains of each division, the management and superintendance of many concerns that had formerly been placed under separate departments. It would exceed my bounds to attempt the discussion of arrangements which are obviously well designed to promote the interests of the public and the individual, as well as to establish a facility in subordinate transactions. Experience, doubtless, will attest their wisdom, and posterity recognize with gratitude their enlightened author. The joyous work of peace had scarcely been fulfilled, when disappointed ambition began to wreak its rancour, through the low channels of a venal press. Hitherto the organs of knowledge, and sometimes of liberal opinion, the papers of republican France, under the controul of its First Consul, became the contemptible interpreters of degrading scurrility and the most inflammatory philippics against the English Government. Like the noise of the rattlesnake, they proclaimed a latent danger, while all the public institutes of Buonaparte were levelled at the foundations of our commercial greatness. A banditti of unauthorized agents also set themselves down in our seaports, who, under the specious pretexts of trade, were commissioned to explore our coasts and to contaminate our principles. By such subtle means had the courage and the energies of almost every State which had fallen under the French yoke, been previously undermined, and they well merited the instant and retaliating vengeance of a great kingdom. But war is a serious evil, and every expedient to avert it should be tried by a commercial Country, ere it has recourse to arms. There can be no compromise, however, where national security and honor are at stake. Ours were involved, and we again took up arms in defence of our dearest birthrights. My corps very soon met an increase of 43 companies to complete the legislative vote for 1803. This has introduced to actual service, all who were upon the half pay list, and produced many vacancies upon the establishment, which, to the perpetual honor of Earl St. Vincent, have been filled by the offspring or kindred of the veteran Marine Officer, who have uniformly met a preference from his Lordship, to the adopted sons of power. A detachment under Lieutenant Colonel Collins embarked for Port Phillips, in the Southern part of New Holland, who was nominated Lieutenant Governor of it. His personal knowledge of the Country, and the habitual discipline of my corps, will, I trust, unitedly render that fertile spot, of future public benefit, and its society of unfortunate criminals conspicuous by a reform of manners.