Upon the evening of that day the Admiral ordered the flat bottomed boats, below the town, to assemble astern of one of the frigates. Into these all the Marines which could consistently be spared, were embarked, and at the break of day of the 13th stood over towards the Beaufort shore as if to make a descent, while the ships of war that escorted them were ordered to cannonade the French lines. This feint obliged the enemy to retain a greater force at those works, than they would otherwise have done, and it was in some degree instrumental towards the success of that glorious day. In the summer of the present year orders were given for each ship of the line, upon the home station, to take on board a double complement of Marines, to co-operate in the descents which might be attempted by the army. Discomfited in every quarter, the enemy now confined their designs to domestic preparations, which aimed at a general but connected invasion of this island. Of these our Cabinet was fully apprized, and well knew how to frustrate them. Admiral De La Clue, with a considerable force, having put to sea from Toulon, in order to effect a junction with their grand armament at Brest, was soon after observed by Admiral Boscawen, and defeated with a loss of five of his ships, while the remains took shelter in the port of Cadiz, where they were blocked up by an English squadron. This reverse was little expected by the French Ministry, who could not conceive that our energies were every where. The enemy defended themselves with bravery, and they had set them, by their Chief, a most heroic example. Such as might have been expected was given by Admiral Boscawen to his fleet. Rear Admiral Rodney destroyed a link of that chain of preparation by the bombardment of Havre de Grace, where a large collection of boats had been formed, denominated Prames. These were flat bottomed, were about 100 feet long, 24 broad, and 10 in depth, each mounted two heavy cannon, had one mast, could sail or row when most convenient, and was capable of transporting 280 troops, or nearly 50 cavalry complete. Our good friends, the Dutch, ever ready to supply all parties, suffered a heavy loss during the blockade of Havre, in naval and military stores, with which their avarice had prompted them to supply our purposed invaders. The honour of our arms was this year most gallantly supported by Vice Admiral Pocock, in the East Indies, who was opposed to very superior forces, but still afforded that general protection to our territory and our commerce, which must ever constitute the most predominant objects of our naval efforts. A sharp action was fought, which, as might have been anticipated, ended in a drawn conflict.