At this moment of public danger, the protection of our coasts was confided to Sir Edward Hawke, who shewed himself worthy of the trust. Taking his station off Brest he detached to every quarter within his limits, to reconnoitre and to destroy. Captain Harvey very highly distinguished himself by a train of activity upon his post, which was close to the mouth of that harbour. Some boats, seconded by his flying squadron, achieved the capture of several neutral vessels laden with naval stores, in the Bay of Camaret, which Mons. Conflans determined to resent. He accordingly employed a very superior force to gratify his spleen, which, however, did not stagger Captain Harvey's resolution, who, on the contrary, advanced to meet them. In turn he became the pursuer, which ended with the exchange of some distant shot, and the French ships taking shelter under their batteries. The consequences that were averted by this seemingly unimportant affair, were great, as the enemy had in view, after driving this squadron from its ground, to have proceeded to the Morbihan, another part of the coast of Britanny, where we had a small blockading force stationed; after destroying which, they were to return to Brest with the numerous land forces that were then ready for embarkation. With such material objects before them, it is a stigma upon their naval spirit, in not having persevered. The repeated enterprizes of this vigilant Officer derive a peculiar merit from the _time_ and _manner_ in which they were performed. When the enemy were every where proclaiming their threats, Capt. Harvey landed his Marines from the Monmouth, upon the little island of Molines, and exacted from its inhabitants a small supply of cattle, stock, and vegetables. The priest upon this spot stepped forth, as the organ of his flock, who, he said, were poor. Captain Harvey's reply was, "that he regretted to distress the wretched; but what he now did was merely to shew the enemy and all Europe, that the French could not protect their people within their own sight, much less dare the invasion of England!" He afterwards, in his own barge, being seconded by some other boats, brought off the tender of Admiral Conflans, from a small bay close to the harbour of Brest, within sight of their fleet, under a prodigious cannonade of guns and mortars, and an extensive line of musquetry. This brave man felt for the dignity of his country, and he maintained it.