Preliminary articles for a treaty of peace having been signed, hostilities ceased in February, 1783, and Gibraltar remained one of the gems of the British Crown, after a determined siege of three years, seven months, and twelve days, from the commencement of the blockade. Thus terminated the celebrated siege of Gibraltar; the nations of Europe were struck with admiration of the gallant defenders of the fortress; the British people applauded their governor and his brave garrison; and the officers and soldiers received the thanks of Parliament and the approbation of their Sovereign. “In commemoration of the glorious defence made by the regiments of infantry which composed the garrison of GIBRALTAR during the late memorable siege of that fortress,” the FIFTY-SIXTH Regiment received the royal authority to bear on its regimental colours the word “GIBRALTAR,” with the device of a “CASTLE AND KEY,” and the motto “_Montis Insignia Calpe_.” In pursuance of an arrangement made by His Majesty’s command, the several regiments were at this period directed to assume _County Titles_, and to cultivate a connexion with such parts of the kingdom, with the view of promoting the recruiting of the army. The FIFTY-SIXTH received the title of the WEST ESSEX Regiment. In the month of October of this year, the FIFTY-SIXTH Regiment was relieved at Gibraltar, and embarked for England: having landed at Portsmouth in December, it marched from thence to Chatham. [Sidenote: 1784] In the beginning of 1784 the regiment marched to St. Albans, and in the spring commenced its route to Scotland, proceeding first to Glasgow, and afterwards to Aberdeen. [Sidenote: 1785] [Sidenote: 1786] On the 8th of April, 1785, the regiment commenced its march from Aberdeen for Fort George, where it was stationed twelve months, and, in April, 1786, marched to Perth: in June it proceeded to Edinburgh Castle. [Sidenote: 1787] Leaving Edinburgh in May, 1787, the regiment proceeded to Ayr, and in September to Glasgow. Its establishment was reduced from eleven to ten companies. [Sidenote: 1788] [Sidenote: 1789] In January, 1788, the regiment embarked from Glasgow for Ireland, and, landing at Belfast, proceeded from thence to Galway, where it was stationed during the following year. [Sidenote: 1790] [Sidenote: 1791] From Galway the regiment marched, in the autumn of 1790, to Dublin, where it was stationed during the year 1791, its lieutenant-colonel, Colonel Peter Craig, commanding the garrison. [Sidenote: 1792] From Dublin the regiment marched, in June, 1792, to Drogheda. In the mean time a revolution of a violent and dangerous character had taken place in France, and the French monarch was placed under restraint. These proceedings, with the attempts made by the French to promulgate their democratical doctrines in other countries, appearing to render a war inevitable, the army was augmented, and two companies were added to the FIFTY-SIXTH Regiment. [Sidenote: 1793]