Intelligence had been received by the British Government of these preparations, and measures were adopted in order to counteract the views of the enemy. The occasion afforded a renewed display of the zeal and intrepidity of Vice-Admiral Anson and Rear-Admiral Warren, who sailed from Plymouth on the 9th of April, in order to intercept both squadrons, which were to set sail together. The Vice-Admiral, on board of the “Prince George” of ninety guns, with the Rear-Admiral, on board the “Devonshire,” and twelve ships more under his command, received directions to cruise between Ushant and Cape Finisterre on the coast of Galicia. On the 3rd of May, 1747, they fell in with the French squadrons, consisting of six large ships of war, as many frigates, and four armed vessels equipped by the French East India Company, having under their convoy about thirty ships laden with merchandize: those prepared for war immediately shortened sail, and formed in line of battle, while the rest, under the protection of the six frigates, proceeded on their voyage with all the sail they could carry. The British squadron was likewise drawn up in line of battle, and the engagement began with great fury about four o’clock in the afternoon. The enemy’s ships sustained the battle with equal conduct and valour, until they were overpowered by numbers, and they then struck their colours. About seven hundred of the French were killed and wounded in this action; the English lost about five hundred; and among them Captain Grenville, Commander of the ship “Defiance,” nephew to Lord Viscount Cobham, an officer of the most promising genius, and animated with the noblest sentiments of honour and patriotism. Two of these prizes were the “_Invincible_” and the “_Glory_,” which induced the Captain of the former to say to the Admiral, on giving up his sword, “Sir, you have conquered the _Invincible_, and _Glory_ follows you.” This blow was severely felt by France, who had vainly flattered herself, that by means of this armament she should render herself mistress of the Indian seas, and by that superiority be enabled to wrest from the British their most valuable possessions in that part of the world. A considerable quantity of money, intended to answer the contingencies of these expeditions, was found on board of the French ships, which were brought to Spithead, and the treasure, being landed, was conveyed in twenty waggons to the Bank of England, escorted by a party of Marines, amidst the acclamations of the populace. For this achievement Vice-Admiral George Anson was created a Peer of Great Britain, and Rear-Admiral Peter Warren was invested with the Order of the Bath. The whole fleet received the thanks of the Sovereign, through their Commander, Admiral Lord Anson.