Our relations with France had been very strained, for some time past, and war had long been expected. In December 1792 a proclamation had been issued, embodying and calling out the militia. Vessels were being hurriedly equipped, and commissioned, and nobody was surprised, when, on 1st February, Parliament received a message from the King, informing his people that M. Chauvelin had left this country, and that there was an urgent necessity for augmenting the sea and land forces. The number of French in England became a source of uneasiness, and an Order of Council was issued on 2nd February, directing all aliens, save such as were excepted by the Alien Act, to reside within fifty miles of the standard on Cornhill, and ten miles from the sea coasts, and dockyards. The French had already begun hostilities, by laying an embargo on all British shipping in French ports, and, on 5th February, we retaliated by acting in the same manner; but the terms were not equal, for there were but six, or eight, French vessels in our ports, whilst it was reckoned that the French had got hold of over 1000 of our seamen. But sailors were forthcoming to man the fleet, for we read, under 7th February, that "Upwards of 2000 sailors entered the Royal Navy last week." On 11th February, the King sent the following message to Parliament:-- "George R.--His Majesty thinks proper to acquaint the House of Commons, that the Assembly now exercising the powers of Government in France have, without previous notice, directed acts of hostility to be committed against the persons and property of His Majesty's subjects, in breach of the law of nations, and of the most positive stipulations of treaty, and have since, on the most groundless pretensions, actually declared war against His Majesty and the United Provinces; under the circumstances of this wanton and unprovoked aggression, His Majesty has taken the necessary steps to maintain the honour of his Crown, and to vindicate the rights of his people; and His Majesty relies with confidence on the firm and effectual support of the House of Commons, and on the zealous exertions of a brave and loyal people, in prosecuting a just and necessary war, and endeavouring, under the blessing of Providence, to oppose an effectual barrier to the farther progress of a system which strikes at the security and peace of all independent nations, and is pursued in open defiance of every principle of moderation, good faith, humanity, and justice. "In a cause of such general concern, His Majesty has every reason to hope for the cordial co-operation of those Powers who are united with His Majesty by the ties of alliance, or who feel an interest in preventing the extension of anarchy and confusion, and in contributing to the security and tranquillity of Europe. G. R."