uly 3rd gave rise to the hope that
yet before evening land would come into sight, but as heavy fogs and
strong winds set in it became necessary to avoid the probable dangers by
returning to the deeper ocean. Ever following a course of approaching
and then leaving the coast, and experiencing another heavy thunder
storm, which tore the sails to pieces, it was with indescribable joy
that the coast of Nova Scotia came to view on the 7th at break of day.
As soon as the anchoring place of Halifax was reached the commodore
signaled to the fleet to gather and sail before the wind. Now those
ships came along and rejoined the fleet which had become lost in the
fogs and had anchored several days previously in the harbor. They
greeted the commodore with fifteen shots and he replied with eleven.
From these ships much information was gained, and especially did they
bring joyful news about the ship Malaga, which had become totally lost
to all appearances in the Whitsuntide storm, and which with all on
board, a company of the life-guards, under Captain Waldenberg, had
already been given up as lost. Its bowsprit was gone and it had suffered
considerable damage too, but it had had the good fortune to bring to
Halifax a French ship which was carrying munitions of war to the
Americans. A reward of 2,000 pounds sterling had been granted to the
commander and his troops--but in course of time this was paid out to the
commanders of the English men-of-war. Having joined the great British
fleet it had followed the commander in chief, General Howe, to the new
rendezvous of the squadron and of the army.

Howe had already begun his career with blunders and perplexities. He had
been selected through an unfortunate vote conducted by his party and so
was entrusted with an affair, the nature of which demanded, in the midst
of the transactions of considerate love, the speediest progress of arms
and the greatest decision of character. Instead of leaving Boston, the
firebrand of the war, so important because of its location, either not
at all, or at such an early time that the state of New York which was
still chiefly loyal could be saved, he started for Halifax so
inopportunely, that meanwhile the power of the Congress was made felt in
New York, and prepared there the strongest defence; Howe finally made
Rhode Island his destination, and changed his mind during the trip, and
at last aimed for New York, when the commodore, William Hotham,
collected before