London; 20,000 will land on the west side of
Dover, sixty or seventy miles from London, and the same number
on the east side: they are too knowing to let us have but one
point of alarm for London. Supposing 200 craft, or 250,
collected at Boulogne &c, they are supposed equal to carry
20,000 men. In very calm weather, they might row over, supposing
no impediment, in twelve hours; at the same instant, by
telegraph, the same number of troops would be rowed out of
Dunkirk, Ostend, &c. &c. These are the two great objects to
attend to from Dover and the Downs, and perhaps one of the small
Ports to the westward. Boulogne (which I call the central point
of the Western attack) must be attended to. If it is calm when
the Enemy row out, all our Vessels and Boats appointed to watch
them, must get into the Channel, and meet them as soon as
possible: if not strong enough for the attack, they must watch,
and keep them company till a favourable opportunity offers. If a
breeze springs up, our Ships are to deal _destruction_; no
delicacy can be observed on this great occasion. But should it
remain calm, and our Flotilla not fancy itself strong enough to
attack the Enemy on their passage, the moment that they begin to
touch our shore, strong or weak, our Flotilla of Boats must
attack as much of the Enemy's Flotilla as they are able--say
only one-half or two-thirds; it will create a most powerful
diversion, for the bows of our Flotilla will be opposed to their
unarmed sterns, and the courage of Britons will never, I
believe, allow one Frenchman to leave the beach. A great number
of Deal and Dover Boats to be on board our vessels off the Port
of Boulogne, to give notice of the direction taken by the Enemy.
If it is calm, Vessels in the Channel can make signals of
intelligence to our shores, from the North Foreland to
Orfordness, and even as far as Solebay, not an improbable
place, about seventy or eighty miles from London.

"A Flotilla to be kept near Margate and Ramsgate, to consist of
Gun-boats and Flat-boats; another Squadron to be stationed near
the centre, between Orfordness and North Foreland, and the third
in Hoseley Bay.[38] The Floating Batteries are stationed in all
proper positions for defending the different Channels, and the
smaller Vessels will always have a resort in the support