pair, and beat up for Martinico.

A business of more serious import soon engaged his attention. The
Americans were at this time trading with our islands, taking advantage
of the register of their ships, which had been issued while they
were British subjects. Nelson knew that, by the Navigation Act, no
foreigners, directly or indirectly, are permitted to carry on any trade
with these possessions. He knew, also, that the Americans had made
themselves foreigners with regard to England; they had disregarded the
ties of blood and language when they acquired the independence which
they had been led on to claim, unhappily for themselves before they were
fit for it; and he was resolved that they should derive no profit from
those ties now. Foreigners they had made themselves, and as foreigners
they were to be treated. "If once," said he, "they are admitted to any
kind of intercourse with our islands, the views of the loyalists, in
settling at Nova Scotia, are entirely done away; and when we are again
embroiled in a French war, the Americans will first become the carriers
of these colonies, and then have possession of them. Here they come,
sell their cargoes for ready money, go to Martinico, buy molasses, and
so round and round. The loyalist cannot do this, and consequently must
sell a little dearer. The residents here are Americans by connection and
by interest, and are inimical to Great Britain. They are as great rebels
as ever were in America, had they the power to show it." In November,
when the squadron, having arrived at Barbadoes, was to separate, with
no other orders than those for examining anchorages, and the
usual inquiries concerning wood and water, Nelson asked his friend
Collingwood, then captain of the MEDIATOR, whose opinions he knew upon
the subject, to accompany him to the commander-in-chief, whom he then
respectfully asked, whether they were not to attend to the commerce
of the country, and see that the Navigation Act was respected--that
appearing to him to be the intent of keeping men-of-war upon this
station in time of peace? Sir Richard Hughes replied, he had no
particular orders, neither had the Admiralty sent him any Acts of
Parliament. But Nelson made answer, that the Navigation Act was
included in the statutes of the Admiralty, with which every captain was
furnished, and that Act was directed to admirals, captains, &c., to see
it carried into execution. Sir Richard said he had never seen the book.
Upon