last the plentiful crops with which it pleased Providence to bless
these kingdoms, the prodigious quantities of corn imported from foreign
countries, and the wise measures of the legislature, broke all the
villanous schemes set on foot by the forestallers and engrossers, and
reduced the price of corn to the usual standard. The public joy on this
occasion was greatly augmented by the safe arrival of the fleet from
the Leeward islands, consisting of ninety-two sail, and of the Straits
fleet, estimated worth three millions sterling, whereby the silk
manufacturers in particular were again employed, and their distresses
relieved. About the same time the India company was highly elated with
the joyful account of the safe arrival and spirited conduct of three of
their captains, attacked in their passage homewards by two French men
of war, one of sixty-four, the other of twenty-six guns. After a warm
engagement, which continued for three hours, they obliged the French
ships to sheer of, with scarce any loss on their own side. When the
engagement began, the captains had promised a reward of a thousand
pounds to the crews, by way of incitement to their valour; and the
company doubled the sum, in recompence of their fidelity and courage.
His majesty having taken into consideration the incredible damage
sustained by the commerce of these kingdoms, for want of proper harbours
and forts on the western coast to receive and protect merchantmen,
was graciously pleased to order, that a temporary security should be
provided for the shipping which might touch at Milford-haven, until
the fortifications voted in parliament could be erected. How far his
majesty's directions were complied with, the number of merchant ships
taken by the enemy's privateers upon that coast sufficiently indicated.

OPERATIONS IN AMERICA.

Whatever reasons the government had to expect the Campaign should be
vigorously pushed in America, almost every circumstance turned out
contrary to expectation. Not all the endeavours of the earl of Loudon
to quiet the dissensions among the different provinces, and to establish
unanimity and harmony, could prevail. Circumstances required that he
should act the part of a mediator, in order to raise the necessary
supplies for prosecuting the war, without which it was impossible he
could appear in the character of a general. The enemy, in the meantime,
were pursuing the blow given at Oswego, and taking advantage of the
distr