from the misery to which she saw
her people exposed. With respect to the European powers that were not
actually engaged as principals in the war, they seemed industriously
to avoid every step that might be construed as a deviation from the
most scrupulous neutrality. The states-general proceeded with great
circumspection, in the middle course between two powerful neighbours,
equally jealous and formidable; and the king of Spain was gratified
for his forbearance with a convention settled between him and the
belligerent powers, implying, that his subjects should per-sue their
commerce at sea without molestation, provided they should not transport
those articles of merchandise which were deemed contraband by all
nations. The operations at sea, during the course of this year, either
in Europe or America, were far from being decisive or important.
The commerce of Great Britain sustained considerable damage from the
activity and success of French privateers, of which a great number had
been equipped in the islands of Martinique and Gaudaloupe. The Greenwich
ship of war, mounted with fifty guns, and a frigate of twenty, fell
into the hands of the enemy, together with a very considerable number of
trading vessels. On the other hand, the English cruisers and privateers
acquitted themselves with equal vigilance and valour. The duc
d'Aquitaine, a large ship of fifty guns, was taken in the month of June
by two British ships of war, after a severe engagement; and, about the
same time, the Aquilon, of nearly the same force, was driven ashore and
destroyed near Brest by the Antelope, one of the British cruisers. A
French frigate of twenty-six guns, called the Emeraude, was taken in the
channel, after a warm engagement, by an English ship of inferior force,
under the command of captain Gilchrist, a gallant and alert officer,
who, in the sequel, signalized himself on divers occasions, by very
extraordinary acts of valour. All the sea officers seemed to be animated
with a noble emulation to distinguish themselves in the service of their
country, and the spirit descended even to the captains of privateers,
who, instead of imitating the former commanders of that class, in
avoiding ships of force, and centering their whole attention in
advantageous prizes, now encountered the armed ships of the enemy, and
fought with the most obstinate valour in the pursuit of national glory.

FATE OF CAPTAIN DEATH.

Perhaps history cannot afford a