The disasters of the last year, and a change of Administration, whose views and sentiments, as to the future conduct of the war, were very opposite to those of their predecessors, produced a suspension of every offensive attempt upon the American Continent.
The West Indies was doomed to become the theatre of our Naval efforts, and the scene on which to revive our drooping glory. Sir Samuel Hood commanded the English Fleet, in that quarter, after his return from America; but was opposed to De Grasse at the head of overpowering numbers. No example of our history can afford a brighter instance of daring enterprize, with practical science, than was evinced by the British Chief in attempting the relief of St. Kitts. Although it was not succeeded by fortunate events, still that does not shade its merit. His able plan of attacking an immense superiority at anchor in the road of Basseterre, was superseded by the French Admiral, who, decoyed by his able manœuvres, relinquished that advantage, which was quickly seized by his acute opponent.
In the different actions that followed, Captain, now Col. Strickland, and Lieuts. Forster and Griffiths, of Marines, were wounded.
A want of troops placed not within Sir Samuel's power to raise the siege of Brimstone Hill, which held out as long as possible, but at last capitulated on honourable terms.
My bounds will not allow me to extend these details, in which the Marine Corps bore always a zealous, though a subordinate share.
Rear-Admiral Hood soon after joined Sir George Rodney, who brought out a powerful reinforcement of ships, that was most judiciously augmented by the single arrivals of others; by which method the West India Fleet became superior to the enemy, without their being apprized of it.
A train of success had elated De Grasse, who, with a mighty force, put to sea from Martinique on the 8th of April, in the certain confidence of adding Jamaica to his other conquests. The British Fleet soon followed him, and a partial affair took place on the 9th; when an opportunity was lost by the French, of making a serious impression on the English van, under Sir Samuel Hood, unsupported by the centre and rear, from a casual failure of wind, under the island of Dominique.
Little hope of bringing the enemy to a decisive battle continued from that day, until the 11th, when a general chace was directed against two ships, whose recent damages had forced to leeward of their fleet, and exposed them to capture. Observing their danger, De Grasse, who might have weathered Guadaloupe, sacrificing that object, bore up to save them.
The Zelé falling on board the Ville de Paris during the night, by which she lost her main-mast, was chaced in the morning by the Monarch, to support which ship the French Admiral hazarded all, with his united force. Captain Reynolds was then recalled to his station in the line, and the conflict began at seven, on the 12th of April. That glorious day, with its important consequences, at so critical a period of our history, must be recognized by the latest posterity. To particularize any belongs not to me on so great an occasion, where all were entitled to praise. The high talents of Sir Charles Douglas afforded his gallant superior much useful aid through the day.
De Grasse being carried a captive to that island which he had but a little while ago viewed the certain spot of his triumphs as a conqueror, is an impressive example of the vicissitudes of fortune. He had the mortification to witness those grateful effusions of its natives, poured forth to their saviours, which, under different circumstances, would have been offered to him under the constrained forms of political adulation.