The elegant attentions of Mons. de Bellecomb, at Cape Francois, were still outdone by the noble humanity of Governor Don Galvez. This brave Spaniard placed the forfeited lives of those unfortunate delinquents, at his Royal disposal. It was the most precious gift that could have been tendered to a British Prince—who was recognized under this great and solemn offering as sharing in all the generous sympathies of an Englishman. The hour which permitted him to restore those wretched victims, in a foreign land, to their native society, must be reviewed as the happiest of his life. It must still yield many a consoling reflection in his retirement, and although restrained from adding to the triumphs of our Realm, by deeds of carnage, he may yet rejoice that he stands upon the records of mercy and benevolence by the most exalted displays of fellow feeling.
By the definitive articles of peace America found herself an Independent Empire. Recent injuries alienated her citizens from our Country; but similarity of manners, the dictates of interest, and allayed prejudices must, ere long, re-unite us in the bonds of friendship. The retreat of Washington from the head of her Armies, unambitious of recompense or power, forms one of the grandest examples of human virtue ever given to the world, and must immortalize his name through every stage of its existence.
Holland was compelled to suppress her phlegm, and to mourn over her degraded character, and commercial losses.
Few incidents of moment occurred within the intervals of 1783 and 1792, connected with my retrospect. A voluntary embarkation of Officers and men, for our distant settlement in New South Wales, occurred in 1785 which has eventually afforded scope for the able pen of Lieutenant Colonel Tench, and has hitherto given grounds for asserting the untarnished discipline of the Marine corps, when mingled even with the contaminating orders of vice and infamy. In other respects the same dull routine of detached services took place from year to year. During this period also many were the suppliant petitions of our establishment for its melioration, but sorry I am that, on casting an eye upon the details of each revolving season, they are unmarked by any auspicious results, excepting the institution of a retired establishment, and the addition of 5 companies in 1791.
It was found that farther exertions were still necessary to place them on the high list of public recompence, and that the faithful discharge of ten years duty in peace, had but little influence in strengthening their claims for favor.
[CHAP. XXXVIII.]
Within the womb of American liberty, was partly contained that revolution in France, which, after a long and sanguinary struggle, has not as yet accomplished any permanent system. It is not my task to retrace its extensive causes, and it would be presumptuous to anticipate its final issue. In this, reason, unguided by precedents, is soon lost in the labyrinths of speculation.
Confining myself to such points alone as affect the dignity of my Country, or the honor of my corps, fancy shall not assume the reins, but I will strike at once to that momentous day which again involved those arbiters of Europe in all the horrors of war.
A conventional decree of 19th November, 1792, circulated through every Country, and translated into every language, seemed to represent the French Nation as the encouragers and protectors of reform in every State. At this period Britain was recovering fast from her late disastrous efforts. An unexampled influx of wealth, added to her native joys of contentment and freedom. An edict so much militating against the internal peace of every society, therefore, naturally roused the watchful jealousy of our Government. Discussions ensued, which were agitated with temper, until those libertines in the cause of emancipation, brought their amiable Monarch to the scaffold. I blush to say that there were even Englishmen who were capable of extenuating the bloody deed, while there were others, but under a more generous impulse, who, tasting pure freedom themselves, wished that the blessing might also flow through all the channels of mankind. A set of free thinkers in politics, and Philanthropists in theory, also started up, who, with all the enthusiasm of laudable zeal worshipped a statue erected by an American Stay-Maker, on which were inscribed "The Rights of Man." The mania of that day, thank God, is extinguished, and an Englishman has now only to contrast the fawning attitude of the French People, under the present yoke of a foreign and unprincipled Usurper, with their uncontroled and licentious barbarity towards a good but fallen King, in order to form his opinions, and to suppress his sympathies in behalf of a nation, which, to gain its own ideal liberties, has uniformly aimed to desolate and enslave the world. He must also cease to admire the boasted victories and conquests of its soldiery, few of whom but do not now feel those chains which their triumphs have forged, and what all these once brave legions dare not now wrest from the hands of one man.—But to resume my narrative—