[CHAP. XLVI.]
At no period of her existence as a Nation, did Britain portend a speedier dissolution, although at none did she ever appear in a more dignified attitude, than at the commencement of 1801.
Alternately deserted by every Ally, she was not only engaged in an arduous contest with some of the most powerful States of Europe, but was threatened by the revival of a Maritime discussion, backed by an armed neutrality amongst its Northern Powers, evidently levelled against her existence. A confederacy so hostile to our very being, could not but arouse the land to assert their long established rights; and, however hazardous an appeal to arms might be under the existing crisis, it was still deemed a better, and more glorious alternative, than tacitly to allow any innovators, however powerful, to undermine those commercial pillars, upon which the Empire had so long flourished, and stood. Temporizing measures being but ill suited to the occasion, and little congenial to the spirit of the times, a general embargo was laid upon all Russian, Swedish, and Danish vessels within our ports, while a fleet was equipped for the Baltic, whose cannon were destined to become the interpreters of our injured privileges, as well as the delegated agents for the salutary restoration of peace.
Keeping pace with such Naval exertions, to which the Country looked for its salvation, the Marine corps experienced an effective augmentation unprecedented on its historic annals. A vote of 22,696 men passed for the three first lunar months of 1801, which was subsequently enlarged to 30,000 for the future services of the year.
I am naturally led to follow the progress of those gallant fellows to the coasts of the Baltic, by whose great achievements those impending dangers which seemed ready to erase their devoted Country from amongst the list of nations, were so quickly dispelled.
The object of this armament having been publicly avowed and known, the occasion evinced the spirited zeal of Lieutenant Colonel Winter, of my corps, by his stepping out of the routine of divisional service, and volunteering to head a battalion of Marines, upon these more perilous duties. The handsome tender of that able Officer, was not, however, accepted.
Upon the 12th of March the British fleet set sail, and passed the Sound on the 30th, encountering, in its way, an incessant but bloodless discharge from the cannon of Cronenburgh, when it anchored near to the isle of Huin. The battle of the 2d of April, fought under the superintending example and auspices of Lord Nelson, needs no description to add to its splendour. Its merits can best be appreciated by its immediate effects. Upon that great man's brow was placed the laurel, entwined with the olive, and both were the growth of a single day. It led to peace with our old friends, the Danes, and overthrew a Confederacy, upon the consequences of which speculation is set at bay.
The gallant Sir Thomas Graves nobly seconded his superior, and it is to be remembered, in honor to his name, that he volunteered to complete the final destruction of those Northern Opponents, if a cessation of arms had not healed every difference.