A Prince, delegated by his Father, and drawn from his retreat in another country, mild in his temper, and amiable in his manners, was induced to renew their almost forgotten claims upon our monarchy, and to revive the quickly decaying prejudices within our land, in favour of his family and himself.
Unable now no longer to restrain her views, France declared war upon the 20th day of March, which was answered by a similar proclamation of the 31st, on the part of England.—That Providence which has often so signally interposed for our country was now conspicuous.—The elements were employed in the destruction of many of their transports and troops at Dunkirk, while our floating bulwarks chased their covering fleet from our coasts.
At this time the whole property of naval prizes was vested in the captors, his Majesty having generously relinquished that share which hitherto had pertained to the Crown.
The arrival of Commodore Anson from his expedition, which was originally intended to co-operate across the isthmus of Darien, with the fatal one conducted by Admiral Vernon, diffused a joy into the nation.
The specie which was gained by his enterprize, courage, and perseverance was immense; and although it was obtained antecedent to the royal grant, still it was divided amongst his squadron, unimpaired by claims.
About three hundred and thirty marines shared in the toils, and the many debarkations which took place in his tedious progress; having been drafted from the different regiments to fill up the complement of his ships, and to supply the place of a number of Invalids under Lieutenant Colonel Cracherode, who dreading their approaching hardships, deserted from the service.
Fleets were now detached to every quarter of the globe, and a force of eleven thousand five hundred and fifty-six Marines, was again the establishment of 1744.
It falls not within my scope to enlarge upon the wide and mingled events of this year. A partial affair in the month of May, occurred in the Mediterranean, in which the party of Marines disembarked from the Essex signalized themselves. That ship being on a cruize, gained sight of twenty-six Xebeques and Settees, bound to Antibes, from whence they were to carry troops to Italy. The former were a convoy to the latter, which were laden with powder, cannon, ordnance stores, and provisions. Thirteen having taken refuge in the Creek of Cassi, the Marines were landed in order to co-operate with the boats, and to repel any enemy that might appear to retard their progress. They were soon attacked by a body of Spaniards, whom they beat back, and thus effected the object on which they were employed. Eleven vessels were burnt and two captured, which was a material loss in its consequences.
Nothing further, that properly falls within my notice, appears within the period of this year: our numerous cruizers were peculiarly successful, and although few traits of achievement appear on the face of our public transactions during this limited era, still both the nation and the individual felt the benefit and the incitement that resulted from the liberal sacrifice recently made by their Sovereign, which, while it promoted a general activity and zeal amongst every class of his subjects, struck deep also into the commercial vitals of our enemies.