Discomfited in every quarter, the enemy now confined their designs to domestic preparations, which aimed at a general but connected invasion of this island. Of these our Cabinet was fully apprized, and well knew how to frustrate them. Admiral De La Clue, with a considerable force, having put to sea from Toulon, in order to effect a junction with their grand armament at Brest, was soon after observed by Admiral Boscawen, and defeated with a loss of five of his ships, while the remains took shelter in the port of Cadiz, where they were blocked up by an English squadron. This reverse was little expected by the French Ministry, who could not conceive that our energies were every where.
The enemy defended themselves with bravery, and they had set them, by their Chief, a most heroic example. Such as might have been expected was given by Admiral Boscawen to his fleet.
Rear Admiral Rodney destroyed a link of that chain of preparation by the bombardment of Havre de Grace, where a large collection of boats had been formed, denominated Prames. These were flat bottomed, were about 100 feet long, 24 broad, and 10 in depth, each mounted two heavy cannon, had one mast, could sail or row when most convenient, and was capable of transporting 280 troops, or nearly 50 cavalry complete. Our good friends, the Dutch, ever ready to supply all parties, suffered a heavy loss during the blockade of Havre, in naval and military stores, with which their avarice had prompted them to supply our purposed invaders.
The honour of our arms was this year most gallantly supported by Vice Admiral Pocock, in the East Indies, who was opposed to very superior forces, but still afforded that general protection to our territory and our commerce, which must ever constitute the most predominant objects of our naval efforts. A sharp action was fought, which, as might have been anticipated, ended in a drawn conflict.
At this moment of public danger, the protection of our coasts was confided to Sir Edward Hawke, who shewed himself worthy of the trust. Taking his station off Brest he detached to every quarter within his limits, to reconnoitre and to destroy. Captain Harvey very highly distinguished himself by a train of activity upon his post, which was close to the mouth of that harbour. Some boats, seconded by his flying squadron, achieved the capture of several neutral vessels laden with naval stores, in the Bay of Camaret, which Mons. Conflans determined to resent. He accordingly employed a very superior force to gratify his spleen, which, however, did not stagger Captain Harvey's resolution, who, on the contrary, advanced to meet them. In turn he became the pursuer, which ended with the exchange of some distant shot, and the French ships taking shelter under their batteries.
The consequences that were averted by this seemingly unimportant affair, were great, as the enemy had in view, after driving this squadron from its ground, to have proceeded to the Morbihan, another part of the coast of Britanny, where we had a small blockading force stationed; after destroying which, they were to return to Brest with the numerous land forces that were then ready for embarkation. With such material objects before them, it is a stigma upon their naval spirit, in not having persevered.
The repeated enterprizes of this vigilant Officer derive a peculiar merit from the time and manner in which they were performed. When the enemy were every where proclaiming their threats, Capt. Harvey landed his Marines from the Monmouth, upon the little island of Molines, and exacted from its inhabitants a small supply of cattle, stock, and vegetables.
The priest upon this spot stepped forth, as the organ of his flock, who, he said, were poor. Captain Harvey's reply was, "that he regretted to distress the wretched; but what he now did was merely to shew the enemy and all Europe, that the French could not protect their people within their own sight, much less dare the invasion of England!" He afterwards, in his own barge, being seconded by some other boats, brought off the tender of Admiral Conflans, from a small bay close to the harbour of Brest, within sight of their fleet, under a prodigious cannonade of guns and mortars, and an extensive line of musquetry. This brave man felt for the dignity of his country, and he maintained it.