It was not until the middle of January of the ensuing year that it fell, and with its conquest became involved the ruin of the French East India Company, with all their dependencies on the coast of Coromandel.
Such were the happy commercial results, as well as territorial acquisitions, that were obtained by our successful arms; in accomplishing which the Corps of Marines was in some degree instrumental.
On a retrospective view, a great share of credit is justly due to Vice-Admiral Pocock, who, with very inferior numbers, was in three battles opposed to Monsieur D'Ache; in every one of which he supported the honor of the British Flag, while he afforded both a countenance and co-operation to the enterprizes of our Army.
The plan of completely conquering the province of Canada was this year carried into effect; it was well arranged, was executed with spirit, and exhibited high military talents in Sir Jeffery Amherst, who commanded in Chief.
Some of our Naval Officers contributed much to the general success, from their intimate knowledge of the local navigation, and their active zeal in conducting the necessary and numberless duties of landing and re-embarking the troops.
The reduced state of the French Marine did not allow of many opportunities to signalize our Fleet during this year; but whenever they occurred, our superiority was uniformly conspicuous. From the protection which it gave to an important branch of our commerce, the gallant action between the Flamborough and Biddeford, both 20 gun ships, with two heavy French frigates, deserves notice.—These had been detached on purpose to intercept our outward-bound for Oporto and Lisbon, which they learnt was under convoy of a small sloop of war. Fortunately for this valuable Fleet, our ships got sight of La Malicieuse and L'Opale, of 36 guns each, upon the morning of the 4th of April, and gave them chace. It was not until seven in the evening, when observing our vast inferiority, the enemy seemed willing for the combat. At this hour they closed, and continued engaging till nine, when a short respite enabled both to renew the battle, which continued till midnight.
That intrepid perseverance which so strongly marks the British character, and in a comparative sense so peculiarly distinguishes the British Seaman, at last prevailed, and compelled this very superior enemy to seek safety in flight; while the disabled state of our little ships, from the heavy metal to which they had been exposed, precluded the idea of pursuit.
Captain Skinner and the Hon. Lieutenant Knollis, of the Biddeford, fell upon this occasion; but their loss was nobly compensated by the unremitting good example of Mr. Stacey, the Master, who succeeded to the command.
Lieutenant Price, of the Marines, was also killed on board the Flamborough.