“By His Majesty’s Command.
(Signed) “Chesterfield.”
Notwithstanding the disasters which had attended the expeditions of the French in North America in the preceding year (1746), when Louis XV. had equipped an extensive armament, under the command of the Duke d’Anville for the recapture of Cape Breton, which was rendered ineffectual by storms and other casualties, and by the death of its commander, the French Monarch was not discouraged by these disasters; but was resolved to renew his efforts against the British colonies in North America, and also the settlements in the East Indies. For these purposes two squadrons were prepared at Brest, one commanded by Commodore de la Jonquière, and the other, destined for India, by Monsieur de St. George.
Intelligence had been received by the British Government of these preparations, and measures were adopted in order to counteract the views of the enemy. The occasion afforded a renewed display of the zeal and intrepidity of Vice-Admiral Anson and Rear-Admiral Warren, who sailed from Plymouth on the 9th of April, in order to intercept both squadrons, which were to set sail together. The Vice-Admiral, on board of the “Prince George” of ninety guns, with the Rear-Admiral, on board the “Devonshire,” and twelve ships more under his command, received directions to cruise between Ushant and Cape Finisterre on the coast of Galicia.
On the 3rd of May, 1747, they fell in with the French squadrons, consisting of six large ships of war, as many frigates, and four armed vessels equipped by the French East India Company, having under their convoy about thirty ships laden with merchandize: those prepared for war immediately shortened sail, and formed in line of battle, while the rest, under the protection of the six frigates, proceeded on their voyage with all the sail they could carry. The British squadron was likewise drawn up in line of battle, and the engagement began with great fury about four o’clock in the afternoon. The enemy’s ships sustained the battle with equal conduct and valour, until they were overpowered by numbers, and they then struck their colours. About seven hundred of the French were killed and wounded in this action; the English lost about five hundred; and among them Captain Grenville, Commander of the ship “Defiance,” nephew to Lord Viscount Cobham, an officer of the most promising genius, and animated with the noblest sentiments of honour and patriotism. Two of these prizes were the “Invincible” and the “Glory,” which induced the Captain of the former to say to the Admiral, on giving up his sword, “Sir, you have conquered the Invincible, and Glory follows you.” This blow was severely felt by France, who had vainly flattered herself, that by means of this armament she should render herself mistress of the Indian seas, and by that superiority be enabled to wrest from the British their most valuable possessions in that part of the world.
A considerable quantity of money, intended to answer the contingencies of these expeditions, was found on board of the French ships, which were brought to Spithead, and the treasure, being landed, was conveyed in twenty waggons to the Bank of England, escorted by a party of Marines, amidst the acclamations of the populace.
For this achievement Vice-Admiral George Anson was created a Peer of Great Britain, and Rear-Admiral Peter Warren was invested with the Order of the Bath. The whole fleet received the thanks of the Sovereign, through their Commander, Admiral Lord Anson.
The year 1747 was remarkable for other naval successes; about the middle of June, Commodore Fox, with six ships of war, cruising in the latitude of Cape Ortegal, in Galicia, took about forty French ships, richly laden from St. Domingo, after they had been abandoned by their convoy.
The fourteenth of October, 1747, was rendered memorable as another day of triumph for the British Navy. Rear-Admiral Edward Hawke sailed from Plymouth in the beginning of August, with fourteen ships of the line, with instructions to intercept a fleet of French merchant-ships bound for the West Indies: the British fleet cruised for some time on the coast of Bretagne, and the French ships sailed from the isle of Aix under convoy of nine ships of the line, besides frigates, commanded by M. de l’Etendiere. The two squadrons came in sight of each other in the latitude of Belle Isle. The battle commenced about eleven in the forenoon, and lasted until night, when all the French squadron, except two ships, the “Intrepide” and “Tonnant,” which escaped in the dark, had struck to the English flag. After despatching a sloop to Commodore Legge, commanding a squadron in the Leeward Islands, to take proper measures to intercept the French ships in the passage to Martinique, and other French islands, Admiral Hawke conducted his prizes to Spithead, and was rewarded with the Order of the Bath; and the thanks of a grateful country were rendered to all the officers, seamen, and Marines of the squadron.
In the latter part of 1747, Admiral Boscawen had sailed from England with a fleet of ships, and a number of Marines, and other forces, in order to reinforce the British fleet in the East Indies, with instructions to make an attack upon the Island of Mauritius, and subsequently to effect the conquest of Pondicherry, which was the chief object of the expedition.
After having reconnoitred the coast of the Mauritius, it was ascertained that the powerful means of defence everywhere presented, and the dangers in many places of approaching the land, would involve a great sacrifice of men, and render success ultimately doubtful; the coming on of the autumnal monsoons had also an influence in the decision of a council, which was to relinquish the attempt, and to proceed without delay for the Coast of Coromandel, according to the prescribed plan of operations.