tate for the colonies; he threw up his arms without being able to utter
a word beyond 'My God, all's lost!'" To this growing conviction on the
part of his ministers, as well as of the nation, George III. opposed an
unwavering persistency. "None of the members of my cabinet," he wrote
immediately, "will suppose, I am quite sure, that this event can in any
way modify the principles which have guided me hitherto and which will
continue to regulate my conduct during the rest of this struggle."

Whilst the United States were celebrating their victory with
thanksgivings and public festivities, their allies were triumphing at all
the different points, simultaneously, at which hostilities had been
entered upon. Becoming embroiled with Holland, where the republican
party had prevailed against the stadtholder, who was devoted to them, the
English had waged war upon the Dutch colonies. Admiral Rodney had taken
St. Eustache, the centre of an immense trade; he had pillaged the
warehouses and laden his vessels with an enormous mass of merchandise;
the convoy which was conveying a part of the spoil to England was
captured by Admiral La Motte-Piquet; M. Bouille surprised the English
garrison remaining at St. Eustache and recovered possession of the
island, which was restored to the Dutch. They had just maintained
gloriously, at Dogger Bank, their old maritime renown. "Officers and
men all fought like lions," said Admiral Zouttman. The firing had not
commenced until the two fleets were within pistol-shot. The ships on
both sides were dismasted, scarcely in a condition to keep afloat; the
glory and the losses were equal; but the English admiral, Hyde Parker,
was irritated and displeased. George III. went to see him on board his
vessel. "I wish your Majesty younger seamen and better ships," said the
old sailor, and he insisted on resigning. This was the only action
fought by the Dutch during the war; they left to Admiral de Kersaint the
job of recovering from the English their colonies of Demerara, Essequibo,
and Berbice, on the coasts of Guiana.

A small Franco-Spanish army was at the same time besieging Minorca.
The fleet was considerable, the English were ill-prepared; they were soon
obliged to shut themselves up in Fort St. Philip. The ramparts were as
solid, the position was as impregnable, as in the time of Marshal
Richelieu. The admirals were tardy in bringing up the fleet; their
irresolution caused the failure of oper