FRENCH.

It was not solely with a view of supporting the Americans, and
vindicating the wrongs of humanity, that the French entered upon the
arena of strife. On the contrary, the principal aim of the French
cabinet was aggrandisement. A scheme had been devised for seizing all
the sugar-plantations of Great Britain. And some time before d'Estaing
set sail for the West Indies the French had commenced putting this
scheme into effect. On the 7th of September the Marquis de Bouille,
governor-general of Martinique landed with about 2000 men on our island
of Dominica, and proceeded to attack the different batteries and forts
by land, while French and American frigates and privateers attacked them
by sea. There were abundance of artillery and stores in Dominica, but
unfortunately there were not sufficient men to defend the island; and,
after a gallant defence of some out-works, Lieutenant-governor Stewart
found himself compelled to capitulate:--the island fell into the hands
of the French.

CAPTURE OF ST. LUCIE BY THE BRITISH.

The British commanders, on arriving at Barbadoes, being informed of
the loss of Dominica, resolved to take another island from the French.
Without suffering the troops to land, therefore, Major-general Grant
proceeded to St. Lucie, attended by the joint squadrons of Hotham
and Barrington. Five British regiments, with all the grenadiers and
light-infantry, under the command of Brigadier-general Medows, first
landed, and being ably seconded by Major Harris, he drove the French
commandant, the Chevalier de Miccud, from a strong position which he had
taken on the heights at the end of an inlet, called Grand Cul de Sac.
While this was doing, Brigadier-general Prescott landed, with five other
regiments, to secure the whole of the bay, and to establish posts in
order to preserve a communication with Medows. General Medows pushed
forward, and took possession of the important post of the Vigie, which
commands the north side of the Carenage harbour; while Brigadier-general
Sir Henry Calder occupied other posts upon the mountains which commanded
the south side of the Grand Cul de Sac, and Major-general Grant lay on
the heights, called Morne Fortune. The British troops were thus situate
when d'Estaing arrived off the island, in order to relieve it. On
discovering his approach, the British admirals immediately collected all
their ships into the Grand Cul de Sac, and then formed a line close and
compact right