England had,
from the commencement of the war, exercised the right of stopping and
searching all neutral vessels wherever they could be found. England also
had acted upon another established principle; namely, that a neutral
flag could not cover or protect the cargoes and property of a state
with which she was at war, and her cruizers had therefore stopped many
vessels having French and American property on board. This, however,
involved her in many quarrels with neutral powers, and Russia,
Prussia, Denmark, Holland, Sweden, etc* entered into a league, pledging
themselves to maintain the principle, "that free ships make free goods,
with the exception of arms and munitions of war." About this time, also,
the native powers of India entered into a formidable coalition, under
French influence, for driving the British from their territories.
England had, therefore, almost the whole world arrayed in arms against
her, or entertaining hostile intentions towards her, while within her
own bosom she was destined to suffer from faction. Never, indeed, was
there a period in her history when she so much needed the unanimity and
undivided strength of her brave family.

RODNEY ENGAGES THE FRENCH FLEET.

Admiral Rodney arrived at St. Lucie, in the West Indies, on the 27th of
March. Here he joined Admiral Hyde Parker, and his fleet then consisted
of twenty-two sail of the line and six frigates. Parker had been menaced
for several days by the French Admiral de Guichen, who had only quitted
that water a few hours before Rodney's arrival. Admiral de Guichen
retired to Fort Royal Bay, Martinique, and on the 2nd of April Rodney
appeared off that fort, and offered him battle. Finding that the
challenge would not be accepted, Rodney, after two days, returned to
St, Lucie, leaving some fast-sailing vessels to watch the motions of
the French. On the night of the 15th de Guichen put to sea, and Rodney,
warned of the fact, went in search of him with twenty sail of the line.
The two fleets came in contact on the 17th, and Rodney threw out his
signal for every ship to bear down and attack the rear of the French
as closely as they could, in order to break their line, and fight their
detached ships. The spirit of political party, however, reigned in the
fleet, and his signal was not obeyed as it ought to have been, several
ships continuing at a cautious distance from the enemy. In the meantime,
Rodney in the Sandwich came to close quarters with