ould not
excite me to aim at more than reasonable terms of pacification; and I
have the satisfaction to add, that I see no reason which should induce
me to think of accepting less." Recent pages indeed show, that his
majesty was always averse to a recognition of the independence of
America, and if ever he had given his consent to the proposals Fox had
made, it must have been wrung from him under a consciousness that his
cause was hopeless. As for Lord Shelburne he still adhered to the dogma
of Chatham, and was as averse to the independence of America as the
king himself, whence there is a stronger reason than private pique and
animosity that Fox should have resigned. Had he not done so he must have
acted against his own conscience, which should ever be consulted by man,
whether acting in a private or public capacity. He who acts against
the dictates of his own conscience is unworthy of the public esteem or
confidence.

VICTORY OF RODNEY.

All our leeward islands, except Barbadoes and Antigua, had been
conquered by the enemy, after which the fleets of France and Spain
projected an expedition against Jamaica, A reinforcement was despatched
under de Guichen, and Admiral Kempenfelt was too weak to intercept his
progress. In the meantime Rodney arrived at Barbadoes, and soon after
put to sea with the intention of joining Sir Samuel Hood, who had been
vainly endeavouring to relieve the island of St. Christopher, which was
assailed by the Count de Grasse, and a land force under the Marquis de
Bouille. Rodney met Hood returning from St. Christopher's, which
had been captured in spite of his exertions to save it; and upon his
information that de Grasse had proceeded to Martinique in order to
prepare for a grand attack on Jamaica, Rodney sailed with the whole
British fleet to St. Lucie, in order to watch his movements. On the
8th of April a signal announced that de Grasse was coming out from Fort
Royal Hay, upon which Rodney weighed anchor, and set sail in pursuit of
him. At day-break on the following morning the enemy was discovered at
Dominique, but continued calms prevented a close action. The van of the
English, indeed, engaged the rear of the French; but a breeze springing
up, de Grasse took advantage of it, and sailed away. Rodney, however,
still pursued, and towards the evening of the 11th the headmost ships
of the van gained so much on one or two of the enemy's ships, which
had been damaged in the recent engagemen