that the Spanish
government waited only for their arrival before they commenced war. In
the month of October Captain Moore fell in with four large frigates, and
an engagement took place, in which one of the Spanish ships blew up, and
the others struck in succession after sustaining considerable loss.
This squadron was from the Rio de la Plata, and it contained about four
millions of dollars, besides merchandise of great value.

Early in this year a gallant action was sustained by the British off the
straits of Malacca. When Admiral Linois, whose departure for the East
Indies has before been noticed, withdrew from the road of Pondicherry,
he captured several East India ships, made a successful descent on
Bencoolen, and then, collecting his whole force, he cruised off the
Straits of Malacca, in expectation of the British homeward-bound fleet
from Canton. As he had with him one ship of the line, three frigates,
and a brig, and as our merchant-vessels had no men-of-war to convoy
them, he made sure of a rich prize. On the 14th of February he fell
in with his expected prey. But by this time the company's ships were
generally armed and well officered, and Captain Dance, who was acting
as commodore to the fleet of traders, gallantly hoisted his colours and
offered him battle. The French admiral, however, stood aloof; and Dance
formed in order of sailing and pursued his course. Linois now followed
him; and on the 15th Dance finding that the enemy's intention was to cut
off his rear, made the signal to tack, and bear down on them, and engage
in succession. The "Royal George" bore the brunt of the action, being
ably seconded as they came up by the "Ganges," "Warley," "Alfred," and
the "Earl Camden." The action lasted nearly one hour, and then, before
any of the other ships could come up, the enemy hauled away to the
eastward with all the sail they could set. This was two o'clock in the
day, and Dance pursued Linois till four in the afternoon; when fearing
that a longer pursuit would carry him too far from the Straits of
Malacca, he made the signal to tack, and by eight in the evening they
all anchored safely in a situation to enter the strait next morning.
Nothing more was seen of Linois; and the squadron returned safely to
England, when Dance was knighted by the king, and with his brave crew
rewarded by the East India Company. Liberal sums were also given him and
to the officers and crews by the committee of the "Patriotic Fund."