h soldiers, who threatened to invade England; arms, money, and men
were sent to America; and the navy of France set out to contend with
the navy of Great Britain, for the mastery of the seas between the two
countries. On the 18th of March, the French king issued an edict to
seize all British ships in the ports of France, and shortly after our
government laid an embargo on all French ships in British ports. This,
with the mutual withdrawal of ambassadors, and the interruption of
all diplomatic intercourse, left the two countries in a state of open
hostility, although no heralds or manifestoes were employed on either
side to make a formal declaration of war. On their part, the French had
in reality no materials for manifestoes, whence their silence; while on
our part, ministers were too much employed to think of such a ridiculous
solemnity. It was, moreover, too well understood on both sides that
the only arguments likely to avail must proceed from the mouth of the
cannon.

NAVAL OPERATIONS IN THE BRITISH CHANNEL.

The maritime defence of England was entrusted to Admiral Keppel, and he
put to sea with twenty sail ot the line for that purpose. On the 17th
of June, Keppel discovered two French frigates, the "La Licorne" and "La
Belle Poule," reconnoitring his fleet. The con duct of France seemed
to call for and to justify extreme measures, and Keppel's instructions
being ample, he resolved to effect the capture of these two frigates.
Accordingly they were chased, and the first, fired both with cannon
and musketry, struck her colours and was captured; but the other having
fiercely encountered and dismasted a pursuing vessel, escaped among the
rocks on the French shore. Shortly after a French schooner and another
frigate were captured, and from papers found in these several vessels
Keppel discovered that the enemy had thirty-two sail of the line and
twelve frigates ready for sea in Brest harbour. This determined him to
return to Portsmouth for reinforcements. These reinforcements, however,
were either not ready or were not there, and while he was waiting for
them the Brest fleet had put out to sea under the command of the Count
d'Orvilliers, and had captured a frigate which Keppel had left to watch
the movements of the enemy. This was on the 9th of July, and on the very
same day, Keppel, whose fleet had been augmented to thirty sail of the
line, departed in quest of d'Orvilliers. He fell in with the French
admiral on t