ig and a gun-boat there is almost as much difference as
between a line-of-battle ship and a frigate. I have lately seen
half a dozen of them lying wrecked on the rocks.

"As to the probability of the enemy being able, in a narrow sea, to
pass through our blockading and protecting squadrons, with all that
secresy and dexterity, and by those hidden means that some worthy
people expect, I really, from anything that I have seen in the
course of my professional career, am not disposed to concur in it.

"I know, sir, and can assert with confidence, that our navy was
never better found; that it was never better supplied; and that the
men were never better fed and better clothed. Have we not all the
enemy's ports blockaded from Toulon to Flushing? Are we not able to
cope anywhere with any force the enemy dares to send out against
us? And do we not even outnumber them at every one of the ports we
have blockaded? It would smack a little of egotism, I fear, were I
to speak of myself; but as a person lately having the command of
six ships, I hope I may be allowed to state to the House how I have
been supported in that command. Sir, during the time that I was
stationed off Ferrol, I had ships passing from the fleet to me
every three weeks or a month; and so much was the French commander
in that port deceived by these appearances, that he was persuaded,
and I believe is to this very hour, that I had twelve ships under
my command, and that I had two squadrons to relieve each other, one
of six inside, and the other of six outside."

He was highly complimented by several who followed him in the debate,
particularly by Mr. Addington, Mr. Sheridan, and Mr. Courtenay, as well
as by other members out of the House. Twenty, who had come down
intending to vote for Mr. Pitt's motions, were induced to support the
Admiralty, confessedly by Sir Edward's statements. But it is, perhaps,
the most decisive proof of the effect of his speech, that Mr. Pitt
himself referred to it in a debate on the defence of the country six
weeks after. At the same time he disavowed the gun-boats, and contended
for "good stout gun-brigs," declaring that he had observed with much
satisfaction the efforts which had lately been made to increase that
description of force.

Mr. Addington resigned on the 12th of May, with Earl St. Vincent; Mr.
Yorke, the Hom