1781.

had reached the British quarters; nor could CHAP. XXI. any thing have been more unexpected to the British naval commander, fir Samuel Hood, who arrived foon after in the Chesapeake, than to find a Gallic fquadron of twenty-eight fail lying there in perfect fecurity.

Commodore Hood, who arrived from the Weft Indies foon after the middle of Auguft, with near twenty fail of the line, joined the fquadron under admiral Graves before New York. He was folicitous to have failed imme

diately to the Chesapeake, with all the naval ftrength that was not neceffary to be left for the defence of New York. But an unaccountable delay took place, which in his opinion could not be justified; and however it counteracted his inclination, it was too late before he failed. He did not reach the Chesapeake until the fifth of September, fix days after the arrival there of the count de Graffe. The French fleet had not been discovered by the British commander, nor had he gained any intelligence that de Graffe was on the American coaft, until the morning of the fifth of September, when the English obferved them in full view within Cape Henry.

Nothing could have been more mortifying to a man of the spirit and enterprise of fir Samuel Hood, than to find fo refpectable a French fleet had arrived in the Chesapeake before him. The

CHAP. XXI.

1781.

national rivalry, prejudices, and hatred, of the British commanders, and the gallant English feamen, could not be fuppreffed on fuch an occafion. These were a ftrong ftimulus to immediate action, which had their full effect. The pride and valor of a renowned British commander could not admit of the smallest delay; and the boldnefs of Englifh feamen urged all with the utmost alacrity to prepare for an engagement.

The British maritime force that had now arrived, was nearly equal to the French squadron under the count de Graffe. Both fleets imme. diately moved, and a spirited action enfued: equal gallantry was exhibited, but neither fide could boaft of victory. The fhips on both fides were confiderably injured, and one British feventy-four rendered totally unfit for fervice; to this they fet fire themfelves. The lofs of men was on the ufual average of naval action. The English indeed were not beaten, but the French gained a double advantage; for while the count de Graffe remained at a distance, watched by the British navy, he fecured the paffage of the count de Barras from Rhode Island, and gained to himfelf the advantage of first blocking up the Chesapeake. The count de Barras brought with him the French troops from Rhode Island, amounting to about three thoufand men. These joined the marquis la Fayette, whofe numbers had been greatly reduced. This rein

forcement enabled him to fupport himself by defenfive operations, until, in a fhort time, they were all happily united under the command of the valiant Rochambeau.

The British fleet continued a few days in the Chesapeake. Their fhips were much injured; and in a council of war it was determined to be neceffary for the whole fleet to return to New York, to refit and prepare for a fecond expedition. This they had reason to flatter themfelves would be more fuccefsful, as they were fure of a great acquisition of strength on the arrival of lord Digby, who was hourly expected with a reinforcement from England.

While fir Henry Clinton remained in fufpense with regard to the operations in the Chefapeake, his anxiety prompted him to endeavour to obtain immediate intelligence. He had no fufpicion that he fhould receive this by the return of admiral Graves, and the refpectable fquadron under his command; and before the untoward circumftances which occafioned this had reached New York, his impatience had urged him to fend on a gallant officer with letters to lord Cornwallis. Major Cochran executed this business at no fmall hazard. The British fleet had left the Capes of Virginia before his arrival; but at every risk, he ran through the whole French fleet in an open boat. He landed fafely, delivered his dispatches, and

CHAP. XXI.

1781.

CHAP. XXI.

1781.

immediately had his head fhot off by a cannonball. Thus this unfortunate officer had not a moment to rejoice in the success of his bravery.

After the return of the fleet to New York, it might reasonably have been expected, that fir Henry Clinton would have acted with more decision and energy. Previous to this unfortunate transaction, it had been determined in a council of war, to fend five thousand men to the aid of lord Cornwallis. But the spirit of delay ftill pervaded the mind of the British commander he thought proper yet further to poftpone this wife measure, from a motive which he doubtlefs confidered juftifiable. This was, to wait a little longer for the arrival of admiral Digby; whose junction with the forces already in New York, he judged would infure victory over the combination of France and America, both by fea and land.

Flattering letters were again fent on to lord Cornwallis; but promifes and diftant expectations were far from being adequate to the relief of a mind borne down by disappointment, and the failure of the means of fupporting his own military character. He was also fenfible, that the dignity of command, and the royal cause, were fuffering by delay, indecifion, and, as he thought, from lefs juftifiable motives. He was exhorted to hold out till about the twelfth of Qctober, when fir Henry Clinton thought it

probable he might receive affiftance, if no unavoidable accident fhould take place; or at fartheft by the middle of November. At the fame time, he intimated, that if his lordship fhould be reduced to the utmost extremity, before the arrival of reinforcements, he himself would endeavour to make a diversion by an attack on Philadelphia, in order to draw off a part of Washington's army.* These all appeared to lord Cornwallis, very indigefted, abfurd, and inconfiftent ideas. He immediately informed fir Henry Clinton, that he faw no means of forming a junction with him, but by York River, and that no meditated diverfion toward Philadelphia, or any where elfe, could be of any use.

Lord Digby however arrived at New York on the twenty-ninth of September. One of the princest of the blood had taken this opportunity to visit America, probably with a view of fovereignty over a part, or the whole of the conquered colonies. This was ftill anticipated at the court of St. James: and perhaps, in the opinion of the royal parents, an American eftablishment might be very convenient for one of their numerous progeny.

* See fir Henry Clinton's letter to lord Cornwallis, dated Sept. 30, 1781.

This was prince Henry, the duke of Clarence.

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1781.