1780 envoy at Petersburgh on the 13th of April, with the greatest caution, and promised to "redress every hardship that may happen, in fo equitable a manner, that her imperial majesty shall be perfectly fatisfied, and acknowledge a like spirit of justice which she herself poffeffes." On the 3d of April, prince Gallitzin, the Ruffian envoy extraordinary at the Hague, remitted to the prefident of the States General a memorial with the copy of the declaration, inviting their high mightineffes to accede to an armed neutrality, and acquainting them, that the like invitation had been given to the courts of Copenhagen, Stockholm and Lifbon. But the court of London determined upon adopting fpecial measures, in order to prevent the acceffion of the republic to the confederacy, and to induce her to afford the fuccours that had been demanded: an order of the king in council was therefore publifhed on the 17th. It relates, that though their high mightineffes had been ftrongly called upon by a memorial of the 21st of March, to grant the fuccours ftipulated by treaty, they had not fignified any intention of complying. The non-performance of the ftipulated engagements is pronounced a defertion of the alliance fubfifting between the two countries; and it is thence declared, that upon every principle of wisdom and justice, the republic must be confidered on the fame footing with other neutral ftates not privileged by treaty. The order therefore fufpends, provifionally and till further orders, all the particular ftipulations refpecting the fubjects of the States General, contained in the several treaties now fubfifting. The publication did not produce the defired effects. The different provinces, after continued deliberations, were unanimoufly of opinion, that it was neceffary for their high mightineffes to excuse them- 1789€ Different tranfactions now demand our notice. A convoy of about 26 fhips failed from Marseilles for the West Indies under the care of the Aurora. Be-* tween 8 and 9 in the morning on the 18th of December, they were discovered by the Preston being between Mar-` tinico and St. Lucie; upon her making the fignal for a fleet," the British ships in Grofs Iflet bay flipped their cables by order of Sir Hyde Parker and chafed. Before four in the afternoon, about ten of the convoy run themselves on fhore, and were fet on fire by the men of war's boats. The next morning the Boreas was engaged with the French frigate in Fort Royal bay. On that, Mr. de la Motte Piquet fuddenly flipped his cables, put out to fea with three fhips, bore down upon and obliged the Boreas to fheer off. By this dexterous manoeuvre he faved the Aurora and fome of the merchant fhips. The French admiral then hauled his wind in good time, and. kept plying for the road, which he gained. The British however had captured nine fail, befide those they burnt. Within a few days after they took three French frigates 1780 envoy at Petersburgh on the 13th of April, with the greatest caution, and promised to "redress every hard- was neceffary for their high mightineffes to excuse them- 17894 felves from furnishing the fuccours claimed by Great Britain; that convoys should be granted to protect effectually all trading fhips bearing the flag of the republic, whatever may be their cargoes, excepting only fuch goods as are properly expreffed in the treaties to be contraband; and that the invitation of the emprefs of Ruffia fhould be accepted with gratitude. They highly. resent in general the violence committed upon their convoy by capt. Fielding, in the execution of his orders, and the condemnation of the ships and cargoes carried by him into the British ports. Different transactions now demand our notice. A convoy of about 26 fhips failed from Marseilles for the West Indies under the care of the Aurora. Be-* tween 8 and 9 in the morning on the 18th of December, they were discovered by the Preston being between Mar-` tinico and St. Lucie; upon her making the fignal for a fleet," the British ships in Grofs Iflet bay flipped their cables by order of Sir Hyde Parker and chafed. Before four in the afternoon, about ten of the convoy run themselves on fhore, and were fet on fire by the men of war's boats. The next morning the Boreas was engaged with the French frigate in Fort Royal bay. On that, Mr. de la Motte Piquet fuddenly flipped his cables, put out to fea with three ships, bore down upon and obliged the Boreas to fheer off. By this dexterous manoeuvre he faved the Aurora and fome of the merchant ships. The French admiral then hauled his wind in good time, and. kept plying for the road, which he gained. The British however had captured nine fail, befide those they burnt. Within a few days after they took three French frigates 1780 envoy at Petersburgh on the 13th of April, with the A greatest caution, and promised to "redress every hardship that may happen, in fo equitable a manner, that her imperial majefty fhall be perfectly fatisfied, and acknowledge a like fpirit of juftice which fhe herself pof feffes." On the 3d of April, prince Gallitzin, the Ruffian envoy extraordinary at the Hague, remitted to the prefident of the States General a memorial with the copy of the declaration, inviting their high mightineffes to accede to an armed neutrality, and acquainting them, that the like invitation had been given to the courts of Copenhagen, Stockholm and Lifbon. But the court of London determined upon adopting fpecial measures, in order to prevent the acceffion of the republic to the confederacy, and to induce her to afford the fuccours that had been demanded: an order of the king in council was therefore publifhed on the 17th. It relates, that though their high mightineffes had been ftrongly called upon by a memorial of the 21st of March, to grant the fuccours ftipulated by treaty, they had not fignified any intention of complying. The non-performance of the ftipulated engagements is pronounced a defertion of the alliance fubfifting between the two countries; and it is thence declared, that upon every principle of wisdom and justice, the republic must be confidered on the fame footing with other neutral ftates not privileged by treaty. The order therefore fufpends, provifionally and till further orders, all the particular ftipulations refpecting the fubjects of the States General, contained in the feveral treaties now fubfifting. The publication did not produce the defired effects. The different provinces, after continued deliberations, were unanimoufly of opinion, that it |
