io8

THE RUSSIAN FLEET

embryo ; as also for a commodious reception of hisships, when the season too far advanced will notallow of their proceeding to the ports already in hispossession.

XXV NECESSITY OF SEA-EXPERIENCE FORTHE TSARS NAVY.

Just upon the conclusion of the late peace 1with Sweden, it was hotly talked of that the Tsarwould send a squadron of men-of-war, through theSound and British Channel up the Straits into theMediterranean ; and travelling in person by landmeet them at Venice. Of a truth, there are men oftowering spirits, in no mean characters in his navy,that, knowing his boundless ambition, use theirutmost efforts to soothe this principle with the viewof making their private advantage of it. Since if warwith the Turk should ensue the command of asquadron in the Mediterranean would furnish themwith a fine opportunity of making their fortunes,and afterwards of retiring : for notwithstanding theglitter of their present state and outward appearance ofsatisfaction, they necessarily regard Russia no other-wise than as an unavoidable prison. Some I haveknown so sanguine in their expectations this way, asto take upon ’em to justify the Tsar’s right to theIsland of Tobago , 2 * * * * in the West Indies, by virtue of

1 Of Nystadt, p&H. Æ—, 1721.

J 7 September 10 7 '

2 Tobago was ‘discovered by Columbus in 1498. William,

Earl of Pembroke, in 1528, obtained a grant of this island withthat of Barbuda. About 1632 some Zealanders, trading with

the West India Islands, gave such a favourable report of Tobagoin particular that a company of merchants undertook to settle it,and gave it the name of New Walcheren, from one of the islands

of their province. The Spaniards exterminated the new colony.

James, Duke of Courland, sent a colony to Tobago, who settled

upon Great Courland Bay, and erected a small fort with a town.