HISTORY OF MARINE ARCHITECTURE.

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As a partial exoneration from this charge, it is to be observed, that the com-merce of Britain herself, added to those of her friends and allies, whom she wasbound to protect, had reached an height, which, had such protection been afforded,in the extent it was wished, and was, perhaps, necessary, would have required anavy not improbably exceeding that of all Europe. The French squadrons layready in their dens, like tygers, prepared to dart on their prey, whenever itshould be found to pass within their reach. Though one convoy might effectits passage in safety; and a second, a third, or a fourth, might be equally fortu-nate ; yet the capture of a fifth, owing probably to misinformation or accident,would occasion a murmur sufficient to countervail and destroy all the applause thatcould have been bestowed on the most consummate exertions, had they been mosthappily employed for months or years, in assuring the same security to the mer-cantile interest which it could have expected in the time of the profoundcst peace.Much stress was laid, both in parliament, and in the memorials presented to thesovereign, on this or similar occasions, at the wonderful disparity of loss sus-tained by the English, in proportion to the French, a loss which was sufficient toexcite the most serious alarm. The fact is, that this great inequality actually provedthe maritime consequence of Britain ; and, on the other hand, the insignificantstate of the French marine. England had put a total stop to the ambitious viewsof Louis, by the very trivial success which she gained at the battle off Malaga.Her fleets were employed during the remainder of the war, either in insultingthe coasts of her enemy, or confining the remains of his principal fleet to theport of Toulon, from whence it scarcely ever ventured to issue. Encouragedby this superiority, the British merchants had extended their speculations w'itha rapidity then unprecedented, and an a.'dour which it might have been con-

May it please your majesty,

It is an undoubted maxim, that the honour, security, and the wealth of this kingdom, does de-pend upon the protection and encouragement of trade, and the improvment and right management of thenaval strength. Other nations, who were formerly great and powerful at sea, have, by negligenceand mismanagement, lost their trade, and seen their maritime strength entirely ruined. Thereforewe do, in the most earnest manner, beseech your majesty, that the sea affairs may always be your fustand most peculiar care. We humbly hope, that it shall be your majesty’s chief and constant instruc-tion to all who shall have the honour to be employed in your councils, and in the administration ofaffairs, that they be continually intent and watchful in what concerns the trade and fleet ; and thatevery one of them may be made to know’ it is his particular charge to take care that the seamen be en-couraged, the trade protected, discipline restored, and a new spirit and vigour put in the whole ad-ministration.

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