HISTORY OF EUROPE. 
as inferior to that of either of the two 
other people. But a circumstance 
that inclined the generality to think 
more highly of the English, than 
of the Dutch, was the number of 
successful engagements in which 
the former had recently displayed 
’ the superiority of their valour and 
experience. They had now waged a 
three years active and vigorous war, 
and had constantly been victorious 
in every action. The Dutch, on 
the contrary, had remained in peace 
for a long series of years. Except- 
ing the engagement on the Dogger's 
Bank in 1781, they had met with 
no occasion to exercise their marine, 
and here only six or seven ships of 
war were employed. Laying these 
_ circumstances together, it appeared 
probable, that notwithstanding the 
bravery that might be exerted by 
_ the sea-faring natives of the seven 
provinces, still they would, in all 
dikelihood, prove inadequate to those 
of Great Britain in the arduous trial 
. 
that was approaching. 
The Batavian republic had, with 
uncommon exertions, and vast ex- 
pence, fitted out an armament, dur- 
ing the course of the summer, the 
destination of which, though not 
precisely ascertained, was imagined 
to be for Ireland, where the dis- 
contents were daily increasing, and 
the inhabitants seemed ripe for in- 
surrection. This armament con- 
sisted of four ships of seventy-four 
guns, five of sixty-eight, two of six- 
ty-four, and four of fifty-six. They 
were in the best condition, com- 
pletely manned, and provided with 
every requisite. The command was 
given to admiral De Winter, an 
officer of acknowledged merit in his 
- profession, aes of remarkable in- 
trepidity. is principles were 
notedly republican. He had ein- 
_withdrawn to. France, 
[99 
braced that party in the civil com« 
motions, during the years 1786 and 
1787; and after its suppression, by 
the interference of Prussia, he had 
where he 
was pensioned, and met with mili- 
tary preferment. When the French 
invaded Holland, in the winter of 
1795, he accompanied them, and 
was appointed to superintend the 
re-establishment of their marine, 
which he forwarded accordingly 
with indefatigable zeal. 
As soon as the equipment of the 
above mentioned squadron was ef- 
fected, the Batavian government, 
urged by importunities of the French 
directory, gave orders for its put- 
ting immediately to sea. The in- 
tention was that it should proceed 
directly to Brest, ard join the fleet 
assembled there for a second inva- 
sion of Ireland. A body of troops 
was embarked on the Dutch squad- 
ron for this purpose, but the vigi- 
lance of the British cruizers, station- 
ed along the Dutch coast, prevent+ 
ed this plan from being carried into 
execution. They watched so nar- 
rowly the motions of the enemy. 
that it was found impracticable to 
venture out of port, without risking 
an engagement with the British 
squadron, that had lain on the coast 
of Holland during the summer, to 
block up the Texel. It was come 
manded by Admiral Duncan, a ve= 
teran officer of great valour and 
abilities. He was at this time in 
Yarmouth Roads, refitting his ships 
that had suffered from the late tem- 
pestuous weather, This induced 
the Batavian government to direct 
admiral De Wiaster to sail with ald 
expedition, haping that he might. 
anticipate the return of admiral 
Duncan, and be so far on his way 
to France, that it should not be 
(H 2) possible 
