Whyte and Captain Parr proceeded to Berbice, which on the 2d of May also surrendered.

On the 21st of April Rear-admiral Clobery Christian, K. B. arrived in Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes, with a squadron of ships of war and transports, from England; where he joined Admiral Sir John Laforey, who on the next day sailed with the fleet of men of war and transports; and on the 23d anchored in Marine Bay, Martinico.

Sir John Laforey resigned the command of the fleet to Rear-admiral Christian, and sailed for England in the Majestic. On the evening of the 26th Rear-admiral Christian proceeded with the squadron and transports, having on board a large body of troops, under the command of Lieutenant General Sir Ralph Abercromby, to the attack of the island of St. Lucia.

The disposition for landing the troops was arranged by the admiral and general at three different places, supported by ships of force; the first division at Ance la Cap and Ance Bequêne, in Longueville Bay, the second in Choc Bay, and the third at Ance la Raye, some distance south of the Cul de Sac.

The first point of debarkation in Longueville Bay was protected by a battery of five guns placed on a low point of land in Pigeon Island. The Vengeance, Ganges, Hebe, and Pelican brig covered this landing. The Hebe led into Ance la Cap, the Ganges supported her, and the Pelican anchored in the Ance Bequene. The Vengeance remained on the weather beam of the Astrea, that she might, if necessary, cover the Ganges by anchoring on the angle of Pigeon island battery. The positions were all well taken: the battery was kept in check by the fire of the ships, one of its guns

was dismounted, and the troops landed without opposition.

The Alfred was to lead the second division into the anchorage of Choc Bay, and the Madras, supported by the Beaulieu, to conduct the third at Ance la Raye? But a strong current, which set the transports a great way to leeward, defeated the attempts of both these divisions. A second effort proved more successful, and a landing was afterwards made good in Choc Bay, under the protection of the Vengeance, Arethusa, and Victorieuse brig and the next day, the debarkation at Ance la Raye was completed. Three hundred seamen were immediately sent by the admiral to reinforce the army, and larger bodies were afterwards landed.

The party first put on shore in Longueville Bay, was commanded by Major-generat Campbell, and consisted of 1700 men. This detachment immediately advanced, without experiencing much annoyance from a small body of the enemy, who seemed disposed to dispute their passage. The head of this column was just in sight of Choc Bay, when the centre detachment of the army disembarked there; on this taking place, the troops, who had faintly opposed General Campbell's march, retired from a place called Angier's plantation, to Morne Chabot. This is one of the strongest positions in the neighbourhood of Morné Fortunée, and the occupation of it is absolutely necessary to the investment of that height, which was the strong hold of the republicans, on the north side.

Two detachments under the command of Brigadiergeneral Moore, and Brigadier-general Hope, were ordered to attack this post in the evening, on different sides; but owing to a miscalculation of time, originat

ing in the false information of the guides, the detach❤ ment commanded by General Moore having considerably out-marched the other column, fell in with the advanced picquet of the enemy, much earlier than was expected. The General finding himself discovered, determined to risque the attack with his own division alone; and the spirit of his men fully seconded his intention they formed with all the expedition the ground would admit, and carried the post, after a considerable resistance.

The republicans not long afterwards attacked the grenadiers of the 55th regiment, commanded by Colonel Macdonald, but were repulsed with slaughter, though not without a considerable loss on the part of the English.

The division, which disembarked at Ance la Raye, was commanded by Major-general Morshead, who gained possession of the bar of the Grand Cul de Sac, and invested Morne Fortunée on the south side. A point at the entrance of the Grand Cul de Sac was also taken possession of by Captain Dilkes of the Madras, and two eighteen-pounders and two carronades were placed on the summit of a hill, which considerably annoyed two of the enemy's works. Other batteries were afterwards established, principally by the exertions of the navy, on the southern side of the Cul de Sac.

On the 28th, the whole of the troops were landed, and it was now determined to attempt the expulsion of the French from some works on the base of the mountain on the northern side of the Grand Cul de Sac, in order to open the bay to the ships of war. In consequence of this arrangement, on the 2d of May, three columns marched against the enemy's posts in different

directions, and the Madras, Beaulieu, Pelican and Victorieuse, prepared to enter the Cul de Sac, and support their attack. Two of the columns proceeded successfully; but the third, from some error, failed in its object; and the two other detachments being left unsupported and unconnected, were in consequence obliged to retire: and the ships destined to enter the Cul de Sac returned to their anchorage.

The principal attack on Morne Fortunée was made on the north side of the ridge of Duchassaux, and on the 16th of May the batteries opened. A post of great importance to the besiegers was attacked at night by the 21st regiment, who were successful in their first attempt but in pursuing their good fortune were, by the loss of their guide, and their ignorance of the country, exposed to a fire of grape from the enemy which obliged them to retire. Their retreat was covered by a party of the grenadiers, under Lieutenantcolonel Macdonald. A lodgement was however soon effected near the enemy's works, who after a vigorous but unsuccessful attempt to expel the besiegers, in which they were repulsed by the steady resistance of the twenty-seventh regiment, under the orders of General Moore, surrendered the island to the British, on the 26th of May.

Captain Lane, of the Astrea, was sent home with the admiral's dispatches, in which he commends highly the meritorious conduct of the captains, officers, and men employed on this service.

General Abercromby bestowed a most honourable tribute of praise to the support and co-operations which he derived from the navy, in his general orders, of which the following is an abstract :

"Head Quarters, St. Lucia, May 27, 1794. "During the services which have been carried on in the island of St. Lucia, all the courage and every exertion of the army would have proved ineffectual, if Rearadmiral Sir H. C. Christian, and the royal navy, had not stepped forward with the alacrity which has been so conspicuous in forwarding the most arduous part of the public service: to their skill and unremitting labour, is in a great measure owing the success which has attended his Majesty's arms. It will afford the commander in chief the greatest satisfaction, to be able to lay before his majesty the eminent services which have on this occasion been performed by the royal navy; and Admiral Sir H. C. Christian, will confer a particular obligation on Lieutenant-general Sir Ralph Abercromby, and the army at large, if he will be so obliging as to communicate to the royal navy, and in particular to Capt. Lane, Ryves, and Stephenson, and the officers who acted on shore, and to the corps of marines, the great obligation which they consider themselves under to them.

(Signed)

"T. BUSBY, Ass. Adj. Gen."

During these transactions a small naval force, under the command of Captain Parr, and a military detach. ment, commanded by Major-general Whyte, got possession, without resistance of Demerara, Berbice, and Essequibo, Dutch colonies, situated in Guiana, to the westward of Surinam. A considerable quantity of produce fell into the hands of the captors.

All the efforts of the general were now bent to effect the expulsion of the enemy from St. Vincent's and Grena