Another vindictive conflict occurred in the East, but without any important consequences; in which Sir Edward Hughes, as hitherto, nobly maintained the honor of the British flag, against Admiral Suffrein and superior numbers. The sound of peace soon after reached their ears, and closed all their differences.
Acts of generous hospitality, and works of mercy in the western world, superseded stratagem in war, and the thirst of fame.
Prince William Henry, now his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence, whom professional zeal had carried to that quarter, was at the cessation of hostilities, under that able master, Lord Hood. Since his entry into the Navy he had shewn a peculiar attention to every branch of its duties, and had afforded the earliest presage of the most distinguished talents upon its hazardous, but popular element. A princely wish to qualify himself for this honourable calling, had urged him to forego all the luxuries of his station, and to risk a life naturally dear to his august family, and deservedly valued by all who had the privilege of his intercourse, in a clime, where no one can count upon to-morrow. It was not his lot, indeed, to wage war in it, but to behold the refined manners of a gallant enemy tranquillized into a cordial friend, and to be the Agent of Providence in rescuing, from a seemingly irrevocable doom, some of his condemned countrymen, whose misguided patriotism had stimulated disaffection within the Spanish Province of Louisiana.
The elegant attentions of Mons. de Bellecomb, at Cape Francois, were still outdone by the noble humanity of Governor Don Galvez. This brave Spaniard placed the forfeited lives of those unfortunate delinquents, at his Royal disposal. It was the most precious gift that could have been tendered to a British Prince--who was recognized under this great and solemn offering as sharing in all the generous sympathies of an Englishman. The hour which permitted him to restore those wretched victims, in a foreign land, to their native society, must be reviewed as the happiest of his life. It must still yield many a consoling reflection in his retirement, and although restrained from adding to the triumphs of our Realm, by deeds of carnage, he may yet rejoice that he stands upon the records of mercy and benevolence by the most exalted displays of fellow feeling.