The formidable preparations carried on in the ports of France and Holland, pending the discussion of an important negociation, occasioned the British government to adopt means of preservation, and King George III., actuated by a concern for the security and welfare of his subjects, exercised the power vested in him by act of parliament, and issued on the 11th of March, 1803, warrants for calling out and embodying the MILITIA. The establishment of the regiments of the regular army was also augmented, the amount of levy money for recruits was increased, and vigorous measures were adopted for completing the numbers of the several corps. In May the negociations with France terminated, the King's ambassador was recalled from Paris, hostilities recommenced, and Bonaparte made public declaration of his intention to invade this kingdom, and assembled an army near Boulogne which was insultingly termed, _L'armée d'Angleterre_.
This proceeding was met by the British government with suitable measures; the SUPPLEMENTARY MILITIA was embodied; an Act was passed to enable his Majesty to assemble an additional military force, called the ARMY OF RESERVE; also an act for indemnifying persons who might suffer in their property from the measures it might be found necessary to adopt; and an Act to enable his Majesty more effectually and speedily to exercise his ancient and undoubted prerogative in requiring the military aid of his liege subjects in case of invasion of the realm, called the LEVY-EN-MASSE ACT. The captain-general of the army, Field-Marshal His Royal Highness the Duke of York, was also active in making the necessary preparations. The country was divided into military districts; general and staff officers were appointed to each district, and arrangements were made, and regulations issued, for the conduct of all ranks in the event of an invasion taking place.
The moment the enemy landed, all the regulations of civil government and restraint of forms were to cease in that part of the country, and everything was to give way to the supplying and strengthening of the army; the troops were directed to move in the lightest manner, and without baggage; the enemy was to be attacked at the moment of landing, and when his numbers became too great for any chance of success, the troops were to withdraw a short distance to give time for the forces of the country to assemble; correct intelligence was to be circulated; the inhabitants were to withdraw with their cattle, horses, and provision; and all provision tardy in its removal was to be destroyed; the roads were to be broken up, and the country driven and abandoned on the line of the enemy's route.