CHAPTER XII

WAR ON THE OCEAN

Importance of the control of the water 121

Feeble action of Congress 122, 123

American and British cruisers 124, 125

Lambert Wickes and Gustavus Conyngham 126

John Paul Jones 126

Franklin's supervision of maritime affairs 127

Jones's squadron 128, 129

His cruise on the British coast 130

He meets a British fleet off Flamborough Head 130, 131

Terrific fight between the Serapis and the Bon Homme Richard (September 23, 1779) 132-135

Effect of Jones's victory 135

Why Denmark and Russia were interested in it 136, 137

Relations of Spain to France and England 138

Intrigues of Spain 139, 140

Treaty between Spain and France (April, 1779) 141

French and Spanish fleets attempt an invasion of England (August, 1779) 142

Sir George Rodney 143, 144

Rights of neutrals upon the sea 144-157

The Consolato del Mare 145, 146

England's conduct in the eighteenth century 147

Prussian doctrine that free ships make free goods 148

Influence of the French philosophers 148, 149

Great Britain wishes to secure an alliance with Russia 149

Importance of Minorca 150

France adopts the Prussian doctrine 151, 152

The affair of Fielding and Bylandt 153

Spanish cruisers capture Russian vessels 154

Catherine's proclamation (March 8, 1780) 154

The Armed Neutrality 155, 156

Vast importance of the principles laid down by Catherine 157

Relations between Great Britain and Holland 158, 159

Holland joins the Armed Neutrality 160

Capture of Henry Laurens and his papers 160

Great Britain declares war against Holland (December 20, 1780) 161

Catherine decides not to interfere 162

Capture of St. Eustatius (February 3, 1781) 163-165

Shameful proceedings 166

Ignominious results of the politics of George III. 166