rank, and his acknowledged talents, some post of

eminence.

After the lapse of about ten years this event accordingly occurred, and towards the latter end of 1793, he was employed as chief in command of the forces destined for an attack on the French West Indies. Previously to this he led a small body of forces into maritime Flanders, by means of which he secured the possession of Newport, and having embarked on board the fleet commanded by his friend and colleague, Sir John Jervis, (now Earl St. Vincent,) they sailed for Carlisle Bay in Barbadoes, whence they proceeded against Martinico on February 3, 1794. A few days after, three separate landings were effected; Pigeon island was captured, St. Pierre seized, Bellegarde's camp occupied, by means of a bold and decisive movement; Fort Lewis was obliged to surrender on the 20th, and, finally, Fort Bourbon, in which General Rochambeau commanded in person, yielded also on the 23d of March.

After leaving six regiments to garrison the island, the fleet proceeded against St. Lucia, the conquest of which was attended with but little difficulty, and the Saints also were seized upon without the loss of a man. The next object was the possession of Guadaloupe, alike important on account of its strength and position. On the morning of April 12, Fort Fleur d'Epée was carried by assault, and the whole colony surrendered on the 21st of the said month.

It is not to be denied that the requisition attempted to be levied on the inhabitants rendered them disaffected to the cause of England, but it was entirely

owing to the sudden and unexpected arrival of a feeble armament from Europe, consisting of only two frigates, two forty-four gun ships armed en flute, a corvette or sloop of war, and two transports, containing about fifteen hundred troops, that the loss of this formidable island is to be attributed. Yet the expedition could have achieved little, had it not been for a decree (since basely and scandalously violated), conferring immediate freedom on all the slaves in the colonies, and thus arming a numerous and powerful body of men in behalf of their own liberties. Nor ought it to be omitted, that the conduct of the enterprise was confided to a singular man, who with a cruel disposition united talents admirably calculated for war, and an enthusiasm that rendered the most desperate enterprise familiar to him. Having escaped all the English cruisers, in a most extraordinary manner, he effected a landing June 4, in the course of three days more stormed Pointe-a-Petre, and obtained possession of the whole of that part of the island denominated Grand Terre.

Sir Charles Grey had actually embarked for England, in consequence of an antecedent permission from the King (the campaign having been to all appearance concluded in a most brilliant and successful manner,) when he received intelligence of so untoward and unexpected an event. On this the general immediately repaired to Basse-Terre, where having collected a body of troops, a circumstance now become extremely difficult, in consequeuce of the recent mortality that had occurred, a landing was effected, and the

enemy,

enemy, after abandoning Gozier, obliged to retire within their principal fortress. Nevertheless, a total subjugation by this time appeared impracticable, in consequence of the singular zeal of the emanci pated negroes, and the unabating energy of their ferocious commander. As the hurricane season now approached, it became necessary, however, to attempt something, and an attack was accordingly made on the town of Pointe-a-Petre, by Brigadier-general Symes, while Sir Charles Grey, in case of success, prepared instantly to storm Fort Fleur d'Epée, and thus put an end to the war at once; but the former of these measures having proved unsuccessful, the latter was of course abandoned.

Thus, the West Indian expedition did not terminate so advantageously as had been expected, arising, on one hand, from a singular event that defied all calculation; and, on the other, from the want of fresh troops from Europe to fill up the dreadful chasm, occasioned by the daily sacrifice of multitudes to an unhealthy climate and a ruinous warfare. But although all was not achieved, much was assuredly accomplished, and the undisturbed possession of the valuable colonies of St. Lucia and Martinique proved for a time serviceable to England.

Soon after his return, Sir Charles received the government of the island of Guernsey; he was, nearly at the same time, appointed to the third or King's own regiment of dragoons on the death of General Lascelles. The southern district was also confided to his care during the latter end of the late war; and should

should the enemy be enabled in the course of the present to effect a descent in any part of the united kingdoms, there is no officer on whom this country can rely with more implicit confidence. On June 21, 1801, his majesty was pleased to exhibit a further mark of his approbation, by a patent creating him Baron Grey de Howic, in the county of Northumberland.*

* In addition to the many bonours conferred upon him by his Sovereign, Lord Grey has received the thanks of both houses of parliament for his exploits in the West Indies. The corporation of London too, always forward to recognise and reward merit, presented the freedom of the city to him and Sir John Jervis (now Lord St. Vincent) on their return, in gold boxes of one hundred guineas value each. On this occasion Mr. Wilkes complimented the admiral and general in the following animated address:

"GENTLEMEN,

"I give you joy, and I feel that my pride as an Englishman, and as chamberlain of this great city, are highly gratified in the honour of communicating to two brave and illustrious commanders in the fleets and armies of my country, the unanimous resolution of thanks from the lord mayor, aldermen, and common council of the city of London, in common council assembled.

"The glory of the British arms has not only been supported by you, gentlemen, both by sea and land, but by your able, gallant, and meritorious conduct in the West Indies you have achieved brilliant conquests, rendered us signal services, and acquired the most signal advantages, at an important and critical æra, and over a powerful and perfidious enemy.

"We reflect with singular satisfaction on those wonderful exertions of wisdom and policy, continued during the whole period of your command, by which you preserved between the naval and military forces a happy union and perfect harmony.

"This object you saw to be of the first necessity for the accom, plishment of all hazardous enterprises, and to the want of which,

and

Lord Grey has a very numerous family. Of his eldest son Charles we shall give an account hereafter. His second son, Henry-George, is an officer in the army, being lieutenant-colonel of the seventeenth regiment of dragoons, and aid-de-camp to the King.

His third, George, was bred in the royal navy, and served as a lieutenant on board the Quebec, at the commencement of the late war with France; he was made master and commander in 1793, on which occasion he obtained the Vesuvius bomb, soon after which he procured the rank of post captain, on his appointment to the command of the Boyne, under Admiral Sir John Jervis. He followed that distinguished commander into the Victory, and accompanied him to the Mediterranean. Since the commencement of the present war, he has not been employed in active service; but he first obtained the Royal Charlotte yacht, in the room of Sir H. B. Neale,

and the disgrace of some former periods, the recording page of the English history ascribed the failure of bold and grand undertakings. Your excellent conduct and good intelligence, on the contrary, secured a regular co-operation of the whole British force. Victory accordingly followed your standards, and carried along with her a series of successes through an extended variety of attacks of difficulty and danger.

"Permit, gentlemen, the city wreaths to be mixed with the laurels you have fairly won, and which a general applause must more and more endear to you. These sentiments of gratitude pervade the country in which we live, while they animate the metropolis of our empire. They give a full indemnity against the slanderous breath of envy, and the foul calumnies of the envenomed serpent-tongue of malice, which in these latter times has scarcely ceased to detract from, and endeavour to wound superior merit."

who