already named, lying at anchor. The British ships, formed in line, soon afterwards anchored within gun-shot of the Dutch; to whose commanding officer, Sir George immediately sent a message, inviting him to surrender without attempting any resistance, which, in the great disparity between the forces, could not be otherwise than unavailing. On the 17th a capitulation was agreed to, and Rear-admiral Lucas surrendered his nine ships to the British admiral. The highest complement among the Dutch ships was that of the Revolutie, 400 men. The Van-Tromp had but 280 men ; the Havik sloop only 76 ; and the whole of the "seamen and troops" on board the nine Dutch ships amounted to no more than 1972. The aggregate number of men in the British squadron, according to Sir George's letter, was, without reckoning the crew of the Hope brig, 4291. No imputation, therefore, could attach to Admiral Lucas or his officers, for having refrained from engaging a British force more than treble their own. In the month of October Vice-admiral Sir George K. Elphinstone, in the Monarch, sailed for England, leaving the command of the fleet to Rear-admiral Pringle.

On the 2d of December Captain John William Spranger, in the 36-gun frigate Crescent, accompanied by the Braave, late Dutch frigate, of the same force, and Sphynx 20-gun ship, took possession of and destroyed the French settlement on Foul Point in the island of Madagascar ; bringing away with him five merchant vessels that were lying in the road.

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