at about two cables' length on the frigate's quarter. Being afterwards
invited by the Dutch governor to meet the French officers at dinner, he
seized that occasion of assuring the French captain that, understanding
it was his intention to honour the British possessions with a visit, he
had taken the earliest opportunity in his power to accompany him, in his
Majesty's ship the BOREAS, in order that such attention might be paid
to the officers of his Most Christian Majesty as every Englishman in
the islands would be proud to show. The French, with equal courtesy,
protested against giving him this trouble; especially, they said, as
they intended merely to cruise round the islands without landing on any.
But Nelson, with the utmost politeness, insisted upon paying them this
compliment, followed them close in spite of all their attempts to elude
his vigilance, and never lost sight of them; till, finding it impossible
either to deceive or escape him, they gave up their treacherous purpose
in despair, and beat up for Martinico.

A business of more serious import soon engaged his attention. The
Americans were at this time trading with our islands, taking advantage
of the register of their ships, which had been issued while they
were British subjects. Nelson knew that, by the Navigation Act, no
foreigners, directly or indirectly, are permitted to carry on any trade
with these possessions. He knew, also, that the Americans had made
themselves foreigners with regard to England; they had disregarded the
ties of blood and language when they acquired the independence which
they had been led on to claim, unhappily for themselves before they were
fit for it; and he was resolved that they should derive no profit from
those ties now. Foreigners they had made themselves, and as foreigners
they were to be treated. "If once," said he, "they are admitted to any
kind of intercourse with our islands, the views of the loyalists, in
settling at Nova Scotia, are entirely done away; and when we are again