CHAPTER VI

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THE YEAR 1794 IN THE ATLANTIC AND ON THE CONTINENT.

Inaction of the British Channel fleet 162

Capture of the "Alexander," 74 162

Disastrous winter cruise of the French Brest fleet 163

Continued inactivity of the British Channel fleet 164

Howe leaves the command afloat 165

Succeeded by Bridport 165

Change in the British Admiralty 165

Little change of system 165

Dangers incurred by faulty dispositions 166

Reign of Terror in France 167

Fall of Robespierre, July 27, 1794 167

French successes on north-east frontier 168

Divergent retreat of Austrians and Anglo-Dutch 169

Conquest of Holland by the French 170

Establishment of Batavian Republic 170

Effect of this event upon the coalition 170

War between Great Britain and Holland 170

Fall of Dutch colonies 171

French successes on the Rhine and in the Pyrenees 171

Peace made with France by Prussia, Holland, and Spain 172

Treaties of Great Britain with Austria and Russia 172

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