BLOCKADE OF FERROL.--PARLIAMENTARY HISTORY.

Peace--Made Colonel of Marines--His popularity--Envy in
consequence--Anecdote--Elected M.P. for Barnstaple--State of
parties--Renewal of hostilities--Appointed to the _Tonnant_,
80--Pursues a Dutch squadron--Blockades a French squadron in
Ferrol--His seamanship and exertions in maintaining the
blockade--Difficulty of supplying the ships--His recall--Earl St.
Vincent's naval reforms--Mr. Pitt's opposition--Naval inquiry,
March 15, 1804--Sir Edward's speech--Its effect--Promoted to be a
Rear-Admiral, and appointed to be Commander-in-chief in India.
page 134


CHAPTER VIII.

SIR EDWARD'S COMMAND IN INDIA.

Character required for a Commander-in-chief--Hostility of the new
Ministry--Sir T. Troubridge sent to take the more valuable part of
the command--Oversight of the Admiralty--Dispute between the two
admirals--Sir Edward confirmed in his command--Melancholy fate of
the _Blenheim_, Sir T. Troubridge--Sir Edward sends Captain
Troubridge in search of his father--Actions in the Indian
Seas--_San Fiorenzo_ and _Psyché_--_Piedmontaise_ and _Warren
Hastings_--Ferocity of the French first lieutenant, and Sir
Edward's general order in consequence--_San Fiorenzo_ and
_Piedmontaise_--French privateers--Murderous contest between the
_Victor_ and Malay pirates--Attack on Batavia Roads, and