After him and almost in his wake went Admiral Boscawen from Plymouth, on the 27th of April, seeking to encounter him at sea.

"Most certainly the English will not commence hostilities," said the English cabinet to calm the anxieties of France.
It was only off Newfoundland that Admiral Boscawen's squadron encountered some French vessels detached from the fleet in consequence of the bad weather.

"Captain Hocquart, who commanded the _Alcide,_" says the account of M.de Choiseul, "finding himself within hail of the _Dunkerque,_ had this question put in English: 'Are we at peace or war ?' The English captain appearing not to understand, the question was repeated in French.

'Peace! peace!' shouted the English.

Almost at the same moment the _Dunkerque_ poured in a broadside, riddling the _Alcide_ with balls." The two French ships were taken; and a few days afterwards, three hundred merchant vessels, peaceably pursuing their course, were seized by the English navy.