In the courage of his men he placed the firmest reliance; and when he addressed a few words to them, before they closed with the enemy, he knew how to suggest the most effectual encouragement in a situation so new to them all.  To the miners, he appealed by their honour and spirit as Cornishmen; a motive which the feelings of his own bosom told him would, above all things, animate theirs.  Probably there is no place where local pride prevails so strongly as in the west of Cornwall.  The lower classes, employed for the most part in pursuits which require the constant exercise of observation and judgment, and familiarized to danger in their mines and fisheries, are peculiarly thoughtful and intrepid; while the distinctness of name and character which they derive from the almost insular position of their county, and the general ignorance of strangers in the interesting pursuits with which they are so familiar, have taught the lower classes to regard it less as an integral part of England, than a distinct and superior country.  They have a nobler motive for this feeling, in the successes of their forefathers against the arms of the rebel parliament, when their loyalty, unwavering amidst prosperous treason, and their victories over superior discipline and numbers, obtained for them the grateful eulogy of their unfortunate sovereign.  His letter remains painted, as he directed, in a conspicuous part of their older churches, a most honourable monument of their virtues and his gratitude.  No man could be prouder of his county than Captain Pellew himself; and, as it was an object much coveted by the most promising of its young men to serve in his ship, and he continued steadily to patronize those who showed themselves deserving, there is scarcely a town in it from which he has not made officers.  Thus his feelings were in perfect unison with theirs; and never was an appeal made with greater confidence, or answered with higher spirit, than when he reminded them of their home.

At six o’clock the ships were so near, that the captains mutually hailed.  Not a shot had yet been fired.  The crew of the Nymphe now shouted “Long live King George!” and gave three hearty cheers.  Captain Mullon was then seen to address his crew briefly, holding a cap of liberty, which he waved before them.  They answered with acclamations, shouting, “Vive la Republique!” as if in reply to the loyal watchword of the British crew, and to mark the opposite principles for which the battle was to be fought.  The cap of liberty was then given to a sailor, who ran up the main rigging, and screwed it on the mast-head.