Page:The reign of George VI - 1763.djvu/80

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54
THE REIGN

days, nineteen Russian men of war were driven ashore on the coast of Norfolk, and were there burnt; the English lost only two, but had several dismasted.

This stroke secured to George his superiority at sea. This navy was so powerful that the French fleets were blocked up in their ports, and were not strong enough to look the English in the face; so that Charles now saw all his hopes blasted, and the King of England at the head of a victorious army ready to march to Paris itself. In this critical situation he determined to sue for peace. George, whose conduct was guided by justice not inordinate ambition, readily listened to the proposal. He appointed Ambassadors to meet those of France at Beauvais, where a peace was soon agreed to; the Czar sent an Ambassador on his part, so it became general between the three nations. The principal article was, That Charles shouldcause