1811	British and French Fleets	327

THE principal feature, that distinguishes the present abstract * from the generality of those which have preceded it, is the insignificant total at the foot of the column of " Purchased enemy national vessels. " � This is to be attributed to the effectual manner in which the ports of France had been blockaded, rather than to any diminution of strength or spirit in the French navy. The latter, indeed, notwithstanding its reverses, had been, and was still, increasing in its numbers, as we shall presently have occasion to show. The decrease compartment of the abstract also exhibits a reduction, by as much as one half, in the numerical, if not in the tonnage, amount of its first and more important column. �

The number of commissioned officers and masters, belonging to the British navy at the commencement of the year 1811 was,

* See Appendix, Annual Abstract No. 19. � See Appendix, No. 15. � See Appendix, No. 16.

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