Page:The reign of George VI - 1763.djvu/141

 sides frigates: he had a squadron of fifteen sail off Toulon, under Admiral Tonson; and ten in the Channel, commanded by Philips. The Duke of Grafton hasted down to Hull, to quicken the preparations for fitting out the grand squadron, which was to sail for the Baltick, from thence. Orders were given for the fleets at Plymouth, Portsmouth, and Lynn, with the squadron in the Channel, to rendezvous at Hull, as fast as they were got ready for service, that a powerful fleet might sail from thence early in the spring, before a Russian one could come out of the Baltick. Never were such prodigious preparations carryed on in a more spirited manner. New ships were building at all the ports of Great-Britain and Ireland, and even in the immense colonies of America; four ships of 40 guns each, were on the stocks at Quebeck; ten at Boston, and five at Philadelphia. Nor was the King's