Page:The reign of George VI - 1763.djvu/73

 men on board them, and resolved to form an invasion of France: He gave out that he designed to attack Brest; and to deceive the enemy the better, sent vessels to sound the depth of water on several parts of the coasts of Britany. The enemy marched down troops from all parts of France to defend themselves where they thought the descent was intended; but the King's plan was well laid, and unsuspected by the Court of Versailles. Instead of steering to the coast of Britany he directed his course to that of Flanders, and, without the least opposition, landed his whole army on the beach of Blankenburg.

He immediately published and dispersed a memorial to the Dutch, exhorting them to take this favourable opportunity of regaining their liberty, promising to do every thing for them that could be any way conducive to so