to the duty of watching this squadron, Captain Hancock was entrusted with the very difficult mission of making known to the inhabitants of Walcheren, and the neighbouring islands, the glorious victories of the allied armies; and at the same time he received directions to make himself acquainted, if possible, with the strength and disposition of the garrisons of Flushing, Middleburg, Tervere, &c.; to ascertain the state of those fortifications, and whether a hope might reasonably be entertained of our fleet being able to take any of them by a coup-de-main. These services were undertaken by him with his usual zeal and promptitude; the burghers were first apprised that a great political change had taken place in Holland, by the Nymphen and her consorts working up the Spleet, hoisting the allied colours, including the Orange flag over that of France, and firing a royal salute; an address was subsequently drawn up by Captain Hancock, informing them of the actual state of affairs in the north and south of Europe, as well as in Holland; and exciting them to follow the noble example of their countrymen by exerting themselves to shake off the galling yoke of French tyranny: and, lastly, assuring them that, if they were inspired with the same honorable sentiments as the people of Amsterdam, Sec, the British fleet would afford them every assistance in recovering their long lost liberty.
Numerous copies of Captain Hancock’s address were printed, both in the French and Dutch languages, and measures were taken by him to ensure their being distributed all round the neighbourhood of Walcheren. In the mean time he kept up a constant correspondence with those burghers who represented themselves as favorable to apolitical change; and it is not too much to say, that he was mainly instrumental in causing the insurrection which led to their complete emancipation.
Admiral Young arrived off West Capel on the 27th Nov., and shortly afterwards informed Captain Hancock that buoys were making on board the ships of the fleet, for marking out the channel to the Roompot; that he would be required to lay them down when completed; and that all the small vessels attached to the fleet were to be placed as additional marks
