The preservation of the island of Grenada, the reduction of Yorktown where the English army surrendered, the conquest of the island of St.Christopher, were the result of great battles in which the enemy was allowed to retreat undisturbed, rather than risk giving him a chance to succor the points attacked." The issue could not be more squarely raised than in the case of Grenada.

No one will deny that there are moments when a probable military success is to be foregone, or postponed, in favor of one greater or more decisive.

The position of De Grasse at the Chesapeake, in 1781, with the fate of Yorktown hanging in the balance, is in point; and it is here coupled with that of D'Estaing at Grenada, as though both stood on the same grounds.

Both are justified alike; not on their respective merits as fitting the particular cases, but upon a general principle.

Is that principle sound?
The bias of the writer quoted betrays itself unconsciously, in saying "a few ships." A whole navy is not usually to be crushed at a blow; a few ships mean an ordinary naval victory.