If the success of a descent upon England appear doubtful, as I suspect it will, the Army of England shall become the Army of the East, and I go to Egypt."[92] In February, 1798, he paid a brief visit to Dunkirk and the Flemish coast, and concluded that the invasion of England was altogether too complicated to be hazarded except as a last desperate venture.

In a report to the Government (February 23rd) he thus sums up the whole situation: "Whatever efforts we make, we shall not for some years gain the naval supremacy.

To invade England without that supremacy is the most daring and difficult task ever undertaken....

If, having regard to the present organization of our navy, it seems impossible to gain the necessary promptness of execution, then we must really give up the expedition against England, _be satisfied with keeping up the pretence of it_, and concentrate all our attention and resources on the Rhine, in order to try to deprive England of Hanover and Hamburg:[93] ...

or else undertake an eastern expedition which would menace her trade with the Indies.