She could not give us much attention.

She was battling with the great Autocrat.

We, by declaring war upon her at such a time, played into Bonaparte's hands, and virtually, by embarrassing England, struck a blow on the side of autocracy and against our own political faith.

It was a feeble blow, it did but slight harm.

And regardless of it England struck Bonaparte down.
His hope that we might damage and lessen the power of her fleet that he so much respected and feared, was not realized.