ithin a few days. I find by the prisoners that the
French have only eighteen sail from Brest in readiness for sea.
They rendezvous in Quiberon Bay as soon as they are equipped. I
hope Lord Howe will soon give a good account of all of them. I
anchored at Guernsey for a few hours, where I left the cutter
for my brother's disposal.

As we have been parted from the Hind since the 8th instant, I
hope to find she may have met with success. We are under
agreement to share till the expiration of our cruise. As I write
before we anchor, you cannot expect I should give you an account
of my further destination; but, from what they informed me in
the island, we are to go with Lord Howe, which hurried me from
there. All the family were in perfect health at six o'clock on
Tuesday evening, when I left them. We must now console ourselves
with the hope that we shall soon terminate the business. I think
this year will nearly do it. We anxiously sought for an
opportunity similar to the Nymphe. We traversed the bay (Biscay)
in every direction, without the appearance of a French ship; and
on Monday we were all day in sight of Ushant, but could never
meet with any but neutral vessels. Our next cruise may probably
prove more fortunate. With my affectionate love to my sister
and the children, I am, my dear Richard,

Yours truly,
JAMES SAUMAREZ.

It will be seen by the date of this letter, that the Crescent had
arrived at Spithead on the 26th, which is the date of his official
letter to the Admiralty, giving an account of the capture of Le
Club, which, being the same as already given, need not be repeated.

The Crescent, being replenished with water and provisions, was
directed on the 4th July to take on board a quantity of specie for
Plymouth, to which he sailed on the 5th, and, having delivered it
there, took a convoy from thence to the Downs, where he arrived on the
18th July, and, according to further orders, returned with the trade
under convoy from thence to Spithead on the 20th.

The following order, which Captain Saumarez received from the Lords of
the Admiralty, will show the nature of the service on which he was now
employed.

By the Commissioners for executing the office of Lord High
Admiral of Great Britain and Ireland, &c.

CAPTAIN SAUMAREZ,

You are to take his Majesty's ships named on the margin
(Concorde and Thames) under your command