ny, believed to be L'Esperance, mounting fourteen guns,
made off for Cherbourg with sweeps and sails as soon as the firing
commenced. La Reunion's consort, believed to be the Semillante, made
an attempt to get out of Cherbourg, but was prevented by the tide,
when she sent a boat full of men, it was supposed, to reinforce the
former, but which returned when it was observed that her fate was
decided. The French shore, only five miles distant, was crowded with
spectators.

There is no action between two single ships on record, where
consummate skill in naval tactics has been so brilliantly and
successfully displayed as in that which we have just described. The
patriotic reader must not imagine that, because the Crescent had
"none" either killed or wounded, the captain and officers of La
Reunion did not do their utmost, and far less that they were deficient
in courage. The severe loss they sustained, and the obstinacy with
which their ship was defended, has fully proved their bravery. Had the
Crescent at once boarded the Reunion, which was in her power, and
carried her sword in hand, as in the case of the Nymphe and Cleopatre,
it would have been perhaps better calculated to excite feelings of
admiration in the general reader, who is not acquainted with naval
affairs; but this mode of attack is one which, we must acquaint them,
might readily be made by any officer moderately skilled in naval
tactics. It is where the commander of a ship, by his presence of mind
and skilful manoeuvring, succeeds in the defeat and capture of an
enemy, that the superiority is manifest; and it is to him who has thus
proved that he possesses the _tact_ to accomplish his object, and yet
spare the valuable lives of his men, that the meed of praise is most
justly due.

Crescent, Spithead, 23rd October 1793.

SIR,

I beg you will be pleased to inform my Lords Commissioners of
the Admiralty of my arrival at Spithead in H.M. ship Crescent,
under my command, and the prize La Reunion, and from thence into
Portsmouth Harbour, conformable with orders from Sir Peter
Parker.

I have the honour to be,
Your obedient humble servant,
JAMES SAUMAREZ.

To Philip Stephens, Esq.

Admiralty, October 24th, 1793.

SIR,

I learnt yesterday with great satisfaction the account of your
action with the French frigate La Reunion, and beg to
congratulate you very sincerely on your success on this
occasion. Th