hem without endangering his
Majesty's ships, I stood out of the bay through a passage which
both the pilots I had on board assured me was perfectly safe.

We soon found ourselves deceived, perceiving several rocks which
we with difficulty cleared. Unfortunately the Druid, (which I
hailed to acquaint her of the danger,) in wearing, tailed on a
sunken rock; and, although she floated in a few minutes, she has
I fear received so much damage as to require her to be taken
into dock.

I have directed Captain Ellison, whose activity and exertions
cannot be too highly praised, to proceed to Plymouth, and the
Liberty to accompany him into the Sound, and rejoin you without
loss of time.

I am, with every respect, sir,
Your obedient and most humble servant,
JAS. SAUMAREZ.

Rear-admiral John McBride.

On Sir James's arrival at Guernsey, he addressed the following letter
to his brother in London, which continues the narrative of his
proceedings on that dangerous coast.

MY DEAR RICHARD,

I take the first opportunity to send you an account of an
enterprise which, had it been attended with success, would have
proved fortunate indeed. Not having time to send you the
particulars, I have enclosed a copy of my letter to the admiral,
which you will show to M. Le Mesurier. I have only to add, that
the object in view justified the attempt; but, as the world too
often forms its judgment from events, I fear we shall not
acquire much credit for the attempt.

At midnight, we providentially escaped getting wrecked on the
Rocks Douvre, in steering after the Druid. We were warned of our
perilous situation by the noise of the breakers, and had only
time to avoid them. In short, my dear friend, when I consider
our disappointment, and the very wonderful escapes we have had,
it is almost too much for me, and I can only be thankful things
are not worse.

Accounts have lately arrived from the army of the royalists,
that they are in possession of Rennes, and we have reason to
expect soon to hear of their having a seaport wherein we can
land the reinforcement. Four French frigates have been in sight
of the island these two days; the more mortifying as we cannot
detach after them without leaving the troops embarked
unprotected. An expedition of this consequence should have at
least the support of two ships of the line.