ather and movements of the enemy, as they see best in their
discretion, or may be directed by the commanding officer, for
being able to get to sea with facility when necessary for the
purpose of this appointment; and, having made the intended
discovery, they are to return for reporting observations to me
with all convenient despatch. They are to observe, that the
capture of single ships of the line or frigates, or any action
with the enemy not absolutely requisite for the security of
their ships, is not an object of equal moment to compensate for
any delay in conveying the earliest information to me, by signal
or personal intercourse, of the state or motions of the enemy as
aforesaid. The ordering of the fleet in their absence on this
service will be calculated for arriving off Ushant as early as
possible the next morning, on these occasions if the detached
ships should not have joined the fleet the preceding day, in
view to take advantage of every opportunity to intercept the
ships of the enemy attempting to put to sea from Brest. And as
it may be requisite often to renew this appointment, the
intention will be expressed by signal No. 181, together with the
particular signals (one or more) of the ships of the line and
frigates then meant to be so employed; and the signal No. 124
will be subsequently made when the ships are to part company
from the fleet for such purpose.

Given on board the Queen Charlotte,
Torbay, 5th February 1795.
HOWE.

To Sir James Saumarez,
Captain H.M.S. Crescent.

On this occasion Sir James Saumarez wrote the following letter to his
brother, which shows the high opinion entertained of his services off
the Black Rocks by his lordship:

Spithead, 15th January 1795.

I had the pleasure of yours yesterday morning, and have only
time to acquaint you that part of the fleet are now dropping
down to St. Helen's, and to-morrow we hope to put to sea. The
wind is far to the southward, but I hope we shall be able to get
down Channel before it comes to the westward. There can be
little doubt but the enemy's fleet are still at sea. If we have
the good fortune to meet them, the business will be glorious for
the country.

Our line consists of thirty-five, ten of which are
three-deckers. The French have only thirty-two, and four only of
three-deckers. My situation in the fleet (repeati