ng frigate) is
certainly more desirable than a less conspicuous one; at the
same time, I would rather command a seventy-four. Lord Howe is
remarkably gracious, and has overwhelmed me with compliments in
his opinion of my merits. I have the more to accomplish in order
to show myself deserving of it. Be assured of my zealous
endeavours. Adieu! Give my sincere love to my sister and dear
children.

I am ever affectionately yours,
JAS. SAUMAREZ.

Sir James always preferred the command of a ship of the line to a
frigate, notwithstanding the chances of prize-money are in favour of
the latter. He accordingly made the following application to the First
Lord of the Admiralty; and it will be seen, by the subsequent
correspondence, that his wishes were complied with.

MY LORD,

I beg leave to acquaint your lordship, that some time since I
made application to be appointed to a line-of-battle ship, and
the Earl of Chatham was pleased to signify his intention of
meeting my wishes the earliest opportunity. I shall esteem
myself greatly obliged to your lordship to appoint me to one,
and at the same time to permit me to take my officers and ship's
company.

I have the honour to be, &c. &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.

Right Honourable Earl Spencer.

SIR,

I take the earliest opportunity of acknowledging your letter to
be appointed to a line-of-battle ship. I am not at present
apprised of there being an immediate opportunity to comply with
your request; but it will give me great pleasure to have an
early one afforded me of promoting an officer of so much
acknowledged merit.

I am, sir, with great respect,
Your obedient humble servant,
SPENCER.

To Captain Saumarez, H.M.S. Crescent.
Admiralty, December 24th, 1794.

Crescent, Spithead, 1st March 1795.

MY LORD,

I beg to avail myself of the return of the fleet into port, to
remind your lordship of the application I had the honour to make
to be appointed to a line-of-battle ship; and as the Orion is
likely soon to become vacant, I shall be greatly obliged to your
lordship to have the goodness to give me the command of her, and
at the same time to permit me to take my officers and ship's
company.

I have the honour to be, my lord,
Your lordship's most obedient and most humble servant,

JAMES SAUMAREZ.
Right Honourable Earl Spencer.