isfaction yesterday to join
Sir H. Nelson with the reinforcement; and this morning the Alexander
joined us, after having captured the prize she chased, which I
understand to be a valuable ship, also from Genoa.

"We are now fourteen sail of the line, with La Mutine brig only; our
present anxiety is to gain information of the enemy's fleet, and to
find them where we can attack them. I hope to give you soon good
intelligence of them, and speedily be the bearer of the good news in
person, as Sir H. Nelson has orders to send the Orion home, when he
can spare her. What a blessing if our present endeavours should be
crowned with success, and I have the good fortune to proceed to
England immediately after; which at present is really intended, having
seen the order from the commander-in-chief.

"Tuesday, June 12th: off Elba.--We have reached this distance without
having been enabled to obtain any information of the enemy, who we
have reason to think are not far from our squadron: the winds have
been very favourable to us, as at this time of the year calms are very
prevailing. Although a long period has elapsed since I was on this
station, I derive great advantage, as well as satisfaction, from my
recollection of the different places we have passed. We are at present
between Corsica and Leghorn, about fifteen leagues from the latter: if
we do not hear anything of the French fleet before we get to Naples,
we shall rendezvous at that place; and, we hope, in time to save that
country from the hands of our rapacious enemy.

"Thursday, 14th.--The Admiral has this morning made the signal of his
having gained intelligence of the enemy, and that they were off
Syracuse in the island of Sicily. This information has been
communicated by a Moor that the Leander has spoken with. We are now in
full sail, with a fresh breeze of wind; and to-morrow we hope to get
sight of Naples, in order to obtain more certain accounts of them. The
officers and crews in the several ships are all in the highest
spirits; and I never remember going into action with more certain
hopes of success.

"Friday, 15th.--I dined with Sir Horatio to-day, and find his
intelligence only extends to the enemy's fleet having been seen off
Sicily. As he has sent Captain Troubridge in La Mutine to Naples, we
may expect to-morrow more certain accounts of them; but we have reason
to suppose them gone for Alexandria, the distance from which to the
Red Sea is only three days' jo