We have had variable winds these last two days,
which have brought the squadron a considerable distance. We are at
present off Algiers, a very unfriendly coast, which I hope soon to
lose sight of with our present breeze. The anchorage off Cadiz having
broken up about this time last year, I depend on finding Lord St.
Vincent at anchor at Gibraltar, or there to find orders to join him at
Lisbon, and from thence to proceed to England.

"Tuesday, 9th.--I congratulate you on our darling's birth-day; and
join my prayers to yours that Heaven may bestow on him its choicest
blessings.

"We have a continuance of fine wind, which, I trust, will carry us to
Gibraltar in two days. I have been treated with the perusal of several
French papers, which I intercepted on board a Danish vessel from
Marseilles, bound to Algiers. They are dated so late as the 27th
Fructidor, which answers to the 13th September; and I am happy to
see, by the English news they contain, that things were going on
favourably. I hope soon to have it under your hand more particularly:
in the mean time it is very satisfactory to receive these news, which
are near three months of later date from England than we before
possessed; your dear letter of the 10th June being the latest I have
seen.

"Wednesday, 10th.--I fell in with L'Espoir this morning. She left
Gibraltar ten days ago. She has surprised me with the account that the
Leander had not at that time reached Earl St. Vincent; and that the
news of our victory was only received two days before by the Mutine,
which had arrived from Naples. This account has created amongst us
great uneasiness for the fate of the Leander. I have despatched
L'Espoir with a letter to Earl St. Vincent, apprising him of the
approach of the prizes, with the ships under my command; and I hope to
receive his lordship's orders for our proceedings when we appear off
Gibraltar.

"Saturday, 13th.--The wind has again set against us the last two days,
and continues to exercise our patience. What adds to my uneasiness is,
the small quantity of provisions in the squadron. We have been at
short allowance these six weeks; and should it unfortunately continue
to the westward a few days longer, we shall be very badly off. I now
very reluctantly give up all hope of being in England during this
month.

"Sunday, 14th.--The wind has again sprung up to the eastward, and I
hope will this time carry us to Gibraltar.

"Monday, 15th.--The wind still co