dmiral, with noble generosity, sent Captain
Colville, with eight of his officers, to Rear-Admiral Russel. It is
always delightful to record such traits of magnanimity and kindness,
and we feel that British sailors can well afford to do honour to those
virtues in others, for which they have ever been so distinguished
themselves.

Admiral Russel handsomely acknowledged his obligation to the Dutch
government in the following letter to Admiral Kirkhurt:--

H.B.M. Ship Eagle, Dec. 2, 1804.

'Sir--I have this moment received your flag of truce, conveying
to me the Honourable Captain Colville, late of his Majesty's
ship, the Romney, (wrecked upon your coast,) with eight of his
officers, whom you have first humanely saved from impending
destruction, and whom your government, with its ancient
magnanimity, has released and restored to their country and
their friends, on their _parole d'honneur_. They are all, Sir,
most sensibly affected with heartfelt gratitude to the Batavian
government for their emancipation from captivity; to Admiral
Kirkhurt for their preservation from the jaws of death, and to
all the Dutch officers and inhabitants of the Texel, for their
kindness and most humane attention.

'This, Sir, is nobly alleviating the rigours of war, as the
Christian heroes of your country and mine were wont to do in
these seas, before a considerable portion of European intellect
was corrupted by false philosophy. Captain Colville will
communicate to the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of
the Admiralty, your proposal for an exchange of prisoners.
Accept my sincere thanks, and the assurance that I am, &c. &c.

'(Signed) T.M. RUSSEL.'

On the 31st of December, Captain Colville, the officers and ship's
company of H.M. (late) ship Romney were tried by a court-martial on
board the Africaine at Sheerness, for the loss of their ship off the
Tezel on the 19th of November.

It appeared to the court, that the loss of the ship had been
occasioned by the thickness of the fog and the ignorance of the
pilots; that the utmost exertions had been used by the captain,
officers, and crew, to save the vessel after she struck, and to
prevent the ship's company becoming prisoners of war. The sentence of
the court was to this effect: that the captain, officers and crew were
fully acquitted of all blame, but that the pilots should forfeit all
their pay,