ifty guns, having been refitted at Portsmouth,
returned to take Sir James's flag. Her former commander, Captain
Thomas Larcom, died at Portsmouth; and Captain Hugh Downman, who had
succeeded Captain Brenton in the Caesar, was, at Sir James's request,
appointed his flag-captain. The Cerberus was sent to refit at
Portsmouth, and on her way thither she captured a gun-boat.

During the years 1804 and 1805 the following vessels were taken and
destroyed by the squadron:

31st January.--The Hydra and Tribune captured four gun-boats.

17th March.--The Loire captured the Brave of St. Maloes, of
sixteen guns and 110 men.

18th March.--The Tartar lugger captured the Jeune Henri,
twelve, and 64 men.

-- April.--The Sylph destroyed several gun-vessels in the Race
of Alderney, in which she had one man killed and two wounded.

The Hydra captured a privateer off Cherbourg.

On the 9th October, the Albicore, Captain Henniker, destroyed
five French gun-vessels near Grosnez de Flamanville, without
any loss in men, although considerably damaged in the rigging
and hull.

In the course of this eventful year, Sir James kept up a constant
correspondence with his friend Lord Nelson, whose glorious career was
now near its close. Availing himself of the opportunity of a vessel
from Guernsey bound to Gibraltar, he sent his lordship a supply of
wines and other good things which that fertile island produces,
together with newspapers, &c. These reached the Victory only a few
days before the memorable battle of Trafalgar; and Lord Nelson's
answer, which we here transcribe, was dated only three days before the
action, and is probably the last but one ever written by him.

Victory, off Cadiz, Oct. 18th, 1805.

MY DEAR SIR JAMES,

You may rely upon it that, when I can, I will remove Lieutenant
Fisher of the R.M. into a frigate; at present, I fear the
frigates are full, and the line-of-battle ships empty: but in
whatever manner, my dear Sir James, I may be able to meet your
wishes, I desire you will let me know. Our friends at Cadiz are
ready to come forth, and I hope they will not again escape me:
the career of the Rochfort squadron, I think, has been several
days stopped by Sir Richard Strachan, but I wish his force had
been more equal to the contest. I have to thank you for your
great attention about my wine, and for r