convoy, and
with information of importance for Lord Keith, from Mr. Frere. By the
return of the Thames, Sir James received from Sir John Warren, whose
absence from Toulon had permitted Admiral Linois' squadron to escape,
the following letter, dated,

Renown, Port Mahon, 18th August, 1801.

SIR,

I have the honour of informing you of my arrival here with the
squadron under my command, being ordered by the
commander-in-chief on this part of the station, and to assist
and communicate with anything stationed without the Straits'
mouth.

I received, with much satisfaction, the intelligence of your
zealous and gallant efforts with the squadron under your orders
in the several actions you have had with the enemy, the result
of which has proved so successful and honourable to all who
assisted in them.

I therefore beg leave, sincerely, to offer you my
congratulations on this occasion; and trust you have received
the stores sent from this dockyard, and the supernumeraries
which were conveyed in the Mermaid.

I am sorry to add that the Swiftsure was captured by Gantheaume
in her passage with some merchantmen, on the coast of Barbary;
and that the enemy were fortunate enough to carry her into
Toulon.

I have the honour to remain,
Your obedient humble servant,
J.B. WARREN.

To Rear-admiral Sir James Saumarez, Bart.
&c. &c. &c.

The ports of Cadiz and St. Lucar were now declared to be in strict
blockade, which was rigidly enforced, in order to prevent supplies
being thrown in for the repairs of the damaged fleet; and serious
disputes frequently took place between the French and Spaniards in
these harbours.

Although the battles of the 6th and 12th of July were not in magnitude
to be compared to those of the Nile and Valentine's day, they were to
the nation actually of no less importance, by having put an end to the
well-laid plan of Buonaparte for the destruction of our commerce and
the reinforcement of his army in Egypt, which Gantheaume had
unsuccessfully attempted.

Peace having been made between France and Spain, it was agreed that
the fleet of the latter nation, partly manned with French crews and
officers, should be joined by Linois' squadron from Toulon, and then
proceed off Lisbon, which they were to sack, and destroy or capture
the British merchant-ships lying there with rich carg