rds Commissioners of the
Admiralty your letter of the 10th instant, transmitting a
report from Captain Ross, of the Briseis, of the re-capture of
the merchant ship Urania, in Pillaw Roads, by the boats of that
sloop, under the orders of Lieutenant Jones and Mr. Palmer,
midshipman, and I am in reply commanded to express their
Lordships' approbation of the gallantry displayed by the
officers and men on this service.

There can be no doubt but promotion would have followed this valiant
and successful affair, but Lieut. Jones being unfortunately obliged to
return home in consequence of pressing family affairs, and having not
rejoined his ship, lost his well-merited advancement in the navy,
while Mr. Palmer obtained his promotion.

The Briseis was subsequently appointed to carry the joyful news of
peace to Libau, where Captain Ross was received with demonstrations of
joy. The hatred the oppressed inhabitants manifested towards their
oppressors the French, who had just vacated the place, was beyond
expression; and a Russian squadron had now ventured out of the Gulf of
Finland to join in the general rejoicing.

Steps were taken by the Admiral to remove the supplies of corn and
provisions at that place, to prevent their falling into the hands of
the advancing enemy.

Rear-admiral (now Admiral Sir Byam Martin, G.C.B.) was detached in the
Aboukir, his flag-ship, and a numerous squadron and flotilla, to
assist in the defence of Riga, which, as soon as war was declared,
would be exposed to the attack of Macdonald's and Oudinot's divisions
of the French army. In the mean time, peace between Great Britain and
Russia took place on the 18th July, and this happy event was announced
to the Admiral in the following letter from Mr. Thornton, General
Suchtalen having previously arrived in Sweden with full powers from
the Emperor of Russia.

Orebro, 17th July 1812.

SIR,

I have the honour of informing your excellency that I have this
day signed a treaty of peace with the Swedish and Russian
plenipotentiaries, and you will receive under this cover a
packet containing those for his Majesty's principal Secretary
of State for Foreign Affairs, which I will request your
excellency to deliver to the care of a confidential officer, to
be conveyed to England. Should you think that the King's
service will not be promoted by detaching a vessel of war with