ground, and all the endeavours you had exerted with
the Caesar and Audacious having proved ineffectual, you had been
compelled to withdraw from the attack, and to leave the
Hannibal in possession of the enemy; transmitting, at the same
time, a list of the killed and wounded, with a copy of a letter
you had received from Captain Ferris, giving an account of his
proceedings: and, in answer thereto, I have received their
lordships' commands to acquaint you that, although your
endeavours to destroy the enemy's ships, above-mentioned, were
unsuccessful, they cannot too much applaud the spirit and
activity with which the attack was conducted; and that, however
they may regret the loss of the Hannibal to his Majesty, their
lordships have the satisfaction of knowing that you, and all
the officers and men employed under your command, have
faithfully and zealously discharged your duty, and although by
unfortunate circumstances a ship has been lost, as well as the
lives of many gallant officers and men, the national character
has in no degree suffered from the disaster.

Their lordships have the fullest confidence that every exertion
will be made for repairing the damage which the ships now with
you have sustained; and have commanded me to inform you that
you may rely on their taking measures immediately for
reinforcing you, and for sending such supplies of stores as the
squadron may be likely to require.

I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant,
EVAN NEPEAN.

To Sir James Saumarez, Bart.

Admiralty Office, 4th August 1801.

SIR,

After I had closed my despatch of the 2nd instant, Lieutenant
Dumaresq arrived, and delivered to me your letters of the 13th
and 14th of last month: the former, giving information that
the three French ships of the line and, a frigate, at
Algeziras, having been joined by five Spanish and one French
sail of the line, with other smaller vessels, had sailed on the
morning of the 12th with his Majesty's late ship Hannibal, for
Cadiz; that, by the great exertions of the officers and men of
the squadron, you had been able to proceed to sea at the same
time, with all the ships under your orders, except the Pompee,
in pursuit of the enemy; and that, after a partial action, two
Spanish ships of a hun