La Nymphe to
look into Cherbourg, on the very spot where La Reunion fell into
our hands, we were on the point of taking a French frigate,
apparently of twenty-eight or thirty-two guns. The wind at first
flattered us with the hope of cutting her off from the land,
when it shifted and enabled her to get into Cherbourg: they were
decidedly frightened, and kept firing guns as signals to their
ships in the bay, which never attempted to come out to their
assistance, although we were alone, as La Nymphe was scarcely
discernible from this ship. The next day La Nymphe sprung her
fore-mast, which obliged her to return to Spithead.

I appeared close to Cherbourg all day yesterday, in the hope of
drawing their ships out, which I plainly discerned to consist of
six frigates, four of which were large. In the evening it coming
on to blow hard, and no appearance of our ships, I stood off
shore, and at noon this day, it blowing a severe storm, I
anchored in this road. Admiral McBride having consented to my
going to Bath for twenty-four hours, I am setting off with all
speed: not having time to add more, I remain, with my kindest
love,
My dear Richard,

Yours ever affectionately,
JAS. SAUMAREZ.
Sunday Morning.

P.S.--I really intended to write to the Lord Mayor, but have not
a moment's time; I shall therefore leave you to acquaint him
with our return here.

We may stop here to mention, that in the debate in the House of
Commons on the address to the King's speech at the opening of
parliament, the gallant conduct of Sir James Saumarez was mentioned in
terms of admiration, and his late action quoted as a remarkable
instance of the superiority of our naval commanders in professional
talent and skill; the account of this had been transmitted to him from
London by his brother Richard.

Cowes, 2nd February 1794.

MY DEAR RICHARD,

I left my dearest concerns yesterday morning, and arrived here
this afternoon, after a six hours' storm, from Southampton.
Both your kind letters afford me infinite satisfaction. When I
wrote to you on Sunday, I had not the admiral's consent to
remain till I heard from him, and only expected to remain
twenty-four hours in Bath; but depended, nevertheless, on
hearing from you there. You must therefore desire my sister to
plead in your behalf, when she writes to Lady S.

I am much flattered at