he certificates for the seven men
taken in the two Spanish barks.--In a former letter, you were
pleased to advert to a proposed descent when the troops joined
from Gibraltar. I hope you will excuse the zeal that urges me to
observe, that if possession was taken of Fort St. Mary, it would
in a great degree leave us masters of the entrance of Cadiz, and
enable us to drive all the outward ships up the harbour, and
possibly destroy some of them. I am extremely obliged to you for
permitting the Flora to remain with the advanced squadron, where
she is of the greatest service.

I am with great respect, &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.

The high opinion entertained by Nelson of the great talent and zeal of
Saumarez, is evidenced in the following short, but characteristic
epistle:

Theseus, June 9th 1797.

MY DEAR SIR JAMES,

Send, I beg, whatever you think fit towards San Lucar: all you
do is right, and can hardly want my sanction. I hope your boats
will be rewarded for their trouble; they take all the prizes for
our squadron.

Believe me, ever yours most faithfully,
To Sir James Saumarez.
HORATIO NELSON.

The following letter to his brother in London gives an interesting
account of the proceedings of Sir James Saumarez.

Orion, off Cadiz, 26th May, 1797.

MY DEAR RICHARD,

I had the happiness to receive your kind letter of the 2nd
yesterday, with several of nearly the same date, from Bath, and
from our friends in the island. Having been near two months
without hearing from you, and knowing you had been ill, you will
readily suppose I was anxious for your letter. You will have
heard from me by various opportunities since we sailed from the
Tagus; my last acquainting you that I was entrusted with the
command of the advanced squadron for effecting the blockade of
Cadiz. We find, from different accounts, that the inhabitants
feel great distress from the interruption of their trade, and
begin to be in great want of provisions and other articles. We
have detained a few neutrals laden with Spanish property, and
two or three Spanish vessels; but as the whole fleet partake of
them, they will not be very productive.

Sir Horatio, now Rear-admiral Nelson, joined the fleet
yesterday, having left the troops he brought from Elba at
Gibraltar. I know not whether he is to resume the command of the
advanced squadron. Al