s with
their numerous army. I shall now go on with this journal with great
glee, inasmuch as our proceedings are becoming of such very great
import.

"Thursday, 7th.--Nothing can equal our anxiety to fall in with the
reinforcement. Our squadron has been, these two days, detached in all
directions, without falling in with them; and there is strong reason
to fear they think us returned to Gibraltar. This morning the
Alexander and myself chased two vessels, one of which we have just
taken possession of; she proves a Spanish vessel from Genoa, not very
valuable: the other the Alexander is still in chase of.

"Friday, 8th.--As this is in some degree to be a faithful account of
our transactions, I must not conceal from you the deep distress I have
been under at finding myself this morning parted from the Vanguard,
and the Alexander almost out of sight; knowing how important and very
material it was, for the good of the service we were upon, that the
squadron should not be separated. It was not till this afternoon I was
relieved from the most acute anxiety I have ever suffered, by the
Leander joining me, with the very satisfactory account that Sir H.
Nelson, while we were in chase, fell in with the expected ships under
Captain Troubridge, and which occasioned our separation. I am now
under full sail to join them; and have not the least doubt of being in
time to add my endeavours to promote the tranquillity of Christendom
by the destruction of the enemy's fleet, which, I firmly believe,
cannot now escape us.

"Our prize requiring more men than I can at this time conveniently
spare to navigate her, I have consented to her being ransomed for ten
thousand dollars, although, I dare say, worth more than five times
that sum. She had thirty-six ex-Jesuits (Spanish priests), who, after
having been banished from Spain, had resided thirty-one years in
Italy, '_et a present prevoyans le bannissement menace des ex-Jesuites
Espagnols des nouvelles republiques Italiennes, retournoient chez
eux_.' Thus these poor wretches are driven about according to the
prejudices of the times. She had also on board Swiss recruits for the
Spanish army, eight of whom have entered volunteers in Captain
Savage's corps, which I consider an acquisition: but no captured
vessel ever gave so much uneasiness as she has caused me; and I have
often wished we had never seen her, even had she been worth a million
of money.

"Sunday, 10th June.--I had the great sat