o put to sea the same evening. The Spartiate has
caused us considerable uneasiness, having unfortunately got
aground by bordering too near the light-house. She was however
got off without sustaining any damage. All your friends, with
me, desire their best compliments.

I am, my dear Admiral,
Your ever faithful and obedient servant,
JAMES SAUMAREZ.

To Sir Horatio Nelson.

Orion, Augusta, 20th September 1798.

MY DEAR ADMIRAL,

I feel great satisfaction in acquainting you that the squadron
and all the prizes are completed with water, and will be ready
to proceed to sea at daylight to-morrow morning. The westerly
winds have prevailed ever since our arrival, and I fear still
continue in the channel of Malta; but it is of such importance
to get from this place before easterly winds set in, that not a
moment has been lost in getting the ships forward, which must be
evident to you when you consider our great demands for water,
and that we have only four boats in the squadron to supply the
ships. We have been abundantly supplied with fresh provisions,
and each ship takes twelve or fourteen bullocks to sea; but wine
was not to be had at any reasonable rate. We have found
difficulty in obtaining cash for the articles purchased on
account of Government in a place where there scarcely exists any
trade, and where the inhabitants are extremely poor. The
governor has offered us every possible assistance; and I must
entreat you will represent to Mr. Acton the zeal and earnest
endeavours he has shown to forward the King's service. I have
the honour to be, &c.

JAS. SAUMAREZ.

To Sir Horatio Nelson.

"Saturday, 22nd September.--A whole week has elapsed since I closed
the account of our voyage; having the following day been under the
necessity, from the state of the weather, to put into Augusta, a port
a few leagues from Syracuse. We sailed thence yesterday, after
completing the squadron with water. We found abundance of provisions,
and each ship has sailed with a dozen or fourteen oxen, besides sheep,
fowls, &c. Augusta is a more modern town than Syracuse, having been
rebuilt after an earthquake thirty years ago. It has no trade, and the
inhabitants are extremely poor; the ships were visited by them daily,
but we went to very few parties on shore. A few leagues from Augusta
there is a considerable town called Catania. I regretted