d in Malta; and the supply of arms and
ammunition you furnished the islanders with was very judicious.
Two very respectable Moorish merchants, natives of the eastern
coast of Barbary, who arrived at Gibraltar from Genoa
yesterday, report that advices had been received at the latter
place before they left it, that the Maltese had succeeded, and
put the French garrison to the sword. I have been so long
accustomed to the fallacy of _pratique_ reports, that I do not
give entire credit to this.

Of the Leander we know nothing; and I am rather inclined to
believe that the story Sir Horatio Nelson learned from a Candia
boat, is true; and that she has either been dismasted in the
action, or so crippled as to be obliged to take refuge in one of
the islands of the Archipelago. I never despair, and I have
great confidence that she will yet turn up.

The account you give from Captain Retallick, of the near
approach to Naples of the Colossus and her precious charge,--for
the Alliance is full of naval stores, with all the top-masts and
top-sail yards we had, and the four victuallers loaded with new
provisions of every species except bread,--is a communication of
the utmost consequence.

It is my anxious wish that the six prize ships of war should be
safe moored in the Tagus as soon as possible; and my intention
that the Orion, Defence, and Theseus shall accompany them: the
Bellerophon and Majestic to enter Gibraltar Mole in order to be
remasted, for all the lower masts are there; and their men,
after assisting in the navigation of the prizes to Lisbon, may
return hither in the Santa Dorothea.

I am fitting out an expedition of great importance,--I believe,
_entre nous_, against Monte Video, or Lima,--which swallows up
all the transports and frigates I have, or I would send you some
salt provisions and wine. Should the Levanters fail you, by
working close to the Barbary shore you will soon reach Tetuan
Bay, and find no difficulty in working round Europa with a
flood-tide.

I request you will convey to your brave companions in arms,
that, in my judgment, they stand foremost in the page of naval
history; having, beyond all dispute, achieved more than was ever
done before, and, under the critical circumstances of the times,
have certainly rendered the greatest benefit to the human race
at large, and to their Kin