to every other consideration;
and, feeling himself bound, after a short period of relaxation, to
offer his services, he wrote the following letter:

Bath, 15th January 1799.

MY LORD,

As you were pleased to intimate your intention of being at Bath
when I last had the honour of seeing you, I delayed writing
until this time. I am extremely happy to find that Lady
Spencer's improved state of health has rendered the journey
unnecessary.

Two days after my arrival I received a letter from Admiral
Young, proposing to me (in the absence of your lordship) a large
seventy-four, which I declined accepting, as you had done me the
honour to offer me the Caesar, on a certain expected event taking
place. I hope you will forgive me for entreating that as many of
the Orion's ship's company may be reserved for me as the service
will admit. Having experienced their uniform good conduct for so
many years, I am most solicitous to have them with me in another
ship.

I have the honour to be,
With the highest respect,
Your lordship's most obedient and humble servant,
JAMES SAUMAREZ.

To the Right Honourable Earl Spencer, &c. &c. &c.

To the above, Sir James received the following answer:

Admiralty, 18th January 1799.

DEAR SIR,

Lady Spencer's journey to Bath is only deferred, I fear; as it
will probably be necessary for her to go there soon.

The proposal made to you by Admiral Young was only intended as a
temporary measure, in case you had no objection to be employed
in the interval before you could have a permanent appointment.
Whenever the period shall come at which I can propose such an
appointment to you, I shall avail myself of it with pleasure.
With respect to reserving your ship's company, that practice is
attended with so much inconvenience to the public service, that
it has of late been necessarily discontinued. Although there is
no one in whose favour I should be more disposed to relax than
to you, I fear it will be impossible for me to do so in this
particular. I am, dear sir,

Your very obedient and humble servant,
SPENCER.

To Sir James Saumarez, &c. &c. &c.

The 14th of February, being the anniversary of the glorious victory
obtained over the Spanish fleet, was selected for a promotion of
flag-officers; and on this occasion his Majesty was pleased to confer
on Sir James Saumarez one of