should come out in great force, while the squadron under my
command is in this rendezvous, you are to give me immediate
notice thereof, and also the officers commanding the detachments
off the Passage Du Raz, Isle Grois, and in Quiberon Bay; but, in
the event of my being compelled by tempestuous weather to take
shelter in Torbay, and of the enemy seizing that opportunity of
putting to sea, you are to give me information thereof by every
means in your power: taking under your command the detachments
off the Passage Du Raz, Isle Grois, and in Quiberon Bay,
together with the ships named in the margin,[25] which are
directed to keep as near the Black Rocks as possible, under the
orders of Captain Sutton, for the support of your ships; and to
hang upon and use your utmost endeavours to harass the enemy's
rear until the approach of this squadron, which, you may be
assured, will be in pursuit.

Given on board the Royal George,
off Ushant, 7th August 1800.
ST. VINCENT.

To Sir John Borlase Warren,
Bart. K.B. Rear-admiral of
the Blue, &c. &c. &c.
By command of the Admiral.
BEN. TUCKER.

An exact copy. Given the 8th August 1800
JOHN BORLASE WARREN.

[25] Superb and Captain.

Sir James now proceeded, in the Caesar, to assume the important command
off the Black Rocks, which had deservedly obtained the name of New
Siberia, as being the least desirable of stations for a ship-of-war.
It is, indeed, scarcely possible to describe any situation more
miserable; for, besides being at the very entrance of a port
containing twenty-five sail of the line ready for sea, which might
slip out and attack the squadron of six, the ships are two-thirds
surrounded with rocks and dangers, which afford no shelter; while they
are open to the S.W. winds. They have often great difficulty in
working out, sometimes against the tide as well as against the wind;
and, in reconnoitring, they are exposed to the fire of the enemy on
each side of Brest Water.

The following extracts of private letters written by Sir James to Lady
Saumarez, will be found interesting, as they convey the best idea of
his situation.

Caesar, off the Black Rocks, Sunday evening,
2d Sept. 1800.

_On dit_, but I do not believe it, that the French fleet is to
be ordered out by the First Consul, at all risks. We may
therefore expect to make _minced meat_ of them with our
sevent