of the in-shore squadron by a despatch from Sir James, Earl St.
Vincent, who was now First Lord of the Admiralty, wrote to him the
following letter of approbation:

Admiralty, 1st April 1801.

MY DEAR ADMIRAL,

The manner in which you have conducted the advanced squadron
calls upon me to repeat my admiration of it. Your taking the
anchorage in Douvarnenez Bay during the late equinoctial gales
has been of the utmost importance, and prevented the crippling
of one or more of your squadron. I heartily hope you continue
in good health, for which and every other blessing you have the
fervent wishes of
Your very sincere and obedient servant,
ST. VINCENT.

To R.A. Sir James Saumarez.

During the whole of this month, Sir James kept his squadron generally
within three or four miles of the entrance of Brest, from which it was
never further than as many leagues. In this situation, and by
frequently reconnoitring in his own ship, he was enabled to watch the
preparations of the enemy, and to frustrate their designs to attack
his squadron with a superior force; while he so completely blockaded
their port that, as when he formerly commanded, no square-rigged
vessel ever entered it, thereby preventing the necessary supplies of
stores and provisions from reaching the depot of their navy. Nor did a
single vessel escape the unwearied vigilance and perseverance of the
advanced squadron during the whole time it was under his command.

Early in May, letters reached him from Guernsey, intimating the great
apprehension his countrymen were under of invasion by the enemy; when
he wrote to Sir Thomas Troubridge, then one of the Lords of the
Admiralty, who sent the following answer:

Admiralty, 17th May 1801.

MY DEAR SIR JAMES,

Many thanks for your kind letter of the 6th instant. I am sorry
our _French friends_ do not come out, that you may teach them
_English_. The Gazette[26] will show you that our soldiers are
getting into the habits of fighting.

We heard of the miscreants' intentions on the islands; and I
have sent over several gun-brigs, gun-barges, frigates, sloops,
&c. and a few additional troops. There are 5,000 regulars at
Jersey, and some more going soon, so that I think they have
little chance of success if they make the attempt; but it
appears to me that the different powers cannot look on without
interfering, and stopp