Lady Saumarez:

I have formed a thousand apprehensions lest an account of the
events of yesterday should reach England through France before
the arrival of my despatches (which were sent off by way of
Faro), and fill your mind with cruel anxiety on my account; and
this fear is much increased lest those despatches should not
even arrive, as I was obliged to send them by a doubtful
opportunity, through Tetuan and Tangier, the wind not admitting
any vessel to pass the Straits.

Trusting, however, to their safety, I will not repeat their
contents; but will only observe that, when I sat down to write
to you, it was the first interval of rest from one of the most
bustling scenes I ever witnessed, and from experiencing one of
the severest disappointments I have ever known; having, for a
considerable period during the action, flattered myself with the
strongest confidence that the most complete success would have
attended the enterprise.

I resign myself to the decree of DIVINE PROVIDENCE, whose will
the winds obey; and I have great cause to be thankful for not
having been forsaken in the hour of danger, but for having my
courage strengthened as the peril increased. Feeling, as I do,
all the responsibility on an event of this importance to the
country, I should be miserable had I to reproach myself for
having undertaken the enterprise on light grounds, or with
having failed in the planning or in the execution; but, on the
contrary, it is admitted by every one to have been most
judicious. It is therefore only in the result that I have been
unfortunate, and that arising from unforeseen and inevitable
causes. I have been too much employed to reflect on the light in
which the business may be viewed in England; but, conscious of
having done my duty, and to the utmost of my exertions, I shall
be indifferent as to the rest. I only trust that all my friends,
but you more particularly, will be superior to any reflexions
that may be made, should there be any unfavourable to me; though
I hope for better things, and that with the liberal, at least,
that which has been well intended, and carried on with conduct
and bravery, will be held in some estimation.

Admiral Linois, from the specimen he had had of the determined
perseverance of the British commander-in-chief, had no wish to try
another contest; nor was it possible for hi