tempting that to which the human frame is unequal.
He therefore decided that, instead of working on until the labour was
finished, according to the seamen's laudable wishes, they should have
such a portion of rest as would enable them to resume their labour
with renewed energy. In the second place, he knew that without system,
the exertions of the men would be in vain; but the admirable
directions he gave employed every man in what he was best able to
perform without impeding his neighbour, whilst every part of the
labour advanced simultaneously. There has, indeed, never yet been on
record an instance of a ship performing such a task so well and in so
short a time.

Although the services going on required many men to be on shore for
gunpowder and other stores, to replace what had been expended, there
was not a single complaint of any one absenting himself from his duty,
or of being intoxicated; though the inducement must have been great,
from the number of wine-houses on the Rock: but such was the desire of
these brave fellows to be avenged for the loss of the Hannibal, that
they would not allow any temptation to induce them to swerve from the
duty they had to perform.

The extraordinary anxiety of mind, and the multiplicity of duty he had
to perform, did not divert the attention of Sir James from the
situation of the unfortunate crew of the Hannibal, especially the
wounded, who were suffering as well from want of proper surgical care
as from the treatment they had received. He once more made a strong,
but fruitless attempt for their exchange, by addressing the following
letter to Admiral Linois:

Caesar, off Rosia Bay, 10th July 1801.

SIR,

I am impelled by motives of humanity again to renew my
application in behalf of the men unfortunately wounded on board
his Britannic Majesty's ship Hannibal, and to request they may
be permitted to come to this garrison without delay. A
proposition so conformable to the laws of civilised nations I
trust cannot be rejected; but, should you further refuse to
comply with it, you must take upon yourself the impression all
the world must have of so cruel a proceeding as to deny those
unhappy people the benefit of their own hospital, where they
would receive surgical assistance, and not be subjected to the
severe treatment they have so long experienced in their present
situation.

I am, sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,