st sincerely congratulate your lordship on the capture of Le
Guillaume Tell, the thirteenth and last of the line of battle ships
of the famous Egyptian squadron. I would have given one thousand
guineas your health had permitted your being in the Foudroyant. I
hear Le Guillaume Tell is dismasted, and Foudroyant little better.
I have sent three top-masts, spare-sails, lower and top-gallant
caps, spars, &c. to refit, and make jury-masts. As I do not feel
authorized to send any of these prisoners away until I hear from
your lordship, I have sent two transports to take them in. The
Maltese seamen I shall divide; the miserable wretches that Vaubois
was sending away as lumber, I mean to _return to him_, in his own
way--put them on the glacis, and fire on them if they attempt to
come away. I really think, the officers should not be permitted to
go to France for some time. Their business was, to have returned
with men and provisions. Suppose we could get them to Mahon, with
orders to carry them to England in the convoy. As I shall see your
lordship here soon, you can settle that then. The French wounded, I
have ordered to be landed at Syracuse. If the Foudroyant is not
ready, or in a state to fetch your lordship, what are your wishes?
The other three ships are preparing to sail from Valette the first
wind. Northumberland goes out, with my men, to-day. If the
Foudroyant had not come as she did, Le Guillaume Tell would have
beat all we had. The Penelope is the only effective ship; if she
goes, we shall be badly off. Much credit is due to Captains
Blackwood and Long; the latter, I beg your lordship to recommend to
the commander in chief. Every thing shall be done, in my power. If
the ships were here, I could soon refit them. My people begin to
droop, from hard work; the prize still sticks to us. I long to get
Diana and Justice to compleat the gang. In my former letter, I
acquainted your lordship, that I every night placed a lieutenant,
and three trusty men, with a night-glass, in a house close to the
enemy's works, to watch the ships. The signals from them apprized
the ships she was moving; and answered, fully, my expectations.
Rely on all and every exertion in my power. I am so busy, I have
not time to write you more at present. I have the honour to be, my
lord