iller. The crippled condition
of the Lion and Foudroyant, made it necessary for me to direct
Captain Blackwood to take possession of the enemy, take him in tow,
and proceed to Syracuse. I received the greatest possible
assistance from Lieutenant Joseph Paty, senior officer of the
Lion; and from Mr. Spence, the master: who, together with the other
officers, and ship's company, shewed the most determined gallantry.
Captains Sir Edward Berry and Blackwood have reported to me the
same gallant and animated behaviour in the officers and crews of
their respective ships. I am sorry to say, that the three ships
have suffered much in killed and wounded; and the loss of the enemy
is prodigious, being upwards of two hundred. I refer you to the
inclosed reports for farther particulars as to the state of his
majesty's ships, and have the honour to remain, Sir, your's most
truly,

Manly Dixon.

P.S. The Guillaume Tell is of the largest dimensions, and carries
thirty-six pounders on the lower gun-deck, twenty-four pounders on
the main-deck, twelve pounders on the quarter-deck, and thirty-two
carronades on the poop."

Sir Thomas Troubridge."

Copious as the above account of this action may seem, the following
affectionate letter of Sir Edward Berry, to Lord Nelson, relates so many
interesting particulars of the contest, not elsewhere mentioned, and is
so characteristically amiable, that it would be unpardonable to omit
such a valuable document.

"Foudroyant, at Sea,
Cape Passaro North by East Eight or Nine Leagues.
30th March 1800.

"MY VERY DEAR LORD,

"Had you been a partaker with me of the glory, every wish
would have been gratified. How very often I went into your cabin,
last night, to ask you if we were doing right; for, I had nothing
to act upon! I thought one ship had got out of La Valette, but I
did not know which. The Minorca hailed me, after I had slipped; and
said, Captain Blackwood _believed_ an enemy's ship had passed on
the starboard tack. The wind was south. I came aft, and considered
for two minutes; which determined me to stand on the starboard
tack, one point free. This was at three quarters past twelve. After
hearing guns on shore, and seeing rockets thrown up, the night
remarkably dark, could just carry single reefed topsails,