the latter end, threw some shells into the arsenal. Two
seventy-fours, and one sixty-four, by an accident, grounded; or the
Crown Islands, and the Elephanten and Mars, would have had full
employment: and, by the assistance of the frigates--who went to
try, alone, what I had directed the three sail of the line who
grounded to assist them in--I have reason to hope, they would have
been equally successful as that part of the British line engaged. I
am ready to admit, that many of the Danish officers and men behaved
as well as men could do, and deserved not to be abandoned by their
commander. I am justified in saying this, from Commodore Fischer's
own declaration. In his own letter, he states that, after he
quitted the Dannebrog, she long contested the battle. If so, more
shame for him to quit so many brave fellows! _Here_ was no
manoeuvering, it was downright fighting; and it was his duty to
have shewn an example of firmness becoming the high trust reposed
in him. He went in such a hurry, if he went before she
struck--which, but for his own declaration, I can hardly
believe--that he forgot to take his broad pendant with him, for
both pendant and ensign were struck together; and it is from this
circumstance, that I claimed the commodore as a prisoner of war. He
then went, as he says, on board the Holstein--the brave captain of
which did not want him--where he did not hoist his pendant. From
this ship, he went on shore, either before or after she struck, or
he would have been again a prisoner. As to his nonsense about
victory, his royal highness will not much credit him. I sunk,
burnt, captured, or drove into the harbour, the whole line of
defence to the southward of the Crown Islands. He says, he is told
that two British ships struck. Why did he not take possession of
them? I took possession of his as fast as they struck. The reason
is clear, that he did not believe it. He must have known the
falsity of the report, and that no fresh British ships did come
near the ships engaged. He states, that the ship in which I had the
honour to hoist my flag fired, latterly, only single guns. It is
true; for steady and cool were my brave fellows, and did not wish
to throw away a single shot. He seems to exult, that I sent on
shore a flag of truce. Men of his descrip