next object of attack. By this
stratagem, both services were actually, at the same time, in a state of
constant preparation. Having arranged matters at Harwich, his lordship
returned to the Downs; from whence, on the 15th, he again stood over to
Boulogne, with a force now augmented to seventy sail, including vessels
of all descriptions. The French, however, had been equally alert in
guarding against an expected second blow; and, to the total discomfiture
of the enterprize, as well as the loss of many of our brave men, though
to their own eternal ignominy, it was discovered, when too late, that
these threatening invaders had literally chained down all the vessels of
this boasted flotilla to the shore, in dread of their being carried off
by the British assailants. Of this unfortunate affair, which failed from
a cause that could scarcely have been suspected, by a brave man, in even
the most pusillanimous enemy, the following copious dispatches from Lord
Nelson to the Admiralty, including the reports of the several commanders
of divisions as transmitted through Mr. Nepean, will afford a very full
and particular description.

"Medusa, off Boulogne, 16th Aug. 1801.

"SIR,

"Having judged it proper to attempt bringing off all the enemy's
flotilla moored in the front of Boulogne, I directed the attack to
be made in four divisions of boats for boarding, under the command
of Captains Somerville, Parker, Cotgrave, and Jones, and a division
of howitzer-boats under the command of Captain Conor, of his
majesty's ship Discovery. The boats put off from the Medusa, at
half past eleven last night, in the best possible order; and,
before one o'clock this morning, the firing began: and I had, from
the judgment of the officers, and the zeal and gallantry of every
man, the most perfect confidence of compleat success--and which I
have no doubt would have been according to my expectations--but
owing to the darkness of the night, with the tide and half tide,
which must always make the attacks in the night, on the coasts of
the channel, very uncertain, the divisions separated; and from all
not arriving at the same happy moment with Captain Parker, is to be
attributed the failure of success. But I beg to be perfectly
understood, that not the smallest blame attaches itself any where;
for, although the divisions did not arrive together, yet each