"Victory, August 1, 1804.

"MY LORD,

"This day, I am honoured with your lordship's letter of April 9th;
transmitting me the resolutions of the corporation of London,
thanking me as commanding the fleet blockading Toulon. I do assure
your lordship, that there is not that man breathing, who sets a
higher value upon the thanks of his fellow-citizens of London than
myself; but I should feel as much ashamed to receive them, for a
particular service marked in the resolution, if I felt that I did
not come within that line of service, as I should feel hurt at
having a great victory passed over without notice.

"I beg to inform your lordship, that the port of Toulon has never
been blockaded by me; quite the reverse. Every opportunity has been
offered the enemy to put to sea: for, it is there that we hope to
realize the hopes and expectations of our country; and, I trust
that they will not be disappointed.

"Your lordship will judge of my feelings, upon seeing that all the
junior flag-officers of other fleets, and even some of the
captains, have received the thanks of the corporation of London,
whilst the junior flag-officers of the Mediterranean fleet are
entirely omitted. I own, that it has struck me very forcibly; for,
where the information of the junior flag-officers and captains of
other fleets was obtained, the same information could have been
given of the flag-officers of this fleet and the captains; and it
was my duty to state, that more able and zealous flag-officers and
captains do not grace the British navy, than those I have the
honour and happiness to command. It likewise appears, my lord, a
most extraordinary circumstance, that Rear-Admiral Sir Richard
Bickerton should have been, as second in command in the
Mediterranean fleet, twice passed over by the corporation of
London: once, after the Egyptian expedition, when the first and
third in command were thanked; and, now, again. Consciousness of
high desert, instead of neglect, made the rear-admiral resolve to
let the matter rest, until he could have an opportunity personally
to call upon the lord-mayor to account for such an extraordinary
omission; but, from this second omission, I owe it to that
excellent officer, not to pass it by: and I do assure your
lordship, that th