for our country."

After landing at Minorca, the 11th of November, where he observes that
they were on shore "upon velvet," the fleet proceeded to it's
destination, and soon safely arrived.

The commodore, however, remained but a short time at Gibraltar with the
fleet; being ordered, by the commander in chief, to remove his broad
pendant on board La Minerve frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by
Captain George Cockburne; and, accompanied by La Blanche of the same
force, Captain Preston commander, immediately to proceed to Porto
Ferrajio, for the purpose of bringing away the troops, and naval and
military stores, which still remained there, and which were much wanted
at Gibraltar, in consequence of the change of circumstances occasioned
by the recent commencement of the war with Spain.

During the night of the 19th of December, on his passage to Porto
Ferrajio, Commodore Nelson fell in with two Spanish frigates of
considerable force. The largest ship, which carried a poop light, was
immediately attacked by the commodore; who, at the same time, directed
La Blanche to bear down and engage the other. At forty minutes past ten,
La Minerve brought it's opponent to close action; and the fire
continued, without intermission, till half past one in the morning, when
the Spaniard struck. It proved to be La Sabina Spanish frigate of forty
guns; twenty-eight of them, on the main deck, being eighteen pounders;
with two hundred and eighty-six men, commanded by Captain Don Jacobo
Stuart. The captured ship lost it's mizen mast during the action; and
the main and fore masts were so damaged, that they both gave way on the
very first attempt to carry a press of sail. In this terrible conflict,
one hundred and sixty-four Spaniards, more than half the crew, were
killed and wounded; while La Minerve, though it's masts were shot
through, and it's rigging much cut, had only seven men killed, and
thirty-four wounded.

In Commodore Nelson's first letter to Sir John Jervis, relative to this
action, dated December 20, 1796, he assumes not the smallest merit, but
modestly gives the entire praise to his officers and crew.

"You are, Sir," says he, "so thoroughly acquainted with the merits
of Captain Cockburne, that it is needless for me to express them:
but the discipline of La Minerve does the highest credit to her
captain and lieutenants, and I wish fully to express the sense
which I have of their judgment and galla