the following
authentic copy is now for the first time printed.

"His Britannic Majesty's Ship
the Minerve, at Sea,
Dec. 24, 1796.

"SIR,

"The fortune of war put La Sabina into my possession, after she had
been most gallantly defended: the fickle dame returned her to you,
with some of my officers and men in her.

"I have endeavoured to make the captivity of Don Jacobo Stuart, her
brave commander, as light as possible; and I trust to the
generosity of your nation for it's being reciprocal for the British
officers and men.

"I consent, Sir, that Don Jacobo may be exchanged, and at full
liberty to serve his king, when Lieutenants Culverhouse and Hardy
are delivered into the garrison of Gibraltar, with such others as
may be agreed on by the cartel established between Gibraltar and
St. Roche, for the exchange of prisoners.

"I have also a domestic taken in La Sabina, his name is Israel
Coulson. Your excellency will, I am sure, order him to be
immediately restored to me, for which I shall consider myself as
obliged to you.

"I also trust, that those men now prisoners of war with you will be
sent to Gibraltar. It becomes great nations to act with generosity
to each other, and to soften the horrors of war.

"I have the honour to be, with the most perfect esteem, your most
obedient servant,

"Horatio Nelson."

Not satisfied with this single application, he immediately strengthened
it by another epistle, which he addressed to the Spanish Admiral, Don
Juan Mareno. In this letter, he also kindly bears testimony to the
merits of the unfortunate commander of La Sabina. "I cannot," says he,
"allow Don Jacobo to return to you, without expressing my admiration of
his gallant conduct. To you, who have seen the state of his ship, it is
needless to mention the impossibility of her longer defence. I have lost
many brave men: but, in our masts, I was most fortunate; or, probably, I
should have had the honour of your acquaintance. But it pleased God to
order it otherwise, for which I am thankful. I have endeavoured to make
Don Jacobo's captivity as easy as possible; and I rely on your
generosity, for reciprocal treatment towards my brave officers and men,
your prisoners."

On the 24th of December, La Minerve captured, off the south end of
Sardinia, a French privateer, called the Maria, of six n