iting
to seize on them the moment they got from under the guns of that port,
and there was no doubt that the French consul would adjudge them to be
good prizes, as he had recently adjudged several American vessels and
cargoes. The consul added, that it was impossible to get protection for
them, unless the commodore should be pleased to afford them that of his
majesty's fleet till they got close to the Barbary coast, where they
would consider themselves as safe. He accordingly sent, the very next
day, the Andromache frigate, Captain Mansfield, for that purpose. In the
mean time, he returned a polite answer to the consul: in which he
observed that, by thus freely granting the protection of the British
flag to the subjects of the United States, he was sure of fulfilling the
wishes of his sovereign; and, he hoped, of strengthening the harmony
which at present so happily subsisted between the two nations.

On the 27th, he shifted his flag from the Captain to the Theseus; and
was appointed to the command of the inner squadron, at the blockade of
Cadiz.

A curious proof occurs, at this period, of the conciliatory conduct,
amiable manners, and more than chivalrous gallantry, of the heroic
commodore and his commander in chief. This is contained in a letter
addressed to the Spanish admiral, Don Josef de Mazerendo, dated on board
the Theseus, May 30, 1797, as follows--

"SIR,

"I have the honour of sending your excellency a packet from Sir
John Jervis; and I embrace the opportunity of assuring you of my
high esteem for your character. The 4th of June being the birth-day
of my Royal Master, Sir John Jervis intends firing a _feu de joye_,
at eight o'clock in the evening; and has desired me to mention it
to your excellency, that the ladies at Cadiz may not be alarmed at
the firing. Believe me your excellency's most faithful servant,

"Horatio Nelson."

The Spanish admiral's answer, addressed to Sir Horatio Nelson, equally
deserves to be recorded, as partaking of the same liberal spirit.

"On board the Conception,
off Cadiz,
1st June 1797.

"MY DEAR SIR,

"I correspond to the urbanity merited by the letter with which you
honoured me the 30th of May last.

"The ladies of Cadiz, accustomed to the noisy sounds of salutes of
the vessels of war, will sit, and will hear what Sir John Jervis
means to regale them with, for the evening o