the late battle,
by a great victory over the fleet of the enemy; whom I attacked, at
sun-set on the 1st of August, off the mouth of the Nile. The enemy
were moored in a strong line of battle, for defending the entrance
of this bay (of shoals;) flanked by numerous gun-boats, four
frigates, and a battery of guns and mortars on an island in their
van: but nothing could withstand the squadron your lordship did me
the honour to place under my command. Their high state of
discipline is well known to you; and, with the judgment of the
captains, together with their valour, and that of the officers and
men of every description, it was absolutely irresistible. Could any
thing from my pen add to the characters of the captains, I would
write it with pleasure; but, that is impossible. I have to regret
the loss of Captain Westcott, of the Majestic, who was killed early
in the action; but the ship was continued to be so well fought by
her first-lieutenant, Mr. Cuthbert, that I have given him an order
to command her till your lordship's pleasure is known. The ships of
the enemy, all but their two rear ships, are nearly dismasted; and
these two, with two frigates, I am sorry to say, made their escape:
nor was it, I assure you, in my power to prevent them. Captain
Hood most handsomely endeavoured to do it; but I had no ship in a
condition to support the Zealous, and I was obliged to call her in.
The support and assistance I have received from Captain Berry
cannot be sufficiently expressed. I was wounded in the head, and
obliged to be carried off the deck; but, the service suffered no
loss by that event. Captain Berry was fully equal to the important
service then going on; and, to him, I must beg leave to refer you,
for every information relative to this victory. He will present you
with the flag of the second in command, that of the commander in
chief being burnt in L'Orient. Herewith, I transmit you lists of
the killed and wounded; and, the lines of battle of ourselves and
the French.

"I have the honour to be, my lord, your lordship's most obedient
servant,

"Horatio Nelson."

"To Admiral the Earl of St. Vincent, Commander in Chief, &c. off
Cadiz."

BRITISH LINE OF BATTLE.

Ships. Captains. Guns. Men.
1.