n the 15th; and Admiral Nelson
having, on this very day, received secret orders and letters from the
Earl of St. Vincent, found it requisite to destroy the other French
prizes. The necessity of this measure is explained in the following
letter of the succeeding day, addressed to Evan Nepean, Esq. for the
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.

"SIR,

"Six of the prizes sailed yesterday, under Sir James Saumarez.
Three others, viz. Guerrier, Heureux, and Mercure, are in the act
of repairing. In this state, I last evening received the Earl of
St. Vincent's most secret orders, and most secret and confidential
letters, relative to the important operations intended to be
pursued in the Mediterranean. Thus situated, it became an important
part of my duty, to do justice between my king and country, and the
brave officers and men who captured those ships at the Battle of
the Nile. It would have taken one month, at least, to have fitted
those ships for a passage to Gibraltar; and not only at a great
expence to government, but with the loss of the services of at
least two sail of the line. I, therefore, confiding that the lords
commissioners will, under the present circumstances, direct that a
fair value shall be paid for these ships, ordered them to be burnt,
after saving such stores as would not take too much time out of
them: and, I have farther thought it my duty to tell the squadron
the necessity I am under, for the benefit of the king's service, of
directing their property to be destroyed; but, that I had no doubt
government would make them a liberal allowance. All which, I hope,
their lordships will approve.

"I have the honour to be, Sir, with great respect, your most
obedient servant,

"Horatio Nelson."

La Mutine being at length ready, these letters were dispatched to
England, by the way of Naples, on the 16th of August.

The sword of the captured French Admiral Blanquet was also sent, by
Captain Capel, from Admiral Nelson to the city of London, with the
following letter, which he had several days previously written for the
lord-mayor.

"Vanguard,
Mouth of the Nile,
8th August 1798.

"MY LORD,

"Having the honour of being a freeman of the city of London, I take
the liberty of sending to your lordship the sword of the
commanding French admiral, Monsieu