home.--Extract of a
letter to his brother.--The French send ships to the West
Indies.--Squadron detached after them.--Death of General
O'Hara.--Sir James receives orders to superintend the
evacuation of Minorca.--Arrival of H.R.H. Duke of Kent.--Sir
James arrives at Minorca.--Definitive treaty of
peace.--Proceedings there.--Island given up to Spain.--The
Caesar arrives at Gibraltar.--Proceeds to England.--Anchors at
Spithead.

Destined to remain with his squadron at Gibraltar, Sir James suffered
a severe disappointment in being prevented from returning home. He
occasionally visited Tetuan; and, after the preliminaries of peace
were signed, he had communication with the Spanish authorities. On the
19th of January he was surprised by the appearance of four French
line-of-battle ships in the eastward, which passed through the Straits
of Gibraltar; on which he wrote a letter to his brother, whence the
following is extracted:

Caesar, Gibraltar, 20th January 1802.

I had the pleasure yesterday to receive your affectionate
letter, by way of Malaga, which, although of an old date, was
very acceptable. The letter it enclosed from our brother Sir
Thomas was the first I have seen from Guernsey for several
months. Our accounts from England extend to the 6th instant, by
way of Lisbon. Although no public despatches have been
received, we have reason to expect the next arrival will bring
the news of the definitive treaty being signed; at the same
time it is rather surprising to see the French detaching ships
from all their ports. Yesterday, four sail of the line and a
frigate appeared to the eastward, which unquestionably must be
Gantheaume's squadron. I detached the Phaeton with the
intelligence, and am preparing four ships to follow them to the
West Indies, taking it for granted they are going to St.
Domingo.

I enclose a letter for Nicholas, who I hope has arrived before
this time. It is satisfactory to be informed that Ceylon is a
healthy situation. I hope before many years we shall see him
amongst us in the enjoyment of good health and a competent
fortune, for few are more deserving than he is.

Nothing has joined from Lord Keith since my last; but I
understand his lordship is expecting his orders of recall,
which will leave me no chance of going to England for