rtunity to contradict, in the most
positive and formal manner, a report so injurious to the
characteristic humanity of the British nation, and to assure
your Excellency that nothing was more void of truth. This I
request you will be pleased to signify in the most public way
possible. To assuage, as far as lay in my power, the miseries
that must necessarily result from a state of warfare, has ever
been my strenuous endeavour, and such will be the rule of my
conduct in carrying on the blockade of Cadiz, or any other
service committed to my charge.

I beg your Excellency to accept the renewal of my respectful
regard; and I have the honour to be,

With the highest consideration,
Your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant,
JAMES SAUMAREZ.

To his Excellency Don Joseph de Mazzaredo, Commander-in-chief
of his Most Cath. Maj. ships, Cadiz.

The flag of truce, which had been sent into Cadiz with some
passengers, taken in a small vessel, and with the above letter,
returned with the following answer, of which we give a verbatim copy,
as a specimen of a foreigner's English:

ESTEEMED SIR,

The reports which have been current, that the burning of the
two royal ships, on the nights of the 12th and 13th, arose from
the use of red-hot balls, which were fired at them, have
existed only among the ignorant public, and have not received
credit from any persons of condition, who well know the manner
of combating of the British navy. At the same time they give
the greatest credit to the assertion of your Excellency that
nothing could be more foreign from the truth, and the
characteristic humanity of the British nation. I have myself
experience of the particular conduct of your Excellency,
conformable to your personal character, and to that of your
late commander-in-chief, his Excellency Lord St. Vincent, in
the manner in which, in the last blockade of Cadiz, he
reconciled with the duties of a state of war those attentions
and considerations to alleviate miseries not connected with the
great object, and to secure that good intelligence and
friendship with which two powers may suspend for a time
treating each other as enemies; and I have no doubt that such
will always be the rule of your Excellency's conduct.

In my particular circumstanc