dred and twelve guns had been blown up,
and one French ship of seventy-four guns had been taken by his
Majesty's ship Superb: the latter transmitting a letter which
you had received from Captain Keats, of the last-mentioned
ship, containing an account of his proceedings on that
occasion.

I lost no time in laying your said despatches before my Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty; and I have received their
lordships' commands to express to you their highest approbation
of the gallantry and good conduct which were displayed by you,
and the captains, officers, and men under your orders, in
engaging and defeating so superior a force of the enemy; and to
desire that you will signify to them, particularly to Captains
Hood and Keats, in the strongest terms, the sense their
lordships are pleased to entertain of their meritorious
services on this important occasion.

Their lordships have commanded me further to inform you that,
in consequence of the favourable mention you have made of the
services of the Honourable Captain Dundas and Lieutenant
Dumaresq, they have been pleased to promote the former to the
rank of post-captain, and the latter to command the Calpe.

I am, sir, your obedient humble servant,
EVAN NEPEAN.

To Rear-admiral Sir James Saumarez, Bart. &c. &c. &c.

Admiralty Office, 14th August 1801.

SIR,

My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having judged it
necessary, from the present circumstances of the war, and
preparations now making by the enemy in Cadiz, to augment the
squadron serving on the coasts of Portugal and Spain bordering
on the Atlantic, and to place the ships and vessels on that
station under the command of Vice-admiral Pole, I have received
their commands to acquaint you of this arrangement, and to
enclose their orders to you, to put yourself, and the ships
with you, under the Vice-admiral's command.

So many objections occur to the allowing a force of the extent
necessary to be so employed, with only one flag-officer, that
their lordships have felt themselves reduced to the necessity,
from your standing on the list, of sending a senior officer to
you; which, on considering the proofs you have given of your
zeal and ability, and the advantage which the public has so
recently derived