On the merits of the gallant Admiral, and those who
served under him, there could, he was sure, be no difference of
opinion. He was equally sure that there was no difference of opinion
respecting the merit of Sir James Saumarez in the attack which he made
upon the French squadron in Algeziras Bay a few days previously to the
signal advantage which he obtained over the combined squadrons of
France and Spain, and for which he would now, he trusted, receive the
thanks of the House. It was impossible for him, in making this motion,
not to advert to the attack, in which the zeal and ability of the
commander, and the spirit and intrepidity of the officers who served
under him, were so eminently displayed. That attack failed; but the
failure was owing, as Sir James Saumarez stated, to the failure of the
wind and a sudden calm which came on. It was the misfortune of the
gallant Admiral on that day to lose one of the ships under his
command; but the officers and crew of that ship defended her until
they had lost half their numbers. Sir James Saumarez was not
disheartened, as must always be the case with men of true courage and
vigour. He waited for an opportunity to make amends for his failure;
that opportunity offered; and he availed himself in a manner worthy of
him who had been the companion of, and sharer in the glory of, Lords
St. Vincent and Nelson on the 14th of February and in the Bay of
Aboukir. These events were still so fresh in the memory of every man
that it would be unnecessary for him to enlarge on them. He should
therefore conclude with moving

That the thanks of the House be given to Rear-admiral Sir James
Saumarez, Bart. and Knight of the Most Honourable Order of the
Bath, for his alacrity and zeal in pursuing, and for his able
and gallant conduct in the successful attack on, the combined
squadrons of the enemy in the Straits of Gibraltar on the 12th
and 13th days of July last, by the squadron under his command.

In like manner the thanks of the House were voted to the
captains, officers, seamen, and marines, _nemine
contradicente_; as also that the Rear-admiral should
communicate the same, and that the Speaker do send the
resolutions to Sir James Saumarez.

The thanks of the House of Lords were conveyed to Sir James in the
following letter from the Lord Chancellor, dated 30th October 1801:

SIR,

I have the honour to obey the commands of th