"SIR,
"Herewith, I have the honour to transmit you a copy of my letter to the Earl of St. Vincent, together with a line of battle of the English and French squadrons; also, a list of the killed and wounded. I have the honour to inform you, that eight of our ships have already top-gallant yards across, and are ready for any service: the others, with the prizes, will soon be ready for sea. In an event of this importance, I have thought it right to send Captain Capel, with a copy of my letter to the commander in chief, overland; which, I hope, their lordships will approve: and I beg leave to refer them to Captain Capel, who is a most excellent officer, and fully able to give every information; and I beg leave to recommend him to their lordships notice.
"I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient servant,
"Horatio Nelson.
"P.S. The island I have taken possession of; and brought off the two thirteen-inch mortars, with all the brass guns, and destroyed the iron ones."
"Evan Nepean, Esq."
His celebrated letter to the Earl of St. Vincent was in the following words—
"Vanguard, off the Mouth of the Nile, 3d August 1798.