"I have the honor to be, Sir,
"Your very obedient and humble servant,
"KEITH."
"Lieut.-Col. Smith, &c. &c. &c."
Major General Coote having received a similar letter from his Lordship, enclosed it to Colonel Smith, at the same time giving his sanction for its contents being published to the Officers and men of the Marine battalion.
Three days previous to their embarkation the Major General thus expressed himself:
"Camp, near Alexandria, 3d August, 1801.
"Sir,
"At the request of Admiral Lord Keith, it is Lieut.-Gen. Sir John Hely Hutchinson's directions, that the battalion of Marines, under your command, is to hold itself in readiness to return on board their respective ships. I cannot, however, suffer you to leave the division of the Army, without assuring you how perfectly satisfied I am, with the attention you have always paid to the Marines. The good conduct of your corps, whilst under my orders, does them the greatest credit, and I beg you will be so obliging as to signify the same both to your Officers and men.