"Saturday, 6th.—The winds prove again contrary for us. We have the Souverain in tow, and in so bad a condition that I almost fear it will not be possible to get her as far as Gibraltar. There has been a great deal of blowing weather, with heavy seas, since we left Malta, and the prizes have suffered considerably from it. I have had an addition to my stock since I left Augusta, having three fine little lambs; and I understand more are expected: it is fortunate I was well provided, as this increase would have proved ruinous to my table.
"Monday, 8th October.—We have had variable winds these last two days, which have brought the squadron a considerable distance. We are at present off Algiers, a very unfriendly coast, which I hope soon to lose sight of with our present breeze. The anchorage off Cadiz having broken up about this time last year, I depend on finding Lord St. Vincent at anchor at Gibraltar, or there to find orders to join him at Lisbon, and from thence to proceed to England.
"Tuesday, 9th.—I congratulate you on our darling's birth-day; and join my prayers to yours that Heaven may bestow on him its choicest blessings.
"We have a continuance of fine wind, which, I trust, will carry us to Gibraltar in two days. I have been treated with the perusal of several French papers, which I intercepted on board a Danish vessel from Marseilles, bound to Algiers. They are dated so late as the 27th Fructidor, which answers to the 13th September; and I am happy to see, by the English news they contain, that things were going on favourably. I hope soon to have it under your hand more particularly: in the mean time it is very satisfactory to receive these news, which are near three months of later date from England than we before possessed; your dear letter of the 10th June being the latest I have seen.
"Wednesday, 10th.—I fell in with L'Espoir this morning. She left Gibraltar ten days ago. She has surprised me with the account that the Leander had not at that time reached Earl St. Vincent; and that the news of our victory was only received two days before by the Mutine, which had arrived from Naples. This account has created amongst us great uneasiness for the fate of the Leander. I have despatched L'Espoir with a letter to Earl St. Vincent, apprising him of the approach of the prizes, with the ships under my command; and I hope to receive his lordship's orders for our proceedings when we appear off Gibraltar.
"Saturday, 13th.—The wind has again set against us the last two days, and continues to exercise our patience. What adds to my uneasiness is, the small quantity of provisions in the squadron. We have been at short allowance these six weeks; and should it unfortunately continue to the westward a few days longer, we shall be very badly off. I now very reluctantly give up all hope of being in England during this month.
"Sunday, 14th.—The wind has again sprung up to the eastward, and I hope will this time carry us to Gibraltar.
"Monday, 15th.—The wind still continues favourable, and to-morrow I hope to anchor in Gibraltar Bay; and, as an opportunity may offer to send you this tedious journal, I hold it in readiness accordingly. It will give you some faint idea of the trial our patience has been put to; and although our progress has not been attended with the same anxiety as I described in my former journal, when we were in pursuit of the enemy, still I have not been exempt from great uneasiness on various accounts, particularly from the crippled state of most of the ships, in a navigation some part of which is very hazardous, and where contrary winds so invariably prevail. I now hope in a short time to be released from so heavy a charge, and that I shall be permitted to proceed, as I have been given to expect, immediately for England.
"Tuesday, 16th.—We have gained sight of Gibraltar this morning; but westerly winds and the current prevent our approach to it. I hope, however, to have communication with the Rock to-morrow.
"Thursday, 18th.—I received late last evening a very flattering letter from Earl St. Vincent, in answer to mine of the 10th, which, he says, diffused universal joy to the garrison, and the little squadron with him: and his lordship has rejoiced my heart by informing me that so soon as the wounded and sick are landed from the squadron, and the wants of the ships are supplied, I shall proceed to Lisbon with them. He adds that, in his judgment, our action stands foremost in the page of naval history, having, beyond all dispute, achieved more than was ever done before, &c.