"We are still struggling against adverse winds, not without hope of gaining the anchorage to-morrow. I most sincerely wish it, on every account; and, although my next rendezvous is not what I exactly expected, it always brings me nearer England.
"Great is our uneasiness for the fate of the Leander. In the letter above alluded to, Lord St. Vincent thinks it probable she may have been dismasted, and have put into one of the islands of the Archipelago. I own my fears for her are great." The following is Lord St. Vincent's letter, with Sir James's answer.
Gibraltar, 16th October 1798.
Sir,
Your letter of the 10th instant, received yesterday, has diffused universal joy through the garrison and little squadron now here. I highly applaud and admire the measures taken by you and Rear-admiral the Marquis de Niza to induce the French to surrender their stronghold in Malta; and the supply of arms and ammunition you furnished the islanders with was very judicious. Two very respectable Moorish merchants, natives of the eastern coast of Barbary, who arrived at Gibraltar from Genoa yesterday, report that advices had been received at the latter place before they left it, that the Maltese had succeeded, and put the French garrison to the sword. I have been so long accustomed to the fallacy of pratique reports, that I do not give entire credit to this.
Of the Leander we know nothing; and I am rather inclined to believe that the story Sir Horatio Nelson learned from a Candia boat, is true; and that she has either been dismasted in the action, or so crippled as to be obliged to take refuge in one of the islands of the Archipelago. I never despair, and I have great confidence that she will yet turn up.
The account you give from Captain Retallick, of the near approach to Naples of the Colossus and her precious charge,—for the Alliance is full of naval stores, with all the top-masts and top-sail yards we had, and the four victuallers loaded with new provisions of every species except bread,—is a communication of the utmost consequence.
It is my anxious wish that the six prize ships of war should be safe moored in the Tagus as soon as possible; and my intention that the Orion, Defence, and Theseus shall accompany them: the Bellerophon and Majestic to enter Gibraltar Mole in order to be remasted, for all the lower masts are there; and their men, after assisting in the navigation of the prizes to Lisbon, may return hither in the Santa Dorothea.
I am fitting out an expedition of great importance,—I believe, entre nous, against Monte Video, or Lima,—which swallows up all the transports and frigates I have, or I would send you some salt provisions and wine. Should the Levanters fail you, by working close to the Barbary shore you will soon reach Tetuan Bay, and find no difficulty in working round Europa with a flood-tide.
I request you will convey to your brave companions in arms, that, in my judgment, they stand foremost in the page of naval history; having, beyond all dispute, achieved more than was ever done before, and, under the critical circumstances of the times, have certainly rendered the greatest benefit to the human race at large, and to their King and country in particular, that ever was performed.