I beg you will be pleased to inform my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that, being unable to gain Spithead from the prevailing calms, I have thought it expedient to despatch Lieutenant Otter with the intelligence I have the honour to convey to their lordships.
Having been prevented by the action with La Réunion from complying with their lordships' orders, I directed the Hon. Captain Yorke, who joined me in his Majesty's ship Circe, to proceed with the pacquets I was charged with for the commanding officers of his Majesty's troops at Guernsey and Jersey, and from thence to proceed to St. Maloes, and return to Spithead, agreeable to their lordships' orders.
I beg to observe, that Captain Yorke gave me every possible assistance, and has taken one hundred and sixty prisoners from the Réunion, which I directed him to land in the island of Guernsey.
I have the honour to be, sir,
Your most humble servant,
Jas. Saumarez.
The Crescent arrived at Spithead on the following day, and with her prize was ordered into harbour; the former to have her damages repaired, and the latter to be surveyed and purchased for his Majesty's service.
Before we submit the interesting official and private letters which Captain Saumarez received on his arrival, and which may be considered as the best proof of the sensation which this gallant action created, it becomes our duty to state the comparative force of the two frigates.
| Crescent. | No. | Size. | No. | Size. | No. | Size. | Total. | Weight |
| of | ||||||||
| metal | ||||||||
| Broadside guns | 13 | 18pr. | 4 | 18pr. car. | 1 | 9pr. | 36 | 315lbs. |
| Réunion. | ||||||||
| Broadside guns | 13 | 14pr. | 3 | 40pr. car. | 4 | 7pr. | 40 | 330lbs. |
| Difference of guns, and of weight of shot in favour | — | —— | ||||||
| of la Réunion | 4 | 15lbs. | ||||||
| Crescent. | Men | 257 | Tons | 888 | ||
| Réunion. | Men | 320 | Tons | 951 | ||
| Difference in favour | —— | —— | ||||
| of La Réunion | 63 | 63 | ||||
| N.B. The weight has been reduced to English pounds. | ||||||