[View larger image]

Chart of the island of Guernsey, showing the positions of the English and French squadrons.

The gratification which Sir James must have felt in having, by his admirable skill and daring, so completely succeeded in saving the whole of the ships, could not but be highly augmented by the circumstance of his countrymen, and even his family and friends, being eye-witnesses of his gallant and judicious conduct. Lieutenant-governor Small, who, with a multitude of the inhabitants, beheld the whole of these masterly evolutions, immediately published the following flattering testimonial in his general orders, which was afterwards transmitted to Sir James by the brigade-major in a polite letter.

Parole, Saumarez; countersign, Crescent.

The lieutenant-governor cannot, without doing injustice to his own feelings, help taking notice thus publicly of the gallant and distinguished conduct of Sir James Saumarez, with the officers and men of his Majesty's ships Crescent, Druid, and Eurydice, under his command, in the very unequal conflict of yesterday, where their consummate professional skill and masterly manœuvres demonstrated with brilliant effect the superiority of British seamanship and bravery, by repelling and frustrating the views of at least treble their force and weight of metal.

This cheering instance of spirit and perseverance in a detachment of our royal navy, could not fail of presenting an animating and pleasing example to his Majesty's land forces, both of the line and island troops, who were anxious spectators, and beheld with admiration the active conduct of their brave countrymen.

To the loyal inhabitants of Guernsey it afforded cause of real exultation to witness the manly and excellent conduct of an officer of whom this flourishing island has to boast he is a native.

The governor of Guernsey, as a further mark of admiration at the gallant conduct of Sir James Saumarez, wrote the following letter to the Secretary of the Admiralty:

Government-house, Guernsey, 9th June 1794.

Sir,