You will open all public despatches which may be addressed to me, and carry them, as far as depends upon you, into effect at this place. Such as are addressed to Rear-admiral Sir Richard Bickerton you will forward to him at Malta. Maintain a correspondence with him, as the officer charged with the chief command on the station, by all convenient opportunities, and follow such orders and directions as you may receive from him.
Given on board the Foudroyant,
Gibraltar, 15th June, 1802,
Keith.
Sir Jas. Saumarez, Bart, and K.B.
Rear-admiral of the Blue;
and, in his absence,
To John Aylmes, Esq. Captain of H.M.S. Dragon.
List of ships to remain on the station till further orders:
| Kent, | Hector, | Diana, | Greyhound, | Camelion, |
| Dragon, | Anson, | Narcissus, | Victorieuse, | Weazle, |
| Superb, | Medusa, | Thames, | Cynthia, | Delight, |
| Triumph, | Active, | Maidstone, | Port Mahon, | Vincego. |
N.B. Such others as may arrive here with troops may be sent to the destinations of the regiments.
Keith.
No duty on which Sir James was ever employed was executed with more address, or more completely to the general satisfaction. The honour of the British flag was maintained in a manner which could not be questioned, being borne away mounted on a cannon, on which it was embarked without the necessity of striking it, when the keys of the fortress were delivered to the Spanish commander-in-chief, while the Spanish standard was hoisted at the flag-staff. The greatest decorum was preserved on both sides.
The Cæsar left Mahon on the 17th June, with the last division of the troops, and arrived at Gibraltar on the 24th, when Sir James found that Lord Keith had already sailed, leaving orders for him to follow to England with the last division, which consisted of three sail of the line and six troop-ships.