“I trust your Lordship will approve of my having kept that ship hitherto, as it was necessary to watch both sides of the Adriatic, as well to prevent the evacuation of Dalmatia by General Marmont’s corps—as to prevent supplies getting into Venice; both of which purposes I hope have in a great measure been effected.
“I have sent the Amphion to watch the motions of the French army in Dalmatia, and to co-operate with the Austrians under General Strokowitz. With the Spartan and Mercury I have been on the coast of Romagna, at the express desire of His Imperial highness the Arch-duke John, in order to cut off the communication between its forts and Venice. I beg leave to refer your Lordship to my letter of this day for a detail of our proceedings on the 2nd instant, and enclose a duplicate of that of the 27th ultimo.
“I have this moment received a letter from General L’Epine, in which is the following passage. ‘General Marmont has given very severe orders to arm the inhabitants of Veglia and Pago, under the direction of some of his troops, which are expected there, in order to oppose the Austrians; the whole population of these islands are very averse to the project, and have the most eager desire to see our troops take possession of their country, therefore I have given orders immediately that a couple of companies should be embarked in the neighbourhood from Fiume to attack these islands, and take possession of them before the arrival of the French. I advise you of that disposition, that you may be in the case to assist our troops in the enterprize, and I have no doubt that you will be disposed to do it.’
“This letter was addressed to Captain Hoste, in consequence of my having sent him off Zara; but in order to effect the object of it, I shall proceed instantly off those islands in the Spartan, adding our force to that of the Amphion, and I shall send the Thames to blockade Venice.
“I have, &c.
“J. BRENTON.”
“Vice Admiral Lord Collingwood.”
A letter of the 29th April had been sent from Mr. Baird, the British Agent at Fiume, to Mr. Jackson, the Charge’ des affaires at Trieste, requesting he would inform the British Commander, by the earliest opportunity, that the Austrians had entered Trau, on the coast of Dalmatia, without finding any French there; that eighteen vessels had gone from Zara to Pago with troops, and that it was believed General Marmont and his staff were with them, and that his intention was probably to get to Ancona.
About the same time, the following letter reached Captain Brenton, from Mr. Bathurst, the British Ambassador, whom he had brought to Trieste in the Spartan, dated Vienna, 27th April, 1809.
“I have been unable from illness to apply to any business whatever since my arrival here, you must therefore not be surprised at my silence.