“J. BRENTON.”
The nature and variety of the service in getting possession of Lussin, and the imperative duty of giving due credit to the Austrians for the share they had in the affair, unavoidably extended this letter to a great length. It may now, in justice to the officers and men engaged in the expeditions, which followed each other with so much rapidity between the 23rd of April and the 9th of May, be considered excusable to lay before the reader, Lord Collingwood’s letter acknowledging the official communication.
“Ville de Paris, off Toulon, 10th June, 1809.
“Sir,
“I have received your letter of the 27th April, and two of the 5th May. The first informing me of an attack made by the Spartan, Amphion, and Mercury, upon the town of Pesaro, on the 23rd April, and the capture of all the vessels in that port; the latter describing your operations which were equally successful at the port of Cesenatico on the 2nd May.
“The dexterity and skill with which these two important services were performed, are exceedingly satisfactory to me; and the success with which they were attended, is an ample proof of the judicious arrangements made, and the ability with which the whole was conducted, and terminated without injury to the assailants. In Captains Hoste and Duncan you had able assistants, and the judicious conduct of Lieutenant Willes deserves the highest commendation.
“I recommend you to have made a number of small iron wedges, about three inches long, for the purpose of bursting guns which you wish to destroy. Those spiked are soon restored to service again; the wedge seldom fails to disable them entirely. The gun must be fired with a bit of slow match, to give time to remove out of the reach of explosion.
“I am, &c.
“Signed, COLLINGWOOD.”
On the 4th of July his Lordship gives the following answer to the official account of the capture of Lussin.