On the 21st of July, however, two of the enemy's frigates reconnoitred us, and on the 31st, about two in the afternoon, their whole fleet hove in sight. It was composed of 14 sail of the line, and two brigs. the wind was northerly and rather fresh. They bore

* Sir John Sinclair, who has taken his ideas of ships in the Mediterranean from flies in a milk-pot, ducks in a pond, or gilt boats and streamers in a garden canal, very properly reprehends Mr. Pitt for not having made the victory more complete, by causing all the ships which were in quest of Lord Nelson, to find him! And true it is, that if these two frigates, and two or three more that were on the look out for the Admiral, had joined him previous to the engagement, they might have rendered him some service. But the worst is yet to come: for we can seriously assure Sir John, that if these vessels had not previously found the French fleet (for which their captains shall be broke when he is first Lord of the Admiralty) while they were searching for ours, the victory would have been as complete as heart could wish, not a vessel, not a man would have escaped! It was these and other frigates which afterwards appeared that alarmed the enemy, and occa sioned all those measures of precaution and security which we find they took; and for which, if Sir John will be pleased to compare the various dates of this and the following dispatch, he will see they had sufficient time.

Notwithstanding all this, however, we are not inclined to be very angry with the ships in question. It is thought by many that their captains possess full as much nautical skill as Sir John Sinclair, and nearly as much promptitude and zeal for the service of their country; this we confess, is also our opinion, and when we see SUCH MEN anxiously and ardently engaged on an element which no human power can controul, and in a service which no human abilities can effect at will, we are ready to conclude that something more than a knowledge of agriculture is required to enable us to judge of their merits, and something better than an itch of finding fault, to justify an attack on the plans of the minister who employs them!

down with a press of sail on our fleet, and clearly announced a design to attack us.

The measures which the Admiral took on this occasion, the resolution to engage at anchor, and the results of this horrible affair, are detailed in the abstract,* which I have subjoined to the present letter; in that, I have delineated every circumstance as it appeared to me on this too grievous, and too dreadful night.

The L'Orient took fire. It was by an accident which I cannot yet comprehend, that I escaped from the midst of the flames, and was taken into a yawl that was lying under the ship's counter. Not being able to reach the vessel of General Villeneuve, I made for this place, from whence I have now the mortification of transmitting you these melancholy details.

The Franklin, the Spartiate, the Tonnant, the Peuple Souverain, and the Conquérant are taken. They got their top-masts up; and sailed with the enemy's squadron, which quitted the coast on the 18th of August; leaving here a small division of four ships of the line and two frigates.

The Mercure, the Heureux, and the Guerrier have been burnt by the enemy. The two first ran aground during the action, and were bulged when they took possession of them.

The Timoleon, incapable of making her escape, was run on shore by Captain Trulet, who set her on fire, after putting all the crew either into his own boats, or into those which were sent him from the rest of the. fleet.

The two frigates, the Artémise and the Sérieuse were

It follows this letter.

destroyed, in spite of the enemy's endeavours to preserve them; the first was burnt, and the other sunk.

The sole relicks then of this unfortunate armament are comprised in the division of frigates, corvets, and flutes, which are now at Alexandria, and in that of General Villeneuve, who, by a bold manœuvre,* made his escape from the enemy. You will see by my Abstract, that this latter division is composed of two ships of the line and two frigates,-the Guillaume Tell, the Genereux, the Diane, and the Justice.

Placed by my rank at the head of that part of our unfortunate armament which remains here, Admiral Nelson proposed to me to receive the wounded, and other prisoners. In concert with General Kleber, commandant of the town, I have acquiesced in his proposition; and three thousand one hundred prisoners, of whom about 800 are wounded, have been put on shore since the 6th of August.

By means of this correspondence we have collected some information respecting our personal losses. My pen trembles in my hand while, in conformity to my duty, I attempt to particularize our misfortunes.

The Admiral, the Chiefs of Division, Casa-Bianca, Thevenard, Du Petit Thouars, are killed, and six other superior officers, whose names are subjoined,* dangerously wounded. I have not yet been able to procure an exact list of the privates killed and wounded, on account of Admiral Nelson's refusing to send me the Commissaries of the captured vessels, with their rôles d'équipage.

*Genteaume does Villeneuve too much credit: the merit of the escape (such as it is) is due to another person.

†These names do not appear; they were, probably, omitted in the hurry of making up the dispatchés.

Since the action the enemy's cruizers are masters of the whole coast, and interrupt all our communications. The other day they captured the Fortune, a corvet which the Admiral had sent to cruize off Damietta. The English squadron, as I had the honour of mentioning to you above, sailed (it is said) for Sicily on the 18th instant. The division which is stationed here, consists of four seventy-fours and two frigates.

On account of the extraordinary care which the English always take to conceal their loss of men, we have been able to procure no information on the subject that can be relied on. We are assured, however, that Admiral Nelson is dangerously wounded in the head, and that two captains are killed. We are also told, that two of their ships, the Majestic and the Bellerophon, had each 150 men killed and wounded.

In the situation in which we are, blocked up by a very superior force, I am still ignorant, Citizen Minister, what measures we shall pursue with the feeble maritime resources that yet remain to us in this port; but if I must needs speak the truth, such as it really appears to me, I then say that, after so dreadful a disaster, I CONCEIVE NOTHING BUT A PEACE CAN CONSOLIDATE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF OUR NEW COLONY. MAY OUR GOVERNORS PROCURE US A SOLID AND HO

NOURABLE ONE!

I am, with respect,

H

1

1

4

GANTEAUME.

No. XXII.

Alexandrie, le 18 Thermidor.

Précis du Combat entre l'Armée Navale Françoise, et celle Britannique, aux ordres du Contre Amiral NELSON, et dans la soirée et nuit du 14 au 15 Thermidor, an 6.

A DEUX heures du soir le vaisseau l'Heureux signala 12 voiles à l'O.N.O. Nos vigies les apperçurent en même tems, et en comptèrent successivement jusqu'à 16. On ne tarde pas à reconnoître ces bâtiments pour une escadre Angloise composée de 14 vaisseaux, et 2 bricks.

Les ennemis faisant route, forçant de voiles pour le mouillage de l'armée, ayant un brick à sonder devant. Le vent étoit au nord, joli frais.

Les bricks l'Alceste et le Railleur avoient eu ordre de mettre sous voile, et de se lever au vent, pour empêcher la manœuvre de cette mouche.

Les signaux de branle bas, et de se preparer au combat, prevenir l'armée qu'elle combattra à l'ancre, rappeller les équipages à leurs bords respectifs, avoient eu lieu à trois

heures.

Les chaloupes qui étoient à l'aiguade avoient également été rappellées; un canot de l'Artémise avoit été détaché sur les bancs de Rosette, pour prevenir les transports qui y étoient mouillés, de l'apparition de l'ennemi; et enfin, les frégates et les corvettes avoient eu ordre de verser leurs équipages sur les vaisseaux.

L'escadre ennemi continuoit de s'avancer sur toutes voiles, après avoir donné un grand tour aux brisans qui bordent