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MEMOIRS
AND CORRESPONDENCE
OF
ADMIRAL
LORD DE SAUMAREZ.
FROM
ORIGINAL PAPERS IN POSSESSION OF THE FAMILY.
BY SIR JOHN ROSS, C.B. K.S.A. K.C.S. F.R.A.S.
CAPTAIN IN THE ROYAL NAVY.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. II.
LONDON:
RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET,
Publisher in Ordinary to Her Majesty.
1838.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY SAMUEL BENTLEY,
Dorset Street, Fleet Street.
CONTENTS
OF THE SECOND VOLUME.
CHAPTER I.
News of the Battles of the 6th and 12th of July reach
England.--Rejoicings on the occasion, particularly described in a
letter from Mrs. Saumarez.--Promotion of Lieutenant Dumaresq.--Letters
from Earl St. Vincent, Mr. Tucker, and others.--Remarks on the conduct
of the Governor and Garrison at Gibraltar.--State of the crew of the
Caesar.--Ship refitted.--Appointments of officers to the St. Antoine,
and other vacancies.--Correspondence with the Spanish Governor at
Cadiz on the subject of red-hot balls.--Accusation refuted.--Letters
from Lord Keith, Sir John Warren, and Captain Dixon.--Squadron off
Cadiz reinforced.--Sir James resumes the blockade of Cadiz.--His
proceedings.--Remarks on the result of the two Actions. Page 1
CHAPTER II.
Despatches arrive from England.--Sir James superseded by Sir Charles
Morice Pole.--Remarks and correspondence on the subject.--The
St. George and four sail of the line arrive.--Blockade of Cadiz.--Sir
James continues as second in command.--His appointments not
confirmed.--Injustice of his treatment.--Letters from various
persons.--The Caesar arrives at Gibraltar. 23
CHAPTER III.
Preliminaries of peace.--Sir James created a Knight of the
Bath.--Remarks on that Order.--Ceremony of investiture.--Action
of the Pasley and Rosario.--Sir James receives the thanks of both
Houses of Parliament.--Speeches of Earl St. Vincent, Lord Nelson,
and Mr. Pitt.--The freedom of the city of London,--and a
sword.--Address from Guernsey and Jersey.--Silver vases.--Inscriptions
thereon. 36
CHAPTER IV.
Sir James disappointed in not returning home.--Extract of a letter to
his brother.--The French send ships to the West Indies.--Squadron
detached after them.--Death of General O'Hara.--Sir James receives
orders to superintend the evacuation of Minorca.--Arrival of H.R.H.
Duke of Kent.--Sir James arrives at Minorca.--Definitive treaty of
peace.--Proceedings there.--Island given up to Spain.--The Caesar
arrives at Gibraltar.--Proceeds to England.--Anchors at Spithead. 56
CHAPTER V.
Commencement of Hostilities with France.--Sir James hoists his Flag at
Sheerness.--Proceeds to Guernsey.--Flag in the Grampus.--Anecdote
of Captain Caulfield.--Sir James visits Jersey, &c.--Diomede arrives
as Flag ship.--The Admiral examines the Defence of the Island.--Loss
of La Minerve.--Attack and Bombardment of Granville.--Cerberus
gets aground.--Narrow Escape from a Shot.--Public and Private
Letters.--Blockade of the Coast.--Loss of the Shannon and
Grappler.--Conclusion of 1803. 72
CHAPTER VI.
Sir James continues in the command at Guernsey.--Proceedings of his
Squadron.--Letter from Lord Nelson, dated two days before he was
killed.--Capture and destruction of La Salamandre.--Sir James's
benevolent conduct at Guernsey. 84
CHAPTER VII.
Sir James is called into active service.--Joins the Channel Fleet
as second in command.--Shifts his Flag from the San Josef to the
Prince of Wales.--His decisive conduct.--Anecdote of the Prince of
Wales' Men.--Change of Ministry.--Sir James leaves the Channel Fleet,
and returns to Guernsey.--Is offered the Command in the East
Indies.--Letter on that occasion. 91
CHAPTER VIII.
State of Affairs in Sweden.--Alarm of the King.--Sir James selected
to command the Baltic Fleet.--Correspondence with Lord Mulgrave.--Sir
John Moore's Expedition.--Arrives at Gothenburg.--Capture and
destruction of a Danish seventy-four.--Sir John Moore goes to
Stockholm.--Is arrested, and escapes.--Expedition returns to
England.--Disposition of the Fleet.--Sir James proceeds to
Carlscrona.--Rescue of Romana's Army.--Sir James proceeds to
the Gulf of Finland.--Capture and Destruction of the Russian
seventy-four, Sewolod.--The combined Swedish and English Fleet off
Baltic Port.--Reconnoitres the Russian Fleet in the harbour, and
determines to attack them.--Prevented by change of winds.--Proceeding
off Baltic Port.--Letter to the Emperor of Russia.--Fleet returns to
Carlscrona. 98
CHAPTER IX.
Sir James at Carlscrona.--Arrangements.--Author left in Sweden.--Letter
from the Swedish Admiral.--Sir James leaves Carlscrona.--Arrives
at Gothenburg.--Makes arrangements for the protection of the
Trade.--Leaves Rear Admiral Keats in Command.--His departure from
Sweden, and arrival in the Downs.--Proceeds to the Admiralty, and
receives their Lordships' high approbation.--Proceedings of the
Fleet.--Revolution in Sweden.--Sir James reappointed to the command
in the Baltic.--His correspondence with Mr. Foster.--Official notice
of the Duke of Sudermania being elected King of Sweden.--He confers
upon Sir James the Grand Cross of the Order of the Sword. 126
CHAPTER X.
Blockade of the Russian fleet.--Swedes' expedition, under Admiral
Puke and General Wachtmeister, sails,--is unsuccessful. Private
correspondence with Mr. Foster.--Armistice and Peace with
Russia.--Peace with Denmark.--Proceedings of the Fleet.--State
of affairs in Sweden.--Fleet returns to Carlscrona, and subsequently
to England. 164
CHAPTER XI.
Sir James's third year in the command of the Baltic Fleet. Proceeds
to Gothenburg and Havre.--Correspondence with Mr. Foster, Admiral
Krusenstjerna, and others.--Swedes shut their ports.--Death of
the Crown Prince.--Murder of Count Fersen.--Restrictions of the
Swedish commerce.--Sir James's judicious conduct in that and in
several disputes.--Election of Bernadotte, and his entry into
Sweden.--Correspondence on the subject.--Sir James returns to
England, and receives the approbation of the government and the
nation. 187
CHAPTER XII.
Buonaparte declares he will conquer a "Maritime Peace."--Illness
of George III.--Prince of Wales Regent.--Sir James obtains leave
of absence.--The Victory sent to Lisbon with troops.--Attack on
Anholt.--Gallant defence of the garrison.--Sir James continues in
the Baltic at the request of ministers.--Letters respecting
Anholt.--Letters from the Duke of Brunswick and answers
thereto.--Arrival in Sweden of Sir James.--Letters to Mr. Yorke and
Admiral Reynolds.--Negotiations on the sequestration of English
ships at Carlscrona.--Conference with Baron Tawast.--Written document
from the Baron unsatisfactory.--Letter from the Admiralty.--Sir James
remonstrates with the Swedish Government.--Evasive answer.--Further
correspondence.--Value of sequestered property.--Capture of two
Danish privateers.--Gallant conduct of Lieut. St. Clair and Mr.
Purcell.--Determination of Russia not to accede to the terms of
France.--The Crown Prince places implicit confidence in Sir
James.--Arrival of Mr. Thornton.--He is smuggled into the city of
Gothenburg.--Amicable confirmation of the Ghent treaty.--Situation
of the fleet.--Sir James's letter.--Disaster of the St. George
and convoy.--Admiral Reynolds's letter.--Arrival of St. George at
Wingo.--Sailing of the fleet.--St. George and Hero's convoy put
back.--Sail again.--Melancholy wrecks of the St. George and
Defence.--Captain Pater's narrative.--Remarks.--Loss of the Hero
and convoy.--Proceedings of the Victory.--Remarks on crossing
the North Sea.--Sir James arrives at Spithead. 222
CHAPTER XIII.
State of Europe in 1812.--Critical situation of Sweden and
Russia.--Advance of Buonaparte.--Sir James Saumarez resumes the
command in the Baltic.--Attack on Anholt prevented.--Proceedings of
the advanced squadron Arrival of the Victory at Gothenburg.--Capture
and destruction of a Danish frigate and two brigs.--Captain Stewart's
gallant conduct.--Official letters.--Capture of a ship in Pillau
Roads.--Lieut. Jones's gallant conduct.--Official letters.--Peace with
Russia.--Correspondence with Mr. Thornton and Earl Cathcart, who is
appointed Ambassador to the Court of St. Petersburg.--Proceedings of
the hostile armies on the frontiers of Russia.--Admiral Byam Martin
sent to co-operate.--Siege of Riga.--Diversion made by Admiral
Martin in Dantzig Bay.--Capture and destruction of four French
privateers.--Ratification of peace with Russia and Sweden.--Sir
James named Knight Grand Cross of the Sword of Sweden.--His Swedish
Majesty's letter and the answer.--Emperor Alexander sends the Russian
fleet to England.--Defeat of the French at Polosk, Borodino,
Moscow.--Retreat of Buonaparte.--Archangel fleet arrives.--Earl
Cathcart.--Mr. Saumarez's tour to Abo and St. Petersburg, and return
to the Admiral with despatches.--Afflicting news from England.--Sir
James's conduct on that occasion.--He is relieved by Sir George
Hope.--Returns to England.--Strikes his flag. 271
CHAPTER XIV.
State of the Continent after the defeat of Buonaparte.--Sir James's
services in the Baltic no longer required.--Retires from service,
but not from public life.--His various occupations.--His claims for
a Peerage disregarded.--Correspondence and observations thereon.--His
residence in Guernsey.--Visit to Oxford.--Letter from Lord
Nelson.--Captain Miller's monument.--Political opinions.--Letter from
Earl St. Vincent.--Is appointed to the command at Plymouth.--Speech
of Earl Grey.--Receives a visit from Lord Exmouth.--Strikes
his flag.--Claims for a Peerage again disregarded.--Returns
to Guernsey.--His reception there.--Death of George IV.--Accession
of William IV.--Is created Baron de Saumarez.--Letter from Lady de
Saumarez.--His reception at the Island of Guernsey, and rejoicings
there. 297
CHAPTER XV.
Political opinions and conduct of Lord de Saumarez.--Death of his
second son.--His letter on that occasion.--Anecdotes of his carriage
being robbed.--Of Sweden.--The King of Sweden presents him with his
portrait.--Count Wetterstedt's letter and Lord de Saumarez's
answer.--Lord de Saumarez's last illness and death.--His Christian
fortitude.--His professional character.--Moral and religious
character.--Remarks and conclusion. 315
ADDENDA.
Memoir of Sir Thomas de Saumarez. 332
Memoir of Captain Philip de Saumarez. 348
APPENDIX. 369
INDEX. 421
LIST OF PLATES.
Portrait of Lord de Saumarez _Frontispiece_.
Battle of the 12th July 1801 in the Straits of Gibraltar Page 6
Harbour of Rogerwick, showing the positions of the
English, Swedish, and Russian fleets, 31st August 1808 115
ERRATA.
Page 130, l. 4, _for_ "Eurthalms" _read_ "Eartholms."
182, l. 8, -- "Stedriegh" _read_ "Stedinck."
184, l. 3, -- "remaininig" _read_ "remaining."
187, l. 5, -- "Krusensbyerna" _read_ "Krusenstjerna."
APPENDIX.
396, _for_ "T. Manzell" _read_ "T. Mansell."
397, -- "Michaer," _read_ "Michael."
THE LIFE
OF
LORD DE SAUMAREZ.
CHAPTER I.
1801.
News of the Battles of the 6th and 12th of July reach
England.--Rejoicings on the occasion, particularly described in
a letter from Mrs. Saumarez.--Promotion of Lieutenant
Dumaresq.--Letters from Earl St. Vincent, Mr. Tucker, and
others.--Remarks on the conduct of the Governor and Garrison at
Gibraltar.--State of the crew of the Caesar.--Ship
refitted.--Appointments of officers to the St. Antoine, and
other vacancies.--Correspondence with the Spanish Governor at
Cadiz on the subject of red-hot balls.--Accusation
refuted.--Letters from Lord Keith, Sir John Warren, and Captain
Dixon.--Squadron off Cadiz reinforced.--Sir James resumes the
blockade of Cadiz.--His proceedings.--Remarks on the result of
the two Actions.
The news of the splendid victory of the 12th of July was received in
England with enthusiasm. After it became known that the squadron under
Sir James Saumarez had been so materially damaged at Algeziras, it was
thought impossible that the ships could have been prepared to meet
the enemy in so short a time. The Admiral's despatches, subsequently
to the first battle, stated that an overwhelming force had been sent
to Algeziras from Cadiz; and, consequently, the news of his subsequent
triumph over so great a superiority of force struck every person with
astonishment.
[Illustration]
The Louisa brig, Lieutenant Truscott, having on board Lieutenant
Dumaresq, arrived off Mount's Bay on the 30th July. This officer
landed with Sir James's despatches, and immediately proceeded to
London. He was received at the Admiralty by Earl St. Vincent in the
most gratifying manner. Mr. Addington, then prime minister, sent an
express to Sir James's youngest brother at Brighton, requesting his
presence in London; and, on his arrival, he in the handsomest manner
presented him with a situation of trust and importance in the island
of Ceylon, with a salary of two thousand pounds per annum. Lieutenants
Dumaresq of the Caesar, Jackson of the Superb, and Lillicrap of the
Venerable, were promoted to the rank of commanders.
The extraordinary public sensation which this important and unexpected
victory created, is described in the following letter from Mrs.
Saumarez of Newington, (Sir James's sister-in-law,) to whom Lieutenant
Dumaresq paid a visit on leaving the Admiralty.
London, 5th August 1801.
MY DEAR SIR JAMES,
It is impossible to express the admiration and enthusiasm which
your late despatches have excited in the breasts of all ranks
of people. You are now the theme of every conversation, the
toast of every table, the hero of every woman, and the boast of
every Englishman. When Dumaresq waited on Lord St. Vincent, his
lordship squeezed his hand in the greatest rapture, exclaiming,
"I knew it,--I knew it,--I knew the man,--I knew what he could
do! It is the most daring thing that has been done this war. It
is the first thing.--I knew it would be so!" He then gave
Dumaresq his commission, and wrote a letter of congratulation
to Lady Saumarez, which he charged Phil. Dumaresq to deliver
with his own hand. I trust they are now both together; and,
after staying there one day, Phil. is to return to town.
Lord St. Vincent also sent Dumaresq to Mr. Addington, who
received him in the most gracious manner. He told Phil.
everything that man could say in terms of approbation; and
justly added, that, however the multitude might estimate and
admire the last action, yet the first, in his own mind, and in
the minds of men who understood the matter, was equally
deserving of praise, and would have fixed their approbation of
Sir James's conduct, even though he had failed in his second
attempt. At the same time he owned, that the exertions made by
the men after the first action, in order to meet the second,
were beyond conception or example. Indeed, they must surpass
Mr. Addington's conception, since even Lord St. Vincent told
Dumaresq that it was far beyond what he himself could imagine.
In short, my dear Sir James, you have been achieving a deed
that has held you up to the contemplation of mankind, and that
secures you the gratitude of your country.
You will, no doubt, soon receive very distinguished marks of
the royal and the national favour. In the mean time you will be
delighted, equally with ourselves, to find that the stream of
prosperity, beginning to flow towards you, has already involved
your brother Nicholas, who was sent for yesterday from
Brighton, in order to wait on Mr. Addington to-morrow morning.
It can be for no other purpose than to make his fortune. God
knows the poor fellow has suffered enough on your account! for
we had the rascally French despatches full ten days before we
received yours; and, when we did receive the first account,
your brother Richard was not satisfied. He feared the business
was not done, and his mind dwelt upon it with anxiety. At last,
on the 1st of August, and not before, all our fears were
removed; and yesterday we received the news that Mr. Addington
had sent for Nicholas.
Indeed, Sir James, you have electrified your whole circle of
friends in a masterly manner; for the very great success you
experienced at last, came with double effect upon those who had
greatly feared for you at the first: and, let me add, that not
only your actions, but your letters also, are very much
admired, and, I think, most deservedly.
Dumaresq is just like yourself,--unassuming and unaffected. He
had been with us an hour with his commission in his pocket,
without telling us of it; and it was only accidentally that we
discovered he had been promoted.
And now, my dear Sir James, let me speak like an _old woman_. I
tremble for you. Had you only dangers and difficulties to
encounter, I should not fear; but now you are going to be
overwhelmed with wealth, titles, fame, adulation, and
distinction; with everything, in short, that can make a man
forget himself;
"And Satan, wiser than he was of yore,
Now tempts by making rich, not making poor!"
Now, if in such a situation you can retain the two pillars of
your Christian faith, namely, humility and patience, you will
then be the first of human characters. Alas! how seldom it is
that we see the characters of the hero and the philosopher
blended in one! When the head monopolises the spirits, the
heart often wants courage; and, if the heart is strong, the
head is weak. But, as no part of you has yet betrayed signs of
weakness, endeavour to preserve yourself the same in future as
you have been in the past, however your fortunes may alter.
God bless you, my dear brother! and God bless also Captain
Brenton, and all the heroes that are with you, and bring you
safe back again to enjoy the favours of your grateful country!
M---- is here very happy. She sent to the Bank yesterday for
money, and requested to have cash instead of notes. She was
refused of course, at first; but when Mr. Brock said, that,
upon his honour, the money was for Sir James Saumarez's
_sister_, the guineas made their appearance immediately. I give
you this as a specimen of what people think of you. Two
engravers have called on us for your picture; and I have
written to Lady Saumarez to let them have it. I hope her
ladyship and Captain Dumaresq are now in high chat.
I remain, dear brother,
Ever truly yours,
M.S.
P.S. Richard desires his love; but you have deprived him of
sleep.
As you could think on Mrs. Pope at the time you were
undertaking the most desperate attempt that ever was made, you
may probably find time to inquire for Horace T. who is now at
Gibraltar hospital mending two broken thighs. He is the son of
Mrs. T. whom you have met at our house. She keeps a ladies'
school next door to us; and, could you serve her son, you would
help the widow and the fatherless, and please me at the same
time.
The following letters from Earl St. Vincent, and his secretary Mr.
Tucker, will demonstrate the high estimation in which the victory of
the 12th of July was held at the Admiralty.
Admiralty, 5th August 1801.
MY DEAR SIR,
I have to acknowledge your letters of the 30th June, 5th, 6th,
7th, 9th, 13th July, and to congratulate you most heartily on
the career of glory you and your gallant squadron have run in
the course of those periods. The hardy enterprise of the 6th
merited complete success; but all who know the baffling winds
in the Bay of Gibraltar can readily account for the event of
it. The astonishing efforts made to refit the crippled ships in
Gibraltar Mole surpasses everything of the kind within my
experience; and the final success in making so great an
impression on the very superior force of the enemy crowns the
whole. I have great satisfaction in reporting to you that I
have received the most gracious and full approbation of his
Majesty this morning of your whole conduct, and that of every
officer and man under your command, and I hear nothing but
praise and admiration from every quarter.
We wait impatiently the arrival of Vice-admiral Pole from the
Baltic to detach a powerful reinforcement to you, and we are
not without hopes that four ships of the line are on their
passage from Cork to join you before Cadiz, or at Gibraltar.
Having, from the moment of your departure, felt the most
perfect confidence that everything would be performed for the
honour and success of his Majesty's arms within the reach of
human power, I have only to add my anxious wish that another
opportunity will present itself, ere long, for a further
display of that talent and intrepidity from which the country
has, upon so many occasions, received important benefits.
I have the honour to be,
With the most perfect regard and esteem,
Very sincerely yours,
ST. VINCENT.
To Sir James Saumarez.
Admiralty, 10th August 1801.
DEAR SIR,
I congratulate you from my heart and soul, and assure you that
I rejoice most sincerely in the glorious events you have
achieved. I but feebly express what I feel on this occasion. It
has been your good fortune, sir, to bear so large a part in
accomplishing the most glorious actions of this eventful war,
that you can scarcely have had an opportunity of witnessing
their immediate effect on the public mind; but, be assured, in
no instance has there been more lively admiration expressed of
the intrepidity and indefatigable zeal of our navy, than has
been shown by all ranks, of your most gallant enterprises, even
before the account of your first action was received; and I am
sure you will excuse me for adding the tribute my noble lord
paid on that occasion, who, when he read the French account
that they had taken the Hannibal, exclaimed, "We may have lost
a ship, but I well know the man and the men who are there, and
I'll pledge my life the nation has lost no honour!" The instant
despatch of the ships from Ireland will prove that it was not
conceived possible for you to have so soon refitted the
squadron, which has been the subject of great admiration and
surprise.
The noble and liberal conduct of the squadron in admitting the
Pompee and Hannibal to partake of their prize-money is an
honourable and beautiful contrast to the bickerings which have
arisen lately respecting joint captures, and must ensure
success to every claim that can be made out; but I am afraid we
shall not be able to find a precedent for anything beyond
head-money being given for ships which have been blown up in
action.
B. TUCKER.
We shall now return to the proceedings at Gibraltar, where we left the
squadron of Sir James Saumarez, after the glorious battle of the 12th
July.
The extreme degree of excitement and enthusiasm, sharpened by revenge,
which supported the gallant crew of the Caesar, and enabled them to
perform such prodigious labour during the last seven days, had now
subsided. The incessant fatigue which they had endured, both of body
and mind, their long abstinence from their natural sleep, and the
sudden change from bustle to inactivity, threw the whole of the men
into such a state of languor and debility, that they were found lying
on the bare planks of the deck, having sunk exhausted, and incapable
of making any exertion. This state of stupor continued several hours;
some days, indeed, elapsed before many of them regained their usual
strength and spirits. At length, however, the men again began to
refit the ship, and prepare for resuming the blockade of Cadiz.
Nothing could surpass the attention, kindness, and hospitality of the
governor and garrison of Gibraltar, who were, by the signal defeat of
the combined squadron, happily relieved from a state of siege.
Invitations from every quarter were given; but Sir James, who was
averse to adulation, declined all except those of the governor, which
he considered it his duty not to refuse. No time was lost in sending
the men who were saved from the unfortunate Real Carlos to Algeziras;
and Sir James entered into a correspondence with the governor, and
subsequently with the commander-in-chief at Cadiz, for an exchange of
prisoners, which, as the circumstances were now different from those
which lately existed, was acceded to without waiting for the
permission of the Minister of Marine at Paris. Consequently the whole
of the Hannibal's men were sent to Gibraltar, in exchange for the crew
of the San Antonio, which ship was surveyed, taken into the service,
and commissioned. On this occasion the following promotions took
place.
Commander the Hon. Geo. H.L. Dundas, of the Calpe, was appointed
captain of the San Antonio, now called the St. Antoine; Lieut.
Lamburn, first of the Caesar, to command the Calpe; Mr. Beard, master's
mate of the Caesar, to be lieutenant of the St. Antoine, to which ship
the purser and warrant officers of the Thames, also, were appointed.
Mr. Champion, secretary to Sir James, was made purser of the Thames,
while warrant officers were selected from the class of petty officers
in the Caesar; Mr. John Brenton was appointed to fill the vacancy of
lieutenant in the Caesar; Lieutenant Janvrin was made first lieutenant
of the St. Antoine; and the other vacancies for lieutenants were
filled up from the other ships, viz. Messrs. Curry and Hillier of the
Pompee, T. Dowel of the Venerable, E. Donovan of the Superb, and Mr.
J. Crawfurd, master of the El Carmen, were made acting lieutenants to
the said ships; while the marine officers of the Hannibal, Lieutenant
(now Colonel) Connolly, and Lieutenant Dunford, were also transferred
with the marines of that ship to the prize. All these appointments
were transmitted to, but not confirmed by, the Admiralty, excepting
Captain Dundas, and Captain Dumaresq, who was subsequently appointed
to the Calpe.
As the correspondence between Sir James and the Spanish
commander-in-chief is highly creditable to both, and as it clears up a
doubt which may still exist, we give an exact copy from the original
letters, which were exchanged by a flag of truce.
H.M.S. Caesar, off Cadiz, 17th August 1801.
Having been informed that reports were circulated in Spain,
ascribing the destruction of the two first-rates, Real Carlos
and San Hermenegildo, in the engagement of the 12th July last,
to red-hot balls from his Majesty's ships under my command, I
take this present opportunity to contradict, in the most
positive and formal manner, a report so injurious to the
characteristic humanity of the British nation, and to assure
your Excellency that nothing was more void of truth. This I
request you will be pleased to signify in the most public way
possible. To assuage, as far as lay in my power, the miseries
that must necessarily result from a state of warfare, has ever
been my strenuous endeavour, and such will be the rule of my
conduct in carrying on the blockade of Cadiz, or any other
service committed to my charge.
I beg your Excellency to accept the renewal of my respectful
regard; and I have the honour to be,
With the highest consideration,
Your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant,
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
To his Excellency Don Joseph de Mazzaredo, Commander-in-chief
of his Most Cath. Maj. ships, Cadiz.
The flag of truce, which had been sent into Cadiz with some
passengers, taken in a small vessel, and with the above letter,
returned with the following answer, of which we give a verbatim copy,
as a specimen of a foreigner's English:
ESTEEMED SIR,
The reports which have been current, that the burning of the
two royal ships, on the nights of the 12th and 13th, arose from
the use of red-hot balls, which were fired at them, have
existed only among the ignorant public, and have not received
credit from any persons of condition, who well know the manner
of combating of the British navy. At the same time they give
the greatest credit to the assertion of your Excellency that
nothing could be more foreign from the truth, and the
characteristic humanity of the British nation. I have myself
experience of the particular conduct of your Excellency,
conformable to your personal character, and to that of your
late commander-in-chief, his Excellency Lord St. Vincent, in
the manner in which, in the last blockade of Cadiz, he
reconciled with the duties of a state of war those attentions
and considerations to alleviate miseries not connected with the
great object, and to secure that good intelligence and
friendship with which two powers may suspend for a time
treating each other as enemies; and I have no doubt that such
will always be the rule of your Excellency's conduct.
In my particular circumstances, with an obligation to reside in
this capital, as Captain-general of the Marine department, the
correspondence in any urgent case of a flag of truce might
suffer delay; and it would be convenient for your Excellency to
address yourself directly to Don Joseph Herryar,
Commandant-general of the province and army of Andalusia, qui
(who) resides in Cadiz.
I will avail myself of every occasion to assure your Excellency
of the esteem and consideration which I profess for your
person.
God grant you may live a thousand years!
Your most obedient servant,
JOSEPH MAZZAREDO.
Isle of Leon, 17th August 1801.
The following reply was sent by Sir James to the Spanish Admiral:
Caesar, off Cadiz, 18th August 1801.
SIR,
I have received the honour of your Excellency's letter, by
which I am extremely happy to find the reports of the Real
Carlos and San Hermenegildo having been destroyed by red-hot
balls from the squadron under my orders have only been credited
by the ignorant public, and not by persons of higher condition
in Spain. But as such reports, if permitted to gain ground
without being contradicted, must tend to irritate the minds of
the public, and occasion an animosity between the two nations
that ought not to exist, I trust your Excellency will be
pleased to comply with my request in causing the formal
disavowal of it to be publicly notified.
The very flattering manner in which your Excellency is pleased
to express yourself at my endeavours to alleviate the miseries
attendant on a state of warfare during the former blockade of
Cadiz, under the orders of the Earl of St. Vincent, afford me
infinite satisfaction. It is by pursuing similar conduct that I
hope to deserve the approbation of the King my royal master,
and that of the English nation.
I shall comply with your Excellency's desire in order to
accelerate the communication of flags of truce, that they in
future be addressed to his Excellency the Governor-general of
the province of Andalusia.
I beg your Excellency to accept my sincere and fervent wishes
for your health and every possible happiness, and my assurance
of the sentiments of most perfect regard with which I have the
honour to be
Your Excellency's most obedient
and most humble servant,
JAS. SAUMAREZ.
To his Excellency Don Joseph Mazzaredo, &c. &c. &c.
We need only add that Sir James's request was complied with, and that
several communications were subsequently made by flags of truce for
the exchange of prisoners, by which the sufferings on both sides were
much alleviated.
* * * * *
News of the battle of Algeziras, and of the loss of the Hannibal,
having reached the Admiralty through the French papers, their
lordships despatched a vessel with orders to Captain Tyler of the
Warrior, who with six sail of the line was cruising off Ireland, to
proceed with his squadron to reinforce Sir James Saumarez off Cadiz.
These ships, viz. the Warrior, Captain Tyler; Defence, Lord H. Paulet;
Bellona, Captain Bertie; Russell, Captain Cuming, all of seventy-four
guns, and Eling, schooner, joined Captain Stirling of the Pompee on
the 9th; who, with Captain Keats in the Superb, had resumed the
blockade. Intelligence of this reinforcement was sent to Sir James at
Gibraltar.
A claim was made for prize-money, by Captain C. Duncan of the
Portuguese frigate Carlotta, but was not admitted; because, having
been informed that peace had been made between Portugal and France,
Captain Duncan had refused to take any part in the action, and had
been requested by Sir James merely to carry his despatches to Lisbon.
The Caesar being refitted, Sir James made two attempts to join his
squadron off Cadiz; but it was not until the 15th of August that he
reached his station, having, in the mean time, twice visited Tangier.
The Thames had been sent with despatches to Lord Keith, who had
ordered the Genereux, Captain Manly Dixon, to leave Mahon, and join
the squadron off Cadiz; but this officer having heard of the second
action, and conceiving it would be unnecessary, did not join, but
wrote a letter, of which the following is an extract.
H.M.S. Genereux, Minorca, E.N.E. 50 leagues, 24 July 1801.
This evening, being distant from the west end of Minorca, on my
passage to join you, I fell in with the brig with your second
letter, addressed to the senior officer at Mahon; and taking
the same into consideration, and the great advantage which your
glorious and most brilliant action with the French and Spanish
squadrons must give you over the enemy off Cadiz, I judged it
best for his Majesty's service to return to my station at
Mahon, and act conformably to the last orders I received from
Sir John Warren,--which were, to hold the Genereux in constant
readiness to join him on his appearance off that port.
I beg leave to congratulate you, and the captains of your
squadron, on the great success which has attended your first
dash at the enemy in their strong position off Algeziras, and
the very important consequence of it.
At the same time Sir James received the first of the following letters
from Lord Keith, who had not yet received the accounts of the second
battle:
Foudroyant, Bay of Aboukir, 4th August 1801.
SIR,
I yesterday received your letters of the 7th and 9th ultimo, by
the Delight, from Minorca. The letter has given me much
concern, in consequence of the unfortunate issue of your
gallant endeavours. I am still in hopes that it will not turn
out so favourably for the enemy, and that some of their ships
will be lost.
You will know, before this reaches you, that Cairo is
evacuated. The greatest part of its garrison is now embarked.
When that is accomplished, I see nothing to prevent our
beginning to attack Alexandria; and I am sanguine that it
cannot hold out long: but, until it is in our power, I can
detach nothing from blockading that port, and covering this
immense fleet of transports, store-ships, victuallers, &c.
which have no other protection. Besides, the army cannot exist
without our protection.
Sir John Warren sailed from hence on the 12th May. I have since
heard from him, at sea and at Malta; and I have lately
understood that he was off Cape Spartavento, where he may have
heard of Gantheaume's squadron; but his ultimate orders are for
Mahon, at which place he must now be with seven ships of the
line. The Athenian must now be ready to join, from Malta.
Should the enemy sail up the Mediterranean, Carthagena or
Toulon must be their first rendezvous, where you will be able
to observe them, when joined to Sir John; and, from all
information, their objects of attack must be confined to
three,--Egypt, Turkey in Europe, or Sicily, in the event of a
renewal of hostilities: and to those objects I recommend the
strictest attention; because, after the island of Minorca is
sufficiently reinforced, it may be left, for a longer time than
before, without very much danger: but I must recommend that the
strictest secrecy is observed on my intended operation, and
that frequent information is transmitted to me.
Were the enemy once collected at any one point, I could venture
to detach from hence; but, unsettled as they are at present,
it would be a measure of much danger. The ships last from
England sail very ill; and, if met with, would be taken. The
Hector, Ajax, and La Diane, lately ran foul of each other at
sea, and are not yet in a state to act.
It will be proper to keep the cruisers active off Carthagena,
Barcelona, and Crette, whence the enemy must derive their
supplies; and whichever port the enemy's squadron goes into,
must be blockaded _de facto_; and any vessels that attempt to
enter, after due warning, must be detained. I beg to mention
that the anchorage of Alendia Bay is good. If not better
defended than I have known it to be, the batteries might be
destroyed by a few soldiers from General Fox: a position there
covers both sides of the island. The idea of an attack on
Maracoa, or Algiers, I discredit: at the first place their army
would be lost; at the second they could not trust their fleet
in so open a bay even for a week.
I hope you will send to the Admiralty copies of all your
letters to me on points of service, whilst I am at such a
distance from you.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
KEITH.
Rear-admiral Sir James Saumarez, Bart.
&c. &c. &c.
Foudroyant, Aboukir Bay, 17th August 1801.
SIR,
I have had the honour of receiving your letter of the
19th ultimo, acquainting me with the measures which you
had adopted for opposing the return to Cadiz of the combined
French and Spanish squadrons lately anchored in
Algeziras Bay; and with the fortunate result of your attack
on them, with an inferiority of force that little encouraged
an expectation of so distinguished an advantage.
I beg to offer to you my sincere congratulations on the successful
issue of an enterprise, so honourable to yourself;
and request you will accept the tribute of my perfect approbation
of the ardent zeal and determined resolution
which animated you on that important occasion; and that
you will communicate my full satisfaction and approbation
to all the captains and officers, seamen and marines, of the
ships of the squadron under your orders, who, by so eminently
distinguishing themselves, have merited and obtained
yours.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
KEITH.
To Rear-admiral Sir James Saumarez, Bart.
&c. &c. &c.
(Same date.)
SIR,
I have to acknowledge the receipt of the various enclosures in
your letters of the 19th July; and approve of the exertions to
resume the station before Cadiz with the ships of your
squadron, which, I have reason to believe, has been seasonably
reinforced by the Genereux.
The Honourable Captain Dundas shall receive an appointment for
the San Antonio, which, I have no doubt, the repeated
meritorious conduct of that young officer will induce their
lordships to confirm; and I shall have pleasure in paying
attention to the other officers, to whom you have given acting
orders, when a compliance with their lordships' commands, and
an attention to prior engagements, shall enable me so to do.
I have the honour to be your obedient servant,
KEITH.
To Rear-admiral Sir James Saumarez, Bart.
&c. &c. &c.
Sir James, at the same time, received the usual order, dated 3rd
August, to place himself under the orders of Lord Keith; by which it
was supposed that his lordship had no right to share, as
commander-in-chief, for the prizes antecedently taken by the squadron.
This question, however, was decided in favour of his lordship.
The Bellona, Penelope, and Mermaid successively joined the squadron;
and the latter, having a convoy from Lisbon, was despatched with it to
Malta. The Audacious and Bellona were sent to Gibraltar to refit; and
subsequently the Penelope, to be hove down. Sir James received letters
from Mr. Frere, at Lisbon, by the Phaeton, Captain Morris, informing
him of the conclusion of peace between Portugal and France; and of a
report that some of the enemy's ships had escaped from Brest, which
was however contradicted by despatches of later date from the Channel
fleet, and from England. The enemy's designs had been completely
frustrated, and vessels employed in the commerce of Great Britain
proceeded to their various destinations without molestation. The
Phaeton was also despatched up the Mediterranean with a convoy, and
with information of importance for Lord Keith, from Mr. Frere. By the
return of the Thames, Sir James received from Sir John Warren, whose
absence from Toulon had permitted Admiral Linois' squadron to escape,
the following letter, dated,
Renown, Port Mahon, 18th August, 1801.
SIR,
I have the honour of informing you of my arrival here with the
squadron under my command, being ordered by the
commander-in-chief on this part of the station, and to assist
and communicate with anything stationed without the Straits'
mouth.
I received, with much satisfaction, the intelligence of your
zealous and gallant efforts with the squadron under your orders
in the several actions you have had with the enemy, the result
of which has proved so successful and honourable to all who
assisted in them.
I therefore beg leave, sincerely, to offer you my
congratulations on this occasion; and trust you have received
the stores sent from this dockyard, and the supernumeraries
which were conveyed in the Mermaid.
I am sorry to add that the Swiftsure was captured by Gantheaume
in her passage with some merchantmen, on the coast of Barbary;
and that the enemy were fortunate enough to carry her into
Toulon.
I have the honour to remain,
Your obedient humble servant,
J.B. WARREN.
To Rear-admiral Sir James Saumarez, Bart.
&c. &c. &c.
The ports of Cadiz and St. Lucar were now declared to be in strict
blockade, which was rigidly enforced, in order to prevent supplies
being thrown in for the repairs of the damaged fleet; and serious
disputes frequently took place between the French and Spaniards in
these harbours.
Although the battles of the 6th and 12th of July were not in magnitude
to be compared to those of the Nile and Valentine's day, they were to
the nation actually of no less importance, by having put an end to the
well-laid plan of Buonaparte for the destruction of our commerce and
the reinforcement of his army in Egypt, which Gantheaume had
unsuccessfully attempted.
Peace having been made between France and Spain, it was agreed that
the fleet of the latter nation, partly manned with French crews and
officers, should be joined by Linois' squadron from Toulon, and then
proceed off Lisbon, which they were to sack, and destroy or capture
the British merchant-ships lying there with rich cargoes; then, being
reinforced by the Brest fleet, they were to pass the Straits of
Gibraltar, and with an overwhelming force steer direct for Alexandria,
where they were to land such a body of troops as would raise the
siege, and drive the English out of Egypt. This would certainly have
succeeded had the squadron under Linois not encountered that of Sir
James, which led to the total defeat of their combined fleets, and to
the abandonment of the grand plan: events which may be said to have
brought about the conclusion of peace, first, with Portugal, and
subsequently with Great Britain, as it was found impossible to
relieve, or reinforce, the French army in Egypt before the
capitulation of Alexandria, and the final expulsion of that army. But
the reader will be surprised to find that the meritorious services of
Sir James, although fully acknowledged, were not so fully rewarded.