My Lord,--I have the honour to acquaint your lordship that intelligence has been received that two French Frigates, a Corvette, and a lugger, appeared off the East of Pembrokeshire, on the 22nd instant, and, on the evening of that day, disembarked some troops (reported by deserters to be about 1,200 men, but without any field pieces). Every exertion had been made by the Lord Lieutenant, and gentlemen of that county, and its neighbourhood, for taking the proper steps on this occasion; and the greatest zeal and loyalty has been shewn by all ranks of people. Immediately, on an account having been received at Plymouth, of this force having appeared in the Bristol Channel, frigates were despatched from Plymouth in quest of them. I have the honour to be, &c. PORTLAND. In the ‘Times’ of March 13, 1797, is the following:-- _Commodore_ NELSON’S _Receipt to make an Olla-Podrida._ Take a Spanish first-rate, and an 80 gun ship and after well _battering_ and _basting_ them for an hour, keep throwing in your _force balls_, and be sure to let them be _well seasoned_. Your _fire_ must never _slacken_ for a single moment, but must be kept up as _brisk_ as possible during the whole time. So soon as you perceive your Spaniards to be well _stewed_ and _blended_ together you must then throw your own ship on board of the two-decker. Lash your sprit-sail-yard to her mizen-mast: then jump into her quarter gallery, sword in hand, and let the rest of your boarders follow as they can. The moment you appear on the 80 gun ship’s quarter deck, the Spaniards will all throw down their arms and fly: you will then have only to take a hop, step and a jump, from your _stepping stone_, and you will find yourself in the middle of the first-rate’s quarter-deck with all the Spaniards at your feet. Your Olla Podrida may now be considered as completely _dished_ and fit to be set before his MAJESTY.--_Nelson’s New Art of Cookery._ Negotiations for peace with France had been going on during the year, and Lord Malmesbury went over to Lisle to conduct them on the part of the English, but they came to nothing. The French, however, in order to keep us in anxiety, massed large quantities of troops on their coast, which the Directory ordered should be called the ‘Army of England,’ and they gave Bonaparte the command of it. It was destined to come to nothing. Napoleon had made peace with the Austrians, and was then given the above command.