I wait here only for -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Expect to see me in town in a week.-------- Adieu. _WATKIN TENCH._ THE END. FOOTNOTES: [A] The writer was taken prisoner in the last war in America. [B] Here followed a minute relation of the battle, which the Alexander sustained for two hours and a quarter, against three ships, each of her own strength, and just before she struck against _five_. But as all the circumstances of the action, and of the causes which led to it, have been detailed by him, who like Cæsar, knew not only how to execute, but to narrate deeds of glory, I have thought it right to suppress my description; and beg leave to refer the reader to the official letter of Captain, now Rear Admiral Bligh, which appeared in the Gazette, either about the latter end of January, or the beginning of February, 1795.----The names and force of the squadron by which we were taken, were as follows, under the command of Contre-Amiral Neilly. Guns. Le Tigre, 74 Les Droits de l’Homme, 74 Le Jean Bart, 74 Le Pelletier, 74 Le Marat, 74 La Fraternité, 40 La Gentille, 40 La Charente, 40 Le Papillon, 14 [C] The Alexander sailed from Portsmouth on the 13th of September, having under her command the Canada of 74 guns, the Adamant of 50, the Thorn sloop, and a convoy bound to the Mediterranean. Owing to foul winds we put into Plymouth on the 16th, whence we sailed on the 26th of the same month. The Adamant and Thorn, with the merchant ships, parted from us off Cape St. Vincent. The Canada was in company when we were chased, saw us engage, and strike. Her signal was made, to join and support us; but this, which she attempted, a manœuvre of the enemy prevented her from executing: Captain Hamilton, who commanded her, then very properly began his retreat. Malevolence was not wanting to attack his character upon this occasion; but I am happy in bearing my testimony, that farther perseverance on his side was not wished by us, as it would have caused only an useless effusion of blood, and the capture of two British ships of the line, instead of one. [D] Since the above was written, I have read Major Cartwright’s opinion on this subject; and am only more thoroughly convinced from his arguments, that neither a “_Saxon militia_,” or any other militia, beyond the regular establishment of the kingdom, is necessary for our preservation from invasion, which can be effected by a strong naval force only. [E] Formerly Le Jacobin, the ship supposed to be sunk on the first of June. [F] Brother of the Earl of Mornington, who with his sister Lady Anne Fitzroy, was taken in a packet, by French frigate, on their passage from Lisbon.