“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. “VILLE DE PARIS, OFF TOULON, 4th JULY, 1809. “SIR, “I have received your letter of the 12th May, informing me of your having attacked and taken the citadel and defences of the Island of Lussin, in which service Lieutenant Colonel Baron Peharnick and one hundred and eighty Austrians had co-operated. “The testimony you give of the zeal, enterprize, and good judgment of Lieutenant Willes on the occasion, and the meritorious exertions of the other officers and men of the Spartan employed on this service, is exceedingly gratifying to me. “Could anything add to the satisfaction at the annoyance which you have given to the enemy, and the credit which has attached to His Majesty’s arms, in the present instance, it would be the assurance you give of the active and cordial co-operation afforded by the Commander and troops of His Imperial Majesty. “I am, &c. “COLLINGWOOD.” In a letter from his Lordship to Lord Mulgrave, then First Lord of the Admiralty, he thus adverts to this affair. “I cannot say too much to your Lordship of the zeal and talent of Captain Brenton; of these he gives proof whenever he is employed, and he seems to be everywhere. At Lussin he undertook and accomplished a service which would have established a reputation, had he never had another opportunity; and now at Cerigo his conduct has not been less distinguished.”[14]