“It affords me great satisfaction in having again to express my warmest approbation of that zeal and ability, which have so eminently distinguished your services, particularly within the last six months, to the great annoyance of the enemy. And the speedy reduction of so strong a fort as Cerigo, with so small a loss, bespeaks that judicious management which commands success. “Your report of the gallantry and good conduct of Lieutenant Willes is highly creditable to that officer, and I have not failed to point out his merits in this and former cases to the Lords of the Admiralty. “I am, &c. “COLLINGWOOD.” “TO CAPTAIN BRENTON, H.M.S. SPARTAN.” This letter was followed by another in the month of January, 1810. “VILLE DE PARIS, AT SEA, 16th JAN. 1810. “SIR, “Having communicated to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty your proceedings at Cerigo when that island was reduced, I have great pleasure in informing you, Sir, that their Lordships have been pleased to express their great satisfaction at the ability with which you conducted that service, and the spirit with which it was executed by the officers and ship’s company of the Spartan. “I am, Sir, &c. “COLLINGWOOD.” “CAPTAIN BRENTON, SPARTAN.” Early in December the Spartan was ordered to proceed to Malta and refit, and in the beginning of January she sailed for Messina, and resumed her station under the command of Rear Admiral Martin, by whom Captain Brenton was sent off to Naples, in order to watch the movements of Murat, and his army intended for the invasion of Sicily. During the month of March he remained by the Rear Admiral’s directions in the port of Messina, to direct the movements of the frigates and small vessels under the Rear Admiral’s command, and to render all the assistance in his power to the British army charged with the defence of Sicily. Early in April he sailed for Naples, and continued cruising between that place, and the Island of Sicily, but without any material circumstance occurring until the 25th; when on that morning, being off Terracina with the Success and Espoir in company, several vessels were observed coming along shore, to which the British squadron immediately gave chase. The enemy ran for Terracina, and anchored in a small bay near the town, defended by two batteries, the following is Captain Brenton’s official letter to Rear Admiral Martin. “SPARTAN, GULF OF GAETA, 25th APRIL, 1810. “SIR,