For further details I must refer you to the public accounts. Our loss in this ship has been inconsiderable when I assure you we were engaged with very little intermission the whole time of the action, which lasted four hours. We have four killed, two since dead, and eighteen wounded. The ship has suffered more in proportion in the hull, masts, and sails. We regret not to have had a few leagues' more space, as none could then have escaped. Port Louis, near L'Orient, has afforded them this timely shelter, but not till they had a severe drubbing. You will show the contents of this letter to Mr. Le Mesurier, as I have scarcely one moment to spare. Adieu! Remember me most kindly to my sister; and believe me truly, my dear Richard, Yours affectionately, JAS. SAUMAREZ. You will oblige Lady S. by inclosing this, after perusal, to her. This detachment of the Channel fleet, which was destined to protect the ill-fated expedition to Quiberon Bay, under Sir J.B. Warren, continued for some time on the coast; but the Orion, being one of the ships which had suffered most, was ordered to Portsmouth. On his arrival, Sir James wrote the following letter to his brother Richard. Orion, off St. Helens, 12th July 1795. MY DEAR BROTHER, I take the earliest opportunity to acquaint you, that I parted from the fleet last Thursday, with the Charon, hospital ship, which I saw safe into Portland this morning: Captain Grindall, (the only captain wounded,) who took his passage on board her, was much recovered. On the day I left the fleet, Admiral Cornwallis, with the ships under his command, joined Lord Bridport; and I imagine the Queen Charlotte, with the ships that suffered most in the action, will go home. As the Orion requires a new fore-mast and bowsprit, besides considerable repair, I take it for granted she will be ordered into harbour. A few days after the action we were alarmed by the appearance of an epidemic fever on board; but, by sending the men infected on board the hospital ship, and using timely precaution, I am happy to say it has entirely subsided, but it gave me a great degree of concern: added to this, we have had the small-pox on board; but it has been of so favourable a kind, that the men who have had it are all doing well, two excepted, who died on board the hospital ship. Several are now under inoculation, and I hope will recover. We have lost eight men in consequence of the action: all the wounded, except two, are nearly well; their wounds, I am happy to find, were slight. It will have surprised you to find me differ in my statement of the action from the Admiral, when I mention having begun the action. The fact was, the Irresistible fired two, or, I believe, three bow-guns, but I never could consider that entitling her to being the first in action; _but of this hereafter_.