The enemy's ships, many of which had not been in action, at this time came up and were forming to windward. The Admiral made the signal to wear and come to the wind on the starboard tack; wishing, I believe, to keep his squadron collected near the prizes, as well as the Captain, that was much disabled, besides the Colossus, which ship very unfortunately lost her fore-yard very early in the action. This ill-timed, but doubtless necessary manoeuvre, lost us the additional triumph of having the Purissima Concepcion, to grace the ships already in our possession, and I experienced the regret of again seeing her resume the Spanish colours. I have here related to you facts as they really occurred, and I believe all my officers will vouch for the authenticity of this account. I am happy to acquaint you that we have providentially lost no man in the action; eight only wounded, all doing well; amongst which number is Mr. Mansell, from a contusion in his right shoulder by splinter. Our main and mizen-top-masts are alone disabled, and the hull has not suffered materially. All the officers, and every man individually, behaved as nobly as I have ever witnessed; and you know it is not the first action in which I have seen courage excited. This is copied from the letter I write to my brother. My amanuensis is a gentleman who acted as my aide-de-camp, and I beg you will acquaint his good father that he acquitted himself highly to my satisfaction, and showed himself deserving the stock from which he sprung. I truly hope in due time to have the opportunity of advancing a young man of his merit. In case I have not time to write to my brother, as the above has been copied only from the scraps of the letter I intended writing, send him this letter, stating my great hurry and the pressure of service at this crisis. Adieu! nothing can equal my impatience to hear from you, and to receive good accounts of my sister. I am truly, most affectionately yours, JAS. SAUMAREZ. Lagos Bay, 17th February 1797. The principal cause of my present haste is my anxiety attending the care of the San Josef, which we have in tow, and which has delayed us more than I can express, these twenty-four hours. N.B. I since have found it was the Santissima Trinidada, and not the Concepcion, that struck, but afterwards got off. And the St. Ysidro, 74 guns, and not the Santa Domingo, that is captured. The Santissima Trinidada is reported to be off here by one of our frigates. The enemy, however, passed Lagos Bay, leaving the prizes unmolested. As the further details, and Spanish account of this action, will be found in the Appendix, we shall proceed by giving the copies of the following letters. Victory, Lagos Bay, 16th February 1797. SIR,