Memoirs and Correspondence of Admiral Lord de Saumarez. Vol IIRoss, John, Sir
History
Memoirs and Correspondence of Admiral Lord de Saumarez. Vol II
Ross, John, Sir
Admirals -- Great Britain -- Biography; Saumarez, James, 1757-1836
Having, from the moment of your departure, felt the most
perfect confidence that everything would be performed for the
honour and success of his Majesty's arms within the reach of
human power, I have only to add my anxious wish that another
opportunity will present itself, ere long, for a further
display of that talent and intrepidity from which the country
has, upon so many occasions, received important benefits.
I have the honour to be,
With the most perfect regard and esteem,
Very sincerely yours,
ST. VINCENT.
To Sir James Saumarez.
Admiralty, 10th August 1801.
DEAR SIR,
I congratulate you from my heart and soul, and assure you that
I rejoice most sincerely in the glorious events you have
achieved. I but feebly express what I feel on this occasion. It
has been your good fortune, sir, to bear so large a part in
accomplishing the most glorious actions of this eventful war,
that you can scarcely have had an opportunity of witnessing
their immediate effect on the public mind; but, be assured, in
no instance has there been more lively admiration expressed of
the intrepidity and indefatigable zeal of our navy, than has
been shown by all ranks, of your most gallant enterprises, even
before the account of your first action was received; and I am
sure you will excuse me for adding the tribute my noble lord
paid on that occasion, who, when he read the French account
that they had taken the Hannibal, exclaimed, "We may have lost
a ship, but I well know the man and the men who are there, and
I'll pledge my life the nation has lost no honour!" The instant
despatch of the ships from Ireland will prove that it was not
conceived possible for you to have so soon refitted the
squadron, which has been the subject of great admiration and
surprise.
The noble and liberal conduct of the squadron in admitting the
Pompee and Hannibal to partake of their prize-money is an
honourable and beautiful contrast to the bickerings which have
arisen lately respecting joint captures, and must ensure
success to every claim that can be made out; but I am afraid we
shall not be able to find a precedent for anything beyond
head-money being given for ships which have been blown up in
action.
B. TUCKER.
We shall now return to the proceedings at Gibraltar, where we left the
squadron of Sir James Saumarez, after the glorious battle of the 12th
July.
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