Sir John Warren sailed from hence on the 12th May. I have since heard from him, at sea and at Malta; and I have lately understood that he was off Cape Spartavento, where he may have heard of Gantheaume's squadron; but his ultimate orders are for Mahon, at which place he must now be with seven ships of the line. The Athenian must now be ready to join, from Malta. Should the enemy sail up the Mediterranean, Carthagena or Toulon must be their first rendezvous, where you will be able to observe them, when joined to Sir John; and, from all information, their objects of attack must be confined to three,--Egypt, Turkey in Europe, or Sicily, in the event of a renewal of hostilities: and to those objects I recommend the strictest attention; because, after the island of Minorca is sufficiently reinforced, it may be left, for a longer time than before, without very much danger: but I must recommend that the strictest secrecy is observed on my intended operation, and that frequent information is transmitted to me. Were the enemy once collected at any one point, I could venture to detach from hence; but, unsettled as they are at present, it would be a measure of much danger. The ships last from England sail very ill; and, if met with, would be taken. The Hector, Ajax, and La Diane, lately ran foul of each other at sea, and are not yet in a state to act. It will be proper to keep the cruisers active off Carthagena, Barcelona, and Crette, whence the enemy must derive their supplies; and whichever port the enemy's squadron goes into, must be blockaded _de facto_; and any vessels that attempt to enter, after due warning, must be detained. I beg to mention that the anchorage of Alendia Bay is good. If not better defended than I have known it to be, the batteries might be destroyed by a few soldiers from General Fox: a position there covers both sides of the island. The idea of an attack on Maracoa, or Algiers, I discredit: at the first place their army would be lost; at the second they could not trust their fleet in so open a bay even for a week. I hope you will send to the Admiralty copies of all your letters to me on points of service, whilst I am at such a distance from you. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble servant, KEITH. Rear-admiral Sir James Saumarez, Bart. &c. &c. &c. Foudroyant, Aboukir Bay, 17th August 1801. SIR,