to me the resolutions of the House of Lords on the victory obtained by the squadron under my orders on the 12th and 13th July last, in the Straits of Gibraltar. Having on four occasions been honoured with the Thanks of their Lordships when commander of a line of battle ship, in different general actions, this very high mark of distinction cannot but prove more particularly gratifying to my feelings when entrusted with the command of His Majesty's Squadron, and I am at a loss for words to express the deep sense I entertain of so flattering an instance of their Lordships' approbation. I shall have great satisfaction in conveying to the captains, officers and men, under my orders, the resolutions of the august House, expressive of the sense their Lordships are pleased to entertain of their gallant conduct.

In returning my most particular thanks for the very polite and obliging manner in which your Lordship has been pleased to communicate the votes of the House of

Peers, I beg to assure your Lordship of the profound respect and veneration with which I have the honour to be, my Lord, your Lordship's obliged and most obedient humble servant.

JAMES SAUMAREZ.

The Right Hon. Lord Eldon, &c.

Martis, 2 die Februarii, 1802.

Sir,

His Majesty's Ship Casar,

Gibraltar Bay, 6th January, 1802.

I have received the honour of your letter transmitting to me the votes of the honourable House of Commons on the successful attack made by the squadron under

my orders on the combined forces of the enemy, in the Straits of Gibraltar on the 12th and 13th of July last.

It has been my particular fortune to be honoured with the Thanks of Parliament on four different occasions, when commander of a line of battle ship in general actions : but this very distinguished mark of appro

bation cannot fail to be more particularly gratifying to my feelings when entrusted with the command of His Majesty's Squadron; and I want words to convey in a more adequate manner, my grateful acknowledgements for the notice with which the honourable House have been pleased to honour my services.

I shall take the earliest opportunity to convey to the captains, officers, seamen and marines, serving under my orders, the resolutions of the House, and I beg leave, Sir, to return my most sincere thanks for the handsome and obliging terms in which you have been pleased to express yourself to me in signifying to me the Thanks of the honourable House. I have the honour to be, with sentiments of the highest respect and regard, Sir, your obliged and most obedient humble servant,

JAMES SAUMAREZ. Right Hon. Sir John Mitford, Knt. &c.

Æg.

L

Sir James Saumarez, though not a name so current as many in popular feeling, had shared in most of the actions that formed the naval heroes of this war. Born in 1757, he was bred under a distinguished veteran Capt. Alms, and Sir H. Parker, and was ultimately for his services granted a pension of 1,2001. a year. He was married to the respectable daughter of Mr. Le Marchant of Guernsey his native island, and on its neighbouring coast of France often displayed a vigorous activity. Of his conduct on the present occasion, it is sufficient to shew the opinion that was entertained, that these pages have the honor to record his

name.

THE EXPEDITION AGAINST EGYPT, OCCUPIED BY A POWERFUL FRENCH ARMY,- UNDER SIR RALPH ABERCROMBY, AND LORD KEITH: ALSO UNDE

SIR

JOHN (afterwards Lord) HUTCHINSON,

AND NAVAL OPERATIONS OF

LORD

KEITH IN THE MEDITERRANEAN AND ON THE COASTS OF THE RED SEA.

The cause of the expedition to Egypt has been already mentioned, in the records of that praise which rewarded Lord Nelson surnamed of the Nile; and the no less distinguished eulogia, which, both from the sovereign and Parliament, recorded the prowess of Sir Sydney Smith. The French army continued with a various success, which is sufficiently described in numerous tomes of those learned men which formed a distinguished part of its suite, to possess this desert, and in a force sufficient to meet with peculiar advantage even a powerful army. Against them was this expedition at length directed, involving a considerable portion