had captured four privateers in the space of four months, is recorded; with an account of Captain Douglas's capture of the Jean Tessier privateer (page 256).-Admiral Lord Gardner, when transmitting the official letter of Captain Maitland, of the Emerald (page 257), respecting his distinguished valour, in an attempt to cut out a large French schooner in Vivero harbour, added, "an exploit which I trust their lordships will conceive with me to do great credit to all concerned, for their undaunted spirit and perseverance; the number of men, however, killed and wounded on the occasion, is much to be lamented."--Captain Yeo's letter, containing an account of a very gallant exploit performed in two boats, by Messrs Trist and Largue, master's mates of the Confiance, is inserted (page 259).—The judicious conduct and great bravery of Captain F. B. R. Pellew, of the Psyche, in the capture of a Dutch corvette, of 24 guns, at the island of Java, with a Dutch armed brig and a large merchant ship, are commended by Admiral Sir Edward Pellew (page 339). -The gallantry of Captain Peter Rainier, of the Caroline, in the capture of some Dutcli brigs, and of the Dutch frigate the Maria, of 36 guns, in the Indian ocean, is narrated in a letter to the everto-be-lamented Sir Thomas Troubridge (page 341). Captain Rainier says, "I cannot speak too highly of Mr. Bain, the master, in laying me alongside the Maria, and whose accurate knowledge of the seas enabled me to take the ship into Batavia."Captain Searle's professional character received the merited praise of Lord Collingwood (page 342), for his gallantry in taking the largest of three Spanish vessels of war, which the Grasshopper had fallen in with off Carthagena. Captain Scarle spoke in the highest terms of the conduct of his lieutenant, Mr. Cornelius Wellis. But the eminent skill and valour of Captain Searle is still further displayed (page 343-345), whilst attached to a little squadron under the orders of Captain Maxwell, who mentions Captain Searle in terms of high praise and admiration.-The activity of Lieutenant Colin Campbell is acknowledged by Viceadmiral Dacres (page 345).—Sir Alexander Cochrane records the promptitude and skill of Captain Selby, of the Cerberus, whilst commanding the blockading squadron of Point à Petre, Guadaloupe, as displayed in the capture of the island of Marie Galante; in which Captain Selby was ably assisted by a detachment of seamen and marines, under Captain Pigot, of the Circe (page 428). Captain Selby's letter, detailing his account of the subsequent capture of the island of Deseada, and acknowledging the merit of Captains Sherriff and Ward, is inserted (p. 430). The additional services of the indefatigable Captain Searle, in the capture of the two Spanish gun boats, the destruction of two others, and the capture of two valuable vessels from South America, are detailed (page 432).-Captain Mason's letter, de scribing the gallantry of the officers and men of the ship Daphne and Tartarus sloop, W. Russel, Esq. commander, in cutting out ten vessels laden with provisions, from Flodstrand, on the coast of Jutland, is inserted (page 433). Captain Mason liberally expressed his admiration of the steady valour and good conduct of his first lieutenant, Mr. Elliot, who was wounded.—Various other instances of valour and enterprise are recorded in these Official Letters and in the Naval Anecdotes of the Nineteenth Volume of the CHRONICLE. The Oviedo gazette, and the important news from Spain, brought by Captain Tremlett, of his majesty's ship the Alcmene, will, we trust, impart fresh spirit to the friends of the brave Spaniards; who naturally love the English, and are respected by them. We fear only the superior skill and subtilty of the Corsican, and his myrmidons; and that system of treachery, inurder, and falsehood, which has ever marked the progress of the French armies. In Spain, as in Sweden, traitors strangely nestle amongst the higher ranks: and, with the exception of those two countries, the latter of which was reported to be wavering, the utter degradation of the continent is completed. We trust, however, that the time is yet approaching, when something like patriotism and heroic valour may again return, and hurl the Corsican usurper from his throne. The legitimate monarch of France still retains them, and the following letter sent by him in 1805, to the late king of Spain, with which we shall close our preface, forms a striking contrast to the general conduct and sentiments of Buonaparte. SIR, MY BROTHER, AND COUSIN, "It is with regret that I send back to your majesty the insignia of the Golden Fleece, which I had received from the king your father, of glorious menory. There can be nothing in common between me, and the great criminal, whom his own audacity, aided by fortune, has placed upon my throne a throne which he has so cruelly defiled with the pure blood of a Bourbon. Religion may induce me to pardon an assassin, but the tyrant of my people must always be my enemy. In our present circumstances it is more glorious to deserve the sceptre, than to sway it. God, in his impenetrable decrees, may perhaps have condemned me to finish my days in exile: but neither posterity, nor the prescut age, shall ever say, that I have rendered myself unworthy to be seated and to die upon the throne of my ancestors. "LOUIS." |