Chapter XXXII: Appendix: M

Letter sent by Captain ---- Gage.

"Orion, off Pantalaria, 27th Sept. 1798.

"MY DEAR ADMIRAL,

"Captain Gage has this instant joined and communicated to me
his orders to proceed off Malta for intelligence; my letter, of
yesterday's date, with which I have charged him, so fully
answers the purport of his mission with respect to that island
and the Colossus, with the store ships and victuallers, that I
have directed him to return to join you at Naples with all
possible despatch. I shall send the Minotaur and Audacious the
moment we are clear of the west end of Sicily.

"The proposals to the French Garrison were first written by me,
but it being thought advisable to send them in the French
language, they underwent some alteration in the translation;
but upon the whole, I hope they will be approved of. I laid a
great stress with the Marquis, before I left him, of the
practicability of the William Tell escaping, and wished much I
could have left two of our ships off the island to watch her
and the two frigates more closely. There exists no doubt of the
Genereux being lost. I am all anxiety to hear from you to know
that you approve of my different movements; at all risk, you
will do me the favour to let me hear from you either at the
Flat, or in England.

"JAMES SAUMAREZ."

"To Sir Horatio Nelson, &c.
Bay of Naples."