Vanguard, 2d Day of August, 1798, off the Mouth of the Nile.

"The admiral, most heartily congratulates the captains, officers, seamen, and marines, of the squadron he has the honour to command, on the event of the late action; and he desires they will accept his most sincere and cordial thanks, for their very gallant behaviour in this glorious battle. It must forcibly strike every British seaman, how superior their conduct is, when in discipline and good order, to the riotous behaviour of lawless Frenchmen.

"The squadron may be assured the admiral will not fail, with his dispatches, to represent their truly meritorious conduct in the strongest terms to the commander in chief.

"To the Captains of the Ships of the

Squadron."

After this glorious victory obtained over the French fleet, the captains of the British squadron presented their gallant chief, each with some relic made from the wreck of L'Orient: one of them was a coffin made from the wood and iron work of her main mast, and presented to the admiral, by Captain Benjamin Hallowell, of the Swiftsure, accompanied with the following

note.

SIR,

Swiftsure, August, 1798.

"I have taken the liberty of presenting you a coffin, made from the main-mast of L'Orient, that when you have finished your military career in this world, you

may be buried in one of your trophies; but that, that period may be far distant, is the earnest wish of your sincere friend.

"B. HALLOWELL.

"Sir Horatio Nelson, Rearadmiral of the Blue, &c."

On the 5th day of August, Captain Berry, of the Vanguard, sailed in the Leander, with the admiral's dis patches to the commander in chief, off Cadiz, of which the following is a copy;

"My Lord,

"Vanguard, off the Mouth of the Nile, August 3d, 1798.

Almighty God has blessed his Majesty's arms in the late battle, by a great victory over the fleet of the enemy, whom I attacked at sun-set, on the 1st of August, off the mouth of the Nile. The enemy were moored in a strong line of battle, for defending the entrance of the bay, (of Shoals) flanked by numerous gun-boats, four frigates, and a battery of guns and mortars on an island in their van; but nothing could withstand the squadron your lordship did me the honour to place under my command. Their high state of discipline is well known to you, and with the judgment of the captains, together with their valour, and that of the officers and men of every description, it was absolutely irresistible.

"Could any thing from my pen add to the characters of the captains, I would write it with pleasure; but that is imposssible.

"I have to regret the loss of Captain Westcott, of the Majestic, who was killed early in the action; but the ship was continued to be so well fought by her first lieutenant, Mr. Cuthbert, that I have given him an order to command her till your lordship's pleasure is known.

"The ships of the enemy, all but their two rear ships, are nearly dismasted; and those two, with two frigates, I am sorry to say, made their escape; nor was it, I assure you, in my power to prevent them. Captain Hood most handsomely endeavoured to do it; but I had no ship in a condition to support the Zealous, and I was obliged to call her in.

"The support and assistance I have received from Captain Berry, cannot be sufficiently expressed. I was wounded in the head, and obliged to be carried off the deck; but the service suffered no loss by that event. Captain Berry was fully equal to the important service then going on, and to him I must beg leave to refer you for every information relative to this victory. He will present you with the flag of the second in command, that of the commander in chief being burnt in L'Orient. "Herewith I transmit you the lists of the killed and wounded, and the lines of battle of ourselves and the French.

"I have the honour to be, &c.

"HORATIO NELSON."

"To Admiral Earl St. VINCENT,

Return of the killed and wounded in his Majesty's Ships under the Command of Sir Horatio Nelson, K.B. Rear-admiral of the Blue, in Action with the French, at anchor on the 1st of August, off the Mouth of the Nile.

Theseus-5 seamen, killed; 1 officer, 24 seamen, 5 marines, wounded-Total 35.

Alexander-1 officer, 13 seamen, killed; 5 officers, 48 seamen, 5 marines, wounded-Total 72.

Vanguard-3 officers, 20 seamen, 7 marines, killed;