them, but knew nothing beyond report.  From thence, I stretched over to the coast of Caramania; where, not speaking a vessel who could give me information, I became distressed for the kingdoms of the two Sicilies:  and, having gone a round of six hundred leagues, at this season of the year, with an expedition incredible, here I am, as ignorant of the situation of the enemy, as I was twenty-seven days ago.  I shall be able, for nine or ten weeks longer, to keep the fleet in active service, when we shall want provisions and stores.  I send a paper on that subject herewith.  Mr. Littledale is, I suppose, sent up by the admiral to victual us; and, I hope, he will do it cheaper than any other person.  But, if I find out that he charges more than the fair price, and has not the provisions of the very best quality, I will not take them:  for, as no fleet has more fag than this, nothing but the best food, and greatest attention, can keep them healthy.  At this moment, we have not one sick man in the fleet.  In about six days, I shall sail from hence; and, if I hear nothing more of the French, I shall go to the Archipelago; where, if they are gone towards Constantinople, I shall hear of them.  I shall go to Cyprus; and, if they are gone to Alexandretta, or any other part of Syria or Egypt, I shall get information.  You will, I am sure, and so will our country, easily conceive what has passed in my anxious mind; but I have this comfort, that I have no fault to accuse myself of:  this bears me up, and this only.”

The next day, July 21st, he writes to Sir William—­

“What a situation am I placed in! as yet, I can learn nothing of the enemy; therefore, I have no conjecture, but that they are gone to Syria; and, at Cyprus, I hope to hear of them.  If they were gone to the westward, I rely that every place in Sicily would have information for me; for, it is too important news to leave me one moment in doubt about.  I have no frigate, or a sign of one.  The masts, yards, &c. for the Vanguard, will I hope be prepared directly:  for, should the French be so strongly secured in port that I cannot get at them, I shall immediately shift my flag into some other ship, and send the Vanguard to Naples, to be refitted; for, hardly any person but myself would have continued on service so long in such a wretched state.”

The following letter of complaint, calculated to blind the Neapolitan government, as well as the French resident, is a masterpiece of requisite political duplicity, fabricated at the very instant when he was receiving every possible assistance.

     “Vanguard,
     Syracuse, 22d July 1798.

     “MY DEAR SIR,