“Six of the prizes sailed yesterday, under Sir James Saumarez.  Three others, viz.  Guerrier, Heureux, and Mercure, are in the act of repairing.  In this state, I last evening received the Earl of St. Vincent’s most secret orders, and most secret and confidential letters, relative to the important operations intended to be pursued in the Mediterranean.  Thus situated, it became an important part of my duty, to do justice between my king and country, and the brave officers and men who captured those ships at the Battle of the Nile.  It would have taken one month, at least, to have fitted those ships for a passage to Gibraltar; and not only at a great expence to government, but with the loss of the services of at least two sail of the line.  I, therefore, confiding that the lords commissioners will, under the present circumstances, direct that a fair value shall be paid for these ships, ordered them to be burnt, after saving such stores as would not take too much time out of them:  and, I have farther thought it my duty to tell the squadron the necessity I am under, for the benefit of the king’s service, of directing their property to be destroyed; but, that I had no doubt government would make them a liberal allowance.  All which, I hope, their lordships will approve.

     “I have the honour to be, Sir, with great respect, your most
     obedient servant,

     “Horatio Nelson.”

La Mutine being at length ready, these letters were dispatched to England, by the way of Naples, on the 16th of August.

The sword of the captured French Admiral Blanquet was also sent, by Captain Capel, from Admiral Nelson to the city of London, with the following letter, which he had several days previously written for the lord-mayor.

     “Vanguard,
     Mouth of the Nile,
     8th August 1798.

     “MY LORD,

“Having the honour of being a freeman of the city of London, I take the liberty of sending to your lordship the sword of the commanding French admiral, Monsieur Blanquet, who survived after the battle of the 1st, off the Nile; and request that the city of London will honour me by the acceptance of it, as a remembrance that Britannia still rules the waves:  which, that she may for ever do, is the fervent prayer of your lordship’s most obedient servant,

     “Horatio Nelson.”

     “Right Honourable Lord Mayor of London.”

On the 13th, the Alcmene, Emerald, and Bonne Citoyenne frigates, at length, joined the squadron; and, on the 17th, the Seahorse.