The rejoicings of the Portuguese at this glorious victory over the Spaniards were little less ardent than if it had been their own; and their reception of the British heroes, at Lisbon, was cordial beyond conception.

While the fleet remained at anchor in the Tagus, his majesty’s ships the Orion, Minerve, Romulus, Southampton, Andromache, Bonne Citoyenne, Leander, and Raven, received orders to put themselves under the command of Commodore Nelson; and, on the 6th of March, sailed from the Tagus, with sealed instructions to the squadron, which were only to be opened in case of separation.

The intention of this cruize is fully unveiled in a letter, written to a friend in England, dated on board the Irresistible, off Lagos Bay, March 16, 1797; in which he observes—­“I am here, looking out for the Viceroy of Mexico, with three sail of the line, and hope to meet him.  Two first-rates, and a seventy-four, are with him; but the larger the ships, the better the mark.

“The Spanish fleet,” he adds, “is in Cadiz; the officers hooted, and pelted, by the mobility.  Their first report was, the action happening in a foggy day; when the fog cleared up, they only saw fifteen sail of the line:  therefore, concluded that, at least, five of our’s were sunk in the action.  My usual good fortune attended me; which, I know, will give you, among my other friends, satisfaction.”

This letter is extracted from the Naval Chronicle:  the following is from a private letter to the Earl of St. Vincent, bearing the same date—­“Our cruize, as yet, has been unfortunate; but, I believe, no vessels have passed, which were not examined.  The squadron want nothing, and are remarkably healthy.  I shall remain off Cape St. Vincent’s till I receive your farther orders.”

Though the object of this cruize was pursued with uncommon ardour, the viceroy appears to have eluded all the vigilance of the British squadron; which, on the 20th of March, was joined by the Captain, when Commodore Nelson again hoisted his broad pendant on board that ship.

On the 2d of April, he joined the commander in chief off Cadiz; and, on the 11th of that month, having received orders to blockade this port, wrote to apprize the American and Danish consuls of the event.

About the middle of this month, having been promoted to be Rear-Admiral of the Blue, he was ordered, by Sir John Jervis, to bring off the garrison of Porto Ferrajio; a service which he performed with his usual address:  and, as usual, he gives all the praise to his coadjutors.  This will abundantly appear in the following letter to Sir John Jervis, dated on board the Captain, off Cape Pallas, May 1, 1797.

     “DEAR SIR,