Lieutenant Frederic Langford, my flag-lieutenant, who has served with me many years; and who were both wounded, in attempting to board the French commodore.  To Captain Gore, of the Medusa, I feel the highest obligations; and, when their lordships look at the loss of the Medusa on this occasion, they will agree with me, that the honour of my flag, and the cause of their king and country, could never have been placed in more gallant hands.  Captain Bedford, of the Leyden, with Captain Gore, very handsomely volunteered their services to serve under masters and commanders:  but, it would not have been fair to the latter; and I only mention it, to mark the zeal of those officers.  From the nature of the attack, only a few prisoners were made; a lieutenant, eight seamen, and eight soldiers, are all which were brought off.  Herewith, I send you the report of the several commanders of divisions, and also a return of killed and wounded, &c.

     I have the honour to be, &c.

     “NELSON AND BRONTE.”

     “P.S.  Captain Somerville was the senior master and commander
     employed.

     “Evan Nepean, Esq.”

The letters received by his lordship from the several commanders of divisions, and transmitted by him to England, with his own public letter, were as follow.

     FIRST DIVISION.

     “Eugenie, off Boulogne,
     16th Aug. 1801.

     “MY LORD,

“In obedience to your lordship’s directions to state the proceedings of the first division of boats which you did me the honour to place under my command, for the purpose of attacking the enemy’s flotilla in the Bay of Boulogne, I beg leave to acquaint you that, after leaving the Medusa last night, I found myself, in getting ashore, carried considerably, by the rapidity of the tide, to the eastward of the abovementioned place; and, finding that I was not likely to reach it in the order prescribed, I gave directions to the boats to cast each other off.  By so doing, I was enabled to get to the enemy’s flotilla a little before the dawn of day:  and, in the best order possible, attacked, close to the pier-head, a brig; which, after a short contest, I carried.  Previous to so doing, her cables were cut; but I was prevented from towing her out, by her being secured with a chain:  and, in consequence of a very heavy fire of musketry and grape-shot, that was directed at us from the shore, three luggers, and another brig, within half pistol shot, and not seeing the least prospect of being able to get her off, I was obliged to abandon her, and push out of the bay, as it was then compleatly day-light.  The undaunted and resolute behaviour of the officers, seamen, and marines, was unparalleled; and I have to lament the loss of several of those brave men, a list of whom I inclose herewith.

     I have the honour to be, &c. 
     P. Somerville.”

     SECOND DIVISION.