act, and how many important points we had to guard with an inadequate force. As many ships were placed under the orders of Captain Moore, as the exigencies of the service would permit.

This gallant officer, whose substantial merit could receive no additional lustre from our praises, was serving under the orders of Admiral Cornwallis, the Commander-in-chief of the Channel fleet, by whom he was detached on this important and highly confidential service. It appears to have been supposed by ministers, that the Spanish Rear-admiral would have been induced to capitulate to the British forces; but this idea, if ever entertained, was surely unreasonable, since no man of honour could surrender to a force apparently equal, and the Spanish officer appears not to have been unworthy of the confidence reposed in him.

When Captain Moore, in pursuance of his orders, had arrived off Cadiz in the Indefatigable, on the morning of the 29th of September, he fell in with the Medusa of thirty-two guns, and learned from Captain Gore, that Sir Robert Barlow, in the Triumph, was going into Cadiz to take charge of the trade bound from thence to England. Despatching Captain Gore to Sir Robert, to apprise him of the nature of his instructions, Captain Moore proceeded off Cape St. Mary's, where he directed the Medusa and Amphion to join him as soon as possible. This they effected on the 3rd of October, and found the Lively of thirty-eight guns,

with the Indefatigable. Two days after this junction, on the 5th, at daylight, the Medusa made the signal for four sail bearing west by south; Cape St. Mary's bearing N. E. about nine leagues. A general chase was immediately ordered; and on the approach of our ships the strangers were discovered to be Spanish frigates, formed in a line of battle ahead, and steering for Cadiz; the van ship carrying a broad pendant, and the second the flag of a rear-admiral. Captain Gore, in the Medusa, placed his ship on the weather-beam of the first, and Captain Moore took a similar position alongside of the second; the Amphion, Captain Sutton, and the Lively, Captain Hammond, each taking an opponent in the same order. Captain Moore hailed the Rear-admiral, and desired him to shorten sail; but to this he paid no attention, until a shot from the Indefatigable passed under his bowsprit, on which he hove to, and Lieutenant Ascott was sent to inform him, that the British commanding officer had orders to detain him and his squadron, which he hoped to do without bloodshed. An immediate answer was desired. The officer having waited some time, Captain Moore recalled him by signal, fired a shot ahead of the Admiral, and ran down close upon his weather-bow. At this moment the third frigate from the van fired into the Amphion, and the Rearadmiral fired into the Indefatigable, when Captain Moore made the signal for close action. The Spanish Rear-admiral, who had his flag in the

Medée, struck to the Indefatigable in about half an hour; as did the Fama to the Lively. The Spanish Commodore, in the Santa Clara, engaging the Medusa, seeing the day was lost, attempted to escape, and would probably have succeeded, had not the Lively, after securing the Fama, gone in pursuit of him, in obedience to a signal from Captain Moore. Hammond, as he drew near, kept the Clara well on his lee-bow, while his own fore-topmast studding-sail was drawing. Perceiving that he was far enough advanced on the weather-beam of his enemy to make sure of him, he put his helm up, and brought him to close and severe action, which lasted fifty minutes; after which the Spaniard, having fifty men killed and wounded, hauled down his colours, and the action ended with the capture of three Spanish frigates, and the loss of one.

Captain Sutton in the Amphion, having taken his station close to leeward of his opponent, the Mercedes, the third ship from the van, had not been above ten minutes in action, when the unfortunate Spaniard blew up; the wreck and splinters covering the decks of the British frigate, and severely wounding one or two of the men. The forecastle of the Mercedes, torn from the hull, floated, and upon it the second Captain and forty men, the only survivors, saved themselves, and were taken off by the boats of the Amphion, whose fortunate position enabled her to perform this act of humanity, while at the same time she prevented

the Spanish Rear-admiral from running away. Among the victims on board the Mercedes, were the wife and seven children (chiefly daughters nearly grown up) of Captain Alvear, of the Spanish navy. This good and gallant officer, after a residence of thirty years in South America, was returning to spend the remainder of his days in his native country. He did not command either of the frigates, but having procured a passage for his family in the Mercedes, went with his eldest son on board of one of the other ships, whence he beheld the catastrophe which deprived him of the persons he held most dear, and of his whole fortune, which consisted of specie and property to the amount of 30,000l. What pen shall describe the agonized feelings of the wretched father and husband at this awful moment? We must leave the subject to abler hands. There was a time when the author of the "Corsair," and the "Bride of Abydos," might have immortalized the sorrows of this “much enduring, much afflicted man." If the policy of Great Britain was the cause of his suffering, her government did every thing in its power to atone for the deed. Alvear was received by the victors with every mark of attention and sympathy, and all the consolation was administered which his distracted mind was capable of receiving. His case being stated to the proper authorities, the sum of 30,000l. was restored to him, out of the proceeds of the prizes.*

The Author was personally acquainted with Captain Alvear,

This squadron was commanded by Don Joseph Bustamente, knight of the order of St. James, and a rear-admiral; they were from Monté Video, and had on board most valuable cargoes. The loss on board the Spaniards, in all the ships but the Mercedes, was not very great, in consequence of the fire of the British ships being directed at the rigging. To detain, but not destroy, was the humane object of our gallant countrymen.

The ships taken were La Medée (flag), of fortytwo guns, eighteen pounders, three hundred men, two killed and ten wounded; La Fama (commodore), thirty-six guns, twelve pounders, two hundred and eighty men, no returns of killed and wounded; La Clara, thirty-six guns, twelve pounders, three hundred men, no returns: La Mercedes, thirty-six guns, twelve pounders, two hundred and eighty men, blew up, second captain and forty men saved.

Captain Moore, with the Indefatigable and Amphion, arrived in Plymouth sound on the 19th of October, bringing in the Medée and Clara; the Medusa and Lively having parted company in chase of the Fama.

It was not long before the Spanish government, becoming acquainted with their grievous loss, ordered an embargo on all British vessels in their ports. On the 19th of December, 1804, an order in council was issued by the British government

from whom he received the narrative. nish ship of the line at Cadiz, in 1809.

He commanded a Spa