The worthy and gallant commodore was far less chagrined at the loss of these two prizes, than at that of his brave officers and men who were unfortunately on board that of which La Minerve had taken possession.  He seized, therefore, the first possible opportunity of sending a letter, by a flag of truce, to his Excellency Don Miguel Gaston, Captain General of the Department of Carthagena, of which the following authentic copy is now for the first time printed.

     “His Britannic Majesty’s Ship
     the Minerve, at Sea,
     Dec. 24, 1796.

     “SIR,

     “The fortune of war put La Sabina into my possession, after she had
     been most gallantly defended:  the fickle dame returned her to you,
     with some of my officers and men in her.

“I have endeavoured to make the captivity of Don Jacobo Stuart, her brave commander, as light as possible; and I trust to the generosity of your nation for it’s being reciprocal for the British officers and men.

“I consent, Sir, that Don Jacobo may be exchanged, and at full liberty to serve his king, when Lieutenants Culverhouse and Hardy are delivered into the garrison of Gibraltar, with such others as may be agreed on by the cartel established between Gibraltar and St. Roche, for the exchange of prisoners.

“I have also a domestic taken in La Sabina, his name is Israel Coulson.  Your excellency will, I am sure, order him to be immediately restored to me, for which I shall consider myself as obliged to you.

     “I also trust, that those men now prisoners of war with you will be
     sent to Gibraltar.  It becomes great nations to act with generosity
     to each other, and to soften the horrors of war.

     “I have the honour to be, with the most perfect esteem, your most
     obedient servant,

     “Horatio Nelson.”

Not satisfied with this single application, he immediately strengthened it by another epistle, which he addressed to the Spanish Admiral, Don Juan Mareno.  In this letter, he also kindly bears testimony to the merits of the unfortunate commander of La Sabina.  “I cannot,” says he, “allow Don Jacobo to return to you, without expressing my admiration of his gallant conduct.  To you, who have seen the state of his ship, it is needless to mention the impossibility of her longer defence.  I have lost many brave men:  but, in our masts, I was most fortunate; or, probably, I should have had the honour of your acquaintance.  But it pleased God to order it otherwise, for which I am thankful.  I have endeavoured to make Don Jacobo’s captivity as easy as possible; and I rely on your generosity, for reciprocal treatment towards my brave officers and men, your prisoners.”

On the 24th of December, La Minerve captured, off the south end of Sardinia, a French privateer, called the Maria, of six nine pounders, and sixty-eight men; which was taken in tow, and carried safely into Porto Ferrajio:  they arrived at that port on the 27th, and found there six of his majesty’s ships at anchor.