and the mizen-topsail aback; but finding we still outsailed him, I had no other method left but that of sheering across his hawse, first on one bow, then on the other, raking him as we crossed, always having in view the retarding his way, by obliging him either to receive us athwart his bowsprit, in which case we should have turned his head off shore, or to sheer as we did.  He, foreseeing our intention, did so; but never lost sight of gaining the shore.  In this situation we had continued for a considerable time.  His bowsprit had been at two different times over our quarter-deck, but never so far forward as to enable us to secure him.  All this time we were approaching the shore, and we were then, I am certain, within two miles of it.  I had been cautioned by the master, whose abilities and great assistance I must ever gratefully remember, more than once, of the shoal water, and I had repeatedly called for and sent after the pilot; and I am sorry to inform your Lordship he did not appear.  Thus situated, in three and a half fathoms water, and steering towards danger, there was no time to hesitate; and, with the advice of the master, I wore, and brought to under the mizen, with her head off shore, until we could get the courses and other sails taken in, not having then a brace or bowline left, and being fully determined to renew the action in a few minutes.  We had scarcely wore, when his foremast, main-top-mast, main-yard, and main-top fell, leaving his mainmast without rigging; and the ship at the same time took a large heel, which made us all conclude she had struck the ground.  It was then half-ebb, and I firmly believe, had we pursued him, in less than ten minutes we must have run aground.  She had fired a gun to leeward, seemingly to claim the protection of the port, which was answered by three from the garrison.  I was at this time preparing to wear again, to anchor alongside him; but Mr. Unwin, the purser, bringing me some orders found in Captain Pownoll’s pocket, among which was one relative to the observance of neutrality, I did not think myself justified in renewing the attack.  I therefore continued lying to, to repair our damages.  Our masts are much wounded, the rigging very much torn, and several shot under water, by which we made two feet water an hour.

“Your Lordship will, I hope, pardon me, for troubling you with the relation of private feelings.  The loss of Captain Pownoll will be severely felt.  The ship’s company have lost a father.  I have lost much more, a father and a friend united; and that friend my only one on earth.  Never, my Lord, was grief more poignant than that we all feel for our adored commander.  Mine is inexpressible.  The friend who brought me up, and pushed me through the service, is now no more!  It was ever my study, and will always be so, to pursue his glorious footsteps.  How far I may succeed I know not; but while he lived, I enjoyed the greatest blessing, that of being patronized by him.  That happiness