With his official communication to the Admiralty, which accompanied Captain Cole’s account of the action, he wrote a private letter to the First Lord, and another to the Earl of Chatham.  It was his practice through life thus to strengthen an interest for his officers in every possible quarter, and it was one, though not the only, cause of his remarkable success in obtaining promotion for so many of them.  His letters on this occasion, though they display the warmth of private friendship, are not stronger than he was accustomed to write for others, whose only claim upon him was that which every deserving officer has to the patronage of his commander.  The following is the letter to Lord Spencer:—­

“MY LORD,—­I have much pleasure in informing your Lordship of the capture of the French frigate, l’Unite, of thirty-eight guns, and two hundred and fifty-five men; and I have more in conveying to your Lordship my sense of Captain Cole’s merit upon the occasion.  Nothing could be more decided than his conduct; and his attack was made with so much vigour and judgment, that a ship of very superior force to l’Unite must have rewarded his gallantry.  To his extreme vigilance and zeal, the squadron are indebted for this prize.  It is not improper for me to say, that on all occasions I have found much reason to respect Captain Cole as a skilful and brave officer, and I rejoice in the opportunity of bearing testimony to his merit.”

To the Earl of Chatham, with whom he was intimate, he wrote in a more familiar strain:—­

“MY DEAR LORD,—­Much as I dislike breaking in upon your time, I cannot resist the pleasure of repeating to you the good fortune of my friend, Frank Cole, who was the fortunate man among us in taking l’Unite, alias la Variante.  There are few things, my Lord, that could raise my friend either in your opinion or mine; but one cannot but rejoice on finding our expectations realized.

“I am satisfied that nothing could be better conducted than Frank’s ship upon this occasion, or courage more coolly displayed; a proof of which was strongly exhibited in his conversation with a vaunting Frenchman, boasting of his own strength, and threatening the vengeance of his partner.  It will not be advancing too much when I say, that a ship of far superior force must have shared the same fate.  The French commander complains bitterly of Cole’s taking such advantages as his superior skill afforded him.  The Revolutionaire is much improved since her mainmast was moved, and you will believe her, my Lord, always in good order.  I have with infinite pleasure given my testimony of Frank to Lord Spencer, and I doubt not but your Lordship will give him a lift in the same quarter.”

Captain Cole, though his career had been less brilliant than that of his friend since they parted, had gained most flattering distinction.  His high character