Page:Authentic narrative of the proceedings of His Majesty's Squadron.pdf/18

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was his intention to allow all the wounded Frenchmen to be taken ashore to proper Hospitals, with their own Surgeons to attend them; a proposal which was well received by the French, and which was carried into effect on the following day.

The activity and generous consideration of Captain Troubridge, were again exerted at this time for the general good. He communicated with the shore, and had the address to procure a supply of fresh provisions, onions, &c. which were served out to the sick and wounded, and which proved of essential utility.

On the 2d, the Arabs and Mamelukes, who during the battle had lined the shores of the bay, saw with transport that the victory was decisively ours, an event in which they participated with an exultation almost equal to our own; and on that and the two following nights, the whole coast and country were illuminated as far as we could see, in celebration of our victory. This had a great effect upon the minds of our prisoners, as they conceived that this illumination was the consequence not entirely of our success, but of some signal advantage obtained by the Arabs and Mamelukes over Buonaparte.

Although it is natural to suppose that the time and attention of the Admiral, and all the officers of his squadron, were very fully employed in repairing the damages sustained by their own ships, and in securing those of the enemy, which their valour had subdued, yet the mind of that great and good man felt the strongest emotions of the most pious gratitude to the Supreme Being, for the signal success which, by His divine favour, had crowned his endeavours in the cause of his country, and in consequence, on the morning of the 2d, he issued the following memorandum to the different Captains of his squadron.

"Vanguard, off the Mouth of the Nile, 2d day of August, 1795.
"Almighty God having blessed His Majesty's Arms with Victory, the Admiral intends returning Public Thanksgiving

for