the important position of Tariffa, was repulsed by the timely assistance and bravery of the reinforcements.
“The Memorialist, while strenuously and laboriously exerting himself, in a difficult and dangerous communication, to ascertain the evolutions and intentions of the enemy’s land forces, was likewise arduously and unremittingly employed in counteracting the projected enterprises of the enemy by sea; and while successfully engaged with a detachment of armed vessels on that important service, was fortunately enabled to recapture two valuable Spanish ships, which the enemy had beguiled under their batteries by the falsity of their flag, but which ships the Memorialist boarded, and, after a desperate resistance on the part of the enemy, retook.”
In towing off these two Spanish merchantmen, Lieutenant Thomas sustained a galling fire, for four hours, from the batteries on shore; notwithstanding which, he, unsolicited, restored them to their owners. The merchants of Cadiz subsequently presented him with their thanks, in a gold box, for his “energy and personal risk in defence of the trade.”
“The Memorialist volunteered in every hazardous enterprise to storm and destroy the enemy’s batteries; and effectually co-operated with the Spanish commodore in preventing the enemy’s advances to the city of Cadiz.
“The Memorialist was indefatigably and successfully employed in the important and distinguished service of preventing a junction between the enemy’s sea and land forces, and was in action with the enemy for a succession of several weeks, by night and day, in the performance of that exhausting duty; and by a long and vigilant attention to the important trust reposed in him, effectually annihilated the enemy’s design of co-operation: and all circumstances considered, the boisterous time of the year, the force of the enemy, and the nearness to a dangerous shore, it must have been allowed by every seaman’s mind, that the hardships and dangers to which the Memorialist had been exposed, stood unparalleled.
“The Memorialist, with the persevering resolution effectually to counteract the enemy’s maritime operations, by a close and rigid blockade, remained firm at his station during a tremendous gale of wind, on a dangerous lee-shore, and always under fire of the enemy’s batteries, when several vessels of the same class as that commanded by the Memorialist foundered at their anchors close alongside of him; and irrevocably fixed in his determination to prevent the enemy putting to sea, successfully carried on a system of rigorous blockade, by which means only, the city of Cadiz could be considered safe from assault; and the Memorialist, in the execution of that duty, rode out a second gale of wind in the same situation; but, from long watching and fatigue, was completely exhausted and severely ill. Nevertheless, the Memorialist did not relinquish his command, and while doing his duty, as convalescent, received a wound in ac-