“My dear Thomas,– The convoy you detained has arrived safe, with the exception of one American ship, which is just entering the Gut, and your Sierra Leone brig is in a fair way for condemnation. How incomparably well you must have disposed of your forces, to have intercepted so large a convoy; what an extraordinary good look out, and what vigilance and zeal you must possess. Instead of wanting rest after all your toils and dangers, if report speak true, you have entered upon a new and laborious system of catching prizes, extended a chain of gunboats across the harbour, and anchored yourself in the middle, so that nothing can enter or depart. Highly commendable, indeed, is such zeal, inseparably connected, as it is, with your prudence and good judgment; and, indeed, every body speaks of your moderation and kindness with affectionate regard. You do well, be assured, always to consider, that you are in a friendly port, and how necessary it is, rigidly to adhere to the laws of neutrality. I have such confidence in your understanding, that I am sure you cannot mistake those laws; and I feel such security from your judgment, that you will ascertain what is the proper distance to be observed in the detention of contraband trade: with these hints, without wishing to altate any of your zeal, I shall hope for a continuation of your success, and remain, very sincerely yours,
“My dear Thomas,– I am happy to inform you, that you are appointed to command the San Juan, bearing my flag; and I have to express to you, how fully I appreciate the appointment of such an honorable and distinguished officer, and one who possesses my confidence and esteem in the fullest extent. Whenever you can leave your Cadiz friends, I shall be glad to see you. Very sincerely yours,”
At the conclusion of his memorial to the Spanish government, which, owing to the unhappy state of that nation, has hitherto remained unnoticed, Captain Thomas asserts, that, during the Peninsular war, he was at the storming or destruction of 12 batteries; and at the spilling, capture, and destruction of several hundred pieces of ordnance, and upwards of 150 sail of vessels: that at his own expense, he fitted out two armed vessels, resembling in rig and construction the French privateers of Rota and San Lucar, which proved a great protection to the trade, and often succeeded in decoying the enemy; that he co-operated with the Spanish naval and military forces in every enterprise undertaken against the French, in the south of Spain; and that the then existing government particularized him in a vote of thanks for his “patriotism, bravery, and zeal.”
