Letters expressing similar commendation were also received by Captain Codrington from the Superior Junta, and other authorities of Catalonia, as well as from the British Ambassador, Sir Henry Wellesley, with whom the. Commander-in-Chief had directed him to communicate by writing, as he might see occasion. Upon the arrival of the Blake in England, he received the following letters from the Secretary of the Admiralty;
“Sir.– I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit to you herewith a copy of a letter from Mr. Hamilton of the 29th inst., together with the copy of the letter therein referred to from Sir Henry Wellesley, addressed to the Viscount Castlereagh, and also of its enclosure, stating the favorable opinion which the Regency of Spain entertain of your services during the period of your command off the eastern coast of Spain. And I am at the same time directed to express their Lordships’ satisfaction at receiving this testimony of the opinion of the Spanish government, which is so much in unison with their own sentiments of your services.
“I am, &c. &c.
(Signed)“J. W. Croker.
“Captain Codrington, Blake.”
“My Lord.– I have the honor to enclose the translation of a letter which 1 have received from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, expressive of the sense entertained by the Regency of Spain of the valuable services of Captain Codrington, during the period of his command upon the eastern coast of Spain; and I cannot do less than express my concurrence in the sentiments of the Spanish government with respect to the zeal, activity, and judgment, with which Captain Codrington has executed the important duties entrusted to him, and which have contributed so essentially to the preservation in full vigour of that active spirit of resistance to the French yoke, which has so much distinguished the inhabitants of Catalonia.
“I have the honor to be, &c. &c.
(Signed)“H. Wellesley.
“Viscount Castlereagh, &c. &c.”
“Sir,– The Regency of the kingdom has commissioned me to inform your Excellency, that under this day’s date an order has beep issued to the King’s Ambassador at the court of London, to recommend in the name of his Highness to the government of H.R.H. the Prince Regent in the strongest manner, the important and signal services which Commodore Codrington has rendered during his cruize in the Mediterranean; a great part of the successful actions which the army of Catalonia have had, being to be attributed to the assistance which he afforded, and to his co-operation and advice; by which army, as well as by all the inhabitants of that province, this officer is held in the highest estimation. For all these reasons the Regency are most desirous of giving him a high testimony of their gra-
