house, with the Moselle of 18 guns under his orders, for the purpose of closely watching four French frigates, then lying ready for sea in that harbour. His vigilance in the execution of this duty was soon rewarded by the capture of a fine French brig mounting 18 guns, with a complement of 132 men. The following is a copy of his official letter on the subject, dated Feb. 27, 1806:–
“My Lord,– I have the honor to represent, that last evening at a quarter after nine o’clock, Cadiz light-house bearing East three miles, while standing in shore with a strong easterly wind, we discovered the enemy’s squadron of frigates already outside of us, the Moselle making the signal for them at the same moment. I instantly bore up, intending to steer on a parallel with the enemy, in order to watch their movements . We had the satisfaction to find that we gained upon them. At eleven, seeing they steered a steady course, I commenced firing alarm guns, and throwing up rockets, and ordered Captain Carden (whose attention and assistance has been very great during the short time be has been under my orders) to steer W. by N. in order to give your Lordship the intelligence. At thirty minutes after two I found we had closed the squadron considerably, in consequence of their having altered their course a point to the westward; and on observing one of them to be much astern of the others, I thought it very possible to cut her off; therefore hauled up, and after a chase of two hours, succeeded in coming up with her, when she fired a broadside at our rigging, and surrendered. I find her to be le Furet, French man of war brig, commanded by Monsieur Demay, (Lieutenant de Vaisseau) mounting 18 long 9-pounders, but pierced for 20 guns, with a complement of 132 men, only four years old, and of the largest dimensions, stored and victualled for five months, of all species. The remaining part of the squadron, at the time we chased the above vessel, bore about S.E. by S. by compass, and were steering W.N.W. Cape St. Mary distant forty miles. From the prisoners we learn that the squadron consisted of l’Hortense, la Themis, la Rhin, and l’Hermione frigates, and le Furet, captured by H.M.S. Hydra. The frigates are provisioned and stored for six months, and have each 700 men on board, the greater part soldiers. I have the honor to be, &c.
“The Right Honourable Lord Collingwood,
&c. &c. &c.”
On the 28th April following. Captain Mundy, after a chase of two hundred and thirty miles, captured the Spanish King’s schooner Argonauta, pierced for 12 guns, but having only 4 mounted, bound to Buenos Ayres with despatches. He subsequently escorted a fleet of transports to Sicily; conveyed the British Consul to Algiers; attacked and dispersed a division of gunboats on the coast of Grenada, taking one and
