vaders- of Andalusia, by a combined force under General La Cruz and Colonel Skerrett. Captain Thomas “commanded a naval detachment on that expedition, and having overcome a multitude of difficulties, while beating through a dangerous navigation, disembarked the troops, without an accident, in the neighbourhood of Wucha. The armies immediately marched forward upon Seville: he volunteered his services to accompany them, and, anxious that the navy should cooperate with the advance of the Spanish force, undertook an enterprise to accomplish that object, which fortunately proved successful.
“The pilots would not undertake to conduct to a proper station the flotilla, destined for that service, when, availing himself of that alternative, which the necessity of the case required, he pushed the gunboats through by Wucha creek, dragged them through a gut, and joined the advance with General Downie, who fell at the assault of Seville, covered with honorable wounds.”
The French were driven out of Seville on the 27th Aug. 1812; and about that period, Captain Thomas became the senior commander of the flotilla[1]. He subsequently received the following letter and testimonial from his worthy commodore, with whom he had left England in 1810:–
“My dear Thomas,– I have made over your letters, &c. &c. to Rear-Admiral Linzee, who has now relieved me in my command; but, I am happy, before I leave this station, to offer you my very sincere good wishes, and to express my cordial approbation of your valuable services, and to thank you for your attentions in all parts of the service in which I have been personally concerned; and I shall always hear of your success with the sincerest pleasure; and remain always, with great respect and regard, very truly yours,
“During the time Captain Thomas was under my command, his conduct gave me the most entire satisfaction; and he had opportunities, which he failed not to seize, of evincing the greatest intrepidity and sound judgment.”
We next find Captain Thomas receiving two very handsome letters from the flag-officer at Gibraltar, of which we shall here give copies:–
