my congratulations on the fall of Figueras, and the fair prospect it opens. I have the honor to he, &c. &c.
“P.S. Since writing the above, I have spoke a small boat from Begu, which tells me the French General had made a rash attempt to recover Figueras two days since, and lost 700 men.”
At Cadaqués, one of the places alluded to above, Captain Bullen succeeded in capturing nineteen merchant vessels; six of which, being laden with grain and wine, were sent to Tarragona for the use of the garrison. At Selva, he received a severe wound whilst in a battery on shore, the effects of which he still labours under.
On the receipt of the foregoing letter, Sir Charles Cotton increased the naval force stationed on the coast of Catalonia, in order to afford a more effectual co-operation with the patriots, and ensure supplies reaching Figueras, and other places in their possession. The squadron thus augmented was placed under the orders of Captain (now Sir Edward) Codrington, with whom Captain Bullen served till the fall of Tarragona in June 1811[1], when he was sent to the commander-in-chief with an account of that unfortunate turn of affairs. The Cambrian subsequently refitted at Gibraltar, and then proceeded to Malta, from whence she convoyed home a considerable number of French prisoners. She was paid off at Plymouth in Dec. 1811.
Captain Bullen’s health being now very much impaired, he remained on shore from this period till Nov. 1874, when he was appointed to the Akbar of 60 guns, a ship fitted purposely to cope with the heavy American frigates, and intended for the East India station; to which, however, she did not proceed, the war between Great Britain and the United States being soon after terminated by the treaty of Ghent.
The Akbar’s next orders were to receive the flag of Sir T. Byam Martin, whom she conveyed from Plymouth to the Scheldt, on a particular service, we believe that of superintending the partition of the fleet and naval stores at Antwerp, for which purpose the Rear-Admiral had been nominated a Commissioner, in conjunction with Sir George Wood, of the
