to Cesenatico, and soon after day-light I perceived them in possession of the town, successfully maintaining a position against some French troops in the neighbourhood; but, about eight, observing a party of horse in full speed from Cervia, I judged it prudent to call them immediately on board, though not before we had the satisfaction of seeing that the gallantry of Lieutenant Yeo, aided by Mr. Douglas, Master of the Pigmy, had been crowned with the fullest success, the vessels and harbour at that time forming but one flame; and, that the intent of this enterprise might not be lost on the coast, I shortly afterwards sent in the attached note. I have the honor likewise to enclose the report of Lieutenant Yeo, and remain, &c. &c.
“To the Right Hon. Vice-Admiral
Lord Keith.”
“To the Inhabitants of Cesenatico.
“The treachery of your municipality, in causing to be arrested an officer with despatches, has been long known to the British Admiral in these seas. The municipality may now sadly know, that the severity of judgment, long delayed, is always exemplary. That the innocent suffer with the guilty, though much to be regretted, is the natural feature of war; and the more terrible infliction on this occasion, the more striking the example should prove to surrounding muucipalities.
Report.
“Of thirteen vessels of different descriptions lying within the mole of Cesenatico, two were sunk and eleven burnt, one of them deeply laden with copper money and bale goods; the harbour choked by the wreck of four, sunk in the mouth of it, and both piers entirely consumed.
For this service Captain Ricketts received the thanks of Lord Keith; a letter of approbation from the Board of Admiralty: and a congratulatory epistle from the Austrian General Melas; whilst his success at one time promised to be productive of very important results. The people of the Cisalpine states, irritated and disgusted by the pillage and impiety of the French, had it seems come to a resolution of throwing off their yoke, and by a general massacre freeing themselves as they hoped for ever from Gallic tyranny; but as to those views they confessedly united the splendid and alluring project of establishing the independence of their country, fears were justly entertained by the leaders of the insurrection that insurmountable obstacles would be thrown in their way by the Austrians; and to obviate this difficulty,
