it my duty to accede to the proposal, and I united the ships for the prosecution of the service. General Donnadieu being anxious to pursue his mission on the coast, I dispatched the Larne with him to Passages.
“On the 11th, the squadron weighed from an outer anchorage we had taken, and formed for the purpose of entering the river; but, as we stood in, the enemy’s corvette was observed to weigh and manoeuvre in the north entrance, while five sail pushed out through the southern passage to sea. Under these circumstances it became necessary for the intercepting these vessels, that the squadron should separate for the time; and consequently the forcing of the river was given up for that day. During the night the squadron united again, after having examined the vessels which had sailed in so suspicious a manner, and which circumstance was developed by the embargo having been that morning discontinued in the river.
“Yesterday the wind being favorable, the squadron again weighed, and formed in a close line for entering the Gironde. The Pactolus led, the Hebrus followed, and the Falmouth (of 20 guns) brought up the rear; the two former had transports in tow. As we proceeded, a person came off, with a message from the people of the town of Royan, saying, that they would not fire at us, provided we did not assail them. We passed on, with the royal colours of France at our mast-head: the tri-coloured flag flew along the batteries, which were all in preparation; but no act of hostility occurred until we reached the heavy battery at Verdun, which opened its fire upon us, and continued it until the ships reached the anchorage. NO injury, however, was sustained, and the squadron did not return a gun, for I was unwilling to disturb the feeling which appeared so generally and so happily to prevail.
“Directly the ships were secured, a communication was sent up, with a flag of truce, to General Clausel, by the Comte de Lasteur, deputed by M. la Duchesse d’Angouleme, and we are in expectation of his answer. In the mean time nothing can wear a more favorable aspect than the face of things in this river. I beg to assure you that every measure shall be adopted, in conjunction with the Baron de Montalembert, to arm and organize the royal party, and establish the power of predominance of his Majesty the King of France, in the vicinity of wherever our means can operate.
“I lose no time in despatching the Falmouth to your Lordship, and Captain Knight will explain our situation, as well as that we are taking every precaution in respect to the defence of the river, in the event of General Clausel sending down any strong force to stifle the spirit of the people. I shall also write to Sir Henry Hotham, and perhaps the Rear-Admiral may strengthen our means here, so that we may fully avail ourselves of such opportunity of pushing the royal cause with vigour and celerity, and of cherishing the excellent disposition with which all here seem inspired. I have just learnt that the enemy evacuated the fort of Verdun last night, and retired with his garrison. We have sent a force on shore to dismantle and destroy the guns, &c. This is the fort which disputed our entrance, and it is a very strong work.
