CHAP. XII

Summary

On the 23d of June, Vice-Admiral Collingwood directed Rear-Admiral Louis, to blockade Cadiz and San Lucar, to prevent provision vessels from entering the ports of Ayamonte and Maguer, but to respect the licenses of British merchants resident in Spain to import merchandise into their own country. On these points Lord Nelson wrote as follows, to Lord Castlereagh, on the 1st of October.–“My Lord: The far greater part of the combined fleets is in the harbour, and indeed none can be called in the bay of Cadiz; they lie in such a position abreast of the town, and many entirely open over the narrow strip of land, that Congreve's rockets, if they will go one mile and a half, must do execution. Even should no ships be burnt, yet it would make Cadiz so very disagreeable, that they would rather risk an action than remain in port. I do assure your lordship, that myself and many thousands in the fleet will feel under the greatest obligations to Colonel Congreve. But I think, with your lordship's assistance, we have a better chance of forcing them out by want of provisions: it is said hunger will break through stone walls–ours is only a wall of wood.