03 Mar 1797: Edward James Eliot to Mrs. Stapleton

[In a later hand (spidery, as if written by an aged person), written in faded ink or pencil: Probably 1797 Referring to Battle of Cape St Vincent]

My Dear Mrs Stapleton

I have the pleasure to inclose yet an extraordinary Gazette containing a concise acc[oun]t of the most glorious victory I believe in the History of the Country. I shall only add to it that the S[antisima] Trinidad herself had actually struck, but was recover'd by five of their ships coming to her relief. She was however afterwards seen by an English frigate, in tow of a Spanish one, entirely disabled and out of sight of the rest of their fleet. on receiving this information Sir John Jervis sent several of his frigates in pursuit of Her and there are good hopes they may overtake and get possession of Her.

As it relates to Lady Chathams old acquaintance Lagos Bay I will just mention that the English Fleet being anchor'd there after the Action were inform'd that the Spaniards were speeding towards the same place, and for a short time were in hopes of another action, but it appear'd the Enemy intended nothing less, for as their look out ship making a signal, which by their Ciphers the English were enabled to understand present that Sir J[ohn] Jervis was already there, the whole Fleet put about at once and were out of sight as one may say in a moment.

I suppose I shall never be able to convince Lady Chatham that this news was not kept for the moment at which it has arrived.

My Dearest Girl [Harriet Hester Eliot] is very well and has been this afternoon on a visit to the Princess Royal [Princess Charlotte Augusta Matilda, wife of King Frederick of Wurttemberg]. Mr [William] Pitt is also in very good health, Things have been receding in the City all the week, and will certainly not be the worse for this mornings News and you may transport and purchase [?] [?] picking up by [?] [?]

I am
My Dear Madam
Your Affec[tionate] H[umble] Serv[an]t
Ed J Eliot

Friday March 3d [1797]

*Original letter is part of the Eliot collection at the Cornwall Record Office.
Catalog reference: EL/B/4/3/17