192 
cided, after the best considera- 
tion I could give the matter, 
that it was the most proper course 
I could pursue for the good of 
the cause I was employed on. 
As I felt, that the committing 
the transports and their lading 
in the river, at a time it was in 
full possession of the enemy, was 
a strong measure, and as there 
were serious obstacles to over- 
come, in a well defended en- 
trance anda hazardous navigation, 
I considered it my duty to render 
our means as effective as possible 
before the attempt was made, and 
as the Pactolus was on the spot, I 
stated my opinion fully to Captain 
Aylmer, requesting the junction 
of his ship to those under my 
orders, Captain Aylmer having 
acceded to the request, and being 
the senior officer, of course the 
command of the squadron devolv- 
ed on him, and your Lordship 
will learn from that officer the 
further proceedings of the expe- 
dition, 
I have-the honour to be, &c. 
(Signed) 
Epmunp Parmer, Captain. 
To Admiral Viscount 
Keith, G. C. B. &c. &c. &e. 
WAR DEPARTMENT. 
Downing-street, July 23, 1815. 
A dispatch, of which the follow- 
ing is a copy, has been this day 
received by Earl Bathurst, ad- 
dressed to his Lordship by Co- 
lonel the Baron de Montalem- 
bert, dated in the Gironde, July 
13, 1815. 
My Lord,—With the greatest 
satisfaction I have the honour to 
inform your Lordship, that the 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 1815. 
ship, with the arms, equipments, 
and ammunition, placed under 
my charge, entered the Gironde 
this morning, protected by his 
Majesty’s ships Pactolus, Hebrus, 
and Falmouth., On our approach 
near the fort of Royan, which 
commands the entrance of the 
river, Captain Palmer of the He- 
brus hoisted the white flag at the 
main. The effect produced by 
this emblem of loyalty and honour 
was instantaneous. Not a gun 
was fired from the batteries, the 
Verdun one excepted, and we 
were received as friends and de- 
liverers, 
The communications we have 
had with the inhabitants during 
the few hours we have been at 
anchor, are of the most favour- 
able nature, and such as might 
have been expected from their 
well-known attachment to the 
cause of their legitimate Sove- 
reign. General Clausel still oc- 
cupies Bourdeaux with someforce. 
Our appearance in this river, and 
the means we will immediately 
pursue to arm the population, 
will produce the double effect of 
paralyzing his measures to keep 
possession of the town, and of 
preventing his sending any rein- 
forcement to the French army 
behind the Loire. 
I cannot close this communica- 
tion without stating to your 
Lordship, that to Captain Palm- 
er’s zeal for the cause, and inde- 
fatigable exertions, we are en- 
tirely indebted for our present 
advantageous positioninthis river, 
-Lbave, &c. 
(Signed ) 
Le Baron de MonTALEMBERT. 
To Earl] Bathurst, &c. 
