able property; but was obliged to abandon the attempt after eleven days’ most strenuous exertions, the whole of his purchases having given way, and there being no possibility of replacing them.
Shortly after the renewal of hostilities (1803), Captain Richards was stationed between Capes Spartel and Trafalgar, where he fell in with and engaged two French armed vessels, but was unable to close with them in consequence of their sweeping over to the African coast, leaving la Victorieuse nearly becalmed in the offing. On the 22d of the same month (July) he sailed from Gibraltar, with Lord Nelson’s despatches for the Admiralty; and at the latter end of September following, he had the mortification to be put out of commission; although his sloop was then refitted, and had been ordered to prepare for the reception of the gentleman who was at that time appointed his Majesty’s representative at Washington. While on half-pay he received a letter from his Persian friend, of which the following is an exact translation:
“Dear Sir,– I have the pleasure to inform you that I arrived here a few months ago. I have since used my best endeavours to procure a white shawl for your friend, but have not been fortunate enough to find one to my wish. In the mean time I avail myself of the opportunity of a gentleman returning to England, to forward you a green shawl, the best I could get here, addressed to you in Berners Street. When I go up to my native city of Lucknow, I am certain of procuring a white one there of the finest quality, which I shall take care to send you by the first occasion. I have have had the pleasure of meeting with, and presenting your respects to Captain Thornhill and his daughter. In requesting you to accept of my most grateful acknowledgements for the uniform kindness and attention which I received on board your ship, I remain. Dear Sir, your most obedient faithful servant,
The writer of the above letter was well known in England, under the title of the “Persian Prince”. A narrative of his travels, written by himself, and translated by the Hon. East India Company’s Professor of Oriental Languages, was published by Longman and Co. in 1810. Speaking of his voyage in la Victorieuse, he says:
