the orders of the Hon. Captain Stopford, when that officer captured la Legere a French ship privateer of 18 guns and 130 men. She subsequently intercepted the Eliza, an American ship, with a valuable cargo, from Batavia, via Boston, bound to Amsterdam; la Fouine, a French national lugger of 8 guns; two Spanish letters of marque, richly laden; le Debut, a French brig of 8 guns, pierced for 16, bound to Cayenne with merchandise; and El Golondina, a Spanish packet, pierced for 20 guns, but with only 4 mounted.
Captain White was promoted to post rank, Aug. 2, 1799; and in Nov. 1800, obtained the command of the Renown, a third rate, bearing the flag of Sir John Borlase Warren, then on the point of sailing for the Cadiz station.
Early in 1801, an armament under Rear-Admiral Gantheaume sailed from Brest, during the temporary absence of our fleet, and after capturing the Success frigate, Incendiary fire-vessel, and Sprightly cutter, arrived in safety at Toulon, on the 19th Feb. Sir John Warren, on receiving information that the enemy had been seen in the Straits of Gibraltar, lost no time in proceeding up the Mediterranean, with the intention of following them, should they make a push for their supposed destination, the coast of Egypt. Having refitted his squadron at Minorca, he sailed from that island on the 24th Feb.; but during the ensuing night, experienced a heavy gale of wind, with much thunder and lightning, which killed 3 men and wounded 2 others on board the Renown, and did much damage to the other ships, thereby obliging him to put back.
On the 4th March, the squadron being again fit for service, Sir John Warren quitted Port Mahon and steered for Palermo, from whence he went to the Bay of Naples. On the 25th of the same month, being then on his way to reconnoitre Toulon, he was joined by the Salamine brig, whose commander informed him Rear-Admiral Gantheaume had left that port with seven sail of the line and three frigates, six days before. Sir John immediately altered his course to the eastward, and at day-break on the 26th, fell in with the enemy between Sardinia and Maritime. All sail was instantly made in chase, and towards the evening the British appeared to be gaining upon them; but unfortunately the night proved very foggy,
