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288  when he was appointed to the Captain, of 74 guns, in which ship he assisted at the capture of a French squadron in the Mediterranean, and served during the expeditions against Quiberon and Ferrol, in the summer and autumn of 1800. He was afterwards employed in the command of a small squadron, cruizing off the western coast of France, where he distinguished himself by his assiduity and perseverance in annoying the enemy’s trade, cutting off the supplies intended for the Brest fleet, and keeping their small armed vessels in check.

During the temporary suspension of hostilities that followed the treaty of Amiens, the subject of this memoir commanded the Donegal of 80 guns; and on the renewal of the war, he was employed off Cadiz, watching the motions of the French ships in that port. On the 25th Nov. 1804, he captured the Amphitrite, Spanish frigate of 44 guns, from Cadiz, with despatches and stores, bound to Teneriffe and the Havannah. The Donegal chaced the Amphitrite for several hours, sometimes gaining upon her, and sometimes losing, till at length the latter carried away her mizen topmast, and was overtaken. Sir Richard Strachan then acquainted the Spanish Captain, that, in compliance with the orders he had received from his Admiral, he was under the necessity of conducting the Amphitrite back again to Cadiz, and he allowed him three minutes to determine whether he would comply without compelling him to have recourse to force. After waiting six minutes in vain for a favourable answer, Sir Richard gave orders to fire, which was immediately answered with a broadside. An engagement ensued, which lasted about eight minutes, when the Amphitrite struck her colours. During this short action the Spanish Commander was killed by a musket ball. The Donegal, about the same time, captured another Spanish ship, with a cargo worth 200,000l. In the month of March following, Sir Richard’s affairs requiring him