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54 On the 4th September following, the island of Malta surrendered to a detachment of Lord Keith’s fleet; the particulars will be found in our memoir of Admiral Sir George Martin. In the beginning of the succeeding month, his Lordship appeared before Cadiz, and in conjunction with General Sir Ralph Abercrombie, made arrangements for attacking that place; but the attempt was subsequently abandoned, in consequence of a violent epidemic disease prevailing there, which in the extent of its ravages equalled the plague.

On the 1st Jan. 1801, a general promotion took place, in honour of the union between Great Britain and Ireland; and on that occasion his Lordship was advanced to the rank of Admiral of the Blue. His flag this year was on board the Foudroyant, of 80 guns, and he commanded the naval force employed against the French on the coast of Egypt. His conduct during that memorable campaign was fully equal to the high promise which his exploits, on former occasions held forth to his country; and on the surrender of the French army, he was created a Baron of the United Kingdom, received the thanks of both Houses of Parliament, and was presented by the corporation of London with the freedom of that city, in a gold box, and a sword of the value of 100 guineas. A detail of the services performed; by the navy in Egypt will be found under the respective heads of Admirals, Hon. Sir Alex. Cochrane; Sir W. S. Smith; and Sir Richard Bickerton. They were thus noticed in the despatches of General (now Lord) Hutchinson, who had succeeded to the command of the army on the death of the heroic Abercrombie. “During the course of the long service on which we have been engaged, Lord Keith has, at all times, given me the most able assistance and counsel. The labour and fatigue of the navy have been continued and excessive; it has not been of one day or of one week, but for months together. In the bay of Aboukir, on the New Inundation, and on the Nile, for 160 miles, they have been employed without intermission, and have submitted to many privations with a cheerfulness and patience highly creditable to them, and advantageous to the public service .”

