We embarked all my mules, mules, &c. &c. without any accident, andimmediately after set sail for Tangiers. I cannot find words todescribe the interesting, curious, and romantic appearance of theBarbary coast, from Larache to Tangiers, when viewed from the sea. Itook my station on the quarter-deck, and, as we sailed close in shore,my curiosity was fully gratified. There are several small bays andcreeks along this coast, which unfortunately afford shelter to theenemy's privateers, where, in perfect security, they remain concealed,watching an opportunity to come out and seize any of our stragglingvessels that have either separated from, or are waiting for convoy toenter the Straits.

It is a great pity that the number of our gun-boats at this port(Gibraltar) is so limited, as a larger number of them, and a few othersmall vessels kept in readiness here, and well appointed, wouldprotect our commerce, and prevent our suffering so much from theSpanish boats, and several tiny French cruizers, which infest thispart of the world, and almost daily capture some of our merchantmen,which they carry into Algesiras in sight of this garrison.