British Line of Battle. and, from the number of three-deckers among them, The relative strength of the hostile fleets was as *Senior lieutenants Pilfold, of the Ajax, and Stockham, of Admiral Villeneuve had sailed from Cadiz with the determination of giving battle to the English fleet, though contrary to the instructions of Bonaparte, whose intention it was that the combined fleet Motives of Villeneuve for giving battle. should sail from Cadiz, form a junction with the Carthagena squadron, and proceed to Toulon; so that, in case any reverse of fortune should tempt the Spanish government to throw off his yoke, he might have the greatest part of their navy in his power. The admiral is supposed to have been impelled by motives of personal resentment and wounded honour to act in opposition to this plan. Bonaparte and his official paper had made severe remarks on his conduct in the engagement with Sir R. Calder; and the Spaniards themselves had openly upbraided him with not supporting them on that occasion. He knew, moreover, that Admiral Rosilly was coming to supersede him, and hoped, before he came, to wipe off every supposed stain on his conduct by a victory over an enemy whom he supposed to be far inferior in force to what they really were. Ignorant of the reinforcement which the British fleet had received from England, he was confirmed in his resolution to put to sea by the intelligence that Admiral Louis was then absent with six sail of the line, supposing the fleet off Cadiz to be thus reduced to twenty-one sail. Neither was he certain that the latter was commanded by the dreaded Nelson; for an American had reported that he could not possibly be with the blockading fleet, as he had been seen only a few days before in London. Every precaution was taken to ensure suc cess. Four thousand choice troops under General Contamin in the Bucentaure were distributed throughout the combined fleet; among these were many of the most skilful sharpshooters and Tyrolese riflemen; and the French ships were furnished with all sorts of fire-balls and other combustibles to be thrown into the English ships, in hopes of being able either to burn them, or to produce such confusion as might facilitate the design of boarding where an opportunity offered. |