This squadron, provisioned for six months, and having on board about 1000 troops, was to proceed direct to Santo-Domingo, and there disembark the troops as a reinforcement to General Ferrand. M. Leissegues was then to cruise two months before the island of Jamaica ; and, if the British were too strong in that quarter, he was to proceed off the bank of Newfoundland ; there "manger jusqu'� son dernier b�scuit," and then steer straight for Rochefort or Lorient.

The other squadron was under the command of Rear-admiral Willaumez, and consisted of the :

This squadron, provisioned also for six months, was to proceed off St.-Helena or the Cape of Good Hope, at the rear-admiral's option; then to steer for Martinique or Guadaloupe to get supplies. M. Willaumez was then to touch at Cayenne for information, cruise off Barbadoes for a few months, and, having done all the mischief possible to British commerce in that quarter, was to return, by the way of Saint-Helena, to Europe. This cruise, it was supposed, would occupy a period of about 14 months.

It was not until the 24th of December, 1805, that intelligence reached the admiralty, and that was by a cartel from Gibraltar, of the escape from Brest of a French squadron, stated to consist of seven, instead of 11, sail of the line and four frigates. Immediately two British squadrons were ordered to put to sea one of seven sail of the line, under Vice-admiral Sir John Borlase Warren, as follows:

The other, of the following six sail, under Rear-admiral Sir Richard Strachan:

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