I would then have our _rear_ ship and every ship in succession wear [and] continue the action with either the van ship or the second as it might appear most eligible from her crippled state; and this mode pursued I see nothing to prevent the capture of the five or six ships of the enemy's van.

The two or three ships of the enemy's rear must either bear up or wear; and in either case, although they would be in a better plight probably than our two van ships (now the rear), yet they would be separated and at a distance to leeward, so as to give our ships time to refit.

And by that time I believe the battle would, from the judgment of the admiral and captains, be over with the rest of them.

Signals from these moments are useless when every man is disposed to do his duty.

The great object is for us to support each other, and to keep close to the enemy and to leeward of him.
If the enemy are running away, then the only signals necessary will be to engage the enemy on arriving up with them; and the other ships to pass on for the second, third, &c., giving if possible a close fire into the enemy on passing, taking care to give our ships engaged notice of your intention.
FOOTNOTES: [1] From the original in the St.Vincent Papers.