 On 30 March the Franco-Spanish fleet sailed from Cartagena to Cadiz.In June 1799, the French and Spanish fleets under Mazarredo and Bruix, amounting to forty sail of the line, and upwards of thirty frigates and smaller vessels, formed a junction at Cartagena, and on 7 July 1799 after an order sent by him, the chasing ships of his Spanish squadron captured the 18-gun hired cutter of the Royal Navy "Penelope", commanded by Flag Lieutenant Frederick Maitland.After this short action, he proceed from Cadiz to Brest without opposition.