THE 
 
 u 
 
 ^GIS OF ENGLAND; 
 
 OR THE 
 
 TRIUMPHS OF THE LATE WAR, 
 
 AS THEY APPEAR IN THE 
 
 Cfianfeg of parliament, 
 
 PROGRESSIVELY VOTED TO THE NAVY AND ARMY; 
 
 AND THE COMMUNICATIONS EITHER ORAL 
 OR WRITTEN ON THE SUBJECT. 
 
 CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED, 
 WITH NOTICES BIOGRAPHICAL AND MILITARY. 
 
 BY MAURICE EVANS, 
 
 NAVY AND ARMY AGENT. 
 
 I am sure I speak the language of the House, wlieii I say that it is impossible to 
 find any where the glory of our arms so well described, as in those biilliant displays 
 of eloquence. Lord Castlereagh's Speech, May SO, 1816. 
 
 ]lontion: 
 
 PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR. 
 
 SOLD BY LONGMAN AND CO.; BALDWIN AND CO.' 
 
 LAW AND WHITTAKER; BLACK, PAP.BURV, AND ALLEN; 
 
 ECLRTON; Wr.STLEY AND PARRISIi; AND ALL 
 
 OTHER UOOKSLLLEUS,
 
 ILontK)n : 
 
 printed by a. j. vaify, 
 tooke's couet, chancery lane. 
 
 1817.
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 The volume now presented to the pub- 
 lic possesses more extensive and important 
 claims to attention than will be immediately 
 obvious to the reader. 
 
 Of these claims, referring chiefly to the 
 subject, it may be allowed to speak without 
 diffidence. While the judgment and taste 
 of Athens and of Rome have been consulted 
 for the erection of silent temples in honor 
 of the late war, these pages offer as it were 
 a colonnade in which the living forms of the 
 TJctors, as they progressively arose, are seen
 
 ]v rrvEFACE. 
 
 receiving the liigh and peculiar martial tri- 
 bute of modern Britain ; and either in their 
 own persons, or in the transcript of their 
 minds exhibiting, each after his own charac- 
 teristic manner, the grateful sense — the dig- 
 nified feeling— the glowing energy — the he- 
 roic fervor — with which they were inspired, 
 in recollection of the past and contempla- 
 tion of the future : here also the dead speak 
 — those mighty dead who in one short life 
 have exemplified many ages. 
 
 How much of instruction and of delight 
 may be derived from such a contemplation 
 is too obvious to require description ; cold 
 and indifferent indeed must be that eye 
 which could contemplate without advantage 
 the various excellencies that mark the event- 
 ful period of the late war — from the exercise
 
 PREFACE. V 
 
 of the mature courage of a Howe to the dis- 
 tinguished policy of a Hastings; through 
 hosts of heroes, crowned by the consecrated 
 valor of Nelson and the living triumphs of 
 Wellington ! all the best passions are awa- 
 kened, all the virtues called forth ; youth 
 animated, and age consoled. 
 
 Uncertain as are the forms of the honors 
 of antiquity, of which none approach nearer 
 to those of the present time than the lau- 
 reated tablets permitted to the Roman ge- 
 nerals, and those metrical compositions of 
 the soldiery, which Livy, while he recorded, 
 could not admit to his pages ; the value of 
 just eulogy is every where recognized. The 
 wisdom of Greece proclaimed that " the 
 voice of praise is sweet !" The delicate Pli- 
 ny, in the most fastidious age of Rome, attri-
 
 VI PREFACE. 
 
 butcd to the want of desert alone that the 
 good old fashion of rewarding those who ce- 
 Jebrated persons or places had been neglect- 
 ed ; for, says lie, " what can be conferred 
 more valuable than never-fading praise?" 
 On the revival of letters one of their great- 
 est ornaments, Petrarch, has perpetuated 
 the satisfaction he received and the glory he 
 derived from the praise of his contempora- 
 ries, whether philosophers or kings. 
 
 This principle still survives the wreck of 
 time ; and it remained for the free constitu- 
 tion of Britain, to devise for its administra^ 
 tion, a mean more honorable than the 
 proudest efforts ofanticjuity — which, while 
 it avoids the vulgarity of popular acclama^ 
 tion, yields the finest incitement of patriot 
 tism, by conferring praise in the collective 
 voice of a free and enlightened people.
 
 PREFACE. VIJ 
 
 Such is the Pailiamentarj vote of thanks I 
 — how dignified in itself will be not merely 
 to be inferred from the character of a Bri- 
 tish senate, but witnessed in that admi- 
 rable eloquence, which rose in proportion 
 to the grandeur of the events it celebrated, 
 till it reached in itself the highest pitch of 
 glory ; how just also, will be perceptible 
 from the occasional discussions that arose 
 previous to their determination ; and how 
 discriminative^ from the facts arising out of 
 the subjects themselves. 
 
 These are the subjects which may be 
 truly said to form the ^gis of England; 
 which, like that graced and strengthened 
 
 by the last gift of Amalthea, and presented 
 
 by Jupiter to Pallas,' shall petrify the eyes 
 
 • Virs;. iEn. 8.
 
 via PREFACE. 
 
 of her enemies ;^ with more pleasing force, 
 at the same time, emulating that of Achilles,'^ 
 it presents in its beauteous circle, centered 
 in the Heavens, the contrasted blessings of 
 peace, and tempts by example to the en- 
 joyments of useful industry, and the de- 
 lights of rural cares. 
 
 Upon these claims to attention the com- 
 piler of this volume must rest his hopes of 
 public favor. In the collection and tran- 
 scription of the several documents, he has 
 
 ' Hon). IJ. 18. 
 * Speaking of the figure from which the title is drawn, 
 it ought not to be forgotten that the form of the tribute 
 to the Duke of Wellington, presented by those muni- 
 ficent persons, worthy of representing the House of 
 Medici, the merchants of London, is a shield ; in the com- 
 partments of which his Grace's victories are finely de- 
 scribed by that excellent artist Stolhard.
 
 PREFACE. IX 
 
 endeavoured, as their chief praise, to be 
 vigilant and faithful ; and, in consequence 
 has obtained, as far as possible, authentic 
 communications and official copies : to the 
 latter, for their assurance, are appended the 
 formal dates, which might otherwise have 
 been well omitted. That any thing should 
 remain wanting, would be matter of deep 
 regret to him, if he did not confide in the 
 judgment of those acquainted with the 
 nature of such a work, to whom it is 
 rather matter of surprize that so much has 
 been already done. 
 
 His attention will continue alive to the 
 subject; and from the attention and li- 
 berality which he has already experienced 
 from those exalted both in talents and 
 rank, he does not doubt, that when
 
 X PREFACE. 
 
 the ulility of his labor and the justness of his 
 intentions are evinced, when the timid sliall 
 be aroused, and the reserved propitiated, 
 he shall be able to supply any temporary 
 defect: in the mean time, he has endea- 
 voured that no remarkable chasm shaH 
 appear. 
 
 To assist in this object, in that arrange- 
 ment of the volume which he hopes n)ay 
 be approved, it was determined to pre- 
 fix short military iiotices to the several 
 divisions and sections ; and, as curiosity is 
 ever excited towards the persons of those 
 who obtain honorable distinction, so bioera- 
 phical notices will also be found, wherever 
 they could be safely or usefully placed. 
 The increase of them, toward the close of 
 the work, will be readily accounted for by
 
 PR EI- ACE. XI 
 
 tlie increased conspicuity of claims. That 
 no invidious selection has been made, will 
 be evident from the rank and celebrity of 
 several who are for the present excluded. 
 
 Of these notices, biographical and mili- 
 tary, it can only be said, that while they 
 neither extend to minute researches into 
 private life, nor presume to any depth of 
 political inquiry, it is hoped that they 
 convey some traits of character not com- 
 monly marked, and not uselessly directed 
 to higher sources of information. 
 
 Notes are added at the bottom of the 
 page, where they can illustrate without 
 intrusion. 
 
 Deformities of style, easily to be ac- 
 counted for, and some clerical omissions, 
 will reiiuire the candor of the reader;
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Introduction j 
 
 Parliamentary Thanks, for:— 
 
 I. Naval Victory of Lord Howe, 1st June 1794' • • • 6 
 
 II. Operations of Lord Hood in the Mediterranean. • 23 
 in. Capture of the West Indian Colonies under Sir C. 
 
 Grey, and Sir J. Jervis 35 
 
 IV. Blockade of Toulou, by Lord Hotham, &c. • • • • 49 
 
 V. Action oflf L'Orient, Lord Bridport, &c. 57 
 
 VI. Retreat of Admiral the Hon. W. Cornwallis • • • • 7^ 
 
 VII. Brilliant Naval Action off Cape St. Vincent • • • • 89 
 
 VIII. Defeat of tiie Dutch Fleet under Admiral De 
 
 Winter • 04 
 
 IX. Battle of the Nile I02 
 
 X. Victory off the English coast, by Sir J. Borlase 
 
 Warren e Iqt 
 
 XI. Sir W. Sydney Smith's repulse of Napoleon Buo- 
 naparte from Acre 114 
 
 XII. Conjunct Expedition against Holland under the 
 
 Duke of York— Battle of the Helder 124 
 
 XIII. Mysore War— Capture of Seringapatam 137 
 
 XIV. Conjunct Expedition against the Armed Neutra- 
 
 lity of the North • • • * 14p 
 
 XV. Naval Victory in the Straits of Gibraltar, by Sir 
 
 James Saumarez 157 
 
 XVI. Expedition against the French in Egypt l63
 
 CONTENTS. xm 
 
 XVII. General Services of the Navy and Army • • 195 
 XVIII. Recommencement of Hostilities, 1803. — Yeo- 
 manry and Volunteer corps, for their pre- 
 parations to defend the country 210 
 
 XIX. Termination of the Mahratta War in India, by 
 
 the Marquis Wellesley 214 
 
 XX. Battle of Trafalgar 235 
 
 XXI. Action off Ferrol, by Sir R. J. Strachan • • • • 249 
 
 XXII. Capture of the French Reinforcements off St. 
 
 Domingo, by Sir J. Duckworth 253 
 
 XXIII. Battle of Maida, by Sir J. Stuart 263 
 
 XXIV. Expedition against Monte Video, South 
 
 America 274 
 
 XXV. Seizure of the Danish Navy at Copenhagen 283 
 
 XXVI. Campaigns in the Peninsula of Europe, first 
 Period 
 
 § 1. Battles of Roleia and Vimiera 310 
 
 XXVII. Campaigns in the Peninsula, second Period 
 
 § 2. BattleofCorunna 328 
 
 XXVIII. Capture of Martinique 344 
 
 XXIX. Attack of the French Navy in Basque Roads, 
 
 Lord Cochrane 353 
 
 XXX. Campaigns in the Peninsula, third Period 
 
 §3. Battle of Talavera 3()4 
 
 XXXI. Operations in the Eastern Seas 381 
 
 XXXII. Battle of Barrosa 411 
 
 XXXIII. Campaigns in the Peninsula, fourth Period
 
 XJ'^ CONTENTS. 
 
 < 4. Battle of Albuera 423 
 
 5. General Services t 440 
 
 6. Capture of Ciudad Rodrigo 445 
 
 7. — Badajoz 449 
 
 XXXIV. — Campaigns in the Peninsula, last Period 
 
 §8. Battles of Salamanca 455 
 
 y. Vittoria 47O 
 
 1 0. Pyrenees •••• 473 
 
 1 1. Siege and Capture of St. Sebastian 
 
 12. Battle of Orthes • 484 
 
 13. Occupation of Bourdeaux 485 
 
 XXXV. Battle of Wateiloo 521 
 
 XXXVl. General Thanks to the Army and Navy 549 
 
 XXXVII. Reduction of AlgierSjUnder Lord Exmouth 556 
 
 XXXVIII. Tranquillity in India, Marquis of Hastings 57S 
 XXXIX. Conclusion 5S7 
 
 XL. Index 591 
 
 EIIRATA. 
 
 Past" 2, line 9, for Officers, read Office. 
 
 21, after line 4, the paragraphs !>lioiild be separated by a linr. 
 49, the divisions of Lord Hot ham and l-ord Britfport should ht. 
 
 transposed. 
 312, omit the (iri^t line.
 
 / 
 
 3LiSt of ^nhQtxiUxs. 
 
 YORK, HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF 
 KENT, H. R. H. THE DUKE OF, 2 Copies 
 
 CUMBERLAND, H. R. H. THE DUKE OF 
 CAMBRIDGE, H. R. H. THE DUKE OF 
 COBOURG, H. S. H. THE PRINCE OF, 3 Copies 
 
 Abbott, Henry, Esq. Clement's Inn 
 
 Abercroniby, General Sir Robert, G. C.B. 2 Copies 
 
 Adams, Major, 95th Regiment 
 
 Addenbrooke, Lieuteirant Colonel 
 
 Allan, Colonel, M. P. 
 
 Amot, George, Esq. Norwood 
 
 Andrew, Captain, R. N. C. B. 
 
 Arentschildt, Colonel, Sir Victor von, K.T. and S. 
 
 Arrow, Captain, R. N. 
 
 Ashe, Captain, Bourbon Regt. 
 
 Atcherley, Lieutenant James 
 
 Aubrey, C.W. Esq. Navy Office 
 
 Auchniuty, Lieut.-General Sir Samuel, G. C. B. 
 
 Buckingham, The Marquis of 
 Babington, William, Esq. E. I, Buildings 
 Backler, Samuel, Esq. Berners Street 
 Bailey, Lieut.-Colonel, 30th Reg. K. C. B. 
 Baird, General Sir David, G. C. B. 
 Baker, Captain H. E. R. R. N. 
 Baker, Joseph, Esq. Wimpole Street 
 Baker, Charles, E,sq. Sinnicot, Chichester 
 Baker, Capi. J. V. Hon. Company's Service 
 Baker, Williaiu, Esq- E. I. House 
 Ball, Rear Admiral 
 Ballard, P^ear Admiral 
 Barlow, Major, 34th Regiment 
 
 Barnard, Frederick-Augustus, Esq. F. 5. A. Stable Yard, St, 
 James's
 
 Xviii SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 Barnard, George, Esq. Stable Yard 
 
 Barnard, Thomas T. Esq. Pall Mall 
 
 Barnard, R. M. Esq. East-India Buildings 
 
 Barrie, Captain Robert, R. N. 
 
 Baron, Captain, H. P. :J4th Regt. 
 
 Barton, John, Esq. Upper Bagot Street, Dublin 
 
 Bastard, Captain, R. N. 
 
 Beacall, Mr. Richard, Shrewsbury 
 
 Beale, Thomas, Esq. Ledbury 
 
 Benne, Captain 
 
 Bennet, Captain R. H. A. R. N. 
 
 Bennett, Lieut. H. P. 101st R«^'t. 
 
 Bentham, W. W. Esq. Sheerness 
 
 Bentham, Ensign, H. P. 90«h Regl. 
 
 Berford, Lieut. 2nd or Queen's 
 
 Berry, Sir Edward, Bart. R. N. K. C. B. 
 
 Birch, Captain, Honorable Company's Service 
 
 Bisshopp, Rev. W. G. Archdeacon of Aghadoe, Castle, 
 
 Dublin 
 Black, Parbury, and Allen, 25 Copies 
 
 Blackwood, Admiral, The Hon. Sir Henry, Bart. 
 Blakeney, William Augustus, Esq. 
 Bligh, Captain John, R. N. 
 Bliss, Mr. Nathaniel, Bristol 
 Blunt, Henry, Esq. Exchequer 
 Boates, Lieutenant, Royal Horse Guards Blue 
 Booth, Lieut.-Colonel, Royal Invalid Engineers 
 Bothmer, Captain Baron, late 1st Light Dragoons, K. G, L. 
 Boulton, T. Esq. Paymaster 83rd Regt. 
 Bowers, William, Esq. Castle, Dublin 
 Bowers, Richard, Esq. R. N. 
 Bowles, Captain, 28th Regt. 
 Bowra, Robert, Esq. 
 Bowra, Ensign, 64th Regt. 
 Boyd, Captain, A, D. C. to Lord Combermere 
 Brecon, New Book Club 
 Brine, Robert, Esq. Cliftord's Inn 
 Broke, Captain, Sir P. B. V. Bart. R. N. K. C. B. 
 Brooke, Lieutenant Henry, R. N. 
 Bromley, R. Esq. 
 
 Brown, Nicholas, Esq. Commissioner Victualling Boar<l 
 Brown, Lieut. J. H. R. N. 
 Brown, Lieut. William, R. N. 
 Browne, Colonel Thomas 
 Browne, Lieut.-Colonel, 2Sl]» Reot. C. B.
 
 /•' ■- 
 
 SUBSCUIBEKS. XIX 
 
 Browne, Captain George, 34th Regt. 
 
 Browne, Robert, Esq. Exchequer 
 
 Brownson, Captain, H. P. 23rd Regt. ' 
 
 Bruce, Mrs. Edinburgh, 10 Copies 
 
 Bruce, Lieut 1st. Regt. Grenadier Guards 
 
 Burns, James, Esq. 
 
 Bury, Vice Admiral Incledon, 2 Copies 
 
 Bynon, T. Esq. Northumberland Street 
 
 Byrtt, William, Esq. Surgeon 28th Regt. 
 
 CoMBERMKRE, Lieut.-Gcneral Lord, G. C. B. 
 
 Caddell, Captain, 28th Regt. 
 
 Cameron, General William 
 
 Campbell, Major T. B. late 11th Royal Veterans 
 
 Cannon, Richard, Esq. Adjutant-General's Office 
 
 Carey, Benj. T. Esq. Barnstaple 
 
 Carr, Lieut.-Colonel Sir Henry, K. C. B. 
 
 Carr, Thomas H. Esq. Queen's County 
 
 Cash, Captain, 2nd or Queen's 
 
 Chaloner, Captain, Clonmel 
 
 Channon, John, Esq, Clement's Inn 
 
 Charsley, William, Esq. Exchequer 
 
 Charsley, Lieutenant, 36th Regt. 
 
 Cliipchase, Captain, A. D. C. to the Commander-in-Chief, 
 
 Ireland 
 City of London W'aterloo Committee 
 Clarke, Robert, Esq. Newport 
 Clarke, Henry, Esq. Shipston-on-Stour 
 
 Clifford, Lieut.-Colonel, spth Regt. C. B. .'- 
 
 Clough, H.G. Esq. H. P. late Light Brigade of Guards'^-'- 
 Cochet, Captain, R. N. '"^■ 
 
 Cockburn, Rear Admiral Sir George, K. C. B. 
 Cockburn, John, Esq. Paymaster London District 
 Cockburn, Alexander, Esq. Surgeon, Edinburgh 
 Codrington, Rear Admiral Sir Edward, K. C. B. 
 Coen, Lieutenant, 28th Regt. 
 Coghlan, The Rev. Lucius, D. D. 
 Colville, Captain 
 
 Council, John, Esq. Surgeon, R. N. 
 Considine, Captain, A. D. C. to General Sir Robert Boitou, 
 
 K. C. G. 
 Cooper, Mr. William, Lambeth 
 Coote, Captain, H.P. 24th Regt. 
 Corbett, Ross, Esq. 
 Corbett, Lieutenant Gordon, R.N.
 
 XX SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 Corbelt, Lieutenant -. • • 
 
 Cotter, James Lawrence, Esq. M. P. 
 
 Cox, John, Esq. Great Queen Street 
 
 Craan, Monsieur, Brussels 
 
 Cresswell, John, Esq. Navy Otfice 
 
 (-Tofton, Lieutenant Morgan, R. N. 
 
 Crozier, Ensign John, H. P. 89th Regt. 
 
 Crozier, Ensign Henderson, H. P. 22nd Regt. 4 Copies 
 
 Crunimcr, Captain, 2Sth Regt. 
 
 CunlifFe, Sir Foster, Bart. Acton Park 
 
 Curzon, Vice-Admiral, the Honorable Henry 
 
 Dart, Joseph, Esq. East India House 
 
 Daunf, William, Esq. 58th Regt. 
 
 Davison, Alexander, Esq. 
 
 Davison, Lieut.-Colonel Hugh Percy 
 
 Davison, Captain, A. D. C. to His Royal Highness the Duke 
 
 of Cambridge 
 Day, Charles, Esq. Bevis Hill, Southampton 
 Daysh, George, Esq. Navy Oflice 
 Deares, Lieutenant, 28th Regt. 
 De Courcy, the Honorable Vice-Admiral 
 De Courcy, the Honorable Governor 
 Delafosse, Captain, R. N. 
 Deneke, Dr. Albany Barracks 
 Denman, Captain, R. N. 
 Derrick, Charles, Esq. Navy Office 
 Dewes, John, Esq. 
 
 Dimond, Charles Palmer, Esq. Gray's Inn Place 
 Disney, Captain, 67th Regt. 
 Domett, Vice-Admiral Sir William, K. C. B. 
 Donaldson, Captain V. Y. H.P. 57th Regt. 
 Dorehill, W. A. Esq. 
 Down, Captain, R. N. 
 Dow se, Joseph, Esq. 
 
 Drake, Major, Royal Horse Guards Blue, M. P. 
 Draw water. Captain, 62nd Regt. 
 
 Dunn, Lieut.-Colonel, 7th Dnigoon Guards "^ 
 
 Durack, Thomas, Esq. Brynllyn J 
 
 Dyke, Thomas, Esq. Doctors' Conmions 'J 
 
 Ex MOUTH, Admiral Lord Viscount, G. C B. 3 
 
 Eaks, Captain Charles, Leominster J 
 
 Eason, Lieutenant, 28th Regt. « 
 
 Edwards, Captain T. A. R. N. '^'Co'iiicb
 
 SUBSCEinERS. XXI 
 
 Elfbrd, Colonel, Norton Street 
 Elliott, Captain John, R. N. 
 Ellis, Lieutenant John, 11. N. 
 Ellis, Mr. George, Purser, R. N. 
 Evans, Sir John, Erbistock Hall 
 Evans, Captain Robert, R. N. 
 Evans, William, Esq. Weymouth Street 
 Evans, Lieutenant Raymond, R. N. 
 Evelyn, Lieutenant, R. N. 
 
 Fancourt, Captain, 34th Regt. 
 
 Farquhar, Captain, R. N. C. B. 
 
 Farrar, John, Esq. St. Helen's Place 
 
 Featherstonehaugh, John, Esq. 
 
 Ferguson, Admiral, Southampton 
 
 Fisher, Joseph, Esq. Bury Street 
 
 Fisher Peter, Esq, R. N. 
 
 Fitzhugh, Thomas, Esq. Plas Power 
 
 Fletcher, Robert, Esq. R. N. 
 
 Flinn, Lieutenant William, R. N. 
 
 Forbes, John, Esq. R. N. 
 
 Forrest, Lieut.-Colonel, 34th Regt. 
 
 Fosbrooke, Ensign, Leicester Militia 
 
 Foster, John, Esq. Lambeth 
 
 Frank, Captain de, 15th Hussars 
 
 Franklin, Rev. F. W. F. Hertford 
 
 French, Ensign, H. P. 18th Regt. 
 
 Fry, John, Esq. Martock 
 
 Fryer, Mrs. The Grove, Wrexham, 2 Copics^ 
 
 Gale, Lieutenant, 17th Regt. 
 
 Gardiner, Lieut.-Colonel Sir Robert, K. C. B. 
 
 Gardiner, Lieutenant Edward, 38th Regt. 
 
 Gardner, The Honorable Captain, R. N. 
 
 Gear, Robert, Esq. Denmark Hill 
 
 Georse, Rev. Edward 
 
 Gilbert, Lieutenant, 28th Regt. 
 
 Glover, Robert, Esq. 
 
 Glover, L R. Esq. 
 
 Godfrey, Captain William, R. N. C. B. 
 
 Goldie, Major, 66"th Regt. 
 
 Goodacre, Lieutenant, H. P. Staff 
 
 Goodchild, James, Esq. Verulam Buildings 
 
 Goode, Thomas, Esq. Surry Street
 
 'i'^" SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 Gore, Rear-Admiral Sir John, K. C. B. 
 
 Gore, Captain, SOth Regt. 
 
 Gosling, John, Esq. Dep. Sec. Victualling Board 
 
 Gough, Lieut.-Colonel Sir Hugh, 87th Regt. C. B. 
 
 Grace, Captain Percy, R. N. 
 
 Graham, Captain, late 21st Portuguese Regt. 
 
 Granger, Captain, R. N. 
 
 Graves, Lieutenant J. B. 55th Regt. 
 
 Green, Captain P. B. R. N. 
 
 Grejiorv, Captain William, R. N. 
 
 Griffith, Thomas Murhall, Esq. Holt Street House, Wrexham 
 
 Grindall, Vice-Admiral Sir Richard, K. C. B. 
 
 Grinsell, Lieutenant, 3Sth Regt. 
 
 Hastings, The Marquis of 
 
 Halford, James, Esq. Norfolk Street 
 
 Halford, James, Esq. Jun. 
 
 Hanchett, Cai)tain, H. N. C. B. 
 
 Hanmer, Captain, Royal Horse Guards Bine 
 
 Hanson, Thomas, Esq. Smithwick House 
 
 Harris, Captain George, R. N. C. B. 
 
 Hartshorne, Samuel, Esq. Bank 
 
 Harvey, Vice-Admiral Sir Eliab, K. C. B. 
 
 Harvey, Mr. William 
 
 Hatsell, John, Esq. Clerk of the House of Commons 
 
 Haughton, Lieutenant G. C. Bengal Infantrv 
 
 Haughton, Lieutenant, R. N. 
 
 Hawkins, Thomas, Esq. Chelsea 
 
 Hearne, William, Esq. Newport 
 
 Hedges, Henry, Esq. E. L Company's Service 
 
 Henderson, James, Esq. Bombay 
 
 Henry, Admiral John 
 
 Hicks, Captain, 37th Regt. 
 
 Hill, Lieutenant, 28th Regt. 
 
 Hilliard, Lieutenant, 28th Regt. 
 
 Hillyer, W. T. Esq. Greenwich 
 
 Hilton, Rev. Richard 
 
 Hitcliins, Lieutenant, R. N. 
 
 Hodgson, Eredenck, Esq. Bromley 
 
 Hollingshead, L. B. Esq. Parkie 
 
 Holmes, Sir Leonard W oriley, Bart. M. P. 
 
 Holmes, Ca}>tain W illiani, R. N. 
 
 Hompesch, Lieut.-Colonel, 25th Regt. 
 
 Hooper, Lieut.-Colonel, 87th Reg. 
 
 iloopcr. Lieutenant Richard, R.N.
 
 SUBSCRIBERS. XXIJl 
 
 Horsford, Major-General Sir John, K. C. B. 
 
 Houseman, John, Esq. 
 
 Hughes, Lieut.-Colonel Philip, Royal Engineers 
 
 Hugonin, Major, 4th or Queen's Dragoons 
 
 Hume, William, Esq. Dep. Assistant Commissary General 
 
 Hussey, Lieut.-General, Cumberland Place, 2 Copies 
 
 Hyde, Miss, Brompton 
 
 Incledon, Captain Robert, R. N. 
 
 Inglis, Major-General Sir William, K. C. B. 
 
 Ireland, W. C. Esq. 
 
 Irving, Lieut.-Colonel, 28th Regt. 
 
 Jackson, G. B. Esq. Glanbeg 
 
 Jay, John, Esq. Woodford 
 
 Jenkins, Lieutenant Robert, 12th Regt. 
 
 Jephson, C. D. O. Esq. Jun. Mallow Castle 
 
 Jesse, Edward, Esq. Richmond Park 
 
 Johnstone, Robert, Esq. Treasurer of the Edinburgh Wa- 
 terloo Committee 
 
 Johnstone, George, Esq. Dunse 
 
 Jolliffe, Cornwall, Esq. P. M. 34th Regt. 
 
 Jones, Major, Royal Denbigh Rifle Corps 
 
 Jones, Captain, A. D. C. to H. R. H. the Duke of Cumber- 
 land 
 
 Jones, Captain Henry, Brecon 
 
 Jones, John Price, Esq. Brecon 
 
 Jones, The Rev. John, St. Asaph 
 
 Jones, The Rev. Thomas, Wrexham 
 
 Jones, John, Esq. Wrexham 
 
 Jones, James, Esq. R. N. 
 
 Judd, William, Esq. 
 
 Ken YON, The Right Hon. Lord, 3 Copies 
 
 Kearney, Francis, Esq. 
 
 Kearney, D. Esq. D. A. Commissary General 
 
 Keating, Colonel, C. B. 
 
 Kelly, Major, Tilbury Fort 
 
 Kelly, Captain R. 28th Regt. 
 
 Kendall, E. A. Esq. F. A. S. 
 
 Kenyon, George, Esq. Cefn 
 
 Kerigan, Thomas, Esq. R. N. 
 
 Kerr, Lieutenant James, R. N..
 
 XXIV SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 Kerrison, Lieut.-Colonel Sir Edward, C. B. 
 
 Keyt, Lieut.-Colonel, .'jlstRegt. C. B. 
 
 King, Joseph, Esq. 
 
 King, George, Es(j. Copt ball Court 2 Copies 
 
 Knyvett, Henry, Esq. Albany Barracks 
 
 Kynastou, Edward, Esq. Knolton Hall 
 
 Kyrke, R. V. Esq. Gwersylt 
 
 LiNSiNGEN, Lieut.-Colonel Count William 3 Copies 
 
 LiNSiNGEN, Lieut.-Colonel Baron Ernest 
 
 Lake, E. W. Esq. Bury Street 
 
 Latham, Doctor, Harley Street 
 
 Laurence, Charles, Esq'. Keppcl Street 
 
 Lavens, Assistant Surgeon, 28th Regt. 
 
 Lawford, Rear Admiral 
 
 Lawrance, S. G. Esq. R. M. Asylum, Southampton 
 
 Lawson, I. L Esq. Navy Pay Office 
 
 Layman, Captain, R. N. 
 
 Leach, Captain James, R. N. 
 
 Leake, Captain, ()3rd Regt, 
 
 Leigh, Chaiidos, Esq. Albany 
 
 Leo, Major 
 
 Light burne, L'eut.-General 
 
 Lillicrap, Captain, R. N, 
 
 Lindsey, Captain John, R, N. 
 
 Lloyd, Captain David, Denbigh 
 
 Lloyd, Edward Lloyd, Esq. Tenylan 
 
 Lloyd, John, Esq. Chester 
 
 Lloyd, Charles, Esq. 
 
 Lloyd, Thomas, Esq. Marie 
 
 Lloyd, Captain William, Bengal 
 
 Long, John, Esq. Mountain Farley 
 
 Lovett, Joseph Venables, Esq. Belmont, Oswestry 
 
 Luby, Thomas, Esq. 
 
 Luckhurst, Lieutenant Thomas, York 
 
 Ludgate, Robert, Esq. Custom House 
 
 Lusconibe, E. T. Esq. Surgeon, 34th Regt. 
 
 MULGRAVE, The Earl of 
 
 Me Bean, Lieutenant-Colonel, 89th Re^t. 
 
 Macdonald, Lieutenant Angus, H. P. <J()th Regt. 
 
 Mackenzie. Captain, Cleveland Court 
 
 Mackenzie, Captain A. R. N. 
 
 Maclean, Lieut.-Gencral Fitzroy
 
 SUBSCRIBERS. XXV 
 
 Maclean David, Esq. 
 
 Mc Clintock, W. K. Esq. Londonderry 
 
 Mc Clintock, Assistant Surge*on, 32nd Regt. 
 
 Mc Clintock, Lieutenant, H. P. 88th Regt. 
 
 Mc Ghie, Captain George, R. N. 
 
 Mainwaring, Colonel, Albany Barracks 
 
 Malcolm, Major, Haughton 
 
 Manners, Riissel, Es(j, 
 
 Manners, Russel Henry, Esq. R.N. 
 
 Massie, Rev. Richard, Chester 
 
 Massie, William, Esq. Wrexham 
 
 Mc Intosh, Captain 
 
 Maude, John, Esq. Great George Street 
 
 Maxwell, General 
 
 May, Thomas, Esq. 
 
 Medley, William, Esq. St. George's Row 
 
 Meeson, Rev. Edward, Llan-y-Cefn 
 
 Meredith, Lieutenant Samuel, H. M. S. Larne 
 
 Midgley, Lieut. -Colonel 
 
 Midgley, Captain, 3rd West York Militia 
 
 Mildmay, Lieutenant F. John St. John, R. N. 
 
 Military Depot, Quarter Master General's Department 
 
 Mitchell, Lieutenant Robert, 28th Regt. 
 
 Money, William, Esq. Intirniary, Northampton 
 
 Moody, Robert Sadlier, Esq. Norton Street 
 
 Moody, H. R. B. A. Oriel College, Oxford 
 
 Moore, Doctor, Newport 
 
 Moore, Lieutenant Samuel, 28th Regt. 
 
 Moore, J. Assistant Surgeon 
 
 Morgan, Lieutenant Robert, R. N. 
 
 Moriarty, Captain, 28th Regt. 
 
 Morice, John, Esq. F. A. S. 
 
 Morton, J. W. Esq. Navy Office 
 
 Morton, Captain Thomas 
 
 Moubray, Captain George, R. N. 
 
 Murley, Captain WiUiam, R. N. 
 
 Murray, Sir John Mc Gregor, Lanriek Castle 
 
 Northumberland, The Duke of 
 North ESK, Admiral the Earl of 
 Nugent, The Right Hon. Lord 
 Nagle, Vice-Admiral Sir Edmund, K. C. B. 
 Nayler, Sir George, Heralds' College
 
 XXU SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 Neale, Vice-Admiral Sir Harry, K. C. B. 
 Neville, The Hon. Captain, ()8th Regt. 
 Newton, Lieut. -Colonel 
 
 Nicholls, Captain, Royal Denbigh Rifle Corps 
 Nicholson, Adjutant, Albany Barracks 
 Noble, Lieutenant, H. P. 89th Regt. 
 Northampton Rook Club 
 Nourse, Captain, R. N. C. B. 
 Nuun, Lieutenant, H. P. ^ptli Regt, 
 
 O'Brien, Lord James, R. N. 
 
 Oakes, Lieut.-General Sir Hildebrand, Bart. 2 Copies 
 
 O'Grady, Captain Hayes, R. N. 
 
 O'Grady, D. Esq. 
 
 O'Grady, Henry, Esq. Grange 
 
 O'Grady, Captain, H. P. 7th Hussara 
 
 O'Grady, Carew Smyth, Esq. 
 
 O'Kearney, Denis, Esq. 
 
 Oliver, Lieutenant Henry, 28th Rect. 
 
 Ormes, William, Esq. Bank 
 
 Orr, Major-General 
 
 Osborn, General Sir George, Bart. 
 
 Osborn, Lieutenant, 38th Regt. 
 
 O'Shaughnessy, Captain, R. N. 
 
 Palmerston, Viscount 
 
 Prudhoe, Right Hon. Lord 
 
 Packe, Cornet R. H. Guards Blue 
 
 Page, Captain W. B. R. N. 
 
 Palmer, Captain Edmund, R. N. C. B. 
 
 Pardey, George, Esq. Dublin 
 
 Parker, Lieutenant S. S. 04th Regt. 
 
 Parker, Michael, Esq. Worcester 
 
 Parry, John, Esq. Wrexham 
 
 Parry, Lieutenant James, H. P. 28th Regt. 
 
 Paterson, Rear-Adniiral 
 
 Patison, Ensign Matthew 
 
 Payne, Lieut.-Colonel 
 
 Pearce, William, Esq. Admiralty 
 
 Pellet, Doctor, 4<), Weymouth Street 
 
 Pellew, Captain, The Hon. P. B. R. N. 
 
 Pellew, Ciiptain, The Hon. F. B. R.N. C. B. 
 
 Pcndrill, Thomas, Esq. Brecon 
 
 Pennington, Mrs. Spanish Place
 
 SUBSCRIBEUS. XXVIl 
 
 Penson, Thomas, Esq. Juu. Overton Cottage 
 
 Phillips, J. Esq. Temple, 2 Copies 
 
 Pigot, Lieutenant George, R. N. 
 
 Plampin, Rear Admiral 
 
 Podmore, Lieutenant, R. N. 
 
 Polhill, , Esq. Chipstead Place 
 
 Portertield, James C. Esq. Glasgow 
 
 Poteu, Major, Equerry to H. R. H. the Duke of Cumberland 
 
 Power, Major, 71 li Dragoon Guards 
 
 Price F. R. Esq. Bryn-y-Pys 
 
 Pritchett, Captain, Warwick Militia 
 
 Probart, Frank George, Esq. 
 
 Purvis, Vice-Admiral 
 
 Rose, The Right Hon. George, M. P. Treasurer of the Navy 
 Radnor, William, Esq. Surry Street 
 Rae, L Esq, Ashford 
 Raffles, Sir Stamford, Fort Malbro' 
 Ramsay, W. B. Esq. Mortimer Street 
 Ramsey, Lieutenant S. S. R. N. 
 Rathborne, Captaiu Wilson, R. N. C. B. 
 Read, Lieutenant Robert, 38th Regt. 
 Rennett, H. L Esq. District Pay Master, Dublin 
 Rennells, George, Esq. North Devon Militia 
 Rhodes, Henry, Esq. Norton Street 
 Ribouleau, Captain, R. N. 
 
 Robe, Colonel Sir William, K. C. B. K. C. G. & K. T. S. 
 Robertson, Divie, Esq, Bedford Square 
 Robson, Rev. George, Rector Erbistock 
 Roche, Jordan, Esq. 
 Roe, C. B. Esq. Newport 
 Rogers, Thomas R. Esq. Richmond Street 
 Rolt, J. D. Esq. Navy Office 
 Rooke, Captain F. W. R. N. 
 
 Ross, Colonel Patrick, 75th Regt. Governor of St. Maura, 
 
 2 Copies 
 Ross, Lieut.-Colonel Archibald, 9th Portuguese Regt. K.T. S. 
 Ross, Lieut.-Colonel, 28th P^egt. 
 
 Ross, Captain Frederick, A. D. C. to General Count Michel 
 Woronzow, 2 Copies 
 
 Rothery, William, Esq. Doctors' Commons 
 Rowcroft, Thomas, Esq. Lombard Street 
 Rowland, E. L. Esq. Garthen Lodge 
 Roworth, Mark, Esq. Welbeck Street 
 Pvudge, Captain Charles King 
 
 ,^*,
 
 XXVlll SUBSCRIBERS; 
 
 Rule, W. N. Esq. Navy Office 
 Russell, Major, dOtli Regt. 
 
 Spencer, Earl 
 
 Salkeld, Joseph, Esq. Leominster 
 
 Sarel, Rev. H. R. Surr> Street 
 
 Saunders, N. Esq. Navy Pay Oflice 
 
 Savory, William, Esq. R. N. 
 
 Sawers, Mr. Archibald, Stirling 
 
 Scott, Rear-Adiniral, Southampton 
 
 Scott, Captain George, R. N. C. B. 
 
 Seed, Joseph, Esq. R. N. 
 
 Seymour, Mrs. Chilton, 2 Copies 
 
 Shaw, Mrs. Wiinpole Street 
 
 Shawe, Lieut. -Colonel, Horse Guards 
 
 Sbawe, Benjamin, Esq. M.P. 
 
 Shepard, Captain J. K. R. N. 
 
 Shcrer, Captain, 3 Itli Regt. 
 
 ShifFner, Captain, R. N. 
 
 Shivers, Vice-Admiral 
 
 Short, Lieutenant Arthur, R. N. 
 
 Sim})son, Charles R. Esq. Liverpool 
 
 Simpson, W. D. Esq. 51st Regt. 2 Copies 
 
 Simpson, James A. Esq. 
 
 Simpson, Crawford, Es<i. 
 
 Sims, James, Esq. Albany 
 
 Smith, Josei)h Birch, Escj. Ipswich 
 
 Smith, Captain, J. L. R. N. 
 
 Smith, Sanniel, Esq. Charlotte Street 
 
 Smith, Samuel, Es<i. Greenwich 
 
 Smith, Lieutenant John, Trydden, near Mold 
 
 Smith, Lieutenant J. M. 28th Regt. 
 
 Smith, Lieutenant Charles, H. P. 20th Regt. 
 
 Singleton, J. V. Esq. 
 
 Stanger, Hugh, Es(|. Clement's Inn 
 
 Steinmetz, John, Es({. Shipston on Stour 
 
 Steuart, Robert, Esq. Alderston, N. B. 
 
 Stewart, llobert, Esq. Navy Office 
 
 Stone, Henry, Esq. Hall Place, 2 Copies 
 
 Stovin, Lieut.-Colonel Sir Frederick, 28th Regt. K. C B. 
 
 Stow, James, Esq. Navy Office 
 
 Surridge, Rear-Admiral 
 
 Sydenham, B. Esq. Commissioner of Excise, 2 Copies 
 
 Sydenham, Captain, Political Agent, Aruiigahad, 2 Copies 
 
 Sykcs, Captain, R. N.
 
 SUBSCRIBERS. XXIX 
 
 Temple, Earl 
 
 Taff, John, Esq. Port Royal, Jamaica 
 
 Tartt, W. M. Esq. 
 
 Taylor, George Watson, Esq. Cavendish Square 
 
 Taylor, Major-General Herbert 
 
 Teiilon, Captain, 28th Regt, 
 
 Thelwal, Lieutenant Bevis, R. N. 
 
 Thompson, George Alexander, Esq. Audit Office 
 
 Thomas, Mrs. Upper Bedford Place 
 
 Thomas, Lieutenant Thomas, 64.th Regt. 
 
 Thomas, Lieutenant R. R. N. 
 
 Thornton, Lieut.-Colonel, Equerry to H. R, H. the Duke of 
 
 Cumberland 
 Todd, Captain W. D'Arcy 
 Tomkius, Thomas, Esq. 
 Tomlinsou, Captain, 28th Regt. 
 Travers, Captain, Hon. Company's Service 
 Trent, Lieut. -General, Russell Place 
 Trickey, Major, 10th Regt. 
 Tweedie Charles, Esq. Navy Pay Office 
 Tyden, Major Sir John M. 
 
 Vansittart, The Right Hon. Nicholas, Chancellor of the 
 
 Exchequer 
 Valpy, Rev. Dr. 
 Valpy, Rev. E. 
 Valpy, Richard, Esq. 
 Valpy, A. J. Esq. 
 Valpy, Captain, R. N. 
 Valpy, W. H. Esq. 
 Vaughan, Sir Robert W. Bart. M. P. 
 Vaughan, Colonel, Reig 
 
 Vincent, Captain, R, N. 2 Copies 
 
 Vores, Thomas, Esq. Welbeck Street 
 
 Wellington, Field Marshal, The Duke of 10 Copies 
 
 Wellesley, The Marquis, 3 Copies 
 
 Wade, Lieutenant, ISth Regt. 
 
 Wainwright, Captain, R. N. C. B. 
 
 Wake, Mr. Thomas, R.N. 
 
 Wakefield, Samuel, Esq. Ordnance Office 
 
 Wardlaw, George, Esq. R. N. 
 
 Warren, Augustus, Esq. Charlotte Street, Bedford Square 
 
 Watkins, Lieutenant St. Ledger, H. P. 88th Regt.
 
 XXX SCBSCRIBF.RS. 
 
 Watson, F. B. Esq. 
 
 Webb, William, Esq. Purser's Cross 
 
 Webber, Major-General, Evtoii, near Wrexliam 
 
 Webber, D. W. Esq. M.P.' 
 
 Weniyss, William, Esq. Dep. Comra. General 
 
 Weiitworth, Lieut. W. F. VV. R. N. 
 
 West, Captain John, R. N. 
 
 Westcott, Major, 77th Regt. 
 
 Westropp, J. W. Esq. 
 
 Wetherall, Lieut.-General 
 
 White, James, Esq. Burton Crescent 
 
 White Rev. R. W. Wotton Rectory 
 
 White, Rody, Esq. York Street 
 
 Whitehead, R. L. Esq. Navy Pay Office 
 
 Whitehead, H. L. Esq. Commissariat 
 
 Wild, John, Esq. Jun. 
 
 Wills, John, Esq. Hungerford Park 
 
 Wills, Lieutenant Royal Marines, H. M. S. Larne 
 
 Willshen, John, Esq .'Salisbury Street 
 
 Williams, Lieut.-Colonel David 
 
 Williams, Owen, Esq. Marlow 
 
 Williams, William, Esq. R. N. 
 
 Williams, Mr. John, Bridport 
 
 Wingtield, Rev. Rowland, Ruabon 
 
 Wolrige, Thomas, Esq. Plymouth 
 
 Wolrige, Captain Thomas, R. N. 
 
 Woodward, Humphrey, Esq. Dublin 
 
 Woollam, Charles, Esq. St. Alban's 
 
 Woolley, Rear-Admiral, Clifton 
 
 Wright, John, Esq. Abingdon Street 
 
 Wynne, Edward, Esq. Gerwen Vaur 
 
 Wynne, Richard Miles, Esq. Eyarth 
 
 Yarwood, S. Esq. R.N. 
 
 Yeates, Captain, Westmoreland Militia 
 
 York, Simon, Esq. Erthig 
 
 ^ oung, Captain, R. B. R. N. 
 
 "\'oung, Commissary Cicneral 
 
 Young, Charles, Esq.
 
 iEGIS OF ENGLAND,
 
 THE iEGIS, 
 
 *Sy'. fy, ' 
 
 Vy ARMED with an honest zeal for the 
 glory of the British arms, as it has been main- 
 ^ tained and extended throughout a protract- 
 ed warfare, displaying in its course every 
 variety of naval and military contention ; 
 and excited by the brilliant and peculiar 
 eloquence with v/hich its heroes have re- 
 ceived through parliament the public praise; 
 as well as impressed with a peculiar call to 
 regard the best interests of those whose 
 ordinary cares have been so extensively 
 confided to him ; the writer has long con- 
 templated his present work. 
 
 Under such impressions, it was not likely 
 that difficulties would present themselves 
 to his contemplation ; and indeed how
 
 were they to be expected in any case where 
 so little was apparently left to the compiler? 
 Such was the native grace of these flowers 
 of martial eloquence, that an artless hand 
 seemed best fitted to form them into never- 
 dying wreaths. 
 
 In the progress of their collection, how- 
 ever, embarrassment has arisen from the or- 
 dinary caution of officers, and the almost 
 insuperable modest}^ of merit ; as well as the 
 diversity of topics that seemed naturally to 
 arise out of the occasion of every particular 
 address. The assurance of authenticity 
 in respect to the one, and the necessary 
 discrimination amid the other, were thus 
 greatly impeded. * This embarrassment, 
 however, is not mentioned as indicative of 
 disappointment in so agreeable a pursuit ; 
 nor to claim merit in subduing it ; but to 
 
 • As for instance, in the outget, where it is essential to preserve the 
 series complete, the writer is, for the present, obliged to content him- 
 selfwitli the motion and its rcsnlt; in many instances he could hardly 
 prevent himself from being carried away by frequent bursts of honor' 
 able mention in parliament, and also in tiic public dispatches of naval 
 and military comniamlcrs, which would, had he but ordinarily admitted 
 ihwn, have swelled tlic present volume infinitely beyond its purpose.
 
 prepare the reader that while he may justly 
 expect a display of the highest excellence 
 in the eloquent subjects themselves, he 
 must hence abate somethino; in refjard to 
 perfection in their arrangement. 
 
 It will be but little necessary to speak of 
 the origin of the war out of which the 
 triumphs connected with the subject of this 
 work have arisen. If Englishmen were 
 disposed to indulge in the turgid language of 
 our great and constant enemies the French, 
 we might say, that exclusive of ordinary 
 conflicts, ithas been necessary ever since our 
 existence as a civilized state, once in a 
 century at least to inflict a signal chastise- 
 ment on France ! 
 
 The last and most singular of all, owes 
 its rise to the immense consolidation of 
 power created by a revolution of that 
 ancient monarchy, which giving to a 
 haughty and warhke people all the advan- 
 tages of a youthful state, led them with 
 new force of principle and action, to the
 
 execution of their project for universal 
 empire. With this project, it is sufficiently 
 known, successive generations had burned ; 
 and the republican form of government, 
 by the popular enthusiasm attached to it, 
 tended pre-eminently to its success. AYhile, 
 in a state of peace, they plausibly repre- 
 sented themselves as concerned only in the 
 reformation of their internal concerns, 
 principles at war with all the other political 
 institutions of Europe became diffused with 
 a facility that threatened to revolutionize 
 the world. — And the force of opinion was 
 rapidly about to effect that which had in 
 vain been attempted by the utmost force 
 of arms. 
 
 Against this mighty and reactive power 
 the energies of Great Britain were speedily 
 directed by her minister, and by land and 
 sea produced results that may alone im- 
 mortalize the British name. 
 
 If the just claims of the Navy seem to 
 appropriate exclusively the glorious tributes 
 due to the earlier periods of the war, tri- 
 butes in which none joined more ardently
 
 than those senators connected with the 
 land Army, it will be in course explained 
 by the fact that it had not then entered 
 into the plan of administration to keep a 
 large native military force in the field. * 
 Had this been the case, the illustrious 
 minister who first wielded the power of the 
 country, would not have lived to see succes- 
 sive coalitions destroyed by the failure of 
 subsidiary armies, nor died too soon to 
 witness the glorious completion of the vast 
 enterprize he had undertaken. 
 
 ' The troops, were however greatly employed at the same time, not 
 merely on the Continent and in conjunct expeditions, but as marines 
 on board the ships of war; and thas shared the toils and triumphs of 
 the Navy*
 
 NAVAL VICTORY OF LORD HOWE, 
 1st JUNE, 1794. 
 
 It is sufficiently known that although 
 hostilities had previously commenced be- 
 tween Germany and France, it was not till 
 the death of the French Monarch in 1793, 
 that Great Britain commenced operations, 
 nor till the ensuing year, that an opportu- 
 nity for triumph ' occurred. 
 
 This occasion was the justly celebrated 
 First of June, when a veteran on the verge 
 of man's ordinary term of existence, who 
 after a retirement of twenty two years had 
 last relieved Gibraltar, in defiance of a com- 
 bined French and Spanish fleet of forty 
 six sail of the line, had again appeared, 
 and under many disadvantages vindicated 
 the honor of the British flag in a manner 
 to astonish the world. 
 
 It is to be lamented that in consequence 
 
 ' This term must be taken in its great sense, since the French 
 Colonics had been previously captured, though they had not yet pro- 
 duced the thanks of Parhament.
 
 LORD HOWE. 7 
 
 of the promptitude with which so glorious 
 and particular an occasion naturally elicit- 
 ed the proud rewards about to be recorded, 
 the advantage of a personal address is lost, 
 and the common form of motion supplies 
 its place. ' In this instance however, it will 
 be permitted us, from the accounts of the 
 venerable commander, and also from the 
 enemy, to supply this defect in a material 
 degree. 
 
 The occasion on which Lord Howe was 
 directed to cruize off Brest, would appear 
 to have been chiefly for the purpose of 
 intercepting a great fleet from America, 
 bearing supplies for the French Republic, 
 without which it seemed impossible for it 
 to maintain itself, and which in conse- 
 quence was protected by ships of war. 
 
 The result was terrible, though from some 
 circumstance not so completely destructive 
 as might have been expected — six French 
 ships were taken, a seventh sunk, and the 
 
 ' The thanks of Parliament, as well as other testimonies, were 
 announced to Lord Howe, within a fortnight after the action.
 
 8 LORD HOWE. 
 
 remainder of twenty-nine dispersed, chiefly 
 in a shattered condition. 
 
 Of the character of the conflict it is a 
 singular testimony that of the Vengeur of 
 74 guns whicli sunk, every soul on board 
 determinately perished, after having dress- 
 ed out their ship on all sides with the flags 
 and streamers bearing the national colours, 
 and exclaiming in death the usual wishes 
 for their country. 
 
 In such a contest it can scarcely be less 
 remarkable also that the youngest daughter 
 of the conqueror, then Countess of Alta- 
 mont, accidentally passed through the 
 French fleet, in an interval of the action, 
 Avith her lord, on their way from Lisbon to 
 England. 
 
 On the thirteenth of June J794, in the 
 House of Peers, it was moved by the Right 
 Honourable the Baron Grenville, and on 
 the following dav bv the Minister in the 
 Commons. — 
 
 " That the thanks of the House be trans- 
 mitted to Admiral Earl Howe, and the other
 
 FIRST OF JUNE, 1794. 9 
 
 Admirals, with all the officers and men en- 
 gaged in the action in which the late victor ij 
 was gained over the French Fleet," 
 
 The thanks to all the officers to be trans- 
 mitted by Lord Howe himself; and the 
 thanks to Lord HOwe himself to be trans- 
 mitted by the Lord Chancellor. 
 
 Lord Grenville added to his motion the 
 following simple eulogy ; " that for pru- 
 dence and wisdom of design, skill and 
 courage in execution, and for the glory of 
 the British character, it was an action 
 which had never been surpassed even in 
 the history of the British Navy."' 
 
 The motion was received in this house, 
 of which the Earl was a member, with the 
 most particular eulogia. 
 
 The Duke of Grafton took a fine retros- 
 pect of the noble Earl's life, which need be 
 no further noticed, since these pages will be 
 followed by a short reference to biographical 
 facts. The Duke of Bedford attributed to 
 this triumph the creation of a wish in the 
 French for peace. The Earl of Lauderdale 
 shewed the constitutional character of our
 
 10 LORD HOWE. 
 
 Navy, from the public feeling, since while 
 coldness attended the occurrence of success 
 by land, when the news of the victory of our 
 grand fleet arrived, every heart beat with 
 rapture, and every countenance sparkled 
 with joy ! Lord Sydney agreed in all the 
 principles of all the speakers, but conceiv- 
 ed that all intimated the propriety of fight- 
 ing the enemy by sea and land ; and that 
 following up this example of one of the 
 greatest men that ever lived, was the mean 
 through which to hope for a glorious 
 peace. 
 
 The Duke of Clarence wound up the 
 whole by congratulating the country 
 that this great victory proved — that the 
 country had still as great superiority as 
 ever at sea, and that it is not to be con- 
 quered by France ! 
 
 The thanks passed both Houses of 
 Parliament unanimousl3^ 
 
 These being communicated to Earl 
 Howe, by the Lord Chancellor Lough- 
 borough, and the Right Honourable Henry 
 Addington from their respective houses, the
 
 FIRST OF JUNE, 1794. 11 
 
 following answers were returned and enter- 
 ed on the journals of parliament. 
 
 (Journals of the Lords — Veneris 20 
 
 die Jimii, 1794.) 
 The Queen Charlotte at Spithead, ISth June, ITQ^. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 Acknowledging my obligations 
 in respect of the very flattering terms in 
 which your lordship has been pleased to 
 make known to me the highly esteemed 
 honour conferred upon me by the unani- 
 mous resolution of thanks of the House of 
 Lords, signified in your letter of the 14th 
 instant, I am to intreat that you will have 
 the farther goodness to assure their lord- 
 ships of the deep impression I shall ever 
 retain of their condescending notice. 
 
 The merit I would assume on this occa- 
 sion consists in my good fortune, in as 
 much as I held the chief command, when 
 so many resolute principal and subordinate 
 officers, as well as brave men serving under 
 their orders, were employed at that time in
 
 12 LORD HOWE. 
 
 the fleet ; and I must add, that if there is> 
 cause for triumph in the late defeat of the 
 enemy at sea, it is truly the triumph of 
 the British sailors, whose animated and 
 persevering courage, I believe, in no in- 
 stance has been exceeded. I shall there- 
 fore have a great increase of happiness in 
 obeying the commands of the House of 
 Lords, by communicating to those several 
 descriptions of persons the sense their 
 lordships have deigned to express of their 
 good conduct. I have the honour to 
 remain, with the greatest respect, my lord, 
 your lordship's most obedient humble 
 servant, Howe. 
 
 The Right Hon. the 
 
 Lord Chancellor. 
 
 (Journals of the Commons. LuiKe 
 30 die Jimii 1794.) 
 
 The Queen Charlotte at Spithead, Q.]st June, 1794. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 Favoured with your letter of 
 the 17th, and the communication of the
 
 FIRST OF JUNE, 1794. 13 
 
 resolutions of the House of Commons on 
 the happy event of the late actions between 
 His Majesty's ships under my command, 
 and the Brest fleet, I am to request you 
 will have the goodness to assure the house 
 of the most sensible impression I shall 
 ever retain of the honour thereby conferred 
 upon me : from which conviction, that 
 earnest endeavours may thus, in the indul- 
 gent sentiments of the house, obtain the 
 applause due to eminent services, great 
 encouragement will naturally result for 
 exciting future Naval commanders to merit 
 such testimonies of approbation. 
 
 The appointment of the house to make 
 those resolutions known which resfard the 
 commendable exertions of the Admirals, 
 Captains, inferior officers, seamen and 
 soldiers of the fleet, will be conformed to 
 without delay. 
 
 I am further to intreat that you. Sir, 
 will be pleased to accept of my very grate- 
 ful thanks for the obliging terms in which 
 you have signified those declarations of the 
 house to me ; and that you will be persuad-
 
 14 LORD HOWE, 
 
 ed of the great respect with which I have 
 the honour to remain, Sir, your most 
 obedient, and most humble servant, 
 
 Howe. 
 The Right Hon. the Speaker 
 
 of the House of Commons. 
 
 The Hero whose eulogy has been thus proudly pro- 
 nounced, was the second son of Emanuel Scrope Viscount 
 Howe of the kingdom of Ireland, born in London IMarch 
 8, 1725 — 6 old style. In 1732 his father being appointed 
 Oovemor of Barbadoes, he was sent to Westminster 
 school, and shortly after to Eton. 
 
 As early as his fourteenth year, he entered the service 
 under the Hon. Captain Legge in the Severn of 50 gnns, 
 one of Lord Anson's squadron, which returning, from 
 damage, he removed to the Burford, and was in the attack 
 on Guitta on the coast of Cura^oa, whither the ship under 
 Commodore Sir Francis Knovvles was detached from Sir 
 Chaloner Ogle's fleet in 1743. His Captain (Lushington) 
 being killed, he was distinguished for his sensibility on 
 e.xamination before the consequent court martial. He 
 was made acting Lieutenant by the Commodore, but 
 this promotion was not confirmed by the Admiralty, and 
 he returned to his patron in the West Indies, where he 
 became Lieutenant of a sloop of war. 
 
 He here evinced a daring spirit in cutting out of the 
 neutral harbour of Eustatia, with the silent acquiescence 
 of his Captain, a merchant ship that had been captured 
 under its guns by the French.
 
 LORD HOWE. 15 
 
 In 1745, having served with Admiral Vernon, in the 
 downs, he became Commander in the Baltimore sloop on 
 the coast of Scotland, under Admiral Smith ; where, ia 
 aa action with two French frigates of 30 guns each, fuU 
 of troops and ammunition, he ran his vessel between them 
 in so gallant a manner as to compel them to sheer off, 
 leaving the Baltimore in a shattered state and himself 
 severely wounded in the head. He hence became Post 
 Captain, and in 1746 was ordered with the Triton 
 frigate to Lisbon, and afterwards joined his old patron at 
 Jamaica and returned at the peace (1748) his first Captain 
 in the Cornwall. 
 
 In 1751 he had the Mary yatcht, and in 1752, what he 
 liked better, the Dolphin frigate in the Mediterranean. 
 Here he was dispatched on a military embassy to Sallee, 
 where preparations were making for extensive piracy, and 
 succeeded in arresting its effects against the English 
 without any sacrifice. 
 
 In 1758 he married one of the co-heiresses of Mr. 
 Hartop of Leicestershire, by whom he had two daughters. 
 His services, become distinguished, procured him to be 
 consulted by the minister in 1758 on attacking the French 
 coast, when he desired, as Captain, to be employed. Mr. 
 Pitt observed he could not interfere in nominating Captains 
 to the Commander in chief, but relieved himself from this 
 difficulty by giving Capt. Howe the command of a conjunct 
 expedition, with which he is said to have been the fust 
 Englishman who ventured to sail with a large fleet lhroi:gh 
 the race of Alderney. The Duke of Marlborough landing 
 at Concale effected great destruction, while the Commodore 
 annoyed the coast by sea. 
 
 ' There is a highly characteristic anecdote we liave somewhere met 
 with of a French invalid w iio remained alone at a small battery, ami
 
 16 LORD HOWE. 
 
 He had in the same year the honour to command Hie 
 Royal Highness the late Prince Edward in several affairs 
 of various success on the same coast_, in one of which the 
 town of Cherbourg was taken by Lieutenant General 
 Biigh. ' Of the prince it is remarkable, that he exhibited 
 at once the strictest example of bravery and subordination; 
 and that when the Duke of Newcastle spoke to the king 
 of his Royal Highness's exposure, George the Second 
 only asked that minister how his grandson was to be 
 trained to sea service, and not inured to danger ! 
 
 At this period his brother being killed at Ticonderaga, 
 in America, he became Viscount Howe of the kingdom of 
 Ireland. 
 
 In 1759, in the Magnanime, one of Sir Edward 
 llawke's squadron, he bore a distinguished share in the 
 victory over M. Conflans, and received in consequence the 
 Colonelcy of Chatham Marines, its first creation. In 
 1760 he again distinguished himself in a bloody disposses- 
 sion of the French from the island Dumet. 
 
 After twenty two years of privacy, (let merit be content!) 
 it seems ministerial arrangements permitted his return to 
 the service in 1782 with an English peerage. After 
 cruizing against the Dutch, in the following October, 
 he performed his great achievement, the relief of Gibraltar 
 
 who could do no more tban load and fire his nitisket. When the forces 
 had landed, lie was brought to the Duke and remonstrated with for 
 continuing to attempt mischief when he could no longer do it with 
 effect. — " I dont care," said he, " 'twas mj* post ; and if all my country- 
 men Iiaddone as I have done, you would not have landed this day at 
 Con^ale !" 
 
 ' Here fell in a distinguished manner, En<;igD John Cocks the theu 
 representative of the truly noble family of Somers.
 
 FIRST OF JUNE, 1794. 1? 
 
 against the combined French and Spanish fleet of forty- 
 six sail of the line, and was only prevented from forcing 
 them afterwards to battle, by the fear of obloquy from 
 any manoeuvre resembling a false flight : such is the effect 
 of public contention. Peace ensuing, his next great act 
 was that, which a second time obtained him the proud 
 honors, which it comes within the duty of these pages to 
 record, and an Earldom. Of such actions indeed one in 
 a war might have been deemed sufficient, were it not for 
 the glories that ensued, in which they were emulated in 
 every part of the world. 
 
 Earl Howe died after gradual decay on the 5th Aug. 
 1799? in the seventy-fourth year of his age. 
 
 It is necessary in this first instance to deviate in a certain 
 degree from the course intended to be pursued, but the 
 immediate cause will be its best explanation. 
 
 The thanks of Parliament to all except 
 the Commander in Chief being directed to 
 pass through Earl Howe, we have now to 
 add the Public Orders of the Admiral, 
 through which his lordship, with great 
 spirit and perspicuity, communicated the 
 honours his fleet had received. 
 
 To those of Parliament it will be per- 
 ceived that others municipal and commer- 
 cial were added. 
 
 ^g. B
 
 18 LOJID HOWE. 
 
 Queeyi Charlotte, at Spithead, Jxine 20///, 17!)4, 
 
 "The Commander in Chief is 
 directed, pursuant to the King's pleasure, 
 to make known in the fleet, that His 
 Majesty has deigned to express the highest 
 satisfaction in the account reported by the 
 Admiral, of the bravery and gallant beha- 
 viour of the officers and men serving in 
 the fleet, in the actions with the enemy on 
 the 28th, and 29th, of May, and 1st of the 
 present month, and is charged in the man- 
 ner judged most proper, to acquaint all 
 the officers and men, more especiall}^ the 
 Admirals Graves and Sir Samuel Hood 
 K. B. the Rear Admirals Bowyer, Cald- 
 well, Gardner, and Pasley, and Sir 
 Roger Curtis, (first Captain to the Com- 
 mander in Chief) with the just sense his 
 Majesty entertains of the zeal and courage 
 they have so eminently exerted on those 
 occasions. 
 
 " The Commander in Chief has also 
 been required by the Lords spiritual and 
 temporal, and the honourable the Commons 
 of Great Britain, in parliament assembled.
 
 FIRST OF JUNE, 1794. 19 
 
 to convey the thanks of their respective 
 houses to the flas; officers already named 
 as above, and to the captains and other 
 officers of the fleet, for their bravery and 
 gallant conduct, with their approval and 
 acknowledgement of the services of the Sea- 
 men, Marines, and Soldiers, ' serving 
 in the said fleet on the several actions with 
 the enemy as aforesaid. 
 
 '* The Commander in Chief, with the 
 highest sense of pleasure, communicates in 
 this manner such approval and acknowledge- 
 ment, as above stated, to the said officers 
 and ships' companies; and desires in con- 
 sequence, that the several captains of the 
 different ships will signify the same to their 
 respective officers and crews accordingl3^ 
 
 " He is moreover to make known at this 
 time, that in a court of common council 
 holden in the chamber of Guildhall in the 
 City of London the 18th instant, in con- 
 sideration, {as it is expressed) of the very 
 gallant conduct of the seamen, &c.* who 
 
 ' This is explained by a previous remark. 
 
 * The necessity of perspicuity in all communications on puhlic sulv
 
 20 LORD HOWE. 
 
 served on board the fleet in the said actions, 
 and in token of the gratitude of the said 
 court of common council, the Chamberlain 
 of the City is directed to pay into the 
 hands of Mr. Thomas Tayler, the Master 
 of Lloyd^s Coffee House, the sum of five 
 hundred pounds for the relief of the wound- 
 ed warrant officers, petty officers, seamen, 
 &c. and also the widows and children of 
 those who so gloriously fell on the days 
 before mentioned, in the service of their 
 king and country. 
 
 It is likewise to be noticed, that a very 
 considerable sum of money had been pre- 
 viously subscribed (and is still increasing in 
 amount) by many respectable and generous 
 private gentlemen, making their deposits 
 with Mr. Tayler for the like purposes ; 
 consonant to the tenor of which the several 
 captains of the fleet have been desired to 
 transmit to the said Mr. Tayler, the names 
 
 jects is here manifested ; contemplating only the relief of those who 
 were most necessitated, the amanuensis of the committee named 
 tiiem fast, an awkwardness which did uot, it appears, escape the 
 Adjuiral.
 
 FIRST OF JUNE, 1794. 21 
 
 of the killed and wounded seamen, marines, 
 and soldiers ' with adequate descriptions of 
 the persons entitled to that reUef, with all 
 convenient despatch. 
 
 Hence is demonstrated the various recog- 
 nisance with which the British people thus 
 early, in a new and unexampled contest, 
 met their defenders, and encouraged them 
 to those immortal efforts by which they 
 have progressively succeeded in establish- 
 ing in their age, the glory of the British 
 arms. 
 
 If it shall be lamented by any that there 
 are names known to all, which do not 
 appear in these proud testimonies of nation- 
 al service, let it be remembered, that 
 though these may not appear prominent, 
 yet there can be few indeed who have not 
 been included in some of the votes of 
 
 ' The committee at Lloyd's are closely perspicuous, taking care to 
 distinguish the objects of their solicitude, and here recognizing the 
 military who served on board the ships. 
 
 It is perhaps worthy of remark at the outset of a work like the 
 present, that this committee of the first commercial men in the world, 
 appear to have arranged as a general rate of subscription, the sum of 
 ten guineas, and moreover that a lady appears among the names on the 
 first day (Mrs. Angerstein) See Advertisement 11th June, 1794.
 
 22 LORD HOWE. 
 
 thanks, and thus partaken with their fortu- 
 nate commanders in the honors in which 
 their names appear pre-eminent. 
 
 This is rendered particuhirly clear from 
 the very declaration of the present Com- 
 mander in Chief in his signal dispatch, 
 who after adding the names of Seymour, 
 Pakenkam, Berkelij, Gatnbicr, Harvey, 
 Payne, Parker, Pringle, Duckworth, and 
 Elpkhtstoiie, thus admirably remarks: These 
 selections however, should not be construed 
 to the disadvantage of other commanders. 
 who may have been equally deserving of 
 the approbation of the Lords Commission- 
 ers of the Admiralty, although I am not 
 enabled to make a particular stateinent of 
 their merit. His lordship also nobly adds^ 
 that from the reports of the several cap- 
 tains of the fleet, which he had received, 
 they would " become acquainted also with 
 the animated intrepidity of the subordinate 
 officers and ships companies, to which the 
 defeat of the enemy is truly to be ascribed.
 
 23 
 
 THE OPERATIONS OF LORD HOOD 
 IN THE MEDITERRANEAN.— 
 
 WITH A LAND FORCE UNDER LIEUT- 
 ENANT General (afterwards Sir 
 David) DuNDAS. 
 
 AVhile Lord Howe in the British channel 
 had drawn from a grateful country the 
 first tribute of its honourable praise, 
 another veteran httle less distinguished by 
 age and services, had been earning the 
 same glorious meed in the Mediterranean 
 sea. 
 
 The scope and scene of Lord Hood's 
 operations seem to have been greatly con- 
 fided to his lordship's judgment, guided, no 
 doubt, in a powerful degree by the political 
 judgment of Sir Gilbert Elliot, (since Lord 
 Minto,) and the intelligence of military 
 men of the first character, who in the in- 
 cipient stages of the war, either purposely, 
 or in the course of their respective services, 
 were dispersed throughout the coast or the 
 islands of Italy. Their merit will be best 
 perceived in the occupation of the French 
 port of Toulon sufficiently long to destroy
 
 24 LORD HOOD. 
 
 its arsenal and much of its shipping ; and 
 in the capture of the capital and principal 
 positions of Corsica, which, for the time, 
 was an honourable appendage of the 
 British crown. 
 
 The thanks of the Houses of Peers and 
 Commons, were communicated on the 20th 
 and 21st of June, after having experi- 
 enced a Protest from some Lords, which, 
 since it cannot affect in any degree the 
 character of the noble commander, and 
 certainl}^ renders but justice to some of the 
 most distinguished officers of the present 
 age, is here preserved. The impatient 
 jealousy of Englishmen, while an operation 
 is yet incomplete, is manifested in the 
 third paragraph ; and strikingly tends to 
 shew how hardly earned are the honours 
 of a chief in command ; whose progressive 
 anxiety under all its immediate and rela- 
 tive circumstances, would seem more than 
 commensurate to the hiohest rewards. 
 
 Besides Sir David Dundas, since so con- 
 siderable in the annals of the British army, 
 there were conjointly employed in this
 
 MEDITERRANEAN. 25 
 
 expedition. Lieutenant Colonel, (now Lieu- 
 tenant General) H. T. Montresor ; Lieu- 
 tenant Colonel (afterwards Sir John) 
 Moore ; and Colonel Sir James St. Clair 
 Erskine, now Earl Rosslyn ; the troops 
 chiefl}^ consisted of the Royal Scots 
 (Second Battalion), 11th, 25th, 30th, 50th, 
 51st, and 69th, regiments. * 
 
 In the Navy, Captain (afterwards Earl) 
 Nelson, in his favorite Agamemnon, appears 
 prominent in command of the seamen 
 who landed the guns, stores, &c. Captain 
 (afterwards Lord) Duncan, and many 
 gallant names which have since experien- 
 ced various fortunes in their service. 
 
 And though last, not least, in this expedi- 
 tion against Corsica, was employed the co- 
 operation of General Paoh, a name that for 
 
 ' In one of the despatches of Lord Hood, speaking of the surrender 
 of Bastia, he mentions an incident respecting some military officers, 
 which is repeated first, from its occurring to a naval commander, and 
 secondly, because the example is excellently calculated, in the wordg 
 of Parliament, to " incitement." 
 
 " Major Smith and Ensign Vigoureux of the 25th Regiment, and 
 Captain Radsdale and Lieutenant St. George of the 11th, not 
 embarking with their several Regiments, having civil employments on 
 shore, it is to their honor I mention that they relinquished those 
 employments, and joined their corps soon after the troops were 
 landed."
 
 26 LORD HOOD. 
 
 thirty years before had been rendered syno- 
 nymous with every thing that constitutes a 
 generous yet rational liberty ; and which, 
 if not immortalized, by those splendid rays 
 that dazzle for the moment, with so many 
 great names of short duration, has derived 
 a steady lustre from the faithful, indefatiga- 
 ble, and interesting genius of Boswell of 
 Auchinleck. 
 
 It is a singular coincidence of this part 
 of the operations of Lord Hood, that his 
 lordship's transition here was from the first 
 scene of enterprize to that of the birth of 
 him who for a time governed Euiope, and 
 was least of all aptly styled in derision — 
 The Corsican ! 
 
 PROTEST 
 
 against the Vote of Thanks to Lord Hood. 
 Dissentient : 
 1. Because it has not been the practice 
 of this House to vote thanks to officers 
 commanding His Majesty ^s forces by sea 
 or land, except in cases when they have 
 eminently advanced the honor and pro- 
 moted the interests of their country, by the
 
 MEDITERRANEAN. 27 
 
 most important and acknowledged services. 
 
 2. Because by voting the thanks of 
 this House except in such instances, we 
 diminish the value of the rnost honorable 
 reward we have it in our pozoer to confer, 
 and lessen one of the best incitements to 
 
 future service. 
 
 3. Because the reduction of Bastia does 
 not in itself appear to us to be such a 
 service, as calls upon this House for any 
 extraordinary mark of approbation or 
 applause. 
 
 4. Because whatever the merits of that 
 service may be, the other Admirals of 
 the fleet and the Commanding officers of 
 his Majesty's land forces, must have had 
 their share in it, and to refuse thanking 
 THEM as had been usual on similar occasions, 
 appears to us to justify an opinion that the 
 vote of thanks to Lord Hood originated 
 from some motive of a private and personal 
 nature, which it is improper for the House 
 to countenance. 
 
 5. Because even ministers themselves do 
 not seem in the first instance to have con-
 
 28 LORD HOOD. 
 
 sidered that service as entitled to such a 
 mark of approbation, for though accounts 
 had been received oj the reduction of Bastia 
 precious to those obtained hy the Fleet tinder 
 the command of Earl Howe, no intention 
 was announced of moving a vote of thanks 
 to Lord Hood till this House had paid the 
 just tribute of gratitude and honor for that 
 more important and splendid victory. 
 (Signed) Bedford, Lauderdale, 
 
 Albemarle, Derby, 
 
 Thanet. 
 
 This was not a measure hostile to the 
 service of the country ; if the vote passed not, 
 from this accompanyment, with the eclat 
 of that to Lord Howe, it at least added to 
 the splendor of those which are immediately 
 to follow. 
 
 We again lament the want of the ad- 
 dress ; to the annunciation of the vote, the 
 following is the answer of Lord Hood.
 
 MEDITERRANEAN. 29 
 
 (Journals or the House of Lords.) 
 Mar-tis 30 die Decemhris 1794'. 
 
 Victory, of Calvi, July 30, 1794. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I have this day received the 
 very obhging letter your lordship did me 
 the honour to write me on the 20th of last 
 month, acquainting me of the very high 
 and distinguished honour the lords spiritual 
 and temporal in parliament assembled, 
 have been pleased to confer on me, by 
 their lordships' very flattering testimony of 
 approbation of my services ; and I shall 
 not fail to make known to the several 
 officers, seamen, marines, and soldiers, the 
 second resolution, expressive of their lord- 
 ships' acknowledgment and approval of 
 their spirited and meritorious conduct. 
 
 I have invariably, my lord, laboured 
 with the utmost diligence and zeal upon 
 all occasions to acquit myself in my duty 
 as a faithful servant to my king and coun- 
 try, conscious at the same time that in do- 
 ing so, I did only what I ought ; buit to 
 have it marked in so honourable and con-
 
 30 LORD HOOD. 
 
 spicuous a manner, as by a vote of thanks 
 from the house of lords, has impresscxl my 
 mind with feelings of gratitude that can 
 never be effaced ; and must operate as a 
 very powerful excitement, that my future 
 conduct may not forfeit the good opinion 
 the lords, spiritual and temporal, have so 
 eminently manifested of me. 
 
 To you, my lord, my obligation is great 
 in the extreme, for the very gracious and 
 polite manner in which your lordship has 
 conveyed to me, the stamp of reputation 
 the house of lords has been pleased to give 
 to my honest endeavours for discharging 
 with fidelity my duty to the public. 
 
 I have the honour to be. with the hidiest 
 sentiments of respect and esteem, my lord, 
 your lordship's very faithful, obedient, and 
 obliged humble servant. 
 
 Hood. 
 The Right Hon. 
 
 Lord Chancellor.
 
 MEDITERRANEAN. 31 
 
 (Journals of the Commons) — MeirJirii 
 21 die Becemhns 1794'. 
 
 Fictori/, off Calvi, July 30th, ] 794. 
 Sir, 
 
 I have this day received the 
 very obhging letter 3^ou did me the honour 
 to write me on the 21st of last month, with 
 two resolutions of the House of Commons. 
 
 I am most trul}^ sensible, Sir, of the very 
 hio-h and distinguished honour the House 
 has done me in thinking me deserving of its 
 thanks ; and shall not fail to make known 
 to the several officers, seamen, marines and 
 soldiers, the second resolution of the House, 
 expressive of acknowledgment and appro- 
 bation of their spirited and meritorious 
 exertions. 
 
 In doing my utmost upon all occasions 
 against the common enemy, I did no more 
 than I ought; all I have to boast is being 
 fortunate in the opportunities I have had 
 of proving my inclination to discharge my 
 duty, as a faithful servant to my king and 
 country; and that, whenever I have been 
 at the head of a squadron of his Majesty's
 
 32 LOUD HOOD. 
 
 fleet, 1 never experienced any other con- 
 tention amongst the Admirals, Captains, 
 Officers and men, than who should be most 
 forward in fulfilling my wishes : this, Sir, I 
 am and ever shall be proud of; but whilst 
 the representatives of Great Britain in 
 Parliament are so ready, not only to accept, 
 but distinguishingly reward honest endea- 
 vours, as substantial services, the nation 
 will never want able and zealous officers. 
 
 To you, Sir, I feel infinitely indebted for 
 the very polite and obliging manner in 
 which you have conveyed to me a vote of 
 the House of Commons so highly honour- 
 able to me, for which, to the House, as 
 well as to you. Sir, my gratitude can cease 
 only with my life. 
 
 I have the honour to be, with the purest 
 sentiments of respect and esteem. Sir, 3'our 
 most faithful and obliged humble servant, 
 
 Hood. 
 The Right Hon, H. Addington, 
 
 Speaker of the House of Conmions.
 
 MEDITERRANEAN. 33 
 
 We shall speak no farther at present of the Officers 
 serving in a subordinate capacity on this occasion, who 
 afterwards signalized themselves pre-eminently in the ser- 
 vice of their country, and received the due meed of its 
 gratitude ; it is sufficient that the veteran so employed in 
 the Mediterranean was fullv deserving of the honors he 
 received. 
 
 We may, however, add, that M. Pozzo di Borgo, whose 
 name has been but recently prominent in the liberal 
 French politics, was conspicuous in the affairs of Corsica. 
 
 Lord Hood, one of the numerous heroes whose privacy 
 of birth has been ennobled by their heroism, nevertheless 
 became Lieutenant as early as 1746 , in the ensuing peace 
 became Commander; and in ]7r>6 Captain of the Jamaica 
 sloop, in which distinguishing himself in an encounter 
 with a small French squadron in America, he became 
 Captain of the Lively frigate. The ensuing year he 
 commanded the Bideford in the Bay of Biscay, and in 
 1758 with the Vestal, after a dreadful conflict, captured 
 the Bellona French frigate in the Channel. Thence he 
 proceeded to the Mediterranean, when war ceased. 
 
 When a rupture was expected in Spain in 1771, he was 
 appointed to the Royal William of 84 guns, but quickly 
 went out of commission. He then served the ordinary 
 three years in the Marlbro' 74, Guard ship at Portsmouth, 
 and in ]777> became Resident Commissioner there; 
 where on his Majesty's visit in the following year, he 
 received the patent of Baronetcy. In September 1778, 
 he hoisted his flag as Rear Admiral of the Blue in the 
 Barfleur 90 guns, and sailed with a squadron to the rein- 
 forcement of Sir George Rodney in the West Indies. 
 
 ^g. c
 
 34 LORD HOOD. 
 
 Here he arrived just time enough to have a small ren- 
 contre with the Count de Grasse, similarly emploved 
 toward the French fleet under Bouille ; to follow it to 
 America and back again ; and after endeavouring to save 
 the island of St. Kitt, to contribute chiefly to the glorious 
 victory of the 12th of April over the whole, and, being 
 appointed to pursue the flying enemy, captured four or 
 live. He was rewarded ^^ ith the Peerage of Ireland, and 
 an established fame. 
 
 Peace soon restationed hhn as Port Admiral at Ports- 
 mouth ; and sent him to Parliament as representative 
 of Westminster ; in the memorable 1/84. In 1788 he 
 became a Lord of the Admiralty. 
 
 Another rupture threatening with Spain, he was appoint- 
 ed as before, but as before, it subsided, and he returned. 
 
 The revolutionary war, however, soon furnished him 
 with the occasion we at present record. Vice Admiral 
 of the Red, he proceeded with a fleet to the Mediterranean, 
 having his flag in the Victory ; and produced the tempo- 
 rary surrender of Toulon; and that of Calvi, chief port of 
 Corsica, which under the administration of tlie celebrated 
 Paoli, and the present Lord Minto, temporarily became 
 annexed to the British crown. 
 
 Lord Hood in 1796, succeeded Sir Hugh Palliser as 
 Governor of Greenwich Hospital, and in the following 
 year was made an English Viscount, succeedmg in course 
 progressively toward the highest station in the Navy. His 
 Lordship died but recently at a very advanced age.
 
 35 
 
 CAPTURE OF THE AVEST INDIAN 
 COLONIES OF THE ENEMY, by 
 Gen. Sir Charles, (afterwards Earl) 
 Grey, and Vice Admiral Sir John 
 Jervis, k. b. (afterwards Earl St. 
 Vincent.) 
 
 In common with other wars, upon the 
 commencement of that of the French 
 Revolution, it became necessary to deprive 
 the enemy of these useful ornaments, and 
 essential tributaries to his power. 
 
 In this grand conjunct expedition, the 
 land forces appear more prominent than 
 before; if not in fact greatly superseding 
 the navy. Their operations were not 
 merely extensive, but they were of con- 
 siderable duration ; and in respect to the 
 persons employed in them, most eminent. 
 Here his Royal Highness Prince Edward 
 present Duke of Kent and Strathern, after 
 completing his eminent military education 
 in Germany, and commanding a regiment 
 at Gii)raltar and thence to America, per- 
 formed his noviciate against the public 
 enemy, with an activity that appears every
 
 36 
 
 EARLS GREY AND ST. VINCENT. 
 
 where marked in the annals of his comman- 
 ders both by land and sea. 
 
 Here Lieutenant General Prescott, 
 Major General Dundas, Colonel Campbell 
 of the 9th foot, who was killed in heading 
 an important charge, Colonel Symes, 
 Lieutenant Colonel (since General Sir 
 Eyre) Coote, Lieutenant Colonel (since 
 General Sir John) Cradock, Colonel (after- 
 wards Lieutenant General) Sir AV. Myers, 
 Major (since General Sir Thomas) Mait- 
 land, and many others whose names have 
 since had ample space in the roll of history, 
 were incipiently employed with the highest 
 credit to themselves, and utility to the 
 service. 
 
 This is the outline, in point of character, 
 of a glowing picture to be interestingly, 
 though often painfully, filled up by the 
 veteran officers of that land and sea army 
 which subsequently performed such won- 
 ders in this unexampled war. 
 
 In a despatch received by the Admiralty 
 on the 2ist of May from Sir John Jervis, 
 the Admiral expressed his satisfaction in
 
 WEST INDIES. 37 
 
 informing it of the entire reduction of 
 the French islands in these seas; so that 
 a most favourable opportunity offered in 
 the distribution of honours for success in 
 an object of such magnitude. ' 
 
 The thanks were accordingly voted to 
 the chiefs in command of the navy and 
 army with their immediate subordinates, 
 and the following answers returned ; 
 
   There is sometliing very beautiful in the unaffected compliments 
 paid to each other in their despatclies by the naval and military com- 
 manders in chief. In a letter of March 16, from the Camp before 
 Bourbon, Sir Charles Grey states that " Admiral Sir John Jervis's 
 professional knowledge never shone with more lustre, nor ever was 
 exceeded. Nor can I sufficiently extol the promptness with which he 
 has aided the land forces on every occasion, liis unremittinsr exertions," 
 &c. And the General attributes the state of the siege to the exertions 
 of the officers and seamen of the Navy, who brouglit the cannon, 
 mortars, &c. several miles, to heights where it appeared impossi- 
 ble. 
 
 Sir John Jervis in his final dispatch of April 23 off Basseterre, 
 Gnadaloupe, agreeably remarks, that the Navy and Army so united, 
 " no difficulty nor danger arrested their career of glory for an instant. 
 From the General, and other officers of the Army with whom I had 
 fre(iuent occasion to traiisact business, / never experienced an unpleasant 
 j7f)K, and I found in Colonel Svmes, the Quarter Master General, re- 
 sources, zeal, and ability superior to every obstacle which presented 
 itself." 
 
 To enumerate the well deserved praise of subordinate officers who 
 afterwards highly distinguished themselves would exceed our plan a^ ^ 
 well as boundaries. They were however frequent, and energetic ; 
 such as in the assault on Bellegarde's Camp, which it is said Lieutenant
 
 38 EARLS GREY AND ST. VINCENT. 
 
 Boyne, off Martinique, 9.6th July, 1794. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I never experienced so much 
 difficulty in any event of my life, as to 
 express the high sense I entertain of the 
 very distinguished honour conferred upon 
 me, bj^ the unanimous resolution of the 
 house of Lords, conveyed in your lordship's 
 letter of the 21st May. 1 shall seize the 
 first opportunity to forward their lordships* 
 approbation to Rear Admiral Thompson, 
 the Captains and the several other officers 
 of the squadron, and to communicate it 
 through tliem to the seamen and marines ; 
 to the meritorious conduct of these officers 
 and men, jointly with that of the army, I 
 attribute entirely the successes which have 
 attracted the notice of the House of liOrds ; 
 and I beg leave to return my best thanks to 
 your lordship, for the very obliging terms in 
 which you have made it known to, my 
 
 Colonels Coote and Blnndell attacked " on the left in snch a superior 
 • style of spirit and impetuosity as to prove irresistible," a "conduct 
 above praise," and of which the admiration of the commander wa? 
 inexpressible.
 
 WEST INDIES. 39 
 
 lord, your lordship's most obliged and 
 obedient humble servant, 
 
 J. Jervis. 
 
 Marlhiico, July the ^Sth 1794. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 1 have received the most 
 honorable testimonials transmitted by your 
 lordship, of the vote of thanks of the House 
 of Lords to myself, Lieutenant General 
 Prescott, His Royal Highness Prince 
 Edward, Major General Thomas Dundas, 
 and the other officers, non-commissioned 
 officers, and soldiers of the army under my 
 command. We cannot fail to feel in the most 
 eminent degree this mark of approbation 
 and favor, and we are adequately grateful. 
 
 I beg your lordship to accept my thanks 
 for the ver}'^ obliging terms in which you 
 have been pleased to communicate this 
 information. 
 
 I have the honor to be, my lord, your 
 lordship's most obedient and very humble 
 servant, 
 
 Charles Grey.
 
 40 EAIILS GREY AND ST. VIXCEXT, 
 
 Boi/iie, St Pierre, Martiyiique, 26th November, 1 794. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 On the arrival of the Queen 
 Charlotte packet, I am this day honoured 
 with your letter dated the 21st of May, 
 transmitting the resolutions of the House 
 of Connnons, so flattering to myself and 
 to the officers, seamen, and marines, it was 
 my good fortune to command during the 
 late operations in these seas ; J shall lose 
 no time in communicatino' them to Rear 
 Admiral Thompson, and to the Captains, 
 Officers, seamen and marines, who remain 
 on the Leeward Island station. 
 
 No language I am master of, can ex- 
 press my gratitude upon this occasion; 
 and 1 request you will do me the honour 
 to convey the same to the house, in the 
 fullest manner. 
 
 The very elegant terms in which you. 
 Sir, have been pleased to conununicate 
 these resolutions, claim my warmest thanks; 
 and I have the honour to be, with the
 
 WEST INDIES. 41 
 
 greatest respect, Sir, your most obedient 
 and most humble servant, 
 
 J. Jervis. 
 The Riaht Hon. 
 
 Henry Addington, &c. &c. 
 
 Martis 13 die Januarii, 1795. 
 
 Martinico, Nov. Q.6th, 1794. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 By the Queen Charlotte packet, 
 arrived this day, I received the honour of 
 your letter of the 21st May last, with the 
 vote of thanks from the House of Commons 
 of Great Britain to me and the Army 
 under my command. 
 
 We feel this flattering testimonial of the 
 public approbation of our conduct and the 
 polite terms of your letter. Sir, by which it 
 is communicated, as the most eminent 
 favour, and are thereby impressed with the 
 warmest and most lively sense of gratitude. 
 
 I have the honour to be, with the greatest 
 respect, Sir, your most obedient and most 
 humble servant, 
 
 Charles Grey.
 
 42 EARLS GRKY AND ST. VIXCENT. 
 
 P. S. A note from Mr. King, Deputy 
 Secretary of State, acquaints me that your 
 letter with those resolutions, has been so 
 long detained there, in the expectation of 
 my arrival in England. 
 The Right Hon. H. Addington, 
 
 Speaker of the House of Commons, 
 Sec. &c. &c. 
 
 As early as the 23d of April, Sir John 
 Jervis announcing from Guadaloupe his 
 satisfaction at the entire reduction of the 
 French islands in those seas, stated their best 
 posts to have been carried by the divisions of 
 Prince Edward and Colonel Symes, and 
 the corps under Major General Dundas. 
 
 The military life of Earl Grey was marked by few 
 incidents, but those seem to be of great good fortune. 
 
 His name though ancient in Northumberland ap- 
 peared as a new family, which prospered from a short 
 period before his birth. His father, Sir Henry, had been 
 Sheriff in 1736, and created a Baronet just ten years after. 
 Though he entered the army therefore in some degree as 
 a soldier of fortune, he was permitted to raise a new corps 
 so early as March 1755, and became Lieutenant Colonel 
 gSth foov in 1761, though ill health prevented his joining
 
 WEST INDIES. 43 
 
 the corps at the siege of Belleisle. In December 1772, 
 he was promoted to the rank of Colonel ; the following 
 year Aid du Camp to the King; and iu 1777 Major 
 General : when he seemed first to evince himself. 
 
 In September of that year it was that the Commander 
 in Chief in America, Sir William Howe, having received 
 intimation that the American General Wayne was posted 
 in a wood with 1500 picked riflemen, to harass the left 
 wing of the army, General Grey, in the middle of the night, 
 having ordered the flints to be taken out of his men's 
 pieces, moved silently toward the enemy, surprized, destroy- 
 ed a large number, and put the rest to an utter flight. 
 Of the baggage captured. General Grey used to say he 
 could not boast. One oflftcer and a very small number of 
 privates was the English loss. In 17S2, toward the close of 
 those toils, he became Lieutenant General, Commander of 
 the Forces in America, and Governor of Dumbarton ; and 
 in 1783, a Knight of the Bath. 
 
 Thus the present occasi(m found him ; when with Sir 
 John Jervis, (Lord St. Vincent) he occupied Martinique, 
 St. Lucie, and Guadaloupe, in the most vigorous manner, 
 and derived the honor at present recorded. 
 
 There is however another which it would be wrong to 
 omit, that of the freedom of London conferred in his best 
 manner by the celebrated Mr. Chamberlain Wilkes, on him- 
 self and colleague and with some remarkable circumstances. 
 
 Having said this, it will naturally be expected that the 
 terms should be recorded — they were as follow : 
 " Gentlemen, 
 
 " I give you joy, and I feel my pride, as an Englishman, 
 and as Chamberlain of this great City, highly gratified 
 indeed, in the honor of comnmnicating to two so brave 
 and illustrioua commanders in the fleets and armies of my
 
 44 EARLS GREY AND ST. VINCENT. 
 
 country, the unanimous resolution of thanks from the 
 Lord ^layor, Aldermen, and Common Council of the 
 City of London in Common Hall assembled. 
 
 ^' The glory of the British arms has not only been support- 
 ed by you both by sea and land, but your able, gallant, and 
 meritorious conduct in the West indies atchieved brilliant 
 conquests, rendered signal services, and acquired the most 
 solid advantages in an important and critical sera, and over 
 a powerful and perfidious enemy. We reflect with singu- 
 lar satisfaction on those wonderful exertions of wisdom 
 and policy, continued during the whole period of your 
 command, by which you preserved between the naval and 
 military force% a happy and perfect harmony. 
 
 " This object you saw to be of theirs/ necessity for the 
 accomplishment of all arduous enterprizes, and to the 
 want of which, and disgrace of some former periods, the 
 recording page of English history has ascribed the failure 
 of bold and grand undertakings. Your excellent conduct 
 and intelligence secured a regular co-operation of the 
 whole British force : hence victory followed your stand- 
 ards, and carried a series of successes through an extended 
 variety of difficulties and dangers. 
 
 '• Permit, gentlemen, the city wreaths to be mixed with 
 the laurels you have so fairly won ; with a general 
 applause which must more and more endear to you the 
 sentiments of gratitude that pervade the country in which 
 we live, and particularly animate the metropolis of our 
 empire. 
 
 " They give a full indemnity against the slanderous 
 breath of envy, and the foul calumnies of the envenomed 
 serpent-tongue of malice, which in these latter times has 
 scarcely ceased to detract from, and endeavour to wound 
 superior merit."
 
 WEST INDIES. 45 
 
 The writer is sure he shall be excused for introducing 
 this fine effort of the most polished man of that time in 
 England. It were perhaps to be wished that no occasion 
 had been found for the introduction of the last paragraph 
 of the speech. A public writer in allusion to it, however, 
 observes, that " the slanderous breath of envy, to which 
 the Chamberlain allud'cd, had about that period attempted 
 to sully the laurels of our gallant commanders. It began 
 to diffuse itself iii indirect insinuations and obscure hints ; 
 but vanished at the defiance held out by the relatives and 
 friends of the heroes calumniated !" 
 
 In 1796, Sir Charles Grey became General, the suc- 
 ceeding year Governor of Guernsey, and in ISOd was 
 advanced to the Earldom, which he enjoyed but a year. 
 He was Colonel of the 3d or King's Dragoons. 
 
 As if to mark this peculiar period by the dignity of veteran 
 activity, the naval hero whose answer also has just been 
 recorded, after the service of more than half a century, 
 and although he had been previously in his senatorial cha- 
 racter opposing the measures of administration, accepted 
 again employment. 
 
 John, second son of Swinfen Jervis, Barrister at Law, 
 and Counsel to the Admiralty, born in 1732, and educated 
 at the Grammar school of Burton in his native county, 
 entered the British navy under Lord Hawke, at the age 
 often years. At the ensuing peace (1748) he visited 
 France to acquire its language and accomplishments, and 
 returning to the service on the recommencement of war 
 became Post Captain, and served on the West India 
 station. 
 
 In 1771, he would appear to have visited Gibraltar, ii
 
 46 EARL ST. VINCENT. 
 
 the authenticity of an inscription with which we have been 
 favored, is to be depended on, and to have evinced very 
 superior talents in composition, as well as a noble spirit of 
 beneficence.' In 1778, he coiiinianded with credit the 
 
 ' It would be an extensive injnsiice were we to withhold from these 
 pages the inscription alluded to, particularly in a work so peculiarly 
 adapted to its subject. 
 
 " The sad mangled remains 
 Of the Commander of the Isis, 
 (Who, while he exulted to engage 
 
 The OriHamc, 
 The Leader of Ihe French Squadron, 
 Was unfortunately taken off 
 By the first fire of the enemy, 
 On the First day of April, in the year 1761, 
 
 and that of his age ) 
 
 Long lay here deposited, 
 
 Without a stone, without a line, 
 
 To enumerate the virtues or even the name 
 
 Of Captain Edward Wheeler. 
 
 Could a friend visit this spot without a tear ? 
 
 A Friend — not point out the great example. 
 
 To every sailor of each succeeding fleet, 
 
 To every soldier of this changing garrison, 
 
 Long as Gibraltar shall bridle Spain, 
 Or Britain remain Mistress of the Ocean, 
 Of his intrepid valour, 
 Universal benevolence, 
 And unremitting cheerfulness ; 
 Inspired by the love of his country, 
 Of mankind, of his friends, of his shipmates; 
 And preserved to lils last breath, 
 Amidst the most excruciating torments ? 
 
 Reader, 
 Excuse the vanity of a Brotlier Commander,
 
 WEST INDIES. 47 
 
 Foudiojant in the action between Admiral Kcppel and 
 the French fleet, which derived from Fox and Erskine so 
 much notoriety ; and in the same ship in 1 782, captured 
 the Pegasus French 74 in a pursuit off Ushant under 
 Admiral Barrington, He was here wounded ; and he 
 now leceived the order of the Bath. During the peace 
 his promotions as Rear Admiral of the Blue and of the 
 White, took place in course in 1787 and 1790. He was 
 chosen member of parliament on the interest of the 
 Marquis of Lansdowne, and appeared in support of the 
 principles of the whigs. 
 
 The present occasion finds Sir John Jervis command- 
 ing a squadron in a conjunct expedition with General Sir 
 Charles Grey for the reduction of the French West India 
 Islands, an expedition that much injured his health, but 
 did not impair his activity. For, in 1796, having succeed- 
 ed Admiral Hotham in the Mediterranean, he obtained 
 that victory over a superior Spanish fleet, which obtained 
 him the Earldom of St. Vincent's, the scene of action, and 
 new and peculiar honours of parliament. * His Lordship 
 had also the felicity to have in his fleet on that occasion, 
 Nelson and Collingwood, names already consecrated by 
 death to immortality. 
 
 At the peace of Amiens Lord St. Vincent became First 
 Lord of the Admiralty, in which important office he dis- 
 
 When with the name of Wheeler you read that of Jervits, 
 who thus mourns while he celebrates 
 The fate of a friend. 
 1771." 
 
 Military Register, Vol. v. 116. 
 
 ' See hereafter.
 
 48 EARL ST. VINCENT. 
 
 linguished himself on a subject not always popular, 
 economy. On Mr. Pitt's return to power he retired, but 
 in 1806 at the age of 74 again accepted an important 
 command for the last time. 
 
 By the recent death of Sir Chalouer Ogle, Lord St. 
 Vincent has become senior Admiral of the Red, and at 
 length reposes on his laurels.
 
 49 
 
 BLOCKADE OF THE FRENCH 
 FLEET IN TOULON, AND CON^ 
 SEQUENT ACTIONS OF LORD 
 HOTHAM, MARCH 14, 1795. 
 
 Vice Admiral Hotham having been left by 
 Lord Hood, in June 1794, with a detached 
 squadron, to blockade a French fleet, or 
 perhaps rather the remains of one, which 
 escaping from Toulon had been driven into 
 the bay of Gourgean, under the defence of 
 its batteries, found no opportunity of reliev- 
 ing the tedium of this service till March 
 following, when seventeen sail of the line, 
 and five frigates or smaller vessels ventured 
 to sea. 
 
 It is needless to say they were quickly 
 pursued ; the first one was brought to 
 action by the Inconstant supported by the 
 Agamemnon, ' and disabled. This produc- 
 ed an action by which tht object of the 
 enemy ^ the recapture of Corsica S^c. was frus- 
 trated, although only two ships were taken, 
 
 • Captain Nelson's sliip, which he literally wore out in the service. 
 
 Mg. D
 
 50 LORD HOTliAM. 
 
 tlie Ca Ira of eighty guns, and Censeur of 
 seventy four. 
 
 This affair derived interest from being 
 nearly the close of a useful and laborious 
 service in the Commander, of which his 
 superiors had felt the aid, and the eneni}' 
 the evil, in various parts of the wold. 
 
 That from the brevity of detail, it may 
 not be supposed, the proud tribute which 
 followed was unearned, the followinjx 
 extract from a letter, written to a friend a 
 week after the affair, by Lord Nelson, is 
 added. 
 
 " The enemy would not give us an oppor- 
 tunity of closing with them; if they had, I 
 have no doubt from the zeal and gallantry 
 endeavoured to be shewn by each individual 
 Captain, but we should have obtained a 
 most glorious conquest. Admiral Hotham 
 
 HAS HAD MUCH TO CONTEND WITH. A 
 
 fleet half manned, and in evenj respect 
 inferior to the enemy ; Italy calling him 
 to her defence ; our newly acquired king- 
 dom caUing might and main, (our reinforce- 
 ments and convoy hourly expected) and 
 ail to be done without a force by any
 
 TOULON. 51 
 
 means adequate to it. The Frenchmen 
 sent out as for certain conquest; their 
 orders were positive, to search out our fleet 
 and to destroy us, of which they had no 
 doubt." 
 
 Such a testimony alone, it is presumed, 
 will warrant the discrimination which 
 induced the motion of thanks of Parlia^ 
 rnent. 
 
 Lunce 22 die Junii, 1795. 
 
 Britajinia, at Sea, 22c?. of Mai/, 1795. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 The very high honour conferred 
 upon me and those under my orders, by the 
 House of Lords, in consequence of tJie 
 advantage gained by His Majesty's Squad- 
 ron over that of the enemy, on the 14th 
 March, demands my most cordial acknow- 
 ledgments, and my warmest declarations of 
 respectful gratitude. 
 
 I am at a loss for proper words to testify 
 the deep impression this great condescen- 
 sion of their Lordships has made upon my 
 mind, and as I feel myself inadequate to
 
 52 I,OKD HOTHAM. 
 
 express the sense I entertain of so tran- 
 scendantan honour, so surpassing the merit 
 of mj humble services, and so far exceed- 
 ing my expectations, I must intreat that 
 your Lordship will have the goodness to 
 lay my respectful thanks before the House, 
 in terms suitable to the dignity of the 
 occasion. 
 
 The most acceptable reward the officers, 
 seamen, and troops, which 1 have had the 
 honour to command, can possibly receive, 
 is the national approbation of their services 
 expressed in the votes of Parliament, and 
 this invaluable and welcome compensation 
 it was as much my dut}^ as inchnation to 
 communicate to them, in the most immedi- 
 ate, public, and effectual manner, as being 
 the most estimable return that could be 
 made for those manly and zealous exer- 
 tions, to which alone are to be ascribed the 
 merit and advantage of the day. 
 
 I beg to offer to you, my lord, my parti- 
 cular acknowledgments for the very flatter- 
 ing and polite manner in which your lord- 
 ship has done mc the honour to commu-
 
 TOULON. 53 
 
 nicate tlie vote and pleasure of the House, 
 and to be permitted to assure you at the 
 same time, of the high respect, with which 
 I have the honour to be, my Lord, your 
 Lordship's most obhged, and most obedient 
 humble servant, 
 
 W. HoTHAM. 
 
 Martis S die Novembris, 1795. 
 
 Britannia, at Sea, \5th June, 1795. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 The highly honourable and 
 flattering testimony conveyed in your let- 
 ter, of the sense which the Commons of 
 England have, by their unanimous vote, 
 been pleased to entertain of my services 
 and that of the officers, seamen and troops 
 serving under my orders on the 14th of 
 March, I lost no time to communicate to 
 them in the most public manner; for 
 to their efforts and exertions is to be attri- 
 buted abundantly more merit, than any of 
 which I can boast. 
 
 Public thanks coming from such an
 
 54 LORD HOTHAM. 
 
 august assembly, as they reflect the highest 
 lustre on those upon whom they are con- 
 ferred, cannot but be considered as the 
 greatest of all possible rewards, and must 
 necessarily furnish additional incentives to 
 that glory, zeal, and steady perseverance, 
 Avhich I trust the British fleet will at all 
 times manifest in the defence of their king 
 and of their country : and as no language 
 of mine can express the sense of what I 
 feel for having only in the execution of my 
 duty been so amply rewarded, I must beg 
 you will do me the kindness to endeavour 
 to impress upon the honourable House all 
 that I feel from their indulgence; as I must 
 ever consider it the first honour of my life, 
 to have obtained this public mark of their 
 distinction. 
 
 I cannot conclude without thanking you, 
 Sir, most cordially for your obliging partia- 
 lity, expressed in the polite and flattering- 
 terms with which you have been pleased to 
 convey to me the resolutions of the House 
 upon this occasion.
 
 / TOULON. 55 
 
 I have the honour to be, Sir, your most 
 obedient humble servant, 
 
 W. HOTHAM. 
 
 The Right Hon. 
 
 The Speaker, &c. &c. 
 
 This officer, whose name^ though it sounds not on the 
 ear with the famiharity of those of Rodney and Nelson, 
 yet is sufficiently stamped on the records of glory, was 
 Captain of the Gibraltar as early as 1737. In 1758, with 
 the Melampus 36, he captured the Danae of forty guns; 
 and in the iEolus was during the remainder of that war 
 particularly successful in captures in the Channel. 
 
 In 1763 he had the Superb, 74, Guard Ship at Ply- 
 mouth, after his tour in which he went into retirement. 
 
 In 1775 he sailed as Commodore in the Preston to 
 America, with troop ships under convoy, for reinforcing 
 General J-^rd Howe, in the disembarkation of which he 
 acquired more than the usual praise ; and he afterwards, 
 in the Phoenix, was employed with equal credit in con- 
 junct operations with the army- 
 Detached to the West Indies in his old ship, the Pres- 
 ton, he continued a series of success. In 1780 he com- 
 meiiced a new one. But — who shall secure the winds 
 or fortune ? In spring 1781 returning with a convoy of 
 merchantmen, as well as the Dutch captures at Eustatia, 
 he preserved the honor of the fleet, but lost some of the 
 merchantmen. 
 
 In 1782, hoisting his broad pendant in the Edgar, he 
 was at the relief of Gibraltar.
 
 56 LORD HOTHAM. 
 
 JLxperlencing the ordinary fate and promotion of his 
 rank till the revolutionary war, at its commencement he 
 served under Lord Hood in the Mediterranean, and, as 
 Vice Admiral of the Red, blocked up the fugitives of the 
 French Toulon fleet in the neighbouring bay. In 1795, 
 he had a passing affair with the French, in which, assisted 
 by Captain Nelson, the Ca Ira 80, and Censeur 74, 
 were taken ; and again Nelson became chased into Saint 
 Fiorenza in turn ; in the action consequent on which, the 
 Alcide French ship blew up with great slaughter of her 
 people. 
 
 In 1797 he became an Irish Peer, in 1805 Admiral of 
 the Red, and shortly after finished the career of earthly 
 glory.
 
 57 
 
 ACTION OFF L'ORIENT, JUNE 23, 
 1795, ADMIRAL LORD BRID- 
 PORT, VICE ADMIRAL SIR ALAN 
 GARDNER, REAR ADMIRALS 
 LORD HUGH SEYMOUR, AND 
 HARVEY. 
 
 The war now advancing, produced a 
 succession of proud names to grace the 
 British story. Wherever our floating 
 castles appeared in their gallant array, new 
 terrors were excited in the enemy ; and 
 the British flag already streamed with new 
 glories in every sea into which it was 
 carried. 
 
 Many were the intermediate efforts of 
 bravery that promised to earn the high 
 honors it is the purpose of these pages to 
 record. 
 
 On the present occasion a French fleet 
 having pressed forth from the harbour in 
 which it had cowered for safety, immedi- 
 ately attracted the fleet under Lord Brid- 
 port, who, to use his Lordship's words, 
 '• perceiving that there was no intention to
 
 58 LORD BRIDPORT. 
 
 meet him in battle/' hastened to attack it, 
 under cover of its own batteries, and in the 
 face of a strong naval port. 
 
 A considerable part of his fleet, includ- 
 ing the best sailing ships, were instantly 
 ordered to chase, and early in the ensu- 
 ing morning had seized on three French 
 ships — the Alexander, Formidable, and 
 Tiger. The remainder of twelve ships of 
 the line, with eleven frigates, and some small 
 cruizers, made their escape into L'Orient, 
 notwithstanding their favorable position. 
 The ships engaged were, the Irresistible, 
 Captain Grindall, who was wounded ; 
 Orion, Sir James Saumarez ; Queen Char- 
 lotte, Sir A. S. Douglas ; Russell, Captain 
 T. Larcom ; Colossus, Captain J. Monk- 
 ton ; Sans Pareil, Rear Admiral Lord Hugh 
 Seymour; London, Captain E. Griffiths; 
 Queen, Vice Admiral Sir A. Gardner; 
 Prince George, Captain Edgar ; Royal 
 George, Admiral Lord Bridport, Captain 
 Domett. 
 
 If the time was not yet arrived for the 
 capture or destruction of whole fleets, this
 
 l'orient. 59 
 
 action, which had a powerful effect, ' had 
 the merit also of being little sanguin- 
 ary ; and it should be added that of the 
 military serving as marines, some were 
 killed or wounded on board every ship 
 that suffered loss. Among these latter was 
 Captain Bacon ofthellSth Regiment, a 
 corps no longer in existence, and who 
 therefore requires this notice. Second 
 Lieutenant W. Jeffcott of Marines, also, 
 was killed. 
 
 The thanks of Parliament having been 
 moved in both Houses, were communicat- 
 ed from the Lords in letters of the Lord 
 Chancellor severally to the three superiors 
 in command, on the 7th of November, to 
 which they returned the following answers : 
 
 • On the 24th September in the House of Assembly at Jamaica the 
 Earl of Balcarras, Governor, speaks of it as the glorious and important 
 victoiy of Lord Bridport, and as lessening the dangers of that 
 island.
 
 60 LORD BRIDPORT. 
 
 Jovis 12 die NovembriSf 1795. 
 
 Hurley Street, 'November Wth, 1795. 
 
 j\ly Lord, 
 
 On the 9th instant I had the 
 honour to receive your Lordship's most 
 obHging letter, transmitting to me the 
 resolution of thanks of the House of Lords, 
 for my humble services on the 23rd of 
 June last, together with the resolution of 
 thanks to the Captains and other officers 
 of a detachment of His Majesty's fleet then 
 under my command, for their spirited 
 exertions on that occasion ; and also the 
 approbation and acknowledgment to the 
 seamen, marines, and soldiers on that day. 
 
 It will give me, my Lord, the greatest 
 satisfaction to fulfil that part of my duty, 
 by transmitting to the respective Captains 
 and officers the very high and distinguished 
 honour conferred upon them by that 
 august House, and, through them, the 
 approbation of the behaviour of the sea- 
 men, marines and soldiers. 
 
 On my part, I feel the highest addition 
 to my happiness, in having had an oppor-
 
 L*ORIENT. 61 
 
 V 
 
 tunity of rendering services to my king and 
 country, which the House of Lords has been 
 pleased to think deserving of their unani- 
 mous approbation, and for which high 
 mark of distinction I beg to express my 
 very sincere and grateful thanks. 
 
 Permit me, my Lord, to request that 
 your Lordship will have the goodness to 
 accept my warmest acknowledgments, for 
 conveying the same in terms so truly 
 honourable to me, and so highly gratifying 
 to my feelings. 
 
 With every sentiment of respectful con- 
 sider^ation, I have the honor to be, my 
 Lord, your Lordship's most obedient and 
 most humble servant, 
 
 Br ID PORT. 
 Portland Place, November 9th, 1795. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I had this day the honour of 
 receiving your Lordship's letter of the 7th 
 instant, communicating to me the unani- 
 mous resolution of thanks of the House of 
 Lords, for my exertions (in the execution 
 
 \
 
 62 lORD BRIDPORT. 
 
 of my duty to my King and country) on 
 the 33d of June last. 
 
 I am to request, my lord, that you will 
 express to the House, how highly sensible 
 I am of this very honourable testimony of 
 their lordship's approbation of my conduct 
 and exertions, on that day, which will for 
 ever remain most deeply impressed on my 
 mind. 
 
 I have the honour to be, with the greatest 
 respect, and consideration, my Lord, your 
 most obedient, and most humble servant, 
 
 A. Gardner. 
 
 LzincB 30 die Novembris, 1795. 
 
 Admiralty Office, November 7th, 1795. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 With your Lordship's letter I 
 have received the very distinguished honour 
 the House of Peers has conferred upon me, 
 by their vote of thanks, obtained by the 
 good fortune which attended the exertions 
 in discharging my duty as one of the junior 
 Admirals under the command of the com-
 
 L ORIENT. 
 
 63 
 
 mand' of Admiral Lord Bridport on the 
 23d of JuPxC last. 
 
 I beg your Lordship will assure the 
 House of Peers, that I am most sensible of 
 the honour I have received, with that 
 mark of its approbation, and that it will 
 always operate on my mind in encreasing 
 those exertions in my country's service, 
 which on this occasion has procured me 
 the distinction I so highly value. 
 
 To your Lordship I beg to offer my 
 sincere thanks, for the obliging and flatter- 
 ing manner in which you have done me 
 the honour of communicating the thanks 
 of the Peers to me. I have the honour to be, 
 my Lord, your Lordship's most obedient 
 and faithful servant, 
 
 H. Seymour. 
 
 Being all members of the House of 
 Commons, these officers had already receiv- 
 ed its thanks in their places ; which 
 furnishes us with the first specimen of that 
 eloquence which will form the proudest 
 
 ' Sic in Grig.
 
 64 
 
 LORD BRTDPOIIT. 
 
 ornament of the historic page, and is the 
 immediate subject of this work. 
 
 Address. 
 
 Mart is 3 die Novemhris 1795. 
 Admiral Lord Bridport, 
 
 In obedience to the commands 
 of this House, I have the happiness to com- 
 municate to your Lordship their unanimous 
 thanks for the important service which you 
 have rendered to your country. The 
 intrepidity, the skill and public spirit of 
 British officers and seamen, have at no 
 period been more conspicuously and suc- 
 cessfully manifested than during the present 
 war : these qualities were peculiarly dis- 
 played on that memorable occasion, which 
 has added lustre to the naval reputation of 
 your country, as well as to your own. It 
 is on that maritime superiority, which your 
 Lordship has eminently contributed to 
 maintain, that not the glor^^ only, but the 
 security and independence of these king- 
 doms, must, under the favor of Divine 
 Providence, materially and chiefly depend.
 
 l'orient. 65 
 
 This House has accordingly marked the 
 deep sense which it entertains of your 
 Lordship's conduct by that honorable testi- 
 mony of public gratitude which it is my 
 duty to convey to you. In the name there- 
 fore of the Commons of Great Britain, I 
 do give you their unanimous thanks for 
 your able and gallant conduct in the 
 important and brilliant victory obtained 
 over the enemy, on the 23d day of June 
 last, by a detachment of His Majesty's 
 fleet under your Lordship's command. 
 
 Vice Admiral Sir Alan Gardner, Rear 
 Admiral Lord Hudi Sevmour. 
 
 It is with the utmost satisfac- 
 tion that I obey the commands of this 
 House, by conveying to you, their unani- 
 mous thanks for your gallant exertions in 
 the service of your country. An additional 
 proof was given, on the late distinguished 
 occasion, of the superior skill and valour 
 which are the characteristics of British 
 officers and seamen, and which have raised 
 to the eminence they have attained the 
 ^g. E
 
 66 LORD BRIDPORT. 
 
 naval power and glory of these kingdoms. 
 In affording this proof you had severally a 
 distinouished share : services so meritorious 
 in themselves, and which lead to conse- 
 quences so important, will ever ensure the 
 grateful acknowledfjments of the Commons 
 of Great Britain ; and I do accordingly 
 give you their unanimous thanks for your 
 gallant exertions in the important and 
 brilliant victory obtained over the enemy 
 on the 23d day of June last, by a detach- 
 ment of His Majesty's fleet under the 
 command of Admiral Lord Bridport. 
 
 Lord Bridport's Answer. 
 Mr. Speaker, 
 
 I rise, Sir, with the warmest 
 sentiments of gratitude, to express my un- 
 feigned acknowledgments for the high 
 honor the House of Commons have con- 
 ferred upon me, by their unanimous vote 
 of thanks, for my humble services on the 
 23d of June last. To the valour and 
 spirited conduct of the Admirals, the 
 bravery of the captains, the other oflicers,
 
 l'orient. 67 
 
 seamen, marines, and soldiers, I attribute 
 the success of a detachment of His 
 Majesty's fleet, under my command on 
 that day. 
 
 It was my duty, Sir, to manifest my 
 loyalty to the best of sovereigns, to shew 
 my veneration and attachment for our 
 glorious constitution, and mark to the 
 utmost of my power, upon that and every 
 other occasion, a sincere regard for the 
 interests of the public ; and I am now 
 proud in receiving the vote of this House, 
 which you have had the goodness to convey 
 in terms the most gratifying to me ; for 
 which honour, I beg, Sir, you will accept 
 my cordial and grateful thanks. 
 
 Vice Admiral Sir Alan Gardner's Answer. 
 Mr. Speaker, 
 
 After what has been said by 
 the noble Lord, under whose command I 
 had the honour to be placed (in the second 
 post of his fleet) on the 23d of June last, it 
 would ill become me to say any thing 
 farther respecting the transactions of that
 
 68 LORD BTUDPORT. 
 
 day. But, Sir, it is a duty incumbent 
 upon me to express to the House, in the 
 strongest manner I am able, the obligations 
 I am under for the very favorable opinion 
 which they have been pleased to entertain 
 of my exertions and conduct on the day 
 alluded to ; and in the most respectful 
 manner, to return my thanks to this august 
 assembly for the great and distinguished 
 honour which the}^ have this day conferred 
 upon me. 
 
 Nothing, Sir, can be so gratifying to my 
 feelings as an officer, as to receive in my 
 place, the thanks of this honourable House; 
 an event so honourable to myself will ever 
 remain most deeply impressed on my 
 mind. 
 
 Before I sit down, I must request. Sir, 
 that you will accept my sincere thanks for 
 the obliging manner in which you have 
 been pleased to express the sentiments of 
 the House on this occasion.
 
 l/oiUKNT. 69 
 
 Rear Admiral Lord Hugh Seymour's 
 
 Answer. 
 Mr. Speaker, 
 
 I feel most sensibly the very 
 distinguished honour which I have just 
 received ; and beg the House will give me 
 credit for its ever operating upon my mind 
 in a way to increase those exertions in my 
 country's service, for which I have been 
 fortunate enough to have received so very 
 ample a reward. 
 
 To 3^ou, Sir, I beg to offer my warmest 
 thanks for the very obliging as well as the 
 very flattering manner in which you have 
 communicated those thanks to me. 
 
 To Admiral Harvey the thanks of 
 Parliament were transmitted by letter, to 
 which the Admiral returned the following 
 answers. 
 
 Veneris 5 die Febriiarii, 1796. 
 Prince of Wales, Spitliead, Feb. 4th, 179G. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I have this day the honour of 
 your Lordship's letter of the 7th of Nov,
 
 70 LORD BRIDPORT. 
 
 last, together with the resolution of the 
 House of Lords of the 4th of the same 
 month, expressive of their thanks to the 
 respective Admirals on their exertions the 
 23d of June last. 
 
 I beg leave to assure your liOrdship that 
 I entertain the highest sense of the honour 
 that the House of Lords has been pleased 
 to confer on me, for my endeavours to 
 promote the service of my king and coun- 
 try. This tribute of approbation from 
 their Lordships will make the deepest im- 
 pression on my mind, and for which I shall 
 ever retain the most grateful remembrance. 
 
 I beg your Lordship will permit me to 
 acknowledge my obligation for the very 
 polite manner in which you have been 
 pleased to convey to me the resolution of 
 the House of Lords. 
 
 I have the honour to be, my Lord, with 
 great respect, your most obedient humble 
 servant, 
 
 Henry Harvey.
 
 l'oiment. 71 
 
 Prince of Wales, Spifhead, January Hth, 179G. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I have this day the honour of 
 jour letter of the 3d of November last, 
 transmitting to me the resolution of the 
 House of Commons of the preceding day, 
 on the victory obtained over the enemy the 
 23d of June last, by a detachment of his 
 Majesty's fleet under the command of 
 Admiral Lord Bridport. 
 
 I request the favour that you will be 
 pleased to assure the honourable the House 
 of Commons, that I entertain the highest 
 sense of the honour they have been pleased 
 to confer on me by their vote of thanks ; 
 this tribute of approbation on my endea- 
 vours to promote the service of my king 
 and country, cannot but be highly gratify- 
 ing to the feelings of an officer, and for 
 which I shall ever retain the most grateful 
 remembrance. 
 
 I beg you will allow me to return you 
 my thanks, for the very polite manner in 
 which you have been pleased to signify to 
 me the resolutions of the House.
 
 72 LORD BRIDPORT. 
 
 I have the honour to be, Sir, jour most 
 obedient humble servant, 
 
 Henry Harvey. 
 The Right Hon. 
 
 Henry Adclin2;ton. 
 
 Of tlie several Admirals here particularized, the follow- 
 ing is a brief sketch. 
 
 Lord Bridport was the elder brother of JL-ord Hood, 
 who with himself proudly enoblcd the huuible vicarage of 
 a western county, and occupied the notice of the second 
 article. Scarcely less distinguished is the object of the 
 present, who, though Lord Hood obtained his first pro- 
 motion somewhat earlier, anticipated him in that of Post 
 Captain. He was Lieutenant in 174(5, ten years after 
 Post Captain in the Prince George, and in 1747 appoint- 
 ed to the Antelope of 50 guns. 
 
 He soon distinguished himself in a sanguinary action 
 with the Acpiilon French frigate, which was shortly after 
 driven on shore and lost. ' 
 
 In 1758, Captain Hood served with great advantage in 
 
 ' The privilege of a note permits ail opportunity of recording in an 
 instance of a subordinate, one of these characteristic traits of bravery 
 that seem inherent in the British Navy. A Midsiiipman named 
 Murray iiad both his legs shot away, and was carried down to the sur- 
 geon. AVhile his wounds were dressing, he heard his comrades above 
 give three cliecis, that announced to hiin the enemy had struck. He 
 waved his hand in unison with them andins.tautly expired !
 
 l'orient. 73 
 
 the Mediterranean fleet under Admiral Osborne, in the 
 flag ship of Rear Admiral Saunders, an officer, who, to 
 extensive experience in varied service, added the acquisi- 
 tions of erudite leisure employed in the free society of 
 men of learning and sense. 
 
 Returning to England he obtained the Minerva frigate of 
 32 guns, and with her joined the fleet under Sir Edward 
 Hawke, blocking up the French transports intended for the 
 invasion of England in Morbihan. In i76l, he recaptur- 
 ed from the French, the Warwick pierced for 60 guns, 
 which had been taken by the French, and had for some time 
 served them with a subject of high exultation. This also 
 was a dreadful action, for which, introduced by Lord Anson 
 to the King, he received his Majesty's thanks in person. 
 
 Captain Hood, in addition to the interest of his merit, 
 added that of marriage into the families of Pitt and Lyttle- 
 ton, by Miss West, niece of Lord Cobham, and sister of 
 Admiral West. He had now the honour to form part of the 
 escort of her present Majesty to England. The same year 
 he got a new ship, the Africa of 64 guns, with which he 
 joined his old commander Sir Charles Saunders in the 
 Mediterranean, till the peace of 1763, when he obtained 
 the guard ship at Portsmouth, the Thunderer 74. 
 
 At the close of the period of this service (1766) he 
 succeeded his great and amiable commander as Trea- 
 surer of Greenwich Hospital, whose memory is still dear 
 to that establishment. 
 
 In 1778 he appears in Admiral Keppel's fleet, in the 
 Robust 74, as second to Sir Hugh Palliser, watching the 
 Brest fleet, and sharing in the action off Ushant, and the 
 pursuit, in which he suffered much. He had his share 
 also in the subsequent discussions that occupied the
 
 74 LORD BlllDPURT. 
 
 public mind, arising, as an intelligent writer observes, 
 from " the open sincerity of Lord Keppel, the quick sensi- 
 bility of Sir Hugh Palliser, and the zealous disposition of 
 Capt. Hood." 
 
 In 1780, he became Rear Admiral of the White, and 
 on the death of Admiral Kempenfelt, in the Royal George, 
 was appointed by Lord Keppel, to his honor, to the Queen 
 90 guns. In 1782 he commanded part of the centre 
 squadron under Lord Howe at the relief of Gibraltar. 
 
 Returning to England, he appeared with new favor at 
 the Levee, introduced hi/ Lord Keppel, and became 
 second in command at Portsmouth on the peace of 1783, 
 in 17B4, Member of Parliantent for Bridgwater, in 1787, 
 Vice Admiral of the White, in 1788 Knight of the Bath, 
 and to honor added happiness by a second marriage, with 
 Miss Bray of Edmonton. 
 
 On the Spanish rupture in 1790, having become Rear 
 Admiral of Great Britain, he hoisted his flag in the 
 Victory 100 guns, as Vice Admiral of the Blue in Admiral 
 Barrington's fleet at Torbay, but shortly after was ap- 
 pointed to a little fleet for foreign service, and shifted to 
 the Royal Sovereign, and on this occasion passing to the 
 London, as second to Lord Howe in the Channel. 
 
 In 1793, Vice Admiral of the Red; he continued in 
 the Royal George under Lord Howe, and shared in 1794 
 in the occasion which commences these records — in which 
 year also he became Admiral of the Blue, obtained the 
 chain and medal, and was made a Baron. 
 
 The year following furnished Lord Bridport with the 
 occasion which is the subject of this section; in 1796 he 
 became an English Peer, and in 1797 had the command 
 of the Channel fleet, which closed his career of service.
 
 l'oiiient. 75 
 
 Lord Hugh Seymour, (with the additional name of 
 Conway,) son of the late Marquis of Hertford, born in 
 1759, after a brief education — which yet included the 
 academy of Mr. Ellard, the celebrated naval school of 
 Dr. Brackyn, Greenwich, and a very short period in 
 France — entered the navy at eleven years of age, under Lord 
 Levison Gower in the Pallas, destined for Newfoundland. 
 His Lordship afterwards went to Jamaica, and returned 
 with Sir George Rodney to England. Lieutenant in the 
 x\larm frigate Captain Stott, on the Mediterranean sta- 
 tion, he had under him Sir Edward Pellew, (afterwards 
 Lord Exmoulh) and other officers, since distinguished, 
 Avlio quarrelling with their Captain, were usefully support- 
 ed by Lord Hugh, which cemented a friendship between 
 them. In 1779, Post Captain, he commenced that 
 career in the Latona frigate, 36 guns, which yielded him 
 an effulgence of glory from its active employment in the 
 relief of Gibraltar. 
 
 The peace returned Captain Lord Hugh Seymour to 
 his country, at a period, when the circles of fashion 
 boasted certainly more spirit and intelligence than have 
 existed since the days of Steele and Addison, and more 
 -wit and elegance than those cf the second Charles. In 
 unison with Captain, since Admiral, Sir W. Payne, Lord 
 Hugh was the founder of an establishment of the most 
 exquisite conception in Conduit Street, which, favored by 
 the delight of the Pnnce of Wales, then, in all that can 
 constitute the pride of human nature, manly beauty of 
 form, perfect grace, sprightly sense, and ineffable cour- 
 tesy, the very first man in Europe, outshone all others ; 
 till won by the hand of Lady Horatio Waldegrave, second 
 daughter of the Duchess of Gloucester, Lord Hugh
 
 76 SIR ALAN GARDNER. 
 
 became alienated from his coterie, and ultimately the 
 father of a numerous and respectable progeny. 
 
 Lord Hugh was also in Parliament. It may naturally 
 be supposed, that in the ensuing war, his Lordship 
 had opportunities which his zeal would not suffer him to 
 neglect. Hurt, however, on board ship by an accident of 
 the seaman heaving the lead, he was obliged greatly to 
 retire till the new and consolidated war named from 
 the French revolution. He recommenced his career 
 in the Leviathan 74, and in 1 795 became Rear Admiral 
 of the Blue, and hoisted his iiag in the Sans Pareil, a 
 French prize selected by his Lordship for her superior 
 beauty. Hence he was found conspicuous on the present 
 occasion, as well as afterwards in a squadron under Lord 
 St. Vincent. At the latter period it was remarked Lord 
 Hugh had sailed in six weeks nearly 5,000 miles. 
 
 The West Indies succeeded, in which he captured 
 Surinam, and in all the relations of a well-ordered service, 
 appears to have at once so conciliated and controlled his 
 subordinates as to have deservedly met the rare coincidence 
 of general praise. 
 
 Sir Alan Gardner had a slower progress to eminence. 
 Lieutenant in 1760, Commander in 1762, and Post Captain 
 in 17G6, the iirst heard of him is in Hear Admiral Perry's 
 flag ship, the Preston of 50 guns. Commander in Chief 
 in the Windward Islands. In 1708, he got the Levant 
 frigate of 28 guns, and next year married Miss Turner 
 of Jamaica.
 
 l'orient. 77 
 
 It was just ten years before an opportunity was afforded 
 of exhibiting his prowess, when he captured the Lyon 
 French merchantship carrying 40 guns, with a valuable 
 cargo. It is no mean praise of Admiral Gardner that 
 his close attention to the regulations, and eager zeal for 
 the service, entirely superseding his own views of profit, 
 this prize was greatly decreased in value, while from the 
 disabled state of his ship he would have been warranted 
 in returning to England. 
 
 He did not break his station even for seven weeks after, 
 when the Maidstone going into dock, he received from Vice 
 Admiral Byron the Commander in Chief on the American 
 station the meed of his desert, in appointment to the Sultan 
 74, and shortly after shared in tlie encounter wiih D'Estaing 
 off Grenada. He returned to England with a convoy, 
 and his ship being paid off, remained idle till 1781, when 
 he was appointed to the Duke 98 guns, and shared in 
 Rodney's defeat of Count de Grasse. He afterwards 
 proceeded to America with Admiral Pigot, and after a 
 short cessation was^ with rank of Commodore, appointed 
 Commander in Chief on the Jamaica station. In 1790, 
 he was made a Lord of the Admiralty, and afterwards 
 elected member of Parliament for Plymouth, and had 
 the Courageux 74. In 1793, he became Rear 
 Admiral of the Blue, and in the Queen 98, went with a 
 squadron to the West Indies without effect. In 1794 
 he distinguished himself with Lord Howe. He quitted 
 the Admiralty in 1795, and was in 1796 returned to 
 Parliament for Westminster, on the principle that for 
 some time has coupled a naval officer with the opposi- 
 tion member. Sir Alan had previously been made a
 
 78 SIR ALAN GARDNER. 
 
 Baronet, and shared the ordinary honors of his brave 
 colleagues. 
 
 The period of the honors that have just been described 
 was not so fraught with that glory to which he ever aspired, 
 as his others ; but he was there, and with all his wonted 
 activity. He afterwards obtained the Royal Sovereign of 
 110 guns.
 
 79 
 
 ABLE DEFENCE AND RETREAT 
 FROM GREATLY SUPERIOR 
 FORCE, OF ADMIRAL THE HON. 
 W. CORNWALLIS.— JUNE l6, 1795. 
 
 From the time of the volunteer Xeno- 
 phon downwards, without particularizing 
 those who have so commanded with suc- 
 cess, we may venture to say that the skill 
 requisite to withdraw the weaker force 
 from a superior has been held in the highest 
 estimation. In fact, excluded from the 
 various consolations that offer themselves to 
 the course of victory, with equal prowess to 
 the proudest conqueror, he who preserves 
 his forces amid the various difficulties 
 that every where present themselves in 
 retiring from a proximate enemy, more 
 powerful from numbers, means or locality, 
 calls into action all the human powers of 
 every class and of every state. The term 
 active cunctation, though it reaches not 
 the true dignity of this species of service, 
 seems nearer to the description of it than 
 the general term retreat, though rendered
 
 80 HON. W. CORXWALLTS. 
 
 respectable by the great names which 
 accompany it. 
 
 How admirable, then, is the spirit which 
 so judicious]}^ produced the honors of the 
 present occasion. Accustomed only to 
 " sink, burn, and fJcstroi/, as per margin,'^ * 
 Avith but rarely that necessity to decline 
 combat, which so often occurs in operations 
 by land ; liable even to juridical enquiry 
 for the very perils of the waters and terrors 
 of the storm! it was most sensible in His 
 Majesty's ministers to seize the opportunity 
 for affording the lesson of this peculiar 
 praise. 
 
 Deeply is it to be regretted that we are 
 for the present denied the pleasure of 
 recording the terms in which the apprecia- 
 tion of Parliament was conveyed. Those 
 of the distinguished veteran are however 
 inserted from the journals. 
 
 ' The pithy contents of a despatch attributed to more than one old 
 English Admiral, and more charactevistical than the '' Jmi, vidi, vici" 
 of Cajsar.
 
 HON. W. CORNWALLIS. 81 
 
 Roijal Sovereign at Spithead, Dec. \9th, 1795. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I have had the honour of re- 
 ceiving your Lordship's letter, with the 
 vote of thanks of the House of Lords upon 
 the conduct of a squadron of His Majesty's 
 ships under my orders, when in the pre- 
 sence of a French fleet, on the l6th and 
 17th days of June last. 
 
 I beg leave to assure your Lordship, 
 that I most sensibly feel the very high 
 honour conferred upon me by the vote of 
 the House of Lords; but 1 cannot, my 
 Lord, take merit to myself upon the occa- 
 sion ; it was the undaunted spirit of the 
 captains, officers, and men of every descrip- 
 tion on board those ships, whose firm coun- 
 tenance, it appeared, was sufficient to deter 
 the enemy. I will not fail to communicate 
 to them, the distinguished and honourable 
 manner which it has pleased the House of 
 Lords to reward their good services. 
 
 Permit me, my Lord, at the same time 
 to express my sense of the very obliging 
 manner in which your Lordship (zealous 
 
 Mg. ' F
 
 82 HON. W. CORNWALLIS. 
 
 whenever the honour and interest of the 
 country is in the smallest degree concern- 
 ed) has been pleased to convey the thanks 
 of the House of Lords to me. 
 
 I have the honour to be, with the highest 
 respect, my Lord, your Lordship's most 
 obedient humble servant, 
 
 W. CORNWALLIS. 
 
 Martis 2 die Februarii, 1796. 
 Rot/al Sovereign at Spit head, Dec. 30th, 1795. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I had the honour of receiving 
 your letter, with the thanks of the House of 
 Commons upon the conduct of a squadron 
 of his Majesty's ships under my orders, on 
 the l6th and 17th days of June last 
 
 I feel, Sir, most sensibly, the very high 
 honour conferred upon me by this vote. 
 
 To have in any degree obtained the 
 favourable opinion of the House of Com- 
 mons, was indeed far beyond any thing I 
 could have aspired to. 
 
 It was the undaunted spirit of the Cap- 
 tains, officers, and men of every description
 
 HON. W. CORNWALLIS. 83 
 
 on board of those ships, which deterred the 
 enemy from making a more vigorous at- 
 tack : I will not fiiil to communicate to 
 them the distinguished and honorable man- 
 ner which it has pleased the House of 
 Commons to reward their good services. 
 
 Permit me, Sir, to add, that I am deep- 
 ly impressed with the very obliging manner 
 in which you have been pleased to convey 
 the vote of thanks. 
 
 I have the honour to be with the greatest 
 respect, Sir, your most obedient humble 
 servant, 
 
 W. CORNWALLIS, 
 
 The Right Hon. 
 
 The Speaker, &c. &c. 
 
 The Mars, it is but just to add, bore the 
 first brunt of the enemy, till the Admiral bore 
 up to her support ; and with the Triumph 
 being then sternmost, had in course the 
 honours of the retreat, and were much 
 exposed to the enemy's fire. Of the Triumph 
 Admiral Cornwallis said from her firm
 
 84 HON. W^ CORNWALLIS. 
 
 management, it appeared thatthe enemy's 
 ships dared not to come near her. 
 
 Sir Charles Cotton, who since bore so 
 distinguished a share in the commence- 
 ment of the Peninsular land war, so glorious 
 to the British arm}' ; Sir Erasmus Gower, 
 Lord Charles Fitzgerald, Lord Cranstoun, 
 and Captains the Hon. Henry Curzon 
 and Whitby, names that have been vari- 
 ously marked with eminent qualities, re- 
 ceived the praise of their commander; and 
 the Bellerophon which was reserved in 
 shore, he compliments for her former 
 achievements, as well as the spirit manifest- 
 ed by all on board when she passed him, 
 with the activity and zeal of Lord Cranstoun 
 during the whole cruize. 
 
 But it was in the following paragraph 
 that the Admiral paid one of the finest 
 tributes of just praise ever bestowed by a 
 commander on his forces. 
 
 " / shall ever feel (said he) the impression 
 which the good conduct of the captains, 
 officers, seamen, marines, and soldiers in
 
 HON. W. CORNWALLIS. 85 
 
 the squadron has made on my mind ; and 
 it was the greatest pleasure I ever experi- 
 enced to see the spirit manifested by the 
 men, who, instead of being cast down on 
 seeing thirty sail of the enemy's ships attack' 
 ing our little squadron, were in the highest 
 spirits imaginable. I do not mean the 
 Koyal Sovereign alone ; the same spirit 
 was shewn in all the ships as they came 
 near me : and although (circumstanced as 
 we were) we had no great reason to com- 
 plain of the enemy ; yet our men could not 
 help repeatedly expressing their contempt of 
 them. Could common prudence have 
 
 ALLOWED ME TO LET LOOSE THEIR 
 VALOUR, I HARDLY KNOM^ WHAT MIGHT 
 NOT HAVE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED BY 
 SUCH MEN y 
 
 The fact, from which this eulogy is 
 drawn, affords at the same time the highest 
 praise of a commander. What firmness 
 was here required, what abstinence to be 
 endured !
 
 86 HON. W. CORNWALLIS. 
 
 William, Fourth son of Charles fifth Lord and first 
 Earl Cornvvallis, and the Lady Ehzabeth, daughter of 
 Charles Lord Viscount Townshend, was Lieutenant of 
 the Navy in 1761; in the following year Master and 
 Commander ; and Captain of the Prince Edward, 40 guns, 
 in 1765. 
 
 He was stationed in the Mediterranean with the Guada- 
 loupe between that period, and 1774, when he was on the 
 African station with the Pallas 36, and on the American 
 war received the Isis 50 guns, in which he soon became 
 conspicuous, in that quarter, for personal valour, order, and 
 discipline. 
 
 Returning to England in the end of 1778, he was 
 appointed to the Lion of 64 guns, and went to the West 
 Indies at the commencement of the following year — again 
 pre-eminently to distinguish himself. In an encounter 
 off Grenada, under Vice Admiral Byron, the Lion was, 
 as the French significantly term it, quite hors de combat, 
 and obliged to relit at Jamaica. On a cruise in the 
 following year in this ship with the Bristol 50 and Janus 
 44, he still farther distinguished himself, opposed to one of 
 the ablest French officers, JA. Piquet, Wiih four sail of the 
 line, which, after the Janus was disabled, were compelled 
 to sheer off, and suffer the indignity of his chasing them Jive 
 hours ! And having been employed in protecting a 
 convoy through the gulpli of Florida, and ordered to 
 cruize to the Northward, whh two seventy fours, two 
 sixty-fours, a fifty, and the Niger frigate, he made such a 
 demonstration against a French fleet of 10 or 11 two 
 deckers, 2 of them 84's, 3 or 4 frigates, a cutter and arm- 
 ed brig, under M . de Ternay, as to compel them after a 
 distant fire to avail themselves of night to escape !
 
 HON. W. CORNWALLIS. 8? 
 
 Captain Cornwallis now, on returning to England, was 
 placed on the Home Station under Admiial Darby, and 
 went to the relief of Gibraltar. 
 
 Justly obtaining the Canada 74, he returned to his old 
 scene of glory the West Indies, shared in the triumphs of 
 Rodney on the Qth and 12th of April 1782. The war 
 soon ceased, and in the interim he suffered from a gale of 
 wind so much, as to deserve credit for saving his ship ; 
 and he sat down in command of the King's yacht. 
 
 From 1788 to 1794, he was on the East India Station, 
 without any particular occurrence, when returning to Eng- 
 land he took the command of a small cruising squadron, 
 with the successive rank of Rear Admiral to that of Vice 
 Admiral of the Red. With his flag in the Royal Sovereign, 
 in the beginning of June he was mortified by the escape 
 of a French Squadron, notwithstanding his utmost endea- 
 vours to close with it, but soon obtained the glory of 
 manoeuvring with such consummate ability in the presence 
 of an enemy nearly triple his force as to keep himself from 
 being forced into action, bring off his ships uninjured, and 
 compel his opponents to the disgrace of sheering off. 
 This is the occasion which so worthily forms our present 
 section, and procured him in March 1796, the rank of 
 Rear Admiral of Great Britain. 
 
 While all the honours of a long, active, and judicious 
 service were gathering thick around him, and it should 
 seem that he had only to enjoy his over-spreading laurels, 
 he had however been ordered with a squadron and convoy 
 to the West Indies, when his ship receiving damage he 
 returned to port ; his health was also impaired : yet he 
 was ordered to proceed in a frigate. He desired to wait 
 the repair of the Royal Sovereign : and in consequence of
 
 88 HON. W. CORNWALLIS. 
 
 this assumed tlisobedience suddenly found himself prisoner 
 before a Court Martial! 
 
 The consideration of " circumstances," which are not 
 the subject of our enquiry, produced his virtually honor- 
 able acquittal, but indignant, he struck his flag ; and with 
 the exception of his occasional seat iu the House of 
 Commons, as representative of Eye and afterwards of 
 Portsmouth, Mas no further employed till he received the 
 command of the Channel Fleet in 1801, hoisting his flag 
 in the Ville de Paris. He had in the mean time become 
 (1799) Adn)iral of the Blue; — (1804) of the White; and 
 ( 1 80a) of the Red, a rank that had remained dormant for 
 a century. 
 
 An anxious rather than splendid service, watching the 
 French, closed die career of an olKcer who might be said 
 to claim rather than win respect, and who owed just fame 
 to the good sense rather than the passions of his country^
 
 89 
 
 BRILLIANT NAVAL ACTION OFF 
 CAPE ST. VINCENT, UNDER 
 ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, 
 (afterwards enobled by that Title,) Feb. 
 14, 1797. 
 
 Having already been afforded occasion 
 (a circumstance which Lord St. Vincent 
 has elegantly recognized in the second of 
 the following letters) to record Parliament- 
 ary honors of this noble veteran, the less 
 remains to be said of himself, and space 
 remains not to describe the advantages of 
 this critical service. 
 
 Deserted by her allies, — without any 
 great land army, while that of France had 
 become every way aggrandized, Great 
 Britain had been left to contend in the great 
 struggle for Europe alone, and to depend 
 almost entirely on her naval force. Nor 
 was this all, for some of those allies had 
 turned their arms upon her, and an impor- 
 tant part of her empire, that " emerald isle 
 famed for warriors and poets, was threaten 
 ed with alienation. 
 
 if
 
 90 LORD ST. VINCENT. 
 
 In this comparative situation, France 
 for the purposes of invasion, had induced 
 Spain to furnish a fleet of no less than 
 27 sail of the line, including eight ships of 
 112 guns, and it remained only for this 
 vast acquisition to join her own, when a 
 dreadful torrent swelled with all that could 
 augment its rage, was to be poured on our 
 shores. To preclude this junction was a 
 British fleet comparatively small, but com- 
 posed of such elements as can be but rarely 
 combined, stationed under Sir John Jervis, 
 and with a wonderful success. 
 
 This British fleet was composed of fifteen 
 sail of the line, four frigates, a sloop of war, 
 and a cutter. With this the Admiral, 
 fraught with the critical moment, determin- 
 ed to attack the insidious aid of Spain. He 
 captured two ships of 112 guns, an 84, and 
 a 74, and drove the rest ineffective into 
 Cadiz harbour. 
 
 This was done, as his Lordship states, 
 by passiiig through their fleet, tacking, and 
 thus separating a third from the main body. 
 Here were Nelson, and Collingwood, and
 
 CAPE ST. VINCENT. 91 
 
 Troubridge, names of which the continu- 
 ance of Lord St. Vincent in this command 
 jet gives better opportunity of mention ; 
 and here was Lieutenant Pearson, 69th 
 Regiment, who with his men have been 
 immortalized as the enterprizing associates 
 of Nelson in the glory of the day, b^*^ the 
 pen of Nelson. ' 
 
 Never were thanks more propitiously 
 voted ; the following are the terse and 
 elegant answers of the commander of the 
 fleet. 
 
 Mart is 25 die Aprilis, 1797- 
 
 Victory, in the Tagiis, March Q.8th, 1797. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I request your Lordship to 
 convey (in terms I want power to ex- 
 press) ihe very high sense entertained by 
 me, the flag officers, captains, officers, 
 seamen, marines and soldiers, I have the 
 honor to command, of the resolution come 
 
 ' This interesting document is preserved in the memoirs (pour 
 servir d, Vhistoire) of Captain Charnock, a writer always employed in 
 useful labours, but wlio unhappily died too early for their comple- 
 tion.
 
 92 LORD ST. VINCENT. 
 
 to by the House of Lords, on occasion of 
 the action with the fleet of Spain on the 
 14th of February, and your Lordship has 
 a just claim to my particular acknowledge- 
 ments for your very kind expressions to- 
 wards me in the communication thereof. 
 
 I have the honor to be, with the greatest 
 reo-ard, your Lordship's most obedient 
 
 humble servant, 
 
 J. Jervis. 
 
 LuncB 24 die Aprilis, 1797. 
 
 Victory, in the Tagus, March 22d, 1797. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 To have merited the approba- 
 tion of the House of Commons of Great 
 Britain, twice in the same war, falls to the 
 lot of few men, who hold high commands 
 in his Majesty's fleets ; and I beg you will 
 assure the House, how highly I prize the 
 great honour I have received ; and that I 
 will not fail to convey to the Admirals, 
 captains, officers, seamen, marines, and 
 soldiers under my command, the very 
 honourable testimony the House has been
 
 CAPE ST, VINCENT. 93 
 
 pleased to express of their skill, bravery and 
 discipline, in the successful action with the 
 fleet of Spain, on the 14th of February last. 
 Permit me to make my best acknow- 
 ledgements to you, Sir, for the very oblig- 
 ing terms in which you have made this 
 communication ; and I have the honor to 
 be, with great respect. Sir, your most 
 obedient humble servant, 
 
 J. Jervis. 
 To the Right Hon. 
 
 H. Addington, 
 
 Speaker.
 
 94 
 
 DEFEAT OF THE DUTCH FLEET 
 UNDER ADMIRAL DE WINTER, 
 BY ADMIRAL (afterwards Lord) 
 DUNCAN, 11th OCTOBER, 1797. 
 Every effort of the British arms in this 
 eventful war has something pecuharly dis- 
 tinctive to recommend it. Of its present 
 characteristic it is only intended to remark 
 that relaxed for a moment under the in- 
 fluence of mistaken principles, seamen who 
 at the Nore rudely demanded redress of 
 grievances, here by persevering bravery 
 evinced to the public enemy how little is 
 to be hoped from any defect in the love of 
 their country. 
 
 France eager to avail herself of the cir- 
 cumstances of the times, in the primeval 
 activity of her policy, founded upon the 
 continental success of her arms, no sooner 
 suffered disappointment at tlie port of 
 Spain, than she sought (if they were not 
 coeval) new means at the mouth of the 
 Texel. 
 
 To tell the long and unwearied watchings 
 on the boisterous North Sea, the terrible
 
 LORD DUNCAN. 9^ 
 
 conflict at such a period of the year, tempo- 
 ra4'ily deprived, as these pages are, of many 
 of the communications of thanks, would be to 
 assume a task which is every way better 
 resolved into the fact recorded by the 
 Journals of Parliament. 
 
 I/ord Chancellor's speech to Admiral Lord 
 Viscount Duncan, 8th Nov. 1797- 
 Lord Viscount Duncan, 
 
 I am commanded by the Lords 
 to give your Lordship the thanks of this 
 House for your able and gallant conduct 
 in the brilliant and decisive victory obtain- 
 ed over the Dutch fleet on the 11th day of 
 October last : as well as for the zeal, cou- 
 rage, and perseverance which you have 
 uniformly manifested during the arduous 
 period in which you have commanded His 
 Majesty's fleet in the North Sea. 
 
 At the same time that this vote passed 
 unanimously, their Lordships were pleased 
 to order, that all the Peers should be sum- 
 moned to attend the House on the occa- 
 siou ; a distinction unprecedented, but
 
 90 LORD DUNCAN. 
 
 called for by the general admiration your 
 conduct has inspired, and strongly expres- 
 sive of that pecuHar satisfaction which the 
 Peers must feel upon your Lordship^s 
 promotion to a distinguished seat in this 
 House. 
 
 Splendid in all its circumstances as the 
 victory obtained by His Majesty's fleet 
 under your command has been, important 
 as it must prove in its consequences, to 
 the security of all his Majesty's dominions, 
 and under the divine blessing, to the favor- 
 able issue of the arduous contest in which 
 they are engaged ; the magnitude and 
 lustre of these considerations have not so 
 occupied the observation of the Lords as 
 to make them unmindful of the constant 
 vigilance with which your Lordship had, 
 in the whole course of your command for 
 three successive seasons, watched and frus- 
 trated every design of the enemy ; nor the 
 manly fortitude with which you had sus- 
 tained the temporary defection of the greater 
 part of your force; nor, above all, that 
 undaunted resolutipn with which, at so
 
 LORD DUNCAN. 97 
 
 momentous a crisis, you proceeded to 
 check and controul the presumptuous hopes 
 of the enemy. 
 
 These are merits, in which fortune can 
 claim no share ; they spring from that 
 energy of mind, and that ardent love of 
 your country, which has directed your own 
 conduct, and animated the officers and men 
 under your command, to those exertions 
 which are entitled to every testimony of 
 public gratitude and applause. 
 
 Lord Viscount Duncan's reply. 
 
 My Lords, 
 
 Not accustomed to speak in 
 public, though my feelings are great, my 
 words must be few. 
 
 Deeply impressed as I am with the high 
 honor this Right Honorable House has 
 been pleased to confer on me, I shall only 
 say, that I acknowledge it with the most 
 profound respect, and feel much gratified 
 by it. 
 
 JEg. G
 
 98 LORD DUNCAN. 
 
 To you, my Lord, my best thanks are 
 due for the very flattering and polite man- 
 ner you have been pleased to convey to 
 me the resolutions of this House. 
 
 Ltina 6 die Novemhris, 1797. 
 
 London, 'November 5th, 1797. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I am honoured with your letter 
 of the 3rd instant, conveying to me the 
 resolutions by which the House of Com- 
 mons on that day, manifested its unanimous 
 sense of the services which myself, Sir 
 Richard Onslow, and the several Captains, 
 officers, and men, under rny command, 
 rendered their country on the 11th of 
 October last, which I shall not fail to 
 communicate to them ; and if, in fulfilling 
 the duties of my station, I have been fortu- 
 nate in rendering service to my country, I 
 am most truly gratified, and feel the highest 
 satisfaction, not only in the sense the House 
 of Commons is pleased to entertain of 
 my conduct, but in the very flattering
 
 LORD DUNCAN. 99 
 
 manner in which you have done me the 
 favour to communicate the same. 
 
 I have the honour to be, with the most 
 perfect respect and esteem, Sir, your most 
 obedient and faithful humble servant, 
 
 Duncan. 
 The Right Hon. 
 
 Henr}^ Addington, &c. Sec. 
 
 We have spoken of the talents for seamanship of every 
 character required in the accomplishment of this victory ; 
 its characteristics peculiarly marked the Admiral whose 
 biographical course is the subject of the present notice, 
 and he retained them to the end of his life. 
 
 Adam Duncan, in 1755 Lieutenant of the navy, and 
 four years after Commander, became in 176l, Captain of 
 the Valiant 74, Admiral Keppel's flag-ship in the expedi- 
 tion against Belleisle, in which he continued till the close 
 of that war. 
 
 There is no account of his services after, till, having 
 married the daughter of the Lord President of the Court 
 of Session, Dundas, in 1777, in 1778 he appears in the 
 Monarch 74 on the home station, and in the following 
 year member of the Court Martial on Admirals Keppel 
 and Sir Hugh Palliser. Ordered to Gibraltar with Sir 
 George Rodney, he suffered in the running fight with
 
 100 LORD DUNCAN. 
 
 Don Juan do Langara, and quitting the Monarch on his 
 return to England, was out of connnission till 1782. 
 
 Thus, agreeably to his disposition, has Fame been 
 ahnost silent upon him. Appointed this year to the 
 Blenheim, he was under Lord Howe in the Channel and 
 at Gibraltar, and on the peace had the Edgar 74, guard- 
 ship at Portsmouth. At the close of the ordinary period 
 of this service, 1787, he became Rear Admiral of the 
 Blue, but had the pleasme of this Jirst promotion from 
 Captaincy qualified by the death of his son Henry at Edin- 
 burgh. 
 
 Proceeding through the ordinary gradations to Admiral 
 of the Blue, he nevertheless held no command tilljune 179-5, 
 when he was appointed to that of the squadron in the 
 North Sea, hoisted his flag in the Venerable 74, and 
 there remained, to the destruction of the Dutch trade and 
 its national spirit, till the present occasion. 
 
 Notwithstanding the peculiar circumstances of the 
 British force on this station, the judgment of Admiral de 
 Winter seems to have kept his force restrained till French 
 influence, and the evil genius of his national counsels, 
 compelled him unwillingly to put to sea, when Admiral 
 Duncan immediately shut him out from his port, and 
 seized upon the Admiral, Vice Admiral, and seven other 
 ships of the line. By this act he became in rank enobled, 
 though from his disposition it can scarcely be considered 
 as elevation. Indeed his estimation of his own services 
 will be best shewn by his despatch on this very occasion.
 
 LORD DUNCAN. 101 
 
 Fenerahle, off Coast of Holland, Oct. 12, {by log 11) 
 3 p. m. Camperdi/ne E. S. E. wind N. by E. 
 "Sir, 
 
 I have the pleasure to acquaint you, for the 
 information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, 
 that at 9 o'clock this morning I got sight of the Dutch 
 fleet ; at half past twelve 1 passed through their line, and 
 the action commenced which has been very severe. The 
 Admiral's ship is dismasted, and has struck, as have several 
 others, and one is on fire. I shall send Captain Fairfax 
 with particulars the moment 1 can spare him. 
 
 I am, Adam Duncan." 
 
 Many agreeable and singular anecdotes in possession 
 and within reach of the editor, might swell the present 
 pages; but Lord Duncan's fame requires no support, 
 his very peculiarities were honourable to himself.
 
 102 
 
 BATTLE OF THE NILE, SIR 
 PIORATIO, (afterwards Lord) NEL- 
 SON—AUGUST 1, 1798. 
 
 Of the battle of the Nile, on which poetry 
 and eloquence have exhausted all their 
 powers, 
 
 and then imagined new, 
 
 ^vhat can be now said more than to quote 
 the pious and terse expression of the 
 victor, that " Almighty God blessed his 
 Majesty's arms with a great victory !" 
 
 To the heroic Nelson and to his country 
 it was, in its progress and consequences, 
 more than victory ; for the one called into 
 action all the qualities requisite to a great 
 commander, and the other produced a 
 memorable crisis of the war. It was the 
 first step to arresting that career of revolu* 
 tionary ambition, which, parting from sub- 
 jugated Europe, like the satiated Alexander, 
 sighed for new worlds to conquer, and 
 preserved to the land army the first oppor- 
 tunity of meeting French troops on a grand 
 scale.
 
 LORD NELSO^^^. 103 
 
 But who shall briefly recount that to 
 which splendid histories are devoted ? — • 
 how vain to speak of that which is recorded 
 in every mind. 
 
 Perhaps in this record of the triumphs 
 of British arms, it may, however, be proper 
 to show, that disappointment and doubt 
 liave long accompanied those destined to 
 the highest glories, though ultimately over- 
 come by true heroism and perseverance; 
 since it is here to be found that the man 
 who finally destroyed a fleet which having 
 experienced the utmost success, had placed 
 itself in a situation next to impregnable, 
 had, notwithstanding, after 120 actions 
 with the enemy, found himself progressive- 
 ly in all the storms of adversity, till Provi- 
 dence alone placed him in the situation to 
 evince his genius in this splendid success. 
 
 The following are the answers, character- 
 istically terse, which the great Nelson 
 returned to his first award of Parliamentary 
 honors.
 
 104 LORD NELSON. 
 
 Veneris 24 die Mail, 1799. 
 
 Vanguard, Palermo^ 3\st January, 1799' 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 The high honour conferred upon 
 me by the House of Peers, by its thanks, 
 demands my most grateful acknowledg- 
 ments ; and I have to request that your 
 Lordship, in words suitable to the occasion^ 
 will express my gratitude to the Right 
 Honourable House, and also that of my 
 brave brethren, to whom 1 shall, as speedily 
 as possible, conve}^ the resolutions of their 
 Lordships. 
 
 Permit me to thank your Lordship, for the 
 very flattering manner in which you have 
 executed the commands of their Lordships, 
 and to assure you that I am, with every 
 sentiment of respect, your most obliged 
 and faithful servant. 
 
 Nelson. 
 Plight Hon. Lord Loughborough.
 
 LORD NELSON. 105 
 
 Veneris 5 die Aprilis, 1799- 
 
 ranguard, Palermo, 3lst January y 1799. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 Believe me I feel as I ought 
 the noble reward which our country has 
 bestowed on me by its thanks ; and I beg 
 you will, Sir, have the goodness to express 
 to the Honourable House my gratitude. I 
 can answer for that of my brave brethren 
 who fought with me in the battle of the 
 Nile. 
 
 To you, Sir, wdio have no I only so hand- 
 somely, but so elegantly conveyed to me 
 the resolutions of the House, words are in- 
 adequate to express what I feel, but believe 
 me. Sir, I am, with every sentiment of 
 respect and esteem, your most obliged and 
 faithful servant, 
 
 Nelson. 
 The Right Hon. H. Addington, 
 
 Speaker of the Hon. House of Commons. 
 
 Referring the notice of the active life of this great 
 commander, to a more conclusive opportunity, the names
 
 106 LORD NELSON. 
 
 of the ships are added, in the sub-sqiiadrons in which he 
 formed them, as the best index that can be given to the 
 many names that became illustrious on that day. 
 Vanguard Orion Culloden 
 
 Minotaur Goliath Theseus 
 
 Leander Majestic Alexander 
 
 Audacious Bellerophon Swiftsure 
 
 Defence 
 Zealous 
 In course whoever can boast that he duly served on 
 board either of the ships of these squadrons, claims the 
 high meed of sharing in the triumph of this immortal 
 
 praise. 
 
 we in it shall be remembered, 
 
 We few, we happy few, we band of brothers !
 
 107 
 
 VICTORIOUS ACTION OF COMMO- 
 DORE SIR JOHN BORLASE 
 AVARREN, 12th OCTOBER, 1798. 
 
 While such were the successes we have 
 described at a distance, those even on our 
 shores were no less worthy of commenda- 
 tion, and in particular that described by 
 the head of the present section. 
 
 That unhappy period of temporary 
 delusion had arrived when the enemy had 
 occasion to imagine himself recognized in 
 the fervid expressions of political feeling of 
 a certain part of the community ; and 
 vigorously prepared to avail himself of the 
 inviting opportunity. Already, notwith- 
 standing frequent disappointments had he 
 made a demonstration on the shores of the 
 sister kingdom. To Sir John Borlase 
 Warren remained the good fortune to ex- 
 clude these views, it is hoped, for ever. 
 
 The political importance even of this 
 impression at such a period, demanded the 
 national approbation. 
 
 Again we are deprived of its expression
 
 108 sill JOHN 
 
 for the present, and compelled to resort to 
 its acknowledgment alone, as follows : 
 
 LuncB 10 die Deccmbris, 1798. 
 
 Canada, Bam Pool, Dec. 6iJi, 1798. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I beg leave to acknowledge the 
 receipt of your Lordship's letter of the 
 28th November, containing the resolution 
 of Thanks of the House of Lords to the 
 officers, seamen, and marines of the squad- 
 ron acting under my orders on the 12th of 
 October last, and which I have conveyed 
 to them this day, in obedience to their 
 Lordships' commands. 
 
 I feel most sensibly the high honour their 
 Lordships have conferred upon me in their 
 approval of my exertions, with the officers 
 and men upon the above day ; and assure 
 3''0ur Lordship, the grateful remembrance 
 of so distinguished a mark of their Lord- 
 ships' opinion will be preserved by me to 
 the latest hour of my life ; and rely upon 
 your Lordship's goodness to communicate
 
 BORLASE WARREN. 109 
 
 these sentiments to the House in whatever 
 mode you may judge most proper. 
 
 I return my best acknowledgments to 
 your Lordship, for the handsome and pohte 
 manner you have signified to me the thanks 
 of the House of Lords upon this occasion. 
 I feel particularly flattered by the interest 
 you have expressed in my good fortune ; 
 and can with great truth assure your Lord- 
 ship, that the continuance of these favour- 
 able sentiments will ever prove to me a 
 source of the highest satisfaction. 
 
 I have the honour to remain, with the 
 utmost respect, your Lordship's most 
 obedient humble servant, 
 
 J. B. Warren. 
 
 The Right Honorable 
 
 the Lord Chancellor. 
 
 Sabbati 8 die Decembns, 1798. 
 
 Canada, Barn Pool, Dec.Gth, 1798. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I beg leave to acknowledge the 
 receipt of your letter of the 22d of Nov. 
 inclosing the resolution of the Thanks of
 
 110 SIR JOHN 
 
 the House of Commons. It is difficult for 
 me to express the sense I entertain of the 
 high honour conferred upon me by so 
 august an assembly as the House of Com- 
 mons of Great Britain by their Vote of 
 Thanks and their approval of my conduct, 
 with that of my brother officers, seamen, 
 and marines on the 12th of October last ; 
 and which I have in obedience to your 
 commands communicated this day to the 
 officers and several ships' companies that 
 composed the squadron. 
 
 The greatest encouragement that an 
 officer can receive to a faithful discharge of 
 his duty is to obtain the good opinion of 
 his country expressed by their representa- 
 tives in parliament assembled. 
 
 I am convinced that the officers and men 
 with whom I acted on the above day, as 
 well as myself, will continue to preserve 
 the most grateful remembrance of so high 
 a distinction, to the latest hour of their 
 lives ; and we rely upon your goodness 
 to make these sentiments known to the 
 Honourable House of Commons. I take
 
 BORLASE WARREN. Ill 
 
 the liberty to return you, Sir, my best ac- 
 knowledgments for the very polite manner 
 in which you have been pleased to signify 
 to me the Thanks of the House ; and also 
 to assure you that I feel most sensibly the 
 favourable light in which you have been 
 pleased to consider those events of service 
 in which I have been concerned since the 
 commencement of the war, but more parti- 
 cularly in the defeat of the armament 
 commanded by Monsieur Bompard, as it 
 may have been the means of preserving 
 Ireland from the calamitous consequences 
 which foreign interference and invasion 
 might have produced in that country. 
 
 I have the honour to remain with the 
 utmost respect, Sir, your most obedient 
 humble servant, 
 
 J. B. Warren. 
 The Right Hon. 
 
 Henry Addington, &c. &c. 
 
 Sir John Boilase Warren of the ancient and dignified 
 fainilv of Borlase in Cornwall, and son of Arthur WarrcP;
 
 112 SIR JOH]^ 
 
 Esq. of Nottinghamshire, after receiving a portion of edu- 
 cation at Bicester, Oxon, and commencing at Winchester 
 School, made his debnt as a volnnteer on board the 
 Alderney Sloop of War, Captain O'Hara. 
 
 His friends, as may be snpposed, interfered, and success- 
 fully till the commencement of the Colonial war, when 
 he had become a Baronet, with considerable accessions 
 of property, and could therefore with more eclat embark 
 on board the Venus, from which he started under the 
 late Lord Howe as Lieutenant in the Nonsuch. Two 
 years after he was nominated to the St. Helena Sloop, 
 and in twelve months more made post in the Ariadne 20 
 guns, and next promoted to the Winchelsea frigate. 
 
 Sir John's marriage with the daughter of General 
 Clavering did not interrupt his pursuit, he enjoyed it how- 
 ever in the most agreeable manner of the household of 
 the Duke of Clarence in the Valiant of 74 guns. In the 
 revolutionary war he was immediately employed in the 
 Flora frigate of 36 guns, and quickly added as a flying squad- 
 ron the Crescent, La Nymph, Druid and Fury sloop in the 
 Channel. In 1794, he captured a 44, and a 22, near 
 Cancale bay, part of four sail of which Sir R. Strachan 
 captured afterwards another. As Commodore in the 
 Pomona, he landed the unhappy Quiberon expedition, 
 and continued to harass the commerce of France. He was 
 then ordered in a 74 under Lord Bridport off Brest ; and 
 received a squadron of one 80, two 74, a 44, and some 
 cutters; which with the Melampus and Doris cruized 
 off Achille Head, and there fell in with the French fleet, 
 a ship of the line, 8 frigates, a schooner and a brig, bear- 
 ing troops and stores for the further iuvasioa of Ireland,
 
 BORLASE WARREN. 113 
 
 with Mr. Wolfe Tone, its chief director who was captur- 
 ed i as well as the Hoche 80 guns, and three frigates. 
 This was the occasion of his present honors. On the 
 succeeding promotion, he became Rear Admiral of the 
 Blue. After the peace of Amiens, he went on an embassy 
 to Russia, where he distinguished himself equally in the 
 sort of diplomacy which was then required at the court of 
 St.Petersburgh. Sir John Borlase Warren has since com- 
 manded on the American station, and at home, and been 
 promoted to the rank of Admiral of the White. 
 
 Mg. H
 
 114 
 
 SIR WILLIAM SYDNEY SMITH FOR 
 THE REPULSE OF NAPOLEON 
 BUONAPARTE AND A POWER- 
 FUL ARMY FROM ACRE, AFTER 
 A SIEGE OF SIXTY DAYS,— MAY 
 21, 1799. 
 
 (Unprecedented to a partizan.) 
 
 There is so much of all that constitutes 
 heroism, and invites fame in every variety, 
 in the singularly striking effort, which oc- 
 cupies the present section, that, to use the 
 language of the late Lord Melville, one is 
 struck with an amazement and surprise at 
 the account of it, from which it is difficult to 
 recover. 
 
 To speak of it as disclosing, first, the 
 most eminent talents of a sea-officer, nextly 
 those requisite to the most difficult of all 
 military services by land ; and lastly, a 
 most wonderful exertion of diplomacy, is 
 only to characterise it in the meanest and 
 most general terms ; without reference to 
 time, place, or political circumstance, never 
 was there altogether so hnc an effort of a
 
 SIR SYDNEY SMITH. 115 
 
 partizan, or on so grand a scale. The man- 
 ner in which it was recognised by Parlia- 
 ment speaks for itself. 
 
 As the thanks of Parliament to Lord 
 Hood only followed those of Lord Howe, 
 though for services of an anterior date, so 
 were these, anterior and all distinguished as 
 they were, only apparently introduced as 
 incidental during the vote of those to Ad- 
 miral Mitchell and Sir Ralph Abercromby 
 for the succeeding occasion. Captain Sir 
 Sydney Smith was however so junior an 
 officer in his date of service that it was no 
 disparagement to him to follow in their 
 honours, these veterans whose united powers 
 his genius and spirit more than emulated to 
 possess in himself. 
 
 Lord Nelson had derived from the des- 
 truction of the Fleet that conveyed this 
 romantic expedition to Egypt, the noble 
 reward which his country had bestowed on 
 him by its thanks, " and had told that 
 country that he felt it as he ought ;'" it 
 
 ' Answer ofiord Nelson, p. 105.
 
 116 SIR SYDNEY SMITH. 
 
 remained for this noble son of ocean to give 
 a clieck to the army which was to colonize 
 Egypt, and invade India, under its renown- 
 ed and romantic chief! 
 
 The present article is marked by the pe- 
 culiar circumstance, as it refers to an indi- 
 vidual, of being first distinguished by His 
 Majesty in his most gracious Speech on 
 opening the Session of Parliament on the 
 24th September, 1799- Speaking of the 
 discomfiture of the French arms in Egypt, 
 it is thus observed : 
 
 " The desperate attempt which they 
 have lately made to extricate themselves 
 from their difficulties has been defeated by 
 the courage of the Turkish forces, directed 
 by the skill, and animated by the heroism 
 of a British officer with a small portion of 
 my naval force under his command." 
 
 Lord Buckingham enlarged on the disr 
 grace of the conqueror and hero, (Napoleon 
 Bonaparte) who regularly besieging an in- 
 considerable and ill-fortified town with his 
 army, was seen to retreat loaded with dis-
 
 SIEGE OF ACRE. 117 
 
 grace by a handful of British sailors, who 
 on that occasion were converted into sol- 
 diers ; and by the few Turks whom the pre- 
 sence of our small naval force, and the exer- 
 tions of that able and gallant officer who 
 commanded the expedition, inspired with a 
 degree of courage which otherwise they 
 never would have displayed. 
 
 Earl Spencer followed in similar terms, 
 and after confessing that there was no pre- 
 cedent for conferring this high honour on 
 services performed by " a force so inconsi- 
 derable in point of numbers," described the 
 splendour of such an exploit against an 
 army which had already over-run a great 
 part of Europe, a fine portion of Africa, 
 and attempted also the conquest of Asia, as 
 eclipsing all former examples, and not to be 
 subjected to ordinary rules. His Lordship 
 confident of approbation, moved — 
 
 " That the thanks of the House he given 
 to Captain Sir William Sydney Smith, and 
 the British Seamen under his command, for 
 their gallant and successful Defence of Saint
 
 118 SIR SYDNEY SMITH. 
 
 Jea?! d*Acre against the desperate assaults of 
 the French army under the command of Ge- 
 neral Buonapa)'tc,'' 
 
 To this was added Tlianks to the British 
 Office's, Seamen and Troops under Sir Syd- 
 ney Smith, and the whole was carried unani- 
 mously. 
 
 The motion in the Commons was rather 
 different. It was moved by Mr. Dundas, 
 (afterwards Lord Melville) who thus admi- 
 rably increased its value by recurrence to 
 the difficulties, which genius and talent must 
 encounter in the earlier stages of their pro- 
 gress to fame. " He had heard," he said, 
 " that Sir Sydney Smith, who had his diffi- 
 culties, had sometimes been lightly spoken 
 of by some persons ; whoever they were 
 they were inconsiderate, and might now be 
 left to their inward shame, if they did not 
 recant." Rejoicing in the opportunity of 
 saying this, he moved — 
 
 " That the Thanks of the House be given 
 to Captain Sir Tl illiam Sydney Smith, for the 
 conspicuous skill and heroism, by which with
 
 SIEGE OF ACRE. 119 
 
 a few seamen under his command, he ani^ 
 mated the Turkish troops o gainst the formi- 
 dable and desperate attack of the French 
 Army, under the command of General Bo- 
 naparte, SccJ* 
 
 The scene of this action, the ancient 
 Ptolemais, deserves mention, though now 
 only a small village covers its ruins. In the 
 crusades it was honoured by the presence 
 of British monarchs. Richard I. captured 
 it after it had been besieged for the two 
 first years of his reign at the expence as is 
 said of 300,000 Christian soldiers, many of 
 the highest classes. Here Edward I. while 
 Prince, received that wound from a poi- 
 soned arrow, the cure of which his consort 
 effected by withdrawing the poison with her 
 lips, at the hazard of her life, thus conse- 
 crating the conjugal affection and heroism 
 of British women. — And here, such are the 
 changes of policy, did a Christian knight, in 
 1799j thus gain new triumphs for the Bri- 
 tish arms.
 
 120 SIR SYDNEY SMITH. 
 
 Of Sir William Sydney Smith, whose life would form 
 a romance beyond the character of his great name sake 
 Sir Philip Sydney's time, at once too much and too little 
 is known for the purpose of the present notice : — of those 
 traits which convey character, too little ; of details of bra- 
 very and enterprize, that would fill volumes. 
 
 His father was an officer in the army, of whom it is not 
 certain that he can be stated to have arrived at the rank 
 usually given to him of Captain, but who certainly was 
 Aide-de-Camp to Lord Geo- Germaine, at the Battle of 
 Minden, and was a principal evidence in his Lordship's 
 favour, which produced him a grant of land at the foot of 
 Dover Castle from the Duke of Dorset, though as in some 
 other instances it does not appear to have idtiniately acce- 
 lerated the fortunes of his son. His mother the daughter 
 of an eminent merchant named Wilkinson was disinherited 
 for her marriage, and her fortune conveyed to her sister 
 Lady Camelford. 
 
 William Sydney born in the Capital in 1764, was 
 educated it is believed by Mr. Morgan of Bath, though it 
 has been said he was sometime at Tunbridge School under 
 Dr. Knox. He early chose the naval profession of arms, 
 and immediately rose so rapidly that by the age of sixteen, 
 (1780) he was Lieutenant of the Alcide of 74 guns, and in 
 three years more Post-Captain, when the peace arrested 
 his further progress. 
 
 His activity would not permit him to repose; and con-' 
 sequently when at the end of live years more, (1788) war-^ 
 broke out between Russia and Sweden, he obtained per- 
 mission to accept a superior command from the govern-
 
 SIEGE or ACRE. 121 
 
 ment of Sweden in which he eminently distinguished him- 
 self, and obtained the honour of Swedish knighthood. 
 ' This service completed, he passed through Europe, 
 and being in Italy when Lord Hood obtained temporary 
 possession of Toulon, offered his services as a volunteer 
 with such success as to be particularly mentioned by Lord 
 Hood, and entrusted with the destruction of the ships and 
 arsenal, on the subsequent evacuation. 
 
 Returning to England, he received the command of the 
 Diamond frigate, with which he annoyed the whole line of 
 the enemy's coast in the channel, so powerfully as to ren- 
 der his name obnoxious to the whole of the inhabitants in 
 a very peculiar manner, and to derive from his own go- 
 vernment other frigates with which as Commodore he per- 
 formed wonders. His fire was to be heard around Jersey 
 incessantly, battering down whatever offended his eye. 
 At Herqui he attacked a French convoy, and landing 
 demolished the fortifications. At another time in his fri- 
 gate he entered Brest Harbour, reconnoitred the state of 
 the Brest Heet, and passed out again without suspicion, 
 owing to his correct knowledge of the country, its nav}-, 
 and its language. Having however in April 1796, cap- 
 tured an armed vessel in the outer harbour of Havre de 
 Grace, the tide made so strong up the Seine that he was 
 driven near the forts ; and having boarded his prize in his 
 boats in person, (for which he was blamed) an alarm was 
 given and after an obstinate resistance the enemy's gun- 
 boats succeeded in capturing Sir Sydney and three officers 
 with sixteen of his crew. 
 
 It may easily be supposed that the nature of the service 
 m which he had been thus employed would render the
 
 122 SIR SYDNEY SMITH. 
 
 gallant partlzan an object of peculiar attention to the 
 French Government. He narrowly escaped trial as a spy, 
 and was subjected to the most rigorous imprisonment. It 
 was in vain that the British Government sent Capt. Ber- 
 geret commander of La Virginie, after the lapse even of 
 three months to obtain his own liberty by the exchange of 
 Sir Sydney Smith, which was sternly refused by the direc- 
 tory ; but it is due to that officer to state that on this 
 refusal he voluntarily returned to his captivity, with the 
 declaration that he ^* preferred death to dishonour." 
 
 At the end only of two years and six days (April 24, 
 1798), Sir Sydney obtained his release by escapje, as some 
 supposed with the secret knowledge of the French go- 
 vernment from his almost miraculous manoeuvre. Being 
 conveyed from one prison to another, he was described as 
 taken out of the carriage in which he was conveyed, by 
 some unknown person, and readily passed through a 
 crowd which was assembled at the time, into the suburbs, 
 whence he circuitously reached the shore, took to an open 
 boat and after some time was taken up by a frigate in 
 which he returned to England. 
 
 His prowess was rewarded by a fine ship taken from 
 the French, Le Tigre of SO guns, in which he sailed for 
 the Mediterranean. 
 
 How brilliant was his career in the service has just been 
 told ; the simple details of his conduct savour of fiction ; 
 and the language of the Senate raises him at once from the 
 character of partizan to that of those ancient heroes who so 
 eminently united in tliemselves all the talents of war, as to 
 render it doubtful whether they were greater by sea or 
 land.
 
 SIEGE OF ACRE. 123 
 
 For several years circumstances have induced Sir Sydney 
 Smith to remain unemployed ; and on the establishment of 
 Xiouis on the throne of France, he retired thither, with his 
 family. In the latter end of the year 1815 he projected a 
 scheme for the utter abolition of Christian slavery from all 
 the African States on the coast of the Mediterranean, by 
 means of an association of Christian Knights of which he 
 is himself the President and into which are to be admitted 
 officers from every part of the world. It partakes evidently 
 of a romantic character, but has been greatly patronised, 
 notwithstanding the great share which Lord Ex mouth's 
 victory would seem to have in superseding it. 
 
 If it be a matter of cold question whether the frequently 
 splendid results of the petite guerre, are to be regarded with 
 the same esteem as the steadier operations of regular war ; 
 it can be none that Sir Sydney Smith extended the bounds 
 of our national fame, and performed eminent services to 
 his country.
 
 124 
 
 CONJUNCT EXPEDITION A- 
 GAINST HOLLAND, OF LIEUT. 
 GENERAL SIR RALPH ABER- 
 CROMBY AND ADMIRAL (after- 
 wards Sir Andrew) MITCHELL, 
 2rth AUGUST 1799; FORM- 
 ING THE VAN OF THE GRAND 
 ARMAMENT UNDER HIS ROYAL 
 HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF YORK. 
 
 The progress of events had given a fair 
 prospect of the Dutch people's disposition 
 to get rid of that close connexion with the 
 French, whose fraternal alliance had so 
 little tended either to their interest or glory. 
 — To completely detach the liatavian Re- 
 public, as it was now called, from that of 
 France, and thus powerfully weaken that 
 growing Empire, if not restore the autho- 
 rity of the Stadtholder, a grand expedition 
 was formed comprising the verj^ tiower of 
 the British army in point of officers, and 
 thirty-three thousand troops, including a 
 body of Russian auxiliaries. The command
 
 SIR RALPH ABERCROMBY. 125 
 
 was confided to the Duke of York, and in 
 course the arrangements made under His 
 Royal Highness's directions. 
 
 The first division, or advanced guard 
 (about 12,000 men) of this army, embarked 
 at Deal on the 13th of August 1799, under 
 the orders of Sir Ralph Abercromby, on 
 board a fleet commanded by Vice-Admiral 
 Mitchell, and so completely attained its ob- 
 ject as to obtain the Vote of Parliamentary 
 Thanks immediately on the opening of the 
 Session in a most distins^uished manner. 
 The Commander in Chief had not yet ar- 
 rived with the main body, though His 
 Royal Highness quickly shared in the glo- 
 ries and dangers of the whole, and ultimately 
 secured by his diplomatic spirit under most 
 conflicting circumstances the naval acquisi- 
 tions which had been made. 
 
 Denied the communications of thanks we 
 are here amply supplied in the proud eulo- 
 gia pronounced, in moving them in both 
 Houses of Parliament, on the skill with which 
 the transport was conducted, and the just
 
 126 SIR R. ABERCROMBY AND 
 
 attribute of it in Admiral Mitchell's answer, 
 to the unanimity of the Navy and Army. 
 
 Lord Grenville having moved thanks 
 to the Army to be conveyed through the 
 Duke of York, Earl Spencer spoke of the 
 skill, activity and perseverance requisite to 
 have ensured his success. Havins: conduct- 
 ed his fleet over the boisterous element, 
 passing through a narrow sea, and avoiding 
 the dangers of a difficult coast, he again 
 led his squadron in order of battle along 
 the perilous navigation of the Zuyder Zee. 
 Here prepared for naval triumph, he obtain- 
 ed a bloodless victory of importance. His 
 firm demeanor had given the Dutch sailors 
 an opportunity^ of openly manifesting their 
 disposition to be restored to their legitimate 
 government, to renew that friendship and 
 alliance which distinguished the most 
 brilliant periods of the Dutch Republic. 
 " I therefore move^' (said his Lordship) 
 " the thanks of the House to Admiral 
 Mitchell, together with the officers arid sea- 
 men eni'ployed in the expedition to Holland,
 
 SIR A. MITCHELL. IIELDER. 127 
 
 AND GAINING POSSESSION OF THE DUTCH 
 NAVY." 
 
 In the House of Commons, Mr. Dundas 
 after much praise thus described the fact. 
 The armament destined for Holland sailed 
 thence in very fair weather, which continu- 
 ed for two or three days ; but early on the 
 morning of the third day, there arose a very 
 heavy, and for the time of the year a very 
 uncommon storm. In this storm, this 
 gallant Admiral had the conducting of tzem 
 hundred transports of various descriptions, 
 subject to no 7nilitary discipline from the 
 nature of things : and in this condition 
 did he conduct the whole of this mass for 
 ten or twelve days, kept them together 
 immense as they were, and brought them 
 to their place of landing in safety. 
 
 The following were the answers returned 
 to the communications. 
 
 Head Quarters Schagen Brug, Oct. \Othj 1799. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 In consequence of your Lord-
 
 128 Slli R. ABERCROMBY AND 
 
 ship's letter of the 3d instant, I have com- 
 municated the thanks of the House of Lords 
 to Lieutenant General Sir Ralph Aber- 
 cromby, the Generals and other officers 
 under his command, together with their 
 Lordships' approbation and acknowledge- 
 ment of the services of the troops employ- 
 ed at the attack of the Helder on the 27 th 
 August 1799 ; which thanks have been 
 received by Sir Ralph Abercromby, the 
 Generals, other officers and troops, as one 
 of the most honourable testimonies and best 
 rewards of their exertions in the service of 
 their country. 
 
 I beg to express that having been employ- 
 ed to communicate their Lordships' resolu- 
 tions upon this occasion, I shall ever con- 
 sider as one of the most pleasing circum- 
 stances of my military life. 
 
 I am Sec. (Signed) Frederick. 
 The Right Honourable 
 
 the Lord Chancellor, &c. &c.
 
 SIR A. MITCHELL. HELDER. 129 
 
 Lunce 7 die Octobris. 1799- 
 
 Yarmouth, Oct. 5th, 1799- 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I am honoured with your Lord- 
 ship's letter of the 3rd and with it the 
 unanimous thanks of the House of Lords 
 to Vice Admiral Mitchell, his officers, sea- 
 men and marines, which I have much 
 satisfaction in forwarding to him ; also a 
 copy of your very polite letter to me. I have 
 the honour to be with much respect, esteem, 
 and consideration, my Lord, your Lord- 
 ship's most faithful and obedient servant, 
 
 Duncan. 
 The Right Hon. 
 
 the Lord Chancellor. 
 
 Martis 21 die Januarii, 1800. 
 Head Quarters, Schageu Brug, Oct. 10^ 1799. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 In consequence of your letter 
 
 of the 26th ultimo, I have communicated 
 
 the thanks of the honourable House of 
 
 Commons to Lieutenant General Sir Ralph 
 
 ^g. I
 
 130 SIR li. ABERCROMBY AND 
 
 Abercromby, the Generals and other 
 officers under his command, together with 
 their approbation and acknowledgment for 
 the services of the troops employed at the 
 attack of the Helder, on the 27th of August 
 1799? which thanks have been received by 
 Sir Ralph Abercromby, the Generals, 
 other officers and troops, as one of the 
 most honourable testimonies and best re- 
 wards of their exertion in the service of 
 their country. 
 
 I beg to express, that having been employ- 
 ed to communicate the resolutions of the 
 House of Commons upon this occasion, I 
 shall ever consider as one of the most pleas- 
 ing circumstances of my military life. 
 
 I am. Sir, yours, Frederick. 
 
 The Right Hon. 
 
 the Speaker of the 
 
 House of Commons.
 
 SIR A. MITCHELL. HELDER. 131 
 
 Mcrcurii 2 die Octobris, 1799. 
 
 Yarmouth, Sept. 30th 1799- 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I am honoured with your letter 
 of the 26th, transmitting to me the unani- 
 mous resolutions of the House of Commons, 
 which I have great satisfaction in forward- 
 ing to Vice Admiral Mitchell with a copy 
 of your very polite letter to me. 
 
 I have the honour to be, with much 
 respect and esteem, Sir, your most obedient 
 and very humble servant, 
 
 Duncan. 
 The Right Honourable 
 
 Henry Addington, &:c. &c, 
 
 Kent, Yarmouth Roads, 30th Dec. 1799. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I have the honour to enclose 
 Vice Admiral Mitchell's acknowledgment 
 of the thanks voted by the House of Com- 
 mons to the naval department in the late 
 expedition to Holland ; and should have
 
 132 SIR K. ABERCROMBY AND 
 
 done so sooner, had not the original mis- 
 carried. 
 
 I have the honour to be, Sir, your most 
 obedient humble servant, 
 
 Duncan. 
 The Right Hon. 
 
 Henry Addington, Sec. Sec. 
 
 His Majesty's ship Isis, in the 
 
 Vlieter Channel^ 15th October, 1799. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I had the honour to receive your Lord- 
 ship's letter of the 30th September, accom- 
 panied with the copy of one to you from 
 the Speaker of the House of Commons and 
 the unanimous vote of thanks of that House 
 to me, and to the captains, officers, seamen, 
 and marines, employed under my Command 
 in the expedition against Holland. 
 
 When the important plan of rescuing 
 from the hands of an usurping power a 
 fleet that should have acted as the friend 
 of Great Britain was committed to me, 
 I determined that no exertions should
 
 SIR A. MITCHELL. HELDER. 133 
 
 be wanting on my part to secure so 
 desirable an object ; and your Lordship's 
 continuing and assisting me in the trust 
 with which I was vested, did not lessen 
 those exertions. The weather soon occa- 
 sioned obstacles that required our utmost 
 skill and activity to surmount, and they 
 could not have been surmounted but by 
 the most ardent zeal in the captains, and 
 in the whole of the fleet which the Lords 
 Commissioners of the Admiralty and your 
 Lordship did me the honour to put under 
 my orders, whose conduct was more like 
 that of brothers than of men serving under 
 command. 
 
 To two other causes also do we owe our 
 success. First the unanimit}'^ that prevail- 
 ed between the army and navy ; and next, 
 the ver}' liberal equipment of the armament 
 by the executive branches of His Majesty's 
 government. The least deficiency in the 
 former would have lost us the favourable 
 moment of landing ; and in the latter.
 
 134 SIR K. ABERCROMBY AND 
 
 would have rendered us unequal to per- 
 severe against the storms we encountered. 
 
 If any thing could add value to the 
 unanimous vote of thanks of the Commons 
 of Great Britain, it would be the obliging 
 terms in which the Speaker has conveyed 
 the vote to your Lordship, together with 
 the very friendly manner in which your 
 Lordship has transmitted it to me. I have 
 taken the earliest opportunity to commu- 
 nicate it to the captains, officers, seamen, 
 and marines under my command ; and, 
 conscious of our zeal in the cause of our 
 king and country, we have equal pride and 
 satisfaction to find our services approved 
 and acknowledged b}'^ so high and so ho- 
 nourable an authority. 
 
 I have the honour to be, my Lord, 3^our 
 Lordship's most obliged, most obedient 
 and faithful humble servant, 
 
 A. Mitchell. 
 Right Honourable Admiral 
 
 Lord \'iscount Duncan.
 
 SIR A. MITCHELL. HELDER. 135 
 
 Andrew Mitchell was born in the South of Scotland 
 in 1737, and received his education at Edinburgh, such 
 as under the auspices only of a mother, for his father died 
 early, may be supposed. In 1776 he went to India as a 
 Midshipman, under Sir Edward Vernon in the Rippon, 
 and was, it is believed, before 1778 in command of the 
 Coventry of 28 guns. 
 
 While excluded from the gallant career opened under 
 Sir Edward Hughes opposed to the French Count de 
 Suffrien, in the Indian seas, he compelled to retire the 
 Bellona of 40 guns, after a sharp action of two hours and 
 a half ; and received in consequence the Sultan 74 guns. 
 In the action off Cuddalore, on the 20th June 1782, he 
 was enabled to distinguish himself. 
 
 Returning on the peace with a convoy, and with full 
 expectation of being enabled from an advantageous service 
 to enjoy the otium cum dignitate, he found, that from 
 some parliamentary speculations his agent had precluded 
 the means, and after a long chasm in employment, was 
 happy on the commencement of war to find himself 
 employed under Lord Howe, first in the Asia 64, and 
 afterwards in the Impregnable of 90 guns. 
 
 In 1795 (June 1) he became Rear Admiral without 
 distinction; in 1799, (Feb. 14) Vice Admiral of the 
 White at the Nore, first in the Zealous 64, and next the 
 Isis of 60, which brings him to a period distinguished as 
 hath been seen — and further, as on that occasion the only 
 officer who had merited the Knighthood of the Bath. 
 
 The following year (previously Vice Admiral of the 
 Red) in the Windsor Castle of 98 guns, Sir A. Mitchell 
 served under Lord Bridport in his Channel fleet, and
 
 136 SIR R. ABERCROMBY, <ScC. 
 
 afterwards under Admiral Cornwallis off Brest, without 
 opportunity for fanve ; and in the year succeeding, (1801) 
 he obtained, though with no greater distinction, the com- 
 mand of a division of 15 sail of the line for the protection 
 of Ireland. In 1802, he was appointed Commander in 
 Chief in North America, where he suffered again a 
 domestic calamity in the loss of his wife in 1S03, and the 
 dangerous state of his eldest son, from being severely 
 wounded on board the Cleopatra captured by the enemy 
 in February 1805. 
 
 No subsequent service of Sir A. Mitchell can take 
 place of that which has been so strongly marked in the 
 general object of these pages. But it is due to the 
 Admiral to remark, that on this as on all occasions, there 
 is a positive merit in his manners and conduct towards 
 those confided to his charge, among whom were many 
 gentlemen since distinguished. 
 
 Nor is it small praise to observe, that he who so power- 
 fully and successfully combatted with the rough billows 
 of the ocean, was gentle enough to preserve in his great 
 cabin, the while, all the best elegancies of polished manners^, 
 among which were cultivated the charms of music.
 
 137 
 
 MYSORE WAR IN INDIA, DECID- 
 ED BY THE CAPTURE OE SERIN- 
 GAPATAM, MAY 4,1799. GOVER- 
 NOR GENERAL LORD (afterwards 
 Marquis) WELLESLEY, and the 
 
 WHOLE OF THE AUTHORITIES CIV^IL 
 AND MILITARY. 
 
 A chief end of the celebrated French ex- 
 pedition to Egypt being the attack of the 
 British empire in India, to which, as well as 
 other objects of the system of aggrandize- 
 mentjErance continued to aspire; the French 
 commander had no sooner established him- 
 self in Grand Cairo, than he put into effect 
 an alliance with Tippoo Saib, who had 
 been given his dominions on the peace 
 concluded with him by Lord Cornwallis, 
 in 1792. The government having antici- 
 pated this measure, prepared with vigour to 
 defeat it. Among other objects, to prevent 
 the passage of the French through the Straits 
 of Babelmandel, the Governor General 
 ordered the naval Commander in Chief to
 
 138 LORD WELLESLEY. 
 
 fortify the island of Perim in the gulph of 
 Cam bay, between those straits and the Red 
 Sea; which, with an attack of General 
 Harris upon Seringapatam, in which the 
 Sultan was killed, and his territory annexed 
 to the British crown, completely destroyed 
 these hopes of the enemy. 
 
 The conquest of Mysore thus completed 
 produced as great effects in India, as the 
 final successes of the war have done in 
 Europe ; so completely did the Governor 
 General develope his vast powers in the 
 policy of this war, that the King for the 
 first time granted to his Lordship the 
 appointment of Captain General of all his 
 land forces in India, with other honors : 
 and the successful General at Seringapatam 
 received the honour of the Peerage as an 
 English Baron. 
 
 To this grand effort, it appears, all the 
 authorities, civil and military, co-operated 
 under the general administration of the 
 Governor General Lord Wellesley, in the 
 most active and powerful manner.
 
 MYSORE WAR. 139 
 
 The following individuals were distinctly 
 named by the Vote of Thanks which was 
 ordered on the 4th of October, 1799? by the 
 House of Lords. 
 
 Richard Lord AVellesley, Earl ofMor- 
 nington, Governor General of India; 
 Right Hon. Lord Clive, Governor of Fort 
 George ; Jonathan Duncan, Esq. Governor 
 of Bombay ; His Excellency Lieutenant 
 General Harris, Commander of the Forces ; 
 Lieutenant General James Stuart, Com- 
 mander in Chief Bombay army ; Major 
 Generals — John Floyd, Thomas Bridges, 
 William Popham, James Hartley, David 
 Baird, and the several officers of the King's 
 and Honourable Company's armies employ- 
 ed in this glorious and decisive war. 
 
 On the 4th October 1799— It was re- 
 solved by the House of Commons, 
 
 That the thanks of the House be siven 
 to the R,ight Honourable Richard Lord 
 Wellesley, Earl of Mornington in the king- 
 dom of Ireland, and Governor General of 
 the British possessions in the East Indies, 
 for the wisdom, decision, and energy, with
 
 140 LORD WELLESLEY. 
 
 which he discharged the arduous duties of 
 his station, from the time of his taking up- 
 on him the said government to the glorious 
 termination of the late war, by the capture 
 of Seringapatam ; during which period, by 
 opposing to the perfidy of the late Sultan 
 of Mysore, an uniform moderation, dignity, 
 and firmness, and by counteracting with 
 equal promptitude and ability, the danger- 
 ous intrigues and projects of the French, 
 particularly by destroying their power and 
 influence in the Decan, he prepared the 
 way for the rapid and brilliant operations 
 carried on under his superintendance and 
 direction, the result of which has finally 
 disappointed all the designs of our enemies 
 in that quarter, and has established on a 
 basis of permanent security, the tranquillity 
 and prosperity of the British empire in 
 India. 
 
 That the thanks of the House be given 
 to the Ridit Honourable Lord Clive, 
 Governor of the settlement of Fort St. 
 George, for his zealous, cordial, and honour-
 
 MYSORE WAR. 141 
 
 able concurrence, in forwarding the wise 
 and dio;nified views of the Governor 
 General in council, by which he has fur- 
 nished a salutary and memorable example 
 of the advantage of unanimity and concord 
 among the persons employed in high sta- 
 tions in the British dominions in the East 
 Indies, and has to the utmost of his power, 
 promoted the success of those measures, 
 from which the most important public 
 benefits have resulted to this country. 
 
 That the thanks of the House be given 
 to Jonathan Duncan, Esquire, Governor of 
 Bombay, for the zeal and promptitude of 
 his conduct in preparing the army of that 
 presidency for the field, agreeably to the 
 orders of the governor general in council, 
 whereby that army was enabled materially 
 to contribute to the successful and glorious 
 termination of the late war in India. 
 
 That the thanks of the House be given to 
 Lieutenant General George Harris, for the 
 whole of his able and meritorious conduct in 
 the command of the forces of his Majesty, and
 
 142 LORD WELLESLEY. 
 
 of the East India Company, during the late 
 glorious and decisive war, with the Sultan 
 of Mysore ; and particularly for the ability, 
 judgment, and energy, with which he plan- 
 ned and directed the assault of Seringapa- 
 tam, the success of which brilliant achieve- 
 ment has so highly contributed to the 
 glory of the British name, and to the perma- 
 nent tranquillity of our possessions in the 
 East. 
 
 That the thanks of this House be given to 
 Lieutenant General James Stuart, Com- 
 mander in Chief of the Bombay army, 
 which so gloriously co-operated in the 
 success of the late campaign in India : and 
 also to Major Generals John Floyd, 
 Thomas Bridges, William Popham, James 
 Hartley, and David Baird, and to the 
 respective officers of the armies employed 
 on that occasion, against the enemy, for 
 their distinguished and meritorious services. 
 
 That this House doth highly approve of 
 and acknowledge the services of the non- 
 commissioned officers, and private soldiers
 
 MYSORE WAR. 143 
 
 employed against the enemy, in the late 
 glorious and decisive war in the East 
 Indies ; and that the same be signified to 
 them by the commanders of the several 
 corps, who are desired to thank them for 
 their gallant behaviour. 
 
 That Mr. Speaker do transmit the said 
 resolutions to the Right Honourable the 
 Governor General ; and that his Lordship 
 be requested, by Mr. Speaker, to signify 
 the same, to the Governors, General and 
 other officers, referred to therein. 
 
 It was announced in the following terms : 
 
 Palace Yard, Oct. 6th, 1799- 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 The reward of public approba- 
 tion and gratitude, has on no occasion been 
 more cordially and deservedly bestowed 
 than by the inclosed resolutions, which I 
 have the honour of transmitting to your 
 Lordship, in obedience to the commands 
 of the House of Commons. 
 
 Wisdom and vigour in council, and
 
 H4 LORD WELLESLET. 
 
 talents and exertion in the field, have 
 eminently characterized the civil and 
 military departments in India, during the 
 period of your Lordship's administration; 
 and the effects of the measures which have 
 been adopted in the course of it, are to be 
 found in the overthrow of a restless and 
 perfidious power, in the dissolution of a 
 menacing and formidable confederacy, and 
 in the improved security of the British 
 possessions in that quarter of the world. 
 
 Allow me, my Lord, so far to indulge my 
 own feelings upon this occasion, as to as- 
 sure your Lordship, and those who, under 
 your auspices, have contributed to successes 
 so splendid and important, that in the dis- 
 charge of my official duty I have never 
 experienced higher gratification, than in 
 bemg the channel of affording this addi- 
 tional proof, that great and glorious services 
 cannot fail to be distinguished by the 
 applause, admiration, and gratitude of the 
 Commons of Great Britain.
 
 MYSORE WAR. 145 
 
 I have the honour to be, with the utmost 
 respect, my Lord, your Lordship's most 
 obedient and faithful humble servant, 
 
 Henry Addington. 
 
 A medal was granted by the Honourable 
 Court of Directors to the army, which was 
 graciously recognized by his Majesty ; and 
 his Royal Highness the Regent in the dis- 
 tribution of mihtary honors at the final 
 close of the war was pleased to direct, that 
 the officers of the army be permitted to 
 wear this medal at court and in all places 
 and countries. 
 
 It represents on one side the fort of 
 Seringapatam, and on the other the British 
 Lion overcoming a Royal tyger, the emblem 
 of Tippoo's government, with the following 
 Persian inscription, which was his own 
 motto : " Assood Oollah ul Ghalib" — the 
 victorious Lion of God. 
 
 One of the medals was presented to his 
 Majesty. 
 
 JEq. k
 
 146* LORD WELLESLEY. 
 
 The two principal characters of this 
 section being reserved for another mention, 
 it only remains to add some facts on Gen. 
 Lord Harris. 
 
 The conqueror of Seringapatam was the son of the 
 Rev. George Harris of Brasted in Kent, and Sarah 
 daughter of George Twent)'man Esq. of Braintree, 
 Cumberland. 
 
 He was born March 18, 1746, and having entered the 
 army as Cadet, Royal Artillery, 1st January 1759, became 
 Ensign 5th foot, JOth July 1762, and in 1778, not- 
 withstanding a severe wound in the head, and afterwards 
 through the leg in America, Major of that corps. He 
 commanded it with distinction in the West Indies, not 
 only at land but at sea as marhies imder Admiral Biron. 
 
 Returning to England, he married 9th December 1779^ 
 Anne Carteret youngest daughter and co-heir of Charles 
 Dixon Esq. of Bath, by whom he had ultimately a family 
 often children. 
 
 In 1780, proniotcd to the Lieutenant Colonelcy of his 
 regiment, he exchanged to the 76th and \Aent to India as 
 Secretary to Sir W. Meadows ConuDander in Chief at 
 Madras, under whom he had served in the West Indies. 
 The staff could not keep him from the tield, and he was in 
 the war against Tippoo, at the attack of the camp and island 
 of Seringapatam, which closed it ; after which he returned 
 to England.
 
 MYSORE WAR. 147 
 
 Colonel in the army 18th November 1792, and Major 
 General on the conunencenient of the revolutionary war, 
 General Harris was valuable to the service of Imiia, and 
 placed on the Bengal Staff accordingly. Hence he pro- 
 gressively succeeded to the government of Madras, and 
 finally the conniiand which is the object of the present 
 section. 
 
 Tiie following letter of approval ' is too honourable to 
 both parties, the Marquis Wellesley and Lord Harris, to 
 be witliholden in this sketch. 
 
 *' The Governor General in Council now directs nie to 
 signify his particular sense of the iirmness, constancy, and 
 perseverance with which you subdued the difficulties 
 opposed to the progress of the army through the enemy's 
 country ; of the zeal and unanimity with which you in- 
 spircii all the great departments ofyourarmy; ofthe judg- 
 ment (h.splayed in the «hole conduct of the campaign, 
 especially in the passage of the Cavery, and in the position 
 taken up before Seringaputam, and the vigor and skill with 
 which the siege was conducted. This great achievement 
 entitles you to the gratitude and respect of the Company, 
 of your King and of your country, and the Governor 
 General has already discharged with particular satisfaction, 
 the grateful duty of stating to the Honourable Court of 
 Directors, and to his Majesty's ministers, your eminent 
 services, in a manner adequate to the honor and advantage 
 which the British empire in India is likely to derive from 
 the splendid victories obtained by the army under your 
 command." 
 
 • Dated Fort St. George, Aug. 7, 1799.
 
 148 LORD WELLESLEY. 
 
 General Harris received the Colonelcy of the 7Sd 
 Regiment in 1800 ; became Lieutenant General 1801; 
 General 1812 : and was late advanced to the Peerage with 
 reference to the locality of his service at Seringapatam, 
 Aug. 11, 1815. 
 
 His Lordship's third son fell gallantly emulating his 
 father in the unhappy affair at New Orleans, January 8, 
 1815.
 
 149 
 
 CONJUNCT EXPEDITION A- 
 GAINST THE ARMED NEU- 
 TRALITY OF THE NORTH OF 
 
 EUROPE, UNDER SIR HYDE PARKER, 
 LORD NELSON, &C. AND THE HON. 
 
 LIEUT. COL. (now Lieatenant-General) 
 
 SIR WILLIAM STEWART, K. B. M. P. 
 APRIL 2, 1801. 
 
 As this title bespeaks, an armed neu- 
 trality having been formed, dangerous to 
 the interests of Great Britain, this country 
 with prompt energy despatched a fleet up 
 the Baltic with troops on board, which hav- 
 ing been impeded by the armed force of 
 Denmark soon brought that power to rea- 
 son, and ultimately the other Confederate 
 States. To say more, would be to write an 
 important Treatise on the Policy of Nor- 
 thern Europe. 
 
 On Thursday the l6th of April Earl St. 
 Vincent in the Lords, and the Chancellor 
 of Exchequer in the Commons, moved —
 
 150 SIR HYDE PARKER, 
 
 " That the Thanks of this House be 
 given to Admiral Sir Hjde Parker for his 
 able and judicious disposition of the force 
 under his command, by which the Danish 
 Fleet and batteries composmg the defence 
 of the harbour of Copenhaoen were taken 
 or destroyed on the 2d of April 1801. 
 
 " That the Thanks of this House be given to 
 Vice-Admiral Lord Nelso7i, to Reai-Admiral 
 Graves, and to Lieiitejiaut Colonel Stewart 
 commanding the 49th regiment of foot, and 
 to all the officers under the command of Ad- 
 miral Sir Hyde Parker,Jor their bravery and 
 gallant conduct on the glorious occasion of 
 the triumph of the British force off the Har^ 
 bour of Copenhagen, on the second of April 
 180 J, and that Admiral Sir Hyde Parker be 
 requested to signify the same to them." Also 
 to the seamen, marines, &c. 
 
 Lu?icE 18 die Mail, 1801. 
 
 London, Kioge Bay, Jpril28th 1801. 
 
 My Lord, 
 I am to acknowledge the honour of your
 
 LORD NELSON, &C. I5l 
 
 Lordship's communication of the high 
 honour conferred upon me by the vote of 
 the House of Lords, approving of my con- 
 duct on the 2nd of April, and that of the 
 officers and men under my command, to 
 whom I have communicated the very ho- 
 nourable testimony of their Services. 
 
 I much fear myself inadequate to express 
 the high sensibility of my own feelings upon 
 so distinguished a mark conferred upon me, 
 and can only assure their Lordships, how- 
 ever deficient and unequal I may be in ex- 
 pressiTig what I feel, the impression will 
 never be effaced from m}' memory. 
 
 And to you, my Lord, I beg you to be- 
 lieve next to the honourable mark conferred, 
 nothing can be more gratifying than the very 
 handsome manner in which you have done 
 me the honour to express yourself in your 
 conclusion. 
 
 I am therefore to request your Lordship 
 will believe me penetrated with the highest 
 respect and esteem, and that I am, your
 
 152 SIR HYDK PARKER, 
 
 Lordship's most obedient and very humble 
 servant, 
 
 Hyde Parker. 
 
 Right Hon. Lord Eldon, &c. Sec. 
 
 Luna 18 die Maii, 1801. 
 
 London, Kioge Bay, April ISth,. 1801. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I am to acknowledge the re- 
 ceipt of yours of the l6th instant, enclosing 
 me, by order of the Honourable House of 
 Commons, their resolutions approving my 
 conduct and that of the flag officers, cap- 
 tains and officers, as also, that of the sea- 
 men, marines and soldiers under my com- 
 mand on the 2nd of April, which I have 
 communicated to the Fleet. 
 
 My own feelings are so much affected at 
 this mark of my country's approbation, as 
 to render me unequal to find words expres- 
 sive of my sensibility on the marked honour ; 
 and I have only to request you, Sir, to as- 
 sure the House, it will serve to re-animate a
 
 LORD NELSON, &C. 153 
 
 life nearly exhausted, after fifty years spent 
 in my country's service. 
 
 You, Sir, I am to desire will accept my 
 best thanks for the very handsome manner 
 in which you are pleased to express your- 
 self; and that you will believe me with the 
 highest respect and esteem, your most obe- 
 dient and very humble servant, 
 
 Hyde Parker. 
 The Rio;ht Honourable 
 
 Sir John Mitford, &c. 
 
 Of Lord Nelson, notwithstanding the progress of his 
 honours, it is not yet time to speak. 
 
 Sir Hyde Parker, sou of the unfortunately celebrated 
 Vice-Admiral of that name, who after arriving at the dig- 
 nity of royal visits at the Nore, from his splendid services, 
 is supposed to have perished by fire at sea, and of Miss A. 
 Boteler, was born in 1739 ; and educated for the naval 
 service by his father, under whom he served in the Squir- 
 rel, Brilliant, Belleisle and Phoenix. 
 
 The American war distinguished him as an able parti- 
 zan at sea in various annoyances on the enemy's coast, 
 which procured for him in conjunction with Sirs G. Col- 
 lier, A. Hammond, and J. Wallace, the honour of knight- 
 hood ; and he afterwards received the honourable mention
 
 154 SIR HYDE PARKER, 
 
 of Earl Howe, Lord Gambler, 8cc. Thence he served un- 
 der Lord Rodney, for the relief of Gibraltar, but was 
 wrecked on the hostile island of Cuba, and fortunately for 
 the safety of his crew, the greater part of whom were saved 
 and preserved by his readiness in temporary defence on 
 shore, till relieved from Jamaica. 
 
 Sir Hyde led the van in Lord Howe's relief of Gibral- 
 tar ; and on the peace remained with the Goliath, as guard- 
 ship at Sheerness, Plymouth, and Portsmoudi ; moved to 
 the Orion on the menaces of Holland by France and re- 
 tired from her on the march ot Prussia into the Nether- 
 lands ; hoisted his flag in the Brunswick on the threat of a 
 rupture with Spain ; and ultimately, when hostilities did 
 commence with France, became Rear-Admiral of the white 
 and first Captain to Lord Hood in the V ictory, with whom 
 he shared the events of the Mediterranean. 
 
 By progressive steps in this service he became Vice-Ad- 
 miral of the Red, and on his return in 1796 went to the 
 Jamaica station, when he was without distinction, for some 
 years, and returning home among others obtained the com- 
 mand which conferred these honors. 
 
 The answer of Sir Hyde Paiker to the Speaker of the 
 House of Commons on its thanks, marks with peculiar 
 sensibility, their effect on his feelings — the keanima- 
 Ti o N of " a life nearly exhausted after Jifty years service ;" 
 which he did not long survive. 
 
 Of the military ofHcer, who of the rank only of Lieute- 
 7iant-Co/ofiel, thus shared with the veteran Parker and the 
 heroic Nelson, the innnortal meed of his country's praise, 
 the merit could not be supposed to be obscure, though 
 simply named in the parliamentary motion. His employ- 
 ments as follow shew the eminent character of his services. —
 
 LORD NELSON, &C. 155 
 
 1786. Ensign 42d foot, Lieutenant 67th in 1787- 
 1790. Captain of an independent Company and em- 
 ployed in a diplomatic Mission to Vienna. 
 
 1792. Removed to 22nd foot. 
 
 1793. Commanded Grenadiers in the West-Indies un- 
 der Lieuteiiant-General Sir Charles Grey : he served also 
 under that officer in the Windward Islands in»» 
 
 1794. Major 31st foot, and in November returned 
 fioni the West-Indies. 
 
 1795. Lieutenant - Colonel and Assistant Adjutant- 
 General to the Earl of Moira's army in England ; after- 
 v/ards Adjutant-General to Major General Doyle's army 
 on the coast of France. 
 
 1796. Lieutenant-Colonel commanding 67th, with local 
 rank of Colonel in St. Domingo. 
 
 1797. Appointed Commandant at Mole St. Nicholas. 
 1799- Served with the allied armies under the Archduke 
 
 Charles, Marshal Swarrow and General Kousakow, in 
 Suabia, Switzerland, and Italy. He also in that year 
 attended the Prussian and Hessian Reviews. 
 
 1800. Formed the Rifle Corps, (now 95th Regiment) 
 under Colonel Manningham's orders, and was employed 
 on the expedition to Ferrol and coast of France. He there 
 commanded a detachment of that corps. 
 
 1801. Lieutenant-Colonel of the Rifle Corps, and com- 
 manded the troops on board of the British fleet in the 
 Baltic. After the action at Copenhagen, he received on the 
 second of April the rank of Colonel. 
 
 1804. Brigadier-General. Commanded the Volunteer 
 district of Cambridge, Huntingdon and Peterbo- 
 rough. 
 
 1806. On the staff in Sicily as Brigadier-General.
 
 156 SIR HYDE PARKER, &C. 
 
 1807. Under the late Major-General M^Kensie Fraser 
 in Eg}pt. 
 
 180B. Commanded at Syracuse, and Faro, district of 
 Sicily. 
 
 1809. Major-General, commanded the Light Brigade 
 in the Walcheren expedition, and on the 31st of August 
 appointed Colonel of the 3d battalion 95ih foot, (now 
 Rifle Brigade). 
 
 1810. Commanded at Cadiz, was appointed to the 
 command of the second division of the allied army in Por- 
 tugal, in the summer, and continued during that and the 
 following year. 
 
 1812. Placed on the staff of the Eastern district ; after- 
 wards he rejoined the allied army in Spain and command- 
 ed the 2nd division till the termination of hostilities. 
 
 1813. Received the rank of Lieutenant-General. He 
 commanded the second division in the actions of Busaco, 
 Albuera, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Bayonne, Orthes, 
 and Toulouse. 
 
 The Report made by this gallant officer of the opera- 
 tions at the pass of Maya which did not appear in the 
 Gazette, at once evinces his military judgment, and the 
 generous feelings that actuate true merit towards those 
 under their command. Gen. Stewart has been in seven- 
 teen foreign campaigns, has received six wounds and four 
 contusions.
 
 SIR JAMES SAUMAREZ. 157 
 
 NAVAL VICTORY IN THE STRAITS 
 OF GIBRALTAR, OF A SQUA- 
 DRON UNDER SIR JAMES SAU- 
 MAREZ, 12th AND 13th JULY, 1801. 
 
 Victory had now been so generalized on 
 the part of the navy tiiat men looked for 
 extraordinary events, and splendid successes 
 as matters of course. Hence the distin- 
 guished character of the present is lost in 
 the general blaze. 
 
 When it is considered, however, that a 
 French 74 (St. Antoine) was captured, and 
 two Spanish ships (San Hermenegildo and 
 Real Carlos) carrying 112 guns and 1200 
 men each, of whom only thirty could be 
 saved, were blown up on the night of the 
 I2th July, the terrible nature of this action 
 will be seen, and the desert of parliamen- 
 tary honors receive demonstration.^ 
 
 \ The pencil of Brenton has enabled us to contemplate with perspi- 
 cuity the scene which so eminently displays the superiority of the 
 uaval skill of Great Britain, over that of France and Spain. In sup. 
 port oi' the Superb engaged with the Antoine, is seen the C»»ar ma.
 
 158 SIR JAMES SAUMAREZ. 
 
 Consequently on the 30th of October, 
 Earl St. Vincent in the House of Lords, 
 and the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the 
 House of Commons, moved — 
 
 " That the Thanks of the House should 
 he voted to llear-Admiral Sir James Sau- 
 marez, Bart, and K.B.for the alacrity and 
 zeal with which he pursued, and the able man- 
 ner in which he conducted the attack on, the 
 combined Jleets of France and Spain in the 
 Straits of Gibraltar," &.C. Aho the thanks of 
 the House to the captains, and other offi- 
 cers, seamen, and marines. 
 
 Mart is 2 die Februarii, 1802. 
 
 His Majesty s Ship Casar, 
 Gibraltar Bay, 6th January 1802. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I yesterday had the lionour to 
 receive your Lordship's letter transmitting 
 
 jtstically jiassing vvitliin pistol sliot of tin' two Spanish three-deckers, 
 one of which having mistaken the other for the Caesar, has coni- 
 meuced an action which ended in setting fire to them hoth. — And 
 in defiance of the vast destruction the Venerable n)aking way to 
 follow the Capsar to glory ! — A more intcre^iting sketch cannot be con- 
 ceived.
 
 SIR JAMES SAUMAKEZ. l59 
 
 to me the resolutions of the House of Lords 
 on the victory obtained by the squadron 
 under my orders on the 12th and 13th July 
 last, in the Straits of Gibraltar. Having on 
 four occasions been honoured with the 
 Thanks of their Lordships when comman- 
 der of a line of battle ship, in different 
 general actions, this very high mark of dis- 
 tinction cannot but prove more particularly 
 gratifying to my feelings when entrusted 
 with the command of His Majesty's Squa- 
 dron,, and I am at a loss for words to ex- 
 press the deep sense I entertain of so flat- 
 tering an instance of their Lordships' appro- 
 bation. 1 shall have great satisfaction in 
 conveying to the captains, officers and 
 men, under my orders, the resolutions of 
 the august House, expressive of the sense 
 their Lordships are pleased to entertain of 
 their gallant conduct. 
 
 In returning my most particular thanks 
 for the very polite and obhging manner in 
 which your Lordship has been pleased to 
 communicate the votes of the House of
 
 l60 sill JAMES SAUMAllEZ. 
 
 Peers, 1 beg to assure your Lordship of the 
 profound respect and veneration with which 
 I have the honour to be, my Lord, your 
 Lordship's obhged and most obedient hum- 
 ble servant. 
 
 James Saumarez. 
 The Right Hon. Lord Eldon, &c. 
 
 Mariis,2 die FehruarU, 1802. 
 
 His Majesty's Ship Ccesar, 
 Gibraltar Bay, 6th Jajiuary, 1802. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I have received the honour of 
 your letter transmitting to me the votes of 
 the honourable House of Commons on the 
 successful attack made by the squadron un- 
 der my orders on the combined forces of the 
 enemy, in the Straits of Gibraltar on the 
 12th and 13th of July last. 
 
 It has been my particular fortune to be 
 honoured with the Thanks of Parliament on 
 four different occasions, when commander 
 of a line of battle ship in general actions : 
 but this very distinguished mark of appro-
 
 SIR JAMES SAUMAREZ. l6l 
 
 bation cannot fail to be more particularly 
 gratifying to my feelings when entrusted 
 with the command of His Majesty's Squa- 
 dron ; and I want words to convey in a 
 more adequate manner, my grateful acknow- 
 ledgements for the notice with which the 
 honourable House have been pleased to 
 honour my services. 
 
 I shall take the earliest opportunity to 
 convey to the captains, officers, seamen and 
 marines, serving under my orders, the reso- 
 lutions of the House, and I beg leave, Sir, 
 to return my most sincere thanks for the 
 handsome and obliging terms in which you 
 have been pleased to express yourself to 
 me in signifying to me the Thanks of the 
 honourable House. I have the honour to 
 be, with sentiments of the highest respect 
 and regard, Sir, your obliged and most obe- 
 dient humble servant, 
 
 James Saumarez. 
 
 Right Hon. Sir John Mitford, Knt. &c. 
 
 JEg,
 
 \62 SIR JAMES SAUMAREZ. 
 
 Sir James Saumarez, though not a name so current as 
 many in popular feeling, had shared in most of the actions 
 that formed the naval heroes of this war. Bom in 1757, 
 he was bred under a distinguished veteran Capt. Alms, and 
 Sir H. Parker, and was ultimately for his services granted 
 a pension of 1,2001. a year. He was married to the res- 
 pectable daughter of Mr. Le ^Marchant of Guernsey his 
 native island, and on its neighbouring coast of France often 
 displayed a vigorous activity. Of his conduct on the pre- 
 sent occasion, it is sufficient to shew the opinion that was 
 entertained, that these pages have the honor to record his 
 name.
 
 163 
 
 THE EXPEDITION AGAINST E- 
 GYPT, OCCUPIED BY A POWER- 
 EUL FRENCH ARMY — UNDER 
 SIR RALPH ABERCROMBY, AND 
 LORD KEITH: also under sir 
 JOHN (afterwards Lord) hutciiinson, 
 
 AND NAVAL OPERATIONS OP LORD 
 KEITH IN THE MEDITERRANEAN AND 
 ON THE COASTS OF THE RED SEA. 
 
 The cause of the expedition to Egypt has 
 been already mentioned, in the records of 
 that praise which rewarded Lord Nelson 
 surnamed of the Nile ; and the no less dis- 
 tinguished eulogia, which, both from the 
 sovereign and Parliament, recorded the 
 prowess of Sir Sydney Smith. The French 
 army continued with a various success,which 
 is sufficientlv described in numerous tomes 
 of those learned men which formed a distin- 
 guished part of its suite, to possess this de- 
 sert, and in a force sufficient to meet with 
 peculiar advantage even a powerful army. 
 Against them was this expedition at length 
 directed, involving a considerable portion
 
 164 LORDS HUTCHINSON, 
 
 of the talent and experience of the British 
 forces both b}' land and sea. 
 
 It might be deemed the first opportunity 
 that had occurred during this war, where the 
 troops of the two nations had, in any con- 
 siderable body, met on " a clear stage, and 
 without favor," — and those of Great Britain 
 by the glorious battle of Alexandria soon 
 gave earnest of the result of such a compe- 
 tition, mingling, however, with its laurels 
 the melancholy cypress, for the venerable 
 British chief. 
 
 The tribute of the country which soon 
 followed, is hence addressed in the first in- 
 stance to " the second in command," who 
 in the end evinced his claim to it cni his own 
 account, both of which here follow ; as well 
 as those of the British Admiral who first 
 transported the troops, and afterwards se- 
 conded their operations and protected the 
 succours which India furnished through the 
 Red Sea. 
 
 These pages cannot enter on the sub- 
 lime conceptions furnished by these vast 
 movements on a scene ancient in renown,
 
 KEITH, &C. — EGYPT. i6 
 
 D 
 
 though never exceeded by that which is thus 
 recorded : 
 
 On Monday the J 8th May, 1801, were 
 moved by Lord Hobart in the Lords, and 
 the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the 
 Commons, the following resolutions ; 
 
 " That the Thanks of this House be given 
 to the Honourable Major-General John 
 Hely Hutchinson second in command, 
 Generals Eyre Coote, Cradock, Lud- 
 low, John Moore, Earl Cavan, Finch, 
 John Stuart, Hope, Doyle, Oakes, and 
 Robert Lawson, and the several officers 
 who served under Sir Ralph Aber- 
 c ROM BY, for their splendid and heroic exer- 
 tions; when, in spite of local difficulties, and 
 the desperate attacks of a powerful and 
 well-prepared army, on the 21st of March 
 1801, the British arms obtained a brilliant 
 victory, &c. 
 
 " That the thanks of this House be given 
 to Admiral Lord Keith, for the distinguished 
 zeal and ability with which he made his dis« 
 position for landing the troops on the coast 
 of Egypt, in spite of all the obstacles which
 
 166 LORDS HUTCHINSON, 
 
 he had to encounter, and the activity and 
 exertion with which he aided and supported 
 them in effecting their descent, and carrying 
 on operations against the enemy on the 
 coast of Egypt. 
 
 That the thanks of this House be given to 
 rear-admiral Sir R. Bickerton, Bart, and 
 the several captains and officers under his 
 command, for their cordial and effectual 
 co-operation in landing and effecting their 
 descent, and carrying on operations against 
 the enemy on the coast of Egypt, &;c. &c. \ 
 
 These are the acknowledgments : 
 
 Malta, 2Qth December, 1801. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I have had the honour of re* 
 ceiving your Lordship's letter transmitting 
 to me the resolutions of the House of Lords 
 
 ' On this occasion the Duke of Clarence moved a particular vote of 
 thanks to Sir Sydney Smith for his various services in Egypt, and also 
 Jo Captain Cochrane, hut it waa opposed on the ground of delicacy to 
 the other officers, and His Royal Highness coHbcntcd to withdraw his 
 uiotion.
 
 KEITH, &C. — EGYPT. l67 
 
 upon the 18th of May last, when their 
 Lordships were pleased to vote the thanks 
 of their House to the general and other 
 officers who served in the army under the 
 command of the late Sir Ralph Abercromby, 
 for their splendid exertions in effecting a 
 landing upon the coast of Egypt on the 8th 
 of March, and for all their subsequent 
 operations, particularly in resisting with 
 signal success the attack made upon them on 
 the 21st March, and atchieving the glorious 
 victory obtained on that day ; as also, the 
 resolution of their Lordships, expressiveof 
 their approbation of the regularity, disci- 
 pline, coolness, and valour, displayed by 
 the non-commissioned officers and private 
 soldiers of the army, in their memorable 
 and brilliant conduct in Egypt, during the 
 same period. 
 
 I have to thank their Lordships, in the 
 name of the generals, other officers, and 
 troops, for this high and proud mark of 
 national applause, which has been grate- 
 fully received by the army in Egypt, zea-
 
 ]68 LORDS nUTCHlNSOX, 
 
 lous to discharge its duty to its country, 
 and seizing with eagerness all occasions of 
 furthering by their exertions the common 
 interest. 
 
 Were any incentive requisite to instil into 
 the mind of the officer and soldier this sen- 
 timent of patriotism, at present in every 
 man's breast, the high authority of their 
 Lordships' approbation could not fail to 
 have that effect; proud in having contri- 
 buted to support the glory of their coun- 
 try, they cherish its commendation as their 
 brightest laurel. 
 
 Permit me at the same time to thank 
 your Lordship for the flattering manner to 
 me personally in which you have commu- 
 nicated those thanks ; and while I assure 
 you of the respect and great esteem with 
 which I receive them, I cannot but feel 
 proud of having made one in that army, 
 whose glorious atchievements have reflected 
 honour upon the national character, and to 
 whose heroism and discipline I shall be at 
 all times ready to bear my humble testi-
 
 KEITIT, &C. — EGYPT. iGQ 
 
 mony. I have the honour to be, with the 
 
 utmost respect, my Lord, your Lordship's 
 
 most obedient, very humble servant, 
 
 J. Hely Hutchinson, 
 
 Lieutenant General. 
 
 The Right Hon. the Lord Chancellor. 
 
 Lunce 8 die Mart is, 1802. 
 
 Malta, 28th December, 1801. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I have received with the utmost 
 satisfaction and respect, the unanimous 
 resolutions of the House of Commons, 
 thanking the generals, the officers, non-com- 
 missioned officers and privates of the army 
 in Egypt, who served under the command 
 of the late Sir Ralph Abercromby for their 
 brilliant, noble, and meritorious conduct in 
 the actions of the 8th, 13th, and 21st of 
 March. 
 
 I have not failed to communicate your 
 resolutions to the different parties concern- 
 ed, and I am to assure you both in their 
 names and in my own, that nothing can be
 
 170 LOKPS HUTCHINSON, 
 
 SO grateful to our feelings as the approba- 
 tion of the House of Commons and the tes- 
 timony which they are pleased to bear that 
 the army in Egypt has sustained the honour 
 of their sovereign and promoted the glory 
 of their country. We know well that we 
 have received one of the greatest rewards 
 that can be conferred upon British subjects, 
 and we rest in humble hope that our future 
 conduct may not prove us to be entirely 
 unworthy of such distinction. 
 
 I cannot conclude without expressing a 
 sentiment of regret, that it has lallen to my 
 lot to answer your resolutions and not to 
 him who so nobly led the army, and whose 
 conduct, talents, and example so greatly 
 contributed to the success of those three 
 brilliant days. 
 
 Give me leave to return you my sincere 
 thanks for the polite manner in which you 
 have been pleased to communicate the reso- 
 lutions of the House of Commons. I have 
 the honour to be with great respect, Sir,
 
 KEITH, &:C. — EGYPT. 171 
 
 your most obedient very humble servant, 
 
 J. Hely Hutchinson, 
 Lieutenant General. 
 The Right Honourable 
 
 The Speaker of the House of Commons. 
 
 Foudroyant^ Bay of Jhoukir, 23 Juli/j 1801. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I have been this day honoured 
 with your Lordship's Letter of the 19th 
 May, conveying to me the votes of Thanks 
 with which the House of Peers has been 
 pleased to honour the exertions that have 
 been used by His Majesty's Sea Forces, in 
 disembarking the army on the coast of 
 Egypt, and co-operating with them on 
 shore, which I communicated without loss 
 of time to Rear-Admiral Sir Richard Bick- 
 erton, and to the respective captains, offi- 
 cers, seamen and marines, who were em- 
 ployed on these services ; I assure your 
 Lordship that I am, and that they are sen- 
 sibly impressed with this distinguished 
 mark of their Lordships* approbation, and I
 
 172 LORDS HUTCHINSON, 
 
 request that your Lordship will be pleased 
 to acquaint their Lordships therewith; the 
 particularly obliging terms, in which this 
 public and honourable testimony has been 
 conveyed by your Lordship, has not failed 
 to be very gratifying and acceptable to me. 
 I beg leave to offer to your Lordship my 
 most sincere acknowledgements, and have 
 the honour to be with the most profound 
 respect and esteem, My Lord, your Lord- 
 ship's most obedient, most obliged, and 
 most humble servant, 
 
 Keith. 
 The Ri2;ht Honourable The Lord 
 
 High Chancellor of Great Britain, &c. 
 
 Veneris 30 die Octobris, 1801. 
 
 Foudroi/aiit, Bai/ of Aboukir, 15 Julj/, 1801. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I have received your letter of 
 the 19th May last, transmitting to me the 
 unanimous Vote of Thanks with which the 
 House of Commons has been pleased to 
 honour my services and those of Rear-Ad- 
 miral Sir Richard Bickcrton, and the cap-
 
 KEITH, &C.— EGYPT. 173 
 
 tains, officers, seamen, and marines of 
 the fleet, under my command, who were 
 employed disembarking the British Troops 
 on the coast of Egypt, and supporting their 
 subsequent operations ; which I have em- 
 braced the earliest opportunity of commu- 
 nicating to Rear Admiral Sir Richard Bick- 
 erton, and to the captains, officers, seamen, 
 and marines who were employed upon that 
 service ; and I request that you will be 
 pleased to assure the Honourable House, 
 that we justly appreciate that distinguished 
 testimony of satisfaction with our efforts in 
 the discharge of the duty we owe to the 
 public, and which our country has always a 
 right to require. 
 
 I crave permission, Sir, to express my ac- 
 knowledgements for the very obliging terms 
 in which you have been pleased to convey 
 the Vote of the House to me ; and to assure 
 you of the additional satisfaction I enjoy in 
 having had this honourable testimony of 
 public approbation transmitted to me by 
 one who commands my respect and esteem. 
 I have the honour to be with the greatest
 
 174 LORDS HUTCHINSON, 
 
 regard. Sir, your most obedient and most 
 humble servant, 
 
 Keith. 
 The Right Honourable 
 
 The Speaker of the House of Commons. 
 
 On Thursday 12th of November 1801, it 
 was moved in the House of liords by Lord 
 Hobart, and in that of the Commons by 
 the Chancellor of the Exchequer : 
 
 " That the thanks of this House be given 
 to Lieutenant General the Honourable Sir 
 JOHN HELY HUTCHINSON, Knight of the 
 most honourable order of the Bath, for the 
 ability, zeal, and perseverance so eminently 
 manifested by him in the command of the 
 army serving in Egypt, by which the 
 honour of the Britiah nation has been so 
 signally upheld, and additional lustre reflect- 
 ed on the reputation of the British arms ;" 
 and to Admiral Lord Keith for the same. 
 
 Thanks were also moved, on the part of 
 the army, to Major Generals Eyre Coote, 
 John Francis Cradock, the Honourable 
 George James Ludlow, John Moore, Richard
 
 KKTT[I, Sec EGYPT. 175 
 
 Earl of Cavan, David Baird, the Honour- 
 able Edward Finch. Brigadier Generals 
 John Stewart, the Honourable John Hope, 
 John Doyle, John Blake, Hildebrand 
 Oakes, Robert Lawson — and on that of tlie 
 navy, to Rear Admirals John Blankett, Sir 
 Richard Bickerton Baronet, and Sir John 
 Borlase Warren, Sec. &c. ^ 
 
 To this second vote, the following an- 
 swers only appear on the Journals. 
 
 Veneris 21 die Maii, 1802. 
 
 Turin, Qth May, 1 802. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I had left Malta before the 
 thanks of the House of Commons to the 
 army serving in Egypt had been received, 
 they therefore did not reach me till many 
 months after they had been voted. 
 
 I shall ever retain a proud and grateful 
 sense of the honour which the House of 
 Commons has been pleased to confer upon 
 me. The able assistance of the General 
 
 ' The motion in tlie Peers was seconded on tliU occasion by Lor<! 
 
 Nelson.
 
 176 LORDS HUTCHINSON 
 
 > 
 
 officers acting under my command, the 
 order, valour, and discipline of the troops, 
 made my duty a task of easy performance, 
 and at length led to that final and fortunate 
 issue which has so justly obtained them 
 the approbation of their sovereign, and 
 the applause of their country. 
 
 1 have the honour to be. Sir, with great 
 regard your obedient humble servant, 
 
 Hutchinson. 
 'ihe Right Honourable 
 
 the Speaker of the House of Commons. 
 
 llis Majesty's Ship Foudroyanl, 
 Malta, \Slh January, 1B02. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I have been honoured witli 
 your liOrdship's letter, enclosing the Reso- 
 lutions of the House of Lords of the 12th 
 November last, expressive of their Lord- 
 ships' thanks to me, to Rear-Admiral Sir 
 ixichard Bickerton, to Rear-Admiral Sir 
 John Warren, to Rear-Admiral Sir John 
 Bhuikett, and to the Captains and Officers 
 of the Flcel under my command, and to
 
 KEITH, &C.— EGYPT. 177 
 
 those of the Squadron emplo^^ed on the 
 Coasts of the Red Sea ; and their Lord- 
 ships* high approbation and acknowledg- 
 ment of the services of the Seamen and 
 Marines on board the ships and vessels 
 under m}^ command, and under that of 
 Vice-Admiral Rainier, which I have com- 
 municated without delay to Rear-Admiral 
 Sir Richard Bickerton, and to such of the 
 Captains, Officers, Seamen, and Marines 
 of the Fleet, who were employed on that 
 service, as are now here ; and I request 
 your Lordship to assure the House, that 
 this repeated mark of their Lordships' ap- 
 probation is held in the greatest estimation 
 by us all. 
 
 The Votes of the House that relate to 
 the Squadron under the command of Vice- 
 Admiral Rainier, shall be forwarded b}' me 
 to that officer, as your Lordship has been 
 pleased to request, without loss of time. 
 
 Your Lordship has laid me under the 
 strongest obligations by the very flattering 
 manner in which you have conveyed their 
 
 Mg. M
 
 178 LORDS HUTCHINSON^, 
 
 Lordsliips' resolutions to me ; believe me, 
 my Lord, that I am duly sensible of them, 
 and that I am proud of being honoured 
 with their Lordships' regard and esteem. 
 
 I have the honour to be, with the most 
 profound respect, my Lord, your Lordship's 
 most obedient and most humble Servant, 
 
 Keith. 
 Right Hon. the Lord High Chancellor of 
 Great Britain, &c. &c. 
 
 Veneris 2 die Apr His, 1802. 
 
 His Majesty s Ship, Foudroyant, 
 Malta, ]Sth January, 1802. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I have been honoured with 
 vour letter of the 14th November, en- 
 closino' the unanimous Resolutions of the 
 House of Commons of the 12th of that 
 month, expressive of their Thanks to me, 
 to Sir Richard Bickerton, and Sir John 
 Borlase Warren, and to the Captains and 
 OtHcers of the Fleet under my command, 
 for our services on the Coast of Egypt ;
 
 KEITH, &C. EGYPT. 179 
 
 and also the House's approbation and ac- 
 knowledgment of the services of the Seamen 
 and Marines on board the ships and vessels 
 under my command and under that of 
 Vice-Admiral Rainier, which have been 
 communicated by me to Rear-Admiral Sir 
 Richard Bickerton, and to such of the 
 Captains, Officers, and Marines of the 
 Fleet who were employed on the services 
 referred to, as are now here ; and I request 
 that you will be pleased to assure the 
 honourable House, that this repeated testi- 
 mony of their approbation is held by us all 
 in distinguished esteem. 
 
 I request, Sir, that you will accept my 
 particular acknowledgments for the flatter- 
 ing expressions of personal regard with 
 which this acceptable testimony of the 
 House's approbation has been accompanied; 
 and that you will believe me to be, with 
 the greatest respect and esteem. Sir, your 
 most obedient and most humble Servant, 
 
 Keith. 
 The Right Hon. Sir John Mitford, 
 
 Speaker of the House of Commons, &c.
 
 180 LORDS HUTCHINSON, 
 
 Mercui'il SO die Martii, 1803. 
 
 Victorious^ Madras Roads, 
 Wth October, 1802. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I have the honour to acknow- 
 ledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th 
 November, 1801, which only came to hand 
 the 22d ultimo, transmitting the unanimous 
 vote of thanks of the honourable House of 
 Commons to Rear-Admiral Blankett, and 
 to the captains and officers of the squad- 
 ron employed on the coast of the Red Sea, 
 for their zeal, activity, and perseverance 
 Aviiich they have manifested in their co- 
 operation with the army in Egypt; and 
 desiring me, as their commander-in-chief, 
 to signify the same to them : and, also, the 
 unanimous vote of the honourable House, 
 highly approving and acknowledging the 
 services of the seamen and marines on 
 board the same squadron, in the assistance 
 afforded by them to the army in Egypt ; 
 and farther requesting I would direct the 
 captams of the several ships to signify the
 
 KEITH, Sec. — EGYPT. 181 
 
 resolution of the honourable House to their 
 respective crews, with thanks for their 
 meritorious services. 
 
 I have the honour to acquaint you, in 
 reply, that I have, with much satisfaction, 
 discharged the trust you have reposed in 
 me in both instances, with the exception 
 of Rear-Admiral Blankett, who unfortu- 
 nately died a considerable time before I 
 received your letter. 
 
 I beg leave to assure you, I have not 
 the smallest hesitation in giving the fullest 
 credit to the acknowledgment you have so 
 politely made, of the pleasure derived to 
 your personal feelings from the discharge 
 of the trust assigned you by the honourable 
 House. 
 
 The assurance you have been so kind as 
 to convey, of there having existed no dif- 
 ference of opinion in the sentiments enter- 
 tained in the House of Commons, with 
 respect to the merit and importance of the 
 service rendered on this occasion, what- 
 ever there might have been on other sub-
 
 182 SIR R. ABERCROMBY. 
 
 jects, and of their having so essentially 
 contributed in the attainment of the object 
 that produced the pacification which had 
 taken place, affords me peculiar satisfac- 
 tion. 
 
 1 have the honour to be, with the high- 
 est respect, Sir, your most obedient, humble 
 Servant, 
 
 Peter Rainier. 
 The Right Hon. the Speaker of the 
 
 House of Commons, Sec. Sec. 
 
 Ralph, the youngest son of Sir George Abercromby, 
 Baronet, was born at Abercromby, the paternal seat, in 
 the County of Lotl)ian, in North Britain, in the year 
 1/33. He received a useful and pious, rather than an 
 ornamental education; and, with his brothers, two of 
 whom have distinguished themselves eminently, directed 
 his views to the army. Jn 1756 he obtained a cornetcv, 
 and four years after, a lieutenantcy, in the 3d Dragoon 
 Guards; frojn which he removed, in 17^)2, to a company 
 in the 3d regiment of horse; in which he was appointed, 
 a few years after, to the rank of major, and also to that 
 of Lieutenant-Colonel. To these was added, the civil 
 honour of being elected Member of Parliament in 
 1775, for a borough ancient and repeatedly digniticd. In
 
 EGYPT. 183 
 
 1781 he obtained the command of the 103d regiment, or 
 King's Irish Infantry, reduced in 1783; and, in 1787, was 
 promoted to the rank of Major-General. In 1790 he 
 became Colonel of the 6yth Foot, from which he removed 
 to the 6th, and afterwards to the 7th, Dragoon Guards. 
 In 1793 the rank of Lieutenant-General was conferred 
 on this aged and respectable officer, when he embarked, 
 under the Duke of York, for the continent, and received 
 the honour of being joined first with Sir Wm. Erskine, 
 and afterwards with General Fox, by the particular re- 
 commendation of his Ro\al Highness the Duke of York. 
 
 The preceding dates serve only to shew the progress of 
 a meritorious officer in his tedious, but certain, gradations 
 to honour and emolument. The better part is, however, 
 yet to follow, when an opportunity was afforded him to 
 attain in the field, with such superior glory, the farther ad- 
 vancement of his rank. 
 
 In the arduous combined services of this period, he had 
 his full share; and, in a situation of great difficuhy, to his 
 true sensibility was committed the care of the sick and 
 wounded, who had no cause to repent the appointment. 
 In 1795, General Abercromby was sent as Commander- 
 in-Chief to the West-Indies, with a force capable of 
 opposing the enen^y in that quarter, and reduced Port- 
 Royal, Surinam, and St. Lucia ; St. Vincent's, Grenada, 
 and Trinidad. Such successful exiertions could not fail 
 of an adequate reward. The honour of Knighthood was 
 immediately conferred upon him, with the appomtment of 
 Lieutenant-Governor of the Isle of Wight, and the com- 
 mand of the Scots Greys (2d, or North British Dragoons), 
 and afterwards the government of Forts George and 
 Augustus.
 
 184 SIR R. ABERCROMBY. 
 
 On the return of Sir Ralph Abercromby, his temperate 
 and concilialing character united with his military skill 
 to point him out to the discrimination of government as the 
 person best calculated to conunand the army in Ireland. 
 In this appointment, no doubt, many circumstances oc- 
 curred repugnant to a mind strongly imbued with sensi- 
 bility; and these he set about repairing, by a strict atten- 
 tion to the discipline of his troops, whose irregularities 
 he conceived tended to render them as formidable to the 
 friends as the enemies of government. The consequence 
 was a reform, and a conciliation which could not but pro- 
 duce the highest benefits. Difficulties occurring, however, 
 between the civil and military departments, it was thought 
 necessary to unite them in one person, and Sir Ralph 
 Abercromby resigned the latter of them to the Marquis 
 Cornwallis, who was most eminently calculated for both. 
 
 From Ireland the Commander-in-Chief passed in the 
 same character to Scotland, but was shortly after called 
 to exert his talents under the Duke of York, in the 
 unhappy expedition to the Ilelder; in it, it was, however, 
 universally confessed by Dutch, French, and British 
 officers, that his conduct was a display of as much heroism 
 as if he had assisted in gaining a victory. Again was the 
 eulogy of this gallant veteran pronounced by the second 
 Prince of the empire, and again were his tenderness and 
 care called forth in behalf of a snlTering army deserving a 
 better fate. 
 
 The next post to which Sir Ralph Abercromby was 
 called, was the command of the British expedition to the 
 Mediterranean, hi which, how well he performed the task 
 assigned him, how truly deserved all the praise which
 
 EGYPT. 185 
 
 heroes and princes have bestowed upon liim, is better seen 
 in the account of bis wise and prudent conduct, that hath 
 already appeared, than in any praise to be now bestowed. 
 His name is recorded in the hearts of his countrymen — 
 his actions in those of posterity ! Having successfully 
 formed and watched the execution of his plans, he re- 
 mained sharing the dangers of his troops; and adopting 
 the situation best calculated for the service, when he 
 was attacked by a French dragoon, whose costume, rather 
 than his conduct, bespoke him an officer. This unworthy 
 wretch having run at the venerable General, already dis- 
 mounted by his party, the veteran seized the sword, and 
 thought he had prevented his intentions: a soldier of the 
 42d immediately bayonetted him ; and Sir Sydney Smith 
 arriving, with his own sword broken in action, received the 
 enviable compliment of this glorious trophy. Unconscious 
 of the wound which had been made in his thigh, on the 
 defeat of the Dragoon, Sir Ralph Abercromby walked 
 to near a redoubt, to better perceive the progress of the 
 action, and there continued till its successful termination. 
 The blood, which had hitherto trickled unknown to all 
 but himself, now, for the first time, rendered him faint. 
 He was obliged to be placed on a hammock, and con- 
 veyed on board the ship of Admiral Lord Keith (the 
 Foudroyant), where, after patiently suffering every mode 
 of attempt to discover the fatal ball in vain, he expired a 
 week after (the 28th), in the 68th year of his age. On 
 such an occasion the writer of the humblest memorial 
 which bears his name, unconsciously resigns his feeble pen 
 to shed the tear of sympathy on such a death of such a 
 hero.
 
 3 86 SIR R. ABERCROMBY. 
 
 In his private character, it is universally declared, he 
 was modest and unassuming; in all his transactions, disin- 
 terested and upright; and, in his morals, pure and circum- 
 spect. In public company he Mas reserved and silent ; 
 yet he was perfectly affable and easy of access. In his 
 domestic relations he was unimpeac hable, and returned 
 with ardour the affection of his connections, (who partook 
 of his own character in an eminent degree.) His valued 
 remains were conveyed by his friend and countryman, 
 Lord Keith, to the Island of Malta, where they were 
 deposited under the Castle of St. Elmo, in the Fortress 
 of La Valetta, opposite the entrance of the harbour; and 
 an appropriate Latin inscription (prepared by the librarian 
 of the Order of Knights) placed over them by the Com- 
 mandant of the Island, 
 
 Such memorials form a melancholy but pleasing con- 
 templation to the migratory warrior, who views in them 
 the unperishable remembrance of national gratitude, and 
 is inspired to deeds of glory. The present tells that it 
 commemorates 
 
 Ralph (or Rodolpii) Abercromby, 
 
 of Scotland, 
 
 Knight of the Bath; 
 
 A man of probity, 
 
 elevated mind, and the most invincible courage; 
 
 and having, in the Wars with America and Holland, 
 
 acquired great fame; 
 
 whom ' 
 
 George III. King of Great Britain, 
 to the satisfaction of his People,
 
 EGYPT. 187 
 
 appointed Commander-in-Chief of the British land-troops 
 
 in the Mediterranean, and entrusted 
 
 with an Expedition against Egypt, 
 
 to dispossess the French of that Coast; 
 
 where he opposed that powerful foe, 
 
 firmly maintained his post, 
 
 and never desisted his pursuit, 
 
 till at length, 
 
 in a cruel and bloody battle, 
 
 fought at Alexandria, 
 
 March 21, 1801; 
 
 in the beginning of the action, 
 
 and in the certainty of victory, 
 
 he received a mortal wound, of which he died, 
 
 universally beloved by all, 
 
 on the 28th of the same month, 
 
 and in the 68th year of his age ; 
 
 A most skilful general, 
 
 prudent in his counsels, 
 
 brave in execution, 
 
 and of inviolable faith; 
 
 conspicuous 
 
 for preserving the glory of his king and country, 
 
 his king and country regret his loss. 
 
 Henry Pigot, 
 
 appointed by royal authority, 
 
 Commander-in-Chief of this Island, 
 
 caused the ashes of this best of generals 
 
 to be here publicly interred, 
 
 the 20th day of April in the same year, 
 
 for the love of his country.
 
 188 LORD HUTCHINSON. 
 
 That country, with a proper sense of duty to those who 
 deserve well of it, granted to the memory of Sir Ralph 
 Abercromby, an elegant cenotaph, and a peerage for his 
 M'idow, with a pension of 20001. per annum. 
 
 The Officer on whom devolved the command on this 
 glorious occasion, was second son of the celebrated pro- 
 vost of Trinity College Dublin, who acquiring a conside- 
 rable fortune as an advocate, and again by marriage, added 
 to his name of Hely that of his lady, Hutchinson. In 1777 
 that gentleman as Secretary of State was deemed the first 
 Irishman who had governed Ireland; and in 1783 while 
 he remained himself a commoner, procured to be ennobled 
 his wife and successors, by the Barony, since Earldom, of 
 Donoughmore. 
 
 John Hely, born in 1756, entered the army in 1774 in 
 the 18th dragoons, of which he became Lieutenant, in 
 1775, and next year obtained his company in the 67th 
 foot. He was elected member of Parliament for Cork in 
 the Irish Parliament in 1777- In 1781 he became Major, 
 and in 1783, Lieutenant-Colonel of the 77th regiment. 
 
 Having studied tactics at a military academy at Stras- 
 burgh, he now visited the continent with the enlarged 
 views of one to whom fortune seemed to promise exten- 
 sive public employments. He became so familiar with 
 the continent as, on the French Revolution, to find no 
 difficulty in obtaining access to the French camp at its 
 most interesting moment. He saw La Fayette compelled 
 to abandon his troops and fly for safety. Having observed
 
 EGYPT. 189 
 
 the state of the French force, he had then the singular op- 
 portunity to examine that which was inarching to oppose 
 it under the Duke of Brunswick, and from comparison to 
 foresee the result. 
 
 As might be supposed in the interim preceding the war, 
 Colonel Hutchinson distinguished himself by eloquence, 
 and no less from its subject, in favour of Catholic emanci- 
 pation, to which his father and family remained, notwith- 
 standing office and honours, attached. On the war. Lord 
 Donoughmore raised a regiment ; Colonel Hutchinson 
 raised another, and received the brevet of Colonel in 1794. 
 His acquaintance widi the continent, with his accomplished 
 education, rendered him too well adapted for military diplo- 
 macy not to render him an acquisition in the campaign in 
 Flanders, where he served as extra Aide-de-Camp. He 
 also served in the Irish rebellion and was second in com- 
 mand in the action of Castlebar. He had the brevet of 
 Major General in 1796. The expedition to the Helder 
 recalled the talents of General Hutchinson to that quarter j 
 and these talents induced Sir Ralph Abercromby, notwith- 
 standing some objections, to recommend his appointment 
 as second in command in the expedition to Egypt. 
 
 Here the praise of Parliament crowns his approbation. 
 He became Lieutenant General in 1803, with the order of 
 the Bath ; and was raised to the Peerage; in 1811, his 
 Lordship obtained the 18th or Royal Irish regiment of foot, 
 and in 1813 became full General, to which honor is to be 
 added the Governorship of Stirling Castle. 
 
 The talents for military diplomacy, which have been 
 described as superseding the claims of experience in the 
 field, subsequently produced a mission to the Russian
 
 190 LORD KEITH. 
 
 Court, highly honourable to him from the rank and talents 
 which had hern employed on the same service. 
 
 Lord Hutchinson, in the outset of life, as may be conceived 
 from an education embellished by foreign aid, was early 
 initiated into all the fashionable enjoyments of human life, 
 and has furnished a contrast, since his more important oc- 
 cupations, worthy <jf remark. In England and Ireland, 
 unmarried, he retired to seclusion and to study, unless 
 indulged with the society of a brother, who with more 
 than fraternal devotion accompanied him, without any 
 military employment, on service to the continent, and to 
 
 Egypt- 
 
 There are a few names that inspire, in the very mention, 
 a degree of reverence arising from causes little obvious, 
 but which, nevertheless, maintain their power : the favo- 
 rite Marshal of the great Frederic of Prussia in the last 
 age, the founder of the Marischal College hi one more 
 distant, the temporary political misfortunes of an ancient 
 house, excite in the mind this impression regarding Lord 
 Keith. 
 
 George Keith Elphiiistone, fifth son of Charles, tenth 
 Lord Elphiiistone, and Clementina, only daughter of John, 
 Lord VVigton, was born in Scotland about 1748. He 
 was educated for the sea, notwithstanding his elder brother 
 was lost in the Prince George in ]7o8. Master and 
 commander in 1773, he served in the Mediterranean under 
 Rear-Admiral Sir Peter Dennis, and was promoted into 
 the Scorpion of 14 guns : two years after he became post- 
 captain.
 
 EGYPT. 191 
 
 In 1774, after a persevering struggle, he became the 
 representative of Dumbartonshire in parhament. That 
 he was not inactive in this new sphere, will be seen from 
 having, after his second election, been one of the members 
 who assembled at the St. Al ban's Tavern, to endeavour to 
 miite the two great political luminaries of the day. Fox 
 and Pitt. 
 
 In the early period of the American war, he served 
 at the attack of Mud Island and Charleston ; and, in 
 November 1777, was detached with a force to co-operate 
 against Charleston, a detachment of which opened a 
 free communication with Philadelphia by water. He 
 then landed with a detachment of seamen and heavy 
 cannon from the fleet, along with Captain Evans of the 
 Raleigh. In 1778 he commanded the Berwick of 74 
 guns, which suffered in the action off Brest. In 1781, 
 in the Warwick of 50 guns and 300 men, he captured, in 
 the Channel, the Rotterdam, Dutch ship, same number of 
 men and guns, which had ineffectually been engaged by 
 the Isis. Returning to America, in a cruize off the Dela- 
 ware in company with others, he captured the French 
 frigate L'Aigle, of 40 guns, 24-pounders, and 600 men, 
 with all the chiefs of the French army on board, who, 
 however, narrowly escaped with part of their treasure. 
 
 Captain Elphinstone married Jane, daughter and sole 
 heiress of William Mercer, esq. of Aldie, Perthshire ; 
 and, in 1786, he was elected Member of Parliament for 
 the Shire of Stirling. 
 
 The revoluiionary war placed Captain Elphinstone in 
 the Robust, of 74 guns, under Lord Hood, in the first 
 scene of its eminence^ the Mediterranean, though sullied
 
 192 LORD KEITH. 
 
 by the sudden impulse of liini who thence progressively 
 arrived ahnost at universal enipire. Previously, however, 
 to Captain Elphinstone, notwithstanding anterior ar- 
 rangements, was confided the task of occupying, with 
 1500 men, the forts of Toulon that commanded the 
 shipping and their subsequent control as Governor of 
 Fort Malgue. In this governorship, by a sortie at the 
 head of 600 British and Spanish troops. Captain Elphin- 
 stone had all the honours of a victory. In the same way, 
 under Lord Mulgrave, this oflicer was conspicuous in the 
 destruction of a considerable French force at the heights 
 of Pharon ; and, when the evacuation became necessary, 
 was equally pre-eminent in conducting it, with Captains 
 Hallowel and Matthews, to the salvation of the inha- 
 bitants. 
 
 His exertions most warrantably procured him the Order 
 of the Bath, on his return with a convoy to England. He 
 then also became Rear-Admiral of the White. In the Bar- 
 fleur he exerted himself with increased fervour, though 
 less success, in the Channel, 
 
 Succeeding Admiral Bovvyer in the Monarch, 74, Sir 
 C K. Elphinstone proceeded in a conjunct expedition 
 against the Cape of Good Hope, with Major-General 
 Craig,' which succeeded in its reduction, and afterwards 
 captured a squadron sent for its defence. Sailing for 
 England, he chased a French squadron off Bantry Bay, 
 with the Monarch and Daphne ; and, on his arrival, was 
 rewarded with an Irish Barony. Again he joined the 
 
 ' Sir Alured Clarke was invested with the command, but arrived 
 only diiiim; the nncvppcted struggle wjth the DHtch.
 
 EGYPT. 193 
 
 Channel fleet, then commanded by Lord Bridport, but 
 without event. 
 
 In 1798 and 1799 Lord Keith served in the Mediter- 
 ranean, first in the Foudroyant_, next in the Barfleur, and 
 afterwards in the Royal Charlotte ; and had perhaps one 
 of the most memorable chaces of the enemy that ever 
 occurred, who entered Brest just five hours before his 
 final search. In returning to England, however, he was 
 somewhat compensated by the capture of a small squadron 
 from Jaffa, under Rear-Admiral Perr6e. 
 
 Before the end of the year he was again at Gibraltar, 
 succeeding Earl St. Vincent in command of the Mediter- 
 ranean fleet. Early in 1800 he cruized off Malta, in aid 
 of the blockade;' afterwards bombarded Genoa, in aid of 
 the Austrian siege ; and next, with Sir James Pulteney 
 and Sir Ralph Abercromby, against Cadiz. This brings 
 his career to the period of this section — the expedition to 
 Egypt, which reached Aboukir on the 22d March, 1801. 
 
 It were endless to attempt farther details. Lord Keith, 
 who thus powerfully contributed to render the British 
 name illustrious, and the British possessions secure in the 
 East, among other honours, was made an English peer, 
 (as Lord Keith, of Dumleath,) with a high patent place 
 under the Prince of Wales in Scotland. 
 
 On the renewal of war, his Lordship was Port- Admiral 
 of Plymouth, and afterwards commanded at the Nore; 
 during which the attempt against Boulogne took place, 
 
 ' If was dming this period that tlie Queen Cliarlotte, detached by 
 Lord Keith to seize the Island of Cabrera, was lost by fire, witUia 
 sight of Leghorn ; and the Genereux, 74, Admiral Perr^e's flag-ship, 
 was taken by Lord Nelson, detached for that purpose. 
 
 Mg. N
 
 194 ADMIRAL RAINIER. 
 
 when Lord Melville, first Commissioner of Admiralty^ 
 went on board his ship, the St. Alban's, to witness some 
 experiments of his own. He afterwards commanded the 
 North-Sea fleet, which consisted of more than 120 
 pennants ; such was the apprehension of the power of 
 France and Holland at that period ; — which may be said to 
 close his career of martial glory. 
 
 His Lordship, in course, reached the rank of Admiral 
 of the Red, and received from royalty the appointments 
 of Secretary, Keeper of Signet, 8cc. for Cornwall, to the 
 Prince of Wales, and Treasurer and Comptroller of 
 Household to the Duke of Clarence. 
 
 Of Admiral Rainier little is known beyond his qualities 
 as a seaman, and his successful fortunes from long service 
 on the East-India station. 
 
 The service of the present section was such as to 
 confer particular honour on all concerned in it, from its 
 difficulties and peculiar character in modern times. 
 
 Of its honours this old officer partook, as appeart 
 from the preceding pages. He afterwards retired to the 
 metropolitan village of Hackney, where, a few years since, 
 he closed a long life in peace. 
 
 It will be obvious how these notices might be multi- 
 plied, where even a Doyle appears in a minor command ; 
 he who afterwards, tarn Mortis quam Minerva, obtained 
 so inuch glory. Some arc hereafter mentioned.
 
 195 
 
 GENERAL SERVICES OF THE 
 NAVAL AND MILITARY FORCES, 
 APRIL 6, 1802. 
 
 This, though a general comphment, is 
 not less valuable ; inasmuch as it precludes 
 all idea of defect in any particular ser- 
 vice, and includes those whose merits, from 
 the various fortunes of war, may not have 
 fallen within the utmost scope of these 
 exalted honours. It is, moreover, a proud 
 feeling for the meanest seaman who has 
 worked a gun, or soldier who has carried a 
 musket, or the individual who has as- 
 sisted in either, to be enabled, looking on 
 this page, to say — Behold, I have deserved 
 well : and, for those in the civil walks of 
 life, who have stepped forward in the public 
 danger, to remember that for its defence 
 they have been saluted hy their countri/ ! 
 
 \
 
 196 GENERAL SERVICES OE THE 
 
 On the 6th of April, 1802, in the Houses 
 of Lords and Commons, it was, to the fol- 
 lowing effect, 
 
 " Resolved, nemine contradicente, 
 
 " That the Thanks of this House be given 
 to the officers of the navy, army, and 
 marines, for the meritorious and eminent 
 services which they have rendered to their 
 king and country during the course of the 
 war. 
 
 " That this House doth highly approve 
 of, and acknowledge, the services of the 
 petty and non-commissioned officers and 
 men employed in his Majesty's navy, army, 
 and marines, during the course of the war ; 
 and that the same be communicated to 
 them by the commanders of the several 
 ships and corps, who are respectively de- 
 sired to thank those under their command 
 for their exemplary and gallant behaviour. 
 
 " That Mr. Speaker do signify the said 
 resolutions, by letter, to the commissioners 
 for executing the office of liord High 
 Admiral of the United Kingdom, and to
 
 NAVY AND ARMY, &C. 197 
 
 the Captain-general and Commander-in- 
 Chief of his Majesty's forces. 
 
 " That the thanks of this House be given 
 to the officers of the several corps of 
 Militia which have been embodied in Great 
 Britain and Ireland during the course of 
 the war, for the seasonable and meritorious 
 services they have rendered their king and 
 country. 
 
 "That this House doth highly approve 
 of and acknowledge the services of the 
 non-commissioned officers and men of 
 the several corps of mihtia, which have 
 been embodied in Great Britain and Ire- 
 land during the course of the war, and that, 
 the same be communicated to them by the 
 colonels or commanding officers of the 
 several corps, who are desired to thank 
 them for their meritorious conduct. 
 
 " That Mr. Speaker do signify the said 
 resolutions, by letter, to the colonel or other 
 commanding officer of each respective 
 corps. 
 
 " That the thanks of this House be given
 
 198 GENERAL SERVICES OF THE 
 
 to the officers of the several corps of 
 Yeomanry, and Volunteer Cavalry and 
 Infantry, and of the Sea Fencibles, which 
 have been formed in Great Britain and 
 Ireland during the course of the war, for 
 the seasonable services they have rendered 
 their king and country. 
 
 " That this House doth highly approve 
 of, and acknowledge, the services of the 
 non-commissioned officers and men of the 
 several corps of Yeomanry, and Volunteer 
 Cavalry and Infantry, and of the Sea Fen- 
 cibles, which have been formed in Great 
 Britain and Ireland during the course of 
 the war ; and that the same be communi- 
 cated to them by the colonels and other 
 commanding officers of the several corps, 
 who are desired to thank them for their 
 meritorious conduct. 
 
 " That Mr. Speaker do signify the said 
 resolutions, by letter, to his Majesty's Lieu- 
 tenant of each county, riding, and place in 
 Great Britain ; and to his Excellency the 
 Lord Lieutenant of that part of the United 
 Kingdom called Ireland."
 
 NAVY AND ARMY, ScC. \99 
 
 The following are the communications, 
 and their respective answers. 
 
 Sth April, 1802. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I am commanded by the House 
 of Lords to communicate to your Royal 
 Highness, as Captain General, and Com- 
 mander in Chief of His Majesty's forces, 
 the following resolutions of their Lordships. 
 
 Die MarthG Aprilh, 1802. 
 
 Resolved, nemine dissentiente, by the 
 Lords spiritual and temporal in Parliament 
 assembled, that the thanks of this House be 
 given to the officers of the navy, army and 
 marines, for the meritorious, and eminent 
 services which they have rendered to their 
 king and country during the war. 
 
 Resolved, nemine dissentiente, by the 
 Lords Spiritual, and Temporal, in Parlia- 
 ment assembled, that this House doth high- 
 ly approve of and acknowledge the services 
 of the petty officers, and non-commissioned 
 officers and men, employed in His Majes-
 
 200 GENERAL SERVICES OF THE 
 
 ty's navy, army, and marines, during the 
 course of the war, and that the same be 
 communicated to them by the commanders 
 of the several ships and corps, who are res- 
 pectively desired to thank those under their 
 command for their gallant and exemplary 
 behaviour. I have, &c. 
 
 Eldon, C. 
 
 H. R. H. The Duke of York, &c. 
 Jovis 29 die Aprilis, 1802. 
 
 Horse Guards, \OLh April 1802. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I have been favoured with your 
 Lordship's letter of the 8th instant, commu- 
 nicating the resolutions of the House of 
 Lords, expressive of their Lordships' thanks 
 to the officers of the navy, army, and ma- 
 rines for their meritorious services, during 
 the war, and signifying their Lordships* 
 high approbation and acknowledgement of 
 the services of the petty and non-commis- 
 sioned officers and men employed in His
 
 NAVY AND ARMY, ScC. 201 
 
 Majesty's navy, army, and marines, during 
 the course of the war, and desiring that they 
 may be thanked for their gallant and exem- 
 plary behaviour. I request that your Lord- 
 ship will be assured, that it is a circum- 
 stance of singular satisfaction to me, to have 
 to make known to the army, so honourable 
 a testimony of the meritorious and eminent 
 services rendered by them to his majesty 
 and the nation. I am my Lord, yours, 
 
 Frederick, 
 
 Commander-in-Chief. 
 
 Right Hon. The Lord Chancellor. 
 
 PalaceYard, 7th April, 1802. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 In the name, and by the com- 
 mand of the House of Commons of the 
 United Parliament of Great Britain and 
 Ireland, I have the honour of transmitting 
 to your Royal Highness their unanimous
 
 202 GENERAL SERVICES OF THE 
 
 vote of thanks to the officers of the navy, 
 army, and marines, for the meritorious ser- 
 vices which they have rendered to their 
 king and country during the course of the 
 war, and also the unanimous resolution of 
 the House signifying their high approbation 
 and acknowledgment of the services of the 
 petty and non-commissioned officers and 
 men employed in His Majesty's navy, army, 
 and marines, during the course of the war, 
 which the commanders of the several ships, 
 and corps, are to communicate to those 
 under their command, respectively, thank- 
 ing them for thier exemplary and gallant 
 behaviour. 
 
 In transmitting these resolutions to your 
 Royal Highness, I have at the same time 
 the sincerest satisfaction in bearing testi- 
 mony to the sentiments of gratitude and 
 admiration with which the House expressed 
 its sense of those services, which have rais- 
 ed our naval and mihtary glory to a height 
 unknown in former times, and have dis- 
 played so many brilliant and successful ex-
 
 NAVY AND ARMY, &C. 203 
 
 amples of valour and enterprize for after 
 ages to admire and emulate. I have, &c. 
 
 Charles Abbott, Speaker. 
 Field Marshal H. R.H. The Duke of York, 
 Capiain General and Commander-in- 
 Chief of H. M.'s Forces. 
 
 Lunce 12 die Aprilis, 1802. 
 
 Horse Guards, lOth April 1802. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I have been favoured with your 
 letter of the 7th instant, transmitting the 
 unanimous Vote of Thanks of the Honour- 
 able House of Commons of the United 
 Parliament of Great Britain and Ireland to 
 the officers of the navy, army, and marines, 
 for their meritorious services during the 
 war; and desiring that the unanimous reso- 
 lution of the House, signifying the high ap- 
 probation and acknowledgment of the petty 
 and non-commissioned officers and merv: 
 employed in His Majesty's navy, army, and 
 marines, may be communicated to them, 
 with thanks for their exemplary and gallant
 
 204 GENERAL SERVICES OE THE 
 
 behaviour. And in expressing to you the 
 perfect sense I entertain of the flattering 
 manner in which you have been pleased to 
 communicate the commands of the House, 
 I request that the House may be assured, 
 that it is a circumstance of sino'ular satis- 
 faction to me to have to make known to the 
 army so honourable a testimony of the 
 meritorious and eminent services rendered 
 by them to His Majesty and the nation. I 
 am, Sir, yours, 
 
 Frederick. 
 The Right Hon. The Speaker. 
 
 The answer of the Duke of York as Cap- 
 tain General and Commander in chief of 
 all the forces of Great Britain is characte- 
 ristic of His Royal Highness's perspicuity 
 and terseness of style in the business of 
 office. 
 
 While to write the biography of Princes 
 is generally the task of calumny or adula- 
 tion, it is among our national excellencies 
 that the lives of a British Royal Family
 
 NAVY AND ARMY, &C. 205 
 
 are passed so much among the people as to 
 rebut at once the one, and require no sacri- 
 fice of the other. The utmost space of these 
 pages will be too small for the slightest chro- 
 nological view of the services of His Royal 
 Highness the Duke of York. 
 
 1780 to 1787. His Royal Highness with rank of 
 Colonel, acquired the theory and practice of tactics under 
 the immortal Frederic Kl. of Prussia. He had for regiment 
 the late horse grenadier guards. 
 
 1784- Appointed to the Coldstream Guards. 
 
 1791. Volunteer with the Prussian army. 
 
 1793. Lieutenant General, H.R.H. served in Holland 
 against Dumouriez, and afterwards with the Austrian and 
 Prussian armies ; — at Tournay, St. Amand, and Vicogne ; 
 Famars, Valenciennes ; and the line of the Scheldt, where 
 an indecision and delay took place, against which H.R.H. 
 protested. Orchies, Tourcoing, and Menin formed the 
 next direction of march ; owing to the siege of Dunkirk, an 
 object ill calculated, but which H.R.H. nevertheless, after 
 objecting to, pursued with successful zeal. This enabled the 
 Guards to distinguish themselves at Lincelles, some conso- 
 lation amid the subsequent difficulties arising in this inci- 
 pient stage of the war, from the want of practice in the 
 various combinations, necessary to mobility, supply and 
 to -operation. West Flanders next became the scene,
 
 206 ge:neral SERVICES of the 
 
 Menin, Maubeuge the points ; Wattignies both won and 
 lost! Tournay, Lannoy, Ypres, Nieuport, Marchiennes 
 and some affairs on the Lys, terminated the campaign. The 
 Duke with General Mack visited England. 
 
 1794. Returned to Courtrai, the British head quarters j 
 a similarly harassing course led to Vaux, Piemont, Marets, 
 Catillon, &c. and the investment of Landrecies ; His Royal 
 Highness's cavalry beat the enemy at Villers en Cauchie 
 on the 24th of April; and on the 26th he had defeated near 
 Froixville, a force 30,000 strong under General Chapuy 
 with the loss of thirty-five pieces of cannon, and many pri- 
 soners, among whom was the general. Landrecies fell, 
 and the Duke obtained new honours before Tournav. 
 The allies now concentrated, H. R. H. served under the 
 Emperor, with what energy was best demonstrated by 
 the imperial testimony at once of the zeal, valour 
 and intelligence of the British army and its princely 
 commander, and of His Royal Highness's acquittal of any 
 share in the unfortunate results of the 17th and ]8th of 
 May. The opposing armies met on the 22nd before 
 Tournay. Pichegru, the unfortunate Pichegru, advanced 
 with 100,000. men. Nothing resulted but the detention of 
 the village of Pontcchin on the right, which after being lost 
 several times, was gained by the Duke detaching Maj. Gen. 
 Fox's brigade from the left, where H. R. Highness com- 
 manded, and which ended the day. The Emperor had 
 success on the Sambre, but Moreau early in June invested 
 Ypres. Clerfayt was ordered to its relief, and with British 
 regiments under his orders, had prospect of success : the 
 Duke urged his reinforcement in vain, and ho failed. Other 
 vacillations, notwithstanding some advantages gained by
 
 NAVY AND ARMY, &C. 207 
 
 the Prince of Orange, paralysed the movements of the 
 allies : Tournay, which before had been covered by unne- 
 cessary force, was now left with an inadequate one, and its 
 position necessarily abandoned on the 24th of June. The 
 Duke encamped near Oudenarde for its support, and re- 
 pulsed several attempts, notwithstanding the abandonment 
 of the Netherlands by the Austrians. Ostend however 
 became the object of General Pichegru, whence Lord 
 Moira had arrived with a small auxiliary force, and ma- 
 noeuvred with great skill to join the Duke, and to prevent 
 that isolation which circumstances threatened. It were 
 impossible to speak here of the toils and disappointments 
 of His Royal Highness in endeavouring to attain those con- 
 joint operations on an extensive scale which could alone 
 answer the purpose of this period of the war. He suffered 
 all those labors and tortures which are better conceived 
 than expressed, that attend an ardent mind in the prosecu- 
 tion of a great and glorious enterprise, obstructed on every 
 hand by some of those evils that attend on the political in- 
 firmities of States. He saw in a military point of view the 
 system of a line with large intervals, equally incapable of 
 prompt co-operation or any decisive result, and open to 
 the attack and penetration of those vast columns which 
 were early in consequence introduced by the enemy, with- 
 out the power of avoidance ; he saw in a political capacity 
 the abandonment by Austria of the only seat of war essen- 
 tial to the interests of Great Britain, without the power of 
 iuterference ; yet he so conciliated those with whom he 
 had intercourse, that he created ho civil question, and left a 
 line of defence occupied by the concentrated troops in 
 British pay, which nollnng but the elements could proba-
 
 208 GENERAL SERVICES OF THE 
 
 bly have affected, when His Royal Highness returned to 
 England so late as December. Over frozen rivers the 
 vivid adventurers of a new state, however, passed readily 
 into the country of an old one, whose senators and warriors 
 had slumbered into a dream that, however disordered, pro- 
 mised something new to their torpid senses. ' 
 
 1795. Appointed General (Field Marshal) on the staff 
 upon a principle of regulating the military service in mat- 
 ters of discipline, promotion, &c. a task only to be assured 
 under the positive confidence of the king. 
 
 1798. Commander in Chief. 
 
 1799- Captain-General of all the Forces in Great Bri- 
 tain. In this year occurred the expedition to the Helder of 
 which mention has been already made. It only remains to 
 be added here that, so far from falling into the vulgar idea 
 that H. R. H. committed error in the detachment of Sir 
 Ralph Abercromby's force of 9000 British troops, it is 
 presumed that the question will now rather be, Why they 
 were recalled whatever occurred to the main body. It is 
 greatly to be regretted that misrepresentation should have 
 gained on this subject. 
 
 1809- The succeeding events of the war, the early in- 
 tervening peace, which produced the present section and of 
 itself marked the opinion of the enemy as to the military 
 progress of Britain, and the new course of the new war, 
 left His Royal Highness for several years without any 
 striking fact to record, till his endurance of, and sub- 
 jection to that sort of accusation, which has ever been 
 
 ' Those who would examine the details of thiscampaigu Tor the search 
 aftf r truth will find them in a spirited account published in London in 
 IBOl.
 
 NAVY AND ARMY, &C. 209 
 
 customary as states advance in grandeur, whether in ancient 
 or modern times. 
 
 1811. Re-appointed by the Regent in the name and on 
 behalf of His Majesty, Commander-in-chief. 
 
 Though on the present occasion H. R. H. the Duke of 
 York appears chiefly as a medium ; occasion afterwards 
 offered to maik him individually in the tribute of his 
 country's justice. 
 
 ^^g,
 
 210 
 
 RE-COMMENCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES, 
 
 .1803. 
 
 To have spoken of the Peace of Amiens would have 
 been supererogatory ; a simple line is sufficient to divide 
 the present from the Jirst period of the war, zohose new 
 honors are about to be exhibited. 
 
 The intervening time was employed in a trial of political 
 skill ; the present in the highest efforts of military glory. 
 
 PREPARATIONS FOR THE DE- 
 FENCE OF THE COUNTRY A- 
 GAINST THE RENEWED HOSTI- 
 LITIES OF FRANCE— YEOMANRY 
 
 AND VOLUNTEER CORPS, 10th AUGUST 
 
 1803. 
 
 The voice of ParHament has already in 
 these pages announced the value of this 
 species of mihtary force. It was not to be
 
 PREPARATIONS FOR DEFENCE. 211 
 
 deemed a dereliction from its character, if 
 from the lengthened period of war, and the 
 consequent pressure upon private means ; 
 as well as the shade which the collection of 
 a mighty army of offence would naturally 
 cast upon a purel}^ defensive band, it was 
 found to relax in its assemblies. 
 
 No sooner, however, had the enemy 
 evinced bad faith and menaced hostility 
 on every hand, than the yeomanry and 
 volunteer corps, faithful to their purpose, 
 renewed with pristine activity their devo- 
 tion to their country. 
 
 The necessity of offensive war, on an ex- 
 tended scale, and the vigorous system pro- 
 posed by the Secretary of State for that de- 
 partment, rendered the acceptance of the 
 services arising out of this devotion less ar- 
 dent than it would have been under other 
 public circumstances : how ample a com- 
 pensation is afforded in the following letter, 
 will be best appreciated from its perusal, 
 which purpose alone would confer dignity 
 on its present record.
 
 212 YEOMANRY AND VOLUNTEERS. 
 
 [Addressed to Lord- Lieutenants of CountietJ] 
 
 House of Commons, lOth of August, 1803. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 By command of the House of 
 Commons, I have the honour of transmit- 
 ting to you their unanimous vote of thanks 
 to the several volunteer and yeomanry 
 corps of the United Kingdom, for the 
 promptitude and zeal with which, at a crisis 
 the most momentous to their country, they 
 have associated for its defence ; accompa- 
 nied with an order, that a return be pre- 
 pared, to be laid before the House in the 
 next session of parliament, of all volunteer 
 and yeomanry corps whose services shall 
 have been then accepted by his majesty, 
 describing each corps, in order that such 
 return may be entered on the Journals of 
 the House, and the patriotic example of 
 such voluntary exertions transmitted to pos- 
 terity. 
 
 In communicating this resolution and 
 order, I have the greatest satisfaction at the 
 same time in bearing testimony to the con- 
 iidciicc with which the iluusc is unpressed,
 
 PREPARATIONS FOR DEFENCTT. 213 
 
 that the same spirit and exemplary zeal 
 will be exerted throughout the present 
 contest, until, with the blessing of Provi- 
 dence, it shall be brought to a glorious issue. 
 I have the honour to be, my Lord, your 
 Lordship's most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Charles Abbot, Speaker. 
 To the Right Hon. Lord, &c. &c. 
 
 The answers, breathing the sentiments na- 
 turally inspired by the principle of their 
 proffered services,would be too voluminous 
 to add generally, and their selection invi- 
 dious. 
 
 The description of corps, forming in 
 itself an immense list, has already been 
 recorded, and is a proud memorial of pa- 
 triotic virtue.
 
 214 
 
 MAHRATTA WAR IN INDIA, IN- 
 CLUDINGTHE BATTLES OF 
 ASSAYE, LASWARREE, &c. Com- 
 
 MBNCING WITH THE YeaR 1802, AND 
 
 ENDING December 30, 1803. The 
 WHOLE OF the Principal Public 
 Authorities. 
 
 The effects of the fall of Seringapatam 
 have been shewn in the preceding section 
 of India ; the result of this war was such 
 as to completely cripple the power of the 
 enemy. 
 
 It ought not to excite wonder that the 
 civil authorities should share in the praise 
 of their country with the heroes who car- 
 ried her victorious xirms ir)to the field ; 
 since, in their respective offices, they mate- 
 rially shared in the collection of the force 
 to be employed, and still more in the means 
 that were to render it efficient. 
 
 The Governor-General had previously 
 been advanced to the rank of Marquis.
 
 MAHRATTA WAR. 215 
 
 On the 3d of May, 1804, the minister in 
 the House of Lords moved the vote of 
 thanks to Marquis Wellesley, for his zeal 
 and ability in directing the operations of 
 the army, which was seconded, in the most 
 strenuous manner, by the Lords Grenville, 
 Melville, Mulgrave, and Hawkesbury ; so 
 that the communication Avould be made 
 on the very anniversary of Seringapatam. 
 
 Lord Castlereagh in doing the same that 
 day in the House of Commons, particularly 
 dwelt on the skill with which, " after pro- 
 viding for the security of our extensive 
 territories, the Marquis had brought fifty- 
 five thousand effective troops against the 
 enemy," and accelerated their operations. 
 
 The vote was ordered, as appears from 
 the journals, to 
 
 Richard (Marquis) Wellesley, &c. 
 &c. Governor- Genera], " for the zeal, 
 energy, and ability, with which the military 
 resources of the British Empire in India 
 have been recently applied,'' &c.
 
 216 MARQUIS W£LLf.SLEYj ^C. 
 
 The Right Honorable Loed Clive, late 
 Governor of Fort George, for his zealous ^ 
 cordial^ and honorable concurrence in prO' 
 mating the military operations which have 
 been attended with an uninterrupted series 
 of the most signal and splendid victories. 
 
 Jonathan Duncan, Esq. Governor of 
 Bombay ; who, by his promptitude and 
 activity in employing the resources and pow' 
 ers of that Presidency, has materially con- 
 tributed to the glorious success of the Bri- 
 tish army in India. 
 
 General Gerard Lake, Commander- 
 in-Chief of his Majesty's and the Hon. 
 Company's forces in India, for the eminent 
 judgment, active spirit, and invincible intre- 
 pidity, manifested by him in the command of 
 the army. 
 
 Major-Gen. the Hon. Frederic St. John, 
 for his courage and steadiness in secondiiig 
 the efforts of the Commander-in-Chief. 
 
 Major-Gen. the Hon. Sir Arthur Welles- 
 ley, for the many important, brilliant, and 
 memorable services achieved by him in the
 
 MAHRATTA V/AR. 21? 
 
 separate arrriy within the Decan ; the seve- 
 ral officers employed with these armies, 
 &c. Sec. &c. 
 
 Peculiar honors, in the succeeding month 
 of August, were granted to the general 
 officers in chief. General Lake, with great 
 distinction, was advanced to the peerage ; 
 and, in the most complimentary manner 
 possible, Major-General the Hon. A. Wel- 
 lesley was created an ea^tra Knight of the 
 Bath ; which honors were, as usual, with 
 the most liberal and exalted feelings, pro- 
 mulgated in public orders by the Governor- 
 GeneraljCaptain-General, and Commander- 
 in-Chief. 
 
 The troops, moreover, were permitted to 
 bear the appellations of the chief actions 
 with the enemy. 
 
 The following are the documents of offi- 
 cial intercourse: — 
 
 Mai/ 4, 1804. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 In obedience to the commands 
 of the House of Lords, 1 have the honor to
 
 218 MARQUIS WELLESLEY,&C. 
 
 transmit to your Lordship the several in- 
 closed resolutions of that House, expressive 
 of its high sense of the great and important 
 services rendered to the empire by the late 
 illustrious operations in India. 
 
 I beg your Lordship to be assured, that 
 whilst I feel pride and satisfaction in being 
 the instrument of conveying the gratitude 
 of the House, to all those towards whom 
 the House has been pleased to express that 
 gratitude, I cannot but more especially 
 rejoice that I am repeatedly called to com- 
 municate to your Lordship those testi- 
 monies of your country's applause, which 
 your Lordship's great services have earned 
 from its justice. 
 
 I have the honor to be, with sincere at- 
 tachment, your Lordship's most faithful 
 friend, and obedient humble servant, 
 
 Eldon, C. 
 
 Fort William, 30th Mat/, 1805. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I have the honor to acknow- 
 ledge the receipt of your Lordship's letter.
 
 MAHRATTA WAR. 219 
 
 transmitting to me the resolutions of the 
 House of Lords of the 3d of May, 1804, 
 respecting the operations of his Majesty's 
 and the Hon. Company's forces in India, 
 against the Mahratta confederates. 
 
 Those resolutions, together with your 
 Lordship's letter, were immediately pub- 
 lished to the army; and I have since for- 
 warded the separate resolutions to the pub- 
 lic officers, whom their Lordships have 
 been pleased to distinguish by the honor 
 of their particular approbation. Copies of 
 my letters on this occasion, and of such 
 answers as I have received, are enclosed in 
 this dispatch for the information of the 
 House of Lords. 
 
 The unanimous approbation which the 
 House of Lords have been pleased to 
 express of the late military operations in 
 India, cannot fail to perpetuate the spirit 
 of public zeal which animated the exer- 
 tions of the general officers and soldiers 
 employed in the war. 
 
 I request your Lordship to submit to
 
 220 MARQUIS WELLESLEY, &C. 
 
 the House of Lords, with every expression 
 of respect, my grateful acknowledgments 
 of the favour manifested towards me by 
 their Lordships, in distinguishing my hum- 
 ble services by the high testimony of their 
 approbation. At the same time, I trust 
 that your Lordship will accept my sincere 
 thanks for the great additional distinction 
 conferred upon me, by the honorable terms 
 w^hich your Lordship has been pleased to 
 employ in communicating to me the reso- 
 lutions of the House of Lords. 
 
 I have the honor to be, with great re- 
 spect, &c. 
 
 Wellesley. 
 To the Right Hon. Lord Eldon, 
 
 Lord High Chancellor, See, &c. 
 
 House of Commons, London, 4ih May, 180-i. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 In obedience to the commands 
 of the House of Commons of the United 
 Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, I 
 have the honor of transmittinir their rcsolu-
 
 MAHRATTA WAR. 221 
 
 tion of thanks to your Lordship, for the 
 zeal, energy, and ability, with which the 
 military resources of the British empire in 
 India have been recently applied under 
 your Lordship's direction, in the prose- 
 cution of the war against the confederate 
 forces of Scindiah and the Rajah of Berar ; 
 this House eminently attributing the bril- 
 liant and glorious successes which have 
 crowned our arms in that quarter of the 
 globe, to the vigorous and comprehensive 
 system of measures pursued by your Lord- 
 ship for bringing the various armies with 
 promptitude and effect into the field. 
 
 This House has also criven its thanks to 
 Lord Clive, the late Governor of the set- 
 tlement of Fort St. George, and to Jona- 
 than Duncan, Esq. Governor of Bombay, 
 respectively ; for their zealous concurrence 
 and activity in promoting the military 
 operations which, under your Lordship's 
 auspices, have been attended with an 
 uninterrupted series of signal and splendid 
 victories.
 
 222 MARQUIS WELLESLEY, &C. 
 
 I am also commanded to transmit to 
 jour Lordship, the unanimous thanks of 
 this House to General Lake, Commander- 
 in-Chief of his Majesty's and the Com- 
 pany's forces in India ; to Major-General 
 St. John, to Major-General Wellesley, and 
 to the several officers of the army, both 
 European and native, employed under them; 
 expressed in terms which characterize the 
 just sense which this House entertains of 
 their highly distinguished and ever-memo- 
 rable services. 
 
 To these votes is further added, an una- 
 nimous resolution of the House, declaring 
 its high approbation and acknovdedgment 
 of the zeal, discipline, and bravery dis- 
 played by the non-commissioned officers 
 and private soldiers, both European and 
 native, employed against the enemy; and 
 desiring the commanders of the several 
 corps to thank them for their exemplary 
 and gallant behaviour. 
 
 In transmitting these resolutions to your 
 Lordship, I cannot refrain from bearing
 
 MAHRATTA WAR. 223 
 
 t€stimony to the sentiments of universal 
 admiration with which this nation has 
 heard of the heroic achievements of their 
 brave countrymen in the East, and the 
 rapid succession of their triumphs through- 
 out the wide extent of one short campaign ; 
 planned, executed, and commemorated in 
 a manner which, at the same time that it 
 raises a splendid and lasting monument of 
 our miUtarj glory, must teach surrounding 
 nations to stand in dread of our arms, and 
 materially contribute,at this eventful period, 
 to the strength and security of every part 
 of our empire. 
 
 I have the honor to be, my Lord, your 
 Lordship s most faithful and obedient Ser- 
 vant, (Signed) 
 
 Chas. Abbot. 
 
 Mercurii 22 die Januarii, 1806. 
 
 Fort William, May 30, 1805. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I have the honor to acknow- 
 ledge the receipt of your letter, under date
 
 224 MAIIQUIS WELLESLEir,<^C. 
 
 the 4th of May, 1804, transmitting the 
 resolutions of the House of Commons of 
 the 3d of May, 1804, respecting the late 
 military operations in India against the 
 confederate Mahratta powers. 
 
 Your letter, together with the resolutions 
 of the House of Commons, has been pub- 
 lished in general orders to the army ; and 
 the separate resolutions of the House have 
 been transmitted to the several public offi- 
 cers distinguished by that honour. Copies 
 of my letters, transmitting those resolutions, 
 and of such answers as I have received, 
 accompany this letter. 
 
 I request that you will be pleased to 
 submit to the House of Commons, the 
 dutiful sense of gratitude and respect with 
 which I receive this honorable testimony of 
 the approbation of the House. 
 
 The proceedings of the House of Com- 
 mons upon this occasion, are calculated to 
 confirm, in every branch of the civil and 
 military service in India, those sentiments 
 of zealous attachment to the public inte-
 
 M AH R ATT A WAR. 225 
 
 rests and honor which have distinguished 
 the conduct of his Majesty's and the ho- 
 norable Company's servants during the 
 ]ate Avar. 
 
 The expressions which you have been 
 pleased to employ in transmitting to me 
 the resolutions of the House of Commons, 
 demand my most grateful acknowledg- 
 ments, and constitute a considerable addi- 
 tion to the honor conferred by the com- 
 mands of the House. 
 
 I have the honor to be, with great re- 
 spect. Sir, your most obedient and faithful 
 
 Servant, 
 
 Wellesley. 
 
 The Right Hon. Charles Abbot, 
 
 Speaker of the House of Commons. 
 
 Lord Powis received the thanks of the 
 Peers in his place. 
 
 Veneris 18 die Maii, 1804. 
 
 The Lord Chancellor said, — 
 Earl of Powis, 
 
 These thanks your Lordship caii- 
 ^g. P
 
 226 MARQUIS VVELLESLEY, &C. 
 
 not but receive with genuine satisfaction 
 and just pride, when you reflect that they 
 form the most honorable testimony that 
 this illustrious assembly can give of their 
 sense of distinguished public merit. 
 
 For my own part, my Lord, I cannot 
 but feel a sincere pleasure in being the 
 instrument of conveying to your Lordship 
 the applause of those whose sentiments I 
 liave now the honor to communicate, and 
 whose high sense of public duty permits 
 not that that applause should be bestowed 
 unless it has been, as in this case the 
 authority of this House justifies me in 
 dechning it to have been, signally de- 
 served . 
 
 Then the Earl of Powis replied as 
 follows : — 
 
 ]\Iy Lords, 
 
 It is impossible for me to express, 
 in suitable terms, the dictates of my heart 
 on receiving this most distinguished honor 
 — the uuaniujous thanks of your Lordships 
 for my zealous and cordial concurrence, as
 
 MAHRATTA WAR. 227 
 
 late Governor of Fort St. George, in pro- 
 moting the military operations, which, since 
 the commencement of the war, have been 
 attended, in every part of India, with an 
 uninterrupted series of the most signal and 
 splendid victories. 
 
 I can with truth, my Lords, assert that 
 the service, which from the confidential 
 relation happily subsisting between the 
 Governor-General and me, I was enabled 
 to render by the prompt adoption of the 
 most efficacious measures of preparation 
 for the prosecution of the Mahratta war, 
 have hitherto been considered by myself in 
 no other light than as acts of indispensable 
 duty to my country and my emplo^^ers ; 
 but, my Lords, those services now acquire 
 in my i^ind a new character -^they become 
 my glory, from the lustre reflected upon 
 them by the deliberate approbation of this 
 ilhlstrious assembly. 
 
 However inadequately my feelings may 
 be expressed, I trust your Lordships will 
 not doubt that I am penetrated witli a due
 
 228 MARQUIS WELLESLEY, &C. 
 
 sense of the deepest gratitude for this inva- 
 luable honor conferred upon me; and I 
 intreat your Lordships to accept, upon this 
 interesting occasion, the humble tribute of 
 most fervent and most respectful acknow- 
 ledgments. 
 
 To the noble Lord I cannot but be 
 greatly indebted, for the very elegant and 
 obliging terms in which it has pleased his 
 Lordship to communicate the resolution of 
 this House. 
 
 LuncB 14 die Mali, 1804. 
 
 Portland Place, 8th May, 1804. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I have the honor to acknow- 
 ledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th 
 instant, communicating the vote of thanks 
 which the House of Commons have been 
 pleased to pass upon my conduct as late 
 Governor of Fort St. George, for my con- 
 currence in promoting the military ope- 
 rations which, since the commencement of
 
 MAHRATTA WAR. 229 
 
 the war, have been attended in every part 
 of India with an uninterrupted series of 
 the most signal and splendid victories. 
 
 In acknowledging the deep sense of 
 gratitude with which I am impressed, for 
 the very high honor conferred upon me by 
 the House, I cannot but feel at the same 
 time an additional satisfaction, from the 
 obliging terms in which the communication 
 has been made to me. 
 
 I have the honor to be, with the greatest 
 respect and consideration. Sir, your most 
 obedient and most humble servant, 
 
 Clive. 
 The Right Hon. the 
 
 Speaker of the House of Commons. 
 
 To speak of the Marquis Wellesley with any satis- 
 faction to writer or reader, would be to detail the history, 
 literary, political, and military, of the present age : to 
 do it consonantly with the exquisite delicacy and consum- 
 mate judgment necessary to the character of his Lordship, 
 would require to have been, if not like himself, a leader, 
 at least an actor, in all the greatest events comprized under 
 this description.
 
 230 MARQUIS WELLESLEY, Scc. 
 
 Richard Colley Wellesley, second Earl and third Baron, 
 Mas born in 1 7C)0, of a father of the same name, and Anne, 
 eldest daughter of Arthur Hill, Lord Dungannon. To this 
 lady, of so much sense and virtue as to supply, when too 
 early called upon, both the parental offices, is to be greatly 
 ascribed the future eminence of her sons. 
 
 History and finance are said to be of the earliest studies 
 of Mr. Wellesley, and eloquence to have succeeded, in 
 which he appeared eminent in the pursuits of his day at 
 Eton, where he was placed at the age of fourteen. From 
 Eton he removed to Cambridge, but remained there only 
 a short time before he successfully entered into public 
 life. He became known and respected by ministers, ob- 
 tained die Order of St. Patrick, and was elected Member 
 of Parliament for Windsor. 
 
 The vicinity of the royal residence to the school and to 
 the borough, were both auxiliaries to what was actually 
 a personal acquaintance with the sovereign. It is suffi- 
 ciently known with what complacency their Majesties 
 often regarded the young statesmen of Eton, and the 
 members for Windsor could scarcely be supposed as drawn 
 from persons not acceptable to the Sovereign. 
 
 Lord Mornington was, moreover, from principle, an 
 early enemy to the French Revolution. After some distinc- 
 tion his Lordship was appointed Governor-General of India. 
 How he defeated, by his external [)olicy the enemy there, 
 successively weakenhig his force until it was entirely crip- 
 pled ; how he conciliated the interests of commerce ; how 
 he fostered learning and the arts, and elicited new sources of 
 knowledge, and with what personal disinterestedness, his 
 age is witness: and though, as in the worst times of
 
 M A II R ATT A WAR. 2Sl 
 
 Konie, he did not avoid attempts to impeach his admi- 
 nistration on his return, and some of his institutions have 
 been put down, the one fell as futile to the ground as the 
 other will one day rise with new splendour. The King 
 did him justice in augmenting his rank and emolument — 
 India erected statues in commemoration of his triumphs — • 
 and Great Britain acknowledged his talents and virtues. 
 
 It might have been conceived that Marquis Welles- 
 ley would now have satisfied himself with the ordinary 
 calls of his country in the senate. A great occasion, how- 
 ever, occurred, in which his martial judgment was again 
 brought forth with the most important effects: this was 
 the gradual production, by his eloquence in Parliament, 
 and wisdom elsewhere, of that efficient military spirit in 
 the country, which, after the lapse of a century, renovated 
 its military state, and enabled a British anny from the 
 Tagus again to march triumphantly victorious through 
 the continent of Europe. Nor were these exertions con- 
 fined to the senate ; for, when a most critical service 
 offered itself, they were personally extended to the Spanish 
 Peninsula with due effect. 
 
 His Lordship's fraternal affection has ever been the 
 subject of praise. In India his noble brother, after- 
 wards Duke of Wellington, was stamped an hero ; and 
 the result of the exertions just mentioned, was to esta- 
 blish him as t/ie he7'0 oj' the age. 
 
 The Marquis Wellcsley latterly retired much from 
 ParUament, except on important occasions.
 
 232 MARQUIS WELLESLEY, &C. 
 
 Edward Lord Clive, since the period which is the sub- 
 ject of the present section created Earl of Powis, is the 
 eldest son of the late Robert created Baron Plassey, who 
 first as a civil and afterwards military officer became promi- 
 nent in the East Indies in the last age. He was thus a 
 subject of Mr. Hastings's celebrated Ode : 
 
 To ripened Age Clive lived renown'd, 
 With lacks enriched, with honours crown'd, 
 His valour's well-earned meed. 
 
 The merits of the present subject, render it unnecessary 
 to enlarge on those of his ancestor ; else the early spirit, the 
 continuous enterprize, the noble stand against assailing 
 hosts in the Senate, would confer honor upon all his lord- 
 ship's progeny. 
 
 Nothing can add to the record furnished by the vote of 
 thanks of Parliament. 
 
 Having married in 1784, Henrietta Antonia Herbert, 
 sister to the last Earl of Powis and of the House of Pem- 
 broke and Montgomery, his Lordship's services in the 
 presidency of Fort George, aptly procured for him the re- 
 storation of the first mentioned earldom. 
 
 Besides Edward Viscount Clive, and Colonel Robert 
 Heni7 Clive, his Lordship has the happiness of being pa- 
 rent to the Lady Henrietta Antonia, married to Sir Watkin 
 Williams Wynne ; and Charlotte Florentia, married to Earl 
 Percy, heir apparent to the ancient duchy of Northumber- 
 land. 
 
 Of the Governor of Bombay, distinguished as he is on 
 this as on many other occasions, it will not be expected 
 that much should here be said, since his character, though 
 eminent, is rather commercial than military. It may how- 
 ever be added that in his person the commercial character 
 attained no common dignity.
 
 M AH R ATT A WAR. 233 
 
 Lord Lake, born July 27, 1744, of a family which dates 
 itself back to Arthur's Round Table, affords few facts till 
 the present occasion. He entered the army in the first 
 Guards, somewhat before 1760, and continued with them 
 between thirty and forty years : he remained Lieutenant 
 and Captain fourteen years during which period he mar- 
 ried Miss Barker of Hertfordshire, by whom he had eight 
 children, and at the close of the American war became 
 Colonel in the army. In 1 794 he obtained the 53d regi- 
 ment, which he quitted for the 73d, and ultimately the 
 80th, (14th Feb. 1800) : he obtained, besides, the govern- 
 ments of Berwick and Dumbarton, and became full Gene- 
 ral, 1802. 
 
 It was this veteran period of rank and service, that his 
 Lordship sealed with such high honours. He was ad- 
 vanced to the rank of Viscount in 1807, and died on the 
 30th of February, 1808. 
 
 His Lordship had a son, Lieut. Col. George Aug. Fred. 
 Lake, 29th regiment, killed at the Battle of Vimiera. 
 
 General, The Hon. Frederic St. John, son of the se- 
 cond and grandson of the eminent Lord Bolingbroke, cele- 
 brated for his own talents, and the patronage of them in 
 other?, was born Dec. 20, 1765. He entered the army in 
 1778, in the 85th regiment, thence removed to the 88th and 
 afterwards as captain to the 95th in 1782. He afterwards 
 became Lieut. Colonel of the Queen's Regiment which he 
 commanded at Gibraltar, till he was placed on the Staff as 
 Brigadier and Major-General in the Irish rebellion, where 
 he more than once received the most flattering thanks.
 
 234 MAKQUIS WELLESLEY, &C. 
 
 Thence he commanded in India, and is said to have had 
 the formation of the army for thepresent occasion at Cavvn- 
 pore. His service of six years included seven sieges and 
 two general actions, besides other affairs which concluded 
 his active employment. 
 
 The last-mentioned commander was reserved for new 
 and brighter glories, of which his conduct on this occasion 
 was deemed a presage ; how justly will be seen.
 
 235 
 
 NAVAL ACTION OFF TRAFALGAR 
 UNDER LORD NELSON, ADMI- 
 RAL (afterwards Lord) COLLING- 
 WOOD, AND LORD NORTHESK, 
 
 October 21, I8O0. 
 
 History has already prepared to record 
 this battle as the first grand epoch of the 
 war. Certain it is, that it produced an 
 effect upon the united marine of the enemy 
 Tvhich no eflbrt could remedy, and its deci- 
 siv^e blow was wanting to the numerous oc- 
 casions which had been recorded. Alas! 
 that they should have been crowned by the 
 death 0/' Nelson !- that he to whom, from 
 a just sense of deserving it, the voice of 
 praise was sweet, should have been deprived 
 of its proudest eloquence ! 
 
 It were obtrusive in the highest degree to 
 attempt here any details, when they have 
 been furnished with all the energy of pa- 
 triotism, the fondness of friendship, and 
 illustrated by the utmost splendour of the 
 graphic arts.
 
 236 LORDS NELSON, COLLINGWOOD, 
 
 The commanders who are here particu- 
 larly associated with the heroic Nelson, 
 were those well versed in the display of 
 national greatness, such as it had been es- 
 tablished by sea, and whose modesty, the 
 true test of merit, was equal to their dis- 
 tinction. 
 
 The honor of an earldom to the repre- 
 sentatives of the deceased Admiral, with the 
 accompaniment of a national residence, and 
 the means of due dignit}^, were quickly ac- 
 corded by the three estates of the realm ; 
 the same recognizant authorities awarded to 
 the second in command a peerage, which 
 the duration of a life worn out in the service 
 did not permit him to enjoy ; and due con- 
 sideration to the third, who already ennobled 
 by birth, had doubly sealed it by g^ory. 
 
 The motion was worthy of the occasion. 
 The following answers were returned :
 
 AND NORTIIESK— TRAFALGAR. 237 
 
 Sahhati 17 die Maii, 1806. 
 
 Queen, at Sea, March 9.Uh, 1806. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I have received the honour of 
 your Lordship's letter to me, together with 
 the resolutions of the House of Lords con- 
 veying the thanks of that august assembly 
 to myself, to Rear- Admiral the Earl of Nor- 
 thesk, the captains, officers and seamen of 
 the fleet, under the command of the late 
 Lord Viscount Nelson, on the 21st of 
 October last, for their conduct on that day, 
 which resolutions I have directed to be com- 
 municated to the officers and companies of 
 those ships by their captains. 
 
 I cannot sufficiently express my heartfelt 
 thankfulness to their Lordships for the high 
 honour they have conferred on me ; and 
 beg by your Lordship to offer my warmest 
 and most grateful acknowledgments for it, 
 and the assurance that, in the exercise of 
 my duty to my country, I shall ever endea- 
 vour to merit the approbation of that illus- 
 »^ trious body.
 
 238 LORDS NELSON, COLLINGWOOD, 
 
 To your Lordship I owe the highest obh- 
 gation for the personal and friendly interest 
 you are so good to take in the great events 
 that have raised me to the regard of my 
 soverei2;n, and obtained for me this distin- 
 guished honor by the peers of the realm, 
 
 I have the honor to be, My Lord, With 
 the highest respect and regard, your Lord- 
 ship's most obedient and most humble 
 servant, 
 
 Col LING WOOD. 
 The Right Honorable Lord Eldon. 
 
 Joins 1 die Mali, 1806. 
 
 Queen, at Sea, Monk '24th, 180fi. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I received yesterday the honor 
 of your letter, transmitting to me the vote 
 of thanks of the House of Commons, for 
 my conduct on the 21st of October last, 
 when the enemy's fleet was defeated, toge- 
 ther with the thanks of the House to Rear- 
 Admiral the Earl of Northesk, the captains 
 and officers of the fleet, for the gallant partj
 
 AND NORTHESK TRAFALGAR. 239 
 
 they respectively bore that day — also the 
 resolution approving the conduct of the 
 seamen and marines who so nobly main- 
 tained their country's cause. — I have trans- 
 mitted those resolutions to Lord Northesk 
 and the several captains of the fleet ; to be 
 communicated to their respective ships* 
 companies, and beg to express to you, Sir, 
 the due sense I have of the high honor thus 
 conferred on me and on the fleet by this 
 honorable testimony of the House of Com- 
 mons, and my confidence that whenever oc- 
 casion shall arise to call forth the exertions 
 of the fleet against our enemy, they will 
 merit the approbation of their country. 
 
 I have the honor to be, Sir, your most 
 obedient and most humble servant, 
 
 COLLINGWOOD. 
 
 The Right Hon. Charles Abbot, 
 
 The Speaker of the House of Commons. 
 
 Dreadnought, at Sea, March 0,7 th 1806. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 The very distini>:uished honor
 
 240 LORDS NELSON, COLLINQWOOD, 
 
 conferred upon me, by the unanimous 
 vote of thanks from the House of Peers, has 
 been made known to me this day by Vice- 
 Ad miral Lord CoHingwood. It is difficult 
 for me to express in adequate terms the im- 
 pression on my feehngs by this most ho- 
 norable testimony of approbation, from so 
 high and illustrious an assembly. Such an 
 approval of my public services I must ever 
 consider among the most gratifying incidents 
 of my life, and I request, my Lord, you 
 will have the goodness to assure their Lord- 
 ships of the deep sense of gratitude with 
 which I acknowledge the communication of 
 this very flattering mark of their favour. 
 
 Accept, my Lord, the assurance of the 
 hio-h consideration and esteem with which 
 1 have the honor to be, your Lordship's 
 very faithful, humble servant, &c. 
 
 NORTIIESK. 
 
 The Right Hon. Lord Erskine, 
 
 Lord High Chancellor, &c. &c. 
 
 The Battle of Trafalgar was fought on a 
 new principle, or rather a more perfect
 
 AND NORTIIESK — TRAFALGAR. 241 
 
 modification of that which Lord Nelson 
 had before successfully applied from the 
 ample and various stores of a mind fruit- 
 ful in resources, and ever equal to the exi- 
 gency of the occasion. It is said that His 
 Lordship had determined particularly to 
 simplify his plan on this day the more from 
 the imperfect victory of Sir Robert Calder 
 in his previous contest with the same fleet, 
 which was attributed greatly to the confu- 
 sion of multiplied signals. Nothing could 
 be more clear and noble than the plan 
 which Lord Nelson conceived on this occa- 
 sion — nothing exceed the admiration with 
 which it was received by those to whom 
 was confided its execution. 
 
 The circumstances that compose the biography of Nel- 
 son, are such as ought to be eminently consolatory to those 
 ■who are deprived of the opportunity of exercising talents, 
 from the consciousness of which an injurious impatience is 
 too often created. 
 
 Horatio, fourth son of Edward Nelson, rector of Burn- 
 ham Thorpe, in Norfolk, was born on the 29th September, 
 
 Mg. Q
 
 242 LORDS NELSON, COLLINO WOOD, 
 
 1758, and received the elements of education at the high 
 school of Norwich, and at North Walsham. As in prece- 
 ding instances the lire of martial enterprize appears to have 
 been fostered in the retirement of a country living, for at 
 twelve years of age, when the Spanish dispute concerning 
 Falkland Islands induced a British armament (1770) he 
 obtained leave to go on board his maternal uncle's ship, 
 the Raisonable of 64 guns ; and on the arrangement of the 
 dispute was for nautical instruction sent on board a West- 
 Indiaman. While he acquired seamanship in a voyage to 
 the West-Indies, however, he imbibed w ith it a strong aver- 
 sion from the navy, which was with difficulty overcome by 
 the care of Capt. Suckling on board the Triumph, to which 
 he was removed. 
 
 It is impossible here to enter into all the m'muticz which 
 the fondness of friendship, justified by its subject, has re- 
 corded ; so determined, however, does he appear to have 
 been upon employment, as to become coxswain in one of 
 the ships of discovery under Capt. Phipps (afterwards 
 Lord Mulgrave) in 1773. 
 
 He next, in the Seahorse, 20 guns, visited the East-In- 
 dies, and on the 8th April, 1777, only, passed his examina- 
 tion for the rank of Lieutenant, with which he was ap- 
 pointed to the Lowestoffe, 32 guns. Next year he removed 
 to the Bristol ; and on the following being promoted to 
 Post Captain, (July 11,) commanded the Hinchinbroke, 
 after which, during peace, he visited France as a traveller, 
 with feelings very different from those which he afterwards 
 experienced in Italy. 
 
 He served next on the West-India Station, and with 
 great dissatisfaction al the commercial regulations of that
 
 AND NORTHESK TRAFALGAR. 243 
 
 period. In 1787, however, he there formed a matrimonial 
 connection of the most agreeable kind, of M'hich he subse- 
 quently wrote in rapture to his friends in England, and 
 which continued the warmest impression on his heart and 
 mind. The amiable Frances Herbert Nesbit, a young wi- 
 dow, daiii^hter of the senior judge, and niece of the Presi- 
 dent of Nevis, was given to him by His Royal Highness 
 the Duke of Clarence, then in the West-Indies; of whose 
 talents (by the way) as a commander, and of the state of 
 whose ship, Lord Nelson repeatedly spoke in the highest 
 terms to those with whom adulation would have been use- 
 less, and IS therefore not to be suspected. 
 
 In July 1739, in the Boreas, he commanded with Major 
 Poison a conjunct expedition against Fort Juan in the 
 Gulph of Mexico, which they reduced ; and in January 
 ] 793, received the Agamenmon, 64, which he seems to have 
 highly prized, and it was afterwards said he had actually 
 worn out in the service. 
 
 From the first efforts of Great Britain in the revolu- 
 tionary war the judicious heroism of Nelson became con- 
 spicuous. Under Lord Hood in the Mediterranean, Tou- 
 lon and Corsica bore testimony of his merits, at the siege 
 of Calvi, in the latter of which he lost the sight of his right 
 eye. In December, 1796, as commodore in La Minerve, 
 he captured with great loss of the enemy La Sabina ; and 
 in February 1797, joined Sir John Jervis among other rein- 
 forcements on the coast of Spain. Here in the Captain, 
 74, he distinguished himself in a bold manceuvre of this 
 Admiral, by attacking the Spanish Admiral's ship, Santis- 
 sima Trinidada, of 136 guns, and maintaining the conflict 
 till he obtained assistance. He afterwards boarded two
 
 244 LORDS NELSON, COLLINGWOOD, 
 
 three-deckers, and continued pre-eminent in the great vic- 
 tory then obtahied. 
 
 In April, 1797, Rear-Adniiral of the Blue, he was sent 
 against the garrison of Porto Ferrajo, in the Isle of Elba. 
 In May in the Theseus, he commanded the inner squadron 
 at the blockade of Cadiz, and captured several ships. On 
 the 3d of July he began to bombard that city, and continued 
 ultimately with success. He next attempted the reduction 
 of Santa Cruz Teneriffe, with less success, but no diminu- 
 tion of glory, and there lost his right arm, his life only 
 being preserved, as he tenderly told Lady Nelson, by hia 
 son-in-law. He was for some months unfit for service. 
 
 As early as this period he was able to recount in a me- 
 morial necessary to the archives of office, on receiving a 
 pension of lOOOl. a year, four actions with fleets, three 
 with frigates ; six engagements against batteries ; ten ac- 
 tions in boats, in cutting vessels out of harbours, and taking 
 three towns : four months' service with the land army in 
 the command of batteries in Corsica; assistance in captur- 
 ing during the revolutionary war seven sail of the line, six 
 frigates, four corvettes and eleven privateers ; and taking 
 and destroying near fifty sail of merchantmen. — One hun- 
 dred and twenty engagements with the enemy. Yet when 
 the king with a recognizance characteristic of his majesty, 
 regretted on seeing him at court that he should in course 
 be deprived of his services, from the loss and injury he 
 had sustained, he is said to have replied — ■'' No ! may it 
 .please your Majesty, 1 cannot consider any thing that has 
 .occurred in my duty a loss ; and while I have a foot to 
 •stand on, I'll fight for my king and country !" 
 
 The battle of the Nile, August 7j 1 793^ followed^ which
 
 AND NORTHESK — TRAFALGAR. 245 
 
 would seem to have crowned all his victories, but that in- 
 creasing in the magnitude of his usefulness^ his desire to ex- 
 tend it increased, and he grew insatiable of glory ! 
 
 In the ensuing month he delivered the Sicilian Court 
 from Naples, invested by the French, and in December re- 
 moved it to the King's insular dominions, and afterwards 
 endeavoured to assist the Royalists. In May, 1799, Rear- 
 Admiral of the Red, he shifted his flag to the Foudroyant, 
 and in June and July produced such an effect on Naples 
 as to be considered by the king as the restorer of his throne ; 
 for which he was presented with the dukedom of Bronte,*^ 
 and the feod attached to it, supposed to be worth three 
 thousand pounds a year. By sending a part of his force to 
 blockade Civita Vecchia, and at the same time offering 
 favorable conditions for evacuation, his Lordship induced 
 the French general Grenier to retire from Rome. 
 
 With Sir William Hamilton, a man celebrated for exqui- 
 site taste and a profound knowledge of antiquity, cultivated 
 during a long residence as ambassador at Naples, and his 
 lady, equally distinguished for elegance of form and 
 refinement of manners. Lord Nelson now returned to 
 England. Perhaps this was the happiest moment of his 
 life. His venerable father hailed the return of his dig- 
 nified son. He was received with honors such as had not 
 been experienced by any public character during the last 
 age, and wherever he went experienced the general 
 eulogy. 
 
 ' A singular coincidence occurs in this title, with the power of Lord 
 Nelson's arms. It will be recognized as the greek word signifjiii^ 
 thunder.
 
 246 LORDS NELSON, COLLINGWOOD, 
 
 Honors, however, did not render him indolent : he 
 solicited employment, and received the compliment of the 
 San Josef, 1 10 guns, one of the ships he had boarded off 
 Cape St. Vincent. In 1801 he accompanied the expe- 
 dition against the northern armed neutrality ; and, in the 
 words of Sir Hyde Parker, who commanded, "his exer- 
 tions never were carried to a higher pitch of zeal for his 
 country's service." 
 
 Returning to England Vice-Admiral of the Blue, he 
 was engaged in a new service, the defence of the coast 
 against a flotilla preparing at Boulogne, which the Admi- 
 ralty rendered as honourable and agreeable as possible, 
 even to the unprecedented indulgence of three aides-de- 
 camp. On the 4th of August, 1801, he became a Bri- 
 tish peer. 
 
 Peace compelled his Lordship to a repose which be 
 would not otherwise have admitted ; and, having purchased 
 an agreeable residence at Merton, he cultivated the enjoy- 
 ments of domestic life, and the exercise of the pacific 
 virtues. Lady Nelson had long retired from public life. 
 Some relatives aided his social pleasures, and Lady 
 Hamilton continued to yield to them those elegancies with 
 which Sir William and herself had adorned his victorious 
 career in Italy. 
 
 War was resumed, and four days after Lord Nelson 
 sailed in the Victory to take the command of the Medi- 
 terranean fleet. Of the escape of the Toulon fleet from 
 harbour, how he followed it to the West indies, and re- 
 turned to England mortified by the delay of victory ; 
 with what rapidity he rejoined the squadron off Cadiz ; 
 how he conquered and died ; nothing can usefully here be
 
 AND NORTHESK TRAFALGAR. 247 
 
 said. Everywhere have his merits been recorded, his 
 memory honoured. 
 
 His mausoleum is the awful dome of thebasilique of the 
 first city in the world, St. Paul's, whither princes, and he- 
 roes, and municipalities attended his remains : nor was this 
 solemn pomp of funereal rites unaccompanied by the sin- 
 cere tribute of sorrow which flows spontaneously for those 
 who deserve well of their country, from the hearts of the 
 British people. 
 
 The life of Lord Collingwood was one of laborious 
 exertion in the moat meritorious duties, ennobled by this 
 last grand occasion. 
 
 He was a native of Northumberland, and had prose- 
 cuted his upward career with every difficulty, every danger, 
 and, what was more painful, with repeated disappointment 
 in that reward which he at length gradually, though slowly 
 obtained. Patient and modest, he never enforced his 
 claims with urgency, yet they were ever of the most solid 
 kind. The same qualities prevented the disclosure of 
 those talents which he possessed in an eminent degree ; 
 so that they required personal assimilation, and a discri- 
 mination of no common order, to elicit it, unless in the 
 course of important duty or the moment of action. This 
 it was, however, the merit of Nelson to effect and to 
 declare ; and it is far from the least of the recollections of 
 that immortal hero, that he exerted himself with indefati- 
 gable zeal on this score for his comrade and friend.
 
 248 LORDS NELSON, COLLIKGWOOD, &C. 
 
 The incidents to be recorded would be the simple mi- 
 grations of a sailor. Agreeably to his character he remain- 
 ed at his duty till health sunk under exertion, and did not 
 live to reach port a British peer. 
 
 The Earl of Northesk, third hi commaBd, is the repre- 
 sentative of the ancient and very honourable family of Car- 
 negie, in North Britain. 
 
 His Lordship's father, Admiral of the White, resigned 
 to him in 1 792, at an advanced age his honors and honour- 
 able profession : previously to which the present Earl had 
 married the niece of Earl St. Vincent, subsequently 
 made Viscountess in her own right. 
 
 Having previously served with more utility than fame, 
 the present occasion amply secured hira the full praise of 
 one and enjoyment of the other. 
 
 Of a large family. Lord and Lady Northesk had the 
 misfortune to lose their heir George Lord Rosehill, des- 
 tined to pursue the naval career of his fathers, prematurely, 
 on board the Blenheim, in the Southern Ocean, in 1807.
 
 249 
 
 ACTION WITH A FRENCH SQUAD» 
 RON OFF FERROL, COMMODORE 
 (afterwards Admiral) SIR RICHARD 
 J. STRACHAN, BART, NOV. 4, 
 1805. 
 
 This is a victory which in its practice 
 duly claims a merit dangerous to entertain 
 in theory by sea or land — that of being 
 attained with a loss incomparably small. 
 This, however, as the brave commander took 
 care to explain in his several despatches, 
 arose from the enemy having — a usual 
 fault with French sailors — " fired high ;" 
 and the British — a corresponding virtue in 
 our sea warriors — having " quickly closed.'' 
 
 The tone of the despatch too, in describing 
 that " the Rochefort squadron" had been 
 seen, " which," (says Sir Richard) " delight- 
 ed us," sufficiently shows that the small 
 loss arose from none of those cautious cares 
 which, ever most commendable when con- 
 sistent with the good of the service, are
 
 2jO sir IIICIIARU STIIACIIAX. 
 
 misplaced when put in competition with 
 it. The ships turned out to be those which 
 had escaped from Lord Nelson, and sub- 
 sequently arrived at Cadiz. 
 
 Sir Richard in the Caesar was detached 
 from Admiral Cornwallis* fleet, the French 
 ships taken were one of 80, three of 74 
 guns : called the Formidable, Dugay 
 Trouin, Mont Blanc, and Scipion. 
 
 The thanks of Parliament having been 
 moved to this meritorious officer, seem to 
 have been conveyed to him direct, although 
 under a superior command, since he first 
 announces them to his Admiral, and also 
 answers directly from himself. 
 
 Mercurii 28 die Mail 1806. 
 
 CiEsar, at Sea, mh May, 1806. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I ha\'€ the honour to receive 
 your letter, transmitting the thanks of the 
 House of Commons to myself, the captains, 
 officers, seamen, and marines, under my 
 connnand, in the action of the ^th Nov.
 
 ACTION OFF FERROL. 2ol 
 
 last, I shall have great pleasure in obeying 
 the commands of the House of Commons 
 by communicating to the captains, officers, 
 seamen and marines, this distinguished mark 
 of the approbation of their country. As 
 for myself, by devoting my life to the 
 service of my country, I hope I shall have 
 opportunities of proving I am not undeserv- 
 ing of the high honour conferred upon me. 
 
 I beg to assure you. Sir, that I am full}^ 
 sensible of the honour you have done me, 
 and the very handsome manner in which 
 you have been pleased to express your 
 sentiments upon this occasion. 
 
 1 have the honour to be with the highest 
 respect. Sir, your most obedient and 
 humble servant, 
 
 R. J. Straciian. 
 The Right Honourable 
 
 Charles Abbot, &c. &c. 
 
 For the birth of Sir Richard Strachan, yet livings 
 two counties have contended, those of Devon and 
 Northumberland : it is sufficient for the present purpose
 
 252 SIR RICHARD STRACIIAN, &C. 
 
 that England claims him for her own, and that he has 
 here powerfully recognized that claim. 
 
 The details of his life are so directly maritime as to 
 afford little to the purposes of biography. It is assert- 
 ed that his father was a clergyman, and that himself was 
 a soldier of fortune. That he supplied the relation of 
 father to his family is more positively believed, and that 
 he coveted victory rather than wealth.
 
 253 
 
 CAPTURE OF A FRENCH FORCE, 
 EMPLOYED FOR THE REDUC- 
 TION OF THE INSURGENT 
 BLACKS, AND RE^ESTABLISH- 
 MENT OF THE FRENCH COLONY 
 OF ST. DOMINGO. Vice-Admiral 
 Sir John Thomas Duckworth, K.B. 
 Rear-Admirals Cochrane, & Louis, 
 &c. February 6, 1806. 
 
 Among the principal objects which the 
 French government seems to have contem- 
 plated in the truce afforded by the peace 
 of Amiens, was the reduction of the cele- 
 brated Colony of St. Domingo, that "garden 
 of the Antilles" for which the colonists, 
 become a body now desirable to the admi- 
 nistration to conciliate, had long sighed in 
 vain. 
 
 Not only would the government have in 
 course derived an advantageous support 
 from this body by the gratification of its
 
 254 SIR J. DUCKWORTH, 8cC. 
 
 persona] interests in this reduction, but it 
 would have extended the empire of the 
 great nation, and tended towards the im- 
 portant objects of desire so oi'ten expressed 
 by the person afterwards invested with 
 sovereign power — "ships, colonies, and 
 commerce." 
 
 The army which had been sent to effect 
 this object, notwithstanding the employ- 
 ment of every means warranted by the 
 utmost stretch of precedent in ancient or 
 modern war, notwithstanding the sacrifice 
 of every principle of glory, and the aban- 
 donment of national character, had suc- 
 cumbed under the united evils of the 
 climate, the strength which freedom lost 
 and regained ever inspires in its objects, 
 and the demoralization of its own force. 
 Alarmed and infuriated by this defeat, 
 when the most brilliant success alone had 
 been expected, the government sent out a 
 force, supposed of ten sail of the line, as 
 many frigates, and corvettes.
 
 CAPTURE OFF ST. DOMINGO. 255 
 
 The frustration of all these objects, by 
 the capture and destruction of the prin- 
 cipal part, and flight of the remainder, is 
 the object of this section. The Admiral 
 seems to have had it at heart : he holds up 
 to public obloquy the French captains, 
 who run their ships on shore after surren- 
 der, contemplates the victory as a sprig of 
 laurel added to the naval archives of the 
 country ; and his captain, on approach of 
 the fight, suspended a portrait of Nelson 
 from the mizen stay ; and caused the crew, 
 with his band, to pay homage to it for in- 
 spiration ! 
 
 On March the 26th, Lord Grenville in 
 the House of Lords, and Lord Grey in the 
 Commons, moved the thanks of Parlia- 
 ment ; the former descanting at some length 
 on the qualities required to deserve this 
 high tribute, but agreeing with their pre- 
 sence on this occasion. 
 
 The answers to the communications 
 were as follow : —
 
 256 SIR J. DUCKWORTH, &C. 
 
 Veneris 30 die Maii, 1 806. 
 
 London, Mai/ 25th, 1806. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 A copy of the vote of tlianks from 
 the Lords spiritual and temporal, in Par- 
 liament assembled, the original of which 
 your Lordship, in a conversation you 
 honoured me with, informed me had been 
 sent to the West Indies, has just been pre- 
 sented to me. 
 
 In acknowledging this eminently distin- 
 guished proof of the sense which the nobles 
 of my country entertain of my services in 
 the battle of the 6th of February, a tribute 
 of applause so highly grateful to my feel- 
 ings, and honourable to my character, per- 
 mit me to entreat your Lordship to assure 
 the House of Lords, that I am deeply sen- 
 sible of the peculiar honour they have 
 conferred upon me, and that I shall ever 
 retain the recollection of their handsome 
 estimation of my services with the strong-
 
 CAPTURE OFF ST. DOMINGO. 257 
 
 est sentiments of gratitude, and sensations 
 of the liveliest pride and satisfaction. 
 
 Their Lordships have greatly added to 
 that distinguished honor, by their com- 
 mands to signify their resolutions, to the 
 Rear Admirals, Captains, and Officers who 
 served under my command on the 6th of 
 February, a commission I shall execute 
 with the alacrity their zeal and intrepidity 
 on that day so justly deserves ; and I will 
 take upon me, in the name of all, to assure 
 their Lordships, that every officer, seaman, 
 and royal marine, will feel, in the full force 
 I do, this proud and inestimable testimony 
 of approbation his gallant services have 
 acquired. 
 
 I have the honor to be, with high respect, 
 my Lord, your Lordship's most obedient, 
 and faithful humble servant, 
 
 J. T. Duckworth. 
 To the Right Hon. 
 
 the Lord Chancellor, &c. &c. &;c. 
 
 ^g^ R
 
 25S SIR J. DUCKWORTH, &C. 
 
 Jovis 15 die Maii, 1806. 
 
 Superb, near Cadiz, 1st May, 1306. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 The honor of your letter of the 
 26th of March, communicating one of the 
 most distinguished and grateful tributes 
 that the mind of an officer can enjoy, the 
 unanimous thanks for his services, from the 
 Imperial Parliament of Great Britain and 
 Ireland, was presented me on my return off 
 Cadiz, the 29th ultimo. 
 
 Allow me. Sir, though my expressions 
 must but feebly describe the sensations of 
 my mind, to request that you will assure 
 the House of Commons of the most res- 
 pectful sense I ever must retain for the 
 high and proud testimony of approbation 
 they have so, honorably conferred upon 
 my services in the battle of the 6th of 
 February; and the most grateful return I 
 ieel I can make to that House, will be to 
 beg you to do me the honor to assure them, 
 that my best efforts shall ever be exerted
 
 CAPTURE OFF ST. DOMINGO. 259 
 
 in the service of my king and country, to 
 continue to merit praise so truly elevating. 
 
 The House has conferred on me a parti- 
 cular gratification, in their commands to 
 signify to Rear Admirals Cochrane and 
 Louis, and to the captains and officers 
 under my command on that day, that 
 applause which must have a similar in- 
 fluence upon their minds as I have expe- 
 rienced from it, and greatly proud shall we 
 all be to hand it down to our posterity : 
 not less forcibly, I am convinced, will it 
 operate upon the minds of the seamen and 
 royal marines, when their captains assure 
 tliem that the representatives of the nation 
 do approve of, and acknowledge, their 
 gallant services. 
 
 I should feel myself highly remiss, was I 
 to be silent, Sir, on the very impressive 
 and handsome terms in which you have 
 conveyed to me the high and proud testi- 
 mony of approbation the House of Com- 
 mons have conferred on me, accompa- 
 nied by your flattering maiks of congra-
 
 260 SIR J. DUCKWORTH, &C. 
 
 tulation for the part the squadron under 
 mv command has been so fortunate to 
 perform, in adding to the list of our naval 
 triumphs ; and I beg you to believe, that I 
 shall ever have the honour to feel, with the 
 highest respect, Sir, your most obliged and 
 obedient humble Servant, 
 
 J. T. Duckworth. 
 The Right Hon. Charles Abbot, 
 
 Speaker of the House of Commons, &c. 
 
 Sir John Thomas Duckworth, hke the Hoods and 
 Nelson, was the son of a clergyman. He was born in 
 Devonshire, and commenced his naval career chiefly in 
 tlie Diamond, Captain Fielding. As early as 1779 he 
 was Lieutenant in the Princess Royal of ninety-eight 
 guns, at that time the flag-ship of Admiral Byron, and 
 consequently shared in the action with Count d'Estaing in 
 the West Indies. 
 
 What is not very remarkable otherwise in battle, de- 
 serves mention here from the characteristic sensibility of 
 the person to whom it occurred. The head of a black 
 man, named Peter Allen, being shot oft" by a cannon-ball 
 in this action, was precipitated agahist the breast of Lieu- 
 tenant Duckworth, and literally covered him with the
 
 CAPTURE OFF ST. DOMINGO. 26l 
 
 various carnage. To the man who, subsequently, in a 
 long and sickly voyage in the Grafton, would taste none 
 but the ordinary salt provisions and humble beverage, till 
 the sick of his ship were comforted by his fresh provision 
 and wine, this may be conceived to have been a sickening 
 incident. 
 
 In 1779 (^^ug- 28) he was made master and commander, 
 being appointed to the Rover, in which he cruized off 
 Martinique, looking into Fort Royal every day. The 
 following year, however. Post Captain, he returned to 
 his old ship, which he conducted to Jamaica; and, in the 
 year following, returned to England with a convoy, in 
 1781, in the Grafton of seventy-four guns. 
 
 Peace precluded his farther progress, except in a do- 
 mestic career, for during this period it is believed he mar- 
 ried. In 1793, on the commencement of hostilities, he 
 was first appointed to the Orion, 74, and next to the 
 Queen, in the channel fleet, under Lord Howe, where he 
 was one of those, who, it has been seen in the pre- 
 ceding pages, was distinguished by his Lordship in his 
 dispatch for his conduct on the 1st of June. 
 
 Under the same veteran commander, Capt. Duckworth 
 cruized off Brest ; and, in 1 795, with him escorted the 
 East and West India convoys. 
 
 In 1798 he served under Lord St. Vincent in the 
 Mediterranean, with the Leviathan, 74 ; and was honored 
 by the separate command of a conjunct expedition, with 
 General Stuart, against Minorca; which, after some 
 fighting, in which the seamen served on shore, capitulated. 
 
 Rear-Admiral in 1799, he succeeded Lord Hugh Sey- 
 mour in the command of the Leeward Islands in 1800;
 
 262 SIR J. DUCKWORTH, &C. 
 
 and, on occasion of the northern confederacy, in con- 
 junction with Lieut.-Gen. Sir Thomas Trigge, seized on 
 the Swedish and Danish Islands. For this, as no capture 
 remained from subsequent negociation, Admiral Duck- 
 worth received the Order of the Bath. 
 
 War ceased for so short a period as hardly to dislocate 
 Sir John from his service ; and he was consequently, on 
 the recommencement of hostilities, appointed Commander- 
 in-Chief on the Jamaica station. 
 
 Here he conducted an additional service, the nego- 
 ciation of a capitulation with the French General Rochani- 
 bcau, the hopeless commander of the remnants of a 
 French army at St. Domingo. 
 
 In 1804 he was made Vice- Admiral of the Blue, in 
 1805 Vice-Admiral of the White, and in 1806 performed 
 the service that has just been recited, for which, in addi- 
 tion, he received voles of thanks and brilliant swords 
 from the Assembly at Jamaica and the Corporation of 
 London. 
 
 Sir J. T. Duckworth afterwards commanded on the 
 Newfoundland and the Plymouth station. 
 
 On his return to England he was appointed to the 
 Royal George of 110 guns; in which, after active em- 
 ployment in the Channel, it is beheved he concluded his 
 service.
 
 263 
 
 BATTLE OF MAIDA, UNDER SIR 
 JOHN STUART, 4th JULY, 1806. 
 
 This battle it has been the favourite idea 
 of the victor, it is believed, to consider an 
 episode in the military events of this period ; 
 it is however of the nature of those solid 
 episodes in epic poetry which pre-eminently 
 support the chief argument, for to it was per- 
 haps greatly owing that return to good sense 
 in respect to the land force of Great Britain, 
 which permitted it again to take its place 
 in Europe. 
 
 The misfortunes attending British co-ope- 
 ration with the combined armies of the con- 
 tinent had been much effaced by the suc- 
 cessful termination of the war in Egypt; 
 but this again had faded before the brilliant 
 coruscations of the French arms, which with 
 the rapidity of lightning appeared in all 
 parts of the continent, and seemed to elec- 
 trify every people before whom they ap- 
 peared.
 
 264 Sllx JOHN STUART, 
 
 Impressed with this awful circumstance. 
 Sir John Stuart having succeeded Sir James 
 Craig, in the command in Sicily in 1805, 
 and finding the island menaced by invasion 
 from the opposite coast, the activity of his 
 mind generated the design of cutting off the 
 French force preparing under Generals 
 Regnier and Verdier in Calabria, in which 
 he was so eminently successful as to compel 
 the evacuation of the Southern Peninsula of 
 Italy by an army so infinitely superior to 
 his own as almost to defy credence. The 
 charm of French prepossession was dis- 
 solved ! the prowess of British soldiers be- 
 came again terrible in Europe ; medals 
 were struck upon the occasion, and the 
 noblest rewards conferred — But who shall 
 attempt to describe the effects of this im- 
 portant battle, before that eminent commu- 
 nication of the praise of Parliament, which 
 it is the object of this work to record. 
 
 It was thus communicated by Lord Ers- 
 kine at that time High Chancellor of Great 
 Britain.
 
 MAIDA. 265 
 
 Lincoln s Inn Fields, December 1"3rd, 18()G. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I am commanded to commu- 
 nicate to you the unanimous vote of the 
 Lords spiritual and temporal in parliament 
 assembled, which I have the honour to 
 inclose. 
 
 Nothing from myself can add to so dis- 
 tinguished a testimony of your merit, yet I 
 cannot forbear from expressing the satisfac- 
 tion I feel in making the communication. 
 Reflecting upon the disasters that have 
 fallen upon powerful princes, and populous 
 territories under the pressure of the vast 
 armies of France, I recollect at the same 
 time, that they were not defended by British 
 soldiers ; and that when the triumphal mo- 
 numents of Paris shall record the victories 
 of Austerlitz and Jena, it shall appear upon 
 the less ostentatious Journals of a British 
 Parliament, — that upon the plains of Maida 
 her choicest battalions fell beneath the 
 bayonets of half the number of our brave 
 countrymen, under your direction and that
 
 266 SIR JOHN STUART, 
 
 of the officers who were j^our glorious com- 
 panions. 
 
 To them also and to all the soldiers who 
 were employed with you, I enclose the 
 same unanimous thanks. 
 
 Erskine. 
 
 Major-General Sir John Stuart K. B. 
 
 Mercurii 4 die Martii, 1807. 
 
 Baker Street, March 2nd, 1807. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I had this day the honour of 
 receiving your Lordship's letter convejang 
 the unanimous vote of thanks of the Lords 
 spiritual and temporal in parliament assem- 
 bled, to the officers and soldiers engaged 
 with the French forces on the 4th of July 
 last, on the plains of Maida in Calabria. 
 To no command of their Lordships' in any 
 instance could obedience be more grateful 
 to me than to notify (as I shall do by the 
 earliest opportunity) to the brave troops 
 with whom it was my peculiar good fortune
 
 MATDA. 267 
 
 to serve, the high and distinguished honour 
 by which their conduct has been thus remu- 
 nerated ; and I cannot be premature in 
 anticipating the sentiments of pride and 
 gratitude which they must feel in unison 
 with myself, in having an estimate of their 
 merits so memorably pronounced to their 
 country and to Europe at large, as by the 
 unanimous approbation and recorded thanks 
 of the most illustrious assembly in the 
 world ; the flattering and animating reflec- 
 tions with which your Lordship has been 
 personally pleased to accompany the votes 
 of the Lords of parliament and the compa- 
 rative references you mark to the military 
 circumstances of the times inspire a feeling 
 too honourable to the British soldier not to 
 command the warmest acknowledgements 
 of those troops to whom it is add rest ; and 
 while I presume as their organ on this oc- 
 casion to request your Lordship's persua- 
 sion of their impressions of high respect, I 
 am to sohcit that you will also admit the
 
 268 SIR JOHN STUART, 
 
 individual expressions of perfect considera- 
 tion with which, 
 
 I have the honour to be, My Lord, your 
 lordship's most obedient and most humble 
 servant, 
 
 J. Stuart, Major General. 
 
 To the Speaker he thus addressed himself; 
 Lu7ice2 die Martii, 1807. 
 
 BakerStreet, '28th February, 1807. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 It is since my return to Eng- 
 land that I have been honoured with an 
 authenticated copy of your letter of the 
 24th December, (of which the original has 
 been addressed from Mr. Secretary Wind- 
 ham's office to the Mediterranean) trans- 
 mitting the unanimous vote of Thanks of 
 the House of Commons of the 22nd of the 
 same month, to the general and other offi- 
 cers, to the troops and to myself, in token 
 of its satisfaction at the conduct and result 
 of the action with the French forces, on the 
 4th of July last, on the plains of Maida in 
 Calabria.
 
 MAIDA. 269 
 
 I shall fulfil a most grateful duty in obey- 
 ing the command of the House, to commu- 
 nicate to the army as above directed, the 
 great and public honour by which their 
 discipline and gallantry on that occasion 
 have been remunerated — And I venture to 
 anticipate the sentiments of pride and grati- 
 tude which they must feel conjointly with 
 myself, on thus receiving in the unanimous 
 thanks of Parliament, the most distinguish- 
 ed and most expressive token of national 
 approbation to which a British soldier can 
 possibly be encouraged to aspire. 
 
 While I presume to request you, Sir, to 
 become the channel of conveying to the 
 House, my individual impressions upon 
 this subject, I am to solicit that you will 
 receive also the expression of my own ac- 
 knowledgement for the flattering terms of 
 personal compliment with which you have 
 been pleased to notify to me the high dis- 
 tinction conferred upon me in the resolution. 
 
 I have the honour to be, with the utmost
 
 270 SIR JOHN STUART, 
 
 consideration and respect, Sir, your most 
 obedient and most humble servant, 
 
 J. Stuart, Major General. 
 
 The Right Hon. 
 
 The Speaker of the House of Commons. 
 
 The Thanks were moved by Earl Grenville in the Peers 
 and Mr. Windham in the Commons ; in the latter they 
 were seconded by Sir John Doyle, in his first display of 
 that eloquence for which he had been so eminently distin- 
 guished in Ireland. 
 
 It is due to those who so eminently distinguished them- 
 selves to state that the medals were ordered to be distri- 
 buted as follows :' 
 
 1 To Major-General Sir John Stuart, K.B. 
 
 2 Brigadier-General Cole, 1st brigade 
 3 Ackland, 2nd ditto 
 
 4 Colonel Oswald, 3rd ditto 
 
 5 Lieutenant-Colonel Moore, 23rd Dragoons 
 
 6 Lieutenant-Colonel Watteville, regiment de Watte- 
 ville 
 
 7 Lieutenant-Colonel O'Callaghan, grenadiers 
 
 8 Lieutenant-Colonel Kempt, J. ight Infantry 
 {) Lieutenant-Colonel Ross, 20th Foot 
 
 ' (if-nciitl Orders, Horse-Giiarvi^. Feb. 24, 1807.
 
 MAIDA. 271 
 
 10 Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson, 58th Foot 
 
 1 1 Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, 27th ditto 
 
 12 Lieutenant-Colonel M' Leod, 78th ditto 
 
 13 Major Plenderleath, 81st Foot 
 
 14 Lieutenant-Colonel Bunbury, Staff 
 
 15 Major Lemoine, Artillery 
 
 16 Mr. Grimes, Inspector of Barracks. 
 
 With what reiterated anxiety do we not successively 
 desire to learn something of those who furnish the circum- 
 stances of such glorious annals. How much more is to 
 be regretted the difficulty which in these latter days pre- 
 sents itself in the acquisition of facts respecting them. 
 
 Born in America about 1760, of Scotish parents, (his 
 Excellency's father having been superintendant of Indians, 
 with great knowledge of his interesting occupation) it ap- 
 pears that he was nevertheless sent to England, for the 
 purpose of education at Westminster School, under Dr. 
 Smith, and was there cotemporary with several persons 
 since eminent. 
 
 It has been said that it was only in 1782, that on the 
 death of his father, Mr. Stuart commenced his military 
 career, (the Military Calendar says Jan. 1779«) but on 
 reference to the official document, the date of his first com- 
 mission appears to be Aug. 7, 1778; It was an ensigncy 
 in the 3d guards, which carried him to America, where he 
 was present at the battle of Guildford, and received a 
 wound in the groin, which occasioned the most painful 
 effects. 
 
 In the dispute respecting Colonel Gordon of that regi-
 
 272 SIR JOHN STUART, 
 
 regiment, Ensign Stuart stood alone in his support, and it 
 appears that he proceeded no farther than rank of Lieute- 
 nant till the commencement of the revolutionary war, in 
 which Captain and Lieutenant-Colonel he served in the 
 West-Indies under Sir Charles Grey, and in Holland under 
 the Duke of York. In 1796 Colonel, he served as Bri- 
 gadier-General in Portugal and at Minorca, where he re- 
 ceived a regiment, afterwards entitled the Queen's Ger- 
 mans, and which was fortunate enough, in deciding an 
 obstinate conHict, to share in capturing the invincible 
 standard of the French. 
 
 The estimate of the talents of Sir John Stuart at this 
 time, may be drawn from his having been sent on a poli- 
 tico-military mission to Constantinople, in which he ac- 
 quitted himself with great honour, receiving from the 
 Grand Seignior the Aigrette, and order of the Crescent, 
 with the praise of his own commander. 
 
 In 1804,5, General Stuart commanded a brigade on the 
 Kentish coast, during the threat of invasion, and thence 
 proceeded to the " deed that gilds his name." His des- 
 patch from the camp on the plains of Maida is a specimen 
 of perspicuity. 
 
 He obtained from the king of Sicily the title and feod 
 of Count of Maida, and from his own government the 
 Order of the Bath with a pension of lOOOl. a year ; the 
 corporation of London voted him its freedom with a 
 sword. Returning to the Mediterranean as Lieutenant- 
 General in 1808, he defended Sicily from the invasion of 
 Murat, and turned four months' preparations hito con- 
 tenij)t. It was also during this service that a division
 
 MAIDA. 273 
 
 expelled the French from the Ionian Isles, and under Ge- 
 neral Oswald produced the novelty of a fine light corps 
 of native Greeks in the British army. 
 
 Sir John received successively the 74th and 20th regi- 
 ments and the Lieutenant-Governorship of Grenada, and 
 was afterwards employed on staff at home till he died. 
 
 Mg.
 
 ' 274 
 
 EXPEDITION AGAINST MONTE 
 VIDEO,- SIR SAMUEL AUCH- 
 MUTY, BRIGADIER GENERAL 
 LUMLEY, ADMIRAL STIRLING, 
 
 February 3, 1807. 
 
 The memorable expedition to South 
 America will be long present in every mind. 
 Sir Samuel Auchumty, with the rank of 
 Brigadier General, having assumed the com- 
 mand of the troops at the end of 1806, soon 
 commenced the promise of glory. Land- 
 ing near Monte Video, he met the enemy's 
 force, attacked and defeated it; with equal 
 success he repulsed a general sortie from 
 the town ; and afterwards took the fortress 
 by assault. For this success he merited 
 and obtained the high reward of this sec- 
 tion, with the admiral to whom was con- 
 fided whatever operation might be neces- 
 sary by sea. It will not be expected that 
 remark should be here extended. 
 
 Tiic thanks were thus comnumicated.
 
 MONTE VIDEO. 275 
 
 I7th April, 1807. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I have the honour to obey the 
 commands of the House of Lords, in com- 
 municating to you the enclosed resolutions, 
 expressive of the thanks of that House, 
 for the skill and bravery displayed by you, 
 Sn*, in the attack and capture of tlie im- 
 portant fortress of Monte Video ; and to 
 Brigadier General the Hon. Wm. Lumley, 
 and to the several other officers of his 
 Majesty's forces, for their gallant conduct 
 on that occasion ; and of the high appro- 
 bation and acknowledgment, of that House, 
 of the bravery of the non-commissioned 
 officers and private soldiers of the forces, 
 serving under your command in the assault 
 and capture. 
 
 It is with infinite personal satisfaction 
 that I obey the commands of the House, 
 and that I communicate resolutions of 
 thanks and approbation, most sincerely 
 given and expressed by the House of Lords, 
 and most justly called for by the skill.
 
 276 SIR S. AUCIIMUTYj B. GEN. LUMLEY, 
 
 bravery, valour, and gallant conduct which 
 they record to posterity. 
 
 I have the honour to be. Sir, with all 
 possible respect, your most obedient humble 
 Servant, 
 
 Eldon, C. 
 Brigadier Gen. Sir Saml. Auchmuty, &c. 
 
 Syndale House, Mth August, 1808. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I have had the honor to receive 
 your Lordship's letter of the 17th of April, 
 1807, accompanied with the resolutions of 
 the House of Lords on the preceding day. 
 
 It is unnecessary for me to assure your 
 Lordship, that the thanks of so important 
 and distinguished a branch of the legis- 
 lature, unanimously conferred on me and 
 my gallant companions at the capture of 
 Monte Video, will ever be remembered 
 with pride and with satisfaction. 
 
 In conveying to me the thanks of the 
 House, your Lordship has been pleased to 
 •express yourself in terms that demand my 
 warmest acknowledgments.
 
 ADMIRAL STIRLING MONTE VIDEO. 279 
 
 I have the honor to be, with the highest 
 respect, my Lord, your Lordship's most 
 obedient humble Servant, 
 
 Samuel Auchmuty. 
 
 To the Right Hon. 
 
 the Lord Chancellor, &c. &c. &c. 
 
 The Speaker thus announced those of the 
 
 Commons. 
 
 Hovse of Commons, \7th April, 1807. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 In obedience to the commands of 
 the House of Commons, I have the honour 
 of transmitting to you their unanimous 
 vote of thanks for the skill and valour dis- 
 played by you in the attack and capture 
 of the important fortress of Monte Video, 
 in South America, on the 3d of February 
 last ; together with the like vote of thanks 
 to Brigadier General the Hon. William 
 Lumley, and the several other officers of 
 his Majesty's forces, for their gallant con-
 
 278 SIR S, AUCIIMUTY, B. GEN. LUMLEY, 
 
 duct on the 3d of February, under your 
 command, which thanks you are requested 
 to signify ; and, to these votes is added, 
 the unanimous resolution of the House, 
 highly approving and acknowledging the 
 discipline and good conduct of the non- 
 commissioned officers and private soldiers 
 of the forces, serving under 3^our command 
 in the assault and capture of that fortress ; 
 which resolution the commandinp' officers 
 of the several corps are to signify to them, 
 thanking them for their gallant behaviour. 
 
 In transmitting to you these resolutions, 
 I beg leave, at the same time, to offer you 
 my personal congratulations upon this 
 memorable achievement, by which you 
 have, in so distinguished a manner, sig- 
 nalized your own name and augmented the 
 military glory of your country. 
 
 I have the honour to be, with sentiments 
 of the sincerest respect, Sir, your most 
 faithful and obedient Servant, 
 
 Charles Abbot, Speaker. 
 To Brig. Gen. Sir Samuel Auchmuty.
 
 ADMIRAL STIRLING — MONTE VIDEO. 279 
 
 Lunce 7 die Martis, 1808. 
 
 London, 4th March, 180S. 
 
 Sir, 
 By the late dispatch from the Cape of 
 Good Hope, I have been favored with the 
 receipt of your letter, transmitting to me 
 the resolutions of the House of Commons 
 on the l6th of April last. 
 
 The distinguished honor conferred on 
 me, on Brigadier General the Hon. William 
 Lumley, and the several other officers under 
 my command at the attack of Monte Video, 
 by the thanks of the House, unanimously 
 voted, is most gratifying to my feelings ; 
 and it will be a source of the purest satis- 
 faction to reflect, that the services of the 
 troops on that occasion have met the appro- 
 bation of our fellow subjects, expressed 
 through their representatives in Parlia- 
 ment. 
 
 Permit me. Sir, to avail myself of this 
 opportunity to assure you how highly I 
 value the honor conferred on me by your
 
 280 SIR S. AUCHMUTY, B. GEN. LUMLEY, 
 
 personal congratulations, and to thank you 
 for the polite manner in which you have 
 been pleased to convey to me the reso- 
 lutions of the House of Commons. 
 
 I have the honor to be, with the utmost 
 respect, your obliged and obedient humble 
 Servant, 
 
 S. AuCHMUTY. 
 
 The Right Hon. Charles Abbot, &c. &c. 
 
 Rear-Admiral Stirling's Answer to the 
 Lord Chancellor. 
 
 Diadem, of Monte Video, 26th July 1807. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I have the honour to acknow- 
 ledge the receipt of your Lordship's letter 
 of the 17th of April last, conveying to me 
 the resolutions of the House of Lords on 
 the capture of Monte Video, and I beg 
 leave to express the due sense I entertain 
 of the distinguished honour conferred on me 
 by their Lordships, and of the very flattering 
 manner in which your Lordship is pleased
 
 ADMIRAL STIRLING — MONTE VIDEO. 281 
 
 to compliment me on the occasion. I have 
 enclosed copies of the resolutions to the 
 captains and commanders of the different 
 ships and vessels concerned, and directed 
 that they should be publicly read to the 
 respective crews. 
 
 I have the honour to be, with every senti- 
 ment of respect. My Lord, your Lordship's 
 most obedient, and very humble servant, 
 
 Charles Stirling. 
 The Right Hon. Lord Eldon, &c. 
 
 Veneris 8 die Apr His, 1808. 
 
 Diadem, of Monte Video, Q.6th J uly, 1807- 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I am honoured with your letter 
 of the 17th of April 1807, conveying the 
 thanks of the House of Commons on the 
 capture of Monte Video ; and whilst I re- 
 joice at my conduct being approved by the 
 House, 1 feel highly gratified by the high 
 honour conferred on me, by the flattering 
 manner in which you have been pleased to 
 communicate the resolutions.
 
 282 SIR S. AUCHMUTY, ScC. 
 
 1 have enclosed copies of the Thanks and 
 approbation to the captains and comman- 
 ders of the different ships and vessels con- 
 cerned, and directed that they should be 
 publicly read to the respective crews- 
 
 I have the honour to be, with great res- 
 pect your most obedient and very humble 
 servant, 
 
 Charles Stirling. 
 
 The Right Hon. Charles Abbot, Sec.
 
 283 
 
 CONJUNCTEXPEDITION AGAINST 
 THE NAVAL POWER OF DEN- 
 MARK, AT COPENHAGEN. Earl 
 Cathcart and Lord Gambier, — 
 June, 1807. 
 
 Policy demanded an extraordinary effort 
 against an enemy of the most dangerous 
 kind, because, veiling his intentions under 
 an affected neutrality, he was possessed of 
 that arm the most applicable against us, a 
 considerable navy, which was likely to be 
 seized b}^ the aggrandized power of France. 
 
 For this critical service were chosen those 
 of our land and sea army, most eminent 
 for military diplomacy. It were super- 
 fluous, if not impossible, to enter upon its 
 details here ; the cause is warranted by those 
 laws which have governed the greatest ope- 
 rations of ancient or modern times, and its 
 utility is best evident from the result that 
 followed.
 
 284 LORDS CATHCART AND GAMBIER. 
 
 It were injustice not to mention, in this 
 case, the introduction of our brave German 
 auxiharies, whose commanders. Lieutenant 
 Generals Linsingen and Dreschel, were in- 
 cluded in the vote of thanks ; more parti- 
 cularly as these brave troops have been 
 confounded with those armies for which 
 subsidies were granted to foreign powers. 
 The case is widely different : our ancestors 
 were formerly as auxiliaries,the chief strength 
 of the Roman armies ; in like manner, on 
 foreign service, the auxiliary troops incor- 
 porated in our army, have ever been cou- 
 rageous and faithful. Identified both as 
 officers and men with ourselves, their supe- 
 rior knowledge and experience of the con- 
 tinent of Europe, have been eminently use- 
 ful ; and, as they have shared in our utmost 
 difficulties, so it is but justice they should 
 possess their share of praise. 
 
 On the 28th of January, 1808, it was 
 ordered in both Houses of Parliament — 
 
 That the thanks of this House be given
 
 SECOND AFFAIR AT COPENIIAiGEN. 285 
 
 to Lieut. Gen. Lord Viscount Cathcart, 
 for the judicious and decisive measures 
 which, after exhausting every means of 
 negociation, were employed by him for 
 effectuating the surrender of the Danish 
 navy, and the arsenal of Copenhagen. 
 
 Admiral Lord Gambier, for the distin- 
 guished ability and promptitude displayed 
 in the judicious distribution of his Majesty's 
 fleet under his command in the Baltic, by 
 which all succours were cut off from the 
 Island of Zealand, and the uninterrupted 
 operations of the army at the siege of 
 Copenhagen were secured ; and for his 
 zealous and cordial co-operation with the 
 land forces during that important service, 
 and also for the judgment and indefatigable 
 activity manifested by him in equipping 
 the Danish navy for sea, and in effecting 
 the embarkation and removal of the naval 
 stores from the arsenal of Copenhagen. 
 
 Thanks were also, on the part of the 
 land army, given to — 
 
 Lieut. Generals Sir Harry Burrard, Bart.
 
 286 LORDS CATHCART AND GAMBIER. 
 
 the Earl of Rosslyn, the Hon. Sir George 
 Jas. Ludlow, K.B. Sir David Baird, K.B. 
 
 Major Generals the Hon. Edward Finch, 
 Thomas Grosvenor, Sir Arthur Wellesley, 
 K.B. Sir Thomas Bloomfield, Bart. Fre- 
 derick Baron Dreschel, Charles Baron 
 Linsengen, Brent Spencer. 
 
 Brigadier Generals Robert McFarlane, 
 Henrv Warde, &c. &c. 
 
 On the part of the navy, thanks were 
 given to — 
 
 Rear Admiral Essin^ton. 
 
 Rear Admiral Sir Samuel Hood. 
 
 Rear Admiral Keats. 
 
 To Captain Sir Home Popham, first 
 captain to the Right Hon. Admiral Lord 
 Gambier, and to the several captains and 
 officers of the fleet under the command of 
 the said admiral, &c. Sec, &c. 
 
 It will be seen from the following official 
 documents, that both the eminent persons 
 concerned in the chief command, (as well as 
 Major General the Honourable E. Finch, 
 T. Grosvenor, and Sir A. AVellcsley, in the
 
 SECOND AFFAIR AT COPENHAGEN. 28? 
 
 Commons) were enabled to receive the 
 thanks of the peers in their places. 
 
 Lunce 1 die Febriiarii, 1808. 
 Viscount Cathcart, 
 
 Your Lordship is too well ac- 
 quainted with the principles which govern 
 the conduct of this House, to make it ne- 
 cessary for me to inform jou, that the House 
 too justly appreciates the value of its thanks 
 and its own dignity, to confer those thanks, 
 save where it means to acknowledge ser- 
 vices of great magnitude rendered to the 
 country ; such services your Lordship has 
 rendered to the country ; and the House 
 doth not estimate the less highly the skill 
 and valour which have been displayed, be- 
 cause they have been marked with that 
 forbearance and humanity which shed a 
 lustre over militar}^ glory, and which exalts 
 ahke the character of the British officer and 
 of the nation whose forces he leads on to 
 victory and to conquest. 
 
 I cannot forbear to congratulate your
 
 288 LORDS CATHCART AND GAMBIER.' 
 
 Lordship, that on the same day in which 
 the journals of the House will record your 
 Lordship's introduction by the favour of 
 3'our sovereign, in a distinguished place 
 among the peers, they will record also to 
 posterity the eminent services which your 
 Lordship hath rendered to the country. 
 
 To which his Lordship replied ; 
 My Lords, 
 
 The veneration I have always 
 entertained for this House and the reve- 
 rence with which I have been in habits of 
 considering its proceedings, joined to the 
 emotions which arise in my breast at this 
 moment, make me fully aware of the value 
 of the signal mark of approbation which your 
 Lordships are pleased to confer upon me. 
 
 It is, therefore, with the strongest sense 
 of the magnitude of this most distinguished 
 honour, that I now humbly entreat your 
 Lordships to accept my most sincere and 
 grateful acknowledgements. 
 
 I cannot, however, reconcile it to my 
 feelings, to address any thing to your Lord-
 
 SECOND AFFAIR AT COPENHAGEN. 289 
 
 ships on this subject, without naming the 
 army lately under my command. For 
 these brave men I shall always feel the 
 greatest esteem and the most affectionate 
 regard. 
 
 From what has fallen under my observa- 
 tion of the abilities of the generals, of the 
 merit of the other officers in their several 
 stations, and of the zeal, valour and disci- 
 pline of the whole, I am confident, that 
 wherever they may be employed, they will 
 do credit to their country and to themselves. 
 
 I beff leave to offer to the noble and 
 learned Lord on the woolsack, my best 
 thanks for the most flattering manner in 
 which he has been pleased to make this 
 communication. 
 
 Martis 2 die Februarii, 1808. 
 
 Gloucester Place, January 30th, 1808. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I take the earliest opportunity 
 of acknowledging your letter of the 29th 
 jEg. T
 
 290 LORDS CATHCAIIT AND GAMBIER. 
 
 instant, transmitting authenticated copies 
 of the resolutions of the 28th instant, by 
 which the House of Commons have been 
 pleased to vote their thanks to the com- 
 mander of the forces, to the general officers, 
 and to the several officers of the army under 
 his command, during the siege of Copen- 
 hagen, and to approve and acknowledge 
 the regularity, discipline, valour and exer- 
 tions, of the non-commissioned officers and 
 private men employed on that service ; the 
 House being further pleased to appoint 
 that these resolutions shall be communicated 
 by me to the generals and other officers 
 who served in that army. 
 
 I have to request that you will have the 
 goodness to state for me to the House, that 
 it affords me great gratification to have the 
 honour of communicating these resolutions 
 respectively and without delay to the seve- 
 ral general officers, named in your letter, 
 and to tiie other ollicers of the army lately 
 under my conuiiand. Several of these dis- 
 tinguished officers and many of the non-
 
 SECOND AFFAIR AT COPENHAGEN. 291 
 
 commissioned officers and private soldiers, 
 have already received the thanks of Parlia- 
 ment, or the notification of the recorded 
 approval of their services on former occa- 
 sions ; and I am confident that all of them 
 will feel as they ought to do, the high distinc- 
 tion now conferred upon them ; and that 
 they will do credit to their country and to 
 themselves wherever they may be employed. 
 
 For my own part. Sir, I find it impossi- 
 ble to express the sentiments which arise in 
 my mind, on learning that any endeavours 
 of mine faithfully and conscientiously to 
 discharge the duties of my profession as a 
 British officer, entrusted with command on 
 an important service, should have procured 
 for me the Thanks of the House of Com- 
 mons. 
 
 Suffice it therefore to say, that I most 
 gratefully receive this distinguished honour 
 with tlie most exalted respect for the House 
 of Parliament from whence it flows, and 
 the greatest iiumility in regard to my own 
 desert.
 
 292 LORDS CATIICART AND GAMBIER. 
 
 1 beg to offer ray best acknowledcrments 
 to you, Sir, lor the personal civilities with 
 which you have been pleased to accom- 
 pany thte transmission of this signal mark 
 of the approbation of the House of Com- 
 mons ; and I have the honour to be, with 
 the highest consideration and the greatest 
 respect. Sir, your most obedient and most 
 humble servant, 
 
 Cathcart. 
 The Right Honourable 
 
 The Speaker of the House of Commons. 
 
 Lunee 1 die Februarii, 1808. 
 
 Lord Gambler, 
 
 By the Thanks which in obe- 
 dience to this resolution, I communicate to 
 your Lordship, the House has been pleased 
 to express the high sense it entertains of 
 your eminent services to the country ; and 
 it seeks to confer the highest honour it can 
 bestow. 
 
 It is your Lordship's happiness at the
 
 SECOND AFFAIR AT COPENHAGEN. 293 
 
 moment when your Sovereign lias been 
 graciously pleased to dignify by calling you 
 to a place in this House, to find the House 
 itself engaged in recording upon its Jour- 
 nals its grateful acknowledgments for the 
 distinguished services which you have ren- 
 dered your country, in a period of un- 
 exampled national danger. 
 
 The Thanks which your Lordship hath 
 well earned, the House most gladly bestows : 
 and it doubts not, while others are animated 
 by great examples and encouraged by the 
 gratitude which the House is ever ready to 
 express where it is due, the country may 
 look with confidence under the blessings of 
 providence, to a safeguard and protection 
 against its foes, however numerous or power- 
 ful, in the intrepidity, the skill, and the ex- 
 ertions of His Majesty's Fleets and their 
 commanders. 
 
 To which his Lordship replied :
 
 294 LORDS CATHCART AND GAMBIER. 
 
 My Lords^ 
 
 The profession in which I have 
 been bred is by no means calculated to 
 qualify me to deliver my sentiments be- 
 fore such an assembly as your Lordships : I 
 therefore hope for your indulgence and that 
 3^ou will make that allowance for my defi- 
 ciencies which I stand in need of. 
 
 My Lords, the service which was com- 
 mitted to the charge of my noble colleague 
 and myself required great moderation and 
 humanity in the execution of it ; and it was 
 our earnest endeavour to exercise both ; but 
 unhappily the Danes made that unavailing 
 resistance to us, which drove us to mea- 
 sures very contrary to our inclinations. 
 For the loss of lives and blood that was 
 shed on that occasion the Danish Govern- 
 ment has alone to answer. 
 
 My Lords, The flag officers and other 
 officers, with the seamen and marines under 
 my command, evinced the greatest alacrity 
 and zeal in the service; and I am sure
 
 SECOND AFFAIR AT COPENHAGEN. ^95 
 
 when occasion shall require they will mani- 
 fest equal bravery. 
 
 Having been so happy as to obtain the 
 Royal approbation of His Majesty of my 
 conduct, that of your Lordships, also of the 
 other House of Parliament, and I trust of 
 the nation at large, I beg leave to say, I 
 attribute our success to the favour of Divine 
 Providence, which has been so often mani- 
 fested to this country in times of difficulty 
 and distress, and which has rescued us from 
 dangers no other power could eftbct. 
 
 The honour which your Lordships have 
 conferred upon me, has made the deepest 
 and lasting sense of it on my mind ; and 
 the most able orator would be at a loss for 
 terms to express my feelings at this moment. 
 I return your Lordships my most humble 
 thanks for it. And to you, my Lord Chan- 
 cellor, I return my best thanks for the 
 obliging manner in which you have been 
 pleased to convey the sense of the House to 
 me.
 
 296 LORDS CATHCART AND GAMBIER. 
 
 LuncB 1 die Februarii, 1808. 
 
 Jdmiralti/, 30th January, 1808. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I have the honour to acknow- 
 ledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th 
 instant, in which you inform me, that you 
 are commanded by the House of Commons 
 to communicate to me their resolutions of 
 thanks for the services performed by me 
 and the fleet under my command, on the 
 late expedition to Copenhagen, transmittino* 
 to me at the same time authenticated co- 
 pies of those resolutions, and requesting 
 me to signify the same to Vice-Admiral Sir 
 Henry Edwin Stanhope, Rear-Admiral Es- 
 sington, Rear-Admiral Keats and the seve- 
 ral captains and other officers referred to 
 therein. 
 
 In answer thereto, I beg leave to assure 
 you, that this signal mark of approbation 
 which the House of Commons has been 
 pleased to confer upon the officers, seamen
 
 SECOND AFFAIR AT COPENHAGEN. 297 
 
 and marines, late under my command, and 
 upon myself, has impressed my mind with a 
 deep and lasting sense of so highly distin- 
 guished an honour ; and I am at a loss for 
 terms to express how highly gratifying it is 
 to my feelings. 
 
 I shall lose no time in communicating 
 the resolutions of the House of Commons 
 to the admirals, captains and other officers 
 referred to therein, and shall desire the 
 captains and commanders to make the 
 same known to the officers, seamen and 
 marines under their command. 
 
 I must beg of you. Sir, to accept my 
 most cordial thanks for the honour of your 
 letter, and the obliging terms in which you 
 are so good as to express yourself towards 
 me therein. 
 
 I have the honour to be. Sir, with great 
 respect, your most obedient and most hum- 
 ble servant, 
 
 Gam BIER. 
 
 The Right Hon. 
 
 The Speaker, &c. &c.
 
 298 GENS. FINCH, &C. SIR H. POPH?lM. 
 
 LutuE 1 die Febmarii, 1808. 
 
 Major Gen. the Hon. E. Finch, Gen. 
 Grosvenor, and Major Gen. Sir Arthur 
 AVellesley. 
 
 This House, contemplating the services 
 performed by his Majesty's army on the 
 late Danish expedition, and applauding the 
 zeal, intrepidity, and exertion displayed by 
 the general officers employed in the reduc- 
 tion of Copenhagen, has conferred upon 
 them the high honor of its approbation and 
 thanks ; — a higher reward this House has 
 not to bestow. 
 
 In distributing these honors, it is at all 
 times matter of just pride and satisfaction 
 to this House, to behold, within its own 
 walls, any of those distinguished persons 
 whose merit has raised them to this emi- 
 nence. 
 
 But I should indeed be wanting to the 
 full expression of those sentiments which 
 animate this Flouse and the whole country,
 
 SECOND AFFAIR AT COPENHAGEN. 299 
 
 if I forbore to notice, that we are on this 
 day crowning with our thanks one gallant 
 officer, long since known to the gratitude 
 of this House, who has long trodden the 
 paths of glory, whose genius and valour 
 have already extended our fame and em- 
 pire, whose sword has been the terror of 
 our distant enemies, and will not now be 
 drawn in vain to defend the seat of empire 
 itself, and the throne of his sovereign. 
 
 I am charged to deliver the thanks 
 of this House to you all, and I do accord- 
 ingly thank you in the name of the Com- 
 mons of the United Kingdom, " for your 
 zeal, intrepidity, and exertion displayed in 
 the various operations which were necessary 
 for conducting the siege, and effecting the 
 surrender of the navy and arsenal of 
 Copenhagen." 
 
 Captain Sir Home Popham, 
 
 The prompt and able distribution of his 
 Majesty's fleet, during the late important
 
 300 SIR HOME POPHAM. 
 
 expedition to the Baltic, the zeal and intel- 
 ligence displayed by his Majesty's naval 
 forces in supporting the operations of the 
 besieging army, and their subsequent exer- 
 tions on completing the service upon which 
 they were employed, have obtained the 
 approbation and thanks of this House. 
 
 Amongst the gallant officers of that fleet, 
 whose names have been honoured with this 
 high distinction, I have to congratulate you 
 that your's also stands recorded. 
 
 And I do now accordingly, by the com- 
 mand of the House, give their thanks to 
 you — *' for your cordial and effectual co- 
 operation with his Majesty's land forces 
 during the siege of Copenhagen, and for 
 your indefatigable activity and exertions in 
 equipping the Danish navy for sea, and 
 effecting the embarkation and removal of 
 the naval stores from the arsenal of that 
 place."
 
 SECOND AFFAIR AT COPENHAGEN. 301 
 
 Lunce 1 die Febriiarii, 1808. 
 
 Major General Finch's Answer. 
 
 Mr. Speaker, 
 
 I beg leave most respectfully to 
 return you my thanks, for the obliging and 
 very flattering terms in which you have 
 communicated a resolution of the House, 
 which reflects such high and distinguished 
 honor on every individual included in it; 
 allow me, Sir, (if I may judge from my 
 own feehngsj to assure you and the House, 
 that nothing can make a stronger impres- 
 sion on the mind of any one devoted to 
 the service of his country, than to know 
 that any act of duty, in which he may 
 have had even an humble part, has been 
 thought worthy of the notice and appro- 
 bation of this House. 
 
 Major General Grosvenor's Answer. 
 
 Mr. Speaker, 
 
 It is impossible to have commu- 
 nicated to me, in my place in this House,
 
 302 GENS. FINCH, GROSVENOR, &C. 
 
 the hiffh and distinguished honor, such as I 
 hold the thanks of Parhament to be, with- 
 out exciting in my breast feehngs and sen- 
 sations such as I am unable to express. 
 
 Sir, the proudest recompense, the most 
 A'aluable remuneration, a soldier can look 
 to as a reward for public service, is the 
 thanks of his country. 
 
 When I consider my own humble ser- 
 vices, I feel oppressed and overcome, as it 
 were, by the value I cannot but attach to 
 the communication you make me; and the 
 more open. Sir, to this feeling, impressed 
 as I am with the handsome and flattering 
 manner in which you have been pleased to 
 convey the vote of the House to my brother 
 officers and myself. 
 
 Major Gen. Sir Arthur Wellesley's Answer. 
 
 Mr. Speaker, 
 
 I consider myself fortunate that I 
 was employed by his Majesty on a service 
 which the House has considered of so much
 
 SECOND AFFAIR AT COPENTIAGEN. 303 
 
 importance, as to have marked with its ap- 
 probation the conduct of those officers and 
 troops who have performed it. The honor 
 which this House has conferred upon my 
 lionorable friends and myself, is justly 
 considered by the officers of the navy and 
 army, as the highest which this country 
 can confer ; it is the object of the am- 
 bition of all who are employed in his 
 Majesty's service, and to obtain it has, 
 doubtless, been the motive of many of 
 those acts of valour which have tended so 
 eminently to the glory, and have advanced 
 the prosperity and advantage of this 
 countr}^ 
 
 I can assure the House that I am most 
 sensible of the great honor which they have 
 done me ; and I beg leave to take this op- 
 portunity of returning you, Sir, my thanks, 
 for the handsome terms, respecting myself, 
 in which your kindness to me has induced 
 you to convey tlie resolution of the 
 House.
 
 S04 SIR HOME POPUAM. 
 
 Sir Home Popliam's Answer. 
 
 Mr. Speaker, 
 
 I beg leave, Sir, to express through 
 you to this honourable House, my most 
 profound sense of the notice it has been 
 pleased to take of my humble participation 
 in the operations of the late expedition to 
 Copenhagen. 
 
 No man, Sir, can be insensible to the 
 distinction which this House has conferred 
 upon the army and navy on the present 
 occasion ; no man prizes that distinction 
 higher than the value I set upon it ; and I 
 beg leave to assure the House, as the only 
 tribute of gratitude which I can offer, that 
 it shall be the first principle of my life, 
 regardless of all consequences to myself, to 
 promote, by the full exercise of my poor 
 faculties, the service of our much esteemed 
 country, and the glory of our virtuous 
 sovereign.
 
 SECOND AFFAIR AT COPENHAGEN. 305 
 
 With the manner which jou have con- 
 veyed this honourable testimony of appro- 
 bation I am most deeply impressed ; and I 
 beg leave to offer you my very sincere and 
 very grateful acknowledgements. 
 
 If a long line of noble ancestry, and the personal pos- 
 session of active and honorable employments can afford 
 satisfaction, Earl Cathcart may be deemed to enjoy it to 
 satiety. From the twelfth century his family, of which he 
 is tenth Lord in lineal succession, may be traced in acts 
 and employments of responsibility, ecclesiastical, military, 
 and civil. 
 
 Following the united course of his sires, William Schaw 
 born in 1755, among other studies prepared for the bar, 
 and in 1776 obtained his degree in the faculty of advocates 
 among whom he practised a short time with great promise, 
 but his father dying in the same year the etiquette of his 
 rank forbade continuance. 
 
 Having succeeded to the title, &c. Lord Cathcart en- 
 tered the 7th Light Dragoons, it is believed in June 1777, 
 in November of the same year he received a lieutenantcy 
 in the 17th, and on the 10th of the ensuing December, a 
 troop in the same corps — a rapidity of promotion that 
 might well be deemed an augury of the activity of hi.« 
 Lordship's future life. Proceeding, on his first appoint- 
 ment, to the advanced posts of tjic army in Anierica, he 
 
 Mg. U
 
 306 LOUD CATHCART. 
 
 had earned by the next year from a variety of occasions, 
 honorable mention in public orders. 
 
 Capt. Sutherland, Aide-de-camp to Sir Henry Clinton, 
 who succeeded Lord Howe in the command in chief, having 
 raised a Scottish corps of infantry called the Caledonian 
 Volunteers, it was yielded to Lord Cathcart, with the local 
 rank of Colonel. His Lordship added to it cavalry, vvitli 
 the title of British Legion, and then acting as Quarter- 
 Master-General, resigned it to Colonel afterwards General 
 Tarleton. On the loth of April 1779, he was appointed 
 Major of the 38th foot, which he joined and commanded 
 till he returned to England. In this year, his lordship was 
 married to Miss Elliott of New York. 
 
 In 1781 he exchanged to a company in the Coldstream 
 Guards and in 1789 to the Lieutenant Colonelcy of the 
 29th foot. In 1790 he obtained the brevet rank of Co- 
 lonel, and in 1 792 the 29th regiment. The two following 
 years he served as Brigadier-General under Lord Moira, 
 and then obtained the rank of Major General, after which 
 he served with the Duke of York for that campaign. 
 
 Lord Cathcart now had several brigades of cavalry on 
 the staff of Great Britain, and on the 7th of August 1797, 
 received the 2nd regiment of Life Guards, and with Lord 
 Harringtoji iunnediately commenced a reform in their whole 
 economy. In 1801 he became Lieutenant-General, and in 
 1803 received the command of the Home District. His 
 Lordship thence successively enjoyed distinct conmiands 
 in Ireland, the North of Germany, North Britain, the 
 North of Europe, and again in North Britain. 
 
 In Autumn I8O0, diplomatic talents, for which his father 
 and brother had been celebrated, naturally pointed out his
 
 SECOND AFFAIR AT COPENHAGEN. 307 
 
 Lordship for ambassador to Russia; but it was superseded 
 by the command of an Anglo-Russian army at Hanover 
 and its neighbourhood, in which he conciliated all the civil 
 and military authorities with whom he became connected. 
 The battle of x\usterlitz and its consequences in the death 
 of the minister, produced the recal of the army, nhich his 
 Lordship embarked in the short period of thirteen days ; 
 and returned to his command in Scotland. 
 
 In May he was called to a mission to the King of Swe- 
 den, and afterwards to join Lord Gambier at Copenhagen, 
 for the purposes whence arise the present section ; and 
 returned again to his command with the rank of 
 Englisli Viscount. In 1812 his lordship arrived at the 
 rank of General, and in May 1813, an eventful change 
 having taken place in the fortunes of France, was again 
 called on a military mission to St. Petersburgh. Here 
 he was received with every mark of distinction, as 
 his father had been before him, increased as may easily be 
 conceived by the spirit of the times. The Emperor Alex- 
 ander conferred upon him the Imperial Order of Saint 
 Andrew as well as the military order of St. George of the 
 4th class, and continued him near his person during the 
 important prosecution of the continental war, which ended 
 in the proud annunciation by Earl Cathcart to the British 
 Secretar}' of State Earl Bathurst, of the abdication of the 
 Emperor Napoleon ! 
 
 Sharing in the general feeling which operated upon this 
 unlocked for event, and the unexpected pacification of 
 Europe, the noble subject of this brief notice was on the 
 18th of June 1814, created an English Earl. If any thing 
 could be wanting to increase the distinction of Lord Cath-
 
 308 COUNT LINSIT^GEN, «^C. 
 
 cartas lineage, it has been more than amply supplied, by 
 the regard which his Lordship has ever experienced from 
 His Majesty and the Royal Family. 
 
 The circumstances that have been stated, will shew the 
 character of this distinguished officer. Perhaps those who 
 have been casually under his lordship's command may 
 have found an impetuosity, an impatience of error, ex- 
 ])ressed in language not particularly called for by the occa- 
 sion ; but this is no warrantry for that forgetfulness of the 
 distinction between the vigour of crenius and a vulgar abuse 
 of power, which has sometimes affected the example, 
 with no similarity to the character, of Earl Cathcart. 
 M'hatever the prompt necessities oithe fidd required in 
 troops much less disciplined than at present, out of it this 
 truly nobh- general has always been known to appreciate 
 the character of officer and gentleman. 
 
 Of Lord Gambier something will be said hereafter. 
 
 The veteran Count Linsingeu of whom mention has 
 justly been made, has it is believed completed his 63d 
 year in the Service of his Majesty ; commencing witli 
 that of [lanover in the seven years' war, and ending with 
 the superintendance of the King's German Legion in that 
 of Britain with the last hostilities in Flanders. 
 
 The best military skill with the most perfect considera- 
 tion for the service, marked the character of the Count on 
 all occasions. He is an Honorary Knight Commander of 
 the Bath.
 
 SECOND AFrAIR AT COPENHAGEN. 309 
 
 General Drechsel^ after considerable service in the con- 
 tinental wars, was appointed Lieu tenant-General in the 
 British service, and Commandant 7th Battalion King's 
 German Legion. 
 
 Of Sir Home Popham, notwithstanding an identity with 
 many great occasions; an active parliamentary career, and 
 an unwearied invention in science, many facts cannot be 
 given ; of the latter the new telegraphic invention lately 
 adopted is an instance. This gallant officer did not es- 
 cape the spirit of accusation in its ancient character, but it 
 failed in its results.
 
 .310 
 
 CAMPAIGNS IN THE EUROPEAN 
 PENINSULA, FIRST PERIOD — 
 BATTLES OF ROLEIA AND VI- 
 MIERA, PORTUGAL, UNDER SIR 
 ARTHUR WELLES LEY, (afterwards 
 Duke of Wellington, &c.) m. gens. 
 
 SPENCER, HILL, FERGUSON, BRIG. 
 GENS. ACKLAND, NIGHTINGALE, FANE 
 
 AND BOWES, August 17th, 21st, 1808. 
 
 That vigilant political zeal, which in its 
 determination to prosecute a great system, 
 extends its views unceasingly to every quar- 
 ter of its boundless sphere, had during the 
 fluctuating events of the latter period of the 
 war contemplated the Spanish Peninsula 
 invaded by the French, as a fit theatre for 
 its continuation. 
 
 It is not the province of this work to in- 
 dulge in admiration at the perseverance 
 which still preserved this zeal alive, amidst 
 the successive repetition of disaster and
 
 PENINSULA 1st PERIOD PORTUGAL. 311 
 
 defeat, and the consequent influence on 
 the pubhc mind — the energy that found 
 this sole remaining inlet, when excluded 
 from the continent. It is for the historian 
 to develope the principles ; for the masters 
 in the art of government to direct their 
 future application. It is for these pages 
 to show the successive occasions that arose 
 and extended themselves for the exercise 
 of the military genius of great Britain, and 
 how that genius was appreciated by the 
 country. 
 
 Of the periods into which these cam- 
 paigns are divided, the first comprizes the 
 landing of the armament in Portugal, 
 and the actions which immediately suc- 
 ceeded it. 
 
 It ought to be remarked, that adversity 
 had nearly blighted the laurels of which 
 the verdure is here preserved ; the Conven- 
 tion of Cintra was submitted to the scru- 
 tiny of a people jealous of honor, though 
 generous in rewarding it, before the fields^
 
 312 SIR ARTHUR WELLESLEY. 
 
 tention to the service of the British army 
 of Roleia and Vimeira received their meed 
 of praise. 
 
 Mercurii 1 die Fehriiarii, 1809- 
 
 London J January Q,8th, 1809' 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I have had the honor of receiving 
 your Lordship s letter of the 24th instant, 
 containing copies of the unanimous reso- 
 lutions of the House of Lords, conveying 
 the approbation of their Lordships of my 
 conduct, and of that of the general officers 
 and soldiers composing the army which I 
 commanded in Portugal ; and their Lord- 
 ships' vote to the respective general officers, 
 and to the officers commanding the corps 
 employed on the services in that country. 
 
 I have received the mark of distinction 
 which the House of Lords has conferred 
 upon me, with sentiments of gratitude and 
 respect, proportionate to the high sense I 
 entertain of the greatness of the honor
 
 PENINSULA 1st period PORTUGAL. 313 
 
 which it carries with it ; and I shall have 
 great pleasure in communicating to the 
 general officers, respectively, to the officers 
 and troops, the distinguished reward of 
 their exemplary conduct, which their Lord- 
 ships have conferred upon them. 
 
 I beg leave, at the same time, to express 
 to your Lordship, my thanks for the ex- 
 pressions of personal civilit}^ with which 
 your Lordship has conveyed to me the 
 commands of the House. 
 
 I have the honor to be, my Lord, your 
 Lordship's most obedient humble vServant, 
 
 Arthur Wellesley. 
 The Right Hon. 
 
 the Lord Chancellor, &c. &:c. &c. 
 
 Veneris 27 die Jannarii, 1809- 
 
 The Commander of the forces was thus 
 addressed in his place. 
 
 Lieut. Gen. Sir Arthur Wellesley, 
 
 After the events of the last year, it 
 •was impossible that Parliament should re- 
 assemble without directing its earliest at-
 
 314 SIR ARTHUR WELLES LEY. 
 
 tention to the service of the British army 
 in Portuo;al; and, amidst the contending 
 opinions which have prevailed upon other 
 questions, the pubhc voice has been loud 
 and general in admiration of your splendid 
 achievements. 
 
 It is your praise to have inspired your 
 troops with unshaken confidence and un- 
 bounded ardour; to have commanded, not 
 the obedience alone, but the hearts and 
 affections of your companions in arms ; 
 and, having planned your operations with 
 the skill and promptitude which have so 
 eminentl}^ characterized all your former 
 exertions, you have again led the armies of 
 your country to battle, with the same deli- 
 berate valour and triumphant success which 
 have long since rendered your name illus- 
 trious in the remotest part of this empire. 
 
 Military glory has ever been dear to this 
 nation ; and great military exploits in the 
 field, or upon the ocean, have their sure 
 reward in royal favour and the gratitude of 
 Parliament. It is, therefore, with the high- 
 est satisfaction that, in this fresh instance,
 
 PENINSULA 1st PERIOD PORTUGAL. 315 
 
 I now proceed to deliver to you the thanks 
 of this House ; and I do now, accordingly, 
 by the command and in the name of the 
 Commons of the United Kingdom of 
 Great Britain and Ireland, thank you for 
 the distinguished valour, ability, and con- 
 duct, displayed by you on the 17th and 
 21st of August last in Portugal ; on the 
 latter of which days you obtained, at 
 Vimeira, over the army of the enemy, a 
 signal victory, honorable and glorious to 
 the British arms. 
 
 Upon which Sir Arthur Wellesley said-— 
 
 Mr. Speaker, 
 
 I beg leave to express my ac- 
 knowledgments to the House, for the high 
 honor which they have conferred upon me, 
 by the notice they have taken, and the 
 approbation they have conveyed, of my 
 conduct during the time I commanded his 
 Majesty's troops in Portugal. 
 
 No man can value more highly than I 
 doj the honorable distinction which has
 
 5l6 M. GEN. FERGUSON. 
 
 been conferred upon me, a distinction 
 which it is in the power of the represen- 
 tatives of a free people alone to bestow, 
 and which it is the peculiar advantage of 
 the officers and soldiers, in the service of 
 his Majesty, to have held out to them as 
 the object of their ambition, and to receive 
 as the reward of their services. 
 
 I beg leave, at the same time, to return 
 to you. Sir, my thanks for the handsome 
 terms in which your kindness, I ought to 
 say your partialit}^ for me, has induced you 
 to convey the approbation of the House. 
 
 LuncB 6 die Febriiarii^ 1809- 
 
 Mr. Speaker then addressed — 
 Major General Ferguson, 
 
 Amongst the many high privileges 
 enjoyed under this free constitution, it is 
 of great public advantage, that they Avho 
 serve their country in the field, may also 
 maintain its rights, and assist its councils 
 in the senate; and this House beholds at
 
 TENINSULA IST PERIOD — PORTUGAL. 31? 
 
 all times with peculiar pride and satisfac- 
 tion, those gallant officers, who, returning 
 from foreign wars to resume their duties in 
 this place, appear again amongst us with 
 increased reputation and honor. 
 
 Whenever the fleets and armies of this 
 country go forth, the nation unremittingly 
 contemplates the progress of their ope- 
 rations, and looking with anxious hope for 
 a victorious result ; it nevertheless confi- 
 dently expects, that in every event, each 
 of its military leaders will not fail to com- 
 bine, with a ready skill in the art of 
 modern warfare, the firm and undaunted 
 courage of his ancestors. These hopes and 
 these expectations you have not disap- 
 pointed, upon the late expedition to Por- 
 tugal ; and your country will long remem- 
 ber, with admiration, your intrepid conduct 
 in the battle of Roleia, and your signal 
 display of judgment and valour in the 
 battle of Vimeira. 
 
 These exploits have obtained you the 
 thanks of Parliament, which vou will
 
 318 M. GEN. FERGUSON. 
 
 receive not more as tlie tribute of its gra- 
 titude, than as a mark and note of the 
 further services which it expects at your 
 hands. 
 
 I do, therefore, in the name and by the 
 command of the Commons of the United 
 Kingdom, thank you for your skilful and 
 gallant exertions against the enemy, in the 
 battles of Roleia and Vimeira, by which 
 you reflected so much lustre on his Majes- 
 ty *s arms. 
 
 Upon which Major General Ferguson 
 said — 
 
 Mr. Speaker, 
 
 I beg leave to return you my warm- 
 est acknowledgments, for the high and 
 distinguished honor this House has been 
 })leased to confer upon me. 
 
 Having ever considered that the greatest 
 reward which a soldier can attain, is the 
 approbation of his country, the thanks of 
 this House must be received by me with 
 gratitude and i)ride. I am well aware.
 
 PENINSULA 1st PERIOD — PORTUGAL. 319 
 
 however, that I owe this honor not to my 
 own merit, but to my singular good fortune 
 in commanding such officers and men as 
 were placed under my immediate orders ; 
 and in being m3^self under the guidance 
 of a general, whose talents, decision, and 
 bravery, justly secured to him the confi- 
 dence of every man in his army. 
 
 Could any thing in my mind enhance 
 the value of the thanks of this House, it 
 would be the very handsome (but too 
 flattering) manner in which you. Sir, have 
 been pleased to communicate them. 
 
 Mercurii 1 die Februarii, 1809* 
 
 Brigadier General Fane, 
 
 Upon the late expedition to 
 Portugal, it was your fortune to hold 
 a distinguished command in the British 
 army which repeatedly gave battle to the 
 forces of France. The event of such con- 
 flicts could not be doubtful ; British valour
 
 320 li. gen; fane. 
 
 and discipline lrium[)lied ; and those who 
 commanded and directed their exertions 
 were covered with glory. 
 
 Whenever the battles of Roleia and 
 Vimeira shall be named, (and they will be 
 long and often named with exultation,) 
 your heart may glow with the conscious 
 and honorable pride, that your sword, 
 upon those days, was not drawn in vain ; 
 and although that gallant and accomplish- 
 ed officer, who placed by your side, jointly 
 with you, sustained the brunt of the day 
 at Vimeira, has since been unhappily swept 
 away by the course of human events, 
 beyond the reach of thanks, his brave 
 brethren in arms may rest assured that the 
 name of General Anstruther will live, not 
 unhonored, in the sad and grateful remem- 
 brance of his country. 
 
 But, Sir, in what concerns your exploits 
 in Portugal, — my present duty stops here ; 
 and I am, in the first place, to deliver to 
 you the thanks of this House, in the name 
 of the Commons of the United Kingdom,
 
 PENINSULA 1st PERIOD — PORTUGAL. 321 
 
 for your skilful and gallant exertions against 
 the enemy in the battles of Roleia and 
 Vimeira, by which 3^ou reflected so much 
 lustre on his Majesty's arms. 
 
 Brigadier-General Fane's answer : — 
 
 Mr. Speaker, 
 
 Although I am unable to express, 
 in adequate language, the very high sense 
 I entertain of the honor conferred upon 
 me upon the present occasion, yet I trust 
 the House will do me the justice to believe 
 that I feel it as I ought. 
 
 To you, Sir, I have to offer my warmest 
 thanks for the very flattering manner in 
 which you have communicated the vote of 
 the House. 
 
 Of the officers who thus opened the splendid career of 
 the Peninsular Mar, it is agreeable to recur to the previous 
 services. 
 
 Sir Arthur Wellesley had already been deemed to 
 render the highest services in India, and will have claims 
 to more distinguished notice.
 
 322 M. GENS. SPENCER, HILL, &C. 
 
 Major-Gen. Spencer had already seen a most extensive 
 service. Ensign in 1778, he was next year at the siege 
 of Brimstone Hill, in St. Kitts ; and was Major only in 
 1791, when serving in Jamaica, whence he was actively 
 employed during the painful struggle in St. Domingo. 
 Lieut.-Colonel in the 1 15th foot in 1794, he returned to 
 England, but quickly returned, in the 40th, to the Charib 
 war of St. Vincent's, and afterward to St. Domingo ; in 
 which island he served as Brigadier-General in 1797, viith 
 8000 British and colonial troops, and had the charge of 
 its evacuation. Colonel and aide-de-camp to the king in 
 1798, he commanded the 40th the following year at the 
 Helder, and in 1801 had a brigade of light troops in 
 Egypt. After some repose in the Sussex district, he 
 conniianded a brigade as Major-General at the capture of 
 Copenhagen. Destined for a particular service, with 
 7000 men, he was counter-ordered to the present, and, 
 after some retirement from ill health, returned to the 
 Peninsula with his wonted distinction. 
 
 He became Lieut.-General in 181 J, and is a Knight 
 G.C.B. Sir Brent Spencer is, it is believed, of the royal 
 household. 
 
 General Hill, though commencing his service only in 
 1790, early evinced talent and enterprize ; for while Capt. 
 in the 86th regiment, in 1793, he accompanied Mr. Drake 
 on a diplomatic mission to Genoa, and, on his recommen- 
 dation, became aide-de-camp successively to Generals 
 Lord Mulgrave, O'Hara, and Sir David Dundas, a» 
 Toulon J whence, on the evacuation, he narrowly escaped.
 
 PENINSULA 1st PERIOD — PORTUGAL. 323 
 
 Major and Lieut.-Colonel of the 90th, in 1794, he 
 went to Isle Dieu, Gibraltar, Malta, and Minorca; and 
 commanded his regiment, the advanced guard of Major- 
 Gen. Cradock's brigade, in Egypt. Colonel and Brigadier 
 General in 1800, he served in Ireland. Major-General 
 in 1805, on Lord Cathcart's staff at Hanover, and next 
 on the present service. Here he continued till that glo- 
 rious period which concluded it, and raised him to the 
 peerage, repeatedly cheered by the notice of his sovereign 
 and of administration. 
 
 General Ferguson entered the service in 1790, in the 
 53d, and visited Prussia for military knowledge. On the 
 war he accompanied his regiment, as Captain, to Flanders, 
 and was wounded. Major and Lieut.-Colonel of the 84th, 
 next year, he commanded the flank corps at the capture 
 of the Cape of Good Hope. The coast of France next 
 employed him, but he returned from Ferrol dissatisfied, and 
 had the York district : then returned to the re-capture of 
 the Cape of Good Hope, and immortalized himself by 
 his exertions there, in command of the Highland brigade. 
 A liver complaint confined him until this occasion excited 
 him again to active service, where he was eminently dis- 
 tinguished. A weak state of health probably interfered; 
 yet, in 1810, he was second in command at Cadiz, and in 
 1814 in Holland, having previously received the rank of 
 Lieut.-General and the honor of Knighthood.
 
 324 GENS. ACKLAND, NIGHTING ALE. 
 
 Entering the army in 1787, General Ackland served as 
 Lieutenant with liis corps, as marines, in Lord Howe's 
 fleet, 1790. The West Indies, Coast of France, and 
 Jersey; the continent, in 1794, and the East Indies, in 
 179(3, were his successive scenes of service. Major in 
 1795, Colonel in 1803, and Brigadier-General in 1804; 
 ill health having kept him at home, he commanded in the 
 eastern district ; in the following year he served in the 
 Mediterranean, went to Malta, Naples, Sicily, and was 
 in the battle of Maida. Iheuce, in 1807, he went on 
 the staff to South America, but returned in the same 
 year to the eastern district. After the battle of Vimiera, 
 in ill health, he returned again to his former command ; 
 and, in the strict exercise of his duty, found occasion to 
 distinguish himself equally by an enforcement of the 
 internal economy of corps. The expedition to VValchereii 
 employed him; he received only, in 1810, the rank of 
 Major-General, and that of Lieut.-General in 1814, as 
 well as the honor of becoming Knight Commander of 
 the Bath. 
 
 The first date of his service, 1787, Gen. Nightingale 
 employed in India, where he continued till ill health 
 compelled his return in 1794, chiefly acting as Brigade- 
 Major, and sharing in every action. He then. Captain 
 of the 12jth foot, became aide-de-camp to Lord Corn- 
 wallis in the eastern district ; and, in 1 795, Major of the 
 121st regiment, and Brigade-Major there. Before the 
 end of the year he became Lieul.-Colonel in the U5th,
 
 PENIT^SULA 1st PERIOD PORTUGAL. 325 
 
 and thence in the 38tli foot. The two following years he 
 served in the West Indies, but returned with the yellow 
 fever ; the voyage, however, recovered him, and he went 
 again Dep. Adjutant-Gen. to the forces in St. Domingo. 
 In 1798 he came to England again with dispatches, and 
 early in 1799 was joined in a mission, with the commander 
 of the forces Gen. Maitland, to the black General-in- 
 Chief Toussaint. In July following, having no further 
 service there, he went to Holland Assist.-Adj.-General, 
 next on the coast of France, and in Quiberon Bay, 
 Belleisle, Houat, and returned in July, 1800, with dis- 
 patches. He returned Assist.-Quarter-Master-Gen. to the 
 eastern district, whence the Marquis Cornwallis took him 
 secretary to France, when he negociated the peace of 
 Amiens. This led, witli brevet of Colonel (having pre- 
 viously exchanged to 51st or 69th regt.), to his appoint- 
 ment of Quarter-Master-General to the King's troops in 
 India, where he shared the honors of the Mahratta war. 
 There, in 1805, he became military secretary to Lord 
 Cornwallis till his Lordship's death, when he returned to 
 his former appointment. In 1807 he returned to England, 
 and next embarked on the present service. He subse- 
 quently commanded in the Kent district at home_, and in 
 1810 returned to the slaft", at Bengal, Major-General. 
 The brevet of 1814 made him Lieut.-General, and he 
 enjoys the rank of K.C.B. 
 
 Of a noble family (that of Westmoreland, being uncle 
 of the present Earl,) and Member of Parliament, Sir
 
 326 GENS. FANE AND BOWES. 
 
 Henry Fane, born November 26, 1778, commenced liis 
 service by appointment to the 6th Dragoon Guards, and 
 as Aide-de-Camp to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. 
 Lieutenant in the 55th foot, 1794, he immediately became 
 Capt.-Lieut.; next year Major, and in 1797 Lieut.-Col. ui 
 the 4th Dragoon Guards; with which he served during 
 the Irish rebellion, and remained till 1804, when he ex- 
 changed to the Jlrst of the same class, and obtained a 
 brevet of Colonel in the following year. Appointed Brig.- 
 General at the present period, and for this service, he 
 commanded the advanced guard ; and thence, under Sir 
 John Moore, and with the exception of a short respite in 
 1812, throughout the Peninsular war; for which, with 
 the rank of Knight Commander of the Bath, he obtained 
 the 4th Dragoon Guards, 
 
 Senior of all (except the first) who have been attempted 
 to be described, General Bowes, though equally distin- 
 guished, offers not that variety of service that, however 
 valuable, would justify extension of this article. He was 
 Ensign, in 1781, in the 26th ; and, in 1805, Colonel in 
 the army, and Lieut. -Colonel of the 6th regiment of foot, 
 whence, with rank of Brigadier, he appears on the present 
 occasion ; nor does he appear obscurely, for he was first 
 associated with Major-Gen. Ferguson, and next repelling 
 the enemy, in succession to Brigadier-General Ackland, 
 with many other efforts. As Major-Gen. he commanded 
 the storming party at Salamanca, and there, on the first 
 attack, reaped his harvest of glory among the slain.
 
 PENINSULA 1st PERIOD — PORTUGAL. 327 
 
 Such are the officers assembled on this important occa- 
 sion, to whom the recognizance of Parliament specifically 
 voted its thanks. It will not be in the power of the present 
 pages to continue notices so multifarious as the present ; 
 but, there is reason to expect, that to the great period of 
 this successful conflict, few would be found with less pre- 
 tensions than those who commenced the Peninsular war.
 
 32B 
 
 PENINSULAR CAMPAIGNS, SE- 
 COND PERIOD— BATTLE OF CO- 
 RUNNA, SPAIN, UNDER LIEUT. 
 GENS.SIRJOHNMO()RE,siRDAviD 
 
 BAIED, HOPE, MACKENZIE ERASER ; 
 MAJ. GENS. LORD W. BENTINCK, MAN- 
 NINGHAM, E. PAGET, HILL, BERESFORD, 
 WARDE, LEITH ; BRIG. GENS. SLADE, 
 DISNEY AND fane; REAR-ADMIRALS 
 DE COURCY, SIR SAMUEL HOOD, &«. 
 JANUARY 16, I8O9. 
 
 Here was victory smiling through her 
 tears: the successful conflict of a number 
 of brave men, who scarcely dared to own 
 success from the disastrous course whence it 
 arose ; more cannot be said of it ; its history is 
 sufficiently known on both sides ;' and the 
 brave and unfortunate general who com- 
 manded in chief, consecrated the misfor- 
 tunes of his command by the sacrifice of his 
 
 ' See Mr. James Moore's Account of the rainpaisn under Sir John 
 Moore, and the 3d vol. of a History of the canipaigns iu Spain and 
 I'ortugal,
 
 CORUNNA. 329 
 
 valuable life, in a moment that consigned 
 him to immortality. 
 
 The second in command on this occasion 
 was Sir David Baird, an officer too well 
 known to require comment; and who suf- 
 fered here as on many other occasions. To 
 him therefore was confided the heart-cheer- 
 ing solace of parliamentary recognizance of 
 the exertions and sufferings of the army ; 
 and to his answers we are consequently con- 
 fined for the knowledge of their communi- 
 cation, as we find them on the Journals of 
 Parlianient, 
 
 Martis 31 die Jariuarii, 1809. 
 
 Portsmouth, January IQth, 1809. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I have the honour to acknow- 
 ledge the receipt of your Lordship's letter, 
 together with the gratifying enclosures it 
 contained, which I have hastened to com- 
 municate. 
 
 Allow me, through the medium of your 
 Lordshi}), to return to the highest assembly
 
 330 SIRS J. MOORE, DAVID BAIRD, &;C. 
 
 of this nation my own personal thanks as 
 well as those of the army in general, for the 
 very honourable and flattering marks of ap- 
 probation, which the House has conferred 
 upon our late conduct ; an honour of which 
 no one can be more fully sensible than my- 
 self, having had the good fortune to be 
 deemed worthy of this eminent distinction 
 on four several occasions ; and I trust that 
 God will still spare me to devote to my 
 king and country the remnant of that life 
 hitherto spent in their service. 
 
 I beg leave to offer to your Lordship, 
 individually, my best thanks for the trouble 
 that you have taken in communicating this 
 satisfactory intelligence and for your own 
 congratulations upon the occasion. 
 
 I have the honour to be, my Lord, with 
 the utmost respect and gratitude your Lord- 
 ship's most devoted and very obedient 
 humble servant, 
 
 D. Baird, Lieutenant General. 
 The Right Honourable 
 
 The Lord Chancellor, &c. «Scc.
 
 CORUNNA. 331 
 
 Martis 31 die Januarii, 1809. 
 
 Portsmouth 29th January 1809. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I have the honour to acknow- 
 ledge the receipt of your letter with its 
 gratifying enclosures. 
 
 I beg leave to request, you will signify 
 to the House of Commons the acknowledg- 
 ments of the army under my command, as 
 well as my own personally, for the very 
 high honour and flattering marks of appro- 
 bation which the assembly has thought fit 
 to confer upon us. 
 
 Allow me, Sir, to offer you individually 
 my best thanks for your own congratula- 
 tions upon this pleasing occasion. 
 
 I have the honour to be, Sir, your very 
 faithful and most obedient humble servant, 
 D. Baird, Lieutenant-General. 
 
 The Right Honourable 
 
 The Speaker of the House of Commons, 
 he. &.C. &c.
 
 Q 
 
 32 ADMIRAL DE COUKCV. 
 
 Veneris 3 die Fehruarii^ 1809. 
 My Lord, 
 
 Honoured as I am by your 
 Lordship's communication of the l6th ulti- 
 mo ; wherein the thanks of the House of 
 Lords are conveyed to rear-admiral Sir 
 Samuel Hood and mvself, as well as to the 
 officers under our command, for the disposi- 
 tion which had been made of the ships and 
 transports at Corunna, and for the exertions 
 which were used in the embarkation of His 
 Majesty's troops at that port, after the bat- 
 tle of the l6th January 1809; I am at a 
 loss how to denote the sense of acknowledg- 
 ments so truly gratifying. 
 
 How little soever my own particular ser- 
 vices may have merited so proud an appro- 
 bation, I cannot forego claim to unre- 
 mitting zeal in support of His Majesty's 
 honour ; and I derive the highest satisfac- 
 tion from the power of transmitting to rear- 
 admiral Sir Samuel Hood, the captains, 
 officers, seamen and marines of the ships
 
 CORUNNA. 33 
 
 CJ 
 
 employed atConinna, the acknowledgments 
 which the Lords spiritual and temporal 
 have made of their services. 
 
 Deficient in expression, I mu^t pray your 
 Lordship to add to the honour of your late 
 communication a belief that I know how to 
 appreciate the condescending and oblig- 
 ing manner whereby your Lordship has had 
 the goodness to impart the resolutions of 
 the House of Lords. 
 
 I have the honour to be with the most 
 profound respect, my Lord, your Lordship's 
 most devoted and obedient servant, 
 
 M. De Courcy, Rear Admiral. 
 London, 2nd February 1809- 
 
 Jovis 2 die Februarii, I8O9. 
 
 London, ^nd February 1809. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 The approbation which the 
 House of Commons has been pleased to ex- 
 press of the disposition of the ships and 
 transports at Corunna, and of the embarka-
 
 334 GEN^S. MACKENZIE ERASER, FANE. 
 
 tion of His Majesty's troops on a late me- 
 morable occasion, fills me with pride and 
 with a happiness which I am incapable of 
 describing ; and although I can lay preten- 
 sions to no greater merit than to unwearied 
 endeavours to advance the good of His 
 Majesty's service, I cannot but sensibly feel 
 how great have been the exertions of the 
 captains, officers, seamen and marines, late 
 under my command, to whom I shall, with 
 the truest gratification, convey the acknow- 
 ledgements with which the House have 
 received their distinguished and exemplary 
 conduct. 
 
 Permit me. Sir, to add how much I 
 account myself as honoured by the expres- 
 sions of regard with which you have been 
 so good as to accompany the resolutions of 
 the House of Commons, and to subjoin sen- 
 timents of the very high respect, with which 
 I have the honour of being, Sir, your most 
 humble and obedient servant, 
 
 M. De CouRcr, Rear-Admiral. 
 The Right Hon. Charles Abbot, &c.
 
 CORUNNA. 335 
 
 Mercurii 1 die Febniarii, 1809. 
 
 Lieutenant- General Mackenzie Fraser, 
 and Brigadier General Fane. 
 
 The deep grief which this nation has felt 
 for the loss it has experienced by the death 
 of that illustrious commander the late Sir 
 John Moore, in the memorable battle of 
 Corunna, has been mitigated in some degree 
 by the reflection that it stiii numbers among 
 its brave defenders, many gallant and dis- 
 tinguished officers who, formed and fired by 
 his great example, we may confidently 
 expect, will emulate his glory. 
 
 In this honourable list your names stand 
 enrolled. And this House acknowledging 
 with gratitude your important services upon 
 that lamented but glorious day, has com- 
 manded me to deliver you its thanks : and 
 I do accordingly in the name of the Com- 
 mons of this United Kingdom, thank you 
 for your distinguished conduct and exem- 
 plary valour displayed in the battle of Co- 
 runna, whereby the complete repulse and
 
 336 ADMIRAL SIR S. HOOD. 
 
 signal defeat of the enemy, on every point 
 of attack, was effected, and the safe and un- 
 molested embarkation of the army secured 
 in the presence of a French army of supe- 
 rior force. 
 
 Lieutenant General Fraser's answer. 
 
 Mr. Speaker, 
 
 The high and distinguished ho- 
 nor conferred upon us by the House calls 
 for our warmest acknowledgments and grati- 
 tude, and will be an incitement to us, if any 
 were wanting, to use every exertion in 
 our power to add fresh lustre to His 
 Majesty's arms, whenever an opportunity 
 offers. 
 
 Permit me. Sir, also to offer you my 
 thanks for the handsome and flattering- 
 manner in which you have been pleased to 
 conve}^ to me the sentiments of the House. 
 
 Rear Admiral Sir Samuel Hood, 
 
 The various and brilliant services 
 which have marked the splendid career of
 
 CORUNNA. 337 
 
 your naval glory have long since made you 
 known to the recorded gratitude of Parlia- 
 ment ; and the memorable and difficult 
 service which you have recently contributed 
 to accomplish at Corunna has called forth 
 this fresh tribute of applause. 
 
 I do therefore now, by the command, and 
 in the name of the Commons of this United 
 Kingdom, thank 3^ou for your most able 
 disposition of the ships and transports and 
 for your effectual exertions in accomplishing 
 the embarkation of His Majesty's troops at 
 Corunna on the late memorable occasion. 
 
 Rear-Admiral Sir Samuel Hood's answer. 
 
 Mr. Speaker, 
 
 1 beg leave to offer my most 
 sincere thanks for the honor conferred on 
 me, by the vote of this House ; it affords me 
 peculiar satisfaction that in the performance 
 of my duty only, my services have met the 
 approbation of the representatives of my 
 countrymen, which I shall always endeavour 
 to merit. 
 ^g- Y
 
 338 SIR JOHN MOORE. 
 
 For the very handsome manner, Sir, you 
 have been pleased to communicate this to 
 me, I request you to accept my warmest 
 acknowledgments. 
 
 Not to pay a peculiar tribute to the memory of Sir John 
 Moore, would be deemed to argue a want of all those 
 feelings that elevate human nature, a disregard of lettei-s, 
 insensibility to glory, and a defect of patriotism. 
 
 John, the elder son of Dr. John Moore a surgeon in the 
 army, afterwards established as a physician, and still more 
 respectably as a man of letters, had the good fortune to 
 share in the cares confided to his father in regard to the 
 late Duke of Hamilton, whom he was employed to accom- 
 pany in travel and introduce to the world. 
 
 Such an opportunity must have been dear to all parties, 
 particularly father and son : that it was so to the Duke i^ 
 evident from his patronage of Mr. Moore, after a looser 
 intercourse with the work!, might have been expected to 
 destroy recollection and regard. 
 
 He commenced his career in the army it is believed in 
 the fortieth regiment, in which he rose to the rank of 
 Lieutenant-Colonel. 
 
 On tlie commencement of hostilities T-ieut. Col. Moore 
 served at Toulon and was chosen to accompany Major 
 Koehler on a secret mission to Corsica, where after a pro- 
 per understanding with Gen. Paoli, he was sent to seize on
 
 CORUNNA. 339 
 
 the town of FornelH which he carried on the 17th Fe- 
 bruary, 1793; he next stormed Calvi, and was appointed 
 to the Staff as Adjutant-General. 
 
 From this appointment it is said he was removed by the 
 viceroy, and sent home; a circumstance that seems to have 
 rendered him very dissatisfied. This if any illustration were 
 wanting would aiford an excellent example of the occa- 
 sional sources of dissatisfaction, which is too often attri- 
 buted to disafi'ection from the service: an individual, a 
 locality, a fortuitous association of circumstances, will 
 create disagreement with a superior, which seasonable 
 change would remedy, could it be effected without indivi- 
 dual injury. No disaffection or want of subordination in 
 Colonel Moore could be suspected, yet he evinced great 
 dissatisfaction, and it a})pears was sent home in disgrace. 
 
 The West-Indies and Holland succeeded, in each of 
 which he distinguished himself, and Major General in 
 Egypt crowned his services with never dying fame. He 
 received the Colonelcy of the o2iid regiment about 1800. 
 
 After serving on the Staff at honje, in the Kent District, 
 and Lieutenant-General in 180.3, he was sent to command 
 the force in Sicily ; subsequently Knight of the Bath, to 
 assist the King of Svveden, who refused his services with 
 harshness ; and last to Portugal and Spain, where he 
 penetrated to the vicinity of Madrid. After a disastrous 
 retreat he fell in bravely endeavouring to preserve his army, 
 after an attempt made as it appears against his own con- 
 viction " to gratify the people of England." 
 
 As his entry into the world was splendid, so his depar- 
 ture was glorious ; to a memory so honoured it is unneces- 
 sary to offer farther tribute ; perhaps the best would be
 
 340 SIRS D. BAIRD, J. HOPE. 
 
 that of Colonel Pasley,' who examining with candour the 
 question as to the demerits of this final service of Sir John 
 Moore, deems it no depreciation of a great man to say he 
 committed a single fault. 
 
 Sir David Baird who lost his arm in this conflict, enter- 
 ed the army in 1772, and in 1779 embarked for the East 
 Indies, where in the succeeding year in action against Hy- 
 der Ally, he was severely wounded, taken prisoner and put 
 in irons; nor was he released till March 1734. Major 
 and Lieut. Colonel in the 71st, after a short absence in 
 England, he rejoined the Indian army under Marquess 
 Cornwallis. Here he continued through all the arduous 
 services of this period, till 1797, when having embarked 
 with his regiment for Europe, he was made Brigadier- 
 General at the Cape, and afterwards as Major-General 
 returned to India. In February 1799, he commanded the 
 storming party against Seringapatani, and in honor received 
 the Sultan's state sword from General (afterwards Lord) 
 Harris, Commander-in-chief, with other compliments. 
 
 In 1801, he was appointed to command an expedition 
 against Batavia, but was re-ordered to Egypt, landing at 
 Cosier, crossing the desert, and embarking on the Nile. In 
 May 1801, no longa- necessary there, he returned across 
 the desert to India, with his little army, and in 1803, com- 
 manded a large division of the army forming against the 
 Mahrattas. When General W ellesley joined this army he 
 obtained leave to return to England, and was taken priso- 
 ner with his staff on the passage, and having given his 
 parole afterwards exchanged. In 1804 he was on the Staff 
 
 ' Military Policy of Great Britain.
 
 CORUNNA. 341 
 
 in England ; 1805 sent with an expedition to the Cape of 
 Good Hope; in 1807 he returned; and commanded a 
 division at Copenhagen, where he was twice wounded. 
 In 1808, he was on the Irish staff, whence he joined the 
 army under Sir John Moore of which he commanded the 
 First division. He had first the 54th, and next the 24th 
 regiment, and received the orders of the Bath and Crescent 
 with a baronetcy. 
 
 Sir John Hope was the third in command, and to him, 
 the first being killed and the second badly wounded, was 
 left to tell the disastrous tale, which he did with no com- 
 mon eloquence. 
 
 Cornet in the 10th Light Dragoons in 1784, he arrived 
 by gradations to the rank of Major General in 1802, having 
 previously served at Gibraltar, in the West-Indies, at the 
 Helder and in Egypt, chiefly on the Staff as Adjutant-Ge- 
 neral. He served as Major-General on the Home Staff; 
 afterwards in Sweden, at Walcheren,in Portugal and Spain. 
 In 1814 he was ennobled with a peerage in anticipation of 
 his own, having before been created Knight of the Bath, 
 and appointed second in command in the Peninsula, where 
 he continued till the close of hostilities. His Lordship had 
 first the North Lowland Fencibles, next the 6th Batt. 
 60th, and last the 92nd. In 1817 Lord Niddry succeeded 
 to the earldom of Hopetoun. 
 
 Having thus noticed the three commanders whose emi- 
 nence was sufficient to eclipse any ordinary effulgence of
 
 342 ADMIRAL DE COURCY. 
 
 glory, it were impossible to attempt that of the remainder 
 of names which will yet occupy history. 
 
 Such are the veteran Fraser ; the noble Bentiuck, not 
 damped in being early repulsed from the Brunswick army, 
 nor interrupted in his outset in military diplomacy, but 
 pursuing his course through a career at once in eflfect a 
 great conuiiand at one port, and a vice-royalty at another; 
 the intelligent Manninghain, introducing new means of 
 teaching a new weapon to his corps ; Sir Edward Paget 
 sharing throughout the conflict in every prominent situa- 
 tion ; and Beresford seeking from 1783 to 1817 every spe- 
 cies of active and in)portant service : VVarde ever vigilant; 
 and the acute, sensible and polite Sir J. Leith serving every 
 where, and every where with distim tion : Slade dis- 
 tinguished by Royidty, and Disney peculiarly honoured 
 through a long series of service. 
 
 The Hon. Michael de Courcy, who deserved so much 
 honour for the en)barkation of the army at Corunna, is 
 third son of John de Courcy, 25th Lord Kinsale, Premier 
 Baron of Ireland, by Martha daughter of Wm. Hevon, 
 Esq. of Dorchester, and brother of the present Baron, who 
 preserves the family privilege obtained from King John, of 
 remaining covered in the presen(e of the King of England. 
 
 Admiral de Courcy married, in 1786, Miss Biennet- 
 hasset, sister of Susan Baroness Kinsale. 
 
 Though the present occasion does not permit details, the 
 admiral had not arrived at his rank inactively, or without 
 previous praise. 
 
 In this command he had his flag as Rear-Admiral of the
 
 CORUNNA. 34 
 
 Q 
 
 white in the Tonnant ; and had under his orders advanta- 
 geously—the Ville de Paris, Victory, Barfleur, Zealous, 
 Implacable, Elizabeth, Norge, Plantagenet, Ptesolution, 
 Audacious, Endymion, Mediator ; besides the transports, 
 which, when menaced by the French from a commanding 
 promontory to which they carried guns, left their duty to be 
 <Treatly if not chiefly performed by the men of war.
 
 344 
 
 CAPTURE OF MARTINIQUE, by 
 Lieut.-Gens. sir G. BECKWITH, 
 
 Prevost, and Maitland ; Briga- 
 dier-Generals Houghton, Sir C. 
 Shipley, and Stehelin ; Rear-Ad- 
 MiRAL Sir A. Cochrane, and Commo- 
 dore Sir G. Cockburn. January 
 24, 1809. 
 
 While the Peninsular war exhibited a 
 sort of chasm, other objects seem to have 
 been crowding upon public attention. — 
 That the capture of Martinique remained 
 to be achieved at this period, was owing 
 to the efforts of French intrigue. — West 
 Indian captures aie so much of course as 
 to require no explanation. Those of which 
 the present formed a part were, however, 
 most important; the persons here concerned 
 are of the most prominent character.
 
 CAPTURE OF MARTINIQUE. 345 
 
 Luna 5 die Februarii, 1810. 
 
 Martinique, 9th July, 1809. 
 
 Mj Lord, 
 
 I received, by the last packet, the 
 dispatch with which your Lordship honored 
 me upon the 3d of May, transmitting, in 
 terms most flattering, the resolutions of the 
 House of Lords, expressive of their Lord- 
 ships' thanks to the army under my com- 
 mand, employed in the reduction of Mar- 
 tinique ; which have been communicated 
 to the forces now under my orders in the 
 AVest Indies, and which I shall not fail to 
 embrace the first occasion to forward to 
 Lieut.-Gen. Sir George Prevost, Bart, in 
 Nova Scotia. 
 
 So^ eminent a proof of their Lordships' 
 approbation, cannot but afford the highest 
 inducements to future exertion, and are 
 received in this army with that enthusiasm 
 and devotion which belong to the military 
 character of a great empire fighting in the 
 cause of humanity, for the glory of their
 
 346 GEN. SIR G. BECKWITII, (SCC. 
 
 country, and for the independence of the 
 
 world. 
 
 I have the honor to be, with the highest 
 
 consideration and respect, your Lordship's 
 
 most obedient and most humble Servant, 
 
 George Beck with, 
 
 Commander of the forces in the Windward 
 and Leeward Charibbee Islands, and 
 Continental Provinces in South America. 
 
 The Right Hon. 
 
 the Lord Chancellor, &c. Sec. &c. 
 
 Jovis 25 die Jamiarii, 1810. 
 
 Marlimque, l^d May, 1809. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I received yesterday the letter 
 which you did me the honor to address to 
 me upon the 15th of April last, containing 
 the unanimous vote of thanks of the House 
 of Connnons, expressive of their favorable 
 sense of my services, and of those of the 
 army under my command, employed in the 
 reduction of this important colony.
 
 CAPTURE or MAIITINIQ[ E. 347 
 
 It has been announced this day in public 
 orders, and will, 1 am confident, be received 
 with all that devotion wliich belongs to the 
 British military character, and which it has 
 not failed to impress upon me; affording 
 strong additional inducements to perse- 
 vering exertion in the public service. 
 
 I request. Sir, you will be pleased to 
 permit me to express my grateful acknow- 
 Jedsiments for the flatterins: terms in which 
 you have conveyed so distinguished a proof 
 of the approbation of the House of Com- 
 mons ; and have the honor to be, with the 
 highest respect, Sir, your most obedient 
 and most humble Servant, 
 
 Geo. Beckwith, 
 Commander of the forces in the Windward 
 
 and Leeward Charibbee Islands, and 
 
 Continental Provinces of South America. 
 
 The Honorable the 
 
 Speaker of the House of Commons.
 
 348 ADM. SIR A. COCHRANE, &C. 
 
 His Majesty's Ship Neptune, at St. Pierre, Martinique, 
 
 5th June, 1809. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I have been honored with your 
 letter dated the l5th April, enclosing the 
 unanimous vote of thanks of the House of 
 Commons to me and the officers of the 
 squadron employed in the reduction of 
 Martinique, and approving the services of 
 the seamen and marines serving upon that 
 expedition, which I shall cause to be made 
 known to them in the manner you desire. 
 
 This flattering and honorable testimony 
 of the resolutions of the House of Commons 
 in our favor, is rendered the more accept- 
 able by the polite and elegant manner in 
 which you have been pleased to connuu- 
 nicate the same. 
 
 I have the honor to be, with the highest 
 consideration. Sir, your most obedient 
 humble Servant, 
 
 Alex. Cochrane. 
 
 The Right Honorable the 
 Speaker of the House of Commons, &c. &c.
 
 CAPTURE OF MAUTINIQUE. 349 
 
 Sir George Beckwith began a service of near half a 
 century in the 37th foot, in July, 1771 ; where he was, a 
 few years after his appointment, made Adjutant to his 
 regiment, and subsequently to a battalion of Grenadiers, 
 with which he was, as may be supposed, foremost in 
 every action of importance, and chiefly in those services 
 requiring peculiar skill and enterprize. 
 
 At the close of the American war he went to Canada, 
 where, under Lord Dorchester, he was eminently useful 
 to his country; which produced, on the new war, his ap- 
 pointment of Adjutant-Gen. in North America. Colonel 
 in 1795, he proceeded on the following year to Bermuda, 
 where he was on the staff", assumed the civil government 
 till 1798, when he became Major-Gen. on the same staff 
 till the peace of Amiens. On the recommencement of 
 hostihties, he was on the staff* of the eastern district at 
 home, but quickly removed to that of the Windward and 
 Leeward islands, where the same activity and enterprize 
 evinced itself; and, in 1808, after having frequently en- 
 joyed it for a time, he received the full command of the 
 forces. In this character, and Lieut.-General in 1809, he 
 performed the present service, for which he received the 
 Order of the Bath, and the Colonelcy of the 2d West- 
 India regiment, and subsequently continued to distinguish 
 himself in the same career till the peace in 1814; he then 
 received the final rank of General, and was since appoint- 
 ed to the command of the forces in Ireland. 
 
 That the highest rank and command do not avert the 
 shafts of misfortune, is evinced in the case of the late 
 Lieut.-General Sir George Prcvost, Bart,, Capt.-Gentral
 
 350 SIR G. PREVOST, MAITLAND, ScC. 
 
 and Governor-in-Cliief in North America, and Colonel 
 of the ](kh foot; who, from 1779 till 1814, with a small 
 exception, passed through an active service in the West- 
 Indies with distinction. Jn that interval, \80() to 1808, 
 he enjoyed thehononnible appointment of Lieut.-Governor 
 of Portsmouth. Sir George died early in 181.5, having, 
 it is believed, suffered from the public censures incurred 
 in an unfortunate retreat. His Majesty, however, in care 
 of hi.s fame, conferred his postimmous honours on his 
 family. 
 
 Of the noble house of Lauderdale, which, disdaining 
 indolence, has always produced public men. General the 
 Hon. Sir Thomas Maitland, was a Captain in the 78th 
 foot as early as 1778, yet, it is believed, scarcely reached 
 the rank of field ofhcer before the revolutionary war. 
 Since that period, however, he more rapidly arlvanced. 
 Brigadier-General in St. Domingo, in 1797, and subse- 
 quently the West-Indies generally, he got the 10th West- 
 India regiment in 1798, and afterwards served on the 
 coast of France. Major-General in 180.:>, he received the 
 3d garrison battalion, and w as ap|>ointed to the govern- 
 ment of Ceylon, the 4th West-India regiment, and sub- 
 sequently the 10th foot. The General has been since in 
 the comujand of Malta, where he has been entrusted, in a 
 particular manner, w ith discretion, arising from the judi- 
 cious exercise of this administiation. 
 
 Of Sir C. Shipley, engineer, it was nearly the fortieth 
 year of service, crowned with the honor of Knighthood. 
 He, as well as Brig.-Gen. E. Stehclin, was of the colo- 
 nial stafl.  
 
 CAPTURE OF MARTINIQUE. 351 
 
 The naval commander in this enterprize, Alexander 
 Forrester Cochrane, was born about 1748, and early 
 placed in the sea service, yet was only made Post-Capt. 
 in 178'2, shortly after which he married the widow of Sir 
 Jacob Wheate; and, although inmiediately employed on 
 the revolutionary war, does not appear to have made 
 way till 1800, when he commanded under Lord Keith, off 
 Cadiz. Even in this instance, where he was to have 
 commanded the whole, fortune seemed to have baulked 
 him, though she has since made him amends : the inter- 
 ference of the elements prevented the attack, by which, 
 at the same time perhaps, the fleet was saved from the 
 terrible influence of disease. 
 
 Malta, Minorca, and Egypt, were his next scenes of 
 successful service: yet it was only the recommencement 
 of hostilities, and after he had been member of the impe- 
 rial Parliament, that, with the rank of Rear-Admiral of 
 the Blue, placed him in the West Indies in the action oft" 
 St. Domingo, under Sir J, T. Duckworth, to whom he 
 was second in command. 
 
 His ship, the Northumberland, Mas greatly shattered 
 by the principal share she bore in tlie enemy's vengeance ;■ 
 and the Admiral vas rewarded by promotion, by the 
 Order of the Bath, and the civic honors of the city of 
 London. 
 
 The West India and the American station subsequently 
 occupied his service, with great profit and credit. 
 
 The Commodore, since Admiral Sir George Cockburn, 
 is the same gallant officer who first had the singular and
 
 352 ADM. sill G. COCKBURK. 
 
 important command at St. Helena, the residence of the 
 ex-Emperor of France. 
 
 An early associate of Nelson, in talent and victory, he 
 was Captain of the La Minerve, when the victor at Tra- 
 falgar, yet Commodore, captured the Santa Sabina, and 
 long commanded the same ship on the Lisbon station. 
 Sir George has been constantly employed. 
 
 It is matter of regret, that as the circumstances of the 
 present section precluded his acknowledgments being here 
 recorded, something of his active services should not be 
 added. The facts, however, are at once too prominent 
 to require, and too extensive to permit it, as it should be, 
 in the present space. The most conspicuous, perhaps, 
 was the attack on the capital of the United States, in 
 which was one of the most singular operations of the war. 
 
 That the Admiral was not merely actively, but most 
 confidentially employed, is evident from his being, among 
 other things, appointed a commissioner to mediate be- 
 tween Spain and her colonies, as well as his last command. 
 
 Much also has been conceived of a memoir said to have 
 been furnished by Sir George, of this last very extraor- 
 dinary command, to the Lords Commissioners of his 
 Majesty's Treasury.
 
 353 
 
 ATTACK OF THE FRENCH NAVY 
 IN BASQUE ROADS, BY LORD 
 COCHRANE, UNDER the orders 
 OF LORD GAMBIER, Rear Admi- 
 ral the hon. r. stopford, and 
 captain sir h. burrard neale, 
 April U, 1809- 
 
 This attack amidst an infinity of similar 
 affairs has become celebrated, and in some 
 respects unfortunately so, from a variety of 
 circumstances. 
 
 Lord Gambier being Commander-in-chief 
 of the ships and vessels employed in the 
 channel soundings, it had been determined 
 to endeavour to destroy a considerable 
 French force which had assembled in these 
 roads, of which a large portion was new and 
 heavy in metal. Lord Cochrane, it seems, 
 had been fixed upon by the Lords Commis- 
 sioners of the Admiralty, to attempt this 
 desperate enterprize with fire-ships, and 
 Mr. Congreve with newly invented rockets 
 to accompany him ; Lord Cochrane suc- 
 
 ^.^. Z
 
 3j4 lord gambier. 
 
 ceeded in destroying the Ville de Varsovie 
 of 80 guns ; Tonnerre of 74, and Calcutta 
 of 56 ; seven were driven on shore ; and be- 
 tween four and five hundred prisoners were 
 taken. 
 
 The following are the communications : 
 that of the House of Peers was delivered to 
 Lord Gambier in his place. 
 
 Veneris 9 die Februarii, 1810. 
 
 Baron Gambier, 
 
 The Lords of this House by an 
 unanimous vote of yesterday have ordered. 
 That the thanks of this House be given to 
 Admiral Lord Gambier, for the zeal, judg- 
 ment,ability and anxious attention to the wel- 
 fare of His Majesty's service, which marked 
 his Lordship's conduct as commander-in- 
 chief of the lleet in Basque Roads, by which 
 the French fleet, which had taken refuge 
 under the protection of their own batteries 
 were driven on shore and disabled, and a 
 considerable part of them destroyed, on the 
 11th and 12th of April 1809 ; and that the 
 Lord Chancellor do give his Lordship the
 
 ATTACK IN BASQUE ROADS. 353 
 
 same, when he is in his place in this House. 
 
 When you were first called, Baron Gam- 
 bier, to a seat and place in this House, your 
 Sovereign conferred upon you that hio-h 
 honour immediately after 3^ou had ren- 
 dered great and important services to your 
 king and country ; this illustrious House met 
 you upon your entrance into it with the 
 tender of the highest honour it could be- 
 stow, its Thanks for those services ; you re- 
 ceived that honour as was to be expected 
 on the part of a distinguished British naval 
 commander, with a pledge and an assurance 
 that you would manifest your gratitude in 
 your future exertions for the service and 
 welfare of your country. 
 
 This House, my Lord, in the thanks 
 which I now communicate to you, expresses 
 its acknowledgment that you have fully 
 made good these assurances. 
 
 I add, that much time has elapsed be- 
 tween the achievement of your services 
 and the tender of these thanks to your 
 Lordship: But your Lordship will allow 
 me to say, that we now know not only that
 
 356 LORD GAMBIEK. 
 
 jour claims to your country's gratitude have 
 been felt by this House, but that they have 
 been clearly proved and established to the 
 satisfaction of the House and of your 
 country. 
 
 I must not presume to mix with the dis- 
 charge of my duty as the servant of this 
 House, the mention of my personal feelings 
 or sentiments : if it became me so to do, I 
 should endeavour to express to you the 
 great satisfaction I have in being a second 
 time engaged in communicating to you the 
 Thanks of this illustrious assembly. 
 
 To which his Lordship replied. 
 
 My Lords, 
 
 The great honour which your 
 Lordships have been now pleased to confer 
 upon me, has maxle that deep and lasting 
 impression upon my mind, that so valuable 
 a mark of your approbation cannot fail to 
 make upon the mind of any person who is 
 so happy as to receive it, and is capable of 
 duly appreciating so great a favour.
 
 ATTACK IN BASQUE ROADS. 3.57 
 
 I am thoroughly sensible, my Lords, that 
 this high reward is the greatest honour that 
 a servant of the public, an officer in the ser- 
 vice of his country, can receive. As it has 
 been my highest ambition in tlie discharge 
 of my public duty to deserve your Lord- 
 ships' approbation, and that of my country, 
 so will it be in future to prove myself wor- 
 thy of it. 
 
 After what has passed here and in other 
 places, it does not become me to say any 
 thing further on the subject, for which I 
 am so highly honoured, but I must assure 
 your Lordships, that I am utterly at a loss 
 for terms of language to express the deep 
 sense I have of the very high honour and 
 distinguished reward that you have conde- 
 scended to confer upon me. 
 My Lord Chancellor, 
 
 I return your Lordship my best thanks 
 for the handsome and obliging terms in 
 which you have done me the honour to con- 
 vey the sense of their Lordships to me.
 
 358 LORD GAMBIER. 
 
 LuncB 5 die Febrmarii, 1810. 
 
 London, ls^ February 1810, 
 
 Sir, 
 
 c 
 
 I have the honour to acknow- 
 ledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th 
 ultimo, communicating to me in obedience 
 to the commands of the House of Commons, 
 their vote of thanks for the zeal, judgment, 
 ability and anxious attention to the welfare 
 of His Majesty's service, which they are 
 pleased to say marked my conduct as com- 
 mander-in-chief of the fleet in Basque 
 Roads, by which the French Fleet which 
 had taken refuge under the protection of 
 their own batteries, were driven on shore 
 and disabled, and a considerable part of 
 them destroyed on the 11th and 12th of 
 April 1809; together with their vote of 
 thanks to Rear-Admiral the Honourable 
 Robert Stopford, Captain Sir Harry Bur- 
 rard Nealc, Baronet, Captain of the Fleet, 
 and to the several captains and officers of 
 the fleet under my command, for their gal-
 
 ATTACK IN BASQUE ROADS. 359 
 
 lant and highly meritorious conduct on that 
 glorious occasion ; which thanks I am re- 
 quested to signify to them accordingly ; and 
 communicating also in addition to those 
 votes, a resolution of the House of Com- 
 mons, highly approving of and acknow- 
 ledging the services of the seamen and 
 royal marines on board the ships under my 
 command upon that glorious occasion, 
 which resolution the respective captains 
 and commanders of the several ships are to 
 signify to their crews, thanking them for 
 their meritorious and gallant conduct. 
 
 In return thereto I beg you will do me 
 the honour to assure the House of Commons, 
 that I feel most sensibly the high honour 
 conferred upon me by this distinguished 
 mark of their approbation of my conduct 
 on the service in Basque Roads on the 11th 
 and 12th of April last. 
 
 I shall not fail to commmunicate the 
 Thanks of the House of Commons to Rear- 
 Admiral the Honourable Robert Stopford, 
 Captain Sir Harry Burrard Neale, Captain
 
 360 LORD GAMBIER. 
 
 of the fleet, and to the several captains 
 and officers of the fleet under my command, 
 for their gahant and highly meritorious con- 
 duct on that occasion. — I have no doubt 
 the honour conferred upon them will be 
 duly appreciated ; and I shall likewise give 
 directions to the captains and commanders 
 of the several ships and vessels to make 
 known to their respective crews the resolu- 
 tion of the House of Commons highly ap- 
 proving of and acknowledging the services 
 of the seamen and royal marines on board 
 the respective ships and vessels under my 
 command,and thanking them for their meri- 
 torious and gallant conduct. 
 
 I beg leave to thank you for the honor 
 you have done me in the expression of your 
 sentiments towards me ; and am, with the 
 most profound respect, Sir, j^our most obe- 
 dient and very humble servant, 
 
 Gambter. 
 The Right Honourable Charles Abbot, 
 
 &c. &c. Sec.
 
 ATTACK IN BASQUE ROADS. SGl 
 
 Admiral James Gambier is one of those naval heroes 
 whose services are more important than their praise is loud ; 
 and who, energetic in action, nevertheless court the tran- 
 quil approbation of the civil virtues in preference to the 
 splendid trophies of military glory. 
 
 A series of service was eminently crowned by his asso- 
 ciation with Lord Cathcart in the expedition to Copen- 
 hagen, which procured him elevation to the peerage. 
 
 The present, though having to boast of success where 
 the greatest skill and intrepidity had failed, was much less 
 fortunate in personal results to Lord Gambier. For from 
 the preference given to Lord Cochrane (such is the noble 
 emulation of danger on the main,) the admiral was sub- 
 jected to the invidious task of prosecuting to conviction 
 before a Court-Martial a subordinate dissatisfied with not 
 having the right of his seniority to closely risk his being 
 burned and drowned as well as shot; and the legal course 
 of a protracted suit respecting the prizes made on the oc- 
 casion, has more than once created an inference of his 
 Lordship having failed in doing his utmost against the 
 enemy, though the well-known strength of the fort of Aix 
 is such as to have rendered it wonderful that so much was 
 done. As to the trial, which he called for himself, it 
 was deemed a mere formality. 
 
 Lord Gambier has been called the bible Admiral, a 
 title which it is not probable he is solicitous to lay down, 
 and which it is to be recollected Nelson bore before him. 
 
 Of the gallant nobleman to whom was confided the en- 
 terprize, so much has been said, as to require little in these 
 pages.
 
 362 LORD COCHRANE. 
 
 Alexander Lord Cochrane, eldest son of the Earl of 
 Dimdonald, and Anne daughter of Captain Gilchrist, was 
 born in 1775, and early placed under his uncle and god- 
 father, since Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane. He served 
 in the West-Indies, the Bay of Biscay, and the home sta- 
 tion, before he was Lieutenant — the rank of master and 
 commander followed, but that of post-captain was obtained 
 only in J 801 from the capture of a Spanish Sloop of war, 
 *' £1 Gamo" of thirty-two guns and 309 seamen and ma- 
 rines, by boarding from his brig the Speedy of fourteen 
 four pounders, and fifty-four men and boys. His Lord- 
 ship was indebted to the arts on this occasion, since Mr. 
 Pococke in an interesting picture exhibited the prowess of 
 this act. In the same year he took thirty-three vessels ! in 
 company with another, he took a 26-gun ship, three gun- 
 boats, a heavy battery, and a whole convoy, and landing 
 on the coast of Spain, blew up the tower of Alcantara, 
 making on the whole many hundred prisoners. 
 
 In 1803, Captain of the Pallas, 32 twelve-pounders, 
 while ninety of his men were absent cutting out a corvette 
 of 1 4 guns, his Lordship attacked three French ships of 
 1 8, 22, and 24 gnns, and drove them on shore complete 
 wrecks. 
 
 Not to mention other objects, in 1 806, having " nothing 
 better in view" he landed on the same coast and destroyed 
 the signal posts with their protections, blew up the maga- 
 zines and threw the shells in the sea. Soon after near the 
 same spot he attacked the famous black frigate afterwards 
 captured by Sir Samuel Hood, and nearly boarded it. 
 
 Landing at Plymouth after this successful cruize, and 
 seeing Mr. Cobbett aspiring by hand-bills to represent Ho-
 
 BASQUE ROADS. 363 
 
 niton in Parliament, his Lordship determined on an elec- 
 tioneering cruize and promptly sallied forth. He was un- 
 successful this time, but succeeded in that produced by 
 the death of Mr. Pitt. Again thrown out by the subse- 
 quent general election, he pushed for Westminster ; and 
 against Sheridan and Mr. Elliott, not to mention Mr. 
 Paul], obtained it ; and performed his promise to the elec- 
 tors among other things by procuring to be reported all 
 the members of Parliament and their relations,, holding 
 sinecures, pensions, &c. 
 
 He then joined his element in the Imperieuseof40guns 
 and soon distinguished himself under Lord Collingwood on 
 the Eastern coast of Spain. He carried by coup- de-main 
 post of some importance, the castle of Mongal, deliver- 
 ing the stores to the patriots and blowing up the works. 
 
 These enterprizes certainly fitted him in no ordinary de- 
 gree for that of the present section ; and it must be forgiven 
 if his animation did not permit His Lordship to recollect 
 the danger which the fleet would have incurred from 
 being permitted to act as he wished. 
 
 Subsequently Lord Cochrane has been in the Mediter- 
 ranean ; when at Malta he had some difficulties. How he 
 has been since employed, since he was not at sea, is not at- 
 tempted to be shewn here.
 
 364 
 
 PENINSULAR CAMPAIGNS, THIRD 
 PERIOD.-BATTLE of TALAVERA, 
 UNDErx VISCOUNT (afterwards Duke 
 of) WELLINGTON, Lt. Gens. Sir 
 John Sherbrooke, Sir Wm. Payne, 
 Sir Stapleton Cotton, Rowland 
 Hill, M. Gen. Christ. Tilson, 
 Brig. Gens. Sir Alexander Camp- 
 bell, Sir Hen. Fred. Campbell, 
 Rich. Stewart, Hon. Ciias. Stew- 
 art, Alan Cameron, H. Fane, G. 
 Anson, and Edw. Ht5woRTH. 
 
 This naturally forms a third period of 
 the war, from the circumstance of its being 
 a new operation to repel from Portugal, 
 the armies of the French Generals Victor 
 and Soult, about to invade Portugal. 
 
 It will be readily perceived, that in thus 
 simply characterizing the battle of Talavera, 
 the only record in reference is that of the 
 official journals of Parliament. A thousand 
 details, and at least as many names, might 
 otherwise be introduced with propriety on
 
 PENINSULA, 3d period — TALAVEIIA. 365 
 
 this occasion, pregnant at once with honor, 
 character, incident, and importance. 
 
 It is sufficient that, notwithstanding the 
 efforts of clamor, its true character was 
 understood by his Majesty's government so 
 well as to hail it — the harbinger of that 
 future which did not disappoint hope, per- 
 haps expectation. 
 
 Much discussion arose from the praise 
 of Parliament being called for by the occa- 
 sion, but good sense obtained at length on 
 the subject, which has been amply justified 
 by subsequent circumstances. 
 
 The battle of Talavera has since also been 
 the theme of some of the best verse in the 
 present day; among the number of whose 
 writers, Mr. Secretary Croker obtained the 
 very foremost place. 
 
 The vote of thanks, if not already un- 
 derstood, will be admirably illustrated by 
 the answers to it in the first instance, and 
 the answers of those to whom it was ad- 
 dressed.
 
 S66 LORD WELLINGTON. 
 
 Mercurii 2 die Mail, 1810. 
 
 Fiseu, March 6th, 1810. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I have had the honor of receiving 
 your Lordship's letter, in which you en- 
 closed the resolutions of the House of 
 Lords of the 26th of January, conveying 
 the approbation of their Lordships of the 
 conduct of the general officers, officers, and 
 troops under my command, and of myself, 
 in the battle fought at Talavera, on the 27th 
 and 28th of July last. 
 
 I have communicated to the general 
 officers, officers, and troops, these testi- 
 monies of their Lordships' approbation ; 
 and I beg leave to assure your Lordship, 
 that I have received the honor which their 
 Lordships have conferred upon me, and 
 the army under my command, with a just 
 sense of its high value and importance; 
 with gratitude for the favor with which 
 their Lordships have viewed our efforts in
 
 PENINSULA 3d period — TALAVERA. 36? 
 
 his Majesty's service, and a desire to merit 
 the continuance of their Lordships' ap- 
 probation, by a zealous discharge of my 
 duty. 
 
 I request your Lordship to accept my 
 thanks, for the handsome terms in which 
 you have conveyed the pleasure of the 
 House of Lords ; and I have the honor to 
 be, my Lord, with the greatest respect, 
 your Lordship's most obedient and faithful 
 humble Servant, 
 
 Wellington. 
 
 Right Hon. the Lord Chancellor, &c. &c. 
 
 Veneris 30 die Martis, 1810. 
 
 Fiseu, 6th March, ISIO. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I have had the honor of receiving 
 your letter of the 2d of February, in which 
 vou enclosed the resolutions of the House 
 of Commons of the 1st of February, ex-
 
 S68 LORD WELLINGTON. 
 
 pressing the approbation of tlie House of 
 my conduct, and of that of the general 
 officers, officers, and troops, composing the 
 army under my command in the battle 
 fought at Talavera, on the 27th and 28th 
 of July last. 
 
 In obedience to the orders of the House, 
 I have communicated to the general officers, 
 officers, and troops, this honorable testi- 
 mony of the approbation of the House; 
 and I beg leave to adopt this mode of ex- 
 pressing to the House, the high sense I 
 entertain of the honor which they have 
 conferred upon me, and upon the army 
 under my command, and to assure them 
 that I shall endeavour to merit their ap- 
 probation by a zealous discharge of my 
 duty. 
 
 I must likewise request you. Sir, to ac- 
 cept my thanks for the kindness towards 
 me, which you have manifested in the 
 manner in which you have conveyed to me 
 the pleasure of the House, a kindness of 
 which I had already repeated proofs during
 
 PENINSULA, 3d period — TALAVERA. 369 
 
 the period that I had the honor of being a 
 member of the House of Commons. 
 
 I have the honor to be, Sir, with the 
 greatest respect, your most obedient and 
 faithful humble Servant, 
 
 AVellington. 
 The Right Hon. 
 
 The Speaker of the House of Commons. 
 
 The following were addressed in their 
 places : 
 
 Jovis 8 die Martis, 1810. 
 
 Lieutenant General Sir Stapleton Cotton, 
 
 and Brigadier General Anson, 
 
 Upon your return from the eventful 
 wars of Spain, whatever variance of opi- 
 nion, whatever alternation of hopes and 
 apprehensions, you may have found to have 
 prevailed in this country respecting the pro- 
 gress and final issue of that awful contest, 
 nevertheless, your distinguished conduct 
 and services have not failed to call forth 
 one universal expression of applause and 
 admiration. 
 
 ^g. 2 A
 
 370 silt STAPLETON COTTON. 
 
 The British cavalry has been long re- 
 nowned in war: victorious in other times 
 over the troops of France, it feared not 
 ao-ain to meet its former rivals, flushed even 
 as they were with the pride of conquest 
 and the spoil of many nations. Led by 
 your swords, it again displayed a strength 
 and valour irresistible in the shock of arms, 
 and renewed its ancient triumphs in the 
 hard-fought field of Talavera. AVhen the 
 history of these memorable days shall be 
 read by your latest descendants, be assured, 
 that your names will be repeated with exul- 
 tation, and your deeds recounted in the list 
 of those heroic achievements. 
 
 You serve not an ungrateful country ; 
 it well knows that military fame is nation- 
 al power; and this House, ever prompt 
 to proclaim its gratitude for eminent 
 services in war, has therefore conferred 
 upon you the honor of its unanimous 
 thanks ; and I do now, accordingly, in the 
 name and by the command of the Com- 
 mons of the United Kingdom, thank you
 
 PENINSULA, 3d period — TALAVERA. 371 
 
 for your distinguished exertions on the 27th 
 and 28th days of July last, in the memo- 
 rable battle of Talavera, which terminated 
 in the signal defeat of the forces of the 
 enemy. 
 
 Lieut. - General Sir Stapleton Cotton's 
 answer : — 
 
 Mr. Speaker, 
 
 In endeavouring to express my 
 sense of the very high honor which has 
 been conferred upon me, and which has 
 been communicated to me by you, Sir, in 
 so flattering a manner, I fear I shall fall 
 far short of what my feelings are upon this 
 occasion. 
 
 To receive the thanks of Parliament, is 
 one of the highest rewards to which a sol- 
 dier can aspire ; and believe me. Sir, I shall 
 ever consider it my greatest pride to have 
 been so honored. This, I may venture to 
 sa}', is the feeling of all my brother officers 
 and soldiers who had the sood fortune to
 
 372 BRIG.-GEN. ANSON. 
 
 be commandecl by one of the most able 
 and distinguished generals that has adorned 
 the annals of this country ; and who will, 
 I trust, (should an opportunity offer) again 
 prove to the world, that a British army is 
 not to be beat by a French force of double 
 its numbers. 
 
 Brig.-General Anson's answer : — 
 
 Mr. Speaker, 
 
 That any part of my professional 
 conduct should have been deemed worthy 
 the particular notice of this House and of 
 my country, is no less honorable than gra- 
 tifying to my feelings ; I must, however, 
 be allowed to confess myself more indebted 
 for this distinguished honor, to the exertions 
 of those brave soldiers with whom I had 
 the glory of being associated, than to any 
 particular merit attached to myself indi- 
 vidually. 
 
 I beg to express to this honorable House, 
 the high sense I entertain of the high honor
 
 PENINSULA, 3d period — TALAVERA. 373 
 
 it has conferred upon me, and that it will 
 ever be the pride of my life to have been 
 thought, in the slightest degree, deserving 
 of its good opinion. To you, Sir, I must 
 beg to make my warmest acknowledgments, 
 for the very handsome and polite manner 
 in which you have conveyed to me the 
 sentiments of this Flouse, and for the many 
 very gratifying expressions with which you 
 have accompanied the communication of 
 this most flattering distinction. 
 
 LuncB 5 die Februarii, 1810. 
 
 The Speaker thus addressed — 
 
 Brigadier-Gen. Charles Stewart, 
 
 Amongst the gallant oflicers to whom 
 this House has declared its gratitude for 
 their distinguished services in Spain, your 
 name has the honor to stand enrolled. 
 
 During the progress of the two last cam- 
 paigns in Spain and Portugal, whoever has 
 turned his eyes towards the bold and peri- 
 lous operations of our armies in Leon and
 
 374 BRIG. GEN. THE HON. C. STEWART. 
 
 Gallicia, whoever has contemplated the 
 brilhant passage of the British troops across 
 the Douro, an exploit which struck the 
 enemy himself with admiration and dismay, 
 must have marked throughout those memo- 
 rable achievements, that spirit of energy 
 and enterprize with which you have rapidly 
 advanced in the career of military fame, 
 and by which you have now fixed your 
 name for ever in the annals of your country 
 as a chief sharer in those immortal honors 
 won by British fortitude and valour, in the 
 glorious and hard-fought battles of Tala- 
 vera. 
 
 Upon the great commander under whom 
 it was there your pride and felicity to serve, 
 his sovereign, this House, and the voice of 
 an applauding empire, have conferred those 
 signal testimonies of honor and gratitude 
 which posterity will seal with its undoubt- 
 ing approbation ; and it is no mean part of 
 the merits for which you are to be this day 
 crowned with our thanks, that you were 
 chosen by such a commander to be the
 
 PENINSULA, 3d period TALAVERA. 375 
 
 companion of his councils, and the sure 
 hand to which he could entrust the prompt 
 and effectual direction of its comprehensive 
 and victorious operations. 
 
 To jou, Sir, I am therefore now to de- 
 liver the thanks of this House, and I do 
 accordingly, in the name and by the com- 
 mand of the Commons of the United King- 
 dom, thank you for your distinguished 
 exertions on the 27th and 28th days of 
 July last, in the memorable battles of Tala- 
 vera, which terminated in the signal defeat 
 of the forces of the enemy. 
 
 Brigadier- Gen. Stewart's answer: — 
 
 Mr. Speaker, i 
 
 I feel myself totally inadequate to 
 express the high sense I entertain of the 
 distinguished honor that has been conferred 
 upon me, an honor far exceeding any little 
 services I may have rendered in the fortu- 
 nate situations in which I have been placed. 
 If a sentiment of regret could at such
 
 376 BRIG.-GEN. HON. C. STEWART. 
 
 a moment arise in my mind, it would be 
 that (from the circumstance of a severe in- 
 disposition) I stand alone here on the pre- 
 sent occasion, the army being still on ser- 
 vice, and that I am not accompanied by 
 my gallant brother officers (equally mem- 
 bers of this House), who are far more emi- 
 nently entitled to its thanks, and to the 
 applause of their country than myself. 
 
 If I might venture to arrogate any thing 
 beyond the most anxious zeal for the king's 
 service, and a sincere love for the profession 
 I belonoj to, it is an ardent desire to follow 
 the footsteps of my great and gallant com- 
 mander ; to whose sole abilities and exer- 
 tions we stand indebted, not only for the 
 battle of Talavera, but for all those suc- 
 cesses which have rendered him alike an 
 ornament to his country, and a terror to 
 her foes. To follow his bright example, to 
 emulate his achievements, and be thought 
 worthy of his confidence, I shall ever con- 
 sider as the surest passport to the greatest 
 distinction that can be conferred on a sol-
 
 PENINSULA, 3d period TALAVEKA. 377 
 
 dier — I mean the approbation of this ho- 
 norable House. 
 
 I must now offer you my sincerest ac- 
 knowledgments, Sir, for the very marked 
 kindness you have shown me in expressing 
 to me the thanks of this House, by con- 
 descending to enumerate my humble ser- 
 vices in the partial manner you have done ; 
 and I beg to assure you, it will be my 
 anxious study to avail myself of all occa- 
 sions to merit the honor which has this day 
 been conferred upon me. 
 
 Of Sir John Sherbrooke, second in command on this 
 occasion, the character and services are sufficientl}' known. 
 Captain in 1783 in the same regiment (3Sd) of which he 
 became Colonel in 1813, this officer, after the occurrences 
 of the present section, became Lieut .-Governor of Nova 
 Scotia, in which command he remains with the rank ot 
 Lieut.-General from the brevet of 1811.
 
 378 SIRS J. SIIEIiBROOKE, W. PAYNE, &C. 
 
 Sir William Payne, created a Baronet in 1812, although 
 no record proclaims it, is, it is believed, of the Paynes 
 of Normandy, previous to the high fame of William the 
 Conqueror. 
 
 In 1777 he was Lieutenant of the 1st Dragoons, in 
 I79B he was Brigadier-Gen. on the staff in Ireland, and 
 in 1807 in the Peninsula; in which year also, he received 
 the Colonelcy of the ^Sd Dragoons, from M'hich he was 
 promoted to tliat of the IQth, in July, 1814. 
 
 Stapleton Cotton, second son of Sir Robert Salusbury 
 Cotton, long Knight of the Shire for the county of Ches- 
 ter, and Frances daughter of James Russel Stapleton, 
 Esq. received, while at Westminster School in 1790, 
 his first commission, in the 23d Welsh Fusileers, 
 which he joined at Dublin ; and, on the commencement 
 of the war, purchased a troop in the 6th Carabineers, 
 then in the same garrison. After passing 1793 and 1794 
 in Flanders, he purchased the Majority of the 59th, en 
 passant to the Lieut.-Colonelcy of Gen. Gwynn's Hussars, 
 and proceeded in command of the 23th Dragoons to India. 
 After the campaigns of 1 799, he returned to England ; 
 and, exchanging to the l6th Dragoons, served in Ireland, 
 and next year was made Colonel in the army. 
 
 On the 1st January 1801, Col. Cotton married the 
 Lady Anna Maria, daughter of the third Duke of New- 
 castle, by whom he had a son Robert Henry. 
 
 Major-General in 1805, he served a short time at the 
 Cape, under Gen. Craig, and next had a cavalry brigade 
 at home. From Ipswich he took it to Portugal in 1808, 
 where he remained in command of the whole cavalry from
 
 PENINSULA, 3d period — TALAVERA. 379 
 
 the second campaign to the close of the war, when he was 
 rewarded with the peerage as Baron Combermere, and the 
 20th Dragoons. In the army of observation he was 
 second in command. Lord Combermere having married, 
 a second time, Miss Greville, niece of Baroness Crewe, on 
 the 18th June 1814, finally received the government of the 
 Leeward Islands. 
 
 The war found Lieut.-Gen. Sir Alexander Campbell 
 a Major in the army, whence he quickly became Lieut.- 
 Colonel of the 74th foot and (wounded at Talavera), 
 Colonel of the York Light Infantry Volunteers. This 
 corps being disbanded, he is now Colonel of the 80jh, 
 (Lieut.-Gen. in 1814,) and has also enjoyed the govern- 
 ment of the Isle of France. 
 
 Sir Henry Frederic Campbell, a Guardsman since 1786, 
 has served much on the staff. In the present instance be 
 was wounded in the face, and compelled to return to 
 England. 
 
 'O 
 
 Sir Alan Cameron raised, and in consequence arrived 
 at the full Colonelcy of the 79th foot. He is a Major- 
 General of 1810, and K.C.B. 
 
 Cornel of the l6th Light Dragoons, in 1786, Lieut, in 
 1791* General George Anson joined the 20th Dragoons, 
 with which he served five years in Jamaica ; obtaining a 
 troop in 1792, and the Majority in 1794. Re-exchanging
 
 380 GENS. CAMPBELL, CAMERON, &C. 
 
 into the 1 6th, in September, 1797, he returned to England, 
 and obtained the Lieut.-Colonelcy of the 20th, from 
 which, in 1793, he removed to the 15th, and served with 
 it in Holland. In 1805, with the appointment of Aide- 
 de-camp to the King, he received the rank of Colonel, 
 and went as Lieut.-Colonel of the l6lh, in 1809, to Por- 
 tugal. He was immediately made Brigadier-General, and 
 commanded a cavalry brigade in Portugal on the occasion 
 of the present section, shortly after which he became 
 Major- General. In 1814 he received the Colonelcy of 
 the 23d Light Dragoons, and became Knight Commander 
 of the Bath. 
 
 The date of services, all that can be added here, should 
 mark the name of Sir Edward Howorth, thus distinguished 
 in the powerful arm under which he served. He entered 
 the army it is believed in 1779, and in the regular grada- 
 tions of the artillery became Major-General 4th June, 
 1311.
 
 381 
 
 OPERATIONS IN THE EASTERN 
 SEAS: LORD MINTO, LIEUT.- 
 GENS. THE HON. J. ABERCROM- 
 BY, SIR S. AUCHMUTY; major- 
 gens. HENRY WARDE, and FREDE- 
 RICK AUGUSTUS wetherall; admi- 
 rals BERTIE, AND STOPFORD ; COM- 
 MODORES W. ROBERT BROUGHTON AND 
 JOSIAS ROWLEY. CAPTURE OF THE IS- 
 LANDS OF BOURBON, MAURITIUS AND 
 JAVA, 1809, 1810, AND 1811. 
 
 The capture of Java completed the opera- 
 tions in the Indian Seas, which had con- 
 sisted in the reduction of the Dutch Islands 
 of Amboyna, Banda; and those of France, 
 Bourbon and the Isle of France. 
 
 Lord Minto, Governor General of India, 
 determined on accompanying this expedi- 
 tion for the purpose of arranging the go- 
 vernment of Java, should it be reduced, of 
 the failure of which from the existing spirit 
 of the Dutch Governor-General Jansen,
 
 382 LOKD IMINTO, &C. 
 
 there was much cause for apprehension. 
 Sir Samuel Auchmut}^, though he rendered 
 full justification to all joined with him, yet 
 it appears accomplished the end only by a 
 vigorous, and well combined plan, in oppo- 
 sition to the opinions, as far as they were 
 elicited, of Lord Minto, Colonels Gillespie, 
 Gibbs, &c. 
 
 The introduction of the native forces in 
 this vote, affords an opportunity of marking 
 here the justice of that tribute of praise so 
 often earned in the most difficult operations 
 of the war. Their value has ever been 
 highly appreciated by the bravest and most 
 skilful commanders who have distinguished 
 the British army in India. 
 
 The acknowledgements of Lord Minto : 
 LimcE 24 die Mali, 1813. 
 
 Fort William, oOlh July, 181'2. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I had the honour to receive yes- 
 terday your Lordship's letter of the 1st of 
 February, conveying to me the thanks of the
 
 OPERATIONS IN THE EASTERN SEAS. 383 
 
 House of Lords on the reduction of the Is- 
 lands of the Mauritius and Bourbon, and of 
 the Island of Java and its dependencies. 
 
 The first effect of their Lordships' resolu- 
 tion, has been to exonerate me from a heavy 
 care, which from the nature of the case, 
 continued, through a long and protracted 
 succession of measures, to weigh upon my 
 conduct. 
 
 I have never considered unauthorised 
 applications of the public resources to ob- 
 jects not sanctioned and to enterprizes of 
 great extent and importance, not directed 
 by the highest authorities of the State, as 
 meritorious in themselves : but on the con- 
 trary as deviations from the established and 
 wholesome rules of public conduct, for 
 which those who hazard them in their own 
 views of particular emergency are strictly 
 accountable, and which success alone will 
 not always justify. 
 
 I enjoyed indeed the early satisfaction of 
 seeing my individual judgment ratified by 
 tlie orders of His Majesty's ministers issued
 
 384 LORD MINTO, &C. 
 
 as soon as the state of information in Eu- 
 rope admitted, and so singularly accordant 
 with the plan of operations, which had been 
 adopted abroad, that on their receipt I al- 
 most appeared to myself to have obeyed 
 commands, which had been anticipated by 
 so short an interval, and by measures so 
 conformable to their general tenour. 
 
 Yet under the deep sense which I avow 
 of the justice as well as importance of the 
 settled principles of executive subordina- 
 tion, the House has afforded me final and 
 perfect relief from no light solicitude, by 
 extending the sanction of its own wisdom 
 and authority to those responsible measures, 
 the justice of which might have seemed 
 otherwise to rest on the more doubtful basis 
 of a casual coincidence of individual zeal 
 and opinion, with orders not yet received. 
 
 Absolved at once from responsibility and 
 question, and raised from a posture of apo- 
 logy to the highest measure of human re- 
 ward, in the recorded approbation of the 
 House of Lords, as such benefits can only
 
 OPERATIONS IN THE EASTERN SEAS. 385 
 
 flow from a spirit of indulgent justice, or 
 perhaps rather from their Lordships' large 
 and enlightened bounty, so must they leave 
 upon my mind the deeper and more inde- 
 lible impressions of grateful veneration. 
 
 These conquests have been achieved in 
 truth by rare and memorable efforts of 
 bravery in the troops, and of skill, conduct 
 and enterprise in the illustrious men who 
 led and commanded them ; to their exalted 
 merits and important services belongs with 
 the gratitude of an admiring country the 
 brighter splendour of military renown. I 
 entreat the indulgence of their Lordships 
 if I do not refrain from this cordial and 
 accustomed homage which I would omit 
 no allowable opportunity of yielding to the 
 annies which have given these accessions of 
 power and prosperity to Great Britain. 
 
 I should scarcely touch upon the part 
 which fell to me in these great events, if it 
 were not for the purpose of surrendering to 
 those who are entitled to share it with me, 
 a portion of the lustre which it has pleased 
 
 JE<r. 2 B 
 
 C5
 
 386 LORD MINTO, &C. 
 
 their Lordships, in their grace and fxivouF, 
 to cast upon our joint efforts in the public 
 service. 
 
 From the nature of the high station 1 
 have the honour to hold, and from the hmits 
 observed in the parliamentary notice of 
 public service, I feel that my name stands 
 singly, for successes in which the zeal, wis- 
 dom and labour of many have conspired. 
 It becomes and behoves me the more to 
 acknowledge the efficient aid which the 
 public and myself have derived from the 
 many coadjutors who have concurred in 
 these prosperous events, from General 
 Hewitt, the commander-in-chief in India; 
 from my colleagues in council ; from the 
 governments of Fort St. George and Bom- 
 bay, and from His Majesty's government of 
 Ceylon. — To the professional and general 
 wisdom, to the indefatigable application of 
 all the authorities ; and to the scarcely ex- 
 am pled ardour which pervaded every des- 
 cription of the King's or Company's ser- 
 vants, civil, military and naval, His Ma-
 
 OPERATIONS IN THE EASTERN SEAS. 387 
 
 jesty is indebted for these valuable acces- 
 sions to his dominion, and myself for the 
 inestimable honour of their Lordships' ap- 
 probation. 
 
 I entreat your Lordship to convey my 
 humble but ardent acknowledgments to the 
 House for the distinction their Lordships 
 have been pleased to confer upon me. 
 
 May I beg your Lordship's acceptance 
 at the same time of my grateful thanks for 
 the obliging and flattering manner in which 
 you have done me the honour to commu- 
 nicate the resolution of the House. 
 
 I have the honour to be, with the greatest 
 respect. My Lord, your Lordship's most 
 obedient humble servant, 
 
 MiNTO. 
 
 The Right Hon. Lord Eldon, 
 
 Lord High Chancellor of England, 
 
 Sue. &c. &:c.
 
 388 LORD MINTO, ScC . 
 
 LuncE 17 die Mali, 1813. 
 
 Fort William, 30th Juli/, 1812. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 1 have had the honour of receiving your 
 letter of the 14th January, communicating 
 to me the Thanks of the House of Com- 
 mons upon the occasion of the reduction of 
 the Islands of the Mauritius and Bourbon, 
 and of the Island of Java, as conveyed in 
 the resolution of the House of the 10th of 
 January, 1812. 
 
 I should endeavour in vain to express in 
 adequate terms, my profound and grateful 
 sense of the gracious and indulgent view 
 taken by the House of the share which, in 
 the situation I have the honour to fill, the 
 course of public events afforded me the op- 
 portunity, or I should rather say, rendered 
 it a positive duty of office to assume in 
 those transactions. 
 
 If I had neglected to improve the favo- 
 rable occasions thus presented to me of ac- 
 complishing objects which appeared to my-
 
 OPERATIONS IN THE EASTERN SEAS. 389 
 
 self, which by the declared sentiments and 
 by the measures of His Majesty's ministers 
 I knew to be esteemed by them, and which 
 are now fully declared by the authority of 
 the House of Commons to be important to 
 the public interests, 1 should have incurred 
 the just displeasure of the House, and 
 should have merited the disgraceful re- 
 proach of shrinking from the hazards of 
 personal responsibility, by a sacrifice of the 
 public good. 
 
 That the performance of duties, which it 
 would have been deeply culpable to omit, 
 should have been deemed worthy of the 
 highest and most gratifying recompence 
 which the world affords, I can ascribe only 
 to the liberality with which the House in its 
 wisdom, seeks to stimulate exertions, by 
 adding to the sense and obligation of duty, 
 the animating hope of public approbation. 
 
 These important services have been 
 achieved in truth, by abihty, prudence, and 
 enterprize in the commanders, and by bra- 
 very and discipline in the troops which have
 
 390 LORD MINTO, &C. 
 
 never been surpassed. In the splendid and 
 immortal actions, which have signalized 
 these conquests, and in the glory which 
 justly crowns victorious valour and conduct, 
 I have never sought any other participation 
 than the privilege which my office afforded 
 of bearing to them a true, cordial, and zea- 
 lous testimony 
 
 My own duties were indeed directed to 
 the same object, but were of a nature 
 wholly distinct ; nor did I omit for a mo- 
 ment any means in my power to prevent 
 the possibility of their being confounded in 
 the public eye. I shall never reflect without 
 gratification and pride on the genuine unin- 
 terrupted cordiality and on the sound sin- 
 cere spirit of co-operation which prevailed 
 from the first hour to the last between the 
 military authority and m^^ own; but the 
 utmost indulgence of those sentiments did 
 not require that I should relax for a mo- 
 ment in the studied manifestation uniformly 
 and anxiously displayed of the broad and
 
 OPERATIONS IN THE EASTERN SEAS. 391 
 
 sufficiently obvious distinction between the 
 respective functions of the two. 
 
 Yet far as I am from preferring what 
 would appear to myself at once as ground- 
 less and dishonorable, as it would certainly 
 and justly prove a fruitless claim to the 
 slightest share in the military fame of these 
 events, I will nevertheless rely so far on 
 the goodness of the House as to avow that 
 even the inestimable honour which I am 
 now acknowledging is much enhanced, in 
 my estimation, by enabling my name to 
 descend to posterity in connection, a con- 
 nection established by the proceedings of 
 the House itself, with the illustrious con- 
 querors of the French Islands, and of Java. 
 
 I entreat you to lay my humble and 
 grateful thanks before the House, for the 
 high and eminent distinction it has been 
 pleased to confer upon me. 
 
 You will permit me I hope at the same 
 time, to assure you. Sir, personally, of the 
 lively sense I entertain of the obliging and 
 gratifying terms in which you have done
 
 392 SIR J. ABERCROMBY, &C. 
 
 me the honour of communicating to me the 
 resolution of the House. 
 
 I have the honour to be, with the greatest 
 respect, Sir, your most obedient humble 
 servant, 
 
 MiKTO. 
 
 The Right Honourable Charles Abbot, 
 Speaker of the House of Commons, &c.&c. 
 
 Sir John Abercrombj thus replied : 
 
 Bombai/, lOth December, 1812. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I have the honor to receive 
 your Lordship*s letter of the 1st of Fe- 
 bruary last, transmitting to me the resolu- 
 tions of the House of Lords on the conquest 
 of the important Island of Mauritius, and 
 I have with great satisfaction conununi- 
 cated to Major-General Warde and to the 
 army it was my good fortune to command, 
 the distinguished approbation which these 
 resolutions express of their gallant conduct 
 and meritorious exertions.
 
 OPERATIONS IN THE EASTERN SEA8. 393 
 
 As to myself, my Lord, I receive with 
 feelings of the most profound gratitude, the 
 honour conferred upon me by the unani- 
 mous Thanks of that illustrious House. To 
 serve my country has been the unceasing 
 wish of my heart, and to merit such signal 
 applause constitutes the highest object of 
 iny ambition. 
 
 I recjuest your Lordship to receive my 
 grateful acknowledgments, for the very 
 handsome and flattering terms in which 
 you have been pleased to convey to ipe the 
 resolutions of the House of Lords. 
 
 I have the honor to be, with the highest 
 respect your Lordship's most obedient and 
 faithful servant, 
 
 John Abercromby, 
 
 Lieu tenant-General. 
 
 The Right Hon. 
 The Lord Chancellor, &c. Sec. &c.
 
 394 , SIR J. ABERCROMBY, &C. 
 
 Veneris 5 die Novemhris, 1813. 
 
 Bombay, 1st November, 1812. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I do myself the honour to ac- 
 knowledge the receipt of your letter of the 
 14th January last, conveying to me the 
 unanimous Thanks of the Commons of the 
 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ire- 
 land tor the conquest of the Island of Mau- 
 ritius, and desiring me to communicate to 
 Major-General Warde, and to the officers, 
 non-commissioned officers and private sol- 
 diers, employed on that occasion, the high 
 sense entertained of their gallant and meri- 
 torious exertions. 
 
 The leading wish of my heart has been 
 to devote myself to the service of my coun- 
 try ; and I beg you. Sir, to assure the House 
 of Commons that I receive this distinguish- 
 ed mark of its approbation with the live- 
 liest emotions of pride and gratitude ; for 
 a British soldier must ever consider the ap- 
 plause of his country to be the highest re- 
 ward that can be bestowed upon him.
 
 OPERATIONS IN THE EASTERN SEAS. SQo 
 
 I have had the greatest satisfaction in 
 communicating to Major-General VVarde, 
 and to the gallant army I had the good 
 fortune to command, ihe resolutions of the 
 House of Commons, in approbation of their 
 professional skill, discipline, and bravery, 
 and I can venture to assure you, Sir, that 
 they will be deeply impressed with a sense 
 of the distinguished honour which has been 
 conferred upon them. 
 
 Allow me to express my obligations to 
 you for the very flattering terms in which 
 you have been pleased to add to the high 
 gratification I derive from the thanks of the 
 Honorable House, by the offer of your 
 personal congratulations. 
 
 I have the honour to be, with the highest 
 respect. Sir, your most obedient servant, 
 John Abercromby, 
 
 Lieutenant General, 
 
 The Right Hon. Charles Abbot, 
 Speaker of the House of Commons, Sec. &c.
 
 396 SIR S. AUCIIMUTY, &C. 
 
 The Speakers of both Houses of Parlia- 
 ment thus addressed Sir S. Auchmuty ; to 
 which his answers are added. 
 
 Sir, ]st February, 1812. 
 
 In obedience to the commands 
 of the House of Lords, I have the honour 
 to transmit to you the resolutions which 
 accompany this letter. It is with a most 
 sincere personal satisfaction that I obey 
 the commands which require me to com- 
 municate to you the gratitude of that illus- 
 trious House for the eminent services, 
 which you have achieved for your coun- 
 try : and I am, Sir, with the highest res- 
 pect, your faithful servant, 
 
 Eldon. 
 Lieutenant-General 
 
 Sir Samuel Auchmuty. 
 
 Veneris 12 die Februarii, 1813. 
 
 Madras, August Q.nd, 1812. 
 
 My Lord, 
 t With respect and gratitude 
 
 proportionate to so distinguished an honour,
 
 OPERATIONS IN THE EASTERN SEAS. 3<)t 
 
 1 have received the vote of thanks, unani- 
 mously conferred on me by the Lords 
 spiritual and temporal in Parliament 
 assembled, for my late services in the Island 
 of Java. 
 
 Though highly flattered by the approba- 
 tion of that illustrious House, I am sensible 
 that more consequence has been attached 
 to my exertions than is justly my due. 
 To tiie gallant army I had the good fortune 
 to command, to their patient endurance of 
 fatigues and privations, their enthusiastic 
 courage, and exemplary good conduct and 
 discipline, our success is principally to be 
 attributed. 
 
 It will be a pleasing part of my duty to 
 communicate to them the acknowledge- 
 ments of so distinguished a branch of the 
 legislature, and I am sensible they will be 
 received as an ample reward for past ser- 
 vices and an incentive to further exertions. 
 
 Your Lordship must permit me to as- 
 sure you that I shall ever gratefully re** 
 member the flattering terms in which you
 
 398 SIR 8. AUCHMUTY, &C. 
 
 have been pleased to announce to me 
 resolutions so highly valued by every rank 
 in the British army. 
 
 I have the honour to be with the highest 
 respect, my Lord, your Lordship's most 
 obedient humble servant, 
 
 S. AucHMUTY, Lt. Gen. 
 The Right Honourable Lord Eldon, 
 Lord High Chancellor, &c. &c. 
 
 House of Commons, 14M Jan. ISl'i. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 In the name, and by the com- 
 mand of the Commons of the United King- 
 dom of Great Britain and Ireland, I have 
 the honor to communicate to you their una- 
 nimous votes of thanks for the decision, skill, 
 and energy manifested by you, in the com- 
 mand of the forces of his Majesty, and the 
 East India Company, in the late operations 
 in the Island of Java ; by which the honor 
 of the British nation has been gloriously 
 sustained, and additional lustre reflected on 
 the reputation of the British arms.
 
 OPERATIONS IN THE EASTERN SEAS. 3,99 
 
 I am also commanded to transmit to 
 you the unanimous thanks of the House 
 to Major General Frederick Augustus 
 Weatherall, and to the several officers of 
 the army both European and native, for 
 their gallant conduct and meritorious exer- 
 tions in the late successful operations in 
 the Eastern seas, requesting you to signify 
 the same to them. 
 
 And I am further commanded to trans- 
 mit to you the unanimous resolution of 
 this House, highly approving and acknow- 
 ledging the zeal, discipline, and bravery 
 uniformly displayed by the non-commis.- 
 sioned officers and private soldiers, both 
 European and native, employed against 
 the enemy in those operations, and desiring 
 the commander of the several corps to 
 thank them for their gallant behaviour. 
 
 It is with the hishest satisfaction that I 
 embrace the same opportunity of offering 
 you my personal congratulations upon the 
 achievement of this most important ser- 
 vice, which has added your name to the
 
 400 SIR S. AUCHMUTY, &C. 
 
 list of those distinguished commanders 
 who have deserved and obtained the grati- 
 tude of this country. 
 
 I have the honour to be, Sir, your most 
 obedient and faithful servant, 
 
 C. Abbot. 
 Lieutenant General 
 
 Sir Samuel Auchmuty. 
 
 Merciirii 10 die Fehruarii, 1813. 
 
 Madras, August Wth, 1812. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I have the honour of receiving 
 your letter conveying the unanimous 
 thanks of the Honourable the House of 
 Commons to me and the gallant army 
 under mj^ command, during the late service 
 in Java. 
 
 To deserve the approbation of the Sove^ 
 reign and his country is the highest ambi- 
 tion of a British soldier; to receive it his 
 greatest boast : be assured. Sir, we feel 
 Avith pride and with gratitude the distin- 
 guished honour conferred on us by the
 
 JAVA, &c. 401 
 
 Commons of the United Kingdom, and the 
 recollection of so valuable a reward will 
 animate us to increased exertions when 
 again contending for the honour of his Ma- 
 jesty's arms and the interests of our country. 
 
 With sincere pleasure I have obeyed the 
 commands of the Honourable House by 
 communicating to Major General Wether- 
 al, and the several officers and corps, the 
 gratifying information that their zeal, their 
 gallantry and discipline, have been point- 
 edly noticed and acknowledged. 
 ^ The satisfaction I have derived from this 
 communication, has greatly been increased 
 by the manner in which you have been 
 pleased to convey it, and which demands 
 from me, personally, the most grateful ac- 
 knowledgments. 
 
 I have the honour to be v/ith the highest 
 respect. Sir, your most obedient humble 
 servant, 
 
 S. AuciiMUTY, Lt. Gen. 
 The Right Hon. Charles Abbot, 
 
 Speaker of the House of Commons, &c. 
 
 ^g, 2 C
 
 402 ADMIRAL BERTIE. 
 
 LuncB 10 die Februarii^ 1812. 
 
 Coltersworth, Lincolnshire, 4th Februart/, IS 12. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I am to acknowledge the high 
 and distinguished honor your Lordship's 
 letter of the 1st instant has communicated 
 to me, of the unanimous resolution of 
 the Lords spiritual and temporal in Parlia- 
 ment assembled, " that the thanks of this 
 House be given to me for my cordial co- 
 operation and essential services rendered 
 by me in the late operations in the Eastern 
 Seas." 
 
 I beg you will assure their Lordships 
 that I receive them with profound respect, 
 and sincere gratitude. 
 
 I beg leave to return my thanks to your 
 Lordship for the very flattering manner in 
 which you have done me. the honor of 
 expressing yourself in making their Lord- 
 ships' resolutions known to me. 
 
 I have the honor to be with the highest 
 respect, my Lord, your Lordship's most 
 humble servant, 
 
 Albemarle Bertie, Vice Admiral. 
 To the Lord High Chancellor.
 
 EASTERN SEAS. 403 
 
 Martis 21 die Januarii, 1812. 
 
 Hillf near Southampton, Jan. \Qth, 1812. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I have the honor to acknow- 
 ledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th 
 instant, communicating to me, " in the 
 name and by the command of the Com- 
 mons of the United Kingdom of Great 
 Britain and Ireland, their unanimous vote 
 of thanks for my cordial co-operation with 
 His Majesty's land forces in the reduction 
 of the Island of Mauritius : and also the 
 vote of thanks to Commodore Josias Rowley 
 and the several captains and officers 
 employed in the late operations in the 
 Eastern Seas, for their skilful, gallant, and 
 meritorious exertions ; requesting me to 
 transmit the same to them. 
 
 •' Also transmitting to me the unanimous 
 resolution of the House, highly approving 
 and acknowledging the services of the 
 seamen and royal marines serving on board 
 His Majesty's ships emploj^ed in the late
 
 404 ADMIRAL BERTIE. 
 
 operations, and desiring the captains of the 
 several ships to thank them for their gal- 
 lant behaviour." — 
 
 I have the honor to request that you 
 will be pleased to signify to the Commons 
 of the United Kino;dom of Great Britain 
 and Ireland, my grateful estimation of the 
 honor conferred by this high and distin- 
 guished mark of their approval of my con- 
 duct, as well as that of Commodore Josias 
 Rowley, and the several captains and offi- 
 cers, seamen and royal marines employed 
 and serving under my command, during 
 the late operations in the Eastern Seas. 
 
 I have the honor to be, Sir, your most 
 obedient humble servant, 
 
 Albemarle Bertie, 
 
 Vice Admiral. 
 
 Right Hon. Charles Abbot, &c. &c.
 
 EASTERN SEAS. 405 
 
 Jovis 3 die Decemhris, 1812. 
 
 Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope, 
 2Sth August, 1812. 
 
 Mj Lord, 
 
 On the 24th August I had the 
 honour of receiving your Lordship's letter 
 of last January, communicating (in a man- 
 ner most grateful to me) the distinguished 
 honour conferred upon me by the resolu- 
 tions of the House of Lords, in which their 
 Lordships have expressed their approba- 
 tion of my conduct during the late co-ope- 
 ration of His Majesty's naval forces with 
 the army under the command of Lieutenant 
 General Sir Samuel Auchmuty in the East- 
 ern Seas. 
 
 I beg leave to express my most grateful 
 thanks for the honour thus conferred upon 
 me ; and shall take the earliest opportunity 
 of transmitting their Lordships' resolutions 
 to Commodore Broughton, the captains, 
 officers, seamen, and marines at that time 
 under my command, to whose brave con-
 
 406 ADMIRAL STOPFORD. 
 
 duct the country is principally indebted for 
 success. 
 
 I have the honour to be, your Loidship^s 
 most obedient and very humble servant, 
 
 Robert Stopford, 
 
 Rear-Admiral. 
 The Right Hon. Lord El don, 
 
 Lord Chancellor, &c. &c. 
 
 Martis 1 die Decembris, 1812. 
 
 Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope, 
 28M August, 1812. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 On the 24th August I had the 
 honour to receive your letter of last January, 
 communicating the unanimous vote of 
 Thanks of the Commons of the United 
 Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, for 
 my cordial co-operation with the army act- 
 ing under the command of Lieutenant Ge- 
 neral Sir Samuel Auchmuty in the late ope- 
 rations on the Island of Java. 
 
 I beg leave to express to you, Sir, the 
 high value I place upon this distinguished
 
 EASTERN SEAS. 407 
 
 mark of approbation of my conduct upon 
 that occasion ; and I shall take the earliest 
 opportunity of communicating the unani- 
 mous vote of thanks of the Commons of the 
 United Kingdom to Commodore Brough- 
 ton, the captains, officers, seamen and ma- 
 rines, employed with me upon the reduc- 
 tion of Java. 
 
 I have the honour to be, Sir, your most 
 obedient and very humble servant, 
 Robert Stopford, 
 
 Rear-Admiral. 
 The Right Hon. Charles Abbot, 
 
 Speaker of the House of Commons, 
 &c. &c. &c. 
 
 Sir Samuel Auchmuty, whose merits may be deemed to 
 have received their crown on this occasion, entered the 
 service as a volunteer with the 45th foot in North America 
 in 1776, and in the following year received an ensigncy 
 in that regiment. He returned in 1778 Lieutenant, and in 
 178S went with the 52nd to India, where he served princi- 
 pally on the Staff. In 1794, he was Major and Lieute- 
 nant Colonel in the army, and in 1 795 Major 75th Foot.
 
 408 AUCHMUTY, GILLESPIE, GIBBS. 
 
 Returning to England in 1797, he became Colonel in 
 IBOO, and Lieutenant-Colonel 10th footj and was ap- 
 pointed to con) maud the force to be drawn from the Cape 
 to attack the French Ports at Cosier and Suez in the Red 
 Sea. He became Adjutant-General to Sir James Baird's 
 Indian army, and afterwards to that of Egypt, from which 
 he returned to England, He commanded as Brigadier- 
 General at home, in the Isle of Thanet, till 1 806, when 
 he received the Colonelcy 103d foot, and proceeded as has 
 been seen to South America. 
 
 In 1810 he was appointed Commander of the forces in 
 the Presidency of Fort George; and during this command, 
 undertook the present expedition. In 1813 he returned to 
 Encland, and received the rank of Lieutenant-General. 
 Vigour and precision strongly mark all Sir Sanmel Auch- 
 muty's operations. He received the order of the Bath. 
 
 To the memory of Cols. Gillespieand Gibbs, who acted 
 as Brigadier-Generals on this occasion, and who afterwards 
 fell h) pursuing the same arduous career, one in India, the 
 other in America, the warmest tribute is due. 
 
 Robert RoUo Gillespie was Cornet 3d Horse Carbineers 
 in 1783, and Lieutenant 20th Dragoons in 1792, as which 
 he served in the West Indies, including St. Domingo, where 
 in 1794 he obtained a troop. Serving on the Staff, it was 
 said of him by an old General Officer, that " whatever ser- 
 vice he employed tiim on, he was sure of the success of 
 the enterprize and of every particular object confided to his
 
 EASTERN SEAS. 409 
 
 execution. In 1796, Major, and 1799 Lieutenant-Colo- 
 nel of his regiment, he continued to serve with universal 
 applause in the West Indies till 1805, when he exchanged 
 to the 19th in India. Thither he made an overland jour- 
 ney from England, visiting the head quarters of the Rus- 
 sian and Austrian armies, proceeding through Moldavia 
 down the Danube, and across the Euxine to Constantino- 
 ple ; thence to Bagdad, Bussorah, Bombay, and Madras. 
 He instantly had a command at Auct to suppress a 
 meeting by storming Vellore ; was hurt, received thanks, 
 and the appointment of Inspector of cavalry : he removed 
 to the 25th Dragoons, and commanded in the Mysore till 
 the present occasion ; after which he commanded the forces 
 in Java. In 1812 he had to reduce Palimburg, a service 
 of great danger. He afterwards returned to India; and 
 there, in the prosecution of a new war against Nepaul, he 
 fell an early and much-regretted victim. Major-General 
 Sir K. Gillespie had received the order of the Bath. 
 
 At the same period (1783) Sir Samuel Gibbs was ap- 
 pointed Ensign 102nd foot, and a few years after served in 
 the 60th m America, and at the same period only (1792) 
 received promotion to a Lieutenancy 1 1th foot at Gibraltar. 
 In 1793 he returned with it to England, was aide-de-camp 
 to Lieut.-Gen. Grant : and having a company in 1795, in 
 1798 was taken prisoner under Gen. Sir Eyre Coote at 
 Ostend. In 1799, Major of his regiment, he went with it 
 to the West Indies, and in 1802 received the Lieutenant- 
 Colonelcy of the 10th. He soon after brought home the 
 despatches of Sir Thomas Trigge : he next served at the
 
 410 ADMIRALS BERTIE AND STOPFORD. 
 
 Cape and in India ; whence he proceeded on the present 
 occasion. 
 
 In 1813, Major General, he commanded the British 
 force sent to Stralsund to co-operate with the allies, and 
 afterwards served on the Staff in Holland, whence under 
 the gallant Sir E. Pakenhainhe proceeded to his first scene 
 of service, America, and with his commander fell in the 
 attack on New Orleans. 
 
 Admiral Albemarle Bertie is of the ancient House of 
 Liudsey, of which Robert first Earl was Admiral of the 
 Fleet of King Charles the First. 
 
 Vice- Admiral the Honourable Sir Robert Stopford is 
 the 3rd son of the late Earl of Courtown, and brother of 
 the present Earl: he was born in 1768. As early as 179-5 
 he was in command of the Phaeton frigate, in which he 
 continued four years. He had the Excellent 74, till the 
 close of the war, and on its renewal removed to the Spen- 
 cer also of 74 guns, in which he continued till 1808. 
 Rear-Admiral in 1808, in the following year he married 
 the daughter of Commissioner Fanshaw. In 1808 he 
 commanded in chief at the Cape of Good Hope, and con- 
 tinued there two years and a half. He was created a 
 Knight Commander of the Bath.
 
 411 
 
 BATTLE OF BARROSA-LIEUT. GEN. 
 GRAHAM (afterwards Lord Lyne- 
 dock), and MAJOR-GEN. DILKES. 
 March 5, 1811. 
 
 Among the most important of the posi- 
 tions necessary to be occupied in Spain, at 
 once to dispossess the enemy of that coun- 
 try, and create a diversion from tlie line of 
 march of the chief army upon France, was 
 necessarily the city of Cadiz. At the close 
 of 1810, a great struggle was maintained 
 for it with the French blockading army ; 
 and General Graham, who was appointed 
 to the command of the troops in that for- 
 tress, was directed to embark, and go round 
 by Tarifa to Barrosa, for the purpose of 
 making a combined attack, with the Spa- 
 niards, on the rear of the enemy. 
 
 This was effected with considerable diffi- 
 culty, and unfortunately with great loss, 
 occasioned by the co-operating Spanish
 
 412 LORD LYNEDOCK. 
 
 general having changed the position assign- 
 ed to him. 
 
 The vote of thanks was very markedly 
 bestowed on this occasion : Mr. Sheridan 
 having made one of those splendid orations, 
 with which he occasionally astonished the 
 House, in support of the motions of those 
 ministers to whom he was so generally 
 opposed, and all breathing assent to the 
 truth of his eloquence. 
 
 Lunce 6 die Maii, 181]. 
 
 Isla de Leon, l6th April, 181 1. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I have had the honor of receiving 
 your Lordship's letter, enclosing the reso- 
 lutions of the House of Lords, by which 
 the unanimous thanks of that august as- 
 sembly have been voted to me, to Brig.- 
 General Dilkes, and to the other officers, 
 and to the non-commissioned officers and
 
 BARROSA. 413 
 
 private soldiers under mj command, in the 
 action of the 5th ult. on the heights of 
 Barrosa. 
 
 The impression which this higli and dis- 
 tinguished mark of the approbation of the 
 House of Lords has made on the minds of 
 the brave men of every rank, who are thus 
 honored, is such as will attach them more, 
 if possible, to the zealous discharge of every 
 military duty, and animate them to similar 
 (greater I conceive to be impossible) devo- 
 tion to the honor of his Majesty's arms on 
 other occasions. 
 
 To their steady discipline and persevering 
 valor, the success of the action is to be 
 entirely ascribed. But I receive with infi- 
 nite gratitude and satisfaction this most 
 flattering reward of my zeal ; and I have 
 to request, my Lord, that your Lordship 
 will make the assurances of our most grate- 
 ful feelings acceptable to the House of 
 Lords. 
 
 I cannot conclude this letter without 
 hoping that your Lordship will be well
 
 ^4 LOUD LYNEDOCK. 
 
 persuaded that I duly appreciate the flat- 
 tering manner in which you have expressed 
 yourself, in conveying to me the thanks of 
 the illustrious assembly where you preside. 
 I have the honor to be, my Lord, with 
 sentiments of profound respect, your Lord- 
 ship's most obedient and most humble 
 servant, 
 
 Thos. Graham, Lieut.-Gen. 
 
 Right Hon. Lord Eldon, 
 
 Speaker of the House of Lords, &c. &c. 
 
 Jovis 2 die Maii, 181 L 
 
 Isla de Leorif 1 5th April , 1811. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I had yesterday the honor of re- 
 ceiving your letter, conveying to me the 
 unanimous votes of thanks of the House 
 of Commons, to me, to Brig.-Gen. Dilkes, 
 and to officers, non-commissioned officers, 
 and private soldiers, of the division under 
 my command on the 5th ult. in the action 
 of Barrosa.
 
 BAHROSA. 415 
 
 The House will readily believe, that the 
 noble spirit displayed on that occasion by 
 these brave men, springs from the honor- 
 able principle of loyal and devoted attach- 
 ment to their sovereign and to their country; 
 and that therefore they receive as a most 
 flattering reward, this distinguished testi- 
 mony of the approbation and applause of 
 the representatives of the people. 
 
 Though I am myself conscious that the 
 signal success on that day is entirely due 
 to the combination of discipline and bravery 
 of the troops whom I had the good fortune 
 to command, yet it would ill become me to 
 disguise my feelings on this occasion, for I 
 well know the inestimable value of those 
 thanks to a soldier. 
 
 I have formerly often heard you. Sir, 
 eloquently and impressively deliver the 
 thanks of the House to officers present, and 
 never without an anxious wish that I might 
 one day receive this most enviable mark of 
 my country's regard : this honest ambition 
 is now fully gratified, and I am more than
 
 416 LORD LYNEDOCK. 
 
 \ 
 
 ever bound to try to merit the good opinion 
 of the House. 
 
 I trust, Sir, you will on my own part, and 
 on that of my gallant comrades, assure the 
 House of these our grateful feelings. 
 
 Permit me, Sir, to request that you will 
 accept my sincerest thanks for the most 
 kind and flattering expressions with which 
 you have accompanied the resolutions of 
 the House, and that you will be assured of 
 the high, regard with which I have the 
 honor to be, Sir, your most obedient and 
 most humble servant, 
 
 Tiios. Graham, Lieut.-Gen. 
 
 Right Hon. Charles Abbot, 
 
 Speaker of the House of Commons. 
 
 The hero of this section afTords an instance of one not 
 bred to the army attaining its highest glories. 
 
 Thomas Graham, third son of Thomas Graham, of 
 Bahiagowan, the representative of a family of high anti- 
 quity, and the Lady Christian Hope, sister of Lord Hope-
 
 BATTLE OF ByVRROSA. 417 
 
 town, the head of a noble race, was born about the 
 middle of the last century on the family estate, a scene 
 described as Patriarchal, beyond all the ordinary descrip- 
 tions of romance. 
 
 The classical mind of his father, and the elegant attain- 
 ments of his mother, both directed to the education of 
 their son, who, by the death of both his elder brothers, 
 had also become their heir, produced in him an aptitude, 
 to study, and qualities always estimable, which were early 
 matured by a sensible tour through Europe. 
 
 In 1774, having lost his father, he derived a new acqui- 
 sition from his marriage with the youngest of the three 
 beautiful and accomplished daughters of the late Lord 
 Cathcart,' from whose sense and tenderness he expe- 
 rienced the highest of intellectual enjoyments, and the 
 utmost felicity of the marriage state. 
 
 It was too much to last : when married about eighteen 
 years a decline took place, that threatened his delightful 
 acquisition ; he 
 
 " Snatch'd her from the rigid north, 
 
 And bore her to the sun." 
 Alas ! she lived not to reach the shore of Hiere's Bay. 
 
 What could solace civilized man under such a reverse ? 
 There was no hope but in a shifting scene. Travel had 
 been his first source of enjoyment ; but it was in vain he 
 sought relief from it now. He passed through France, 
 busied in all the hurry of revolution, in solitude ! He 
 proceeded to the Mediterranean ; and, in military society 
 
 ' The other two were married the same day, to the Duke of Athol 
 and Lord Stormont.
 
 418 LORD LYNEDOCK. 
 
 at Gibraltar, first found the means of disengaging him- 
 self from the melancholy spell under which he most 
 naturally laboured. 
 
 Sympathy will easily paint how the hubbub of arms, 
 at such a moment, would rouse him ; how agreeable it 
 would be even to seek a re-union with his justly beloved 
 lost one, through the sweet and decorous sacrifice of life 
 for his country's glory. Lord Hood, about to sail for the 
 south of France, was collecting all the intelligence he 
 could command for the critical occasion, and could not 
 but be proud and happy to receive Mr. Graham as a 
 volunteer. He dashed at once into the enterprize ; he 
 was foremost in attack at the head of a column ; a private 
 fell, and he supplied his place in the front rank : the re- 
 treat finished, he grew impatient for other opportunities, 
 and was permitted to raise a regiment, forming the 1st 
 battalion of the 90th, of which he entered the army 
 Lieut.-Colonel Commandant, 
 
 His next important personal service was with the 
 Austrian army in 179<^>, of a military diplomatic nature; 
 and next, under Field-Marshal Wurmser, in the Austrian 
 army of Italy, which he accompanied till inclosed within 
 the walls of Mantua, whence, at the most imminent hazard, 
 savouring almost of despair, in the midst of a dreadful 
 sortie. Col. Graham effected his escape. 
 
 Having joined his regiment at Gibraltar in 1797, the 
 capture of Mmorca, under Sir C. Stuart, owed much to 
 him; and he soon after, in 179B, besieged Malta, till the 
 arrival of Gen. Pigot gave to another the pleasing task 
 of announcing afresh the glory of Brigadier-General 
 Graham.
 
 BATTLE OF BARROSA. 419 
 
 He then returned to England, but quickly followed his 
 regiment to Egypt, whence the evacuation being settled, 
 he returned through Turkey with Mr. Hutchinson, a dis- 
 tinguished volunteer also, without military rank, and staid 
 some time at Constantinople and at Paris. 
 
 The peace of Amiens returned him, in all simplicity, 
 like Cincinnatus, to rural cares. 
 
 His regiment went to the West Indies, whither he did 
 not accompany it, from the understanding that the brevet 
 would preclude him, according to the arrangement of his 
 levy. It did not, hovvever ; and, far from impatient, 
 unless of service, he solicited to accompany Sir John 
 Moore to Sweden as Aide-de-camp, where, while his 
 general was occupied in diplomacy, he endeavoured to 
 inform himself topographically of the country. In the 
 same character he accompanied Sir John Moore into 
 Spain, and fought by his side at Corunna. 
 
 Major-General, he commanded a division in the expe- 
 dition to Walcheren ; it soon developed itself as no scene 
 for his prowess, and, having caught the fever, he returned 
 to England. 
 
 The occasion described in this section was one calcu- 
 lated for him, and he accordingly took the command as 
 Lieutenant-General. 
 
 Having performed this duty, he joined Lord Wellington 
 as second in command ; but, after being at the siege of 
 Ciudad Rodrigo, was obliged, from a disease of the eyes, 
 to return to England. In 1813 he again joined, and took 
 the command of ;he left wing of the army at Vittoria. 
 He continued through the successive actions, and had the 
 charge of first entering France. Having established him-
 
 420 MAJ. GEN. DILKES. 
 
 self on French ground, his heahh again compelled him to 
 return to England. 
 
 In 1814 he was appointed to command the forces in 
 Holland, with temporary rank of General ; and, on the 
 peace, received a peerage as Baron Lynedock, of Bal- 
 gowan, having before enjoyed the Order of the Bath. 
 
 Thus ended the extraordinary career of this son of the 
 \Tar, for such he may literally be deemed, unless in those 
 domestic services which are occasionally called for by the 
 army in its judicial and economical arrangements. His 
 Lordship, no doubt in gratitude for the relief his mind 
 had sustained in military society, was foremost among the 
 advocates for establishing a military club, on an elegant 
 and economical scale, in London, under the sanction of 
 the Commander-in-Chief, where, in all simplicity, he has 
 frequently mixed with his brothers in arms. Not unmind- 
 ful, however, of the beloved scenes of his happy retire- 
 ment, his favored Balgowan, any more than when 
 
 " He dream'd, 'mid Alpine cliffs, of Athol's hill, 
 
 " And heard in Ebro's roar, his Lynedock's lovely rill." 
 
 Lord Lynedock, in his person and in the esteem in 
 which he is held, affords an eminent proof that a military 
 life, even in this advanced period of our state, is in no way 
 incompatible with religion and morality. 
 
 From the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, Gen. 
 Dilkes, in 1782, passed as Lieutenant to the 103d regi- 
 ment in Ireland, having three years before obtained an
 
 BATTLE OF BARROSA. 421 
 
 Ensigiicy in the 49th ; but, in the succeeding year, pur- 
 chased an Ensigncy in the Guards, and immediately M'ent 
 Aide-de-camp to General O'Hara, at Gibraltar. In 1790 
 he became Adjutant of the 3d Foot Guards ; 1792, Lieut, 
 and Captain ; and, in 1 793 embarked, with the first body 
 of troops, for the continent, under General Abercrombie; 
 with the last of which he returned, in 1 795, having shared 
 in all the occurrences of the campaign. In 1797, Capt. 
 and Lieut.-Colonel, he served with his regiment in the 
 Irish rebellion ; in 1 799 he accompanied the expedition 
 to the Helder, and in 1800 returned to Ireland. He after- 
 wards commanded the Guards in London. 
 
 In 1810 he commanded the brigade of Guards at 
 Cadiz, and afterwards became second in command on the 
 present occasion. 
 
 In 1811 General Dilkes returned with the Guards to 
 England, and was placed on the staff in England ; where, 
 to the regret of his superiors at home and abroad, a do- 
 mestic calamity compelled him to remain. 
 
 It were injustice not to add here the following letter, 
 addressed to the General by his Royal Highness the Duke 
 of York, on the subject of this section. 
 
 " I take the earliest opportunity in my power of ac- 
 knowledging the receipt of your letter of the 9th March, 
 and of thanking you for your obliging attention in com- 
 municating to me, thus early, what relates to the distin- 
 guished conduct of my gallant old friends — the Guards, 
 under your command in the glorious and severely-con- 
 tested action of the 5th. While I congratulate you and 
 thera on the successful result of an action, in which their
 
 422 MAJ. GEN. DILKES. 
 
 efforts were so conspicuous, and so deserving of the adnu^ 
 ration with which all have viewed them, I cannot conceal 
 niv deep feehngs of regret that it has been attended with 
 so severe and painful a loss of officers and men, which 
 upon this occasion, perhaps, makes a deeper impression 
 upon me, as many of the latter Vvere oidj-soldiers and 
 faithful companions, whose meritorious exertions 1 have 
 myself witnessed and had occasion to approve upon former 
 occasions. 
 
 " I have read, with great satisfaction, in Lieut.-General 
 Graham's dispatch, the high and well-earned encomiums 
 bestowed upon your conduct, and that of the officers and 
 men engaged under your command ; and, as a brother 
 Guardsman (a title of which I shall ever be most proud), 
 and (. olonel of the corps, I trust 1 shall not be consi- 
 dered as exceeding the limits of my station, in requesting 
 that you will yourself receive, and convey to the brigade 
 under your orders, my sincere and cordial thanks for 
 having so gloriously maintained, and indeed, if possible, 
 raised the high character of a corps, in whose success, 
 collectively and individually, I shall never cease to take 
 the warmest interest." — Sic. &c.
 
 423 
 
 PENINSULAR WAR—FOURTH 
 PERIOD — VISCOUNT (afterwards 
 Duke of) WELLINGTON— BATTLE 
 OF ALBUERA, May l6th, 1811— 
 GENERAL SERVICES OF THE 
 CAMPAIGN— CAPTURE OF CIU- 
 DAD RODRIGO, January 19th— 
 BADAJOZ, April 5'th, 1812. 
 
 The officers included by name in the 
 votes of thanks for these several occasions 
 are, after the Commander in Chief, Sir 
 W. Carr (afterwards Lord) Beresford, 
 and Don Joachim Blake, commanding 
 the Fortugiiese and Spanish armies, as 
 follow :— 
 
 ALBUERA. Thomas Picton 
 
 M. Gen. Charles Colville 
 
 Robert Crawford 
 
 John O. Vandeleur 
 
 M. Gen. Hon. G. L. Cole 
 W. Stewart 
 
 B. Gen. Denis Pack 
 
 -John Hamilton 
 
 -Hon. Wm. Luniley 
 
 -Charles Baron Alten badajoz. 
 
 B. Gen. R. B. Long Lt. Gen. James Leith 
 
 Thomas Picton 
 
 Charles Stewart 
 
 CIUDAD RODRIGO. 
 
 Lt. Gen. Thomas Graham Charles Colville
 
 424 VISCOUNT WELLINGTON. 
 
 M. Gen. B. F. Bowes B. Gen. W. M. Harvey 
 
 Andrew Hay Champlemond 
 
 George T. Walker Manley Power 
 
 James Ken)pt 
 
 The year 1811 had begun with an 
 interest in the Peninsula war which these 
 limits cannot describe. To reheve Badajoz 
 besieged by the aUied army under Marshal 
 Beresford, the enemy having formed a 
 junction was proceeding in force when the 
 Marshal suspending his operations went 
 forth to meet him near Albuera, and being 
 joined by the Spaniards and the British, 
 a victory was the result though purchased 
 most dearly. Never was the eulogy of 
 British courage more just or more severely 
 earned. 
 
 These pages nevertheless are deprived of 
 their principal beauty in the defect of the 
 Speakers' letters. 
 
 Mercurii 24f die Julii, 1811. 
 
 Quenta de St. Joao, July \stj 181 1. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I have received your Lordship's 
 letter of the 7th of June ; and I have great
 
 BATTLE OF ALBUERA, &C. 425 
 
 satisfaction in communicating to the Gene- 
 rals commanding the alhed armies in the 
 battle of Albuera on the l6th of May, the 
 distinguished honour which the House of 
 Lords have conferred upon them by the 
 unanimous resolutions of their Lordships, 
 conveying the approbation of their Lord- 
 ships of the conduct of the General and 
 other officers, non-commissioned officers 
 and soldiers engaged with the enemy on 
 that occasion. 
 
 I have the honour to enclose a letter 
 from Sir Wilham Beresford to your Lord- 
 ship. 
 
 1 have the honour to be, my Lord, with 
 the greatest respect, your Lordship's most 
 obedient humble servant, 
 
 Wellington. 
 The Right Honourable Lord Eldon, 
 
 Lord High Chancellor, &c. &c. 
 
 St. Olaia, June 29th, 181 L 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 Lord Viscount Wellington, 
 commanding his Majest/s and the allied
 
 426 LORD BEIIESFOIID. 
 
 forces in the Peninsula having transmitted 
 to me jour Lordship's letter of the 7th 
 instant, communicating the resolutions of 
 the House of Lords, givino to me, to the 
 general officers and troops under m}*^ 
 immediate command on the l6th of May, 
 the thanks of that House for our conduct 
 in the battle of Albuera, I have the honour 
 to inform jour Lordship that I have signifi- 
 ed to the several general officers specified 
 in the resolution of the House of Lords 
 this most flattering and high distinction ; 
 and I beg to assure jour Lordship that the 
 generals, officers and troops will appreciate 
 with me the approbation of their Lordships 
 as the highest honour and not onlj as the 
 most ao-reeable remuneration for what ser- 
 vice, under Divine Providence, our efforts 
 have been able to obtain in our countrj's 
 cause, but as the most powerful incentive 
 to future exertions. 
 
 I beg jour Lordship will be pleased, for 
 the general officers, officers and troops and 
 mjself, to offer to the Plouse of Lords the
 
 BATTLE OF ALBUERA, SuC. 427 
 
 expression of our thanks and gratitude for 
 the high honor of the approbation of that 
 House, and which we shaU ever remain 
 most ambitious of retaining. 
 
 I beg your Lordship will beheve me to 
 be, with the highest consideration, my 
 Lord, your Lordship's most obedient hum- 
 ble servant, 
 
 W. C. Beresford. 
 The Right Hon. Lord l^'.ldon, 
 
 Lord High Chancellor, &c. &c. 
 
 Martis 23 die Juki, 1 8 U . 
 
 Quentade St. Joao, 
 
 July \st 1811. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 In obedience to the orders of 
 the House of Commons, I have communi- 
 cated to Sir William Beresford and to 
 Captain General Blake the resolutions of 
 the House of the 7th June conveying their 
 approoafion of the conduct of the general 
 and other officers, non-commissioned 
 officers and soldiers of the allied armies
 
 428 VISCOUNT WELLINGTON. 
 
 which fought the battle of Albuera on the 
 l6th of May. 
 
 It has given me great satisfaction to have 
 been made the channel of communicating 
 to those officers the high honor which the 
 House has conferred upon them. 
 
 I have the honour to enclose a letter 
 from Sir William Beresford. 
 
 I have the honour to be, Sir, with the 
 greatest respect your most obedient humble 
 
 servant, 
 
 Wellington. 
 
 The Right Hon. Charles Abbot, 
 
 Speaker of the House of Commons, 
 &c. Sec, &c. 
 
 St. Olaia, June 29th, 1811. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 Lord Viscount Wellington, 
 commanding his Majesty's and the allied 
 forces in the Peninsula, having transmitted 
 to me your letter of the 7th instant, com- 
 municatino' the resolutions of the House of 
 Commons, giving to me, to the general
 
 BATTLE OF ALBUERA. 429 
 
 officers, officers and troops under my com- 
 mand on the l6th of May the thanks of 
 that House for our conduct in the battle of 
 Albuera, I have the honour to inform you 
 that I have signified to the several general 
 officers specified in the resolution of the 
 House of Commons, this most flattering 
 and high distinction ; and I beg you to 
 assure the House that the generals, officers 
 and troops, will appreciate with me their 
 approbation as the highest honour, and not 
 only as the most agreeable remuneration 
 for what service, under the assistance of 
 Divine Providence, our efforts have been 
 able to obtain in our country's cause, but 
 as the most powerful incentive to future 
 exertions. 
 
 I beg you will be pleased, for the general 
 officers, officers, troops, and myself, to offer 
 to the House of Commons, the expression 
 of our thanks and gratitude for the high 
 honour of the approbation of that House, 
 and which we shall ever be most ambitious 
 of retaining.
 
 430 VISCOUNT WELLINGTON. 
 
 I besf vou will believe me to be with (he 
 liighest consideration, Sir, your most obe- 
 dient hmnble servant, 
 
 W. C. Beresford. 
 
 The Right Hon. 
 
 the Speaker of the House of Commons, 
 &c. &c. &c. 
 
 Limce 20 die Jamiarii^ 1812. 
 
 Portalegra, July Q5th, 1811. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I have the honour to inclose 
 the copy and translation of a letter which 
 I have received from General Blake in 
 answer to one which I wrote to him, to 
 transmit the resolutions of the Houses of 
 Lords and Commons of Great Britain and 
 Ireland of the 7th of June, on the subject 
 of the battle of Albuera. 
 
 I have the honour to be. My Lord, your
 
 BATTLE OF ALBUERA. 431 
 
 Lordahip's most obedient and faithful bum- 
 ble servant, 
 
 Wellington. 
 
 The Risht Hon. the Lord Chancellor. 
 
 Ayamonte, 6th July, 1811. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 The unanimous resolutions of 
 the two Houses of Parliament of Great 
 Britain and Ireland of the 7th of June, 
 which your Excellency enclosed with your 
 letterof the 28th June,expressing the senti- 
 ments of the two Houses on the conduct of 
 the Spanish troops under my command in 
 the battle of Albuera on the l6th of May, 
 must be considered highly gratifying to the 
 mind of every military man ; and at the 
 same time they are calculated to convince 
 the common enemy of the estimation in 
 which the three allied nations hold each 
 other, and of the strict union which pre- 
 vails among them, the high honour which 
 these illustrious assemblies have conferred 
 upon the Spanish troops, will be received
 
 432 VTSCOUNT WELLINGTON. 
 
 by them with sentiments of gratitude and 
 enthusiasm, proportioned to the heroism 
 which all displayed on that day in the 
 cause, solely that they might deserve the 
 approbation of its well wishers. 
 
 Your Excellency is aware of the estima- 
 tion in which high minded soldiers hold 
 such honourable testimonies of approbation, 
 and therefore I will confine myself to 
 request your Excellency will express our 
 gratitude to the two Houses of Parliament, 
 and will take that occasion to repeat the 
 wishes entertained by us, in common with 
 the Spanish nation, for the permanence of 
 a union which has already produced such 
 glorious effects, and of which the conse- 
 quences will be a period of happiness and 
 glory for many ages. 
 
 I beg that j^our Excellency will allow me 
 to add, that it has increased our satisfaction 
 to have received the resolutions of the 
 two Houses through the channel of a per- 
 son who is already distinguished in military
 
 BATTLE OF ALBUERA. 433 
 
 history and more particularly in the annals 
 of the war in the Peninsula. 
 
 May God preserve your Excellency, &c. 
 
 Joachim Blake. 
 His Excellency Captain General 
 
 Lord Viscount Wellington, &c. &:c. 
 (A true Translation. 
 
 Joseph O'Lawler.) 
 
 [The letters in answer to the vote of the 
 Commons are not repeated here, being, 
 with the exception of the titles, verbatim et 
 literatim the same.] 
 
 LiincB 3 die Febriiarii, 1812. 
 General Cole being come to the House 
 of Commons was thus addressed by Mr. 
 Speaker. 
 
 Major General Cole, 
 
 After your long absence upon 
 
 military service, we cannot behold your 
 
 return amongst us, without calling to mind 
 
 the memorable events which have signa- 
 
 jE-. 2E
 
 434 M. G. HON. SIR G. L. COLE. 
 
 lized the arms of this country in modern 
 times, and in which you have borne a 
 distinguished part. 
 
 In the annals of our military history, the 
 plains of Maid a can never be forgotten ; 
 where British valour and the steadiness of 
 British discipline routed the veteran troops 
 of France, and humbled the pride of a pre- 
 sumptuous enemy ; and we cannot forget 
 that in the history of that day, your name 
 stands enrolled amongst those whose gallan- 
 try bore the brunt of the contest and decid- 
 ed its issue. 
 
 Pursuing the same career of honour and 
 toihng onwards in the fields of war, you 
 have again claimed our admiration and 
 gratitude by your distinguished exertions 
 in the hard fought battle of Albuera: for 
 the Commander in chief of the allied armies 
 upon that day has given us his recorded 
 testimony, that, by your experienced eye 
 and judicious valour, the triumph of the 
 day was completed ; when you were seen 
 leading on your troops to the charge, and
 
 BATTLE OF ALBUERA. 435 
 
 although yourself amongst the wounded, yet 
 foremost amongst the victorious. 
 
 These deeds of glory lose not their re- 
 ward with a great and warlike nation. 
 ,1 therefore do now, in the name and by 
 the command of the Commons of the 
 United Kingdom of Great Britain and 
 Ireland, deliver to you their unanimous 
 thanks for your distinguished exertions in 
 the glorious battle of Albuera. 
 
 Upon which Major General Cole said, — 
 
 Sir, 
 
 To be considered by this House 
 as deserving their thanks, is certainly highly 
 gratifying to my feelings ; but I should ill 
 ' deserve the honour conferred upon me, or 
 the situation I hold, were I to take that 
 merit to myself, which is unquestionably 
 due to the unconquerable spirit and gallan- 
 try of the troops it was my good fortune to 
 command on that memorable day. To 
 them and to them alone, thanks are due. 
 I beg the House however will do me the
 
 436 LORD BERESFORD. 
 
 justice to believe, I am fully sensible of the 
 honour conferred on me ; and I have to 
 regret my inability to express my obhga- 
 tion to you, Sir, for the handsome and 
 flattering terms in which you have been 
 pleased to convey tiiem. 
 
 It is believed that it fell to the lot of the 
 37th foot on this day to exemplify the 
 character of the military force of Great 
 Britain. Being almost entirely transfixed 
 by a corps of Polish Lancers, its ranks 
 were found on their own ground, prostrate 
 as drawn up ; nearly as regular in their 
 lamented heaps as when dressed in line ; 
 and with every wound in front. 
 
 Lord Beresfoid, who produced the battle of Albuera, 
 slowly proceeded to his elevated rank. Ensign 6th foot 
 in 1785, be performed a noviciate of four years in Nova 
 Scotia, and then only getting his Lieutenantcy in the l6lli 
 returned to England in 1 790. Next year he was Captain 
 in an independent company, and afterwards in the 69th. 
 
 Instantly upon the new war (1793) he embarked at 
 Coik for foreign service, and afterwards embarked with
 
 ALBUERA. 437 
 
 troops as marines, to tlie Mediterranean, where he was 
 very active till 1795, when progressively he became 
 Lieutenant Colonel of the 88th Regiment. 
 
 In 1799, he sailed for the East Indies and passed 
 under Sir D. Baird through the Desart of Egypt. He 
 remained commandant of Alexandria till the evacuation. 
 In 1800, he became Colonel in the army, and served in 
 the Irish Rebellion. 
 
 In 1805, he visited the Cape of Good Hope, and pro- 
 ceeded to Buenos Ayres, where after some success he 
 was made prisoner for six months ; and on escaping in 
 1807 received in England the Colonelcy of one of the 
 finest regiments in the service, the 88th. 
 
 Succeeding in a conjunct expedition to Madeira, he 
 became Governor there till August 1808 ; when ordered 
 to Portugal he arrived in a few days after the battle of 
 Vimiera, in sufficient time to conduct the proceedings of 
 the convention of Cintra. He shared in Sir John Moore's 
 retreat, and afterwards returned to the command of the 
 Portuguese troops. Lieutenant General he remained 
 generally active throughout the whole war, till he received 
 some extraordinary honors : and with the whole control of 
 the Portuguese troops, continued his services in Spain, till 
 on the 12th March he entered Bourdeaux with acclamation. 
 
 Since the peace, after which he received a peerage, as 
 Baron Beresford of Albuera, his lordship may be con- 
 sidered as abstracted entirely from the British service to 
 that of Portugal. He here evinced very great political 
 energy, and the result was a conspiracy supposed to have 
 been directed against his life.
 
 438 GENS.BLAKEjSIRSL.COLE,W.LUMLEY. 
 
 Of the Spanish General Hhike it may briefly be said, 
 that like all in a similar service, he was highly blamed and 
 praised. But this is evident, that he fought well on the 
 present occasion, and that he afterwards died in the ser- 
 vice of his country. 
 
 The Honourable Sir Galbraith Lowry Cole, son of the 
 Earl of Inneskillen, commenced his recognized service as 
 Lieutenant Colonel in Ward's foot 1794, which five years 
 after he changed to the same rank in that of General 
 Villette's, and thence continued till he joined Lord 
 Wellington's army in the peninsula, in which he enjoyed a 
 due share in all his Lordship's campaigns. In 1811 he 
 receit'ed the local rank of Lieutenant General, and has 
 since commanded a brigade in the Anglo-Gallic army of 
 occupation. 
 
 Sir William Lumley, 8th son of Richard, fourth Earl 
 of Scarborough, and Barbara, sister of Sir George Saville, 
 Bart, was born on the 28th of August 1769. He 
 entered the army in the 10th Light Dragoons ; in 1787 he 
 became Captain; in 1794, Aid de Camp to Earl Fitzwil- 
 liam. Viceroy of Ireland ; he obtained a Majority and 
 subsequently the Lieutenant Colonelcy of the 'iOth 
 Dragoons antedated to 1795. 
 
 In 1798, he was in the affair of Antrim when Lord 
 O'Neil fell, and had the honor to preserve the lives of the
 
 ALBUERA. 439 
 
 other magistrates of the town from the violence of the 
 rebels with a severe wound through the ancle. To this 
 service Egypt succeeded ; and that of the staff of the 
 London district on the renewal of war. 
 
 Sir WiUiam married in 1804 the daughter of Thomas 
 Sutherland, of Ulverstone, Esq. 
 
 The Cape of Good Hope and South America afforded 
 him occasions of distinction. In 1808 he returned to the 
 Mediterranean, was on the Staff in Sicily, and command- 
 ed the light brigade against Istria. In 1809 he returned to 
 England, became Major General; was appointed to the 
 Colonelcy of the West India Rangers, and created Knight 
 of the Bath. On the 4th June 1814 Sir William received 
 the brevet of Lieutenant General. 
 
 The DEFENCE of PORTUGAL, that interesting military 
 topic, the theory of which has employed so many military 
 pens,* having here been practically executed, becomes the 
 next object of the present section. 
 
 * Exclusive of those of the French General Dninonrier, and our own 
 Colonel Elliot, of tlie Artillery, which are in every one's remembrance.
 
 440 VISCOUNT WELLINGTON. 
 
 With peculiar and most appropriate deli- 
 cacy also at this period of the war, when 
 public opinion became considerably influ- 
 enced against it, was the Vote of Thanks 
 ordered generally for the campaign. 
 
 On the 26th of April, 1811, it was 
 resolved — 
 
 That the Thanks of this House be given 
 to Lieut. General Lord Viscount Welling- 
 ton, for the consummate ability, fortitu4e 
 and perseverance displayed by him in the 
 command of the Bntish and Portuguese 
 forces, by which the Kingdom of Portugal 
 has been successfullj^ defended, and the 
 most signal and important services rendered 
 to his King and country. 
 
 That this House doth highly approve of, 
 and acknowledge the eminent and merito- 
 rious services uniformly performed by the 
 general officers, officers, non-commissioned 
 officers and soldiers of the British army.
 
 DEFENCE OF PORTUGAL. 441 
 
 under the command of Lieutenant-General 
 Lord Viscount Wellington, during the late 
 arduous and memorable operations in Por- 
 tugal, by which additional lustre has been 
 reflected on the reputation of the British 
 arms. 
 
 That this House doth highly acknowledge 
 the zeal, discipline and intrepidity, so con- 
 spicuously displayed by the general officers, 
 officers, non-commissioned officers, and 
 soldiers of the Portuguese army under the 
 immediate command of Field Marshal Sir 
 William Beresford, which have essentially 
 contributed to the successful result of the 
 late military operations. 
 
 To its communication Lord Wellington 
 thus replied : — 
 
 Mar lis 18 die Junii, 1811. 
 
 Elvas,Q5th May 1811. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I have had the honour of re- 
 ceiving your Lordship's letter of the 29th of 
 April, in which your Lordship enclosed the
 
 442 VISCOUNT WELLINGTON. 
 
 resoliUious of the House of Lords of the 
 26th April, expressing the approbation of 
 their Lordships of the conduct of the army 
 under ray command during the late cam- 
 paign in Portugal ; which I have commu- 
 nicated according to their Lordships' desire, 
 to the allied British and Portuguese army. 
 
 The approbation of the House of Lords 
 must be highly gratifying to the general 
 officers, and officers by whose able assis- 
 tance and support, and to the troops, by 
 whose good conduct, discipline, and bravery 
 (under Providence) the service has been 
 performed, which their Lordships have 
 been pleased to distinguish in this manner ; 
 and I request your Lordship to convey to 
 the House of Lords the expression of my 
 gratitude for the favour with which they 
 have been pleased to view my endeavours 
 to serve His Majesty, and for the high ho- 
 nour which their Lordships have conferred 
 upon me. 
 
 I likewise request your Lordship to ac- 
 cept my acknowledgments for the handsome
 
 DEFENCE OF PORTUGAL. 443 
 
 terms in which your Lordship has conveyed 
 to me the sentiments of the House of Lords. 
 I have the honour to be, My Lord, with 
 the greatest respect, your Lordship's most 
 obedient and faithful humble servant, 
 
 Wellington. 
 The Right Hon. Lord Eldon, 
 
 Lord High Chancellor, &c. &c. &c. 
 
 Sabbati 15 die Junii, 181 L 
 
 Ehas, May 25th, 1811. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I have had the honour of receiv- 
 ing 3^our letter of the 26th of April in which 
 vou have enclosed the resolutions of the 
 House of Commons of that day, conveying 
 the approbation of the House of the con- 
 duct of the army under my command in 
 Portugal, during the late campaign, which 
 I have communicated to the allied British 
 and Portuguese army. 
 
 I attribute the result of the operation of
 
 444 VISCOUNT WELLINGTON. 
 
 which the House have been pleased to ap- 
 prove (under Providence) to the support 
 and assistance which I have invariably 
 received from the general and other officers 
 and to the good conduct, the discipline and 
 bravery of the troops ; and it must be high- 
 ly gratifying to them, to find that their ser- 
 vices have been deemed worthy of that dis- 
 tinction of which all are ambitious, the ap- 
 probation of the House of Commons. 
 
 The favour with which the House of 
 Commons have viewed my services, and the 
 honour by which they have been pleased to 
 distinguish them, have made an indelible 
 impression upon me ; and I hope, by the 
 continuance of my zealous endeavours to 
 serve His Majesty according to the best of 
 my judgment, to prove my gratitude to the 
 House for their favours. 
 
 I beg that you, Sir, will accept my ac- 
 knowledgments for the handsome terms in 
 which you have again conveyed to me the 
 sense of the House of Commons ; and I 
 have the honour to be with the utmost re-
 
 DEFENCE OF PORTUGAL. 445 
 
 spect,your most obedient and most faithful 
 
 humble servant, 
 
 Wellington. 
 
 Right Honourable Charles Abbot, 
 
 Speaker of the House of Commons. 
 
 Lord Wellington in the glorious career 
 that was now opening to him, pressed his 
 objects more than proportionably to the 
 operations of the French General, and in 
 consequence, the batteries before Ciudad 
 RoDRiGo being opened on the 10th of Ja- 
 nuary, that place was carried by storm on 
 the 9th day ; and Badajoz being invested 
 on the l6th March, was in the same wav 
 carried in a short time. 
 
 To the vote of thanks on the first occa- 
 sion, Lord Wellington thus replied : — 
 
 Mercurii 13 die Maii, 1812. 
 
 Fuente Guinaldo, April QQih, 18r2. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I have had the honor of receiv- 
 ing your Lordship^s letter of the 15tli of
 
 446 VISCOUNT WELLINGTON. 
 
 February in which you inclosed the resolu- 
 tions of the House of Lords of the 10th of 
 February, expressing the approbation of 
 their Lordships of the conduct of the gene- 
 ral officers, officers and troops under my 
 command in the siege and assault of Ciudad 
 Rodrigo. 
 
 I have communicated to the general offi- 
 cers, officers and troops, the honourable 
 testimonies of the approbation of their Lord- 
 ships. 
 
 I request your Lordship to convey to the 
 House of Lords my acknowledgments for 
 the high honour which they have conferred 
 upon me ; to assure their Lordships of my 
 gratitude for their repeated favours and of 
 my desire to prove myself not unworthy of 
 their Lordships' notice by my continued 
 exertions in His Majesty's service. 
 
 I beg your Lordship will accept my 
 thanks for the handsome terms in which 
 you have conveyed to me the sense of the 
 House of Lords. 
 
 1 have the honour to be, My Lord, with
 
 DEFENCE OF PORTUGAL. 44? 
 
 the greatest respect, your Lordship's most 
 obedient and faithful humble servant, 
 
 Wellington. 
 
 The Right Hon. Lord Eldon, 
 
 Lord High Chancellor, &c. &c. &c. 
 
 Mercurii 13 die Mail, 1812. 
 
 Fiiente Guinaldu, 29th Jpril, 1812. 
 
 Sir, 
 I have had the honour of receiving 
 your letters of the 11th February and 8th 
 instant, in which you enclosed the unani- 
 mous votes of the House of Commons of 
 the 10th of February and 8th of April, 
 expressive of their approbation of the con- 
 duct of the general officers, officers and 
 troops under my command, which were 
 employed in the siege and assault of Ciudad 
 Rodrigo. 
 
 In obedience to the orders of the House, 
 I have communicated to the general offi- 
 cers, officers and troops, these honourable
 
 448 VISCOUNT WELLINGTON. 
 
 testimonies of their approbation and I beg 
 that you will do me the favour to make my 
 acknowledgments to the House for the no- 
 tice which they have taken of my services, 
 and to assure them of the sense which I en- 
 tertain of the honor which they have con- 
 ferred upon me, and of my gratitude for 
 their repeated favours. 
 
 I request you to accept my thanks for the 
 handsome terms in which you have convey- 
 ed to me the sense of the House. 
 
 I have the honour to be. Sir, with the 
 greatest respect, your most obedient and 
 faithful humble servant. 
 
 Wellington. 
 The Right Hon. Charles Abbot, 
 
 Speaker of the House of Commons, 
 Sec. Sec. SiC. 
 
 LuncE 22 die Junii, 1812. 
 
 Fuente Guinaldo, Mai/'ZSth, J 812. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I received by the last post your 
 Lordship's letter in which you enclosed the
 
 BADAJOZ, &C. 449 
 
 the unanimous resolutions of the House of 
 Lords of the 27 th of April last, conveying 
 the approbation of their Lordships' of the 
 conduct of the general officers, officers and 
 troops under my command in the sieo-e and 
 assault of Badajoz, which, in obedience to 
 their Lordships' commands, I have commu- 
 nicated to the army. 
 
 This fresh mark of the favour with which 
 their Lordships are disposed to view the 
 services of the army under my command, 
 has been received by me with gratitude 
 proportionate to the sense I entertain of 
 the value of their Lordships' approbation ; 
 and I request your Lordship to convey 
 my thanks to the House for the honour 
 which they have conferred upon us. 
 
 I am highly sensible of the value of your 
 Lordship's friendship and kindness, and 
 beg you to accept my thanks for the hand- 
 some terms in which you have conveyed 
 the sense of the House of Lords. 
 
 I have the honour to be, my Lord, with 
 Mg. 2 F
 
 450 LORD WELLINGTON. 
 
 the greatest respect, your Lordship's most 
 obedient and faithful humble servant, 
 
 AVellington. 
 The Right Hon. Lord Eldon, 
 
 Lord High Chancellor, &c. &c. 
 
 Sabbati 20 die Junii, 1812. 
 
 Fuente Guinaldo, May 'iQlh, 1812. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I have communicated to the 
 general officers, officers and troops under my 
 command the unanimous resolutions of the 
 House of Commons of the 27th of April 
 last, conveying the approbation of the 
 House, of their conduct in the siege and 
 assault of Badajoz, which you transmitted 
 in your letter of the 27th of April. 
 
 1 beg leave through you to assure the 
 House of the sense which I entertain of the 
 value of their approbation, and of my ear- 
 nest desire to prove my gratitude for the re- 
 peated marks which I have received of the 
 favour with which the House of Commons
 
 EADAJOX, &C. 451 
 
 has viewed the services of the army under 
 my command. 
 
 I beg you, Sir, likewise to be assured that 
 I am duly impressed with a sense of the 
 kindness manifested by you in the mode of 
 conveying to me the sentiments of the 
 House of Commons. 
 
 I have the honour to be, Sir, with the 
 greatest respect, your most obedient and 
 faithful humble servant, 
 
 Wellington. 
 he Right Hon. Charles Abbot, 
 
 Speaker of the House of Commons. 
 
 Of the officers chiefly concerned in this latter affair, the 
 present, being the last mentioned in these pages^ it is in- 
 tended now to give such notice as can be compressed into 
 their limits. For to speak of the life of Lord Stewart 
 would be to take a general view of a distinguished scene of 
 activity both military and political. 
 
 Charles William, second son of Robert Stewart, now 
 ISIarquis of Londonderry, and Frances daughter of the 
 celebrated Lord Chancellor Camden,' was born May 18, 
 
 ' Lord Londonderry had previously married the Lady Sarah Frances 
 Seymour, second daughter of the first Marquis of Hertford, by whom 
 he bad Viscount Castlereagh. 
 
 1^
 
 452 LORD STEWART, COLVILLE, &C. 
 
 1778, and educated a short time at Eton. He entered the 
 army it is believed as early as 1791, i" the 108th regiment, 
 and there became Captain in 1794', Assistant Quarter-Mas- 
 ter General to the forces under Gen. Doyle in Lord Moi- 
 ra's expedition ; Military Commissioner with the Austrian 
 armies in 1795-6, where heading a charge of cavalry that 
 had been repulsed, he was severely wounded in the face ; 
 and Aide-de-camp to Lord Camden in Leland. 
 
 He received his majority 106th foot, and was transferred 
 to the fifth dragoons, 1st January 1797, of which he be- 
 came last Lieutenant-colonel, since they were withdrawn 
 from Ireland in the heat of the disaffection, and disbanded 
 at Chatham 10th April 1799- With the 18th Dragoons 
 in Holland, which he improved from a skeleton, he was 
 wounded in the head ; and a glass at his breast perhaps 
 saved his life. He was appointed Aide-de-camp to the King, 
 and shortly after became under-Secretary of State in the 
 War department. 
 
 In this civil occupation he married the Lady Catharine 
 Bligh, third daughter of the Earl of Darnley, by whom he 
 has a son named Frederick ; he was not, however, to be 
 restrained from war ; he commanded the hussar brigade in 
 the Peninsula under Sir J. Moore, and highly distinguished 
 himself. In a charge in which he captured the French 
 general Lefebvre, his sword was struck from his hand by 
 a musket ball, on which he seized that of Colonel, now 
 Sir Loftus Otway, an officer too soon estranged from ac- 
 tive service. 
 
 Brigadier-General Stewart afterwards served as Adju- 
 tant-General with Lord Wellington's army ; and sharing 
 in the glorious close of that war, was created first a Knight
 
 BADAJOZ, &C. 453 
 
 of the Bath, and afterwards created a Baron, appointed a 
 Lord of the Khig's Bedchamber, and employed as Ambas- 
 sador to Vienna ; where he has continued to maintain 
 with the greatest dignity the functions of the diplomatic 
 character. 
 
 Others are either already, or will be hereafter noticed. 
 
 General Colville, who was on the Staff on the present 
 occasion, had served latterly chiefly in the West Indies, and 
 previously in the various operations of the war ; having been 
 appointed to the 28th regiment in 1781, which he joined 
 six years after ; and got the Colonelcy of the 5th garrison 
 battahon in 1812, with the rank of Major General; and 
 subsequently the order of the Bath. 
 
 Major-General Crawford here received his mortal 
 wound, and Major-General Vandeleur, one that checked 
 for a short time his career of glory. 
 
 To the former the tribute of well-directed experience 
 must be generally given. The latter lived to receive the 
 honor of knighthood and the gratitude of his country. 
 
 Sir John Ormsby Vandeleur entered the army just at the 
 close of the American war, and consequently was fortunate 
 to arrive at a company even the year before that which
 
 454 STEWART, COLVILLE, CRAWFORD. 
 
 succeeded, 1792, and either India witnessed his services till 
 1811, when Major-General he augmented the staff of the 
 army in Spain. There he continued till the peace, when 
 he had the honor of leading a division of the cavalry of 
 that army through France to Calais on its return. Thence 
 he removed to the army in Flanders with the Order of the 
 Bath.
 
 455 
 
 PENINSULAR CAMPAIGNS —LAST 
 PERIOD; under MARQUIS (after- 
 wards Duke of) WELLINGTON.— 
 Battles of Salamanca, April 22d, - 
 1812; ViTTORiA, June 21st, 1813; 
 Pyrenees, July 25th, and August 2d, 
 1813; Siege and Capture of St. Se- 
 BASTiAN^s, August 31st, 1813 ; Battle 
 of Orthes, February 27th, 1814; and 
 Occupation of Bourdeaux, March 
 12th, 1814. 
 
 The following gerieral officers were in- 
 cluded in the vote of thanks for the several 
 actions above mentioned : — 
 
 Salamanca. 
 
 Lt.-Gen. Sir Staple. Cotton M.-Gen. Chas. Baron Alten 
 
 James Leith John Hope 
 
 G. Lowry Cole George Anson 
 
 M.-Gen. Henry Clinton William Anson 
 
 H. F. Campbell J. O. Vandeleur 
 
 George Baron Bock J. H. C. de Bennewitz 
 
 Victor Baron Alten Edward Pakenham 
 
 Baron Low W. H. Pringle
 
 456 
 
 LORD Wellington: 
 
 VlTTORIA. 
 
 Lt.-Gen. Thomas Graham 
 Sir Rowland Hill 
 Earl of Dalhousie 
 Sir Thomas Picton 
 Sir G. Lowry Cole 
 William Stewart 
 
 M.-Gen. G. Baron Bock 
 Charles Baron Alten 
 
 M.-Gen. Charles Colville 
 George Anson 
 John Oswald 
 J. O. Vandeleur 
 George Murray 
 F. P. Robinson 
 Lord Aylmer 
 
 Pyrenees. 
 
 Lt.-Gen. Sir Thos. Graham 
 Sir Stapleton Cotton 
 Sir Rowland Hill 
 Sir W. C. Beresford 
 Earl of Dalhousie 
 Sir Thomas Picton 
 Sir G. Lowry Cole 
 Sir William Stewart 
 
 M.-Gen. William Anson 
 Sir George Murray 
 
 M -Gen. James Kempt 
 
 Sir E. M. Pakenham 
 
 W. H. Pringle 
 
 Edward Barnes 
 
 William Inglis 
 
 John Byng 
 
 Denis Pack 
 
 Robert Ross 
 B.-Gen. Arch. Campbell 
 
 St. Sebastian's. 
 
 Lt.-Gen. Sir James Leith 
 M.-Gen. John Oswald 
 E, P. Robinson 
 
 M.-Gen. W. F. Spry 
 
 Andrew Hay 
 B.-Gen, John Wilson
 
 PEN. LAST PER. — SAL. BOURDEAUX, 457 
 
 Orthes. 
 
 Lt.-Gen. Sir S. Cotton 
 Sir Rowland Hill 
 Sir W. C. Beresford 
 Sir Thomas Picton 
 Sir G. Lowry Cole 
 Sir William Stewart 
 Sir Henry Clinton 
 
 M. Gen. C. Baron Alten 
 Henry Fane 
 William Anson 
 G. T. Walker 
 Sir George Murray 
 
 M. Gen. James Kempt 
 Sir E. M. Pakenham 
 W. H. Pringle 
 Edward Barnes 
 William Inglis 
 John Byng 
 Thomas Brisbane 
 Denis Pack 
 Lord E. Somerset 
 Robert Ross 
 John Lambert. 
 
 A long series of toil and danger pro- 
 duced the various and important progress 
 that is marked by the great battles which 
 form the head of this final section. 
 
 Their continuity, and the connexion of 
 the great names included in the several 
 votes, seemed naturally to call for their 
 association here. 
 
 As the last approached, so this has com- 
 pletely arrived at the desired period when
 
 458 LORD WELLINGTON. 
 
 opportunites were more frequently afforded 
 for those personal addresses, of which these 
 pages are particularly intended as the de- 
 positary. 
 
 Any further remark would be worse than 
 nugatory, except the agreeable recollection 
 that the field of battle of the second action 
 has been long since named from the vic- 
 torious career of British arms. A position 
 (Altiira de los Anglezos) carried by the 
 3d division in the battle of " Vittoria" 
 claimed the recognizance, whence triumph 
 was formerly carried by English Edward 
 through France, with its captive monarch 
 to London.' 
 
 The votes of one House seem chiefly, on 
 this occasion, to have been transmitted to 
 the scene of action, yet glowing with the 
 
 * It cannot be avoided to mention here, at this moment, 
 that the scene of this monarch's captivity has just been 
 opened to the town for access to a new bridge named 
 after a subsequent decisive battle.
 
 PEN. LAST PER. SAL- BOURDEAUX. 459 
 
 sense of victory, to which the answers are 
 recorded ; those of the other were commu- 
 nicated in their seats. 
 
 Sahhati 10 die Aprilis, 1813. 
 
 Frenada, March 22c?, 1813. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 1 have had the honor of receiving 
 your Lordship's letters of the oth of De- 
 cember and 5th of February last, in which 
 your Lordship enclosed the resolutions of 
 the House of Lords, expressing the appro- 
 bation of their Lordships of the conduct 
 of the general officers, officers, and troops 
 under my command, in the service of Por- 
 tugal as well as in his Majesty's service, 
 during the late campaign in the Peninsula, 
 but more particularly in the battle of Sala- 
 manca.
 
 460 LORD WELLINGTOJ?^. 
 
 I have had the satisfaction of communi- 
 cating, to those concerned, this honorable 
 testimony of their good conduct and reward 
 of their services ; and I request your Lord- 
 ship to convey to the House, my grateful 
 acknowledgments for the favor with which 
 they have viewed my conduct, and the high 
 honor which they have conferred upon me 
 by their approbation. 
 
 I likewise request your Lordship to ac- 
 cept my thanks, for the handsome terms in 
 which you have conveyed to me the sense 
 of the House of Lords. 
 
 I have the honor to be, my Lord, with 
 the utmost respect, your Lordship's much 
 obliged and most obedient humble Servant, 
 
 Wellington. 
 Right Hon. Lord Eldon, 
 
 Lord High Chancellor, &c. &c. Sec.
 
 PEN. LAST PER. SAL. BOURDEAUX. 46l 
 
 Luna 12 die Aprilis, 1813. 
 
 Frenada, ^2d March, 1813. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I have had the honor of receiving 
 your letters of the 4th of December and 
 4th of February last, in which you enclosed 
 the resolutions of the House of Commons, 
 conveying the approbation of the House 
 of the conduct of the general officers, offi- 
 cers, and troops under my command, Por- 
 tuguese as well as his Majesty's subjects, 
 during the late campaign in the Peninsula, 
 and particularly in the battle of Salamanca, 
 which I have had the satisfaction of com- 
 municating to those concerned. 
 
 1 beg you will do me the favor to make 
 my acknowledgments to the House, for the 
 favor with which they have again viewed 
 ray conduct, in my endeavours to serve his 
 Majesty and his Allies, and for the honor 
 which they have conferred upon me by 
 their approbation. 
 
 I beg likewise that you will accept my
 
 462 SIR STAPLETON COTTON. 
 
 most grateful thanks, for the handsome 
 terms in which jou have conveyed to me 
 the thanks of the House. 
 
 I have the honor to be, Sir, with the 
 greatest respect, your most obhged and 
 most obedient humble Servant, 
 
 Wellington. 
 
 The Right Hon. Charles Abbot, 
 Speaker of the House of Commons, &c. cScc. 
 
 Mortis 9 die Martii, 1813. 
 
 Lieut.-General Sir Stapleton Cotton, 
 
 In this interval between the active 
 seasons of war, your proper sphere of duty 
 is within these walls ; and we hail, w^ith 
 pride and pleasure, your return amongst us, 
 bringing Avith you fresh marks of royal 
 favor, the just reward of fresh services and 
 triumphs. 
 
 Descended from a long line of ancestors, 
 wdiose names are recorded in the earliest 
 ages of our history, and characterized with 
 those qualities of prudence, generosity, and
 
 PEN. LAST PEK. SAL. BOURDEAUX. 46'3 
 
 valor, which have laid the foundations of 
 English greatness ; your race has exhibited 
 many a model of that splendid worth which 
 dignifies the gentlemen of England, always 
 prompt to discharge the laborious duties of 
 civil life, and never slow to take up arms 
 at the call of their country. Such, in an 
 eminent degree, was that venerated person 
 from whom you have immediately derived 
 your own hereditary honors ; endeared by 
 his active virtues to the public men of his 
 own times, not unknown to some who still 
 sit amongst us, and ever remembered by 
 myself with the sincerest sentiments of re- 
 spect and affection. 
 
 But, Sir, when the path of early life lay 
 open to your choice, the then warlike state 
 of the world called forth a congenial spirit, 
 and your military ardor led you to en- 
 counter the toil and dangers of war in 
 distant climates. Trained in the same 
 camps, and animated by the same love of 
 glory, as the great Captain who now com-
 
 464 SIR STAPLETON COTTON. 
 
 mands our armies, and fills the world with 
 his renown, you have bravely followed his 
 brilliant career, and shared in his unex- 
 ampled triumphs. Renouncing the charms 
 of ease and the seat of your ancestors, you 
 have gallantly gone forth to the tented 
 fields of Portugal and Spain ; and, having 
 reaped the harvest of our thanks for your 
 achievements in the battle of Talavera, you 
 now stand before us crowned with the 
 never-fading laurels of Salamanca: your 
 squadrons upon that memorable day, over- 
 throwing the enemy's embattled ranks, laid 
 open the road to victory ; and the work 
 which your gallantry had commenced, your 
 triumphant perseverance completed. 
 
 These heroic exploits have again entitled 
 you to the public gratitude ; and I do now, 
 in the name and by the command of the 
 Commons of Great Britain and Ireland in 
 Parliament assembled, deliver to you their 
 unanimous thanks for your distinguished 
 exertions in the battle of Salamanca, on
 
 PEN. LAST PER. SAL. BOURDEAUX. 465 
 
 the 22d of July last, which terminated in 
 a glorious and decisive victory over the 
 enemy's army. 
 
 Upon which Lieut.-Gen. Sir Stapleton 
 Cotton said — 
 
 Mr. Speaker, 
 
 I cannot express how much I 
 feel gratified and honored by the vote of 
 thanks which has been passed by this 
 House, and conveyed to me by you, Sir, in 
 so flattering a manner. I am indebted to 
 the discipline and bravery of the troops I 
 have the honor to command, for this most 
 distinguished reward. 
 
 In zeal for the service and attachment to 
 my king and country, I yield to no man : 
 mv feeble efforts shall ever be exerted to 
 render myself worthy of the very great 
 honor which has been conferred upon me. 
 
 Mg, 2 G
 
 466 MAJ. GENS. CLINTON AND PRINGLE. 
 
 Mercurii 10 die Februarii, 1813. 
 
 Major- General Clinton and Major-General 
 Pringle, 
 
 This House is always prompt to 
 acknowledge military merit, and we rejoice 
 to see amongst us those who have signalized 
 their names in war. 
 
 When the great captain who commands 
 our armies in the Peninsula, after a series 
 of skilful operations, obtained the oppor- 
 tunity for which he had long been anxious, 
 and brought the enemy to action in front 
 of Salamanca — He relates, that the fore- 
 most of their troops, on their first onset, 
 drove the enemy from height to height, and 
 bore down all before them : that, when the 
 stress of the battle, in other points, had 
 checked the bravest of our battalions, and 
 disabled some of their most distinguished 
 leaders, the division of which Major-Gen. 
 Pringle then took the command, never- 
 theless steadily maintained the contest ;
 
 PEN. LAST PER. — SAL. BOURDEAUX. 467 
 
 and, that when the reserve was brought up 
 by Major-General Chnton, the issue of the 
 day was rendered no longer doubtful, and 
 the victory was by him completed. 
 
 These plain recitals have marked out your 
 exploits for public applause and admiration, 
 and to these honors your country has also 
 added the tribute of her public gratitude. 
 
 I do therefore now, in the name and by 
 the command of the Commons of Great 
 Britain and Ireland, in Parliament assem- 
 bled, deliver to you, severally, their unani- 
 mous thanks, for your distinguished exer- 
 tions in the battle of Salamanca, upon the 
 22d of July last, which terminated in a 
 glorious and decisive victory over the 
 enemy's army. 
 
 Major-General Clinton's answer : — 
 
 Mr. Speaker, 
 
 I assure you. Sir, I set the 
 greatest value on the honor which has been 
 conferred upon me by the vote of the 
 House.
 
 468 MAJ. GENS. CLINTON AND PRINGLF,. 
 
 I consider such an acknowledgment of 
 services rendered to our country, to be 
 amongst the highest recompences which can 
 be bestowed. 
 
 This honorable reward, added to the con- 
 sciousness I enjoy of having always zea- 
 lously endeavoured to be useful to the army 
 and to my country, affords me peculiar 
 gratification ; but I should be ungrateful 
 towards those brave men, whom I had the 
 honor to command upon the occasion to 
 which you have particularly alluded, if I 
 were not to acknowledge how much I feel 
 ,indebted, for the honor which I have just 
 received, to their noble conduct and perse- 
 vering gallantry throughout the trials of 
 that arduous but glorious day. 
 
 I feel, Sir, verj^ sensibly your kindness, 
 in the flattering manner in which you have 
 been so good as to communicate to me the 
 vote of the House, and for which I beg j^ou 
 will do me the honor to accept my sincere 
 thanks.
 
 PEN. LAST PER. SAL. BOURDEAUX. 4()9 
 
 Major-General Pringle's answer : — 
 Mr. Speaker, 
 
 I feel most sensibly the high 
 honor which has been conferred on me by 
 the thanks of this House : I am well aware 
 that very little of the success of that glo- 
 rious day, at Salamanca, can be attributed 
 to any feeble efforts of mine, but to the 
 bravery of those troops which I had the 
 good fortune to command. 
 
 I shall, however, always consider it as 
 the most fortunate circumstance of my life, 
 the having been placed in a situation which 
 has procured me the high honor which I 
 have this day received. 
 
 I beg leave to return you. Sir, my thanks, 
 for the very flattering terms in which you 
 have been pleased to express yourself on 
 my conduct. 
 
 Jovis 11 die Novembris, 1813. 
 Major-General Anson, 
 
 When last I had the honor of 
 addressing you from this place, you came
 
 470 GEN. ANSON. 
 
 to receive our thanks for your share in the 
 glorious battle of Talavera. 
 
 Pursuing the same career, under the same 
 illustrious commander, it is more gratifying 
 than surprising to see, that in succeeding 
 campaigns you have reaped new laurels. 
 
 The badge of honor which conmiemo- 
 rates your services at Salamanca, brings to 
 our recollection those skilful operations in 
 which you were engaged upon the Douro, 
 previous to that memorable day, and the 
 destruction which your cavalry poured 
 down upon the rear guard of the enemy in 
 their flight. 
 
 In the battle of Vittoria the British 
 cavalry also took their part; and, acting 
 with the left wing of the allied army, under 
 the immediate command of Lieut.-General 
 Sir Thomas Graham, (a name never to be 
 mentioned in our military annals without 
 the strongest expressions of respect and 
 admiration,) your squadrons contributed 
 to cut oft* the eneniy from their direct 
 retreat into France, and all Europe has
 
 PEN. LAST PER. — SAL.' BOURDEAUX. 4?! 
 
 heard of their consequent rout and disper- 
 sion. 
 
 To you, Sir, I am therefore commanded 
 to express the gratitude of this House ; 
 and, in the name of the Commons of the 
 United Kingdom of Great Britain and 
 Ireland in Parhament assembled, I do now 
 deliver to you their unanimous thanks for 
 your distinguished exertions in the Battle of 
 Salamanca upon the 22nd July 1812, 
 which terminated in a glorious and decisive 
 victory over the enemy's army ; 
 
 And also for your great exertions upon 
 the 21st of June last, when the French 
 army was completely defeated by the allied 
 forces near Vittoria, under the Marquess of 
 Wellington's command. 
 
 Upon which Major-General Anson said, 
 
 Sir, 
 
 This is the second time I have 
 ^ had the honour of rising in this distinguish- 
 ed assembly to receive through you, Sir, 
 the thanks of my country, to which and to
 
 472 SIR T. PICTON. 
 
 this honorable House, I return my warmest 
 acknowledgments. 
 
 I should not do justice to the illustrious 
 and noble commander with whom I have 
 had the honour of serving, or to those brave 
 troops under his command (whose gallantry 
 and discipline I have had such frequent op- 
 portunities of witnessing) did I not assure 
 you, it is to them I consider myself indebt- 
 ed for being placed in this highly honorable 
 situation ; I should be greatly deficient also 
 in what is due to myself were I to omit ex- 
 pressing my sincere and most heartfelt 
 thanks to you, Sir, for the very gratifying 
 manner in which you have conveyed to me 
 the sentiments of my country on this and 
 on a former occasion ; thus conferring upon 
 me an additional mark of distinction, which 
 it will ever be my pride to acknowledge. 
 
 Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Picton, 
 
 In this House your name has been long 
 since enrolled amongst those who have ob- 
 tained the gratitude of their country for dis- 
 tinguished military services ; and we this
 
 PEN. LAST PER. — SAL. BOURDEAUX. 473 
 
 day rejoice to see you amongst us, claiming 
 again the tribute of our thanks for fresh ex- 
 ploits and achievements. 
 
 Wherever the history of the Peninsular 
 war shall be related, vour name will be 
 found amongst the foremost in that race of 
 glory ; by your sword the British troops were 
 led on to the victorious assault of Ciudad 
 Rodrigo ; by your daring hand the British 
 standard was planted upon the Castle of Ba- 
 dajoz; when the usurper of the Spanish 
 Throne was driven to make his last stand at 
 Vittoria, your battalions filled the centre of 
 that formidable line before which the vete- 
 ran troops of France fled in terror and dis- 
 may ; and by your skill, prudence and 
 valour, exerted in a critical hour, the ene- 
 my was foiled in his desperate attempt to 
 break through the barrier of the Pyrenees 
 and raise the blockade of Pampeluna. 
 
 For the deeds of Vittoria and the Pyre- 
 nees, this double harvest of glory in one 
 year, the House of Commons has resolved 
 again to give you the tribute of its thanks ;
 
 474 SIR T. PICTON. 
 
 and I do therefore now, in the name and by 
 the command of the Commons of the 
 United Kingdom of Great Britain and 
 Ireland in Parliament assembled, deli- 
 ver to you their unanimous thanks for 
 your great exertions upon the 21st of June 
 last, near Vittoria, when the French army 
 ■was completely defeated by the allied 
 forces under the Marquess of Wellington's 
 command. 
 
 And also for the valour, steadiness and 
 exertion, so successfully displayed by you 
 in repelling the repeated attacks made on 
 the position of the allied army by the whole 
 French forces under the command of 
 Marshal Soult between the 25th of July 
 and 1st of August. 
 
 Upon which Lieutenant General Sir 
 Thomas Picton said. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 Being entirely unaccustomed to 
 speak in pubhc, I have great difficulty in
 
 PEN. LAST PER. SAL. BOURDEAUX. 475 
 
 expressing the high degree of gratification 
 that I feel at the very flattering sentiments 
 which this honourable House has been 
 pleased to entertain of my services, and at 
 the very handsome manner in which they 
 have been communicated. I have always, 
 Sir, regarded the thanks of this honourable 
 House as one of the highest honours which 
 could be conferred upon any officer; as 
 the unquestionable evidence of past and 
 the s:reatest incitement of future services. 
 
 But I can apply individually to myself 
 but a small part of the high commendations 
 which have been so liberally and handsome- 
 ly bestowed ; a great proportion is unques- 
 tionably due to the generals and officers 
 commanding brigades and corps in the 
 division, for the judgment and gallantry 
 with which the services alluded to were 
 invariably executed ; and to the officers 
 and troops in general, for the spirit and 
 intrepidity which bore down all resistance, 
 and secured complete success in all the 
 important enterprizes on which the division
 
 476 SIR WM. STEM' ART. 
 
 had the good fortune to be employed dur- 
 ing the whole course of the war in the 
 Peninsula. 
 
 It will ever be the height of my pride 
 and ambition to share the fortunes of a 
 corps eminently conspicuous for every high 
 military qualification, and, actuated by a 
 spirit of heroism which renders it truly 
 invincible. With such instruments. Sir, 
 you will easily conceive that it cannot be 
 difficult to obtain success ; and it would be 
 unfortunate in the extreme if we failed 
 entirely to reflect some of the rays of the 
 great luminary that directed us. 
 
 Veneris 24 die Jimii, 1814. 
 
 Lieutenant General Sir Wm. Stewart, 
 
 I have to thank you, in the name 
 of your country, for a series of signal and 
 splendid services ; and first, for that which 
 your gallantr}'^ achieved in the battle of 
 Vittoria. 
 
 AVhen the usurper of the Spanish crown 
 put his fortunes to the last hazard, it was
 
 PEN. LAST PER. — SAL. BOURDEAUX. 477 
 
 the brave second division of the alhed 
 army, directed by Lord Hill and acting 
 under your command, which began the 
 operations of that memorable day and by 
 its irresistible valour mainly contributed to 
 that victory which drove back the armies 
 of France to their own frontier and rescued 
 the Peninsula from its invaders and oppres- 
 sors. 
 
 By your achievements in that field of 
 glory, you enrolled your name amongst the 
 distinguished officers upon whom the 
 House bestowed the honour of its thanks ; 
 and I do therefore now, in the name and 
 by the command of the Commons of the 
 United Kingdom of Great Britain and 
 Ireland, in Parliament assembled, deliver 
 to you their unanimous thanks for your 
 great exertions in the splendid and decisive 
 victory obtained on the 21st June 1813, 
 near Vittoria, when the French army was 
 completely defeated and routed, with the 
 total loss of all its artillery, stores and bag- 
 gage.
 
 478 SIR \VM. STEWART. 
 
 Upon which Lieutenant General Sir 
 AVilliam Stewart said, 
 
 Mr. Speaker, 
 
 Unaccustomed as I am to ex- 
 press my sentiments before so important 
 an assembly of my countrymen, or to re- 
 ceive praise for what i'ew services I may 
 have rendered in my profession in so liberal 
 and so generous a manner as you have now 
 conveyed the sense of this House, I am at 
 a loss to make any adequate return ; I feel 
 however deeply on this proud occasion ; I 
 . should be ungrateful if I were to take to 
 myself much of the merit that you have 
 been pleased to ascribe to my services in 
 the particular action in question, for to 
 those who gallantly supported me is the 
 merit due: I cannot advert to that battle 
 and not submit to the memory, and if I may 
 use the term, the affection of this House, the 
 name of one gallant officer upon whom the 
 brunt ofthecontest particularly fell ; I mean. 
 Sir, the late Colonel Cadogan ; the fall of
 
 PEN. LAST PER. SAL. BOURDEAUX. 479 
 
 that officer was glorious, as his last moments 
 were marked by the success of a favourite 
 regiment, upon the magnanimity of whose 
 conduct he kept his eyes fixed during the 
 expiring hour of a well finished life. I 
 should be ungrateful for the services which 
 were rendered me by Colonel Cameron and 
 by General Byng, on that and on all occa- 
 sions, if I were not thus publicly to advert 
 to them in my present place ; for to their 
 exertions and support am I indebted for 
 the success of those measures of which I am 
 reaping the rich reward from my country 
 at your too generous hand this day. Permit 
 me, Sir, to repeat my gratitude for the too 
 kind and flattering manner in which you 
 have communicated to me the sense of this 
 House this da}^ ; I should be truly ungrate- 
 ful if I did not feel the honour in its due 
 force, and I should be doubly so towards 
 you. Sir, if I were insensible to the peculiar- 
 ly distinguished mode in which you have 
 now conferred that honour upon me.
 
 480 GENS. STEWART AND PRINGLE. 
 
 Lieutenant General Sir William Stewart 
 and Major General Pringle, 
 
 It is my duty now to deliver to 
 you conjointly the thanks of this House, 
 for your gallant and meritorious services in 
 those memorable actions which completed 
 the liberation of Spain. 
 
 The inhabitants of the Pyrenees, who 
 witnessed those mighty conflicts, will long 
 point out to their admiring countrymen, 
 those various heights and passes where the 
 valour of British troops under your com- 
 mand at some times repelled the attacks of 
 superior force, where at other times its 
 steadiness effected a retreat which only led 
 to more certain victory, and where finally 
 it returned with an overwhelming pursuit 
 upon the broken ranks of the enemy : they 
 will also point out those spots where the 
 gallant officers whom we now see amongst 
 us, fought through long and toilsome days, 
 where a Stewart made his stand, and where 
 tlie noblest blood of Scotland was shed in
 
 PYRENEES. 481 
 
 its defences. The historians of those cam- 
 paigns will also record that your exploits 
 were honoured with that constant and un- 
 qualified praise of that illustrious com- 
 mander whose name stands highest upon 
 our roll of military renown. 
 
 For your important share in those opera- 
 tions this House thought fit to bestow upon 
 you the acknowledgments of its gratitude; 
 and I do now accordingly, in the name and 
 by the command of the Commons of the 
 United Kingdom, deliver to you their una- 
 nimous thanks for the valour, steadiness 
 and exertion so successfully displayed by 
 you in repelling the repeated attacks made 
 on the position of the allies by the whole 
 French force under Marshal Soult, between 
 the 25th of July and 1st of August last; 
 and for your undaunted perseverance, by 
 which the allied army was finally establish- 
 ed on the frontier of France. 
 
 Upon which Lieutenant General Sir 
 William Stewart said, 
 
 Mg. 2H
 
 482 SIR W. STEWART, PRINGLE. 
 
 Mr. Speaker, 
 
 As I have before had the lionour 
 of stating, I must feel. Sir, that to others 
 is due from me, while receiving the highest 
 honour that can be bestowed on a British 
 soldier, the report of their admirable con- 
 duct during the actions in question ; sup- 
 ported as I was by my gallant friend on 
 my right, by such corps as the 92nd High- 
 landers, or the 50th British infantry, I 
 should have been without excuse if a less 
 firm stand had been made on the positions 
 of the Pyrenees than was made; I should 
 have done injustice to the design of our 
 great Captain and to the instructions of 
 my own immediate commander, if I had 
 less exerted myself than I did on these 
 occasions. 
 
 That our endeavours have met with the 
 approbation of our country, and have re- 
 ceived from you, Sir, so generous an expres- 
 sion of that approbation, is the proudest 
 event of our lives ; it ought and will ani-
 
 PYRENEES. 483 
 
 mate us to devote our best exertions in 
 the future service of that country. 
 
 Major General WilHam Henry Pringle 
 then said, 
 
 Mr. Speaker, 
 
 I am highly sensible of the honour 
 I have just received by the thanks of this 
 House ; I con^sider their approbation as 
 the most honourable reward which a 
 military man can receive, and one far 
 beyond what any feeble efforts of mine can 
 deserve. The able arrangements of the 
 general under whom I served, and the 
 bravery of the troops I had the honour to 
 command, left little to be done by any 
 exertions of mine ; which I feel more than 
 amply rewarded by the approbation of this 
 House. The satisfaction I feel on this 
 occasion is still further increased by the 
 very flattering manner in which you have 
 been pleased to communicate the thanks 
 of the House to me.
 
 484 PICT0N,STEWART,CLINT0N,PR1NGLE. 
 
 Lieutenant General Sir Thomas Picton, 
 Lieutenant General Sir William Stewart, 
 Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton, and 
 Major General Pringle, 
 
 You stand amongst us this day 
 to receive our thanks, for great and signal 
 victories won by British arms in the fields 
 of France. 
 
 Descending from the Pyrenees, sur- 
 mounting in adverse seasons, all the diffi- 
 culties of a country deeply intersected, and 
 passing with unparallelled skill and bold- 
 ness the formidable torrents of Navarre, 
 after a series of arduous and sanguinary- 
 conflicts you came up with the collected 
 forces of the enemy posted upon the heights 
 of Orthes. Attacked on all sides by 
 British valour, the troops of France at 
 length gave way and commenced their re- 
 treat ; pressed however upon each flank, 
 that retreat was soon changed into a flight, 
 and that flight to a total rout : pursuing 
 their broken legions across the Adour, and 
 seizing upon their strong holds and accumu-
 
 PYRENEES, ORTHES, TOULOUSE. 485 
 
 lated resources, you then laid open your 
 way, on the one hand, to the deUverance 
 of Bourdeaux, and on the other to the 
 lamented but glorious day of Toulouse. 
 
 It has been your fortune to reap the 
 latest laurels in this long and memorable 
 war ; and leading forward your victorious 
 columns from the Tagus to the Garonne, 
 you have witnessed with arms in your 
 hands, the downfall of that gigantic tyran- 
 ny which your own prowess has so materi- 
 ally contributed to overthrow. 
 
 Informed of these triumphant exploits, 
 this House lost no time in recording its 
 thanks to all who had bravely fought the 
 battles of their country. But to those 
 whom we glory to reckon amongst our own 
 members, it is my duty and happiness to 
 deliver those thanks personally. And I do 
 now accordingly, in the name and by the 
 command of the Commons of the United 
 Kingdom, deliver to you their unanimous 
 thanks for your able and distinguished con- 
 duct throughout al) those operations which
 
 486 SIRS T. PICTON, W. STEWART.   
 
 concluded with the entire defeat of the 
 enemy at Oithes, and the occupation of 
 Bourdeaux by the aUied forces of Great 
 Britain, Spain and Portugal. 
 
 Upon which Lieut. General Sir Thomas 
 Picton said, 
 
 Mr. Speaker, 
 
 I return my thanks to this ho- 
 nourable House for the honour conferred 
 upon me. ^ 
 
 Lieutenant-General Sir William Stewart 
 then said, 
 
 Mr. Speaker, 
 
 I feel overcome by the repeated 
 honour which you have now conferred on 
 me, and can but ill express what I am sen- 
 sible of on this occasion of high personal 
 honour ; I can only say. Sir, that myself, as 
 well as those who were under my command 
 in the memorable actions alluded to by you,
 
 PYRENEES, ORTHES, TOULOUSE. 487 
 
 Sir, did our duty to the best of our power, 
 and have now been greatly rewarded. The 
 most happy events have returned us to our 
 country ; and that we may act the part of 
 good citizens, as you have been pleased 
 to say that we have done that of good sol- 
 diers, is our next duty. 
 
 If future events call us again to the field, 
 a circumstance that may Heaven long 
 avert, our greatest good fortune will be, to 
 serve under the auspices of so generous a 
 House of Commons as that which I now 
 address ; and more especially to have the 
 generous sentiments of that House, com- 
 municated through so liberal a channel as 
 has been the case this day. 
 
 Lieut.-General Sir Henry Clinton then 
 said, 
 
 Mr. Speaker, 
 
 I am very grateful to the House 
 for the honor which has been conferred 
 upon me by their vote of thanks for my 
 services in the battle of Orthes.
 
 488 CLINTON, PllINGLE, AND FANE. 
 
 I feel proud to have been thought deserv- 
 ing of this high and distinguislied reward, 
 and I beg, Sir, that you will accept my best 
 thanks for the obliging terms in which you 
 have conveyed the vote of the House. 
 
 Major-General William Henry Pringle 
 then said, 
 
 Mr. Speaker, 
 
 I must again repeat the high 
 sense I feel of the honour I have received ; 
 and must esteem this as the proudest day 
 of my life, in which my conduct has twice 
 met the approbation of this House. 
 
 Martis 26 die Julii, 1814. 
 
 Major-General Fane, 
 
 It has been your good fortune to bear a 
 conspicuous part in the earliest and latest 
 actions of the Peninsular war ; and having 
 now closed your services upon the continent 
 by re-conducting the whole British cavalry 
 through France, you have this day to re-
 
 PYRENEES, ORTHES, TOULOUSE. 489 
 
 ceive our thanks for your exertions in the 
 great and decisive Battle of Orthes. 
 
 In that battle, the enemy, formidably 
 collected and strongly posted on ground of 
 its own choice, nevertheless when assailed 
 on all sides by the valour of the allies, were 
 compelled to seek for safety in retreat, but 
 the conqueror had resolved that their defeat 
 should be also their destruction ; and the 
 gallant commander, whose name has since 
 been ennobled by his Sovereign for his ex- 
 ploits at Almarez, pressing haid upon the 
 enemy's retiring march, the British cavalry 
 under your command bore down upon his 
 broken battalions and completed the vic- 
 tory. 
 
 Distinguished long since by deeds at- 
 chieved in Portugal and Spain, you have 
 now obtained fresh trophies won by your 
 sword in France. Three times already you 
 have claimed and received our thanks ; we 
 have thanked you for 3^our gallantry on the 
 days of Roleia and Vimiera, in the glorious 
 stand at Corunna, and in the hard-fought
 
 490 M. GEN. FAKK. 
 
 battle of Talavera : and I do now also, in 
 the name and by the command of the 
 Commons of Great Britain and Ireland in 
 Parliament assembled, deliver to you their 
 unanimous thanks for your able and distin- 
 guished conduct throughout those opera- 
 tions, which concluded with the entire de- 
 feat of the enemy at Orthes, and the occu- 
 pation of Bourdeaux by the allied forces. 
 
 Upon which Major-General Fane said, 
 
 Mr. Speaker, 
 
 I am most sensible of my good 
 fortune in having been, for the third time, 
 deemed worthy of the Thanks of Parlia- 
 ment. 
 
 Although I am quite unequal to express 
 in proper terms, the high sense I entertain 
 of the honour conferred upon me, yet I 
 trust that the House will believe that I feel 
 them as I ought.
 
 PYRENEES, ORTHES, TOULOUSE. 491 
 
 Mart is 26 die Julii, 1814. 
 
 Majoi-General Lord Edward Somerset, 
 
 Your name also stands recorded 
 amongst those distinguished officers whose 
 gallantry was conspicuous in the last great 
 action which called forth the strength and 
 valour of the British cavalry. 
 
 In defiance of the early scoffs of an in- 
 sulting enemy, this nation has during the 
 late continental war re-established its mili- 
 tary character, and vindicated its ancient 
 renown. The nobility of England sent 
 forth its sons to the tented field, and there, 
 trained up under the great commanders 
 who have obtained and dignified the honours 
 of the peerage, they have acted throughout 
 upon the just persuasion that, in this free 
 country, the willing tribute of respect paid 
 to high rank and birth can only be secured 
 by a continued display of the same great 
 qualities which ennobled the founders of 
 their race.
 
 492 LORD E. SOMERSET. 
 
 The profession of arms, which you had 
 gallantly chosen, you have successfully pur- 
 sued ; and, in those provinces of France 
 where your ancestors, of noblest descent 
 and royal alhance, have in former ages 
 fought, conquered, and governed, you have 
 renewed, by your own sword, the claims of 
 your illustrious House to the respect and 
 gratitude of your country. I do therefore 
 now, in the name, and by the command of 
 the Commons of Great Britain and Ireland 
 in Parliament assembled, deliver to you 
 their unanimous thanks, for your able and 
 distinguished conduct throughout the ope- 
 rations which concluded with the entire de- 
 feat of the enemy at Orthes, and the occu- 
 pation of Bourdeaux by the allied forces. 
 
 Upon which Major-General liOrd Ed- 
 ward Somerset said, 
 
 Mr. Speaker, 
 
 Deeply impressed as I am with 
 the high honour which has just been con-
 
 PYRENEES, ORTIIES, TOULOUSE. 493 
 
 ferred upon me, 1 feel totally incapable of 
 expressing my gratitude in adequate terms. 
 
 The Thanks of this House, which must at 
 all times be received with the most lively 
 sentiments of satisfaction, have been ren- 
 dered doubly gratifying to me by the hand- 
 some manner, in which you, Sir, have been 
 pleased to express them. 
 
 Commanding British troops and holding 
 that command under the Duke of Wel- 
 lington, a British General can never fail of 
 supporting the character of the British 
 arms. It is to this favourable circumstance, 
 more than to any merit of my own, that I 
 consider myself indebted for the high dis- 
 tinction which I have this day received. 
 
 Sir, I can only repeat that I shall ever en- 
 tertain the highest sense of the honour con- 
 ferred upon me by this House.
 
 494 SIRS T. PICTON, II. CLINTON. 
 
 The service of General Picton has the peculiarities of 
 slow promotion with great interest. Ensign 12th foot in 
 1771; Lieutenant, 1776; Captain, 1778; Major, 1794; 
 he had nevertheless previously served under Sir Robert 
 Boyd and Lord Heathfield at Gibraltar; had quelled a 
 dangerous mutiny in the 75th regiment, temporarily under 
 his command at Bristol; and received the thanks of Field- 
 Marshal Conway, commander-in-chief. In 1794 he had 
 embarked for the West Indies, and served on the Staff, 
 under Sir John Vaughan, with rank of Lieut. Colonel, 
 where he continued at the request of Sir Ralph Aber- 
 cromby who succeeded. He accompanied that com- 
 mander in his West-Indian captures, with the proud dis- 
 tinction of having it announced in orders that his directions 
 were to be esteemed those of the commander-in-chief. He 
 got in consequence the Lieutenant-Colonelcy 67th, and 
 was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Trinidad. 
 
 It was a singular coincidence of circumstances that of 
 two friends, than whom, perhaps, more respectable 
 could not be found on earth, on this subject the one (Sir 
 Ralph Abercromby) declared on being thanked for the ap- 
 pointment, "it was unnecessary, for if he knew any officer 
 who in his opinion could discharge the duties of it better, 
 he would have given it to him;" and the other (Col.Fullar- 
 ton) felt it necessary on the common principles of huma- 
 nity to prosecute him for his conduct in it! He was how- 
 ever happy in the support of a member of the Royal Fa- 
 mily, who, while he could not interfere with the course of 
 justice, strenuously favoured the equity of Colonel Picton's 
 case through the press. 
 
 Still it was only in \ 803 he obtained the rank of Colonel 
 in the army; and 1B08 that of Major-Gcncral.
 
 PYRENEES, ORTHES, TOULOUSE. 495 
 
 With this rank he served and suff'ered at Walcheren; and 
 thence was afforded an opportunity to distinguish himself 
 in the Peninsula. On one of the present occasions, it will 
 be recollected that he had the ready skill and zeal to turn a 
 feigned attack into a real one, and promptly decide the 
 day. On all he was distinguished. 
 
 Having received the order of the Bath, Sir Thomas 
 Picton was on the 4th of June 1813 made Lieutenant- 
 General, and but too celebrated, in command of a division 
 at Waterloo, there fell in the ranks of glory. 
 
 Sir Henry Clinton, — for the present occasion obtained 
 for the Lieutenant-General the Order of the Bath among 
 other honourable testimonies, — after serving in Flanders 
 and the West Indies, and on the mission of Lord William 
 Bentinck to Italy ; and with the Russian army in Switzer- 
 land ; on the Staff at home, in the East Indies and Sicily, 
 was at the battles of Vimiera and Coruima, the hope and 
 despair of the first British armies in Spain and Portugal. 
 He then served in Ireland till 1813, when he was appoint- 
 ed to the 6th division of the army, under Lord Welling- 
 ton. 
 
 The revolutionary war found Sir William Henry Prin- 
 gle Major of the late 111th foot, and the campaign of 
 1812 first received him as Major-General in the Penin-
 
 496 SIR H. PRINGLE, LORD E. SOMERSET. 
 
 sular army. In 1814 he obtained the Royal Newfound- 
 land Fencibles, with the Order of the Bath. 
 
 Lord E. Somerset's service is of date with the war. His 
 Lordship has served on the Staff in Holland, the Peninsula, 
 and at home. 
 
 Lieutenant- General Sir J. Hamilton, after serving in the 
 army of the Hon. East-India Company from 1773, trans- 
 ferred to His Majesty's 87th regiment in 1787, was with 
 Generals Cornwallis and M eadow s in the Mysore. On 
 the commencement of the French war Major, and 179-5 
 Lieutenant-Colonel 6 1st, he commanded that regiment two 
 years in St. Domingo, Major-General in 1809, he became 
 Inspector-General of the Training Anglo-Portuguese 
 army, and in 1813 obtained the 2nd Ceylon regmient. He 
 has also the command of Duncannon Fort. So long and 
 various service would seem to promise much of interest in 
 detail. 
 
 Major-Gen. Baron V ictor Alten was in the Hanoverian 
 Service in 1770, infuDtry and cavalry. On the revolutionary 
 war, being in Brabant, he was appointed Aide-de-camp to 
 the Duk« of York, and appointed to a majority in the 4th 
 Dragoons. On the renewal of war he raised and com- 
 manded the 1st Hussars of the King's German Legion, and 
 afterwards having raised the 2nd, became its Colonel. 
 VValcheren, Copenhagen and the Peninsula employed his
 
 PYRENEES, ORTHES, TOULOUSE. 497 
 
 services, always usefully in those minor operations where 
 distinction is danger. He afterwards obtained the com- 
 mand of the 5th cavalry, King's German Legion, and was 
 appointed on the Staft'. 
 
 Sir Charles Alten was Colonel of 1st Battalion of the 
 Line, K. G. L. in 1814, and was employed on the Staff, in 
 the Peninsula and in Flanders. 
 
 Major-Gen. R. B. Long entered the army in 1791> and 
 from the commencement of the revolutionary war, served 
 on the Staff of the continent and at home till 1797, when 
 Major in the late York Rangers, and afterwards Lieute- 
 nant-Colonel in Homj)esch's Corps, he served in the worst 
 period of the rebellion. On the new war he was appoint- 
 ed to the 2nd Dragoon Guards, thence to the l6th and 
 afterwards 15th Light dragoons, of which he is now Lieu- 
 tenant-Colonel. He embarked for Spain in 1808, just 
 time enough to share in the disastrous fame of Corunna; 
 he then served in Walcheren, and afterwards in the Penin- 
 sula. 
 
 Major-General Sir G. T. Walker was ensign in the 95th 
 foot, now Rifle Brigade, as early as 1782. In 17B5 he 
 was deputy Quarter-Master-Geneial to the King's Troops 
 in India, and afterwards on Gen. Bruce's Staff in Ireland.
 
 498 WALKER, POWER, CRAWFURD, &C, 
 
 Ou the war, Captain, he went as a volunteer to Flanders 
 and became Inspector of Foreign corps, in which he per- 
 formed some dangerous efforts of military diplomacy. He 
 then went on Gen. Frazer's and Pjince \\ aldeck's Staff to 
 Portugal and returned from ill health. He next became a 
 military commissioner with the Russian army till its return 
 home. Ireland, Copenliagen, and the Peninsula next fol- 
 lowed, when in command of the 50th he pre-eminently 
 distinguished himself at the most critical of periods, and 
 after an absence at Walcheien, &,c. again under the Duke of 
 Wellington. He obtained the regiment of Meuron 1812, 
 and svas created Knight Commander of the Bath. 
 
 In the course of these pages so numerous are the in- 
 stances of arduous services, that it has been impossible to 
 keep pace w ith the writer's desire to mark the course of 
 service of each individual who has been included in the 
 votes of parliament. 
 
 Such are — • 
 
 Sir Mauley Power, K.C.B.whohas since 1785, active- 
 ly served in America, Holland, Minorca, Kgypt, and 
 France ; 
 
 Gen. R. Crawfurd, Brigadiers Gen. W. Harvey and 
 Champlemond of whom nothing remains but the respect- 
 able character of active and useful service.
 
 499 
 
 GENERAL SERVICES OF HIS 
 GRACE THE DUKE OF WEL- 
 LINGTON IN PORTUGAL, SPAIN, 
 AND FRANCE, ENDING WITH 
 THE CONCLUSION OF THE 
 PEACE OF PARIS, 1814. 
 
 It was natural to expect that the great 
 captain, who had closed labours of such an 
 extent as the Peninsular war, and was now 
 with new honours about to assume a civil 
 character as Ambassador to the Court of 
 France, would receive a final tribute from 
 that Senate which had so often progressive- 
 ly cheered him with its praises. 
 
 Accordingly His Grace having to take 
 his seat in the House of Lords, it was fixed 
 for this occasion ; and afterwards, with a 
 gracious amenity he presented himself to 
 that House of Commons of which he had 
 been the previous ornament. 
 
 On Tuesday the 28th of June 1814, the 
 Duke of Wellington being introduced by
 
 500 DUKE OF WJELLINGTON. 
 
 the Dukes of Richmond and Beaufort, with 
 the customary forms, and after his patents 
 of nobihty, four in number, had been read 
 he took his seat on the opposition side of the 
 House. 
 
 The Lord High Chancellor thus addressed 
 His Grace : 
 
 Mart'is 28 die Junii, 1814. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 Baron Douro, of AVellesley, 
 Viscount WelHngton of Talavera and Wel- 
 lington, 
 J^arl of Wellington, 
 Marquis Douro of Wellington, 
 Duke of Wellington, 
 
 I have received the commands of this 
 House, which I am persuaded has witnessed 
 with infinite satisfaction, your Grace's per^ 
 sonal introduction into this august Assem- 
 bly to return your Grace the thanks and 
 acknowledgments of this House for your 
 great and eminent services to your king 
 and country.
 
 PORTUGAL, SPAIN, FRANCE. 601 
 
 In the execution of these commands I 
 cannot forbear to call the especial attention 
 of all who hear me to a fact in your Grace's 
 hfe, singular I believe in the history of this 
 country and infinitely honourable to your 
 Grace, that 3^ou have manifested upon your 
 first entrance into this House, your right 
 under various grants to all the dignitiesin 
 the peerage of this realm, which the crown 
 can confer. These dignities have been con- 
 ferred at various periods, but in the short 
 compass of little more than four years, for 
 great public services, occurring in rapid 
 succession, claiming the favour of the 
 crown, influenced by its sense of justice to 
 your Grace and the country ; and on no one 
 occasion in which the crown has thus re- 
 warded your merits have the Houses of 
 Parliament been inattentive to your de- 
 mands upon the gratitude of the country: 
 upon all such occasions they have offered to 
 your Grace their acknowledgments and 
 thanks, the highest honours they could be- 
 stow.
 
 502 DUKE OF WELLINGTON. 
 
 I decline all attempts to state your 
 Grace's eminent merits in your military 
 character; to represent those brilliant 
 actions, those illustrious achievements, 
 which have attached immortality to the 
 name of Wellington, and which have given 
 to this country a degree ot glory unex- 
 ampled in the annals of this kingdom. 
 
 In thus acting, I believe 1 best consult 
 the feelings which evince your Grace's title 
 to the character of a truly great and illus- 
 trious man. 
 
 My dut}^ to this House cannot but make 
 me most anxious not to fall short of the 
 expectation which the House may have 
 formed as to the execution of what may 
 have been conimitted to me on this great 
 occasion ; but the most anxious consider- 
 ation which I have given to that duty, has 
 convinced me that I cannot more effec- 
 tually do justice to the judgment of the 
 House, than by referring your Grace to the 
 terms and Inng-uaoe in which the House 
 has repeatedly expressed its own sense of
 
 PORTUGAL, SPAIN, FRANCE. 503 
 
 the distinguished and consummate wisdom 
 and skill, the skill and ability, the prompt 
 energy, the indefatigable exertion, the per- 
 severance, the fortitude, and the valour, by 
 which the victories of Vimiera, Talavera, 
 Salamanca, and Vittoria, were achieved ; 
 by which the sieges of Cuidad Rodrigo 
 and Badajoz were gloriously terminated; 
 by which the deliverance of Portugal was 
 effectuated ; by which the ever-memorable 
 establishment of the allied armies, on the 
 frontiers of France, wasaccomplished; armies 
 pushing forward, in the glory of victory at 
 Orthes, to the occupation of Bourdeaux. 
 
 These achievements, in their immediate 
 consequence infinitely beneficial to the 
 common cause, have, in the final results, 
 secured the peace, prosperity, and glory of 
 this country ; whilst your Grace's example 
 has animated, to great exertions, the other 
 nations of Europe ; exertions rescuing them 
 from tyranny, and restoring them to in- 
 dependence ; by which there has been ulti- 
 mately estabhshed, among all the nations
 
 504 DUKE or WELLINGTON. 
 
 of Europe, that balance of power, which, 
 giving sufficient strength to every nation, 
 provides that no nation shall be too strong. 
 I presume not to trespass upon the 
 House by representing the personal satis- 
 faction which I have derived from being 
 the honored instrument of conveying to 
 your Grace the acknowledgments and 
 thanks of this House, upon every occasion 
 upon which they have been ofi'ered to your 
 Grace, or by endeavouring to represent 
 the infinite gratification which I enjoy in 
 thus offering, on the behalf of this House, 
 on this day, to your Grace in person, those 
 acknowledgments and those thanks. Your 
 Grace is now called upon to aid hereafter 
 by your wisdom and judgment, the great 
 council of that nation, to the peace, pros- 
 perity, and glory of which your Grace has 
 already so materially contributed ; and I 
 tender your Grace, now taking your seat 
 in this House, in obedience to its com- 
 mands, the thanks of the House in the 
 words of its resolution — " That the thanks
 
 PORTUGAL, SPAIN, FRANCE. 505 
 
 of this House be given to Field Marshal 
 the Duke of Welhngton, on his return 
 from his command abroad, for his eminent 
 and unremitting service to his Majesty and 
 to the public." 
 
 The Duke of Wellington replied — 
 
 I have to perform a duty to which 
 I feel myself very inadequate, to return 
 your Lordships my thanks for this fresh 
 mark of your approbation of my conduct 
 and of your favor. 
 
 I assure your Lordships that I am en- 
 tirely overcome by the honors which have 
 been conferred upon me, and by the favor 
 with which I have been received in this 
 country by the Prince Regent, by your 
 Lordships, and by the public. 
 
 In truth, my Lords, when I reflect upon 
 the advantages which I enjoyed in the con- 
 fidence reposed in me, and the support 
 afforded by the government and by his 
 Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief; 
 m the cordial assistance I invariably re-
 
 506 DUKE OF WELLINGTON. 
 
 ceived upon all occasions from my gallant 
 friends, the general officers of the army, 
 who are an honor to their country; the 
 gallantry and discipline of the troops ; and 
 the manner in which I was encouraoed and 
 excited to exertion, by the protection and 
 gracious favor of the Prince; I cannot but 
 consider, that however great the difficulties 
 with which I had to contend, these were 
 equal to overcome them, and I am appre- 
 hensive that I shall not be found so de- 
 serving of your favor as I wish. 
 
 If, however, my merit is not great, my 
 gratitude is unbounded ; and I can only 
 assure your Lordships, that you will always 
 find me read}^ to serve his Majesty, to the 
 utmost of my ability, in any capacity in 
 'which my services can be at all useful to 
 this great country. 
 
 On the 1st of July, the Duke of Wel- 
 lington appeared before the House of Com- 
 mons.
 
 PORTUGAL, SPAIN, FRANCE. 507 
 
 It being announced in the usual form, that 
 his Grace attended, Mr. Speaker moved 
 that he be admitted, which being in course 
 carried nem. con. the Duke approached the 
 bar, and all the members rose spontaneously 
 and uncovered. 
 
 As soon as the loudest cheers ever re- 
 membered, permitted, his Grace the Duke 
 of AVellington addressed the House as 
 follows : — 
 
 Veneris 1 die Julii, 1814. 
 
 Mr. Speaker, 
 
 I was anxious to be permitted to 
 attend this House, in order to return my 
 thanks in person for the honor they have 
 done me, in deputing a committee of mem- 
 bers of this House to congratulate me, on 
 my return to this country, and this after 
 the House had animated my exertions by 
 their applause upon every occasion which 
 appeared to merit their approbation, and 
 after they had filled up the measure of
 
 508 DUKE or WELLINGTON; 
 
 their favors by conferring upon me, at the 
 recommendation of the Prince Regent, the 
 noblest gift that any subject had ever re- 
 ceived. 
 
 I hope it will not be deemed presump- 
 tuous in me, to take this opportunity of 
 expressing my admiration of the great 
 efforts made by this House and the countr^^ 
 at a moment of unexampled pressure and 
 difficulty, in order to support the great 
 scale of operation by which the contest was 
 brought to so fortunate a termination. 
 
 By the wise policy of Parliament, the 
 government were enabled to give the ne- 
 cessary support to the operations which 
 were carried on under my direction ; and I 
 was encouraged by the confidence reposed 
 in me by his Majesty's ministers, and by 
 the Commander-in-Chief; by the gracious 
 favor of his Royal Highness the Prince 
 Regent, and by the reliance which I had 
 on the support of my gallant friends, the 
 general officers of the army, and on the 
 bravery of the officers and troops, to carry
 
 PORTUGAL, SPAINj TRANCE. 50^ 
 
 on the operations in such a manner as to 
 acquire for me those marks of the appro- 
 bation of this House, for which I have now 
 the honor to make my humble acknow- 
 ledgments. 
 
 Sir, it is impossible for me to express the 
 gratitude which I feel ; I can only assure 
 the House, that I shall always be ready to 
 serve his Majesty in any capacity in which 
 my services can be deemed useful, with the 
 same zeal for my country which has al- 
 ready acquired for me the approbation of 
 this House. 
 
 Whereupon Mr. Speaker spoke as follows — • 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 Since last I had the honour of 
 addressing you from this place, a series of 
 eventful years has elapsed ; but none with- 
 out some mark and note of your rising 
 glory. 
 
 The military triumphs which your valour 
 has atchieved from the banks of the Douro 
 and the Tagus, of the Ebro and the Ca-
 
 510 DUKE OP WELLTNGTOX. 
 
 ronne, have called forth the spontaneous 
 shouts of admiring nations. Those tri- 
 umphs it is needless on this day to re- 
 count. Their names have been written by 
 your conquering sword in the annals of 
 Europe, and we shall hand them down 
 with exultation to our children's children. 
 
 It is not however the grandeur of military 
 success, which has alone fixed our admira- 
 tion or commanded our applause; it has 
 been that generous and lofty spirit which 
 inspired your troops with unbounded con- 
 fidence, and taught them to know, that the 
 day of battle was always a day of victor}^ ; 
 that moral courage and enduring fortitude 
 which, in perilous times when gloom and 
 doubt had beset ordinary minds, stood 
 nevertheless unshaken ; and that ascen- 
 dancy of character, which uniting the 
 energies of jealous and rival nations, 
 enabled you to wield at will the fates and 
 ibrtunes of mighty empires. 
 
 For the repeated thanks and grants be- 
 stowed upon you by this House, in grati-
 
 PORTUGALj SPAIN, FRANCE. 511 
 
 tude for your many and eminent services, 
 you have thought fit this day to offer us 
 your acknowledgments ; but this nation 
 well knows that it is still largely your debtor ; 
 it owes to you the proud satisfaction, that 
 amidst the constellation of great and illus- 
 trious warriors who have recently visited 
 our country, we could present to them a 
 leader of our own, to whom all, by com- 
 mon acclamation, conceded the pre-emi- 
 nence ; and when the will of Heaven and 
 the common destinies of our nature, shall 
 have swept away the present generation, 
 you will have left your great name and 
 example as an imperishable monument, 
 exciting others to like deeds of glory, and 
 serving at once to adorn, defend and perpe- 
 tuate, the existence of this country amongst 
 the ruling nations of the earth. 
 
 It now remains only that we congratulate 
 your Grace, upon the high and important 
 mission on which you are about to proceed : 
 and we doubt not that the same splendid 
 talents, so conspicuous in war, will main-
 
 512 DUKE OF WELLINGTON. 
 
 tain, with equal authority, firmness and 
 temper, our national honor and interests 
 in peace. 
 
 The Hero whose services in a particular quarter are 
 thus generally praised, being happily by the Providence of 
 Almighty God still preserved to the serviceof his country, 
 has not elicited those general efforts of biography which 
 leave nothing for the brief notice of these pages. 
 
 He has just been seen addressed by the greatest assemblies 
 in the world, in praise of the highest military services of 
 modem timts, "bearing his faculties so meekly about him," 
 as to preclude all alloy ; and with possession of the great- 
 est military power ever confided to a subject, preserving 
 the most perfect example of amenity toward every institu- 
 tion of his country. 
 
 It is not the smallest boast of perhaps the really great' 
 est nation upon earth, to see her Viceroys, her Governors, 
 and her Generals, returning from the regal dignity, from the 
 government of empires, and the command of nations, to the 
 simple state of a British citizen, in whatever rank their birth, 
 condition, or circumstances may have placed them — thatvve 
 should have preserved this boast amid 
 
 The wreck of Empires, and the crash of worlds ! 
 
 One of the most striking instances is the illustrious man, 
 of whom, with all the ardour of admiration, only the heads
 
 PORTUGAL, SPAIN, FRANCE. 513 
 
 of service can possibly be given in tliis sketch with a few 
 facts and dates. 
 
 The family of the Duke of Wellington has already been 
 described in these pages (see 230). It should be added 
 however that the name of Wellesley is a correction of 
 Wesley, and that the original family name is understood 
 to be a corruption of that of the Cowleys of Rutlandshire, 
 who settled in Ireland in the reign of Henry VIII. 
 
 ITie fourth son of Garret (or Gerard) 1st Earl of Mor- 
 nington, and the Lady Anne Hill, an exemplar of feminine 
 worth, is the present subject. Arthur Wellesley 
 was born on the 1st May I769 at Dengen Castle, no 
 longer in existence, situated on an estate unfortunately 
 alienated, it is believed, from the excesses of insurgency. 
 
 The Pri/ice of Waterloo entered the army on the 7th 
 March, 1787, as Ensign in the 7Sd foot, and by the 
 laborious but necessary means of exchange, passed thence, 
 through the 76th, 41st, and 18th Dragoons; the 58th 
 foot and 1 8th Dragoons again; by purchase to the 33d.' 
 He was thus Lieutenant Colonel at the commencement 
 of the revolutionary war, and in 1 794 served under Lord 
 Moira on the Continent. He was next placed in a con- 
 junct expedition under Admiral Christian, to the West 
 Indies, but having been impeded by tempests, his regiment 
 changed its course to Ireland, and afterwards in 1797 to 
 India, on the intended operations against Manilla. 
 
 * In these dates the writer has followed the Eoyal Military Calendar 
 of Sir John Philippart, in 3 vols. Octavo, (a work capable of the most 
 extensive utility, and in which much useful matter is to be found) in op- 
 position to (levcral Memoirs and tJie Peerage, and tliinks he is correct.
 
 514 DUKE OF WELLINGTON. 
 
 Willi the brevet rank of Colonel, the Honorable 
 Arthur Wellesle^ entered upon a career the most critical 
 a^ well as splendid of any, perhaps, in the annals of India. 
 
 It was at the period w hen French policy had introduced 
 among the native Pov\'ers skilful and enterprizing officers, 
 for th*^ purpose of forming an interest in that country 
 which was considered the only vulnerable point of the 
 British territory. It has been noticed how ably the 
 Governor General met the corresponding arrangements oi 
 these emissaries and their great leader in Egypt; that 
 oreat man has not failed to put on record how much he 
 owed in his dispositions to his brother. 
 
 An action at the village of Malavelly under General 
 Floyd afforded the first opportunity for distinction ; but 
 the enemy Tippoo Saib having been driven by it into his 
 capital, ' to Colonel VVellesley was confided the task of 
 driving in the covering army, and afterwards the govern- 
 ment of Seringapatam. 
 
 For the delicate arrangements of the removal and care 
 of the fallen Sultan's family, a commission was appointed, 
 and the Governor placed at its head, to whose discretion, 
 activity, and humanity, the charge was particularly con- 
 fided. The suppression of the formidable and enterpriz- 
 ino- freebooter, Dhoondiagh VVaugh, by a movement so 
 rijpid as to intercept him on the march, followed ; and next 
 the affair at the village of Assye, in which, then Major- 
 Genera!, he brought the hesitating enemy to action with 
 half the army; leading to the success that captured Agra, 
 and in the battle of Laswaree, completed the defeat of 
 
 ' Colonel Cotton was alio kcic.
 
 PORTUGAL, SPAIN, FRANCE. 515 
 
 the enemy. For his conduct on these occasions, it is 
 unnecessary to say he received the thanks of his senior 
 officers. 
 
 For the battle of Assye he first received the noble 
 reward of his country, which, with increased val«ie, has 
 just been recorded, and from his sovereign the Order of 
 the Bath. The city of Calcutta presented him with a 
 sword, and his officers with a golden vase, it is believed 
 of the value of 2000 guineas. The people of Sering- 
 apatan), after their own manner, publicly addressed him 
 as their preserver, and implored the God of all casts for 
 his protection. 
 
 The honors of his country were made the proper sub- 
 ject of a Calcutta Gazette extraordinary, on the 7th of 
 March, iSOj ; but the more delicate and appropriate 
 praise was issued in general orders, founded on an address 
 of the government of India of the preceding 24th of 
 February. 
 
 This, recognizing the permission accorded to Sir Arthur 
 Wellesley, of eventually relinquishing powers committed 
 to him, viz. " to take upon him the chief command of all 
 the British troops, and of the forces of our allies, serving 
 in any of the Mahratta states ; and exercise the general 
 direction and control of all the political and military- 
 affairs of the British Government there ;" proceeds to 
 express the high sense enterttiined of " the great advan- 
 tages derived to the British interests in India from his 
 important services in the field, as well as from the pru- 
 dence, judgment, and distinguished skill and ability with 
 which all the political negociations entrusted to his charge 
 had been conducted." It details the various services in
 
 5l6 DUKE OF WELLINGTON. 
 
 the relations with Mysore, the government of Sering- 
 apatam, the military operations, the conciliation of the 
 JViahralta powers, and the " pacification highly glorious 
 to the British government and beneficial to the general 
 interests of India ;" and, promulgating the public thanks, 
 recommends his " great and briUiant example to the imi- 
 tation of the service in India." 
 
 With this character, already the greatest that could be 
 conferred as regarded military glory and Asiatic affairs. 
 Sir Arthur Wellesley returned to England. To have met 
 French officers with native troops, hoviever well con- 
 ducted, was nevertheless insufficient to establish it in 
 Europe on the part of an officer yet of an early age. 
 
 With pristine vigour, therefore, he begun again in 
 Europe, but for some time without opportunity for its 
 exertion. Lord Cathcart's expedition to the continent, 
 which was rendered nugatory by the battle of Austerlitz, 
 and a command in an English district on the coast. He 
 received, however, this year several important and agree- 
 able acquisitions : — the Colonelcy of his regiment, in which 
 he had served as Lieut.-Colonel thirteen years ; a seat id 
 the House of Commons (for Newport, in the Isle of 
 Wight); and the hand of the Hon. Catherine Pakenham, 
 a lady exemplary in every domestic virtue. 
 
 In the absence of militaiy enterprize, Sir Arthur 
 adopted the important civil office of chief secretary in 
 1 reland, under the Duke of Richmond, and became the 
 author of a police for its capital. The expedition against 
 Copenhagen requiring the combination of talents for 
 which he was remarkable; he again accompanied Lord 
 Cathcart, promptly fought the only baUlc; and settled the 
 capitulation of the Danes.
 
 PORTUGAL, SPAIN, FRANCE. 517 
 
 On die 25th April 1808, he was promoted to the rank 
 o( Lieutenant-Geiieral. 
 
 The grand stroke of Bonaparte that was to add the Pe- 
 ninsula of Europe to the great nation (as France called her- 
 self par excellence) was now, by the various arts of policy 
 and war, carried into complete effect, and thus the British 
 Nation entirely excluded from the continent. The vigi- 
 lant policy of its government, however, detected a weak 
 point, and but one ; to this was directed an expedition in 
 which Sir Arthur was included with a body of troops 
 which had been collected at Cork, in contemplation of 
 being sent against Spanish America. 
 
 It was to be a great expedition and under men great in 
 name, and older in war ; — already the reader anticipates the 
 fact, — Sir Arthur marched without waiting for the remain- 
 der, and gaining the Battle of Roli9a, was ready at Vimiera 
 to protect the landing of two corps of that remaining force. 
 
 Of the vacillation, which on the arrival of his senior 
 officers paralyzed the energy so manifested, too much is 
 already known ; finding the victory not improved to further 
 advantage, the French availed themselves of it to seek an 
 opportunity of retiring with their Portugueze booty to 
 France. This by the Convention of Cintra was permitted ; 
 and Sir Arthur VVellesley returned to England from the 
 scene of glory to his civil office, to be submitted in com- 
 mon with his seniors to the scrutiny of a military court. 
 
 How the " melancholy temperament," as it has been 
 called, of Sir John Moore, deteriorated the cause still far- 
 ther in every respect, other than the demonstration of con- 
 rage, is sufficiently known. 
 
 The successes which, however, followed in Portugal,
 
 518 DUKE OF WELLINGTON. 
 
 among which not the least was the enterprize of Sir Ro- 
 bert Wilson, were encouraging; and on the 22nd of April 
 ] 809, a fresh force was sent from England to the Tagus 
 with Sir Arthur VVellesley as Commander in Chief. His 
 Excellency bore also the useful local rank of Marshal-Ge- 
 neral of the Portugueze troops. 
 
 The General now unembarrassed from the opposing 
 opinions and less daring habits of seniors, began imme- 
 diately to push his fortunes in the spirit of Assye — but alas! 
 the impression which had been made by preceding circum- 
 stances, and the habits of the Spanish functionaries pro- 
 duced further impediments. How he subdued them — 
 how he exercised all the qualities of a commander, under 
 succeeding difficulties, till he gradually obtained from the 
 progressive confidence of his country an army perhaps the 
 most efficient in the world, — together with others of two 
 rival nations, either of them but little inclined to succumb 
 to England, and conciliated the whole; will be best seen in 
 the results recorded in the preceding pages. 
 
 The tirst campaign procured for him the titles of 
 Baron Douro, Viscount Wellington, with a pension of 
 20001. a year. 
 
 What his Lordship's feelings must have been when His 
 Majesty's ministers, led to hope that a new and more vital 
 inlet had been obtained to the continent, sent away from 
 him the finest army that ever quitted the shores of Britain 
 in vain, and he was compelled lo exercise only active 
 cunctation for a year, must be easier conceived than de- 
 scribed. That ministry of whom, considering the nume- 
 rous temptations both foreign and domestic, it is only won- 
 derful that they were not led into more vain pursuits, at
 
 PORTUGAL, SPAIN, FRANCE. 519 
 
 leuglh however, made truly the amende honorable to 
 Lord Wellington, in the advantages drawn from, the war 
 between France and Russia, and the supply of all that 
 was required to establish him the first Captain of the 
 age. In August 1812, he was created Marquess of 
 Wellington. 
 
 Having marched successfully, through all impediments 
 and all dangers, from the Tagus to the Garonne, the 
 Marquess Wellington might have been expected to 
 repose upon his laurels ; still active, however, he accept- 
 ed the diplomatic character toward a nation which but for 
 his forbearance he might be said to have conquered. ' 
 Previously, however, (in May 1814,) his Lordship was 
 created Duke of Wellington. 
 
 He had scarcely presented his credentials, and the 
 brave army was but just completely dislocated, when the 
 eventful man, who over-reaching his ambition, had yet 
 had power to prescribe for himself empire in miniature, 
 returned from his puny seat, and, driving all before him, 
 regained the throne he had abdicated, and soon appeared 
 with som« of his best generals at the head of 170,000 
 men ! 
 
 It was now that the Duke of Wellington, who had 
 found his level in the campaigns of 1813 and 14, rose to 
 the dignity to which, from the humbler field of Assye, his 
 talents and energies had been directed. The fate of 
 
 ' The orders of the Commander of the Forces on entering France are 
 an honor to the British name and character ; and certainly furnished, 
 however paradoxical it may appear, the best credentials for an ambas- 
 sador.
 
 520 DUKE OF WELLINGTON. 
 
 Europe hung upon his sword. How it was decided, the 
 section which remains will show. 
 
 It is sufficient for this brief notice, which must other- 
 wise swell into a volume, to mention the victory, which 
 surpassing that of Marlborough, the nearest English pro- 
 totype, obtained for him the title and feod of Prince of 
 Waterloo. Money was immediately voted by Parliament 
 for a public palace ; and the whole range of public honors 
 devised by every nation on the earth prepared for the 
 Duke of Wellington. 
 
 To speak of his Grace's carriage under these honors, 
 would be only to declare huii a great philosopher as well 
 as general commander, appointed with every sense of pro- 
 priety Commander in Chief of the forces of those nations 
 in alliance with Great Britain, which form an army 
 in France for the preservation of peace : the general tran- 
 quillity and order which subsist among ihem, is the best 
 proof how well this illustrious man deserved all the 
 eloquent praise which anticipated the present records from 
 the best judge of the age. 
 
 More dates might no doubt be added, and minor facts 
 multiplied to infinity; but these are lost in the blaze of 
 grandeur which every where surrounds the character of 
 the Hero of the nineteenth century. Long may he be 
 preserved an exemplar of all that is good and great— to 
 shew admiring nations how near humanity may approach 
 perfection !
 
 521 
 
 BATTLE OF WATERLOO ;— FIELD 
 MARSHAL THE DUKE OF WEL- 
 LINGTON; MARSHAL BLUCHER, 
 OF PRUSSIA ; officers, soldiers, 
 
 &C. AS HEREAFTER STATED. JUNE l6", 
 
 17, 18, 1815. 
 
 With the preceding section it may rather 
 be said, that war had ceased, than that 
 peace was estabhshed. The regimen of 
 Europe was not yet sufficiently reduced 
 for the hope of tranquilhty. The general, 
 whose peculiar adaptation to the circum- 
 stances of the continent, had in effect 
 nearly reduced it under the empire of 
 France, was indeed removed from imme- 
 diate power, but his influence remained, 
 and his exile was within sight of the very 
 shores he had governed ; he in consequence 
 returned, and by his return enabled that 
 powerful genius which had happily pre- 
 sided over the fortune of British arms in 
 the latter years, to accomplish the peace 
 of Europe.
 
 522 DUKE OF WELLINGTON, BLUCHER, 
 
 The mean was the terrible battle of 
 Waterloo, whose vast field will be a monu- 
 ment for ever' in a country remarkable for 
 the display of British heroism. 
 
 The event is too vast to be considered 
 here. As is to be distinguished in a large 
 picture the collective sketches of the artist, 
 so in this grand effort is to be perceived 
 the combined results of all those various 
 specimens of excellence recorded in the 
 preceding pages — 
 
 " Which sapp'd the pillar 
 
 Tliat fell on Waterloo." 
 
 The vote of thanks was granted on the 
 23d June, 3817, in the follov/ing terms : — 
 
 That the thanks of this House be given 
 to Field Marshal the Duke of Welhngton, 
 Knio;ht of the most noble Order of the 
 
 ' It were absurd to attempt to detail here what has already fur- 
 nished volumes, such as the IMilitary Register from this period, which 
 is replete with facts and liteiary trophies of tliis event ; and also, as 
 less known, may be particularly mentioned tlic historical account ac- 
 companying Craan's celebrated Topographical Plan of the Battle, l!ie 
 survey aud drawing of which deserve the highest praise.
 
 PRINCE or ORANGE. — WATERLOO. 523 
 
 Garter, for the consummate ability, unex- 
 aiDpled exertion, and irresistible ardour, 
 displayed by him on the 18th of June ; on 
 which day the decisive victory over the 
 enemy, commanded by Buonaparte in per- 
 son, was obtained by his Grace, with the 
 allied troops under his command, and in 
 conjunction with the troops under the com- 
 mand of Marshal Prince Blucher; whereby 
 the military glory of the British nation has 
 been exalted, and the territory of his 
 Majesty's ally, the King of the Nether- 
 lands, has been protected from invasion 
 and spoil. 
 
 In addition to the two great command- 
 ers, the country had the honor to include 
 the heir-apparent to the sovereign house of 
 the Netherlands, at the head of the great- 
 est chiefs of the British and auxiliary 
 army. 
 
 That the thanks of this House be giveu 
 to General his Royal Highness the Prince 
 of Orange, Knight Grand Cross of the most 
 honorable military Order of the Bath;
 
 524 DUKE OF WELLINGTON, BLUCHER, 
 
 Lieut.-Generals the Earl of Major-Gens. Sir Edward 
 Uxbridge, K.G.C.B. Barnes, K.C.B. 
 
 Lord Hill, K.G.C.B. Sir John Byng, K.C.B. 
 
 Sir H. Clinton, K.G.C.B. Sir Denis Pack, K.C.B. 
 
 Chas. Baron Alten, K.C.B. Lord E. Somerset, K.C.B. 
 
 Major-Generals Sir Henry Sir John Lambert, K.C.B. 
 
 Hinuber, K.C.B. Sir Colq. Grant, K.C.B. 
 
 Sir John Ormsby Vande- Peregrine Maitland 
 
 leur, K.C.B. Sir Colin Halkett, K.C.B. 
 
 George Cooke Frederick Adam 
 
 Sir Jaujts Kempt, K.C.B. Sir R. H. Vivian, K.C.B. 
 
 Sir W.Dornberg, K.C.B. 
 
 and to the several officers under their command, &c. &c. 
 
 That the thanks of this House be given 
 to the general officers, officers, and men of 
 the alHed forces, serving under the imme- 
 diate command of Field Marshal the Duke 
 of WelHngton, for the distinguished valour 
 and intrepidity displayed by them on the 
 18th of June ; and that his Grace the Duke 
 of Wellington be desired to signify the same 
 to them accordingly. 
 
 That the thanks of this House be given 
 to Marshal Prince Blucher and the Prus- 
 sian army, for the cordial and timely as- 
 sistance afforded by them on the 18th of
 
 PRINCE OF ORANGE. WATERLOO. 5^5 
 
 June, to which the successful result of that 
 arduous day is so mainly to be attributed. 
 Sec. Sec. 
 
 Jovis 1 die Fehriiariiy 1816. 
 
 Paris, July 9th, 1815. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I have had the honor of receiving 
 your letter of the 23d of June, with which 
 3^ou have enclosed the unanimous resolu- 
 lutions of the House of Commons of the 
 same day, by which the House have ex- 
 pressed their approbation of the conduct 
 of the general officers, officers, and troops, 
 composing the army under my command, 
 and of myself and Field Marshal Prince 
 Blucher, and of the Prussian army, in the 
 battle of the 18th of June. 
 
 I beg that you will assure the House, 
 that I entertain a high and just sense of 
 the honor which they have conferred upon 
 me, and that I beg them to accept my
 
 526 DUKE OF WELLINGTON, BLUCHER, 
 
 thanks for this fresh mark of the favor with 
 which they receive my services, and those 
 of the troops under my command. 
 
 According to the orders of the House, 1 
 communicated to Field Marshal Prince 
 Blucher, the resolution of the House re- 
 garding his conduct and that of the Prus- 
 sian army ; and I have the honor to enclose 
 the copy of his letter to me upon this oc- 
 casion, which will best explain his High- 
 ness's sentiments. 
 
 I cannot conclude without requesting 
 you, Sir, to accept my thanks for the hand- 
 some terms in which you have conveyed 
 me the sense of the House. 
 
 I have the honor to })e, with the highest 
 respect, your most obedient and faithful 
 humble servant, 
 
 Wellington. 
 
 The Right Honorable Chas. Abbot, 
 Speaker of the House of Commons, i^c. Sec.
 
 PRINCE or ORANGE. WATERLOO. 527 
 
 " A St. Cloud, 9 Juillet, 1815. 
 
 " Lcs deux Chambres du Parlement Bri- 
 tanniqiie ayant donne leurs remercimens a. 
 moi, et a I'armee sous mes ordres, pour 
 notre assistance a la bataille de la Belle 
 Alliance, c est un honneur dont nous som- / 
 mes profondement penetres : nous nous 
 sentons extremement recompenses pour nos 
 efforts par I'approbation d'une nation vail- 
 lante et eclairee ; et nous esperons avec 
 confiance que la victoire commune de ces 
 deux nations, contiibuera bien puissam- 
 ment a consolider encore de plus d'une 
 mani^re nullement troubl^e a Tavenir, les 
 liens cntr'elles. 
 
 " Nous n'ignorons pas, My Lord, que la 
 relation de votre Altesse, sur notre con- 
 duite du 18, a ete la cause que les deux 
 Chambres du Parlement out pris la reso- 
 lution si honorable pour moi, et pour 
 I'armee sous mes ordres, et c'est moi qui 
 vous prie d'agreer nos remercimens pour 
 cela.
 
 528 DUKE or WELLINGTON, BLUCHER, 
 
 " Ce sont avec les sentimens du respect 
 le plus fonde, et d'une fidele fraternity 
 d'armes, que j*ai Thonneur d'etre 
 
 " De votre altesse le tr^s humble ami et 
 serviteur, 
 
 " Blucher/^ 
 
 The following translation is added, merely 
 that this should in all respects be an 
 English book. 
 
 Saint Cloud, July Qlh J 1815. 
 
 The two Houses of the British 
 Parhament having given their thanks to my- 
 self and the army under my orders, for our 
 assistance at the battle of La Belle Alliance, 
 is an honor with which we are deeply 
 penetrated : we feel ourselves more than 
 recompensed for our efforts by the appro- 
 bation of a valiant and enlightened nation ; 
 and we confidently hope that the common 
 victory of the two countries will contribute 
 very powerfully, more and more to consoli- 
 date, in a manner incapable of disruption 
 in future, the ties between them.
 
 BATTLE OF WATERLOO. 52.9 
 
 We are not ignorant, my Lord, that your 
 Highnesses account of our conduct on the 
 18th has been the cause of the two Houses 
 of Parhanient passing the resolution so 
 honorable to me and the army under my 
 orders ; and it is for me to intreat that you 
 will accept our thanks for it. 
 
 It is with sentiments of the most pro- 
 found respect and of a faithful brotherhood 
 in arms, that I have the honor to be your 
 Highnesses most humble friend and servant, 
 
 Blucher. 
 
 The gratification of personal address is 
 now afforded to these pages in all its 
 excellence : 
 
 Lunce 29 die Aprilis, 1816. 
 
 Major General Lord Edward Somerset, 
 
 At length we are gratified by see^ 
 
 ing amongst us one of those distinguished 
 
 ofliicers to whom this House has voted its 
 
 thanks for their eminent services in the 
 
 ^g. 2 L
 
 530 LORD E. SOMERSET. 
 
 battle of AYaterloo, — a victory eclipsing the 
 fame of all other battles fought on those 
 celebrated fields of war, and consummating 
 the glory of the Duke of Wellington, with 
 whose name the gratitude of this House 
 has justly associated that of Field Marshal 
 Blucher. 
 
 In the narratives of that gigantic conflict, 
 our historians will always relate that Major 
 General Lord Edward Somerset, already 
 known by his brilliant services in the 
 Southern provinces of France, held a high 
 and forward command in those gallant 
 charges by the British cavalry which defeat- 
 ed and destroyed the boasted squadrons of 
 cuirassiers. They will relate also, that 
 Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton, 
 who had in five former battles commanded 
 divisions of that heroic army which rescued 
 Portugal and Spain, maintained a conspicu- 
 ous post in the support of that embattled 
 line where the British Guards repulsed and 
 put to flight the Imperial Guards of France. 
 Nor will those other illustrious men be
 
 BATTLE OF WATERLOO. 531 
 
 foro;otten, who mio-ht now have been stand- 
 ing up amongst us to receive our thanks, if 
 the fate of war had not laid them low in 
 their grave of glory, — soldiers long dear to 
 the affections and remembrance of their 
 country, which will never cease to revere 
 and regret the veteran but ardent valor of 
 Picton, or the bright and rising honors of 
 Ponsonby. 
 
 The days indeed of these our mingled 
 triumphs and griefs are now concluded. 
 Other scenes have opened and other cares 
 have arisen to demand our vigilance. From 
 thelongcontest,however,nowhappily closed, 
 this durable advantage has resulted to our 
 country. We have proved to ourselves, the 
 value of those manly habits and institutions 
 which have established the superiority of 
 our national character ; and such splendid 
 examples of skill, valour and constancy, as 
 we have had this day to commemorate, 
 will deeply impress upon our enemies and 
 upon our allies in all ages, a just respect 
 for the counsels and arms of this empire.
 
 532 LORD E. SOMERSET. 
 
 The special duty which I have this day 
 to discharge, is to dehver to you the thanks 
 of this House for your last great services. 
 And I do therefore now, in the name and 
 by the command of the Commons of Great 
 Britain and Ireland in Parliament assem- 
 bled, deliver to you their unanimous thanks 
 for your indefatigable zeal and exertions 
 upon the 18th of June 1815, when the 
 French army commanded by Buonaparte 
 received a signal and complete defeat. 
 
 Major General Lord Edward Somerset's 
 
 Answer. 
 
 Mr. Speaker, 
 
 I beg to express to the House 
 the high sense I entertain of so distinguish^ 
 ed a mark of its approbation conferred 
 upon me for my conduct in the memorable 
 battle of Waterloo : deeply impressed with 
 the importance of such an honour, I am 
 conscious that I want words to convey in 
 adequate terms my sentiments on this
 
 BATTLE OF WATERLOO. 533 
 
 occasion. Sir, whatever merit my humble 
 exertions in this great conflict may be 
 deemed entitled to, I cannot but attribute 
 to the fortunate circumstance of my being 
 placed in command of a brigade, whose 
 persevering gallantry, discipline, and in- 
 trepidity, contributed so largely to the 
 success of this important day. Animated 
 by the example of that great man, under 
 whose command we had the honor to serve, 
 and who had so often led us to victory and 
 to honor, every individual of the British 
 army was naturally inspired but with one 
 feeling : that feeling, and a well-grounded 
 confidence in their commander, enabled 
 them to surmount the most formidable 
 obstacles, and to bring the contest to a 
 successful issue : that it was my lot to 
 form part of the army on that day, and that 
 my conduct should be deemed worthy of 
 receiving the thanks of this House, will be 
 ever to me a source of the utmost satisfac- 
 tion, and will be remembered with pride
 
 534f sill L. COLE. 
 
 and gratitude to the latest period of my 
 existence. 
 
 I cannot conclude without expressing to 
 you, Sir, how sensible 1 am of the flattering 
 terms in which you have been pleased to 
 communicate to me the resolutions of the 
 House on this occasion. 
 
 Ltina 20 die Mail, 1816. 
 
 Lieutenant-General Sir Lowry Cole, 
 
 Although the time which elaps- 
 ed between the close of your service in the 
 Peninsula and your appearance in this 
 House, would in ordinary cases have pre- 
 cluded me from delivering to you its thanks 
 from this place, nevertheless your distin- 
 guished name and actions have, in a man- 
 ner highly honourable to you, induced 
 this House to depart from its usual course ; 
 justly desirous that in terminating such a 
 war, no demonstration of its gratitude 
 should be wanting towards those who have 
 deserved it so well.
 
 BATTLE OF WATERLOO. 535 
 
 Having acquired the early rudiments of 
 your profession in foreign countries, reputed 
 then the best schools of the military art, and 
 having matured that knowledge by practi- 
 cal experience through various campaigns 
 in Egypt, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, you 
 first appeared amongst us to claim our 
 thanks for your prompt and decisive con- 
 duct in the Battle of Albuera. 
 
 In that victorious army which re-esta- 
 blished the thrones of our allies, though all 
 were brave, yet by the fortune of war the 
 skill and valour of some were rendered con- 
 spicuous above the rest ; and the gallant 
 Fourth division was distinguished tlirough- 
 out, by th« highest praises for its enthu- 
 siastic courage and heroic devotion. 
 
 Of that division, to which all eyes were 
 turned in every battle, you. Sir, had the 
 chief command ; and your growing renown 
 was well supported by many brave compa- 
 nions in arms, whose names will for ever live 
 in our annals. 
 
 So supported, and led on by the greatest
 
 536 SIR L. COLE. ^ 
 
 Captain of our times, you shared in each 
 successive struggle and triumph which 
 marked his progress, from the frontiers of 
 Portugal, at Salamanca, at Vittoria, in the 
 Pyrenees, and at Orthes, to the final esta- 
 blishment of his standard within the ancient 
 provinces of France. 
 
 For these numerous and splendid ser- 
 vices, it is now my gratifying duty to deli- 
 ver to you the thanks of your country ; and 
 I do now, therefore, in the name and by the 
 command of the Commons of Great Britain 
 and Ireland in Parliament assembled, deli- 
 ver to you their unanimous thanks : 
 
 " For your distinguished exertions in the 
 Battle of Salamanca on the 22nd of July, 
 1812, which terminated in a glorious and 
 decisive victory over the enemy's army." 
 
 And also " For your great exertions upon 
 the 21st of June 1813, when the French 
 army were completely defeated by the allied 
 forces under the Marquess of Wellington's 
 command, near Vittoria." 
 
 And also " For the valour, steadiness and
 
 BATTLE OF WATERLOO. 53? 
 
 exertion, so successfully displayed by you, 
 in repelling the repeated attacks made on 
 the positions of our allied army by the 
 whole French force, under the command of 
 Marshal Soult, between the 25th July and 
 the 1st of August 1813," in the Pyrenees. 
 
 And lastly " For your able and distin- 
 guished conduct throughout those opera- 
 tions which concluded with the entire de- 
 feat of the enemy at Orthes, on the 27th of 
 February 1814, and the occupation of Bour- 
 deaux by the allied forces." 
 
 Lieutenant General Sir Galbraith Lowry 
 Cole's answer. 
 
 Mr. Speaker, 
 
 To be considered by the repre- 
 sentatives of my country as deserving their 
 thanks, has been, and will ever, I trust, be 
 the chief ambition of my life ; and gratified 
 and flattered as I ought and do feel, Sir, by 
 the very high honor which you have just 
 communicated to me, no man is more sensi-
 
 538 SIR II. CLINTOK. 
 
 ble than myself what little intrinsic merit 
 there is in obtaining credit under the eye of 
 the Duke of Wellington, and in command of 
 such troops as composed the fourth division 
 of the late army in the Peninsula, whose 
 enthusiastic gallantry (words used by his 
 Grace in his dispatches after the battle of 
 the Pyrenees) at all times and under any 
 circumstance, during the last five years of 
 that arduous war, deserved and obtained 
 his Grace's approbation, and to which I 
 feel conscious lam principally indebted for 
 the honor now conferred upon me by this 
 House, and for my reputation as a soldier. 
 If any thing can add to my sense of that 
 honor, it is the flattering terms in which 
 you, Sir, have been pleased to communicate 
 it to me, and for which I beg to return you 
 my most sincere thanks. 
 
 Luncc 20 die Mail, 1816. 
 
 Lieutenant General Sir Henr}^ Clinton, 
 
 After serving through the long 
 campaigns of the Peninsular war, from Sa-
 
 BATTLE OF WATERLOO. 539 
 
 lamanca to Orthes and Toulouse, there 
 remained nothino^ for a soldier to desire, but 
 to be present at the great Battle of Water- 
 loo ; and if in that terrible conflict, it were 
 possible to select one spot more than ano- 
 ther, where our national military character 
 was put to its fiercest trial, it must have 
 been that where you were commanding, 
 with Hougomont in your front, and direct- 
 ing or supporting the brave brigades of 
 Byng, Maitland, and Adam. 
 
 In estimating the services of that gallant 
 army, this country has not contemplated 
 alone the glory of a single day ; the}^ have 
 looked to the toilsome marches and sharp 
 combats which preceded it, and to the stea- 
 dy, skilful and victorious march by which 
 that army completed its success and entered 
 the enemy's capital. They have seen also 
 with a just exultation that whilst British 
 troops held the gates of Paris by right of 
 conquest, their camp displayed at the same 
 time a model of good order and well-regu-
 
 540 SIR H. CLINTON. 
 
 lated discipline, which even the conquered 
 could not but applaud and admire. 
 
 Your present stay amongst us we under- 
 stand to be only for a short period. But 
 on your returning to your brethren in arms, 
 let them be assured by you, that whenever 
 their foreign service shall terminate, they 
 will find that their great deeds have not 
 been forgotten by us ; and we trust, that 
 on re-entering the metropolis of their native 
 country, they will behold some lofty and 
 durable monument, which shall commemo- 
 rate to the latest ages, our never-ending 
 gratitude to the armies who fought for us 
 and the God who has delivered us. 
 
 You, Sir, are the last of those distinguish- 
 ed officers to whom our thanks have re- 
 mained undelivered ; and I do now, in the 
 name and by the command of the Com- 
 mons of Great Britain and Ireland in 
 Parliament assembled, deliver to you their 
 unanimous thanks for your indefatigable 
 zeal and exertions upon the J 8th of June 
 1815, when the French army, commanded
 
 BATTLE OF WATERLOO. 541 
 
 by Buonaparte, received a signal and com- 
 plete defeat. 
 
 Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton's 
 Answer : 
 
 Mr. Speaker, 
 
 I am extremely grateful to the 
 House for the honour which has been con- 
 ferred upon me by the vote of its thanks 
 for my services in the Battle of Waterloo, 
 a reward to which you. Sir, so well know 
 how to give the full value ; and I wish to 
 assure you. Sir, that I am fully sensible of 
 the favour I have received at your hands. 
 
 It is impossible for me to mention the 
 name of Waterloo and not to feel an irre- 
 sistible desire to join in the general voice of 
 gratitude to the hero who commanded us, 
 and in that of admiration of the extraordi- 
 nary talents which he has so long and so 
 usefully devoted to the service of his coun« 
 try. 
 
 An army hastily drawn together, com- 
 posed of the troops of various nations, and
 
 542 MARQUIS OF ANGLESKA. 
 
 among which were counted several brigades 
 of inexperienced militia, was the force 
 which the Duke of Wellington had to op- 
 pose to one of the most formidable and best 
 appointed armies which France ever pro- 
 duced. 
 
 Every officer and soldier I am persuaded 
 did his duty ; but the Duke of Wellington 
 alone was capable of giving union to such 
 a force. 
 
 No other man living could have rendered 
 the service he performed with an army so 
 composed. 
 
 His great name filled it with confidence ; 
 by his constant vigilance, his undaunted 
 firmness, and the exertion of the greatest 
 intrepidity and perseverance, he was able, 
 throughout that well-contested day, to de- 
 feat every effort of a powerful and enter- 
 prizing enemy, and ultimately to gain that 
 victory by which he restored peace to Eu- 
 rope, and increased, to the impossibility of 
 our ever acquitting it, his country's debt or 
 gratitude.
 
 BATTLE OF WATERLOO. 543 
 
 111 the battle of Waterloo the domands for praise were 
 naturally so numerous, that having ventured to speak in 
 the preceding section at some length of the General, it will 
 hardly be supposed that much can be ventured in regard to 
 the multifarious claims of the present occasion. 
 
 This remark nmst not however apply to such as — 
 
 Lieutenant-General the Earl of Uxbridge, now Mar- 
 quis of Anglesea, who foremost in the fray demands to 
 shew the highest meed of glory. 
 
 Born May 17, 1763: his Lordship entered the service 
 in the true old English manner, and with a dignity of cha- 
 racter that does not often occur. On the commencement of 
 the Revolutionai-y war, having raised principally on his 
 paternal estates a fine body of 600 men, he was presented 
 with a Lieutenant-Colonelcy, and it is said had the for- 
 bearance not to accept a colonelcy for an additional 400 
 men, because he had not seen foreign service. 
 
 He went first with his regiment to Guernsey, and after- 
 wards joined the Duke of York in Holland, when he had 
 the command of Lord Cathcart's brigade in his absence. 
 
 Being however now about to receive a Colonelcy, in the 
 summer of 1795, he appears to have re-passed through the 
 gradations of Lieutenant, Captain, Major, and Lieutenant- 
 Colonel, in which last rank of the 7th Light Dragoons, he 
 accompanied the Duke of York to the Continent, and 
 greatly distinguished himself. In 1795 he married Caro- 
 line Elizabeth, daughter of the Earl of Jersey, by whom he 
 had eight children. On the l6th May, 1801, he became 
 Colonel of his regiment. In 1802 he became Major-Ge- 
 neral. 
 
 The Peninsular war again elicited his spirit, wheie it
 
 544 sill 11. mis' uiiiiK, COOKE, dohneerg. 
 
 evinced itself in acts of the most desperate bravery, and 
 his Lordship became Lieutenant General. In 1809, he 
 married the Lady Charlotte, daughter of the late Earl Ca- 
 dogan, by whom he has five children. He afterwards com- 
 manded a division of infantry at Walcheren. 
 
 In 1815, when the metropolis was alarmed by the popu- 
 lar fervor against the Corn Bill, Lord Uxbridge was en- 
 trusted with the command of the cavalry for the preser- 
 vation of the peace, which was executed in a manner to 
 claim admiration ; and, being again employed, he took a 
 distinguished command in the Battle of Waterloo. 
 
 By nearly the last shot fired his Lordship received a 
 wound which compelled the amputation of a leg: the limb 
 being buried in the garden of the house where he lay at 
 the time, the proprietor has planted over it a wil!ow,which 
 is visited by travellers with a respectful sympathy. Jt is 
 remarkable that four of his five aides-de-camp were 
 wounded, including Captains Wildman, Fraser, and 
 Thornhill, of his own regiment. 
 
 Lord Uxbridge was on this occasion created Marquis 
 of Anglesea. 
 
 Of Sir Henry Hinuber, K.C.B. it is matter of regret 
 not to have been at present able to yield some account, and 
 the more particularly as after long and able services, it fell 
 to his command to repel the treacherous aflfair at Bayonne, 
 of which he transmitted so excellent an account to His 
 Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, among those 
 ^Reports' which would form the most admirable Mcmoires
 
 AVATERLOO. 545 
 
 pour servir a Vliistoire, the present may be seen in the first 
 volume of the Military Register. 
 
 Major-Gen. Sir George Cooke entered the 1st Guards 
 in 1784, and continued to serve with them in Holland, &c., 
 though much on the Staff till 1803, when he was appoint- 
 ed Adjutant-General of the North- West district: in 1806 
 he went to Sicily ; in 1 807 to Walcheren, where he suffered. 
 In 1808 he became Colonel, and in 1811 Major-General ; 
 in 1813 the General commanded for a short tune at Cadiz, 
 and in 1814 served under Lord Lynedock in Holland ; on 
 the present occasion he lost his left arm, and was created a 
 Knight Commander of the Bath. 
 
 Sir Wilhelmde Dornberg, K.C.B. Commandant of the 
 Duke of Brunswick-Oels' Hussars, though but a short time 
 immediately m the service of Great Britain, yet rendered 
 that service, interesting in its origin, most satisfactory in 
 its termination. 
 
 Of the same date as the war is the service of Sir John 
 Byng, of a family in some measure fatally attached to its 
 coimtry's service. 
 
 He had the honor to enter the 33d regiment, while 
 comma ded by the Duke of Wellington ; he has since 
 served in the 29th, and had the happiness, after passing 
 through active service in America, Flanders, Holland, Ire- 
 
 JEg, 2 M
 
 546 BYNG, BARNES, HALKETT, 
 
 land, Walcheren, Hanover, Copenhagen, Portugal and 
 Spain, to carry with him the best wishes of all with whom 
 he served. And he is since employed with all the energ) 
 of original service in the command of a district unfortunate 
 in being the scene of some disturbances, but fortunate in a 
 general capable of discrimination and humanity. 
 
 The war found Sir Edward Barnes Major in the late 
 99th ; and he became Lieut.-Col. in the army in 1800. 
 Lieut. Col. in the 56th in 1807, and Colonel in the army in 
 1810, Major-Gen. on the 4th June 1813, he served ou 
 the Staff in Spain and Portugal, and became Adjutant- 
 General on the present occasion, when he w as wounded. 
 
 Sir Colin Halkett, Colonel of the 2nd Battalion Light 
 Infantry King*s German Legion, was one of those excellent 
 ofHcers whose auxiliary services were so prominent in the 
 latter periods of the war, and was adopted into the British 
 in November 1803. He served in the Peninsula, and 
 became Major-General in 1814. He was subsequently 
 on the Staff in Flanders, and bore a distinguished part on 
 the present occasion. 
 
 Major General Peregrine Maitland, having entered the 
 1st Guards in 1793, served with them throughout the war 
 in Flanders, early in Spain, and afterwards at Walcheren ; 
 whence he received no distinction till the grand scene of 
 glory.
 
 MAITLAND. WATERLOO. 547 
 
 At the close of the first period of the Revolutionary war 
 Sir Colquhoun Grant was found Major loth Light Dra- 
 goons ; next year Lieut.-Colonel 72d, and in 1808 in the 
 same rank in his former corps: Colonel 1811, Major- 
 General 1814. This officer was physically, as well as 
 morally, well adapt«d to the great Battle of Waterloo. 
 
 These notices close with an officer who has much and 
 most deservedly excited peculiar interest, and of whom 
 therefore it causes peculiar regret that a more sufficient 
 account should not be given. It is yet, however, satisfac- 
 tory to feel that as he still continues an ornament of the 
 British army, experiencing personally the interest he has 
 inspired, so there is reason to hope his meed of praise is 
 by no means lost. 
 
 Of an ancient family of Cornwall, Sir Hussey Vivian 
 became, on the commencement of the war. Ensign in the 
 20th foot, and immediately proceeded on active service in 
 Lord Moira's army, and afterwards shared the service in 
 Holland. The West Indies and Gibraltar employed him 
 till 1798j when he exchanged into the regiment in which he 
 has become distinguished. With the 7th Light Dragoons 
 he was present at the H elder in its various circumstances : 
 for promotion, he changed momentarily his regiment, but 
 returned to his own, time enough to be at Corunna, and in 
 Sir John Moore's immortal rear-guard from Lugo. As 
 soon as service seemed active, he rejoined the Penhisular 
 army under Lord Wellington ; and in its last operations 
 was disabled in the right arm.
 
 548 GRANT, VIVIAN, BIIISBAN-E. 
 
 He served afterwards oh the Staff at Brighton, and re- 
 ceived the honor of Knight Commander of the Bath ; so 
 that his energies, like the preceding subject, were peculiarly 
 called forth <>n this occasion. 
 
 As hath been already observed, anecdote is for the pre- 
 sent happily superseded; it should be added that in every 
 respect, where it could be employed it would eminently 
 redound to the character, both military and domestic, of 
 Sir Hussey Vivian. 
 
 Among those of whom the accidents of arrangement 
 have prevented notice in their proper place, is Major-Gen. 
 Sir Thon)as Brisbane, K.C.B. who, entering the service 
 in 1789, as Ensign in the 38th, and passing through one 
 of the independant companies, became Major of the 53d 
 in 1795 ; Lieutenant-Colonel in the f)9th in 1796", (whence 
 he went on half-pay in the York Rangers in the same year,) 
 and Colonel in the army in July 1810. Since that time 
 he served on the Staff with distinction, first in the Penin- 
 sula and afterwards in Canada, whence he again came on 
 the Staff of the Army of Occupation.
 
 549 
 
 GENERAL THANKS TO THE ARMY 
 AND NAVY, 1814. 
 
 At the close of such a War, and with so 
 much glory, at a time when every voice 
 pronounced the praise of the British Army, 
 and the songs of Poets vied with each other 
 for its celebration; the chaste and dignified 
 thanks of the British Parliament, though 
 overpowered in the general acclamation, re- 
 main a beautiful monument of its services. 
 
 These pages are here fortunate in liaving 
 the whole communications on the subject, 
 except the General Orders which would con- 
 vey the agreeable intentions, through corps, 
 divisions, and brigades, to regiments, and 
 the meritorious individuals. 
 
 Loi'd Eldon to the Duke of York. 
 
 The Lord Chancellor has the honour to 
 send to your Royal Highness The Com- 
 mander-in-Chief of His Majesty's forces, the 
 enclosed Resolutions of the House of Lords, 
 which he has been commanded to transmit to
 
 550 H. R. H. THE DUKE OF YORK. 
 
 your Royal Highness for the purpose ex- 
 pressed in the Resolutions. 
 
 (Signed) Eldon, C. 
 House of Lords, 11th July, 1814. 
 His Royal Highness 
 
 The Commander-in-Chief 
 
 of His Majesty's Forces. 
 
 Mercurii 13 die Julii, 1814. 
 
 Horse Guards, July \1th, l6l4. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I have received your Lordship's 
 letter of yesterday, transmitting the unani- 
 mous vote of thanks of the House of Lords 
 to His Majesty's Army, for the services ren- 
 dered to their king and country ; and, 
 according to the desire of their Lordships, 
 I shall not fail to communicate, in the 
 handsome terms in which the vote is ex- 
 pressed, the sense the House entertain of 
 the meritorious and eminent services of the 
 officers and of the exemplary and gallant 
 behaviour of the non-commissioned officers 
 and privates during the war.
 
 eXOSE OF THE WAR. 551 
 
 It remains for me to assure your Lordship 
 of the satisfaction I derive from the oppor- 
 tunity thus afforded me of conveying to the 
 different branches of the Army, so honoura- 
 ble a testimonial of the eminent services 
 rendered by them to His Majesty and the 
 Nation. 
 
 I am, My Lord, yours, 
 
 Frederick, 
 
 Commander in Chief. 
 The Right Hon. The Lord Chancellor. 
 
 House of Commojis, 7th July, 1814. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 In the name and by the com- 
 mand of the Commons of Great Britain 
 and Ireland, in Parliament assembled, I 
 have the honor to lay before your Royal 
 Highness their unanimous thanks to the 
 officers of his Majesty's Army, for the meri- 
 torious and eminent services which they 
 have rendered to their king and country 
 during the course of the war ;
 
 552 H. R. H. THE DUKE OF YORK. 
 
 And also, their unanimous resolution, 
 highly approving and acknowledging the 
 services ot the non-commissioned officers 
 and men employed in the Army during the 
 course of the war, requesting that the same 
 be communicated to them by the com- 
 manders of the several corps, who are re- 
 spectively desired to thank those under their 
 command, for their exemplary and gallant 
 behaviour. 
 
 In transmitting these resolutions to your 
 Royal Highness, I am further commanded 
 by the unanimous voice of the House of 
 Commons, particularly to express the high 
 sense they entertain of your Royal High- 
 nesses long, unremitting, and effectual exer- 
 tions for the improvement of the British 
 army ; to those exertions of your Royal 
 Highness, they feel mdebted for that well- 
 regulated and durable system, which has 
 enabled the British army to maintain its 
 victorious career upon the Continent, and 
 established the high rank it now holds:
 
 CLOSE OF THE WAU. 553 
 
 amongst the great military Powers of 
 Europe. 
 
 I have the lionor, &;c. 
 
 (Signed) Chas. Abbot, Speaker. 
 
 Field Marshal his Royal Highness 
 the Duke of York. 
 
 LimcB 11 die Julii, 1814. 
 
 Horse. Guards, 8th Jiil^, IQli. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I have received your letter, 
 dated yesterday, transmittingthe unaniujous 
 vote of thanks of the House of Commons to 
 His Majesty's Army for the services renderr 
 ed their king and country ; and according 
 to the desire of the House, 1 shall not fail to 
 communicate, in the handsome terms in 
 whicii the vote is expressed, the sense the 
 House entertain of the meritorious and 
 eminent services of the officers and the ex-;- 
 emplary and gallant behaviour of the non- 
 commissioned officers and privates during 
 the war.
 
 554 H. R. H. THE DUKE OF YORK. 
 
 In expressing the pride I feel in the 
 opportunity thus afforded me of distribu- 
 ting the acknowledgments of the Commons 
 of the United Kingdom to the different 
 corps in the army, I must not omit to con- 
 vey to the House, through you, Sir, an as- 
 surance of the high gratification I have de- 
 rived from the thanks which you have, by 
 their command, communicated to me per- 
 sonally, for the services I have endeavoured 
 to render the country in the command of its 
 military force. 
 
 I am truly sensible, Sir, of the indulgent 
 view the House take of such services, when 
 they attribute the state of perfection to 
 which the Army has arrived to the organi- 
 zation which they are pleased to consider 
 that I have been instrumental in effecting : 
 gratified as I am by so high a testimonial of 
 my individual exertions in a cause which 
 has ever been the anxious object of my life 
 it is incumbent upon me to assure the 
 House that my endeavours could scarcely 
 fail of success, when followed by the pa-
 
 CLOSE OF THE WAR. 535 
 
 triotic zeal which characterizes this great 
 country. If under such circumstances I 
 may have contributed to the permanent re- 
 gulation of our military system, 1 am am- 
 ply recompensed by the acknowledgments 
 of the House of Commons ; and I feel happy 
 in the consideration of any facility which 
 such endeavours on my part may have 
 given to the Duke of Wellington in the 
 execution of the arduous services he has so 
 gloriously achieved, and which have so 
 deservedly ranked his Grace among the first 
 captains of the age. 
 
 I am, Sir, yours, 
 
 Frederick, 
 
 Commander in Chief. 
 
 The Right Hon. The Speaker, &c. &c.
 
 556 
 
 REDUCTION OF ALGIERS, AND 
 LIBERATION OF CHRISTIAN 
 SLAVES, BY LORD EXMOUTH, 
 Rear-Admiral Sir David Milne, 
 K.C.B. AND THE Dutch Admiral 
 Van Capellen; August 27, 1816. 
 
 The policy of war, not always recon- 
 cilable to common principles, would seem 
 to have tolerated the enormities of the 
 piratical States on the coast of Africa, in 
 the Mediterranean, to a degree incompa- 
 tible with the safety of commerce in time 
 of peace. Christian slaves had been accu- 
 mulated in great numbers by the Dey of 
 Algiers, who had grown obstinate and self- 
 important from the immunity he had en- 
 joyed. 
 
 The government of the United States of 
 North America had no sooner closed a war 
 with Great Britain, which was not of a
 
 REDUCTION OF ALGIERS. 557 
 
 duration to obtain an introduction to these 
 pages, than it sent an armament against 
 Algiers, which reduced the Dey to terms 
 of amenity as regarded that power, but 
 left him in full exercise of his lucrative 
 course against every other. 
 
 Great Britain, slow but sure to punish 
 maritime wrongs, no sooner found that this 
 course operated against her, than the fleet 
 which received the honors of the present 
 section was despatched, as became her, to 
 secure a cessation of these injuries, and a 
 general release from slavery of the subjects 
 of every Christian Power in the world. 
 
 Lord Exmouth, who had formerly been 
 distinguished for his activity against the 
 pirates of the Indian seas, evinced, as 
 might be supposed, superior powers on this 
 occasion, and accomplished every purpose 
 of his mission. Under him served Admiral 
 Milne, an officer of long service and dis- 
 tinction ; and to him was joined a Dutch 
 squadron, under Admiral Capellen, who,
 
 558 LORD EXMOUTH, SIR D. MILNE, &C. 
 
 though he had no opportunity to renew- 
 here the ancient glories of his flag, yet 
 remained efficient at his post, and earnestly 
 sought to share in them. 
 
 On Monday the 3d of February, 1817, 
 were moved by Lord Liverpool in the 
 Lords, and Lord Castlereagh in the Com- 
 mons, the following resolutions : — 
 
 That the thanks of this House be given 
 to Admiral Lord Viscount Exmouth, Knight 
 Grand Cross of the most honorable mili- 
 tary Order of the Bath, for his able and 
 gallant conduct in the successful and deci- 
 sive attack on the batteries and naval force 
 of Algiers, on the 27th of August, 1816. 
 
 That the thanks of this House be given 
 to Rear-Admiral Sir David Milne, Knight 
 Commander of the most honorable military 
 Order of the Bath, and to the several cap- 
 tains and officers of the fleet employed on 
 that memorable occasion ; also to the sea- 
 men and royal marines.
 
 REDUCTION OF ALGIERS. 559 
 
 That the thanks of this House be given 
 to Rear- Admiral Baron Van de Capellen, 
 and the naval forces of his Majesty the 
 Kins of the Netherlands, under the Vice- 
 Admiral's command, for their cordial as- 
 sistance and co-operation in the attack on 
 Algiers, on the 27th of August, ]8l6. 
 
 On the 6th of February, Lord Viscount 
 Exmouth appeared in his place in the 
 House of Lords, accompanied by his Royal 
 Highness the Duke of Clarence, when 
 the Lord Chancellor addressed him as 
 follows : —   
 
 Lord Viscount Exmouth, 
 
 I am commanded by the Lords 
 to acquaint you, that this House, in the 
 discharge of a great public duty, has 
 thought proper to pass unanimously a vote 
 of thanks to your Lordship, for your most 
 gallant, and most able and meritorious 
 conduct, in carrying into full effect the 
 orders received by your Lordship on the
 
 560 LOUD EXMOUTH, SIR D. MILNE, &C. 
 
 part of his Majesty's government, in an 
 attack upon the town and fortification at 
 Algiers, which led to the important and 
 glorious result of the liberation of all the 
 Christian slaves detained in that town and 
 port; and farther, to the abolition, by treaty, 
 of Christian slavery for ever. In this great 
 and important measure, which so greatly 
 tends to enhance the lustre of the British 
 name and character, the House, in the 
 course of its deliberations upon this sub- 
 ject, saw, with high satisfaction, that the 
 plan of this great achievement was formed 
 by your Lordship's skill and judgment ; 
 and that chiefly by your valour and intre- 
 pidity the great achievement was per- 
 formed. Such a display of your Lordship's 
 skill and judgment, valour and intrepidity, 
 cannot fail to elevate and rank your name 
 with those illustrious men who have the 
 most eminently contributed to establish the 
 naval superiority and glory of this country. 
 For my own part, my Lord, I shall not 
 presume to detain the House, whilst I
 
 REDUCTION or algij:rs. 561 
 
 should endeavour to do justice to your 
 honorable fame and great naval character. 
 I shall proceed to communicate to your 
 Lordship, the honor of the thanks of this 
 House, in that form in which they were 
 voted by their Lordships. 
 
 Lord Viscount Exmouth then addressed 
 the House as follows : — 
 
 After the high encomiums, my Lords^ 
 upon my conduct, which have fallen from 
 the noble Lord who has so honored me, it 
 is impossible that I can express, by any 
 language of mine, what I feel upon this 
 most important occasion. I trust, my 
 Lords, 1 shall receive from the House, and 
 the noble Lord who has so eloquently eu- 
 logized me, full credit for the feelings of 
 gratitude and respect with which I am ani- 
 mated, nay, with which, in my present 
 situation, I feel myself overwhelmed, at 
 these expressions of approbation and ap- 
 plause of my execution of the orders 
 which I had the honor to receive from his 
 
 jE<r. 2N
 
 562 LORD EX MOUTH. 
 
 Royal Highness the Prince Regent. It is 
 impossible for me to find language adequate 
 to the expression of my feelings upon this 
 occasion. 
 
 My Lords, I have been for more than 
 forty years of my life in the naval service 
 of my king and country, and have been 
 present in numerous actions. On this oc- 
 casion I must do justice to the assistance I 
 received from the bravery and exertions of 
 Rear- Admiral Sir David Milne : and to the 
 assistance of Vice-Admiral Capellen, and 
 the brave officers and men under his com- 
 mand, I was also much indebted, as well 
 as to the activity and bravery of the men 
 in the squadrons of both nations. I may 
 venture to say, my Lords, without fear of 
 contradiction, that the naval annals of 
 Great Britain do not produce an instance 
 where any attack was more boldly or ener- 
 getically persevered in. I cannot suffi- 
 ciently express my feelings at finding the 
 service which I had the honor to perform, 
 so highly honored and applauded.
 
 REDUCTION OF ALGIERS. 563 
 
 To the noble Lord, who, in so eloquent, 
 dignified, and impressive a manner, has 
 communicated to me the thanks of the 
 House, I feel so much obliged, that the 
 recollection of it will never be effaced from 
 my mind. I am sure that those gallant 
 officers and brave men whom I had the 
 honor to command, and to whom I shall 
 be proud and happy to communicate the 
 honor of your Lordships' vote, will ''pro- 
 perly entertain a grateful sense of the high 
 honor conferred upon them. With satis- 
 faction I shall convey to my brave asso- 
 ciates, my testimony of the high honor so 
 conferred upon them in the applause and 
 approbation of this House ; and which, 1 
 am certain, will be received by all of them 
 with the same feelings of respect and gra- 
 titude with which I am myself impressed. 
 
 The thanks of the House of Commons 
 was ordered to be conveyed by the Speaker, 
 and was communicated by the following 
 letter: — -
 
 LORD EXMOUTH. 
 
 / House of Commons, 3(1 February, \S]7- 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I am commanded by the House 
 of Commons to communicate to your 
 Lordship their unanimous thanks, for your 
 able and gallant conduct in the successful 
 and decisive attack on the batteries and 
 naval force of Algiers, on the 27th August, 
 1816; together with their thanks to Rear- 
 Admiral Sir David Milne, and the several 
 captains and officers of the fleet employed 
 on that memorable occasion ; and their 
 acknowledgment and approbation of the 
 services of the seamen and royal marines 
 then serving in that fleet. 
 
 The House of Commons has also given 
 the like thanks to Vice-Admiral Baron Van 
 de Capellen, and the naval forces of his 
 Majesty the King of the Netherlands, 
 under his command, for their cordial as- 
 sistance and co-operation. 
 
 And your Lordship is requested to mak€ 
 known these resolutions to the several offi-
 
 REDUCTION OF ALGIERS. 56.5 
 
 cers under your Lordship^s command, and 
 also to those acting in co-operation with 
 his Majesty's navy on that service. 
 
 In transmitting to your Lordship this 
 honorable testimony of the gratitude of 
 your country, 1 cannot withhold the ex- 
 pression of my own personal satisfaction, 
 that this age of military exploits has not 
 closed without so splendid an increase of 
 our naval glory ; and that the great work, 
 of w4iich all Christian states had so long 
 and justly desired to see the accomplish- 
 ment, has been performed with a display 
 of skill and valour which have enrolled 
 your Lordship's name upon the annals of 
 the nation, in the most distinguished rank 
 of her naval commanders. 
 
 I have the honor to be, my Lord, your 
 Lordship's most faithful servant, 
 
 Chas. Abbot, Speaker. 
 
 Admiral Lord Viscount Exmouth, G.C.B. 
 
 &c. &c. &c.
 
 666 LORD EXMOUTH. 
 
 Mercurii 5 die Februarii, 181?. 
 
 Loudon, 5th February, 1817. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I have had the honour to receive 
 your letter of the 3rd instant, conveying to 
 nie the unanimous thanks of the House of 
 Commons for my humble services before Al- 
 giers on the 27th of August last, together 
 with their thanks to Rear Admiral Sir David 
 Milne, and the several captains and officers 
 of the fleet employed upon that occasion, 
 and their acknowledgment and approba- 
 tion of the services of the seamen and royal 
 marines then serving in the fleet under my 
 command ; also communicating to me the 
 thanks of the honourable House to Vice 
 Admiral Baron Van de Capellen, and the 
 naval forces of his Majesty the King of the 
 Netherlands under his command, for their 
 cordial assistance and co-operation on the 
 same occasion. 
 
 It will be a most gratifying part of my 
 duty, in complying with the request of the 
 honourable House, to make known these
 
 REDUCTION OF ALGIERS. 567 
 
 resolutions to the several officers under my 
 command, and also to those of our ally act- 
 ing in co-operation with his Majesty's navy 
 on that service ; and I can assure you, Sir, 
 as well in their names as my own that this 
 honourable testimony of the approbation of 
 the House of Commons will be received by 
 them as it is by me, as the greatest reward 
 that can be conferred upon an officer for 
 any act of his public duty, and the recollec- 
 tion of it will, I am confident, stimulate 
 our future exertions whenever our country 
 may call for our services. 
 
 I have now to request. Sir, that you will 
 permit me to return you my sincere thanks 
 for the very gracious manner in which you 
 have been pleased to communicate to me 
 the resolutions of the House, and the 
 flattering expressions with which you have 
 appreciated the importance of the service 
 confided to my execution. 
 
 I have the honour to be, Sir, your very 
 faithful humble servant, 
 
 EXMOUTH,' 
 
 The Rt. Hon. Charles Abbot, Speaker &c.
 
 5^8 LORD EXMOUTH. 
 
 Lortdof}, 5th May, 1817. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I do myself the honour to 
 enclose the copy of a letter which I have 
 just received from Vice Admiral Baron 
 Van de Capellen, conveying the thanks of 
 himself, the officers, seamen, and soldiers 
 who served under his orders, in the squa- 
 dron of his Majesty the King of the Nether- 
 lands, when united with the British squa- 
 dron in the attack upon the city, works, 
 and arsenal of Algiers on the 27th August 
 last. 
 
 I have the honour to be. Sir, with the 
 highest consideration your most obedient 
 'and devoted servant, 
 
 ExMOUTH. 
 
 To the Right Honourable 
 the Speaker of the House of Commons. 
 
 Prince of Orange, Gibraltar Bay, 
 I3th March, 1817. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I had the honor of receiving 
 
 rii
 
 REDUCTION OF ALGIERS. oGQ 
 
 this morning your Lordship's letter of the 
 10th of February enclosing the votes of 
 thanks of both Houses of Parliament to 
 me, the officers and men of his Majesty 
 the King of the Netherlands* squadron, 
 which had the honour to serve under 3^our 
 Lordship at the successful and decisive 
 attack on the batteries and naval force of 
 xYlgiers. 
 
 Vainly should I attempt to express the 
 feelings which this honourable distinction 
 so naturally must produce. Surely, my 
 Lord, the testimon}'^ of approbation from 
 such high assemblies, is the greatest, the 
 richest reward that can be conferred on an 
 officer, for any act of public duty ! It is 
 received as such, with the deepest impres- 
 sion of gratitude to our noble leader, to 
 whose great example we are indebted for 
 it. iVllow me to reiterate the assurances 
 of veneration with which I have the honour 
 to be, my Lord, your most obedient and 
 faithful servant, 
 
 T. F. Van de Capellen. = 
 Admiral Viscount Exmouth, G. C. B. Sec.
 
 570 LORD EXMOUTil. 
 
 On the 5th February 1817? it was order- 
 ed, that the thanks of the House be given 
 to the officers of engineers and royal 
 artillery who served under the command of 
 Admiral Lord Viscount Exmouth — and that 
 the House doth acknowledge and highly 
 approve the services of the detachments of 
 royal sappers and miners, and royal artil- 
 lery. 
 
 House of Commons, 6th February, 1817. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 By command of the House of 
 Commons, I have the honor of transmitting 
 to your Lordship their unanimous thanks 
 to the officers of engineers and royal artil- 
 lery, who served under your Lordship's 
 command in the successful and decisive 
 attack on the batteries and naval forces of 
 Algiers on the 27th of August last ; and also 
 the unanimous resolution of the House 
 acknowledging and highly approving the 
 services of the detachments of royal sappers 
 and miners, and royal artillery in the fleet
 
 REDUCTION 01" ALGIERS. 571 
 
 employed on that memorable occasion ; 
 which resolutions your Lordship is request- 
 ed to make known to the several officers 
 of engineers and royal artillery then under 
 your Lordship's command. 
 
 I have the honor to be, my Lord, your 
 Lordship's most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Charles Abbot. 
 
 London, lOth lebruary, 18 J 7- 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I have had the honour to receive 
 your letter of the 6th instant, transmitting 
 me the unanimous thanks of the House of 
 Commons to the officers of engineers and 
 royal artillery who served under my com- 
 mand in the attack on the batteries and 
 naval force of Algiers on the 27 th of August 
 last ; also the unanimous resolution of the 
 House acknowledging and highly approving 
 the services of the detachment of royal 
 sappers and miners, and royal artillery in 
 the fleet upon that occasion ; and it will 
 be a pleasing part of my duty to make
 
 572 LORD EXMOUTH. 
 
 knovvn these resolutions to the respective 
 parties. 
 
 I have the honour to be, Sir, your most 
 obedient humble servant, 
 
 EXMOUTII. 
 
 The Right Hon. Charles Abbot. 
 
 The notice which was deemed the last necessary to 
 this work is one possessing as many claims to interest as 
 any of those which preceded it. It is the slightest memo- 
 randum of active service in one who made it a principle 
 never to order a seaman to do that which he could not do 
 himself; and to whom was confided the honor of sealing 
 the glory of his country at the close of its most important 
 war. 
 
 Of a father who though he rose no higher than a Lieut, 
 in the navy, was yet employed in the most responsible 
 trusts in the county of Devon, Edward, the eldest son, 
 was early placed in the navy on board the Alarm, Captain 
 Stott, where Lord Hugh Seymour was his messmate ; 
 in 1779, or 17P0, he became first Lieutenant of the Apollo, 
 Captain Pownal, who being killed in action, Lieutenant 
 Pellew for having fought the ship gallantly was soon after 
 made Master and Commander in a small vessel, the 
 Resolution cutter, in which he distinguished himself 
 by the capture of the Flushing privateer 14 guns, in
 
 REDUCTION OF ALGIERS. 573 
 
 another cutter called the Rambler, he served with Sir 
 H}de Parker on the Gibraltar station; and Post Capta.n 
 in 1782 commanded on board the Dictator at the Nore 
 at the close of the American war. 
 
 In 1790, and 1791, he was Captain to Vice Admiral 
 Milbank on the Newfoundland station. 
 
 Early in the revolutionary war Captain Pellew com- 
 manded La Nymphe frigate of thirty-six guns, and cruizing 
 in the Straits on the 9th of June captured the French 
 ship Cleopatra of 40 guns, after a desperate engagement 
 in which her captain was killed, and three Lieutenants with 
 a great part of her crew wounded : a memorial of Captain 
 Pellew's generosity to his fallen enemy remains in Ports- 
 mouth church yard, in the following inscription, 
 
 " Citizen Muller, 
 < Slain in battle with La Nymphe, 
 
 19th June, 1793 ; 
 Aged 42 years ;" 
 
 which was placed over a grave where he caused his re- 
 mains to be deposited with the last tribute of his brother 
 officers permitted to accompany them. 
 
 The gallantry displayed in this capture, procured for 
 the Captain the honor of Knighthood ; for his brother 
 Israel, who accompanied him as a volunteer, the promotion 
 of Post Captain, and for his first Lieutenant^ that of Master 
 and Commander : the prize under the name of L'Oiseau 
 was taken into the service. 
 
 In the Arethusa 38 guns, whose fame is proverbial in 
 nautical lyrics, Sir Edward Pellew served with Sir John 
 Warren on the coast of France, and frequently encountered 
 the batteries. He shared in the action with a French
 
 574 LORD EXMOUTH. 
 
 squadron iu April 1794, and in that of the following 
 August when the squadron drove on sliore a French 
 frigate and two corvettes. 
 
 On this occasion a noble feeling again demonstrated 
 itself in Sir Edward ; his orders were to burn the prizes ; 
 finding several of the crew, however, so dangerously 
 wounded as to be incapable of removal with safety, he 
 abandoned his orders, and left their coiuatrymen the 
 opportunity of relieving them. 
 
 In the following August he had a small squadron under 
 his own command, distmguished by having under him the 
 nephew and godson of Burke, (Sir Edmund Nagle in the 
 Artois), and Sir Sidney Smith in the Diamond, both in 
 thirty eights, with Captain Keats in the Galatea S2, when 
 they captured the Revolutionnaire forty-four guns. She 
 struck to Sir Edmund Nagle as the squadron approached, 
 whose gallantry in fighting her was rewarded with Knight- 
 hood. 
 
 In 1795, he shared with Sir J. B. Warren in annoying 
 the enemy on the coast, and in capturing many of their 
 vessels ; and in January 1796, another instance of his 
 prowess in the cause of humanity occurred of entirely a 
 personal nature. 
 
 The Dutton transport with five hundred soldiers on 
 board having been forced from Admiral Christian's fleet 
 into Plymouth, was forced on shore under the citadel, and 
 was expected momentarily to go to pieces without the 
 probability of saving a single passenger. Sir Edward, by 
 means of a rope, got himself on board, and as well by his 
 prowess as his personal authority, quelling the confusion 
 and reanimating the people, saved all except a few, who
 
 REDUCTION OF ALGIERS. 575 
 
 were crushed by the falling masts. The corporation of 
 Plymoulh, witnessing this courageous humanity, presented 
 him with its freedom. 
 
 In this year he became a Baronet. 
 
 In Miirch, with a small squadron, he captured a whole 
 convoy on the coast of France, and drove La Volage, of 
 26 guns, on shore. He next captured the Unite, French 
 frigate, of 38 guns ; and, finding the wife of the governor 
 of Rochefort with her son on board, restored them to 
 liberty. La Virginie, of 44 guns, was the succeeding 
 prize; and at the close of the year he sustained some 
 danger himself, being chased by Adm. Richey's squadron. 
 Still greater danger commenced the year 1797, from an 
 extraordinary chace of a French ship, at the end of which 
 he found himself nearly wrecked in Hodierne Bay. 
 
 The most active employments succeeded; and in 1800, 
 with a large squadron, in conjunction with Gen. Maitland, 
 he proceeded to the assistance of the royalists in the 
 Morbihan, &-c. He next blockaded Port Louis, where 
 Le Cerb^re was captured with such spirit, by an acting 
 Lieutenant, that the squadron, from respect to the signal 
 gallantry displayed, resigned its share of the prize to the 
 Victor : such was the influence of the brave Admiral's 
 example on his fleet. 
 
 He next proceeded to Ferrol, with Sir J. Warren, and 
 superintended the debarkation and re-embarkation of the 
 troops with consummate skill ; afterwards served with Lord 
 St. Vincent in the Mediterranean, and then with Lord 
 Bridport in the Channel. 
 
 On the peace he became Member of ParHament for 
 Barnstaple, in opposition to great power, and overcoming
 
 07t> ADMIRAL SIR D. MILNE. 
 
 a petition against his return ; and distinguished himself in 
 the House by a defence of Lord St. Vincent, then at the 
 head of the Admirahy, in a motion for enquiry into the 
 state of our naval force. 
 
 In 1801 Sir Edward became Rear- Admiral of the 
 White, and a Colonel of Marines ; and in the CuUoden, 
 74 guns, succeeded Admiral Rainier in the command in 
 India, where he arrived in 1805. His first object was 
 Prince of Wales's Island, where two docks were about. 
 to be built, and the clearance of the Indian seas of French 
 and piratical cruizers. 
 
 The spirit which he manifested in that command, cmi-. 
 nently qualified him for the object of the present section, 
 in which it is sufficiently known how amply he succeeded, 
 and with what honor he might have reposed upon his 
 laurels. This has not, however, been the case, nor is it 
 likely, since his Lordship has continued in the ordinary 
 commands of peace. 
 
 He was, on the Battle of Algiers, created Viscount Ex* 
 mouth, with honorable augmentation of his arms. 
 
 Rear-Admiral Sir David Milne, a native of Scotland, 
 entered the navy on board the Canada, in 1778, and was 
 consequently in the principal actions of the American war, 
 in one of which his ship derived the chief glory by the 
 surrender to her of the Ville de Paris. This could not, 
 however, prevent the consequences of peace in the unem- 
 ployment of many valuable officers; when Mr. Milne, 
 nobly succumbing to circumstances, entered the East- 
 India Company's service, where his respectability and car 
 pacity gained him general esteem.
 
 REDUCTION OF ALGIERS. 577 
 
 On the Revolutionary war he rejoined the navy under 
 Earl St. Vincent, and only under that officer obtained his 
 Lieutenantcy in the action with the Blanche frigate, in the 
 West Indies : his Captain (Falconer) being killed, he 
 swam on board the prize, backed by two or three seamen 
 with cutlasses in their mouths, and secured her in spite 
 of the destruction of all his boats. 
 
 Hence he became Master and Commander, and soon 
 after Post-Captain ; got the Seine, in which he captured 
 the Vengeance, the largest frigate of France, after one of 
 the most scientific and desperate battles of the war. 
 
 The present occasion crowned the perseverance of his 
 modest merit, and obtained for him the rank of Knight 
 Commander of the Bath. Since which (being, it is be- 
 lieved, previously destined for it) he proceeded to the 
 American station. 
 
 M^. 
 
 '^' 2 O
 
 578 
 
 TRANQUILLITY OF PUBLIC AF- 
 FAIRS IN INDIA, TERMINATION 
 OF THE NEPAULESE WAR, &c. 
 THE MARQUESS of HASTINGS, 
 Major Gen. Ski D. Ochterlony, &c. 
 February, 1817- 
 
 The just (liscriniination of these rewards 
 has more than once appeared in the preced- 
 ing pages ; it has in no instance been more 
 pre-eminent than on the present occasion. 
 
 After the splendid decisions which have 
 already come within our view, it might 
 excite wonder how causes of discontent, 
 and the seeds of future war, had been en- 
 gendered. The reason must be found in the 
 restless temper, however, of certain powerful 
 native governments, and the critical circum- 
 stances of his Majesty's and the Honorable 
 East-India Company's territories in the 
 East during the continuance of European 
 war. 
 
 The appointment of Governors General 
 of India, has of late years also assumed a 
 
 y
 
 NEPAULESE WAR. 579 
 
 very peculiar character. The nobleman 
 who is the subject of the present section 
 had, moreover, been peculiarly unfortunate 
 in appointments more pregnant with 
 dangers and difficulties, than honors and 
 rewards. 
 
 This occasion, therefore, the result of 
 great energy, skill, and ability, was fortu- 
 nate to the country and to himself. 
 
 There is here less reason than in some 
 other instances, to propitiate the reader, on 
 account of defects in the official documents; 
 since the recent period of the present vote, 
 and the distant scene to which it relates, 
 preclude the possibility of obtaining them. 
 The vote itself is as follows: — 
 
 Jovis 6 die Februarii, 1817. 
 
 Resolved, 
 
 That the thanks of this House be 
 given to General the Marquess of Hastings, 
 Knight of the most noble Order of the 
 Garter, Governor General of the British
 
 580- MARQUESS OF HASTINGS. 
 
 possessions in the East Indies, and Com- 
 mander in Chief of the forces there, for his 
 judicious arrangements in the plan and 
 direction of the mihtary operations against 
 Nepaul, by which the war was brought to 
 a successful issue, and peace established 
 upon just and honorable terms. 
 
 That the thanks of this House be given 
 to Major-General Sir David Ochterlonij, 
 Knight Grand Cross of the most honorable 
 military Order of the Bath, for the skill, 
 valour, and perseverance displayed by 
 him in the late war with Nejjaul, to 
 which the result of that contest is mainly 
 to be ascribed ; and also to the several 
 officers of the army, both European and 
 native, for the bravery and disciphne dis- 
 played by them in that arduous contest.
 
 NEPAULESE WAR. 581 
 
 If a cento could be extracted from those literary 
 honors which have been justly conferred on the British 
 Majcenas, it would form a record of honor, worth, and 
 talent, as much beyond the bounds prescribed to this brief 
 notice, as it surpasses the ordinary course of human life, 
 however dignified its character or whatever its extent. 
 
 It is only, therefore, attempted to recal the attention of 
 the reader to a few facts and dates: Francis Rawdon 
 Hastings, son of John Earl of Moira and the Lady Eliz. 
 Hastings, afterwards Baroness Hungtrford, Hastings, &c. 
 was born on the 9th of December, 1754; and, after an 
 elegant education under the eye of his mother, a woman 
 of great talents and merit, entered the army in the 15th 
 foot, in September, 1771. 
 
 Biography is full of the interesting anecdotes of his 
 infancy tending to a military prepossession of mind. His 
 uncle. Lord Huntingdon, used to recount his wounding 
 himself, at ten years old, with a small battery of brass 
 cannon, which he was pointing at some old folios. At 
 school he was distinguished by a fondness for the defiance 
 of Zanga, — 
 
 " On the rack I'll scorn thee," &c. 
 
 and early loved to pronounce the Spanish proverb, " Niri- 
 gum mat a ya granda si es postera/' and the expression 
 of Damien, " La journee sera dure, mais elk se passera ;" 
 both significant of constancy in danger. How well he 
 fiilfiUed these ideas is evident from the exclamation of 
 General Burgoyne, on seeing him lead the Grenadiers of 
 the 5th at Bunker's Hill, where he received two shots in 
 his cap : — " Lord Rawdon has this day stamped his fame for
 
 582 MARQUESS OF HASTINGS. 
 
 life!" He obtained his company in the 63d in 1775, and 
 was soon after employed on the Staff, whence he re- 
 ceived a command. 
 
 Through the whole of the American war his Lordship 
 continued zealously active and greatly successful, of which 
 there are many memorable instances. He was not, how- 
 ever, without attempts to sully his humanity, from the 
 necessity having occurred of a military execution ; which 
 his explanation in the Irish House of Peers, and else- 
 where, on his return, set at rest. — "Isaac Hayne had been 
 taken at the capture of Charlestown : he was suffered to go 
 on parole to his own house : he was not contented with 
 remaining a prisoner on parole ; he voluntarily came for~ 
 ward and took the oath of allegiance : he soon began to 
 intrigue, and obtained the command of Colonel of Militia 
 in the enemy's army : he corrupted a battalion of our 
 Militia which had been enrolled and attested : he was 
 detected carrying them oft" at the very moment when the 
 enemy were coming down upon us : he was tried by a 
 court of inquiry and executed : but this court of inquiry 
 was the only criminal court known in the country ; it was 
 adopted from the example of the enemy, and it was so 
 far superior to a court martial, that the officer who pre- 
 sided in it was responsible for every official act." 
 
 In the same manner, the formation of the volunteers of 
 Ireland, at Philadelphia, recruited from the enemy's ranks, 
 (a system that has since been so successfully pursued else- 
 where,) was misunderstood in its results. Tliat men accus- 
 tomed to vicissitude should not, although steadily losing 
 half their numbers in action, desert at other times, is 
 little wonderful, though the manner iu which it was reme-
 
 NEPAULESE WAR. 583 
 
 died may appear so ; for, in a conspicuous instance, the 
 man who had deserted was left to be tried by his peers, 
 the privates of the regiment, who convicted, and promptly 
 executed him ! 
 
 Singular and advantageous parallels might be adduced 
 between the circumstances and conduct of Lord Rawdon 
 and subsequent events ; they are, however, unnecessary. 
 Toward the close of the contest, his Lordship's health 
 having suffered, he returned to England, but on the pas- 
 sage was ca{)tured, and happily carried into Brest, whence 
 he was immediately released ; for it is believed that he was 
 deemed a prisoner to the Americans, who would, to a 
 wretched intriguer like Hayne, have sacrificed the finest 
 character of his age and country. Another current opi- 
 nion is perfectly borne out by his Lordship's character, 
 that the Captain of the French ship that captured him, 
 afterwards under misfortune, in a peculiar manner shared 
 his bounty : if he did not he was the only Frenchman 
 of any claim to recognizance, who was not led to forget 
 the cause of his migration in the magnificent hospitality 
 of the Earl of Moira. 
 
 On his return he was most graciously received by his 
 Majesty, who appointed him his Aide-de-camp, and 
 created him a British peer : on the new war he became 
 Major- General, and in the latter part of 1793, was ap- 
 pointed to a command in which all the ancient nobility of 
 France were to serve under him; and not only did this 
 exalted body of persons readily acquiesce in the measure, 
 but an English General of rank, character, and powers of 
 the first order, was ready to waive his seniority for the 
 purpose of joining, of aiding in the arrangements, of a
 
 584 MARQUESS OF HASTINGS. 
 
 mind \^hich, with true greatness, he was proud to compli- 
 ment by his submission. 
 
 The triumphs of the Republican cause have been seen 
 — the command of Lord Moira vanished; — not so, how- 
 ever, his Lordship's talents or his energy ; for, when the 
 British army, under the orders of his Royal Highness the 
 Commander-in-Chief, was placed by untoward circum- 
 stances of the tinies, which have already been alluded to, 
 in jeopardy near Antwerp, he rushed forward with only 
 10,000 men, in the true spirit of antiquity, taking care 
 that they should be calculated, for the mis-information of 
 the enemy, at a much higher number ; and, by a junction 
 of the greatest skill and danger, succeeded in relieving it. 
 
 The personal friendship which had long existed between 
 the Prince of Wales and Lord Moira, now more firmly 
 if possible cemented, as well as that with his Royal 
 brother,' would in all probability have insured his Lord- 
 ship a high command, if those extensive measures had 
 been tlien in existence which have since so much increased 
 the national glory. His talents, however, were transferred 
 from the field to the senate, in which he always shone 
 with equal lustre, and particularly in any question that 
 concerned the honor and freedom of his country, or of 
 humanity,^ 
 
 ' It will be recollected how delicate an act of friendship Lord 
 Rawdon performed in the affair with Colonel Lenox, since Duke of 
 Richmond, which ended so honorably to his Royal Highnes*. 
 
 * That his Lordship did not exceed his action by his expression, 
 needs not to be here asserted. No fortune could support his muni-
 
 NEPAULESE WAR. 585 
 
 His leisure, if so it can be called, was employed in the 
 cultivation of letters, and the patronage of literature and 
 science, which he had never neglected ; for many instances 
 could be shown in which, at the moment of preparation 
 for service, his anxiety was undiminished in regard to 
 some object of the one or the other. Indeed it may be 
 truly and singularly said, that nothing ever interrupted his 
 beneficence. 
 
 An elegant scholar himself, his acute judgment in works 
 of learning was never clothed with severity ; and, like the 
 younger Pliny, he was complacent to minor efforts of 
 genius, though his refined taste rendered him cautious of 
 public sanction. 
 
 In 180'5 his Lordship had attained the full rank of 
 General, and was appointed Commander of the Forces in 
 North Britain, where, among a people characteristically 
 reserved, he obtained a popularity unexampled ; and when, 
 with the new war, threats of invasion were repeated, was 
 enabled to offer the regular troops nnder his command 
 for any service, being satisfied of the preservation of 
 Scotland with its volunteers. 
 
 On the 12th of July, in the following year, he married 
 the flower of that country, on whose beauty and fortune, 
 
 ficence, and the result has not unfrequently been painful to him ; yet, 
 it has been understood, on the best authority, wherever justice inter- 
 fered with generosity, honor and probity were never absent, and many 
 instances have arisen where even here Lord Hastings has been truly 
 great. 
 
 To his Lordship is owing that interference of the Legislature with 
 the laws of debtor and creditor, which, however slow in arriving at 
 perfection, will yet be accredited as one of the highest advantages to 
 a great community.
 
 586 M. GEN. SIR D. OCHTERLONY. 
 
 as well as intelligence, all eyes had been long fixed • 
 
 Flora Muir Campbell, Couniess of Loudoun in her 
 own rigiit, the descendant of a race of heroes. By this 
 lady he has five children, Floru^ George Augustus Francis, 
 to whom the Prince Regent was sponsor in person, and 
 three other daughters. 
 
 lu 1806 Lord Moira was appointed Master-General of 
 the Ordnance, and Governor of the Tower of London, 
 with the Lieutenancy of the Tower division ; the latter of 
 which he in course retains. 
 
 In 1813 his Lordship was appointed Governor-General 
 of Bengal, and Captain-General of all the forces in the 
 East Indies ; whence he has derived the honors of the 
 present section, and the Marquesate of Hastings. 
 
 His Lordship's titles are now, therefore, Marquis of 
 Hastings, Earl of Rawdon, Viscount Loudoun, Baron 
 Hungerford, Hastings, Newmarch, Botreaux, Molines 
 Peverell, De Hornet, and Rawdon, of the United Kino-- 
 dom ; Earl Moira and Baron Rawdon, and a Baronet of 
 Ireland. 
 
 Of Sir David Ochterlony, who has so often excited 
 attention in these latter }ears, and obtained the praise of 
 his superiors, little can be told here : his career is marked 
 out for history. He was Lieutenant-Colonel of the 18th 
 Native Infantry, on the 18th March, 1803, and Colonel, 
 1st of January, 1812; from which time he seems to have 
 been much on the Staff. On the 4th of June, 1814, he 
 became Major-General.
 
 587 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 Thus has it been attempted to perform 
 the pleasing task of combining these honor- 
 able and dignified trophies of the war ; 
 of collecting, into a simple arrangement, 
 those " brilliant displays of eloquence/* of 
 which it was said by one of the greatest 
 of living statesmen, that "it is impossible to 
 find anywhere else the glory of our arms so 
 well described/' 
 
 What a school of war and eloquence is 
 here presented ; what a series of political 
 wonders ; what a race of heroes ! 
 
 All that could be imitated from anti- 
 quity ; all that could be acquired by skill ;
 
 588 CONCLUSION, 
 
 whatever was to be achieved by genius and 
 courage; whatever men could attain and 
 be less than gods ; is to be seen in the 
 pages which are here presented. 
 
 The length of the terrible war of the 
 French Revolution has already excited, 
 toward its first heroes, the respect paid to 
 antiquit}'^ ; and its sanguinary termination 
 produced the apotheosis of others sufficient 
 to immortalize the British name. How the 
 country has gone along with these, its 
 children, in the march of glory ; how 
 exulted in their successful ardor; how 
 excited them in the depression of mis- 
 fortune, and raised them in the hour of 
 glory ; will be here progressively seen with 
 wonder and delight. 
 
 To speak of what more might have been 
 exhibited, would be endless ; it were to be
 
 CONCLUSION. 589 
 
 wished only that greater perfection had 
 been attained. If, however, the honor of 
 the country, and those who have mcreasedit, 
 shall in any degree excite new attention, or 
 the incitements to enterprize, or the rewards 
 of genius be diffused through new channels, 
 b}^ the formation of this volume, it will not 
 have been written in vain. 
 
 THE END.
 
 INDEX.
 
 INDEX. 
 
 ABERCROMBY, General Sir Ralph, 124, 128,163, 189, 4^4 
 
 Abercromby, Lieut. General Sir John, 381, 392, 395 
 
 Acre, siege of, 114 
 
 Ackland, Lieutenant-General Sir W. P., 270, 310, 324 
 
 Adam, Major-General Frederick, 524, 539 
 
 Agamemnon, the favourite ship of Lord Nelson, 25 
 
 iEgis, (so called from the Greek, signifying a goat, in conse- 
 quence of its skin covering the shield with which Mi- 
 nerva is painted) its excellencies. Preface. 
 
 Albemarle, the Earl of, 28 
 
 Albuera, the Battle of, 423 
 
 Alexandria, the Battle of, l64 
 
 Algiers, Reduction of, 556 
 
 Altamont, Countess, how passed thro' the fleet in action, 8 
 
 Alten, Victor, Baron, 455, 496 
 
 Alten, Charles, Baron, 423, 455, 456, 457, 497, 524. 
 
 Amboyna, The Capture of, 381 
 
 Anglesea, Lieut.-General the Marquis of, 524, 543 
 
 Anson, Major-General Sir George, 364, 369, 372, 379, 455, 
 456,471 
 jEg. 2 P
 
 5Q4 INDEX. 
 
 Amon, Major-Gcneral Sir William, 465, 4o5, 4.5/ 
 
 Anstruther, General, 320 
 
 Armed Neutrality, 149 
 
 Army and Navy, General Thanks to, 195, 549 
 
 Assaye, the Battle of, 214, 515 
 
 Atliol, the Duke of, 417 
 
 Auchrauty, Lieut.-General Sir Samuel. 274, 277, 280, 381, 
 
 398,401, 407 
 Austerlitz, Battle of, 307, 5l6 
 Aylraer, Major-General Lord, 456 
 
 Bacon, Captain, 118th Regiment, 59 
 Badajoz, Siege and Capture of, 423, 445 
 Baird, General Sir David, 139, 175, 286, 328, 340 
 Balcarras, the Earl of. Governor of Jamaica, his apprecia- 
 tion of Lord Bridporfs Victory, 59 {Note) 
 Banda, Capture of the Island of, 38 1 
 Bastia, Surrender of, 25 
 
 Barnes, Major-General Sir Edward, 456, 457, 524, 546 
 Barrosa, Battle of, 411 
 
 Basque Roads, attack of the French Fleet in, 353 
 Beckwith, General Sir George, 344, 349 
 Bedford, the Duke of, 9, 28 
 Beutinck, Lieut.-General Lord William, 328, 342 
 Bercsford, Field-Marshal Lord, 328, 342, 423, 427, 436. 456, 
 
 457 
 Berkeley, Admiral The Hon. Sir G.C. 22 
 Bertie, Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas, 381, 404, 410 
 Bickcrton, Admiral Sir Richard, 1 66, 175 
 Birth High, how alone to secure respect,eloquently described, 
 
 491
 
 INDEX. 59.5 
 
 Blake, General John, 175 
 
 Blake, Spanish General, 423, 433, 438 
 
 Blankett, Admiral, 175 
 
 Bloomefield, Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas, 28C 
 
 Blucher, Marshal, 521, 528 
 
 Blundell, Colonel, 38 
 
 Bock, George, Baron, 455, 456 
 
 Boswell, of Auchinleck, the character of his genius, 26 
 
 Bourbon, Capture of the Island of, 381 
 
 Bourdeaux, Occupation of, 455 
 
 Bowes, Major-General, 310, 326, 424 
 
 Bowyer, Rear-Admiral, 18 
 
 Brenton, his Picture of the Action of Sir James Saumarez, 157 
 
 (Note) 
 Bridges, Major-General, 139 
 Bridport, Admiral Lord, 57, 64, 72 
 Brisbane, Major-General Sir Thomas, 549 
 Broughton, Commodore W. R. 381 
 Buckingham, The Marq uis of, 1 1 6 
 Bunbury, Major-General SirH.E. 271 
 Buijgoyne, General, 581 
 Burrard, General Sir Harry, 285 
 Byng, Major-General Sir John, 456, 457, 524, 539, 545 
 
 Calcutta, the City of, 515 
 
 Calder, Admiral Sir Robert, 241 
 
 Caldwell, Admiral, 18 
 
 Cameron, Major-General Sir Alan, 364, 379 
 
 Campbell, Lieutenant-General Sir Alexander, 364, 379 
 
 Campbell, Lieutenant-General Sir H. F. 364, 379, '^^o 
 
 Campbell, Brig.-General Sir Archibald, 456
 
 j()0 INDEX. 
 
 Campbell, Colonel, 36 
 
 Castlereagli, The Right Honorable Viscount, Ql5 
 
 Cathcart, General Earl, 283, 285, 305 
 
 Cavan, General The Earl of, l65, 1/5 
 
 Ceylon, The Government of, 386 
 
 Champlemond, General, Portuguese Service, 424, 49S 
 
 Cherbourg, taken by Lieut-General Bligb, l6 
 
 Cintra, Convention of, 311, 517 
 
 Cindad Rodrigo, Assault and Capture of, 423, 445 , 
 
 Clarence, H. R. H. The Duke of, 10 
 
 Clarke, General Sir Alured, 192 
 
 Clinton, Lieut.-General Sir Henry, 306, 455, 457» 466, 484, 
 
 487, 495, 524, 530, 538 
 Cochrane, Vice-Admiral Sir Alex. 253, 259, 344, 348, 351 
 Cochrane, Captain Lord, 353, 362 
 Cockburn, Rear-Admiral Sir George, 344, 351 
 Colchester, the Right Honorable Lord, his Letters, 201, 212, 
 
 220, 277, 551, 564 
 his Speeches, 298, 313, 3l6, 319, 335, 369, 
 
 373, 398, 433, 462, 466, 469, 472, 476, 480, 484, 488, 
 
 491, 509, 529, 534, 538 
 Cole, Lieut.-General Sir G.L. 270, 423,433, 438,455, 456', 
 
 456*, 457 
 CoUiugwood, Admiral Lord, 90, 235, 247 
 Colonies, Capture of the West-Indian, 35 
 Colville, Major-General Sir Charles, 423", 423% 453, 456 
 Combermere, Lieut.-General Lord, 364, 369, 378, 455, 456, 
 
 457, 462 
 Conway, Field-Marshal, 494 
 Congreve, Colonel, 353 
 Cooke, Major-General Sir George, 524, 545
 
 INDEX. 597 
 
 Coote, General Sir Eyre, 36, 38, l65, 409 
 
 Copenhagen, Expedition against, 150, 283 
 
 Cornwallis, Admiral, 79, 86 
 
 Cotton, Admiral Sir Charles, 84 
 
 Craddock, General Sir John F. 36, l65, 174 
 
 Cranstoun, Captain Lord, 84 
 
 Crawford, General Robert, 423, 453, 498 
 
 Croker, John Wilson, Esq. 365 
 
 Curtis, Admiral Sir Roger, 18 
 
 Curzon, Vice-Admiral The Hon. Henry, 84 
 
 Dalhousie, Lieut.-General the Earl of, 456', 456* 
 
 Danish Fleet, Attack upon, and Surrender of the, 149, 283, 
 
 285 
 De Courcy, Vice-Admiral The Hon. M., 328, 332, 342 
 Defence of Portugal, 440 
 Derby, the Earl of, 28 
 Dilkes, Major-General, 411, 420 
 Disney, Lieutenant-General, 328, 342 
 Domett, Vice-Admiral Sir William, 58 
 Dornberg, Major-General Sir W. 524, 545 
 Douglas, Admiral Sir A. S. 58 
 Douro, brilliant Passage of the, 374 
 Doyle, Lieutenant-General Sir John, l65, 175, 194, 270 
 Dreschell, Lieutenant-General, 284, 286, 309 
 Duckworth, Admiral Sir John T. 22, 253, 260 
 Dumourier, General, 439 
 Duncan, Admiral Lord, 25, 94, 99, 129 
 Duncan, Jonathan, Esq. 139, 2l6, 232 
 Dundas, General Sir David, 23 
 Dundas, Major-General Thomas, 36, 39,42 
 Dutch Fleet, under De Winter, Defeat of the, 94
 
 598 INDEX. 
 
 Edgar, Captain, 58 
 
 Edward and Eleanor, King and Queen of England, their me- 
 morable love and its honors, <fec. I19 
 
 Edward, Prince ; see Duhe of Kent 
 
 Egvpt, Expedition against, 163 
 
 Eldon, the Right Hon, Lord, his Speeches, 225, 287, 292, 
 354, 500, 559 
 
 , ^ },is Letters, 199, 217, 275, 
 
 396, 550 
 
 Elliott, Colonel, 439 
 
 Erskine, the Right Hon. Lord, 2^5 
 
 Essington, Admiral, 286, 296 
 
 Exmouth, Admiral Viscount, JS, 556, 558, 57^ 
 
 Fane, Major-General Sir Henry, 310, 319, 325, 328, 335, 
 
 364, 457, 488 
 Ferguson, Lieutenant-Genenil Sir R. C, 310, 3l6, 323 
 Eerrol, Naval Action off, 249 
 Finch, Lieutenant-General the Hon. Edward, l65, 175, 286, 
 
 301 
 Fitzgerald, Lord Charles, 84 
 Floyd, General John, 139 
 Fort St. George, Government of, 386 
 France, Capture of the Isle of, 381 
 Eraser, General Mackenzie, 328, 335, 342 
 French, necessarily subjected to signal chastisement by 
 
 England once every century, 3 
 
 Gambicr, Admiral Lord, 22, 283, 292, 353, 36l 
 Gardner, Admiral Lord, 18, 57, 65, 76 
 Gentlemen of England, eloquent character of, 463 
 German Auxiliaries, conspicuous for bravery and fidelity, 281
 
 INDEX. £j9gh. 
 
 Gibbs, Major-Genv^al Sir Samuel, 382, 408 
 
 Gibraltar, Naval Victory in the Straits of, 1 j7 
 
 Gillespie, Major-General R. R., 382, 408 
 
 Gower, Admiral Sir Erasmus, 84 
 
 Grafton, the Duke of, 9 
 
 Grant, Major-General Sir Colquhoun, 52 4-, 5^7 
 
 Graves, Admiral, 18 
 
 Grenville, the Right Hon. Lord, 8, 12f), 215, 355, 270 
 
 Grey, General Earl, 35, 42 
 
 Griffith, Admiral Edward, 58 
 
 Grimes, Mr. Inspector of Barracks, 271 
 
 Grindall, Vice-Admiral Sir Richard, 58 
 
 Grosvenor, General Thomas, 286, 2^8, 301 
 
 Halkett, Major-General Sir Colin, 524, 546 
 Hamilton, Sir William, 245 
 
 , General Sir Jo!m, 423, 496 
 
 Hannony in Conjunct Service, fine trait of, 37 
 Harris, General Lord, 138, 146 
 Hartley, General James, 139 
 Harvey, Admiral Henry, 57, 69 
 
 , Brig.-General W. M., 424, 498 
 
 , Captain, R.N., 22 
 
 Hastings, General the Marquis of, 306, 513, 578, 581 
 
 Hayj General Andrew, 424, 456 
 
 Hewitt, General Sir George, 386 
 
 Hill, Lieutenant-General Lord, 310, 322, 364, 456', 456*, 
 
 457, 477, ^24 
 Hinuber, Major-General Sir H., 524, 546 
 Hpbart, Lord, l65 
 Holland, expedition against, 124 
 Honors, Ancient, Preface
 
 600 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Hood, Admiral Lord, 18, 23, 33 
 
 — --, Admiral Sir Samuel, 286, 328, 336 
 
 Hopetoun, Lieutenanl-General, the Earl of, l65, 175, 328j 
 
 341, 455 
 Hotbam, Admiral Lord, 49, 55 
 Houghlon, General, 344 
 Howe, Admiral Lord, 6, 14, 28 
 Howorth, Major-General Sir Edward, 364, 380 
 Hutchinson, General Lord, l63, 169, 188 
 
 Jansen, Dutch Governor, 381 
 Java, Capture of the Island of, 381 
 JefFcott, Lieutenant of Marines, 5g 
 India, Tranquillity in, 578 
 Indian Seas, Operations in, 381 
 Inglis, Major- General Sir William, 456, 457 
 Johnson, Lieutenant-Colonel, 271 
 Ireland, Invasion of, 112 
 
 Keats, Vice-Admiral Sir Richard, 286, 296, 574 
 
 Keith, Admiral Lord, 22, l63, 174, 190 
 
 Kempt, Major-General Sir James, 270, 424, 456, 457, 524 
 
 Kent, H.R.H. the Duke of, 35, 39, 42 
 
 ~ , his distinguished character on 
 
 service, 36 
 
 in action, 42 
 
 Keppel, Admiral Lord, 74, 99 
 King of France, brought from the scene of recent action, 
 prisoner to London, 458 
 
 Lady, the forwardness of one in a patriotic subscription, 21 
 
 (Note) 
 Lake, General Lord, 21 6, 233
 
 INDEX. f)Oi 
 
 Lake, Lieutenaut-Colonel G.A.F., 233 
 
 Lambert, Major-Geueral Sir John, 457, 524 
 
 Larcom, Captain Thomas, 58 
 
 Laswarree, Battle of, 214, 514 
 
 Lauderdale, the Earl of, 9, 28 
 
 Lawson, Lieutenant- General Robert, l65, 175 
 
 Leith, Lieut.-General Sir James, 328, 342, 423, 455, 456 
 
 Lemoine, Colonel, 271 
 
 Linsingen, General Baron, 284, 286, 308 
 
 Liverpool, the Earl of, 215 
 
 Long, Major-General R. B., 423, 497 
 
 L'Orient, Naval Action off, 57 
 
 Loughborough, Lord Chancellor, 10 
 
 Louis, Admiral Sir Thomas, 253, 259 
 
 Low, General Baron, 455 
 
 Ludlow, General Earl, l65, 174, 286 
 
 Lumley, Lieut.-General Hon. Sir William, 274, 423, 438 
 
 Lynedock, Lieut.-Gen. Lord, 411,4l6, 423, 456', 456% 470 
 
 Macfarlane, Major-General Sir Robert, 286 
 
 M'Leod, Lieutenant-Colonel, 271 
 
 Mahratta War, 214 
 
 Maida, Battle of, 263 
 
 Maitland, Lieut.-Gen. the Hon. Sir Thomas, 36, 344, 350 
 
 - --, Major-General Sir Peregrine, 524, 539, 546 
 Manninghani, General, 328, 342 
 Martinique, Capture of, 344 
 Mauritius, Capture of the, 381 
 Maya, the Pass of, 156 
 Medals, granted for Seringapatam, 145 
 
 _ Maida, 270 
 
 Waterloo, 548
 
 60'i INDEX. 
 
 Mediterranean, Naval Operations in the, 23, 16'3 
 
 Melville, Viscount, 118, 127, 215 
 
 Merchants of London, their erudite character, and noble 
 
 present of a shield to the Duke of Wellington, Preface, 
 
 (^Note) 
 lidshipman (Murray), his courage in death, 72 {Note) 
 Military Register, 522, 545 
 Milne, Rear-Admiral Sir David, 556, 576 
 Minto, Lord, 23, 381, 387, 392 
 Mitchell, Admiral Sir Andrew, 115, 124, 135 
 Monckton, Captain John, 58 
 Monte Video, Capture of, 274 
 Montresor, Lieutenant-General, 25 
 
 Monumental Inscription at Gibraltar, by Earl St. Vincent, 46 
 Moore, Lieutenant-General Sir John, 25, l66, 175, 32S, 33S, 
 
 419, 517 
 
 , Lieutenant Colonel, 270 
 
 Mulgrave, the Earl of, 215 
 
 Murray, Major-Gcneral Sir George, 456', 456% 457 
 
 Myers, General Sir William, 36 
 
 Mysore War, 137 
 
 Nagle, Vice-Admiral Sir Edmund, (the godson of Burke), 
 
 574 
 Naval and Military Forces, I95, 549 
 Neale, Vice-Admiral Sir IL B., 353 
 Nelson, Admiral Lord, 25, 56, 90, 102, 149, l63, 175, 235, 
 
 241 ' 
 
 Nepaul War, 578 
 Newcastle, Duke of, 16 
 
 Nightingale, Lieutenant-General Sir Miles, 310, 324 
 Nile, the Battle of the, 102
 
 INDEX. 603 
 
 Nobility of England, eloquent character of, 49 1 
 Noithesk, Admiral the Earl of, 235, 248 
 
 Oakes, Lieutenant-General Sir Hildebrand, \65, 1*5 
 
 O'Callaghan, Major-General the Hon. Sir R. W., 270 
 
 Ochterlony, Major-General Sir David, 580 
 
 O'Hara, General, 421 
 
 Onslow, Admiral Sir Richard, 98 
 
 Opinion, its force beyond that of arms, 4 
 
 Orange, the Prince of, 523 
 
 Orthes, the Battle of, 455, 489 
 
 Oswald, Major-General Sir John, 270, 456', 456* 
 
 Pack, Major General Sir Denis, 456, 457, 524 
 
 Paget, Lieut. General the Honorable Sir Edward, 328, 342 
 
 Pakenham, Admiral the Honorable Thomas, 22 
 
 Pakenham, Major General the Hon. Sir Edward, 455,456,457 
 
 Paoli, General, his new advocacy for liberty, 25 
 
 Paris, Peace of, 499 
 
 Parker, Captain, R. N., 22 
 
 Parker, Admiral Sir Hyde, 149, 153 
 
 Pasley, Rear Admiral, 18 
 
 Payne, Admiral Sir William, 22, 75 
 
 Payne, Lieut. General Sir William, 364, 378 
 
 Pearson, Lieutenant 69th regiment, 91 
 
 Peninsular Campaign, 310, 328, 364, 423, 455 
 
 Phillipart, Sir John, 513 
 
 Picton, Lieut. General Sir Thomas, 423', 423", 456', 456% 
 
 457, 472, 484, 494 
 Pigof, General Henry, 187, 418 
 Pitt, the Right Honorable William, 15 
 Plenderleath, Major 81st regiment, 271
 
 604 INDEX. 
 
 Polish Laucers, 436 
 
 Pophani, General William, 139 
 
 Popham, Rear Admiral Sir Home, 286, 299, 304, 309 
 
 Portugal Campaign, 310 
 
 successful Defeuce of, 440 
 
 Post, e very mar. J, how to be defended, l6 (Note) 
 
 Power, JVlajor General Sir Manley, 424, 498 
 
 Powis, the Earl of, 139,216, 225, 232 
 
 Praise, a worthy tribute, (Preface) 
 
 Preparations for Defence, 210 
 
 Prescott, General, 36 
 
 Prevost, Lieut. General Sir George, 344, 349 
 
 Pringle, Captain, R. N., 22 
 
 Pringle, Major General Sir W. H., 455, 456, 457, 466, 480, 
 
 484, 495 
 Protest, House of Lords, 26 
 Pyrenees, Battle of the, 455 
 
 Radsdale, Captain, 25 
 Rainier, Vice Admiral, 177, 180, 194, 576 
 Rank, high, how alone to secure respect, eloquently describ- 
 ed, 491 
 Recommencement of Hostilities, 210 
 Richmond, the Duke of, 5l6, 584 
 Robinson, Major General Sir F. P., 456*, 456"" 
 Roleia, Battle of, 310 
 
 Ross, Major General Robert, 270, 456, 457 
 Rosslyn, General the Earl of, 25, 286 
 Rowley, Rear Admiral Sir Josias, 381, 403 
 
 Salamanca, Battle of, 455
 
 INDEX. 605 
 
 Sauniarez, Admiral Sir James, 58, 157, 1^2 
 
 Seamen, fine tribute to their eminent qualities in war, 85 
 
 Seas, Operations in the Indian, 381 
 
 Sensibility of the honor of Parliamentary Thanks manifest- 
 ed, 154 
 
 Seringapatam, Capture of, 137 
 
 Seymour, Admiral Lord Hugh, 22, 57, 63, 65, 75 
 
 Sherbrooke, Lieutenant General Sir John, 364, 377 
 
 Sheridan, R. B. Esq. 412 
 
 Shields ; see jEgis 
 
 Shipley, Lieutenant General Sir Charles, 344, 350 
 
 Sidniouth, Viscount, his Lettei*, 143 
 
 — ' , his Speeches, 64, 65 
 
 Slade, Lieutenant General Sir John, 328, 342 
 
 Smith, Vice Admiral Sir Sydney, 114, 120, l63, l66, 574 
 
 Smith, Lieutenant Colonel 27th Foot, 571 
 
 Smith, Major, 25 
 
 Somerset, Major General Lord Edward, 457, 491, 496, 524, 
 529 
 
 Spencer, Earl, 117, 126 
 
 Spencer, Lieut. General Sir Brent, 286, 310, 322 
 
 Spry, General F. W. 456 
 
 St. Domingo, French Fleet captured off, 253 
 
 St. George, Lieutenant, 25 
 
 St. John, General the Hon. Frederick, 21 6, 233 
 
 St. Sebastians, Siege and Capture of, 455 
 
 St. Vincent, Admiral Earl, 35, 45, 89, 149, 158, 193, 577 
 
 St. Vincent, Naval Victory off Cape, 89 
 
 Stanhope, Vice Admiral the Hon. Sir II. E. '2^6 
 Stchelin, Major General, 344, 350
 
 606 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Stewart, Lieut. General Lord Charles, 364, 373, 423, 451 
 Stewart, Lieut. General Sir William, 149, 154, 423, 466', 
 
 456*, 457, 476, 480, 484 
 Stewart, Brigadier General Richard, 364 
 Stirling, Vice Admiral, 274, 281 
 Stopford, Vice Admiral the Hon. Sir Robert, 353,381, 40D, 
 
 410 
 Storniont, Lord, 417 
 Stothard, a silver shield presented to the Duke of Wcliiugton 
 
 engraved by hira. Preface 
 Strachan, Vice Admiral Sir R. J., 24-9, 251 
 Stuart, Lieutenant General James, 139 
 Stuart, Lieut. General Sir John, l65, 175, 263, 271 
 Subscription, Public, a good criterion for, 21 (Nole) 
 Subsidiary Armies, how inferior to native cues, 4> 
 Sydney, Lord, 10 
 Symes, Colonel, 36, 42 
 
 Talavera, Battle of, 364, 374 
 
 Tayler, Mr. Thomas, Master at Lloyd's, 20 
 
 Thanks of Parliament, their dignity. Preface 
 
 — applied with justice and discrimination, ibid. 
 
 Thirty-Seventh Foot, 436 
 Thompson, Rear Admiral, 38 
 Tilson, General Christopher, 36l 
 Tippoo Saib, 137 
 Toulon, Occupation of, 23, 49 
 Trafalgar, Naval Victory off, 235 
 Troubridge, Admiral Sir Thomas, 91
 
 INDEX. 607 
 
 Vandeleur, Major General Sir John O. '125, 453, 455, 456", 
 
 524 
 Van de Capellen, Dutch Admiral, 556 
 Vengeur, (Enemy's vessel) its enthusiasm in defeat, 8 
 Vigoureux, Ensign, 25 
 Vimiera, Battle of, 310 
 Vittoria, Battle of, 455 
 , remarkable for retaining memorials of an ancient 
 
 English Victory, 458 
 Vivian, Major General Sir Hussey, 524, 547 
 Volunteer Corps, Thanks to, 1 98, 210 
 
 Walcheren, Expedition to, 419, 495 
 
 Walker, M^jor General Sir G. T., 424, 457, 497 
 
 Warde, Lieut. General Sir Henry, 286, 328, 342, 381, 392 
 
 Warren, Admiral Sir John B., 107, 111, 175, .574 
 
 Waterloo, great Battle of, 521, 543 
 
 , the Prince of, 513, 520 
 
 Watteville, Major General, 270 
 
 Wellesley, Marquis of, 137, 147,215, 229 
 
 Wellington, Field Marshal the Duke of, 2 1 6, 286, 298, 302, 
 310, 313, 315, 321,364, 423, 425, 440, 445, 455, 460, 
 499, 505, 506,512, 521, 542, 555 cum multis aliis, &.c. 
 
 West-India Colonies, Capture of, 35 
 
 Wetherall, Lieutenant General, 381, 399 
 
 Wiiitby, Captain, 84 
 
 Wheeler, Captain Edward, 46 
 
 Wilkes, his discriminative address to Earls Grey and St. 
 Vincent, 43
 
 608 INDEX. 
 
 Wilson, Brigadier General John, 456 
 Wiodliara, the Right Honorable William, 270 
 Wurmser, Field-Marshal, 418 
 
 York, H. R. H. the Duke of, 124, 128, 183, 200, 205, 421, 
 305, 549, 584 
 
 Yeomanry and Volunteers, Thanks to, for their alacrity, un- 
 der circumstances of peculiar dejection, in the defence 
 of the Country, 198, 210 
 
 Zealand, Occupation of, 285
 
 
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