consequence of his being subpoenaed to give evidence against a warrant officer, who was about to be tried at the Exeter assizes, for embezzling his Majesty’s stores.
In May, 1794, finding no opportunity of rejoining the Powerful, Mr. Maurice obtained a rating on the books of la Concorde frigate, then commanded by Sir Richard J. Strachan, Bart., under whose successor (Captain Anthony Hunt) he was present at the capture of the Tigre, Alexander, and Formidable, French line-of-battle ships, off L’Orient, June 23, 1795. He was also very actively employed during the expedition to Quiberon, in the summer of that year; and although personally unknown to the Commodore, Sir John B. Warren, his good conduct was not unobserved by that officer, from whom he received an order to act as Lieutenant of the Thunderer 74, in the absence of a gentleman who had returned sick to England.
This appointment not being confirmed by the Admiralty, Mr. Maurice rejoined la Concorde at the request of Captain Hunt, and assisted at the capture of two French frigates (l’Unité and la Virginie), several privateers, and numerous merchant vessels; likewise at the destruction of la Volage corvette, mounting 26 guns.
In 1796, Captain Hunt was appointed to la Virginie, and la Concorde placed under the command of Captain Richard Bagot, with whom Mr. Maurice served on the North Sea and Channel stations until the commencement of Mar. 1797, when, being strongly recommended by the latter officer, he was received on board Lord Bridport’s flag-ship, and three weeks afterwards promoted into the Glory of 98 guns, which appointment was confirmed by the Admiralty, on the 3d of the following month. From Dec. 1798 until May 1802, we find him serving as a Lieutenant of the Canada 74, successively commanded by Sir J. B. Warren, the Hon. Michael De Courcy, and Sir Joseph Sydney Yorke.
After remaining about four months on half-pay, Lieutenant Maurice was appointed first of the Centaur 74, in which ship he assisted at the capture of St. Lucia, Tobago, Demerara, and Essequibo, by the naval and military forces under the command of Commodore Hood and Lieutenant-General Grin-
