object of his attention. “Whatever may be the result of the negociation between this country and Denmark,” says the veteran commander-in-chief, “I am confident of your being too well prepared, and too alert, to he surprised by any sudden active hostile operation the Danes may attempt to make.”
So highly did Admiral Young approve of Captain M‘Kerlie’s conduct on every occasion, that he continued him in the command of the Heligoland squadron, until the arrival of Captain Arthur Farquhar, with a large additional force under his orders, in Oct. 1813. During the seven months that he was employed on that station, as senior officer, the Calliope and her consorts made many prizes, but none, we believe, of sufficient consequence to be particularly mentioned. The capture of the enemy’s shipping, &c. at Braak, in the duchy of Oldenburgh, is thus described by Captain Farquhar, in a letter to Admiral Young, dated Nov. 1, 1813:–
“I had the honour to inform you, by my letter of the 30th ult., that I had ordered Captain M‘Kerlie, with a gun-boat, and a strong division of row-boats, to proceed up the Weser to this place, for the purpose of seizing two corvettes building, as well as all other vessels, naval stores, &c. which he could find belonging to the enemy. I now beg to acquaint you, that I arrived here yesterday, and found that Captain M‘Kerlie had taken possession of the two corvettes, as also two gun-brigs, and several other vessels belonging to the enemy. I have ordered the burghers to do duty, and have landed the marines as a guard and protecting force, whilst we are employed in getting the corvettes ready to move down to the squadron. The whole of the country between this and Bremen is entirely free from the French, and in possession of the allies.”
Each of the corvettes taken at Braak was pierced for 20 guns. When they were ready for sea, Captain M‘Kerlie received orders to escort them to England; and on his arrival, he found himself promoted to post rank, by commission dated Dec. 4, 1813.
On the 4th April, 1816, Captain M‘Kerlie was granted a pension for the loss of his arm. In the same year, when his early patron was preparing to proceed against Algiers, he eagerly sought to accompany him, but did net succeed in his application; nor has he since been employed. We shall here give an extract of a letter, which he afterwards received from his lordship:–
