Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall sp3.djvu/362

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344
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1814.

state, that Cattaro and Ragusa, together, contained 268 guns, and were garrisoned by 1400 officers and men. Baron Gauthier and his staff were conveyed to Ancona by the Saracen.

We next find Captain Harper serving under the orders of Sir John Gore, and employed in the blockade of Venice, until its surrender[1]. On the 14th May, 1814, he entered that harbour, sailed up the canal nearly 12 miles, and anchored in the middle of the city, near St. Mark’s palace, agreeably to an invitation from the Austrian general. Three days afterwards he was visited on board the Saracen by Prince Reuss, who said he had come “to wait upon the representative of the British nation,” and expressed himself highly pleased with his reception and treatment.

All active service in the Adriatic being now at an end> Captain Harper received directions to proceed to North America; on which occasion, not having an opportunity of taking personal leave of his old friends near Ragusa, he wrote the following letter to the Count Natoli, who still held the government of Zupano:–

“Dear Count, – The orders of my government call me from this country to the post of honor. I am going to America as fast as possible; I must for a time take my leave of you and your brave countrymen, the Ragusians, and beg you to assure them, I have constantly done every thing in my power to promote their interest and welfare; and still hope, as a reward for their attachment to the British nation, they will have their most sanguine wishes and expectations realized. It is not in my power to particularize any one, when all have shown the same loyalty and patriotism; but you, my dear Count, as being the first man who assisted the English, and declared against the common enemy, at the imminent risk of your life and property, I shall never forget, and hope I shall have it in my power to convince you the English nation is as grateful as it is powerful. Adieu, wishing you every happiness this world affords,

I always shall be, your sincere friend,
(Signed)John Harper.”

In addition to the services already enumerated, Captain Harper captured, whilst in the Adriatic, numerous small vessels laden with arms, ammunition, ordnance stores, clothing, provisions, &c. Including deserters, and the garrisons of Zupan , Mezzo, Isle St.George, and Stagno, he deprived the French army of nearly 1,000 regular troops. Previous to his