Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall sp3.djvu/70

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POST-CAPTAINS OF 1812.
61

cruits, and although considered as men, would all have been rated boys in the American service.

The Levant was soon afterwards retaken at Porto Praya[1]; from whence the Constitution proceeded with her prisoners to Maranham, on the coast of Brazil. The Cyane having also escaped from Sir George Collier, arrived at New York without any further interruption. It need scarcely be added, that Captains Douglas and Falcon were most honorably acquitted, by a court-martial, held at Halifax, Nova Scotia, to try them for the surrender of their respective ships, and justly applauded for the gallant defence they made against an enemy so decidedly superior.

Since the peace, Captain Douglas has remained upon half-pay.

Agents.– Messrs. Atkins and Son.



RIGHT HON. EARL of LEVEN and MELVILLE,
Viscount Balgonie, &c. &c. &c.
[Post-Captain of 1812.]

Eldest son of the late Earl, by Jane, daughter of John Thornton, of London, Esq.

This officer was born Dec. 8, 1786, and made a Lieutenant Aug. 8, 1806. The following mention is made of him by Lord Collingwood, in a letter to the Admiralty, reporting the capture and destruction of a French convoy in the bay of Rosas, Nov. 1, 1809:–

“Many officers in the fleet were desirous of being volunteers in this service. I could not resist the earnest request of Lieutenants Lord Viscount Balgonie, &c. &c. to have the command of boats, in which they displayed that spirit which is inherent in them.”

We next find Viscount Balgonie commanding the Delight brig, on the Mediterranean station. He obtained post rank, Feb. 28, 1812; and succeeded to the Scotch earldom, on the demise of his father, Feb. 22, 1820.