mitted to the commander-in-chief, who will pay all due attention to your recommendations, as no officer in his Majesty’s service is better able to appreciate the gallant deeds of brave men. I have the honor to be, &c.
“Captain Napier – Thames.”
Toward the end of September, 1811, Captain Clifford sailed from Palermo for England, having embarked Lord William Bentinck, the British minister and military commander-in-chief, who, finding it expedient to return home, almost immediately after his first arrival at the Sicilian court, had made a special application for the Cephalus to convey him.
After docking and refitting his brig, at Portsmouth, Captain Clifford returned to the coast of Italy, where he was again very actively employed until advanced to post rank, July 23, 1812; previous to which, the Cephalus, in company with the Euryalus frigate and Pilot brig, had made an attempt to destroy a convoy and some land batteries, but failed after being warmly engaged for five hours, during which she sustained a loss of 1 lieutenant (Jenkins) killed, and 19 men wounded, besides suffering considerably in her masts and rigging.
Having thus distinguished himself in the command of a sloop of war, Captain Clifford returned to England, via Lisbon, bearing despatches from Lord William Bentinck, with which he arrived in London at the close of 1811. From that period, we find no mention of him (except his marriage) until Aug. 23d 1814, when he was appointed to the Bonne Citoyenne of 20 guns, employed on the Irish station. His next appointment was, Oct. 22, 1821, to the Euryalus 42, in which frigate he sailed from St. Helen’s, with W. R. Hamilton, Esq. British Ambassador to the Neapolitan court, Feb. 21, 1822.
Captain Clifford was nominated a C.B. Dec. 8, 1815; elected M.P. for Bandon-Bridge, co. Cork, in 1818; and chosen to represent Dungarvon, co. Waterford, in 1820. Previous to his sailing for the Mediterranean, he published an address to his constituents, acquainting them that he had formed a resolution to retire from parliament, while engaged in the active duties of his profession.
It is very seldom that we meet with an article in any of
