and while he was fitting her out, H.R.H. the Lord High Admiral presented him with a handsome uniform sword, “as a proof of his regard,” and “in commemoration of his official visit to Chatham and Sheerness,” on which occasion he had the honor of attending upon that illustrious personage, as his captain, in the absence of Sir William Hoste.
On her arrival at Portsmouth, the Undaunted hoisted the flag of the Lord High Admiral, who sailed from thence with the intention of proceeding to Plymouth, but was obliged to put back in consequence of strong S.W. winds. Her captain shortly afterwards received a letter from the private secretary to his Royal Highness, of which the following is an extract:–
“My dear Clifford,– I am commanded by H.R.H. the Lord High Admiral to communicate to you his intention of presenting you with a piece of plate, of the value of Fifty Pounds, as a mark of the satisfaction his Royal Highness experienced at the manner in which you received him on board the Undaunted, during his late cruise in that ship * * * * *.
The Undaunted anchored in Diamond harbour, July 1, 1828; and from thence Captain Clifford accompanied the Governor-General to Calcutta, after leaving which city he received a very gratifying epistle from his lordship, of which the subjoined is a copy:–
“My dear Captain Clifford,– I cannot allow you to leave us finally without offering to you, and to all the officers and ship’s company of the Undaunted, on Lady William’s part, as well as my own, our warmest thanks for the kindness we have received, and for the cordial manner in which every wish of ours has been uniformly executed.
“It would seem hardly possible, that I could have to ask of you an additional favor; but having received Lieutenant Forster’s complete acquiescence, I have now to express the gratification we shall feel by your forgiveness of the two men who were under confinement for future trial when we left the ship. I do not found my request upon slightly appreciating the crimes of which they are guilty, for I have always been a decided advocate for strict discipline and subordination; but having had many occasions of observing and deeply considering the manner in which the naval service is carried on in different ships of war, I can with truth aver, that I have never yet seen an instance where, on the one hand, due authority and command were tempered with more reason, justice, and mercy; tnd where, on the