goodness will excuse my freedom, and grant me your support. I have the honor to be, with all possible respect, &c.
To this, and to the following letter, no answer whatever was given,
“My Lord, – Having had the honor of soliciting your patronage, I shall consider myself much indebted to your Lordship to give directions for informing me if the statement of my service has merited your notice. I am, with profound respect, &c.
On the 5th Dec., Earl St, Vincent received a seventh letter, worded as follows:
“My Lord, – I took the liberty of addressing your lordship on the 27th ultimo, and doubt not the more important matters of State, which might be under your consideration at the time of receiving my letter, occasioned my not having an answer.
“I flatter myself my servitude, and my zeal to serve my Country, cannot fail to ensure me your lordship’s patronage, and exact from me the same line of conduct which has procured me the honorable testimonies I laid before you; and I trust on all occasions I shall prove myself worthy of your protection, and testify the deference and esteem with which I have the honor to be, &c.”
Persevering in this course, Mr. Bartholomew, on the 8th of the same month, penned the following epistle:
“My Lord, – To party disinterested; in interest void; to my Country true, in its cause I have tendered my service, and solicited your lordship’s aid. If your lordship will deign to say – No, I shall not presume to trouble you any more; if – Yes, I anticipate the pleasure in discharging a duty (I trust) equally satisfactory to my Patron, and serviceable to the Nation, as creditable to myself. I have the honor to be, with becoming respect, &c.
When this letter reached the Admiralty, Earl St. Vincent was at Rochett’s, his country seat, and thither it was taken by Mr. Benjamin Tucker, one of his lordship’s confidential friends, who requested directions as to what answer should be given. The Earl desired, “that as Mr. Bartholomew would not take a written reply, he might be sent for to come
