the enemy’s coasting trade upon the coasts of Calabria and Naples, that I repeatedly had to perform a very agreeable part of my duty, by writing you public letters, to express my admiration of the zeal and gallantry shewn by yourself, officers, and crew of the Pilot, in many well conducted enter prises. I am very glad to hear you are well, and if you are disappointed in your promotion to a higher rank for a short time, I hope you have been more successful in prizes, as a consolation in a small degree for your privation of the step of post-captain. I am, dear Sir, Your obedient and faithful humble servant,
“Dear Sir,–I have this moment received your letter of the 18th inst. requesting my opinion of your conduct during the time you served under i my flag as lieutenant, as well as in the command of ‘The Pilot’ sloop on the coast of Calabria. I beg to assure you that I had every reason to be most perfectly satisfied with your conduct upon all occasions, and that I did not fail to represent to the commander-in-chief on the Mediterranean station, the particular services performed by you as commander of the Pilot. I am, dear Sir, very truly yours,
“Dear Nicolas,– I congratulate you on your return to England after so long an absence, but feel mortified to find that you are still in the Pilot; for I must do you the credit to say, I never saw any sloop of war in better order in every respect, or more ready for service at all times; and indeed I was so much pleased with your conduct and attention whilst under my orders, when I commanded in Sicily and on the coast of Naples that I felt a pleasure in doing my duty, by mentioning you as I did to the Commander-in-chief, then Sir Edward Pellew. I regretted much your being absent on other service when I sent the expedition against Ponza[2], and likewise when I was singly in the bay of Naples, as I little doubt but that you would have brought out the frigate at anchor there, and thus ensured yourself a rank which, in my humble opinion, you most fully merit. Indeed, although we never met until you were placed under my orders, I must say I feel that interest in your welfare as a zealous, good, and attentive officer, that I regretted much not finding your name on the post list. I wish you could in any way get recommendations to Lord Melville, as I am certain he has every desire to bring forward officers of real naval merit, and your services in the Pilot do you so much credit. With best wishes, believe me, dear Nicolas, your very sincere friend,
On rejoining the Pilot, Captain Nicolas applied to the
- ↑ Vice-Admiral Charles Boyles died at Plymouth, in Nov. 1816.
- ↑ See Suppl. Part II p. 5 et seq.
