his seat, and accepted the command of a squadron, destined to co-operate with General Sir Charles Grey in the reduction of the French West India Islands[1].
In this toilsome service, with the most formidable difficulties to encounter, the spirit and perseverance of these brave commanders were pre-eminently conspicuous; and the London Gazette Extraordinary, in the month of April, 1794, announced the important intelligence, that, on the 16th March preceding, the whole island of Martinique had been captured from the French, excepting the forts Bourbon and Royal, which were then closely besieged; and, on the 26th of the same month, despatches were received, containing intelligence of the complete subjugation of that valuable colony. This success proved the prelude to as speedy a reduction of St. Lucia and Guadaloupe; but, in consequence of the sickness of the troops, and want of a sufficient reinforcement, these conquests could not be retained. Sir John Jervis returned home from this expedition with his health considerably injured, and very much emaciated from the effects of the yellow fever, and arrived at Plymouth Jan. 11, 1795. On the 1st June, in the same year, he was advanced to the rank of Admiral of the Blue[2].
As soon as his health was sufficiently re-established, our officer, who had in the intermediate time received the thanks of Parliament, and the freedom of the city of London, for the eminent and distinguished services he had rendered to his country during the West India campaign, was appointed to succeed Admiral Hotham in command of the fleet stationed in the Mediterranean. He accordingly proceeded thither in the Lively frigate; and on his arrival, hoisted his flag on board the Victory, of 100 guns[3].
About this period, the French Directory had, by insinua-
- ↑ A faithful and curious account of the Campaign in the West Indies, accompanied by many official documents, and several handsome illustrative prints in aquatinta, copied from drawings made on the spot, was afterwards published by the late Rev. Cooper Willyams, the Admiral’s Chaplain.
- ↑ About this time he lost all his luggage, by the burning of the Boyne, his late flag ship. See Retired Captain, Hon. Sir George Grey, Bart.
- ↑ The limits of Sir John’s command were afterwards extended along the coasts of Spain and Portugal, to Cape Finisterre.
