Captain Byng, the officers and seamen under his command, overcame the obstacles opposed by an extreme difficulty of country to the conveyance of artillery[1].”
The presence of the ships belonging to the East India Company, which had assisted in the reduction of the Cape, being no longer necessary, Captain Byng was directed to escort them to Madras; on his arrival at which place he received an address from their commanders, some of whom had served with the Marine Brigade, expressive of the sense they entertained of his constant and unremitting attention to them, and requesting his acceptance of a piece of plate, of the value of 100l. as a testimony of their respect.
In the course of the same year, the Belliqueux formed part of Sir Edward Pellew’s squadron at the capture and destruction of a Dutch frigate, seven brigs of war, and about twenty armed and other merchant-vessels, in Batavia Roads[2]. During the operations, the Commander-in-Chief publicly expressed his satisfaction at Captain Byng’s activity and good conduct, by the telegraphic signal, “Your zeal I have noticed.” From this period nothing material occurred until 1809, when our officer hoisted a broad pendant on being appointed to con-
- ↑ Extract from Sir David Baird’s public despatches, addressed to Viscount Castlereagh.
“Cape Town, Jan. 12, 1806.
“On every occasion where it has been found necessary to call for the co-operation of British seamen in land enterprizes, their valor has been so conspicuous, and their spirit of labor and perseverance so unconquerable, that no tribute of my applause can add a lustre to their character; but I discharge a most agreeable portion of my duty in assuring your lordship, that in the recent employment of their services they have maintained their reputation. And in this place it behoves me to inform your lordship, that the uniform good conduct of those gallant fellows, and the zeal of Captain George Byng, who commanded them, together with that of every subordinate officer, have merited my fullest approbation.”
The heroic Captain Hardinge, who afterwards commanded the St. Fiorenzo, and fell in action with la Piedmontaise, served on shore under the orders of Captain Byng, with whom he had sailed from England as a passenger to join the Salsette frigate at Bombay. On quitting the Belliqueux, he thus addressed her commander:–
“Amongst the sensations which an event like this awakens, the only painful one is, that I am to be separated from those I love, and for a period so indefinite. But no space or time can ever separate me from you.”
- ↑ See p. 223.
