jesty is to be) on Tuesday next; you will then find me at my old lodgings. No. 12, Buckingham Street. As to the brigs, I shall only say that Admiral de Winter states they were both lost, and have no doubt the matter, as it respects the head-money, will be cleared up. I have been hurrying about so from place to place, that I have not heard a word from Lady Duncan since my arrival in port; but I have seen letters from her, and I assure you she never forgets your attention to her. Many thanks for your kind congratulations, which are most acceptable, as I am sure they arc sincere. Believe me, with truth and esteem, most faithfully yours,
On the 30th Nov. 1796, exactly two years and a half after Earl Howe’s action, each of the Captains mentioned in his Lordship’s letter were ordered to be presented with a gold medal, to be worn with their uniforms, in commemoration of the victory they had assisted in achieving. Captain Donnelly’s application for that honorable badge of distinction was replied to as follows, by the excellent nobleman then at the head of naval affairs:
“Sir,– You will I am sure do me the justice to believe that I entertain a very good opinion of your merits and services; but it will really be impossible for me to comply with the request conveyed to me in your letter of yesterday; the medals having been limited by his Majesty’s express command to those Admirals and Post-Captains only who are mentioned in the letter from Lord Howe to the Admiralty relative to those actions, including the Captains of the several Admirals who were honored with the gold chain. As you were not a Post-Captain at the time of the action, you will perceive that this line must necessarily exclude you from the distinction at present conferred[1].
“Your very obedient, humble Servant,
(Signed)“Spencer.
“Admiralty, Dec. 14th, 1796.”
Previous to his leaving the Maidstone, Captain Donnelly was voted a handsome piece of plate by the merchants concerned in the Oporto trade, for his zealous exertions in protecting a large homeward bound fleet, and bringing it in safety to England, at a time when the enemy’s privateers were very numerous, both in the Bay of Biscay and the Channel. This token of their gratitude, however, he refused to accept; stating, that although a French frigate had hovered about the convoy, which was also surrounded during the passage by privateers, he had had no opportunity of fighting
- ↑ The First Lieutenants of Captains killed in subsequent general actions, have had post rank and the gold medal immediately conferred upon them.
