quently served for three years in the Salisbury, 50, bearing the broad pendant of his friend Commodore Elliott, on the Newfoundland station; and at the period of the Spanish armament, was appointed first Lieutenant of the Barfleur, 98. His promotion to the rank of Commander took place Nov. 12, 1790, and we soon after find him exchanging from the Daphne (in which ship he had been sent with despatches to Jamaica) into the Cygnet, sloop of war. He assumed the command of the Spitfire, Feb. 12, 1793; sailed immediately on a cruise, and on the 14th returned to Spithead with la Frique, a French privateer, taken off Havre de Grace, and which we believe was the first vessel captured under the tri-coloured flag; at all events, the first that was brought into Portsmouth.
From this period our account of Captain Durham’s services appears to be correct, with the exception of that part (p. 453.) wherein we state that he commanded the Colossus, of 74 guns; which he never did.
The following additional particulars have been recently communicated to us by a gentleman of the highest respectability:–
On the 13th Oct. 1809, Captain Durham received an order from Lord Collingwood, to hoist a red distinguishing broad pendant, and to take the command of the third division of his lordship’s fleet. Whilst filling this honorable post, he was present at the destruction of the French line-of-battle ships near Cette, already mentioned at p. 283. In the course of the same year, the Renown, being found unfit for service, was sent home, and he did not join any other ship as Captain. His flag was first hoisted in the Bulwark; and during the remainder of the war, he constantly commanded a detached squadron.
During the time he was Commander-in-Chief in the West Indies, his conduct was so highly approved of by the Board of Admiralty, that when Buonaparte returned from Elba and usurped the sovereign authority in France, he was requested by the first Lord to continue on that station, notwithstanding he had applied to be superseded, and another Flag-Officer had been appointed to succeed him. The successful exertions of the ships under his orders were fully appreciated, not only by the government, but by every proprietor and inhabitant in the Leeward Islands, as will be seen by the addresses which were presented to him by the Members of the Insurance Association of Barbadoes, the Board of Cabildo of Port d’Espagne, and the Merchants of St. Thomas’s.
“Sir,– The near approach of the period when you will resign the naval command in chief of this station, affords to the Members of the Insurance Association of this Island an opportunity of expressing those sentiments of admiration and respectful regard, with which your public conduct has inspired them.
“A series of brilliant exploits, recorded in the naval annals of your country, and honourably distinguished by our Sovereign with numerous marks of his royal approbation, had placed your name high on the roll of Britain’s naval heroes, long before you were appointed to this command:– In the exercise of that command, from the moment of its singularly auspi-