Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v1p2.djvu/459

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ADDENDA, &C.
875

titude; and would esteem it a new proof of the friendship of the government of H.R.H. whatever may be done in favor of a person who has fulfilled with such zeal the intentions of the august ally of Spain, and hacontributed by his valor, talents, and excellent qualities, to raise amongst the Spaniards the credit of the British nation.

“I have the honor to lay this representation before your Excellency, in order that you may have the goodness to do all in your power, that these just wishes of the Regency may have the desired effect.

“I renew to your Excellency, &c. &c.
(Signed)Pedro Labrador.


The British Ambassador.”

The note from the Spanish Minister to Lord Castlereagh being nearly verbatim the same as Senor Labrador’s communication, we shall content ourselves with selecting the concluding passage;

“The undersigned, in complying with these directions of the government, is confident that his Excellency Lord Castlereagh, in conveying them to H.R.H. the Prince Regent, will at the same time exert his powerful influence, which doubtless will operate not a little towards rewarding the services of that good servant of his Britannic Majesty, who by his skill and other high qualities, has so greatly assisted in destroying the French in Catalonia.

(Signed)Conde de Fernan Nunez,
Duque de Montellano.”

Captain Codrington was ordered to America previous to his being made a Rear-Admiral, and proceeded thither with his broad pendant on board the Forth frigate. The force on that station being reduced in consequence of the treaty of Ghent, he received directions from Sir Alexander Cochrane to hoist his flag in the Havannah frigate, and return to England. In his letter to the Secretary of the Admiralty, the Commander-in-Chief says, “I take this opportunity to request that you will be pleased to express to their Lordships my entire satisfaction at the manner in which Rear-Admiral Sir Edward Codrington has conducted his public duties while Captain of the fleet upon this station, during a series of active operations, in which I have greatly benefited by his advice and assistance.” In a letter to Sir Edward himself, he at the same time writes, “I cannot allow of your departure from hence without first expressing to you how much I feel obliged by the zeal and ability which you have displayed in your public situation while under my command, and how much benefit I have derived from your counsel and assistance in the active services in which the fleet and army have been engaged.”

Sir Edward Codrington married, Dec. 27, 1802, Miss Hall, of Old Windsor. He has recently had the misfortune to lose his eldest son, Edward, a Midshipman on board the Cambrian frigate, stationed in the Mediterranean. Although only 19 years of age, from the confidence his Captain (G. W. Hamilton) placed in him, and from his speaking foreign languages, he was selected for a particular service; and was proceeding to