pointed to the President frigate, and soon after ordered to Brazil; from whence Sir W. Sidney Smith despatched him to negociate with the Viceroy of Buenos Ayres (Linieres) for the opening of the South American ports to English commerce. On his return from this service, he joined the flag of Rear-Admiral de Courcy, by whom he was stationed to attend upon and afford protection to the royal family at Rio Janeiro. Previous to his departure from thence, he received the insignia of the Portuguese order of the Tower and Sword. He afterwards commanded the Armada, a new 74, in the Channel and North Sea[1].
On the 13th May, 1820, our officer was appointed to the Creole of 42 guns. From her he removed about Jan. 1821, into the Superb 78, on the coast of South America. In the latter ship he rounded Cape Horn during the shortest days of winter, and by his appearance in the Pacific, saved British property to the amount of several millions sterling. He was re-appointed to the Superb, stationed as a guard-ship at Plymouth, June 27, 1822; and died in Nov. 1823.
FRANCIS VESEY, Esq
[Post-Captain of 1799.]
This officer was made a Lieutenant in 1793; commanded l’Amaranthe of 14 guns, at the Leeward Islands in 1797; and captured le Vengeur, a French schooner letter of marque, mounting six 4-pounders, and laden, with flour, near Jamaica, April 13, 1799. This vessel, notwithstanding her vast inferiority, maintained a close action with l’Amaranthe for one hour and eight minutes, during which she had 14 men killed and 5 wounded out of her crew, including passengers, only 36 in number. The English brig had 1 man killed and 3 wounded.
Captain Vesey obtained post rank Sept. 16, 1799; and during the remainder of the war, commanded the Volage, on
- ↑ Whilst at Brazil, Captain Mackenzie was removed from his frigate to the Bedford 74; but he came home in the President.
endeavours of Captain Mackenzie to fulfil the civil duties of the arsenal, which were committed to his management and superintendence, if I did not on this occasion express my warm approbation of his exertions; and I beg leave to recommend him to their Lordships’ favorable notice.”
