Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v2p1.djvu/368

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
356
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

present our readers with copies of several documents, which we have reason to believe were not published in the London Gazette:

The Supreme Government of India, to Captain Sayer.

“Sensible as this Government is of the value of your services in advance of the expedition against the enemy’s settlements to the eastward, his Lordship, the Governor-General, has much pleasure in acknowledging the exertions made by his Majesty’s squadron under your command.”

General Order issued by the military Commander-in-Chief.

“Lieutenant-General Sir Samuel Auchmuty requests Captain Sayer, the senior officer of the naval detachments, and all the officers and seamen of the Royal Navy under his command, to accept his thanks for the able and active assistance rendered by the naval detachments from the moment of their disembarkation to join the army and assist in the batteries. The eager exertions of the corps of seamen, when permitted at their earnest request to leave the batteries and join in the pursuit of the enemy, gave the most satisfactory proof that British sailors, though not acting on the element particularly their own, are in every situation ready, able, and happy, to oppose with vigour and effect the enemies of their King and Country.”

The Hon. Rear-Admiral Stopford to Captain Sayer.

“I feel great satisfaction in expressing to you my fullest approbation of your conduct during the tedious service entrusted to your charge in landing the army stores of all descriptions from the transports at Batavia, as well as the more arduous service you had to perform whilst in command of the seamen employed in the batteries which reduced the enemy’s very superior force to complete silence, on the evening of the 25th Aug. I have taken care to impress my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty with as perfect an idea as possible of the great share you have had, in cooperation with Captains Festing, Maunsell, and Reynolds, in effecting the success which has already attended the British arms upon the island of Java. Captain Stopford’s early misfortune[1] will I hope procure him that next step which he is so anxious to get. I have to request that you will accept yourself, and communicate to the officers above-mentioned, my warmest thanks for the meritorious and indefatigable exertions displayed under many discouraging circumstances; and believe me, when I assure you, that in any similar enterprise I shall always feel confident of success, with such officers to execute my orders.”

  1. Captain Edward Stopford, a statement of whose services will appear in its proper place, had his right arm shot off whilst actively employed in the batteries.