by a coup-de-main; and he had the satisfaction to find his suggestions for the destruction of the forts on that island readily adopted by the Dutch Government, and highly approved by his own. On the 28th of June, Mr. Croker again wrote to him, as follows:
“Dear Sir,– I have received your letter of the 27th, and am very much obliged to you for having had the kindness to give me the information it contains. I am, Dear Sir, your faithful humble servant,
The Redpole formed part of Napoleon’s escort to St. Helena, from whence she returned home with Sir George Cockburn’s despatches, announcing the safe custody of his ex-majesty. While there, Captain Denman was invited by his old naval friend Mr. Balcombe, to spend an evening in the society of Buonaparte; on which occasion he was seated at the same whist table with that celebrated personage, and enabled to possess himself of some highly interesting anecdotes which he related, of distinguished public characters who had figured in political life during his extraordinary career.
Captain Denman’s last appointment was, in 1819, to be the Superintending Commander of H.M. ships and vessels in ordinary at Plymouth, which he held during the customary period of three years. On his retirement from that important service, the following letter was addressed to him by Commissioner Shield:–
“Dear Sir,– I have to acknowledge your obliging communications of Saturday last, and I beg to assure you, that I feel gratified by the kind terms in which you express the intercourse which has prevailed between us during your employment in the Ordinary; your unceasing attention, and zealous performance of your duty had not passed unobserved by me, – on the contrary, I felt much satisfaction in the confidence your conduct impressed on my mind, that the condition of the Ordinary would be preserved by your attention, in the excellent order it was left by Captain Shortland. I beg to offer you what I consider the best wish, which is that you may be soon promoted, and brought again into service at an early period. With every other kind wish for you and yours, I remain, Dear Sir, ever your faithful humble Servant,
“To Captain Denman.”
This officer obtained the rank of captain, May 27th, 1825.
