may be enabled to shew him. * * * * * *. Believe me always, dear Brown, with the sincerest regard, most faithfully and truly yours,
“To Rear-Admiral William Brown,
&c. &c. &c. Jamaica.”
In Mar. 1814, Captain Westphal was sent to cruise off the river Mississippi, under the orders of Captain Clement Milward, of the Herald 20 and he appears to have continued on that station until the arrival of Sir Alexander I. Cochrane, with the expedition against New Orleans. The manner in which he was subsequently employed will be seen by the following testimonials:
“This is to certify to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that Captain George Augustus Westphal commanded H.M. sloop Anaconda, under my orders, upon the late expedition against New Orleans, and throughout that service his conduct was highly creditable to himself and entirely to my satisfaction.
“In the endeavours, during those operations, to place the small vessels of war as near as possible to the point of landing. Captain Westphal was particularly conspicuous in his zeal and success towards the effecting of this important object; he having, by the utmost perseverance, skill, and exertion, hove the Anaconda[1] over a bank, nearly five miles in extent (upon which there were only eight feet of water, into Lac Borgne, and there occupied a situation that enabled that sloop to render the most essential aid and protection to the open boats conveying troops and supplies from the fleet to the army; which were frequently rescued by her assistance from the imminent danger to which they were reduced by the severity of the weather.
“Captain Westphal, after stationing his vessel, was landed with a division of her seamen, and served in the naval brigade under the command of Captain Sir E. Thomas Troubridge, who made honorable mention of his exertions. Given under my hand this 26th day of April, 1818.
“These are to certify the Right Honorable the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that having been witness to the meritorious and indefatigable exertions of Captain George Augustus Westphal, when in the command of H.M. sloop Anaconda, at the time the attack was made on New Orleans, in Dec. 1814, I feel it my duty to lay the following statement before their lordships.
“The Anaconda was ordered by the commander-in-chief, Sir Alexander- ↑ The highest vessel of her class on the expedition.
