Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v3p2.djvu/344

during the scarcity in 1800, the propriety of restricting ships bound to India from carrying out superfluous bread and stores; which proposal met with great attention, and was acted upon. Shortly before the battle of Copenhagen, being then a lieutenant of Nelson’s flag-ship, he thus addressed that great hero:–

“My Lord,– I beg leave to request, that in the event of boat duty, for either boarding, towing off the enemy’s fireships, carrying down our own, or any other particular service, your lordship will do me the favor of employment. And as the best concerted plans often miscarry, from one man being made to depend en another, should the nature of the service require hut one lieutenant, and I have the honor of being engaged in the undertaking, it will be an additional favor conferred on, my Lord, your most obedient, &c.

(Signed)“W. Layman.”

The high opinion entertained of his conduct on the memorable 2d April, 1801, will be seen by the following testimonials:–

"Merton, Surrey, March 1st, 1802.

“My dear Sir,– I have been favored with your letter, requesting I would state the nature of the services you had been employed in from the St. George.

“That you were always ready to go on every service I am sure; for the only favor you ever asked of me was, to be sent on all services of danger and difficulties, and I always understood you acquitted yourself as an able officer and seaman. You were in the Isis at the battle of Copenhagen, and Captain Walker gave me a high character of the conduct of the officers and men of the St. George. Believe me to be fully sensible of all your merits; and I have no scruple in saying, that if your interest does not get you promoted, at any future time when I may be employed, I shall be happy in receiving you; for I am your sincere friend.

(Signed)“Nelson & Bronte.”

“To Lieutenant Layman.”

“Charles Street, St. James’s, May 26th, 1802.

“Sir,– I do not hesitate to state it as my opinion and firm belief, that very important services were rendered by you on the 2d of April last year, on board H.M.S. Isis, during the action off Copenhagen. I may venture too, with less presumption, to give this opinion to the world, when I accompany it by Captain Walker’s avowal of the fact, and the general admiration of your conduct on the occasion, evinced by the officers and men of my regiment, who were so fortunate as to be under Captain Walker’s command, and employed with you on the Isis’s lower-deck, at that period