in a constant course of active service in his Majesty’s navy, as midshipman, lieutenant, and acting commander; having in the early part served on the coast of Africa and among the West India islands, and during the last fourteen years in the East Indies.
“That, during ten years of the above time, viz. from Dec. 1798, until Jan. 1809, he served as midshipman in H.M. ships Magnanime, Lapwing, Albion, and Culloden; under Captains Taylor, Rotheram, and Ferrier, and the flag of Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Pellew.
“That, during the next seven years, viz. from Jan. 1809, at which time he was appointed acting lieutenant, until Jan. 1816, when he was appointed acting commander of H.M. sloop Cameleon, he served in his Majesty’s ships Arrogant, Minden, Theban, and Revolutionnaire; with Captains Flint, Reynolds, Hoare, Skene, Woolcombe, and Leslie; and part of the time in Sir Samuel Hood’s flag-ship.[1]
“Further, that for a considerable part of the last period, your memorialist had acting orders to command H.M. ships Arrogant and Minden; also the governments of the forts at Anjer and Marrack, in the island of Java; having previously been engaged in the reduction of Siringan, the defence of the temporary establishment at St. Nicholas’s Point; and he was likewise, under Captain Hoare, zealously, arduously, and usefully employed in conciliating the Bantamese, supporting the cause of Achmet, Pangorang of Bantam, and procuring, through his power and influence in that kingdom, supplies for the naval and military forces employed in the Java expedition.
“That, in Sept. 1810, when your memorialist was appointed to command the Minden (74), at Bombay, that ship was intended to carry the flag of Vice-Admiral Drury, then commander-in-chief; the Russell, his flag-ship, being found unserviceable. The Minden’s speedy equipment became, therefore, a matter of great importance, connected with the other preparations for the subjugation of Java and its dependencies; but all the ships of the squadron that could be rendered effective, being then required off the Mauritius, your memorialist was left without the assistance of any officers or seamen, notwithstanding which, on the Admiral’s return from the Isle of France, in January following, to such a state of forwardness had the ship been brought by your memorialist’s own resources, and the help of some Lascars, hired at his own risk, with a few men impressed from India ships, that she was ready for sea, and actually sailed in two days after the flag-captain, with the crew of the Russell transferred. The exertions of your memorialist on this occasion were thought so meritorious, that he was continued in the ship, as one of her lieutenants, to be promoted if an opportunity offered; but the fair prospects of your memorialist were suddenly darkened by the lamented death of Vice-Admiral Drury.
- ↑ His promotion to the rank of lieutenant took place May 4th, 1810.
