Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v4p2.djvu/462

vis and Sir Charles Grey, in 1794^[1]. He subsequently served in the active squadron commanded by Sir John B. Warren, off Brest, where he assisted at the destruction of a French frigate (la Felicity) and two corvettes (l’Alert and l’Espion) in Aug. 1794^[2]. His next appointment was to the Impregnable 90, Captain (afterwards Sir Andrew) Mitchell, attached to the Channel fleet, from which ship he appears to have been promoted to the command of the 18-gun-brig Star, one of the first vessels of that description ever armed with 32-pounder carronades, in 1795. He continued in that sloop, principally in the North Sea (under the orders of Lord Duncan), and on the Channel station, until posted, Dec. 6th, 1796. Previous to his commissioning l’Ambuscade, in 1800, he had acted for some time as captain of the Penelope frigate, and been entrusted with the command of the squadron stationed off Havre^[3].

The following correspondence took place after the loss of the Romney, near the Texel, and the consequent captivity of her commander, officers, and crew:

“Rear-Admiral Kirkhert” (commander-in-chief of the Batavian fleet)
to the Britannic Captain Colville, at the Helder.

“Brutus, in the New Diep, 22d Nov. 1804.

“Sir,– Having learnt this morning that the crew of the Romney have not been treated according to my intention, I have sent two officers to make the necessary arrangements, and to give such orders as will insure that they shall be so treated henceforward as to prove that they are no longer considered as enemies; and I beg you to be assured, that so long as yourself and countrymen shall continue under my care, it shall be my endeavour to prove to you how desirous I am to soften the rigour of your misfortunes. I have stationed on shore a naval officer, called Toussaint, in order that you may avail yourself of the opportunity which will be offered through him of conveying to me any complaint, if, contrary to my wishes, any cause should arise; and if you should have occasion to make any request of me, you may send it by one of your officers, who, under the conduct of the above-named lieutenant, will be at liberty to go at all times wherever you may desire. The application which you have made for shirts, &c. for your people, shall be forwarded

1. See Vol. I. Part I. p. 19.
2. See id. p. 213, et seq.
3. The name of the former ship was afterwards changed to the “Seine.”