by John Marshall

“ After the truce of Amiens, you embarked with me in the Prince George, as master’s-mate, and by your continued good conduct, promoted yourself, I may say, to the rank of lieutenant, and from that to commander, as your other testimonials you allude to, by Sir Arthur Legge and Sir Pulteney Malcolm, will abundantly testify. Indeed, I may say, there are few men who, by a regular line of good, strait-forward, sober, and honest conduct, have, with so little interest, done so much for themselves ”

“ You followed me, at the commencement of the war, 1793, into the Circe; and afterwards into the Stag, Jason, and Canada; when I promoted you, for your excellent and faithful conduct, through the different grades of the profession, viz. captain of a top, quarter-master, gunner’s-mate, and captain’s-coxswain; in which capacity you proved yourself highly worthy of confidence, more particularly during the great mutiny of the fleet. ”

“ During the Russian armament, in 1791, he entered the royal navy, as a foremast lad, on board the Rattlesnake sloop, Captain Joseph Sydney Yorke; under whom he continued to serve, in that vessel, the Circe 28 Stag 32, Jason 36, and Canada 74, until May 1802; at which period he had been doing duty on the quarter-deck as midshipman and master’s-mate, for about twelve months. During the peace of Amiens, he commanded a merchant-vessel; and on the renewal of hostilities, in 1803, rejoined Captain Yorke then commanding the Prince George 98. ”