by John Marshall

“ He smilingly replied, ‘No, no, Sir, the signal is made and I shall obey it; every man must answer for his own conduct this day.’ The Defence continued her course, was the first ship that broke through the enemy’s line, and presently in the thickest of their fire.” The loss and damage sustained by her has been correctly described at pp. 78 and 79 of Vol. I.
In the following month Lieutenant Becher was removed into the Royal George, a first rate, bearing the flag of his god-father the late Lord Bridport, under whom he served in the action off l’Orient, June 23, 1795. ”

“ Pursuing the same temperate though firm line of conduct that he had previously done in the flag-ship, Captain Becher succeeded in restraining the violent disposition of his crew, and soon after rendered an essential service by conveying a regiment to Ireland, at a moment when the presence of fresh troops was much required, to overawe the rebellious natives of that country. For this service he received the approbation of the Admiralty, by whom Lord Bridport’s appointment had been confirmed on the death of Captain Eaton [1] . ”

“ On the 5th April following a court-martial, assembled at Portsmouth, determined that no blame was imputable to Captain Becher for his conduct on the occasion of la Determinée’s loss; that he used every means in his power to obtain a pilot for Jersey, both before he sailed from Spithead, and during the voyage, without effect ”