by John Marshall

“ The Cambrian subsequently refitted at Gibraltar, and then proceeded to Malta, from whence she convoyed home a considerable number of French prisoners. She was paid off at Plymouth in Dec. 1811.
Captain Bullen’s health being now very much impaired, he remained on shore from this period till Nov. 1874, when he was appointed to the Akbar of 60 guns, a ship fitted purposely to cope with the heavy American frigates, and intended for the East India station; to which, however, she did not proceed, the war between Great Britain and the United States being soon after terminated by the treaty of Ghent. ”

“ We conclude with assuring you, that we are unanimous in thinking that the departure of the Wasp at this most critical juncture, would in all probability occasion the total ruin of the colony, by exposing the craft, stores, provisions, and other valuable property, afloat and on shore, along the water line, to the irresistible force which the enemy, in a night attack, by means of their numerous canoes, might bring against that defenceless quarter. We have the honor to be, &c. ”

“ The French General, d’Hilliers, who has the command in Catalonia, on hearing of the fall of Figueras, has abandoned all his holds in Spain, except Barcelona, and is collecting the whole of his force to attack it, as well as to prevent supplies from getting in; but I am told a quantity of provisions was concealed in the town, unknown to the French, which has been given up to the Spanish troops in the castle, who are in the highest spirits possible. The Termagant continues to watch Barcelona ”

“ Upon the whole, there is every prospect of the enemy being soon driven out of this province. I was yesterday at Escala, in the bay of Rosas, where the French had a depot of corn, &c., all of which I have got on board this ship. 1 was gratified to hear that, on Monday last, the French were defeated at Bascarra, where they were attacked by 500 Spaniards, who took from them an immense convoy of provisions, (which was on its way from Perpignan to relieve Gerona,) besides 400 prisoners. ”

“ Pomigue was afterwards evacuated, for want of men to defend it. Several French officers were made prisoners, and a code of signals found in Fort Rioux. On the latter occasion the enemy had 5 men killed and 8 wounded; the English only 2 wounded.
On the 23d Oct. 1809, Captain Bullen being off Cape St. Sebastian, in company with the fleet under Lord Collingwood, and on the look out to windward, at 8 P.M., discovered a French squadron, and about twenty sail of transports, coming down from the eastward, and gave immediate notice, by signal, of their approach. ”

“ In Dec. 1789, he joined the Leander of 50 guns, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Peyton, by whom he was appointed to act as a Lieutenant on board the Mercury frigate, in 1791. He was soon after confirmed by the Admiralty to the Eurydice of 24 guns, on the Mediterranean station.
In Dec. 1792, the Culloden, having undergone a complete repair, was again commissioned by Sir Thomas Rich, and Lieutenant Bullen appointed to her at the particular request of his old commander. In Mar. 1793, she formed part of the squadron sent to Martinique, under the orders of Rear-Admiral Gardner ”

“ CHARLES BULLEN, Esq. C.B.
(Vol. II. Part II. p. 600) .
This officer commanded the African squadron from May 1824 until June 1827, a period of three years and one month; in which comparatively short time no less than 10,814 slaves were taken, besides vessels with slave cargoes. During the Ashantee war, he “rendered cordial co-operation and assistance” to his Majesty’s troops, as was publicly acknowledged by their commandant, Lieutenant-Colonel Sutherland. The Maidstone frigate, bearing his broad pendant, lost seventy-two of her officers and ship’s company whilst on that station. ”

“ This officer is a son of the late John Bullen, Esq. (Surgeon-General of the naval force employed on the coast of America, under Vice-Admiral Arbuthnot, in 1779, 1780, and 1781) , by Ruth, daughter of Charles Liddell, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Esq., and second cousin of the present Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain [1] . ”