by John Marshall

“ The Buller family is of very ancient establishment in this country, and has chiefly resided in the counties of Devon and Cornwall, where its respective branches have been long in possession of considerable landed property. ”

“ The men received protections from the impress, and at each muster or exercise one shilling each, on the conditions, that, in garrisons and land batteries, they should learn to exercise the great guns; and that, where those did not exist, they should be exercised in the use of the pike, so as to be able to oppose an invading enemy, either afloat or on shore. ”

“ Captain Buller, however, resolutely braved the danger, and continued the unequal conflict until one of his opponents, the San Rafael of 84 guns, surrendered. In this affair the Malta had 5 men killed and 40 wounded. Captain Buller soon afterwards received the honourable appointment of a Colonel of the Royal Marines; and in the ensuing year assisted at the capture of le President, French frigate. The Malta was subsequently attached to the fleet under Lord Collingwood, employed in watching the port of Cadiz. ”