by John Marshall

“ There is no service more arduous and unprofitable than that of convoying merchantmen. Most of those placed under Captain Butterfield’s care were heavy sailers, deeply laden, weakly manned, badly found, and sometimes leaky; demanding the greatest skill, perseverance, and patience, to keep them together. Privateers were continually on the watch, waiting only for a gale of wind, or a fog, to separate the unskilful from the rest; yet, with all these difficulties to contend with, Captain Butterfield had the good fortune never to lose a single vessel confided to his charge. ”

“ His zeal for the public service gave offence to Commodore Braughton, who, on his return from Java, where he had been joined by the Malacca, applied to Sir Samuel Hood, the new commander-in-Chief, for a court-martial, which terminated in Captain Butterfield’s dismissal from that frigate, to the great regret of her crew, from whom he received a warm and affectionate address previous to his return to England, as a passenger on board the Modeste, an address alike gratifying to his feelings, and honorable to his character [8] . ”

“ Towards the close of the battle Captain Hood received a wound in the thigh, which proved mortal; he lived to receive the joyful news of the enemy’s submission, and expired covered with immortal glory [3] . She proved to be l’Hercule, of 74 guns and 700 men, the first time of her being at sea, from l’Orient, going to join the Brest fleet. The carnage on board the enemy’s ship must have been dreadful; upwards of 400 men were killed and wounded ”