by John Marshall

“ To Captain Byng of the Mohawk, who conducted the various arrangements, on this occasion, with equal skill and bravery, every possible praise is most justly due; as well as to Captains Wyborn and Carter, Lieutenant Robertson, R.A. and Lieutenant Lewis, of the Highflyer (tender) ; Lieutenant Alexander, of the Dragon, the senior officer under Captain Byng, in command of the boats, deserves also that I should particularly notice him to you for his steadiness, correctness, and the great ability with which he always executes whatever service is entrusted to him ”

“ Sir,– I have the honor to acquaint you, that, understanding Georgetown and Frederickstown, situated up the Sasafras river, were places of some trade and importance; and the Sasafras being the only river or place of shelter for vessels at this upper extremity of the Chesapeake, which I had not examined and cleared, I directed last night the assembling of the boats alongside the Mohawk, from whence, with the marines as before [4] , under Captains Wybourn and Carter, with my friend Lieutenant Robertson of the artillery, and his small party, they proceeded up this river ”

“ It has been remarked by a contemporary writer, that “the naval battles of Great Britain, from the accession of the illustrious House of Hanover, commence with the name of Byng [5] ;” and it might justly have been added, that the loyalty and zeal then manifested by the Nelson of that age, has ever since been emulated by his descendants; for no family in the empire has ever surpassed them in attachment to their sovereign, or in readiness to support the glory of his crown.
↑ See Vol. I. Part I. pp. 360–362. ↑ Then Captain George Byng. ”