by John Marshall

“ Being without a poop, she passed at a distance for a large frigate. He also, with much labour and close attention, compiled a code of signals for the Navy; no regular one authorized by the Admiralty having been established since the very imperfect Sailing and Fighting Instructions issued by the Duke of York, afterwards James II. In that code the Admiral inserted the list of the ships of the Navy, with numbers against their names, an invention of his own, for the purpose of their making themselves known to each other at sea and on other occasions ”

“ His Majesty’s seamen and soldiers, when on shore, will treat Zealand, as long as your conduct to them permits it, on the footing of a province of the most friendly power in alliance with Great Britain, whose territory has the misfortune to be the theatre of war.
“The persons of all those who remain at home, and who do not take an hostile part, will be held sacred. ”

“ It was not until the month of May, 1794, that the Brest Fleet put to sea, and then only for the express purpose of protecting a fleet laden with corn; the pressure of want throughout France being so great, that the party then in power determined rather to risk a defeat than be exposed to a famine. In the actions that ensued [4] , Captain Gambier bore a most distinguished share. On the glorious 1st June, the Defence was the first vessel that cut through the enemy’s line, passing between the seventh and eighth ships. She had successively three or four ships engaging her ”

“ After some correspondence had passed between General Peymann, Admiral Gambier, and Lord Cathcart, certain articles were agreed upon; by which all the Danish ships and vessels of war, consisting of nineteen sail of the line [5] , twenty-three frigates and sloops, and twenty-five gun-boats, with the stores in the arsenal, were to be delivered up. This great object was attained with very trifling loss on the part of the British. During the whole of the siege the number of killed, wounded, and missing, of both services, did not exceed 259 men. ”

“ After some ineffectual attempts of the Danes to annoy the left wing of the army, by the fire of their gun-boats, and to impede its progress by sallies, which were always repulsed with loss, the city of Copenhagen was closely invested on the land side. ”

“ The enemy’s line having been forced through in several places, they began to give way; their Admiral, Villaret Joyeuse, in the Montagne, of 120 guns, on board of which ship was the Conventional Deputy Jean Bon Saint André, vigorously attacked by the Queen Charlotte, bore up in great confusion, and was followed by all those of his ships which were able to carry sail, leaving the rest which were crippled, at the mercy of their enemies. ”

“ The British fleet still continuing in the order of sailing, excepting the division under Rear-Admiral Pasley, who had advanced a considerable distance to windward of the main body, and was coming fast up with the enemy’s rear. About a quarter before two P.M., Earl Howe made the signal for a general chace, and to engage the enemy. Towards the evening, Rear-Admiral Pasley, in the Bellerophon, 74 guns, closed with the rear ship of the French line, the Revolutionnaire, of 110 guns, on which he commenced a firm and resolute attack, supported occasionally by the ships under his orders. ”

“ From this period we find no mention of him until the year 1793, when a long, sanguinary, and expensive war with France took place [3] , on which occasion Captain Gambier was immediately selected for employment, and appointed to the command of the Defence, of 74 guns, under the orders of Earl Howe.
On the 18th Nov., the fleet, being on a cruise in the Bay of Biscay, got sight of a French squadron, to which chace was immediately given; but the enemy being considerably to windward, and the weather thick and squally, they effected their escape. ”

“ Much convenience will arise to the inhabitants, and much confusion and loss to them will be prevented, if persons in authority are found in the several districts, to whom requisitions may be addressed, and through whom claims for payment may be settled and liquidated. ”

“ If such persons are appointed, and discharge their duty, without meddling in matters which do not concern them, they shall be respected, and all requisitions shall be addressed to them, through the proper channels, and departments of the navy and army ”

“ Every article of supply furnished or brought to market, will be paid for at a fair and settled price; but as immediate and constant supplies, especially of provision, forage, fuel and transports, are necessary to all armies, it is well known, that requisitions are unavoidable, and must be enforced. ”

“ Seven of these were taken possession of; one, le Vengeur, of 74 guns, sunk before the whole of her crew could be taken out, not more than 213 of whom were saved. A distant and irregular firing was continued at intervals between the fugitive and British ships, till about four P.M.; the French Admiral by this time had collected most of his remaining vessels, and steered off to the eastward. The loss sustained by the British in these battles, amounted to 290 men killed, and 858 wounded. Captain Montagu was the only officer of his rank who was slain. ”