by John Marshall

“ It appears, by Vice-Admiral Drury’s orders, that Captain Heathcote was directed to take charge of the western coasts and ports of India, from Cape Comorin to the bottom of the Persian Gulph, acting according to circumstances, for the preservation of the trade, and the general good of his Majesty’s service. Whilst Captain Heathcote was at Bombay, in June 1811, the Hussar frigate arrived there from England with despatches. ”

“ Company derive their most lucrative resources. Captain Heathcote, upon possessing himself of this information, instantly proceeded for Java, to put Commodore Broughton in possession of the despatches; who, thereupon, being dissatisfied with Captain Heathcote’s proceedings, requested Rear-Admiral Stopford would cause an enquiry to be made into his conduct. The Court, having heard what Captain Heathcote had to offer in justification of his conduct, agreed, that the two first charges were proved ”

“ Further, the despatches earnestly expressed to the commander-in-chief in India, the conviction of the Lords of the Admiralty of the great importance of the conquest of Java, to the country at large; and particularly to the interests of the Hon. East India Company, whose trade would, unless the kingdom maintained a very large, and consequently expensive force in India, be in a fair way of annihilation, by the enemy retaining possession of that island, and commanding the eastern straits, which, as their Lordships observed, are the key of the China sea, whence the Hon. ”