by John Marshall

“ Lord Keith readily promised to take care of your brother on his joining the Foudroyant, to which ship I begged Captain Aylmer would send him without delay; so that I trust his promotion is not far distant. Whatever little interest I may have, will I ever be readily employed in the service of merit, and I know no one who possesses more than your brother William. I have the honor to be. Madam, with very great respect, your obedient and humble servant,
(Signed) ⁠“P. Beaver.” “To Miss Higgs, Dawlish, Devon.” ”

“ Bloomfield, was pleased to say to the Liffey’s first lieutenant, “I have been on board many of H.M. ships. Sir, but never saw so perfect a man-of-war.” In consequence of this royal visit, Mr. Higgs was promoted to his present rank on the 11th Oct. 1819; the twenty-second anniversary of the memorable battle of Camperdown. In a letter subsequently written by Captain Duncan, he says: – “To every good quality an officer can possess, Commander Higgs adds a mildness of manner to the men beyond what I ever met with.” ”

“ Now that I am a gentleman at large, I must endeavour to push my followers among my old friends. Mr. Higgs, of l’Espoir, may deliver you this. He is a good young man, and was with me in the Queen Charlotte, Foudroyant, and Monarch. If you can shew him any civility, it will very much oblige your faithful and obedient humble servant,
(Signed) ⁠“Keith.” Unluckily, the distinguished officer to whom Lieutenant Higgs was thus strongly recommended, had died previous to the date of Lord Keith’s letter [2] . ”