by John Marshall

“ These united causes originally suggested the expediency of forming an establishment of marines, who were raised and embodied with the sole view of being a nursery to man our fleets. They were always quartered in the vicinity of our principal sea-ports, where they were regularly trained to the different methods of ship-fighting, and to those various manoeuvres of a vessel, in which numbers were necessary. ”

“ The Mermaid remained off the port three or four days, and in that time her boats brought out several vessels which she afterwards convoyed through the Gulf; and thus was saved, through the promptitude and exertions of Captain Hollis, property to a considerable amount, which would otherwise have been confiscated [5] .
The Mermaid was subsequently employed blockading some French ships in the Chesapeake, and affording protection to the British trade between Nova Scotia and the West Indies ”

“ The Royal Marine officers themselves never rise beyond the rank of colonel commandant in their own corps; but they attain the rank of general officer in the army. No commissions are bought or sold, but each officer rises according to his seniority. For further particulars see Vol. I note † at p. 132.
↑ Queen, mizen-top-mast and fore-yard shot away; main-mast, bowsprit, and foretop-mast shot through, 22 men killed, and 27 wounded. ↑ See Vol. I. note at p. 614. ↑ See Vol. I. p. 191; and at p. 187, line 9 from the bottom, for William Lukin substitute Aiskew Paffard Hollis. ”

“ Mr. Hollis’s promotion to a Lieutenancy took place Jan. 22, 1781; and from that period until July 27, 1793, we find him serving successively in the Seaford of 24 guns, Pégase 74, Narcissus 24, and Andromeda frigate, under the Captains Christian, Roberts, Marshall, Bligh, and Salisbury. At the latter period he was removed by Rear-Admiral Alan Gardner into his flag ship, the Queen, a second rate, then on the West India station, but soon afterwards attached to the Channel fleet under the orders of Earl Howe. ”