by John Marshall

“ If your Excellency, by the knowledge of the merit of your captains, officers, and ships’ companies of the vessels under your command, especially those of the Flotilla, and of the great fatigues they have undergone in the midst of the greatest dangers, would be pleased to intercede in favor of those meritorious officers, the city of Cadiz, which is so much interested for their welfare, will have the satisfaction of seeing rewards distributed as a recompense for such signal services. ”

“ The constitutional magistracy of this city wishes to convey in this paper, with its true efficacy, the esteem and regard of the people of Cadiz for such famous warriors; but which cannot be done to the full extent of their desire; they beg that your Excellency would be pleased to receive the heartfelt expressions of their eternal gratitude. ”

“ The Legges are descended from a very ancient and honorable family in Venice, where the original stock is said by the Sieur Amelot, in his Hist. de Venice, still to flourish in the highest rank of nobility. A branch of this family migrated to England, some time prior to the reign of Edward II., and was long settled at Legge’s Place, near Tunbridge, in Kent. ”

“ At the period of the Russian armament (1791) , and from that time until the commencement of the war with the French republic, our officer commanded the Shark sloop, stationed in the Channel. He was promoted to post rank, Feb. 6, 1793, and immediately appointed to the Niger, of 32 guns, which ship was one of the repeaters to Earl Howe’s fleet on the glorious 1st June, 1794 [1] . ”