by John Marshall

“ We have the honor to be, Sir, your much obliged and obedient servants,
“To Captain Lillicrap, R.N.”
“East Sheen, 26th Nov. 1807.
“Dear Sir,– Mr Tyrwhitt hath promised to send me the result of his communication with the Secretary of the Admiralty; meaning, I believe, to abide by his advice. Your letter doth not say whether you have seen the First Lord. Depend on it, more may be done by your enforcing your claim in strong but respectful terms, than by any other channel. No one is better able to do so than yourself, and few have justice more unequivocally on their side. ”

“ Having, to our great disappointment, not found your name among the promotions of the officers of the royal navy who were on the late expedition to Rugen and Copenhagen, we have great reason to fear, that the essential service you rendered by your indefatigable exertions and active measures, when superintending the disembarkation of the 1st and 2nd divisions of the King’s German Legion at Rugen, are not sufficiently known ”

“ After the departure of l’Africaine, Captain Lillicrap resumed the command of the small squadron stationed off Rugen, to protect the British troops, and, if necessary, to cover the retreat of King Gustavus, who ultimately embarked on board a Swedish frigate, and sailed from thence accompanied by the Rosamond sloop of war. ”

“ Lord Rosslyn’s letter is indeed a very handsome and satisfactory testimony of your services, at least as far as your friends and you are concerned, and I really do not see how you can be excluded from promotion, without the greatest injustice to the service, as well as injury to you. Your claim is so good, that with the assistance of Lord Cathcart, added to the letters from those commanding corps, which you have in your possession, I should advise you to renew your application to Lord Mulgrave, and the Board, enclosing to each another memorial. ”

“ I have received the Court’s commands to acquaint you, that they have resolved to present you with the sum of Five Hundred Pounds for the purchase of a piece of plate, as a token of the Court’s appreciation of your meritorious conduct upon this occasion, whereby so many lives and so much valuable property were preserved from imminent danger. ”

“ It is hard after the long and trying services you have experienced. I should at any time be most happy to have you under my command; but I have so many applications to make, that I cannot say a word about it to the Admiralty. I am just appointed to the Ease India command; if you can get a ship and come there, I shall be rejoiced to do all I can for you. Very many thanks for your obliging congratulations, and believe me, in great haste, yours very truly,
(Signed) ⁠“Samuel Hood.” Captain Lillicrap’s next appointment was, Jan. ”

“ Faithfully yours,
(Signed) ⁠“C. M. Pole.” Notwithstanding all the exertions made in his favor by Lord Cathcart, the Earl of Rosslyn, Sir Charles M. Pole, and the commanding officers of the German Legion, Captain Lillicrap did not obtain a post commission until Oct. 21, 1810; at which period he had been serving upwards of two years on the Jamaica station, generally in command of a detached squadron. When proceeding thither with a fleet of merchantmen under his convoy, he captured la Dorade French privateer, and retook a British merchantman. ”

“ I shall have no occasion to comment on the bravery of the officers and ship’s company in this action, who had with much patience and perseverance, suffered great fatigue by their exertions to get the ship to sea, and not five hundred men able to go to quarters; but I beg leave to add, I have been most ably supported by Lieutenant Lillicrap, second of the Venerable (first absent) [5] all the other officers and men, who have my warmest recommendation: and have to lament the loss of Mr. ”