by John Marshall

“ At the commencement of 1806, Captain M‘Kinley removed into the Quebec, a 32-gun frigate, employed cruising off the coast of Holland. In June following he was appointed to the Lively 38; and shortly after we find him senior officer on the Lisbon station, where he rendered an essential service by bringing away the British factory, and all the English merchant vessels lying in the Tagus, at a time when General Junot was rapidly approaching with a powerful French army to take possession of the Portuguese capital. ”

“ We flatter ourselves, Sir, that you will receive this trifling mark of our esteem, which we offer as a tribute to your public conduct and private merit. We have the honor to be, Sir, your most faithful humble servants,
In January 1808, the Lively conveyed Rear-Admiral W. A. Otway to the squadron employed in the blockade of Lisbon; and then went on a cruise off the Western Islands. After the convention of Cintra [9] , Captain M‘Kinley was sent into the Tagus, with orders to take charge of the naval arsenal, where he continued until it was delivered up to the Portuguese authorities. ”

“ Lieutenant M‘Kinley, of the Liberty brig, and Lieutenant Gossett, of the Aristocrat lugger, joined me off the Cape; and though not under my orders, very handsomely offered their services, which I accepted, as small vessels were essentially necessary in such an operation. The permanent fortifications for the defence of the bay are two batteries on a high rocky promontory. We observed the enemy to be busily employed in mounting a detached gun on a very commanding point of the entrance. ”

“ M‘Kinley served under Captain James Brine, successively in the Surprise sloop of war [2] , Alcmene frigate, and Belliqueux, of 64 guns, till December 1781, when he was removed into the flag ship of the late Lord Hood, who made him a Lieutenant on the 14th of the following month. ”