by John Marshall

“ CHARLES MORTON, Esq.
[Commander.]
Is descended from a family who for some centuries have farmed a small patrimony in the West-Riding of Yorkshire. His father being a younger son was educated as a professional man, and practised in the British metropolis.
This officer was born in the vicinity of London; and in Oct. 1807, being then very young, embarked as midshipman on board the Volontaire frigate, commanded by the present Captain-Superintendent Charles Bullen, C.B., under whom he had the honor to serve in every ship to which that officer was subsequently appointed. ”

“ In 1819, Lieutenant Morton exhibited at the Royal Academy, of which he is now an honorary member, a sketch of the tomb of Abelard and Heloise, in the burial ground of Pere la Chaise, near Paris.
In Dec. 1823, Captain Bullen was nominated to the chief command on the African station, and Mr. Morton appointed to accompany him thither in the Maidstone frigate. Between May 1824 and June 1827, that ship captured nineteen vessels, with 2595 slaves on board; and five others, laden with dry goods for slave barter, all of which were condemned as prizes at Sierra Leone. ”

“ Among other scientific inventions and improvements, he has proved by experiment the great power and rapidity that may be acquired in swimming by artificially increasing the surface of the hands and feet so as to meet (without impediment) such re-action from the water as to prevent the strength being exerted to disadvantage. Equipped with propelling gloves and slippers, a man might reach the shore from a shipwrecked vessel, with the aid of a log-line, when it would be impossible without such assistance.
Commander Morton has a sister married to a physician in Yorkshire ”