by John Marshall

“ I must at the same time beg the favor of you to convey my acknowledgments to Lieutenant Stuart who commanded the Swan in the mouth of October last, for the very spirited assistance, which he rendered me in quelling a riotous attempt of the seamen to obstruct the navigation of the port. I have the honor to be, dear Sir, with very sincere regard, your obliged humble servant,
(Signed) ⁠“Robert Bell, Mayor.” “To John Toup Nicolas, Esq. C.B. &c.” ”

“ What I had an opportunity of saying to Sir Edward Buller, was what you justly deserved; for the services rendered by the activity of his Majesty’s sloop Pilot, when under my orders, I considered of such consequence in annoying the enemy’s coasting trade upon the coasts of Calabria and Naples, that I repeatedly had to perform a very agreeable part of my duty, by writing you public letters, to express my admiration of the zeal and gallantry shewn by yourself, officers, and crew of the Pilot, in many well conducted enter prises. ”

“ If I had a brig, with a junior officer to yourself, I would send her to you. I shall not fail to appreciate the zeal and gallantry of Lieutenant Campbell, the other officers and men employed on this service, the merit of whom deserve every thing. I hope your prizes will be a small reward for their very good conduct: on the service of annoying the coast, which you are so very effectually doing, I should recommend by no means to incommode your ship with prisoners, unless they are Frenchmen. ”

“ On one occasion, when the boats of the men-of-war were endeavouring to take possession of some keels at a village a few miles above Newcastle, the keel men assembled in great numbers, using the most insulting language and gestures, accompanied by stones, and dared the boats to land. ”

“ The man who under such circumstances can think only of his duty, is a hero, and whether a common sailor or an admiral, deserves to have his name placed on record. John Powers was an Irishman, about 25 years of age. It was not likely that his conduct should pass unnoticed, and on his captain’s representing it, he obtained for him the object of his ambition, – a cook’s warrant. He was in the Drake sloop of war when that vessel was wrecked on the coast of Newfoundland, and though with but one leg, was amongst the eleven men who were saved. ”

“ As to the natives, and Neapolitans, let them go off, making a merit of your humanity, as the great principle of the little war you are carrying on upon the coast, is as much as possible to facilitate the complete blockade of Corfu, which we must do, to secure to the British government the Ionian Isles, and to place them under the British flag, a thing of all others the inhabitants of these isles are desirous of. I shall send your information, as well as all the letters, to the commander-in-chief: the code of information is very clear, and well conceived, and eventually will be of service. ”

“ By this evening’s coach I have sent a package, containing your two books of charts lent to this office, and for the use of which I offer you my very best thanks. – With respect to Mediterranean charts, should your ship be ordered on that station, and a sufficient time allowed me previous to your sailing, I will have a particular box made up for you.
“We feel too much indebted to your very zealous attentions in supplying our hydrographical wants and deficiencies, not to comply with all your requests and wishes, as far as may be within our power. ”

“ I am happy to add, that not a man of ours was hurt on this occasion, although the enemy had very favorably placed themselves, partly in houses, and partly in a wood on the top of a hill, within half-musket-shot of the beach, and from whence we could not dislodge them, notwithstanding the brig was anchored within grape-shot of the shore. The cargoes of the vessels consist of oil, going as part of the annual tribute paid by the town of Catanzara to the French government at Naples. ”

“ The ability, zeal, and impartiality shewn by you as a judge, during your residence amongst us, have proved that you are undeserving of censure, – but, on the contrary, your general attention to the interests of this community, require our warmest thanks.
“We beg leave further to add, that all diligence will be manifested by us to discover the malicious writer in question, whereby he may be prosecuted. In the mean time, permit us to subscribe ourselves, with respect. Sir, your obedient servant,
“James Bayly, Chairman.
“ [At the request of the meeting] .”⁠ “To John Toup Nicolas, C.B., &c &c. ”

“ The honorable and liberal conduct of the inhabitants on this occasion, is the best answer to such a charge, for those who during the last seven months, have almost daily witnessed the proceedings of this court, arc the best qualified to reply to such an aspersion. Next to the approval of our own conscience, and Its assurance that we have done right, every man must be proud to learn, that he has succeeded in giving satisfaction to those to whom he has been called upon to administer, to the best of his abilities, the laws of his country. ”

“ About the end of that month, the Pilot sailed with a large convoy, under the orders of Captain the Hon. G. H. L. Dundas, and on their arrival off Lisbon, Captain Nicolas was directed to proceed with the merchantmen bound to Gibraltar and the Mediterranean. On his arrival at Malta, he was placed under the immediate orders of Rear-Admiral Martin, who sent him to cruise on the coast of Upper Calabria, for the purpose of intercepting the enemy’s convoys and annoying his coasting trade. An opportunity of doing so presented itself as soon as the Pilot reached her station ”

“ On the 25th of the same month, the Pilot assisted at the capture and destruction of thirty-one vessels, laden with provisions and stores for the enemy’s army at Scylla, together with seven large gun-boats and five armed scampavias, by which the transports were protected. The official account of this exploit will be found in our memoir of Captain Lord Radstock, who bore honorable testimony to the “gallantry and zeal” of Captain Nicolas, and of every other officer and man under his orders. ”

“ The strong armour of truth is not always proof against the shafts of calumny;– truth however will ultimately make its way to the light, and bring its reward.
“Calumny, like persecution, may for the moment be enjoyed In secret by those who may have employed such weapons to irritate, and perhaps may afford the heartless employers a temporary gratification: they may exult in silence, in their fancied achievements, and flatter themselves that they have accomplished their purposes ”

“ Sir,– In compliance with the directions I have received by letter from Sir Charles Cotton, Bart, commander-in-chief, addressed to Vice-Admiral Martin, but whose flag being struck, and the command on this station having devolved upon me, I have therefore the very pleasing duty of conveying to you the approbation of the commander-in-chief, of your conduct, and that of the officers and men under your command, in the late successful attack on the enemy’s convoys from Naples. ”

“ The keelmen had collected in large bodies along the banks of the river, to oppose the men-of-war’s men in taking possession of their keels; but notwithstanding their resistance, by throwing heavy stones from every point which the boats passed in going tip and down the river, upwards of one thousand tons of coals were conveyed to Shields on the that day, the same plan was pursued, and the same quantity brought, on the next, and every succeeding day, for nearly six weeks, and the vessels, which had been detained for two months, were laden and sent to sea. ”

“ And though whilst in a short lived triumph they may succeed in wounding the peace of the individual against whom their poisoned arrow had been directed, yet the day of retribution will sooner or later arrive, when they will discover that the wound they have inflicted, and caused to smart for the hour, has teen healed by the soothing antidote of sympathy, manifested by the society by whom that individual is surrounded ”

“ Captain Nicolas immediately requested the officer commanding the dragoons to charge round the village, pulled in shore in his gig, and without waiting for the other boats, jumped on shore, unattended even by his own boat’s crew, seized six of the ringleaders with his own hands, and sent them off in one of the boats to Newcastle. This resolute act was productive of the best effects. It convinced the rioters they would not succeed in their object by intimidation ”

“ On the 16th, nine vessels, laden with oil, were launched by the Pilot’s crew from the beach near Policastro, above 80 of the civic militia having been previously driven out of that town by a party of small-arm men and marines under Mr. Roger Langlands, who was soon afterwards rewarded with a lieutenant’s commission for his able conduct and conspicuous bravery on every occasion whilst acting as master of the Pilot. ”

“ This, it had been confidently asserted, was the principal cause of the capture of the Avon and Peacock. The Admiralty not only complied with his request, but ordered all the 18-gun brigs then under repair at Portsmouth to be fitted on the same plan.
On the return of Napoleon Buonaparte from Elba, Lord Exmouth was ordered to resume the chief command in the Mediterranean; and the Pilot being selected by his lordship to accompany him, she joined his flag, off Plymouth, in April, 1815. ”

“ I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) ⁠“J. Toup Nicolas.” The enemy’s loss, as ascertained afterwards, at Marseilles, was 22 killed and 79 wounded, being very nearly as many as the Pilot had on board altogether. The following is an extract of the letter from Lord Exmouth to the Admiralty, dated June 28, 1815, enclosing the above:
“I think it right that their lordships should be put in possession of the particulars of this affair, as it reflects so much credit on Captain Nicolas, his officers, and ship’s company. ”

“ So soon as the people had dined, we stood in for that purpose; and not seeing any troops near the spot, I was sanguine enough to hope it might be effected without serious loss. The boats, manned with volunteers, and under the direction of Lieutenant (George) Penruddocke, of this sloop, then pulled towards the vessels, with directions not to persevere if he found any musketry fired from the shore. On their getting on board the vessels, a heavy fire was opened from behind a hedge, where not a man before was visible ”

“ She afterwards rejoined the flag at Naples, and was sent from thence to watch Porto Ferrajo. In the execution of these orders, she fell in with and defeated the French national ship la Legère, of 28 guns and about 300 men, including troops, commanded by Mons. Touffet, capitaine de frégate. This action is particularly entitled to consideration, not only from the great disparity in the force of the combatants, but from its being the last rencontre between our ships and those of France, and excepting the capture of la Melpomene frigate by the Rivoli 74 [14] . ”

“ For upwards of three years. Captain Nicolas remained on half pay; and during his residence near Falmouth, his mind was employed in arranging a plan for placing the packets under the Admiralty, instead of the Post Office. He communicated his ideas on the subject to Lord Melville, in 1819; and in 1823 his suggestions were adopted, by the transfer being made.
In January, 1820, Captain Nicolas was appointed to the Egeria 28, and sent to Newfoundland, where he had to perform the anomalous duties of a naval surrogate. ”

“ On the 14th May, 1812, the Thames and Pilot attacked the port of Sapri, which was defended by a strong battery and tower, mounting two 32-pounders, which surrendered at discretion, after being battered for two hours within pistol-shot; the fortifications were then blown up, and the guns thrown into the sea. During the day, 28 vessels laden with oil were launched ”

“ In June following she joined the Euryalus frigate and Cephalus brig, in an ineffectual attempt to destroy a large convoy at Dino, protected by three batteries, several gun-boats, and numerous troops, on which occasion they were warmly engaged for five hours, but the Cephalus alone sustained any loss [11] : her consorts, however, were much cut up in sails and rigging. ”

“ On the 26th May, the boats of the Pilot captured and destroyed four settees, laden with commissariat stores, almost immediately under the town of Strongoli, where they were protected by a tower within half-musket shot of the beach, and by a detachment of troops at least 140 strong. In this affair she had only one man wounded. Between that period and Sept. 3, 1811, a number of other vessels were taken and destroyed, near Cape St. ”