by John Marshall

“ First, You must always implicitly obey orders, without attempting to form any opinion of your own respecting their propriety. Secondly, You must consider every man your enemy who speaks ill of your King: and, Thirdly, You must hate a Frenchman as you do the Devil.” With these feelings he engaged in the war of 1793, Mr. Josiah Nisbet accompanying him as a Midshipman on board the Agamemnon of 64 guns. ”

“ Previous to his return from thence, he appears to have given offence to his father-in-law, by remonstrating with him on his infatuated attachment to Lady Hamilton, an attachment which afterwards had the unhappy effect of totally weaning his affections from the wife he once loved so dearly. ”

“ Perfectly aware how desperate a service the attack upon Santa Cruz was likely to prove, before Nelson left the Theseus, he called Lieutenant Nisbet, who had the watch on deck, into the cabin, that he might assist in arranging and burning his mother’s letters. Perceiving that the young man was armed, he earnestly begged him to remain behind: “Should we both fall, Josiah,” said he, “what would become of your poor mother! The care of the Theseus falls to you: stay, therefore, and take charge of her.” Lieutenant Nisbet replied, “Sir, the ship must take care of herself ”