by John Marshall

“ Few persons have served more constantly, and very few have experienced in greater abundance the hard rubs incident to a sea life, than the subject of these Addenda. – The certainty of death, if in our Country’s cause, carries with it a consolation,, and it is met with fortitude: but the dark sanguinary blow of the assassin brings no alleviation; and such was the character of an attempt made upon the life of Lieutenant Roberts, when belonging to the Courageux 74, in 1811. He had been sent on board the United States’ frigate Essex, lying at the entrance of Hamoaze, to claim a deserter ”

“ After her return from South America, and previous to the destruction of the French ships in the road of l’Isle d’Aix, the Unicorn, of which frigate he was then first lieutenant, lay for a considerable time in Basque Roads, and her boats gave such constant annoyance to the coasting trade of the enemy, that mortar-batteries were commenced, for the purpose of driving the inshore squadron, under Captain Hardyman, from its position. ”

“ In this rencontre, Lieutenant Hamilton, a fine spirited officer, had his head severed from his body by a cannon shot; a similar fate attended one of the barge’s crew; and several other men were wounded.
On the afternoon of the 12th April, 1809, the Unicorn followed Lord Cochrane into the road of Isle d’Aix, and there assisted in subduing la Ville de Varsovie, of 80 guns, and l’Aquilon 74. At intervals, as the smoke cleared away. ”

“ On another occasion, having been accidentally left ashore at Jamaica, and observing a privateer take possession of the Dorothy Foster, a valuable West India trader, he immediately embarked with some volunteer seamen in another merchant vessel, pursued the enemy, and, after an obstinate conflict, compelled him to surrender his prey. ”

“ Roberts was applied for by the late Admiral Sir William Young, under whom he served as first lieutenant of the Impregnable 98, on the North Sea station, until his promotion to the rank of commander, Dec. ”