by John Marshall

“ We shall only repeat the just observation of the Editor of the Naval Chronicle, that “this diabolical attempt to blast his reputation, could not have happened to a man whose tried and established character was better able to stand. His services, especially when commanding the gun-boat flotilla in the Scheldt, and when defeating Buonaparte’s designs at Boulogne, sufficiently prove his merits.”
On the 4th Mar. 1814, Captain Carteret, then in company with the Cygnus frigate, captured the Bunker’s Hill, American privateer (formerly H.M. brig Linnet) of 14 guns and 86 men. ”

“ When the weather cleared away in the afternoon, it was discovered that all the ships were merchantmen, excepting the disabled French frigate, and the ship which every body had considered to be a frigate also, and which they still deemed to be such. The brig under French colours, on seeing the Pomone wear the first time to stand towards them, ran away down to the disabled frigate, as if with some message from one to the other. As the weather ultimately became quite clear, and as only the supposed frigate was to be seen. Captain Carteret bore up to attack her ”

“ Having received orders, when on the eve of promotion, to join Sir Alexander Cochrane at the Leeward Islands, Captain Carteret proceeded thither, and was employed by that officer on various services, in the course of which he had the good fortune to be mainly instrumental in saving a valuable fleet of merchantmen from being captured by a French squadron, under the orders of Rear-Admiral Villaumez, who had arrived at Martinique on the 20th June, 1806 ”

“ The Bonne Citoyenne being paid off in 1803, Captain Carteret remained on half pay till the spring of 1804, when he received an appointment to the Scorpion brig of 18 guns, employed in the North Sea, where he captured, April 11, 1805, l’Honneur, Dutch national schooner, of 12 guns, having on board 1000 stand of arms, a complete set of cloathing for that number of men, and a considerable quantity of warlike stores, including two 12-pounder field-pieces, 2 mortars, tents for troops, &c. ”

“ After several months had elapsed, the Scorpion was directed to escort a French prize-brig to England; and on her arrival Captain Carteret was placed under the orders of Admiral Young (who then commanded at Plymouth) , it being determined that he should remain in that sloop until superseded by the officer originally nominated to succeed him. ”

“ Another, who was suddenly taken ill, probably with a spasm in his stomach occasioned by exposure to all manner of hardships, died before there was an opportunity of applying to any ship for assistance. The immediate employment of one or two doses of a powerfully diffusable stimulus, in all likelihood would have saved the man’s life * * * * * *. ”

“ The life of the other, who was swept away by the current, might easily have been saved, had they had a row-boat of any description, which, however, none of these gun-boats are allowed; the bad consequences of which has already been repeatedly experienced by them * * * * * *. They appear to be little attended to; the service in them is peculiarly severe; officers and men are almost equally destitute of comfort and accommodation: their victualling is neglected, and the risk they run extreme. ”

“ On the 3lst, the court-martial assembled, and Captain Carteret was arraigned as the prisoner before it. Rear-Admirals T. Byam Martin was president; Rear-Admirals Pulteney Malcolm and Charles V. Penrose were also among his judges. The examinations of the Pomone’s officers and men were as strict as possible; but not one word was said in any the remotest degree affecting the conduct of the ship when in presence of the enemy. Captain Carteret declined making any defence, and the Court “fully acquitted him of all blame,” in not bringing the enemy’s frigate to action. ”

“ Like the other praams, she has 12 long (French) 24-pounders, but she had only 112 men, 60 of whom were soldiers of the 72d regiment of the line; between 30 and 40 have been killed and wounded.
Meanwhile, the three brigs completed the defeat of the enemy’s flotilla, but I lament to say, that the immediate proximity of the formidable batteries, whereunto we had now so nearly approached, prevented the capture or destruction of more of their ships or vessels. ”

“ By this arrangement, he was afforded an opportunity of capturing a formidable French privateer named le Bougainville, of 18 guns and 93 men, after a long chase, and a running fight of 45 minutes, off Scilly, Feb. 16, 1807. The enemy on this occasion had several men killed; the Scorpion not a man hurt. Captain Carteret had previously assisted at the capture of la Favorite, French cutter privateer, of 14 guns and 70 men [6] . ”

“ But no blame can attach to any one on this account; for. all the commanders, officers, and crews, did bravely and skilfully perform their duty. If I may be permitted to mention those who served more immediately under my own eye, I must eagerly and fully testify lo the merits of, and zealous support I received from Mr. ”