by John Marshall

“ Highly commendable, indeed, is such zeal, inseparably connected, as it is, with your prudence and good judgment; and, indeed, every body speaks of your moderation and kindness with affectionate regard. ”

“ The Memorialist, through the same authentic channel of communication, procured various intelligence conducive to the interest of Spain, during the war in the Peninsula; and afforded the first information to Government of the enemy’s intention of attacking the valuable fortresses of Tariffa and Ceuta, and which intelligence could not have been obtained through the medium of any other person. ”

“ I hope you will pardon the liberty I take in transmitting you the enclosed, from Captain F. J. Thomas, who commanded a division of gun-boats, during the siege of this place. I believe there are few examples of a more arduous service than that in which Captain Thomas was engaged for a period of nearly two years and a half; and there is scarcely an inhabitant of Cadiz, who cannot bear testimony to his indefatigable exertions, and to the skill and gallantry which he displayed in all his encounters with the enemy. ”

“ The Memorialist, with the persevering resolution effectually to counteract the enemy’s maritime operations, by a close and rigid blockade, remained firm at his station during a tremendous gale of wind, on a dangerous lee-shore, and always under fire of the enemy’s batteries, when several vessels of the same class as that commanded by the Memorialist foundered at their anchors close alongside of him ”

“ The Memorialist, while strenuously and laboriously exerting himself, in a difficult and dangerous communication, to ascertain the evolutions and intentions of the enemy’s land forces, was likewise arduously and unremittingly employed in counteracting the projected enterprises of the enemy by sea ”

“ The Memorialist volunteered in every hazardous enterprise to storm and destroy the enemy’s batteries; and effectually co-operated with the Spanish commodore in preventing the enemy’s advances to the city of Cadiz. ”

“ I anchored the gun-boats a short distance from the bar, and proceeded with the small boats, at midnight, and succeeded in getting up with a schooner, which was conceived to have been the object, but proved to be an American. This greatly detained us; and the wind unfortunately setting in strong from the S.W. with a heavy sea, the boats were hardly able to keep their ground, notwithstanding the utmost exertions were made use of. ”

“ The Memorialist, after his vessel was sunk, and himself wounded, instead of returning to England, which his health and private affairs required, rather chose to remain in Spain, and volunteered immediately repairing to Cadiz, to solicit a command in defence of that city, which was then closely invested and besieged by the French; and the Memorialist, immediately on his arrival, was appointed to the British flotilla ”

“ The Memorialist was strongly recommended to the commander-in-chief, for his services while co-operating with the army under Lord Lynedoch. When proceeding with an expedition to co-operate with the combined armies, the Memorialist was particularly thanked for his circumspection and foresight, in altering the course of the British flotilla, when following the commodore into inevitable destruction! The unskilful pilot of the leading vessel having run the commodore upon the rocks of Sainti Petri ”