CHAPTER I.

Family history.

Birth and education—­Anecdote of early daring—­Enters the Navy—­Leaves his ship, with one of his companions, at Marseilles—­Joins the Blonde, Captain Pownoll—­His activity—­Anecdote of General Burgoyne—­Instance of extraordinary boldness—­Campaign on the Lakes of Canada—­Distinguishes himself in the actions, of October 11th and 13th, 1776—­Complimented by Sir C. Douglas, Lord Howe, and Earl Sandwich—­Appointed to command the Carleton—­Nearly takes General Arnold—­Narrowly escapes being made prisoner—­Commands a brigade of seamen in Burgoyne’s campaign—­In danger of killing his brother—­Events of the campaign—­Constructs a bridge, by which the army crosses to Saratoga—­His brother killed in action—­Recaptures a provision vessel from the enemy—­Admitted to the Council of War, and pleads that the sailors may be exempted from the capitulation—­Sent home with despatches in a transport—­Defends her against a privateer—­Promoted to be a Lieutenant. page 1

CHAPTER II.

His services from 1778 to 1791.

Influence of the late campaigns on his character—­His extraordinary strength and activity—­Narrow escapes from drowning—­Appointed to a guard-ship—­Presses for active employment, and proposes to resign his commission—­Appointed to the Licorne—­Becomes First Lieutenant of the Apollo, Captain Pownoll—­Action with the Stanislaus, French frigate; Captain Pownoll killed, enemy driven on shore—­His letter on the occasion to Earl Sandwich—­Promoted to be a Commander—­Anecdote in relation to his promotion—­Appointed to the Hazard—­Appointed to the Pelican—­Gallant action—­Promoted to be a Post-Captain—­Appointed to the temporary command of the Artois—­Captures an enemy’s cruiser—­Anecdote of Captain Macbride—­Marriage—­Appointed to the Winchelsea frigate—­Conduct in her—­Appointed to the Salisbury, Vice-Admiral Milbanke—­Anecdote of Lord Thurlow. page 28

CHAPTER III.

THE NYMPHE AND CLEOPATRA.

Becomes a farmer—­Remarks on naval officers’ farming—­His ill success—­Omen of his future fortune—­Offered a command in the Russian Navy—­Remarks on serving foreign states—­War of the French Revolution—­Appointed to the Nymphe 36-gun frigate—­Enters a number of Cornish miners for her—­Cornish miners—­Equipment and movements of the Nymphe—­Captain Israel Pellew joins her as a volunteer—­Sails from Falmouth—­Remarkable dream of one of the officers—­Falls in with the Cleopatra; her high state of equipment—­Gallantry of both ships—­Cap of Liberty—­Action—­Death of the French Captain, Mullon; his heroism—­Captain Pellew’s letter to his brother. page 47

CHAPTER IV.