'unasked, give this public testimony to the character of Captain Young, of the Sand'wich, whose gallant and intrepid behaviour, 'not only on the 17th of April, but on every subsequent occasion, has been such as to ⚫ merit all that can be said in his praise.

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Equally free and unsolicited are the certificates I have given those brave officers, Captain Houlton, of his Majesty's ship the Montagu, and Captain Molloy, of his Ma'jesty's ship the Trident, both of whom bore 'down to engage the enemy, agreeable to the 'signal I made for that purpose. The former having the misfortune of being dangerously wounded, his ship was withdrawn from the 'battle by the first lieutenant; the latter was ' commanded by the admiral, in whose division 'he was, to follow him.

'More certificates I have not given, nor shall any consideration in this life induce me so 'far to prostitute my honour and character

as an officer, as to give, under my hand, 'what is not really dictated by my heart and 'conscience.

I must, however, in conclusion, inform their Lordships, in justice to the com

'manders and officers of the fleet under my 'command, that since the action of the 17th

of April, and during the pursuit of the 'enemy's fleet, and in the two rencontres ' with them, all my officers, of every rank ' and denomination, were obedient and attentive to orders and signals, and, I am 'convinced, if the enemy had given them an opportunity, they would have done their duty to their King and country.'

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'I am now to acknowledge the receipt of your private letter, of the 31st of May, and ' to express my hope that those which I have 'written to you by Commodore Walsingham, ' and other conveyances, have come safe to 'your hands, for you may depend upon my 'being a regular, though not a voluminous 'correspondent, and that every thing I re'ceive from you will always be acknowledged 'by the first opportunity.

It is a painful subject to talk of the mis

'behaviour of several of those under your 'command. I am convinced, that if they had 'followed your example, the navy of France ' would have received a blow which they could 'not have recovered for a considerable time, ' and which, very probably, would have pro'cured us a peace, and one that would have 'been permanent. What those persons, who 'have so basely deserted you, must, in their 'cooler moments, feel on this occasion, must, ' if they have any feeling, be a very heavy pu'nishment, though I hope that, for the sake ' of example, you will have proceeded in form ' against some of the principal delinquents.

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'I I am exceedingly obliged to you for the 'circumstantial, though unpleasant account you give me of the behaviour and principles ' of some of the superior officers under your ' command. I shall treasure in my mind 'the very judicious information you have

given me concerning them, and of course be 'cautious how they are ever employed in any ' thing that requires judgment or subordina'tion, which, in my opinion, are the two prin

cipal requisites in a person who seeks to

'We are in hourly expectation of hearing ' of more glorious actions from the fleet under your command, (for you must be aware, that 'from the sample you have given us, we almost expect impossibilities from you,) and I am certain that I may safely venture 'to say, that no man before you was ever so 'popular as you are, who acquired his po

pularity by real merit. I think I wrote you word that I had a scheme of bringing you into parliament, which failed, from your 'friends not knowing your intentions upon that subject, or being properly prepared 'with some of the materials that are neces'sary in election business. You have, how' ever, now given us fresh materials to work with, and I would caution you not to be 'surprised if you should be elected by the 'free voice of the people in some principal 'town in this kingdom. It may, however, 'not be amiss for you to write to Mr. Drummond, or some other of your friends, to ' mention your wish with regard to being a

'senator.

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The services you have already done your 'country, are certainly eminent in the highest

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' degree, and, I am persuaded, will meet with every proof of royal approbation but I wait for the conclusive stroke of this campaign, to take the opportunity of pressing for an adequate reward, and you may rest satisfied, 'that no opportunity shall be lost in which 'I can evince the truth and regard with ' which I am, &c. &c. &c.

'SANDWICH.

'P. S. I know not what to do to find a

good second in command for you, but you

may depend on my having that matter in

my

very serious consideration, and that I will endeavour to pitch on a person who, I think, 'will be likely to second you properly, and ' with proper subordination.'

'TO LORD NORTH.

Sandwich, July 14th, 1780.

'Your Lordship's very favourable and flat

tering commentary upon the great and highly distinguished honour, which the two