'behoved the oldest captain in the fleet, by 'setting an example of briskness, activity, ' and scrupulous attention to signals.

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Did you do so?-when, upon the first

signal I made for a line of battle abreast, ' and then going down to provoke the enemy 'to come out to battle, you hauled your wind,

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' instead of making all the sail you possibly 'could to get into your station, agreeable to 'the first article of the additional fighting 'instructions, thereby setting a very bad example to all the young captains.

'Judge yourself what I must have felt, to observe, that the two oldest captains of the fleet I had the honour to command were

the only persons I had just reason to repri'mand by public signal, and let them know

they had not obeyed. Your almost constantly 'keeping to windward of your station, in' sailing afterwards; the repeated signals 'made for the ship you commanded to get ' into her station; your being at an amazing 'distance from the fleet the night before the 'battle; my being obliged to send a frigate to order you down; your being out of your 'station at day-break, notwithstanding the

VOL. I.

2 A

'line of battle was out all night-all this

conduct indicated an inattention which ' ought not to have been shown by an officer 'who had been bred in the good old disci

pline of the western squadron; and which ' nothing but the former service you had done 'your king and country, and my firm belief of your being a brave man*, could have induced me, as commander of a great fleet, 'to overlook.

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You may judge what pain it has given me to write this letter to an officer I have 'known so long, and for whom I have always had a regard; but in great national con

cerns, and where the service of my king and country is intrusted to my care, it is

imperative on me to do my duty, and to take care that those under my command 'do theirs. Both of which, without favour ' or partiality, I shall strictly adhere to. 'I am, &c. &c. &c.,

'G. B. R.'

Sir George Rodney was not ignorant that in a former war Captain Carkett had greatly distinguished himself.

In the month of March, 1758, Captain Gardner, in the Monmouth, 64 guns, supported by Captain Stanhope, of the Hampton

'TO LADY RODNEY.

Sandwich, St. Christopher's, 'July 30th, 1780.

This is the first moment that I could call my own since I have been made happy by the receipt of all your letters by Walsingham

and by the packet, though those by the ' packet came first to my hands.

'The fatigue of body and mind that I have undergone for these six months past has been such, that I am much surprised, now it is in a manner over, how I could possibly 'get over it. I hope to have a little rest for "a month or two, but greatly fear I shall be 'laid up with the gout, as I feel myself much

out of order, and far from well. The agita

'tion of my mind, and my anxiety at Walsingham not joining me sooner, have been

Court, 64 guns, fell in with the Foudroyant, near Carthagena, bearing the flag of the Marquis du Quesné chef d'escadre, and took her. In this action Captain Gardner was killed. The Monmouth lost one hundred and fifty killed and wounded-the Foudroyant two hundred. The loss of masts on both sides brought on a close engagement, which lasted till the Swiftsure came up. Monsieur du Quesné refused, however, to deliver his sword to the captain of the Swiftsure, but gave it, with much politeness, to Lieutenant Carkett, first of the Monmouth.

'such as not to be easily conceived. Had he 'joined me but one month sooner, both the French and Spanish squadrons had, in all probability, been destroyed; yet when they 'effected a junction, and had thirty-six sail of the line, they did not dare to offer battle, 'but sneaked off in the night, and left these 'seas without making one single conquest."' The Spaniards greatly disagree with the

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French, and are gone to garrison their own 'colonies-the French to St. Domingo.

I have sent a strong force to Jamaica, sufficient to protect it from any insult, and 'am ready to sail whenever I may hear his

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Majesty's territories are in danger. I suppose the war will be renewed here when the season for acting arrives; and have not a doubt but the ministers will take care 'that I am well supported, as so very much depends upon it, and as I shall send home 'all my old and foul ships.

'I have now to tell you that I have received 'Lord North's most friendly letter, and have answered it agreeably to your wish, paying a due and handsome compliment to the King, by saying that I chose his gracious offer with

'all submission, and more particularly as it 'left him at liberty to bestow the Lieutenant"Generalcy of Marines upon any other officer 'more worthy of his royal notice. Hints have been given me of greater honours; but they come from a suspected quarter-from one whose interest it is that I should not have them, though I am well convinced his Majesty is ready to grant them. At all events, I must be in Parliament: when you see Colonel K, tell him my heart is set ' upon it.

In regard to what you say about, I "never wrote to him, nor ever will. I know 'him too well to trust him with any letter.

"John is very well, and has been kept con'stantly at sea, to make him master of his ' profession. He is now second lieutenant

of the Sandwich, having risen to it by rota⚫tion; but still I send him in frigates: he has 'seen enough of great battles. All he wants is seamanship, which he must learn. When he is a seaman, he shall be a captain, but "not till then.

The court-martial will commence to-mor'row on Captain Bateman, who commanded