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POST-CAPTAINS OF 1808.

more time to the enemy to annoy your brave followers, I most deeply regret.

“It is with sincere pleasure I inform you, that I have the most favorable accounts of the state of the wounded who have arrived here.

“I am happy to find that it is Burbastro’s own vessel which you have captured, and that you possess the eagle presented to him by Buonaparte as an honorable trophy. The presentation of eagles to the slaves of a tyrant cannot enable them to withstand the invincible energy of British seamen.

“I shall enclose copies of your letter to me to the Commander-in-Chief and Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, with my testimony of approbation of your conduct, and to enable them to see the names of the officers you recommend, and the gallantry with which the enemy’s batteries and privateers were carried.

“The remains of Captain Lilburne were deposited in the garrison burying ground on the 4th instant, attended by all the honors the naval means could furnish, and I was happy to observe, by every officer of any rank not on duty in the garrison[1]. I have the honor to be, &c.

(Signed)C. V. Penrose.

Captain Ussher, Hyacinth.

Respecting the brilliant affair at Malaga, we shall only add, that Captain Ussher’s proceedings on that occasion were highly approved both by Sir Edward Pellew and the Admiralty, although they, like himself, could not but lament the severe loss sustained by his little band of heroes.

We next find Captain Ussher commanding a small squadron on the coast of Grenada, opening a communication with the patriots of that province, and inspiring them with such confidence, that they placed themselves at his disposal without any sort of jealousy, constantly requesting his advice how to act, and implicitly following his directions. The proceedings of the Hyacinth and her consorts[2] are thus described by him in a letter to Commodore Penrose, dated off Almuñecar, May 27, 1812:

“Sir,– I had the honor to inform you, in my letter of the 20th instant, that the Termagant had destroyed the castle at Nersa, and that the guerillas
  1. The above officer was made a Commander for his gallantry as first Lieutenant of the Swiftsure 74, at the glorious battle of Trafalgar. He was, we believe, the son of a Master in the royal navy.
  2. Termagant, a post-sloop, Captain Gawen William Hamilton; aud Basilisk gun-brig, Lieutenant George French.