“Sir,– Having laid before the Earl Bathurst your letter of the 27th instant, enclosing copies of a despatch and its enclosures from Vice-Admiral Sir Harry Neale, containing an account of the adjustment of the points which were in discussion with the Greek government, and reporting the consequent release of the Greek vessels detained by his Majesty’s ship Sybille; I am directed by his Lordship to request that you will express to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty the sense which his Lordship entertains of the judgment, firmness, and promptitude with which Captain Pechell has discharged the delicate and important duty confided to him. I have the honor to be, &c.
“J. W. Croker Esq.”
“Sir,– The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having ordered your immediate return to England, I shall no longer have the advantage of being seconded by your zealous and able services, which have on every occasion afforded me the utmost satisfaction, and I cannot help expressing my concern at your departure.
“It is also my wish to use the strongest terms in assuring you of the satisfaction with which I have observed the high state of discipline and remarkable efficiency of the Sybille, in all respects, but very particularly in that of the gunnery, to the perfecting of which your exertions have been so successfully applied.
“The state of the Sybille has, therefore, reflected great honor upon yourself and your officers and ship’s company, and has afforded an excellent example to the whole squadron. I am, &c.
“To Captain Sir S. John Pechell, Bart., C.B.”
On the demise of Sir T. Brooke Pechell, June 17, 1826, the subject of this memoir took the additional surname of Brooke, in conformity to the will of his grandmother, Mary, only daughter and heiress of Thomas Brooke, of Pagglesham, Co. Essex, Esq. Sir S. John Brooke-Pechell is the author of two very useful little pamphlets, entitled “Observations upon the Fitting of Guns on board his Majesty’s Ships;” from one of which we extract the following copy of a letter addressed to the commander-in-chief at Portsmouth, June 10, 1814:
