noble Admiral, at his own request, to enquire into his conduct when in presence of the enemy.
The court assembled on board the Gladiator, at Portsmouth, July 26, 1809, and continued by adjournments till Aug. 9, when the following sentence was pronounced;
“The Court agree, that the charge, ‘That Admiral the Right Hon. Lord Gambier, on the 12th April, the enemy’s ships being then on fire, and the signal having been made that they could be destroyed, did, for a considerable time, neglect or delay taking effectual measures for destroying them,’ has not been proved against the said Right Hon. Lord Gambier; but that his Lordship’s conduct on that occasion, as well as his general conduct and proceedings as Commander-in-Chief of the Channel Fleet, employed in Basque Roads, between the 17th March and the 29th April, 1809, was marked by zeal, judgment, and ability, and an anxious attention to the welfare of his Majesty’s, service, and do adjudge him to be most honourably acquitted; and the said Admiral the Right Hon. Lord Gambier is hereby most honourably acquitted accordingly.”
The President, Sir Roger Curtis, then desired his Lordship’s sword to be handed to him, which he returned to him, with the following address: “Admiral Lord Gambier, I have peculiar pleasure in receiving the command of the Court to return you your sword, in the fullest conviction, that, as you have hitherto done, you will on all future ocasions use it for the honour and advantage of your country, and to your own personal honour. Having so far obeyed the command of the Court, I beg you will permit me in my individual capacity, to express to you the high gratification I have upon this occasion.”
To this honourable acquittal was added the thanks of both Houses of Parliament. The Lord Chancellor, in conveying those of the Peers, passed a great encomium upon the life and services of the noble Admiral, and concluded by testifying his personal respect.
Lord Gambier retained the command of the Channel Fleet until 1811, when the system of relieving Admirals from their stations, at the expiration of three years, which was enforced by the Right Hon. Charles Yorke, on his accession to the
