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SIR RICHARD BICKERTON, BART.

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and when Lord Nelson went in pursuit of the combined squadrons to the West Indies, he was left by his Lordship to command on that station^[1]. In the spring of 1805, he was called upon to take a seat at the Board of Admiralty, where he remained until the early part of 1812, at which period he succeeded Sir Roger Curtis, as Commander-in-Chief at Ports-

↑ As Lord Nelson in the year 1801, had written to the Lord Mayor, on not receiving the thanks of the city of London for the victory he had obtained off Copenhagen, so in 1804, he addressed a second letter to the same municipal officer, on receiving thanks that had not been merited. In this admirable remonstrance his Lordship declared, that no man set a higher value on the thanks of his fellow citizens of London, than he did; but that he should feel as much ashamed to receive thanks for a line of service in which he had not moved, as he should feel hurt at having a great victory, alluding to that of Copenhagen, passed over without notice. He justly observed, that the port of Toulon had never been blockaded by him; but on the contrary, that every opportunity had been afforded by his fleet for the enemy to put to sea, in order that the hopes and expectations of his country might be realized. His Lordship then concluded with the following testimony to the talents of Sir Richard Bickerton: “Your Lordship will judge of my feelings, upon seeing that all the junior Flag-Officers of other fleets, and even some of the Captains, have received the thanks of the Corporation of London, whilst the junior Flag-Officers of the Mediterranean fleet are entirely omitted. I own it has struck me very forcibly; for where the information respecting the junior Flag-Officers and Captains of other fleets was obtained, the same information could have been given of the Flag-Officers, &c. of this fleet; and it is my duty to state, that more able and zealous Flag-Officers and Captains do not grace the British navy, than those I have the honor and happiness to command. It likewise appears, my Lord, a most extraordinary circumstance, that Rear-Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton should have been, as second in command in the Mediterranean fleet, twice passed over by the Corporation of London once after the Egyptian expedition, when the first and third in command were thanked, and now again. Conscious of high desert, instead of neglect, the Rear-Admiral had resolved to let the matter rest, until he could have an opportunity personally to call on the Lord Mayor, to account for such an extraordinary omission; but from this second omission, I owe it to that excellent officer not to pass it by. And I do assure your Lordship, that the constant, zealous, and cordial support I have had in my command from both Rear-Admiral Sir R. Bickerton, and Rear-Admiral Campbell, has been such as calls forth all my thanks and approbation. We have shared together the constant attention of being more than fourteen months at sea, and are ready to share the dangers and glory of a day of battle; therefore it is impossible I can allow myself to be separated in thanks, from such supporters.”

[1] As Lord Nelson in the year 1801, had written to the Lord Mayor, on not receiving the thanks of the city of London for the victory he had obtained off Copenhagen, so in 1804, he addressed a second letter to the same municipal officer, on receiving thanks that had not been merited. In this admirable remonstrance his Lordship declared, that no man set a higher value on the thanks of his fellow citizens of London, than he did; but that he should feel as much ashamed to receive thanks for a line of service in which he had not moved, as he should feel hurt at having a great victory, alluding to that of Copenhagen, passed over without notice. He justly observed, that the port of Toulon had never been blockaded by him; but on the contrary, that every opportunity had been afforded by his fleet for the enemy to put to sea, in order that the hopes and expectations of his country might be realized. His Lordship then concluded with the following testimony to the talents of Sir Richard Bickerton: “Your Lordship will judge of my feelings, upon seeing that all the junior Flag-Officers of other fleets, and even some of the Captains, have received the thanks of the Corporation of London, whilst the junior Flag-Officers of the Mediterranean fleet are entirely omitted. I own it has struck me very forcibly; for where the information respecting the junior Flag-Officers and Captains of other fleets was obtained, the same information could have been given of the Flag-Officers, &c. of this fleet; and it is my duty to state, that more able and zealous Flag-Officers and Captains do not grace the British navy, than those I have the honor and happiness to command. It likewise appears, my Lord, a most extraordinary circumstance, that Rear-Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton should have been, as second in command in the Mediterranean fleet, twice passed over by the Corporation of London once after the Egyptian expedition, when the first and third in command were thanked, and now again. Conscious of high desert, instead of neglect, the Rear-Admiral had resolved to let the matter rest, until he could have an opportunity personally to call on the Lord Mayor, to account for such an extraordinary omission; but from this second omission, I owe it to that excellent officer not to pass it by. And I do assure your Lordship, that the constant, zealous, and cordial support I have had in my command from both Rear-Admiral Sir R. Bickerton, and Rear-Admiral Campbell, has been such as calls forth all my thanks and approbation. We have shared together the constant attention of being more than fourteen months at sea, and are ready to share the dangers and glory of a day of battle; therefore it is impossible I can allow myself to be separated in thanks, from such supporters.”

[1]