Clarence, and of St. Andrews in the kingdom of Great Britain, and Earl of Munster in Ireland[1]. In 1790, when the conduct of the Spaniards at Nootka Sound seemed to render a war inevitable, he was nominated to the command of the Valiant, of 74 guns; and, on the 3d Dec. in the same year, advanced to the rank of Rear-Admiral. By subsequent promotions H.R.H. had become an Admiral of the Red, when, on the demise of Sir Peter Parker, Bart., in Dec. 1811, he succeeded that veteran officer as Admiral of the Fleet.
During the late wars the Royal Duke often solicited employment, but without success. He, however, took an active part in Parliament whenever naval affairs became the subject of discussion, and never omitted any opportunity, afforded him by the successes of his professional brethren, to express his gratitude as a Prince of the Blood for their exertions in support of the throne and constitution of these realms.
In April 1814, the period of Napoleon Buonaparte’s abdication, H.R.H. hoisted his flag on board the Jason frigate, being appointed to escort Louis XVIII. to his native country. At one P.M. on Sunday the 24th of that month, his Most Christian Majesty left Dover pier in the Royal Sovereign yacht, under a salute from all the batteries. The Prince Regent of Great Britain placed himself on the farthest part of the pier, and joined in the cheers of an immense concourse of delighted spectators. The scene was grand and impressive. The event itself will form a distinguished feature of our history. On arriving off the French coast, the yacht hove to, when the Jason, followed in succession by the other ships of the squadron, passed her, saluted, manned the yards, gave three cheers, and bore away. The yacht then approached the harbour of Calais, and was received by a tremendous explosion from the different batteries, which continued upwards of two hours. The Duke of Clarence having now performed the high and gratifying office, of conveying a Monarch to the long-
- ↑ The first creation of a Duke in England was by a charter, dated March 13, 11 Edward III, in favour of his son Edward, surnamed the Black Prince, wherein he was declared Duke of Cornwall, to hold to himself and his heirs, Kings of England, and to their first-born sons; by virtue of which charter, the eldest son of the King of England is by law acknowledged Duke of Cornwall the instant he is born.
