cers, received the thanks of Parliament, and the option of a sword or vase of the value of one hundred pounds, voted by the Committee of the Patriotic Fund.
We next find the subject of this memoir employed as a Commodore in the expedition against Copenhagen[1]. On the 2d October, 1807, he was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral, and hoisted his flag in the Superb, as Commander of a division of the fleet stationed in the Baltic, under Sir James Saumarez.
From the moment that the people of Spain began to throw off the yoke of France, it became an object of the first importance to the British government to endeavour to rescue the Spanish army quartered in the north of Europe, and which had been drawn from Spain by the French Emperor, preparatory to his designs upon that country being carried into effect. To accomplish this desirable object, orders were given to Rear-Admiral Keats, which he executed with his usual ability, and succeeded in bringing off the Marquis de la Romana and his army, from Nyborg in Denmark, Aug. 11, 1808. For this valuable service he was created a Knight of the most honorable Military Order of the Bath.
In 1809, Sir Richard G. Keats served in the expedition sent against the enemy’s ships in the Scheldt[2]. He was afterwards appointed to command the naval forces employed for the defence of Cadiz, where he remained until the summer of 1811, when he proceeded to the Mediterranean, and hoisted his flag on board the Hibernia, of 120 guns, as second in command on that station. His promotion to the rank of Vice-Admiral took place, July 31, 1810. On the 20th Feb. 1813, Sir Richard was nominated Commander-in-Chief at Newfoundland, and Governor of that colony, where his services as a Flag-Officer terminated. He succeeded the late Sir George Hope as Major-General of the Royal Marines, May 7, 1818; and Sir John Colpoys as Governor of Greenwich Hospital, early in 1821.
Our officer married, June 27, 1820, Mary, eldest daughter of the late Francis Hurt, of Alderwesley, co. Derby, Esq.
Residence.– Royal Hospital, Greenwich.
