The skill, alacrity, and unremitting exertions of the navy, during the siege of St. Lucia, were duly acknowledged by the Commander-in-Chief of the army, to whose General Order of May 27, 1796, which will be found in our first volume, p. 134, we must refer the reader, for a passage applicable to the subject of this memoir; whose conduct is also eulogized by Sir Hugh C. Christian, in his official letter on the same subject, from which we make the following extracts:
“In the prepress of the siege great difficulties were to be surmounted, and much service of fatigue undertaken. The more effectually to assist the operations of the army, I directed 800 seamen to land, under the command of Captain Lane of the Astrea, and Captain Ry ves of the Bull-Dog: the merit of their services will be better reported by the Commander-in-Chief of his Majesty’s troops; but I feel it an indispensable duty to acquaint their Lordships, that the conduct of the officers and seamen equalled my most sanguine expectations, and that it has been in every instance highly meritorious. * * * *
“Captain Ryves of the Bull-Dog, will proceed immediately to join his ship; but I should be unjust to the merits of his exertion, were I to omit recommending him to their Lordships’ notice and protection.”
The Rear-Admiral, on his return to England, addressed the following letter to Mrs. Ryves:
“Madam.– Your letter of the 24th was forwarded to me from the Isle of Wight, which will account for my not replying more immediately to it. I had the pleasure of hearing from Captain Ryves a few days previous to my quitting the West Indies; he was then perfectly well, and proceeding to the island ef Antigua to refit his ship.
“I much regret that more notice has not been taken of his conspicuous merit and exertions. I hope that a favorable opinion is entertained of him, and should believe that a very little exertion of interest by his friends, would obtain for him the promotion to which, in my opinion, he has a most just claim. I trust, in such event, that I may have the satisfaction of seeing him very shortly. I have the honor to be, Madam, &c., &c., &c.
From this period Captain Ryves was employed cruising off the Virgin Islands, until Sept. 1797, when he convoyed the trade to England, and on his arrival was put out of commission. In April 1798, he was again appointed to the Bull-Dog; and on the 29th of the following month, advanced to post rank in the Medea frigate. His next appointment was in April 1800, to the Agincourt of 64 guns, bearing the flag
