Disgusted at this treatment, Mr. Butterfield quitted the navy., arid made several voyages in the merchants’ service. At the commencement of the French war in 1793, he was impressed from the Anna, an American vessel lying in the Thames, and sent with a draft of men from the Enterprise tender to complete the complement of the Majestic 74, commanded by the late Sir Charles Cotton, who soon restored him to his former station on the quarter-deck; and by the exertion of his interest obtained him a commission, appointing him junior Lieutenant of the same ship, April 11th, 1794.
On the memorable first of June, when Earl Howe defeated the republican fleet under M. Villaret de Joyeuse, the Majestic was stationed a-stern of the Royal George, bearing the flag of Sir Alexander Hood, who publicly acknowledged the support she afforded him during the battle. Her loss amounted to 3 men killed, and 18 wounded.
In Sept. following, the Majestic was ordered to convey Vice-Admiral Caldwell to the Leeward Islands, where Lieutenant Butterfield was allowed to exchange into the Andromache frigate, for the purpose of re-joining Sir Charles Cotton, who had been suddenly removed into the Impregnable 98.
Proceeding from the West Indies to Halifax, on her way to England, the Andromache was totally dismasted in a hurricane. After sailing from the latter place she detained an American brig, supposed to be laden with French property, which was put in charge of Mr. Butterfield, who ultimately returned home as a passenger on board l’Oiseau of 36 guns, and on his arrival was appointed to the Mars, a third rate, commanded by his patron Sir Charles Cotton, in which ship he continued under the command of that officer, and his successor, Captain Alexander Hood, till his promotion to the rank of Commander, in consequence of his being senior Lieutenant in the action between the Mars and l’Hercule, which is thus described by Schomberg, in his Naval Chronology, Vol. III, p. 98 et seq.
