crowds of Americans standing on the Jersey beach, few of whom, on seeing the Boston haul off from l’Ambuscade, whose superior size attracted every one’s notice, were so prejudiced as not to admit that she had done her utmost to obtain a victory. His late Majesty, in consideration of Captain Courtenay’s intrepid conduct, was graciously pleased to settle a pension of 500l. a year on his widow, and an annuity of 50l. on each of his children.
Mr. Hayes returned to England in consequence of the death of his patron, whose high opinion of him may be inferred from the circumstance of his having chosen him, although so young a man, to be one of his executors.
Upon his arrival in London, he appeared before the Board of Admiralty, and gave so satisfactory an account of the recent affair at New York, and his own conduct therein, that their Lordships were induced to grant him a dispensing order, by which he was enabled to pass his examination for a Lieutenant, without completing the usual period of service as a rated Midshipman; and in the following month he received a commission, appointing him to the Dido, of 28 guns, commanded by Sir Charles Hamilton, Bart, with whom he afterwards removed into the St. Fiorenzo frigate, on the Mediterranean station.
His next appointment was to the Brunswick 74, in which ship he served for some time under Lord Lecale[1], in the Channel fleet; and subsequently accompanied the late Sir Richard Rodney Bligh to the West Indies, where he joined the Queen, a second rate, bearing the flag of Sir Hyde Parker, who promoted him to the rank of Commander on the 1st March, 1J99.
From this period we find Captain Hayes actively employed in various sloops of war on the Jamaica station, till his advancement to post rank, by a commission from the Admiralty, dated April 29, 1802. In Jan. 1809, he commanded a
- ↑ Lord Lecale was a son of James, first Duke of Leinster, by Lady Emilia Mary, daughter of Charles, second Duke of Richmond. He obtained post-rank May 23, 1780; and died a Vice-Admiral of the Red, Feb. 17, 1810. The Irish Barony of Lecale became extinct, in consequence of his lordship dying without issue.
