and store-houses, together with some merchandise and guns that were not deemed fit to bring away[1]. This was one of the last acts of hostility committed by the force under Sir George Cockburn, who previous to his departure from the Halifax station, returned his public thanks to Captain Ross and his other gallant companions, in a General Memorandum, of which the following is a copy:
“Gen. Mem.– In taking leave of the several Captains, Field-Officers, Commanders, other Officers, Seamen, and Marines, lately composing the force acting under my immediate orders against the enemy in Georgia, the Chesapeake, &c. I have the highest satisfaction in having the directions of the commander-in-chief to convey to them his entire approbation of their good conduct, and of their invariable zeal and exertions in their country’s service, as set forth in my reports, and to which he has informed me he will not fail to draw the notice and consideration of my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
“Whilst promulgating this flattering testimony of the commander-in-chief’s favorable consideration of the forces lately acting under my orders, I cannot refrain from making known to them also that their invariably cheerful, gallant, and steady behaviour, was as gratifying to me as honorable to themselves; and for which I must therefore beg leave to offer them my warmest acknowledgments, and to assure them how happy it will make me to have the good fortune of again acting with them, in the event of our country calling for our services at any future period.
Captain Ross’s next appointment was to the Northumberland of 78 guns, which ship it will be remembered was selected to convey the late Napoleon Buonaparte to St. Helena[2]. He was nominated a C.B. Dec. 8, 1815; appointed to superintend the Ordinary at Portsmouth, in 1819; and to be Resident Commissioner at Jamaica, in July, 1822.
He married, in 1803, Miss Cockburn, of Kingston, Jamaica, sister-in-law of Vice-Admiral Sir George Cockburn, G.C.B.
Agent.– Messrs. Maude.
- ↑ Fort Petre mounted six 24-pounders and two brass 6-pounders.
- ↑ See Vol. I, p. 527.
