“We beg leave to express to you our high sense of gratitude for these prompt and energetic exertions, and for the frequent proofs you have been pleased to give us of your constant attention to protect and advance our interests since you came to this station. It is highly satisfactory to us to observe, and truly gratifying to our minds to confess, that such dispositions are guided by judgment, temper, and conciliating manners; calculated to overcome difficulties, and to fix our entire confidence in you. Being unanimously impressed with these sentiments, we request you will accept our sincere thanks for all the kind attentions and good offices you have been pleased to shew to his Majesty’s subjects, individually and collectively, in the Rio de la Plata, since we have had the happiness of your presence amongst us, and our assurance of the personal esteem and high respect with which we have the honour to be, Sir,– &c.
(Signed by “Alex. Mackinnon,” Chairman, and the
principals of 43 mercantile houses.)
&c. &c. &c.
“Sir,– Being now (Dec. 8, 1811) on the point of leaving this station, we cannot in justice to our own feelings refrain from repeating to you our sincere thanks for the constant and uniform protection you have been pleased on every occasion to shew towards our general and individual interests. The respectable manner, governed by good sense and temper, in which you have supported the dignity and honour of the British flag, under circumstances of much difficulty, cannot be sufficiently appreciated by private persons, but we trust the discernment of our government, and the liberality of our country, will recognize and reward such meritorious conduct. Allow us to assure you, that as we sincerely regret your departure, we have only to express to you the sentiments of our high respect and esteem; and that we shall ever remember you with the warmest gratitude.
“We sincerely wish you a speedy and happy return to England, and uninterrupted success in rising to the summit of your honorable profession. With these unanimous sentiments we have the honor to subscribe ourselves, Sir, your much obliged and faithful humble servants."
“To P. Heywood, Esq. Captain H.M.S. Nereus,
and Senior Officer in the Rio de la Plata.”
Captain Heywood received the latter testimonial when about to rejoin his commander-in-chief at Rio Janeiro, from whence he sailed for England, in Jan. 1812.
Circumstances subsequently occurred which induced government to send the Nereus back to South America; a determination which must have been very mortifying to her officers and crew, who were thereby prevented from bearing
ing on commerce with the insurgents of Buenos Ayres and other districts had not yet been made known to the Royalist commander, Elio.
