necessary to add the result of his trial by a court-martial assembled on board the Royal Sovereign, in Palma Bay, Sardinia, on the 28th Mar. following. The sentence, however, was of so gratifying and honorable a nature that we cannot refrain from inserting it:–
“The Court is of opinion that on the 3d Feb., Captain Farquhar apprised the Arrow as early as possible of the approach of the enemy, and afterwards obeyed the signals and orders of Captain Vincent, which seem to have been well calculated for the preservation and protection of the convoy entrusted to their care; that on the two enemy’s frigates arriving up with the sloops, on the morning of the 4th., the Acheron gallantly supported the Arrow in action with a very superior force, until the latter wa obliged to strike, when she made sail in an opposite direction to the convoy, and drew the attention of l’Hortense, of 44 guns, to which ship she was ultimately obliged to surrender after being completely disabled, and thereby considerably facilitated the escape of the merchantmen: the Court therefore is further of opinion that the conduct of Captain Farquhar on both days was highly meritorious, and deserving imitation, and that he was bravely supported by the officers and ship’s company on the occasion, and doth most honorably acquit Captain Arthur Farquhar, the officers and company of his Majesty’s late bomb-vessel Acheron, of all blame, and they are hereby most honorably acquitted accordingly.”
After the delivery of this Sentence, the President, Sir Richard Bickerton, Bart., addressed Captain Farquhar in terms to the following effect:–
“Captain Farquhar, I return your sword with the greatest pleasure, and hope you will soon be called upon to serve in a ship that will enable you to meet l’Hortense upon more equal terms the result of the contest may prove more lucrative to you, but it cannot be more honorable.”
Captain Farquhar was promoted to post rank April 8, 1805, and the Committee of the Patriotic Fund subsequently voted him a sword, value 100l., for his noble conduct in the above action. At the commencement of 1806, he attended the public funeral of his late commander-in-Chief, the immortal Nelson: and in the course of the ensuing spring we find him receiving a commission for the Ariadne, rated at 20 guns, in which ship he was employed on the Baltic and North Sea stations, occasionally blockading the German rivers, till Feb. 24, 1809. During this period he captured three French and two Danish privateers, carrying in the whole 44 guns and 216 men. The following letter from the British merchants at Malta was received by him whilst on half pay in April, 1809:–
