“Sir,– We the undersigned Merchants, Underwriters, and others resident in this island, beg leave to express to you the high sense which we entertain of your gallant and judicious assistance in the defence of a valuable convoy, when commanding his Majesty’s bomb-vessel Acheron, and attacked by a far superior force on the 4th Feb., 1805; and as a public testimony of our esteem and respect we beg your acceptance of a piece of plate to commemorate the gallantry and judgment displayed by you on that occasion, nothing short of which could have saved the greatest part of the convoy from falling into the hands of the enemy.
“We beg leave to assure you that our not having offered sooner this just tribute of our regard should not be attributed to a want of due estimation of the important service rendered by you to British commerce.
“The action we wish to commemorate was performed during the infancy of trade in this island; its late rapid increase has collected such a number of regular mercantile establishments as form a respectable united body, whose public testimony we flatter ourselves will now deserve your consideration. Your receiving it after a lapse of nearly four years is perhaps the strongest proof we can offer of your conduct having made such an impression on our minds as cannot be effaced. We have the honor to remain, Sir, your most obedient and faithful servants.”
In Aug. 1809, Captain Farquhar was appointed to the Desirée frigate; and during the three following years we find him commanding a squadron employed in the blockade of the Texel, on which station he captured four French privateers, carrying 46 guns and 176 men; destroyed a gun-boat and three other armed vessels; and recaptured a Danish bark, laden with timber for Sheerness dock-yard. His subsequent services in the Weser and Elbe were of much greater importance, as will be seen by the following outline.
In Oct. 1813, the Desirée arrived at Heligoland, with 12 gun-boats, and Captain Farquhar immediately assumed the command of a light squadron which had been sent thither in the preceding summer, to open a communication with the Russian commander-in-chief at Hamburgh.
The first measure adopted by Captain Farquhar was to send part of his force to seize two corvettes recently built at Braak, in the Duchy of Oldenburgh, and all other vessels, naval stores, &c. which could be found there belonging to the enemy. This service was most ably performed by Captain
- ↑ The value of the plate thus presented to Captain Farquhar was fixed at 110 guineas.
