the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty thinking as highly of your meritorious conduct on this occasion as I do.
“Sir,– It gives me very great pleasure to have to inform you that H.R.H. the Prince Regent, in consideration of the very able and distinguished manner in which, in the years 1813 and 1814, you assisted, with the ships then under your command, the forces of his Majesty’s allies in reducing the forts of the enemy on the Elbe and Weser, has been graciously pleased to nominate and appoint you, Sir, a Knight of the Royal Guelphic Order, the decoration of which I shall take an early opportunity of transmitting to you. I remain, Sir, &c.
Captain Farquhar was appointed to the Liverpool, a 40-gun frigate, May 4, 1814; and he continued to command that ship, employed principally on the Cape station, till April 3, 1816, since which period he has been on half-pay. He obtained the insignia of a C.B. in 1815; and was presented with the freedom of Aberdeen, Sept. 22, 1817.
We shall close this sketch with a copy of Lord Exmouth’s report to the Admiralty on the gun-sights suggested by Captain Farquhar, and used by his Lordship’s squadron in the celebrated attack upon Algiers:–
“Sir,– Adverting to your letter of the 13th July last, relative to Brass Sights, suggested by Captain Farquhar for long guns, and which were sent to Portsmouth to be fitted to any guns I might wish, on experiment, I have now the honor to state my approbation on the merits of the project, although I conceive it admits of a very material improvement, by extending the sight as far out as the muzzle ring of the gun. Wooden sights on this principle were titled to all the guns of the squadron by my orders, to which I, in a great measure, ascribe the good effect of their fire in the late engagement. We had a very extensive practice on our voyage out, which afforded me an opportunity to form a deliberate judgment on the utility of the invention; and so perfectly satisfied am I with it, that I should wish to see them cast as fixtures on all the guns to be used for sea service, whenever new ones may be required.
“To J. W. Croker, Esq.
&c. &c. &c.”
Captain Farquhar married, Aug. 15, 1809, Jane, daughter of James Murray, Esq. of Camvere. By that lady, who died in Oct. 1816, he had four children, two of whom are now living.
Agents.– Messrs Cooke, Halford, and Son.
