his presence between Sept. 1807 and Jan. 1814; viz. fifteen gun-boats, one national schooner, three armed transports, two privateers, three letters of marque, and upwards of two hundred merchantmen, exclusive of six recaptures; he also assisted at the destruction of eight towers and thirteen batteries. For his indefatigable exertions and valuable services, he was deservedly rewarded with the insignia of a C.B. in June 1815. The proof of the value of those services is, that they led to the promotion of four Lieutenants serving under his immediate command[1].
The Glasgow being paid off at Chatham, Sept. 1 following, and Great Britain then at peace with all the world, Captain Duncan did not attempt to obtain further employment until June 1818, when he was appointed to the Liffey of 50 guns, in which ship he conveyed Field-Marshal Lord Beresford from Portsmouth to Lisbon, and then proceeded on an anti-piratical cruise round the West India Islands.
After touching at Port Royal, and the Havannah, Captain Duncan returned to Spithead; and in the autumn of 1819, we find him attending on his present Majesty, then Prince Regent, during his aquatic excursion in that neighbourhood. Whilst thus employed, the Liffey had the honor of hoisting the royal standard, the Prince having condescended to visit her, at the same time paying Captain Duncan the flattering compliment of saying that he did so “because he had never seen a ship that pleased him so much before.”
The Liffey subsequently conveyed Sir Charles Bagot, H. M. Ambassador to the court of St. Petersburgh, from North Yarmouth to Cronstadt; and on her return from thence was despatched in company with the Active frigate, under sealed orders, to Naples; where she continued from the 6th. Oct. 1820, until the end of Feb. 1821.
Captain Duncan was next sent to Lisbon, on secret service of a highly important nature; and whilst there he received the thanks of the Cortes for his exertions in subduing a fire which had broke out in one of the public buildings. He had also the honor of a private audience with the King of Portugal, when that monarch arrived in the Tagus, from Rio Janeiro, after an honorable exile of nearly fourteen years.
