pidity, as to give the officers and men an honor, that was as justly merited as it wag pure and untainted; and it was only now attempted to, be blown upon by the noble Lord. He would state one fact respecting the courageous and dauntless character maintained by the crew of that frigate in the extremity and crisis of danger. Immediately before the surrender of the Macedonian, loud, cordial, and repeated cheering was given he could not better describe the nature of these cheers, nor more adequately praise the noble spirit displayed by her crew, than by assuring the House, that the cheering proceeded from the cockpit; and that the wounded and the dying were those who raised the patriotic shouts. Would the noble Lord call these men depressed and heartless, who were not only susceptible of such manly and generous feelings, but who were capable of giving to them, even in the bitter moments of bodily anguish, and inevitable death, the energetic tone and expression so truly characteristic of British seamen?”
On the day after the debate alluded to, several members of the House of Commons waited upon Captain Carden, congratulated him on his arrival in England, and declared they had never witnessed more enthusiastic applause than the recital of his gallant defence had the night before created. On revisiting his native place he was received with unbounded acclamations of joy and respect; and soon after honored with the freedom of Worcester, Gloucester, and Tewkesbury. The following is an extract from the Naval Chronicle, vol. 30, p. 182:–
“On the 23d Aug. (1813), the Earl of Coventry entertained the Mayor and Corporation of Worcester with a splendid dinner at Croome; after which a most interesting ceremony followed, in the presentation of the freedom of that city to the gallant Captain Carden, by the Earl of Coventry, at the head of the Body Corporate, who had previously voted it to him at a Chamber Meeting. Upon which occasion the noble Earl addressed Captain Carden in the following words:–
“Captain Carden,– I feel proud to have the honor of presenting the Freedom of the ancient and loyal City of Worcester, conferred on you by this respectable assembly, in testimony of the high sense they entertain of the signal and meritorious services you have so eminently and repeatedly displayed in the defence of your King and Country; and more particularly for your gallant and memorable defence of H.M.S. Macedonian, against so superior and overwhelming a force. The sentence of the court-martial on this occasion has afforded universal satisfaction; and I doubt not that an early opportunity will be offered you of adding fresh lustre to the renown already acquired by the exercise of those professional talents and valour hitherto so conspicuous, and on which I have this day the happiness to congratulate you.”
