celebrated statesmen and warriors, her commander had the honor of dining. She next proceeded on a cruise off Cadiz, where she captured a large American merchant brig, and chased, but could not overtake, a corvette belonging to the United States.
From thence, Commander St. Clair went up the MediterraLean, under the orders of Lord Exmouth, who sent him with despatches to Tunis, where he had the gratification of rescuing a poor Neapolitan slave. This man, it appears, jumped from a wharf into the Reynard’s boat, as she was passing the golletta, on her return from the town; and, twisting the British colours round his arm, called out, in Italian, “I am free!” The Turkish governor, who was sitting in his verandah, smoking a pipe, saw the slave’s proceedings, and immediately ordered the boom to be drawn across the canal, thereby preventing the egress of the boat: his orders, however, were countermanded the moment that Commander St. Clair approached him, demanding a free passage; and thus was an unfortunate being restored to freedom, after a captivity of seventeen years.
During part of the time that Napoleon Buonaparte resided in Elba, Commander St. Clair was stationed off that island, but had no authority to interfere with any person passing to and fro. In consequence thereof many soldiers of the old French guard were enabled to join their late emperor, which might otherwise have been prevented. At a subsequent period, the Reynard, whilst proceeding from Palermo to Naples, fell in with six vessels, having on board Joachim Murat and those of his adherents who accompanied him in his fatal expedition to Calabria.
We next find Commander St. Clair employed in the Archipelago, where he captured two Greek pirates, and rendered essential assistance to the captain, officers, and crew of H.M. late frigate Phoenix, wrecked in Chismé harbour, on the coast of Natolia, Feb. 20th, 1816[1]. After this, he proceeded to Malta, and was about to assume the command of
