and received the following testimonial from his first patron, Sir Joseph S. Yorke, in Dec. 1823:
“My dear Sir,– I received your letter of the 18th ultimo, in which you state your intention to apply for employment, and request such testimony of your conduct, whilst under my command, as may strengthen the claims you have to the attention of the Board of Admiralty.
“It appears by a record that I have, that you began your naval life with me, when I commanded the Rattlesnake, fitting at Chatham, in Mar. 1791; and I well remember that, though a boy, you exerted yourself to rig the ship when hands were very scarce, and thereby acquired considerable claim to my regard and attention, for such active and smart conduct in so mere a youth.
“You followed me, at the commencement of the war, 1793, into the Circe; and afterwards into the Stag, Jason, and Canada; when I promoted you, for your excellent and faithful conduct, through the different grades of the profession, viz. captain of a top, quarter-master, gunner’s-mate, and captain’s-coxswain; in which capacity you proved yourself highly worthy of confidence, more particularly during the great mutiny of the fleet. After the truce of Amiens, you embarked with me in the Prince George, as master’s-mate, and by your continued good conduct, promoted yourself, I may say, to the rank of lieutenant, and from that to commander, as your other testimonials you allude to, by Sir Arthur Legge and Sir Pulteney Malcolm, will abundantly testify. Indeed, I may say, there are few men who, by a regular line of good, strait-forward, sober, and honest conduct, have, with so little interest, done so much for themselves; and I can safely assure you, nothing would give me more gratification, than to learn that my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty were disposed to listen to your wishes for employment.
“With every sentiment of good will towards you, believe me very faithfully yours,
Commander Askey died at Bruges, in Flanders, Oct. 31st, 1824.
JOHN HILTON, Esq.
Knight of the Royal Sicilian Order of St. Ferdinand and of Merit.
[Commander.]
This officer obtained a lieutenant’s commission in Aug. 1806; and served as first of the Bustard sloop. Captain John Duff Markland, employed in the Gulf of Venice, and on the coast of Calabria, in 1809 and 1810. On the 24th July, in
