which, I trust, you will approve. Lieutenant Fleming speaks in the highest terms of approbation of the prompt and gallant support he met with from Lieutenants Douglas and Mends, as well as the other officers and crew under his orders. Indeed there was not a man on board but was anxious to be of the party; and I am sorry I could not indulge Lieutenant Thomas John Peshall, the second; but his presence was absolutely necessary on board.
“To an officer of your discriminating judgment, I trust I shall stand excused if I take the liberty of recommending Lieutenant Fleming to your notice for his meritorious conduct on this occasion. He appears to me to be an officer of distinguished merit and bravery, and I understand he was highly respected by his late captain, the good, the amiable, and my gallant predecessor, the Honorable John Murray. I have the honor to be, &c.
Lieutenant Fleming subsequently commanded the Bramble schooner, and Barbadoes sloop of war, both stationed in the West Indies; where he was at length promoted to his present rank, by commission dated Nov. 2d, 1814. On the 11th April preceding, he had captured the American privateer Polly, mounting one long 18-pounder and four long sixes, with a complement of 57 men. He afterwards, in the same sloop, added the following armed vessels to his list of prizes:
Fox, privateer schooner, 7 guns and 72 men, taken Jan. 11th; Vidette, letter of marque brigantine, 3 guns and 30 men, Feb. 15th; and Avon, privateer brig, 14 guns and 129 men, March 8th, 1815.
The Avon, (pierced for 22 guns,) mounted three long 24-pounders and eleven long nines. She sustained a short action with the Barbadoes, and had ten of her crew killed and wounded; the British, one officer and three men wounded.
We lastly find Commander Fleming assisting at the reduction of Guadaloupe, in Aug. 1815; on which occasion his conduct was highly praised by Rear-Admiral Sir Philip Durham.
RICHARD JOHN LEWIN, Esq.
[Commander.]
Was made a lieutenant on the 27th Dec. 1808; appointed to the Minerva frigate, Captain Richard Hawkins, Oct. 30th,
