butes his success, has been upwards of thirty years in H.M. service, and is a most exemplary and meritorious character. I am, &c.
“P.S. Since writing the above, I have received from Lieutenant Robertson the enclosed memorial of his services, which I have to request you will be pleased to transmit to the commander-in-chief, for the purpose of being laid before the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. You will perceive it contains a series of zealous and gallant achievements, during an uninterrupted course of nearly fourteen years service, rarely equalled by so young an ofGcer, his age not exceeding twenty-five.“S. B.[1]”
So convinced was the captain of the Antelope, and indeed every officer on the station, that the Admiralty would promote Lieutenant Robertson for these exploits, that subsequently, when employed with other officers of the ship in successful boat attacks, it was agreed upon by Captain Butcher and himself, that his name should not be mentioned in the reports, in order to give the others a better claim. On the 6th of the following month, Lieutenant Robertson was removed into the Vigo 74, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral (now Sir Graham) Moore, commander-in-chief on the Baltic station. On this occasion he received a certificate from Captain Butcher, of which the following is an extract:
“These are to certify, that Mr. James Robertson served as lieutenant in H.M.S. Antelope, under my command, from the 8th Feb. 1813 until the 6th Nov. 1813, at which time he was, at the request of Rear-Admiral Graham Moore, removed to the Vigo, to serve under his flag. The zeal, ability, and correctness of conduct manifested by him on every occasion, entitles him to the highest praise it is in my power to bestow, and have deeply impressed on my mind his pre-eminent merits as an officer.”
In Dec. 1813, the Vigo returned home, and was paid off in consequence of being found defective. Lieutenant Robertson, instead of promotion, then had the honor of receiving the thanks of the Admiralty, for his conduct in the Baltic, and an order to proceed to the Lakes of Canada; “their lordships selecting for that arduous service, officers who had had opportunities of distinguishing themselves.” On his arrival
- ↑ The above letter is in every particular correct, save that Lieutenant Robertson himself proposed the plan to Captain Butcher.
