public, that it would be superfluous now to repeat them. While we are on the subject of the peninsular war, however, we cannot refrain from transcribing part of Captain Basil Hall’s interesting narrative of the Endymion’s subsequent proceedings, in which, from peculiar circumstances, his messmate, the subject of this memoir, bore a principal share.
“The period of our cruise” (on the coast of Portugal) ”being neariy out, we were steering home again, and sailing slowly along the coast of Spain, when, in the beginning of April, 1809, being then nearly becalmed off Cape Finisterre, we saw a small vessel coming towards us from the shore. The night was falling fast, but she reached us before it was dark, as we put our head towards her, immediately on perceiving that she was making for the frigate. The Spaniards on board this vessel had been sent as a deputation from a body of insurgents, anxious to obtain assistance from any English ship on the coast. They entreated us to bring our frigate into their bay, and assured us that, with a little additional aid, the inhabitants would be enabled to expel the French from this part of the country altogether. These men were the bearers of supplicating letters from the Junta of Corcubion, setting forth, in most moving terms, that they were in want of nothing but arms – ‘Falta solamente annas!’ was the grand theme; and if their operations, said they, could only be countenanced by the presence of a British man-of-war, the success of their campaign was secure. * * * * * *
“It was resolved that we should enter the bay of Finisterre next morning, to see what was doing, before lending the patriots, as they called themselves, such assistance as lay in our power. We stood off and on for the night; and I shall never forget the state of excitement in which we were kept till the day broke. * * * When we sailed into the bay, early next morning, the frigate was surrounded by boats, crowded with people of all ranks and classes, eager to express their gratitude for such prompt aid to their cause. Old men and young men ran about the decks hugging and kissing us, according to their custom, but in a manner so repugnant to our northern habits, that such of the sailors as had never been in the way of being so saluted before, were disposed to receive these marks of affection with any thing but good will. * * * When the ship was secured at her anchors, we made arrangements for landing. We could spare our new allies only 150 muskets, and as many cutlasses; but these, together with a due proportion of boarding pikes and tomahawks, with plenty of powder and ball, when displayed on the quarter-deck, made a considerable show, and greatly delighted the deputies, who had been a little disappointed at first when told of our small supply.
“The enthusiasm amongst the peasantry and towns-people on shore
