porting the French free of expense to Rochefort, and permitting them to keep their effects. The French flag was accordingly lowered, and the British colours hoisted in its place on the morning of the 17th instant, and in the afternoon of the same day, Warren entered the harbour with considerable state. Thus, after a siege of forty-seven days, the Island of Cape Breton was subjected to the crown of England, an essential victory, for which Warren was made Rear-admiral of the Blue squadron. Returning to England, he enjoyed an interval of relaxation, but was nevertheless promoted to be Rear-admiral of the White during the ensuing year. Early in 1747 two French squadrons, of great force, were reported to be in a state of equipment in Brest harbour, and Warren was appointed second in command of a fleet under Admiral Anson, which was commissioned to counteract their movements. The armament, with which Anson now came in contact, amounted to thirty-eight sail, led by Monsieur de Jonquiere, and was discovered off the coast of France the 3d of May. As soon as the British Admiral recognised the enemy, he hung out signals for a line of battle, which Warren with great judgment, but most dangerous boldness, affected not to observe, but, on the contrary, gave notice of a general chase, for which he set his top-gallant sails with instant ardour. For this daring act of presumption, which the laws of the service punished with certain death, he justified himself at the moment, by observing to his captain,* that if he lost time in following the orders of his superior, the French must inevitably escape, and he was resolved * This Captain was Temple West, who afterwards became an admiral, and usurped a conspicuous portion of public regard, by the disinterestedness of his conduct, when the unfortunate Byng was tried and executed. Upon that occasion he was sent to England under arrest in the same ship with the admiral, but was released from confinement, and made a principal witness on the Court Martial. In this capacity his conduct proved so acceptable to the ministry, that he was instantly promoted in his flag, and nominated a Lord of the Admiralty. But he had too much honesty to avail himself of such inviduous circumstances. He saw that Býng was sacrificed to a faction, and he resolved not to act under them., Accordingly, the first command to which he was appointed was no sooner gazetted, than he addressed a public letter to the Admiralty, and spiritedly declared that he would accept of no responsibility while the principles upon which Byng had been executed, were inculcated by Government. He has received the tribute of a monu to satisfy his conscience. Fortunately for the result, Anson no ⚫ sooner observed these proceedings, than he fell in with Warren's views, and, abandoning his first intention, made signs for a general chase. The British sailed on with eagerness, and the battle terminated highly to their glory. But the business of this sketch is confined to the conduct of Rear-admiral Warren. He carried his flag on board the Devonshire, of 60 guns, and fell close upon the Serieux, which carried the French Admiral. Having silenced this opponent, he hastened to attack the Invincible, bearing the flag of the Chevalier de St. George, who was second in command; and after a short encounter dismasted her also. The vigour of these assaults, being ably seconded by his companions, the victory was speedily completed, and six two deckers, and four frigates, were captured. It was for the gallantry displayed upon this me ment in the north aisle of Westminster Abbey, from which the following expressive inscription is copied : "Sacred to the memory of Temple West, Esq. who dedicated himself, from his earliest youth, to the naval service of his country, and rose with merit and reputation to the rank of Vice-admiral of the White. Sagacious, active, industrious, a skilful seaman, cool, intrepid, and resolute, he proved himself a gallant officer. In the signal victory obtained over the French, May 3, 1747, he was Captain of the ship which carried Sir Peter Warren, and acquired peculiar honour even on that day of general glory. In the less suc cessful engagement near Minorca, May 20, 1756, wherein, as Rear-admiral, he commanded the second division, his distinguished courage and animated example were admired by the whole British squadron; confessed by that of France, and, amidst the national discontent which followed, rewarded, as they deserved, by the warmest applauses of his country, and the just approbation of his Sovereign. On the 17th of November following, he was appointed one of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. He adorned his station by a modesty which concealed from him his own merit, and a With these talents candour which disposed him to reward that of others. he possessed the milder graces of domestic life; to the frank and generous spirit of an officer, he added the ease and politeness of a gentleman: and with the moral and social virtues of a good man, he exercised the duties of a Christian. A life so honourable to himself, so dear to his friends, so useful to his country, was ended at the age of forty-three, A.D. 1757. To preserve to posterity his fame and his example, this monument was erected by the daughter of the brave unfortunate Balchen, the wife of Temple West, A.D. 1761." morable occasion, that Warren was honoured with the Order of the Bath. Persevering in active service, Admiral Warren was stationed with a squadron off Cape Finisterre in the month of July following, where he fell in with two French ships of war, convoying four valuable merchantmen. Giving instant pursuit, the whole body ran into a bay on the Island of Sisorgo, where one of the menof-war was fired in despair by her crew, and the merchantmen were got off with safety, and conducted to Portsmouth. On the following day he received notice from a privateer that a numerous fleet of coasters had taken refuge in Sediere Bay, near Cape Ortegal, and forthwith detached a sloop and dogger, who returned to him two days after with five prizes, and a Spanish frigate, and the more agreeable assurance, that the guns lay spiked, and the batteries overturned at Sediere, and that no less than four-and-twenty vessels had been destroyed in the bay. After driving a French frigate, of 36 guns on shore, near Cape Pinas, on the 8th of July he returned to England, and was made Vice-admiral of the White squadron. On the 2d of September he set sail on another cruise, but fell so ill that he was obliged to resign his command, and retire to his seat at Westbury, in Hampshire. Nor was he destined to render any farther services to his country; for peace being proclaimed during the following year, the fleet was dismantled, and he was left without opportunity for distinction. He carried with him, however, into private life a character the most estimable, and a popularity the most enthusiastic. It was at the general election, in 1747, he became representative of Westminster, and on the 12th of May, 1748, was nominated Vice-admiral of the Red. Another instance of the confidence with which he was regarded occurred in 1752, when the Alderman's gown for the Ward of Billingsgate became vacant, and he was unanimously presented with the freedom of the city of London, for the express purpose of being elected into the Court of AlderThis unexpected honour he endeavoured to decline, conceiving the duties it would impose upon him incompatible with his professional avocations. The livery of the ward however persisted in their ideas, and he was unanimously returned for the office, but paid a fine of 5001. rather than undertake it. This amicable men. altercation concluded, he paid a visit to Ireland, and was there seized with a fever, which suddenly closed his career at the date specified on his monument. ADMIRAL WATSON. HIGH above the door opening into the north cross aisle of Westminster Abbey, is a sumptuous monument to the memory of Admiral Charles Watson. The design being wholly figurative is censurable, but the execution is masterly. The Admiral, robed in the Roman toga, is introduced amidst a grove of palm trees. On the one side is a personification of the Goddess, or Genius of Calcutta, prostrate; and on the other a similar emblem of Chandernagore, which is to be distinguished by the chains with which it appears bound. The inscription runs thus: To the Memory of CHARLES WATSON, In the adjoining aisle, but more to the east, is another monument, to Admiral Holmes, an officer of whom mention has been repeatedly made in these pages. He is represented as a Roman warrior, resting his hand on a cannon mounted on its carriage. An anchor, flag staff, and other naval emblems diversify the back-ground. It is a striking performance, from the chisel of Wilton, but one in which truth and propriety are sacrificed to effect. The inscription is thus engraved : To the Memory of Commander-in-Chief of his Majesty's Fleet, stationed at Jamaica, He died the 21st of November, 1761, Aged 50 Erected by his grateful Nieces, Mary Stanwix, and Lucretia Sowle. of his Majesty's Naval Forces in the East Indies, Who died at Calcutta, on the 16th of August, 1757, In the 44th year of his age. The EAST INDIA COMPANY, As a grateful testimony of the signal advantages which Caused this monument to be erected. There are also three shields, conspicuously placed, with the 1 The earliest account preserved of Admiral Watson, in the annals of the navy, is an appointment to be captain of the Garland frigate, in February, 1738. He retained the command of this vessel until the year 1741, when, being stationed in the Mediterranean, he was removed into the Plymouth, of 60 guns. His next ship was the Dragon, on board of which he attracted distinction for his gallantry in the subsequent affair off Toulon. Returning to England, he soon after obtained the Princess Louisa, also of 60 guns, which was attached to the two squadrons under Anson and Hawke, that encountered Messieurs De Jon quiere and De L'Entendier in 1747, occasions on which Watson greatly improved his reputation for bravery and discrimi nation. A short interval of peace supervened, but the government was so well pleased with Watson's conduct, that during the course of the same year he was made Rear-admiral of the Blue, and Commander-in-chief of the North American station, with the local rank of Governor of Newfoundland. From these occupations he was withdrawn, in 1754, to be transferred to that scene of his greatest honours, the East Indies, over which, after a very brief, but most brilliant period of service, he ranked as one of the most signal founders of the British ascendancy. Arrived at Bombay in November, 1755, he promptly undertook to overthrow the power of the noted pirate Angria, by reducing the fortress of |
