part of the coast, in the darkest nights, with the same familiarity as in open day. One would think I had great objection to being under sail; but, on the contrary, if it does not over-blow, it is the time of my greatest leisure and relaxation; and I hurry about in this way to keep up a more intimate communication with all parts, and to disconcert the enemy, who show some anxiety about my movements. Thus,

by weighing after dark from Areñs, or any part of this side of Barcelona, before the French there know of my departure I am at anchor, perhaps at Villanueva, or even at Salou, before daylight..

February 1.

I find the order for Lacy's giving up the chief command to Eroles is actually come, and was published at Vich on the 1st. I learn also that a supply of 20,000 dollars is come directed to me, from Admiral Hallowell, for the army of Cataluña, which is a most seasonable aid; and the Leopard,' which is charged with it, is now, I believe, in sight.

11 P.M.

Instead of the 'Leopard,' 'Invincible' is come actually to relieve me that I may return to old England! It is ridiculous to write this, and yet I have a satisfaction in so doing, although I shall most likely be the bearer of my own letter.

February 7, 9 P.M.

Eroles is actually in the chief command, and we have honoured his entrance into office by, as I am told, considerable destruction amongst the French troops passing with the convoy. One of the 'Blake's' 72-pounders is said to have knocked to pieces the wheels and lower part of the general's carriage; and I hear Eroles meditates preventing their return with a fresh convoy from France. I shall hear from him tomorrow, but I shall not quit the coast without once more shaking him by the hand. I have actually suffered two bad nights' sleep from thinking of my return to my dear, dear domicile, and worrying myself that I may not leave undone any duty to Cataluña in the hurry of my going away. God bless you.-E. C.

1813

RETURN HOME OF BLAKE.'

223

February 19.

Somewhere near the coast of Cataluña, in too thick a fog to know where. It seems ridiculous to write to you now that I am on my way home; but I cannot resist the pleasure of thus recording the feelings of satisfaction which I brought away from Mahon in consequence of witnessing the general esteem of my brother-officers, as well as that of my chief and those who may be supposed to imbibe his sentiments from having the same foundation to build them on. I have tried hard to overcome self-satisfaction so far as to examine dispassionately the apparent approbation of those in whom envy might be expected to prevail: but I come out of these examinations with so much inward content that to avoid vanity I must now quietly take the point as granted. In short, I am in so delightful a disposition that it is a pity there is nobody here to ask me a favour! I write this ready for the chance of sending it by a packet from either Cadiz or Gibraltar, and it will at all events be ready to send up from Plymouth on our arrival. And that you may know the public terms on which I parted with my chief, I extract the following from the letter by which he announced his intention of sending me home :—

'I cannot refuse myself the satisfaction of expressing to you, on this occasion, my sincere thanks for the zeal and readiness with which you have, on all occasions, met my instructions in performing the duties of your station, and my high sense of the ability and judgment with which you have conducted the many difficult and arduous services which have been entrusted to your execution. It has been my care that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty should be frequently apprised of the merits of your services on the coast of Cataluña.'

Cawsand Bay: March 27. Here we are. I know nothing yet of myself, but that I am as ever, your E. C.

This series of extracts (1810 to 1813) may perhaps be considered as forming a scanty and inadequate account of the interesting warfare on the coast of Spain, in which Captain Codrington bore an active part during those three

years. I could have multiplied them to any extent; and it is with regret that I have suppressed, for fear of overloading the volume, the many interesting details which my materials relating to this period could have freely supplied.-J. B.

From the Spanish Minister to Mr. Wellesley.

(Forwarded by him to Lord Castlereagh).

Cadiz March 8, 1813.

SIR,-The Regency of the kingdom has commissioned me to inform your Excellency that under this day's date, an order has been issued to the King's Ambassador at the Court of London, to recommend, in the name of his Highness, to the Government of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, in the strongest manner, the important and signal services which Commodore Codrington has rendered during his cruise in the Mediterranean; a great part of the successful actions which the army of Catalonia have had being to be attributed to the assistance which he afforded, and to his co-operation and advice, by which army, as well as by all the inhabitants of that province, this officer is held in the highest estimation. For all these reasons, the Regency are most desirous of giving him a high testimony of their gratitude, and would esteem it a new proof of the friendship of the Government of his Royal Highness whatever may be done in favour of a person who has fulfilled with such zeal the intentions of the august ally of Spain, and has contributed by his valour, talents, and excellent qualities, to raise amongst the Spaniards the credit of the British nation.

I have the honour to lay this representation before your Excellency, in order that you may have the goodness to do all in your power that these just wishes of the Regency may have the desired effect.

I renew to your Excellency, &c., &c.,

PEDRO LABRADOR.1

1 NOTE BY SIR E. C. ON THE LETTER. This letter was never placed before the Prince Regent by Lord Castlereagh.'

1814

WAR WITH AMERICA.

225

6

CHAPTER X.

LESS than a year and a half did Captain Codrington remain in his home after his return to it. The war with America called him out of his retirement, and in May 1814 he left England in the Forth' frigate to go out to North America, and join Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane in the Tonnant,' as Captain of the Fleet. In this capacity he was with him in the Chesapeake when the combined naval and military force entered the Patapsco to reconnoitre Baltimore, when a most decisive victory was gained by the troops and a battalion of seamen and marines over the American army; also when the city of Washington was taken, the American flotilla in the Penobscot destroyed, the passage of the Potomac forced, and the City of Alexandria obliged to surrender all its shipping in the harbour. He afterwards accompanied the expedition to New Orleans.

From Capt. C. to Mrs. C.

At sea: June 1, 1814.

In a day or two we may possibly be passing over the spot where that battle was fought (of which this day is the anniversary), which excited perhaps as great a sensation in London as did lately the entry of the allies into Paris. Yet how entirely is it forgotten in the more recent events, glorious and ever-memorable as it was then termed ! It will not, however, cease to be to me a great satisfaction to have had my little share in it. I have a right also to feel very thankful for my escape unhurt, both on that day and the 29th May preceding; for the danger in which the 'Queen Charlotte' was particularly placed might well have shortened

the days of many who lived to tell the proud story. You may console yourself in the reflection that there is no such risk in our present prospect; but you must also recollect that there is no such harvest of credit to be gained in the execution of the service to which I am destined. In a review of my own life, successful as some may imagine it, I do not see much temptation to recommend the same profession to my sons. Those dangers, both of mind and body, to which I have been exposed might make as little impression on them as they appear to have done on me, and they may escape, as I did, even without a mentor. But I confess the contemplation of it makes me shudder, and I feel anxious that they should begin their journey through life on a road of much greater security. Yet it is of little use my dwelling upon this point, since their own inclinations and abilities must decide it.

July 10.

On the 8th we spoke a brig from New Brunswick going to Martinique, by which we got some newspapers of that place. It seems that the 'Peacock' American sloop of war (of what size I know not) has taken our 'Epervier.' But the worst part of our story is, that our sloop was cut to pieces, and the other scarcely scratched! I do not know the captain or his character in the service. But I well know that the system of favouritism and borough influence prevails so very much that many people are promoted and kept in commands that should be dismissed the service. And whilst such is the case, the few Americans chosen for their merit may be expected to follow up their successes, except where they meet with our best officers on equal terms. It is said that that fellows people showed no spirit until he was wounded and carried below. Something of the same sort attaches to the name of Captain whose ship did not do as well as 219799291. 91 her reputed discipline promised. This is the case with many of our crack ships, where the people, from being tyrannically treated, would rejoice in being captured by the Americans, from whom they would receive every encouragement. out bus yah tolto.

19

I

have heard many shocking stories of cruelty and misconduct witnessed by the relators, officers now in this ship; and I