upon the subject, I should certainly feel it my duty to agitate the question on an early day." Three lords of the Admiralty were present, and not a word was said.

"This was the language," continued Sir John, "which I held on Monday, the 7th instant. I cannot say I am in the same disposition now, for, during the interval, the utmost industry has been used to misrepresent my motives, and describe them as a meditated attack on the Admiralty, and thereby prejudice me in the service to which I have the honour to belong. To this I reply that my sole object is to obtain substantial relief and support for these brave men. So much for motives. I will take up the time of the house a very few minutes longer to state the grounds of the motion I hold in my hand; in doing which I shall not enter into the history of Greenwich Hospital and its resources; suffice it to say, that they failed in the year 1788, and the directors were disabled thereby from adding to the outpension list; and the principal cause of this deficiency was the profusion of expence lavished on the chapel, that proposterous jumble of the arts, which is a disgrace to the country. I do not include, in this description, the fine painting of the altar, which, with many other great works of the President of the

Royal Academy, will immortalize his fame. Nor is this the only grievance the seamen suffer from the failure of the funds. I appeal to the right honourable gentleman opposite [Mr. Dundas, afterwards Lord Melville, and at that time treasurer of the navy] whether many of them are not kept out of their prize-money by frivolous delays and arts, to defeat their claims, and whether the salutary laws and regulations the right honourable gentleman has introduced for their protection, by which he has proved himself their best friend, or even the vigilance and activity of Mr. Beddingfield, can reach the evil; though, by the firmness and perseverance of that gentleman, some of those vile caitiffs, the low agents and forgers of seamen's wills, have been brought to justice, and the rest so disheartened that their wicked practices are nearly subdued. No part of this censure is applicable to another description of agents, for whom I entertain a high respect, and without whose assistance, on fair and liberal terms, half the officers now called upon could not make their equipments. I understand the right honourable gentleman intends to bring in a bill to wrest the prize-money out of the hands it is in. I am happy to perceive by his nod that I am not misinformed, and he shall have my hearty support.

I will not trouble the House longer than to declare that my ill state of health prevented my bringing the matter forward in the last session."

He then, after a few words more, deprecating any wish to impugn the motives or views of the Admiralty, concluded by moving an address to his majesty, to the effect referred to in his speech. Mr. Hussey supported the motion.

A conversation then took place, in which it was understood that the case of the seamen should be seriously attended to at the Admiralty, Mr. Secretary Dundas declaring that the earliest and most particular attention should be given to the subject.

Sir John Jervis subsequently agreed to withdraw his motion; and I find no more mention of his name in the House of Commons. Having been shortly after called into active service, he did not again appear in parliament until his splendid actions had elevated him to the peerage.

This motion of Sir John Jervis, relative to destitute seamen, was but a forerunner of those great measures which he ever had in view-the reform of those abuses which, even in that early day, he saw were sapping the foundation of the empire. His naval inquiry in 1802 was nothing more than the entire development of his vast plans. There was not a word uttered by the

gallant admiral on that occasion which was, or could be, contradicted by any member of the House of Commons. It was admitted tacitly by the ministers that abuses did exist; that the sailors who had fought and bled in their country's cause were debarred from the enjoyment of their right; and relief and redress were promised at least, if not substantially granted. Certain it is that the seamen in Greenwich Hospital began to receive more attention about that time. I have heard my father say-and the fact was well attested-that in those "good old times" noblemen and gentlemen obtained admission for their coachmen and worn-out butlers and footmen, into that noble asylum, intended exclusively for our gallant sailors and marines! With respect to the ornamenting of the chapel out of the funds intended for the support of the institution, and the payment of the outpension, it was a shameful abuse; something like repairing the parish workhouse with the poor's rates, while the paupers were starving in the streets. This abuse Sir John Jervis had the honour of dragging before the public, and exposing it to just execration; thus, in his earliest political career, proving himself the unbought and incorruptible friend of the friendless.

CHAPTER V.

Expedition to attack the French Carribee Islands - Sir John Jervis and Sir Charles Grey appointed to the command of the land and sea forces -Names of ships, regiments, and principal officers - Arrival of the forces at Barbadoes - Departure for Martinique - Landing and success exactly similar to that of 1808-Attack on Fort Bourbon and Fort Republican — The affair of Captain Brown in the Asia — Faulkner and the quartermaster Surrender of the island-The forces proceed to St. Lucia, which also surrenders -The Admiral and the General then prepare to attack Guadaloupe Particulars of the events on that island - Storming of Fleur d'Epée Dreadful carnage - Final surrender- Too many troops of the enemy left on the island-Prince Edward, father of our present most gracious Queen, present on the occasion, and returns to North America-The naval and military forces return to Guadaloupe― Sad reverses — Ravages of the yellow fever - Barbarous conduct of Victor Hugues - Death of General Dundas and Captain Robertson Narrow escape of Captain Burnett-Horrible cruelty practised on the French Royalists -Murder of the sick in the streets and hospitals— Arrival of ViceAdmiral Caldwell and General Vaughan with reinforcements - Departure of Sir John Jervis and Sir Charles Grey for England — They arrive at Spithead - Final surrender of the Guadaloupe to the French -Ravages of the yellow fever-Observations on the persecution raised against the Commander-in-chief at home for their alleged peculation in the islands-The charges disproved in Parliament —Violent memorandum of Lieutenant General Prescott - Destruction of the Boyne by fire at Spithead.

In 1794 the commands on the different stations were thus disposed of. Lord Howe had the Channel fleet, with generally from twenty-five to thirty sail of the line under his orders; Ad