On _Sunday_ morning captain _Montague_, having received a warrant from Admiral _Boscawen_ for his execution next day, gave it to the Marshal to read to him; which he calmly heard read over, and then remarked, with some warmth, that the place appointed by the warrant was upon the fore-castle. "_Is not this_," said he, addressing himself to his friends, "_putting me upon the footing of a common seaman, condemned to be shot? Is not this an indignity to my birth, to my family, and to my rank in the service? I think I have not been treated like an officer in any instance since I was disgraced, excepting in that of being ordered to be shot_." He appeared much disturbed at this circumstance, and looked upon it as a considerable grievance. His friends, fearing it could not be altered, because the warrant was expresly worded so, represented to him, that it appeared to them an impropriety; but they hoped he would think the place immaterial, a circumstance beneath his notice, and not let any such consideration break in upon his tranquillity of mind. He then composed himself again, and replied, "_It is very true, the place or manner is of no great importance to me; but I think living Admirals should consult the dignity of the rank, for their own sakes. I cannot plead a precedent: there is no precedent of an Admiral, or a General Officer in the Army, being shot. They make a precedent of me, such as Admirals hereafter may feel the Effects of_." After this he appeared calm again; and in the forenoon heard prayers read by the chaplain of the _Monarque_, and received the sacrament in a very decent devout manner, with some of his relations and friends. At dinner he was chearful as usual, very politely helped his friends, and drank their healths; but did not sit long at table. In the afternoon he frequently turned the conversation upon the place and manner of his execution next day, at times expressing some uneasiness that the place appointed should be the fore-castle: and perceiving that his friends avoided the subject out of complaisance to him, sometimes telling him they thought it improper, "_I like to talk upon the subject_," said he: "_It is not to be supposed I do not think of it; why then should it be more improper to talk of it?_" He frequently observed how the wind was, and wished it might continue westerly long enough for the members of his Court Martial, who were upon the point of sailing, to be present at the time the sentence passed upon him was put in execution.