An Historical Review of the Royal Marine Corps, from its Original Institution down to the Present Era, 1803Gillespie, Alexander, Major
History
An Historical Review of the Royal Marine Corps, from its Original Institution down to the Present Era, 1803
Gillespie, Alexander, Major
Great Britain. Royal Marines -- History
Acts of generous hospitality, and works of mercy in the western
world, superseded stratagem in war, and the thirst of fame.
Prince William Henry, now his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence,
whom professional zeal had carried to that quarter, was at the
cessation of hostilities, under that able master, Lord Hood. Since
his entry into the Navy he had shewn a peculiar attention to every
branch of its duties, and had afforded the earliest presage of the
most distinguished talents upon its hazardous, but popular element.
A princely wish to qualify himself for this honourable calling,
had urged him to forego all the luxuries of his station, and to
risk a life naturally dear to his august family, and deservedly
valued by all who had the privilege of his intercourse, in a clime,
where no one can count upon to-morrow. It was not his lot, indeed,
to wage war in it, but to behold the refined manners of a gallant
enemy tranquillized into a cordial friend, and to be the Agent of
Providence in rescuing, from a seemingly irrevocable doom, some of
his condemned countrymen, whose misguided patriotism had stimulated
disaffection within the Spanish Province of Louisiana.
The elegant attentions of Mons. de Bellecomb, at Cape Francois,
were still outdone by the noble humanity of Governor Don Galvez.
This brave Spaniard placed the forfeited lives of those unfortunate
delinquents, at his Royal disposal. It was the most precious
gift that could have been tendered to a British Prince--who was
recognized under this great and solemn offering as sharing in all
the generous sympathies of an Englishman. The hour which permitted
him to restore those wretched victims, in a foreign land, to their
native society, must be reviewed as the happiest of his life. It
must still yield many a consoling reflection in his retirement,
and although restrained from adding to the triumphs of our Realm,
by deeds of carnage, he may yet rejoice that he stands upon the
records of mercy and benevolence by the most exalted displays of
fellow feeling.
By the definitive articles of peace America found herself an
Independent Empire. Recent injuries alienated her citizens from
our Country; but similarity of manners, the dictates of interest,
and allayed prejudices must, ere long, re-unite us in the bonds
of friendship. The retreat of Washington from the head of her
Armies, unambitious of recompense or power, forms one of the
grandest examples of human virtue ever given to the world, and must
immortalize his name through every stage of its existence.
Holland was compelled to suppress her phlegm, and to mourn over her
degraded character, and commercial losses.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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