The departure of the French Fleet from North America enabled General Sir Henry Clinton to fit out an expedition against Charleston, which he captured in 1780, for which he received the thanks of Parliament, and this success was followed by important results in North and South Carolina; but the tide of success did not long flow in favour of the British cause, and some reverses taking place, he was succeeded as Commander-in-Chief in North America by General Carleton. He arrived in England in June, 1782, and afterwards published a vindication of his conduct. The appointment of Governor of Limerick was conferred upon General Sir Henry Clinton; he was also groom of the bedchamber to the Duke of Gloucester, and was many years a member of Parliament; in 1795, he was appointed Governor of Gibraltar. He died in December of the same year. WILLIAM PICTON. _Appointed 21st April, 1779._ The first services of this officer were in the marines, in which corps he was promoted to the rank of Captain, in March, 1755, and in August, 1756, he was appointed Captain of the grenadier company in the TWELFTH foot. He served at the head of his company, in Germany, during the seven years' war, and evinced great gallantry on numerous occasions. In 1762, he was promoted Major, and in 1765, Lieut.-Colonel of his regiment. He performed all the duties of commanding officer of the TWELFTH regiment, in the United Kingdom and afterwards at Gibraltar, with reputation to himself and advantage to the service, for thirteen years, and in 1778 he was appointed Colonel of the seventy-fifth foot, then newly raised, and afterwards disbanded: in the following year he was removed to the TWELFTH regiment. King George III. frequently selected individuals of merit on whom he conferred distinguished marks of his Royal approbation, and the promotion of Colonel Picton furnishes an instance of His Majesty's attention to meritorious services, which had not the advantage of Ministerial or Parliamentary patronage. When appointed to the colonelcy of the TWELFTH, Colonel Picton went to Court, and after kissing His Majesty's hand at the levee, he was admitted to an audience in the King's closet, when he acknowledged, in grateful terms, the honor conferred upon him; and His Majesty replied, "You are entirely obliged to Captain Picton, who commanded the grenadier company of the TWELFTH regiment, in the late war in Germany;" at the same time alluding particularly to his gallantry at Zierenberg, for which he was thanked in general orders.[22] After this interview, he joined his regiment at Gibraltar, and distinguished himself in the defence of that fortress, under General Eliott. In 1782, he was promoted to the rank of Major-General, in 1793 to that of Lieut.-General, and in 1798 to that of General. He died in 1811. SIR CHARLES HASTINGS, BARONET. _Appointed 15th October, 1811._