‘We, the Lieutenant-Colonels Commanding, Field-officers, Captains and Subalterns of the two Battalions of the Rifle Brigade, beg leave to represent to your Grace with what feelings of pride and satisfaction we viewed your appointment to be our Colonel-in-Chief. ‘Assuredly so high a distinction could not fail to make a deep impression on the minds of any corps in His Majesty’s service; but we cannot conceal from ourselves that, in the breast of the majority of us, every sentiment of joy and exultation was in no slight degree augmented when memory recalled the days of active service under your Grace’s command, as well in that series of brilliant campaigns which terminated in the emancipation of the Peninsula, as during the last grand struggle, which, sealing the destruction of the common enemy, purchased for Europe tranquillity and for your Grace the title of its deliverer. ‘Whatever henceforth may be the destinies of this Corps--whether its exertions shall be for some time confined to the humbler, less inspiring, but not less imperative duty of protecting our fellow-citizens against the criminal attempts of flagitious and designing men in our native country, or whether our better fortune shall again direct us to the more enviable and spirit-stirring occupations of foreign war--we entreat your Grace to believe that the lustre of your high example will ever be present before our eyes, animating us all, each in his degree, and within the sphere of his activity, to renewed exertions; imparting to our humble efforts a character of a loftier emulation, and teaching us unceasingly to aim at results not unworthy to be associated with a name which history will indissolubly blend with the fairest and most enduring triumphs of a free and independent people. ‘We have the honour to be, ‘Your Grace’s most obedient humble servants, ‘1st and 2nd Battalions Rifle Brigade. A. NORCOTT, Col. and Lieut.-Col. Com. D. LITTLE GILMOUR, Lieut.-Col. J. ROSS, Major and Lieut.-Col. S. MITCHELL, Major and Lieut.-Col. J. LEACH, Major and Lieut.-Col. GEO. MILLER, Major and Lieut.-Col. W. GRAY, Capt. and Major. MORGAN BRENT, Major.’[178] This address was forwarded to the Duke by Colonel Gilmour, then commanding the 2nd Battalion, with the following letter:-- ‘Tuam, May 31, 1820. ‘My Lord Duke, ‘As senior Lieutenant-Colonel of the Rifle Brigade, I have the honour of forwarding to you a letter from the officers composing the two Battalions of it, and in doing so I beg leave to express the high sense I entertain of the honour which has now devolved upon me, as also to embrace this opportunity of acknowledging the many obligations personally conferred upon me by your Grace, and which I beg leave to assure you shall ever be held in my most grateful recollection.