Admirals -- Great Britain -- Biography; Exmouth, Edward Pellew, Viscount, 1757-1833
gratification of the Admiral, it was his son, Captain Troubridge, who
commanded the _Harrier_.
Sir Edward, as far as he was himself concerned, had eventually little
reason for regret. The position of true dignity, to be always ready to
sacrifice to public duty personal feelings, and to surrender, when
necessary, personal interests, but never to compromise any point of
principle or character, is generally the course not less of prudence
than of honour. He obtained on this occasion all he could desire, and
more than he had hoped for, a candid inquiry. Before his letter reached
England, there had been a change in the ministry, and Mr. Grey was at
the head of the Admiralty. Nothing could be more honourable than all his
conduct. It was at first believed that Sir Edward had committed an
illegal and unprecedented act of resistance to that authority which, as
an officer, he was bound implicitly to obey. Yet, believing that he had
acted hastily, Mr. Grey himself went to the Duke of Northumberland, as
Sir Edward's friend, to say, that the board would allow him to write a
letter on service, recalling his ill-advised communication. The Duke
sent to Sir Edward's brother, who was then in town, that he might write
to India without delay; but Mr. Pellew at first thought the step
unnecessary. His brother, he said, was not in the habit of acting
without due consideration, and he did not think it would be found that
he had done so now. But next day. Earl St. Vincent called upon the Duke,
and insisted more strongly on the necessity for the step. Sir Edward's
letter, he said, was not a question of this or the other administration,
but an act of insubordination which no ministry could overlook: that his
professional prospects would be entirely destroyed if the board took
cognizance of it; and that extraordinary lenity was shown in allowing
him to recall it. A letter was accordingly written; but before a ship
sailed, Mr. Grey came a second time to the Duke, and told him he had
found, upon inquiry, that Sir Edward was right. He did more; for he
wrote to Sir Edward himself a very kind and handsome letter; and though
opposed to him in political opinions, while Sir Thomas Troubridge was
connected with his own friends, he recalled this officer, whom he
appointed to the Cape, and continued to Sir Edward, as at first, the
entire command in India.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account