That I was hurt, beyond measure, can be easily conceived. An admiral passing a censure after an action on his second in command was not to be borne with temper; some few words passed on both sides, which I do not recollect, and the conversation finished by my asking, in an abrupt manner, if he had any further commands for me, which was answered in the negative in the same style. I am not at all aware that I had ever given the least cause for this break-out. I certainly had frequently pressed the Admiral to carry on active measures, and perhaps in too urgent a manner, but I had no reason to expect that I should ever have been so treated. On quitting the Phœnix I went on board the Gorgon, and took the only step open to me, namely, to ask for a court-martial. This was refused, and I had just finished a letter, requesting that the correspondence might be sent to the Admiralty if he persisted in denying me a court-martial, when I was beset by my brother officers, earnestly requesting that I would be pacified, very naturally concluding that a difference of so serious a nature between the Commander-in-Chief and his second, would put a stop to the promotion and rewards that it was expected would be liberally bestowed on the whole squadron. Of this I felt quite aware, but I considered myself so unjustly and so indecorously treated, and that my character as an officer would suffer, unless an investigation took place, as there are always people in the world ready to breathe upon one’s reputation. This feeling for several days induced me to resist all their endeavours to make matters up, but I at last consented, much against my own inclination, (and I believe, even now, that I was wrong in doing so,) on condition the Admiral would write me a proper letter on the subject. He did write me a letter, which I subjoin: “November 6. “My dear Sir, “I do not apprehend that a difference of opinion implies a censure upon either party, as I cannot allow infallibility to any body. “That I differed in opinion with you is true, but that therefore censure was intended is without foundation. “Believe me, my dear Sir, “Yours truly, “ROBERT STOPFORD.” “Commodore Napier.” I made answer:— “Powerful, November 7, 1840. “My dear Sir, “I am glad to find, by your note, which I received last night, that you had no intention to censure me. I placed my ship to the best of my judgment; I could do no more. “Believe me, &c., “CHARLES NAPIER.” “Admiral Stopford.”