whom had originated the plan of the society of United Irishmen, and the idea of an Irish republic, was also captured on this occasion. So memorable an event, by precluding the renewal of a disastrous war, was productive of the most advantageous consequences, and produced a general joy both in England and Ireland. One of the most active members of the opposition, was pleased to consider this as a signal victory," which had set all men's minds at ease as to the security of the empire, and we could not but feel," it was added, "the utmost gratitude to the officer, who had thus rendered all the designs of the enemy abortive." The thanks of both houses were voted unanimously upon this occasion, and communicated by the commodore to the officers and seamen of the squadron under his command, while he himself was pleased to observe in a letter directed to Mr. Addington, then speaker of the Commons, "that the greatest encouragement an officer can receive to a faithful discharge of his duty, is to obtain the good opinion of his country, expressed by their representatives in parliament assembled." On the promotion that took place soon after, Sir John was nominated a rear-admiral of the blue, and hoisted his flag for the first time on board the Temeraire, in which ship he joined the channel fleet, and remained with it, until its return into port. In the course of the succeeding year (1800) we find him as usual stationed off the coast of France. 1804-1805. * Mr. Tierney. On On the 11th of June the boats of his squadron succeeded in a night attack on a convoy, which had taken shelter under a fort within the Penmarks, while some of his light vessels chased an enemy's squadron into Quimper river, and a landing being effected, stormed and blew up a battery. In 1801, this active and enterprising officer was suddenly detached to the Mediterranean, after Admiral Gantheaume, who found means to elude his search, and escape to the coast of Egypt. On his return, Sir John threw succours into Porto Ferrajo, and enabled the garrison to make a successful sally on the besiegers. With the war, ended the services and the exploits of Admiral Sir John Warren, and he accordingly returned to enjoy happiness in the bosom of his family. But alas! this was embittered by the death of his son, a fine young man, who had gone to Egypt as an officer of the guards, and was fated to perish in that distant and inhospitable land. Since that period, it is hoped that his sorrows have been diminished, if not obliterated, by visiting distant countries, and participating in scenes which must be considered as novel to him. Soon after the peace of Amiens, he was selected for the embassy to Russia, and he accordingly repaired with his family to the court of St. Petersburgh, thus affording a rare and even singular instance of a naval officer appearing in a diplomatic capacity.* *The mission of Sir John has been attended with some delicate negociations relative to Malta, as may be partly deduced from an attentive perusal of the following dispatch. Copy Sir John Borlase Warren was nominated by his Majesty a baronet, May 20, 1775, a knight of Copy of a Letter from Lord Hawkesbury to Sir John Warren, Jan. 29th, 1803. "Sir Downing Street, Jan. 29, 1803. "Your excellency's dispatches, to No. 21, inclusive, have been received, and laid before the King. "I send you now enclosed the official answer to the note of the Chancellor Count Woronzow, relative to the 10th article of the Treaty of Amiens: it has been delivered to Count Simon Woronzow, the Russian ambassador at this court. "In communicating this note, you will express, in suitable terms, how sensibly his Majesty feels the friendship which the Emperor of Russia has manifested to him on this occasion, in his disposition to concur in the arrangements relative to the Island of Malta; and how sincerely his Majesty regrets, that it is not in his power to acquiesce, without condition or explanation, in every thing that his Imperial Majesty has proposed on this subject. His Majesty however trusts that, when all the circumstances are taken into consideration which bear upon this important subject, the Emperor of Russia will be satisfied, that the line of conduct which has been adopted by his Majesty, is such as a regard to good faith and to the interests of his dominions have rendered necessary. "The only material difference between the arrangement proposed by the Emperor of Russia for the Island of Malta, and that in which his Majesty is willing to concur, relates to the stipulations in favour of the Maltese inhabitants. It is important that your Excellency should impress the Russian Government with the conviction of the services rendered by the inhabitants of Malta to his Majesty and to the common cause, at the time when the French were in possession of the Island. "That, for nearly two years, they maintained a state of constant and active hostility against the French; that several thousands of them perished in this state of hostility; and that these efforts were made at a time when they could receive assistance from no other foreign power. That the attachment evinced by the Maltese to his Majesty during the blockade, and their loyalty to him since the Bath in 1794, and he is now a rear-admiral of the white, in consequence of a late promotion. He is a he has obtained possession of the island, gives them a peculiar claim to his protection, and a right to expect that, in the future arrangements for the island, some advantages should be stipulated in their favour. "That, independent of every consideration of good faith, your Excellency well knows that the Maltese inhabitants, if attached to their government, are equal to the defence of the island; and that every motive of policy therefore, as well as of justice, renders it expedient to endeavour to conciliate their affections. "These circumstances being premised, you will state, that the objection which, it is conceived, has had most weight with his Imperial Majesty, is that stipulation in the 10th article of the treaty of Amiens, which at the time that it establishes a Maltese langue, requires no proof of nobility for admission into that langue-. That such a stipulation is considered as leading to the establishment of a plebeian langue, totally inconsistent with the spirit of the institution of the order. His Majesty is extremely desirous of devising means by which this objection shall be obviated, and the interests of the Maltese adequately consulted. The proofs of nobility, which have been required for other priories, have been various; and the power of the pope to grant dispensations, has been admitted to exist if therefore actual nobility was made the indispensable condition of admission into the Maltese langue or priory, the objection, which is at present made to this part of the arrangement, would, in a great degree, if not wholly, be removed. "As, however, the number of persons who would be capable of admission into the order, in consequence of such a regulation, would be very limited, it appears reasonable, that some further stipulations should be made in favour of the inhabitants of Malta; and it may be proposed to revive, under such regulations and modifications as may be judged expedient, the national council which formerly existed in that island, which should form no part of the order, but which should have a share in the government of the island, and a deliberate voice in all its internal concerns. "A body member in the present parliament for the town of Nottingham. It has already been hinted that the negociations of our diplomatic admiral have been attended with some "A body of this description could not be considered as in any respect derogatory to the ancient institution of the order, and would be conformable to what existed within the island till within a very few years. It is for the purpose of obtaining information on these points, that instructions will be sent to Sir Alexander Ball; it being impossible, after all that has passed, to bring the negotiation to an issue, without some communication with the principal inhabitants of Malta. "His Majesty relies on your zeal in giving effect to these instructions, and in your endeavours to reconcile the Russian government to the objects of them. "The events which have happened since the conclusion of the definitive treaty; the unbounded ambition which has been, and still is, manifested by the French government; might have justified his Majesty in bringing forward new demands, and in even claiming the appropriation of Malta, as some counterpoise to the acquisitions made by France since the treaty of peace; but the moderation with which his Majesty has been actuated in all his concerns with foreign powers, and his anxious desire that the peace of Europe may, if possible, be effectually consolidated, has induced him to forego those claims which the increased and increasing power of France might have justified him in advancing; and as every stipulation in the treaty of Amiens has been in a course of execution on his part, with the exception of the tenth article, he is desirous of shewing his disposition to concur in an arrangement which may be conformable to the spirit of the article; if such an arrangement can be rendered consistent with the honour of the crown; and if it effectually provides for the object of the tenth article-the independence of the island of Malta. I am, with great truth and respect, Sir, Your Excellency's most obedient humble servant, His Excellency Sir John Warren, &c. |