neutrality of Genoa, in direct opposition to the remonstrances of the senate and government[1]. On his return from that service, he was appointed by Lord Hood to command one of the latter vessels, manned as a tender, and sent in her to Sardinia, with despatches for Commodore Linzee. He also received his first commission from the same source, bearing date Nov. 17, 1793, and appointing him junior Lieutenant of the Tartar frigate.
Early in the ensuing year, we find Mr. Collard commanding the Petite Boston schooner, in which vessel he was actively employed during the sieges of St. Fiorenzo and Bastia[2]. From July 5, 1794, until Dec. 10, 1796, he served in l’Eclair of 20 guns, on the Mediterranean station; and at the latter period he was removed into the Britannia, a first rate, bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral Charles Thompson, of which ship he became senior Lieutenant previous to the defeat of the Spanish fleet off Cape St. Vincent, Feb. 14, 1797[3]. His promotion to the rank of Commander took place on the 8th of the following month.
Captain Collard was very soon afterwards appointed to the Fortune sloop of war, which vessel he had the misfortune to lose, near Oporto, July 19, 1797; and from that period we lose sight of him until his appointment to the Vestal frigate, armed en flute Feb. 6, 1800.
In that ship. Captain Collard assisted at the reduction of Genoa[4]; and subsequently accompanied the expedition to Egypt, where he served with great credit until the termination of the campaign, when he received a gold medal from the Turkish government, in common with numerous other officers. The Vestal was paid off April 26, 1802.
Early in July 1804, Captain Collard obtained the command of the Railleur sloop, and was again placed under the orders of Lord Keith, who entrusted him with the charge of the St. Vincent, one of the principal explosion vessels attached to the
