one of those friendly letters to which we alluded at p. 23, and of which the following is a copy:
“My dear Sir.– I cannot describe to you the delight which your letter of the 22d instant afforded me, for I much feared I never should see your hand-writing again; perhaps the feeling was in some degree selfish, knowing how essential your services would be, in the important duty we iiave now to carry on, in consequence of the revolution that has taken place in the north of Holland; but, be that as it may, I do most heartily congratulate you on your escape from danger.
“At first, I cherished the hope that your accurate knowledge of the coast, the excellent order of your ship’s company[1], and the good qualities of the Nymphen, would enable you to weather the gale, which even with us here was most violent; but when your boats were picked up, and brought into the Downs, my heart sickened and I gave you up as lost. I am, with great esteem, faithfully yours.
“To Captain Hancock, Nymphen.”
The revolution in Holland may be dated from the 15th Nov. 1813, on which day the people of Amsterdam rose in a body, proclaiming the House of Orange, and universally putting up the ancient national colours. This example was immediately followed by the other towns of the provinces of Holland and Utrecht, the Hague, Rotterdam, &c. The French authorities were dismissed, and a temporary government established in the name of the Prince of Orange, whose arrival at the Hague we have already mentioned in our memoir of Viscount Torrington.
The enemy’s line-of-battle ships were then lying at Antwerp, in a dismantled state, the greater part of their seamen and the whole of the soldiers having been sent off to join Napoleon’s army; but four large French frigates were still anchored off Flushing, and perfectly ready for sea. In addition
- ↑ It appears by Captain Hancock’s quarterly reports that no corporal punishment was inflicted on board the Nymphen between Oct. 5, 1812, and April 5, 1813; “which,” says Admiral Young, “considering the great number of foreigners among her crew (at least one fourth part of the whole), does great credit to the system of discipline Captain Hancock must have established, and the manner in which the officers under him must have carried it into execution.” It is almost needless to say, that the Admiralty expressed much satisfaction on the receipt of those retu
