which was attended with effects so beneficial, by demonstrating the views of our country in taking possession of these colonies; the orderly conduct of your force in abstaining from any act of irregularity, and thus gaining the confidence of the inhabitants; these were services of no ordinary description.
“I now approach that period of your services, which will hand your name to posterity among those consecrated by the admiration of our country. Here, in the nervous language of the Governor-General, ‘you displayed a heroism almost fabulous, and acquired a glory of too transcendent a character, to be reaped by any other portion of the human race, than the seamen and soldiers of our own nation.’
“Whatever I could add to a testimony so exalted, would be superfluous. I must now take my leave; you quit those scenes where we have fought together and bled for our country; but you return to no ungrateful country; she has long been known to reward that portion of her sons who have raised her name to the most exalted of the earth; and in thus honoring the splendid exertions of superior merit, has founded the most impregnable bulwark of her strength. I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed)“Hy. S. Keating.”
On his return to England, Captain Willoughby was surveyed by the College of Surgeons, and in consequence of their report, a pension of 300l. per annum was granted to him, Oct. 4, 1811; they stating, that he had not only lost an eye, but that his other wounds were more than equal to the loss of a limb. In 1815, this pension was increased to 550l. per annum, commencing from July 1, in that year, agreeably to H.M. Order in Council, dated Nov. 27.
Having now arrived at the conclusion of Captain Willoughby’s naval services, during the late war, we cannot help remarking, that he had the peculiar good fortune never to be discomfited, either afloat or on shore, when the service to be performed was arranged by himself, and the plan carried into execution under his own directions. From the time of his joining the Otter until the twentieth of August, 1810, that day also included, his astonishing efforts to signalize himself were invariably successful. His only unfortunate action was fought under the orders of a superior officer!
In 1812, having no immediate prospect of employment afloat. Captain Willoughby obtained leave to go abroad; and repaired to the Baltic, ready to serve as a volunteer wherever active service might be in contemplation.
