ment a courier came alongside, with despatches for the King, who, to the surprise of every one, could not be found among the brilliant assembly. Having dispensed with the usual court attendance on that occasion, he had contrived to withdraw, unperceived, from the scene of gaiety, and found his way to the fore part of the lower-deck, where he was at length discovered by Mr. Tayler, in the act of interrogating an old weather-beaten tar, the ship’s company surrounding him, with their hats off, the foremost of them kneeling down, so as not to obstruct the view of those behind, the countenances of the whole beaming with genuine devotion, and all so respectfully silent that a pin might have been heard to fall.
Nor was his majesty less considerate than condescending. Being much pleased with the manner in which the Anson was prepared for his reception, he commanded that she should not accompany him when he next took a cruise, remarking, that her officers would then have an opportunity of shewing the ship, decorated as she was, to all their private friends. By such acts as these did the sovereign of this mighty empire endear himself to every one who had the honor of being admitted into his presence.
On the 27th April, 1800, the Anson captured la Vainqueur, French letter of marque, from Bourdeaux bound to St. Domingo: two days afterwards she fell in with four of the enemy’s privateers, which, on discovering her to be a British frigate, made off in different directions. Captain Durham instantly pursued the largest, and gave her a well-aimed broadside when crossing upon opposite tacks, receiving her fire in return. Finding that she outsailed and weathered upon the Anson, he then bore away after one to leeward, which he soon succeeded in capturing. The prize proved to be le Hardi, of 18 guns and 191 men, a very fine ship, just off the stocks. Her consorts were le Braave of 36 guns, le Guêpe 18, and le Druide 16; all belonging to Bourdeaux, and bound on separate cruises.
About the same time. Captain Durham intercepted the governor of Batavia, on his return from Java, in a neutral ship bound to Hamburgh.
The Anson was subsequently employed in convoying a fleet
