Francis, died second lieutenant of the Argo 44, at Port Royal in 1814.
Agents.– Messrs. Cooke, Halford, & Son.
HON. SIR ROBERT CAVENDISH SPENCER.
Knight Commander of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order, and a Groom of the Bedchamber to H.R.H. the Duke of Clarence.
[Post-Captain of 1814.]
This officer is the second surviving son of Earl Spencer, K.G. formerly First Lord of the Admiralty, by Lady Lavinia Bingham, eldest daughter of Charles, first Earl of Lucan. It may be truly said, that under the direction of his father, the British navy was raised to an eminence which it had never before attained. It was during the noble Earl’s administration, that the victories off Cape St. Vincent, Camperdown, and the Nile, were achieved by Jervis, Duncan, and Nelson; – these battles we consider to be unparalleled, in point of consequence and glory, by any equal number that have ever been fought at sea.
It would be a tedious, and indeed superfluous task, to enumerate the many high encomiums that were lavished on Earl Spencer, by all parties, whilst his lordship presided with so much honor, skill, and advantage, at the helm of our maritime affairs; but the animated tribute paid to his professional abilities and judicious disposition of Britain’s “natural bulwark,” by a political opponent, is worthy of particular notice.
“No one,” said the Earl of Darnley, in his speech on the state of the nation, “has a higher opinion than I have of the noble lord over against me: his character is deservedly high. Under his auspices, we have triumphed in every part of the world, and the British flag has been carried to a pitch of unexampled glory!”
To show the high opinion entertained by Nelson of Earl Spencer, we shall here transcribe a letter written to his lordship by that transcendent hero, Oct. 10, 1804;–
“I do assure you, my dear Lord, that not one of all your naval friends, and you ought to have many, loves, honors, and respects you more than myself, or is more grateful for all your kindness. Circumstances may have separated us; but my sincere respect and attachment can never be
