elected a Burgess of the ancient borough of Plymouth. This mark of respect was paid him upon his return from a cruize in the Bay of Biscay, during which the Galatea encountered a violent hurricane, and had nearly foundered; her mizenmast was carried over the side, at the same time her fore and main-top-masts also went, though there was not a stitch of canvas set. One man went over with the mizen-mast, and several others were much hurt.
Subsequent to the treaty of Amiens, the Galatea was stationed on the S.W. coast of Ireland, for the suppression of smuggling; and Captain Byng continued on that service until the month of May, 1802, when he was compelled to relinquish his command, in consequence of ill health, occasioned by long and severe cruizes during the preceding winter.
On the renewal of the war with the French republic, Captain Byng, then in a state of convalescence, tendered his services, and was immediately appointed to the Texel, of 64 guns, as commanding officer of the block-ships stationed in the Medway; and on the retirement of Earl St. Vincent from the Admiralty, that nobleman paid Captain Byng the flattering compliment of promoting his First Lieutenant and two Master’s-Mates to superior ranks.
In the month of August, 1804, our officer was appointed to the Malabar, of 50 guns, and commanded that ship until Mar. 1805, when he removed into the Belliqueux, of 64 guns; and in the following autumn, accompanied the late Sir Home Popham on an expedition against the Cape of Good Hope. The squadron, having on board a body of troops under Major-General Sir David Baird, arrived in Table Bay, Jan. 4, 1806; and on the 18th of the same month, the Dutch Governor (Janssens) having signed a capitulation for a general surrender, England became once more possessed of one of the most important settlements in the world, and which has since been permanently annexed to the British empire.
The land forces employed on the above occasion, were strengthened by a marine battalion, commanded by Captain Byng, from whose great exertions the service derived much benefit, which was warmly acknowledged by the joint commanders in their respective despatches, wherein they highly commended “the perseverance and determination with which
