ed him by no means to accept it; stating as a reason, that he had already enriched himself by prize-money; and that it might be made an excuse for not employing him actively. A short time after, Admiral Lord Hood, who ever had the interest of the navy at heart, called at his former Lieutenant’s house, and finding him at home, said, “Sir Edward, I hear you have refused a pension for your wounds, and in doing so, I think you have done an injustice to the service; for recollect, that other officers may not have had the good fortune which you have met with; and this will be a precedent for refusing pensions to those who may be similarly wounded, without losing a limb.” Sir Edward’s reply was strictly in unison with his well-known character: “My Lord, I have applied again for service, and I am more desirous of putting into execution a plan I have given in to Lord Spencer, than receiving a pension.” Here the conversation ended, and his Lordship took leave. Shortly after this, in an interview with Earl Spencer, that nobleman offered Sir Edward an addition to his armorial bearings, which he also declined. The Earl then expressed his regret that Sir Edward’s standing on the list of Post-Captains would not admit of his soliciting higher honors for him.
Our officer’s next appointment was to the Trent, a fine 36-gun frigate, in which he continued during the remainder of the war, occasionally commanding a small squadron employed in the blockade of Havre de Grace, Cherbourgh, and St. Maloes. Whilst on that service, he captured and destroyed several of the enemy’s privateers and merchantmen, and completely stopped the coasting trade on the northern shores of France.
On the 3d April, 1801, Sir Edward Hamilton discovered a large ship under the protection of two armed vessels, proceed from Brehat to Plampoul, and immediately despatched the Trent’s boats to attack them. The armed vessels, after sustaining a severe conflict, supported by an incessant fire from five batteries, were driven on the rocks, and destroyed. The ship was taken possession of in the most spirited manner, and found to be laden principally with corn. Two Frenchmen were lying dead on her decks, and several were drowned; the remainder effected their escape.
In the execution of this service, the Trent had but one
