solicit any thing which this Junta have the power of bestowing, they will not fail of giving you a further proof of the respect they bear to your recommendation, in attending to your wishes.
“Finally, Commodore, this Junta entreat that you would, in their name, and in that of the whole Spanish nation, make known to the captains, officers, seamen, and marines of the squadron, the satisfaction and obligation which is felt by them for their great services, and the valour with which they have accomplished a glorious and a useful enterprise; desiring, at the same time, to acknowledge the gratitude they feel for such distinguished actions.
| (Signed) | “Don Raymond De Castres “Jose Antonio Rewadengra |
Secretaries.” |
On the 14th Oct. following, Captain Mends effected a partial landing of troops, &c. at Gijon, when the enemy were driven out of the town, all the stores destroyed, and the cannon thrown into the sea. Early in the following year, he was appointed to the command of the prison ships stationed at Portsmouth; where he continued till the conclusion of the war. On the 25th May, 1815, the honor of knighthood was conferred upon him on his obtaining permission to wear the Cross of the Spanish Order of Charles III. In April, 1816, the pension granted him for the loss of his arm (originally seven pounds) was encreased to 300l. per annum.
Sir Robert Mends obtained the chief command on the coast of Africa, in June 1821; and died on board the Owen Glendower frigate at Cape Coast, Sept. 4, 1823. An attack of cholera morbus had for the two preceding days slightly incapacitated him from his usual active attention to his duty; and on his partial recovery, he was proceeding from his cabin to the quarter-deck, in conversation with his eldest son, when he was seized with an apoplectic fit, from which he never recovered.
This lamented officer married, Sept. 29, 1802, a daughter of the late James Butler, Esq., of Bagshot, Surrey. His brother, W. Bowen Mends, Esq., is a Captain, R.N. Another brother holds a situation under government in North America.
FRANCIS WILLIAM AUSTEN, Esq
A Companion of the most Honorable Military Order of the Bath.
[Post-Captain of 1800.]
This officer is a son of the late Rev. George Austen, Rector of Steventon in Hampshire, by Cassandra, youngest
