On the 16th July, 1781, the Vulture, in company with the Charles town of 28 guns, and Allegiance sloop, fell in with and was attacked by two large French frigates, l’Astrée of 40 guns, and l’Hermione of 36, which, after a severe action, they succeeded in beating off, thereby preserving a fleet of merchantmen which they were convoying to Spanish River. The Charlestown had 8 men slain and 14 wounded; amongst the former was her commander, Captain Evans, an active and gallant officer. The Vulture had 1 man killed and 2 wounded.
Captain George was advanced to post rank in the Amphitrite frigate, November 29, 1781; and subsequently commanded the Charlestown, on the coast of America. About the period, of the Spanish armament he was appointed to the Thisbe of 28 guns, and afterwards to the Hussar, a ship of similar force, in which he continued until the autumn of 1795, when he was nominated a Commissioner of the then recently established Transport Board, over which he presided for some years, previous to its dissolution at the conclusion of the late war.
In 1803 Commissioner George received the honor of knighthood on the occasion of his acting as proxy for a K.B. at an installation of the Knights of that order. His patent of Baronetcy is dated September 18, 1809. He married, June 30th, 1782, Margaret, daughter of Thomas Cochren, of Halifax, Esq. and by that lady had a numerous family.
Sir Rupert George died at Willesden House, co. Middlesex, January 25, 1823. His widow, if still alive, enjoys a pension of 300l. per annum during the royal pleasure.
HON. MATTHEW FORTESCUE.
[Retired Captain.]
The Fortescues are an ancient Devonshire family. Sir Henry Fortescue was Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas in Ireland, in 1246; and his second son was the celebrated Sir John Fortescue, Chief Justice of England in 1442, afterwards Lord Chancellor, and the author of the famous “Treatise de Laudibus Legum Angliae.”
Captain Fortescue is the second son of Matthew, second Earl of Fortescue, by Anne, second daughter of John Campbell, of Cawdor, in Scotland, and Stackpole-court, co. Pem-
