the command of the Childers, which you have held with so much credit to yourself during his illness, I feel on this occasion great pleasure in expressing to you the very high sense I entertain, as well of your zeal in taking charge of that sloop, at a most distressing period of disease and mortality, as of the ability you displayed in bringing her to this harbour with only fifteen hands capable of doing duty, and of your exertions since your arrival in getting her cleared and fumigated. I am, Sir, your most obedient servant,
(Signed)“John Harvey, Rear-Admiral."”
“Naval Hospital, 3d Oct. 1816.
“My dear Astley, – I congratulate you on your good fortune in getting the Childers cleared with so little loss of men. You ought to be particularly grateful for having escaped a disease which spared so few who came within the focus of its powers. During my servitude of seventeen years in the West Indies, I have never seen a vessel where fever prevailed to such an alarming extent. Nothing can more clearly shew how completely the brig was filled with pestilential air, than the circumstance of seven medical men sent to her assistance, one after the other, being attacked with fever, as well as every new hand who went on board of her. The men belonging to the Lord Eldon transport, who assisted her in getting into English harbour, were on her deck little more than an hour, and not suffered to go below, yet above one-third of them were attacked with the disease.
"Your having persevered under such circumstances, in clearing and purifying the vessel, I trust will meet the reward such zeal merits. Wishing you every success, I remain, &c.
(Signed)“Robt. Crichton.”
Some time after this, Mr. Astley, then again senior lieutenant of the Scamander, was likewise attacked with yellow fever, and in consequence obliged to be invalided, Feb. 21st, 1817. We next find him serving as first of the Bulwark 70, bearing the flag of Sir John Gore, in the river Medway, from which ship he was lent to the Royal Sovereign yacht, during the time that that vessel was employed in bringing the Duke and Duchess of Kent to England from Calais, in April, 1819. His promotion to the rank of commander took place Aug 12th, following, on which occasion he received a very friendly letter from Sir John Gore, of which we shall here give the copy:–
“Admiral’s Office, Chatham, Aug. 24th, 1819.
