Royal Naval Biography/Leslie-Melville, David
RIGHT HON. EARL of LEVEN and MELVILLE,
Viscount Balgonie, &c. &c. &c.
[Post-Captain of 1812.]
Eldest son of the late Earl, by Jane, daughter of John Thornton, of London, Esq.
This officer was born Dec. 8, 1786, and made a Lieutenant Aug. 8, 1806. The following mention is made of him by Lord Collingwood, in a letter to the Admiralty, reporting the capture and destruction of a French convoy in the bay of Rosas, Nov. 1, 1809:–
“Many officers in the fleet were desirous of being volunteers in this service. I could not resist the earnest request of Lieutenants Lord Viscount Balgonie, &c. &c. to have the command of boats, in which they displayed that spirit which is inherent in them.”
We next find Viscount Balgonie commanding the Delight brig, on the Mediterranean station. He obtained post rank, Feb. 28, 1812; and succeeded to the Scotch earldom, on the demise of his father, Feb. 22, 1820.