he fail, to correspond with his son, at every convenient opportunity;
and to inculcate, in writing, those pious and paternal precepts which
had so often flowed from his venerable and revered lips.
On the 8th of April 1777, within a single week of quitting the
Worcester, this youth, who had not yet completed the nineteenth year of
his age, passed his professional examination for a lieutenancy; and, on
the day following, received his commission as second lieutenant of the
Lowestoffe of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain William Locker,
since Lieutenant-Governor of Greenwich Hospital, in which situation he
died on the 26th of December 1800.
This ship, in consequence of the dispute with the American colonists,
who had, on the 4th of July 1776, declared themselves free and
independent states, under the name of the Thirteen United Provinces, and
which terminated in their separation from the mother-country, was
ordered to the West Indies; there to remain, as one of the squadron
under the good and gallant Admiral Gayton: an old officer of such
distinguished activity and success, that his cruizers captured, while
he commanded on the Jamaica station, no less than two hundred and
thirty-five American vessels.
The worthy Comptroller of the Navy having thus secured rank, and a
prospect of active employ, for his meritorious nephew, they parted with
most affectionate adieus, and in the fullest hopes of again meeting.
This, however, was not to happen: they never more beheld each other! His
uncle was elected member of parliament for Portsmouth, in 1778: and
died, in the month of July, that year; leaving a handsome legacy to his
nephew, as well as to all the rest of his sister's children.
Captain Locker, who was a very friendly man, as well as an intelligent
and skilful commander, became greatly attached to his young lieutenant,
and very liberal of scientific and professional instruction. The youth
had been powerfully recommended; and, as usual, he recommended himself
still more powerfully. On his voyage to Jamaica, therefore, where he had
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