Part 15
JOSEPH MARRYAT, Esq. in the Chair, Read, from the London Gazette of the 7th of May, a letter from Lieut.-General Sir William Myers, Bart. commanding His Majesty's troops in the Windward and Leeward Islands, to Earl Camden, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, inclosing a letter from Brigadier-General Prevost, Governor of Dominica, relating to the vigorous and gallant resistance made by the troops and militia under his command, against the very superior force with which the French landed at Roseau, on the 22d of February last; his retreat to the fort at Prince Ruperts; and the resolution he expressed, in answer to the summons of General Lagrange, of defending it to the last extremity; in consequence of which the enemy abandoned the enterprise, and evacuated the Island.
Resolved,
That a Sword of the value of 100_l._, and a Piece of Plate, of the value of 200_l._, with appropriate inscriptions, be presented to Brigadier-General Prevost, for the distinguished gallantry and military talents he displayed on that occasion, by which the sovereignty of the Island was preserved to His Majesty's arms.
That a Sword of Fifty Pounds value, and a Piece of Plate, of the value of 100_l._, with appropriate inscriptions, or that sum in money, at his option, be presented to Major Nunn, wounded while faithfully executing the orders of General Prevost, "Not to yield to the enemy one inch of ground."
That a Sword of 50_l._ value, and a Piece of Plate, of the value of 100_l._, with appropriate inscriptions, or that sum in money, at his option, be presented to Captain O'Connell, whose wound did not induce him to forego the honour of the command to which he succeeded on Major Nunn being disabled; and in which he resisted the repeated charges of the enemy, notwithstanding their great superiority in numbers, till he obliged them to retire with great slaughter.
That the sum of 100_l._ be presented to Captain Colin Campbell, wounded.
That the sum of 40_l._ each be given to the men whose wounds have been attended with disability or loss of limb.
That the sum of 20_l._ each be given to the other men severely wounded.
And the sum of 10_l._ each, to the men slightly wounded, including the Militia of the Island.
That Brigadier-General Prevost be requested to advise the Committee of the mode in which the Resolutions respecting himself, Major Nunn, and Captain O'Connell, can be most acceptably carried into effect--to distribute the sums voted to the men wounded, and draw for the amount--furnishing the Committee with the names of the parties, and the sums respectively paid them--and to forward to the Committee the best information he can procure respecting the families of the men killed, including the Militia of the Island, that relief may be afforded to such widows, orphans, and aged parents, as depended upon them for support.
JOSEPH MARRYAT, Chairman.
* * * * *
(Copy.)
_London, May 15, 1805._
"Sir,
"I have the honor to inclose you the resolutions of the Committee of the Patriotic Fund, on their taking into consideration the official account of the gallant and successful defence, made by you, and the brave men under your command, against the very superior force with which the enemy invested Dominica, on the 22d February last. That the sovereignty of the Island was preserved to the British Crown, must be in a great degree ascribed, under Divine Providence, to the talents with which you conducted the military operations; to the confidence which those who served under you had in those talents; and the animation with which they were inspired by your example.
"The primary object of this Fund being the relief of the wounded, and the families of those killed in the service of their country, the Committee, on every occasion, restrict their votes of honorary marks of distinction for gallant conduct, to the commanding officers. This, they trust, will satisfactorily explain to those brave officers, to whose merit you bear such honorable testimony, the reason of their not being noticed in these resolutions.
"The Committee, cannot but remark the very distinguished manner in which the inhabitants of Dominica have displayed those gallant exertions against the enemy, to which they so readily came forward to animate others, by contributing to this fund. The Committee trust, that in attending to the other objects of the inclosed resolutions, you will be particularly careful to recommend to their consideration, the distressed relatives which any of the Militia of the Colony may have left unprovided for. Your bills, at three days sight, on Sir Francis Baring, Bart., Chairman of the Patriotic Fund, at Lloyds, for the amount of the sums voted to the wounded men, will be immediately honored. As those who are disabled, will be invalided and sent home, the Committee submit it to your discretion, whether the gratuities to them had not better be paid them on their arrival here, under your certificate of their claims.
"You will be pleased to accompany your draft, with a letter, giving the names of the parties wounded, and the sums respectively paid to each; which the Committee leave to your judgment, according to the nature and extent of the injuries they have received, instead of waiting for further information to act upon themselves.
"I have the honor to be, Sir,
"Your most obedient humble servant,
"JOSEPH MARRYAT, Chairman."
"_Brigadier-General Prevost._"
No. XV.
_At a General Meeting of West India Planters and Merchants, held at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate Street, May 22, 1805, p. 10._
Resolved unanimously,
That the thanks of this Meeting be given to his Excellency Brigadier-General Prevost, Governor of the Island of Dominica, for the distinguished gallantry and high military talents he displayed on the 22d of February, 1805, in the defence and effectual protection of that Colony against a numerous, powerful, and unexpected force from France.
And that this resolution be communicated to General Prevost, in a letter from the Right Honorable Lord Penrhyn, the Chairman of this Meeting.
* * * * *
Resolved unanimously,
That this Meeting, impressed with the highest sense of the important service rendered to all the West India Colonies, by the able resistance made by General Prevost to the landing of the enemy on the 22d of February, 1805, do request that he will accept from the general body of West India Planters and Merchants, a Piece of Plate, of the value of 300 guineas, with an inscription expressive of the sense of this resolution.
* * * * *
Resolved unanimously,
That the thanks of this Meeting be given to the Field-Officers, Captains, and other Commissioned Officers of the Royal Artillery, the 46th regiment, the 1st West India regiment, and also to the officers of the Colonial Militia, for the gallant conduct they respectively exemplified, and the zealous co-operation they afforded on the same occasion, and that his Excellency the Governor be requested to communicate the same.
* * * * *
Resolved unanimously,
That his Excellency General Prevost be requested, in a letter from the Chairman, to signify to the Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates of his Majesty's Regular and Militia forces at Dominica, the high sense this Meeting entertains of their services in resisting the French force on the 22d of February, 1805.
No. XVI.
_Extract from the Dominica Journal, of Saturday, July 6th, 1805, p. 10._
_Roseau, July 6th, 1805._
Yesterday afternoon, embarked from Roseau, in the Garrison-boat, (under a salute from Fort Young and Scot's Head) for Prince Ruperts, to join his amiable family, who left town the day preceding, his Excellency Major-General George Prevost, our worthy and highly respected Governor, a gentleman who retires from his government with the pleasing gratification of the consciousness of having faithfully discharged his duty to his Sovereign, at the same time that he has, as conscientiously, studied the interests of the people, over whom he has for nearly three years most uprightly and honorably presided.
We presume not to arrogate to ourselves talents capable of becoming the panegyrists of a Prevost--we shall confine ourselves to observing that his remembrance will be ever held dear in the breast of every worthy inhabitant of this Colony; and by declaring that it is our sincere prayer that his merit may meet its due reward from our most Gracious Sovereign, and that himself and family may pass their future days in the enjoyment of every earthly felicity.
No. XVII.
_Dispatches from Sir George Beckwith, and Letter from Lord Castlereagh, p. 11._
_Downing-street, March 27._
The following despatches have this day been received from Lieut.-General Beckwith, Commander of His Majesty's Forces in the Leeward Islands, addressed to Lord Viscount Castlereagh.
"_Martinique, Feb. 1._
"My Lord,
"In my last, No. 42, I had the honour to report to your Lordship the sailing of the army from Carlisle Bay upon the 28th ult. I have now the satisfaction to acquaint your Lordship that we landed in two divisions upon the 30th; the first division, under the orders of Lieutenant-General Sir G. Prevost, consisting of between 6 and 7,000 men, at Bay Robert, on the windward coast, in the course of the afternoon, without opposition; and, notwithstanding the difficulties of the country, we occupied a position on the banks of the Grand Lezard River before day-break of the 31st, with a corps of nearly 4,000 men, after a night march of seven miles through a difficult country. These services were greatly facilitated by the judicious and manly conduct of Captain Beaver, of His Majesty's ship Acasta, who led into the Bay in a bold and officer-like manner, preceded by His Majesty's brig Forester, Captain Richards. The exertions and success of this measure were completely effective, two transports only striking in the narrow passage at the entrance of the Bay. Hitherto we have experienced no resistance from the militia of the country; and they manifest a disposition every where to return to their homes, in conformity to a joint proclamation by the Admiral and myself, which is obtaining a very extensive circulation. The second division of the army, consisting of upwards of 3,000 men, under the command of Major-General Maitland, landed near St. Luce and Point Solomon on the morning of the 30th; but, as our communication with that corps is not yet established, I cannot enter into any details. Lieutenant-General Sir G. Prevost, with the advance in my front, will take possession of the heights of Bruno in the course of this day; and I am led to expect will there, for the first time, feel the pulse of the regular troops of the enemy. The port of Trinite, which lies beyond the line of our operations, will, by order of Captain Beaver, of the navy, be taken possession of this day, by a detachment of seamen and marines from the squadron to windward, under the command of Captain Dick, of the Penelope. The Admiral, with the body of the fleet and store-ships, is in the vicinity of Pigeon Island, at the entrance of Fort Royal Bay. Our operations to windward have been vigorous and effectual in point of time; and the privations of the troops have been considerable, and borne in a manner worthy of the character of British soldiers. From what has passed, I am of opinion the inhabitants of the country manifest a friendly disposition; and after the heights of Surirey shall be carried, which I expect will be strongly contested, the campaign will be reduced to the operations of a siege, and the defence of the fortress.--The services rendered by the captains and officers of the navy to windward have been great and essential, and the exertions of Captain Withers of the navy, principal agent for transports, peculiarly meritorious.
"GEO. BECKWITH, Com. Forces."
* * * * *
"_Martinique, Heights of Surirey, Feb. 3._
"My Lord,
"In my letter of the 1st inst. I had the honour to report, for His Majesty's information, the progress then made in our operations against the enemy. My expectation that Lieutenant-General Sir G. Prevost would meet them upon Morne Bruno, and that the heights of Surirey would be warmly contested, was realized in the course of the same day; and both were carried under the direction of the Lieutenant-General, with that decision and judgment which belong to this respectable officer, and much to the honour of Brigadier-General Hoghton, the officers and men of the Fusileer brigade and light battalion, engaged on that service. On the 2nd, it appeared to me to be desirable to extend to the right of our position; which was effected in a spirited manner by the King's infantry. An exertion was then made to carry the advanced redoubt; but, having soon reason to believe that it would have been acquired with a loss beyond the value of the acquisition, the troops were withdrawn; and the enemy abandoned it during the night, with another redoubt contiguous to it, with evident marks of disorder: both will be occupied and included in our position this night. Pigeon Island surrendered at discretion yesterday, which enables the shipping to enter Fort Royal Bay; all the batteries on the Case Naviere side have been destroyed and abandoned, a frigate and some other merchant-vessels burned, the lower fort abandoned, and all their troops withdrawn from Fort Royal to the principal fortress. I consider the investiture to be nearly completed, and we must now look for the operations of a siege. Time does not admit of details; but your Lordship will perceive that these operations have been effected in eight days from our quitting Barbadoes, notwithstanding heavy rains and most unfavourable weather, in which the troops have borne every species of privation in a manner worthy their character as British soldiers.
"GEO. BECKWITH, Com. Forces."
* * * * *
"_Camp, Heights of Surirey, Martinique, Feb. 10._
"My Lord,
"Having, in my communications of the 1st and 5th instant, submitted to your Lordship's consideration general reports of the operations of the army I have the honour to command, I now beg leave to inclose the special reports of the General Officers commanding divisions, and of Brigadier-General Hoghton, whose brigade was in action upon the 1st; with separate returns of our loss upon the 1st and 2nd, which, I am inclined to believe, will terminate our operations in the field.--The lower fort, formerly Fort Edward, was taken possession of before day-break in the morning of the 8th, by Major Henderson, commanding the Royal York Rangers, with that regiment, without resistance, and we now occupy that work. St. Pierre surrendered to Lieutenant-Colonel Barnes, of the 46th, the day before yesterday; and I have not yet received the details. In the course of all these services, where the co-operation of the navy was practicable, the greatest exertions have been made by the Rear-admiral; and the important advantages rendered on shore by that excellent officer, Commodore Cockburn, in the reduction of Pigeon Island, and the landing cannon, mortars, and ammunition at Point Negroe, and conveying them to the several batteries on that side, have been of the highest importance to the King's service.
"GEO. BECKWITH, Com. Forces."
* * * * *
"_Martinique, Heights of Surirey, Feb. 2._
"Sir,
"In conformity with your orders, I disembarked on the 30th ult. with the Fuzileer brigade of the 1st division of the army, at Malgre Tout, in the Bay Robert, at four o'clock, p. m. and proceeded from thence to De Manceau's estate, where I arrived late, in consequence of the difficulties of the country, and the unfavourable state of the roads for the movement of cannon. Before the dawn of the next day, I reached Papin's, and proceeded from thence with the advance, composed of the Royal Fusileer regiment, and the grenadier company of the 1st West India regiment. The enemy retiring before me, I reached the heights of De Bork's estate towards evening, where I was joined at day-light on the 1st inst. by Brigadier-General Hoghton, with the 23rd regiment and the light infantry battalion, under the command of Major Campbell, of the Royal West India Rangers. I lost no time after this junction, and pushed forwards the Hon. Lieutenant-Colonel Pakenham, with the Royal Fusileers, to possess himself of Morne Bruno; this movement I supported by the light infantry battalion, under Brigadier-General Hoghton, who was ordered, after uniting the two corps, to proceed to force the heights of Desfourneaux, whilst I held the Royal Welsh Fusileers in reserve, to strengthen such points of attack as might require it. On my coming on the heights of Surirey, I had innumerable proofs of the valour and judgment of the Hon. Lieutenant-Colonel Pakenham, of the excellence of the Fusileer brigade, and of the spirited and judicious exertions of Lieutenant-Colonel Ellis, and Majors Pearson and Ostley, of the 23rd or Royal Welsh Fusileers; also of the bravery of Major Campbell and the light infantry battalion; all of which have enabled me to retain this valuable position without artillery, within 300 yards of the enemy's intrenched camp, covered with guns. The officers belonging to my staff distinguished themselves by their zeal and activity during the heat of the action. I have to lament the loss of Captain Taylor, Acting Deputy-Quarter-Master-General, who was severely wounded whilst rendering effectual services to his country.--I cannot omit acknowledging, that to Lieutenant Hobbs, of the Royal Engineers, I am indebted for the rapidity of our movements, and ultimate success, from his acquaintance with this country, which enabled him to guide and direct our movements.
"GEO. PREVOST, Lieut.-Gen."
* * * * *
(Private.)
"_Downing-street, May 25th, 1809._
"Dear Sir,
"I beg to congratulate you on the successful termination of the operations in Martinique, in which you bore so distinguished a part. I hope that this will find you safely returned to Nova Scotia, without having suffered in your health from your West India campaign.
"I remain, dear Sir,
"Your faithful and obedient servant,
"CASTLEREAGH."
"_Lieut.-Gen. Sir G. Prevost, &c. &c. &c._"
No. XVIII.
_Addresses presented to Sir George Prevost, on his Arrival at the Islands of Dominica and St. Christopher, p. 11._
_To His Excellency Lieut.-Gen. Sir George Prevost, Bart. &c. &c. &c._
"May it please your Excellency,
"We, His Majesty's loyal subjects, the Members of the House of Assembly of the Island of Dominica, avail ourselves of the occasion of your Excellency's visit to your late government, to repeat to you the assurances of the high esteem which we have ever entertained for the character of your Excellency, and to express our most grateful sense of the unabated zeal which your Excellency has evinced, on every occasion, to promote the welfare and prosperity of this colony, as well as to add glory to the arms of your country.
"With every anniversary of the 22nd February, will the services rendered by your Excellency recur to our memory, not only from the gallantry displayed by your Excellency upon that occasion, when opposed to so superior a force, but for your subsequent exertions in favour of the unfortunate sufferers by the fire, to which may be chiefly attributed the relief afforded them by the mother country.
"We beg leave to congratulate your Excellency upon the brilliant result of the operations against the enemy's most important colonial possession, and by which, an opportunity has been afforded you, of acquiring fresh laurels, in addition to those which already grace your Excellency.
"We most heartily and sincerely wish your Excellency a prosperous and pleasant passage to your government, and we anticipate that reward which awaits you (ever most pleasing to a soldier)--the approbation of your sovereign.
"JNO. HY. HOBSON, Speaker."
"_House of Assembly, 15th March, 1809._"
* * * * *
_Reply of Sir George Prevost._
"Mr. Speaker, and
"Gentlemen of the House of Assembly,
"I feel flattered by your expressions of personal consideration, and highly gratified that my exertions in favour of the sufferers on the memorable 22d of February, 1805, were attended by some success.
"I thank you for your congratulations on the favourable termination of a short, but brilliant campaign.
"GEORGE PREVOST."
"_Government-House, 15th March, 1809._"
* * * * *
_To His Excellency Lieut.-Gen. Sir George Prevost, Bart. &c. &c. &c._
"May it please your Excellency,
"We the merchants and inhabitants of this His Majesty's Island of Saint Christopher, beg leave to approach your Excellency with the warmest congratulations on your arrival in this colony; and to assure your Excellency that could any circumstance enhance the satisfaction we receive upon this occasion, it must proceed from the happy contemplation of the recent success which has crowned the exertions to which you have so pre-eminently contributed in the reduction of the Island of Martinique to His Majesty's arms: a conquest which has at once given additional splendour to the British name, and added another signal example of your merit, perseverance, and intrepidity.
"Although pre-eminent as your Excellency is viewed, by every class of your heroic brothers in arms, we cannot, however, but assure your Excellency, that the high and general estimation which every inhabitant of the sister colony (hitherto entrusted to your command), feels toward you, (and which colony you so gallantly defended against a superior force), contributes most powerfully to endear you to every individual of this island, in the united character of a brave soldier and a good citizen.
"We trust your Excellency's stay amongst us will be protracted for a time equal to the wishes of this community, who anxiously express the most ardent desire of offering to your Excellency every testimony of the high consideration they entertain of you, and the brave soldiers under your command.
"A great and good King, who can appreciate merit and bestow reward, will add stability to our expressions, and pronounce to the world, by his commendations, that we have not presumed to announce your merits, but from the truest heralds of your fame--men who have shared your dangers and received your smiles--the British soldiery."
"_Basseterre, March 21st, 1809._"
* * * * *
_Reply of Sir George Prevost._
_To the Merchants and Inhabitants of the Island of St. Christopher._
"Gentlemen,
"Highly flattered as I feel by the address of the merchants and inhabitants of His Majesty's Island of St. Christopher; the gratification I derive from this testimony of their consideration, increases my very sincere regret that the interest of the public service deprives me of the opportunity of indulging my private feelings in making a longer stay than my duty will in the present instance permit;--I shall ever most eagerly and joyfully avail myself of every occasion of testifying to this island, my sincerest and best wishes for its welfare and prosperity.
(Signed) "GEORGE PREVOST."
"_Basseterre, March 21st, 1809._"
No. XIX.
_Address from the Inhabitants of Halifax, p. 12._
_To His Excellency Sir George Prevost, Bart. &c. &c. &c._
"Sir,