Chapter 1

FAMILY HISTORY.

Birth and education--Anecdote of early daring--Enters the Navy--Leaves his ship, with one of his companions, at Marseilles--Joins the _Blonde_, Captain Pownoll--His activity--Anecdote of General Burgoyne--Instance of extraordinary boldness--Campaign on the Lakes of Canada--Distinguishes himself in the actions, of October 11th and 13th, 1776--Complimented by Sir C. Douglas, Lord Howe, and Earl Sandwich--Appointed to command the _Carleton_--Nearly takes General Arnold--Narrowly escapes being made prisoner--Commands a brigade of seamen in Burgoyne's campaign--In danger of killing his brother--Events of the campaign--Constructs a bridge, by which the army crosses to Saratoga--His brother killed in action--Recaptures a provision vessel from the enemy--Admitted to the Council of War, and pleads that the sailors may be exempted from the capitulation--Sent home with despatches in a transport--Defends her against a privateer--Promoted to be a Lieutenant. page 1