that you had expressed a very pointed dissatisfaction at his being placed there. On this view of the subject I take the opportunity of your return into port to propose to you a situation which is about to become disposable, which I shall be very happy to entrust to your direction, and where I think your services may be applied to more advantage at present than where you now are. The situation I allude to is the chief command on the Irish Station from whence Admiral Kingsmill is about to be relieved; and I shall be obliged to you to let me know as soon as convenient whether it will be agreeable to you to succeed him. I am, Sir, Your very obedient humble servant, SPENCER. GARDNER TO SPENCER Royal Sovereign, Cawsand Bay. 9th August, 1800. My Lord, I had the honour of receiving your Lordship's letter of the 7th instant this morning, acquainting me that your Lordship is strongly impressed with the idea that my present situation (considering the impression which Lord St. Vincent's appointment to the command of the Channel Fleet appeared to have made upon my mind) could not be very agreeable to me, on which account your Lordship has (in a very pleasing and gratifying manner) proposed to me the chief command on the Irish Station which your Lordship informs me is about to be vacant. I must confess, my Lord, that my mind has not been at ease for some time past, and my sensations were such on the late very sudden and unexpected appointment of Lord St. Vincent that I could not help expressing my disappointment to your Lordship, as well as to Lord St. Vincent in strong terms, and although some circumstances occurred after his Lordship took the command of the fleet, which unfortunately prevented that cordiality and friendly intercourse, which (I perfectly agree with your Lordship) should always subsist between the Commanderin-Chief and his second in command, yet, my Lord, my zeal has not been diminished, nor do I believe the public service has suffered in the smallest degree on that account. Your Lordship is pleased to say that you shall be very happy to entrust to my discretion the chief command on the Irish Station, for which I consider myself very much obliged, and I beg leave to assure your Lordship that I shall accept the appointment with great pleasure and that my utmost endeavours shall be exerted for the public service and to acquit myself to your Lordship's satisfaction. I have the honour to be, my Lord, Your most obedient and ALAN GARDNER. COPY. SPENCER TO THE KING Admiralty. 11th August, 1800. Earl Spencer has the honour to acquaint your Majesty that having taken into consideration the unpleasant circumstances (of which your Majesty is already apprized) which took place with respect to Admiral Sir Alan Gardner, on the appointment of the Earl of St. Vincent to the chief command of the fleet; it appeared to him so evident that it was impossible either that Sir Alan Gardner's situation could be in any respect agreeable to himself, or, from the necessary want of cordiality which must have followed the above-mentioned circumstances, be likely to promote the interests of the public service, that he was reduced on the arrival of Sir Alan into port to make a proposal to him to remove to another situation more suitable for him in every respect; and Earl Spencer has great satisfaction in having it in his power to lay before your Majesty the accompanying answer from Sir Alan Gardner, together with his letter to that Admiral, whereby your Majesty will perceive that he has in a very handsome and proper manner acceded to what was proposed to him. he In consequence of the answer Earl Spencer means, on an early opportunity, to write to Admiral Kingsmill, and apprize him of the intention of relieving him from his present station, but presumes at the same time humbly to represent to your Majesty that as that officer has for a long space of time meritoriously and ably conducted an important command, it might be very proper that he should be distinguished by a mark of your Majesty's gracious approbation of his services, which it is humbly submitted should, if your Majesty approves of it, be a baronetage; an honour which he has no doubt would be highly gratifying to the feelings of Admiral Kingsmill. THE KING TO SPENCER Weymouth. 12th August, 1800. I have received with infinite satisfaction Earl Spencer's information on the subject of Sir Alan Gardner, and I am certain there are few Admirals that have more merit in the profession, and as private men none can exceed him in the goodness of his heart. The manner in which he has received the offer of the appointment to the command of the Irish Station is a strong proof of the latter. GEORGE R. THE KING TO SPENCER Weymouth. 24th August, 1800. The arrangement of flag officers for the Channel Fleet made by Earl Spencer in consequence of removal of Sir Alan Gardner to the command on the Irish Station meets with my fullest approbation, particularly that of Sir Henry Harvey whose good temper and correct manner of doing his duty cannot fail of succeeding with the Earl of St. Vincent. The additional Admiral seems highly necessary as the enemy must now attempt to render her navy more active, which may require various appointments from our main fleet. GEORGE R. PRIVATE. SECTION II OPERATIONS ON THE COASTS PITT TO SPENCER Downing Street. Saturday, 8th February, 1800. My dear Lord, I called just now for the purpose of mentioning to you a conversation which I have had with Colonel Maitland, chiefly on the subject of Belleisle. His suggestions seem to me very important and encouraging, but particularly what relates to the naval part of the operation, on which you will be much better able to form a judgment. His statement seems to confirm strongly the idea of the great advantage which will result from keeping up (if possible) from this moment a constant succession of cruising squadrons as a prelude to every other operation; and he also assigns reasons, which seem to me very strong ones, for our immediately sending a small force to take possession of Houat and Hédic, and strengthening it gradually so as to make it sufficient to secure a landing from thence on Belleisle by surprise, previous to the principal expedition sailing from hence. If you can find time to see him I think you will be much satisfied with the result. I am just going to Wimbledon, but return to-morrow and will try to see you. Ever sincerely yours, W. P. |