HC Deb 14 April 1809 vol 14 cc46-7
Lord Castlereagh

rose pursuant to his notice of yesterday, to call the attention of the house to the merits of that part of the army and navy which had effected the conquest of Martinique. This ha stated was not the first time that the gratitude of parliament had been expressed to the Conquerors of Martinique; and that service had certainly never been effected in a manner more honourable in every point, of view, to those who had been employed in it, than on the present occasion. Whether the house regarded the whole course of proceeding, or the shortness of the time in which the conquest had been accomplished, the service must be considered as having been performed in a way that called for the best acknowledgments of parliament. It was a most important feature in this transaction, that it had not interfered with other services; that it had been accomplished without an armament from Europe, which had on former occasions been required, but that the ability of the officers abroad had been adequate to the purpose without any effort from home. It was a proud circumstance in the military situation of the country, that this conquest had been effected in the West Indies, while 50,000 men were employed abroad in Europe. The time was so short, and the operations were all conducted with such activity, that it was impossible to look at the whole without admiration. Throughout the whole of the business, the troops had displayed signal instances of valour, as they always did when opportunity offered. But there was another feature in the conduct of this expedition, which was highly creditable to those who had the management of it, viz. That the conquest had been accomplished without that injury to the health of the troops which had usually attended West India service. But so careful had the officers been, that on this occasion the health of the troops had been as perfect as if they had never moved from their cantonments; indeed, as perfect as if the service had been effected in a move temperate climate. But this service had not only been accomplished in a manner the most meritorious in a military point of view. It had been equally well conducted in every other light in which it could be regarded. No stipulation had been admitted which could preclude any regulations which his majesty might see fit to adopt with respect to the island; and the inhabitants, who had shewn a good-will to the British cause, had been treated with every possible kindness. Every thing, therefore, proved the claim of the officers and troops to the thanks of the house. In every branch of the service the utmost zeal and activity had been displayed; and the two services had acted together with that unanimity and cordiality which was the surest pledge of success. He concluded by moving the following Resolutions:—1. "That the thanks of the house be given to lieut. gen. George Beckwith, for his able and gallant conduct in effecting the conquest of Martinique. 2. That the thanks of this house be given to rear-admiral sir Alexander Cochrane, k. b. for his able and meritorious direction of the naval force in effecting the conquest of Martinique. 3. That the thanks of the house be given to lieut. gen. sir G. Prevost, to gen. Maitland, &c. &c. for their gallant and meritorious services in effecting the conquest of Martinique. 4. That the thanks of the house be given to commodore Colburne, the captains and officers of the fleet, for their meritorious conduct in the same service. 5. That the house acknowledges the zeal and good conduct of the non-commissioned officers and soldiers in effecting the conquest. 6. That the house acknowledges the good conduct of the sailors and marines in the same services." All these Resolutions were agreed to nem. con.