§ Lord Hawkesbury rose,pursuant to notice, to move the thanks of the house to vice-admiral lord Collingwood, and the officers and men under his command, for their conduct in the action, and achieving the glorious victory off Trafalgar, on the 21 st of October last. In stating the grounds on which that motion proceeded, respecting which, he felt confident, there would be no difference of opinion in that house, he believed it would not be deemed irrelevant in him, before he proceeded farther, to endeavour to pay that tribute of applause, which they all must feel was due to that great and illustrious commander, under whose auspices that signal and glorious victory was achieved, whom it was the misfortune of the country to lose in the moment of victory; but a consummation, so glorious to himself, incontrovertibly established his claim to the meed of immortal honour. That, however, was not the sole misfortune the country had recently experienced. She had the misfortune, within a few months, to lose two of the most distinguished military and political characters that ever graced her annals, at an early, and about the same period of their respective lives; under circumstances, and at a time, when all the abilities, vigour, talent, and energy of the country, was requisite for her preservation. He felt, that part of what he now alluded to, was foreign from the subject he had regularly to observe upon, but so much more strongly the occasion which suggested it, that he could not repress its expression. His lordship proceeded to expatiate upon the character of the other illustrious individual, who was the subject of his recent general panegyric. The whole life of that great officer, he observed, was devoted to the service of his country; and never did there exist a person more fully and variously qualified effectually to forward that service, than the noble and gallant viscount, to whom he alluded. In contemplating his professional character, it was impossible to refrain from adverting to the merits of those 76 who had the opportunity of improving those talents, and directing that spirit of enterprise and intrepidity which displayed itself in his earlier years. On this head, much credit was due to sir Peter Parker, to lord Hood, to earl St. Vincent, and other distinguished officers, to whom such opportunities were afforded. To these, for their early distinguishing, and calling into action, the important qualifications, with which the late gallant viscount was so eminently endowed, much praise was due; and so far, it might be said, those distinguished officers, in the first instance, contributed their parts to the glorious and important services he subsequently rendered. It was not, however, to these great and pre-eminent considerations, of the important victories of the Nile, Copenhagen, and Trafalgar, that their lordships were alone to look for the merits and perfections of that gallant officer; on various occasions, even in the earliest part of his professional life, they were eminently to be found. His various services, as a subordinate officer, while on the Mediterranean station, were is that point of view, particularly to be regarded. In that quarter, not only his zeal and intrepidity were repeatedly manifested, but his talents and professional skill, and in a way which was unequalled by any other officer in similar circumstances! and the same superior display of talent and enterprise was uniformly exhibited by him on every occasion of separate command. When his majesty was first pleased to order a specific remuneration for his services, on the formal representation thereof, which, on his part, became necessary on such an occasion, that illustrious officer had truly set forth, that he was concerned in the capture of seven ships of the line, ten frigates, and a number of smaller armed vessels; that he had been one hundred and twenty times in action with his majesty's enemies, that he had lost one of his limbs, and one of his eyes. These were among the services of his early life, when he was yet comparatively unknown to the country as a distinguished commander, and previous to those glorious and immortal victories which eternised his fame to all posterity. On all these more important occasions, to which extensive command and proportionate responsibility were attached, his powers and exertions appeared to grow and to increase, in proportion to the magnitude and importance of the service on which he was employed.—The late glorious action off 77 Trafalgar, the circumstances of which were so recent and so fresh in all their lordships' minds, it was needless to expatiate on; suffice it to say, that in extensive and important consequences, it exceeded every thing of the kind that graced the annals of the country. That glorious victory bore the same proportion in its magnitude, brilliancy, and important consequences, to the achievement at Copenhagen, that the latter did to the previously unparalleled victory of the Nile, and which, in fact, that victory did, in all those respects, to every other that preceded it. It seemed as if the energies of his mind, and the powers of his exertion, expanded, and progressively increased, on the respective occasions of those glorious victories, and in each of them he seemed to surpass what he had exhibited in the foregoing instance. The superior endowments possessed by the gallant admiral, were not to be considered alone as operating through himself; his example and influence pervaded ail those who were placed under him in command; his merits were not confined to that glorious energy he displayed in the heat of action; the coolness and discrimination of his mind, formed a pre-eminent trait in his character; his promptitude to make the most of every advantage that presented itself; a most striking instance of which, and of unprecedented presence of mind, was manifested in his conduct in the critical and important affair at Copenhagen. These, however, were far from constituting the whole of his merits as an officer; his breast burned with to pure, a noble, a generous love of glory, which was the main spring of all his heroic actions; and he had the faculty of electrifying all those around him with a similar enthusiasm. No marks of ferocity or cruelty, which so often stained the laurels of successful victories, ever dimmed the lustre of his achievements; but humanity and mercy were the characteristics of his glorious conduct after the hour of victory. His conduct in private life was equally admirable with that which he uniformly manifested in his professional career. All the virtues which could adorn human nature, were to be found in the illustrious Nelson. The attribute of mercy was what most eminently distinguished him. In the language of the poet, it was not his wish to
Wade through slaughter to a throne, "Or shut the gates of mercy on mankind.It was impossible the glorious example of such a man could be without a correspond- 78 ent effect on the character of others. In this way was to be considered the conduct of many of those who were placed under his command. The high opinion which the gallant lord expressed for that meritorious office, whose conduct was more regularly the subject of consideration that night, was equally creditable to both. On leaving this country, he expressed his satisfaction at the appointment of the noble Collingwood to the command; and his perfect confidence in his skill, talents and exertions. He then proceeded to comment on the gallant and meritorious conduct of lord Collingwood, in the action off Trafalgar, and of which many of the most skilful of the profession spoke in terms of unqualified applause. The first motion which he had to submit to their lordships was, for the thanks of the house to vice-admiral lord Collingwood; the second was for the like to rear-admiral the earl of Northesk; and, lastly, to the subordinate officers and seamen under their command; and, if ever skill and bravery were manifested by British officers and seamen, on any one occasion more than another, it was in the action off Trafalgar. Of this splendid and important victory, there was one prominent circumstance to be considered; namely, the great inequality of the contending fleets. He had to apologise to their lordships, for having detained them rather longer than was usual on such instances, but the proportionably greater magnitude and importance of the particular occasion, he trusted, would plead his excuse. He then moved, "That the thanks of this house be given to vice-admiral lord Collingwood, for his very gallant and meritorious conduct in the command of the fleet under the late admiral lord viscount Nelson, in the action off Cape Trafalgar, on the 21st of October last, and that the lord Chancellor do communicate the said thanks to his lordship."
§ The Duke of Clarencestated, that he did not rise for the purpose of proposing an amendment, or creating a difference of opinion respecting the resolution which the noble secretary of state had introduced, with a degree of eloquence and feeling which claimed his particular thanks. He had, however, prepared some words, which after a few observations, he would read to the house, and their lordships would adopt them, if they thought proper. H. R. H. then went into the details of the professional life of lord Nelson, during the 23 years he had the honour of being acquaint- 79 ed with him. He stated, that one of the most excellent features in the character of his late gallant friend, was that devout sense of religion which he preserved in every situation of his life. As a proof of what he had mentioned, he would read, with permission of the house, the last lines which lord Nelson had written. So composed was he, that when the fleet was advancing to force the enemy's line, and before the firing began, which did not commence until after the line had been broken, he sat down and wrote what he should now read. The illustrious duke then read a prayer, the first sentence of which was to the following purport: "May Almighty God, whom I worship with all my heart, for the sake of my country and of all Europe, grant me a glorious victory!" The last sentence expressed his determination not to forget "the duties of humanity;" and the prayer concluded with "amen, amen, amen." H. R. H. then read the form of words in which he wished the resolution should be couched; differing but little from that moved by lord Hawkesbury, except that it conveyed the thanks of the house to lord Collingwood, for "his decision in destroying the ships which had been captured." H. R. H. did not think such an amendment unusual; a similar one, he imagined had been moved, when a noble lord near him (earl Spencer) was at the head of the Amiralty.
§ Earl Spencersaid, he did not recollect any such amendment. He was glad that what fell from the royal duke, prevented his giving a silent vote upon a subject of such importance, and on which he felt so deeply. He fully agreed with every thing that fell from the noble secretary of state; but though the country had to lament the loss of lord Nelson, yet he trusted his glorious example would inspire the breasts of other commanders, in every particular, to emulate his admirable conduct.
§ Lord Hawkesburythought it unusual to word such motions so minutely, which it was the usage of parliament to express in the most general terms. He should, however, willingly adopt the spirit of that part of the amendment which recognized the services performed by lord Collingwood, after the battle of Trafalgar.
Lord Hoodrose and spoke as follows; I cannot refrain from troubling your lordships, with a few words, from the very high opinion I have long entertained of that truly meritorious officer lord Collingwood, 80 as well as of the earl of Northesk, and the very many captains I have a high respect for, that bore so conspicuous a part in the glorious and unparalleled victory of Trefalgar; and I will venture to presage, that the noble lord now in the command of his majesty's fleet in the Mediterranean, wants only an opportunity to prove himself another Nelson, in judgment as well as valour. No one is better able to estimate the transcendent merit of the late viscount Nelson than I am, as it was my good fortune to have his lordship three years under my command, with opportunities of placing him in situations that gave full scope for the exercise of that zeal, judgment, and bravery, I well knew to be inherent in him; therefore, whatever tends to perpetuate to the latest posterity the great and brilliant services of my late much lamented, and truly respected friend, must have my most cordial approbation; and to give it, is highly gratifying to my feelings. After what has been so very ably, fully, and justly expressed by the noble mover, it would ill become me to trespass longer on your lordships' indulgence.
Lord Sidmouthsaid, he could not content himself with giving a silent vote upon the motion before their lordships. The events of the last summer were among the most brilliant achievements which were to be found in the naval annals of England. There was not one of those actions which was not entitled to distinct praise; but the victory of Trafalgar stood proudly pre-eminent, and eclipsed the glory which would otherwise have encircled them. He should consider it as one of the happiest circumstances of his life that he had been connected in administration with a noble earl (St. Vincent), to whose judgment the selection of lord Nelson for the command in the Mediterranean was to be attributed. Of the zeal and distinguished talents of that great commander he had occasion to judge, and the result of his judgment was, that no officer was ever better qualified for the important enterprizes which had been committed to him. He had left behind him a name which would ever exist in the memory of his countrymen. The feelings which his glorious but lamented death had excited, even smothered and suppressed the exultation which would otherwise have followed the great event that had. occasioned it. It was one of the great qualities inherent in his character, that he inspired all around him with the same gal- 81 lant enthusiasm and ardent zeal in the service of his country which he felt himself. In the prime of his life, in the blaze of his fame, he had fallen. His death had made an indelible and lasting impression on the hearts of his countrymen, but it had this of conselation in it, that it left a glowing example to future times. With the highest opinion of the conduct of lord Collingwood in the late action, for which no praise could be too great, he wished the illustrious duke would not insist upon the amendment which he had read. He thought it adviseable, upon such occasions, to adhere as closely as possible to former precedents
Lord Hawkesbaryobserved, with respect to the latter part of the royal duke's amendment, the insertion of the words "and for his conduct after the action," would be totally unobjectionable, and generally met his royal highness's idea. The words were, therefore, ordered to be inserted; and the motion, so amended, was agreed to, nem. diss.—His lordship then proposed the thanks of the house to rear-admiral the earl of Northesk, for his conduct in the said action, and to the several captains and subordinate officers in the fleet. A short conversation here took place between the duke of Clarence, the lord chancellor, and the noble secretary of state, chiefly on the most regular form of couching the motions: H. R. H. thinking the thanks to rear-admiral the earl of Northesk ought to be the subject of a separate motion. At length the propriety of this observation seemed to be admitted, and the motion was divided accordingly. The thanks of the house to the petty officers seamen, and to the royal marines, followed, and were voted with equal unanimity. The thanks of the house were then moved also to rear-admiral sir Richard Strachan, for his gallant and meritorious conduct, in the capture of a squadron of the enemy, &c. and afterwards to the officers and seamen under his command.
§ The Duke of Clarencetook the opportunity to express his very high approbation of the character and professional conduct of the gallant officer in question, particularly on the important occasion winch gave rise to the present motion.
The Duke of Norfolktook the opportunity to make some general observations, respecting the conduct and character of certain other officers, who were, perhaps, equally deserving of the praise and the gratitude of their country. He alluded to 82 officers, who were employed in hard and close services, watching the enemy year after year, and through all weathers; who displayed the greatest zeal and talents, and wanted only the opportunity to signalize themselves, perhaps as brilliantly as those who were more fortunate. Such, for instance, was the case of that veteran deserving officer, admiral Cornwallis. With respect also to sir Robert Calder, he seemed to express his regret at what had taken place. He certainly, with an inferior force, had obtained a decided victory, and made captures. He meant not to arraign the decision of the court martial; but, after such conduct on the part of that respectable officer, he regretted things had so turned out, as that he could not be included in the vote of thanks.
The Earl of St. Vincentsaid a few words in consequence of what fell from the noble duke, but in so low a tone, that we could scarcely catch a word from him. He seemed to express his sense of the merits of Sir R. Calder, as an officer; but to be of opinion, that to topic alluded to, with a reference to the good of his Majesty's naval service, should not be made matter of parliamentary discussion.—The question was then put; the thanks to sir R. Strachan. &c. were voted unanimously, and the lord chancellor was desired to communicate them in the usual way.