Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Brief Memoirs Of Tlie Honourable John Forbes,
profession , of AA'hich he Avas allowed by the universal A'oice of his cotemporaries to be a principal ornament , he attained , such a summit of nautical skill as rendered him the oracle of all those who were most eminent , whether in the direction of the fleets of this ' nation , or in the equally arduous task of superintending the civil departments of the different branches of the Marine . In the earlier part of his life he AA'as peculiarlnoticed as an able
y , enterprising , and intrepid officer . lie served with much reputation under Sir John Norris ; and was no less distinguished as Captain of the Norfolk , of So guns , in the action of Mathews and Lestock with the combined fleets of France and Spain , when his gallantry contributed in a hig h degree to save his brave friend Admiral Mathews , whose second he was in that engagement . So brig ht was his honour ,
and so clear his reputation in those turbulent days , that , though his CA'idence on the trial of the Admirals went wholly against Admiral Lestock , 3 'e t that Officer was often heard to declare , " that Mr , Forbes ' s testimony AA'as given like an Officer and a Gentleman . " In Lord Chatham ' s g lorious war Admiral Forbes was selected as the ablest assistant the First Lord could have in the management of
the Admiralty , and conducted himself in a manner highly creditable to his abilities , and eminently sendceable to his country . When the warrant for executing the unfortunate Admiral Byng was offered for signature at the Admiralty Board , Admiral Forbes refused to sign it , at the same time humbly laying at his late Majesty ' s feet his objectionsA of the iven by the Admiral to
. copy paper g his Majesty on that occasion may be seen in Smollet ' s History of England : it is well worthy the attention of all men of honour , ' as it contains , perhaps , the best specimen of an uprig ht and independent mind , and honest and benevolent heart , that is to be found in any language .
To detail the meritorious deeds' of the venerable character before us , would lead to a discussion too extensive ; but the writer of this tribute to departed greatness cannot conclude it Avithout inserting an anecdote , well known in the naA'al and political circles , and which , it is believed , even Majesty itself will recollect with such feelings as are excited in benevolent minds by acts of genuine spirit and
disinterestedness . During a late Administration it was thought expedient to offer a noble Lord , very hig h in the naA'al profession , and very deservedly a favourite of his Sovereign and his country , the office of General , of the Marines , held by Admiral Forbes , and spontaneously conferred upon him by his Majesty as a reward for his many and long services . A foiward the '
message was sent bv the Ministers , to say it would Kings service if he would resign ; and that he should be no loser by his accommodating the Government , as they proposed recommending ft to the King to give him a pension in Ireland of 3000 I . per annum , and a peerage , to descend to his daughter . To this Admiral Forbes sent an immediate answer : he told the Ministers , the Generalship of the Marines was a military employment , g iven him by his Majesty as
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Brief Memoirs Of Tlie Honourable John Forbes,
profession , of AA'hich he Avas allowed by the universal A'oice of his cotemporaries to be a principal ornament , he attained , such a summit of nautical skill as rendered him the oracle of all those who were most eminent , whether in the direction of the fleets of this ' nation , or in the equally arduous task of superintending the civil departments of the different branches of the Marine . In the earlier part of his life he AA'as peculiarlnoticed as an able
y , enterprising , and intrepid officer . lie served with much reputation under Sir John Norris ; and was no less distinguished as Captain of the Norfolk , of So guns , in the action of Mathews and Lestock with the combined fleets of France and Spain , when his gallantry contributed in a hig h degree to save his brave friend Admiral Mathews , whose second he was in that engagement . So brig ht was his honour ,
and so clear his reputation in those turbulent days , that , though his CA'idence on the trial of the Admirals went wholly against Admiral Lestock , 3 'e t that Officer was often heard to declare , " that Mr , Forbes ' s testimony AA'as given like an Officer and a Gentleman . " In Lord Chatham ' s g lorious war Admiral Forbes was selected as the ablest assistant the First Lord could have in the management of
the Admiralty , and conducted himself in a manner highly creditable to his abilities , and eminently sendceable to his country . When the warrant for executing the unfortunate Admiral Byng was offered for signature at the Admiralty Board , Admiral Forbes refused to sign it , at the same time humbly laying at his late Majesty ' s feet his objectionsA of the iven by the Admiral to
. copy paper g his Majesty on that occasion may be seen in Smollet ' s History of England : it is well worthy the attention of all men of honour , ' as it contains , perhaps , the best specimen of an uprig ht and independent mind , and honest and benevolent heart , that is to be found in any language .
To detail the meritorious deeds' of the venerable character before us , would lead to a discussion too extensive ; but the writer of this tribute to departed greatness cannot conclude it Avithout inserting an anecdote , well known in the naA'al and political circles , and which , it is believed , even Majesty itself will recollect with such feelings as are excited in benevolent minds by acts of genuine spirit and
disinterestedness . During a late Administration it was thought expedient to offer a noble Lord , very hig h in the naA'al profession , and very deservedly a favourite of his Sovereign and his country , the office of General , of the Marines , held by Admiral Forbes , and spontaneously conferred upon him by his Majesty as a reward for his many and long services . A foiward the '
message was sent bv the Ministers , to say it would Kings service if he would resign ; and that he should be no loser by his accommodating the Government , as they proposed recommending ft to the King to give him a pension in Ireland of 3000 I . per annum , and a peerage , to descend to his daughter . To this Admiral Forbes sent an immediate answer : he told the Ministers , the Generalship of the Marines was a military employment , g iven him by his Majesty as