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diff --git a/32290.txt b/32290.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6ac4869 --- /dev/null +++ b/32290.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1045 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Letter to a Gentleman in the Country, +from His Friend in London, by Anonymous + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A Letter to a Gentleman in the Country, from His Friend in London + Giving an Authentick and Circumstantial Account of the + Confinement, Behaviour, and Death of Admiral Byng, as + Attested by the Gentlemen Who Were Present + +Author: Anonymous + +Release Date: May 8, 2010 [EBook #32290] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A LETTER TO A GENTLEMAN *** + + + + +Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Archive/Canadian +Libraries.) + + + + + + + + + + A LETTER TO A + Gentleman in the Country, + FROM + His Friend in LONDON: + Giving an + Authentick and circumstantial Account of + the Confinement, Behaviour, and Death of + ADMIRAL BYNG, + As attested by the Gentlemen who were present. + + + _Mens conscia Recti._ + + + LONDON: + + Printed for and sold by J. LACY, the Corner of + St. Martin's-Court, St. Martin's-Lane, near + Leicester-Fields. MDCCLVII. + + [Price One Shilling.] + + + + +_Just published, and sold by_ J. Lacy, _at the Corner of_ St. +Martin's-Court, St. Martin's-Lane, _near_ Leicester-Fields. + + +I. Further Particulars in Relation to the Case of Admiral Byng, from +original Papers, by a Gentleman of Oxford. Price one Shilling. + +II. A Collection of several Pamphlets very little known: Some suppressed +Letters, and sundry detached Pieces, relative to the Case of Admiral Byng. +Price one Shilling and Six-pence. + +III. A further Address to the Publick; containing genuine Copies of all +the Letters which passed between Admiral Byng and the S------y of the +Ad----ty, from the Time of his Suspension to the 25th of October last. +Price one Shilling. + +IV. The whole and genuine Trial of Admiral Byng, two Volumes Octavo. N. B. +For the better understanding of which, five curious Prints are added, +which exhibit the different Positions of both Fleets, before, at, and +after the Engagement. Price five Shillings. + +V. Admiral Byng's Defence as presented by him, and read in the Court +Martial, on Board his Majesty's Ship St. George in Portsmouth-Harbour, +January, 18. 1757. Price Six-pence. + +N. B. Most Money for any Library or Parcel of Books; Books elegantly +bound; and Gentlemen's Libraries gilt, or lettered, methodiz'd, and +Catalogues written either in Town or Country. + + + + + A LETTER TO A + Gentleman in the Country, + FROM + His Friend in LONDON, _&c._ + + +DEAR SIR, + +Agreeable to your request, I have taken great pains to collect all the +particulars, relating to the behaviour and death of the unfortunate +ADMIRAL BYNG. + +You know me sufficiently, to be satisfied that I have never had any biass +in his favour, or against him. But as the whole affair has been laid +before the publick, sufficiently plain for every man of common sense, not +prejudiced, to understand it; excepting some _inexplicable_ Circumstances +relating to the _Court Martial_; I may be allowed to judge for myself, and +yield to truths which I think can admit of no farther controversy. + +It is true, there are yet _sophisters_, who want to _impose_ upon us; but +I think their designs are easily seen through. It is impossible that any +impartial man should fail to observe the almost incredible pains taken to +misrepresent and blacken his publick and private character. Even now, +after he has paid the forfeit of his _life_, for _crimes_, at most, only +_disputably so_, there are a great number of emissaries, who seem to make +it their business to go from one coffee-house to another, spreading the +most scandalous reports with regard to his death. _Dying Speeches_, +containing the most _infamous absurdities_, have been imposed upon the +publick, with several booksellers names prefixed in the title-page, in +order to give them the air of authenticity. + +For what end and purposes all these measures have been taken, they can +best tell, who have always been, and still continue so indefatigably +industrious. But I must confess they greatly raise my indignation; and I +am at last fully persuaded, _hidden political machinery_ has been employed +against this unfortunate gentleman. Our friend _D----_ says, _cunning +heads, black hearts, and long purses_. Indeed, I think it appears very +evident, that some persons are very active and solicitous to _load him_ +with ignominious crimes, with a view _to exculpate themselves_, or others; +to render him odious in the eyes of the people, that his fall may be +unlamented. But can a generous nation, like this, where understanding +abounds, accept of his blood for the crimes of any other? surely, it +cannot be. + +I believe you will agree with me in thinking, that the Admiral's behaviour +before and at the time of his death; his observations and conversation +with his friends; together with the paper containing his thoughts on the +occasion, wrote by himself, and signed, which he gave to the Marshal of +the Admiralty, immediately before the sentence passed upon him was put in +execution; must hereafter be his best APOLOGY, EXCULPATION, and ENCOMIUM; +must reflect honour upon his family, and be an _indelible reproach to some +of our cotemporaries_; who have practised every _wicked artifice, to +deceive and spirit up the people_, and to throw a mist over the whole of +this transaction. + +Without any farther preamble, I shall proceed to give you a relation of +the particulars, as they are ascertained to me, by the concurring +testimony of gentlemen who were upon the spot; whose veracity cannot be +doubted, and whose authority to vouch them again, may be easily obtained. + +As you have critically perused the trial and sentence, I presume you will +be pleased with some particulars as far back as the time of passing the +sentence. + +On _Thursday_ the 27th of _January_, when the Admiral was sent for on +board the _St. George_ to receive his sentence, he declared to some of his +friends, that he expected to be reprimanded, and that he possibly might be +cashiered; "_because_, said he, _there must have been several controverted +points; the Court Martial has been shut up a long time; and almost all the +questions proposed by the Court have tended much more to pick out faults +in my conduct, than to get at a true state of the circumstances; but I +profess, I cannot conceive what they will fix upon_." + +Soon after he got on board, and was in the cabbin upon the quarter-deck, a +member of the _Court Martial_ came out, and told one of his relations, he +had the Court's leave to inform him, they had found the Admiral capitally +guilty; in order that he might prepare him to receive the sentence. The +gentleman went up to him immediately; but was so surprised, he could not +tell how to inform him. The Admiral observing his countenance, said to +him, "_What is the matter? Have they broke me?_" The gentleman hesitating +in his reply, with some confusion of countenance, he added, "_Well, I +understand--If nothing but my Blood will satisfy, let them take it_." +Immediately after this, he was sent for into Court, where he continued to +be the only man that did not appear moved, while the sentence was reading +by the Judge-advocate; and went ashore afterwards with the same air and +composure that he came on board. + +A gentleman afterwards endeavoured to give him consolation, by +representing to him, that a _sentence without guilt could be no stain_; +that it was highly improbable such a sentence would be put in execution, +considering the extraordinary circumstances attending it; and that there +was the greatest probability of a pardon. He replied, "_What will that +signify to me? What satisfaction can I receive from the liberty to crawl +a few years longer on the earth, with the infamous load of a Pardon at my +back? I despise life upon such terms, and would rather have them take +it_." + +The gentleman then remarked to him, that his pardon must proceed from +justice rather than mercy; and must be more an acknowlegment of his +innocence, than a forgiveness of guilt: with that distinction he seemed +better satisfied, and reconciled to the thought. + +Some days after the sentence was passed, he was conveyed on board the +_Monarque_, and confined in the captain's cabbin upon the quarter-deck. +And as soon as the warrant for his death arrived at _Portsmouth_, all his +friends who came to see him, were obliged to leave him before it was +dark, and go on shore. An additional number of marine officers and marines +were ordered on board that ship. An officer regularly mounted guard, and a +great number of centinels were placed, _viz._ two upon the fore-castle, +one over each side in the chains, two at the cabbin-door, two upon the +poop, two in a boat under the ship's stern, and, for some part of the +time, two in the stern-gallery; besides a guard-boat constantly rowing +round the ship during the night. These centinels had orders to call aloud +to each other, _all is well_, every five minutes throughout the night; by +which means, almost as soon as the last centinel had answered, it was +time for the first to begin again, and there was a perpetual round of, +_all is well_. This circumstance almost totally depriving the Admiral of +sleep, because the centinels were mostly close to him where he lay, made +him frequently say, "_I did hope for leave to sleep, and apprehend I might +be sufficiently guarded and taken care of, without so frequent a +repetition of this noisy ceremony close to my ear_." + +At length the lieutenants of the ship had orders to watch in the great +cabbin, relieving each other every four hours, as is customary at sea: so +that there was always one of them in the cabbin with him day and night, +who delivered up the charge of the Admiral's person to the next officer, +keeping a journal, in which was minuted down every person's name who came +to him, the time when he came, and the time of his going away; and the +order to the centinels for calling out every five minutes, was then +omitted. + +When captain _Montague_ waited upon him, to inform him that the warrant +from the Admiralty was come, for putting the sentence passed upon him in +execution, he received the news with the same cool composure, that he had +received the sentence; without discovering the smallest emotion, +depression of spirits, or alteration in his behaviour. + +The same gentleman waited upon him again, on the 27th of _February_, being +the day before that which was appointed for his execution, and, in +Admiral _Boscawen_'s name, acquainted him that a respite was arrived for +fourteen days. He composedly desired his compliments to Admiral +_Boscawen_, with thanks for his intelligence, without appearing in the +smallest degree elevated, or even pleased beyond his usual. His friends, +on that occasion, represented to him what had passed in the House of +Commons, magnified and dwelt upon every favourable circumstance; and, +giving themselves up to joy, congratulated him on the certainty of an +honourable pardon, which they imagined must follow. He calmly replied, "_I +am glad you think so, because it makes you easy and happy; but I think it +is now become an affair merely_ political, _without any farther relation +to_ right or wrong, justice or injustice; _and therefore I differ in +opinion from you_." + +During all the time of his confinement, his comportment was uniformly the +same; almost always chearful, sometimes, with decency, facetious. This +gave rise to a rumour that he expected a pardon, or meditated an escape; +which was most industriously propagated, to lessen the merit of his +behaviour, by the same instruments that had been always made use of to +wrest every circumstance to his disadvantage, and asperse him. Some of +those _wretches_ were employed, during his trial, to send up to town, for +the newspapers, _false minutes_ of the evidence; and to pick out such +passages as could be made to bear a harsh construction, or, by +_sophistical_ comments, be brought to carry the appearance of _guilt_, in +order to inflame the people, already prepossessed by similar practices. +The unwary were prejudiced by these arts, and joined in the cry against +him; but he defeated the further designs of his enemies, by preserving the +same equanimity to the last. + +The nearer approach of death made no change in his manner. He had divine +service performed in the morning by the chaplain of the _Monarque_, and +usually spent the remainder of the day in conversation with his friends; +and sometimes in regulating his private family-affairs, when any thing +occurred to his memory as not properly settled agreeable to his intention. + +On _Saturday_ the 12th of _March_, in the evening, when his friends were +going on shore as usual, he took leave of his two nephews in a tender +manner, and desired they would not come on board to him again, lest any +immoderate grief in them should soften him. + +On _Sunday_ morning captain _Montague_, having received a warrant from +Admiral _Boscawen_ for his execution next day, gave it to the Marshal to +read to him; which he calmly heard read over, and then remarked, with some +warmth, that the place appointed by the warrant was upon the fore-castle. +"_Is not this_," said he, addressing himself to his friends, "_putting me +upon the footing of a common seaman, condemned to be shot? Is not this an +indignity to my birth, to my family, and to my rank in the service? I +think I have not been treated like an officer in any instance since I was +disgraced, excepting in that of being ordered to be shot_." He appeared +much disturbed at this circumstance, and looked upon it as a considerable +grievance. His friends, fearing it could not be altered, because the +warrant was expresly worded so, represented to him, that it appeared to +them an impropriety; but they hoped he would think the place immaterial, a +circumstance beneath his notice, and not let any such consideration break +in upon his tranquillity of mind. He then composed himself again, and +replied, "_It is very true, the place or manner is of no great importance +to me; but I think living Admirals should consult the dignity of the rank, +for their own sakes. I cannot plead a precedent: there is no precedent of +an Admiral, or a General Officer in the Army, being shot. They make a +precedent of me, such as Admirals hereafter may feel the Effects of_." + +After this he appeared calm again; and in the forenoon heard prayers read +by the chaplain of the _Monarque_, and received the sacrament in a very +decent devout manner, with some of his relations and friends. + +At dinner he was chearful as usual, very politely helped his friends, and +drank their healths; but did not sit long at table. In the afternoon he +frequently turned the conversation upon the place and manner of his +execution next day, at times expressing some uneasiness that the place +appointed should be the fore-castle: and perceiving that his friends +avoided the subject out of complaisance to him, sometimes telling him they +thought it improper, "_I like to talk upon the subject_," said he: "_It is +not to be supposed I do not think of it; why then should it be more +improper to talk of it?_" + +He frequently observed how the wind was, and wished it might continue +westerly long enough for the members of his Court Martial, who were upon +the point of sailing, to be present at the time the sentence passed upon +him was put in execution. + +About six he ordered tea, as usual, for himself and his company; and +remarking that his friends took notice of his easy manner and +conversation, "_I have observed_, said he, _that persons condemned to die, +have generally had something to be sorry for, that they have expressed +concern for having committed; and though I do not pretend to have been +exempt from human frailties, yet it is my consolation to have no remorse +for any transaction in my publick character, during the whole series of my +long services_." + +One of his friends observed to him, that no man was exempt from human +frailties; that what came under that denomination were not crimes +cognisable here, or supposed to be so hereafter. He replied, "_I am +conscious of no crimes; and am particularly happy in not dying the mean, +despicable, ignominious wretch, my enemies would have had the world +believe me. I hope I am not supposed so now; the Court Martial has +acquitted me of every thing criminal or ignominious_." One of his friends +assured him, that none called or thought him so, but obstinately +prejudiced persons, and his enemies, interested to deceive the world +still; neither of whom would ever own themselves convinced by reasons: at +which he seemed much pleased. + +In this manner he passed the day, generally walking about the cabbin, as +is customary on board a ship, to supply the place of exercise; and +retiring for a few minutes into the state-room[1], sometimes with one +friend, sometimes with another, when he had any thing particular to say to +them. + +In the evening his friends, desirous to be with him a little longer that +night than had been permitted before, on purpose to entertain him, and +enjoy his conversation for a last time, sent to Admiral _Boscawen_, +requesting that indulgence; which was granted for as long as they +pleased; but he himself desired they would not exceed the hour of eight, +being then about seven: and added, that as they would be so obliging as to +pass the evening with him, he must ask them to drink a glass with him. He +then ordered a small bowl of punch to be made; and when all were seated +round the table, he obligingly helped every one, and taking his own glass +with a little punch in it, "_My friends_, said he, _here is all your +healths, and God bless you all: I am pleased to find I have some friends +still, notwithstanding my misfortunes_." When he had drank, and set his +glass down, he added, "_I am to die to-morrow; and as my country requires +my blood, I am ready to resign it, though I do not as yet know what my +crime is. I think my judges, in justice to posterity, to officers who come +after us, should have explained my crime a little more, and pointed out +the way to avoid falling into the same errors I did. As the sentence and +resolutions stand now, I am persuaded no Admiral will be wiser hereafter +by them, or know better how to conduct himself on the like occasion_." +Observing one of the company who had his eyes attentively fixed upon him, +while he was speaking, "_My friend_," said he, "_I understand reproof in +that grave look. It is a long time since I have spoke so much upon the +subject, and you now think I say too much: perhaps I do so_." "Far from +presuming to mean any reproof," answered the gentleman, "I am all +attention to what you say, Sir; and though all of us here are satisfied of +these truths, yet we must be pleased to hear you make them plainer." "_Be +it so_," replied he; "_but I shall only add one remark more. I am supposed +not to have relieved and assisted the van: who then did assist the van, +and relieve the three disabled ships, who were upon the brink of being +attacked by the body of the enemy? Though the enemy did fire upon them[2], +there is but one witness who says they received damage at that time. May +not that one witness be mistaken, who was on board the ship considerably +the farthest removed from the enemy of the three, and who had dropt there +out of her station, by being disabled before? And why did the enemy bear +away from these ships, if it was not because my division was under sail +close after them, in a regular line of battle?_" + +Here the Admiral stopt; and the conversation for a few minutes turning +upon other subjects, he desired to be particularly remembered to several +absent friends. The time he appointed for his friends to go ashore drawing +near, he got up, and withdrew into the state-room with one of them at a +time; and thanking each in a very pathetick manner, for their acts of +friendship and services, he embraced them, and took his leave; with +intention, as he told them, to spare them the disagreeable and painful +office, as his friends, of seeing him next day. But they intreating leave +to pay their last respects and services to him in the morning, he +consented. One of them observing the Admiral softened into tears upon the +occasion, said to him, "Pray, Sir, don't suffer yourself to be +discomposed." He replied, "_I have not a heart of stone; I am a man, and +must feel at parting with my friends; but you will not see me discomposed +to-morrow_." He then dismissed them all, wished them a good night, and +desired they would come to him next day at nine; chusing to have the +morning to himself. + +He carefully avoided desiring any thing himself, that could look like a +favour; but one of his relations waited upon Admiral _Boscawen_ that +evening, and represented to him, that appointing the fore-castle for the +place of execution was an indignity to Admiral _Byng_'s rank, and hoped +that he would change the place to the quarter-deck. Admiral _Boscawen_ +said, the order from the admiralty expresly appointed it so; but if it was +his request, he would consider of it, and do what lay in his power. The +gentleman replied, _I do make it my request, Sir_; and Admiral _Boscawen_, +after considering a little, promised to give directions that the +quarter-deck should be the place; which was done accordingly. + +When the officers, who watched in the great cabbin with the Admiral, +relieved each other in the night, the officer who was relieved, always +made it a rule, at twelve at night, and at four in the morning, to go into +the state-room with the other, to show that the Admiral was there, and +deliver over his charge. They seldom found him awake at these hours; but +that last night, in particular, they found him both times in a profound +sleep. + +It was his custom to rise early, and to banter the Marshal for being +seldom up so early as him. He was up on _Monday_ morning about five; and +as soon as he saw the Marshal, about six, "_Well_," said he, "_Marshal, I +think I have beat you at rising this morning_." Soon after, when he was +shifting, as he constantly did every morning betimes, "_Here_," said he to +his valet, "_take these sleeve-buttons, and wear them for my sake; your's +will do to be buried with_." Having directed that he should be put into +his coffin with his cloaths as he died: recollecting himself, he added, +"_But hold--as these buttons are gold, my giving them to you may be +doubted, and you may be drawn into a scrape_." Then desired the Marshal, +and one of his servants, might be called to witness the exchange. + +He spent a considerable part of the morning in the state-room by himself: +then came out, and sat down with the Marshal, and breakfasted composedly, +as usual. His dress was a plain cloth suit, a light grey mixture, such as +he had always wore after he received his order of suspension in +_Gibraltar_-bay; having stripped off his uniform, which he immediately +threw into the sea, as soon as he had read that order. + +At nine, when his friends came on board, in a familiar easy manner, he +took each by the hand, and obligingly inquired after their health: and +being informed that the quarter-deck was now the place appointed for his +execution, in consideration of his rank, he was greatly pleased at it. He +then spoke about an erasement in his will, which he had recollected; +mentioning the sheet, the number of the line from the top, and the words +erased. He expressed some uneasiness at that circumstance, and said, that +though he did not apprehend such a circumstance would occasion any dispute +amongst his relations, yet believing that erasement not mentioned as is +customary upon the will, he thought it proper something should be drawn +up, as an acknowlegment that the erasement was agreeable to his intention; +which being done in the manner he desired, he copied it himself, signed +it, and desired three gentlemen present to witness it. + +After this the Admiral appeared satisfied, as if he had no farther +concerns to think of; and had the morning-service performed by the +chaplain of the _Monarque_. + +The rest of his time was mostly spent in walking across the cabbin, +conversing sometimes with one friend, sometimes with another. He had +always declared that he would die with his face uncovered, and would give +the word of command to the platoon of marines himself; saying, "_As it is +my fate, I can look at it, and receive it_." + +As the time drew near, his friends unanimously endeavoured to dissuade him +from it; frequently half gained his consent to have his face covered, and +he as frequently retracted, and said, "_No--it cannot be--I cannot bear +it--I must look, and receive my fate_." But by representing to him, that, +considering his rank, it was impossible the marines could receive the +word of command from him, or look in his face, and see him looking at +them, without being awed and intimidated; by hinting at the consequences +which might ensue, that he might be wounded only, and mangled; and by +adding every sort of argument and intreaty, he at last was prevailed upon +and consented to have a bandage over his eyes, and to make a signal by +dropping a handkerchief, though with very great reluctance: "_If it must +be so_, said he, _and you insist, it must be so_." + +He then desired to be made acquainted with all the particulars of the +form, that he might make no mistake; telling his friends, that he had +never been present at such a ceremony himself. Proposed pulling off his +coat; and when one of his friends informed him that was quite unnecessary, +"_But_, said he, _it may be said I kept my coat on as if afraid to receive +the blow, or feel the bullets_." "No," answered the gentleman, "such a +remark can never be made; and it must be more decent to make no alteration +in dress." "_Well then_, replied he, _if it is more decent, no alteration +shall be made_." + +The commanding officer of the marines was informed of the Admiral's +intentions, and the signal he was to make, that he might instruct his men; +and at the same time was desired to let them know they should have a +present of ten guineas, to encourage them to behave properly. The marines +were all drawn up under arms, upon the poop, along the gang-ways in the +waist, and on one side of the quarter-deck. On the other side of the +quarter-deck was thrown a heap of saw-dust, and a cushion placed upon it; +and in the middle, upon the gratings, a platoon consisting of nine marines +were drawn up in three lines, three in each: the two foremost lines, +intended to fire, had their bayonets fixed, as is customary on such +occasions. + +The captains of all the ships in _Portsmouth_-harbour, and at _Spithead_, +were ordered to attend with their boats; but lay a-breast upon their +oars[3], without coming on board, to avoid the inconvenience of so great +a croud as that would have occasioned. + +The Admiral, about eleven, as he walked across the cabbin, observed the +croud of boats out of one of the side cabbin-windows, took his +spying-glass and viewed several of them; and perceiving many boats from +the shore, as well as the ship-boats, and the decks, shrouds, and yards of +all the ships that lay near, covered with men, said he, "_Curiosity is +strong--it draws a great number of people together--but their curiosity +will be disappointed:--where they are, they may hear, but they cannot +see_." + +Perceiving the Marshal had his uniform and sword on, speaking softly to +one of his friends, "_Do you observe_," said he, "_how well dressed the +Marshal is?_" "Yes," answered the gentleman; "I dare say, Sir, he intends +paying the last piece of respect to you that he can." "_I am sensible he +means well_," replied he, "_and I accept the compliment_." The gentleman +added, "To see you so easy and composed, Sir, gives me as much pleasure as +I can have on this occasion; but I expected no less from the whole of your +conduct heretofore, and the last actions of a man marks his character more +than all the others of his life." "_I am sensible they do, Sir_," replied +he, "_and obliged to you for putting me in mind. I find innocence is the +best foundation for firmness of mind_." + +After that, he walked about in the cabbin for some time; inquired what +time it would be high-water; remarked that the tide would not suit to +carry his body ashore after dark; expressed some apprehensions, that his +body might be insulted going ashore in the day, on account of the +prejudices of the people: but, on being assured that no such spirit was +remaining among the people at _Portsmouth_, he appeared very well +satisfied on that head. Then taking a paper out of his pocket, he +addressed himself to the Marshal as follows: "_Sir, these are my thoughts +on this occasion: I shall give them to you, that you may authenticate +them, and prevent any thing spurious being published, that might tend to +defame me. I have given a copy to one of my relations_." + +The paper was wrote in his own hand, and contained as follows: + + _On board his Majesty's ship_ Monarque _in_ Portsmouth-_harbour_, + March 14, 1757. + + "_A few moments will now deliver me from the virulent persecutions, + and frustrate the farther malice of my enemies;--nor need I envy them + a life subject to the sensations my injuries, and the injustice done + me, must create.--Persuaded I am justice will be done to my + reputation hereafter.--The manner and cause, of raising and keeping + up the popular clamour and prejudice against me, will be seen + through.--I shall be considered, (as I now perceive myself) a victim, + destined to divert the indignation and resentment of an injured and + deluded people, from the proper objects.--My enemies themselves, + must, now, think me innocent,--Happy for me at this last moment, that + I know_ my own _innocence, and am conscious, that no part of my + country's misfortunes can be owing to me.--I heartily wish the + shedding my blood may contribute to the happiness and service of my + country;--but cannot resign my just claim to a faithful discharge of + my duty, according to the best of my judgment, and the utmost + exertion of my ability, for his Majesty's honour and my country's + service.--I am sorry that my endeavours were not attended with more + success, and that the armament under my command proved too weak to + succeed, in an expedition of such moment.--_Truth _has prevailed over + calumny and_ falshood, _and justice has wiped off the ignominious + stain of my_ supposed _want of personal courage, or disaffection--my + heart acquits me of these crimes,--but who can be presumptuously sure + of his own judgment?--If my crime is an error in judgment, or_ + differing _in opinion from my judges; and if yet, the_ error _in + judgment should be on their side,--God forgive them, as I do; and + may,_ the distress of their minds, and uneasiness of their + consciences, which in justice to me _they have represented, be + relieved, and subside, as my resentment has done.--The supreme Judge + sees all hearts and motives, and to him I must submit the Justice of + my cause._" + + J. BYNG. + +Soon after he had so spoke, an officer came to the cabbin-door, and in a +low voice informed one of his friends the hour of twelve was drawing near. +He, overhearing, replied, "_It is very well_;" and retired into the +state-room for about three minutes. In the mean time the cabbin-doors +were thrown open, and the Admiral, opening the state-room-door, came out, +with a stately pace and composed countenance: he made a bow to his friends +in the cabbin, and speaking to the Marshal, "_Come along_," said he, "_my +friend_;" and walked out upon the quarter-deck. Then turning to the +Marshal, with an easy bow, he gave him the paper, containing as above, +saying, "_Remember, Sir, what I have told you relating to this paper_;" +and went to the cushion and kneeled down. One of his friends attended him +to the cushion, and offered to tie the bandage over his eyes; but having a +white handkerchief ready folded in his hand, he replied, with a smile on +his countenance, "_I am obliged to you, Sir--I thank God, I can do it +myself--I think I can--I am sure I can_;" and tied it behind his head +himself. Then taking the gentleman by the hand, "_God bless you, my +friend_," said he; "_don't stay longer here; they may shoot you_." The +marines, in the mean time, advanced about two paces, and, as soon as the +gentleman retired, presented their pieces; the first line kneeling, their +bayonets about half a yard from his breast; the second stooping, and close +to the first; the third line standing upright, were appointed a reserve, +in case any life should remain after the two first had fired. The Admiral +continued upon his knees something more than a minute, appearing very +composed, and to be making an ejaculation; and then dropped his +handkerchief, the signal agreed upon. The platoon immediately fired; one +missed, four passed thorough different parts of his breast, and one +through his heart, and he sunk down motionless, gently falling on his +side, as if still studious to preserve _decency_ and _dignity_ in his +FALL. + +The spectators were amazed at the intrepidity of his behaviour, and scarce +could refrain from tears; even the common seamen, one of whom having stood +all the while full of attention, with his arms across, cried out, with a +kind of enthusiasm, when he saw him fall, _There lies the bravest and best +officer of the navy_. The _Ramillies_, the ship he had his flag on board +of, breaking loose from her moorings, immediately after his death, +induced the people to believe that she sympathized with her Admiral. + +His coffins were made at _Portsmouth_ two days before, and sent on board +early that morning; one of wood inclosed in one of lead, and that again +inclosed in another of wood. On that of lead was the following plain +inscription: + + THE HON. JOHN BYNG, ESQR. + DIED MARCH 14th, 1756. + +As soon as his body was cold, it was put into his coffin, and sent on +shore to the Dock-yard in the evening; from whence it has been since +removed to the family burying-place at _South-Hill_ in _Bedfordshire_. + +Thus did this _unfortunate_ but _undaunted Gentleman_, arrive at a place +of rest, whose sentence explained, as an Epitaph, would do him honour; who +to the last moment asserted his innocence, and assured us that he has been +violently _persecuted_ by party rage; treated with many _unprecedented +indignities_ and _hardships_; _calumniated_ and _misrepresented_ to the +people, who had been prepossessed by the early intrigues of his _enemies_, +in order to _screen themselves_; and at last _sacrificed_, to appease the +_misguided resentment_ of the nation. His fate is now lamented by far the +majority of people of understanding, who see through the mist, and are +disposed to view him in the same light. Posterity, in spite of slander, +will undoubtedly do justice to his injured character and honour. In all +probability, the present age will set the example, when our Patriots have +unravelled the Mystery. + +So much fortitude and firmness of mind, so heroick a manner of dying, +under a cloud of prejudices and misfortunes, cannot fail to be the result +and clearest demonstration of innocence, and a mind conscious of a proper +discharge of its duty. + + _I am, Sir, + Yours_, &c. + + London, March + 25th, 1757. + +_P. S._ I have purposely informed you of several minute particulars, +because they have been much the subject of conversation, and very +whimsically and maliciously described by the authors of _Pamphlets_, +composed of _common Reports_ and _Scraps_ from _News-papers_. + + +FINIS. + + + + +Footnotes: + +[1] The apartment where the captain sleeps, so called on board a ship. + +[2] It does not appear that a single man was killed on board either of +these ships, when the enemy passed them. + +[3] That is, from time to time, rowing a little, when it is necessary, to +keep in the same place. + + + + +Transcriber's Notes: + +Passages in italics are indicated by _underscore_. + +Long "s" has been modernized. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Letter to a Gentleman in the +Country, from His Friend in London, by Anonymous + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A LETTER TO A GENTLEMAN *** + +***** This file should be named 32290.txt or 32290.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/2/2/9/32290/ + +Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Archive/Canadian +Libraries.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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