DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70302#0166
142
LIFE OF LORD CAMELFORD.
ance with a predilection of his own, he was suffered, at
an early age, to enter the royal navy as a midshipman.
Being a seaman of an extremely adventurous spirit, he
by his eager choice, accompanied the late Captain Van-
couver in the Discovery, in a part of his voyage round
the world. In consequence of his refractoriness and
disobedience of orders, the result rather of a certain pecu-
liarity of temper, than of either badness of heart or want
of understanding, he put Captain Vancouver to the neces-
sity of treating him with a severity of discipline, which he
could not endure.
He accordingly quitted the Discovery in the Indian
Seas, and entered on board the Resistance, commanded by
Sir Edward Pakenham, by whom he was appointed lieu-
tenant. During his absence from England his father died,
and he consequently succeeded to the title and family
estates. On his return home, in October, 1796, he sent a
challenge to Captain Vancouver, for the ill treatment
he alledged he had received while under his command.
The Captain replied, that his Lordship’s misbehaviour had
obliged him to resort to the measures of which he com-
plained, and that the steps he had taken were absolutely
necessary foi' the preservation of discipline. At the same
time, the Captain offered to submit the business to any flag
officer in his Majesty’s navy, and if the latter conceived
that, by the laws of honour, he was liable to be called upon,
he would willingly give his Lordship satisfaction. This
method of settling the dispute was by no means congenial
to the fiery disposition of Lord Camelford, who now
threatened the Captain with personal chastisement. Nor
was it long before an opportunity presented itself for the
execution of his menace; for meeting with Vancouver
in Bond-street, he was only prevented from striking him
by the interference of his brother. The chargrin of this
unmerited
LIFE OF LORD CAMELFORD.
ance with a predilection of his own, he was suffered, at
an early age, to enter the royal navy as a midshipman.
Being a seaman of an extremely adventurous spirit, he
by his eager choice, accompanied the late Captain Van-
couver in the Discovery, in a part of his voyage round
the world. In consequence of his refractoriness and
disobedience of orders, the result rather of a certain pecu-
liarity of temper, than of either badness of heart or want
of understanding, he put Captain Vancouver to the neces-
sity of treating him with a severity of discipline, which he
could not endure.
He accordingly quitted the Discovery in the Indian
Seas, and entered on board the Resistance, commanded by
Sir Edward Pakenham, by whom he was appointed lieu-
tenant. During his absence from England his father died,
and he consequently succeeded to the title and family
estates. On his return home, in October, 1796, he sent a
challenge to Captain Vancouver, for the ill treatment
he alledged he had received while under his command.
The Captain replied, that his Lordship’s misbehaviour had
obliged him to resort to the measures of which he com-
plained, and that the steps he had taken were absolutely
necessary foi' the preservation of discipline. At the same
time, the Captain offered to submit the business to any flag
officer in his Majesty’s navy, and if the latter conceived
that, by the laws of honour, he was liable to be called upon,
he would willingly give his Lordship satisfaction. This
method of settling the dispute was by no means congenial
to the fiery disposition of Lord Camelford, who now
threatened the Captain with personal chastisement. Nor
was it long before an opportunity presented itself for the
execution of his menace; for meeting with Vancouver
in Bond-street, he was only prevented from striking him
by the interference of his brother. The chargrin of this
unmerited