July 26, 2025 • 15 mins
Immerse yourself in the thrilling tales of Lord Cochrane, a renowned sea captain from the Napoleonic era, whose life was rich with high-seas adventures that later inspired numerous naval fiction series. This second volume of his biography, penned by his secretary and son, completes the unfinished Autobiography of a Seaman. Discover how Cochrane valiantly assists the Greeks against the Ottoman Empire, marks his presence in the House of Lords, regains his knighthood, and makes a striking comeback to the Royal Navy.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Chapter twenty seven of the life of Thomas Lord Cochrane,
Tenthal of Dundonald completing the Autobiography of Seamen, Volume two
by Henry Richard fox Bourne and others. This LibriVox recording
is in the public domain recording by Timothy Ferguson eighteen
forty eight. Lord dun Donald left London for Devonport on
(00:21):
the sixteenth of March eighteen forty eight, and on the
following day hoisted his flag on board the Wellesley as
Admiral in Command of the North American and West Indian Fleet.
On the twenty fifth of March he setsel for Halifax,
which was soon reached and was, during three years the
headquarters from which he proceeded on numerous voyages in fulfillment
of the duties of his office. These duties were not
(00:42):
very onerous or various. They were relieved, however, by a
much careful study of the circumstances and prospects of our
colonies in British North America, and by correspondence thereupon and
on other subjects with influential friends at home, especially with
Lord Auckland, the first Lord of the Admiralty. From this correspondents,
some selections will be made in the ensuing pages. Quote.
(01:04):
I am very much pleased with your letter of the
nineteenth wrote Lord Auckland on the twenty first of March,
while the Wellesley was still at Davenport, and the good
spirit with which you look forward to your coming duties.
I know how irksome is the succession of their petty
duties which are incident to places of authority, and how
far more attractive is the excitement of great actions to
(01:25):
those who are capable of performing them. But even the
first class of duties is not without interest, and carries
credit as it is performed with justice and exactness. And
I hope that for the second the necessity of great
exertions will not arise. But it is always well that
the possibility of their being called for should be borne
in mind. And while you follow the peaceful avocations of
(01:45):
your station, I should be glad that you become acquainted
with all its points of strength and of weakness. All
the information and advice that you may give to me
will be gratefully received and carefully considered. I hope, wrote
Lord Auckland days later, that the Mesquito affair you will
have been brought to a termination before your arrival, and
(02:06):
that the necessity for the presence of ships in the
Bay of Mexico will have terminated with a cessation of
hostilities between the United States and Mexico. You will then
have the slave trade and the fisheries mainly to attend to.
You will learn from the consul at Cuba whether the
slave trade is now actively carried on. It had for
some time entirely ceased, but it may have revived, and
(02:28):
with good information and force interception applied at the right time.
I should hope that it will not require many of
your ships. The fisheries will for a season be a
regular and a fixed object of attention. Though I feel
that your number of ships is small, it is difficult
for me to increase it. I hate to fritter away
our men and enable strength on a multitude of brigs
and sloops and petty objects, which is no letter ends.
(02:52):
Lord Auckland communicated to his friend many interesting opinions respecting
the state of politics and the condition of affairs on
both sides of the Atlantic. A letter from him, dated
the thirtieth of April, had reference chiefly to the troubles
occasioned at that time by the interference of Nicaragua with
British commerce, which had necessitated the sending of Captain Locke
in the alarm to watch the course of events and
(03:14):
compel proper behavior by the turbulent state. A little war
is always a vexatious thing, he wrote, and our relations
with the state of Mosquito, though they have long an
ancient standing to recommend them, are strange and anomalous. But
the insult of Nicaragua, while highly provoking the detention of
British subjects, was not to be borne. And the spirit
(03:35):
which has been exhibited by Captain Locke, the spirit and
enterprise with which his operations were directed, the conduct of
all who served under him, and the successful results which
have been achieved, are all highly to be applauded. I
am glad, however, that they have left the River of
San Juan. I see that in seventeen eighty Nelson lost
by the climate there fifteen hundred out of eighteen hundred men.
(03:58):
And I well know what is the effect of a
low country in the tropics, particularly after exertion and fatigue.
Letter ends. The rest of the letter related to the
turmoil excited in Europe by the deposition of Leuis Philippe
in February eighteen forty eight, and the less successful revolutions
in other countries. We continue to be on the very
best of terms with the provisional government, and there is
(04:20):
a better disposition towards us on the part of the
French people than there was at the first outbreak of
the revolution. I have therefore at present no apprehension of war.
There is, however, this danger that Germany and Italy are
greatly disturbed, and that Austria and Sardinia are engaged in
war on the side of Italy and Prussia and Denmark
(04:41):
to the north, and it will not be easy for
France and England to be peaceful lookers on. Besides which
the government of France will long be subject to popular gusts,
and it is never easy to say in what direction
they may blow. In the meantime, however, always the appearance
of peace, and at home, the chances of disturbance, both
(05:01):
from chartists and repealers, have become less. We have only
danger from the distress and want of employment which have
followed upon the shock given to credit throughout Europe. Letter ends. Unfortunately,
most of the letters written by Lord Dundonnell during these
months have been lost, but something of their purport may
be gathered from the replies to them. I am very glad,
(05:22):
Lord Auckland wrote on the twenty eighth of May, that
your thoughts appear to be very considerately given to the
health of those that are under your command. You will,
of course have consideration for the ships that have served
in the Gulf of Mexico or other unhealthy places, and
give them a turn in the north. I did not
lose a moment in sending to Lord Gray your suggestions
in favor of removing the convict hulks at Bermuda, and
(05:43):
he has promised me that he will without delay issue
orders accordingly. Lord Auckland wrote again to his friend on
the twenty thirty June. I have your valuable memoranda on
the defenses and dock yard of Bermuda, he said, and
I am greatly obliged to you for them, as will
be Lord Gray. I will promise to give them early
and deep consideration. In the meantime, I will press the
(06:05):
Board to give immediate authority for the improvement of the
drains of the hospital and of the supply of water.
I am greatly obliged to you for the steadiness with
which you keep considerations of economy in view. The disinterestedness
with which you regard the schemes which have been proposed
for a new Admiralty House at Bermuda, will give you
authority in checking expenditure in other objects. The affairs of France,
(06:29):
we read in the same letter, written while General Carvaynac
was suppressing the Dune Revolution, are most unsettled. There is
no confidence in any man or party, and there are
discontent and mistrust and alarm. All feel that things cannot
go on in their present form, but none can foresee
what will follow. It may be a continuance of internal dissension,
(06:50):
but in an aggravated form. It may be a disposition
to external violence. At home, the condition both of England
and Ireland is quite than it was. There is more
rightness in our prospects at home just now, wrote Lord
Auckland three weeks later, on the fourteenth of July. That
has been the case for some months. Commerce and creditor
reviving Chartism is dormant, and Ireland is less troublesome. And
(07:12):
on the continent there is a more general disposition to
return to institutions of order. I confess that I should
be glad to hear that, just at this moment there
were a larger force than usual at Bermuda. The presence
there of Mitchell is apparently raising some excitement. Footnote The
great Chartist, who having been tried and sentenced to transportation,
had been sent to Bermuda in May eighteen forty eight.
(07:35):
Footnote ends. Though I cannot apprehend any formidable attempt at rescue,
yet the notoriety of a force being at or about
the island may put an end to the vaporing menaces
which are proclaimed, and prevent any rash or foolish enterprise
that may be projected. Thanks to you for your letter
from Halifax, Lord Auckland wrote again on the twenty first
of July, and for your last cheats on the defenses
(07:58):
of Bermuda. I do not think when we parted that
the question of these defenses would so soon come under
serious discussion with a view to their practical efficiency. But
I do not yet think they will be put to
the test by any formidable attempt for the rescue of
mister Mitchell. Such apprehensions of danger, however, as they occur, occasionally,
do good and lead men to think of and correct
(08:20):
their weak points. What you say of the accessible nature
of the southern reef surprises me and strengthens your recommendation
of gun boats as the means of defense which are
least to be neglected. I only hang back in regard
to them, as the Naval Department could not bear the
expense of such defenses for the many colonies that would
require them, and they must be provided by the colonial governments.
(08:41):
Our arrangements, however, may in some cases be subsidiary to theirs,
and wherever it is possible, the craft of the dock
yard and other establishments should be so fitted as to
be capable of carrying a gun. I am glad you
sent off the scourge to Bermuda. She is a handy
vessel and well commanded, and the notoriety of her presence
will not be without useful face. What you may say
(09:02):
of the character of the emigrants that are set forth
from Ireland to our colonies is but too true. Yet
it is better that they should go than accumulate famine
and disturbance at home. The present condition of Ireland menaces
trouble and difficulty. Reat note letter ends. I am quite aware,
wrote Earl Gray, who is then Secretary of State for
the Colonies, to Lord Dundonald on the third of August,
(09:25):
of the unfortunate tendency of the emigration to the North
American provinces being chiefly from Ireland. But I do not
see how it is in the power of the government
effectually to counteract the causes which are leading to the
settlement of so large a proportion of Irish in this
part of the British dominion. I fear this will hereafter
be attended with very unfortunate results. I beg to thank
(09:49):
your lordship. He also said for the important information you
have transmitted to me, and for the pains you have
taken in considering the subject of the defense of Bermuda,
which I recommended to your attention before you left England.
I am in communication with Lord Auckland upon this subject,
and we shall endeavor to act upon your suggestions, so
far as we are enabled to do so, under the
(10:11):
financial difficulties with which we have to contend trends. In
the next letter written by Lord Auckland to Lord Dundonald
on the eighteenth August, he again referred to European politics.
There is with regard to the continent. More promise of
peace at this moment than there has been for a
long time past. And there is a tone of more
moderation on the part of France towards other countries than
(10:33):
I have ever expected to see. But she yet has
within her fearful elements of disturbance. Her government is yet unsettled,
and whenever determined, it will be subject to strong popular influences,
and there can be no security. I almost apprehend earlier
mischief from the popular influences of the United States. They
(10:53):
have had a task of conquest and annexation, and Cuba
lies temptingly. The uneasiness of the black poption of many
of the West India islands may lead to opportunities, and
disagreeable events may grow out of such circumstances, but these
are matters of speculation, and nothing turns out as men
think that they foresee. I wish that your squadron was stronger,
for you are weak in numbers, for the many points
(11:15):
that you have to cover. Our home politics are rather
more satisfactory than they were. That is to say, the
dangers of Irish insurrection and of formidable Chartist outbreak are over.
But there is still much uneasiness and disaffection in both countries,
and the various events of Paris have given encouragement to
strange enterprises. I apprehend, however, no serious mischief from these
(11:36):
quarters at present, But we have in prospect a very
general failure of the potato crop and the very indifferent harvest,
and here will be new causes of embarrassment. There were
many causes of embarrassment to English statesmen during the ensuing months.
For the present, wrote Lord Auckland on the first of September,
there is a cordial and friendly understanding between the governments
(11:57):
of this country. In France, and the chances of war
seem to be distant. General Kavenac seems to be a
prudent and moderate man, but no one can predict into
what courses the popular influences of France may force him,
or what changes may on any day occur. The extreme
Communist party is weaker than it was, and a royalist
party for some king that not Louis Philippe is growing up.
(12:18):
And between these is a government of a republic and
an army. The first political difficulty will be that of Italy,
where the Austrians will not readily make any concession, and
where the French will not readily see them again accumulate strength,
it is to be seen whether their mediation and ours
will be of any avail. The condition of the present
French government is precarious, Lord Auckland said, in another letter
(12:42):
dated the ninth of November. According to present appearances, Loui
Napoleon will be elected president, not because he is personally esteemed,
but from his name with some parties, and because it
is anticipated by others that his rule will be short
and that he will be made to make way for others.
The election of a French president is over, Lord Auckland,
(13:03):
resolved to say on the twenty fifth of December, and
has been carried away at last with a rush, and
we are to have a new dynasty of Napoleon's. Louis
Napoleon was supported by the army for his name, by
the bulk of the nation because Carvenac and the Republic
were hated, and by the legitimists because they think he
may presently be overthrown. He is pronounced to be a
(13:25):
foolish man, but his course has been lately one of
prudence and perseverance, and he will enter upon power with
good auspices, but he will have many difficulties to contend with,
and we may yet see many changes before the condition
of France will be settled. Readers, not letterans. The Earl
of Auckland, one of the worthiest and most generous statesmen
of his time. Lord dun Donald's firm friend and the
(13:47):
friend of all those with whom he came in contact,
did not live to see these changes. Just a week
after that letter was written, Admiral John Dundas, who had
been his chief adviser on admiralty matters, had to write
to Lord dud Donald. It is with great regret, he said,
on the first of January eighteen forty nine, I have
to inform you of the death of Lord Auckland. After
(14:08):
a few hours illness. He was on a visit to
Lord Ashburton, near Winchester on Saturday, seized with a fit,
never spoke after, and died this morning. You may well
imagine the universal sorrow at such a loss, and I
am sure that you will join in that, for I
know well the friendship that existed between you. It is
not letterends by Lord Auckland's letters. It has been shown that,
(14:30):
among much else Lord dun Donald made special study of
the actual condition and possible improvement of Bermuda, both as
a convict settlement and as a center of defense against
any attacks that might be made upon the West Indies.
He suggested various beneficial changes for the strengthening of its
fortifications and for lessening its unhealthy character by better drainage
(14:51):
and other expedients. In all of these he was supported
by Lord Auckland, but from the new First Lord of
the Admiralty, Sir Francis Baring, he met with less encouragement.
Bermuda had been made a subjective inquiry by a parliamentary committee,
and the House of Commons, being averse to twenty further expense,
Sir Francis Pairing was compelled to countermand much of the
action that had been resolved upon with Sir Francis Bairing,
(15:14):
Lord Dundonald corresponded on little but strictly official matters, and
therefore their letters are of less general interest than those
which passed between him and Lord Auckland. End of Chapter
twenty seven. Recording by Timothy ferguson Gold Coast, Australia,
Chapter twenty seven of the life of Thomas Lord Cochrane,
Tenthal of Dundonald completing the Autobiography of Seamen, Volume two
by Henry Richard fox Bourne and others. This LibriVox recording
is in the public domain recording by Timothy Ferguson eighteen
forty eight. Lord dun Donald left London for Devonport on
(00:21):
the sixteenth of March eighteen forty eight, and on the
following day hoisted his flag on board the Wellesley as
Admiral in Command of the North American and West Indian Fleet.
On the twenty fifth of March he setsel for Halifax,
which was soon reached and was, during three years the
headquarters from which he proceeded on numerous voyages in fulfillment
of the duties of his office. These duties were not
(00:42):
very onerous or various. They were relieved, however, by a
much careful study of the circumstances and prospects of our
colonies in British North America, and by correspondence thereupon and
on other subjects with influential friends at home, especially with
Lord Auckland, the first Lord of the Admiralty. From this correspondents,
some selections will be made in the ensuing pages. Quote.
(01:04):
I am very much pleased with your letter of the
nineteenth wrote Lord Auckland on the twenty first of March,
while the Wellesley was still at Davenport, and the good
spirit with which you look forward to your coming duties.
I know how irksome is the succession of their petty
duties which are incident to places of authority, and how
far more attractive is the excitement of great actions to
(01:25):
those who are capable of performing them. But even the
first class of duties is not without interest, and carries
credit as it is performed with justice and exactness. And
I hope that for the second the necessity of great
exertions will not arise. But it is always well that
the possibility of their being called for should be borne
in mind. And while you follow the peaceful avocations of
(01:45):
your station, I should be glad that you become acquainted
with all its points of strength and of weakness. All
the information and advice that you may give to me
will be gratefully received and carefully considered. I hope, wrote
Lord Auckland days later, that the Mesquito affair you will
have been brought to a termination before your arrival, and
(02:06):
that the necessity for the presence of ships in the
Bay of Mexico will have terminated with a cessation of
hostilities between the United States and Mexico. You will then
have the slave trade and the fisheries mainly to attend to.
You will learn from the consul at Cuba whether the
slave trade is now actively carried on. It had for
some time entirely ceased, but it may have revived, and
(02:28):
with good information and force interception applied at the right time.
I should hope that it will not require many of
your ships. The fisheries will for a season be a
regular and a fixed object of attention. Though I feel
that your number of ships is small, it is difficult
for me to increase it. I hate to fritter away
our men and enable strength on a multitude of brigs
and sloops and petty objects, which is no letter ends.
(02:52):
Lord Auckland communicated to his friend many interesting opinions respecting
the state of politics and the condition of affairs on
both sides of the Atlantic. A letter from him, dated
the thirtieth of April, had reference chiefly to the troubles
occasioned at that time by the interference of Nicaragua with
British commerce, which had necessitated the sending of Captain Locke
in the alarm to watch the course of events and
(03:14):
compel proper behavior by the turbulent state. A little war
is always a vexatious thing, he wrote, and our relations
with the state of Mosquito, though they have long an
ancient standing to recommend them, are strange and anomalous. But
the insult of Nicaragua, while highly provoking the detention of
British subjects, was not to be borne. And the spirit
(03:35):
which has been exhibited by Captain Locke, the spirit and
enterprise with which his operations were directed, the conduct of
all who served under him, and the successful results which
have been achieved, are all highly to be applauded. I
am glad, however, that they have left the River of
San Juan. I see that in seventeen eighty Nelson lost
by the climate there fifteen hundred out of eighteen hundred men.
(03:58):
And I well know what is the effect of a
low country in the tropics, particularly after exertion and fatigue.
Letter ends. The rest of the letter related to the
turmoil excited in Europe by the deposition of Leuis Philippe
in February eighteen forty eight, and the less successful revolutions
in other countries. We continue to be on the very
best of terms with the provisional government, and there is
(04:20):
a better disposition towards us on the part of the
French people than there was at the first outbreak of
the revolution. I have therefore at present no apprehension of war.
There is, however, this danger that Germany and Italy are
greatly disturbed, and that Austria and Sardinia are engaged in
war on the side of Italy and Prussia and Denmark
(04:41):
to the north, and it will not be easy for
France and England to be peaceful lookers on. Besides which
the government of France will long be subject to popular gusts,
and it is never easy to say in what direction
they may blow. In the meantime, however, always the appearance
of peace, and at home, the chances of disturbance, both
(05:01):
from chartists and repealers, have become less. We have only
danger from the distress and want of employment which have
followed upon the shock given to credit throughout Europe. Letter ends. Unfortunately,
most of the letters written by Lord Dundonnell during these
months have been lost, but something of their purport may
be gathered from the replies to them. I am very glad,
(05:22):
Lord Auckland wrote on the twenty eighth of May, that
your thoughts appear to be very considerately given to the
health of those that are under your command. You will,
of course have consideration for the ships that have served
in the Gulf of Mexico or other unhealthy places, and
give them a turn in the north. I did not
lose a moment in sending to Lord Gray your suggestions
in favor of removing the convict hulks at Bermuda, and
(05:43):
he has promised me that he will without delay issue
orders accordingly. Lord Auckland wrote again to his friend on
the twenty thirty June. I have your valuable memoranda on
the defenses and dock yard of Bermuda, he said, and
I am greatly obliged to you for them, as will
be Lord Gray. I will promise to give them early
and deep consideration. In the meantime, I will press the
(06:05):
Board to give immediate authority for the improvement of the
drains of the hospital and of the supply of water.
I am greatly obliged to you for the steadiness with
which you keep considerations of economy in view. The disinterestedness
with which you regard the schemes which have been proposed
for a new Admiralty House at Bermuda, will give you
authority in checking expenditure in other objects. The affairs of France,
(06:29):
we read in the same letter, written while General Carvaynac
was suppressing the Dune Revolution, are most unsettled. There is
no confidence in any man or party, and there are
discontent and mistrust and alarm. All feel that things cannot
go on in their present form, but none can foresee
what will follow. It may be a continuance of internal dissension,
(06:50):
but in an aggravated form. It may be a disposition
to external violence. At home, the condition both of England
and Ireland is quite than it was. There is more
rightness in our prospects at home just now, wrote Lord
Auckland three weeks later, on the fourteenth of July. That
has been the case for some months. Commerce and creditor
reviving Chartism is dormant, and Ireland is less troublesome. And
(07:12):
on the continent there is a more general disposition to
return to institutions of order. I confess that I should
be glad to hear that, just at this moment there
were a larger force than usual at Bermuda. The presence
there of Mitchell is apparently raising some excitement. Footnote The
great Chartist, who having been tried and sentenced to transportation,
had been sent to Bermuda in May eighteen forty eight.
(07:35):
Footnote ends. Though I cannot apprehend any formidable attempt at rescue,
yet the notoriety of a force being at or about
the island may put an end to the vaporing menaces
which are proclaimed, and prevent any rash or foolish enterprise
that may be projected. Thanks to you for your letter
from Halifax, Lord Auckland wrote again on the twenty first
of July, and for your last cheats on the defenses
(07:58):
of Bermuda. I do not think when we parted that
the question of these defenses would so soon come under
serious discussion with a view to their practical efficiency. But
I do not yet think they will be put to
the test by any formidable attempt for the rescue of
mister Mitchell. Such apprehensions of danger, however, as they occur, occasionally,
do good and lead men to think of and correct
(08:20):
their weak points. What you say of the accessible nature
of the southern reef surprises me and strengthens your recommendation
of gun boats as the means of defense which are
least to be neglected. I only hang back in regard
to them, as the Naval Department could not bear the
expense of such defenses for the many colonies that would
require them, and they must be provided by the colonial governments.
(08:41):
Our arrangements, however, may in some cases be subsidiary to theirs,
and wherever it is possible, the craft of the dock
yard and other establishments should be so fitted as to
be capable of carrying a gun. I am glad you
sent off the scourge to Bermuda. She is a handy
vessel and well commanded, and the notoriety of her presence
will not be without useful face. What you may say
(09:02):
of the character of the emigrants that are set forth
from Ireland to our colonies is but too true. Yet
it is better that they should go than accumulate famine
and disturbance at home. The present condition of Ireland menaces
trouble and difficulty. Reat note letter ends. I am quite aware,
wrote Earl Gray, who is then Secretary of State for
the Colonies, to Lord Dundonald on the third of August,
(09:25):
of the unfortunate tendency of the emigration to the North
American provinces being chiefly from Ireland. But I do not
see how it is in the power of the government
effectually to counteract the causes which are leading to the
settlement of so large a proportion of Irish in this
part of the British dominion. I fear this will hereafter
be attended with very unfortunate results. I beg to thank
(09:49):
your lordship. He also said for the important information you
have transmitted to me, and for the pains you have
taken in considering the subject of the defense of Bermuda,
which I recommended to your attention before you left England.
I am in communication with Lord Auckland upon this subject,
and we shall endeavor to act upon your suggestions, so
far as we are enabled to do so, under the
(10:11):
financial difficulties with which we have to contend trends. In
the next letter written by Lord Auckland to Lord Dundonald
on the eighteenth August, he again referred to European politics.
There is with regard to the continent. More promise of
peace at this moment than there has been for a
long time past. And there is a tone of more
moderation on the part of France towards other countries than
(10:33):
I have ever expected to see. But she yet has
within her fearful elements of disturbance. Her government is yet unsettled,
and whenever determined, it will be subject to strong popular influences,
and there can be no security. I almost apprehend earlier
mischief from the popular influences of the United States. They
(10:53):
have had a task of conquest and annexation, and Cuba
lies temptingly. The uneasiness of the black poption of many
of the West India islands may lead to opportunities, and
disagreeable events may grow out of such circumstances, but these
are matters of speculation, and nothing turns out as men
think that they foresee. I wish that your squadron was stronger,
for you are weak in numbers, for the many points
(11:15):
that you have to cover. Our home politics are rather
more satisfactory than they were. That is to say, the
dangers of Irish insurrection and of formidable Chartist outbreak are over.
But there is still much uneasiness and disaffection in both countries,
and the various events of Paris have given encouragement to
strange enterprises. I apprehend, however, no serious mischief from these
(11:36):
quarters at present, But we have in prospect a very
general failure of the potato crop and the very indifferent harvest,
and here will be new causes of embarrassment. There were
many causes of embarrassment to English statesmen during the ensuing months.
For the present, wrote Lord Auckland on the first of September,
there is a cordial and friendly understanding between the governments
(11:57):
of this country. In France, and the chances of war
seem to be distant. General Kavenac seems to be a
prudent and moderate man, but no one can predict into
what courses the popular influences of France may force him,
or what changes may on any day occur. The extreme
Communist party is weaker than it was, and a royalist
party for some king that not Louis Philippe is growing up.
(12:18):
And between these is a government of a republic and
an army. The first political difficulty will be that of Italy,
where the Austrians will not readily make any concession, and
where the French will not readily see them again accumulate strength,
it is to be seen whether their mediation and ours
will be of any avail. The condition of the present
French government is precarious, Lord Auckland said, in another letter
(12:42):
dated the ninth of November. According to present appearances, Loui
Napoleon will be elected president, not because he is personally esteemed,
but from his name with some parties, and because it
is anticipated by others that his rule will be short
and that he will be made to make way for others.
The election of a French president is over, Lord Auckland,
(13:03):
resolved to say on the twenty fifth of December, and
has been carried away at last with a rush, and
we are to have a new dynasty of Napoleon's. Louis
Napoleon was supported by the army for his name, by
the bulk of the nation because Carvenac and the Republic
were hated, and by the legitimists because they think he
may presently be overthrown. He is pronounced to be a
(13:25):
foolish man, but his course has been lately one of
prudence and perseverance, and he will enter upon power with
good auspices, but he will have many difficulties to contend with,
and we may yet see many changes before the condition
of France will be settled. Readers, not letterans. The Earl
of Auckland, one of the worthiest and most generous statesmen
of his time. Lord dun Donald's firm friend and the
(13:47):
friend of all those with whom he came in contact,
did not live to see these changes. Just a week
after that letter was written, Admiral John Dundas, who had
been his chief adviser on admiralty matters, had to write
to Lord dud Donald. It is with great regret, he said,
on the first of January eighteen forty nine, I have
to inform you of the death of Lord Auckland. After
(14:08):
a few hours illness. He was on a visit to
Lord Ashburton, near Winchester on Saturday, seized with a fit,
never spoke after, and died this morning. You may well
imagine the universal sorrow at such a loss, and I
am sure that you will join in that, for I
know well the friendship that existed between you. It is
not letterends by Lord Auckland's letters. It has been shown that,
(14:30):
among much else Lord dun Donald made special study of
the actual condition and possible improvement of Bermuda, both as
a convict settlement and as a center of defense against
any attacks that might be made upon the West Indies.
He suggested various beneficial changes for the strengthening of its
fortifications and for lessening its unhealthy character by better drainage
(14:51):
and other expedients. In all of these he was supported
by Lord Auckland, but from the new First Lord of
the Admiralty, Sir Francis Baring, he met with less encouragement.
Bermuda had been made a subjective inquiry by a parliamentary committee,
and the House of Commons, being averse to twenty further expense,
Sir Francis Pairing was compelled to countermand much of the
action that had been resolved upon with Sir Francis Bairing,
(15:14):
Lord Dundonald corresponded on little but strictly official matters, and
therefore their letters are of less general interest than those
which passed between him and Lord Auckland. End of Chapter
twenty seven. Recording by Timothy ferguson Gold Coast, Australia,
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