dest son of fe, like that period, has the interest 'as Ann, the of consider 1775; and he immediate ier, Admiral midshipman, Indies, the Le passed for rose to the course was 1801, when ok a Spanish year he cap Post Captain, las, 32 guns. rench ships of shore, where disembarked g the personal posts. A few and conquered turned to Plyned to read an ng a candidate, yming wean win respectabunty, represent that virtuous borough. Lord Cochrane immediately posted 5. LORD COCHRANE. ALEXANDER, Lord Cochrane, is the eldest son of the Earl of Dundonald, a nobleman whose life, like that of the Marquis of Worcester, of a former period, has been devoted to pursuits which had in view the interest and the glory of his country. His mother was Ann, the daughter of Captain Gilchrist, a naval officer of considerable eminence. He was born December 27, 1775; and after a proper education, was placed under the immediate inspection and tuition of his uncle and godfather, Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane. After serving as a midshipman, and being actively employed in the West Indies, the Bay of Biscay, and on the Home Station, he passed for a Lieutenant; and by regular gradation, rose to the post of Master and Commander, and in due course was appointed Captain. His first action was in 1801, when off Barcelona, he engaged, boarded, and took a Spanish sloop, the El Gamo. In the course of this year he captured 33 vessels. He shortly after attained the rank of Post Captain, and hoisted his pendant on board the Pallas, 32 guns. In this vessel his lordship attacked three French ships of 18, 22, and 24 guns, and drove them on shore, where they were wrecked. In May, 1806, he disembarked his crew on the coast of France, and taking the personal command of them, destroyed all the signal posts. A few days after this exploit, the Pallas attacked and conquered a French frigate. In the same year, when his Lordship returned to Plymouth from a successful cruize, he happened to read an appeal from the electors of Honiton, inviting a candidate, uniting wealth with respectability, to represent that virtuous borough. Lord Cochrane immediately posted |