Page:A biographical dictionary of eminent Scotsmen, vol 9.djvu/179

Rh In turning to his personal history, it is only necessary to add, that in 1808 Sir Charles married his cousin Magdalene, daughter of Charles Pasley, Esq., by whom he had one daughter; and on becoming a widower, he married in 1829 Elmira Riddell, youngest daughter of Major-General Shaw, by whom he had three sons, two of these being now in the royal navy. In his character, he fully abounded in that seaman-like courage, frankness, and courtesy, which Napoleon so much admired in his brother, Sir Pulteney Malcolm. The death of Sir Charles occurred at Brighton, on the 14th June, 1851, at the age of sixty-nine.

MALCOLM,, Admiral of the Blue, G.C.B. and G.C.M.G. This gallant admiral was one of that brotherhood of the Malcolms, whose talents raised them to such high distinction. He was born on the 20th of February, 1768, at Douglan, near Langholm, Dumfriesshire, and was the third son of the family. Having chosen the naval profession as his path to fame and fortune, he embarked as midshipman on the 20th of October, 1778, on board the Sybille frigate, commanded by Captain Pasley, afterwards Admiral Sir James Pasley, Bart., his mother's brother. Thus launched at the early age of ten, young Pulteney's first trial of his profession was a voyage to the Cape of Good Hope; and at his return he was transferred to the Jupiter of 60 guns. His first promotion, after nearly five years' service, was to the rank of lieutenant in 1783. After having served successively in several ships, and upon various stations, he was employed as first lieutenant of the Penelope of 32 guns at Jamaica; and as the war kindled by the French Revolution had commenced, it was not long until he was called into active employment. Among his services was the capture of the French frigate, the Inconstante, and a corvette, in which he assisted as first lieutenant, and afterwards carried the prizes to Port Royal. He also saw hot service as commander of the Penelope's boats, in cutting out vessels from the ports of St. Domingo, and was so successful that he was promoted to the rank of commander in 1794, in which capacity he had the charge of the seamen and marines who were landed at the mole of Cape Nicola, to garrison that place, which had been surrendered to the British by their allies, the French royalists. After his return from that station to England, Lieutenant Pulteney Malcolm was advanced to the rank of post-captain in October, 1794, and on the following month was appointed to the command of the Fox frigate. In the early part of the next year he convoyed a fleet of merchantmen to Quebec, and afterwards another to the East Indies; and upon that station he captured La Modeste, a French frigate of 20 guns. In 1797 he was employed in the China seas, under the command of Captain Edward Cooke of the Sybille; and during the same year he had for his passenger homeward, Colonel Wellesley, who was then returning from India. Neither storm nor enemy occurred by the way to put the ''Quid times? Cæsarem vehis'' to the test.

In this manner Captain Malcolm was making way by useful services, in which his courage and professional skill were fully attested, and the singular fortune that seemed to have rested upon his family insured his well-merited advancement. In 1798 he was appointed to the command of the Suffolk, a third-rate of 74 guns, bearing the flag of Admiral Rainier, Commander-in-chief in the Indian seas, and was afterwards transferred to the Victorious, in consequence of the flag being removed to the latter ship. On this station Captain Malcolm served till the end of the war; and on his passage homeward in 1803, he encountered one of those casualties to which his profession must be always subject.