Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/162

 158 FORBES. world might probably have been less acquainted with, had not such an opportunity offered of making i t , without the least affectation o r ostentation, s o generally known. He continued commissioner o f the admiralty till the 23rd o f April, 1763, having met with, during that interval, n o occurrence worthy o f commemoration, except that, o n 31st o f January, 1758, h e was promoted t o b e admiral o f the blue. On the 6th o f August following, h e was married t o the Lady Mary Capel, fourth daughter o f William, third Earl o f Essex, and the Lady Jane Hyde, his wife, eldest surviving daughter o f Henry, Earl o f Clarendon and Rochester. On his quitting the admiralty board, h e was appointed general o f marines; and, i n the latter part o f life, the fol lowing circumstance occurred relative t o his holding that appointment. During a late administration, i t was thought expedient t o offer a noble lord, very high i n the naval profession, and very deservedly a favorite o f his sovereign and his country, the office o f general o f the marines, held b y Admiral Forbes, and spontaneously conferred upon him b y his majesty, a s a reward for his many and long ser vices; a message was sent b y the ministers, t o say i t would forward the king's service i f h e would resign, and that h e should b e n o loser b y his accommodating govern ment, a s they proposed recommending t o the king t o give him a pension, i n Ireland, o f 3000l. per annum, and a peerage t o descend t o his daughter. To this, Admiral Forbes sent a n immediate answer; h e told the ministers the generalship o f the marines was a military employment given him b y his majesty a s a reward for his services; that, h e thanked God, h e had never been a burthen t o his country, which h e had served during a long life, t o the best o f his ability, and that h e would not condescend t o accept o f a pension, o r bargain for a peerage; h e con cluded b y laying his generalship o f marines, together with his rank i n the navy, a t the king's feet, entreating him t o take both away i f they could forward his service; and