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114 of Russia, by his second wife, Maria-Magdalena-Theresa Bouquet, a lady of an old Lorraine family.

Our officer succeeded his father in the Baronetcy, Dec. 9, 1777; and attained the rank of Post-Captain, Feb. 2, 1780. In the same year, we find him commanding the Porcupine, a small frigate, on the Mediterranean station, where he was not long without an opportunity of distinguishing himself.

On the 22d July, in the same year, Sir Charles H. Knowles, being on a cruize on the coast of Valencia, at 4 A.M., saw two sail a-head, standing for the Porcupine. As the day advanced, he perceived they were Spanish ships, polacre rigged. About six o’clock, being within gun-shot, they hoisted their colours, and fired a gun to leeward; about eight minutes after Sir Charles gave the headmost vessel a broadside. A spirited action commenced, and was kept up until 7$h$ 20’, at which time the enemy sheered off. The largest ship carried 26 or 28 nine-pounders, and the smallest 22 or 24 guns of the same calibre; they were both full of men. A third vessel approaching, and the Porcupine being within half a mile of the Colebres Rocks, she made sail to the eastward; the enemy shortly after wore in pursuit. At 10$h$ 10’, another action began between the Porcupine and her former antagonists, which lasted until 11$h$ 3’, at which time they again hauled off, and did not afterwards attempt to renew the fight. In this unequal conflict the British ship had only four men wounded, and received but little damage.

Towards the conclusion of the American war, we find Sir Charles commanding the San Miguel, of 72 guns, and 