Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v2p1.djvu/215

 that ship. Unfortunately, his Lordship soon entered into so many altercations with the Navy Board, that the Admiralty directed Captain Manby to superintend her outfit; a circumstance to be lamented by him, as he would otherwise have stood at least one-third nearer the top of the Post-Captains’ list than he does at present. Lord Camelford attended the Charon daily, had several boats built and fitted with brass guns, at a great expence and, the various alterations he wished for being nearly completed, despatched an intelligent person to France for the purpose of purchasing, at any cost, plans of all the French ports in the Mediterranean; his Lordship’s agent not succeeding, he resolved on the hazardous enterprise of going himself to Paris, and actually left London with that intent late in December. Lord Camelford had travelled near two stages on the Dover road in his own carriage, when the mail-coach drove up, in which he took a place, and found three foreign gentlemen as his fellow passengers; one of whom was the celebrated Monsieur Bompard, who had recently been taken prisoner by Sir John Borlase Warren, and was then returning home on his parole. His Lordship, who spoke French as fluently as English, to humour the French commander, extolled the republican government, and so far ingratiated himself in his good opinion, that M. Bompard offered to serve him in any way he could. At Dover, Lord Camelford requested to have a private interview with his new friend, hoping by a little flattery to work on the Frenchman’s credulity, and thereby ensure his own safety to Paris, His request being complied with, he said to his dupe, “I am an officer of the British Navy, and most desirous to get to Paris, having a wish to see the Minister Barras, to unfold important information that would prove of essential service to the republic.” In an instant Bompard embraced him, called for pen and ink, and wrote an introductory letter to Barras, which was sealed and pocketed by his Lordship, who laughed in his sleeve at having thus hoaxed his fellow traveller. He then went to the beach, and agreed with the crew of an open boat to land him on the French coast. The boat was promised to be got ready in two hours, and Lord Camelford returned to the