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 lieutenant of the transport service, to certify as to his general zeal and good conduct, I have great pleasure in so doing, and more particularly so, in the knowledge I have, that his zeal, enterprise, and good conduct were as conspicuous while he was under the orders of Rear-Admiral Penrose, upon the eastern shores of the Bay of Biscay, as they had been while Captain Debenham served under my orders at Passages and on the more western parts of that coast, where, as an agent for transports, he manifested zeal, activity, and attention. I have therefore great satisfaction in recommending him to the consideration of the Right Honorable the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, as a zealous and trust-worthy officer.

(Signed)“, formerly Commodore on the north coast of Spain.”

On the 19th Dec. 1826, Commander Debenham had the honor of receiving the fullowing letter from the Ordnance Office:

“Sir,– I am directed by the Duke of Wellington to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th instant; and to acquaint you that his Grace has referred it to Sir Byam Martin, informing him at the same time, that he was highly satisfied with your services in the transport department during the time you were under his orders. I am, &c.

(Signed)“.”

Commander Debenham is the author of several polemical disquisitions, &c. &c. all of which have been printed for gratuitous distribution. 



made a lieutenant on the 27th of Feb. 1801. We first find him commanding the Entreprenante cutter; and, in Dec. 1810, making the following report, of a very gallant action, to Commodore (afterwards Sir Charles V.) Penrose, then senior naval officer at Gibraltar:

“On the 12th inst. at eight, I observed four vessels at anchor under Faro Castle; this place is between Malaga and Almeria Bay. It being a dead calm, at nine they got under weigh, sweeping towards us, and at half-past ten they hoisted French colours and commenced firing on us. Our guns Could not reach them till eleven when we began our fire; one vessel on our starboard bow, another on the starboard quarter, and