He came into parliament in June, 1795, and immediately ranged himself with ministers. Pitt employed him as chairman of the finance committee, in which capacity he brought up to the table of the house no less than thirty-six reports within two sessions. In 1800 he moved the appointment of a committee to investigate into the state of the national records; and he subsequently devoted much of his time to the objects of the Royal record commission.

On the 10th of February, 1802, Mr Abbot was elected speaker of the house of commons. In this capacity he gave his casting vote for the impeachment of Lord Melville in 1805. He filled the office of speaker with general satisfaction to all parties, until the year 1817, when he retired from office, and was created, as a reward for his services, Baron Colchester, with a pension of £4000 per annum, and £3000 to his His lordship died in 1829.

successor.

Sir David Baird.

BORN A. D. 1755.-DIED A. D. 1829.

THIS distinguished officer was the fifth son of William Baird, Esq. of Newbyth in East Lothian. He entered the army as an ensign in the 2d foot, in December, 1772. In 1780 he arrived at Madras with the 73d regiment, under the command of Lord Macleod. Hyder Ali was at this juncture threatening Madras, which was covered by a small force of 5000 men, under Sir Hector Munro. That officer having despatched Colonel Fletcher and Captain Baird to the assistance of Colonel Baillie, Baird shared in the misfortunes of Colonel Baillie's little detachment, and was kept a prisoner at Seringapatam three years and a half. In 1798 he was appointed major-general; and on the 4th of May, 1799, he commanded a brigade of Europeans at the storming of Seringapatam. The following extract from Lieutenant-general Harris's despatch relates the services performed by General Baird on this occasion:

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"Ten flank companies of Europeans, taken from those regiments necessarily left to guard our camp and out-posts, followed by the 12th, 33d, 73d, and 74th regiments, and three corps of grenadier sepoys taken from the troops of the three presidencies, with two hundred of his highness the Nizam's troops, formed the party for the assault, accompanied by one hundred of the artillery and the corps of pioneers, and supported in the trenches by the battalion companies of the regiment de Meuron, and four battalions of Madras sepoys. Colonel Sherbrooke and Lieutenant-colonels Dunlop, Dalrymple, Gardiner, and Miguan, commanded the several flank corps; and Major-general Baird was intrusted with the direction of this important service. At one o'clock the troops moved from the trenches, crossed the rocky bed of the Cavery under an extremely heavy fire, passed the glacis and ditch, and ascended the breaches in the fausse brave and rampart of the fort, surmounting in the most gallant manner every obstacle which the difficulty of the passage and the resistance of the enemy presented to oppose their progress. Major general Baird had divided his force for the purpose of clearing the ramparts to the right and left. One division was commanded by Colonel Sherbrooke, the other by Lieutenant-colonel Dunlop: the lat

ter was disabled on the breach; but both corps, although strongly op posed, were completely successful. Resistance continued to be made from the palace of Tippoo for some time after all firing had ceased from the works: two of his sons were there, who, on assurance of safety, surrendered to the troops surrounding them; and guards were placed for the protection of the family, most of whom were in the palace. It was soon after reported that Tippoo Sultan had fallen. Syed Saheb, Meer Saduc, Syed Gofar, and many others of his chiefs, were also slain. Measures were immediately adopted to stop the confusion, at first unavoidable in a city strongly garrisoned, crowded with inhabitants and their property, in ruins from the fire of a numerous artillery, and taken by assault. The princes were removed to the camp. It appeared to Major-general Baird so important to ascertain the fate of the Sultan, that he caused immediate search to be made for his body, which, after much difficulty, was found late in the evening in one of the gates under a heap of slain, and soon after placed in the palace. The corpse was the next day recognised by the family, and interred, with the honours due to his rank, in the mausoleum of his father."

In 1801 Baird became colonel of the 54th, and joined the forces in Egypt shortly after the surrender of Alexandria. In the following year he reconducted the Egyptian Indian army across the desert to India. In 1803 he was removed to the Madras staff, and appointed to the command of a large division of the army forming against the Mahrattas. He anticipated the command in this service, and on the appointment of Major-general Wellesley, solicited and received permission to return to England.

In June, 1804, he was knighted, and in the following year commanded the expedition against the Cape of Good Hope. The expedition sailed from St Salvador on the 26th of November, 1805, and reached Table Bay on the 4th of January, 1806. After a general survey of the shore, it was found impossible to land the troops any where nearer to Cape Town than Saldanha and Lospard's bays; of which event General Sir D. Baird gives the following particulars :— "The surf along the shore of Lospard's bay having considerably abated the ensuing morning, I determined, with the concurrence of Commodore Sir Home Popham, to make an effort to get the troops on shore, and accordingly the Highland brigade, composed of the 71st, 72d, and 93d regiments, effected that object under the command of Brigadiergeneral Fergusson. The shore had been previously very closely inspected by the brigadier, and by his spirited exertions and example, our efforts were crowned with success; although a confined and intricate channel to the shore-which had been accurately pointed out by beacous laid down by the diligence and activity of the boats of the Diadem-and a tremendous surf opposed the passage of the troops. The enemy had scattered a party of sharp-shooters over the contiguous heights, and commanded the landing; but the casualties of this service arose principally from natural difficulties; and it is with the deepest concern I have the honour to inform your lordship that we lost thirtyfive rank and file of the 93d regiment, by the oversetting of one of the boats, notwithstanding every possible effort to rescue these unfortunate The remainder of the troops could only be brought on shore on the succeeding day, when the extraordinary obstacles to all intercourse

men.

with the fleet, which nothing but the courage and perseverance of British seamen could surmount, barely enabled us to obtain the indispensable supplies of water and provisions for immediate subsistence. On the morning of the 8th, the army, consisting of the 24th, 59th, 71st, 72d, 83d, and 93d regiments, about 4000 strong, was formed into two brigades, with two howitzers and six light field-pieces, and moved off towards the road which leads to Cape Town; and having ascended the summit of the Blaw-Berg, or Blue mountains, and disloged the enemy's light troops, I discovered their main body drawn up in two lines, prepared to receive us, and even in motion to anticipate our approach. The enemy's force apparently consisted of about 5000 men, the greater proportion of which was cavalry, and 23 pieces of cannon, yoked to horses, the disposition of which, and the nature of the ground occupied by the enemy's troops, made it evident that they intended to refuse their right wing, and with their left attempt to turn our right flank; but to frustrate their design, I formed the army into two columns, the second brigade under Brigadier-general Fergusson keeping the road, whilst the first struck to the right, and took the defile of the mountains. Having accomplished my purpose, our line was formed with equal celerity and order, and the left wing, composed of the Highland brigade, was thrown forward, and advanced with the steadiest step under a very heavy fire of round shot, grape, and musketry. Nothing could surpass or resist the determined bravery of the troops, headed by their gallant leader, Brigadier-general Fergusson; and the number of the enemy who swarmed the plain served only to augment their ardour, and confirm their discipline. The enemy received our fire, and maintained his position obstinately; but in the moment of charging, the valour of British troops bore down all opposition, and forced him to a precipitate retreat. The first brigade, composed of the 24th, 59th, and 83d regiments, and commanded, in the absence of Brigadier-general Beresford, by Lieutenant-colonel Baird, was unavoidably precluded, by their situation, from any considerable participation in the triumph of the British arms, though the flank companies of the 24th had an opportunity of distinguishing themselves in dislodging a number of horse and riflemen from the heights on our right flank. This brilliant achievement, however, was clouded by the loss of Captain Foster of the grenadiers, whose gallantry is best recorded in the bosoms of his brother-soldiers and the universal regret of the army. It is utterly impossible to convey to your lordship an adequate idea of the obstacles which opposed the advance, and retarded the success of our army; but it is my duty to inform your lordship, that the nature of the country,―a deep, heavy, and hard land, covered with shrubs, scarcely pervious to light bodies of infantry,-and, above all, the total privation of water under the effects of a burning sun, had nearly exhausted our gallant fellows in the moment of victory, and with the utmost difficulty were we able to reach the Reit Valley, where we took our position for the night. A considerable portion of the provisions and necessaries with which we started had been lost during the action, and we occupied our ground under an apprehension that even the great exertions of Sir Home Popham and the navy could not relieve us from starvation." After some warm and well-merited compliments to the seamen for their zealous co-operation, the general thus continues:" The loss of the enemy in this engagement is reputed to

exceed 700 men in killed and wounded: and it is with the most sensible gratification that I contrast it with the enclosed return of our casualties. On the morning of the 9th, recruited by such supplies as the unwearied diligence and efforts of the navy could throw on shore-the 59th regiment, however, being almost completely destitute of food-we prosecuted our march towards Cape Town, and took up a position south of Salt River, which we trusted might preserve a free communication with the squadron; for our battering train, as well as every other necessary, except water, was to pass to us from his majesty's ships. In this situation a flag of truce was sent to me by the commandant of the garrison of Cape Town, (the governor-general Jansens having retired after the action of the 8th into the country, moving by Hottentots Holland Kloof,) requesting a suspension of hostilities for forty-eight hours, in order to negotiate a capitulation. In answer to this overture, I despatched Brigadier-general Fergusson, accompanied by Lieutenant-colonel Brownrigg, to stipulate, as the condition of my acquiescence, the surrender of the outer works of the town within six hours, allowing thirty-six hours for arranging the articles of capitulation. My proposition being assented to, the 59th regiment marched into Fort Knokke; and the next day, in conjunction with Sir Home Popham, the terms were agreed upon, and his majesty's forces were put in possession of the several defences of the town. Of the modified capitulation, as ratified by us, I have the honour to enclose a copy."

The articles of capitulation state, that on the surrender of Cape Town and its dependencies, the garrison shall march out and become prisoners of war; such officers as are married to natives, or are domiciliated, being allowed to remain in the town on their parole. The French subjects belonging to two stranded ships are included in the surrender. The inhabitants of the town who have borne arms to be allowed to return to their former occupations. All bona fide property shall remain free and untouched. Public property of every description shall be faithfully delivered up, and proper inventories given as soon as possible The burghers and inhabitants shall preserve all their rights and privileges. Public worship, as at present in use, shall be maintained without alteration. The paper-money in circulation shall continue current until the pleasure of his Britannic majesty is known. The lands and houses, the property of the Batavian republic, which must be delivered up, shall remain as security for that part of the paper-money which is not already secured by mortgages upon the estates of individuals. Prisoners of war, comprehended in the present capitulation, shall not be pressed into his Britannic majesty's service. The inhabitants of Cape Town shall be exempted from having troops quartered on them. Two ships having been sunk in Table Bay, to the great detriment of the road-stead, either after the Batavian republic had sent out a flag of truce, or whilst it was in contemplation so to do, they are to be raised and delivered over in an entire state of repair. This having been done without the sanction of the commandant, the raising of the said ships shall be incumbent on those who sunk them.

After having performed this valuable service for his country, Sir David was appointed colonel of the 24th, and placed on the foreign staff under General Cathcart. He commanded a division at the siege of Copenhagen; and in 1808 sailed for Corunna with a strong rein

forcement. In the battle of Coruuna, in which he commanded the first division of the British army, he lost his left arm. For his services on this occasion he received the thanks of both houses of parliament.

On the 4th of June 1814, Sir David was promoted to the rank of full general; he was also made governor, in succession, of Kinsale, Fort George, and Inverness. He died on the 18th of August, 1829, and was succeeded in his baronetcy by the son of his elder brother.

Sir David was a brave and experienced officer, but, unfortunately for himself, of a warm and impetuous temper which could scarcely brook submission to any superior. This involved him in several quarrels, and retarded that promotion which was justly due to his distinguished services and acknowledged skill.

Sir Charles Brisbane.

BORN A. D. 1770.-DIED A. D. 1829.

THIS gallant and accomplished officer was the fourth son of Admiral Brisbane, and entered the navy while yet a boy, under the auspices of his father. In 1790 he attained the rank of lieutenant, and soon after greatly distinguished himself at Toulon. Lord Hood advanced him to the rank of commander; and in 1796 he received post rank for his services at the Cape of Good Hope.

After performing a number of gallant exploits while on a cruise in the frigate Arethusa, Captain Brisbane signalized himself by the capture of the island of Curaçoa, on the 1st of January, 1807. My line of battle," he says in his despatch on this occasion, "consisted of the Arethusa, Latona, Anson, and Fisgard; and very soon after the break of day I made all possible sail with the ships in close order of battle, passing the whole extensive line of sea batteries, and anchored the squadron in a style far surpassing my expectations. The harbour was defended by regular fortifications, of two tier of guns, Fort Amsterdam alone consisting of sixty-six pieces of cannon; the entrance only fifty yards wide, athwart which was the Dutch frigate Hatslar, of 36 guns; and Surinam, of 22, with two large schooners of war, one commanded by a Dutch commander; a chain of forts was on Miselburg commanding height; and that almost impregnable fortress, Fort Republique, within the distance of grape-shot, enfilading the whole harbour." Admiral Dacres, when forwarding Captain Brisbane's despatch to the admiralty, wrote as follows: "Whilst I contemplate the immense strength of the harbour of Amsterdam, and the superior force contained in its different batteries opposed to the entrance of the frigates, I know not how sufficiently to admire the decision of Captain Brisbane, in attempting the harbour, and the determined bravery and conduct dis played by himself, the other three captains, and all the officers and men under his command; and is another strong instance of the cool and determined bravery of British seamen." For this exploit the honour of knighthood was conferred upon Captain Brisbane, by patent dated 10th April, 1807. In 1819 he attained the rank of rear-admiral of the Red.

Sir Charles died at St Vincent-of which island he was the governor