marez
lived retired, giving up her whole time to their instruction; and we
can most fully testify that gratitude for her maternal anxiety, both
for their spiritual and temporal welfare, has been indelibly impressed
on all their hearts.

After passing some time at Guernsey, Captain Saumarez removed to the
neighbourhood of Exeter, where he resided two years. In 1790,
appearances of hostility took place. The Spanish armament was not to
be lightly regarded. Captain Saumarez was appointed to command the
Raisonable of 64 guns; but he never went to sea in this ship, the
differences between the two nations having been amicably settled. It
seemed to show, however, that, in the event of war, he was one of
those who were to be actively employed.

Captain Saumarez remained on shore until the war occasioned by the
French revolution broke out in 1793, when he was appointed to command
the Crescent of 36 guns. His commission was dated on the 24th January,
and he hoisted his pendant in her at Portsmouth on the 28th of the
same month, receiving, at the same time, orders to place himself under
the command of Commodore Sir Hyde Parker. No sooner was it known at
Guernsey, and in Devonshire, that the Crescent was commissioned by
Captain Saumarez, than a number equal to half the complement of seamen
volunteered for the Crescent; and, on the 1st of February, the
Tisiphone sloop was sent to bring the men from Guernsey, while the
rest, from Exeter, were sent by the way of Plymouth to join the ship.
It could not but be highly gratifying to his feelings when he found
that so many of his countrymen had chosen to devote themselves to his
service; and he was soon able to report his ship ready for sea.

On the 10th of February 1793, in common with other officers, he
received the following intelligence that war had been declared against
France.

By Sir Hyde Parker, Knt. &c.

Accounts having been received that war was declared at Paris, by
the National Convention of France, against Great Britain and
Holland; you are, in pursuance of the King's pleasure, signified
to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty by the Right
Honourable Henry Dundas, one of his Majesty's principal
secretaries of state, hereby required and directed to seize or
destroy all ships and vessels belonging to France that you may
happen to fall in with.

Given under my hand, on board the Victory,
this 10th day of February 1793.
H. PARKER.