tly
enforced, after a few weeks of rest he went to London to pass his
examination for lieutenant; but owing to the commissioners being on
their annual visits to the dock-yards, and their return being
protracted, two months elapsed before the object was accomplished.
This enabled him again to return to his friends, but he was not then
permitted long to enjoy their society.

In the year 1775, on the breaking out of the war with the American
colonies, Commodore Sir Peter Parker being appointed to the command of
a squadron, with his broad pendant on board the Bristol, of fifty
guns, Mr. Saumarez, then eighteen years of age, was ordered to join
that ship, through the recommendation of Admiral Keppel, who, having
been the friend and contemporary of his uncles, ever evinced an
interest in his advancement. After an interview with Sir Peter in
London, he embarked, on the 9th of October, at Sheerness, whence the
Bristol proceeded to the Nore at the end of November. After passing a
short time at Spithead and Plymouth, which they left on the 21st of
December, the squadron sailed for Cork, the last rendezvous of the
expedition destined for South Carolina. This consisted of six
frigates, two bombs, and two hundred transports, containing seven
regiments of infantry and two companies of artillery, under the
command of that distinguished nobleman, the Earl Cornwallis, and the
Honourable Brigadier-general Vaughan. These two chiefs, with their
aides-de-camp, Lord Chewton and Captain Eustace, were embarked on
board the Bristol: they sailed about the middle of January 1776.

On the passage out, which was remarkable for stormy weather, and for
the consequent dispersion of the convoy, the activity and zeal of
young Saumarez not only attracted the attention, but gained the esteem
of the noble earl; who, by offering to make him his aide-de-camp and
take him by the hand, had nearly persuaded him to leave the naval
service, and enter the army, offering him a commission in the 33rd,
his own regiment. We have heard him relate, that, after he had more
than half consented, he went below and told his messmates, who
immediately jeered him so much about "turning soldier," that he
returned to the quarter-deck and gave a positive refusal to the earl,
who could not help expressing his disappointment and chagrin on the
occasion.

There can be no doubt that he would have highly distinguished himself
in the army, or wherever he was placed; but, happily fo