1854.] ARRIVE AT CORK. 239 



of the engines tantalized us for a short period ; but I 

 had just determined on proceeding in my gig, when they 

 resumed their work ; and about nine A.M. I had the satis- 

 faction of paying my respects to Rear- Admiral Sir W. E. 

 Carroll, the Commander-in-Chief, and shortly after noon, 

 accompanied by Captain Kellett and M'Clure, proceeded 

 by rail for London. 



I should not have deemed it of sufficient importance 

 to myself, as regards my professional character at the 

 Admiralty, and more particularly in the opinion of those 

 who selected me for command, and are satisfied that I 

 did not err in the true intent of my obligation in the 

 completion of its duties, but it is due to the unprofes- 

 sional part of the public, to notice what I perhaps was 

 too careless of making any display of, at the subsequent 

 formal investigation, as to the obedience to my Instruc- 

 tions from my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, 

 in the withdrawal of my crews. 



It has been imagined by unprofessional readers that I 

 was, in some degree, hampered by some implied order 

 to be guided by those serving under me, and that any 

 difference of opinion was to serve for damage to me, or 

 <ptf<sz-exaltation of those who might by chance prove to 

 have made a better guess on probabilities. 



But no man in his senses, or who knew my profes- 

 sional course over an independent career of twenty-four 

 years, and readily assuming the responsibility of far 

 greater powers, would believe in such absurdity, or that 

 I would have retained command under such degradation. 



Nor am I entering now upon any defence, for the judi- 

 cious termination of my command has never been called 



