22, Arundel St.
Strand,
November 6th, 1840.
My Dear William,
You have long kept us without the pleasure of learning what share you have had. in the dashing exploits done on the Syrian coast by your Fleet. We have read with much attention all the accounts; and when I saw that Mr. Boulter and two other Mates were named, I regretted that your name was [not] conspicuous. Still I hope that we shall learn that you have had opportunities for distinguishing yourself and that you did so in commanding style. That Mr. Boulter is, I believe, the Mate alluded to by Lord Minto when application was made for your promotion. Your poor Marines were cut up in the attack on Gebail; were you in that affair? I suppose you have seen your dashing friend Capt. Walker, he and Capt. Napier are much spoken of. Everyone views the operations of the fleet as very opportune by shewing France that the young blood in the British Navy, pants only for the opportunity of rivalling all the splendid deeds of the heroes of the last war. But what is most important in the present crisis is this, that Government now sees and acknowledges the error of too much reduction of the Navy.
I have no doubt but France would have declared war if Mr. Thiers had not resigned, as it was thought by all that our Navy was not in form enough to contend against France. I can assure you that for several days all England felt uneasy; and the Ministers began to split in their opinions. Now all is right, thank God, and if France now insult our Ships I trust they will punish her. Should fate place you in such a position, never fail first to offer up a prayer to God to bless your exertions, and then fight with valour, skill and, prudence; for even defeat would mark you under such circumstances to have merited Victory. How often I have heard Capt. Chad say that he would have captured the Yankey if the Java's crew had been disciplined. Good seamanship in taking up a proper position, and precision in firing, give certain promises of victory.
I will now give you a fact which you will do well to imprint on your memory, at the same time keep it from the knowledge of foreigners - in the Andromache of 28-32s we used often to fire 4 shotted broadsides in one minute and forty seconds - and in the middle of the night, under sail, not even the first Lieutenant being forewarned, only 3 minutes would elapse from the beat of drum to quarters, to the complete delivery of both broadsides. Capt. C. made a rule never, if possible, to throw away a shot. Your fleet ought never to practice any thing before Foreigners who may be your rivals. I should have been glad to have been with you.
I suppose you are now contented with your pay and rank. An order has been issued by the Horse Guards that Military Salutes be given to the Mates. Of course you will not any longer complain of want of Money, as in addition to your increase of pay, the Admiralty will not allow you to keep an expensive Mess; some noise has lately been made about it, in consequence of the Order not having been attended to.
When the Ships were burned, at Plym'th, and the Combustibles were generated, and fired spontaneously in the Midshipsmen's lockers in the Camperdown, and the French were threatening war; all England was astonished; the funds began to fall and Dan O'Connel began to roar out Repeal. Thanks to God, all is now quiet and all attention is directed to the Accouchement of the Queen. Ireland is now much agitated by Dan and the Priests calling for a repeal of the Union. Government oppose him as much as possible in a quiet way. You see we are still here, but my appointment is very uncertain; and this keeps us from doing anything for our advantage, as Lodgings are very dear.
Frank makes but sad work at School, he is a shocking coward and allows all the little boys to bully him. Fanny is a sharp clever girl, - Mary Ann excites admiration for playing and Singing - she has a beau, but he will not hoist his colours as such, nor come to a parley: I suppose he wants money with her, for in this country a fortune is always looked for. Alas our family and hereditary estates are worthless - not even a blade of grass on the land. But I am happy to say that my debts are few. I advise you never to get into debt. Save all you can and never borrow. Spencers are well, remain as usual. Mary Ann wrote you last, and told you all domestic news, and therefore I have only to repeat that your Mother, Mary Ann, Fanny and myself are all in good health, and very anxiously waiting the arrival of news from you. Earnestly praying that God will bless you, and that you may gain laurels to reward you with promotion, we all unite in love to you and I remain.
My dear William,
Your affectionate Father,
James Hall.
22, Arundel Street, Strand,
5, December, 1840
My dear William,
Your silence for 3 Months kept us alternately in anxiety and in anger. We wrote regularly every Month and in vain we endeavoured to form pleas of excuse for you. At length our alarm for you became extreme, as one day I read in the Times that the Benbow had been unfortunate, having failed in an attack with her Boats and sustained great loss. I immediately hurried home, my mind impressed with an apprehension that you had been killed - as I hurried through the Streets, tears involuntarily came to complete my sorrow, and confirm my fears for you.
Day after day we wondered at your silence and our alarm daily increased. Well, the fatal news seemed at last to have arrived; the Gazette appeared [PAGE3410] - I read on very greedily, devouring all that my eye scanned, till I came to the wind up of Capt. Stewart's narrative, and then your dear name stared on me and represented you to have been among the killed - I read no more - the paper fell from my hand - Alas, poor boy! thus, I ejaculated as I hastened home, and on entering the room I told the dismal event - Your Mother and Mary Ann wept bitterly; and to me the World seemed a blank, as all my hopes had been builded on the goodness of God to prolong your life after my removal from this world, so that you might be the protector of all the dear ones who might remain. Your love for them I knew might be always depended on - your capability of testifying was the only thing that I had to desire. O, think now, my dear boy, how oppressed I must have been by grief when I believed you were gone for ever - my own health flickering and my appointment ceased!
For a few days before this melancholy day. Orders came from London, Informing me that owing to the want of Funds my appointment would cease at the end of this Month. Well - our hearts were heavy enough, as you may imagine. I went and got the Times, and your dear Sister, whilst her eyes were swimming in tears, eagerly gazed over the named of the Officers who commanded the Benbow's boats, and then, then only did we discover the mistake, - and one universal exclamation of joy burst from us - we all exclaimed, William has not been killed! O how great was our happiness, how proud have we since felt, in observing your name thus recorded before all the World and exhibiting William King Hall as one of the Heroes of the British Navy. May that affair be the first stone of a Pillar that your future deeds in glory may erect to your fame, and render your humble but now rising name as imperishable as that of the Veteran whose name still lives in that of your noble Ship. But your dashing exploit under the Batteries of Acre marked you as a good seaman, a cool and determined Veteran; and happy am I that the opportunity was afforded you of distinguishing yourself in the presence of the Fleet.
Court all occasions where your valour and science can be of service to your Country - avoid rash exploits, for although an Officer may be careless of his own life, he is responsible for the lives of the men whom he may lead rashly and indiscreetly into unnecessary danger. Remember, however, that you owe all your success - your preservation, that seems so miraculous amidst a horrible shower of Shot, all you owe to the goodness of an all wise God! Let his name be ever dear to you - shun those who blaspheme it, - and whilst his love reigns in your heart, you may fearlessly face all enemies, when conscientiously performing your duty. Your Captain's letter strongly marks the high opinion he has formed of you and I earnestly entreat you to preserve the good character you have established by your good conduct; so that if you be not promoted at present, you will be soon.
I have shewn your letter to many friends, and all have admired your bravery. I wrote immediately to the Admiralty a private letter, and forwarded the original certificate you received from Capt. Dacres, and begged Mr, M.O'Ferrall to lay it before Lord Minto.
Decr 16th I am now in London, and expect all the family will arrive in a few days. The Lords are all out of Town; but I learn that a promotion of Officers in your Fleet will take place;
God grant that you may be included. Sir W. Burnell, Stilwell, and all who have heard of your good conduct, say that you are a marked character, and that your success in the Service is certain, provided you go on as you have done, in pleasing your Captain and be not a gambler nor impatient for all you say, or do, good or bad goes to the Admiralty. I shall write instantly I have any good news. Your Mother, Mary Ann, Frank and Fanny unite with me in prayers to God to bless you. I remain, my dear William,
Your affectionate father,
J. Hall.
And from his sister
Dublin
Dec. 5th, 1840.
I need. not tell you My dear William how truly delighted we were to receive your long expected letter, for I am sure after the description Father has given you of our various misgivings respecting your safety, which your long silences had naturally increased, you can readily imagine that we hailed its arrival with more than usual Joy. Never shall I forget the day when we thought you, my dear William were taken from us. How did every trifling word which I had ever heard you utter and all your good tempered and amusing ways come uppermost in my thoughts and doubly increased my grief, when as I then had every reason to believe a period had arrived which would prevent my ever participating in the innocent pleasure of this life again with my brother! The little bible and prayer book you gave me seemed then as such a treasure that I thought all the wealth of Dublin would not be sufficient to purchase it from me. I tried to console myself with the experience that altho' “heaviness might endure for a night joy would come in the morning,” but it appeared vain to harbour such a thought for how many many days I imagined would pass ere we should be again joyous. Thank God we were allowed to indulge in our grief but a few hours.
I shall not repeat what Father has so well detailed to you of our happiness on the occasion when we discovered the error he had fallen into in glancing over the particulars in the Times. I would have given worlds when I first heard of the affair at Tortosa, if it would have prevented your being a participator in the engagement. But when I was reading your letter how proud did I feel at having such a brother. Your preservation seems indeed to have been miraculous. My dear William. But to whom should we give thanks? Oh, I hope you will never forget the goodness of God to you in having preserved you in all the dangers to which you have of late been exposed. I hope you read your Bible, and altho’ I know you are exposed to many temptations in being obliged to mix with some who think very little of hereafter, yet remember you can be a good officer and likewise a good Christian. And above all things My dear William, do bear in mind the third commandment to keep it. Young men are very fond of taking God's name in vain, and altho’ I do not for one moment imagine that you do so yet, I think it as well to warn you against doing it.
You will say perhaps, that I am preaching you a sermon, - or that all I have said I may have saved myself the trouble of writing. Affection and that only has prompted me to give you this little advice, and I am sure you will receive it. My dear William, convinced of the same. A young friend of ours who was studying for the Church composed some very pretty lines which I propose sending you, and tell me in your next letter how you like them. Never pray keep us in such suspense again by your silence or I shall certainly give you a good scolding.
Father has written to Mr. More O'Ferrall respecting your promotion, but I hope Capt. Stewart's letter will be successful. The Spencers quite imagine if there should be any promotion, that James Davison will be included, which I much doubt myself. Father leaves Dublin tomorrow, and we start the following week. Lest I should not have sufficient room for the lines, I think I had. better conclude and with every sincere wish for your success, health and happiness. Believe me to remain. My dear William,
Your affectionate Sister,
Mary Ann.
Joy and grief, those strange emotions working in the human mind, But us mark, the many changes, Which below we oft must find. Knowing this, we should be ready For the worse each passing day, And to God, our great Creator Our proud minds bring under sway,
Friends I know, who felt those changes When they believed a son had gone, From the very fight so hapless, To his long, his gloomy home. Sudden bursts of grief and sorrow Plainly told their deep regret, Thinking that the Sun for ever, Of the absent boy was set.
But the joy which Angel's visits, Give to those to whom they go, Ne'er could give one ray of pleasure, Like the news which turned the blow.
He lives they find, and proud with glory, Laurels deck his burning brow; And those friends shall hear the story, Who were lately sorrowing, now.
How he proved himself well worthy Of the prize which courage gives, And with which he shall be gifted, Always, ever, while he lives. Then when his proud race is over, When his form to dust is given, May he with those friends the dearest, Praise for ever God in Heaven.
London
1st. March 1841.
My dear William,
I hope you have not allowed, your spirits to be cast down by the disappointment we have all undergone in not witnessing your promotion, I have been at the Admiralty and seen Mr. Mountain, who told me that you stand well, and are sure of your promotion when the ship comes home, if your Captain pushes; seeing you have been gazetted. The precedents only allowed two men in the service of each ship to be promoted.
I am sorry to tell you that contrary to all expectations, I cannot obtain anything in London, and as the expenses of lodging are far more than I can afford on half pay, I am compelled to quit, and go into the country. I have taken a small house at Gillingham, Chatham, near the Church (where perhaps I shall lay my bones); the rent is low, and if I get a few pounds a year by practice, we may with great economy, make the half pay do. But you will be sorry to learn that I shall be obliged to remove poor Frank from School which I much regret, for altho’ he has not yet made any progress, yet he seems just now beginning to do it. We all have great cause to lament the cessation of my late appointment, could I have held it a few years, all my expenses which are many, would have been covered, and I have added something permanently to my half pay.
We now have to bear all the heavy expenses of furnishing, moving, etc., to make things worse, the premium of our Government Supplemental fund, was doubled, last year. It was very fortunate that my late appointment enabled me to assist you when you needed help, and right happy shall I be if any lucky thing should turn up to enable me hereafter to give you further assistance should you require it, for I assure you, my dear William my heart is always with you; and it grieves me to behold you, or your sisters and Frank deprived of what they require, owing to our scanty and fixed income.
The impoverished state of the Treasury has cut up all appointments and the uncertain state of the Ministry, and our foreign relations confused all business of a public nature.
I am happy to say that we all have good health; and we pray that God will bless you with the same. Continue in the favour of your Captain and officers, and whatever you think, conceal, and do not let any know you as a discontented growler, but be at times active, cheerful, zealous, foremost in danger, and a pattern of discipline and subordination and promotion must come soon.
I have lately seen Captain King; he said he was delighted to see your name Gazetted, and when I read what Captain S. wrote, about you, he was not at all surprised, for he added that he saw in your looks that you were a brave youth, and a Seaman; he told me to tell you that he shall be delighted when you are promoted and that when once you are made Lieutenant, you may quickly calculate on a Captain’s commission. Thus you see all now depends on your continued good conduct, and favor with your Captain.
Of course your own mind will dictate to you now the imperative necessity that you should study and practice the most rigid economy, so that you may be able always to make your pay keep you. I assure you that if your commission had depended on your outfit when you joined the Benbow, I could not have assisted you if I had been at Cranbrook. Our united daily prayers now are that it may please God to grant that something favourable may attend our present exertions, as then you will receive a portion of the success. It was unfortunate that you were junior Mate on board.
We have no domestic news except that the Spencers are sadly vexed that Mr. Davison was not promoted. William Warren is tired of his appointment, he has done no good by marrying, nor will any young officer, who has no property. Miss Gall and a young Assistant have had a love affair, and exchanged vows of constancy, but now all is broken!!! Therefore take a hint and never, never, never, commit yourself by words, letters, or conduct to any female, lest regret or a blast to all your prospects in life be the consequence of your folly.
We are now very busy packing up, as we shall move from here in the middle of the week, and go into lodgings at Brompton till the 25th when our house will be ready.
Your Mother, Mary Ann, Frank and Fanny send their love to you, and we all pray God to bless you.
I remain, My dear William,
Your fond father,
James Hall.
Gillingham,
Chatham.
29th. January, 1842.
My Dear William,
We are all complaining of your silence, as we have for several days been expecting a letter from you. We wrote to you immediately your letter announced that you were here at Lisbon. We have however, some doubts whether our letter was forwarded by our village postman, as we fear that the carrier may have kept the shilling and destroyed the letter. We shall take this to Chatham, and as it will probably reach you in a week, we hope to have the pleasure of receiving an answer by the 24th of Feb. Presuming, however, that our last letter reached you, I shall now refrain from touching on the various subjects that I therein wrote on, and more especially as it is, and has ever been, my wish not to write lugubriously. Domestic matters will now open the recital herein, because you are the hero of the story I am to relate. Well, then you must learn that we lately gave a Ball and Supper in consideration of your promotion. We had all our friends, residents, officers in full Dress, plenty of well dressed ladies, an elegant supper, and plenty of good wine .
Carriages rattling up to door, everyone was pleased and at 3 A.M. the company retired. Your sister eclipsed all by the gentility of her dress, and the brilliancy of her playing, in which little Fanny performed her part to the admiration of all. Mrs. Goldie and Gale very kindly gave much good aid in preparing the entertainment; the confectioner did the rest. If you had been here you. would, have been delighted, and your company was alone wanted to have given us joy. As we intend, God willing, to give a similar entertainment when we have the happiness of your presence, and as it will be absolutely necessary that you should go to the Assembly with your sister, we all wish you to be a good Dancer, and trust that as you can take lessons at the Opera House for a mere trifle, you will take advantage of the present opportunity.
I have spoken to some officers about your future steps, and they recommend that you should stick to the Indus, unless a Captain or Admiral apply for you. Would you like to serve under a Commander, and on a Steamer? Do you understand the machinery, and would you like to Command - A Steamer? Many Steamers are being built, and after you have been 3 years made, I think you may get command of one, if the Admiralty should learn that you understand the Engine - Of course you do; and so I lately told. the Surgeon of the Geyser (a very large steamer, who had expected there would be a removal of her 1st. Lieutenant, and I had planned for you to take his place: but any change of ship for the first year would be unwise as it would put you to expense, and not do any permanent good. It is of the utmost importance that you save all the money you can, and avoid an Agent, for if you now begin, as a young man, to live in debt to anyone, you will never be a happy old one, nor independent in your walk through life. All the pangs, all the scoffs I have, through life, been compelled to endure, have had their source in my poverty; - shun this as you would the plague. Be independent and your friends will be many, all ready to serve you unasked - be poor, and all will forget they ever had known you.
I shall soon have need, I fear, of your help to enable me to send poor Frank to a good Boarding School for a year, without which we shall not be able to put him to anything, as the Naval School did him more injury than benefit. Although I have some practice, I have difficulty in getting paid, but all my bills I must pay. I am very anxious to have another appointment, for living is now very high, and therefore we all heartily thank God for your promotion as it takes all we can get to keep up an appearance, and send Frank and Fanny to day school. I forgot to tell you that your Mother and Sister have worn all the ornaments you gave them, at the several parties they have been at, and every person admired them. The Brooch is beautiful; but as my hand now trembles, I shall conclude by telling you that we are all, thank God, in good health, and ever pray for you.
Your Mother, Mary Anne, Frank and Fanny join in love to you.
And I remain, My Dear William,
Your loving father,
J. Hall.
Tenedos Hulk,
Bermuda.
14th October 1843.
My Dear William,
Procrastination in matters of business or duty always punishes the transgressor, and very justly, my dear Son, and I punished reasons of conscience, for having thus being delayed writing to you. My last letter was written on leaving England, and as I had nothing in view or expectation worth the trouble of putting your mind in possession of whilst at home, all was ***** would be interesting to you to know. Therefore, I desired your dear Mother and Sister to correspond in my stead.
But my dear William we are blind creatures as to futurity, for oh, how little did I conceive that the opportunity of writing to my dear William would be all but taken away from me for ever. As all our movements will have been communicated to you, I must need inform you that our arrival here recently, we found the heat very great, and our convicts hard worked on the shore, on the public works, and on board in dismantling, and exposed to ******* from the Dromedary and Coromandel Hulks as we all lie in an artificial Basin formed by a semicircular breakwater to which we are moored.
Our people took ill of Cholera - this lasted nearly 3 weeks, and was followed by Yellow Fever, which having began at St.George's, imported by W.I. Steamer, then given to the Antelope Hulk lying there, it spread among all classes, was brought to our 3 Hulks, has spread all over this Island and is now universal. Many deaths have occurred among the Military Convicts, Dock Yard people & my colleague Surgeon of the Hulks is dead.
The Lord, my dear William, has been most merciful to your poor father. On August 10th. I was removed to the Hospital, having Fever, that Dr. King had no hopes of my recovery. But God has ever been loving and merciful to me and you, and all our family - I partially recovered on the 29th August, returned to my Ship, then very sickly, and no one to be spared to help me. An abscess formed in my back - an operation of a crucial incision relieved me, and in October I again found myself pretty strong, and I began to rejoice, thinking of giving you a long letter, but the Yellow Fever still raging on board Tenedos, in addition to which I had to attend the other 2 Hulks from the death of the Surgeon;
Alas. My dear William, on the night of the 6th I was again attacked with Fever, and also your dear brother! Oh, how sad did we look on each other! My heart was wrung with grief! Your dear Mother and dear Fanny on their way out now to join us! Blessed, blessed be the Lord who heard my cries - dear Frank has recovered, and I am advancing towards convalescence. We are now living with Dr. King, who succeeded Kennedy, and many recollections of your boyhood here are often coming into my mind.
Your dear Mother was to have sailed in the Brig. Catherine from Gravesend on September 18th. so that I expect her in November. Pray my dear boy, that you and I, and all our family may be spared to meet again I fear God – and your fortune is secure. How delightful, is it not, to know that dear Mary Ann is married and happy! We are a little embarrassed by her marriage, and our outfit to come here, but if my health be spared only two years in my present appointment, we shall be clear of all encumbrances. I have now in Plate, furniture, &c. &c. &c. about £300 value here.
Only pause a moment and think how good Providence has been - Mr. Copper promised me Tenedos or a Hulk at Woolwich, whichever first fell vacant. Tenedos came first - We all lamented it - today, I am informed that all the Convict Hulks in England are being done away with! I long My dear William, to have a letter from you. Captain and Officers of Spartan all speak with admiration of you. Serve on, and make all the friends you can - and if please God to remove me from this world, to your love and care I commit your dear Mother, dear Frank, and dear Fanny. May the Lord protect you, while you are the guardian of all that I loved. When you were a child, you were my joy, now you are a man you have become my pride, but my heart still loves you, and in this feeling I have never failed to discharge the duty I owed to the memory of her in whose bosom you were fondly cherished! Her place God well supplied and now for my sake never forsake your loving and kind-hearted Stepmother, your father's love and happiness!
I remain,
My dear William,
Your affectionate father,
James Hall
A Postscript from Frank:
Oct 16th.
My dear William,
It is a long time since I wrote to you, but as Papa was writing I took the opportunity of filling his letter up. I have had the Fever like the rest of them here. Mama and Fanny have left England and will soon be here. I daresay you are very glad to hear that Mary Ann is married. I am stopping at Dr King’s with Papa. Bermuda is very dull, we would all sooner be in England than here. Accept this from your affectionate brother.
changed October 25, 2008