"I have erred
in judgment only; and it would be hard indeed should redress not be
accorded by reason of an informality in the mode of my application. I
have since been advised that my petition ought to have been forwarded
through the First Lord of the Admiralty, whom I have therefore solicited
to present another petition, the same in effect, but more brief, and in
the regular form. When his Majesty was Lord High Admiral he received a
memorial from me by the hands of Sir Robert Preston, and though it had
not the effect, of procuring my restoration at that time, yet from the
gracious manner in which, I am assured, it was received, I did flatter
myself that his Majesty would have pleasure in the opportunity, which
appeared to present itself when your lordship's Administration was
formed, of originating a measure which all would consider gracious, and
most, I hope, believe to be perfectly just. In reference to the letter,
in answer to mine, with which your lordship honoured me on the 12th
instant, which I cannot but perceive is written with a kindness of
feeling which commands my best thanks, I beg only to state that any
opinion of me in regard to the crime imputed to me that does not fully
acquit me of all knowledge thereof whatever does not do me justice. That
crime was contrived and completed so entirely without my knowledge that
I had not the most distant idea of its having been meditated until I
read of its commission in the public prints." In a brief reply to that
letter Earl Grey stated that, the petition having been presented to the
King and being now under consideration, no more formal address need be
sent in lieu of it.

Thus Lord Cochrane had only to await the result of his application, and
he waited for sixteen months. During that interval many friends
interceded on his behalf, especially Lord Durham and Lord Auckland, and
from time to time his hopes were quickened by information that the
subject was still being considered by his Majesty's ministers, who were
anxious that right should be done.

But he was often disappointed. "The King," he said, in a letter written
on the 1st of April, "has invited all the Knights of the Bath to dine
with him on the 12th, which is the anniversary of the affair of Basque
Roads, as well as that of Grambier's installation. If nothing is done on
that day I shall not obtain justice during the life of William IV.
Indeed, I understand that every effort has been made to influence the