ndispensable to the
successful prosecution of our commercial interests, essential to
our national credit, and justly due to the character of those to
whom the protection of these valuable and important trusts is
committed, that a steady adherence to that system should be
observed, of the solid advantages of which, the experience of
three years has afforded so decided a proof.

"--That independently of the ample protection afforded to the
commerce of the port, his Excellency Sir Edward Pellew has
manifested a degree of personal anxiety for the security of its
trade, characteristic of that zeal and vigilance which have ever
distinguished his professional career; that the interference of his
Excellency led to the advertisements issued at his suggestion by
the insurance society of Bombay in the year 1806, promotive of
encouragement to sail and continue under convoy; and subsequently,
to the salutary provisions contained in the proclamations published
by the governments of Bengal and Bombay in the year 1807,
restrictive of the practice of ships separating from convoy; and,
moreover, that his Excellency's solicitude in this respect has
succeeded in establishing a degree of control over our shipping,
hitherto unknown in the Indian seas.

"--That these important facts, as established by the most minute
investigation, do eminently entitle his Excellency Sir Edward
Pellew, to a more formal declaration of those grateful
acknowledgments which he has already received from a great and
decided majority of the merchants, shipowners, and underwriters of
Bombay.

"--That these resolutions be communicated to his Excellency Sir
Edward Pellew, with a suitable address, and published in the
_Bombay Courier_.

"CHARLES FORBES, Chairman."

The great extent of the Indian command, and the comparatively small
force with which it was held, called forth the utmost exertions of every
officer; and the attention of the commander-in-chief was unceasingly
directed to everything which was calculated to maintain his squadron in
the highest state of efficiency. Lord Torrington, who was at that time
serving under his orders, bore testimony in the House of Lords to the
care and judgment by which, while he prevented any waste of naval
stores, he kept the ships always wel