by HR.Cook from a Miniature by W Haines.

Painted from the original Picture by MA. Shee RA.

London, Published Deo"? 1812. by P. Martin N°33 Orchard Street Portman Square

L'

IEUT.-GENERAL Picton entered the army, in the year

1771, as an Ensign in the 12th regiment of foot: he served in Gibraltar under Generals Sir Robert Boyd and Lord Heathfield, from the year 1773 to 1778. He got his Company in the 75th regiment, and remained a Captain for the long period of sixteen years, from 1778 to 1794. In 1783 he commanded the 75th regiment, then quartered in Bristol, and, by an intrepidity of conduct, and a daring resolution of mind, which, on every perilous emergency, mark the character and features of superior men, quelled a mutiny which broke out in that regiment, and which, from the complexion that it had assumed, promised the most disastrous consequences. For this example of a true military spirit, he received the royal approbation through the then Commander-inChief, Field-Marshal Conway.

From the year 1783, when his regiment was reduced, he remained on half-pay until the year 1794, and resided chiefly in Pembrokeshire, where his ancestors, an ancient and most respectable family, had long lived in the esteem and affection of a numerous circle of relations and friends.

In 1794, tired of inaction, and zealous for service, while yet a half-pay Captain, he embarked for the West Indies, trusting to his fortune and his conduct for that promotion, to which a period of sixteen years, with the rank only of Captain, certainly entitled him. Here he was soon distinguished by a great natural superiority VOL. I.

Q

of mind and information, and Sir John Vaughan, who then commanded in chief in the West Indies, gave him a majority in the 68th regiment. He also made him his Aide-de-Camp, and having now a closer opportunity of discerning his activity of mind, and talents for public business, he appointed him Deputy QuarterMaster-General, (by which situation he obtained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel) and in which department he acquitted himself with the greatest credit and honor. On the appointment of General Knox to the head of the Quarter-Master-General Department, he intended to return to Europe, but was requested by Sir Ralph Abercromby, who arrived in the West Indies in the year 1796, to remain, hoping, as that distinguished officer very graciously expressed," to give him an opportunity of returning in a way more agreeable to him," if he would remain the campaign. This invitation was too flattering not to be accepted, and he embarked with him on the expedition against St. Lucia, where the General signified in public orders," that all orders coming through Lieut.-Col. Picton should be considered as the orders of the Commander-inChief." On the capture of this island, the General, without any solicitation whatever, recommended him for the Licut-Colonelcy of the 68th regiment. From St. Lucia, Colonel Picton sailed with Sir Ralph on the expedition to St. Vincents, which was taken by storm; and upon the conclusion of this short but brilliant campaign, he went with Sir Ralph to Martinique, and from thence to England,

Sir Ralph Abercromby again sailed for the West Indies, attended by Colonel Picton, and arrived in Martinique in January 1797. The expedition against Trinidad being at this time determined on, the armament sailed for that island in the following month, and the conquest of the colony being completed, Colonel Picton was, without any recommendation, or even the least previous notification, appointed Governor; and when he waited on Sir Ralph to return his acknowledgments, the answer of that great man is worthy of being recorded: it was, " Colonel Picton, if I knew any officer, who, in my opinion, could discharge the duties annexed to this situation better than you, to him would I have given it: there are no thanks due to me for it.”

From the period of capitulation to the year 1802, when the government of the island of Trinidad was unhappily put in commission, Colonel Picton discharged the duties of Governor and

Captain-General, and received the thanks of the different Commanders-in-Chief on the station, and the approbation of His Majesty's Ministers.

The subsequent transactions, in consequence of the appointment of the ill-fated commission, are sufficiently known to the public: the characters of his accusers have also been recorded; and we cannot more appropriately convey the language of our feelings, than by adopting the words of the Anti-Jacobin-Review of last April, illustrative of the conduct of this gallant officer." In the important operations of the siege of Badajos, and its subsequent capture by storm, the whole of the officers and men employed, conducted themselves with such consummate skill and bravery, that it would be highly presumptuous in a public writer, to raise any distinction between them. But the readers of this Review will readily pardon us for indulging a feeling of self-gratulation, in contemplating the conduct of an officer, whom we, from a pure regard for justice and for truth, contributed to rescue from the impetuous current of public prejudice which was let loose against him; and from the destructive effects of popular clamour, to which he had been most unjustly consigned. We opposed, to the polluted but furious torrent, a firm rampart of truth; we met the senseless, but outrageous clamour, with the commanding voice of justice. The law, at length, in tardy reparation of his injuries, proclaimed the innocence, and vindicated the honor, which, from the beginning of the contest, we had plainly descried, and boldly defended. We had descried, even in the representations of his enemies, and in the conduct which formed the ground of their charges against him, indisputable proofs of that manly, honorable, and resolute spirit, which has since been unequivocally displayed, in the field of glory, to his own honor, and to the advantage of his country."

In 1809, General Picton commanded a Brigade employed at the siege of Flushing, in which fortress he was afterwards appointed Governor, where, by every humane exertion, he contributed to the wants of the sick soldiers, and alleviated, as much as possible, the miseries of the inhabitants. From that desolating scene of sickness and calamity he returned home, alarmingly ill with fever and ague; and his health was scarcely re-established before he was placed on the Staff of the Army in the Peninsula. In this army he was soon appointed by the Marquis of Wellington, (meriti tanti non immemor