Star.
London, England, 1830-06-28 00:00:00

HIS MAJESTY KING WILLIAM IV.

His present Majesty, who has assumed the royal dig-
nity under the above title, was born August 21st, 1765,
and baptised by the name of William Henry, and was
'the third son of Kin°. George the Third. From early
youth he was destined for the Navy, and, at the age of
fourteen, entered the service on board the Prince George,
of 98 guns, commanded by Admiral Digby. He was,
while in this ship, present at the engagement between
the English and Spanish fleets—the latter commanded
by Admiral Juan de Langara—which terminated
in a complete victory to the British flag. He was like-
wise present at the capture of a French manof-war and
some smaller vessels, and Admiral Digby so approved of his
conduct that in his despatches communicating the above
victory, he stated having named after him a captured
Spanish man-of-war The Prince William. But an anecdote
of bis humanity which occurred at this period of his life,
must not be omitted, as it will, we are sure, be considered
by the people of this country as more important than any
thing we can relate merely to the credit of his ability or
personal prowess. We cannot tell the tale better than
by quoting the exact words of a brother midshipman in
a letter to his family, dated Port Royal, 1783 :
"The last time Lord HOOD'S fleet was here, a court-
martial was held on Mr. Beajanin Lee, Midshipman,
for disrespect to a superior Officer, at which Lord Hood
sat as President. The determination of the Court was
fatal to the prisoner, and he was condemned to death.
Deeply affected as the whole body of Midshipmen were
at the dreadful sentence, they knew not how to obtain a
mitigation of it, since dr. Lee was ordered for execution,
while they had not time to make an appeal to the Admi-
ralty, and despaired of a petition to Admiral Rowley.—
However, bis Royal Highness generously stepped forth,
drew up a Petition, to which he was the first to set his
name, and solicited the rest of the Midshipmen in the
port to follow his example. He then himself carried the
Petition to Admiral Rowley, and, in the most pressi
and urgent manner, begged the life of an uphappy bro-
ther, in which he succeeded, and Mr. Lee is reprieved.
We all acknowledge our warmest and most grateful
thanks to our humane, our brave, and worthy Prince,
who has so nobly exerted himself in preserving the life of
his brother sailor."

In 1782, at the end of the war, he completed the period
of service as a midshipman ; but as a knowledge of his pro-
fession was the principal object he had in view, he did not
discontinue his naval services, and in 1783 visited, in the
course of his duty, the Havannah and Cape Frangoise.—
Here we have another instance to relate of the kindness
of his nature. Some of the British prisoners had very
improperly subjected themselves to the vengeance of the
Spanish Government, aced a sentence of death was the
natural result ; but on the personal interference of his
Royal Highness, they were pardoned. The letter
which his Royal Highness addressed to Don Galvez,
the Governor of Louisiana, will always be quoted as a
proof that his talents in business were highly creditable,
and his disposition peculiarly benign.
" Ssa—l want words to express to your Excellency my just sense
of your polite letter, of the delicate manner in which you caused
it to be delivered, and your generous conduct towards the unfor-
tunate in your power. Their pardon, which you have been pleased
to grant on my account, is the most agreeable present you could
have offered me, and is strongly characteristic of the bravery and
gallantry of the Spanish nation This instance increases, if pos.
sibie, my opinion of your Excellency's humanity,; which has ap-
peared on so many occasions in the course of the late war. Ad-

mire' Rowley is to dispatch a vessel to Louisiana for the prisoners.
I am convinced they will ever think of your Excellency's clemency
with gratitude : and l have sent a copy of your letter to the Hag,
my father, who will be,fully sensib'e of your Excellency's atten.
Lion to me. I request my compliments to Madame Galva, and
that you will be assured that actions so noble as those of your Es:•
oelletey will ever be remembered by yours siacerely.

“ WILLIAM P.”
His Royal Highness soon after this attained the rank
of Lieutenant, and in 1786 was appointed to the com-
mand of the Pegasus man-of-war ; which was for some
time on the West India station. It was during this re-
sidence in the West Indies that he may be supposed to