The Life of Thomas, Lord Cochrane | Page 4

the Governing Commission of Greece. - 368

APPENDIX.
* * * * *
I. (Page 22.)--"Resumé of the Services of the late Earl of Dundonald,
none of which have been Requited or Officially Recognised," by
Thomas, Eleventh Earl of Dundonald. - 389
II. (Page 23.)--Part of a Speech delivered by Lord Cochrane in the
House of Commons, on the 11th of May, 1809, on Naval Abuses. - 397
III. (Page 258.)--A Letter written by Lord Cochrane to the Secretary of
State of Brazil on the 3rd of May, 1824. - 400

THE LIFE
OF
THOMAS, TENTH EARL OF DUNDONALD.

CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION.--LORD COCHRANE'S ANCESTRY.--HIS FIRST
OCCUPATIONS IN THE NAVY.--HIS CRUISE IN THE "SPEEDY"
AND CAPTURE OF THE "GAMO."--HIS EXPLOITS IN THE
"PALLAS."--THE BEGINNING OF HIS PARLIAMENTARY
LIFE.--HIS TWO ELECTIONS AS MEMBER FOR HONITON.--HIS
ELECTION FOR WESTMINSTER.--FURTHER
SEAMANSHIP.--THE BASQUE ROADS AFFAIR.--THE
COURT-MARTIAL ON LORD GAMBIER, AND ITS INJURIOUS
EFFECTS ON LORD COCHRANE'S NAVAL CAREER.--HIS
PARLIAMENTARY OCCUPATIONS.--HIS VISIT TO MALTA
AND ITS ISSUES.--THE ANTECEDENTS AND CONSEQUENCES
OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE TRIAL.
[1775-1814.]
Thomas, Loud Cochrane, tenth Earl of Dundonald, was born at
Annsfield, in Lanark, on the 14th of December, 1775, and died in

London on the 31st of October, 1860. Shortly before his death he wrote
two volumes, styled "The Autobiography of a Seaman," which set forth
his history down to 1814, the fortieth year of his age. To those volumes
the present work, recounting his career during the ensuing six-and-forty
years, is intended to serve as a sequel. Before entering upon the later
narrative, however, it will be necessary briefly to recapitulate the
incidents that have been already detailed.
The Earl of Dundonald was descended from a long line of knights and
barons, chiefly resident in Renfrew and Ayr, many of whom were men
of mark in Scottish history during the thirteenth and following centuries.
Robert Cochran was the especial favourite and foremost counsellor of
James III., who made him Earl of Mar; but the favours heaped upon
him, and perhaps a certain arrogance in the use of those favours, led to
so much opposition from his peers and rivals that he was assassinated
by them in 1480.[A]
[Footnote A: Pinkerton, the historian, gives some curious details,
illustrating not only Robert Cochran's character, but also the condition
of government and society in Scotland four centuries ago. "The
Scottish army," he says, "amounting to about fifty thousand, had
crowded to the royal banner at Burrough Muir, near Edinburgh, whence
they marched to Soutray and to Lauder, at which place they encamped
between the church and the village. Cochran, Earl of Mar, conducted
the artillery. On the morning after their arrival at Lauder, the peers
assembled in a secret council, in the church, and deliberated upon their
designs of revenge.... Cochran, ignorant of their designs, left the royal
presence to proceed to the council. The earl was attended by three
hundred men, armed with light battle-axes, and distinguished by his
livery of white with black fillets. He was clothed in a riding cloak of
black velvet, and wore a large chain of gold around his neck; his horn
of the chase, or of battle, was adorned with gold and precious stones,
and his helmet, overlaid with the same valuable metal, was borne
before him. Approaching the door of the church, he commanded an
attendant to knock with authority; and Sir Robert Douglas, of
Lochleven, who guarded the passage, inquiring the name, was
answered, 'Tis I, the Earl of Mar.' Cochran and some of his friends were

admitted. Angus advanced to him, and pulling the gold chain from his
neck, said, 'A rope will become thee better,' while Douglas of
Lochleven seized his hunting-horn, declaring that he had been too long
a hunter of mischief. Rather astonished than alarmed, Cochran said,
'My lords, is it jest or earnest?' To which it was replied, 'It is good
earnest, and so thou shalt find it; for thou and thy accomplices have too
long abused our prince's favour. But no longer expect such advantage,
for thou and thy followers shall now reap the deserved reward.' Having
secured Mar, the lords despatched some men-at-arms to the king's
pavilion, conducted by two or three moderate leaders, who amused
James, while their followers seized the favourites. Sir William Roger
and others were instantly hanged over the bridge at Lauder. Cochran
was now brought out, his hands bound with a rope, and thus conducted
to the bridge, and hanged above his fellows."] Later scions of the
family prospered, and in 1641, Sir William Cochrane was raised to the
peerage, as Lord Cochrane of Cowden, by Charles I. For his adherence
to the royal cause this nobleman was fined 5000_l._ by the Long
Parliament in 1654; and, in recompense for his loyalty, he was made
first Earl of Dundonald by