a noble Lord opposite to me. Richard, Lord Howe; see below, note to p. 34.
D’Estaign’s fleet ought to have been attacked. In August Howe pursued D’Estaing to Newport, but a storm prevented an engagement.
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Byron’s squadron. John Byron (1723-1786), Vice-Admiral; sailed from Plymouth with a squadron in pursuit of D’Estaing, June 1778; his ships joined Howe’s fleet piecemeal during the summer.
Lord Howe. Richard Howe (1726-1799), fourth Viscount Howe in the peerage of Ireland; M.P. for Dartmouth; Vice-Admiral; Commander-in-Chief on the North American station, 1776-78; resigned his command because of discontent with the ministry, September 1778; cr. an English peer, 1782, and Earl Howe, 1788.
Mr. Rigby. Richard Rigby (1722-1788), M.P. for Tavistock and Paymaster of the Forces. Reputed to have derived immense profits from his office during the American war, Rigby served as the model for Disraeli’s corrupt politician of the same name in Coningsby, 1844.
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Mr. T. Townsend. Thomas Townshend (1733-1800), nephew of the third Viscount Townshend; M.P. for Whitchurch, 1754-83; cr. Baron Sydney of Chislehurst, 1783, and Viscount Sydney, 1789, the city in Australia being named for him. He was one of the most voluble and pertinacious speakers in debates. His contemptuous reference in the House of Commons to Johnson’s pension earned Townshend a passing glance in Goldsmith’s Retaliation, where Burke is said to be,
Though fraught with all learning, yet straining his throat
To persuade Tommy Townshend to lend him a vote.