'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎504] (523/622)

504 HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
Jenkins sailed for Madras, and, having fulfilled a mission from
the Governor-General to Lord Harris, proceeded to Bomhav
where, on his arrival, on the 19th of October, he was appointed
Commodore of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Squadron.
Captain Jenkins was admirably qualified for the task he had
pertormed thus successfully. Animated by a high sense of
duty, great urbanity, which no amount of opposition could
ruffle, coupled with a pertinacity that would take no denial, the
Government could have made no better selection, in any branch
o the public service, for the difficult task of convincing
Governors, soothing the susceptibilities of Military and Naval
chieis, and, hardest of all, conciliating Members of Council and
legislators, such as those of Mauritius and the Cape, whose
political antagonism to the Government and party animosities,
were held with a fervour, and, occasionally, expressed with a
warmth such as is unknown in the Parliament of these islands,
but is not without a parallel among our lively neighbours across
the Channel. Ihis rivalry was specially heated between the
Jinglish and French factions at Mauritius, but the imperturbable
suavity and calm pertinacity of Captain Jenkins overcame all
obstacles, and not only the Council, but the merchants of the
Island, vied with each other in offers of assistance, the latter
actuaUy attending in person at the wharf, and superintending
the despatch of the coal for the use of the 6 Pottinger.'
It was the same at the Cape, where Captain Jenkins per
sonally addressed the Parliament, and so effective was his
appeal, in which he earnestly pleaded for our hardly-pressed
countrymen and countrywomen in India, and invoked the
powerful name of the Sovereign, that, with a unanimity hitherto
unknown, and which tended to heal a breach between the
Governor and Legislature, they voted the loan of the whole of
the money in the treasure chest, and placed the entire resources
of the colony at his disposal. The following were the words
expressed by the Parliament, as reported by Sir George Grey:
— a We trust that the Governor will support the honour of our
Sovereign and dignity of this colony, by such energetic
measures as will prove to the world the strong union of all
for our Sovereign."
Captain Jenkins did not shrink from responsibility,* but used
the authority reposed in him freely, in some instances not
scrupling to exceed it in a manner that called forth the surprise
# Writing semi-officially to Lord Dunkellin, Military Secretary to Lord
Canning, from the Cape under date the 11th August, detailing the steps he had
taken, Captain Jenkins says:—"This may be rather beyond my authorized
power, but I feel that I am serving a Grovernment that will appreciate its ser
vants not flinching from any responsibility, and I do not do so. Should the
G-overnment hereafter deem that 1 have been too zealous I am prepared to bear
the blame, though I trust in being honoured with its further confidence and
approbation."