"The lives of all are in the hands of Him who knows best whether to preserve it or no, and to His will do I resign myself. My character and good name are in my own keeping. Life with disgrace is dreadful. A glorious death is to be envied, and, if anything happens to me recollect death is a debt we must all pay, and whether now or in a few years hence can be but of little consequence."

“I cannot command winds and weather.”

“Success, I trust — indeed have little doubt — will crown our zealous and well-meant endeavours: if not, our Country will, I believe, sooner forgive an Officer for attacking his Enemy than for letting it alone.”

“First gain the victory and then make the best use of it you can.”

“:Before this time tomorrow, I shall have gained a peerage or Westminster Abbey.”

“The business of the English Commander-in-Chief being first to bring an Enemy's Fleet to Battle, on the most advantageous terms to himself, and secondly, to continue them there, without separating, until the business is decided.”

“: Thank God, I have done my duty.”