11. Sir Pulteney³ Malcolm (George², Reverend Robert¹) was born in Douglan, Dumfrieshire 20/02/1768. Pulteney died 20/07/1838 at 70 years of age.

He married Clementina Elphinstone 18/01/1809. Clementina was the daughter of William Fullarton Elphinstone. Clementina died 19/11/1830.

Pulteney was Knighted on 2/01/1815. M.A. 1835, from TRINITY. Entered the Navy, 1778; served in the West Indies, the East Indies, and in China Seas; under Nelson in the Mediterranean, 1804-5; Rear-Admiral, 1813; Admiral Commaner-in-Chief, Cape station, 1816-17; Vice-Admiral, 1821. Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean, 1828-31 and 1833-4. K.C.B., 1815; G.C.M.G., 1829; G.C.B., 1833.

From The Times, April 16, 1816

Yesterday, Admiral Sir Pulteney Malcolm left town for Portsmouth, where he embarks in the Newcastle, of 50 guns, and proceeds immediately to take the command of St: Helena, in the room of Sir George Cockburn.

From The Times, November 28, 1828

Sir Pulteney Malcolm - The following sketch of this present distinguished commander is from Scott's Life of Napoleon:- "The rank and character of Sir Pulteney Malcolm, who commanded the squadron upon the station, set him above the feelings which might influence inferior officers whether of the army or the navy. He visited Napoleon frequently, and was eulogized by him in a description which (though he, who has the advantage of seeing in the features of Sir Pulteney those of an honoured friend, can vouch for its being just) may have been painted the more willingly, because it gave the artist an opportunity of discharging his speen, while contrasting the appearance of the Admiral with that of the Governor, is a matter most unfavourable to the latter. Nevertheless, we transcribe it to prove that Buonaparte could occasionally do justice, and see desert, even in a Briton. He said he had seen the new Admiral. 'Ah! there is a man with a countenance really pleasing, open, frank, and sincere. There is the face of an Englishman-his countenance bespeaks his heart, and I am sure he a good man. I never yet beheld a man of whom I so immediately formed a good opinion as of that fine soldier-like old man. He carries his head erect, and speaks out openly and boldly what he thinks, without being afraid to look you in the face at the time . His physiognomy would make every person desirous of a further acquaintence, and render the most suspicious confident in him.' Sir Pulteney Malcolm was also much recommended to Napoleon's favourable judgment by the circumstance of having nothing to do with the restraints upon his person, and possessing the power neither of altering nor abating any of the restrictions he complained of. He was fortunate, too, in being able, by the calmness of his temper, to turn aside the violent language of Buonaparte, without either granting the justice of his complaints, or giving him displeasure by direct contradiction. 'Does your Government mean,' said Napoleon on day to the English Admiral, 'to detain me upon this rock until my death's-day?' - 'I am sorry to say, Sir,' answered Sir Pulteney, 'that such, I apprehend, is their purpose.' - 'Then, the term of my life will soon arrive,' said Napoleon. 'I hope not, Sir,' answered the Admiral; 'I hope you will survive to record your great actions which are so numerous, and the task will ensure you a term of long life.' Napoleon bowed, and was gratified, probably both as a hero and an author. Nevertheless, before Sir Pulteney Malcolm left the island, and while he was endeavouring to justify the Governor against some of the harsh and extravagant charges in which Napoleon was wont to indulge, the latter began to appeal from his judgment, as being too much of an Englishman to be an impartial judge. They parted, however, on the best terms, and Napoleon often afterwards expressed the pleasure which he had received from the society of Sir Pulteney Malcolm"

From The Times, December 17, 1834

We noticed last week Vice-Admiral Sir Pulteney Malcolm's propsed new code of signals: the subject is one of very general interest to professional men, as it equally concerns the King's and the merchant service. Hitherto, the code in use, invented by Captain Marryat, has been found too limited to carry on extensive communications; but, according to Sir Pulteney's new code, we understand that a communication of any length can be made. Copies of the code, when approved by the Admiralty, will of course be supplied to His Majesty's ships; and we think that, previous to insuring, underwriters would do well to require that merchant vessels should be in possession of a copy. - Navy and Military Gazette.

Sir Pulteney Malcolm and Clementina Elphinstone had the following children:

30 i. George Pulteney⁴ Malcolm was born 14/02/1814. George died 21/07/1837 at 23 years of age.

+ 31 ii. William Elphinstone Malcolm was born 27/12/1817.

Return to Table of Contents or Index

Go to Next Page

Go to Previous Page