Note 31 — HISTORICAL RECORD (continued 2)
Reading edition
After dinner Colonel Brinley was addressed by Major Dales as follows:—
"The King's Own have directed me to inform you that, while they rejoice at your promotion, they feel much distressed at parting with an officer whose whole time has been so zealously and successfully employed for the general welfare of the corps. It is their intention to beg your acceptance of a small mark of their universal esteem, and it naturally suggested itself to them that a SWORD was the most appropriate token; and, while it will keep alive your attachment to them, opportunities will probably occur when it will be drawn in defence of the best of Kings and best of governments."
To which the colonel replied:—"I beg leave to express in the warmest terms, how much I feel the marked attention showed me by this very elegant entertainment. I return you a thousand thanks for the testimony of your attachment, esteem, and regard, manifested by the proposed present of a superb sword, which I shall wear with pride, and I hope with honour to the end of my life. To your assistance alone, during the three years I have had the honour to command you, am I indebted for enabling me to bring the King's Own regiment to its present state of perfection; and I attribute the recent mark of favour which his Majesty has been graciously pleased to confer on me, to your generous aid."