A FINE PRESENTATION SWORD TO ADMIRAL SARTORIUS BY WIDDOWSON & VEALE, SWORD CUTLERS NO 73 STRAND, LONDON, RETAILED BY SALTER, CIRCA 1834 with pipe-backed blade etched over almost its entire surface with the crowned Royal Arms of Portugal, the presentation inscription, and the cutler's details all amidst elaborate scrolls of foliage on one side and further designs of scrolling foliage and trophies enclosing the motto 'Aut Honor Aut Nihil' on the other (areas of wear and pitting, obscured in parts), gilt-brass stirrup hilt comprising quillons formed as a fasces, knuckle-guard as a branch entwined with a snake, a pair of langets chiselled with a deity, the back-strap and pommel formed as a lion's pelt, and finely chequered ivory grip (one small closed crack), in its original wooden scabbard with later velvet-covering, (replaced in its early life), with large gilt-brass mounts cast and chased in low relief with flowers and scrolling foliage on a punched ground, and medallions decorated with the seated figure of Justice, figures from the antique and a classical warrior profile 83.5cm; 32 7/8in blade The inscription reads: PRESENTED TO HIS EXCELLENCY VICE ADMIRAL SARTORIUS LATE COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF H. M. F. HIS MAJESTY'S SQUADRON BY A FEW OFFICER'S WHO HAVING SERVED UNDER HIS COMMAND APPRECIATE HIS HIGH HONOR [SIC]COURAGE INDEFATIGABLE EXERTIONS IN THE CAUSE OF LIBERTY Sir George Rose Sartorius (1790-1885) entered the navy in June 1801 and joined the Tonnant in October 1804 under the command of Captain Charles Tyler. He was present in her at the battle of Trafalgar and was sent to the Daphne frigate in 1806, in which he was present at Rio de la Plata. In 1808 he was promoted to be lieutenant of the Success and took part in the defence of Sicily where he commanded the boats in bringing out trading vessels from under heavy fire on shore. The Success was afterwards employed in the defence of Cadiz, and on 1 Feb. 1812 Sartorius was promoted to the rank of commander. On 14 December he was appointed to the Slaney in the Bay of Biscay which was in company with the Bellerophon when Bonaparte surrendered himself on board her. In 1831 Sartorius was engaged by the exiled Regent of Portugal, Dom Pedro, as admiral to command the Portuguese regency fleet against Dom Miguel, and in that capacity obtained some marked successes over the usurper's forces. The difficulties he had to contend with were very great; he was met by factious opposition from the Portuguese leaders; the supplies which had been promised him were not forthcoming, and his men were consequently mutinous or deserted at the earliest opportunity. Sartorius spent much of his own money in keeping them together, and threatened to carry off the fleet as a pledge for repayment. Dom Pedro sent two English officers on board the flagship with authority, one to arrest Sartorius and bring him on shore, the other to take command of the squadron. Sartorius, being warned, made prisoners of both as soon as they appeared on board. Such a state of things, however, could not last; and without regret, in June 1833, Sartorius handed over his disagreeable command to Captain Napier, who, warned by his predecessor's experience, refused to stir till the money payment was secured. All that Sartorius gained was the grand cross of the Tower and Sword, together with the grand cross of St. Bento d'Avis and the empty title of Visconte de Piedade. His name had, meantime, been struck off the list of the English navy, but was restored in 1836. On 21 Aug. 1841 he was knighted, and at the same time appointed to the Malabar, which he commanded in the Mediterranean for the next three years. In 1842 he received the thanks of the president and Congress of the United States for his efforts to save the U.S. frigate Missouri, burnt in Gibraltar Bay. In July 1843 off Cadiz he received on board his ship the regent of Spain, Espartero, driven out of the country by the revolutionary party. The Malabar was