In Candide (published in 1759), the title character tours Europe in the company of someone called Martin, who is based (according to Wikipedia) on the real–life French philosopher Pierre Bayle. Wikipedia describes Bayle as "a pessimist".
On arriving in England they witness the execution of Admiral Byng for cowardice (which happened in real life after a court martial found him guilty of failing to "do his utmost" to prevent Minorca falling to the French in 1756, during the Seven Years' War). The remark about encouraging the others is how Martin explains the scene to Candide, who is horrified and insists that they leave the country immediately.
© Haydn Thompson 2020