THE NAVY PROMOTIONS
TO THE EDITOR OF Tut SPECTATOR.
Sue—Were you not rather hasty in your conclusions last week on the late promotion in the Navy, that "it had been conducted with graceful propriety " ? If you will refer to the Navy List, it will be seen that out of the fifty senior Commanders only two have received a step. The above officers are from the year 1794 to 1809; consequently they obtained their present rank during the heat of the war, and generally from their services to the country. It may be alleged that they are now old men, and past service; but that may be said also of half the Admirals and Captains, who as well as the Yellow Admirals have been promoted. I do not believe that one of the above fifty do not feel it a disgrace that on suck an occasion he should be passed over. On the score of economy, nothing can be said : the difference of half-pay of the junior Captains and senior Commanders is only sixpence per day; there- fore 460i. per annum would have covered the whole expense, which does not amount to what the late Parliament added to the retiring pension of the Tice- Chancellor. Thus it appears that one of the " great birds of prey" can carry off more than fifty veterans. I am, Sir, As OLD HALF-PAT OFFICER, AND A SUBSCRIBER FOR TEARS TO TOUR PAPER.
[" An Old Half-pay Officer" may have reason to know that the late arrangement was not without imperfections : we never said that it was. Many who are not promoted may have something to say against the selection of those who were. But every man could not be promoted. Our praise was, that so many old officers were advanced; that no very young ones were included— none under six years' standing; and that no exception occurred in favour of young lordlings. Whether those were in all cases chosen who had the strongest claims, we had no means of knowing. Certainly we know of many who have high claims who have been passed over: but, we repeat, all could not be gratified ; and, comparing this with all former promotions, more fairness undoubtedly was shown.—Eo.]
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