The Sun.
London, England, 1850-04-03 00:00:00

THE SUN,

REDUCTION OF ADMIRALS.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
Sin,—Nothing can be more fair, in appearance,
than the spirit in which your leading article of the
13th inst. was written, with reference to Mr. Hume's
motion, for the reduction of the list of Admirals.
You say—" Hence we would by no means see the
list of Admirals reduced to a number barely sufficient
to take the command of our squadrons We
would see in this liberal catalogue of the British
Admirals a wholesome blending of age, and, compara-
tively speaking, of youth, (Nelson, be it remem-
bered, having only attained his 47th year when he
expired at Trafalgar), of vigour and experience, of
ardour and of judgment. We would see ample op-
portunities afforded for the reward of the meritorious
by promotion, and ample encouragement afforded to
those who were aspiring to the dignity of such eles
vatiun Far be it from our intention to advocate
any interference with the prevailing system which
would prove unjustly injurious to the interests of the
gallant officers in the Navy. Any movement which
should appear unjustifiably detrimental to their in-
terest, by abruptly, and harshly, and unfairly pre-
venting their reasonable promotion, would be certain
to call from us, among the very first, an indignant
protest."
All this is very true, and conceived in a fair and
liberal spirit. The state of things such as you de-
scribe is much to be wished for, and few, I imagine,
will be found to differ with you, in the abstract.
But, Sir, may I ask if, before penning the article
from which I quote, you had made yourself ac-
quainted with the real status quo: I think not; or,
from the sentiments you express, instead of your ad-
vocacy, Mr. Hume's motion would have called from
you, "among the very first, an indignant protest."
That our list of Admirals is numerically greater than
we require cannot be denied ; but, unfortunately, we
have not that " wholesome blending of age, and, com-
paratively speaking, of youth," which you consider
necessary. A statement appeared, a short time since,
in the Naval and Military Gazette, which I believe
to have been tolerably correct, showing that among
the list of 150 Admirals, 30 only were below the age
of 65, the remainder ranging from that age to 86—:
the average of the whole being 72 ! Looking,
therefore, at their advanced ages, I think the list of
Admirals is almost reduced at this moment, in point
of efficiency, to that position which you describe,
when you'say—" We would by no means see the list
of Admirals reduced to a number barely sufficient to
take the command of our squadrons." But this list is
composed of the surviving heroes of the last war, and
it needs no eloquent pen to
.show that they should be.
spared from ungenerous attacks, and allowed to re-
pose quietly under the shade of their hardly-earned
laurels, during the remaining brief period of their
existence. A short time only has elapsed since a
measure was adopted, and a sum of money voted, for
the purpose of the " blending of age, and, compara-
tively speaking, of youth," in the Admirals' list.
That measure is quietly working the cure which was
intended, and in course of time we shall have a few
Admirals under 60 years of age. When " compara-
tive youth" shall, in sufficient numbers, have found
its way there, then, and not until then, will it be
either politic or just to consider the question of the
reduction of numbers. At present age predominates.
The senior captain on the list, and consequently the
next for promotion, cannot be less than 61 years of
age. He is an officer of distinguished services, and
has held his present rank nearly 36 .years ; but
would it not be "unjustly injurious" to that gallant
officer's interest, after the implied contract entered
into, and call for an " indignant protest," were a sud-
den check now put to all promotion ? By the mea-
sure to which I have referred, a retirement was
offered to the Captains' list, and accepted by many,
with the express understanding, that those who re-
mained on it, foregoing the pecuniary advantage of
the retirement held out to them, should be advanced as
vacancies occurred on the Admirals' list. At the
same time, the numbers receiving the higher rates of
half .pay on the Captains' list were reduced as fol-
lows :-100 receiving 14s. 6d. per diem were reduced
to 70; and 150 receiving 12s. 6d. to 100. By this
means a saving of nearly 3,0001. per annum was
effected; but by this means also the chances of the
junior captains attaining the higher rates of half-
pay were considerably diminished; and were a stop
now put to promotion, they could not reasonably
look forward even to the paltry addition of 2s. per
diem, to the pittance already allowed 'them after a
servitude of perhaps 40 years. Would it not be
"unjustly injurious" to the interests of these gallant
officers, as well as a breach of faith on the part of the
Government of the country, to do away, with the ar-
rangement then entered into—the bargain which was
made when the offer was held out of retirement with
increased pay, or the chance of promotion with a con-
tinuance of the lower rate of pay? On the faith of
the terms of that offer, numbers preferred remaining
on the active list, and were the flag promotion now
put a stop to, I see no way of " blending youth and
age" but by extending the retirement, and again
offering it to those with whom faith would, in that
case, have been broken. I can assure you, Sir, that
Iblve 'officers at -large feel most 'A-unjustly injured"
by- the constant attacks which are made upon them,
by parties who are grossly ignorant of the constitu-
tion of the various lists. That we have many more
officers of all.ranks than we require cannot be denied ;
but it is equally incapable of denial that we have not
a greater number of efficient officers. than are neces-
sary, and that were a war to break out they would
fall short of the national requirements. These over-
crowded lists are the results of a long-protracted
war. Time will work a cure ; but, pending the at-
tainment of this desirable object, the country surely
should not grudge either their half-pay, poor as it is,
to' those whose best days were spent in securing to
England her independence as a nation, and eventually
the blessings of peace ; or, " reasonable promotion"
to those who still maintain "Britannia's rule," and
are ready and willing at any moment to peril life and
limb should our national honour or independence
again be assailed. Your obedient servant,
M.A.RINERO.

London, March 21, 1850.

NORTHAMPTON RACES.

(THIS DAY.)

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The Trial Stake&

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