The Statesman.
London, England, 1815-08-21 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STATESMAN.

Sta,—As your iovaluahle Paper is one of the very
few which, in these degenerate times, dares to speak
the truth, I venture to trouble you w ith the following
statement of facts, feeling strongly impressed that
they ought, in common justice, to be laid fairly be-
fore the British public.
A partial " Promotion of Admirals," as it is
termed, is probably at no great distance. Now, a
Post-Captain is not only liable to be passed over on
such promotion, fur a very trivial offence, but he is
actually obliged to submit to the same degree of de-
gradation, if he has not the, good fortune to have
possessed sufficient borough interest to have been
employed afloat during the war or armament ; and
that, although he stand in rotation for a Flag, arid
bear the most unblemished reputation, and although
nothing appears against him at the Admiralty, but
having been unsuccessful in his repeated and anxinos
applications for a ship. Can it be right to punish a
man for what he has no power to avoid ? It is grievous
to observe that upon every flag promotion, many
such itistanCes.of neglected merit do lamentably oc-
cur; and 11614 Is it possible for a veteran Naval Offi-
cer tyros set :side hem promotion at the heck of a
Minister, without tik being conscious of having corn-
mated any crime for which he has become amenable
to his country's laws. How ill does this accord with
our envied country's boasted Code, which declares
that no British subject, however, or by whomsoever
accused, shall Le deemed guilty until pronounced so
by his Peers after an impartial Trial !
I am fully aware of its being alleged in extenuation
of this relic of barbarism, that it is according to
(what has principally cost us so much disgrace in a
late melancholy contest) 66 the established usage of '
the service," and that the Flag Promotions are al-
ways submitted to the Pt ivy Council for their appro
bation. But, all that is meant to be insisted on here
is, that rich a custom does actually exist ! It matters
not where the fault originatei, or by whom it is
sanctioned; but every rational man, not strangely
and obstinately biassed, must surely allow it to be
replete with itijustice ; and it behoves all those who
have the welfare of the brave defenders of • their
country at heart, to endeavour, with all their united
energies, to subvert such an ungrateful and impolitic
sy stem.

In the Army a Colonel is never superseded in his
promotion to the rank of Major-General without am-
ple cause, wherefore should the Naval Officer be so
harshly and so singularly treated ?
But, the Army is one service, and the Navy is an.
other. Had the illustriousl.VewmGrom, with the
British Army, been so infatuated or bigoted as
blindly to have followed the beaten path in vogue in
the days of MARLBOROUGR, they could never have
accomplished the high deeds they have so nobly
achieved ; how then, in the name of common sense,
can the antiquated and comparatiiely barbaVous Nit.
vat practice of the day a of Li Hogue he applied With
success (or with common safety, in a very few wears
more) in the pi esent improved sod important mari-
time xra of the world ? But, to distinguish the na-
ture and degrees of change which successive erents
imperative!) dill for belongs alone to groins
1 am, •;ir, y our very humble servant,
Roe!ies .r, Aug,. 15.1 A 5. CASSAN URA. •

All affsi,s of ch.i nee a re,it seems, derided by dreams
and (Mkt ent ..41.0stio, confirmed by experience,
land establidied by science This being admitted by
the great mesa of mankind, which also includes the
ladies, it has been a•tcertaitied by judicial astrology,
that PritltY, at Holborn Bars, will have the honour
to distribute to the Public, not only the t 30,(M0 in
I ilk smut( !Pliers', but also the 3000 guineas in gold.
To obtain these benefits, it is evident, there is no
time to spare in making the purchases which are to
insure them, as this very interesting • Lottery begins
and ends nest Thursday. •