Sir John Jervis was advanced to the rank of Rear-Admiral, Sept. 24, 1787; and in the armament of 1790, had his flag flying on board the Prince, of 98 guns. His quarter-deck was full of young gentlemen, cadets of some of the first families in the kingdom, who made the greatest interest to place them as midshipmen with so distinguished a commander. On the reduction of the armament, each flag-officer then employed was indulged by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, with the permission to recommend a Lieutenant and Midshipman for promotion. As many of those gentlemen had passed their examination, each flattered himself of being the fortunate one, according to his high connections; but, to their great disappointment and surprise, Sir John selected a young man, the son of an old Lieutenant, and wrote him the following letter;
“Sir.– I named you for the Lieutenant I was allowed to promote, because you had merited the good opinion of your superiors, and that you were the son of an old officer and worthy man, in no great affluence; a steady perseverance in that conduct which has caused you to be thus distinguished, is the most likely means to carry you forward in the profession; for I trust other officers of my rank will observe the maxim I do – to prefer the sons of brother officers, when deserving, before any others.
Your humble Servant,
“Rochetts, Dec. 24, 1790.”John Jervis.”
At the general election which took place in May, 1790, the Rear-Admiral was chosen Member of Parliament for Chipping Wycombe, which borough he represented till the commencement of the war with the French Republic[1], when he vacated
- ↑ On the execution of the unfortunate Louis XVI, the English ambassador was recalled, an embargo was laid on all corn vessels freighted for France; and on the 24th Jan. 1793, Lord Grenville intimated to M. Chauvelin, the minister of that power, that he must quit the kingdom within eight days. On the 1st Feb. upon the motion of the celebrated Brissot, the French National Convention declared war against his Majesty the King of Great Britain, and the Stadtholder of the United Provinces. On the llth this event was officially announced to Parliament, and proclamation issued for making reprisals.
