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Lennox's motion on the 18th March, that this was only extending to the list of admirals a provision already existing in other ranks. This was not so: no such regulation exists with regard to the combined unemployed time of an officer in any other ranks in the Navy; and Mr. Gladstone further added to the inaccuracy by stating that the new retirement was entirely voluntary.
Sir John Hay to the Admiralty.
18th March, 1870.
Sir,
I Lave the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter and enclosures, by which I am informed that I am compelled to retire from Her Majesty's Naval Service.
2. I deem it due, however, to my own reputation to place on record here my opinion in regard to the compulsory retirement of the youngest flag-officer but one on the list of the Navy.
3. I shall not recapitulate my services such as they are, but will merely refer the Board to the ' Gazette,' and to letters of thanks from former administrations.
4. Having in the year 1859 more than completed the combined war and peace sea-time to qualify me for my flag, I reported myself as ready for employment at sea. The Admiralty, however, deemed it more advantageous to the public service to give me civil employment under the Admiralty, and requested me to serve as a member of the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into Greenwich Hospital. That service having been completed to the satisfaction of the Board of Admiralty, I was appointed Chairman of the Iron-Plate Committee, a post which I held for more than four years until the abolition of that Committee. For this further civil employment I again with my colleagues received the thanks of the Board.
5. In April, 1866, I was advanced to my flag-rank, with