had been noticed, and that he should be employed whenever an opportunity offered. When the attack of Algiers was projected, he requested an appointment, but without effect, as it was not necessary to commission any additional ships for that expedition. On the appearance of a Spanish army on the frontiers of Portugal, he again offered his services, hoping that a local knowledge of the coast would be deemed an additional recommendation. In April 1828, he applied to the Lord High Admiral, stating that he was in the prime of life, quite recovered from his wounds, and ready for any service or climate. About the same time he submitted to H.R.Highness “A Plan of Internal Defence.” In Nov. 1829, he laid before the Board of Admiralty some remarks on the best mode of checking pestilential fevers, and offered his personal services to carry them into effect at Gibraltar. In Aug. 1831, he requested an appointment from Sir James Graham, observing that “if the crew of a frigate was required, he could obtain volunteers to man one with dispatch.” The First Lord replied, that he had “made a memorandum of his application for active service, which he should be happy to take into consideration, together with those of other officers, as opportunities offered.” On the 16th of the same month, having received intimation that one of the principal naval commands had been offered to Sir Philip C. H. Durham, he tendered his services as flag-captain to that officer, and received the following answer:–
“My dear Tayler,– I can assure you I have the highest esteem for you. Of all the midshipmen that ever served with me, I thought you were the most promising; and your gallant conduct on all occasions has proved I had judged right. Since I was obliged to give up the command at Sheerness, I have not been offered any other; not but I may be in course of time. Should I serve, my captain, ____ ____, is in the ____ by my nomination, waiting me; and I have two or three old officers on my list. You, my old shipmate, may not be aware that you are not old enough to be captain of a first rate: you must be twenty years a captain. The Admiralty would not appoint Captain ____, to the ____, as flag-captain to Sir ____ ____, and he was a captain of eighteen years. I feel much obliged by the offer of such an officer to serve under the flag of his old friend. I am, my dear Tayler, very truly yours,
