on the subject of competitive examinations for the Civil
Service; in reply to the Queen's letter, he referred to
the discontent existing in the Service with the system of
appointment by favour, and of promotion by seniority alone.]

[Pageheading: THE BALTIC COMMAND]

[Pageheading: SIR CHARLES NAPIER]

_Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria._

ADMIRALTY, _9th February 1854._

Sir James Graham, with humble duty, begs to lay before your Majesty
certain important considerations which were discussed at the Cabinet
yesterday with respect to the selection of a Commander-in-Chief for
the Fleet about to be appointed for Service in the Baltic.[10]...

[Footnote 10: War had not yet been declared, but the Russian
Ambassador left London on the 7th of February, and Sir
Hamilton Seymour was recalled from St Petersburg on the same
day.]

Lord Dundonald[11] is seventy-nine years of age; and though his
energies and faculties are unbroken, and though, with his accustomed
courage, he volunteers for the Service, yet, on the whole, there is
reason to apprehend that he might deeply commit the Force under his
command in some desperate enterprise, where the chances of
success would not countervail the risk of failure and of the fatal
consequences, which might ensue. Age has not abated the adventurous
spirit of this gallant officer, which no authority could restrain; and
being uncontrollable it might lead to most unfortunate results. The
Cabinet, on the most careful review of the entire question, decided
that the appointment of Lord Dundonald was not expedient....

[Footnote 11: This was the Lord Cochrane who had been unjustly
convicted in 1814, under the direction of Lord Ellenborough,
Chief Justice, of conspiracy to defraud. His naval honours
were restored to him in 1832. He is said to have stipulated,
on this occasion, that he should be allowed to destroy
Cronstadt by a chemical process invented by himself.]

Sir Charles Napier is an excellent seaman, and combines boldness with
discretion.[12] He has served in large squadrons, and he has commanded
them. As a Second, he may not have been submissive; as a Chief, he has
been successful in command. His appointment will give confidence both
to officers and men; and his name is not unknown both to enemies and
allies. If he has the faults of his family, he is not without their
virtues; courage, genius, love of country are not wanti