from Sir James to one of the
family on the subject of the Peerage.

London, 16th May 1814.

"You will have seen that a Peerage has been conferred on Sir
Edward Pellew; you may suppose that Sir John Duckworth and
myself have taken the proper means with Lord Melville for our
services being taken into consideration, for a similar mark of
distinction, and there is every reason to believe we shall not
be disregarded. I had a long interview with Lord Melville, who
gave me to understand that he laid the subject as favourably as
possible before Lord Liverpool. It is, I fear, very doubtful,
but I cannot persuade myself so much injustice will be done to
my services; and such is the opinion of all I meet."

Subsequently to this, Sir James received a letter from Lord Liverpool,
which need not be inserted, as the substance is given in Sir James's
answer, which we subjoin.

Date not exactly known, 1814.

MY LORD,

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your lordship's
letter of this date, signifying that you have had an
opportunity of communicating to his Royal Highness the Prince
Regent my request for the honour of the Peerage, as well as
some other applications for the same honour from several
distinguished officers of the navy and army, and that your
lordship was commanded by the Prince Regent to acquaint me that
his Royal Highness does full justice to my services on the
occasions to which I refer; but he feels it, nevertheless,
quite impossible, under all the circumstances, to comply with
my request, and that he has directed your lordship to return
the same answer to those who have made similar applications to
him upon the present occasion. Without presuming to inquire
into the merits of those distinguished officers with whom your
lordship may have been pleased to blend my services, your
lordship will permit me to observe, that the grounds upon which
I found my application for the Peerage, were not confined to my
services during the whole period of the late and American war;
but also to my services during the five years that I had the
honour to command his Majesty's fleet upon the Baltic station
with the fullest approbation of Government, particularly for my
uniform conduct respecting Sweden, which prevented that nation
from joining th