ther meritorious officers, thrown completely on the shelf.
His son, the present lord, writes thus:--

Although Sir James was more than once offered a seat in
Parliament, he always steadily declined it, from the idea that
he could render better service to his country by remaining free
from politics; or if ever the time did arrive when he might
become a senator, he was resolved that whichever house he
entered he would be free and unshackled.

On this subject Sir James writes a few lines to his brother when in
the temporary command of the Channel fleet:

What you hint of a seat in Parliament has often occurred to me,
but hitherto I should have found it an encumbrance. At some
future period it may, perhaps, be more advisable; but you may
rely on it that I never wish to have one without maintaining my
independence, and being perfectly free and unbiassed by any
party.

We are well assured that Sir James was decidedly against the Catholic
Emancipation, although after he obtained a peerage he voted for the
Reform Bill, being clearly of opinion that some reform of acknowledged
and flagrant abuses was necessary. He did not, however, intend to go
so far as many of his friends; he may be said to have nearly followed
the politics of Earl Grey, after the retirement of whom he took no
part in the affairs of the nation.

At every change which occurred in the Ministry, he sent a memorial of
his services and claims, but without effect; and it is well known that
he had a very unfruitful correspondence with the Duke of Wellington
and other cabinet ministers. It was at this period that he suffered
another indignity in being passed over, when the Major-generalship of
Marines became vacant.

The following extracts from letters from Earl St. Vincent will show
his lordship's opinions on this subject. The first is to a friend.

Rochetts, 8th May 1821.

I feel very much for Sir James Saumarez. I have lost no
opportunity of stating his high pretensions, which in my
judgment are very far superior to any other upon the list of
flag-officers. When I gain a little more strength I shall be
glad to see him.

The second is to Sir James,

MY DEAR SIR,--I cannot too highly appreciate the interest you
take in a late event, and happy shall I be to greet you upon
the reward due to your exalted and unrivalled services, a
manifestation of