Admiralty, 24th July, 1831.
“Sir,
“The situation of Lieutenant Governor of Greenwich Hospital has become vacant by the death of Captain Brewell, and it has been determined to offer the appointment to a Rear Admiral. The salary is £800 a year, with apartments and other contingent advantages; but of course the half-pay of the officer holding the situation ceases, and his future promotion and chance for active employment is stopped.
“The duties also of Lieutenant Governor require constant residence, and active exertion; for the discipline and good order of this great establishment depend very much upon his attention and regular care; and no officer is worthy of the appointment who is not prepared to second Sir Richard Keats in the constant and anxious endeavours which he makes, and in his exemplary zeal to uphold the character and to sustain the honour of that institution which is the pride of our naval history.
“Considering your services, your wounds, and your distinguished reputation, I have thought it my duty to recommend you to His Majesty for the appointment; and the king has been graciously pleased to command me to offer it to you, as a mark of his favour and approbation. I have stated to you explicitly the conditions, and you will not accept the situation with any other prospect.
“At all events, in offering it to you, I am glad of an opportunity of proving my respect for your character, and my sense of the services which you have rendered to your country.
“I have the honour to be, &c.
“Signed, J. B. GRAHAM.”
“Rear-Admiral Sir Jahleel Brenton.”
To this letter, kind and flattering as it was, the following answer was returned; and if the reader bears in mind that it was written from a cottage, by a man whose narrow income hardly allowed him to offer to his wife and child anything beyond the comforts of a very quiet home, and to whom the situation at Greenwich must have seemed comparative affluence; he will know how to appreciate the high professional spirit which revolted at the conditions proposed, and refused the offer of the dignified and agreeable position at the hospital, if it was to preclude all the opportunities of active employment in the service.