§ LORD CLARENCE PAGETI must beg permission of the House to make a personal explanation with respect to a few words which I used the other day, and which I am sorry to say, have given considerable offence to that noble corps, the Royal Marines. I think I shall best explain myself by reading a letter which I have written to their Adjutant General:—
§ "Admiralty, Feb. 13, 1861.
§ "My dear General Wesley,—I greatly regret that a passing remark of mine, in the House of Commons on Friday last, intended to convey the very high opinion entertained by the Navy of their sister corps of Royal Marines, and the importance of encouraging the youth of this country in looking upon a career in that noble service as being I equally to be coveted with a career in the sister services, should have been misunderstood by the officers of Royal Marines.
§ "I have on all occasions ardently advocated the extension of the corps, because I consider it to be the mainstay of the Navy,—see my evidence before the Manning Commission in 1858.
§ "With regard to the social position of the officers of the corps, no one could for a moment doubt that it is equal to that of any other branches of Her Majesty's service, and as to their conduct on all occasions, none have surpassed them.
§ "Having near connections myself in the corps of Royal Marines, I am, apart from the foregoing considerations, naturally jealous of its reputation, and, consequently, the more regretful if I have said anything which would in the remotest degree reflect upon its high character and efficiency.
§ "I have the honour to be, my dear General, yours faithfully, "C. PAGET.
§ "To Major General Wesley, Deputy Adjutant General."
§ I have now only to thank the House for its indulgence.