§ On the Motion of Sir James Graham, the Report of the Committee of Supply was brought up.
§ On, the Motion that it be read a second time,
Mr. Humerose to state, that some misunderstanding existed as to the observations of the right hon. Baronet on a former evening relative to Sir James Cock-burn. The right hon. Baronet then stated, that this Gentleman, as Paymaster of Marines, had both civil and military duties to perform—that his civil duties ceased, and his military duties continued. He was informed that this was not correct; that Sir James Cockburn had never performed any military duties whatever. He never had inspected the Marines, or been present at any parade for the purpose of inspecting them—the Inspector of Marines was, therefore, a new appointment. He hoped that the right hon. Baronet would state what were the military duties of Sir James Cockburn. The Marine Corps, he believed, from what had come to his knowledge, felt most deeply the appointment of this gentleman. He hoped the right hon. Baronet would not persevere in throwing a stigma on the Marine Corps, than which none was less deserving of it.
Sir James Grahamsaid, it was true that 1040 he had, on a former occasion, stated that Sir James Cockburn had discharged both civil and military duties. His civil duties had ceased when the office of Paymaster was abolished, but he was also Inspector of Marines. Since he held the office of Paymaster, he had only the rank of Major; but he had inspected the barracks of the Marines—he had inspected their accoutrements—he had inspected their clothing —and he had never visited an out port that he had not attended a parade. He knew, too, that Sir James Cockburn possessed, in a great degree, the confidence of his (Sir James Graham's) predecessor, and that noble Lord relied on Sir James's reports for his knowledge of the discipline of the corps. That noble Lord had also had many opportunities of knowing Sir James Cockburn's merit. When it was necessary to put an end to the office of Paymaster, it became a question how the Adjutant-general's duties should be discharged? He understood that something which had fallen from him before had given offence to that gallant officer, which, as he meant it not, he much regretted. What he said was, that the present Adjutant-general was, from age and infirmities, inadequate to the discharge of the accumulated duties which he would have to perform in fulfilling his own and those of the Paymaster. Entertaining that opinion, he thought it was necessary to superannuate that officer. He had the highest opinion of General Campbell, whose public services he prized very much, and it was only on account of his great age that he was not capable of discharging his duties. As it was necessary to superannuate the Adjutant-general, the question he had to consider was, which was the cheapest and best arrangement he could make? He had stated on a former evening, that his Majesty had been pleased to give Sir James Cockburn the rank of Major-general; and as he was thus restored to his military rank, the best arrangement that could be made was, to appoint him Inspector-general of Marines, that he might discharge the duties of the Adjutant-general and the military duties he had discharged as Paymaster. He still retained the opinion, that with a view to the discipline of the corps, this was the best arrangement which could be made. His hon. friend stated, that this arrangement cast a stigma on a corps which he readily admitted was 1041 a most useful and gallant body of men. Where all were brave it was invidious to distinguish; but certainly the Marines were amongst the bravest of the brave, and had ever been distinguished for their gallantry and their faithfulness. He was, however, disposed to persevere in his appointment, unless the sense of the House should be against him, as it was his deliberate opinion, that the appointment of Major-general Cockburn was advisable. The deputy Adjutant-general had, heretofore, been selected from the corps, and he proposed that that office should be preserved for the Marine officers. By that means he thought he might get rid of the difficulty. He had never had any acquaintance with Sir James Cockburn till he had accepted office; but he was bound to say, that since he had known him, he was induced to believe that it would conduce to the good of the service to make Sir James Cockburn Inspector-general of Marines. If the arrangement which he proposed was satisfactory, he should think that he had done what was due to the Marine corps, and what was due to economy.