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Sir John Hay's retirement having already been notified to him, Mr. Childers wrote the following note:—
Mr. Childers to Sir John Hay,
I said on Thursday night, in the debate on Naval Retirement, that I considered yours a hard case; but that I was not prepared to propose any exceptions to the ten years' rule. I did not say that I had, a year ago, offered you employment; and that you told Beauchamp Seymour that you did not wish to go to sea. I thought that it would not be fair to prejudice the case by such a statement, as your answer might have been different if the new order had been in force.
But I am now able to meet your case, without making any exception to the rule in your favour. We have had it in contemplation to make the East Indian command again a Rear-Admiral's, in consequence of the considerable increase to the squadron, resulting from the arrangements now being discussed with the Government of India, and from the necessity of strengthening the Zanzibar division. I am in a position to submit your name to the Queen for this command, and you could hoist your flag on board the 'Fisgard' before the 1st April. Sir L. Heath's period of service is up in June, and this will give you the usual time to make your preparations for going out in May.
Let me know your decision at your earliest convenience. Until the Queen's pleasure has been taken this should only be known by your personal friends and in strict confidence.
Yours very sincerely,
HUGH C. E. CHILDERS.
Rear-Admiral Sir John Hay, Bart., M.P.
It was quite evident that, under the then existing circumstances, Sir John Hay could accept no command; but the first thing that struck him with astonishment was that the First Lord of the Admiralty
