CHAPTER IV.
One of the first acts of Sir James Brisbane, after his arrival at Prome, was to address the following order to Captain Chads, who had accompanied him thither from Rangoon.
“Whereas the important service of co-operating with the army engaged against the dominions of Ava requires the best exertions of all ranks, but more particularly of those who are acquainted with the service of warfare; and as I have, with this view, made an accession, by the boats of the Boadicea, to the flotilla hitherto employed on the Irrawaddy, with the happiest results, I do hereby avail myself of your zeal, intelligence, and local knowledge, on which the highest eulogiums have been passed by the Supreme Government, in appointing you to command the light division of the said flotilla, under the immediate orders of Captain Alexander, who anticipates from your promptitude and resources the most effectual assistance, especially for maintaining that cordial union between the naval profession and all other departments, which is so essential to the success of the present expedition, and will be highly gratifying to me.
“Given under my hand, at Prome, on the Irrawaddy, this 24th
day of September, 1825.
“To H. D. Chads, Esq. Commander of H.M.S. Arachne, and
a volunteer on the expedition against the dominions of Ava.”
On the 7th November, Captain Alexander died at Rangoon, and Captain Chads was immediately appointed his successor in the command of the Alligator; but directed to remain with the flotilla in the Irrawaddy. A commission promoting him to the rank of Captain had been signed by the Admiralty on the 25th July preceding, and was conferred upon him in the most flattering and gratifying manner, their Lordships directing that he should not be superseded, but that the Arachne should be sent home. He did not hear of his promotion, however, until after the termination of the Burmese
