thrown somewhat into the back-ground; captains senior in rank to his gallant friend having successively arrived in the Irrawaddy, and naturally placed in the most prominent situations those with whose merits they were better acquainted. Had Captain Chads retained the uninterrupted command of the naval force in Ava, it is not to be doubted that the “fire eater,” as he was once so aptly designated by a late witty member of parliament, would have invariably selected him to be his second in every hazardous enterprise. During the advance upon, and operations against, Donoobew, he was attached to the light division of the flotilla, under the orders of Lieutenant (now Commander) William Smith, of whose services at that period we have recently made mention[1]. On the 14th April, 1826, Sir Archibald Campbell wrote to Captain Chads as follows:–
“Dear Sir,– In observing with the greatest pleasure the promotion which has taken place in the navy lately serving with the army in Ava, I much regret to remark the name of your first lieutenant, Mr. Charles Keele does not appear in the list of promotions, feeling as I do the meritorious services of Lieutenant Keele, than whom no officer had more frequent opportunities of distinguishing himself, and having been chief in naval command at the taking of Martaban, on which occasion Lieutenant-Colonel Godwin acknowledges the important aid he derived from the seamen under the command of Lieutenant Keele: that service alone win, I should hope, still insure him his promotion. In conclusion I have only to add, that if it is in any way in my power to contribute the name of Lieutenant Keele to the favorable notice of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, it will afford me much pleasure. I remain, my dear Sir, yours very faithfully,
On the 22d July, 1826, Lieutenant Keele, then first of the Alligator 28, to which ship he had been removed with Captain Chads, was advanced to the rank of commander, but he did not hear of his promotion until her arrival at Portsmouth in the end of that year. Previous thereto, Captain Chads had addressed a letter to the Admiralty, of which the following is an extract:
