Steuart expresses significant frustration regarding his naval rank, specifically that he is being sent to Jamaica as a "private Captain" rather than being promoted to a "Flag-Officer" as he believes was promised.
Cumberland at St. Helens 10th. 7ber [September] 1740
Dr. Sir
In my letter to you of yesterdays date, I let you know that I writ on this occasion last Monday the 8th. Instant to Sr. Charles Wager, but not knowing whether he will do me the Honr. of writing me an answer, and Mr. Gashry not allowing me the favour of an answer to a letter I lately wrote him, desiring to know, if it was necessary for me, who, has not yet been farther with this Ship, than this place, at the end of every six Months, to send a Copy of my Journal for time to the Secretary of the Admiralty, in pursuance of the latter part the 40. Article of the Cap.ts Genl. printed Instructions; but I suppose he is disobliged with me if he thinks Sr. Charles is—Wherefore I must beg of you to wait on Sr. Charles and yourself with my dutiful respects and desire to know how he is pleased to dispose of me, and what is advisable for me to do, if this ship under my Command should be sent to Jamaica, after the Leak in the Bread-room is stop’d, wh. is so bad at present that my Officers tell me, it must spoil all the Bread is taken into it, therefore I have wrote to the Agent Vict.er here not to send the Bread on Board till he has further orders [~~until the leak is~~] repaired from me—I hear Sr. Chaloner Ogle is coming here with some more ships from Torbay to Command this Expedition to Jamaica, and is to go in the Russell Mr. Balchen’s Ship, who is to strike his Flag here when Sr. Chaloner comes to take the Command of these ships, by which you may see that I am intend’d to go to Jamaica no other ways than as Captain of the Cumberland—which greatly surprises me, that my good friend Sr. Charles, should think of sending me there a private Capt. after his promise of friendship to make me a Flag-Officer—Therefore, I must beg of you to give my dutiful respects to the Dukes of Montagu & Richmond if in Town and prevail on them to speak to him, to move me into [~~a First or Second Rate~~] or not suffer the Ship I Command to go to the West Indies, before I am moved into some other, not to go there, till I am made a Flag, and if this can’t be done, but that I must be sent to the West Indies a private Captain, in that Case, I must then beg of their Graces, they will prevail on Sr. Charles to obtain the Boards leave for me to resign my Command for the recovery of my ill state of health, without prejudice to my pretensions in the Royl. Navy as I am not backwards in going on any service, with a proper Command—but sure it is odd that Sr. Tancred [Robinson] should be permitted to keep his flag when he never will go to sea, only to prevent a Vacancy for those who would serve. I hear there are soon to be put into Commission some First & Second Rates, particularly the Royl. George, & Sr. George & also the Newark, if so what have I done, not to have one of the Great Ships, till I am made a Flag if [Sr. Charles] intends to serve me. I am Dr. Sir Your Most faithful hum.le Servant
J. Steuart
My Complim.ts to Mrs. Russell and other friends. I am very unwilling to be forced to resign to go ashore for the recovery of my health, in regard to some of my Officers, Mr. Harris, recommend’d by Mr. Hawes, and my servants who are with me, who must greatly suffer if I go on shore, as I must be in the greatest distress if they go abroad, and I go to sea again without them, therefore if possible, I beg, if possible, that my Ship may not be order’d a foreign [voyage] till I am made a flag, or be removed [~~to a first or second rate~~] if she should after.
By 1740, Britain was embroiled in the War of Jenkins' Ear (1739–1748) against Spain. The war was sparked by commercial rivalries in the Caribbean and the famous incident where Spanish coastguards allegedly cut off the ear of British merchant Robert Jenkins.
The 1740 Expedition: The British government, led by Sir Robert Walpole, decided to strike a massive blow by sending a huge force to the West Indies. Steuart’s ship, the Cumberland, was part of the "Great Expedition" being prepared at St. Helens (a major naval anchorage off the Isle of Wight).
Sir Charles Wager (1666–1743): At the time of this letter, Wager was the First Lord of the Admiralty. He was effectively the civilian-military head of the Navy. Steuart’s complaints are directed at Wager because Wager controlled all promotions and ship assignments.
Sir Chaloner Ogle (1681–1750): Mentioned by Steuart as "coming here... to Command this Expedition." Ogle was a rising star who had recently been promoted to Rear-Admiral. He eventually led the massive fleet of 170 ships that sailed in late 1740 to join Admiral Edward Vernon in the Caribbean.
Sir Tancred Robinson: Steuart’s remark about him keeping his flag "only to prevent a Vacancy" highlights a common 18th-century naval grievance: "Yellowing." Senior officers would sometimes remain on the active list (holding a "Flag") to collect pay and status without actually going to sea, which blocked younger or more ambitious captains like Steuart from promotion.
In the 18th century, a captain's pay, prestige, and prize-money potential depended entirely on the "Rate" of his ship:
Private Captain vs. Flag-Officer: Steuart is furious that he is serving as a "private Captain" (a captain of a single ship) rather than a "Flag-Officer" (an Admiral or Commodore in charge of a squadron).
1st and 2nd Rates: He mentions wanting to be moved into a First or Second Rate ship (the largest "Ships of the Line" with 90–100+ guns, like the Royal George). These were the prestigious powerhouses of the fleet.
The Bread-Room Leak: His complaint about the leak in the Cumberland’s bread-room was a serious logistical issue. In the tropics, damp bread quickly turned to "rottenness and weevils," which could lead to starvation or scurvy during the long crossing to Jamaica.
Steuart’s fears were somewhat prophetic. The expedition he was about to join became a catastrophe.
The Siege of Cartagena (1741): After arriving in the West Indies, the British force attempted to take the Spanish stronghold of Cartagena (modern-day Colombia). Due to infighting between the Army and Navy and a massive outbreak of Yellow Fever, the British suffered over 18,000 deaths—most from disease rather than combat.
Steuart’s Fate: Despite his complaints, James Steuart did eventually get his wish. He was promoted to Rear-Admiral in 1742 and eventually rose to the highest possible rank, Admiral of the Fleet, in 1751.