by John Marshall

“ There is a privilege existing, from time immemorial, which is not enjoyed on any other station than that of the coast of Africa: it is that of the next officer giving himself the rank of his deceased superior; and which self-appointments have ever been held good by the Admiralty. Commodore Cornwallis died of a fever July 31, 1798; when Lieutenant Hanwell, who succeeded him in the command of the Sheerness, gained two gradations of rank, which, on his arrival in England, was confirmed by a post commission, dated Dec. ”