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222  Sir Edward does not appear to have taken any very great interest in the affairs of the House; but, on the 15th March, 1804, when an inquiry was moved for, respecting the naval defence of the country, with the view of censuring the administration of Earl St. Vincent; he, instead of contenting himself with a silent vote, delivered his opinion at considerable length, in favour of that nobleman. He rose in the debate immediately after the Hon. Admiral Berkeley, who had accused the Admiralty of negligence, and compared the armed vessels, which had been sent to the coast of France, to so many cockle-shells. The manner in which he treated the subject, rivetted the attention of the House, and drew forth the particular praise of Mr. Wilberforce, who followed him.

On the 23rd of the succeeding month, Sir Edward Pellew, who, on the renewal of the war, had been appointed to the Tonnant, of 80 guns, was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral of the White; and the important office of Commander-in-Chief in India happening to be vacant, he had the good fortune to be nominated as the successor of Admiral Rainier upon that station. He accordingly hoisted his flag in the Culloden, of 74 guns, and sailed thither in the course of the ensuing summer.

