Читать книгу The Fatal Cup: Thomas Griffiths Wainewright and the strange deaths of his relations - John Price Williams - Страница 24

I beg you will be pleased to obtain for me His Majesty’s permission to purchase an Ensigncy in the 16th Foot.

In case his Majesty shall be graciously pleased to permit me to purchase the said Commission, I do declare and certify, upon the word and honour of an officer and a gentleman that I will not, either now or at any future time give by any means or in any shape whatever, directly, or indirectly, any more than the sum of £400 – being the price limited by His Majesty’s Regulation as the full value of the said commission.

I have the honour to be your most obedient humble servant.

T.G. Wainewright

Officer commanding the 16th Regiment of Foot –

I hereby declare that I verily believe the established Regulation with regard to Price, is intended to be strictly complied with, and that no clandestine bargain subsists between the Parties concerned.

In the absence of Lieutenant General Sir George Prevost Bart

P. Brett

The giving of his word as an “officer and gentleman” was the formality to prevent trafficking in commissions. So, having paid Brett his fee of £4 11s 2s, Wainewright became on April 14, 1814, an instant officer, the ninth ensign in the 16th Foot, replacing one Mahoney, who had been promoted.

THE FATAL CUP

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