John Jervis receives credit for trying to keep naval promotion tied to merit and for having considerable success. The Duke of York provides the contrasting army example. His mistress could receive money for commissions and leave the relevant papers for him to sign. That arrangement turned access to a senior commander's household into a way of obtaining military advancement.
Notable Point · 55:25-56:34
Jervis's promotion policy and the sale of army commissions
Compare Jervis's effort to promote naval officers by merit with the Duke of York's commission-selling scandal.