PROPOSALS HOW Their Majesties May be Supplied with a sufficient
Body of Saylers, FOR Manning the Royal NAVY in a few Days space, and with little or no Charge.
Proposition I.
THAT the Lords of the Admiralty be pleased to Issue out Press-Warrants to the Surveyors, and other Officers, of all the Ports of the Kingdom, that they Press all Seamen that are in their Respective Ports, that are not already in their Majesties Service; it being well known that there are many in all Ports that will not enter themselves into their Majesties Services; not out of Prejudice;
[Page 2] but because they Love not Danger; and are more afraid of losing their Limbs than their Lives; and its but natural to all Men to seek self preservation.
Prop. II.
The Officers of the Custom-House are actually in their Majesties Service during their good behaviour, and no longer; and have their present subsistence from the Government, and their future livelihood depends upon the same; and living upon the Place must have a better knowledg of the Saylers, than others; so that they will be careful to execute such Orders as they shall receive from above from time to time.
Prop. III.
The Officers of the Custom-house being thus impowr'd, may with much ease take up most of the Saylers of the Kingdom (then on Shore) at one and the same time, by reason of the circular Letters, as in the first Proposition. It's quite otherways in the case of the Press-Ketches; for they no sooner arrive in Port, but the Saylers fly up into the Country, or otherwise abscond, and appear not so long as the Press-Ketch remains there. This is a plain truth to all Men; so that the King is at a vast charge, and little good insues upon it.
Prop. IV.
The Surveyor of each Port bords every Ship at or before she cometh to an Anchor; so that he may command what Men they have: It may be done with much ease, only by taking into custody the Ships Boat, so
[Page 3] that all means of making their escape will be cut off: But great care must be taken of the Ship, that the Merchant suffer not. These inward bound Ships would constantly supply the Fleet during the Summers season.
Prop. V.
That the Surveyor of each Port give Advice to the Lords of the Admiralty, what Men he hath in Custody, that timely care may be taken that they be sent to those Ports, where Their Majesties Ships Ride, and that the Collector of each Port pay the charge of the Impress'd Men during their being in Custody.
Objections may be Rais'd, more than I am capable to discover: One will be,
That it will obstruct the King's Business, and bring an Inconveniency upon the Merchant. I conceive it will do neither; for the Officers of the
Custom House are oblig'd, by Act of Parliament, to give their Attendance but at such and such Hours, and there is a great part of the Day wherein they may do the King's Business in this Affair; and it will be much easier for them to do it, than any other Persons.
And with all due Submission, I cannot see any occasion of making use of the
Press-Ketches for the future; for in effect, every Surveyor in each Port acts the same thing, so that it may be said, That there is a
Press-Ketch in every Port of the Kingdom, besides the Officers on shoar. If these Methods are taken, then there will be no occasion of taking up Loose and Labouring People in
London, as is practis'd every Year, who not being Inur'd to the Sea, in a little
[Page 4] time, serve to no other end, than to fill the Hospitals, and breed Distempers on Shipboard. And this may be executed with as much ease, as laying an
Imbargo; for the Saylers cannot possibly avoid being taken; for they may very well be compar'd to Amphbious Creatures, who, as they cannot long live out of the water; no more can they long subsist out of some Port: This will give the Government an opportunity of being at Sea, so soon as they shall think fit; from whence much good will ensue to the Publick, and to Trade, by having our Merchants Protected.
PROPOSITIONS Humbly Offered For the Support and Maintenance Of all such SAYLERS That shall be
Wounded or Maim'd In the Publick Service, (Including all Privateers) Or in defence of our Ships of Trade.
Done by
Robert Crosfeild.
BY all the observations I can make from that little reading which I have had, I apprehend the
Roman's to have been the Noblest and the most generous People that have been in any Age; and who took great care, and made provision for those who were wounded in their service, by planting
[Page 6] them in Colonies, and giving them a competent Maintenance, which was no doubt a great incouragement to their Soldiery, and one grand cause of the inlargement of their Territories, which in the time of
Julius Caesar was grown to a great extent.
And that Governmenr that will expect to arrive to any Potency, must give all due incouragement and rewards, to such as are instruments of promoting the same. And the Grandure and Power of the Crown of
England and welfare of the People depending so much upon Trade, all imaginable incouragement should be given to Shipping and Saylers who bring the Riches into the Kingdom.
And, I conceive, we have been much wanting to our selves, in not making due provision for the Saylers; therefore judge it a thing highly necessary to be looked into, being that which will greatly promote Navigation, and increase their Numbers.
And as the
Romans were sedulous in taking care to provide for their Souldiery, so much the more ought we to study the interest of the Saylers upon whom the welfare of these Kingdoms doth very much depend. The matter that I have to propose on their hebalf is, that such of them as shall lose their Limbs or be maimed in the publick Service, or in defence of our Ships of Trade (and so made uncapable of getting their Livelihood) may have due Provision made for them during Life, and to be punctually paid quarterly; which will not only be an inducement to Men to be bold and brave on board the Royal Navy, but it will likewise make them resolute in Defence of our Merchant-men; as
[Page 7] knowing if they have the misfortune to be Maimed or lose their Limbs, they shall have a competent Provision made for them; and I would humbly propose to extend this so far, that if any Man be slain, and leave a Wife and two or three Children behind him (as it may be the Case of many) they shall receive the same Pension for seven years as if he were living; and all this may be done without any Charge to the Government.
And those who are concern'd will have no just cause of complaint: So that this would plainly be an inducement to many thousands of People to take to the Sea, who are now afraid of it, for fear of losing their Limbs, and becoming Vagabonds, whereas, on Shore, they live free from any such danger; but if such Provision were made, that Obstacle would be Removed.
And I not only conceive it to be the Interest of the Nation, but an Action humane and Christian; to make Provision for such, as are not capable of doing it themselves.
And I do apprehend there will much good and many advantages arise from this Charity, much more than is to be discern'd at first sight, and will have a great influence many ways.
By it many Merchant men will be prevented falling into the Enemies Hands.
For as things now stand the Saylers can have little Courage to fight and oppose the Enemy, knowing if
[Page 8] they are Maim'd they are utterly ruin'd, notwithstanding they do beat off the Enemy; for if the Owners do but pay them their Wages, its as much as they are oblig'd to.
And certainly there can be no greater hardship in the World than these poor Mens case is, who by their courage and bravery often preserve the Merchants effects, and bring great Riches into the Kingdom, and at the same time it's there unhappy fate to lose their Limbs, and by it are ever after made Miserable: This is too much Matter of Fact and Truth.
And no doubt it's the apprehension of these things that makes many Ships resign to the Enemy, as knowing the greatest loss is their Wages, and they will not venture their Limbs for other Men.
There's just reason to believe this, for we have many instances of some of our shipping who have defended themselves from the
Algerines, and other Pirates to admiration, and bravely acquitted themselves from them to their great Honour, and advantage of their Merchants and Owners; but it was not so much love to them as kindness to themselves, that made them so resolute, being sensible what misery they should undergo, if they should be taken. So we see the apprehension of misery will make Men stout, and Rewards will have the same effect; but if they are in danger of being taken by our Enemies Privateers, they have now no such fear upon them, and their loss not great, so that they will not venture their lives to that degree, they might and ought for the good of the publick only, for want of that due incouragement that Men should have; and if there were such provision made for them, no
[Page 9] Men under the Copes of Heaven would be more bold and brave; and it's but for Bread that these poor Men Plow the Seas, and if they have a reasonable prospect of injoying that, they will fear nothing.
And we cannot grutch them that which Principally proceeds from their own labours.
And things being thus established upon these Foundations will be an extraordinary incouragement for Men to take to the Seas, as seeing a fairer prospect of raising themselves that way, than by any labour or service by Land.
Having this assurance, that if they should be Maim'd yet they should not want.
Which is that which Men generally fear more than Death.
And one great advantage may be made to the publick, by this being past into an Act,
viz. that by these means, that all Saylers whatever that have Pay due to them from the Government, shall relinquish one moiety; and this can no ways appear any hardship upon them: For what Man is there under their circumstances that would not willingly withgo a greater debt, that by so doing shall be assured of a maintenance for Life, in case he grow into years and past labour, or happen to be maim'd, and so made uncapapable of getting his Livelihood; they can lay no claim to it, so can pretend no Title to it; therefore it's but reasonable they should make an acknowledgment to the Government, for passing such an Act in their favour.
[Page 10] This would soon reduce the extravagant ways that Saylers now have, and in little time they would fall to the old rate, notwithstanding it be time of War, which would be a great benefit to all Coasters, Merchants and Owners, as likewise an ease to the People in General. We may in great measure judg the benefit that may be reap'd by this being past into an Act, by taking notice of the several Offices erected in this Town for the Insurance of Houses from Fire, particularly that which is called the Friendly Society, where so many Persons have mutually subscribed to each other upon such conditions, as its look'd upon to be a very good Security; for many persons may help one or two with little detriment to themselves, which otherwise would be ruin'd: But this is a matter more extensive, as being National, and of much greater consequence than they are; but differs not much in nature, being an Insurance as well as they, and so properly enough may be called Insurance Mony.
And it's past all dispute or controversy, that all due incouragement should be given to Saylers so far as is consistent with their Circumstances and the rules of Government.
If an Abstract be but taken of all Entries made in all Ports of the Kingdom for one year, then a true estimate may be made, and all errors remov'd; as likewise what this following Act of Tunnage may amount to.
Prop. I.
That all Shipping using the Coasting Trade, that exceed not one hundred Tun burthen, do pay to the Collector of the Port one Shilling each Voyage. But all those that are above one hundred Tun, do pay two Shillings; the Saylers to pay one half of this when they receive their Wages, proportionable to their share, according to the Number of Hands on Board; the other part to be charg'd to the Bottom.
Prop. II.
That all outward and inward bound Ships that are not above one hundred Tun, do pay four Shillings: All Vessels that are upwards of one hundred Tun, do pay eight Shillings. But all Vessels to or from
Turkey, or the East
Indies, do pay sixteen Shillings; one half of these to be paid by the Saylers when they receive their Wages, according to the Number of Hands on Board, the other part to be charged upon the Bottom. This may seem a hardship, but will be found none; neither Owners nor Saylers will feel it; and no more, but what they will both earnestly desire may be done.
Prop. III.
That all Vessels whatever, that use the Herring Fishing, shall pay eight Shillings for the Season; one moyety to be paid by the Men, the other to be charg'd to the Bottom. That all Fisher-Boats whatever pay four Shillings a year: That the Western Barges, and all other Barges whatever, all Lighters, Smacks Hoys,
[Page 12]
New-Castle and
Sunderland Keels,
&c. do pay Four Shillings a Year; all these to be Register'd in the several Ports; and that all these persons do bring in and pay the Mony to the Collector by such a time, and upon default thereof to pay such a Mulct as by Parliament shall be thought fit; one part of these to be paid by the Men, the other to be charged to the Bottom.
This is so small and inconsiderable a charge that no Man can complain; and altho' there are some of these that use not the Sea, but having their dependance upon Trade, its highly reasonable they should contribute towards the support thereof.
Prop. IV.
That the Collector in each Port receive and keep this Mony from Quarter to Quarter, and give security for the same; but be liable to give an accompt, and pay it to the Trustees in each Port, who shall be ordered to dispose of the same; and some one of those Trustees shall give security to the Overseers, because there may be growing Mony in his Hands which otherwise may be imbeziled; and that these Trustees shall always be liable to give an accompt to the said Over-seers, when and so often as they shall think fit. By these means all abuses and corruptions may be prevented.
That the Collector of each Port give to the Master of every respective Vessel, a Receipt for this Mony without Fee; and that he carry this to the Jerker for him to enter upon it the said Master and Saylers Names, with the Name of the Ship on which they are on Board,
[Page 13] this to be done without Fee, and to be filed and Registred. Now this will be a great help to the Sayler, in his proving on what Vessel he was on Boar'd, and likewise be a means to prevent their imposing upon the Trustees: But it shall be lawful for each Collector to deduct three pence in the Pound out of all Monies passing through his Hands, to be dispos'd of, as shall be thought fit for his and the Jerkers trouble in this affair.
It being a matter designed for the good of the Sayler, and not to the advantage of any Port where the Mony is paid (further than for the use of the Saylers allotted to them by Act of Parliament) so that if there be any overplus of Mony in
New-Castle or any other Port without exception; it shall be lawful for the Over-seers to take it, to supply the Wants of others: The intention of the thing being to relieve the want of the Saylers in general; but if there be any overplus of Mony beyond this, it shall farther be in the said Over-seers power to build Hospitals in the several Ports, for the use of the wounded Saylers, or the Widows and Children of such as are slain, or such of them as are antient and past their labour; but then they shall be built in those Ports where the Mony was raised.
That twenty Over-seers or more be nominated, and they to be Persons of Honour, to overlook and inspect into the actions of the Trustees; and if it appear to them that they have abus'd their trust, then it shall be in their power, or any ten of them (without any sute at Law) to nominate others, however they shall live in or near the Port; that a Clark be assigned to the Over seers, who shall keep in a Book fairly written, an accompt of all the Ports in the Kingdom,
[Page 14] and the several Collectors thereof shall transmit to him every Quarter, an accompt of what Monies they have paid to the Trustees, and they likewise quarterly to give him an accompt of the Names of the several persons that they have paid the Charity to; and this shall be laid before the Over seers twice in a year at least; and that three pence in the Pound be allowed in each Port out of all Monies received, to be for a Sallary to the said Clark.
Whereas Saylers often shift Ships, and are sometimes upon one Voyage, sometimes another, great care must be taken, that by this means they do not receive the Charity in more Ports than one: The like care that they be not put to too great trouble of proving their being wounded on boar'd such a Ship before they can be admitted; it may be a great hardship, to a Man that's maim'd, Poor and Friendless: The same care must be taken in reference to those that shall be slain; that the Trustees have not Women and Children impos'd upon them.
If a Sayler have lost a Limb, or is otherways Maim'd, (so as to be render'd uncapable of Service) then the Trustees to pay him, or them, according to the Fund they have; but yet not to exceed Twelve Pounds
per Annum, that being a competent Maintenance for a poor Man.
And those that are Maim'd in the Publick Service shall reap the advantage of this, he, or they, being to be reckon'd to that Port out of which he was taken, when he enter'd into Their Majesties Service, a Register being kept in each Port for that purpose; this
[Page 15] will soon take off the Saylers Aversion to the Publick Service, and greatly promote Their Majesties Interest, these Men enjoying Two Charities, for the Government will never withdraw their usual Bounty they have all along given to Saylers, and it will be an infallible means of keeping them from taking Foreign Service; he that is first Wounded to take place before all others; this Method to be observ'd in all Ports.
And in little time there might be very good Hospitals built in all the considerable Ports of the Kingdom, to the great Relief of the Poor, and to the Interest and Honour of the Nation.
The Saylers on Board all outward-bound Ships, and Coasters, shall be adjudg'd to that Port where they took their last Clearing, and paid their Charity-Mony: All inward bound Ships shall be charg'd to those Ports to which they are bound; and if by misfortune some of them fall into the Enemies Hands, and their Men Maim'd, yet notwithstanding those Men shall have a Right to the Charity, and receive it in that Port to which that Vessel was bound.
I have now done with my Propositions, and shall only bring an Example, or Two, that it may appear how easie the thing will be; we may suppose, that all Vessels from
New-Castle to
London, that are above One Hundred Tun, will have one with another Eight Saylers; so here is Twelve Pence to be paid by each Person, which is but One Penny Half Penny a Man each Voyage; and it's possible, they may make Eight in a Year, which is but Twelve Pence a Man for the whole Year.
[Page 16] Likewise all outward and inward bound Ships, that are upwards of One Hundred Tun, one with another, will have Twelve Saylers on board, and Four Shillings to be paid by them, which is Four Pence a Man each Voyage, which they would chearfully and readily pay.
And all Owners of Shipping would willingly pay what is charg'd upon the Bottom; for by this Act their Men will be made Resolute in defence of their Vessels, and it will be a very great Inducement and Incouragement to them, to set them out to Sea better Arm'd and Man'd then now they do.
This would make a great Revenue, and which would be a vast help to all the Ports in the Kingdom, and the whole Nation would soon feel the happy effects of it.
But that which would be the Crowning of the Work, is, That God would then give a Blessing to our Publick Undertakings, and send us a durable and lasting Peace.
A Supplement To the Foregoing PROPOSITIONS.
IT may be expected I should make an Estimate what Fund may Annually arise towards Building of Hospitals: It is a hard Task to perform, and without some helps from the Government, do conceive, that neither I, or any one else, can make a true Estimate; but according to my Apprehension, it cannot amount to less than Thirty Thousand Pounds a Year.
And great things may be done by reason of this Fund, which will continue as well in Peace as War, and great Improvements may be made beyond what I have done, which in some measure you may discern, but I want time to Explain.
As that there may and ought Provision to be made for Commanders of the King's Ships, or Masters of Vessels, (that are fallen to decay, that have behav'd themselves Honourably, and deserv'd well of the State,) suitable to their Merits; and such Persons to be Governors of the several Hospitals.
[Page 18] And others that have behav'd themselves well, and in defence of their Ships, and done something that's Great, and deserves Praise and Imitation, and wants not this Charity, these to be Presented with a Gold Chain and Medal, with some Motto suitable to the Action; and this shall be put on in the presence of the Overseers; and after this he shall ever have the power to Act as a Trustee in all the Ports of the Kingdom, and for One Year shall have the Honour to be admitted to act as an Over seer, and have an equal Vote.
And likewise it will be necessary to put out the Children of such Commanders or Masters of Ships that are either slain or Maim'd; but this Power must be lodg'd in the Over-seers, otherways there will be great Corruption and abuses in this Affair.
And when its fix'd and settled by Act of Parliament, then will it by consequence greatly improve the Trade of the Nation and the Revenue of the Crown; and increase the number of Shipping and Saylers.
Then will not the Gentry and middle sort of People be so greatly averse to the bringing up their Children Saylers, as now they are; but it's through a wrong notion they have of things, that makes them have such mean thoughts of Sea-Imployments; neither are they so terrible and frightful as some apprehend.
We see the generality of People that give their Children Competent Fortunes, put them out to Shopkeeping, Trades or Handicrafts; by which means they are made so numerous, that Trade cannot support all;
[Page 19] and Men thereby fall to decay; and Seeing Ruin hanging over their Heads, run into excess, and so hasten their downfall; and it may be in a few years return to their Friends to be kept, and bring a Wife and two or three Children to boot (there are multitudes of Instances of the Truth of this) which must certainly be a great affliction to the Parent, and a continual Eyesore and Vexation to him: and the Poor ruin'd Man receives the Scorn and Frowns of his Friends, which he's forced to disgest pierce although it his very Reins; so he lingers out a miserable ignominous Life.
And he may be said to Die Daily; for there are many Afflictions more Bitter and Sharp than Death it self.
Therefore if Gentlemen would but bring up their younger Sons to learn Navigation, and afterwards put them for two or three years to a Captain of one of the King's Men of War, or to some Eminent Master of a Ship, that he may understand the Duty of a Sayler; then would his Coat sit never the worse upon his Back, but the better, when he's grown Man; and then will he be qualified for his Princes service, or at least, need not fear having a good Ship, and of raising his Fortune.
But if he should happen to fall either in the Publick Service, or in Defence of our Ships of Trade, he certainly dies Brave, and brings not a blemish upon his Family, but is an Ornament to the same; and if he should not have got an Estate, or have lost one, there will be decent Provision made for his Wife and Children, and it can be no dishonour for any to receive it,
[Page 20] it being adjudg'd by the Law to be a just Merit: Therefore, had I much rather my Child should die in the Bed of Honour, or in a Storm, than live and linger out a miserable Ignominious Life.
PROPOSITIONS Humbly Offer'd for
An Act of Parliament To be Made, For Laying a Duty of Tunnage UPON SHIPPING.
WHen the Kingdom is ingag'd in War, its not only requisite but equitable that all Persons, according to their several Degrees and Qualities should contribute to the Immergencies of the State; all due Regard being first had to Husbandry and Trade; and wherein things do not obstruct or Impeed either, its but reasonable.
And, indeed there are many whose Estates and Effects lie in Shipping, who have no ways yet contributed any thing to the Publick, during the whole Course of this War; and who are under good circumstances, and capable of paying Taxes proportionable to the Rest of the King's Subjects, and no Injury thereby done.
[Page 22] They may, its true, plead they are at great Charge to the Light-houses, and by Convoy mony, which is no hardship upon them, it being brought in upon the Merchant as Averidg.
Unless it fall upon Colliers, and it's well known they get a great deal of Mony, notwithstanding all the Charge they are at, and the great Wages they give.
And it may further be object'd by them, That they are liable to great Dangers, and many of them taken by the Enemy.
All which is no more than what the Merchants are expos'd to; whose Effects are generally of much greater Consequence than their Shipping, yet are no ways exempt'd from paying greater Duties both inward and outward; notwithstanding any great Losses they have had, or may hereafter meet withal.
Therefore, it seems altogether unreasonable, that these Persons should be exempted from being Tax'd, when there may thereby be so much Mony Rais'd as will be of great Importance to the Government.
But that things may be done with all due Moderation, that no good Subject shall have any just Cause of Complaint, and not one Tax'd more than another; it would be requisite, I humbly conceive, to have an Act of Parliament made to lay it as a Tunnage, with due regard being had to the Burthen and Voyage of each Ship, and to make a Distinction between Coasters and Vessels outward bound, according to these insuing Propositions.
Proposition, I.
That all Coasters whatever
(except Collyers) pay six pence per Tun to the Collector of each Port where he takes his lading, according as the Ship shall measure; but if he shall not have his full lading, then a Deduction to be made according to what he wants; or if he shall afterwards have the Misfortune to fall into the Hands of the Enemies, then he shall have the liberty to draw back what Tunnage he paid that Voyage, and be paid upon demand, or be allow'd it by Debenter, and have twelve Months time so to do, after the loss of the said Ship: But all Colliers shall pay this Tunnage in that Port they break Bulk and Ʋnload: unless it be such of them as are outward bound. As to
Holland, Ireland, &c. they shall pay it as the Coasters do, in that Port in which they take their Loading; but be liable to pay no greater Tunnage than they do.
Proposit. II.
That all outward bound Ships, except Colliers, bound either for
Holland, Flanders, Portugal, Denmark, Ireland, &c. pay twelve Pence
per Tun; according as each Ship shall measure; and in case any of them shall happen to be taken by the Enemy, before they have perform'd their intended Ʋoyage, then they shall draw back this Tunnage, and be paid by the Collector upon demand, or be allow'd it by Debenter.
[Page 24] And all inward bound Ships from the above said Countries, either English or Foreign, shall pay two Shillings
per Tun; and in case they shall not have their full Lading, deduction shall be made for the same.
Proposit. III.
That all outward bound Ships that shall be bound either to the
East or West Indies, Streights, East Country, Coast of
Africa, &c. shall pay two Shillings
per Tun; but in case they shall fall into the Enemies Hands, and not perform their Ʋoyage, then they shall draw back the said Tunnage, and be paid upon demand or by Debenter. And all inward bound Ships, from the foresaid Countries, shall pay four Shilling
per Tun, and not be clear'd till the said Monies Paid.
Proposit. IV.
That all Western Barges, and all other Barges whatever; all Fish-Smacks, Hoys, Lighters (except such who constantly carry Dung or Soyl) shall pay twenty Shillings
per quarter, and pay the Mony every quarter to the Collector of each Respective Port, within six Weeks after it becomes due; and upon default thereof to pay double: And that they come and make Entry of them, with the Names of the Owners at the Custom-House of that Port or Harbour they use (but this shall be done without Fee) with in six Weeks after the Act takes place.
This will Create them no great Trouble, and will be an Ease to the Government; neither can it be any Hardship to them to pay this Mony; the least of them having been at far greater Charge the Preceeding Years, then they will be the Ensuing; and then their Trade and Business was greatly obstructed, but now they will be no way molested.
That the Collector of each Port shall keep this Tunnage-Accompt a part (as likewise the Charity-Mony) and it shall be wholly a ppropriated to the use of the Navy: This Mony being thus receiv'd, by the Collectors, will prevent the great and usual Charge that attends the Gathering in of Taxes, and will be the saving of the Government many Thousands of Pounds.
According to my weak Capacity, This seems, to me, to be a very facile and easy way of raising very great Sums of Mony, and be no manner of Oppression of any Man; and shall bring an Instance or two which, in some measure will prove it.
A Vessel from
Barbadoes (whose Tunnage is great) of two hundred Tun; will bring one hundred Tun of Goods, or Upwards, the Freight of which will amount to about two thousand Pounds. And considering all their Ware and Tare, and the great Wages they give, it's evident they may very well pay the Government forty Pounds when the Merchant at the same time hath run the same Risque, and pays far greater Sums, and probably gets not so much by the Voyage as the Owners.
[Page] And for the
New-Castle and other Coasting Trade, it can be no hardship for a Ship of two hundred Tun to pay five Pound, two Shillings (including the Charity Mony) in a Voyage; for in little time the Saylers Wages will sink much lower than now they are, and they will be nothing at the Charge they now are at; neither will Coals, or other Goods, be any way advanced by it, but reduced to a lower Rate, so the Charity Act be but past, and the Government be not wanting in granting them constant due and necessary Convoys; and if that be but Effectually done, there are no Owners of Shipping will be concern'd at all for this Charge put upon them, but will willingly contribute to the Necessities of the Government, that the Trade of the Nation may be protected and preserved.
FINIS.
I have now done with my Propositions, and shall only bring an Example, or Two, that it may appear how easie the thing will be; we may suppose, that all Vessels from New-Castle to London, that are above One Hundred Tun, will have one with another Eight Saylers; so here is Twelve Pence to be paid by each Person, which is but One Penny Half Penny a Man each Voyage; and it's possible, they may make Eight in a Year, which is but Twelve Pence a Man for the whole Year.
[Page 16] Likewise all outward and inward bound Ships, that are upwards of One Hundred Tun, one with another, will have Twelve Saylers on board, and Four Shillings to be paid by them, which is Four Pence a Man each Voyage, which they would chearfully and readily pay.
And all Owners of Shipping would willingly pay what is charg'd upon the Bottom; for by this Act their Men will be made Resolute in defence of their Vessels, and it will be a very great Inducement and Incouragement to them, to set them out to Sea better Arm'd and Man'd then now they do.
This would make a great Revenue, and which would be a vast help to all the Ports in the Kingdom, and the whole Nation would soon feel the happy effects of it.
But that which would be the Crowning of the Work, is, That God would then give a Blessing to our Publick Undertakings, and send us a durable and lasting Peace.