THE Title Demonſtrates the Author to be no Engliſh-man, or not to have obſerved, That an Engliſh-Sailor, not Saile'r, writ that Paper, Reflecting (as he terms it) on the Admiralty; but however he may have been Concerned; his Carping at filthy Springs from impure Fountains, cannot juſtify the Admiralty which he makes the Fountain; for as Omne Simile Claudicat, ſo doth his Compariſon, that pure Waters loſe their Virtues by the Channels they flow thro'; except he would have the unalterable Orders, iſſued from that formerly important Office, to be ſubjected to the imprudent or ill Management of thoſe Commiſſionated by it: This he may be aſſured of, the old Females of Wapping, would not have ſuffered their Servants to commit Faults, without Reproof and Puniſhment; whereas this Author would have the Commiſſioners of the Admiralty to do ſo, And how juſtly the Sea-men living there, complain of the Commiſſioners of the Admiralties Dealings with them, the Author might be judge of, would he hear them, which he knows the Lords of the Admiralty will not, to the Firſt's great Sorrow, and the Latters ever-laſting Infamy.

How ignorant ſoever we may be what King Solomon's Sea-Commanders might have been, the Office of Lord High Admiral of England is well known, and hath, in the Memory of Man been well Executed, in Compariſon of what hath been in the late War, or ſince the preſent Peace; and that the Miſmanagements complained of, have proceeded from the Qualifications of the Gentlemen that Compoſe that Board, is but too evident; Witneſs the Breach of the Fundamental Conſtitution of the Engliſh Government, in the Diſobeying our moſt Gracious King's Commands, ſignified by the Lord Duke of Shrewsbury, then Secretary of State, Ordering a Squadron of Ships to be ſent to meet Sir George Rooke, Returning from Cadiz; to enable him to intercept the Thoulon-Fleet, under pretence of a Verbal Contradictory Order. And how can any Fleet ſecure England, when it is under the Command of thoſe that did not puniſh Captain Norris, for not Attacking of Poine • when at Newfoundland, upon Captain Scomberbacks Intelligence, ſince they thought fit to Reward the latter with Five hundred Pounds, and a Chain and Medal. It is true, that the want of the Experience of ſuch Manifeſt Miſcarriages as have happened in the Nine Years War may be happy for the Nation, but except thoſe that are known Guilty of them be puniſhed for Example; others, 'tis poſſible will unadviſedly fall into the ſame Errors.

It is not deſired, That the Length of Service ſhould be a reaſon to Diſplace any Man in Office, but ſurely continued Diſſervice to their Country and Prince calls for deſerved Puniſhment, and then 'twould be eaſy to name a ſett of Gentlemen that will Faithfully ſerve the Publick, and render the Admiralty a Renowned, not An unlucky Office, an Epethite no Engliſhman can give to it; however, it may be given to thoſe that Execute it, whoſe Services muſt be forgotten, ſince not known, and their Crimes ought to be remembred, ſince they are ſo evident, and plainly proved every Day.

The Hardſhips done to the Seamen in Turning them over from one Ship to another, I dare boldly affirm hath been the occaſion of our want of Men; and without a greater Regard be had to do them Juſtice, both in Pay and Treatment, the Number of the Diſobliged muſt Encreaſe; and who doth not wiſh Eaſe and Advantage to the Seamen, can be no Friend to the Government.

Laſtly, Let the Cruiſing Captains, in the time of our Grand Fleets being in the Streights be ask'd, How they were provided with Wine, and it will appear the Sailors drank Water, without ever having their due Allowance for the Wine they ſhould have had, which can be proved; tho' I ſuppoſe the Author of the Obſervations is ignorant thereof.