Uniforms. or otherwise in the Company's service, whilst the fourth mate must have reached the age of twenty years, and been a voyage to or from India and China in a Company's ship, or in that of any other service, of which he had to produce satisfactory certificates. Their uniform, in the case of a commander, consisted, when in full dress, of a blue coat, black velvet lappels, cuffs and collar, with a bright gold embroidery "as little expensive as may be;" waistcoat and breeches of deep buff; the buttons were of yellow-gilt metal, with the Company's crest; cocked-hats, side-arms, "to be worn under the coat," and black stocks or neckcloths; while the undress consisted of blue coat with lappels, black collar and cuffs, waistcoat and breeches deep-buff, and buttons similar to the full-dress suit.
Discipline. Somewhat similar uniforms, though of a less ornamental character, and without swords, were worn by the chief, second, third, and fourth officers, but with the distinguishing mark of one, two, three or four small buttons, respectively, on each cuff of their coats. To preserve the "utmost uniformity" in the dress, so far as regarded the buff coat and the gilt buttons, patterns of these were kept for view at the shipping offices, and at the Jerusalem Coffee House, for the guidance of the masters and mates of the extra ships engaged by the Company. All officers in both divisions of the service were strictly enjoined[1] "not, on any account, to appear in boots, or black breeches and stockings;" and to be in full-dress uniform when attending the Court of Directors "on any occasion whatever." Commanders
- ↑ Company's instructions, Hardy, p. 91.
