23rd December, 1834. It is maintained, by voluntary contributions from seamen and others, by
- [Footnote: ". . . I am of opinion that such an institution would be highly
popular, even with the shipping interest. I say this, with the knowledge that a seaman may calculate his wages at only 2l. 9s. instead of 2l. 10s. per month; and with the possibility, that the difference of 1s. per month may fall upon the shipowner, to which class I belong. But if the incidence of this extra shilling should, in point of fact, fall absolutely upon the shipowners, they would be gainers thereby, as it is of the highest importance to them that the seaman should have some substantial tie to bind him to this country. At present no such tie exists. The British-born seamen become citizens of the world, and find themselves quite as much at home in the United States as in their native country. The higher rate of wages paid in the American ships presents a temptation to them to enter that service in preference to that of England. Now if some special inducement were offered to them to remain at home, it would operate to diminish the number of British seamen in the service of foreign states. The sailor would thus have also 'his stake in the public hedge.' At present, the exceptional use of savings banks furnishes almost the only link, for the beneficial use of money-order offices, however great their advantages, is rather a ready facility given than a permanent benefit enjoyed.
"With those views, I should propose to make a seamen's fund the basis of raising the remaining 18,000 men for a reserve. I think that the fund should be a general one, to which both seamen in the Royal Navy and in the mercantile marine should be called upon to subscribe. I think it would be desirable to break through the line of demarcation which has so long existed between the two services, and this would be one step towards effecting that object. I would give seamen of all classes a common interest in this one great fund, which might be designated as National.
"I am aware that objections will be raised to any compulsory fund. I would much prefer to have it a voluntary one; but knowing the character of the seamen as I do, I am thoroughly convinced that any fund established even under the auspices and with the guarantee of the Government, on the voluntary principle, would be a failure.
". . . So far as the nation was concerned, the salutary effects of such a fund would operate in three different ways: it would prevent the seamen from being objects of charity or claimants upon the poor rates during their old age; it would be a permanent tie to bind them to their native country, founded upon a common bond of self-interest; while it would form the groundwork of a system whereby the reserve of 18,000, still wanting, might be raised."]
