turning to their duty; as it may be necessary that the fleet should speedily put to sea, to meet the enemy of the country.
Given under our hands at Portsmouth, the 18th day of April, 1797.
Spencer. Arden. W. Young.
To the Right Honourable Lord Bridport, K.B. Admiral of the White, Commander-in-Chief of a Squadron of his Majesty’s Ships employed in the Channel Service.
The Seamen’s reply.
We received your Lordship’s answer to our petition; and in order to convince your Lordships, and the nation in general, of our moderation, beg leave to offer the following remarks to your considerations, viz. – That there never has existed but two orders of men in the navy, able and ordinary; therefore the distinction between ordinary and landmen is totally new; we therefore humbly propose to your Lordships, that the old regulations be adhered to, that the wages of able seamen be raised to one shilling per day, and that of petty officers and ordinary in the usual proportion; and as further proof of our moderation, and that we are actuated by a true spirit of benevolence towards our brethren the marines, who are not noticed in your Lordship’s answer, we humbly propose that their pay be augmented, while serving on board, in the same proportion as ordinary seamen. This we hope and trust will be a convincing proof to your Lordships that we are not actuated by a spirit of contradiction, but that we earnestly wish to put a speedy end to the present affair. We beg leave to state to your Lordships, that the pensions from Greenwich Hospital we earnestly wish to be raised to ten pounds per annum; and, in order to maintain which, we humbly propose to your Lordships, that every seaman employed in the merchants’ service, instead of sixpence per month, which he now pays, shall hereafter pay one shilling per month, which we trust will raise a fund fully adequate to the purpose; and as this in time of peace must be paid by your petitioners, we trust it will give a convincing proof of our disinterestedness and moderation. We would also recommend that this regulation be extended to the seamen in the service of the East-India Company, as we know by experience that there are few sailors employed by them but what have been in the royal navy; and we have seen them with our own eyes, after sickness or other accident has disabled them, without any hope of relief or support, but from their former services in the navy. As to provisions, that they be augmented to sixteen ounces to the pound of bread and meat; cheese, butter, and liquors in proportion, and of a better quality, and a sufficient quantity of vegetables; and that no flour be served with fresh beef. And we further beg leave to inform your Lordships, that it is unanimously agreed, that until the grievances before stated are
