Wherefore, for the encouragement of sailors in the service of the merchant, I would have a friendly society erected for seamen; wherein all sailors or seafaring men, entering their names, places of abode, and the voyages they go upon at an office of insurance for seamen, and paying there a certain small quarterage of 1s. per quarter, should have a sealed certificate from the governors of the said office for the articles hereafter mentioned:
I.
If any such seaman, either in fight or by any other accident at sea, come to be disabled, he should receive from the said office the following sums of money, either in pension for life, or ready money, as he pleased:
| For the loss of | £ | or £ per annum for life |
| An eye | 25 | 2 |
| Both eyes | 100 | 8 |
| One leg | 50 | 4 |
| Both legs | 80 | 6 |
| Right hand | 80 | 6 |
| Left hand | 50 | 4 |
| Right arm | 100 | 8 |
| Left arm | 80 | 6 |
| Both hands | 160 | 12 |
| Both arms | 200 | 16 |
Any broken arm, or leg, or thigh, towards the cure £10
If taken by the Turks, £50 towards his ransom.
If he become infirm and unable to go to sea or maintain himself by age or sickness £6 per annum.
To their wives if they are killed or drowned £50
In consideration of this, every seaman subscribing to the society shall agree to pay to the receipt of the said office his quota of the sum to be paid whenever, and as often as, such claims are made, the claims to be entered into the office and upon sufficient proof made, the governors to regulate the division and publish it in print.
For example, suppose 4,000 seamen subscribe to this society, and after six months—for no man should claim sooner than six months—a merchant’s ship having engaged a privateer, there comes several claims together, as thus—