A storekeeper at Woolwich, £54, 8s. 4d. The store not worth 40s.
Clearer of the roads, £30. Besides £182, 1s. 8d. paid by the Treasurer of the navy.
A captain and twenty soldiers in Upnor, £243, 6s.
Total, £1244, 6s. 0d.
Other new patents granted by His Majesty and paid by the Treasurer of the navy.
A keeper of the outstores at Deptford, a new office, £66, 13s. 4d.
Clerk of the check at Deptford }
Clerk of the check at Woolwich} Old offices and fees.
Clerk of the check at Chatham }
The Commissioners, after pointing out in general and in particular that the condition of His Majesty's ships was very bad, give nine "causes" why it was no better. Eight of these are chiefly of the nature of illustrations of the ninth and last, which in itself is a masterly summary of the causes and consequences of bad administration.
"We find the chief and inward causes of all disorder to be the multitude of officers, and poverty of wages, and the chief officers commit all the trust and business to their inferiors and clerks, whereof some have part of their maintenance from the merchants that deliver in the provisions which they are trusted to receive, and these men are also governed by the chief officers' verbal directions, which the directors will not give under their hands when it is required; and which of all is the most inconvenient, they are the warrants and vouchers for the issuing of all His Majesty's moneys and stores, who are most interested in the greatness of his expence.
"And therefore the business ever was and is still so carried, that neither due survey is taken of ought that cometh in, nor orderly warrant given for most that goeth out, nor any particular account made, nor now possible to be made, of any one main worke or service that is done."