"We stated several days since, that it had been determined by Mr. Pitt to alter, very materially, the Bill now before the House of Commons, for manning the navy. The principal alteration will be the taking off the burthen on ship-owners, of finding men before their ships can clear out; instead of which they are to advance a certain proportion of money, and Commissioners are to be stationed, at the out-ports, to find men out of this fund. The measure proposed is as follows,—that each Port shall, according to the number of seamen belonging to it, raise a certain number of men—that these men shall be fixed by Ballot—that those who have enrolled themselves to be balloted, shall receive a certificate of having done so, which shall secure them against pressing—that no man shall be permitted to serve on board a merchant ship, under a very heavy penalty, without such a certificate, that no ship shall be suffered to proceed from any Port, till the number of men required from the Port shall be raised; and that those who do not enrol themselves, shall be liable to be apprehended."—(Times, Feb. 18, 1795.)
As we see by the following paragraphs, the parishes offered bounties to fill up their quota of sailors:—
"The Parish of St. James', Westminster, having, in a public manner, signified their wish, to raise twenty-five men, pursuant to the statute, to serve in His Majesty's Navy, had, by Wednesday last, completed that number: and the g-officer, in the course of the afternoon, examined them, and found them all extremely proper for His Majesty's service: and, on Thursday, they were examined and certified, by the Parochial Magistrates, when the men requesting to have £7, the third part of the bounty-money, advanced to buy slops, bedding, and for other purposes, it was immediately complied with."—(Times, Apr. 7, 1795.)
(Advt.) "Ancient and Loyal City of Westminster.
"At a MEETING of the Vestries, Church-wardens, Overseers, and the principal inhabitants, of the Parishes of St. Margaret, and St. John the Evangelist, Westminster, in St. Margaret's Vestry Room, on Thursday, the 2nd day of April 1795, it was agreed to give a bounty of Twenty-five Guineas each to Twenty Men, to be raised for the Naval Service of His Majesty King George, in defence of Old England. All able-bodied men, willing to serve in His Majesty's Navy, are desired to apply, from the hours of nine in the morning till four in the afternoon, at the Vestry Room, in St. Margaret's Churchyard, Westminster, this, and the following days, Sundays excepted. To any man, who shall be approved by the Regulating Officer, part of the Bounty will be immediately paid, on his enrolment, either to himself or to his wife and family, or to any other person he may appoint to receive the same, and the remainder upon his being mustered on board of ship. He will have an opportunity of leaving a power for part of his wages and prize money, to be paid monthly for the support of his family, who will also be under the care, and protection of a kind and benevolent parish: and if his conduct is approved, he will have the preference, on his return, of any employment the Parish can give him. None need apply but able-bodied men. No volunteer, who shall enter as above, can be taken out of His Majesty's Service, but for a criminal matter. N.B. Persons enrolled, are not liable to serve more than three months after the War, if arrived in any port of Great Britain.
"By Order, T. Drake, Vestry Clerk."
—(Times, Apr. 9, 1795.)
"From the returns of the Regulating Officers, received at the Admiralty, it appears that on the average, about half the men for the navy, are likely to be raised throughout the counties, and that the deficiency will be paid in money. The average price given in the Eastern Counties is £25 per man; so that the fine of £10 added to it, will make the parishes defaulting, advance £35, in lieu of a man, for every 68 assessed houses."—(Times, Apr. 9, 1795.)
"A change is about to take place in the Naval Uniform. Epaulets are to be worn—two by Flag Officers, and these to mark their rank; two likewise by Post Captains, demonstrative of their rank; one, on the right shoulder, by Masters, and Commanders, and one on the left by Lieutenants."—(Times, June 5, 1795.)
"The City of London has now made up its quota of 5704 Seamen, under the Act which laid an embargo on all outward bound vessels, until 20,000 men were raised for the use of the Navy. Among this number are about 1600 able seamen, who count each for two ordinary seamen. The expenses of raising them in London, are found to be much more moderate than the men raised in the country ports."—(Times, Sept. 24, 1795.)