A Discourse on Trade, and Other Matters Relative to it

by John Cary

And that a better Provision may be made for the Relief of Sailors (who having spent their Labours in the Service of the Nation, and through Age and Disasters are no longer fit for the Fatigues of the Sea, ought to be taken Care of at Home) let a small Deduction be made from the Freights of Ships, and from Seamens Wages, to be collected by a Society of honest Men in every Sea-port; this, with what Additions might be made by the Gifts of worthy Benefactors, would be sufficient to raise a Fund, to maintain them in their old Age, who in their Youths were our Walls and Bulwarks; but it must be settled by Law, and no Man left at his Liberty whether he will pay or no; these are generally the most laborious People that we have; I do not mean those scoundrel Fellows, who often creep in under that Name, but the true Sailor, who can turn his Hand to any thing rather than begging, and I am many times troubled to see the miserable Conditions they and their Families are reduced to, when their Labours are done. Alms-Houses raised for them, are as great Acts of Piety as building of Churches, Age requires relief, especially where Youth hath been spent in Labour so profitable to the Public as that of a Sailor; and not only themselves, but their Widows ought to be provided for; in this,Hospital for ancient Sailors and their Widows. the Worshipful Society of the Merchants-Adventurers within the City of Bristol are a worthy Pattern.

And as for those who loose their Lives or Limbs fighting against the Enemy, themselves, or families ought to be rewarded with bountiful Stipends, which if raised by a Tax, I doubt not would be cheerfully paid: ’Tis attended with sad Thoughts, when a Woman sees her Husband prest into the Service, and knows, if he miscarries, her Family is undone, and she and they must come to the Parish; whereas, if this Provision was made, the Fleet would be more easily mann’d, our Merchants Ships better defended, Sailors more ready to serve in both, and their Wives to let them go; but great Care must be taken, that Charity be not abused, by being put into the Pockets of those who are appointed to dispose of it.

These, or such-like Heads, being laid down in a former Discourse on this Subject, the Magistrates of the City of Bristol were the first that approved of the Scheme, and desired the Substance thereof might be reduced to Particulars, suitable for that Place; whereupon the following Proposals were laid before them, viz.

1. That a spacious Work-house be erected in some vacant Place within this City, on a general Charge, large enough for the Poor who are to be employed therein, and also with Rooms for such, who being unable to work, are to be relieved by Charity.

2. That the Rules of this House be such, as may force all Persons to work, that are able, and encourage the Manufacturers of this City to supply them with Materials to work on; which they will be ready to do, having so good a Security as this will be, for their being returned to them again when wrought up.

3. That all People who are not able to maintain their Children, may put them into this Work-house or Hospital at what Ages they will, where they shall be settled till the Age of ### Years, by which means they may in the end be of no Charge to the said Work-house or Hospital: And the good Effects will be these, Children will be bred up to Labour, Principles of Virtue will be implanted in them early by the good Government thereof, and Laziness and Beggary will be discouraged.

4. That the antient People who are past their Labours, shall have Lodgings, and weekly pay, or be otherwise provided for, according to their Wants, who may still do something towards their mantenance, and the Women may look after the young Children.

5. That the Rates of the Poor of this City, being all united into one common Fund, may be enough to carry on this good Work; by which means the Magistrates will be freed from the Trouble which they daily have about the Settlement of the Poor, the Parish-Officers will be eased, the Poors Stock will not be spent in Law, but they will be provided for, without being sent from Parish to Parish, and their Children will be settled in ways of being serviceable to the Public Good, and not be bred up in all manner of Vice, as now they are.

6. That the Governors of this Hospital, or Work-House, have Power to force all poor People to work in it, who do not betake themselves to some lawful Imployment elsewhere, but spend their Time lazily and idly.

7. That the said Governors have Power to settle out the young People at such Ages as they shall think fit; the Boys to Navigation, Husbandry, and Manufactures; the Maids in Service, and to bind them Apprentices for certain Years.