[70] It is by no means to be inferred from what is here stated, that there are not, both among the furnishers and contractors for Public Stores, as well as the Officers and Clerks employed in the departments here alluded to, many individuals of great honour and integrity.—It is to be hoped, the fraudulent are the smallest in point of number, or that they will soon be so.
[71] See a plan for disposing of old stores with a view to remedy the evil, in a subsequent part of this chapter.
[72] It seems evident, that the abolition of the perquisite of Chips would be a great improvement, and prove the means of correcting many gross abuses which at present prevail. In this suggestion the Author is supported by the very able and decided evidence of Brigadier-General Bentham, before the Select Committee of the House of Commons on Finance, in 1798. [See the 31st Report of that Committee.] On a supposition that 3000 shipwrights are employed in the several Dock-yards at the wages of 2s. 1d. with the privilege of one bundle of chips each day, which, though not worth more than 6d. to each shipwright, actually costs Government 1s. 6d. because good and valuable timber is often cut down to make these chips.—The following estimate will elucidate what has been stated: and shew the benefits which Government would probably derive from the abolition of this perquisite, even if the wages should be raised, which are perhaps too low at present.
| 3000 men, working 300 days in a year, entitled to 900,000 bundles of chips at 1s. 6d. | £.67,500 |
| Time lost to Government in making up these chips, equal to 6d. per day | 22,500 |
| Articles purloined and stolen, by being concealed within these bundles, and by women and children, who resort to the yards on pretence of carrying them away, supposed | 50,000 |
| £.140,000 | |
| Deduct 6d. a day additional wages in lieu of the perquisite of chips; which, it is understood, the shipwrights would consider as an ample remuneration | 22,500 |
| Presumed gain by this arrangement | £.117,500 |
[73] When it is recollected, that 9176 coasting vessels, and also 4268 traders to foreign parts, enter and clear in the Custom-house of London, in the course of a year, independent of small craft in the River; an inexhaustible resource for the sale of cheap cordage, sail-cloth, and every other material, must be obvious at first view.
[74] Much to the honour of the present Commissioners, both of the Navy and Victualing, a most laudable zeal has been manifested to suppress the frauds, embezzlements and pillage, which have so long afflicted these departments of the public service. The following copy of a letter from the Solicitor to the Navy Board to the Author of this Work, is a strong proof, not only of the sense they entertain of the evils which are felt to exist, but of the necessity of a speedy and effectual remedy being applied.—
"Norfolk Street, 19 May, 1799.
"Sir,
"The Commissioners of the Navy having an intention of applying to Parliament, to extend and amend the Laws, for preventing the embezzlement and stealing of his Majesty's Naval Stores; and having directed me, in preparing the intended Bill, to attend to the suggestions and recommendations on the subject, in your excellent and valuable publication, I shall consider myself much obliged to you, as I am sure the Commissioners will, if you will, at your leisure, have the goodness to furnish me with any hints on the subject, which may have occurred to you, since the publication of your Treatise, and which you think may be worthy the attention of the Legislature.
"I am, Sir, with respect,