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To \\i\l It is added. An APPENDIX, containing Pro- posALs for improving the Maritime Power of Great-Britain. A NEW E D I T I O N, with aPREFACE fuited to the prefent StUfi of AfFairi. L O N D O N: Printed for A. Millar, over-againfl: Kathariue-fticet in t!ie Strand \ and fold by M. Cooper in Pater-nqftcr-Row, 1745. ( Price ftitch'cl 2j. ) i i tsl' PREFACE. nr'HE fears ofinvajion ivhich prevailed fome time paft^ induced the author to publip the fir ft edition of his plan for a national militia^ with propofals for im* proving the maritime power of Greats Britain, The fame fears, grounded upon a rebellion aSlually on foot, have occafioned this fecond edition, with a view to con^ vince all men who pleafe to read, of the prefent necejjity offuch infiitutions ; and to roufe every Briton to the defence of his King and Country, againfi the at' tempts of a creature to Popery and Arbi* trary Power: a creature fet up by France, with weak and fi ale pretences of her edit a-^ ry right, but with a real intention of re^ ducing this nation to the worfi of all con-- ditions, even that of a provincial fla^ very. Is there a Briton fo mean, as to bend his 7ieck to the yoke c/' France, upon the fjonfenfical fuppofition of a divine right in the Pretcruhr f Can any man of com^ r A ] mon [4] PREFACE. mofi fenfe believe^ that the alUivife and beneficent Creator of the umverfe^ could intend to devote millions of his creatures to the Ciipricious rule, and arbitrary power cf one man, only bccaufe he is fufpofed to be born of a royal ancefior ? an an^ ccjior too, who ivasfojufily excluded from the throne, for attempting to fubvert the religion and laws of this kingdom, con^ trary to his coronation oath, and to the mo ft file mn declarations f Certainly there is not one Prote/iant, who can tamely re- fign his civil and religious rights into the hands of a popijh tyrant, the viceroy of France, upon a principle fo abfurd ! much lefs can a protefiant people rely upon delufive promifes of preferving their rights, when made by a papift, deter- mined by his religion, not to keep faith with them, whom he deems hereticks. On the contrary, every man in his fenfes, and not bigottcd to popery, muft defpife fuch deceitful, inconfifient promifes, and chufe to hazard his life in defence of his coun^ try^ and the prefent royal family ^ under whom f (^ I' n PREFACE. [ ivhom he now enjoys the blejpngs of Jree^ dom^ rather than run the leaft rifque of facrificing all that is dear and valuable to lawlefs power, Thofe Indeed who are difaffeSled to the prefent government y upon the tyrannical principles of the romijli religion^ may re^ joice to fee this nation unarmed ^ and the public fafety committed to a few merce^ narieSy as the only probable means ofcom^ pacing their wijhes. Such bigots may pretendy and infmuate great danger in trufting the nation with arms j becaufe all appearance of dijlruft in the people ^ is the furejl means of propagating difaffec^ tion : but every man who wifhes his coun-^ trfs profperityy defircsfor thofe very rea- fonSy to be incorporated into a national militia for the public fafety \ Jinct no ci^ vil difcord can refult from arming the people of property : becaufe their greateji intereft confijls in defending the prefent government y (under which they enjoy all the privileges of free-born fubjedls) from inf rations of every kind. Such an efta^ bli foment 5l [6] PREFACE. blijhment therefore is the mojl natural and effeSfual means of extinguijbing ab^ folutely the fpirit of rebellion^ againji a jujl and lawful government ; and ofpre» venting all invafion. The dif affected few could not then be fo mad as to take up arms againji the many, to their own cer» tain deJlruSlion : nor could the heji con^ certed machinations of our enemies dijlurb the public tranquillity^ when all the peo^ pie of property are put in array ^ and well difciplined. The profejjion of a foldier^ like all other arts, has its crafty pretending that mili^ tary difcipline is to be acquired only by long pradlice 'y but general experience vouches the contrary. Innumerable in* fiances from ancient hifiory, and many late examples prove beyond all contradict tion, that the ejfential parts of difcipline may be learned very foon, under a right direSlion, But fuppofing it truey that fome length of time 7nay be requifite for that purpofcy mujl there not be a begin- ning ? and is there any time more urgent than P r. E F A C E. [ 7 ] than the prefent^ 'when we think it ne^ cejjary to call in foreign affijlance againjl iwvafion ? Is the fafety^ the very being of this great and mighty nation^ to de^ fend upon an handful of auxiliaries^ joined to our own few mercenaries^ and perhaps an untrained rabbk, when it tnight be^ come invincible by arming all the people of property ? Who are fo capable of de- fending the national wealthy as thofe who have the largejl JJ:are F Can we expe5i that mercenaries who have little other inter ejlin the nation than a fmall pay^ fhmld fight as obfiinately as thofe who pof- fefs the greateft dignities^ and the largejl fortunes^ While the mercenaries a3l upon our fea-coU^s^ why Jhould we not have refourees of greater fecurity from the array of our beji people ? The im- tnediate ejiablifiment of fuch a militia would neceffarily extinguijh rebellion^ afid prevent all defigns of invafion^ as imprac^ ticable : and from the moment good difci^ pline is acquired^ all the threats of France and Spain vKuld become the fubje5l of contempt [8] PREFACE. contempt and public ridicule. In the mean while the naval power of Great Britain^ exerted with vigilance and vi- gour ^ might contribute greatly to its pre- fervation : but then, every abufe in the navy mujl be redrejedy true difcipUne reftoredy real merit confiantly rewarded, fome new regulations ejlablijl^ed, and thofe old ones abolijhed, which have been difcouraging and detrimental to the fer^ vice. Thefewere the author* s principal views in publijhing the following traSf. If he fucceeds in any degree by contributing to the general good, he will befofar happy ; but if not, he muji be content with the fatisfaSlion of having done every thing in his power for the public fafety. O£fober t, 1 745. ' CON- CONTENTS. f INTRODUCTION. THE exiftence of every govern- ment depends upon its military ftrength, p. ,7. Neither riches nor populoufnefs can eivc fafety without good foIdier«, ibid Riches, not abfolutely the finews of wJr, p. 18. Proved from Jiiftorical fefts, p. ,9. Armies of foreign mercenaries are not a defence to be depended upon, p. 20 For that reafon difufed by moft nation'^ P-21. ' A ftanding army compofed of natives is very httle preferable, ibid. The reafons, p. 22. The Britifli army lefs exceptionable than others of that fort, p. 23. The reafons, ibid. .TI 1* A, ! ^ J CONTENTS. The officers of the Britifh army may be incorporated with the militia, and al- lowed fiiU pay for life, ibid. This is doing juflicc to them, confifl- cntly with prudence and good policy, p. 24. Mercenary armies always dangerous -, often fubvcrfive of civil government, and evenof monarchy itfelf, p. 24. Exemplified from hiftory, p. 25. Xevertlielefs ftate-craft has prevailed generally in eftablifhing mercenary armies all over Europe, p. 26. Proftitute wit has alio concurred in fuch eftablifhments, by ridiculing a mili- tia, p. 27. But neither ought to prevail againft plain reafon, p. 28. For no mercenary army, which this na- tion can fupport, is fufficient for its defence, p. 29, 30. But a national militia is an infallible de- fence againft all the mercenary armies of Europe; even without the afuf- tance of our navy, p. 3 t, 32. A i CONTENTS. A powerful navy however is ncceflary for the defence of the Britifh naviga-. tion and commerce, and might then ad with redoubled force, upon the coafts of our enemies, p. 32, 22- Under fuch circumftances this nation could want no alliances upon the continent, p. 34. The reafons, p. 3^. By this means the balance of power muft of courfe fall into the hands of the King of Great Britain, p. 36. The moll diftant territories of Britain, and even his Majefty's foreign domi- nions, might refi in tranquillity, t'h'^. Britain, as a free ftate, has the advan- tage, in point of defence, above all the abfolute monarchies of Europe, P-37- The preference of a national militia, in point of defence, fufficiently proved, P- 3^. For the prefervation of public liberty beyond all comparifon, jh'j. A3 Yet II }y CONTENTS. Yet fome wits have ventured to ridicule fo excellent an inflitution, p. 39. Let the vvritling try the force of ridicule againfl the militia of Switzerland, ibid. Are the exploits of that militia ridicu- lous ? p. 40, No mercenary army able to ftand before a well-difciplined militia, defending their country and liberty, p. 41. A well-difciplined militia preferable to a mercenary army, even in foreign wars, p. 42. Proved jfrom the victories of Crefli, Poic- tiers, and Azincourt, ibid. And from the invafion of France by Henry 8'\ p. 43^ Britain has flill as many brave men a» ever, p. 44, Thefe formed into a national miDtia would render it in£dlibl y fafe, ibid. How much to blame are thofe in power ^ and indeed all men of fortune, who reje^ the means of public fafcty, ibid. Rhetoric f CONTENTS. ( Rhetoric and argiiment vain, without fpcedy reiblves to put the nation into a pofture of defence, p. 45. The author's apology for the defers of . his pbn, p. 46. His wiflies for a better, that may exalt the honour of the crown, and per- petuate the freedom, fafety, and hap- pinefs of this nation, againft all the attempts of its ambitious neighbours. The PLAN of a NATIONAL MILITIA. LL men able to bear arms, (ex- cept fuch as ought to be ex- empted, becaufe otherwife employed in civil affairs) are to do perfonal fer- vice in the militia, p. i. But that fervice need not be more thait a few hours in a day, once every , month, p. 2. . ; No military tyranny, nor corporal pu- nifhment to be allowed in a well- cxDnftituted mJlitia, t6id^ A 4 Perfona- CONTENTS. Perfons under the incapacities of old age, or bodily infirmity, to be ex- empted from military duty, ibid. The common labouring people to do military duty on Sundays only, as the Swifs do, p. 3. This is no profanation of the day fet apart for religious purpofes, but ra- ther promotive of that delign, p. 4. Thefe the principles upon which the plan is founded, ibid. Prop. I. That all men capable of bear- ing arms, (and not exempted by law) from 18 to 50 years old, be formed into a well-difciplin*d mili- tia for each county in the kingdom, &c. p. 5. The reafonablefs of that propofition, ibid. Prop. 2. That the militia of each county be divided into two branches, viz. the fuperior militia compofed altogether of men of property j and the Ibbordinate militia of the common people, p. 6, The '1 f CONTENTS. The reafonablcnefs of this propofition, ibid. Prop. 3. That the fuperior militia be divided into two branches, cavalry and infantry, p. 7. The utility of this fub-divifion, ibid. Prop. 4. That the cavalry of the fupe- rior militia be formed out of the no- bility and gentry of the befl fortunes, &c. p. 8. The utility and reafonablenefs of this inflitution, p. 9. A v^rell-conftituted militia fhould chufe their own officers annually by ballot, up to the rank of generals ; but all thofe the King appoints, p. 10. Thus the rights of the crown, and the liberty of the people, may be pre- ferved in fafety, 7^V. This inftitution cannot be an additional expence to thofe men of fortune, wlio are to compofe the fuperior cavalrv, p. II. y{\ Militii irv • •• VUl CONTENTS. Military exercife more manly and gracc=«^ fill than country fports and horfe- raceSy ibid^ The uniform of drefs, accoutrements; &c. of the fuperior cavalry, p. 12. The ufe and gracefiilneis of fuch utiU form, p. 13. Prop. 5. That the infintry of the fupe- rior militia be alfa formed of men of property at their own expence, p. 14, & 15. The uniform of this branch of the mi- litia, p. 16. Prop, 6. That the cavalry of the fubor- dinate militia be compofed wholly of noblemens and gentlemens fervants, or petty tenants, &c. p. 17. This order of men will make a large body of heavy cavalry for every county, and become more ufefut members of fociety, p. 1 8. Prop. 7. That the infantry of fubordi- nate militia be formed of the com- mon people, not regimented, but to a p. 40, Propofals j;r CONTENTS. Propofals for incorporating all officers of the navy with the militia of the di- flrift where their general relidence is, p. 43. The manner of inforcing difcipline by example, emulation, and rewards, p. 46. The manner of inforcing difcipline by fines, p. 49. The manner of levying fines upon all delinquents in military duty, p. 56. The eflablifhment of a court martial, and court of honour, in each hun- dred, p. 62. With powers to make military regula- tions conformable to the adt of mili- tia, ibid. To adjudge and determine difputes of precedence, affront, Gfr. but with- out any further power of inforcing decrees, befidesthat of degrading the offender, p. 63. Propofals for an additional tax upon papifls, in lieu of perfonal fervice, p. 64. The I i I 1 CONTENTS. The like upon Quakers whp refufe to do duty, p. 66. The application of all fines to military urc» p. 67. Military regulations for the city of Lon- don, and all other populous cities in the Britiai dominions, p. 71. Such an inftitution recommended to the Britifh colonies of North America, as their only fecurity, p. jy^ The reafons why it is not altogether fufficient to protedl the Britifh fugar colonies, p. 78. A national militia particularly recom- mended to the parliament of Ireland, as the only means of abfolute fecu- rity, p. 79. Much more fo to Great Britain, as the mother country, when its ruin is threatned by the greateft powers of the continent, p. 80, ^1 APPENDIX, 3di CONTENTS. APPENDIX. PROPOSALS for improving the MA- RITIME POWER of GREAT BRITAIN. NO T by a regiftry planned upon the oppreffive principles of arbi- trary power, p. 80, For oppreilion extinguifhes the fenfe of honour, the love of our country, and that national magnanimity, which flows only from liberty, p. 83. Proved from the condud: of the Ro-r mans, p. 84. The fear of multiplying fcamen too fail vain and frivolous, ihid, Becaufe the fields of commerce are boundlefs and fruitfiil : capable of fupporting infinite numbers of peo- ple, p. 85. Proofs from the fifherles of Holland, ibid. The mofl natural means of incre^fing the number of Britifh feamen, are, I, By encouraging commerce, p, 86. 2. I i CONTENTS. 2. By inducing the common people to become feamen, ibid. The obvious method of encouraging com- merce is by eftling it of duties, p. 87. And by laying the load of taxes upon the rich and luxurious, and not upon manufaiftiircs, p. 88, ' This method cannot fail of extending trade, and of courfe increafe our na- vigation, and mariners, p. 89. The fecond method propofed for in- creafing their number,' is, by a re- giftry founded on rewards and privi- leges, ibid. Computation of the expertce of regifter- ing 20,000 feamen, p. 90. A fcheme for regiftering 20j000 feamen, p. 91. Regulations and encouragements for re- giftered feamen, p. 92. Immunities and privileges of regiflered feamen, p. 93. Encouragements for volunteers to enter on board his Majefty*s fliips, ibid, Hofpitals yiii 2h CONTENTS. Hofpitals and charity-fchools might en* tertain feamen's wives and children, P- 94- If the education of all charity-children were dir^dted to a fea-life, the public might receive more benefit, p. 95. Further privileges for regiftered Teamen, p, 96. No volunteer feaman to be turned over from one (hip to another againil his will, p. 97. The Dutch policy in manning their fleets worthy of imitation, ilfid. Other improvements of the navy pro- pofed, p. 99* The arts of engineering, and cannon of lefs weight, but of the fame bore, re- commended, p. 10 1. The reafons offered from experiment, p. 102. Propofal for better fecurity of the nav)% while in docks or harbours, p. 103. Propofal for Rationing a powerful fleet fpr channel fervice at Plymouth, p. P4. i fc i Th< f CONTENTS. The bcft fituation to protcdt our com- merce, to annoy our enemy, and to prevent invafion, p. 104. The exertion of owr naval power is tlic . moft natural and efTecftual means of procuring an honourable peace ; or of fupporting the war, and the Queen of Hungary, at the expencc of our common enemies. XV ^ f, .-. E R R A T A. P. 17, 1. 3. d. the horfeand foot, r. in thi infantrt P. 46. fea. 9. r. the title thus, 7bt manner of in- forcing Mfciplint by emulation, example, and rruarJs. P. 52. part 2*, I. le. r. required iy theaff of militia. P. 68. parti-*, at the end of the note r. Mathlavd, ^3os• <^W- 36. * A XVl ADVERTISEMENT to the P BADE R. THE following plan fuppofes, that the common foldiers of our pre- fent army fhall be dilbanded of courfc, when their officers are incorporated with tlie national militia : becaufe dif- banding them will contribute not only to the public wealth, by adding many more uil'ilil hands to mechanic arts and J huf]:)andry, but to the improvement ot the militia dilcipline, by fo many ex- pert foldiers reiiding in every part of the kingdom. At the fame time it mufi be the moft grateful reward of their pail labour*;, to releafe them from the jim- o^uinarv lailies of martial law: allowing- them thii privilege of Engliihmen, to acquire a much better fubliftence, upon the common fruits of induflry^ with i!. participation of the public liberty. I N T R (;- THE INTRODUCTIONj In anfvver to the general Objec- tions againft a Mu.itia. XVJI HO W well foever any go, vernment may be confti- tuted for internal fafety, Its exiftence cannot be of long duration, if unprovided with mi- litary ftrength proportionate to its extent and fituation, and fuf- ficient to repel external force. Neither riches nor populoufnefs are able to give fecurity to a na^ tion untrained to arms ; for nniU titudes unskilful in the arc oF war can defend their podbfrions no better than flocks of {hecp ^ tJKjr xviii INTRODUCTION. their pafliircs. The innumerable, undifcipllncd hofts of Perlia fled before the little veteran army of Macedon. The immenfe riches of that vafl enjpire were only temptations to Alexander's ambi- tion, without being thp means of its defence. !: .-i^ It is indped an old maxim, that riches are the finews of war ; but this is true in no other fenfe, except for the maintenance and pay of armies, when in the field, and in foreign countries : ^' in " other refpeds the apothegm * *' is falfe ; for money cannot *' make good foldiers. Princes *' who rely upon their treafure as " fufficient f Set Machiavd, page 34.5. Fol. Ed. i INTRODUCTION. ^' fufficient to defend them, do *' not confider, that if money ^' could have done it Darius *' would have conquered Alex- " ander ; the Grecians the Ro- " mans ; and duke Charles the '' Switzers : but they prefuming '' upon the multitude of their '' bags more than the goodnefs " of their men, were all over- '' come. Crcjsfus the king of " Lydia carrying Solon into his '^ treafury, and fticvving him an ^' immenfe quantity of riches, " asked him what he thought of « his power; to which the phi^ " lofopher replied, I think it ne- " vcr the greater for this ; he- '' caufe battles are fought more ** with iron than gold -^ and it a 2 « iii^y XIK €< CC IC u C( (C CC XX INTRODUCTION. may happen that fomebody will come with his iron, and take it all from you This adu- «^ ally happened to the king of Macedon, who being upon the point of concluding a peace " with the Gauls, then tranf- *' planted to Greece, flicwed their ambaffadors his treafury full of filver and gold ; which they *^ no fooner had feen, but long- *' ing impatiently to be at it, broke off the treaty, and ruined his country. The Venetians, in the meridian of their pro- fperity, had their coffers well " ftored, but depending upon ** their money, they loft all/' And if other nations fhould truil their defence to armies of foreign iC CC ii iC INTRODUCTION. foreign mercenaries, they cannot hope for better fuccefs againft in- vaders ; nor can the paymafters, whether kings or republicks, fc- cure themfelves from becoming a prey to their own hirelings. The juft fear of fuch an e\'cnt has probably deterred moft go- vernments from refting their whole defence upon fo precarious a bot- tom ; but yet the ahernative com- monly chofen is afecurity very lit- tle preferable : for, tho' Handing armies fliould becompofed of na- tives, and members of the fame fociety, which they are intended to protedl, yet whenever they be- come a diftindl body of merce- naries, making the profeflion o^' ^ 3 arms XXI i xxii INTRODUCTION. arms the only means of fubfif- tence, their intereft is oppofite ta that of the people in general : becaufe war % tumult and plun- der are not lefs fubverfive of na- tional felicity, than they are tlie neceffary means by which mer- cenary foldiers can profper ; be- fides, their pay is at beft a grie- vousburthen uponpublicindufiry.^ It is very true that many offi- cers of the Britifh army are men of great fortune, or high quality, AH * A wdl-confLitiitcd kingdom or com- monwealth will not liitfer any cf I'ncir citi- zens or flibitx^.s, or any otlicr goovl men, to make war their profcifion -, lor lie can never be thought a good man, who takes upon liini an employment, by which, \t lie would reap any profit, he h oblig-.-d to be fal'e, rapacioi;?, cru'.l, &c. See Mac: JavJ, chxj, %. page 4j: ;i^. 5 INTRODUCTION. All thcfc have an intereft in the peace and civil profpericy of this kingdom, fuperior to their pri- vate intereft as foldiers. From fuch there cannot be much ap- prehenfion of danger, if ambi- tion, and the luft of power, are not taken into the conlidcration ; nor from any others, who retain a true fenfe of honour, and love for their country. To all thefe my plan cannot be unacceptable, which incorporates the officers of the prefent army with the national militia, allowing them full pay for life, as able mafters, well qualified to teach the art of dif- cipline to thofe corps which they may command ; for that fchcme cements their private with the' xxiii a A' ui pUDilC ■•('iiV I ' xxiv INTRODUCTION. public intereft. This therefore is doing jufticc to them, confif- tently with prudence and good policy. But to frame an engine for public defence, hke a merce- nary army, which may probably recoil upon the contrivers, is ab- folutely repugnant to both : for what can hinder fuch an army from enllaving and deftroying their f Jlow-fubjcds unarmed, and undifciplined, whenever their am- bition or wants require it ? Thus every government depending up- on that fupport, runs daily the defperate hazard of being fub- verted by its intended protec- tors. Numerous exemplifications to this purpofe are needlefs, iince anticnt and modern hillory abou nd :! If INTRODUCTION. xxv abound with fatal inftances. The Roman * emperors were often dethroned by thofe legions which were the inftruments of their power : the Ottoman empire often ftruggles * Oclavius firfl:, and afterwards Tiberius, (preferring their private power to the public good) began to difarm the people, (that they might have them more eafily at com- mand) and to keep (landing armies upon the frontiers of their empire. But becaiJe they thought them infufBcient to curb the l^ople, and awe the fenate of Rome, they cllablifhed another army, (called the Prseto- rian) which was quartered always about the city, as if intended for a guard : but when afterwards the emperors permitted them to lay afide all other profeflions, and devote themlelvcs to war, they grew infolent ini- mediately, and became not only terrible to the fcnace, but pernicious to the emperors ; inlbmuch, tliat many of them were put tj death by the fury of thofe foldiers, who cre- ated and dcpofed their emperors as they pkafcd : and ibmetimes it fell out that fe- veral emperors were created by feveral armies at the lame time, which occafioned the di- vifion fiiil, and by degrees the dcftruftloii ci" die en)pirc. See Machiavvl, png? 4+0. xxvi INTRODUCTIdN. ftruggles under fuch convulfions : Ruflia owes its prcfent tmprcfs to the royal guard of her prede- ceflbr: and every king or re- public, under the fame cir- cumftances, is neceflarily expofed to the Hke revolutions. Neverth£less, to blind the eyes of mankind, and to render mercenary armies lefs fufpeded and odious, ftate-craft, for the promotion of lawlefs power, has too often exercifed iis wicked art in perfuading the world, that none but fuch are capable of de- fending nations againft foreigners; of the fame fort : and proftitute "Wit, ever fawning upon power for the fake of luxury, lias with- out* > INTRODUCl lON. xxvii out fhamc joined in the gene al ridicule of a militia, and flattered the mercenary foldier ; as if * a pitiful daily pay, (pent in de- bauchery, and a particular drefs, were the only means of infpiring bravery, and fupporting difci- pline. But neither the varnifh of * From the hidory of the Ramans it may be obfcrved, howunfafc it is to commie the defence of our affairs to a mercenary army, who have nothing to encourage tliem but a pitiful pay, which is rot confide rablc enough to make them fo faithful as to lay down their lives in your quarrel : for if an army is not bound to the perfoii for whom they fight by particular obligations, fuch as the defence of their country, poftericy and religion, they will not exert their courage : lb that it is neceflary for every king, who dcfircs to defend himfelf well, to train up his fubjedls in military difcipline, that he may fafrly depend upon thcni in time of di- ftrd's : and this has been tlie practice of all thofj who have done anv j:?rea: chinf^s. See Machiavel, p::ge 312. ^xviii INTRODUCTION. of one, nor the raillery of the other, ought to prejudice man- kind againft plain and obvious truth ; tho' it is too evident, that they have been amazingly fuc- cefsful in eftablifliing mercenary armies all over Europe, except in Switzerland : for what are called the militia of France, Spain, I- taly and Sweden, are but diffe- rent kinds of mercenary armies ; all kept in pay of fome fort, and fubjed; to martial law. ■ It is not however my defign to enter formally into a minute difcuffion of the point, how far a national militia is preferable in every refpeft to a mercenary army; for, that the following plan will clearly INTRODUCTION, xxlx clearly evince : It fhall therefore be my endeavour in this place to fliew as concifely as poffible, that no mercenary army, which this kingdom can fupport without becoming bankrupt, is fufficient for its fecurity againft foreign in- vafion ; and yet a national mi- litia is capable of defending it with great certainty, and little expence. Every one moderately skilled in the revenues of this nation, inortgaged to future generations, and (trained fo high by exceflive taxes, fees at firft glance, that befides the neceflary expence of the navy, and all the other charges of government, grown exorbitant by ^xx INTRODUCTION. by the luxury of courtiers, it is not poflible to fupport long the prelent army without ruin; much Icfs is it able to maintain a greater number : but yet, if a mercenary army of an hundred thoufand men were quartered equally near our fca-coafls, at Icaft eighteen hun- dred miles in circumference, it is hardly credible that five thou- ilmd of them could be muftered at any one place, with expedi- tion enough to prevent a fuddcn jnvafion. And if an enemy once gain footing in a country like ours, deftitutc of fortified towns, what ravages may not be com- mitted upon a people unarmed, bclore a number of mercenaries could INTRODUCTION. xxxl could be drawn together fuffi- ;Qieuf. to flop the devaftation ? But a national militia (fuch as that of Great Britain might be} confjfting of two millions can- toned without expence in their ufual habitations all over this kingdom, will be infinitely fq- perior in every place where an enemy may land, to any num- ber which can be tranfported over the fea at once : and therefore, without the aid of our fleets, fuch a militia well-difciplined is able, not only to defend us from in- vafion, but to fecure us frorn the infult of any neighbour, or even the united powers of the continent. Feints or threats of that xxxii I xN T R O D U C T I O R that kind, which now alarm, and obftrud: the neceflary operations of war, could not under fuch an happy circumftance give the leaft interruption to the public tranquillity ; nor fo much as fuf~ pend any man's ordinary bulinefs, even in the places moft expofed, when every one knows himfelf provided with arms and skill, and is fure of being joined at the iliorteft warning by others as well qualified as himfelf, and in numbers fufficient to repel any attempt that can be made. It is far from my intention to undervalue the importance of the Britifh navy ; for certainly it is tlie glory, and no lefs at prefent the \ • t \ INTRODUCTION. xxxiii the bulwark of this kingdom, as it muft always continue to be the only fafcguard of its navigation and commerce. But were a na- tional militia well eftabliflied and difciplined, and by that means our coafts abfolutely fecured from all invafion, no part of the navy need be detained in port; where, even in that cafe, it might be- come ufelefs by contrary winds ; but the whole might ad with re- doubled force upon the coafts of our enemies. Under fuch circumftances this ifland, inftead of wanting al- liances upon the continent, muft be courted by every power fearful of opprefllon. No perfidy, flug- b gifhncfs, xxxiv INTRODUCTION. giflinefs, or felfifh views of allies, could iliake our political refolves, or force us to the intolerable ex- pence of fubfidies for the (lipport of foreign troops : nor could the neutrality of thofe we now de- pend upon moft for afliftance, retard our operations, or compel us to any unjuft or diflionourable peace, for the extenfion of their commerce, upon the ruins of our trade and navigation. i Such a body of armed men, as this ifland might furnifli, more numerous than all the mercena- ries of Europe in conjunftion, would not only be able to prote A it againft any oppofition, but at all times, and on the moft fud- den .. INTRODUCTION. den occafions, to avenge its in- juries upon any power of the con- tinent, with more force, and bet- ter foldiers, becaufe freemen, than can be furnifhed by the united mercenaries of France and Spain. His Majefty might then raife upon the moft fudden emergency an army of volunteers well difci- plined, to man his fleets, (fo far as landmen can be ferviceable) or for any foreign expedition ; who, as foon as the occafion of their taking arms ceafed, would return to their habitations and * em- b 2 ploy- * Thofe kings, who deHre to Jive in fafety and peace, ought to have theii armies com- pofed ot fuch perfons, as when there is a neceffity of war, will take up arms freely for the defence of their country ; and when peace is concluded, will as readily acquiefce, and return to their old habitations and cail- XXXV mgs. See Machiavel , page 441. xxxvi INTRODUCTION. ployments, without further bur- then to the public, or difad van- tage to themfelves. E • Such a land-force, added to the maritime ftrength of Great Britain, muft render it the terror of its enemies, and the fafe-guard of Europe. Our monarch would then indeed hold the balance of power: not only the moft diftant territories of Britain, but his Majefty's foreign domi- nions alfo, and whatever ftate he pleafes to favour, might reft in perfed tranquillity, when no po- tentate of Europe would dare to offend fo mighty a power, as a nation populous like ours, and well trained to arms. For Bri- t tain, + ^, 1 ** '• • 1 1 + INTRODUCTION, xxxvii tain, as a free ftate, has this ad- vantage over the abfolute monar- chies of Europe, that it may trull fafely all its fubjeds u^ith arms, whereas thofc cannot*. In re- gard to what is feared by fome, left any among the rabble migrht excite them to make ufe of their arms to the difturbance of the public peace, I truft the following plan efFecflually pro^ vides againft every evil of that fort, and will therefore diflipate ^11 fuch apprehenfions. vj 1" It is needlefs to fay more in favour of a national militia, fince it already appears evidently to be a much better means of fecurity b 3 againft * See Machiavd, P. 444. Fol. j^d. ^-. »«■ ■ ■ I xxxvlii INTRODUCTION. againft invaf5.on, than any mer- cenary army which we are able to fupport ; but if the two infti- tutions were confidered with re- gard to the prefervation of public liberty, the former furpafles the latter beyond all comparifbn ; fo far, that to prove the preference by a long train of arguments, feems diftrufting the common fcnfe of mankind. Nevertheless fome play- writers, and many ftate-witHngs, have taken frequent occafions of ridiculing a militia in general, under the falfe colours of the particular nominal militia of London. But tho' a band of porters, (the fubftitutes of indo- lence) .1" •Aa^ t i »- I« INTRODUCTION. xxxix lence) badly armed, and not at all difciplined, are fit objeds of ridicule, becaufe making a fhew of what they really are not ; will therefore a regular, well-difci- plined militia be fo too ? What fays the witling to the militia of Switzerland, the only army pro- perly called a militia in all Eu- rope ? Is that a ridiculous army, which, without barrier towns, and bordering upon the greateft potentates of the continent, have preferved their country free, and in profound tranquilHty, with re- Iped to foreign invafion, for more than two centuries ? Thirteen hun- dred of this militia routed the arch-duke Leopold's army at the b 4 battle w^ xl INTRODUCTION. battle of Morgarten *, and killed above twice their own number of the enemy. In the battle of Sampach, where the fame arch- duke loft his life, twenty thou- fand of his mercenary forces were defeated by lixteen hundred of thofe Switzers. At Wefen, in the canton of Claris, three hun- dred and hfty of this f militia won * See p 'ge 2 1 2 of Stanyan's account of Switztrlaiid. f Mr Stanyan, in Iiis account of Swit/cr- land, luns a p:irallcl betwei-n tiiefe three bat- rie.^, and tiiof^- furprizing a6ls of valour ptr- io! nied by the Grecians againlt the migjity armies of Darius and Xerxes, at Marathon, Thermopyht, ai;d Platica. " The battie *' of Welcn (fays he) may not only be com - *' pared to that of Thermopylae, but feems »' to be a copy of it that exceeded the ori- ginal : for as 300 Spartans attacked the PeiTians at that par-row pals, and all pe- rifhcd in the attempt , fo 350 Switzers *' noc (C i.1 (.i i If A i '^ if INTRODUCTION. won the field of battle from a re- gular army of eight thoufand Auftrians. Not that thefe were men of lefs natural courage ; for the Auftrian bravery has been often fignahzed by vidory, when as mercenaries they fought againft mercenaries; but when for a paultry pay they invaded the na< tural rights of a brave free people formed into a regular militia, and fighting in defence of their coun- not only attacked in fuch another pafs an army of eight thoufand Auflrians, but gained the field of battle. Eleven pillars " (the nionuments cf this vidory) arc now tobe feen m that glorious field, to mark the place wheie the Swiczers rallied : for their hiftory fays, that they were repulfcd ten times, but rallying the eleventh, broke the enemy s army, and put them to fiicrht with great Haughccr." Seepageau, a"nd 213, (C <( «c (I xH t xW INTRODUCTION. try, the Auftrians were not able to fland before them. Not to draw more proofs from other nations, by the annals of our own country it appears, that the atchievements of mercenary armies, even in foreign wars, are not to be compared with the fa- mous vidories of Crefly, Poic- tiers, and Azincourt*, won by our Britifli kings at the head of their * The late duke of Marlborough's vido* lies are juftly celebrated, as illullrious mo- numents of Britifh glory, but yet not to be compared with tliefe, becaufe not atchieved at lb great a difparity of numbers, and other difadvantageous circumftances. It is remarkable, that nine of the greateft military cxpk its recorded in hiftory were per- formed (not by mercenary armies, but) by well trained militi.is, at Marathon, Thermo- pyljc, PlatJEa, Morgarten, Sampach, Wefen, CrelTy, Poidliers, and Azincourt. vl I >i INTRODUCTION. their militias. Henry the eighth, not fo renowned as Edward and his fon for military prowefs, in- vaded France with a militia, " and " tho' the EngliQi had no wars " for thirty years, nor officers ** nor foldiers who had ever ken <^ a battle, they attacked and <^ vanquiflied the French, whole " officers were excellent, and ** foldiers very good, by being *^ trained for feveral years toge- «* ther in the Italian wars *.'* Hath not Britain ftill as many brave men as ever ? How much therefore to blame are thofe in power, whonegleding toeftablifti a national militia, made invincible by good difcipline, expofe their country • See Machiavel, page 293. xliii xHv INTRODUCTION. country to deftruftion, by rejedt- ing the only infallible means of its fafcty ? How worthy of public refentment arc all thofe gentle- men of fortune, who from mo- tives of mere indolence iliould grudge their perfonal fcrvice to the militia, though it would be much lefs labour than their com- mon recreations, or field /ports, and much lefs exercife, than is neceflary, even for the preferva- tion of health ? What will fuch gentlemen think of themfelves, when reduced by invafion and conqueft to a ftate of wretched poverty, and to a flavlfh depen- dance on the will of a tyrannical conqueror, under the influence of a rapiicious, infatiable, domi- ' neering : INTRODUCTION. neering clergy ? A fate not un- meet for thofc, who nep-Ieftino- the neceflary means of fafcty in their power, facrilice the public liberty with their own happinefs, and that of pofcerity, to a fhort temporary indulgence of flotli and idlenefs. To what purpofe Cuc all the powers of rhetoric * and argu- ment fo often employed againft the expencc, and great danger of a mercenary army, if a better means of public defence is not propofed, nor fubftituted in its room ? For a defence againft ex- ternal force there muft be of fome fort * Ad fummam rcrum noftrarum pcrtinere arbitror, nt Cugitetis magis, quid :M:',ei)uuin nobis, quam quid loqucndum Tie. Liv. xh xlvi INTRODUCTION. fort or other. Perhaps the diffi- culty of contriving a commodious militia- fcheme for a government {o extenfive as ours, or the dry- nefs of a fubjedt incapable of yielding pleafure to the imagina- tion, or rather the repugnancy of it to the private intereft, and finifter views of ftatefmen and foldiers, who are beft quaHfied to plan it, hath hitherto prevented the undertaking : if therefore many defefts appear in this now fubmitted to public confideration, the author believes himfelf ex- cufable, and will think his labour amply recompenced, if it excites a more skilful hand to corredl his errors, or to communicate a more perfed: plan ; fuch as may induce his ^ I14TRODUCTION. his Majefty and the Parliament to eftablifh by law a national and well-difciplined militia, by which the honour of the crown may be exalted to the higheft degree of Iplendor^ and the freedom, fafety, and happinefs of this nation fe- cured abfolutely againft all the attempts of its mod envious or ambitious neighbours. xl vi\ ■ PLAN F O R A National Militia I N GREAT-BRITAIN, &c. PARTI. IN the idea of a national militia I comprehend the military fervice of all men capable of bearing arms, from the age of 1 8 to that of 50 years ; except fuch as may be ex- empted by law ; fuppofe all members of both houfes, during the felfions of parliament ; the king's mofl honourable privy council ; all the judges, officers of the houfliold, treafury, exchequer, ad- miralty, and navy board; all counfel- ^ lors a A PLAN FOR A Part I. lors at law, follicitors, and attorncy^^ during the terms or aflizes > all juftices of the peace, and other peace-officers,, during their grand and petty feffions^ and the time of the refpedlive county- aflizes ; all phylicians, and the whole body of the clergy. In a right infl:itution of this kind no military tyranny ought to be praiflifed ; nor need any man be obliged to more than a few hours exercife between the rifing and fetting of the fun once a month : no corporal pttnifliment fliould be inflidted, but all military difcipline encouraged by example and rewards, or inforced by pecuniary fines. It is equally neceflary to obviate all bppreflions whatfoever. Therefore thofe who are incapacitated by bodily in- firmity, tho' Vvithin the military age,, ought to be excufed upon due proof made thereof before the military officers of the diflirid; v/here fuch pei fons are re- iiuerit* < „ (. ^ i NATIONAL MILITIA. 3 fident. However, in regard to all thofe, Part I. who on account of their religious prin- ciples are not fafely to be trufted with arms, (as papifts under a proteftant go- vernment,) likewife all fuch, who (as the quakers) fcruple, on account of confcience, the ufe of arms, it is rea- fonable they fhould pay fuch an addi- tional tax, as may be a jufl equivalent for their perfonal fervice. Again, the pooreft fort of people, who fubfift by daily labour, may be exercifed for an hour or two, after the example of the Swifs, on fundays only, before or after divine fervice at their refpedtive parifli churches, by quarter parts each funday. Nor let this be judged by the over- righteous a profanation of the day fet apart for religious purpofes ; fince felf- prefervation is the firft law of God, given as well for the defence of nations, as of each individual, and not to be ex- ercifed any other v/ay fo effediiuily, as by military difcipline. Is not this cxcr- B 2 cifc !' 4 A PLAN FOR A Part I. cife as innocent as any of thofc amufe- ments generally permitted on the fab- bath, much more conducive to the pub- lick good, and to the prefervation of the proteftant religion, againft the open aflaults of popery ? Perhaps a better means cannot be devifcd to fruftrate even the fecret machinations of jefuitical miflionaries in the v/ork of converlion, than by making it the duty of all the common people to attend the publicly worfhip on fundays, w^hen they may be inftrudted both in the true principles of the proteftant religion, t d in the arts of difcipline, by which o.ily it can be defended againft a powerful, bigotted adveriiiry. Upon thefe principles is formed the following plan, wliich is iubniitted to the confidcration, correclion, and im- provement of every Briton better vcrfed in the military art. Nv SECT. ■.i " NATIONAL MILITIA. S E C T. I. Prop. I . That all the men of Great Bri^ tain, from 1 8 / '*!■. NATIONAL MILITIA. f multuous difturbance, which may render Sed. ;^. that property precarious. On the con- trary, fuch men are ever mofl ready and willing, for their own fake, to fupprefs the tumults, which are fometimes fo- mented in a free government, by men of defperate fortune among the rabble. SECT. in. Prop. 3. T/jaf thefuperior militia he di^ 'vided into two bramhes^ cavalry and infantry^ This fubdivifion is neceflary under the prefent management of war : for a numerous cavalry is the mofl proper defence of an open country, where, by quick movements, it may ha- rafs and diflrcfs an enemy every Acp of their march. Upon this circum- ftancc, perhaps, the late duke of Marl- borough founded his opinion, (if the tra- dition of his laying fo is true) that the fecurity of England confiiled in the mul- titude of its horfemen. B 4 SECT. t' A PLAN FOR A SECT. IV. Prop. 4. That the cavalry of fiiperior militia he form' d out of the nubility and gentry^ at their own expence^ and he called the lirbr-horfe, well trair\l in Icth ex'^cifes of horfe and Jout. Evc/ y nuin^ not ex- empted by la%v, Jhalt roll in this cavalry^ who is worth 6000 /. in money, or p^ffff^d of 300/. per annum, or upwards, in fee fimple^ copy- hold, lecfe-hold, or ejlate for life in fome part of the Britip do- minions. Each trcop is tochufe its own officers annually by ballot j and thofe ojjicers, when incorporated into regiments cf thehmdreds, are to chafe their refpe5five feld-ofi-^ cers by ballot : ^±he king flill re- taining the power of appointing general oncers annually out of all thefield-cfjicersfo chofen, both of horfe and foot. The yoimgerfons and bro- thers ofallperfnsfo qualified, when of age to bear arms, are permitted to roll \* 11 I' 't 4 \* ^ 11 if f NATIONAL MILITIA. 9 rollwith their fathers or brothers ofSc6k, 4. thefuperior cavalry^ provided they are as well mounted and accouter'd in the fame uniform : but if not in^ rolled there ^ all fuch are obliged to lift in the infantry of the fuperior militia^ by virtue of their fathers or brothers qualif cations^ and to do duty accordin^Jy, By this propofitlon the P.obliity and gentry of the bed f nciucs art fom>'d into a body of light-hcuic in each county, as well for their own eaie in uccoafre- ments, as for the fafety of rh- kin^^dorn; fince by that means they can with more expedition march to th^ enemy at land- ing, and encounter them either as horfe or foot, as may be mofl advantageous. THATawell-conftitiUedrni!i.vifhouki chufe their own oti^ceij ^^^^ to tlie rank of generals, is highly reafonable, be- caufe the choice will naturally fall upon men of tlie belt character, from whom there is no fear of injuftice, or military opprefhon : 10 A PLAN FOR A Parti, oppreflion: and as the ballot prevents all refentments, fo the choice for one year only, will keep all officers within the bounds of moderation and decorum in the exercife of military power : nor can the honour of the crown fufFer any di- minution, while his majefty retains the fole power of appointing generals over each county, out of the field-officers chofen by the body of officers, who are the beft judges of their neighbours cha- rad:ers, and will therefore eledl the ablefl men in point of morals, education, and fortune. Thus the rights of the crown, and the liberty of the people may be preferv'd in pcrfecft fafety ; and what can give more fpirit and martial vigour to an army of gentlemen, than to be led by thofe of whom tliey have the bell opinion ? To form a militia of light cavalry out of the nobility and gentry, each being worth 300 1. per annum and upwards, or 1 ^ NATIONAL militia; if or 6000 1. in money, at their own Sedt. 4. charge, can be no increafe of expence to people of that rank j becaufc all fuch keep horfcs for health, convenience, or equipage, v/hich, with a little attention to fize and colour, may anfwer all mi- litary purpofes : and I appeal to the fenfe of every gentleman, whether fomc part of the expence at prefent beflowed on hounds and race-horfes may not be apply'd more to the publick advantage in the military way, and be at the fame time a more manly, graceful exercife. I' I Custom, which has given a fandioii to fuch profitlefs amufements, attended with immenfe expence, will, upon the eftablifliment of a national militia, foon juflify a more commendable employ- ment. A military fpirit will then ac- tuate every gentleman to rival his neigh- bour in the accomplifliments of a good officer, cfpecially if thofe of the higheft rank and characfter will fct the example with fleadinefs and vigour. But 1^ A PLAN FOR A But as the notion of order is gene- rally annexed to uniformity of drefs, accoutrements, and colour of horfes 5 I would recommend a plain fcarlet drefs with gilt buttons, a gold laced hat, and light boots, for the habit of the fupe- rior cavalry; for the accoutrements, fuch faddles as our horfe-officers now ufe, with plain fcarlet furniture ; a light car- bine and piftols of mufquet bore ; the horfes of 15 hands high, like our ftrong fized hunters, and of a bay colour, as the mofl common and mod eafily col- lected, This fimilarity may perhaps be thought unncceflary, as it is only an imitation of the prcfent cuftom of the foldiery in a point not effential. But as this uniformity of drefs is the general prad:ice of the armies of Europe, it is a circumflance, that dcferves coniidera- tion J for we know what effeds fafluon and opinion, however arbitrary, have upon . ^ NATIONAL MILITIA. ij upon men. Their enemies will proba- Scd:. 4. bly entertain higher notions of fuch an army, and their friends receive more pleafure from the appearance. There- fore as the uniformity of drefs and ac- coutrements is not more expenfive than the contrary, I would recommend it as a pofitive injundion in the ad: of mili- tia ; but more efpecially ^n the arms of horfe and foot, becaufe if all are not exadlly of the fame bore *, the car- tridges * It may not be improper here to correal an error in common practice, even among our re- gular forces, viz. tliatof making cartridges with too heavy a load of powder, which do lef? execu- tion, and hurt our foldiers by the recoil of their arms. To remedy this defed therefore it is pro- pofcd, that cxaa care be taken to fill all car- tridges with no more powder than is fufficient to give the ball good force without recoil in the ex- plofion, which I apprehend may be done with one fourth part of the weight of ball, if the powder is good In like manner, the niceft care ou^ht to be ta?:en in rafting bullets fo much lefs than the bL»!e, tiiat tney may Hip down with eafe, when rolled in cartrido;es, even into a foul e;un : for, if b')th thefe regulations are not obferv'd^ with accu- r. cy, fatal defeats may happen to armies in the lu-at of aclion, by a great number of men and riims becoming abfolutclv ufelcfs. I I4 A PLAN FOR A Part I. tridges provided by the publick muft bo ufelefs to a great part of the army. SECT. V. Prop. 5. T/jat the infantry of the fupe^ rior militia he alfo form'd of men of property y at their own expence ; 'i^iz, all men worth 50 /. per an- numy or upward/ % [but wider 300/, per annum) of any kind of ejl ate in the Britifi dotniniom : allfuch as are worth in money or chattels five hundred pounds 5 all thofc who rent an houfe or lands to the 'value of 50 /. per annumy or upwards^ to 300/. Thefons alfo of all men thus qualified, when of age to bear armSy are entitled to lifi in the infantry of the fuperior militiay if they think fit to comply with the uniform ; but if ?ioty they are obliged to do duty in the fub ordinate militia of theparifi where they re^ fide. Every company of the fupe- rior militia is to chufe its own offi- cers f t f NATIONAL MILITIA. 15 cers by ballot, and when form'd Sedt. 5; into a regiment of the hundred^ thofe ojicers to chufe the field-officers out of their own corps by ballot. The king appoints general officers annually over the foot y in like man^ tier, as before fpecified in the ge^ ncrals of the horfe. No dijlindlion to be made in the drefs of officers ^ except the fiarf or fajh^ but all to wear the fame uniform ejiablijloed by a5l of parliament for hotfe or foot. The reafons offer 'd in fupport of the firft propolition, are in general applica- ble to this. Little therefore need be ad- ded here, but with refped: to the uni- form of drefs and accoutrements. In the former cafe, I would recommend only a plain blue cloath coat trim'd with gilt buttons, an hat laced with a gold lace of an inch broad, and white linen gaiters. As to arms and accoutrements, better cannot be defired than thofe now in the hands i6 A PLAN FOR A Part I. hands of our regular foot foldiers, either for fize or ufe : and therefore it is to be wifhed, that all the arms for the national militia were deliver'd from the tower of the fame bore, and the weapons of the fame fize ; that every man entitled to roll in the horfe or foot of the fuperior militia, may be obliged to provide him- felf from thence, at a certain moderate price, and of real goodnefs. To admit no diftinction of drefs be- tween the officers and foldiers of the mi- litia, except the fcarf or fafh, feems agreeable both to oeconomy and good policy 5 for by that means all officers may fave the needlefs expence of gaudy clothes, and be more fecure in the day of battle, when the enemy cannot di- flin2;ui{h them at a dillance from other men of the ccr^is. SECT. VI. Prop. 6. That the aivalry of the fuhcr^ dinate militia be compofed 'wholly of NATIONAL MILITIA. 17 of noblemen's and gent lcmc?i's fcr- Sc6t. 6. 'vants, or petty tenants not quaU'- ^-^-^ jied to roll in the horfe or foot of the fuperior militia. All thefe to be . ivell i7iounted^ arin'd^ and accon- ter'dy as our regidar horfe m^jo arcy but in iiniforjn bliL\ faced ivith red, and trinfd loith 'white metal buttons, 'Thefubordinate ca- 'Dairy to march, exercif, and be ■ ^t>/^^#^4 ^t the fame time and place njcith the fuperior cavalry of the fame difriSf, ^icho are akvays to have the precedence, or the poll of honour. Every per Jon -.vorth 500/.- per annum in any kind of cjlate in Great Britain, or ten thcifand pounds in money, fiall be obliged to furniJJj one able-bodied man com^ pletcly mounted, arnfu, and ac- couter'd, to this irfcrior order of heavy cavalry : every man ^ortb 1000/. per annum., or 20,000 L in money, fall firnijb t-^^o fich troopjrs, and fo on in proportion to ^ tig I A PLAN FOR A the extent of his ejlate^ at his otvM exj>ence. The fubordinate cavalry eompofed in the manner prefcribed by this propofi* tion, will make a very large body of heavy cavalry for every county in the kingdom, with little or no additional expence to men of fuch fortune as are obliged to furnifli them : for, as all gentlemen of 500 1. per annum and up- wards, keep fervants and horfes, it is eafy to equip his troopers in proper li- very, and mount them upon coach-* horfes which generally are, and always may be of a proper lize, and black co-» lour, fit for heavy cavalry. Thus an idle fet of people, kept too often as the trappings of grandeur, may ferve all tlie prefent purpoles, and become a moft ufeful order of foldiers, by meeting and performing in the feveral diflridls all the neceffary exercifes of heavy cavalry, ill a dilliiK^l regiment, cnce every month, upon i i NATIONAL MILITIA. 19 upon the day wJicn their mailers of the Sec^. 7. fupcrior cavahy do the fame duty. Let the landed men of Great Britain confider, bcfidcs the national advantage ofluchan inflitution, whether it is not a more graceful appearance to fee a gen- tleman of ample fortune attended to the field of military exercife by five or fix fervants well mounted, arm'd and ac- couter'd, than to view fo many drones at his heels in quefl of an hare : as to purfue and hunt down an infolent, am- bitious invader, is more glorious than to unkennel, or kill a fox. SECT. vn. Prop. 7. Thai the infantry of the fiihcr^ dinate militia be formed of the common people, ^hefe^ tho* ejla- blljhed into co?npa?ues u?ider officers chofen an?2ually by themfehes cut of the fuperlor militia^ i?i the way of ballot^ afid to be excrcifed every Su?iday by quarter parts ^ according C 3 to A PLAN FOR A to the coptaiiCs appoint nient in each parijh ; yet are not to he regi- mented^ but to act as independc?it companies reithin the limits of their refpeclive parijhes j except in cafe cf in'-cijion, or as pioneers to the camp of the fuperior militia. In fnch cafes, thfe companies may be forinW into regiments by the king's order, upon the fame plan ivith the fuperior militia, to lohom they are akcays to yield precedence^ or the pof of ho).oia\ Si>:cE few mcH In tlic kinfTclcm, ca- pLiV'le of bearii^g urnis, :ire fo very poor, as to be unable to provide a fpare coat of feme clieap and durable colour, in which to pcrfjnn tb.cir military exer- cifcs-i efr/cciallv as fiicli a co;.t bcin^ in ufe once a mondi only, v/ill lafc ir.any years ; ana v/noever plcaics may make liis ulualhabii of ihut ccloar: tliLTcfore I propofc, tliat cxii man (f the i rift rior inf miry be cloathci in a unii^rm blue cr 4. giccn * '7 .% NATIONAL MILITIA. 21 green coat with \\hite imtal buttons, Sea:. 7. wliich may fervc for a Sunday, and mi- litary drcis. Ui't bccauic people of tlic lowcll clafs cani'iot gcncr.iHy fparc To mucli money as will purchufc arms anj accoutremei.t', it is reasonable tliat all thefc flioulJ be furnilhcd at the nation's expence. When therefore the fubordinate mi- litia is exadtly enrolled into companies tliroiigiiout every pariili of the kin:;dom, and eacli company has chofen a cv.ptain, lieutenant and eniign out of the fupcrior militia, the governn.entmayfeiid to every captain for each man lb enrolled, a good ii rc-lock, baj^onet, broad-fv/ord, pouch, belts, &c\ marked \wich the name of the paridi for which tlicy are appointed ; and the captain for the time being may pafs his receipt, with a promife to keep tliem f^fe and in good order, for the ufc of the company. C3 la A PLAN FOR A « In like manner each captain Is to take the fame kind of receipt from his fuc^ cclTor ; and dining every captain's pof- feflion of the arms, each is to be al- lov/*d an armourer to keep them cle:^n, and in good order, at the expcnceofthc government. Each armourer may be an expericjiced fcrjeant or corporal, al- lowed full pay for that purpofe, and to afTill the officers in difciplining the foU diers every Sunday, PART NATIONAL MILITIA. 23 Sefl. I. PART IL TIT E different branches, into wliich it is here propofcd to di- vide the national mii.u, and in what part each member of the common- wealth is to be ranked, beiiig thus ex- plained j it now rem. ins to conlider, how thefe may be leverally formed into regiments, and trained. And herein we fhall endeavour to com]->ly, as near as may be, with the regulations efta- blifhed by the prefent adts of militia, SECT. I, 7he form of cjlahlijlnng the in^ fantry of the fuperior militia, 1. That the lord lieutenant of each county be authorized and required to appoint a deputy for each hundred in his jurifdidion, who under fuiccible penalties fliall be obliged by law to do the duties of tliat oHice for three years at leafl, C4 2. A PLAN FOR A 2. That the deputy lieutpnant of each hundred be authorized and re- quired, at a certain d^y of the year, (fuppofe the firll Monday after ChriH- mas) to iillie his warrant:; under hand and feal to the high confiabie of the hundred, requiring him to caufe all perfons refidcnt in each p.;rilli, within his diAricr, and qualified (as in propo- fition the ^th) for the infantry of the fupcrior militia to meet on the Sunday fcllQwii^g at their rcfpcclive parilh churches; and there, after morning fcrvicc, to enter, or enroll their nrmes in a bojk kept f;r thiat purpofe, in prefcnce of the miniilcr and church- v/;:rdei:s for the time being, under the penuky of forfeiting five pounds each. A'fid the minillers and churcli- wardenG, under the like ibrfeiture, are required to examine into, and determi]^.e the qualificaticn of each per- fon to be enrolled, to fee his name cntcr'd, and to make return thereof un-^ dcr It- i< - \ <^ ^. 33 WIST MAIN STRifT WnSTIR,N.Y. I4SM (716)S72-4S03 o^ i S6 ' A PLAN FOR A Part II. invafion, when the militia of feveral counties is join*d into one army, the whole may adt with greater force, by an exadt uniformity of difcipline. Since the art of afoldier is generally taught in a very (hort fpace to the moft aukward countrymen taken from the plow, it cannot be doubted that men of better education may become accom- plifhed foldiers in much lefs time : and therefore it is no improbable conclufion, that the whole body of fuperior militia may, by excrcifing once every month, become a regular army in one year after inftitution, or much fooner; if, by more frequent excrcife, the national de- fence requires it. .f - • ' But, that the Britifh militia may ar- rive at the higheft pcrfedtion in the art of war, it feems expedient, that the army of each county fhould encamp al- ternately, for a week or ten days every fummer, in fome place the moft open, and t i I NATIONAL MILITIA. 37 and neareft the fea j or in the centre of Sedl. 6. each county, according to its lituation, near, or at a diftance from the coafts, where all the difcipline of a camp may be learn'd ; battles, fkirmirties, fieges, and every fcene of war adled, as much to the real improvement, as entertain- ment of the army. For this purpofe, all officers and fol- diers, entitled to roll in the fuperior mi- litia of horfe, or foot, muft be obliged by law to furnifh themfelves with tents and field-equipages, fuch as the legifla- ture thinks fit ; the expence of which may be made eafy, by four or fix neigh- bours joining in the property of one tent, &c. Those gentlemen of fortune, who arc to furnifh the heavy cavalry, may alfo bear the expence of their tents and field-equipages ; for it feems necefiary that this body of horfe Ihould know all the duties of a camp, during the conti- D 3 nuance 38 A PLAN FOR A Part IT. nuance of which each county muft fiir- nifli its own army with ammunition, provifion and forage, by a county-rate, called ammunition and trophy tax, to be levied by the deputy-lieutenants of each county, or any fix of them, authorized by the militia adl fo to do, in a manner moft equal and proportionate, according to the prefent forms of county-rates. And, to render the army of each county more complete, it is nccedary to efta- blifli a regiment of pioneers of unmar- ried men, out of the fubordinate in- fantry of that town or hundred where the alarm-pofl is appointed; which being incorporated, may chufe its own officers by ballot out of the fuperior infantry, in the manner before prefcribed. This regiment of pioneers may be allowed a pay of fix- pence a day for each man, out of the fame fund : for, as that order of people can fupport themfelves by daily labour only, it feems juft to allow them a fmall pay during tlie encampment. To .. ii^- NATIONAL MILITIA. To render the national militia more formidable, it is alfo neceflary, that the army of each maritime county be pro- vided with a good train of artillery at the national expence, to be referv'd in an houfe near the magazine of ammuni- tion, to be built for thcfe purpofes in the mofl convenient part of the county, as near as podible to the alarm-poft ; which ought to be appointed at fome confiderable town, where the men may be well accommodated, as near the fea- Coafts as poflible, and populous enough to furnifli a large artillery-company, who, befides the common exercife of the firelock, may be taught all the arts of engineering, by firing cannon and mortars at butts eredted for that purpofe. As there is no branch of the art of war more necefTary for national defence, fo none ought to be more encouraged j and yet I am forry to fay it, nothing is here more ncgkded. D 4 Suck ^ *• A PLAN FOR A Such a train of artillery may confifl: of 4 mortars and 20 * field- pieces, like thofe now in ufe among the Germans ; which are of lefs expencc, and of more fervice than heavy cannon, becaufe more eafily drawn from place to place, as fuddcn occalion may require. SECT. VII. Prop'fal for incorporating the officers of cur prefcnt arm\\ la^ith the national militia -, and to continue them in full pay for life. For the better difciplining the na- tional militia, and at the fame time to do juftice to the officers of our army upon the prcfent eftablifhment, it feems right * This kind of artillery is much improved by Mr. RobiriL the mathematician, by decreafing the weight, ani increafing the bore, fo as to dif- charge a i'.^ ;er ball, or more partridj;e-fhot in proportion, ti^an thofe now in ufe : thefe field- pieces, being open at the breech at the time of loading, are Icfs fubjed to heat by repeated dif- charges, and charged with more expedition. .% H 4 NATIONAL MILITIA. 41 right to incorporate them with the mi- Scdt. 7. litiaof each diflricl, where their general rcfidence is, and to continue them in full pay during life, but without fuccefTors : fince all that expence to the publick may be faved by the eflablifhment of a well- regulated militia. A s thefc officers are fuppofed mafters of difcipline, it is juft they fhould take poft in precedence of all militia offices of the fame rank : thus generals of the prefcnt army take poft of thofe ap- pointed by the King out of the militia : fo a colonel takes the right of him who is eledled colonel of the regiment of the hundred ; the lieutenant-colonel of his fellow, the major of his, and the cap- tain of his : for, a firfl and fecond officer of the fame rank, and in the fame corps, confift as well together in the land as fea-fervice; and a fubordination may be preferv'd, as well in the fame rank, as in different orders, provided the offi- cer, 42 A PLAN FOR A Part II. ccr, who takes pofl to the right of his fellow, has alfo the command of him. But becaufe the national militia of this kingdom will confifl: of more regi- ments than our prefcnt army, it is pro- pofcd that one ofRecr only in pay Ihall be enrolled in each regiment of the mi- litia by the king's allotment j and that •jU ib.balterns now upon tlie eflablifh- mcnt (liall be continued in full pay, and be pofled by the king's appoint- ment in different parifhes, as fir as their prefent number extends, to inflrudl the infmtry of fubordinate militia of each parifh in the art of difcipline. In like manner all the ferjeants and corporals now in pay may be continued, ;ind cuitoned as far as their number ex- tends, one in every hundred, to aflift the oiHccrs of fuperior mihtia in teach- ing the military exercife. SECT, NATIONAL MILITIA. SEC T. VIII. Propofal for incorporating all officers of the navy ivith the militia of the di^ flriSl where their general refidence is. The navy of Great Britain is without all doubt its prefent bulwark againft fo- reign invafion, and will always be the only prot-dtion of its navigation and commerce : Therefore it is good policy to give all polFible encouragement to fea-officers, by continuing them in con- ftant full pay, provided they are alfo incorporated witli the militia of the di- ftridt wliere their general rcfidcnce is, upon the fime foot with the land-offi- cers above-mentioned; computing the precedence of rank among ^iiem ac- cording to priority of commillionj as the precedence of militia-officers muft be computed from the firft eledtion, a certificate whereof may be always given by tlie deputy-lieutenant of the hun- dred, where each officer is firft eleded. ^ This A PLAN FOR A This inftitution of incorporating all fca-olHcers with the national militia, is probubly the befl means of advancing the interefl: and glory of this kingdom ; bccaufe, by learning the military art, tlicy may become as well qualified to condud: armies, as fleets. It has been the misfortune of this nution, in the firft inftitution, to fepa- rate abfolutely the fea and land fervice ; fo tliiit there is hardly a fmgle inftance of one accompliflied in both. The ill fiiccefs of all our expeditions, where land and fea forces in conjundion were neccfUiry, has been owing principally to that caufe ; but when our fea-otlicers are as well qualified by military difci- pline for both fpheres, we may expedl to fuccecd in fuch enterprizes, at leaft as well as the French ; for whatever m:iy be prefumed in fivour of land- ofiicers, it is certainly more eafy to learn their a.t, than that of a fea-commander : nor NAT lONAL MILITIA. 4J nor is it a grountllcfs fpcciilation, to be- Scdt. 8. lieve that thofc who huvc often com- bated the dangers of the fen, and been long inured to fiitlguc, arc btft able to bear the toils and hazards of a camp. Upon all accounts therefore it is moll expedient that the Bntlfli fca-officcrs fhould be train'd and well /killed in the art of war pradtifcd at land ; as, by the help of a more liberal education than is confiftent with the prcfcnt rules of fcr- vitude in the navy, they may be quali- fied to command both land and fea forces, upon any foreign expedition, without the flital interruptions attending a joint, or incompatible command. For though the (kill required in a fea com- mander is of a more extendve kind than the mere fcience of difcipline at land ; yet certainly it cannot be necefliiry for attaining it, to fend a young gentleman on board, at the age of 15, a compa- nion for foremaft-men, and fecluded from all means of a liberal education. The greateft fea-commander this nation cao, 46 A PLAN FOR A Part II. can boaft of (Blake) was educated at Oxford as a fchoiar, and from thence became a land-foldier, before he apply 'd himfelf to the fea. Might not our navy therefore be conduced by men of greater accomplifliments, if thofe of education, inflrudted in all the previous knowledge rcquiiite, might be admitted as officers^ after two years fervice ? S E C T. IX. ^he manner of inforcing difcipline in a national militia. \ We are often told by modern fol- diers, that military difcipline cannot be well eftablifhed without the utmofl fe- verities of corporal punifliment, to which I confefs no freeman ought to fubmit : for whenever focicties conftantly fubjedt themfelves to the lafhes of martial law, they become real flaves ; and, in this itwit^ all the mercenary armies of the world are no better than flaves to the will I NATIONAL MILITIA. 47 will and power of lum who pays uiul ScdL 9. dircds them. These methods ofeflaMiriilng mili- tary dilciplinc are juftly dctdlable to free-born Britons, and not Icfs forLigii to the intention of this plan, which pro- pofes all the encouragements of exam- ple, emulation, and rew^u'd ; and no other punilhment but pecuniary hnes, with the penalty ufual in cafe of non- payment : for thcfe, and thefc only, are the means of enforcing mihtary difci- pline, confiftently with publick liberty. As the example of die great has fach powerful influence over all nations in things indifferent, or perhaps criminal, and contradictory to reafon ; how elil- cacioufly muft it operate in cafes where publick happincfs is the obvious rcfult ? National honour, fclf-prefervation, tlic fecurity of property againft: ambitious ijwaders, all confpire with united force to engage great men to promote dlfci- pline in the mililia by their own ex- ample. 48 A PLAN FOR A Part II. ample. And if men of quality and fortune once take delight in martial cx- ercifes, they muft very foon become honourable, and the general fafliion. The crouds of fair fpedtators, who now attend horfc-races, to fee the contefts of thofe animals in fleetnefs, muft re- ceive higher and more rational enter- tainment, from the pomp of war, and the competition of gentlemen in the arts of difcipline, fo evidently conducive to the publick felicity. Shews of that kind, befides the prefcnt pleafure of vi- fion, ariling from order and magnifi- cence under the condudl of valour, fill the mind with pleafing refledlions on the prefent publick fafcty, and the fu- ture ftability of national profperity. In- duftry itfelf cannot blame the lofs of time fpent in exercifes fo neceflary, provided they do not interfere with the labours of harveft. But left the power of example may not prevail, let all the incentives of emu- lation,. NATIONAL MILITIA. 49 l:ition, and even pccunij.ry rewarJs Se all other unprofitable offices, civil 6o .r i A PLAN FOR A r. .-' Part II. civil or military j :ind the fine to which' each deputy is fubicdt fbr negl'.tdting or rcfufing his oflicc, may be levied upon Iiis goods and chattels, by virtni; of a warrant under the hand and fcai of tha lord-lieutenant of the couniy, diredted to the high flieri^ or liis deputy > which fine is t. > L>o returned to the trea- fiircrof the hundred where it is levied, for the ufe of the militia. " The treafurer of each hundred fhall not iHue, or pay any fum of money, but .by a written order, under the hands of the prefident, and two other members of the court martial of each hundred ; except for powder, bullets, and the ex«* pence of making cartridges, of which an ample flore is to be provided at the difcretion of the treafurer, in the magar zinc of tli'j hundred, to be built for that purpofe, in the moll convenient place, by the joint direction of the colonels, or commanding OiTicers of the fuperiormi^ litia of horfe and foot, with the confen^ an4 " NATIONAL MILITIA. €i and concurrence of the ilcputy-licutcnant Sc(ft. 1 1". and treufurer of the huiKired for tlic time being. - But in cafe the dcputy-Hciitcnant, the treafiircr of tlic hundred, or anv other officer employ'd to levy fines, ihall opprefs, or treat unjuftly any man ; im- bezzlc, or mifapply any money ; fuch perfon fo offending may be indided by any officer of the hundred, at the next quarter-fell ions, and lined at the difcrc- tion of the jufticcs : and, upon tJic cer- tificate returned by the jullices of the quarter-feflionsto the court of exchequer, procefs may illue from thence to recover all fumsof money imbczzled, in the fume manner by extent, or otherwifc, as is ufual to recover the king's debts : which fums of money, fo receiv'd, mufl be paid over to the treafurer of that hun- dred, to which it properly appertains, whofe receipt fliall be an abfolute dif- charge for all money paid to him by any perfon whatibever. SECT. A PLAN FOR A SECT. XII. The ejlahlijhment of a court martial^ and court of honour in each hundred ^ As It IS impoflible to provide for every minute occurrence that may happen in cftablifhing and governing the militia, it feems neceflary to eredl a court mar^ tial, Gonfifling of the two corps of offi- cers, horfe and foot, of the fuperior militia in each hundred, (fiibalterns ex- cepted) with power to make regulations conformable to the general intention of the militia adl 5 the majority of which officers (exclufive of fubaltems) fhall conftitute a court martial of the hundred to all intents and purpofcs, as if all were prefent. The lord-lieutenant, deputy- lieutenant, and all generals of the county are always to be efteem'd members of the court martial of every hundred, and may prcfide there according to rank, whenever they attend : for, the com- manding officer prefent, of whatever rank,- \ f i NATIONAL MILITIA. 63 rank, is to prefide in each court mar-Se6l.i2, tial : and the perfon chofen out of the fubaltern officers, by a majority of voices of the court martial, fhali adt as the re- gifter and fecretary thereof, under the penalty prefcribed by law. If, when a military fpirit becomes general, it fhall be fufpeded, that the fentiment of honour may run fo high, as to increafe among gentlemen the de- teftable practice of private vengeance by duel J and, if it be thought neceflary for preventing this evil, the court mar- tial may alfo be inftituted a court of ho- nour, with fiill power to adjudge, and finally determine all difputes about pre- cedence, affront, or otherwife, for the prefervation of peace, order, and difci- pline; but fuch a court need not be furnifhed with any further power to en- force its decrees, than that of degrading from their military rank, whoever fliall refufe conformity to its deciiions. Tus ./ A PLAN FOR A The juiifdidion of this court may extend to officers of all degrees, both in the fuperior and fubordinate militia, general, officers excepted, who are to be tried only by their peers, in a court of honour to be appointed by the king. But the court of honour of each hun- dredj (which is alfo a court martial of the fame diftrid) mufl have power to examine, and pafs annually the treafu- rer's accounts, who fhall be abfolutely exonerated from all fubfequent demands, •upon accounts fo pafled, under the hands of the perfons then conflituting that court. - ^ .f* f : .: SECT. XIII. A tax upon all papijls^ by way of equi* *valent for perfoiial fei^ke in the mi- litia^ is jiiji and reafonable. Tho' it is probable that there are many good and faithful fubjedts among the papifls of tliis kingdom, who would not I I NATIONAL MILITIA. 6j not change their lihcrrtv, rnv render S^.^ j^. their property precarious by intro.lneing tyranny, with their rellobn, into this country; yet, fmec time cannot be diftinguifliecl, by any certain criterion, from bigots of t.he Romiih perfuafion I and, fincc noj^e of that feci can, con- fidently with their avowed principles, give this government fuch tefrimonials of their allegiance as are required by its conftitution, it is highly ju.'l- hikI rea- fonable not to tnifl them with arms, as It is to oblige them to pay a tax in lieu of perfonal fervice : for, as every mem- ber of fociety ov/es that fervice to the defence of the government from whence he derives protedion and fecurity ; fo he that yields it not, when able, either thro' indolence, or by adopting princi- ples fubverfive oftheconftitution, wil- fully withholds his fervice; and therefore ought to pay a tax equivalent to t.he fines which every other fubjea nays for negledl of military duty, in proportion to Ills fortune and condition in life. F SEC T. A PLAN FOR A SECT. XIV. The reafonabknefs of levying the like tax upon qiiakerSy who rrfufe to contribute perfonal fervice to the defence of their country, Qu,AKERs in general are a peaceable, frugal, induftrious people, and upon theib accounts valuable members of fo- ciety : but, by holding obflinately the principle of non-refiflance, they relign every focial blefling to the iirfl bold in- vader, and even invite publick deftruc- tion. In this refped: the quakers and papifls are alike injurious to fociety ; for if a government is ruined, it matters not by what hands, whether by foreigners unrefifled, or by fubjeds ill aftedled. The papill:s therefore, who cannot be trufled with arms in a proteftant go- vernment J and the quakers, who fcru- ple to ufe them, notwithflanding the primary law of felf-prefervation, ought in juftice to contribute a tax equivalent < i. u j ii. - p NATIONAL MILITIA. 67 to the pcrfonal fervice of other fubjedls, Sc^:. 1 5. in proportion to their fortune and con- dition, as all others mull: do, who wil- fully withhold their perlbnalaid from the publick defence. SECT. XV. T/je application of all fine i to military iife, I. It hath been faid before, that the treafurer of every hundred may ex offi- cio furnifli the magazine with powder and balls fufficient for the whole militia of his diftridl ; fome part of the fines may be therefore apply'd principally to that purpofe, after the militia has been eftablifhed. 2. These fines may alfo be applied to the purchafe of habiliments for the whole militia, fuperior and fubordinate ; fuch as half-pikes, partlzans, halberts, ftandards, kettle-drums, trumpets, drums, and colours, for every company in the hundred, which may be diftinguifhed from each other by diverfification of F 2 colours. 68 A PLAN FOR A Part II. colours, or devices, which are defcrip- tive of the parifli to which they belong. In the mean while, cockades of different colours may be provided for the fubor- dinatc militia, horfc and foot, fuitablc to their cnfigns, by which each regiment of the county, and eacli company of fubordinatc foot may be dillinguiflied from others. That all thefe fliould be provided cut of the fund ariling from fines, and the tax of papifls and quakers, feems rea- fonable, becaufe, by the annual eledlion of officers, frequent '^' rotations will liap- pen, and all thefe inftruments and en- ligns of war may be kept ready for the ufe of each regiment and company, without * The rotation of military offices may be ob- jtB.td to, IS contrary to mcdern pradice ; but the wonderlul fuccefs of the Roman armies proves it abfolutcly right. The Romans, without doubt, aftcctcd glory and command as much as other people, but yet they difdaintd not to obev in their armies the fame perfons whom they h;id formerly commanded j and to Terve as private foldiers, where ihey had been formerly generals. .,1. ; NATIONAL MILITIA. 69 without putting the officers to a ncwSedl.i^. expence upon every change of ft;ition. 3. Out of the fame fund the charge of beacons may be fupplied, and thefe fixed by appointment of the deputy- lieutenant, and treafurer of each hun- dred, upon the higheft hill, or moil confpicuous place of each diftrid, by which the alarm may be foon conveyed round the whole kingdom. In Switzerland the common method . of giving the alarm is by lighting an heap offlraw in the day-time, or a pile of wood at night 3 but an empty pitch- barrel eredled upon a bar of iron failen'd to a pole, may anfwer all the purpofcs at a lefs expence, until the fund is iliBi- cient to build fmall flone towers, and to buy two field-pieces, whicli may give the alarm, and be of ufe to the corps of each hundred, when upon adlion. The Germans are faid to provide two fuch field-pieces for every regiment, ' ^3 and h- 70 APLANFORA Part II. and it fecms a fit example for us, fince it renders a body of troops more formi- dable ; and, by adding thefe to the artil- lery of the county, the whole army will, upon a jundion, be amply provided. 4. But as it will be diflkult to fur- nidi trumpeters and drummers, expert in their Icveral arts, without hire, it may be prefiimed this fund will be foon fufiicient to fupply fuch, to each corps, at a moderate pay, to be fettled and agreed by the court martial of each hun- dred, and conflantly paid by the trea- furer for the time being. 5. Out of the fame fund the trea- furer of the hundred may provide fuffi- cient quantities of cockades, made of filver, or gold ribband, to be conferred, as military rewards, on fuch men as the commanding officer of each corps fhall adjudge them to ; or, if he fees fit, in- flead of a cockade, the perfon meriting may have 2 s. 6d. or 5 s. as he fhall appoint. Hir ^' NATIONAL MILITIA. 71 appoint. Such rewards, tlio' of trifling Sea. 1 6. expence, may be efFedtiial incentives to military performances among the common people, as emulation and love of their country will be to all men of higher rank, and better education. SECT. XVI. Military regulations fcr the city of Lon^ don, and all other populous cities in the Britijh dominions. The preceding regulations calculated for the militia of the kingdom in ge- neral, may ferve for the cities of London and Weftminfler, and all populous towns in the Britifli dominions, except in the few inftances folio v/in?. I. Besides the perfons qualified by eftate to ferve in the fiiperior cavalry, all fuch as refide in cities, and keep a riding horfe, or chaife-liorfe, fliould be obliged to conform to the eilablifliment of the fuperior cavalry, and do the duty of that ftation. F 4 2. A PLAN FOR A 2. In like miinncrall ptrfons, whofo rciidcncc is in cities, and who keep a p.ilr of co.ich-horlls, whether quahHed by cflatc or not, flior.ki be obhged to furnilh two troopers to the inferior ca- Vulry, i^iOuntcJ, arniM ;.nd aecouter'd accordlir'- to the v^flablillied inniorm. <• 3. All lioufe-kccpers, (except fueh as are bclbrc excn-pteJ, and the officers of the cnfcoms and cxcife) In every city, with their journeynKn, and appren- tices of a<:c to bear arms, fliould ferve in tlic fupcricr militia cf foot in perfop, and comply with the uni.^^'m eilabliflied bylaw. 4. All the red of the inferior peo- ple, fuch as working mechanieks, por- ters, coachmen, carmen, 6cc. fliould be rolled in the fubord.inate infantry, and do duty at their refpedive parifh- churches every Sunday, in quarter parts, in the fame manner as the common people of every county. 5- ir •J !• ♦» f 4^ i^ I! f; NATIONAL MILITI/^, 5. But bccaiifc cities are fo popu- lous as to furnifli great numbers of men both to the fuperitir and iuborcJinate mi- litia, every pariHi may compofe a re^-i- ment of each order, witJi liberty to eled: oflicers for each corps, in the manner before prefcribcd ; and tlic fuperior mi- litia, with the fubordinatc cavalry, may perform tlicir monthly exercifes in any fquare, or open place of parade, nearefl to their refpedlive parifhes. But as the church-yards of fome pariflies are too fmall for drawing up, or exercifing the fubordinate foot ; in fuch cafes they may perform it before or after divine fervice, in any open place nearell their refpec- tive pari(h-churches, where the otficers of each corps fliall agree to appoint. 6. The city of London being the great repofitory of the national trcafure, and principal port of navigation and commerce j the fuper-intendency of its militia fhould certainly be executed ra- ther I Si 1^ 74 A PLAN FOR A Part If. ther by a joint conimiflion, as at prc- fent, than be iiitruftcd to a finglc pcr- fon. Suppofc then, that as this city among others, has the privilege of chu- iing its own flicriffs, It might alfo have the appointment of its lieutenancy ; fo far at ieafl as to have that commiilion fupplied out of perfons recommended to that office by a folemn eledlion. « Whenever therefore an adt of mi- litia is pafled, in conformity to this, or a better plan, it is to be wilhed that the corporation of London may be autho- rized and required to fclecfl annually, by a majority of votes, in the way of bal- lot, 24 men ; whofe names being certi- fied under the city-feal, and prefented to liis Majefty by the hand of the re- corder, he may chufe fuch as he pleafes to conftitute a court of lieutenancy, con- fining of 1 2 members, by whofe pru- dence and vigilance the militia of Lon- don may become a well-difciplin*d army of 20o,OQp men : an army of itfelf nu- merous I f ! !' 1 t V NATIONAL MILITIA. 75 incrous enough, if well train'd, to rcn- Scd.i6. dcr our capital inviucible. 7. As this lieutenancy is to cxercife all the powers with which the lords- lieutenants of counties arc inverted, foit is neccilary this court fhould be autho- rized and required by the militia adt, to appoint deputy-lieutenants for each ward of the city, fubjed: to the fame duties, and under the like penalties with all other deputy-lieutenants of the hun- dreds* 8. But as magazines of powder are dangerous to cities, it feems proper that the Tower of London fliould be that city's magazine, from whence the am- munition may be conveniently diftri- buted in fmall portions every week, or otherwife, as occafion may require. Near all other cities it is expedient to build fmall fortrefles for the fituation and fafety of their feveral magazines and artillery. The city of London can want 7^ A PLAN FOR A Part II. \\\m'c no other but the royal artillery common] V lodt2;ed in the tower : and the hamlets may continue to furnifli an ar- tillery-company, as at prefent, to be cxercifed in all the arts of engineering, v/it'i more care and affiduity than lii- thcrto. 9. Great cities are too populous to be drawn into one camp at a mode- rate expence, but yet it is expedient their fuperior militia fhould be in fome meafure expert in all the necelTary pre- parations for publick defence : and therefore it is propofed, that one quarter part of the fuperior militia of London and Wellminfter, with the like portion of inferior cavalry, be encamped by rota- tion and lot, upon Black-heath for one week, at the moil leifure feafon of every fummer. In lefs populous cities and towns, where the fuperior militia exceeds not five thoufand men, the whole body of horfe and foot will form but " y e ^ NATIONAL MILITIA. but a fmallarmy, and a moderate en- S-vt'i/^ campmeiit. -'■'•• lo With thefc few variations it is pre- fumed the preceding plan may be a- dapted to cities and populous towns, as well as to all the counties of this king- dom : and if the legiflature approves, and puts it in execution, it is to be wifhed the law may extend to every part of the Britifh dominions, where it is prafticable ; more efpecially to our provinces, and great cities of North A- merica, fituated near a reftlefs, enter- pnzing neighbour, now at enmity whofe intereft it is to fubdue by fraud or force, all thofe countries lying be- tween his dominions and tJie fea ; and confequently obftrud the increafe of his navigation and commerce. For pre venting therefore fuch fatal incroach- ments on the Britifh dominions, no means can be fo effedtual as the efta- bhlhment of a general militia well train'd to arms in all thofe provinces, where the 78 A PLAN FOR A Part II, the governor of each may be invei!ecf with the fame powers, which are ex- ercifed by the lords-lieutenants of coun- ties in this kingdom » It muft be obferv'd however, that this fcheme is not fuitable in all points to our fugar iflands, Jamaica, Antigua, St. Chriftopher's, Montferat, and Nevis ; becaufe none of them are peopled with white inhabitants proportionate to their extent, and blacks are not to be trufted with arms. Thofe iflands therefore muft have the aid of fome mercenary forces added to their refpedtive militias^ as well for preferving their fafety within, as to guard them from petty incurfions of a near and more powerful neighbour : but fuch a joint force is not fufficient to defend them againft a general invafion, which the French will moft probably attempt ; becaufe upon the pofl'eflion of thofe colonies, fo happily (ituated for the protedion of the whole Britifh na- vigation and commerce to America, and .. » tor ; t . id 1- It s •> m 1 r 1 NATIONAL MILITIA. j^ for diftreffing the French, depends the Sedl.i 6. empire of thofe feas. Strong fleets there- fore properly, and conftantly flationed at the fugar colonies, are the only infal- lible means of preferving thofe mofl va- luable poiTeffions, and of reducing the maritime power of France. How ufeful, how necefTary indeed a general militia is for the kingdom of Ireland, and the great city of Dublin, every man of fenfe there will difcern at firft fight, who confiders how much his country is expofed to invafion, from its numerous unfortified harbours, and deep ihorec ; and what encouragement a po- pifli enemy has to invade a place a- bounding with people of the fame re- ligion, ready to favour an enterprize fo conducive to their private intereft, and to the extirpation of thofe whom they judge hereticks. The parliament of Ireland may pro- bably think thefe points mofl worthy of con- 8o A PLAN, Sec. Part II. confideration at this dangerous jundhircy when no doubt they will have both his Majefly's concurrence and encourage- ment, to inflitute a national militia of proteflants, fo necelTury to their interior fafety, and to the prefervation of that va- luable part of his dominions from exte- rior force. And if a national militia is neceHary to preferve the provinces of this king- dom, how much more necellliry is it to the feat of empire, which ought to have ftrength enough, not only for its own defence, but to proted: all the diftant parts of its wide extended terri- tories ; efpecially as they are expofed to the attacks of a great and formidable enemy ? an enemy envious of our hap- pinefs, ever ready and watchful to ex- alt his power, and extend his com- merce upon the ruin of this nation, which feems impolfible to be prevented by any other means than that of a jufl and frugal adminiftration, fupported by a well-difciplin*d national militia. APPENDIX. f APPENDIX 81 PR O P o S A LS For Improving the Maritime Power OF GREAT BRITAIN. HEN, i>y the eftablifli- ment of a national militia, the great expence of fup- ^„ ) \ / ' *^ government may apply thofe ravings, partly to the difl charge of our public debts, and partly to the improvement of its maritime power, by .ncreafing the number of Bntifh Seamen. ■"■■■" • ' . '" je but actually repugnant to the primary intention of encouraging the increaie of feamen : for, putting any order of peo- ple upon a worfe footing than their fel- low-fubjedls, muft difcourage them from chufing fuch a condition of life. If the number of French feamen at the begin- ning of the laft war is compared to the number at prefent, I believe their re- giftiy will be found of no advantage. It is plain to every common obferver^ that the power of France at fea is by no • J APPENDIX, no means equal to what it was in the reigns of King William and Qiiccn Anne ; which is partly owing to the declenfion of their flfheiy *, and proba- bly, in fome meafure, to the oppref- lions of their regiflry. But fuppofe coercive means could increafe the number of feamen, flavery debafcs the mind, extinguifliing the fenfe of honour, the natural love of our country, and that national magnanimity, which flows only from liberty ; and therefore opprefTion would neceiTarily decreafe the maritime power of Britain, by extinguifhing the courage of its fea- xnen, even wbjle it increafed tlieir num- ber. 1 If this is not obvious to common fenfe, let it be convinced by fidts ob- ^2 fervable * If the decline of the power of France at Tea IS not imputable to thefe, it wHI be very hard to affign more probable reafons : for certainly their "^VCar'/''''^''^^^"^)^ ''^'^rcaf,^ iii the E-^ft 83 84 APPENDIX. fervable in the hiftory of the RomanSi who were always vidtorious under the condud of their confuls, but un- der the Decemviri always unfortu- nate ', but when the tyranny of the Dccemvirat extinguiflied, and their liberty was recovered, having the fame tendernefs and affedtion for their country, they fought as well as be- fore, and their enterprizes had the fame happy fuccefs */' And what are the people of Rome at this day, compared with their anceftors, while in the full poirelTion of liberty ? But the caprice of fome men is not confined to this point only 5 for, while we are contriving means to increafe the number of feamen, others are afraid of over-ftocking the profeflion, and ren- dering it a wretched fubfiftence for all. But he that takes a view of the extent of commerce, and how that of Great Britain may be improved in the Fifhery upon * See Machiavel, page 312. chap. 43. ■ r APPENDIX, upon its own coafts, at Newfoundland, Greenland, &c. may reft fatisfied, that half a million « of our people might reap plentiful harvefts from the bound- fcfs and fruitful fields of commerce. That laft branch of trade, with the her- ring fifhery of Scotland we have loft, and the Dutch have acquired j not from better fkill, but from tiic cheapnefs of their navigation, arifing principally fi-om their great numbers of feamen : and as the fifliery wholly maintains multitudes of people in Holland, fo it is the beft nurfery of mariners ; becuife a great part of the crew confifting of landmen, (who can do feveral offices in that trade as well as others) are taken on board ^3 for r„m„ , ^""'"''"''"""'^ '""ft'-ata (pa^e 268 1 DuTh fo """ """ ^f authorities That th no Id,' thai i '^" J ""y^" '^'°' '"'"■ntained no Ids than 30,000 fiMr„i,es, or 1 50,000 peoole Britain . not including that vaft number of nco f mnl'n IT nt- ''/'"? ''^ "-^ "«<=fl-y 'on- ,IZ^T 'r '""''' °* cluathing and privilionS fall very Ccf Ij/r^nS ''''''"' '^"^ ^5 86 APPENDIX. for fuch voyages, on cheaper terms, and fo are infenfibly made good feamen. Thus, among the Hollanders, wages become cheaper by multiplying their mariners ; and by extending their trade, they continue to increafe their feamen, and yet all have a comfortable mainte* nance. In truth, the moil natural means of increafing the number of our feamen are, 1. By giving all poflible encourage-* jnent to trade in general, and particu- larly to that of our Sugar-Iflands, North- American colonies, the Britifh, New- foundland, and Greenland Fifheries. 2. By eftabliihing, under the fanc- tion of a law, fuch rewards and privi- leges, as may induce the common peo- ple to become feamen. TpB f '» r { APPENDIX, 8? I* The moft plain and effedual method of encouraging trade and manufadures, is to eafe them as foon as poffible of thofe burdens, with which unwary flatefmen have long opprefled them : for to lay heavy duties upon commerce, is to flop the fources of national wealth. To impofe excifes upon the neceflaries of life, or on fuch things as arc mofl convenient to the labouring people in general, is a real oppreflion ofinduftry, the main fpring of commerce : for what- ever renders the requilites of life dear to the labourer, is virtually a tax upon his manufactures, which enhances the prime coft ; and therefore the merchant muft fell them at foreign markets for an high- er price, or not at all. But the dear- nefs of commodities raiiing them above the common reach, neceflarily abates the confumption, or gives competitors room to fupply the demand at a cheaper rate : either of which is ruinous to com- merce. Those as APPENDIX. Those politicians therefore who tax the public induflry, defeat their own in- tentions of accumulating riches for their poflerity ; and ufc the poor people as the Afiaticks do their mofl fruitful trees : for, not content with the profufion of their natural productions, they pierce their trunks to' the heart, and drain their vital juices to glut the wantonnefs of appetite. But a prudent governor wull fupply the public exigence out of the abundance of the richj for whatever (hall be deducted from fplendid appa- rel, pompous equipages, and magnifi- cent palaces, will only be a cheque to luxury, which every wife ftate ought by all means to difcourage : becaufe luxury foftens the body to an effemi- nate delicacy, while it hardens the heart to an infenfibility of public good. No vice fo foon benumbs all tender affec- tions of humanity, which are tjie main pillars of focial happinefs : for by cre- ating innumerable felfiili wants, luxury leaves i •#>■ 'I i APPENDIX. leaves no means of fupplying the nc- cefiities of others, nor the leaft regard for the public welfare : but if it were duly reftrained, true patriotifm might again revive. To remove the prefent burdens of trade, and lay them upon the rich and luxurious, is therefore the moft natural method of raiJing this nation to a ftate of profperity : for, when trade and ma- nufactures flourifh, the number of our fliips muft neceflarily increafe, and thofe requiring more hands, will of courfe multiply the number of feamen : as on the contrary, a declenfion of trade pro- duces a decay of navigation, with a de- crcafe of mariners. ■ The fecond means propofed of mul- tiplying the number of Britifli feamen, is to eflabliih a regiflry by law, with fuch rewards and privileges as may in- duce our common people to breed their fons to the fea, to retain them in that I profeffion, •» ir 90 APPENDIX. profeffion, and to furnilli a fufficicnt number always in readinels upon the moft fudden occafion, to man a power- ful fleet. SI' 1 M M I- id Suppose the number of feamen wanted for that purpofe fliould be twenty thoufand ; the expence of main- taining half that number in full pay, computing 1. 4. for every man a month, inclufive of the navy charges, will be 1. 520,000 The other 10,000 kept in half pay, without expence of vic- tualling, &c. will, at lis. 6d. a month for every man, amount to 74>75o Total per Annum, 1. 5949750 But if a greater number of men are thought neceflary to be regiftered, and the expence ihould be 1. r, 200,000 a year, this nation is well able to bear a charge fo conducive to the profpcrity of its .ii A PPENDIX. its commerce in times of peace, if not neceflary to its exiftence as a free ftate. The queftion then is, how fhall we in- duce 20,000 feamen to enter volunta- rily into a regiftry ? I anfwer : 1. By allowing 10,000 of them the ufual full pay, and the other 10,000 half pay. 2. When the firft 10,000 have been in full pay for fix months, then reducing them to half pay, and receiving the other 10,000 into full pay, for the following fix months, and fo proceeding conti- nually, that each part may enter alter- nately upon full pay, by regular and im- partial rotation ; except when any greater number, or the whole rtiall be required for any fervice, and then all that are taken into employ fliould be allowed full pay, with viduals, &c. as at pre- fent ; but when the occafion ceafes, that half of the whole number which had been 9t I I mi w 92 APPENDIX. been moft upon duty, may be difmiffed upon half pay, as before expreffed. . . . , , ■ ' ■ .) 3. By keeping thofe in full pay, em- ployed in the king's docks, repairing the fleet, or in fmall fquadrons, or fingle fliips, fcouring the feas of pirates, or of fuch others as may prcfume to commit depredations on our commerce, or force an illicit trade : but permitting thofe in half pay to enter into the merchants fer- vice, for fhort voyages, not exceeding three months in fummer, or four in winter ; provided they return at the time when they are entitled to enter into full pay. 4. When regiftered feamen have thus ferved in the navy for five or fix years, they fhall be intitled upon de- mand, and proper certificates from their refpedive captains to the admiralty, or navy board, to a difmiflion from the king's feryice, with a protection from all future imprefllng. ih' I If APPENDIX. $, In cafe of public emergency, if any feamen who have ferved in the navy as regiflered men, fliall after difmiffion enter voluntarily again into the king's fervice, all fuch fhall be entitled to warrant-offices on board his Majefly's fleet, preferably to any other man who has not ferved in the regiftry. 6. In cafe of maiming, or any other accident happening to a regiflered fea- man, either in the king's or merchants fervice, during the time of his being re- giflered, or at any time afterwards, and becoming unable to maintain himfelf by means of accident, or by old age, fuch regiflered feaman fliall be entitled to the ufual maintenance allowed in the royal hofpitals. 93 7. In cafes of emergency, when greater numbers may be wanted than are upon the regifler, all feamen who voluntarily enter on board any of his Ma- jefly*s 94 APPENDIX. jefty's fliips, fhall be intitled to be re- giflered, (if theydefire it) preferably to any other man, and to fill thofe vacan- cies in the regiftry, which are made by death or difmiffion. 8. The numerous hofpitals and cha- rity-fchools of this kingdom, intended for the public good, either through de- fed:s of the original inftitution, or by mifmanagement of their diredlors, are become the nurferies of lloth j and there- fore require new regulations to be made by the legiflature. If then aU thefe hofpitals and fchools were obliged by law to admit feamen's widows and chil« dren, preferably to others, the charity would be as extenfive, and much more conducive to public happinefs, than to train up the loweft part of the people to the learned languages, and the niceties of arithmetick ; which not only difables them, by a long habit of indolence, for the laborious profeflions of agricul- ture, and mechanic arts, but over-ilocks the APPENDIX. the profeflion of penmen, or clerks j .m£>much, that thefe people are often thrown upon the public, either to pine in want, or to fupply their neceflities, by turning highwaymen, pick-pockets, or (harpers. But if the children of fea- men are admitted into thofe hofpitals and fchools, and taught to read, write, and cipher fufficiently for a fea life * ; and then placed as apprentices in the King's 95 JS * In the education of poor children intended for the fea, it is to be wifbed, that by a large model of a (hip completely rigged, they might be inftrufted in the names, and ufes of every part ; fails, rigging, fleering, &c. by way of diverfion. So by dedicating fome part of each day to la- bour, fuch as fpinning threads for cordage, learn- ing to fplice, knot, make fpun yarn, mend and make fails, while the younger fort pick oakum, thefe poor boys might increafe the income, and provide for greater numbers in each hofpital. Thus their bodies may become robuft, by prac- tifmg thofe labours which fit them bcft for a fea life. Then to give their limbs ad^ivity with ftrength, their daily exercifcs might be running, wreftling, vaulting, cudgel-playing, which not only qualifies them in thedexterity of combatants, but teaches them to meet danger with intrepidity ; for courage may certainly be improved, if not acquired by habit. g6 APPENDIX. King's yards, and on board the navy, the number of good fliipwrights, rope- makers, anchor-fmiths, caulkers, fea- men &c, might be greatly increafed, without any new expence to the na- tion. iHil m And if our common people are thus educated in a certain method of living comfortably by induftry, it will conduce not only to their own, and the public advantage, but to the increafe of our feamen, who will chufe that profeflion, which entitles their wives to a comforta- ble fupport in ficknefs or old age, and their offspring to be the children of the public. This may be a juft reward for our brave feamen, who hazard their lives in their country's defence, and an encouragement for others to undertake the profeflion.r 9. All regiftered men, when to be entered on full pay, may by lot have their election to ferve in fuch of the King's 1 fy APPENDIX. King's fhips as are then put into com* miiiion, until each has its full number of men. \vi like manner, when more feamen are wanted than thofe upon the regifter, all volunteers who firft oifer may have their choice to enter on board any of hi^ Majefty's fhips wanting their complements ; and no volunteer ihall be turned over againft his will, from one fhip to another : but in cafe the ihip he firft entered upon is laid up, or put out of commiffion, then fuch volunteer is at liberty to enter or not, on board any of the King's fhips at that time ready for fervice. This regulation can be no inconvenience, except to fuch com- manders, whofe tyranny may have ren- dered them juftly odious, and who mufl therefore alter their condudt, or be con* tent to relinquifh a port, for which they are abfolutely difqualified. This is the good policy of the Dutch, who oblige their fea-captains to man their refpedive fhips with volunteers, as the fureft means of being well ferved : for feamen, like H all ^1 II 98 APPENDIX. all others, will exert their courage mofl vigoroufly, under fuch officers as they love, and believe mofl capable of con- ducting their affairs with juflice, pru- dence and valour. • ^ By thefe encouragements, immunK ties, and privileges, it may be prefumed a regiftry of 20,000 feamen might be effected immediately j and with fuch a number in readinefs, the whole navy might be manned fc any fudden occa- iion : for if 30,000 ndmen, well qua- lified in the arts of difcipline, by the eftablifhment of a general militia, were added to 20,000 feamen, our fhips of war might be as well navigated and de- fended, as if the whole were expert feamen. But if due encouragement is given to the Britifli commerce, its na- vigation muft neceflarily increafe fo fall, as to fiirnifli any number of feamen which can be wanted, even though the jroyal navy ihould be increafed much further. ( APPENDIX. further without the neceffity of takin- any landmen into the fea-fervice. .,.^r/T°^"Sfuch a regiftry fhould Je effeaual to furni/h any number of feamen thegreateftoccafion can require. ?s nothing elfe wanting to intreafe the naval power of Great Britain ? Yes per fc"nly, there are fome other regulations yjry conducive to that end. fuch as thefe which follow. ' r. By exaa care in building our %s upon the beft models, fo as to fad well * and at the fame t„„e to carry the,r guns high enough to be ufefuhn^eatfeasjfor.ifthercisafai. Iwe on either of thefe refpeds, ourene- ^ mies - * Probably one great defpA ;« u -n- ^ips or war is imputable to /h I ? "'^"^'"^ o«r ing their officers ^w7th ft ^evLl^^^^ "' ^"^"'^- pagnificent apartments bvUu'"'' ""' '^'^'' loweft tfres of guns a^e Ir 1 ."^ T"' ^"^ ^^^^^^ reaJly the cafe I^dar/!ffi, '^^.^^^- '^^^I's is ffa-oificer?nlhe nav/ 1," ^H^ "'^ ^"^ ^^'^^^ 99 I el-tt ii. J_i.-t..- jp^ A P P E N D I 3C. mies may reap great advantages in bat« tie, or in evading it, as they judge befl. As therefore building (hips of war in the moft proper manner, is of great con* fequence to this nation, it ought to be one of the chief concerns of the admi- niftration not to triift the diredtion to a fingle, or a few hands ; but to fill the navy-board always with men of the moft approved knowledge in marine af- fairs, and in the art of fhip-building, with power to receive models, and to reward generoufly thofe artificers, who offer fuch as prove beft in adlual expe- riment. lit Perhaps the want of fuch a regu-^ lation never appeared more univerfally than at prefent, when the general expe* rience witneiTes, that many of our fhips of war are inferior in both thofe refpcd:s, to the f}eets of France apd Spain, ai r APPENDIX. 2. By encouraging the art of engi- neering, as the French do, we might (no doubt) arrive at as great pcrfedlion : and if by that means our feamen were convinced, (what a few experiments will prove) that one half of the load of powder now ufed, will do more execu- tion in fea-fights, they could not fo frequently terminate in noife, and ef- capesj nor need our cannon be then fo ponderous, as to ftrain and rack our fhips of war, in long voyages, or in bad weather : for if half the load now given to a twelve pounder, will carry the fame lized fhot more diredlly to the mark, and with force enough to do more execution upon a fhip's fide, at fuch a diftance as a ball can go with any degree of certainty ; then cannon of lefs weight, and of the fame bore, will anfwer all the purpofes at fea much better. Indeed for land^ervice, where the walls of fortifications are to be bat- tered, and the aflailants may place their batteries lOf 102 APPENDIX. batteries as nigh as they pleafc to a fixed mark, there a greater load of powder, and a proportionate ftrength of cannon may be necefTary ; bccaufc the greater the velocity and force of the ball, the more will be the execution : but when fhips batter each other, the cafe is quite other wife ; for then, the greater the velocity is, the lefs hole will be made in the plank of a fhip, as is evidentfrom common experience. How- ever expedient therefore it may be, that our large fhips fhould have their lowefl tires of fuch battering cannon as are moft ferviceable againft forts, yet cer- tainly the refl of their guns ought to be lighter, for the reafons above-mentioned. 3. The next point of importance to the Britifli navy, is to fecure it by flrong forts and booms, from any at- tempt of a bold and crafty enemy, or of a perfidious ally, while our fhips of war are laid up in docks or har- bours. If this had been done in the reign . s^ « --. ► I APPENDIX. reign of King Charles the Second, the Dutch had not bum'd fo confidcrablc a part of the royal navy at Chatham. By this management the French and Spa- ni(h fleets lay fecure at Toulon, when the Britifh navy lately blocked up that port. The fame precaution may with- out doubt fee ire the Kin^, s ] hips from all attempts of per 5dy or violence, when laid up in ports, or in tlic royal docks in time of peace; '>r in tin^c! r;f \'ar, when our fleet:, a^'e v^pon the cniizc. Perhaps the wnnt of {v..:h. a frcurjH-, and the fear of invafion, (vviuch iTiny be removed by the eflabliilirncnt of a national militia) an; the true rcafon^ why our fleets have Iain lb long in^ adtive in port for feveral ycai'T pail:, "o the great difad vantage of our corntncce and navigation, and to the difhoncurof the Britifh name '03 L£, If therrfore this nation is rendered fafe fioiv, invafion by a general militia, and its navy fecured by the preceding regu- 104. APPENDIX. regulations, a ftrong fleet, ftationed at Plymouth * for channel fervicc, under an adive, experienced admiral, veiled with full powers to ad fuddenly, and as he judges beft, upon the firft intelli- gence of an enemy's approach, might foon oblige them to repent of their rafh- nefs 3 and at the fame time fecure our merchants fliips, by an exadt, and con- ilant regulation of cruizers : but while upon every intelligence an admiral mud wait for orders from a great diftance, the opportunity is loft, and our ene- mies may perpetually infult our coafts, intercept our trade, and baffle all at-» tempts to avenge the injury. But • This port was the ftatlon of our fleets, when cruizers were appointed by 2i6k of parliament for channel-fervice in the laft war : and no doubt ic is a more proper harbour than any other, on ac- count of its fituation fo near the mouth of the Britifli channel ', from whence our (hips of war may go out with fuch winds as will not ferve from Portfmouth, and return fooner either to refit, or ihelter from bad weather. Even in cafe of invafion our enemies fquadrons muft run greater hazard of being intercepted, or cut off from their port at Breft, by a powerful fleet fta- tioned at Plymouth, than at Spithead. b '» ■'i^l* ". : A P P E N D IX. . • ■ ' ■ " ■ ■ .. • t But by exerting our naval ftr^th, the riches of our enemies, (which are the lincws of war to their mercenary armies) may be intercepted; and by that means an honourable, adyanta^ geous peace may be foon procured, with- out draining this nation of all its treafure, to fupport great mercenary armies, to very little purpofe, on the continent; where all other powers are combined in the indifToluble bands of felf-intereft, to oppofe the ambitious ufurpations of France ; and no doubt will cojifederate for mutual defence, when they are con- \ inced that England will no longer bear the burden. But as the Queen of Huii- gaiy ought to be fupported at prefent by fupplies of money, let it be done cffedlually, at the expencc of our com- mon enemies. Let our troops be with- drawn from Flanders, except fo many as are neceffary to fecure the Auftrian fea-ports: let moft of them be dif- bandcd, a general militia eftabliflied, I and 105 I 166 APPENDIX. and the war at Tea carried on with dou^ ble vigour. For thefe, and thefe only, arethe-meafures by which our country can be extricated from all difficulties, and raifed to a ftate of profperity, upon the ruins of its adverfary's navigation and commerce. /-* t * 9-ri * i; < .J I FINIS, V\ V- :» t - r'^ ' ' ' >'■ - --.'^ ..•Mi ^ ' .'►," ' -• "'■ j; ••■•J.J ^'ti/jt. :c.,.. 1 '/ /';. . . -ji^ f «?-- ir'^'ir:* i i ' ; •• ! ? r fc t