And that a better Provision may be made for the Relief of Sailors (who having spent their Labours in the Service of the Nation, and through Age and Disasters are no longer fit for the Fatigues of the Sea, ought to be taken Care of at Home) let a small Deduction be made from the Freights of Ships, and from Seamens Wages, to be Collected by a Society of honest Men in every Sea-Port; This, with what Additions might be made by the Gifts of Worthy Benefactors, would be sufficient to Raise a Fund, to maintain them in their Old-Age, who in their Youths were our Walls and Bulwarks; But it must be settled by Law, and no Man left at his Liberty whether he will pay or no; These are generally the most Laborious People that we have; I do not mean those scoundrel Fellows, who often creep in under that Name, but the true Sailor, who can turn his hand to any thing rather than begging, and I am many times troubled to see the Miserable Conditions they and their Families are reduced to, when their Labours are done; Alms-Houses Raised for them, are as great Acts of Piety as Building of Churches; Age requires Relief, especially where Youth hath been spent in Labour so Profitable to the Publick as That of a Sailor; And not only themselves, but their Widows ought to be provided for; In this the Worshipful Society of the Merchants Adventurers within the City of _Bristol_ are a Worthy Pattern. And as for those who loose their Lives or Limbs Fighting against the Enemy, Themselves or Families ought to be rewarded with Bountiful Stipends, which if Raised by a Tax, I doubt not would be cheerfully paid; ’Tis attended with sad Thoughts, when a Woman sees her Husband Prest into the Service, and knows if He miscarries her Family is undone, and She and They must come to the Parish; whereas if this Provision was made, the Fleet would be more easily Mann’d, our Merchants Ships better defended, Sailors more ready to serve in both, and their Wives to let them go; But great Care must be taken, that Charity be not Abused, by being put into the Pockets of those who are appointed to dispose of it. These or such like Heads being laid down in a former Discourse on this Subject, the Magistrates of the City of _Bristol_ were the first that approved of the Scheme, and desired the Substance thereof might be reduced to Particulars, suitable for that Place; whereupon the following Proposals were laid before them, _viz._ That a Spacious Work-House be erected in some Vacant Place within this City on a General Charge, large enough for the Poor who are to be Employed therein, and also with Rooms for such, who being unable to Work, are to be relieved by Charity. That the Rules of this House be such, as may force all Persons to Work, that are able, and encourage the Manufacturers of this City to supply them with Materials to Work on; which they will be ready to do, having so good a Security as this will be for their being returned to them again when Wrought up.