An Historical Review of the Royal Marine Corps, from its Original Institution down to the Present Era, 1803Gillespie, Alexander, Major
History
An Historical Review of the Royal Marine Corps, from its Original Institution down to the Present Era, 1803
Gillespie, Alexander, Major
Great Britain. Royal Marines -- History
Deducted pay of six Captains fewer on the }
proposed establishment, } £3 0 0
Additional expence when the establishment is }
completed, } £0 18 0
The above would have been a moderate number of Field Officers to
regulate the divisional duties, and to superintend the discipline
of 70 Companies, consisting of 4287 men; to which the corps was
reduced by a legislative vote at the close of 1763. Whether
from dissent as to the expediency, or a non-compliance with
the object of these suggestions, is immaterial, but they were
unnoticed, although their propriety and justice did not escape
the discriminating and liberal mind of Earl Sandwich, whose
distinguished talents introduced him to the naval councils of his
Country, and whose elevated rank in them, enabled him to controul
those necessary reforms at a subsequent era.
A commendable but limited policy, in providing for the discharged
servants of the state, prevailed at the close of this war, by
holding out the inducements of land in the ceded province of
Canada, to such Officers, Sailors, and Soldiers _only_ who had
aided in its subjection.
When we contemplate the _connection_ that exists, in the events
of war, how much local conquests are often promoted by the use
of extraordinary energies in quarters distant from the scene of
good fortune, like the judicious diversions and stratagems of an
active Officer, to promote his real designs, no principle ought to
restrain such national grants to the partial few who have been the
happy agents of success.
It is an old axiom--_that America was subdued in Germany_.
CHAP. XXVII.
The genius of discovery, and commerce, began to supersede that of
war in 1764 and many ensuing years.
Circumstances, however, very early occurred within the North
American Provinces, which developed the genuine spirit of the
people, and afforded the presage of future broils.
Gratitude to a Mother Country, who had delivered those Colonists
from the terrors of a hostile and restless neighbour, had scarcely
cooled throughout that Continent, when the example of New England,
long famed for a bias to republican principles, began to evince an
opposition to the laws of a parent, by whom they had been so long
protected, and under which they continued to flourish.
Happy had it been for Britain, if, at this period of lurking
danger, her councils had been guided by a purer consistency, and
a more elevated dignity; but a fatal irritation, succeeded by
concession, were but injudicious means to subdue, or to appease a
spirit that began to cherish the ideas of future emancipation.
Political discussions fall not within my province, but as being
introductory to that issue which compels an appeal to the sword.
The events of 1765, led to the American rebellion, and as but very
few incidents appear at all connected with my subject, my review,
upon this interval of time being uninteresting, must of course be
concise.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account