The document,[104] printed by the company and widely circulated through Devonshire, was sent by Major-General Mercer, captain of the company, to Lord Cornwallis the Master-General; who expressed very great satisfaction with the loyal sentiments it avowed, and highly approved of the spirit and zeal of the men in giving the declaration publicity at so opportune a moment. ----- Footnote 104: A copy of the document is subjoined:— Plymouth Lines, 31st May, 1797. We, the Non-commissioned Officers Of the Company of Royal Military Artificers and Labourers, Stationed at Plymouth Lines, Come forward at the unanimous request of the Company, to avow at this momentous crisis, our firm loyalty, attachment, and fidelity to our most gracious _Sovereign_ and our _Country_, and solemnly declare our firm determination to maintain subordination and discipline to our officers, with whom we have every reason to be fully satisfied, and request they will accept these, our most grateful acknowledgments for their humane attention towards us, and beg they will let this our determination be made known to the _Right Honourable General Lord George Henry Lennox_, Governor and Commander-in-Chief in this district. That, as we learn, there are men endeavouring to withdraw His Majesty’s _soldiers_ from the duty they owe to their _King_ and _Country_, we are determined should any such proceedings appear amongst us, to take the earliest opportunity of checking the same; and, as a mark of our attachment to our most gracious _Sovereign_ and glorious _Constitution_, we do hereby offer a reward of _Ten Guineas_, to any _soldier-artificer_, that will discover any person, or persons, offering them _money_, _seditious handbills_, or otherwise, with an intent to withdraw them from their duty, on conviction of the person, or persons, before a civil magistrate. God save the King! Witness our hands, (Signed) WM. BROWNE, Sergeant-major. ROBT. WAKEHAM, } WM. BURGESS, } Sergeants. JAS. MOIR, } JNO. EVELYN, } WM. HUTTON, } Corporals. WM. MCBEATH, } WM. COTTEY, } JOSH. WELLS, } Lance-corporals. WM. BEER. }