Old times : $b A picture of social life at the end of the eighteenth centuryAshton, John
History
Old times : $b A picture of social life at the end of the eighteenth century
Ashton, John
Great Britain -- Social life and customs
"Who are you?" says Mr. B----. "I am a Mr. Thompson, a Member of
the House of Commons for Evesham: and I tell you that you act
illegally." "Do you tell me, sitting here as a magistrate, that I
act illegally?" "I do: for the boy has committed a crime, he is
not to be punished by you, or any other justice: it is to the
laws of the land, and to them alone, that he is amenable: and I
say, that it is a violation of the liberty of the subject." Mr.
Bond observed, that the King wanted men: and did not Mr. Thompson
think that it was proper to procure those for him, who had
forfeited their liberty? Mr. T. replied, that he knew that the
King _did_ want men, but that that was a very improper mode of
coming at them. Mr. Bond then observed, that probably Mr. T.
might investigate it in the House of Commons: but whether he did
or did not, he should act as he thought proper for that time. He
then sent for Major Leeson, and had him enlisted. Mr. Thompson
signified as much to him, as that it should be brought before the
House."
(On Monday, 5th Jan., the matter was introduced in a speech of Mr.
Thompson's, on the Habeas Corpus Bill, but nothing was done.)
Jack did, occasionally, get some prize money, but nothing ever came up
to the "Hermione" in 1762, when each ordinary seaman had about £800
for his share; but when we look at the disparity between the Captain's
and Sailor's share, we can enter into the spirit of the Sailor's
prayer, before an engagement, that the shots might be apportioned,
like the prize money,--the greater part among the officers.
"By the determination of the Lord Chancellor in favour of the
captors of the _St. Jago_ Register ship, Admiral Gell will get,
as his proportion, near £100,000 prize money. All the captains of
his fleet will divide about £30,000, and so downwards in
proportion. The precise value of the _St. Jago_, Spanish ship,
retaken in April 1793, from the French, which the Lords of Appeal
adjudged to the captors, on Thursday evening last, is
£935,000."--(_Times, Feb. 4, 1795._)
* * * * *
"The first payment of the immense St. Jago prize is commenced,
Captain Sir A. Douglas having received his share. The following
is the declared proportion of the specie only: Each Captain's
share, £13,920; Lieutenant's share, £910; Warrant officer's
share, £612; Petty officer's share, £140; Foremast-man's share,
£26. Besides two seventh's shares of the whole in reserve, till
the question, whether the _Boyne_, and _Powerful_, have a right
to share with the Squadron. The above statement is independent of
the valuable cargo, and bullion, which are yet to be shared. The
Admiral's shares are not yet declared."--(_Times, March 21,
1795._)
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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