Star.
London, England, 1802-12-30 00:00:00

70 THE EDITOR OF 71-1.6 STAR.

think, Mr. Editor, it will not be unfair to.
point out to the public the fit uation of Matters in
the Royal Navy, fence there has been fo much faid
in..defence of what other Officers have to labour
under ; and it cannot be remarked without afto-
nillinient and much regret, that the molt merito-
rious and truly valuable Officers fhould be the
only corps which has not received Tome trifling ac-
knowledgment for their fervices in the late war,
which can never be performed but by the Seaman,
Navigator, and Pilot, whore charge, the greateft
of all, creates probing anxiety, extreme fatigue,
and all other fufferings that are commonly (hared
to the protedors of Great Britain: the lot of thefe
few muff appear to every perfen, upon confidei a-
tion, lamentable, the majority (deceived) having
entered the line with hopes of promotion that was
then open to them, as is now to all defcriptions of
perform : they, therefore, muff, in their aged years,
feel the mortification of being trampled on by
every charader,without having the fmalleft chince
allowed in the Navy, to extricate themfelves 'by
the greateft abilities, exertions, and zeal, for the
welfare of the country : they are thus enfnated tb
facrifice the paime of their life and conftittition, all
for a bare exigence, labouring under every falfe
reproach from their once fcholars. They were
Battered with receiving half pay at the conclufion
of the war, fhould they have ferved five years in
actual fervice as Mafier ; but have lately learnt
that near eight years does not produce a farthing
half pay, nor will ten yea's more fuch fervitude,
without a great mortality, or new regulations, as
two hundred and twenty-five only are granted it by
the prefent : they are alto much difappointed, in
refnuct to the half pilotage, which is fpecified by
the inftrudions of the Navy they (hall receive, in
confequence of their making themfelves acquaint.
ed with ports abroad, and concluding their re-
fpeetive (hips into them in fafety. So far are their
circumftances leffened without any compliment in
lieu, and nought but the bare perfonal pay, as
eftablithed by Queen Ann. Matters, before they
get their appdintment, muff have ferved a length
of time at lea, and acquired .every knowledge of
their profeffion, either in the Navy or merchant
fervice; if in the former, it is strange their fervice;
are not credited, as.are all other Officers; if in
the latter, it muff be recolleded, they are not in-
debted to the Navy for their tuition, nor could
they ever be a nuifance to the fervice in their
childhood; but if real utility, from the moment
they ad in that capacity, their duty being every
thing that can be required of a good feaman, and
have to enact the duty of a Lieutenant in every
occurrence, with much more in addition, than
thole who are not very well experienced muff be
unequal, to perform ; yet, they arc cast adrift,
with their lots of time, to begin the world, without
the leaft carfation for war, eight years fer-
vices as , befides that of a Mate, Midffrip-
man, &c. &c. &c. Although their whole pay,
during that time, could not poffibly fupport above
two-thirdstheirexpence,withont fuch meannefs in
appearance, as mull ever lower the refpce that is
nectffiry to keep up good difcipline-: they having
to pats an examination for almoft every rate of
hips; to elk& which mull go to London (Tri-
nity Honfe) from Plymouth,-Portfmouth, or other
Xing's torts, at their own expense, and pay fees'
of office : they have to purchafe their own charts,
inaruments of navigation, &c. &c. and to met:
with Officers, who, upon an average, have pay or
perquifitet one-third more to fupport them, befides
it frequently- happens, that Mailers are paid off,
or fuperfeded, without being able to obtain a (hip
for tome months (no half pay) • then have to
pay for their appointments, and, perhaps, join
with all their baggage at a great diflante from
where they left it. The many other expenfive
cafualties they mull meet with, in fpite of the beft
judgment, is, it-irtrufted,lufficient to fatisfy the
public,their money would not be more than grate-
fully bellowed, in extending their generofity to
thole Officers who not only faller fo very much
fawn pecuniary circumftance; but from the de-
Waded light they mill appear in the world, when
the faid pay or halrpay of all Officers in the Navy
is increafed, except Matters.