The Statesman.
London, England, 1824-02-17 00:00:00

NAVY ESTIMATES.

Si; a CLERKE said, that though he was aware it
was usual to confine himself to the wear and tear part
of Cie service, and not to go into the ordinary estimates,
yet, as they were prepared exactly as the ordinary esti-
mates of the last year, he hoped there would be DU objec-
tion to his proceeding to that part of the supply on the
present occasion. Notwithstanding the reduction that had
taken plac-, it was found necessary to make a small addi-
tion to our naval force this year, which would cause an in-
crease of expenditure in this department of about 320,000/.
And he hoped no objection would be taken to this increase,
as it was, if any thing, rather small, considering the neces-
sity there was now fur protecting our commerce, which
had extended itself to every part of the world. He hoped
the house would still further justify this increase, when it
was considered that owing to the exertions of our naval
commanders in the West Indies, all piratical depredations
were prevented. The house should also not forget the un-
settled state of our West India colonies, which required the
protection of some naval force, and it any part was with-
drawn from the protection of our commerce, the pirates
would again appear in the South American Seas. A con-
siderable naval force was also necessary in the Mediteri a-
nean, in consequence of the unsettled state of affairs be-
tween the Greeks and Turks. Under these circumstances,
he should find himself under the necessity of proposing a
vote of 29,000 seamen, which would be an increase of 3.000
over that of last year. Besides the necessary increase of
expenditure from an increase of force, there would be also
a casual increase from the rise of provisions since last year.
But though it would be necessary to maintain a larger na-
val force on foreign stations, from the extension of our
commerce, particularly on those stations where provisions
are dear, still the increase of expenditure will not bear an
accurate proportion to the present increase of force. He
would now take the opportunity of alluding to the petition
of Butridge. It is true the dry rot had crept into the navy,
particularly during the war, which could not be well pre-
vented from the baste with which ships were built, and
timber obliged to be cut down. But from the precautions
now taken to cutting the timbers, and other means, parti-
cularly that of using coal tar, which, not . ithstanding what
the Hon. Gentleman had said, he, from personal obser-
vation, made in the company of an individual who bad
paid great attention to this subject, knew greatly tended to
counteract the evil, and also from the immersion of timber
in salt water for souse time before it was used, he had no
doubt, the disease would be completely removed. The
Hon. Member concluded, by proposing a vote of 29,000
seamen, for thirteen lunar months, from the Ist of Jan.
1824, including 9,000 Royal marines.
Mr. WARD rose, to request the Hun. Gentleman wou'd
supply him with some information upon the subject, of
which he was yet ignorant. He apprehended th it a por-
tioc of the increase of seamen, was destined for the
blockade service, and this service appeared to be the prin.
cipal ground of this increase. He did not wish to re-
vive this subject, but no case could justify such as increase.
but hard necessity, in a time of peace. At present.
1700 men were employed ou the coast service, and
yet a further increase was called for. Now be wished
to know what greater extent of coast was to be protected,
and if ander the same commander who now had one ship
in the Downs, and whose seal and energy were well known.
As long as the duty was so high on several articles, and
so large a premium held out to smuggling, it would, in his