Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-06-29
RELATING TO AMERICA.
admiralty Office. L London. dhrV 40. 1s,

:" .ddmiraffy Office. l. ondon. Aitrl so. 1914.
s. The Lords Commissioners of the Ad.
miralty cannot announce 10 the fleet tine ter.
mination of hostilities with France, without
expressing to the petty officers, scamen,
and royal marines of his maiesty's ships, the
high sense which their lordships entertain
OF their gallant and glorious services dutihs
the late war. The patience. perseverance,
and discipline; the skill, courage and des
votion with which the sesmen and ,marines
have upheld the best interests. and achies
we'd the nnblest triump'ls of tie conntry .ens
title them 10 ;s,e gratitude. not only of their.
native land, which they have preserved in.
violate. but OF, the other nations of Europe,
OF whose ultimate del:ccrance their success
co maintained the hope, and accelerated the
accomplishment. Their Lnrtiships reg. ct
titst the unjust and urprovoked aggression
OF the American government. in declaring
war upon this country, after all the causes
otits original complaint had been removed,
docs not permit them to reduce the fieet az
once to peace establishment bur as the
question now at issue in this war II the main
tenance of those maritime rights, which are
tue sure foundation OF our national gio
~, their iordships look with confidence to
that part OF the feet which il may be still
necessary to keep in commission. for con,
tInuauce OF thar spirit of discipline aad gal
iantry, which has raised the British navy
toits present pre-. emineRce. In reducing
the heet to the establishment necersarv for
the American war, the seamen and marines
will had their lordships attentive to the
Claims of their respective services The
reduction will be first in the crews of those
ships which. it may be found expedlient t.
pay on, and from them the petty officers &
seamen will be successfully discharged &C.
cordiRg to the length of their services /; be-
ginning IN the first instance with all those
who were in his majcsty's service previous
to the 9TH Of March, 1908, and have since
continued init. When the reduction shall
have been thus made. as to the ships paid
Off their lordships will direct their attention
to those which il may be found necessary TO
keep In commission, and az soon as the
circumstances of the war will admit, will
bring home and discharge all persons hay.
ing the same standing and periods of SER
vice. as those discharged from the ships
paid of so that in few months the stu
ationof individuals will be equalized all
men OF Certain period of service will be
at liberty to return home to their families
and tue number which it may be still neces-
saty 10 retain, will be composed Of those who
nave been the shortest time in tlie service.
An arrangement in itself so just, cannot, in
their iordships' opinion, fail to give univer
sai satisfaction; and they are induced to
make this communication to the fieet be-
cause they think that The exemplary good
conduct OF all the petty officers, seaaen &
marines, estitle them to every confidence.
and to this full and candid explanation ).
the IT iordships' inteRtions. Their Iordships
cannot conclude without expressing their
hope. ha'the vctor Of ms majesty's fee1S
aud d''i'es, 1oiH speedily bring the serfcan con-
test 70 a eonctlsion hsnorabe 70 The British NAME
safe for British inte,~sfs, s,,d conducive 10 ne
lasti ne repO.s .f The civiHzsd sssrld q
BY Command Of their lordships,
J. w. CROKER.