CHAP. XXVI.
Reading edition
CHAP. XXVI.
The era of peace was marked, as usual, by a general reduction of his Majesty's servants.
In the course of the year 1763, a very considerable and impolitic diminution took place in the effective force of Marines; but as it is a narrow system, which experience and their acknowledged utility have subverted, at the period I now write, any discussion upon its erroneous principle would be superfluous and unbecoming.
As I have already noticed that the Field Officers of my Corps are peculiarly calculated for maintaining discipline and good order throughout, it is a matter of surprize that the establishment should have been so very low at this time, and that their situations should have been more generally considered as posts of sinecure than of active duty.
The meritorious services of the Marine Corps, during the late brilliant contest, well entitled it to some solid marks of public recompence, as well as of public applause.
With this view, and striking home to the national gratitude, as yet unallayed by time, the following proposals for increasing the number of established Marine Field Officers were ushered in to the Board of Admiralty in 1763:—
"Proposals for increasing the number of established Marine Field Officers from six to fifteen, at a very inconsiderable additional expence to the public. The Field Officers to have Companies, and to serve on their present pay until six Companies become vacant; those Companies to be given to the six senior Field Officers; the nine junior Field Officers have Companies already. The fifteen senior First Lieutenants to have Brevets as Captains, or to be appointed Captain Lieutenants, and to do all duties as Captains on their present pay.
"This plan will cause no present additional expence, and but a very trifling one after the whole is completed, as will appear from the following scheme:
1763
Present Establishment. Proposed Establishment.
PER DIEM. PER DIEM.
3 Lieut. Colonelsa£2110 3 Colonelsa£3120
3 Majorsa250 6 Lieut. Colonelsa520
9 Brevet Captainsa4100 6 Majorsa4100
——— ————
Total 960 Total 1340
======= ========
Difference£3180
Deducted pay of six Captains fewer on the proposed establishment,£300
Additional expence when the establishment is completed,£0180
The above would have been a moderate number of Field Officers to regulate the divisional duties, and to superintend the discipline of 70 Companies, consisting of 4287 men; to which the corps was reduced by a legislative vote at the close of 1763. Whether from dissent as to the expediency, or a non-compliance with the object of these suggestions, is immaterial, but they were unnoticed, although their propriety and justice did not escape the discriminating and liberal mind of Earl Sandwich, whose distinguished talents introduced him to the naval councils of his Country, and whose elevated rank in them, enabled him to controul those necessary reforms at a subsequent era.
A commendable but limited policy, in providing for the discharged servants of the state, prevailed at the close of this war, by holding out the inducements of land in the ceded province of Canada, to such Officers, Sailors, and Soldiers only who had aided in its subjection.
When we contemplate the connection that exists, in the events of war, how much local conquests are often promoted by the use of extraordinary energies in quarters distant from the scene of good fortune, like the judicious diversions and stratagems of an active Officer, to promote his real designs, no principle ought to restrain such national grants to the partial few who have been the happy agents of success.
It is an old axiom—that America was subdued in Germany.