PREFACE.

lxv

exactly, which are now confusedly together, and that each office may attall seasonable hours be open to all others, the officers, and commis-sioners, their clarkes, and all others concerned for inspection. That uponthe examination of the quality and quantity of each officer’s particularduty, he may be appointed by his Royal Highness such a number ofclarkes as may be proportionable to the duty required of that officer.That the commissioners (tho’ of late introduction, as coadjutors to theprincipall officers, without any particular distinct charges, whilst hisMajesty and his Royal Highness shall think fitt to continue them) may notbe insignificant, but may give their attendance at meetings to advise withand assist the principall officers in all their consultations, and jointly andseverally to inspect every one of the officers in the due execution of theirplaces, and to that end each of them by their pattents being allowed twoclarkes, they may appoint one of their clarkes to attend each severalldistinct office, as assistants to the officers clarkes, to inspect the dueperformance of their duty.

That monthly and oftener (if there be occasion) the principall officersand commissioners may appoint two of their clarkes to take muster of allthe yards and ships in ordinary and petty warrant, to enquire into allabuses, and to make their returns to the principall officers and commis-sioners, the same clarke not to be employed twice together, nor any cer-taine day prefixt, and the principall officers to make report of such abusesto the lord high admirall as there shall be occasion. But that such regu-lation may take the better effect, the causes of the present confusion inthe offices, and the remidys, are worthy of consideration.

The great cause of all, is the great error of pay still due to the seamenon board severall ships now in harbour, and some of them in dry dock,which being a constant growing charge, the victualling only of these mendo soe exhaust the treasury, soe that the officers are forced to wink att, ordispence with severall disorders, which for want of money to supply theordinary expence of the navy, are inevitable; amongst which, it is not the

Vol. I. i least,