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PREFACE.

and during the Dutch warr made yett a further increase of it, but the me-dium was never exactly calculated. The established rule for wages of seamenin the king’s navy, was tire rule by which the merchants was always forcedproportionably to exceed it, and forriners to exceed them. I dare notventure to give my judgment, how convenient it might be to retrench it,tho’ wee find now there is noe need of pressing seamen, they being sol-licitous to be admitted into the service, which may rather be imputed tothe small employment the merchants have for them, comparatively to whatthey had heretofore, than to the greatness of their pay, which if they hadthe like employment as they had heretofore, they must necessarily exceed.But however, it were fitt the medium were exactly calculated, and a newBooke of rates established, the distinction that'is made (contrary to formerusage) of able and ordinary seamen, is subject to great abuses. Those thatare entered able upon the bookes being more for favour or interest thanfor mcrrit. Each captain (besides their retinue) hireing many servants forsmall Avages, Avhich stand upon the booke as able seamen, soe as that in-crease of pay goes, much of it, into the captain’s purse. If therefore itshould be thought fit to give some additionall incouragement to the mostable seamen, it Avould be convenient the}' Avere limited to a number ineach rate, by Avhich the medium may be calculated, and those to be noother than such as have served out their apprenticeship. But a greaterabuse, lately much practiced by the sea captains, is most fitt to be regu-lated. Those ships that have been emploj r ed in remoter voyages, especiallyinto the Straits, have taken freight of merchants goods from one port toanother, and the captains themselves, and other officers, by their example,still driveing a trade, Avherein it appeares often they sell some of theirstores, (belonging to the king) out of pretence they have bought the likein some other port, which is easily helpt by the captains connivance in•their accounts of expence of stores ; besides, by that meanes they takeoccasion to spend much time in port, Avhich might be better spent att sea,and the ships hould soe filled, that they haA'e noe roome to throtv by their

chests,