of more than half-a-million sterling may be effected in the administration, increased efficiency of that branch of the Navy may be secured, and the Mercantile Marine, at the same time, supplied with a greater number than it now possesses, of men better qualified for the performance of their duties. However anxious we may be for the efficiency of the Royal Navy to defend the country in time of war, or to deter other nations from seeking occasion for breaking the peace, it is not the less urgent to examine, whether International Law, as now recognised, accords with the conditions under which our maritime commerce would have to be carried on in time of war. The Declaration of Paris of 1856, as regards those Powers who have acquiesced in it, and the Convention of 1871 between our own country and the United States of America, have, however wise and necessary, left us in the dilemma of having advanced, though in the right direction, far enough to place our maritime commerce in great jeopardy, but not far enough to reach the haven where that commerce would be safe in the event of war. In pointing out, as I have attempted to do, how we may extricate ourselves from this difficulty, I am fortunate in being able to quote the opinions of my late friend Mr. Richard Cobden, who, much as he deprecated war, was most anxious to mitigate the sufferings it entails, should it eventually arise. Many extracts from letters, hitherto unpublished, addressed by him to myself on this important subject between the years 1856 and 1860, will be found in the following pages. But, beyond the advantages I have derived from a careful consideration of the views of Mr. Cobden, fur nished at a time when his mind was intent on the subject, and when he had evidently made himself thoroughly master of the effect which the Declaration of Paris would have upon our commerce, I gratefully acknowledge the assistance I have received, in preparing this publication, from men practically conversant with its bearings, and others, eminent as statesmen and lawyers. So far as regards Manning, I am especially indebted to Mr. Stoneham, the Registrar-General of Seamen, and to Captain J. C. Wilson, of H.M. ship Thunderer, for their assistance in calculating the probable result of the scheme I have proposed; as also to the Admiralty and the Board of Trade, for readily furnishing me with all the official papers I desired to elucidate this subject. I trust the suggestions I have offered, may engage the attention of the authorities, to whose care the Royal Navy and Merchant Service are committed, as well as our shipowners, and beyond all, receive the consideration of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to the end that the rights of neutrals and belligerents, in time of war, may be more justly and wisely defined. SHEPPERTON MANOR, January, 1877. W. S. LINDSAY. CONTENTS. INCURRED. VOLUNTEER WHERE PRACTICABLE. OF INVASION. EXPENSE THEREBY TRAINED SEAMEN OF FOREIGN NATIONS.-HOW FAR THEY CAN BE DEPENDED UPON.-DIFFICULTIES WITH OUR OWN SEAMEN.—EARLY IMPRACTICABILITY OF IMPRESSMENT.-SCHEMES TO PROCURE VOLUN- TEERS FOR THE NAVY AND RESERVES FOR WAR, 1691.-ACT OF PARLIAMENT PASSED FOR THAT OBJECT, 1696.-GROSS Neglect of THE INTERESTs of Seamen, 1697 тo 1719.—SCHEMES FOR REGISTRY OFFICES, BY MR. JOHN BURCHETT, 1719; BY SIR ROBERT WALPOLE, 1740; AND BY LORD BARRINGTON, 1749, ACT 20, GEO. II., CHAP. 38. FIRST TRAINING-SHIP FOR BOYS (MARINE SOCIETY), 1756.- INTOLERABLE NUISANCE OF THE PRESS-GANG, 1770.- FURTHER SCHEMES PROPOSED, 1774-1777.-PITT'S "Quota Bill," 1793.— IMPRESSMENT CONTINUED.-ITS LEGALITY CONSIDERED (Note).— LORD MELVILLE'S AND LORD COLLINGWOOD'S SUGGESTIONS, 1805. FAILURE OF REGISTER TICKET SCHEME OF TINUOUS SERVICE SYSTEM, INTRODUCED INTO THE ROYAL NAVY, 1853. TRAINING-SHIPS ESTABLISHED BY THE ADMIRALTY TO -- -- ROYAL COMMISSION OF 1859 ON MANNING. CREATION OF THE ROYAL NAVAL RECOMMENDATIONS OF ROYAL COMMISSION ON UNSEAWORTHY SHIPS WORTHY OF FURTHER CONSIDERATION BY GOVERNMENT.-VIEWS OF SHIPOWNERS. -SYSTEM OF APPRENTICESHIP PREVIOUSLY TO 1850.-OBJECTIONS TO IT.-NUMBER OF BOYS AND APPRENTICES AT SEA, 1872.-OPINION OF THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL OF SEAMEN.-SHIPOWNERS ARE THEM- SELVES MUCH ΤΟ BLAME FOR THE PRESENT SCARCITY OF ABLE SEAMEN. GREAT LOSS OF LIFE AND PROPERTY THROUGH INCOM- PETENT SEAMEN.-GOVERNMENT ALSO TO BLAME. REASONS WHY APPRENTICES ARE NOT ENGAGED.-EXTENSION OF TRAINING-SHIPS TO RECEIVE DESTITUTE BOYS.-NUMBER AND PARTICULARS OF THOSE NOW ESTABLISHED (Note).—THE SOCIAL ASPECT OF THE QUESTION CONSIDERED. THE "CUMBERLAND " TRAINING-SHIP.-HOW CON- DUCTED. NUMBER OF BOYS ON BOARD, AND WHERE THEY CAME FROM (Note).-OTHER INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL-SHIPS.-WHERE STA- TIONED. REFORMATORY VESSELS, SUCH AS THE "AKBAR," "CLARENCE," AND "CORNWALL."-THE MARINE SOCIETY TRAINING- SHIP "WARSPITE.”—NUMBER OF BOYS SENT FROM HER TO SEA.— ADMIRALTY REGULATIONS FOR RECEIVING Boys.. FELTHAM IN- - NAVY AND MAIN- INSUFFIENCY OF OF THE ROYAL NAVY ACTING IN CONCERT WITH THE AT PRESENT OF TRAINING Boys FOR THE TAINING RESERVES OF SEAMEN (£1,100,000). SHORE DRILLS.-NUMBER OF Able SEAMEN IN How ΤΟ BE OBTAINED, TRAINED, AND MAINTAINED. - VARIOUS TABLES SHOWING THE NUMBER OF APPRENTICES THAT COULD BE THAT THERE SHOULD BE. - TRAINED.—INCREASE AND ORGANIZATION OF TRAINING-SHIPS; MARITIME RIGHTS OF NATIONS.-THEIR EARLY ORIGIN.- -"FREE SHIPS MAKE FREE GOODS," CONCEDED BY THE DUTCH IN 1654; AND BY THE ENGLISH IN 1780.-RIGHT OF SEARCH REPUDIATED BY THE UNITED STATES, 1812.-PARIS DECLARATION, 1856.-IMPERATIVELY NECESSARY FOR THE INTERESTS OF GREAT BRITAIN.- REASONS. -THE UNITED STATES DECLINE то BECOME PARTIES ΤΟ THE DECLARATION, UNLESS ALL PRIVATE PROPERTY (CONTRABAND OF WAR EXCEPTED) BE MADE FREE FROM CAPTURE AT SEA.-THEIR REASONS. THE LOSS WE SUSTAINED BY THE EXERCISE OF THE RIGHTS OF BLOCKADE DURING THE WAR WITH RUSSIA, 1854-55.— THE DESIRABILITY, IN THE INTERESTS OF GREAT BRITAIN, OF ADOPTING THE PRINCIPLE LAID DOWN BY THE UNITED STATES.- DEBATE IN HOUSE OF COMMONS.-LORD PALMERSTON'S OPINION.- |