Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall sp2.djvu/479

  and explanation, where at the same time there is no relaxation of discipline:”–

“I have known an opinion entertained by some very respectable officers, but which I have always deemed erroneous, that no reasoning communications should ever be made to seamen. My practice as a captain was different. When coming into port, under circumstances which would not admit of leave of absence, I always made it a rule to inform the ship’s company, before anchoring, that such must unavoidably be the case, as the necessities of the service would not allow me to grant it. On the contrary, whenever I saw that leave could be granted (and I always granted it if possible), I never waited for that leave to be asked. I called the ship’s company together, and told them I should direct the first lieutenant to give leave to a third or fourth watch, or a certain number at a time, while they continued to merit the indulgence.

“For instance, I returned to England in the Cleopatra from the American station, with about three years’ pay due. The day before the ship went from Spithead into the harbour, I informed the ship’s company that the necessary repairs would keep us long in port, and that they would have leave to go on shore in divisions, as long as they continued to conduct themselves well, or till the ship came out of dock. We were thirteen weeks in harbour; I had not one complaint: after about three weeks there was seldom a man wished to go on shore. I left the port at last with only two men absent without leave; and I should add, that during the time the ship was in dock many were employed in the disagreeable service of fitting out other ships. From a 74 and a frigate near me, under the same circumstances of long detention in harbour, no leave was granted; boats rowed guard every night to prevent desertion, and yet the loss by desertion was very great.

“More than one circumstance occurred in a short time, to shew that my indulgence had not been thrown away. My ship was the first at Portsmouth, and I believe any where, when the payment took place in the one and two pound bank-notes then first issued, and I learned that the greatest possible pains were taking, by some who sought political mischief, and others who sought emolument, to persuade the people that this paper-money was of little worth, and offered, by way of favor, to give the men a low value for their notes. I explained the case, and directed that if any one offered or accepted less than a full value, the offender should instantly be brought to me, that he might be treated as an enemy to his king and country. The pay was cordially received, which was at the moment of no small consequence, as there were many then ready to follow any bad example that might be set. To afford my ship’s company another opportunity of shewing good conduct, the payment was scarcely over, and the ship was still crowded with women, children, and slopsellers when a telegraphic signal announced an enemy’s frigate off Portland; and never