1790s

1790s

July 1790
Admirals . . . 102
Post Captains . . . 520
Masters & Commanders . . . 350

Lieutenants . . . 2000 2,900

No doubt but the Navy is wonderfully increased in 1789 but for the sake of Patronage new Officers have been more employed, and the old ones permitted to receive half pay and follow other employments, and many others wish to serve who could not get employed at sea.
March 1792

Some years since an estate was advertised of about £1000 per annum, which had been property of William Marsh Esq. of Hertfordshire, who died intestate (no will), and was descended from one of that name, who formerly resided near Romney Marsh in Kent. Which imported that whoever could prove themselves the heirs at Law would be immediately put in possession of it. Whereupon, I took a great deal of trouble from what I had heard my Father say, of his Father and Grandfather (see page 13) but as I was not enabled to prove myself the heir to this estate, it became an escheat to the Crown.

This circumstance induced me to commit to writing the following memorandum of what I had heard from my Father and Mother of their Families, and what I knew of my own, in order to leave to my Es:; being satisfied from the above mentioned circumstance, and for other reasons, a chronology from Father to Son, would be very proper, and afford information and perhaps pleasing entertainment to successors.
George Marsh.

See my own situations and the account and occurrences from my own life from page 60.
Page 1

[later note written in the hand writing of Elizabeth Louisa Marsh Caldwell]

My Great grandfather G.M. was cousin to Herbert Marsh the Bishop of Peterborough’s Father and used to make him an annual visit as I have heard my Father and Grandfather say. Louis Marsh.
Memorandum.
The account of my family with some particular circumstances respecting the Marquis of Montrose as related by my Mother. Viz.
George Marsh
March 1792

Her maiden name was Elizabeth Milbourne whose Grandfather John Milbourne Esq. had a capital fortune in the North of England, where he resided when the great Marquis of Montrose defeated by the Kings enemies (1650), who after suffering very great hardships in living in disguise in woods and Barnes several days, escaped from the very great extraordinary search made all over the country for him, and came to his house by night for protection, in a most wretched condition as he well knew he was a faithful subject of the Kings, and that he had a very great respect and affection for himself; but before he would take refuge there – (see 1650s)

Purnham Green, 2nd March 1790
Dear Sir,
Nothing can contribute more to the restoration of my health than the interest kind friends express for it and their frequent enquiries, especially those that come from Mr Marsh, whose regards for the Public Service furnished me with means whilst we were together in the Mediterranean to faithfully discharging my duty in such manner as to draw down from the bounteous hand of my Gracious Sovereign such honour and favour as I can not have the presumption to say were owing either to my zeal or talents alone, but if those affairs have taken a right turn, the success was entirely founded upon the excellent materials of early information and timely notice carefully transmitted to me from Malaga, for indeed to you my dear friend and your friends, me and mine owe such unexampled Royal favours. We have been long enough acquainted for you to be assured these declarations are sincere and without flattery, indeed my official correspondence with the King’s Ministers in those times will furnish sufficient testimonials of my unaffected veracity in these declarations of the infinite obligations I was daily under to you towards carrying on the Public Service.
I beg to offer my respects to Mrs Marsh to whom I am impatient to make my bows.
I have the honour to be dear sir etc
Signed Heathfield
John Marsh Esq.

Copy –
Mr Marsh’s answer to Lord Heathfield’s letter.
Battersea, 15th March 1790
My Lord,
I received the honor of your Lordship’s letter and beg leave to assure you I am at loss how to sufficiently express the due sense of the acknowledgment I entertain for the kind and flattering manner in which you therein are pleased to notice my conduct at Malaga previous to the last war with Spain.
I can say with great truth my Lord, that the desire I had of being useful was in no small degree heightened by the example of your Lordships unwearied attention to the duties of the important trust that you held at so critical a juncture, and the almost daily assurances that I received from you that my exertions in obtaining authentic information of the real designs of the Court of Spain, were considered by you as proof of my zeal for the Public Service; and I was still the more anxious of discharging my duty in a business of such importance, from a doubt whether or not Government were disposed to believe that Spain had any serious intention of taking part with France, much less to set about preparing for such an undertaking as that of laying siege to Gibraltar. Your Lordship had no doubts whatever thereon, and the event fully proved how fortunate it was for this Country that your measures were so timely and provident. Accept my Lord, my hearty wishes for the restoration of your health, and do me the justice to believe that I am with the sincerest and most respectful attachment.
Your Lordships
Most Faithful Servant
John Marsh

Copy
Bedford Row, 19th March 1790.
Sir
As the Commission of American Claims expires on the 25th instant, I take the liberty of acquainting you that Mr Marsh, one of the Commissioners who has been in it from it’s first institution in 1783, will then be without any employ and without any provision whatsoever, and when I have related the peculiar situation as well as long and important services of this gentleman, I flatter myself you will not think it officious in me to have submitted them to your consideration.

Mr Marsh had been eleven years His Majesty’s Consul at Malaga when the War broke out with Spain in 1779, and as to the manner in which he acquitted himself in that department I understand that besides the general tenure of his conduct, Lord Heathfield has taken an opportunity since he came home of representing to the Secretary of State for the Foreign Department what he had frequently before stated to his predecessors, namely the important communication made by Mr Marsh previous to the last rupture with Spain, and I beg to assure you that I heard Lord Heathfield declare, a short time ago, that if it had not been for the vigilant conduct and early intelligence of Mr Marsh at the period, he doubted whether the garrison at Gibraltar would at this time have belonged to the Crown of Great Britain.

On coming home in 1779, he was appointed to inspect and receive the provision contracted for and sent from Cork for the use of the troops to North America and the West Indies in how he executed that trust appears from a letter written by the Commissioners of the Navy to the Board of Treasury the 24th January 1783, of which the following is an extract “As the present appearances of Peace will naturally put an end to the employments of Mr Marsh and Mr Cherry [George Cherry, Chairman of the board of commissioners for victualing the navy] at Cork, and at Cowes we think it our duty in justice to the Public as well as these gentlemen to represent to the Lord Commissioners of His Majesty’s Treasury, that the trust reposed in Mr Marsh and Mr Cherry has been of such a nature as to have enabled them to have made considerable fortunes at the Public expense if they been so inclined. But we have the best ground for assuring their Lordships that they have carried on the branch of duty with such integrity, ability and indefatigable zeal that we are at a loss to say to which quality the Public have been most indebted.”

In July 1783, then an entire stranger to Lord John Cavendish [1732-1796], then Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr Marsh was appointed a Commissioner of American Claims, and tho’ his character and merit are too high and too well known to require any representation from me, yet I cannot forbear, on this occasion, giving my testimony and opinion of his service in this Commission for seven years, namely that they have been those of exerting the most useful talents, the most unwearied diligence and the most exemplary integrity and zeal for the Public, in a trust of the most delicate and arduous nature.

I submit, therefore Sir, to your consideration whether after the exertion of so much ability and integrity in the Public Service for 22 years Mr Marsh has not a fair claim on Government for a liberal and permanent provision at one of the Boards of Revenue, or Auditors of the Public Accounts, or on some other establishment equally respectable, tho’ I conceive that his character and talents peculiarly qualify him for either of the above departments.

I beg leave to add that Mr Marsh is very well known to Mr Molleson who I believe would be very glad of Mr Marsh’s assistance whenever there should be a vacancy in either of the Commissions to which he belongs. I flatter myself you will think the circumstances I have stated sufficient to justify me in troubling you with this address, as without your protection Mr Marsh will have no provision whatever at the expiration of his commission, and as it has been one of the characteristic features of your administration to reward those who distinguished themselves in the Service of the Public.
I have the honor to be Etc
J. Wilmot
Rt.Hon William Pitt [1759-1806] etc etc.

Lord John Cavendish
1732-1796

William Pitt
1759-1806

Having enjoyed uncommon and various blessing and success through life, I think it proper to make the following memorandums, to show my situation at different periods of it, and how wonderfully I have been brought forward in the world; of which I am so truly sensible and thankful to God Almighty, that I hope I have ever shewn and shall continue to show, by my Actions and conduct, I have a constant and proper sense thereof.
George Marsh
1792
Now in my 70th year
Note. The following memorandums have been written in a hurry, consequently not correct or properly connected, for indeed at my time of life I thought not time should be lost in making them, as I wished to do, for the perusal of my successors, and to show that by the blessing of God Industry and prudence how successful I have been.

15 March 1790
Sir Charles Middleton quitted his office as Comptroller of the Navy as he could not get a deputy Comptroller appointed. Most of the clerks were in the Hall of the Navy Office to meet and tell me of it, as I went to it this morning, expressing the utmost pleasure on the event, and to my great surprise in going to my room I met him, and he took by the hand and told me he had quitted (tho’ I had not spoke to him for months before, but in business) and had been and was very uneasy ever since he had differed with me and therefore begged my pardon for whatever he might have said or done to my prejudice or contrary to my opinion and added that he had and ever should have the greatest regard for me.

I own this astonished me very much and caused me to reflect how very few men can conduct themselves with propriety who suddenly obtain great power and riches with unexpected honours. I am also confirmed in my opinion that no man can be happy in himself who acts by others unjustly, or in any manner in which he should not like to be treated himself. And indeed I doubt whether this condescension of him did not arise from fear of my exposing him in the public papers, by publishing an account of all his actions in office, but be that as it may, I so far forgive him, that I shall always have great pleasure in rendering him or his friends my very best services, but I never shall be intimate with such a man, so as to visit him.

There is an unaccountable weakness even in artful unjust designing men, it often happens by the unguarded part of their conduct, that Providence makes them the instruments of their own detection and overthrow.
It will appear that I have been very particular in relating this business and event which happened to me, the reason of my being so is, I really suffered great uneasiness of mind at times on account of it.

The Clerk of the Acts of the Navy should be possessed of great prudence and good disposition, for by leading this great variety of business, and registering the dayly occurrences of the letters received, and the answers thereto with all the contracts bargains allowances etc etc and in short of all accounts and papers that comes to, or is sent from that Board, his duty is very great and important and should constantly attend to it as I faithfully have done for he too often meets with disagreeable events and reflections even from his brother Commissioners many of whom attend it just as they please, which is not very constantly and it is much easier to find fault than to remedy anything that is done amiss, and as they have equal power, it too often happens that they do so. And tho’ the Clerk of the Acts is the first Clerk officer in rank at the Board it is a very laborious and a very confined one, if he does his duty.

16 April 1790
Mr John Margetson was appointed my assistant upon Mr Serles quitting by my application to Lord Chatham and instead of being called in his Warrant Secretary to the Navy Board as Sir Charles Middleton got Mr Serle to be, he was named assistant to the Clerk of the Acts of the Navy, as it was always usual before. This I wished very much to be done for the Clerks of my office, who have double the labour and confinement of any other clerks in the Navy Office and as being regularly bred in it, should regularly rise therein, and if capable and fit in other respects, the head Clerk to the Clerk of the Acts of the Navy, should on the vacancy of his assistant be appointed thereto, for no stranger to the business of the Office is fit for it, or can be so without many years experience.

21 May 1790
Mary Marsh’s death should have been inserted here – see page 169

14 July 1790
My dear son George died who was borne 29th December 1749 who from bad connections particularly with women neglected the very great business of a Proctor in Doctors Commons which he had and might have had, and fell into every other bad destructive habit, insomuch that I advanced some thousands to keep him from Bankruptcy, tho’ he might have got a fortune in his situation with honour and honesty, he having also a seat in the prerogative Office there as a mere sinecure of about £200 per annum. I ever had a most fatherly love and affection for him, although his bad conduct to often gave me great very great uneasiness. But now he is no more, all his imprudence vanishes, and his fine person is uppermost in my mind with his genteel amiable manners and various other good qualities, which has occasioned some unpleasant reflections, that I have not made those allowances I ought to have done for the imperfections of human nature, or rendered him all the service and assistance with money, which I had it in my power to do.

But upon as strict examination of my heart hereon, I knew my readiness to do my utmost for him, if I had thought it would not have fed his vices and idleness, rather than have been of service, and would too have put it out of my power to provide for him hereafter when they might bring him into the utmost distress, I would have given him as much as was in my power, with the greatest pleasure. From this self examination, I therefore found great comfort, being conscious I have . . . . . supplied him with money from time to time ’till I found it answered no good end, and that he did not reclaim and follow my advice tho’ frequently given it in the mildest friendly manner possible.

Having therefore acted my own part, as I ought to do, I have no reason to be uneasy for any event that has frequently happened to him or my family, on the contrary I am sensible it is my duty to submit thereto, and make the best of all things which has or may happen to me or them, being totally ignorant of what is best for us, or will tend most to our happiness. He was buried the 20th July 1790 in the vault I built in Gillingham Church, Kent.

21 May 1790
My cousin Mrs Mary Marsh died and was buried in Camberwell Church yard. She left to me and my sons £6,400 in the £3 & 6th Bank consolidated Anns which Mr Warren meant to leave to me, but by a mistake he made in writing his own will, who was also my first cousin – see page 33.
(note this memorandum should have as in page 167)

My son George left two illegitimate children a son named George who turned out a very bad youth so that tho’ we had interest enough when he went to the East Indies to have made his fortune he conducted him so bad in every respect, that nothing could be done for him, and after going to Botany Bay and several other voyages without the least amendment, he last entered for a soldier in the East India Company’s service and changed his name for Smith, since which I have not heard anything of him.

The daughter married Lieutenant Gilbert Paterson about the year __ and has two children. I gave her £40 per annum for her life and various other sums who conducts herself very well, as does her husband tho’ upon a very scanty income for his pay is not more than between £60 and £70 per annum. Note I have since increased her allowance £60 per annum and he is now a Captain in full pay of about £180 per annum.

2 December 1791
My dear grandson George the son of William was born this day (1790) Note in this year a great armament was prepared against Spain, but the dispute was made up and settled.

1791
Another Armament was prepared against Russia also in this year, but the dispute was made up likewise.

1792
21st January 1792
My dear granddaughter Ann [Anne Gabiou nee Marsh] was born this day.
William – born 18 October 1795
Frances Mary born 14 August 1797
Mary born 9 December 1798
Georgiana Nelson (after Lady Nelson) born 7th January 1807

Blackheath 27th January 1800 my birthday who am now in the 78th year of my age.
George Marsh
I have found by experience that by endeavouring constantly to act in every respect to all persons with justice, kindness and charity, and as we should like to be treated by them, and showing by our actions rather than by words, as pretensions the real goodness of our hearts, leads to happiness. We should too, limit our desires and expenses as much as possible within our fortune or income. We are all blessed with the innate knowledge and sense when we act right, or wrong, and we should constantly use our utmost endeavours to practice the former, and omit the latter, as much as we possibly can, so as fully to obtain our own approbation in all our conduct, and by regular exercise for the health and strength of the body, and constant employment for the support of cheerful good spirits would also add to our happiness, and by living temperately upon plain food, or rather abstemiously, more especially as age come upon us, going to rest soon, rising early and living cleanly, will likewise contribute thereto, but above all dayly kneeling and offering Praise to God, for all the blessing we enjoy, whose Throne is Universal and who seeith in secret, which would complete our happiness here as much as possible by raising an independence in the Soul, by thus conducting ourselves, superior to all contingencies and upon the source from which the noblest and purest of all earthly enjoyments is derived.
George Marsh
27th January 1800
George Marsh
1790-1868

Anne Gabiou nee Marsh
1792-1870

With respect to different opinions and forms of religious worship. I am entirely in the same opinion with Pope who says.
For modes of Faith let graceless zealots fight,
He can’t be wrong whose life is in the right.
[Sheet of paper inserted] Many divines assert that by faith alone our sins will be forgiven, and that we can do nothing of ourselves to atone for them, but it is in Scripture said, where the day of Judgement is set forth – Christ does not interrogate about the manner of believing but about a man’s works, for the words are “I was hungry and you gave me meat, naked and you clothed me, in prison and ye came unto me.” There is no mention of faith but of charity, and yet there were the righteous that should go into life eternal.
Indeed no judgement can be made of any man’s goodness, religion or fear of God but by his works and actions.
George Marsh.

Faith required of a Christian is not barely a belief that there is a God for in this case wicked men have –. Nor is a belief that Christ is the true messiah, for that to be a man may believe, and yet had a life very contrary to his precepts. But the true Christian faith is such a firm conviction of the truth and reasonableness of his s-doctrines as influences our conduct and naturally leads us to the practice of virtue and holiness.
Hence then appears the absurdity of those who put asunder what God hath joined together. They read
“that by Faith alone we are saved, and that therefore they conclude that good works are unnecessary, they do not consider that good works are the very essence of faith, and that faith without works is dead, being alone. True Christian faith worketh by love and charity, and by such works alone faith is made perfect for without holy actions, as well as holy thoughts, no man shall see the Lord. In sum this is the true and genuine doctrine of the Church of England. They believe that faith which is alone and unaccompanied with sincere obedience, is to be esteemed not faith but presumption and is no way sufficient justification, that though works of charity be not imputed to justification, yet they are required as a necessary disposition in the person to be justified, and that though in regard of their imperfection no man can be justified by them, yet that on the other hand no man can be justified without them.” Chillingworth.

We should listen candidly to the voice of Scripture, the Apostle Paul every where testifies, that by no works of our own we can be justified, and that without Faith it is impossible to please God. The Apostle James as clearly shows, that Faith, if it be unproductive of good works, justifies no men. Between those sentiments, there is no opposition. It is a foundation which sends forth no stream, a tree which neither bears fruit, nor affords shade. Good works, again, without good principles, are a fair but airy structure, without firmness or stability. They reason that the house built on the sand, the reed which shakes with every wind.
We need join the two in full union if we would exhibit the character of a real Christian. He who set Faith in opposition to morals, or morals in opposition to Faith, is equally an enemy to religion. He holds up to view an imperfect and disfigured form, in the room of what ought to command respect from all beholders. By leaning to one opinion he is in danger of falling into vice, by the other, of running into impiety.
George Marsh

His opinion on this subject in 1799.
Tis would be a sparing of abstinence, highly pleasing in the light both of God and man, and would at once contribute most assuredly to that virtue to content of mind, and to the comfort of all around us. This would be indeed the just which God has chosen, and which is so sublimely described by the Prophet / Isiah / 58.6.7.8.9.10.11 / in form perfectly applicable to our present situation, and full of consolation and support to those who in confusion with other Christian virtues, require that truly evangelical one of charitable abstinence.

9 July 1792
This day John Baynard Esq. of Rochester died with whom I had been a brother Clerk in the Comptroller of the Navy’s Office from 1744 to the time he quitted it.
He left his sister Mrs Elizebeth Baynard, spinster, who is about 80 years of age, executrix and myself executor.
He bequeathed to her for her life about £800 (£200 ?) per annum, and about £10,000 in bank stock, that is to say to that value, the stock being only £5,400, which she may dispose of by Will as she pleases.

He left me, my son and grandsons a freehold estate in land at Collin deep at the Hyde in the parish of Hendon Middlesex, of about 130 acres which cost him in the year 1756 about £4,000, now occupied by a Mr Edward Nicoll at £100 per annum, also a house, barn and a piece of ground at the Hyde which is copyhold, where Mr Nicoll lives, who has a lease (page 174) for 14 years of the whole, from Michaelmas 1700, and for which he also pay £10 more per annum, so that the gross rent is £190 per annum, about land tax of £20.0.4 there remains neat per annum £169.19.0 or £84.19.10 per half year, which I received of him to Michaelmas last.

He also left to William Duffin Esq two farms in Northamptonshire which cost him about £10,000, and to Elizabeth Holworthy both descendents of the Haddock family, his houses etc, and in the Vines Rochester.

He likewise left me a legacy of £1,000 and my son £500. And to his distant relations, public charities and friends about £20,000 more.

5 July 1793
My son’s wife Amelia Marsh died in her way home from Bristol hot wells, who left him five children, the youngest of which named Sarah also died the August following and they were both buried in my vault at Gillingham, the child was buried the 5th Sept and Mrs Marsh the 12th July.

Saturday, 15th November 1794
My son was married to Miss Francis Graham at St Margaret’s Church, Westminster, present Mrs Graham [Mary Graham nee Shewen] her mother, Sir Henry Dashwood, her sister’s husband, with his lady [Mary Helen Lady Dashwood] and their daughter and son, Miss Graham’s three brothers and myself [one brother being Col George Edward Graham].

William Marsh
1755-1846
Frances Marsh nee Graham
1770-1805
Mary Graham nee Shewen
1737?-1798
Sir Henry Watkin Dashwood
1745-1828
Mary Helen Lady Dashwood
1763-1796

21 August 1795
For various reasons I writ the following letter to Earl Spencer first Lord of the Admiralty [George John Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer, Viscount Althorp, 1758-1834].
Viz.

My Lord,
I must rely on your Lordship’s benevolence and candour to excuse my troubling you upon the subject of my own situation, but having been near sixty one years in His Majesty’s Service, Thirty two of which a Commissioner of the Victualling and Navy, and twenty two thereof in the branch of the latter, termed Clerk of the Acts of the Navy, and have always executed my Duty with the utmost fidelity and attention, I trust and hope it may not be thought improper or unreasonable in mentioning the mortifications I have felt in seeing Baronetcies conferred on many of my brethren, who comparatively, have been but a short time in office, whilst I have been overlooked.
My Lord I consider your administration from the liberality and attention have shown to all the ranks as a favourable opportunity for me to solicit your Lordship’s influence to provide me a similar mark of His Majesty’s Royal favour, in addition to such a pension as I should hope from my very long services, and my period of life (seventy three) your Lordship will think me worthy of.
Under such circumstances I should be inclined to resign.
I have the honour to be with the greatest respect, My Lord your Lordships most obedient and most humble servant.
George Marsh
Navy Office, 12 March 1795
George John Spencer
2nd Earl Spencer
Viscount Althorp
1758-1834

5 January 1796
Mr Henry Creed who I brought up form a boy and who was my son’s partner in the Agency business died at his house at Hampstead.

26 July 1796
Spencer George Townshend Gentn , produced his Warrant as paymaster of the contingencies of the Navy Office and Receiver of Fees, with an allowance of three hundred pounds a year.

3 August 1796
A new Patent was made out for the Commissioners of the Navy, by which the Comptroller is allowed £1,500 per annum, the deputy Comptroller £1,200 and the other Commissioners residing at the Board £1,000, to commence from 24 June 1796.
By this patent there is no branch as usual termed Clerk of the Acts of the Navy, so that I am now a Commissioner at Large without any branch.
George Marsh.

In the Spring of this year an alarming violent mutiny broke out in the Fleet by the seamen. A good number of them were hanged for it.

The Bank has also alarmed the nation by stoping payment of Cash

10 February 1798
The present condition of Europe is apparelled in the Annals of the World, every man professing the belief of a deity, and enjoying the blessings of a well regulated society, under the influence of Divine and Moral Law, must shudder at the evils dealing out to them by the Republicans of France. Our existence as an independent Nation is at stake, the dreadful alternative of conquest or submission seem to hang over our heads, permit me therefore, to call to your attention to the awful moment.

Threatened with invasion similar to that which hath over run and transformed other Nations to be the slavish dependents of Gallic power, threatened also with the plunder of our property, the destruction of our Laws, and the loss of our liberty and lives, shall we supinely wait the coming tyrants and timely suffer the Altar the Temple of the God of our creation and of our hope to be profaned, his laws derided and our admirable constitution, the work of our wisest of ancestors “dashed in pieces like the potter’s vessel” by a host of Gallic spoilers?

Forbid it Heaven! – Rather, like those Ancestors let us congregate in this moment of threatened danger, and strengthen by every effort That Constitution all of us have reason to support and maintain unimpaired and free from every inimical attack.

To what but an accumulated degree of wretchedness will our property tend, if it is not in some measure used for our general defence against the foe? – Come then, ye nobles by long, by high ancestry, ye Lords of extensive Domains. Come also, ye opulent by inheritance, or by the favouring hand of prosperity, bring your gifts to the Altar of God, and your Country, what consideration would not the suffering, the ruined emigrants be happy to offer to regain their confiscated property?

Let their dreadful situation be a warning to you my dear countrymen, and impel you to join my humble effort to assist in saving our country and ourselves from the impending ruin – the hearts of the poor shall bless you, and their honest brave hands be strengthened to resist the meditated attack. Gratitude be an additional spur to their loyalty and their natural courage (though the contest may be tough one) will rise superior to every endeavour to conquer and enslave them, for knowing that those whose means are ample, have amply offered them in aid of their country in the present contest, their zeal will be extended and their fidelity confirmed.

The many and very generous subscriptions for the relief of those brave men (seamen and soldiers) and their relatives who have been more immediately employed to check the efforts of the foe, fully evince that the spirit of true patriotism and brotherly love is eminently active amongst us, yet I hope I may with (without?) offending be permitted to suggest that such subscriptions, though highly useful and meritorious, are only palliatives – they do no seem to go far enough. As the danger is apparently great, now that the enemy is exerting very nerve of hostile preparation to assail us in our domestic empire, and therefore a National and Expective Union, in my humble opinion is at this time necessary to secure us from the consequences of their threatened visit. It will do more to repel the foe than millions raised under the coertion of taxation.
GM

11th February 1798

April 1798
Impromptu
On reading an account of the glorious action between the Mars and L’Hercule.
Herculean France is destined thus to bend
Whilst Britain hails the Godlike Mars her friend,
Hood hears the shouts of Victory rend the Skies
He grasps the Palm and then contented dies.

2nd August 1798
Mr Gambier [Admiral of the Fleet James Gambier, 1st Baron Gambier, 1756-1833] reported in the office my request was granted and was to be created Bart and have a pension of £500 year neat, and it was so published in the News papers. And a paragraph appeared therein on the 7th August in the following words Viz. Commissioner Marsh it is reported is about to retire from the Navy Office with a Barronetcy. Be that as it may we are fully persuaded that there is not a more faithful or more honourable servant of the public. I know not who published this respecting me, for I knew not myself the least about it.

The 7th August 1790 having business at the Admiralty respecting Greenwich hospital – Lord Spencer desired me to go into his room as he wanted to speak to me, which I did do accordingly. When he expressed great concern and surprise on reading the publication respecting the honor intended thereby to me and of my returning from the office. I replied I was as much surprised having had no intimation thereof from his Lordship but did not he said think it proper for various reasons to speak to the King thereon but asked if I would accept of knighthood which I absolutely refused.
This 27th January 1800 I am 77 years of age, and am truly thankful of God, I have passed my life to this time, I believe as happily as any man ever did, having been blessed in general with good health, peace of mind and very other comfort, with as few troubles or uneasiness thereof as falls to the lot of man, no more than perhaps were necessary to regulate my conduct through life and to convince me that I am mortal and not for a durance in this world.
James Gambier
1st Baron Gambier
1756-1833