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.
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12 Jan 1796
Lent Doctor Robertson Some Jenning’s book.
This advertisement appeared in the Papers but it’s insertion was unknown to Mr Marsh, nor did he ever know by whom it was sent to the Paper!!
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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.
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Statement of the Services and principal Events in the life of the late George Marsh Esq.
A Commissioner of His Majesty’s Navy.
In 1796 however, the whole constitution of the Navy Board and the excellent Instructions framed for the conducting the business of the Department by King James 2nd when Lord High Admiral were subverted and annulled.
Mr.Marsh’s long experience led him to form an opinion unfavourable to the wisdom and expediency of the changes then made and his zeal for the public Service compelled him to express that opinion very openly and to support it by pointing out the evils to which those changes might give rise; but his opposition to the new measures had no other effect than the making to himself enemies of those whose interest had devised them and whose influence was sufficiently powerful to carry them into effect.
Shortly after this Mr.Marsh was induced by a conversation he had with Sir Andrew Hammond, Comptroller and Mr.Gambier, Secretary to the Board, to write a letter to Lord Spencer, the first Lord of the Admiralty, tendering his resignation on condition of having a Baronetcy conferred on him and a Pension of £500 per Annum, (the amount of the old salary of a Commissioner of the Navy) to him Mr.Marsh considered that his diligent and faithful services to the Public of 63 years entitled him.
On the 29th August 1796 Lord Spencer sent for Mr.Marsh, told him that he considered his demands very reasonable and that he would recommend him to the King for the Baronetcy and Pension and shortly after Sir Andrew Hammond informed Mr.Marsh that Lord Spencer had in fact carried his promise to that effect.
A few days subsequently to this communication the following paragraph appeared in the Newspapers –
“The King has been pleased to confer the honour of a Baronetcy on George Marsh Esq., one of the Principal Officers and Commissioners of his Majesty’s Navy together with a Pension of £600 per Annum in regard of his long and faithful Service of 61 years, Thirty four of which he has been a Commissioner and 24 in that important branch of Clerk of the Acts of the Navy. No man is better acquainted with the Civil Departments thereof or his ever served with more constant attention to his Duty to his King and Country or with more affability of manners or more general Esteem and respect as all persons who have had the honour of any connexion with him can testify – his resigning his office will be very much regretted.”
Whether this paragraph was inserted in the Newspapers by a weak zealour friend or by a designing enemy Mr.Marsh never ascertained, the consequence however was that Lord Spencer sent for Mr.Marsh and expressed his surprise and regret at the appearance of such a paragraph prior to his Majesty’s having finally approved of the arrangement, the impropriety of which was such at it must at best cause the excution of what had been intended to be deferred.
Mr.Marsh could only assure his Lordship of his entire ignorance of the channel through which the matter had been made public and of his own extreme surprise and reaction at the occurrence; that he was himself in no manner a party to this indiscretion which had been committed wholly without his privity or assent,but Mr.Marsh remarked to Lord Spencer that the contemplation of the arrangement in question could be no secret either at the Admiralty or the Navy Office and he therefore presumed to hope that the impropriety would not be attributed to him.
Lord Spencer ever afterwards avoided all communication with Mr.Marsh on the subject and whether really owing to the appearance of this sole paragraph or that by the creation of three extra Commissioners Mr.Marsh seat was no longer wanted by those who were moulding the constitution of the board into its new form, it is certain that the whole arrangement for Mr.Marsh’s resignation was for the present suspended
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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 stopping payment of Cash
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Copy of a Letter I wrote to Lord Spencer 12 Nov 1796 with his answer.
Requesting the embodying of the Workmen of the yards.
I am highly honored with your Lordship’s Letter of yesterday respecting Lieutenant Mansal.
I beg leave to equate your Lordship, I have just recollected that about forty years since the workmen of His Majesty’s several Dock years were taught the Exercise, and then seemed a fine body of Men, and I presume Batalion of 1,000 Men may at this time be raised in each of the great yards, and in proportion in the three smaller yards. I therefore presume it may be proper to represent this to your Lord’s information and consideratio. (The objection -crossed out) I am aware it may be argued that it would retard the repairs &c of the Fleet. It must however be submitted whether half a day in week for the purpose would have such an effect (in any good degree – crossed out) (at least – above) equal to the advantage that may be derived from it.
Battalion
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Printed diary page
Memorandums, Observation and Appointments in August 1796
Monday 15 August 1796 – At the Navy Board
Tuesday 16 August 1796 – Ditto
Wednesday 17 August 1796 – Ditto
Thursday 18 August 1796 – Ditto
Friday 19th August 1796 – Ditto. Received 300 of Marsh & Creed and paid it to Mr Paine
Saturday 20th August 1796 – At Greenwich Hospital but not at the Board
Sunday 21 August 1796 – At the Chapel
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August 8th Month, has xxxi Days.
Account of Monies
Drank tea and Coffe and had a fine (Salabub?) and above a most hearty welcome with a great variety of (Fruit? Trust?)
Expenses in this Journey of 12 days £19.13.10
Sent Lady Charlotte Dunscombe two Bottles of Cape Wine. My son, his wife and Amelia called and spent two hours with me.
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Print diary page
Memorandums, Observations and Appointments in August 1796
Monday 22nd August 1796 – At the Board
Tuesday 23 rd August 1796 – Ditto
Wednesday 24th August 1796 – Ditto
Thursday 25th August 1796 – Ditto
Friday 26th August 1796 – Ditto
Saturday 27th August 1796 – Ditto
Sunday 28th – At the Chapel
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13 November 1796
From – Lord Spencer
To – Commissioner George Marsh, Navy Office.
Sir,
I am much obliged to you for your suggestion on the subject of embodying the Artifices of the Dock Yards, but I cannot help entertain some doubt whether any Interruption to their other business at the time when it is necessarily so very pressing may not be attended with disadvantage to the publick Service.
I am, Sir, with great truth, your very obediant and humble servant.
Spencer.
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Printed diary page
Memorandums and Resolutions – At the End of Year 1796
Note. I expend about 40 Bushels of Malt in a year producing about 27 half hogs of good Beer all of a sort and
120 ale at 6 per Bushel. – 12.0.0
40 good Tarnham hopps – 3.0.0
Brewer & Tiring about – 3.0.0
Note. Half a hogs’d last at a medium 12 days.