Envelop – folded document paper.
Wm Marsh Esq
The late James Piney Eagle (?)
31 March 1797
Letter
My Lord,
Being strongly impressed with the sense of justness in your Lordships sentiments upon every care that may be submitted to your decision; I beg leave to take this method, a being I presume the least troublesome to transmit the inclosed memorandum relative to myself in confidence that your Lordship will seem it deserving of your attention, more especailly from what your Lordship was pleased sometime since, to say you knew of my Character and Services.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord
Your Lordships most obedient Servant
Gill
Navy Office, 31 March 1797
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Envelope – folded document – outer cover
Memorandum – sent to (sect?) to Lord Spencer 31 March 1797
31 March 1797
Memorandum – 31 March 1797
It having been Judged proper in August last, to form a new Patent and Instructions for the Commissioners of the Navy, directing the business of the Navy Office in future to be transacted in Committee, the Office or Branch formed Clerk of the Acts of the Navy, was thereby virtually abolished, and Mr Marsh who had held (the branch) for Twenty five years was in consequence placed in the New Patent, without any particular Branch assigned to him, and has therefore ever since been attached to the Committee of correspondence with the new salary of One thousand Pounds per annum. His former Salary was eight hundred Pounds, and the right (from custom) of appointing his own Clerks, averated at Two hundred and Ten Pounds per annum. But as he has been deprived of the allowance for Coals, Candles and House Rent, which has been invariably allowed (also by Custom) to all the Commissioners of the Navy (from the original institution of the Board (crossed out)) he now actually suffers a diminution of Income, since the new Establishment of about two hundred Pounds per Annum.
When the House allowed Mr Marsh at Somerset Place was completed, Captain Wallis then a Commissioner of the Navy, requested he would permit him to reside therein, as he found Mr Marsh, for the benefit of his health, which had suffered in a very alarming manner by the long and close attendance in His Majesty’s Service, to live in the house upon Blackheath. They therefore agreed that Mr Wallis should inhabit the same, upon paying Mr Marsh the House Rent he was, as an Extra Commissioner allowed.Vix Eighty Pounds per Annum.
Upon Commissioner Wallis’s death Commissioner Hope, also agreed with Mr Marsh to live in the House upon the same terms, and had regularly paid him the Rent above mentioned of Eighty Pounds per Annum, until the new Establishment was received at the Navy Board.
It is judged proper in future to discontinue the allowance of Coals, Candles and House Rent to new, or Extra Commissioners, who are not allowed a House, Mr Marsh presume’s it was not meant to deprive him of these benefits, who has been many years “The Father of the Board,” and constantly enjoyed them; and therefore with great deference hopes, that for his Life, his situation will not be rendered worse by the Branch he has held so many years being annulled.
Mr Marsh has now been, from the age of Thirteen, a period of Sixty two years in the Public Service and is conscious he has ever devoted his whole time and attention to the Execution of his Duty in the various Branches of the Navy, in which he has been employed, to the utmost of his abilities and Power, with greatest Faithfulness and Zeal for the King’s Service, and has, he trusts, uniformly conducted himself to his Credit and honor.
He cannot therefore but seriously feel, that although it has been thought proper and necessary to make a new System for the Civil department of the Navy, it should at the same time be permitted to operate to the Individual prejudice of so old an Established Servant, but which however he flatters himself he need only thus represent to obtain redress.
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10 April 1797
Lord Spencer’s letter to Mr.Marsh
10 April 1797 – Lord Spencer in answer to mine 1 March last.
Sir,
I hope you will do me the Justice to believe that I have not the most distant inclination to give my Consent to any Arrangement which can fairly be considered as operating to the individual prejudice of any Person, nor especially of one whom by Services to the Publick entitled him to the Consideration to which yours unquestionably give you a very strong Claim.
At the same time I must differ considerably with you on the subject of the statement you have made to me respecting your former and present emoluments as a Commissioner of the Navy; for when you state that your former salary (as well as that of the other Commissioners) was £800 per Annum it must not be forgotten on what grounds it had been (augmented?) to that sum; the real State of the Case I understand to be thus, and my – – – (being a transaction previous to my coming into Office) is that of Mr.Pitt and Lord Chatham.
The Commissioners of the Navy had (per Annuity?) £500 per Annum which was increased to £800 on consideration of the extra Addition of Duty – — respecting the Transport Service, especially in time of War.
On that Branch being taken from the Navy Office and transferred to a Board (peculiarly?) attached to it, it would have been naturally expected that the additional £300 would be taken off, but it was allowed to remain expressly in consideration of the Regulations then intended to be adopted in in pursuance of the (Reports?) of the Commissioners of Accounts, and particularly in consideration of that Regulation which abolished the very improper (factor?) which had prevailed of (calling, selling?) the Clerkships, and according to your own statement compensation for that reduction of emolument (at least in your individual case) was ample and liberal.
(This?) is the statement of the Business a I collected it, both from Lord Chatham and Mr.Pitt when I came to the Board of Admiralty and though the completion of that arrangement has been by unavoidable accidents delayed longer than I could have wished it to be I felt it my Duty to follow up the idea when it was adopted.
With respect to the £80 a year for your House Rent, though it certainly does not come within the Rules established, I do not mean to object in your Case to its being allowed, (a study? ) the accommodate of a House for the Deputy Constable will be obtained, and when the Navy Office Regulation is finally issued by the Order from the Admiralty this matter shall be so settled.
I am very glad to have had this opportunity of stating to you what I have done in writing, as I am afraid this matter has been differently understood by many of the Gentlemen concerned, though I have invariably explained it on the same footing whenever I have had occasion to talk on the subject.
I am sir, with great respect,
your very obedient humble servant,
Spencer.
Admiralty, 10 April 1797.
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15 April 1797
Copy of the letter I wrote to Lord Spencer dated 15 April 1797 in answer to his of the 10th ditto. But this was not delivered ’till 6 May.
Copy of a letter wrote to Lord Spencer
From – George Marsh
My Lord,
I have been honored with your Lordship’s Leter of the 10th inst. and beg leave to express my grateful thanks for the Notice you have been pleased to bestow upon the Case I had the honor to submit to your Lordship, relative to my particular situation in this Office, and in the Publick Service.
This attention from your Lordship convinces me that I need not urge you my Lord to believe that I could not intentionally state my case to you in a point of view tending to mislead your Lordship’s Judgement on the same; or indeed otherwise than I myself saw it.
The increase of £300 per annum took place the 2nd of February 1779 and before that time the Salaries and allowance of the Commissioners of the Navy were all Equal; and of this Period it was hinted to some of them to be an opportunity taken of the great Transport Service then under their management to raise the same to all the Members of the Board, from the very inadequate allowance of £500 per annum without at the same time subjecting the Admiralty or Ministers to the many Similar Claims that might otherwise have been brought forward.
After the Peace of 1783,the said increase of Salary being continued, tended to confirm this Idea; and I flatter myself your Lordship will consequently admit that I could not therefore conceive but that the £800 per annum stood in this Right with Ministers as a permanent settled Salary.
I am very much obliged for what your Lordship has said regarding the allowance for House Rent; (crossed out – and shall) and as it is my Duty to submit to whatever may be your Lordship’s final Decision relative to the other points I had the honor of mentioning to you, if upon considering them in the view they have occured tome, your Lordship should still adhere to the Opinion expressed in your Letter; for I beg your Lordship to believe that any Pecuniary loss I may sustain by the System lately introduced, has but a secondary operation in my mind.
I have the honor to be, My Lord, Your Lordship’s most obediant and most humble servant, G.M. 15 April 1797
P.S. The important business your Lordship has recently been engaged in, is the reason I did not send this letter agreeable to it’s date.
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Print diary page
Memorandums, Observations and Appointments in May 1797
Monday 22 May 1797 – At the Board
Tuesday 23 May 1797 – Ditto
Wednesday 24 May 1797 – Ditto
Thursday 25 May 1797 – Ditto – Received & paid Mrs Wallis’s and Mr Pain’s pensions to Xmas last.
Friday 26 May 1797 – Ditto. Paid ditto
Saturday 27 May 1797 – Dined with my son at Grove House (Hoare?)
Sunday 28 May 1797 – At the Chapel
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Printed diary page – other side of page from above.
May, Fifth Month – XXXI Days. Account of Monies
My Son took Mrs Cravan’s ready furnished house for two months at 5.5.0 per week.
Sir and Lady Hammond told me this day that Lord Spencer said he would be answerable I should be allowed Coals and Candles, and with strongly assurance of his regard for me signifying he would at proper time speak to Mr Pitt that what I desired might be comply’d with.
Princess Royal was married to the Prince of Westingburgh.
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cover
Narrative &c. Letter to Lord Spencer
Letter
3 September 1797
Memorandum
Mr.Marsh lived in his house at the old Navy Office ’till the Office was removed to Somerset place when all the Members of the Navy Board were allowed house rent with the usual allowance for Coals and Candles for £90 per annum, and when the houses at Somerset place were ready for them to inhabit, Mr Wallis wished to live in London and therefore agreed with Mr.Marsh to pay him the house rent he was allowed, to let him live in his house, which he accordingly complyed with.
Upon his death Mr.Hope desired also to live therein upon the same terms. Mr Marsh has therefore received the house rent and allowance for Coals and Candles to June 1796.
Soon after which there was a new arrangement made in the whole Office and six of the Commissioners had houses appropriated to them as at the old Navy Office when Mr.Marsh’s was taken from him and given to Mr.Hope who was by the same order appointed deputy Comptroller; and direction given that none of the allowances aforementioned was to be made in future to any Commissioner who did not live in the house allotted to him.
All this was done without consulting Mr Marsh or informing him of the intended alteration of the arrangement of the Office.
He therefore wrote to Lord Spencer and stated the case, and his Lordship was pleased to make him an answer and signify that he should be paid his house rent; and at the same time observed his Salary had been increased £200 per annum which he, Mr. Marsh conceived was a compensation for his Clerks, but found the same Salary was allowed to the new appointed Commissioners.
He therefore wrote again to his Lordship to explain what he presumed his Lordship was not aquainted with and as the Comptroller and Mr.Hope had assumed Mr.Marsh from Lord Spencer that he should be paid the said allowances he had not the least doubt but he should, and therefore did not trouble his Lordship more upon the Subject.
But as he found Sir Andrew Hammond had taken one of the houses (now?) finishing in order to let (Gr?) William Bellingham remain in his, as he was now entitled to a house under the aforesaid order from Admiralty, Mr Marsh’s being taken from him – he again applied to Lord Spencer who seemed much displeased and asked if after having live (as he had been told it may be presumed) at Blackheath 50 years if he wanted to turn Sir William Bellingham out of his.
If (crossed out – I – he) Mr.Marsh had been told he could not have the allowance, unless he lived in the house, (crossed out- I) he most certainly should have taken and lived in (crossed out – my) his house.
Whereas now this business has been so managed that though Mr.Marsh is the oldest Commissioner or Member of the Board, (crossed out – I have not) there has not at present neither a house, nor allowance for Rent or Coals or Candles
As (crossed out – his) Mr.Marsh’s house has been thus taken from him, and thereby Sir William has obtained one, surely either Government should pay him, or that Sir William should, as Mr.Gambier does Mr.Palmer.
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Formal invite, type written, with crest.
Sir
Your Worship is desired to meet at Christ’s Hospital on Thursday, next, being St.Matthew’s Day, by Ten of the Clock in the morning, to go from thence to Christ Church, to hear a Sermon, and afterwards to hear the Orations in the Great Hall in the said Hospital, with the Right Honourable the Lord-Mayor and the Presidents and Governors of the other Three Hospitals, according to ancient Custom
Note. It is particularly requested, that you will take a Green Staff, as a Governor of this Hospital, upon your entering the Great Hall.
Bridewell Hospital
London, 15th September 1797
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Draft of letter
(The 2nd – crossed out) Saturday the 23rd September 1797 I waited upon Lord Spencer at the Admiralty by appointment my claim for Coals and Candles and house rent and met with very uncivil and unjust treatment.
The case was this when the Navy Office was moved in Somerset House I went and resided in my own house at Blackheath which I had long before advise to do, my health or rather my head (had – crossed out) ever since the year 1744 occasioned by sitting tooclose and too long in making a calculation for the House Common of – which was of so dangerous a nature that after I had completed it, I never was without a direction my pocket, who was, and when I lived, fearing I should drop down suddenly as I went to and from my office, which I certainly should often have done if I had not ketch hold of something in the street when (when) I was so attacked. At such times I nearly lost my sight for about 2 hours, upon recovery of which I was so low and faint that I could hardly stand on my feet attending with violent but of a short duration in my head, and from these frequent attacks I became very weak, and from the help of God, temperance and great ease, I got the better of it, tho’ not without some slight (shakes?) of it effects to this day.
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Letter – draft
To – Lord Spencer – September 1797
From – George Marsh
19 September 1797 (?) – Navy Office.
My Lord,
I have done myself the honor of waiting upon your Lordship, on the subject of my claims in consequence of the new Arrangements at this Office, and which your Lordship was pleased to honor with your Notice (crossed out – and a certain extent your appreciation) in April, so many months ago)
In consequence of which (I presume) Mr Napier now nearly 4 months back in a note to Sir Andrew Hammond mentioned that “an Order would very soon be sent for the Payment thereof to Mr Marsh,” but no such Order has yet been received.
It is always with great regret that I take up your Lordship’s time by urging my Individual Interest to your notice, but as your Lordship was pleased upon a former occasion to say my long Services were well known to you, and as it is by your Lordship alone, this (I trust) just claim of mine can now be finally settled, and which from SIr Andrew Hammond’s Intention of occupying his own House and other arrangements here, is also every day becoming more perplexed.
I am induced to hope your Lordship will not think me too impatient in again making an Appeal to your Lordship’s Authority and Justice – an Appeal in which I have the most firm reliance and confidence.
I have the honor to be, My Lord, Your Lordship’s (crossed out – Most obedient and Obliged and most humble servant)
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Letter cover
October 1797
Memorandum respecting Mr.Marsh’s affairs.
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Printed diary page
Memorandums, Observations and Appointments in October 1797
Monday 16 October 1797 – At the Board
Tuesday 17 October 1797 – Ditto
Wednesday 18 October 1797 – Ditto
Thursday 19 October 1797 – Ditto
Friday 20 October 1797 – Ditto
Saturday 21 October 1797 – Ditto
Sunday 22 October 1797 – At the Chapel
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Printed page – other side or previous ?
October, Tenth Month – XXXI Days – Week 41
Account of Monies
Received of Farmer Stanton £150
Sir and W Hammond spoke to me respecting my house. Rent, Coals and Candles and said Lord Spencer would get me paid house rent out of old stores if that would satisfy me.
Gambier – Ditto
Paid 10.6 for a Black Bird’s cage
Received my Salary for the last Quarter to Michelmas last in part 231.5.0
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Letter
22 October 1797
To – George Marsh, Navy Office, London
From – Gambier
Many thanks, my dear Sir, for your most kind and friendly letter, the contents of which are particularly gratifying to me, as I well know the sincerity and integrity of all your words and actions.
I am sorry to tell you that though I have now been confined ten days, treating myself in every respect as my Doctor has bit me, I do not perceive the smalled amendment in my unfortunate (shin?). I keep on Poultices day and night, except when I use (foncentations?), and cannot reduce the swelling or abate the inflamation.
Believe me with great respect and esteem, My dear sir, Yours most truly,
J. Gambier.
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Copy of a Letter I wrote to Mr.Gambier the 9 November 1797
From –
My dear Sir,
Inclosed is a copy of your Statement and Query together with my Observations thereon as you desired, which I wrote the next morning after you delivered the paper to me; but as I was hopeful your accident was not so bad as to detain you (crossed out – in the Country) at home more than a few days, I did not send them to you; (crossed out – but as I conclude) but concluding that these observations were made by you in consequence of conversation with others on the Subject, and which you in return may wish to communicate to them, I think it is better not to delay any longer the transmitting the same to you.
It must be obvious to you that the new arrangement at this Office has had rather a degrading tendency towards me by abolishing the Branch which I had held so many years, and which I shall ever be of opinion was a most essential one for the Interest of the Publick.
If however this has been deemed right by those who have the power to say it shall be so it would be unbecoming and very improper, Useless, in me to mention more of my Sentiment at the present Period; and indeed so far I could not suppose any part of the New Patent was Personal to me, but what am I to think if any Junior Member of the Board is permitted to enjoy privileges clearly my right even by the new Patent?
However I am sorry to say these are Questions of Interest and Influence, and I must be very much lost to my own comfort and happiness – (3 lines scribbled out – if after the unmerited treatment I ever suffered it to – – – )
My dear Sir, yours most truly and Faithfully
George Marsh
4 November 1797
– – edits – (which I thank God I never yet have found it necessary to go from myself to others to obtain) if I suffer the ill treatment I have met with to rest on the mind of – Yours most Faithfully. – G.M.
Admiralty Office, Nov 1797