by John Marshall

“ Fifthly, that if any man is wounded in action, his pay be continued until he is cured and discharged; and if any ship has any real grievances to complain of, we hope your Lordships will readily redress them, as far as in your power, to prevent any disturbances.
It is also unanimously agreed by the fleet, that from this day no grievance shall be received, in order to convince the nation at large, that we know when to cease to ask, as well as when to begin; and that we ask nothing but what is moderate, and may be granted, without detriment to the nation, or injury to the service. ”

“ That there never has existed but two orders of men in the navy, able and ordinary; therefore the distinction between ordinary and landmen is totally new; we therefore humbly propose to your Lordships, that the old regulations be adhered to, that the wages of able seamen be raised to one shilling per day, and that of petty officers and ordinary in the usual proportion ”

“ The first grievance which we have to complain of is, that our wages are too low, and ought to be raised, that we might be better able to support our wives and families in a manner comfortable, and whom we are in dutybound to support as far as our wages will allow, which, we trust, will be looked into by your Lordships and the honourable House of Commons in parliament assembled.
We your petitioners beg that your Lordships will take into consideration the grievances of which we complain, and now lay before you. ”

“ Having taken into our consideration a paper, containing several representations from the seamen of his Majesty’s ships at Spithead, respecting the advance of their wages, and being desirous of granting them every request that can with any degree of reason be complied with, we have resolved to recommend it to his Majesty, that an addition of five shillings and six-pence per month be made to the wages of petty officers and seamen belonging to his Majesty’s navy, which will make the wages of able seamen one shilling per day, clear of all deductions ”

“ We profess ourselves as loyal to our Sovereign, and zealous in the defence of our country, as the army or militia can be; and esteem ourselves equally entitled to his Majesty’s munificence; therefore with jealousy we behold their pay augmented, and the out-pensions of Chelsea College increased to thirteen pounds per annum, while we remain neglected, and the out-pensioners of Greenwich have only seven pounds per annum.
We, your petitioners, therefore humbly implore that you will take these matters into consideration ”

“ For pardoning such seamen and marines of the squadron of His Majesty’s fleet stationed at Spithead, as have been guilty of any act of mutiny or disobedience of orders, or any breach or neglect of duty, and who shall upon notification of such proclamation on board their respective ships, return to the regular and ordinary discharge of their duty. ”

“ We have also resolved, that all seamen, marines, and others, serving in his Majesty’s ships, shall have the full allowance of provisions, without any deductions for leakage or waste; and that until proper steps can be taken for carrying this into effect, short allowance money shall be paid to the men in lieu of the deduction heretofore made; and that all men wounded in action shall receive their full pay until their wounds shall be healed ”

“ As to provisions, that they be augmented to sixteen ounces to the pound of bread and meat; cheese, butter, and liquors in proportion, and of a better quality, and a sufficient quantity of vegetables; and that no flour be served with fresh beef. ”