A Collection of the Parliamentary Debates in England (Volume 18); From the Year 1668 to the Present Time - Tapa blanda

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1741. Excerpt: ... But this, Sir, is departing from the question 'in hand. If we are to have a body of marines, we must have a proper number of officers for commanding that body; and as no gentleman 4 denies our being under a necessity to establish a body of marines, no gentleman can doubt of our being under an equal necessity to appoint a sufficient number of officers for commanding them. The only question now before us is, Whe'ther we shall diminish the number of our land forces, by drawing from thence a body of ma rines; and this being a question not yet ripe for our consideration, nor proper whilst we are in a house, as I have already shewn, I cannot agree to it.' The next that spoke in this debate was Joseph Danvers, Esq; whose speech was in substance thus: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am glad to find, that every gentleman, Mr. Dm 4 who has spoke in this debate, seems convinced vai i s?oech' of the necessity of our raising a body of ma rines. They are, in my opinion, Sir, so necessary, that I shall be not only for raising, but keeping them. After they are once properly disciplined, they will do as well at land, as any of the regi ments we have now on foot, and always when 4 we stand in need of it, they will be of great service at sea. I have had the honour, Sir, to serve my country at sea. It is now, indeed, a 'long while ago, almost five and thirty years; but I have not quite forgot what I then ob4 served; and as I have been at sea, and have seen marines on ship-board, I know better what 'use they may be of, than those who never were in that service. Sir, there are many services on board a man of war, which marines in a very 4 short short fime become as fit for, as the best and most thorough-bred seamen. They cannot, indeed, go aloft, but they can soo...