“The Navy was paralysed by this corrupt system. The most insignificant
vessels were condemned at an expense equal to that of the largest, so
that the condemnation of a fishing lugger might be swelled up to the
expense of condemning an Indiaman, the labour of capture ending in
nothing but putting money into the proctor’s pocket. As an instance
within my own knowledge, Moses Griffin, a Jew agent at one of the
outports, received two thirds out of the produce of a vessel, the
remaining third being the whole share distributed for admiral,
captain, inferior officers, petty officers, seamen, and marines. What
was the effect of such a system but to paralyse the Navy? It prevented
exertion on the part of the officers. Could it possibly be necessary
to have 120 ships of the line in commission to blockade twenty-three
ships of the enemy, if proper exertions were made. To insure alacrity
in harassing the shipping and commerce of the enemy, the abuses of the
Admiralty must be stopped, and nothing else would be effectual.”