Ryde, Isle of Wight.
Merton, Oct. 20, 1802.
Sir,
Your idea is most just and proper, that a provision should be made for
midshipmen who have served a certain time with good characters, and
certainly twenty pounds is a very small allowance; but how will your
surprise be increased, when I tell you that their _full_ pay, when
watching, fighting and bleeding for their country at sea, is not equal to
that sum. An admiral's half-pay is scarcely equal, including the run of a
kitchen, to that of a French cook; a captain's but little better than a
valet's; and a lieutenant's certainly not equal to a London footman's; a
midshipman's nothing. But as I am a seaman, and faring with them, I can say
nothing. I will only apply some very old lines wrote at the end of some
former war:
"Our God and sailor we adore,
In time of danger, not before;
The danger past, both are alike requited,
God is forgotten, and the sailor slighted."
Your feelings do you great honour, and I only wish all others in the
kingdom were the same. However, if ever I should be placed in a situation
to be useful to such a deserving set of young men as our mids, nothing
shall be left undone which may be in the power of,
Dear Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
NELSON AND BRONTE.
Walton Churchey, Esq.,
Brecon, S. Wales.
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