1759 Reasons for an Augmentation of at least Twelve Thousand Mariners, to be employed in the Merchants-Service, and Coasting-Trade; with some thoughts on the means of providing for a number of our Seamen, after the present War is finished ... With some Remarks on the Magdalen-House.

Description

An Important Work, First Edition, Very Scarce

Disbound, as was originally presented. Without the wraps. An important historical military and economic primary source. Very scarce. ESTC reference no: ESTC T93939. This work is provided in the form of thirty-three letters, addressed to Charles Gray, the lawyer and antiquary and Tory MP for Colchester. In these letters, Jonas Hanway discusses the case of mariners and merchants-servicemen after the war. Britain was fighting in the Seven Years' War at this point in time, and 1759 was dubbed an 'Annus Mirabilis' due to a succession of victories. Hanaway acknowledges this in his introduction, 'heaven has been indulgent to us, exceeding our expectations, and far beyond our deserts, as if we were still appointed to be the happy instruments of supporting truth and justice in the world. - But the war is not yet finished..' Hanaway outlines that there should be provisions for seamen following the war, and that there should be the support of an additional marine-force 'in order to the cheaper and more expeditious decision of our future Quarrels'. In addition to letters regarding the military state of Britain, and the need for more seamen, Hanaway opens with Part I which reflects on 'life in general. On the Magdalen-House, and the Marine Society'. Magdalen/Magadele house, was founded in late 1758 and Hanaway was instrumental in its establishment. Illustrated, with an engraving to the first leaf. A very scarce political work, from an early advocate for the case of mariners and merchants-servicemen.