Captains, Officers & Seamen. Regulations

By Command of the Right Honourable
THE POST-MASTER-GENERAL.
RULES to be observed by the Captains, Officers, and Seamen,
belonging to his Majesty's Pacquet-Boats on the Falmouth Station.

First. THAT when two, or more Pacquet-Boats meet in a foreign Port, the junior Captain shall wait on the senior immediately, and, if any Assistance to each other should be wanting, the senior Captain to have it in his power to order such number of hands from the other Pacquet-Boats, as may be necessary to expedite the ship in turn of sailing.

Secondly. THAT every Captain of a Pacquet-Boat, coming into port from a voyage, shall give every seaman, belonging to his ship, who requests it, his discharge in writing, unless, the Captain of such Pacquet-Boat shall be ordered by the Agent to get ready for sea immediately; in which case, he shall be justified in refusing a discharge to the seamen.

Thirdly THAT no Captain of a Pacquet-Boat shall ship, or take on board his said Pacquet-Boat any seaman, not having such written discharge, except such man has not been before employed in the Pacquet's service.

Fourthly. THAT in case of the desertion of any seaman from a Pacquet-Boat, the Captain shall be obliged before he sails on his next Voyage, to give in his name to the Agent's Clerk, to the end, that such Deserter may not be again employed in the Pacquet-Service, unless, directions shall be given to the contrary by a Committee; which Committee is to consist of the Agent with any three, or more of the Captains, then in the Port of Falmouth.

Fifthly. THAT any Captain, having a complaint against a seaman for misbehaviour, shall give in his name to the Agent, that a Committee may be called, who are to hear the complaint, with the seaman's defence, and give their opinion on the matter; And, if it shall appear to them, that such seaman is no longer worthy of being employed in the Pacquet-service, he shall not be received by any Captain on board his Pacquet-Boat; unless the Committee shall, on such seaman's making proper concession, think him worthy of being again taken into the service: in which case, the Committee shall be impowered to grant him a certificate, on producing which, any Captain may again receive him on board his ship.

Sixthly. THAT the Agent's Clerk for the time being, shall keep a regular list of the name, and description of every Seaman, who, any Captain may inform him, has deserted, or otherwise offended; And that such list shall always be produced by him at every muster on board the several Pacquet-Boats.

Seventhly. THAT a Captain, having any thing to propose for the benefit of the service, shall apply to the Agent, who shall, as soon as conveniently may be, call a Committee of the Captains, then in port, of which he is at all times to be the president, when such Captain shall give in his proposals in writing to the Committee.

Eighthly. THAT every Captain, being duly Summoned by the Agent's order, shall attend the Committee; unless he gives a satisfactory excuse to the members thereof.

Ninthly. THAT every seaman, whilst employed in the Pacquet-Service, thinking himself ill used or aggrieved by any Captain of a Pacquet-Boat, may apply to the Agent for the time being, who shall immediately summon a Committee, and they hear each party, and make such report thereon, and grant such relief, as they shall see proper.

Tenthly. THAT these articles be lodged, and deposited for the benefit of all parties with the Agent of the Pacquet-Boats, for the time being, whose Clerk shall read the same, or true copies thereof, publicly, at every muster. And, that these Articles shall commence, and take place from the twenty-second day of October next.

STEPHEN BELL, Agent.