We have now 29 Ships of the Line compleatly fitted as Guardships, which, with the aid of a Press, might be all at sea in a Fortnight.
There is one additional Guardship of 74 Guns ordered to be got ready to receive Men.
All our Frigates (that do not want considerable repair) including Ships of 50 Guns, and Two of 64, are in America, or appropriated for the American Service, so that we have nothing left for our Home Stations except 2 Frigates of 32 Guns, 8 Sloops, & 9 Cutters; These, together with 20 Tenders, will be disposed of to the best advantage for raising voluntier Seamen, and for beginning a Press whenever that Measure is found necessary; and for the same purpose we have Rendezvouz's with proper Officers in 20 of the Out Ports, besides a Regulating Captain & several Lieutenants under him in the Port of London.
Besides these Vessels stationd at home, there will seldom be less than 5 or 6 Frigates in England fitting out for America, or of those that from time to time will be coming home to refit
I suppose we have above 30,000 Men now employed, of which, about 15,000 on the American Service, 8,000 at home, and the rest on the several foreign Stations.
In case of a War 20 Ships of the Line may be depended upon as ready for Sea (if there is no difficulty about getting Men) within a Year from the time of their receiving Orders to fit out; but it must be observed that it will usually require a Month to prepare each Ship for receiving Men, and at least two Months more before she will be manned and ready for Sea.
What I would propose should be done, in case upon consideration it is judged that the French & Spanish Equipments deserve our immediate attention, is, first, to order one additional Guardship to be commissioned at each Port, which, if the Asia of 64 Guns returns from America this Year, will make 24 Line of Battle Ships ready for Sea.
I would give immediate Orders for 12 Line of Battle Ships more to be got in readiness to receive Men, which would put them in the State we suppose the Fleet at Brest now to be in, as far as the preparation of the Ships in the Dock Yards; for it is to be apprehended, that they can raise Seamen to a certain number much faster than we can.
The Workmen in the Yards to be allowed to work double Tides
The Marines to be augmented from 90 to 100 private per Company.
To go on raising Voluntier Seamen.
To prepare measures for a Press with Secrecy that it may be carried suddenly & effectually into execution, in case the Answers & intelligence we receive from Foreign Courts are not satisfactory.
It must be observed that by these preparations we shall considerably exceed the Number of Seamen voted, and incur a large expence in fitting the Ships.
