An Account of the many Frauds and Abuses, which have been frequently Committed in the late War with France, and still are continued to the great prejudice, and discouragement of Sea-men.  
AS it must be acknowledged that the Trade, Honour and Safety of the Nation do very much depend on the number of Ships belonging to it, so it cannot be denied but all due care and encouragement ought to be taken of, and given to Sea-men, whose use and Service is so very great and necessary.  
How much then is their Case to be pitied and considered, that whilst they are exposing themselves to difficulties and dangers in the defence and service of their Country, advantage should be taken of their absence, and Impositions on their weakness, and unwariness, and all occasions improved to wrong them of, and to lessen and take from their Wages, which, together with other hardships put upon them, too often happens: Instances of which, in order to a redress thereof, are now particularly and humbly set forth.  
First, That many persons have pretended, and still do pretend to be serviceable to Sea-men in receiving their Wages, which the poor Sea-men believing, and not having time or liberty to look after the same themselves, empower the said persons to receive their Wages, which when received, the persons impowered as aforesaid often abscond, and cheat them of their said Wages.  
2. That others, instead of taking Letters of Attorney from Sea-men to receive their Wages, have caused Bills of Sale to be made of the same, which when paid, the persons to whom such Bills of Sale have been made pretend a right to the said Wages.  
3. That oftentimes the hands of Sea-men are Counterfeited, and forged when at home, as well as at Sea and a great distance off, and their Wages received under such pretended power and authority.  
4. That several persons, under pretence of receiving Sea-mens Wages at an under rate, and short of what is usual, have kept back several small sums of Money, under pretence of deductions made in the Kings Books.  
5. That others, when Tickets have been sold at a very low and under rate, by poor Sea-men, have taken Bonds from such Sea-men for the payment of so much Money at a certain day, or at the payment of their Wages by the King, and have put the same in svit, and recovered thereupon, pretending they never received any such Money, and sometimes that the Bonds were absolute, and had no reference to the assignment of the Tickets or Wages, altho the said Bonds were given only as a Collateral security.  
6. That Letters of Attorney, Assignments, or Bills of Sale of Seamens Wages have been often antedatedd, and the persons to whom the same have been made, have received the Wages upon such antedatedd power, and so deceived others, who have had an honest right to their Wages by Assignments lawfully executed.  
7. That oftentimes when but a small matter is due to their Landlords and Landladies, Seamen, at their going to Sea, are prevailed on to make them a Letter of Attorney, and Bill of Sale of their whole Wages,( instead only of giving a Letter of Attorney and a Bond for their Debt, which is usual) when not so much as a quarter part of the said Wages is due to them; which Wages, when received, the said Landlords and Landladies detain to their own use, without accounting for the same to the said Seamen, their poor Families or Relations.  
8. That Seamen at their going to Sea, are frequently prevailed on to make their Wills, and to give all their whole Wages to their Landlords and Landladies, altho the said Seamen have Wives, Children, and other poor ●nd necessitous Relations, who by that meansbecome burdensome and chargeable to the Parishes where they ●ive.  
9. That several Persons, Servants, and Apprentices to Masters of Ships, Watermen, and tradesman, upon Credit of their Wages, are supplied with diet, clothes, and other necessaries, often to the full amount of ●heir Wages, the said Apprentices concealing their being so, from the persons who supply them as aforesaid, ●o that after such supplies and payment of the said Servants Wages, upon Assignment thereof made to the ●ersons who have supplied them, the said persons have been sued 6 or 12 months after by the Masters of the ●id Servants, and the Wages recovered by the said Masters, and the persons who have given Credit to the ●id Servants, have been defeated of what was due to them.  
All which is humbly submitted.   

AN ACCOUNT Of the many Frauds and Abuses, which have been frequently Committed in the late War with France, and still are continued to the great prejudice, and discouragement of Sea-men.