onsequences; but, in all probability, the intention of its first movers
and patrons was not fully answered; inasmuch as no provision was
made for putting a stop to that spirit of license, drunkenness, and
debauchery, which prevails at almost every election, and has a very
pernicious effect upon the morals of the people.

{GEORGE II. 1727-1760}

BILL FOR MORE EFFECTUALLY MANNING THE NAVY.

Among the bills that miscarried in the course of this session, some
turned on points of great consequence to the community. Lord Barrington,
Mr. Thomas Gore, and Mr. Charles Townshend, were ordered by the house
to prepare a bill for the speedy and effectual recruiting his majesty's
land-forces and marines, which was no more than a transcript of the
temporary act passed in the preceding session under the same title; but
the majority were averse to its being continued for another year, as
it was attended with some prejudice to the liberty of the subject.
Objections of the same nature might have been as justly started against
another bill, for the more effectually manning of his majesty's navy,
for preventing desertion, and for the relief and encouragement of seamen
belonging to ships and vessels in the service of the merchants. The
purport of this project was to establish registers or muster-rolls of
all seamen, fishermen, lightermen, and watermen; obliging ship-masters
to leave subscribed lists of their respective crews at offices
maintained for that purpose, that a certain number of them might be
chosen by lot for his majesty's service, in any case of emergency. This
expedient, however, was rejected, as an unnecessary and ineffectual
incumbrance on commerce, which would hamper navigation, and, in a little
time, diminish the number of seamen, of consequence act diametrically
opposite to the purpose for which it was contrived.--Numberless frauds
having been committed, and incessant law-suits produced, by private and
clandestine conveyances, a motion was made, and leave given, to form a
bill for the public registering of all deeds, conveyances, wills,
and other incumbrances, that might effect any honours, manors, lands,
tenements, and hereditaments, within the kingdom of England, wherein
public registers were not already appointed by act of parliament;
but this measure, so necessary to the ascertainment and possession of
property, met with a violent opposition; and was finally dropped, as
some people imagine, through the influence