rable bounty
for every seaman and every landman that should by a certain day enter
voluntarily into the service. As an additional encouragement to this
class of people, the king promised his pardon to all seamen who had
deserted from their respective ships to which they belonged, provided
they should return to their duty by the third day of July; but at the
same time he declared, that those who should neglect this opportunity,
at a time when their country so much required their service, would,
upon being apprehended, incur the penalty of a court-martial, and if
convicted, be deemed unfit objects of the royal mercy. All justices
of the peace, mayors, and magistrates of corporations throughout Great
Britain, were commanded to make particular search for straggling seamen
fit for the service, and to send all that should be found to the nearest
sea-port, that they might be sent on board by the sea-officer there
commanding. Other methods, more gentle and effectual, were taken to levy
and recruit the land-forces. New regiments were raised, on his majesty's
promise that every man should be entitled to his discharge at the end
of three years, and the premiums for enlisting were increased. Over and
above these indulgences, considerable bounties were offered and given
by cities, towns, corporations, and even by individuals, so universally
were the people possessed with a spirit of chivalry and adventure. The
example was set by the metropolis, where the common-council resolved,
that voluntary subscriptions should be received in the chamber of
London, to be appropriated as bounty-money to such persons as should
engage in his majesty's service. The city subscribed a considerable
sum for that purpose; and a committee of aldermen and commoners
was appointed to attend at Guildhall, to receive and apply the
subscriptions. Asa further encouragement to volunteers, they moreover
resolved, that every person so entering should be entitled to the
freedom of the city, at the expiration of three years, or sooner if
the war should be brought to a conclusion. These resolutions being
communicated to the king, he was pleased to signify his approbation, and
return his thanks to the city, in a letter from the secretary of state
to the lord-mayor. Large sums were immediately subscribed by different
companies, and some private persons; and, in imitation of the capital,
bounties were offered by many different communities in every quarter of
the United Kin