§ On the Motion for the House to resolve itself into a Committee of Supply,
§ Mr. Buckinghamsaid, that he was anxious to receive from the Under-Secretary for the Admiralty some information on a subject of considerable interest. It was no doubt in the recollection of the House, that those who supported the Bill which passed last Session for the encouragement of voluntary enlistment of seamen, dwelt strongly on the probability of 1108 sailors becoming more ready to enlist if the measure which held out such hopes to them were allowed to pass. An opportunity had very recently occurred for testing the correctness of that statement, in consequence of the increase in the number of men required for the navy. Statements had appeared in the public papers that there was considerable difficulty in procuring men for the service. But from the information which he received from Portsmouth, there never was a period in naval history when men entered the service with so much alacrity. He was desirous, therefore, to know whether his information was well-founded?
Mr. CharlesWood felt the greatest pleasure in stating that the account given by the hon. Gentleman (Mr. Buckingham) was perfectly correct. In consequence of the inducements held out for promoting the voluntary enlistment of seamen, there never was a period when they entered he service so readily and so rapidly as within the last fortnight. He had been informed that the fishermen and boatmen who used formerly to run away through fear of impressment, now cheerfully and willingly came forward to enter.
§ The House went into a Committee of