In 1778 we were at war with France; in 1779 with Spain
as well; and in December 1780 we had the Dutch for enemies in
addition. In September 1783 we were again at peace. The way in
which we had to increase the navy will be seen in the following
table:--
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| | | | | Total |
| | Seamen | | | additional |
| | voted for | | | number |
| Year. | the navy | Increase. | 'Waste.' | required. |
|-------------------------------------------------------|
| 1774 | 15,646 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1775 | 18,000 | 2,354 | 936 | 3,290 |
| 1776 | 21,335 | 3,335 | 1,080 | 4,415 |
| 1777 | 34,871 | 13,536 | 1,278 | 14,184 |
| 1778 | 48,171 | 13,300 | 2,088 | 15,388 |
| 1779 | 52,611 | 4,440 | 2,886 | 7,326 |
| 1780 | 66,221 | 13,610 | 3,156 | 16,766 |
| 1781 | 69,683 | 3,462 | 3,972 | 7,434 |
| 1782 | 78,695 | 9,012 | 4,176 | 13,188 |
| 1783 | 84,709 | 6,014 | 4,722 | 10,736 |
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It cannot be believed that the merchant service, with its then
dimensions, could have possibly satisfied these great and repeated
demands, besides making up its own 'waste,' unless its size were
much reduced.
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