The death of the Lord High Admiral, in a retrospective view, also produced some trivial reforms in the constitution of the Marine Regiments, which were accomplished under the auspices of the same ministry that had framed their original regulations. Some existing abuses were, I believe, the pretext for this change, as the Commissaries, after the decease of the Royal Consort, were enjoined to transmit their accounts, and otherwise correspond with the Secretary at War, upon the subject of these establishments. Many omissions seem to have prevailed in making regular returns from the different detachments, necessarily extended over every quarter of the globe, which first arising from individual neglect, ultimately retarded the proceedings of the Commissioners, who were appointed to investigate the national expenditure, at the close of the war. The following is their report upon this head:
"Soon after the commencement of our Commission, we required Mr. Whitfield, late Pay-master of the Marines, to lay the accompts of these Regiments before us; which after many delays he did, but in a very imperfect manner.
"We insisted upon a more distinct accompt, whereupon he, (being very ill) sent his chief Clerk Mr. Sizer to us, who deposed, that the accompts could not be made more perfect without muster rolls, which Mr. Lynn the Commissary had not returned.
"In answer to this, Mr. Lynn hath declared, that he could not make up the muster rolls farther than the 24th of December, 1709, for want of the ships books, and the certificates from the Agents of the Commissioners of the sick and wounded: which books and certificates could not be had from the distant parts of the service, till those employed there came to England.
"These difficulties prevent our stating the accompts of the Marines, but it is obvious, that the expence of the Navy is increased by them.
"For the Pay of 8000 Marines, according to the establishment, amounts to £128,133 5 0 _per annum_.
"The Pay of 8000 _ordinary_ Seamen, is £98,800 0 0 _per annum_.
"The extraordinary charge therefore, is £29,333 5 0--and how far it may be thought necessary to continue Marines in time of peace, is humbly left to the judgment and determination of Parliament.--The next great expence to the public, is that of the Navy, &c."