At the Court at the Queen's Palace.

The 19th of July, 1804,

Present,

The King's Most Excellent Majesty in Council.

Whereas there was this Day read at the Board, a Memorial from the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, dated the 12th of this instant, in the words following, viz.

" Having taken into our consideration the state of Your Majesty's Corps of Royal Marines, and finding that, notwithstanding the encreased Bounties which have been offered to Recruits, the Corps is at this time about six thousand. Men short of its establishment, and little or no prospect of speedily completing it ; We are of opinion that the enlisting Boys of certain ages, though it will not immediately relieve the exigency of the moment, may nevertheless be likely to furnish hereafter a supply of efficient Recruits ; and we do therefore most humbly propose to your Majesty that we may be authorized to give the necessary orders for enlisting into the said Corps stout Boys of a promising appearance, between the ages of thirteen and sixteen Years, from five feet to five feet two inches high ; That they shall be allowed a Bounty upon their final approval at Head Quarters, or by the superintending Field Officer of a Recruiting District, sufficient for their equipment, but not exceeding half the Bounty allowed to Recruits in general ; That they shall be allowed pay at the rate of sixpence per day, and be embarked on board Your Majesty's Ships as soon as possible after joining Head Quarters, in the proportion of one to eight of the party established for a Ship of each class ; That their names be entered on the Ship's Books immediately after the detachment ; That they shall in every respect have the same attention paid to their Dress and Discipline by the Officers and Non-commissioned Officers of the detachment as the regular party ; and that when such Boys shall have attained the age of seventeen years, and are of the stature prescribed by the Recruiting Instructions, the Captain of the Ship on board of which they may be embarked, judging them capable of performing the duty of an efficient Marine, shall with the concurrence of the senior Officer of Royal Marines of such Ship, cause them to be then brought upon the effective strength of the Detachment, giving due notice thereof to the Commanding Officer of the Division.

And we further humbly propose to Your Majesty that we may be also authorized to form such Rules and Regulations from time to time, for the due government and clothing of the said Boys, as to us may appear necessary."

His Majesty having taken the said memorial into his Royal consideration, was pleased by and with the advice of His Privy Council, to approve of what is therein proposed, and His Majesty doth hereby accordingly authorize the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to give the necessary orders for enlisting, into His Majesty's Corps of Royal Marines, stout boys of a promising appearance, between the ages of thirteen and sixteen years, from five feet to five feet two inches high ; And His Majesty doth hereby order, that they be allowed the Bounty, and also the pay to the amount, and in the manner proposed by the said memorial, and be subject to all the regulations therein proposed.

And .His Majesty with the advice aforesaid, is pleased to authorize (and doth hereby authorize) the said Lords Commissioners to form such rules and regulations, from time to time, for the due government and clothing of the said boys, as to the said Lords Commissioners may appear necessary.

Stephen Cottrell.

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