Philip Stephens. The Earl of Suffolk, one of HM's Principal Secretaries, has sent...

Philip Stephens. The Earl of Suffolk, one of HM's Principal Secretaries, has sent a copy address of the House of Lords of March 31st to be laid before them. It covers the Ordinary estimates of the Navy from 1771 to 1778, the estimate of building, re-building and repairs and other Extra works above what was to be done under the Head of Wear and Tear and Ordinary from 1771 to 1178 and the estimates of the debt of the Navy for that period. Are sending the accounts prepared but are unable to obey the part which covers the amount of stoppages of 4p per man per month for Chaplains in such ships as have not borne Chaplains, the same being included in the monthly abatement of 1s. from every man's wages serving in ships under the Head of Chest, of which 6d. is applied to the Chatham Chest, 4d. to the Chaplains and 2d. to the Surgeons. When no Chaplains or Surgeons are borne these stoppages are paid into the Governors of the Chest for the time these appointments are vacant. These amounts cannot be separated until the ships' books are paid up and accounts passed. In the meantime these stoppages are computed as part of the Debt of the Navy under the Head of Wages, due to Seamen on the books of ships paid off.