of getting a few vile acts repealed, and routing the
present ministry only, is unworthy the charge, and is using posterity
with the utmost cruelty; because it is leaving them the great work to
do, and a debt upon their backs, from which they derive no advantage.
Such a thought is unworthy of a man of honor, and is the true
characteristic of a narrow heart and a peddling politician.

The debt we may contract doth not deserve our regard, if the work be
but accomplished. No nation ought to be without a debt. A national
debt is a national bond; and when it bears no interest, is in no case a
grievance. Britain is oppressed with a debt of upwards of one hundred
and forty millions sterling, for which she pays upwards of four
millions interest. And as a compensation for her debt, she has a large
navy; America is without a debt, and without a navy; yet for the
twentieth part of the English national debt, could have a navy as large
again. The navy of England is not worth, at this time, more than three
millions and an half sterling.

The first and second editions of this pamphlet were published without
the following calculations, which are now given as a proof that the
above estimation of the navy is just.[3]

The charge of building a ship of each rate, and furnishing her with
masts, yards, sails and rigging, together with a proportion of eight
months boatswain's and carpenter's seastores, as calculated by Mr.
Burchett, Secretary to the navy.

pounds Sterling
For a ship of a 100 guns - 35,553
90 - - 29,886
80 - - 23,638
70 - - 17,795
60 - - 14,197
50 - - 10,606
40 - - 7,558
30 - - 5,846
20 - - 3,710

And from hence it is easy to sum up the value, or cost rather, of the
whole British navy, which in the year 1757, when it was at its greatest
glory consisted of the following ships and guns:

Ships. Guns. Cost of one. Cost of all
6 - 100 - 35,553 - 213,318
12 - 90 - 29,886 - 358,632
12 - 80 - 23,638 - 283,656
43 - 70 - 17,785 - 764,755
35 - 60 - 14,197 - 496,895
40 - 50 - 10,606 - 424,240