APPENDIX. No. 6, MY LORD, From Consul Featherstonhaugh. Havre, July 8, 1847. ACCORDING to the instructions of Foreign Office circular of the 28th May, 1847, I have the honour to enclose a paper entitled "A Sketch of the Nature of the Caisse des Invalides," &c., an establishment in France somewhat analogous to the Merchant Seamen's Fund. ENCLOSURE. A Sketch of the Nature of the "Caisse des Invalides," established for the Relief and Support of Mariners in the French Naval and Commercial Services; with a List of the Enactments, Decrees, and Ordonnances establishing it, providing the Funds for its support, and declaring the charges and duties imposed upon it. THE establishment of the institution of "Invalides de la Marine," dates from 1673. It was re-organized in 1791, and in 1793 was annexed by the Revolutionary Government to the Treasury, its independent existence ceasing from the time. In the year 9 of the Republic it was re-constituted under the Consular Government; but was again annexed to the Treasury in 1810. After the restoration it was re-established in 1816, and placed, as it now is, under the superintendence of the Ministre de la Marine. This establishment is divided into three separate branches: "la Caisse des Prises," "la Caisse des Gens de Mer," and "la Caisse des Invalides," which last alone is charged with the payment of pensions and relief to Mariners of both services. The funds appropriated for the disbursements of this caisse, are an endowment from the State, of rentes immobilières 5 per cent., producing a revenue of 4,500,000 francs; and of 3,400,000 francs derived from fixed contributions and charges; and an amount included in the annual budget; making altogether a sum of 7,900,000 francs for the total revenue, applicable to the disbursements of the "Caisse des Invalides," for pensions and relief to naval and commercial mariners, without distinction. The contributions consist of 3 per cent. deducted from the pay and wages of all persons in both services. The charges upon other sources of revenue are, a per centage upon prizes made by the navy and privateers; the total of all unclaimed pay and wages, wrecks, wafes, and strays; with 5 per cent. upon the amount of public labour and services performed by sailors in port. Previous to the year 1842, 3 per cent. was deducted from the amount of all supplies, both personal and material, to the Naval and Commercial Services, whether furnished in French ports abroad, or in the French colonies. This provision was repealed in 1842. After a certain period of service, which is occasionally regulated and varied by law and by Royal ordonnance, every officer and sailor in the Naval and Commercial Services is entitled to a pension from the "Caisse des Invalides," a moiety of which is secured to their widows and children, and even relief is occasionally given to their parents. Forty district treasurers are appointed in the different French ports, whose duty it is to collect the revenue of the "Caisse des Invalides," to advance to the families of absent sailors a portion of their pay, and to liquidate the payment of all pensions inscribed upon their registers, upon a given day. It is to be presumed that this institution has been found beneficial to the French marine, as no complaints are publicly alleged against it. Havre, July 8, 1847. (Signed) G. W. FEATHERSTONHAUGH. The following Acts, Decrees, and Ordonnances, authorize the establishment of the Caisse des Invalides, provide the funds for its support, and explain the charges it has to bear. Règlement du 23 Septembre, 1673. Edit du mois de Mai, 1709. Edit du mois de Juillet, 1720. Funds. Loi du 13 Mai, 1791, portant consécration de l'Etablissement des Invalides. Loi du 3 Brumaire, an IV (25 Octobre, 1795). Arrêté du 27 Nivôse, an IX (28 Février, 1801). Arrêté du 19 Frimaire, an XI (10 Décembre, 1802). Règlement du 2 Prairial, an XI (22 Mai, 1803). Décret du 12 Avril, 1811. Ordonnance du 22 Mai, 1816, où se trouvent repris tous les Actes constitutifs des ressources de la Caisse. Loi du 10 Avril, 1825, relative à la répression de la Piraterie. Loi du 4 Mars, 1831, concernant la répression de la Traite des Noirs. Ordonnance du 31 Décembre, 1833, qui élève de 3 à 5 pour cent, la retenue sur les appointemens des chefs et employés des Bureaux de l'Administration Centrale, et crée trois autres retenues spéciales, en garantissant du reste le maintien du tarif des pensions, tel qu'il existe depuis 1808. Ordonnance du 12 Novembre, 1835, d'après laquelle les retenues à exercer, en cas de congé, sur la solde des officiers militaires et civils de la Marine, et sur celle de tous autres agens affectés soit au service général, soit au service des colonies, sont versées dans la Caisse des Invalides de la Marine chargée de payer les pensions de tout le personnel du département. Ordonnance du 9 Octobre, 1837, portant révision du tarif des taxes perçues sur les marins employés au petit cabotage et à la petite pêche dite du poisson frais. Le mode de perception sur les marins employés aux pêches de la baleine et de la morue y est rétabli conformément aux bases de la Loi du 13 Mai, 1791, et de l'Arrêté Consulaire du 27 Nivôse, an IX, &c. Ordonnance du 10 Mai, 1841, réglant la prestation à verser à la Caisse des Invalides par le capitaine ou maître qui serait propriétaire du navire qu'il commande en personne et dans quelques cas non prévus par les règlemens généraux. Règlement du 23 Septembre, 1673. Edit du mois de Mai, 1709. Charges. APPENDIX. No. 6. Loi du 13 Mai, 1791. Loi du 12 Février, 1792. Loi du 15 Germinal, an III (4 Avril, 1795). Arrêté du 9 Messidor, an IX (28 Juin, 1801). Arrêté du 19 Frimaire, an XI (10 Décembre, 1802). Loi du 8 Floréal, an XI (28 Avril, 1803). Arrêté du 11 Fructidor, an XI (29 Août, 1803). Décrets des 2 Février et 4 Mars, 1808. Décret du 13 Septembre, 1810. Ordonnance du 9 Décembre, 1815. Ordonnance du 22 Mai, 1816, où se trouvent repris tous les Actes constitutifs des charges de la Caisse. Ordonnance du 17 Septembre, 1823. Ordonnance du 22 Janvier, 1824. Ordonnance du 12 Mars, 1826. Ordonnance du 29 Juin, 1828. Loi du 2 Août, 1829, d'après laquelle la Caisse était tenue de verser au trésor public moitié de la retenue de 3 pour cent sur les dépenses du matériel de la Marine et des Colonies. Loi du 30 Mars, 1831, portant amélioration des pensions réglées de 1814 et 1817, aux officiers enveloppés dans les réformes générales. Loi du 18 Avril, 1831, calquée sur la loi de la guerre du 11 du même mois. Ordonnance du 9 Octobre, 1837, portant que les marins qui réunissent six ans de service à bord des bâtimens de l'Etat sout admis à compter sur le pied de la durée effective; et non plus seulement à raison des trois-quarts le temps d'embarquement sur les bateaux employés à la petite pêche, ou pêche du poisson frais, pour la pension dite demi-solde, réglée en vertu de la Loi du 13 Mai, 1791. Ordonnance du 10 Mai, 1841, établissant des bases plus favorables pour les pensions dites demisoldes des capitaines au long-cours et maîtres au cabotages âgés de cinquante ans, et réunissant vingtcinq années de navigation, soit à l'Etat, soit au commerce. Loi du 11 Juin, 1842. L'Article III supprime la retenue des 3c. par franc sur les dépenses du matériel, à compter du 1er Janvier, 1843. Ordonnance du Roi du 5 Octobre, 1844, qui améliore le régime des pensions au profit des marins et des ouvriers naviguants, et spécialement accorde le supplément d'invalidité aux demi-soldiers dès l'âge de soixante ans, au lieu de soixante-cinq. From Consul John Turnbull. MY LORD, Granville, June 17, 1847, In reference to despatch of 28th May last, enclosing a printed letter from Mr. Murray of the 1st of January, 1844, to Viscount Canning, respecting the commercial marine, requiring general information on that subject, I have the honour to state, the French officers and Seamen, both naval and commercial, can legally be obliged to serve in the navy of France, from 18 to 50 years of age. In war they are taken for such portions of that period as the exigencies of the Government require; in peace, for some years past, the French Government has only exacted from the commercial Seamen three years' servitude for the navy; in return for which exaction of servitude each Seaman is entitled, after 25 years' servitude in the navy, to a pension at 50 years of age. The smallest rate is 300 francs (121) per annum; the maximum is 400 francs (167.) per annum. The commercial Seaman is called (demi-solde) half-pay; he must have served 25 years at sea and be 50 years of age; he is then entitled to 96 francs a-year (not quite 47.); at 60 years of age the halfpay is 168 franes (nearly 7.) per annum. The time served in fisheries counts the same for the halfpay as in a merchant-vessel, if they have served six years in the navy, if not, it counts for threequarters only. Masters of merchant-vessels (capitaines au longcours) must have served 25 years at sea to obtain half-pay, and be 50 years of age; then, if they have commanded less than six years they have 270 francs (nearly 117.) per annum, after 60 years of age they have 378 francs (157.); after commanding six years, at 50 years old, they have 157. per annum; after 60 years of age, about 177. 10s. per aunum. The masters of coasting-vessels have less advantages. The master of a merchant-vessel can be taken for the navy the same as a Seaman, in which case he must have the rank and pay of an enseigne de vaisseau, supernumerary (auxiliaire). The master of a coasting-vessel must have the place of a quarter-master if taken for the navy. The widow has a right to the half of the pension or half-pay of her husband; and if both parents are dead, each child has one-fourth of the pension to 16 years of age, aud those on half-pay to 20 years of age. The Caisse des Invalides is the only establishment which approaches in any way to our Merchant Seamen's Fund, and from that it differs much. As it relates to Seamen it is under the direction of the Minister of Marine, but it is as much for the army as the navy; it was placed upon its present footing by Louis XIV., and renewed upon its original basis by Louis XVIII. in 1816. It is an immensely rich fund, supported by a payment of 3 per cent. from the pay of every officer and Seaman, which is stopped by the Commissary of Marine in each town and paid to the treasurer of the chest ; all arrears of pay of deserters from the navy it receives, and half that of deserters from merchantvessels; the inheritance of Seamen and produce of shipwrecks unclaimed; and a part of every capture also. The Caisse des Invalides pays from its fund all pensions to the navy, (demi-solde) half-pay to commercial Seamen, relief to Seamen, widows and orphans, and all gratuities. The Caisse receives the pensions of such Seamen as are admitted into the "Hôtel des Invalides;" each Seaman being entitled after 30 years' service, with the loss of a limb or wounds equivalent, to be received therein. France is divided into 52 quarters of maritime inscription, with a Commissary of Marine in each, and 30 sub-quarters with a principal clerk under the orders of the Commissary. Every person who enters as a Seaman is registered by the Commissary of Marine; up to 15 years APPENDIX. No. 6. of age he is registered as boy, up to 18 years as novice, and after that age, if he wishes to remain at The Commissary of Marine has a register with the name, age, family, residence, and every detail of at sea. Every sea-port town has either a Commissary of Marine, or a Syndic who is under his orders and keeps a register of the Seamen in his district and executes the directions of the Commissary. With regard to the examination of masters of merchant-vessels (capitaines au longcours) and those of coasting-vessels (without having passed which no master can legally command), in every sea-port of importance there is a professor of navigation paid by Government, who gives gratuitous instruction four hours every day to all Seamen who choose. To be admitted the applicant must be past 13 years of age, know how to read and write, the four first rules of arithmetic, and be upon the register of the Commissary of Marine for the sea-service. A candidate for examination to pass as master for a merchant's command (capitaine au longcours), must be fully 24 years old, have been five years at sea, of which 12 months in the navy, produce certificate of birth, of service, of good conduct, with the signature of the Commissary of Marine attached. The examination is public, a superior naval officer examining for the practice, and a professor of navigation for the theory of seamanship, the chief civil officer of the port being president. The examination for a master (capitaine au longcours) is in rigging, handling a vessel, and gunnery; the theory in arithmetic, elementary geometry, plane and spherical trigonometry, theory of navigation, use of instruments, and calculations for observations. The examination for masters of coasting vessels is in rigging, handling a vessel, soundings and bottoms, harbours and rocks, currents and tides, within the limits of coasting, namely, on the coasts of France and the Mediterranean. The theory is in the use of the compass, charts, instruments, and calculations. I have avoided entering into minute detail respecting the French commercial marine, which I could at any time do, if required, and have merely given the general mode of superintendence exercised in France, so that the true position of the merchant captain and Seaman may be known. The French commercial marine has no doubt been improving for some years; and the long peace having increased the commerce of the country, has given employment and consequent experience to masters of merchant vessels, who have an established position in the country, being obliged to submit to a specific examination as to their capability, and being under the superintendence of the Government, acquire thereby respectability. As Seamen they have not that inherent love for the sea which the British or American Seaman usually possesses; and consequently their practical knowledge is considered, even by the French themselves, inferior to that of the two nations mentioned. From Consul John Turnbull. MY LORD, Granville, June 17, 1847. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of despatch of 28th May last, stating that a commission was about to be appointed to inquire into the commercial marine of Great Britain, and requiring information in regard to institutions in France, answering to the Merchant Seamen's Fund in England. In reply, I have the honour to state, that the merchant Seamen of France are under the superintendence and control of the Government, and each Seaman is liable to be called upon to serve in the French navy from 18 to 50 years of age. In peace only a short service is required for the navy, according to the wishes of the French Government and the number of Seamen wanted for the navy. For some years past only three years' service in the navy has been exacted from each commercial Seaman, because the navy was not in want of more Seamen than would be supplied by that levy. Such being the state of the commercial marine in France, the French Government allows to each The Caisse des Invalides is the fund to pay all pensions, demi-solde, and recompenses for service to Report on the French Marine Pension Fund. The institutions of the commercial marine of France are so mixed up with the rules and regulations of the Royal Navy, that it is not easy to explain the former, without going into details in which both are concerned. The coast is divided into arrondissemens, quartiers, and syndicats, in each of which resides a Commissaire-Général, Commissaire, or Syndic. No sea or river harbour, however small, is without one or other of these officers, whose special duty it is to keep a register of every Seaman in his district, and be at all times able to give an account of each, state his character, and say where and how he is employed. No master of a vessel can ship a man or boy without causing his name to be put on the ship's muster-roll by the commissary or syndic at the port at which he may ship him; and if the man or boy does not belong to that port, the officer must immediately give notice of his having done so to his colleague at the port to which the seaman belongs, that the voyage he is employed on, name of ship, &c., may be entered in the register against the man's name. Any boy who wishes to go to sea, may ship, on causing his name to be put on a register kept for that purpose by the commissary or syndic at the port to which he belongs. During 18 months he may continue, or renounce the sea, as he pleases; but should he continue the profession, at the end of that time he is "classé," or registered as "mousse," or cabin-boy, if under 16 years of age, and as "novice," or apprentice, if more than 16 and under 18 years; he then belongs to Government, and is exempt from the military conscription, to which he would otherwise be liable at 20 years of age. When he has been at sea three years he is registered as "marin," or able Seaman. He may continue in the merchant service till called upon to serve in the Navy, when he must immediately join for three years, at the end of which time, if not wanted longer, he receives a “congé provisoire," and may again enter the merchant service; but is liable to be recalled into the Navy at a moment's notice until he is 50 years of age, unless in the interval he obtains exemption from the "classes," and ceases to go to sea. Besides these voluntary Seamen, there is a corps of Seamen drawn from military conscription, formed of men of 20 years of age, who having become liable to serve in the Army, are ceded to the Navy by the military authorities. They are placed in barracks, where, during a year, they are taught the theory of a Seaman's duty, after which they are sent in companies on board men-of-war as "novices" these men serve seven years in the Navy, as they would have done in the Army, and are then discharged and exempt from all further service. If, however, at the expiration of that time, they choose to continue at sea, they cause themselves to be registered, and become liable to serve until 50 years of age, when they are entitled to the same privileges as voluntary Seamen, with regard to pension, &c. Ship-carpenters, blacksmiths, sailmakers, and caulkers, who are "classes" or registered, are liable to compulsory employment on shore in the dockyards and arsenals, at a rate of wages fixed by Government, and averaging 1s. 6d. per day. The time they are so employed is reckoned as active sea-service, and is admitted as such in claims for pension, &c. No person can command a merchantman who has not served three years in the Navy. Masters of merchantmen are as liable as seamen to be called into the Navy when men are scarce; they are then employed as petty officers. Every officer, man, or boy, whether in the Navy or the merchant service, or in the civil service of the dockyards, clerks in the Navy offices, &c., who receive pay, contribute 3 per cent. on the amount thereof to the Caisse des Invalides, or Pension Fund, to which is forfeited half the wages due to every man or boy who deserts from the Navy or merchant service, as also the unclaimed proceeds of all wrecks. When crews receive shares of the profit of the voyage in lieu of wages, as is the case in the coasting trade, masters contribute 2 fr. (1s. 8d.), mates 1 fr. 50 c. (1s. 3d.), Seamen 75 c. (74d.), apprentices 50 c. (5d.), and cabin-boys 25 c. (24d.), per month to the Fund, instead of an uncertain per centage. Every Seaman who, at 50 years of age, can prove that he has been 300 months in active seaservice, whether in the Navy or merchant service, or in both, is entitled to a pension of 96 fr. (31. 16s. 8d.), until he attains his 60th year, when the pension is raised to 214 fr. (Sl. 11s. 5d.), per annum for life. A man who at the age of 50 ranks as petty officer in the Navy, or commands a vessel of any size in the coasting or foreign trade, and can prove the same number of months of active sea-service, is entitled to a pension of 270 fr. (107. 16s.), until 60 years of age, and 378 fr. (157. 2s. 6d.) per annum afterwards, paid out of this fund. Widows of pensioners are entitled to half the pension their husbands were in the receipt of at the time of their death, and an allowance of about 5s. per month is granted to their orphans of both sexes until they attain their 14th year, when it ceases. The Caisse des Invalides, first established in the year 1681, is now so rich, that two of its sources of revenue have lately been given up. These consisted of 3 per cent, paid to it by all contractors for stores and provisions of every sort for the use of the dockyards and Navy on the amount of their contracts; and also the same per centage from shipowners on the freight earned by their vessels, when employed in carrying stores and materials for the Navy. The income of this fund, which lost during the reign of Napoleon 1,600,000l., drawn out of it by him for his own purposes, may be estimated this year at above 300,000l. Charente, June 17, 1847. APPENDIX, No. 6. From Consul Scott. MY LORD, Bordeaux, June 19, 1847. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Mr. John Bidwell's despatch and enclosure of 28th May last, and in compliance with your Lordship's instructions, I now beg leave to enclose to your Lordship herein two memorandums, Nos. 1 and 2; the former on the "Caisse des Invalides de la Marine," corresponding with the Merchant Seamen's Fund in England, and the latter on the Merchant Seamen's Service; the one and the other containing the best and most accurate information I have been able to obtain on the subject. ENCLOSURE.-Memorandum on the "Caisse des Invalides de la Marine." The institution in France corresponding with that of the Merchant Seamen's Fund is the "Caisse des Invalides de la Marine," which comprises both the service of the State and of the merchant service. This institution was erected by Colbert in the reign of Louis XIV., October 6, 1647. It has subsequently been altered and improved by various laws, ordinances, and regulations, but more particularly by the laws of the 13th May, 1791, and 18th April, 1831. The administration of it is quite distinct from that of the Treasury, though it is subject to the same control; and in the opinion of competent judges, to this distinction it owes its prosperity. The Caisse des Invalides de la Marine grants temporary relief, half-pay, and pensions, not only to the civil and military servants of the marine department, but also to the Seamen of the merchant service, to their widows and orphans. These pensions are awarded according to the rank and standing, and are fixed as follows: APPENDIX. No. 6. By the law of April, 18, 1831, after 25 years of effective service (in the Royal Navy). By the law of May 13, 1791, after 25 years of mixed service (partly in the Royal Navy, and partly in the merchant service). The revenues of this institution are drawn from various sources, and are as follow: 1. A deduction of 5 per cent. on the salaries of the persons employed in the central administration, and 3 per cent. on the pay of the civil and military body of the marine. 2. A deduction on the pay of the civil and military officers, and other agents of the marine, on leave of absence, amounting to about 100,000 francs (40007.) per annum. 3. A deduction on the pay of Seamen employed, either in the merchant service, or in the fisheries, and shipped by the month or the share. These deductions are as follow: Three per cent. on the pay of Seamen in the merchant service by the month. Three per cent. on the share of Seamen employed in the whale or cod fisheries, or in the first-class coasting trade.* of the cabin boy 15 c. (1 d.) do. 4. The pay of deserters from the Royal Navy, and half the pay from the Merchant Seamen's Service. 5. The balance of the pay, prize-money, and property of Seamen or passengers, not claimed, and the prize-money of deserters. 6. The produce of wrecks not claimed. 7. The duty on vessels captured either in war time or for piracy, or for infractions of the slave trade laws, and the produce of prizes made by unauthorized vessels. The duty levied on captures is as follow: Two and a-half per cent. on the value of men-of-war taken by men-of-war. One-third of the net produce of privateers, merchant-ships, and cargoes, taken by men-of-war. 8. The dividends of shares in the bank of France belonging to the institution about 25,000 francs (1000Z.) 9. Dividends in the 5 per cent. Funds, amounting to 4,748,092f. 13c. (189,9237. 13s. 8d.) in 1844, representing a capital of 94,961,842 francs (3,798,473l. 13s. 8d.) 10. The excess on the value of muster-rolls delivered to trading vessels by the maritime adminis tration. 11. The duty of 15 per cent. on prohibited goods, proceeding from salvages, and admitted for consumption. 12. One per cent. on the amount of drafts drawn by the treasurers of the Invalides for money paid in by Seamen. This amounts to about 20,000 francs per annum (8007.) 13. The proceeds of all fines inflicted by the tribunals in all matters concerning the police of navigation. 14. And, lastly. Divers receipts, among others the sum of 6000 francs per annum (2407.), for the rent of a house belonging to the institution. Seamen who have seen 25 years of mixed service, that is, partly in the Royal Navy and partly in the merchant service, at the age of 40, are entitled to a pension or half-pay. This pension or halfpay is regulated in the following manner, according to the law of the 13th May, 1791 : Seamen of the 1st and 2nd class, that is. receiving in the Royal Navy 36 francs (11. 8s. 9d.), and 33 francs (17. 6s. 5d.), 10 francs per month (Ss.) Seamen of the 3rd class, receiving in the Royal Navy 24 francs (19s. 2d.), 8 francs per month (Gs. 5d.) When these men reach the age of 60, they are allowed an additional pay of 6 francs (4s. 9d.) per month. According to the terms of the Ordinance of the 10th May, 1841, pensions are granted to captains employed in the transatlantic trade (capitaines au longcours) having attained the age of 50, with 25 years of service, during which period six years in command, 31 francs 25 cents (17. 5s.) per month. Not having commanded, 22 francs 50 cents (18s.) per month. In each case, after the age of 60, they receive an additional pay of 9 francs (7s. 2d.) per month. When at the age of 50, with 25 years' service, out of which 12 in command. 22 francs 50 cents (1Ss.) per month. Not having commanded, 18 francs (14s. 6d.) per month. In the first case, after the age of 60, an additional pay of 9 francs (7s. 2d.) per month. In the second, 6 francs (4s. 6d.) per month. The period of service in the lesser fisheries (river and coast) is only reckoned at three-fourths in the computation of service (Ordinance of the King, June 29, 1838); but it reckons as a whole for those Sailors who have served six years in the Royal Navy, or for those who having been taken prisoners on board a King's ship or a privateer, have remained six years prisoners. (Royal Ordinance, October 9, 1837.) Widows, 40 years old, are entitled to half the pension of their husbands, or sooner, if they have children to support. The coasting service is divided into two classes, the "Grand Cabotage," which includes all foreign ports in Europe and the Mediterranean; the " Petit Cabotage," includes all the ports in France, except those in the Mediterranean. The "Novice" is a class of seamen that does not exist in England; he is between an ordinary seaman and a boy; his pay is very small, not exceeding 30 f. (17. 48.) per month. |