This Day In History: 1714-03-16

In the aftermath of the march to London by the men of Wills’ Marines (later 30th Foot and then 1st East Lancashires), the officers of the now-disbanded regiment address a petition to the Treasury, stating that they had received no arrears since 1708, that some of them were in prison for debt and all were in great distress. In addition to many years’ arrears of pay, they were owed the enormous sum of £5,553 (equivalent to no less than £1,031,033 today) in reimbursements for recruiting and disbandment expenses, for transport mules in Spain, for rationing Nova Scotia in 1710 and for money advanced to the Dunkirk detachment in 1712. The captains had not been settled with for their companies, and a further £571 (over £106,000 today) was due to officers’ widows. The Minister enquired of his officials as to what the cost of settlement would be, but still nothing was done, and when Queen Anne died, on 1st August 1714, the officers’ arrears, company accounts and other debts remained outstanding.