I further certify, according to the best of my Knowledge and Belief, that the several Circumstances contained in the Petition on the preceding Page of this Paper are truly stated; and that the Applicant has no Parent capable of supporting Him; wherefore I recommend Him as an Object worthy of the benevolent Attention of theCommissionersof theRoyal Military Asylum.
» Signature of the Officer †
N.B. The Children to be admitted into this Institution mustbe free from mental and bodily Defect or Infirmity. They must be the Children ofMen actually serving in theREGULAR ARMY; or have been born,before their Fathers ceased to serve therein; and the Fathers, if living at the Time of Application, must either be still in theRegular Service,or Out-Pensioners.
TheAgeof theFemalesmust not exceedTenYears.
TheAgeof theMalesmust not exceedTwelveYears.
Childrenunder theAgeofFiveYears will not be admitted, except when belonging toRegiments ordered to embark for Foreign Stations; or in the Case ofOrphans, or under other Circumstances ofpeculiar Distress, which must bespecially stated.
A MARRIAGE
To His Royal Highness the COMMANDER IN CHIEF,and Others His MAJESTY’S COMMISSIONERS for the Management of the Affairs of the Royal Military Asylum.
THE HUMBLE PETITION of . . .
in Behalf of . . .
the Child of . . . Soldier
in His Majesty’s . . . Regiment of . . .
SHEWETH, that the said . . . is the
lawful Child of . . . as by the
annexed Certificates will appear.
That . . .[70a]
Your Petitioner therefore humbly Prays, that the said . . . may be admitted into theRoyal Military Asylum; and if this Prayer be granted, your Petitioner hereby agrees, that the saidBoyshall remain in the Asylum as long as the Commissioners thereof shall think fit; and that, when of proper Age, he shall be disposed of at their Discretion, as an Apprentice, or Servant; or placed, with his own free Consent, as a Private Soldier, in the Regular Army.
†[70b]
CERTIFICATE
[69]Here state whether the Soldier is still in the Regiment; or dead; or discharged: if dead, whether he died in the Service; and, if discharged, the Date of his Discharge, and whether he was recommended to Chelsea.
[70a]Here state the Service and present Situation of the Father; the Situation of the Mother (if living), and Number and Age of their other Children (if any).
[70b]To be signed by the Parent, or Person who has Charge of the Child.