Merchants and the Military in Eighteenth-Century Britain: Bristish Army Contracts and Domestic Supply, 1739-1763

Investigates the contract sector of the British Army during the long eighteenth century. This book argues that this group of financiers, private merchants, businessmen and farmers represented a vital interest group which was at the nexus of the fiscal-military structure. It draws on papers from the War Office, the Treasury and the Audit Office. Contents......Page 6 Acknowledgements......Page 7 List of Abbreviations......Page 8 List of Tables......Page 10 Note on Dates......Page 11 Introduction......Page 12 1 The Supply System of the British Army from the Seventeenth Century......Page 18 2 The Growth of Army Contracting......Page 34 3 Procedures and Patronage......Page 52 4 Administration of Encampment Contracts in England, 1740-62......Page 70 5 Performance of Encampment Contracts......Page 84 6 A Domestic Contractor: John Willan......Page 100 7 Domestic Supply and Contracting in Scotland, 1746-62......Page 114 8 Profit and Wealth......Page 132 Conclusion......Page 150 Appendix A: A Sample of Contractors in Parliament......Page 162 Appendix B: The Legacy......Page 168 Appendix C: The Business Life of Contractors......Page 170 Appendix D: Property Holding......Page 172 Notes......Page 174 Works Cited......Page 246 Index......Page 266 Gordon E. Bannerman investigates the contract sector of the British Army during the 18th century. He argues that this group of financiers, private merchants, businessmen and farmers represented a vital interest group which was at the nexus of the fiscal-military state