CAPTAIN THOMAS BROWN, CHIEF FIRE-MASTER, 177 
appertaine onto, and are, a part of the Trayne of Artillery 
I desire the said Company may in the future be placed on the same 
Establishment with the rest of the Trayne, it being onder the same 
constitution, and would augment somewhat the Honour and Grandeur 
thereof which I shall ever endeavour to promote.” In his double 
capacity of fire-master and lieutenant of the miners, Thomas Brown did 
good service at the second siege of Limerick. “On the 10th Septem- 
ber (1691),” writes Colonel Walton in his graphic account of the siege 
of Limerick, ‘two mortars were mounted in Ireton’s fort under the 
superintendence of Lieutenant Brown, a very inventive and active 
officer, and they did great execution.” On 8rd October, 1691, Limerick 
surrendered and the war in Ireland was practically at an end. 
The disbanding of several regiments in Ireland at the close of 1691, 
and the contemplated reduction of the company of miners, caused 
Lieutenant Brown to look about him in order to find fresh scope for his 
energies. He soon found a new sphere of usefulness. Colonel John 
Foulkes’ regiment of foot, which had served throughout the Irish cam- 
paign, was ordered to be augmented prior to being sent to the West 
Indies. Two new companies were raised for this regiment by Lieut. 
Thomas Brown, and Godfrey Richards, late purveyor to the Irish Train 
of Artillery. These two officers received commissions as captains, 18th 
January, 1694. On 16th May, 1692, “Marie R.” signed a Royal 
Warrant ordering arms to be given to Captain Thomas Brown’s and 
Captain Godfrey Richards’ two new raised companies added to Colonel 
John Foulkes’ Regiment of Foot. Four months later Captain Brown 
was appointed chief fire-master of a train of artillery and mortars to 
be employed in the West Indies. His commission was signed by 
Queen Mary (who, as regards the business of the State, was something 
more than a sleeping partner), and ran as follows :— 
“ Marie R. 
Whereas by Our Warrant, bearing date the 4th August 
last, We did command that a Trayne of Artillery and Mortars be forth- 
with provided for Our Service in the West Indies, and whereas We are 
well satisfied of the loyalty, ability, and experience of Our Trusty and 
Well Beloved Captain Thomas Browne to be Chiefe Fire-master of Our 
said Trayne, We, &c.,&c. . . . dated Whitehall, 10th September, 
1692. [ 
To Sir Henry Goodrick, Bart., 
Lit.-Gen. of Our Ordnance.” 
After receiving his commission as chief fire-master, Captain Brown 
proceeded to try and get the arrears of his pay, which amounted to 
£170, from the Lords of the Treasury. With this idea in his mind he 
sent a petition to the above-named lords stating his case, fairly and 
squarely, and throwing out a gentle hint at the end of the petition that 
he could not possibly equip himself for the coming voyage unless he 
received his arrears. Brown’s case was referred to the Paymaster- 
General, who did not deny that the petitioner’s claim was a just and 
reasonable one, but added that “as the company of fusiliers raised by 
General Kirke, on 6th August, 1689, had not been put on the English 
