brings offers from those who can give us all we either want or wish for.Captain Lock,' continued I, addressing him, to assemble the delegates is out of my power-that can only be done by orders from the President, who, we all think, has highly honoured the Queen, by selecting her from the rest of the fleet for their place of council and consultation. Belike you may think otherwise ?'

"I'll be d―d if I don't, Adams, cried the indignant officer, interrupting me, highly enraged. What, honoured did you say !-the old victorious Charlotte honoured by being made the very focus of the sedition, disloyalty, and treason of a mob of outlaws -a pack of low, lousy, ungrateful villains!-mean, unruly scum!-the very dregs of mankind, and sweepings of our jails!-Away with such honour for ever!-Hear me, Adams; go, as' I command you, and tell these fellows, you call your'

"Gude forgie us! what the wuddy did I hear?' cried Jamie Blyth, bursting forwards, and rudely interrupting him; outlaws, villains, scum!-ha, ha, ha! the auld fallow's surely demented!-Gae wa'-rin, some o' ye, and bring me the darbies-saul, he'll do himsell a mischief else. Haste ye, lads, and as soon's he's fast on his nether end, I'll hear him preach wi' some degree of pleasure.'

"I've not the smallest doubt, Davies, but this threat would have been put in instant execution, had I not stuck close by him, and loudly maintained that he was to be looked on in no other light than the ambassador from the Lords of Admiralty.

“The ambassador of the Admiralty d'ye ca' him?' cried Blyth, with a sneer; a pretty ambassador he maks atweel, and shows himsell weel wordy o' his calling. Foul fa' me, gif the Lord Admirals meant him for an ambassador, they've committed a terrible mistake surely, and sent us an illtongued randy o'a keelman in his place.'

"Peace, fellow!' said the Captain, darting at Blyth a look of the utmost contempt; peace, I say; and recollect to whom you are prating.-D'ye hear me, Adams; once more I command you to go instantly and find out your ringleader-your what-d'ye-calJum of the gang I mean. Tell him from me to muster his junto of round

heads directly, and to give me an answer in a moment-I'm out of all patience to be rid of such company.'

"Then why don't you leave it?" said Bill Senator, who had now joined the assemblage. I'm sure there's none I knows on more welcome; for, whether we wear round hats or cocked ones, this one thing I can tell you, my old bluff blade, that no commands of yours will be obeyed here to-day, so you may march your pumps as soon as pleases you; and, i'faith, if you take my advice, the sooner you shove your boat off the better.'

66 6

Why, who are you that speaks so boldly?" demanded the astonished Captain.

A fellow-servant of your own,' replied the intrepid Senator, bowing lowly, and one too, in my opinion, of infinite more use-though it doesn't please Master to give me a paltry brass farthing for your score of shiners on pay-day.'

"You are indeed a rare villain! said the Captain, and no doubt will speedily receive your proper reward.'

"I hope so,' replied Senator, coolly; although, I must say, it is devilish long on the road. However, time, you knows, is an excellent toothdrawer, and will tell you to a nicety whose bottom's blackest; so who knows, old one, how soon I mayn't be exalted-though God forbid it should be in your way.'

"Pshaw!' cried the Captain, turningaway in disgust-' Harkye, Adams, see, these are the Admiralty papers, by which you will perceive that all your requests, or commands rather, are most graciously complied with. It's more than I'd have done, that's flatbut as it comes from the hand of his Majesty, I've got nothing to say. Take them in keeping-assemble your whatd'ye-call-it-and let the admirals, who wait in the flag for the very purpose, know your answer as soon as possible. I came on board to do all this myselfbut I've met with too much insolence to have either the wish, or even the patience, to make my stay an instant longer. See about it instantly, there's a good fellow-I'll give you half an hour to consult one another; but if you can come to a conclusion sooner, you know, so much the better. The Admiral himself wishes, that if you are now satisfied, you will signify as much by hauling down the red, and hoisting a

white flag at the main. If I hear not from you in half an hour, you may likely get another messenger-but not me-for I assure you, I shan't submit to be the sport of every prating scoundrel that chooses to insult me. Let me see now how smartly you'll execute this commission of mine-it won't be against you, my good fellow,' whispered he, as he put the papers into my hands, and walked away.

666

'Well,' cried Bill Senator, looking after him, as he mounted the companion, if there doesn't go a piece of the haughtiest old junk I ever set eyes on. -I say, Adams, what are you going to make of that there trashy gear he's given you?'

"Carry them down to the President directly,' replied I.

"Why then, I'll save you the trouble, my brave boy, for here I am,' said Jack Morris himself, taking the papers out of my hand. So,-what have we got here? (reads.) By the Commissioners for executing the office, -ay, that's the Admiralty's-now for the next-Ah!-Given at our Court of Windsor. By the Royal George, we have it at last!-Success and glory, my boys!-I say, Adams, jump down, my heart, and call Brand, the boatswain's-mate-or, I'll tell you, you can do it yourself, tell him from me to pipe an assembly at Council-Board directly, to muster.'

"I immediately did so-the call was given, and the delegates instantly obeyed the welcome summons. They were then formally mustered by the President, when Valentine Joyce, and Patrick Glynne, were found amissing. The strictest search on board having proved fruitless, it was immediately conjectured they had stole away on shore, which it was easy to do in some of the numerous shore boats with which the Queen was that day surrounded.

"Now, by my soul, mates, if this isn't too bad, cried the President, exceedingly chagrined, to go and cut at the very moment they're most wanted. Were they here now, the job could be settled in a trice-Ba, ba!-I never saw Joyce otherwise with the sight of a glass of grog in the wind.'

"But, hark ye, Master President, can't we proceed without 'em?' asked

one.

“❝I should think so,' cried another. 'By the hookey, Mark, there are thirty on us here present, and it's very hard indeed if all these must be forced to

hang in the wind for the wilful absence of two.-Besides, Master President, do recollect they may not be very easily found now; or, if they are, 'tis ten to one but they'll be found malty."

"I care not, my good fellows, were they as malty as grog can make them, were they but here present, cried Jack Morris; because, you'll recollect, our answer must come from the whole assembled delegates-and i'faith I won't proceed without them."

"For my part, mateys,' said Blyth, 'I aye like to see things of moment gane about in an orderly, sober, and serious manner; and I'm sure ye've nae reason to think other than that our present meeting is one of the greatest importance, baith to oursells, and a' it concerns. I needna fash hardly to add, that, of course, I entirely agree wi' our President; for our decision must, of an absolute needcessity, be the decision of the whole, and not of a part. I wad therefore motion, that Willie Anderson, canny Willie there, be forthwith sent ashore in search of Valy and Pate, to bring them off by hook or by crook, will he or nill he; and that, in the meantime, the rest can gang and play themselves as they were doing afore the word came.'

"I agree heartily with you, my lad,' cried Bill Senator; but avast, will canny Willie, as you call him, be able to manage the pair of 'em, think you? I would rather you'd give Anderson a pell, and then, why, that would make squares.'

"Oh certainly, if it's to be a will he nill he business, there should be no odds,' cried a number.

"Aweel, lads, I dinna ken but what ye're right after a',' cried Blyth, 'it'll save reflections. Let me see-ay

what wad ye say to our auld-farrant friend in the corner there, Dennis Lawley?-Od, I'd think he'd do capital; forbye making a gude joke o' the hunting-match they're gaun after-I mean, sending the Scotch and Irish to catch the English and Welch.'

"Well, what say you, mates,' inquired the President,ar't both willing?"

"Lawley gave an inquiring glance at Anderson, who seemed all acquiescence; then shrugging up his shoulders, with a good-humoured smile, he said, 'I'll tell you what it is, master officer, and mates of mine, and by the waters of Ireland, I tell it you as serious, sober truth-It's a misfarton of

mine always to get as dry as a biscuit, as soon as I see a decent opportunity of thumbing a naggin. Now, you see, if we should bolt alongside of our old ships, o'er a whacking jug of the creature,-I'm only after making a superstition, honeys;-supposing now the stuff were of the real sort, you knows, warm, swate, and famously strong, would there be any great harm in lending a hand, dears, to fill it full of emptiness?'

« ‹ There will be harm in nothing, Lawley,' said the President, but delay. We have received the King's papers, and must return him an answer as soon as possible. So whatever you do, lose no time in returning on board -we will be all awaiting you.'

"Och, and if that's the case, sweet master of mine,' cried Lawley, faith and you must give us a boat, dear; for these shore gear can no more skimmer through it in a hurry, than fly in the air. And then only think what a flourish it will make from the platform, when they behold a gentleman from Ireland and Scotland coming to pay their respects, and their love, and all that, to another of England and Wales.'

"Well, well,' said the President, laughing, you shall have a boat; and I hope, as you're going to play the gentleman, Denny, you'll behave like an honourable one, and recollect we are waiting your return. As for Anderson, I'm sure of him.'

"And may be after sure of me also, master officer,' cried Lawley. Come along, Bill; by the powers, but they shall see that the Scotch and Irish, for native elegance, ease, and civility, are not to be equalled in any other part of the kingdom-gragh !'

"They accordingly took the large gig and shoved off for the shore, and in astonishing short time returned with the two absentees. The doors of the council were therefore now carefully closed, and the business commenced with a deliberate overhaul of the various papers and whole correspondence which had passed on the business. Many were the speeches made on the occasion, but with these I won't trouble you; for the most of them have escaped my memory, and I really cannot do them justice. I recollect well enough, however, that when the King's pardon was read, there were many doubts and fears expressed by Tom VOL. XIX.

Allen and Bill Senator,-firmly supported, as usual, by their trusty seconds Vassy and Blyth,-as to whether it might be called a pardon at all; seeing, if you did not take it just as it stood, or, in its own words, upon notification hereof, it was of no farther use to any one. However, notwithstanding a strenuous and a noisy opposition, it was carried by a large ma→ jority to accept of the proposals held out, just as they stood. But then came another important point—how was the news to be announced to the fleet? for as for the Admiral's wish of a white flag at the main, that was out of the question, seeing it looked far too like a spirit of involuntary submission, and not as a matter of choice. After much altercation, it was at last agreed that a deputation should go on board the Admiral, with a written notice of the decision of the council; and that at a given signal from them on the Royal George's poop, the crew of the Charlotte was to man the rigging and give three cheers, to be followed in succession by the rest of the fleet. Notice to this effect was immediately sent through the fleet, in order to be in readiness.

"Upon the President's asking for volunteers to accompany him on board the Admiral with the decision of the council, the never a one offered, until I rose up myself—when Mark Turner immediately chimed in, and the President declared he had plenty. The notice was now drawn out, and being properly signed, the council broke up, and took to their respective boats, which had previously been assembled by signal. A short time was allowed them to make to their respective vessels, when the Captain's barge was manned by its own crew, all properly rigged, and pushed off for the Admiral's ship with the deputation on board. We were received by the Admiral, surrounded by Admirals, Captains, Lieutenants, and other officers of the fleet, with the highest distinction.

"The President, having one of us on each side of him, went boldly from the gangway aft on the quarterdeck, all of us hat in hand. Coming close up to the Admiral, he drew forth the final decision of the Court of Delegates, and presenting it to his Lordship, addressed him with a manly voice something in this manner :'My Lord, it is with unfeigned plea2S

sure that I now present you with the final decision of the Council of the Fleet, because I hope turmoil and disorder are come to a close. Allow me, through your Lordship, in the name of my brothers of the Channel Fleet, to return my most grateful thanks to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty for their ready compliance to our humble requests-to assure them of our steady loyalty to our King, and of our affection and zeal in the service of our country—as we are all determined, under your Lordship's command, on the very first opportunity the enemy will give us, to exhibit to the nation how willing we are to do our duty, to honour our King in the discomfiture of his enemies, and to make the name of your Lordship, as commander-inchief, famous and imperishable.'

"The Admiral appeared to be highly pleased-shook us all heartily by the hand-and made slight signal to an officer, who immediately went below. He shortly after appeared, followed by a number of servants, the foremost of whom carried a table, and the others speedily replenished it with liquors of various kinds. Filling a glass of wine, he immediately douced his hat, and seizing the glass, said, with peculiar emphasis, Here, my lads, I cheerfully drink to our reconciliation; and may we in future have no other disagreements, nor no other enemies, but those of our King and Country.' He now handed a glass to Jack Morris, who modestly thanked his Lordship, and drank to the Happy reconciliation of the Channel Fleet to its King and to its Country! Now, my Lord,' continued he, 'I have only one piece of service more to perform ere my duty expires-may I have your Lordship's permission?"

Certainly, my lad,' said his Lordship, but what is it?'

"It is the ratification of our sentiments, my Lord-and you shall behold it directly. Jack Adams, jump up on the poop, and give the signal.'

"You may depend on't, Davies, I was not slow in my operations-yet it was with pride I saw my shipmates ascending the rigging even while I was bending on the signal; and no sooner did it reach the gaff and flutter in the air, than cheer after cheer arose to the skies, absolutely deafening,lessening, and dying away, as it reached the other end of the fleet.

"Bravo!' cried his Lordship; why, that was something like the thing, my brave fellow. I must now hurry ashore to communicate the good news to our anxious countrymen ; but I will see you again soon, when I hope to have the honour of leading you in search of our common enemy.-D'ye go, gentlemen?'

"The Admirals silently assented, and followed his Lordship to the barge, which immediately shoved off, and made for the platform.

"The nabs being now under weigh, why, I thought it was my turn to spout a little; so marching up to Captain Lock, I shortly told him I had taken the liberty of bringing his barge, properly manned, for his own peculiar use, and that we would all be so happy once more to see him on board the Queen Charlotte. The old fellow here gave me a complete damper; coldly declining the honour, as he was pleased to phrase it, his crew would confer upon him-declaring that he had got enough of it for one day, but might possibly visit us the next, when he was in better humour. Here was a choker, my dear lad! an absolute freezer of all kindly or loyal feeling! which, though it did not make me swear at the old fellow, absolutely put my pipe out for the rest of the night."

S.