steady, lubberly manner. I'll positively thank any of the present company to propose some rational scheme that may bring us to something like a conclusion at once.

"Well, I'll tell you what, Master President,' observed Joseph Green, though I'm but a poor fist at a speech, and not possessed of one of the brightest of understandings, I'm far more inclined to agree with Mark Turner than Bill Senator; for it strikes me smackingly that we have no power whatever to go an inch farther into the present subject. Admiral Colpoys, there's not a doubt on't, did resist to his utmost our boarding his vessel, and in this resistance there's as little doubt several lives were lost; or, if it pleases Bill Senator better, I'll even say several innocent people were murdered-for innocent of that matter they certainly were, since they had no hand in the business, but were mere onlookers. Now, while I freely grant all this, I at the same time am of opinion, that still we have no earth ly business to interfere in the matter at all that being the proper duty of the crowner on shore. We may no doubt speechify and wrangle here long and long enough, and bother each other's brains and judgments to a complete jelly; but come to whatever resolution you may, my lads, depend upon it, our superiors in power, and the most of the people on shore besides, will stoutly maintain, that Admiral Colpoys did no more than his duty in repelling force by force. Having said this, I need hardly add, that it is my opinion we should drop this plaguy business altogether, and betake ourselves to the consideration of other affairs which more immediately concern ourselves, and the many thousands we represent.'

"And if you do so, Master President,' cried Tom Allen, you will not only make a complete goose of your self, but mere goslings of us, your companions, and complete ninnies of the whole fleet!-We shall be the complete laughing-stock of all Europe, in faith.-What!-after ordering the vessels at Spithead, in the sight of thousands, to assemble here-after turning our officers adrift in the face of the whole country-after thus, in short, laying our hands to the plough in the most manly and determined manner, are we to knock under, and

end in a pitiful smoke in this dastardly manner?-I will never believe it ;such a mean, heartless resolution, was never implanted in the bosom of a real blue-jacket-Oh no!-Rather rouse up at once like men, and let our friends and our enemies behold us as suchlet them see us as fellows who have both heads to plan, and determined hands to execute with resolution. Pursue, therefore, your first steady purpose-let a regular course of inquiry be immediately set on foot-examine carefully both papers and witnesses-and if, as Bill Senator says, a case of cool, deliberate murder can honestly be made out, let the guilty instantly suffer the well-merited pe nalty of his crimes, without bestowing a single thought either on his rank, or on popular opinion. This would be behaving with something like the spirit of British seamen-and this I would call doing a trifle towards

Sending us all headlong to the devil!' cried I, hastily interrupting him, 'for I defy any mortal present to point out the smallest degree of good such a wild proceeding could accomplish.-I am sorry, Mr President,' continued I, that I should be guilty of being so very ill-mannered, but I am compelled to be so, for my patience is completely exhausted. Here we have been sitting, now, the best part of a couple of hours with fast doors, and we are as near a beginning of our intended business as ever. Indeed, as far as I can perceive, it is quite impossible that we can ever come to a conclusion-for while one gang of our orators are for not interfering at all in the matter, there's another whom nothing will seemingly please but complete extermination. I haven't the smallest wish to chime in with either of these proposals; for while I cannot think the Admiral altogether innocent, I do not see how it is possible for us lawfully to punish him. I therefore think we should steer a middle course, and surrender him without delay to the civil power on shore. By doing so we should sufficiently mark our complete conviction that he was highly blameable, if not guilty-and that we very wisely did not consider ourselves the proper tribunal before which to convict him; but we should also retain our own and the fleet's unsullied honour, and at once get rid of a bone of contention, which at present

not only mars our own happiness, but has almost effectually put a stop to far more important matters which more immediately concern us. If any one will second me, therefore, Mr President, I will now move, That with as little delay as the matter will admit of, you shall proceed to take such steps as will conduce to the immediate surrender of Admiral Colpoys and Captain Griffiths into the hands of the civil power on shore.'

"Well done, Jock Adams,' cried Jamie Blythe; troth I'll second you wi' a' my heart; for though I wad hae had ne'er a single objection to hae hung yon madman o' a first Liftenant, I' dinna care about meddling wi' an Admiral. Saul, sirs, they're cattle I'm easy about fingering ava in that raucle way.'

"Well,' cried the President, since I've at last got a motion made and seconded, it shall be my fault if it's not put into some shape or other without delay. Delegates, what do you say? -Shall the Admiral be surrendered to the civil power on shore without delay or not?'

Am I to understand, Master President,' cried Tom Allen, if this motion is not adopted, that the present council will then proceed to an immediate inquiry-the avowed purpose of our meeting?"

"No, Tom, I do not think so,' replied the President; ' for other motions may be made immediately after know.'

it, you

Against this both Allen and Senator strongly remonstrated; and Allen, indeed, was on the very eve of treating us with another of his flaming speeches, when he was suddenly interrupted by a loud and repeated knocking at the cabin door.

Hilloah!' cried the President; who the blazes have we got here in such a devil of a hurry? some lubber from the shore, I hope.-Jack Adams, I'll thank you to see what ill-mannered Yahoo that is who disturbs the Court so unceremoniously.'

"I instantly rose, and opening the state-room door went out on deck, when, who should I find there awaiting me but my good old shipmate, Peregrine Wigley, whom old First of June, while on board the Charlotte, had taken such a notion of, that he first made him his coxswain, and then took VOL. XIX.

him ashore with him, where he was now a sort of vallydesham to his Lordship. By the hookey, Davies, the chap was so bepowdered and beruffled, and so gaily rigged withal, that I stood for some time staring him in the face, he all the time grinning and laughing, before I discovered he was no other than my old shipmate. I immediately shook him heartily by the hand, while he said, says he

"Well, Jack, I always thought your goggles were in better trim than I find they now are-Zounds, man, not to know an old shipmate in a second, who has both ate and drank with you for years!-I'm sure I'm not so much altered as all that comes to.'

"Not in your voice at least, my hearty,' said I, for that I can discern in a trice-but who d'ye think was to smell an old Jack under all these gewgaws and fine trappings you've got rigged in, and so many of them there dandilly shore creatures eternally crawling about us, as has lately been the case?-Tis more than I could, I know, and my not knowing of you at first sight is of course the less surprising. But how hast been-well and hearty, I hope?-ah! you're a lucky dog, Perry!-and how is our good old Father of the Fleet?-and what the devil has blown you hither in such a gale of wind, if I may judge from your knocking ?-Hast brought any good news with you, Perry?'

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'Belay, belay, if you please, Jack,' cried the laughing Wigley, or I'll never be able to overtake you. Why, my dear fellow, you rattle away all as one as the old Charlotte did on the 1st of June, and put my pipe out as completely as she did the Frenchman's ;-but I'll try to answer you in your own rapid manner, as brief as a telegraph. Well, my dear soul, I've been in glorious health ever since I saw you, and live, thank God, with a kind indulgent master, the life of a gentleman :-His Lordship has been rather poorly this some time back, but he gets stouter daily :-And the gale of wind that has blown me hither is no other than this-I understand the Council of the Fleet sits inside there -now that's just what I want--you must introduce me directly to the whole posse, and you'll hear the rest of my story when I'm there.'

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Ay, my dear Perry,' cried I;

3 H

'but can't you give one a slight notion of your message, that a fellow may have something to say, you know?'

"No, no, Jack, the never a syllable,' said Wigley :- so in you go and announce me as a messenger from his Lordship. Come, quick, my heart: -my time is precious.'

“Well, Davies, I did as he desired me; and, as soon as it was understood that the messenger was no other than Coxswain Wigley, I was immediately ordered to introduce him. This was soon done, and after a few compliments had passed between Perry and his old chums, the President observed, that the council was now ready to hear what the coxswain had to say

"Very little, Mr President,' said Wigley, for I've only to repeat the words which were put into my mouth by my noble benefactor, and all our friends, the Father of the Fleet. Yesterday, after his return from Court, he called me into his library, and, delivering me this packet, said, “Perry, you must set off for Portsmouth without a moment's delay, and travel as fast as horse flesh can carry you. When you get there call immediately at the Governor's house and give him this note from me. It is for the purpose of providing you with a suitable boat to carry you on board the fleet. You will immediately push off, and, if the delegates are met, you must board that vessel they are sitting in, and there, getting admission to them, you are, before the whole assembled, to deliver that packet into their President's own hand, requesting him in my name, to make known its contents to the other delegates to deliberate upon them and to return their answer as a body by you to me." Such were his words, Mr President, and I've fulfilled them to the utmost of my power, having never halted for a moment's leisure since I left his Lordship in London.'

"The council and the Fleet are undoubtedly much indebted to you, my good fellow,' said Jack Morris, for your zeal and affection in their cause. His Lordship's request shall be immediately most religiously complied with; and I sincerely hope, that his well-known partiality for the interests of the Fleet will have suggested some scheme of ready accommodation, which may please all parties, and settle all disputes. But you must be sadly fatigued, Wigley, travelling all night.

Wilt retire to the ward-room and take some refreshment-we can be going on and getting ready for you meantime, you know.'

"It is impossible, Master President,' said Wigley, for me to lose a single moment at present, although I sincerely thank you for your kind offer. I must now hurry on board the Royal George, as I've letters to deliver the Commander-in-Chief. On my return I mean once more to board you -when I hope your letter to his Lordship will be awaiting me. I must then hurry on shore, as I know it would greatly please him were he to find me at the Governor's awaiting his arrival.'

"What, Perry, is old First of June coming down himself?' roared a score of voices.

"Yes, I expect both him and Lady Howe before nightfall at farthest,' was the answer.

SIR,

"After having laboured with considerable assiduity in the cause of the fleet which I once had the honour to command-which is still dear to meand which has always been amongst the foremost in the ranks of duty-it gives me infinite pleasure to be able to transmit you a genuine copy of the public act of legislature regarding your interests, which I give you my honour has passed through both Houses of Parliament, has been signed by his Majesty, and solemnly ratified by a special commission. By it you will perceive, that it cordially and cheerfully grants all the different allowances you have ever asked; and grants them with a liberality and condescension on the part of your King and country never before witnessed in any kingdom of the world.

I have it also to inform you, that it having pleased his Majesty to empower me to promise you his most

gracious pardon, and a generous forgiveness of all past conduct, on the simple condition of your immediate return to that system of duty and discipline which has raised the British navy to a glory and renown unexampled in history, I mean to be in Portsmouth to-morrow, when I shall expect to find such an answer to this awaiting me, as shall once more induce me to visit you all, ship and ship -execute his Majesty's most gracious commands-and leave you and your officers once more restored to harmony and good humour.

"I have chosen to transmit thisnote to you by my own faithful and confidential servant, Peregrine Wigley, and I confess I prefer him to be my messenger solely because I know he is well known to you all, and has your every interest as much at heart as he has my own. It is my orders to him, that he wait for your answer, which I sincerely hope will be such as will finally terminate this disagreeable business to the entire satisfaction of the Fleet, and believe me, to no one more so than your late Commander-in-Chief "Howe.'

"The President had no sooner concluded this affectionate letter than the state-room rung with reiterated cheerings. He now proceeded to read the other official papers contained in the packet, which were all received with high applause, and generally approved of. The meeting being thus all in good humour, the President had set himself to work in forming a scroll of the intended answer to Earl Howe, when he was rudely interrupted by Tom Allen, who peevishly demanded

"And what, pray, are you going to inake of Admiral Colpoys?'

"This question created a momentary surprise, and naturally turned all eyes on Tom Allen, Bill Senator, and Jack Vassy, who seemed the only discontented persons in the whole meeting.

"What shall we make of him?' cried Mark Turner; why send him ashore to be sure-who the deuce cares a straw about him now?'

"I certainly think,' cried Bill Senator, you'll have the decency at least to see how the votes go first, Master Turner, before you get so liberal in your notions.'

Oh, surely, surely,' cried the

President, interfering, we must put the vote regularly after what has passed. Come then, my lads, and let us see if we can't decide this knotty point at once.-Order in the corner thereand do pay a little more attention to the business before you.-What d'ye say now, the whole on ye? I'll once more repeat the question-Shall Admiral Colpoys and his Captain be delivered up to the civil power on shore without any more delay ? - Come, mates, out with it-ay, or no.-What, no one speaks!-Well, I must push it forwards, I see. I'll tell you what, my lads, if there's no reasonable objection stated, and backed by a majority of the council, by the time this threeminute glass has run out, I'll take it for granted that you're all agreed, and directly send orders on board the London to bundle them both on shore without further bother.- So look out, and make up your minds quickly. We have a vast deal to do yet, and it wears towards the hour of dinner.'

"A profound silence ensued, during which the President coolly resumed his task at the scroll, a good many entered into a whispering sort of conversation, and there were not a few whose eyes were steadily fixed on the fast receding sand. It was just on the point of expiring, when Tom Allen, who had given Bill Senator many significantly woeful looks, at last jumped up, and in a tone of the most whining vexation, exclaimed,

"D-n it, Master President, you'll certainly not turn them ashore, without at the very least some mark of your decided disapprobation of their infamous conduct. I will be content if you'll call them before you and give them a public vote of censure before they go.

"I certainly am of opinion they shouldn't get off scart clear,' chimed Senator.

"Well, any other body of that opinion?' said the President, looking round him. 'What, no more than two against the vote? Then it's decided; and depend upon it I shall take an early opportunity of putting your vote into execution.-Now, delegates, I've written a few lines here-and a few lines is enough-as an answer to our late gallant commander-in-chief, Earl Howe. I shall now read them to you, and if you think proper to approve of them, I'll have them transcribed and

made ready for our old coxswain, Wigley, without any farther delay. Be pleased to listen for a moment:

"Royal Sovereign, St Helen's, 10th May, 1797.

"MY LORD,-We had the honour of receiving your excellent note by the hands of our old shipmate, your servant, Peregrine Wigley, and we beg leave to assure you, that the contents of it, while they satisfied every wish we had formed, has filled our hearts with the most ardent gratitude to you, as the steady friend and father of the British Fleet, and to our King and country for their munificent indulgence and prompt liberality. Our grievances, my Lord, are from this moment at an end. It shall now be our pride to prove to you, and to the world, that the loyalty of the Fleet has not been impaired, nor its discipline rendered in the least inefficient by our late misunderstandings. We are highly sensible, my Lord, that, without order and strict subordination, our much-loved wooden-walls, the bulwark of Britain, and the pride of the ocean, would soon sink into merited contempt and complete insignificance; and therefore, it shall be our future study to convince all Europe, by deeds rather than words, how much we feel indebted, both to our worthy, venerable patron and father, and to our beloved King and Country. "A visit from your Lordship tomorrow, will not only be exceedingly gratifying, but very acceptable. As you have been pleased, my Lord, to give us a hint of your intention, we beg leave to say, that we will be proud to wait upon your Lordship at an early hour, at the Governor's house, in order to have the honour of escorting you on board. We are, my Lord, with our most respectful love and duty, your Lordship's faithful and devoted servants,

"The DELEGATES of the FLEET.'

"The letter was received with applause, and just as it was transcribed Wigley thundered once more at the state-room door.

"I hope you'll forgive my qualityknocking, my dear boys, but want of time allows of little delay. Have you got my-Oh, I thank you, Master President-I hope this little folding will set all to rights, and that I'll

"O, undoubtedly, Perry,' cried the President; but why in such a hurry now ?-at least stop one moment and take a mouthful of grog.'Jack Adams, come, you're my fancy man, you know-take your old mate down to the ward-room, and give him a sneezer or two. Meantime we'll arrange matters for to-morrow.'

>

"You may depend on't, Davies, that if ever I had an agreeable commission to put in execution, this was one-for I was really anxious to have a little talk with my old messmate. We therefore speedily decamped from the council board, and a few minutes after saw us comfortably seated in the wardroom, with a jug of good stuff before us, and a platter of the best in the hooker."

"Well, my dear fellow,' said I, after we had freshened hawse a bit, now you've a spare minute or two, do give us some of your shore news. I'm very curious to learn what you've all been about lately, and what the people think and say of us.'

"They say very little good of you, let me tell you, my lad,' answered Wigley, whatever they may think; for there are too many cocked hats sauntering idly about the streets, a-growling and grumbling like hungry bears, for any one even to dare to chime in a word or two in your favour. Why, lad, according to them, you are a mob of the most turbulent, lawless despe→ radoes the world has ever been bothered with; the Buccaneers, with black skipper Morgan at their head, were mere innocents in comparison-and as for the blood you have secretly spiltay, secretly, mind me-and the number of lives you've lost by drownings of a night-nay, don't stare so-why they're out of all count. Even I, Jack, who should have known you better, was completely staggered with their horrible ditties; and I fairly confess to you, that when I came on board on ye to-day, the first thing I looked out for was the yard-repe, and Jack Ketch's necklace, being positively assured ashore, by people I could hardly doubt, that you were to astonish the world by tucking up an Admiral. and his Captain to-day without fail.'