h war. The government frequently gave orders for
ships to be built at Liverpool. The view up the river was very fine.
There were few houses to be seen southward. The mills on the
Aigburth-road were the principal objects.

It was a pretty sight to see the _Mary Ellen_ launched. There were
crowds of people present, for my father was well-known and very popular.
When the ship moved off there was a great cheer raised. I was so excited
at the great "splash" which was made, that I cried, and was for a time
inconsolable, because they would not launch the ship again, so that I
might witness another great "splash." I can, in my mind's eye, see "the
splash" of the _Mary Ellen_ even now. I really believe the displacement
of the water on that occasion opened the doors of observation in my mind.
After the launch there was great festivity and hilarity. I believe I
made myself very ill with the quantity of fruit and good things I became
possessed of. While the _Mary Ellen_ was fitting-up for sea, I was often
taken on board. In her hold were long shelves with ring-bolts in rows in
several places. I used to run along these shelves, little thinking what
dreadful scenes would be enacted upon them. The fact is that the _Mary
Ellen_ was destined for the African trade, in which she made many very
successful voyages. In 1779, however, she was converted into a
privateer. My father, at the present time, would not, perhaps, be
thought very respectable; but I assure you he was so considered in those
days. So many people in Liverpool were, to use an old and trite
sea-phrase, "tarred with the same brush" that these occupations were
scarcely, indeed, were not at all, regarded as anything derogatory from a
man's character. In fact, during the privateering time, there was
scarcely a man, woman, or child in Liverpool, of any standing, that did
not hold a share in one of these ships. Although a slave captain, and
afterwards a privateer, my father was a kind and just man--a good father,
husband, and friend. His purse and advice were always ready to help and
save, and he was, consequently, much respected by the merchants with whom
he had intercourse. I have been told that he was quite a different man
at sea, that there he was harsh, unbending and stern, but still just.
How he used to rule the turbulent spirits of his crews I don't know, but
certain it is that he never wanted men when other Liverpool ship-owners
were short of hands. Many