e] likely to confirm the good
disposition which had begun to show itself, and his not coming
after the intention had once been announced might lead to
unpleasant consequence [_sic_]. It was thought best to make this
a civil commission in order not to interfere with the military
command of the fleet, and at the same time to give the
commission to a distinguished naval character, though not with
any naval authority or functions. It was also thought that
making a communication of this nature after all that had passed
through some other channel than the commander of the fleet was
for other reasons preferable and likely to be thought so by you.

I earnestly hope this measure will produce good effects and will
both in itself and in its consequences be satisfactory to you.
At all events I am sure you will continue to contribute your
exertions with the same zeal and public spirit which you have
shewn under such trying difficulties to bring this arduous work,
if possible, to a happy termination. I hope I need not say how
sincerely and deeply, in addition to the public difficulties, I
have felt for the situation in which you have been placed. If
the favourable turn which has been given to affairs should be
happily confirmed, I look forward to the hope that your command
may still be attended with circumstances which may repay you for
the labour and anxiety with which you have had to struggle.

Howe found it no easy task to vindicate the good faith of Ministers; but
by visiting each ship in turn, he prevailed on the men to submit to
discipline. The 14th of May was a day of great rejoicing at Spithead;
the men's delegates landed and carried the venerable admiral in triumph
to Government House, where he and his lady entertained them at dinner.
Three days later the whole fleet put to sea.

But already there had fallen on Pitt a still severer blow. On 10th May
appeared the first signs of discontent in the ships anchored off
Sheerness. In all probability they may be ascribed to the factious
wrangling at Westminster and the revival of the mutiny at Spithead on
7th May. Seeing that the demands of the sailors had been conceded before
this outbreak occurred at the Nore, nothing can be said on behalf of the
ringleaders, except that amidst their worst excesses they professed
unswerving loyalty, firing salutes on 29th May in honour of the
restoration of