on as well as by the voice.
The next step of the delegates was to assemble in the cabin of the
admiral's ship, and to place the officers in custody, in order to
prevent them from going on shore. A petition to the admiral was drawn
up, and presented on the spot; accompanied with a declaration that, till
the prayer of the petition was granted, till their pay was increased and
their provisions altered, they should not quit their present station,
"unless the enemy was known to be at sea." On discovering this mutinous
spirit, a committee of the admiralty, with Earl Spencer at their head,
repaired to Portsmouth, with a view of inducing the seamen to return
to their duty. This was on the 18th of April; and five days later the
admiral returned to his ship, when, after hoisting his flag, he informed
the crew that he had brought with him a redress of all their grievances,
accompanied by his majesty's pardon for their offence. These offers
were cheerfully accepted, and every man returned to his duty. There was
reason for believing that all cause of dissatisfaction was removed; but
there was still mischief lurking behind. On the 7th of May, when Lord
Bridport again made the signal to put to sea, every ship at St. Helen's
refused to obey, the seamen being under the impression that government
would not fulfil its promises. A meeting of delegates was convened to
be be held on board the "London;" but Vice-admiral Colpoys, having
determined to prevent the illegal assembly from being held on board his
ship, ordered the marines to fire upon the boats as they approached; and
five seamen were killed. Irritated by this resistance on the part of
the admiral, the crew of the "London" now turned their guns towards
the stern, and threatened to blow all aft into the water, unless the
commander submitted; and Admiral Colpoys and Captain Griffiths were
both taken into custody by their crew, and confined for several hours in
separate cabins. Such was the state of affairs on the 14th of May, when
Lord Howe arrived from the admiralty with plenary powers to settle all
differences; and as his lordship was the bearer of an act of parliament,
which had passed on the 9th, granting an additional allowance of pay to
the seamen, and also of his majesty's proclamation of pardon, the flag
of insurrection was struck, and the fleet prepared to put out to sea.
The dangerous spirit of disaffection, however, was not yet subdued.
While these things were transacting at