who have given reasons for going through the Streights of
Magellan. There is a sort of a party rage among the people, fomented by a
kind of bribery that has more influence on the seamen than money; there are
some daily bought off by rum, and other strong liquors. Unless a stop is
put to these proceedings, we shall never go off the spot.

Tuesday the 25th, this day felt four great earthquakes, three of which were
very terrible; notwithstanding the violent shocks and tremblings of the
earth, we find no ground shifted. Hard gales of wind at north, with heavy
showers of rain.

Thursday the 27th, the disturbances increase among the people; we plainly
see there is a party raised to go to the northward; we went to the
lieutenant, and consulted with him what was to be done in the present
exigence; myself being reckoned the projector of the scheme for going
through the Streights, was threatened to be shot by Noble the quarter-
master: After having some discourse with the lieutenant, he told me, If I
would draw up a paper for the captain to sign, in order to satisfy the
people, that he would go to the southward, and every officer to have a copy
of it, to justify himself in England, it would be as proper a method as we
could take. The paper was immediately drawn up in these words, viz.

"Whereas upon a general consultation, it has been agreed to go from this
place through the Streights of Magellan, for the coast of Brazil, in our
way for England: We do, notwithstanding, find the people separating into
parties, which must consequently end in the destruction of the whole body;
and as also there have been great robberies committed on the stores, and
every thing is now at a stand, therefore, to prevent all future frauds and
animosities, we are unanimously agreed to proceed as above-mentioned."

This paper was delivered to the lieutenant, who said that he was sure the
captain would sign it, but in case of refusal he should be confined for
shooting Mr Cozens, and he would take the command on himself: And, to
prevent further disturbances, the purser, as he much conversed with the
rebels, it is agreed by the body of officers to send him off the island,
for acting so contrary to his duty, in contempt of the articles of war, the
laws of his country, and the known rules of the navy. It was likewise
agreed, that any person who engaged himself in raising parties, should be
disarmed. By this day's proceedings, we thought the lieutenant a g