is
surprising to me to think what you can expect by going to the southward,
where there are ten thousand difficulties to be encounter'd with: I am
sorry so many brave fellows should be led to go where they are not
acquainted, when, by going to the northward, there is the island of Chili,
not above ninety leagues, where we need not fear taking prizes, and may
have a chance to see the commodore. I made answer, Sir, you have said that
we shall be call'd to an account for this in England: I must tell you, for
my part, had I been guilty of any crime, and was sure of being hang'd for
it in England, I would make it my choice to go there, sooner than to the
northward: Have not you given your word and honour to go to the southward?
It is true there is a chance in going to the northward, by delivering us
from this unhappy situation of life to a worse, viz. a Spanish prison. The
captain said no more but this, Gentlemen, I wish you well and safe to
England.

Sunday the 11th, this morning the captain sent for me, and told me he had
rather be shot than carried off a prisoner, and that he would not go off
with us; therefore desired me to ask the people to suffer him to remain on
the island: The people readily agreed to his request, and also consented to
leave him all things needful for his support, as much as could be spared.
Lieutenant H----n and the surgeon chose to stay with him. We offer'd him
also the barge and yawl, if he could procure men to go with him. The
question was proposed before the whole body, but they all cry'd aloud for
England, and let him stay and be d----'d; does he want to carry us to a
prison? There is not a man will go. The captain being deprived of his
command in the manner above mentioned, and for the reasons already given,
it was resolved to draw some articles to be sign'd for the good of the
community, and to give the lieutenant a limited command. The paper was
drawn up in this manner:--

"Whereas Captain David C----p, our commander in his majesty's ship the
Wager, never consulted any of his officers for the safety and preservation
of the said ship, and his majesty's subjects thereto belonging, but several
times, since the unhappy loss of the said ship, he has been solicited in
the most dutiful manner, promising him at the same time to support his
command with our lives, desiring no more than to go off heart in hand from
this place to the southward, which he gave his word and honour to do; and
being alm