74 



A VOYAGE TO 



'779- fore impolTible to perform this fervice, till their aiTailants 

 were driven to a greater distance, the Difcovery was ordered 

 to cliflodge them, with her great guns ; which being effected 

 by a few discharges, the men landed without molestation. 

 However, the natives foon after made their appearance again, 

 in their ufual mode of attack; and it was now found abfo- 

 lutely neceSTary to burn down fome Straggling houfes, near 

 the wall, behind which they had taken Shelter. In execut- 

 ing thefe orders, I am forry to add, that our people were 

 hurried into acts of unneceSTary cruelty and devaluation. 

 Something ought certainly to be allowed to their rcfentment 

 of the repeated infults, and contemptuous behaviour, of the 

 iflanders, and to the natural defire of revenging the lofs of 

 their Commander. But, at the fame time, their conduct 

 ferved Strongly to convince me, that the utmoft precaution 

 is neceffary in trufting, though but for a moment, the dif- 

 cretionary ufe of arms, in the hands of private feamen, or 

 foldicrs, on fuch occalions. The rigour of difcipline, and 

 the habits of obedience, by which their force is kept di- 

 rected to its proper objects, lead them naturally enough to 

 conceive, that whatever they have the power, they have alfo 

 the right to do. Actual difobedience being almoft the only 

 crime for which they are accullomed to expect punifhment, 

 they learn to confider it as the only mealure of right and 

 wrong ; and hence are apt to conclude, that what they can 

 do with impunity, they may do with jullice and honour. 

 So that the fcdlings of humanity, which are inseparable 

 fiom us all, and that generofity toward an unrefifling 

 enemy, which, at other times, is the distinguishing mark of 

 brave men, become but weak rellraints to the exercife of 

 violence, when oppofed to the defire ihey naturally have of 

 (hewing their own independence and power. 



I have 



