JET. 28.] MISSION TO PORTUGAL. 34! 



the means which he adopted for putting down the 

 mutiny in the vessels so often sent to him for that 

 purpose ; and he was very indignant at the complaints 

 which were sometimes made of his cruelty, or at least 

 his severity, when in truth it was only his humane 

 determination to prevent mischief and spare life by 

 vigorous action that were the ground of complaint. 

 An instance he gave of this which I shall not easily 

 forget, was when the fleet lay off Cadiz, and a seventy- 

 four, I think she was, joined him in as bad a state as 

 possible. He soon found that the mutinous crew were 

 all but in possession of the vessel. " I knew well 

 enough/' he said, " that all would be right, and the 

 authority of the officers restored, were they laid along- 

 side of an enemy; but of that there was little chance 

 to all appearance :" so the officers were one after 

 another quietly withdrawn, and two vessels of superior 

 force suddenly directed to place themselves one on 

 each side of the mutinous ship, with orders to sink 

 her after distinct announcement of the fixed intention. 

 I don't recollect whether this notification was to be 

 made by calling for some of them on board, or by 

 sending some men to her, but the notice was clearly 

 conveyed, that disobedience to orders would instantly 

 be followed by the extremity of punishment. Lord 

 St Vincent well knew that what actually happened 

 was certain to take place submission as soon as the 

 mutineers saw the men in the other ships at their 

 guns with matches lighted. I think it was the day 

 after this mutiny was quelled that he ordered a court- 



