NARRATIVE OF THE MUTINY, &c. 247 



havina^ neitlier written for flour, rice, nor spirits ; that he brought 

 chinamen and blacks to the island to eat up all the provisions; 

 — that even for the Festival Dinner, he would not allow the pur- 

 chase of spirits from the captain of the Camperdown, although it 

 was proposed by Mr. Leech ; — that they were put under heavy 

 stoppages for their undress uniform, for nankeen, wings, leather 

 stocks, tufts, &c. when they could have them for nothing from 

 the Company's stores ; — that after paying their mess, they had 

 nothing left to purchase vegetables, or the smallest necessary.' 



I told them, that they had been quite misinformed ; — that 

 both flour and rice were shortly expected ; and as soon as it 

 arrived, they would be allowed to purchase the usual quantity : 

 but, from our stock of flour being low, it was found necessary to 

 limit each person's allowance, so as to meet the arrival of the ex- 

 pected supplies: — this they were perfectly satisfied with ; — that 

 spirits were not sent for, was by order of the Court of Directors ; 

 but that the Governor had sent to the Cape, for wine ; and that 

 spirits had been procured for the Festival Dinner. As to the 

 stoppages which had been made on account of dress, I said, it 

 would be enquired into, and that the Governor had never been 

 informed of it. Many exclaimed, ' we have been deceived, and 

 are sorry we have gone so far — the Governor is a good man ; but 

 it is spirits we want ; and had we spirits, less bread would do.' I 

 continued to advise them to return to their duty, and behave 

 themselves as obedient, good soldiers. This seemed to have some 

 eff*eci : and as they reached the shed, they asked me to write in 

 their favour to Major Wright. I went into the Serjeant's barrack, 

 and while getting the pen and paper, some of the most violent 

 called out, ' No letter ! No longer delay ! Bring him out! (meaning 

 me) he must go with us to Plantation House !' They had now been 

 upwards of an hour in getting the three-pounder gun equipped 



