142 



A DIARY OF THE 



late ship Challenger, and they are hereby 

 fully acquitted accordingly. The Court 

 cannot close its proceedings without ex- 

 pressing the high sense it entertains of the 

 conduct of Captain Michael Seymour, his 

 surviving officers and ship's company, 

 when placed in circumstances of the greatest 

 danger, as well as afterwards during a period 

 of seven weeks that they remained on a 

 wild and inhospitable coast, strongly mark- 

 ing the advantages of that steady discipline 

 that has raised the British navy to the con- 

 fidence of the country, and which, in this 

 instance (as well as in many others), has 

 been the cause of the preservation of the 

 lives and health of the crew, and of their 

 arrival, with two melancholy exceptions, in 

 safety to their own country." 



The President then rose and said, " Captain 

 Seymour, I have much pleasure in returning you 

 your sword, and may you continue to wear it 

 with honour to yourself and advantage to your 

 country. — Mr. MacDonald, I have equal plea- 

 sure in returning you yours." 



