porter's journal, 195 



cers interceded for him, pledging themselves for his future 

 good conduct. On a solemn promise from him, that he 

 would abstain from ardent liquors while he continued under 

 my command, I relieved him from his arrest, and put him 

 to duty, with an assurance, that for another similar offence, 

 his authority should for ever cease on board the Essex. 



During my short absence at Tumbez, lieutenant W. felt 

 himself relieved from all restraint, and could not resist the 

 opportunity of again indulging in his horrid propensity, 

 which an abstinence of many months had/ rendered only 

 more ungovernable, and to which he was strongly invited 

 by captain Shuttleworth, the prisoner whom 1 formerly 

 mentioned as having conducted himself so improperly. On 

 iny return he was olKcer of the deck, and, fearing that I 

 should discover his situation, he left the deck as soon as I 

 entered the ship, and, while I was engaged in conversation 

 with the first lieutenant, retired to his state-room. Not 

 knowing his condition, I sent repeatedly for lieutenant W., 

 who was reported to me as lying in his cot, and could not 

 be made to answer. He had once before attempted to 

 commit suicide, and I felt apprehensive that he had now 

 made an attempt on his life. I went to his state-room, 

 w^here I found him in his cot, with his face down ; and, 

 after considerable difficulty, and repeated efforts to move 

 him, succeeded in turning him over. He now requested 

 me to let him alone ; I told him, as he was evidently in his 

 senses, and apparently knew what he was about, I was de- 

 termined to investigate the cause of his conduct. He then 

 sprang up, and with great violence of gesture and language 

 demanded to know what I intended to do, observing, at 

 the same time, that he had been drunk, and had not had 

 time to get sober. I informed him that he was under arrest. 

 He asked me how long. I told him, as long as the cruise 

 lasted. He then seized a pistol, which he attempted to load, 

 observing, that neither myself nor any other should have 

 the satisfaction of arresting him. As there was a threaten- 

 ing manner with him, and not knowing whether he intend- 

 ed to use the pistol against me or himself, I grasped him 

 and took it from him. He then attempted to load another, 

 which was also taken from him. He then assured me he 

 had no intentions of using the pistol against me ; that, if I 

 would permit him, he would blow his own brains out, ob- 



