23a 



porter's JOURNAf., 



resort to rigid measures. Considering the long time they 

 had been deprived of it without murmuring, and the great 

 propensity of seamen for spiritous Uquors, and as no evil 

 was Ukely to result from a httle inebriety, provided they 

 conducted themselves in other respects with propriety, I 

 felt disposed to give them a little latitude, which in no in- 

 stance was productive of unpleasant consequences, except 

 one. James Rynard, a quarter-master, had belonged to the 

 Essex four years, and had at times endeavoured to render 

 himself of importance among his ship-mates, by placing 

 himself at the head of all parties formed for the purpose of 

 obtaining redress of grievances. If any provisions were 

 supposed to be of a bad quality, Rynard was always en- 

 gaged stirring up others to complain, but took care to con- 

 duct himself in such a manner as to let it be supposed, by 

 the officers, that he was perfectly contented ; nor did he 

 dare, except at one time, to come forward boldly, and 

 that was at the redaction of the allowance of rum on the 

 coast of Brazils. He then supposed all hands to be of his 

 disposition, and placed himself as spokesman at their head. 

 I had always marked him as a rogue. That was his cha- 

 racter with all that knew him; and at this moment, and 

 with such a crew, 1 had reason to beheve that Rynard might, 

 from his habitual villany and restlessness, be enabled to stir 

 up discontent among them, ft must be remembered, that 

 their times had mostly expired ; they saw no appearance of 

 any intention on my part of returning to America imme- 

 diately ; and at such a moment the secret villany of Ry- 

 nard was not to be despised. He had ever endeavoured to 

 distinguish himself as their champion; and although I be- 

 lieved that he was considered by every, man in the ship a 

 notorious villain, still I did not know how far his influence 

 might extend. I had, therefore, long determined to get 

 clear of him on the first favourable opportunity. One was 

 not long in offering itself. I had directed him to proceed 

 to superintend some duty on board one of the prizes ; he 

 appeared, a short time after I gave him the order, some- 

 what intoxicated, and insolently told me he had not been 

 sent from the ship in a proper manner. Finding him in this 

 state, I directed him to stay aft on the quarter-deck until he 

 was sober. He attempted, however, shortly afterwards, to 

 rush by me. His dinner was taken on deck to him by his 



