PORTER^S JOURNAL. 



77 



where I informed them of the offence of Dunn. Then 

 directing him to strip, I assured him that 1 should punish 

 him severely, and to prevent his ever doing duty in the # 

 ship, I should turn him on shore on the island, observing 

 that his time was out, and it was proper he should have 

 his discharge. After this, addressing myself to the ship's 

 company, I expostulated with them on the impropriety, and 

 the evils likely to result from such conduct as Dunn's, and 

 expressed a determination to have no man under my com- 

 mand who had it in his power to say his time was out, and 

 he would no longer do duty. I informed them that the 

 times of many were out, and from that moment I gave up 

 all claim on them for their services ; that they were their 

 own masters, and should have their discharge on the spot. 

 If they wished to enlist again for the cruise, I would en- 

 list them, give them the usual advance, and on a suitable 

 occasion give them three days liberty on shore. That 

 such as refused to enhst, but would bind themselves to do 

 duty, might remain on board till 1 would have an opportu- 

 nity of putting them on shore in some civilized place. 

 They should be supplied with provisions ; but should be 

 allowed neither pay nor prize-money. Such as wished 

 their discharge were called on for their names, in order 

 that it might be made out in form, and they were all in- 

 formed that the shipping papers were laid open for all 

 such as wished to enter. I now was about proceeding to 

 the punishment of Dunn, when most of the officers, petty 

 officers, and seamen, came forward and solicited his pardon, 

 stating that he appeared intoxicated at the time he made 

 the observation, and not sensible of the offence he com- 

 mitted. Dunn also begged forgiveness most earnestly, 

 and hoped, whatever other punishment I might inflict, I 

 would not turn him on shore. He was sensible his offence 

 had been a great one, but pleaded intoxication, and as a 

 proof of his attachment to the ship, requested his name to 

 be placed first on the list. I thought it on the whole ad- 

 viseable to pardon him; the men were dismissed; every 

 man of all the ships re-entered except one, who, from some 

 foolish whim, did not wish to re-enlisi, although he was 

 desirous of remaining doing duty and receiving pay. I 

 determined not to depart from the principles laid down. 

 1 stopped his pay, and afterwards sent him to America in 



