1812. 
ATTEMPTS AT DISOBEDIENCE. 
221 
very composedly sitting smoking their pipes under a bush ; where 
they had proposed to each other to remain till the evening. This, I 
am willing to believe, was not done in absolute defiance of my orders, 
but partly from a careless neglect of them, and partly from a wish of 
having their own way and from a desire of trying how far they might 
carry disobedience with impunity. Almost all my new men began 
their service by making experiments to ascertain the strength of my 
patience and forbearance ; and therefore made continual attempts at 
slighting my regulations. This, however, was a point which I 
was firmly resolved, at all hazards, to maintain against them ; as 
the safety of the whole depended upon subordination to their head. 
Fortunately for them, they had to deal with one who was de- 
termined on pursuing such measures as he conscientiously felt to 
be just and right. I watched therefore with a jealous eye, every 
attempt at disobedience, and considered nothing of so much import- 
ance as the preservation of my authority over them : although, I 
confess, there were subsequent occasions, on which this authority was 
preserved merely in outward appearance. 
