WHITE'S JOURNAL OF A 
" from the confequence he aflumed, and the eafe with 
which he had given his opinion, or more properly his 
'* direSlions^ that he was fome perfon appointed by the 
Secretary of State to officiate for you till your arrival. 
" When you go among the people you will be better able to 
judge of the propriety of what I have faid." Mr. Balmain 
had no fooner concluded than I went between decks, and found 
every thing jufl: as he had reprefented it to be. There were 
feveral in bed with flight inflammatory complaints ; fome 
there were who kept their bed to avoid the inconvenience 
of the cold, which was at this time very piercing, and whofe 
wretched clothing was but a poor defence againfl: the 
rigour of it ; others were confined to their bed through the 
effedls of long imprifonment, a weakened habit, and low- 
nefs of fpirits ; which was not a little added to by the de^ 
claration of the medical gentleman above mentioned, whom 
they concluded to be the principal furgeon to the expedi- 
tion. However, on my undeceiving them in that point, and 
at the fame time confirming what Mr. Balmain had from the 
firft told them, viz. that their complaints were neither malig- 
naitt nor dangerous^ their fears abated. To this I added, 
that I would immediately give orders for fuch as were in 
want 
