DHALAC. 
35 
purpose, I requested the use of one of the boats on the morrow, to 
attendme till my return, which would probably be in the course of 
two days. To this I received a positive refusal; with the informa- 
tion, that it was contrary to the regulations of their ships, that any 
of their boats should be out all night. These regulations were singu- 
larly urged by a person, who had kept his boat two nights on shore 
at Mocha, merely because he prefered sleeping on land ; though in 
consequence he was not on board the Antelope to receive me on 
my return from the Fox. Had it been otherwise, the very positive 
orders he had received from Marquis Wellesley to afford me every 
assistance in his power in the prosecution of my designs, formed a 
sufficient reason for infringing the rules, and rendered the comply- 
ing with my request a point of duty. 
Having long observed that he wished to throw every obstacle in 
my way, I determined to take advantage of this opportunity, to 
decide the business either one way or the other. I accordingly re- 
quested Mr. Salt to wait on him, and represent my extreme morti- 
fication at being obliged to take such a step, but that I did not 
conceive the Governor General's orders were, either in their letter 
or spirit, complied with ; and that if it were his determination 
to persevere, and thwart me in every thing, I must represent the 
circumstances to Government, and consider, whether I should not 
abandon the object of my enquiry altogether. I likewise desired 
Mr. Salt to mention a very singular circumstance, namely, the du- 
bious and irregular manner in which the longitude was given to 
me, and its being kept a secret from every other person in the ship. 
The reply was long and curious. He was excessively astonished 
at my attributing to him any unwillingness to assist me so far. 
VOL. n. F 
