36 DHALAC; 
as he could consistently with his duty: he conceived I was not 
Captain of the ship, but that he was; and, consequently, that 
though I might make any request, the discretionary power of com- 
plying with it rested with him alone ; and that he could not violate 
the rules of the service. That as for his acquainting me with the 
longitude, he considered it was a mere matter of favour, not of 
right ; and added something with regard to my intention of taking 
to myself, the credit of discoveries and observations made by him 
and his officers. This was, however, mixed with repeated declara- 
tions, that I had mistaken him, and that I might have every assist- 
ance he thought he ought to give. 
I desired Mr. Salt to reply, that I must persevere in my idea re- 
specting his neglect of orders ; and that the boats, when necessary, 
were not to be refused me ; that the idea of my wishing to take to 
myself the credit of the observations, was ridiculous; that they ap- 
appeared to me too uncertain to be valuable ; that the credit of 
forming the plan of viewing these doubtful countries, of ascer- 
taining the real manners of their inhabitants, and of facilitating the 
sailing along their coast, would be mine in defiance of him and his 
observations. That the other circumstances were requisite to the 
public good, which, if he pleased, he might prevent my being able 
to communicate to the King's ministers. That I hoped I had mis- 
taken his intentions, and expected I should receive every reason- 
able assistance : that I never wished for more, and trusted we should 
not again differ on the subject. Thus ended the dispute; but he 
continued very gloomy, and I was convinced we should never cor- 
dially agree. The fact was, he did not like the voyage, which he 
considered as dangerous ; and even the strong principle of interest 
