CONDUCT OF THE SETTEEES. 
359 
the operatives on the spot. The fact is, Lieutenant 
Webb found, that Mr. Moore, the director tempore, 
had neither authority or influence over Nichols and his 
subordinates; that Mr. Neizer, the clerk, had been 
more occupied in malversation, than in the business of 
the society for whose benefit he was employed, and 
had besides appropriated to his own purposes a quan- 
tity of merchandise acquired with the means entrusted 
to his care, and which he was obliged to restore. Only 
a few of the settlers wished to remain, and these at 
increased wages. In short, the most complete dis- 
organization had taken place, and there was no prospect 
of matters amending or going on favourably, without 
some European of ability and firmness, to direct the 
affairs. 
Mr. Hensman, Acting-Assistant-Surgeon, proffered 
his services to remain as director of the settlement for 
six months, and in him no doubt would have been 
found the requisites for the proper management ; but 
the time specified was too short — only six months — 
to hope for any permanent advantage ; and besides, the 
rapidly-increasing sickness of the crew, rendered it 
absolutely necessary, for that officer to continue his 
duties on board. 
On strict inquiry into the conduct of the settlers 
generally, it was ascertained that, except Thomas 
King, who had been left in command of the 
‘ Amelia’ schooner, they had been guilty of con- 
tinued insubordination, and gross indulgence in the 
