LETTER FROM MR. PHELPS. 383 
acquiesced^ and gave him my concurrence and ad¬ 
vice to act as the natives thought best, unless some 
of them would take the management of the island 
(ad interim) till the will of the British govern¬ 
ment could be known; and I agreed that the 
island should be declared free and independent of 
Denmark; but only in suspension; until his Ma¬ 
jesty’s pleasure could be known. I have in no 
other respect interfered in the government here; 
farther than in protecting our property and per¬ 
sons. It has also been impossible for me to 
transmit an account of these transactions before 
to England, as there have been no vessels fit for 
the navigation of these seas; of which you can 
easily assure yourself. You will find; Sir, that 
there are two parties in this island; the Danish 
party and the Icelandic, or English, party. I 
hope I have listened to and favored that party 
which will be most approved of by his Majesty’s 
ministers; but, if it should not prove to be so, I 
have erred unintentionally. 
I have the honor to be. 
Sir, 
Your most obedient and humble Servant, 
Samuel Phelps. 
To the Honorable Alexander Jones, 
Captain of His Majesty’s Ship 
Talbot, Reikevig Harbor. 
