o_199m9vaui14ib1cnu10di10pocoj4h.pdf

192
CHAPTER XV.
Measures of Opposition.
The Lords of the Admiralty, before they left Sheerness,
gave Buckner a paper of instructions for his guidance in
dealing with the mutineers. 1
Their policy as laid down
in these instructions had two main objects : to isolate the
mutinous fleet ; and to protect Sheerness and the neighbourhood
from attack. To the end of isolating the fleet,
the issue of supplies, which had continued during the
mutiny, was to be stopped ; no boat was to be allowed to
leave the shore; and all boats coming from the fleet were
to be seized, and the occupants imprisoned unless they
had come to make their submission. 2 It was further
suggested that written communications addressed to the
mutineers should be kept back and examined, so that the
fleet might be completely cut off from the shore. 3
1. A.S.M. 137, 29 May (Secret).
2. Ibid. Marsden to Nepean, 29 May (from Rochester) "
: It now
remains to try what effect vigorous measures will produce, after having
in vain attempted to persuade them to accept H.M. pardon. Sir Charles
is prepared to cut off all communication with them, and I think they
will find their situation more alarming than they have been used to
consider it. . . . Particular directions were given to the Admiral for his
guidance previously to our setting off, and all who from henceforth
attempt to land will be detained, the gun-boats stopped, etc."
Spencer to Nepean (Rochester) :
" To-morrow morning all the gunboats
in the harbour . . . will be taken possession of, and either secured
or so placed as to contribute to the defence of he harbour. . . . All
further communication with the disaffected ships has been forbidden,
and every boat that comes (unless for* the purpose of admission) is to
be seized and the people sent off prisoners to Chatham."
3. Spencer to Nepean (Rochester), u.s.
*'
: 1 wish to submit to Mr. Pitt
the propriety of ordering the Post Office to stop every letter addressed
to any of the disaffected ships, as nothing is more likely to bring them
to reason than finding themselves quite cut off from the country."
Marsden to Nepean (Rochester) :
" Lord Spencer writes about the
propriety of stopping correspondence at the Post Office. They must by
every possible means, be cut off from intercourse with the shore, and
the Essex side of the river must be attended to in this view." The
order wa3 not actually given until 9 June.