o_199m9vaui14ib1cnu10di10pocoj4h.pdf

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364 THE NAVAL MUTINIES OF 1797
heart of man, and certainly to us, that you make the boast of
being the guardians of the land.
Fifthly, That if any man is wounded in action, his pay be
continued until he is cured and discharged ;^>and if any ship has
any real grievances to complain of, we hope your Lordships
will readily redress them, as far as in your power, to prevent
any disturbances.
It is also unanimously agreed by the fleet, that, from this day,
no grievances shall be received, in order to convince the nation
at large that we know when to cease to ask, as well as to begin,
and that we ask nothing but what is moderate, and may be
granted without detriment to the nation, or injury to the
service.
Given on board the Queen Charlotte, by the delegates
of the Fleet, the 18th day of April, 1797.
(The signatures of the delegates follow, as in the other petition.)
THE NEGOTIATIONS IN
PORTSMOUTH.
OFFICIAL DIARY.
(Original in Spencer's writing.)
iSth April. About noon the Board of Admiralty arrived at
Portsmouth. Lord Bridport and other flag officers came and
reported the state of the fleet : that the officers were no longer
obeyed in any thing be}^ond the internal duty of the ships
that a committee consisting of two delegates from each line of
battle ship, meeting regularly in the Admiral's cabin of the
Queen Charlotte, regulate every thing, and have entire command
of the fleet. They issue their orders to every ship which are
exactly obeyed. They have ropes reeved to the yards of every
ship, to hang up any persons who shall attempt to resist ; and
it is said they have it in contemplation to put all their officers
on shore, and that a signal is agreed for the purpose. At 8
o'clock every morning and at sunset every evening they man
the yards and cheer. The ships in the completest order possible,
and they punish drunkenness and every other offence against
discipline with the utmost severity. At first they would not
permit any frigate to move, but they have since issued their
orders that all frigates may proceed according to their orders
with any convoy under their protection, as it was not their
intention to interrupt the commerce of the country.
Lord Bridport and the other Admirals stated the disgraceful
situation in which they stood, as well as every other officer in