o_199m9vaui14ib1cnu10di10pocoj4h.pdf

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56 THE NAVAL MUTINIES OF 179T
from the Pompee to the Royal George (written apparently
on 6 May) contains the following passage :—
" Our opinion is that there [is] not the least reliance to be
placed in their promises, which, sorry I am to say like, our
oath of fidelity is broke if we do not remain unshakned
until the whole is sanctioned by an act of Parliament. Now,
brothers, your steady friends the Pompdes beg of you to give
them a final answer, and whatever may be your proposals, we
one and all will never deviate from being determined to sink
or swim."
The second is from the Ramillies to the Royal George :
" They mean to lull us into a supposed state of security
relative to their good intentions towards us by granting us
a temporary increase of provisions, etc., which 'tis true they
have already done, with no other view than to keep us in the
dark as to their intentions respecting the main point in view.
If they once divide us and get us upon different stations, be
assured they think they can then make their own terms.
They know we are no politicians, but at the same time our
late proceedings have convinced them that we are not entirely
bereft of rationality. We all know that without an Act
ratified by Lords and Commons, the promises of the Lords
Commissioners of Admiralty are of no avail. Why, then,
delay the passing of such an Act, and endeavour to amuse
procrastinations and subterfuges?
us with needless
P.S. We are well assured that the Seamen's Bill is hove
out, particularly meeting the disapprobation of Earl Spencer,
etc. We have this from good authority. If you receive this
letter and approve of it, let a pair of white trousers be hung
from the sprit-sail yard arm as the signal of approbation."
On 5 and 6 May a new mutiny was organized
probably by the old methods of ship visiting and letters.
The development of the mutiny will never be exactly
traced, for most of the arrangements must have been
made verbally. There can be no doubt that practically
all the seamen in the fleet believed that they had been
betrayed by the Admiralty. The conviction was certainly
strengthened by the reports of the discussion in
the House of Lords, and by the Order of i May. The