after, is fo extremely valuable j but alio as the tranfadting it does
lb immediately depend on the honour and good faith of thofe who
are entrufted with its management. However, had no national
conveniences attended it, the Commodore’s equity and good temper
would not lefs have deterred him from all tyranny and cruelty
to thofe whom the fortune of war had put into his hands. I lhall
only add, that by his conftant attachment to thefe humane and
prudent maxims, he has acquired a diftinguilhed reputation amongft
the Creolidn Spaniards, which is not confined merely to the coaft
o f the South-Seas, but is extended through all the Spanijh fettle-
ments in America; fo that his name is frequently to be met with
in the mouths o f moft o f the Spanijh inhabitants of that prodigi-
C H A P . V I I .
From our departure from Paita, to our arrival at
JJJuibo.
WH E N we got under fail from the road of Paita, (which,
as I have already obferved, was about midnight, on the
16 th of November) we flood to the weft ward, and in
the morning the Commodore gave orders, that the whole fquadron
Ihould fpread- themfelves, to look out for the Gloucefier. For we
then drew near the ftation where Captain Mitchel had been.direft-
ed to cruifej- and we hourly expedted.to ge.tfight.of him| but the
whole day paffed without feeing hinn .
And now a.jealoufy,. which, had taken its rife at Paita, between
thofe who had been commanded on Ihore for the attack, and thofe
who had continuedon board, grew to fuch a height,' that the Commodore,.
being made acquainted with it, thought it neceilary to in-
terpofe hisauthority to appeafe it. The ground of this animofity
was the plunder gotten at Paita, which thofe who had adted on
Ihore had appropriated to themfelves, confidering it as a reward,
for the rifques they had run, and the refolution they had (hown in
that fervice. But thofe who, had remained on board, looked on
this as-a very, partial and unjuft procedure, urging, that had it been
left to their choice, they (hould have preferred the afting on Ihore
■ t0 the continuing on board ; that their duty, while their comrades ,
were on-Ihore, . was extremely fatiguing.; for befides the labour of
the day, they were, constantly under arms all night to fecure the
prifoners, whofe numbers exceeded their own, and of whom it was .
then neceffary to be extremely watchful, to prevent, any attempts
they might have formed in that critical conj undture : That upon the,
whole.-it could not.be denied;, but that.the prefence of. a fufficient
force.:
4*