people so offending were only slightly reprimanded.
John Bergman, with a drawn cutlass, ran about Reike-
vig, threatening destruction to us all, for which he was
only confined for two hours. Mr. Finboge, who had
concealed two thousand six hundred rix-dollars, belonging
to Adzer Knutzen, received no manner of chastisement.
Sigurd Thorgrimsen suffered no punishment
for propagating reports about the country that the
streets of Reikevig were stained with the blood of Danes
and Icelanders. Assessor Einersen was arrested and
confined for a few days, upon the information of the
Etatsroed Stephensen, that he was at the head of a
conspiracy raised to attack the English.—So much for
my cruelty and severity.”
•
N° 6.
COPY OF A L E T T E R
FROM CAPTAIN JONES TO MR. PHELPS.
His Majesty's Sloop Talbot, Reikevig Bay,
August 19th, 1809.
S ir ,
The conversation I had with you respecting
your transactions on this island was not
with any intention of interfering, or depriving
you of any power granted by government;
but, in consequence of hearing reports
respecting your conduct, I deemed it
my duty to ascertain the nature of your
situation, your business here, by what authority
you acted, and how far these reports
were correct, in order to give you every
protection and assistance as a British subject.
You having, however, declined in the first
instance (deeming it unnecessary) to give me
such information, and then sending me a
statement of your conduct, which appeared
to me in several respects not sanctioned by
your having a letter of marque only, I acquaint
you, not only that such a communication
was a respect due; but that it is
a duty incumbent on all British subjects to
give every information, both relating to themselves
and others, to the captains of any of
his Majesty’s ships; and your being apprised
by letters from the lords commissioners of
the admirality of my being sent here to
protect your trade and that of this island,
ought to have convinced you of its necessity1.
I therefore sent a message, appointing an
hour for you to wait on me, in order to
gain such information as would direct me
how to act; or, if necessary, to reply in