when Lord Bridport, who had succeeded to the command of the fleet, on the indisposition of the above nobleman, made the signal to prepare for sea, the crew of the Queen Charlotte, bearing his Lordship’s flag, instead of weighing anchor, ran up the shrouds, and gave three cheers, as the notice of disaffection, which was immediately answered by every other ship present. Astonishment, on the part of the officers, succeeded this sudden and violent act of disobedience; they used every means in their power to induce a return to duty; but all their exertions were ineffectual; and, on the following day, two delegates were appointed from each vessel, to represent the whole fleet, the Commander-in-Chief’s cabin being fixed upon as the place for their deliberations.
On the 18th April, a committee of the Board of Admiralty arrived at Portsmouth, and made propositions to the mutineers, all of which, however, were ineffectual. On the 21st, Admirals Gardner, Colpoys, and Pole, went on board the Queen Charlotte, in order to confer with the delegates; but. these men assured them, that no arrangement would be considered as final, until it should be sanctioned by the King and Parliament, and guaranteed by a proclamation for a general pardon.
After much time had been spent in negotiation, the wishes of the men were in a great measure acceded to; and it was concluded that loyalty and subordination had resumed their seats. Unfortunately this was not the case. On the 7th May, when Lord Bridport again made the signal for sailing, every ship in the fleet refused to obey. For this second act of disobedience, the seamen alleged, as a reason, the silence which Government observed on the subject of their complaints. The idea, that the promised redress of their grievances would not be carried into effect, was strengthened by the distribution of a number of seditious hand bills among the ships; and the seamen therefore resolved to hold a convention of delegates on board the London, at Spithead. In pursuance of their intention, they proceeded in their boats alongside of that ship; but Vice-Admiral Colpoys, determined to oppose their coming on board, cautioned them against acting as they had formerly done; told them that they had asked a great deal, and had obtained much; and that he would not suffer them
