to proceed to demand more; that they ought to be contented; and that, if they offered to meet in convention, he would order the marines to fire on them. The delegates, however, persisted, and the Vice-Admiral ordered the marines to level their pieces at them. In this situation, he again admonished them, but without effect; a slight scuffle ensued, and one of the delegates, all of whom were armed, fired at Lieutenant Sims of the marines, and wounded him. At the command of Mr. Simpson, the first Lieutenant of the London, the marines then fired, and killed 5 seamen, two of whom were delegates. The whole crew of that ship now declared open hostility against the officers and their loyal supporters, turned the guns in the fore part of the vessel towards the stern, and threatened to blow all aft into the water, unless they surrendered. Circumstanced as they were, to this imperious menace, there was no alternative but submission.
In consequence of the death of their comrades, by the firing of the marines, the seamen were proceeding to hang Lieutenant Simpson; but at this trying moment, the Vice-Admiral rushed forward, alleged his own responsibility, and assured them, that that officer had acted only by his orders, agreeably to directions received from the Admiralty. The seamen instantly demanded these instructions, and they were immediately produced. The mutineers then confined Vice-Admiral Colpoys, Captain Griffith, and the other officers, to their cabins, and made the marines prisoners. On the 11th May, four days after the renewed symptoms of mutiny had appeared, the crew of the London expressed a wish that the Vice-Admiral and Captain Griffith should go on shore, which they accordingly did, acompanied by the Rev. Mr. Cole, the Chaplain.
The fleet remained in this mutinous state till the 14th of the month, when Earl Howe arrived at Portsmouth, invested with full powers for settling the different points in dispute. As he also brought with him an act of parliament, which had been passed on the 9th, in compliance with the wishes of the seamen, and a proclamation of pardon for all who should immediately return to their duty; affairs were, for a time, adjusted to the satisfaction of the sailors; the flag of disaffection was struck, and two days after, the fleet put to sea to encounter the enemy.
