hich the lives of people on both
sides are sacrificed for the sake of lucre--and had you witnessed such
scenes of bloodshed and cruelty as I have during my career, such
dreadful passions let loose, and defying all restraint, you would
agree with me, that he who leads such miscreants to their quarry has
much to answer for. Were it possible to control the men on board of a
privateer as the men are controlled in the king's service, it might be
more excusable; but manned as privateers always will be, with the most
reckless characters, when once they are roused by opposition,
stimulated by the sight of plunder, or drunken with victory, no power
on earth can restrain their barbarity and vengeance, and a captain of
a privateer who attempted, would, in most cases, if he stood between
them and their will, unless he were supported, fall a victim to his
rashness. All this I have seen; and all I now express I have long
felt, even when younger and more thoughtless. You know that I did give
up privateering at one time, because I was shocked at the excesses to
which I was a party. Since that, I have accepted the command of a
vessel, for the idea of being captain was too flattering to my vanity
to permit me to refuse; but reflection has again decided me not to
engage in it further. I hope this communication will not displease
you, Mr. Trevannion. If I am wrong in my opinion, at all events I am
sincere, for I am giving up my only source of livelihood from a sense
of duty."

"I know that you are sincere, Elrington," replied Mr. Trevannion, "but
at the same time I think that you are much too strait-laced in your
opinions. When nations are at war, they mutually do all the mischief
that they can to each other, and I cannot see what difference there is
between my fitting out a privateer under the king's authority, or the
king having vessels and men for the national service. The government
fit out all the vessels that they can, and when their own funds are
exhausted, they encourage individuals to employ their capital in
adding to the means of distressing the enemy. If I had property on the
high seas, would it be respected any more than other English property
by the enemy? Certainly not; and, therefore, I am not bound to respect
theirs. The end of war is to obtain an honourable peace; and the more
the enemy is distressed, the sooner are you likely to obtain one. I do
not, therefore, consider that privateering is worse than any other
species o