s still in my possession:

"LINTIN, 29th December, 1834.

"This is to certify, that on the 27th day of November, 1834, off
the small island commonly called Lord North's by the English,
situated in latitude 3 deg. 3' north, and longitude 131 deg. 20' east, on
board the British barque Britannia, bound to Canton river, we
observed about ten or eleven canoes, containing upwards of one
hundred men, approaching the vessel, in a calm, or nearly so, with
the intention of coming alongside. But having the small complement
of thirteen men, it was considered most prudent to keep them off,
which was effected by firing a few six pound shots in a contrary
direction from the boats, some of which were then within
pistol-shot. At the same time hearing cries in our own language,
begging to be taken on board, the boat was despatched away to know
the cause. The boat returned to the ship, and reported an American
on board one of them. She was then sent back, having strict
orders to act with caution, and the man got from the canoe into the
sea, and was taken up by the ship's boat, and brought on board. He
then stated in what manner he came there, and said he had another
of his countrymen in another canoe. I said if we could get some of
the boats dispersed, that every assistance should be rendered for
the liberty of the other man. Accordingly they did so, all but
three. The ship's boat was then despatched in search, and soon
found the other man. He was brought on board, but in a most
deplorable condition with fever, from the effects of a miserable
subsistence. These two poor fellows were quite naked, under a
burning sun. They appeared to bear all the marks of their long
servitude, and I should suppose two or three days would have been
the end of the last man taken on board, but from this act of
Providence. It appears that these men were wrecked in the ship
Mentor, on the Pelew islands, and were proceeding with their
commander to some Dutch settlement, in one of the Pelew island
canoes, when they got to the afore-mentioned island, and were
detained by the natives; and that captain Edward C. Barnard had got
on board some ship, and reached Canton river shortly after their
detention at the island; which has been confirmed by the different
m