ns 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 of
warfare, or that the privateersman is a whit more reckless or brutal
than soldiers or men-of-war's men in the hour of victory in the king's
service."

"There is this difference, Sir," replied I; "first, in the officers
commanding; although glad to obtain prize-money, they are stimulated by
nobler feelings as well. They look to honour and distinction; they have
the feeling that they are defending their king and country, to support
them and throw a halo on their exertions; and they have such control
over their men, that, although I admit they are equally inclined to
excess as the privateersman, they are held in check by the authority
which they dare not resist. Now, Mr Trevannion, privateersmen seek not
honour, and are not stimulated by a desire to serve the country; all
they look to is how to obtain the property of others under sanction; and
could they without any risk do so, they would care little whether it was
English property or not, provided that they put the money into their
pockets. If I held this opinion as a seaman on board of a privateer,
what must I feel now, when I am the leader of such people, and the
responsibility of their acts is thrown upon my shoulders, for such I
feel is the case!"

"I think," replied Mr Trevannion, "that we had better not discuss this
question any further just now. Of course you must decide for yourself;
but I have this favour to ask of you. Trusting to your resuming the
command of the vessel, I have no one to replace you at present, and I
hope you will not refuse to take the command of her for one more cruise:
should you on your return and on mature reflection be of t