n the East India company first
applied, since the war began, for a convoy to St. Helena, and when they
sailed, and what number of ships came under the said convoy, and on the
twenty-fifth day of sitting the committee heard more witnesses.

Next day they proceeded, when an account was brought in of the Spanish
prisoners released, by what orders, and on what conditions; also an
account of the number of seamen employed the last year, distinguishing
how many at home, and how many abroad, also of the number of ships and
vessels of war, distinguishing the rates.

The secretary of the admiralty also presented a list of the names of the
merchant ships, and the masters, as have behaved so negligently as to
delay the convoys from whom they had taken sailing orders, or that have
abandoned the same, or that have been any ways disobedient to the
instructions established for good government, with the narration of the
facts since the beginning of the war.

Also copies of the reasons given, in writing, by such commanders of his
majesty's ships as have been appointed in this war as cruisers on this
side cape Finisterre, for leaving their stations, or for coming into
port, before the time required by their orders, which papers were
sixty-one in number.

All which were referred to the said committee, and then they heard some
other evidence, and after farther proceeding desired leave to sit again.

Next day the secretary of the admiralty presented copies of all
applications for convoys for ships and cruisers, and what was done
thereon, which papers were above forty, of which eight were petitions to
get convoys for single ships.

All which papers and accounts were referred to the said committee, which
was to proceed again on the twenty-eighth day, but the houses were
desired to adjourn for fifteen days.

When the house met again, the said secretary presented copies of all
complaints made since the war began, to the commissioners of the
admiralty, against, or relating to commanders leaving the trade under
their convoy, or their stations, or for impressing seamen out of
outward-bound ships after clearance, or homeward-bound before they
reached their port, or for other misbehaviour, or injury done by them to
trade, with an account of what has been done thereupon.

These papers, including the complaints and the orders given thereupon,
which are much the greater part, with justifications from the
commanders, were in number forty; but we