ceived with the
greatest composure, and a full determination to bear it with
patience.

'My sufferings, however, I have not power to describe; but
though they are great, yet I thank God for enabling me to bear
them without repining. I endeavour to qualify my affliction
with these three considerations, first, my innocence not
deserving them; secondly, that they cannot last long; and
thirdly, that the change may be for the better. The first
improves my hopes; the second, my patience; and the third, my
courage. I am young in years, but old in what the world calls
adversity; and it has had such an effect, as to make me
consider it the most beneficial incident that could have
occurred at my age. It has made me acquainted with three
things which are little known, and as little believed by any
but those who have felt their effects: first, the villany and
censoriousness of mankind; secondly, the futility of all human
hopes; and thirdly, the happiness of being content in whatever
station it may please Providence to place me. In short, it has
made me more of a philosopher, than many years of a life spent
in ease and pleasure would have done.

'As they will no doubt proceed to the greatest lengths against
me, I being the only surviving officer, and they most inclined
to believe a prior story, all that can be said to confute it
will probably be looked upon as mere falsity and invention.
Should that be my unhappy case, and they resolved upon my
destruction as an example to futurity, may God enable me to
bear my fate with the fortitude of a man, conscious that
misfortune, not any misconduct, is the cause, and that the
Almighty can attest my innocence. Yet why should I despond? I
have, I hope, still a friend in that Providence which hath
preserved me amidst many greater dangers, and upon whom alone
I now depend for safety. God will always protect those who
deserve it. These are the sole considerations which have
enabled me to make myself easy and content under my past
misfortunes.

'Twelve more of the people who were at Otaheite having
delivered themselves up, there was a sort of prison built on
the after-part of the quarter-deck, into which we were all put
in close confinement with both legs and both hands in irons,
and were treate